Chinese, Spanish leaders pledge to enhance ties, safeguard free trade Xinhua) 09:05, April 12, 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) -- 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) China renews orange alert for strong gales Xinhua) 10:53, April 12, 2025 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. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Cross-party talks on social care have been delayed - despite warnings that failure to tackle the issue will wreck Labour's attempts to reform the NHS. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said last August that he wanted the political parties to 'try and work together on long-term reform' of the thorny issue. In January he announced plans to hold cross-party talks ahead of the launch of a new review by Whitehall troubleshooter Louise Casey. But, with Dame Louise's review due to start this month, no talks have taken place and none are scheduled. The delay will add to concern that Labour is not serious about tackling the issue. Ministers have already faced a backlash for delaying Dame Louise's final report until 2028, meaning that her proposals are unlikely to be implemented before the next election. Dame Louise is currently still working on an 'audit' of the grooming gangs scandal for Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. In a surprise move, Mr Streeting has also ruled out one major option for the review, saying that he does not want to see responsibility and funding for social care merged into the NHS. Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) said he does not want to see responsibility and funding for social care merged into the NHS Dame Louise Casey, who is due to conduct a new review of social care, is currently still working on an 'audit' of the grooming gangs scandal for Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) He told MPs this week that social care should remain 'distinct'. And, despite a long history of local authority cash crises, he insisted social care is 'better delivered and commissioned through local government'. Layla Moran, Lib Dem chairman of the Commons health committee, said the delays were 'hugely frustrating' and would set back the government's efforts to reform both the NHS and the economy. 'There have been so many delays on this issue for so many years on this issue - we really do need to get cracking now,' she said. 'It is hugely frustrating that cross-party talks have not started yet. If they really are going to be delivering the substantial changes they have promised then that work should have started already. 'It does just feel like more delay - and the cost of that, both the personal cost and the cost to the economy, is going to be enormous.' Ms Casey wrote to the political parties this week to invite them to discuss her review of social care. But no date was set for meetings and the talks with each party will now be held separately rather than as a cross-party discussion. One source involved in the process said: 'It has been very frustrating. We have had talks cancelled at very short notice with no proper explanation. Now it looks like there will not be anything before this review gets underway. 'If they are serious about getting cross-party backing, which everyone agrees is needed, then it seems a very strange way to go about it.' Lib Dem Layla Moran (pictured) said the delays would set back the government's efforts to reform both the NHS and the economy One Whitehall source said the care minister Stephen Kinnock (pictured) was too busy dealing with the Assisted Dying Bill at the time when cross-party talks on care were meant to take place Mr Streeting formally announced plans for cross-party talks in January, saying they would take place the following month. He said he wanted all parties to 'agree on the direction on social care for the long term'. But a planned meeting was cancelled. One Whitehall source said the care minister Stephen Kinnock was too busy dealing with the Assisted Dying Bill at the time. The source added: 'It took up a huge amount of his bandwidth. The committee sat for 90 hours and, if you factor in the preparation time as well, that was a huge burden on his time.' Health sources denied the claim, insisting that talks had been postponed because one party was unavailable and another failed to respond to the invitation. Previous attempts to reform social care have collapsed because of a failure to garner cross-party support. At the 2010 election, the Conservatives attacked Gordon Brown's proposals as a 'death tax', while Labour savaged Theresa May's 'dementia tax' plans in 2017. In the run-up to the election, Labour said it would implement Tory plans for a cap on social care costs designed to prevent people having to sell their homes to pay for a car. But Mr Streeting ditched the plans weeks after Labour's victory. Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons liaison committee this week that he still wants to proceed on a cross-party basis. The PM acknowledged there was 'frustration that this has been pushed down the road too many times'. He added: 'We need to reform social care, and we need to make sure that if we do reform it, it is lasting reform. I do not think that that is possible unless it is a cross-party consensus about how we go forward with social care.' Parents at a Perth college have been issued a stern warning after a pair of school mums were caught brawling on CCTV. Footage shared by 9News on Friday shows two women shoving and tugging at each other's hair on the ground until a schoolboy is forced to step between them. Their children are believed to be pupils at Aveley Secondary College in Ellenbrook, Perth, and the dispute reportedly stemmed from friction between the students. 'It was frightening, shocking,' one of the mums, Melissa, said. Melissa claims she suffered facial injuries and chunks of her hair were pulled out during the incident in November. 'It was confronting, especially at your own home,' she said. The other woman reportedly did not want to speak on camera with 9News but alleged she was attacked first. The fight was captured on a security camera positioned at the front door of Melissa's home in the Vines in Perth's outer suburbs. CCTV footage from November shows two women hitting each other after their children, who both attend Aveley Secondary College, had a dispute (pictured) In the video, one woman came flying out of the front door as someone tries to hold her back as she lands blows on another woman. A pair of glasses and a phone can be seen falling to the ground as the trio grapple. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Aveley Secondary College for comment. The college emailed parents on Friday saying it will take strong action over aggression or violence at school, including suspension or exclusion. Students have also been put on notice, including outside school hours and off the grounds, and threatened with consequences if their behaviour is violent or anti-social in the community, 9News reported. It comes after a mother and son spoke out this week about an alleged attack at the college in which the 14-year-old boy lost his two front teeth. The teen was allegedly set upon in June 2024 when other boys 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. Aveley Secondary College (pictured) sent parents a letter on Friday warning serious consequences for students who are violent or display anti-social behaviour on college grounds but also out of school hours and off-premises A 14-year-old (pictured) was allegedly attacked in June 2024 when students thought he was hiding a vape in his pocket The mother and son, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said they 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. Western Australian Minister for Education Sabine Winton has 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.' Peter Hahn lives very simply. He rises with the sun, bakes his own bread, works all day on his 25-acre vineyard in the Loire mostly bent double with a pair of secateurs in his hands and never, ever, takes a holiday. Or, for that matter, a shortcut. Each year, he makes about 10,000 bottles of Vouvray. But not the way most people make wine in the modern world. Instead, Peter harks back hundreds of years. When he can, he uses horses to plough his vineyards so much gentler than a tractor. He uses neither herbicides nor pesticides. All 24,000 of his vine plants are manually pruned by him and the tonnes of Chenin Blanc grapes he grows, all harvested by hand. He and his wife Juliette a stylish beauty in bright red lipstick who gave up a life in the Paris art world for all this hand-press it all in a century-old vertical wooden basket. Later, as the wine slowly matures in a row of traditional oak barrels, deep down in his dusty cave, he plays music. Partly for the wine, he says, but also for the angels who live in the cellar and watch over it. For each vintage, a different composer this year its Bach. The Brandenburg concertos! he beams. Peter Hahn and his wife Juliette (pictured) hand-press 24,000 vine plants in a century-old vertical wooden basket Theres something mystical in the cellar and I love the idea that the wine listens to music as it develops,' he says All of his vine plants are manually pruned by him and the tonnes of Chenin Blanc grapes he grows, all harvested by hand Theres something mystical in the cellar and I love the idea that the wine listens to music as it develops. Its just a little bit of craziness, a gentle madness, but wine is alive so who knows, it might help. There is plenty of gentle madness in Peter. And also much to admire. As we chat in the sunshine, standing on a thick carpet of buttercups, daisies, dandelion clocks and flowering clover, with the sound of fat bumblebees and the sweet scent of blossom drenching the crisp April air, it is hard to imagine anywhere more at one with nature. Or anyone more rooted to their land. He tells me he has a visceral connection to the terroir the flora, the fauna and its cycles and seasons. He can scent the weather, how the earthy smell of wet soil and foliage signals an impending storm, even before the first drop falls. And he can feel the layers of the past in the land and generations whove worked it. It makes me feel connected to humanity, to history, to nature. Which is odd, because Peter, a very youthful 60, is not from here. Hes not even French, for goodness sake. Hes American known to some as the Indiana Jones of Vouvray, due to a passing resemblance to Harrison Ford. And hes only been living here in Le Clos de la Meslerie winery since 2002, when a breakdown cleaved his life apart and changed everything. His old life was rather different. The former investment banker rises with the sun, bakes his own bread, works all day on his 25-acre vineyard in the Loire and never, ever, takes a holiday Peter and Juliette met on the internet a couple of years after hed bought the vineyard Peter says he has a visceral connection to the terroir the flora, the fauna and its cycles and seasons An investment banker on a vast salary, he jetted around the world, partied hard, went on expensive holidays, lived a relentlessly peripatetic urban existence, rarely slept or paused to catch his breath and never noticed a season, other than to escape from it to a luxury beach resort. I was burning out. Burning out fast, he says. Until one Thursday, after working for 48 hours with no sleep, he was in a black cab on the way to Heathrow, laptop open on his knees, Blackberry in hand, and had an episode. My fists were in tight balls, my body rigid. I felt a floating sensation, he says. You alright mate? asked the worried cabbie. No, he was not. And wouldnt be for a few years. Not until after ditching his job and his fast life, getting married and divorced in a bit of a rush, and seeing a therapist he realised that he needed a totally different life. A life working the land despite never having lived in the countryside. I knew I needed to grow something I dont think it really mattered what. I just needed to get back to nature. And so, one day he found himself standing in the overgrown driveway of Le Clos de la Meslerie, a 25-acre plot near Tours, in the Loire, with ten acres of vines and a huge, decrepit farmhouse. It was more profound than love at first sight. A lightning bolt, he says. This is where Ive always belonged. This is my place. A brave thought. Because there are few people less welcoming to outsiders than the members of Frances rural community. Particularly to those with big flash watches and American accents. But Peter either didnt notice, or didnt care there were a few dirty looks and instead threw himself into learning all he could about wine. Today, Peter calls himself a wine grower, rather than a winemaker. 'We just get what the earth gives us,' he says One day Peter found himself standing in the overgrown driveway of Le Clos de la Meslerie, a 25-acre plot near Tours, in the Loire, with ten acres of vines and a huge, decrepit farmhouse He went back to college and was an apprentice on neighbouring farms, and crucially, was taken under the wing of two local and highly respected winemakers, Vincent and Damien, who quickly realised that Indiana Jones wasnt just playing at it. I thought I came here to grow wine, but really it was about living again. Living properly, he says. Which is why he decided to ignore many of the scientific developments that have taken place in the wine world since the 1950s, and get back to basics. Farmers managed to make wine perfectly well for 8,000 years before that, he explains. So I decided to do it their way. Which meant a lot more work. He refuses even a pair of powered secateurs to take the strain off pruning, because it changes the feel. And he almost always works in silence, with just the birds and bees for company. I work like a dog, but for me its not work. Its meditative, its a kind of therapy, he says, simply. I never thought that, after 20 years, Id be so excited to get up and mend some rusty wire. But its who I am now. I dont need stuff. I dont need holidays. I dont need to ever leave here. I just need to be in nature. We all do. Now he has written an exquisite book Angels In The Cellar, Notes From A French Vineyard. It is not about a rich banker who buys a vineyard. Or even, deep down, about making wine. But a nature book light, lyrical and full of love for the land, the soil, the wonder of seasons and how the earth can nurture the soul. Homo sapiens have lived for 300,000 years and, for 295,000 of those, we were living in nature on the land. Its innate. We all need that connection. Farmers managed to make wine perfectly well for 8,000 years before that, he explains. So I decided to do it their way,' he says Juliette runs the enormous and now very stylish house -plus a couple of holiday lets and wine events Today, Peter calls himself a wine grower, rather than a winemaker. I grow the grapes, but they make the wine. It is not me we just get what the earth gives us. So when it comes to harvesting, he does it by gut and instinct I touch and taste the grapes and try to listen unlike his peers who scientifically track the acidity levels in the run up to harvest. And he wouldnt dream of adding a bit of sugar here, a blend of grapes there, as most do to even out the flavour and acidity levels. He just harvests, presses and then pops it in his cellar in handmade oak barrels to listen to a bit of Bach (this year) and mature. A bit like a handknitted sweater, each vintage is different. So in a hot sunny summer itll be sweeter and less acidic, and tighter and less generous in a cooler year. Amazingly, his very first vintage in 2008 was a total triumph. Not my doing just what the earth gave us. One well-known American importer was so blown away that he bought the lot and soon his wine was winning prizes and popping up in some of the worlds finest restaurants. Meanwhile, Peter continued to hoe and prune and press and pick, and time took on a different dimension measured not in minutes and hours (his flash watches have long gone) but dawn and dusk, summer and winter. Seasons became something to lean into long calm nights in the winter. Hot July air, thick with pollen. And perhaps most excitingly, the frosty old guard in the local commune started drawing him and Juliette into the fold. Inviting them to family parties. Now we belong. Of course, nature isnt just sunrises and buttercups. It can be capricious. In 2018, he lost 80 per cent of the crop to frost. Last year, disaster struck again mildew this time and he lost more than half. I work like a dog, but for me its not work. Its meditative, its a kind of therapy, Peter says Bloody hell. After all that tender cherishing. It is heartbreaking. I go and sit somewhere very quietly, he says. Until the brilliant Juliette mops him up. They met on the internet a couple of years after hed bought the vineyard where would I meet someone here, he laughs clicked immediately and, instead of moving to London or New York, as shed planned, she moved down here, married him and had their daughter, Celestine. Peter is quite certain that Juliette not only saved him, but made his dream possible. She is everything, he says. And, I suspect, very patient. Because while Peter is an utter delight, I wonder if he might not always be the easiest to live with. Doggedly driven, a teeny bit of a pessimist and, even after 20 years, still relentlessly focussed on his beloved, 90-year-old vines. Look at the incredible tender beauty coming out of these gnarly old things, he cries as he points at the emerging spring shoots. The couple make about 10,000 bottles of Vouvray each year and offer wine tours and tastings So while hes out all day, pruning and mulching and eulogising about the quiet calm of winter, or how spring pulsates with energy and life, Juliette does everything else. She runs the enormous and now very stylish house. Plus a couple of holiday lets. Organises wine tours, tastings and the food and wine pairing events she is an exceptional cook. Welcomes his two older children and extended family to stay. And somehow makes it all fun and doable. But even she cant take Peters swirling mind off the future. The worry of climate change winemakers all over the world are panicking. And what will happen to this magical place in the long run. How long can I go on. Can I keep at it? he worries. The thought of living anywhere else makes him visibly blanche. So his plan is simply never to leave. My dream is to keel over dead in the vineyard with a massive heart attack, hopefully when Im very old. And, ideally, in the spring my favourite season; so full of promise. But first, lets hope that he and the wonderful Juliette get to enjoy another 40 years in this extraordinarily beautiful place. But perhaps with a pair of automated pruners. An economic deal with the US could be agreed in a matter of days, Government sources say. Ministers are desperate to strike an agreement with Donald Trump despite his advisers warning that he will not ease tariffs on the UK. Yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the UK was 'resolved' to do everything it could to secure the 'best deal possible' with the US. Conversations over a potential agreement will progress in the coming days, government sources indicated. However, it is unlikely ministers will be able to avoid the 'baseline' tariff of 10 per cent on exports to the US. Instead, the UK is focusing on easing the 25 per cent tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars, which are Britain's single biggest export to America. Travelling to Poland to meet European financial ministers, Ms Reeves said the UK needed to strike better trade arrangements with other partners across the world. It came as Mr Trump's global tariffs forced his ally Elon Musk to suspend new orders for Tesla cars to China as the trade war escalates between the two countries. Ministers are scrambling to reach a trade agreement with Donald Trump (pictured on Friday) despite his advisers warning that he will not ease tariffs on the UK An anti-Elon Musk campaign group destroy a Tesla Model S in south London in a protest on Friday Despite the turbulence in world markets, Mr Trump insisted that he was 'doing really well on our tariff policy' and said it was 'moving along quickly'. Mr Trump has raised total tariffs on China to 145 per cent, while China responded yesterday by increasing its levies on US exports to 125 per cent. The tit-for-tat trade war has all but ended trade between the two countries. Tesla's share price has fallen about 50 per cent due to the levies. A large amount of battery materials used for the cars are supplied by Chinese firms. Mr Musk has admitted his company faces a 'significant' impact from the levies and says there should be 'zero tariffs' between the EU and America despite being a US government adviser. The company is already struggling to compete with Chinese rivals, including BYD, and there are suggestions that Mr Musk's association with the Trump regime has tarnished the brand. Mr Trump is also facing accusations of insider trading after saying it was a 'great time to buy' shares four hours before the stock market surged when he paused tariffs on Wednesday. Stock markets around the world plunged dramatically on Monday following his imposition of tariffs on worldwide imports. There was further meltdown when he paused nearly all of them except for China for 90 days. Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured on Wednesday) says the UK is determined to do everything in its power to secure a deal with the US Elon Musk's Tesla has seen share price fall about 50 per cent due to the levies - a large amount of battery materials used for the cars are supplied by Chinese firms The S&P 500 stock market index, which tracks the largest companies in the US, soared by more than 9 per cent following the decision by Mr Trump. In a video posted on X, Mr Trump said that Charles Schwab, the founder of a multinational financial services firm, had made $2.5billion from the sudden surge in the stock market. He later said: 'That's not bad is it.' US Democrats have called for an investigation after claiming he had tipped off his 'billionaire' allies before reversing the policy. They say his intervention raised 'grave ethics concerns' and they want an urgent inquiry into whether any of Mr Trump's family or officials benefited. But Jordan Belfort, who wrote the memoir The Wolf Of Wall Street which inspired the film of the same name, told Sky News there was 'no way' Mr Trump had manipulated the market. Yesterday White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that more than 75 countries had made contact with the US administration to talk about tariffs and the 'phones have been ringing off the hook to make deals'. She added: 'If China continues to retaliate, it's not good for China'. Asked whether China had backed down by saying it would ignore any further tariff escalations, she said: 'The President made it very clear when the United States is punched, he will punch back harder.' Tesla stunt hammers home the point He's a divisive character. But would you show your feelings about Elon Musk by smashing up one of his Tesla cars? That's what happened outside a South London arts studios as a hammer-wielding group wrecked a 14,000 2014 Model S. The piece of performance art was organised by campaign group Everyone Hates Elon to give 'Londoners a chance to stand up to far-Right hatred and billionaires and express how they feel about the current state of the world'. The car, which had been destined for scrap, will be auctioned and the proceeds will go towards a food bank. The group advised others 'not to damage any other vehicles you would face serious legal consequences'. A campaigner smashes a Tesla car outside a London arts studio during a protest by activist group Everybody Hates Elon The car, which had been destined for scrap, will be auctioned and the proceeds will go towards a food bank The performance art piece was organised to give Londoners a chance to express their hatred of far-Right policies and frustration with wealth-hoarding billionaires A campaigner stands on the Tesla car, donated anonymously for the stunt Drug smugglers who used foie gras and duck breast to hide 8million worth of cocaine in the back of a van have been jailed. Michael Keating, 56; his brother Matthew, 49; Tanvir Hussain, 46; and Pierre Labelle, 48, were today caged for their involvement in the plan to bring in the drugs in the back of a transit van across the Channel. The group tried to bring in the drugs by entering Newhaven in East Sussex from Dieppe in northern France in November 2019. The van was stopped by Border Patrol officers who, after removing the load of expensive delicacy from the vehicle, found 97kg worth of cocaine hidden beneath a false floor. Officers found the driver of the van was not involved in the plan and work began on finding those behind the plot. Offenders were traced as part of Operation Venetic, which the NCA launched after the takedown of the encrypted communications platform EncroChat Michael Keating, of Uxbridge in Middlesex, used the platform to organise the plot and source the drugs through international connections, according to the agency. Labelle admitted to conspiracy to import cocaine in October 2023 and was jailed for 17 years. The van was stopped by Border Patrol officers who, after removing the load of expensive delicacy from the vehicle, found the 97kg worth of cocaine hidden beneath a false floor. Matthew Keating and Hussain were both jailed on Friday at Hove Crown Court Keating's younger brother Matthew also had an EncroChat phone, and they also used the platform to plan an 80kg importation of ketamine. Hussain, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, bought the van along with Labelle, who is from the Isle of Wight. During a search of Michael Keating's home, officers seized more than 50,000 in cash and a notebook that appeared to contain EncroChat handles. He and Hussain were convicted after trial of conspiring to import cocaine at Hove Crown Court in February 2024. Michael Keating was sentenced to 24 years' imprisonment while Hussain was caged for 10 years. Labelle admitted to conspiracy to import cocaine in October 2023 and was jailed for 17 years. Keating's brother Matthew pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import ketamine in January 2024 and was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison. Labelle and Matthew Keating were jailed n Friday at Hove Crown Court Mark Ruff, a senior officer from the NCA, 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.' Mr Ruff added: '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.' A transgender Black Hawk pilot wrongly named as one of the three US Army personnel flying the helicopter that collided with a plane in Washington DC is suing a right-wing commentator. Jo Ellis, 35, was misidentified as the female co-pilot of the doomed chopper, which ended in the deaths of 67 people on January 29. A shaken-sounding Ellis - a pilot in the Virginia Army National Guard - picked up the phone when called by DailyMail.com after the crash, confirming that she was not killed, adding: 'I am very much alive.' The false rumors had 'shocked,' her and at the time she said the slurs were 'disrespectful to the families' of the 67 people killed. Now she appears to be taking action, accusing conservative influencer Matt Wallace of defamation. He posted to his account - which has 2.3 million followers - that Ellis committed a 'trans terrorist attack.' He added that she had crashed the helicopter because of 'depression' and 'gender dysphoria.' She filed a suit in Wallace's home state of Colorado, claiming he 'concocted a destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign.' Jo Ellis (pictured), transgender Black Hawk pilot wrongly named as one of the three US Army personnel flying the helicopter that collided with a plane in Washington DC, is suing a right-wing commentator for libel Ellis appears to be taking action, accusing conservative influencer Matt Wallace (pictured) of defamation. He posted to his account - which has 2.3 million followers - that Ellis committed a 'trans terrorist attack.' Wallace has yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit. After Ellis was proven not to be on the flight, he wrote a message on social media that didn't apologize and referred to Ellis as a man. 'This is apparently the first account who reported what we now know is false. Seemed credible because Jo Ellis wrote an article calling out Trumps trans military ban only a few days ago. I disagree with Jos views but glad he is still alive.' 'My life was turned upside-down at that point. Forever on, I'm known as "that trans terrorist,"' Ellis told The New York Times. 'I believe in free speech, but I also believe in consequences to free speech. If you can stir up a mob because you say something that's not true, that's your right. But once the mob comes after someone, you've got to have some consequences.' Ellis - who is being represented by the pro-LGBTQ Equality Legal Action Fund - promised to donate any money she receives should she win to the families of the victims of the crash. She said that she faced death threats and harassment and was forced to publicly post a 'proof of life' video on Facebook. The rumors a transgender woman had been part of the crash also allegedly influenced Donald Trump when he signed an executive order banning trans people from the military. Ellis - who is being represented by the pro-LGBTQ Equality Legal Action Fund - promised to donate any money she receives should she win to the families of the victims of the crash President Trump suggested diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies were to blame, with some online 'sleuths' subsequently singling out Jo Ellis. A blog written by Ellis said she had spent her childhood homeschooled for most of her education, and had struggled with gender dysmorphia since the age of five. She joined the military in 2009 as a 15G helicopter mechanic in the Virginia National Guard, and went on to deploy to Iraq with Operation New Dawn two years later. After earning the Air Medal for her valor in the Middle East, she also served in Guatemala and Kuwait in subsequent years. While saying she worked through gender dysmorphia by trying to become more successful and more manly, she got married, adopted a dog and raised a stepdaughter, as all the things I thought a good man should do. Ellis wrote that in 2020, she was accepted into the Armys Warrant Officer Flight Training program. I completed Warrant Officer Candidate School, SERE School (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape), and the UH60 Black Hawk helicopter course. She said that the pandemic and the rigors of flight school led her to confront her gender dysphoria and decide, with the support of her spouse, to transition. After Ellis was proven not to be on the flight, Wallace (pictured left) wrote a message on social media that didn't apologize and referred to Ellis as a man Ellis, 35, was misidentified as the female co-pilot of the doomed, which ended in the deaths of 67 people on January 29 She said when she told her military commanders in 2023, she was met with immediate support. The day before the tragic collision over Reagan International Airport, Ellis had given an interview with Sirius XM DJ and CNN host Michael Smerconish, whose Smerconish.com website she once managed. Ellis spoke of her pride in serving 15 years in the military and struggle with gender dysmorphia before coming out. She said in the interview she currently serves in the National Guard as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, as well as working a private sector IT job. The helicopter is said to have flown at a higher than normal altitude when it collided with American Eagle flight 5342 as it came into land at Reagan National Airport in Washington DC shortly before 9pm ET Wednesday night. Horrifying video footage showed the two aircraft collide in a fireball before plunging into the icy Potomac River just east of Reagan's runways. The three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk were all killed, as were the 60 passengers and four crew aboard the Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft. Footage of the Black Hawk crashing into the side of the plane has also sparked speculation the chopper was to blame. Robert Isoms, CEO of American Eagle's parent company American Airlines, questioned why the chopper had crossed the path of the airliner. BBC Breakfast presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are said to be 'barely speaking' to their editor after accusing him of 'bullying and misconduct'. The pair, who are based at the Beeb's Salford studios and earn a combined salary of 545,000, are described as being 'at loggerheads' with Richard Frediani, known as Fredi to his colleagues. Munchetty, 50, is said to have raised concerns about Frediani with BBC News managers, with one insider claiming the furore has 'blown up' staff WhatsApp groups. Frediani meanwhile is understood to have been at the centre of at least two workplace misconduct complaints since he became editor of the flagship news programme in 2019. One of those was the subject of a formal grievance process last year. Sources told Deadline that Frediani is a 'bruiser' who has intimidated and subjected his staff to being shouted and sworn at after making mistakes on air, and who allegedly 'banged his fist on a glass wall' during one such incident. Another said they witnessed him kicking a wastebasket. And during one incident in February 2024, Frediani allegedly physically shook a lower-ranking female editor - with a complaint then being investigated and upheld by the BBC. Others who have spoken out about his behaviour allege that he has cultivated an environment of 'favouritism'. BBC Breakfast presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are said to be 'barely speaking' to their editor after accusing him of 'bullying and misconduct' Munchetty, 50, is said to have raised concerns about Frediani with BBC News managers, with one insider claiming the furore has 'blown up' staff WhatsApp groups Frediani is understood to have been at the centre of at least two workplace misconduct complaints since he became editor of the flagship news programme in 2019 Sources claim he was also a 'bully' at ITN, where he held senior roles at ITV News before moving to the BBC. But those who support Frediani say that he is 'valued' at the BBC and is seen as a skillful editor. It was under his helm that BBC Breakfast's coverage of the Post Office scandal led to the show's first Bafta TV nomination. Of the latest allegations relating to the BBC Breakfast presenters, a source told The Times: 'Fredi has no relationship with Charlie and Naga, which is weird when they are half of his frontline presenting roster. 'It appears he doesn't like them and they don't like him for whatever reason, they don't talk to each other.' Newsreader Tina Daheley is also understood to have had reservations about working on the News at One bulletin. She was originally named as one of the hosts before the programme moved from London to Salford under Frediani in May, but Daheley has continued only with her Radio 2 newsreader role. According to a source she was 'understandably very cross' that her photograph was not included in a press release about the schedule changes. Newsreader Tina Daheley was 'understandably very cross' that her photograph was not included in a press release about changes to the News at One bulletin Bosses instead appointed Nina Warhurst as a regular presenter alongside Ben Brown, Jon Kay and Sally Nugent. While there is no suggestion that Frediani was involved in the oversight, the incident has added to an overall sense of unease at BBC's MediaCityUK headquarters. In 2020, The Mail On Sunday reported that a series of complaints were made to the corporation's management and its HR department about an 'intimidating and bullying' culture, which had led to long-term members of staff leaving their jobs. One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said at the time that 'the whole atmosphere has become poisonous' and like a 'boys club'. They added: 'There is a normalisation of people crying at work and on their journeys home. 'From where I see it, there are favourites, and it is made explicitly clear to everyone in the newsroom who they are. 'I watch others seemingly be ignored. At times, I have witnessed some people's names even being 'forgotten' which is obviously very humiliating. 'There is 'boys club favouritism' due to a small, select 'banter' circle of white, straight men, some middle-aged. The culture is not what you would expect at the BBC where high standards are held. It's not the BBC way. BBC boss Dr Samir Shah said employees were left 'dangling' after they complain about misconduct by colleagues and admitted there was a 'sense that powerful people 'get away with it' The latest claims come just days before the BBC is preparing to publish the results of a workplace culture review (file pic) 'It's a case of a real blood, sweat and tears quite literally mentality and if you're not in you're out, but the blood, sweat and tears are entirely thankless.' The latest claims come just days before the BBC is preparing to publish the results of a workplace culture review. In November, the corporation's chairman Dr Samir Shah said employees were left 'dangling' after they complain about misconduct by colleagues and admitted there was a 'sense that powerful people 'get away with it'. He said there needed to be more 'visible' steps taken when someone was found to have 'crossed the line' and the response needed to happen more 'quickly'. Dr Shah's comments came in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal which sparked an independent review into the BBC's workplace culture. The BBC chairman added that he was 'determined to root out abuses of power'. As well as the Huw Edwards scandal which saw him plead guilty to possessing indecent images of children, there have been concerns about the treatment of contestants on Strictly Come Dancing. Jermaine Jenas was also sacked by the BBC for sending explicit texts. Dr Shah said he wanted the workplace culture review to deliver 'action rather than yet another little proposal'. He added that there needed to be 'steps we can take quickly' so that it can demonstrate to staff 'we really care about this'. The BBC declined to comment on individual HR matters. MailOnline has reached out to the BBC for further comment. A South Carolina cop killer refused to offer remorse for his crimes and ignored onlookers before he was shot to death by a prison firing squad. Mikal Mahdi, 42, was executed by a volunteer three person firing squad for the murder of police captain James Myers, 56, just after 6pm on Friday after opting for the very rare execution method over lethal injection or the electric chair. The cop killer made no final statement before his death and avoided looking at the nine witnesses in the room behind bulletproof glass. Mahdi cried out from beneath a hood over his head as the three bullets to the heart hit him and his arms flexed. A red bullseye that was placed over his heart was pushed into the bullet wound in his chest. He groaned about 45 seconds afterward and his breaths continued for around 80 seconds before he took his final gasp. A doctor declared the inmate dead at 6.05pm, just four minutes after the shots were fired. Captain Myers, Mahdi's victim, was shot nine times before his body was set on fire. The death row inmate also plead guilty to murdering a convenience store clerk, three days before he killed Myers. Mikal Mahdi, 42, was executed by a volunteer three person firing squad just after 6pm on Friday. The cop killer made no final statement before his death and avoided looking at the nine witnesses in the room behind bulletproof glass Mahdi, with a hood over his head, cried out as the three bullets to the heart hit him and his arms flexed. He groaned about 45 seconds afterward and his breaths continued for around 80 seconds before he took his final gasp. A doctor declared the inmate dead at 6.05pm Mahdi chose the method because he believed the electric chair would 'cook him alive' and feared that death by lethal injection would send fluid into his lungs and drown him, according to his lawyers, The Mirror reported. He was the fifth prisoner who has been executed by firing squad in the US since 1976, the other four taking place in Utah. Mahdi also marks the fifth inmate to have been executed in South Carolina in less than eight months. His attorney, who witnessed the execution, described it as 'horrifying' and told USA Today that such an act 'belongs in the darkest chapters of history, not in a civilized society.' South Carolina lawmakers, however, have said that the method is the quickest and most humane way to kill a death row inmate. In 2004, Mahdi admitted to killing Myers as prosecutors told jurors in his trial that he was the 'epitome of evil.' 'His heart and mind are full of hate and malice,' prosecutor David Pascoe said. Myers' wife, Amy Tripp Myers, found his body in a shed on their property, and the same spot where the two had been married. In 2004, Mahdi admitted to killing 56-year-old police captain James Myers She testified: '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.' 'As I screamed those blood-curdling screams of pain and anguish, I instantly knew that the man whom I had just spent the last six years of my life dreaming of a beautiful future was gone like a vapor.' The inmate's defense lawyers, however, argued that he should be spared from execution because he never got 'desperately needed' mental health care as a child. Mahdi reportedly had a history of threatening suicide and endured 'extraordinary abuse and trauma,' USA Today reported. He was just 21 years old in 2004 when he stole a neighbor's gun and station wagon from Virginia, Mahdi's home state, and went to North Carolina. It was there that he shot the store clerk, Christopher Jason Boggs, before heading to South Carolina and carjacked a man in Columbia. He drove to a gas station and spent 45 minutes with a credit card that was being rejected as he attempted to buy gas. A clerk called police, causing Mahdi to flee and abandon the car. The gas station was just a short way through the woods from Myers farm, where he escaped to and hid in Myers' shed. Mahdi wrote in a letter shared by his attorneys which said: 'I'm guilty as hell... What I've done is irredeemable' Mahdi also marks the fifth inmate to have been executed in South Carolina in less than eight months. South Carolina lawmakers, however, have said that the method is the quickest and most humane way to kill a death row inmate Mahdi stole Myers' police pickup truck and was arrested in Florida. He was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of the store clerk. Mahdi wrote in a letter shared by his attorneys which said: 'I'm guilty as hell... What I've done is irredeemable.' His final appeal was rejected this week by both the US and South Carolina Supreme Courts. As a death row inmate, Mahdi stabbed a guard and hit another with a concrete block. He was caught three times with tools presumed to be for an escape attempt, including a sharpened piece of metal that was fashioned like a knife. 'The nature of the man is violence,' prosecutors said at his appeal. South Carolina now has 28 inmates on death row, with just one man sentenced in the past decade. Mahdi marks the 12th execution so far this year. Four sword-wielding 'coward' thugs who ambushed a London taxi before stabbing a passenger to death through a window have been jailed. Anselam Senaj, 26, was the backseat passenger in the taxi when the vehicle was stopped by a silver Mitsubishi in Victoria Avenue in Newham, east London, on the evening of November 11 2023. Three of the six occupants of the Mitsubishi surrounded the taxi and attacked the victim who was still in his seat. Two of the black-clad attackers, wearing masks and gloves, carried knives up to 2ft long, a trial at the Old Bailey heard. One of the men then cold-heartedly stabbed Mr Senaj in the chest before they got back into the Mitsubishi and fled. Mr Senaj died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services, while 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 remained 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.' Three of the six occupants of the Mitsubishi surrounded the taxi in Newham, east London, and attacked the victim who was still in his seat Ibrahim Naim, 18, the getaway driver, was cleared of murder but convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter Muhammad Saqib Khan, 24, was the one who stabbed Anselam Senaj Anselam Senaj (pictured) died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services while the car, which had been stolen, was found burned out the next day '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 heard Muhammad Saqib Khan, 24, from Enfield, was the one who inflicted the fatal wound on the victim. 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 in the Netherlands 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 hearing on Friday, the victim's 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.' One of the men then cold-heartedly stabbed Mr Senaj in the chest before they got back into the Mitsubishi and fled the scene Muhammad Samiyul Miah, 19, was jailed after a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey 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 Miah's 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 in east London, were cleared of murder but convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter. Ali, who was responsible for taking the victim's phone, was jailed for 14 years and Naim was detained for 10 years and six months. Ali, from East Ham in east London, was also cleared of murder but convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, who led Scotland Yard's 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. 'We'd 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 Anselam's friends and family as they move forward with their life, safe in the knowledge his attackers are behind bars where they belong.' Following the death of George V in January 1936 royals and aristocrats flocked to Jacques Cartier to invest in jewellery for Edward VIIIs Coronation. But now it can be revealed that the jeweller was also creating an engagement ring for Edwards mistress Wallis Simpson, which would lead to his abdication. An exhibition on the jewellers eponymous brand which opens today at the Victoria and Albert museum in London has revealed that Mr Cartier was one of the first people to know that Edward was planning to propose to the American divorcee. Author Francesca Cartier Brickell, who is the great-granddaugther of the jeweller, said Edward would enter through the back of Mr Cartiers London shop without being noticed and be shown to a private room. She added: Its crazy that my great-grandfather probably realised that Edward VIII would choose love over duty before even the Royal Family knew. Even the Duke of York, who had visited Cartier London around the same time to buy a tiara for his wife, presumably hadnt known his brothers full intentions. Edward informed prime minister Stanley Baldwin on November 16, 1936 of his intention to marry Ms Simpson. But he seemingly did not tell George VI, who bought a tiara for his wife to wear to his brothers Coronation just two days later. Edward abdicated on December 10. Wallis Simpson, later the Duchess of Windsor, is seen wearing the Cartier engagement ring bought for her by her husband-to-be Edward VIII Pictured: Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson on their wedding day. Edward had to abdicate the throne to marry his divorcee bride The cabinet dedicated to the Duchess of Windsor at the Cartier exhibition The Queen Mother gave her halo tiara to her daughter, then Princess Elizabeth on her 18th birthday. Cartier has been called the King of jewellery, but it is very much the jeweller of kings, queens, empresses, maharajahs, princesses and almost everyone who is anyone in the aristocracy the world over. Cartier London opened firstly on New Burlington Street, a diamond's throw from its later home on New Bond Street which opened in 1909, where it remains to this day. It was a very clever ploy by Cartier to open in London, after all the British Royal Family are the most famous in the world and where they go - others have always followed and ever since Queen Alexandra, the Royal Family have been firmly loyal in their affection to the brand. 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. The surgeons responsible for a landmark womb transplant have ruled out conducting the same procedure for trans patients. Grace Davidson, 36, and husband Angus, 37, welcomed Amy Isabel into the world earlier this year after the UK's first successful womb transplant. Mrs Davidson, who was born without a womb, received the transplant from her sister Amy Purdie, and now thousands more women could benefit from the medical breakthrough. But Scots gynaecological surgeon Professor Richard Smith, and transplant surgeon Isabel Quiroga, who were behind Mrs Davidson's transplant, said the research is nowhere near ready for trans patients. Professor Smith, who told how 'the whole project is about the creation of babies', said: 'It's really important to be clear about what we're trying to do, which is relief of suffering for women who have got no womb, or they've got a womb which is incapable of reproduction.' And Ms Quiroga said: 'The only function of a uterus is to gestate and the uterus doesn't make any hormones, it doesn't do anything it only gives the capacity of a woman to carry her own child. 'So that's why we are not proposing to transplant anybody so they feel... a sense of being complete or complete psychologically or just to have a uterus itself, because the risks in the long term with immunosuppression and everything that entails is quite great.' Many in the trans community have hoped for the possibility of womb transplants for trans women those who were born men but identify as female. Grace Davidson (M) and husband Angus (L) welcomed Amy Isabel into the world earlier this year after the UK's first successful womb transplant, donated by Grace's sister Amy Purdie (R) The procedure marked the UK's first successful womb transplant (Pictured: father Angus holds his newborn baby girl) But the surgeons responsible for a landmark womb transplant have ruled out conducting the same procedure for trans patients (Pictured: The birth of baby Amy) But research shows that women born without a womb or vagina, and who have a surgically created neo-vagina, tend to have miscarriages. Professor Smith told The Times: 'On top of that, while we're well aware no one is having a normal vaginal delivery, there are issues with respect to private anatomy. 'We have a lot of supporting structures in a female pelvis where are you going to hook a uterus when we stitch one in a male pelvis? 'I have seen this raised false expectation but my own belief is that this is ten to 20 years away at least. 'There may be somebody who wants to be a renegade and be a real hero but that's not our scene at all in any way. We are not currently doing any work in this area because we've got far too much to do.' Professor Smith's charity Womb Transplant UK has permission to conduct 15 womb transplants five from living donors and ten from deceased donors. It means it can carry out four more using live donors and seven more using deceased donors. The breakthrough could potentially benefit thousands of women in the UK. Around 15,000 have Mrs Davidson's MRKH syndrome and many other women need their wombs removed because of conditions such as endometriosis or cancer. Until now such women wanting a family had to use a surrogate or adoption. Ukraine could be divided 'almost like Berlin after World War Two' as part of a peace deal, President Trump's envoy to the country has said. General Keith Kellogg suggested Western troops could adopt zones of control as part of a 'reassurance force', while the Russians would occupy the east. Ukrainian forces would then hold an 18-mile wide demilitarised zone between them. General Kellogg, the key US figure in ending the three-year conflict, confirmed there would be no American forces on the ground, unlike the formation of Germany after 1945. He told The Times that British and French-led troops occupying west of the Dnipro river which cuts Ukraine in half north to south and could act as a demarcation line would 'not be provocative at all' to the Kremlin. '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,' he added. His comments came as the Kremlin last night dismissed a key meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's peace envoy in an apparent sign Russia is not interested in a Ukraine ceasefire. Putin's spokesman said the talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff, which lasted more than four hours, were 'not momentous' and there would be no concessions. General Keith Kellogg (pictured) said Ukraine could be divided similarly to Berlin after World War Two as part of a peace deal US envoy Steve Witkoff (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands after an hours-long meeting on Friday Russia's hardball stance appeared to infuriate the US President who subsequently posted on the Truth Social platform a demand that Putin 'gets moving' over a peace deal to prevent further deaths. Russia has already rejected an American-backed proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. It comes as Ukraine's 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. 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 said 'ongoing aggression' from Russia meant 'we must concede that peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future'. A former Los Angeles police officer has admitted to killing a teenage boy and his parents in a drunk driving crash. Edgar Verduzco, 34, pled guilty to three counts of murder for driving drunk and causing the deaths of Maribel and Mario Davila, and their 19-year-old son Oscar on September 26, 2017. The former LAPD officer drove 150 miles per hour with a .08 percent blood alcohol content on the 605 Freeway before he struck two vehicles. The car carrying the Davila family hit a divider and burst into flames, killing all three. A mother and her baby in the other struck vehicle suffered minor injuries. Verduzco also pled guilty to one count of driving under the influence and one count of driving with a .08 BAC content causing injury. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said: 'As a police officer, Mr Verduzco was aware that recklessly driving under the influence of alcohol at 150 miles per hour was extremely dangerous to human life and could result in the death of innocent victims, as it tragically did in this case. 'Oscar Davila, a beloved student at UC Riverside, was just 19 years old, and his life and his parents lives were senselessly taken in an instant. 'My support and sympathy go out to the Davila familys loved ones, including Oscars four surviving siblings. I thank Deputy District Attorney Kaveh Faturechi of our offices Justice System Integrity Division for vigorously seeking justice in this case.' Edgar Verduzco, 34, pled guilty to three counts of murder for driving drunk and killing Maribel and Mario Davila, and their 19-year-old son Oscar on September 26, 2017 The car carrying the Davila family hit a divider and burst into flames, killing 60-year-old Mario Davila, his wife Maribel, 52, and their 19-year-old son, Oscar The former LAPD officer drove 150 miles per hour with a .08 percent blood alcohol content on the 605 Freeway before he struck two vehicles Verduzco was driving a 2016 Chevy Camaro 'at a high rate of speed' in Whittier when he rear-ended a 2010 Scion and a 2014 Nissan - while in the carpool lane at around 10.15pm on September 26. The impact of the crash caused the Nissan to burst into flames, tragically trapping all three occupants inside. They were later identified as 60-year-old Mario Davila, his wife Maribel, 52, and their 19-year-old son, Oscar. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics who arrived to the fiery scene pronounced all three people inside the car dead a short time later. They were said to have been burned beyond recognition. Verduzco suffered a broken nose in the collision. Officers did not give Verduzco a breathalyzer test that would have definitively determined his blood alcohol content, but they said that he showed clear signs of intoxication. Hours before the crash, Verduzco posted an Instagram video with a 'don't drink and drive' hashtag. He uploaded the 10-second animated video featuring an animated character in a car warning against the dangers of drinking and driving at around 7pm on that night. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said: 'As a police officer, Mr Verduzco was aware that recklessly driving under the influence of alcohol at 150 miles per hour was extremely dangerous to human life and could result in the death of innocent victims, as it tragically did in this case' Hours before the crash, Verduzco posted an Instagram video with a 'don't drink and drive' hashtag. He uploaded the 10-second animated video featuring an animated character in a car warning against the dangers of drinking and driving at around 7pm on that night In the clip - which appeared to be filmed at a bar - a half-finished beer is visible in the background. Three hours later, Verduzco was taken into custody for vehicular manslaughter on $100,000 bail. He was released two days later pending the results of the CHP investigation. The social media account also featured photos of Verduzco in his LAPD uniform and his official US Army portrait. Verduzco is a veteran who had served three years in the Army. Mario and Maribel Davila are survived by three living sons. Oscar, the couple's youngest child, was a recent high school graduate who worked as a tutor at his alma mater, John W. North High School. He was characterized as 'a bright, lighthearted, musically talented individual who, along with his parents served at church. He was a gentleman, hard worker, and a very happy person.' The driver of the Scion involved in the crash, Berly Alvarado, 31, was taken to a hospital suffering from minor injuries. Verduzco is scheduled for sentencing on July 11 and faces three concurrent terms of 15 years to life in prison for murder and one concurrent term of three years for driving drunk. Legal experts have claimed the biological parents of a baby born into the wrong family will have no legal rights to the child - while the IVF clinic at fault is likely to avoid regulatory penalty. The unnamed woman was mistakenly implanted with an embryo belonging to another couple following a 'human error' at a Monash IVF clinic in Brisbane. While the issue of parentage under an accidental IVF implantation is untested in Australia, a number of family law experts have suggested the rights of biological parents are generally subsidiary to those of birth parents in Queensland. It is understood the law is formulated this way to protect birth parents from challenges raised by egg or sperm donors during the IVF process. Michael Gorton AM was recently commissioned to investigate Queensland's fertility regulations by the health ombudsman. He told the Sydney Morning Herald a case like this had not occurred in Australia in more than three decades of IVF procedures. 'I am aware of reports of two cases in America, so it is incredibly rare,' he 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.' A horror mix-up at a Brisbane IVF clinic led to a woman giving birth to another's baby (stock) Monash IVF has since stated the mix-up was the result of 'human error' and has offered support to both affected families Mr Gorton said Monash IVF will not be subjected to any punishment by the state's health regulator given it was only granted regulatory oversight subsequent to the mother being implanted. In September, Queensland Health was given central regulatory authority to crack down on assisted reproductive technology (ART) providers. The law was passed after the state's Office of the Health Ombudsman concluded Queensland had lower levels of ART regulation than other jurisdictions. It was not given retrospective enforcement powers, meaning the regulator will be limited to ensuring Monash IVF has appropriate procedures in place to meet its ongoing responsibilities as an ART provider. 'In Victoria, you can take away their licence, and in NSW and most of the other states, there could be repercussions,' Mr Gorton said. 'But I think the greatest motivation here will be the legal case that comes out of it because it will be squillions.' Australia's complex family law system leaves the responsibility of fertility regulation up to the states, meaning local regulations often diverge. The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand called for Australia's fertility regulations to be unified after a 2023 review identified more than 40 pieces of legislation affecting assisted reproductive technology (ART) and IVF in the country. Michael Gorton (pictured) told the Sydney Morning Herald the family court would begin from the presumption that 'the birth mother is the birth mother' Monash IVF only became aware of the mix-up in February after the birth parents requested to transfer their remaining embryos to another provider. During the process, operators at the Brisbane clinic identified one more embryo than expected before discovering the birth mother had been implanted with an embryo belonging to another couple. '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,' Monash IVF said in a statement released on Thursday. The clinic has been tight-lipped on the circumstances surrounding the mix-up. 'While we understand the public interest in this matter, the privacy of the families involved - including the child - has been our priority,' a spokesperson said. 'On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened,' chief executive Michael Knaap said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia. 'All of us at Monash IVF are devastated and we apologise to everyone involved. We will continue to support the patients through this extremely distressing time.' He added that the clinic has since undertaken additional audits and was confident the mix-up was an isolated incident. 'We are reinforcing all our safeguards across our clinics we also commissioned an independent investigation and are committed to implementing its recommendations in full,' Mr Knaap said. Operators at Monash IVF only discovered the mix-up after finding the birth couple had one more embryo than expected in storage (stock image) While a case like this has not yet been heard in an Australian court, a similar mix-up in the US recently made headlines. On December 29, 2023 white US woman Krystena Murray gave birth to an African-American child belonging to another family following a bungled implantation. The boy was five months old when Ms Murray voluntarily gave up custody of the child two months after his biological parents sued her for custody. In February, 2025, she filed a lawsuit against Coastal Fertility Specialists. According to the lawsuit, Ms Murray only gave up custody after her lawyers informed her she would ultimately lose the custody battle, CBS News reported. Coastal Fertility Specialists told the outlet it was an 'isolated event' and that additional safeguards have since been implemented to prevent a repeat. Rick Thorburn was not eligible for parole until 2036 A notorious child killer has been found dead in his jail cell after taking his own life. Rick Thorburn, 64, was found guilty of murdering 12-year-old schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer and was sentenced to life behind bars in 2018. It's understood Thorburn was found dead in his jail cell at Woodford Correctional Centre, in regional Queensland on Friday. Queensland Corrective Services confirmed the death in a statement. 'The 64-year-old man was accommodated in a single cell and was found unresponsive at approximately 10pm,' a spokeswoman said. 'Responding officers called QAS and attempted to revive the man however their efforts were unsuccessful.' His death on Friday comes after at least three suicide attempts since he was convicted with Tiahleigh's murder. Thorburn was found unresponsive while behind bars in February 2024, August 2022, and September 2020. Thorburn was eligible for parole in September 2036. Rick Thorburn, 64, murdered 12-year-old schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer, who was his foster child, in 2015 and was sentenced to life in prison (he is pictured in 2015) Tiahleigh was only 12-years-old when she was murdered by her foster dad The 12-year-old girl was living as a foster child in the Thorburn home when she was killed Thorburn was found to have been motivated to kill Tiahleigh after learning his youngest son Trent, then 19, had an incestuous sexual relationship with her and believed he may have gotten her pregnant. He reported Tiahleigh missing on October 30, 2015, claiming he dropped her off at school in the morning but she never made it inside the gates. Her body was found six days later by fishermen on the bank of Pimpama River. Despite the family's concerns, Tiahleigh was not pregnant at the time of her death. Queensland's Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley found in her inquest report that Thorburn had showed no remorse for the 12-year-old's killing. He pleaded guilty to murder but claimed he had accidentally suffocated Tiahleigh. Thorburn was later convicted of 13 child sex offences in unrelated incidents involving two young girls. His son, Trent, was sentenced to four years in prison for incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice, but spent just 16 months behind bars. His older brother, Joshua, was sentenced to three months after pleading guilty to perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice in 2017. Rick's wife, Julene, served six months after pleading guilty to the same charges. LIFELINE 13 11 14 Rick's biological son Trent (pictured) was sentenced to four years in prison for incest, perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice, but spent just 16 months behind bars Alleged CEO killer Luigi Mangione is seeking to throw out the death penalty from any federal cases as his legal team argue he's unable to access a fair trial. Mangione's lawyers have filed a new motion which argues the case against him is 'political, arbitrary, capricious,' and asked that he be spared capital punishment if is is convicted. Mangione, who has yet to be indicted federally, is facing a slew of charges, including first-degree murder, over the death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, who was shot and killed outside of a hotel in Manhattan on December 4, 2024. Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com claim that seeking the execution of Mangione was done so with political motivations, and to 'carry out Trump's agenda.' The filing referenced a press release and an Instagram post by Attorney General Pam Bondi that 'plainly stated' Mangione is guilty of the murder of Thompson, despite his ongoing trial as she called for him to face the death penalty. In seeking safety from the punishment, documents referenced a press release and an Instagram post by Bondi that 'plainly stated' Mangione is guilty of the murder of Thompson, despite his ongoing trial. 'The stakes could not be higher. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt,' the court documents state, claiming that the public addresses from Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding Mangione's case have violated his Due Process rights. Bondi's Instagram post read: '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. Luigi Mangione's lawyers have filed a motion arguing that the federal case against him is 'political, arbitrary, capricious,' and asked that he be spared the death penalty should he be convicted It is claimed that the public addresses from Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding Mangione's case have violated his Due Process rights In seeking safety from the death penalty, the filing referenced a press release and an Instagram post by Bondi that 'plainly stated' Mangione is guilty of the murder of Thompson, despite his ongoing trial 'After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.' The Attorney General's public manner in appealing to SDNY prosecutors to seek the death penalty, in which it is not stated that Mangione had yet to be indicted for any federal crime, was claimed to have been a move that would potentially prejudice a grand jury pool or process. 'She never once discussed the presumption of innocence or that Mr. Mangione is innocent until proven guilty,' the court documents stated. 'The Attorney General's press release is relevant because it is evidence of the political and arbitrary nature of this decision.' Bondi's appearance on Fox News was also submitted into evidence, after she referenced President Trump's directive to 'seek the death penalty when possible.' 'If there was ever a death case, this is the one. This guy is charged with hunting down a CEO, a father-of-two, a married man,' Bondi told the outlet. 'Hunting him down and executing him. I feel like these young people have lost their way. I was receiving death threats for seeking the death penalty on someone who is charged with an execution of a CEO.' She added that they would 'do the right thing' and would not be 'deterred by political motives.' 'I've seen a protestor walking down the street here, "Free Luigi," I mean this guy is charged with a violent crime and we are going to seek the death penalty whenever possible,' Bondi said. Bondi told Fox News that they would 'do the right thing' and would not be 'deterred by political motives.' 'I've seen a protestor walking down the street here, "Free Luigi," I mean this guy is charged with a violent crime and we are going to seek the death penalty whenever possible' Mangione's lawyers are asking the death penalty to be taken off the table entirely should he be convicted and asked that any grand jurors be screened for potential prejudice. Pictured: The gunman outside of the Manhattan hotel in the moment Thompson was shot Mangione is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (pictured) outside a New York City hotel on December 4, 2024 The filing claimed that Bondi's public addresses are proof that in seeking the death penalty for Mangione she had done so 'unabashedly for political reasons' and that her statements had prejudiced any potential jury. His lawyers are asking the death penalty to be taken off the table entirely should he be convicted and asked that any grand jurors be screened for potential prejudice. They also motioned for Bondi to confirm she is aware of the rules governing extrajudicial statements and to review Justice Department documents for 'anyone advocating for the death penalty' on behalf of any business, corporate interest to lobby. Mangione is facing a series of severe charges in the Big Apple - among those charges, he is accused of orchestrating the assassination of Thompson as part of a terror plot. He is also facing lesser charges of false identification and weapons charges in Pennsylvania. The alleged killer is set to stand trial in New York for Thompson's assassination, and his pre-trial hearings have brought droves of supporters. Ahead of his trial, Mangione's attorney Karen Agnifilo argued that police leaked writings they said belonged to the now 26-year-old and labeled them a 'manifesto' - thereby spreading fear in an effort to justify prosecutors' terrorism charge. The writings were released shortly after Mangione was arrested at a Pennsylvania McDonald's following a five-day search for the masked man who gunned down Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel. He was allegedly found with a 9-millimeter pistol and silencer, clothing that matched the apparel worn by the shooter in surveillance footage, and a notebook describing an intent to 'whack' an insurance company CEO, according to court filings. But Agnifilo now says there is 'absolutely no evidence' to suggest her client wrote the so-called manifesto as she called out prosecutors for sharing the message. The grieving family of the helicopter crash victims in New York on Thursday shared a heartbreaking tribute amid speculation over the cause of the crash. It comes as aviation expert Julian Bray suggested that a faulty 'Jesus nut' - which holds the entire rotor system together - could have been behind the tragedy. 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. Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children, aged four, eight, and 11 years old, were all killed alongside the pilot, aged 36. The faulty 'Jesus nut' would have caused the helicopter blades to break free from the rotor while still in motion, according to Bray. As it detached, the spinning blades would then have ripped through the body of the chopper before it crashed into the water below, Bray told The Sun. Footage showed the tragic moment the helicopter plunged into the Hudson River, as the spinning blades were seen falling separately from the main body of the aircraft. The Bell 206 helicopter was also seen breaking in half before making contact with the water. Joan Camprubi Montal posted a heartbreaking letter on X on Friday, which was signed by 19 members of the Escobar and Camprubi Montal families. Escobar and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children - aged four, eight, and 11 years old - were all killed in the tragic crash alongside the pilot, aged 36 Aviation expert Julian Bray speculated: 'What appears to have happened with this particular helicopter is that the rotor, the main rotor... had detached, because in one video we see the blades spinning away from the helicopter' Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children, aged four, eight and 11, took photos just before the crash Bray told the Sun: 'What appears to have happened with this particular helicopter is that the rotor, the main rotor... had detached, because in one video we see the blades spinning away from the helicopter.' 'But this appears to have sliced through the back half of the helicopter, so the fuselage then drops like a stone into the river Hudson right opposite Pier 41.' 'There is a particular procedure which has to be checked every time it's serviced, and it's known as the Jesus Bolt... because without that the whole thing falls apart.' 'It looks as though it's [the] Jesus bolt or Jesus PIN... It's either defective or wasn't tightened up, or for some reason it sheared,' Bray added. Joan Camprubi Montal posted aheartbreaking letter on X on Friday, which was signed by 19 members of the Escobar and Camprubi Montal families. It read: 'Grateful for your support that keeps us strong. 'The Escobar-Camprubis will always be among us, with their joy and vitality. We love you family.' The letter was posted alongside a photo of the family in Times Square read: 'There are no words to describe what we are experiencing, nor to thank you for the warmth received.' 'These are very difficult times, but optimism and joy have always characterized our family. We want to preserve the memory of a happy and united family, in the sweetest moment of their lives.' Harrowing footage captured the moment the helicopter rotor blade flew off and splashed into the Hudson River after the deadly crash The chopper was seen crashing into the murky waters of the Hudson River, closer to the New Jersey side, at around 3.15pm The family shared that they would be travelling to New York to bring the victims' bodies home and said they had found solace in the knowledge that the young family 'passed away together.' 'They have gone away together, leaving an indelible mark among all their family, friends and acquaintances.' 'In the coming days we will send you the details of the farewell ceremony they deserve, but in the meantime, we ask for the utmost respect for their privacy, given the global impact of this tragedy and the involvement of the three minors.' 'Your support keeps us strong, and the Escobar-Camprubi will always be with us and in our hearts. Escobar Canadas Family: Agustin, Josefina, Maria Jose, Jose, Jose, Irene and Jorge. Camprubi Montal Family: Joan, Merche, Joan, Cristina, Berta, Albert, Jan, Bru, Berta, Teo, Alex and Anna.' The chopper was seen crashing into the murky waters of the Hudson River, closer to the New Jersey side, at around 3.15pm. '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.' Devastating photos show debris from the helicopter tour floating in the Hudson River including a girl's shoe 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' 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.' 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. The young children sat on board the chopper, one with a thumbs up like their dad who was sat opposite, 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 family were on vacation in New York to celebrate the birthday of one of their young daughters, according to Spanish outlet Antena3. 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 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.' 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. The family had just arrived from Barcelona and embarked on their first day touring the Big Apple Your browser does not support iframes. '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.' 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. 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.' 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. 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 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 commercialization manager and as a digitalization manager, according to her LinkedIn account. Spanish regional government officials said the family resided in Barcelona. '(I am) dismayed by the tragic helicopter accident in the Hudson River in New York which cost the lives of six people, five of which were members of a Barcelona family,' Catalan regional president Salvador Illa wrote on X. Another regional official said Agustin Escobar was originally from Puertollano, a town in central Spain. 'I want to express my sorrow for the traffic helicopter accident in New York that claimed the lives of Agustin Escobar and his family,' Castilla La Mancha regional president Emiliano Garcia-Page wrote on X. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others later passed away in hospital, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch 'Agustin is native of Puertollano and in 2023 we named him a Favorite Son of Castilla La Mancha.' 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. Chilling phone footage shows a Muslim convert who threatened to 'flatten' a mosque and kill an anti-terror Islamic cleric plotting attacks in a city. Jason Savage, 35, who dubbed himself 'Lone Wolf' can be heard mapping out his targets as he plans to carry out attacks in Birmingham. The bone-chilling video shows Savage openly scoping out the area for exit routes for when police would arrive in messages sent to an undercover officer three days before his arrest. Savage, from Small Heath, also recorded himself carrying out a reconnaissance of the mosque he intended to 'flatten'saying: 'That seems like the best way to get away - the police will probably come from that way.' Upon heading to another area, he made a hair-raising remark, saying: 'So this seems like a better route. All down there right, left is no good. They have a school here though that's the only problem'. Savage was jailed for life yesterday with a minimum sentence of 16 years for planning atrocities on police buildings, military targets, a mosque and a book store in England's second city. Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for five hours and 48 minutes before unanimously convicting the 35-year-old on January 30, finding him guilty of preparation of terrorist acts A court heard he researched firearms and the 'lethal use of knives' and also watched 'barbaric' Islamic State videos as he became more radicalised. On the day of his arrest, Savage said in a voice note to a friend he would 'see him in paradise' and believed what he was planning would result in him dying. Muslim convert Jason Savage threatened to 'flatten' a mosque and kill an Islamic cleric who criticised terrorism Jurors unanimously convicted Savage of a single count of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts on or before March 14 last year But unknown to him he had been revealing his plans to an undercover officer and he was arrested before any atrocity could be carried out. The jury heard how Savage - since March 2022 and up until his arrest in March 2024 - had researched and planned activity to carry out an attack. Peter Ratliff, prosecuting, had told the court how Savage converted to Islam some time during the 2010's and followed an extreme and violent interpretation of the Salafi movement. He said: 'The prosecution suggest the defendant subscribed to the extreme and violent interpretation of the Salafi movement of which the terrorist groups Al Qaeda and Islamic State are visceral examples.' Mr Ratliff said Savage had targeted a Salafi cleric associated with a mosque and bookstore in Small Heath because the cleric was an outspoken critic of Islamist terrorism and extremism contrary to Savage's views. The jury were shown the reconnaissance video which was made by Savage three days before his arrest. It shows him walking round the location of the mosque and bookstore, discussing points of entry, the routes that the police would likely attend from and escape routes. Mr Ratliff said: 'These were, the prosecution suggests, plainly reconnaissance videos in preparation for an attack.' Jurors also heard that at some point in early 2024 Savage broke the handle off a kitchen knife and replaced it with cloth Savage was found to have been watching knife-fighting techniques on YouTube and spoke in his videos about how his alleged targets were to be 'hunted down'. Pictured: A knife found in his home Savage has been jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 16 years (pictured: Birmingham Crown Court) Savage also downloaded and watched violent and extremist videos, researched how to kill with a knife and how to make parts of a gun and ammunition. The jury also heard that Savage made internet searches about homemade firearms and ammunition, including pipe guns, nail guns, firing pin mechanisms and shell casings. He also carried out reconnaissance of military buildings and police stations as potential locations to target. Days before his arrest, Savage changed his WhatsApp profile to 'Lone Wolf' which police say indicated he was planning to carry out an incident on his own. A knife was also recovered from his address which he had adapted by removing the handle and wrapping with cloth. Head of Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, Detective Chief Superintendent Alison Hurst said: 'Many arrests that are carried out for terrorism suspects are pre-planned however the arrest of Savage was one conducted in a street during an evening as we had become increasingly concerned around his behaviour. 'Thanks to these quick actions to protect the public, there is no doubt that we stopped a dangerous individual carrying out an attack that would have caused injuries and potentially also fatalities.' Bethan David, 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.' An elderly British couple imprisoned in Afghanistan have faced 29 'interrogations' and several court appearances - while no charges have been brought against them, their daughter has said. Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were arrested as they travelled to their home in Bamyan province, in central Afghanistan, in February. The couple were detained alongside Faye Hall, an American friend who had rented a plane to travel with them, and a translator from the couple's Rebuild training business. Their daughter, Susie Romer, told Channel 5's 5 News on Thursday that the pair had 'absolutely no idea' why they are being imprisoned and called on the UK government to do more to secure their release. She said: 'They've been through so many investigations - I believe it's 29 interrogations that they've had to endure. 'They've been in court three or four times now, I believe, and various accusations that have been brought against them, they've been thoroughly investigated and shown up as empty accusations. 'So they've been told that there is not actually a charge against them.' Ms Romer went on to say that while the British government has been assisting the family, she is not convinced that the message that her parents should be 'immediately released' has been conveyed by the Government to the Taliban. Peter Reynolds, 79, and wife Barbie Reynolds, 75, are being held by the Talban at Pul-e-Charkhi maximum security jail in Kabul A Taliban soldier attends a rally to celebrate the withdrawal of US forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan on September 01, 2021 The couple were detained as they travelled back to their home in the country's Bamyan province on February 1 of this year She said the family had met Foreign Officer minister Hamish Falconer, who had told them the case was a 'priority' for him. Ms Romer continued: 'We do want the Government to make it clear to the Taliban that my parents should be immediately released and we've told them this. 'It's been 10 weeks now, and we've not been reassured that this message has been conveyed, but this is really urgent. 'Each day that they remain in prison, they're at risk, so we'll keep on asking the Government to send that message.' Ms Romer added that the conditions her parents were being held in were 'absolutely horrific', that they were receiving one meal per day and there were mice and cockroaches 'running around'. She said that hearing her parents 'weep' on the phone was 'excruciating' for her. Ms Romer told BBC Breakfast that while her father had received much-needed medication, her mother faced growing health concerns. 'We've recently heard mum is anaemic and really weak and frail,' she said. 'We're obviously really concerned about both of them and their health.' The couple's visiting Chinese-American friend, Faye Hall, was released from Taliban jail at the end of March after the Trump administration lifted bounties worth $10 million from the heads of senior Taliban figures including Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister Their arrest was by ordered by a commander linked to the Haqqani network, a faction led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister (pictured) Earlier this month, Mr Reynolds - who spoke from a payphone inside Pul-e-Charkhi maximum security jail in Kabul, also voiced his fears for his 76-year-old wife, who is being held in the prison's women's quarters. 'I've been joined up with rapists and murderers by handcuffs and ankle cuffs, including a man who killed his wife and three children, shouting away, a demon-possessed man,' he said. Mr Reynolds said his circumstances 'a cage rather than a cell' were 'VIP conditions' compared with those in for the women. He said he had lost weight thanks to a single meal a day, usually nan bread and chickpeas with green tea for breakfast. 'The atmosphere is pretty shocking. I am learning a lot about the underbelly of Afghanistan. The prison guards shout all the time and beat people with a piece of piping. It's a horrible atmosphere the nearest thing to hell I can imagine.' American friend Hall was released last month after the Trump administration lifted bounties worth $10 million from the heads of senior Taliban figures including Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister. After being told that the American woman who was detained with the couple had been freed, Mr Reynolds's fears only increased. In a call with his son Jonathan, he said: 'Oh no, so Mum's on her own. Oh my, oh my goodness, and they won't let me see her, that's terrible news.' In an interview with BBC News last week, their son, Jonathan Reynolds, said he had been 'interacting' with the US government after a video plea to President Donald Trump for help to get his parents was released. The couple, who originally met at the University of Bath, married in Kabul in 1970 and have run school training programmes for 18 years. They remained in the country after the Taliban takeover in 2021. After taking power, the Taliban introduced a ban on women working and education for girls older than 12. In a statement to The Associated Press this week, the Taliban said the case 'will soon be resolved' and 'should not be a cause for concern'. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of two British nationals who are detained in Afghanistan.' A police chief has said he wants to discriminate against white job applicants and hire more ethnic minority officers. Chief Constable John Robins of West Yorkshire Police has consistently pushed to reform laws across the country in order to boost the number of ethnic minorities in his force. Mr Robins, who has been an officer for West Yorkshire Police since 1990, was appointed as its chief in 2019 and has overseen the dramatic new changes to its recruitment policy in recent years. The force, which is currently putting applications from white Brits on hold, said it is accepting them 'all year round' from 'under-represented groups' such as black and Asian candidates. One whistleblower who revealed the change in the hiring process said candidates from different backgrounds were being split into tiers, according to The Telegraph. Black and Asian candidates are alleged to have been put into the 'gold' tier of being significantly under-represented in the police, while south-east Asians were given the 'silver' tier. Meanwhile 'white others', including applicants from Britain, Ireland and eastern Europe were dropped into the lowest 'bronze' tier. Defending the decision, a spokesperson for Mr Robins told MailOnline the police chief stood by his push to prioritise minority hires. Chief Constable John Robins (above) of West Yorkshire Police has said he wants to discriminate against white job applicants and hire more ethnic minority officers The force, which is currently putting applications from white Brits on hold, said it is accepting them 'all year round' from 'under-represented groups' such as black and Asian candidates (Pictured: West Yorkshire Police Headquarters) One whistleblower who revealed the change in the hiring process, said candidates from different backgrounds were being split into tiers The spokesperson said: 'The Chief Constable's position has not changed. It is a national view that he holds.' The move has fuelled fears of creating positive discrimination, a practice considered unlawful in the UK. But Mr Robins has previously argued that it helped hire Catholics to the Police Service of Northern Ireland following the Good Friday Agreement. He said in 2023: 'It worked in terms of religion in Northern Ireland. We've tried really, really hard over many decades, especially in the last five to 10 years, but there's just systemic issues around applications. 'I think the time has now come that legislation should change so that we should [use] positive discrimination.' Conservative MP Neil O'Brien labelled the force's hiring policy as 'racist'. Conservative MP Neil O'Brien (above) labelled the force's hiring policy as 'racist' He told The Telegraph: 'What West Yorkshire police are doing with their racist hiring policies and division of different ethnic groups is skirting the edge of the law. It is no surprise to discover they have been pushing for the law to be changed to legalise these racist hiring policies. 'With gun crime in West Yorkshire at a record high, many people might think local police might have more important things to be focusing on. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss also said on Thursday that Britain has a 'serious problem' with 'anti-white discrimination'. Posting on X, she said: 'Britain has a serious problem with police leadership being ideologically captured and pursuing anti-white discrimination. Ministers should have to answer for this and take back the powers to do so.' The move comes just two months since West Yorkshire Police were found to have spent 1.4million 'patronising' the public with diversity staff. The move comes just two months since West Yorkshire Police were found to have spent 1.4million 'patronising' the public with diversity staff MailOnline reported how the force employs 19 diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) staff members and spends 361,000 of public money training them. Last year, West Yorkshire Police also came under fire after they arrested a teenage girl when she said she looked like her 'lesbian nana'. The 16-year-old girl, who also suffers from spinal disability scoliosis, had been driven to her home in Leeds by officers after attending the city's Gay Pride celebrations. She had been there with her sister before allegedly making a 'homophobic' remark. The girl was later dragged away 'screaming' by West Yorkshire Police officers in the early hours of the morning having been arrested on suspicion of 'homophobic public order offence'. Footage of the incident, filmed by the girl's mother, went viral on TikTok - prompting a furious backlash online, as the officers were accused of heavy-handedness while leaving the girl cowering under the stairs in her own home. The teenager, who has not been named, was held in custody for 20 hours after the incident and then released. The West Yorkshire force later confirmed it would take no further action against the teenager and released her from her bail. This is the shocking moment a suspected bomb exploded in central Athens just yards away from the headquarters of a train company involved in Greece's worse ever rail disaster. Anonymous calls warning of the attack were made to Greek media just moments before the blast on Friday night. Footage shows the moment the explosion tore through a padlocked backpack outside the Hellenic Train offices at 8.53pm local time. A flash of light can be seen in the video after the bomb detonated. 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. Footage captured the moment a suspected bomb exploded in central Athens on Friday night The blast happened just yard away from the Hellenic Train headquarters The rail firm was involved in Greece 's worse ever rail disaster in 2023, causing a public outcry Anonymous calls warning of the attack were made to Greek media just moments before the blast on Friday night 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. 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. In a statement issued by Hellenic last night, the company said:'[We] confirm that earlier this evening, an explosion occurred very close to its headquarters on Syggrou Avenue. 'The incident caused limited material damage, without any injuries - neither among the company's employees nor among passing citizens. 'A warning call had been made to the ESIEA offices and the competent authorities were immediately mobilized, taking all necessary actions. 'Hellenic Train cooperated with the authorities from the very beginning. At the same time, it is taking all necessary measures to safeguard the safety of its employees. A police bomb disposal squad arrived too late to detonate the device, which had been placed near the Hellenic Train building on Syngrou Avenue A municipal worker cleans the area outside Hellenic Train headquarters, Greece's main railway company, following a bomb explosion Friday night causing causing limited damage but no injuries, in Athens, Greece, on Saturday, April 12 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 The logo of Hellenic Train, Greece's main railway company, is seen outside company's headquarters, following a bomb explosion Friday 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 'Our company unequivocally condemns all forms of violence and tensions that trigger a climate of toxicity that undermines all progress. This way of expression has no place in society. 'We will continue to courageously defend dialogue, cooperation, solidarity and justice.' Christos Dimas, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, said: 'The bomb attack that took place today at the offices of Hellenic Train is an absolutely condemnable act. 'This is a criminal act, which endangered the lives of people, employees and passers-by, in a central point of Athens and during peak traffic hours. 'Nothing justifies terrorism, no act of violence brings justice. The authorities and the judiciary now have the floor.' Friday'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. 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 Customers and staff of a nearby hotel stand behind. police cordon, following a bomb blast outside the Hellenic Train offices 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 was reportedly 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 Moroccan wife of a British businessman who mysteriously died on holiday 'cleared out' their 2,000-a-month rented within weeks of his death, neighbours claim. 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 claims to have received a video call on February 22 from his daughter-in-law, who is 22 years his son's junior, where he could tragically see his son's body. He claims he has heard nothing from Ms Mjaoual since. However 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. Now MailOnline can reveal neighbours of the couples rented home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, said they saw Ms Mjaoual clearing out the home with people who they believed were her relatives around two weeks ago. They claimed possessions had been moved by two removal vans - both with foreign number plates. The property was also marketed to let on February 28 - less than a week after Mr McKenna's body was seen by his father. When MailOnline visited the four-bed detached new-build, the property had been completely emptied, with even the lightbulbs taken from their fixtures. 'We saw that the house was up for rent and we just stopped seeing Allen,' a neighbour told MailOnline: 'I thought they'd split up because we stopped seeing him.' Pictured: Allen McKenna (left) who died in Morocco while on holiday with his wife Majda Mjaoual (right) 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 When Mail Online visited the four-bed detached new-build, the property had been completely emptied, with even the lightbulbs taken from their fixtures Explaining how the couple shared a Chow-Chow dog together, the resident said Mr McKenna would 'always' walk the dog, but before Ms Mjoual moved out of their shared property she was seen taking the pet for walks with her mother. 'Two vans with foreign number plates turned up,' They added: '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.' 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 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 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 Mystery surrounds the death of Mr McKenna, but now MailOnline has pieced together the fullest picture yet of his passing, having 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. 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. 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. Mr McKenna, 47, collapsed in Casablanca in February, while abroad with Ms Mjaoual, 25 (pictured together) 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 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. 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. 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 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. 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' 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. 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 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. 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. 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 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 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. Although she appears in all of the pictures intriguingly there are none of her with Allen. 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. A British Olympian has warned that the rise of weight loss jabs could see a return of an epidemic of scurvy. Former speed skater Sarah Lindsay, 44, believes injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro are causing users to be malnourished and vitamin deficient. The now-celebrity personal trainer, whose clients include Piers Morgan, Ellie Goulding, Matt Healy and Christine Lampard, revealed that some people abuse the medication. She fears the increased use of weight loss jabs could lead to a return of scurvy, a condition is caused by a lack of Vitamin C from fruit and vegetables, which is essential to keep skin, blood vessels and ligaments healthy. More than 2million sailors, who were known to survive on preserved foods with limited access to fruit and vegetables, died from the condition between the 16th and 18th centuries. Sarah admitted that some people with certain health conditions could benefit from the jabs, known as GLP-1 drugs. However, she told the Sun: 'The level of abuse now is rife thin people wanting to become even thinner. 'I've had people come in for PT consultations who are desperate to get themselves out of the hole they find themselves in: weak, tired, destroyed digestion, severe hair loss.' Former speed skater Sarah Lindsay, 44, believes injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro are causing users to be malnourished and vitamin-deficient Sarah in action in the 500m heatsm during the Women's Short Track in Turin, Italy, in 2006 She fears the increased use of injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro could lead to a return of scurvy, a condition is caused by a lack of Vitamin C from fruit and vegetables Her main two major concerns with the injections are 'muscle loss' and 'long-term effects of being malnourished'. She warned that the jabs could make people ill or even a cause a 'comeback of a deficiency disease like scurvy'. Weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are all injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists, and they work by imitating a hormone in the body that controls the rate food gets processed in the gut - slowing this process down. This reduces appetite and helps people eat less. Earlier this week, Dr Ben Bickman, a scientist and professor at Brigham Young University in Utah, warned of three harmful consequences of these medications that he believes many are unaware of. First off, he told the Mail that he fears of widespread frailty due to extreme 'loss of muscle and bone mass' linked to the drugs. While participants in a 68-week-long clinical trial of semaglutide - the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy - lost an average of 23lbs of fat, they also saw a 15lbs decline in lean muscle mass. This one is much more subjective, but Dr Bickman believes Ozempic could lead to people becoming 'mentally fragile'. He highlights anecdotal evidence from patients who say that Ozempic not only dulled their cravings for food, but also for other pleasures in life such as sex, alcohol, coffee and others. Dr Ben Bickman, pictured, says that people should be weary of the outfall that will come with weight loss medications and he predicts three crippling failures of Ozempic Dr Bickman's hope is that weight loss drugs can be used more responsibly to reduce the possibility of any negative repercussions Next up, Dr Bickman claims that in the long run, weight loss medications have the potential to make people fatter than they were in the first place. Explaining how people go on to regain weight after taking Ozempic for a period of time, he says: 'Ozempic is effective at reducing cravings... However well this works, it works until it doesn't. 'At around two years of use, people find that the sweet cravings return to normal. 'Interestingly, this is also when many people decide to quit the drug and about 70 percent of users stop the drug at two years.' Despite his concerns around the side effects of Ozempic and other weight loss drugs, Dr Bickman highlights that he is not against them but it is more the dosing that he is concerned about. Adults with type 2 diabetes take Ozempic once per week to lower blood sugar levels, and they usually begin with a 0.25mg dose. This lower dose allows the body to become accustomed to the medication. At week five, doctors typically increase the dose to 0.5mg once a week if the patient tolerates the medication. Weight loss patients typically follow the same dosing schedule, but their doses might may be increased to as much as 2mg once weekly. Chinese bosses reportedly tried to enter key areas of British Steel's Scunthorpe plant only hours before a crunch debate that could bring the furnace under government control. Police were called to the scene and forced bosses of British Steel owners Jingye to leave after they were prevented from accessing core areas of the plant, according to The Times. Humberside Police said: 'Officers were in attendance at British Steel in Scunthorpe at 8.30am this morning following a suspected breach of the peace. 'Upon attending, conducting checks and speaking to individuals in the area, there were no concerns raised and no arrests were made.' Earlier today, MPs approved emergency legislation to save British Steel's Scunthorpe plant in an extraordinary sitting in the House of Commons after calling on the Government to nationalise the Chinese owned firm to re-ignite the UKs steel industry. The emergency law, which would give Government the power to instruct British Steel in a bid to keep the plant open, was passed unopposed in the Commons earlier today, and is now set to be debated by the Lords. Both the Commons and the Lords reconvened during Easter recess for a highly unusual Saturday sitting to debate a bill aimed at blocking British Steel owners Jingye from closing blast furnaces at the Scunthorpe site. The plans would see taxpayer money used to provide materials to the steelworks and open the door to a transfer of ownership after Sir Keir Starmer warned the future of the firm 'hangs in the balance'. It comes amid fears the Scunthorpe plant could close its doors in the next ten days, following a warning from unions that Jingye had cancelled orders for raw materials needed to make steel Scunthorpe FC fans and steel workers march to Scunthorpe United Football ground as parliament holds an emergency debate on the future of Chinese-owned British Steel Chinese bosses reportedly tried to enter key areas of British Steel's Scunthorpe plant only hours before crunch debate that could bring the furnace under government control (pictured: Protesters marching towards the football grounds) British Steel plans to close its two blast furnaces and steelmaking operations in at its plant in Scunthorpe (pictured) Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds kicks off a Parliamentary debate on emergency legislation to 'save thousands of jobs' over British Steel's plans to close its Scunthorpe plant The Bill stops short of full nationalisation of British Steel, and ministers remain hopeful that they can secure private investment to save the plant. There is currently no private company willing to invest in British Steel and the Business Secretary acknowledged to the Commons that public ownership remained the 'likely option'. Elsewhere in Scunthorpe, fans of the local football club as well as residents took to the streets in support of the steel workers as they all marched towards their local sporting ground. The Prime Minister also made a visit to British Steel workers in Appleby Village Hall near Scunthorpe earlier today amid plans to stave the steel blast furnaces being approved in the Commons today. Sir Keir told the steelworkers: 'You are the people who have kept this going. 'You and your colleagues for years have been the backbone of British Steel, and it's really important that we recognise that. 'And I felt it was really important today, having been in Parliament this morning, to come straight up here to see you face to face to have that discussion with you.' Former miner and local, Geoff Walton, 78, backed nationalisation plans, adding that it was a 'good thing'. 'I worked in the pit, if it goes [the steel works] this place is dead. I think they would shut it [the Chinese firm] so he's had to buy it,' he told the Telegraph. 'It means a lot for an area like Scunthorpe. If they don't work there, someone in their family does.' Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds previously took a swipe at the Chinese firm, which purchased the British Steel in 2020, saying they had 'irrevocably and unilaterally closed down primary steel making' in the UK. Mr Reynolds said: 'Despite our offer to Jingye being substantial, they wanted much more. Frankly, an excessive amount. We did however remain committed to negotiation. Steelworkers and members of UNITE Union prepare to march to Scunthorpe United Football ground as parliament holds an emergency debate on the future of Chinese-owned British Steel A man holds the hands of a young girl as she sits on his shoulders as steelworkers and members of UNITE Union march to Scunthorpe United Football Locals and members of Unite the Union march to Scunthorpe United football grounds today An English flag emblazoned with the words: 'Save our steel' He accused Jingye - who bought British Steel in 2020 - of attempting to 'unilaterally' close down its Scunthorpe blast furnaces 'But over the last few days, it became clear that the intention of Jingye was to refuse to purchase sufficient raw material to keep the blast furnaces running, in fact, their intention was to cancel and refuse to pay for existing orders. 'The company would therefore have irrevocably and unilaterally closed down primary steel making at British Steel.' Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, also hit out at the Chinese bosses, saying they had been 'pushing forward to shut down the blast furnaces in the UK. Speaking to the Commons, he said 'far too many countries like Chine have abused the rules of the free market... and have used slave labour to produce products. When that happens, the free market is dead.' He said it was not a surprise Jingye had been pushing for Scunthorpe's closure due to China suffering 'from an overproduction of steel, adding: 'They know that we will have to buy slab steel from China. This is not a coincidence. This is all part of the plan.' Former Labour minister, Lord Reid Cardowan also noted that closing the Scunthorpe site may be in Beijing's interest in an 'competitive world'. And as the Lords debated the emergency legislation, Labour peer Lord Sikka, called for the 'permanent public ownership of the steel industry' laying blame with the Conservatives privatisation of steel in 1988. Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice previously called on the cabinet member to 'show your cojones' and nationalise British Steel, claiming it could become a 'long-term, viable' asset for the taxpayer. Locals protesting as the Commons hold an emergency debate on the future of Chinese-owned British Steel More locals wave their flags as they continue to march in support alongside steel workers Protesterts can be seen carrying flags with Unite the Union's symbol as well as a black and white sign which reads: 'Save Scunthorpe Steel' More steelworkers and locals march to the football grounds in a bid to save hundreds of jobs at the plant Two protesters tie up banners which read 'save Scunthorpe steel, as MPs debated draft legislation today 'We will support this government in this bill today. But there is an opportunity to go further, to be bold, be courageous,' he added. Former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn went even further and called on 'the whole steel industry' to be taken into public ownership, saying it could be 'the bedrock of the manufacturing industry in Britain'. Mr Reynolds said a transfer of ownership to the state 'remains on the table' and may well be the 'likely option' for British Steel, although noted the Government could not fund the long-term transformation of the company. Outlining the circumstances around the debate, Mr Reynolds said Labour had been negotiating with Jingye in good faith, but they wanted an 'excessive amount' from the British Government. The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill gives the Government the power to instruct steel companies in England to keep facilities open, with criminal penalties for executives if they fail to comply. Ministers said these measures were necessary to keep the Scunthorpe blast furnaces open and protect both the UK's primary steelmaking capacity and the 3,500 jobs involved. Alasdair McDiarmid, the assistant general secretary of steelworker union Community Union, welcome the Government action.welcomes and wholeheartedly backs the Labour Government's decisive action to take control of British Steel. He said: 'The government has sought to negotiate constructively and even offered to buy raw materials to stop the blast furnaces closing, but Jingye have shut down every avenue to keep the furnaces running and avoid imminent job losses. 'Moreover, Jingye has not consulted in good faith with the unions, and they now need to get out of the road to give space to all those who want to see British Steel succeed.' But Conservatives said the Government should have acted sooner, with shadow leader of the House Alex Burghart accusing ministers of making 'a total pig's breakfast of this whole arrangement'. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said the Government was seeking a 'blank cheque', while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed Labour had 'botched' a deal she had negotiated with British Steel while business secretary. Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to meet British Steel workers in Appleby Village Hall near Scunthorpe today The Prime Minister met with the steelworkers amid emergency legislation to save the Scunthorpe site being approved Steelworkers stand in a circle in a village hall in Appleby near Scunthorpe Peers in the House of Lords during the debate on draft legislation giving the Government power to direct steel companies in England Mr Reynolds speaking in the chamber during the debate on draft legislation to save British Steel's Scunthorpe plant Commons Leader Lucy Powell is seen kicking off the debate, saying the debate is aimed at 'saving thousands of jobs and securing our domestic production of virgin steel' But she was unable to provide details of the deal, saying negotiations were still ongoing when last year's election was called, but adding it 'would have succeeded better' than Mr Reynolds's plan. Mr Reynolds said: 'We meet under exceptional circumstances, to take exceptional action, in what are exceptional times. 'Our request to recall Parliament was not one we have made lightly, and I am grateful, genuinely grateful to honourable members on all sides of this house for their cooperation and for being here today as we seek to pass emergency legislation that is unequivocally in our national interest. 'Despite our offer to Jingye being substantial, they wanted much more. Frankly, an excessive amount. We did however remain committed to negotiation. 'But over the last few days it became clear that the intention of Jingye was to refuse to purchase sufficient raw material to keep the blast furnaces running, in fact, their intention was to cancel and refuse to pay for existing orders. 'The company would therefore have irrevocably and unilaterally closed down primary steel making at British Steel.' The Business Secretary continued: 'The British Government offered to purchase raw materials in a way that would have ensured no losses whatsoever for Jingye in maintaining the blast furnaces for a period of time. 'A counter offer was instead made by Jingye to transfer hundreds of millions of pounds to them, without any conditions to stop that money and potentially other assets being immediately transferred to China. Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice called on Mr Reynolds to 'show your cojones' and nationalise British Steel Richard Tice MP, Deputy Leader of Reform UK and Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness speaks to the media at British Steel Scunthorpe on Friday Sir Iain Duncan Smith, also hit out at the Chinese bosses, saying they had been 'pushing forward to shut down the blast furnaces in the UK. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of having 'bungled the negotiations' and said 'their incompetence has led to a last-minute recall of Parliament'. 'They also refused a condition to keep the blast furnaces maintained and in good working order.' Mr Reynolds described the legislation as a 'proportionate and necessary step', telling MPs: 'It allows us to take control of British Steel's blast furnaces, maintaining steel production and by extension protecting the company's 3,500-strong workforce. 'The Bill does not transfer ownership to the Government. We'll have to deal with this matter at a later date. I took the decision that given the exceptional nature of a recall, it would be better to limit the powers in this Bill, which are still significant, rather than introduce more complex matters of property rights and public ownership at this time.' Conservative former minister Sir Jeremy Wright warned the Government risked 'creating some considerable legal complexity' in terms of the operation of steel companies. Mr Reynolds, in his reply, said: 'I want this to be a temporary position, I do not want these powers any minute longer than is necessary but I do need these powers to rectify and save this situation.' Mr Reynolds said transfer of ownership to the state 'remains on the table' and may well be the 'likely option' for British Steel, although noted the Government could not fund the long-term transformation of the company. Saturday's emergency legislation stops short of full nationalisation of British Steel, and ministers remain hopeful that they can secure private investment to save the plant. But, speaking to the BBC, industry minister Sarah Jones conceded there were currently no companies willing to make an offer, while in the Commons Mr Reynolds acknowledged that public ownership was 'the likely option'. Conservative former minister Sir Jeremy Wright (pictured) warned the Government risked 'creating some considerable legal complexity' in terms of the operation of steel companies Shadow leader of the House Alex Burghart accused ministers of making 'a total pig's breakfast of this whole arrangement' MPs in the House of Commons during the debate on the Government's Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey called the debate an opportunity to advance 'a serious plan for the sustainable future of domestic steel production' Ms Jones also insisted there would be 'no extra cost to the Exchequer' as a result of the Government's actions, with costs being met from a 2.5 billion steel fund announced at last year's budget. Earlier, speaking to Sky News on Saturday morning, Minister for Industry Sarah Jones suggested negotiations with Jingye had broken down, accusing the company of failing to act 'in good faith'. She added Jingye has 'refused' to bring in the raw materials needed to keep the blast furnaces operating, claiming the site has seen 'significant' financial losses since purchasing British Steel in 2020. Saturday's emergency legislation will also provide for criminal sanctions if executives fail to comply with instructions to keep the blast furnaces open. Ms Jones said the Government would 'step in' if British Steel's owners did not co-operate, with the company 'liable for any costs that we incur'. She said: 'This problem has now become existential because the company have refused to bring in the raw materials that we need to keep the blast furnaces operating. 'If blast furnaces are closed in an unplanned way, they can never be reopened, the steel just solidifies in those furnaces and nothing can be done. A view of the British Steel site in Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire A general view of British Steel in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, where MPs have approved plans to save British Steel's Scunthorpe blast furnaces A British Steel sign outside of the plan in Scunthorpe, where closure fears loom as MPs debate in the Commons today 'So the choice that is facing MPs today is do we want to take back control, to give the Business Secretary the power to act as a company director and to instruct the company to ensure we get the raw materials and we keep the blast furnaces operating, or do we want to see the end of primary steel making in this country and the loss of jobs?' She added: 'We have the 2.5 billion fund for steel which we had in our manifesto, that we will use if necessary, so there will be no extra costs to the Exchequer that we don't already have in our plans.' Jingye, which bought British Steel in 2020, has said it invested more than 1.2 billion to maintain operations amid ongoing production instability and 'significant' financial losses of around 700,000 a day. The proposals to close Scunthorpe's furnaces had sparked fears of job losses at the plant, which employs thousands of people. Mr Reynolds said Jingye had confirmed the plans despite months of talks and a 500 million co-investment offer from Government, leaving ministers 'no choice' but to act to spare job losses and save the plant. Labour MP Brian Leishman described 'stunning similarities' between job losses at the Grangemouth oil refinery and negotiations affecting the Scunthorpe steelworks. Asked whether he agreed with Mr Reynolds that they are not 'comparable', he said. that he would 'contest this'. He added: 'In so many different industrial examples that we've had over the last sort-of 40 years, when private capital and/or foreign governments are in charge of key pieces of vital infrastructure, then workers in communities and our national security pay the price.' Ministers hope to secure private investment to save the plant in the longer term, but Ms Jones admitted on Saturday that there were currently no companies willing to make an offer. Minister for Industry Sarah Jones who has accused the Chinese owners of British Steel of failing to act 'in good faith' over the planned closure of its Scunthorpe plant On Friday, Sir Keir warned the future of the firm 'hangs in the balance' Sir Keir and Ed Miliband visit the British Steel manufacturing plant in Scunthorpe in 2023 Saturday's legislation is intended to provide an urgent temporary solution in the face of the threat to close the blast furnaces at Scunthorpe until a longer-term plan is agreed, and full nationalisation remains an option. Unions welcomed the move but Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of having 'bungled the negotiations' and said 'their incompetence has led to a last-minute recall of Parliament'. Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey called the debate an opportunity to advance 'a serious plan for the sustainable future of domestic steel production' while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reiterated his backing for nationalisation. Mr Farage said: 'It's just a sticking plaster. Frankly if Jingye, the Chinese owners, are bad faith actors, which I have believed them to be for five years, and today the business secretary said they are not acting in good faith, they should have just done the whole hog today, nationalised it and then tried to find a way of selling it on.' The Commons sitting will begin at 11am and the House of Lords from midday in the first parliamentary recall on a Saturday since 1982, when MPs returned after the start of the Falklands War. This is the moment a nursery worker who was arrested after slamming a toddler against a wall and force feeding him moaned about losing her job in a foul-mouthed rant after she was released from custody. Four employees at the Casanueces nursery in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid province, were released yesterday as Spanish authorities opened an investigation into a case of alleged child abuse. But one of the women involved in the horrific case that has sparked outrage across Spain seemed to show no remorse as she appeared in court on Friday afternoon. Speaking to an interviewer outside the Torrejon de Ardoz courthouse, the unnamed woman said: 'It's your f***ing fault. I'm on the street, I have two daughters to support and a mortgage to pay'. Her angry rant came after she was fired from Casanueces nursery and arrested alongside another colleague for alleged child abuse. Two more employees were arrested for failing to report the appalling incident. Although all four were released from custody, a judge yesterday ordered the four women under investigation sign in at the courthouse on the first of every month. They have also been prohibited from working with minors. A Spanish nursery worker who was arrested after slamming a toddler against a wall and force feeding him has complained about losing her job after she was released from custody yesterday The woman, who worked at the Casanueces nursery in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid province, seemed to show no remorse as she spoke to an interviewer Your browser does not support iframes. An investigation was opened after footage, which was secretly filmed by a student on a work placement at the nursery, was released, showing how the female staff member grabs a young toddler and slams him against the wall while squeezing and pinching 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. The shocking incident has left parents demanding answers from the nursery, as well as local authorities. One horrified mother, named only as 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. The damning footage was secretly filmed by a student on a work placement at the Casanueces nursery in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid province 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 '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. A prominent Muslim leader has warned Peter Dutton to never come near his mosque unless the Opposition leader wanted to be thrown out. Melbourne Imam Samir Mohtadi, also known as cleric Abu Hamza, spoke out against Mr Dutton in a post shared to social media on Saturday. The religious leader called Mr Dutton a 'pro-Zionist...racist' and a 'grub'. Mr Mohtadi took particular issue with Mr Dutton's stance regarding the Israel-Hamas war. 'You're not welcome here,' he wrote online. 'I'll actually literally grab you and throw you out, you filthy human being.' Previously, he also shared a photo of Mr Dutton with Israeli President Isaac Herzog through his organisation IISNA MyCentre. The photo showed the pair shaking hands with a caption stating that: 'Pigs stick together.' Victorian IISNA MyCentre Muslim leader Samir Mohtadi (centre) with Victorian state MP Kathleen Matthews-Ward and Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines Peter Dutton in Israel with President Isaac Herzog Mr Mohtadi's views on the current war have caused controversy before. He previously shared an inflammatory post where he called for the eradication of Israel. 'We don't want a two-state solution,' he told his followers. 'There's only one state, one state, which is the Islamic Palestinian state. We have to eliminate the terrorist zionists.' On other occasions Mr Mohtadi has said he did not 'believe' in Israel and that its citizens should 'go back to Poland'. Coalition campaign spokesman and shadow home affairs minister James Paterson labelled Mr Mohtadi's comments 'completely inappropriate', noting he was a community leader who ran taxpayer-funded organisations. 'This kind of extreme rhetoric is particularly reckless and irresponsible during an anti-Semitism crisis,' Mr Paterson said. A signed menu from Captain's Scott's 'last supper' before his doomed expedition to the South Pole has emerged for sale 115 years on. Robert Falcon Scott and his fellow explorers were given a farewell dinner before they left for the British Antarctic Expedition in June 1910. The lavish event was held in their honour at the Royal Hotel in Cardiff, where the Terra Nova ship left from for Antarctica two days later. The attendees feasted on 'Terra Nova' fillets of beef, 'Captain Scott' souffle and 'South Pole' ice pudding. The expedition's ultimate goal was to become the first crew to reach the South Pole. Capt Scott famously made it there in January 1912 only to find he had been pipped to the post a month earlier by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. On their return journey across Antarctica, Capt Scott's five-man party endured dreadful conditions and suffered from a lack of food and frostbite. Edgar Evans died on February 17, followed by Lawrence Oates, while Capt Scott, Edward Wilson and Henry Bowers died in their tent around March 29. Robert Falcon Scott and his fellow explorers were given a farewell dinner before they left for the British Antarctic Expedition in June 1910 A signed menu from Captain's Scott's 'last supper' before his doomed expedition to the South Pole has emerged for sale 115 years on The attendees feasted on 'Terra Nova' fillets of beef, 'Captain Scott' souffle and 'South Pole' ice pudding Scott, Evans and expedition photographer Herbert Ponting, who survived, signed the menu back in Cardiff for Barbarians rugby player Colonel Joseph Partridge who had approached them at the dinner. The menu has passed down generations of the Col Partridge's family and is now being sold tomorrow by a descendant at auctioneers Rogers, Jones & Co, of Cardiff. Auctioneer Ben Rogers-Jones said: 'This is a very rare item indeed. 'The front of the menu is signed by Capt Scott and fellow expedition crew members including Teddy Evans, Edgar Evans, Herbert Ponting and Robert Forde. 'Two days after this dinner a large, excited crowd cheered the Terra Nova as she departed Roath Basin in Cardiff's 'Tiger Bay' with the doomed British Antarctic Expedition starting its race for the South Pole. 'Evans was the first to die on the return march from the South Pole. 'Captain Scott's links with Cardiff are commemorated by the lighthouse erected in 1915 in Roath Park Lake and the bronze plaque of 1916 on the staircase in City Hall. In June 2003 a commemorative sculpture was unveiled in Cardiff Bay. 'The farewell dinner was hosted within the 'Alexandra Room' of the Royal Hotel in Cardiff, and a memorial dinner for Captain Scott was held at the hotel three years later. 'The room is now named the 'Captain Scott Room' in his honour and an annual dinner of commemoration is held by the Captain Scott Society on the anniversary of his farewell meal.' Senior Coalition senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has denied her use of the phrase 'Make Australia Great Again' showed support for US President Donald Trump, who coined the original slogan. Senator Price used a localized version of Trump's signature line when she addressed a bowling club in Perth on Saturday, despite the Coalition trying to distance itself from the American leader in the wake of his imposition of tariffs on Australia. Senator Price said she had only spoken of making the country great again offhandedly and did not even realise that she was echoing Trump's MAGA phrase. She was introducing Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who was also at the luncheon, when she evoked the polarising US President. '[The Liberal party will] ensure that we can make Australia great again, that we can bring Australia back to it's former glory, that we can get Australia back on track,' she said. Her words were immediately seized on by Labor, and the comment was widely reported. Labor's campaign spokesperson Jason Clare said the Coalition 'just want to import US polices and US slogans to Australia'. 'The only thing [Senator Price] didn't have today was the [MAGA] hat,' Mr Clare said. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has said that the media is 'obsessed' with Donald Trump after she said the Coalition was going to 'Make Australia Great Again'. Senator Price dismissed any connection that herself and Peter Dutton might have with the US President after she was confronted about her co-opting of Trump's campaign slogan A short time later Senator Price downplayed the episode in a separate press conference. 'If I said that, I don't even realise I said that,' Senator Price said. 'But no, I'm an Australian and I want to ensure that we get Australia back on track.' It was not the first time Senator Price's role in the election had been likened to the current US administration Mr Dutton named Senator Price as the shadow minister for government efficiency in January. The new role was apparently inspired by Trump's own Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which Elon Musk initially ran. This is not the first time Senator Price has been linked to Donald Trump especially after Mr Dutton named her as the shadow minister for government efficiency in January Mr Dutton himself avoided answering any questions which related to President Trump after Senator Price's remarks and instead attempted to focus on the cost-of-living crisis When questioned about the similarities between the two departments Senator Price chided the media's 'obsession with Donald Trump'. 'Let's be very, very clear, media, youre all obsessed with Donald Trump. We're not. We're actually obsessed with ensuring that we can improve the circumstances for Australians,' she said. When asked about the situation himself the Opposition leader repeatedly redirected the conversation towards the cost of living crisis. Mr Dutton said he would rather 'deal with the reality for people' in Western Australia rather than focus on a non-existent relationship between himself and Trump. 'I really think that if we want to make their lives better and we want to get our country back on track, we have to change the government,' he said. 'And I think that's the point that any objective person would make at the moment.' Labor stressed the Trump/Dutton connection was very real however, with its members having persistently drawn lines between the two campaigns throughout the election. Treasurer Jim Chalmers referred to The Opposition leader as 'DOGE-y Dutton' after he pledged to axe 41,000 jobs in the public sector if becomes Prime Minister. Rudy Giuliani has made a dramatic U-turn over President Donald Trump's 'crooked' choices after years of working as his fixer. The embattled former New York City mayor, who recently announced he was thinking about running in the Big Apple again, sat down with conservative pundit Eric Bolling on Friday and shared his concerns about the president's Justice Department. The 80-year-old, who is currently facing mounting legal woes, told Bolling that although he's pleased with changes at the Justice Department, he still has problems with 'crooked' choices made by FBI director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi. He specifically said he doesn't agree with the way Patel and Bondi have been 'going after Catholics in the Justice Department' and the January 6 participants. The conversation kicked off after the political commentator brought up the civil case involving Giuliani, where he defamed Georgia election workers. Bolling then brought up Steve Bannon, who served four months in prison for contempt of Congress, and Peter Navarro, who served the same amount of time behind bars for defying a congressional subpoena. Giuliani said that despite getting 'a lot of sympathy and a lot of support' after getting 'beaten up pretty bad,' his 'friends' Bannon and Navarro had it worse. 'I must have arrested 5,000 people. I probably used leg iron once or twice. I cant even recall it. Itd would probably have to have been a five times murder. That was just done because the FBI is crooked,' Giuliani said. Rudy Giuliani, a long-time ally of Donald Trump, has made a dramatic U-turn about the president on conservative pundit Eric Bolling's show Friday The former NYC mayor said that although he's pleased with changes at the Justice Department, he still has problems with 'crooked' choices made by FBI director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi. (Pictured: President Trump on Friday) 'I mean, four months in jail? How about putting leg irons on Peter Navarro?,' he said. After Navarro was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2022, he said he was placed in handcuffs and leg irons - ankle restraints. 'And Im very upset now because Kash Patel and Pam Bondi have taken one of the people that was running the unit going after Catholics in the Justice Department, and also going after J6 people, and put them in charge of the Washington office of the FBI. The Republican said he even went as far as to complain about his concerns, but has not heard back. 'And I tried to reach them today. They didnt call me back. I want to know why. They say theres an explanation for it. It better be damn good.' Bolling then asked Giuliani: 'So tell us, do you think Kash and Pam are doing the job that we are doing? I do.' 'I, up until now, I was over the top enthusiastic, particularly by the Justice Department,' he responded. 'Wow, the Justice Department did a great job. So Im going to assume theres a reason for this that I dont know.' He specifically said he doesn't agree with the way Patel and Bondi (pictured Wednesday) 'have taken on' January 6 participants and 'Catholics in the Justice Department' Giuliani previously served as Trump's attorney. (Pictured: The pair together at the recent 9/11 remembrance ceremony) Giuliani said that despite getting 'a lot of sympathy and a lot of support' after getting 'beaten up pretty bad,' his 'friends' Bannon and Navarro had it worse. (Pictured: Steve Bannon in February) Giuliani's latest statements come after he announced he might be running for NYC Mayor again. He was a well-liked Republican who ran the Big Apple between 1994 and 2001. Though he was formally nicknamed 'America's Mayor' for his handling of the 9/11 terror attacks, Giuliani's career and reputation have since tanked after he started working for Trump. He previously told the New York Post: 'There are a lot of people who want me to run for mayor.' He added: ''Its unlikely. I'm not going to say never, ever, ever.' His spokesperson and political advisor Ted Goodman echoed his statement, telling the DailyMail.com: 'Anyone who knows Mayor Rudy Giuliani knows that he's not the type of guy to shy away from a fight, and he's not the kind of man to sit idly by while New York City continues to flounder and sink further into the abyss. 'I am with the mayor on a regular basis, and when we are in New York, he is stopped each and every day by New Yorkers of all backgrounds begging him to come back to save the city.' Giuliani's legal and criminal woes come despite him being credited with helping clean up the Big Apple from its crime-ridden '70s and '80s low points. Giuliani was arrested in August 2023 for defaming two Georgia election workers He was a well-liked Republican who ran the Big Apple between 1994 and 2001. Giuliani recently said he's thinking of running for mayor again Under his leadership, overall crime was cut by 56 percent, murder was cut by 66 percent, and the city that was once considered the crime capital of the country became the safest large city in America according to the FBI. However, the former mayor experienced a fall from grace as he continued to push lies about Trump's 2020 election loss and was disbarred by a New York court. He was indicted in Maricopa County, Arizona, for pressuring election officials to change the results of the 2020 election. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Nicholas Moyne yelled at the disgraced lawyer multiple times during his hearing on the case by Noelle Dunphy, who has accused him of sexual assault, harassment and unpaid wages. Moyne asked him to stop talking as he ranted against Dunphy, whose lawyer called the situation 'outrageous.' 'Mr. Giuliani, youre going to cause yourself harm by doing this, OK? So Im going to protect you from yourself at this time,' Judge Moyne eventually said, as reported by the Daily News. 'These are not legal arguments that youre making right now... These are personal attacks, and this is not the time for that, OK? Im not going to allow it, Im sorry. I tried to treat you with respect and with deference, but you have to follow my rules.' 'I mean, four months in jail? How about putting leg irons on Peter Navarro?,' Giuliani said. After Navarro (pictured Thursday) was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2022, he said he was placed in handcuffs and leg irons - ankle restraints In January he reached a settlement between the two Georgia election workers, but it remains a mystery who bailed him out. Under the agreement, Giuliani gets to keep his $5 million Upper East Side high-rise, vintage Mercedes, Yankees memorabilia and other prized possessions, in exchange for an undisclosed amount of 'compensation' paid to Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss. 'The past four years have been a living nightmare,' a statement said. 'We have reached an agreement and we can now move forward with our lives.' The pair, who were subjected to false accusations of election fraud during the 2020 presidential race, had won a defamation lawsuit in December 2023, with Giuliani ordered to pay them $148 million. Despite the court order, Giuliani, 80, had been uncooperative in handing over his assets in the months since. His reported net worth is around $10 million, raising questions about how the settlement was funded. A fox was saved from the brink of death after its terrified eyes were spotting in a dark 'tar-like substance', the RSCPA have confirmed. A panicked creature was trapped in a pit filled with heating oil located inside a derelict building, according to the animal welfare charity. The heroic RSPCA worker who rescued the animal's life revealed only the fox's ears, eyes and nose were visible, with its body completely stuck in the muddy tar. Harrowing images show two scared eyes shining from the sinister dark liquid as well as an outline of the creatures ears. Shocked RSCPA Inspector Helen Smith, who came to the aid of the terrified animal, revealed she had 'never seen anything like it'. The animal welfare worker attached a grasper around the young male fox's neck before pulling him out of the oily pit in Leicester city on March 27. Although the night time predators do often live in rural areas, urban foes tend to create dens underneath bushes, sheds, tree roots and railway embankments. Footage shows workers cleaning the distraught animal with washing up liquid at the vets after it had been sedated following the ordeal. 'This poor fox was totally stuck in the thick, tar-like substance and couldn't move,' Ms Smith said: 'We have no idea how long he had been there. A fox was saved from the brink of death after its terrified eyes were spotting in a dark 'tar-like substance', the RSCPA have confirmed Harrowing images show two scared eyes shining from the sinister dark liquid as well as an outline of the creatures ears The terrified animal was later taken to the vets who are positive he will make a full recovery The animal was later cleaned with washing up liquid following the terrifying ordeal in a derelict building in Leicester RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre manager Lee Stewart said 'this is the worst oil case I have ever seen' 'It's a miracle he was spotted,' she quipped before describing the scenes at the flooder observation pit, flooded with heating oil, which had leaked from a vandalised storage tank. 'The fox was covered in oil from head to toe and it was so thick that it was a big job to clean it all off,' she said: 'The following day, the fox was still black but a little cleaner.' The animal was transferred to RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire for 'further cleaning and rehabilitation' where it remains, she said. Although the animal was very young to have been through 'such an ordeal already', vets are positive the fox will recover and be released back into the wild, the inspector added. RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre manager Lee Stewart said 'this is the worst oil case I have ever seen'. 'The poor fox had to be sedated to be washed by the team, so at each wash we had three staff washing and a vet and vet nurse on standby. 'The vet team will be monitoring over the weekend in the hope the fox can then be released next week.' Prince Andrew has been spotted out riding in Windsor days after his accuser Virginia Giuffre broke her cover since she hit headlines when claiming she had 'four days to live' following a bus crash. The disgraced Duke of York, 65, dressed all in navy blue, was seen wiping his brow while on his weekly ride with a female companion. It comes three days after Ms Giuffre, 41, was pictured for the first time since she was released from the hospital after claiming she had just four days to live. Ms Giuffre pulled into a feed store near her rural retreat at Neergabby north of Perth in a blue Chevrolet Silverado being driven by a bearded man at around 4.30pm local time. She was wearing $600 Tiffany cat eye sunglasses but the facial injuries she claimed to have suffered in a recent bus crash were not obvious. When Giuffre spotted Daily Mail Australia she wound down her window, raised her right middle finger and said: Get the f*** out of here. Daily Mail Australia had been leaving the feed store carpark after making inquiries about Giuffres whereabouts when she arrived. Ms Giuffre had not been seen in public since posting a now infamous hospital bed photograph following the bus crash. Prince Andrew has been spotted out riding in Windsor days after his accuser Virginia Giuffre broke her cover since she claimed she had 'four days to live' following a bus crash The disgraced Duke of York, 65, dressed all in navy blue, was seen wiping his brown while on his weekly ride Ms Giuffre posted on Instagram about the crash on March 24, which occurred ten days after she was listed at the court near her $2m former family home Ms Giuffre was listed to face Joondalup Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning on a domestic violence charge but was not required to appear in person and stayed away. She was listed to appear before a magistrate less than 48 hours after being released from hospital following a now infamous social media post in which she said she would be dead in four days. The American-born mother-of-three was sneaked out the back door of Perth's Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital on Monday afternoon to avoid a large media pack at the front of the facility. On Wednesday, about a dozen reporters waited for her scheduled appearance at Joondalup Magistrates Court but she did not appear in person. Instead, lawyer Karrie Louden sought an adjournment and said she was in negotiations with police. Ms Giuffre was charged with breaching a family violence restraining order just days before the bus crash she initially said was going to kill her. She was first listed to face the same court, about 30km north of Perth's central business district, on March 14. Outside court on Wednesday, Mr Louden said she was not in a position to comment on the charge while the proceedings were before court. Ms Giuffre gave a one finger salute after being spotted by Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday She was spotted in public for the first time two days after she was discharged from a Perth hospital Ms Giuffre was sitting in the front passenger seat of a blue Chevrolet Silverado being driven by a bearded man She said Giuffre was not required to appear on Wednesday. Daily Mail Australia understands police advised her not to attend. The matter was adjourned until June 11 when Giuffre will be required to enter a plea. Ms Giuffre, who won a multimillion-pound payout from Prince Andrew after claiming she was trafficked to have sex with him at the age of 17, told her Instagram followers on Sunday that she only had 'four days to live'. She claimed her car had been hit by a school bus travelling at 110km/h which had left her with kidney failure, and doctors had told her she would be dead within days. 'I won't bore anyone with the details but I think it important to note that when a school bus driver comes at you driving 110km as we were slowing for a turn that no matter what your car is made of it might as well be a tin can,' she wrote in the post. She later said via a spokesperson that the photograph of her with a bruised face and the accompanying post had been posted on Instagram 'in error', and was only supposed to be available on her private Facebook account. She was said to have been admitted to the hospital at 3am last Tuesday for an unknown reason within hours of the story of her Instagram post on the previous Sunday making headlines around the world. Local media in western Australia claimed that Ms Giuffre had a pre-existing kidney problem which had earlier required treatment. The bus driver at the heart of the story, Ross Munns, was quick to dispute Ms Giuffre's account, saying that the crash happened after he had followed a slow-moving white car for three kilometres before deciding to overtake when it went under 75kmh. The crash, which happened on Monday last week, involved a small white Toyota Highlander, driven by a 71-year-old woman who he believed to be Ms Giuffre's carer. Ms Giuffre won a multimillion-pound payout from Prince Andrew (pictured today) after claiming she was trafficked to have sex with him at the age of 17 The Duke of York was spotted riding in Windsor today with a female companion The famous photograph of the-then Virginia Roberts and Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell that led to the royal's downfall and the reported $20million payout A Western Australia Police Force spokesperson at the time said they were aware of a 'minor crash' between a bus and a car in Neergabby, north of Perth, on March 24. Mr Munns said that he had about 29 children still on board as he began his manoeuvre only for the car to suddenly start turning right in front of him to get into a rural property north of Perth, Western Australia. Describing Ms Giuffre's claims and the circumstances of the crash, he said: 'It's just all blown out of proportion and I know what happened. I didn't even see her in the car.' Ms Giuffre, who was known as Virginia Roberts before her marriage, claimed she had been injured in the school bus crash in her Instagram post from her hospital bed, saying she wanted to see her three children for a last time. She wrote: 'I've gone into kidney renal failure, they've given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology. 'I'm ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.' Ms Giuffre's spokesperson also appeared to pull back from her comments by claiming that she meant to have posted the statement about her crash injuries on her private Facebook page instead of her public Instagram account Further doubts about her story emerged when her brother Sky Roberts, clarified her 'four days to live' claim, saying only that she was told by doctors she would have died in that timeframe if she did not receive treatment. Regardless of the facts of the crash, the events have firmly put Ms Giuffre back in the international spotlight, making an uncomfortable situation for the royal prince. Andrew was previously forced to pay out a settlement reportedly worth millions of pounds after Ms Giuffre alleged that paedophile Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her across the world to have sex with the prince when she was just 17. Ms Giuffre had claimed he had sexually assaulted her three times, claims the Duke denied. The settlement did not involve any admission of liability on his behalf, and he denies any sexual contact with her. After claiming they uncovered nearly $400 million in fraudulent unemployment payments, Elon Musk's DOGE has pointed to three Democrat-led states as the primary perpetrators. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) launched an urgent investigation into wasted taxpayer money - including reviewing unemployment insurance claims dating back to 2020 - following Donald Trump's pledge to deliver major federal savings to voters. Musk revealed that the agency found $382 million in deceitful unemployment claims, admitting he had to read the report multiple times before it truly 'sank in'. Now, the billionaire is pointing the finger at California, New York and Massachusetts, claiming they are responsible for receiving the bulk of the fraudulent funds - $305 million, to be exact, Fox News reported. 'There's a reason for the mass exodus from Democrat-run states that have mismanaged their economies and driven residents to the nearest Republican-led state,' White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told the outlet. 'High taxes, poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars and progressive policies continue to yield negative results, which is why Americans overwhelmingly support the work of DOGE.' California bore a significant share of the misuse, as the agency said the West Coast state was responsible for a staggering 68 percent of unemployment benefits. According to DOGE, these payments - some made to individuals on the terrorist watchlist or with criminal records - occurred during Joe Biden's presidency. Elon Musk revealed that The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, uncovered $382 million in fraudulent unemployment claims, with the billionaire pointing the finger at three Democrat-led states he claims are responsible for $305 million of those funds Among the three states Musk claims is responsible for reaping the benefits of fraudulent unemployment claims is New York California bore a significant share of the issue, as the agency said the West Coast state was responsible for a staggering 68 percent of unemployment benefits that were made to individuals on the terrorist watchlist or with criminal records under Joe Biden's presidency The agency also revealed this week that it became 'routine' under the Biden administration to allow immigrants into the United States with minimal background checks. More than 6,000 people - either with criminal records or listed on the FBI's terrorist watchlist - were allowed into the country as a result, with hundreds of them exploiting the government's unemployment program to collect benefits. Nearly $42,000 was fraudulently collected from the unemployment program, alongside funds taken from federal student loan programs, food stamp assistance and IRS tax refunds. 'This is another incredible discovery by the DOGE team, finding nearly $400 million in fraudulent unemployment payments,' Labor Department Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer told Fox News. 'The Labor Department is committed to recovering Americans' stolen tax dollars. We will catch these thieves and keep working to root out egregious fraud,' she added. On Wednesday, DOGE revealed the results of an initial survey of unemployment insurance claims dating back to 2020, with the findings leaving Musk publicly shocked. The study found at least 24,500 people over 115 years old claimed $59 million in benefits. At least 28,000 individuals, all claiming to be under the age of five, received a whopping $254 million in benefits. Musk also reported that Massachusetts, another state where Democrats control the state House, Senate and governor's office, is responsible for claiming a bulk of the fraudulent funds DOGE revealed that it became 'routine' under the Biden administration to allow immigrants into the United States with minimal background checks, resulting in more than 6,000 people - either with criminal records or listed on the FBI's terrorist watchlist - being allowed into the country Musk revealed that under the Biden administration, those with criminal records or listed on the FBI terrorist watchlist fraudulently collected nearly $42,000 from the unemployment program, alongside funds taken from federal student loan programs, food stamp assistance and IRS tax refunds Sitting in the West Wing's Cabinet Room before all of Trump's deputies on Thursday, Musk announced that the agency is projected to save $150 billion in the 2026 fiscal year Meanwhile, DOGE also reported that 9,700 people with birthdates set more than 15 years into the future fraudulently claimed $69 million. In one shocking case, the agency said they found someone with a birthday in 2154 who claimed $41,000 in benefits. Musk shared the findings to his X account, claiming he was so stunned by the numbers, it took him multiple times to grasp the information in front of him. 'Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future,' Musk said. 'This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in.' On Thursday, the Tesla CEO also revealed just how much cash DOGE is expected to save US taxpayers at a Cabinet meeting before all the president's deputies. Sitting in the West Wing's Cabinet Room, Musk announced that the agency is projected to save $150 billion in the 2026 fiscal year. 'Thanks to your fantastic leadership, this amazing Cabinet and the very talented DOGE team, I'm excited to announce that we anticipate savings in FY 26 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion,' Musk proclaimed at the meeting. Despite the mind-boggling amount projected to be saved in the next fiscal year, the figure falls significantly short of what the group initially aimed to cut from the federal payroll. On Wednesday, DOGE revealed the results of an initial survey of unemployment insurance claims dating back to 2020, which found that at least 28,000 individuals, all claiming to be under the age of five, received a whopping $254 million in benefits In February, Musk shared a chart to X revealing that more than 20 million Americans listed over the age of 100 are still eligible for social security payments - including 3.9 million in the 130-139 range, more than 3.5 million aged 140-149 and more than 1.3 million in the range 150-159 Originally, Musk set out to cut a whopping $2 trillion in waste, fraud and abuse and has already saved each taxpayer $931, according to the agency's site Originally, Musk set out to cut a whopping $2 trillion in waste, fraud and abuse. He later walked that back, labeling it a 'best-case outcome', and said that he hopes to get half of that - around $1 trillion - which is still far more than what he set out to achieve. According to the DOGE site, the group has already saved each taxpayer $931. 'People ask me, like, well, how are you going to find waste, fraud and abuse in the federal in the government? I'm like, well, actually, just go in any direction,' Musk told the Cabinet. 'That's how you find it. It's very common. It's, as military would say, a target rich environment.' The SpaceX CEO also applauded the collaboration of each Cabinet member who he said helped his workers dig through each agency for savings. He told the president the savings 'will actually result in better services for the American people.' In February, Musk shared staggering data showing there are millions of dead Americans still eligible for social security payments. The findings come after DOGE launched an urgent investigation into wasted taxpayer money - including reviewing unemployment insurance claims dating back to 2020 - following Donald Trump's pledge to deliver major federal savings to voters The Department of Health and Human Services agency is under fire from Musk after records showed it had 60 million more individuals on file for social security payments than the entire US population, suggesting that millions of dead or possibly fictitious people could be receiving monthly government checks DOGE reported that 9,700 people with birthdates set more than 15 years into the future fraudulently claimed $69 million, and in one shocking case, also found someone with a birthday in 2154 who claimed $41,000 in benefits In a chart shared to X, the billionaire revealed that more than 20 million Americans listed over the age of 100 are still eligible - including 3.9 million in the 130-139 range, more than 3.5 million aged 140-149 and more than 1.3 million in the range 150-159. There is even an 'alive' citizen aged over 360, according to the records. 'According to the Social Security database, these are the numbers of people in each age bucket with the death field set to FALSE! Maybe Twilight is real and there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security,' Musk said. The Department of Health and Human Services agency is under fire from Musk after records showed it had 60 million more individuals on file than the entire US population, suggesting that millions of dead or possibly fictitious people could be receiving monthly government checks. In 2024, 68.5 million people received benefits from SSA through retirement, disability and other payments. It remains unclear how many of these payments were distributed due to fraud or mistakes made by the agency failing to confirm the age and eligibility of beneficiaries - including if they are alive or not. However, DOGE vowed it is now 'looking into this'. Ukraine could be carved 'almost like Berlin after World War Two' as part of a peace deal, President Donald Trump's envoy to the country said last night. General Keith Kellogg suggested Western troops could adopt zones of control as part of a 'reassurance force', while the Russians would occupy the east. Ukrainian forces would then hold an 18-mile wide demilitarised zone between them. General Kellogg, the key US figure in ending the three-year conflict, confirmed there would be no American forces on the ground, unlike the formation of Germany after 1945. He told The Times that British and French-led troops occupying west of the Dnipro river which cuts Ukraine in half north to south and could act as a demarcation line would 'not be provocative at all' to the Kremlin. '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,' he added. His comments came as the Kremlin last night dismissed a key meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's peace envoy in an apparent sign Russia is not interested in a Ukraine ceasefire. Putin's spokesman said the talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff, which lasted more than four hours, were 'not momentous' and there would be no concessions. Ukraine could be carved 'almost like Berlin after World War Two' as part of a peace deal, President Donald Trump's envoy to the country said last night Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever after their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, 08 April 2025 Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the Russian Navy's development strategy at the Admiralty building in St. Petersburg, Russia, 11 April 2025 Russia's hardball stance appeared to infuriate the US President who subsequently posted on the Truth Social platform a demand that Putin 'gets moving' over a peace deal to prevent further deaths. Russia has already rejected an American-backed proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Witkoff, who travelled to St Petersburg with his wife Lauren, was seen visiting St Isaac's Cathedral and was presented with gifts by representatives of a local synagogue while awaiting the meeting with Putin. Putin had not been seen in public since 1 April, with the Kremlin releasing what were widely believed to be pre-recorded videos of meetings with loyal officials. On Friday, he resurfaced for a major government session on the development of the Navy and later met with Witkoff. The Kremlin statement read: 'Today the President is working in St Petersburg, holding a meeting on the development of the Navy.' His reappearance came amid renewed US criticism of Russia's continued bombardment of Ukrainian cities in defiance of international calls for a ceasefire. It comes after four of Ukraine's major cities were hit in a mass Russian drone attack. The assault on Kharkiv began while the talks were still under way, with multiple explosions reported in the city shortly after the meeting started. Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Saint Petersburg on April 11, 2025 General Keith Kellogg (pictured) said Ukraine could be divided similarly to Berlin after World War Two as part of a peace deal US envoy Steve Witkoff (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands after an hours-long meeting on Friday Strikes on Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa followed later in the night, continuing after the talks had concluded. The meeting, reportedly lasting four hours, ended with a brief statement from Kremlin-linked official Kirill Dmitriev, who called the discussions 'productive'. No outcomes or ceasefire proposals were made public. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa and wider regions were hit in one of the most extensive drone assaults in recent weeks. In Kyiv, drones struck industrial facilities in the Svyatoshynskyi district, igniting fires in warehouses and injuring three people. In Kharkiv, the mayor reported over 20 drone hits, which also injured two people and caused significant damage to storage facilities. In Dnipro, strikes set fire to homes and agricultural sites, while Odesa authorities confirmed four explosions and several blazes. Russia said it intercepted 36 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eighteen over Kursk and thirteen over Rostov. It comes after four of Ukraine's major cities were hit in a mass Russian drone attack. Picture shows strike aftermath in Dnipro The assault on Kharkiv began while the talks were still under way, with multiple explosions reported in the city shortly after the meeting started Strikes on Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa followed later in the night, continuing after the talks had concluded In the Krasnodar region, south of Russia, falling drone debris damaged railway infrastructure and halted train traffic. No injuries were reported. It comes as Ukraine's 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. 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 said 'ongoing aggression' from Russia meant 'we must concede that peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future'. When a Bell 206 helicopter carrying a family of Spanish tourists crashed into the Hudson on Thursday I, like so many others, watched in helpless horror. I spent six years flying Black Hawk helicopters with the US Army as a crew chief. We prepared for just this is the sort of nightmare scenario, hanging upside down in a helicopter, strapped into a five-point harness and submerged under the pitch-black water of a dunk tank swimming pool. Without that military training, you'd stand no chance of getting out alive. And, indeed, all five members of the Escobar family and the pilot, former Navy SEAL, Sean Johnson were tragically killed. Its terrifying to know that the family and pilot would have been fully aware of what was happening. Video of the incident shows the aircrafts rotor ripping off in mid-flight. That would have been incredibly loud. Then the helicopter fell, like a rock, from 1,000 feet into the frigid water below, landing upside down. There are a handful of explanations for what could have gone wrong. First the rotor broke off then it took the tail boom the slender structure that connects the tail rotor to the main fuselage with it. I'm a former Black Hawk helicopter crew chief and flight instructor. I know how quickly a routine flight can turn into a terrible tragedy. (Pictured: Mark McEathron on X as @Mark_McEathron) This could have been caused by a phenomenon called, mast bumping. This is when the blades tilt too far down, striking the body of the helicopter which can cut off the tail entirely. It happens when the helicopter experiences low G force - during rapid descents or the sort of drops caused by hitting pockets of turbulence, for example which is characterized by a feeling of weightlessness or free-falling. If a pilot over-corrects in these moments it can prove fatal. A second scenario could be a straightforward mechanical failure. The mast is attached to a transmission the mechanism which works like a gear box rapidly transferring power from the engine to the blades. This is then connected to a long pipe running back to a second transmission which transfers power to the tail rotors. All of this is spinning incredibly fast and if theres anything wrong it just shreds. 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 Wreckage of the Bell 206 helicopter is pulled from the Hudson (pictured). The family and pilot would have been fully aware of what was happening. A child's pink trainer is clearly visible floating amidst the helicopter wreckage. The Escobar family were celebrating the birthday of one of their three young children. A third and final possibility is a bird strike. Thats what brought down Miracle on the Hudson, Delta Flight 1086 back in 2009. Captain Sully Sullenberger famously landed that aircraft in an incident that took place on the same stretch of river into which the tourist helicopter plummeted on Thursday. Birds are just as dangerous for helicopters as they are for planes. If a bird hits the rotor and knocks it off kilter even a little bit then you have a flapping rotor. Thats the main rotating blade assembly that generates lift and provides the force for flight, propulsion and directional control, so any malfunction is a serious problem. It may not have helped that the weather conditions were somewhat challenging, with winds of 10-12 miles an hour and gusts of up to 30. In my Black Hawk that wouldnt be a problem - wed fly in 60mph winds - but thats a much bigger beast. The gusts on Thursday wouldnt have been enough to mandate a grounding of helicopters - that would be at the discretion of individual pilots, owners or operators. But reports have suggested that some news crews and other charter operators did take the decision not to fly that afternoon. Some people have picked up on the fact that the pilot radioed to say he was running low on fuel. Thats not alarming. This was a helicopter used for short rides, 16 minutes into a 20-minute flight. The pilot was simply alerting the ground staff to be ready for refueling on landing. Having said that the low fuel level would have made the helicopter lighter and therefore less stable. Your browser does not support iframes. Its going to take many weeks for the truth to emerge. When it does, Ill be interested in the cockpit recordings which will reveal how the pilot was reacting to what may have been going on with the aircraft and whether he made any mistakes. The digital data recorded by the onboard operating systems should also prove illuminating. I stopped flying Black Hawks in 2007. The day I finished I said Id never go in a helicopter again. Id done over 3,000 hours in the Black Hawk by that point and had some pretty close scrapes. I knew Id reached the moment to stop rolling the dice. But, for all that, this shocking tragedy doesnt change the fact that, statistically, helicopter tourism is safe. In New York City, 32 people have died in helicopter accidents since 1977. How many died from falling down stairs in that same period? As grim as it is, accidents make us safer. There will be an investigation and there will be lessons learned. Nothing can change what took place on Thursday, but we might prevent it from happening again. A Pennsylvania man charged with threatening to murder President Donald Trump called himself 'Mr. Satan' online, the Justice Department has revealed. Shawn Monper, 32, was charged on Wednesday with four counts of threatening to murder a US official to impede their official duties, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Pittsburgh. In an eerie twist, Monper is from Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt last summer at a rally ahead of the presidential election. Monper is said to have used the chilling nickname 'Mr. Satan' in YouTube videos where he allegedly threatened Trump and his key allies including outgoing DOGE boss Elon Musk and ICE officials. According to the federal criminal complaint, on Tuesday, FBI agents were notified about Monper's YouTube account, which the Justice Department said had made several 'threatening statements' between January 15 and April 5 this year. The department added that Monper obtained a gun permit just after Trump's inauguration on January 20. In February, he made the sinister comment on his 'Mr. Satan' account: 'I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office.' 'Eventually I'm going to do a mass shooting,' he said on the account in March, adding: 'I have been buying 1 gun a month since the election, body armor, and ammo.' Pennsylvania man Shawn Monper (pictured during his arrest) has been charged with threatening to murder President Donald Trump. He called himself 'Mr Satan' online The Justice Department said that Monper, speaking via his YouTube account, threatened to kill President Donald Trump and obtained a gun permit just after his inauguration on January 20 In February, he made threats against specific people, the Justice Department said. '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 said February 17. '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' On March 4, Monper allegedly pledged to 'assassinate him (Trump) myself' in a live YouTube video. 'ICE are terrorist people, we need to start killing them,' he added on March 18, per the Justice Department. He doubled down on this threat on April 1, telling viewers: 'If I see an armed ice agent, I will consider it a domestic terrorist, and an active shooter and open fire on them.' Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement about Monper's arrest. '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,' she said. Pictured: Gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, in his yearbook photograph The defendant has not yet entered a plea. He has been held in custody to await a detention hearing scheduled for Monday. On July 13, gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks fired a hail of bullets from the roof of a nearby warehouse, which had been left unguarded, in Monper's hometown of Butler. The 20-year-old opened fire using an AR-15-style rifle while Trump, who was then the presumptive Republican nominee, was giving a speech. One of the bullets grazed Trump's ear while another killed a supporter. Two people were also critically injured amid the chaos. A Secret Service counter sniper team eventually took out Crooks, killing him. His motive remains unknown. Photographs of the immediate aftermath showed Trump's face streaked with blood as security officials clamored to protect him and spectators screamed. The since-elected president initially ducked behind the podium as a dozen Secret Service personnel made a protective human shield around him. After a few moments where it seemed he may have suffered a body shot, Trump re-emerged triumphantly with his fist in the air as the crowd chanted, 'USA, USA'. The New York City helicopter that plunged into the frigid waters of the Hudson River, killing all six people onboard, had experienced mechanical issues months before breaking apart midair. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, was killed alongside his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, their three children and the pilot when their sightseeing chopper tragically plummeted about 25 minutes into the tour on Thursday afternoon. An investigation is currently underway to determine what caused the doomed Bell206L-4 LongRanger IV aircraft - owned and operated by New York Helicopter - to suddenly drop out of the sky. However, data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed the ill-fated aircraft experienced a mechanical issue, particularly with its transmission assembly, back in September, the New York Post reported. Built in 2004, the chopper had flown more than 12,000 hours before needing repairs. The investigation aims to examine the pilot's background, the partially recovered wreckage and the Manhattan-based company responsible for operating the sightseeing tours, in hopes of uncovering what happened in the aircraft's final moments. Investigators will also explore the maintenance history of the crashed helicopter, focusing on whether two recently issued FAA safety airworthiness orders for Bell 206L models were properly followed. The first directive, issued in December 2022, required inspections - and, if needed, replacements - of the models' main rotor blades due to a problem called 'delamination'. The New York City helicopter that plunged into the frigid waters of the Hudson River, killing all six people onboard - including a family traveling from Spain - had experienced mechanical issues months before breaking apart midair Pictured: Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, who was killed alongside his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children Built in 2004, the chopper had flown more than 12,000 hours before needing repairs in September. An investigation will explore the maintenance history of the crashed helicopter, focusing on whether two recently issued FAA safety airworthiness orders for Bell 206L models were properly followed (pictured: Bell 206L model in September) Delamination - or when the internal layers of the blade begin to separate from the aircraft because of wear, damage or defects - could lead to failure of the rotor blade if left unaddressed. A second directive was issued in May 2023 after a helicopter experienced the loss of its tail-rotor drive - the smaller rotor mounted at the tail - due to a joint failure. The agency's directive mandated testing and possible replacement of tail rotor shafts across eight helicopter models, including the one involved in Thursday's fatal crash. However, the rotors on the ill-fated helicopter remain missing in the Hudson River, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said on Friday. Divers from the New York Police Department have since been searching for several mangled pieces of the aircraft, crucial to understanding the cause of its devastating downfall. In June 2013, four Swedish tourists and the pilot, sightseeing with the same tour company, were forced to crash land in the same murky waters of the Hudson after the aircraft lost power. Miraculously, all four family members along with the pilot survived the terrifying water collision. Michael Roth, the company's CEO, stated that the chopper underwent daily routine inspections at the time of the crash, but admitted that he had 'no clue why' the aircraft malfunctioned during the flight, the Wall Street Journal reported at the time. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, was killed alongside his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, their three young children and the pilot when their sightseeing chopper tragically plummeted into the Hudson River about 25 minutes into the tour Thursday afternoon An investigation has since been underway to determine what caused the doomed Bell206L-4 LongRanger IV aircraft - owned and operated by New York Helicopter - to suddenly drop out of the sky, including examining the pilot's background, the partially recovered wreckage (pictured: separate helicopter owned by the company) Agustin Escober, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children - Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4 - were on vacation to celebrate the birthday of one of their daughters, who would have turned nine on Saturday The first directive, issued in December 2022, required inspections - and, if needed, replacements - of the models' main rotor blades due to a problem called 'delamination' - or when the internal layers of the blade begin to separate from the aircraft because of wear, damage or defects - but the rotors on the ill-fated helicopter remain missing in the Hudson Michael Roth, the CEO of New York Helicopters, admitted he has 'no clue' what happened, stating that: 'The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, is that the main rotor blades weren't on the helicopter' More than a decade and another crash later, Roth is still unsure as to what could have happened. 'I'm absolutely devastated,' Roth told The New York Post after Thursday's deadly crash. 'The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, is that the main rotor blades weren't on the helicopter,' he added. '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.' Agustin Escober, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children -Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4 - had just arrived to the Big Apple from Barcelona hours before the deadly crash. The family-of-five were on vacation to celebrate the birthday of one of their daughters, who would have turned nine on Saturday, according to Spanish outlet Antena3. Their first day in New York was planned around sightseeing, including a scenic helicopter tour of the Statue of Liberty and up to the George Washington Bridge. Flown by 36-year-old Sean Johnson - a Navy SEAL veteran who recently moved to New York for his still-young aviation career - the excited family snapped heartbreaking photos on the helipad and inside the helicopter just moments before takeoff. The doomed helicopter was flown by 36-year-old Sean Johnson - a Navy SEAL veteran who recently moved to New York for his still-young aviation career (pictured) A second directive, issued by the FAA in May of 2023, mandated testing and possible replacement of tail rotor shafts - the smaller rotor mounted at the tail - across eight helicopter models, including the one involved in Thursday's fatal crash (pictured: stock photo of tail rotor shaft) The excited family snapped heartbreaking photos on the helipad and inside the helicopter just moments before takeoff After approximately 25 minutes in the air, the chopper tragically plummeted upside-down into the Hudson River, closer to the New Jersey side, before sinking into the water - all with its fully detached rotor blade trailing behind Your browser does not support iframes. The helicopter flew out 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. After approximately 25 minutes in the air, the chopper tragically plummeted upside-down into the Hudson River, closer to the New Jersey side, before sinking into the water - all with its fully detached rotor blade trailing behind. 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. Julian Bray, an aviation expert, suggested that a faulty 'Jesus nut' - which holds the entire rotor system together - could have been the key factor behind the tragedy. The faulty 'Jesus nut' would have caused the helicopter blades to break free from the rotor while still in motion, according to Bray. As it detached, the spinning blades would then have ripped through the body of the chopper before it crashed into the water below, he told The Sun. 'What appears to have happened with this particular helicopter is that the rotor, the main rotor... had detached, because in one video we see the blades spinning away from the helicopter,' he explained. 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' Loved ones shared that they would be traveling to New York to bring the victims' bodies home, expressing that they have found 'solace' in knowing that the young family 'passed away together' The family had just arrived from Barcelona earlier that day, and had plans to go sightseeing on their first day in the Big Apple, including a scenic helicopter tour of the Statue of Liberty and up to the George Washington Bridge Four people onboard the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene, with the two others later passing away in the hospital 'But this appears to have sliced through the back half of the helicopter, so the fuselage then drops like a stone into the river Hudson right opposite Pier 41.' 'There is a particular procedure which has to be checked every time it's serviced, and it's known as the Jesus Bolt... because without that the whole thing falls apart,' he added. 'It looks as though it's [the] Jesus bolt or Jesus PIN... It's either defective or wasn't tightened up, or for some reason it sheared.' Justin Green, an aviation lawyer who was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps, said that a 'catastrophic mechanical failure' left the pilot no chance to save the helicopter. It's possible that the helicopter's main rotors struck the tail boom, ultimately breaking it apart and causing the cabin to free fall, Green explained. 'They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened,' he 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 was also revealed that the helicopter's pilot radioed base to warn that they were running out of fuel just before the tragedy struck. Harrowing photos show the bottom of the helicopter floating upside down in the frigid waters of the Hudson after Thursday's crash It was also revealed that the helicopter's pilot radioed base to warn that they were running out of fuel just before the tragedy struck (pictured: Sean Johnson) Divers from the New York Police Department have since been searching for several mangled pieces of the aircraft, crucial to understanding the cause of its devastating downfall 'He called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn't arrive,' 71-year-old Roth, owner of New York Helicopters, told The Telegraph. Four people onboard the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene, with the two others later passing away in the hospital, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at the time. Loved ones shared that they would be traveling to New York to bring the victims' bodies home, expressing that they have found 'solace' in knowing that the young family 'passed away together'. A twisted mother 'laughed about' forcibly tattooing her children with her husband before trying to tear off their flesh, a court has heard. Megan Farr, 29, and her husband Gunnar Farr, 25, both pleaded guilty in separate court cases after they were arrested on April 24, 2023, for tattooing her children with a staple, an arrest affidavit, obtained by KTRE, revealed. The children, who were five and nine years old at the time, were tattooed at the couple's home in Zavalla - about two hours outside of Houston. Before applying the painful tattoos to the children, the couple tied them down with rope, blindfolded them and also covered their mouths with tape, the Angelina County Sheriff's Office said. After one child got a tattoo on their foot and the other got one on their shoulder, their mother and step-father attempted to remove them with lemon juice, which left the children with severe injuries, per the affidavit. 'It appeared that the flesh was removed from the body at the tattoos location. And this happened about the time CPS became involved,' former Zavalla Police Department Interim Chief James Denby told the outlet at the time. At the time of the traumatic incident, friends of the couple were in the house, Denby said. Afterward, Megan told her ex-husband and father of her two children that they tattooed the kids before she 'laughed about it and drove away,' the affidavit stated. Megan Farr, 29 (left), and her husband Gunnar Farr, 25 (right), both pleaded guilty in separate court cases after they were arrested in 2023 for tattooing Megan's children with a staple, Before applying the painful tattoos to the children, the couple (pictured) tied them down with rope, blindfolded them and also covered their mouths with tape Once the children's biological father and step-mother noticed the tattoos on their skin, they reported the incident to Child Protective Services (CPS). Denby previously told the outlet that someone came forward after the investigation was opened and turned over a tattoo kit. 'Someone came forward and turned in a tattoo kit that she claimed was loaned to Gunner to perform tattoos. She didnt know it was going to be performed on a child,' Denby said. During Gunnar's trial, Angelina County Assistant District Attorney David Griffin said what the couple did was 'completely unacceptable.' 'To forcibly hold down your own children and tattoo them, is completely unacceptable and will never be allowed in Angelina County,' Griffin said. 'You have children who couldnt stand up for themselves, werent allowed to fight back.' Following the incident, the children were placed in CPS custody. It is unclear if they are still there or were returned to family. They were both arrested and charged with unlawful restraint and bodily injury to a child before posting bond. After one child got a tattoo on their foot and the other got one on their shoulder, their mother and step-father attempted to remove them with lemon juice, which led to the children's skin to start peeling. (Pictured: Megan in court) On March 19, 2025 Gunnar (pictured in white shirt) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years for the restraint charges and another five for each of the four bodily injury charges. His terms are set to be served consecutively On March 19, 2025, Gunnar pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years for the restraint charges and another five for each of the four bodily injury charges. His terms are set to be served consecutively. Meanwhile, Megan pleaded guilty Thursday to injuring a child. Her sentencing hearing is set to take place 45 days from her arraignment. You have to be 18-years-old to get a tattoo in Texas with parental consent. Some minors, ages 16 and 17, can get them if a parent allows it, but they cannot be on their face, neck or hands. In January, an Arizona tattoo artist was slammed after inking a nine-year-old girl who asked for a portrait of Donald Trump on her neck. The artist, who goes by the name Sosa, is part owner of Black Onyx Empire Tattoo shop in Yuma where the girl traveled with her family to get a portrait of the president. Sosa, who shared video of the inking process, said he persuaded her to do a 'more patriotic tattoo' instead - of a US flag on her arm. In Arizona, it is legal for a minor to get a tattoo with parental permission and their parent must be present for the session. Elon Musk has made a rare admission about the true cost of his time working as the head honcho of Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency. Responding to a poll showing his poor approval ratings, the Tesla boss said he has 'at times' been 'digging my own grave way better than my enemies do' - though he didn't go into specifics. However, Musk, 53, also called his dire ratings 'the inevitable outcome of having a political propaganda war waged against me' while he has 'almost no countervailing campaign'. The billionaire's comment, shared on X, came in response to a 'popularity tracker' showing that just 39.6 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Musk, compared with 53.5 percent with an unfavorable view. Created by pollster Nate Silver, the tracker predicts Musk's net favorability at -13.8 percent. Donald Trump's net rating is also in the negatives at -5.1 percent. Silver began tracking Musk's approval score in January 2024, when he had a net favorability rating of 5.9 percent. His popularity started declining after he endorsed Trump in July 2024, and it has tanked since Trump became president in January and established DOGE, which Musk is now stepping down from. Elon Musk has made a rare admission about his own failings while working as the head honcho of Donald Trump 's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Responding to a poll showing his poor approval ratings, the Tesla boss said he has 'at times' been 'digging my own grave way better than my enemies do' Demonstrations against Musk and Tesla ramped up after the billionaire began firing thousands of federal workers, including veterans via DOGE as part of the department's efforts to downsize the government. During an interview with Fox News last month, Musk said he believed the downsizing efforts were the reason certain people 'want to kill' him. 'It turns out when you take away people's, you know, the money that they're receiving fraudulently, they get very upset,' he said. 'And they basically want kill me because I'm stopping their fraud and they want to hurt Tesla because we're stopping the terrible waste and corruption in the government. And, well, I guess they're bad people. Bad people do bad things.' Musk's political postures also appear to be coming at a price for Tesla, whose sales in Europe tumbled 45 percent in January from a year earlier - while its rivals' sales rose by over 37 percent. Tesla's market capitalization has dropped 46 percent since hitting an all-time high of $1.5 trillion on December 17 - it's currently at 811 billion - erasing most of the gains the stock made after Musk helped finance Donald Trump's election victory. In an effort to turn that around, Trump showcased the electric vehicles from the White House in March - and even purchased one of his own. Speaking alongside his 'First Buddy' at a press conference, Trump also said anyone enacting violence against Teslas and the dealerships would be labeled 'domestic terrorists'. Demonstrations against Musk and Tesla ramped up after the billionaire began firing thousands of federal workers, including veterans via DOGE as part of the department's efforts to downsize the government. (Pictured: A Tesla inferno in Rome, Italy on March 31) Elon Musk and Donald Trump with a Tesla cyber truck on South Lawn of White House But in mid-March, it emerged that Trump had informed his Cabinet and inner circle that Musk would be stepping back from DOGE in the coming weeks. The SpaceX boss and world's richest man will soon be returning to the business world, Politico reported, in a revelation that rattled the stock market and stunned Washington. Musk's designation as a special government employee meant he was scheduled to step down in May, but he is now leaving early amid a cloud of controversy. An Iranian drug kingpin wanted by the FBI who is suspected of masterminding a series of killings in his country has been accused of ravaging Britain with heroin. Naji Sharifi Zindashti is wanted by the US intelligence service for his alleged 'involvement in criminal activities'. Zindashti - also known as 'Big Guy' - is also said to be the main drugs supplier of East London gang the Hackney Bombers and has links to London gangster Ibrahim Kadir Aslan, the Mirror said. The Hackney Bombers, who have been in a long-term turf war with rivals Tottenham Turks, were suspected of being involved in a shooting in east London last year that left a nine-year-old girl fighting for her life. The young girl was dining with her family in Kingsland High Street, Hackney, last May when a helmeted gunman riding a stolen motorbike fired five shots towards the restaurant she was in. It's believed the young girl may have been caught in the crossfire of the two rivals gangs. Since then, a senior member of the Tottenham Turks, Izzet Eren, was shot and killed sitting outside a cafe in Chisinau, Moldova last summer in what is believed to be a tit-for-tat murder spree. Rival crime boss Kemal Armagan, of the Hackney Bombers, is suspected of killing Eren and is already wanted for two other murders. 'Narco terrorist' Naji Sharifi Zindashti is suspected of supplying east London gang Hackney Bombers Naji Sharifi Zindashti is also currently wanted by the FBI Zindashti's cartel, dubbed 'Friends' Club', has reportedly flooded Europe with heroin from Afghanistan over the past decade The Mirror reported that Armagan was arrested during a routine stop by police at the Aegean port of Izmir last month. Meanwhile, Zindashti's cartel, dubbed 'Friends' Club', has allegedly flooded Europe with heroin from Afghanistan over the past decade, with the help of the Iranian security services. The Friend's Club cartel is said to comprise of officials and high-ranking members of the Islamic Republic's Supreme National Security Council and politicians. The Iranian kingpin is now on the FBI's most wanted list over allegations he hired Hells Angels over an encrypted phone network to murder an Iranian defector in the US, with the agency issuing saying that 'federal arrest warrant was issued for Zindashti' in December. An arrest warrant for Zindashti by the FBI says: 'From at least December of 2020, and continuing until in or around March of 2021, Zindashti's Iran-based criminal network associates allegedly used encrypted, Internet-based messaging applications to hire criminal elements within North America to murder two individuals who fled Iran. 'Zindashti's criminal network also allegedly provided resources to facilitate the attempted transnational killing of a person within the United States. Friend's Club cartel is said to comprise of officials and high-ranking members of the Islamic Republic's Supreme National Security Council and politicians 'On December 13, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Zindashti in the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, after he was charged with Conspiracy To Use Interstate Commerce Facilities in the Commission of Murder-For-Hire.' The FBI also noted that Zindashti has ties to and may visit Iran, Turkey and Kurdistan, and has urged anyone who may have any information concerning the drug lord to contact the agency or the police. According to the plans presented by Chinese officials, the two large basement rooms of its new London Super Embassy are simply innocent Facilities Management Areas. They will apparently be accessed by vertical circulation cores that enable embassy staff to move seamlessly and unobtrusively from one area of the mega-complex to another. Vehicles will also be able to gain access via a security air-lock protected by a system of raised and retracted bollards. Though details of additional security systems have been withheld from the report due to the nature of the subject. At least, thats the official story. But others see something more sinister buried amid the underground warren of plant rooms, substations and water attenuation storage zones. I suspect that could be where they plan to place their most sensitive communications equipment, a security source told me. Its the obvious location. Remember when the Americans objected to Crossrail because it was going to run by one of their high-tech listening posts. Some worry the East Smithfield site could be used for even more malign purposes. In 2022, a man protesting against Chinas increasingly repressive administration of Hong Kong was dragged into the Chinese Consulate in Manchester, and violently assaulted. This has led shadow communities minister Kevin Hollinrake to write to the Prime Minister in protest against the construction of what he warns could be a modern-day dungeon beneath the streets of London. Protesters demonstrate against the planned embassy outside the east-London site last month Some worry the East Smithfield site (pictured) could be used for even more malign purposes According to Hollinrake: This subterranean zone will undeniably be used for intelligence work by the Chinese Communist Party and its arm, the United Front Work Department. But there is also a chilling prospect that it could be used for the abduction, intimidation or torture of anti-Chinese dissidents. It could well be. As a former barrister specialising in human rights, Sir Keir is only too aware of the abuses that may potentially be perpetrated by the Chinese State. But his decision to turn a blind-eye to the monolithic Mandarin monstrosity set to be constructed opposite the Tower of London provides an insight into the way in which he intends to negotiate the new world order. And in particular, his assessment that to protect the British people from the fallout from Donald Trumps global trade war, he may have to be prepared to do a deal with the Devil. In opposition, Labours leader hinted at an administration that would be guided the liberal principles that had shaped him. But the harsh realities of life as Prime Minister have delivered an awakening. One that sees a new P-word pragmatism, rather than principle driving his decision making. If you see what Keirs been doing since hes taken office, pragmatism has been at the heart of his approach, a No 10 insider told me. His only focus has been what is in Britains interest. Even if at times that means aligning himself in a pretty shameless way with Chinas interests. The East London super-embassy was the subject of initial opposition from Tower Hamlets Council and the Metropolitan Police. But in January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves embarked on a high-profile visit to Beijing. And within a fortnight of her return the Met and the council had dropped their objections. Following the U-turn, the Tories submitted an FOI asking for details of any correspondence indicating No 10 had directly intervened in the local planning process on Chinas behalf. The response they received stated: I can confirm the Cabinet Office holds information of relevance to your request. But it then added: To disclose such information would reveal our internal priorities, as well as information that could, by inference, allow interested parties to determine what weight is placed by the UK Government on certain options. Taking into account the above, I have concluded that the public interest lies in favour of withholding the information you have requested. Rather than hiding behind such Sir Humphyesque sophistry, Downing Street may just as well have come clean. Yes, we know there may be some issues with letting China build what may be a torture chamber slap-bang in the middle of St Katherines Dock. But theyve just offered us a 600 million trade deal. And beggars cant be choosers. Government insiders insist their approach to engaging with the Chinese isnt quite that mercenary. As well as seeking to bolster economic contacts, ministers claim what they describe as a more flexible policy one that others may view as a policy of thinly disguised appeasement is also the best way to advance Britains diplomatic objectives. It may make people feel good, but the reality is you dont get far with Beijing if you keep publicly shouting at them about [imprisoned Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner] Jimmy Lai, one Cabinet minister told me. Imprisoned Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai You have to be able to sit down, stare into their eyes and do some serious face-to-face negotiation. While he acknowledges this reality, Starmer privately hates some of the compromises hes being forced to make. His human rights work wasnt just another job to Keir, one ally revealed. Its what came to define him politically and personally. There are times when people really have to push him to get him where he needs to be on some of this stuff. Its why he dug in so hard defending Lord Hermer [the Attorney General] over Gerry Adams and his IRA representation last year. But ultimately the Prime Minister feels he has little choice. His view is he is leading a nation that has not been as internationally isolated since the debacle of Suez. In the space of eight years, Britain has experienced a rupture in its two major strategic relationships the EU and the United States. Vladimir Putin represents a clear, present and existential danger. Trumps increasingly erratic interventions in the global markets are threatening what one of the Presidents own leading business cheerleaders warned could be an economic nuclear winter. And as yesterdays emergency recall of Parliament to try to rescue British steel from its parent company Jingye shows, whether people like it or not, China already has its talons deeply embedded into the fabric of the UK. As one minister reluctantly acknowledged: We know China are a threat. But when you look at Putin and you look at Trump its becoming increasingly difficult to work out the optimum way to deal with them. Theyre just so unpredictable. At least with [Chinese President] Xi, youre dealing with a rational actor. Keir Starmer has come to the conclusion that in order to protect the British people, he may be forced to sell his soul to Satan. Or at least to Beijing. Lets hope he manages to sell it dearly. Strict new travel restrictions have been put in place by the Government in an attempt to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which effects animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs. It can be detrimental to farming and agriculture, but has not broken out in the United Kingdom since 2007. Now, however, fears have arisen that foot-and-mouth could reach Britain once again. After cases of the disease were recently recorded in Hungary, Germany, Austria and Slovakia, the British Government have this week placed a ban on 'bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain'. Brits must refrain from bringing dairy products from certain animals back to the country if they are returning from the EU, EFTA States, the Faroe Islands or Greenland. The move comes after more than 3,500 cattle were slaughtered in Hungary's northern county of Gyor-Moson-Sopron in an attempt to stop the disease's spread. Officials in Austria have too taken measures by closing 21 crossings into the country. Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which effects animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs It can have a detrimental effect on farming and agriculture, but has not broken out in the United Kingdom since 2007 The Government has now banned holidaymakers from returning to the United Kingdom with meats from the EU Speaking after the ban which follows initial restrictions put in place in January, farming minister Daniel Zeichner told The Times: 'This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot-and-mouth. 'That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevents the spread of the disease and protect Britain's food security.' Jose Martin-Almagro, the UK's deputy chief veterinary officer for international and trade affairs, urged livestock keepers to 'continue exercising the utmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.' And president of the National Farmers' Union, Tom Bradshaw, called the recent outbreak in Europe 'very worrying'. He too urged the Government to impose 'stricter border controls' and ensure passengers are aware of the ban. Farming minister Daniel Zeichner said the Government will do 'whatever it takes' to stop the spread of the disease to the UK The last significant outbreak of the disease in Britain in 2001 prompted a huge crisis agriculturally The newly-implemented ban will only apply to travellers arriving in Great Britain and will not be imposed on imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. Foot-and-mouth does not pose any threat to humans but is a highly contagious virus which can cause livestock to go lame. The last significant outbreak of it in Britain in 2001 prompted a huge crisis agriculturally. After 2,000 cases of the disease broke out, more than six million cows and sheep were slaughtered to try and stop its spread. The crisis is estimated to have cost the country around 8 billion. Hundreds of sex offenders are exploiting a legal loophole which allows them to change their names to avoid detection. More than 500 dangerous criminals have made the administrative change since 2022, new figures show. While the UK Labour Government has pledged to ban sex criminals from carrying out the cynical ploy to slip off the radar, the SNP has failed to prioritise similar legislation. Last night Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr MSP expressed accused the Scottish Government of allowing some of Scotlands most serious offenders to play the system. He said: Its indefensible that the SNP continue to allow hundreds of sex offenders to play the system by changing their name every year. The public are being kept in the dark about the true identity of dangerous predators, which is putting them at greater risk. Those placed on the sex offenders register are there for good reason, yet our calls for this dangerous name-change loophole to be closed have been repeatedly and inexplicably ignored by SNP ministers. He added: These rising figures are testament to the SNPs relentless pandering to criminals at the expense of victims. Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said it was indefensible that the SNP had continued to allow hundreds of sex offenders to play the system SNP justice secretary Angela Constance said she will see what the UK Government does before taking action in Scotland It is vital that SNPs ministers apply some common sense and urgently scrap this practice. They must do more to support police in monitoring these offenders. According to police figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives under freedom of information laws, the authorities received 506 notifications that sex offenders were changing their name between April 2023 and March 2025. This comprises 263 notifications in the financial year 2023-24, which was a nine per cent increase on the previous year. Since the start of the 2024-25 financial year until March 13, 2025 a further and 243 notifications were logged. UK Labour has pledged an amendment to be included in the Criminal and Policing Bill which will block sex offenders from changing their names. When asked in mid-March whether the Scottish Government would consider implementing a similar ban, justice secretary Angela Constance said she would wait to see how the UK Bill could be extended to Scotland. She said: We are aware that the Crime and Policing Bill, recently introduced to the UK Parliament, contains legislative change in this area. We are exploring the possibility of extending the provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill to Scotland. Any such amendment would be the subject of the legislative consent process. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: Sex offender notification requirements apply to the individual irrespective of what name they use, and where a registered sex offender changes name they must let the Police know within three days or they breach their notification requirements. His role as acerbic spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker saw him eviscerate politicians with his straight-talking style. Yet The Thick Of It star Peter Capaldi has proven he is far removed from the character which made him a household name - as he has spoken lovingly of his devoted wife, producer and actress Elaine Collins. In an interview, the 66-year-old former Doctor Who actor from Glasgow opened up about his admiration for Lanarkshire-born Ms Collins, a fellow thespian who recently worked as the creative director of hit BBC drama Shetland. The pair, who share a daughter and two grandsons, were a support for each other while Mr Capaldi was finding his way in the cut-throat acting industry, he said, recounting that his wife had taken a job to let him pursue his unpredictable acting career when they both struggled financially. And despite being one of the UKs most recognisable faces, Mr Capaldi shared his experience of imposter syndrome, the feeling of not matching up to your peers. Now living in London, the couple met in 1983 working for Paines Plough Theatre Company, and married in 1991. Mr Capaldi says without Ms Collins his acting career in movies like Local Hero and Dangerous Liaisons wouldnt ever have been possible. He explained: 'Elaine really changed my life. Shes an incredible woman, amazing mother and producer and actress and all of these things. Peter Capaldi has heaped praise on his wife, Elaine Collins, for helping him navigate the cut-throat acting industry The pair met in 1983, before marrying in 1991. They went on to have a daughter and are now grandparents 'I dont want to go into it in huge detail because I also have a private life but shes the person who changed everything for me because she took me in at a time when I wasnt in great shape, and loved me. 'Ironically for someone whos had such an embarrassment of riches, great luck and good fortune, I developed quite a kind of lack of confidence, applying limitations to myself that were not necessary, when I was probably about 26, 27.' He continued: 'People think the first automatic characteristic of an actor would be that they were full of confidence. 'I know many actors who are genuinely insecure because the business is so volatile and you can be ditched by it very quickly. 'And you have no control over it. One of the things that happened to me was that I decided that I wasnt really very clever or very smart or that I should limit my ambition.' Mr Capaldi, who said he suffered a type of imposter syndrome at the time, added: 'She began to say to me, "No you must think more of yourself. You must work harder and take bigger risks and read more." 'Its funny, because people come in to our house, and say, "Oh, youre so well read, Peter" and I say, "Thats not my books, theyre Elaines." Mr Capaldi says without Ms Collins his acting career in movies like Local Hero and Dangerous Liaisons wouldnt ever have been possible 'And of course, during one of my down periods, which went on for quite a while, we were really struggling financially. 'But she decided when we had a particularly difficult year, and I wasnt bringing in any money, that she had to do something. And she asked around and got a job through the BBC reading scripts...' 'So she would read scripts and shed get paid. I dont know how much, 25 quid or something like that. Elaine took it very seriously and also was very fast so began to earn more money. 'And the BBC noticed and said, "This person is really good at doing this. Shall we invite her to apply for a job as a drama assistant?" That was really a job that largely someone who had just come from Oxford or Cambridge would normally get. And she applied, she got the job.' He added: 'Although that wasnt a lot of money, it was a regular wage and it allowed me to say, "Okay, well, I dont have to do this job or that job. I can make a choice about which one I think is artier or better or a job that would help me more." It gave me the power of veto.' They are known as the King of Fish yet salmon stocks are in dramatic decline in a record number of Scottish rivers, an alarming new report shows. Although an icon of wild Scotland and a prized catch around the world, salmon is now so scarce in many waters that anglers are banned from taking them. An annual audit of the nations waterways shows 153 rivers are officially rated as poor for salmon conservation, meaning that it is illegal for fishermen to remove any fish they catch under threat of a fine or criminal conviction. The report, published by the Scottish Government, reveals an unprecedented 72 per cent of rivers are now covered by this mandatory catch and release policy. It comes as conservationists have warned that wild salmon are at risk of extinction with a range of factors blamed including climate change, pollution, blocked rivers, and also disease and parasites spread from fish-farms. Last night Scottish Conservative rural affairs spokesman Tim Eagle said: This is devastating news against a backdrop of ever dwindling numbers of salmon in Scotlands rivers. These gradings are a fatal blow and will harm many peoples livelihoods. This comes following years of inaction from SNP ministers to fully protect our rivers. In the newly published annual river gradings, 212 rivers and waterways are rated according to the risk of salmon stocks declining. Every river has a conservation limit the threshold below which its fish population is considered to be at risk. Salmon stocks are in dramatic decline in a record number of Scottish rivers, an alarming new report shows The King of Fish is now so scarce in many waters that anglers are banned from taking them In total, 153 rivers (72 per cent) are rated as poor/grade 3 meaning a less than 60 per cent probability of meeting its conservation limit over five years. Many large rivers including the Clyde, Ayr and Don are rated as poor. According to the rules: All rivers in poor conservation status are subject to mandatory catch and release through the Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016. All salmon, regardless of how they are caught, must be returned to the river with least possible harm. Only 31 rivers (15 per cent) are classed as good/grade 1 meaning at least an 80 per cent probability of meeting the conservation limit. Salmon caught in these rivers can legally be taken as trophies or to be eaten. One glimmer of good news for the 100 million-a-year angling industry is that the Big Four Scotlands most famous salmon rivers, the Tay, Spey, Tweed, and Dee, which are all designated as Special Areas of Conservation are among those rated as good. But conservation charity WildFish accused ministers of failing to tackle the biggest threat to stocks of wild salmon the growing number of salmon farms around Scotlands west coast. Interim director Andrew Graham-Stewart said The great majority of the grade 3 rivers are located in western Scotland or the Hebrides. Juvenile salmon from these rivers have no option but to swim past marine salmon farms as they migrate towards their ocean feeding grounds. Luckily, Scotlands most famous salmon rivers, including the Tay (pictured), are among those rated as good During this migration they are highly likely to be infested by sea lice from the farms. If they pick up more than ten or so, the infestation will be fatal. He added: Despite being aware of the issue for many years, the Scottish Government has failed dismally to introduce effective regulation to limit sea lice numbers on salmon farms. The Scottish Government said Special Area of Conservation status for some rivers was benefiting salmon, as were other measures including planting riverside trees to shade water from rising temperatures, and restoring natural river flows by removing obsolete weirs and dams. A spokesman said action was also being taken to tackle the threat of sea lice from salmon farms. They added: Populations of wild Atlantic salmon are at crisis point and ministers have been clear we must reinvigorate our collective efforts, both nationally and internationally, to ensure a positive future for this iconic species. A new risk assessment framework, developed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has been introduced, to manage the impacts of sea lice from farmed fish on wild salmon. In 2023, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classified wild salmon for the first time as endangered alongside other species at risk of extinction including the Siberian tiger, the blue whale and the Komodo dragon. Scotland's maximum security State Hospital could expand the number of autistic patients it locks up against their will despite SNP pledges to remove them from hospital environments. Ministers have repeatedly promised to release people with autism or learning disabilities in the wake of The Mail on Sundays award-winning campaign, Locked Up For Being Autistic. Yet while England and Wales move to introduce laws to make detaining autistic people in hospital illegal, concerns have been raised the State Hospital in Carstairs, Lanarkshire, is gearing-up to put yet more patients with learning disabilities under lock and key. Job adverts posted on the Talent.com website show NHS bosses are looking to fill a number of roles to staff their new womens wing, due to open this year. However, notably, adverts state that applicants must have experience working with people with learning disabilities. One post reads: This post will provide input to patients with a range of mental disorders including Intellectual Disabilities. Tracey Gibbon, the mother of an autistic man, Kyle, who has been held at the State Hospital for more than 15 years said she feared more autistic youngsters would meet her sons fate. Ms Gibbon of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, said: It is shocking, they are obviously going to put women with autism and learning disabilities in there too. Mother, Tracey Gibbon, fears more people like her son, Kyle, will be locked up for being autistic. Kyle Gibbon has been detained at The State Hospital near Carstairs, Lanarkshire, against his and his family's will for more than 15 years. The Scottish Government promised this practice would stop but its all lies. Theyre actually increasing the number of people they put in there. It is only a matter of time before some other poor mother comes forward to tell of the same treatment my Kyle has suffered happening to their daughter, she added. At the beginning of April, the Scottish Human Rights Commission said detaining people with learning disabilities and autism could be a breach of their human rights under Article 19 of the UN Convention on Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The Mental Health Bill in England and Wales will reform the Mental Health Act 1983 and stop people being detained in mental health hospitals just because they are autistic. In 2022, the Scottish Government promised to move most patients with learning disabilities and autism out of hospital by March 2024. Last night Ms Gibbons MSP Alexander Burnett said: The State Hospital is no fit place for autistic people. Their needs can and should be met in the community, and thats where they want to be, supported by family and friends to live good lives. Confinement only creates a high risk of becoming institutionalised. The State Hospital could expand the number of autistic patients it locks up with the introduction of a women's unit. Weve seen positive moves across England and Wales to quell this practice, which only exists in Scotland because community support has been gutted by the SNP. But instead of getting these young people out, the SNP have funnelled more in. And creating more room for females is an alarming move with potentially major safeguarding consequences. John Swinney must explain why this dangerous practice is getting worse on his watch. A State Hospital spokesman said there were no plans to expand specialist learning disability services but said some women in their care may have additional support needs. They said: The reference to experience with learning disabilities in our job advertisements reflect the need for staff to be equipped to support a diverse patient population. It does not indicate a targeted increase in admissions of people with learning disabilities or autism. The Scottish Government said: We want to deliver improved access for women to forensic mental health services and support the State Hospitals Board for Scotlands development of a service to provide specialist care in conditions of high security for women who need it. John Swinney has handed all of his ministers a massive 20,000 pay rise, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The First Minister quietly lifted a long-standing salary freeze for SNP Ministers on April 1, which allowed him to give them all a bumper salary bonus. However, Mr Swinney was ALSO set to pocket the rise and boost his take-home pay to 155,000 until he performed a dramatic U-turn yesterday hours after The Mail on Sunday asked the SNP leader about the pay increase bonanza. A source close to the First Minister said our revelations had helped crystallise his view that it would be inappropriate to take the rise. However, junior SNP ministers now earn 100,575 and cabinet secretaries including embattled health minister Neil Gray take home 116,125 per year. The lifting of the ministers pay freeze - introduced by then First Minister Alex Salmond in 2009 - means all ministers will receive 19,126 extra from this month. The pay hike came into force on the same day that tens of thousands of Scots were plunged into higher tax brackets in a move that will spark fury among hard-working Scots. And the revelation comes just days after Mr Swinney was accused of using a trip to New York Tartan Week as a taxpayer-funded jolly abroad. Mr Swinney smiles and waves alongside Scottish actor Alan Cumming at the Tartan Day Parade in New York earlier this month. Embattled health secretary Neil Gray is among those to have received the massive pay boost of more than 19,000. Last night, enraged critics demanded the shameful decision be immediately reversed as hard-pressed families battle a cost of living crisis and public services buckle under the pressure of squeezed budgets. Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr MSP added: This will stick in the throat of hard-pressed Scottish taxpayers who are continuing to be clobbered by the highest income taxes in the UK on John Swinneys watch. Taxpayers will also see it as a reward for failure given he has been sat around the SNPs cabinet table for nearly the whole time they have been in power. That has seen our once world-leading education system destroyed, our drug deaths rate become the worst in Europe and taxpayers money repeatedly squandered, yet now he is set to be rewarded even more handsomely. John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Scots will be absolutely seething at the way in which ministers are stuffing their pockets with extra taxpayer cash all while frontline services are spluttering and the tax burden is soaring. The public realm is in a miserable state in Scotland, with politicians abjectly failing to deliver on voters priorities, while also hammering taxpayers with some of the highest bills in the UK. Scandal engulfed the SNP's former health secretary Michael Matheson as well. He had to quit his ministerial role after racking up an almost 11,000 roaming bill for his iPad. Despite the conduct of SNP ministers Mr Swinney has rewarded those still in post with huge pay rises. If these ministers had any shame theyd be abandoning this pay rise and would not consider another one until theyve delivered a boost in living standards, measured by GDP per capita. Since April 1, 2009, ministers have been deducting the difference between their current net salary entitlement, made up of both their MSP pay and their ministerial pay, and their 2009 entitlement - and donated that surplus directly into the public purse. But in November The Mail on Sunday revealed the SNPs Holyrood group was discussing an end to the ministerial pay cap, which was first imposed by Alex Salmond 15 years ago. Insiders told this newspaper that former SNP chief whip George Adam and MSP Kenny Gibson had raised the idea of lifting the freeze. One former minister said that because MSP wages were rising over time - but ministers had a freeze on their net pay - the salary of an average MSP was catching up with ministers wages, despite the latters workload being far greater. They said: Its not about the money, but when youre having a really rough time, its hard not to think Im getting about 30 a week extra for this. The pay rises will be available for all ministers in the Scottish Government, and will be implemented by equalising the MSP element of their pay with other MSPs. Just days after this newspaper lifted the lid on such behind-closed-doors discussions, the Scottish Governments Budget set out how all Scots workers earning over 30,318 would be forced to pay more income tax than elsewhere in the UK from April 1. Meanwhile a freezing of thresholds means almost a quarter of Scots workers, some 780,000 people, are now paying one of the top three income tax rates as of the beginning of this month. The number paying the 42p higher rate, levied between 43,633 and 75,000, is estimated to have soared by 56,000 to 554,000 because of rising wages, a process known as fiscal drag. At the same time, scandal continues to mire SNP government ministers including Neil Gray who has faced questions over his alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded perks. His predecessor Michael Matheson had to quit his ministerial position after he wracked up an almost 11,000 bill in iPad data roaming charges while on a family holiday to Morocco. John Swinney was earlier this month accused of behaving like a tourist while on a publicly-funded trip to New York Tartan Week, a celebration for the Scottish diaspora in the US, because he failed to hold a single meeting with the Trump administration to discuss tariffs on Scottish produce. Yet despite increased pressure on taxpayers and public bodies - and ministers being at the centre of concern over their conduct - Mr Swinney took the decision to increase his and his allies pay earlier this month. The First Minister quietly confirmed that while the ministerial element of their salaries will stay frozen at 2008/09 levels, the MSP allowance will now be equalised with other serving MSP. In response to a written question submitted by SNP MSP Rona Mackay just before MSPs took time off for recess, he wrote: The freeze of the ministerial element of pay...will remain in place... But added: From April 1, 2025, the MSP element of ministers salaries will be equalised with that of MSPs who are not currently serving ministers, providing parity in line with their roles. The MSP salary for all parties stands at 74,507. While a junior minister was projected to earn a total of 81,449 this year, the partial lifting of Mr Salmonds freeze has seen it rise to 100,575. Cabinet secretaries were meant to take home 96,999, however that total is now 116,125. The Mail on Sunday contacted the Scottish Government, which provided a generic comment and did not dispute these figures. It said: Ministerial and MSP salaries are set and paid by the Scottish Parliament. The MSP element of pay for ministers for 2025-26 will be identical to that of other MSPs. The Ministerial element of pay has been frozen for 16 years at 2008-09 levels and this will remain in place for 2025-26. But yesterday Mr Swinneys team scrambled to contact our reporter just hours before publication to say he would not personally taking the pay bump and would stick with his original salary. They added he had contacted the Scottish Parliament authorities on Saturday to let them know. California stands to lose billions of dollars in annual tax revenue after the Trump administration authorized the IRS to share illegal immigrants' tax data with ICE. If ICE, armed with this information, is able to ramp up deportations of California's 1.8 million unauthorized migrants - the largest population in any US state - the state risks losing the estimated $8.5 billion in state and local taxes they pay every year. Governor Gavin Newsom, widely considered to be a favorite in the 2028 Democratic Primary, hasn't commented on what this will mean for the state's finances. But his office did take the opportunity to slam President Donald Trump and allies for their supposed hypocrisy on this issue. 'Let me get this right the Trump administration is finally admitting that undocumented people contribute to our economy and pay taxes?' Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a Newsom spokesperson, told the Los Angeles Times. Both of California's recently elected senators also spoke out against the move, arguing the agreement between the Treasury Department and ICE will undermine trust in migrant communities. 'This agreement is a complete betrayal of the federal government's decades-long commitment to never weaponize taxpayer information for political purposes,' Sen. Alex Padilla said in a statement. 'And this reversal of precedent will only create more fear within our immigrant communities and make it less likely for undocumented individuals to file their taxes, which could cost billions in lost tax revenue for states and the federal government.' Governor Gavin Newsom hasn't himself commented on the Trump administration's plan to share tax data of illegal immigrants with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Experts say this could especially devastate California's workforce and tax base Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, California's two Democratic senators, have come out swinging against this move by the Trump administration, calling it illegal and a betrayal of migrants who have been paying taxes for years Sen. Adam Schiff said the data-sharing deal is illegal and is 'a total betrayal' to migrants who work and pay taxes. 'This lawless action will not make Americans any safer and will only damage our economy,' said Schiff, the former representative who was once one of the most vocal Democrats accusing Trump of colluding with Russia during the 2016 presidential race. The IRS-ICE deal was first nothing but a rumor, but a rumor that spurred a lawsuit. This forced the federal government to reveal in court filings that there was in fact a memorandum of understanding between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem outlining the sharing of taxpayer data for 'nontax criminal enforcement.' The data that ICE wants from illegal migrants is their individual taxpayer identification number, or ITIN. It's how they identify themselves when filing their taxes in lieu of a Social Security number. Maria, an accountant who helps her fellow undocumented small business owners in Southern California with their taxes, said all of her clients are now hesitant to file. 'I heard it from everybody,' the 40-year-old told the Los Angeles Times. 'They come to me and they say, "Hey, should I do my taxes this year? Because theyre going to come find me."' She asked to only be identified by her first name out of the fear that she'll be targeted by the Trump administration. Migrants make up about 7 percent of the state's workforce and at least half of all farmworkers, according to the Pew Research Center and a UC Merced study Maria has been in the US for decades. In that time, she's earned multiple degrees at California universities, has had children who are US citizens and has been spending years applying for legal residency. Like many of her clients, she still lacks legal status. Ultimately, she advised them all to pay their taxes, since the IRS already has most of their information from previous years. Still, she said she feels betrayed by the system she's been loyally paying into for years. 'Theyre trying to criminalize us,' Maria said. 'Theyre trying to make it that we did it wrong, but really the government did it wrong.' Migrants make up about 7 percent of the state's workforce and at least half of all farmworkers, according to the Pew Research Center and a UC Merced study. 'We think it really is detrimental to our local economies, especially in Los Angeles, especially in California, but throughout the country,' said Rudy Espinoza, executive director of Inclusive Action for the City, an organization that provides loans to undocumented entrepreneurs. Inclusive Action and other immigrant groups have sued to block the implementation of the data-sharing plan. Lawyers for the Trump administration argue that this will only be used to investigate illegal migrants who have committed crimes. Rudy Espinoza, executive director of Inclusive Action for the City, an organization that provides loans to undocumented entrepreneurs, has argued against the data-sharing agreement This comes as the Trump administration notched a major win in the Supreme Court , which ruled Monday that the executive branch could legally deport suspected migrant gang members using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 The federal government, while acknowledging that the law 'generally prohibits' the IRS from disclosing tax return data, feels that this falls under an exception. It noted that the IRS is required to share information when its requested as part of a criminal inquiry. When it comes to migrants, those crimes could be overstaying their visa or reentering the country after being deported. Espinoza disagreed, telling the LA Times that if 'the ITIN is no longer a credible, safe sort of vehicle to pay taxes, then we anticipate that many immigrant entrepreneurs are not going to want to contribute.' 'Theyre going to be afraid to contribute to the economy, and theyre going to be afraid to seek out services from organizations like us.' This comes as the Trump administration notched a major win in the Supreme Court, which ruled Monday that the executive branch could legally deport suspected migrant gang members using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Trump had declared that members of the Tren de Aragua gang were terrorists, and his border czar Tom Homan rounded up suspected gangsters across the United States last month to send them back to 'hell hole' prisons in Venezuela. But the president's efforts were halted on March 15 when Obama-appointed US District Court Judge James Boasberg issued an injunction blocking the deportations. That injunction has now been lifted under the Supreme Court's ruling - allowing the president to once again send suspected gang members to their home countries. She is the chirpy, down-to-earth Scot who picked herself up after her television career hit rock bottom and she was beset by mental health problems, while he is the heir apparent to the British throne. Nevertheless, their shared concern for the plight of the homeless has led to the unlikeliest of friendships that ignores royal protocol and dispenses with any need to stand on ceremony. Since starting in childrens television before branching out into modelling and mainstream TV in the 1990s, Gail Porter hasnt had her troubles to seek. She lost her hair in 2005 through alopecia, which led to her being broke and homeless for six months after job offers dried up. She also struggled with depression and bipolar disorder and in 2011 was sectioned for 17 days. Once she was back on her feet, the Edinburgh- born presenter threw herself into charity work for the homeless a cause that has cemented a close bond with Prince William. She caused a stir when first meeting the royal, when instead of shaking his hand she ignored normal protocol and gave him a huge hug. The 54-year-old told The Mail on Sunday about the special bond she now shares with the Prince of Wales a friendship that began last year when she was invited to Windsor to become an advocate for his charity, Homewards. The pair's unlikely friendship began last year when she was invited to Windsor to become an advocate for his charity and has grown from strength to strength. The pair have bonded over their shared concern for those suffering the plight of homelessness. It took me by surprise when I got the letter with the royal seal. My first thought was what have I done wrong? But it was signed by Prince William, and it said hed like me to come and have a chat about his Homewards idea and how hes hoping to eradicate homelessness in the next few years. Homeless charities have always been close to Gails heart, ever since she was declared bankrupt in 2017 and was forced to sleep rough and spend six months on friends sofas and in their spare rooms. No one knew. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone I was homeless. It can happen to anyone, but I never thought it would happen to me, added Gail, who began her career on Childrens BBC Scotland, Top of the Pops, Children in Need and The Big Breakfast Desperate to help others in the same plight, Gail had no hesitation in rising to the occasion when she received Williams letter. But when she met him for the first time to discuss the charity, she was unfazed by the imposing surroundings of Windsor Castle and the presence of royal courtiers and was her usual chatty, warm self. Everyone else was shaking Williams hand but I just went in for a hug. When my friends saw it in the papers, they said, Oh my God, you didnt just do that! But hes just another human and now hes used to me going in for a hug every time we meet. He must have known about my background and when I was leaving, he said, Is everything all right with you now? And I said, Yeah, its all right. And he said, Okay, Im glad. We all need to feel we belong and that we are not nothing, and Prince William makes those connections. He really listens and is interested, and then he acts. He doesnt just nod sympathetically. Ms Porter is known as the chirpy, down-to-earth Scot who famously struggled after her TV career hit rock bottom. For Gail Porter, Prince William is 'just another human' and they always go in for a hug whenever they see each other. Gail was so impressed by Prince William that she readily agreed to be an advocate for Homewards. The 500,000 five-year project funded by the Royal Foundation to help homeless people find accommodation and employment is working in six locations across the UK Aberdeen, Lambeth in London, Bournemouth, Sheffield, Northern Ireland and Newport. Im 100 per cent behind it because its the most Ive seen happen about homelessness since I was homeless, said Gail. William has a platform he can use for good, and thats what hes doing, and I think its admirable. Hes a really nice person and I genuinely believe it all comes from the heart. He talked about how his concern with the homeless went back to his mum taking him to a homeless shelter. William spoke in a recent documentary about how apprehensive he was the first time Princess Diana took him and his brother Harry to a rough sleeping shelter in London. My mother took me to The Passage. I must have been about 11, maybe ten. Id never seen anything like that before and I was a bit anxious about what to expect, he told We Can End Homelessness on Disney+. My mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed and having a laugh and joking with everyone. I remember at the time kind of thinking, well, if everyones not got a home, theyre all going to be really sad. But it was incredible how happy an environment it was. Since joining Homewards, Gail has warmed to William not only for his charitable efforts but because of their shared sense of humour. Last month she spent the day with William in Aberdeen to celebrate the charity providing its first housing, a one-bed flat, in the city. It was an opportunity for the 42-year-old to tease Gail. Hes really cheeky. When he came out the car carrying a bunch of flowers for the tenant, he said Hi Gail, by the way these are not for you. Later, at a dinner, she was seated next to the prince and was given his speech to look after. William said, Have you had this the whole time? I hope you havent done anything to it. When he got up to the podium, he said, Im a bit nervous because Gails been looking after this. And I said, I havent done anything. Or have I? Gail recalled another occasion when William couldnt resist some banter. I was at Edinburgh Castle last year with Ian Rankin [the crime writer] to celebrate the capitals 900th anniversary and I met Charles and Camilla. The next day I said to William, I met your dad yesterday, and he said, What are you doing hanging around the family? Hes just a fun guy. And he really believes in what hes doing. He takes the stick that he gets for living where he lives and then trying to help homelessness. Gail was referring to the documentary in which the prince admitted that a campaign to end homelessness led by a man with several homes can draw criticism. I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people who are in need, he said. Gail is sure her connection with the prince will only become stronger. Its incredible the difference the charity has already made to peoples lives and how many people who can pull strings have come forward, all because of William. Today is the warmest day of the year, according to the Met Office, with temperatures reaching 24C - but the sunny weather might not be stopping. Brits have flocked to the seaside and beer gardens today to enjoy the warm weather with the glimmer of summer on the horizon. London enjoyed a temperature of 22C yesterday afternoon, according to the Met Office, while parts of the southeast and southwest basked in 20C sunshine. The temperatures have been considerably higher than the average of around 13C for this time of the year. But the warmer weather will be short-lived with rain forecasted over the weekend and into next week. In northern Scotland, the temperature is expected to plunge to 10C. The temperature across the UK on Sunday will be even lower. London will experience a maximum temperature of 16C, while areas of Wales and Northern Ireland will drop to 10C or lower. Crowds were seen flocking to the golden sands of Bournemouth beach in Dorset today Crowds were seen flocking to the picturesque Durdle Door on a week of warm sunshine and blue skies in Dorset People enjoy the warm and sunny weather on Bournemouth Beach on Friday, April 11 Areas of Scotland will reach a high of 11C, but it will get as cold as 8C further north. Wednesday will see the coldest temperatures across the UK as a whole, with the maximum temperature for London forecasted to be 13C. The Met Office has issued a red alert warning as pollen levels are expected to be 'very high' this weekend. Eight out of nine regions in England will see the highest pollen alert level today, according to an interactive tool on the Met Office website. The north east of England is the only region where pollen levels will be amber. or 'high' on Saturday. Sunday will see most of the UK facing medium or high alerts, while very high warnings will remain in place for London and the South East of England, the East, the West Midlands and the East Midlands. Northern Scotland, meanwhile, will be on a low alert for pollen tomorrow. Medium and high alerts will remain next week. This weekend is the perfect weather for people enjoying the Otley Run pub crawl in Leeds Many Brits travelled down to Bournemouth Beach to enjoy the sun yesterday Members of the public enjoy a warm day on Brighton Beach. Spring sunshine and warm temperatures are expected to continue this weekend People are seen enjoying the sunshine for the Otley Run in Leeds People are seen enjoying the sunshine on Westminster Bridge today People enjoying the spring sunshine in St James's Park in London today While pollen count may be high, there's nothing stopping these bees from enjoying the sun The Met Office has issued a red alert warning as pollen levels are expected to be 'very high' this weekend. Map shows pollen forecast for Monday A person paraglides over the cliffs above Boscombe beach in Dorset, in spring sunshine. Picture date: Thursday April 10, 2025 The further south you live, the more likely you are to suffer from 'medium', 'high' or even 'very high' pollen levels in the air Most people are allergic to grass pollen, which is common in late spring and early summer, but there's also tree pollen and weed pollen (file photo) The Met Office has forecasted temperatures to drop below 20C today after the UK enjoyed a week of glorious sunshine The temperature in London on Sunday is expected to reach a high of 19C, but it will get as cold as 10C in some parts of Scotland Wednesday will see the coldest temperatures across the UK as a whole, with the maximum temperature for London forecasted to be 13C Miniature pony in the mornings sun. Seasonal weather, Dunsden, Oxfordshire, UK - 08 Apr 2025 People enjoy their lunch in the sunshine in London's Canary Wharf business district on April 7, 2025 in London, England A woman walks along a footpath with views of Windsor Castle across a field of rapeseed flowers in Eton, Windsor, Berkshire on another beautiful warm sunny morning Seasonal Weather, Warm Sunshine, Eton, Windsor, Berkshire, UK - 07 Apr 2025 A man jogging in the morning sunshine along Putney riverside , south London in the morning sunshine warm weather continues Seasonal Weather, Putney, London, United Kingdom On Wednesday, most of the UK will be on high alerts, except for the Scottish Highlands region and Yorkshire & Humber. West Midlands, however, will remain on a red alert for pollen levels. The weather service predicts pollen counts using specialised instruments combined with data about the weather, which can have a big effect on the production, distribution and dispersion of pollen. 'Hay fever symptoms usually appear when the pollen count, which is a measure of the number of grains of pollen in one cubic metre of air, exceeds 50,' it says. 'A count of 50 pollen grains or less is considered low whilst anything above 1,000 is deemed high.' Met Office's online pollen forecast continuously provides a snapshot of pollen forecasts for five days ahead across the whole of the UK. The pollen warning comes as temperatures across the UK are set to drop after they were in the twenties on Friday. A Manchester Arena terrorist has 'attacked three prison officers with cooking oil and makeshift weapons', according to the Prison Officers' Association (POA). The officers received life-threatening injuries after being assaulted by Hashem Abedi at HMP Frankland, County Durham, on Saturday, the union said. Abedi, 28, is serving life at the high-security prison for helping his brother plot 22 murders in the Manchester Arena bombing. The officers suffered burns, scalds and stab wounds when Abedi threw hot cooking oil over them before using makeshift weapons to stab them in the 'unprovoked' and 'vicious' attack, the POA added. A source told The Sun Abedi was preparing food in a kitchen at the category A jail, dubbed 'Monster Mansion', when his terrifying rampage began and he started throwing scalding oil on a pair of guards. The attacker is then said to have produced two huge homemade weapons with 20cm long blades before he started slashing at the duo as well as another officer. The source said: 'It was horrific and a total bloodbath. 'There were even fears this was a terror attack and that hazardous materials could be in play.' One of the guards was stabbed in the neck once and another officer was stabbed five times in the back, according to the source. A Manchester Arena terrorist has 'attacked three prison officers with cooking oil and makeshift weapons', according to the Prison Officers' Association (POA). The officers received life-threatening injuries after being assaulted by Hashem Abedi (pictured) at HMP Frankland, County Durham, the union said A view of HMP Frankland in Durham, where the police officers were attacked earlier today A picture of the scene following the Manchester Arena bombing This picture shows police interviewing Hashem following the horrific 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack Salman Abedi, Hashem's brother, at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017 All three officers were rushed to hospital after the 'serious assault'. Two are still receiving treatment, and Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) - who are leading the investigation into the attack - said on Saturday evening that they have serious injuries. Prison service sources said the third, a female, was released after being treated. Prison union sources suggested that Abedi may have stolen a weapon from a kitchen although there were unconfirmed reports that a knife may have been carried into the prison via a drone, according to The Telegraph. The attacker was restrained by prison officers who bravely raced to the horrific scene before a riot squad arrived. Police, paramedics, and an ambulance Hazardous Area Response Teama unit specially trained to deal with dangerous situations and hazardous materialswere also scrambled to the prison. Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) NE will lead the investigation into the 'serious assault'. CTP's acting senior national co-ordinator, Commander Dom Murphy, said: 'Given the nature of the incident, it has been agreed that CTP North East will lead the investigation, supported by Durham Constabulary. 'This is an ongoing investigation which is in its early stages, and we are working hard to establish the facts. Therefore, we are unable to comment further at this time.' The incident comes five years after Abedi was convicted of a 'vicious attack' on a prison officer in the high-security unit of Belmarsh prison in May 2020. A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Three prison officers have been treated in hospital after an attack by a prisoner at HMP Frankland. 'Police are now investigating so it would be inappropriate to comment further. 'Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff.' Hashem (pictured posing with a gun) was in Libya at the time of the bombing, having left the UK weeks earlier. He offered no defence to the charges that he had helped his brother plan the attack on the Manchester Arena in May 2017, killing children, teenagers and adults as they poured out of an Ariana Grande concert or waited for their loved ones, and critically injuring dozens more Emergency services responded in force (pictured) to the attack during the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena The 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 The national chairman of the POA, Mark Fairhurst, added: 'First and foremost, my thoughts are with the injured staff, their families and colleagues. No Officer should be subject to cowardly and vicious attacks at work. 'The POA will support our members as much as we need during this traumatic time, this attack displays the dangers brave Prison Officers face on a daily basis. 'Separation Centres hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology and as this event confirms, are determined to inflict violence on those who hold them securely. 'We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners have. I am of the opinion that allowing access to cooking facilities and items that can threaten the lives of staff should be removed immediately. 'These prisoners need only receive their basic entitlements and we should concentrate on control and containment instead of attempting to appease them. Things have to change.' Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'I am appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland today. My thoughts are with them and their families. 'The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. 'Violence against our staff will never be tolerated.' Abedi was jailed for life in August 2020 and is currently serving at the category A HMP Frankland. He offered no defence to the charges that he had helped his brother plan the attack on the Manchester Arena in May 2017, killing children, teenagers and adults as they poured out of an Ariana Grande concert or waited for their loved ones, and critically injuring dozens more. Abedi was charged with the murders in a bold move by the Crown Prosecution Service even though he was in Libya at the time of the suicide attack by his older brother, Salman who died in the attack. Duncan Penny QC, prosecuting, told the jury Hashem Abedi was 'just as responsible for this atrocity, as surely as if he had selected the target and detonated the bomb himself'. Category A is the highest level of security, housing some of the country's most serious criminals including Levi Bellfield, Ian Huntley and Wayne Couzens. An adorable seven-month-old baby girl was mauled to death by a family dog at her home. Elizah Turner, of Columbus, Ohio, was fatally attacked by one of her family's three pit bulls on Wednesday. The injured infant was first taken to a nearby fire station before she was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital around 11:43 am, where she was pronounced dead. There were multiple dogs inside the home at the time of the attack, but it is unclear exactly which one bit the baby, Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua told WBNS. He called the incident a tragic accident and said no charges are expected to be filed. 'There is really not a lot of words I can say to convey how I feel and how the officers who arrived [feel]. Everyone in this process is literally grieving as if this child belonged to us because most of us are parents and can't imagine just how this scene is,' Fuqua added. After the tragedy, the pit bulls were seen being escorted out of the home by Franklin County Animal Control. The agency will determine what happens to the dogs. On Saturday, Elizah's mother, Mackenzie Copley posted several images of her late daughter cuddling with one of their pit bulls. Elizah Turner, of Columbus, Ohio was mauled to death by one of her family's pit bulls on Wednesday On Saturday, Elizah's mother, Mackenzie Copley posted several images of her late daughter cuddling with one of their pit bulls 'I will never understand why!!! I am so lost and broken. This was the same dog who was side by side with my baby every single day,' she wrote alongside broken heart emojis. Her husband and Elizah's father, Kameron Turner, also took to Facebook a day after she died, saying: 'Life is so not fair man why us why are [sic] baby. How can I continue living without her man?' Kameron then posted his little girl's obituary and said: 'My poor baby.' He frequently posts pictures of their pit bulls on social media. Body camera footage, obtained by WSYX, showed officers responding to the home as a man greeted them and explained that a dog attacked Elizah. He then told the authorities that he placed one of the dogs in a black car and two more were on the property. She's been described as a 'spunky, happy' baby who 'was never without a smile,' her obituary read. 'She brought light to everyone's life, healed her family's hearts and gave them all purpose. Her favorite times were spent laughing with mom and dad,' it continued. Elizah, who was nicknamed 'Kicking Wing,' also loved to watch Miss Rachel on TV and had a 'contagious laugh.' There were multiple dogs inside the home (pictured) at the time of the attack, but it is unclear exactly which one bit the baby, Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua After the tragedy, the pit bulls were seen being escorted out of the home by Franklin County Animal Control. The agency will determine what happens to the dogs She's been described as a 'spunky, happy' baby who 'was never without a smile.' (Elizah with her mother and father) She got her unique nickname from her grandfather because 'every time someone new walked into the room her legs started kicking away because of how excited she was to see you.' A GoFundMe page was also set up to help support her family during this challenging time. 'No parent should ever have to endure this kind of pain. In a matter of moments, their beautiful journey as new parents was turned into one of unimaginable grief and heartbreak,' the page read. 'Their daughter was deeply loved. And through your support, her memory will be honored with compassion and care.' As of Saturday afternoon, roughly $3,000 had been raised. A funeral service is set to be held for Elizah on Monday, according to her obituary. While pit bulls are banned in some parts of Ohio, they are allowed in Columbus, BSL Census. DailyMail.com contacted Franklin County Animal Control and the Columbus Police Department for more information. On April 1, another baby girl was mauled by her family's pit bull. Her husband and Elizah's father, Kameron Turner, also took to Facebook a day after she died, saying: 'Life is so not fair man why us why are [sic] baby. How can I continue living without her man? Six-month-old Kyomi Temple was attacked last week at her family's apartment in Baytown, Texas - about 38 minutes outside of Houston. Paramedics took Kyomi to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her death was publicly confirmed by authorities the next day. Animal control seized two male pit bull mixes from the family's apartment, police told PEOPLE. The dogs belonged to the baby's parents. Officials have identified which dog attacked Kyomi, noting that per city ordinance it will be euthanized. The family also reportedly agreed to having the dog put down. Baytown police are investigating the incident. Officers have not made any arrests and no charges have been filed at this time. Like Ohio, not all parts of Texas have a ban on pit bulls. Meghan Markle gave a fresh glimpse of Archie and Lilibet as she showed off the 'special gift' Prince Harry bought back for his children from his surprise visit to Ukraine. This week has seen Prince Harry fly to the war-ravaged nation to meet injured soldiers and go to court seeking the reinstatement of his UK security detail. The Duke of Sussex claims his police protection was taken away to 'trap' him and Meghan Markle in the UK. Speaking outside the court, Harry said: 'We were trying to create this happy house.' And on Sunday Meghan posted a series of cute clips to Instagram painting an image of domestic bliss in the family home. In a first post entitled 'Weekend breakfast', the Duchess of Sussex shows some American-style pancakes sizzling in a pan before cutting to the couple's black Labrador Pula waiting expectantly. The second post, tagged 'for my loves', features a lavish platter of morning treats, including fried eggs, an assortment of fruit and pancakes with bacon. One of the children can be hear saying 'Tell us mum' before Meghan replies 'Breakfast time!' In a post on Meghan's Instagram, a child hands, thought to belong to Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet's, can be passing the Duke a slice of cake Meghan posted three stories on Instagram conveying a sense of domestic bliss, with the first showing her cooking pancakes The second post, tagged 'for my loves', features a lavish platter of morning treats, including fried eggs, an assortment of fruit and pancakes with bacon. One of the children can be hear saying 'Tell us mum' before Meghan replies 'Breakfast time!' In the final Instagram story a child's hands, thought to Lilibet's, can be seen passing Harry a slice of cake that the Duke reportedly got during his visit to war-torn Ukraine on Thursday. The prince can be heard laughing and saying 'Thank you' as the three-year-old passed him a slice of the cake, in a clip captioned 'A special gift "papa bought back from Ukraine.'" Harry met dozens of wounded soldiers in Lviv this week, including a visit to the Superhumans Center, an orthopedic specialist clinic for the treatment and rehabilitation of war victims who are dependent on a prosthesis due to amputation. The trip proved controversial as it came the day after the end of a two-day appeal hearing in London as part of Harry's push to have his police protection restored when he and Meghan visit the UK. The couple's security was revoked by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) back in 2020. The Prince's appearance at the Royal Courts of Justice did not require him to give evidence, but the Duke's legal team say Ravec failed to get an assessment from an 'expert specialist body'. Instead they came up with a 'bespoke practice' which Harry says singled him out for 'different, unjustified and inferior treatment.' Harry was accused of hypocrisy after flying out to Ukraine earlier this week despite claiming he and his family cannot be safe in Britain without taxpayer-funded police bodyguards. Prince Harry talks with a person wounded in the war with Russia at the Superhumans Center in Lviv on Thursday Harry visited the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, an orthopaedic clinic and rehabilitation centre Tthe Duke of Sussex (front, centre right) during a visit to Ukraine to meet war victims Lviv has been pummeled by Russian jets, missiles and kamikaze drones at least 30 times since the war began in 2022 - with at least 33 civilians killed and hundreds more injured. However, an insider told MailOnline that it is 'simply incorrect' to suggest the Ukraine trip contradicts Harry's UK safety concerns or undermines his High Court case, claiming the team protecting him was 'more robust' than in Britain. It has been suggested that Meghan and Harry have different views about sharing their two children on social media, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. On a recent episode of Hello! magazine's Right Royal podcast, Matt Wilkinson, the royal editor of The Sun, said Harry took a much more cautious approach to posting their children online. 'My understanding of this is that, up to a certain stage, Harry would much rather his children were not seen,' Matt said. He added: 'Whereas Meghan grew up in California, she once said she would like to have a more California style lifestyle, take them down the beach, go out, do stuff. She doesn't want to hide them away.' He noted that the Duchess does not share her children's faces in images and videos she posts - something the panel said Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also do when it comes to images of their children. 'ICE Barbie' Kristi Noem took an unconventional approach to weed out suspected leakers by having them take a polygraph test, and it seems to be working. The Department of Homeland Security - which 53-year-old Noem runs - has administered around 50 lie detector tests, including at least a dozen FEMA employees, as they continue to try to weed out leakers. Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton was among them, although he passed his test, according to CNN. He maintains his position. Last month, it emerged that the department reportedly administered a lie detector test to Hamilton to ensure he had not leaked sensitive information from a meeting he had with one of Trump's advisors. However, at least one FEMA official has been placed under administrative leave and was escorted from the office this week, sources told CNN. Others inside the disaster relief organization have also 'failed' the test, but it is unclear what happened to them. 'We will track down leakers and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,' DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told CNN. 'We are agnostic about your standing, tenure, political appointment, or status as a career civil servant.' A FEMA employee told CNN that Noem and her team are using the test to intimidate employees. 'ICE Barbie' Kristi Noem took an unconventional approach to weed out suspected leakers by having them take a polygraph test, and it seems to be working Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton was among them, although he passed his test. He maintains his position 'Theyre going after rank-and-file employees and instilling this culture of fear,' the unidentified employee told CNN. Questions over the legality of using the polygraph have come up, but McLaughlin insisted the federal agency is following the law. McLaughlin went as far as to say that they will 'refer some for criminal prosecution based on additional evidence found,' CNN reported. A FEMA source told CNN that DHS' claim that they are only testing people accused of leaking information is false. 'They are just covering up the unpopular stuff theyre doing,' they said. 'FEMA is a consumer of classified information, not a producer of classified information, and the FEMA programs that are truly classified are all an extremely small group of people.' Another referred to the tests as a Trump-favored term: 'A witch hunt.' 'I find it very, very hard to believe that within the normal course of business, any of these employees had their hands on classified material,' the source told the outlet. 'They are trying to incite fear. They are trying to get rid of people.' The Department of Homeland Security - which 53-year-old Noem runs - has administered around 50 lie detector tests, including at least a dozen FEMA employees, as they continue to try to weed out leakers (pictured: stock image) A FEMA source used a Trump-favored term when describing the polygraph tests: 'A witch hunt' Government officials using polygraphs are nothing new, but it is usually not seen in this volume, Tom Devine, the legal director for the Government Accountability Project, told CNN. 'What used to be a sensitive, carefully considered high-risk decision, is now a knee-jerk reaction, and thats whats scary,' he told the outlet. The DHS in February vowed to use polygraph tests to weed out any staffers who had leaked information, after Trump's border czar Tom Homan expressed concerns that an internal leak had tipped off illegal immigrants about an upcoming raid. At the time, Homan said the information that made its way out of the department was utilized by Tren de Aragua gang members to hide from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Colorado and California, hampering the efforts of authorities. 'The Department of Homeland Security is a national security agency,' McLaughlin said in a post to X at the time. 'We can, should, and will polygraph personnel.' The directive had come directly from Noem, who reportedly issued an internal memo ordering her department to administer future polygraphs with a question specifically about unauthorized discussions with journalists and private citizens. Questions over the legality of using the polygraph have come up, but McLaughlin insisted the federal agency is following the law. McLaughlin went as far as to say that they will 'refer some for criminal prosecution based on additional evidence found' (pictured: Noem on an ICE raid) Then in March, the Pentagon announced it was also investigating leaks of information that risked national security. The department said it would not rule out using lie detectors on employees in the Defense Department, run by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as part of the investigation. Following the firing of thousands of national park employees under Donald Trump's administration, park scientists are now being pulled from their research duties to clean hundreds of campground bathrooms. Roughly 1,000 newly hired National Park Service (NPS) employees and about 3,400 US Forest Service workers were fired in February, sparking concerns that the administration's actions could harm the country's most sacred natural lands. In California, Yosemite National Park is bracing for its busiest season of the year amid a custodial staff shortage - the result of the president's delay in hiring seasonal workers across the nation's beloved parks. With staff stretched thin, bathroom clean-up duty has now fallen to an unlikely group - the park's scientists, rangers, IT workers and even its leadership team. 'When our manager first notified us that we were assigned this new duty, I was somewhat outraged,' one employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told SFGate. 'We are already understaffed, mainly due to the hiring freeze caused by the new administration, and now more work unrelated to our job description is being piled on top of us?' The National Park Service (NPS) regularly hires between 7,000-8,000 seasonal employees, but these roles will be exempt from Trump's federal hiring freeze, which he enacted on day one of his second administration. National park advocates have argued the job cuts paired with the hiring freeze could lead to trash piling up, facilities falling into disrepair and long wait times for park entries and reservations. In California, Yosemite National Park is bracing for its busiest season of the year amid a custodial staff shortage - and bathroom duty has now fallen on the park's scientists, rangers, IT workers and even its leadership team Acting Superintendent Stephanie Burkhart's office requested that the park's division chiefs designate staff members to clean 10 campground restroom facilities in an uncovered internal email In February, Trump terminated thousands of national park and forest management employees in a maneuver by Elon Musk's DOGE to slim the government and root out fraud, waste and abuse - a decision met with heavy scrutiny Yosemite National Park seemingly shares those same fears. In an internal email shared with SFGate by a fellow employee, acting Superintendent Stephanie Burkhart's office requested the park's division chiefs designate staff members to clean 10 campground restroom facilities. Five divisions were outlined in the email - Interpretation & Education, Resources Management and Science, Information Technology, Commercial Services and Safety. 'As Division Chiefs, you are being asked to look at your staff and identify staff that can be temporarily reassigned to custodial duties for Upper Pines campground restrooms, at least from 4/15 through 5/4,' the email stated. Every year-round staff member employed within the Resources Management and Science Division - biologists, hydrologists, archaeologists and wildlife specialists - are required to pick up at least one cleaning shift, an employee revealed to the outlet. 'I have signed up for it, but I don't really have a choice in the matter,' the employee said. 'I'm not above cleaning a bathroom, but personally am sick of our leadership not pushing back on anything and just towing the line.' Staff members with the Yosemite Leadership Team will also be tasked with cleaning certain bathrooms to help fill the evident gap in staffing. Every year-round staff member employed within the Resources Management and Science Division - biologists, hydrologists, archaeologists and wildlife specialists - are required to pick up at least one cleaning shift The email also emphasized the park's primary focus on ensuring a positive visitor experience, which, at this moment, means keeping the campground restrooms clean and ready for guests to use at all times 'I'm curious to see how far up the chain of command this goes,' Ken Yager, founder of the Yosemite Climbing Association and annual park cleanup event called Yosemite Facelift, told SFGate. 'Is the superintendent expected to clean toilets?' he asked. 'I don't want to insult anybody, but I'm curious. Are these division chiefs doing it?' In the uncovered email, the park's leadership team explained how they explored other options for managing bathroom duties at Upper and Lower Pines Campgrounds, which have a staggering 308 spots in total. They considered several options: using volunteers, having campground hosts pitch in, bringing in seasonal workers earlier or hiring external cleaning services. However, the small team was unable to make any of these solutions work within the needed timeframe, according to the email. 'We also considered portapotties in lieu of opening restrooms, but didn't feel this was in the spirit of providing the exceptional visitor experience that visitors booked and are expecting,' the email stated. 'Especially when we have a number of permanent employees that can be trained to help out.' Attached to the email was a spreadsheet, showing which campground bathrooms each team would be in charge of handling. National park advocates have argued the job cuts paired with the hiring freeze could lead to trash piling up, facilities falling into disrepair and long wait times for park entries and reservations Reassigning staff to clean bathrooms follows Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's order to keep national parks 'open and accessible', with the email making it clear that staff should only be reassigned if it doesn't hurt visitor access In the uncovered email, the park's leadership team explained how they explored other options for managing bathroom duties at Upper and Lower Pines Campgrounds, which have a staggering 308 spots in total, but were unable to find solutions in the given timeframe For each bathroom, the email asked division chiefs to list two employees for the morning shift and two for the afternoon shift, ultimately covering a 20-day period. 'It takes two people about 2-3 hours to clean 5 restrooms in the morning and then again in the afternoon,' the email said. The email also emphasized the park's primary focus on ensuring a positive visitor experience, which, at this moment, means keeping the campground restrooms clean and ready for guests to use at all times. However, reassigning staff to clean bathrooms follows Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's order to keep national parks 'open and accessible', with the email making it clear that staff should only be reassigned if it doesn't hurt visitor access. Put simply, no employee should be taken away from other, more pressing visitor services just to clean bathrooms. Reassigned staff were also asked to attend custodial training and 'any required safety training identified by our park safety officer'. Personal protective equipment and a job hazard analysis will be given to those tasked with restroom duty, the email said. On Thursday, Yosemite Gateway Partners held a public meeting in Yosemite Valley, where the park's Chief of Staff, Joe Meyer, provided a staffing update, including details about reassigning duties. 'We're trying to hire as many people as possible. We've been approved to hire more than last year,' Meyer told a group of marketing pros, conservationists, local business owners and others. Many believe this is just another attempt by the Trump administration to erode morale within the park, as the 'educated' people within the park service appear to be targeted by the cuts Although some key positions in the park remain unfilled, Yosemite's Chief of Staff, Joe Meyer, explained that Washington is assisting with the hiring process, and new staff are now being onboarded 'regularly' Although some key positions in the park remain unfilled, Meyer explained that Washington is assisting with the hiring process, and new staff are now being onboarded 'regularly'. 'There's a lot of attention on campgrounds,' Meyer said. 'We've got about half the campgrounds open right now, and we're looking at reassignments and other tactics to allow us to open more campgrounds and more facilities,' he added. 'So we're shuffling, you know, within our staff to keep us as open and accessible as possible.' The first, hour-long custodial training also took place on Thursday, where roughly 40 employees across all the park's divisions learned about health risks, standard procedures and essential protective equipment. However, Yager is among many who believe this is just another attempt by the Trump administration to erode morale within the park. 'It seems to target the scientific community of the park service - the educated,' he told SFGate. 'It's not sustainable. People need to see that custodial workers are needed.' Concerns are still growing among national park employees, especially as seasonal hiring remains delayed, recent court rulings allow temporary staff to be fired again and the Trump administration has offered a new round of buyouts The first, hour-long custodial training also took place on Thursday, where roughly 40 employees across all the park's divisions learned about health risks, standard procedures and essential protective equipment Concerns are still growing among national park employees, especially as seasonal hiring remains delayed, recent court rulings allow temporary staff to be fired again and the Trump administration has offered a new round of buyouts. 'I still worry that further cuts will be made, and more work is going to be piled on to the few staff we still have when we are already stretched so thin,' an employee told SFGate. 'But at least we're all in it together.' In February, Trump terminated thousands of national park and forest management employees in a maneuver by Elon Musk's DOGE to slim the government and root out fraud, waste and abuse - a decision met with heavy scrutiny. California Democrat Sen. Alex Padilla wrote on X: 'Shameful. This means chaos in our National Parks, less health care for Native Americans, and a loss of technical staff who operate our water infrastructure in the West. Americans deserve better.' Colorado Democrat Sen. John Hickenlooper similarly posted: 'National parks are part of our way of life. They're where Coloradans work and play. They're how we protect our most cherished landscapes. They drive our economy.' 'These staffing cuts could run our national parks into disrepair and jeopardize the benefits they provide Coloradans,' he continued. NPS employs 20,000 workers while the Forestry Service maintains approximately 35,0000 staff. The cuts were projected to shed about 5 and 10 percent of those agencies respectively. NPS employs 20,000 workers while the Forestry Service maintains approximately 35,0000 staff. The cuts were projected to shed about 5 and 10 percent of those agencies respectively Roughly 1,000 newly hired National Park Service (NPS) employees and about 3,400 US Forest Service workers were fired in February, sparking concerns that the administration's actions could harm the country's most sacred natural lands Despite the unexpected and forced career change, Yosemite employees became more open to learning from the maintenance staff during training, especially after witnessing their enthusiasm to teach the rest of the park about the ins and outs of their jobs When the cuts were announced, Yosemite National Park posted on social media that it was delaying reservations for many popular campsites. Despite the unexpected and forced career change, employees became more open to learning from the maintenance staff during training, especially after witnessing their enthusiasm to teach the rest of the park about the ins and outs of their jobs. 'At the end of the training, someone said, "I'm proud to be wearing the same uniform as everyone else here, and I'm proud to be your colleague,"' an employee told SFGate. 'I found this inspiring.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy has vowed to challenge China over 'deeply concerning' decision to bar British MP from entering Hong Kong to visit newborn grandson. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, 65, flew to the region on Thursday when she was denied entry. She was held at airport security and questioned before being put on the first flight home five hours later. She is believed to be the first MP to be refused entry to the former British colony since it was handed back to China in 1997. Chinese officers confiscated her passport and the MP for Bath was asked about her job and the purpose of her visit. She also had her luggage searched and stabbed and was then taken to a boarding gate by four immigration officers. Mr Lammy said: 'It is deeply concerning to hear that an MP on a personal trip has been refused entry to Hong Kong. 'We will urgently raise this with the authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing to demand an explanation.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy has vowed to challenge China over 'deeply concerning' decision to bar British MP from entering Hong Kong to visit newborn grandson. Wera Hobhouse, 65, flew to the region, which was a British territory until 1997, on Thursday However she was held at airport security in Hong Kong and questioned before being put on the first flight home five hours later In addition to being a member of Ipac, Ms Hobhouse has previously spoken out against the Chinese government's abuse of human rights in Tibet and crackdown on freedom of speech in Hong Kong. China has previously banned several British MPs from entering the country, including Ipac members Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Nusrat Ghani, and former security minister Tom Tugendhat. Mr Lammy added: 'As I made clear earlier this week, it would be unacceptable for an MP to be denied entry for simply expressing their views as a Parliamentarian. 'Unjustified restrictions on freedom of movement can only serve to further undermine Hong Kong's international reputation.' A week earlier, Mr Lammy had criticised the Israeli government for refusing to allow Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang to enter the country due to comments they had made about the conflict in Gaza. Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed Davey, has called the decision from China to bar the MP as 'heartless' and 'totally unacceptable'. Speaking to The Times, she said: 'I couldn't even see him and give him a hug and I hadn't seen him in a year. 'When I was given the decision my voice was shaking and I was just saying: 'Why, please explain to me?' They never gave me an explanation. That was so cruel.' Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed Davey, has called the decision from China to barr the MP as 'heartless' and 'totally unacceptable' She arrived in Hong Kong at 6pm local time on Thursday and went to passport control. Ms Hobhouse is member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international group of politicians that scrutinises Beijing's approach to human rights and the rules-based order, has said she believes it's because she is an MP. She has also criticised the crackdown on free speech in Hong Kong. Ms Hobhouse's husband, William, was with his wife and was allowed to enter and the two were due to see their son who was worked in the region since 2019 as an university academic. They would also be meeting their three-month old grandson for the first time. Since this, the businessman was flown back to the UK. Ms Hobhouse said: 'I just said: 'I want to see my grandson, I want to cuddle him. He was born three months ago, what is the problem?' I am obviously devastated.' She said that having to fly back was 'so hard' that she was left 'very close to tears'. Lib Dem leader, Sir Ed Davey,said on X: 'Wera just wanted to visit her son in Hong Kong and meet her baby grandson for the first time. 'But after a 13-hour flight, the Chinese authorities turned her away just because she's a British MP.' Ms Hobhouse arrived in Hong Kong at 6pm local time on Thursday and went to passport control. But she was taken to a waiting area, and her husband later joined her, where she was questioned by the immigration office. Later, the two were taken to the baggage hall and their bags were inspected. After waiting for three hours she was issued a notice confirming she was being refused entry and she was put on a Cathay Pacific flight back to London at 11.15pm. Once back in London they were told to remain in their seats until they could be accompanied off the plane by stewards, and their passports were returned only after their left the plane. This comes after it was found that two Labour MPs had been denied entry to Israel last weekend. The Foreign Secretary said it was 'unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning' that Yuan Yang (right) and Abtisam Mohamed (left) were held and then deported Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, pictured, defended Israel saying it had the right 'to control its borders' Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang were refused entry because they intended to 'spread hate speech' against Israel, the nation's population and immigration authority said. The two members said it was 'vital' parliamentarians were able to witness the situation in Palestine. Ms Yang and Ms Mohamed said they were part of a parliamentary delegation and planned to visit charity projects and communities in the West Bank. In a joint statement, the MPs said they were 'astounded' by their treatment. Israeli officials said all four passengers were denied entry after being questioned and the MPs left the country at 6am local time (4am BST) on Sunday. Mr Lammy said: 'It is unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities. 'I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support. The move by Israel was criticised by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who said it was 'unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning'. However, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch defended Israel saying it had the right 'to control its borders', adding it was 'significant' there were Labour MPs other countries did not want to let in. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is refusing to honour a Government pledge to fund research into a common yet hard-to-treat form of breast cancer, MPs and campaigners claim. Lobular breast cancer affects nearly 10,000 women in the UK every year, and experts say that there is a lack of drugs to treat the disease. Last year, then Health Secretary Victoria Atkins promised to commit 20 million to a five-year research project into lobular breast cancer treatments. The scheme, known as the Lobular Moon Shot Project, has received the backing of 330 MPs more than half in the House of Commons. However, Mr Streeting has failed to say whether he will provide the necessary funds. This newspaper understands the Health Secretary has not responded to MPs letters asking whether the money will be made available to researchers. Joining campaigners in the call for funding is Tory MP Helen Grant, who was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in 2023. We urgently need more research, better diagnostic tools and targeted treatments, says the MP for Maidstone and Malling. Victoria Atkins, during her time as Health Secretary, committed to this vital funding and I strongly urge Wes Streeting to do the same. This newspaper understands the Health Secretary has not responded to MPs letters asking whether the money will be made available to researchers BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire, 56, was diagnosed with the disease in 2015 after researching what causes an inverted nipple Last year, then Health Secretary Victoria Atkins promised to commit 20 million to a five-year research project into lobular breast cancer treatments Lobular breast cancer is the second most common form of the disease. The tumours begin in the milk-producing glands and grow in a spiders web pattern. This makes it harder to spot and more likely to be diagnosed later than the main form of breast cancer. Symptoms can include an inverted nipple, breast tissue thickening, a tugging sensation or a dent in the breast. BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire, 56, was diagnosed with the disease in 2015 after researching what causes an inverted nipple. Lobular is currently treated via chemotherapy, surgery and drugs to reduce the level of the female sex-hormone oestrogen which cancer cells need to grow. Yet for reasons still unknown to researchers, at least a fifth of lobular breast cancer cases return years later often more than a decade after patients have been given the all-clear. When this happens the cancer becomes even harder to treat, raising the risk of death. Scientists at the Manchester Breast Centre, where the Lobular Moon Shot Project would take place, say one aim is to find a drug to cut the chances of lobular breast cancer returning. Professor Rob Clarke, a breast biology expert at the centre, said: With this funding, we could potentially develop a drug and begin testing it on patients within the next five years. Campaigners argue that funding this research will not only save lives but also reduce costs on the NHS. The 20 million we are looking for is less than 240 per person who will be diagnosed with the disease in the UK alone in the next ten years, says Dr Susan Michaelis, founder of the Lobular Moon Shot Project. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said last night: We encourage applications for research funding through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and we will meet the Lobular Moon Shot Project next month. The FBI suspended an analyst once described by Kash Patel as a 'deep state' actor in a book he wrote in 2023. The New York Times first reported the move by the agency Patel now leads to place Brian Auten on administrative leave, citing people familiar with the matter. No official reason has been given for the dismissal of Auten, who worked on investigations related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and Hunter Biden's infamous laptop. The FBI declined to comment, citing its longstanding practice on not giving public statements regarding personnel matters. Patel included Auten on a list of roughly 60 alleged actors for the 'deep state' in his 2023 book, 'Government Gangsters.' Patel denounced the FBI analyst by name, writing: 'The fact that Auten was not fired from the FBI and prosecuted for his part in the Russia Gate conspiracy is a national embarrassment.' President Donald Trump and his closest allies have spent the last eight years talking about how to dismantle this so-called shadowy group of unelected bureaucrats hellbent on sabotaging MAGA policies. Patel, who became the FBI director on February 20, has made it clear in the past that he believes the Russia investigation was a hoax. Brian Auten, an FBI analyst described as a 'deep state' actor by Kash Patel in his 2023 book, has been placed on administrative leave now that Patel is leading the agency Pictured: The cover of 'Government Gangsters,' a book by Patel that accused Brian Auten of improperly pursuing the Russia investigation against Trump and undermining the probe into Hunter Biden's laptop In the same 2023 book where he called out Auten, Patel also accused the FBI of trying to 'hide and spin' the contents on Hunter Biden's laptop that ultimately pointed to 'Biden family corruption.' Patel claimed Auten tried to 'discredit any derogatory information about Hunter Biden by falsely claiming that none of it was true.' The content of the laptop were first reported by the New York Post in 2020, when Joe Biden was running for president. Patel went through a grueling confirmation process in the Senate, where Democrats grilled him about his partisan loyalty to Trump and his previous statements saying he would shut down FBI headquarters on day one as director. But much of the questioning centered on the 'deep state' list, which Democrats characterized as Patel's enemies list. He vehemently denied this every time it was brought up. 'It's a total mischaracterization,' he told senators, before later adding: 'There will be no politicization at the FBI. There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI, should I be confirmed as FBI director.' Given Auten was on the opposite side of particularly the Russia investigation from Patel, there has been questions about the circumstances of his suspension. However, Auten was among a number of FBI employees disciplined for their mistakes in obtaining a secret surveillance warrant involving a former Trump campaign adviser. He had been suspended for 30 days at the time, but was moved out of the counterintelligence division entirely after Patel became the director. The Justice Department's Inspector General's office found that FBI officials were justified in opening the Russia investigation, nor did it find any evidence the probe was politically motivated. The move to oust Auten comes as pardoned January 6 rioters are upset that Patel appointed agency veteran Steven Jensen his assistant director in charge of the Washington Field Office Patel is getting heat because Jensen described January 6 participants as 'terrorists' and was integral to the department's ability to arrest and prosecute so many of them The move to oust Auten comes as pardoned January 6 rioters are upset that Patel appointed agency veteran Steven Jensen his assistant director in charge of the Washington Field Office. . Jensen described January 6 participants as 'terrorists' and was integral to the department's ability to arrest and prosecute so many of them following the storming of the Capitol Initially, supporters tried to play off the report as 'fake news', but the appointment became undeniable when Patel himself shared an X post addressing the rumor. Richard Barnett, who was sentenced to 54 months in prison for his involvement before Trump pardoned him, lashed out at the decision on X. 'The anger and depression is hitting hard today,' he wrote. He went on to accuse both Patel and his Deputy Director Dan Bongino of 'stabbing us in the back.' He said they 'actually promoted one of our tormenters, Steve Jensen, into a position of great power within the FBI.' Another said Patel and Bongino 'owe The People an explanation about the promotion of Steven Jensen - who obviously hates Trump voters - to one of the most powerful FBI positions in America.' Philip Anderson, who describes himself as a 'January 6 survivor', was equally critical. 'Dan Bongino and Kash Patel betrayed us all,' he wrote. 'They promoted Steven Jensen who viciously persecuted J6ers. A convicted murderer who escaped from custody in California allegedly killed a female officer while on the run. Cesar Hernandez, 34, was serving a life sentence at North Kern State Prison, but on December 2, he managed to escape a van he was being transported in just before his hearing at the Kern County Superior Court in Delano - about three hours outside of Los Angeles. Hernandez is believed to have escaped his chains by using a self-made key, punching an officer and running through an open gate before making his way across the Mexican border to Tijuana, Sheriff Donny Youngblood told KGET in December. On Wednesday, he was involved in a deadly shooting where he killed Commander Abigail Esparaza Reyes. Reyes was part of a fugitive task force, known as the 'Gringo Hunters,' who are responsible for tracking down fugitives who escape from the US and cross over the border. After shooting Reyes, Hernandez ran again, as he was seen in surveillance footage darting down a street with no shirt on. He then hopped into a car and came out moments later dressed in a bright neon yellow outfit, the video, obtained by 23 ABC, showed. He has not been seen since. The US Marshall service has since requested assistance from Mexican authorities to apprehend Hernandez. Cesar Hernandez, 34, is accused of killing Commander Abigail Esparaza Reyes during a shootout on Wednesday. He escaped from North Kern State Prison on December 2 Reyes (pictured) was part of a fugitive task force, known as the 'Gringo Hunters,' who are responsible for tracking down fugitives who escape from the US and cross over the border The US Marshall service told the outlet they were not at the scene during the shooting, but arrived after when medics tended to Reyes who later succumbed to her injuries at the Tijuana Red Cross. It remains unclear how Hernandez managed to escape the recent murder scene, where he shot Reyes in the neck, according to Monserrat Peraza, a reporter for Punto Norte who was on site when it happened. 'When he shot the officer in the neck and bullets were going everywhere, thats when other officers started to focus their attention on her to take her to the hospital. I think thats when he decided to flee,' she revealed. After the tragedy, Marina del Pilar, the governor of Baja California, a state in Mexico, paid her respects to Reyes, promising 'her death will not go unpunished.' 'I deeply regret the death of the Agent of the State Citizen Security Force, Abigail Esparza Reyes, at the time of participating in an operation to comply with an arrest warrant that is currently being carried out,' Pilar said. 'Our wishes for prompt resignation are with you, Abigail's life will be honored and her death will not go unpunished.' The US Marshall Service echoed Pilar's statement, telling NBC News: 'Those who commit violence against law enforcement officers will be held accountable.' Several bullet holes are seen on a building following the deadly shootout After shooting Reyes, Hernandez ran again, as he was seen in surveillance footage darting down a street with no shirt on before changing into a neon yellow outfit The agency and local authorities continue to hunt for Hernandez. As of Thursday he remained on the loose. He's been described as 'dangerous,' armed and having violent tendencies, according to a flyer released by officials. A $35,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Hernandez's arrest. He was serving 80 years to life for first-degree murder after killing someone in 2019 just outside of Los Angeles County. He was set to appear in court in December after pleading no contest to manufacturing a weapon and possessing drugs in prison, per KGET. Reyes served as head of the Tijuana task force team for the past eight years, per The San Diego Tribune. She was also an 11-year veteran for the state police. In her career, she led operations that resulted in 408 arrests of fugitives from several countries who were trying to invade Baja California, officials said. 'Commander Esparza rose quickly through the ranks during her career and was instrumental in locating and arresting many criminals on both sides of the border,' U.S. Consul General in Tijuana Christopher Teal said. 'Her tragic passing is a great loss not only to Commander Esparzas family, but also to the U.S. diplomatic mission in Mexico, law enforcement in Baja California, and our community. Loved ones are seen at Reyes' funeral service 'Her legacy of courage, integrity, and commitment to justice will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps. She gave her life in pursuit of a safer future for all, and her memory will always be remembered.' David Arizmendi, a press secretary for the US Embassy in Mexico, said this unfortunate situation 'is a testament of seriousness' of the security issues Mexico and the US face. 'The terrible murder of Commander Esparza is a testament to the seriousness of the security issues that Mexico and the United States face and the importance of binational cooperation to address these threats,' he said. 'Commander Esparza will be remembered as a true hero who was killed while bravely supporting binational efforts to keep our countries safe.' DailyMail.com contacted the US Marshall Service for more information. He's a familiar figure driving tourists around the sights of London in his vintage double-decker. But Rail Minister Sir Peter Hendy caused shock on one of his recent tours when he started texting behind the wheel. The former Transport for London commissioner is said to have had two mobiles balanced on the bus dashboard and during one terrifying moment dropped a phone and tried to retrieve it while still driving. Lord Hendy, 72, was behind the wheel of an old AEC Routemaster on a March 28 charity jaunt across the capital and had 35 passengers onboard. The Labour life peer is a bus enthusiast who owns two Routemasters, on which he regularly takes tourists to raise money for charity. The Metropolitan Police confirmed it was investigating a complaint from a passenger on the bus. Businessman John Sarson, 68, said the minister had his phones on the dashboard during a 90-minute journey from Paddington station to King's Cross station. The 30 tour was advertised on the charity Railway Family's website, with a picture of Lord Hendy grinning broadly behind the wheel of one of his buses. The advert read: 'March 28 London bus tour with Rail Minister Lord Hendy'. Rail Minister Sir Peter Hendy - pictured - caused shock on one of his recent tours when he started texting behind the wheel The former London Transport Commissioner is picture with his Routemaster Mr Sarson challenged the minister at the end of the tour, in full view of other passengers and a charity representative. He said he was 'furious' with him for jeopardising the safety of passengers and other road users. Mr Sarson said Lord Hendy 'apologised several times' and looked 'ashen-faced'. 'I was the closest passenger to the driver's cab and I had an unobscured view of what he was doing,' Mr Sarson said. 'At one point he dropped one of the phones and had to bend down to retrieve it from inside the driver's cab while behind the wheel. 'Later on in the journey as we approached Westminster Bridge, I could see Big Ben and he was texting on one of the phones. 'The roads are chaotic around Westminster with cyclists and pedestrians as well as drivers and you really need your wits about you. 'To say I was furious is an understatement. 'I imagine a normal bus driver would be severely disciplined for doing what he did. A Routemaster double-decker bus driven by Hendy is pictured in 2015 'I reported him to the police because the safety of passengers and all other road users is paramount and what I saw was clearly jeopardising that. 'I follow transport issues and safety issues closely and I know he speaks in the Lords on bus safety. The hypocrisy of what I saw was breathtaking.' The penalty for texting or using a phone while driving a car is a 200 fine and six penalty points. But the consequences for a bus driver can include a suspension of their Passenger Carrying Vehicle licence and a maximum fine of 2,500 and six penalty points, along with a potential driving ban. The Metropolitan Police said it had investigated Mr Sarson's report and claimed there was 'insufficient evidence' to progress the case. But after inquiries from The Mail on Sunday, a spokesman for Lord Hendy said yesterday: 'Last month Peter Hendy used his phone while driving. He has apologised in full for this error of judgement and has contacted the police.' The Met said the investigation 'had been re-opened and enquiries continue'. Lord Hendy previously hit the headlines after a 140-an-hour escort claimed she had a nine-month affair with him, during which he had gifted her Oyster cards loaded with 10 credit. In 2013, Rachael Grundy claimed she had had a relationship with him in the run-up to the London Olympics, the transport strategy for which he had masterminded. She said the minister contacted her through her escort website and became a regular who she saw every week while his wife was at their West Country home. Ms Grundy said that he gave her four Oyster travel cards and a London 2012 badge as tokens of his affection. New York's parole board members are making hefty salaries, despite receiving vast criticism for releasing more than 40 cop killers. Kathy Hochul's parole board make a whopping $190,000 a year to examine the cases of New York's criminals, including 43 cop killers who they're allowed the release of, according to the New York Post. David McClary, who killed an NYPD officer in 1988, could be the 44th released if his parole hearing goes well later this month. But the board has more scandal than how many they grant parole to, as one is married to a criminal. Tana Agostini married murderer Thomas OSullivan while he was still in prison and then pressured the board to release him in 2013, according to The Post. At the time, she was working as a staffer at the state Assembly committee that was overseeing prisons and used her position to help advocate for O'Sullivan's release, the outlet reported. O'Sullivan spent three decades in prison for the 1892 murder of a drug dealer in Queens. His wife was appointed to the board in 2017 by former governor and NYC mayor hopeful, Andrew Cuomo. Agostini is joined by 10 other Democrats on the board of 16, with the majority appointed by the disgraced former mayor. New York's parole board are making hefty salaries, despite receiving criticism for releasing nearly 50 cop killers. But the board has more scandal than how many they grant parole to, as Tana Agostini married murderer Thomas OSullivan, whom she helped get released David McClary, who killed an NYPD officer in 1988, could be the 44th released if his parole hearing goes well later this month Hochul has filled five seats and the board is still not at max capacity. Some of her appointees were denied for being too 'closely associated with the system we seek to reform,' a caucus said at the time. Most members are serving as holdovers, with some of their terms expiring half a decade ago, The Post found. Many have a law background, such as with Legal Aid Society - a public defender organization - and other are prisoner-rights advocates, the publication said. A few have a background in the Department of Corrections. The board has faced much criticism about its track record of releasing cop killers and other criminals, with Former Governor George Pataki accusing Cuomo of 'stacking the parole board with his leftist friends who have no appreciation for the sacrifice our police make.' He called the board's decision to release cop killers as 'horrific and inexcusable.' 'Its hard for me to believe that anyone who cares about public safety or protecting the police who risk their lives for our safety could have allowed this to happen but Andrew Cuomo certainly did,' he lamented to the publication. Some of the guidelines members look at when deciding to release someone on parole include if they've made any 'progress' behind bars, as well as societal risk, and the nature of the original crime. Deciding if criminals will see the light of day again is a lucrative deal, especially under Cuomo, who gave out big pay raises for members. Agostini is joined by 10 other Democrats on the board 16, with the majority appointed by the disgraced Former Mayor Andrew Cuomo. They make $190,000 a year after receiving raises under Cuomo and Kathy Hochul While the Democrat was in power, he bumped their salaries up 67 percent, according to The Post, raising it from $101,600 to $170,000. Hochul raised it an additional 12 percent in January, bringing their heavy salaries to an incredible $190,000, despite reviewing nearly half as many cases, The Post found. Four years ago, the board look at roughly 20,500 cases, but in 2022, it only looked at 11,300. And with the board's reputation, a former NYPD officer called the salary an 'insane amount to pay people whose only qualification is that they'll release every criminal they meet,' they told The Post. State Senator Tom O'Mara called for parole board to stop releasing cop killers last summer, according to a press release. 'When will Albany Democrats finally come to their senses?' he questioned at the time. 'When will Governor Hochul and the Legislatures Democrat majorities face the fact that this state is becoming less and less safe, and more and more violent?' He suggested state Democrats start attacking soft-on-crime policies. 'They can start by shutting down a state Parole Board that keeps making the release of cop killers as a top priority,' he lamented. The board has faced much criticism about its track record of releasing cop killers and other criminals, with Former Governor George Pataki accusing Cuomo of 'stacking the parole board with his leftist friends who have no appreciation for the sacrifice our police make' While the Democrat was in power, he bumped their salaries up 67 percent, according to The Post, raising it from $101,600 to $170,000. Now, the disgraced governor is running for NYC mayor 'Its wrong, its disrespectful to the families of these fallen officers, and it fuels the state of lawlessness that has become pervasive inside New Yorks prisons and throughout our streets and neighborhoods.' Then-Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt - who is now the minority leader - agreed, saying: '[Democrats] sadly know full well that members of the Parole Board who support their release will be praised by some of the very people whose job it is to make laws.' Pataki criticized the parole board under Cuomo in 2019 after they released a man who raped a 16-year-old girl in a barbaric murder in 1980. Richard LaBarbera was sentenced to 25 years for the second-degree murder of Paula Bohevesky who was hit in the head with a brick, stabbed five times and raped twice just one block away from her Pearl River home as she returned from the library. At the time, Pataki called on Cuomo to speak out about his pending release. 'The governor can certainly ask the parole board to take another look and to look at the facts, to look at the lack of remorse, and if they did, they would have to see that this man should not be out in the streets,' Pataki told Fox News. 'I have been very careful about not commenting on state government policies since I left office, but this release of this rapist and murderer is so hideous to me, I really feel an obligation to speak out so that first, hopefully, it won't happen, but if it sadly does, that it won't happen again.' Despite his insistence, governors cannot overrule the board. An explosive email appears to contradict prosecution claims that Lucy Letby was caught 'red-handed' with a baby who subsequently died. The memo, revealed yesterday, is a significant boost to the nurse's legal fight to overturn her convictions. Dr Ravi Jayaram was the only medical witness at Letby's two trials who was able to point to behaviour directly linking her to babies' deaths, testifying that she was standing over Baby K's cot as the girl was deteriorating and that she did not call for help. But, extraordinarly, in an email sent to his colleagues at the Countess of Chester Hospital on May 4, 2017 before she was investigated by police Dr Jayaram wrote: 'At time of deterioration ... Staff nurse Letby at incubator and called Dr Jayaram to inform of low saturations.' In the newly revealed email Dr Jayaram also suggested Baby K's frailty was the cause of death, saying: 'Baby subsequently deteriorated and eventually died, but events around this would fit with explainable events associated with extreme prematurity.' Neither Dr Jayaram's claim that Letby called him for help, nor that he thought the baby's death was explained by issues associated with extreme prematurity, made it into the final version of the document that the consultants sent to the police. An explosive email appears to contradict prosecution claims that Lucy Letby (pictured) was caught 'red-handed' with a baby who subsequently died. The memo, revealed yesterday, is a significant boost to the nurse's legal fight to overturn her convictions Dr Ravi Jayaram (pictured) was the only medical witness at Letby's two trials who was able to point to behaviour directly linking her to babies' deaths, testifying that she was standing over Baby K's cot as the girl was deteriorating and that she did not call for help Citing Dr Jayaram's evidence in court, the prosecution alleged that Letby had deliberately dislodged the breathing tube and that Jayaram had caught her 'virtually red-handed'. The 2017 email, which has been obtained by the UnHerd website, was disclosed to Letby's defence team only after she had received her sentence. Letby was convicted of killing seven babies and attempting to murder seven more over two trials. Earlier this month, Letby's barrister Mark McDonald presented a 698-page report from 14 world-leading experts to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which deals with potential miscarriages of justice. The report concluded that the babies died from poor care, prematurity and natural causes. Dr Jayaram gave evidence about Baby K at both her first trial, in 2023, and when the first jury failed to agree her second trial last July, when she was convicted and sentenced to a whole life order. Both trials were held at Manchester Crown Court. Baby K had been born at just 25 weeks. She struggled to breathe and was placed on a ventilator before she died. Letby (pictured) was convicted of killing seven babies and attempting to murder seven more over two trials Protestors claiming Lucy Letby was innocent gather outside the Thirlwall Inquiry in Liverpool But, extraordinarly, in an email sent to his colleagues at the Countess of Chester Hospital on May 4, 2017 before she was investigated by police Dr Jayaram wrote: 'At time of deterioration ... Staff nurse Letby at incubator and called Dr Jayaram to inform of low saturations'. Pictured: The Countess of Chester Hospital In contradiction of his 2017 email, Dr Jayaram told the police in a witness statement on April 17, 2018: 'It is also the case that Lucy had not called me in to nursery 1 at the point that desaturation had taken place. Quite often a nurse will come looking for a doctor to assist when a baby begins to deteriorate, Lucy didn't.' And, at the 2024 trial, he portrayed her behaviour as suspicious, saying: 'Lucy Letby was stood next to the incubator. She wasn't looking at me. She didn't have her hands in the incubator.' After he was asked by prosecuting counsel Nick Johnson KC whether he had 'any call for help from Lucy Letby?', he responded: 'No, not at all. 'I was surprised that the alarm was not going off, although my priority was (Baby K) and I didn't question it at the time. 'In retrospect, I was surprised that help was not called, given (Baby K) was a 25-week gestation baby and her saturations were dropping.' Appearing at the Thirlwall Inquiry, which is investigating the events at the hospital but on the presumption of Letby's guilt Dr Jayaram said he wished he had reported Letby's supposedly supsicious behaviour, saying: 'I lie awake thinking about this ... I should have been braver.' Yet in his 2017 email, Dr Jayaram apparently wrote that he went to investigate Baby K because Letby herself had raised the alarm and asked him for help not because he had suspicions about the nurse. Letby, 35, from Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life orders for killing seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the hospital between 2015 and 2016. Letby was convicted of killing seven babies and attempting to murder seven more over two trials Members of the media work near a large screen showing a picture of convicted hospital nurse Lucy Letby, ahead of her sentencing, outside the Manchester Crown Court in 2023 Since her conviction, dozens of doctors, nurses, statisticians, law experts and scientists have come forward to criticise the way in which evidence was presented to the jury. They include Lord Sumption, a former judge at the Supreme Court, who said he believes Letby is 'probably innocent'. He added that those questioning her convictions 'are too numerous and too well qualified to be dismissed as troublemakers' and there were 'serious anomalies' in the case which cast 'doubt' on the safety of the jury verdicts. Ten months before Dr Jayaram sent the 2017 email, Letby had been moved to clerical work as a result of concerns raised by Dr Jayaram and other doctors about her care of the babies. She had then lodged a grievance for bullying and harassment, which was upheld. By the time of the 2017 email, Dr Jayaram and other doctors were hoping to involve the police, and had drafted a report to send to them asking them to investigate. He stated that the purpose was 'for the police to have their interest piqued', and to do this he suggested that the doctors should 'highlight explicitly for these cases that LL was in attendance and in close proximity to the incubators (in those situations we know for a fact she was)'. In other documents seen by UnHerd, Cheshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service state that they did not become aware of Dr Jayaram's email until August 2024 one month after Letby had been convicted of attempting to murder Baby K as part of evidence obtained by the Thirlwall Inquiry. Former British nurse and convicted child serial killer Lucy Letby appears by video link during an appeal against her conviction for trying to murder a newborn baby, at the Court of Appeal in London on October 24 The corridor within the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit (showing the entrances to nurseries 2,3 & 4), in an image which was shown at Manchester Crown Court during the trial of nurse Lucy Letby It has not been discussed by the inquiry nor published on its website. A source close to Letby's defence team said last night: 'This case is falling apart.' Dr Jayaram did not respond to a request for comment about the apparent change in his stance. A spokesman for the Thirlwall Inquiry refused to comment. A Countess of Chester Hospital spokesman said: 'Due to the Thirlwall Inquiry and ongoing police investigations, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.' Although it may sound grand, working for the Royal Family has never been for the faint-hearted. The hours are long, the pay is poor and the requirements of the job have caused many seasoned professionals to buckle under the extreme pressure. But one (ex) member of The Firm has faced the recurring accusation that they treated staff especially badly Meghan Markle. They started emerging soon after she officially joined the family in May 2018, leading to the now notorious nickname 'Duchess Difficult'. Meghan has always denied any bullying and described the accusations as an 'orchestrated smear campaign against her'. Excuses were also made on her behalf courtne perhaps she was simply a career-driven American whose manner and style was very different from British ways. And maybe what appeared to be her unreasonable demands were simply a matter of things being lost in trans-Atlantic translation. After all, one person's bully is another person's demanding boss. But these swirling rumours have continued to follow her even after she moved to California to start her new life there with Prince Harry in 2020. Here MailOnline looks back over Meghan's long list of bullying allegations and goes through all of them in order. The Royal Family When Meghan officially joined the Royal Family in May 2018 and entered Prince Harry's office, things began to change quickly. The relaxed, easy-going atmosphere that many had found working for the bachelor Prince, rapidly became something entirely different. It didn't take long for rumours about what was going on behind the scenes to leak out and into the Press. The couple's wedding in Windsor was watched by millions of happy viewers around the world When Meghan officially joined the Royal Family in May 2018 and entered Prince Harry's office, things began to change quickly The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with the Duchess's Private Assistant Secretary Amy Pickerill The Daily Mail's renowned royal expert Richard Kay reported in December 2018 that there were tensions with staff after it emerged that Meghan sometimes sent emails to them at 5am. He detailed how junior employees at Kensington Palace had become wearily familiar with dawn emails and texts from the newly married Duchess of Sussex. Friends pointed out in her defence that she rose early because of the eight-hour time difference with California where her mother lives, making it easier to reach friends and family on the phone. They also suggested that rising early might be connected to her pregnancy. Even from those early days inside Buckingham Palace, waspish below-stairs staff jokily referred to Meghan and Harry as 'Monica and Chandler' after two of the characters in the long-running American sitcom Friends. In the series, control freak Monica is played by Courteney Cox and amiable but weak Chandler by Matthew Perry. A typical Monica quote was: 'Remember: if I am harsh with you, it's only because you're doing it wrong.' Meghan defenders said the turmoil was due to 'cultural differences' in management style. Americans, they suggested at the time, were more direct. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave after a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's Cathedral in London, 2022 Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, approach a car at an airport in Sydney surrounded by their entourage Former royal aide Jason Knauf has broken his silence after accusing Meghan Markle of 'bullying' junior members of staff Jason Knauf (left) when they appeared as a couple for the first time at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada But in the autumn of 2018, the developments took a sensational turn when Jason Knauf, the couple's communications secretary at the time, submitted a formal complaint about the claims in an apparent bid to protect his staff. 'I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of X was totally unacceptable,' he allegedly wrote. 'The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights. She is bullying Y and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behaviour towards Y.' But for two-and-a-half years, the bullying details remained secret. It was only after Harry and Meghan had quit royal life and moved to California that the allegations were made public. They were published in The Times just days before the couple sat down for their tell-all interview with America's TV queen, Oprah Winfrey, in March 2021. One former employee told the newspaper that they had been personally 'humiliated' by the Duchess. It was claimed that staff would be reduced to tears with one aide telling a colleague in anticipation of a confrontation with the Duchess: 'I can't stop shaking.' They said they were 'terrified' after a row about whether Meghan was told the media was attending one of her events. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the British High Commissioner's residence to attend an afternoon reception to celebrate the UK and South Africa's important business and investment relationship The Duchess attended the Invictus Games Reception at Australia House in 2018 Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to mark the centenary of the RAF, July 2018 An aide was reported saying it felt 'more like emotional cruelty and manipulation, which I guess could also be called bullying'. The Times claimed that after Harry and Meghan became engaged in late 2017 a senior member of palace staff warned them about the problems they may have if staff were treated badly. Meghan allegedly replied: 'It's not my job to coddle people.' Sources complained that little appeared to have been done by senior courtiers to address the complaints, despite allegations that 'members of staff, particularly young women, were being bullied to the point of tears'. In response, representatives for the Duchess said that it was 'being used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative based on misleading and harmful misinformation'. Harry and Meghan's spokesman said at the time: 'Let's just call this what it is a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation.' Her lawyers said the former actress was 'saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma'. There was also a statement to the media calling the bullying claims defamatory. But years later, Mr Knauf finally broke his silence on the series of events, telling an Australian documentary in 2025: 'I wouldn't change anything'. The Duchess of Sussex with her Private Assistant Secretary Amy Pickerill (right) in Wellington on day one of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand in 2018 Meghan Markle and Samantha Cohen at the opening of the new Mersey Gateway Bridge where they accompanied the late Queen Although such was the concern at the time in 2021 that Buckingham Palace asked an external firm of solicitors to review the allegations. On June 29, 2022, the Palace announced it had completed its review into the handling of the bullying allegations but that it would stay secret. Expert Richard Kay wrote at the time the promise of transparency has been sacrificed in order to placate the couple at the heart of the sorry saga Harry and Meghan. And although details from the investigation are limited, People reported that it did result in some shifts in HR policy, including creating new pathways for staff to whistleblow about 'inappropriate' working conditions. Despite Meghan having left the The Firm in January 2020, the accusations about her behaviour have stuck around to haunt her. Never in the recent history of the Royal Family has another senior royal woman not the late Queen, Queen Camilla, Princesses Anne, Catherine or Sophie been accused of bullying their staff. When Meghan and Harry moved to California, they hoped to turn over a new leaf and establish themselves as a brand in Hollywood without the bullying allegations weighing them down. But as things turned out, the rumours seemed to follow them there too. The Hollywood Reporter When the Sussexes moved into their $14.7million mansion in the celebrity-heavy enclave of Montecito, they shared a long list of high-profile neighbours, including the popstar Katy Perry and talk show host Oprah Winfrey. As she continued to build a life in the area, Meghan joined the neighbourhood mahjong group and was spotted stopping to speak to locals in the street. But after a few years in the gleaming Santa Barbara County for the rich and famous, once again rumours of Meghan's bad behaviour leaked out. And they didn't come from anywhere but the celebrity bible The Hollywood Reporter, which published a groundbreaking story in September 2024. The Duchess of Sussex spoke at an Archewell Foundation panel in New York in October 2023 Meghan watched her husband, Prince Harry speaking during a visit to a township to learn about Youth Employment Services in Johannesburg, South Africa The article went online on September 12, and was titled 'Why Hollywood Keeps Quitting on Harry and Meghan'. A source claimed to the publication, which is known to be read by everyone in the showbiz industry, that: 'Everyone's terrified of Meghan. She belittles people, she doesn't take advice. 'They're both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently. Harry is a very, very charming person no airs at all but he's very much an enabler. And she's just terrible.' Another source said: 'She's absolutely relentless. She marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders. I've watched her reduce grown men to tears.' The article also explored a recurring theme, which was also apparent when Meghan was part of the Royal Family the constant churn of staff. It pointed out that a slew of staff had made their excuses and left the employment of the Duchess over the past few years. Former staff had even dubbed themselves the 'Sussex Survivors Club'. The Sussexes hit back, decrying the stories as malicious, with one source close to the couple telling US Weekly magazine: 'These quotes were fabricated by someone lacking knowledge of our company.' It quoted individuals who worked for Meghan that she was a good employer, considerate of her staff's needs, giving them thoughtful gifts including a dog collar for a member of staff who'd just got a pooch and babygrows her children Archie and Lilibet had outgrown. The royal author Valentine Low, who wrote about Meghan's bullying accusations, told Newsweek: 'It does have some glaring and fascinating echoes of everything I wrote, and that others have written before, about Meghan. 'I don't know about the truth of The Hollywood Reporter article but it seems to be a pattern that she is, depending on your point of view, either a demanding boss or a difficult one. 'She clearly has certain standards but, on the other hand, the demands she makes of people may not always reflect what's possible she may demand too much.' But although The Hollywood Reporter article raised alarm bells for the Sussexes, the worst was yet to come. Vanity Fair As part of their plan to quit royal funding and instead make their own money, the Sussexes signed up for deals with music streaming giant Spotify and broadcaster Netflix. But the $20million multi-year Spotify deal came crashing down in 2023 after the Duke and Duchess made just 12 episodes of the Archetypes podcast in three years. In January 2025, the well-respected Vanity Fair magazine published a damning 8,000-word cover story about their new lives in California which included more details of alleged harsh behaviour from Meghan. In January 2025, the well-respected Vanity Fair magazine published a damning 8,000-word cover story about their new lives in California - which included more details of alleged harsh behaviour from Meghan One of Meghan's former Spotify employees called her a 'Mean Girls' teenager' while describing the 'awful' and 'painful' experience they had working with her UK royal correspondent Neil Sean claimed to Fox News in January that the Duchess of Sussex was given the nickname 'Eva'. The nickname came from the 1955 camp classic 'Queen Bee' starring the ultimate diva herself Joan Crawford According to two unnamed sources, after working on Archetypes, one colleague took a leave of absence following a three-episode stint. This was before they left Spotify's studio Gimlet altogether. It's claimed others described 'taking extended breaks from work to escape scrutiny, exiting their job or undergoing long-term therapy after working with Meghan'. The source told the writer she felt that if Meghan chose to 'acknowledge her own shortcomings or personal contributions to situations' instead of adopting a perpetual victim role, her perception might be 'better'. Meanwhile, an individual who worked in media projects read claims of Meghan 'bullying' palace aids and said they could not imagine such behaviour really happened. However, after working with the Duchess, the person allegedly changed their mind, thinking: 'Oh, any given Tuesday this happened.' One of Meghan's former Spotify employees called her a 'Mean Girls' teenager' while describing the 'awful' and 'painful' experience they had working with her. The staffer said Markle began warm, encouraging and complimentary, but she'd 'become cold and withholding toward the person she perceived to be responsible' if she didn't get her own way. UK royal correspondent Neil Sean claimed to Fox News in January that the Duchess of Sussex was given the nickname 'Eva' while she was working on her podcast Archetypes. The behind-the-scenes staff found it 'really difficult' to deal with Meghan because of her mood swings and that she was 'quite tough and bossy' He explained: 'This wasn't an engaging pet nickname. The nickname came from the 1955 camp classic 'Queen Bee' starring the ultimate diva herself Joan Crawford 'This is because, like the Joan character [Eva Phillips], she stung her victims to pieces. This is exactly how staff felt about working alongside [Meghan].' The film is about a 'manipulative' socialite who 'sets out to destroy the lives of all those around her', according to Turner Classic Movies. Mr Sean also explained that behind-the-scenes staff found it 'really difficult' to deal with Meghan because of her mood swings and that she was 'quite tough and bossy'. He claimed sources told him that Meghan only wanted 'to speak to the person at the top' when she worked alongside them. Meghan and Harry refused to comment on the Vanity Fair story. What have Meghan and Harry said over the years to address the allegations? In response to the slew of allegations that have been made against Meghan over the years, she has issued a number of official statements denying them at the time. Usually she and Harry disavow them and claim there has been an orchestrated smear campaign against her. In Meghan's eyes, she seems to be the victim - in 2020, for instance, she told the Teenager Therapy podcast: 'I was the most trolled person in the entire world, male or female, and it was 'almost unsurvivable'.' Meghan said that she 'was the most trolled person in the entire world in 2019 as she and Prince Harry made their podcast debut for World Mental Health Day Meghan, never seemingly shy of stealing the limelight, talked to a group of young girls at an event supposedly focussing on their empowerment on social media about what it's like to be 'one of the most bullied people in the world' The brothers attended the unveiling of a statue of their mother on what would have been her 60th birthday and surrounded by her family And in October 2024, never seemingly shy of stealing the limelight, she talked to a group of young girls at an event supposedly focussing on their empowerment on social media about what it's like to be 'one of the most bullied people in the world'. Defending her management of people, the Sussex-friendly authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote in their 2020 book Finding Freedom: 'Americans can be much more direct, and that often doesn't sit well in the much more refined institution of the monarchy.' Meghan seemed to back this version of events up in an October 2024 episode of her Archetypes podcast, when she spoke about the challenges she has faced asserting herself in professional situations. She said: 'I find myself cowering and tiptoeing into a room and the thing I find most embarrassing when you're saying a sentence and the intonation goes up, like it's a question. 'And you're like, "Oh my God, stop like whispering and tiptoeing around it". Just say what it is that you need. You're allowed to set a boundary. 'You're allowed to be clear, it doesn't make you demanding. It doesn't make you difficult, it makes you clear.' However by far the most thorough response to Meghan's bullying claims came in Harry's memoir Spare in January 2023. The Duchess of Sussex spoke to an audience in Bogota, Colombia and was attending various meetings with women and young people about discriminiation and cyberbullying Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand and described Americans as 'more direct' than British people The couple's Africa tour took place in October 2019 In the book, he described the building tension in their office behind the scenes, writing: 'Our staff sensed the friction, read the Press, and thus there was frequent bickering around the office. 'Sides were taken. Team Cambridge versus Team Sussex. Rivalry, jealousy, competing agendas it all poisoned the atmosphere. It didn't help that everyone was working around the clock. 'There were so many demands from the Press, such a constant stream of errors that needed clearing up, and we didn't have nearly enough people or resources. At best we were able to address 10 per cent of what was out there. 'Nerves were shattering, people were sniping. In such a climate there was no such thing as constructive criticism. All feedback was seen as an affront, an insult. More than once a staff member slumped across their desk and wept. 'For all this, every bit of it, Willy blamed one person. Meg. He told me so several times, and he got cross when I told him he was out of line. He was just repeating the press narrative, spouting fake stories he'd read or been told.' Later in the book, Harry also addressed the moment when the allegations of Meghan's bullying first became public. He wrote: 'Meg was apparently a bully that was the latest vicious campaign they'd helped orchestrate. 'It was so shocking, so egregious, that even after Meg and I demolished their lie with a twenty-five-page, evidence-filled report to Human Resources, I was going to have trouble simply shrugging that one off. 'A month earlier Meg and I had done an interview with Oprah Winfrey. (Days before it aired, those Meg-is-a-bully stories started popping up in the papers what a coincidence!) 'Since leaving Britain, the attacks on us had been increasing exponentially. We had to try something to make it stop. Being silent wasn't working. It was only making it worse. We felt we had no choice.' Meghan and Harry have also used more traditional methods of rubbishing the 'bullying' narrative and instead trying to propagate the view that the Duchess was a kind boss. In the Sussex-friendly US Magazine in September 2024 current and former staffers flooded in with statements of support. 'Best bosses I have ever had,' one current team member wrote, while an ex-staffer added that their time with the Sussexes was 'truly an honor.' The publication also described the staff getting handed freebies, which included flowers and care packages. And following the release of her recent Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, the Duchess appears to be taking a more careful approach when it comes to her treatment of staff. She told the US publication People that she had fun sharing the delicious food she was cooking in the kitchen with the crew praising the process as 'communal'. Netflix crew members who were involved with the production praised Meghan's approach to treating them and described her as a 'great hostess'. They also revealed that she bought each crew member a saute-style fry pan from the brand Our Place, which retails for over 80, as well as a handwritten monogrammed spoon that read, 'Thank you, crew'. Amidst the pile of contradicting evidence, ultimately, the only people who really know the truth about Meghan's behaviour are the staff who worked with her. It was a brief halt in their packed itinerary during last week's State Visit to Italy, but the Queen could only crease with laughter at the idea the King should lighten his workload, roaring: 'Dream on!' Speaking to newspapers including The Mail on Sunday, Her Majesty shook with mirth at being asked whether Charles, who with Camilla undertook 20 engagements in four days in Rome and Ravenna, might 'take it a little easy'. 'Dream on! Dream. On,' she repeated for emphasis, stressing that work and 'helping others' has driven him through some of the darkest days of the past year and aided his 'recovery' from cancer. 'No, I think he loves his work and it keeps him going,' she added. 'And I think it's wonderful, you know, if you've been ill and you are recovering, you're getting better, and now he wants to do more and more. That's the problem!' Agreeing that work, and flying the flag for Britain around the world, clearly made him happy, she nodded and said proudly: 'That's what he's driven by. Helping others.' The King even squeezed in his weekly cancer treatment on Sunday night, before he flew out the following day, so he could hit the ground running on arrival. His dignified appearance and sense of duty was in marked contrast to Prince Harry's surprise appearance in a London courtroom last week seeking to overturn the Government's withdrawal of round-the-clock security. Father and son did not meet and are not believed to have seen each other for 16 months. Speaking to newspapers including The Mail on Sunday, Her Majesty shook with mirth at being asked whether Charles, who with Camilla undertook 20 engagements in four days in Rome and Ravenna, might 'take it a little easy'. Pictured: The King arrive at Piazza Del Popolo 'Dream on! Dream. On,' she repeated for emphasis, stressing that work and 'helping others' has driven him through some of the darkest days of the past year and aided his 'recovery' from cancer. Pictured: The King and Queen meet Pope Francis Agreeing that work, and flying the flag for Britain around the world, clearly made him happy, she nodded and said proudly: 'That's what he's driven by. Helping others' But if Charles was feeling the pain of their estrangement, he was also determined to focus on his duty. Asked if there would be any changes to his programme given his wife's concern and his recent hospitalisation over side-effects from his treatment, one senior royal aide said wryly: 'We've all tried! But as people will have seen, the King enjoys his work, he enjoys engaging with as many people as possible. In this role, as when Prince of Wales, he knows he is fortunate to be in a position to make a difference, and is determined to do just that.' Royal aides are delighted by the success of the Italy visit and are planning several more State Visits, both welcoming VIPs to the UK and the King undertaking more foreign travel. The royal household is continuing to work closely with US counterparts over President Trump's historic second state visit on the most suitable timing, while Canada where Charles is head of state is another priority. The King was reluctantly forced to cancel a visit there last year due to his diagnosis. Canada's political situation means he must postpone a trip until after the country's general election later this month. While Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, are enjoying a few days off in Scotland, aides assessing the Italian trip's success believe it showed 'soft power at its best', and say the King and Queen are 'naturally pleased when their engagements really deliver for Britain.' While Florida's real estate market is often described as scorching hot, one Gulf Coast city may be headed for a cooldown. Punta Gorda, a metro area that saw explosive growth during the pandemic, is now flashing signs of a potential price correction. New housing data from ResiClub reveals that Punta Gorda's inventory levels have skyrocketed climbing 89 percent above what they were in March 2019. That puts it near the very top of the list among U.S. metro areas where the number of homes for sale has fully rebounded from the pandemic low point and then some. During the housing boom of 2020 to 2022, listings across the country dropped as fast-moving demand outpaced supply. But in cities like Punta Gorda, that momentum has now reversed. With home prices already stretched far above what many locals can afford and higher mortgage rates cutting into buyer budgets, demand is softening leaving more homes on the market. Punta Gorda is one of 58 major U.S. housing markets where inventory levels have returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic norms, according to a ResiClub analysis. However, few metros have seen as sharp a rise in active listings as this small Florida city, making it one of the most closely watched markets in 2025. Punta Gorda, Florida, is showing signs of a housing market correction, with inventory levels now 89 percent higher than they were in 2019 one of the largest increases in the nation This surge in listings signals a shift in power from sellers to buyers, as affordability challenges and higher mortgage rates cool demand That surge in supply has coincided with another ominous signal: Punta Gorda has been flagged as one of the most at-risk metro areas in the nation for home price declines. According to CoreLogic's Market Risk Indicator, there's more than a 70 percent chance the city will see prices fall over the next 12 months. The risk doesn't suggest a crash but rather a realignment. Punta Gorda was one of the many Florida markets that experienced a rush of remote workers and retirees during the pandemic, which sent home prices soaring. Now, with that influx slowing and locals priced out, the market appears to be rebalancing. Adding pressure is the volume of new construction in the region. Builders more responsive to market shifts than individual sellers have already begun offering price reductions and perks to attract hesitant buyers. That, in turn, puts pressure on existing homeowners trying to sell. Nationally, housing inventory remains below where it stood before the pandemic about 20 percent lower than March 2019. But places like Punta Gorda, where supply has not only recovered but surged past historical norms, are now considered 'buyer-leaning' markets. In these areas, home prices are more likely to flatten or fall as supply outpaces demand. CoreLogic has flagged the metro as having a greater than 70 percent chance of home price declines in 2025, one of the highest risks in the country The area, like many along Floridas southwest coast, boomed during the pandemic but is now facing longer listing times and more frequent price cuts Builders offering incentives on new homes are also adding pressure to the resale market Experts suggest this is part of a broader trend: Florida's post-pandemic housing market is beginning to normalize after years of explosive growth Experts caution that what's happening in Punta Gorda isn't the same as the housing crash of 2008. There are no widespread foreclosures or signs of systemic collapse. Instead, what appears to be unfolding is a market correctionan overdue cooling after years of unsustainable growth. And for prospective buyers, that could be good news. The rise in inventory and the softening in prices may create more favorable conditions, especially for those looking to buy and hold long-term. This local shift may also reflect a broader transition across Florida's post-pandemic housing landscape. A new report by Redfin, highlighted by Yahoo Finance, shows that Florida's southwest coast including markets like Punta Gorda has become a hotspot for softening demand. Homes are sitting on the market longer, price drops are becoming more frequent, and sellers are beginning to lose the upper hand they held during the boom. Though Florida remains a magnet for out-of-state buyers, experts say that the state's red-hot housing growth is cooling into a more sustainable rhythm. The pandemic surge may have been an anomaly one now giving way to a more balanced, if uncertain, real estate reality. Pictured: A $1.5 million house in Punta Gorda that had a $195,000 price cut Pictured: A $1.8 million house in Punta Gorda that had a $115,000 price cut Still, the housing market remains highly local. While parts of Florida continue to see price growth, Punta Gorda serves as a reminder that not every metro is moving in the same direction. As the state's real estate landscape grows more uneven, local data not national headlines will offer the clearest view. Whether Punta Gorda's correction will be a minor dip or a deeper adjustment remains to be seen. But with one of the biggest inventory spikes in the country and the highest odds for a price decline, this small city is shaping up to be one of 2025's key housing markets to watch. With the second season of The Last of Us returning to our screens, it might be comforting to think that the show is purely fictional. But believe it or not, the show's haunting zombies aren't that far from reality. Real-life 'zombie-making' fungi burrow into their host's flesh and manipulate their minds to turn them into hyperactive super spreaders. As it stands, these mind-warping parasites only affect certain insects. However, the stages of infection are eerily similar to those seen in the hit HBO show. Now, MailOnline has used artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal exactly what zombies would like like in the real-world. As these terrifying images reveal, The Last of Us comes pretty close to capturing what possessed humans could look like. However, experts say there are some key details that The Last of Us didn't get quite right. MailOnline has used artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal exactly what zombies would like like in the real-world The Last of Us (pictured) comes pretty close to capturing what possessed humans could look like Stage one: Infection Fungi spread themselves through the environment in the form of spores - tiny single-cell seeds which can lie dormant for years before germinating. In the insect world, these spores infect their hosts in a particularly gruesome fashion. Dr Charissa de Becker, an expert on zombie fungus from Utrecht University, says: 'When such spores land on an ant they can germinate and burrow themselves through the exoskeleton of the insect to infect.' However, in humans, the process of infection is likely to be a little bit different. Since human skin is thicker than a fungi can dig through, the spores need to get into our soft tissue before they can germinate. Dr Rebecca Drummond, a fungal immunologist from the University of Bristol, told MailOnline: 'Most fungi enter the body when we breathe in the spores.' Once in the lungs the spores can germinate and begin growing inside our bodies. What are the stages of a zombie infection? Stage One: Infection The victim inhales spores from the zombie fungus which begin to grow inside their lungs. Stage Two: Colonisation The fungi burst through into the bloodstream and spread through the entire body, feeding on flesh. Stage Three: Control The victim is forced to avoid detection by running frantically. They are also struck by violent spasms as the fungus spreads through their muscles. Stage Four: Dispersal The fungus attaches its victim to a high point and consumes their body to produce spores which rain down on new hosts. Advertisement Stage two: Colonisation Once the fungi is established in its host, it can begin the process of taking over their body. Since insects have an 'open circulation system', their blood isn't enclosed in vessels like veins so the fungus can fill its entire body. However, humans' tougher bodies and 'closed' circulation system mean that a fungus would need to spread more destructively to take over our bodies. The fungi will produce thread-like structures called hyphae which force their way through our flesh, bursting blood vessels and airways. 'This is another way in which they can spread through the body by making holes in vessels and allowing them to "escape" to new places,' says Dr Drummond. Just like the infected in The Last of Us, it might not be obvious if someone is infected at this stage just by looking at them. Dr Matt Kasson, Associate Professor of Mycology at West Virginia University and expert on zombie fungi, told MailOnline: 'Most fungi that infect humans aside from yeasts dont really produce outward fruiting bodies or spore-bearing structures on humans. As this AI image shows, the fungi would burst through into the bloodstream and spread through the entire body, feeding on flesh 'Hypothetically speaking, I imagine infections would be outwardly boring but inwardly devastating.' However, as the infection becomes more advanced, the fungus would take over more of the body. Fungal skin diseases such as the 'black fungus' infection can lead to the loss of limbs and eyes, so someone infected with a real zombie virus might show some similar symptoms. Stage three: Control It is at this stage that the fungus starts to take control of its host's actions with a mixture of mind-altering chemicals and physical manipulation. Dr Kasson says: 'The host engages in a set of defined behaviours starting with cutting off communication with nestmates followed by staggering and hyperactivity.' In Ophiocordyceps-infected ants, one of the first signs that the fungus is taking control is a sudden burst of movement. At the same time, the ants are beset by a series of sudden spasms so violent that they often fall out of the forest canopy. Fungal skin diseases such as the 'black fungus' infection can lead to the loss of limbs and eyes, so someone infected with a real zombie virus might show some similar symptoms The real development of the infection in ants parallels the 'runner' stage in The Last of Us. During this stage, the infected are fast and aggressive but don't show outward signs of infection Why do zombie fungi control their hosts? In ants, zombie fungi control their host's behaviour to help them spread further. If the infected ant remains in the nest, other ants will be able to smell something is wrong. Once they have detected that an ant is sick, the others quickly kill and remove them. So, the fungi force the ant away from the nest and upwards to the highest point possible. This allows the fungi to find a more suitable location to spread their spores onto the next generation of hosts. Advertisement This is remarkably similar to the 'runner' stage of the infection in The Last of Us which creates super-fast and ultra-aggressive zombies. The difference between real zombies and those in the show is that the infected ants' hyperactivity is aimed at keeping them away from others. Ants are extremely sensitive to the smell of illness in the nest and will attack, kill, and dismember any other ant showing signs of infection. This means the fungus must keep the ant running around so it doesn't get spotted and killed before the parasite has time to develop. In terms of The Last of Us, this is very similar to the 'stalker' stage of the infection. Rather than rushing about at random like the runners, these zombies have learned to hide themselves from those they want to infect - just like an infected carpenter ant. However, what the show gets completely wrong about fungal zombies is the idea that the brain would be destroyed by an infection. Throughout the show, we see that zombies in a more advanced state of infection, called 'clickers', have their heads totally destroyed by the fungus which bursts out from within. Infected ants' evasive behaviour matches the 'stalker' infected from The Last of Us which have learned to hide from those they want to infect In reality, studies have shown that the Ophiocordyceps fungus actually saves its host's brain right up until the moment it kills them. Stage 4: Dispersal Two weeks after the host was first infected by a spore, the fungus is finally ready to spread itself to the next generation of hosts. Unlike in The Last of Us, most real zombie fungi don't do this through physical contact, but by spreading their spores as far as possible. Ants infected by Ophiocordyceps are forced to climb to the highest point they can find before attaching themselves to the underside of a leaf in a 'death grip'. The fungus then consumes its host and uses the energy to grow a long mushroom-like stalk which bursts out of the ant's back or head - raining spores on the ants below and starting the cycle again. 'Ultimately the entire inside of the ant can be replaced by fungus leaving only the exoskeleton intact,' says Dr Kasson. If real zombies followed a similar pattern, the final stage of the infection would be death as the fungus consumes their entire body to produce more spores. If a human infection follows the example of Ophiocordyceps-infected insects, the zombie infection would likely end with the fungus consuming the body to create a fruiting body in order to spread more spores By the final stage of infection, the fungi will consume the entirety of its host to produce fruiting bodies. Zombies may anchor themselves to high points like infected ants, in order to spread the spores further Fungi which infect cicada are more similar to the more advanced stages of infection in The Last of Us which are almost entirely consumed by the fungus even as they are compelled to spread it further However, there is an even more sinister example that a real fungal zombie could follow. Massospora cicadina, a fungus which infects cicadas, causes the total destruction of its host genitalia and replaces them with a 'fungal spore mass'. At the same time fungi in the Massospora family hijack their host's sexual arousal pathways to send them into a reproductive frenzy. The infected cicada will then try to mate with as many other insects as possible, spreading the spores bursting from its decaying abdomen as it goes. So, if the Last of Us does take a real-life zombie fungus for its inspiration, Massospora might make an even more terrifying choice. Could The Last of Us come true? Luckily, there's no need to worry just yet about The Last of Us coming true since these zombie fungi can't infect humans. Our body temperatures are typically too high for fungi adapted for insects to survive. Luckily for us, scientists say that The Last of Us isn't going to come true any time soon since fungi that are adapted to insects can't survive in our bodies Just like Ellie from the show (pictured), all humans have a natural immunity to the effects of a zombie fungus called our 'blood brain barrier'. This stops the manipulating chemicals from getting into our brains Even if they could survive inside our bodies, these fungi would struggle to turn humans into zombies. Dr de Bekker, a zombie fungus expert from Utrecht University, told MailOnline: 'We have something called a blood brain barrier that doesnt just let any old molecule pass. 'So being able to get its bioactive molecules needed for manipulation in the right place will be another big barrier.' However, if a zombie fungi really did evolve to infect humans, it might follow a similar pattern to what we see in insects. Scientists have uncovered new evidence that Americans may be heading toward what Elon Musk deemed 'the greatest risk to the future of civilization.' Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) discovered the percentage of people who never want children has doubled over the past 20 years nationwide. They found the percentage of childless adults who do not want any children rose from 14 percent in 2002 to 29 percent in 2023. Jennifer Watling Neal, a psychology professor, said: 'During the same period, the percent of nonparents who plan to have children in the future fell from 79 percent to 59 percent.' The team used data from the National Survey of Family Growth, a nationwide survey on family planning that included submissions from 80,000 adults under age 45. Participants who reported wanting to remain childfree were predominantly female (51 percent) and white (72 percent). Musk, who boasts of 'always banging the baby drum', has been warning about worldwide population collapse for years, claiming it will be 'the biggest problem the world will face in 20 years.' The billionaire, who has 14 children with four different women, has said that low birth rates mean few workers, increased debt, strained healthcare and pension systems and total social unrest. Elon who has 14 children with four different women, has been warning about a decline in births for years For the new study, the team uncovered six categories for adults without children: Childfree, biologically unable but wanted them, socially childless, not yet parents, ambivalent and undecided. Socially childless refers to individuals who do not want children due to factors such as economic hardships or social constraints. Those who reported 'ambivalent' are open to having children but without a clear preference. The majority of individuals in the groups lived in metropolitan areas (up to 99 percent) and were employed (up to 72 percent). Those in the 'not yet parents' and 'undecided' groups were among the youngest, with an average age of 23 to 24, according to the study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family. A significant portion of childfree participants identified as LGBTQ+ (36 percent), highlighting diversity in parenthood preferences. While researchers observed a decline in the prevalence of 'not yet parents' from 2002 to 2023, they saw a rise in 'childfree,' 'ambivalent' and 'undecided' individuals. These shifts, according to the team, may reflect broader societal trends influencing the birth rate decline in the US. Researchers found childfree Americans rose from 14 percent in 2002 to 29 percent in 2023. Participants who reported wanting to remain childfree were predominantly female (51 percent) and white (72 percent) The study, however, did not list specific reason for individuals who reported they wanted to remain childfree. According to the CDC, data released last year showed a three percent decrease in birth rates from 2022. 'This marks the second consecutive year of decline, following a brief one percent increase from 2020 to 2021,' the agency's National Center for Health Statistics shared. 'From 2014 to 2020, the rate consistently decreased by two percent annually.' Musk has been warning about a decline in births for years. In 2022, the billionaire tweeted: 'Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming... mark these words.' And at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity last June, he referred to declining birth rates as leading to a potential 'mass extinction' of humanity. However,many demographers and experts have said Musk's fears may be overstated. According to recent projections, the global population is expected to continue growing until it peaks around the mid-2080s, reaching approximately 10.3 billion, before experiencing a gradual decline to about 10.2 billion by 2100. Joseph Chamie, a consulting demographer and a former director of the United Nations Population Division, told CNN: 'He's better off making cars and engineering than at predicting the trajectory of the population. 'Yes, some countries, their population is declining, but for the world, that's just not the case.' He added that 'virtually every developed country' has seen birth rates below two percent, but that is the way 'it has been for 20 or 30 years.' Ken Johnson, a professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire, said the rate is down in the US due to a 'significant' decline in teen births. 'Most demographers would see that as a good thing,' he said. The fertility rate in the US plunged to another new low last year, with fewer women than at any point in history having children. The rate was 54.5 births per 1,000 women of childbearing age (15 to 44 years old) last year, a three percent fall compared to 56 in 2022. The number of babies born in the US also declined year-over-year, with just under 3.6 million live births in 2023. Experts have warned that the US is headed for a so-called 'underpopulation crisis' by 2050, when too few people are born to support its current economic system. The drop is sparking alarm because of the shrinking workforce and taxpayer pool which threatens to throw many communities into jeopardy. Social Security which pays pensions is already expected to run out of money in only ten years, while a key trust fund for Medicare may be emptied by 2031. There are also warnings the shift will force a complete reorganization of society, as more of the population is older and unable to work. Wendy Williams was finally let 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, was also joined by niece Alex Finnie and the former CNN host's husband Tim Malone. The group grabbed a bite to eat at Il Cantinori, located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of the city. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO heading out: Wendy Williams was seen outside her assisted living facility heading to dinner with Don Lemon in NYC on Thursday The outing comes one day after the Williams's guardian reportedly denied her from having dinner with her niece and new lawyer on Wednesday. However, just one day later, Wendy flashed a big smile as she left the facility and arrived at the popular eatery with her niece Alex by her side. Williams wore a pair of blue denim shorts and a fluffy black jacket for the evening out. Reunited: The TV personality was also joined by niece Alex Finnie and the former CNN host's husband Tim Malone Williams'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 wearing a burgundy-colored shirt with jeans and tan suede shoes. Williams 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 said: '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.' Extra help: Williams's niece was on hand to help and support her aunt All smiles: Williams looked trendy as she navigated the sidewalk on a red scooter Still got it: Williams showed off her legs in a tiny pair of blue denim shorts Dinner time: The star enjoed dinner in New York's Greenwich Village 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. The TV personality was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023. When Lemon brought up her guardian's allegations on his podcast, 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 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 on the street below. However, Morrissey told People this month that Wendy is refusing to undergo certain medical tests, including a MRI brain scan and neuropsychological assessment, as she aims to get out of the guardianship. Joining her: Williams dined with Don and his husband Tim Malone No need: Williams says she does not need to be under the guardianship of Sabrina Morrissey and is working to have it removed Morrissey said: '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 attend. She continued: '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. '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.' 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 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? '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. New team: Last month it was revealed that Williams is obtaining a new legal team Monterroso said: '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.' She added that she talks to the star almost daily and has also sent a letter to the Adult Protective Services in New York. Monterroso said: '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. '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 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.' Attorneys for Morrissey 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.' The statement continued: '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. Kendall and Kylie Jenner took a walk down memory lane and revisit their childhood home one last time because their mother Kris Jenner has listed the luxurious California mansion, seen in Keeping Up With The Kardashians, for $13.5 million. Each of its six bedrooms had its own bathroom, and Kylie was emotional as she shared video clips in her Instagram Stories on Thursday. showcasing her old large black-and-white shower and vanity, Kylie said: 'Saying goodbye to my bathroom growing up.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Sad goodbye: Kendall and Kylie Jenner took a walk around their childhood home in California before it's sold Kylie then showed a clip of the bathroom belonging to her older sister: 'This was Kendalls bathroom. Obviously the complete opposite.' Kendall's bedroom appeared to include a large walk-in closet. Kylie also shared a photo of the main color-block staircase: 'So many beautiful memories.' Another snap showed a winding staircase located in another part of the house. Last look: The first stop on the farewell tour was the siblings' old bathrooms Behind the camera: Kylie did the honors and filmed the interior Kris purchased the house in the Hidden Hills area of LA in 2010 for $4million and added millions of dollars to it with upgrades over the years. The property was where she and her ex Caitlin Jenner raised Kendall and Kylie, along with their older siblings, Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, and Rob Kardashian. When Kris and Caitlin finalized their divorce in 2015, she put the house in a trust. Kris told The New York Times in February: 'Ive shared so many unforgettable memories in this incredible home with my family, and Im excited to see it start a new chapter with its next owners.' Nothing to see here! The property's awaiting its new owners to make it feel like a home again Sweeping staircase: Kylie was obviously sad at the thought of losing the family home After more than 15 years in the points and miles game, travel is no doubt my favorite sport. In fact, I wrote this on a plane from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. So when people like to reminisce about the Golden Age of Travel during the 1960s and '70s, and say the best global experiences are behind us, I think their idealism is severely misguided. Not only is travel much safer today, its also more efficient and accessible than ever - and knowledge is the most important currency. Those who understand the lucrative ecosystem of loyalty programs and credit cards have endless opportunities to make their travel dreams a reality - take it from someone who started his own points journey at just 12 years old. In my new book, How to Win at Travel, I reveal everything Ive learned. Heres a few tips to get you started. Earning rewards Jumping into the world of travel rewards can be daunting, but figure out a strategy that works for you, and youll start earning money on everyday purchases, accessing deeply discounted vacations, flying first class and unlocking even more travel benefits. Brian Kelly caught the travel bug early, when his dad challenged him at 12 years old to book the whole familys trip to the Caribbean using points Brian and his son Dean enjoy luxurious sleeping arrangements in The Residence class of Etihad Airways Credit cards are at the top of my points-earning hierarchy I currently have 28 and a nearly perfect FICO score. They're the quickest and cheapest way to accrue miles and points, especially in the US, where the average American has around 3.9 credit cards. If you are able to pay off your balance each month, foregoing credit cards means youll be leaving valuable points and perks on the table. The goal of credit cards in this instance is to choose those that reward you for what you spend the most on (dining, travel, groceries, etc.). Some of the top cards out there are American Express Gold with up to 4x points on dining and groceries, Capital One Venture X, Chase Sapphire Preferred and, if youre paying rent, Bilt Rewards. But, to be clear, its never worth making purchases you cant afford for the sake of earning points, because the interest you pay will greatly outweigh the value of any points earned. Brian and Dean visit Japan - thanks to his savvy use of airline points On safari with his parents Brian and Suzanne. 'Travel is no doubt my favorite sport,' he admits I always recommend checking out the bonus categories that each card offers (like 3x points on restaurants or drugstores) in addition to comparing base earning rates. If youre someone that spends a lot on dining, for example, those bonus categories can really help maximize your spend. Dont forget to check for the best sign-on bonuses - credit card companies usually have a one-time deal when you open up a new card, like offering up to 100,000 bonus points when you meet a minimum spend within the first three months. Maximizing your points and miles The most challenging part about playing the points and miles game is that there isnt a one-size-fits-all airline, hotel or credit card that will get you the best deal every single time. Each provider has built its own points ecosystem, which makes it confusing for consumers to compare and ensure theyre getting the most value for their points. Throw in the complexity of transferring points from credit card providers to a host of different travel partners, and anyone is bound to experience decision paralysis. The first step to maximizing your rewards and earnings strategy is meticulous tracking. Theres a bunch of different ways you can make sense of your rewards earnings. Make your own spreadsheet or downloading a tracker like AwardWallet, which currently tracks more than 638 loyalty programs and enables you to see expiration dates, earnings, reservations and more. If you go the spreadsheet route, dont forget to add a tab for any special spending requirements or perks so you remember to take advantage of them. I also like to create a tab for all my redemptions so I can see how much value Im getting from each card. When it comes to actually redeeming awards, flexibility is key. In todays ecosystem, transferable bank/credit card points are the most valuable this allows you to work with a variety of travel partners versus building up loyalty with only one airline or hotel chain. Flexibility also applies to the timing of your trip and the actual destination. Google Flights is my favorite free tool for finding the best deals. Not only can you compare rates across different travel dates, but you can also use its explore feature to price compare various destinations. Google Flights is Brian's favorite free tool for finding the best deals. Here, he is pictured with his son in Antelope Canyon, Utah Brian and Dean's travels have also taken them to the Maldives. 'Always be mindful of the people and places around you when traveling,' he advises Point.me is a similar paid tool thats become a go-to for me when looking for the best deals across destinations and dates. You'll also enjoy way more flexibility in your travel plans when booking with points and miles. For many airlines, booking with miles is like getting a refundable ticket because they usually let you cancel free of charge (or for a nominal fee) and get your miles back. This can come in especially handy in the event of unexpected delays I always use my points to book a backup flight if Im worried about delays and cancellations. At the very least, never hoard your points - they usually decline in value over time. Always use them for flights and hotels, and save your hard-earned cash for activities and experiences. Travel etiquette I know travel can sometimes be a stressful experience, but being kind especially to frontline travel employees goes such a long way. Its never productive to scream at anyone, and these agents may not even have access to the information they need to to solve your problem. And if you really arent having any luck with an agent on the phone, something I always do is hang up and call again. Its very possible that you could get a more experienced agent or someone who has more resources to resolve your issue. Overall, always be mindful of the people and places around you when traveling. This means not touching wildlife or cultural artifacts, not feeding animals and following 'leave no trace' principles. In terms of my absolute flying 'donts': putting your bare feet up on someones armrest, changing a babys diaper on a tray table or airline seat and eating stinky foods. How to Win at Travel by Brian Kelly is published by Avid Reader Press Netflix fans have been 'staying up to 3am' binge-watching a '10/10' revenge thriller, and are now calling for a second season. Pact Of Silence is a tense drama produced in Mexico which follows a social media influencer who was abandoned by her mother at birth. She became homeless as a child and was sexually abused, but remains determined to claw herself out of poverty. Starring Camila Valeor and Adrian Louvier, the internet star seeks revenge by infiltrating the lives of four women who might be her mum, and attempts to get to the bottom of why they did it. Deploying her manager Alex, she sets off on the mission, which also sees her confront the headmistress who allowed it all to unfold. Despite it first airing in 2023, the series has built up a new legion of fans who have been demanding a new season be commissioned. Netflix fans have been 'staying up to 3am' binge-watching '10/10' revenge thriller Pact Of Silence, and are now calling for a second season Pact Of Silence is a tense drama produced in Mexico and follows a social media influencer who was abandoned by her mother at birth Starring Camila Valeor and Adrian Louvier, the internet star seeks revenge by infiltrating the lives of four women who might be her mum Many have taken to social media to heap praise on the Netflix hit, encouraging other TV lovers to binge-watch the drama. One impressed fan said on X: 'Pact of silence on Netflix was so good omg from start to finish.' Another added: 'Pact of Silence on Netflix sooooooo good 10/10! I was up until 3am.' A third posted: 'pact of silence so good.' Another wrote: 'watching a series called Pact of Silence and its too good.' One viewer said: 'Pact of silence on Netflix is a 10/10.' A sixth added: 'Pact of silence - on Netflix was sooooo good.' Another enthralled fan posted: 'You people should watch pact of silence on Netflix.' Many viewers have taken to social media to heap praise on the Netflix hit, encouraging other TV lovers to binge-watch the drama And one wrote: 'Pact of silence had me up all night.' Once drama fans have finished with Pact Of Silence they can indulge in Oscar-winning film Manchester By The Sea, which was recently added to the streaming platform and has since reportedly stormed the charts. The movie delves into the story of Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck), who finds himself as the legal guardian of his orphaned teenage nephew. A synopsis describes Lee as a 'guilt-ridden loner' who has to grapple with the return to his hometown and deal with the 'haunting memories' that lay there. The drama was first released in 2016 and has since won several Oscars and BAFTAs, among other awards. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Manchester By The Sea has a whopping 96 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and many fans have taken to the review site to share their verdict. A legendary 70s TV looked unrecognizable as she was seen on a rare public outing this week. The former screen star - now 77 - retired from acting 25 years ago to pursue a career in media and filmmaking. She is best known for her fourth season role on an iconic TV series and was the face of the Charlie perfume. The star rose to fame as a teen model and was proclaimed one of the 'million-dollar faces' in the beauty industry. She made her film debut in 1977 Oscar-winning film, Annie Hall. So can you identify this mystery star? A legendary 70s TV looked unrecognizable as she was seen on a rare public outing this week - can you guess her identity? The former screen star - now 77 - retired from acting 25 years ago to pursue a career in media and filmmaking It's Shelley Hack! The former Charlie's Angels star turned film producer was seen on a rare public outing in Connecticut. Hack played Tiffany Welles on the hit show for one season from 1979-1980 - replacing show veteran Kate Jackson. Hack beat out stars including Michelle Pfeiffer and Barbara Bach for the role. She was later unceremoniously replaced on the show by Tanya Roberts after ABC released Hack from her contract in February 1980. Hack said in a statement: 'They can say I didn't work out, but it isn't true. What happened was a network war. A business decision was made. Change the timeslot or bring on some new publicity. How to get publicity? A new Angel hunt. Who is the obvious person to replace? I am the new kid on the block.' Hack shot to fame as a model and landed the cover of Glamour magazine while still a teenager. As well as Annie Hall, she starred in If Ever I See You Again in 1978. Her film credits also include Vanities (1981), Cathy Long in Martin Scorsese's The King of Comedy (1983), Troll (1986) and The Stepfather (1987). Hack starred on TV series Cutter to Houston (1983) and Jack and Mike (198687.) It's Shelley Hack! The former Charlie's Angels star turned film producer was seen on a rare public outing in Connecticut - pictured front in 1979 with Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd Hack played Tiffany Welles on the hit show for one season from 1979-1980 - replacing show veteran Kate Jackson - pictured front in 1979 with Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd, and David Doyle Hack was seen running errands amid her work as a filmmaker The star cut a casual figure as she stepped out Shelley unofficially retired from acting in 1997 and moved into media production Hack is pictured in 1980 with Bernie Kopell - she was one of the 1970s supermodels The star has been married to Harry Winer since 1990 and the pair share a daughter Devon (pictured 1996) Hack starred alongside Robert De Niro in 1982's The King of Comedy The star was a 70s supermodel before her rise to fame She stepped away from fulltime acting in 1997 and launched her own media conglomerate , the Shelley Hack Media Consultancy which focused on developing countries. She also spent two years working with the largest media conglomerate in Eastern Europe helping to develop and build the infrastructure for the largest state of the art film studio complex in the region. Hack earned a BA from Smith College and an MBA from NYIT. She became a voting registration and polling station supervisor in the 1997 elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina. She has been married to Harry Winer since 1990 and the couple share daughter Devon, 35. She and Winer now run Los Angeles based film production company Smash Media. Bhad Bhabie made a shocking confession that she was molested by two people in her life including a possible family member just a month after gunmen 'tried to break into her home'. The 22-year-old Internet personality - born Danielle Bregoli - made the shocking confession on Ari Fletcher's Dinner With The Don series in an episode released on YouTube on Thursday. The rapper revealed that she was molested by two different people as a child which led to 29-year-old television star Fletcher to embrace her for support. Bhabie said: 'I was molested by my mom's ex-boyfriend [censored] from 3 to 6, and then I was molested by my [censored] from 13 to 16. 'And then I had 30-year-old boyfriends when I was 16, 17, 18.' Presumably the names that she had said were censored out to protect the OnlyFans star and loved ones but 'my [censored]' certainly seems to point the finger at a family member. Bhad Bhabie made a shocking confession that she was molested by two people in her life including a possible family member just a month after gunmen 'tried to break into her home' The 22-year-old Internet personality - born Danielle Bregoli - made the shocking confession on Ari Fletcher's Dinner With The Don series in an episode released on YouTube on Thursday Fletcher asked if Bhabie had told anyone and the Internet personality said that she had and people believed her but nothing ever came of it as the 'feds ain't do s***.' Bhabie explained: 'Nobody ever goes to jail when it comes to me. I don't know they just never do. Both people that did something to me just didn't go to jail.' She said her mother Barbara Ann Bregoli broke up with her boyfriend after the molestation revelation but did not threaten him with violence. Bhabie first went viral at the age of 13 when she was a troubled child on the Dr. Phil show where she coined the term 'Cash me ousside, how bout dah.' She was brought on the show as her mother described her as a teen who stole cars and violent behavior as it led to her being put in a 'troubled teens' facility Turn-About Ranch in Utah. Fletcher asked Bhabie about the experience as she queried: 'Do you think shows like Dr. Phil really be helping?' Bhabie's sad revelation came as she talked about the experience which began: 'No, first of all, they sent me to a f***ing program. They put the wrong person on the plane. They needed to be putting my mama on the plane, not me... I was supposed to be there for 101 days, I was there for six months.' Fletcher had mentioned Bhabie previously revealing the trauma she endured at the facility as the Internet star has been open about the mistreatment of staff toward children including taking food away as punishment. The rapper revealed that she was molested by two different people as a child which led to 29-year-old television star Fletcher to embrace her for support Bhabie said: 'I was molested by my mom's ex-boyfriend [censored] from 3 to 6, and then I was molested by my [censored] from 13 to 16. And then I had 30-year-old boyfriends when I was 16, 17, 18' Presumably the names that she had said were censored out to protect the OnlyFans star and loved ones but 'my [censored]' certainly seems to point the finger at a family member; she is seen here with her mother Barbara Fletcher asked if Bhabie had told anyone and the Internet personality said that she had and people believed her but nothing ever came of it as the 'feds ain't do s***' Bhabie explained: 'Nobody ever goes to jail when it comes to me. I don't know they just never do. Both people that did something to me just didn't go to jail' She said her mother Barbara Ann Bregoli broke up with her boyfriend after the molestation revelation but did not threaten him with violence Bhabie first went viral at the age of 13 when she was a troubled child on the Dr. Phil show where she coined the term 'Cash me ousside, how bout dah' and was sent to a facility for 'troubled teens' Bhabie's sad revelation came as she talked about the experience which began: 'No, first of all, they sent me to a f***ing program. They put the wrong person on the plane. They needed to be putting my mama on the plane, not me... I was supposed to be there for 101 days, I was there for six months' Fletcher had mentioned Bhabie previously revealing the trauma she endured at the facility as the Internet star has been open about the mistreatment of staff toward children including taking food away as punishment Bhabie explained: 'Somebody died when I was there. One of the kids killed one of the staff members when I was there. ... They monitor your letters, so if you tell your parent what's going on there they'll not send your letter out... There was kids there getting molested.' Fletcher asked Bhabie had been molested at the facility to which she replied 'not there' but she was molested twice as a child. It has been a rather tumultuous time in the Internet celebrity's life as last month she called the police on three gunmen who allegedly attempted to break into her house Thursday, March 6 afternoon, it is claimed. Her baby daddy Le Vaughn is said to have arrived at the property mere minutes before the supposed incident - one day after he sustained a gunshot wound to the hand at a Los Angeles strip club. The suspects purportedly tried to breach Bhabie's side door, but had fled the scene by the time the police got there, law enforcement sources told TMZ. Insiders did not establish definitively whether Bhabie or Le Vaughn was the first person to catch sight of the alleged gunmen. Bhabie, 21, has had a tumultuous on-off relationship with Le Vaughn, 26, with whom she shares an 11-month-old daughter called Kali Love. Her representative confirmed Bhabie's home was visited by the authorities, but said they were there pursuing leads connected to the strip club shooting. Bhabies ex-boyfriend Le Vaughn is on the mend after a harrowing night at an L.A. strip club left him with a gunshot wound to the hand Le Vaughn was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and is expected to make a full recovery from his injury, according to TMZ. Sources told the outlet that a second individual was also shot during the violent altercation, suffering a non-life-threatening shoulder injury before receiving treatment at the hospital. Le Vaughn wasted no time updating fans, sharing a hospital bed selfie on Instagram where he flashed some hand signs, his bandaged hand front and center. Despite the chaos, he looked relaxedeven tossing in a few playful expressions to let everyone know hes doing just fine. Meanwhile, Bhad Bhabie has yet to address the chilling incident involving her childs fathershe's currently caught up in an ongoing feud with Travis Barkers daughter, Alabama. Le Vaughn was inside Sam's Hofbrau near downtown LA when he was shot in the early hours of Wednesday morning, DailyMail.com has confirmed. According to multiple sources, two groups of men got into an altercation while watching the dancers, with someone opening fire. The fracas spilled outside with more shots fired and two people struck by bullets, the LAPDsaid. Le Vaughn was hit in the hand with another person struck in the shoulders. The 26-year-old rapper, who split from the OnlyFans star last month , was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and is expected to make a full recovery, per TMZ An LAPD spokesman told DailyMail.com: 'On 3/5/25, at 2:04 a.m., two male victims were struck by gunfire in the 1700 block of E. Olympic Blvd. 'The male suspect fled the location in a vehicle. The victims were self-transported to a local hospital in stable condition' A suspect driving a white G-Wagon was approached by police but they drove onto the 10 freeway and managed to get away, per TMZ. Le Vaughn and another victim were treated at hospital for non life-threatening injuries and are set to make a full recovery. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Bhad Bhabie, the LAPD and Sam's Hofbrau for further comment. This comes after Bhad Bhabie, real name Danielle Bregoli, has been embroiled in drama after alleging Alabama Barker had been trying to steal Le Vaughn. Last month Bhad Bhabie shared a now-deleted Instagram story saying she is 'single' followed by another post reading: 'Like dead ass yall will never see me with that man ever again' per TMZ. A spokesman for the star said at the time: 'LV has been a strong source of support for Danni and their daughter throughout her cancer journey. Le Vaughn, 26, was at Sam's Hofbrau near downtown LA (pictured) when he was shot in the early hours of Wednesday morning 'Thats currently both their focuses, making sure Danni is healing and healthy.' The pair share Kali Love, who will turn one in March. They last rekindled their romance in December, after Bregolo accused him of beating her. The split comes after Barker, 19, denied she had hooked up with Le Vaughn and said she had 'no interest' in him. She said that it was Le Vaughn who has been contacting her and 'confessing his feelings' for her for nearly a year. Le Vaughn, 26, who shares a daughter with the rapper , 21, was inside Sam's Hofbrau near downtown LA when he was shot in the early hours of Wednesday morning, per TMZ Le Vaughn showed off his bandaged hand after the shooting in an Instagram clip The former couple share daughter Kali, who will turn one this month - picture with Bhad Bhabie's mom Barbara Bregoli (R) The split comes after Alabama Barker, 19, denied she had hooked up with Le Vaughn and said she had 'no interest' in him Bhad Bhabie also sensationally claimed Barker had got pregnant by Tyga, 35, which was also vehemently denied. In December, Bregoli revealed she was back with her babydaddy Le Vaughn, less than two weeks after ending their four-year relationship. She captioned her Instastory: 'Forever my baby.' She previously accused him of domestic violence last year. One person outraged about Bhad Bhabie rekindling her romance with the 26-year-old was her own mother, Barbara. 'This is what LV texted me last night letting me know he has control over her but we know it's trauma bonding,' she said via Instastory. Barbara previously called Le Vaughn a 'piece of s*** who beat my daughter, almost killing her, on more than one occasion' and she wrote: 'Imagine playing the victim in a situation you created.' In November, Bhad Bhabie gave her first health update since revealing her cancer diagnosis after sparking concern among her fans over her very thin and frail appearance. She admitted that she was 'not prepared' to speak about her health battle just yet, but shared that she was doing 'okay.' It was the first time she was seen out in public since informing fans that her sudden weight loss was due to her 'cancer medicine' on Instagram. Bregoli seemed to launch her Instagram Stories post in response to concerned comments fans have made about her significantly slimmed-down figure. 'I'm Sorry my cancer medicine made me loose weight. Im slowly gaining it back,' she wrote. 'So stop running w the worst narratives [sic].' Susan Sarandon kept her distance during a recent New York City outing, appearing to brush off an animal rights volunteer just months after claiming she was blacklisted in Hollywood over her pro-Palestine remarks. The 78-year-old Oscar winner was spotted briskly walking through the Big Apple on Friday when she came face-to-face with a fundraiser for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Rather than engage, Sarandon made a few animated gestures, leaving the volunteer looking uncertain. Dressed in a bold mix of pieces including a black embroidered leather jacket, red cardigan, and purple sneakers the Rocky Horror Picture Show icon briefly paused before confidently moving on. The sighting comes on the heels of Sarandons ongoing fallout with Hollywood. In November 2023, she was dropped by United Talent Agency after making incendiary comments at a pro-Palestine rally in New York. Susan Sarandon kept her distance during a recent New York City outing, appearing to brush off an animal rights volunteer just months after claiming she was blacklisted in Hollywood over her pro-Palestine remarks The 78-year-old Oscar winner was spotted briskly walking through the Big Apple on Friday when she came face-to-face with a fundraiser for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) During the event, she stated that Jewish people 'are getting a taste of what it feels like to be Muslim' amid the war with Hamas. Sarandon later accused the agency of 'sensationalizing' its decision to cut ties with her, claiming she had been effectively blacklisted for her views. The star claimed to Variety her former representatives had 'rushed' to a news site to make the announcement, saying: 'I dont know how Nancy Gates and Shani Rosenzweig, friends and representatives for 10 years, came to the decisions to drop me. 'Nancy informed me she was a Zionist as an explanation. Ive been politically active my entire life so for them to rush to Page Six at this particular time to make the announcement shows the intention of sensationalizing their decision. I believe everyone has a right to boycott. Its one of the few useful tools voiceless populations have. The unrepentant star added: 'I have lost work. I have lost friends and family, but I have also gained inspiration from those who care enough about humanity and believe enough in the possibility of a better world to raise their voices to stop genocide. 'Im grateful for my new empathic, brave friends and family. I abhor violence against any population. Just as large of a threat is the crushing of our First Amendment rights. That is what makes fascism possible. No one is free until all of us are free.' UTA - which is run by Jewish CEO Jeremy Zimmer - has never publicly stated why they axed Sarandon. Sarandon has been vocal in her support for Palestine, and present at several rallies calling for a ceasefire in Gaza since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Rather than engage, Sarandon made a few animated gestures, leaving the volunteer looking uncertain Dressed in a bold mix of pieces including a black embroidered leather jacket, red cardigan, and purple sneakers the Rocky Horror Picture Show icon briefly paused before confidently moving on She then apologized for her remarks, saying that she had not planned to speak at the rally, but had been invited to address the crowd, and had intended to 'highlight the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza'. In an interview with The Times Sarandon reflected on how the controversy led to the departure of her agent and how she is no longer able to star in mainstream studio films. She told the publication: 'I was dropped by my agency, my projects were pulled. I've been used as an example of what not to do if you want to continue to work. 'There are so many people out of work right now since November of last year who have lost their jobs as custodians, as writers, as painters, as people working in the cafeteria, substitute teachers who have been fired because they tweeted something, or liked a tweet, or asked for a ceasefire.' Asked if she would ever be offered a big film role again she replied: 'I don't know. Not anything in Hollywood.' Back in July 2024, Susan apologized for her remarks, saying her 'phrasing was a terrible mistake' while covering the latest issue of Elle Spain. She also reiterated her desire to end the 'genocide' in Gaza, saying she had long been motivated to stand against injustice. Covering the magazine, the actress explained that her position has a famous actress is a 'loudspeaker' allowing her to bring visibility to social issues. In November 2023 Oscar-winner Sarandon, 78, was axed by United Talent Agency, who had represented her for a decade - after she claimed Jewish people 'are getting a taste of what it feels like to be Muslim' amid the war with Hamas at a rally in New York City - pictured Accepting that by speaking out she has ensured her blacklisting by a large part of the industry, Susan insisted that everyone had to come together to stop Israelis and Palestinians dying, because 'no one deserves to die this way.' She said: 'Injustice has always hurt and angered me. I grew up in Washington in the 60s, with the Vietnam War hovering over that time and assassinations like Kennedy or Martin Luther King Jr. overshadowing our culture. Susan has previously protested for the visibility of AIDS, to end the war in Iraq and against gun violence, even being arrested. In June 2018, she was arrested during the Women Disobey protests for speaking out against Donald Trumps controversial migrant policy, which led to the separation of children from their parents. Her most recent arrest occurred on May 8, 2023, at the New York State Capitol in Albany. Sarandon was protesting for higher minimum wages for tipped restaurant workers as president of the advocacy group One Fair Wage. She was one of eight activists charged with disorderly conduct after blocking pedestrian traffic in the Capitol's lobby. Brandi Glanville was a guest on former nemesis Tori Spelling's misSPELLING podcast this week. While appearing on Thursday's episode, the 52-year-old former model who stepped out with Spelling, 51, earlier week confessed she hasn't had sex in two years. Glanville, who has been dealing with a facial deformity battle, said her abstinence is 'not by choice.' She admitted it's because, 'Ive lost my security in my looks. Im so insecure. I isolate in Calabasas. I dont leave my house.' The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member sadly added, 'I don't do a lot.' She went on to mention the new music video she released for her dance song Remedy, adding, 'I did shoot a music video [recently] and they touched up my face with their digitizing thing 'cause they were so nice.' Brandi Glanville was a guest on former nemesis Tori Spelling's misSPELLING podcast this week While appearing on Thursday's episode, the 52-year-old former model confessed she hasn't had sex in two years; pictured in 2022 On Wednesday Brandi shared the visual, joined by Australian pop artists RIP Youth and Beks. It premiered exclusively on DailyMail.com, and features the former reality TV driving a red convertible through Los Angeles. Speaking to DailyMail, she opened up about making the tune with real-life bestie Youth, who was born James Maas. 'It was such a great opportunity, but the past two years have been tough,' she said. 'I was kind of isolating and James knew that. He was like, "You have to do this," and I wanted to do it for him.' For the last two years, the Traitors star has been battling a mysterious skin condition that has left her visage disfigured. She was hospitalized in 2023 for stress-induced angioedema, a condition when deep layers of skin swell up after becoming engorged with fluid. Glanville has since suffered from symptoms of swelling, 'painful lumps,' and a 'constant oily foul-tasting drainage' in her mouth. Her misSPELLING appearance comes weeks after the mother-of-two gave a health update online, revealing that the drainage is 'acidic.' Glanville says she's spent over $70,000 trying to figure out what has caused her facial disfigurement In mid-December, Brandi shocked fans when she posted of her face, claiming that her recent facial disfigurement may be caused by a 'parasite' In March, she revealed in a tweet that she's been 'f*****g miserable' and that her 'face is worse than ever,' adding that it's 'literally melting away.' Weeks before that, in January, Botched plastic surgeon Terry DuBrow took 'four tiny biopsies' from Brandi's face and neck after steroids, antibiotics, and antiviral medication failed to help her. She said she's spent over $70,000 trying to figure out what has caused the shocking deformity. Katherine Ryan reportedly left no celebrity safe as she took savage swipes at the rich and famous during the London stop of her Battleaxe tour on Thursday The comedian, 41, is said to have slammed everyone from disgraced rapper Sean 'P Diddy' Combs, 55, to Maura Higgins, 34, Prince Andrew, 65, and 'very stupid' Tommy Fury, 25. Speaking about the music mogul, who is awaiting trial accused of sex trafficking and sexual assault, Katherine quipped to the Palladium audience: 'Who knew P stood for paedo? He was hiding in plain sight all this time.' According to The Sun she also turned her attention to Love Island's Maura, following her 'drunken kiss' with married McFly star Danny Jones, 39, at the BRITs. The funny woman said she didn't blame Maura for the scandal and branded her 'irresistible', joking: 'I'd like to see Maura on Celebrity Traitors. Just Maura and married celebrity men'. Then the beleaguered Andrew was in the firing line, amid reports the Jeffrey Epstein files threaten to heap 'further embarrassment' on the Duke, laughed: 'Taylor Swift has been responsible for more sobbing teenagers than Prince Andrew.' Katherine Ryan , 41, reportedly left no celebrity safe as she took savage swipes at the rich and famous during the London stop of her Battleaxe tour on Thursday (stock image) The comedian, 41, is said to have slammed everyone from disgraced rapper Sean 'P Diddy ' Combs (pictured) to Maura Higgins, Prince Andrew and 'very stupid' Tommy Fury Finally also slammed 'walking f***ing haircut' Tommy Fury as she discussed his recent reunion with girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague, following rumours of infidelity. In her savage put down she branded him a 'liability' and 'very stupid' as she mocked the boxer's decision to 'get punched in the head professionally'. It comes after Katherine revealed she was left stunned after being slapped with a 6,000 bill this week for a simple blood test to support her post-cancer care. She detailed the shocking incident on Sunday as she gave an update on her health following her recent diagnosis of early-stage melanoma, a type of skin cancer, for the second time. Last week, she had the cancerous mole and surrounding tissue removed. The mother-of-three said: 'I have been just handling all the follow-up for the melanoma. 'Waiting for the histology was really peaceful because I knew after the second removal, everything from that area would be gone. And it was confirmed as gone.' Katherine had an appointment this week at the Cadogan Clinic in Chelsea, where she was told that while she's in the clear, she does have a benign haemangioma in her liver - 'something that 20 percent of people have from birth, and they're not worried about it'. she also turned her attention to 'irresistible' Maura, following her 'drunken kiss' with married McFly star Danny Jones , 39, at the BRITs Speaking about the music mogul, who is awaiting trial accused of sex trafficking and sexual assault, she said: 'Who knew P stood for paedo? He was hiding in plain sight all this time' Then Prince Andrew was in the firing line:' Taylor Swift has been responsible for more sobbing teenagers than Prince Andrew' Finally also slammed 'walking f***ing haircut' Tommy Fury as she discussed his recent reunion with girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague, following rumours of infidelity In her savage put down she branded him a 'liability' and 'very stupid' as she mocked the boxer's decision to 'get punched in the head professionally' (pictured leaving the show) Katherine said she doesn't need any further treatment at the moment, but the oncologist offered her an in vitro genetics test to help detect any other potential health issues. She agreed to it and arranged to have it done at her home in London, where she lives with her three children and husband Bobby Kootstra. Sharing details of the visit on the latest episode of her podcast, Telling Everybody Everything, she said: 'This company was so amazing and really attentive right away. 'I got an email right after my meeting with the oncologist from the patient coordinator who was like, we are going to do this DNA test, we just have to take some of your blood and we're gonna send someone to your house to get it. I was like, perfect! 'The guy shows up - an absolute hunk. A very well-dressed, young, Selling Sunset type,' she says, referring to the attractive cast of the US reality series. 'It was a great experience. The phlebotomist took my blood quickly and everyone looked after me very well.' However, events soon took a turn. 'They leave, and then seconds later into my inbox, I get the bill. Six grand! 'Six thousand pounds for the blood test. I thought, oh god, I knew that Selling Sunset hunk was too premium.' 'I showed Bobby and that was my biggest mistake. He was like, 'What?! A blood test!?' And I was like, you know what though Bobby, if it saves your life, then that's very little. It comes after Katherine revealed she was left stunned after being slapped with a 6,000 bill this week for a simple blood test to support her post-cancer care She detailed the shocking incident on Sunday as she gave an update on her health following her recent diagnosis of early-stage melanoma, a type of skin cancer , for the second time 'I just think you can't be too careful with this stuff. I'm very lucky to have access to this kind of thing.' The Canadian-born star is yet to find out the results of her 6,000 test. 'My understanding is it can test tumours and it can test your blood and it can test your DNA for exactly what type of cancer you may have, or what type of cancer gene,' she explained. 'Like, I may have a melanoma gene. I don't know what they can do with that information - I think there are some medications to turn that gene off - but they do in vitro testing on your specific DNA. 'So they take your DNA and put it in glass and they use a variety of treatments on the specific genome that you have, and it will show what works best for you. 'Just to be clear, I don't need any other treatments at the minute. We're just doing investigative preventative stuff. It's a little trial and error before they land on the thing that works for you or for that specific type of cancer that you're dealing with.' Katherine added that despite the eye-watering price tag that came with her private test, she was glad she did it. 'If you are undergoing any type of cancer investigations or treatments and you are doing that through the NHS, I think ask your NHS doctor if they do in vitro genetic testing to see what type of treatment is right for you.' Advertisement Samuel Johnson has revealed the real reason behind his recent shock career change. The Secret Life Of Us star, 47, revealed in 2024 that he had taken on the role of part-time postman in the small, rural Victorian town of Tallarook. Speaking to News Corp, Samuel said that he had a 'very specific reason' for the career switch. 'I call it going backwards to go forwards,' he said. 'I look back to what I liked before beer, bongs and boobs before the chaos of adulthood and before my sister Connie got sick with a childhood cancer at 11.' He added that he looked back to his youth when he had a paper round that saw him earn 'more than $100 a week.' Samuel Johnson has revealed the real reason behind his recent shock career change That is when inspiration struck, with Samuel revealing the gig was a perfect deterrent from staying up too late. 'So part of my self-care these days is re-instituting what I liked as a boy, and it is another measure I have put in place to ensure I dont stay up too late the night before,' he said. Samuel, a self-admitted night owl, also revealed that delivering the mail three times per week had helped him to appreciate mornings. 'I was never a morning person,' he said. 'Now when the sun comes up, I am riding through the suggestion of the day and getting some much-needed private time because it is a very public role I play. Each day is a gift.' Samuel made the surprising change in July last year. Sharing the announcement on the Instagram account of his cancer charity Love Your Sister, Samuel said the life of a postman was one that he had always wanted to live. 'I've wanted to be a postie forever and this is my chance,' he wrote. The Secret Life Of Us star, 47, revealed in 2024 that he had taken on the role of part-time postman in the rural Victorian town of Tallarook 'I call it going backwards to go forwards,' he said. 'I look back to what I liked before beer, bongs and boobs before the chaos of adulthood and before my sister Connie got sick with a childhood cancer at 11' 'It really is the perfect part-time gig for me.' Samuel took on the three-days-per-week job in the small central Victorian town of Tallarook, which has a population of 925, and is required, rain hail or shine, to deliver mail across three streets. 'In Tallarook, the mail is delivered in the early morning on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Its only three streets, three mornings a week, but its a 32km round trip,' Samuel explained in his post. Samuel confessed that despite already nabbing the job, there was one small hurdle still standing in his way. 'Much of it is off-road too. I have to ride a rail trail there, for example, and most all of the mail boxes are along dirt driveways,' he added. 'The surfaces are not too chunky or anything, but Im looking for a sturdy bike. 'Im also not looking for a mountain bike. I already unicycled around the country and Im a little older now, so Im chasing a sturdy electric bike.' In 2014, Samuel unicycled around Australia raising $1.4million for breast cancer research. He added that he looked back to his youth when he had a paper round that saw him earn 'more than $100 a week' 'So part of my self-care these days is reinstituting what I liked as a boy, and it is another measure I have put in place to ensure I dont stay up too late the night before,' he said Samuel's older sister Connie [pictured] passed away in 2017, after battling cancer, and the Love Your Sister charity was established in her honour Samuel's older sister Connie passed away in 2017, after battling the disease and the Love Your Sister charity was established in her honour. Speaking about his sister's death in 2018, Samuel opened up about the grief he still felt at losing his beloved sibling. 'I can't just bounce back from burying her and push forward blindly,' an emotional Samuel told 9Honey. Samuel received his Most Popular Personality Gold Logie in 2017 for his portrayal of Aussie music guru Ian 'Molly' Meldrum in the Channel Seven miniseries Molly. He is best known for his role as Evan Wylde in the television series The Secret Life of Us and appeared on the show from 2001-2004. Emmerdale legend Danny Miller has announced he and wife Steph Jones are expecting their third child. The actor, 34, who plays Aaron Dingle in the ITV soap, took to Instagram with the news a sweet family snap with three-year-old son Albert and two-year-old daughter Edith. Later Steph took her Stories and proudly displayed her blossoming bump as she posed in a black bodysuit gushing how excited she was to 'become a mum again soon'. In his announcement Danny wrote: 'Three is the magic number'. His Emmerdale co-stars and famous friends rushed to send their congratulations with Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, gushing: 'So much love'. While Laura Norton, who plays Kerry Wyatt, posted a slew of love heart emojis, elsewhere Lucy Jo Hudson said: 'Mate congratulations'. Emmerdale legend Danny Miller, 34, has announced he and wife Steph Jones are expecting their third child (pictured 2024) Steph took her Stories and proudly displayed her blossoming bump as she posed in a black bodysuit gushing how excited she was to 'become a mum again soon' Georgia May Foote said: 'Congratulations!!': and This Is England's Thomas Turgoose wrote: Get in. 'You absolute mad man. dad life is gonna be mad life'. Earlier this year Danny awkwardly sulked after losing during an appearance on Celebrity MasterMind. The actor joined fellow stars Josie d'Arby, Elizabeth Rizzini and Qasa Alom on the iconic BBC quiz show. Danny took to the chair in a bid to raise money for his chosen charity, Once Upon a Smile, which helps people with bereavement support. The soap star had 1.5 minutes to answer questions on his specialist subject - the life and works of writer and playwright, Julia Donaldson. During his appearance he also had two minutes to answer as many general knowledge questions as possible. Danny managed to score seven in the specialist round, and three in the general knowledge. At the end of the episode, it was revealed that Danny was awarded 10 points, followed by Josie with 16 points. The actor, who plays Aaron Dingle in the ITV soap, took to Instagram with a sweet family snap alongside three-year-old son Albert and two-year-old daughter Edith (pictured 2024) Co-stars and famous friends were quick to share their congratulations Qasa was awarded 18 and Elizabeth was crowned winner of the show with an incredible 23 points. Danny looked very awkward with his hands crossed as he watched on. And those watching at home caught on. One pointed out on X, formerly known as Twitter: '#celebritymastermind The guy from Emmerdale. Sulking. Pathetic'; '#dannymiller couldn't look more bored if he tried. #celebritymastermind is supposed to be fun.' 'Danny Miiller - such a good sport. Not. #dannymiller #celebritymastermind,' a third chimed in'; '#celebritymastermind How p**sed off was that Danny Miller bloke!!!'; Earlier this year Danny awkwardly sulked after losing during an appearance on Celebrity MasterMind. Pictured as his alter ego Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale 'Dannys not bovvvvered#CelebrityMastermind,' while another asked: 'Could Danny be less interested?' Danny is best known for playing his alter-ego Aaron on the ITV soap. He took on the role in 2008 and played the mechanic until 2012. The star rejoined the show in 2014 and has been on it ever since. During his time away from the Dales, he starred in Lightfields, Scott & Bailey and Jamaica Inn. Danny also appeared on the 21st series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here in 2021 and won the show. A Perth based influencer has hit out at a local discount store, accusing staff of racially profiling her. Fallon Gregory, a proud Kija/Bardi and Nyul-Nyul woman, took to Instagram on Saturday to blast the store to her 26,000 followers. Sharing an image of the store, Fallon claimed in the post that she was accused of stealing when she visited the premises with a friend. She claims she was accused of attempting to steal a packet of cleaning sponges. 'Great end to the week, getting racially profiled...over a three pack of Scrub Daddy's on the way home. Continuing, Fallon said that her experience was evidence that Australia is a two-tiered society. Perth-based influencer Fallon Gregory, a proud Kija/Bardi and Nyul-Nyul woman, has accused staff at a local discount store of racially profiling her 'If anyone wanna shop there, by all means do so, but. if you're mob you know we get a separate set of rules in life and they're applied here.' Rounding out the post, Fallon said that she was shocked by the alleged accusations. 'A member of a legal team and a Trinity student,' she wrote. 'What in some lil busted $5 and under store would we be [sic] need to steal?' The outspoken influencer recently told Australians why they should not be posting images featuring Australia Day celebrations to social media. 'It shows support and lack of sensitivity,' she told news.com.au. The mother-of-two said Aussies could show their support for Aboriginal people by instead sharing information on social media about why people shouldn't celebrate Australia Day on that date, and by attending invasion day rallies. 'If you're wanting to show true pressure and support then showing up [at marches] to provide numbers, posting and going live from the marches and rallies is key,' she said. 'Great end to the week, getting racially profiled...over a three pack of Scrub Daddy's on the way home,' she shared to her. 26,000 followers 'If anyone wanna shop there, by all means do so, but. if you're mob you know we get a separate set of rules in life and they're applied here' Fallon has long been advocating changing the date to create a national day that can be inclusive of all Australians. The movement has gained momentum in recent years, with thousands of protesters hitting the streets across the country on January 26 - renamed 'Invasion Day' by advocates - in support of the calendar shift. Fallon said she is passionate about educating Australians about how to be mindful and respectful about Aboriginal culture - but it is 'tiring'. 'Ive always spoken about my experiences as an Indigenous woman and the good and bad that comes with that,' she told STM. 'I knew I had this voice, and a following, and I needed to use that to bring attention and awareness to these kinds of matters.' '(But) personally, its very tiring to continuously, every year, have to come out and educate people on why we shouldnt be celebrating Australia Day.' The activist and influencer said she has been told be some people to 'be grateful' or 'get over it'. 'Its very invalidating of our position and our voices, and our experience with colonisation, to say things like that,' she said 'To celebrate a day that isnt inclusive of all Australians and call it Australia Day, is morally incorrect.' Australia Day, held on the date British Royal Navy vessels raised a Union Jack at Sydney Cove, called Warrane by the Aboriginal people who fished and lived there, remains divisive among young and older generations. Entourage star Adrian Grenier and his wife Jordan Roemmele have welcomed their second child via home birth. The actor's, 48, wife gave birth to their second son, named Evren Saint-Eros Grenier, on March 22 in their Texas home, with the pair sharing a first look at their bundle of joy via Instagram on Friday. 'On March 22nd we welcomed our sweet son, Evren Saint-Eros, into our family. His birth was in the sanctuary of our home,' Adrian wrote in the caption. 'It was intimate with just mom and dad, as his brother slept soundly in the next room. Already he has shown to be a gentle teacher and a powerful peacemaker. We are so excited for this new chapter as a family of four, and to share the news now with you!' The pair also share older son Seiko Aurelius, born in 2023. The latest family photo showed Adrian holding Seiko, while Jordan held their newborn. Entourage star Adrian Grenier, 48, and his wife Jordan Roemmele have welcomed their second child via home birth The actor's wife gave birth to their second son, named Evren Saint-Eros Grenier, on March 22 in their Texas home, with the pair sharing a first look at their son via Instagram on Friday Their fans were thrilled, with one writing, 'Spectacular news! Sending all my love and blessings.' 'So happy for you Adrian. You definitely found "home,"' another added. 'It was a very special experience. My wife was absolutely incredible. She had such composure and strength. Our son was born in a very easeful and peaceful and loving environment,' Adrian told People. Adrian believes the circumstances of Evren's birth will shape his personality. 'I can't help but think that Evren is a peacemaker. Like I think he's maybe the one who called this in, [like] "this is the kind of experience I want to have coming into this world."' Grenier said that after a few hours of labor, their baby boy was born with only him and his wife present. The midwife arrived later, while Seiko slept in another room. 'He has so many kisses for his younger brother,' he said of Seiko's reaction. 'Hes a little bit rough because hes like excited. But he just wants to cuddle him and get him kisses, and hes going to be an amazing older brother.' 'His birth was in the sanctuary of our home,' he wrote in the caption. 'It was intimate with just mom and dad, as his brother slept soundly in the next room' Adrian believes the circumstances of Evren's birth will shape his personality. 'I can't help but think that Evren is a peacemaker. Like I think he's maybe the one who called this in, [like] "this is the kind of experience I want to have coming into this world,"' he told People The pair who got married in 2022 share older son Seiko Aurelius, born in 2023 They have been living full-time on a Texas farm since 2020 Grenier stated that he and his wife plan to keep their circle small for their newborn's first 40 days, with only Roemmele's sister joining them, in order for Evren to 'adjust from the psychic world to this earthly plane.' 'People come in, they may mean well, they may be sweet, and they may say all the right things and, "Oh how cute," but on a psychic level, they're bringing in their stuff. So we want to protect Evren.' Grenier and Jordon have been linked since 2017. The pair got married in 2022, and welcomed Seiko a year later. They have been living full-time on a Texas farm since 2020. New York City native Grenier made the move to 'live more aligned with my core values' which include 'earth, environment, nature, community and family.' Part of it includes not buying any plastic toys as well as using hand-me-down clothing from their first son and products from eco-friendly brands. 'Id rather them be in the soil and playing in the dirt with a stick than some plastic item,' Grenier said of his kids. He added that he wants his children to learn his values through his actions, not his words. The actor shared that he spends a lot of him time working the land and learning more about farming. The pair announced they were expecting their second child last November. New York City native Grenier made the move to Texas to 'live more aligned with my core values' which include 'earth, environment, nature, community and family'; seen in 2021 in NYC Grenier is most known for his lead role as Vincent Chase in the HBO original series Entourage (20042011) and the subsequent movie of the same name (2015); (L-R) Kevin Dillon, Grenier, Kevin Connolly, and Jerry Ferrara seen in a still from Entourage They shared that they wanted the gender to be a 'surprise' in the hashtags of their joint Instagram post. June 18 marked the married couple's second wedding anniversary and they reportedly 'have a long history' despite never being pictured together until 2017. The Grenier Ranch features three ponds and 1,500 feet of Colorado River-front where they've been raising goats, llamas, donkeys, and chickens. 'I don't miss anything about [city life]. Listen, if you go on Instagram long enough, you're going to find some FOMO somewhere, but everyone is just pretending they're living their best life,' the three-time SAG Award nominee told Austin Lifestyle in 2021. Grenier's last film role was in the 2022 movie Cipher, where he starred as John. Grenier is most known for his lead role as Vincent Chase in the HBO original series Entourage (20042011) and the subsequent movie of the same name (2015). Christina Haacks red-hot romance with telecom CEO Christopher Larocca is showing no signs of cooling down. Just days after DailyMail published steamy photos of the couple getting handsy at a hotel bar in Mexico, the HGTV star, 41, turned up the heat once againsharing a sultry elevator selfie with Larocca, 52, during a night out. The blonde bombshell flaunted her toned legs in a barely-there miniskirt, flashing her signature megawatt smile as she cozied up to Larocca. Showing off his bulging biceps in a fitted black tee, the CEO kept a possessive arm wrapped around her waist. The sexy snap hit Instagram Stories comes after their PDA-packed beachside bar moment went viral. In the photos, Haack was seen draped across her new man as he perched behind her on a barstoolreaching around to grope her breasts as she sported a tiny Louis Vuitton bikini. Christina Haack s red-hot romance with telecom CEO Christopher Larocca is showing no signs of cooling down Her post comes after DailyMail.com shared exclusive photos of the lovebirds getting frisky at a hotel bar in Mexico, taken on Tuesday (seen above) The Flip or Flop alum didnt hold back, eitherseen draping herself over Larocca, resting her hands on his belly and lap as the two packed on the PDA in full view of other guests. The couples chemistry has been burning bright since they quietly began dating last year following Haacks split from third husband Josh Hall in July 2024. Earlier this week, the reality star got candid in a vulnerable post about her relationship struggles, revealing she has an 'anxious-attachment style' and has done 'shadow work' to address insecurities and codependency. 'Meeting an unexpected good man who has his own amazing career, life & hobbies (who also happens to have zero jealousy) can at times feel strange for someone who has had the opposite,' she wrote. She continued, 'At 41 Im finally learning about safe communication, independence during commitment and a relationship that is NOT 0-100. 'I am for sure guilty of putting pressure on others. Facing my own insecurities has forced me into doing the shadow work Ive been avoiding.. its time to break the cycle.' The blonde bombshell shot to fame alongside ex-husband Tarek El Moussa on Flip or Flop, with whom she shares two kids: Taylor, 12, and Brayden, 9. Their high-profile marriage imploded in 2016 after a blowout fight that led to a police call involving a 'possibly suicidal male with a gun.' The couples chemistry has been burning bright since they quietly began dating last year following Haacks split from third husband Josh Hall in July 2024 year following Haacks split from third husband Josh Hall in July 2024. Earlier this week, the reality star got candid in a vulnerable post about her relationship struggles, revealing she has an 'anxious-attachment style' and has done 'shadow work' to address insecurities and codependency No charges were filed, and the couple called it an 'unfortunate misunderstanding.' Haack moved on quickly, marrying British TV host Ant Anstead in 2018 and welcoming son Hudson in 2019only to split a year later. Anstead later wrote that their breakup 'wasnt his decision.' In another whirlwind romance, Haack wed realtor Hall in 2022, but he filed for divorce in summer 2024. Now, with Larocca, Haack seems to have found her groove againjet-setting around the world, sipping champagne on private flights, and sharing a romantic kiss beneath the Eiffel Tower. And while she's hinted she wasnt eager to remarry, shes already joked about another name change. 'I kind of like it I'm going to change it again,' she quipped during an appearance on SiriusXMs Radio Andy. Michelle Pfeiffer dropped in on social media ahead of the weekend to share a bare-faced photo. The 66-year-old actress who is working on a new show with Elle Fanning marked National Pet Day, uploading a photo with two of her beloved animals. Engaging her audience of 3.4 million, she captioned the post, 'Happy #NationalPetDay! So grateful for my furriest besties.' A small white dog and a gray and white cat sat cozily inside carriers that were set on a beige couch while Pfeiffer's makeup-free visage was in the bottom left corner of the image. Her fans took to the comments to praise her youthful glow, leaving heart emoji and notes like, 'You're so gorgeous.' Someone else added, 'You're so pretty,' while another referenced her iconic turn as Selina Kyle in 1992's Batman Returns. Michelle Pfeiffer dropped in on social media ahead of the weekend to share a bare-faced photo; pictured in 2023 'Most beautiful catwoman. Meow,' the social media user wrote, along with paw, fire, and heart eye emoji. A person with the username @pequeno.alves simply said that the longtime entertainer is a 'beautiful girl.' The star's fans from overseas were also active in the online post, with someone writing, 'You look so beautiful! Such an amazing actress! Greetings from Italy!' And Kathy Hilton expressed admiration with a string of heart-eye emoji. Earlier this week Michelle wished co-star Elle a happy 27th birthday with an Instagram tribute. She shared a single close-up snapshot of them smiling cheek-to-cheek. The caption read, 'Happy Birthday, Elfie,' to which Fanning replied in the comments, 'Love you.' The two play a mother-daughter duo on the forthcoming AppleTV+ series Margo's Got Money Troubles. The 66-year-old actress marked National Pet Day, uploading a photo with two of her beloved animals Her fans took to the comments to praise her youthful glow, leaving heart emoji and notes like, 'You're so gorgeous' Someone else added, 'You're so pretty' Another person referenced her iconic turn as Selina Kyle in 1992's Batman Returns A person with the username @pequeno.alves simply said that the longtime entertainer is a 'beautiful girl' The star's fans from overseas were also active in the online post, with someone writing, 'You look so beautiful! Such an amazing actress! Greetings from Italy' Kathy Hilton expressed admiration with a string of heart-eye emoji Michelle has been married to writer and producer David E. Kelley, 69, for 31 years; pictured in April 2024 Michelle has been married to writer and producer David E. Kelley, 69, for 31 years and they're working together on the project. The show is based on Rufi Thorpe's novel of the same name. David created the eight-part show with A24. Pfeiffer, Fanning and Nicole Kidman (who also has an acting role in the show) are executive producing, per Deadline. Fanning portrays Margo Millet, the daughter of a Hooters waitress, played Pfeiffer, and a former professional wrestler, played by Nick Offerman. Margo falls pregnant after a fleeting affair with an English professor who teaches at her junior college. As an unemployed single mother, she turns to the subscription-based website OnlyFans to make a living. Advertisement Kyle Sandilands has admitted it was his 'fault' The Kyle & Jackie O Show failed to take off in Melbourne when it debuted in the city last year. The radio shock jock, 53, who addressed locals at St Kilda Beach on Friday during the KIIS FM $5million giveaway, confessed he may have come on too strong when he entered the Victorian market, reported Herald Sun. Almost one year later, and the popular Sydney show only has a 5.1 per cent share of the breakfast radio market in Melbourne, with Kyle forced to tone down on the graphic content to nab more listeners this year. 'We probably did [go too far] and it is probably my fault because when we went into Melbourne, management were like, "Let's just take baby steps," and I was like, "No,"' he said. 'Jackie had come back from rehab, smoking ciggies and wearing leather trousers, and the handbrake was not there and I pushed the envelope a bit.' He went on to say: 'We work pretty well with the management and when they did ask to speak about the content I said, "Okay, you know what, you are probably right, we will just pull back a bit."' Kyle Sandilands, 53, has admitted it was his 'fault' The Kyle & Jackie O Show failed to take off in Melbourne when it debuted in the city last year It would seem the decision to scale back on the X-rated content to appeal to the Melbourne has worked somewhat as Kyle and co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson achieved a small win in the first survey of 2025 last month. Their KIIS FM program managed to earn a 0.1 per cent increase in the Melbourne market share as they continue their ratings war against ex-KIIS FM stars Jason 'Jase' Hawkins and Lauren Phillips. Jase, 42, and Lauren originally held down the Melbourne breakfast fort for KIIS FM, but were axed by the network to make way for The Kyle & Jackie O Show's million dollar expansion into the city. 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, 50, have struggled to make good on that promise over the past yearthough 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 & 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 hopped up to a 5.1 per cent share, slowly closing the gap between the radio rivals. Last year, Kyle and Jackie took their radio show to Melbourne in a huge multimillion-dollar expansion deal. The radio shock jock, who addressed locals at St Kilda Beach on Friday during the KIIS FM $5million giveaway, confessed he may have come on too strong when he entered the Victorian market, reported Herald Sun. Pictured with Jackie 'O' Henderson The move triggered the axing of Jase and Lauren's own KIIS FM breakfast show, which Kyle said he was indifferent about. 'No, 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 help regain listeners. However, Jackie took a different approach, adding that while she didn't like competitors being axed it was the unfortunate reality of the business. 'No one ever wants to move someone out of a job. I wouldn't want that to happen to me. It's a double edged sword, it really is,' she said. But Kyle and Jackie struggled to capture the Melbourne market, despite continuing to dominate FM Breakfast in Sydney. In November, Kyle vowed to reduce the graphic sexual content on his KIIS FM radio show this year to appeal to the Melbourne audience more broadly. Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith has taken a swipe at women, claiming 'they seem to think of nothing but themselves'. The TV presenter, 85, known for her elaborate outfits on TV, admitted that she is 'irritated' by their 'endless self-absorption' as she described today's female culture as 'constant me, me, me'. In an interview with the Sun, she slammed women for overly 'pampering' themselves with massage places, wellness centres and foot clinics. She revealed that during a recent trip to Western Australia, she was left with a bad taste in her mouth over the amount of stores designed for 'maintaining the mind, body and soul.' 'I'm not saying we shouldn't have these things, but so many women seem to think of nothing but themselves,' she confessed to the publication. There has been a boom in female self-care in Western cultures as a 2024 YouGov survey found that 85 percent of British women engage in self-care activities. Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith has taken a swipe at women, claiming 'they seem to think of nothing but themselves' The TV presenter, known for her elaborate outfits on TV, admitted that she is 'irritated' by their 'endless self-absorption' as she described today's female culture as 'constant me, me, me' (pictured in 1969) Around 61 per cent of women said it improves their mental and emotional well-being, while half say it helps to manage stress. Prue also made the conclusion that she thinks 'feminism is confusing for boys'. She admitted: 'While feminism has been brilliant for girls and women, I do feel that it's had quite an unsettling effect on young men who don't know what their roles are in life and don't know what to think.' 'Many aren't toxic but they just feel ineffectual, but undeniably some are toxic the ones who look upon Andrew Tate as a role model.' Andrew Tate is often seen as an online symbol of toxic masculinity who influences misogynistic views that undermine gender equality and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women. She explained that a confident woman triggers one of two reactions among young men and boys. Prue claimed that they are either 'cowed and intimidated' or 'hate them' and admitted that she thinks this is also linked to people caring too much about themselves. The food expert then slammed the younger generation for who they idolize and confessed that she doesn't think they 'have the confidence and resilience earlier generations had'. In an interview with the Sun, she slammed women for overly 'pampering' themselves with massage places, wellness centres and foot clinics She partly blamed social media for what she perceives as a shift in behaviours and argued that many people are 'miserable' behind the screen. Prue is a mother and grandmother to daughter Li-da's two young children, Joseph, five, and Daisy, three, and son Danny's three kids, Ben, 14, Charlie, 12, and nine-year-old Sophie. During her glitzy career on TV, Prue has built a reputation for stepping out in very glamourous outfits that make a statement. She has also been seen walking catwalks for some very luxury brands over the years, as just months ago, the culinary expert appeared on the catwalk at the Vin + Omi show at London Fashion Week. But this wasn't Prue's first foray into fashion with Vin + Omi, as last year she was 'sexed up' in a figure-hugging black latex dress. She welcomed her second child, Peony, just four months ago with her fiance, Oliver Piotrowski. And on Wednesday, Jorgie Porter, 37, showed off her incredible figure in a stylish white asymmetrical ruffled bikini during a family holiday in Spain. The Hollyoaks star, who gave birth to her second child, Peony Jorgie, in December 2024, decided to make the most of the Easter break with a family trip to Spain. Jorgie, her fiance Oliver, and their family - including their two-year-old son, Forest -have taken some much-needed relaxation time away from their Greater Manchester home. Revelling in the Spanish sunshine, Jorgie flaunted her light golden tan as she strutted around her villa pool, running a hand through her bleach blonde bob. Taking a moment to bask in the gorgeous weather, Jorgie tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the light spring breeze on her skin. Jorgie Porter showed off her incredible figure in a white bikini as she soaked up the sun on a Spanish getaway, four months after giving birth to her second child The actress stunned in a frilly two-piece as she headed to the pool for a spot of sunbathing Dipping a toe into the water, she decided it was a little too cold for a swim and lounged by the pool instead, posing up a storm for the camera. Striking a pose in the white two-piece, the actress leaned back and showed off her jaw-dropping figure and toned legs. For her day by the pool, the beauty opted for a subtle, natural makeup look and styled her blonde bob straight. In December, Jorgie confirmed the birth of her second child with fiance Oliver, seven months after announcing her pregnancy. The actress - who played Theresa McQueen on the soap from 2008 until 2016 - shared the joyful news with a sweet Instagram post. Posting a photo of her newborn's tiny hand, Jorgie captioned the image with a heartfelt tribute to her nurse, writing: 'Shes here ..! We are complete. 'Thank you to everyone at Wigan hospital Especially @sandi_goulding who is our everything... couldnt of asked for a better day.' Former Hollyoaks castmates and other celebrity pals were quick to send their congratulations to Jorgie and Oliver. The former Hollyoaks star, who gave birth to her second child, Peony Jorgie, in December 2024, decided to make the most of the Easter half-term with a family trip to Spain Jorgie, her fiance Oliver, and their family - including their two-year-old son, Forest -have taken some much-needed relaxation time away from their Greater Manchester home Taking a moment to bask in the gorgeous weather, Jorgie tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the light spring breeze on her skin Dipping a toe into the water, she decided it was a little too cold for a swim and lounged by the pool instead, posing up a storm for the camera 'Love ,' said soap star Jennifer Metcalfe, while TOWIE's Ferne McCann commented: 'Congrats babe .' Lizzie Cundy said: 'Wow !! This is the best news ever! So happy for you all ! .' Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley added: 'Congratulations my loves xxxx,' while her co-star Hayley Tamaddon said: 'Congratulations [love heart eyes].' Following on from her tribute in the post, nurse Sandi replied: 'She's amazing and you guy's are amazing, best day getting to be with you all and being a tiny part of her arrival xxx.' Speaking exclusively to MailOnline ahead of the birth, Jorgie - who welcomed a son called Forest with Oliver in November 2022 - admitted that it had felt like a long pregnancy, noting that the second time around wasnt easier. 'My belly's stretched loads bigger. I feel like I've been pregnant for 54 years!' she said. Jorgie then went on to say that her due date could be a surprising one: 'I'm due in four weeks but my bag's packed already as her head's engaged so she could pop out tonight! 'I had a C-section the first time, so I would like that again.' Striking a pose in the white two-piece, the actress leaned back and showed off her jaw-dropping figure and toned legs For her day by the pool, the beauty opted for a subtle, natural makeup look and styled her blonde bob straight She further accessorised her poolside look with a dainty gold bracelet, pouting for the camera Talking about expanding her family, Jorgie said: 'I think it's good because we don't have a lot of family, so we want to create a big family unit. 'I think every woman feels pressure to go back to work or might feel guilty that they want to go back to work, so it's all a bit of a midfield, but I have the best support.' She confirmed her pregnancy in an episode of ITVBe's Drama Queens in May, revealing that she and Ollie were expecting again. 'So guys... guess what? I am pregnant,' she told her co-stars. She also took to Instagram to share a video of her baby scan featuring her little boy and their dog, captioning it: 'Weve been keeping a little secret.' In December, Jorgie confirmed the birth of her second child with fiance Oliver, seven months after announcing her pregnancy Advertisement Ada Nicodemou looked almost unrecognisable on Tuesday as she shared a throwback video of herself performing a cameo in The Matrix across from Keanu Reeves in 1999. The clip, which was taken when the Home and Away star, 47, was just 21 years old, saw Ada star as the minor character Dujour, also known as the White Rabbit Girl. She looked decades younger than her years in the video as she sported a futuristic up-do and shared a few lines with Keanu, 60, who played the lead character Neo in the science fiction action franchise. '#OnThisDay 26 years ago #TheMatrix was released & I had a cameo as the White Rabbit Girl, Dujour,' Ada wrote in the caption alongside the throwback video. Ada was no stranger to acting when she was cast in the film, though she had only starred on Australian TV at that point. The soap star kick started her screen career in 1994 when she played Katerina Ioannou in TV serial Heartbreak High. Ada Nicodemou, 47, looked almost unrecognisable on Tuesday as she shared a throwback video of herself performing a cameo in The Matrix across from Keanu Reeves, 60, in 1999 She starred in the show until 1997 and also had roles in Police Rescue and Breakers before landing her long-time gig on Home and Away in 2000. It comes after Ada and her on-screen-off-screen boyfriend James Stewart took to Instagram on Sunday to share a sweet collection of pictures celebrating their one year anniversary at Mimi's in Sydney. 'Just perfect,' Ada captioned the post, which showed the happy couple enjoying a delicious meal of oysters, caviar and bubbles at the iconic eatery. In the first picture, the happy couple could be seen with giant grins on their faces as they posed with a card congratulating them on their milestone moment. In the snaps, Ada wore a maroon-coloured, strapless dress with her brunette locks falling over her shoulders. She accessorised the ensemble with a $5,300 Chanel purse, a $19,300 Cartier Love Bracelet and Rolex Datejust watch, which retails for around $12,189. Ada recently revealed how her Home and Away co-stars discovered her off-screen relationship with James. The soap stars, whose characters are married on the Channel Seven show, were first linked in 2024 when they were seen sharing a kiss on Anzac Day before Ada confirmed their romance in a magazine interview. The clip, which was taken when the Home and Away star was just 21 years old, saw Ada star as the minor character Dujour, also known as the White Rabbit Girl She looked decades younger than her years in the video as she sported a futuristic up-do and shared a few lines with Keanu who played the lead character Neo in the science fiction action franchise Speaking on Mamamia's No Filter podcast, the actress revealed she had only told a small group of people she was 'close with' on set before 'word got around' about the couple's off-screen relationship. 'I figured I didn't need to tell anyone else,' she explained. 'We didn't need a group email, people just worked it out.' Elsewhere in the interview, Ada admitted growing feelings for her television co-star James was 'weird' at first. 'Jimmy and I have known each other for 25 to 30 years and there were no feelings for a really, really long time. So I was shocked when I started having feelings,' she said. 'There was this chemistry for the first timethis spark that happened that wasn't there before and it was weird.' In July, Ada finally broke her silence on her romance with James after months of speculation. She confirmed she was dating her longtime co-star James in a magazine interview, describing their romance as 'unexpected'. 'Jimmy and I are together, yes. It's only early days. It's very recent and unexpected. I'm super happy. It's really lovely,' she told Stellar Magazine. But she insisted their Home and Away characters Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan getting married on-screen was not an early sign of their real-life romance. The couple began dating after Ada split from her ex-partner Adam Rigby just before Christmas in 2023 and James finalised his divorce from Sarah Roberts in March 2024. Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury looked like the perfect happy family once again on Friday as they were seen out and about with their daughter Bambi. The former Love Island stars, both 25, announced their shock split in August after five years together. However in her most recent YouTube vlog the influencer revealed the pair are 'figuring things out' as she gave a candid update on their relationship. And the couple looked ever the doting parents as they both held hands with their two year-old before swinging her in the air. Keeping it casual Molly opted for an oversized black leather jacket and black tracksuit bottoms which she paired with black UGG boots. She appeared to be in the stages of getting ready for an event later in the day as she wore her blonde locks up in rollers. Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury put on a united display as they held hands with their daughter Bambi on a sweet family day out on Friday The former Love Island stars, both 25, announced their shock split in August after five years together, however Molly recently confirmed the pair are 'figuring things out' Meanwhile Tommy cut a sporty figure as he showed off his muscular physique in a white vest top, black shorts and white trainers. As Molly carried Bambi's baby doll and blanket, the father of one was seen swinging his daughter in the air before carrying her in his arms. Molly and Tommy had been fuelling rumours they were back together over the past few months following the release of Molly's Amazon Prime documentary in January. And last month the pair were spotted together at Manchester airport as they flew to Dubai for their first family holiday since their split. And on Wednesday Molly shared that she is now living at both her both own house and ex-fiance Tommy's place, as she finally gave her followers an update on their relationship status. Speaking in the vlog she explained: 'I'm not actually at my house, I'm at Tommy's house. Well I've been thinking a lot today about how I skipped a massive chapter in everything that went on with mine and Tommy's break-up. 'Basically I don't know if you guys remember but just before we split up, I kept talking about how we were going to have a big change as a family and no one knows about it, and basically we were in the process of moving house. 'My whole house got completely packed up and we moved over into this house, and I don't know why but now is the right time to open up.' The couple looked ever the doting parents as they both held hands with their two year-old before swinging her in the air Keeping it casual Molly opted for an oversized black leather jacket and black tracksuit bottoms which she paired with black UGG boots She appeared to be in the stages of getting ready for an event later in the day as she wore her blonde locks up in rollers The father of one was seen swinging his daughter in the air before carrying her in his arms Tommy cut a sporty figure as he showed off his muscular physique in a white vest top, black shorts and white trainers The threesome looked to be at a children's farm as they looked into an animal pen Tommy was seen putting Bambi into her car seat She went on to explain: 'When Tommy and I split up I moved back to the original house so I moved for a short amount of time, like not even long enough to tell you guys, and I was just about to tell you but then sadly our relationship ended. 'It was even more of a hard time than anyone realised because my house was completely empty. I had people coming to view it to rent it. So yeah I moved house and no one knew. So that was all going on among everything. It was a lot of turmoil. It was shambles. 'The point is I have been spending a little more time recently back at the house I moved into, and I just want to be transparent about it because I probably will be vlogging here a little bit. I don't want to hide anything because that is not me. 'It doesn't mean anything, it might mean something, but I hope it doesn't get read into too much. It is just life and we are just figuring things out. 'Hopefully, in a dream world, I get to a place where I am permanently in this house and I guess this will make a little more sense as to why Zoe and Danny have moved into my house.' It comes after Molly shared the first photo of the boxer on Instagram since their split, a black and white snap of him holding Bambi's hand. The family of three were seen leaving a play ground with their daughter as they enjoyed a day out in the sun Molly carried Bambi's baby doll and blanket in her arms as she held hands with the tot Bambi looked stylish in beige bottoms and white vest top The two-year-old flew threw the air as she was swung by her parents in the fun game Molly and Tommy had been fuelling rumours they were back together over the past few months following the release of Molly's Amazon Prime documentary in January And last month the pair were spotted together at Manchester airport as they flew to Dubai for their first family holiday since their split On Wednesday Molly shared that she is now living at both her both own house and ex-fiance Tommy's place, as she finally gave her followers an update on their relationship status Molly is thought to address her and Tommy's relationship status in the second half of her documentary series later this Spring Tommy multi-tasked as he scrolled on his phone while entertaining Bambi The couple appeared deep in conversation during the day out A day later, Tommy took to his Instagram story to share the same picture but in colour from their weekend at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest. 'Best weekend,' Tommy captioned a sweet snap of he and Bambi going for a stroll through the holiday park. Molly-Mae and Tommy had sparked rumours of a reconciliation in recent months with Tommy often spotted leaving the influencer's home - and last month, the rumour mill swirled once again as the pair enjoyed a family holiday in Dubai with Bambi. After the holiday, Molly-Mae revealed her and Tommy had been trying to 'rebuild and work on' their relationship . The influencer shared a glimpse into her lavish getaway with her 8.5million followers as she spent quality time with the boxer and their two-year-old little girl. Tommy also shared a photo of him holding Bambi's hand as they paddled in the shallow sea water. Molly later broke her silence on her relationship status with Tommy in a YouTube video after the trip. The influencer shared a vlog to address her recent holiday as she took to the platform where she opened up about 'rebuilding' their relationship. She said: 'I don't want you guys to think I'm not being honest about who went on the holiday to Dubai. I did do a big talking section that we were going with Tommy but I didn't want to put it in the last vlog because I didn't want anxiety. 'The only reason I've not spoken about it is I'm not ready to. I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it, I was a bit nervous and I didn't need to explain that I was going with Tommy. Molly-Mae and Tommy had sparked rumours of a reconciliation in recent months with Tommy often spotted leaving the influencer's home 'It's obviously not a secret we're just figuring things out. We had a really really amazing time, probably the best holiday ever for all of us. It's not that I'm hiding it, I'm not quite ready to talk about it.' She continued: 'It's also private, but also it's not really private. 'When you have a relationship in the public eye, trying to rebuild that relationship or work on that relationship or see if you have something worth saving. Molly and Tommy fuelled rumours they were back together ahead of the holiday after they were spotted together at Manchester airport flying to the United Arab Emirates. However since the release of Molly's Amazon Prime documentary in January rumours have been spiralling that the pair are giving things another go. And the pair were spotted jetting off on holiday with their daughter as they were filmed by an eagle-eyed fan heading through check in. Confirming the sighting one fan took to the comments of the TikTok video as she penned: 'dont because i work in the airport and they came into the shop i work in'. Another then replied: 'Omgg ahahha i was so shocked when i saw them.' The former Love Island lovebirds fell for each other on the fifth series of the ITV show in 2019, but in 2024 Molly announced their romance was over just a year after their engagment Keeping it low key, Molly's blonde locks were swept off her face in a ponytail as she wore black tracksuit bottoms and a leather jacket. Meanwhile Tommy looked to be wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a black jacket as he held hands with Bambi. In Molly's doc Behind It All, she revealed the couple had been working through their problems following Tommy's shock confession that he became 'addicted to alcohol.' And now the pair are said to be timing an announcement that they are indeed back together to coincide with the final episodes of Molly's series. Yet fans have already suspected the Love Island favourites have reunited over the last few months. The pair reportedly reunited on a secret five-star getaway on Valentine's Day as they splashed the cash for a stay at Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire, which costs a whopping 600 a night. They were reportedly seen 'canoodling' over the holiday and 'looked very loved up' which has 'confirmed' to their friends that they have continued with their relationship. A source told the Sun on Sunday : 'Molly and Tommy were seen canoodling over Valentine's Day, looking very loved up. 'It confirms what friends have been saying for a while, that they're officially back together. The pair are said to be timing an announcement that they are indeed back together to coincide with the final episodes of Molly's series (pictured in the first release of episodes) 'It's a place they have visited before and one of Molly's most loved getaways. They have precious, positive memories there.' It is believed that the couple were happy to spend time together at the spa because taking pictures are forbidden. Meanwhile in a cryptic recent photo dump on Instagram, fans noticed a detail in one of the photos that they think confirms the relationship is back on. In one sweet snap, Tommy held hands with Bambi, two, in a car park as they enjoyed a day out together. But social media users spotted a black G Wagon parked up in the background and were quick to point out it's the same car Molly has. In the comments, fans wrote: 'Mollys 4x4 in the car park with Tommy & Bambi, hopefully that means theyre fixing things.' 'I spy molls car in the back there. Please say youre back together'; 'I hope molly was talking these pictures'; 'Its definitely official!!! Cant wait for the announcement.' Meanwhile, someone else claimed that the backgrounds of some of their pictures looked the same, as Molly-Mae also shared a slew of pictures to Instagram. They wrote: 'If you look in mollys recent photo she was also by the river with the same background. Earlier this month eagle-eyed fans have spotted a clue that the exes had reunited for another weekend as they spotted what looked like Molly's black G Wagon in the background of snaps In the caption of his own post, Tommy gushed 'lifes been looking up ' and shortly after, Molly posted snaps of her weekend while admitting 'she couldn't have asked for a better one'. She penned: 'Weekends like the one we just had. Couldn't ask for anything more'. Elsewhere Molly-Mae is said to be having second thoughts about having any more children with her ex-fiance Tommy. Their split has caused Molly-Mae to feel 'conflicted' over the pair welcoming any more children together and keen to 'take things slowly'. A source told The Mirror that she is 'terrified' to have another baby while navigating her newly-rekindled romance, while also in the midst of a very busy time in her career. They said: 'Shes feeling quite conflicted at the moment. She loves the idea of having a bigger family with Tommy, and hes obviously from a big family and sees his brothers [Tyson Fury's] life , but because theyve been through a difficult time, its not easy for her to think about.' Brandi Glanville got candid about the mental toll Caroline Manzo's sexual assault allegations had on her when the claims came to light back in 2023. The RHOBH alum, 52 - who recently shared the reason she has not had sex in two years amid her facial parasite crisis - opened up about the lawsuit during Thursday's episode of the MisSPELLING podcast with host Tori Spelling. Manzo accused Glanville of kissing her without consent and further claimed she 'forcibly fondled my vagina' while filming Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in January 2023. Brandi has since vehemently denied the allegations. 'The narrative when we got back from Morocco was I was fired for being inappropriate with Caroline Manzo. And I wasn't...It's ruined my life,' the reality star claimed. She continued: 'I got sick six months later. But those six months, I was in a fetal position on my couch, like, contemplating suicide, being called horrible things. It's so crazy that the press has so much power.' Brandi recalled that coverage of the allegations worsened over time and changed from, 'gave her a lap dance, to kissed her unwantingly, to sexually harassed her then to rape.' Brandi Glanville, 52, got candid about the mental toll Caroline Manzo's sexual assault allegations had on her when the claims came to light back in 2023 Amid the lawsuit, the TV personality said that she lost work opportunities and had to join OnlyFans in order to make an income after her savings began to dwindle down. 'And then I lost my looks at the same time,' she said - referencing to her battle with a mysterious facial disfigurement. 'I literally, at 51, started OnlyFans, because I didn't have income for six months and I was like going through my savings.' Glanville recalled, 'I was making good money and then my face started being crazy. It's just been a really tough time. And then now, still not having a diagnosis.' Back in 2023, Manzo - who previously starred on RHONJ - made the sexual misconduct allegations against Brandi while they were filming the Bravo spinoff Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco. The following year, Caroline also sued Bravo and claimed that the production did nothing to stop the alleged assault. In May 2024, she gave a detailed account of the alleged incident in a signed affidavit, Page Six reported at the time. In the filing, Manzo stated: 'When Glanville was sexually assaulting me on the sofa, she was rubbing her vagina on me. The producers just watched and kept filming. They saw that I was in distress and yet, they continued to film.' 'I got sick six months later. But those six months, I was in a fetal position on my couch, like, contemplating suicide, being called horrible things. It's so crazy that the press has so much power,' Glanville added; seen in 2023 'I literally, at 51, started OnlyFans, because I didn't have income for six months and I was like going through my savings,' Brandi explained She alleged that Brandi continued to drink alcohol and then later followed her into a bathroom. She claimed Glanville pushed her against the bathroom door which resulted in her getting an injury to her head. '[Glanville] then locked me in the bathroom where she forcibly fondled my vagina against my will,' Caroline continued. 'Glanville maliciously sexually assaulted me for her own sexual gratification. She did this by forcibly kissing me, rubbing her vagina on me and then fondling my vagina against my will.' Brandi's attorney shared a letter that insisted no form of sexual assault had taken place and requested that the network release 'all existing documents and data' in regards to the accusations. 'Ms. Glanville and Ms. Manzo engaged in "dirty dancing," flirting, and playful touching. Throughout the night, they shared a couple of kisses,' the letter sated. 'We have heard about a supposed "bathroom incident" through press leaks, but Shed Media has repeatedly refused to allow Ms. Glanville or her counsel to see the footage in question; there is no truth to any allegations of impropriety.' The statement further read, 'It is apparent some allegation was made; however, neither the nature nor the source of that allegation has been clarified by NBC, Shed Media, or Warner Bros. In May 2024, Manzo gave a detailed account of the alleged incident in a signed affidavit, Page Six reported at the time; seen in 2016 'We can glean from the press coverage - seeded by malicious and deliberate leaks - that Ms. Manzo formally accused Ms. Glanville of sexual misconduct and that Ms. Glanville was sent home as a result.' It continued with, 'It bears emphasis that Ms. Glanville and Ms. Manzo were never alone together; anything that happened took place in the presence of the cast and crew. All the events were captured on camera or picked up via microphone.' Last year, Brandi shared that she was left disfigured due to stress-induced angioedema in the wake of the lawsuit. On her Brandi Glanville Unfiltered podcast in February 2024, the TV personality expressed, 'I feel like I spent a year already and not working. 'Now it's the new year and I have a lot of good things happening. My friends found me a job overseas. I'm not going to say what it is and now that the news came out, I can't do it.' She later added, 'It gives me so much anxiety and I think that's why I've had the flare ups this past week. I'm all clenched up. I'm a mess. My health is really f***ed. 'I've done all I can. I've gone to seven doctors, and I was in the hospital for few days... I thought that it was fixed and then when Caroline served the lawsuit - gosh, I can't even talk about it!' Glanville has since been battling a mysterious facial parasite crisis which she has also been candid about on social media. Brandi's attorney shared a letter that insisted no form of sexual assault had taken place and requested that the network release 'all existing documents and data' in regards to the accusations Last year, Brandi shared that she was left disfigured due to stress-induced angioedema in the wake of the lawsuit During this week's podcast episode with Tori Spelling, Brandi revealed that she hasn't had sex in two years - but explained that it is 'not by choice.' She admitted, 'I've lost my security in my looks. I'm so insecure. I isolate in Calabasas. I don't leave my house. I don't do a lot.' However, Glanville recently appeared in a music video for her track Remedy and said, 'I did shoot a music video [recently] and they touched up my face with their digitizing thing 'cause they were so nice.' Some of the symptoms Brandi has been experiencing include 'painful lumps' on her face as well as a 'constant oily foul-tasting drainage' inside her mouth. In an update, she said that the drainage is 'acidic.' Last month in March, the star gave an additional raw health update with her disfiguring skin condition by revealing that her face has 'melted away' and is 'worse than ever.' The RHOBH alum took to X to emotionally admit that she is 'f***ing miserable' and needs a 'change' in her life. 'I've been faking it,' the star wrote to her followers. 'I'm f***ing miserable. My best friend's been in the ICU for2 weeks & isn't getting better. 'My face is worse than ever. It's literally melted away. When drs at cedars put me on IV antibiotics & fungal medication I was getting better I looked normal but I couldn't afford to stay on them.' Glanville then explained that she, 'was forced to see drs outside my insurance because the drs at Kaiser had no clue. I need my life to change. That is my real life health update.' She admitted, 'I've lost my security in my looks. I'm so insecure. I isolate in Calabasas. I don't leave my house. I don't do a lot' Last month in March, the star gave an additional raw health update with her disfiguring skin condition by revealing that her face has 'melted away' and is 'worse than ever' The post came after plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow took four biopsies from her face. Glanville has previously suggested that the cause was due to 'parasites' in her face but Dubrow disagreed and offered to help treat the Real Housewives star. Late last year in December, Brandi appeared on Page Six's Virtual Reali-Tea podcast and admitted that she has been suffering from 'deep depression' amid her battle with the mysterious skin condition. The star has also claimed to have already spent more than $70,000 trying to figure out what has caused her health issues. Emma Corrin and Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek should have been a match made in Hollywood heaven. After all, he starred as the frontman of Queen, while Corrin played the Peoples Princess. But The Mail on Sunday can exclusively reveal they have quietly split up after a love affair lasting nearly two years. Sources say Corrin, 29, who found fame and won a Golden Globe after playing Princess Diana in The Crown, has been separated for some time from Malek, 43, who got an Oscar for his turn as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. The news comes less than a year after they reportedly bought a 5million mansion together in Hampstead, north-west London. It is unclear whether Corrin or Malek, who went on to play Bond villain Lyutsifer Safin in No Time To Die, still live in the palatial house or if they plan to sell it. The couple were first spotted together at a Bruce Springsteen concert in London in July 2023, just a few months after Malek had broken up with Lucy Boynton, his co-star in the Freddie Mercury biopic. As their romance developed, they were then seen kissing at a restaurant in Margate, Kent, where Corrin owns a home. Sources say Emma Corrin, 29, who found fame and won a Golden Globe after playing Princess Diana in The Crown , has been separated for some time from Malek, 43. Pictured: In Venice in August last year The news comes less than a year after they reportedly bought a 5million mansion together in Hampstead, north-west London. Pictured: The former couple at the Paris Fashion Week in 2023 In a magazine interview last May, Corrin even declined to speak about their relationship. Pictured: As Princess Diana The couple were first spotted together at a Bruce Springsteen concert in London in July 2023, just a few months after Malek had broken up with Lucy Boynton , his co-star in the Freddie Mercury biopic. Pictured: As Freddie Despite a flurry of red-carpet appearances at A-list events, the pair were notoriously private about their relationship, and refrained from commenting on each others social media. In a magazine interview last May, Corrin even declined to speak about their relationship. Malek was equally vague, describing Corrin as fascinating and once revealing that Corrin cooked him a surprise Thanksgiving dinner, trimmings and all, that blew him away. Corrin who came out as queer in 2021 and identifies as non-binary, using the pronouns they/them said the vitriol targeted at their gender identity was worse than I anticipated, adding: Even though we like to think were in a progressive society, a lot of what were seeing is increasingly a step back. For now, Corrin will be keeping busy filming the Netflix adaptation of Jane Austens Pride And Prejudice, having been cast as heroine Elizabeth Bennet, opposite Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden, who will play Mr Darcy. Playing Elizabeth Bennet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Corrin said last week. Matt Damon turned heads during a sun-soaked yacht day off the coast of Favignana, Italy on Friday, showing off his chiseled frame like a true leading man between takes. The 54-year-old Oscar winner, currently filming Christopher Nolans epic fantasy The Odyssey, looked every bit the action star in barely-there swim trunks that left little to the imaginationand everything to admire. Flashing that trademark grin, Damon let loose with an impressive flip off the bow of the luxury yacht, plunging into the crystal-clear waters like a man half his age and twice as daring. Just days earlier, Damon was spotted on set alongside Dune star Zendaya, filming a scene against the dramatic rocky shorelines of Favignana Island. Based on Homers legendary poem, the globe-trotting production kicked off in February and will span locations across Italy, Greece, Morocco, and the U.K. And if recent set photos are any indication, Damons putting in work both on and off camerastrutting shirtless down a beach, flexing that gym-honed physique like a warrior ready for battle. Matt Damon turned heads and made waves during a sun-soaked yacht day off the coast of Favignana, Italy on Friday, showing off his chiseled frame like a true leading man between takes The 54-year-old Oscar winner, currently filming Christopher Nolan s epic fantasy The Odyssey , looked every bit the action star in barely-there swim trunks that left little to the imaginationand everything to admire The yacht outing comes just days after Matt ditched the wild, unruly beard he was sporting when he first arrived in Europe to begin filming the movie. And Damon is no stranger to Nolans cinematic universe. The Golden Globe winner previously suited up as U.S. Army General Leslie Grovesdirector of the Manhattan Projectin 2023s explosive biopic Oppenheimer. And before that, he made a chilling appearance as rogue NASA astronaut Dr. Mann in Nolans 2014 sci-fi epic Interstellar, squaring off against Matthew McConaughey in deep space. Now, Nolan is assembling a mythic dream team for The Odyssey, and the casting rumors are as epic as Homers original poem. Oscar winner Anne Hathaway is reportedly stepping into the role of Penelope, the loyal Queen of Ithaca and Odysseus long-waiting wife. Meanwhile, Tom Holland is rumored to play Telemachus, Odysseus sonadding a layer of intrigue since Hollands real-life fiancee Zendaya is also cast in a top-secret role. Charlize Theron is said to bring her signature intensity to the screen as Circe, the seductive and dangerous witch-goddess who famously detains Odysseus on her island. Rounding out the already star-studded ensemble are Lupita Nyongo, Robert Pattinson, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Samantha Morton, Will Yun Lee, and Mia Goth. Flashing that trademark grin, Damon let loose with an impressive flip off the luxury yacht, plunging into the crystal-clear waters like a man half his age and twice as daring. Ben Affleck s bestie was clearly in his element Matt was seen last month in the tough Trojan Warrior costume as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca in a first look at his role Just days earlier, Damon was spotted on set alongside Dune star Zendaya , filming a scene against the dramatic rocky shorelines of Favignana Island; Matt and Nolan seen in 2024 in NYC The last time The Odyssey received a memorable Hollywood makeover was in 2000, when the Coen Brothers gave it a southern-fried twist in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, with George Clooney leading the charge as a Depression-era Odysseus. But this time around, Nolans aiming for something grandera full-blown epic thats equal parts fantasy, legend, and prestige cinema. Last month in February, a first look of Matt on the set of The Odyssey was revealed and showed the actor donning armor. Nolan's epic fantasy is slated to hit theaters next summer on July 17, 2026. A California Costco 'dupe' store is luring in shoppers who can't get enough of its deals and perks. 'Koshco' in Los Angeles has a remarkably similar facade to the warehouse giant with red and white colored letters underscored by a blue stripe, and also sells items in bulk. However, the store has some notable differences to the much-loved chain. Most notably Koshco, located in the in the center of a Jewish community in the city's Pico-Robertson neighborhood, is entirely kosher. The store stocks an enormously wide range of fresh groceries as well as miscellaneous items such as Israeli candles. Although Koshco does not require membership to shop there - as Costco famously does - its members do receive discounts and free local delivery. The store also stocks mainstream brands such as Mary's Gone Crackers and Kellogg's, whereas Costco mostly stocks its own brand products. Koshco also has its own kosher deli where shoppers can find cold cuts of meat, including oven-roasted turkey, sausages and salami. 'Koshco' in Los Angeles has a remarkably similar facade to the warehouse giant Shoppers pick up items from Koshco in a photo posted on the store's Instagram The store also has a bakery stocked with goods from nearby Beverlywood Bakery, including raspberry and cream cheese rogelach, apricot hamentashen and a range of challahs, SFGate reported. Costco executives may well be tuning in to what makes this 'dupe' so popular, as the giant recently lost its title as the nation's favorite grocery store. After leading the rankings of an influential customer satisfaction survey in 2024, the wholesale giant has slipped to seventh place in 2025 - with its score falling from 85 percent to 81 percent. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey asked customers about their experiences at 19 grocery stores. Retail analyst Neil Saunders said this marks a rare setback for the store, known for its loyal membership base, bulk bargains, and no-frills shopping experience. 'Costco is extremely successful and its above average growth rates don't reflect the lower satisfaction rating,' Saunders, the managing director of Global Data told DailyMail.com. 'However, there might be a few things dragging it down.' Saunders said overfilled parking lots, slow wait times at checkout, and Costco's limited ecommerce sales likely contributed to the brand's fall from satisfaction dominance. A shopper with a Koshco 'membership' card Costco recently lost its title as the nation's favorite grocery store The warehouse giant is known for its bulk offerings and its famous food hall Ron Vachris, who became CEO on January 1, launched several tech programs that are hoping to cut down on membership card sharing, maintain low prices, quicken checkout lines, and increase parking lot churn. Costco also hiked its memberships fees in the fall, raising its standard membership by $5 a year, taking it from $60 to $65. The Executive level - which offers a 2 percent rebate on all Costco purchases made that year up to a total of $750 - increased by $10 to $130 a year. As well as in store discounts a Costco membership gives customers access to services such as hearing tests and home insurance. Delta Sky Club guests were stunned when a fellow traveler began packing plates of ribs, garlic chicken, and cookies into a plastic shopping bag. Another flyer snapped a photo of the culprit's bag last week, saying he must have been 'raised by wolves'. The post claimed the traveler loaded up at least three full plates plus bananas before heading out. 'Dude has a penchant for St. Louis ribs and garlic chicken, not to mention sides and chocolate chip cookies,' the flyer wrote in a Reddit post. 'This is no doubt the same guy who picks all of the shrimp out of the alfredo and led to the demise of the monthly free bartender's special that I miss so.' Grabbing extra snacks to go breach's Delta Sky Club policy. Still, a few commenters admitted they'd witnessed (or even committed) similar 'acts of savagery.' Some pointed out the member was just getting his money's worth after a crackdown on lounge access started in February. A Reddit user noticed a traveler stored about three plates of food in a plastic shopping bag while at a Delta Sky Club lounge It is against Sky Club policy to take food and drinks purchased at the lounge away from the area One Redditor claimed theyve seen people turn Delta Sky Clubs' business privacy booths into makeshift food-packing stations. 'Fill up a plate, disappear into an isolation booth, and transfer the food into a travel container. Maximizing the Sky Club experience.' Another user chimed in: 'I always grab something portable like a muffin and a couple waters, but thats it. Packing half the buffet is so not cool.' Delta has a small list of policies for its club members and guests besides no food and drink removal. Travelers under the age of 21 are not allowed to be served alcohol nationwide. However, the airline noted that local age restrictions apply when it comes to lounges outside the US. Members are also prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages inside all Sky Clubs. Any rule breaks could result in mileage deductions or potential membership termination without compensation. Delta flyers who get access to Sky Clubs can eat as much as they want, but only within the lounge Multiple Reddit users claimed they've either witnessed flyers stealing food or stole it themselves in the past Delta opened its new Sky Club at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia this week All Delta Sky Club lounges are different from one another regarding food options. However, travelers can expect to see a variety of soups, salads, and snacks. Guests can also choose from a line of hot entrees, including chicken-based dishes. Flyers who aren't interested in food can select from a wide variety of soft drinks or snag select Starbucks beverages. Alcoholic drinks are also available to guests of legal age. Prices vary depending on membership status, but food and non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary for qualified members. In addition to food and drinks, Delta Sky Club members can enjoy benefits like free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and showers at select locations. There are currently over 50 Delta Sky Club locations worldwide, and one lounge was opened at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia earlier this week. Flyers have multiple options on how to gain access to any of over 50 Delta Sky Clubs worldwide There are two main types of Delta Sky Club memberships: Executive and Individual. Executive membership holders are granted access to any lounge and can bring up to two guests per visit. These flyers would have to pay $1,495.50 a year. Travelers with individual memberships can bring up to two guests for an additional fee to any Sky Club lounge on each visit. This offer will only cost flyers $695 a year. Both of these membership opportunities are available to customers who are Medallion Members of the Delta SkyMiles Program. Guests can also access a club if they have a qualified American Express card or fly on a same-day Delta One itinerary. Others tagging along with Sky Club members will be required to pay $50 per visit. After receiving more than 700,000 submissions, Lays has unveiled the three finalists in this year's Do Us a Flavor contest. This year, the three finalists are Lay's Bacon Grilled Cheese, Lay's Valentina & Lime, and Lay's Wavy Korean-Style Fried Chicken. Oklahoma resident Paula George was the mastermind behind bacon grilled cheese, which she created to honor the memory of her late father and his bacon grilled cheese recipe. Araceli Huerta from San Jose, California, created his spicy Valentina & Lime recipe after being inspired by his favorite childhood snack. Over in the Southeastern US, Virginia resident Neleia Lynn created her Korean-Style Fried Chicken recipe thinking about her family's time in South Korea. Fans interested in trying all flavors can do so by purchasing a bag online and in stores from April 21 to June 13. Customers rooting for one specific flavor can then vote online for their favorite. The winner will earn $1 million and join the ranks of elite chip flavors, while the first and second runner-up will each take home $50,000. Lays has narrowed down its Do Us a Flavor submissions to three finalists: Lay's Bacon Grilled Cheese, Lay's Valentina & Lime, and Lay's Wavy Korean-Style Fried Chicken California resident Araceli Huerta created his Valentina & Lime recipe after being inspired by his favorite childhood snack News of the contest broke last year after its parent company, PepsiCo Inc., confirmed it would return after a seven-year hiatus. Participants were allowed to submit up to 10 ideas every day until February 21. From there, a judging panel would look at all the recipes and trim the submissions down to three finalists. Once they're trimmed down, the recipes go to Frito's-Lay's experts, who bring the final ideas to life one potato chip bag at a time. 'We are always looking to our consumers to inspire the next great flavor of Lay's, and Do Us A Flavor is the most direct and authentic way to do so!' said Denise Truelove, senior vice president, marketing, PepsiCo Foods. 'As a leader in flavor and innovation, only Lay's can turn a great idea from our fans into a delicious potato chip in record time.' The contest was open to all US residents who were 18 or older. Lay's also celebrated the contest by releasing five fan-favorite flavors that were part of previous contests for a limited time. Neleia Lynn was inspired by her family's time in South Korea while Paula George created her recipe to honor her late father The first contest took place in 2012, and occurred in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Millions of fans submitted their ideas over the years, but only one winner came out on top each time. The first ever flavor winner was Cheesy Garlic Bread, while its second was the Kettle-Cooked Wasabi Ginger. The popular chip brand then crowned Southern Biscuits & Gravy and Crispy Taco the 2015 and 2017 winners. Cheesy Garlic Bread, Southern Biscuits & Gravy, and Crispy Taco are three of the five potato chips available in stores for a limited time. The other flavors available now for a limited time is the 2012 finalist Chicken & Waffles and the 2017 runner-up Fried Green Tomato. Companies have begun to strike back at President Donald Trump's tariffs by adding a new surcharge to shoppers' online carts making it all too clear who they think is responsible. Because using Trump's name could alienate some customers, some businesses are simply calling it a 'tariff surcharge.' Others are not afraid to possibly incur the wrath of MAGA supporters. Jolie, a New York-based skincare brand that creates showerhead filters, announced that it would be putting in a 'Trump liberation tariff' fee at checkout on all orders starting next week. 'We think transparency is the way to go here and I am giving Trump full credit for his decision to add this Tariff to all US consumers,' said Ryan Babenzien, the founder and CEO of Jolie. 'Technically WE are not raising our prices, but the Tariff will make it more expensive for American consumers to buy a Jolie,' he added. Babenzien told Bloomberg that he is still calculating what the fee will be on top of the cost of a $150 showerhead. Jarrad Berman, partner at the New York private equity firm, told the outlet that these kinds of surcharges are most appealing to small businesses with customers that often only buy one or two items. He also said most customers will only tolerate a fee of less than $10. 'Everyone is discussing tariff surcharges,' Berman said. 'It's just not one size fits all.' Ryan Babenzien, the founder and CEO of Jolie, a skincare brand that makes showerhead filters, announced that he'd be putting a 'Trump liberation tariff' fee at checkout on all orders starting next week Dame, a sexual wellness brand that makes sex toys, has put a $5 'Trump tariff surcharge' on all of its vibrators, which are imported from China Dame, a sexual wellness brand that makes sex toys, has put a $5 'Trump tariff surcharge' on all of its vibrators, which are imported from China. The fee is accompanied by an image of Trump's unique and enduring hairstyle. Although the White House initiated a three-month pause Wednesday for reciprocal tariffs on dozens of nations, the United States is still very much in a trade war with China. Effective tariffs on Chinese imports are now 145 percent, and it has likewise slapped the US with 125 percent levies. This is the result of months of tit-for-tat escalations. Dame CEO Alexandra Fine told CNBC her $5 fee won't cover the manufacturing costs, but she said its more about signaling that businesses like hers are being affected negatively. 'So we've made the tough call to adjust prices to be able to keep bringing you the quality, body-safe products you love,' Dame captioned an Instagram post about the surcharge. 'We're adding $5 for nowwhich doesn't cover the full cost as we hate to put the brunt of this on youwhile we figure out what to do next.' 'We are renegotiating again with our manufacturers. We are adjusting our logistics. We are changing our inventory,' Fine said. Fine said she couldn't add the surcharge as a percentage on Shopify, where Dame runs its website, so she instead had to use a flat fee. Dame CEO Alexandra Fine has taken the most aggressive approach when it comes to laying the blame for price hikes on Trump President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on dozens of nations on April 2, which he deemed 'Liberation Day' A week later, he announced a 90-day pause after days of turmoil in the stock market and US bonds Labucq, which sells high-end shoes made in Italy, said a 20 percent US tariff on imports from the European Union, which Trump announced on April 2 before pausing them, would require the company to raise prices by 10 percent starting on April 15, CBS News reported. Labucq hasn't addressed the pause on EU reciprocal tariffs, but had said there would be another 10 percent price on May 7 to so it would 'remain sustainable.' Larger companies are also scrambling to make adjustments in the new tariff-heavy trade environment. In early March, Honeywell Building Automation, which designs safety systems for buildings, began applying a 6.4 percent tariff surcharge on all of its building management systems, excluding software and subscription services. The move was in response to Trump's tariffs on China, but also Canada and Mexico, countries that now enjoy a carveout for goods imported through the USMCA trade deal. Honeywell also said it would eliminate the extra duty 'as soon as such tariffs are no longer in force.' Last month on a quarterly earnings call, a senior executive with US chip maker Micron said that some of the company's products will be affected by the tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico. The plan is to 'pass those costs along to our customers.' Some firms are trying to capitalize on the tariffs now that they've been paused by running limited-time-only sales telling consumers to lock 'pre-tariff' prices. Burlap & Barrel, a company that imports spices from all around the world, just announced a 'spring cleaning-turned-impromptu Tariff sale' and lowered the prices for all its products by 20 percent (Pictured: The company founders pose with their spices) 'The tariffs are injecting uncertainty into the marketplace and when there is high uncertainty, consumers tend to overestimate their losses, so they try to hedge their losses as much as possible in a very irrational way,' Denish Shah, professor of marketing at Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business, told CBS News. Shah added that since consumers are 'very price-sensitive' they are likely to 'react very strongly to sales that companies are promoting.' Burlap & Barrel, a company that imports spices from all around the world, just announced a 'spring cleaning-turned-impromptu Tariff sale' and lowered the prices for all its products by 20 percent. 'When we planned this sale, we thought it'd be a routine springtime promotion, but in the last few days it has turned into something very, very different,' the company wrote in an Instagram post. 'We can already see that the new tariffs will be bad for our business. How bad remains to be seen,' it said, citing the fact that American trade policy has been subject to many sudden changes. Another company, Freewrite, sent an email to customers on Friday urging them to buy its digital typewriters before it has to raise prices on its China-made products. 'Everyone, including our contract manufacturing partners, is helping us explore our options, but the truth is that it is incredibly difficult to move factories. It takes careful planning, huge expense and much more time than we have,' Freewrite CEO Adam Leeb wrote in the email. 'On Monday, we will be raising prices. Not because we want to, but because we have to,' he added. A retirement expert with more than 30 years of experience has slammed the government for spreading misinformation about Social Security. Chris Orestis, founder and President of Retirement Genius, has warned that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are spreading misinformation about the program with a view to dismantle it. 'The spin that's being used to justify going after the program, saying that there's massive fraud, inefficiency and waste; I've never seen it and I'm a very close student of Social Security,' Orestis told DailyMail.com. 'It is a well run and lean organization that quite frankly is understaffed for the important role that it plays.' Elon Musk has repeatedly alleged that the generosity of Social Security draws illegal immigration in to the US. Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which he runs, have claimed, without evidence, that the program has been the victim of mass fraud. Orestis told DailyMail.com those with an eye on their retirement should follow a few simple steps to protect themselves. 'The rapid environment that we are in certainly does threaten Social Security in ways that it wasn't threatened just two months ago. It is a politically untenable position,' he warned. 'I believe to dismantle and destroy Social Security and Medicare - with possibly the ultimate goal being to privatize them - would be a mistake.' Chris Orestis, founder and President of Retirement Genius, has more than 30 years' experience 1) Know your own position Orestis advises everyone to maximize their Social Security, because one of the great benefits it provides is that it is not tied to the volatile stock market. Whether you're in your 20s or approaching retirement in your 60s, Orestis recommends logging in to your personal 'my Social Security' account on the agency's website. 'It will then produce for you an account of all your earnings since your very first paycheck when you were in high school,' he explained. 'That equates to what you would get for a benefit today between the age of 62 and 70.' Logging in can help you check how much you would benefit from deferring payments. Every year you delay taking a Social Security payment after full retirement age you receive a significant increase in payments up to the age of 70. 'You also want to look at how your benefit might be impacted based on your spousal situation. 'If, for example, you were married and divorced or you're a widow and your former spouse had a higher income than yours, you can elect to take benefits based on their number for a higher benefit,' he explained. 2) Stay informed - from the right sources Orestis recommends Americans log onto their your personal 'my Social Security' account 'Everyone is going to have to stay well informed and not get confused by the fog of war that has developed,' Orestis advised. Retirement Genius recommends checking information from sources such as AARP and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. This is particularly important as Musk's DOGE makes major staff cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA), reducing its capacity to answer calls from beneficiaries. 'There's so much going on that it's hard to keep it all straight,' he said. 'Those two organizations will provide guidance, information and help you cut through what's real and what's not.' 3) Plan you earnings and debts ahead of time Orestis also advises planning your benefits and other earnings ahead of time to avoid paying more tax. 'I always encourage people if they can earn income while on Social Security then they should, but they should make sure they're aware of the impact of getting to the point where Social Security taxes you against your benefit.' Americans are taxed on a percentage of Social Security payments once they reach a certain income threshold. 'You need to do the numbers and work out if it is worth it to earn this money to then take a haircut on your benefit,' he said. On his campaign trail, Trump pledged to cut taxes on Social Security benefits, but experts have warned that this will come at a price for the program's finances, which are already under pressure. These uncertain economic times are a good moment to look at paying down debts, Orestis added, such as high interest credit card debt. 'This is also a good time to look at your budget. A period of of uncertainty is a good time to step back and go: "Wait a minute, how am I spending my money? What money am I wasting?"' Orestis advises using any savings made from cutting back to pay down outstanding debts. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Saturday began a five-day trip to Tanzania primarily to witness a mega wargame involving the naval forces of India and several African nations. The Indian Navy and the Tanzania Peoples Defence Force are the co-hosts of the naval exercise titled aAIKEYMEa or Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement off Dar-es-Salaam that will begin on Sunday. The aim of the wargame is to boost Indiaas maritime security cooperation with the African continent in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modias new vision for engagement with the Global South. Modi announced the vision MAHASAGAR or aMutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regionsa for Indiaas engagement with the Global South during his visit to Mauritius last month. The Indian Navy said Admiral Tripathi is on an official visit to Tanzania from April 12 to 16. aThe visit aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and strategic ties between India and Tanzania, underscoring Indiaas commitment to enhancing defence partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region,a it said in a social media post. The maiden edition of the large-scale multilateral exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement AIKEYME, being co-hosted by the Indian Navy and the Tanzania Peopleas Defence Force is scheduled to be jointly inaugurated at Dar-es-Salaam on April 13, it said. The six-day exercise is set to see participation of Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa in addition to the co-hosts, officials said. India and Africa have been cooperating in tackling maritime security threats such as piracy, illegal activities including trafficking, unregulated and unreported fishing through sharing of information and surveillance. However, the aAIKEYMEa exercise is likely to significantly expand the ongoing cooperation, the officials said. Taiwan's concessions to U.S. trade coercion draw widespread criticism Xinhua) 10:59, April 12, 2025 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. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code The Derry City and Strabane District Council area is to undergo recognition assessment to become a UNICEF Child Friendly City and Community. If successful, it would be the first one in Ireland to receive the accreditation. The assessment will take place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, during which the nine-person recognition assessment panel will meet with Councils senior management and the senior management teams of other lead partners - WHSCT, Education Authority Youth Service, and Youth Justice Agency. This is to demonstrate the joint partnership is working together to ensure systemic change, and aspirations for the future. Council has been actively pursuing UNICEF Child Friendly City and Community status through a number of stages including, discovery, development, and delivery and recognition, aligned to a child rights-based approach, since January 2019. Councillors received an update on Councils progress towards the prestigious status at Thursdays April meeting of the Health and Community committee meeting. All partners in the endeavour met on a regular basis to address the recommendations outlined and engage with UNICEF - United Nations Childrens Fund. It is also envisaged that the Mayor, the elected member political champions, and the children and young people involved, will all be consulted during the assessment day, at which key pieces of evidence will be presented to the panel under, culture, co-operation and leadership, communications, equal and included, and education. Councillors were informed there were four possible outcomes to the process - full recognition, conditional recognition, suspended recognition and no recognition; Cardiff was the first city in Britain to be awarded UNICEF CFC status - in October 2023. Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry speaking about Cardiff's accreditation as a UNICEF Child-Friendly City and Community. Following a comprehensive briefing, councillors agreed unanimously to approve the use of the remaining budget of 58,269.47 allocated to the project to sustain programme related costs for children and young people including the mandatory elements of the UNICEF CFC programme for youth voice/participation to March 31, 2027 Cllr Aisling Hutton (Sinn Fein) who is one of the political champions of Derry and Strabane pursuing UNICEF Child Friendly City and Community status praised the vast amount of work done to date on the project. Cllr Hutton added: I would like to commended Claire Lynch, who has since left the organisation, and wish Claire Maguire the best of luck going forward. I had the pleasure of meeting Claire [Maguire] during a training session a few weeks back and her energy and passion showed throughout the meeting. I wish the team the best of luck in getting prepared for the recognition assessment and to let them know we are all behind them as political champions. Im sure the young people are all behind them as well because they are giving them a great voice in relation to shaping this place to be a child rights city, said Cllr Hutton, who added that the accreditation would put the Derry and Strabane area on the map. It will make us stand out and opportunities and doors will open because of that. The relationship and the partnership with UNICEF will create more relationships and partnerships. Cllr Catherine McDaid (SDLP) who is also a UNICEF Child Friendly City and Community political champion also wished Claire Lynch well for her future and described the volume of work done to date on the project as unbelievable. One of the outcomes of obtaining UNICEF Child Friendly City and Community status is that the Council will have a corporate commitment to deliver sustainable activity, including childs rights impact assessments in the general work it does. PICTURED ABOVE: Pictured at the launch of the Cecil Frances Alexander Celebrated Project at the Churches Trust, Limavady Road, on Wednesday are from left, Fiona Lafferty, Project Officer, PEACEPLUS Theme 1.1, Mary Holmes, CEO, Churches Trust, Fr Michael Canny, Board member, Diana Rudd, Chairperson, and Catherine Brogan, Project Organiser. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography) The Churches Trust have officially launched the Cecil Frances Alexander Celebrated (CFAC) Project at their Limavady Road HQ. This exciting project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), aims to celebrate the life, legacy, and music of Cecil Frances Alexander, the renowned hymn-writer of All Things Bright and Beautiful and There Is a Green Hill Far Away. The CFAC Project, funded under the PEACEPLUS Programme, will explore Alexander's significant contributions to social welfare, community building, and interfaith work, with a particular focus on Strabane and surrounding areas. The project will offer a series of workshops, study visits, a lecture series, and a celebration event, bringing together people from diverse faiths and backgrounds to honour Alexanders enduring impact on local communities and her legacy as a peacebuilder. IN PICTURES: Churches Trust launch Cecil Frances Alexander Celebrated (CFAC) Project in Derry "We are delighted to bring the CFAC Project to life, celebrating Cecil Frances Alexander's incredible legacy and contributions to our shared communities, said Mary Holmes, CEO of The Churches Trust. "Through this initiative, we aim to foster cross-community dialogue, promote cultural heritage, and enhance tourism in the region, all while bringing diverse communities together to engage with this important story of unity and understanding." Key aspects of the CFAC Project include: Workshops and Study Visits exploring CFAs contributions to society Lectures and Resources on her lasting legacy and influence Celebration Event to commemorate her music and community work Opportunities for cross-community and cross-border collaboration, focusing on Strabane and other areas, including Aghyaran The CFAC Project also aims to celebrate Cecil Frances Alexanders legacy in the context of modern Northern Ireland, using cultural tourism as a platform to foster peacebuilding and strengthen local communities. About The Churches Trust:- The Churches Trust, founded in 1993 by leaders from the Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches, is committed to promoting peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community development across Northern Ireland. The Trust addresses sectarianism, racism, and poverty through a variety of community initiatives, building stronger, more inclusive societies. About PEACEPLUS:- The PEACEPLUS Programme is a cross-border funding programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. With a total value of 1.14 billion, PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive. The programme plays a key role in advancing peace and reconciliation and promoting social and economic development across the region. 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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 Mid-Louth councillor, Dolores Minogue, has requested a County Louth centred meeting with the government over the threat to business in the border area, due to the introduction of tariffs on goods being exported to America. In the long term, the Fine Gael councillor says, she is anxious that such a situation will have a major impact on business in the border region, in particular. Cllr Minogue told the Dundalk Democrat: This creates a deeply unfair trading environment and puts businesses in Louth at a significant disadvantage compared to those just across the border. For local companies trading with or exporting to the US, this could undermine their competitiveness and threaten long-term viability. Read next: Louth Colour Run for courageous Cliodhna Cllr Minogue says she wants discussions at at EU level for protections or flexibilities for border counties such as Louth, and support for SMEs in dealing with increased costs and uneven trading conditions. I want to ensure that this issue is being raised in any upcoming trade or diplomatic discussions with U.S. representatives, she added. The Ardee councillor is also requesting a meeting at Leinster House with a small delegation from County Louth, including political representatives and members of the business community, to outline actions and plans. This would provide an opportunity to present a unified local view and help ensure the message is brought back to the wider business and political network across the county. Our local economy is deeply exposed to these developments, and I want to assure constituents that this issue is being taken seriously at national level, she said. Local Sinn Fein TD, Joanna Byrne has said that "people cant trust this government when it comes to water charges" and that a "mammoth amount of work" needs to be done in Louth including in parts of north Louth that "experience water outages and discolouration issues all too frequently" Speaking in the Dail on the Sinn Fein motion on the repeal of water charges bill, Deputy Byrne said, when it appeared in the news, that a recent briefing document prepared for new Housing Minister James Browne lists finalising the draft household water conservation charge regulations as a high-level priority, my and the majority of the countrys reaction was, they cant be serious. How many times do the government parties need to be told no means no before it sinks in? Of course, there was swift denials from the Taoiseach and other actors, but weve learned not to trust Fianna Fails word when it comes to Irish Water, or Uisce Eireann or whatever name the state water entity gives itself in the future. The Fianna Fail 2016 General Election 'An Ireland for all' manifesto states that their core priority includes 'Abolishing Irish Water and Water Charges'. Just like their promise that they would deliver 40,000 housing units last year on the lead up to the general election, that pledge was misleading. The people of Ireland cannot take the Fianna Fail / Fine Gael Governments word when it comes to Uisce Eireann or water charges, be it by conservation charges or metering or however they wish to label it and dress it up. That is why the Sinn Fein Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill is needed. To ensure that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael manoeuvrings and attempts, by hook or by crook, to introduce water charges on the general public do not succeed." Read next: DkIT joins call for universally designed tertiary education system Deputy Byrne continued: If half of the energy was put into making Uisce Eireann fully fit for purpose, with sufficient capital funding, as is put into plotting to shaft the Irish people with water charges, we would all be a lot better off. A mammoth amount of works needs to be done within Uisce Eireann in Louth. Parts of north Louth experience water outages and discolouration issues all too frequently. There are major supply issues around Clogherhead and Termonfeckin in south Louth. Above all, the communication between Uisce Eireann and the people it serves, and the elected representatives is atrocious. In my own experience, it took years to get an answer on capacity in Drogheda and south Louth. The final nail needs to be put into the coffin of water charges and that is what this Bill is for. The Minister's opposition, his deflection, and his blase response by calling this a waste of time is shameful. Concluding, Deputy Byrne said: Mark my words: the Irish people will not accept any steps of any kind to introduce water charges. Feet on the street and mass mobilisations in communities the length and breadth of the country stopped water charges before and if needs be, they will do so again." The contribution of Youth and Community Work education at University College Cork (UCC) was honoured by the Lord Mayor of Cork councillor Dan Boyle at a reception in Cork City Hall. As part of Corks Lifelong Learning Festival, the reception celebrated two milestones in UCCs commitment to equality and social justice. They were the 30 year anniversary of the Bachelor of Social Science Youth and Community Work degree and also the 35 year anniversary of the Diploma in Youth and Community Work. Over the last three decades, there have been over 5,000 UCC Youth and Community Work graduates, with many going on to hold key roles in leading youth, community and voluntary organisations, as well as in public service and elected office, shaping policy and practice in communities across Ireland. The event brought together representatives from frontline organisations who continue to collaborate with UCC in supporting the professional development of students and graduates, including Foroige, CDYS, YMCA Ireland, Cork ETB, Cork City Council, Concern, Focus Ireland, St Vincent de Paul and the Cork Traveller Visibility Group. For over three decades, UCCs Youth and Community Work programmes have not only educated students but have strengthened the fabric of Corks community and voluntary sector, Mr Boyle said. This reception is a recognition of the people behind these programmes and the graduates who have dedicated their lives to building stronger, fairer, and resilient communities. UCC president John OHalloran said all at the university are proud of the impact Youth and Community Work graduates make in society. The true measure of the success of these programmes lies not only in the achievements of our graduates but also in the lives they touch and the communities they strengthen. Whether working with young people, families, or marginalised groups, our graduates are at the heart of meaningful change , supporting, empowering and advocating for others every day. The Government is currently trying to source funding for a day centre for homeless people in Cork city. A suitable site has been secured, but refurbishment is required. Former minister of state at the Department of Health, Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central Colm Burke, previously told The Echo that there was a real need for this service in the city to get people who are sleeping in shelters off the streets during the day. He explained: The cost will be about 4m, but its about bringing people into stable accommodation so we can work on rehabilitation. Mr Burke sought an update in the Dail this week. Back in October or November of last year, there was a meeting between the HSE, Cork City Council, and the departments of housing and health with a view to opening a day centre in Cork, he said. We have more than 500 people who are homeless. They are in shelters at night, but during the day they have no place to go except out on the street. We have identified a building, but need funding for its refurbishment. I note it is not included in the HSE capital plan. I ask that this issue be given priority, it would be a huge advantage to everyone. It is also about regenerating Cork city, the need to upgrade the city and the need to assist these people. Education minister Helen McEntee said that work is ongoing on the issue. My understanding is HSE South West has developed a business case and that has been presented to the HSE and the Department of Health, she said. There are conversations and engagement happening to see how this plan can be funded and how it can be progressed for all the reasons the deputy has outlined, including that we provide that support and that resource to people who need it most. There is a costed plan there, and the intention is to see how funding can be secured. It comes as figures published by the Department of Housing at the end of March showed that the number of adults accessing emergency accommodation in Cork had risen to a record high of 633. Local representatives have called for clarity on plans to amalgamate garda units in the Cork metropolitan area, with the Garda Representative Association (GRA) saying the merger is set to go ahead on Monday, despite a claim by the minister for justice that the areas are to receive additional gardai. Last month The Echo reported that a lack of manpower meant garda units in Carrigaline and Douglas, and in Bishopstown and Ballincollig, were facing amalgamation. Those plans were confirmed two weeks ago at the Carrigaline Garda Community Forum by Superintendent Finbarr OSullivan, who is in charge of Togher Garda Station, which runs the garda sub-stations at Douglas, Carrigaline, Bishopstown, and Ballincollig. However, a spokesperson for justice minister Jim OCallaghan told this newspaper on Thursday that Mr OCallaghan had been told that Carrigaline would receive three additional gardai, while Douglas would receive four additional officers, Bishopstown would get four, and Ballincollig one. They added that Mr OCallaghan had been briefed on amalgamation plans by senior gardai during a visit to Cork last week. During his visit to Cork the minister emphasised his priority to see increased garda visibility on Cork streets, so it is very welcome that additional gardai are being deployed, they said. Additionally, Mr OCallaghan was told there would be no change to opening hours of Carrigaline Garda Station or to those of Douglas Garda Station, while Ballincollig Garda Station would see an increase in opening hours. A garda car would also be detailed each day to five locations, he was told. Despite this claim by the ministers office, Padraig Harrington, the GRA delegate for the Cork city division, dismissed talk of additional gardai. The announcement that theres extra members being allocated to Carrigaline and Douglas, and Ballincollig and Bishopstown, is misleading, because its simply a reallocation of resources from within the Togher district to the outlying stations, so what one station will gain, Togher station itself will lose, he said. He added that while the GRA regretted the decision to merge garda units, it understood the necessity of it from a health and safety perspective. Donnchadh O Laoghaire, Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central, said clarity was needed. I would have a major concern that moving gardai around could leave areas short-handed when gardai are needed most, he said. We need to know that there will be a garda unit working in Douglas and another unit at the same time in Carrigaline. Peter Horgan, Labour Party city councillor, said it seemed that despite talk of additional gardai being deployed to Cork, the reallocation was just a bookkeeping exercise. We need Commissioner [Drew] Harris to come to Cork and tell us when we are getting the gardai we need in the city, he said. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said numbers attached to specific units change due to operational demands, the personal circumstances of officers, and other variables. This often includes the rearrangement or reassignment of garda resources, including transfers, both in and out of garda divisions, and allocations, the spokesperson said. As Ireland careered into an existential economic crisis in 2010, after a decade of the roaring Celtic Tiger, then Finance Minister Brian Lenihan tried to bond with the bruised electorate by shrugging and apologetically declaring: We all partied. Big mistake. Yes, a lot of people did indeed splurge their way through those glory years - we all remember those who bought second homes on soon-to-be ghost estates, borrowed vast sums for shopping trips to New York, and even put their spare cash into blatant pyramid schemes. But many more of us resented the insinuation that we were all culprits for the crash - most of us were just about washing our faces in those years of alleged plenty, and for anyone to suggest otherwise was deeply hurtful and misplaced. Along with the hapless and irritating We are where we are mantra by then Taoiseach Brown Cowen, the throwaway partying remark was a costly error for Fianna Fail. Now, for 2010, read 2025. We are told Ireland is back on the verge of another economic precipice, as a tense and hard-to-fathom tariff war breaks out, led by an angry, erratic, and woefully misguided President Trump. The good times for our economy are about to come to an end, we are being warned. To which many of us can only respond: Good times? What good times? Is this another party for which most of us failed to get an invite? Now, Mr Cowens successor as Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, is a very different animal. You dont get to survive as leader of that party for 14 years, and to win over a large chunk of the the electorate again and again, without having an instinct for survival, and a nose for knowing what not to say. The canny Cork Taoiseach would never accuse anyone of partying, like Mr Lenihan, and has thus far dealt with the unfolding tariffs crisis with a calm if necessarily pessimistic tone. Nowhere will you see Mr Martin refer to the recent years as a boom, he is fully aware of the power of language to kill a career. Nevertheless, it is hard to escape this sense of a boom era drawing to a close when politicians and the media discuss the fall-out of tariffs, giving the impression that Ireland has spent several years living it up, and we are about to pay the price. There is a feeling abroad that the taxpayer has become a fattened calf, and that if the government hits choppy economic waters, sure, we can all take the resulting hits to our incomes and state payments when the budgets start to tighten our belts. Reader, I cannot agree with that scenario at all. The belts feel tight already. Out here in the real world, many people already feel like they are struggling to get by, The cost-of-living crisis is biting deep, rents and mortgages remain sky-high and rising, the cost of electricity, gas, and fuel at the petrol pump is as eye-watering as ever. We are already seeing the way our tourism sector is suffering on the back of this. And its not just visitors to this country who are feeling the pinch. Anecdotally, I am hearing that a lot of Irish people are scaling back or even abandoning plans to take a holiday abroad themselves. And its not as if the prospect of a staycation amongst our own expensive hotels and restaurants is enticing them to stay put. Its the plummeting value of the euro in our pocket that is causing this, and the rising costs of just about everything - just this week, I got a nasty shock when I saw our familys health insurance had increased by almost 90 a month. If the government think they can squeeze us even more, under some false assumption that we have been living high on the hog, they have another thing coming. The over-riding sense among large cohorts of the population outside the Dublin bubble is that Ireland has already, so far as our pockets are concerned, been effectively in recession for a few years, whatever the public coffers say. Now think what a tough corrective budget or two could do to that mindset. Its true that record tax receipts have kept our finances buoyant - particularly from large corporations based here. The 13 billion Apple windfall didnt do us any harm on that front either. But surely nobody would dare suggest that we have seen the full benefits of this via either tax cuts or better infrastructure and vastly improved public services. So, if Ireland has indeed been metaphorically partying for years, what has happened to all that extra cash? The answer is that Ireland Inc has gone on a recruitment drive - the number of people employed in the public service rose by 25% from 2013 to 2022. Since 2022, that acceleration has grown apace. The amount employed soared from 368,000 to 405,000 last year, and is forecast to rise to 426,5000 this year. Thats a lot of extra salaries and a lot of extra pensions down the line. The money given to the HSE alone has soared from 14.5 billion in 2018 to 26.9 billion in 2025. The HSE workforce is now its largest ever, having risen by more than a fifth since the end of 2019. If there are fattened calves to tackle in the event of a downturn, these might be better places to start than by taking from the pockets of already beleaguered homeowners and families. Yet many media pundits in recent weeks have given the impression that our public services are a red line and should not be impacted by an economic downturn. Cork radio presenter Matt Cooper recently advocated in his newspaper column that the property tax could be increased to help out our public finances. This was introduced during the 2010 recession and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe had already confirmed that most homeowners will see it rise by between 5 and 25 next year. The thought of increases multiple times that is unpalatable. The theory goes that property owners are well able to pay more - but I dont think that argument would go down well in my house, or in thousands of other hard-pressed households nationwide. There have also been fresh calls in the media for a water tax to be brought in, given the current state of the public system. Although this issue has become a political minefield, I wouldnt be averse to such a charge per se - but read the room, guys. People are hard-up enough as it is, without introducing a whole new charge out of thin air. For some, the party may well be coming to an end. For most of us, the party never started. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) says there will be a steep rise in the electricity needed to power AI data processing, which will use more power in the United States by 2030 than the manufacturing of all other energy-intensive goods, including cement, aluminum, steel and chemicals. In the worlds advanced economies, data centers are predicted to drive over 20 percent of the increase in electricity demand through the end of the decade. To meet the rise in electricity needed to power these data centers, a wide array of energy sources will be needed, the report said. Renewable energy, along with natural gas, will be the biggest sources due to their availability and cost-competitiveness in key markets. AI is one of the biggest stories in the energy world today but until now, policy makers and markets lacked the tools to fully understand the wide-ranging impacts, said IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol in a press release from IEA. Global electricity demand from data centres is set to more than double over the next five years, consuming as much electricity by 2030 as the whole of Japan does today. The effects will be particularly strong in some countries. For example, in the United States, data centres are on course to account for almost half of the growth in electricity demand; in Japan, more than half; and in Malaysia, as much as one-fifth. The IEA report pointed out that questions remain about how productive and capable AI will become and how quickly efficiency improvements will happen, saying it could intensify some strains on energy security while helping address others. Cyberattacks on energy utilities have tripled in the past four years and become more sophisticated because of AI. At the same time, AI is becoming a critical tool for energy companies to defend against such attacks, the press release said. Increased energy demand for data centers will drive up emissions, but the report said the increase would be small relative to the energy sector as a whole. It also underscored the potential for AI to enable emissions reductions if the technology is widespread. The report found that AI could speed up innovations in energy technologies like solar PV and batteries as it becomes more integral to scientific discovery. With the rise of AI, the energy sector is at the forefront of one of the most important technological revolutions of our time, Birol said. AI is a tool, potentially an incredibly powerful one, but it is up to us our societies, governments and companies how we use it. The IEA will continue to provide the data, analysis and forums for dialogue to help policy makers and other stakeholders navigate the path ahead as the energy sector shapes the future of AI and AI shapes the future of energy. The report said countries must quickly accelerate their investments in electricity grids and generation; improve the flexibility and efficiency of data centers; and make the dialogue between the tech sector, energy industry and policymakers stronger in order to benefit from AIs potential. The beneficial uses of AI could offset some of its massive energy demands, but the report found that greater direction from governments is likely to be needed to make that happen, reported The Guardian. Left to its own devices, AIs rapid growth could post serious issues for energy systems globally, as well as for the environment. AIs rapid growth means companies will seek out energy sources that are most readily available, which could mean gas an energy source that was being phased out in a growing number of developed countries. Coal could even be used to meet the demand for energy to feed AIs massive data centers in the U.S., aided by President Donald Trumps support for resurrection of the dirty fuel. Claude Turmes, Luxembourgs energy minister, said the IEAs picture of the future of AI was far too optimistic. Instead of making practical recommendations to governments on how to regulate and thus minimise the huge negative impact of AI and new mega datacentres on the energy system, the IEA and its [chief] Fatih Birol are making a welcome gift to the new Trump administration and the tech companies which sponsored this new US government, Turmes said, as The Guardian reported. April 12, 2025: The United Kingdom is divided on how to deal with its Ukraine obligations. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Britain has sent about $16 billion in economic and military aid. Britain is the third largest aid donor to Ukraine, after the United States and Germany. Britain would rather concentrate on rebuilding Ukraines economy. The reality is that Ukraine is still at war and Britain, like other European nations, must deal with the possibility of Russia eventually attacking other European states, including Britain. Britain may be an island state, but the Russian Northern Fleet has a formidable submarine force and British warships could start disappearing while on the high seas. The solution to this potential threat is upgrading British defense capabilities. This means increasing defense spending from 2.3 percent of GDP to 2.5 percent. Britain also lacks munitions for its forces to fight more than a few days, Then there is the problem with how few troops Britain has to defend against anything. Currently the British army has 108,000 personnel, 74,000 of them active duty, including 4,000 Gurkhas and several hundred special operations personnel. Britain already has some troops in eastern Europe, where British troops are part of a multinational battle group in the Baltic States and Poland. Previously British troops were in Ukraine to train Ukrainian forces. At home Britain continues to have problems recruiting. In 2000 the army had 110,000 troops. By 2020 that was down to 78,000, Now its 74,000 and continuing to decline. The three year Ukraine War has changed attitudes in Britain and made more Britons aware of the deplorable state of their defense forces. Current proposals for peace in Ukraine include NATO countries contributing troops to Ukraine to guarantee the peace. In the past you could depend on the Americans to provide the troops. But the United States has told Europe that the Americans are no longer going to deal with such missions. Its up to the Europeans. Before the Ukraine War, no European country had a viable military force. Since the Cold War ended in 1991, European nations had cut military spending and troop levels and spent the money saved on more peaceful projects. Now that has changed and European nations are scrambling to rebuild their armed forces. Russia has announced that it is on the move militarily and has the largest fighting force in Europe. British military planners quickly realized that the UK would have a hard time mustering 10,000 troops to send to Eastern Europe or Ukraine. Improving that situation has, so far, proved difficult. Other European nations are having similar problems, but none as severe as the British situation. Actress Rebecca Gayheart has spoken openly about her relationship with actor Eric Dane after officially calling off their divorce. The couple, who first separated in 2018, are now staying married and focused on raising their two daughters together. "We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great coparents," Gayheart told E! News on April 9 at a screening of the documentary "The Carters: Hurts to Love You." She added, "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." Gayheart and Dane, known for their roles in "Beverly Hills," "90210" and "Grey's Anatomy," have two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13. Though Gayheart filed for divorce nearly six years ago, court documents show she asked to dismiss the case last month. Dane agreed, and the case was soon closed by a Los Angeles court. During her interview, Gayheart reflected on their long relationship and why she doesn't see it as a failure, US Magazine said. "It's just a season. It wasn't a failure. It was a huge success. We were married forwell, we are still marriedbut together for 15 years and we had two beautiful kids," she said. "That's a successful relationship, and that's how we look at it." Rebecca Gayheart speaks out after dismissing divorce from Eric Dane Read full article here: https://t.co/qE4oPuMsdY pic.twitter.com/lcQokm9atB Film-News.it (@FilmNewsItaly) April 11, 2025 Read more: Rebecca Gayheart Files to Drop Divorce from Eric Dane Amid Reunion Rumors Rebecca Gayheart Focuses on Family Amid Eric Dane Romance Rumors Although the couple has been seen on family trips over the years, neither has confirmed whether they are back together romantically. In late 2023, rumors cooled when Dane was seen dining with Priya Jain. In March, Jain posted and later deleted pictures of the two, including images of matching tattoos. Gayheart did not speak on Dane's current relationship status. She chose instead to focus on their shared commitment to family, saying that being great coparents is what matters most now. According to ENews, she also shared that their daughters might follow in their footsteps. "My 15-year-old definitely wants to model and act," Gayheart revealed. "They both talk about it, but they're too young yet." Gayheart was also at the screening to support her longtime friend Soleil Moon Frye, who directed "The Carters," which premieres April 15 on Paramount+. The documentary looks at the lives of Nick Carter and his late brother Aaron Carter. Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 has recalled a moment he was involved in that could have aided in apprehending Saddam Hussein. The musician recounted the moment in his new autobiography 'Fahrenheit-182.' In the book, Hoppus shared that he was speaking to a Navy admiral while on a an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. During the conversation, Hoppus thought about how military drones could be used to locate Hussein. "Sir, I have a plan for how to catch Saddam Hussein. Sir, what about having drones fly all over the region in carpeting patterns, broadcasting time codes above the level of human hearing but at the level that a video recording would catch it," Hoppus recounts in the book, according to NME. "Then, the next time he releases one of his videos, you can listen to it, pull the ultrasonic data, and triangulate the drones you have flying all over," Hoppus added. The musician shared that the admiral mentioned that he may pitch the idea to the Chiefs of Staff. Shortly after the conversation, Hoppus shared that Hussein had been apprehended, a moment he takes credit for. "Four months later, Saddam was located and captured in Iraq. So, you're welcome everyone," Hoppus shared. After months of intelligence gathering, U.S. forces zeroed in on a rural farmhouse where they found Hussein in a hole. Hussein was then handed over to the Iraqi interim government and put on trial for crimes, which included he 1982 massacre of 148 Shiite villagers in Dujail. He was subsequently sentenced to death as a result of his crimes. Originally published on Music Times Prince Harry says his "worst fears" have been confirmed after spending two days in court fighting for his family's safety in the UK. The Duke of Sussex, 40, is challenging the British government's decision to remove automatic police protection for him and Meghan Markle after they stepped down as senior royals in 2020. "This one has always mattered the most," Harry said after leaving London's Royal Courts of Justice on April 9. "People would be shocked by what's being held back." He added that the legal case has left him "exhausted and overwhelmed." Harry's legal team argues that the security decision was unfair and that he was treated differently from other public figures, including former prime ministers and celebrities. According to People, the decision was made by a government committee called RAVEC, which includes royal aides close to King Charles III. Harry believes this group did not follow proper rules and should not have the final say. The court heard that Queen Elizabeth had supported Harry and Meghan's need for protection, but just one month later, it was taken away. #PrinceHarry: People would be shocked by whats being held back, he said, adding that his worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and thats really sad. We wanna know the specifics Harry. Do tell. pic.twitter.com/0Kw7dGHD86 Anna (@anna_itsonlyme) April 11, 2025 Read more: Prince Harry Speaks Out on Unfair Treatment After Being Stripped of UK Protection Prince Harry Fights to Protect Meghan and Their Kids This change happened shortly after the couple moved to the US and started their new life in California with their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. Even now, Harry worries for his family's safety when visiting the UK. He believes removing security was a tactic to force him and Meghan back into royal duties. "That was hard to swallow," he admitted. While Harry was in court, Meghan was seen in New York City on April 10 with heavy private security, including a four-car motorcade, PageSix said. A source told Page Six the security detail seemed "totally over-the-top." Questions remain about who paid for it and whether any city resources were used. Prince Harry's involvement in this legal dispute represents just one of several legal battles he has pursued in recent years. He recently won an eight-figure settlement from a British tabloid for phone hacking. But this case, he said, is about much moreit's about protecting his wife and children. The court's final decision may take weeks. Still, Harry made it clear he won't stop. "I'm driven by exposing injustice," he said. The day after leaving court, he traveled to Ukraine to visit a medical clinic, continuing his public work despite personal struggles. Barack and Michelle Obama have reportedly been living separate lives for months, quietly working through the details of what sources describe as a private split. The former president and first lady have reportedly already divided their assets a reported $70 million fortune and are expected to go public with their separation later this year. The news follows claims that tensions had developed in their marriage post-2024 election cycle. When Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race in July, sources say the relationship between the Obamas who had previously portrayed a united front became "venomous." According to reports, Barack, 63, hoped that Michelle, 61, would pick up the Democratic banner but was left frustrated when she did not. The Obamas' legal teams have reportedly settled for an reached a settlement. The outlet said Michelle is to retain ownership of their production company, Higher Ground Productions, along with the couple's Martha's Vineyard estate and their Chicago house. Barack reportedly will keep their Washington, DC, mansion. "She'll keep Higher Ground Productions, the home in Chicago and the Martha's Vineyard estate," one source told RadarOnline. "He'll get the D.C. mansion and they'll split the stock portfolio, which is worth about $22.5 million now. He'll also get a slice of the Hollywood profits, but she maintains total control over the company." Barack has apparently been spending more time in the nation's capital, working behind the scenes to bolster support for Democratic leadership. For her part, Michelle has still been in the public eye, working on Netflix productions through their company Higher Ground. Political Fallout and Personal Distance The rift became worse, according to insiders, after Barack supported Kamala Harris over Joe Biden during the 2020 election, something Michelle allegedly refused. "He raged at her that she was handing Trump and the Republicans the election," one insider said, adding, "She's simply had it with politics. Nothing would have made her run." Due to reports of Barack appearing alone in public on several occasions, among other places at official events like the inauguration of Donald Trump and the funeral of Jimmy Carter without Michelle in sight speculation on the status of the couple went rampant. He has even reportedly been seen without his wedding ring. "They've been living separate lives for a while now," the source said. "Now, they've decided to stop putting up the facade of a happy family." Despite the rumors, Barack has continued to share affectionate posts online, including a tribute for Michelle's birthday in January. Insiders suggest this was part of a strategy to keep up appearances while preparing for the eventual public announcement. "The hard part is all but done," a source claimed. "To be honest, it came quite easily compared to how some divorces play out with the spouses fighting over every nickel. I think Barack and Michelle are so sick and tired of smiling for the cameras, they just want it to be over so they can quit play-acting and move on with their lives." It's worth noting that Barack and Michelle Obama have not confirmed any of the claims, so all the details are considered alleged. Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. Montana State University welcomes students back to campus for the first day of the Fall 2023 semester. (Provided by Montana State University) Three international students attending Montana State University had their F-1 visa status revoked under the authority of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, MSU said in a notice Friday to the campus community. One international student from the University of Montana also had their F-1 visa revoked, a UM spokesperson said. However, that student has graduated and is living out of state. The F-1 visa generally allows nonimmigrant international students to enter the country as a full-time student at an accredited institution and enroll in a program that culminates in a degree, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Stephanie McCalla, chairperson of the MSU Faculty Senate, said Friday she had not yet spoken with any students who are affected, but she and other faculty are upset at the news. These are members of our community, and theyre being ripped away for no apparent reason, McCalla said. A story earlier this month from Inside Higher Ed said the Trump administration is revoking student visas every week, and it appears federal immigration officials are also terminating their student residency status, paving the way for arrest and deportation. MSU in Bozeman has an estimated 400 students from 64 countries, and the vast majority of them are on F-1 visas, said spokesperson Tracy Ellig in an email. Ellig said the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prohibits the university from providing additional information, such as where the students with revoked visas are from, their enrollment status or their ability to remain on campus. In her message to the campus community, President Waded Cruzado said the three students from MSU whose visas were revoked have been notified and received information regarding their status and available resources. The university will follow all applicable laws while exercising the necessary duty of care to our students, Cruzado said in the email. She said MSU was sharing the information with the campus given the heightened attention to the topic. We value every student in our campus; this appreciation includes our international students who make Montana State University their university of choice, Cruzado said. UM spokesperson Dave Kuntz said the university has 145 students on F-1 visas and 29 on J-1 visas. J-1 visas are for nonimmigrants participating in an exchange program, according to the U.S. Department of State. April 12, 2025: The United States has not backed off from attempting to develop a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. The Americans believe this is a European problem and that the Europeans should deal with it. So far, the European nations have not come up with a feasible peace plan. The Ukrainians are willing to negotiate but the Russians insist that they will keep fighting until Ukraine is once more part of Russia. All this puts Europe in an untenable position. While Europe is furiously rebuilding its neglected arms industries, the U.S. is no longer available to supply Ukraine. The only immediate solution is for European nations to take weapons and munitions from their own forces and ship them to Ukraine. There are also efforts to purchase weapons and munitions from other sources, like South Korea. Poland has already spent nearly $20 billion on South Korea weapons and equipment. The Americans still have 100,000 troops in Europe and will not use them in Ukraine to guarantee a peace deal. At the moment, European countries can only muster 40,000 soldiers for Ukraine, where estimates are that a force of 100,000 to 200,000 soldiers is needed. European nations see the dire situation they are in and realize that there is no quick fix. It will take years to upgrade and expand European forces. In the meantime Russia openly boasts that it can and will take advantage of this situation. That means the only viable European peace plan right now is whatever the Russians will allow. The Europeans nations are finding out what NATO can do without the United States. For the moment the thirty European NATO members are scrambling to assemble a large enough military force to dissuade Russian aggression. On paper the European NATO nations have 1.9 million troops. Before the U.S. left with its 1.3 million troops, the total force was 3.2 million. While 1.9 million seems large enough, the Europeans have not agreed on how to handle command and control, or much of anything. In the past, the Americans took care of that because they had far greater resources. Now Europe has to start from scratch to create a new command structure. That could take years when it is needed within months. The foundation of any European peace plan for Ukraine is to have the forces to maintain and enforce it. The solution is a work in progress and no one knows how long it will take or how effective any solution will be. For the first time in over 70 years, Europe has to manage its own defense against a new Russian threat. Jaideep Ahlawats suaveness, along with his electrifying dance moves in Jewel Thiefs Jaadu are being praised by fans. The song seems to be an integral part of the movie, with Jaideep, Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor and Nikita Dutta participating in it. The music gives 80s vibes as the stars groove to the intriguing lyrics. Saif, Kunal and Nikita also shake their legs in the track, but Jaideeps performance is being praised by fans all over. Many social media users have also termed him as good as Vicky Kaushal in Tauba Tauba. One fan wrote, Jaideep Ahlawat's expressions, dance and glamorous look made me smile. Saif and Kunal rock but Jaideep was a fresh look. Another fan joined in the conversation, stating, Happy to see Jaideep dancing like this, he looks stunning. Two other fans were all praises for their favourite. One said, Jaideep Ahlawat's dance is the main surprise pack of this video. Another wrote, Jaideep Ahlawat can dance! I thought he would be not that great at dancing...but man was smooth with it... See Also: Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawats Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins To Release on THIS Date Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins is scheduled to be released on OTT on April 25, 2025. The film is directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal. Alongside Jaideep, it also stars Saif Ali Khan, Nikita Dutta, Kunal Kapoor and more. While speaking about the movie, Jaideep added, A film that is so interesting, challenging, and as exciting as any project or role of mine. It's the experience of getting into a new universe with a bunch of people who are as excited as you to deliver the best. He further shared, As actors, we all were so secure and invested in our craft that we could help each other do better and that ultimately uplifts the narrative of a story we are trying to present in the best possible way. The movie will be set against the backdrops of Budapest, Istanbul and Mumbai. Saif Ali Khan will play a conman, who is at loggerheads with mafia boss Jaideep Ahlawat. Take a look at the music video below: In a shocking turn of events, the chargesheet filed by the Mumbai Police in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case has confirmed that the actors elder son, Taimur Ali Khan, played a pivotal role in rushing his father to the hospital after the violent incident. The attack took place in the early hours of January 16, 2025. According to the Free Press Journal, Saif was severely wounded and bleeding when a house help flagged down an auto-rickshaw. Kareena Kapoor, who was present at the scene, instructed that Saif be taken to the hospital immediately. It was at that moment that Taimur insisted on accompanying his father, reportedly telling the family, I will go with Papa, showing courage and presence of mind beyond his years. Interestingly, earlier reports by IANS had claimed that it was Saifs elder son Ibrahim Ali Khan who helped transport his injured father to Lilavati Hospital. Ibrahim, 23, was said to have helped Saif into the auto-rickshaw after their car couldnt be used due to the drivers absence. However, the police chargesheet now suggests that Taimur, along with a staff member named Hari, was actually the one who accompanied Saif during the emergency. This discrepancy in reports highlights the confusion and urgency surrounding the incident in its immediate aftermath. The assailant, identified as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, was apprehended by the police a few days later and remains in custody. He has been accused of breaking into Saifs residence with the intention to rob and subsequently attacking the actor and a staff member using a blade and a wooden weapon. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the celebrity status of the victim, and the bravery shown by Saifs family members, especially young Taimur, has been widely acknowledged. The chargesheet also includes Saif Ali Khans detailed account of the terrifying night. Saif recalled that after having dinner with his sons around 7:30 pm, he went to bed at 10 pm, and Kareena returned home by 1:30 am. Just an hour later, around 2 am, Jehs nanny came rushing to their bedroom, shouting that a man with a knife had entered the childs room. Upon confronting the intruder, Saif engaged in a struggle with him, which led to the actor being stabbed multiple timessuffering injuries to his neck, back, hands, chest, and legs. The intruder also attacked the nanny when she attempted to intervene. Pewaukee, Wisconsin--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - A fresh wave of premium landscaping service has arrived in southeastern Wisconsin with the official launch of Best Bark Mulch, a locally owned and operated mulch delivery and installation company based at 600 Sussex St, Pewaukee, WI 53072. Serving both Waukesha County and Milwaukee County, Best Bark Mulch is now offering homeowners, contractors, and property managers access to high-quality mulch products paired with reliable delivery and professional installation services. Best Bark Mulch Featured Announcement Photo To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11578/248289_254573_bestbark_socialposts_r2_a1-1920x1080.jpg Founded on a commitment to exceptional service, local values, and landscape excellence, Best Bark Mulch is quickly becoming the trusted name for those searching for "mulch near me" in the southeastern Wisconsin area. With a focus on top-tier mulch varieties, fast delivery, and clean, efficient installation, the company is redefining what it means to beautify outdoor spaces-without the mess, stress, or guesswork. A Local, Family-Owned Business Rooted in Quality Best Bark Mulch is proud to be a family-run company that understands the needs of local homeowners and businesses alike. As co-founder Tyler Mainka explains, "We started Best Bark Mulch to fill a gap we saw in the market-people wanted high-quality mulch, delivered fast, and installed right. We took that simple need and built a reliable, professional service around it." With a yard based in Pewaukee Wisconsin, the team is positioned to serve the entire region efficiently, offering same-week mulch delivery, and easy online ordering. Premium Mulch Types for Every Landscape Best Bark Mulch delivers by the cubic yard and offers a curated selection of premium mulch varieties to suit every style and functional need: Chocolate Brown Mulch - A best-seller, known for its rich, natural look that retains color well and elevates any landscape. Red Mulch - Bold and eye-catching, red mulch adds contrast and vibrancy to flower beds and commercial properties. Black Mulch - Clean, sharp, and modern, black mulch suppresses weeds while offering a contemporary aesthetic. White Cedar Mulch - Long-lasting and aromatic, cedar mulch offers natural pest resistance and a premium visual texture. Double-Shredded Hardwood Mulch - Traditional, effective, and easy to spread, this mulch is perfect for large coverage areas and consistent moisture retention. Each mulch type is double-ground, ensuring a uniform, clean look and optimal performance for water retention, weed suppression, and soil insulation. 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Proudly Serving Waukesha and Milwaukee County Best Bark Mulch provides bulk mulch delivery and installation services throughout: Waukesha County: Pewaukee Waukesha Brookfield Sussex Oconomowoc Hartland Delafield Mukwonago New Berlin Dousman Wales Elm Grove Milwaukee County: Milwaukee Wauwatosa West Allis Franklin Greenfield Oak Creek Shorewood South Milwaukee Whitefish Bay Glendale From residential yards to commercial campuses, Best Bark Mulch has already earned praise for being responsive, professional, and delivering a superior-quality mulch product at competitive prices. Sustainability, Accuracy, and Honest Delivery Best Bark Mulch focuses on precision and trust. Every delivery is measured accurately to ensure customers receive exactly what they ordered-no short loads, no guesswork. The mulch itself is made from recycled, repurposed wood materials, making it an environmentally responsible choice for customers who care about sustainability. "We want our customers to feel confident knowing they're not only getting the best service but also supporting a company that cares about the environment," says Tyler Mainka. Find Best Bark Mulch online or on Google Best Bark Mulch has made ordering mulch easier than ever. Customers can visit the official website at https://bestbarkmulch.com to browse products, get pricing by the yard, and schedule delivery and installation with just a few clicks. The company can also be found on its verified Google Business Profile, where customers leave reviews, view photos, get directions, and confirm hours of operation. With a commitment to customer satisfaction, clean installations, and fast, honest delivery, Best Bark Mulch is setting a new standard for mulch service in Wisconsin. Now accepting orders for the 2025 landscaping season. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248289 SOURCE: Best Bark Mulch NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Torchlight Innovations Inc. (TSXV: TLX.P) ("Torchlight" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amalgamation agreement dated April 11, 2025 (the "Amalgamation Agreement") with Innovation Mining Inc. ("Innovation") and 1535261 B.C. Ltd. ("Subco"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company pursuant to which Torchlight will, by way of a "three-cornered amalgamation", acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Innovation (together with the related transactions and corporate procedures set forth in the Amalgamation Agreement, the "Transaction"). The Transaction is subject to TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") approval and is intended to constitute Torchlight's "Qualifying Transaction" in accordance with TSXV Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies ("Policy 2.4"). In connection with the Transaction, Torchlight intends to consolidate its common shares on a 1.93:1 basis (the "Consolidation") and change its name to "Innovation Mining Inc." or such other name as may be determined by Innovation (the "Name Change"). About Innovation Innovation is a clean-tech company with an innovative technology that aims to transform the gold mining industry. Innovation has developed RZOLV, a proprietary, non-toxic hydrometallurgical formula for gold extraction. The formula offers a sustainable, safe, and water-based alternative to cyanide. While cyanide has been the industry standard for over a century, its toxic nature has led to bans in several countries and costly permitting challenges for mining companies. RZOLV offers similar cost and performance metrics as cyanide, but with a non-toxic, reusable and sustainable profile. Innovation is currently focused on validating its technology through a 100-tonne industrial test, after which full commercialization efforts will begin. Innovation has safeguarded RZOLV with a robust portfolio of patents (2 patents filed), trade secrets, facility security, chemical obfuscation, and stringent employment confidentiality agreements ensuring long-term competitive advantages. The intellectual property framework includes protection for its chemical formulation, regeneration processes, and specific applications in heap leaching, vat leaching, and concentrate processing. Upon completion of the Transaction, the Resulting Issuer (as defined below) will take over the business of Innovation as a Tier 2 technology Issuer. About Torchlight The Company completed its IPO on August 8, 2022 for gross proceeds of $300,000 and, in connection therewith, listed on the TSXV as a CPC under the trading symbol "TLX.P". The Company is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. The Transaction Pursuant to the terms of the Amalgamation Agreement, and subject to certain conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory and shareholder approvals, on the closing date of the Transaction (the "Closing Date"), Innovation will amalgamate with Subco pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Amalgamation"). The amalgamated entity ("Amalco") will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torchlight. The Amalgamation must be approved by not less than 662/3% of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders of Innovation (the "Innovation Meeting"), which will be held to consider, among other things, the Amalgamation. The Amalgamation is not anticipated to be subject to Torchlight shareholder approval. Innovation intends to complete a share split on an approximately 1:1.24 basis prior to completion of the SR Financing (defined below) and the Transaction (the "Share Split"). Pursuant to the Transaction, the Company will then issue one (1) post-Consolidation common share to Innovation shareholders for every one (1) common share of Innovation held. Outstanding options, warrants and broker warrants of Innovation will also be replaced with options, warrants and broker warrants of the Resulting Issuer exercisable on equivalent terms. In connection with the Transaction and following the Share Split, Innovation intends to undertake a non-brokered private placement of subscription receipts (each a "Subscription Receipt") at a price of $0.50 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000 (the "SR Financing"). Each Subscription Receipt is expected to be exchanged for one common share and one common share purchase warrant of Innovation (exercisable at a price of $0.75) prior to completion of the Transaction. The underlying Innovation common shares and warrants will subsequently be exchanged for common shares and warrants of the Resulting Issuer on a one for one basis, in accordance with the exchange ratio, at the time of completion of the Transaction. Prior to completion of the SR Financing and before the Share Split, Innovation intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of units (the "Units") at a price per Unit of $0.35 ($0.28 post-Share Split) for additional gross proceeds of up to $752,500 (the "PP Financing"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant exercisable for one common share at a price of $0.50 per share ($0.40 post-Share Split)). Any funds raised in the PP Financing will be available for Innovation's use towards its business prior to the completion of the Transaction and will not form part of the SR Financing. No finder's fee is payable in connection with the Transaction. Finder's fees may be paid in connection with the SR Financing and PP Financing. There are no common control persons of both the Company and the Innovation. The Transaction will not constitute a "Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction" (as such term is defined in Policy 2.4) or a related party transaction pursuant to the policies of the TSXV and applicable securities laws. The completion of the Transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including but not limited to: the reconstitution of the board at closing to appoint Duane Nelson, Darryl Yea and Mike Cowin to the board; the appointment of Duane Nelson as Chief Executive Officer, Grant Bond as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and Marien Segovia as Corporate Secretary; the completion of the Share Split prior to undertaking the SR Financing; the completion of the SR Financing and the PP Financing; the completion of the Consolidation; approval of the Amalgamation by the shareholders of Innovation; the absence of any material adverse change in the business of either Torchlight or Innovation; no material action, cause of action, claim, demand, suit, investigation or other proceedings in progress, pending or threatened against or affecting any of Torchlight, Subco, Innovation or any such company's respective officers and directors; no proceeding or law being enacted or commenced that frustrates the consummation of the Transaction; dissent rights having not been exercised by shareholders of Innovation holding more than 5% of the outstanding common shares; each of Innovation and Torchlight being satisfied as to the results of their respective due diligence investigations; and receipt of all requisite regulatory, corporate, stock exchange, governmental and third party authorizations and consents, including the approval of the TSXV. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed on the terms proposed above or at all. Resulting Issuer On closing of the Transaction, it is expected that Torchlight (then, the "Resulting Issuer") will issue at a minimum the following securities to Innovation securityholders, on a post-Consolidation basis, in exchange for the issued and outstanding securities of Innovation at the Closing Date: 55,011,000 common shares to Innovation shareholders (in exchange for the same number of Innovation common shares issued and outstanding following the Share Split together with the common shares issued in connection with the PP Financing and upon exercise of the Subscription Receipts issued in connection with the SR Financing); 621,919 options to current Innovation option holders, exercisable for 621,919 common shares of the Resulting Issuer at a price of $0.08 per share (in exchange for the same number of Innovation options issued and outstanding following the Share Split); 3,793,703 options to current Innovation option holders, exercisable for 3,793,703 common shares of the Resulting Issuer at a price of $0.20 per share (in exchange for the same number of Innovation options issued and outstanding following the Share Split); 159,087 warrants to current Innovation warrant holders, exercisable for 159,087 common shares of the Resulting Issuer at a price of $0.20 per share (in exchange for the same number of Innovation warrants issued and outstanding following the Share Split); 80,899 warrants to current Innovation warrant holders, exercisable for 80,899 common shares of the Resulting Issuer at a price of $0.40 per share (in exchange for the same number of Innovation broker warrants issued and outstanding following the Share Split); 3,528,766 warrants to current Innovation warrant holders, exercisable for 3,528,766 common shares of the Resulting Issuer at a price of $0.60 per share (in exchange for the same number of Innovation warrants issued and outstanding following the Share Split); 2,674,250 warrants to Innovation warrant holders in connection with the PP Financing, exercisable for 2,674,250 common shares of the Resulting Issuer at a price of $0.40 per share; and 4,000,000 warrants to Innovation warrant holders in connection with the SR Financing, exercisable for 4,000,000 common shares of the Resulting Issuer at a price of $0.75 per share. Board and Management Upon completion of the Transaction, it is expected that the board of directors and management of the Resulting Issuer will consist of: Duane Nelson (CEO and Director), Darryl Yea (Director), Mike Cowin (Director), Robert Archer (Director) and Grant Bond (CFO). All current directors and officers of Torchlight, other than Robert Archer, will resign at the closing of the Transaction. The following individuals are expected to be directors or senior officers of the Resulting Issuer: Duane Nelson - Chief Executive Officer and Director With over 40 years of entrepreneurial and leadership experience, Mr. Nelson has founded and led several successful ventures, including SilverMex Resources, which was sold for $235 million. He also founded Quotemedia Inc., a global leader in financial market data services. Mr. Nelson is a director of Group 11 Technologies, pioneering in-situ gold mining technologies, and serves on the board of NGO Sustainability Inc, focusing on sustainable development in partnership with United Nations initiatives. His career highlights include fostering innovation in mining, finance, and renewable energy. Grant Bond - CFO A Chartered Professional Accountant ("CPA, CA") with over 12 years of financial management experience in the mining industry, Mr. Bond currently serves as CFO for P2 Gold Inc. and Austin Gold Corp. His background includes financial reporting, risk management, and transitioning companies, including Pretium Resources Inc., from exploration to production phases. Mr. Bond began his career in the assurance group at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and holds a Diploma in Accounting and Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia. Darryl Yea - Director With 35+ years of experience in operations, investment banking, and corporate finance, Mr. Yea has held leadership roles in diverse industries. He has served as CEO of financial and technology firms, chaired several companies, and advised regulatory bodies. Mr. Yea's expertise in mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, and corporate governance has made him a prominent figure in finance and mining. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia. Mike Cowin - Director Mr. Cowin brings 20 years of investment and portfolio management experience, particularly in emerging companies. As a director at Northcape Capital, he has managed funds totaling over AUD 8 billion. His career includes leadership roles at AMP and UBS, with a focus on industrial and diversified sectors. Robert Archer - Director Mr. Archer has more than 40 years' experience in the mining industry, working throughout the Americas. After spending more than 15 years with major mining companies (including Newmont, Placer Dome and Rio Algom), Mr. Archer held several senior management positions in the junior mining sector. He cofounded and built Great Panther Mining Limited from concept into a mid-tier precious metals producer with three operating mines and a listing on NYSE American. He currently serves as President & CEO and Director of Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. Mr. Archer is a Professional Geologist and holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) degree from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. Filing Statement In connection with the Transaction and pursuant to the requirements of the TSXV, Torchlight will file a filing statement on its issuer profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), which will contain details regarding the Transaction, Torchlight, Innovation and the Resulting Issuer. Sponsorship Sponsorship of a Qualifying Transaction (as such term is defined in Policy 2.4) is required by the TSXV unless a waiver from the sponsorship requirement is obtained. Torchlight intends to apply for a waiver from sponsorship for the Transaction. There is no assurance that a waiver from this requirement will be obtained. Additional Information All information contained in this press release with respect to Innovation was supplied by Innovation, and Torchlight and its directors and officers have relied on Innovation for such information. Torchlight and Innovation plan to issue additional press releases in accordance with the policies of the TSXV providing further details in respect of the Transaction, including summary financial information of Innovation, and other material information as it becomes available. Trading in the common shares of Torchlight is currently halted and will remain halted until such time as all required documentation in connection with the Transaction has been filed with and accepted by the TSXV and permission to resume trading has been obtained from the TSXV. None of the securities issued in connection with the Transaction will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. Cautionary Note Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable pursuant to TSXV Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and Torchlight, Innovation and the Resulting Issuer do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to: (a) the business plans of the Resulting Issuer, (b) the completion of the SR Financing and the PP Financing, (c) the Transaction (including TSXV approval and the closing of the Transaction), the Amalgamation and the issuance of securities of Torchlight to the shareholders of Innovation, (d) the listing of the Resulting Issuer on the TSXV (as a Tier 2 technology issuer), (e) the Innovation Meeting, (f) the completion of the Consolidation and Share Split, (g) the Name Change; and (h) the expected composition of the board of directors and management of the Resulting Issuer. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of the management of Innovation and the management of the Company, including, without limitation, that (i) the parties will obtain all necessary corporate, shareholder and regulatory approvals and consents required for the completion of the Transaction (including TSXV approval), (ii) the SR Financing and the PP Financing will be completed, (iii) the Transaction and the Amalgamation will be completed on the terms and conditions and within the timeframes expected by each of Torchlight and Innovation, (iv) the Resulting Issuer will be listed on the TSXV as a Tier 2 technology issuer, as anticipated, (v) the Innovation Meeting will be held as expected by Innovation, (vi) Torchlight will complete the Consolidation as expected and Innovation will complete the Share Split as expected, (vii) the Resulting Issuer will complete the Name Change, (viii) the board of directors and management of the Resulting Issuer will be composed of the individuals expected by Torchlight and Innovation; and (ix) there will be no adverse changes in applicable regulations or TSXV policies that impact the Transaction. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of Torchlight, Innovation or the Resulting Issuer to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: (A) there can be no assurances that Torchlight and Innovation will obtain all requisite approvals for the Transaction, including the approval of the Innovation shareholders, or the approval of the TSXV (which may be conditional upon amendments to the terms of the Transaction), or that the Amalgamation will be completed on the terms and conditions contained in the Amalgamation Agreement, or at all, (B) there can be no assurances as to the completion of or the actual gross proceeds raised in connection with the SR Financing and the PP Financing, (C) the parties and the completion of the Transaction may be adversely impacted by changes in legislation, changes in TSXV policies, political instability or general market conditions, (D) the Innovation Meeting and may not be held within the timeframe expected (E) the proposed directors may refuse to act as directors of the Resulting Issuer, (F) risks relating to the current global trade war, (G) following completion of the Transaction, the Resulting Issuer may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations, or (H) financing may not be available when needed or on terms and conditions acceptable to the Resulting Issuer. Such forward-looking information represents the best judgment of the management of Innovation and the management of the Company based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither Torchlight, nor Innovation, nor any of their representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this press release. Neither Torchlight, nor Innovation, nor any of their representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this press release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248319 SOURCE: Torchlight Innovations Inc. Find out how to sell your business quickly and profitably through IRAEmpire.com's latest guide. IRAEmpire is proud to announce the release of its latest guide on "How to Sell Your Business Fast" for 2025. Ryan Paulson, Chief Editor at IRAEmpire says, "Selling a business is never simple, but when speed matters, you have to be strategic. The process can stall for months without clear direction. If you're looking to close a deal quickly, your focus should be on cutting friction, streamlining every step, and targeting serious buyers." Get in Touch with a Business Sale Expert Here. Alternatively, explore the best business sale brokers of 2025 on IRAEmpire here. Here's a detailed breakdown of how to sell your business fast-without sabotaging the value. Get Your Financials in Order-Now Nothing slows down a sale like bad bookkeeping. If your numbers are a mess, buyers will either walk away or lowball you hard. Clean books build trust. Sloppy ones kill deals. Before listing your business, make sure your financials are: Clean and accurate Up to date (at least the last two to three years) Backed by proper documentation You'll need your profit and loss statements, balance sheets, tax returns, and cash flow statements ready to go. Ideally, have them reviewed or compiled by a CPA. Buyers want to see consistency and transparency in your reporting-no unexplained gaps or sudden swings in revenue. Also, break down your revenue sources and major expenses. Can you show recurring revenue? Are your margins stable? Buyers want to know where the money comes from, where it goes, and what levers they can pull to grow. If you use accounting software, generate clean reports and export everything to share quickly. Consider hiring an accountant or fractional CFO to tighten things up. They can clean your books, flag red flags, and help present your numbers in the best light. This isn't optional-it's foundational. Solid financials won't just speed up the sale-they can raise your valuation, too. Know What Your Business Is Worth To sell quickly, you have to price your business realistically. Overpricing kills deals before they start. A professional valuation can give you clarity and justify your asking price to buyers. It also shows buyers that you're serious and not just testing the waters. A rushed sale with an inflated price tag is a red flag that repels credible buyers. If you're pressed for time, start by researching comparable businesses in your industry and size range. Look at what they've sold for recently, not just what they're listed for. Listing prices are often inflated; sold prices tell the real story. Pay attention to businesses with similar revenue, profit margins, and growth trends. Also, consider the structure of the deal. An all-cash deal might close faster but attract fewer buyers. Seller financing or earn-outs can make your business more appealing, especially to buyers who may not have the full amount upfront. However, these can introduce complexity and longer timelines. Think about your risk tolerance and how flexible you're willing to be. In some cases, offering a discount for a quick close or bundling in extra value-like equipment, staff training, or vendor contacts-can speed up negotiations. You don't want to undersell, but strategic concessions can get a good deal done faster. Define Your Deal-Breakers Early If you want to move fast, you can't waste time in back-and-forth. That starts by knowing exactly what you're willing to accept-and what you're not. Get crystal clear on the terms of the deal that work for you. When a buyer shows interest, you should already know whether they're worth pursuing. Ask yourself: Are you selling the entire business, including all assets, inventory, and goodwill-or just a portion? Are you willing to stay on post-sale to help transition operations, or do you want a clean break? Is seller financing an option, and if so, what are your terms? What's your rock-bottom price, and what extras (like equipment or contracts) are non-negotiable? Beyond the numbers, think about timing, culture fit, and intentions. Do you want to avoid selling to a competitor? Are you looking for someone who will keep your team intact? These might not affect the structure of the deal, but they matter if you want to walk away feeling good about the transition. By clearly defining your deal-breakers, you avoid time-wasters and stay in control of the process. It also gives you leverage. You know what matters to you-and you're not scrambling to figure it out while negotiating. That kind of clarity speeds up decisions and makes your posture stronger at the table. Learn How to Sell Your Business Profitably Here. Create a Pitch Package That Sells Think of your business as a product. The way you package and present it matters. A solid pitch package isn't just about saving time-it's about giving serious buyers the confidence to move forward quickly. Start with an executive summary that gives a high-level overview of what your business does, your market position, and your key selling points. Keep it short-no more than a page-but make it compelling. Next, clearly state your reason for selling. Buyers get nervous when the seller's motivations are unclear. Be honest but strategic. Whether it's retirement, burnout, or a shift in focus, explain it in a way that doesn't raise red flags. Your financial highlights should include revenue, profit margins, key expenses, and any seasonality. Use charts if it helps. Show trends, not just static numbers. Include a snapshot of your operations. What systems and processes are in place? How much does the business rely on you? The more turnkey it feels, the faster it sells. List all assets, including equipment, inventory, intellectual property, and digital assets (like domain names or software). If you have existing contracts or recurring revenue streams, call them out-they're valuable. Include customer data (in aggregate), competitive advantages, and areas for future growth. This helps buyers see upside. Finally, outline a transition plan. How long will you stick around to help? What support will you offer? A smooth handoff builds trust-and speeds up the close. A clean, professional pitch package makes your business easier to understand, evaluate, and buy. List in the Right Places You don't have time to wait for the perfect buyer to stumble across your listing. To sell quickly, you need visibility in the right channels-the places where qualified, motivated buyers are actively looking. Start with the major online business marketplaces. Sites like BizBuySell, Empire Flippers, and Flippa have built-in audiences of investors and entrepreneurs. Each caters to different niches: BizBuySell is great for traditional small businesses, while Empire Flippers leans toward online and digital-first companies. Flippa works well for ecommerce, SaaS, and content-based sites. Pick platforms based on your business type. Next, look into industry-specific broker networks. These platforms often have buyers looking for opportunities in a specific vertical, like healthcare practices, logistics companies, or manufacturing firms. They can help you tap into a more targeted pool of buyers. Don't ignore private equity groups or strategic buyers-especially if your business has growth potential. Strategic buyers might include competitors, vendors, or larger companies that want to expand through acquisition. These buyers are often faster to move and willing to pay more for synergy. And don't underestimate your own network. Let your suppliers, customers, business partners, and industry peers know you're open to offers. Sometimes the best buyer is already in your orbit-you just haven't asked. If you know who your ideal buyer is, reach out directly. A well-crafted email or phone call can go further than a public listing. Direct outreach saves time, avoids broker fees, and often results in smoother negotiations. Sure-here's an expanded version of Section 6 with an additional 250 words: Use a Broker-But Vet Them Carefully A broker can be a huge asset when you're trying to sell your business fast-but only if you choose the right one. The right broker brings speed, structure, and access to serious buyers. The wrong one drags their feet, overloads you with unqualified leads, and adds complexity instead of clarity. Start by looking for brokers who specialize in your type of business and industry. A generalist broker might not understand your market or know how to properly value and position your business. An industry-specific broker, on the other hand, speaks the language of your potential buyers and knows where to find them. Don't be afraid to interview several brokers. Ask direct questions like: What's your average time to close? How many businesses like mine have you sold? What's your buyer qualification process? How do you handle confidentiality? What's included in your fee, and how is it structured? You want someone with a clear process-from listing to due diligence to closing-and who communicates proactively. A good broker won't just list your business; they'll actively market it, screen buyers, help with pricing strategy, and guide negotiations. Also, ask for references and verify past success. If a broker promises a sky-high price or pushes you to sign quickly without a clear strategy, that's a red flag. When vetted carefully, a broker can be your fast-track to a sale, letting you stay focused on running the business while they focus on getting it sold. Be Ready to Move When a Buyer Is Fast closings come from fast responses. If a qualified buyer expresses interest, delays on your end can kill their momentum-or worse, push them toward another opportunity. You don't want to be the bottleneck. Start by having all your legal and financial documents organized and ready to share. This includes NDAs, profit and loss statements, tax returns, incorporation documents, lease agreements, and any contracts tied to the business. Make sure they're accurate, current, and easy to access. Have standard templates prepared for key documents like Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Letters of Intent (LOIs), and purchase agreements. While these will be tailored later, starting with a professional draft signals you're serious and prepared. Be available for calls, site visits, follow-up questions, and negotiation meetings. Make responsiveness a priority-even a 24-hour delay in answering a question can cause a deal to cool off. Buyers will sense your commitment (or lack of it) from your speed. Also, expect due diligence to be detailed. Don't take questions personally. Be proactive with answers and transparent with any risks or liabilities. Trying to hide issues slows things down-and often backfires. The more prepared, responsive, and organized you are, the smoother and faster the sale will go. Momentum closes deals. Get in touch with IRAEmpire's No.1 ranked Business Broker Here. Don't Let Emotion Kill the Deal It's normal to feel attached to your business-especially if you built it from the ground up. But emotion is one of the biggest deal-killers in a fast sale. If you want to close quickly, you have to think like a dealmaker, not a founder. Emotional decisions can lead to unrealistic valuations, resistance to feedback, or walking away from good offers for the wrong reasons. Pride can make you overestimate your business's worth. Nostalgia can make you second-guess the decision to sell. Fear can cause hesitation at the worst possible time-right when a buyer is ready to commit. To avoid this, remind yourself why you're selling in the first place. Whether it's for financial freedom, a new venture, or simply to move on, stay focused on that goal. Detaching from the emotional weight helps you evaluate offers based on facts, not feelings. It's also smart to have an advisor or broker you trust who can act as a buffer and keep the process objective. Let them handle tough conversations and negotiations if needed. The goal isn't just to sell-it's to sell smart, and fast. That only happens when you treat the deal like a business transaction, not a personal loss. Final Thoughts Selling fast doesn't mean selling cheap. It means cutting out the inefficiencies that drag deals down. With the right preparation, pricing, and positioning, you can move your business quickly and still get a deal you're proud of. Act like a seller, not an owner. Keep the process clean, keep your expectations clear, and keep things moving. About IRAEmpire.com: IRAEmpire.com is a trusted platform providing financial education, business insights, and unbiased reviews. Our mission is to empower small business owners, retirees, and investors to make informed, confident decisions. SOURCE: IRAEmpire LLC Boulder, Colorado and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Intellabridge Technology Corporation (CSE: KASH) (OTCQB: KASHF) (FSE: KASH), announces that it has adjourned its Annual General Meeting of shareholders (the "AGM"), originally scheduled for April 11, 2025. The AGM will now be held on May 12, 2025 at the same time and same virtual venue. The Company had made the proxy materials available electronically on February 25, 2025, through its profile on SEDAR+ as well as on its website, in compliance with applicable corporate and securities laws. Following the receipt of beneficial ownership information, physical copies of the proxy materials were mailed to shareholders using standard procedures and within expected timeframes. However, the Company has been made aware that some shareholders have not received their physical copies, which may limit their ability to participate in the meeting as originally scheduled. While the Company acted diligently in preparing and distributing the materials, it has opted to adjourn the meeting to ensure that all shareholders have sufficient time to receive, review, and respond to the proxy materials. All proxies submitted in advance of the originally scheduled meeting will remain valid for the adjourned AGM unless revoked or amended by the shareholder. To further support shareholder participation, the Company will reissue proxy materials by expedited courier to those shareholders who have not yet received them. Electronic copies of all materials remain accessible through the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. As an additional accommodation, the Company will accept completed and signed proxy forms and voting instruction forms by email at legal@intellabridge.com. The Company remains fully committed to good governance, regulatory compliance, and the protection of shareholder rights. Shareholders with any questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Company directly. About Intellabridge Technology Corporation Intellabridge Technology Corporation (CSE: KASH) (OTCQB: KASHF) (FSE: KASH) is a fintech company in the business of social and environmental impact whose product, Karma, has a mission to make every transaction have a positive impact on the world through cashback solutions and automated customizable donations to charitable organizations based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Karma enables customers to link their existing debit or credit cards to the platform, earning extra cashback on their everyday purchases. These rewards are directed to charitable organizations, turning regular spending into impactful donations. This seamless integration makes it easy for users to contribute to causes they care about, promoting positive change. Users can also turn on roundups to automatically donate the spare change from their purchases, further amplifying their contributions to meaningful causes they care about. For more information on Intellabridge visit www.intellabridge.com. For more information on Karma visit www.karmaconnect.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of DIRECTORS INTELLABRIDGE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION "Maria Eagleton" Maria Eagleton, COO The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of any of the words "will", "plan", "on track", "possible", "anticipated" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248324 SOURCE: Intellabridge Technology Corporation Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - April 12, 2025) - Viberse Technology today announced its upcoming points-based rewards system, set to launch in mid-2025, offering a more inclusive way for users to earn on social media. This update reflects an industry shift toward user-first design, equitable monetization, and transparency in the creator economy. Recent studies from Deloitte and the Creative Class Group show growing frustration among Gen Z users with algorithmic feeds and increasing demand for monetization tools available to smaller or less-established creators. Viberse is responding to these trends by introducing a system that offers a wide spectrum of earning opportunities for all users. Viberse announces a points-based rewards system in mid-2025. CREDITS: VIBERSE To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/247197_296e19b794f9fb55_002full.jpg A Creator-First Monetization Model Viberse is developing a monetization model that reflects the changing creator economy-characterized by users' expectations for openness, low entry barriers, and diverse revenue sources. Unlike traditional platforms that primarily reward top-tier influencers, Viberse places a higher priority on inclusive access and creative engagement. The key traits are as follows: Rewards are based on meaningful sharing and engagement, not follower counts. Monetization is meant to fit in the context without interfering with user experience. Ads respect user privacy, with no opaque targeting or intrusive tracking, while remaining relevant and non-disruptive. This points-based rewards system, scheduled to launch in mid-2025, will enable users to earn through active participation, including posting, engaging, and completing missions. Over time, it will evolve into a broader monetization framework supporting creators at all levels, minimizing dependency on follower counts, and enhancing inclusivity across the platform. "Everyone contributes in different ways-not just through followers or fame," said Andy Wang, Founder of Viberse. "This new rewards system is about recognizing everyday creativity and making sure all users have a fair shot at being seen, valued, and rewarded." About Viberse Founded in 2024 in Singapore, Viberse Technology is on a mission to make social media meaningful, inclusive, and downright fun. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/247197 SOURCE: Plentisoft Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 12, 2025) - The Dylan Sidoo Award for Future Financial Leaders is now accepting applications for its 2025 scholarship, offering a one-time $1,000 award to an undergraduate student who demonstrates exceptional promise in the field of finance. Established by Dylan Sidoo, a tech entrepreneur and finance professional, the award recognizes students with a strong academic foundation, a commitment to innovation, and a vision for making a positive impact in the financial sector. Dylan Sidoo To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/248282_691adab5a40b99a2_001full.jpg The scholarship is open to undergraduate students enrolled at accredited institutions, regardless of their major. Candidates must showcase financial need, academic excellence, and a passion for shaping the future of finance. As part of the application process, students must submit a 1,000-word essay responding to the following prompt: "How do you envision using your financial education to contribute to the future of finance and make a positive impact on society?" The selection committee will evaluate essays based on originality, clarity, and a demonstrated understanding of how financial principles can create long-term societal value. Dylan Sidoo believes in fostering the next generation of leaders who will drive financial innovation and uphold ethical standards in the industry. Through the Dylan Sidoo Award for Future Financial Leaders, he aims to encourage students who exhibit forward-thinking approaches, ethical financial leadership, and a dedication to giving back to their communities. "The financial landscape is constantly evolving, and the next generation of leaders will play a crucial role in shaping its future," said Dylan Sidoo. "This award is designed to recognize and support students who demonstrate innovation and a strong commitment to using financial education for the greater good." Application Details The Dylan Sidoo Award for Future Financial Leaders is open to undergraduate students across all academic disciplines. Applicants must submit their 1,000-word essay along with proof of enrollment at an accredited educational institution. Scholarship Amount: $1,000 (one-time award) Application Deadline: April 15, 2025 Winner Announcement: May 15, 2025 For full eligibility requirements and application details, visit https://dylansidooaward.com/. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248282 SOURCE: GYT In a deeply disappointing turn of events, Phoenix Ancient Art has been handed a summary judgment loss in ongoing litigation with QIPCO (Qatar Investment and Project Development Holding Company), not due to the substance of the case, but solely on procedural grounds. The court's decision was based on a technical hurdle relating to disclosure which resulted in the exclusion of all of Phoenix's evidence, testimony, and documents. As a result, the judgment was entered without consideration of the compelling proof Phoenix provided throughout the five-year legal battle. The litigation stems from QIPCO's 2020 claims questioning the authenticity of two stone sculptures which was ignited by the unqualified opinion of a British metallurgist: A Byzantine Chalcedony Statuette of Nike A Greek Marble Head of Alexander the Great These claims were dismantled, both by scientific proof, as well as the court's dismissal of the Alexander claim. Despite the fact that Phoenix had submitted extensive expert analysis supporting its argument (evidence that was not challenged by any expert from QIPCO), the court's recent ruling struck out Phoenix's comprehensive defense - which was submitted to the court and includes: Museum exhibition records from one of the biggest museums in the world and independent expert opinions Scientific authentication reports from the most respectable lab in the world including 14 samples on one of them alone Testimony from previous owners with original purchase invoices (dating back as far as 1968) In 2023, three years after after the original litigation, they produced a new complaint to include allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, reintroducing a previously dismissed piece and adding a new one (i.e.: A Roman Chalcedony Phalera). The amendment relied heavily on speculative interpretations rather than facts. Despite Phoenix's offer to voluntarily provide 100,000 documents from its disclosure database to QIPCO (all its potentially relevant documents in possession, including documents that were already produced in the 2020 disclosure exercise and at the time of purchase)- showing transparency and nothing to hide - the court accepted QIPCO's argument for Phoenix to undergo a prohibitively costly document-by-document legal review. This financial barrier became the sole reason for Phoenix not completing the disclosure exercise which led to the court's exclusion of Phoenix's evidence and the resulting judgment. Phoenix Ancient Art has served as a trusted source of antiquities for over 50 years, with its artworks housed in leading institutions such as The Louvre, The Getty Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and prestigious university museums including Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and Emory. Museum publications have featured Phoenix pieces on their covers - underscoring the gallery's integrity, scholarship, and the cultural importance of its collection. To this day, Phoenix Ancient Art remains proud to have placed 23 major antiquities in the QIPCO / Al Thani Collection. "This is not justice," said a spokesperson for Phoenix Ancient Art. "It's a technical knockout - not a judgment on truth, merit, or evidence. The value, authenticity, and historical significance of these artworks are beyond dispute, and we stand by the rigorous research and provenance behind every piece." This technicality meant that QIPCO did not have to prove what they have alleged. Phoenix Ancient Art will continue to explore all legal avenues to challenge this decision and defend its reputation in the art world. SOURCE: Phoenix Ancient Art Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is finally in India. After years of diplomatic efforts, New Delhi has secured his extradition from the US. As the Pakistani-origin Canadian national remains in NIA custody for over two weeks, we explore the likely questions he could face. Heres all this and more in our weekly roundup read more Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana with NIA officials upon his arrival at the IGI Airport, in New Delhi, on April 10, 2025. NIA via PTI Photo It was a vital week for India. After New Delhis years of diplomatic efforts, Tahawwur Hussain Rana a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks was extradited to India from the United States. He is currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Amid fears of recession due to Donald Trumps tariffs, a trade war has erupted between the United States and China. Both countries have levied over 100 per cent import taxes on each other. India is closely watching the fight. Advertisement In other news, another Pee-gate incident was reported on an Air India flight from Delhi to Bangkok. This comes three years after a similar incident stirred controversy. Heres all this and more in our weekly wrap from India. 1. Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is finally in India to face justice, nearly 17 years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks killed 166 people across the city. His extradition to India was possible after he exhausted every legal avenue in the US. Rana was brought to Delhi on a special flight earlier in the week. The NIA officials produced him before a court where he was formally remanded to 18-day custody of the anti-terror body. The NIAs Special 12 including its chief has begun his interrogation. As per reports, Rana is likely to be questioned about his identity, involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks and his alleged links to Pakistans spy agency, the ISI. We take a look in this story at the likely questions Rana could face. 2. A tariff war between the US and China has escalated with both countries refusing to back down. While Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for many countries, the White House raised import taxes on Chinese goods to 145 per cent. Beijing has responded by increasing tariff rates on US imports entering the Asian country to 125 per cent. China has vowed to fight to the end against Trumps import taxes. The trade war between the US and China does not bode well for India, which could have to bear the fallout. We explain in this report. Advertisement 3. India is increasing security in the Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal amid growing threats in the region. Bangladesh interim governments chief advisor Muhammad Yunus recent remarks during his last months trip to China on Indias Northeast brought the vulnerable Chickens Neck to focus. Map showing the Chickens Neck or the Siliguri Corridor. News18 The Siliguri Corridor is a 22 km stretch of land that connects the Northeast to the rest of the country. The narrow strip is strategically crucial for India. But what makes it vulnerable? Read our report to find out. 4. A horrific case surfaced in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi where a Class 12 student was allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped by dozens of men over a span of a week. According to the UP police, as many as 23 men, many of whom were known to the teenager, allegedly raped her between March 29 and April 4. The girls ordeal began after she visited a hookah bar with a friend. She was then drugged and gang-raped multiple times. The incident has once again put the spotlight on increasing crimes against women in India. Read the Varanasi students horror here. Advertisement 5. Another pee-gate episode on board an Air India plane has come to light. Tushar Masand, who was on the Tata-owned airlines AI-2336 flight from Delhi to Bangkok, urinated on a Japanese co-passenger. The 24-year-old reportedly consumed alcohol before getting up from his seat and peeing on another passenger. Air India has banned Masand from flying for 30 days. This is not a standalone incident. In recent years, several incidents of unruly Indian flyers have been reported. Heres the latest story. 6. An Indian entrepreneur has revealed her nightmare at a US airport during a security check. Shruti Chaturvedi has claimed she was physically checked by a male officer, forced to sit in a cold room and not even allowed to make a phone call or pee after airport security officials found a power bank in her luggage suspicious. Imagine being detained by Police and FBI for 8 hours, being questioned the most ridiculous things, physically checked by a male officer on camera, stripped off warm wear, mobile phone, wallet, kept in chilled room, not allowed to use a restroom, or make a single phone call, made Shruti Chaturvedi (@adhicutting) April 8, 2025 Advertisement Chaturvedi, founder of the Indian Action Project and public relations firm Chaaipani, recalled her experience in a now-viral post on X, sharing the story of her eight long hours of detention. Her account has sparked a conversation about the treatment of Indian flyers abroad. This comes amid the US tightening immigration policies and security checks amid Trumps return to the White House in January. Heres what Chaturvedi said in her post. This is all we have for you this week. If you like how we explain news, you can bookmark this page. 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. As tensions between Tehran and Washington mount, Iran has appointed seasoned diplomat Abbas Araghchi to lead critical nuclear negotiations with the US. Known for his pivotal role in the 2015 nuclear deal, Araghchi now returns amid growing regional instability and renewed diplomatic urgency during Trumps second term in the US read more Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi looks on during a meeting with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, Lebanon, October 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters Top Iranian diplomat Abbas Araghchi is spearheading a new round of high-level negotiations with the United States, aimed at addressing one of the most pressing geopolitical challenges of the moment: Irans nuclear programme. In the backdrop of simmering regional conflicts, the talks come at a time when tensions between Washington and Tehran are running high, and the threat of military escalation is more pronounced than in recent years. Who is Seyed Abbas Araghchi? Born in Tehran in 1962 into a well-off religious merchant family originally from Isfahan, Abbas Araghchi was still a teenager when the 1979 Islamic Revolution swept through Iran. Inspired by the events that toppled the monarchy, he joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the military organisation created to defend the nascent Islamic Republic. Advertisement He later served on the frontlines of the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988. Araghchi entered the Iranian foreign ministry in 1989, beginning a career that would span ambassadorial assignments in Finland (19992003) and Japan (20072011), as well as several influential roles in Tehran. He was appointed deputy foreign minister in 2013 and later became foreign ministry spokesperson. Fluent in English, he is reportedly known for his calm, composed presence and technical acumen. His academic credentials include a bachelors degree from Irans Faculty of International Relations, a masters degree in political science from Islamic Azad University, and a doctorate in political thought from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. Throughout his career, Araghchi has served under various Iranian administrations, regardless of whether their orientations leaned reformist, moderate or hardline. He has also consistently aligned himself with the core principles of the Islamic Republic while avoiding entanglement in partisan disputes. According to a senior Iranian official speaking to Reteurs, He has good relations with the supreme leader, the Revolutionary Guards and all political factions in Iran. Architect of the 2015 Nuclear Accord Araghchi played a pivotal role in negotiating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six world powers. The deal placed significant limitations on Irans nuclear enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Western diplomats involved in those discussions described Araghchi as serious, technically knowledgeable and a straightforward diplomat. The JCPOA was unilaterally abandoned by the United States in 2018 under President Donald Trump in his first term, who reinstated broad economic sanctions against Iran. Advertisement This move triggered a rapid acceleration of Irans nuclear activities, including enrichment of uranium to 60 per cent, a level approaching weapons-grade material. The collapse of the agreement also marked a shift in diplomatic momentum, with indirect efforts to revive it during US President Joe Bidens term yielding no resolution. Also Watch: Araghchi was involved in those indirect talks as well, but was later replaced by a more hardline diplomat. Still, his influence endured. He was appointed Secretary of Irans Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, a powerful advisory body reporting directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His comeback to frontline diplomacy followed the election of President Masoud Pezeshkian in July, who pledged to re-engage with the West and explore diplomatic avenues. Araghchi was subsequently named Irans foreign minister. As Tehran prepares for the upcoming talks in Oman, he leads the Iranian delegation with full authorisation from the Supreme Leader. Iraqchi is the right person in the right position at the right time, said Iranian analyst and political insider Saeed Leylaz. He is one of the most powerful foreign ministers in the Islamic Republics history, with full authority from the supreme leader and a deep knowledge about all aspects of the nuclear issue. Advertisement A negotiator backed by authority and trust Araghchis record of avoiding factionalism has been noted by both colleagues and observers. He has kept himself distant from political frays and infighting, said a senior Iranian official. This nonpartisan approach may offer Tehran greater flexibility in negotiations while insulating Araghchi from criticism if compromises are made. In a recent interview with Khabar Online, Araghchi acknowledged the limitations of the 2015 JCPOA in todays context. Our nuclear programme has advanced significantly and we can no longer return to the conditions of the JCPOA, he said. However, he stated that the agreement can still be a basis and a model for negotiations. At 62, Araghchi has become synonymous with Irans nuclear diplomacy. Araghchi is a father to two sons and a daughter from his first marriage, and has another daughter from his second marriage. While known for his professionalism, his personal life has largely remained out of the public eye. Will the Oman talks come through? The upcoming round of talks will be held in Oman, a country that has historically played host to backchannel diplomacy between Tehran and Washington. While the US side claims the negotiations will be direct, Tehran insists they will remain indirect. Araghchi will face off with Steve Witkoff, a Trump-appointed envoy and real estate executive with no previous diplomatic experience. An Iranian official familiar with the matter told Reuters, The duration of the talks, that will only be about the nuclear issue, will depend on the US sides seriousness and goodwill. The talks come at a critical moment. Since 2023, the Middle East has witnessed significant upheaval: wars in Gaza and Lebanon, Iranian missile exchanges with Israel, Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, and the fall of Bashar al-Assads government in Syria. Advertisement Tehrans influence in the region has diminished significantly, with its long-standing allies collectively known as the Axis of Resistance either severely weakened or dismantled. The alliance includes Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and various Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. US President Donald Trump, now back in office, has threatened that Iran would face great danger if a new agreement is not reached. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they cant have a nuclear weapon. His administration has revived its maximum pressure strategy, while reiterating that diplomacy remains the preferred path. Iran, for its part, has warned US allies in the Gulf that any military action against it would bring severe consequences. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented, Weve been very clear what Iran is never going to have a nuclear weapon, and I think thats what led to this meeting. Advertisement Despite mutual suspicion, Iran has signalled cautious openness to talks. In an official response to recent US rhetoric, Tehran stated it was offering Washington a genuine chance while criticising the prevailing confrontational hoopla coming from the American side. The talks in Oman could mark a new chapter or yet another dead end in Irans long-standing standoff with the West. With inputs from agencies Subedar Kuldeep Chand of the Indian Armys 9 Punjab regiment was killed while leading a counter-infiltration operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammus Sunderbani sector on Friday night. He was part of a team that foiled a terrorist infiltration attempt in the Keri-Battal area. read more Subedar Kuldeep Chand, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of 9 Punjab, was killed while leading a counter-infiltration operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani on Friday night. The Indian Armys White Knight Corps paid tribute to him on X (formerly Twitter), saying General Officer Commanding (GOC), White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a counter-infiltration operation along the LoC in Keri-Battal on the night of 11 April 2025. Advertisement They said that his bravery and that of his team helped foil a terrorist infiltration attempt. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, the Corps said. Meanwhile, in another operation named Chhatru in Kishtwar, Army sources said to ANI that two more Pakistani terrorists were neutralised. The operation has been ongoing for four days, with a total of three terrorists eliminated so far. On Tuesday, security forces had also launched a massive cordon and search operation after an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Panjtirthi area of Kathua. The joint effort included the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the CRPF. Based on intelligence inputs, multiple surveillance and ambush setups were placed in the region, which remains on high alert. In a separate operation named Safiyan in the Kathua region, four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel were killed in action, while two terrorists were also gunned down. The encounter began on March 23 after locals spotted suspected Pakistani infiltrators in Sanyal. Security forces recovered war-like materials from the site. From luxury homes to office buildings, shared ownership is transforming how people invest in property read more Follow us on Google News For many years, investing in high-value real estate was something only large institutions or wealthy individuals could afford. The main challenges included: Large upfront capital requirements Complex property management Difficulty in liquidating investments As a result, everyday investors were largely excluded from this market. Enter Fractional Ownership Platforms (FOPs) In recent years, Fractional Ownership Platforms (FOPs) have introduced a new investment model, allowing individuals to own a portion of real estate assets rather than buying the entire property. This shift has made real estate investment more accessible, flexible, and diversified. Advertisement What is fractional ownership? Fractional ownership means that multiple individuals share ownership of a property, each holding a fraction based on their investment. Initially popular in luxury vacation homes, this model has now expanded to: Residential buildings Office spaces Warehouses Farmland Why are FOPs gaining popularity? Several factors are driving the growth of fractional ownership: Lower investment barriers: Invest small amounts in high-value assets Diversification: Spread investments across multiple properties Income potential: Earn from rental income and capital appreciation Improved liquidity: Some platforms offer resale options via a secondary market Technology support: AI and blockchain enhance security, transparency and efficiency How does the investment model work? Most FOPs use a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for each property. An SPV is a legal entity (e.g., a limited company) that holds the asset and separates financial risks. Typical process: The platform forms an SPV for a selected property Investors contribute funds and receive shares or instruments like debentures The SPV purchases and manages the property (rental agreements, improvements, etc.) Rental income is distributed among investors Profits from a future sale are shared according to ownership Lock-in periods may apply, though some platforms offer early exit options Advertisement What should investors be aware of? While the model offers several benefits, its essential to consider legal and financial factors: Ownership rights: Understand your rightsvoting, profit sharing, etc. Regulations: In India, platforms must comply with the Companies Act, SEBI guidelines, and RERA Liquidity: Not all platforms offer an easy exit or secondary market Legal documents: Agreements like the Partnership Deed and Subscription Agreement should be reviewed carefully Taxation: Income and gains may be taxableknow the applicable rules Global perspective Fractional ownership is expanding worldwide: US and Europe: Blockchain enhances ownership tracking and resale Dubai: Attracting international investors through real estate tech Southeast Asia: Increasing access to housing and investment opportunities Whats next? Fractional Ownership Platforms are redefining real estate investment. They offer access to high-value assets through shared ownership, making property investment more inclusive. However, these opportunities still involve regulatory, legal and financial complexities. Investors should: Conduct thorough due diligence Understand the terms and risks Consult legal or financial advisors when needed Advertisement Anjali Jain is Partner and Drishti Suji is Associate at Areness Law. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Simari village, which has 53 homes and a population of 347, and one-half of which lies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), is now completely electrified with solar energy courtesy of a joint initiative of the Indian Army and a Pune-based NGO read more A joint initiative by the Indian Army and a Pune-based NGO has resulted in the solar electrification of a village on LoC. Image used for representative purpose/AP In a breakthrough for green energy at Indias frontiers, a remote village on the Line of Control in Kashmirs Karnah Valley has become a model for decentralised, sustainable electrification. Simari village, which has 53 homes and a population of 347, used to rely heavily on firewood and kerosene, but chronic power shortages affected health, education, and livelihoods. It has been learnt that through a joint initiative between the Indian Army and Aseem Foundation, the hamlet is now completely electrified with solar energy. Each household also has an LPG connection. Advertisement Together, these two developments have made for a long stride toward energy equity and climate resilience in a conflict-prone region. How did this change come about? Under the Indian Armys Operation Sadbhavana, a micro-grid-based solar power system was installed in four clusters, each outfitted with panels, inverters, and batteries. Every household received LED lighting, charging points, and safety limiters bringing predictable, sustainable energy to one of Indias most isolated settlements. Complementing the electricity upgrade, an LPG distribution program equipped every home with double-burner gas stoves, regulators, and safety gear. The switch from biomass to clean cooking has reduced indoor air pollution, improved health, and reduced the environmental degradation caused by firewood harvesting. Engineers from Aseem Foundation trained local residents in maintenance and safety, ensuring that the systems arent dependent on external technicians for long-term functionality. The Chinar Corps was responsible for planning, logistics, and installation phases. Symbolic significance In addition to the pragmatic aspect, the projects symbolism also runs deep. Simari, one-half of which lies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), is Polling Booth Number One in the nation and often the first to vote in general elections. That it now stands as a beacon of sustainable innovation and inclusive governance, just a stones throw from the Line of Control, speaks to what is possible when civil society and military institutions collaborate. There is one more facet to this. The initiative is has been dedicated to the memory of Shaurya Chakra recipient Colonel Santosh Mahadik, who was killed in the line of duty while combating terrorists in Kashmir in 2015. Col Mahadiks mother is set to jointly dedicate and operationalise the solar electricity system along with the Commander Tangdhar Brigade and Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara on April 14. Advertisement The Afghan refugee crisis is not just a humanitarian tragedyits a mirror reflecting Pakistans duplicity. Islamabad preaches unity for the Ummah but abandons Afghan Muslims to Taliban peril read more Afghan refugee children huddle around a fire for warmth in a camp on the Afghan side of the Torkham border. Image: Ebrahim Noroozi/ AP Photo The Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan has reached a harrowing peak, with the nations relentless mass deportation policies stripping countless lives of dignity and security. As of April 2025, Pakistan has forcibly deported over 11,371 Afghan refugees through the Torkham border, with a staggering 3,600 expelled in a single day, adding to the more than 800,000 removed since November 2023 under the Illegal Foreigners Return Program (IFRP). This ruthless campaign, one of the largest mass deportations in recent history, targets a population that includes individuals who have called Pakistan home for decadesmany born on its soil, never setting foot in Afghanistan. Yet, the states iron-fisted approach shows little regard for their humanity, treating them as mere security liabilities rather than people with roots, families, and rights. Advertisement The statistics paint a heartbreaking picture of vulnerability and despair. Among the deportees are women and children, thrust into a perilous fate with scant resources or protection. Human rights groups report that many of these refugees, including former Afghan government workers, women activists, and journalists, face near-certain persecution or death under Taliban rule upon return. Pakistani police raids compound the trauma, detaining individuals mid-workday, tearing them from their lives without warning, and expelling them with little more than the clothes they wear. Families are left shattered, unable to reclaim businesses or belongings, their livelihoods erased in an instant. The governments promise of a dignified eviction process rings hollow as reports emerge of harsh detention conditionslimited food, water, and no legal recourseparticularly for women and children, who endure sleepless nights haunted by fear and uncertainty. Pakistans justification of security concerns, linking undocumented Afghans to terrorism, does little to mask the profound inhumanity of its actions. The deadline of March 31, 2025, for Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave voluntarily has passed, unleashing a wave of raids and expulsions that spare no thought for the vulnerable. Even those with Proof of Registration cards, granted a reprieve until June 30, 2025, live under the shadow of impending displacement. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afghan nationals are ordered to shutter businesses and abandon homes, their contributions to society discarded. Now a festering wound on the nations soil, this crisis traces its roots to a fateful convergence of Cold War machinations and regional power plays ignited by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. It was a crucible that forged a generational tragedy, with Pakistan stepping boldly, perhaps blindly, into the role of a frontline state. Advertisement The invasion displaced millions, sending an estimated three to five million Afghans streaming across the porous border into Pakistan, a nation that initially opened its arms to them as both a humanitarian gesture and a strategic gambit. What followed was a complex entanglement of foreign funding, jihadist fervour, and unintended consequences that radicalised entire generations and now reverberates as a haunting echo through Pakistans present turmoil. Pakistan didnt act alone; it was a willing partner in a grand geopolitical chess game orchestrated by the United States and Saudi Arabia. The Soviet occupation turned Afghanistan into a Cold War battleground, and the US, under Operation Cyclone, funnelled billionsover $2 billion in aidthrough Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to arm and train the Afghan mujahideen. General Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistans military ruler from 1978 to 1988, seized this moment to bolster his regimes legitimacy and secure strategic depth against India, channelling the aid and overseeing a sprawling network of training camps and refugee settlements. Advertisement Pakistan became the staging ground for a holy war, hosting mujahideen leaders like Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Jalaluddin Haqqani, whose groups later morphed into factions of the Taliban and other militant outfits. The ISI, with US and Saudi backing, didnt just support these fightersthey shaped them, equipping them with Stinger missiles and radical zeal, oblivious to the long-term cost. The refugee crisis was the inevitable fallout. By the late 1980s, Pakistan housed over three million Afghan refugees, many crammed into squalid camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The Taliban itself emerged from this crucible in the mid-1990s, nurtured by Pakistans ISI and religious networks, a Frankensteins monster born of Cold War expediency. Pakistans leaders, drunk on the power of proxy warfare and flush with foreign cash, failed to foresee how this radicalisation would seep into their own society, breeding a generation of fighters who knew only war and ideology. The Soviet withdrawal in 1989 didnt end the chaos; it merely shifted it, leaving Afghanistan fractured and Pakistan saddled with a refugee population it could neither fully integrate nor expel. Advertisement Fast forward to today, and the monsters Pakistan helped create have come home to roost. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), formed in 2007 by Baitullah Mehsud, embodies this blowback. Drawing inspiration and operational ties from the Afghan Talibanwhom Pakistan covertly supported even during the U.S.-led war post-2001the TTP turned its guns on the Pakistani state. The 2014 Peshawar school massacre, where 149 people, including 132 children, were slaughtered, marked a grim turning point, exposing how Pakistans past policies had festered into a domestic terror nightmare. Blaming Afghan soil for TTP sanctuaries, Pakistan cracked down, deporting over 365,000 refugees in 2016 and escalating to a staggering 800,000 since November 2023 under the Illegal Foreigners Return Program. Yet, this mass expulsiontearing families apart, sending women and children into Taliban-controlled chaosonly deepens the crisis, fuelling resentment and radicalisation anew. Pakistans handling of the Afghan refugee crisis lays bare a hypocrisy that runs deep within its national ethos, cloaked as it often is in the sanctimonious garb of championing the Muslim Ummah. On the global stage, Pakistan leaves no stone unturned to project itself as the gallant defender of Islamic solidarity, a beacon for oppressed Muslims worldwide. Advertisement Islamabad rakes up the Kashmir issue with relentless fervour, painting India as the perennial villain in a decades-long saga of alleged human rights abuses, wielding this narrative as a cudgel to undermine its eastern neighbour at every international forum from the United Nations to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. With theatrical zeal, Pakistani leaders decry the plight of Kashmiri Muslims, summoning the spectre of a beleaguered Ummah to rally support and score geopolitical points, all while conveniently sidestepping their own complicity in fostering unrest. This saviour complex extends to Palestine, where Pakistan positions itself as a vocal advocate, railing against the Israeli state with fiery rhetoric that resonates across the Muslim world. Prime minister after prime minister has pledged solidarity, framing Pakistan as a moral compass for Islamic causes, a nation willing to bear the torch for justice. Yet, this grandstanding crumbles under scrutiny when the lens shifts to the Uyghur Muslims in Chinas Xinjiang region. Here, Pakistans deafening silence speaks volumesnary a whisper of condemnation for the internment camps, forced labour, or cultural erasure faced by millions of Uyghurs. Why? Because China, Pakistans all-weather ally and economic lifeline via the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, holds the purse strings. Advertisement Principles, it seems, bend before pragmatism. And closer to home, the brutal crackdown on Afghan refugeesover 800,000 forcibly deported since November 2023, including vulnerable women and childrenexposes the hollowness of this Ummah-centric posturing. These Muslims, fleeing Taliban terror, are met not with compassion but with raids, detention, and expulsion, their dignity trampled under the pretext of national security. Pakistans claim that it cannot tolerate terror activities on its soil rings laughably hollow against the backdrop of its own history. For decades, it has relentlessly pursued a terror campaign against India, not confined to Kashmir but sprawling across the subcontinent. The 2008 Mumbai attacks, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taibaa group nurtured by Pakistans ISIleft 166 dead, a chilling testament to this strategy of proxy warfare. The 2001 Parliament attack in New Delhi, linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, another ISI-backed outfit, aimed to decapitate Indias leadership. Even beyond, blasts in Hyderabad (2013), Pune (2010), and the recent surge in Khalistani activities bear the fingerprints of Pakistan-sponsored militancy. The ISIs support for these groupstraining, funding, and sheltering them in safe havens like Muridke and Bahawalpurhas been an open secret, documented by Indian intelligence and acknowledged, albeit reluctantly, by Western allies. Yet, Pakistan cries foul when its own cities bleed from TTP violence, a monster of its own making, while pointing fingers at Afghan soil to deflect blame. The Afghan refugee crisis, then, is not just a humanitarian tragedyits a mirror reflecting Pakistans duplicity. It preaches unity for the Ummah but abandons Afghan Muslims to Taliban peril. Pakistan condemns India over Kashmir, even as it wages a proxy war to destabilise the valley, while turning a blind eye to Chinas Uyghur atrocities. Pakistan decries terrorism when it strikes within its borders but exports it with impunity across its eastern frontier. This is a nation caught in its own web, its past sins of jihadist patronage and Cold War opportunism now spiralling into a present of chaos and contradiction. The echoes from the Soviet era, amplified by decades of cynical policy, have returned not just as a haunting but as a reckoning. Pakistans Afghan refugees, stripped of rights and cast out, are the living casualties of this hypocrisya stark reminder that the states moral grandstanding is but a facade, crumbling under the weight of its own monstrous legacy. The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligences report suggests that President Xis anti-corruption campaign reinforces a narrative that prioritises party loyalty over genuine reform read more Despite Xi's promises to eliminate corruption, evidence suggests that his family has amassed significant wealth, with estimates indicating over $1 billion in assets linked to relatives. Image: Reuters Recent revelations from the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) have exposed the pervasive corruption within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), highlighting a troubling reality that undermines the legitimacy of the regime led by President Xi Jinping. The report, titled Wealth and Corrupt Activities of the Leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, indicates that up to 65 per cent of government officials in China engage in bribery or graft, despite Xis decade-long anti-corruption campaign. Advertisement According to the ODNIs report, since taking office in 2012, Xi Jinping has launched an extensive anti-corruption campaign aimed at rooting out corruption at all levels of government. This initiative has resulted in nearly five million officials being investigated and found guilty of various corrupt activities. However, the report suggests that this campaign may serve more as a tool for consolidating power rather than genuinely addressing corruption. It emphasises political discipline and ideological purity, often targeting rivals rather than eradicating systemic corruption. Corruption is not merely an issue of individual misconduct but is deeply embedded within the structure of the CCP. The centralised power dynamics, lack of independent oversight, and limited transparency create an environment ripe for corrupt practices. Despite Xis promises to eliminate corruption, evidence suggests that his family has amassed significant wealth, with estimates indicating over $1 billion in assets linked to relatives. The Role of High-Level Officials: High-ranking officials within the CCP are not immune to corruption allegations. In 2023, China removed General Li Shangfu, then-Minister of National Defence, investigating both Li and his predecessor after arresting the commander of the Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) and at least nine other current or former PLARF personnel. In 2024, Beijing launched an investigation of Admiral Miao Hua, then-director of the Central Military Commissions Political Work Department and in charge of political loyalty within Chinas armed forces. Both Li and Miao were accused of party discipline violations, and both were considered proteges of Xi, demonstrating the seriousness of the CCPs concerns regarding loyalty and effectiveness, particularly within the PLA and the scope of the regimes approach to corruption. Advertisement Corruption within the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has been particularly alarming, with reports indicating a culture of pay-for-promotion that persists despite anti-corruption efforts. Xis focus on military corruption underscores his concerns about maintaining a capable and loyal armed force, especially as tensions rise over Taiwan. Systemic Issues and Lack of Accountability The systemic nature of corruption in China is further exacerbated by a lack of independent checks on public officials. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), tasked with enforcing anti-corruption measures, operates under the CCPs direct control, limiting its effectiveness. This absence of external oversight allows for arbitrary investigations and reinforces a culture where corrupt practices can flourish without fear of repercussions. Moreover, membership in elite organisations like the National Peoples Congress (NPC) often requires substantial bribes, creating perverse incentives for officials to engage in corrupt activities. The report highlights how these structural features foster an environment where bribery can significantly enhance an officials income, sometimes by four to six times their legal earnings. Advertisement Implications for Governance and Stability The implications of rampant corruption extend beyond individual misconduct; they threaten the very stability of the CCP regime. As public trust erodes due to widespread perceptions of corruption, the legitimacy of the government is increasingly called into question. The ODNI report suggests that Xis anti-corruption campaign has failed to address these underlying issues, instead reinforcing a narrative that prioritises party loyalty over genuine reform. In response to these challenges, Xis administration has tightened information controls and increased censorship to suppress dissenting voices and limit public discourse on corruption. This strategy not only stifles transparency but also hinders efforts to hold officials accountable for their actions. The findings presented in the ODNI report reveal a troubling reality within the Chinese Communist Party, one characterised by endemic corruption that undermines governance and threatens stability. As Xi Jinping continues his anti-corruption campaign, it is crucial for both domestic and international observers to demand greater transparency and accountability from Chinas leadership. Advertisement Addressing systemic corruption requires not only targeted investigations but also fundamental reforms that promote independent oversight and strengthen checks on power. Without such changes, Chinas political landscape will remain vulnerable to the corrosive effects of corruption, ultimately jeopardising its long-term stability and legitimacy on the global stage. As the world watches closely, it is imperative that China confronts these challenges head-on rather than allowing them to fester beneath a facade of control. The author is a PhD scholar at Central University of Gujarat, researching Chinas domestic and foreign policies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Syria is now a geopolitical battleground between Turkiye and Israel, and neither has any real respect for Syrian sovereignty, Prof Abrahms tells Sreemoy Talukdar in an interview read more Max Abrahms, professor of political science and public policy at Boston-based Northeastern University, is an expert in international security especially in the areas of terrorism, American foreign policy, great power competition and the Middle East (West Asia). Firstpost had a recent opportunity to interview Prof Abrahms who regularly appears on global outlets such as BBC, CNN, New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, etc., to speak on violent extremism and international security, on several issues including the trajectory of Israel-Hamas conflict, the developments Syria, Iran and more. Prof Abrahms speaks on complex topics with clarity and insight. The interview has been lightly edited for brevity and grammar. Advertisement Max Abrahms, professor of political science and public policy at Northeastern University, Boston. Courtesy: Prof Max Abrahms Q How do you interpret the recent wave of attacks by Israel on Hamas? What lies ahead? A Immediately after the October 7 (2023) terrorist massacre, Israel stated that the goal was the eradication of Hamas. There was a lot of international pressure, including from the Biden administration, for Israel not to succeed in that goal. When Donald Trump got elected, there was a lot of enthusiasm that now Israel could take the gloves off. However, Trump wanted to score an important diplomatic victory by securing a deal between Israel and Hamas. He wasnt overly concerned with the specific terms of the deal. In fact, Trump basically implemented a deal the terms of which had already been worked out by the Biden administration. Israel and Hamas went along, even though the terms were surprisingly unfavorable towards Israel. Specifically, it required Israel to release over a thousand Palestinian terrorists and to withdraw from Gaza, effectively preserving Hamas. Over time, it seems the Trump administration has come to realize that the terms are inadequate and quite unfavorable towards Israel. Jerusalem has therefore seized on what it sees as a violation of the deal in order to carry out its goal of, if not eradicating Hamas, doing much more to substantially degrade its capabilities. What happens now to the hostages? Well, the hostage situation can be looked at from different perspectives. From the perspective of the families, it always makes sense to advocate as strongly as you can to release them. However, the leader of a nation must understand that if you negotiate by releasing terrorist prisoners, it will incentivize subsequent hostage-taking. This is not just logical, it has been empirically demonstrated in large statistical studies. So, countries known for negotiating over hostages are more likely to have their citizens kidnapped because terrorists see the utility of the strategy. Israel has developed a reputation for trading terrorist prisoners to get back their hostages. The most notorious case was the so-called Shalit deal in 2011 (when Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was released in exchange for 1027 Palestinian prisoners, some serving life sentences for carrying out terrorist attacks). Advertisement Israels policy is very well known to Hamas, and it may well have led to its decision to take 250 Israeli hostages on 10/7. I believe governments should not negotiate on hostages because its a short-sighted policy which ends up killing even more citizens. (Benjamin) Netanyahu has been under a tremendous amount of domestic pressure to try to get those hostages out. The strategic move would have been to act in a more cold-hearted manner and focus on the mission of destroying Hamas over the release of the hostages. How do you see the conflict shaping up from here? Also, whats your opinion on Trumps purported Gaza deal? Trump has never felt beholden to carry out everything that he has floated in the policy world. We are in a new era with respect to Gaza. I certainly expect to see continued kinetic operations against Hamas. I dont expect there to be a large-scale Israeli military reoccupation of the Gaza Strip. But I think this will take the form of attacks mainly from the air. And it remains unclear at this point what will happen in terms of administering Gaza, as well as the fate of the Gazan population. Im seeing reports that Americans and Israelis would like the Gazans to go to Syria, but that eventuality will depend on the willingness of Palestinians. I do not see Trump forcefully transferring Palestinian population. He is probably trying to entice them to leave on their own. Advertisement What has the bombing so far of Gaza Strip achieved in terms of meeting the objectives of Israel? What can possibly be achieved if this campaign continues? Isnt this time for a political solution? It has been common since the 10/7 attack to say that theres no military solution and to go even further and say that because its so obvious that theres no military solution, Israel must simply be motivated by vengeance or some sort of genocidal intent. I think that that is an incorrect, although popular view. The October 7 terrorist attack was the second-most lethal terrorist attack in world history, only after 9/11. Israel is geographically a very small country surrounded by terrorists not just in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, into the north of the country and in Lebanon as well as in Syria. For its national self-preservation, Israel needs to communicate that if you commit a mass casualty terrorist attack, there will be serious consequences for perpetrators and their supporters. Advertisement It is impossible to directly measure the effects of deterrence. It is therefore hard to quantify the deterrent benefits of a forceful counterterrorism response. I believe Israels enemies know that theyre in a different era than they were before 10/7 and that if Israel is attacked, the reprisal will be substantial. So, the strategic benefits of a strong Israeli response are not necessarily quantifiable, but I do believe that they exist. I also think that theres been more progress made against Hamas than is sometimes reported. It is true that Hamas is still around and has a large membership. And in that sense the Israeli response has not succeeded at this point. However, Hamas has been suffering attrition in terms of its military capability. On the anniversary of Operation Al Aqsa Flood (the 10/7 terrorist attacks on Israel), Hamas wanted to demonstrate that Israeli counterterrorism operations have failed. Hamas very much wanted to show its continued vitality but was barely able to muster any kind of an attack. Advertisement When Israel took out its leadership again, Hamas wanted to commit a big attack inside of Israel, but was unable to do so. Hamass military capability is more degraded than people understand in terms of its weaponry. Israel controls the Philadelphia Corridor and has destroyed countless tunnels. Everything thats going in there from the UN, from various NGOs, is under observation. Gaza is much more sealed off than it was before 10/7. So, the Hamas threat is diminished in a way that the media doesnt tend to report. Does Israel still see Hamas as a political entity that can represent the Palestinian people, or has that issue been taken off the table after October 7? My recurrent area of research for over two decades has been on the political effects of terrorism. My main finding has been that terrorism tends to backfire politically on the perpetrators. Yes, terrorism by its very definition is terrifying. It gets a lot of media attention. Sometimes it can kill quite a large number of people. But the political effects tend to be negative. And that has certainly been the case for the Palestinians. Advertisement The Palestinians would have had a state if they had bought into Oslo (the 1993 Oslo Accords). And even after Oslo there were more generous offers. Gaza would be a fully independent Palestinian territory if terrorist rejectionists hadnt toppled these peace processes. The 10/7 terrorist attacks have been deeply counterproductive. It destroyed the peace camp inside Israel, and now there is no serious discussion among Israelis about a future Palestinian state. So, Hamas is seen as completely unacceptable, not just in terms of its military wing, but also its political wing. In fact, Israelis no longer see any distinction between the two. Its not even clear that Israelis would work with a, you know, Palestinian Authority alternative. Looking back, say in 10, 20 years, people will identify Operation Al Aqsa Flood as the event which permanently destroyed the prospects of any Palestinian state. Thats a significant statement. Is the two-state solution off the table? That remains the position of many countries, including India. Wont Israel face diplomatic pressure on this issue? Terrorism has different effects on different audiences. For the target country, in this case Israel, it makes them more hardline, more right-wing, more bellicose. Right after 10/7, Israel had a very forceful counterterrorism response, especially in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, even extending into Lebanon as well as into Syria. The effect of Operation Al Aqsa Flood was different though for the international community. We have seen this very vividly in the West, in America, European countries, Canada and even in Australia Weve seen the rise of the global Intifada movement where large numbers of citizens as well as foreigners in these countries have come to sympathize and identify more with Hamas. None of these global Intifada riots have any real effect on relations between Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza or the West Bank. They might destroy an Anne Frank Memorial, they might destroy the public transportation system or shut down a university for a day in any western country. It might lead to a rise in anti-Semitic attacks against a Chabad House or a Hillel (Jewish organizations), but it will not improve the life of one actual Palestinian. So, all of those developments in the West are important but completely ineffectual when it comes to the future Palestinian state. If anything, it reinforces the perception among Jews that an Israeli state is necessary because outside of Israel, Jews have discovered that theyre less safe than they once thought. I want to shift your attention to Iran How do you see the targeting of Houthis by the Trump administration? What are the prospects of a larger war against Iran? Trump and Biden have very different views about the Houthis. Under Biden, the Houthis were delisted as a foreign terrorist organization by the US State Department. Trump reversed that and directly connected the Houthis to its Iranian sponsor in a way that Biden never did. What Trump is saying now is different. He is saying that not only is it incontrovertible that Iran arms the Houthis, trains them and provides them with the so-called intelligence, but that Iran will be held responsible for Houthi attacks against American assets, especially ships. The Houthis have not backed down. Iran is in a very precarious state right now. It must understand that if it does not rein in the Houthis and the Houthis continue to attack American vessels, there is a very good chance that the US will strike not just the Houthis, but other Iranian targets as well (this interview was conducted before the Trump administration undertook military strikes against the Houthis). These might be the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) targets outside of Iran, perhaps in Syria, for example. The burden is on Iran to rein in the Houthi threat, otherwise the Trump administration could well strike targets inside Iran, and that could certainly include Iranian nuclear assets. This administration is very serious about this, especially if you listen to Marco Rubio in the State Department as well as Mike Waltz in the National Security Council. Theyre not making a distinction between the Houthis and Iran. They are deeply concerned with the prospect of Iranian nuclear weapons. And Houthi attacks against American ships will only provide a convenient pretext to deal with that threat. Wouldnt that spark a larger war in the Middle East? A direct attack on Iran may have repercussions for a president who claims to be on the side of peace and wants to leave the legacy of a peacemaker. Wouldnt you agree? The term neoconservative has been very much maligned since the Iraq War, where consensus soon emerged that regime change is very dangerous and it can be counterproductive in terms of the country as well as the region, and especially with respect to fomenting more terrorism. It would be a harder sell for the Trump administration to openly embrace regime change in Tehran. His MAGA base would respond unfavorably to that. However, I think its important to make a distinction between regime change, wars and military strikes against a nuclear facility, as well as military strikes against terrorist proxies of Iran. I think that the American public would be okay with the latter, but not the former. There isnt going to be too much pushback about bombing the Houthis. I do think the public would go along with striking Iranian nuclear assets. You wont, however, see an open, explicit campaign by the Trump administration to replace the Iranian leadership. That is a bridge too far in the aftermath of the Iraq war. But if a direct war with Iran leads to loss of American lives, wouldnt that result in a backlash against Trump from his MAGA base? Also, how do you react to statements that on Iran, America has outsourced its foreign policy to Israel? Im certainly familiar with that way of seeing things. I dont accept the idea that Iran poses a threat only to Israel. That is certainly not the view of the Emiratis. It is certainly not the view of the Saudis. Even in Bahrain, the government is concerned with Iran. In terms of stoking dissidence, the main chant of Houthis is not just death to Israel, death to the Jews, but death to America. Ever since the Iranian Revolution, there has been a very strident anti-American view in the Iranian leadership. I wouldnt go so far as to say that the US and Israel have identical threat perceptions and interests in the Middle East. But the fact of the matter is that they are substantially overlapping. And that is true when it comes to containing the Iranian threat, as well as the counterterrorism goals of taking out radical Sunni terrorists. The Trump administration is right now in the middle of a negotiation between Ukraine and Russia, though we do not know which way the negotiations are proceeding. The trouble in Middle East could intensify and expand. Trumps cabinet is full of China hawks. For a president who wants to limit Americas footprints some would even call him an isolationist do you think Trump is opening too many fronts at the same time? This is certainly the view in the Pentagon, especially if you listen to someone like Elbridge Colby, who is expected to be confirmed as the undersecretary, as well as his underlings like Mike Domino, whos tasked with the Middle East. Pentagons view is that the US should try to disengage from the Middle East as well as settle the conflict in Ukraine to focus American attention on what they see as the bigger threat, and that is the rise of China and its challenge to US hegemony. I understand the logic of prioritizing in order to formulate an effective grand strategy, but even if its true that the US wants to focus mainly on countering China, that doesnt necessarily mean that withdrawing from the Middle East will facilitate that objective. Withdrawing American troops from Syria, for example, could open up a number of problems in the Levant, which would ultimately require the US to invest more heavily later. Particularly, it will empower Erdogan and Turkiye to expand what it sees as a modern-day Ottoman Empire into Syria. It runs the risk of reenergizing the Islamic State and frankly, theres a very real risk that Syria could descend into a full-scale civil war. I was a big opponent of the so-called rebel program when Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (leader of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or HTS) was part of the opposition to Assad, and I continue to be an opponent now that he is the leader of the country. There is no evidence that the regime in charge in Damascus is able to govern Syria. Not with respect to the Alawites (sect of Islam that follows Alawism), not with respect to the Kurds, and not with respect to quelling radical Sunni terrorists in that country. We have seen Turkiye make substantial incursions into Syria and more surprisingly, Israeli incursions as well. So, the US may well want to focus on China, but that doesnt mean that other issues in the world are just going to go away. You preempted my question on Syria. What happens now to the huge mess that we are seeing there? Is this opportunity for Turkiye to move in? The US has been very inconsistent and conflicted on Syria. When the Arab Spring extended into Syria, the immediate thought of the Obama administration was to side with the protesters and to facilitate deposing Assad (former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who has been deposed and has since escaped to Moscow). But it then became clear, especially in the immediate aftermath of the intervention in Libya, that the opposition to Assad was full of extremists. I always opposed the toppling of Assad. My views were similar to Tulsi Gabbards. I have a high regard for Gabbard (US Director of National Intelligence) and I think that she understands the radical Islamist threat facing the US and around the world. She was correct on Syria. Her views have been borne out by watching the bloodletting against the Alawites, the reentrance of the Islamic State, as well as the very concerning involvement of Erdogan inside Syria. I think that Syria is now a geopolitical battleground between the two strongest regional powers Turkiye and Israel. Neither has any real respect for Syrian sovereignty. Israeli moves in Syria are intended primarily to contain Turkish influence, prevent a major Sunni terrorist front coming out from that region against Israel, as well as trying to sever the land bridge between Iran and Lebanon to ensure that Hezbollah does not regain its military capability. Israel is going to continue to operate inside of Syria, especially if the US withdraws its forces, because it can. Israel cannot rely on the Syrian government to fight against either the Sunni terrorists or to break the linkage between Iran and Hezbollah. On top, you have an interesting ethnic demographic dimension in Druze (the third largest religion in Syria), who are very popular in Israel and are seen as very loyal Israelis. They are overrepresented in the Israeli military and in security positions. That might not be understood around the world, but the Druze mean a lot to Israelis. And Israelis will continue to come to their aid in Syria. There have even been appeals by the Alawites for Israeli protection because none of the minorities trust the terrorist regime in Damascus. Despite the violent attacks carried out against Alawites and Christian minorities, the EU astoundingly came out in support of the ruling HTS. The European Commission even invited the HTS to an official conference in Brussels. Europeans speak about values all the time. What about protection of minorities as a value? I oppose the international communities attempts to normalize this terrorist regime in Damascus. The question is, how do you explain it? Why is the EU and frankly, countries around the world, so interested in meeting with the leader of Syria? You need to go back to the outbreak of the Arab Spring. The opposition to Assad was not only tolerated but supported by many countries around the world because they were fighting against Assad. Now that these same extremists have taken power, there continues to be residual support for them. Even if we all agree that Assad had a tremendous amount of blood on his hands, used chemical weapons, had dungeons where plenty of innocent dissidents were tortured, that doesnt mean that we should have an unrealistic view about his successor. The views expressed in the interview do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. UPI-maker the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) later acknowledged the reports and cited intermittent technical issues for the outage. In its statement, the NPCI said it was working to resolve the issue read more India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), one of the world's fastest payment system, faced another major outage on Saturday Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI), one of the worlds fastest payment systems, faced another major outage on Saturday (April 12), marking third such disruption within a month. Downdetector showed users reporting the outage starting 11:26 am IST. Several users also took to X and Facebook to share their frustration as their transactions collapsed mid-way on payment platforms such as PhonePe, Google Pay and Paytm. UPI-maker the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) later acknowledged the reports and cited intermittent technical issues for the outage. In its statement, the NPCI said it was working to resolve the issue. Advertisement NPCI is currently facing intermittent technical issues, leading to partial UPI transaction declines. We are working to resolve the issue, and will keep you updated, the regulator said. The Saturday outage is believed to have caused disruptions to services of major banks like HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Previous UPI disruptions The UPI was hit by a major snag on March 26 as the users nationwide faced problems completing their transactions. The NPCI in a statement later said, NPCI had faced intermittent technical issues owing to which UPI had partial decline. The same has been addressed now and the system has stabilised. Regret the inconvenience." The second such outage was observed on April 2. Why is UPI significant? According to a report by digital payments company Phi Commerce, UPI now accounts for 65 per cent of all digital transactions in India making it a true game-changer in the world of payments. While UPI is the go-to option for small to medium purchases (like tea, groceries, or your go-to street momo guy), credit cards and EMIs are still popular for big-ticket expenses. The report also highlights that people lean heavily on credit during certain times like festive seasons, school admission months, or when big sales pop up. Social media reactions Livid users said the frequent service disruption was causing a big headache to businesses as well as consumers. The way they are treating upi and keeping it down at random hours is getting really scary day by day. Affecting many small scale businesses and shops. Are we moving towards cash again? wrote one user. Advertisement The way they are treating upi and keeping it down at random hours is getting really scary day by day. Affecting many small scale businesses and shops. Are we moving towards cash again? Chirag Barjatya (@chiragbarjatyaa) April 12, 2025 Just finished lunch like a boss but when I tried paying via UPIboom! Server down. Now Im just sitting in hotel like a wanted criminal full stomach but cooked RIP to me! a second said. A third questioned: This never happened for so many years. Is this a way to introduce some kind of charge for making UPI payments in future? The protesters, estimated at some 100,000, gathered at the Suhrawardy Park in the Dhaka University area. They carried hundreds of Palestinian flags and chanted slogans such as Free, Free Palestine. read more A woman joins a protest to condemn Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, at a rally in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saturday, April 12, 2025. Image- AP Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in Dhaka on Saturday, denouncing Israels actions in Gaza amid growing unrest that has plunged Bangladesh into a political crisis. An estimated 100,000 demonstrators filled Suhrawardy Park near Dhaka University, waving Palestinian flags and chanting Free, Free Palestine. Many targeted US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of backing Israel. Effigies and symbolic coffins representing Palestinian civilians were paraded through the crowd. Advertisement The protest, backed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Islamist groups, escalated national tensions. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 170 million, has no diplomatic ties with Israel and supports Palestinian statehood. The unrest peaked on August 5, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India amid violent demonstrations. Her official residence was stormed hours after her departure. More than 1,000 people were killed in the protests, marking the bloodiest period since the 1971 war of independence. An interim government, including student representatives, has been formed to restore order and prepare for fresh elections. With inputs from agencies The US-backed news organisations were set up starting in the Cold War between the West and Soviet Union. Their designated goal was to provide objective news about the United States and other subjects overseas, often to people under authoritarian governments without access to a free press. read more The head of a US-funded Arabic-language television and online news outlet that claims a 30 million-strong audience in the Middle East and North Africa terminated most staff and TV programming Saturday, accusing the Trump administration and Elon Musk of having irresponsibly and unlawfully cut off funding. In notices Al Hurra news staffers about their dismissals, chief Jeffrey Gedmin said he had given up on the U.S. administrations freeze lifting anytime soon for the congressionally approved money for Al Hurra and its U.S.-funded Arabic language sister organizations. Advertisement Gedmin accused Kari Lake, President Donald Trumps appointee to the American government agency overseeing Al Hurra, Voice of America and other U.S.-funded news programming abroad, of dodging his efforts to speak with her about the funding cutoff. Im left to conclude that she is deliberately starving us of the money we need to pay you, our dedicated and hard-working staff, Gedmin said in severance letters obtained by The Associated Press and excerpted on the website of Al Hurras parent company, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. Mohamed al-Sabagh, an Egyptian journalist working at the Al Hurra news website in Dubai, told the AP that all the staff in the website and the television channel received emails terminating their contracts. Al-Hurra is the latest U.S. government-funded news outlet after Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and others to cut staff and services amid what the outlets say is the move by the Trump administration and Musks Department of Government Efficiency to withhold their congressional appropriations. Advertisement Lake, appointed to oversee the U.S. Agency for Global Media, describes her agency as being consumed by a giant rot that requires the agencys destruction and rebuilding. The US-backed news organisations were set up starting in the Cold War between the West and Soviet Union. Their designated goal was to provide objective news about the United States and other subjects overseas, often to people under authoritarian governments without access to a free press. The George W. Bush administration created Al Hurra in 2003, the same year his administrations invasion of Iraq overthrew that countrys leader. Al Hurras journalists covered the U.S. occupation and sectarian and extremist violence that followed, with some them dying on the job during the 2011 Arab Spring, and other political changes across the Middle East. While Al Hurra over the years faced charges of bias from both conservatives and liberals in the United States, it was one of the few outlets in its region providing space for freedom of the press and speech. Advertisement In his note to staffers, Getmin said his organization would retain a couple of dozen staffers and a presence online as court battles over the cuts play out in U.S. courts. It makes no sense, Gedmin wrote, to silence Americas voice in the Middle East. Xi is expected to travel to Southeast Asian nations the next week. He will visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia to deepen economic ties and to seek support and co-operation against Trumps sweeping tariff war read more (File) Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. Reuters As a full-blown trade war erupts between US and China, the worlds second-largest economy is increasingly turning to its neighbours to soften the economic blow. For example, this week the ruling communist party hosted a conference dedicated to neighbourhood diplomacy for the first time since 2013. Addressing the conference, Chinas Xi Jinping urged to break new ground in Chinas relations with neighbouring countries, reported South China Morning post, citing state media. Interestingly, as US President Donald Trump announced a staggering 145 per cent tariffs on Beijing, Xi Jinping laid the ground for a reinforced outreach to its neighbours, some of whom are also its top trading partners. Advertisement Moreover, Xi is expected to travel to Southeast Asian nations the next week. He will visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia to deepen economic ties and to seek support and co-operation against Trumps sweeping tariff war. The SCMP quoted Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of international relations at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, as saying that Trumps tariffs have triggered a sense of urgency in Beijing about mending its ties with its neighbours. The outreach would demonstrate to the Trump administration that the US is not Chinas only export market, and not an indispensable market either Zhu added. According to a press release issued after the communist partys conference on neighbourhood diplomacy, China has identified Southeast Asia as a priority area in managing overall diplomacy, and a crucial link in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Benoit Hardy-Chartrand, an international affairs specialist at Temple University Japan in Tokyo, meanwhile said China was seeking to deepen ties with ASEAN nations due to their proximity to the worlds important trade corridors. Southeast Asia has long been an area of priority for Beijing, given its highly strategic location at the confluence of the Indian and Pacific oceans, its proximity to some of the worlds most important trade routes, and its growing market. Advertisement However, the expert added that Beijings outreach faces steep challenges. Nations like the Philippines and Vietnam were wary of China, who maintain that economic ties wont realise their full potential until bilateral security issues are sorted out. Beijing appeasing India too At the same time, China is believed to have signalled its intention to address Indias concerns about a growing trade deficit, which swelled to a record $100 billion in Financial Year 2025. Hindustan Times reported that Beijing was looking to increase imports from India by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers on several goods. India nearly froze Chinese investments and banned a bunch of Chinese apps after the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) began in April-May 2020. Both sides had around 60,000 troops facing off, dragging India-China relations to their worst point since the 1962 war. But things have started to shift. After both sides agreed last October to pull troops back and re-activate some high-level talks, China has been nudging India to relax trade restrictions. Theyre asking for more business visas, direct flights, and an overall friendlier environment for Chinese businesses again. As Russia commemorates the 64th anniversary of the first human space flight, the country is also looking forward to innovative missions that are in store, one of them being launching its new space station read more As Russia commemorates the 64th anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin (USSR), it is also preparing itself for what the future holds in space exploration. One of the goals of the country in this regard is sending a new space station. While speaking to Firstpost, Russian Pilot-Cosmonaut Denis Mateev said he looks forward to the mission. The remarks from the Russian cosmonaut came during a Q&A session at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Delhi. Mateeve was a special guest at an event organised by the Russian House to commemorate Gagarins feat that happened 64 years ago. The Russian delegation celebrated the International Day of Human Space Flight by installing a bronze plaque, which depicted the founders of cosmonautics Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Sergei Korolev and Yuri Gagarin. Advertisement The Russian House installed a bronze plaque, which depicted the founders of cosmonautics Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Sergei Korolev and Yuri Gagarin. The event was attended by the Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov, the head of the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in New Delhi Dr Elena Remizova, Hero of Russia, cosmonaut Denis Matveev, and the representative of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Rajiv Kumar Jaiswal. Russia hopes to launch the first module of its new space station by 2027 When asked about Russias plans to launch its new space station, Cosmonaut Mateev shared with Firstpost whats on the cards. According to the plans that weve got right now, we launch the first module of a station at the end of 2027, and we launch the first crew to that first module in the middle of 2028, and the second crew at the end of 2028. Then we develop our own station, Mateev told Firstpost. Hero of Russia, cosmonaut Denis Matveev conducts a Q&A session after the screening of the movie. Source: Firstpost While speaking to the media, the Russian cosmonaut explained what it was like to be in space, whether staying in zero gravity affects health and what kind of training astronauts and cosmonauts undergo before going to space. During the Saturday event, the delegates noted how Russia remains one of Indias leading partners in the space field. One of the highlights of the event was the screening of a Russian film called The Challenge. The 2023 thriller/adventure movie was shot in space. Cosmonautics Day is a source of pride: Russian envoy While addressing the gathering following the plaque inauguration ceremony, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov emphasised how Cosmonautics Day is a source of pride for Moscow. This day is a source of national pride for Russia and is a powerful symbol of the shared aspiration to explore outer space in the spirit of peace, science and progress. Our achievements made Russia the leader in space exploration. Amongst such achievements is the first flight to space by an Indian cosmonaut, Rakesh Sharma in 1984, who joined a Soviet crew on board the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft, he recalled. Rakesh Sharma became a rock-solid symbol of the legendary journey that our two friendly countries jointly undertake, and I would like also to remember such legends like Yuri Gagarin, for whom we are installing the plate today, and also Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, who was also a long-standing chairman of the Soviet and then Russia Friendship Society with foreign countries. I believe that we can dedicate todays ceremony in her honour as well, he furthered. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov addresses the gathering. Source: Firstpost While welcoming Dr Jaiswal, Ambassador Alipov called India one of the leaders in space exploration. He also emphasised that Russia is learning a lot from India in modern space exploration. India is now one of the leaders in space exploration, and Russia now is learning a lot from India in space exploration. I think this is a very heartening and very notable matter, and I am absolutely sure that we will continue to cooperate in manned space exploration in various other areas, together with satellite navigation and many other areas, the ambassador concluded. Advertisement The International Day of Human Space Flight is the annual celebration, held on April 12. It marks the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin and received International recognition at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 7 April 2011, a few days before the 50th anniversary of the flight. Trumps government has stated that it will not be able to return Abrego Garcia quickly, and that diplomatic relations cannot work at the speed required by the courts read more 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. File image/ Reuters A federal judge in the United States said on Friday that the Trump administrations failure to comply with her court order to give information on the status of a Maryland citizen unjustly deported to El Salvador was extremely troubling. At a hearing, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis asked that the administration disclose the location of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador on March 15 despite a court order safeguarding him, and keep her updated on its attempts to repatriate him. Advertisement Abrego Garcias family moved to contest the legitimacy of his deportation, and on April 4, Xinis directed 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 courts authority. Republican President Donald Trumps government has admitted that Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who had been residing in Maryland with a work visa since 2019, was mistakenly deported. However, it has stated that it will not be able to return him quickly, and that diplomatic relations cannot work at the speed required by the courts. When asked on Friday if Trump would seek Abrego Garcias return on Monday when he meets with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the administrations responsibility was to facilitate Abrego Garcias return, not to effectuate the return. Based on the record, youve done nothing The case highlights the administrations tensions with federal courts. Several courts have blocked Trumps policies and judges have expressed frustration with the administrations delays in meeting court orders. At Fridays 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. Advertisement The record, as it stands, is despite this courts clear directive, your clients have done nothing to facilitate the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia, the judge said. You arent providing anything on the record about this, so based on the record, youve done nothing. Ensign said that the government would comply with the Supreme Courts 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 courts deadlines are impracticable, but that is not to say that the government is not intending to comply with the Supreme Courts order, Ensign said. A small number of protesters gathered outside the court on Friday holding signs demanding Abrego Garcias return, and a sign on a pet dog read, MUST MEANS MUST, referring to the courts order to return the Maryland man. The Supreme Court said the Trump administration must take steps to facilitate Abrego Garcias 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. Advertisement 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 branchs discretion, notably in foreign policy. The interim president, Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, 50, toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba two years ago. He hopes to consolidate his grip on power for a seven-year term in office read more A woman votes in a referendum on whether to adopt a new constitution, in Libreville, Gabon, on Nov. 16, 2024. AP File Voters in Gabon headed to polling stations on Saturday in the first presidential election since a 2023 military coup ended a political dynasty that lasted over 50 years. Analysts have predicted an overwhelming victory for the interim president who led the coup. Some 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 overseas, are registered to participate across more than 3,000 polling stations. It is a crucial election for the countrys 2.3 million people, a third of whom live in poverty despite its vast oil wealth. Advertisement The interim president, Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, 50, toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba two years ago. He hopes to consolidate his grip on power for a seven-year term in office. Bongo was placed under house arrest after the coup but freed a week later due to health concerns. His wife and son were detained and charged with corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Bongo himself was not charged. Following the coup, Oligui Nguema promised to return power to civilians through credible elections and declared himself a candidate last month. He has touted himself as a leader who wants to unify the Gabonese and give them hope, running his presidential campaign under the slogan: We Build Together. His main challenger is Bongos former prime minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who has promised to reorganize public finances, create jobs for young people and end the umbilical cord with former colonial ruler France. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Bilie-By-Nze said he didnt expect the election to be fair or transparent. Everything has been done to lock down the vote, he said. In a sign of the difficult road ahead for negotiators, the White House reiterated Trumps threat on Friday, saying he wants Iran to know there will be all hell to pay if it does not agree to abandon its nuclear programme. read more Iran said on Friday it was giving high-level nuclear talks with the United States on Saturday a genuine chance, after President Donald Trump threatened bombing if discussions failed. Trump made a surprise announcement on Monday that Washington and Tehran would begin talks in Oman, a Gulf state that has mediated between the West and the Islamic Republic before. In a sign of the difficult road ahead for negotiators, the White House reiterated Trumps threat on Friday, saying he wants Iran to know there will be all hell to pay if it does not agree to abandon its nuclear programme. Advertisement Special envoy Steve Witkoff, who will lead the U.S. delegation, was quoted by the Wall Street Journal as saying the administrations red line is to stop Iran from being able to produce a nuclear weapon and that dismantling its nuclear program is the opening demand. But he suggested Washington would be open to other ways to find compromise. The January return to the White House of Trump, who in his first term withdrew the U.S. from a 2015 big-power accord with Tehran, has again brought a tougher approach to a Middle Eastern power whose nuclear programme Washingtons ally Israel regards as an existential threat. At the same time, Iran and allied groups have been weakened by the military offensives Israel has launched across the region, including air strikes in Iran, after being attacked from Gaza by Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023. Iranian state media said the talks would be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Witkoff, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi as intermediary. The Iranian foreign ministry said on Friday the U.S. should value the Islamic Republics decision to engage in talks despite what it called Washingtons prevailing confrontational hoopla. We intend to assess the other sides intent and resolve this Saturday, spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei posted on X. In earnest and with candid vigilance, we are giving diplomacy a genuine chance. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi was quoted by the semi-official news agency ISNA as saying: Without threats and intimidation from the American side, there is a good possibility of reaching an accord. Advertisement He added: We reject any bullying and coercion. U.S. air attacks on Yemens 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. Meanwhile, 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. Important and practical Iranian proposals Iran had rejected direct negotiations with Washington before Trump announced on March 30: If they dont make a deal, there will be bombing, and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before. Important and practical Iranian proposals have been prepared in pursuit of a real and fair agreement, Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a post on X. If Washington comes to the talks with sincere intentions and genuine will to reach an agreement, the path to a deal will be clear and smooth, Shamkhani added. Advertisement Since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 deal that curbed Irans 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. Iran had agreed in the deal, reached during U.S. President Barack Obamas administration, to strictly limit its enrichment activity in return for a lifting of global economic sanctions. Tehran says its programme is purely for peaceful energy purposes, but the West says it goes far beyond any civilian requirements, and suspects Tehran of covertly seeking to develop nuclear weapons capability. Direct-indirect talks Confusion arose after Trump announced that the talks between the longtime geopolitical adversaries would be direct, while Iran has insisted they would be indirect, with Omanis acting as mediators. Shamkhani said Araqchi was heading to neighbouring Oman with full authority for indirect talks. The U.S. and Iran held indirect talks during President Joe Bidens term that ended in January but made little, if any, progress. The last known direct negotiations between the two governments were under Obama. Advertisement Iran said on Saturday that it held productive talks with the United States in Oman over its expanding nuclear programme and that both sides have agreed to reconvene next week. read more This handout picture provided by Khabar Online on April 12, 2025, shows Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (2nd-L) speaking with members of the Iranian delegation after a meeting in Muscat. Image- AFP US-Iran talks on Saturday in Oman marked a step forward between the two adversaries, the White House said, describing discussions including President Donald Trumps regional envoy as positive and constructive. These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy (Steven) Witkoffs direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome, the White House said in a statement, adding the sides agreed to meet again next Saturday. The meeting comes as President Donald Trump warns of potential military action if they fail to reach a deal. Advertisement Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who briefly met face-to-face with Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff during the indirect talks, told state television, I think we are very close to a basis for negotiations, and if we can conclude this basis next week, well have gone a long way. The American side also said that a positive agreement was one that can be reached as soon as possible but that will not be easy and will require a willingness on both sides, he said. At todays meeting, I think we came very close to a basis for negotiation Neither we nor the other party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions sake, time wasting or talks that drag on for ever, he added. Omans foreign minister acted as intermediary in the talks in Muscat, Iran said. The Americans had called for the meetings to be face-to-face. However, the negotiators also spoke directly for a few minutes, Irans foreign ministry said. It said the talks were held in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere. The long-term adversaries, who have not had diplomatic relations for more than 40 years, are seeking a new nuclear deal after Trump pulled out of an earlier agreement during his first term in 2018. Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat and key architect of the 2015 accord, and Witkoff, a real estate magnate, led the delegations in the highest-level Iran-US nuclear talks since the previous accords collapse. Advertisement The two parties were in separate halls and were conveying their views and positions to each other through the Omani foreign minister, Irans foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X. The process took place in a friendly atmosphere, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said. Iran, weakened by Israels pummelling of its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions hobbling its economy. Tehran has agreed to the meetings despite baulking at Trumps maximum pressure campaign of ramping up sanctions and repeated military threats. Meanwhile the US, hand-in-glove with Irans arch-enemy Israel, wants to stop Tehran from ever getting close to developing a nuclear bomb. Neither Iran nor the United States want talks that drag on for ever, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday after a first round of discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff. Neither we nor the other party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions sake, time wasting or talks that drag on for ever, Araghchi told Iranian state television, adding that the next round of talks was set for next Saturday. Advertisement With inputs from agencies These will be the highest-level discussions between the foes since an international agreement on Irans nuclear programme crumbled after Trump pulled out in 2018 during his first term in office read more US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff after a meeting with Russian officials at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025 (L); and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. AFP Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who arrived in Oman on Saturday to hold nuclear talks with the US, met Omani officials ahead of the high-stake meeting, Iranian state media has reported. Iran and the US, whose delegation will be led by US President Donald Trumps Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, will hold rare talks on Tehrans nuclear programme as the president pushes for a new deal, threatening that failure to secure one would lead to military action. Advertisement Araghchi said on Saturday that his country seeks a fair and honourable deal with the United States. Our intention is to reach a fair and honourable agreement from an equal position, and if the other side also comes from the same position, then hopefully there will be a chance for an initial understanding that will lead to a path of negotiations, he said. They will be the highest-level discussions between the foes since an international agreement on Irans nuclear programme crumbled after Trump pulled out in 2018 during his first term in office. Witkoff and Araghchi will lead the talks behind closed doors in Muscat, which has long been playing a key role in mediating between Iran and Western countries. Hours before the talks were due to begin Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they cant have a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneis adviser Ali Shamkhani said that the country is seeking a real and fair agreement, adding that important and implementable proposals are ready. If Washington showed goodwill, the path forward would be smooth, he said on social media platform X. According to Iranian news agency Tasnim, the delegations will start indirect negotiations after a meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Advertisement The talks are expected to begin in the afternoon with Busaidi as intermediary, Tasnim added. While Trump threatens military action against Iran in case a deal is not reached, Tehran has said it could expel United Nations nuclear inspectors, a move that Washington warned would be an escalation. The 2015 deal, which Trump withdrew from, aimed to render it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic bomb, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme. With inputs from AFP Since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed in mid-March, Israels renewed offensive in Gaza has displaced hundreds of thousands of people while the military has seized large areas of the war-battered territory. read more Smoke billows at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential area in Gaza City's Shujaiyya neighbourhood, on April 9, 2025. Image- AFP Israels military on Saturday announced the capture of the Morag axis, a strategic corridor in southern Gaza as it pushes to control more of the war-ravaged territory. The development came alongside an evacuation order for tens of thousands of people in Khan Yunis and nearby areas, ahead of planned strikes following projectile fire from the region earlier in the day. Meanwhile, a Hamas official told AFP that the group expected real progress in the ceasefire negotiations. Senior Hamas leaders are set to meet with Egyptian mediators in Cairo later on Saturday. Advertisement The IDF (military) has now completed its takeover of the Morag axis, which crosses Gaza between Rafah and Khan Yunis, turning the entire area between the Philadelphi Route (along the border with Egypt) and Morag into part of the Israeli security zone, Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement addressed to residents of Gaza. Soon, IDF operations will intensify and expand to other areas throughout most of Gaza, and you will need to evacuate the combat zones. In northern Gaza as well in Beit Hanoun and other neighbourhoods residents are evacuating, the area is being taken over and the security zone is being expanded, including in the Netzarim corridor, he added. Cairo talks Top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly said that the ongoing assault aims to pressure Hamas into freeing the remaining 58 hostages held in Gaza. Hamas said the offensive not only kills defenceless civilians but also makes the fate of the occupations prisoners (hostages) uncertain. In a separate announcement, the military ordered residents of Khan Yunis and surrounding areas to evacuate after the air force intercepted three projectiles fired from south Gaza earlier in the day. IDF troops are operating with significant force in the area, and will strike with intensity on any location from which rockets are launched, the military said on X. The United Nations had warned a day before that expanding Israeli evacuation orders were resulting in the forcible transfer of people into ever-shrinking areas, raising real concern as to the future viability of Palestinians as a group in Gaza. Advertisement Later on Saturday, a Hamas delegation and Egyptian mediators were to meet in Cairo. We hope the meeting will achieve real progress towards reaching an agreement to end the war, halt the aggression and ensure the full withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza, a Hamas official familiar with the ceasefire negotiations said on condition of anonymity. According to him, Hamas has not yet received any new ceasefire proposals, despite Israeli media reports suggesting that Israel and Egypt had exchanged draft documents outlining a potential ceasefire and hostage release agreement. However, contacts and discussions with mediators are ongoing, he added, accusing Israel of continuing its aggression in Gaza. Strikes continue The Times of Israel reported that Egypts proposal would involve the release of eight living hostages and eight bodies, in exchange for a truce lasting between 40 and 70 days and a substantial release of Palestinian prisoners. US President Donald Trump said during a cabinet meeting this week that were getting close to getting them (hostages in Gaza) back. Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was also quoted in an Israeli media report as saying a very serious deal is taking shape, its a matter of days. Advertisement Since Israel resumed its Gaza strikes, more than 1,500 people have been killed, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory to which Israel cut off aid more than a month ago. Dozens of these strikes have killed only women and children, the UN human rights office said Friday. AFP footage of the aftermath of a strike on Saturday showed the bodies of four men, wrapped in white shrouds, at a local hospital, while several individuals gathered to offer prayers before the funeral. The war in Gaza broke out after Hamass October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. It resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Gazas health ministry said on Friday that at least 1,563 Palestinians had been killed since March 18 when the ceasefire collapsed, taking the overall death toll since the war began to 50,933. With inputs from AFP. Ukrainian embassy quoted a post made by British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris, who shared a picture showing smoke billowing from the warehouse, which allegedly belonged to the Indian firm read more Photo posted by British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris on X. The image shows smoke billowing from the warehouse, which allegedly belonged to the Indian firm. Kyiv on Saturday (April 12) claimed that Russian forces had struck the warehouse of an Indian pharmaceutical firm, while mocking the special friendship between Moscow and New Delhi. In a post on X, the Ukrainian embassy in India claimed that Russian forces were deliberately targeting Indian businesses operating in Kyiv. Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine. While claiming special friendship with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly, the embassy wrote. Advertisement The Ukrainian embassy quoted a post made by British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris, who shared a picture showing smoke billowing from the warehouse, which allegedly belonged to the Indian firm. In his original post, Martin Harris wrote, This morning Russian drones completely destroyed a major pharmaceuticals warehouse in Kyiv, incinerating stocks of medicines needed by the elderly and children. Russias campaign of terror against Ukrainian civilians continues. Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine. While claiming special friendship with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly.#russiaIsATerroristState https://t.co/AW2JMKulst UKR Embassy in India (@UkrembInd) April 12, 2025 Russia has frequently targeted Kyiv over the past three years of war, forcing thousands to abandon the city and seek refuge elsewhere. The US administration of President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to broker a peace deal between the two warring sides but with limited results. Even on Saturday, both sides accused each other of violating a tentative US-brokered ceasefire aimed at halting strikes on energy infrastructure. The Ukrainians have been attacking us from the very beginning, every passing day, maybe with two or three exceptions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said while addressing the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey. Advertisement Ukrainian minister Andrii Sybiha contested the claim, saying Russia had launched almost 70 missiles, over 2,200 (exploding) drones, and over 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine, mostly at civilians. The forum in Turkey convened after a meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Kyiv confirmed on Saturday that a Ukrainian F-16 pilot was killed in combat. This is the second such loss since Ukraine received the much-valued US-made fighter jets, which were sent to strengthen its defence against Russias ongoing invasion. On 12 April 2025, 26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov died while flying an F-16 combat mission, the Ukrainian army said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) Musks disapproval of Trumps actions that directly impact his companies comes at a time when reports emerge that the billionaire is set to step back from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency read more Elon Musk listens to US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., US, on February 11, 2025. Reuters File Elon Musk seems to be growing critical of US President Donald Trump as he has expressed scepticism over one of Potus policies for the second time. In the latest episode of an apparent rift between the duo, the Tesla CEO has said that Trumps budget proposal of slashing funding for Nasa is troubling. Musks disapproval of Trumps actions that directly impact his companies comes at a time when reports emerge that the billionaire is set to step back from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement I am very much in favor of science, but unfortunately cannot participate in NASA budget discussions, due to SpaceX being a major contractor to NASA," Musk said, adding thatOffice of Management and Budgets draft budget proposal for Nasa is troubling. The billionaire has also seemed to break from the party line on tariffs, frequently criticising Peter Navarro, a key figure in Trumps trade policy. This came as the administration imposed broad tariffs on global trade partners, triggering significant market volatility and costing Musks Tesla billions in losses. According to internal documents, the budget cuts will also target research and programs related to the impacts of climate change. If Congress approves the plan, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) funding would be slashed from $485 million to $171 million, effectively gutting a vital component of the agencys mission. The proposal to significantly cut NASAs funding is expected to meet resistance in Congress, which holds the responsibility of finalizing the budget before it goes to the president for approval. Slashing funds for the agencies has raised concerns about the USs commitment to addressing climate change and could impede critical research and international climate efforts. GAINESVILLE, Fla. The University of Florida (UF) campus became the site of a heated protest on Wednesday afternoon as students rallied against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the detention and subsequent self-deportation of a fellow student, Felipe Zapata-Velasquez. The demonstration, which drew significant attention to the plight of international students, underscored growing tensions surrounding immigration policies under the Trump administration. DEPORTAN JOVEN COLOMBIANO EN FLORIDA POR CONDUCIR SIN LICENCIA Camaras corporales de policias grabaron el momento en que Felipe Zapata Velasquez, un estudiante colombiano de 27 anos, fue arrestado en Gainesville por conducir con la licencia suspendida y la matricula vencida.... pic.twitter.com/ijNtDsKlku Juan Torres (@juanpodcast1) April 10, 2025 Zapata-Velasquez, a 27-year-old Colombian national, was detained by ICE on March 28 after what began as a routine traffic stop in Gainesville escalated into a federal immigration case. According to reports, he was taken to the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade County before opting for voluntary deportation. His departure from the United States has sparked outrage among UF students, who argue that the incident reflects a broader crackdown on immigrant communities, including those legally present on student visas. The protest, organized by student activist groups, saw participants marching across campus with chants of "ICE off our campus!" and demands for greater protections for international students. Demonstrators gathered outside UF's administration buildings, calling on university leadership to take a stand against what they describe as unjust immigration enforcement actions. "Felipe was a valued member of our community," said one student organizer, speaking anonymously to University Herald. "This isn't just about one personit's about the message it sends to all students who come here seeking an education." Details surrounding Zapata-Velasquez's case remain murky. ICE has not officially confirmed his detention at Krome, but Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost of Orlando stated that the student was held there before being pressured to sign deportation documents. Frost condemned the situation, calling the Krome facility "hell on Earth" and criticizing the lack of transparency from federal authorities. Zapata-Velasquez's mother, Claudia Velasquez, told Latin American TV station Nuestra Tele Noticias that her son felt coerced into leaving the country, though she later confirmed his safe return to Colombia without clarifying whether it was a forced deportation or a voluntary exit. The incident has reignited debates over the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly its aggressive stance on deportations. President Donald Trump has vowed to remove millions of undocumented immigrants, a promise that has fueled enforcement actions nationwide. At UF, students pointed to comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently boasted about revoking hundreds of student visas, as evidence of a targeted campaign against international scholars. "This is an attack on our diversity and our values as a university," one protester told reporters. UF officials have yet to issue a formal statement on the protest or Zapata-Velasquez's case, leaving students frustrated by the administration's silence. "We need our university to protect us, not stand by while ICE tears our community apart," said another student participant. The lack of response has only amplified calls for action, with some advocating for UF to adopt sanctuary campus policies to shield students from federal immigration authorities. The protest at UF is part of a broader wave of activism on college campuses across the U.S., where students are increasingly vocal about immigration enforcement. Similar incidents, such as the detention of a Tufts University PhD student and a Columbia University graduate, have raised alarm about the vulnerability of international students, even those with valid visas. At UF, the emotional toll of Zapata-Velasquez's departure was palpable, with demonstrators holding signs reading "No More Felipe" and "Education, Not Deportation." As the Trump administration doubles down on its immigration agenda, the UF protest serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of these policies. For now, students are vowing to keep the pressure on, both on campus and beyond, to ensure their voicesand those of their peersare heard. US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine, as Donald Trump urged Moscow to push for a ceasefire. The meeting came on the same day European nations announced billions in new military aid for Kyiv. read more US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Friday, as Donald Trump called on Moscow to get moving on a ceasefire in Ukraine. 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!!!, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. The Kremlin later said the meeting focused on ways to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Advertisement Four hours long Productive talks The Kremlin said the meeting lasted over four hours and focused on a possible resolution to the war. This was Witkoffs third meeting with Putin this year. Witkoff, a key figure in efforts to improve US-Russia relations in Trump administration, was seen afterwards with Kirill Dmitriev, Putins investment envoy. Dmitriev later called the meeting productive, according to the TASS news agency. Trump, frustrated with the lack of progress, wrote on social media, Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war. Meanwhile, Trumps Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg denied claims that he had suggested Ukraine could be split up. Europes $24 billion aid to Ukraine Earlier on Friday, European countries agreed to give 21 billion ($24 billion; 18 billion) in military aid to Ukraine. At the event, Europes defence ministers said there was no sign the war would end soon. Before the Putin-Witkoff meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no major breakthroughs were expected, as efforts to improve relations were still ongoing. When asked if the talks could include planning a meeting between Putin and Trump, Peskov said, Lets see. It depends on what Witkoff has brought. Russia open to full ceasefire Russia said that it is open to a full ceasefire but has set several conditions Ukraine must stay out of NATO, cut down its military, and recognise Russian control over the four occupied Ukrainian regions. Trump envoy suggests allied zones of control in Ukraine Keith Kellogg, Trumps special envoy to Ukraine, said British and French troops could take on zones of control in Ukraine, according to an interview with The Times published Saturday. Advertisement He suggested these troops could be stationed west of the Dnipro River as part of a reassurance force, with a demilitarised zone separating them from Russian-occupied areas in the east. Kellogg compared the idea to post-World War II Berlin, which was divided into zones controlled by different countries. He later clarified on X that the US would not send troops. He said being west of the Dniproa major natural barrierwould ensure the force wouldnt appear threatening to Russia. The Times also reported that Kellogg proposed the demilitarised zone follow current lines of control in eastern Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin, who launched Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has long cast Ukraines tilt to the West, including its desire to join NATO, as a threat to Russia. read more Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday commended US President Donald Trump for his deeper understanding of the Ukraine conflict compared to other Western leaders. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of conflicts for lasting peace. When we talk about eliminating the root causes of any conflict including the Ukrainian conflict, this is the only way to resolve the problem and establish long-lasting peace, Lavrov said. Advertisement He said that Trump was the first Western leader to repeatedly assert that it was a mistake to bring Ukraine into NATO, labelling it one of the key reasons behind the conflict. President Trump was the first, and so far the only one, among Western leaders to say with conviction that it was a huge mistake to pull Ukraine into NATO, Lavrov added. Russian President Vladimir Putin has frequently cited Ukraines Western alignment, particularly its NATO ambitions, as a primary justification for Russias invasion in February 2022. Lavrovs remarks followed talks in St. Petersburg on Friday between Putin and Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff about the search for a peace deal. Witkoff has emerged as a key figure in the on-off rapprochement between Moscow and Washington. However, Fridays talks took place at a time when U.S.-Russia dialogue aimed at agreeing a ceasefire ahead of a possible peace deal appears to have stalled over disagreements around conditions for a full pause in hostilities. Commenting on an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to pause strikes on each others energy facilities, Lavrov said that Moscow has been keeping its word and accused Kyiv of striking Russian energy infrastructure almost every day. I gave to our colleagues from Turkey, to (Foreign) Minister (Hakan) Fidan, what we gave to the Americans, to the U.N., to the OSCE the list of facts listing the attacks by Ukraine during the last three weeks against Russian energy infrastructure. Advertisement Ukraine has made similar accusations against Russia since the U.S.-backed moratorium was approved. With inputs from agencies A devastating assault by Sudans Rapid Support Forces on Zamzam Camp for displaced people near alFasher has left hundreds dead or wounded, the foreign ministry and aid groups said on Saturday, in what some described as one of the worst violations since the war began. read more Sudans Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched one of the deadliest attacks of the war this week, targeting famine-stricken camps for displaced people in Darfur, leaving more than 100 deadincluding 20 children and nine aid workers, according to a UN official on Saturday. The assault, described by some as one of the worst violations since the conflict began, stretched over two days starting Thursday and devastated homes, markets and healthcare centers, the General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees said in a statement. Advertisement The group condemned the attack as a war crime and crime against humanity, noting that the majority of victims were women and children. It also reported a similar RSF strike on Abu Shouk Camp earlier in the week that killed at least 35 civilians. The humanitarian situation in al-Fasher is collapsing, the group warned, citing worsening famine, lack of medicine and total insecurity. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami said in a statement on Saturday that at least 100 civilians were killed in Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps, which host over 700,000 displaced people, many of whom are now trapped without safe refuge. Relief International, the last organisation providing critical services at Zamzam Camp, reported that its clinic was overtaken and nine staff members, including doctors and drivers, were killed. This was a targeted attack on the most vulnerable elderly people, women, and children, it said in a statement. Our clinic, the last remaining access to healthcare in Zamzam, was also part of this attack. The RSF dismissed allegations of atrocities in Zamzam Camp as fabricated, claiming a recently circulated video depicting civilian suffering was staged by the Sudanese army. Advertisement In a statement on Saturday, it accused its rivals of orchestrating a media campaign using actors and staged scenes within the camp to falsely incriminate them. It denied responsibility for any attacks on civilians, reiterated its commitment to international humanitarian law, and criticised what it described as a propaganda effort aimed at tarnishing its reputation and distracting from the real crimes committed against the Sudanese people. The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, sparked by a power struggle between the army and the RSF, shattering hopes for a transition to civilian rule. The offensive forced about 2,400 people to flee the camps and el-Fasher, according to the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees, a local group in Darfur. Zamzam and Abu Shouk shelter more than 700,000 people who have been forced to flee their homes across Darfur during past bouts of fighting in the region, Nkweta-Salami said. Late last month, the Sudanese military regained control over Khartoum, a major symbolic victory in the war. But the RSF still controls most of Darfur and some other areas. Advertisement The two camps are among five areas in Sudan where famine was detected by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, IPC, a global hunger monitoring group. The war has created the worlds largest humanitarian crisis, with about 25 million people half of Sudans population facing extreme hunger. With inputs from agencies A US man posting content online as Mr Satan has been charged with threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and other government officials, the Department of Justice announced Friday read more Tulsi Gabbard, the United States Director of National Intelligence, has congratulated federal and local law enforcement officials for apprehending a Georgia man suspected of making violent threats against her, President Donald Trump, and the White House. In a post on X, Gabbard wrote: Thank you @FBI, @USMarshalsHQ, and local law enforcement for your service and dedication in apprehending this radicalized, dangerous criminal who repeatedly threatened the lives of me, my family, and @realDonaldTrump. Thank you for your tireless work every day keeping the American people safe. Advertisement Thank you @FBI, @USMarshalsHQ, and local law enforcement for your service and dedication in apprehending this radicalized, dangerous criminal who repeatedly threatened the lives of me, my family, and @realDonaldTrump. Thank you for your tireless work every day keeping the https://t.co/BGAZni9BAN Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) April 12, 2025 A US man posting content online as Mr Satan has been charged with threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and other government officials, the Department of Justice announced Friday. Shawn Monper, 32, was detained and charged in a federal criminal complaint with making threats to assault and murder Trump and other US officials, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. In a statement, the DOJ said the FBI received an emergency message about threats posted on YouTube by a user who identified himself as Mr Satan, whose internet activity was determined to correspond with Monpers residence. Monper is coincidentally from Butler, Pennsylvania where Trump was nearly assassinated during a campaign rally in July. Advertisement Shortly after Trumps inauguration in January, Monper obtained a firearms permit and commented from his account that he had bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office, the DOJ said. On February 17 he wrote: Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way, referring to Trumps billionaire advisor Elon Musk. 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, he said, according to the DOJ. Then on March 4, in a YouTube video titled Live: Trumps address to Congress, Monper said he was going to assassinate him myself, the DOJ added. Monper hails from Butler township, scene of a shooting last July 13 that nearly took Trumps life, when a would-be assassins bullet grazed the Republicans ear at an outdoor campaign rally. One person was killed and three were injured. Advertisement 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 the statement. A detention hearing is scheduled for April 14. Keith Kellogg, Donald Trumps envoy to Ukraine, has suggested that British and French troops could help secure parts of Ukraine after a ceasefire, with each country managing specific areas west of the Dnipro River. His proposal would include a demilitarised buffer zone to separate allied forces from Russian-controlled regions. read more Keith Kellogg, special envoy to Ukraine for US President Donald Trump, said British and French troops could take responsibility for different areas in Ukraine after a ceasefire, in an interview with The Times. He proposed that these troops could operate west of the Dnipro River as part of a reassurance force, separated from Russian-occupied areas in the east by a demilitarised zone. Kellogg compared it to the division of Berlin after World War II, where different Allied powers controlled different sectors. However, he clarified on social media that the US would not send any troops and that this idea wasnt about dividing Ukraine, but about maintaining peace. Advertisement Youre west of the Dnipro, which is a natural barrier, he said, arguing this setup wouldnt provoke Russia. He also suggested creating a buffer zone, or no-fire zone, along the current front lines to avoid direct clashes. There will probably be violations, he admitted. But theyll be easy to monitor. Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general and former national security adviser during Trumps first term, said Ukraine is large enough to host several foreign armies helping enforce peace. However, he admitted that Russian President Vladimir Putin might not accept the plan. He later posted on X to clarify: I was talking about a peacekeeping force to support Ukraines sovereignty after a ceasefire, not about dividing the country. Meanwhile, the UK and France are leading a 30-nation group discussing the possible deployment of such a force, which they call a reassurance force to support any future ceasefire agreement led by Trump. But many details are still unclear such as how many troops would be involved, who would participate, and what role the US would play. Advertisement Putin has questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys legitimacy, since his five-year term officially ended in May 2024. Under martial law, elections in Ukraine are suspended until the war ends. Zelenskys opponents have supported the delay. Kellogg said if a ceasefire is reached, elections could follow. I think Zelensky is open to it, but its up to the Ukrainian people and parliament, he said. He also noted that US-Ukraine relations are back on track, pointing to revived talks over a deal involving Ukraines mineral resources. He said officials hope to turn it from a business deal into a diplomatic one in the coming days. At a rare weekend session, parliament approved the legislation without opposition to take over the running of the Scunthorpe site, which employs several thousand people and produces steel crucial for UK industries including construction and rail transport. read more A handout photograph released by the UK Parliament shows speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle arriving for a special Saturday session as the government seeks to pass emergency legislation to save the British Steel company from closing dowing, in the House of Commons, in London, on April 12, 2025. UK lawmakers opened a rare Saturday session as the government seeks to pass emergency legislation to stop the last British factory that can make steel from scratch from shutting down. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his administration plans to "take control" of the struggling Chinese-owned British Steel plant to prevent its blast furnaces going out. Source: AFP The UK passed an emergency law on Saturday to stop the last British factory that can make steel from scratch shutting down, allowing the government to take control of the struggling Chinese-owned British Steel plant. The site in northern England had faced imminent closure and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said urgent action was needed to prevent its blast furnaces going out and save what is left of the UKs steel industry. At a rare weekend session, parliament approved the legislation without opposition to take over the running of the Scunthorpe site, which employs several thousand people and produces steel crucial for UK industries including construction and rail transport. Advertisement The government saw its possible closure as a risk to Britains long-term economic security, given the decline of the UKs once robust steel industry. As MPs debated in parliament, Starmer made a dash to the region where he told steelworkers gathered in a nearby village hall that the measure was in the national interest. He said the pretty unprecedented move meant the government could secure a future for steel in Britain. The most important thing is weve got control of the site, we can make the decisions about what happens, and that means that those blast furnaces will stay on, he said. It came after protests at the plant and reports that workers had stopped executives from the companys Chinese owners Jingye accessing key areas of the steelworks on Saturday morning. The Times newspaper said British Steel workers had seen off a delegation of Chinese executives trying to enter critical parts of the works. Police said officers attended the scene following a suspected breach of the peace, but no arrests were made. Nationalisation likely option Facing questions about nationalisation, business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds told parliament that state ownership remains on the table and may well be the likely option. But he said the scope of Saturdays legislation was more limited it does not transfer ownership to the government, he explained, saying this would have to be dealt with at a later stage. Ministers have said no private company has been willing to invest in the plant. The Chinese owners have said it is no longer financially viable to run the two furnaces at the site, where up to 2,700 jobs have been at risk. Advertisement Jingye bought British Steel in 2020 and says it has invested more than 1.2 billion ($1.5 billion) to maintain operations but is losing around 700,000 a day. Reynolds said the effective market value of this company is zero, and that Jingye had wanted to maintain the operation in the UK but supply it with slab steel from China to keep it going. The Labour government came under fire from the opposition Conservative party for its handling of the negotiations and faced calls from some left-wing politicians to fully nationalise the plant. Reynolds said the government had sought to buy raw materials to keep the furnaces running with no losses whatsoever for Jingye, but met with resistance. Instead Jingye demanded the UK transfer hundreds of millions of pounds to them, without any conditions to stop that money and potentially other assets being immediately transferred to China, he said. They also refused a condition to keep the blast furnaces maintained. Saturdays legislation allowed for criminal sanctions and gave the government powers to take over assets if executives fail to comply with instructions to keep blast furnaces open. Advertisement Trump tariffs MPs left for their Easter holidays on Tuesday and were not due to return to parliament until April 22. MPs last sat on a Saturday recall of parliament at the start of the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina in 1982. Scunthorpe in northern England is Britains last virgin steel plant which produces steel from raw rather than recycled materials after Tatas Port Talbot shuttered its blast furnace last year. British Steel has said US President Donald Trumps tariffs on the sector were partly to blame for the Scunthorpe plants difficulties. However, fierce competition from cheaper Asian steel has heaped pressure on Europes beleaguered industry in recent years. British Steel has its roots as far back as the Industrial Revolution but took shape in 1967 when the Labour government nationalised the industry, which at the time employed nearly 270,000 people. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Irans nuclear program if a deal isnt reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. read more In this photo released by Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi prior to negotiations with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, Saturday, April 12, 2025. Image- AP Envoys from Iran and the United States began negotiations Saturday in Oman over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear program since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. No overall agreement is immediately likely, but the stakes of the negotiations couldnt be higher for these two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Irans nuclear program if a deal isnt reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Advertisement Flight-tracking data analysed by The Associated Press showed a private jet from Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, arrived in Oman on Saturday morning. U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff had just met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday there. Meanwhile, Irans Foreign Ministry released footage of Tehrans top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Irans state-run IRNA news agency reported that Araghchi provided Irans stance and key points for the talks to be conveyed to the U.S. side. IRNAs report suggested the meeting would be held later Saturday. Talks began Saturday afternoon in Oman AP journalists saw a convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff leave the Omani Foreign Ministry on Saturday afternoon and then speed off into the outskirts of Muscat. The convoy went into a compound and a few minutes later, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social platform X that the indirect talks had begun. These talks will be held at a location planned by the Omani host, with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seated in the halls and sides, conveying their points of view and positions to each other through the Omani Foreign Minister, Baghaei wrote. About an hour later, Baghaei appeared on Iranian state television and acknowledged the talks had been going on all that time. The objective of the Islamic Republic of Iran is very clear we have only one goal, and that is to safeguard Irans national interests," he said. We are giving a genuine and honest opportunity to diplomacy, so that through dialogue, we can move forward on the nuclear issue on one hand, and more importantly for us, the lifting of sanctions. Advertisement Baghaei added: Look, this is just a beginning. So it is natural that, at this stage, both sides will present their foundational positions through the Omani mediator. Therefore, we do not expect this round of negotiations to be lengthy. There was no immediate acknowledgment from the U.S. government about the talks starting. Araghchi earlier spoke to Iranian journalists. If there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk about that, Araghchi said, in an audio clip published by IRNA. What is clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the national interests of the Iranian people. Trump and Witkoff both have described the talks as being direct. I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today, Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his trip. That doesnt mean, by the way, that at the margin were not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries. Advertisement He added: Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponization of your nuclear capability, Sanctions relief and enrichment remain top issues While the U.S. side can offer sanctions relief for Irans 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, Tehrans 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 wont 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 countrys 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States. Advertisement The pipeline stretches from the town of Sudzha in western Russia all the way to the Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod, near the EU border with Slovakia. Its about 750 miles (1,200 kilometres) long and was built during the Soviet era read more A gas worker walks between pipes in a compressor and distribution station of the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod gas pipeline, some 30 km (19 miles) from the south western Russian city of Kursk, January 4, 2006. File Image/Reuters The US has reportedly asked Ukraine to hand over control of a key pipeline used to carry Russian gas to Europe as both nations discuss a much-anticipated minerals deal. Reuters has reported that the issue of the pipeline was raised on Friday (April 11) between US and Ukrainian officials. The news agency reports that the latest version of the minerals deal is more maximalist than the original version presented in February, which proposed US getting control over $500bn worth of rare metals as well as oil and gas. Advertisement The US reportedly wants the International Development Finance Corporation to take control of the pipeline. The pipeline stretches from the town of Sudzha in western Russia all the way to the Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod, near the EU border with Slovakia. Its about 750 miles (1,200 kilometres) long and was built during the Soviet era. This pipeline has been a vital piece of infrastructure, serving as a major route for gas exports. On January 1st, Ukraine stopped the gas flow after its five-year deal with Russias state-owned energy giant Gazprom came to an end. Until then, even during the first three years of the ongoing war, both countries had continued to earn hundreds of millions of euros from transit fees. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initially proposed the minerals deal to the Trump administration, hoping to secure weapons supplies in future. However, Trump shied away from extending security commitments or military support but insisted on the minerals deal anyway. Last week, Trump even accused Zelenskyy of trying to back out of an agreement, warning him of big problems if he failed to approve the deal. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Zelenskyy said he was open to a deal to modernise the countrys gas transit infrastructure. However, he stressed that any agreement would have to be based on parity meaning both sides should benefit equally. Specifically, he said Ukraine would only agree if revenues were split 50-50. Advertisement I am just defending what belongs to Ukraine. It should be beneficial for both the United States and Ukraine. This is the right thing to do, Zelenskyy said. The US Treasury later confirmed technical talks were ongoing. (With inputs from agencies) A US judge has ruled that pro-Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil can be deported, according to his lawyer. Khalil is a permanent resident and a prominent voice in campus protests against Israels war in Gaza. read more A US immigration judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian student protester, can be deported, his lawyer said on Friday. He is also a permanent resident. Judge Jamee Comans, based in Louisiana, said the government had provided enough evidence to justify the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, according to his solicitor. 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. This is not over, and our fight continues, Khalils solicitor Marc van der Hout said in the statement. Advertisement Khalil has not yet been scheduled for deportation, and the judge has given his legal team until 23 April to request a waiver, the statement said. Columbia University student, key figure in pro-Palestinian protests Khalil, a Columbia University student and a key figure in the protests against Israels war in Gaza, is married to a US citizen. He was arrested and taken to Louisiana, which led to protests. Judge Comans had asked the government to clearly explain its case, as it seeks to deport Khalil on the grounds that his protest activities pose a national security threat. Khalils activism could harm US foreign policy: Rubio US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the court that Khalils activism could harm US foreign policy. However, he did not officially claim that Khalil, who was born in Algeria and is of Palestinian origin, is linked to Hamas, even though some officials have suggested that to the media. Other international student protesters have also faced similar actions. Badar Khan Suri, an Indian scholar married to a US citizen of Palestinian origin, has also been arrested for his alleged links with Hamas. An internal memo notes that the department will work with a task force and obtain information related to anti-religious bias during the last presidential administration and compile cases of anti-Christian bias reported through anonymous tips from employees read more The seal of the United States Department of Justice is seen on the building exterior of the United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., August 17, 2020. File Image / Reuters The US State Department has instructed employees to report colleagues who display anti-Christian bias as the Trump administration implements an executive order to protect workers of Christian faith within the federal government. A report by Politico says that the internal memo notes that the department will work with a task force and obtain information related to anti-religious bias during the last presidential administration and compile cases of anti-Christian bias reported through anonymous tips from employees. Advertisement Reports should be as detailed as possible, including names, dates, locations (e.g. post or domestic office where the incident occurred, the internal communication reads. The order further said that the task force will meet on April 22 to review its findings. Several State Department officials responded to the cable with shock and concern, arguing that, despite any good intentions, it rests on a misguided assumption that the department is biased against Christians. They also cautioned that it risks fostering a culture of fear by encouraging staff to monitor and report on each other under pressure from the administration. My Administration will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians. The law protects the freedom of Americans and groups of Americans to practice their faith in peace, and my Administration will enforce the law and protect these freedoms. My Administration will ensure that any unlawful and improper conduct, policies, or practices that target Christians are identified, terminated, and rectified, Trump said in the executive order. The departments guidelines further state that instances of anti-Christian bias will be gathered to comply with the executive order, while examples of all forms of anti-religious bias will also be documented for the departments internal use. Although the E.O. focuses on anti-Christian bias, targeting anyone for their religious beliefs is discriminatory and is contrary to the Constitution, the notice added. Advertisement Sichuan Airlines to launch first Chengdu-Madrid direct flight Xinhua) 11:01, April 12, 2025 This photo shows a light show in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) CHENGDU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- A new regular direct flight will be launched between Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Madrid, the capital of Spain, starting April 27. Sichuan Airlines will operate this route with four weekly round trips on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. This marks the airline's first direct service to Spain, enhancing air connectivity between western China and Spain, according to the company. Flights will depart from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 1:40 a.m. Beijing Time, arriving in Madrid at 8:50 a.m. local time. Return flights will leave Madrid at 11:05 a.m. local time, landing in Chengdu at 5:00 a.m. Beijing Time the following day. The route will address the lack of direct post-pandemic flights from Chengdu to Spain, where travelers currently rely on transfers via Beijing, Shanghai or European hubs, said Sichuan Province Airport Group Co., Ltd. A megacity with over 21 million residents and part of the fast-growing Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone, Chengdu has strong ties with Spain, notably establishing an international friendly cooperation partnership with Madrid in September 2022. These ties extend across cultural and educational spheres -- from thriving Spanish language programs at Sichuan University to growing local demand for Spanish wines in Chengdu's vibrant market. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) CHICAGO, Ill. The University of Chicago is reeling from a sudden wave of student visa terminations, with seven international studentsthree current enrollees and four recent graduateshaving their F-1 visas revoked by the federal government. The announcement, made by university officials on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the campus community and raised urgent questions about the Trump administration's escalating immigration policies. The visa cancellations were uncovered during a routine audit of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by the university's Office of International Affairs. While the specific reasons for the revocations remain unclear, the university confirmed that the affected students were notified of their terminated status, thrusting them into a precarious legal limbo. "The University of Chicago is committed to supporting our international community," a university spokesperson stated, adding that efforts are underway to connect those impacted with immigration attorneys. This development aligns with a broader pattern of visa revocations sweeping across U.S. colleges and universities. Reports indicate that institutions like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and Southern Illinois University have also seen students affected, though exact numbers remain undisclosed. Nationwide, over 300 international students have reportedly lost their visa status in recent weeks, a figure underscored by Secretary of State Marco Rubio's claim last month that the State Department has revoked hundreds of student visas as part of a targeted enforcement effort. The Trump administration's immigration stance, which includes promises of mass deportations and tightened visa regulations, appears to be driving these actions. Rubio has publicly boasted about targeting students involved in political activism, though no evidence has surfaced linking the University of Chicago cases to such activities. The lack of transparency from federal authorities has fueled frustration, with immigration advocates and university officials alike decrying the absence of clear justification or appeal processes for those affected. For the students involved, the consequences are immediate and severe. F-1 visas, which allow international students to study in the U.S., are tied to their ability to remain in the country legally. With their SEVIS records terminated, these individuals face the prospect of leaving the U.S. or risking deportation if they stay. The university has pledged to assist, offering resources like counseling and legal support, but the path forward remains uncertain. The Hyde Park campus, known for its vibrant international population, is now a focal point of concern and activism. Students and faculty are grappling with the broader implications of this crackdown, which threatens the diversity and global exchange that define the institution. "This isn't just about seven peopleit's about the message it sends to everyone here," one graduate student told University Herald, speaking on condition of anonymity. As the situation unfolds, the University of Chicago joins a growing list of schools caught in the crosshairs of federal immigration policy. With no immediate resolution in sight, the affected students and their peers brace for what could be a defining moment in the university's historyand a stark test of its commitment to its international community. In announcing the start of trade talks with the U.S. on Thursday, Vietnams government said on its official portal it would crack down on trade fraud. It did not provide specifics read more Container trucks are seen while waiting for cross the border at Huu Nghi border gate connecting with China, in Lang Son province, Vietnam. File image/ 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 Vietnam has for weeks been offering sweeteners that it hoped would persuade the U.S. President Donald Trumps administration to take a benign view of its huge trade surplus with America. Instead, it was hit with a 46% tariff as part of Trumps 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. Vietnams trade ministry and the USTRs office did not return a request for comment. In announcing the start of trade talks with the U.S. on Thursday, Vietnams government said on its official portal it would crack down on trade fraud. It did not provide specifics. Since Trumps first term, many multi-national firms have implemented a China plus one policy of setting up factories in Vietnam to reduce exposure to Beijing. Advertisement 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. Vietnams 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 Washingtons 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. Advertisement 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. Vietnams Government Office and the customs department did not respond to a request for comment. 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 Vietnams 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. China uses Vietnam to tranship to avoid the tariffs, Navarro said on Fox News on April 6, without providing evidence. Advertisement 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 Vietnams offer was enough to address U.S. concerns over abuse of transhipment or if the country could comprehensively tackle the problem. A spokesperson for Chinas 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. 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. Advertisement 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. The U.S. government considers leadership on artificial intelligence as a national priority and Washington has moved to cut off Chinas 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 Hanois approval, under favourable conditions, for the Starlink satellite communication service controlled by Trumps billionaire ally Elon Musk. Musk appeared to confirm Starlinks ambitions in the country when he reposted on April 4 the contents of an earlier Reuters article that detailed the companys plans for the deployment of multiple ground stations. Advertisement Musks 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. Xis trip is likely to coincide with Vietnams aviation regulator approving Chinas COMAC planes, according to two people familiar with the matter. 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 weeks announcements by Vietnamese airlines of agreements on U.S. loans for the purchase of Boeing planes. While answering questions posed by Firstpost, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov lauded feats New Delhi achieved in space exploration and emphasised that Moscow now learns a lot from Delhi in that regard read more Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov lauded the ties between India and Russia and said that Moscow is looking forward to welcoming the Indian delegation for the Victory Day celebrations. The monumental day commemorates the victory of the erstwhile Soviet Union over Nazi Germany on May 9, 1945, and is celebrated in Russia in its full glory. The remarks from the Russian envoy came while he was inaugurating a bronze plaque featuring founders of cosmonautics Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Sergei Korolev and Yuri Gagarin to commemorate the 64th International Day of Human Space Flight. Advertisement The event was organised by the Russian House at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in New Delhi. When asked by Firstpost about the upcoming Victory Day celebration in Russia, Ambassador Alipov emphasised the significance of the upcoming event. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov speaks to media at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture. FIrstpost This year is very special. This year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the great victory. We call it a great victory in Russia. 27 million perished in that war. Something that should never be repeated. And we will have big celebrations in Moscow on May 9th, the Russian envoy told Firstpost. He maintained that the Kremlin is looking forward to welcoming the Indian delegation in Moscow. We will be happy to welcome a high-level Indian delegation. Whoever goes, we will welcome the defence minister. If the prime minister decides to go, we will certainly welcome the prime minister, Alipov said. There will be many foreign top-level guests in Moscow on that day. Here, in India, we have a separate programme of celebrations. In many cities, not only in Delhi, an extended celebration with many functions and events, he added. Indians contributed a lot to that victory: Ambassador Alipov While responding to Firstpost, Ambassador Alipov recalled the contribution India made during World War 2. It is very important that on that day we will remember the victims of that war. Not only the people of the former Soviet Union, who bore the major branch of that war. But also the victims all over the world, he said. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov addresses the gathering. Source: Firstpost It was the last global war that humankind suffered. Indians contributed a lot to the victory. Two and a half million Indian citizens and soldiers participated in that war. Many perished, all of them having contributed to the victory of the Allied forces. It will be a very momentous occasion for us to remember, he furthered. Advertisement Russia is now learning a lot from India in space exploration: Amb Alipov While addressing the gathering following the plaque inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Alipov called India one of the leaders in space exploration. He also emphasised that Russia is learning a lot from India in modern space exploration. India is now one of the leaders in space exploration, and Russia now is learning a lot from India in space exploration. I think this is a very heartening and very notable matter, and I am absolutely sure that we will continue to cooperate in manned space exploration in various other areas, together with satellite navigation and many other areas, he said. The Russian ambassador elaborated on how Cosmonautics Day is a source of pride for Moscow. This day is a source of national pride for Russia and is a powerful symbol of the shared aspiration to explore outer space in the spirit of peace, science and progress. Our achievements made Russia the leader in space exploration. Amongst such achievements is the first flight to space by an Indian cosmonaut, Rakesh Sharma in 1984, who joined a Soviet crew on board the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft, he recalled. The Russian House installed a bronze plaque, which depicted the founders of cosmonautics Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Sergei Korolev and Yuri Gagarin. Rakesh Sharma became a rock-solid symbol of the legendary journey that our two friendly countries jointly undertake, and I would like also to remember such legends like Yuri Gagarin, for whom we are installing the plate today, and also Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, who was also a long-standing chairman of the Soviet and then Russia Friendship Society with foreign countries. I believe that we can dedicate todays ceremony in her honour as well, he concluded. Advertisement Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to represent India at Victory Day parade Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to attend Russias Victory Day parade on May 9. Prime Minister Narendra was invited to the event, but is unlikely to visit Russia, ANI reported. The Indian defence minister visited Russia in December last year for the commissioning of INS Tushil in Kaliningrad. During the trip, he also paid tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow to honour Soviet soldiers who died in World War II and met members of the Indian diaspora. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a welcoming ceremony before an informal dinner on the sidelines of the Brics 2024 Summit in Kazan, Russia, 22 October 2024. File Image/Reuters Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told Tass News that Moscow had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the May 9 parade. He said the invitation had been sent and the visit was being discussed. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the news. We will announce our participation at the appropriate time," Jaiswal said at that time. In July last year, the prime minister travelled to Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia summit. It was his first visit to the country since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Former Harvard University President Lawrence H. Summers delivered a scathing critique of his alma mater's leadership during a virtual fireside chat hosted by the 1636 Forum on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, arguing that their slow response to campus antisemitism handed the Trump administration an opportunity to wield influence over the institution. Speaking with Samuel W. Lessin '05, founder of the alumni-led group advocating for academic freedom and accountability at Harvard, Summers painted a picture of a university at a crossroads amid escalating federal pressure. Summers, who led Harvard from 2001 to 2006, accused the current administration and the Harvard Corporationits highest governing bodyof failing to act decisively against what he described as pervasive antisemitic rhetoric from campus protesters and academic centers. "When you don't address these issues head-on, you leave a vacuum," Summers said, according to attendees of the event. "That vacuum gave Trump the leverage to step in and threaten the university's autonomy." His remarks come as the Trump administration intensifies its scrutiny of universities, with Harvard facing a review of over $8 billion in federal funding tied to its handling of antisemitism allegations. The 1636 Forum, established by Lessin in 2023, provided the platform for Summers to air his concerns, aligning with its mission to push Harvard back toward academic excellence and robust governance. Summers argued that Harvard's reluctance to confront controversial voicesparticularly those he labeled as "far-left redoubts"not only emboldened external critics but also undermined the university's moral authority. "Harvard should be a leader, not a follower, in these fights," he asserted, urging the institution to leverage its prestige and resources to resist federal overreach. The Trump administration's actions, including visa revocations and funding cuts at other universities like Columbia, loomed large over the discussion. Summers pointed to these moves as evidence of a broader strategy to pressure academia into compliance, warning that Harvard's inaction made it a prime target. "If Harvard doesn't stand up, who will?" he asked, echoing sentiments from a recent New York Times op-ed where he called for the university to mount a legal challenge against the White House. While Summers acknowledged efforts like Harvard's recent adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism as a step forward, he stressed that more aggressive measures are needed. He criticized the administration's cautious approach under Interim President Alan M. Garber, suggesting it prioritizes avoiding conflict over defending core principles. "Leadership isn't about dodging bulletsit's about taking a stand," he said. The virtual event drew a significant audience of alumni, many of whom expressed support for Summers' call to action in online forums following the talk. However, his remarks also reignited debates about his own tenure, marked by controversies over faculty relations and gender comments, which some critics argue weaken his standing to judge current leadership. As Harvard navigates this turbulent period, Summers' words underscore a growing divide between those who see compromise with federal demands as inevitable and those who view resistance as essential to preserving academic integrity. With the 1636 Forum amplifying such voices, the pressure is mounting on Harvard to define its responsebefore the Trump administration does it for them. bohlah at 12-04-2025 11:52 AM (2 months ago) (m) Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has decried the persistent poverty in Nigeria, attributing it to decades of poor leadership and mismanagement of the nations vast natural and human resources. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has decried the persistent poverty in Nigeria, attributing it to decades of poor leadership and mismanagement of the nations vast natural and human resources. Speaking at a state dinner held in his honour by the Abia State Government on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia, Obasanjo said there is no justification for the level of hardship Nigerians are facing. Speaking at a state dinner held in his honour by the Abia State Government on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia, Obasanjo said there is no justification for the level of hardship Nigerians are facing. Quote With everything God has blessed this nation with, Nigerians have no reason to be poor, he said. he said. Quote When we mismanage our God-given blessings, we have only ourselves to blame. The elder statesman took the opportunity to commend Governor Alex Otti for what he described as purposeful and transformative leadership in Abia State. According to Obasanjo, the positive reception of Ottis government by the people is a clear sign that good governance is possible. He further stated that if at least 18 state governors across the country could emulate Ottis performance, the trajectory of Nigeria would change for the better. The people of this country deserve good governance, Obasanjo stressed. Its not about who greets who or political sentiment. What matters most is the delivery of service and responsible leadership. In a reflection on past administrative lapses, Obasanjo recounted an incident during the tenure of former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, where a key national railway development plan was found buried in government archiveshighlighting what he called a systemic failure in continuity and strategic planning. Responding to Obasanjos commendation, Governor Alex Otti expressed appreciation for the former presidents encouragement and guidance over the years. Otti also shared insights into his own political journey, describing it as long and fraught with obstacles. It took us a decade to get here. We won elections in 2015 and 2019, but they were snatched from us, Otti revealed. Many people lost hope, but I held on to the conviction of Gods direction. The governor reaffirmed his commitment to leading Abia State with integrity and focus, assuring that his administration will not betray the trust reposed in it by the people. The elder statesman took the opportunity to commend Governor Alex Otti for what he described as purposeful and transformative leadership in Abia State. According to Obasanjo, the positive reception of Ottis government by the people is a clear sign that good governance is possible.He further stated that if at least 18 state governors across the country could emulate Ottis performance, the trajectory of Nigeria would change for the better.Obasanjo stressed.In a reflection on past administrative lapses, Obasanjo recounted an incident during the tenure of former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, where a key national railway development plan was found buried in government archiveshighlighting what he called a systemic failure in continuity and strategic planning.Responding to Obasanjos commendation, Governor Alex Otti expressed appreciation for the former presidents encouragement and guidance over the years. Otti also shared insights into his own political journey, describing it as long and fraught with obstacles.Otti revealed.The governor reaffirmed his commitment to leading Abia State with integrity and focus, assuring that his administration will not betray the trust reposed in it by the people. Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 12-04-2025 11:52 AM (2 months ago) | Addicted Hero An advertisement for Gordon Babbels Uranium Engineering Company, which appeared in The Daily Sentinel in 1954, shortly before Babbel sold the company. Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel 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. The medical office inside the Intermountain St. Marys Regional Hospitals Integrated Addiction Medicine (AIM) Clinic is seen on Friday. The outpatient substance abuse treatment model allows for patients to remain employed and in their own homes while striving towards sobriety. The clinics move into the hospital tripled its size and its potential patient capacity. Mon Monday 96 /68 Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the upper 60s. Polish-Moldovan political consultations Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland 09.04.2025 Today in Chisinau, Undersecretary of State Marek Prawda held political consultations with his counterpartSecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Carolina Perebinos. The consultations focused on the prospects for developing bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence, cybersecurity, strategic communications, energy, and development assistance. The deputy ministers reaffirmed the very good state of bilateral relations, as well as Poland's and Moldova's similar assessment of the most important issues concerning European security and the international situation. Both interlocutors concurred that it is necessary to further strengthen Polish-Moldovan relations. Additionally, Undersecretary of State Marek Prawda met with Secretary of State for European Integration at the Government of Moldova Rodica Crudu. He was also received by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihail Popsoi. The diplomats discussed the process of Moldova's accession to the European Union and the challenges linked to the parliamentary election planned for the autumn. Talks with Secretary of State Rodica Crudu revolved around the current issues in EU-Moldovan cooperation. The deputy head of Polish diplomacy highlighted Poland's continued support in Chisinau's EU accession talks and confirmed the readiness to assist Moldovan authorities in countering Russian attempts to destabilise the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gitanas Nauseda held a telephone call with the President of Poland President of the Republic of Lithuania April 10, 2025 President Gitanas Nauseda had a phone conversation on Thursday with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. The Lithuanian and Polish leaders discussed the geopolitical situation, regional security issues, as well as matters of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Presidents of Lithuania and Poland agreed to continue strengthening NATO's eastern flank and providing support to Ukraine until its full victory over Russia. The conversation also focused on the agenda of the upcoming Three Seas Initiative Summit in Warsaw later this month, as well as the Vilnius Summit, which will take place in early June and bring together leaders from the Nordic-Baltic region and NATO's eastern flank to discuss preparations for the NATO Summit in The Hague. Marking the 15th anniversary of the tragic Smolensk plane crash, Gitanas Nauseda expressed his deep respect for the memory of President Lech Kaczynski, First Lady Maria Kaczynska, and all those who perished in the tragedy. He also conveyed his solidarity with the brotherly Polish nation. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Allies come together for Spring Conference to enhance Reinforcement and Sustainment Network Capablities NATO Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC) Apr 10 2025 ULM, Germany -- For the seventh time the Joint Support and Enabling Command has gathered the Enablement Community in Ulm. At the Reinforcement and Sustainment Spring Conference 2025 more than 80 representatives from all ACO commands of NATO were coming together to discuss current topics on enablement, reinforcement and sustainment. JSEC's Commander Lieutenant General Kai Rohrschneider stated: "Professional contribution, excellent cooperation and a lot of progress characterised the last years. This is indeed necessary for a functioning RSN, which has a crucial role for deterrence and defence of the Euro-Atlantic area." From April 9 to 10, 2025, a comprehensive information exchange and lively discussions further developed the RSN and contributed to the success of NATO as a whole. "Operationalising the RSN is of utmost importance to increase the Alliance's readiness", highlighted General Rohrschneider and added: "This process as well is a great instrument to pull other activities of enablement with it - there are many products you can already use on operational level." In comprehensive briefings and syndicate work the Spring Conference brought NATO Allies together to enhance the RSN's capabilities. Let's meet again, when the nations as well participate in the Reinforcement and Sustainment Fall Conference 2025! Story by Joint Support and Enabling Command NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson April 10, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen during her visit to Washington, D.C. Secretary Rubio appreciated Finland's contributions to European security, its decision to increase defense spending, and ongoing cooperation on icebreakers. The Secretary emphasized President Trump's resolve to achieve an enduring peace in Ukraine and welcomed Finland's support in realizing that goal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Secretary Landau's Meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Albudaiwi US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson April 10, 2025 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met today with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi in Washington, D.C. to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-GCC partnership and coordinate on regional priorities. Deputy Secretary Landau expressed his appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between the United States, the GCC, and its member states and discussed shared efforts to enhance regional security, including the necessity of restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The Deputy Secretary and Secretary General underscored the need for collective action to deter threats, promote de-escalation, and advance peace and stability in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address African Land Forces Summit 2025 concludes in Ghana By Samuel Appa April 11, 2025 ACCRA, Ghana -- U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) concluded the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) 2025 today with a closing ceremony. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, ALFS 25 ran from April 7-10 and brought together land force commanders from nearly 40 African countries, other partner nations, academic thought leaders, and government officials for open dialogue about shared challenges. This year's theme was "Optimizing Land Forces for the Emerging Security Environment." "This week reminded us of the importance of partnerships. It was an absolute honor to meet with the great leaders in this room and to co-host this fantastic summit with such a great partner," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general, SETAF-AF. In line with the summit's message of partnership, he urged participants to turn insights into action, stressing the importance of unity and shared purpose in Africa's security development. "As we conclude another successful summit, I encourage all of you to apply the valuable lessons learned and to continue to work together to build the multinational connections," Gainey said. GAF served as the co-host and host nation for the event alongside SETAF-AF. Throughout the week, land forces commanders from across Africa engaged in discussions guided by subject-matter experts. "It has been a great opportunity for strategic engagements, insightful deliberations and networking," said Maj. Gen. Lawrence Gbetanu, chief of the army staff, Ghana Armed Forces. Ernest Brogya Genfi, deputy minister of defence, Republic of Ghana, who officially closed the summit, emphasized that the success of the summit is not only marked by the weight of deliberations and valuable ideas, but also the opportunities it created for strategic engagement and networking. "This summit has been a breeding ground for the development of bilateral and multilateral agreements to address our common defence and security challenges," Genfi continued. "Ghana remains steadfast in our commitment to play leading roles in arrangements such as this which provides a platform for our allies and friendly nations to deliberate on our common challenges," said Genfi. About ALFS Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff and co-hosted by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Ghana Armed Force, ALFS 202 brings together senior leaders from across Africa and other partner nations, to discuss shared security challenges. ALFS content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS). 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 Official visit to Paris by Secretary General: support for Ukraine and New Democratic Pact for Europe Council of Europe Secretary General Paris 11 April 2025 Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has concluded an official visit to Paris during which he discussed support for Ukraine, democratic security and the Council of Europe's role on the European and international arena. In his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the Secretary General discussed various current geopolitical issues, as well as the role of the Council of Europe as a central actor for democratic security, supporting the continent's peace and stability. At his meeting with France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, the Secretary General reaffirmed the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. In this context, they discussed the work done by the Council of Europe to support Ukraine and the next stages in setting up a Claims Commission and establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. In addition, the Secretary General presented the President and the Minister with the process for a new democratic pact intended to strengthen commitment to democracy, address citizens' expectations, in particular young people, and restore confidence in institutions through a reimagined, agile, inclusive democracy, in support of European societies' cohesion. Other topics discussed included the fight against disinformation, the situation in countries neighbouring the Council of Europe, the forthcoming World Forum for Democracy in November 2025 and the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Lastly, the Secretary General met the President of the Constitutional Council, Richard Ferrand, with whom he discussed issues including co-operation with the Council of Europe's Venice Commission and the network of higher courts managed by the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the importance of promoting the rule of law and constitutional values. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union marking two years of war European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 11 April 2025 16:45 For the past two years, war in Sudan has brutally impacted the lives of millions of civilians. It has dimmed the hopes of the revolution of 2018/19. Fragmentation has deepened along political and ethnic lines. Sudan's unity and territorial integrity are in peril. The EU is concerned by the intentions expressed by the various actors to form governments unilaterally. A partition of the country must be prevented. The EU reiterates its strong appeal to the warring parties for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. The responsibility for this war continues to be on the shoulders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), as well as their respective affiliated militias. The EU calls on all states supplying arms and funds to the belligerents to cease their support immediately and unite in favour of peace. The EU urges the belligerent parties to negotiate in good faith for a sustainable peace, where territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty are respected. The EU continues to support the African Union's and other regional and international mediation efforts, including those of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra. The people of Sudan are facing the most catastrophic humanitarian crisis of the XXIst century. Famine has been confirmed and food insecurity is rampant, with almost 25 million people facing acute food insecurity. Sudan is also experiencing the largest protection crisis in the world with 12,6 million people forcibly displaced (more than 3 million across borders). The conflict spilling over into neighbouring countries can cause even greater human suffering and further destabilize the region. Our humanitarian partners will only be able to respond swiftly and fully if safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access (cross-border and cross line) is facilitated by the conflicting parties. The EU and the EU member states continue to demand to all parties at war that all bureaucratic and administrative impediments be lifted immediately and that safety of civilians, including humanitarian workers, be guaranteed. The culture of impunity must stop. International humanitarian law and human rights violations are rampant and have been recorded throughout the country, in particular in the most conflict-affected areas of Darfur, Khartoum and Al Jazirah. Mass sexual and gender-based violence, starvation, arbitrary killings, child abductions, forced recruitment, and ethnically-based targeted attacks have been used as weapons of war at an unprecedented rate and scale, affecting notably women and children. The EU strongly condemns these severe mass atrocities. The EU, in close coordination with the international community, will use its diplomatic tools and instruments, including restrictive measures, to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict and a lasting inter Sudanese inclusive political process reflecting the aspirations of the Sudanese people. The people of Sudan have a right to freedom, peace and justice. The EU supports an inclusive political process towards this goal. The EU commends efforts by the Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, who, on behalf of the member states, will continue to proactively engage with all parties in support of a single mediation effort leading to a ceasefire, increased humanitarian access, and an inclusive transition. The protection of civilians and critical infrastructure remains paramount for our action and the EU is ready to support monitoring mechanisms. The EU recognises the resilience and bravery of the Sudanese people amidst the worst humanitarian crisis we see today. It is high time to bring an end to this horrific bloodshed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO: remarks by High Representative / Vice-President Kaja Kallas at NATO meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 11.04.2025 Brussels EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Good morning. Good to be back here today. Today we are discussing again what more can we do to help Ukraine. And, on the European side, last year we supported Ukraine with []20 billion. This year already Member States have committed over []23 billion. We are definitely doing more than last year, but we need to do [even] more. We see the pledges coming every day. We also see that there are steps taken by the Member States, which is important that we send the signal that we are behind Ukraine, and this is also what the meeting is about. Q&A Q: You said yesterday about the reassurance force that there had to be some clarity as to what the goal was. Was it a monitoring force, a reassurance, a deterrence force? Can you be any clearer as to what exactly is being asked of European countries in terms of commitments, military commitments, and what their role will be after that meeting? No. I mean, the different Member States, like I said, have different opinions and the discussions are still ongoing. Q: How concerned are you that Russia may be getting ready for a major offensive in the next months to strengthen its position in the peninsula? They are trying to do that all the time. We see these deadliest attacks that they have done in recent days, and also yesterday again we heard they are not targeting military, they are targeting civilians to cause major harm. But they are not advancing as fast on the battlefield really. But it is clear that they want to make their position better. At the same time, we are already four weeks into the time when Ukraine agreed to unconditional ceasefire, and we have not seen any positive signs on the Russian side. So, we really need to put the pressure on Russia, and I think it is the credibility of all the ones who have said that we need the killing to stop. Thank you. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-270662 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonian Minister of Defence Pevkur met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 11. April 2025 - 15:35 Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur met today in Brussels with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The discussion focused on the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague, the security of the Eastern border, and the situation in the Baltic Sea. "We are in agreement with the NATO Secretary General that defence spending among NATO countries must increase significantly. Whether this means doubling the current levels or reaching another form of agreement is hard to say at this point, but the fact is that in The Hague allies must reach a new level of commitment. This need is most clearly reflected in the NATO capability targets currently under discussion," said Minister Pevkur after the meeting. According to the Minister, the defence of NATO's eastern flank was also discussed. "Given Russia's increasingly aggressive behaviour, it is essential that NATO's message towards Russia is clear and strong. Allied forces are undisputably present on the eastern flank, and there are no plans to change that," Pevkur added. The Minister also briefed the NATO Secretary General on the shadow fleet vessel detained in the Gulf of Finland, where the necessary procedures are still ongoing. "I am pleased that the Estonian Navy, together with other national agencies, responded decisively and swiftly. The message to everyone operating in the Baltic Sea is clear - we are monitoring the situation with heightened attention and will intervene decisively if needed," said the Minister. Minister Pevkur is in Brussels to participate in the UK- and France-led defence ministers' meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, as well as in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting. As part of the Coalition of the Willing discussions, an initial exchange among 30 countries was held regarding the potential deployment of a European security mission to Ukraine. "Although the discussion itself is not public, I can say that the planning underway is concrete and realistic, with the aim of both strengthening Ukraine's position in negotiations and sending a clear signal to Russia - we have Ukraine's back," stated Minister Pevkur. At the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, the focus was on Ukraine's urgent military assistance needs. "On behalf of Estonia, I confirmed our continued and unwavering support for Ukraine - as promised, we will send military aid amounting to at least 0.25% of our GDP each year, which equals over 100 million euros. Based on current decisions, this year's support already exceeds 0.3% of GDP. The aid includes domestically produced unmanned ground and aerial vehicles, medical supplies, as well as ammunition rounds and food packages for Ukrainian fighters. Both the shells and food packages are expected to arrive within the coming weeks," said Minister Pevkur. "In addition, we will continue co-leading the IT Coalition with Luxembourg. Estonia's contribution to the coalition this year is 5 million euros. The first part of this is allocated for building communications modules for two brigade-level command posts. The second part will fund critical tactical communications and cyber defence needs," Minister Pevkur explained, commenting on Estonia's contribution to the coalition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway and the Netherlands signed a cooperation agreement Government of Norway News story | Date: 11/04/2025 - The Netherlands is one of our closest friends and allies, and we look forward to developing the cooperation further in the coming years, says Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik. On Friday 11 April, Sandvik and his Dutch colleague, Ruben Brekelmans, signed a so-called Letter of Intent (LoI) between the two countries. - We greatly appreciate the close defense cooperation with the Netherlands. Among other things, Dutch marines has trained and exercised in Norway since the 70s. Now we want an even closer collaboration. This way, Netherland can support Norway even faster in a crisis situation, says Sandvik. Through the new agreement, it is also possible to deepen cooperation in areas such as the defense industry, innovation and space. - Europe must step up our commitment to strengthen Euro-Atlantic Security. An important part of this is to forge ever closer ties with our European allies, and to find good operational and practical collaborations that make us stronger and safer together, says Sandvik. In addition to the bilateral cooperation, the countries work closely togehther through, among other things, NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The U.S.'s only achievement is the killing of Yemeni civilians: Ansarullah spokesperson IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 Mohammed Abdul Salam, spokesman for the Yemeni Ansarullah movement, said, "The only achievement of America from its aggression against Yemen is the killing of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure." According to Yemen's Al-Masirah news network, Abdul Salam said that the attack on the civilian infrastructure is a crime against the Yemeni people and shows the enemy's defeat. He said that the crimes of the United States will strengthen the determination of the Yemeni people in pursuing their legitimate and just goals. The Ansarullah spokesperson said that the U.S. claim that it attacked Yemen with the aim of ensuring the security of international shipping and the security of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait is a false and false claim. He said that the only purpose of the U.S. aggression against Yemen is to support and defend the Israeli regime and encourage it to continue the massacre of the residents of the Gaza Strip. The spokesperson for Ansarullah said that the US support for the Israeli regime and its encouragement to continue the massacre of the people of Gaza is a sign of returning to the era of barbarians and the law of the jungle. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen launches new missile and drone attacks on U.S. aircraft carrier in Red Sea IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced a new missile and drone strike targeting the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. On Friday, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni army, said that the naval, missile, and drone units were actively conducting operations against "enemy naval forces" in the region, with the USS Harry S. Truman being a key target. Saree reported that multiple cruise missiles and drones had been launched in recent hours to target U.S. warships in the northern Red Sea. He said the operation was a direct response to the U.S. campaign of airstrikes on Yemen and crimes committed against the Yemeni people. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 36 Israeli strikes on Gaza killed only women and children, U.N. finds IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 The United Nations has found that a large number of Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed only women and children, as Israel has been targeting residential buildings and tents since it resumed the war in the Palestinian territory on March 18. "In some 36 strikes about which the UN Human Rights Office corroborated information, the fatalities recorded so far were only women and children," said U.N. Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. "Between 18 March and 9 April 2025, there were some 224 incidents of Israeli strikes on residential buildings and tents for internally displaced people," she told reporters in Geneva. She said that Israeli strikes across Gaza were "leaving nowhere safe." The U.N. Human Rights Office has also released a report, saying that the forced displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. It said that repeated evacuation orders by Israel have resulted in forcible transfer of tens of thousands of Palestinians into small and densely populated areas where delivering supplies of basic goods is not possible. The evacuation orders are part of efforts to establish a so-called buffer zone in Gaza with dire consequences for Palestinians. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Second U.S. aircraft carrier enters West Asia as air aggression continues on Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 A second American aircraft carrier has reached West Asia, where the United States is carrying out near-daily airstrikes against Yemen amid the Arab country's military operations in support of Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza. The USS Carl Vinson, armed with F-35C stealth warplanes, joined another American aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman already deployed in the region, according to a X post by U.S. Central Command on Thursday. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump launched intense airstrikes on Yemen on March 15 after the Arab country promised to resume anti-Israel military operations to pressure the regime to end its war on Gaza and lift the siege on the territory. The Trump administration decided to reinforce its military presence in the region as Yemen's Armed Forces escalated attacks on USS Harry S. Truman and downed several MQ-9 drones. The Yemeni armed forces also increased military operations on targets inside Israel. The U.S. has struck more than 100 targets in Yemen since the start of the air campaign last month, according to the AFP news agency citing a U.S. defense official. Washington claims that it strikes military positions. Reports on the ground however show that residential areas are being targeted. The latest U.S. strikes happened early on Friday, which according to Yemen's Al-Masirah television, hit residential and agricultural areas in the capital, Sana'a, causing material damage. Two days earlier, U.S. airstrikes on an area near the western port city of Hudaydah left at least eight people dead and 16 more wounded, including women and children, according to officials of the ruling Ansarullah Movement in Sana'a. 7129**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister Budrys: security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific is indivisible Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence Updated 2025-04-11 On 10 April, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kestutis Budrys, met with the Ambassador of Japan to Lithuania, Shinsuke Shimizu. The Minister and the Ambassador discussed security agenda of bilateral concern, the need to strengthen the international community's support for Ukraine, and to seek a just and lasting peace. The head of Lithuania's diplomacy stressed that security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region was indivisible. "The geopolitical processes taking place in the global space are closely interlinked. Although we are geographically separated by thousands of kilometers, Lithuania and Japan face the same security challenges and threats. The close bilateral relationship with Japan and growing cooperation in NATO formats are in Lithuania's interest," said Budrys. At the meeting there was discussion of Lithuania's and Japan's economic agenda, business relations and people-to-people contactss. According to Budrys, Lithuania and Japan share a similar approach to economic security leading to mutual interest in strengthening economic cooperation and developing business and high technologies' partnerships. The Minister also expressed hope that Lithuania's participation in the international exhibition EXPO 2025 taking place in Osaka this year will open additional opportunities for cooperation of both countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Military Strategic Partnership Conference underscores Cooperation and Education NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Apr 11 2025 MONS, Belgium -- As the NATO Military Strategic Partnership Conference (MSPC) 2025 concluded in Doha, Qatar on Apr. 10, 2025, the overarching message was one of unity through cooperation. From high-level strategic dialogues to intimate bilateral sessions, from educational partnerships to technology sharing, every aspect of the conference reinforced the notion that no nation can confront today's security challenges alone. This year's conference provided a key opportunity for NATO officials and partner nations to pursue specific defence collaborations and turn talks on areas of mutual interest into tangible initiatives. Key conference outcomes were: Mutual recognition of geo-strategic challenges and the benefits of partnership in working towards solutions; A strong commitment from Partner Nations to advance cooperation with NATO; Increased participation in NATO exercises; Increased requests for opportunities to develop and train partner land, maritime, air and Special Operations Forces in NATO standards. Focusing on building the capacity of partner militaries through education and training, the conference highlighted NATO's Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), which provides tailored support to countries to develop their professional military academies. This includes updating teaching materials, training and mentoring staff on modern teaching methods, and guiding institutional reforms to align with international best practices. DEEP also supports the development of professional Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) corps in partner militaries, recognising the vital role of well-trained NCOs in a modern force. Another highlight of the conference was an extensive NATO Centres of Excellence (COE) exhibition, which offered partner nations a first-hand look at NATO's specialised expertise and training resources. Mirroring similar showcases in past conferences, the exhibition featured displays from many of the Alliance's accredited COEs - institutions that focus on areas such as concept development, cyber defence, peace support operations, military medicine, and more. The exhibition allowed delegates from partner nations to connect with COE representatives, opening doors for future training opportunities, technical assistance, and collaborative research. This hands-on engagement with NATO's centres of excellence is building practical cooperation, helping partners tap into NATO's knowledge networks to strengthen their own capacities. Panel discussions over the four-day event delved into common scientific and technological challenges - such as cyber defence, counter-terrorism, and maritime security - underscoring how innovation is being harnessed to improve collective readiness. Participants examined advancements in areas like cyber defence tools, intelligence-sharing platforms, and other new technologies aimed at detecting and countering modern threats, including NATO's latest initiatives - improved cyber coordination mechanisms and experimental projects in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Incorporating such technologies across allied and partner forces will enhance interoperability and allow for a more synchronised response to crises. The emphasis on tech also extended to training: NATO's adoption of advanced simulators and e-learning demonstrates how modern tools are strengthening education and joint exercises. Overall, MSPC 2025 conveyed that staying ahead of the curve on emerging technology is a shared priority and a key bonding force for the alliance and its partners. By investing in innovation together, NATO and partner nations aim to sharpen their collective capabilities and resilience in the face of evolving security challenges. Speaking to delegates at the closing speech, Deputy Chief of Staff, Partnerships Directorate, Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruasdal said, "The security challenges we face transcend borders, but in the face of such challenges, our strength lies in our unity. This conference has served as a vital platform for aligning efforts, exchanging ideas, and reinforcing our partnerships. Our collective expertise and commitment are the foundations of which we can build a safer, more secure world." By reinforcing trust, aligning objectives, and spurring tangible collaborations, MSPC 2025 has once again cemented the value of strategic partnerships in safeguarding global peace and stability. Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four RNZAF C-130H Hercules aircraft sold to US aerial firefighting company New Zealand Defence Force The Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) retired fleet of C-130H Hercules aircraft has been sold to an American aerial firefighting company for $9 million. 11 April, 2025 The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has finalised a sale of the four remaining C-130H Hercules aircraft to Coulson Aviation (USA). The aircraft will be prepared for flight and flown to Coulson's Maintenance Base in Thermal, California by a commercial crew over the next few months. Wayne Coulson, president and chief executive of Coulson Group, says they are looking forward to integrating these aircraft into their existing fleet of six C-130H Hercules. "Coulson is honoured to acquire the NZDF's four C-130H's, solidifying Coulson's position as the largest non-government C-130H operator worldwide. "This acquisition strengthens our commitment to providing world-class aerial firefighting solutions and expanding our operational capabilities globally. We look forward to continuing our mission of protecting communities and natural resources with these proven, versatile aircraft." Following a substantial upgrade and conversion programme the aircraft will be deployed around the world as fire-fighting tankers. Having served the NZDF for 60 years, the five-strong RNZAF fleet of Hercules clocked up more than 155,000 accident-free flying hours and nearly 100,000 landings at home and around the world. The C-130H Hercules aircraft operated from Europe to the southwest Pacific, from Afghanistan to Antarctica. They left a legacy of providing support to New Zealanders and our neighbours in all kinds of environments. One aircraft has already been delivered to the Air Force Museum in Christchurch where it will go on public display. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza: Increasing Israeli "evacuation orders" lead to forcible transfer of Palestinians Press briefing notes Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 11 April 2025 From Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani Location Geneva The increasing issuance by Israeli Forces of "evacuation orders" - which are, in effect, displacement orders - have resulted in the forcible transfer of Palestinians in Gaza into ever shrinking spaces where they have little or no access to life-saving services, including water, food and shelter, and where they continue to be subject to attacks. Since 18 March, Israel has issued 21 "evacuation orders". On 31 March, the Israeli military issued an order covering almost all of Rafah, the southern-most governorate, followed by a large-scale ground operation in the area. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were already reportedly trapped in Rafah, including in Tal Al Sultan area, with no way out and no access to humanitarian aid. While Israel, as an occupying power, can lawfully order the temporary evacuations of civilians in certain areas under strict conditions, the nature and scope of the evacuation orders raise serious concerns that Israel intends permanently to remove the civilian population from these areas in order to create a "buffer zone". Permanently displacing the civilian population within occupied territory amounts to forcible transfer, a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute. Meanwhile, Israeli military strikes continue across Gaza, leaving nowhere safe. Between 18 March and 9 April 2025, there were some 224 incidents of Israeli strikes on residential buildings and tents for internally displaced people (IDPs). In some 36 strikes about which the UN Human Rights Office corroborated information, the fatalities recorded so far were only women and children. Overall, a large percentage of fatalities are children and women, according to information recorded by our Office. A recent strike on the residential building of the Abu Issa family in Deir al Balah on 6 April reportedly killed one girl, four women, and one four-year-old boy. And despite Israeli military orders instructing civilians to relocate to the Al Mawasi area of Khan Younis, strikes continued on IDP tents in that area - with at least 23 such incidents recorded by the Office since 18 March. Compounding this alarming trend is the targeting and killing of the Palestinian journalists. During the night of 6-7 April, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent in front of Nasr Medical Complex in Khan Younis where a number of journalists were known to have been staying. The attack reportedly came without warning, killing one journalist and one press agency assistant, and wounding nine other journalists, including one who later died from his injuries. The Israeli military subsequently claimed that one of those injured was a Hamas member, but it remains unclear whether this individual had been identified and targeted as a member of the armed wing of Hamas, or otherwise. Since October 2023, over 209 journalists have been killed in Gaza, while Israel continues to deny access to international media. These and other attacks raise serious questions about Israeli Forces' compliance with international humanitarian law, particularly with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking a direct part in hostilities constitutes a war crime. Further compounding the desperate conditions for Palestinian civilians, Israel's closure of crossings into the Gaza Strip has entered its sixth week, preventing the entry of food, safe drinking water, medicines and other essential aid or supplies. Israeli officials have made statements suggesting that the entry of humanitarian aid is directly linked to the release of hostages, raising serious concerns about collective punishment and the use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war, both of which constitute crimes under international law. In light of the cumulative impact of Israeli Forces' conduct in Gaza, the Office is seriously concerned that Israel appears to be inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group in Gaza. Protests by Palestinians against Hamas, in exercise of their rights to peaceful assembly and expression under international law, have also been repressed by force, with harsh retribution exacted against a number of individuals. The despair of Palestinians, under assault from outside as well as such pressure within, knows no bounds. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has stressed, including before the UN Security Council last week, that the last 18 months of violence have made this abundantly clear: there is no military path out of this crisis. All parties must be entirely focused on achieving a ceasefire, rather than seeking to justify the prolongation of senseless violence. The only way forward is a political settlement, based on two states living side by side in equal dignity and rights, in line with UN resolutions and international law. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. All those arbitrarily detained must also be released. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan: Turk decries catastrophic cost of inaction as conflict approaches third year Press releases Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 11 April 2025 GENEVA -- Warring parties in Sudan are overseeing a wholesale assault on human rights amid global inaction, with deeply catastrophic consequences for civilians, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk today as the conflict approaches its third year. "As hostilities have expanded in reach and intensity over the past year, the lives and hopes of so many Sudanese have been uprooted and caught in a mire of death, deprivation and suffering," said Turk. "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. Sudan must not remain on this destructive path." The ongoing conflict is not merely a power struggle, he said, but is significantly influenced by economic and business interests of national and international actors, in key sectors such as gold and agricultural commodities. Revenue generated from international trade in Sudan's gold, gum arabic and livestock has become the financial backbone of the war economy. Proliferation of arms and continued weapons supplies, including to the western Darfur region, where a UN Security Council arms embargo is in place, are also compounding the fighting, enabling violations of international law and undermining peace efforts. "All those involved in facilitating the transfer of arms and military material to Darfur must stop, in line with their obligations to comply with the arms embargo," said Turk, also calling for the arms embargo to be expanded to cover the whole of Sudan. The conflict, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has been marked by complete disregard for the laws of war and for international human rights law from the outset, with the parties regularly attacking populated areas and critical civilian infrastructure, such as healthcare facilities, water stations and power plants, perpetrating serious human rights violations and abuses, and obstructing humanitarian aid, added the High Commissioner. Retaliatory attacks and summary killings of people suspected of collaborating with opposing forces - which are often ethnically-motivated - have continued unabated, fanned by hate speech and incitement to violence, particularly on social media. At the end of last month, for example, dozens of people were brutally killed in Khartoum in the aftermath of its recapture by the SAF, on suspicions that they were collaborating with the RSF. In North and West Darfur, the UN Human Rights Office has documented targeted attacks by the RSF on villages, based on the ethnicity of the residents. Sexual violence remains pervasive across Sudan. Women and girls have been raped, gang-raped, sexually exploited and abducted for sex on a large scale since the conflict began. Torture and other forms of ill-treatment, as well as arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances, remain widespread in conflict-affected areas across the country. Threats, harassment, and intimidation of members of civil society, among them human rights defenders, journalists and local humanitarian volunteers, are also on the rise, and are further limiting civic space and the free flow of information. The conflict has also led to an unprecedented humanitarian and displacement crisis in the country, ruining lives and livelihoods. At least 12.6 million people have been displaced, an estimated 24.6 million are facing acute food insecurity, and some 17 million children are out of school. "With people's rights to food, water, health, housing and education massively curtailed, the brutal conflict in Sudan is not only laying waste to today's Sudan, but also practically decimating Sudan's future," said Turk. "And the more protracted it gets, the more difficult the recovery will be." The second anniversary of the conflict also comes amid heightened concerns for civilians in and around El Fasher in North Darfur State, where the RSF has tightened its already longstanding siege amid fears of an imminent attack. There are also growing concerns about the hostilities escalating and expanding to new areas, including in Kordofan, Blue Nile and Northern State. "We must take to heart the people of Sudan, as well as their hopes and ambitions for peace, justice and equality," said the High Commissioner. "It is absolutely critical to ensure respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law and deliver accountability for the widespread breaches which have occurred over the last two years. The fighting must stop. We need to see the start of an inclusive process that fosters social cohesion and addresses the root causes of the conflict, including entrenched impunity." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint drills with US boost PH defense, preserve foreign policy Philippine News Agency By Filane Mikee Cervantes April 11, 2025, 4:00 pm MANILA -- The expanded joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States will strengthen the country's defense capabilities while preserving its independent foreign policy. In a statement on Friday, Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded the joint efforts as a display of commitment to Indo-Pacific stability and "an investment in preparedness and mutual trust." "Ang mga ganitong pagsasanay ay mahalaga para maging matatag ang kakayahan nating protektahan ang ating teritoryo at ang ating mga mamamayan sa pakikipagtulungan sa ating mga kaibigan. Gayunman, mahalagang tandaan na tayo pa rin ang may hawak ng ating kinabukasan bilang isang bansang nagsasarili (These types of exercises are important to strengthen our ability to defend our territory and people in cooperation with our allies. However, it is important to remember that we still hold our future as an independent nation)," he said. Among the main components of this year's military drills is Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2025, which began March 30 and concluded Friday. The exercise involved 179 US Marines, 189 Philippine Marine Corps troops, 57 Philippine Army soldiers, 11 Coast Guard officers, and 40 reservists. The training focuses on maritime rapid response, counter-landing operations, and coastal defense. "Sa ganitong paraan, matutugunan natin ang mga kritikal na aspeto ng depensa ng ating bansa lalo na sa ating mga baybayin (In this way, we can address critical aspects of our national defense, especially in our coastal areas)," he said. Running concurrently is Exercise "Salaknib" led by the Philippine Army and the US Army Pacific from March 24 to Friday. The second phase is scheduled May 19 to July 20. Salaknib, which means shield in Ilocano, covers communication systems, live-fire artillery, helicopter sling load operations and medical evacuations. Romualdez clarified that the drills are not meant to provoke hostilities, but are designed to strengthen defense readiness and cooperation. "Ang mga pagsasanay na ito ay hindi patungkol kaninuman. Ang tanging layunin nito ay ang pagpapalakas ng kasanayan ng ating mga tropa at pagpapahusay ng koordinasyon sa ating mga kaalyado para sa seguridad at kapayapaan (These exercises are not aimed at anyone. Their sole purpose is to strengthen our troops' capabilities and improve coordination with our allies for security and peace)," he said. Humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and peacekeeping are also core parts of the training. Both sets of exercises are conducted under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and are held with full respect for Philippine sovereignty. House support for AFP modernization Romualdez, meanwhile, reaffirmed the House of Representatives' support for the continuing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), pledging adequate funding and oversight in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s national security agenda. "Suportado namin ang layunin ni Pangulong Marcos na ma-isulong ang modernisasyon ng ating Sandatahang Lakas. Handa kaming maglaan ng karampatang pondo para dito at masusi naming babantayan ang paggamit para masigurong maayos ang implementasyon (We support President Marcos' goal to advance the modernization of our Armed Forces. We are ready to allocate the necessary funds and closely monitor their use to ensure proper implementation)," he said. He said a strong national defense posture promotes stability, attracts investment and helps create jobs. Romualdez called for national unity in protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "Patuloy tayong magkaisa sa pagtatangol sa interes ng ating bansang Pilipinas. Ang ating lakas ay hindi lamang nakasalalay sa pwersa ng ating Sandatahang Lakas kundi pati na rin sa ating pagkakaisa bilang mamamayan (Let us continue to stand united in defending the interests of our country. Our strength lies not only in our military forces but also in our unity as a people)," he said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH Army chief seeks closer defense ties with Vietnam Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 11, 2025, 1:32 pm MANILA -- Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido is looking to beef up its defense ties with the Vietnam People's Army (VPA). The PA chief made this comment after his April 7 to 10 official visit to the Southeast Asia country, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in a media release Friday. "Army chief Lt. Gen Roy Galido committed to stronger ties between the PA and the VPA and explored points of convergence towards enhancing both Armies' defense capabilities during his official visit," he added. Galido's official visit aimed to foster camaraderie and strengthen bilateral engagements between the two armies, building upon the foundation established by the 2015 Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Vietnam. During Galido's three-day trip, he rendered a courtesy call on Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, chief of the general staff of the VPA, followed by a bilateral meeting with Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia, deputy chief of the general staff, at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Hanoi. "Lt. Gen. Galido also observed a capability demonstration at the VPA's Special Forces Academy and toured the Viettel High Tech Company, a leading technology provider which plays a key role in enhancing Vietnam's military technology and defense capabilities," Dema-ala said. Meanwhile, the bilateral meeting between Galido and top VPA officials provided a venue for professional discussions on topics of mutual interest, including an exchange of experience, knowledge, and information. This also includes identifying opportunities for capability development for both organizations, potentially leading to the establishment of formal terms of reference in the future. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Retaliation rages on: Yemen targets US aircraft carrier in Red Sea with missiles, drones Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 5:12 PM Yemen's Armed Forces have once again vowed to continue their resistance and reprisal against pro-Israeli American military aggression, confirming that they have freshly targeted an American aircraft carrier in a renewed show of defiance. In a statement on Friday, the forces said their missile, drone, and naval units had carried out a retaliatory attack against USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. The vessel has been deployed to the waters to function at the forefront of the aggressive American naval presence there. The Yemeni strikes that used a number of cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, were part of a broader joint military operation aimed at neutralizing enemy warships, the statement read. In March, the United States markedly escalated its deadly assaults on Yemen in a bid to stop the anti-Israeli strikes that have been taking place since the Israeli regime's launch of a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023. Yemen too has ramped up its defensive operations in response. The forces reaffirmed their resilience, asserting that despite the US's attempts to target Yemeni defensive capabilities, the offensive campaign "has had no effect on our military strength." The servicemen further emphasized their commitment to safeguarding the country both on land and at sea, with a focus on responding to any future acts of aggression. The statement also highlighted widespread public support for the resistance, citing the "honorable million-man march" that took place in the capital Sana'a's Sab'een Square earlier in the day, alongside similar demonstrations in other parts of the country. The marches were seen as a powerful expression of Yemen's rejection of American military adventurism and the Yemeni people's ongoing fight for preservation of their national sovereignty, the forces stated. They described the public rallies as a testament to the strength and unity of the Yemeni people, who view their resistance as a religious and moral duty. "Our people have shown their firm stance against this aggression, affirming that they will never kneel except before Allah, the Almighty," the statement added. "Sooner or later, the enemy will realize that the steadfast, struggling people of Yemen do not submit or kneel except to Allah, the Almighty, the Compeller." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Arabia calls for 'maximum pressure' on Israel as UN warns of 'longest Gaza blockade' Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 4:06 PM Saudi Arabia has called for pressure to be put on Israel to ensure the steady flow of aid into the besieged Gaza Strip. Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan made the remarks after a meeting with regional counterparts in southern Turkey on Friday. "I demand the exercise of maximum pressure to ensure the continuous and sufficient flow of aid into the Strip," Farhan said. The call was made as US President Donald Trump has claimed that Saudi Arabia did not condition normalization with Israel. But Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its stance that it will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Israel has imposed an all-out blockade on the entry of crucial humanitarian supplies into Gaza since early March. On March 2, the regime closed off all crossings into Gaza and blocked the entry of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and water. Gaza Health Ministry has warned that "the lack of adequate nutrition and drinking water will compound health challenges, with the continued ban on vaccinations for children, especially polio vaccinations." The ministry has warned that at least 60,000 children suffer from severe malnourished and related health complications. The siege has resulted in the closure of 21 nutrition centers and has disrupted care for the already severely malnourished children of Gaza. Humanitarian agencies have warned that famine is imminent if aid deliveries are not urgently restored. The UN and other organizations say that without food, clean water and medical supplies, Gaza's population, already pushed to the brink, faces the risk of mass starvation. Fuel is critically needed to power hospitals, water pumps, bakeries, telecommunications, and aid trucks. Without it, large parts of the strip are facing a total breakdown in basic services. The humanitarian crisis has grown steadily worse over recent weeks. Local authorities say most Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced from their homes, and many are living in makeshift shelters. In tandem, relentless Israeli bombardment has destroyed 72 percent of homes and most of the besieged region's schools and hospitals. With tens of billions of dollars in arms supplied by the US, Israel has killed at least 50,886 people and wounded more than 115,875, the majority of them women and children. Thousands more are believed to be trapped under the rubble of flattened buildings. Gazans enduring longest aid blockage: UNRWA The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said nearly 400,000 people have been displaced in Gaza following the breakdown of the ceasefire and also called for a renewal of the truce deal. "They are now also enduring by far the longest blockage of aid and commercial supplies since the start of the war," UNRWA said in a post on X, as it shared testimony of a Palestinian woman who has been displaced five times since the beginning of the war. A ban by Israel on UNRWA came into effect early this year, impacting the organization's life-saving work in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Since its creation in 1949 to serve and handle the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians forcibly displaced by Israel's creation a year earlier, UNRWA has symbolized the hope of refugees to return home. The organization - employing 30,000 staff, primarily Palestinian refugees along with a small number of international employees - delivers emergency relief, education, healthcare and social services to at least 5.9 million Palestinians within Palestine and neighboring countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mostly women, children killed as Israel expands Gaza onslaught Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 10:52 AM New Israeli strikes have killed over a dozen people, including seven children, in the besieged territory as the regime is pressing ahead with its bloody military onslaught against Palestinians. Gaza's civil defense agency said the bodies of 10 people, including seven children, were brought to the hospital following an Israeli airstrike that targeted the al-Farra family home in central Khan Younis. Witnesses reported continuous and intensive Israeli tank fire in the city. Moreover, one Palestinian was killed and four others were wounded following an aerial attack on a group of civilians in Rafah. In central Gaza, Israeli drones struck a group of civilians in Deir el-Balah, following which a number of casualties were transferred to the al-Aqsa Hospital. Two more people killed in an Israeli strike that targeted a group of civilians in the al-Atatra area in the northern city of Beit Lahia. On Friday morning, the Israeli military released an "urgent and serious" evacuation notice for residents living in various neighborhoods east of Gaza City. The United Nations on Friday said its analysis of 36 recent Israeli strikes in Gaza showed only women and children were killed and decried the human cost of the war. Spokeswoman Ravina 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. Even the areas where Palestinians were being instructed to go in the expanding number of Israeli "evacuation orders" were also being subjected to attacks, she said. Israel has said its troops are seizing "large areas" in Gaza and incorporating them into buffer zones cleared of their inhabitants. The UN rights office warned that expanding Israeli evacuation orders are resulting in the "forcible transfer" of people into ever-shrinking spaces in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. "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. "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." Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Shamsadani said between March 18 and April 9, there were some 224 incidents of Israeli strikes on residential buildings and tents for internally displaced people. "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. "Overall, a large percentage of fatalities are children and women, according to information recorded by our Office," she added. UN: 12,500 Gaza patients still in need of medical evacuation On Thursday, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said there are still about 12,500 patients in Gaza who urgently need to be evacuated for medical treatment. Haq urged that medical institutions be empowered to conduct these evacuations through all accessible crossings and corridors. In a press briefing held in New York, Haq reiterated the urgent need to reopen border crossings to facilitate the entry of vital supplies into Gaza, cautioning that the current resources are depleting rapidly as the humanitarian crisis worsens. According to Haq, more than 60,000 Palestinian children in Gaza are experiencing malnutrition, particularly as fuel and resources in community-operated charity kitchens are quickly running out. Numerous international and local organizations have warned of the dire repercussions of intensifying the Israeli blockade, forecasting a potential escalation into widespread famine affecting the Palestinian population. More than 50,800 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Gaza in Israel's military onslaught since October 2023. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli report: Only 25% of Hamas tunnels destroyed after months of war Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 8:35 AM Israeli military sources estimate that Israel's strikes on Gaza, which have killed over 50,000 people, have destroyed only a quarter of the tunnel network and defense capabilities of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas. Israel's Haaretz newspaper cited military officials as saying Hamas still "retains a significant portion of its tunnel network." According to the report, the Israeli war has "only managed to destroy 25% of the group's underground facilities so far." The report also noted that Hamas' military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, still has the capability to produce weapons and missiles, despite 18 months of war. Meanwhile, Israeli military analysts estimate that Hamas has 40,000 fighters. Before the start of Israel's war, the movement was estimated to have between 20,000 and 30,000 fighters under arms. While the US intelligence community, near the end of the Joe Biden administration, estimated Hamas had lost 15,000 men during the Israeli war, the Haaretz report said the group had recruited the same number of new forces. This comes as the daily confirmed that Hamas retains its popularity in Gaza. Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing 50,886 Palestinians and injuring 115,875 others, according to the health ministry. The Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas last January, given the regime's failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the "elimination" of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives. The 42-day first stage of the truce, which was marred by repeated Israeli violations, expired on March 1, but Israel is refraining from stepping into talks for the second stage of the agreement. Since March 18, the regime has launched strikes on Gaza, breaking the ceasefire and prisoner-captive exchange agreement that lasted nearly two months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas, PA laud France's plan to recognize Palestinian state Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 7:50 AM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has hailed as an "important step" French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that Paris could recognize a Palestinian state in the coming months. "We welcome the statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding his country's readiness to recognize the State of Palestine," said Mahmud Mardawi, a senior Hamas official. Mardawi called the announcement "an important step that, if implemented, would constitute a positive shift in the international position towards the legitimate national rights of our Palestinian people." The Hamas official underlined that France's move was important because it is a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council. "France, as a country with political weight and a permanent member of the (UN) Security Council, has the ability to influence the course of fair solutions and push towards ending the occupation and achieving the aspirations of the Palestinian people," he added. Mardawi said those aspirations were "freedom, independence and the establishment of their state on their land, with Jerusalem as its capital." The French president said on Wednesday that Paris is making plans to recognize a Palestinian state and could do so as early as June. "We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months," Macron told France 5 television. "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." France plans to co-host with Saudi Arabia an international conference for the so-called "two-state" solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 'Step in the right direction' The Palestinian Authority (PA)'s Foreign Ministry in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah also said France's recognition of Palestinian statehood "would be a step in the right direction in line with safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution." The Foreign Ministry called on countries that have not recognized a Palestinian state to do so and support efforts for full Palestinian membership in the UN. Currently, 147 of the 193 UN member states recognize the state of Palestine. 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. More than 50,800 Palestinians have been killed in a brutal Israeli onslaught in Gaza since October 2023, most of them women and children. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Macron's remarks came at the end of his three-day visit to Egypt, where he toured a hospital in El Arish near Gaza, treating Palestinians injured by Israeli strikesattacks carried out with weapons supplied by Western nations, including France. The French nonprofit media outlet Disclose reported in June 2024 that Paris had authorized the sale of electronic equipment for drones used by Israel to bomb civilians in the Gaza Strip. It noted that the export license for this war equipment "approved by the upper reaches of power" in the country. The report listed at least eight deadly strikes by Israeli drones against civilians and infrastructure in Gaza since October 2023. Citing an Israeli military commander, it said one of those deadly strikes happened in February, when the regime's military used the drones to directly target the hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. France, a staunch supporter of Israel, saw Macron among the earliest leaders to visit the occupied territories after the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Residential buildings, farms hit in new US airstrikes on Yemeni capital Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 6:22 AM The US has conducted more acts of aggression against Yemen, launching airstrikes across multiple regions which targeted residential sites and agricultural fields in the capital Sana'a and its suburbs. Yemeni media outlets, citing local residents, reported that six airstrikes hit the Bani Hushaysh district early Friday, causing significant material damage to public and private properties in the targeted area. There were no immediate reports about possible casualties. US warplanes carried out another air raid in Jabal Nuqum area. Three airstrikes also struck Faj Attan in the Ma'een district, while a farm in the Hawri area of the Hamdan district came under two attacks. The raids caused extensive damage to agricultural lands and crops. The Sana'a provincial governor's office said powerful explosions rocked the Yemeni capital and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, the death toll from US airstrikes on the Red Sea port city of Hudaydah late Tuesday night had risen to 14, with 15 others wounded, health authorities said. They said most of the victims were women and children, noting that the death toll rose as critically injured individuals succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Hudaydah was targeted on the day which saw 50 airstrikes carried out throughout northern Yemen, including Sana'a as well as the provinces of 'Amran, Dhamar, and Ibb. Local residents said the strikes specifically targeted telephone network facilities in 'Amran and Ibb. Yemenis have been hitting Israeli and American targets in support of Palestinians in Gaza since the regime launched its devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, and in response to the American-British aggression on their homeland. The operations have effectively shut down the Eilat port south of the occupied territories, causing significant economic setbacks for the Israelis. The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) has said it will not stop attacks until Israel's ground and aerial assaults in Gaza end. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Despite tariff reprieve, Southeast Asian nations still on an economic knife edge An expert warned Vietnam's economy will slump if a threatened 46% U.S. tariff is implemented By Stephen Wright for RFA 2025.04.11 BANGKOK -- Vietnam's economic growth will halve if sharply higher U.S. tariffs are implemented, an expert warned, highlighting the precarious situation for Southeast Asian countries despite a surprise 90-day reprieve from President Donald Trump's tariff sledgehammer. Southeast Asian nations face some of the highest tariffs threatened by Trump, which would burden even the region's relatively wealthier countries such as Malaysia and Thailand. With limited options, many are offering concessions to the U.S. and avoiding retaliatory measures. Vietnam, which sends about 30% of its exports to the U.S., is in a "precarious position," said Nguyen Khac Giang, former head of political research at the Hanoi-based Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research. If the threatened 46% tariff on Vietnamese exports is enacted, annual economic growth would drop to 3%-4% from about 8%, he told an online panel organized by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. "Half of our textiles and footwear is exported to the U.S.," he said. A big rise in tariffs, Giang said, "could mean the mass layoff of millions of Vietnamese workers." "For Vietnam that would be very devastating because we are still in the period of development when we have to depend a lot on labor intensive manufacturing," he said. "It could be very bad, not only for Vietnam's economic development but also for stability." Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for many countries hours after they were supposed to go into effect. At the same he raised tariffs on China to 145% after Beijing hiked its retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. to 84%. Trump says the tariff shock therapy is aimed at encouraging a revival of American manufacturing, which fell as a share of the economy and employment over several decades of global free trade and competition from production in lower-cost countries. Any changes could take years as many American corporations have made substantial investments in overseas production. Efficient manufacturing in the U.S., like elsewhere, also is reliant on components produced in other countries. The impact of higher U.S. tariffs on Southeast Asian countries will be determined by how dependent each economy is on international trade and the U.S. in particular. Some such as Vietnam have relied heavily on exporting to provide jobs and raise living standards and are reliant on both the Chinese and U.S. markets. Other such as Myanmar, riven by civil war since 2021, have relatively little trade with the U.S., but business owners in the country told RFA that some industries and workers could still suffer. "Myanmar's exports are not that much going to the United States. However, what is being exported includes things like garments ... as well as other finished goods such as bags and shoes," said a business owner who didn't want to be named. "These items will face some impact, although it's relatively small." Indonesia, the biggest economy in Southeast Asia and the region's most populous country with more than 270 million people, is insulated to a degree by its large domestic market and lower reliance on exports. Malaysian exporters, meanwhile, are already discussing with U.S. customers how they can jointly absorb the cost of higher tariffs - which means both lower profits for the exporters already operating on thin profit margins and higher prices for American consumers. The 46% tariff faced by Vietnam is the third highest among Southeast Asian countries and partly reflects U.S. accusations that Vietnam has become a conduit for Chinese manufacturers seeking to avoid U.S. tariffs on their goods. Some administration officials have said one third of Vietnam's exports to the U.S. are Chinese in origin. Research by Harvard and Duke universities, Giang said, shows the proportion is 2%-15%. RFA Burmese contributed to this report. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Public Executions By Taliban Spark Global Outcry By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi April 11, 2025 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 victim's 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 Taliban's 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 Taliban's 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." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/public-executions-taliban-global- outcry-amnesty-united-nations/33382467.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 Press release on a meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asian states and Russia 11 April 2025 13:20 606-11-04-2025 On April 11, Almaty hosted the eighth meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Central Asian foreign ministers: Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubayev and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin. Turkmenistan was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Gurbanov, and the Republic of Uzbekistan by Deputy Foreign Minister Bobur Usmanov. The event praised the six countries' comprehensive cooperation based on close or fully aligning approaches to the key issues of cooperation and regional and global security. The prospects for partnership in the six-party format in the trade and industrial sphere, the green economy, water conservation, transport and logistics connectivity were discussed based on the initiatives and proposals put forward during the Russia-Central Asia summit in Astana in 2022. Over the past period, extensive work has been carried out in this area through a wide range of ministries and departments of the six countries. A significant list of joint tasks and proposals was developed to be approved by the heads of state during their next summit. A traditional discussion was held on how to increase cooperation in resolving pressing issues on the international agenda, including security in the Central Asian region and Russia, due to persisting terrorist, extremist and drug threats. Special focus was placed on explaining the introduction of measures to prevent illegal migration into Russian legislation to Central Asian partners. Sergey Lavrov informed his colleagues about developments around Ukraine and the negotiation process between Russia and the US. The participants of the event in Almaty agreed unanimously that it was a success that would serve as a crucial step in preparing the next Russia-Central Asia summit in the second half of the year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New rules for vehicles being sold in Australia means those who have to tow heavy loads could be forced to pay more, the caravan industry warns. As the electrification of Australia's roads accelerates, caravan owners are warning about the heavy load they are set to bear with a major change slated to come into effect in the coming months. Australia is set to follow other developed markets and begin enforcing stronger vehicle efficiency standards but road users who need to tow heavy trailers say it will leave them with little choice but to pay more. Announced last year, the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) sets carbon emissions limits for new cars sold in the country, mandating that manufacturers meet fleet-wide targets or face financial penalties something that would likely be passed onto the end consumer. The aim is to encourage the take up of hybrid and electric vehicles with manufacturers of polluting cars to face fines from July. But the caravan industry says the country isn't ready for caravanners to be able to make the switch. While there is a growing number of powerful EV utes and SUVs with increased towing capacity hitting the Australian market, towing a heavy load will meaningfully reduce the battery range of EVs, sometimes by as much as half depending on the size of the load. ADVERTISEMENT "Under load, were effectively stopping every 100km on average," Luke Chippindale, from the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, told Yahoo News. That's manageable if you're in the cities where charging stations are ubiquitous but a problem when travelling on roads further afield. "We as Australians travel about 690 to 900 kilometres when we go on holiday, and 99 per cent of the time that is in regional areas," he said. "So we need to have vehicles that can tow across areas that aren't going to be facilitated by infrastructure for charging." The towing dilemma for EVs in Australia Given the vastness of the country, it's a uniquely Australian challenge. But Chippindale argued the growing number of caravanners "provide the backbone for domestic tourism" in Australia and shouldn't be forced to pay more for the vehicles they may need in the near term. Under heavy loads, current EVs can see their battery range diminished. Source: Getty "We're not against EVs and we applauded the scheme, we're more than happy to see EVs that can tow come into the country, but we've effectively tried to answer the electrification question with a solution that's not viable," he argued. ADVERTISEMENT Ross De Rango, formerly of the Electric Vehicle Council and now working in the vehicle charging industry said the necessary technology is still slowly arriving for owners of larger caravans. "Many EVs on Australian roads today can tow, with the caveat that when towing theres a range impact," he told Caravan World last year. "So, youll see electric SUVs towing camper trailers and small vans today, but itll be a while before big caravans are routinely being towed long distances around the country by pure battery EV." For advocates like Luke Chippindale, he said the government could help by fostering other solutions like enabling the towing of supplementary batteries that drivers could use to charge while driving something that is not currently permitted. "If we want to have drive tourism, if we want to have people still towing caravans, it is critical these questions are answered," he told Yahoo. Which cars are set to get more expensive? From July, popular and well-known models, such as the Ford Everest 4x2 and Isuzu M-UX 4x2, may be pulled from sale due to classification as passenger vehicles, which have tighter restrictions, compared to their "commercial" 4x4 variants. ADVERTISEMENT Isuzu, Mazda, and Great Wall Motors have informed dealerships they anticipate incurring fines from NVES and may increase prices as a result. Toyota and Mitsubishi, while supportive of the policy, acknowledged the upcoming challenges. The changes may also mean availability of the wildly popular Toyota LandCruiser may soon become more limited. READ MORE: Car makers may soon withdraw Aussie models due to NVES The NVES sets carbon emissions limits for new vehicles sold in the country, pushing consumers towards cleaner cars. Source: Getty Peter Dutton has vowed to scrap the financial penalties should the Coalition win government next month a shift Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said would remove the incentive to comply. On Friday, Deputy Opposition Leader David Littleproud told AAP manufacturers would pass on penalties to consumers. "We believe in reducing emissions, but in a cost-of-living crisis, what government would push up the purchase price of a new vehicle?" ADVERTISEMENT Opposition Transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie said popular petrol and diesel cars and utes would get more expensive, prompting drivers to keep older, less efficient vehicles. A number of 'teal' independents, such as Warringah MP Zali Steggall, helped drive the new emissions standards after dethroning Liberals in blue-ribbon seats. She said the policy brings safer, more fuel efficient cars into the country and criticised the move. "It's like Peter Dutton and the coalition opened their policy drawer, they find it empty and they dust off an old bad policy and try and sell it." The standards need to have consequences in order to encourage compliance, she argued. "Australian people were not given the choice by car manufacturers because they dumped the dirtiest and the least fuel efficient cars in Australia," she said on Sky News. with AAP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Press release on CIS Foreign Ministers Council Meeting 11 April 2025 13:16 605-11-04-2025 On April 11, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended a regular meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council in Almaty. The participants discussed a wide range of global and regional matters as well as interaction within the CIS. Sergey Lavrov set out Russia's assessment of the current and future international developments, including in the context of the Ukraine crisis, as well as Russia's efforts to build an architecture of equal and indivisible security for Eurasia. The ministers summed up the results of the joint efforts by the CIS foreign ministries in 2024 and outlined plans for further inter-ministry collaboration and foreign policy coordination within the CIS. The ministers paid special attention to preparations for the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the holding of relevant anniversary events in the CIS countries. The meeting resulted in the approval of a package of decisions directed at stepping up integration ties in culture and humanitarian affairs, law enforcement, defence, and security. The status of CIS anchor institutions in the area of education was assigned to Army General Sergey Shtemenko Krasnodar Higher Military School and the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (Moscow). Several documents approved by the ministers will be submitted to the CIS Council of Heads of State and the CIS Council of Heads of Government for approval. The next ministerial meeting is scheduled to take place ahead of the CIS Summit in Dushanbe on October 9. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following a meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council, Almaty, April 11, 2025 11 April 2025 13:09 604-11-04-2025 Good afternoon. We have just completed our work within the framework of meetings of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council. We began yesterday with an informal conversation about current international and regional issues. Today, we held two meetings, on in a restricted format, which was attended by the foreign ministers and their deputies, and the other in an expanded format, where several initiatives were presented and documents were signed in your presence. I would like to emphasise the special contribution our Kazakhstani friends have made to arranging these meetings. They have created the necessary conditions for our effective work. We would like to congratulate our Tajikistani comrades on the successful start of their CIS Chairmanship. We share the priorities Dushanbe has chosen for 2025 to build up cooperation in all spheres and ensure continuity in our operations. These priorities include traditional foreign policy, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as issues of special concern for Tajikistan, namely, the environment, climate and the promotion of contacts with external partners. We will provide all-round assistance to ensure the success of Tajikistan's Chairmanship. We discussed the results of cooperation between our foreign ministries and the coordination of our activities on international venues in accordance with our Plan of Consultations in 2024. We have concluded with satisfaction that this Plan has been fulfilled. These meetings were useful. They helped us learn more about each other's positions and coordinate our actions at the UN, the OSCE and other multilateral platforms. I would like to point out that all of us laid special emphasis on the events dedicated to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. We will be delighted to see our friends from the CIS states at the May 9 events held in Moscow to commemorate a date that is of superior importance to our fraternal peoples and humanity as a whole. President Vladimir Putin has invited all CIS leaders to attend the Victory Day Parade and other events in Moscow. We hope to see them in Red Square on that day. It has been decided today, in connection with the anniversary of the Great Victory, to introduce a new title in the CIS, City of Labour Glory, 1941-1945. The decision has been approved. The title will be awarded to cities the list of which we are coordinating now. We will soon make it public. We discussed the latest international and regional developments, and I offered my colleagues an update regarding the Ukraine crisis. I reaffirmed Russia's continuing commitment to achieving a reliable, solid and lasting settlement. Addressing the root causes of the conflict constitutes the only path forward, and everyone knows this. This conflict has been many years in the making. In fact, it all started when NATO stepped up its eastward expansionist efforts going up to our border, while also encouraging an openly Nazi regime in Kiev. This regime came to power following a bloody anti-constitutional coup, and started, among other things, adopting laws to cancel everything Russian and anything pertaining to the Russian world, be it Russian language, culture, or Russian-language media outlets, or the canonical Orthodoxy as represented by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and many other things. I also offered my colleagues an insight into Russia's contacts with the United States at various levels, including in terms of Washington's efforts to facilitate a settlement for the Ukraine crisis. President of the United States Donald Trump keeps saying that this is what he is interested in. We can see that the United States is willing to go to the bottom of this issue, which sets it apart from Europe, including the UK, which has opted for ignoring the root causes of the current situation altogether. President of the United States Donald Trump said many times during his public appearances that attempts to draw Ukraine into NATO were misguided. This mistake was a key factor behind the ongoing developments, and Moscow has been warning against going down this path all along. In addition, there is an understanding in the United States that there will be no going back to the 1991 borders, even if this objective is still on Vladimir Zelensky's wish list. Why? Everything else aside, there are people living in these territories, but Vladimir Zelensky views them as species rather than humans. He has called them this way many times even before the special military operation started. And he suggested that people who identify with the Russian culture pack up and move to Russia. These were his words, and he said this before the special military operation. In one of his recent interviews, Vladimir Zelensky said that the feeling of hatred towards Russians was his main driving force. And when asked whether he hated Vladimir Putin as a person, he responded by saying that no, he hated all Russians. He hates them all. Putting this man in charge of these people once again would be unthinkable. We will never do that. There is a similar understanding within Donald Trump's administration. In their public statements they have said many times that Vladimir Zelensky would have to come to terms with the territorial issue. This meeting paved the way for the adoption of a package of decisions on cultural and humanitarian affairs, law enforcement, as well as security matters. We approved several draft international treaties, including the draft programme of cooperation among CIS countries on strengthening security along the CIS external border in 2026-2030. In addition to this, we focused on documents setting forth the main tracks for creating a common framework for monitoring developments in terms of radiation, chemical and biological security, as well as the basic principles governing our joint military-to-military communications systems within the CIS. We also discussed the initiative by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to establish a Volunteer Forum. It will now operate as a permanent platform within the CIS. We fully supported this initiative. This movement has been gaining traction for several years now and we want it to reach an international dimension within the CIS. We will be releasing some of the documents as decisions approved by the foreign ministers at the meeting. The rest of the papers were drafts to be signed by the heads of government when they hold their meetings in June and September, as well as at the summit, which is scheduled to take place on October 10 in Dushanbe at the level of heads of state. Question: How do you see the role of the CIS in a multipolar world? Sergey Lavrov: We have been laying out our approach in sufficient detail. President of Russia Vladimir Putin has put forward an initiative to build a Eurasian security architecture that would encompass the entire Eurasian continent, all the countries located on it, and all the supranational organisations. The CIS is one of them. It has established working ties at the level of Secretariats with the SCO, the EAEU, the CSTO, ASEAN and the GCC. There is also an integration group in South Asia. The idea is that these sprouts of integration processes (in some cases fully grown entities) should establish contacts with each other, find coinciding interests, and join forces, while avoiding duplication and waste of resources. The CIS, as a group that focuses on both economic and security issues, can and will definitely be an active partner in the efforts to establish material ties. This is what President Vladimir Putin means when he promotes the Greater Eurasian Partnership. This initiative will provide a solid foundation for creating an Eurasian security architecture. The CIS will be part of this process, given the prominent security-related dimensions on its agenda. There is no doubt that the Eurasian continent will be the source and, perhaps, the leader of a number of processes to strengthen multipolarity. Question: Head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas recently admitted that the anti-Russia sanctions are detrimental to the Central Asian economies. At the same time, she asked the Central Asian countries to be patient and understanding of the European Union. After this news conference, you will have a meeting with the foreign ministers of Central Asian states. What would you suggest they should respond to Kallas's request for patience? Sergey Lavrov: I would suggest they patiently endure Kallas's tenure. It will be much easier than being patient to the detriment of their own people. I do not understand these politicians. But the funniest thing is that Kallas failed to mention that, first of all, Estonia and other members of the European Union have to suffer more significant damage and losses as a consequence of their sanctions policy than any countries in Central Asia or our other neighbours in the CIS. Another lady, Annalena Baerbock, who is now completing her tenure as German foreign minister, has become known for many things, including her exceptional illiteracy, but even more so for the lack of any responsibility to her voters. Baerbock, as well as Chancellor Olaf Scholz, admitted they were knowingly worsening the Germans' living standards, but the voters must be patient and endure these hardships for the sake of "defeating" Russia. Ursula von der Leyen made a similar statement in relation to the entire European Union. This suggests how little they think about their voters, instead focusing on making other countries endure adversity just to punish Russia, is a clear indication of how low the European Union has fallen and how much it has degraded as an idea that was initiated for the sake of socioeconomic prosperity of European countries' populations. Question: Can such entities as the CIS or the Russia-Central Asia forum offer new methods to minimise economic damage amid the current trade wars? Did you discuss this issue today? Sergey Lavrov: Yes, we certainly talked about this group of issues, although in practical terms they are discussed and addressed by the relevant agencies, such as finance ministries, central banks, prime ministers and deputy prime ministers. There is no need to invent new methods. Over the past three years, the West has been trying to internationalise its sanctions and apply them to each and everyone who are interacting with the Russian Federation in any way, primarily our neighbours, including Central Asian states. National currencies now account for 85 percent of payments in trade with the CIS countries. We are developing this process with China and, to a lesser degree, India, but the overall figures are growing. Second, despite the sanctions, we can not only rely on national currencies but also create payment platforms that are free from external influence. One of them is the Financial Messaging System of the Central Bank of Russia, which is convenient and does not depend on SWIFT. There are several other initiatives, including those that are being considered within BRICS. Brazil has proposed creating alternative payment platforms, and this work is underway. I am confident that even the countries that are not members of this group will be able to gain access to such mechanisms after they are created. Despite the sanctions, trade within the CIS increased by nearly 4.5 percent last year, and industrial production has grown by the same amount. Overall, this is a serious positive result, compared to the European economy. We will continue to work in accordance with our national interests. Our partners have stated, including during bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, that they want to act in accordance with their national interests as well. It is obvious that some private enterprises and banks are concerned about secondary sanctions, which can affect their interests. But it is also clear that the Central Asian countries' benefits from trade and joint projects with Russia, as well as Russia's investment in their territories, are certainly bigger and more important for their national interests than what the Western countries are promising in return for compliance with their demand to "encircle" Russia with sanctions. Question: Russia and the United States swapped prisoners on Thursday morning as talks began in Istanbul. Who initiated the exchange? How important is it as part of the efforts to achieve normalised relations? Sergey Lavrov: The idea came to both sides simultaneously. I'm sure that any humanitarian gesture, even when it's just about two individuals reuniting with their families, is a positive development. Generally speaking, politics should be used to do something useful that makes a difference in people's lives. This is the second such exchange in the past few weeks. I think it helps build the much needed trust. However, restoring trust in full will take a long time. It was undermined and destroyed by the Biden Administration. Even now, quite a few Democrats and Republicans in the United States - regardless of differences between them - are unwilling to see President Trump and his team achieve success in normalising relations and resuming the dialogue with us. Considering this, we will rely firmly on our national interests in our politics. Our contacts with President Trump's team, in particular the talks in Riyadh with Secretary of State Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, showed that the sides share the principled understanding of the importance of a dialogue in which each side remains committed to its national interests. Such an approach is quite workable. For example, the People's Republic of China and the United States are embroiled in a tough tariff confrontation, but not only that. There are also issues related to the status of Taiwan, which the West formally recognises as part of mainland China, but at the same time wags its finger and says the status quo should remain unchanged. What is the status quo about? It is not about unified China. It is, in fact, a state, not even a quasi-state. They see it as Taiwan's statehood. China and the United States have issues in the South China Sea. There is a reason for Washington and NATO labelling China the largest challenge that is second only to eliminating the Russian threat. Despite all of that, despite the back and forth between Beijing and Washington, their dialogue has never been paused. It is absolutely unclear why the Biden Administration suddenly decided to do as it did. I believe we should not get complacent, and instead act realistically and seek to achieve normalised relations based on mutual recognition of and respect for each country's national interests. Question: Are there any substantive agreements regarding the resumption of air service between Russia and the United States? Will the resumption of air service entail the lifting of sanctions on Aeroflot? Sergey Lavrov: No, it will not. The resumption of the air service should follow the lifting of sanctions on Aeroflot. We came up with this proposal more than a month ago even before the talks in Riyadh. The Americans were receptive of it, but have not so far come up with a response. Our experts reminded them of this proposal during the meeting in Istanbul which concluded yesterday. Frankly, I haven't had a chance to get in touch with them yet. There may have been some progress, but we still aren't sure. We will keep working on it, because it means getting back to normal. Question: According to the EU, it will invest more than 10 billion euros in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor which connects Europe and Turkiye with the Caucasus, Central Asia and China in circumvention of Russia. The Trans-Caspian Corridor is a direct competitor to Russia's North-South and West-East corridors. What risks does Russia see now that the work on this transport project has stepped up? Sergey Lavrov: My Kazakhstani colleague and I discussed this yesterday. Today, this issue was raised at a meeting of foreign ministers from the CIS member states. A few minutes from now, this issue will be discussed with five foreign ministers from the Central Asian countries. Speaking of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, no one has seen the 10 billion euros promised by those whom the EU wants to bring onboard for implementing this project that will go around Russia and the Russian territory. That's the first point. Second, it is more expensive. If the EU suddenly decides to go ahead and invest in this project, it will cost much more than the North-South and East-West international transport corridors. We do not see anything wrong in, as the Chinese proverb says, seeing "a hundred flowers blossom" and considering all projects that help unblock transport links and create highly comfortable and convenient logistics opportunities. No one should impede any of them, though. The North-South International Transport Corridor is a much more advanced project. It is more efficient in terms of lower costs involved in making it a fully-operational project. It can be used to deliver cargo from the North to the South much more efficiently. In addition to the North-South International Transport Corridor, in its context and in parallel with it, routes from northern Russia to the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and ports of Iran, India, and the United States are being developed. The construction of such interchanges is being discussed in practical terms. Kazakhstan is using several sections of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. To reiterate, we have nothing against it provided no one throws a wrench into existing North-South and East-West transcontinental projects. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Affairs Minister Participates in Antalya Meeting on Two-State Solution, Mideast Peace Saudi Press Agency Antalya, April 11, 2025, SPA -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah today participated in the "Antalya Ministerial Meeting on the Two-State Solution and Permanent Peace in the Middle East," held in the Republic of Turkiye. During the news conference following the meeting, the minister of foreign affairs stressed the importance of an immediate return to the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and the need for it to be sustainable, serve as a path to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza, and be the beginning of a final solution to the Palestinian cause through the establishment of a Palestinian state. "The entry of aid to Gaza cannot be linked to a ceasefire, as this violates the foundations of international law, and preventing aid from reaching the Gaza Strip and using it as a tool of war is also a flagrant violation of all norms and the foundations of international law and is rejected by all," Prince Faisal said. The minister of foreign affairs called on the international community to exert all pressure to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians in the Gaza Strip without interruption and in sufficient quantities. Prince Faisal expressed the Kingdom's categorical rejection of all forms of displacement of the brotherly Palestinian people from their lands, even if it is through voluntary departure, considering that the Palestinians in Gaza are being deprived of most necessities of life. "If aid is not entering, if the residents of Gaza are deprived of food, drink, and electricity, and if they are threatened every day with military bombardment, then even if one of them is forced to leave, that is not a voluntary leaving but a form of coercion. Therefore, it must be clear that any displacement of Palestinians in Gaza under any pretext is categorically rejected," the foreign minister said. Prince Faisal affirmed that the Arab and Islamic group is committed to a comprehensive peace that guarantees the security of all in the region and guarantees the rights, security, and future of the Palestinian people within the framework of their independent state. -- SPA 22:53 Local Time 19:53 GMT 0033 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ecuador Discussing Construction of First Low-Capacity Nuclear Plant With Russia - Deputy Minister Sputnik News 20250411 QUITO (Sputnik) - 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. 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). "Our vision is that in about six years we will be able to install a modular reactor with a capacity of about 300 MW, and then we want to expand the capacity to one gigawatt," Calero said. He highlighted Russia has good experience in the nuclear sector. "We are discussing this with Russia, France, and the United States," the deputy minister added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Call with President Abinader of the Dominican Republic US Department of State Readout Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson April 11, 2025 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic today to express his deepest condolences following the roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo. The tragic incident resulted in a significant loss of life, including several U.S. citizens. Our hearts go out to their families and to our Dominican friends who lost loved ones. Secretary Rubio offered heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the American people and underscored the United States' solidarity with the people of the Dominican Republic during this difficult time. He commended the swift response of Dominican Republic authorities and emergency personnel and highlighted the vital assistance provided by the Governor of Puerto Rico Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon and the Puerto Rico Fire Department. Secretary Rubio and President Abinader reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Dominican Republic relationship and the enduring ties that bind our peoples. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deteriorating Human Rights situation in Georgia: Joint Statement to the OSCE, April 2025. UK and other OSCE participating States express concern over the deteriorating human rights situation and call on Georgia to open an inclusive dialogue with political parties, civil society and the OSCE institutions. 11 April 2025 Location: Vienna Delivered on: 10 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you, Madam Chair, I am delivering this statement on behalf of Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and my own country, Germany. As OSCE participating States, we have committed to upholding and defending fundamental human rights, democracy, and the rule of lawnot only within our own borders, but across our shared OSCE region. This commitment carries a responsibility: to hold each other accountable when we witness signs of democratic backsliding. It is in this spirit that we express again our deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia. Since our last discussion in February, we have regretfully witnessed Georgian authorities taking further steps away from their democratic and human rights commitments. Madam Chair, Our main concerns are threefold: the legislative restriction of civic space, the targeting of independent media, and the continued lack of accountability for excessive use of force by police, the use of indiscriminate violence by unidentified groups against peaceful protesters as well as unnecessarily long pre-trial detention periods and the reported ill-treatment of those in pre-trial detention. The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires all individuals and organisations receiving foreign funding to register as so-called "Foreign Agents," with financial sanctions and criminal penalties imposed on those who refuse. We share ODIHR's concern that "this law, along with other recent legislative initiatives, could further curtail the activities of civil society organizations and human rights defenders by removing the safeguards needed for them to carry out their work". This law lacks the legal safeguards that prevent civil society, media and private individuals from being branded as instruments of foreign influence based solely on funding sources, which strongly suggests that this law is not about transparency, but about suppressing dissent and tightening the grip on civil society. This is of particular concern in view of the upcoming local elections. We are also closely monitoring recent amendments to Georgia's electoral legislation. It is essential that any changes to the electoral framework enhance transparency and public trust, and that reforms are developed through inclusive dialogue and in line with OSCE commitments. Relatedly, we are concerned about legislative amendments undermining freedom of peaceful assembly, including the amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Offences Codes and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations. The amendments undermine the principle of equal suffrage and restrict freedom of assembly, as stated in relevant ODIHR's and Venice Commission latest opinions. We urge the Georgian authorities to implement their recommendations. Madam Chair, We are alarmed by the escalating threats and intimidation faced by journalists in Georgia. The Public Defender's 2024 Human Rights Report highlights a significant decline in media freedom, exacerbated by restrictive lawssuch as the recent amendments to the Law on Broadcastingand growing hostility toward journalists. Notably, there have been incidents where journalists were being targeted by police while covering protests, including physical assaults and equipment seizures. Furthermore, reports of targeting journalists in exile and negative rhetoric from high-ranking officials and politicians have further eroded media freedom and increased risks for journalists. We call for the immediate cessation of these practices and the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained journalists, including Mzia Amaghlobeli, who remains in detention on charges of up to 7 years in prison. Finally, we remain deeply troubled by the persistent lack of accountability for police violence. We have seen no evidence of credible efforts by the Georgian authorities to investigate reports of disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, arbitrary detentions, excessive over-reliance on long pre-trial detention periods, and mistreatment of detainees. We call on the Georgian authorities to take immediate action to protect the rights of those exercising their fundamental freedoms and to conduct a thorough investigation of the use of police force during peaceful protests since 28 November 2024 in order to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account. Failure to do so further undermines public trust in Georgia's institutions. Madam Chair, Despite repeated statements by Georgia reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and the OSCE principles and commitments, we have yet to see any concrete and genuine steps toward meaningful engagement. Instead, recent actions by the Georgian authorities have moved Georgia further away from democracy. We call on the Georgian authorities to open an inclusive dialogue with all political parties and civil society organisations in order to find peaceful and democratic solutions to the ongoing crisis. We welcome recent statements by ODIHR and RFoM and strongly urge Georgia to continue to constructively engage with OSCE institutions and make use of their expertise. As fellow OSCE participating States, we will explore all available tools and mechanisms within the OSCE context going forward. In this spirit, we call on Georgian authorities to implement recommendations by ODIHR with regard to the upcoming elections. Our unwavering commitment to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unchanged. We stand steadfast in our support for the Georgian people and their pursuit of a democratic, stable and European future, and we remain ready to work with Georgia to ensure it upholds its international obligations and ensures that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Challenges to media freedom in the OSCE region: UK statement to the OSCE, April 2025 Ambassador Neil Holland recalls the vital contribution of media freedom to security in the OSCE region, and calls on Russia, Belarus and others to live up to their OSCE commitments. 11 April 2025 Location: Vienna Delivered on: 10 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you Mr Chair. And welcome back to the Permanent Council in your new capacity, dear Jan. In this fiftieth anniversary year, I want to start with the Helsinki Final Act. In 1975 our predecessors accepted citizens' right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Free, independent and pluralistic media should be at the heart of our societies and our shared security. Sadly we are still far from realising our predecessors' ambition when it comes to media freedom and other fundamental freedoms in our region. We believe early warning sits at the core of your mandate. We welcome your public statements on recent cases of concern and, in particular, take this opportunity to express our concern about the case of Mzia Amaglobeli in Georgia and the so called "foreign agents" law in Republika Srpska. Since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many journalists and media workers have been killed. And over 100 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have been detained or taken hostage by Russian forces. Furthermore, state disinformation, information manipulation and censorship in Russia and Belarus have reached unprecedented levels. Systemic repression has led to the closure of almost all independent media organizations and a media space largely subject to the State apparatus. We call on both Russia and Belarus to release all political prisoners (including media actors) immediately and unconditionally, including those held by Russia in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. In order to realise the ambition of 1975, every participating State has work to do. I am pleased that the Security Committee's May 2025 meeting will focus on security implications of information manipulation and interference. And domestically, the UK looks forward to working with you on the safety of journalists, combatting foreign information manipulation and interference and global media freedom challenges. We launched our National Committee for the Safety of Journalists in 2020 and the UK's National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists was first launched in 2021. The Action Plan was refreshed in 2023 following delivery of many of its original commitments. Achievements under the 2023 Action Plan include updated Online Harassment Guidance for Journalists; the launch of a journalist safety tracker by the National Union of Journalists; and a Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Taskforce and workplan. The SLAPPs Taskforce has initiated new guidance on SLAPPs for journalists. The Solicitors Regulation Authority who are members of the Taskforce, launched a thematic review on SLAPPs in April 2024 and published an updated warning notice on SLAPPs in 2024, to help solicitors and law firms understand their obligations and how to comply. In 2025 the UK's National Committee for Safety of Journalists will focus on three priority areas: enhancing the criminal justice response to crimes against journalists; supporting journalists and their employers to tackle online and offline harassment; and - with a non-legislative focus - tackling the risks posed by SLAPPs and other abusive legal threats against journalists. The National Committee - co-chaired by the Minister for Sports, Media, Civil Society and Youth and the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls - will also develop the next iteration of the UK National Action Plan later this year. The UK looks forward to continuing to discuss developments of concern across the wider OSCE region with you as well as our domestic policy framework. And the UK remains a strong supporter of your office, your mandate and your team. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media to the OSCE Permanent Council: Joint Statement, April 2025. UK and others call for action to uphold safety of journalists and media freedom against a deteriorating background within some OSCE countries. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Lithuanian Ambassador to the OSCE, Vaidotas Verba 11 April 2025 Location: Vienna Delivered on: 10 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you Mr. Chair, I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States that are members of the informal Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists namely Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and my own country, Lithuania. First of all we welcome the Representative on Freedom of the Media Mr. Jan Braathu - dear Jan- to the Permanent Council and thank him for his first report since taking on this role. We reaffirm our strong support for the autonomous mandate of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, which plays a vital role in monitoring media developments in participating States, providing early warning on violations, and promoting compliance with OSCE commitments. Mr. Chair, We believe there is no genuine security without media freedom, and no media freedom without journalists being able to carry out their work safely. Unfortunately, despite the commitments of participating States, the environment for journalists across the OSCE region is extremely concerning, as they face physical and online violence, legal harassment, including strategic lawsuits against public participation, arbitrary detention, forced disappearance and even death for simply doing their job. Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, with the complicity of Belarus, has directly impacted media freedom and the safety of journalists. As Russia's atrocities in Ukraine continue, Reporters Without Borders has recorded that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, nearly 150 journalists have become victims of Russian abuses performing their duties. 13 journalists have been killed by Russian forces. 47 journalists have been injured while reporting as a result of attacks by Russian forces. 19 Ukrainian journalists are currently detained by Russia after being mainly arrested in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. According to the Moscow Mechanism reports, Russia uses arbitrary detention and threats against journalists in the temporarily occupied territories to intimidate the population and to eliminate activists. In Russia and Belarus, the systematic crackdown on independent media has reached unprecedented levels. This has resulted in the closure of nearly all independent media organizations, leading to a media and information space almost entirely controlled by the state apparatus. At least 38 journalists and media actors are unjustly imprisoned in Russia, part of over 1500 political prisoners. In Belarus, at least 45 journalists and media actors are unjustly imprisoned among more than 1200 political prisoners. Many more journalists and media actors have been forced into exile. We call on both Russia and Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including those held by Russia in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. We are increasingly concerned about the deteriorating media freedom situation in other participating States, where journalists are labelled under so-called foreign agent laws and hindered from performing their duties. We urge Georgia to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists who are arbitrarily detained or arrested, and to engage in constructive dialogue with the RFoM and ODIHR to align its laws and actions with OSCE commitments. In Azerbaijan, there has been an unsettling rise in cases brought against journalists and independent media outlets. We call on Azerbaijan to ensure all citizens' fundamental rights and to provide safe and dignified conditions for detainees in line with its OSCE commitments, including access to health and independent legal services. All those detained for exercising their fundamental rights should be released. We also echo the statement by the RFoM on March 27 calling for the swift release of journalists arrested in Turkiye while covering demonstrations. Mr. Chair, In this context, the role of the RFoM is more important than ever. We commend the RFoM's continued work on the Safety of Journalists by creating a network of National Focal Points, developing guidelines and advising participating states on how to improve the implementation of their commitments from the 2018 Milan Ministerial Council decision. We are pleased to hear that the RFOM is developing a comprehensive capacity-building strategy to ensure that women journalists are able to take part in public debates online and offline without fear of harassment, attacks or violence. Mr Chair As pressure on journalists is often an early sign of a broader deterioration of the human rights situation, we also expect the RFOM to fulfil the early warning and rapid response function in cases of serious non-compliance with our shared commitments regarding freedom of expression and media freedom, including with respect to the protection of journalists and other media actors. Thank you very much for listening. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two years of war in Sudan: a devastating combination of record displacement and dwindling aid UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado Mur - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. 11 April 2025 GENEVA -- Two years since the start of the war in Sudan, the news remains exceedingly grim. The world's most damaging displacement crisis is now happening amid the worst humanitarian funding situation in decades. The brutal conflict, which shows little sign of abating, has caused a colossal trail of suffering, with families torn apart, clouding the future of millions and endangering regional stability. As displacement soars, needs are more urgent today than ever. Nearly 13 million people have fled their homes to date, with almost 4 million crossing into the neighbouring countries of Egypt, South Sudan, Chad, Libya, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and further afield into Uganda. Displacement continued to grow in the second year of the conflict, with over 1 million people fleeing Sudan. New arrivals report experiencing systemic sexual violence and other human rights violations, as well as witnessing mass killings. Half are children, including thousands without any family. Sudan is now the country with the largest number of its people displaced as refugees in Africa. The recent end to fighting in Khartoum has offered an opportunity to reach refugees and displaced people who had been largely cut off from aid for two years. Thousands have started to return to Khartoum, as well as other major urban centres in Omdurman, Wad Madani and Jazeera State, but these numbers are relatively slim compared to the millions still displaced. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners are scaling up support to assist those families making the choice to return home. The war has devastated the city's infrastructure and essential services. As the conflict and displacement have intensified, funding has lagged. Funding for the regional response is less than 10 per cent of what is needed, making it impossible to cover basic needs. The latest global cuts in humanitarian funding put critical programmes at risk, with teams forced to make unreasonable choices and refugees being left to resort to harmful strategies to meet their basic needs. The reductions come when the needs have never been greater. Inside Sudan, reduced funding will cut access to clean water for at least half a million displaced people, significantly increasing the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases. It is also hindering the ability to move new arrivals to safer areas away from overcrowded transit centres at the border in places like South Sudan and Chad, where over 280,000 refugees remain stranded in makeshift sites without adequate shelter, clean water, health care, or protection. In Uganda, the increase of new arrivals from Sudan, along with those from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has put immense pressure on education. Reduced funding means refugee and host community students face extreme overcrowding in schools. The negative impact on the quality of teaching is discouraging enrolment. For many young girls, that will increase the risk of early marriage. For boys, it means pressure to work or attempt unsafe onward movements. Across all refugee host countries, safe spaces are being closed and social workers discontinued, leaving tens of thousands of women and girls without counselling, health care, and vital support. The lack of peace, sufficient aid and opportunities in asylum countries are driving more people to seek safety far beyond Sudan's borders. Over 70,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Uganda. Others continue to attempt dangerous crossings to Europe. While the number of Sudanese arriving in Europe remains low, arrivals increased by 38 per cent year-on-year in the first two months of 2025. We fear more will have little choice but to join them. Despite the constraints, neighbouring countries are keeping their borders open, with communities sharing the limited resources they have. UNHCR and partners are keeping interventions ongoing, doing their best to provide protection and assistance and accompany refugees through the current uncertainty. Alongside aid, more development funding is needed to prevent host communities from buckling under the overwhelming number of new arrivals, and so those going home can rebuild. But with conflict lines shifting, people constantly on the move and resources running dry, hope is ebbing. A political solution for peace in Sudan is needed now more than ever. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A child reported raped every half an hour in eastern DRC, as violence rages amid a growing funding crisis UNICEF This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF spokesperson James Elder - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva 11 April 2025 GOMA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 11 April 2025 - "Violence against children is defining the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Initial reports show that thousands of children have been subjected to rape and sexual violence in just two months, as communities are ripped apart by conflict and attacks on children. "The rate of sexual violence against children has never been higher. Reports from child protection actors show that children make up between 35 to 45 per cent of the nearly 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence reported to protection actors in just January and February this year. In short, based on initial data from these GBV actors in the east of the DRC, during the most intense phase of this year's conflict in eastern DRC, a child was raped every half an hour "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. "The fact that this may be just the tip of the iceberg - hidden beneath layers of fear, stigma, and insecurity - should shake us to our core. Certainly, it should compel urgent and collective action. "What should that action look like? We need additional prevention efforts, survivor-centred 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. "As with all prevention efforts, funding is key, and the children of the DRC have not been spared from the consequences of the global funding crisis. In just one of the hospitals I visited this week, 127 survivors of rape had no access to PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) kits. That is a direct consequence of rapid funding cutsthese girls and women are enduring the most unimaginable horrors, and they are no longer getting even the basic medical care they need. "And so the story a brave little 13year old girl shared with me - of her rape, of not understanding how she could be pregnant, of having a caesarean because of her tiny body- will be repeated time and again. In her own words: 'I am a girl. I don't know how to be a mother'. "If UNICEF is unable to fill the funding gap left after programmes were terminated for key humanitarian services, 250,000 children will miss out on vital services for gender-based violence and protection in armed conflict. We have 12 weeks. "And the crisis of funding goes beyond supporting children who are the survivors of grave violations. How bad will it get? Without funding, the numbers speak for themselves: in 2026 alone, our projections are that 100,000 children in the DRC will miss out on measles vaccinations. Nearly two million won't be screened for malnutrition. Almost half a million will be left without enough safe water. The dire numbers go on and on. But these aren't just numbers. Behind every one is a childscared, hungry, vulnerableand a family and a community doing everything they can to keep that child alive. The cost of inaction isn't abstract. It's measured in preventable suffering and lost futures. "Safeguarding services is doubly important as humanitarian funding over many years has strengthened health systems in the DRC. Hard-earned gains - in child and maternal mortality, malnutrition prevention and treatment, immunization coverage, access to education, and birth registration - are all now at risk of unravelling. "And of course in a deeply interconnected world, such consequences will not remain confined within borders. The DRC has been the epicentre of several outbreaks with global implications, including recurring Ebola, cholera and Mpox. "Let me close with what gives me hope: the children, the social workers, the young people, and the health workers of the DRC: "I met with dozens of volunteersbright and relentlesswho mobilise communities for vaccination, and go online to dismantle dangerous fake news, even when platforms roll back efforts to protect the truth. "Health staff who stayed with survivors of violence and Mpox patients, even as chaos spread, prisons emptied, and police disappeared. "The skilled and compassionate social workers - rooted in the community - who are the backbone of UNICEF's response. Day by day, they accompany survivors, stitching together safety, dignity, and justice. They guide child rape survivors from trauma toward healing with unwavering care. "And the survivors of rape - children - refusing silence, telling me plainly: 'If we stay quiet about rape, there is no justice, and we don't heal'. "What they all need - health workers, social workers, and children - is one thing: opportunity. "That's the spark. But for opportunity to light real change, it must come with peace, and with funding." # # # # # NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address After living in Australia for a few months, the young woman said the issue is "a lot worse here". What do you think? The British woman living on the Gold Coast has forced an uncomfortable conversation about Australians. Source: TikTok/eloise_juliet A young expat living and studying in Australia has responded to a media firestorm after causing a stir by declaring the country has a "dark" problem that is "worse" than other cultures she's experienced. Despite ruffling some feather with her claim about the "unspoken dark side" of Australia, the young British woman said she still loves the country, "even if you dont love me anymore". Eloise Juliet drew attention with her observation about people Down Under, describing a lack of emotional availability as "a very Australian-specific issue". The woman, who is living on the Gold Coast, argued that it stemmed from a prevalence of misogyny in Aussie society and that men generally act "strangely towards women" and "treat them like objects". "It's just a lot worse here," she claimed in the clip that has been watched more than half a million times. ADVERTISEMENT Noting the media attention on Friday, she said it would be the last time she addressed the issue but explained she was just trying to get her observation out there and "make other people who have had that same experience as me, feel less alone". "And maybe just spark some conversation among people about why this is happening and what we could do about it," she added. "Australia I still love you even if you dont love me anymore," she captioned the video on TikTok. While Eloise did not respond to Yahoo's request for further comment, she has remained outspoken in recent days, and indeed sparked the conversation she was hoping for. "Your video made me feel very heard," one follower commented overnight. "Moved to the Gold Coast last September at 18, and also go to university here but moving back to England in June," they wrote. ADVERTISEMENT On her original video, there was a mixed reaction with some Aussies critical of her take, while others thought it might have been down to a misunderstanding on her part. However plenty of others agreed there is a "sharp divide between the sexes" and a lack of emotional vulnerability among a majority of people in this country. In the viral video, she described a certain emotional shallowness at the core of social life in Australia. "Theres this weird oppressive strange sensation in the air where you can feel, Im not supposed to really share anything genuinely authentic about how Im feeling. "Theres this sense that if you do so you are not safe and it will not be well received because people here dont know how to receive it," she said. It's far from the first time a migrant has made waves with their assessment of Australian culture. ADVERTISEMENT In 2023, an expat who had spent 15 years in Australia went incredibly viral after penning a lengthy essay critiquing their adopted country, diagnosing many of the same issues as Eloise, describing a sharp gender divide, a flippant attitude to social engagements, and saying that living in Australia felt like existing in the 1970s. Gender issues takes backseat this federal election Unlike previous federal election campaigns, the issue of violence against women, and general attitudes towards women in Australian society, have not been major talking points ahead of the May 3 poll. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously called it a "national crisis" while Opposition leader Peter Dutton has suggested a Royal Commission was needed to address the issue. The topic loomed large last federal election after then PM Scott Morrison refused to meet women outside parliament during the March 4 Justice rallies, which took place around the country. ADVERTISEMENT Independent MP Zoe Daniel recently wondered why the issue had seemingly fallen by the wayside. "Why is no one talking about violence against women in the lead up to the election, when women are being killed at rate of more than one a week," she said in a video on her Facebook page last week. Meanwhile earlier this week, Peter Dutton's Liberal party was forced to dump a candidate who believed women should not serve in the Australian Defence Force. Protesters rally outside Town Hall in response to the treatment of women in politics following several sexual assault allegations as part of the Women's March 4 Justice rally in Sydney in 2021. Source: Reuters Survey shows nearly a third of Australians think there's a war on men According to the Plan International Australia Gender Compass, which ran a survey of 2,048 Australians aged 16 and older and published the results earlier this month, there is a gap between perception and reality regarding gender equality in Australia. "While 60 per cent of people believe we are close to or have already achieved gender equality, real-world data on the gender pay gap, workplace discrimination and under-representation of women in leadership tell a different story," Plan International Australia chief executive Susanne Legena said. "The fact that 50 per cent of Australians believe women are treated fairly in most areas of life ignores persistent challenges such as unpaid labour disparities, gender-based violence on our streets and in our homes and systemic barriers in career advancement." The survey also suggested Australia has a way to go to achieve gender equality, with 30 per cent of respondents saying there is a war on men. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Gaza: UN rights office condemns Israeli buffer zone plan 11 April 2025 - 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. Hostilities in the Gaza Strip resumed mid-March following the collapse of the ceasefire and Israel's border closure. As it enters its sixth week, the denial of aid into the enclave has left more than 2.1 million Gazans trapped without access to food, drinking water, and basic services. Israel in recent weeks has ramped up its attacks on civilian infrastructure such as residential buildings and camps, leaving many more dead or missing under the rubble. Between March 18 and April 9, Israeli forces have struck housing and tents for internally displaced people (IDPs) on 224 occasions during 36 separate strikes, according to the UN rights office, OHCHR. Vast new exclusion zones Earlier on Friday, Israeli authorities issued two new displacement orders "covering vast areas in northern and southern Gaza," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the regular noon briefing in New York. "Together, these areas span more than 24 square kilometres - roughly the size of everything south of Central Park here in Manhattan." Some medical facilities and storage sites containing critical supplies are located within the newly designated zones, prompting aid coordination office OCHA to warn that this could have life-threatening consequences for people in urgent need of care. "This leaves Palestinians with less than a third of Gaza's area to live in - and that remaining space is fragmented, it's unsafe and it's barely livable following 18 months of hostilities." 'Forcible transfer' OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani also highlighted the growing trend in attacks against media workers, reporting that at least 209 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the deadly Hamas-led terror attacks of October 2023, as Israel continues to deny international media entry into the Strip. The OHCHR spokesperson acknowledged that the temporary evacuation of civilians in certain areas can be legal, under strict conditions. But "the nature and scope of the evacuation orders raises serious concerns that Israel intends permanently to remove the civilian population from these areas in order to create a so-called buffer zone", she said. "Permanently displacing the civilian population within occupied territory amounts to forcible transfer, which is a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a crime against humanity." War crimes Combatants need to demonstrate compliance with the rules of war, particularly the principles of distinction - meaning defenceless civilians should not be targeted - as well as proportionality and precaution. "Intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking a direct part in hostilities constitutes a war crime, further compounding the desperate conditions for Palestinian civilians," Ms. Shamdasani said. OHCHR has also repeatedly warned that collective punishment and the use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war, constitute crimes under international law. Ms. Shamdasani also stressed that her office was "seriously concerned that Israel appears to be inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza, conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group". Supplies pile up With stocks of drugs sharply declining, medicines and other essential supplies have been piling up at the shuttered border crossings. Almost 36 million tons of supplies in Dubai are on standby for entry into the enclave, according to Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, World Health Organization Representative (WHO) for the West Bank and Gaza. Medical evacuations for patients in need of urgent treatment have slowed significantly. Likewise, the number of international emergency medical teams deployed has dropped, depriving hospitals of the help they crucially need, "because the caseload is immense", Dr. Peeperkorn stressed. "We urgently call for the immediate resumption of medical evacuation through all possible routes, particularly restoring the medical referral pathway to the West Bank and Jerusalem." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DR Congo crisis: Children subjected to deliberate, systemic sexual violence By Vibhu Mishra 11 April 2025 - Sexual violence against children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached staggering proportions, with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reporting thousands of new cases in just two months - evidence that it's being used as a systemic weapon of war and deliberate terror tactic. Spokesperson James Elder told reporters in Geneva via video link from Goma that children could account for up to 45 per cent of the nearly 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence documented in January and February, amid heightened tensions between Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and Government forces across the mineral-rich region, where dozens of armed groups are active. This translates to a horrifying reality - "a child was raped every half an hour," he said. "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." A hidden epidemic of sexual violence The crisis is likely worse than the reported figures suggest, Mr. Elder added. Stigma, fear, and insecurity means many cases go unreported, creating a hidden epidemic of sexual violence that should "shake us to our core." He underscored the urgent need for intervention by the international community. "What should that action look like? We need additional prevention efforts, survivor-centred 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 further warned that the already dire situation is being exacerbated by a growing funding shortfall. Critical services for survivors - such as medical care, psychological support and legal assistance - are being severely impacted by funding cuts. "In just one hospital I visited this week, 127 survivors of rape had no access to PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) kits ... they are no longer getting even the basic medical care they need," Mr. Elder said, highlighting the consequences of budget constraints. If the funding gap is not filled, the agency estimates that 250,000 children will miss out on essential services related to gender-based violence and protection in armed conflict over the next 12 weeks alone. Long-term consequences The funding crisis extends beyond immediate support. In 2026, projections indicate that 100,000 children in the DRC could miss out on lifesaving measles vaccinations, nearly two million children will not be screened for malnutrition, and almost half a million will be left without access to clean water. "The cost of inaction is not abstract. It is measured in preventable suffering and lost futures," Mr. Elder said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan war has created suffering of 'industrial proportions', aid agencies warn 11 April 2025 - Two years since Sudan's brutal conflict began, UN agencies warned that famine is spreading and civilians of all ages continue to suffer shocking abuse, including rape and gang rape. "With no viable peace in sight, the Sudanese are trapped in a humanitarian crisis of industrial proportions," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN aid coordination office, OCHA. "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." The war between rival militaries - the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) - began on 15 April 2023 after a breakdown in transition to civilian rule, following the overthrow of long-time President Omar al-Bashir. Heavy fighting has levelled towns and cities and claimed tens of thousands of lives. At least 12.4 million people have been uprooted from their homes, including more than 3.3 million refugees. Rape as a weapon of war Since the outset, relief workers and others including the UN human rights office, OHCHR, have repeatedly warned that sexual violence remains pervasive across Sudan. "One survivor recounted that she was told, 'We are your men now,' before RSF fighters raped her in front of her children," said Li Fung, OHCHR Representative in Sudan, speaking to journalists in Geneva via video link from Nairobi. Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reiterated deep concerns about the 25 million Sudanese facing famine. "Two years of war has turned Sudan into the world's largest hunger catastrophe and famine is spreading," said Leni Kinzli, WFP Communications Officer for Sudan, also speaking from the Kenyan capital. Invaluable support In an appeal for funding to support the UN agency's work, she testified to the value of food assistance for internally displaced people (IDPs): "It means that a father who has been torn from his home in Khartoum can feed his family of four; it means that a mother in an IDP camp in Kassala can cook a simple meal for her young daughters and so that they don't fall into malnutrition." Amid reports that the paramilitary RSF paramilitary had taken the key Darfur town of Um Kadadah from the SAF, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned that attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities "are on the rise". The past two years have seen 156 confirmed attacks on health "causing more than 300 deaths and over 270 injuries among either patients or healthcare workers", said Dr. Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative in Sudan, speaking via video link from Cairo. Echoing those concerns, gender equality agency, UN Women, reported that 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict areas are no longer functioning, with maternal deaths rising "alarmingly". A full eight in 10 displaced women and girls in Sudan now lack access to clean water, said Sofia Calltorp, UN Women Director in Geneva. Funding cuts dilemma "The latest global cuts in humanitarian funding have put critical programmes at risk, with teams forced to make unreasonable choices and refugees being left to resort to harmful strategies to meet their basic needs," said UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Olga Sarrado. "Inside Sudan, reduced funding will cut access to clean water for at least half a million displaced people, significantly increasing risks of cholera and other waterborne diseases," she added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Hershel "Woody" Williams Returns to Norfolk from Forward Deployment US Navy 11 April 2025 From Courtesy Story NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. -- The U.S Navy expeditionary sea base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, April 10, 2025, after operating forward deployed for almost five years, supporting U.S. Navy and allied efforts in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations. Hershel "Woody" Williams returns to Norfolk's waters with a hybrid-manned crew of 44 Military Sealift Command (MSC) civil service mariners 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 Adm. Dave Walt, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2, who was on hand to welcome home the Hershel "Woody" 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. Hershel "Woody" Williams will spend a week at Naval Station Norfolk, offloading fuel before shifting to the East Coast Repair and Fabrication Shipyard in Newport News, Va., where the ship will be in lay berth awaiting its next tasking. Built as a highly flexible mobile platform, capable of operating across a broad range of military sea-based operations, Hershel "Woody" Williams had several noteworthy highlights throughout this deployment. In 2020, Hershel "Woody" 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, Hershel "Woody" 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, Hershel "Woody" 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 civilian mariners 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 Hershel "Woody" Williams crew also conducted a theater security cooperation 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, the ship hosted U.S. Ambassador Henry Jardine and Brig. Gen. 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. ESB 4 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 WFP calls for urgent access to preposition food in Sudan as rainy season risks cutting off roads to starving World Food Programme 11 April 2025 PORT SUDAN, Sudan -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently calling for unimpeded access to immediately preposition food assistance across key locations in Sudan, as deliberate obstruction by parties on the ground and the approaching rainy season threaten to render vast areas of the country inaccessible by road. Without swift action, WFP warns that millions of vulnerable people could be cut off from life-saving aid, placing fragile humanitarian gains at serious risk. Below is an update on the food security and WFP operations in Sudan. Food SecuritySituation Two years of war has turned Sudan into the world's largest hunger catastrophe and famine is spreading. Nearly half the population - 24.6 million people - faces acute hunger. Some 638,000 people face catastrophic hunger (IPC5) - the highest number globally. Famine is confirmed in 10 locations - eight in North Darfur (including Zamzam Camp) and two in the Western Nuba Mountains. It was first confirmed in Zamzam camp in August 2024. Another 17 areas - including areas of North, South and East Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, Khartoum, and Gezira - are at risk of famine. In the hardest-hit areas, one in three children are acutely malnourished, surpassing famine thresholds. WFP Operations WFP is providing food and nutrition assistance to over three million people each month and is pushing to expand this to seven million people per month by mid-year. The organization managed to deliver food assistance in recent months to previously cut-off areas including in greater Khartoum, Gezira State, Darfur and the Kordofan regions, some of which had not received any food since the start of the war. WFP assistance helped to reduce the risk of famine in six areas in Central Darfur and two areas in West Darfur - where nearly 1 million people have received regular WFP food or cash aid since June 2024. Over 30,000 metric tons of food assistance were transported into Darfur via the reopened Adre border crossing since August 2024, but families are still facing emergency levels of hunger. WFP is working to pre-position food supplies, which requires more storage capacity in key locations across Darfur to reach famine or famine-risk communities faster. Access Challenges Access remains the biggest challenge to humanitarian operations which are being deliberately obstructed by parties to the conflict. Access remains the biggest challenge to humanitarian operations which are being deliberately obstructed by parties to the conflict. WFP is urgently calling for access to be able to preposition food assistance in locations across the country, particularly in Darfur. Many routes will become impassable during the rainy season and communities will be cut off. Ongoing fighting in and around El Fasher is restricting access and endangering humanitarians. In February, WFP was forced to suspend operations in Zamzam IDP Camp due to more violence. We are working with partners to resume as soon as possible. Bureaucratic delays, extortion, and the denial of movement for humanitarian staff continue to cripple the response. Regional Impact Over a million people have fled to South Sudan since the Sudan war began. WFP provides new arrivals in South Sudan fortified biscuits or hot meals, a one-time food or cash ration, and nutrition support for children and mothers at border areas. Chad hosts almost one million refugees and returnees from Sudan since the start of fighting two years ago and WFP has assisted 1 million refugees, returnees, and hosts since the civil conflict in Sudan began. Funding: WFP urgently needs $650 million to continue operations in Sudan for the next six months. The organization is asking for flexible funding, which is extremely critical in a complex and ever-changing operational environment like Sudan, so that WFP can quickly adapt to changing dynamics on the ground. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Members of a Transnational Money Laundering Organization Sentenced for Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds Friday, April 11, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A Georgia man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to launder millions of dollars in drug proceeds on behalf of foreign drug trafficking organizations, including the Sinaloa cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (the Jalisco cartel). On Dec. 4, 2024, his co-conspirator was sentenced to 90 months in prison for his role in the money laundering scheme. According to court documents, Li Pei Tan, 47, of Buford, Georgia, and Chaojie Chen, 41, a Chinese national who resided in Chicago, worked for an organization that laundered millions of dollars in proceeds related to the importation and distribution of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico. Tan, Chen, and their co-conspirators traveled throughout the United States to collect proceeds of fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, among other drugs. The defendants communicated and coordinated with co-conspirators in China and other foreign countries to arrange the laundering of these proceeds through financial transactions that were designed to conceal the illicit source of the drug money, including through a sophisticated trade-based money laundering scheme involving purchasing bulk electronics in the United States and shipping them to co-conspirators in China. On multiple occasions prior to Chen's May 2024 arrest, law enforcement seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in bulk cash drug proceeds from Chen at locations across the United States. Tan was intercepted by law enforcement in South Carolina while attempting to transport over $197,000 in drug proceeds. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) National Drug Threat Assessment, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are at the heart of the fentanyl crisis in the United States. Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Special Agent in Charge Louis A. D'Ambrosio of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Special Operations Division made the announcement. The DEA's Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit investigated the case, with assistance from the DEA's Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit and the DEA's offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Trial Attorney Mary K. Daly of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF. Topic: Operation Take Back America Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces USAO - Virginia, Eastern Press Release Number: 25-373 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Honduran Man Extradited for Role in International Drug Smuggling Conspiracy Friday, April 11, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Extensive coordination and cooperation between U.S. and Honduran law enforcement authorities resulted in the extradition of a Honduran national for his alleged role in a conspiracy to smuggle drugs from Honduras to the United States. According to court documents, Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, 39, conspired with others to bring approximately 24 kilograms of cocaine from Honduras to the United States aboard a vessel attempting to bring 23 Honduran aliens illegally into the United States. In February 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted the M/V Pop, a 65' sportfishing vessel, approximately 75 miles off the coast of Louisiana after it developed engine trouble and lost power. The U.S. Coast Guard responded, found the aliens and cocaine, and towed the vessel to shore. The M/V Pop departed from Utila, Honduras, and was destined for Cocodrie, Louisiana. Velasquez Maldonado was allegedly responsible for bringing the cocaine on board the M/V Pop and ensuring its safe delivery. When he was apprehended, according to court documents, Velasquez Maldonado posed as an alien intending to remain in the United States so he could avoid prosecution. Velasquez Maldonado is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Velasquez Maldonado made his initial court appearance today in the Eastern District of Louisiana. He was detained and will have his detention hearing on Monday. If convicted, Velasquez Maldonado faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Co-defendants Carl Allison, 47, Darrel Martinez, 41, and Josue Flores-Villeda, 37, previously pleaded guilty in 2023 to conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride. Lenord Cooper, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist aliens to enter the United States unlawfully and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. Two co-defendants, Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya, 29, and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, 38, were convicted after trial of one count of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain and two counts of attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement. The investigation and extradition of Velasquez Maldonado was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) Program. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA is currently comprised of detailees from U.S. Attorneys' Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA's work has resulted in more than 360 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 325 U.S. convictions; more than 270 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department's Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood. The HSI Houma, Louisiana Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the HSI Pittsburgh Field Office, HSI Atlanta Field Office, and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. The HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations, Louisiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, North Huntington Township Police and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office also provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. The Criminal Division's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training in Honduras also provided assistance. Deputy Chief Rami Badawy of the Criminal Division's HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice of the General Crimes Unit for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topics: Operation Take Back America Project Safe Neighborhoods Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section Criminal - Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) USAO - Louisiana, Eastern Press Release Number: 25-374 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OSCE trains Uzbek border and customs officers in identifying suspected foreign terrorist fighters OSCE | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 11 April 2025 The OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the Border Troops and Customs Committee of Uzbekistan, held a national training course on identifying suspected foreign terrorist fighters and other criminals at border crossings in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 4 to 7 April. Twenty-two first- and second-line border and customs officers sharpened their skills through practical exercises on identity management, detecting illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW), profiling techniques, risk analysis, and methods for preventing trafficking in human beings. The training course was delivered by seven members of Uzbekistan's National Mobile Training Team as part of their third deployment mission since they completed their advanced training with support of the OSCE-led Mobile Training Team in 2023. International experts from Belgium, North Macedonia and the United Kingdom as well as the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the OSCE also contributed with their expertise and provided training materials. The course was followed by an official opening of the OSCE classroom at the Advanced Training Faculty under the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan. This included a handover ceremony of two servers to improve the video surveillance system at Uzbek border checkpoints as well as 100 copies of Frontex guidebooks on SALW in the Uzbek language. The classroom and donations are expected to enhance the effectiveness of local customs and border officers' daily work. These activities are part of the OSCE extrabudgetary project "Strengthening the resilience of Uzbekistan to address cross-border challenges emanating from Afghanistan" funded by Germany, Sweden and the United States of America. Further training courses are scheduled in 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump admin. declares thousands of living immigrants dead, pushes for 'self-deportation' Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 5:35 PM US President Donald Trump's administration is set to classify more than 6,000 living migrants as dead, cancelling their social security numbers in order to make them unable to work, and ultimately get them to leave the country. A social security number is a unique nine-digit number issued by the federal government to US citizens, permanent residents and temporary working residents and used for various official and identification purposes including tracking earnings. The move will also make it impossible for those affected to use banks or other basic services where social security number is a necessity. It is part of Trump's effort to crackdown on immigrants who entered the United States under programs instituted by the US president's predecessor Joe Biden. Sources familiar with the ramifications of the policy said on Thursday that Trump intends to move the immigrants' names and legally obtained social security numbers to a database that federal officials use to track the deceased. The US officials also said stripping the immigrants of their social security numbers will deprive them of many financial services and force them to "self-deport." It is unclear how the 6,000-plus immigrants were chosen. But Trump has targeted people who entered the US under Biden-era programs, using a mobile app developed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Since January 2023, more than 900,000 people were allowed in the US after using the CBP One app to schedule appointments with immigration officials and apply for asylum. On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked the legal status of the immigrants who used that app. Those affected had been authorized to remain in the US for two years while awaiting their cases to be heard. They are now expected to self-deport. Meanwhile, a federal judge said on 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. The US Social Security Administration has refused to confirm that living immigrants were being classified as dead. A United States federal law known as Privacy Act - which governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information about individuals - 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. The DHS and the treasury department signed a deal this week that would allow the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to share immigrants' tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) for the purpose of identifying and deporting people deemed to be illegally in the US. The agreement will allow Ice to submit names and addresses of immigrants inside the US 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, a federal judge temporarily blocked a team charged with cutting federal jobs and shrinking the government, led by tech tycoon Elon Musk, from social security systems that hold personal data on millions of Americans, calling their work 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 will sue over the social security numbers, once more details become available. "This president continues to engage in lawless behavior, violating the law, and abusing our systems of checks and balances," she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US says can deport people for beliefs as pro-Palestine students expelled Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 7:34 AM A two-page memo from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cites personal beliefs of a pro-Palestinian activist to justify his deportation, prompting sharp criticism from his legal team and raising questions about the Trump administration's efforts to silence pro-Palestinian activists. During a hearing on Tuesday in Louisiana, Immigration Judge Jamee Comans gave the Trump administration 24 hours to justify the expulsion of Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old legal permanent resident who was arrested by immigration authorities in New York on March 8. The judge warned that if the evidence failed to support the case, "then I am going to terminate the case on Friday." In response, Rubio submitted a memo, citing a provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The document claims that Khalil's continued presence in the US would undermine foreign policy objectives by fostering "a hostile environment for Jewish students." While acknowledging that Khalil's "beliefs, statements, or associations" may be lawful, Rubio argues the Secretary of State has the authority to decide unilaterally if a foreign national should be removed on foreign policy grounds. Khalil's legal team dismissed the memo as insufficient and constitutionally troubling. "The government submitted, as you all have seen now, a two-page document. Two pages, that's it," attorney Marc Van Der Hout said during a virtual press conference on Thursday. "His determination, quote, unquote, has absolutely nothing to do with foreign policy." Van Der Hout emphasized that the memo references Khalil's constitutionally protected speech and protest activity, not any actual threat to national security or foreign relations. "This is a dangerous slope and we are taking a stand on behalf of Mahmoud," he said, warning that the administration appears to be targeting dissent rather than misconduct. Baher Azmy, another lawyer on Khalil's team, echoed the concern. "What this case is really about is whether lawful permanent residents and other immigrants to this country can speak out about Israel's brutal attacks on Gaza and Palestine... without fear of deportation," he said. "Are US citizens going to be next?" Attorney Johnny Sinodis added that the government "has finally admitted that they have no case whatsoever against him" and that Rubio's memo contains "not a single shred of proof" that Khalil poses a threat. The defense expects the judge to dismiss the case based on the lack of supporting evidence. Khalil, a Palestinian refugee born in Syria, is married to a US citizen and holds a green card. He is currently detained at an ICE processing facility in Jena, Louisiana. According to his legal team, his permanent residency was revoked after his arrest. His wife is nine months pregnant, and Khalil has expressed hope of being released in time for the birth of their first child. A ruling is expected at Friday's hearing. If the judge orders deportation, Khalil's attorneys plan to appeal. The US secretary of state had previously posted on X that "we will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported." The case comes amid a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism across the United States. On Tuesday, the US government froze over $1 billion in funding for Cornell University and $790 million for Northwestern, as well as revoking hundreds of visas for international students. These actions appear to target universities that have supported pro-Palestinian protests, with institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton also facing scrutiny. The Trump administration has suspended numerous research grants linked to these universities. Trump has begun to act on a threat to deport non-citizen university activists linked to pro-Palestine protests, which rocked the US last spring, with students staging daily protests in college campuses across the country for weeks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address People with Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative disorders could all benefit from the research. Small amounts of neural stem cells were discovered in the lungs of mice (inset) and researchers believe they could help treat several crippling neurodegenerative diseases. Source: Getty/Nature Cell Biology The fight against several debilitating medical conditions could be transformed after an unexpected discovery inside lab mice. Ten years of research has led to the confirmation of a new type of neural stem cell in lung tissue, upending an assumption they only existed in the brain and spinal cord. They could have enormous therapeutic potential, lead researcher Dong Han said. Han was part of an international team led by Germanys Max Planck Institute, which found the previously unknown peripheral neural stem cells. They hope the discovery could lead to new treatment options for Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative disorders. Professor Hans Scholer told Yahoo News the cells are superior because they can be grown in cultures for prolonged periods. Even though peripheral neural stem cells are very rare in mice, they have the great advantage that they can be propagated very easily, he said. Images highlight that only small amounts of peripheral neural stem cells were found inside the lungs. Source: Nature Cell Biology Are these newly identified cells found in humans? The peripheral neural stem cells appear visually similar to neural stem cells in the brain and have the same self-renewing properties. This means they can be used to repair damaged cells. ADVERTISEMENT It remains unclear whether humans also have these cells in their lungs or other organs. But the team now plans to begin searching. The big advantage would be that they are autologous stem cells, which are very close to the cells needed for regenerative approaches, thus avoiding issues like tissue rejection, Scholer said. The discovery was so unlikely that the team initially thought theyd made an error and suspected their testing process had become contaminated. We therefore examined these cells extremely intensively and the reviewers demanded additional experiments in order to be really convinced. Just think about how long we spent on the analyses: more than 10 years! Scholer said. The research was published in the journal Nature Cell Biology. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Australian industry achieves major milestone in F-35 program, securing over $5 billion on contracts Issued by Defence Media 11 April 2025 Defence has welcomed a significant milestone in the global F-35 program with Australian industry reaching more than $5 billion in contract value. This achievement underscores Australia's growing role in sustaining one of the world's most advanced defence capabilities. More than 75 Australian companies have contributed to this success through advanced manufacturing, supply chain solutions and sustainment services. These contributions have been instrumental in the development of cutting-edge technologies and the establishment of a highly skilled workforce, further strengthening Australia's defence capabilities. The contracts secured by Australian businesses cover a wide range or critical capabilities, including the supply of components for the F-35 sophisticated avionics and propulsion systems, as well as providing ongoing maintenance and upgrades. This involvement not only enhances the operational capability of the Royal Australian Air Force, but also presents significant opportunities for local companies to expand their footprint in a global defence supply chain, in line with the recommendations outlined in the Defence Industry Development Strategy. This significant achievement in the global F-35 program highlights the strength and innovation of our defence industry and the important role it plays in supporting Australia's Defence strategic interests. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Poseidon crews combine over Indo-Pacific By Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny 11 April 2025 After a week of high-end anti-submarine warfare training, the Royal Australian Air Force and United States Navy successfully conducted co-crewed sorties above the Indo-Pacific skies. Exercise Sea Dragon 25 brought together maritime contingents including the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy and Indian Navy, rehearsing coordinated anti-submarine warfare prosecution against simulated and live targets from Guam. For Air Force and US Navy participants, the culminating co-crewed event aboard respective P-8A Poseidon aircraft marked a major milestone in operational interoperability. Officer Commanding 92 Wing of Surveillance and Response Group, Group Captain Arran Moore, emphasised the significance of this activity within the Air Force and US Navy cooperative P-8A program. "This level of interoperability demonstrates our ability to operate seamlessly as an integrated force within the maritime air domain," Group Captain Moore said. "Today's strategic environment demands that we work closely with our allies and partners, and this activity highlights just how strong our alliance partnership truly is. "The fact that we can form a crew comprised of both US Navy and Air Force operators, and successfully conduct high-end anti-submarine warfare missions is a clear demonstration of our preparedness, flexibility and ability to deliver the required effects and achieve the mission at hand." For Air Force, the multinational exercise provided an opportunity to enhance individual and group-training scenarios aboard Australia's most proven multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft. The P-8A Poseidon's advanced mission system and integrated sensor suite, including a multi-role radar, electro-optical camera, and high-capacity acoustic system, ensure it can conduct maritime patrol missions both individually and as part of a joint force. Flight Lieutenant Damien Greaves, Commander of the Australian Sea Dragon Detachment, spoke of the next level of multinational interoperability that co-crewed flights such as these would enable into the future. "Exercise Sea Dragon was a great opportunity to test the embedding of American personnel aboard our aircraft and vice-versa," Flight Lieutenant Greaves said. "Between the two crews, we were able to strengthen our knowledge and awareness of each other's tactics and procedures, and build on our ability to conduct joint mission sets in real-world scenarios for next time. "The more that we train together, the more effective we become as an integrated force, and this sortie was a perfect example of the direction we are moving toward." As geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific continue to evolve, interoperability remains a cornerstone of Australia's defence strategy. The ability to co-crew aircraft ensures that Australian and American forces can rapidly respond to emerging threats, deterring potential adversaries and reinforcing regional stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nations prepare for warfighting exercise By Corporal Jacob Joseph 11 April 2025 Australian personnel are taking part in a multi-nation military exercise to defend Malaysia and Singapore against a fictional enemy. About 800 military personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, including seven surface ships and more than 30 aircraft, will conduct mock warfighting scenarios across the Malay Peninsula from April 7-22. The exercise is being conducted under the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Established in 1971, it is the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia. Guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney, a C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron, soldiers from 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, working in a combined ground-based air defence unit, and a headquarters element, make up the Australian contingent of almost 300 personnel. Mine Warfare Group's Lieutenant Samuel Semisi is working in the headquarters. His first time in Malaysia, Lieutenant Semisi was quick to have a yarn and a laugh with his exercise counterparts during the opening ceremony. "We're going to be here for two-and-a-half weeks; I want to get to know people from other nations," he said. "The whole point of Bersama Shield is to help facilitate Malaysia and Singapore's defence and that's all about building relationships and working together." It was a sentiment echoed by the Australian contingent commander Major Mark Tamblyn. "This is about working together as a team and building partnerships so we can respond to the coordinated defence of Malaysia and Singapore," Major Tamblyn said. Commander Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System, Air Vice-Marshal Nathan Christie, said increased complexity presented a challenge for exercise participants, as cyber capabilities were exercised alongside air, land and maritime assets. Bersama Shield is one of two annual exercises between the Five Power militaries and is followed by Exercise Bersama Lima in September. Both have been held annually since 2004. The exercises have evolved from air and area defence, to include disaster relief, counter-terrorism activities and maritime security. Defence has contributed personnel to the Integrated Area Defence System operational headquarters at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth since 1971. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lukashenko Invites 150,000 Pakistanis To Work In Belarus Amid Labor Shortage By RFE/RL's Belarus Service and Merhat Sharipzhan April 11, 2025 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-belarus-pakistan- migrants-eu/33382244.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 Xi calls on China, EU to jointly resist unilateral bullying Global Times China defends common interests with resilience, sense of responsibility: expert By Wang Qi and Ma Tong Published: Apr 11, 2025 11:13 PM 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, according to 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 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, per Xinhua. 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, Xinhua reported. 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 released the Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Spain (2025-2028), according to Xinhua. The meeting came against the backdrop as the US is wielding the tariff stick by imposing so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on most trading partners, which has caused global concerns. Jin Ling, deputy director of the Department for European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that against the backdrop of the unilateral global tariff war launched by the US, the Spanish leader's visit to China and exchanging views with the Chinese leader on free trade is of great strategic significance. It is important for China and European countries as open economies to join hands to deal with the unilateral bullying and maintain a free and open global trading system, which will have a certain demonstration effect on other economies in the world, Jin said. 'US economic extremism' On Friday, several Chinese government authorities showcased Beijing's solid and stern position, with firm countermeasures against Washington after the US government's move to raise the "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese imports to 125 percent. The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Friday that China will raise the additional tariffs on products imported from the US to 125 percent. The commission said the US 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. Even if the US imposes even higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and ultimately go down as a joke in world economic history, according to the commission. "Given that it's already impossible for the Chinese market to accept US imports at the current tariff level, if the US imposes further tariffs on Chinese products, China will ignore it," it said. However, should the US persist in substantially undermining China's interests, China will take firm countermeasures and fight to the end, the commission added. Also on Friday, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced that China has filed a lawsuit against the US with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism following the latest US tariff hikes. China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and resolutely uphold the multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, reads the MOFCOM statement. The US' obsession with the numbers game of tariffs reflects its economic extremism and bullying posture, said Bai Ming, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. He noted that the foundation of China-US trade has been undermined by the US protectionist practices, and no matter how the US plays the tariff game, it will still fail to force China to yield. According to Bai, China's composure and resilience in handling trade and tariff issues stems from its respect for international rules, firm support for economic globalization, and its own robust economic strength. In the face of potential further tariff threats from the US, China's countermeasures will remain rational and resolute, unaffected by the mere piling up of tariff numbers. According to data released by the General Administration of Customs in January, China's foreign trade hit a record high in total value in 2024. The nation's total goods imports and exports in yuan reached 43.85 trillion yuan (about $6.1 trillion) last year, up 5 percent year-on-year. China's status as the world's biggest goods trader was further strengthened with its exports and imports accounting for 14.5 percent and 10.5 percent of the world's total in the first three quarters of 2024, up 0.3 and 0.1 percentage points year-on-year. He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Friday that by not following the US in further imposing additional tariffs, China is demonstrating a rational and responsible stance, which is in stark contrast to the deliberately provocative and invalid actions from the US. 'Defender of common interests' During a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on Friday in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blasted the US for brandishing tariffs across the globe, blatantly placing its own interests above those of the international community and openly disregarding the multilateral trade system and established rules. Wang emphasized that the international community must not sit idly by, and the US cannot be allowed to act recklessly. The wheel of history cannot be turned back. China is a dignified major country and a responsible member of the international community. Standing up against power politics not only safeguards China's legitimate rights and interests, but also defends the shared interests of the global community and prevents the world from returning to the law of the jungle. "China is a responsible country," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at press briefing on Friday in response to the farce created by the US. "We've taken countermeasures against the bullying behavior of the US, 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," Lin said. What the US has done is not just about tariffs, but also unilateral oppression under the pretext of correcting their deficit, directly challenging the global multilateral trading system, said He Weiwen, "The US' practice has de facto reverted to the pre-GATT period, which historically led to shrinking trade and prolonged the great depression." Unlike the "reciprocal tariffs" between China and the US, which have become "a game of numbers," the tariffs imposed by the US on other countries can be truly perceived, said He. Some countries may be forced to compromise, which could encourage the US to do whatever it wants, but China's rational and mature attitude will help some countries build up confidence in dealing with US bullying, the expert added. "You may hide in a corner and be silent, but do not denigrate and ridicule those who are braver than you, for the light they strive for may shine upon you," commented a YouTube user dubbed "Louis-h5x3z" under a BBC' news video report on Friday. "I'm European but I fully support China... I hope China will thrive and will eventually inspire all the countries in the world about the best practices (administration, governance, education; health care, artificial intelligence & technology, climate change policies, foreign aid, culture, etc...)" said a YouTube user @carlosvandervaeren8871. "The number doesn't matter anymore. However we all see who started this war and who is the one is trustworthy enough to do tradings with," said net user @maomaozen3889. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China hits back at Trump's tariffs by raising its levies on U.S. goods to 125% IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 China has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs by increasing its levies on American goods from 84% to 125%, according to a statement from the Chinese Finance Ministry. The ministry on Friday that the current tariff rates have effectively eliminated the market for U.S. goods in China and added that Beijing would disregard further tariff hikes by Washington. China said its new tariffs would take effect on Saturday. The move came after Trump administration officials confirmed that the total U.S. tariff rate on Chinese imports now stood at 145%, following the president's executive order that raised tariffs to 125%, on top of an existing 20% tax imposed earlier this year. A spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry said earlier that Beijing was willing to negotiate with the United States on equal terms. However, hopes for a resolution have dwindled as China has shown a willingness to impose tit-for-tat duties on American goods and put restrictions on U.S. businesses, something the White House did not anticipate. 4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China says it's open to talks with the U.S. as trade war escalates IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 China says it is open to talks with the United States as trade tensions soar between the two economic powers amid retaliatory measures by both sides, while emphasizing mutual respect and equality in any dialogue. "China's position is clear and consistent. The door to talks is open. The dialog must be conducted on an equal basis with mutual respect. China will stand by its position until the end," He Yongqian, China's Commerce Ministry spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Thursday when asked about whether Beijing and Washington have started tariff negotiations. She spoke the same day that increased levies on all U.S. goods entering China took effect. Beijing announced the 84% increase a day earlier after U.S. President Donald Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese goods to 104%. Later on Wednesday, Trump again raised those tariffs to 125% while he paused or lowered rates for at least 75 other countries. Trump cited a "lack of respect" on the Chinese side for the world's markets as the reason behind the sharp increase in U.S. tariffs. "Pressuring, threatening and blackmailing are not the correct ways to deal with China. We hope that the U.S. will work with China based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation," the Commerce Ministry spokesperson further said. China will "follow through to the end" if the U.S. insists on its own way, she added. On April 9, the European Union also joined China and Canada in imposing retaliatory tariffs on the United States. The E.U. announced 25% rates on U.S. goods, targeting farm produce and products from Republican states. Trump announced sweeping universal tariffs days after he began his second term in office on January 20. The measure raised global concerns, with politicians and experts warning of serious risk to economic growth across the world and the possibility of severe shocks to the financial system. Concerns were also raised about the U.S. economy entering recession after Trump's tariffs rattled financial markets in recent days. 7129**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi says there is no winner in a tariff war People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:17, April 11, 2025 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi Jinping Meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: April 11, 2025 20:05 On the morning of April 11, 2025, President Xi Jinping met with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Xi Jinping pointed out that transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the world with multiple risks and challenges piling up. Only through solidarity and coordination can countries maintain world peace and stability, and promote global development and prosperity. As the international situation gets more complex and volatile, it is increasingly important for China and Spain to develop sound and stable relations. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain. China stands ready to work with Spain to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership, to better serve the well-being of both peoples, inject impetus into the China-EU relations, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability, and development. Xi Jinping quoted the Chinese proverb "Range far your eye over long vistas." He stressed that the China-Spain friendship is a wise choice made by the two peoples based on traditional friendship, practical needs, and long-term interests. Both sides should continue to consolidate the political foundation of mutual support, trust and respect each other, and support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, especially in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. China's consumption upgrade for 1.4 billion people and industrial transformation potential will provide strong momentum for the world economy. China is ready to work with Spain to leverage their mutually beneficial and complementary cooperation advantages, make good use of the economic and technological cooperation mechanisms, tap the potential in areas like new energy, high-tech manufacturing and smart cities, and produce more outcomes of mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides should uphold the traditional friendship of mutual understanding and affinity, carry forward the deep bond between the two peoples fostered through the Olympics and panda cooperation, create new signature programs such as the "Happy Chinese New Year" event, expand student exchanges to engage more young people in carrying forward the China-Spain friendship. Both China and Spain are positive supporters of multilateralism and open cooperation. It is important for the two sides to work together to build a just and equitable global governance system, safeguard world peace and security, and promote common development and prosperity. Xi Jinping pointed out that China always sees in the European Union an important pole in a multipolar world. China is a major country that explicitly supports the unity, development, and growth of the EU. In the current context, it is of great practical significance to strengthen the China-EU partnerships of peace, growth, reform, and civilization. China and the EU should see each other as partners and embrace open cooperation. China would like to celebrate with the EU the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, build on past achievements, and move the relationship toward strategic stability and mutual success, so as to better benefit the peoples of both sides and the international community at large. There are no winners in tariff wars. Going against the world will only lead to self-isolation. 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. No matter how the external environment changes, China will remain confident, stay composed, and concentrate on managing its own affairs well. Both China and the EU are major economies in the world and staunch supporters of economic globalization and free trade. With a combined economic output exceeding one-third of the global total, the two sides have already formed a strong economic symbiotic relationship. China and the EU should step up to their international responsibilities, jointly safeguard economic globalization and the international trade environment, and jointly reject unilateral and bullying actions. China and the EU should defend not only their own legitimate rights and interests but also international fairness and justice and international rules and order. Sanchez said that over the past 20 years since China and Spain established a comprehensive strategic partnership, the two countries have always respected each other and engaged in friendly cooperation. The relationship has been steadily deepening and growing. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in its development and made significant contributions to global prosperity and stability. Spain values its relationship with China, and firmly upholds the one-China policy. The Spanish side stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, scientific and technological innovation, green energy and other sectors, and strengthen exchanges in education, culture, and tourism to elevate bilateral relations to new heights. China is an important cooperation partner of the EU. Spain has always supported the stable development of EU-China relations. The EU is committed to open and free trade, upholds multilateralism, and opposes unilateral tariff impositions. There are no winners in trade wars. In the face of a complex and challenging global environment, Spain and the EU would like to enhance communication and coordination with China to safeguard international trade order, jointly meet challenges like climate change and poverty alleviation, and preserve the common interests of the international community. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Wang Yi was present at the meeting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on April 11, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: April 11, 2025 20:22 CCTV: You just announced President Xi Jinping's state visit to Viet Nam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, which is his first overseas visit this year. Could you share with us the program and China's expectation of growing its relations with Viet Nam, Malaysia and Cambodia? Lin Jian: Neighboring countries are China's 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 Xi's first overseas trip this year, and bears major importance for China's 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 Nam's 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 Jinping's first 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 interests, 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 and stability in the region. Cambodia is China's 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 Jinping's first 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 People's 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 Xi's 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: It's 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. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: We noted this. Japan colluded with NATO to groundlessly interfere in China's 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, Japan's 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 People's 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 NATO's drift into the Asia-Pacific will not do Japan any good. China Daily: It's 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. What's China's 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. It's 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 state's 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: It's 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. What's China's 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 how the U.S. intelligence institutions vilified and scapegoated China. 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 China's internal affairs and America's 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 US.. administration authorizing the Pentagon to conduct cyberattacks on other countries of their own accord, on America's cyberattacks on China's 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 raises 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, China's response will continue to the end. China is a responsible country. We've 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: I'm 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese, Zambian enterprises seek closer cooperation at business forum Xinhua) 11:02, April 12, 2025 LUSAKA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia(CCCZ) held a business forum on Thursday in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, to explore how Chinese enterprises could collaborate with Zambian enterprises for a win-win benefit. First Secretary at the Chinese Embassy Liu Xiaomei said that it is important for Chinese enterprises to enhance and strengthen their cooperation with the Zambian government and industry organizations to achieve high-quality development. "At present, China-Zambia relations have reached their historical best. I believe that the CCCZ and the Chinese Mining Enterprises Association of Zambia will lead their members with the support of the Zambia government departments to seize opportunities and work together to achieve greater development and cooperatively advance comprehensive partnerships," Liu added. Crusivia Hichikumba, permanent secretary for investment and industrialization in Zambia's Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, said the government values investment as a platform to promote economic growth, create jobs, and increase revenue for both government and individuals. According to Hichikumba, Chinese investment has made significant contributions to the performance of the Zambian economy. He said that the Zambian government is working with the private sector, such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia, in organizing trade and investment forums where Chinese and Zambian enterprises could come together to network, share ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) The mysterious item attached to the back of a roadside post plays an important function. The road device is a 'virtual fence' used to keep wildlife off roads. Source: Manningham Council/Getty Aussie drivers who use a winding rural road have been reminded of the meaning behind a roadside device that many wrongly believe is a speed camera. The piece of technology, affixed to a roadside post, is known as a "virtual fence" and is used to alert wildlife of approaching vehicles to give them time to move out of harm's way with the hope of saving their lives. Manningham Council, northeast of Melbourne, invested in 20 virtual fences along "high-risk" roads in 2022, which act as nature corridors for wildlife near a state park. "Weve introduced virtual fencing in key wildlife corridors within the Green Wedge to enhance wildlife protection and road safety," Anton Peiris, Acting Director City Services, told Yahoo News. ADVERTISEMENT The clever fence reminder comes as NRMA released sobering statistics about the rate of animal collisions on Aussie roads. "Wed encourage any authority or council to an assist in taking precautions to keep animals off roads," NRMA Insurance Executive Manager David Wilkes told Yahoo. "Anything that can prevent animals or anything entering a roadway where cars are travelling is welcomed." Wildlife are more active at night, just as visibility becomes difficult for drivers. Source: Getty How do virtual fences work? The virtual fence technology is activated by approaching headlights and "emit sound and light to deter animals from crossing the road", according to Peiris. "Theyre designed to alert wildlife to approaching vehicles, giving them time to move away from the road," he said. The fences are located near the Warrandyte State Park just outside of Melbourne. ADVERTISEMENT "We chose these locations as they are high-risk areas for wildlife, with animals using creeks as habitat corridors," he said. Their effectiveness is measured by monitoring the reduction in wildlife fatalities along the road. "The fences were installed as part of the Jumping Creek Road upgrade, which aims to improve road safety for all road users," he said. Road toll of wildlife laid bare in stark NRMA statistics NRMA released details of its Wildlife Collision Hotspots across Australia with 12,100 claims related to cases of animals being hit by cars in 2024. The statistic makes the last 12 months the second worst in the past five years. Kangaroos are the most common animal to be involved in an incident, accounting for over 85 per cent of all animal collision claims. This is followed by wallabies, wombats, deer, foxes, cattle and koalas. ADVERTISEMENT Data revealed that the most common time for incidents to occur is in autumn and winter when days are shorter, cooler and nocturnal animals are more active. Worryingly, incidents jumped by 25 per cent between March and April last year. "The light is dwindling now we're coming out of the summer season," Wilkes told Yahoo, meaning that nocturnal animals are "moving around a lot more". What's more, "as drivers, it's harder for us to see," he said. Wilkes warned that if confronted with an animal, NRMA advice is to "slow down" and "don't swerve" because there is more chance a driver is likely to come off the road or collide with another vehicle. If an animal is hit, he suggests stopping and rendering assistance "if it is safe" and contacting wildlife authorities or emergency services if there are injuries. NRMA have revealed the animal collision hotspots across the country. Source: NRMA NRMA's safety advice for drivers If you can, avoid driving at dawn, dusk, or night-time as this is usually when animals are most active and lack of light makes it more difficult to see them. Its important to have a good nights sleep before a long drive and schedule regular breaks, ideally a 15-minute break every two hours. Reduce your speed inside sign-posted wildlife areas. If you see an animal on or near the road, you should try to slowly brake but not swerve. If you hit an animal, if it is safe to do so, you should check the animals welfare and call your local wildlife rescue service. ADVERTISEMENT Wildlife advocates also suggest, where possible, doing a pouch check on a deceased marsupial. Often, orphaned joeys can survive the impact of a crash inside their pouch. The IFAW Wildlife Rescuer app gives users information on who to call and what to do if you find injured wildlife in Australia. Rescue groups can advise on how to do a pouch check. If an adult kangaroo and its joey are both alive, rescuers recommend keeping your distance, calling for help and not to separate them. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. China raises retaliatory tariffs on US goods to 125%, urges Europe to team up Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 2:31 PM China has raised tariffs on goods imported from the US from 84% to 125% hours after Chinese President, Xi Jinping, warned there were "no winners in a tariff war, and going against the world will isolate oneself". "China and the EU should fulfill their international responsibilities, jointly maintain the trend of economic globalization and the international trade environment, and jointly resist unilateral bullying, not only to safeguard their own legitimate rights and interests, but also to safeguard international fairness and justice, and to safeguard international rules and order," the Chinese head of state said. He made the comments during a meeting with the Spanish prime minister after also talking to counterparts in Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Spain said the country favored a more balanced relationship between the EU and China based on negotiations to resolve differences and cooperation in areas of common interest. 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. The Chinese President plans to travel to southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Cambodia, next week. Trump announced on Wednesday that China would face 125% tariffs, but he did not include a 20% tariff on China tied to its role in fentanyl production. Trump's administration's tariffs against Chinese goods now total 145%. Following US President Donald Trump's exclusion of China from his 90-day pause on import tariffs, China on Thursday said it has enacted 84% tariffs on US imports. On Friday, China further raised the retaliatory tariffs to 125%, to be put into force from Saturday. Washington's repeated tariffs "will become a joke in the history of the world economy," a Chinese Finance Ministry spokesman said in a statement. "However, if the US insists on continuing to substantially infringe on China's interests, China will resolutely counter and fight to the end." The ministry also said it will file another lawsuit with the World Trade Organization against the US-initiated trade war. Chinese tariffs will affect the country's major imports from the US including soybeans, aircrafts and their parts and drugs. Meanwhile, Beijing suspended sorghum, poultry and bonemeal imports from some American companies last week, and enhanced control on rare earth minerals, critical for technologies. As well as retaliatory tariffs, Beijing has restricted imports of Hollywood films, and put 18 US companies on trade restriction lists. The US's top imports from China, including electronics and industrial equipment, will now see prices rise. Despite a slight recovery experienced by Trump's sudden pause, the extant tariff uncertainty has made some markets continue to tumble on Friday. Japan's Nikkei is down by nearly 5%, while Hong Kong stocks are heading towards the biggest weekly decline since 2008. Oil prices were also expected to drop for a second consecutive week. The French head of state Emanuel Macron wrote on X early on Friday that Trump's partial tariff suspension, pausing new rates on various countries that would have risen as high as 50%, "sends out a signal and leaves the door open for talks. But this pause is a fragile one." "This 90-day pause means 90 days of uncertainty for all our businesses, on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond." The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent told a cabinet meeting on Thursday that more than 75 countries have queued to negotiate with the US amid the most unstable trading period since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. The US and Vietnam reportedly agreed to begin formal trade talks after Bessent spoke to the Vietnamese deputy prime minister, Ho Duc Phoc. The south-east Asian manufacturing hub is prepared to crack down on Chinese goods being shipped to the US via its territory in the hope of avoiding tariffs. Furthermore, Japan's prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has set up a taskforce led by a close aide that hopes to visit Washington next week, according to local media. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi calls on EU to join China to resist Trump trade war 'bullying' Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 10:08 AM China's President Xi Jinping has called on the European Union to join Beijing in opposing the United States' "bullying" practices as Washington's controversial tariffs continue to shock global markets. Speaking with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday, the Chinese leader said his nation was confident, self-reliant and "not afraid" of getting engaged in a trade war with America. He said Beijing will never back down when the Chinese nation is faced with the "unreasonable" demands of the Trump administration. However, he added, "There are no winners in a trade war, and going against the world will only lead to self-isolation." The comments come as US President Donald Trump temporarily froze many tariffs for 90 days but imposed 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods on Thursday. Consequently, global financial markets plummeted on trade jitters among investors. "For over 70 years, China's development has relied on self-reliance and hard work never on handouts from others, and it is not afraid of any unjust suppression," Xi said. "Regardless of how the external environment changes, China will remain confident, stay focused, and concentrate on managing its own affairs well," he added. Xi called on the Brussels leadership to join Beijing in resisting "unilateral bullying" by the Trump administration. His comments to Sanchez, indicating Beijing's preference to expand cooperation with the EU, come amid escalating tensions with the United States. Meanwhile, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen told the Financial Times that it remained armed with a "wide range of countermeasures" if negotiations with Trump hit the skids. "An example is you could put a levy on the advertising revenues of digital services," applying across the bloc, she said. Legendary New York investor Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund, said investors have been left with "an element of trauma or shock or fear" after all the global markets turmoil this week. "It dramatically affected psychology and attitude about the United States' reliability," he said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Top adviser to Trump, Elon Musk, even expressed doubts about the tariff war, which he has said would drive up costs for Tesla, his electric automaker. "I hope it is agreed that both Europe and the United States should move ideally in my view to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America," Musk said in a video conference with Italian politicians. On Sunday, Trump's trade adviser Peter Navarro said that Musk "doesn't understand" the situation. Musk fired back, calling Navarro a "moron". Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday that it's a "Great time to buy" stocks. Shortly after, the S&P 500 fell 3.5 percent as fears grew that the worsening trade war with China would crimp growth. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's Xi hikes US tariffs, seeks to bolster relations with Southeast Asian nations The Chinese leader will visit Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia next week. By Mike Firn for RFA 2025.04.11 BANGKOK -- China's president is heading on a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia after his government hiked tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%, the latest strike in an intensifying trade war that has sunk stock markets and threatens to stunt the global economy. The increase to 125% from 84%, effective Saturday, matches the recent series of duties levied U.S. President Donald Trump levied on China. The White House has said U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods now total 145% when earlier levies that aimed to discourage fentanyl shipments are included. "There are no winners in tariff or trade wars. China does not want a trade war, but it is not afraid of one either," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Friday. "If the U.S. truly wants to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop applying maximum pressure and acting recklessly. Such tactics never work on China." Next week President Xi Jinping will try to build support among some of China's key allies and trading partners in Southeast Asia. The Chinese president will visit Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday before heading to Malaysia and Cambodia, the state-controlled Xinhua news agency said Friday. Vietnam and China's trade has burgeoned over the past two decades, reaching a record US$205.2 billion last year. China invested US$25 billion in Vietnam in 2023, the fourth largest investor in the country, according to Vietnamese data. The two sides agreed in August last year to strengthen their top-level "comprehensive strategic partnership" with further trade and investment deals, during a visit by To Lam, general secretary of Vietnam's communist party, to Beijing. Vietnam also has a comprehensive strategic partnership with the U.S. and has been locked in top-level talks on a trade deal and ways to reduce its record trade surplus with America. On Wednesday, the U.S. imposed 46% tariffs on Vietnamese goods, some of the highest in the latest round of Trump-imposed import duties. That was cut to 10% within 24 hours in spite of presidential adviser Peter Navarro calling To Lam's offer to cut tariffs on U.S. goods "meaningless." Navarro said the move wouldn't dent Hanoi's trade surplus and accused Vietnam of "cheating" by re-exporting Chinese goods as its own, stealing intellectual property and raising non-tariff barriers. Vietnam has been hosting a series of foreign leaders as it looks to expand non-U.S. trade. In the past week it agreed deals with Belgium and Spain after the former's king and latter's prime minister visited Hanoi. Next month European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visits the country. The last leg of Xi's swing through Southeast Asia next week will be Cambodia, which recently re-opened a naval base upgraded with Chinese support. Xi's visit will coincide with 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge's takeover of Cambodia on April 17, 1975. During their rule, China was the biggest international supporter of the Khmer Rouge regime. About a quarter of Cambodia's population died during Pol Pot's ruinous three-and-a-half-year tenure. Updated to add details on Xi's visit to Cambodia. Edited by Stephen Wright. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EXPLAINED: Four key questions about the US-China tariff war The Chinese leader will visit Vietnam, Tariffs can protect emerging or important industries but also raises costs for everyday goods, businesses. By Stephen Wright for RFA 2025.04.11 BANGKOK -- President Donald Trump has seized on tariffs as the weapon to bend other countries, and particularly China, to his will as he tries to fulfil campaign pledges to make America great again. A topic that usually only occupies the minds of economists and CEOs has been elevated to water cooler conversation as stock market gyrations wiped trillions of dollars from investment funds and workers' pension accounts. Despite China's rapid growth since the 1990s, the U.S. economy remains preeminent and its tariff policy is consequential in every corner of the globe. What is a tariff? A tariff is simply a tax on trade and all countries impose tariffs to varying degrees. The importer of goods pays whatever tariff rate applies and this customs revenue goes to the government of the nation where the importer is located. Why are tariffs imposed? Historically, tariffs were an important source of revenue for governments. This role was diminished by income and consumption taxes and as countries gradually lowered tariffs in an era of global free-trade following World War II. Tariffs can be used to protect emerging or important industriesand jobsfrom competition from cheaper imports, but this can also mean higher costs for consumers and businesses, and in time, reduced prosperity in the country that extensively erects such barriers. Tariffs can also be a tool of foreign policy, used by one country to punish another for policies or behavior that run counter to its national interest. Why is China the main target of US tariffs? In a stunning about-face, Trump this week paused sharply higher tariffs against dozens of countries for 90 days but escalated a trade war with China, imposing a total tariff of 145% on its exports, after Beijing retaliated with increased tariffs on U.S. goods. The U.S. has a litany of complaints about China's trade and industrial policies such as subsidies that create an unfair playing field, barriers to U.S. companies operating in China, intellectual property theft and its massive trade surplus. The U.S. also has a mixed track record in some of these areas such as subsidizing farmers. The Trump administration is hoping it can wound export powerhouse China and force it into concessions. It is not without risks because China through its purchases of U.S. Treasury bonds plays a key role in financing the U.S. government, which has spent more than it earned every year since 2001. This situation shows a fundamental interdependence between the U.S. and China despite a tense relationship. China's central bank receives a torrent of U.S. dollars from the country's exports to the U.S. and then parks those dollars in U.S. government bonds. What are the deep trends at work? For decades, the world economy has been organized around the principle that free trade boosts economic growth and prosperity overall. The rapid increase in living standards for hundreds of millions of Chinese from abject poverty in the 1970s is often cited as proof of that theory. In aggregate terms, the free-trade proponents appear to be right but the broad picture obscures the mix of costs and benefits. In the U.S., manufacturing has declined as a proportion of the economy and employment since the 1990s. Many Americans benefited from cheaper goods such as TVs, clothing and iPhones manufactured in China and elsewhere in Asia but at the cost of other Americans losing stable factory jobs. It was the U.S. that paved the way for China's entry into the world economy when President Richard Nixon established diplomatic relations in 1972, ending Beijing's quarter century of isolation. The Make America Great Again moment in U.S. politics is one of the long-range reverberations of those seismic changes. 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 House committee passes Uyghur Policy Act, again Bipartisan bill is the latest U.S. legislative effort to pressure China and protect the rights of the persecuted Muslim minority. By RFA Uyghur 2025.04.11 -- The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee this week approved bipartisan legislation to support Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities subject to human rights abuses by China. The Uyghur Policy Act is the latest legislative effort to protect the rights of persecuted Muslim minority. The U.S. government has determined that China's treatment of Uyghurs amounts to genocide. The bill is co-sponsored by nine Republicans and Democrats led by Rep. Young Kim and Rep. Ami Bera, who are the chair and ranking member respectively of the House sub-committee for East Asia and the Pacific. The legislation calls on the State Department to respond to abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region - the Uyghur homeland inside China -- and push back on Chinese Communist Party efforts to silence Uyghur voices, and to develop a strategy to close detention facilities and political reeducation camps. It also requires the U.S. secretary of state to oversee human rights-related policies to preserve Uyghurs' ethnic, religious, cultural, and linguistic identities. The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved the bill on Tuesday. It faces various legislative hurdles before it becomes law, including passage by the full House and Senate. The legislation was passed by the House of Representatives in both of the past two congressional terms without advancing further. The last Congress renewed separate legislation, the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, that authorized sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for genocide against Uyghurs. Another law, passed in 2021 and which has had the most impact, makes it illegal to import products used Uyghur forced labor into the United States. Also this week, the World Uyghur Congress, the main global umbrella group advocating for Uyghurs, said it had filed a legal complaint in Paris against three French subsidiaries of major Chinese companies: Dahua Technology France, Hikvision France, and Huawei France. The submission, made by prominent French human rights lawyer, accuses the three Chinese companies of complicity in crimes against humanity perpetrated against the Uyghurs by allegedly helping to build and maintain a mass surveillance system. RFA has reached out to three companies in France for comment. 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 Facebook's Zuckerberg oversaw censorship tool for China: whistleblower Former Facebook executive says the social media magnate designed the tool to use in Taiwan and Hong Kong. By Alan Lu for RFA 2025.04.11 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Meta compromised U.S. national security and freedom of speech to do business with China, a company whistleblower testified before U.S. senators. Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former global policy director at Facebook, told the U.S. Senate on Wednesday that Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg personally designed and implemented a content review tool for Facebook that was used in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The tool, according to her, would automatically submit a Facebook post for review by a "chief editor" whenever it received over 10,000 views. "One thing the Chinese Communist Party and Mark Zuckerberg share is that they want to silence their critics. I can say that from personal experience," Wynn-Williams said at the congressional hearing. This tool was operational in both self-ruling Taiwan and China-controlled Hong Kong, where the Chinese Communist Party has been expanding its united front efforts. China's united front work combines influence, interference, and intelligence efforts to shape its political landscape. The country's United Front Work Department is involved in activities ranging from controlling the Chinese diaspora and silencing dissent to gathering intelligence, promoting investment, and enabling technology transfer. Meta has disputed the claims by Wynn-Williams. Spokesperson Andy Stone told the AFP news agency that Wynn-Williams' claims were "detached from reality and full of false allegations." "We [Meta] currently do not offer any services in China," he said. However, even though Meta's platforms are banned in China, the company still makes a significant amount of revenue from Chinese businesses that advertise to global audiences. Meta's financial filings indicate that China is one of its biggest sources of ad revenue outside the U.S. Wynn-Williams also disclosed that Meta once considered building a data center in China - an action she warned could have endangered the personal information of American users. She added that Meta employees had briefed Chinese officials on Meta's AI technologies. The so-called "chief editor," she said, was to oversee post content originating from Chinese-speaking regions such as China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The editor had the power to not only review viral content but also to shut down Facebook services entirely in specific regions including Xinjiang or during sensitive dates such as the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. According to Wynn-Williams, Chinese officials had reportedly tested the tool and even offered suggestions for its "optimization." "We must ensure you can block or filter images we don't want people to see," she said, quoting the communist party officials' feedback for Facebook's content moderation. Facebook has a troubling track record on content moderation according to Ethan Tu, founder of Taiwan AI Labs, a non-governmental organization specializing in artificial intelligence and information warfare in Asia. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, our lab noticed that many posts highlighting Taiwan's pandemic success were censored on Facebook," Tu told Radio Free Asia. "However, false information about the U.S.' COVID situation written in Chinese was not taken down." He stressed that the shadow ban on Facebook is a real issue, given that he had once made posts discussing Huawei and cybersecurity that resulted in zero reach, indicating an invisible suppression. "During the Hong Kong anti-extradition protests in 2019, we also observed that posts related to the movement or democratic activism started disappearing all of a sudden. It seemed as if someone was deliberately censoring them," he said. Former Facebook staffer Wynn-Williams said the social network began making hundreds of content moderation decisions related to China even before 2009. By 2018, the platform had already been in direct discussions with the Chinese government for four years. This contradicts Zuckerberg's 2018 congressional testimony in which he claimed that since Facebook had been banned in China since 2009, "the company couldn't be certain how Chinese laws would be applied to its content." Wynn-Williams called the statement "inaccurate." "This is a man who wears many different costumes," Wynn-Williams said. "We don't know what the next costume's going to be, but it'll be something different. It's whatever gets him closest to power." Tu said Taiwan AI Labs' research showed that only 1.6% of takedowns were related to disinformation or hate. "The majority were tied to politically sensitive topics," he said. "What was once believed to be content moderation for stopping misinformation or hate speech turned out to be mostly about political sensitivity." Following Wednesday's hearing, Senator Josh Hawley said he would further investigate whether Meta misled Congress during previous testimonies and would review additional internal documents provided by Wynn-Williams. "This is just the beginning. We are going to get the truth," Hawley said. 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 Iran signals 'good chance' for a deal if U.S. abandons unrelated demands and threats IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The deputy foreign minister for political affairs says there is "a good chance" of reaching an agreement if the United States ceases making excessive demands and issuing threats. "If the American side refrains from bringing up unrelated issues and demands, and abandons threats and intimidation, there is a good chance of reaching an agreement," Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi said on Friday, a day before diplomats from Iran and the U.S. are scheduled to hold indirect talks in Muscat on Iran's nuclear program. "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes in dialogue and interaction based on mutual respect, and in our view any kind of bullying and coercion is rejected," he added. The deputy minister said that Iran has held discussions with China, Russia, and the three European countries of France, Britain, and Germany over the past few months. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said earlier in the day that Iran was ready to give diplomacy a "genuine chance." He said Iran will assess the U.S.'s intent and resolve during the upcoming talks, which will be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi as intermediary. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns Germany's resolution at U.N. rights council as interfering IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has condemned Germany's double-standard approach to human rights, accusing it of interfering in Iran's internal affairs with its recent resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Speaking on Friday, Baqaei criticized Germany for consistently exploiting human rights mechanisms to further its political agenda against other countries, including Iran. He described Germany's collaboration with Britain and other countries in presenting the anti-Iran resolution as indicative of their selective and hypocritical stance on human rights. "Germany, as the second-largest supplier of arms to the genocidal Israeli regime, shares responsibility for all atrocities and gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law committed against innocent Palestinians and other civilians in the region," he said. "Thus, it has no moral or legal standing to present itself as a defender of human rights," Baqaei added. He also recalled Iran's longstanding demand for Germany to be held accountable for its active role in providing chemical weapons to Iraq's former regime, which caused significant casualties among Iranian military personnel and civilians during the Iran-Iraq war. Baqaei urged German officials to prove the sincerity of their claims about human rights and justice by accepting Iran's formal proposal for a joint fact-finding mechanism to uncover the extent of German companies' and officials' involvement in arming the Saddam Hussein regime with chemical weapons. The U.N. Human Rights Council passed the resolution against Iran with 24 votes in favor, 8 against, and 15 abstentions. 4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says it will assess the U.S.'s intent and resolve in Oman talks IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 11, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to evaluate the "intent and resolve" of the United States during the upcoming indirect talks, and will respond accordingly. The spokesperson made the remarks in a post on X social media platform Friday a day before the talks are held in Oman. He said that Iran is giving diplomacy "a genuine chance" by taking part in the direct negotiations, and that the U.S. should value that decision. "In earnest and with candid vigilance we are giving diplomacy a genuine chance. U.S. should value this decision formed despite their prevailing confrontational hoopla," Baqaei said in his post. "We do not prejudge... We do not predict... We intend to assess the other side's intent and resolve this Saturday. We shall reflect and respond accordingly," the spokesperson further said. Representatives from Iran and the U.S. are set to hold indirect negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. The indirect talks are held after Tehran rejected Washington's proposal for direct negotiations over President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign and threats of military action on Iran. 7129**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Reaching agreement 'possible' if US ends intimidation, threats: Iran's deputy FM Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 1:50 PM A senior Iranian diplomat says it is likely that Iran and the United States reach an agreement if Washington stops its intimidation and threats against Tehran. "If the American side does not raise unrelated issues and demands and puts aside threats and intimidation, there is a good possibility of reaching an agreement," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, said on Friday. "The Islamic Republic of Iran believes in dialogue and interaction based on mutual respect; and any form of bullying and coercion is unacceptable to us." Takht-Ravanchi made the remark while addressing a meeting with ambassadors, diplomats and intellectuals held at the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Belgrade. His speech comes ahead of indirect talks between the Islamic Republic and the US on Tehran's peaceful nuclear program which is scheduled to be held in the Omani capital of Muscat on April 12. Takht-Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran's readiness to hold talks on its peaceful nuclear program in line with its policy of interaction. He said Iran has held nuclear talks with China, Russia and the European troika - France, Germany and Britain - in recent months. The senior Iranian diplomat said the country's principled stance is based on establishing "best" relations with the neighboring countries. "Negotiations and interaction are the most important strategy to solve regional issues," Takht-Ravanchi stated. On April 8, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Oman talks are an opportunity to test the seriousness of the US, "which has a long history of non-commitment and unilateralism." "The nuclear issue, in the sense of providing clarity and assurance about the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of oppressive sanctions, is the only issue under discussion," he added. In 2018 and during his first term in office, US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from a previous agreement on Iran's nuclear program - formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- and launched a maximum pressure campaign against the country. Trump restored that policy after returning to the White House for a second term in January, but he has since signaled a willingness to make a new deal to replace the JCPOA. On March 12, Trump sent a letter to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, asking for negotiations to reach a new deal and threatening military action if Tehran refused. Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the US under pressure and threats but says indirect talks remain an option. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cassie Fenton, 29, has been catching cane toads with tongs and has bought a fridge to deal with them. Cassie Fenton has been collecting and humanely euthanising cane toads on her Sunshine Coast property. Source: Instagram/cassiefenton An Aussie woman armed with tongs and a black bin bag is doing her bit to fight off an invasive threat taking over the country, and in less than two weeks she's already removed hundreds of toxic cane toads from her backyard. Cassie Fenton, 29, recently moved to the Sunshine Coast and told Yahoo News she was shocked by the sheer number of the toads roaming around her property. After doing some research, and learning they are one of Australia's most infamous invasive species, she decided to roll up her sleeves and help authorities try to get rid of them. "I've caught 214 cane toads in just 12 nights in my backyard," Cassie told Yahoo News. "I catch them with tongs. They're my dedicated toad tongs, as you can't use them for food due to the toad's poison. Then I put them into a container." Footage of Cassie's efforts show her running around her backyard in the dark collecting the nocturnal species while wearing a head torch. She later euthanises them. There are hundreds of invasive cane toads on Cassie's property. Source: Instagram/cassiefenton "I use RSPCA's method of stepped hypothermia for humane euthanasia," she explained. ADVERTISEMENT "I've also tried 'HopStop' sold at Bunnings." What are the humane ways to kill cane toads? Due to cane toads being larger than native frogs and their toxin lethal, they easily outcompete and kill many of Australia's native wildlife. Since being first introduced in north Queensland in 1935 to control pest beetles in sugar cane crops which was an unsuccessful attempt cane toads have spread through the state into the Northern Territory, Western Australia and the northern coast of New South Wales. States and territories have outlined their own way to humanely kill cane toads. However, in Queensland there are two methods recommended by the RSPCA. The first option is HopStop a product that you spray directly onto the cane toad and it quickly kills it. The second is the stepped hypothermia method, which involves placing it into a refrigerator at four degrees Celsius for 12 hours, before moving it into a freezer at -20 degrees for at least 24 hours. The first step anaesthetises it and the second painlessly kills it. ADVERTISEMENT "I actually got a second-hand fridge and freezer from Facebook Marketplace for $50, otherwise I would not be doing this option because I don't want toads in my fridge," Cassie said. How big a problem are cane toads for Australia? Cane toads are moving at an estimated 40 to 60 kilometres per year across the country, according to the National Museum of Australia. Authorities say it is unlikely a broad scale method will be found to control the species, so every possible way of protecting vulnerable native species is crucial. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Chinese oil imports from Iran surge in March despite US threats of sanctions: Report Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 11:27 AM China's imports of Iranian oil surged last month as buyers stocked up despite threats of sanctions by the US administration and amid an escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington, tanker tracking agencies say. Data by ship tracking firm Vortexa announced on Thursday that the Chinese oil imports from Iran had surpassed 1.8 million barrels per day in March, an all-time high, coinciding with a rise in inventory levels in China's independent refining hub Shandong Province. Overall onshore inventories in Shandong rose by 22 million barrels in March from February, an amount matching the increased Iranian arrivals, according to Vortexa. Data from analytics firm Kpler also put China's Iranian oil imports at 1.37 million bpd last month, up 83% from 747,000 bpd in February and a five-month high, while two traders who track Iranian flows into China estimated March imports at 1.67 million bpd and 1.8 million bpd, respectively. Iranian oil accounted for 13% of China's March crude imports, Kpler data showed. China continues to buy Iran's oil in defiance of US unilateral sanctions, with imports reportedly averaging about 40 million barrels per month. The US administration has imposed four rounds of sanctions on Iranian oil trade since President Donald Trump's February call for its so-called "maximum pressure" on Tehran, including March sanctions on Shandong teapot refiner Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical. On Thursday, it slapped sanctions on Iranian oil trading networks, including on a China-based crude oil storage terminal linked via a pipeline to an independent refinery. The Treasury Department also designated UAE-based Indian national Jugwinder Singh Brar, who owns shipping companies with a fleet of nearly 30 vessels, over what it claimed was "transfers of Iranian petroleum." The sanctions block US assets of those designated and prevent Americans from doing business with them. The sanctions come amid Trump's scattergun tariff regime, which has over the past week whipped up a huge tempest in global trade. China said on Friday it would raise tariffs on US goods to 125 percent, further deepening the trade war between the world's two largest economies. "The US's imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international trade rules, basic economic laws and common sense," Beijing's State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement, adding that the new levy comes into effect on Saturday. Beijing's retaliation was a response after Trump ratcheted up tariffs on Chinese imports, raising them effectively to 145% when levies imposed earlier this year are taken into account. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Executions Reach Highest Level In Decade By Kian Sharifi April 11, 2025 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 holdtalks 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-farda-briefing- sharifi-executions/33381328.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 Iran president says relations with Iraq 'priority', hails proximity of two nations Iran Press TV Friday, 11 April 2025 3:47 PM President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran prioritizes its relations with Iraq, as the two countries are eager to enhance their bilateral ties. "The relationship with Iraq is one of the most important arenas of the Islamic Republic's foreign ties," Pezeshkian said in a phone call with his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Latif Rashid on Friday, stressing the "brotherly" ties between the two neighboring countries. Pezeshkian appreciated the phone call made by Rashid to congratulate the Iranian president on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and the Persian New Year. The Iranian president also hoped an in-person meeting would take place with the Iraqi president so the two sides could discuss "ways to strengthen empathy and cohesion, and further expand mutual relations to ensure peace and development for the peoples of Iran and Iraq, as well as the regional nations." In the phone conversation, Rashid said "Iraq's people and government have always wished the best for their neighbors and friends in Iran." "Iraq is ready for any kind of cooperation and collaboration with the Islamic Republic of Iran in order to enhance the stability, security and prosperity of the two countries and other nations in the region." Earlier this month, Pezeshkian reaffirmed the Islamic Republic's commitment to strengthening its relations with its friendly neighbor Iraq, saying Iran is determined to implement all the agreements between Tehran and Baghdad in order to thwart enemies' plots in the region. He made the remarks in a phone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on April 1, weeks after the administration of US President Donald Trump decided to revoke Iraq's sanctions waiver for importing electricity from Iran. The US move has put the country's ability to meet its domestic energy needs at risk. Currently, approximately 80 percent of Iraq's electricity generation depends on natural gas, making the country heavily dependent on Iranian imports to sustain its power grid. In July 2022, Iraq signed a five-year contract with Iran to import 400 megawatts of electricity. In March 2024, another agreement was reached to increase Iranian gas imports to 50 million cubic meters per day, valued at around $6 billion annually. Officials in both countries have already warned that Iraq would face major electricity supply issues if it stops importing electricity from Iran because of US sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Call with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Barzani US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson April 11, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today. The Secretary highlighted the strong partnership between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region in expanding business opportunities, promoting regional stability, and strengthening democracy. The Secretary and Prime Minister agreed that reopening the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline immediately is crucial to protecting past U.S. investments and attracting future investment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar: UN seeks additional $240 million to bolster earthquake relief By Vibhu Mishra 10 April 2025 - The United Nations is ramping up its response to Myanmar's devastating earthquake, calling for increased funding and an immediate ceasefire to ensure more aid reaches those in desperate need. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake - which struck on March 28 - has claimed over 3,600 lives, injured a further 4,800 people and left 184 still missing. The disaster has affected more than nine million people across 58 townships, with thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools, reduced to rubble. Aftershocks continue to rattle the hardest-hit regions, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. In response, UN agencies are calling for an additional $241.6 million to aid those in the most affected regions, while also channelling $134 million from the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Myanmar - which was released in December 2024. The revised plan identifies around two million newly affected people in urgent need of assistance, adding to the 4.3 million who were already in need before the quake. Myanmar was already in crisis before the disaster, with nearly 20 million - roughly a third of the population - in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, amid a brutal civil war between the forces of the military junta which seized power in February 2021 and opposition militias. Heartbreaking destruction During a visit to Myanmar, UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop met with communities devastated by the quake and urged international support for both immediate relief and long-term reconstruction. She reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire to enable humanitarian response and recovery. "We need to continue to urge for a ceasefire, to stop the killing, stop the conflict so that the humanitarian workers, the search and rescue teams and those involved in rebuilding and reconstruction have the space to operate safely and securely," she said. Ms. Bishop described the destruction as "heartbreaking" and praised the resilience of survivors. "I was particularly struck by those who have lost their homes but are determined to rebuild amid the rubble," she said, stressing the need for global support. "The international community has a significant role to play in supporting additional funding during this particular time of need but also using their influence to ensure...that all actors in this conflict put down their arms and focus their efforts on restoring the shattered lives of the people of Myanmar." Response overwhelmed UN agencies report that Myanmar's vital public services, already strained by conflict and instability, are now overwhelmed. Myanmar's remaining health facilities have critical shortages of medical supplies, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a humanitarian bulletin. More than 193 healthcare centres and 2,311 schools have been damaged or destroyed, while ongoing infrastructure failures have led to food shortages, rising prices, and an increased risk of infectious diseases. A cluster of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) cases has already been reported in Sagaing and Mandalay, exacerbated by the destruction of sanitation systems. Furthermore, extreme heat - reaching 44C (111F) - and heavy, off-season rains have worsened conditions for survivors, many of whom remain without shelter. Fragile infrastructure exposed The earthquake has also reignited concerns about Myanmar's fragile infrastructure. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) warned that rebuilding roads, bridges and key public buildings must be prioritised to prevent future disasters inflicting a similar level of damage. "This is not optional - it is a social and economic imperative," the commission said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comment by UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on continued attacks in Myanmar amid rescue efforts UNOHCHR Press releases Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 11 April 2025 Location Geneva Civilians are continuing to suffer in Myanmar as military operations persist, despite ceasefires declared after last month's tragic earthquake. At a moment when the sole focus should be on ensuring humanitarian aid gets to disaster zones, the military is instead launching attacks. Since the earthquake, military forces have reportedly carried out over 120 attacks - more than half of them after their declared ceasefire was due to have gone into effect on 2 April. Most of these attacks have involved aerial and artillery strikes, 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. We call on the military authorities to remove any and all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to cease military operations. Areas at the epicentre of the quake in Sagaing, particularly those controlled by the military's opponents, 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. 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. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk calls on the military to remove any and all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to cease military operations. He reminds all parties in Myanmar of their obligation under international law to allow humanitarian workers to reach those in need. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Insurgent army executes 5 civilians in northern Myanmar Ethnic armed groups have been administering their own justice during a four-year civil war. By RFA Burmese 2025.04.11 -- An insurgent army in northern Myanmar publicly executed five convicted criminals, including a Chinese citizen, residents told Radio Free Asia on Friday. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, is one of Shan state's largest ethnic organizations. It has been fighting for territory since a military junta took power in a 2021 coup, and has largely administered its own justice in the territory, occasionally publicly executing criminals. "One Chinese and four Burmese were shot at the airport, all five were given the death sentence," said a Lashio resident, declining to be named for security reasons. "Another Myanmar citizen was sentenced to life in prison and the other Chinese man was also given a life sentence." Another Myanmar citizen was sentenced to death, but his execution has been suspended for two years, the resident said. The group was arrested in 2023 on charges of murder, rape, robbery and burglary, residents said. All are between 30 and 60 years old and from Lashio and Hsenwi in Shan state and Mandalay region's Mogok town. According to the MNDAA's legal system, the public is invited to witness executions. The MNDAA has not released any information on whether the accused were given lawyers. RFA contacted the MNDAA's communications official for more information, but there was no response. Amidst frequent clashes, airstrikes, an increase in crime and a shortage of qualified personnel, several ethnic insurgent organizations have struggled to conduct court proceedings during the ongoing civil war. In Lashio, persistent airstrikes and a declining economy have led to looting of local businesses and homes. On Dec. 5, the MNDAA accused 14 people in Laukkaing town of criminal charges, including murder, executing six of them. 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 As UN appeals for $275M for quake-hit Myanmar, China weighs in with major donation China's offer of $137 million donation doubles existing global pledges. By Ginny Stein for RFA 2025.04.11 -- As the United Nations called for $275 million in aid for quake-hit Myanmar, neighboring China pledged 1 billion yuan (US$137 million), eclipsing the offers from other international donors. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck March 28, has killed more than 3,600 people and damaged critical infrastructure across the country of 55 million people. That includes the main rail line between the commercial center, Yangon, the military's administrative capital, Naypyidaw, and the worst-hit major city of Mandalay. Electricity and clean water supplies have been impacted and thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools, have been damaged or destroyed. The U.N. on Thursday called for increased funding and an immediate ceasefire in Myanmar, which is reeling from four years of civil war after a military coup. It appealed for $275 million to aid those in affected regions. China was one of the first countries to donate aid when the quake struck, sending the first batch of $13.9 million in emergency aid to its southern neighbor days after what was Myanmar's worst temblor in decades. On Thursday, China pledged an additional $137 million to provide food, medicines and prefabricated homes, as well as pay for medical, epidemic prevention and disaster assessment expert groups, its embassy in Myanmar said in a statement. The U.S., which has traditionally taken the lead in disaster response in the Asia-Pacific region, initially pledged $2 million after President Donald Trump quickly vowed to assist. Washington has since increased its commitment to $9 million. However, three US Agency for International Development (USAID) workers deployed as a rapid response team discovered after arriving in Myanmar that their jobs had been eliminated as part of the Trump administration's cost-cutting measures. India, Myanmar's western neighbor, was quick to send a search and rescue team, medical personnel, and a military transport aircraft filled with disaster relief. It has sent a further four aircraft and four ships carrying relief materials, a special military medical unit and members of its disaster agency. Australia has pledged at least $7 million, and South Korea announced it would provide $2 million in initial humanitarian aid through international organizations. Vietnam sent a team of more than 100 rescuers, medical staff and sniffer dogs. Thailand, Russia, Japan, and Singapore have also sent rescue teams. OCHA, the U.N. agency coordinating the emergency disaster response by its international humanitarian partners, said that by April 4, 25 donors had pledged $93 million to the earthquake response. China's latest donation will more than double what has already been pledged. It comes ahead of a high-profile visit next week by its President Xi Jinping to Southeast Asia. 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 Second Round of Pakistan-Jordan Bilateral Political Consultations Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs The second round of Pakistan-Jordan Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) was held on 10 April 2025 in Amman. Pakistan side was led by Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch. Jordanian delegation was led by Ambassador Majed T. ALQATARNEH, Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Foreign Secretary expressed deep appreciation for Jordan's efforts to ensure stability, peace and security across the Middle East and its strong resolve in combating terrorism. She praised the role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in hosting refugees from Palestine, Syria and other neighboring countries. In the context of conflict in Gaza, Foreign Secretary expressed deep concern on latest Israeli atrocities and resumption of its illegal war against Palestinian brethren in Gaza. Foreign Secretary Ms. Amna Baloch reiterated Pakistan's support for a just, comprehensive, and durable solution to the Palestinian issue, leading to the establishment of a sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Emphasizing the need to further strengthen bilateral relations, both sides underscored to enhance focus on economic and trade relations as well as people-to-people contacts. During their deliberations, both sides appreciated their similarity of views as well as close coordination in the United Nations and other multilateral fora. It was agreed to convene the 03rd round of Pakistan-Jordan Bilateral Political Consultations at mutually agreeable dates in Pakistan. Islamabad 11 April 2025 96/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna: deterrence for Russia's shadow fleet works and continues for as long as necessary Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 11.04.202 Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the detention of the unregistered shadow fleet vessel Kiwala by the Estonian Navy in the Gulf of Finland proved that the coordinated steps taken by countries bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to tackle Russia's shadow fleet were working and helped to protect the environment and maritime safety. Tsahkna said it was the first shadow fleet vessel detained by Estonia, and commended the Estonian Defence Forces. "We are acting in a coordinated and targeted manner to protect our security and environment, and we are implementing our right to check suspected ships passing through Estonia's Exclusive Economic Zone," Tsahkna said. "The shadow fleet vessel Kiwala entered Estonian waters without registration and insurance and it has been sanctioned by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland." In June, Estonia was the first country to start checking the vessels of Russia's shadow fleet and subsequently it has checked the documents of nearly 500 ships. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting on development strategy for the Navy Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the development strategy for the Navy until 2050. April 11, 2025 15:35 St Petersburg Taking part in the meeting were Presidential Aide Alexei Dyumin, Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Alexander Moiseyev, President - Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board Andrei Kostin, and General Director of the United Shipbuilding Corporation Andrei Puchkov. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues, Today, we have gathered in St Petersburg, Russia's historical naval capital on the Baltic Sea, to discuss the strengthening and further development of the Navy, outline our priorities for the future, and take a closer look at the development of our shipbuilding in the broad sense of the word. I would like to note that we are always paying close attention to the improvement of our Navy. As you know, recently, in late March, we launched a new multipurpose submarine Perm in Severodvinsk. We also discussed many important issues pertaining to the development of our fleets, social assistance to sailors and their families, and the modernisation of our naval bases and infrastructure of military settlements, which is especially important for our Arctic territories. I would like to emphasise that the Navy has played and continues to play a crucial role in ensuring Russia's defence and security, as well as protecting its national interests at sea. Our vessels must be able to effectively fulfil the entire range of tasks set for them now and in the future. In recent years, we have been implementing a large-scale Navy modernisation programme. From Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, Russia's shipyards are engaged in the serial production of both surface ships and new missile submarines, including the state-of-the-art Project Borei-A and Project Yasen-M vessels. Significant funds have been allocated for this. Over the past five years, 49 ships of various classes have been built, and from 2020 to 2024, to this date, four Project Borei-A strategic submarines and four Project Yasen-M multipurpose submarines have been commissioned. At the same time, it is evident that the dynamics of the changing global situation, the emergence of new challenges and threats, including those in maritime domains, as well as the vigorous technological and digital revolution, robotisation, and the widespread implementation of unmanned systems - all these necessitate the formation of a new profile for the Navy. In this regard, it is crucial to define the prospective characteristics and balanced composition of the fleet, while assessing the capabilities of scientific and industrial potential in designing and constructing new warships and support vessels. In this context, I consider it imperative to emphasise the importance of systematically and consistently developing all components of the Navy, including submarine and surface ship groups, naval aviation, coastal missile and artillery troops, as well as support systems. Undoubtedly, one of our priority tasks is to strengthen the domestic fleet in its key segment of strategic nuclear forces, which serve as the most important guarantee of Russia's security and the preservation of global balance. In this connection, I must note that the share of modern armaments and equipment in Russia's maritime strategic nuclear forces has already reached 100 percent. I underscore that this indicator must be maintained in the future. Alongside this, we must continue and expand the serial production of modern vessels across various classes. These must be equipped with advanced technology, including high-precision and hypersonic weaponry, robotic systems, and possess new-generation control, reconnaissance, communication, radar, hydroacoustic, and navigation systems. I previously mentioned the Perm, a multipurpose submarine launched on March 27 this year. It has become the first submarine armed with Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles. This alone demonstrates the emergence of such elements within our strategic nuclear forces. What is the range of the Zircon? Commander-in-Chief of the Navy Alexander Moiseyev: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, over 1,000 kilometres. Vladimir Putin: Over 1,000. And speeds approaching Mach 10. This is effectively a weapon capable of fulfilling strategic-level missions. At the same time, the training programmes for military sailors should draw on modern strategies and tactics of warfare, including the experience of the special military operation. I would like to note that 8.4 trillion rubles have been allocated to build new warships for the Navy over the next decade, and these funds should be taken into consideration when drafting the state armament programme. I just had a separate discussion with the Finance Minister before this meeting; this is a matter of principle, these funds have been provided for, but this will depend on the Navy development programme. This is exactly what we will focus on today. We also need to objectively assess the capabilities of Russia's shipbuilding, instrument-making, machine-tool and other related industries and fully implement all the instructions that were given earlier, including those following the meeting on shipbuilding development held on June 26 last year. As we agreed, special attention should be paid to pricing issues in shipbuilding and the development of Russian components and equipment. A separate and fundamental factor for the qualitative development of the Navy, both today and in the future, is the development and production of domestic ship-based unmanned aerial systems and marine robotic systems, as well as the serial production of unmanned submerged and surface boats. At the same time, all these systems operating in the air, under water and on the surface must be closely integrated into a single reconnaissance and strike circuit and linked to our satellite constellation. To reiterate, these advanced technological solutions and the balanced development of the Navy in all strategic areas will enable us to effectively address our security and defence tasks and defend our interests in the World Ocean and in the context of global geopolitical and technological changes. Let's get down to work. <... > NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNHCR: Needs intensify as 400,000 Syrians return UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Celine Schmitt in Damascus - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. 11 April 2025 GENEVA -- Some 400,000 Syrians have returned from neighbouring countries since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, according to estimates by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. During the same period, more than 1 million internally displaced people (IDPs) within Syria have also returned, bringing the total number of Syrians who have gone home to over 1.4 million. As the school year ends, summer will be a critical moment for voluntary returns and a window of opportunity not to be missed. But to make these returns successful and sustainable, Syrians will need support with shelter, livelihoods, protection and legal assistance - areas in which UNHCR has proven expertise. The risk is that, without adequate funding, the projected 1.5 million returns this year may not happen, and those who do return may have no other choice but to leave again. Support for UNHCR and humanitarian actors is crucial for stability. The severe funding cuts that UNHCR is facing are putting millions of lives at risk, with nearly 16.7 million people inside Syria - about 90 per cent of the population - requiring some form of humanitarian assistance, and over 7.4 million Syrians still internally displaced. Now is the time to invest in facilitating the return of refugees who have been waiting years for this moment. In January, UNHCR launched an operational framework to help 1.5 million refugees and 2 million IDPs return home in 2025. So far, only $71 million has been pledged of the $575 million required for UNHCR's 2025 programmes inside Syria. Without additional funding, we will only be able to help a fraction of those who intend to go back, meaning fewer returning home. There has been a significant reduction of donor funding between 2024 and 2025. These cuts are impacting our workforce, which will shrink by 30 per cent inside Syria, significantly affecting our ability to provide critical support. Additionally, without proper funding, some of UNHCR's life-saving activities will halt. Among the 122 community centers supported by UNHCR, 44 per cent will have to close by the summer. Community centres provide critical aid such as mental health support, legal assistance, prevention of gender-based violence and mine awareness education. They also foster social cohesion, and their closure will impact returnees and their communities as well as UNHCR's local partners. Despite these difficult and unprecedented times, UNHCR is committed to staying and delivering in Syria. We are working closely with UN agencies including WFP, IOM, UNDP and UNICEF; helping returnees must be a collaborative effort to ensure efficiency and impact. We appreciate the support we have received for many years for our operation in Syria from our traditional donors. We are asking them to make an extra effort in spite of the global economic challenges, but we are also appealing to wealthy countries who have not been contributing to support us in ensuring the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees willing to go home. It is crucial not to miss this historic opportunity. To assist Syrians in their decision to return home, UNHCR launched "Syria is Home," an innovative digital information platform to provide timely and impartial information on the return process including legal steps, identification documents, access to housing, health care, education and more. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) offer guidance on renewing identity documents, support to repair destroyed or damaged homes and accessing legal aid and counselling support. Through 'Syria is Home,' UNHCR provides credible and up-to-date information vital for helping people make informed decisions, plan for their future and maintain hope. Information is continuously updated. Since the fall of the Assad regime, returning home and starting anew has become a possibility for Syrians. With investment in aid and early recovery, we can create opportunities and keep up the hope of Syrians. Seizing this opportunity is our collective responsibility. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN refugee agency calls for greater investment in Syrian returnees 11 April 2025 - Roughly 400,000 Syrians have returned home from the region since the fall of the Assad regime last December, while more than a million internally displaced persons (IDPs) have gone back to their communities. The estimates are from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which on Friday called for increased funding to support Syrian returnees as needs intensify at a time when aid budgets globally are being slashed. "Since the fall of the Assad regime, returning home and starting anew has become a possibility for Syrians," said UNHCR spokesperson Celine Schmitt, speaking from Damascus to journalists in Geneva. "With investment in aid and early recovery, we can create opportunities and keep up the hope of Syrians," she insisted. 'Window of opportunity' Ms. Schmitt said that "as the school year ends, summer will be a critical moment for voluntary returns and a window of opportunity that should not be missed." Syrians will need support in the areas of shelter, livelihoods, protection and legal assistance, for returns to be successful and sustainable. "The risk is that, without adequate funding, the projected 1.5 million returns this year may not happen, and those who do return may have no other choice but to leave again," she warned. Invest in returns Therefore, support for UNHCR and other humanitarian actors is crucial for stability, she said, in the face of severe funding cuts which are putting millions of lives at risk. Currently, nearly 16.7 million people inside Syria - about 90 per cent of the population - require some form of humanitarian assistance. Over 7.4 million Syrians are still displaced within the country. "Now is the time to invest in facilitating the return of refugees who have been waiting years for this moment," she said. Aid cuts threaten operations In January, UNHCR launched an operational framework to help 1.5 million refugees and two million IDPs return home this year. Although $575 million is required, only $71 million has been pledged to date. Ms. Schmitt noted that this is happening amidst a significant reduction in donor funding between 2024 and 2025. "These cuts are impacting our workforce, which will shrink by 30 per cent inside Syria, significantly affecting our ability to provide critical support," she said. Additionally, lack of proper funding could force UNHCR to pause some of its life-saving activities. The agency supports 122 community centres and 44 per cent will have to close by the summer. The centres provide critical aid such as mental health support, legal assistance, prevention of gender-based violence and mine awareness education. "They also foster social cohesion, and their closure will impact returnees and their communities as well as UNHCR's local partners," she added. Appeal to donors Ms. Schmitt said that despite these difficult and unprecedented times, UNHCR is committed to staying and delivering in Syria, urging donors to "make an extra effort in spite of the global economic challenges." She also appealed "to wealthy countries who have not been contributing" to support effort to ensure the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees, stressing that "it is crucial not to miss this historic opportunity." Online support UNHCR has launched a digital platform called Syria is Home to provide timely and impartial information on the return process including legal steps, identification documents, access to housing, health care, education and more. Under Frequently asked questions (FAQs), Syrians can get guidance on renewing identity documents, support to repair destroyed or damaged homes and accessing legal aid and counselling support. The platform, which is continuously updated, aims to provide credible and up-to-date information to help people make informed decisions, plan for their future and remain hopeful. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Think tank urges Taiwan defense hike, faster U.S. arms delivery ROC Central News Agency 04/11/2025 07:50 PM Washington, April 10 (CNA) A U.S. think tank suggested, in a recent report, Taiwan boost defense spending to meet its needs given the threat from China and that the U.S. ensure timely delivery of essential military capabilities. Global Taiwan Institute (GTI), based in Washington D.C., released "U.S.-Taiwan Relations: Advancing Four Pillars of the Strategic Partnership," to mark the 46th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which set the foundation for continued ties between the U.S. and Taiwan following the former severing diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 1979. The report assessed how the strategic partnership has evolved across four key pillars -- security, international space, economic ties, and people-to-people relations -- and offered forward-looking policy recommendations to sustain peace and stability amid rising challenges from China. In terms of national defense and security, the GTI suggested that Taiwan should increase its defense budget to enable procurement of capabilities necessary to secure its national defense and sustainment needs against a full range of attack from China and coercion scenarios. However, the report noted that the exact percentage of GDP assigned to that task is less important than Taipei demonstrating the will and ability to respond effectively to the complex and evolving Chinese threat. On the U.S. side, the GTI suggested Washington strengthen its defense industrial base to enable more timely provision of essential military capabilities to Taiwan and help enhance the island's own indigenous defense industrial capacity. The GTI urged the U.S. to improve joint planning and training with Taiwan to counter military, coercive, and gray zone threats, ensuring the island's defense and resilience. Taiwan's military and citizenry in turn must invest more seriously in such preparations, the GTI added in the report. Meanwhile, at a forum held on Thursday in Washington D.C. to launch the report, Brent Christensen, former director of the American Institute in Taiwan, dismissed the idea of Taiwan spending around 10 percent of its GDP on defense as unrealistic. The idea that Taiwan should raise its defense spending to around 10 percent of GDP was most recently mentioned by Elbridge Colby during a Senate confirmation hearing in early March. "I agree with President Trump that they should be more like 10 percent, or at least something in that ballpark, really focused on their defense," said Colby, who was confirmed as U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy early this week. In contrast to Colby, Christensen argued that it is not necessary to get too fixated on what percentage of GDP is being spent on defense. Taiwan's defense spending, as a percentage of GDP, likely underrepresents broader investments in civil defense and societal resilience, which are integral to the overall defense strategy that Taiwan is adopting, said Christensen, a co-author of the report. Taiwan's Cabinet earmarked NT$647 billion (US$20.02 billion) for defense spending in 2025, equal to 2.45 percent of GDP, some of which was later cut or frozen by the opposition-controlled Legislature. The Ministry of National Defense reported in early March that NT$8 billion from this year's defense budget had been cut, with an additional NT$90 billion frozen. President Lai Ching-te () later pledged to propose a special budget to raise defense spending to over 3 percent of GDP, though that, too, would require legislative approval. (By Elaine Hou, Chung Yu-cheng, Matthew Mazzetta and Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan included in initial U.S. tariff negotiation list: Lai ROC Central News Agency 04/11/2025 02:32 PM Taichung, April 11 (CNA) Taiwan is among the first batch of countries set to enter into tariff negotiations with the United States, President Lai Ching-te () said Friday. "Taiwan is now included in the first list of negotiations" with the U.S., Lai told representatives from the machinery industry in Taichung, without providing further details. The president added that the government would be fully prepared for talks with the U.S. to protect Taiwan's national interests and the future development of Taiwanese industries. Lai called for unity across both the public and private sectors, as well as between the ruling and opposition parties, in the face of the U.S. tariff shocks, noting that Taiwan could overcome the challenge and "turn crisis into opportunities" through collective efforts. But it remains unclear when such talks would take place and who would actually be involved. The Cabinet said on Thursday the government would notify the public of progress in due course. Friday's meeting followed two previous discussions Lai had with representatives from information and communications technology, non-tech industries and small and medium-sized enterprises at the presidential residence last weekend. The meeting moved behind closed doors after Lai and Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) Chairman David Chuang () delivered their remarks. Chuang expressed concern that the 32 percent duties Taiwan was set to face before they were postponed would not only directly impact Taiwanese machinery exports to the U.S. but also undermine their global competitiveness. TAMI issued a statement on Thursday urging the government to negotiate with the U.S. for a lower tariff rate for Taiwanese machinery products, particularly for a rate lower than their main competitors from Japan and South Korea. The association, which represents more than 2,700 company members in Taiwan, also called for "interest-free loans" for machinery businesses that had already begun to feel the sting of the tariffs. Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" on imports from dozens of countries -- including a blanket 32 percent levy on most Taiwanese goods -- were scheduled to take effect on Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoon (Washington time), however, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the new measures, with reduced 10 percent duties to be applied instead to all countries but China. Chuang said companies in the machinery business will work with the government to address the ills of transshipments, a practice where goods are routed through a third country to alter their country of origin to benefit from lower duties imposed on that third country. At the same time, Chuang continued, Taiwanese suppliers are willing to collaborate with American partners in manufacturing machine tools, adding that "we will be a good partner." (By Su Mu-chun, Wu Che-hao and Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/04/11 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date: 6 a.m. Apr. 10 (Thu.) to 6 a.m. Apr. 11 (Fri.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities: 2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1140411_PLA activities_1 1140411_PLA activities_2 1140411_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN experts welcome Kurdish Workers' Party ceasefire with Turkiye and urge a just and sustainable peace Press releases Special Procedures 11 April 2025 GENEVA -- UN experts* today welcomed the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on 1 March 2025, after more than 40 years of conflict with Turkiye. "After so much bloodshed and insecurity, we urge the PKK and the Turkish Government to peacefully settle the conflict and respect applicable international humanitarian and human rights law," the experts said. The PKK has expressed its willingness to convene a party congress to pursue its dissolution and disarmament. It has conditioned these steps on a secure environment, a ceasefire by Turkiye, the creation of a legal mechanism for peace talks, and the release of its imprisoned leader. In the interim, the PKK has pledged to use force only in self-defence. The Turkish President welcomed the unilateral ceasefire and insisted on the PKK's immediate disarmament. Since the announcement, Turkiye has attacked alleged PKK targets and armed groups in Iraq and Syria it believes are affiliated with the PKK, raising concerns regarding the international prohibition on the use of force. Kurdish forces in Syria have indicated that the PKK ceasefire does not apply to them. "We urge Turkiye and the PKK to negotiate towards a durable and just peace, and to build confidence by committing to a ceasefire in order to protect civilians," the experts said. Over past decades, numerous temporary ceasefires have failed to resolve the conflict, which has involved grave violations of humanitarian law and human rights law. Violations include summary executions, targeting of civilians, enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary detentions, forced displacements, conscription of child soldiers and restriction of political freedoms and minority rights. Civilians, including children and older persons, have been particularly affected. "We encourage the parties to learn from successful peace settlements elsewhere," the experts said. According to international standards, peace agreements should include: Disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and amnesties or pardons for those who have not committed international crimes; Comprehensive transitional justice processes, such as truth telling, prompt, thorough, impartial, and transparent investigations, prosecutions, reparation for victims and guarantees of non-recurrence; Holistic measures to support victims of violations, including material assistance, protection, tracing of missing persons, repatriation of the deceased, and awareness-raising and memorialisation; Security sector, institutional and governance reform to prevent abuses; and Comprehensive measures to address the root causes of violence to prevent the resumption of conflict. The experts highlighted the good practices in the Secretary-General's 2023 Guidance Note on Transitional Justice. They also stressed that the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy commits all countries to address the conditions conducive to terrorism, which may include "prolonged unresolved conflicts, dehumanization of victims of terrorism... lack of the rule of law and violations of human rights, ethnic, national and religious discrimination, political exclusion, socio-economic marginalization and lack of good governance". "We call on the international community to assist the parties to swiftly and conclusively resolve the conflict and effectively implement and sustain any peace agreement," the experts said. The experts have been in contact with Turkiye on several occasions in relation to the conflict with the PKK. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "We want our region to be a geography of peace" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 11.04.2025 Addressing the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, President Erdogan said: "We want our region, which is as old as humanity itself, to be a geography of civilization, security, peace and serenity, in keeping with its deep-rooted history. We want to see a region where reconciliation prevails over conflicts; solidarity over fragmentation; and prosperity and stability over bloodshed, tears, sufferings and tensions. This is the world we wish to live in and leave to our children." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, themed 'Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World'. Extending his thanks to each one of the guests honoring the forum from every corner of the world, President Erdogan expressed his wish for the forum to lead to auspicious developments for the whole humanity, particularly the innocents and victims in the geography surrounding Turkiye. "WE FAVOR DIALOGUE OVER CONFLICTS, COMMON SENSE OVER POLARIZATION" Congratulating all those who contributed to successfully holding the forum, which has become a global brand where the heart of diplomacy beats, paticularly the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, President Erdogan also thanked Mevlut Cavusoglu, a former Foreign Minister and a deputy for Antalya, for spearheading the launch of the forum during his tenure at the helm of the Foreign Ministry. President Erdogan said: "I hope that the panels and discussions to be held as part of the forum, themed 'Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World', will help us all make a fruitful tour of horizon. Today in Antalya, we are once again declaring collectively to the entire world that we favor dialogue over conflicts, common sense over polarization, and global conscience over power struggles. The messages of friendship and peace we are sending from Antalya to the whole world set the Antalya Diplomacy Forum apart from its counterparts. As is the case every year, thousands of participants will exchange views and offer solutions on critical regional and global issues for a period of three days." "THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN FIVE BECAUSE HUMANITY IS BIGGER THAN FIVE" "While the humanity makes consecutive strides in technology, the internationally system cannot display the same performance in keeping up with the age. At a time when we are grappling with problems concerning all humanity such as terrorism, hunger, racism, poverty, Islamophobia, anti-immigration, and climate crisis, we unfortunately see that the international community falls short of developing more just and more conscientious policies. We witness this failure on a daily basis and in a very large area, particularly in the conflicts and tensions occurring in our region. It is evident that we need to give more prominence to diplomacy's capability of making humanitarian, enterprising, and future-oriented formulations. The world is bigger than five because humanity is bigger than five. While making this formulation, our goal has been to make such an understanding dominant. Given its expertise as well as its historical, social and cultural richness and deepness, Turkiye is one of the top countries to be able to send this message with greatest ease. I would like to bring that fact to your attention: We are not a country located in a comfortable geography away from problems. We live in a country that is as strategically important as it is prone to crises. This has always been the case throughout history. Our environment has never been free from occupation attempts, the Crusades, imperial schemes, or efforts to incite tensions and instabilities. Our geography has been the region most affected and most damaged by the destructive competition between great powers extending from the World War I to the Cold War." "WE ARE NOT MERELY INHABITANTS OF THIS GEOGRAPHY; WE ARE ALSO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS" "Today as well, many issues, wars, crises and tensions that dominate the international political agenda unfold in our surrounding geography. I am proud to state that we are not merely inhabitants of this geography; we are also its rightful owners. We have been here for a thousand years, and inshallah, we will remain here for many more centuries to come. We want our region, which is as old as humanity itself, to be a geography of civilization, security, peace and serenity, in keeping with its deep-rooted history. We want to see a region where reconciliation prevails over conflicts; solidarity over fragmentation; and prosperity and stability over bloodshed, tears, sufferings and tensions. This is the world we wish to live in and leave to our children. This, we of course know, is not easy to achieve." "ISRAEL HAS BEEN OPENLY CARRYING OUT GENOCIDE AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE" "We are well aware that peace takes more effort than war. Yet, we have always chosen the difficult one over the easy one and, today as well, we opt for the difficult one. In this spirit, just as we make efforts for lasting peace and stability in our surrounding geography such as Ukraine, Sudan, Syria and Gaza, which are our close friends, we are also taking responsibility through initiatives like mediation and facilitation in Africa and Asia. By fostering good relations with our neighbors, by expanding the means for cooperation and trade, and also by building bridges of dialogue between conflicting parties, we are striving to establish a belt of peace and security around our country. I would like to sincerely emphasize that we have no designs on anyone's territory, sovereignty, or resources. Wherever we have a presence as Turkiye, we concern ourselves with those above the ground, that is people, not with what is beneath it. One cannot flourish through oppression. A prosperous future cannot be built upon exploitation and conflicts. As you know, the issue that most hurts the global conscience and justice is the oppression in Palestine, particularly in Gaza. Israel has been openly carrying out genocide against the Palestinian people for the past 1.5 years, violating the most basic human rights and international law. To protest this tyranny and to give the strongest possible response is not only our duty of brotherhood, but also our duty to humanity. That is so because we all carry a heart. Remaining silent to Israel's atrocities means being complicit in this crime. A tent sheltering reporters in the city of Khan Younis was bombed by Israeli forces just a few days ago. Three journalists were killed in this attack, with 10 others, including nine members of the press, heavily wounded. One of those martyred was a reporter by the name of Ahmed Mansour. The footage showing Ahmed Mansour burning alive in the tent following the attack not only shocked us all but also once again laid bare the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel. The Israeli administration has massacred, has murdered 211 journalists thus far. This morning alone, 10 people from the same family, including seven children, died a martyr's death in Khan Younis. I am now asking you; what is this if not barbarism? What is it, if not banditry, to execute healthcare personnel on their way to help the wounded inside an ambulance? For God's sake what is it, if not cowardice, to ruthlessly murder babies, children, and women struggling to hold onto life among debris? What is it, if not cruelty, to rain bombs down on a people - be they children, women, the elderly, or civilians - confined to 360 square kilometers, denied access to humanitarian aid, and condemned to hunger, thirst and lack of medication for months? Let's put our hands on our hearts and ask these questions to ourselves? Would a legitimate state, even if in war, act this way? Isn't this state terrorism? That's why Israel is a terrorist state. This cannot be called anything else." "NO ONE CAN TARNISH THE HEROIC STRUGGLE OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AGAINST OCCUPATION BY LABELING IT AS TERRORISM" "The Israeli government is working to expel the Palestinian people from their own lands and make them experience a second Naqba. Israel, which gets away with every crime it commits, wages attacks that get more and more atrocious, more and more cruel, and more and more bloody. What is more, Israel tries to legitimize its massacres by labeling our brothers and sisters in Gaza, who are using their right to legitimate self-defense in the face of the occupation, as terrorists. Let me tell it openly that no one can tarnish the heroic struggle of the Palestinian people against occupation by labeling it as terrorism. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters have become a source of pride for humanity by selflessly defending their lands since October 7, 2023. The Turkish nation, as has been throughout history, stands in full solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters today. 500 years ago, we welcomed Israeli people, Jews, who were expelled from their lands. What Turkiye was back then is the same today. Since the start of the attacks, we have dispatched over 101 thousand tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza. We will inshallah continue to extend our helping hand to the innocents in Gaza. As long as Israel's state terror in Gaza continues, ceasefire efforts continue to be sabotaged, and bombs continue to rain down on the innocent, achieving lasting peace will be quite difficult. Peace in the Middle East can be achieved only on the basis of a two-state solution of the Israel-Palestine issue. This depends on the establishment of a free, sovereign, and territorially-integrated state of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital. I once again call on all members of the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to stop the bloodshed and stand by the Palestinian people." "SYRIAN PEOPLE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF SUFFERING, PERSECUTION AND WAR" "I also would like to stress that Israel, with its aggressions on Lebanon and Syria, is turning into a problematic country that poses a direct threat to regional stability. Israel's attacks undermine the fight against DAESH as well. Inciting ethnic and religious affiliations in Syria, it is working to dynamite the December 8 revolution. Turkiye's stance on this issue is very clear. We are one of the countries that suffered the most from the 14-year conflict and instability in our neighbor Syria. We cannot allow the opportunity to establish lasting stability in Syria and across our entire region, which emerged with the December 8 revolution, to go to waste. We cannot let Syria be dragged into a new spiral of instability. I would like to emphasize that Turkiye doesn't regard the territorial integrity, stability, and security of Syria, with which we share a 911-km border, as separate from our own. The Syrian people have had enough of suffering, persecution, and war. Those who intend to make our Syrian brothers and sister re-live these experiences should make their calculations accordingly. No one should misunderstand or misinterpret our calmness, our patience, and our stance in favor of dialogue in resolving issues. Our cool-headedness shouldn't mislead anyone into extremely erroneous aspirations. We are a country that acts in foreign policy not with a hidden agenda but with principles. We aspire peace, prosperity, stability and security for all the peoples of the region as much sincerely as we do for our own citizens, without any distinction of race or religion. In preserving Syria's territorial integrity, we are in unity of understanding and close dialogue with all the influential actors in the region, including Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin. We will continue to decisively take all the necessary steps within the framework of this unity of understanding, our country's security formulations, and our agreements with the Syrian government." "EUROPE'S SECURITY CANNOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT TURKIYE" "Turkiye is located at the intersection of three continents. We are as much a European country as we are an Asian and African country. We strive to further our exceptional ties with all the peoples of these three continents, and to strengthen our good-neighborly relations. Through our Asia Anew initiative, we are increasing our political engagements and consultations with Asian countries day by day in parallel to Asia's rising position in global politics and economy. Likewise, our cooperation with Africa is expanding on a win-win basis through our African Partnership policy. We also continue our efforts for permanent stability in the Southern Caucasus. Working for the preservation of peace and stability in the East Mediterranean and the Aegean, we are endeavoring to maintain the positive atmosphere with our neighbor Greece. We closely follow the developments in the Balkans and continue our cooperation with the countries of the region. The brotherly countries in the Central Asia are increasingly consolidating their unique place in our foreign policy. The Organization of Turkic States, which has taken important steps for integration in recent years as a result of our country's intensive efforts, plays a critical role in the strengthening of our cooperation. We have increased our efforts for the recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international recognition of the Turkish Cypriot people. We will patiently continue these efforts until justice is delivered. NATO, which is the foundation of Euro-Atlantic security, is one of the building blocks of Turkish foreign policy and our country's security. Amid the current debates on NATO's future as well as on the European security architecture, it has been understood once again that Europe's security cannot be considered without Turkiye. With the great strides it has made in defense industry in recent years, Turkiye, which commands the second largest land army within NATO, stands ready to take responsibility in the future for European security. On the other hand, allegations and criticisms suggesting that Turkiye is drifting away from its EU goal are null and void in our view. Full membership to the European Union remains a strategic goal for our country. However, at times due to fears, at other times due to prejudices or due to actors who have taken the Union hostage from within, the European Union fails to demonstrate the necessary will to advance our EU membership process. To be more precise, some of the European countries today cannot display the farsightedness, courage and strategic vision that gave life to the European Union three-quarters of a century ago. If the European Union wants to overcome the existing challenges and to be represented in the restructuring global order in a manner it deserves, it should act accordingly and liberate itself from its burdens, with Turkiye gaining its seat in the Union as soon as possible. We are ready and determined to move forward with our membership process. We expect the European Union to take concrete steps as well." "WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OUR 100 BILLION DOLLAR TRADE TARGET WITH THE USA" "There cannot be a strong foreign policy without a strong defense industry. As Turkiye, we owe our current self-confidence to our progress in defense industry, along with other steps we have taken. Achieving 80 percent domestic production rate in defense industry, we now can paddle our own canoe. We have moved far beyond meeting our own needs with our armed and unarmed unmanned aerial vehicles, vessels, helicopters, tanks, rockets, missiles and many other capabilities. While taking firm steps towards our 10 billion dollars target in annual exports in defense industry, we also continuously strengthen our cooperation with the friendly and brotherly countries. We attach great importance to our 100 billion dollar trade target with our ally and strategic partner, the USA. I believe that in President Trump's second term, with the contribution of our close friendship, our relations with the United States will flourish in every area. Our relations with the Russian Federation, with which we have a deep-rooted history, are strengthening day by day on a multi-dimensional basis. We are determined to expand our cooperation with Russia, with which we share a common geography, based on mutual interests and respect. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year, with a just and sustainable peace agreement continues to be our priority. We have taken many steps, including the Black Sea Grain Initiative, exchange of prisoners, and the Istanbul Process. We will inshallah maintain the balanced and proactive stance which we have preserved from the very beginning. In the meantime, we will also strengthen our relations with our friends in Asia-Africa and Latin America. We are doing our best to ensure that the intensifying commercial competition over customs tariffs does not become destructive. With its economy that is resilient against shocks, Turkiye will not only overcome this process without any problems but will also be one of the winners of the new era." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Secretary Landau's meeting with UK Permanent Under Secretary Robbins US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson April 10, 2025 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau met with UK Permanent Under-Secretary Oliver Robbins today. The Deputy Secretary underscored the depth of the United States' bonds with the United Kingdom, and the Trump Administration's desire to continue to work cooperatively. Both stressed the importance of commercial and economic ties, and the need to ensure that both the government and the public in each country understands the other's perspective. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 11, 2025 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Engagement With the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth virtually attended a UK- and German-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) today, April 11th. He joined ministers of defense and chiefs of defense from nearly 50 nations. They discussed progress towards achieving an enduring peace to the war in Ukraine and European nations leading efforts to support Ukraine's defense. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4153078/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway will contribute ten billion Norwegian kroner to equipping and training a Ukrainian brigade Government of Norway News story | Date: 11/04/2025 Norway takes a leading role in the training of soldiers for the brigade, which is being built up together with the Nordic and Baltic countries. Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik announced this during the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Coordination Group in Brussels on the 11th of April. In close cooperation with Ukraine, the Nordic and Baltic countries will contribute with the training and equipping of a Ukrainian brigade, at the strong request of Ukraine itself. 'Norway stands united with Europe for stronger support for Ukraine, both politically, economically and militarily. Building up larger land forces is important for Ukraine, and we have now set aside ten billion Norwegian kroner for this purpose in 2025. Our contribution is both materiel from our own defense and acquisitions of ammunition and materiel from Ukrainian and international industry. Not least, we will contribute with training', said Tore O. Sandvik. A brigade is set up with different types of arms so that it forms a complete land military combat unit that can operate independently. Normally, a brigade is between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers. The project is flexible and scalable and will provide equipment and training in accordance with Ukrainian needs. 'The initiative will not be about equipping and training a complete new brigade. What Ukraine needs are "building blocks" in the form of smaller units that can form part of and reinforce existing brigades. Under Norwegian leadership, the Nordic and Baltic countries work closely with Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the training and equipment meet Ukrainian needs as well as possible', said Sandvik. Sandvik also had a bilateral meeting with its Ukrainian colleague, Rustem Umerov. Norway also contributes funds in a British-led support package, which among other things, allocates funds for radar systems and drones. The Norwegian government has proposed a sharp increase in military support to Ukraine in 2025, with an extra NOK 50 billion. With that, the Norwegian support for the Nansen program is NOK 85 billion this year. 'The support will go to materiel that is most important for Ukraine in its defense against Russia. We will continue to direct support towards, among other things, maritime security and air defence, as well as drones and autonomous systems. The government will also use funds to strengthen cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry and acquire materiel from them', said Sandvik. In Brussels, Minister of Defence Sandvik signed an agreement that Norway will join the drone coalition. He also signed a memorandum of understanding that Norway will join the coalition for electronic warfare (EW). The Nansen programme Norwegian military support to Ukraine increases by 50 billion. NOK, i.e. to a total of NOK 72.5 billion kroner this year. With this additional package, Norway's total support to Ukraine is 85 billion. NOK in 2025. The total funds allocated for the Nansen program in the period 2023-2030is increased to NOK 205 billion. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Reconstruction of Rehabilitation Center in Ukraine, Supported by Lithuania, Reaches an Important Milestone Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-04-11 In Brukhovychi, Ukraine, a symbolic time capsule was placed as part of the ongoing reconstruction of the UNBROKEN rehabilitation center branch near Lviv. The letter inside, addressed to future generations, declares: Lviv is a city of strength and new opportunities for all who seek support, recovery, and hope for the future. "We owe Ukrainian veterans, the wounded, and their families more than just gratitude. The past, present, and future of Lithuania and Ukraine are deeply intertwined. The reconstruction of this rehabilitation center, a project implemented by CPVA, represents Lithuania's commitment to support those who have sacrificed so much for freedom. This center is yet another symbol of our resolve to stand with Ukraine," emphasized Inga Stanyte-Tolockiene, Ambassador of Lithuania to Ukraine during the ceremony. The reconstruction project includes both the renovation of the existing building and the construction of a new wing. Once completed, the facility will increase its patient capacity from 70 to up to 120 beds. Foundations for the new buildings and a pool have already been laid, and renovation of the existing premises is underway. All work is scheduled to be completed by December 2025. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH are also contributing to the center's renewal. The project is being implemented by CPVA with funding from the Fund for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. The total value of the Rehabilitation and Reintegration Program for War-Affected Individuals in Ukraine is 15 million. It includes the reconstruction of three rehabilitation centers in Lviv, Zhytomyr, and Dnipro, training for international experts, and the development of patient support algorithms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General urges continued support at Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 11 Apr. 2025 On Friday (11 April 2025) NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte participated in a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) at NATO headquarters. The meeting was hosted by the UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, and the German Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius. Speaking to Defence Ministers gathered for the event, the Secretary General welcomed that the UDCG has provided tens of billions of euros in military assistance, helping to support Ukraine with the means to defend itself against Russia's aggression. Much of the support generated by donors is now delivered through the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) command in Wiesbaden. Mr Rutte applauded European Allies for stepping up their military aid to Ukraine in 2025 and encouraged nations to continue their contributions, including through NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine. He underlined the importance of sustained support to Ukraine as efforts to negotiate a just and lasting peace continue. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address This Is How Russia Recruits Chinese Citizens To Fight In Ukraine By Reid Standish, Ajla Obradovic and Kenan Cerimagic April 11, 2025 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. Others 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-ukraine-soldier- mercenaries-russia-zelenskyy-war/33382310.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 Trump Envoy Witkoff Holds Talks With Putin During Surprise Stop In Russia By Ray Furlong April 11, 2025 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 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-envoy-witkoff-arrives- russia-talks-putin/33382066.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 Statement of Russian Defence Ministry 11.04.2025 (12:25) In violation of the Russian-American agreements to cease strikes at energy facilities for 30 days from 18 March 2025, the Kiev regime continues its daily unilateral attacks against the Russian energy infrastructure. In the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have attacked Russian energy facilities 5 times. In Bryansk region: On 11 April, at 05:09, as a result of the AFU shelling on the Khvoshchevskaya power facility (Rosseti Centre's branch-Bryanskenergo), and a breakage of overhead cables, a high-voltage line was powered off. Some household consumers were left without electricity in Sevsky District. In Kursk region: On 10 April, at 09:00, as a result of a deliberate AFU shelling on the Mokrushino power facility (Rosseti Centre's branch-Kurskenergo), and a destruction of a complete transformer substation, a high-voltage 10kV line was powered off. Household consumers were cut off electricity in Belovksky District. In the Lugansk People's Republic: On 10 April, at 11:43, as a result of a deliberate attack by the AFU, a building of the Troitskoye part which is an element of the Svatovo electric network district was damaged. Moreover, a depot of the state unitary enterprise (Republican Network Company) was ruined in Troitskoye of the LPR. A chief engineer of the enterprise got a fragmentation wound. On 10 April, at 15:02, a Ukrainian drone attacked the Rubezhnaya 110kV power substation of the RSK state unitary enterprise in the LPR. As a result of the attack, a transformer was rendered inoperable. In Zaporozhye region: On 10 April, at 23:55, a Ukrainian drone attacked the Pologi 35kV power substation of the Tavriya-Energo state unitary enterprise. As a result of the attack, a transformer was damaged. About 7,250 people were left without power energy in six settlements. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov inspects Zapad Group of Forces 11.04.2025 (11:00) Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov held a meeting at the command post of the Zapad Group of Forces. There he was briefed by the Group's command on the current situation, the support for troops in the zone of the special military operation, and nature of hostile actions. 'Since the beginning of the year, in Izyum direction, the Russian Armed Forces have liberated 18 settlements, over 330 square kilometres. Four settlements are being in the process of liberation,' reported Commander of the Group of Forces Colonel General Sergei Kuzovlev. At the command post, Andrei Belousov was informed on the current situation about the unmanned aerial vehicles which are employed both to hit the enemy and to deliver supplies for the Russian troops at the forward edge. The Russian Defence Minister also saw assets employed to counter the enemy's unmanned aerial vehicles, based on the experience of the special military operation and the proposals of the servicemen. At the end of the inspection, the Russian Defence Minister thanked the servicemen who had operated in the special military operation zone. Andrei Belousov presented state awards to personnel for selflessness and heroism. Those included the Order of Courage, the Medals for Bravery and the Order of St George - St George's Cross, 4th Class. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany Currently Unable to Provide Patriot Systems to Ukraine Sputnik News 20250411 Germany cannot currently supply additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, as it is still awaiting future deliveries, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated. "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. "We're 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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Carry Out 8 Mass Strikes on Ukraine Military Facilities - Defense Ministry Sputnik News 20250411 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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. "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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Team Trump Aware Ukraine Will Have to Accept Territorial Losses - Russia's Top Diplomat Sputnik News 20250411 US President Donald Trump administration understands that Volodymyr Zelensky will have to accept territorial losses, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. "Returning to the 1991 borders, as Zelensky still demands, is impossible ... He has spoken about this more than once even before the start of the special military operation ... Well, can such a person [Zelensky] even hypothetically think about giving up these people? No way and never. And this understanding is also shared by the Trump administration, which has publicly said more than once that Zelensky will have to come to terms with the territorial issue as well," Lavrov told reporters following the CIS Foreign Ministers' Council meeting. On Recent Prisoner Swap The idea of a prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States, which took place on the day of negotiations between the two countries in Istanbul on April 10, was initiated simultaneously on both sides, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. "The idea was born simultaneously on both sides, I am sure that any humanitarian gesture, even when it comes to two people being reunited with their families, is always positive," Lavrov told reporters following the CIS Foreign Ministers' Council meeting. The prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington is helping to build trust, but it will take a long time to finally restore it, the minister said. Russia's contacts with US President Donald Trump's team showed that there is a fundamental understanding of the need for dialogue, Lavrov said, adding that such an approach is possible. "I think we should not delude ourselves. But aiming for normalization based on mutual recognition and respect for the national interests of each country is entirely realistic and necessary," Lavrov said. Sanctions Relief Possibility Russia has proposed to the US to remove Aeroflot from sanctions list, but there has been no response yet, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday, adding that the resumption of direct flights should be a consequence of lifting sanctions on Aeroflot. "It [the resumption of direct flights] will not entail, it should be a consequence of Aeroflot being removed from sanctions list. We made such a proposal before the aforementioned meeting in Riyadh more than a month ago. The Americans accepted it. So far, we have not seen any reciprocal steps," Lavrov told reporters following the CIS Foreign Ministers' Council meeting, commenting on whether the resumption of air traffic would entail the lifting of sanctions against Aeroflot. During the second round of consultations between Russia and the United States in Istanbul, experts from the Russian side recalled this proposal, the minister said. "I have not had a chance to contact them yet. Maybe there have been some developments, but we do not know about them yet. But we will work on this, because this is a return to normality," Lavrov said. On Victory Day Parade Russia expects that all heads of the CIS member states will attend the victory day parade in Moscow on May 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. "All leaders of CIS countries have been invited by President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin to participate in the parade and other events in Moscow, and we expect all of them to be with us on Red Square," Lavrov told reporters following the CIS Foreign Ministers' Council meeting. CIS Counterparts Aware of the Course of Russia-US Talks Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that he had informed the CIS member states' foreign minister about contacts between Russia and the United States, including on Ukraine. "I spoke with our colleagues, shared with them some details of our contacts with the Americans, at various levels, including on issues of Washington's assistance in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, [US] President [Donald] Trump emphasizes his interest in this each time," Lavrov told reporters following the CIS Foreign Ministers' Council meeting. Russia sees that the US, unlike Europe, wants to understand the root causes of the Ukraine crisis, the minister added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France & Britain Prepare Foreign Intervention Into Ukraine - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik News 20250411 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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. "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. "The negotiations on the formation of the so-called deterrent forces, which are currently being conducted by the "coalition of the willing" led by France and Britain, are in fact a preparation for foreign intervention," he said. 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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Coalition of the Willing: Joint UK-France statement following 10 April meeting A statement from Defence Secretary John Healey MP and Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu following the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on 10 April 2025. 11 April 2025 The UK Defence Secretary and the French Ministre des Armees convened counterparts from 30 countries and representatives from the EU Commission, EU Council and NATO, to reaffirm our commitment to work together to drive progress towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Ukraine's security is inseparable from Euro-Atlantic security. Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its strength, security, and sovereignty will deter Russia from further aggression in the future. Our work today is part of detailed military planning led by the UK and French Chiefs of Defence over the last month supported by hundreds of military planners from across Europe and beyond, and directly supports the ambitions laid out by Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron at recent international Summits. We are leading this work together, side by side to secure the best possible outcome for Ukraine. The UK and France are building this coalition on solid foundations, having spent almost 15 years developing the common tools and culture to enable such a force through our Combined Joint Expeditionary Force. Planning so far has looked across the full range of military capabilities from Europe and beyond. Discussions have centred on how participating nations can contribute their own capabilities to ensure Ukraine's future security, whether by strengthening Ukrainian capacity or direct contributions. Our objectives are to reassure, support and protect Ukraine to ensure that any peace settlement secures against the risk of future Russian aggression. It is important to maintain discretion when commenting on the specific details of these discussions, until the conditions of the necessary ceasefire are clear. But we are making solid progress, as a Coalition, on building a multi-national effort to support Ukraine's transition to peace time in a position of strength. We are showing that through this coalition, Europe together with other international partners are willing to step up and support the US and Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace. President Putin must prove he is serious about peace and sign up to a full and unconditional ceasefire, as Ukraine has done. We are working very closely with Ukraine on developing these future plans, as well as NATO to ensure that our collective support to Ukraine strengthens the wider European-Atlantic security architecture. This Coalition will continue to meet regularly to drive progress and generate firm commitments in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine's Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations Package will support UK jobs and growth, with equipment and repair contracts connecting UK companies with Ukrainian industry 11 April 2025 The UK is surging rapid military support to Ukraine to put them in the strongest position to secure a lasting peace as partners meet in Brussels for the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group, chaired by the UK and Germany. The security of the UK and Europe starts in Ukraine, and a major new military support package will be delivered by British and Ukrainian suppliers to help boost Ukraine's Armed Forces as they continue to defend against Russian attack. As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries. Today's package, worth 450 million, includes 350 million from the UK from this year's record 4.5 billion military support funding for Ukraine. Further funding is being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine. The support package will be announced by Defence Secretary John Healey when he chairs the contact group alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius later today, where 50 nations will come together to coordinate urgent 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, supporting the UK economy and skilled jobs. Today's support also includes a new '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. The package builds on the work of the drone capability coalition, led by the UK and Latvia. This will include high manoeuvrable first-person view (FPV) drones to attack targets, and drones which can drop explosives on Russian positions. These two types of drones are reported to be responsible for 60-70% of damage currently caused to Russian equipment. The new kit will be procured from a mixture of UK and Ukrainian suppliers, demonstrating how investment into Ukraine's defence supports jobs and the economies of both the UK and Ukraine. The 160 million package for equipment repairs and maintenance will ensure vital armoured vehicles and other equipment can get back to the battlefield as quickly as possible. It will be implemented through the UK's Taskforce HIRST, linking UK and Ukrainian companies to ensure repairs can be conducted in country to ensure that vital equipment is returned to the frontline as quickly as possible. The support provides opportunities for British companies to learn lessons from the battlefield and support the UK's own industrial capabilities, an example of the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership announced by the Prime Minister in action. The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on Putin to help force him to end this terrible war. We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why today's major package will surge support to Ukraine's 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 Ukraine's defences. Yesterday, [Thursday] the Defence Secretary and his French counterpart, Minister Lecornu, chaired the first meeting of Coalition of the Willing defence ministers, bringing together 30 countries to progress planning for a reassurance force to support a lasting peace in Ukraine. The meeting followed a series of high-level meetings of leaders and defence chiefs in the last month to move forward with operational planning. 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 remains in the strongest possible position, which is why 4.5 billion of military support will be provided this year - more than ever before. As well as demonstrating leadership through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and Coalition of the Willing, the UK is also contributing heavily to NATO's Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) Command, which is coordinating further support for Ukraine in the form of training and providing more capabilities. Through the International Fund for Ukraine, the UK will manage the NSATU Trust Fund for rapid procurement - which Canada, Denmark and Iceland have already pledged funding towards, to meet Ukraine's urgent equipment support and logistical needs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak Holds a Conversation with Advisers to the President of France and the Prime Minister of Great Britain President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 22:05 During a visit to Kryvyi Rih, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conversation with the Diplomatic Adviser to the President of France, Emmanuel Bonne, and the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Powell. The main topics of discussion were the situation on the battlefield and further cooperation within the Coalition of the Willing. The conversation also focused on the implementation of the agreements reached by national leaders during their recent meeting in Paris. Andriy Yermak also noted that today in Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of those killed in the terrorist strike by the Russian Federation. This Russian shelling clearly demonstrates the true stance of the aggressor state. The parties agreed that no ceasefire can be effective without a reliable monitoring mechanism. Therefore, work must continue to develop effective formats for a ceasefire regime and to ensure monitoring of its observance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Met with Representatives of the Communities of the Dnipro Region President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 19:20 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Kryvyi Rih with representatives of territorial communities of Nikopol, Synelnykove, and Kryvyi Rih districts of the Dnipro region that face constant Russian shelling. "I want to thank the communities for holding on, working, supporting people, and helping the warriors," the Head of State said. The President shared the outcomes of the meeting regarding the strengthening of air defense. He also noted that the Cabinet of Ministers needs to make a decision on the allocation of additional funds for the functioning of frontline communities. In addition, the meeting addressed the reconstruction of destroyed housing and hospitals, the supply of drinking water to communities, and the restoration of mobile communication equipment. The Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak reported that the region continues reconstruction of housing and infrastructure despite the shelling. The First Deputy Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Yurii Yandulskyi, provided information on infrastructure projects being implemented in the region. In particular, these include the reconstruction of Hospital No. 2 in Kryvyi Rih and dormitories for internally displaced persons in Dnipro, the construction of a water pipeline in Pidhorodne, and the installation of modular heating stations in Zelenodolsk and gas turbines in Zhovti Vody. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today, I Visited the Dnipro Region, Kryvyi Rih - Address by the President President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 18:53 Dear Ukrainians! Today, I visited the Dnipro region, Kryvyi Rih. I honored the memory of those killed by a Russian ballistic missile strike - exactly one week ago. 19 people were killed by a Russian missile, including 9 children. I'm now in a shelter at the very school where three of those children studied - tragically, they were killed. That same day, there was also a Shahed drone attack, which claimed even more lives. Eternal memory to them all. Today, from right here in Kryvyi Rih, I addressed the participants of the Ramstein meeting in Brussels. Our top priority is air defense: additional systems and missiles for them - to protect lives and our cities. We are counting on our partners' decisions. The world has the necessary systems, and what's needed is a political decision for them to work here in Ukraine - in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and many other cities and communities. We discussed this with the President of the United States, President Trump - Ukraine is not just asking, we are ready to purchase these additional systems. Only powerful weapons can truly be relied upon to protect life when you have a neighbor like Russia. So that Ukrainian children can study safely - simply in schools, not online but in person, in a normal way - like in America, like across Europe - and not in such underground classrooms, which may provide greater safety, but which should not be the norm anywhere, but simply in schools. Air defense is our first priority. I thank all our partners who are already helping. There will also be substantial new funding for electronic warfare systems - that's an additional 540 million hryvnias. I have instructed the Government to adopt a decision and enhance the protection. There is already a decision regarding additional funding for our frontline communities, for the communities along the border with Russia, for those that are constantly under strikes and shelling. Up to ten million hryvnias for each of these communities depending on the number of people living there. And this will not be a one-time payment - we plan to provide this kind of regular support to cover the priority needs of the communities, to help with shelters, transport, and other solutions for protecting people. Today, we talked with representatives of the communities of the Dnipro region - I want to thank all of them. I am grateful to everyone who stands with the people, who provides help and protection. I also visited our warriors who are recovering from their wounds. I am grateful to every doctor who saves our soldiers. I am grateful to everyone who remembers - every person matters, every person makes a difference, every person must do their part so that Ukraine preserves its strength. Thank you! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Holds a Meeting on Strengthening Air Defense in the Dnipro Region President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 18:05 In Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on strengthening the air defense capabilities of Ukraine and, particularly, of the Dnipro region using aircraft, helicopters, and additional air defense systems. The meeting was attended by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi. Since the beginning of this year alone, the Dnipro region has endured 2,100 airstrikes, almost twice as many as during the same period last year. The Head of State received reports from Acting Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force Anatolii Kryvonozhko, Chief of the Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops of the Ukrainian Air Force Vitalii Palahuta, and Chief of the Electronic Warfare Department of the AFU Support Forces Ivan Pavlenko. The military officials reported on efforts to defend the Dnipro region from aerial threats. In particular, work is ongoing to increase the number of mobile fire groups, light aviation, and anti-aircraft artillery. Crews are also being equipped for operations at night and in adverse weather conditions, while interceptor drones are being deployed to combat Russian UAVs, including "Shahed" drones. In addition, the meeting addressed the further development of the electronic warfare system for Ukraine in general and for the Dnipro region specifically. The President instructed the Government to allocate an additional UAH 540 million for the development of the electronic warfare system in the region. "We held an important meeting on strengthening air defense in the Dnipro region. We are working, and I believe we will be able to reinforce the region with two systems in the near future. A program to reinforce it with electronic warfare systems has been developed in general. I am confident that the Cabinet of Ministers will support this decision, and the funds will be allocated," the President concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Key to Successful Diplomacy is Determination in Support for Ukraine and Pressure on the Russian Federation - Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 17:53 Only the most difficult conditions for Russia on the battlefield and in international relations can force it to do what is needed for true peace. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his online address at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in the Ramstein format. The Head of State participated in the meeting while visiting Kryvyi Rih and emphasized that this city lives under constant threat of Russian shelling. Exactly one week ago, a Russian ballistic missile killed 19 people, including nine children. "I ask you to focus first of all on air defense for Ukraine. We truly need it. Ten Patriot systems - the free world has them. What is needed now are political decisions to make them work for peace," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President noted that it had been exactly one month since Russia rejected the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. Meanwhile, the aggressor state continues to do everything possible to prolong the war. "Putin wasn't satisfied with soldiers from North Korea. Now he is trying to cover his shortages by pulling in yet another nation - the Chinese. How long can he keep doing this? We must work together to make such questions not about Moscow's choices," the Head of State emphasized. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked all the countries participating in the Ramstein format for their assistance and called for continuing support for Ukrainian warriors on the frontlines, pressure on Russia, and work on the format for a guarantee force. "We need to define clear details regarding the size, structure, deployment, logistics, sustainment, and the equipment and weapons of this security contingent in Ukraine, as well as the long-term support for a strong Ukrainian army," the President noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Free World Has Ten Patriot Systems; Political Decisions Are Needed to Make Them Work for Peace - Address by the President at the Ramstein Meeting President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 17:45 Dear Secretary Healey, Dear Minister Pistorius, Ministers and commanders, Dear friends! I'm grateful for today's meeting and for the Ramstein format, which is truly useful. Thank you to all the countries that continue to support Ukraine - our defense, our soldiers, our resilience. Stable, predictable and sufficient defense support along with joint pressure on Russia and our own resilience here in Ukraine, including our domestic weapons production, are absolutely necessary for this war to finally end. And it must end at the negotiation table. Only the most difficult conditions for Russia on the battlefield and in international relations can force it to do what's needed for a true peace. And today marks exactly one month since Russia rejected the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire, one month that has made it completely clear - Russia is the sole cause of this 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. Today, I'm speaking to you from Kryvyi Rih. This city lives under almost constant air alerts - because of drones or Russian missiles. The most dangerous threat is ballistic missiles. When there's a ballistic threat, people have just a few minutes to reach shelter. Just imagine what that's like - sending your child outside, or just walking through the city, knowing that a missile can hit within 5 minutes of launch. It's constant danger. Exactly a week ago here, in this city, in Kryvyi Rih, a Russian ballistic missile killed 19 people - including 9 children. Just children, on an ordinary street. In Ukraine, we don't have time for metaphors. Our people, our children - are under attacks in many-many cities and villages. Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, 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. You also know that we are forced to move the systems we have around the country to give 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. I ask you to focus first of all on air defense for Ukraine. We truly need 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. Next. Right now, Ukraine's Defense Minister is in Brussels. He will present the most urgent needs for supplies to the frontlines. But I ask you not to focus only on current or short-term needs - we need a clear, long-term security strategy. Last week, our soldiers captured the first Chinese citizens fighting on the front - fighting for Russia. As of now, we have information that at least several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting as part of Russia's occupation forces. This means Russia is clearly trying to prolong the war - even by using Chinese lives. Putin wasn't satisfied with soldiers from North Korea. Now he is trying to cover his shortages by pulling in yet another nation - the Chinese. How long can he keep doing this? We must work together to make such questions not about Moscow's choices, but about our joint pressure on Moscow - because that's the only way it will work. And along with supporting our forces and maintaining sanctions against Russia now, we must also think about the future - what will force Russia to choose diplomacy and peace tomorrow? This is our common fate - Europe, the United States, NATO. I thank every leader, every country, everyone present here who's working with us on a new format - a format for a guarantee force, - The Coalition of the Willing, - a united force that can be part of the future security guarantees for Ukraine and at least our part of Europe after this war. We need to define clear details regarding the size, structure, deployment, logistics, sustainment, and the equipment and weapons of this security contingent in Ukraine, as well as the long-term support for a strong Ukrainian army. Thank you to everyone who understands how important it is to increase defense spending in Europe and to strengthen cooperation between our defense industries. And thank you to everyone who understands - and explains to others - that the key to successful diplomacy is determination. Determination in defense, determination in support, determination in pressuring the cause of this war - Russia. Pressure on Russia must increase every day until the daily threat of Russian attacks disappears - it must vanish from Ukraine's sky, land, and sea. Thanks - to you, to everyone who's helping! ! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Kryvyi Rih, the President Honors the Memory of Those Killed in the Russian Missile Strike President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 17:30 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored the memory of those killed in a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih on April 4. The Head of State placed a votive candle and a toy at the site of the hit on the playground. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Serhiy Lysak, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, visited the site of the strike. Russian occupiers launched a ballistic missile at the city, hitting an area next to apartment buildings and a children's playground, last Friday afternoon. This attack claimed the lives of 19 people, 9 of them children. The youngest was only 3 years old. Another 75 Ukrainians, including 17 children, were injured. Doctors are fighting to save the wounded. During the rescue operation, which began immediately after the missile strike, the Russian Federation launched a drone attack on residential buildings and infrastructure. As a result, one person was killed, and five others were wounded. The attack also damaged 60 apartment buildings, 23 private houses, and three educational institutions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine, Together with Its Partners, Is Working Toward a Complete Ceasefire - Andriy Yermak President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 17:20 Ukraine, in cooperation with partner countries, aims to achieve a full and unconditional ceasefire, which will pave the way for establishing a just and lasting peace. This was stated by the Head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, during a meeting of the LB Club. The event was also attended by Deputy Heads of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa and Ihor Zhovkva, as well as the Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Chief Operating Officer of Bring Kids Back UA, Dariia Zarivna. "It's hard to even talk about an 'energy truce' after Kryvyi Rih. We need to talk about a full ceasefire, with very clear monitoring and control. It is important that this control is provided by the Americans, with the involvement of our European partners, if they are ready," Andriy Yermak noted. The Head of the Presidential Office believes that 30 days are enough to understand whether the ceasefire is truly working. Ukraine also insists on one other very important point - the humanitarian track. This involves the release of military and civilian prisoners, as well as the return of illegally deported and displaced Ukrainian children. Furthermore, Andriy Yermak emphasized that a gradual shift in attitude is already underway among those U.S. representatives who once believed a compromise could be found with Russia. After all, the American partners now see how the aggressor state violates the agreements reached. That is why it is crucial to continue applying pressure on the Russian Federation, including through sanctions. The Head of the Presidential Office highlighted the unanimous position of European countries on this issue during a recent meeting of leaders in Paris. The discussion also covered the importance of Ukraine primarily relying on the capabilities of its army and domestic defense production to guarantee its own security. "The most effective security guarantees for Ukraine are modern Defense Forces with a high level of readiness, which ensure that February 24, 2022, will not be repeated, and which, with their combat capabilities, exclude any aggression against Ukraine," Pavlo Palisa noted. Consultations are also ongoing regarding the possibility of deploying foreign contingents on our country's territory. According to the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, Ukraine has proposed a corresponding plan to European partners, who are evaluating it from a military perspective and holding the necessary political consultations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Office of the President Hosts Meeting with Ukrainian Ambassadors to Southeast Europe President of Ukraine 11 April 2025 - 17:02 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Brusyl held a meeting with the ambassadors of Ukraine to the countries of Southeast Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Cyprus, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro. The main focus of the meeting was to assess Ukraine's relations with the countries of the region, discuss the implementation of joint initiatives, and plan participation in events related to cooperation between Ukraine and Southeast European states in the security, humanitarian, and infrastructure sectors. "The Southeast European region is of strategic importance to Ukraine, both in terms of political support and the development of transport corridors and energy infrastructure. Our task is to make the most of the potential for cooperation with the countries of the region to strengthen international support for Ukraine and implement joint economic projects," Ihor Brusyl emphasized. Together with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and heads of Ukraine's diplomatic missions, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office addressed, in particular, the participation of the President of Ukraine and other state leaders in international events, as well as preparations for high-level bilateral meetings. The participants of the meeting also outlined concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine's diplomatic presence in the region and agreed on an action plan to ensure the effective implementation of our state's foreign policy priorities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Forces Repel Russian Attacks With Drone-On-Drone Warfare By Serhiy Horbatenko April 12, 2025 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-repels-russian- attacks-drone-warfare-kupyansk/33382416.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 HONG KONG, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Infini , the innovative crypto payment and earning platform, is excited to announce the return of its highly anticipated feature, Infini Earn. Designed to seamlessly merge crypto payments with asset growth, Infini Earn empowers users to earn automatic daily interest on stablecoin deposits while enjoying convenient, global paymentsreinforcing Infinis mission of making crypto yields accessible and secure for everyone. Innovation Meets Trust and Security In response to recent security challenges in the crypto space, Infini has significantly upgraded its Earn features security framework, partnering with Cobo to establish an even more robust defense layer. 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Through a combination of autonomous control, external collaboration, layered protection, and community-driven incentives, Infini is building a high-availability, high-resilience, multi-layered security system designed to meet the evolving needs of next-generation finance. Christian, Founder of Infini, commented: At Infini, user asset safety is paramount. After recent events, we responded decisively, strengthening our security framework to safeguard our community. Infini Earn returns stronger and safer than ever. Christine, Co-founder of Infini, added: The return of Infini Earn marks not only the expansion of our innovative financial services but also our unwavering commitment to security and user trust. Our collaboration with Cobo and SlowMist underscore our dedication to providing users with peace of mind. Transparent and Sustainable Earnings Infini Earn offers users a clearly defined, transparent mechanism for yield generation. 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Commitment to User Safety & Transparency Infini remains committed to proactive security, transparency, and responsive user engagement, continually striving to create the most secure environment possible for asset growth and payments. With Infini Earns return, users can enjoy confidence and peace of mind knowing that Infinis top priority remains the safety and prosperity of its global community. About Infini Infini is a next-generation crypto payment and earning platform enabling secure, convenient global transactions with stablecoins. Integrated seamlessly with Visa and Mastercard networks, Infini facilitates effortless crypto payments and daily asset earnings worldwide, supporting millions of merchants both online and offline. Learn more at Infini.money Media Contact: Email: Media@infini.money Contact Name: Alice Li Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Infini. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector--including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining--complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. New York, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Save Up to 20%: Buy Modafinil with Bitcoin From Top Online Vendor Buy Modafinil with Bitcoin Announcement: Enjoy a 20% discount on Modafinil! All purchases made using Bitcoin will be promoted through the BrandingEx Solutions (Brandingexperts.com) channel . Buying Modafinil online has become increasingly popular, with many buyers opting for Bitcoin as a secure and anonymous payment method. In fact, Modafinil is one of the safest nootropics and is accessible to most enthusiasts seeking improved cognitive function. This detailed guide will tell you everything you need to know about whether you can buy Modafinil with Bitcoin and save 20%, including tips on its uses, dosage, benefits, how it works, side effects, legality in different countries, and whether it's possible to buy it without a prescription. Let's dive in. What Is Modafinil? Modafinil, often referred to as a "smart drug" or nootropic, is a prescription medication used primarily to treat sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) [1]. Approved by the FDA in 1998 under the brand name Provigil, it was developed by Lafon Laboratories, which later merged with Cephalon. Modafinil is also used off-label for several conditions, including ADHD, depression, fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis, cognitive decline in aging, and various other disorders such as cocaine dependence, cancer-related fatigue, and jet lag. Originally introduced to combat excessive sleepiness, its cognitive-enhancing properties were recognized and led to its use by healthy individuals seeking to improve focus, alertness, and cognitive performance. After the patent expired in 2012, generic versions became available, making Modafinil more accessible and affordable while maintaining the same therapeutic effects. Is Modafinil Legal to Take in Different Countries? The legal status of Modafinil varies worldwide [1]. In Australia, it's classified as a Schedule IV prescription-only medicine, while in Canada, it's a Schedule F drug, requiring a prescription and punishing unauthorized imports. Mainland China strictly controls it as a Class I psychotropic drug, with non-medical use prohibited. In Europe, countries such as Denmark and Finland list it as a prescription drug, though not a controlled substance, making unauthorized imports illegal. The UK doesn't classify it under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but possession requires a prescription. In the U.S., Modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance, requiring a prescription and making unauthorized importation illegal. Japan classifies it as a Schedule I psychotropic drug, with strict regulations on possession and importation. South Africa lists Modafinil as a Schedule V substance, legal with a prescription, while Mexico and India don't classify it as controlled, allowing over-the-counter (OTC) purchases. Given these varying laws, some online pharmacies offer Modafinil without a prescription and have a higher delivery success rate to countries they ship to. Can You Get Modafinil Without a Prescription? Yes, it's possible to get Modafinil without a prescription, but it largely depends on where you live and the specific regulations in place. In several countries, including the USA, New Zealand, the UK, and Australia, the "smart drug" is classified as a controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence. As a result, a valid prescription from a licensed doctor is required to legally purchase from a local pharmacy in these regions. However, some reputable online pharmacies offer generic versions of Modafinil, such as Modvigil, ModaXL , ArmodaXL, and Artvigil, without the need for a prescription. These vendors often operate in legal grey areas or are based in countries with more relaxed regulations surrounding the sale of Modafinil or Armodafinil. Because of these looser laws, most online pharmacies can sell generic Modafinil and Armodafinil to customers worldwide. Buy Modafinil Online with Bitcoin: Is It Real? Buying Modafinil online with Bitcoin is a legitimate option, but it's only available from vendors that specifically accept Bitcoin as a payment method. Bitcoin has become increasingly popular for online transactions due to its speed, security, and privacy. A key advantage is the lack of significant transaction fees compared to traditional payment methods such as credit cards or bank transfers. Bitcoin transactions are typically processed quickly, often within minutes, which speeds up the order process. Many online pharmacies that accept Bitcoin also offer exclusive discounts, sometimes up to 20% off, making it a cost-effective choice. In addition, Bitcoin provides enhanced privacy, as transactions don't require the disclosure of personal information, offering a higher level of anonymity compared to traditional payment methods. TOP Online Pharmacy to Order Modafinil with Bitcoin in 2025 When buying "smart drugs" online, choose a reputable vendor. While many websites may offer tempting discounts and huge savings, it's important to be cautious, as some may be fraudulent. Flashy websites can easily lure customers with incredible deals, but there have been reports of fake pharmacies that take your money without ever delivering the product. However, the following vendors have proven to be reliable and accept cryptocurrency payments. Pay with Bitcoin at ModafinilXL Modafinil XL (MXL) stands out as one of the most reliable online pharmacies for purchasing Modafinil and Armodafinil, offering highly competitive prices and excellent customer service. With over 13,000 verified customer reviews across platforms like Trustpilot, Reviews.io, and Yotpo, MXL has earned a solid reputation globally. They offer a wide range of FDA-approved generic nootropics sourced from top Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Sun Pharma and HAB Pharma. For a smooth and secure checkout, ModafinilXL accepts various payment methods, including Bitcoin, which provides a 20% discount on purchases. The pharmacy also offers free Modafinil and Armodafinil samples for customers to try different products before committing to a purchase. International shipping typically takes 7-12 working days, while domestic shipping to the US, UK, and Australia can be completed in 3-4 days, with next-day delivery available in some areas. Orders over a certain threshold qualify for free shippingExpress Mail Service (EMS) shipping is free on orders over $170, while standard shipping is free for orders over $80. ModafinilXL also offers a 100% money-back guarantee for any delays or issues with the delivery. Brief Info About Modafinil Many people have questions about this nootropic, and it's important to understand its uses and effects before considering it. The following sections briefly cover the most important aspects of modafinil that you should know. How Does Modafinil Work? Is It Safe? Modafinil works by modulating key neurotransmitters in the brain that are involved in regulating wakefulness and cognitive function. Primarily, Modafinil acts as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, meaning it blocks the reabsorption of dopamine, allowing higher levels of this neurotransmitter to remain active in the brain. Additionally, it boosts the levels of other important neurotransmitters, including orexin, norepinephrine, serotonin, and histamine, all of which play roles in attention, arousal, positive mood, and overall cognitive function. Besides, the nootropic is generally safe, well-tolerated, and carries a low possibility for misuse and addiction [2][3]. Correct Dosage of Modafinil The typical recommended dose of Modafinil for most conditions is a single 200 mg tablet per day. Swallow the tablet with water, with or without food. For first-time users, start with a lower 100 mg dose to assess how your body responds before increasing to the full dose. If treating narcolepsy or OSA, take it in the morning and avoid taking it late in the day to prevent disrupting your night sleep. To treat SWSD or cognitive enhancement, take it approximately one hour before their cognitively demanding activity or shift. It's crucial not to exceed the prescribed dose, or daily max. 400 mg, as more than the recommended amount can increase the risk of negative effects [4]. Advantages of Using Modafinil Modafinil provides several advantages, such as improved alertness, less daytime fatigue, and better cognitive abilities. It upgrades mental sharpness, concentration, and decision-making, making it especially beneficial for students, professionals, and those working irregular hours. Users often report an uplift in mood, increased motivation, and sustained focus during challenging activities. Modafinil supports productivity, creativity, and energy, while also aiding memory, planning, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Offering over 12 hours of focus, it significantly enhances overall cognitive function, making it a valuable tool for mental clarity and sharpness [5][6]. Modafinil Possible Side Effects Most users experience mild, temporary side effects from Modafinil, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and insomnia, which typically subside over time. However, serious side effects like irregular heartbeat, chest pain, anxiety, and allergic reactions can occur in rare cases. Symptoms such as aggression, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts require immediate medical attention. Other side effects can occur [7]. To minimize risks, inform your healthcare provider of any pre-existing conditions and check for potential drug interactions. While Modafinil isn't addictive, misuse or prolonged use can lead to dependence, so it's important to follow the prescribed dosage. Conclusion: So, How Can You Purchase Modafinil with Bitcoin in 2025? Buying Modafinil with Bitcoin offers privacy, convenience, and savings. Many online pharmacies offer discounts for crypto payments, making it a better option to purchase this nootropic at a low price. Bitcoin also ensures secure and quick transactions. Reputable suppliers such as ModafinilXL , AfinilEU, and ModafinilUK offer high-quality generic products, fast shipping, and reliable customer support. Whether for focus, productivity, or alertness, these platforms provide a smooth, secure checkout process when paying with Bitcoin, and you can save even more by using vendor-available coupon codes. References Modafinil. Retrieved: April 5, 2025. Wikipedia.org. Modafinil. Retrieved: April 5, 2025. Sciencedirect.com. Modafinil | StatPearls [Internet]. By Karl Greenblatt and Ninos Adams. Retrieved: April 6, 2025. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Modafinil Dosage Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Retrieved: April 5, 2025. Drugs.com The off-prescription use of modafinil: An online survey of perceived risks and benefits. By Rachel D. Teodorini, Nicola Rycroft, and James H. Smith-Spark. Published: February 5, 2020. Journals.plos.org. How Many Silicon Valley Startup Executives Are Hopped Up on Provigil? By Michael Arrington. Published: July 15, 2008. Techcrunch.com. Modafinil (Provigil) - Uses, Side Effects, and More. By Beth Johnston. Medically Reviewed by Dana Manning. Retrieved: April 5, 2025. Webmd.com. Disclaimer: Please understand that any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely a substitute for sound medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Make sure to consult with a professional physician before making any purchasing decision if you use medications or have concerns following the review details shared above. Individual results may vary as the statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Attachment Newyork, usa, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Where to Buy Modvigil Online Content promoted through the BrandingEx Solutions (Brandingexperts.com) channel . Modafinil is gaining popularity for its ability to enhance cognitive function and manage sleep disorders. Among the many generic modafinil brands, Modvigil stands out as one of the most popular options available online. If you want to buy Modvigil online, its essential to choose a trustworthy vendor to ensure safety, quality, and timely delivery. Understanding its legality, safety, and how to buy modafinil online without a prescription is also crucial. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Modvigil, including the best place to buy Modvigil, the drugs benefits, dosage, potential side effects, and legal considerations. What Is Modvigil? Is It Safe? Modvigil is a generic version of modafinil, a widely used nootropic or smart drug that helps treat excessive sleepiness caused by conditions like narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) [1]. Its also popular for off-label uses to ameliorate mental performance, increase focus, and heighten productivity. Manufactured by HAB Pharma in India, Modvigil has gained popularity as an affordable yet effective alternative to brand-name Provigil, offering the same active ingredient at a fraction of the cost. Many professionals, students, and high-level executives turn to Modvigil for cognitive boosting and to stay ahead of the competition. Unlike traditional stimulants, Modvigil has a low risk of dependence. When taken as directed, Modvigil is considered safe. However, it can cause mild side effects like headaches, nausea, and insomnia (more on that later). However, safety depends on proper usage. Its crucial to avoid combining this smart drug with alcohol or other meds unless specifically advised by a physician. Modvigil is comparable in safety and effectiveness to the branded modafinil (Provigil), but it is usually far more affordable, costing about 10 times less. To ensure quality, always purchase Modvigil from a reputable online pharmacy to avoid counterfeit products. Do You Need a Prescription for Modvigil? In several countries, Modvigil, along with other modafinil brands, is classified as a controlled substance due to its potential for dependence or misuse. This means that in places like the USA, New Zealand, the UK, and Australia, a valid prescription from a doctor is required to purchase it at a local pharmacy. However, some reputable online pharmacies offer generic modafinil and armodafinil like Modvigil without requiring a prescription. These vendors typically operate in legal grey areas or are based in regions with more relaxed regulations surrounding modafinil. As a result, they can sell smart drugs to shoppers worldwide, making it more accessible to those who may find it difficult to obtain through traditional channels. Modvigil Legality in Different Countries: Where Is This Nootropic Legal? Modvigil is legal in many countries but subject to varying regulations [1]. In its country of origin, India, it can be purchased over the counter. However, in countries like the US, UK, Canada, and much of Europe, its a prescription-only med, meaning it can only be legally acquired with a doctor's prescription. In places like Australia, modafinil is classified as a Schedule 4 drug, meaning its available only with a prescription, and importing it without one is illegal. Similarly, in Canada, its a Schedule F prescription drug, and importing it without a permit can lead to seizure. In countries like China and Japan, modafinil is highly controlled due to its stimulant properties, and its use for non-medical purposes is strictly prohibited. In some countries, such as Mexico, modafinil can be purchased without a prescription, while in others, like South Africa, it requires a prescription but remains legal for medical use. The legal status of Modvigil, therefore, varies widely, and it is essential to understand the regulations in your country before purchasing or importing the drug. How to Get Modvigil [No Rx] Online: Top Trusted Vendors in 2025 If youre looking to purchase generic Modvigil without a prescription, the following modafinil vendors are well-established, trusted, and known for delivering high-quality products quickly and safely. Modafinilxl.com ModafinilXL is a trusted online pharmacy known for offering various generic brands of modafinil and armodafinil, including Modvigil via https://modafinilxl.com/buy-modvigil-200-by-hab-pharma/ without the need for a prescription. The e-pharmacy sources its products directly from reputable pharmaceutical firms, ensuring premium quality and authenticity at competitive prices. It provides worldwide shipping, except to countries with strict import laws like Israel, South Africa, and China. International orders typically arrive within 712 business days, while domestic shipments to the US and UK are processed via USPS Priority Mail or Royal Mail, usually reaching customers within 34 business days. ModafinilXL has a reputation for reliability and fast delivery, making it a preferred choice for many nootropic users. Additionally, the pharmacy offers various promotions such as free trial samples, express shipping on orders over $170, and significant discounts for Bitcoin payments, including a 20% off offer. One of the most popular coupon codes includes USD10, which offers a $10 discount that can be used throughout the site without a minimum cost. Others include OFF20N for $20 off purchases worth $250, MXLIMITLESS for $35 off orders worth $500+, and USD25N for $25 off orders worth $360+. The pharmacy supports a wide range of secure payment options, including PayPal, PayID, Bill Pay, Zelle, Mastercard, Visa, AmEx, and all major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, making transactions smooth and flexible for users. To further enhance customer satisfaction, ModafinilXL provides a delivery guarantee, and you can get a free reshipment or full refund if orders are delayed or damaged. Modafinilusa.com ModafinilUSA is a popular vendor known for offering a user-friendly website, fast shipping, and excellent customer support. It specializes in serving the U.S. market with Modvigil 200mg, offering domestic delivery within 34 business days via USPS Priority Mail, with overnight shipping options for select locations. Recently, it expanded its services to include domestic shipping to the UK and Australia, with delivery times of 34 days. Additionally, ModafinilUSA provides a variety of promotions, including a 20% discount on Bitcoin payments, free shipping on orders over $170, and 20 free samples with every order, making it an appealing choice for both new and returning customers. ModafinilUSA also offers a 100% money-back guarantee, ensuring buyers are fully protected in case of delivery issues. If a customer faces problems with their order, they can opt for a full refund or free reshipment. In addition to these guarantees, you can buy Modvigil via its website https://modafinilusa.com/smart-drugs/modvigil-200-mg/ and use any of the available discounts or coupon codes, such as a $10 sitewide discount and various other promotional offers to help you save even more. Modafinil.uk ModafinilUK, although a relatively new player in the nootropic market, is quickly earning a strong reputation as a trusted vendor. It offers a wide range of smart drugs, including Modvigil 200mg, which is available for sale via https://modafinil.uk/smart-drugs/modvigil-200-mg/, and provides various payment options, including Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for added privacy. Other accepted payment methods include PayPal, ACH transfers, American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and eCheck. For domestic orders, delivery within the UK, Australia, Europe, and the US generally takes 34 days. Modafinil.UK also provides various promotions, such as up to 50 free pills for returning shoppers, 8 off for orders over 80, and free delivery on purchases exceeding 150. Refunds or reshipments are also available if a package is held in customs or lost in transit. Modafinil.au Modafinil.AU is a well-regarded pharmacy known for offering competitive prices on smart drugs such as Modvigil 200mg, which you can shop for via its online pharmacy https://modafinil.au/smart-drugs/modvigil-200-mg/ at an extremely low cost. By sourcing its products directly from reputable pharmaceutical companies, it ensures high quality and affordability. The pharmacy provides shipping options for international and domestic customers, with international orders typically arriving within 712 working days. Modafinil.AU further enhances the shopping experience by offering attractive incentives, including free shipping on orders over A$250 and up to 50 free Modafinil pills for returning customers. It also provides a 20% discount for payments made with Bitcoin. These rewards, along with its flexible payment options and use of various coupon codes to save even more, make the drugstore a top choice for those looking for reliable, cost-effective Modvigil and other nootropic products. Afinil.eu Afinil.EU is a trusted vendor known for its reliable and fast delivery of Modvigil and other modafinil-based smart drugs, all without requiring a prescription. Modvigil can be bought via its e-pharmacy https://afinil.eu/smart-drugs/modvigil-200-mg/ at a cheap cost, and you can relish its cost-saving experiences, such as using a coupon code or paying with crypto. The more tabs ordered, the lower the cost. The pharmacy serves both international and domestic shoppers, with international shipments typically arriving within 712 working days. It also offers free express shipping on orders over 250. For EU domestic orders, deliveries are completed in 37 business days using local carriers like DHL and Correos, ensuring timely service across Europe. Afinil.EU further enhances its appeal by offering a 20% discount for Bitcoin payments and providing up to 50 free modafinil tabs for returning customers. The pharmacy supports a range of secure payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and Bitcoin, making transactions simple and convenient. It also stands behind its products with a satisfaction guarantee, offering full refunds or reshipments for damaged or lost parcels. Main Features of Modvigil Modvigil has garnered significant attention in recent years, especially among nootropic enthusiasts looking for cognitive-enhancing benefits. This prescription med, commonly used to treat sleep disorders, has become a favorite for individuals seeking a mental energy boost, improved focus, and heightened alertness. As praise for Modvigil grows, many users are eager to understand its mechanism of action, recommended dosage, benefits, and potential side effects. Lets briefly discuss these aspects: How Does Modvigil Work? Modvigil works by tweaking brain chemistry to promote wakefulness and sharpen cognition. It inhibits dopamine reuptake, increasing its availability in the brain, which boosts mood, focus, and motivation. It also affects norepinephrine, orexin, serotonin, histamine, glutamate, GABA, and other neurotransmitters, enhancing alertness and cognition without the jittery overstimulation of caffeine or amphetamines [2][3]. The result? A smooth, sustained mental energy lift that lasts 12-13 hours, making it ideal for long workdays or study sessions. Correct Dosage of Modvigil The standard dosage of Modvigil is 200 mg taken once daily, typically in the morning to avoid interfering with sleep if treating OSA or narcolepsy. For those seeking lighter effects, some may split the tablet into 100 mg. New users are advised to start with a lower dose to gauge tolerance. Its important not to exceed max. 400 mg within 24 hours unless prescribed by a doctor, as higher doses may increase side effects without added benefits [4]. For SWSD, take it an hour before starting shift work. For cognitive enhancement, as a healthy individual, take Modvigil about an hour before starting cognitive demanding tasks and make sure to engage in the act before its effects kick in to reap its max brainpower benefits. Swallow the tablet with water, with or without food, and avoid taking it late in the day to prevent disrupting your sleep. Benefits of Modvigil Modvigil offers a range of benefits, including increased wakefulness, reduced daytime sleepiness, and enhanced cognitive function. It improves mental clarity, focus, and decision-making, making it ideal for students, professionals, and shift workers. Users also experience a boost in mood, motivation, and sustained attention during demanding tasks. Modvigil promotes productivity, creativity, and energy while helping with memory, planning, and problem-solving. With 12+ hours of focus, it boosts overall cognitive performance, making it a powerful tool for mental acuity [5][6]. Modvigil Possible Side Effects Modvigil, like other modafinil-based medications, is generally safe and well-tolerated, but some users may experience mild side effects. These include headache, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, and dizziness. These reactions often subside as the body adjusts to the drug. In rare cases, more severe side effects may occur, such as rapid heartbeat, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, tremors, depression, and hyperactivity. This can be due to drug misuse and non-adherence to the prescription. This isnt a thorough list [7]. If any of these severe reactions or allergic responses, like severe rashes or blisters, are experienced, immediate medical attention should be sought. Always consult a physician before using Modvigil to ensure it's suitable and safe for you. In Closing: So, Where to Order OTC Modvigil Online in 2025? When it comes to purchasing Modvigil online over-the-counter (OTC), choosing trusted vendors is crucial to ensure you receive a genuine product thats safe and effective. Leading pharmacies like ModafinilUSA, ModafinilUK, ModafinilAU, AfinilEU, and ModafinilXL offer reliable service, quality Modvigil 200 mg tablets, and fast shipping worldwide. While Modvigil is a powerful tool for improving brainpower and managing sleep disorders, its important to be aware of potential side effects, interactions, or misuse. Always consult with a medical specialist before starting this med or any new medication to ensure its the right choice for you. References Modafinil. Retrieved: April 5, 2025. Wikipedia.org. Modafinil. Retrieved: April 5, 2025. Sciencedirect.com. Modafinil | StatPearls [Internet]. By Karl Greenblatt and Ninos Adams. Retrieved: April 6, 2025. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Modafinil Dosage Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Retrieved: April 5, 2025. Drugs.com The off-prescription use of modafinil: An online survey of perceived risks and benefits. By Rachel D. Teodorini, Nicola Rycroft, and James H. Smith-Spark. Published: February 5, 2020. Journals.plos.org. How Many Silicon Valley Startup Executives Are Hopped Up on Provigil? By Michael Arrington. Published: July 15, 2008. Techcrunch.com. Modafinil (Provigil) - Uses, Side Effects, and More. By Beth Johnston. Medically Reviewed by Dana Manning. Retrieved: April 5, 2025. Webmd.com. Disclaimer: Please understand that any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely a substitute for sound medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Make sure to consult with a professional physician before making any purchasing decision if you use medications or have concerns following the review details shared above. Individual results may vary as the statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Austin, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Women's Health Diagnostics Market Size & Growth Analysis: According to the latest report from SNS Insider, the Womens Health Diagnostics Market was valued at USD 25.30 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 49.00 billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 7.64% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2032. The markets upward trajectory is being fueled by increased awareness of womens health issues, advancements in diagnostic technologies, and the growing prevalence of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases among women. Innovations in genetic testing, imaging technologies, and biomarker research are transforming how conditions like breast cancer, cervical cancer, and reproductive health disorders are diagnosed and treated. Get a Sample Report of Women's Health Diagnostics Market@ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/5775 Market analysis The increasing prevalence of diseases such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis is driving demand for early detection, making accurate and efficient diagnostic solutions a priority. High healthcare expenditure, government funding for women's health programs, and early adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies in the region driving its growth, as the US held a 38% share of the global market in 2023. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, with over 300,000 new cases each year reported according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fuelling the demand for early diagnostic solutions. Increasing awareness, technological developments, and growing healthcare investments are helping the global market for early detection of diseases in women, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis, achieve strong growth. The market is dominated by the United States with a 38% share in 2023 with extensive healthcare spending, strong government programs e.g. the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), and early adoption of innovative diagnostic tools e.g. 3D mammography, HPV testing, and AI-based imaging systems. Technological innovation is a key market driver, with advancements like liquid biopsies, genetic testing, and portable bone density scanners enhancing diagnostic accuracy and accessibility. Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI) in imaging and diagnostics helps mitigate human errors while increasing early detection rates. Increasing awareness via advocacy organizations and digital health platforms is also driving market growth because it motivates more women to opt for regular screenings. However, challenges such as high diagnostic costs, disparities in healthcare access, and cultural barriers in certain regions may hinder growth. Key Women's Health Diagnostics Companies Profiled in the Report F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. cobas HPV Test, cobas Mammography Solutions, Elecsys Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test, Ventana HER2 Assay Hologic, Inc. ThinPrep Pap Test, Genius 3D Mammography System, Aptima HPV Assay, Panther System Quest Diagnostics Incorporated BRCAvantage (BRCA1/BRCA2 Testing), HPV and Pap Co-testing, Comprehensive Hormone Panel for Women's Health, MaterniT 21 PLUS (NIPT) Abbott Alinity m HPV Assay, ARCHITECT Estradiol Assay, i-STAT Total -hCG Test, RealTime High-Risk HPV Test BD (Becton, Dickinson, and Company) BD SurePath Liquid-based Pap Test, BD Onclarity HPV Assay, BD MAX Vaginal Panel, BD Affirm VPIII Microbial Identification GE Healthcare Senographe Pristina Mammography System, Invenia ABUS (Automated Breast Ultrasound System), Voluson Ultrasound Series Koninklijke Philips N.V. Affiniti Ultrasound System, Epiq Women's Health Ultrasound, MicroDose SI Mammography Aspira Women's Health OVA1 Test, OVERA Test Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Ion Torrent NGS for Women's Health, ProFlex PCR System, SureTect Real-Time PCR Assays Cardinal Health, Inc. Womens Health Point-of-Care Testing Solutions, Pregnancy & Fertility Test Kits Siemens AG Mammomat Revelation Mammography System, ADVIA Centaur HPV Assay, Atellica IM Estradiol Assay PerkinElmer Inc. DELFIA Xpress hCG Test, Vanadis NIPT, Eeva Test for IVF Women's Health Diagnostics Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2023 US$ 25.30 billion Market Size by 2032 US$ 49.00 billion CAGR CAGR of 7.64% From 2024 to 2032 Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2024-2032 Historical Data 2020-2022 Key Regional Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Eastern Europe [Poland, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Rest of Eastern Europe] Western Europe] Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Rest of Western Europe]), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (Middle East [UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Rest of Middle East]), Africa [Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Africa], Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia Rest of Latin America) Market Segmentation By Application In 2023, the cancer diagnostics segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 33.03%, which can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of breast and cervical cancers. The cancer diagnosis segment seems to lead as options like mammography, MRI, and liquid biopsy tests for breast cancer are few among many available, adding up by government-funded screening initiatives. One in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer, according to the CDC, creating a need for early detection tools. Diagnostics for cervical cancer like Pap smears and HPV testing are another big contributor, with the WHO advocating for global elimination via more widespread screening. Other critical applications that rely on imaging include infectious disease testing (HPV and HIV), osteoporosis diagnostics (DEXA), and pregnancy & fertility testing (ultrasound or hormone assays). Innovative technologies like AI-embedded imaging and portable diagnostic devices are also accelerating market growth. By End-Use The market was dominated by hospitals in 2023, with the highest revenue share, and this trend is expected to continue, as hospitals remain the primary servicing locations for a range of diagnostic tests. Showcasing advanced imaging systems, reproductive radiologists, and high patient volumes, national hospital systems are critical drug and diagnostic partners in women's health. Diagnostic labs ranked a close second, spurred on by the trend of outsourcing specific testing, such as genomic profiling or hormone level assessment. Adoptions in clinics and home-care environments are being spurred by the rise of point-of-care (POC) testing home-based HPV and fertility tests that are FDA-approved are becoming increasingly popular. Lets not forget about government initiatives either, like the free mammogram programs in the U.S. and Europe, which bolster hospital-based diagnostics. Need Any Customization Research on Women's Health Diagnostics Market, Enquire Now@ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/5775 Women's Health Diagnostics Market Segmentation By Application Cancer Infectious diseases Osteoporosis Pregnancy & fertility Prenatal By End-Use Hospitals Laboratory Home care Others Regional Analysis North America also dominated the market in 2023, accounted for 44.31% of global revenue, the U.S. accounting for 38%. It is due to high health care costs, strong diagnostic infrastructure, and government programs such as the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). There are an estimated 300,000 new breast cancer cases diagnosed every year, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and demand for early detection tools is high. Europe had the second most significant share, as nations such as Germany and the U.K. promoted national cancer screening programs. The EUs Beating Cancer Plan set a target for 90% of eligible women across the bloc to receive breast cancer screenings by 2025, further driving up the adoption of diagnostics. The fastest-growing market is in the Asia-Pacific region, which is being driven by higher healthcare investment, growing awareness, and improved diagnostic facilities. Countries including India and China can see the case of HPV testing and transportable ultraviolet adoption, bolstered via authorities schemes like Ayushman Bharat. Recent Developments The next-generation 3D mammography system, launched by Hologic Inc., in 2024 with AI-powered imaging to improve early breast cancer diagnosis. In March 2024, Siemens Healthineers gained FDA approval for its high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA assay, advancing the accuracy of cervical cancer screening. Buy a Single-User PDF of Women's Health Diagnostics Market Analysis & Outlook Report 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/5775 Table of Contents Major Key Points 1. Introduction 2. Executive Summary 3. Research Methodology 4. Market Dynamics Impact Analysis 5. Statistical Insights and Trends Reporting 5.1 Incidence and Prevalence of Women's Health Conditions (2023), by Region 5.2 Technological Advancements in Womens Health Diagnostics (2023-2032) 5.3 Adoption Rate of Early Screening Programs and Preventive Diagnostics (2023), by Region 5.4 Growth Trends in Home-Based and Point-of-Care Testing for Womens Health (2020-2032) 5.5 Regulatory and Policy Trends Impacting Womens Health Diagnostics (2023-2032) 6. Competitive Landscape 7. Women's Health Diagnostics Market by Application 8. Women's Health Diagnostics Market by End-Use 9. Regional Analysis 10. Company Profiles 11. Use Cases and Best Practices 12. Conclusion Access Complete Report Details of Women's Health Diagnostics Market Analysis & Outlook 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/womens-health-diagnostics-market-5775 [For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com] About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. LONDON, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caddington Limited welcomed the continued expansion of the fintech sector, highlighting new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and customer-driven solutions. The fintech landscape is evolving rapidly, and Caddington is proud to be at the forefront of this change, said a company spokesperson. Were investing in smart technology and strategic partnerships to better serve the modern financial needs of our clients. The company remains committed to driving forward-thinking solutions that enhance efficiency and accessibility in financial services. Financial Assets Manager: Elise Lim Website: https://caddingtonlimited.com Phone: +85258030614 Email: 389737@email4pr.com Address: #38 Tai Hong Street, Aldrich Bay, Hong Kong4 Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Caddington Limited. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. 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We assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained herein. Any complaints, copyright issues, or inquiries regarding this article should be directed to the content provider listed above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51536f97-4d64-47dd-97e7-5f2f51c88307 Austin, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new report by SNS Insider, the Immunoassay Analyzers Market, valued at USD 7.55 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 10.16 billion by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.38% during the forecast period 20242032. This growth is fueled by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising demand for early disease detection, and continuous advancements in immunoassay technology. The U.S. Immunoassay Analyzers Market, valued at USD 2.47 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 3.22 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.02% from 2024 to 2032. Get a Sample Report of Immunoassay Analyzers Market@ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/5720 Market Overview Within the United States, the immunoassay analyzers market share was considerable in North America during 2023. The reason behind this dominance is strong government support and investments that are inspiring companies to develop innovative diagnostic tests. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearances for high-end immunoassay systems are also driving the widespread use of automated and high-throughput analyzers within hospitals and clinical laboratories. The worldwide immunoassay analyzers market is growing rapidly because of the increasing rate of infectious diseases, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, and rising demand for accuracy in diagnostics. Automation and integration of artificial intelligence into immunoassay systems have improved the accuracy and efficiency of diagnostics. The COVID-19 pandemic further boosted the demand for fast and accurate diagnostic products, highlighting the importance of immunoassay analyzers in disease detection and monitoring. In addition, increasing healthcare spending and encouraging regulatory measures are driving market growth. Key Immunoassay Analyzers Companies Profiled in the Report Abbott Laboratories Roche Diagnostics Siemens Healthineers Beckman Coulter bioMerieux Ortho Clinical Diagnostics DiaSorin Tosoh Bioscience Mindray Medical International Randox Laboratories PerkinElmer Thermo Fisher Scientific Quidel Corporation Luminex Corporation Bio-Rad Laboratories Meril Life Sciences Agilent Technologies Becton, Dickinson, and Company Hologic, Inc Sysmex Corporation Immunoassay Analyzers Market Report Scope Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2023 US$ 7.55 billion Market Size by 2032 US$ 10.16 billion CAGR CAGR of 3.38% From 2024 to 2032 Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2024-2032 Historical Data 2020-2022 Key Regional Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Eastern Europe [Poland, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Rest of Eastern Europe] Western Europe] Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Rest of Western Europe]), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (Middle East [UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Rest of Middle East]), Africa [Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Africa], Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia Rest of Latin America) Segment Analysis By Product The Consumables and Accessories segment dominated the immunoassay analyzers market in 2023, with a share of 37.12% of the overall market. This is because the repeat demand for reagents, kits, and other consumables involved in diagnostic testing provides a steady revenue stream for manufacturers. The increasing use of automated immunoassay analyzers has also fueled the demand for compatible consumables and accessories. Conversely, the Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) segment is anticipated to experience the highest growth over the forecast period. The growing use of ELISA is due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and cost-effectiveness in the detection of diseases such as infectious and autoimmune diseases. With the development of microplate technology and multiplex ELISA assays, this market is anticipated to experience strong demand. By Application In 2023, the Infectious Disease Testing segment held the largest share in the market at 31.21% of overall revenue. The large market share is mainly attributed to the increase in the incidence of infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis, and COVID-19, where precise and timely diagnostics have become a demand. The growing interest globally in infectious disease outbreaks has also fueled the need for immunoassay analyzers in this segment. The Endocrinology segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the next few years. With rising cases of hormonal conditions like diabetes and thyroid disorder, demand for endocrine function testing has been on the rise. Immunoassay analyzers are most commonly employed for the measurement of hormone levels, and the emergence of highly sensitive and automated hormone assays is poised to propel market growth. By End Use The hospital segment dominated the market share in 2023, with 48.23% of the overall revenue. Hospitals are still the major consumers of immunoassay analyzers because they can offer quick, precise, and high-volume diagnostic testing. With increasing hospital admissions for infectious diseases and chronic conditions, the need for effective diagnostic solutions in hospital labs continues to grow. In contrast, the Diagnostic Laboratories segment will grow at a high rate. The growing dependence on specialized diagnostic laboratories for immunoassay testing of increasing complexity, as well as a trend toward outsourcing laboratory services, is driving market growth. Diagnostic laboratories are making investments in high-throughput immunoassay analyzers to address the expanding demand for routine and specialty diagnostic tests. Need Any Customization Research on Immunoassay Analyzers Market, Enquire Now@ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/5720 Immunoassay Analyzers Market Segmentation By Product Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) Fluorescence Immunoassay (FIA) Radioimmunoassay Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay Consumables and Accessories By Application Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Oncology Cardiology Endocrinology Infectious Disease Testing Autoimmune Disease Others By End Use Hospitals Diagnostic Laboratories Research Institutes Regional Analysis North America led the immunoassay analyzers market in 2023 with a 43.25% market share. The region's dominance is driven by its developed healthcare infrastructure, robust regulatory environment, and high uptake of advanced diagnostic technologies. Government programs focused on enhancing disease surveillance and diagnostics have also fortified the market standing of North America. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the forecast period. Reasons such as a growing geriatric population, higher incidence of chronic and infectious diseases, and enhanced healthcare infrastructure are fueling the growth of the market. Further, the rising usage of automated immunoassay analyzers in emerging markets is expected to drive the growth of the region at a high pace. Recent Developments June 2024 : Axis-Shield plc announced the release of an anti-CCP assay for Abbott's AxSYM platform, enhancing diagnostic capabilities for rheumatoid arthritis. : Axis-Shield plc announced the release of an anti-CCP assay for Abbott's AxSYM platform, enhancing diagnostic capabilities for rheumatoid arthritis. November 2024 : Roche received CE Mark approval for its VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay, the first IHC-based companion diagnostic to identify ovarian cancer patients eligible for treatment with ELAHERE. : Roche received CE Mark approval for its VENTANA FOLR1 (FOLR1-2.1) RxDx Assay, the first IHC-based companion diagnostic to identify ovarian cancer patients eligible for treatment with ELAHERE. August 2023: Thermo Fisher Scientific launched the EXENT Solution after receiving IVDR Certification, offering an easy-to-implement system for clinical laboratories. Statistical Insights and Trends The global prevalence of diabetes reached approximately 529 million cases in 2023, highlighting the growing demand for diagnostic tools like immunoassay analyzers. The global incidence of infectious diseases requiring immunoassay testing, such as hepatitis and tuberculosis, continues to rise, driving the need for efficient diagnostic systems. North America witnessed a significant increase in prescriptions for immunoassay-based tests, driven by rising cases of chronic diseases and infectious outbreaks. Asia-Pacific saw a sharp rise in demand for immunoassay tests due to increasing healthcare awareness and improved access to diagnostics. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to substantially increase immunoassay analyzer installations, supported by government investments in healthcare infrastructure. Buy a Single-User PDF of Immunoassay Analyzers Market Analysis & Outlook Report 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/5720 Table of Contents Major Key Points 1. Introduction 2. Executive Summary 3. Research Methodology 4. Market Dynamics Impact Analysis 5. Statistical Insights and Trends Reporting 6. Competitive Landscape 7. Immunoassay Analyzers Market by Product 8. Immunoassay Analyzers Market by Application 9. Immunoassay Analyzers Market by End Use 10. Regional Analysis 11. Company Profiles 12. Use Cases and Best Practices 13. Conclusion Access Complete Report Details of Immunoassay Analyzers Market Analysis & Outlook 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/immunoassay-analyzers-market-5720 [For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com] About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. NEW YORK, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DuPont or the Company) (NYSE: DD). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether DuPont and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On April 4, 2025, the Wall Street Journal published an article reporting that Chinas market regulator has launched an antimonopoly probe into DuPonts China operations[.] On this news, DuPonts stock price fell $8.64 per share, or 12.75%, to close at $59.14 per share on April 4, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP dpeyton@pomlaw.com 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 BALTIMORE, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For decades, its been buriednot just beneath the ground, but beneath red tape, legal jargon, and a thick wall of federal silence. But now, former CIA advisor Jim Rickards is going public with what he calls the biggest suppressed story in American financial history. His new report, The American Birthright, uncovers a little-known federal asset a reserve of untapped natural resources worth as much as $150 trillion and explains how a recent Supreme Court ruling may have just paved the way to access it. This is different. Very different, Rickards says. The government has raided the Social Security trust fund so many times, it is practically gone. But this was sealed off. The Truth Was Hidden in Plain Sight Rickards says the foundation of this story isnt theoretical its encoded in federal law. Specifically, a 19th-century provision in Title 30 of the U.S. Code that quietly locked away vast mineral-rich lands under government protection. Its been this big secret for years, Rickards says in a newly released interview. Yet over time, the estimated size of this fund has grown and grown to the point where its raw value sits near $150 trillion and counting. That protection turned into decades of inaction until 2024, when the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron Doctrine . It essentially gave so-called government experts kill shot power, Rickards explains. But thats over now. The Report That Exposes Everything In The American Birthright , Rickards breaks down: The exact federal code and history behind this buried national reserve The materials it contains and why theyre now more valuable than ever The shocking scale of land involved across multiple U.S. states The moment the Supreme Court ruling quietly changed everything Why the story has remained hidden from the public for so long Watch the Interview, Read the Report For the first time, the full details are available in a new online interview and briefing experience. The exclusive report is accessible through this presentation. Its not fiction. Its not theory, Rickards says. Its real. Its federal. And its ours. About Jim Rickards Jim Rickards is an economist, attorney, and former advisor to the U.S. intelligence community. With a background in financial warfare and geopolitical strategy, Rickards has advised the Treasury Department, Pentagon, and CIA through multiple crises. He is the author of six books, including Currency Wars and The Death of Money, and is widely known for exposing hidden truths buried inside government systems. Media Contact: Derek Warren Public Relations Manager Paradigm Press Group Email: dwarren@paradigmpressgroup.com Bannockburn, Illinois, April 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC shared the following statement today on tariff exclusions and their implications on the global electronics industry. This statement can be attributed to Dr. John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO: IPC, the global electronics association, welcomes the exclusion of key electronics components and technologies (laptops and smartphones) from recently imposed reciprocal tariff measures. These exclusionscovering components, computer parts, telecommunications equipment, and other critical inputsreflect the importance of the interconnected nature of todays global electronics supply chains. The electronics industry depends on predictable trade policies to foster innovation, ensure supply chain resilience, and maintain the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing. These tariff exclusions will help avoid supply disruptions, control costs, and support continued investment in advanced technologies in the United States. In addition to these tariff exclusions, IPC encourages the Administration to extend additional exclusions for materials, chemicals, and equipment essential to the manufacturing of electronics systems. The United States is a leader in technology design and, once again, can be a leader in electronics manufacturing, so long as economic and trade policies promote the investment that is sorely needed in the domestic industry. IPC remains committed to working with President Trump to build a stronger, more resilient electronics industry. # # # About IPC IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its more than 3,200 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly, and testing. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $3 trillion global electronics industry. Vancouver, April 11th, 2025 - Panther Minerals Inc. ("Panther Minerals" or the "Company") (CSE: PURR) (OTC: GLIOF) (FWB: 2BC) announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Panther Minerals (AK) Inc., has entered into an amendment to the Option to Purchase Agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Tubutulik Mining Company LLC, regarding the Boulder Creek uranium property located in Alaska. The amendment, dated April 10, 2025, revises the payment schedule originally set out in the Option Agreement dated April 13, 2024. Under the revised terms, the upcoming cash payments due under the agreement have been restructured as follows: Due Date Option Payment On the execution of the LOI (Feb 9, 2024) $5,000 (Paid) Upon Effective Date (Apr 13, 2024) $25,000 (Paid) On or before April 30, 2025 $10,000 On or before June 15, 2025 $41,000 Annually from the second to the tenth anniversary $100,000 per year About Panther Minerals Inc. Panther Minerals is a mineral exploration company actively involved in the exploration of its North American project portfolio. The acquisition of the Boulder Creek option reflects the Company's continuing intention of pursuing advanced, high-quality prospective uranium projects that can be readily worked on and efficiently explored in a timely manner. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Robert Birmingham, Chief Executive Officer For more information please visit: www.pantherminerals.ca or email info@pantherminerals.ca. The CSE and Information Service Provider have not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Actual future results may differ materially. The forward-looking information reflects management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Such risk factors may include, among others, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation and environmental regulation; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse market conditions; and (ii) other factors beyond the control of the Company. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company's management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. No conversation with Cadillac, Palou reveals Alex Palou has counted himself out of the running for a Cadillac race seat in Formula 1. Start, Japanese GP 2025 McLaren The Spaniard is regarded as the standout driver of the American open wheeler racing scene, winning three Indycar titles by the age of 27. His compatriot, new Aston Martin simulator driver Dani Jucadella, said recently on social media: If Palou doesn't enter the frame for one of these seats in 2026, I'm going to set X on fire. Palou was strongly linked with a future in F1 in recent years, even contesting a practice session for McLaren in 2022. However, he became locked in a legal dispute with the British team and since then has focused only on Indycar. I think we've perhaps already passed the stage of trying to get a spot in Formula 1, Palou told Soy Motor. Things didn't go well. I think I'm at a point now where it's too late. Just days ago, Cadillac's F1 boss Graeme Lowdon revealed that he is in talks with seven or eight potential drivers for the new American team's 2026 seats. He told Speed City they included experienced F1 drivers, younger former drivers, and promising drivers who haven't yet had grand prix experience but they've proven themselves in junior formula and junior categories as well. Palou says he is not among them. The truth is, there's nothing, he said. "There isn't any conversation, nor has there ever been. Perhaps the good results I'm having in Indycar would have meant a little more than they do now if I had had them eight years ago, when I was 20. (GMM) Nothing happened at V10 engine meeting says Horner The prospect of V10 engines returning to Formula 1 any time soon is off the table. Christian Horner, Japanese GP 2025 Red Bull All engine suppliers preparing for the radically-electrified 2026 regulations met with F1 and the FIA at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Manama, Bahrain, on Friday. The meeting was called amid raging behind-the-scenes speculation recently that Red Bull, Ferrari, and Cadillac in particular are pushing for the 2026 rule period to be delayed or shortened. What we are seeing now is not great, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc said when asked about the concerns about the 2026 regulations. "Not only for racing, but for everything. Even in terms of safety, it is quite tricky in some cases. Red Bull's Max Verstappen agrees. I think everyone - at least most people - agree that a V10 is cool and sounds better, he said. "Anyone who doesn't think so is probably a bit crazy, but you also have to look at the situation in the world. You also have to listen to the manufacturers - what they want. They wanted something different and it was decided a few years ago. But when asked what happened in the V10 meeting, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Blick newspaper: "Nothing. The meeting was scheduled for three hours. After 70 minutes, we had nothing more to say to each other. There was no vote at all. So, a lot of blah blah blah. Indeed, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport says the outcome was essentially a victory for Mercedes, Honda and Audi, with the 2026 regulations to proceed as planned. The only silver lining for the V10 proponents is that another meeting was scheduled to discuss whether the strict homologation regulations might be somewhat relaxed. F1's governing body confirmed: "The FIA has firmly committed to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. The FIA technical department, together with a number of stakeholders, has invested a lot of time in the framing of the 2026 regulations on hybrid power units with 100 percent sustainable fuel. Another part of the statement added: All parties agreed to continue discussions on the future technical direction of the sport. Audi, whose Sauber team will use works Audi engines from 2026, was happy with the outcome. Audi remains fully committed to entering Formula 1 from 2026, with power unit technology built around three key pillars - highly efficient engines, advanced hybrid electrification, and the use of sustainable fuels, a spokesperson said. (GMM) Charles Leclerc Ferrari McLaren Formula 1 Team Oscar Piastri (1st, 1:30.505): "Friday done. Pretty tricky conditions out there today, especially in FP1, but I think it's been a good day overall. The pace looked strong in FP2, and we've learned a lot. We'll have a look at what went well and what we can do better before turning our attention to Qualifying tomorrow afternoon." Lando Norris (2nd, 1:30.659): "A reasonable day for the team. Some tricky conditions, very different to the test, so it's about understanding the car in the heat. The team have worked hard all day, and we now have plenty of things to focus on tomorrow to make sure we're in a strong position for Qualifying." Andrea Stella, Team Principal: "We enjoyed a reasonable first day here in Bahrain, where we were able to complete our run plans as intended. This circuit offers an interesting challenge when it comes to tyre degradation, and we have gathered important data in this area. While our FP2 times looked encouraging, we know we still have some work to do to convert this into a strong Qualifying position tomorrow, which in turn will be critical when it comes to giving us opportunities on Sunday. As always, we will analyse the data overnight, see where we can make improvements and put ourselves in the best possible position to fight during Qualifying." Scuderia Ferrari HP Charles Leclerc (4th, 1:31.045): "The temperatures are so much higher than during testing here, so FP2 was tricky. The feeling in the car is completely different and we have to adjust the car to suit it. We will work on that tonight and try to optimise the setup. I'm trying to push in a direction that will allow me to extract the most out of the car for my driving style. With our competitors ahead of us by quite a bit, I'm motivated to close that gap as soon as possible. We have to focus on maximising the potential of our car. I think we can still find some performance ahead of qualifying and we will do everything to extract the most from our upgrade. Let's see where that will place us tomorrow." Lewis Hamilton (8th, 1:31.576): "FP1 was quite tricky the heat made it difficult to find grip, so it wasn't the most representative session for us. FP2 was a step forward. The lap on softs was looking strong, but I went a bit deep into the final corner and lost some time there. Our race runs were solid, but others seem competitive in all conditions, so we'll be working hard overnight to close the gap." Dino Beganovic: "Making my first official Formula 1 appearance in a Ferrari is a real privilege and I will remember this day in Bahrain forever. I really had an amazing time, I enjoyed every moment. We completed our plan with no issues and I hope it contributed to helping the team. I want to thank Charles, the team and the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy for this amazing opportunity. I will now focus on my Formula 2 campaign and will do my best to maximise the learnings from today." Oracle Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen (7th, 1:31.330): "It was a more difficult session today although it was a shorter day for me, I had limiting running time as Ayumu was in the car for FP1. It took a few laps to get into it, the balance wasn't too bad, but we were struggling a lot with the grip. As a Team we had a bit of a different approach to our Friday than our competitors, but the gap is quite big at the moment. We have quite a bit of work to do also in the long run and we're hoping that tomorrow is more fun." Yuki Tsunoda (18th, 1:32.024): "Today was a bit of learning, we ran different set-up across the cars to see what the performance looked like. But overall, I would say the second session was a bit messy for me, with being able to put it together. There were also some communication struggles on radio between my race engineer and me, that's all just part of the learning process and understanding one another properly, it's only the fifth session together since I jumped in the car. For now, there is some struggling, but at the same time a lot will come from cleaner communication. I think if we can clean up the communication then it'll make operational things a lot smoother, warm-up, the switches etc. and that would bring lap times. Maybe Woody and I need to go out tonight and get to know each other, with my Japanese English and his Scottish English! It would be a fun night. It's hard to tell where we are at the moment, I feel there is potential, but it has been hard to extract it. It wasn't the finest Friday ever, I hope the rest of the weekend is better, I have to be better. I am still feeling optimistic and I am sure we will change a lot of things overnight." Ayumu Iwasa: "It was a really great experience to get to drive the RB21 in Bahrain, a big thank you to the Team for the opportunity. It was a bit tricky with the session I had, we had an aero test at the beginning of the session, so I didn't do many laps today, but I was focused on trying to do my best and to not make many mistakes. Towards the end of the session, I was feeling more comfortable in the car and was able to provide more feedback on the radio. It has been really helpful to work with GP and the engineering team, to hear their feedback on my performance and to work with them. I had tested previously in the VCARB car, so it was great to have another opportunity to drive in an F1 car. It was overall a new and nice experience in the car and with the Team and will help prepare myself for hopefully more opportunities in the future." Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team George Russell (3rd, 1:31.032): "It [FP2] was OK. We expected McLaren to be a step ahead here and we saw that today. They were a strongest in the middle sector where the tyres are overheating, so we know we've got a bit of work to do if we want to challenge them. I think we're in position fighting for the next best behind them in all honesty. I think it's going to be close between ourselves, Ferrari and the Red Bulls. It is hard to say with confidence, but we saw both teams performing strongly at different points throughout the day. I definitely feel, unlike the last three races, this won't be dominated by Qualifying - this weekend is going to be dominated by race pace and by tyre degradation. Of course, you want to have a good Qualifying, but the race is where the action will be." Andrea Kimi Antonelli (5th, 1:31.227): "FP1 was obviously quote short. Unfortunately, I had a water leak on the car, so I had to stop and couldn't drive for the rest of the session. That was a shame because you don't want to miss out on laps. FP2 was quite positive though. The single lap was quite good, even though I made a big mistake in sector one, and overall I felt pretty good in the car. The long run was quite tricky - completely different to what we had in testing, so I had to adapt, but overall, despite the issue in FP1, it was a positive day. Being at a track that I know definitely helped get me up to speed more quickly today. I felt straightaway in FP2 that I had confidence with the car and despite the track being different to when I've driven here previously, I had the confidence to be able to push. McLaren still seem to be the favourite but I think we should be fighting for the top five in tomorrow's Qualifying. We can definitely take the fight to the Red Bulls and Ferrari, but let's wait and see what Saturday brings." Fred Vesti: "What a day it's been. Yesterday was awesome to be back in the paddock and working with the team preparing for the day today. I was really happy to be back in the car - it felt really good to challenge myself and to push to the limit. Obviously spending so much time in the simulator, it's just really nice to get time in the real car, learning more about the tyres and the W16 itself. As a racing driver, feeling that energy through the body is something you miss a lot when you're in the simulator. I want to thank Mercedes for giving me the opportunity again to run in FP1 and continue my journey. My motivation is very high and I will continue to push. For now, it's back to Brackley, back to work with the team there and correlate what I've learned today in the simulator. We will continue pushing towards even better results and race wins." Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director: "We had Fred Vesti in the car for FP1 and he did a great job for us. The programme was designed for our learning rather than setting headline times but when we correct for the Medium compound and fuel, the times were impressive considering that it was his first time in the W16. Unfortunately, we lost Kimi's car early in the session with a water leak. We were able to quickly identify the issue and resolved it for FP2 although it was a shame to lose the running. The cooler conditions of the evening session meant the grip was higher and the car was more together. We managed a good programme with both drivers, electing to do two Soft tyres in the conditions more relevant to Qualifying. There's plenty still to work on. The track is much hotter than the test so keeping tyres in the window is more difficult both on single lap and long run but it's a decent baseline to work from and the car is at least quite consistent in its behaviour around the lap. As we've seen at the recent races, it's quite tight. McLaren look strong here but we expected that after testing but hopefully we can get ourselves into the podium fight." Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team Fernando Alonso (15th, 1:31.825): "I think it's going to be a tough weekend. Before coming here, the characteristics of Bahrain was a concern for us and our package, but we will learn and see what we can do the rest of the weekend. We had an issue with the steering early in FP2, but the mechanics were able to change the parts and it was okay after that, so thank you everyone in the garage for getting it fixed quickly." Lance Stroll (19th, 1:32.382): "I think we were on the back foot today so we'll see what we can come up with tonight after looking at the data. With the nature of the circuit, I don't think it's going to be an easy weekend for us, so there is going to be some work to do." Felipe Drugovich: "It was pretty tricky out there, probably the lowest grip I've ever driven and different to the conditions I have driven in before. It was quite challenging, but once I got a feel for it I put a lap together which was okay. I felt a bit rusty because it's been a while since i've been in these cars, but it's always a pleasure and I really enjoyed myself." BWT Alpine F1 Team Jack Doohan (14th, 1:31.788): "It's been a solid day's Practice in Bahrain. We struggled a little bit in Free Practice 1 and I still was not completely happy in Free Practice 2. The field is so close, two tenths of a second splits a number of cars, so every detail will count for a lot especially in a tight fight for Q3. We will keep our heads down and keep working hard to find some improvements from today. There will be plenty of useful data for us to run through from this evening's session both on low and high fuel and across all three compounds. Tomorrow, Free Practice 3 will be hot like we had in the first session today. It will be all about refining some details, understanding the tyres and maximising what we have when it counts." Pierre Gasly (17th, 1:31.947): "The conditions here in Bahrain are very different now compared to pre-season testing. In Free Practice 1 it was extremely hot and it was just low grip all session. It was quite nice to be second on the leaderboard even if it was not a representative session for various reasons. In Free Practice 2, the Hard tyre at the start felt okay but we just seemed to struggle on the Soft tyre. It's important we understand that compound a bit better and see how we can optimise it over one lap. The midfield is extremely tight again and I remain optimistic that we can improve ahead of tomorrow. We will do our homework tonight and make sure we get it right tomorrow evening." MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Oliver Bearman (9th, 1:31.584): "It was a good session, although I'm slightly struggling to get a good feeling with the car; I had some brake issues I was dealing with for the whole session. It still looks like on low-fuel we're pretty competitive and we tried to run long with the soft tire, so we'll see what the data says but I'm pretty happy with today even though I got one session in. I definitely think the new floor is working as expected, which is great, as the team pushed it forward and brought it very quickly. I'm proud of them for that and it looks like we can run the car pretty aggressively now which is great for performance, so hopefully we can keep up the good performance." Esteban Ocon (16th, 1:31.870): "It was a difficult session and not really much to read from FP1 but a lot more came from FP2, so we'll gather more data after today. It was hard for us as we're still struggling, since Suzuka, with a little bouncing in the car. We're lacking some top-speed as well, but we'll keep working to find this for tomorrow. As a team we're trying our best to figure it out, but at the moment it's similar to Suzuka." Ryo Hirakawa: "Having done the post-season test with the team last year was helpful, I already knew the team, so I've settled in quickly again. It was quite a different experience from last week as the track temp was very high, so it was quite a tricky session for me. To be honest, I didn't have time to completely adapt to the car, which was a shame, but still I had a good feeling and gave my feedback to the team. The car is going in a good direction and I've got more sessions coming, so I can prepare better." Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal: "Ryo was in the car for the first time with us in FP1, I think he struggled a little bit in terms of braking, but other than that I think he's done a very good job. His feedback was good, his attitude was brilliant as professional as we saw in Abu Dhabi so we just need to look into it before his next outing in Barcelona, what we can do to improve his feeling under braking. In FP2, Ollie was back in the car and straight away picked it up well. He had a slightly different brake issue, but he managed to put together one lap on soft tires, but on high-fuel because of the issue he struggled a bit so we really need to solve the issue tonight. On Esteban's side, I think he's reasonably happy but he needs to find a bit more performance. Overall, I don't think we're in a bad place, as far as Friday's go, but we need to solve the brake issue for Ollie and improve the car a little for FP3 and Quali." Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team Isack Hadjar (6th, 1:31.238): "Generally, we had a good feeling in the car, but there's still room for improvement, so a lot to look forward to for tomorrow. We had a good FP2 today, especially after how hot the track was during FP1, where we were not able to gather any reliable information. FP2 made much more sense and we looked strong in one-lap pace. Generally, we had a good feeling in the car, but there's still room for improvement, so a lot to look forward to for tomorrow. I'm optimistic, as I know I'm going to put the work in tonight. It's not surprising that all the gaps are really close in the midfield; we're in the mix and I know it's going to be about details for tomorrow's Qualifying." Liam Lawson (12th, 1:31.706): "The balance in FP2 went away from us a little bit, but in general I think the car is in a good place, it's just fine tuning. FP2 was more tricky for us weirdly because of the track conditions in FP1 making it a difficult session. The balance in FP2 went away from us a little bit, but in general I think the car is in a good place, it's just fine tuning. Tomorrow we have a session in the day, which isn't going to help us for Quali, but we'll be taking what we can from this session ahead of then. I made a pretty big mistake in FP2 which dropped me down, so for all of us it's important to nail the lap, otherwise it's very costly here. Right now in Formula One, the difference between a really good lap and a bad lap can completely change your position so it puts pressure on us out on track." Alan Permane, Racing Director: "We're optimistic we can get the maximum out of the cars tomorrow and have them close to each other and well positioned for the race. An interesting day, as Fridays always are here in Bahrain. We've got two distinct and different sets of conditions to face in the practice sessions. FP1 is very hot and not representative of what we will face in Qualifying and the race; today we saw track temperatures rise to nearly 50 degrees on track. FP2 is much cooler, making it tricky to set the cars up because the grip is so different between both sessions. Tomorrow we will face the same thing with FP3 being hotter and then it being cooler under the lights for Qualifying. We had a very normal day though, we've done our homework and we've got a decent balance on the cars. Isack was very happy with his car, with Liam still having a little work to do to, but it's not a true reflection on where he can be. We're optimistic we can get the maximum out of the cars tomorrow and have them close to each other and well positioned for the race." Williams Racing Carlos Sainz (10th, 1:31.623): "After skipping FP1 we got up to speed pretty quickly in the short run, and then in the long run we struggled with some car balance issues and tyres, but we'll do some work tonight to see if we can sort them. The track and the car feel completely different to when we were here for testing, so we need to make a few adjustments to make sure that we hit the sweet spot tomorrow." Alexander Albon (11th, 1:31.696): "We weren't quite as competitive today as we were when we were here for pre-season testing, and we fell back a little bit in the heat. The issues we're seeing were expected though and some balance issues have been exposed. We only seem to have them at this track, it's interesting. We know it's going to be close here, but the good thing is, it's nothing major that needs fixing; the car feels good." Luke Browning: "Coming from F2 Practice to F1 Practice was tough as it was such a big step up! Saying that, it was probably harder the other way - stepping back to F2. It's always nicer to go from F2 to F1, to push everything up. I think we did a good job out there; I really enjoyed it. I was in an F1 car in Monza last week for our test, so it was great to be able to apply everything I learned then to this weekend. Getting more mileage in was a big help. Big thanks to Williams for the opportunity!" Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber Gabriel Bortoleto (13th, 1:31.772): "Overall, it's been a positive day for us. FP1 was quite challenging with the high temperatures and a dusty track, which made the balance difficult to manage at times. The team did a very good job ahead of FP2 and we managed to make solid improvements with the setup an effort for which I'd like to thank everyone in the garage. The car felt much more consistent, and I was happy with the performance we were able to extract. Looking ahead to FP3, there's obviously still some work to do overnight, but I feel like we are in a decent place. We'll stay focused, keep pushing, and seek to carry this momentum forward." Nico Hulkenberg (20th, 1:32.496): "It was a tricky Friday. For the first time this year, we were facing really hot conditions especially during daytime in FP1. The conditions differed quite severely from our test sessions in February. Though the run on soft tyres in particular did not meet expectations, we gathered a lot of data to help us to improve the car for the weekend. Now it is about reviewing both practice sessions in detail to make the right calls and be well prepared for the rest of the weekend." Oscar Piastri McLaren Oscar Piastri led a scorching final practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix, mastering the tough midday conditions to set the fastest time well ahead of the competition. With ambient and track temperatures soaring at the Sakhir circuit, most teams delayed meaningful running until later on. The extreme heat left drivers fighting for grip on the abrasive surface, with many quick to complain about the lack of traction. Only Haas drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman completed laps in the early minutes, joined soon after by Ferrari and Alpine. Lewis Hamilton was the first frontrunner to log a competitive lap, clocking a 1m34.846s on worn soft tyres. But it quickly became clear the conditions were challenging, with tyres overheating and little grip on offer. Lando Norris then jumped to the top with a 1m33.796s, a full second quicker than Hamilton. Max Verstappen attempted a flying lap but ran wide at Turn 11 and had to abort. Piastri soon followed with his own lap, managing a 1m33.324s despite wrestling with understeer. A mid-session flurry saw Fernando Alonso briefly slot into the top three, joined by Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Verstappen responded with an improved lap that placed him second, just 0.234s off Piastris best at the time. As grip levels slightly improved in the final 15 minutes, Pierre Gasly momentarily took the top spot before Piastri launched his final flyer. The Australian delivered a commanding 1m31.646s, over six tenths faster than anyone else. Norris managed to reclaim second place, but still trailed by 0.668s. Leclerc ended the session in third, 0.834s behind Piastri, despite losing a side mirror under braking and having to return to the garage for repairs. The Mercedes duo of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli followed in fourth and fifth. Gasly finished sixth for Alpine, ahead of Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, who impressed in seventh. Verstappen ended up only eighth after a session filled with off-track moments and grip complaints. Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, was ninth, while Hamilton rounded out the top ten in his Ferrari. The only significant incident came at the halfway mark when Nico Hulkenbergs Sauber lost power at Turn 8, triggering a brief virtual safety car as marshals retrieved the stricken car. While FP3 provided little relevance for the cooler conditions expected in qualifying, McLarens one-lap paceespecially from Piastriwas an ominous sign heading into the evening. Next article: This is why Ghana wants Elon Musks Starlink to open an office in the country Petroleum Hub Development: Dr Toni Aubynn assures Jomoro Chiefs of govt's commitment to vision Kweku Zurek Business News Apr - 12 - 2025 , 14:15 The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr Toni Aubynn, has undertaken his first official visit to the Jomoro Municipality the designated site for Ghanas landmark Petroleum Hub project. Accompanied by his deputies, Onasis Rosely and Halimatu Sadia Abdulai Abu, as well as other senior management members, Dr Aubynn on Friday, 11, 2025, engaged in a series of strategic activities, marking his inaugural tour since his appointment by President John Dramani Mahama. The visit, which follows recent engagement with the Western Regional House of Chiefs, underscores Dr Aubynn and his leadership teams commitment to fostering collaboration with the people of Jomoro to advance the Petroleum Hub initiative. It also served as a platform to articulate President Mahamas vision and unwavering dedication to the project. Visit to Awulae Annor Adjaye III The PHDC delegation commenced the visit at the palace of Awulae Annor Adjaye III, President of the Western Nzema Traditional Council and the inaugural Board Chairman of PHDC. During both open and closed-door sessions with Awulae and his Standing Committee, Dr Aubynn reaffirmed the governments commitment to seeing the project through to its full realisation, assuring that it would not be abandoned. He urged the chiefs and people of Jomoro to trust in his leadership, pledging to take all necessary measures to transform the Petroleum Hub from concept to realitypositioning Ghana as the first African nation to develop such an integrated energy infrastructure. With a vision to make Jomoro the Rotterdam of Africa, Dr Aubynn appealed for calm and support as efforts are intensified to secure funding, particularly for compensating landowners whose 20,000 acres have been earmarked for the project. He further highlighted the corporations prioritisation of local content, assuring that Jomoro residents would be first in line for technical and other key roles. In preparation, he announced an upcoming skills development initiative to train local youth for emerging opportunities within the project. We are here to formally introduce ourselves to Awulae and the Nzema chiefs and assure them of our commitment to delivering a successful Petroleum Hub, he said. President Mahama has tasked us with ensuring that the people of Jomoro are the first to benefitand we are determined to deliver on that. Western Nzema Traditional Council endorses PHDC leadership Speaking on behalf of Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Nana Avo Nwia, Chief of Tikobo Number 2 and a member of the Standing Committee, warmly welcomed Dr Aubynn and his team. He dismissed earlier rumours of opposition and lauded Dr Aubynns extensive experience in the mining and energy sectors, stating that his credibility and leadership inspire confidence among the chiefs and residents alike. Nana Avo Nwia urged the PHDC and the government to focus on delivering the transformative project, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs for local youth. He, however, called for expedited compensation processes for farmers whose lands fall within the project area. Visit to Project Office The PHDC delegation visited the project office in Nawule, Jomoro Municipality, to familiarise themselves with ongoing operations. Guided by the Senior Manager and Senior Officer for Community Liaison, the team toured the facility. Dr Aubynn commended the staff for their dedication and encouraged them to continue working diligently to realise the vision of the Petroleum Hub. Engagement with Chiefs and youth of affected communities An introductory forum was also held with chiefs from affected communities and local youth. Dr Aubynn reiterated that the youth stand to gain significantly from the project and emphasised that their support is vital to its success. He assured the chiefs of ongoing efforts to secure funding for compensation, noting that plans were already far advanced. Nana Nyamekeh Annor IV, Chief of Bonyereone of the key affected communitiesencouraged PHDC to draw on local expertise in executing the project. He reaffirmed the full support of chiefs and residents, convinced of the Petroleum Hubs potential to transform the region. Local youth also expressed excitement about the job prospects the project offers, welcoming Dr Aubynns commitment to prioritise Jomoro residents in recruitment and training. Visit to project site The day concluded with a site tour from Bonyere to Old Kabenlasuazo. Dr Aubynn and his team surveyed the expanse of the designated area, gaining firsthand insights into the scale and scope of the development. Lands for Petroleum Hub project are stool lands and not family-owned - Western Nzema Chiefs GraphicOnline Business News Apr - 12 - 2025 , 14:32 The Western Nzema Traditional Council has rejected claims that lands earmarked for Ghanas Petroleum Hub project are family-owned, stressing that the lands in question are Stool lands held in trust for the people. Speaking during the official visit of the Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr Toni Aubynn, and his team to the Jomoro Municipality on Friday, the Council clarified that the lands belong to the Stools and not individual families, as suggested by a section of the public opposing the project. Delivering a message on behalf of Awulae Annor Adjaye III, President of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Nana Avo Nwia, Chief of Tikobo Number 2 and a member of the Councils Standing Committee, described the opposition claims as misleading and unhelpful to national development. We want to set the record straight: these lands are under the authority of our Stools and are held in trust for the people of Nzema. They are not family properties. Any assertion to the contrary is factually incorrect and only seeks to create confusion, he emphasised. The clarification comes amid growing public interest in the Petroleum Hub project, which is expected to transform Ghanas energy sector, attract billions in investment, and create thousands of jobsparticularly for residents in the Western Region. Nana Avo Nwia reaffirmed the Traditional Councils support for the project and expressed confidence in the leadership of Dr Aubynn and the PHDC team to ensure the realisation of this transformative initiative. He urged all stakeholders to unite behind the project and refrain from peddling misinformation that could derail its progress. Dr Toni Aubynn, in his remarks, welcomed the Councils endorsement and reiterated PHDCs commitment to full stakeholder engagement and local participation. He assured the chiefs and people of Jomoro that the Corporation was working diligently to secure funding for compensation and skills development to ensure that residents benefit directly from the project. Our visit here is to reaffirm our commitment and build trust with the people of Nzema. The Petroleum Hub will not only position Ghana as a strategic energy hub in Africa but also bring long-term socio-economic benefits to communities like Jomoro, Dr Aubynn stated. The Petroleum Hub project is a key pillar of President John Dramani Mahamas industrialisation agenda and is expected to include refineries, petrochemical plants, and associated infrastructure. Next article: Women who enhance their body lack self-confidence, says Yvonne Nelson Elton John celebrates 'extraordinary' 10th number one album BBC News Showbiz News Apr - 12 - 2025 , 14:58 4 minutes read Sir Elton John says he is "blown away" after scoring the 10th UK number one album of his career. Who Believes In Angels?, a collaboration with US country star Brandi Carlile, has topped the charts 52 years after the star's first number one. "It seems quite extraordinary that my career has gone on so long," Sir Elton told the BBC. "It always feels good to top a chart, no matter where it is. And with this album, I'm especially thrilled because I think it's the finest album I've done for a long time. Written and recorded over three weeks in late 2023, Who Believes In Angels? has received rave reviews from critics, who have called it "a gutsy, flamboyant tearjerker" and a "late-career high". But the album had a difficult gestation, which was captured in a warts-and-all documentary posted on YouTube. Sir Elton was seen slamming down his headphones, shouting at his collaborators, ripping up song lyrics and threatening to quit. 'Bad behaviour moments' The star was "nervous" and "irritable", partly because he was recovering from a hip replacement, he said, but also because he was working in a new way - writing live in the studio with Carlile, producer Andrew Watt and long-term lyricist Bernie Taupin. "It was an enormous challenge, getting those four people together," he told the BBC. "And the challenge really was at my feet. "I was very nervous [because] I wanted the album to stand a certain way, but you can't always guarantee it will. "I think my nerves and my insecurities and my doubt led to a few bad behaviour moments, which was just about frustrations within myself." Once they had recorded the opening track, The Rose of Laura Nyro, "everything fell into place", Sir Elton said. "In two and a half weeks, we recorded 14 songs and finished them." The album's release was delayed last year after an eye infection left the star with vision difficulties. Last week, he told the Times he could no longer watch his sons playing rugby. With the album finally released, there has been particular praise for the single Swing For The Fences, which Carlile conceived as rallying call for the LGBTQ community. "I'm a gay woman, Elton's a gay man and we both have families, and our dreams have come true," she told the NME. "I was thinking, wouldn't it be cool to write an anthem for young gay kids out there that calls them into a bigger, more elegant, more fabulous life? Just like, 'Go, go! Don't let anything hold you back!'" "It's a tough time out there for LGBTQ+ people," Sir Elton told BBC News. "At the moment when Brandi wrote this lyric, she wanted to say, 'Listen, fight for yourself. Be proud of yourself who you are, never be ashamed of who you are, and you will win through.'" In the UK, the album sold more than 15,000 copies in its first two days and was the week's best-seller on vinyl. Sir Elton has now drawn level with Abba, Queen, Kylie Minogue and Michael Jackson on the list of artists with the most UK number one albums. The Beatles and Robbie Williams share the top spot, with 15 number ones apiece. Elton John's UK number one albums Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player (1973) Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) Caribou (1974) Elton John's Greatest Hits (1974) Sleeping With The Past (1989) The Very Best Of Elton John (1990) Good Morning To The Night (with Pnau) (2012) Diamonds (2017) The Lockdown Sessions (2021) Who Believes In Angels? (2025) The other new entry in this week's Top 10 came from Cambridge indie band Black Country, New Road, whose third album Forever Howlong debuted at number three. The band's first release since the departure of frontman Isaac Wood, it trades itchy, off-centre guitar riffs for a more soothing, baroque-pop sound, with lyrics that focus on friendship and camaraderie. It was the week's biggest-seller in independent record shops, according to the Official Charts Company. In the singles chart, Alex Warren's Ordinary remained in pole position for a fourth week, with Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club at number two. Ed Sheeran had the highest new entry at number three with his comeback single Azizam. The Persian-flavoured track is the star's 42nd Top 10 hit in the UK - but it's the first time since the start of his career that the lead single from an album has failed to enter the chart number one. Women who enhance their body lack self-confidence, says Yvonne Nelson Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Apr - 12 - 2025 , 14:24 1 minute read Popular Ghanaian actress and movie producer, Yvonne Nelson has expressed her disinterest in body enhancement, stating she's content with her natural appearance. Instead of going under the knife, the actress emphatically stated that she would rather have more children. In a recent interview with Joy News, the Princess Tyra actress said women who go under the knife lack self-confidence and a mental thing. If I were to do anything to my body, I would rather have a lot of babies. If I want to find myself in the hospital, its because I want to have babies, not because I want to cut somewhere and chip something in. I feel that it is a mental thing. It is a lack of confidence, she stated. Yvonne Nelson cautioned young girls against the potential dangers of body enhancements, pointing out the risks associated with altering one's body. She advised young girls to prioritize their health and well-being over societal beauty standards. I do not expect any of you to do that, because the minute you do that, it never stops. The minute you alter any part of your body, you would want to alter another part. You would want a fuller lip. You would want a bigger ear. You would always want to change something about you, she cautioned. Visa overstayers in Nigeria to face $15 daily fine, lifetime ban from August Beatrice Laryea International News Apr - 12 - 2025 , 11:42 2 minutes read The Nigerian government has introduced a new immigration policy aimed at curbing visa overstays, with penalties including daily fines and re-entry bans as part of broader immigration reforms. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, unveiled the policy during a stakeholders' meeting held on Friday, April 11, at NECA House in Lagos. The event focused on updates to the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025 and revisions to expatriate quota regulations. Under the new rules, effective May 2025, foreign nationals who overstay their visas will be fined $15 per day. However, enforcement will begin in August, following a three-month grace period to allow affected individuals to regularize their stay or make appropriate travel arrangements. From first of August, anybody that does not take advantage of the amnesty period of three months, penalty will come, Tunji-Ojo said. But if you take advantage of that window to regularise, we will not charge you. Because the whole idea is not to punish you, the whole idea is for us to regularise. He warned that foreign nationals who overstay their visas by more than three months will be banned from re-entering Nigeria for five years. Those who remain illegally in the country for over a year without rectifying their status during the amnesty period will face a lifetime ban. From first of August, if you [overstay], its $15 per day and if you have stayed more than three months, five years, abeg we dont need violators in Nigeria, he added. And if you have stayed more than one year without coming forward during the amnesty period, abeg dont come to Nigeria again for life. In addition to these visa measures, the minister announced the full digitalization of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) process, scheduled to go live on May 1. The move aims to modernize the application system, eliminating manual forms and allowing applicants to complete and pay for the process online via the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) website. We are automating it end to end. Because as it is today, the procedure is that you have to go to buy a form. When you buy a form, you pay at the bank, and take the form to CERPAC centre. Theres no country in the world that does that, Tunji-Ojo said. He emphasized that individuals with criminal records should refrain from applying, warning that the new system will be linked to global security databases, including INTERPOL. This place is not safe for you. Go back, he cautioned. The Minister also announced that, in line with international standards, employers will now be held accountable for the immigration status of their foreign employees. By our laws, we will be holding employers responsible from the ground up. Thats how its done across the world, he stated. Next article: Utility tariffs to go up on May 3; 14.75% for electricity, 4.02 % for water GBC Board appointment remains valid Director-General GNA Apr - 12 - 2025 , 09:56 2 minutes read The Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan has reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Corporations Board, dismissing rumours that its mandate is invalid. Addressing staff at a durbar held at the GBC headquarters on Friday, Prof. Alhassan emphasized that the Board was constituted by the National Media Commission (NMC), not the Executive, and remains in place as its mandate has not been revoked. Citing Article 167(c) of the 1992 Constitution, he stressed that state-owned media are protected from executive interference and dismissed contrary claims as coming from individuals refusing to learn. The durbar, which brought together board members, management, and staff, aimed to address recent developments affecting GBCs public image and operational stability. The Director-General's remarks come in the wake of calls for his resignation by unionized staff, who claim his leadership does not align with GBCs vision. At a press conference on March 20, 2025, GBC Local Union Chairman Sam Nat Kevor declared Prof. Alhassan unwelcome, while assuring the public that staff would continue to protect GBCs national security role without disrupting its operations. In a related development, the Controller and Accountant Generals Department (CAGD) suspended Prof. Alhassans salary effective March 2025. The suspension, based on Section 25(5) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), cited the absence of required financial clearance for his renewed contract, which runs from October 2, 2023, to September 2027. Prof. Alhassan expressed concern over the impact of misinformation, revealing that a diplomatic mission withdrew from a major partnership due to the controversy. When we have bad press about GBC, we will suffer, he warned, noting a concerning financial outlook for the first quarter of 2025. He urged staff to maintain internal unity, discipline, and productivity, and to resolve disputes constructively. GBC Board Chairman Samuel Kojo Intsiaba echoed this call, advocating for industrial harmony and mutual respect between management and staff. He acknowledged that internal tensions are natural but must be carefully managed to preserve GBCs competitiveness in the evolving media landscape. Mr Intsiaba also read a letter from the NMC, dated March 25, 2025, confirming that Prof. Alhassans tenure had been officially renewed on February 26, 2024a decision publicly announced during the inauguration of GBCs new Board on August 13, 2024. The NMC urged the Board to communicate the renewal to staff and offered clarity on the appointment. During the durbar, staff voiced concerns regarding logistics, equipment, and compensation but also praised Prof. Alhassan for his efforts in rebranding GBC and strengthening its digital presence. They appealed for the permanent recruitment of National Service personnel within the social media department to sustain the momentum. Minority tasks govt to find solution to Bawku conflict Beatrice Laryea Apr - 12 - 2025 , 10:25 3 minutes read The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to take immediate and decisive action to find a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict in Bawku. The caucus said the current efforts had fallen short of restoring peace and stability to the area, and stressed the need for more robust and strategic measures to end the violence and ensure lasting calm. At a news conference in Accra yesterday, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, cautioned that the failure to de-escalate the situation could trigger a cycle of reprisals that could further entrench insecurity in the region. Also present at the press conference were the MP for Atwima Kwanwoma, Amankwa-Manu Kofi; MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh; and MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei. "The Minority in Parliament is deeply concerned about the worsening security situation in Bawku, where persistent violence continues to endanger lives and displace residents," Rev. Ntim Fordjour said. "Over the past few months, the intensity and frequency of attacks, including sporadic shootings, arson and home invasions, have escalated, with reports suggesting a high death toll with many more people said to be missing than those reported dead," he said. The Minority expressed concern over the increasing number of sophisticated weapons being used in the attacks, raising questions about the sources of those arms and the effectiveness of existing measures to prevent their proliferation. "The growing sophistication of weaponry used in these attacks is particularly alarming, raising questions about the sources of arms and the effectiveness of measures to curb their proliferation," Rev Ntim Fordjour said. "Recent developments, including targeted bus attacks and the setting ablaze of residential property, reflected the increasing volatility of the situation and the level of frustration among sections of the youth," he stressed. The Minority further stressed that as a strategic border town, instability in Bawku presented a broader national and regional security threat, emphasising that the spread of attacks to other areas, including the North East and Ahafo regions, highlighted the urgent need for a more coordinated and comprehensive response. "It is evident that the current approach to addressing the conflict has not been sufficient to restore calm. The government must demonstrate greater urgency and decisiveness. The deteriorating situation in Bawku is a national concern, and the government must take immediate action to prevent further escalation. "The people of Bawku deserve to live in peace and security, and we urge the government to prioritise a sustainable resolution to this crisis before it spirals further out of control," the spokesperson said. Rev Ntim Fordjour lamented the persistent insecurity in the area, insisting that it was gradually crippling essential services, exacerbating the suffering of residents and deepening the ongoing humanitarian crisis. "Beyond the immediate security concerns, the instability has devastated the affected communities. Schools have been forced to shut down, depriving children of their right to education, while key institutions and businesses are fleeing the area due to safety concerns. "Critical sectors such as education and healthcare are severely impacted, with teachers, nurses and other professionals refusing postings to Bawku for fear of their safety," he said. Responding to questions, the MP for Atwima Kwanwoma reaffirmed the Minoritys commitment to support the government in finding a lasting solution to the Bawku conflict. He emphasised the need for decisive and fair action, stating: "It is important that we address the Bawku issue once and for all. We all understand how sensitive this matter is. If care is not taken, and one ethnic group lays down its arms and is then recruited into the security services, we can all foresee the chaos this could spark across the nation". President urges calm in Bawku Joshua Bediako Koomson Apr - 12 - 2025 , 11:26 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has given an assurance that the peace mediation process being led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will resume next week as part of intensified efforts to restore calm in the Bawku area. We have triggered the Otumfuo mediation process, which saw all stakeholders participate in discussions in Kumasi on a roadmap towards peace. I have been assured by the Asantehene that the process will commence next week when he returns from his brief visit abroad, he stated. Only two days ago, an incident in a marketplace triggered an unfortunate loss of lives and criminal vandalism of property. I wish to emphasise that nobody gains from this situation of conflict and insecurity, he said. He, therefore, called on all parties involved in the longstanding dispute to embrace peace and support ongoing reconciliation efforts. We need the cooperation of all to restore peace in Bawku and its environs. I entreat all sides to embrace peace as we dialogue to resolve this age-old dispute, President Mahama urged. He was speaking at a graduation ceremony held at the Ghana Military Academy yesterday. Graduation The ceremony saw the commissioning of 63 new officers from the Regular Career Course Intake 63 to commence their professional military careers. The newly commissioned officers consisted of 138 males and 25 females. The group comprised 110 army cadets, 28 navy cadets, and 25 air force cadets, all of whom successfully completed an intensive 18-month military training programme designed for enlisted cadets with special qualifications. They were made up of professionals of various fields of study from the various tertiary institutions across the country. Some of the cadets marching during the parade at the Ghana Military Academy in Accra President Mahama further congratulated the military men on the sacrifices they had made even at their peril to protect lives and property in the conflict area. In resetting the nation to build a better Ghana, he said his government would aggressively pursue the ideals of operational and combat readiness of the GAF. We will resource the GAF; this means better equipment, including more simulators, advanced training and the ability to mobilise swiftly in times of need. You will be equipped to excel in your duties, which will assess the retooling initiative and facilitate cost-effective outcomes to equip our army to the standards required for a 21st Century defence force, President Mahama said. Under his watch as the Commander in Chief of the GAF, he gave the assurance that merit-based promotions hinged on competence and not connections would be the norm and not the exception. He added that his government would expand opportunities for non-commissioned officers to access officer cadet training. I believe every soldier should have a fair chance to rise optimally through the ranks, especially when they merit it. As a hallmark of my administration, exhibited across all sectors, I will ensure professionalism and transparency within the GAF, the President added. Accommodation challenge He also gave an assurance that his administration would address the most pressing concerns of the troops, starting with the need for quality housing. He promised that the government would construct new housing units in the barracks while refurbishing dilapidated and abandoned military accommodation across the nation. In addition to improving accommodation in the barracks, he said his government would establish the Armed Forces' Home Ownership Scheme to provide officers and soldiers with the opportunity to own their private homes. That, he said, would help provide military families with the comfort and security that they deserved. Already, he said the Ministry of Defence was working to fix the acute feeding challenges that his government inherited from the previous administration. That strategy is three-pronged: providing emergency food supplies, paying food supplies on time while retiring the outstanding debts we inherited, and partnering the private sector to venture into mechanised farming under the Defence Industry Holding Company Limited. REGSEC launches onslaught on structures at Ramsar sites Joshua Bediako Koomson Apr - 12 - 2025 , 12:57 3 minutes read The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) launched into an onslaught on illegal structures at Ramsar sites in Accra as the national national capital and its environs await the onset of the rainy season. The Greater Accra REGSEC, led by the Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, began a demolition exercise on illegal structures on the Weija and Dansoman Ramsar sites as part of efforts to reclaim the protected wetlands and curb the persistent flooding in surrounding communities. The team first visited the Weija portion of the Ramsar site, which had been levelled with gravel and turned into a flat surface, supposedly in preparation for development by a private company, Caitec Motors. The exercise follows President John Dramani Mahamas recent tour of Ramsar sites and flood-prone areas in Accra, where he warned that all unauthorised developments on protected lands and watercourses would be cleared. During the Presidents visit, he directed Caitec Motors to clear the gravel and halt any further activity. However, on the teams return visit yesterday, it was observed that no action had been taken and the site remained the same as the President had witnessed it. The regional minister ordered the company to begin immediate restoration of the area or face the full force of the law. While no specific timeline was given, Mrs Ocloo made it clear that the government was resolute in its directive and would take all necessary steps to return the Ramsar site to its original state. At the Dansoman Ramsar site, the team demolished four uncompleted structures situated deep within the protected area. Additionally, walls encroaching upon designated zones were dismantled to restore the sites integrity. A heavily armed security team was present to ensure the safety of the operation and to prevent any potential confrontations. The regional minister emphasised the need for strict enforcement of environmental regulations and existing laws to protect the Ramsar sites. Linda Ocloo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, addressing the media She stated that a dedicated task force would be deployed to monitor and safeguard the areas, ensuring compliance with all relevant legal provisions. She also questioned how district assemblies had reneged on their duties in preventing illegal construction activities on the Ramsar sites, necessitating intervention at the regional level. Mrs Ocloo gave an assurance that the team would re-strategise and return to complete the demolition of the remaining structures. She asked: Sometimes, I ask myself: How did we let things get this far? These buildings didnt spring up overnight. They took months, even years, to construct. So, why did the assembly sit by and allow this to happen? She tasked the assembly to set up a task force that would continuously monitor the site until every illegal structure was cleared. Background Speaking at the 2025 National Eid-ul-Fitr celebration at Black Star Square in Accra on March 31 this year, President Mahama expressed deep concern over growing land encroachment, stressing its role in worsening perennial floods and causing damage to life and property. He reaffirmed the governments commitment to enforcing environmental laws and cracking down on illegal developments. IGP Clarifies: Bawku recruits will follow standard procedure Beatrice Laryea Apr - 12 - 2025 , 10:14 2 minutes read The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has clarified his recent remarks suggesting that youth in Bawku would be given priority in police recruitment if they lay down their arms. His clarification follows public backlash and media scrutiny after a video of his interaction with residents in Bawku began circulating online. Addressing the media, the IGP explained that his comments were aimed at decentralising the recruitment process to ensure inclusivity, particularly for individuals in remote and conflict-affected areas. According to Mr. Yohuno, he assured the youth of Bawku that they would be given the opportunity to apply to the Ghana Police Service, but stressed that all applicants would still be required to go through the standard recruitment procedures. He firmly stated that his remarks were not intended to imply preferential treatment or a departure from established recruitment guidelines. Many times we have recruitment centralised at the national headquarters, and then we are not able to get the full benefit of a regional balance of people being recruited. I have seen that there is a desire to get the job done, he said. I am giving them the assurance that they should put down their arms. We have a lot of people in the police service now who came from this area, and we realise that they have helped a lot in the discharge of their duties as officers. The assurance we gave to them was that put down your weapons, and when it comes to recruitment, we will give you the advantage to participate, go through the normal process. I didnt say anything wider to maybe shove the requirement, but it looks as if the media is reporting something different; they will go through the normal process, he added. The IGPs clarification seeks to address growing concerns that his initial statement could be misinterpreted as incentivising conflict or undermining the integrity of the police recruitment process. Related Article: Minority calls on government to urgently resolve Bawku conflict Police arrest 44 Cameroonians implicated in alleged Q-NET scam Jemima Okang Addae Apr - 12 - 2025 , 10:58 1 minute read The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 29-year-old Cameroonian national, Bella Merie, along with 43 other Cameroonians, in connection with a suspected internet fraud and human trafficking operation at a residence in Kenyasi Abrem, located in the Ashanti Region. In a statement issued by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Godwin Ahianyo, it was revealed that preliminary investigations indicated Bella Merie collected a total of 4,500,000 CFA francs from the victimscomprising 32 males and 11 femalesunder the guise of providing employment opportunities in Ghana. DSP Ahianyo noted that further investigations uncovered that the operation was orchestrated through a well-known online scam model popularly referred to as Q-NET. He stated that all the individuals involved, including both the suspect and the victims, are between the ages of 22 and 38. They have since been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service at the Regional Headquarters to undergo the necessary immigration processes for repatriation to Cameroon. DSP Ahianyo emphasised that the Police Service remains committed to combating fraudulent activities and safeguarding the rights and welfare of both Ghanaian citizens and foreign nationals residing in the country. Read the statement below; Police arrest suspected leader of national car theft and rental fraud syndicate Jemima Okang Addae Apr - 12 - 2025 , 10:13 2 minutes read The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old man, Nana Anderson, in connection with a widespread vehicle theft and rental fraud syndicate operating across multiple locations nationwide. According to a statement issued by the Ghana Police Service, Anderson, who is currently unemployed, was apprehended on 5 April at a hideout in Atasemanso, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. The suspect is reported to use multiple aliases, including Nana Abeka, Essel Kofi Elvis, and Wilson Kojo Bismark. The police further disclosed that another individual linked to the crime, identified as Gideon Baah, is currently at large. Preliminary investigations revealed that on 25 March, Anderson allegedly contacted a car rental partner of the complainant and fraudulently rented a Hyundai Elantra with registration number GT 114-25. Police explained that the suspect used forged ECOWAS identity and drivers licence cardsbearing different names but his own photographto deceive the rental agent into handing over the vehicle at Community 25. He reportedly failed to return the car and disabled its tracking system, raising suspicions. The police stated that further investigations uncovered Andersons involvement in a broader criminal syndicate responsible for the theft of multiple vehicles between January and March 2025. The statement indicated that the syndicate employed similar fraudulent methods to steal a Kia Forte at Haatso, a Honda Civic at Amasaman, and a Kia Ultima at Spintex, all within the Greater Accra Region. Police added that Anderson admitted to receiving GH4,000 for each of the stolen vehicles. Following his arrest, the suspect reportedly led police officers to a residence in Millennium City, believed to be the hideout of Gideon Baah, also known as Nana. However, Baah was not found at the location. The police confirmed that Anderson has since been arraigned before the court, and investigations into the case are ongoing. They assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend Gideon Baah and dismantle the entire syndicate. See the statement on Facebook below; Apple has delayed the smarter AI-infused Siri. Back in March when the company finally acknowledged its issues in bringing these features to the market, it said they would be released "in the coming year". Today a new report alleges to give us a narrower timeframe. Apparently, the delayed Siri features are coming this fall. These features were talked about at WWDC last year, and were expected to be part of the iOS 18 release. Obviously, that hasn't happened and now if they do arrive in the fall with iOS 19, they will be landing about 15-16 months after the initial announcement. In case you're wondering what we're talking about, Siri will apparently be able to learn from your interactions, emails, messages, files, and photos to get personal context on you. It will also understand what's on your screen and be able to act on it, and finally it will be integrated in a much deeper fashion with other apps. Hopefully there will be no more delays. Source | Via Google recently hosted its three-day Google Cloud Next Conference 2025 in Las Vegas, where smartphone brand Oppo announced its Agentic AI Initiative and talked about its strategy to lead in AI experiences through in-house development and collaboration with Google. Additionally, Oppo showcased AI Search at the conference. It's a Google Cloud-powered system-level AI tool that allows users to efficiently search and retrieve complex multimodal document information using natural language queries. The brand also highlighted its advancements across AI Productivity, AI Imaging, and AI Creativity. "Oppo's focus has always been on the user, and our goal is very clear: to lead innovation in AI experience and provide the best experience. We are continuously enhancing AI experiences through strategic collaborations with partners like Google Cloud, aiming to deliver Agentic AI capabilities to Oppo users," said Jason Liao, President, Oppo Research Institute. Oppo also said it's exploring the next phase of Agentic AI experiences, focusing on creating personalized user experiences. Oppo is also developing a new user knowledge system that will serve as a centralized repository for user data to address the information fragmentation issue on mobile devices. It will learn from users' activities, interests, data, and memories to provide personalized AI experiences. By the end of this year, Oppo aims to have 100 million users use Oppo AI for improved daily interactions with their devices, including the freshly announced Oppo Find X8 Ultra. Our Oppo Find X8 Ultra review is in progress. In the meantime, you can check some pictures we clicked with the Find X8 Ultra from a photo walk around Xi'an in China. Samsung said it would begin rolling out the Android 15-based One UI 7 stable update starting April 7, and recently, it released One UI 7's stable build for the Galaxy S24 series in Europe. Now we know when exactly other older Samsung devices will receive the One UI 7 stable update. On April 14, Samsung will release the stable build of One UI 7 for the Galaxy S23 series and the foldables launched in 2023 and 2024. After that, the update will be rolled out for older Galaxy S and Galaxy Z series phones. You can check out the rollout schedule with the dates below: April 14: Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5. April 23: Galaxy S24 FE. April 24: Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy S21 series (including Galaxy S21 FE), Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Flip4. April 28: Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Fold3, Galaxy Z Flip3. Note that this schedule is for Vietnam only, and the rollout schedule for devices in other regions may vary. You can head this way for the list of Galaxy devices eligible for One UI 7 and find the full changelog of One UI 7 here. You can also watch our One UI 7 feature walkthrough video below. Source (in Vietnamese) | Via Samsung is getting ready to launch a new mid-range smartphone in India, the Galaxy M56. This will be sold through Amazon, and in fact the retailer already has a full teaser microsite up for it. This reveals the launch date: April 17. It also tells us that the tagline for this model will be "the monsterest monster". The phone is 7.2mm thin, weighs 180g, and supports HDR selfie videos from its 12 MP front-facing camera. It has Gorilla Glass Victus on top of its screen, which is 33% brighter and has 26% slimmer bezels than its predecessor's. There's also a triple rear camera system comprising a 50 MP main sensor with OIS, an 8 MP ultrawide, and a 2 MP macro shooter. It will support AI features like Object Eraser, Image Clipper, and Edit Suggestions. At the beginning of this month, the Galaxy M56 was spotted in the Geekbench database rocking the Exynos 1480 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM. The prototype in question ran Android 15. Federal money on the line at the Guam Department of Education continues to grow, with a pending reimbursement of between $51 million to $54 million now added to the $125 million in American Rescue Plan money left in limbo, according to elected officials. But a Friday morning Zoom call between GDOE leadership and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was pretty hopeful, according to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who attended the call. McMahon last month notified states and territories that the deadline to spend pandemic-era ARP money would be pushed up to March 28the same day the notice was handed down. GDOE Superintendent Erik Swanson has since wrote McMahon asking for an extension until next March to use the funds. A balance of about $125 million of that money is obligated for major refurbishment work at a dozen local schools. The follow $125 million is supposed to cover crack and spall repair, restroom renovations, exterior door replacement, walkway canopy repair and construction, and electrical upgrades. Here are the schools affected: Oceanview Middle School Marcial Sablan Elementary School George Washington High School Agueda Johnston Middle School Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School JQ San Miguel Elementary School Finegayan Elementary School Daniel L. Perez Elementary School VSA Benavente Middle School Tamuning Elementary School CL Taitano Elementary School Jose Rios Middle School Leon Guerrero said she attended the Friday morning Zoom call to help push for the extension, but added that another $51 million federal reimbursement, approved since October, is now also on the line. Legislative budget chairman Sen. Chris Duenas at a public hearing on Wednesday put the figure slightly higher, at $54 million. Duenas said, its Holy Week soon. A lot of rosaries need to be said. GDOE Deputy Superintendent for Educational Support and Community Learning Barbara Adamos on Friday said the meeting with McMahon was positive. McMahon is awaiting our documentation for appeal, Adamos said, which would be sent shortly. The governor said McMahon did not shoot the possibility of an extension down. She didnt say, No Im sorry, the deadline is the deadline. She was very much willing to look at it and hopefully reconsider the extension, Leon Guerrero said. Another question raised during the Friday Zoom discussion was how federal funds would be administered once the Trump Administrations plans to shutter U.S. Department of Education are finalized, the governor said. She isnt too sure right now, Leon Guerrero said of McMahon. The Department of Health and Human Services or the U.S. Department of the Treasury could be tapped to administer the funds, according to the governor. Remaining intact are Title I federal funds that Guam gets for its high percentage of low-income students, and through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the governor said. The governor did comment on recent calls from Sen. Shawn Gumataotao for Adelup to send financial and grant management personnel to GDOE. Ill try to help in as far as my legal authority will make me do that. But, you know, barring full responsibility and authority that ties my hands, she said. GDOE was a separate entity under the law, and Adelup had no control over the departments funds, and no idea of its financial status, the governor said. I cannot go in there and say, Im going to manage your cash. They dont report to me, the governor added. I say back to the Legislature that they should look at that and see what, what is their strategy? What are they going to do how are they going to get the revenues? Leon Guerrero last legislative year introduced a bill that would give her temporary authority over GDOE through Jan. 4, 2027, the end of her term. It came as GDOE faced another crisis, over damage to schools and sanitary inspection issues. It was rejected in a vote of 3-11 in August, and called a power grab by former education chairman Sen. Chris Barnett. The Guam Police Department is waiting for a medical examiners report for the decomposed body found in Anigua on April 4, spokesperson Officer Berlyn Savella said on Saturday. She said the investigation is pending and awaiting the receipt of the medical examiners report. The report will determine the individuals cause of death. At 5:24 p.m. April 4, officers from Central Precinct were called to the scene where the decomposed body of a male was found on the beachside in Anigua. The individual was wearing tan shorts, according to police. GPD said a death investigation was initiated and remains ongoing until the medical examiners report is completed. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact police at 671-475-8615 through 671-475-8617. Residents can also contact Guam Crime Stoppers through their website http://www.guam.crimestoppersweb.com/. Information provided will remain confidential. Police pulled over a vehicle because of an inoperative headlight and later arrested the passenger after finding drugs, a magistrate's complaint filed in Superior Court of Guam states. Lorenzo Lorenis Paulis, 40, also known as Lorenzo Lorenz Paulis or Lorenso L. Paulus, was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance as a third-degree felony and open container as a misdemeanor. Around 1 a.m. Friday, police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an inoperative headlight. Police approached the vehicle and met with two men. During the interaction, police observed the passenger later identified as Paulis repeatedly moving his hands between his seat and the center console. Police also observed an opened Premier All Malt Beer, still cold to the touch and about half full, in the center console. Paulis admitted that the beverage was his, the complaint states. Police obtained consent to search the vehicle from the driver and during the search they found a gaiter mask with a glass pipe inside it between the seat and center console near Paulis, documents state. The pipe had a bulbous end and contained a white crystalline residue. Police performed a field test of the suspected methamphetamine, and it yielded presumptive positive for the drug. Paulis was arrested. He was committed on $3,000 cash bail, according to documents from the Office of the Attorney General. Jeromy Moe John Pangelinan remains behind bars held on $500,000 bail following a ruling issued by Superior Court of Guam Magistrate Judge Jonathan R. Quan on Saturday. Of the three siblings who made news after an alleged kidnapping and beating of a man in Yigo on April 2, Pangelinan is the man who was shot by police after a carjacking and high-speed chase on April 6. He sustained a gunshot wound shortly before police officers apprehended him in Dededo. He was arrested on charges for 11 different cases, according to police. 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. 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 arrested upon release from the hospital, and had his magistrates hearing late Saturday afternoon. The Public Defender Service Corporation will defend Pangelinan and it almost took an early victory when attorney Adam Gurkel motioned for the court to dismiss the case because it had been more than 48 hours that Pangelinan was held with no magistrates hearing. On Saturday he was accused of 12 separate charges including: Attempted aggravated murder as a first-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Attempted murder as a first-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Armed carjacking as a first-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Aggravated assault as a second-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Aggravated assault as a second-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Aggravated assault as a third-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Aggravated assault as a third-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Aggravated assault as a third-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Aggravated assault as a third-degree felony with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Terroristic conduct as a third-degree felony, with special allegation of possession or use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. Possession of an unregistered firearm as a third-degree felony. Possession of a Schedule II controlled substance as a third-degree felony. Additionally, according to police, Pangelinan also faced charges in 10 other cases. According to the probation office, Pangelinan was convicted at least three other rimes, and was on pre-trial release in another case when finally arrested. Crime spree According to the magistrates complaint, Jeromy Pangelinan started his crime spree on April 2 when he and his siblings are accused of kidnapping and beating a man. Police found a man at a home in Chalan Gachi Kattan in Yigo lying on the ground in front of a doorway with what appeared to be gunshot wounds to his left thigh and knee, swelling to both eyes, bruising on the left and right sides of his face, a laceration on the right side of his right eye and a laceration on the top left side of his head. The man told police he was sleeping at his friends house on Chalan Emsley in Yigo when he heard someone calling for him from the outside and found Tedtaotao and Shaenita Pangelinan waiting for him. Tedtaotao brought out a silver revolver and his sister punched the man in the mouth with brass knuckles, according to the complaint. Tedtaotao told the man to get into a silver Kia sedan and brought him to Chalan Gachi Kattan where Jeromy Pangelinan was located. They zip-tied his hands and began to beat the man with brass knuckles and later Tedtaotao pointed a silver-colored handgun and shot the mans leg, the complaint states. The man was taken to the Guam Regional Medical City for treatment and police found one unexpended shell casing and two expended shell casings and a manhunt for the three siblings ensued. In the early evening hours of April 5, a man described to be wearing a black shirt and maroon pants, crashed a silver Kia sedan into two other cars along Route 4A in Talofofo. Witnesses who stopped to help reported the individual pointed a silver gun or revolver at them and attempted to steal their cars. One witness said he was driving when he saw the silver sedan collide into a Dodge pickup truck and then collided with his car. The man attempted to check the operator of the silver Kia sedan who pointed a gun at him and his passenger. The two ran in fear and were able to get help from another motorist. The other motorist saw the driver with a gun and several people running away and witnesses hear several loud sounds that appeared to be gunshots. The occupants of the Dodge pickup truck said the driver pointed a silver revolver at them and said he was wearing a black shirt and marron pants. As they ran for safety, they heard the driver yell out demanding for the keys before two loud sounds that appeared to be gunshots. Another witness who heard the crash from his balcony drove to the scene and saw bystanders running in all directions and a man who was holding a silver pistol run toward his car in what appeared to be an attempt to steal his car, documents state. The man quickly fled the scene and later identified Jeromy Pangelinan as the man with the silver revolver through three booking photographs and a photograph posted by KUAM, the complaint states. Another man told police when he came upon the crash scene, he saw people running and a man standing in the middle of the road. The man ran up to his truck and pointed a gun at him. The man said he reached for his gun, but before he could use it, the man fired one shot hitting him in the hand. The man fled the scene after being shot and went to the Talofofo Fire Station and taken to Guam Memorial Hospital. While the manhunt continued, police learned that a man at Windward Apartments off Route 17 was approached by a male with a gun wearing maroon pants and who stole his Toyota 4Runner. Police spotted the 4Runner which led them on a chase. The operator was driving in a reckless manner, placing several people in traffic at risk of their safety, as well as the police, the complaint states. The operator lost control of the car and ran off the roadway along Stampa Road in Dededo, where police heard what appeared to be a gunshot inside the vehicle as they approached. The operator, later identified as Jeromy Pangelinan, was taken to GRMC for treatment. The police recovered a Ruger .38 caliber revolver from inside the 4Runner, which was not registered to Pangelinan. At GRMC, a nurse found a clear, plastic baggie, which contained a substance she suspected was methamphetamine and weighed 3.21 grams. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine, the complaint states. Police interviewed Pangelinan who said he went to Talofofo to lay low because of too much heat from police after what happened in Yigo, documents state. He was downing from smoking methamphetamine and dozed off at the time of the crash. He tired to take multiple cars, but nobody wanted to help him, the complaint states. He shot at the operator of a Toyota truck and then ran into the jungle because he was scared, documents state. He was wearing a black shirt and maroon pants at the time. The next morning, he stole the car and was chased by police before his capture. The methamphetamine seized at GRMC belonged to him, the complaint states. Tedtaotao denied any involvement in the Talofofo incidents, the complaint states. Originally police said they were looking for Tedtaotao in connection to the Talofofo incidents, but later said they were looking for his brother after they arrested Tedtaotao in Yigo. Utah state Sen. Wayne Harper, the president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, as well as Arturo Perez, vice president of state services for the NCSL, will depart Guam Saturday morning with a deeper understanding of what the island faces. Since 1975, the National Conference of State Legislatures has offered bipartisan policy research, training resources, and technical assistance to state and territorial legislatures, according to a release from the office of Speaker Frank Blas Jr. All 50 states, two commonwealths, and three territories are members. The NCLS represents about 7,400 state legislators in addition to 30,000 staff. Harper and Perez met with Blas, Vice Speaker Anthony Ada, Legislative Secretary Sabrina Salas Matanane plus other members of the Guam Legislature at the Guam Congress Building on Friday morning. They listened to impassioned pleas to be heard, to be recognized and to be given the tools and authority to allow Guam to prosper. Harper said that with more than 50 memberships from international countries, hes been working diligently for two years to ensure those countries needs are being met. But when he asked his staff members about the needs of the Pacific members of the NCSL they told him that NCSL has never had a Pacific presence. I told them that was about to change, said Harper. Because they need to understand that every legislator, every citizen of our territories need to understand that they are part of the NCSL and that we value them and we need to understand what their needs are. So my purpose here is to come, listen, and take back to my other leadership of the NCSL what the needs of the territories are, and how can we step up our game to help them. Thats my objective. Senators took turns explaining the various issues that face Guam residents. Harper said he hated to use the words second-class citizens but there was no question that inequality existed among all U.S. citizens. And while all senators shared problems, some were equally expressive about how prior efforts have been in vain. Sen. Tina Muna Barnes told Harper that his visit was like a dream come true for a lot of us whose voices are always sometimes summarily dismissed. We are so far removed from Uncle Sam and having to tell the story over and over and over and I dont regret the opportunities. She asked Harper to consider creating a territorial caucus within the NCSL, as well as specialized caucuses to deal with established foreign relations with other countries such as Taiwan. Sen. Jesse Lujan asked for assistance with the Jones Act, and cabotage, which would allow Guam to prosper. Sen. Shelly Calvo asked for support of a temporary visa waiver for the Philippines at the very least, to put them on an equal playing field as other U.S. allies in the region. Harper said that the NCSL can pass resolutions and policy directives and submit them to Congress to have them respect and understand whats happening in the States. He said one of the key takeaways is to change up a bit of what theyre already doing to give the territories a louder voice. He acknowledged the military buildup, but questioned whether it had positive repercussions for all of Guam. Harper said Guam had a deep sense of patriotism, a love of country and a willingness to do everything that it can to protect, honor and serve and participate in the national forum. But at the same time, Im not sure that everybody there appreciates who Guam is and what the people do and that they want to participate fully but they dont have a vote. (Guam) wants to make sure they have an economic ability to have jobs and things like that, but some of the policies in the government limit some of their economic ability. They want to be in the saddle in doing things so that transportation, parks and the quality of life is there, he said. Among one of the things that surprised him after all his meetings is living the time difference on Guam and how it compared to the mainland U.S. Were gonna work on changing that so that we can have people from various time zones participate during normal waking hours which might be later on in the evening in the east coast and early morning here but everybody should be here. Those are some of the immediate actions we can take. 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The battle for Mirebalais continues, and the Haitian National Police (PNH) has no intention of giving up and intends to eliminate or drive the bandits out of the commune. Specialized units of the Haitian National Police (PNH) have been deployed as reinforcements in Mirebalais (SWAT, BRI, etc...) in the Centre department, to conduct operations to track down and eliminate the bandits and establish a climate of peace in Mirebalais. In addition to the specialized units already present on the ground, combat equipment has also been sent by the High Command of the Police Institution https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-44669-icihaiti-centre-department-delivery-of-a-batch-of-combat-equipment-to-the-pnh.html , to enable law enforcement to be more effective during police operations and interventions in this region. It should be noted that, as part of the measures put in place, police officers have positioned themselves in strategic areas while advancing towards the targeted zones. HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Curriculum Reform : Technological Education Sector, rewriting of preschool programs... As part of the ongoing curriculum reform, two groups of technicians, meeting this week in two workshops over three days, worked separately on the Framework Document for the Curriculum of the Technological Education Sector (FETECH) and on the Process for Rewriting the Curriculum for Preschool, and the First and Second Cycles of Primary School. First Group : Technological Education Sector (FETECH) : Responsibility for launching this first workshop was entrusted to Professor Jean-Robert Dossaint, Chief of Staff to the Minister of National Education, Augustin Antoine. For now, this work concerns the three series prioritized during the discussion sessions organized on the issue in September 2024 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43181-haiti-new-secondary-towards-setting-in-motion-of-the-technological-sector.html , namely: 1. Agronomy and Life Sciences and Technology ; 2. Information and Communication Sciences and Technology ; 3. Hospitality, Tourism and Catering. "We have the heavy responsibility of training competent citizens, capable of contributing to the development of the country, which expects high-quality curricula designed to optimize the intelligence of young people," declared the Chief of Staff of the Minister of National Education. "Building a robust technological education program, aligned with the demands of the job market, is the key to unlocking the fulfillment of our youth, enabling them to become central players in national development," continued Eric Voli Bi, UNESCO Representative in Port-au-Prince. It should be noted that the UN organization is providing the Ministry with much-appreciated technical and financial support for this curriculum reform project. Eric Voli Bi advised the developers to ensure that the programs of the secondary technological program meet national and international standards, as well as the demands of a constantly evolving job market. Miguel Fleurijean, the Director of Secondary Education, responsible for overseeing this project on behalf of the Ministry, praised the educational benefits of this program, which is "an educational path that focuses on the acquisition of technical and professional skills, while integrating theoretical knowledge." It is generally intended for students who wish to prepare for technical careers or pursue higher education in technological fields." Second Group : Process of rewriting the curricula for preschool, and the first and second cycles of Fundamental education : Marie Marjorie Telusma, Director of Curriculum and Quality at the Ministry, stated, "[...] the rewriting of the curricula for preschool and cycles I and II of basic education is a key step in our overall strategy to improve the quality of education. It requires strong commitment from decision-makers and the active involvement of management and stakeholders to ensure the inclusion and sustainability of this reform. [...] This moment marks a strong commitment to the continuous improvement of our education system, aligned with the challenges of the 21st century and the needs of our society. Our goal is to create programs that emphasize engaging teaching methods, centered on student activities, and that promote the place of the Creole language in education." We want to ensure that every Haitian child can fully develop their skills and talents, regardless of their background." Svein Oestveitt, Director of the International Bureau of Education (IBE), reiterated the determination of this specialized UNESCO institute to remain committed to this reform alongside the Ministry. "For Haiti, this curriculum reform is not just another reform. It must form the basis for real, lasting, and structuring change. It aims to provide Haiti with a coherent, structured, endogenous, inclusive, and modern curriculum. It must allow every child, regardless of their situation, to have access to a quality education that develops not only skills, but also civic, ethical, and social values." "This workshop is the official starting point of a historic project: rethinking the educational content that Haitian children will receive from their earliest years of schooling." This means thinking about what we want a Haitian child to know, understand, feel, and master at each stage of their school career," emphasized Jean-Luc Tondreau, National Education Officer at the UNESCO Office in Port-au-Prince. HL/ HaitiLibre Tunisian students celebrate Chinese Language Day Xinhua) 11:03, April 12, 2025 TUNIS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis (ISLT) and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University held a series of activities on Friday to celebrate UN Chinese Language Day, observed annually on April 20. Local Chinese language teachers, students, and enthusiasts of Chinese culture organized talent shows featuring activities such as singing Chinese songs, dancing, martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy, cultural lectures, and Chinese knowledge competitions. Solmin Tera, a first-year Chinese language student at ISLT, said she chose to study Chinese due to her love for Chinese culture, adding that proficiency in the language could enhance her career prospects. Hichem Messaoudi, director of ISLT and the Tunisian director of the Confucius Institute at Carthage University, told Xinhua that approximately 300 Tunisian students are currently enrolled in Chinese language programs at ISLT. He emphasized that the Chinese language is increasingly serving as a gateway for Tunisians to broaden their expertise across diverse fields. Ru Xin, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, noted that learning Chinese has enabled more Tunisian youth to deepen their understanding of China and global affairs. She highlighted that some students have secured opportunities to study in China or work for Chinese companies, while others have cultivated a passion for Chinese culture through their language studies, becoming ambassadors of cultural exchange between China and Tunisia. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Following extensive criticism, there have been further changes to the VMware licensing model: Contrary to Broadcom's initial announcement, companies can now still purchase VMware licenses from 16 cores, as a distributor confirmed to iX. The software company had originally planned to increase the minimum number of cores ordered from 16 to 72 from April 10, 2025 a decision that would have hit small and medium-sized companies particularly hard. Broadcom has already published a revised reseller price list, which is available to iX. The company has not yet responded to an inquiry. Anzeige SMEs would have had to pay for unused cores No official reason for the decision is currently known. However, it can be assumed that the widespread criticism and the potential impact on SMEs working with smaller server footprints played a role. These companies in particular were faced with the choice of either bearing the higher licensing costs or switching to alternatives such as Red Hat with OpenShift Virtualization, Nutanix AHV or the open-source platform Proxmox. Broadcom, on the other hand, is trying to push its customers to use its more comprehensive and more expensive VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) platform. When the VCF 9 beta was released, Prashanth Shenoy, head of marketing at Broadcom, was still certain that his customers had been suspicious after the VMware acquisition, but would now feel more comfortable with the company's approach. Impact and outlook In light of the renewed changes to the licensing model, however, the general uncertainty surrounding Broadcom's approach remains. They illustrate once again how unpredictable the company is at present. Companies that would have been affected by the original change should ask themselves whether it makes sense to rely on VMware products in the long term, despite the potential costs of switching. Recently, customers have repeatedly left the VMware ecosystem and switched to an alternative, including the Austrian cloud provider Anexia. (kbe) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The law exempts Russian nationals who hold permanent residence in Finland, though they must still apply for permission to purchase property. Finland's Parliament has unanimously approved a law banning property sales to non-resident Russian citizens, citing threats to national security. The new legislation, passed on Friday, bars property transactions by individuals and companies deemed to be involved in acts of aggression or considered a risk to Finlands sovereignty. The same applies to foreigners with EU residence permits issued by Finland. Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen said the decision sends a firm message. "We will not allow Finland to be undermined," Hakkanen stated after the vote. "Parliament's unanimous support reflects how seriously this issue is taken across party lines." The legislation is part of broader efforts to address security concerns arising from increased foreign interest in properties located near critical infrastructure. Finnish authorities have previously expressed concern about real estate acquisitions that could facilitate hostile influence, surveillance, or disruption of national systems. The Ministry of Defence has begun preparing a decree to specify which countries fall under the scope of the law. According to Hakkanen, this will include states determined by the European Union to be engaged in wars of aggression or who threaten territorial integrity. The law also introduces a permit requirement to prevent purchases made through intermediaries, sometimes referred to as dummy buyers. These are transactions where the real beneficiary is concealed by using a third party to purchase property on their behalf. Although not explicitly named in the law, Russia is currently the only country affected. The decision follows years of growing tension, particularly after Finland joined NATO and began reassessing vulnerabilities along its 1,300-kilometre border with Russia the longest land border between Russia and a NATO member. Concerns have also emerged over previously acquired properties. Authorities have identified unusual sites across Finland linked to Russian nationals, including fortified buildings, underutilised hotels, and properties located close to sensitive areas. These have raised questions over their intended use. The Finnish government is drafting additional legislation that would allow for post-acquisition intervention in such cases. Officials say the aim is to ensure that existing properties do not pose ongoing risks. The idea of restricting Russian real estate purchases first gained traction in September 2023. Since then, the Ministry of Defence has highlighted the risk of real estate being used to exert economic or strategic influence. In a previous interview, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo warned that certain properties might be used as platforms for hostile operations. The property ban follows other recent moves by Finland to address perceived threats from Russia. In July 2023, Parliament passed a law giving border guards the authority to return asylum seekers arriving from Russia. Officials have accused Russia of using migration as a tool to destabilise Finland, referencing the sharp increase in undocumented arrivals at southeastern border crossings in late 2023. In response, Finland closed several checkpoints in November 2023. These closures were later extended indefinitely. The property ban is expected to take effect this spring, once the supporting decree is finalised and adopted. HT Meteorologists say Saturday will begin with sleet and snow showers, particularly across central regions and Finnish Lapland. In some areas, up to five centimetres of snow may accumulate during the morning hours. A sharp weather shift is expected across Finland this weekend, with snow in parts of the country giving way to sunshine and potentially summer-like temperatures heading into Easter. By Saturday afternoon, conditions are forecast to clear. According to Yle meteorologist Anne Borgstrom, the southwest will see sunshine and temperatures rising to around +10 degrees Celsius in areas like Turku. Sunday is expected to be calm, clear and warmer nationwide. Forecasts suggest +13 degrees in southern Finland, with cooler conditions of around +3 degrees in Lapland. The sunny weather will coincide with Finlands local and regional elections. It will be great summer cottage weather, Borgstrom said. Next week brings signs of a continued warming trend. Monday may see scattered showers but temperatures are forecast to stay around +10 to +15 degrees in the south and centre. Longer-term forecasts are indicating the potential for unseasonably high temperatures during the Easter weekend. According to private weather service Foreca, parts of Finland may experience a sudden heat surge, with daily highs well above 20 degrees. Meteorologist Joanna Rinne said the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model suggests a possible temperature peak between +20C and +24C across southern and central Finland during the Easter weekend. Locally, the mercury could even nudge the +25C mark a level typically associated with early summer. While the forecast still includes uncertainty, current models show a strong signal for a temporary heatwave over Easter, Rinne noted. However, not all forecast models agree. The US-based GFS model predicts temperatures up to 15 degrees lower over the same period. Rinne acknowledged the range but said Foreca considers the high-end scenario plausible. Should the ECMWF forecast prove accurate, parts of Finland may experience their warmest Easter in recent memory, with even the threshold for an official heatwave defined as +25C potentially being reached in isolated areas. Before that, early next week is expected to remain mild. Mondays forecast shows temperatures between +10C and +15C, depending on region. Tuesday and Wednesday may bring similar or slightly higher figures, with occasional showers. In the meantime, the immediate weekend will bring a final brush with winter before temperatures begin their rapid climb. Snowfall in the east and north on Saturday morning will likely melt quickly as clearer conditions develop during the day. The shift is already underway in western Finland, where skies are expected to clear first. Despite the promising forecasts, meteorologists caution that sudden warmth this early in spring can also bring risks, such as local flooding from melting snow and a heightened chance of slip hazards during overnight refreezing. Nonetheless, weather services agree that the Easter weekend will likely be mild at the very least and potentially much warmer than usual for mid-April. HT Speaking to POLITICO following a meeting of EU defence ministers in Warsaw, Hakkanen said Europe must avoid a window of opportunity for Russia to try something if Washington reallocates military resources to the Indo-Pacific. Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen has called for a formalised U.S. roadmap to guide any potential withdrawal of American forces from Europe, warning that an uncoordinated shift could expose the continent to increased security risks. We need to have some sort of joint plan with Americans about a roadmap if the Americans are shifting the balance in the Pacific area in conventional defence capabilities, he said. Hakkanens remarks align with concerns expressed by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who last month urged U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to lay out a plan that ensures continuity in allied military capabilities. According to Pistorius, no clear response has yet come from Washington. The U.S. administration under Donald Trump has prompted growing anxiety among European leaders. The White House has repeatedly criticised NATO allies for low defence spending, questioned Article 5 commitments, and continued to signal a strategic reorientation towards countering Chinas influence in the Indo-Pacific. Despite reassurances from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who said any U.S. realignment would be done in a very coordinated manner, European officials remain uneasy. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, currently attending a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, dismissed European concerns as hysteria. Hakkanen, while acknowledging U.S. strategic pressures in Asia, warned that European security depends heavily on American military presence. Europe is too weak without U.S. capabilities. It must be complemented with European capabilities, he said. Finland joined NATO in 2023 following Russias invasion of Ukraine. The country shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia and operates a defence model that includes widespread military training, nearly one million reservists, and a whole-of-society approach to national security. The Finnish minister also endorsed European Commission proposals that could unlock 800 billion in military spending by loosening fiscal constraints and offering 150 billion in defence loans to member states. Hakkanen described the initiative as on the right track and said the EU must build a credible deterrent capacity by 2030. EU leaders are expected to review the Commissions proposals in June. Hakkanen emphasised that the U.S. expects decisive action. Americans want to see clear decisions from European countries, he said. HT According to Paivyt Tallqvist , Finnairs Senior Vice President of Communications, the cancellations impact both long-haul and short-haul routes. Of the cancelled flights, 70 are long-haul and 160 are narrow-body short-haul services. Finnair will cancel 230 scheduled flights between June and August because of a shortage of flight crew, the airline confirmed on Friday. The decision will affect approximately 28,000 passengers. The cancellations apply to selected flights between 1 June and 11 August. Customers impacted by the changes were contacted last week and have been offered alternative travel arrangements, Tallqvist said. The shortage stems from ongoing labour negotiations between Finnair and its pilots. Talks began in February, prompted by uncertainties surrounding Finnairs partnership with Australian carrier Qantas. The future of our Qantas cooperation remains unresolved due to pilot labour action. We have not been able to operate the flights for Qantas as contractually agreed. This creates a potential long-term reduction in work, which led us to start change negotiations earlier this spring, Tallqvist told Yle. Finnair currently leases two Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft and crews to Qantas. These aircraft operate on routes between Sydney and both Bangkok and Singapore, employing 90 Finnair pilots. The lease arrangement was made after Finnair lost access to many of its traditional long-haul routes due to Russian airspace restrictions. Finnair operates over 300 flights daily during the summer, but plans for pilot training and recruitment had to be suspended due to the labour negotiations. This created a crew shortage for the peak summer travel period, resulting in the cancellations. The airline has not specified which routes will be most affected, though the changes are spread across various destinations. The first report of the cancellations was published by Iltalehti. HT Russias Justice Ministry has added Andrei Kozyrev , the countrys first foreign minister after the fall of the Soviet Union, to its list of foreign agents. The designation imposes strict legal restrictions and public labelling on those included, often branding them as enemies of the state. Kozyrev has been openly critical of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine since 2022. On social media platform X, he has called on Russian diplomats to resign in protest against the war. Kozyrev served as foreign minister from 1990 to 1996, continuing in the role after the Soviet Union collapsed. He was one of Boris Yeltsins key reformists during the early years of post-Soviet Russia. Now residing in the United States, Kozyrev has remained vocal in international media and online about his opposition to the current Russian leadership. His criticisms include demands for accountability and condemnation of Moscows actions in Ukraine. The Justice Ministrys decision to list Kozyrev aligns with an expanding campaign against dissent. More than 500 individuals are now included on the foreign agents list. The label carries obligations such as financial reporting, mandatory disclaimers on public communications, and restrictions on professional activities. Those listed are also subject to public stigmatisation. Kozyrev becomes the second former high-ranking Russian official to be added. Mikhail Kasyanov, who served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2004, was listed earlier. Kasyanov, appointed by Vladimir Putin, left Russia in 2022 and has since spoken out against the Kremlin from abroad. Kozyrev played a central role in early diplomatic efforts to stabilise Russias international position after the Soviet collapse. In January 1993, he signed the Kirkenes Declaration, a key document that helped establish cross-border cooperation in Northern Europe. The initiative, led by then Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorvald Stoltenberg, laid the groundwork for the Barents Euro-Arctic cooperation framework. The move to declare Kozyrev a foreign agent is viewed by observers as symbolic, targeting not only critics within Russia but also exiled officials who once held senior positions in the post-Soviet government. HT HENLEY MP Freddie van Mierlo has called on a hospital trust to apologise for misleading the family of a boy with a muscle-wasting condition. Ben Clarke, 11, a pupil at Gillotts School in Henley, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition which causes significant muscle weakness. His father Alex Clarke was assured in March by Mr van Mierlo that the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust was ready to roll out an early access programme to allow patients to access new medicine Givinostat. Despite this, the trust later admitted to Mr Clarke that it was not in fact ready to do so and could not commit to a timescale. Now Mr van Mierlo has written to the trust to formally request an apology. The trust has said that it was exploring how to deliver the drug, but funding challenges meant the process was not straightforward. Ben, who lives in Sonning Common, was first diagnosed with Duchenne aged four after his family noticed him falling over a lot. The condition, which primarily affects boys, means that he will slowly lose the ability to move independently. The condition occurs in one in 3,500 to 5,000 newborns and is caused when very little or no dystrophin, a protein, is made by the body due to a genetic mutation. Bens family had been hopeful that the new drug Givinostat would improve his quality of life. It works by reducing inflammation and fibrosis in muscle tissues, promoting muscle regeneration, and potentially slowing disease progression. The drug has shown positive results in trials and was given conditional approval in the UK in December. It has been made available to the NHS for free through an early access programme by its manufacturer, ITF Pharma. Other NHS trusts across the country have already begun providing Givinostat under the programme and Ben is eligible for the treatment. Despite this, the Oxford trust is yet to apply for Bens inclusion in the programme, citing a lack of medical and pharmacy resources to support its provision. Mr van Mierlo said the trust had shown a lack of respect towards his constituents. I took the trust at its word and shared the information with my constituent, he said. To later find out the trust was not ready and could not provide Ben with the treatment he needs was devastating for the family. Mr van Mierlo leads an all-party parliamentary group for access to medicines and medical devices. He demanded urgent action to deliver the new treatment for Duchenne. Mr van Mierlo said: It beggars belief that a transformative new medicine is being denied to young boys with Duchenne due to red tape and bureaucracy. The company is providing the medicine for free, meaning the trust only has to find the staff time needed to carry out the consultations needed. Other trusts in the UK are now providing this medicine and yet boys in Oxfordshire are being let down. Mr Clarke described the situation as absolutely gut-wrenching. He said: As a family, we are doing everything we can to ensure Ben has the best chance of living a fulfilling life. This drug could slow down the progression of his condition but we need action now. Every day that passes without access to Givinostat feels like we are running out of time. I urge the trust to follow through on their earlier assurances and get Ben the treatment he urgently needs. Ben is currently mobile on his feet but uses a wheelchair to cover longer distances. Mr Clarke said that the delay in getting the drug could prolong his sons ability to walk for an extended amount of time. He added: This could be the difference between him walking for the next 12 months or being in a wheelchair. Professor Andrew Brent, chief medical officer at the trust, said: We are currently in the process of reviewing how we might provide Givinostat, including consulting colleagues across the country. Unfortunately, although the drug is being offered for free by the company, there are many other costs to delivery of the treatment as the medication needs close monitoring which will require additional staffing resource and expertise. We are currently investigating how we might do this but it is not straightforward without NHS commissioning funding to support the service and at a time when we, like all of the NHS, are being asked to reduce our costs. We want to do all we can to support patients with Duchenne and are exploring whether there is any way we can deliver Givinostat without stopping other essential care. We understand Alexs and other key stakeholders frustration that this cant be done more easily or quickly and we will continue to keep them updated. We are also hoping to meet Alex in the near future to discuss this in person. A SHOP in Henley selling nautical heritage clothing is closing after nearly three years. Quba & Co in Bell Street, which sells sail-cloth jackets, clothing, bags, homeware and accessories, is holding a closing down sale. The shop moved into the former Montpelier Interiors shop in the summer of 2022 but closed after 18 months of trading. Quba & Co was founded in Salcombe, Devon, in 1996 and now has more than 22 shops across Britain. Paul Carey, the town centre manager, wrote a report to the town councils town and community committee in which he said that Henley had a retail vacancy rate of five per cent for February and March. Meanwhile, a German kitchen showroom is set to open in Duke Street in the former Cara Shoes site, which closed in 2022 due to increased running costs. Kutchenhaus, founded in 2004, is Europes largest kitchen manufacturer and the shop will showcase bespoke German-engineered kitchens with three displays. Plans were submitted in March by C Kitchens to redecorate the existing shop front and install new signage to the Grade II listed building. Changes include repainting the exterior in matt black, non-illuminated new fascia board signage and a frost effect which would be applied to the interior of the existing glass. However, speaking at a planning meeting, Councillor Michelle Thomas opposed the use of the black paint, which would coat the whole of the shop front, including the doors and panels. She said: I really hate the black. Theyre painting everything apart from the window. Even the letter box is going to be black. Its going to look awful on that street. Under the cover of darkness, Im going to paint a different colour on it. Planning officer Jodie Rhymes said the heritage officer had no concerns over the decoration before Cllr Thomas replied: Perhaps the heritage officer is colour blind. A design and access statement by Heritage Fusion said: This retention of the existing traditional, but not historic, shop front protects both the building and the conservation areas visual and functional character. Tyrone Church, owner of Kutchenhaus Henley, said he was looking forward to the venue opening. He said: Were very excited to open this new showroom space and bring beautiful German kitchens to the area. Ill be working alongside my partner so there will be a family feel to the business and the showroom is really taking shape. We will have three fully working kitchen displays and appliances. Were looking forward to welcoming people through our doors soon and talking to customers about how to achieve their dream space. The committee recommended approval of the redecoration plans. South Oxfordshire District Council will make a final decision by May 6. Since the Legislature's midsession crossover break, North Dakotas Legislative Council has been flooded with calls about controversial bills -- but many callers don't know who they've reached. The state's Legislative Council is a nonpartisan service agency responsible for research and drafting of legislation. The council supports lawmakers but does not have a hand in shaping policy, Director John Bjornson said. He said roughly once a week since crossover, when bills pass from one legislative chamber to the other, the office has been inundated with phone calls from the public on controversial topics such as term limits, Education Savings Accounts or pesticide labeling legislation -- something that has not happened in previous sessions. Many of those who call likely aren't doing so of their own accord, and could be pawns in efforts by national partisan groups to influence policy. How calls impact the day The number of calls has gotten so bad that Bjornson said during the phone call deluge on term limits -- the day they received the most calls -- Legislative Council had eight staff members answering hundreds of calls and still had some going to voicemail. He said that it stopped some Legislative Council staff from being able to draft bill amendments or otherwise support lawmakers. The call volume has forced Legislative Council to institute a feature on its phone system that stops callers, asking them to press one to speak with someone. I dislike not having a live person answer our phones, Bjornson said. Legislators have come to expect that when they call, we'll pick up and they'll hear, you know, a voice that they know and can get right to who they want. He said the new system has worked to relieve the pressure from the call volume Legislative Council is experiencing, adding that the feature is not always present. The council can turn it on as needed when staffers start to see a large call volume beginning to build up. The callers are being directed to Legislative Council by automated calls, as well as call center and text message campaigns, according to Bjornson. He said Legislative Council has reason to believe that callers are being automatically transferred in some instances by robocalls or call center employees. Legislative Council staff said many of the callers sound confused when they call Legislative Council, asking staff, Who are you? and Why am I talking to you? I think it's frustrating for the people that are getting sent to us because they don't even know why they're being sent to us, Bjornson said. Other than they apparently answered 'yes' to a question or something on a robocall, is what we're gathering. Kayla Seifert, one of the Legislative Council staff taking the calls, said that she spoke with a Grand Forks man who told her one moment he had been on the line with a woman sporting a strong southern accent and the next, he was transferred to Legislative Council, which confused him. Other callers described being called by people with strong accents, making it difficult to understand them, who will say certain key buzzwords or lines on contentious topics, such as ESAs, multiple times and once they get engagement, transfer the caller to Legislative Council. It's probably a marketing company on the East Coast or something, who has no idea how things work here and doesn't realize how ineffective of a means to influence policy it is, right? Bjornson said. But hopefully they'll figure it out and try another tactic. He also said that he had seen TV advertisements from local groups and was appreciative of the fact that Legislative Councils number was not listed in them. I think maybe some of the local groups like that are aware that it's not an effective way to influence legislators -- having them call us, the nonpartisan staff that just happens to be answering the phone, Bjornson said. How to contact your representative Legislative Council staff said they would love to be able to help every caller find out who their representatives are and take down a message to pass on to them but, at times, when they are able to help callers find out who their representatives are, the callers are not interested in leaving a message for their representative because they are going to be in support of this anyways, Seifert said. Bjornson said that if a North Dakota resident would like to leave a message with his or her elected representatives, the best way to do so is through the Constituent Views app, which is accessible from the ndlegis.gov website, under the Session Information tab. He also said that every lawmakers government email is available on the website for constituents to contact them. Parishioners in Chautauqua County are asking if the doors of a small rural church will reopen now that the Vatican has agreed to examine their appeal of Buffalo Bishop Michael W. Fishers decision to shutter it. Members of St. Rose of Lima in Forestville celebrated a final Mass in January, and the small clapboard church has been closed ever since. But when the Vatican this week acknowledged a request from parishioners to intervene and reverse Fishers decision, it raised the question of whether the church must be reopened until the appeal is considered, per the requirements of Catholic canon law. Ten other parish groups that also appealed mergers and closures received similar acknowledgments last week from the Vaticans Dicastery for Clergy, but none of those churches had already closed. Those mergers and closures will now be on hold until the Vatican rules on the appeals. St. Rose of Lima parishioners hold out hope that the church may soon host Mass regularly on Sundays again. Everyone still actively wants this to happen, said Theresa Tammy Green, who is leading an appeal effort. This was huge to hear from the Vatican. The Vatican letter, signed by Chilean Archbishop Andres Gabriel Ferrada Moreira, secretary of the Dicastery for Clergy, said that the requested suspension of the aforementioned act of relegation was granted, for the duration of the recourse. Founded in 1850, St. Rose of Lima is among the oldest Catholic parishes in Chautauqua County. The parish was merged with Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Silver Creek in 2008, and the Forestville church stayed open as a secondary worship site of the merged parish. The church was built in the 1870s at a different location and moved to its current site on Center Street in 1938. Parishioner Aimee Rogers said she and others were pushing for the Vatican recourse in honor of the dozen or so families that founded the church. We have a lot more families now and theres no reason why we cant keep things going, said Rogers. Wed hate to lose it in our community. Weve been told were the little heartbeat of our community. When you start losing these little churches in the little towns, which you see all the time, it really is a loss, and we dont want to do that. At least 30 groups persist in opposing Catholic parish mergers, church closings The fight to keep parish churches open as the Diocese of Buffalo targets them for closure or mergers is organized and gaining traction. In his decree on Nov. 6, Fisher noted that Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church could accommodate all the faithful from the Forestville site and he also cited financial strains, a future prediction of a lack of priests and the coming need to contribute toward the diocesan Chapter 11 bankruptcy settlement as reasons to close and sell St. Rose of Lima. Parishioners filed for recourse soon after, expecting the appeal would at least forestall a closing, because diocese officials had indicated previously they would abide by canon law procedures that call for parishes to remain as is while an appeal is pending. However, in December, the Rev. Bryan Zielenieski, vicar for renewal and development, cautioned parishioners in a letter that seeking recourse does not mean that a secondary location to the parish will remain open until a resolution is received. This is particularly true in instances where locations are not able to cover their expenses, he said. Since St. Rose of Lima was unable to sustain itself the site would close Jan. 6 but not be sold until the request for recourse is resolved, Zielenieski added. 'Not the kind of anniversary we would look forward to': Buffalo Diocese bankruptcy case drags on after 5 years It's now been five years since the diocese filed for bankruptcy protection in the face of more than 150 Child Victims Act lawsuits from plaintiffs who alleged they were sexually abused by priests and other diocesan employees. And theres no indication the diocese will be exiting bankruptcy anytime soon. Parishioners said they had assumed the parishs bills were being paid and werent aware that St. Rose of Lima owed the diocese about $60,000 in unpaid assessments. We had no clue why that would be. We were all contributing, said Rogers. Rogers and Green said parishioners are selling baked goods and chicken dinners and are planning a meat raffle to raise funds for the appeal and to support the operation of the church. Diocese officials said the church must open for Mass just twice per year while an appeal is pending to adhere to canon law. Those dates have been scheduled for Aug. 23, feast day of St. Rose of Lima, and Oct. 15, the anniversary of the dedication of the church. Event held in Romania to celebrate Int'l Chinese Language Day Xinhua) 11:05, April 12, 2025 Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu Vice-Rector Ana-Raluca Sassu speaks during an event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Sibiu, Romania, on April 11, 2025. The Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu held a vibrant celebration on Friday to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day, attracting more than 100 students from the university and local high schools. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) SIBIU, Romania, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu held a vibrant celebration on Friday to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day, attracting more than 100 students from the university and local high schools. The event showcased a rich variety of cultural experiences, including traditional Chinese calligraphy, Guzheng performances and lectures, tea ceremonies, and themed workshops. Interactive activities such as painting Peking Opera masks, crafting herbal sachets, and sculpting traditional Chinese foods from clay offered participants a hands-on exploration of Chinese culture. Hua Yafang, charge d'affaires ad interim (a.i.) of the Chinese Embassy in Romania, emphasized the power of language in bridging cultures, saying that "learning Chinese can deepen your understanding of China's rich heritage and its dynamic development today." "The establishment of International Chinese Language Day reminds us that language learning is not only about mastering a skill, but also about opening doors to the world and the future," said Lucian Blaga University Vice-Rector Ana-Raluca Sassu. Cultural performances by faculty and students of the Confucius Institute included dances inspired by Ascending Spring Mountain and A Moment of Romance, a Guzheng solo of Liu Yang River, and concluded with a lively group rendition of Beijing Welcomes You, bringing the atmosphere to a festive climax. Eva-Maria Cazan, a second-year Chinese major, said she enjoyed practicing Chinese with her teachers and making new friends during the event. Wang Jiong, Director of the Confucius Institute, said the event aimed to inspire students by connecting language learning with cultural experiences. She added that the institute plans to further expand its outreach beyond schools and into the wider community. Since its establishment in 2007, the Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu has trained approximately 35,000 learners in Chinese language and culture. Students attend an event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Sibiu, Romania, on April 11, 2025. The Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu held a vibrant celebration on Friday to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day, attracting more than 100 students from the university and local high schools. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) A student paints a traditional Chinese mask during an event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Sibiu, Romania, on April 11, 2025. The Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu held a vibrant celebration on Friday to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day, attracting more than 100 students from the university and local high schools. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) Students attend an event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Sibiu, Romania, on April 11, 2025. The Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu held a vibrant celebration on Friday to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day, attracting more than 100 students from the university and local high schools. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) Students watch a Chinese tea art demonstration during an event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Sibiu, Romania, on April 11, 2025. The Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu held a vibrant celebration on Friday to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day, attracting more than 100 students from the university and local high schools. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) New Yorks public health council has denied three nursing home ownership transfers and, in doing so, hoped to send a message to lawmakers about the larger issues plaguing the states long-term care industry. My hope is that this block will call the Legislatures attention to this issue, be it by changing the reimbursement rate, changing the qualifications, said John Rugge, a member of the Public Health and Health Planning Council. ... Im afraid were going downhill to the destruction of long-term care in this state. The three denied applications would have put county-owned or nonprofit facilities all three currently rated at two stars, or below average in the hands of for-profit operators. That included the 80-bed Clinton County-owned nursing home, a 100-bed nonprofit nursing home in Fulton County and an 82-bed nonprofit home in Rensselaer County. High demand for nursing homes, but many have empty beds With 210 residents, Absolut Care of Aurora Park is running at just 66% occupancy. Nursing home officials say they're only operating as many beds as they can afford to staff. Some council members at the meeting Thursday questioned the financial viability of the three small nursing homes, arguing that the states low Medicaid reimbursement rate makes it difficult to turn a profit while meeting minimum staffing requirements. Nursing homes across Western New York have long made similar pleas to state officials, most recently pointing to the fall closure of Rosa Coplon Living Center in Amherst. There is a structural reimbursement problem for nursing homes, which is why there is a continued trend of not-for-profit selling to for-profit ownership or the closing of homes and, most recently, the reduction in the operation of licensed beds in the state, said council member Scott LaRue. There were also questions about who was behind the proposed ownership groups. LaRue, on Thursday and at a committee meeting in late March, raised concerns that some of the proposed owners had no prior nursing home ownership history but yet had a relationship with an established operator. He and others saw that pattern as a sign that some operators were figuring out ways around character and competency requirements. Rugge said it all made for two bad choices for the council Thursday: risk the potential closure of county-owned or nonprofit nursing homes by denying the ownership change to a for-profit entity or allow the transfer to certain organizations that deliver unacceptable care. In each vote on the ownership changes for the three nursing homes, the council was unable to reach the 14 affirmative votes it needed to approve each transfer. In the vote on Clinton County Nursing Home, three members voted against it and two abstained, which was enough to kill the motion to approve. The council, comprised of health care executives across the state, advises and makes certain decisions related to New Yorks health care system, meaning its decisions have the potential to have wide-ranging impact. The New York Provider Alliance, which represents about 60 upstate nursing homes, was quick to respond, saying the denials highlighted the deeper issue of inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates that dont cover the actual cost of care. We appreciate PHHPCs acknowledgment of the detrimental effects that low Medicaid reimbursement rates have on the health care industry, said Keith Chambery, the alliances executive director. But now the state must address it. But Council Chair Jeffrey Kraut said during the meeting that no attention is being paid from the Legislature, as best as I could see. Council member Peter Robinson said that to think these issues will be resolved in the state budget is being maybe very hopeful. While those discussions play out, its unclear what will happen with the three applicants who were turned down. It is possible the applications could come back before the council to reconsider. In the meantime, Kraut in particular issued concerns about the Clinton County Nursing Home in Plattsburgh. By not approving the application, he is concerned the county will close the nursing home. In an emailed statement, Clinton County Administrator Michael Zurlo said the county was extremely disappointed with the councils decision Thursday, especially after the application had made its way through the Committee on Establishment and Project Review and was recommended for approval by the state Health Department. We remain hopeful that this application will be reconsidered at the next PHHPC meeting, Zurlo said. Frustrations flare up at nursing home discussion in Albany Frustrations over the plight of nursing homes boiled to the surface during a recent meeting of a New York State health committee, usually not known to be animated affairs full of drama. At the committee meeting last month, Zurlo said the county did a robust request for qualifications to sell its nursing home, receiving three bids in response. The successful bid, he said, was above and beyond the other two applicants, one of whom the county would not even consider. The county-owned home lost $4.4 million in 2023. In all fairness, Kraut told his fellow council members Thursday, you had the government of Clinton County who did due diligence, met with different people, and they even said they didnt have great choices. They made the best choice they could in the interest of patient care ... Because we have an unacceptable environment, said Rugge, cutting in. Council member Kevin Watkins, public health director of Cattaraugus County Health Department, also questioned what happens next to the Clinton County Nursing Home after the facilitys buyer was turned down. Watkins had a particular interest in the topic because Cattaraugus County owns two nursing homes: The Pines four-star Olean Campus and five-star Machias Campus. My question is coming from a county that owns two nursing homes, and we are really in a sticky situation when it comes to reimbursement for these nursing homes, Watkins said. After the council turned down the first three nursing home ownership transfers, it approved the ownership change for the fourth and final nursing home on the agenda Thursday. The nursing home, a 120-bed facility in Albany County, was larger than the prior three homes and LaRue said he felt the financial feasibility of this home had a more probable chance of success. When the woman who is now New Yorks governor was in her 20s, Rep. John J. LaFalce saved Kathy Hochul from what she called soul-sucking work at a Washington law firm and decades later, he helped her win the race for Congress that made her a major political figure. When Michael Slater was a college sophomore, he went to work as an intern for LaFalce, who inspired him to return to Washington after graduation to become an aide to then-Sen. John Glenn. And when residents of the Love Canal neighborhood of Niagara Falls noticed a toxic smell in their basements in 1977, LaFalce leaped into action and led the passage of the Superfund legislation that cleans up the nations toxic waste dumps to this day. LaFalce, 85, died late Friday at Niagara Hospice. A Democrat from the Town of Tonawanda, he served in the State Senate and State Assembly before representing a Buffalo-area House district from 1975 to 2003. And his passing brought a round of reminiscence from Hochul, Slater and a host of others who remembered him as both a mentor and an intellectual powerhouse during a kinder, gentler time in Washington. He was very, very demanding, but not in an unpleasant way. He was very exacting, extremely intelligent, and understood complex issues, Hochul, who worked for LaFalce for four years in the 1980s, told The Buffalo News. So I learned a great deal from him. Hochul directed that flags be flown at half staff Monday in honor of LaFalce. Hochul went on to work for Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and then moved back to Buffalo to raise a family, eventually beginning a political career of her own starting with her election to the Hamburg Town Board. She kept in touch with LaFalce all the way and he came in especially helpful when Hochul, a Democrat like LaFalce, ran in a special election for an open House seat in a heavily Republican district in 2011. LaFalce talked up Hochuls chances to an old friend, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who quickly donated money to Hochuls campaign thereby opening the Democratic fundraising vault to someone at first seen as a long-shot candidate. I always credited him with getting me the recognition I needed, Hochul said. Decades earlier, LaFalce gave Slater the inspiration he needed. He was just a great guy to know, a great guy to work for, said Slater, whos now a physician in private practice in Buffalo but who, on Facebook, called LaFalce my first D.C. mentor. He inspired me to go back to D.C. after college, where I worked for John Glenn for 15 years, largely on housing and homelessness issues, Slater said in an interview. I always felt like, if it werent for him (LaFalce), I probably wouldnt have gone to work for the government. And if it werent for LaFalce, its not clear what would have happened when the Love Canal neighborhood was evacuated in the late 1970s. Lois Gibbs, the neighborhood activist who pushed for action at Love Canal, said in 1991 that LaFalce was a man who was one of the front-runners in getting things done at Love Canal. That same year, then-Sen. Jake Garn, a Utah Republican, said: John LaFalce was the first person in Congress to highlight the hazardous waste problem; he introduced the Superfund legislation. But that was by no means the only accomplishment of LaFalces career. He served for years as the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee and was instrumental in the passage of banking and financial regulations legislation during this period. Back home, he was a vocal advocate of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and worked hard to win federal funding for projects such as the renovation of Olcott Harbor. He was so driven to deliver for his district, Hochul said. Bespectacled, talkative and sometimes pedantic, LaFalce was by no means metro Buffalos most charismatic politician. But he was an incessant campaigner who repeatedly won re-election even though he often ran in a competitive or Republican-leaning seat. John LaFalce always treated his constituents as human beings, said former Erie County Legislature Chairman Len Lenihan. Never was in a hurry or never brushed them off. He understood that he is a public servant. Youre there to serve the public and not other interests. So he was a good politician, but he wasnt the traditional back slapper. Those who worked with LaFalce attributed his success to his hard work. He had one of the biggest brains and the biggest heart, said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat who served with LaFalce in the House for years. John was a legislative giant and a dear friend going back to our time serving together in the House. He would see a problem, whether in his beloved city of Buffalo or across the country, and dedicate every fiber of his being to making sure it was solved. Meanwhile, former Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, a Republican, noted that LaFalce was happy to work with Republicans such as himself and then-Sen. Alfonse DAmato on issues that mattered back home. I think he was one of the most intellectual members of Congress of his time, certainly grasping issues and very able to articulate his point of view, Reynolds said. The Buffalo native graduated from Canisius High School, Canisius College (now University) and Villanova Universitys School of Law. LaFalce came to office in 1974 as part of the post-Watergate Democratic wave, winning a Buffalo-area district held by Republicans for years prior. He had previously served one term in the State Assembly and, before that, two terms in the State Senate. A liberal on most issues, LaFalce had run into opposition from pro-choice voters in his district because, as a devout Catholic, he took a strong anti-abortion voting position in Congress. LaFalce announced in June 2002 that he would not seek re-election to a 15th two-year term in the House. He said he decided to retire rather than run against Rep. Louise Slaughter or another Democrat in a newly formed district that stretched from Buffalo to Rochester. After his retirement from Congress, he served 14 months as chair of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. He also was of counsel to the Hogan Willig law firm. LAFALCE TO RETIRE FROM CONGRESS Rep. John J. LaFalce, a Democratic power in Buffalo Niagara for one-third of a century, announced late Wednesday that he would not seek re-election in a newly reshaped congressional district. LaFalce, 62, said he is retiring from Congress rather than battle Rep. Louise M. Slaughter or any other Democrat in a district that snakes 100 miles from her hometown Lenihan said LaFalce enjoyed regular conference calls with fellow former members of the Houses class of 1974 well into his retirement phone gatherings that occasionally included notables such as former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore. That was very important to him, because he was just, right up until his dying days, John was very conversant on all the issues, Lenihan said. He was sharp as a tack and he had very strong opinions. Slater agreed. He was really becoming a stronger and stronger voice against Trump, Slater noted. LaFalce also regularly took to Facebook not only to weigh in on political issues, but also to celebrate the reunion lunches he frequently had with former staffers. He also served as a mentor to many current local Democratic politicians, including Rep. Tim Kennedy of Buffalo. Congressman LaFalce embodied the definition of public service, Kennedy said. From his time in the United States Army to his nearly three decades representing our hometown in the House of Representatives, Congressman John LaFalce set an example to which we should all aspire. His tireless work delivered so much to our community, and he was never afraid to take on the toughest of issues. Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy Zellner also counted LaFalce as an inspiration and mentor. He was a force, as you know, a very influential member of Congress and a friend of presidents, Republican and Democrat, and he inspired generations of leadership around this community, Zellner said. News / National by Stephen Jakes BUBI VILLAGERS, Have Petitioned the Minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi and the National Prosecutor General Loyce Mathanda Moyo complaining over alleged corrupt conduct of the court officials at the Inyathi Court. In a letter to the minister and NPG, the villagers said they have problems with the court officials who include the prosecutors names supplied."We have a problem here at Inyathi Courts with three prosecutors. These prosecutors if you take someone to court, that person pays them so that the cases are not prosecuted in a proper manner. You report the case and end up regretting," reads the letter."Once they take the money they call the complainant to tell him/her to withdraw the case and get paid by the accused person small amount to scrap the case. If the complainant refuses, they frustrate him/her."They however, hailed the good work done by the local magistrate a Mr. Gumbo."We appeal for assistance from you to stop these illegal activities and investigate the prosecutors," reads the letter. News / National by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole Defiant and disgruntled Glenview South voters signalled displeasure yesterday over corrupt party vultures whom they are accusing of looting donations meant to canvass support for its candidate, Tsitsi Tawomhera, with ruling ZANU-PF chefs and elitist mafia tirelessly engaging in fraudulent electoral misconduct including vote-buying, character assassination and stage-managing opposition mass exodus ahead of the Parliamentary by-election slated for Saturday. Despite the fact that only two days left for the electorate to decide, distrust and divisions grow, with voters gradually losing confidence in ZANU-PF leadership after witnessing diversion of donations and vague political communication channels meant for poor voters in Glenview, a scenario which residents comment as pathetic."When the campaign was launched, it was genuine and inclusive. There was transparency in distribution of electoral campaign material and all animals seemed to be equal, but as we drew nearer, information is now a preserve for the few," the voter said."They are now prioritising people from other provinces and constituencies whilst legitimate voters are wailing in abject poverty, with their girlfriends taking over everything and leading the campaign trail. Those who are given priority are alien to our contextual realities, and they do not vote, but rather elbow out intended voting beneficiaries," the voter added."As real Glenview voters, we will send a clear message through the ballot this Saturday. Their corrupt activities in grabbing and diverting donations for personal use will be transferred into electoral defeat," another voter said."Imagine a scenario when both party and government dispatched cabinet Ministers to run around Glenview to complement vote-buying techniques including rolling out road rehabilitation programmes (Transport Minister, Felix Mhona) some few hours ahead of a by-election. The other one (Torerayi Moyo, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education) was paraded around the whole constituency with 30 HP laptops donated to Glenview 1,2 and 3 primary schools begging residents to vote for ZANU-PF at the 11th hour," the voter added."We were also surprised when the Minister paraded one, Dr Mahachi who promised scholarships for youths from Glenview to study abroad only at this final hour for a by-election. Glenview has been deserted for quite a long period of time, but we are surprised they are trying by all means within their proximity to entice the electorate into believing their promises are a genuine cause whilst in actual fact, they are mere campaign gimmicks," another voter said."Why launching an assortment of projects a few hours ahead of a by-election should be the major question by the electorate. A sizable number of cabinet Ministers and presidential advisory entourage masquerading as caring leadership dispatched to Glenview suburb to hoodwink electorate at the very last minute is an absolute display of selfish interest by those purporting to be servant leaders," Tendai Muchineripi from Glenview queries."Those are mere publicity stunts by a careless governing party which seeks to continue penetrating urban areas without a percentage of shame. How long have we been requesting for roads overhaul or rehabilitation programmes in high density suburbs, how long have we been requesting for equitable primary education in our ghettos, what about clean water and accessible health facilities for all?," Muchineripi asked."Do you think those road stretches would enable accessibility and ease of doing business in Glenview? Those are mere political gimmicks meant to hoodwink poor voters into believing that real development has come to their doorsteps," Muchineripi said.Following vote-buying uproar in Glenview and sensing danger, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Felix Mhona says the move by his ministry to rehabilitate trunk roads, particularly in high-density suburbs, is not part of their mandate but rather an intervention to facilitate works he says opposition-led local authorities have failed to do for so many years.Mhona spoke in Glenview along 11th Avenue and Patrenda, where he summoned roadworks to be implemented on the eve of a by-election set for Saturday (12 April). Mhona claims the move to do rehabilitation work, as perceived by some observers, is not a campaign or vote-buying gimmick for the ruling party Zanu-PF candidate Tsitsi Tawomhera and assured that they will be doing similar road rehabilitation developments will be rolled out in many high-density suburbs all over the country in shortest possible timeframe.Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerayi Moyo claimed that laptops donation is also not a campaign gimmicking stunt, but real development targeting to equip and empower learners with Information, Communication and Technological prerequisites amongst schools.Business came to a halt during the campaign trail when President Emmerson Mnangagwa's advisor Paul Tempter Tungwarara left the venue prior to the guest of honour's main address, with poor ZANU-PF youths escorting his vehicle begging for money through the windows. The influential advisor stole the show, as all ZANU-PF bigwigs, like toddlers (including Ministers) bow down, salute and submit during his address. The Ministers, attendees and party leadership gave Tungwarara a hero's welcome as he distributed money and groceries among them which observers describe as the final nail towards vote-buying.Five candidates will contest for the Glenview South National Assembly seat which fell vacant after the death of the former Member of Parliament from opposition Citizens Coalition for Change. The ZANU PF's candidate, Tsitsi Tawomhera is part of the contestants. News / National by Staff reporter Voting in the Glen View South by-election got off to a smooth and peaceful start this morning, with polling stations opening promptly at 7:00 AM and a steady stream of voters arriving to cast their ballots.The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) confirmed that all 43 polling stations in the constituency were operational by the designated opening time.With a registered voter population of 31,519, the by-election is being held to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant following the death of the area's legislator, Gladmore Hakata. According to Ward 31 Elections Officer, Mr. Pomerai Coffee, the voting process has so far been incident-free."We opened polling stations at 7 AM. People are coming to cast their votes. There are no incidences of violence," said Coffee.Zanu-PF candidate Tsitsi Tawomhera cast her vote at 9:30 AM at Glen View 3 Primary School. Speaking to journalists shortly after voting, she expressed optimism about her chances of winning the seat. "I am confident of winning the seat for Zanu-PF. We have done our work well," she said.Tawomhera is up against four other candidates vying for the vacant seat. These include independent hopefuls Tungamirai Madzokere, Toenderai Chakaredza, and George Makwangwaidze, as well as National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) candidate Perpetua Mukanda.The by-election is being closely monitored by both local and international observers. So far, the process has been marked by calm and orderliness, with voters gradually making their way to polling stations throughout the constituency. Vote counting is expected to begin immediately after polls close, with preliminary results likely to be announced within 24 hours. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe National Army ushered in a new era yesterday as Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu officially assumed command in a colourful handover and takeover parade held at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare.Lt Gen Matatu takes over the reins from Lieutenant General (Retired) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, who has been appointed as Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture. Sanyatwe replaces Dr Kirsty Coventry, who is set to become President of the International Olympic Committee in June following her recent election to the prestigious post.The Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), General Philip Valerio Sibanda, presided over the ceremony, bearing witness to the symbolic transfer of command between the two senior officers.In his address, General Sibanda reaffirmed the ZDF's commitment to maintaining a secure and peaceful environment that enables national development and assures the safety of both citizens and visitors."The people of Zimbabwe have high hopes and expectations for a better future, and as the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, we should ensure that a conducive and peaceful environment prevails so that all government developmental programmes are carried out without any hindrance," said General Sibanda."Citizens of this great nation and its visitors alike should enjoy real security and develop a sense of belonging to this beautiful country," he added.He emphasized the importance of aligning the army's role with national aspirations, particularly the government's developmental agenda, and reiterated that modernising the ZDF remains a top priority.General Sibanda praised both Lt Gen Matatu and his predecessor Lt Gen (Rtd) Sanyatwe as exemplary leaders whose loyalty and service to the nation have been unquestionable."Their dedication to duty is beyond reproach; both are founding members of our defence forces who were attested into the army at its inception. Since then, they have served with undeniable loyalty, honour, and dignity in various capacities," he said.As he begins his tenure, Lt Gen Matatu was urged to embrace principled leadership and maintain close interaction with troops to tap into their energy and commitment.In his acceptance speech, Lt Gen Matatu expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him and pledged to continue strengthening the army's role in preserving national security."It is with a deep sense of humility and honour that I stand before you today to accept the command of the Zimbabwe National Army. This momentous occasion is not just a personal achievement, but more importantly, a reflection of the collective efforts and support I have received from my commanders, my fellow workmates, subordinates, and my family throughout this long journey," he said.With the change in leadership now complete, the Zimbabwe National Army begins a new chapter under Lt Gen Matatu's command, with expectations high for continued professionalism, discipline, and support for the country's peace and development goals. News / National by Staff reporter Harare has been named the most corrupt province in Zimbabwe based on the number of complaints received by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) during the first quarter of 2025, according to the commission's latest report.In its 2025 First Quarter Report, ZACC revealed that of the 183 corruption-related complaints recorded countrywide, a staggering 158 - representing 86 percent - originated from Harare alone. The capital far outpaced all other provinces, indicating a deep-rooted corruption problem in both public and private sectors.Trailing far behind was Gweru with 11 complaints (six percent), followed by Mutare with nine cases (five percent). Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West recorded five complaints each, while provinces such as Masvingo and Bulawayo registered no reports at all.ZACC Chairperson Mr. Michael Reza said the disparity in complaints between Harare and other provinces may not necessarily indicate a lower level of corruption elsewhere but could be attributed to limited public awareness and the absence of ZACC offices in some regions."It can be noted that other provinces recorded less than 10% of total reports received and this can be attributed to lack of public awareness of the existence of ZACC offices in these provinces," said Mr. Reza."The assertion is further supported by an increased number of reports being made in Harare by members of the public from provinces where the Commission already has established offices. There is, therefore, need for increased awareness raising."The report shows that ZACC received 67 complaints in January, 75 in February, and 41 in March. Out of the total reports, 75 percent (138 cases) were referred to the investigations department, while five cases were handed over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and six sent to the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Unit.Mr. Reza also revealed that 34 cases are still under review by the Selection Committee, which plays a critical role in improving the quality of cases forwarded for investigation. However, he noted that most of the reported cases involved low-value corruption.Demographic data showed that of the 183 reports, 87 were against male individuals, 23 against females, 18 against organisations, and 55 involved unidentified individuals.In terms of enforcement, ZACC made 82 arrests during the quarter, comprising 54 males, 25 females, and three organisations. The commission completed 106 dockets, with 99 referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for trial, while seven were closed due to insufficient evidence.Fraud topped the list of crimes, with 45 cases referred for prosecution, followed by 21 cases of criminal abuse of office and 10 cases involving theft or theft of trust property. Other offenses included money laundering, smuggling, tax evasion, contempt of court, and violations of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act.ZACC also highlighted that it handled 99 high-profile cases during the quarter, with 26 referred for prosecution, while the remaining 73 were classified as general cases.The report paints a sobering picture of corruption levels in the country and underscores the urgent need for greater public engagement, increased visibility of ZACC across all provinces, and continued reforms to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. News / National by Staff reporter A 35-year-old Harare teacher, Brian Muza, has been fined US$200 after he was convicted of assaulting a 12-year-old student at ZRP Support Unit College in Chikurubi, an incident that left the learner with injuries requiring medical attention.Muza was sentenced by Harare magistrate Ms Jacqueline Gara, who handed down a five-month prison term wholly suspended on condition of good behaviour. In addition, he was ordered to pay the fine as part of the sentence.The assault occurred on March 12 around 7am, when Muza, who was the teacher on duty, entered a classroom that had become noisy in his absence. The court heard that the 12-year-old boy, who served as the class monitor, had momentarily stepped out to deliver books from a previous lesson to another teacher in the staff room.Upon his return, Muza reportedly disciplined all the students in the room, including the class monitor, by administering corporal punishment for what he deemed disruptive conduct.The court was told that the physical punishment inflicted on the learner resulted in visible injuries that necessitated medical attention, prompting legal action against the teacher.In delivering her ruling, Magistrate Gara underscored the seriousness of the offense and the need to protect children from physical abuse, even within school environments. She stressed that while maintaining classroom discipline is important, it must be done within the confines of the law and with due regard for children's rights.The case has reignited public debate over corporal punishment in schools, with many calling for greater oversight and enforcement of regulations designed to safeguard learners from abuse.Muza is expected to pay the US$200 fine promptly, failing which further legal consequences may be imposed. News / National by Staff reporter A woman from Mount Hampden has been granted a peace order against her neighbours, whom she accused of harassment, violence, and destruction of property.Ms Revai Gatsi approached the Harare Civil Court seeking protection from Dennis and Luke Basvo, whom she claimed have made her life unbearable. In her testimony, Ms Gatsi alleged that the duo routinely insult her, throw stones at her home, and have damaged her belongings."They are in the habit of coming to my house, throwing stones and destroying my property," she told the court.Ms Gatsi said she resides in a squatter camp in Mt Hampden and that the Basvo brothers have been pulling down her temporary shelter, forcing her and her children to sleep in the open.She added that although she bought the structure from them five years ago, the two have since turned against her and are now attempting to evict her by force."They sold the structure to me, but now they're throwing my belongings outside and claiming I no longer have the right to stay there," said Ms Gatsi.The court also heard that the men barge into her room without permission, verbally abuse her, and label her with derogatory names such as "witch" and "prostitute," particularly after she warned them that she would report the matter to the police.In response, the first respondent, Luke Basvo, denied vandalising the property and claimed Ms Gatsi had initially requested temporary accommodation but was now refusing to vacate."I only warned her to leave, but she's telling people that I abuse her," he said.The second respondent, Dennis Basvo, echoed Luke's sentiments, saying Ms Gatsi insulted him after he asked her to move out."Enough is enough. She must leave. It's not a crime to tell her to move from our place," Dennis argued.After reviewing the testimonies, presiding magistrate Ms Meenal Narotam ruled in favour of Ms Gatsi and granted the peace order to shield her from further harassment.The court's decision brings temporary relief to Ms Gatsi, who said she is still seeking a long-term resolution to her housing dispute. Pop artist and Television star JoJo Siwa has found herself at the centre of a reality TV storm after Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke made a series of offensive comments towards her during an episode of Celebrity Big Brother, which aired on Wednesday. The incident has drawn widespread criticism, with viewers demanding Rourke's removal from the show. The incident took place during a conversation between Siwa and Rourke when she shared that she is gay prompting Rourke to reply, 'If I stay longer than four days, you won't be gay anymore.' The statement was followed by a disturbing remark where the actor says that he will tie her up. The offensive attacks didn't end there; later, he casually shouted, saying, 'I need a fag,' and, pointing at JoJo, clarifying, 'I'm not talking to you.' Although she had a smile on her face, the Dance Moms alum was visibly distressed by Rourke's homophobic comments toward her, which eventually led her to break down in tears. While Rourke, 72, received a formal warning from Big Brother producers, the incident sparked an outpouring of support for JoJo. However, at the moment the headlines may be dominated by the unfortunate and demeaning attack towards the young star but at the same time many have developed a new found interest in Siwa's life. From TV prodigy to global artist, here's what we know about her life. Early Life and Rise to Fame As a public figure, she is known as JoJo Siwa, but the YouTube star was born as Joelle Joanie Siwa on 19 May 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska. She first grabbed the public attention when she appeared on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition. Later, she became a household name on Dance Moms, where she and her mother Jessalynn, quickly became standout stars. At a very young age, she cemented a signature style with a bright wardrobe, high ponytails, and oversized bows. However, more than her appearance, it was her confidence and impeccable stage presence that made her a star. After leaving Dance Moms, JoJo transitioned into a successful online career, launching a YouTube channel that now has over 12 million subscribers. In 2016, she acknowledged her singing talent and released her debut single, Boomerang, that went platinum in 2017. Her musical career provided her a vast platform to explore her talent and she even conducted multiple tours. Apart from being a performer, Siwa is a successful businesswoman at the age of 21. She started her merchandise lines, including hair accessories, dolls, and clothing, making her a teen role model. Billionaire and TV star Kim Kardashian once told TIME magazine that Siwa is a 'ray of sunshine.' She said, 'She's a great role model for children, and her optimism is more necessary now than ever. It's no wonder my daughter North and millions of other children around the world adore her.' Who Is JoJo Siwa Dating? In 2021, Siwa came out and shared that she identifies as pansexual. 'Technically, I would say that I am pansexual because that's how I have always been my whole life... my human is my human,' she told People magazine. When it comes to her love life, Siwa was associated with several people over the years. One of the most talked about relationship of Siwa was with Kylie Prew, the two were reportedly on and off before calling it quits in 2022. Afterwards, she spent a brief time with So You Think You Can Dance finalist Dakayla Wilson before ending things in November 2024. Currently, Siwa is dating Australian influencer Kath Ebbs, with whom she went Instagram-official in January 2025. JoJo Siwa's Net Worth As a rising artist, Siwa has built quite an empire. According to reports, her estimated net worth is around $20 million, which can be attributed to music sales, YouTube revenue, brand partnerships and touring. As a public figure, Siwa has faced her share of criticism and backlash over her artistic choices. However, Mickey Rourke's recent remarks toward her were not only inappropriate but also considered an insult to the LGBTQ community. Siwa's partner Kath Ebbs took out her frustration on the outrageous comments made by Rourke, and even called him a 'pig' in the process. In a video posted on Instagram, she said, 'A lot of people want to know my thoughts on Mickey Rourke, or however the f*** you say his last name, on his comments towards my partner JoJo on Big Brother and quite frankly it is beyond disgusting.' 'Not only because that is the literal love of my life and I want to protect her at all costs and I feel so helpless that I cannot be there to not only comfort her,' she added. Originally published on IBTimes UK The United States and Iran begin high-stakes talks on Tehran's nuclear programme on Saturday, with President Donald Trump threatening military action should they fail to produce a new deal. They will be the highest-level discussions between the foes since an international agreement on Iran's nuclear programme crumbled with Trump pulling out in 2018 during his first term in office. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are set to lead the discussions behind closed doors in Muscat, the capital of Oman, which has long played a mediating role between Iran and Western countries. Iran's official IRNA news agency said on Saturday morning that the delegation headed by Araghchi had departed Tehran for Muscat. "I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, hours before the talks were due to begin. He had made a surprise announcement last Monday that the talks would occur. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's adviser Ali Shamkhani said Tehran was "seeking a real and fair agreement", adding that "important and implementable proposals are ready". If Washington showed goodwill, the path forward would be "smooth", he said on social media platform X. The format for the talks has not been confirmed, with the United States calling them direct talks but Iran insisting on an intermediary. According to Iranian news agency Tasnim, the delegations will start indirect negotiations after a meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. The talks are expected to start in the afternoon with Busaidi acting as intermediary, Tasnim added. Trump announced the talks during a White House press appearance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, Iran's arch foe. The contact between the two sides, who have not had diplomatic relations for decades, follows repeated threats of military action by both the United States and Israel. "If it requires military, we're going to have military," Trump said this week, when asked what would happen if the talks fail to produce a deal. Responding to Trump's threat, Tehran said it could expel United Nations nuclear inspectors, a move that Washington warned would be an "escalation". Iran, weighed down by years of sanctions and weakened by Israel's pummelling of its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, has strong incentives to negotiate. The United States wants to stop Iran from ever getting close to developing a nuclear bomb. The 2015 deal which Trump withdrew from aimed to render it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic bomb, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme. Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany were the other parties to the agreement, of which Araghchi was a key architect. Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal that "our position today" starts with demanding that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear programme -- a view held by hardliners around Trump that few expect Iran would ever accept. "That doesn't mean, by the way, that at the margin we're not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries," Witkoff told the newspaper. "Where our red line will be, there can't be weaponisation of your nuclear capability," added Witkoff. Iran, which insists its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only, stepped up its activities after Trump abandoned the 2015 agreement. The latest International Atomic Energy Agency report noted with "serious concern" that Iran had an estimated 274.8 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, nearing the weapons grade of 90 percent. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group think-tank said agreeing the scope of the talks would be "one of the first and most consequential issues". "Iran does not want an expanded agenda in the early stages. But no deal will be sustainable unless it becomes more comprehensive," he said. Iran is "likely to engage on steps to roll back its nuclear programme, but not dismantle it entirely" in exchange for sanctions relief, Vaez added. Karim Bitar, a Middle East Studies lecturer at Sciences Po university in Paris, also said negotiations "will not focus exclusively on... the nuclear programme". "The deal would have to include Iran stopping its support to its regional allies," a long-standing demand by US allies in the Gulf, he said. For Iran, it could be a matter of the government's very survival. "The one and only priority is the survival of the regime, and ideally, to get some oxygen, some sanctions relief, to get their economy going again, because the regime has become quite unpopular," Bitar said. Xi: No winner in a tariff war 11:13, April 12, 2025 By Cao Desheng ( Chinadaily.com.cn President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday. Liu bin / Xinhua There are no winners in a tariff war and China is not afraid of unreasonable suppression, President Xi Jinping said on Friday, calling on the European Union to work with China to jointly resist unilateral bullying. Xi made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the first time the Chinese leader has spoken in public on the tariff war launched by the United States on April 2. There is no winner in a tariff war and going against the world ultimately results in self-isolation, Xi said. He emphasized that China's development over the past 70 years and more has been through self-reliance and hard work, never on others' mercies, and it certainly does not fear unreasonable suppression. Whatever changes may take place in the external environment, China will remain confident, resolute and focused on running its own affairs effectively, Xi said. The president noted that both China and the EU are major world economies and staunch supporters of economic globalization and free trade, with their combined economic output accounting for over one-third of the global total, forming a deep economic interdependence. China and the EU should fulfill their international responsibilities, jointly uphold the trend of economic globalization and the international trading environment, and resist unilateral bullying in order to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, while upholding international fairness and justice and maintaining international rules and order, Xi said. Xi's remarks came as the US tariff war with China escalates. The White House clarified on Thursday the 125 percent tariffs on Chinese imports announced on Wednesday were on top of a previous 20 percent, adding up to a whopping levy of 145 percent against China. In response to a question about the US tariff hike, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday that China's countermeasures are not only aimed at safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, but also at upholding international rules and order. "In the face of US bullying and arrogance, there is no way forward through compromise and concession," Lin said at a regular news conference. Sanchez was the first European leader to visit China following the US announcement of sweeping tariffs. The two-day official visit, starting on Thursday, marks his third trip to China within three years. He told Xi that China is an important partner for the EU, and Spain consistently supports the stable development of EU-China relations. The EU remains committed to open and free trade, is dedicated to upholding multilateralism and opposes unilateral tariff increases, Sanchez said, adding there are no winners in a trade war. Faced with a complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU are willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China, uphold the international trade order, and jointly cope with the challenges of climate change and poverty to safeguard the common interests of the international community, he said. On Friday, Premier Li Qiang held talks with Sanchez. They witnessed the signing of an array of cooperation agreements in the economy, trade, and science and technology. Both sides issued an action plan (2025-28) on strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership. They agreed to enhance cooperation on the economy, trade, investment and technological innovation, and jointly support free trade and open cooperation and uphold multilateralism. China and the EU have been closely coordinating on trade issues over the past few days. Premier Li held a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to promote bilateral ties and uphold the multilateral trading system. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday, during which the two sides agreed to promptly initiate consultations to thoroughly discuss market access-related issues. Observers said that the US tariff war may provide an opportunity to bring Brussels and Beijing closer together and has given China the opportunity to position itself as a potentially more reliable partner for the EU. Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that it is imperative for China and the EU to jointly confront this challenge, as US unilateral policies would severely damage globalization and the multilateral trading system that underpins China-EU cooperation. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially launched Phase 1 of the Mbare Musika Traders Market, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at providing a modern and conducive environment for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe.Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, President Mnangagwa emphasized the significant role SMEs play in driving economic growth, job creation, and wealth generation, underscoring their contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).The completion of Phase 1 has allowed 1,628 traders to resume operations, offering them a much-needed relief after the devastating fire that destroyed their stalls and stock last year. The new market is set to be a model for modern SME trading environments across the country."My Government recognizes that SMEs are a key driver of economic growth, job creation, wealth creation, and broad-based empowerment," President Mnangagwa stated. "This sector stands as one of the critical pillars of our economy, and we are committed to supporting its growth and sustainability."The President highlighted the importance of leveraging emerging trends and digital technologies to scale up the establishment of small businesses and start-ups. He also reiterated the government's commitment to facilitating low-interest financing, business development services, and market access for SMEs.President Mnangagwa encouraged Zimbabwean entrepreneurs to align their businesses with current global trends, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, financial technologies, and climate solutions. He also directed that levies and rentals at the market be set at competitive and affordable levels to ensure the sustainability of businesses operating within the facility."Collaboration between SMEs and relevant ministries, departments, and agencies is crucial for the formalization of small businesses and start-ups," he said. "We must work together for the good of the country."The President also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to improving the ease of doing business by reducing barriers to entry and streamlining business registration, licensing, and compliance processes.The second phase of the Mbare Musika Traders Market will see the construction of a multi-storey complex designed with improved sanitation, fire safety features, and organized trading spaces. This expansion is in line with the Government's Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG Number 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.In his address, President Mnangagwa applauded the efforts of Masimba Construction and Mkambo Misika Hubs, the partners in the project, for their professionalism and work ethic, which ensured the successful completion of Phase 1.Minister of Defence and War Veterans, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, commended the project, emphasizing its alignment with the National Development Strategy 1, which aims to elevate Zimbabweans to a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030. Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, also announced the ground-breaking ceremony for the second phase of the market, which will accommodate up to 10,000 traders.The event, which was attended by various government officials, Cabinet Ministers, local authorities, and traders, highlighted the government's unwavering commitment to the transformation and growth of the country's SME sector."Through initiatives like this, we are not only restoring infrastructure but also upgrading it to a cutting-edge facility that will create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive," Minister Garwe said.Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, also praised the new market, describing it as a transformative development for the SME sector, which has long been undervalued.Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan, Charles Tawengwa, thanked President Mnangagwa for his prompt action following the fire disaster, restoring traders' livelihoods and giving them a chance to rebuild.As the country moves towards Vision 2030, the Mbare Musika Traders Market stands as a testament to the government's commitment to economic transformation and creating an environment conducive for the growth of SMEs. Starwood Capital Group and Fontainebleau Development Launch 1 Homes Jupiter Island in South Florida Starwood Capital Group and Fontainebleau Development have partnered to develop 26 oceanfront estate residences known as 1 Homes Jupiter Island in South Florida. The residences, ranging from 3 to 4 bedrooms and 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, are just 30 minutes from Palm Beach. The development comprises 26 oceanfront estate residences, ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, with three to four bedrooms. Groundwork for the project has already begun. The development is a collaboration between Starwood Capital Group, a private investment firm focusing on global real estate, and Fontainebleau Development, a leading real estate development group with expertise in large-scale lifestyle developments within the hospitality, retail, residential, and commercial sectors. Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a sustainable hotel brand management company founded by Starwood Capital Chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht, is also part of this collaboration. Miami's award-winning Swedroe Architecture and Fanny Haim & Associates are responsible for the design of 1 Homes Jupiter Island. The residences will be furniture-ready and include a curated selection of fine fixtures and finishes. Starwood Capital Group Chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht said, "This is a groundbreaking opportunity. We approached 1 Homes Jupiter Island with a simple thought: the world is beautiful, and it's our responsibility to celebrate and to preserve it." He added that their partnership with Fontainebleau Development, known for creating iconic luxury condominium homes, will make their shared vision a reality. The residences at 1 Homes Jupiter Island will feature expansive terraces and sweeping ocean views and intracoastal waterways. The development will also offer amenities like a beachfront swimming pool, private cabanas, and state-of-the-art wellness enhancements. Jeffrey Soffer, Fontainebleau Development Chairman and CEO, said, "This partnership brings together decades of expertise, industry leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence. We are honored to partner with Starwood Capital in this landmark achievement." 1 Homes Jupiter Island is at 300 Beach Road, Tequesta, FL 33469. 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. Market 32 Holds Annual Pet Food and Supply Drive SCHENECTADY, N.Y. Market 32 and Price Chopper supermarkets are conducting their annual pet food and supply drive from April 1 to April 30 to benefit local animal welfare organizations. Customers are invited to purchase and donate items by placing them in specially marked shopping carts located at the front of each store. According to Pam Cerrone, director of community relations at Market 32 and Price Chopper, animal shelters offer essential services such as food, medical care, and shelter for animals awaiting adoption. The collection aims to provide these organizations with necessary supplies. Cerrone stated that all donations will remain within the local areas where they are collected. Stores in New Yorks Capital Region will collect donations for the Capital District Humane Association. Other Market 32 and Price Chopper locations will support a local animal welfare agency specific to each stores community, with the beneficiary identified on the designated collection carts. News / National by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole HARARE - Founding leader for Destiny of Afrika Network and clergyman, Reverend Obadiah Musindo has threatened to expose real criminals behind ZANU-PF's tainted repute, with his address declaring that successful party faithfuls and businessmen aligned to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration are mere victims of their genuine innocence.Speaking during his address to drum up support for ZANU-PF candidate, Tsitsi Tawomhera in today's Glenview South parliamentary by-election this week, Musindo concurrently clarified that businessmen Kudakwashe Tagwireyi, Wicknell Chivhayo, Scott Sakupwanya, Paul Tungwarara, among other revolutionary party faithfuls and clergymen have become victims of character assassination by a clique serving for its ultimate demise."Let me clarify this narrative which has been driven by a clique within ZANU-PF, whose main agenda is to taint good repute of various party faithfuls into misleading opinions before the public. Clergymen including us are targeted, Kudakwashe Tagwireyi, Scott Sakupwanya, Paul Tungwarara, Wicknell Chivhayo are all victims of their submission to the ruling party and our innocence in serving or defending it from self-destruction," Musindo said."I know those guys personally, and to tell you the truth, they are hard workers in their quest to transform livelihoods. In their best understanding of national interests and patriotism, they face resistance and de-campaign from internal detractors. Real criminals and their syndicates are hiding behind and sooner than later, we will expose them and release a comprehensive list against their damning criminal records," Musindo added."We have confidence in their capacity to support and complement national development strategies in accordance with President Mnangagwa's vision 2030. With our prayers as clergymen, we pray for peace, unity, tolerance and sustainable development," Musindo pleaded."As clergymen with their God-fearing followers, we publicly declare and rally behind the ZANU-PF by-election parliamentary candidate, Tsitsi Tawomhera," Musindo declared.Meanwhile, Musindo welcomed several former members who have defected from opposition political parties. Some surrender their former party regalia and take turns to give testimonies on how some business start-up projects initiated by DANet leader have complemented in realisation of their economic fortunes. 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 Bill Maher has made an unexpected admission about Donald Trump after attending a private White House dinner with the president. The Real Time host, who has long been critical of Trump and previously called for him to be impeached, revealed the result of the evening after being invited by their mutual friend, the musician and noted Republican Kid Rock. Maher accepted the invitation in an attempt to soften hostilities between the pair as theres gotta be something better than hurling insults from 3,000 miles away. But the comedian was surprised to find that he enjoyed Trumps company, calling him gracious and measured and far different to the crazy man he watches on TV. Why he isnt that in other settings, I dont know and I cant answer and its not my place to answer, Maher said on Fridays episode of Real Time (11 April), adding: Im just telling you what I saw and I wasnt high. He praised Trump for making him feel comfortable with talking candidly about any subject, stating: I never felt I had to walk on eggshells around him. The host continued: Honestly, I voted for Clinton and Obama, but I would never feel comfortable talking to them the way I was able to talk to Donald Trump. Thats just how it went down. Make of it what you will. Maher, reporting exactly what I saw over two-and-a-half hours, went on: A crazy person doesnt live in the White House. A person who plays a crazy person on TV a lot lives there, which I know is f***ed up. Its just not as f***ed up as I thought it was. open image in gallery Bill Maher said Trump was gracious during White House dinner ( Max ) I get it. It doesnt matter who he is at a private dinner with a comedian. It matters who he is on the world stage. Im just taking it as a positive that this person exists. Because everything Ive ever not liked about him was I swear to God absent. 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. He also claimed he heard Trump admit he lost the 2020 election and didnt get mad when Maher pointed that out. Hes much more self-aware than he lets on in public, Maher said, but admitted he still has negative feelings about the presidents administration. Overall, he said Trump gave him a generous amount of time and showcased a willingness to listen and accept me as a possible friend even though Im not MAGA, which he said was the point of the dinner. The host also hit out at those who criticized him for accepting the invitation, stating: To all of the people who treated this like it was some kind of summit meeting, youre ridiculous. I have no power, Im a f***ing comedian and hes the most powerful leader in the world. open image in gallery Doanld Trump invited Bill Maher to the White House ( Getty Images ) He continued: Im not the leader of anything, except maybe a contingent of centrist-minded people who think theres got to be a better way to run this country than hating each other every minute. 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 Rageh Omaar has returned to ITV for the first time since falling ill during a live broadcast last year. The broadcaster, 57, had a suspected mini stroke while presenting News At Ten in April 2024, which led to widespread concern from viewers as well as Ofcom complaints questioning why he was permitted to continue. Omaar claimed producers attempted to take him off air, but said he insisted he was able to work and was allowed to finish the 30-minute programme. More than one year on, Omaar led a pre-recorded segment on west Africa on Friday (11 April), which is thought to be his first foreign dispatch after a slow return behind the scenes. In concerning footage that was broadcast live, Omaar slurred and stumbled over his words but remained on air until the programme ended almost half an hour later. ITV confirmed the broadcaster had received hospital treatment and said he was recovering at home with his family. A spokesperson said: We appreciate viewers of last nights News at Ten were concerned about Rageh Omaars wellbeing. open image in gallery Rageh Omaar fell ill during a news broadcast in April 2024 ( ITV ) Following medical treatment at hospital, he is now recovering at home with his family. We are wishing Rageh a speedy recovery and look forward to him being back on screen when he feels ready. The presenter subsequently issued a statement confirming that he had received medical attention after the event and thanked viewers and colleagues for their concern. 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. He said: 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. At the time, I was determined to finish presenting the programme. I am grateful for all the support Ive been given. ITV News told The Independent they refute all allegations that they knowingly allowed the presenter to work while sick. open image in gallery Rageh Omaar has presented his first foreign dispatch since falling ill on air ( Getty Images ) After working for news channel Al Jazeera for a period, Omaar joined ITV News as a special correspondent in 2013 and was later promoted to ITV News international affairs editor. He is the presenter of the broadcasters foreign current affairs programme, ITV On Assignment. Opinion / Columnist Who is Blessed Geza; past and present! The situation in Zimbabwe is a circus! Rape as a weapon of war Nyokayemabhunu informed us, the demonstrations on the 31st of March will be safe: nobody will be hurt or arrested or gunned down by Mnangagwa army: he said, he is carrying a true voice from Geza, it will be safe to demonstrate. Contingencies have been put on the ground. It turned out to be a great lie. The 31st demonstrations were not safe after all. The nation was dubbed by reckless Geza and Nyokayemabhunu. Both continue to peddle lies, double down on the possibilities on how to bring down Mnangagwa regime. We, in the opposition want to see Mnangagwa removed from power: however, the methodologies to unseat him are different. Gezas demonstrations are deadly and clearly not strategized, not grounded; they hope things will happen on their own.Nyokayemabhunu must be ashamed of himself. We have been told, those incarcerated will be set free by Chiwenga, nothing tells us they are preparations for their release. Chiwenga was in Gweru on a prestigious event, lighting an independence torch. Honestly, it cannot be more sarcastic than Chiwengas actions. What torch was he lighting if 109 activists were in prison for demonstrating on his behalf? Does he still find sleep considering what happened to the innocent rotting mercilessly in prison demonstrating for Geza and Chiwenga to be Presidents. It has become embarrassingly evident, how Chiwenga fears Mnangagwa if he has no power to release activists from prison. Why set them up for slaughter if he cannot protect them? Evidently unable, and feeble, and just fit to be sent on errands! The Idi Amin anger, and never beyond.Why tell them there was security clearance to demonstrate; yet it was not. We understood as if the army and the demonstrators would converge at some point and shout with one voice. Fear was removed from them, were then groomed to face Mnangagwas army and police for 31st demonstrations. What happened on the M31st was barbaric, evil, and diabolic. Geza lied to have been in the empty streets of Harare. A double speak, how and when did Geza tell the people in the middle of the night to stay home? The conflicting messages of going out the streets and staying at home in the middle of the night! Chiwenga must open the prison gates: release activists from prison: they are not criminals: they have been lied to, AGAIN, used as cannon fodder in the sense of the word. We shall tell the young never go for demonstrations if this is how VP Chiwenga treats them like disposables: How he gloated in Gweru, a show; gloated again in Victoria Falls: no mention of our activists languishing in prisons.What amuses me is how they justify their actions using God and the Holy Bible: they pray before they spit propaganda on U-Tubes. They exchange and interchange scripture verses and suddenly switch to diabolic expressions, some of which are unprintable. It is this confusion from the words of their mouth and fake meditations of their poor souls that make their movement unconvincing. (in German: von vorn bis hinten, fake) I dont know but I doubt if the powers of the universe that can listen to multiple convolutions of circumstances in one sitting.Nyokayemabhunu was quick to conceal and suppress reasons why the 31st demonstration was a debacle. Today, he needed to find reasons why the impeachment would fail this time around, and it was dismal. Between the lines of his sentences, he smartly conceals facts, humble people will not understand what he is saying: me included. (If you have two hands and ten fingers, remove thumbs, you have eight, minus two from each handI am stuck) One thing, you cannot underestimate the intelligence of Nyokayemabhunu: he is talented and gifted; he eloquently speaks to invites one to listen. It is for this reason; he can move a gullible crowd easily on his side. Like Chamisa, he realized that if his speeches have bible verses to a Zimbabwean Christian crown, they will be mesmerized by his gospel speeches and morning prayers.My article was supposed to be about Geza today. Who is Geza, past and present? Nephew Machacha gives reliable information regarding Uncle Geza. It is seriously short-changing to realize that Geza is not the war veteran he purports to be. Geza was sent to Romania for military training, he did not finish his training, claiming to be Mugabes son he was given special treatment, lived large while other Zanla forces trained. If what Machacha is saying is to be believed, Gezas present shenanigans replicate his past. You can read it for yourself what Geza did in Chimoi in Mozambique. My humble amazement is that gullible masses appear not to realize how they have been dubbed to think Geza is a war vet, and that he talks on the masses behalf: In retrospect, Geza is a criminal, a paedophile whose criminal charges were suppressed by Zanu: he wanted to stand for parliamentary elections in 2018. It was obvious right from the start that the Geza revolution was about himself and not about the people. Somehow things went seriously wrong in allocations and distributions of cheese cuts. His calculus was to incorporate the masses in his revolution, as was the case in 2017 to remove Mnangagwa. He would then share power with Chiwenga as his VP, and forget the masses completely.Why a circus? People will listen to Chiwenga talking about corruption in Zimbabwe. This man has no moral ground to stand on when it comes to corruption. Chiwenga is as corrupt as Mnangagwa. Despite all the information we know about the looting in Marange diamonds by Mugabe family and him, he manages to put a straight face and condemns corruption in Zimbabwe. He calls them Zvigananda. Machacha defines what Zvigananda means. The meaning is nearer to oligarchs, in the global sense. Sometimes I doubt if the problem is with our leaders as such. The problem is us, the people. We lack it, we are politically not mature enough to adequately comprehend our political situation, and cue our desperation.If Geza was a thief in the liberation struggle, where does Geza find the courage to stage a regime change? Geza is a murderer: That he murdered, this information came from him. Geza confessed his murderous actions in 2008 general elections that left thousands of people dead and maimed. How do young people trust a criminal to sort out their future through regime change? It happened before: in 1980 people should have questioned the Mugabe leadership: Where did Mugabe come from, if the founding fathers and mothers in the struggle were present; eliminated one by one? It is easy to despair when one thinks deeply about the history of the struggle for independence: the future looks precarious. We are living in the afternoons of our lives. It is scary: we shall pass on leaving behind gross uncertainties. It is not yet Uhuru!Geza needed to apologize to the women he raped during the struggle. If he can confess murder, its easy to confess rape cases he committed. The pungwes were the worst times during the struggle for independence. Women and girls were debased, raped multiple times. At independence, no woman had courage to stand up and say, the women paid the highest price in the struggle for independence. Some of these war vets want to be heroically treated, how they used rape as a weapon of war, is a fact and very shameful. Many families were murdered; they were sold out, to have sent their girl-children to towns and cities, away from war zones in fear of barbaric rapes. The truth will come out one day, we want to know how women and girls were casualties of the struggle for independence. During the struggle, men treated women with impunity: there should be a day to remember these atrocities on women: rape as a weapon by freedom fighters supposedly our brothers and fathers. 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 Is the Tardis a ticking TV time bomb just one bad news cycle away from outright cancellation? Such are the rumours pinging around the cosmos and the ongoing speculation that the BBC is considering pulling the plug on Doctor Who unless ratings improve has understandably cast a shadow over the show as it returns for its latest season. Still, there is no need for embattled Whovians to get their sonic screwdrivers in a twist quite yet. Any suspicion that the venerable franchise is on its last legs is immediately exorcised by this fun and freewheeling series opener. The Robot Revolution is another impressive outing for the charming Ncuti Gatwa, his 15th Doctor having settled into his stride as a mash-up of David Tennants dashing eccentric and Jodie Whittakers more grounded Time Lord. He also brings his own touches by giving the Doctor a faint yet discernible anxiousness. Gatwas Doctor wants, above all, to be liked. When, for instance, new companion Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) objects to his good-natured bossiness (I am not one of your adventures!), the sting of rejection knocks him back. Its great acting from Gatwa, whose Doctor is both charismatic and vulnerable. A whiff of deja vu hangs over the action, which kicks off with yet another companions origin tale, as Sethu inherits the baton from Millie Gibsons Ruby Sunday (who is confirmed as featuring in two of the years eight episodes). Belinda is a hard-working London nurse who finds her already busy week interrupted by alien robots stomping through her front door. The anxious androids are looking for a messiah and she fits the bill. The invaders are from a star system named after Belinda, which, according to their logic, means she is destined to be their queen. Off she must go to save them from certain doom. Precisely why a seemingly random nurse would be crowned Regent of the Robots is hinted at in the cold open, where we see Belindas old boyfriend give her one of those gimmicky certificates confirming a star has been named after her. It turns out the robots are right about one thing: Belinda is both a down-to-earth NHS employee and an interstellar object. Back in the present, she is whisked off to their home world, which has the beautiful retro vibes of a mid-20th-century science-fiction paperback cover. The Doctor is here, too, having disguised himself as a flunky of the machines revealed to be dastardly droids eager to marry Belinda off to a villainous AI, who looks like a cross between Darth Vader and a Second World War gas mask. The Doctor says goodbye, Ruby Sunday ( BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon ) Its fun, pacy Whovian derring-do, even if showrunner Russell T Davies ruins the mood slightly by killing off a rebel with whom the Doctor has become close. Weve only just met her, so we dont feel the Doctors grief, and anyway, the instalment is such a hoot, do we really need the extra angst? The story culminates in a twist involving the evil AI and an incel type from Belindas past. The bombshell is expertly delivered though you wonder if Davies isnt insulting half his audience by putting a negative slant on the cliche of the bedroom-bound geek obsessed with video games. They comprise a surely not-insignificant segment of the Doctor fanbase. Nerds everywhere could, moreover, be forgiven for feeling slightly fed up being told that, simply because theyre shy and spotty, it follows that they will be weird around women a stereotype likewise given airtime in the latest series of Black Mirror. Still, aside from doing wrong by nerds across the universe, The Robot Revolution is a blast. The plot is easy to understand a novelty following the convolutions of Chris Chibnalls years in charge of the show. Davies also lays the groundwork for an ongoing mystery around Belinda and her potentially extraplanar origins by confirming that she is the ancestor of the space trooper Mundy Flynn, whom we met in the 2024 instalment Boom (and also played by Sethu). Questions remain over the shows future and its relationship with Disney+ (it turns out time-hopping British quirkiness doesnt necessarily travel well). But, for now, what a huge comfort to know the Doctor is back battling weird aliens and having frisky fun with the laws of time and space. Could a hardcore Whovian ask for anything else? 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 There was no sweeping law, no global investment blitz, no prime minister announcing a green revolution. And yet, by the end of 2024, Pakistan imported more solar panels than almost any other nation in the world. The South Asian country, facing economic challenges and high energy poverty, is witnessing one of the most unexpected clean energy success stories of the decade. Pakistan has joined the ranks of the worlds leading solar markets, importing 17 gigawatts of solar panels last year alone, according to the Global Electricity Review 2025 by Ember, an energy think tank in the UK. This surge represents a doubling of the previous years imports, and makes Pakistan one of the top global buyers of solar panels. The scale of Pakistans imports is particularly striking because it is not driven by a national programme or utility-scale rollout. Instead, the majority of the demand appears to come from rooftop solar installations by households, small businesses and commercial users looking to secure cheaper and more reliable electricity in the face of frequent power outages and rising energy costs. According to Embers report, rooftop solar installations in homes and businesses in the country has soared as a means of accessing lower-cost power. Pakistans experts echo this analysis. Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, programme director at Renewables First, tells The Independent that the solar boom is best understood as a survival response by people and businesses that were increasingly being priced out of the grid due to inefficient planning and unreliable supply. It marks a structural shift, he adds, in how energy is perceived in Pakistan. Pakistans solar panel imports in fiscal year 2024 alone, Mr Amjad says, amount to roughly half of the national peak power demand. Rooftop solar is fast becoming the preferred energy provider, he adds. And the role of the grid has to massively adapt in order to remain relevant in a fast-transitioning energy economy. Ubaid Ullah, an energy expert in Karachi, argues that the energy transition is driven by people taking matters into their own hands. If you look at satellite images of any Pakistani city, he tells The Independent, all the roofs appear blue, covered in solar panels. In a region often plagued by grid instability, solar panels have emerged as a practical alternative to unreliable public supply. The sharp increase in imports in 2024 follows years of worsening power cuts, fluctuating tariffs, and high costs associated with diesel generators and imported fuels. Rather than waiting for national reforms, many Pakistanis began adopting solar technologies directly often installing panels and inverters without much reliance on subsidies or centralised planning. This makes Pakistans solar growth somewhat unusual in the global landscape. In many countries, solar adoption has been closely tied to climate policy or international financing. Pakistans solar boom, in contrast, appears to be a response to market logic and local necessity, not climate diplomacy. The Ember report notes that Pakistan's growth is happening largely outside formal energy planning frameworks. Industry experts say there is minimal direct government intervention in Pakistans solar journey. In fact, the infrastructure is struggling to keep up. While regulators have approved net metering policies and eased import restrictions in recent years, there have been no major public spending programmes or large-scale solar auctions to match the pace of adoption seen at the household or commercial level. Despite importing record volumes of solar panels, Pakistans official grid-connected solar capacity remains far lower, indicating that much of the new solar is operating off-grid or behind the meter, where it escapes inclusion in national electricity statistics. This divergence between on-the-ground installations and official planning is already raising concerns. Grid operators and utility companies are struggling to adapt to the effects of widespread self-generation, particularly in urban areas where high-value customers are increasingly generating their own electricity during the day and relying on the grid only as the backup. The dynamic, sometimes referred to as a utility death spiral, can erode the financial base of public energy providers while placing new pressure on infrastructure during peak evening hours. In its analysis, Ember warns that this kind of rapid, decentralised growth requires updated planning and regulatory tools to avoid instability. Updated system planning and regulatory frameworks are needed alongside this deployment to ensure a sustainable and managed transition, the report says. File. Solar panels help power a washing machine in Ismail Khan Khoso village in Sohbatpur area of Pakistan's Baluchistan province ( AP ) While the focus has been on solar, Pakistans broader renewable energy mix includes growing contributions from wind, hydropower, and bioenergy. However, solar is by far the fastest-moving segment, particularly because it can be deployed at small scale with minimal bureaucratic friction. In a country with long-standing challenges around governance and infrastructure delivery, the modular nature of solar technology has enabled adoption even in the absence of large public investment. The 2024 import figures reflect more than a spike in consumer interest. They also speak to the declining costs of solar technology globally, particularly for modules manufactured in China, which dominates international supply chains. Falling equipment prices, combined with volatile local fuel costs and persistent power shortages, have made solar one of the most economically viable energy solutions in Pakistan today. Despite this, significant gaps remain in how the transition is being managed. With little oversight of system quality, storage deployment or grid balancing mechanisms, Pakistan risks undermining the long-term benefits of its clean energy expansion. In the absence of stronger data, more transparent planning and investment in modernising the grid, the current surge may exacerbate existing inequalities in access and reliability. Still, the broader message from Pakistans experience is clear: clean energy adoption is no longer limited to wealthy nations or high-emitting economies. When the economics work, and the barriers are low, energy transitions can take root quickly even in places where policy has historically lagged ambition. Whats happening in Pakistan may be messy and uneven, but it holds global significance. It offers a blueprint or at least a suggestion of how energy transitions might look in much of the Global South. Not as a carefully orchestrated top-down process, but as a decentralised, demand-led shift driven by necessity and economics. According to Mr Amjad, this makes Pakistan an early example of a new energy model. For Global South economies, he says, this presents an alternative bottom-up, people-led, and market-driven model of energy transition one that provides secure, distributed, and democratised access to clean and affordable energy. Battery storage, he adds, is likely to follow the same trajectory as solar cheap, modular and adopted quickly at the edge of the grid, not the centre. With the price of batteries following a similar trajectory to solar, the pace of energy transition across Global South countries will definitely accelerate, as the volatility around imported fuels continues to encourage renewable growth. Harjeet Singh, strategic adviser to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, says Pakistans story shows solar is not just a green option, but an affordable one. The phenomenal growth of solar energy in countries like Pakistan underscores that solar is no longer just an environmental choice its a powerful economic solution, especially for the developing world. Faced with volatile fossil fuel prices, soaring electricity bills, and often unreliable grids, households and businesses are embracing solar because it offers a cheaper, cleaner, and more dependable source of power, Mr Singh says. This isnt simply about decarbonisation anymore; its fundamentally about ensuring energy access, driving economic stability, and strengthening energy security from the ground up. 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 The terrorist brother of the Manchester Arena bomber is alleged to have seriously injured three prison officers in an attack at a high-security prison. Hashem Abedi who is serving at least 55 years for the murders of 22 people in the May 2017 atrocity threw hot cooking oil over three officers at HMP Frankland in an attack on Saturday, according to the Prison Officers Association (POA). He then produced home made weapons and proceeded to stab the officers, who suffered life-threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds, the union said. Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) NE will lead the investigation into the serious assault. open image in gallery Hashem Abedi is alleged to have attacked three prison officers, the POA said ( PA Media ) Abedi is one of the only prisoners in the country held at a specialist separation unit for extremists where the attack allegedly took place inside the Category A prison in County Durham. The Prison Service confirmed that three prison officers were treated in hospital after an attack by a prisoner at Frankland. One female officer was discharged by 4pm on Saturday. A spokesperson said: Police are now investigating so it would be inappropriate to comment further. Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hardworking staff. Abedi is serving 24 life sentences after being found guilty of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and plotting to cause an explosion likely to endanger life over the Manchester Arena attack, which he conspired to carry out with his older brother Salman Abedi. open image in gallery Hasham Abedi was being held at the separation unit in HMP Frankland ( PA Wire ) Describing the alleged attack on Saturday as cowardly and vicious, the POAs national chair Mark Fairhurst said it displayed the dangers brave prison officers face on a daily basis. He added: Separation centres hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology and as this event confirms, are determined to inflict violence on those who hold them securely. We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners have. I am of the opinion that allowing access to cooking facilities and items that can threaten the lives of staff should be removed immediately. These prisoners need only receive their basic entitlements and we should concentrate on control and containment instead of attempting to appease them. Things have to change. CTPs acting senior national co-ordinator, Commander Dom Murphy, said: Given the nature of the incident, it has been agreed that CTP North East will lead the investigation, supported by Durham Constabulary. This is an ongoing investigation which is in its early stages, and we are working hard to establish the facts. Therefore, we are unable to comment further at this time. Frankland is one of three prisons in England and Wales containing a separation unit intended to house the most dangerous prisoners in thrall to extremist ideologies, which were first announced in 2017 following a review into extremism in prisons. open image in gallery Hashem Abedi was convicted of conspiring with his brother over the Manchester Arena bombing, killing 22 people ( PA Archive ) While the three units have a total of 28 places, they were occupied by just nine men and the unit at HMP Full Sutton was closed entirely when the facilities were last inspected in 2022. However, a report in The Times earlier this month alleged that, instead of extremists, the centres at Frankland were actually being used to house prisoners who were receiving death threats after refusing to join Islamist gangs. Criminal barrister Tony Wyatt, who discovered that separation centres were being used for this purpose while visiting clients at Frankland, told the outlet: There are so many who are members of Muslim gangs in prison, you just cant contain the problem. If the solution was to separate them and Im not suggesting it is you would need entire prisons dedicated to that separation. And not just one prison, multiple prisons. Thats the scale of it. Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Saturday that she was appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland, adding: My thoughts are with them and their families. The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated. Additional reporting by PA For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An XL Bully that evaded armed police for eight days has been put down after being found suffering serious injuries from being shot. The pet was injured as it escaped a police raid on a home in the Hillfoot area of Sheffield. The "aggressive" XL Bully was shot at by police marksmen before fleeing the scene on Thursday April 3. Officers urged locals not to approach it, but to call 999 as it had "the ability to show aggression and cause harm". open image in gallery The dog was cornered in a dead end in Bank House Road ( Google ) South Yorkshire Police said forensic testing of blood after officers tried to shoot the dog confirmed that it had been injured. After the week-long search at around 1.20pm on Friday, the dog was cornered just half a mile away in a dead end in Bank House Road. It was safely captured and taken to a vet by officers. The female owner was informed and disclaimed the pet (gave up ownership) before it was put down. A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: We received reports that an XL Bully that became loose on Thursday (3 April) in the Hillfoot area of Sheffield had been located alive on Bank House Road. Officers attended this afternoon, and it is believed that it is the same dog that became loose last week. Dog Legislation Officers safely recovered the animal and took it to a vet to receive treatment. Sadly, due to the nature of the dog's injuries, on the advice of the vet the decision to put the animal down was made. Shooting a dog was "never a decision taken lightly by our armed officers", police said. Five people have been arrested in connection with the initial firearms incident, and two men have been charged with firearms offences. Chief Superintendent for Sheffield Jamie Henderson: I would like to thank the public for remaining vigilant when this animal was loose. It has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate since February 2024. The government received 61,000 exemption applications before the deadline, which saw owners buy insurance, microchip their dog and pay a fee of 92.40 per animal. The force are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported firearms discharge on 3 April, and anyone with information is asked to get in touch online or by calling 101 quoting incident number 948 of 3 April 2025. 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 Police have launched an appeal to help find a missing teenage boy who vanished from a town centre 48 hours ago. Joshua, 13, was last seen riding a blue mountain bike in Trowbridge on Thursday. He was described by police as wearing all black clothing - a hoodie, joggers, trainers and a black rucksack with a royal blue coloured medium size mountain bike. On Saturday, Trowbridge Police launched an appeal for the publics help in finding the boy. A force spokesman said: We are appealing for your help to find Joshua who is missing from Trowbridge. Joshua, 13, was last seen in Trowbridge town centre on Thursday (10/04) and we are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare. We believe Joshua is still in the Trowbridge area but he has links to Southampton. A relative posted under the Facebook appeal urgently asking Josh to call them. One wrote: Come home we are all worried about you love. Anyone with information about Joshua's whereabouts is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 54250044122. 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. 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 Emergency plans to save British Steels Scunthorpe blast furnaces by taking control away from Chinese owners were approved by parliament after an extraordinary Saturday sitting. At an historic Commons session the first Saturday recall since the Falklands war in 1982 MPs backed wide-ranging moves that will allow ministers to keep the plant working in the hopes a new buyer can be found. Ministers had taken the unusual step of recalling parliament from its Easter recess after negotiations with British Steels Chinese owners, Jingye, appeared to break down. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds accused the firm of planning to irrevocably and unilaterally shut the furnaces down by starving them of raw materials as it emerged that police were called after reports executives were blocked from entering. Humberside Police said officers attended following a suspected breach of the peace, but no arrests were made. Later, the prime minister met with steelworkers near Scunthorpe to discuss the plans. He told them: You are the people who have kept this going. You and your colleagues for years have been the backbone of British Steel, and its really important that we recognise that. He added in a statement on Saturday evening: This government is turning the page on a decade of decline, where our manufacturing heartlands were hollowed out by the previous government. Our industry is the pride of our history and I want it to be our future too. Although the new law stops short of nationalisation, the government conceded it is likely British Steel will have to be taken into public ownership after Sir Keir Starmer warned the UKs economic and national security was on the line". open image in gallery The PM has warned national security is on the line ( Carl Court/PA Wire ) In the Commons, Mr Reynolds told MPs that doing nothing was not an option as, once allowed to cool, the furnaces could never be restarted. He said Jingye, which bought British Steel in 2020, had rejected a substantial offer under which ministers would have bought the raw materials needed to keep the plant open, ensuring no losses whatsoever for the parent company. Instead, Jingyes counteroffer demanded an excessive amount of support, that involved the government paying the company hundreds of millions of pounds with no conditions to stop the money being transferred to China and no agreement to keep the blast furnaces in good working order. He added that in recent days it had become clear the companys intention was to refuse to purchase enough raw material to keep the blast furnaces running and and refuse to pay for existing orders. The company would therefore have irrevocably and unilaterally closed down primary steel making at British Steel, Mr Reynolds said. Mr Reynolds acknowledged that nationalisation was the eventual likely option after industry minister Sarah Jones conceded no companies were currently willing to make an offer. While the governments plan has substantial cross-party support, many opposition MPs called for a sunset clause on the legislation. The Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper also warned ministers were giving themselves huge and unconstrained powers, which could set a very dangerous precedent. Reforms Richard Tice urged No 10 to go further, show some mettle and be courageous, adding: Lets nationalise British Steel this weekend and make British Steel great again. The Commons debate also reopened faultlines over other parts of the country whose industries did not receive the same support. David Chadwick, a Welsh Lib Dem MP, asked ministers: Where was this urgency when Welsh steel communities were crying out for support? open image in gallery Ministers said the blast furnaces at Scunthorpe would have closed irrevocably without action from the government ( PA Archive ) Before the Commons debate, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused ministers of having bungled a deal she had negotiated with Jingye to modernise British Steels operations. But Mr Reynolds denied that Labour had inherited a deal, saying he had been told on taking office that there had been a lack of progress on it as he challenged Ms Badenoch to explain how much her agreement would have cost the taxpayer. She replied: We had not finished the negotiation so there was no amount, but it would have succeeded better than the terrible plan hes got now. In a sign of how seriously the government takes the potential collapse of British Steel, Sir Keir delayed a family holiday to attend the emergency session of Parliament. No 10 confirmed the prime minister had been planning to jet off on the trip, expected to be to southern Europe, but was now expected to leave on Sunday instead. Sir Keir cancelled a European summer holiday last August after rioting broke out in the UK and tensions escalated in the Middle East. The emergency session was just the sixth time parliament has been recalled on a Saturday since the end of the Second World War. 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 Homeland Security officers attempted welfare checks on migrant children at two Los Angeles elementary schools this week, but were turned away, sparking a clash between school officials and the federal agency. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the visits on Friday, emphasizing they were for welfare purposes, not immigration enforcement. However, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho strongly criticized the DHS, accusing the officers of misleading school staff. Carvalho stated the officers falsely claimed they had parental authorization to contact the children. "We have confirmed that that is a falsehood," Carvalho declared in a Thursday news conference. He added that the district had contacted the childrens parents and caretakers, who denied any interaction with DHS or granting permission for the school visits. The principals of both schools refused the officers access to the children. The incident highlights the tension surrounding immigration policies and their impact on schools, particularly in districts with significant migrant populations. open image in gallery A young protester holds a poster reading "Hands Off our Schools" during the national "Hands Off!" demonstration day against the policies of President Donald Trump ( AFP via Getty Images ) President Donald Trumps immigration policies have vastly expanded who is eligible for deportation and lifted a ban on immigration enforcement in schools. In Chicago in January, a school mistakenly said federal immigration authorities had come to campus. Officials later said it was officials from the U.S. Secret Service investigating a threat, but the false alarm raised fears among immigrant communities. The Department of Homeland Security oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but ICE agents were not the officers sent to the schools. DHS stated in an email to The Associated Press that agents with its Homeland Security Investigations agency were at these schools conducting wellness checks on children who arrived unaccompanied at the border. This had nothing to do with immigration enforcement. open image in gallery Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho (file) ( Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG ) Homeland Security Investigations conducts criminal investigations into drugs and arms smuggling, cyber crime, human trafficking and child exploitation, among other things. It added that DHS is leading efforts to conduct welfare checks on these children to ensure that they are safe and not being exploited, abused, and sex trafficked. Employees of Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest district, were trained months ago in anticipation of arrivals by federal agents to campuses, Carvalho said. Four federal officers arrived Monday morning to Russell Elementary and identified themselves as Homeland Security agents, Carvalho said. They then asked about four students ranging from first-graders to sixth-graders. The agents told the principal repeatedly that this was not an immigration enforcement operation, federal officials said. They were told they would need a court order. Two hours later, three Homeland Security agents arrived to Lillian Street Elementary and asked about a sixth grader, the superintendent said. The agents, according to federal officials, went to Lillian to confirm the residence and verify the safety of an unaccompanied migrant child and were told by the principal that they would need a warrant. Carvalho said after asking to see the identifications of the agents, the principals at each school contacted the districts legal department, which sent representatives and dispatched school board police to the campuses. The federal officers then got in their vehicles and left. I am proud of these principals. I am proud of our workforce. I am proud of the clerical staff in the front office for they did exactly what we trained them to do, Carvalho said. At one school, agents tried to insist that they have the authority to be on campus, which Carvalho said was incorrect. Im still mystified as to how a first, second, third, fourth or sixth grader would pose any type of risk to the national security of our nation that would require Homeland Security to deploy its agents to two elementary schools, he said. Carvalho said the actions add to the fear already being felt in immigrant communities and that his district will not be intimidated. Schools are not places of fear, he said. 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 An immigration judge has ruled that a Palestinian Columbia University graduate student who participated in protests against Israel can be deported. Mahmoud Khalils attorneys said they will appeal Fridays ruling. Federal immigration agents detained Khalil last month, the first arrest under President Donald Trumps crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. Khalil, a legal US resident, was taken to an immigration detention center in Jena, Louisiana, thousands of miles from his attorneys and wife, a US citizen who is due to give birth soon. Heres a look at what has happened so far in Khalils legal battle and what happens next: The arrest 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. Khalil is not accused of participating in the building occupation and wasnt among the people arrested in connection with the demonstrations. open image in gallery Khalil, a 30-year-old international affairs graduate student, had served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists ( Reuters ) 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 antisemitic. The White House accused Khalil of siding with terrorists but has yet to cite any support for the claim. He was detained 8 March in the lobby of his university-owned apartment. The legal fight Khalil isnt accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. The government 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 7 October 2023. Khalils lawyers have challenged the legality of his detention, saying the Trump administration is trying to deport him for an activity that is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has 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. The ruling Immigration Judge Jamee E. Comans ruled Friday the governments contention that Khalils presence in the U.S. posed potentially serious foreign policy consequences was enough to satisfy requirements for his deportation. Comans said the government had established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable. Federal judges in New York and New Jersey previously ordered the government not to deport Khalil while his case plays out in court. Next steps open image in gallery Khalils attorneys said they will keep fighting ( AP ) Khalils attorneys said they will keep fighting. They plan to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. They can also pursue an asylum case on his behalf. Even though the judge found Khalil removable on foreign policy grounds, nothing will happen quickly in the immigration proceeding, his attorney, Marc Van Der Hout, said. The judge gave them until 23 April to seek a waiver. 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. 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, canceling 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. 70% of Community College Students Are Working to Improve AI Career Readiness, Despite Mixed Feelings About AI A recent report from IT training and certification provider CompTIA reveals the value of digital skills for community college students working toward career success. In the survey of 462 community college students across the United States, 44% of respondents said that digital skills were highly important across all career fields, while another 36% rated digital skills at a mid degree of importance. Students ranked the importance of specific skill domains as follows: Leadership, team, communications (88%); Digital fluency (82%); Data and analytics (79%); Project management, operations (77%); Financial, accounting (68%); IT, cloud, cybersecurity (67%); Creative, content creation, video (65%); Coding, software development (55%); and Artificial intelligence (52%). Although AI did not top students' list of important skills, 70% of respondents said they are taking some action to improve their AI career readiness. Ways students are learning about and preparing for AI include: Using or learning AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Copilot (cited by 40% of respondents); Learning AI skills through free sources, such as YouTube or TikTok (30%); Researching how companies are using AI (28%); Taking AI classes or training courses (18%); Networking with AI thought leaders via LinkedIn or other platforms (15%); and Earning a certification or other credential in AI (13%). Students expressed a variety of opinions toward AI and its potential impact on their job prospects or career. While 26% of respondents had generally positive feelings toward AI, 14% said their feelings were generally negative. Forty-eight percent reported having mixed feelings, and 9% were unsure. Other key findings from the survey: 66% of community college students feel generally optimistic about the job market post-graduation, but 44% reported a degree of anxiety around the economy. 51% of students reported concern with identifying and navigating career path options in their chosen field, and 30% have concerns about potential gaps in their academic program leaving them short of career-ready. 49% of students said earning an industry-recognized certification is required or recommended as part of their academic program. 81% of students said that industry-recognized certifications provide a stepping stone to career advancement. For the full report, visit the CompTIA site. 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 Two Delta Air Lines flights from Mexico heading to Boston on Thursday were forced to divert to Alabama, where they were stuck on the tarmac for hours due to a customs issue. Flight DL 1828 from Los Cabos International Airport departed at 5:17 p.m., while flight DL 599 from Mexico City took off nearly an hour later. The two flights were scheduled to stop in Atlanta Deltas hub and headquarters before continuing on to Boston. But they were forced to divert to Montgomery, Alabama, due to bad weather, according to Boston 25. Both flights landed at the airport in Montgomery around 10.30pm local time, a Delta spokesperson told the network. Since they were coming from an international point of origin, passengers were forced to sit on the tarmac for hours, unable to leave the plane due to a lack of Customs and Border Protection staff at the airport. At around 5am, after seven hours on the tarmac in Montgomery with only cookies and water, passengers were permitted to disembark in groups of 20. Passenger Lauren Forbes told Boston 25: They had roped off a square area and both flights were in there. If you needed to use a restroom, there was a police officer in front of the restroom. They waited for another eight hours before taking off for Atlanta. Forbes and her boyfriend then had to rebook a connecting flight to Boston on their own. Look at the bags under my eyes from not sleeping, she said on arrival at Logan Airport after a 25-hour journey. I just want to sleep and go home to my dog. Then, I go to work in the morning. Forbes said Delta has already reached out to her about reimbursement, but she added: I think this is just an eye opener for maybe more substantial protocols in place. Delta said the plane doors remained open while passengers waited and explained that the lightning in the area forced them to hold the flights in Montgomery longer than expected, as flight crews had exceeded permitted working hours. We sincerely apologize to our customers for this experience, a Delta Air Lines spokesperson said in a statement. 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. The airline confirmed that at 5:15 a.m. and 5:23 a.m., some passengers were allowed to disembark and go into the airport, but had to stay in a certain area. Alabamas Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, which would have had appropriate customer staffing, was not suitable as a diversion airport because it was also experiencing severe thunderstorms. When Donald Trump told a room full of women assembled at the White House, Ill be known as the fertilisation president, it brought many chilling things to mind. This is a man who boasted on Access Hollywood that women let him grab em by the p***y, who has taken credit for overturning Roe v Wade while abruptly removing access to contraception across the world, and supports a deputy who derided women in positions of power in the US as a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives. And now the president was boasting about some vague policies to increase access to IVF. Were going to have tremendous, tremendous goodies in the bag for women, too; the women between the fertilisation and all of the other things that were talking about, he said, at an event to mark Womens History Month. Its going to be, its going to be great, he assured the room, with his trademark delivery of an overripe and incoherent game show host. Adding: Ill be known as the fertilisation president, thats not bad, thats not bad. Ive been called much worse. Actually, I like it, right? I like it. Improved access to expensive fertilisation treatment would normally be something to be celebrated, but many American women feel far from great about Trumps treatment of womens bodies. As Chloe, a 35-year-old teacher living in Park Slope in Brooklyn puts it, It feels absolutely terrifying to be a woman in America right now, but women are supposed to be grateful for this extra opportunity to bring a child into this mess? America under Trump gets more like The Handmaids Tale every day. On her February trip to Australia, Chloe stocked up on a years worth of the contraceptive pill to bring back to the US. We just dont know what will change next in the US regarding womens reproductive rights, she says. Having spent the past four months based in New York, The Handmaids Tale comparison is one I heard often. As the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Margaret Atwood wrote in The Atlantic, I invented Gilead. The Supreme Court is making it real. In Margaret Atwoods dystopian novel, the Republic of Gilead, a theocratic dictatorship, has overthrown the United States, establishing a society where women are stripped of their rights and forced into reproductive servitude, while men hold all power and authority. While the US is not quite there yet, the dystopian parallels between the series and real life sharpen every day. The Trump administration is one obsessed with a fertility crisis, often pitting women against each other. Many leading figures in the administration repeatedly use rhetoric that reduces women to their biological functions as child bearers. In September 2024, Joyce Vance, a former US attorney appointed by Barack Obama, wrote in her hit Substack newsletter, Civil Discourse, that Trumps posts about women on Truth Social are written with all the fervour of a man envisioning a future that is part Stepford Wives and part The Handmaids Tale. On the presidential campaign trail in 2024, Trump declared himself the father of IVF, whilst blithely admitting hed only recently learned what it is. In this new order, Trump recognises the importance of family formation and that our nations public policy must make it easier for loving and longing mothers and fathers to have children, calling on policymakers to protect IVF access. Note the use of loving mothers and fathers. Currently, only seven states Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey and New York require IVF benefits to include same-sex couples, according to a report from the non-profit news website Stateline. open image in gallery All this nationalist pronatalism naturally plays well to the fundamentalist Christian far right ( Facebook ) Fuelling this rhetoric around Americas dropping fertility rates is billionaire baby daddy Elon Musk, a father of 14 children (some through IVF), who believes that the collapsing birth rate is the biggest danger civilization faces by far. Musk has said that declining global fertility rates are not just a crisis, but the crisis. Vice-president JD Vance got the memo, and, upon taking office, declared: I want more babies in the United States of America. All this nationalist pronatalism naturally plays well to the fundamentalist Christian far right, with (some strands of) the church and the state joining voices to instruct women its their moral and patriotic duty to procreate. It also nods to far-right Great Replacement conspiracy theorists who shout about white extinction and stoke fears about a non-white population displacing a white majority. I mean, I get tradwife content on my socials, but is this really driven by women? asks Chloe. We all know who controls social media algorithms and its not women. For people experiencing fertility issues, medical professionals in the field, and economists and sociologists concerned with falling birth rates, Trumps fixation on IVF and fertility in general is bittersweet. Falling birth rates are indeed an economic problem, as countries face the impact of both ageing, declining populations and a reduced workforce in proportion to retired people and other people requiring support. In the US, the birth rate is at an all-time low of 1.6, below the 2.0 level needed for the nations population to sustain itself. But most demographers detest alarmist talk of a demographic timebomb and recommend a long-term strategy of improved social services, access to medical care, better maternity and paternity provision and affordable childcare, to encourage more people to have children. open image in gallery The Trump administrations attack on reproductive rights has led many women to feel that the US is moving closer to a real-life Gilead ( Hulu ) Professor Geeta Nargund is lead consultant for reproductive medicine at St Georges University Hospital in London and medical director at Create Fertility. As the UK contributor to a major international report on fertility policy and population decline, she argues that holistic family-friendly policies such as cheaper childcare, more generous parental leave, and financial incentives to have children will have the most impact on tackling the population crisis. Infertility is a medical condition, but political infertility is the impact of decisions taken by policymakers that prevent fair and equal access to assisted reproduction services or create socio-economic conditions that act as a deterrent to starting a family, says Nargund. The solution is family-friendly policies, including affordable childcare, equitable parental leave, and flexible workplace arrangements, she says. Policymakers must also ensure all members of society are given equal access to assisted reproduction services, including single women and the LGBT community. The way Nargund sees it, while increasing access to IVF is positive, it only makes sense as part of broad and long-term reforms and supportive services. Demanding that women have more children, while systematically disempowering women, is less of a gift and more of a toxic system of control. Ive never been more worried about losing my job, much of the country is losing access to abortions, reproductive health screening and contraception, and Ive never felt more marginalised and threatened as a woman, says my friend Nenah, a 29-year-old from New Jersey who works in renewable energy. We have the most misogynistic president in US history. We have sweeping redundancies across traditionally female-friendly industries like education, healthcare and the non-profit sector. I feel a lot less inclined to become a mother under Trump than I ever did before. open image in gallery Scenes from the annual National Women's March months after Roe v Wade was overturned ( Getty ) While Trump is happy to talk about goodies for women and protecting the women whether they like it or not, in his attack on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), he scrubbed the term women from all US public websites and bodies, removing any policies specific to or references to women in leadership. So gender ideology isnt welcome in the workplace, apparently, but Trump, Musk and JD Vance are fine getting gender-specific if were talking about womens bodies and how much control women have over our bodies. Another friend, who works in high school education in California, tells me shes already noticed a shift in how teenage boys treat women. Its not just influencers like Andrew Tate; the most powerful men in America right now are the absolute worst male role models, and kids see them on news clips every day. There are countless incidents of blatant misogynistic abuse such as Trumps personal attack on long-standing rival Nancy Pelosi. He said: Shes a bad person. Evil. Shes an evil, sick, crazy... before mouthing the word bitch into the microphone. Elon Musks PAC ran an advertisement that opened with Kamala Harris is a C Word, later unveiling the word as communist. JD Vance told an Atlanta rally, Were going to take out the trash, and the trashs name is Kamala Harris. Trump has bragged about his part in overturning Roe v Wade in 2022, an anti-abortion stance that inquests have found contributed to the preventable deaths of a number of pregnant women in Texas, Alabama and Georgia. Hes also cut tens of millions of dollars in funding to reproductive health clinics providing contraception, both in the US, and in nations that relied on US aid. And this is the world Im being asked to bring a daughter into? says Chloe. They have halted three generations of progress that we have made as a society, to lift women up and empower us and prove were more than vessels for babies and male desire. I feel like Im no longer an equal. Donald Trumps gleeful claim of a creepy new fertilisation president moniker is consistent with the paternalistic tone we heard last October when he threatened to protect the women, whether they like it or not. In a vacuum, wider access to fertility treatment sounds like a positive, but in the context of the Trump administrations broader attack on reproductive rights and gender parity, it seems predatory, controlling, fundamentally patriarchal and straight out of Gilead. *Some names have been changed 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 Donald Trump has ordered the military to take control of federal lands along the border to deter what the president has deemed an invasion of illegal immigrants and cartel activity - a move that continues to push his crackdown on immigration. Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats, a Friday presidential memo reads. The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past. Thousands of U.S. troops were already at the border before the order, but Fridays action spells out in more detail some of the new powers Trump wants the military to use along the frontier line, including temporarily detaining migrants and building new barriers. Trumps order mentions soldiers deploying to the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip of federal land running across the borderlands of California, Arizona and New Mexico, and suggests the military will keep expanding its presence going forward. Critics are likely to argue the new phase of Trumps border crackdown sees the military crossing legal lines, barring them from domestic law enforcement in all but the most extreme circumstances. Heres what you need to know about Trumps newest order: open image in gallery A Stryker armored vehicle platoon is stationed near the fence at the southern U.S. border with Mexico, in Douglas, Arizona, on April 3. President Donald Trump has ordered the military to take control of land near the southern border ( AFP via Getty Images ) What powers will the soldiers have under the new order? By deploying the military to the border, Trump is essentially turning areas such as the Roosevelt Reservation into military installations. As a result, soldiers will be able to temporarily detain those migrants who enter these military zones under federal law until agents from the Border Patrol arrive. Critics argue Trump is carrying out an end run around the longstanding Posse Commitatus Act, which generally bars the military from domestic law enforcement. Welp theyre doing the Roosevelt Reservation crazy strategy, giving the military jurisdiction over a 60-foot-wide stretch of land from CA to AZ and then claim that migrants are being arrested for trespassing on military property thus trying to bypass the Posse Commitatus Act, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, wrote on X. How big is the deployment at the border now? There are about 10,000 U.S. troops spread across the border, a vast increase from the 2,500 deployed there under the Biden administration. Military personnel have used tech such as drones and eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicles as part of the mission. open image in gallery Trump has claimed soldiers are necessary to repel the invasion at the border. The new order will give the military additional powers at the border ( EPA ) What kind of impact are they having on immigration? Border crossings were already declining from their Biden-era peak of over 370,000 per month when Trump took office, and the Republicans hard-line stances deploying troops, canceling temporary migrant protections for those inside the U.S. and pursuing a mass deportation campaign appear to be driving a drastic decrease in immigrants crossing the border. Just over 7,000 illegal crossings were recorded in March, per Customs and Border Protection data, down from 28,654 in February. Is Trumps border plan legal? The White House, following the lead of conservative border states such as Texas, has been making a legal argument that U.S. is literally under invasion by migrants and cartels, justifying sweeping emergency powers in response. open image in gallery Border-crossings have declined sharply since Trump took office - with just over7,000 illegal crossing noted in March ( EPA ) In January, Trump declared a national emergency at the border and designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. What comes next? The buffer zone plan is likely only the beginning of an even more stepped-up military presence on the border. The Friday memo orders the Secretary of Interior to allow the soldiers on lands that havent yet been officially been transferred to military control, and mentions the separate ability of the Defense Department to ask state governors to deploy the National Guard to the border. States such Texas already have thousands of their troops at the boundary line, under Governor Abbotts controversial Operation Lone Star. open image in gallery The Trump administration is considering invoking an emergency law to use the military even more in border enforcement ( Getty Images ) Later this month, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security will offer recommendations to Trump on whether to invoke the emergency 1807 Insurrection Act, which would allow the deployment of additional troops, who could join in law enforcement operations. The Trump administration has shown its willingness to use emergency wartime powers for immigration enforcement elsewhere, invoking the scarcely used Alien Enemies Act to summarily deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. The administration is also reportedly considering using drones to attack Mexican drug cartels on Mexican soil. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday evening that as part of his annual physical, he took a cognitive test. I got every answer right, he announced. Having spent several hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier in the day, undergoing a variety of tests for his physical, the president then headed to Joint Base Andrews for the flight down to Palm Beach, where he is spending the weekend. Speaking with the White House traveling pool accompanying him to Florida, Trump fielded questions on a number of topics but was keen to talk about his tests. I think I did well, the president said, adding that the report on his health would be released Sunday. Overall I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart. A good soul. Very good soul. I took I wanted to be a little different than Biden. I took a cognitive test. I dont know what to tell you other than I got every answer right, Trump said. Asked to say more about the cognitive test by one reporter, the president was asked, Was it: Man, Woman, Person, Camera, TV? a reference to his discussions about a previous cognitive test in his first term in office ahead of the 2020 election, specifically a portion in which he was asked to recall a list. Perhaps not appearing to get the reference, Trump, 78, said: I think its a pretty well-known test. Whatever it is. I got every one right. President Donald Trump talks to reporters on board Air Force One on the way to Palm Beach International Airport ( AP ) The president has spoken often about cognitive tests, especially in reference to former President Joe Biden the only commander-in-chief older than he is. Trumps apparent obsession with cognitive tests specifically, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment he took during his first administration designed to screen for early signs of dementia has often been ridiculed. One part of the test requires participants to repeat a short list of words. Speaking to Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel in 2020, Trump explained: Its like youll go person, woman, man, camera, TV. So theyll say Could you repeat that? So I said yeah. So its: person, woman, man, camera, TV. Okay, thats very good If you get it in order you get extra points. He said nobody gets it in order, its actually not that easy, but for me, it was easy. And thats not an easy question, he insisted. Continuing his monologue about the exercise, Trump described the examiners saying, Thats amazing! How did you do that? answering, I do it because I have, like, a good memory. Because Im cognitively there. TRUMP: I asked the doctor, I said, 'is there some kind of cognitive test that I could take?' ... the last questions are much more difficult. Like a memory question. You'll go 'person, woman, man, camera, TV.' So they say -- 'can you repeat that?' ... for me it was easy." pic.twitter.com/pCKYoNy3BH Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 23, 2020 Dr. Ziad Nasreddine, who developed and copyrighted the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test in 1996, said anyone with functioning cognitive abilities should be able to pass it. "This is not an IQ test or the level of how a person is extremely skilled or not, Nasreddine told MarketWatch in 2020. The test is supposed to help physicians detect early signs of Alzheimer's, and it became very popular because it was a short test, and very sensitive for early impairment. The test is a 10-minute examination and includes questions that are meant to test different parts of the brain for cognitive function. Questions include identifying drawings of animals and asking subjects to draw a picture of an analog clock and draw the hands to a specific time. Reporter: Can you tell us about the test? Was it Man, Woman, Person, Camera, TV? Trump: Its a pretty well known test. Whatever it is. I got every one right pic.twitter.com/SZcEswIWi4 Acyn (@Acyn) April 12, 2025 The presidents insistence that he gets great marks and amazes examiners in a test that any cogent person should be able to pass continued through the 2024 election campaign. In October, not long after boasting that he had aced two cognitive tests, Trump bizarrely impersonated a duck during a town hall in Pennsylvania, replacing quack with repetitions of frack. 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 Rupert Murdochs Wall Street Journal flamed Donald Trump in yet another critical editorial, this time accusing him of making it up as he goes, with his tariff decisions hurting the United States and its allies. You almost have to smile when the president claims the shuddering economy is all going according to plan, scoffed the editorial Thursday. 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., the newspaper added. Instead, 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 percent tariffs, South Korea with 25 percent, and Europe with 20 percent. Hes hit Vietnam with 46 percent though the boom in that countrys exports to the U.S. since his first-term tariffs has come at Chinas expense, The Journal noted. He has imposed a gargantuan 145 percent tariff on products from China, while pausing most of his other global tariffs for 90 days, the newspaper acknowledged. open image in gallery Donald Trump is winging it, says Wall Street Journal editorial ( AP ) But at the same time, Trump is doing Chinese President Xi Jinping a favor by refusing to enforce a law passed by Congress demanding the sale of TikTok by Chinese-controlled owner ByteDance, argued the paper. Last week he extended the deadline for a TikTok sale by another 75 days after China walked away from a near-deal, The Journal added. Trump is also refusing to impose sanctions on Chinese firms that buy oil from Russia and thus help Moscows war machine, noted the newspaper. Trumps ad hoc, scattershot tariff policy wont solve the trading imbalance with China, The Journal added. So far hes hurting his own cause and country more than hes hurting the Chinese Communist Party. 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 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. 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. MPs have backed the governments plans to take control of British Steels Scunthorpe plant in a rare weekend emergency debate in parliament on Saturday, 12 April. Following several hours of debate, House Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle put the question to a vocal vote in the Commons, declaring, The ayes have it. MPs were debating blocking British Steels Chinese owners, Jingye, from closing blast furnaces at the Lincolnshire site after the prime minister warned the future of the company hangs in the balance. If the plant was to shut down, the UK would become the only member of the G7 without the ability to make virgin steel, which would be a risk to the country's economic security, the government has said. President Donald Trump has told reporters that he wants Iran to flourish, but he does not want the country to have nuclear weapons. Speaking outside Air Force One on Friday, 11 April, Mr Trump said, I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they cant have a nuclear weapon. US special envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Muscat in Oman for indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear programme on Saturday. The president has given Iran 60 days to agree to a deal. University of Michigan Launches Agentic AI Virtual Teaching Assistant At the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business, a new Virtual Teaching Assistant pilot program is utilizing agentic AI to provide students with 24/7 access to support and self-directed learning. Powered by Google's Gemini models, the Virtual TA can be customized for specific curricula and is designed to "foster critical thinking by never giving away answers, ensuring students actively work towards solutions," according to a news announcement. The Virtual TA acts as a practice partner, guiding students through problem-solving and providing on-demand explanations of complex course concepts. The tool also provides real-time analytics on student engagement, summaries of commonly asked questions, and feedback on the AI agent's effectiveness. It is being piloted in courses such as financial technology, operations strategy, operations analytics, and statistics, where early results "indicate greater student engagement and deeper insights into the learning patterns of students for instructors," the announcement said. "By partnering with Google Public Sector, we're integrating today's leading technology to improve the educational experience for our students," said Jun Li, Michigan Ross Professor of Technology and Operations, in a statement. "We've seen early indications of success in leveraging the AI-powered Virtual TA and look forward to further using this tool to advance learning." "Google Public Sector is proud to pioneer this personalized learning approach to improve educational delivery, provide early identification for intervention, and help educators solve some of their most pressing challenges," commented Chris Hein, field chief technology officer for Google Public Sector. "The Virtual TA is a prime example of how a customizable, Gemini-powered solution can advance the future of learning and help train the next generation workforce." The university plans to incorporate insights from its Virtual TA pilot into a larger research study across multiple higher education institutions, involving 9,000-plus students, 72 courses, and 26 schools. The goal: to develop guidelines on deploying the technology in diverse educational settings and better understand how colleges and universities can adopt AI for learning. Donald Trump's White House has announced it has installed a new painting in the government building, depicting the US president raising his fist in the air following an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania last year. The painting - based on AP photographer Evan Vucci's image from the July rally, and reportedly painted by Marc Lipp - replaced one of 44th president Barack Obama, which has now been moved to the opposite side of the White House's main foyer. A White House official told The Independent the painting was gifted to Trump by Republican activist Andrew Pollack. The playwright on making a show for both sceptics and believers and how his Cork grandparents Catholicism drove his interest in spirits Theres a rhythm to comedy, and theres a rhythm to scares: Danny Robins, presenter of the Uncanny podcast at the Horse and Groom pub in east London. Photo: Jonathan Goldberg For a man who spends a lot of his time talking about the dead, theres a lot of life in Danny Robins. His passion for the supernatural is palpable as he faces me across the table in a 19th-century pub in the heart of Shoreditch, east London. The cellar is reportedly haunted, The Horse & Grooms staff tell me with a wink. But we sit upstairs, and our chat, sadly, is uninterrupted by apparitions. Yet again, today is not the day Danny Robins sees a ghost as much as he might want to. Despite never coming face-to-face with a spirit, the playwright, presenter and podcaster has found a niche in the paranormal. His play 2:22 A Ghost Story has enjoyed seven West End seasons plus a sold-out UK and Ireland tour, which included stints in Dublin and Cork, where Robins grandparents hail from. Irish presenter Laura Whitmore has starred in it twice, initially cast in one of the two female roles before later stepping into the other. As well as being a triumph in its own right, the play was, in a large part, the springboard to Robins current success. As part of his research for that play, he asked people on social media if they had seen a ghost. Some told him they had, and those stories formed the basis of his first podcast series, Haunted. That was followed by his BBC Radio 4 podcasts The Battersea Poltergeist, The Witch Farm, and now Uncanny. In Uncanny, Robins a self-proclaimed sceptic who wants to believe investigates paranormal cases by hearing directly from people who say they have experienced everything from ghosts to poltergeist activity to UFOs. He then discusses his findings with two experts: one a sceptic and the other a believer. That respectful balancing of opinions is important to Robins, especially in the current climate. But its also what he believes sets him apart from a wealth of other paranormal-themed productions. I was very struck by the fact that nobody else, it seemed, before me had considered making a programme about ghosts that was equally interesting to sceptics and believers, he tells me, noting that many popular paranormal shows, especially in TV, had evolved into something like a pantomime. What I craft now are detective stories, he says. You take a story and you try and work it out together. Robins describes his podcast which boasts millions of downloads globally as the bedrock of everything that has come since. Uncanny has grown into its own ecosphere, with the podcast sparking a spin-off book, a BBC TV show and two live tours, one of which went to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre last June. His upcoming live show, Uncanny: Fear of the Dark is set to tour the UK and Ireland from this September to March 2026, with a Dublin date on February 1 next year. The shows name is a nod to something surprising: despite the subject matter he covers, Robins is a self-confessed coward. I was afraid of the dark before I started all of this, he admits. I would sometimes lie in a room at night and need to turn the light on because of what might be looking in the corners. He doesnt do that any more though. These days, its the uncertainty of it all that keeps him up at night. Robins life has, in many ways, been shaped by his anxieties. He has long walked a tightrope, balancing what he describes as a relentless drive to succeed alongside a deep and, at times debilitating, apprehension of the world around him. Heights and flying are on his list of fears, he tells me. But death is at the top. On the other hand, Robins has embraced things that would strike icy panic into many of us. He started stand-up comedy at just 15 years old, something he draws on to this day. Theres a rhythm to comedy, and theres a rhythm to scares, he explains, adding that humour also adds some light and shade into his work. He is, after all, dealing with what is a serious subject at its heart: death and people who have died, in often tragic or violent circumstances. His days doing stand-up and crowd work can also be seen in the way he interacts with his audience, both on stage but even through the medium of a podcast or TV programme. Danny Robins, presenter of The Uncanny podcast, with Louise McLoughlin at the Horse and Groom pub in east London. Photo: Jonathan Goldberg Ive always loved the idea of things that empower people and change you from being just a spectator to participant, he says, adding that he spent a lot of time figuring out how to make Uncanny feel as if it was going out live. His podcast and TV episodes end with a call to action for his audience to send in theories or questions, which he says he often uses to shape the show. I want you as an audience member to feel that you can influence it, and you bloody can. He tells me that interaction will be even more central to his Uncanny tour, which features all-new cases. My massively ambitious plan for it is that therell be a selection of stories that the audience can choose from each night, so you can sort of choose and handpick whether you want to hear a poltergeist story or a UFO story, he says. Despite early success in comedy writing, Robins says he found himself in some dark years later in his career, after a number of projects failed to materialise. I often found it almost suffocating, that idea that the years are creeping by and maybe that you were not on an upward trajectory you were on a downward one, he recalls. I had visions of myself sort of hitting a point where I did have to sort of pack it all in. I was going like, What do I do? I have no qualifications beyond this. At the same time, the projects that did come in were becoming less fulfilling, as Robins says he tried to find his voice. I spent so many years trying to be somebody for somebody, he says. He stresses how liberating it has been to put that pressure to one side to focus on a subject he has been obsessed with his whole life. Robins nods to his Irish heritage as the source of this fascination. His grandparents came from Cork, and while both were devoutly Catholic, his mum became an atheist in her 20s and brought him up without any religious belief. But as a child, he was drawn towards the images of Jesus and multiple popes hanging on his grandparents walls. I felt a very strong sense of being outside of something and wondering if I was missing out, he says. I think that would definitely have led some people to religion, and instead it led me to ghosts. Laura Whitmore starring in 2:22 A Ghost Story by Danny Robins. Photo: Helen Murray Uncanny has not only attracted tens of millions of listeners but a fiercely loyal community too. Fans will often tell him they feel like hes their friend, something he thinks is the ultimate accolade. I understand what they mean, too listening to Robins enthusiastically whipping through the latest case often feels like youre along for the ride on a secret adventure that hes let you in on. But for the very real people sharing their stories of paranormal experiences, its more than that, of course. Its a way for them to come out of the shadows. There are so many people out there sitting holding on to these stories who just didnt know where to tell them, Robins says. Im certainly not saying every story sent to me is a ghost, but that doesnt make it any less important to them, and I think Im conscious that you have to treat all of those stories with a real respect and delicacy. He says the stories that set his pulse racing are the ones where someone says they dont believe in ghosts but are convinced theyve seen one. That feels like the Holy Grail because its somebody totally forced to confront their very existence, he explains. Im just fascinated by these moments in peoples lives that make them believe. As ghost stories move back into the mainstream, theres perhaps a wider question of why in a world that is feeling more scary people are turning en masse towards something that is, by its nature, distinctly frightening. Robins has a theory: Theres something about living through frightening times and times where we have to question our mortality that makes us reach for the paranormal, he says. Theres something about ghosts, I think, that as a society we have not been able to give up on, and I would say that its to do with a fear of death. Still, Robins ever-present fear of death, coupled with the countless unsettling stories hes been told, hasnt yet been enough to tip him into the realm of total belief. I desperately want to believe, he says, and I wonder what it would take sometimes. For now, he lives vicariously. But he tells me he would love to explore more Irish stories for Uncanny. Maybe one of those will finally convince him. Uncanny: Fear of the Dark comes to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin on February 1, 2026 and the Grand Opera House, Belfast on February 9, 2026 Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has indicated support for threatening the United States with a tax on the ad revenues of its tech companies, if talks do not resolve the transatlantic trade war. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had said the EU is prepared to put a levy on Big Tech firms such as Google and Facebook if US president Donald Trump does not call off his 20pc tariff, currently paused for 90 days. When asked if the proposal was something he could get behind, Mr Donohoe said: President Von der Leyen has said that all options need to be on the table, and she is right. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe Today's News in 90 Seconds - 12th April And from an Irish point of view, and speaking as Finance Minister for Ireland, what we have argued for is a phased and strategic approach, and that some measures should be used later in a process if the early part of the process does not yield a successful outcome that we all want, he told Bloomberg TV. Speaking in Warsaw, where he had chaired a meeting of euro-area finance ministers, Mr Donohoe added that there had been a unified approach from the EU so far in the face of threatened tariffs, and Im very confident we will maintain that. A levy on US tech companies is a sensitive issue for Ireland, because they are among our biggest and best-paying employers, and are huge contributors to the Exchequer by way of corporation tax, which yielded 39bn last year. Technology Ireland, an Ibec group that represents the sector, has opposed the idea of a tax. It called for the EU to be measured in its response and to focus on de-escalation of the trade war. Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said Ireland would oppose a EU tax on US technology. Speaking with The Irish Times Inside Politics podcast, Mr Martin said: We would resist that. Adding that it would cause damage to a significant sector in the State. The Taoiseach suggested that the commission had a bazooka at its disposal in the shape of special powers to take action against US firms. And I suspect that the president of the commission is saying to America, look, thats there, that thered be pressure on us to use this if we dont get a satisfactory outcome, he said. However, Mr Martin also added that the commission has a different agenda as well, of course, that it wants to create its own resources and the tax could create a revenue stream. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen Una Fitzpatrick, director of Technology Ireland, said: The European Commission should avoid any approach or levy which harms the ability of business to provide free, ad-supported services valued by European consumers and small businesses alike. Of particular importance at a time of global uncertainty are the added benefits of digital advertising for SMEs in helping them to diversify, find new markets and consumers. Digital advertising, which is already subject to an increasingly complex EU regulatory framework, is a core commercial activity that supports the growth of EU businesses and powers a large proportion of the technology industry that invests in Ireland. Maros Sefcovic, the European commissioner for trade and economic security, will travel to Washington tomorrow for talks with US officials. In advance of that, Ms Von der Leyen told the Financial Times that the EU was willing to widen the trade war to take in services as well as goods, if a resolution is not found. We are developing retaliatory measures, she said. There is a wide range of countermeasures... in case the negotiations are not satisfactory." It cannot be good for the global economy She added that an example is you could put a levy on the advertising revenues of digital services. Such a tariff would be applied to Big Tech companies across all 27 member states, and is different to a digital sales tax which some countries have introduced, but not Ireland. Jorg Kukies, the German finance minister, said the EU should be wary of targeting US tech firms, although he didnt take the threat off the table either. Also speaking in Warsaw, he said the EU is reliant on American cloud and data-centre providers, and has few alternatives to them. There are products where the ability to substitute into other services, into other goods, from other regions of the world is easy, and there is sectors where that is more difficult, Mr Kukies said. We just need to be nuanced and differentiated. I didnt say that we are ruling anything out. Mr Donohoe said it would not be appropriate for the EU to conduct its negotiations in a public way, but at the right time the trade commissioner would lay out an agenda for avoiding a damaging trade dispute. US president Donald Trump. Photo: Getty For now our focus is on negotiation, on avoiding the worst, he said. Tanaiste Simon Harris described this weekends negotiations between the EU and the US as vital, saying there isnt an hour to lose. Speaking in Athlone, Mr Harris said it is important to utilise this pause. This is a vital weekend. There isnt an hour to lose, as we have a 90-day pause, he said. But 90 days can come and go quickly, and its really important that theres very intensive engagement now between Europe and the US. The pause is welcome, important and essential. But its a pause against a backdrop that is still far from ideal. Theres still 10pc tariffs in place on EU goods, and you still have 25pc in place on British cars, steel and aluminium and you still have this tit-for-tat, escalatory situation between the US and China. It cannot be good for the global economy. So it is important that we utilise this pause and put it to good use. A clothes shop owner accused of lifting a woman's skirt and making sexual comments to her in his store has been denied a trial with a judge and jury in a higher court. Judge John Brennan ruled that the case would remain in Tallaght District Court, stating that the alleged offence was too minor for a higher court and that the State should not be put to undue expense. The incident is alleged to have taken place on January 7, 2022 at a clothing shop in Dublin. The man is being charged under Section 45 of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences) Act with making a sexually explicit remark and a suggestive gesture towards the woman. Garda Sergeant Ruth Finnegan told the court that while there was no physical contact, the accused allegedly lifted the woman's skirt and made a comment about her private parts while also making a hand gesture that indicated a sexual act. The accused was not present in court but was represented by solicitor Michael Hennessy. He has pleaded not guilty and argued that the case should be heard in a higher court with a judge and jury. Mr Hennessy told the court the accused claims that lifting up the woman's skirt or clothing was part of his job while doing alterations. However, Judge Brennan said that the matter would be dealt with in the District Court. An order for disclosure was made and the case has been adjourned until May 20 for mention. Judge Brennan told the accused that he has the right to appeal the decision on jurisdiction. Funded by Court reporting Scheme A man accused of robbing a south Dublin pharmacy at knifepoint has been refused bail after a judge heard that gardai believe he poses a risk of interfering with evidence. Jonathan Leonard (48), of no fixed address but residing at a hostel on Camden Place, Dublin, appeared before Dun Laoghaire District Court on Wednesday in connection with an alleged armed robbery at Ballybrack Medical Hall on Tuesaday, April 8. Detective Garda Andrew Diamond told the court that gardai were objecting to bail under the "OCallaghan" legal principles. He said it will be alleged that the accused entered the pharmacy at around 5:30pm, shortly before closing time. He was allegedly wearing dark clothing, a black snood, gloves, and a black puffer jacket. There were no customers present, and five female staff members were on duty. It is alleged he approached the counter, produced a 'flick knife' and demanded money, telling staff: Open the till. Give me the f***ing money. Dont do anything stupid. I have a knife. Dont press any panic buttons. Det Gda Diamond said the incident caused extreme fear to staff. CCTV footage allegedly shows the suspect walking away from the pharmacy along Church Road, through Ballybrack village and into Daleview Park, where he was allegedly seen removing the snood. Gardai say they later observed him leaving and returning to a nearby hostel that evening. A black puffer jacket believed to have been worn during the robbery was recovered within minutes nearby. However, the gloves, snood, and flick knife remain outstanding. Detective Garda Diamond told the court that 420 in cash - mostly in small denominations of 5, 10, and 20 notes, along with several 2 coins - was found in the accused's possession. Staff estimated that around 200 was taken during the robbery, but the court heard this has yet to be confirmed. A search also uncovered three suspected bags of crack cocaine and a suspected crack pipe on Mr Leonards person, as well as additional cash allegedly linked to the robbery. Mr Leonard is charged under Section 14 of the Criminal Justice Act (robbery) and Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Det Gda Diamond said bail was strongly opposed on grounds that the accused may abscond, reoffend, or interfere with the investigation - particularly by disposing of key evidence. Defence solicitor Michael OBrien said his client was entitled to the presumption of innocence and argued that strict bail conditions could be imposed to address Garda concerns. However, Judge John Brennan refused bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, the strength of the CCTV and identification evidence, and the risk of interference with outstanding evidence, including the flick knife and clothing. The court heard that Gardai are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Leonard was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on April 15 at 10:00am. Funded by Court reporting Scheme Its easy to get caught up in individual preferences, but your home should ultimately be a space for both of you. Carol-Anne Leyden of CA Design, which is set to open a new showroom on Dublins Long Mile Road in the coming months Decorating a home should be exciting, but when two people have different styles, it can quickly become a stalemate. The good news is that blending different styles isnt just possible, it can actually result in a more unique and personal space. Rather than seeing your differences as an obstacle, consider them an opportunity to create a home that reflects both of you. Instead of focusing on your differences, start by identifying the elements you both love, says Carol-Anne Leyden, director of CA Design consultancy and furniture store. Do you share an appreciation for natural materials, warm tones, or clean lines? Maybe you both gravitate towards cosy, inviting spaces, or prefer a minimalist, clutter-free home. These shared preferences can serve as the foundation for your design. Carol-Anne Leyden of CA Design, which is set to open a new showroom on Dublins Long Mile Road in the coming months A great way to discover common ground is by creating mood boards. Gather images of interiors, colours and furniture pieces that inspire you, then compare them. You might be surprised by how much overlap exists. This exercise helps shift the focus from opposing styles to shared aesthetics, according to Leyden. Once youve identified key commonalities, start looking for ways to merge your styles. Leyden suggests beginning with a neutral base. Think soft whites, warm greys, or natural wood tones and then layering in statement pieces that reflect each of your personalities. For example, a sleek modern sofa can pair beautifully with a vintage coffee table, or a contemporary kitchen can be softened with rustic accessories. These contrasting elements can create a harmonious look. Another recommended approach is to divide and conquer. If one of you feels strongly about the bedroom and the other is passionate about the living area, consider allowing each person to take the lead in different spaces. Shared areas, like the kitchen or hallway, can incorporate a mix of both styles for a cohesive feel. While its easy to get caught up in individual preferences, your home should ultimately be a comfortable and functional space for both of you. Instead of chasing trends, focus on quality pieces that stand the test of time. If decision-making feels overwhelming, sometimes seeing pieces in person makes all the difference. Embrace your design differences as an opportunity to create a home that tells both your stories. A well-designed space isnt about one style winning over the other, its about weaving together elements that reflect the life you share. Andreas Kluth: Being unpredictable may sell on reality TV, but the madman shtick doesnt work in the White House Far from proving the Art of the Deal, Donald Trumps contradictions wont work for Iran, or elsewhere US president Donald Trump. Photo: Getty Andreas Kluth Sat 12 Apr 2025 at 03:30 Fewer than 100 days into his second term as president, Donald Trump can so far claim at least one kind of success: Hes restarted negotiations between the US and some of its adversaries, first Russia and now Iran. In December 1989, French prime minister Michel Rocard gave a landmark TV interview in which he said: We cannot accommodate all the misery of the world. He added that France would remain a country of asylum as it had been for centuries when people of many nationalities, including fleeing Irish rebels, found refuge. The reforming French socialist politicians words are often quoted throughout the European Union when debate focuses on immigration. Rocard has been frequently cited in recent years by Frances embattled president Emmanuel Macron as he grapples with the issue 36 years on. The words come to mind in Ireland now as we learn of a threefold increase in the number of deportation orders issued so far this year compared with the same period last year. This signals a deliberate hardening of government policy. France's former prime minister Michel Rocard in 2016. Photo: Getty Today's News in 90 Seconds - 12th April A total of 1,008 deportation orders were issued between January and last month. This compares with 305 in the same period last year. Up until the end of last month, 446 people departed the State, and 59 of these left via enforced deportations. A charter flight in February took 32 Georgian deportees to Tbilisi at a cost of more than 100,000. We understand this was probably the first in a number of such flights expected this year. We trust the flight costs can in future be trimmed and that such actions will be used only in extremis. Rocard is recalled by some in France, and across Europe, as the best president France never had Migration has been an emotive topic for millennia, and in treating it we must always choose our words with great care. Compassion and charity must inform how we respond to people who are often in great distress, have travelled extraordinary distances in very adverse circumstances and badly need help. We have migration obligations under EU and other international laws. We have moral obligations as members of the human race. But we must also be pragmatic because any effective immigration system has to ultimately include deportations. Otherwise, the support system risks being seriously undermined on many fronts. The absence of deportations, including the pile-up of large numbers of unenforced deportation orders, harms Irish citizens confidence about government control in a very sensitive area. This in turn aids a tiny minority of anti-immigrant bigots, allowing them to sometimes wield malign influence out of proportion to their numbers in Irish society generally. It also generates reasonable feelings of unfairness among asylum-seekers who genuinely need our help. Part of Rocards argument in 1989 was that any nations capability to help asylum-seekers and migrants is finite, so it is important not to create false expectations among those seeking assistance. Rocard is recalled by some in France, and across Europe, as the best president France never had. His summation of the need for pragmatism in any asylum policy, so that it can be effective, remains undeniable. Country Managing Director of Accenture in Ireland Hilary O' Meara, Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe and MD of GES Megan Cassidy launch GES 25 taking place in Europe Hotel and Resort, Killarney from May 26 to May 28. Photo by Fergal Phillips. The Europe Hotel in Killarney will welcome big names such as Taoiseach Micheal Martin and former Chief of Staff of the White House Mick Mulvaney to town next month when, for the second year running, the hotel hosts the Global Economic Summit (GES25) In addition, the event will also welcome pioneering health, technology and cybersecurity experts, including leading authority on deep fakes and disinformation Professor V.S. Subrahmanian of North Western University, NASAs First Chief Economist Alex MacDonald, Medical Humanitarian Specialist Dr. Maria Guevara of Medecins Sans Frontieres, fem-tech co-founder of menstruation app Clue Ida Tin and more. The event, which was recently launched by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, is being supported by Kerry County Council. Globalisation, international conflict, health equity and the Gen AI revolution are just some of the issues that will dominate policy-making and boardroom conversations for years to come and these will be high on the agenda at GES25. From health equity to unlocking opportunities in renewable energy, from the ethics of AI to the complexities of privacy and cybersecurity, GES25 keynote speakers will offer unparalleled insight into these topics that present global decision-making challenges. Global professional services company, Accenture, is returning as headline sponsor for the second year running. Other partners include Google, Elkstone, and Kerry County Council. Founder of Whipsmart Media Jonathan McCrea will be Master of Ceremonies for the summit. The list of speakers (with more still to be announced) is as follows: An Taoiseach Micheal Martin Mayor of Kerry Cllr. Breandan Fitzgerald European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath Country Managing Director of Accenture in Ireland Hilary O'Meara NASAs First Chief Economist Alex MacDonald Executive Director for Partnerships and Planning at INTERPOL Darrin Jones Security and AI pioneer Professor V.S. Subrahmanian of Northwestern University Lily Collison, Author and Cerebral Palsy Foundation Board Member Co-founder of menstruation-tracking app Clue Ida Tin General Manager of IBM Ireland Nathan Cullen AI Advisor and Professor Barry O'Sullivan Ex-White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney CEO of TransferMate Sinead Fitzmaurice International Medical Secretary of Medicins Sans Frontieres Dr. Maria Guevara CEO of Northwell Health Michael Dowling Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM PhD, Former Chief of Defence, Ireland CEO of Accenture Song David Droga Head of World Resources Institute Europe UK Office, Senior Advisor, Food and Land Use Coalition and Advisor of New Economy for the Amazon and Congo Basin Ed Davey Group Director of Sustainability at Virgin, Darshana Myronidis CEO and Co-Founder of Vaultree Ryan Lasmaili General Manager, Takeda Ireland & President Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association Shane Ryan The inaugural GES was the largest convening of global leaders in Ireland in 2024 with over 400 business leaders, policymakers and thinkers gathering to develop fresh solutions to global challenges such as climate change and economic inequality, with contributions from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Head of Meta Ireland Anne OLeary, Prince Albert II of Monaco and twice Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said: The Global Economic Summit (GES) represents a unique opportunity each year to bring together business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time. Against an increasingly uncertain international economic backdrop, this years summit takes on particular significance as a forum to identify the key global challenges before us and forge a path forward. Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. Breandan Fitzgerald said: Following the tremendous success of the inaugural summit, which brought together key decision-makers, business leaders, and experts for meaningful discussions, we are excited to again be the location partner for 2025 and see the return of the Global Economic Summit to Killarney. This years summit promises to offer a platform for thought-provoking debates and collaborative solutions to the global challenges we face today. Retired Kerry healthcare workers pursued by Revenue despite helping the State during COVID pandemic Some healthcare workers in the county asked to repay as much as 25,000. Danny Healy-Rae raised the issue in the Dail. Stephen Fernane Kerryman Sat 12 Apr 2025 at 09:00 Workers who came out of retirement to help bolster HSE services during the peak of the COVID pandemic are now being asked by the Department of Finance and Revenue to repay thousands in tax. Chair of FBD Trust, Michael Berkery; IFA deputy president Alice Doyle and IFA president Francie Gorman at the Ready to Lead Programme launch. Two Wicklow farmers have been selected as two of 30 participants for IFAs Ready to Lead Programme for 2025, run by the IFA with the support of FBD Insurance and Farm Business Skillnet. The programme, which received over 80 applications, aims to develop the next generation of IFA leaders by equipping participants with insights into agricultural policy and lobbying at home and in Brussels. The two Wicklow farmers, Robert Tobin and Eoghan Byrne, were chosen from a highly competitive field, reflecting their strong leadership potential and dedication to agriculture. Robert runs the family dairy farm in Arklow, comprised by a total of 145ac. Eoghan operates a sheep farm near Tinahely and has also been working for FRS Co-Op for over a year now. He said: Its a good programme and I am looking forward to getting started. It should help provide me with insight into how the IFA operates. Im 24 and it is important for younger farmers to have more of an input. By participating in the programme, I am trying to get a bit of ownership rather than just commenting from the side-lines. The national Ready to Lead 2025 programme will occur over three two-day modules throughout the year, and will feature sessions with industry experts, political engagement in Dublin, and a study tour to Brussels where the IFA Brussels Office will host them. Each of the successful applicants will also be co-opted to an IFA National Committee. The programme will officially commence on April 30 at the Farm Centre in Dublin. IFA president Francie Gorman congratulated all participants and said the strength of Irish farming depends on fresh leadership and strong representation. The selection process was extremely competitive, but all candidates selected have shown real promise. We are confident they will make a meaningful contribution to IFA and the wider farming sector, he said. John Cahalan, FBDs chief commercial officer, said: This programme is aimed at dynamic emerging leaders an investment not only in their future, but in the future of Irelands farming sector. At FBD Insurance, we are proud to support this important initiative and wish the participants every success as they begin the programme. The Ready to Lead 2025 programme is fully funded by IFA, FBD Insurance, and Farm Business Skillnet. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi prior to negotiations with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP) Envoys from Iran and the United States have arrived in Oman ahead of the first talks over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear programme since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. No overall agreement is immediately likely, but the stakes of the negotiations could not be higher for two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Europe pledges record boost in military funding for Ukraine as US envoy meets Russian president Russia must get moving to end war, US president Donald Trump says Russian president Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with US special envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Saint Petersburg yesterday. Photo: AP Lorne Cook Sat 12 Apr 2025 at 03:30 European countries vowed yesterday to sends billions of euros in further funding to help Ukraine keep fighting Russias invasion, as a US envoy pursued peace efforts in a trip to meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin amid growing questions about the Kremlins willingness to stop the more than three-year war. Palestinians make their way with belongings as they flee areas in the eastern part of Gaza City, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders. Photo: Reuters Israels military said yesterday it will fire air force reservists who signed an open letter that condemns the war in Gaza for only serving political interests instead of bringing the hostages home. In a statement, an army official said there was no room for any individual, including reservists on active duty, to exploit their military status while simultaneously participating in the fighting, calling the letter a breach of trust between commanders and subordinates. 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. Let us be honest you have never seen Martin Freeman like this before. Forget Bilbo Baggins or Watson, in The Responder, he is a broken copper sprinting through Liverpool at 3 AM, emotionally combusting while rats scurry past him in alleyways. And now, after shaking things up on BBC One back in 2022, this gritty fever dream of a drama is finally dropping on BBC iPlayer from April 25th and in India it is available on Prime Video. The Responder is finally streaming on Prime Video| Credit: X What is The Responder about? Inspired by real-life ex-cop turned screenwriter Tony Schumacher, The Responder is not just another police procedural. It is part-nightmare, part-existential crisis, and completely unskippable. Think Line of Duty meets Fleabag's internal monologue, but set entirely in the chaotic underbelly of Merseyside. The Responders star cast Freeman plays Chris Carson, a morally messy, emotionally wrecked urgent response officer who is barely hanging on at work, in his crumbling marriage, and definitely in his own head. Enter Rachel, a rookie partner played by the electric Adelayo Adedayo, who is thrown into the madness and forced to figure out whether she will save Chris or end up as collateral damage. The Responders story line Across five brutally intense night shifts, the series rips into toxic masculinity, mental health, broken systems, and that very British habit of bottling it all up until it explodes. Yes, there are crimes to solve. But The Responder is more about the internal ones and how close someone can get to total collapse while still showing up in uniform. The Responder is finally streaming on Prime Video| Credit: X Tony Schumacher, who actually lived this life, has admitted that Chris Carson is basically a version of himself. He said writing it felt like telling his own story the late-night chases, the breakdowns, the numbness it is all there. And it feels real, because it is. Thats the trauma talking, and you are going to feel every second of it. The directing reins were held by Tim Mielants, with Ian Hart and MyAnna Buring rounding out the phenomenal cast. Honestly, this series could teach a masterclass in emotionally-charged storytelling with a Liverpool accent and a broken soul. The Responder is finally streaming on Prime Video| Credit: X Is there a Season 2 for The Responder? Oh, and before you ask: YES, Season 2 is officially happening. Chris Carsons descent is far from over, and according to whispers from BritBox and BBC, we will be diving even deeper into his haunted psyche and post-shift meltdowns very soon. So if you missed it the first time, or you are simply ready to spiral (again), catch The Responder on Prime Video starting 25th April, Friday. Bring snacks, tissues, and maybe a support group. Move over Anupamaa, there is a new lead role in Gaurav Khannas lifeand it involves aprons, pressure cookers, and a whole lot of masala! The television heartthrob has just been crowned the winner of Celebrity MasterChef Indias first-ever season, and fans cannot stop cheering. Celebrity MasterChef India winner Gaurav Khanna Winning the trophy (and a pretty sweet 20 lakh, plus fancy kitchen gadgets), Gaurav Khanna has proven that he is not just a star on screen, but also a master in the kitchen. Celebrity MasterChef India finale The show, which premiered on January 27 and wrapped on April 11, has been a spicy ride full of surprises, laughter, and more than one soggy bottom (yes, we are looking at you, honeycomb pavlova challenge). But Gaurav, with his quiet confidence and seriously sharp knife skills, managed to sail through each round with flair. In the grand finale, the battle was nothing short of Bollywood-worthy drama. Facing off against finalists Nikki Tamboli, Tejasswi Prakash, Faisal Shaikh, and Rajiv Adatia, Gaurav brought not just flavour but feels. His signature dish, inspired by his roots in Kanpur, told a story that melted hearts before it even hit the judges palates. Celebrity MasterChef India judges Word has it that chef Sanjeev Kapoor, along with culinary powerhouses Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar, were visibly moved by Gauravs emotional journey and the depth he poured into his dish. The trio reportedly hugged him after the verdict was announcedyes, it was that wholesome. The show was helmed by none other than Farah Khan, who brought the sass, spice, and signature zingers, guiding the celebrity contestants through laugh-out-loud moments and meltdowns alike. Celebrity MasterChef India other contestants Fan-favourites like Ayesha Jhulka, Usha Nadkarni, Archana Gautam, Dipika Kakar and Abhijeet Sawant also made their mark during the season, but it was Gauravs consistency and passion that stole the spotlight. From mastering technical bakes to acing fusion desi recipes, the man did it allwith a sprinkle of drama and a dash of heart. Motorola Razr 60 Ultra, Edge 60 Pro launch confirmed: Motorola is expected to have a big impact on the smartphone market when the Razr 60 Ultra and Edge 60 Pro are all set to be released. Since the business hinted at including cutting-edge AI functions in these new devices, this revelation has caused a great deal of excitement among tech fans. Subtly forming the letters "AI," the promotional materials imply a concentration on improvements in artificial intelligence. Anticipation is growing as the Razr 60 Ultra carries on Motorola's tradition of folding technology, and the Edge 60 Pro seeks to reinvent high-end smartphone experiences. Motorola Razr 60 Ultra, Edge 60 Pro launch date (Confirmed) In light of the recent revelations about the next generation of smartphones, Motorola has formally announced that the Razr 60 Ultra and Edge 60 Pro will ship on April 24, 2025. Fans and consumers are excited by the launch announcement. Still, the poster also conveys a subliminal message: the foldable Edge 60 Pro is positioned in the shape of "AI," suggesting future AI advancements. This is all we currently know about the impending launch. The smartphone is currently scheduled to launch in North America and Europe before moving on to India. Additionally, the Razr 60 Ultra will be released as Razr+ 2025 in the United States. We anticipate that the Razr 60 base model may also debut in addition to the Ultra variation. Motorola Razr 60 Ultra expected specifications Motorola Razr 60 Ultra and Edge 60 Pro are launching on April 24. | Credit: X The latest GIF of the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra was posted on X by well-known tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks), showing the phone with what looks to be a wooden finish. It's still unknown, though, what materials were used for the back panel. The design adds a new look to the foldable series and is very similar to the Nordic Wood colour version of the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. The Razr 60 Ultra's overall design is identical to its predecessor, the Razr 50 Ultra, save for its unique wooden grain. According to the leaked photos, the phone has low bezels, a twin camera arrangement on the outside, and a hole-punch cutout on the primary internal display. Previous leaks have also suggested that the next foldable will come in red and green variants. Although Motorola has not officially confirmed the Razr 60 Ultra's release date, the growing number of leaks indicates that a formal announcement may be imminent. Motorola Edge 60 Pro expected specifications Exclusive for XpertPick: Motorola Edge 60 Pro first live images pic.twitter.com/xTjwseULTj Sudhanshu Ambhore (@Sudhanshu1414) April 2, 2025 Though more configurations might be available at launch, the Edge 60 Pro has already surfaced on Geekbench AI, confirming that it will come with 12GB of RAM and run Android 15 out of the box. According to the listing, the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 SoC will power the gadget. In addition to Geekbench, the gadget has been certified by TUV Rheinland, Dekra, and the FCC. Connectivity features like 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth LE, and Wi-Fi are confirmed by the FCC listing. According to the TUV and Dekra certifications, the phone will have a 5,100mAh battery that supports 68W rapid charging. The Edge 60 Pro's curved front display suggests an immersive viewing experience. Like other Motorola Edge series smartphones like the Edge 50 Fusion, Edge 50 Neo, and others, the rear panel is constructed of vegan leather, which provides a more upscale feel and improved grip over glass backs. The camera configuration consists of an LED flash and three lenses contained in a square module. The cameras' precise specifications are yet unknown, although they probably consist of a telephoto or macro lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a high-resolution primary sensor. The back panel features the Motorola logo in the center, keeping the design simple and uncluttered. The gadget will compete with other flagship smartphones on the market and seems like a high-end product. For the latest and more interesting tech news, keep reading Indiatimes Tech. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 expected specifications tipped: Recent rumors have generated a lot of enthusiasm among tech aficionados as Samsung prepares to release the Galaxy Z Fold 7, its next-generation folding smartphone. It is expected that the next gadget will bring significant improvements in terms of appearance, functionality, and user experience. The possible inclusion of Samsung's most recent One UI 8, which is based on Android 16, is one of the most talked-about features. It may provide consumers with a more sophisticated and feature-rich interface. Many people are excited to see how these advancements will differentiate the Galaxy Z Fold 7 from its predecessors and rivals as excitement grows. Continue reading our in-depth post for a thorough rundown of the leaked specifications and their implications for prospective customers. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 expected launch timeline Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 expected to launch in July 2025 | Credit: Samsung According to reports, Samsung will launch a new Z series smartphone in July 2025 in addition to its upcoming smartwatches and other items. Concrete details on the occasion and merchandise, however, are still being kept secret. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 expected specifications First Geekbench scores of the Galaxy Z Fold7 Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy 12gb ram Android 16 pic.twitter.com/yknETuWVm0 Anthony (@TheGalox_) April 12, 2025 Anthony (@TheGalox_), an X (formerly Twitter) user, revealed information on the alleged Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, claiming that it will have a new 200-megapixel primary camera. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 model that the business now sells has a 50-megapixel camera. Additionally, it is rumored to have an improved under-display camera. Instead of using the 7.6-inch and 6.3-inch screens found on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung might outfit the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with an 8-inch inner screen and a 6.5-inch cover display. According to the tipster, the next smartphone will have a more robust display with "new layers" and a reduced crease on the inner screen. According to reports, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is 4.5 mm thick when unfurled, making it maybe 1.1 mm thinner than its predecessor. Additionally, according to the leaker, the phone will have better water and dust protection (the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is rated IP48). Along with a bigger vapor chamber for improved thermal management, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy SoC that debuted on the Galaxy S25 series of smartphones. According to reports, the phone also has a new vibration motor and better speakers. For the latest and more interesting tech news, keep reading Indiatimes Tech. If you happened to embarrassingly apologise to a petrol pump attendant, shop clerk or delivery person today, you were not alone. A massive Unified Payments Interface, or UPI, crash took India's favourite digital payment apps - Paytm, Phone Pe, and Google Pay. And just like that, 2025 felt less like 2025, and a bit more like 1995. Major disruption sends users scrambling According to Downdetector, reports of failed transactions began piling up from around 11:30am on 12 April. Around 76% of users said they couldnt complete payments, while another 23% were unable to transfer funds altogether. The cause of the glitch hasnt been officially confirmed. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said: NPCI is currently facing intermittent technical issues, leading to partial UPI transaction declines. We are working to resolve the issue and regret the inconvenience caused. Second crash in 10 days Todays crash comes just ten days after a similar disruption on 2 April, which was blamed on latency issues in bank systems. The recurrence has prompted questions about the reliability of Indias booming digital payments infrastructure. The shopkeeper is looking at me while I am trying to pay via UPI#UPIDown pic.twitter.com/gWIMGkwkWo Vishal (@VishalMalvi_) April 12, 2025 Stuck here at this fuel station from past 20+ minutes because UPI server is down, Im not carrying cash/card and I already fueled up my car. pic.twitter.com/v1JRhW3byy Samcasm (@innocentBruh) April 12, 2025 Users vent online: Cash is king again Social media lit up with frustrated, funny, and downright desperate reactions. UPI is down again. Shouldve carried cash like my mum said, one user posted. Cant pay the auto driver. Had to promise Id send him money once UPIs back, wrote another. Spent 45 minutes choosing what to eat. UPI crashes the moment I hit order. Pain is real, one user tweeted on X. One user stuck at a petrol station shared: Filled the tank. UPI failed. No cash. Now explaining my situation to four employees. UPI is down ? Not able to making payment from last 2 hours This has happened 2-3 times recently #UPIDown #PhonePay #GooglePay #PayTM CA Paaras Gangwal (@ThetaVegaCap) April 12, 2025 Time for a backup plan? With RuPay credit cards soon to be enabled for UPI, experts say the infrastructure needs urgent strengthening. Until then, the message from users is clear: dont ditch your wallet full of cash just yet. Because when tech takes a tea break, its good old-fashioned cash that saves the day! There has been a lot of talk online about the Chinese drama Hidden Love, not just about how cute or nostalgic it is. Some viewers are bringing up comparisons to a real-life situation involving Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron. The age gap in Hidden Love If youve seen Hidden Love, you know the basic setup: Sang Zhi is a teenage girl who slowly develops feelings for her older brothers friend, Duan Jia Xu. Hes already in college when her crush starts, and while the show doesnt turn things romantic until shes an adult, the emotional connection starts way before that. A lot of people loved the show for its soft, slow-burn storytelling. But others felt a little weird watching a storyline where a high school girl has that kind of emotional attachment to a grown man, especially when hes portrayed as kind, gentle, and maybe a little emotionally available. Even if he didnt reciprocate at first, the dynamic still raised some questions. Thats where the comparison to Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron comes in. The real-life parallel: Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron Currently, allegations of an underage relationship between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron have been rampant, suggesting their relationship began when she was around 15 and he was already a grown man in the industry. He has denied the accusations of a minor relationship but confirmed they dated when she turned an adult. From the affectionate letters he reportedly sent while serving in the military to the personal photos that suggest their connection went beyond just work, Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Rons relationship has definitely raised eyebrows. Even if, as he claims, they were never romantically involved and he was simply offering support, people cant help but question the emotional tone of it all. To some, it feels like the kind of closeness that could easily be misreadespecially by someone youngerturning emotional support into something that felt like more, even if it wasnt meant that way. Netizens compare Hidden Love to the Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron case. It all started when a follower of Kim Soo Hyun posted, "Hypocrisy is watching Hidden Love and calling the male character 'the green flag' while calling Soohyun a groomer and paedophile! Hypocrisy is calling an adult a minor when she was clearly mature and aware of her actions!" Many users have since then voiced their support for Kim Soo Hyun, citing the same example. Under many drama communities, users have brought up the age gap discourse in Hidden Love to defend Kim Soo Hyun. Some netizens feel like the comparison isnt totally fair and have been calling it out. How could a pedo/groomer groom someone when they dont have communication and only reuniting again when theyre both adults already? https://t.co/cilPE5CG5J tired (@museungwan) April 6, 2025 ew. How stupid of you to compare hl and ksh? Someone died and the receipts are all in front of yall faces but yall still choose to defend him? How disgusting can yall be https://t.co/1UGDHs9zqd (@fromdara) April 6, 2025 Difference is one is a fictional character while the other is a real person that has actual real life victim with real life consequences and had a part of said real life victims suicide whats so hard to comprehend about that https://t.co/N7gIui1Nzy (apple) (@oIivias_apple) April 6, 2025 OMG hidden love ML is totally different from $oohyun. Duan jiaxu - Only saw her as a sister ever since and only fell in love with her when she was an adult Pedohyun - knew her since she was a child and dated her when she was child https://t.co/M4vsywv8hx kim jiwon's bee (real) (@luv4reiii) April 6, 2025 What are your thoughts on Hidden Love's comparison to Kim Soo Hyun-Kim Sae Ron's relationship? Let us know! For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Turkish human traffickers opened fire with a firearm against a vessel of the Greek Port Authority off the area of Aghios Fokas, in the southern Lesvos island, on Saturday morning. No one was injured. According to the Port Authority/Coast Guard, the Greek authorities on the vessel located the Turkish fishing boat after it had disembarked foreigners on the beach . During the approach, one of the four traffickers on the high-speed fishing boat fired against the Port Authority vessel, which responded by shots in a safe area, after which the traffickers' vessel departed in an easterly direction toward the Turkish The Port Authority vessel followed the fishing boat to the Turkish territorial waters and alerted their counterpart Turkish authorities, who stopped it. In the general vicinity of the village Greek police found 25 foreigners. A preliminary investigation is being carried out by the Port Authority of Mytilini. iefimerida.gr Amnesty International, a human rights organisation, has condemned the National Broadcasting Commissions recent decision to ban Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareems new protest song, Tell Your Papa, calling it a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information. In a press statement on Thursday, Amnesty International criticised the ban as unlawful, arbitrary, and deeply worrying, noting that it reflected an alarming trend of censorship and intolerance by the government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubus leadership. The National Broadcasting Commissions blatant ban of broadcasting Eedris Abdulkareems song Tell Your Papa is a clear violation of freedom of expression, which includes the right to obtain information, the organisation said. Advertisement READ MORE: Eedris Abdulkareems Protest Song Tell Your Papa Banned By NBC For Broadcast The NBC had deemed the politically charged song, which critiques the government and addresses social and economic struggles, as Not To Be Broadcast, referencing sections of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code. However, Amnesty International argued that the action had no legal or moral basis. Categorizing the song as Not To Be Broadcast for solely being critical of the government and people in power is an abuse of power and is unacceptable, Amnesty said, noting that the action was entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the right to access information and media freedom in Nigeria. The group went on to urge President Tinubu to immediately direct the NBC to withdraw the bizarre ban which violates a range of human rights. Amnesty also cautioned that the crackdown could have significant implications for artists, media outlets, and freedom of expression in Nigeria. The arbitrary and unlawful ban by the NBC would have a disproportionate and chilling effect on the work of radio and television stations in Nigeria. This clampdown on artistic freedom is an appalling reminder that artists are at the risk of being silenced. Nothing can justify suffocating creativity, the statement read. Amnesty argued that the NBCs action also places Nigeria in breach of its international and regional commitments, especially under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, both of which protect the rights to free expression and artistic freedom. Citing the deeply flawed and problematic Nigerian Broadcasting Code to justify the ban shows a new level of intolerance of dissenting voices, the group stated. The organisation reiterated its call for immediate reforms to the NBCs regulatory framework, which it claims has long been used to curb dissent and muzzle the press. The ban highlighted the need to urgently repeal heavy censorship regulations of NBC that have been used to curb freedom of expression in the country, the group said. Amnesty concluded by cautioning that failure to reverse the ban could establish a dangerous precedent for increased government censorship. It is not too late for President Bola Tinubus government to withdraw the ban which will have the sad repercussion of promoting censorship and generating a new wave of fear of repression, the statement concluded. The Anambra Police Command has arrested four individuals suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities in Ihiala Local Government Area. The suspectsChimezie Ezebuo, Chinaza Ndimani, Chinecherem Okafor, and Nzube Azubuikewere apprehended on Thursday, as confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by Tochukwu Ikenga, the states police spokesperson. Ikenga revealed that the police officers also confiscated phones and SIM cards, which the suspects allegedly used to threaten their victims. Advertisement READ MORE: Oyo Police Arrest Nine After Deadly Land Dispute Claimed Life, Destroyed Property The statement also praised the local community for their role in ensuring security, saying, Anambra state police command notes the improved security stability in Ihiala and appreciates the good people of Ihiala for their cooperation and resilience in identifying the bad elements in the area. According to the police, the arrest took place on April 10, 2025, at 2:53 pm, when operatives detained the four suspects, all male and residents of Okohia, Ihiala. The operatives recovered phones and SIM cards used by the suspects to threaten their victims thereby causing panic in the area and jeopardizing the efforts of the security agencies and the general security of the state, the statement added. The suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime and are currently in custody for further interrogation. The state police command remains committed to maintaining public safety and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for actions that incite fear or disturb public peace, the statement concluded. National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that coalition visitation led by former vice president, Atiku Abubakar to ex-president Muhammadu Buhari will not be productive. Ganduje led this out on Friday while addressing newsmen after leading APC National Working Committee on a Sallah homage to Buhari at his residence in Kaduna State. The former Kano State governor also dismissed speculation over a potential opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Advertisement Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that Atiku earlier on the same day met with Buhari. Among those who accompanied him on were former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal, former minister of Communications Isa Pantami and also former governor Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa) and Achike Udenwa (Imo). READ MORE: Atiku, Tambuwal, El-Rufai Visit Buhari For Post-Sallah Discussions In Kaduna Reacting to the development on Friday, Ganduje said that all the oppositions plans to unseat President Tinubu in 2027 will end in nothing. He said: We are not worried at all. This is just history trying to repeat itself. They went on a joint venture, which will not work because from what we have seen, there are just some particles that cannot come together. It is a game, and we will not reveal our technicalities on how to handle it, but we assure you, we are equal to the task. We are eyeing other states that will come into our fold. Either the governors themselves will come, or we go for election and defeat them to increase our tally. We are comfortable, but we are not resting. We shall continue. Orji Uzor Kalu, the former Governor of Abia State, has expressed his firm belief that President Bola Tinubu will emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election in Abia. This assertion was made during a meeting with Abia APC stakeholders, which Kalu hosted at his Abuja residence on Friday. In his address, Kalu reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing and strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia. Advertisement He highlighted the importance of fostering unity and better organization within the party, urging members to put aside past differences for the sake of collective success in the upcoming elections. There is no faction in APC, am committed to rebuilding the party and ensuring its unity in Abia State to help President Bola Tinubu realize his Renewed Hope agenda for the benefit of all Nigerians, Kalu stated. He stressed that for the APC to succeed in 2027, unity must prevail, and any divisions must be resolved. Kalu called on members to forgive each other and focus on the larger goal of supporting President Tinubus vision for Nigeria. I wont let President Bola Tinubu lose Abia again. I wont be around for that to happen. So, we must unite and forgive past wrongs. If I have offended anyone, please forgive me. Lets work together to strengthen this party, he concluded. Kalus message reinforced his leadership role, emphasizing the necessity for unity and reconciliation as the APC prepares for the 2027 election. His call for cooperation and forgiveness underscores his determination to ensure the partys success under President Tinubus leadership. Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, recently paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna. The meeting, which took place amidst ongoing political discussions, also saw the presence of two former governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State. Though the specifics of the discussions were kept private, the visit underscores the continued engagement between prominent political figures in Nigeria. Atiku took to social media on Friday to confirm the visit, writing on X, As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations. Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023. It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour. This meeting comes at a significant time, as former President Buhari recently made public remarks regarding his full support for the APC, fueling speculation about potential future political collaborations. https://x.com/atiku/status/1910672346802692216?t=gxKTyJNSdNvVfDwD2ZLQ-g&s=19 A high-ranking terrorist commander identified as Gwaska, who served as the deputy to a leader connected with ISWAP, has been killed along with 100 others in a major military operation in Katsina State. The announcement was made on Friday in a statement issued by Dr. Nasir Muazu, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs. The statement reads, On April 10, 2025, the Nigerian Armys 17th Brigade and 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Air Component of the Nigerian Air Force executed a coordinated strike on bandit strongholds in Mununu Bakai, Zango, Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya areas spanning Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas. The commissioner stated that the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence and aimed at key hideouts used by criminals in the region. READ MORE: Benue: Three Killed In Suspected Herders Attack He added, The precision operation, based on actionable intelligence, eliminated a high-value target identified as Gwaska, who served as second-in-command to an ISWAP-linked leader. He disclosed that Gwaska had recently relocated from Danmusa Local Government Area to Mununu Forest, where he was tracked down and killed. During the operation, the forces recovered and subsequently destroyed two machine guns, locally fabricated shotguns, and other weapons to prevent their reuse by criminal elements, Muazu said. He further stated that this successful operation has significantly weakened the criminal groups terrorising communities in Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur. In a separate operation, security forces targeted a bandit route near Dutsen Wori along the Dandume-Kandamba Road, close to the border between Faskari and Sabuwa Local Government Areas. The operation, executed at approximately 3:45 am, resulted in the elimination of six bandits, including their commander, while several other bandits escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds, the statement said. Security forces recovered seven motorcycles, and four more were spotted fleeing into the forest. The bandits were traced back to their base at the Maigora/Doroyi camp in Faskari. Its worthy of note that no casualties were reported among the security personnel who participated in this operation, Muazu added. In response to the success of the operations, the state governor, Dikko Radda, reiterated his administrations firm stance against insecurity in the state. The Governor, through the joint efforts of security forces, is committed to rooting out criminals from their hideouts and ensuring every forest is thoroughly monitored to protect the residents of Katsina. The Governor further expressed confidence in the ongoing collaboration between security agencies and communities, noting that with sustained efforts and divine support, peace will be restored, the statement read. The commissioner explained that the recent operations were part of a broader strategy aimed at restoring peace and stability to Katsina and the entire Northwest region. Its a tumultuous time in U.S. history. Droves of immigrants, some without any criminal record, are being deported to their home countries. Primary schools and colleges have been ordered to erase any trace of the diversity, equity or inclusion programs established amid a nationwide racial reckoning. Tariffs, or a the threat of tariffs, has scrambled the stock market and spooked manufacturers, domestic and foreign. Amid all of this, Bryan Stevenson is calling on Americans to not be governed by fear and anger. When you allow yourself to be governed by fear and anger, you start tolerating things you should never tolerate, Stevenson told The Daily Progress. You start accepting things you should never accept. This extreme punishment, this desire to humiliate people and to deport people even when theyre not a threat to public safety and to celebrate that as if somehow thats a great thing to do is, I think, a consequence of fear and anger. It is easy to lose hope right now, the prominent attorney and author acknowledged. But, speaking on the west lawn of Thomas Jeffersons Monticello estate in Albemarle County last Friday on the occasion of the Founding Fathers 282nd birthday, Stevenson stressed that hopelessness is the enemy of justice. Stevenson would know. He has made justice his lifes work. Stevenson was not only the keynote speaker at the annual Founders Day celebration at Monticello Friday, but the recipient of one of three Jefferson Medals handed out each year by the two institutions charged with carrying on Jeffersons legacy: the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns and operates Monticello, and the University of Virginia, the college Jefferson founded. The medals recognize three individuals for their contributions to the fields Jefferson prized most: architecture, citizen leadership and the law. Steven was awarded this years medal for leadership, an honor he earned for his legal advocacy for low-income minority groups as well as men and women sitting on death row the latter work via his nonprofit organization the Equal Justice Initiative. As of 2022, the initiative has saved more than 130 people from execution, overturning wrongful convictions and working to reduce bias in the criminal justice system. There are forces in our country very loud voices, very powerful voices that are trying to silence citizen leaders who want to talk honestly about our history, Stevenson said, addressing a crowd of roughly 200 gathered in a tent under an overcast sky. They believe that ignorance is better than enlightenment, that forgetting things that can teach us what we need to know is a better path forward. They want to actually ban books and limit what is taught and limit what you learn. I think we have to do the opposite, he continued. I think to honor Jefferson means we have to be committed to the kind of honesty that creates a wise and healthy nation. Authentic citizen leaders are those who commit to compassion, to reconciliation and, above all, to honesty, he said. That can mean different things, Stevenson added, whether it be speaking truth in a world of mis- and disinformation or correcting the lies that have been repeated through history to support systems of oppression. When Jefferson himself defended the creation of UVa just a few miles away from his mountaintop estate, he was adamant: Here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead. With that in mind, Stevenson said, Being in this space, we cannot ignore the burden, the stain, the pain and anguish that slavery created in America 10 million Black people enslaved for 246 years. I dont think the great harm of slavery was the involuntary servitude and the forced labor and all of the cruelty, he continued. I think the great harm of slavery was the narrative that we created to justify enslavement. The false narrative that Blacks and other races are inferior to Whites did not always have a foothold in American society, but had a stranglehold on it by the time of Jeffersons death. In his own lifetime, the author of the Declaration of Independence saw support for the abolition of slavery and even the personal manumission of slaves deteriorate. The man who tried on multiple occasions to abolish slavery in Virginia and elsewhere eventually surrendered the fight. Jefferson himself would promote the lies of Black inferiority that would prop up slavery and then Jim Crow and later redlining that kept men and women of color oppressed in American for centuries after his death in 1826 lies that would allow him to comfortably own humans in bondage while privately calling the institution a hideous blot and moral depravity. Stevenson provided his rapt audience Friday a succinct but profound history lesson, beginning with the persecution of 8 million Indigenous people living in North American at the time of European settlement. Dishonesty and discrimination are woven into the tapestry of American history, he said. Its also woven into his own family history. Stevensons grandmother was born to a formerly enslaved couple who lived just 60 miles away from Monticello in Caroline County. My grandmother left this area after her uncle was the victim of a racial terror lynching not too far from here, said Stevenson. That trauma was something that many people carried with them 6 million Black people fleeing the American South during the first half of the 20th century, and we never talked about it. We were dishonest about our lawlessness in this country. The cycle has been interrupted, at times, by the work of citizen leaders: abolitionists in the 19th century, organizers of the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th century and Stevenson today. And not just Stevenson. The attorney and author was joined Friday by Martize Tolbert, who accepted the Jefferson Medal for citizen service a newer honor thats been awarded every year since 2022. Tolbert accepted his medal on behalf of the Fountain Fund, where he is the national director of client and community engagement. Founded in 2017, the national nonprofit organization offers financial assistance to the 5 million formerly incarcerated people in the U.S., a group to which Tolbert once belonged. After spending a decade in prison, Tolbert was confronted with the obstacles that often await those who are freed after time behind bars: unemployment, financial insecurity, housing discrimination and general prejudice. I was told my bad decisions would define me forever, said Tolbert. But thats not the truth, and I know that because of the work of people like Bryan Stevenson, who has powerfully reminded us of this: Each of us is more than our worst thing that weve ever done. Two others were awarded Jefferson Medals this week: landscape architect Walter Hood and U.S. Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler. Kneedler spoke on Thursday afternoon in the UVa School of Laws Purcell Reading Room. Hood spoke at UVa Friday afternoon in the auditorium at Old Cabell Hall. Veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has revealed that he was offered a bribe to continue criticising the current government, but he turned it down. In a video shared on social media on Friday, Abdulkareem alleged that an individual, claiming to be a senator, offered him N200 million as support for his viral song, Tell Your Papa, and activism. He said, So I got a call from one criminal who claimed to be a honourable; he didnt even allow me to hear his name. After claiming to be a hounarable, at the end of the call when I asked him what his name was, he claimed to be a senator. Advertisement He told me that he was in a meeting yesterday with Seyi (a son to President Bola Tinubu), and some government officials. He said, They are going to call you and bribe you, dont listen to them, we are going to be sponsoring you underground. I then asked him, who told you that I need anything? READ MORE: Amnesty International Accuses NBC OF Unacceptable Abuse Of Authority Over Ban On Protest Song By Eedris Continuing, he said, Immediately I heard his voice, I knew he was sent by them. So, I told him I was not interested . He said, We will give you N200m, dont even listen to them. So, I asked him, the video I shot, was it you who sponsored me underground? You guys should go and rest somewhere, I am not interested. Thieves, may God punish all of you. Its me that you guys want to record for caricature; you people are insane. I have prepared for you people a long time ago. The song, which had been gaining attention on social media, was banned by the National Broadcasting Commission on Thursday, April 10. However, the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria criticised the ban, suggesting that it was likely to have the opposite effect, as it only serves to amplify the songs reach and relevance in light of the current socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians. Similarly, the Media Rights Agenda condemned the ban, calling it a blatant abuse of regulatory power. A statement released in Lagos by its Programme Officer, Ayomide Eweje, argued that the NBC had completely confused its role as a supposedly independent media regulatory body with that of a propaganda agency charged with shielding the government from criticism or embarrassment. Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed speculations linking his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari to any political agenda, particularly the 2027 presidential election. El-Rufai, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Achike Udenwa (Imo), and Gabriel Suswam (Benue), visited Buhari at his Kaduna residence on Friday. The high-profile gathering sparked reactions across political circles, especially among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), many of whom interpreted the meeting as a potential political alignment ahead of the next general election. Advertisement However, the former governor took to his X handle to clarify the purpose of the visit. According to him, their presence in Kaduna was purely for a post-Sallah courtesy visit to the former president.We joined the faithful for Jumaat prayers at the Yahaya Road Mosque and had a sumptuous lunch at the Buhari Residence, He further reacted to the ongoing chatter among APC figures, urging them not to misinterpret the gathering. Our adversaries should not lose any sleep. It is not about politics, he stated emphatically. El-Rufai emphasised that the visit was based on longstanding relationships and mutual respect, and not a strategy meeting as some have claimed. It is about unity and brotherhood. And since we are all politically irrelevant, we just prayed and enjoyed lunch with our mentor, he added, subtly brushing off speculations surrounding the intentions of the meeting. https://x.com/elrufai/status/1910709085256696054?t=fwYpwKl7JqiGZ_Tyv2un3g&s=19 Benedict Alabi, former Deputy Governor of Osun State, has formally announced his intention to run for the 2026 governorship election. The announcement was made on Friday during a special service at Saint Peters Catholic Church in Ile-Ife, where Alabi reaffirmed his resolve to seek the states highest office. His declaration adds a new dynamic to the ongoing political conversations surrounding the 2026 election. Advertisement Alabis decision to enter the race coincides with increasing calls from within the APC in Osun for the governorship ticket to be zoned to the Osun West Senatorial District. Many party members from the region have intensified their advocacy for the zoning of the ticket, particularly in the event that former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola does not seek re-election. Speaking about his candidacy, Alabi expressed his confidence in his chances of winning, stressing his commitment to the states progress and development. His official announcement marks one of the first significant moves in the buildup to what is expected to be a highly competitive election season. We shall emerge victorious by Gods grace. Our goal is to work towards the advancement of our dear state and uplift the lives of our people, he said on Friday. Additionally, Alabi appealed to both the Catholic community and the general public to continue praying for Nigeria, calling the country a spiritual homeland. Nigeria is the Jerusalem for Nigerians. I want to encourage families to come together for the progress of our nation, he said. Alabis declaration marks the beginning of what will likely be a tense and competitive political race leading up to the 2026 elections. The Lagos State Police Command has begun investigating an explosion that took place on Friday inside a CCTV dealers shop on Kodesho Street, near Computer Village in Ikeja. According to a statement released on Friday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the explosion occurred at about 6:35pm. After the explosion, officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Mobile Police Detachment, and regular police units promptly secured the scene to protect members of the public. Advertisement READ MORE: Benue: Three Killed In Suspected Herders Attack The scene of the explosion and adjoining areas were immediately taken over and cordoned off by operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Command, The Mobile Police Detachment and Conventional Lagos State Police Command Police Teams. The scene was swept by the EOD experts of command to ensure the safety of residents and facilitate a comprehensive investigation to determine the actual cause of the explosion, the statement read. The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, reportedly arrived at the scene shortly after the explosion to conduct an immediate on-the-spot assessment. The Commissioner of Police urged residents to stay calm, assuring them that the area had been secured and was now safe. He added that people could carry on with their normal activities without fear. Police confirmed that five individuals who were in and around the shop when the explosion occurred suffered different degrees of injuries and were taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for treatment. The Command hereby wishes to assure the general public of its Lagos State Police Command commitment to continue to maintain peace and security throughout the state, Hundeyin added. Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has berated some opposition members calling for the removal of President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Okpebholo assured President Tinubu that Edo people will massively vote for All Progressive Congress in the next general election. In a statement by the Governors Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Saturday, said that the Edo State government has the right to express its support for the presidents vision and administration. Advertisement Okpebholo also commended President Tinubus leadership style, adding that the steps that the previous administration was afraid to take that would have put the nation on a sound footing for development and growth, were what he (Tinubu) took by removing the contentious fuel subsidy. READ MORE: Obasekis Government Stole Enough Money From Edo People, Ighodalos Appeal Will Fail At Appellate Court Okpebholo He said: 2027 is a reality in Edo State as President Bola Amed Tinubu will continue in office. I charge the 17 of you today that the campaign for the election of President Bola Tinubu has started here today. Go back to your various local governments and erect his billboards to draw home the message of re-electing President Tinubu. There is no vacancy in 2027 in Abuja. Those forming a political party now cant rule us. They ruled their States, and the people suffered from kidnapping, but since they left office, their States are now free. Such people cant rule Nigeria. Nigerian activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has donated N20 million to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The activist had earlier called out Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), accusing the government of inaction concerning human trafficking. Following that, he paid a visit to NAPTIP where he pledged to support the agencys efforts in tackling the menace. Advertisement On Friday, he shared a video on Instagram, announcing that he had fulfilled his promise by donating N20 million. He also posted the receipt showing the money was transferred from his NGO to the agencys account. READ MORE: Funke Akindele Speaks On Raising Children Alone After Separation From JJC Skillz VeryDarkMan explained that the funds would be used to repatriate the underage girls he featured in a previous video children trafficked to Ivory Coast and allegedly exploited for sexual activities. He added that part of the money would also go into bringing back other trafficked children and supporting their rehabilitation. In the same recording, the activist urged the federal government to mount pressure on immigration officials in Nigeria to curb the unlawful movement of children out of the country. He further noted that while NAPTIP has major responsibilities, its financial capacity is limited. According to him, children are being trafficked across states into baby factories, with some cases involving organ harvesting. Verydarkman also appealed to the government to address the issue of children begging on the streets, stressing the need for a lasting solution. Captioning the video, he wrote, On behalf of the RATEL MOVEMENT I donated the sum of 20million naira to NAPTIP through the (MVOI) to help bring back the trafficked children from Ivory Coast back to Nigeria and other victims of trafficking and to also help in their rehabilitation furthermore we urge the immigration to play their parts in protecting our children especially our girl child by securing the borders their work should not be stop at printing international passports and seizing bags of rice at the borders in the name of contraband, help us help our children Watch him speak below https://www.instagram.com/reel/DITmfJlsJ50/?igsh=dDdocW05a28xMm4w Federal Government has issued warning to foreigners who overstay their visas beyond six months, saying that they will face a five-year entry ban, while overstaying for one year will attract a 10-year ban. The government also added that overstaying will attract a daily fine of $15, starting from the visas stated exit date, effective from August 1. This was disclosed by Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a stakeholders engagement held in Lagos on Friday. Advertisement Mr. Tunji-Ojo noted that the penalty system is part of broader efforts to ensure compliance, protect national security, and promote responsible migration. He said: Our records indicate fewer than 50,000 expatriates in Nigeria, which we know is inaccurate. We need to establish the true number of foreigners living in the country. A nation without reliable data cannot progress, as data is the foundation of effective planning. READ MORE: PETROAN Hails FG Over Naira-For-Crude Deal With Dangote Refinery, Says It Will Bring Down Petrol Prices This is serious. Were not introducing anything new regarding the landing and exit card, just automating the current paper-based process. In a country of over 230 million intelligent, tech-savvy people, we shouldnt be using paper cards. Going forward, you must complete your landing and exit cards online. If you overstay, there will be consequences. Overstaying by six months attracts a five-year ban; one year attracts a 10-year ban. There is also a $15 daily overstay penalty. People claim to be visiting Nigeria for two weeks but stay for 30 years working that must end. The Philadelphia Orchestra and music and artistic director Yannick Nezet-Seguin on stage in Marian Anderson Hall, April 10, 2025. Read more Tragedy isnt always autobiographical. Proof of that is Mahlers Symphony No. 6, which temperamentally lives up to its subtitle Tragic, but was written during a rather happy period in the composers life. And at the Friday Philadelphia Orchestra performance in Marian Anderson Hall, the symphonys four boulder-like movements had tragedy coexisting with every other extreme emotion, cheek by jowl, sometimes simultaneously, under music director Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Advertisement Walking into the Kimmel Center on a rainy Friday, one had apprehension mixed with anticipation: This is one of Mahlers loudest symphonies with the final movements floor-shaking sledgehammer blows in the percussion section. And Nezet-Seguin is gaining a reputation in some quarters as the loudest conductor in New York (where he and the orchestra repeat Mahler Tuesday at Carnegie Hall). What unfolded was a deeply considered reading of this endlessly rich symphony, that happened to be written years before medical tragedies struck the composer and his family. Not so long ago, one heard performances that apologized for Mahler with airbrushed sonorities. Maybe the Berlin Philharmonic now goes too far the other direction with Mahler that leaves you feeling bludgeoned. But Nezet-Seguins point of reference for much of his music-making appears to be the coloristic nuances of Ravel. Through that lens, Mahlers dense sonorities opened up to reveal more content in a single movement than in Mahlers entire Symphony No. 1. Woodwind sonorities were blended meaningfully. Harps were not demure. Dramatic contrasts were arresting but not merely sensational. A French Impressionist accent also makes sense: The Austrian composer was as cosmopolitan as they come, and his lifetime overlapped with Ravels. Certainly, the Philadelphia Orchestra took to this approach and was at the top of its considerable form. The highly receptive full-house audience showed no signs of feeling shortchanged by the 80-minute run time in this single-piece program. Besides, this symphony leaves little brain space for anything else if only because theres so much of it with meaning that shifts with every hearing. Nezet-Seguin clearly illuminated a series of musical character, nothing so graphic as the nature studies of Symphony No. 3. The relentless first-movement marches are more psychological than visual. The summery interlude are interior memories. Indistinct Wagnerian monsters lurk in the lower brass writing. Percussion cackles invasively. Splintered Bach chorales are lying about. Though the triple meter of the second movement somewhat suggests dance, its full of even more nightmarish creatures. The sublime Andante movement with its pastoral expansiveness was phrased as a thoughtful, unfolding discourse, building into great inner exaltation. Percussion in that movement, seemingly suggesting mountain cowbells, felt more like a flood of chimes under Nezet-Seguin. And the final movement, where everything seems to be happening all the time, you wonder how can music have so much traffic and still cohere? And not be brutal? Its possible with this orchestra and conductor. By the end, you didnt know where the marches were headed, why themes are reiterated so obsessively, where the grotesque percussion gestures were hiding, or what the horns were barking about. But if such questions had solid answers, would it be Mahler? Philadelphia Orchestra plays Mahlers Symphony No. 6. The program will be repeated at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13 at Marian Anderson Hall in the Kimmel Center. Tickets are $25-166. Information: 215-893-3151or philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org The Happy Cat Hotel & Spa executive groomer Cat Shemeley with her 15-year-old-cat, Dr. House, and owner Diane Kane (right) check on the progress at the still under construction 33-room facility in Mount Laurel. Read more Most cats can make themselves comfortable anywhere. Its just how they roll. But when it comes to boarding a beloved feline, humans often have anxieties, expectations, and wish lists. Advertisement Local cat owners who seek to elevate their pets experience during a weekend getaway or a longer vacation will soon have a fresh option: the Happy Cat Hotel & Spa. The first Philadelphia-area location of the Connecticut-based franchise is scheduled to open next month in Mount Laurel. All of these rooms have a different travel theme, and this is the spa, said Diane Kane, walking with husband Keith Johnson along the main hallway of their hotel. Kane, a lawyer, and Johnson, an owner of the Laurel Lanes bowling center in Maple Shade, are renovating a 5,000-square-foot space that formerly housed a title company in an office park on Briggs Road near Route 38. Their hotel will offer 33 rooms with varied furnishings, colors, and names such as Atlantic City Boardwalk Kitty, Felinedelphia, and Rocky Meowntain Lodge. Prices will start at $59 a day for a standard room; $69 for a deluxe; and $79 for a luxury suite. Cat happiness is held in high regard at the hotel, executive groomer Cat Shemeley said. Its where they get to be cats, not just put in a cage, given food, and left alone. Upscale amenities Kane said a kitty concierge will be on the 10-member staff, along with groomers skilled in services such as blow-dries, plush trims, and de-shedding treatments. Only cats from the same household will be allowed to share rooms; cats from different households will not mix. Individual cats will go on walks with staff. We dont want any cat fights, said Kane, adding that the animals will have daily enrichment interactions with staff and will be able to watch each other through interior windows. Each guest room also will have a window with outdoor views, and Cat TV, featuring a loop of bird and squirrel videos, will be available for a fee. As for dining options, Johnson said owners will provide the same food their cats enjoy at home. Existing medications will be administered by trained staff. Growing demand? A Grandview Research study projects that the $8.63 billion global pet boarding market of 2024 will grow by more than 8% by 2030, and noted that cats are increasingly popular as pets worldwide. Kane and Johnson said they became interested in opening a cats-only facility after friends and acquaintances expressed frustration at the difficulty of finding such options. Cats can detect the presence of dogs elsewhere in a facility, she said. And despite the cliche that people spend most of their online time watching cat videos, dogs with their big smiles and bigger personalities tend to dominate American culture. There are nearly 90 million pet dogs and 74 million pet cats in America, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Demand for cats-only facilities also may be lower because some cats can be left alone for a day or two as long as they have access to food, water, and a litter box. Not all cats are solo acts But such arrangements simply arent an option for many cats and their owners, said Chris Raimo, founder and CEO of Happy Cat Franchising in Windsor, Conn. We opened our Happy Cat Hotels & Spas flagship in 2014, he said. We cant lay claim to inventing the concept. But we invented the way we are doing it. The company has seven hotels operating and three in development. We go where the passionate cat people are: Atlanta, Austin, Albuquerque, Raimo said. The facilities are so quiet and tranquil like a library, he said, adding we work very hard to understand feline behavior. We dont just put them in a room. We work really hard to build their trust. A federal judge denied Friday a request by 27 organizations representing Christian and Jewish denominations to block a policy from President Donald Trumps administration that allows for immigration enforcement agents to enter houses of worship without a warrant. The ruling comes less than two months after a different federal judge blocked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from entering the facilities of Baptist, Quaker, and Sikh congregations in response to another lawsuit. Advertisement Both lawsuits included organizations representing Philadelphia-based congregations. The suits came in response to a change to long-standing policy as part of the administrations crackdown on undocumented immigrants, in which the Department of Homeland Security rescinded a directive that limited federal agents ability to conduct immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as churches, schools, and hospitals. Here is what you need to know about the rulings and how they impact houses of worship in Philadelphia. What did the Jewish and Christian denominations sue over? In February, 27 Jewish and Christian denominations, including the Montgomery County-based Reconstructing Judaism and the Philadelphia-based Quaker association Friends General Conference, filed a complaint saying that making houses of worship fair game for immigration enforcement raids violates the denominations religious right. An immigration enforcement action during worship services, ministry work, or other congregational activities would be devastating to their religious practice, the complaint said. It would shatter the consecrated space of sanctuary, thwart communal worship, and undermine the social service outreach that is central to religious expression and spiritual practice for Plaintiffs congregations and members. The lawsuit asked the judge to rescind the new sensitive locations policy, and prevent agents from entering houses of worship. It argued that without such action, some congregants would fear to attend services. READ MORE: Jewish and Quaker groups from the Philly area are among those suing to prevent ICE raids in houses of worship What did the judge rule Friday? Dabney Friedrich, a federal judge in the District of Columbia who was appointed to the bench in 2017 by Trump, denied the denominations request. The lawsuit failed to show a credible threat, Friedrich wrote, because the Trump administration did not direct law enforcement to target churches or synagogues or to treat places of worship as high priority locations. Only one immigration enforcement action took place in a congregation associated with the denominations in the 10 weeks since the policy changed, the judge said. That indicates that houses of worship are not singled out as special targets, she wrote. Friedrich also said the denominations failed to present substantial evidence that a decline in attendance, especially in Hispanic congregations, was directly the result of the change in policy toward houses of worship. Blocking the policy, for example, wouldnt reduce the risk of facing immigration agents while traveling to or from a religious service, the judge said. We are disappointed by this decision, Rabbi Deborah Waxman, president and CEO of Reconstructing Judaism, said in a Friday statement. Kelsi Corkran, an attorney at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy & Protection who represents the denominations, said that she was reviewing the decision and the plaintiffs are assessing their options. How is the previous ruling for Quaker, Baptist, and Sikh congregations different? In January, Quaker groups filed a lawsuit in a Maryland federal court over the same policy change, making similar claims. In February, Theodore Chuang, a federal judge in Maryland who was appointed by Barack Obama in 2013, blocked immigration agents from entering religious sites associated with the groups who sued, which included the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. READ MORE: ICE cant enter religious sites that sued, including Philadelphia Quakers, judge rules The judge said in a memo explaining his decision that allowing for warrantless operations in places of worship lacks meaningful limitations or safeguards. What is the Trump administration saying? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment after Fridays ruling. After the ruling out of Maryland in late February, a DHS spokesperson said the goal of the policy was to protect schools, places of worship, and Americans who attend by preventing criminal aliens and gang members from exploiting these locations and taking safe haven there because these criminals knew law enforcement couldnt go inside under the previous administration. Officers would use discretion and need approval from supervisors to enter a house of worship or school, the spokesperson said. Earlier this month, DHS submitted a letter to Chuang informing him of their intent to file a motion to dismiss parts of the lawsuit. The department plans to argue that the change in policy is merely an internal document to provide guidance to agents. READ MORE: ICE has been freed to make arrests at churches. More immigrants took sanctuary in Philadelphia than anywhere else. What do the two rulings mean for Philadelphia congregations? The latest ruling out of D.C. is straightforward: Nothing changes for the Jewish and Christian congregations represented in that lawsuit. The judge refused to block the Trump administrations policy change, and the litigation will continue to advance without the court taking action. Meanwhile, Quaker, Sikh, and Baptist congregations represented by the plaintiffs in the Maryland case have reprieve from the new policy. But the ruling is narrow, and applies only to those congregations affiliated with the lawsuit. Alina Habba late last month speaking to reporters at the White House moments after President Donald Trump said that she would serve as interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. Read more New Jersey acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has ordered an investigation of Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Matthew Platkin for allegedly refusing to cooperate with President Donald Trumps ongoing federal immigration crackdown. Habba announced the investigation on Fox News host Sean Hannitys show Thursday night. Advertisement I am unfortunately going to announce on your show tonight, Sean, and I want it to be a warning for everybody, that I have instructed my office today to open an investigation into Governor Murphy, to open an investigation into Attorney General Platkin, who has also instructed the state police not to assist with federal authorities seeking to apprehend people for deportation, Habba told Hannity. U.S. 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 to completely enforce federal law, said Habba, a former defense attorney for Trump and most recently a White House adviser. 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. Those investigations will start immediately, Habba said. Murphy, appearing Friday on the MeidasTouch podcast, joked: For whatever reason, I missed my normal Sean Hannity show last night. However, he said, he had read about Habbas announcement. Murphy defended his administrations policies and said that law enforcement in New Jersey cooperates with federal authorities against anyone who commits serious crimes. We go after criminals hard, period, full stop, regardless of their immigration status, Murphy said. What we dont do is we dont go after somebody for jaywalking or where theres no probable cause of a crime, and were very clear about that, Murphy said. He added that we cooperate regularly, frankly daily, with federal authorities on cases involving immigration issues. At an unrelated news conference Friday, Politico reported, Platkin said that New Jerseys 2018 directive is settled law and has been upheld by judges appointed by Trump during his first term. Im focused on doing my job, which is to keep the residents of our state safe, Platkin said. On her personal X account, Habba reposted on Tuesday a news report about the Murphy administration and a memo from State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan regarding the Trump administrations addition of 27,000 Outstanding Administrative Warrants for Removal from the United States to the FBIs National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. It is used nationwide by law enforcement. The memo reportedly emphasized an existing 2018 state directive prohibiting state, county, or local law enforcement from using resources to assist federal immigration enforcement unless a valid judicial warrant is issued, and that administrative warrants issued directly by a government agency, not by a judge do not qualify. According to the New Jersey web page for the 2018 directive, the prohibition ensures that victims and witnesses feel safe reporting crimes to local police without fear of deportation. The state description later states: Nothing in the Directive restricts officers from complying with federal law. Nothing prevents officers from enforcing valid court orders, including warrants signed by state or federal judges. And nothing provides sanctuary to those who commit crimes in New Jersey. If you break the law if you assault someone, if you rob someone, if you defraud someone you will still go to jail, no matter your immigration status." In her Tuesday repost of the news report, Habba wrote, referencing Trumps policy: Let me be clear: Executive Orders will be followed and enforced in the State of New Jersey. Right after Trump was inaugurated in January, the Department of Justice ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state and local officials for any alleged interference with the presidents crackdown on immigration. Habba was appointed interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey late last month by Trump. In comments after the Justice Department order was publicized in January, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said that his office would not comply with any immigration orders from Trumps administration that might cause his staff to break the law. There are public officials all over the country who are rightly concerned that [Trumps] actions around immigration are not only immoral, they may also stray into areas that are illegal, Krasner said. Centuries of systemic barriers, medical racism, and inequitable access have impacted the quality of care for Black women and mothers, writes Marianne A. Fray. Read more As the daughter of Jamaican immigrants who fled KKK violence in Alabama where my sister was born in a doctors office because my mother was denied care in a segregated hospital I understand the intergenerational impact of medical racism. My experience delivering a stillborn son at 18, alone in a hospital room despite my mother working in that very hospital, showed me how the health-care system can strip away dignity from Black women at their most vulnerable moments. Advertisement And my three complicated pregnancies all resulting in C-sections, one child born at just 2 pounds, 15.5 ounces taught me the critical importance of informed advocacy. All of these experiences are representative of centuries of systemic barriers, medical racism, and inequitable access that impact the quality of care for Black women and birthing people in our nation. The statistics alone are alarming: Nationally, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their white counterparts. In Philadelphia, racial disparities in birth outcomes persist. The 2020 report by the Philadelphia Maternal Mortality Review Committee found that non-Hispanic Black women made up 43% of births in Philadelphia from 2013 to 2018, but accounted for 73% of pregnancy-related deaths. But behind these numbers are real families navigating largely preventable tragedies mothers, partners, children, and communities forever altered by losses that should never have occurred. I have witnessed both the persistent challenges and remarkable resilience of Black mothers through the work of the organization I lead, Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) which for the past 45 years has provided direct service, community education, coalition building, research and evaluation, and policy and advocacy for mothers and birthing persons in Pennsylvania. READ MORE: Americas maternal care system dehumanized me. I became a doula to change it. |Opinion Our public health systems and policies are rooted in historical racism, setting them up to fail our communities time and time again. Meaningful change requires both immediate intervention and long-term systemic transformation, along with commitment to providing dignified and respectful care. At MCC, that means when a young mother in North Philadelphia receives prenatal support from a staff member who understands her cultural background and life circumstances, she can enter the health-care system with greater confidence and knowledge. Or when a family in Delaware County has a trained advocate by their side during labor and delivery, medical providers listen more attentively to their needs and concerns. And when a postpartum parent in Montgomery County receives regular home visits, theyre less likely to fall through the cracks of our fragmented health-care system. The most meaningful advances in social justice have come when diverse stakeholders unite around a common purpose and sustain their commitment through setbacks and obstacles. I firmly believe that when hospital systems partner with community-based doula programs, maternal care becomes more responsive to families needs. When legislators hear directly from affected communities, policies shift to expand access and accountability. When neighbors support neighbors through pregnancy and postpartum, the isolation that often accompanies new parenthood diminishes. As we mark Black Maternal Health Week from April 11-17 an annual national campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to amplify the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of birthing people we are reminded that behind every statistic is a human being deserving of compassionate, equitable care. This years theme, Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy, is a reminder that each of us has a role to play in ensuring Black maternal health care moves from a painful legacy to a healing future. In an example of collective action to that end, MCC is proud to be part of the Philadelphia Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which has determined recommendations to reverse the tide on maternal health. READ MORE: Black Maternal Health Week is a time for reflection and joy | Opinion Use your voice to advocate for policies that promote equity in maternal and child health. Listen to and amplify the voices of Black women and birthing people. Educate yourself about the history and current realities of racism in health care. Together, we can transform painful legacies into healing futures not just for some families, but for all. Marianne A. Fray is the president and chief executive officer of Maternity Care Coalition, which serves parents and families impacted by racial and social inequities in Pennsylvania and Delaware. This file photograph shows a fading sign on a former Wawa store on Haddonfield Road in Pennsauken. Two Northeast Philadelphia stores that Wawa plans to close this month will join a list of at least 11 Philadelphia locations the company has closed since 2020. Read more Two more Wawa stores in Philadelphia are closing, this time in the Northeast. The stores are within two miles of each other. The location at 6506 Frankford Ave. is scheduled to close on April 22, followed by the store at 6919 Castor Ave. on April 24, according to the company. Advertisement They will be the latest of the citys Wawa stores to close, joining a list of at least 11 Philadelphia locations the company has shuttered since 2020. Most were in Center City. In a statement, a spokesperson said Wawa decided to close the two Northeast Philly stores after careful and extensive evaluations but did not elaborate. It has been a pleasure serving the community for many years, and we are grateful for the support of the local community, the spokesperson said. The company look[s] forward to seeing our local friends and neighbors at nearby Wawa locations. A string of Philly closures In December, the company closed its store at 16th and Ranstead Streets in Center City. A spokesperson said then that the store had opened in 2020 as a test of a smaller urban store concept but that because of its size, the store was not able to give customers the experience they expected. So the company decided to end the test. Last July, Wawa closed one of its oldest Philadelphia stores, which had operated in the Port Richmond neighborhood for 45 years. In a statement about the closure last summer, Wawa said the store cannot deliver the experience customers deserve or continue to meet performance expectations. A year ago, Wawa said its location at 21st and Hamilton Streets was closing because its landlord didnt renew its lease. A Chase Bank will soon open in its place. In 2022, Wawa cited safety and security challenges when it announced it was closing two Center City stores, at 12th and Market Streets and 19th and Market Streets. Local stores outside of Philadelphia havent avoided closure lately either. Last month, Wawa closed a store on Haddon Avenue in Collingswood. At the same time that Wawa has closed Philadelphia-area stores, the Delaware County-based company has announced expansions into the South and Midwest and plans to open 160 stores across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana over the next decade. I think especially over the last couple of years, Ive really reasserted my stance: that the only thing I can do, the only thing Ive control over, is what I write, says Cork crime and thriller writer Catherine Ryan Howard, as we chat over a cappuccino in a Dublin hotel bar. I need to keep writing the kind of books that I want to read. And so even if everything goes to pot, at least you can say I wrote the book I wanted. But its difficult sometimes to maintain that ideal. Warm and chatty, with a steely determination beneath her gregariousness, Ryan Howard is both an ideal champion for her own books and a champion of other writers. Shes a straight talker who makes it her business to understand how the publishing industry works, and is clear-minded about her career. She knows what she wants to do, but shes also aware that not everything will go her way. Were in the glitzy Fitzwilliam Hotel bar to talk about Ryan Howards latest thriller, Burn After Reading. Those who have read any of her eight previous books, such as 2023s The Trap and 2021s 56 Days, know that she excels in twisty-turny thrillers that youre willing to relinquish sleep for. In Burn After Reading, a young writer named Emily is tasked with jetting to the US to ghostwrite the memoir of a man named Jack Smyth, who has been accused of the murder of his wife. Smyth protests his innocence, but is he really innocent? And what is it about her own writing career that has Emily so anxious? The spark for the book in part lies in the story of OJ Simpson, the late American athlete who was charged with the murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1992. His legal trial took place under the glare of the media, and OJ to the surprise of many was found not guilty. The seed for Burn After Reading was planted when Ryan Howard watched the documentary OJ: Made In America, and in particular a scene featuring Pablo Fenjves, who was Simpsons ghostwriter for a notorious book called If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer. What I love about this story is, when youre a crime writer youre constantly being told by your editor, you cant have coincidence thats too far. Pablo Fenjves was a witness for the prosecution in the trial, says Ryan Howard. Hes telling a story in this documentary about how OJ was all hypotheticals: Well, I would have gone here, and I might have done that. And then when they get to the night of the murder, he slips into and then I went. [Fenjves] talks about this moment where they both fall silent and theyre looking at each other, and they both know the truth of the situation. Ryan Howard didnt want to write about OJ, or indeed about real people. But there was something about the idea of the ghostwriter in a room with a guy who everyone thinks murdered his wife, and he says he didnt, and this is his way of getting his side of the story out there. And then I started thinking, what if it was an inexperienced ghostwriter? What if it was a woman? She also set the bulk of the book in the fictional town of Sanctuary, inspired by her fascination with Seaside, Florida. Its an eerily perfect, master-planned community that was the setting for The Truman Show, and which she visited three years ago for her 40th birthday. Catherine Ryan Howard: I need to keep writing the kind of books that I want to read. Picture: Brid O'Donovan. A lot of Burn After Reading is about who people really are, versus how they want the world to see them. We all are the hero of our own lives, and we all do what we think is right, says Ryan Howard. Theres no serial killer walking around going, Im a serial killer, Im a terrible person... They dont feel that way, they have a justification for their actions. As a crime writer, one of your first tasks when you start a new novel is: what story is this person telling themselves? And I think when people are in the public eye, its even more fascinating. She also thought about this from her own perspective, as a person in the public eye. People might think they know her from her Instagram account (Im on Instagram way too much, she laughs), but in reality, they dont. She finds this funny, but also unnerving. Ive actually pulled back a lot on putting anything up. I want to be an international woman of mystery, she says with an implied wink. Knowing herself so well means Ryan Howard is able to be honest about challenges she has faced. It transpires the writing process for Burn After Reading wasnt an easy one. This was a very difficult book to write, because I was having a sort of crisis of confidence, she says. The ending of The Trap was exactly what I wanted to write, but it proved to be quite challenging for some readers. (Some even sent her emails about their unhappiness.) While she asked readers to meet me on the page, some would have preferred things a bit more straightforward. She wrote Burn After Reading during this time, as she wrestled with whether to sand down the sharp edges of her work. The book Im writing now, my confidence is back and I dont care if anyone likes it, she says (she adds that her team have given it the green light). Though Burn After Reading is associated with a stressful time, Ryan Howard says: Im proud of it, but to me its more straightforward and I think I pulled back on some of my having fun with structure. But theres also a lot in this novel that I love particularly the whole Seaside, Florida setting. I had fun writing this novel. I would put it with Distress Signals and The Liars Girl, which are my first two books and which are more straightforward. I sort of go mad every three books and that structure is holding. The reader wouldnt realise Burn After Reading contained such challenges, and its rare to hear an author be honest about difficulties writing a book. But it is very much in keeping with Ryan Howards approach. Shes in the industry for the long haul, so understands that every book presents its own challenges. After self-publishing two non-fiction books, she published her first work of fiction Distress Signals in 2016, and soon became part of a large and growing community of female crime and thriller authors. This support undoubtedly helps her through the tougher times. Its vital to have people you can complain to, or moan to, and celebrate with. Because when something good happens, theres so few people who have seen everything that it took to get to that moment. So its great to have them, she says. Many of her writing peers are female, and Ryan Howard is very attuned to gendered differences within the publishing industry around how authors are treated: Its the age-old thing of when a woman writes about family its domestic, and when a man writes about family, its universal, and hes telling us something new about life, she says, rolling her eyes. She tells me she has stopped smiling in photographs, as her male equivalents are not asked to smile. Im delighted today we have the wonderful [photographer] Brid [ODonovan], who I know is not going to make me smile, she says with relief. Among her other bugbears is literary snobbery, and people thinking genre writing (like a thriller) is lesser than literary fiction. If I had sleeves, Id roll them up, jokes Ryan Howard as she prepares to outline her thoughts on this. Catherine Ryan Howard: I sort of go mad every three books and that structure is holding. Picture: Brid O'Donovan. I think its foolish to say all books should be treated the same, because there is absolutely a difference between literary fiction and what we call commercial or popular fiction. Its undeniable. What I write, I am trying to entertain people. But [Never Let Me Go author Kazuo] Ishiguro is trying to tell me how to live. Its different. What bothers me in this country is its like theres a sorting hat. And sometimes you get to the top of the queue and youre going to be put into literary darling, worthy, serious [section], or youre going to be put over here into pile up high in [a bookshop]. And sometimes Im confused about the sort, and the result of it. Sometimes there is a novel that the Irish sorting hat literati decides is literary fiction, and it is a crime novel. Ryan Howard is proud of what she writes, and says the issue isnt crime novels like hers needing to be taken more seriously. The issue is that sometimes in this country, a crime novel just because of whos written it and published its lauded as literary fiction, and treated totally differently. And the crime novelists are sitting there going, Jesus, if you like that, weve got this whole thing over here, but youve ignored it. Perhaps this is in part why she says that resilience is much needed when youre a full-time author. Theres rejection in this job every day of the week in various forms. So you just have to be incredibly resilient. And I think Ive learned that I want this so badly, I have that resilience. Theres certainly been times where I have started to second-guess myself. Staying true to herself is a core part of her life. For example, Ryan Howard has never wanted children, and it was her desire to be a writer that showed her the desire to be a parent just wasnt in her. I knew from the age of eight what I wanted, which was to do this job. And in some ways, thats been uncompromising to the point of I might have been better off if I wasnt so singularly focused on it. But Im lucky to have known what it feels like to want something, she says. Staying focused has had clear results. Her bestselling book 56 Days captured readers during the pandemic, and is now being made into a TV series by Amazon Studios, starring Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia. Ryan Howard is not writing the script. I am delirious to relinquish control, she says. The series deviates in some ways from the book, and was filmed in Montreal, standing in for Boston. Ryan Howard visited the set and is sworn to secrecy on what she saw, but will divulge it was surreal seeing the filming take place. Ryan Howard has been based in Dublin for many years, but her heart remains in Cork. My dream is to buy in East Cork but to keep renting in Dublin so long as I can afford it, she says, as we finish up after an hour of chatting. I do love being in Dublin, and I love that you can go to all the book events. Cork has a great literary scene too. But I do love being in Dublin, and I love the anonymity of it I cannot leave the house in Cork without someone who knows my mother seeing me. Theres another laugh before she heads off to have her photographs taken. No smiling allowed once the lens is on her, even though Catherine Ryan Howard has plenty to smile about. Limerick woman Philomena Lee, whose search to find her adopted son was depicted in the Oscar-nominated film Philomena wants the Government to extend the mother and baby home redress scheme to all survivors as a matter of urgency. The 92-year-old, after whom a House of Commons bill in the UK known as Philomenas Law was recently named, said the redress payment here needs to be extended to anyone who ever spent time in an institution. As a young woman, Philomenas three-year-old son Anthony was taken from her by the nuns while she was locked up in Sean Ross Abbeys mother and baby home in Roscrea. He was adopted by a Catholic family in the US against her wishes. Philomena was one of thousands of women who were subjected to such forced adoptions in Ireland. Her story about her 50-year search for Anthony helped shed a light on the injustices suffered by those in religious-run mother and baby homes. An 800m Mother and Baby Home Institutions Payment scheme opened to applicants in March of last year to compensate women like Philomena and thousands of other men and women who were affected. Judi Dench (left) as Philomena Lee and Steve Coogan (right) as Martin Sixsmith in the movie Philomena which captured her search for her son Michael A. Hess. File photo: PA/Alex Bailey/Pathe Productions Limited However, the scheme has been heavily criticised by campaigners for excluding up to 24,000 survivors. Under the terms of the scheme, anyone who was born in a mother and baby home, but spent less than six months living there, is not entitled to redress. Those who spent lengthy periods in hospital beyond 180 days receive a deduction to their overall payment, despite being returned to the homes after their treatment. Philomenas daughter Jane Libberton told the Irish Examiner that her mother wants the scheme extended to include all survivors - regardless of how long they spent in a mother and baby home. Absolutely everyone should be included, that is what my mother wants, said Jane Libberton. It should be open to everyone. These babies lost their identities, and there are 24,000 babies that we know of, who were under six months when they were adopted out. I dont know why anyone would think that removing a baby from their mother would not cause damage to a baby, its very unfair. Thats the message my mother would really like to give, everyone should be included. Barriers Jane Libberton also said that for elderly survivors like her mother Philomena, who is 92, applying for redress through an online portal is difficult. Applying for the scheme was also difficult, to do it on a portal, thats very confusing for an elderly person. Latest figures from the Department for Children show a relatively poor uptake on the compensation package to date. While an estimated 34,000 survivors are eligible to apply, up to the end of March just 6,350 applications have been received. More than 5,500 notices of determination have issued to applicants, 4,500 or 82% of which contain an offer of benefits under the scheme. Applicants have six months to consider their offer before they need to respond, with more than 4,100 payments already made or in the process of being made, according to the department, which is responsible for administering the scheme. Jane Libberton said: The poor uptake means there are thousands obviously not applying and there is a reason for that, mum would encourage everyone to apply. Survivors of these places did nothing wrong. There was shame involved, mum held her secret until she was 70, so there is stigma for some still. But they did nothing wrong. She said her mother, like many other elderly survivors, also experienced difficulties while applying for redress. Mum was 92 recently, Jane continued. I did it all for my mother, she would not have been capable of applying for the redress. Even then, there were delays, I missed ticking one box and that delayed everything. Also, they wouldnt deal with me, so I had to be beside mum every time I rang for her, Id be dragging her up to my office, it just was so complicated. Philomena Lee faced a barrier in her application of verifying her identity, because she was applying under her married name, Gibson. File photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie I did send them a stinging email in the end, mum had started to feel because of who she is they were deliberately delaying her application. It has been resolved now but really, it should not be so complicated, mum doesnt have the capacity to deal with that. No elderly person does." Another barrier Philomena Lee faced in her application was verifying her identity, because she was applying under her married name, Gibson. Mum had also no bills with the surname Lee, she is married, so it just took longer than it should have to be resolved. In the end we found one telephone bill with the surname Lee, there were many barriers. Jane was also critical of how the scheme was advertised for survivors living abroad. I think I saw it advertised on a tube once she said. It really wasnt well known. I know there are great Irish communities in London and across the UK, and they help get the word out, but it could have been advertised better." The Department of Children said by the end of last year the Government had spent 1.8m promoting the mother and baby homes redress scheme in countries that have a significant Irish diaspora as part of a planned 2.75m spend to advertise the scheme in a five-year campaign. In the UK, there have been visits to meet British groups that are supporting applicants living there, and there were posters advertising information on all London bus routes and tube lines. Philomena's Law Last month a Bill was proposed in the UK Parliament called Philomenas Law, which is aimed at preventing survivors living there from being taxed on their redress. British Labour MP Liam Conlon moved the bill to allow survivors receive redress without running the risk of "losing means-tested benefits and financial support for social care". He contacted us about five weeks before he brought the bill to parliament, explained Ms Libberton. He asked whether mum would lend her name to the law, and we said absolutely yes, I explained it all to mum, she is a reluctant person, she always says no before she says yes. Mum just wanted to know if this was a good thing and I told her yes, it is. Philomena Lee (right) and her daughter Jane Libberton at the graveside in Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea at a private memorial for her son Anthony Lee (Michael Hess) who was lost to her by forced adoption in the mid 1950s. File photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland It is a lasting legacy using her name and we feel it is such an important issue. Liam asked us to go to the parliament when he was reading it out. He was very clear and really grabbed peoples attention, you could see people nodding and agreeing. There were at least 60 people there, it was cross-party, and you could see that they were all agreeing. The average payment is 16,000 and that can cause huge problems with your UK pension, it will only affect maybe 5% of the population but this is important." Jane said that her mother is doing well but at 92 but she is frail. Her husband Philip is still alive, and they have been married 40 years, she said. They keep each other going. Mum is frail, and she lost her confidence during covid, but shes doing well. She is not well known here [in the UK] at all; in Ireland she is known because of the film. In 1951, Philomena had been sent to Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea by her father after getting pregnant. After giving birth to her son, she spent fours years working in the convent's laundry. The nuns gave him up for adoption to the US, where his name was changed to Michael A. Hess. Philomena Lee is doing well but at 92 she is 'frail'. He visited Ireland in an attempt to find his mother but died before he and Philomena could be reunited. His remains were buried in Sean Ross Abbey's cemetery, with Philomena's search for her son captured in the film of the same name. Mum is a quiet person, but she knows the film has impacted a lot of people. I think the film has resonated with so many people and it was heartbreaking to watch." Jane also said that while her mother can no longer visit Ireland due to her age, on one of her previous trips here she called into the nuns to apologise for the film. She said she was sorry about the film and the book, said Jane. She didnt get an apology back but that is what she did. She is not angry, but Im angry at the Church for what they did. They never apologised either. Mum was a psychiatric nurse, and she said eventually she had to put the anger over her shoulder and into the past because she saw what anger did to people. When mum told us about my brother, it was so sad for her, and then to learn he died, we were so shocked. But in hindsight, when we learned that he chose to be buried in Sean Ross Abbey, well he must have wanted to be found. I think people like my mum because she has a very gentle way about her, she is modest and never wanted to tell her story and do the book. But the world took to her because of her soft manner. She knows the film has touched so many and she does appreciate that, and it opened doors for people and got people talking. Anthony has never been forgotten - we talk about him and his photo is up in all our houses. The Department of Children has been contacted for comment. Lack of communication from superiors is a common feature of complaints by members of the Defence Forces, the States military ombudsman has said. Alan Mahon, a former judge, also said he has seen a significant increase in recent years in direct complaints from senior officers. He said these officers may have been reluctant in the past to use internal complaint procedures as the investigating officer would be a fellow officer. Mr Mahon said that he received relatively few complaints in 2024 of an interpersonal nature such as allegedly offensive remarks or alleged harassment and that this might suggest increased awareness within the Defence Forces (DF). Publishing his annual report for 2024, the former Court of Appeal judge said that 80% of all complaints to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) last year were directly referred, compared to 50% in 2023, 20% in 2022 and 7% in 2021. He said complaints from commissioned officers those holding the ranks of lieutenant, captain, commandant, colonel, and up accounted for 40% of all complaints in 2024, compared to well below 10% in previous years. Mr Mahon said: A possible explanation is that officers may have been reluctant to use internal Defence Forces statutory complaint process, the only option open to them up until recently, because the process involves the appointment of a fellow officer as the military investigation officer (MIO), to take charge of the investigation of the complaint. Figures show that 55% of the complaints came from the Army, 34% from the Air Corps and just 8% from the Naval Service. The ODF upheld just under half of the complaints in 2024, similar to the previous year. The majority of complaints concerned promotion, course selection and assessment, leave issues, allowances, and overseas issues. Mr Mahon said there were only three complaints that might loosely be termed interpersonal type complaints, one of an allegedly offensive remark, one of alleged harassment and disrespect and one of allegedly making false accusations. Commenting on this, he said: The fact that such complaints to my office are relatively few in number might suggest that there is, over the past couple of years, an increased awareness within the DF of the value in maintaining good working relationships with colleagues, and, particularly on the part of senior NCOs [non-commissioned officers] and Officers, coupled with a need to move quickly and effectively to resolve interpersonal difficulties where they do occur. Mr Mahon, who is serving a second three-year term as ombudsman, said he is often asked if there were any common denominators to complaints. There is certainly one, namely, communication, or, more accurately, lack of communication, he said. I use the term non-communication to describe a failure on the part of senior DF personnel (both senior NCOs and Officers) to adequately communicate and/or engage with personnel when those personnel raise issues of concern, or make complaints. Based on my experience as ODF, greater care needs to be taken to provide the reasons for a particular decision that impacts an individual, such as a negative decision in relation to course selection, overseas selection, promotion (including to Acting roles), allowances, leave or other administrative matters. He added: In a significant number of complaint investigations a failure to explain the basis for a decision, or to give reasons for a decision, or to otherwise engage with the affected individual, was a major contributing factor behind the submission of the complaint. Case studies of complaints include: Allegation from complainant of bias or lack of impartiality on the part of the MIO The ODF said it was understandable that objective bias or perceived bias would have been a suspicion from the complainants perspective because of the fact that the appointed MIO and the person against whom all complaints were directed were both of the same rank, namely Lt Cols, and were almost certainly known to each other. But the ODF said he was satisfied there was no evidence of any lack of impartiality or bias. Refusal of commanding officer to accept sick leave In this case, a private in the DF was given 28 days sick leave by a civilian GP employed by the DF. This was rejected by the complainants CO (commanding officer), and he was advised to report for duty later that day, or he would be marked absent. He did, as instructed, later that day attend St Bricins Military Hospital for a scheduled appointment. He was examined by a Medical Officer (MO), and his grant of sick leave was approved. However, his CO was not prepared to sanction the sick Leave. The ODF found: Comdt X, in his capacity as CO, does not have authority to refuse sick leave if it is recommended by a MO. Direction by a senior NCO to remove certain LinkedIn posts of a complainant The posts were of the complainant receiving a particular certificate or award from a private company, associated with a branch of the DF. The senior NCO was acting on the direction of a senior officer. The ODF considered the DFs Social Media Policy document. The ODF said: The material posted by the complainant, copies of which have been provided to me, are relatively benign in terms of their potential to compromise security. However, on the other hand, the photographs identify personnel (albeit not by name), equipment and surveillance activity, software and maps and it is understandable therefore, that from a security perspective, some of these images might be of concern to the DF authorities. He added that the DF Social Media Policy, by its nature, was non-specific and couched in general terms, and its application to particular situations and circumstances will often err on the side of caution. The ODF said: I believe this is what occurred in this case and which understandably resulted in a sense of anger and frustration on the part of the complainant. Addressing a crowd of hundreds in Croke Park earlier this week, the most senior civil servant in the department of housing coined a new term before immediately trying to pull back on it, as he foreshadowed soon-to-be-published fresh Government plans on housing. So that is what Housing 2.0 which I hope doesnt take off as a phrase but thats what I think it will need to be about, Graham Doyle said. The Housing secretary general had earlier spoken of how the Government had sought to build momentum in the housing sector. But he acknowledged that that momentum had stalled somewhat. Prior to the election, ministers had persistently said that close to 40,000 homes would be built in Ireland in 2024. We now know that was way off. It was only over 30,000. The experts say we need double that to be built each year. And, in a room full of the people who build and sell and make policy around Irelands homes every day, they heard even less homes could be built this year than last. In a time of acute housing crisis, this would be nothing short of a catastrophe and should set off alarm bells now. The problem was set out in the plainest terms at the Construction Industry Federations (CIF) Housebuilding Summit in Dublin. Sherry Fitzgerald Residential and Advisory managing director Marian Finnegan said that it is difficult to accurately pinpoint how many homes will be built given the unreliability of statistics such as commencement figures. But, on the whole, it does not look good. What I would say is what is certain is that it will disappoint, she said. Its going to be nowhere near what we need. The issues are many, according to the industry. The conference heard planning is a mess, leaving bids for permission in limbo for months on end and of fears that a judicial review could plunge a project back to square one. Planning reforms need to take effect quickly, it was also told. Accessing finance could be difficult too. Making sure that properties are connected for water and power in a decent timeframe can be incredibly frustrating. Some took aim at caps on rent, which prevent landlords from hiking up the cost for tenants, and said it is harming the viability of apartments. On apartments, they cost so much to build from start to finish that tens of thousands of them with planning permission wont be built even with Government schemes aimed at making them more viable for developers. The release of funding by Government for critical housing projects was a key topic too. And the inner conflicts between the department of housing and the holders of the purse-strings in the department of public expenditure have been well flagged before in terms of releasing and providing funding for housing. At the conference, the department of public expenditure's top civil servant David Maloney said the Governments review of the National Development Plan set to be published in July would have between 16bn and 18bn of funding to work with. He admitted that is a lot of money but stressed that well have to prioritise. People are entitled to make their pitch in that context, Mr Maloney said. Well be looking at each of those demands and be recommending to Government priorities within that spend. But, he added, the priority is the delivery of water, energy, and the transport infrastructure to deliver housing. Thats the number one priority, he said. Mr Doyle, on the other hand, said the department of housing negotiates with central Government for a limited pool of resources and we negotiate that very hard". We can only allocate what we get, he said. Summing up the asks of industry, the chair of CIFs Irish Home Builders Association Michael Kelleher urged the Government to make the necessary policy changes so its members can deliver homes. He said the industry is not looking for tax breaks, despite multiple reports suggesting the Government is considering such breaks to encourage construction. Mr Kelleher, who is also the group operations director of the OFlynn Group, said tax initiatives must benefit end users while international capital has to see Ireland as a comfortable place to invest. He said there has been constant change to policy and uncertainty over future changes which has spooked international capital before. We have to be honest, accept the constraints and work together to deliver more viable planning permissions and expedite infrastructure delivery, which are the key determinants in delivering homes at scale If we are to make inroads into housing delivery over the next number of years, then we must use all the levers we have available to us to make this happen. Which levers are chosen will no doubt will be outlined in the Governments new housing plans expected this summer, with many eyes keenly watching them. Coinciding with the conference was the Cabinet approving the revised National Planning Framework. Put simply, this framework is the plan for strategic development in this country setting out the target of building 300,000 homes by 2030. For this to happen, each local council in the country will have to zone more land for housing. Minister for Housing James Browne has given them until the end of the year to get their act together. Ironically, the head of housing for Fingal County Council had earlier told the conference that they are already at or close to capacity in terms of what we can deliver and that scaling up will be a real challenge. Regardless of that, Mr Browne wants to see councils acting on this. He said: I think any local authority that delays on this, I think will be seeing the wrath of the public very quickly. Only fresh in the job, Mr Brownes words on how the councils need to step up carried their own resonance. With Fianna Fail and Fine Gael again forming a Government on a platform to fix housing, the talk is all again of new actions to scale up and remove blockages and unlock housing. Before the election, the Government had said we had turned a corner on housing and things were moving in the right direction. And then the official figures showed the number of homes being built was decreasing rather than increasing. Generation rent cant afford for this to go on. The 15,000 people and counting who are homeless in Ireland cant either. The public purse has exploded in recent years too, so there is money there even with the US tariff risk looming over us. If Housing 2.0 fails to turn the tide, it will have been clear that, rather than turning the corner, the Government has been leading us in circles. And, regardless of the outcome and given how vital it is to so many, Housing 2.0 could well be the singular issue on which this new Government is judged. In November 2018 an Irish spinal surgeon travelled to Portugal for a conference featuring some of the worlds top scoliosis researchers. What he heard there ultimately led to a metal spring disintegrating inside Luke Ryan, now 8, and similar surgery on two other children. This series of unlikely events included a box of ordinary springs bought by CHI at Temple Street hospital. Each spring cost for 4.58 and a number ended up in operating theatres. How did this happen? That conference took place in a time of intense focus on scoliosis. In 2017 surgical waiting lists held 312 children. The ombudsman published a report on consistent breaches of childrens right to health. Under-pressure health minister Simon Harris committed to a four-month waiting time for surgery to parents delight but scepticism. More money was made available and numbers began to come down, but slowly. So Professor Connor Green was no doubt open to a new treatment option he heard discussed in Lisbon by a research team from the University Medical Center Utrecht in Holland. He was one of the few surgeons in Ireland working with children with scoliosis and other complex conditions. For some children, he was their only hope and parents trusted him completely. The Dutch team talked about research with a new spring distraction system. It involved placing medical-grade titanium springs around conventional growing rods. These are implanted into vertebrae in the spine. The compressed helical coil spring applies a continuous distraction force which should modify spine growth and correct scoliosis. The coiled spring lengthens as the patient grows. The idea is this could reduce the number of procedures needed later to lengthen the rods. Prof Green did not contact the Dutch team but the seed was planted. By early autumn 2019, at a specially-convened multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting in Temple Street hospital, he was ready to discuss this option with colleagues. They talked about this and an older option for treating early-onset scoliosis. They opted for stainless steel rather than titanium. "Bespoke solution" When Hiqa began investigating in 2023, he described it as a bespoke solution for a small group of patients and as experimental. An MDT is usually one team with all professions, but this service had one for surgical staff and one for nursing and health and social care professionals. So potential missed opportunities to question the springs. Referring to Prof Green as Surgeon A, Hiqa said the springs were part of likely well-intentioned efforts to help children. Emails show him in contact with a manufacturer discussing a company product catalogue number, invoicing, and payment options in December 2019 and January 2020. That number linked to compression springs made from unalloyed spring steel. This rusts in water unlike medical grade metals. Luke and Sean Ryan, in June 2022, Both boys have spinal muscular atrophy: Picture: Fran Veale/Julien Behal Photography A CHI principal clinical engineering technician was copied in the emails but does not seem to have questioned how the springs would be used. The stores office was not involved, and the springs were not ordered, tracked or recorded on the business management system. Documents indicate Hiqa said: One box of 10 springs was paid for by CHI at Temple Street on January 8, 2020 at a cost of 4.58 sterling per spring. This was delivered by courier on February 7 to Temple Street, addressed to the orthopaedic department. The stores department signed the proof of delivery docket. That month, Prof Green and another surgeon said they met with then CEO Eilish Hardiman to discuss the springs at Temple St. She told Hiqa this meeting did not happen. She said she met Prof Green at another CHI site and did not discuss the springs. It is also unclear whether a letter written by Prof Green and addressed to Ms Hardiman discussing the springs was delivered or received. Ms Hardiman later told the Oireachtas health committee: No approval was granted and none would be granted for a non-medical-grade device to be implanted." Then the springs came to the Temple Street central decontamination unit in July. They did not have a CE mark again a gap which should have set off alarm bells. The springs were to be used with the standard rod systems. Someone from the company which makes the rods brought the springs to this unit. It is not known who authorised this. "Prone to rust" There was significant deviation from what Hiqa described as good decontamination checks. The unit emailed Prof Green asking for manufacturers sterilisation instructions. He emailed the company who said these are standard springs and not something designed to be covered by any specific medical requirements. The company said in another email they are prone to rust. Hiqa noted: These emails should have raised concerns with Surgeon A." Ultimately five springs were implanted in three children during 2020 to 2022. Of the 10 springs, two were disposed of as unsuitable during surgery, one was disposed of in early 2023 before the scandal emerged and one is with CHI management, but one is lost. In operating theatres staff run through a check-list first, much like airline pilots before take-off. Nurses said they were not given information about equipment additional to the rods and Hiqa said it is unclear why nurse or clinicians did not query this. Theatre staff said the springs were not raised during this process, but the lead surgeon said he did so. These were key control failures, Hiqa found. Lukes parents in Mornington, Meath, were appalled this week. Liz McMahon and David Ryan said: Tragically, it is now abundantly clear as a child Luke was failed by the paediatric services at CHI. The very services that should have protected Luke, by providing safe healthcare instead provided what is now clear was an intentional act that resulted in harm to our son who was an innocent child. Reading the report left them sure: Luke was used for unauthorised experimentation." He was aged two years and nine months then and they said it was done without our knowledge or consent. They explained: Not surprisingly, that spring device then disintegrated inside Luke resulting in the necessity for further surgical intervention. They were appalled by this failure of proper governance at CHI. Their solicitor, Raymond Bradley, said removing the spring was complex and didnt go as smoothly as it could have. The family had to go before the High Court in 2023 to get his medical records before the spring was later removed. Luke has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and scoliosis. Luke Ryan and his brother Sean, with sister Vivienne and parents Liz and David from Mornington, Co Meath, in 2022. Picture: Gareth Chaney His parents successfully campaigned recently to have SMA included in newborn heel-prick tests. They are still fighting now, calling on health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to step in, saying: We hope Lukes unnecessary suffering will improve the lot of all children. Hiqa said none of the parents gave informed consent due to the limited information they were given. They found found children were not protected from risk of harm. Solicitor for the other families affected, Ciaran Tansey, said the report was horrible for our clients and their families to digest. He spoke of how shocking they found it CHI permitted risk-taking at this level. These concerns are widely shared according to advocate Amanda Coughlan-Santry who said: We have families who are scared to put a toe across the threshold of CHI now. Co-founder of the spina bifida hydrocephalus paediatric advocacy group, she added this is not the first report to raise concerns. Everyone in the country needs to ask themselves would you want this level of care for your child? Many children in this group were under Prof Green, and she said some remain without a consultant over 18 months since he went on leave. The group emailed Ms Carroll MacNeill on March 18 asking for a meeting. They have not received a response. Another group, Orthokids, this week called for Prof Green to be reinstated. Founder Diane Hodnets child has waited two years for surgery with him. She said: The Hiqa report rejects the CHI leaderships efforts to shift blame onto a single surgeon. The minister faces the prospect of the new childrens hospital opening next year hopefully with a cloud hanging over it. Questions are being raised too about staff morale with Hiqa finding an absence of a culture which supported questioning in services examined. Hiqa director of healthcare Sean Egan, talked about pretty weak managerial structures at CHI broadly. Hiqa found unclear lines of reporting, accountability and oversight across the organisation. He warned moving three hospitals to the new hospital is definitely a factor here in terms of the difficulties CHI have had with this". CHI board chairman Dr Jim Browne has stepped down with the minister resisting calls for more resignations. CEO Lucy Nugent apologised to children and pledged to implement all recommendations. She accepted corporate and clinical governance arrangements were inadequate and said changes are under way. CHI clinical director Ike Okafor also apologised. He said more than 250,000 children are treated across their hospitals annually, and their staff are some of the best in the world. On Friday CHI said 123 spinal surgeries were done between January and March, but also around 50 new patients are listed every month. Other reviews including a hip dysplasia audit continue, so can CHI get parents back on side before the big move? Virginia retailers need to make decisions now for the holiday season in seven months, but they say they are no more certain about how to plan or what to buy for shoppers than they were before President Donald Trump suddenly rolled back the tariffs he had threatened to impose on dozens of the United States trading partners. Nancy Thomas, president and CEO of InUnison of Central Virginia, formerly known as the Retail Merchants Association, said Trumps last-minute decision on Wednesday to set a temporary 10% tariff as a floor for negotiating with dozens of countries, while raising the tariff on goods from China to 125%, wont reassure the hundreds of retail merchants she represents. The key word is floor, Thomas said Wednesday. It could go up. It probably wont go down. All they can anticipate is that these large tariffs are not going to go away, she said. Trumps announcement caused embattled stock markets to rally, but did not relieve the uncertainty facing businesses that rely on goods imported and exported through the Port of Virginia to drive the states economy. It was the good news the market was hoping for, but the uncertainty surrounding the announcement hasnt gone away, said Bob McNab, chairman of the economics department at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Until we see more policy stability, we probably wont see more market stability. Like Thomas, McNab said the presidents decision to roll back his proposed tariffs to 10% for most countries does not mean hes entirely pausing their effect. It means everybodys being hit with a 10% tariff, which will still roil markets as they digest the news, he said. At the same time, consumers and exporters will feel the effects of the trade war that Trump launched with China, which already has raised its average tariff on U.S. goods to 84%, prompting the president to retaliate again on Wednesday. Consumers are going to see prices on a wide variety of goods jump in the next month, McNab predicted. Port of Virginia The trade war also wont help the Port of Virginia, based in Hampton Roads, with a terminal on the James River and a crucial asset to businesses across the state. If you think of the Port of Virginia as a conduit for small, medium and large businesses, and the business environment is souring, theres headwinds for the port, McNab said. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond issued an economic study this past week that estimated the average effective tariff rate on U.S. trading partners would rise from 2.3% last year to 22.2% under the package of reciprocal tariffs that Trump rolled out last week, based on the U.S. trade deficit with each country. Previously, the Federal Reserve had estimated that the average effective tariff rate would rise to 15%, which reflects 25% tariffs that he slapped on aluminum and steel imports, as well as automobiles and auto parts, which are not affected by the presidents 90-day pause of his Liberation Day tariffs. Cage match The higher tariffs wherever they ultimately land will pose a challenge for businesses that will have to decide whether they make fundamental changes in how and where they manufacture goods, how much of the higher costs of those goods they try to pass on to consumers, and whether consumers will be willing to pay them, Tom Barkin, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, said in a presentation to the Economic Club of Washington on Wednesday. Youve got people trying to raise prices, [and] people not all that receptive, Barkin said, likening the showdown to a cage match between emboldened manufacturers and exhausted consumers. He said the danger is that consumers, whose confidence has plunged in sentiment surveys in the past two months, will pull back on spending, as they already have in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia because of massive cuts that Trump is making in the federal workforce and spending, which drive the regional and state economy. I think thats a real challenge, Barkin said. For financial markets, the biggest challenge may be the volatility of trading in the face of Trumps frequent shifts in economic policy. You cant make decisions The volatility is beyond insane, said Kent Engelke, chief economic strategist and managing director at Capitol Securities Management in Richmond, who returned from a short walk on Wednesday to find the market turned downside up in his absence. You cant make decisions, Engelke said. The only thing that is certain is uncertainty. Everything else is conjecture and rhetoric. The uncertainty is not good for business, said Brian Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. None of us feels safe enough that were not going to be affected somehow, said Anderson, whose organization represents about 700 member businesses. Homebuilders remain worried about conflicting messages from the presidents shifting trade policy, said Andrew Clark, vice president of government affairs at the Home Builders Association of Virginia, which has been concerned about the effect of tariffs on lumber imported from Canada. There is so much [political] volatility in D.C. and decision making is so volatile, youre just going to assume the worst is yet to come, Clark said. Erik and Lyle Menendezs resentencing hearings can continue despite opposition from the Los Angeles County district attorney, a judge ruled on 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. 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, which would make them immediately eligible for parole because they committed the crime when they were younger than 26. But Mr Gascons successor Nathan Hochman reversed course, submitting a motion last month to withdraw the resentencing request. Supporters and family of Erik and Lyle Menendez listen to a family member speak after the hearing in the brothers case (Damian Dovarganes/AP) Mr Hochmans office said they could not support the brothers resentencing because they had not admitted to lies told during their trial about why they killed their parents and did not fully recognise, acknowledge, and accept complete responsibility for their crime. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic said prosecutors can make that argument during the resentencing hearing. Everything you argued today is absolutely fair game for the resentencing hearing next Thursday, he said. The brothers appeared in court over Zoom but made no public statements. 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. Deputy district attorney Habib Balian said on Friday that the key issue with Mr Gascons resentencing petition was that it did not fully address rehabilitation and missed key elements of the original crime committed. What does it mean? To learn from your mistakes and truly understand that you were wrong, Mr Balian said. He 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. Lawyer Mark Geragos arrives for the hearing (Damian Dovarganes/AP) He said the brothers killed their parents out of greed when they learned they would be taken out of the will, citing a psychiatrists notes that he said showed this was not self-defence. The brothers lawyer Mark Geragos called the presentation a dog and pony show and said it was nothing more than political cover as a result of Mr Hochman defeating Mr Gascon in the district attorneys race. They have authorised the denial of sexual abuse, Mr Geragos said of the prosecutions presentation. Mr 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. Mr Geragos also objected to Mr Balian including a photo of the deceased and bloody Menendez parents in his presentation, which he said retraumatised family members and victims. The brothers cousin Anamaria Baralt, and aunt Terry Baralt were among the family members who were in the courtroom. Most of the brothers extended family supports their resentencing. Their cousin Tamara Goodall 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, she 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. Lawyers pointed out Mr Hochman demoted Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, the two deputy district attorneys who filed the original resentencing motion. They have since filed lawsuits against Mr Hochman alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation for their work on the Menendez brothers case. 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 on 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. Iran and the United States held talks in the sultanate of Oman on Saturday, jump-starting negotiations over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear programme. Irans state-run broadcaster said US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke together the first time the two nations have done that since the Obama administration. Mr Araghchi said more talks are planned for April 19. The talks represent a milestone in the fraught relations between the two nations over Irans program, which is enriching uranium close to weapons-grade levels. Here is a timeline of the tensions between the two countries over Irans atomic programme. Early days 1967 Iran takes possession of its Tehran Research Reactor under Americas Atoms for Peace programme. 1979 Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fatally ill, flees Iran as popular protests against him surge. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran and the Islamic Revolution sweeps him to power. Students seize the United States Embassy in Tehran, beginning the 444-day hostage crisis. Irans nuclear programme goes fallow under international pressure. August 2002 Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal Irans secret Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. The Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility buildings, 200 miles south of Irans capital Tehran, pictured in 2005 (Vahid Salemi/AP) June 2003 Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations. October 2003 Iran suspends uranium enrichment. February 2006 Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations. June 2009 Irans disputed presidential election sees Mr Ahmadinejad re-elected despite fraud allegations, sparking Green Movement protests and a violent government crackdown. October 2009 Under president Barack Obama, the US and Iran open a secret backchannel for messages in the sultanate of Oman. July 2012 US and Iranian officials hold face-to-face secret talks in Oman. July 14 2015 World powers and Iran announce a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limits Tehrans enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The nuclear deal collapses May 2018 During his first term, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdraws the US from the nuclear agreement, calling it the worst deal ever. He says he will get better terms in new negotiations to stop Irans missile development and support for regional militias. Those talks do not happen in his first presidency. May 8 2019 Iran announces it will begin backing away from the accord. A series of regional attacks on land and at sea blamed on Tehran follow. January 3 2020 A US drone strike in Baghdad kills General Qassem Soleimani, the architect of Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East. Iranian workers work at the ZPP (zirconium production plant) outside the city of Isfahan, south of Tehran, in 2005 (Vahid Salemi/AP) January 8 2020 In retaliation for Gen Soleimanis killing, Iran launches a barrage of missiles at military bases in Iraq that are home to thousands of American and Iraqi troops. More than 100 US service members suffer traumatic brain injuries. As Iran braces for a counterattack, the Revolutionary Guard shoots down a Ukrainian passenger plane shortly after take-off from Tehrans international airport, reportedly mistaking it for a US cruise missile. All 176 people on board are killed. July 2020 A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on archenemy Israel. April 6 2021 Iran and the US under its president Joe Biden begin indirect negotiations in Vienna over how to restore the nuclear deal. Those talks, and others between Tehran and European nations, fail to reach any agreement. April 11 2021 A second attack within a year targets Irans Natanz nuclear site, again likely carried out by Israel. April 16 2021 Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60%, its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%. February 24 2022 Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow ultimately will come to rely on Iranian bomb-carrying drones in the conflict, as well as missiles. July 17 2022 An adviser to Irans supreme leader, Kamal Kharrazi, says Iran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb, but has not decided whether to build one. His remarks will be repeated by others in the coming years as tensions grow. Then-US secretary of state John Kerry with then-Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Switzerland in 2015, during a bilateral meeting ahead of nuclear discussions (Martial Trezzini/AP) Middle East wars rage October 7 2023 Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. This begins the most intense war ever between Israel and Hamas. Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants. Regional tensions spike. November 19 2023 Yemens Houthi rebels, long supported by Iran, seize the ship Galaxy Leader, beginning a monthslong campaign of attacks on shipping through the Red Sea corridor that the US Navy describes as the most intense combat it has seen since the Second World War. The attacks mirror tactics earlier used by Iran. April 14 2024 Iran launches an unprecedented direct attack on Israel, firing more than 300 missiles and attack drones. Israel, working with a US-led international coalition, intercepts much of the incoming fire. April 19 2024 A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defence system by an airport in Isfahan, Iran. Iranians follow the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard during their funeral ceremony at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Square in Tehran in August 2024 (Vahid Salemi/AP) July 31 2024 Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, is assassinated apparently by Israel during a visit to Tehran after the inauguration of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian. September 27 2024 Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. October 1 2024 Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel, though a US-led coalition and Israel shoot down most of the missiles. October 16 2024 Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip. October 26 2024 Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defence systems and sites associated with its missile programme. Trump returns and reaches out January 20 2025 Mr Trump is inaugurated for his second term as US president. February 7 2025 Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says proposed talks with the US are not intelligent, wise or honourable. March 7 2025 Mr Trump says he sent a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei seeking a new nuclear deal with Tehran. March 15 2025 Mr Trump launches intense airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, the last members of Irans self-described Axis of Resistance capable of daily attacks. April 7 2025 Mr Trump announces the US and Iran will hold direct talks in Oman. Iran says they will be indirect talks, but confirms the meeting. April 12 2025 First round of talks between Iran and the US take place in Oman, ending with a promise to hold more talks after US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke together the first time the two nations have done that since the Obama administration. April 19 2025 Next round of talks scheduled between the US and Iran. Lawyers for Sean Diddy Combs are urging a judge to let prospective jurors at the hip-hop moguls upcoming sex trafficking trial be questioned about their views regarding sex, drugs and violence. The lawyers raised the subject as they submitted a proposed questionnaire to be filled out by individuals summoned for his May 5 trial in Manhattan federal court. In a letter to a judge late on Friday, the lawyers said they want to know the willingness of would-be jurors to watch videos that are sexually explicit or show physical assault. They also say they want to know their views toward people with multiple sexual partners. The defence believes it is important that we allow potential jurors to write candidly about the unprecedented and negative media attention that they may have been exposed to, related to Mr Combs Prosecutors in a letter of their own criticised the defences proposed questionnaire as too long and touching on subjects that would be better asked in person by the judge, if at all. They said some of the defences proposed 72 questions, some containing subparts, were utterly irrelevant to the ability to serve on a jury. Prosecutors also cited the sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell as an example of how a lengthy questionnaire can be damaging. After Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021, a juror admitted he had failed to disclose that he was a sex abuse victim, blaming his oversight in part on being distracted as he filled out the questionnaire and having skimmed way too fast, causing him to misunderstand questions. Judge Arun Subramanian has told lawyers that questionnaires will be distributed to hundreds of prospective jurors at the end of April so that questioning of prospective jurors can begin on May 5, with opening statements likely on May 12. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to allegations he subjected individuals to sexual abuse over a two-decade period. The Bad Boy Records founder has remained incarcerated without bail since his September arrest. An indictment accuses Combs of using the power and prestige he wielded as a music mogul to intimidate, threaten and lure women into his orbit, often under the pretence of a romantic relationship. The indictment said he then used force, threats and coercion to cause victims, including three women specified in the court papers, to engage in commercial sex acts. It said he subjected his victims to violence, threats of violence, threats of financial and reputational harm and verbal abuse. Prosecutors have said that a key piece of the evidence at trial will be a video showing Combs punching his former protege and girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, and throwing her to the floor in a hotel hallway. Defence lawyers have argued that prosecutors built their case on charges that try to demonise sex acts between consenting adults. They told the judge they were unable to reach a consensus with prosecutors for what prospective jurors should be asked on questionnaires. The defence believes it is important that we allow potential jurors to write candidly about the unprecedented and negative media attention that they may have been exposed to, related to Mr Combs, the lawyers wrote. Defence lawyers also asked that jurors be asked to tell if they have watched shows on television titled: The Fall of Diddy; Diddy Do It?; The Downfall of Diddy; and Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. State visits to enhance mutual understanding 11:15, April 12, 2025 By Mo Jingxi ( Chinadaily.com.cn President Xi Jinping will start on Monday his first overseas trip this year with state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia, to promote friendly cooperation and enhance mutual understanding and trust with neighboring countries, the Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. Expectations are high that Xi's upcoming five-day visit to Southeast Asia will provide new impetus for peace and development in the region and beyond. The visit also comes days after China reiterated its commitment to the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy, at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries. "Neighboring countries are China's priority in its diplomacy. China and Southeast Asian countries are good neighbors, good friends and good partners with a shared future," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday at a regular news briefing in Beijing. Xi's state visit to Vietnam, from Monday to Tuesday, will be his fourth visit to the socialist neighbor since 2013. During his last trip at the end of 2023, the leaders of the two countries jointly pledged to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. As this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam, Lin said Beijing looks forward to working with Hanoi to strengthen the traditional friendship, enhance strategic mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation, thus making greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind. According to the spokesman, Xi's visit to Malaysia will be his first in 12 years and marks an important milestone in elevating and upgrading China-Malaysia relations. Lin expressed expectations that the two countries will further strengthen political and security cooperation, deepen the alignment of their development strategies, enhance cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and improve coordination on international and regional issues. The visit can also serve as an opportunity for China and Malaysia, both important developing countries and emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region, to make new contributions to the solidarity and self-reliance of the Global South and to regional peace, stability and development, he said. China and Cambodia share a longstanding traditional friendship. In recent years, the two countries have achieved solid outcomes benefiting both peoples under the Diamond Hexagon bilateral cooperation framework covering six priority areas of politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security and people-to-people exchanges. Xi's visit to Cambodia will be his first in nine years. During his trip, the two sides will discuss the new orientation of bilateral ties and exchange in-depth views on five key areas political mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation, security guarantees, cultural exchanges and strategic collaboration, the spokesman said. "We believe President Xi's visit will make the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future more relevant in the new era, push for more positive outcomes in the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, and deliver more benefits to the two peoples," Lin added. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears joined Fox News Fox & Friends from Shortys Diner in Henrico County last week, where they talked about Earle-Sears bid for the governors mansion, tariffs and Virginias education system. President Donald Trump on Wednesday suddenly rolled back many tariffs he had threatened to impose on dozens of the United States trading partners. Youngkin said Trumps 90-day pause on tariffs gives the president a chance to cut deals and reset trade relationships with countries that have an advantage over the U.S. The reality is that free and fair trade means that we cant have countries that have tariffs on our goods going to them, and yet they have free access to our country. Its been like this for too long, Youngkin told Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade. The president is resetting those relationships, but still identifying the fact that China is an adversary, and we cannot play footsie with China. We have to actually treat them like an adversary, and thats exactly what hes doing. In between interviews, Earle-Sears worked the room, stopping at tables to chat with diners wearing Trump gear about their families and changes they want to see in Virginia, while Youngkin buzzed around, pouring coffee for diners who tucked into pancakes and other breakfast favorites. Youngkin has long been wary of Chinas government. In December 2022, Youngkin stopped efforts to land a $3.5 billion Ford Motor Co. battery plant in Pittsylvania County, saying the plant would have served as a front for the Chinese Communist Party. That month, he also issued an executive order banning the use of certain Chinese-owned apps, such as TikTok, on state government devices. Last year, he expressed concern that several Virginia school divisions including three of the states largest are using a Chinese-owned tutoring platform associated with TikToks parent company. Earle-Sears spoke about her opponent, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, saying the Democratic is in trouble in her campaign. Virginians know that she wants higher taxes. We dont want that. Virginians want better education opportunities, Earle-Sears said. She only wants one single opportunity, and thats public schools. We want public, private, homeschools, whatever the parents want. Earle-Sears has been a staunch advocate for school choice, often saying that educational opportunity shouldnt be decided by families ZIP codes. Spanberger has not publicly talked about her stance on school choice. Compared with other states across the U.S., Virginias range of school choice options is limited. The state, for example, has only seven charter schools while neighboring states like North Carolina and Maryland each have upward of 100. Youngkin has pushed several school choice bills over the past few years, which have all failed to pass the General Assembly. Youngkin said Tuesday that the states school systems are now getting it together and our kids are now extending to excellence as opposed to what they had before, which was equity. On his first day in office, Youngkin signed an executive order to end the use of inherently divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory in K-12 education. Earle-Sears criticized Spanbergers relationship with former President Joe Biden and his mental state. Kilmeade asked Earle-Sears if Spanberger had an obligation to share what she saw in Biden when he was president. She kept bragging that she was in constant touch with Joe Biden, talked to him all the time. That means she knew that he was not all there, Earle-Sears said. And thats a national security issue for me, because China knew it, Russia knew it. All of the other rogue nations knew it. And she said nothing. So she cannot be trusted with our safety and security. The Democratic Party of Virginia responded to Earle-Sears interview. From the first words out of her mouth this morning on Fox & Friends, Winsome Earle-Sears was clear about her extreme agenda to defund public schools and tried to distract Virginians from the fact that she is a weak candidate with a flailing campaign and an inability to unite the Republican Party, said Maggie Amjad, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Party of Virginia. While Virginians deserve a governor who fights for the commonwealth, Sears is only focused on attacking Virginia jobs and workers, defunding public schools, and ripping away reproductive rights. Amherst resident Sam Soghor recently announced he is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Virginia House of Delegates 53rd District, which includes Amherst County and parts of neighboring Bedford and Nelson counties. Soghor plans to rematch Del. Tim Griffin, the Republican incumbent and second-year legislator who won the seat with 70% of the vote in 2023. Griffin, a former prosecutor in the counties of Amherst and Bedford, is running again in a crucial year for the GOP hoping to reverse the 51-49 majority in the House and hang on to the Executive Mansion. The chair of the Amherst County Democratic Committee, Soghor also ran against the late Ronnie Campbell, a Republican, in the 2021 election for the House 24 seat when Amherst was part of that district prior to redistricting. Campbell won the seat that year with 73% of the vote. In hoping the third time is the charm in his quest for state office, Soghor said community members have asked him to run and he wants to give residents in the three counties real representation in Richmond that is not about toeing a party line. I personally get very bent out of shape when I see what goes on in politics. So many people are in politics for their own power, Soghor said in a recent interview. Im not a polarizing figure like many incumbent politicians are. I dont want my time in Richmond to be about wedge issues that drive us apart. I want to go to Richmond and just focus on issues like education and health care, things that we can all get behind, things that are just for the children, the working families and the elderly people of our communities. Common sense is what Im about. Griffin, who claims to be a Bedford County resident though some of his own constituents have disputed his place of residence, opposes abortion and restrictions on gun ownership. He has recently criticized Democrats for what he called mismanagement of the state legislature. The way I approach things is, is it good for Bedford, Amherst and Nelson, Griffin said at a March 4 event in Bedford on what guides his decision-making. For example, he said one of the items he felt was outrageous in the state budget this year was $125 million for a medical center in Charlottesville. Its not that I have a problem with them building that, its that they want you to build that with your taxpayer dollars, Griffin told the audience of mostly business leaders. Soghor said he is the PTO dad who goes to local government and school board meetings in Amherst, is involved in his sons elementary schools parent advisory council and takes part in community activities such as picking up trash on the highway. Running in a rural, Republican-leaning district, Soghor said it is important for voters to have a choice. He said he deeply cares about public education and making sure state dollars are properly flowing to school divisions, speaking to Amherst County Public Schools recent request for $1.2 million in additional funding from the county to meet school-related needs and the county not being able to afford it in a tight budget year. To me, theres nothing more important than the childrens education, Soghor said. He called rising energy costs awful and outrageous. If elected, he said, he would fight tirelessly to help reduce high electricity bills. People are really hurting because of this. Something must be done, Soghor said. Its completely unacceptable, and thats absolutely legislation that I would work on, is to go up against these companies. Ive never taken money from corporations, and I dont ever intend to, so my loyalties would never lie with an energy company, my loyalties would only lie with the Amherst, Nelson and Bedford families that cant afford these exorbitant energy bills. Griffin said Democrat-backed policies shutting down coal plants and natural gas lines in favor of solar farms and windmills has not been a smooth transition. Its outrageously expensive, Griffin said at the March 4 event, adding Democrats in his view have no comprehensive plan to fix energy costs. Griffin said he has attempted to put forward a complete repeal of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which he has railed against as it mandates a transition to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, requiring utilities to retire fossil fuel plants and invest in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. The goals are misplaced, Griffin said the March 4 event in Bedford, adding policies of phasing out coal and natural gas is a direct correlation to why energy bills are going up. Soghor is firmly against President Donald Trumps efforts to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education and said the country needs leaders who understand the importance of educating the most marginalized students. He said an education system that shortchanges public education in favor of the wealthy is unacceptable and anti-American. He said he believes in preserving womens reproductive freedom and feels the government has no business to interfere with a womans personal decision in the privacy of her doctors office. The Democratic majority in the legislature is keeping women of the 53rd District safer, he said, adding that banning abortion would only make it more dangerous for women. Instead, he said, increasing access to health care and child care would reduce abortion rates. Soghor also opposes billion-dollar corporations getting tax cuts while families in the district struggle to pay their bills. An instructional assistant at Amherst County High School, Soghor said he would work on solutions for children, seniors and working families. Im a uniter not a divider, Soghor said. Griffin, who took part in the Virginia March for Life on April 2, has spoken in support of smaller government, lower taxes and fewer regulations on businesses. He said at the March 4 event it is critical that Democrats not keep full power in the legislature and retake the governors mansion for full control of both legislative and executive branches of government. I think historically that has not been good in Virginia because they fast-forward the changes they want to make, Griffin said. What we can do in the House is be a stopgap for some of the radicalism that goes on. The Deputy Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, known as UNRWA, has emphasized the pressing necessity for a negotiated settlement in Gaza following the recent collapse of the ceasefire. Irish aid worker John Whyte noted that conditions within the enclave have continued to deteriorate, leaving very little hope for those affected. During an interview on RTEs Morning Ireland, he remarked: Under such circumstances, its understandable to question if any good can arise from all of this. Nonetheless, we at UNRWA are committed to providing hope to these individuals where hope is scarce, and we will do everything within our capacity. At the same time, there are 2.1 million people depending on us and the international humanitarian system for support during what is undoubtedly their darkest hour. They feel isolated in the world, sensing that no one is paying attention, despite the situation being almost livestreamed daily; nothing seems to have changed. Thus, any form of political dialogue or discussion that facilitates progress toward a negotiated settlement is something we urgently need. In January, Israeli legislation was enacted to prohibit UNRWAs operations on Israeli territory, creating significant uncertainty regarding the organizations future capabilities. However, Mr. Whyte affirmed that UNRWA will persist in delivering its services as long as possible. He stated: UNRWA remains the agency that individuals turn to for relief, food, education, health services, and all necessary supports. Although we face increasing obstacles to fulfilling our mission, we still possess a substantial mandate from the international community. The UN Secretary-General has consistently reinforced the significance of UNRWA, asserting that it cannot be replaced. We are committed to providing our services for as long as we are able. People still rely on us; when they see UNRWA, it offers them a sense of safety, and we have a responsibility to continue supporting them as long as we can. During the ceasefire, we witnessed what could be accomplishedliterally thousands of trucks delivered aid, with over 4,000 arriving weekly. He added: For UNRWA, our role is solely to provide operational support on the ground. Any action that advances the process toward dialogue, peace, and agreementalong with the release of hostages, prisoners, the recovery of remains, and the resumption of essential supplies to all regions of Gazais crucial. We proved during the ceasefire what could be achievedthousands of trucks delivered supplies, over 4,000 on a weekly basis. This level of support can be easily reinstated once there is a commitment to dialogue and a stable peace, something that everyone desires except for a few key actors pursuing a different agenda. Six weeks ago, Israel entirely halted all supplies to Gaza residents, and food that was stockpiled during the ceasefire at the beginning of the year has nearly been exhausted. We need your consent to load this rte-player content. We use rte-player to manage additional content that may set cookies on your device and collect data regarding your activity. Please review their information and give your consent to load the content. Manage Preferences Nonetheless, thousands of aid trucks remain positioned outside Gaza, prepared to deliver the essential food and supplies. Mr. Whyte expressed: This conflict has persisted for the past 18 months, and one might assume that as humanitarian workers, we would have witnessed everything; however, since the ceasefire collapsed, we have observed unprecedented levels of destruction, aggression, loss of life, and attacks on nearly every aspect of life in Gaza. Despite our best efforts to convey this crisis to the wider world, we see conditions continuing to worsen. The blockade has lasted over a month, preventing any aid from entering Gaza, despite thousands of trucks waiting outside, ready to deliver lifesaving food, medicine, and other necessities that are not being allowed in. Additional reporting: Reuters Iran and U.S. to Commence High-Level Nuclear Discussions in Oman The United States and Iran are set to engage in high-level discussions in Oman to revive negotiations concerning Tehrans rapidly progressing nuclear program, as US President Donald Trump has threatened military intervention if an agreement is not reached. According to Iranian media, delegations from both Iran and the US have landed in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is at the head of the Iranian delegation, while US President Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, will manage the discussions for the American side. Iran is approaching the talks with caution, expressing skepticism about the potential for an agreement and harboring distrust towards Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly warned of military action against Iran if it continues its increasing uranium enrichment activities. Iranian state television shared a video on its website depicting Mr. Araqchis meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi in Muscat. In the framework of indirect Iran-US negotiations, Araqchi presented his Omani counterpart with Tehrans essential points and positions to be relayed to the US, reported Iranian state media. Any positive developments could help de-escalate tensions in a region that has been engulfed in turmoil since 2023, marked by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, Houthi assaults on Red Sea shipping, and the ousting of the Syrian government. Conversely, a failure in these talks would heighten concerns over a larger conflict in a region that is a major oil exporter. An Iranian individual reads a newspaper on a street in Tehran, featuring headlines about the Iran-US discussions. Tehran has warned neighboring countries hosting US bases that they would face severe consequences should they become involved in any US military action against Iran. There is a possibility for initial understanding for further negotiations if the other party (the US) approaches the discussions with an equal stance, Araqchi stated in an interview with Iranian television. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority on key state issues within the Islamic Republics intricate power hierarchy, has granted Araqchi full authority for the negotiations, according to an Iranian official. The duration of the talks, which will focus exclusively on the nuclear issue, will depend on the USs sincerity and goodwill, the official, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned. Iran has ruled out discussions concerning its defense capabilities, including its ballistic missile program. Longstanding Dispute Iran has consistently denied ambitions for nuclear weapons; however, Western nations and Israel suspect it of covertly striving to develop the capacity to create an atomic bomb. They argue that Irans uranium enrichment has far exceeded the needs of a civilian energy program and has produced stocks at fissile purity levels nearing those required for warheads. Mr. Trump, having reinstated a maximum pressure strategy on Tehran since February, abandoned a 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six global powers in 2018 during his initial term, subsequently reimposing severe sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Since that time, Irans nuclear program has advanced significantly, including enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity, which is just a technical step away from the levels needed for a nuclear weapon. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed on Thursday his hopes that the talks would pave the way for peace, stating: Weve been very clear that Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon, and I believe that has contributed to this meeting. Tehran responded the following day, indicating that it is offering the United States a genuine opportunity despite what it termed Washingtons prevailing confrontational hoopla. Israel, Washingtons closest ally in the Middle East, views Irans nuclear program as an existential threat and has long threatened military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts do not succeed in curbing its nuclear aspirations. Over the past 18 months, Tehrans influence in the Middle East has significantly diminished, as its regional allies, known as the Axis of Resistance, have either been dismantled or severely weakened since the onset of the Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza and the collapse of Bashar al-Assads government in Syria in December. Israeli Minister Announces Expansion of Offensive Across Most of Gaza Israels Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has declared that the military intends to broaden its current offensive throughout much of Gaza, urging residents to evacuate from active conflict areas. Shortly, IDF operations will become more intense and extend to various regions across most of Gaza, necessitating your evacuation from the combat zones, Mr. Katz stated in a message directed at Gazas residents, simultaneously announcing that troops had successfully secured a corridor in the southern region of the territory. The Israeli military confirmed today that forces have encircled Rafah, a city in Gaza, as part of a strategy to capture additional areas within the enclave, alongside significant population evacuations. Since resuming operations in Gaza on March 18, the military has issued multiple evacuation notices to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah, forcing them into increasingly confined spaces bordered by the sea. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have evacuated Rafah, which spans 60 square kilometers and lies adjacent to Egypt to the south. In the last 24 hours, troops from the 36th Division have successfully established the Morag route, creating a separation between Rafah and Khan Younis, the military reported. Read more: Latest Middle East stories The Israeli offensive in Gaza commenced following an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli figures. Since then, over 50,000 Palestinians have reportedly died due to the offensive, as per the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The majority of the population has been displaced, and vast areas of Gaza lie in ruins. Israel resumed its offensive in March after effectively ending a ceasefire that had been in place since January. The military campaign is set to continue until all remaining 59 hostages are released and Hamas is eliminated from Gaza. Hamas has stated it will only release hostages as part of a larger agreement to conclude the conflict and has refused demands to disarm. A Hamas delegation was anticipated to arrive in Cairo over the weekend to discuss new proposals for a truce, according to an insider from the group. An immigration judge has determined that a pro-Palestinian student protester, a permanent resident of the US who was detained during the Trump administration, is subject to deportation, as confirmed by his attorney. Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans, located in Louisiana, stated that the federal government had successfully demonstrated valid grounds for the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, according to a statement from his lawyer. Today, our worst fears materialized: Mahmoud was subjected to a mockery of due process, a blatant infringement of his right to a fair hearing, and immigration law was weaponized to silence dissent. This is not the end, and our struggle continues, remarked Mr. Khalils attorney, Marc van der Hout, in the statement. As it stands, Mr. Khalils deportation has not been scheduled, and the judge has granted his legal team until April 23 to file for a waiver, the statement indicated. He was apprehended and transported to Louisiana, which incited protests. Several other international student protesters have faced similar actions. Judge Comans instructed the government to clarify its case against Mr. Khalil, who is being targeted for deportation based on allegations that his protest activities pose a threat to national security. In a letter to the court, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Mr. Khalils activism might jeopardize US foreign policy. However, he refrained from formally claiming that the Algeria-born Palestinian student has ties with Hamas, despite what officials have conveyed to the media. Campaign of terror The undated letter referred instead to Mr. Khalils participation and roles in purportedly anti-Semitic protests and disruptive activities that create a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States. It did not mention any specific alleged crime. I want to echo what you stated previously about the utmost importance of due process rights and fundamental fairness to this court. Clearly, neither of these principles were evident in what we observed today, Mr. Khalil conveyed to the court, according to his legal team. A recent protest in New Jersey expressing support for Mahmoud Khalil. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to X after the ruling, stating, When you advocate for violence, glorify and support terrorists, and harass Jews, you should not be in this country. In a separate case in New Jersey, raised by Mr. Khalils legal team to challenge his detention, the judge held a hearing right after the proceedings in Louisiana. Mr. Khalils attorneys plan to contest the Louisiana ruling once it is fully documented, as informed to the court. Numerous high-profile attorneys have joined Mr. Khalils case, viewing the proceedings as a critical test for freedom of speech and the boundaries of Trumps authority. The arrest of Mr. Khalil has incited outrage from critics of Trump, advocates for free speech, and some individuals on the political right, who argue that this case may have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The Trump administrations actions against universities, their researchers, and students are unprecedented in recent US history, stated Columbia University law professor David Pozen at a teach-in event yesterday. American democracy is facing a crisis. Ramya Krishman, a senior staff attorney at Columbias Knight First Amendment Institute, remarked, The administration has, frankly, unleashed a campaign of terror on immigrants in this country. It appears that no one is safe. Immigration agents have similarly detained and attempted to deport Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk from Turkey and Columbia student Yunseo Chung, a US permanent resident originally from South Korea. Thus far, their deportations have been halted by the courts. Middle East Studies Association MESA Board Joint Statement with the TFCHR regarding deportations The MESA Board of Directors and the MESA Task Force on Civil and Human Rights condemn in the strongest terms the Trump administrations targeting of noncitizen students and researchers for their constitutionally protected speech and advocacy. As part of an expansive anti-immigrant agenda, President Donald Trump has revoked visas and ordered the detention and deportation of non-citizens, including lawful permanent residents, for their advocacy of Palestinian rights and human dignity. The pretextual use of federal laws and executive orders to penalize political advocacy, speech, and protest is a direct assault on the foundations of democracy. It is a brazen attempt to deter individuals and institutions from expressing and hearing dissenting viewpoints. It is also a direct attack on the academic freedom of US universities, threatening the viability of these institutions as sites of free research, debate, and knowledge production. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order No. 14,161 stating that it is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from noncitizens who espouse hateful ideology, directing the Secretary of State and other cabinet officials to vet and screen all noncitizens who are already in the United States to the maximum degree possible. On January 29, 2025, the president issued Executive Order No. 14,188 stating that it is the policy of the United States to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence. The White House released a fact sheet about the order vowing to investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism in leftist, anti-American colleges and universities. The fact sheet characterizes the order as demanding the removal of resident aliens who violate our laws. The Executive Orders laid the groundwork for a disturbing series of arrests and deportation proceedings of noncitizen academics who participated in pro-Palestine protests or other related expression and association. MESA and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) have challenged in court this ideological deportation policy as patently unconstitutional. In March 2025 alone, the following arrests were carried out or attempted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency: On March 8, ICE agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and U.S. permanent resident. The agents ambushed Khalil in the lobby of his university-owned apartment building, separating him from his wife (a U.S. citizen) and whisking him away to an ICE facility in Louisiana. On the same day, ICE signed a detention order for Yunseo Chung, a Columbia University student and permanent resident who has lived in the United States since she was seven. A federal judge temporarily stopped ICE from detaining Chung while attorneys litigate the case. On March 11, Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian national and doctoral student at Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Architecture, fled the United States for Canada after receiving notice that her visa had been revoked, and experiencing two warrantless visits from ICE agents at her Columbia University-owned housing. On March 13, Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese citizen on an H-1B visa, was detained for 36 hours at Bostons Logan Airport and then deported back to Lebanon. A kidney transplant specialist who was to start a position at Brown Universitys medical school, Dr. Alawieh was deported despite a court order temporarily blocking her expulsion. On March 17, ICE arrested Badar Khan Suri, an Indian national and postdoctoral fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. Suri was surrounded by masked agents, separated from his wife (a U.S. citizen) and three children, told that his visa was revoked, and detained in an ICE facility in Louisiana. On March 21, the Justice Department wrote to attorneys for Momodou Taal, a British-Gambian national and doctoral student in Africana Studies at Cornell University, requesting that Taal voluntarily surrender to ICE custody. Taal had filed a preemptive lawsuit to block his detention, but the court has denied his motion seeking a halt to the administrations deportation efforts. On March 25, masked ICE agents surrounded Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and doctoral student in Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University, outside her home and transported her to a facility in Louisiana. In his defense of the arrest, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters, We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist that tears up our university campus. Weve given you a visa and you decide to do that were going to take it away. Rubio did not specify what actions led to Ozturks arrest, beyond her co-authoring of an Op-Ed urging Tufts to divest from companies with ties to Israel. As the ostensible legal basis of the arrests, the government has invoked a little-used provision that was introduced into the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1990 that empowers the government to deport noncitizens if the secretary of state determines that their activities would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. This provision, which purports to vest extraordinary discretion in a single government official, is of dubious validity. It was ruled as unconstitutionally vague by a federal judge the sister of President Trump, no less in 1996, although the decision was overturned on unrelated procedural grounds. The arrests evince a clear pattern of penalizing Palestine solidarity, by redefining it as hateful, anti-Semitic terrorism, with universities as alleged incubators. President Trump reinforced this framing in a post on Truth Social on March 10, after Mahmoud Khalils arrest: 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. Many are not students, they are paid agitators. We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our countrynever to return again. In addition to these arrests, hundreds of international undergraduate and graduate student visas have been revoked without notice. The government has also taken the unprecedented step of terminating hundreds of individuals records in the federal database regulating the stay of international students, threatening them with potential deportation proceedings. We do not yet know how many of these moves have been prompted by Palestine-related political alignments and/or impact members of the MESA community but they have created a climate of fear among international students and faculty, and, when related to advocacy, are a clear infringement of first amendment rights. The administrations attempt to stigmatize noncitizens and punish them for their protected speech flies in the face of a broad legal consensus that the First Amendment applies to all persons residing in the U.S., regardless of citizenship status. As the MESA Board emphasized on March 13, Palestine-related scholarship and advocacy have now become focal points of a frontal assault on universities as centers of critical thinking and knowledge production in a battle to destroy the autonomy of institutions of higher education in the US. The MESA Board of Directors and Task Force on Civil and Human Rights demand first and foremost that the U.S. government desist from actions designed to repress pro-Palestine speech and expressive conduct and to punish those who have engaged in such constitutionally-protected speech and conduct, especially noncitizens who are being threatened with the pretextual and punitive use of immigration laws for expressing views with which the government disagrees. At a time when the government is abusing immigration laws in this way, and also possibly threatening to expand repression of speech to citizens through criminal laws, universities and colleges owe heightened protections to members of their campus communities, particularly noncitizens. There are a series of minimal steps that universities and colleges should take to ensure they are protecting their campus communities. The MESA Board of Directors and Task Force on Civil and Human Rights call on our members and colleagues to ask their university and college administrations to: Refuse to turn over personal student information in response to Title VI investigations; Make a clear commitment to avoid voluntary cooperation or information sharing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal agencies charged with facilitating deportation or other forms of immigration enforcement; Make a clear commitment to not comply with Section 3 of the expanded Executive Order 13899, which calls for universities to monitor for and report activities by alien students and staff relevant to those grounds and for ensuring that such reports about aliens lead, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to investigations and, if warranted, actions to remove such aliens; Maintain the enrollment of international students in the event of visa revocation, legal status termination, detention, and/or deportation; Allow impacted international students and scholars to continue their studies and research remotely, if necessary; Ensure that graduate students and workers whose enrollment is contingent upon funding through graduate teaching appointments or fellowships can continue their coursework, research, and teaching appointments; Communicate reliable, timely information to international students and scholars, including immediate notification of changes in their legal status; Provide and pay for legal counsel for those students and scholars whose visas have been revoked; Work swiftly and affirmativelythrough lawsuits, if necessaryto stop the termination of legal status of students and scholars without any due process. Finally, in this climate of escalating fear, we reiterate our commitment to our membership to continue to act as a resource in their defense, and in defense of freedom of speech, academic freedom, and constitutional rights. By Ned Curthoys, The University of Western Australia (The Conversation) Last May, on a trip to the United States, world-renowned IsraeliJewish historian Ilan Pappe was detained by Homeland Security and held for two hours. Aged 69 at the time, he was, among other things, asked about his views on Hamas and whether Israels actions on the Gaza Strip amount to genocide (he said yes). He was then asked to provide phone numbers of his contacts in the ArabAmerican and MuslimAmerican communities. In December, months after his interrogation by Homeland Security in the US, Pappe was removed without explanation from the BBC podcast, The Conflict, about the Middle East on the day he was supposed to record his contribution. Review: Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic Ilan Pappe (One World) Pappe is one of Israels New Historians, who look for the truth about the 1948 Israeli war of independence. The war began when Israel declared its independence following the partition of Palestine. Though it was quickly recognised by the US, the Soviet Union and other countries, it was immediately attacked by Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. When the war ended in July 1949, the new state controlled one-fifth more territory than the original partition plan, to which it refused to return. Palestinians mourn the 1948 war as the Nakba: their violent mass displacement and dispossession. (It created about 750,000 Palestinian refugees.) One of the worlds most prominent scholars of the entwined histories of Israel and Palestine, Pappe is an urgent advocate of Palestinian rights and author of a groundbreaking 2007 book on the formation of the state of Israel, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. His latest book, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic, seeks to understand how a pro-Israel lobby has formed, both in his country of residence, the United Kingdom, and in Israels most powerful and ardent supporter, the US. Pappes book is worth heeding: he is both a scholar of the Israel lobby and a recent victim of its attempt to deplatform pro-Palestinian perspectives. An aggressive, anxious lobby This is the story of an aggressive lobby that eagerly seeks to stamp out narratives of Palestinian dispossession and suffering in case they legitimise Palestinian claims for statehood, or attract sympathy for Palestinians lack of political and civil rights in the Occupied Territories. This lobbying force began in the 19th century and took on more concrete forms after 1948. Much of Pappes book is devoted to parliamentary lobby groups, such as Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) and Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) in the UK, and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in the US. The latter spends considerable resources ensuring the US government aligns with Israeli objectives. In this book, Pappe argues the aggressive Israel lobby is beset by anxiety. Few other states are so keen to convince the world and their own citizens that their existence is legitimate. On the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks, Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland, whose mother was born in Israel, wrote: To most outsiders, Israel is a regional superpower, backed by a global superpower. It is strong and secure. But that is not how it looks from the inside. Israelis see their society as small the size of New Jersey besieged and vulnerable. Explaining this discrepancy, he wrote that while Israel is a state with a daunting military, on October 7, Israeli Jews felt powerless as their ancestors in the shtetl. When Pappe writes about the Israel lobby, he is not describing a monolithic entity, but multifaceted groupings of ideas, individuals and organisations. When he speaks of the Zionist lobby, he means individuals or groups spreading pro-Israeli propaganda, while seeking to discredit anyone condemning or criticising Israel or Zionism. But these groups change their composition, orientation and methods over time, Pappe writes. His book tells a story of organisations and committed individuals who, from the 19th century on, worked to convince policymakers and governments of the need for a Jewish homeland. Colonialism and apartheid From the early 20th century, Zionism has adapted to contemporary circumstances. It presented itself as a movement for national self-determination, fitting a minority rights model. Pappe draws on the work of PalestinianAmerican critic and activist Edward Said to argue Zionism increasingly allied itself to the story of Western modernity and progress. In doing so, he argues, it helped perpetuate Orientalism: a Western understanding of the Arab and Islamic Middle East as underdeveloped and backward. From the late 19th century, Palestinians were perceived as at best, an exotic spectacle and, at worst, an ecological nuisance, Pappe writes. Recently, US President Donald Trump has dismissed Palestinians connection to the land in Gaza, calling it a big real estate site. As antiracism has become a cultural norm in the West, Israel, like other nations, has become wary of comparisons to apartheid South Africa. However, those comparisons have existed for a long time. In recent decades, the Israel lobby has amplified claims of antisemitism as a defence against them, weaponising anti-Semitism to procure public support for Israel, Pappe argues. Israel had a close military alliance with apartheid-era South Africa, before the anti-apartheid African National Congress came to power in 1994. Last year, South Africa argued at the International Court of Justice in The Hague that Israel is responsible for apartheid against Palestinians. In a searing account, Pappe charts an intensive campaign by the Israel lobby against former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who called for the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state. The newspaper The Jewish Chronicle, for example, accused Corbyn of associating with Holocaust deniers, terrorists and some outright anti-Semites, he writes. Corbyn stepped down in 2019. In 2020, a report by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found the culture within the Labour Party under Corbyn at best, did not do enough to prevent anti-Semitism and, at worst, could be seen to accept it. Antisemitism in the UK Conservative Party gets much lighter treatment, Pappe argues. For example, former frontbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg described Jewish members of his party as illuminati who are taking power to themselves. Pappe believes the reason for this discrepancy in treatment is that Corbyn was in a position of power that could affect British policy towards Israel. The lobby and the US In the books second half, Pappe shifts his attention to the US, now Israels major geopolitical sponsor. He argues the US is intent on exempting Israel from any reckoning with international law. He details the emergence of the American Zionist Emergency Council, a forerunner of AIPAC that emerged in the 1950s. These organisations early successes included US recognition in 1947 of the UNs Assembly Resolution 181, which called for the partition of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem as a separate, internationally governed entity. This led to the 1948 ArabIsraeli war, which ended with an enlarged and consolidated state of Israel. Rapid US recognition of the new state was another early success for the lobby. Signature achievements include the constant flow of arms and aid to Israel. Another is the US using its position on the United Nations Security Council (and its power and influence more generally) to enable Israel to avoid complying with numerous UN resolutions. However, Pappe shows the lobby has by no means always had its way. Since its inception, it has come up against the more sceptical, pro-Arab US State Department, which employs Middle East experts who are more sympathetic to its various populations. There have been periods of friction with Israel, including in the 1950s, when the US temporarily suspended economic aid. Lobbying strategies developed since the 1950s are noteworthy. If the US executive branch of government wavers on unconditional support, the Israel lobby cultivates the Congress. In the UK, the lobby curries favour with MPs in the Labour and Conservative parties, including organising trips to Israel through allied groups, such as Labour Friends of Israel and Conservative Friends of Israel. In the US, AIPAC funds the campaign of pro-Israel candidates and holds lavish conferences, high on pomp and display, at which legislators and politicians (including Trump, former president Joe Biden and former vice president Mike Pence) profess their identification with Israel. The lobby vs civil society Pappe argues that the lobbys cultivation of political elites threatens to widen the gap between political and media elites on one side, and global civil society (trade unions, churches, academic associations, non-government organisations, and activist groups) on the other. We can certainly see this happening today against the backdrop of the current war in Gaza. Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic By Ilan Pappe. Click here to buy. In recent decades, dissent over Israels actions has also increased within the US Jewish community. A significant segment of the Jewish diaspora is reasserting itself and its progressive values, derived from the Jewish experience of victimisation and statelessness, in relation to Israel. Pappe draws attention to the emergence in 1996 of Jewish Voice for Peace, which calls itself the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world, and the liberal Zionist lobby J Street, which works towards a democratic Jewish homeland in Israel, with a negotiated resolution, agreed to by Israelis and Palestinians. J Street wants to normalise Israel as a democratic Jewish state committed to a two-state solution, and is uncomfortable with Israel as an occupying power. In its own words, it rejects any proposal to have Israel and the United States forcibly displace the people of Gaza and/or occupy the Strip. Pappe notes that active support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement is strong in UK civil society. Perhaps this is due to Britains postcolonial guilt, after enabling the creation of the state of Israel before then largely vacating the diplomatic field. The UK Israel lobby, which is frequently given voice in the Murdoch media in particular, consistently attempts to align antisemitism and criticism of Israel in the public consciousness. Disenchanted up close Despite its current influence, Pappe does not think the lobbys future as a political force is necessarily guaranteed. Throughout the book, he insists the Israel lobby is driven, at its heart, by his countrys lack of ethical foundations. As a careful historian, he tellingly believes most of the lobbys efforts are at war with truth itself. The Israel lobby, for example, likes to present supporters of the rights of Palestinians as antisemitic. But in fact, they are typically driven by a sense of injustice at the Palestinians occupation, and an understanding of their struggle for civil and political rights. Of course, thats not to say antisemitism doesnt exist. And it can exist alongside criticisms of Israel. As Dennis Altman wrote last year, the passions aroused by Israels escalating response to the Hamas attacks have revived centuries-old stereotypes of Jews as both alien and all-powerful and sometimes the distinction between opposition to Israel and hatred of Jews becomes blurred. But the ranks of the disenchanted have included former US President Jimmy Carter and John Lyons, global affairs editor of the ABC and a former Middle East foreign correspondent. Lyons reflected in his book, Balcony Over Jerusalem, on once being exposed to all the myths pushed by Israels lobby groups. Now, he is a vocal advocate for the rights of Palestinian people, after covering the conflict at close quarters. For African American writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, a May 2023 trip to Palestine opened his eyes to a system he compared to both apartheid and Americas Jim Crow South. No more plucky underdog There can be no more talk, Pappe suggests in the final chapter, of an Israeli plucky underdog David, fighting for its life against an Arab Middle Eastern Goliath. Of course, this talk has sustained many of Israels supporters since the Holocaust. It relies on a conception of Jewish people as actual or potential victims, regardless of evolving power dynamics. One of the worlds most respected Holocaust historians, Israeli-American Omer Bartov, warned in November 2023 of genocidal intent increased by dehumanising political rhetoric, in Israels actions in Gaza. South Africas prosecution of the case of genocide against Israel and recent initiatives by the International Criminal Court to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are further signs the international shield that protects Israel from its violations of justice and humanitarian law has serious cracks in it, as Pappe argues in the books afterword. In a January interview with Al Jazeera, Pappe described events of the past 15 months as an attempt by a new leadership of Zionism to complete the work that they started in 1948, namely of taking over officially the whole of historical Palestine and getting rid of as many Palestinians as possible. He believes Israels military supremacy will increasingly rely on the extreme right of the Global North, including the Trump administration, as well as authoritarian and dictatorial regimes in the Global South. As Israeli colonialism, suppression of the Palestinians and military activity to depopulate Palestinian areas intensifies, Pappe believes Israel will be almost entirely abandoned by what remains of progressive civil society and the educated intelligentsia, including renowned scholars of genocide whose reflections and warnings we should heed. I agree. It is important Pappes book is not ignored, and that we clearly see the Israel lobbys challenge to free expression and solidarity with the oppressed. Ned Curthoys, Associate Professor, English and Literary Studies, The University of Western Australia This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. An effigy said to resemble ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and titled "Face of Fascism" was torched ahead of a celebratory march in Dhaka, authorities said on Saturday. The cane-and-paper effigy was part of preparations being made at Dhaka University for Pohela Boishakh, a day symbolically considered as the start of the year by the Bengali community, on Monday. The effigy portrayed a woman with a toothy grin, four horns on her head and a large nose, with many on social media believing it resembled Hasina. Mohammed Azharul Islam Sheikh, dean of the university's fine arts faculty, said it was set on fire by "unidentified persons" early on Saturday. A complaint was raised with police and an investigation will be undertaken, he said. However, Bangladesh cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki accused "friends of Hasina" of setting fire to it. "Those who have shown such reckless audacity... will be brought to justice," he wrote on his Facebook page. Another structure on the site, a dove representing peace, was also damaged in the fire. Fire service and civil defence spokesperson Shahjahan Sikder told reporters that the cause of the fire was unknown. The annual march has been organised by Dhaka University's fine arts department since 1989 and was declared an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO in 2016. Hasina is wanted on charges of crimes against humanity for the killing of hundreds of protesters during the unrest that toppled her government last August. She has defied extradition requests from Bangladesh after she fled to old ally India as crowds stormed her palace. sa/ash/pbt HERITAGE OIL When a fellow soldier spoke about his life in the army with actor Park Bo-gum, everyone was captivated by his revelation about the latter. Park's humility, kindness, and stellar character in service are reported in this viral story. A YouTuber claiming to be a fan of Park Bo-gum released a clip with the title, "My Experience with Park Bo-gum in the Navy Training Camp." In the video, Smith talks about his time as a recruit in the Navy's 669th class alongside the actor. Speaking of ridiculous and hardly perfect timing, the YouTuber reminisced about their first meal together after a typhoon had interrupted their training. "He looked like he was in 4K when I saw him in person. So that's surreal," he said, emphasizing Park's striking appearance. Their short meet clearly made an impact when Park was asked to shake hands, he wiped his hands before offering them for a shake. Park Bo-gum was pretty well-behaved during his military training. The YouTuber said that even with a celeb in their midst, Park held his dizzying social distance pose position upright and free of any proximity-touching graciousness. Other recruits would pull him aside to ask him about other celebrities, and he always obliged. A particularly memorable moment was towards the end of a week of training when an anonymous survey saw all recruits punished as a group after a disrespectful comment was made about an instructor. Park was the only one to raise a hand to a question about whether anyone had never sworn during training, leaving instructors in amazement. His colleagues quickly praised this act of integrity. Park Bo-gum's physical strength also caught his attention at the training camp. In the video, the YouTuber recalled running with him on his cross-country team and coming a long way behind the star, who consistently performed well despite no special treatment because of his celebrity status. Before signing off, the YouTuber explained that he absolutely trusts Park as a person: "His good reputation did not come from nothing." Park Bo-gum is already known for his ideal image of a good citizen. And, as fans share more stories about his time in uniform, they are honoring his gifts as an artist while acknowledging his great attributes as a human being. Saturday, April 12, 2025 - Butere Girls High School, nestled in the heart of Kakamega County, isnt just one of Kenyas oldest girls' schools, its a powerhouse of brilliance, leadership, and trailblazing women. Founded in 1916 by Irish missionary Jane Elizabeth Chadwick, this institution has nurtured some of Kenyas most influential women whove left their mark across law, politics, education, and beyond. Here are 10 notable women who once walked the corridors of Butere Girls: 1. First Lady Rachel Ruto Kenyas current First Lady, celebrated for her advocacy in women empowerment and entrepreneurship, is among the schools most high-profile alumni. 2. Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch The first Kenyan judge to serve at the International Criminal Court (ICC), shes a trailblazer in international law. 3. Lady Justice Effie Owuor Kenyas first female High Court judge, breaking legal ceilings for women in the judiciary. 4. Mary Okello Kenyas first female bank manager and the founder of Makini Schools, an icon in both finance and education. 5. Prof. Norah Olembo A leading biotechnologist whose groundbreaking work in science and academia is highly respected. 6. Prof Florida Karani The first female Chancellor of Maseno University and a major force in higher education policy. 7. Dr Naomi Shaban Former Taveta MP known for her extensive public service and leadership in parliament. 8. Ambassador Orie Rogo Manduli A larger-than-life figure known for her fashion, fearlessness, and diplomatic contributions. 9. Prof Julia Ojiambo The first female MP from Western Kenya and a respected academic and political figure. 10. Elizabeth Masiga Kenyas first female Chief Inspector of Schools and Director of Education, key in shaping national education policy. Butere Girls continues to make headlines, most recently over a drama controversy, but its legacy in shaping powerful women remains unmatched. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, April 12, 2025 - The US Embassy in Kenya has warned Kenyans planning a trip to the United States to follow the rules, or face serious consequences, including a lifetime ban. In an official statement dated April 11th, Charge dAffaires Marc Dillard urged Kenyans to travel lawfully, warning that any attempt to game the system will backfire. To put it plainly, if you try to enter the United States illegally, lie to obtain a visa, work without legal permission, or stay in the United States after your visa or visa waiver period expires, you will face serious penalties, Dillard said. He noted that while many Kenyans do the right thing, a growing number are attempting to exploit loopholes, prompting the US Government to crack down under President Donald Trumps immigration agenda. President Trump is ensuring adherence to US immigration laws to make America safe, strong, and prosperous, he added. The Embassy revealed that illegal border crossings have dropped by 94% compared to last year, while arrests of undocumented immigrants inside the US surged by 627% in February alone. If you try to cross a US border or remain in the United States illegally, you will be caught, detained, and sent back, the statement warned. You may also be banned from ever returning or face fines and criminal charges. The warning also applies to Kenyans already in the US who are contemplating overstaying their visas. As of 2020, approximately 30,000 Kenyans were reported to be living in the United States without proper legal documentation. This figure, based on data from the U.S Census Bureau, likely increased during the Biden administration due to record border crossings. The U.S has the highest number of Kenyan migrants, with a population exceeding 100,000. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, April 12, 2025 - Kimilili MP and close Ruto ally, Didmus Barasa, is at the centre of yet another controversy, this time involving a luxury vehicle scam. The youthful and flamboyant politician from Western Kenya, known for his flashy cars and dramatic motorcades, is accused of fraudulently selling a hired Toyota Land Cruiser V8. According to reports, Barasa allegedly tricked a Thika-based businessman into buying the vehicle, which he had rented from a Nairobi car hire firm, posing as its rightful owner. The fraud came to light after the rental company, unable to trace the car, tracked it to a garage in Thika, far from Barasas usual Western Kenya territory. By then, the MP had already received a Sh3.5 million deposit from the unsuspecting buyer. The deal included a forged logbook, a fake sale agreement, and even a falsified DCI tape lift to make it appear legitimate. The buyer was expected to pay the remaining Sh8.1 million in three installments. This isnt Barasas first brush with scandals. In a separate incident, he reportedly left a tyre centre without settling a hefty bill after repairs and replacements. He has also been caught with a stolen Toyota Harrier featuring a tampered chassis number. Currently, Barasas whereabouts remain unknown. His phones are switched off, though sources say he has been communicating with close allies through WhatsApp. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, April 12, 2025 - A Nairobi-based businessman with deep roots from Nyeri could lose at least Ksh 400 million following issues and red flags over his 13-storey building in Nairobi. The building has been under construction amidst compliance issues with traders and businessmen operating along the busy Kenneth Matiba Road complaining that the investment is a future danger that could claim lives. A spot-check done on Thursday evening by undercover journalists and engineers has left many questions than answers, as to how the Nairobi City County planning department allowed the developer to proceed with construction works without clearance from the department. It has emerged that the developer is yet to meet set standards since starting the construction works with documents from the planning department indicating that there is zero compliance. The building is sandwiched between older buildings with over 40 years of existence and its first two floors have already been occupied contrary to regulations of section 72 of PLUPA, 2019. A notice from the county ordered to stop any construction works, but the developer has been defiant with workers always on the site throughout the day. The project did not meet the requirements of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019 with the developer having been required to stay the development until he is compliant. A group of traders have consequently vowed to write to the Senate, the National Construction Authority and the Engineers Board of Kenya to inspect the building. The building is being readied for occupation by business entrepreneurs and the fact that it is a 13-storey, the traders operating around it want due diligence followed. Courtesy: Cyprian Nyakundi Saturday, April 12, 2025 - Seasoned media personality Edward Kwach, fondly known as Kwach, is hospitalized at Coptic Hospital and is in critical need of blood donation. Kileleshwa Ward MCA Robert Alai took to his X account and appealed to well-wishers to donate blood for the celebrated radio presenter. To stabilize his condition, doctors need approximately 4 pints of blood to boost his iron and hemoglobin levels. Although it is not clear what Kwach is ailing from, he has in the past talked about his battle with alcoholism. In one instance, he narrated how he lost many of his top radio jobs due to his drinking habits. He was also once caught in an embarrassing drama episode after he fought with a guest at a party held at the Intercontinental Hotel. The incident saw him banned from the high-end hotel. He largely blamed alcohol for the many mistakes he made in life, especially when he was young. Kwach has worked for nearly all the biggest radio stations in Kenya and Tanzania. Olivia Kelleher A man who kicked his girlfriend twice in the face, and then slashed the throat of a 32-year-old man who later died in hospital, has been jailed for eight years. Aaron Babbington (31) of no fixed abode, but formerly of Churchfield in the city, had pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Jason Butler on June 14th, 2023 at Grand Parade in Cork city. Mr Butler died at Cork University Hospital two days after the incident. He was predeceased by his parents and three of his six siblings. Cork Central Criminal Court heard that on the day of the attack, Mr Butler, who was from Castleredmond in Midleton in the county bumped into Babbington and his girlfriend by a shop on Grand Parade at about 7pm. A person working in the shop said that all three were in good form and exchanging banter with each other. The trio were sharing a bottle of vodka and sat down together on a bench at nearby Daunt Square. Dt Sgt Colin Greenway told Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford that about forty minutes in to the chat Mr Babbington became frustrated and angry at the attention his girlfriend was paying to Jason Butler. Dt Sgt Greenway said that the attention was not reciprocated in any way. An eyewitness passing by heard Aaron Babbington saying he was going to stab him (Butler) 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. A victim impact statement was handed in to Ms Justice Lankford on behalf of the Butler family. However, it was not read out in court. Mr Babbington apologised to the Butler family via his barrister Tom Creed. Mr Creed said that his client hailed from a dysfunctional family background. He stressed that Babbington wanted to address his addiction issues. He realises now that his attempt to take the life of another human being has had a serious effect on him. While an unstable environment cannot excuse his behaviour on the day, it is something the court can look at. Ms Justice Lankford offered her condolences to the family of the late Jason Butler. She noted that the entirety of the incident had been captured on CCTV. She said that the DPP had accepted a plea of attempted murder in the case arising out of difficulties relating to the exact cause of death. It has been difficult for the Prosecution to establish the sole or main cause of Mr Butlers death. She said that Mr Butler died of hypoxic ischemic brain injury, with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, following sharp force injury whilst intoxicated. Ms Justice Lankford commended a passerby who intervened very bravely and very expeditiously when he saw the attack occur. She said that the victim impact statement submitted by the Butler family was very moving and very impressive. It is clear Jason Butler was a much loved brother who had family support and family love. Ms Justice Lankford said that the attack on Butler by Babbington was entirely unprovoked. Mr Babbington, who was jailed for ten years with the last two years suspended, has 143 previous convictions mainly for drug possession and public disorder offences. Mr Butler was living at SVP Deerpark House Hotel in Friars Walk in Cork at the time of his death. This is a support service which assists people as they attempt to move on from homelessness. He is survived by three brothers and a sister. The funeral mass for Mr Butler took place at the Church of the Most Holy Rosary in his native Midleton, Co Cork. He was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. A plan to build 15 apartments in the centre of Kildare Town has been lodged with Kildare County Council. John McCormack and Seamus Slattery are seeking planning permission for two apartment blocks on the Dublin Road, Kildare Town. The application would see the partial demolition of a rear element of the existing commercial development (Violets Flowers). The project would then see the construction of two blocks of apartments. One block would be a three-storey building consisting of 10 apartments (eight one-bed, two three-bed). The second block would be a two-storey building which would be attached to the existing building and would include five apartments (four two-bed, one one-bed). 11 car park spaces are proposed along with 22 covered bicycle spaces. The applicants planning consultant say that the existing building and streetscape on Dublin Road will be retained. There had been a previous application that was unsuccessful for the site but the applicants say they have reduced the number of housing units from 20 to 15. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 72F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 72F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Deandra Buchanan, an inmate at the Jefferson City Correctional Center serving a first degree murder sentence for killing his girlfriend and two others in 2000. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, while in Kryvyi Rih, held a video conversation with the diplomatic adviser to the President of France Emmanuel Bonne and the adviser to the Prime Minister of Great Britain on national security issues Jonathan Powell, the website of the head of state reported on Friday. The main topics of discussion were the situation on the battlefield and further work within the coalition of the willing. Separately, the implementation of the agreements reached by the leaders of the countries during the recent meeting in Paris was discussed. Yermak also reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today honored the memory of those killed in the terrorist attack by the Russian Federation. According to Yermak, this Russian shelling clearly demonstrates the true position of the aggressor state. The parties agreed that no ceasefire can be effective without a proper monitoring mechanism. Therefore, according to Yermak, it is necessary to continue working on effective formats for the ceasefire regime and ensuring monitoring of its observance. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Photo: https://t.me/khersonskaODA/34165 The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has donated two powerful generators to an infrastructure facility and a medical facility in the city of Kherson, Kherson Regional Military Administration reports. "Constant enemy shelling and drone attacks are causing power outages. To support critical infrastructure, the Ukrainian Red Cross has donated two powerful generators. One for the Kherson Vodokanal (water utility), the second for one of the city's medical institutions," the Administration said on the Telegram channel on Saturday. The Regional Military Administration thanked the Ukrainian Red Cross for its systematic support of Kherson region. Russian troops have carried out massive shelling of Donetsk region, hitting 11 populated areas, killing one person and injuring four others, the National Police of Ukraine report. "Over the past 24 hours, the police have recorded 3,531 attacks along the front line and residential areas. The attacks occurred in 11 populated areas ... In Pokrovsk, Russians killed a civilian and wounded another. An apartment building was damaged. One person was injured in Hryshyne, Pokrovsk community, and one in Zarichne of Lyman community. The enemy shelled Kostiantynivka with UAB-250 bombs and drones, one of which hit a civilian car - there is a wounded person," the National Police said on its Telegram channel on Saturday. According to police, 32 civilian buildings were destroyed, including 12 residential buildings. Kenneth Fox The number of European travellers visiting the US has fallen sharply as political and economic tension and fears of a hostile border under President Donald Trump threaten the worlds most lucrative air routes. According to the Financial Times, visitors from Western Europe who stayed at least one night in the US fell by 17 per cent in March from a year ago, according to the International Trade Administration. Travel from some countries including Ireland, Norway and Germany fell by more than 20 per cent, an FT analysis of ITA data showed. The trend poses a threat to the US tourism industry, which accounts for 2.5 per cent of the countrys GDP. Some airlines and hotel groups have warned of waning demand for transatlantic travel and a bad buzz about visiting the US. The total number of overseas visitors travelling to the US dropped by 12 per cent year-on-year in March, the steepest decline since March 2021 when the travel sector was reeling from pandemic restrictions, according to the ITA data. In just two months [Trump] has destroyed the reputation of the US, shown one way by diminished travel from the EU to the US, said Paul English, co-founder of travel website Kayak. This is not only one more terrible blow to the US economy, it also represents reputation damage that could take generations to repair. Meanwhile, Air France is slashing prices to maintain full economy cabins on its transatlantic flights as the airline faces weakening demand for international travel, the European carrier's top boss told Bloomberg News. The company is noticing a "slight softness" in economy-class fares, while its premium cabins enjoy "relative stability," the airline's chief executive, Ben Smith, told Bloomberg TV. He added that the French airline has not yet altered its flight capacity in response to these trends, though an economic downturn could pose fresh challenges. Smith said travel is one of the first industries to get hit during economic downturns. "This is uncharted territory for us." Air France confirmed that Smith had made the comments. Shares of European airline groups have plunged after U.S President Donald Trump revealed on April 2nd his "reciprocal" tariff plan that included an imposition of 20 per cent tariffs on European Union products such as Airbus. The EU is set to launch its first counter-measures against Trump's tariffs next week. Additional reporting Reuters 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. The political career of former Laois TD Charlie Flanagan was celebrated at a special event in Portlaoise last week. Local Fine Gael members were joined by their party leader and Tanaiste Simon Harris to mark the end of a political career that spanned nearly four decades. Mr Harris had the honour of delivering the keynote address in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise on April 10. He said he was delighted to be in Laois at an event to honour the career of his former colleague, "very good friend and proud servant of Laois and Offaly" for almost forty years - a giant of the Fine Gael. He elaborated: We are not merely celebrating the conclusion of a political career we are honouring a legacy of public service that has helped shape this constituency and indeed our nation. Charlie Flanagan has been a constant and effective presence not only in the Fine Gael party, but more broadly in Irish political life, for all my life in politics and he has served with honour, with compassion and with humility in every role he has taken on over the decades. An Tanaiste addressed the event. Pic: Renata Metelica Charlie followed in the footsteps of his father, Oliver J. Flannagan, who himself was a formidable presence in Irish politics, he said. Mr Harris said his party colleague, and Mountmellick native, never relied on his family name. Not only did he stand on your own ability he had the clarity of mind, the independent thought and the confidence to forge a career all of your own making. Having learned how the business of politics worked growing up, you applied your own unique formula to executing a career of extraordinary success and effect, he said. The Tanaiste said the mark of a great public representative is not just what they accomplish in the Dail or at the Cabinet table. It's how they make people feel when they need help most. By that measure, Charlie, his success has been immeasurable. Charlie has always insisted on responding to every letter, returning every call, and attending as many local events as humanly possible he understood that representation isn't just about speaking for people; it's about being present with them too, he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Laois FG secretary Mary Kirwan, Chairman Victor Hendy, Simon Harris and Mary Flanagan. Mr Harris paid tribute to Mr Flanagan's family. To Mary, and your two daughters, Olwyn and Sophie I want to acknowledge their sacrifice and the support they gave. A political career extracts a significant toll on family life. The late-night sittings, the weekend constituency work, the phone that never stops ringing these are burdens borne not just by the TD but by their loved ones as well. The people of Laois-Offaly and Ireland have benefited from his service, but that service would not have been possible without your family's understanding and encouragement. So once again, thank you, he said. The Fine Gael leader also spoke about Mr Flanagan's successor in Laois. Werent we in the Fine Gael party extraordinarily fortunate to stumble across the overnight success story, since 1979 - Deputy Willie Aird. Willies election to Dail Eireann is an example to us all in patience, sacrifice, loyalty and true public service. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Charlie Flanagan applauded at the event. Because since before Charlie Flannagan was elected or before some of the Ministers sitting at the cabinet table were even born, Willie has been serving his constituents' needs as an elected representative for the Fine Gael party. Willies dedication to public service and commitment to representing the voices of your constituents over an astonishing five decades have rightfully earned you this esteemed position in Dail Eireann, concluded the Tanaiste. Mr Flanagan commented on the event to the Leinster Express / Laois Live. I was deeply honoured to have been feted in this way by Fine Gael members in Laois. It was an emotional evening evoking many memories of events and instances amounting to the snakes and ladders of my political career, he said. READ ALSO: Laois Hospice urges political backing for Midlands Hospice site MORE BELOW PICTURE. Simon Harris makes a presentation to Charlie Flanagan. During his time in politics, Mr Flanagan served two spells as a TD from 1987 to 2002 and from 2007 to 2024 when he retired. He served as Minister for Children, Minister of Justice and Minister for Foreign Affairs. He was also a Laois County Councillor. Among his other roles was a term as Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party. Others to attend the event were: Willie Aird, Laois Fine Gael TD, John Clendennen, Offaly Fine Gael TD, John Mairead McGuinness, former European Commissioner and Fine Gael MEP, Nina Carberry, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands North West. There was a huge turnout of TDs and Senators for an Oireachtas briefing by local and national news publishers at Leinster House. The Leinster Express/Laois live attended the event last week to highlight the challenges and opportunities for journalism and the need for Government support. Editor of the Leinster Express/Laois Live, Laura McLoughlin attended the event and spoke to Laois TDs about the challenges on the ground and the need for more support for our vital industry. Leinster Express editor Laura McLoughlin with Laois TD Willie Aird. Bob Hughes, Executive Director of Local Ireland, which represents local news publishers around Ireland, said the industry still faces an existential crisis but would be sustainable with the right supports. He said: We have never had so many readers thanks to digital and our online platforms, but our traditional revenue sources which still make local journalism viable are very challenged. We are grateful for the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes that have been launched by Coimisiun na Mean but we need the schemes to be continued and more schemes to be put in place. The funding for the schemes also needs to be put on a statutory basis. Leinster Express editor Laura McLoughlin with Laois TD Brian Stanley. Mr Hughes called for local news publishers to receive a fair share of public information advertising from Government departments, state agencies and local councils. He added: This is taxpayers money. It should be distributed fairly to trusted and professional media outlets. The European Media Freedom Act needs to be implemented so that there will be complete transparency about where this money is being allocated. The Future of Media Commission recognised that our work is vital for our communities and our democracy. No local news publisher should be left behind in the dissemination of public information. Editor of the Anglo-Celt Linda OReilly, representing local editors, told the meeting: Today we have six full-time people in editorial and a smaller pool of freelancers in the Celt. With less resources we have to get the paper out, keep the website updated and feed our social media channels. News is 24/7 and we are never switched off. Its tough and an ongoing challenge. Your support through the local democracy and court reporting schemes means that we have just hired two new reporters and an additional freelancer. What that means for The Anglo-Celt is that we will be able to continue to dedicate human resources to public service journalism the courts and councils and enhance that coverage. We are also getting ready to launch a new series of podcasts and are working on video projects. Thats good news for us, for you and for our readers. The briefing included an address by the Chair of NewsBrands and Operations Director of the Farmers Journal Sammi Bourke on the importance of future proofing journalism, and a panel discussion hosted by the editor of the Business Post, Danny McConnell. Which included CEO of Celtic Media Group Frank Mulrennan, CEO of DMG Media Paul Henderson and Managing Director of the Irish Times Group, Deirdre Veldon. Referring to Government advertising, Mr Mulrennan told the meeting: There is a disconnect because on one hand we have the Government spending taxpayers money supporting these Coimisiun na Mean schemes, while, on the other, Government departments are not allocating a fair share of advertising to local publishers, often spending with on online platforms and other media of lesser relevance. For example in the last Government, the department whose advertising agency initially allocated funding for the Mother and Baby Homes Consultation managed not to include The Tuam Herald! President of Local Ireland and Head of Irish Times Regionals Dan Linehan said after the meeting: There was a great turnout of public representatives at the briefing. We now need our politicians to actively support us so that we can continue to deliver trusted journalism to our readers both in print and online. Economic Watch: New rail-sea route boosts auto exports from western China to Middle East Xinhua) 14:28, April 12, 2025 NANNING, April 12 (Xinhua) -- A "ro-ro" (roll-on/roll-off) vessel recently departed from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, marking the launch of the first ro-ro route from the Beibu Gulf Port, and its first direct maritime link with Dubai's Jebel Ali Port. Carrying 1,500 vehicles, the ship is expected to reach the Middle East's largest port after a voyage of approximately 18 days. The 4,700-nautical-mile route links growing auto manufacturing hubs in western China with the Middle East's thriving automotive market, cutting transit times by 4 to 10 days and boosting logistics efficiency by 10 to 15 percent compared to traditional routes. The shipment included 200 vehicles from Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. Nestled in a mountainous inland region, Chongqing has long faced logistical challenges, with automotive exports traditionally dependent on river transport along the Yangtze River or lengthy road journeys to the eastern coast, both marked by lengthy transit times and multiple loading and unloading procedures. Today, the rail-sea intermodal transportation model offers enterprises in western China a more streamlined and efficient pathway for exports. Chen Weijie, general manager of logistics center at Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd., said that he has seen a marked improvement in transportation process and efficiency. Once rolling off the production line, the vehicles are transported to a local freight station by designated trucks, then loaded onto car-carrying freight trains equipped with reinforced protective structures to prevent damage during transit. Upon arrival at the ro-ro terminal, the vehicles are driven directly from the trains onto the ship via ramps, eliminating the need for intermediate loading and unloading steps. "This innovative approach cuts transportation time and reduces logistics costs for companies by almost 10 percent," said Chen, adding that the improved logistics have bolstered the company's confidence in market growth in the Middle East. This route is part of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a key logistics network connecting China's western regions to global markets. As of early March, the trade corridor's cargo services connect 158 locations across 73 domestic cities and reach 556 ports in 127 countries and regions. "Rail-sea intermodal transportation provides a more competitive logistics route for western China's automakers to access Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other markets," said Ma Zhengguo, vice chairman and general manager of Beibu Gulf Port Group. "We will strengthen cooperation with automakers, logistic companies and the maritime sector to enhance export efficiency and provide tailored, end-to-end logistics services for companies," Ma added. Chinese automobiles have been well received in the Middle East in recent years. Chinese customs data shows that about 420,000 passenger vehicles were shipped to the Middle East in the first half of 2024, making it China's largest export market during that period. "Seeing the market opportunity, our logistics company is enhancing export services and expects further growth this year. As routes from Beibu Gulf to the Middle East become more frequent, shipments from central and western China will become more efficient and accessible," said Li Dunfeng, assistant to the general manager of Changan Minsheng APLL Logistics Co., Ltd. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The rapid response team of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) deployed an aid station at the location affected by the Russian UAV attack in Kyiv. "This morning, after the next rocket attack on Kyiv, the rapid response team of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross promptly arrived at the scene of the emergency in Sviatoshyn district of the capital," the URCS reported on Facebook on Saturday. Volunteers set up an aid station where victims and rescuers can receive first medical and psychological support, as well as warm up and drink tea. Emergency and rescue work continues. As reported, on the night of April 12, Kyiv was subjected to another air attack from Russia. As a result of falling fragments of downed enemy drones, at least three people were injured, damage to civil infrastructure was recorded in the city, and a fire with an area of 1,500 square meters broke out in Sviatoshyn district in a warehouse. At the second location, on the territory of the industrial enterprise, two more warehouse buildings caught fire - on the areas of 1,000 and 150 square meters. The fires have been extinguished. In Darnytskyi district, the wreckage of an enemy UAV fell on the territory adjacent to the suburbs of Kyiv. As a result, a private residential building was completely destroyed. Laois has received less than 400,000 from the Department of Transport under the Safety Improvement Works fund in 2025. The money, 395,000 in total, will pay Laois County Council to do work at 13 dangerous road locations to make them safer for Laois motorists. Full list below. Just one is in Portlaoise, with 30,000 for the Ballycarnan Cross junction. Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald has made the case again to have work done at the Rathevan T-junction, beside Noel Whelan's garage and close to the Borris Road secondary school campus. She also referred to the two tragic road deaths of children in Portlaoise housing estates over the past 18 months. "Everyone is talking about the dreadful accidents again. There are two areas that I have waiting for years. One is in Rathevan. It's there for years. Is there any possibility that the funding will be increased?" Cllr Fitzgerald asked. She asked the council at the March meeting when the money was announced as part of the Laois Roadworks Scheme 2025. The Director of Services with responsibility for roads is Simon Walton. "We get an annual allocation for a number of road safety schemes with the department. We submit a list in October and in December they decide what to fund. We rank the ones we send. "The 395,000 we have for Road Safety Schemes in 2025 is indicative of the funding level we get. The number of schemes is not matched by the funding. As you have brought up Rathevan, I'll have to check and see where we are at with it," Mr Walton said. The dozen other roads or junctions to be funded for safety works are: 40,000 in Stradbally, 15,000 in Portarlington, 40,000 in Ballybrophy, 30,000 in Sheffield Cross, 35,000 in Derrynaseera, 35,000 in Mountrath, 30,000 for Knock school, 30,000 for the Bog Road, Ballyroan, 27,500 for the approach to Shanahoe GAA grounds, 27,500 for the entrance to Sampsons Court lane on the Ballinakill to Castlecomer Road, 20,000 at Brockera and 35,000 at Grangemore junction. Read also: Free dinners for children at biggest Portlaoise primary school Back in 2023, Cllr Fitzgerald said she was raising the danger alert for Rathevan for the fourth time to the counci, saying "people are taking the bend on the wrong side of the road. People are flying in to schools. It is a dangerous area". In 2024 she again asked for the council to seek funding. ""A safety scheme has been required for years at Ned Whelan's garage. There is a turn right and traffic has to come out across the road. If you are coming from Derrygarron, there is absolutely no road markings whatsoever, none. It's an open space," she said. A Laois County Councillor has tabled a motion for the Council to install bollards and markings in Mountrath, following a spate of illegal parking. Independent Mountrath Cllr James Kelly has asked that Laois County Council provide bollards and markings on the footpath and road on the entrance to Wallis Street Mountrath to address the issue of illegal parking. "We have the new development on Wallace street, which is causing a lot of issues with the locals," Cllr Kelly explained. Pictured: Shannon street in Mountrath, which features a junction for the Link road and another for Wallace Street "Issues over parking have been ongoing for a long time. We have the library there and we had the Credit Union, and our own staff would have parking at the back of the library. "It has turned into a free for all, and we have a few bollards coming in off Shannon street into Wallace street, but there is another section there where we need five or six more bollards. At the moment, the bylaws which we all have championed and put in place, are not working now. Free for all parking has come back into the town. "They know the day and the hour that the traffic warden is going to be there, and that's a resource issue as well because we only have two traffic wardens and they are finding it hard enough to do what they have to do. "But we are gone back to people now parking in the town again, and we need to get more action on this, and enforce the bylaws that we have. I have been approached by a number of businesses again, and they have said that it has gone back to the old ways," Cllr Kelly said. Pictured: cars parked outside businesses in Mountrath's busy town centre. Photo: Google Maps, 2021 "Vehicles are being parked outside of businesses all day, obviously people are going to Dublin and even the employees are beginning to park in the town again because there is no alternative, but we have bylaws." Senior District Engineer with the Council, Mr Rory O'Callaghan responded that the Area Office will address the parking issue at the Wallis Street junction with Shannon street, and will meet with the Cllr on site. This motion was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin, who raised the issue of locals parking in spaces reserved for residents. "As Cllr Kelly says, it is very congested there. But traffic even on to the link road where the maisonettes were put in a few years ago, there was parking put in for residents, and there is parking being taken by people that is meant for the residents, which is unfortunate," Cllr Bergin said. "It's a very busy junction there, so anything that can be done to alleviate parking there would be much welcomed," he said. Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney supported this motion, saying that traffic wardens 'would need to be magicians' to keep on top of the incidents of illegal parking. Pictured: Cars park haphazardly on Wallace street, behind Mountrath's library. Photo: Google Maps "It isn't being enforced, and we have this issue in Durrow too. The vans are being left there and it's back to stage one," Cllr Clooney slammed. "When the signs went up first it was a great success, but now people feel like there is nobody coming to police it, so it's back to square one and it's not good enough. "I think that if we have bylaws, they should be enforced, signs are no good on their own, you need a bit of the stick as well. Hopefully something can be done," Cllr Clooney finished. Rathdowney Fine Gael Cllr John King weighed in on the issue, calling for a solution. "What is happening across the two busy roads, is that people are carpooling and parking their cars in towns, they feel that they can chance leaving the car and going away," he said. "If they are fined, they might not chance it a second time. Something has to be done," Cllr King finished. This motion was tabled at the April sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District. 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. The state of lighting in one region of Kildare has been heavily criticised by a resident in the area, who has referred to it as "a farce". Pat O'Mahony informed the Leinster Leader of lighting issues which have been affecting the Roseberry area of Newbridge for the past number of months. He specified that the the region in question measures from "Carrolls Corner, or 'The College Corner', to the end of the houses on the riverside, before the rail". According to Mr O'Mahoney, the site in question was in "complete darkness" for much of last Winter. He added that during this time, the region was "pitch black" and people passing through were being blinded by the lights of oncoming cars. Fianna Fail Cllr Noel Heavey echoed a similar concern earlier this year at the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting held back in January, where he asked Kildare County Council (KCC) why Roseberry residents had been "deprived" of urban lighting for so long back in December. In response, Cllr Heavey was told by KCC that the ESB had been "overwhelmed" by Storm Darragh, leading to delays in addressing the situation. OPPOSITE ISSUE According to Mr O'Mahony, the lighting in the area has recently gone the opposite way: the lights are on 24 / 7. He further claimed that the whole situation is making local residents feel deflated "They have given up," he added. Mr O'Mahony has since brought the issue to local representatives in Newbridge. He added that he has sympathy for these local representatives: "They are getting criticised for something that they cannot solve as individual councillors or TDs." A set of lights in Roseberry turned on during the daytime. Photograph provided by Pat O'Mahony. Mr O'Mahony further said that he has not gone to KCC headquarters to discuss the issue. Explaining his stance, Mr O'Mahony said: "The public has more to be doing. It is not our job to do it [to keep reminding KCC to address the issue]." He also expressed his view that that the situation in Roseberry is symptomatic of a wider issue in Ireland: "The public sector has lost its way; there doesn't seem to be any sense of accountability." Lastly, Mr O'Mahony pointed out the amount of electricity the lights are using up, and questioned how this would benefit the local environment. MAYOR'S COMMENTS The Mayor of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, Fine Gael Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer, also commented on the lighting situation in Roseberry last month. She said via a social media post on March 12 last: "I have been making representation on behalf of the residents / business owners for a number of months on this intermittent problem. "The risk of trips and falls and safety is of grave concern and today I received the most recent update from Kildare County Council which I requested last week." Mayor O'Dwyer further said that KCC informed her that her request was examined by the Transport Public Lighting Team in the Transport and Mobility Department. Once again, KCC said that it is in the process of "trying to get the ESB to have the switching wire moved on a permanent live feed and to cut the tree branches". KCC's response to Mayor O'Dwyer echoes its reply to the Leinster Leader, when it was asked about the situation and how it plans to address it. According to KCC, the fault at Roseberry is being "caused by overhanging branches" that are "dangerously close" to overhead power lines. "For this reason, Kildare County Council cannot resolve the issue independently and continues to engage with the ESB regarding this matter," KCC added. SWITCH WIRE PLAN At the latest Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting, which took place on March 19 last, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender raised the issue of lighting in the Roseberry area. He asked KCC to provide an update on the public lighting situation in Roseberry, Athgarvan, and Kilcullen, "including details on any planned upgrades, maintenance schedules, and timelines for addressing any outstanding issues". KCC issued a response to Cllr Pender in three parts, each relating to the aforementioned three areas. For its response relating to Roseberry, KCC said: "Kildare County Council are liaising with ESB to come up with a plan to remove the switch wire and have the lights on individual photocells, so that a fault in one light does not affect the whole estate." As for Athgarvan, KCC said: "This has been resolved, and the new lighting infrastructure is now operational." Lastly, for Kilcullen, KCC told Cllr Pender: "ESB have advised that they will be on site within the next two weeks." READ NEXT: 'Exploitation' - Would you pay over 12k to be buried near Wolf Tone in Kildare? The government's Hot School Meals Programme has been extended to cover over 30 primary schools based in County Kildare. In total, a further 713 primary schools have been added to the Hot School Meals Programme from yesterday (Friday, April 11 last). This brings the total number of schools involved in the Programme to almost 3,000, according to a report from KFM. The move has been welcomed by a Senator for Kildare South, Mark Wall. However, the Labour Party politician said that he noted that teachers have raised concerns about the quality of the food being provided. "I hope that with the review being carried out by government on the nutritional standards of the food being provided will ensure that students receive the best quality food that is available," Senator Wall said. "I am aware of a local provider who delivers under this Programme and I know they are working hard to ensure they meet all the government criteria expected of them. "This has been a very good initiative which the Labour Party will continue to support." "With increasing levels of poverty among children and young people, we have to ensure that Ireland meets its commitments under the EU Social Inclusion Programme to ensure children receive at least one good, nutritious hot meal a day," he concluded. The full list of Kildare-based schools which have been added to the programme can be viewed below: Scoil Bhride, Nurney St Joseph's National School, Kilcock St Peter's National School, Monasterevin Brannockstown Community National School Scoil Bhride, Kill St Colmcille's National School, Moone Scoil Bhride, Rathangan St Laurence's National School, Sallins Athy Model School St Laurence's National School, Crookstown St David's National School, Naas Scoil Choca Naofa, Kilcock Primrose Hill National School, Celbridge Hewetson National School, Clane Bigstone National School Rathangan Boys National School Scoil Treasa National School, Kilshanroe Scoil na Mainistreach, Celbridge Caragh National School Kildangan National School Gaelscoil Chill Dara, The Curragh / Newbridge Scoil Ui Fhiaich, Maynooth Scoil Bhride, Naas Gaelscoil Nas na Riogh Naas Community National School Leixlip Educate Together National School San Carlo Junior National School, Confey Scoil Ui Dhalaigh, Leixlip St Patrick's Boys National School, Clane Scoil Ui Riada, Kilcock North Kildare Educate Together National School READ NEXT: Changes proposed for Italian restaurant based in this Kildare town I went on a three week interrailing trip across six countries in Europe, here are my tips and advice for travel enthusiasts who want to broaden their horizons this summer! I went from having only visited Spain a handful of times, to visiting Venice and Florence in Italy, Budapest in Hungary, Zagreb in Croatia, Vienna in Austria, Cannes in France and Lake Bled in Slovenia. First things first, you will need to download the Rail Planner app where you can purchase an interrailing pass which you will need when travelling from country to country, and then book a flight to your first destination and a flight home from your final destination. Dos and don'ts of interrailing: 1: Pack light: Remember you can always buy clothes on your travels! I'd recommend no more than a 10kg suitcase and a small enough back pack. Also make sure to pack a comfy pair of shoes. I made the silly decision of packing a very full 20kg suitcase as well as a school bag! By the end of the three week trip, the four wheels of my suitcase were just about falling off! No one warned me about the amount of stairs I would come face to face with! I did not need half of the stuff I brought, and with the gorgeous clothing stores around cities in Europe, I was actually sad I had no room to purchase some new clothes. So trust me, you don't need 20 different outfits! Trying to lift my 20kg suitcase around every two to three days from country to country, was not the brightest idea I've ever had and it did put a bit of a downer on the trip overall. 2: Don't go to Zagreb: One place I don't recommend visiting is Zagreb in Croatia. Sadly, we allocated four days of the trip there and there wasn't a lot to do. If we could plan it again we would go to Split in Croatia instead, as Zagreb was definitely not the lively holiday spot we had wanted. The only thing close by was a local zoo, so you can imagine why it wasn't our favourite spot. 3: Be organised: It's a good idea to have your trip well planned out in advance. You will need to book seats on trains and time journeys from each country in advance, especially during peak summer months. I'd also have a rough plan of what activities you will be doing each day as well and create a budget to spend everyday. READ NEXT: Ryanair respond amid criticism after sending man's wheelchair to wrong country 4: Be money smart: Travelling for a long period of time can be expensive. We saved money by cooking our own meals from time-to-time to save splurging on expensive dinners. Walk instead of uber, budget meals and drinks and keep your money in a safe and organised place, are also things you should do save money. 5: Be careful when you 'tap' on public transport: A tip is to carry your actual bank card to tap on buses and trams, as your service on your phone could go at any time. This happened to me and I was fined 40 on a bus. Even though I paid with my phone, it didn't show up for the inspector because my service was very slow! I'd be careful with this and even go to the driver beforehand for proof of purchase. Must visit/must dos: Venice was a spot I'd definitely recommend stopping by on your travels, simply because it's such a beautiful city [and I love Italian food!] Taking a gondola down the Grand Canal during a sunny evening should be on everyone's booking list. The highlight for me was definitely Budapest because there was so much to do and see. I very much recommend the outdoor baths. The place we went to was called 'Szechenyi Spa'. It only costs around 30 euro and you could spend the whole day there. There's pools of all sizes and temperatures, with jacuzzis, ice baths, indoor pools and outdoor pools it was the perfect place to cool off and relax. The Tiki bar in Budapest is also a must for those looking for a fun cocktail bar, with all sorts of interactive cocktails and Tiki style interior design, it's definitely a place I will never forget. Cannes in France is also a beautiful spot to visit, except it is on the more expensive side. I'd recommend coming here for the beautiful beaches and local pastry cafes to get an authentic chocolate croissant! Lake Bled is a must visit as well, we got to take a paddle boat out onto the lake and jump in and have a swim as well. It is a beautiful location for people who love peace and quiet and the outdoors. READ ALSO: WATCH: Irish people warned amid wild footage of Lanzarote flooding Hostels: In terms of hostels, personally they weren't for me. They are good however for people solo travelling as a way to meet new friends and are lot cheaper than booking hotels or B&B's. We booked two hostels, one hostel in particular I was in a separate area to the rest of my friends which is the risk you take when booking with a group of people. Some useful items to bring interrailing: I'd recommend bringing a deck of cards, band-aids, a book or a Kindle, sunglasses, a small mirror, a power-bank, a bag for dirty laundry, a swim suit, and a hoodie or jacket. In a landmark moment for one of Americas oldest Irish organisations, Bernadette Smyth LaFrance, daughter of the late John Smyth from Ballinamore and Ann Smyth from Ballinaglera, has been elected as the first woman to serve as President of the Knights of St. Patrick, a club founded in 1878 to foster Irish fellowship, preserve and promote Irish culture in America, and support and honor local charitable and public safety organizations. A proud first-generation Irish American, Bernadette is a legacy member of the Knights, following in the footsteps of her father, John, an Irish immigrant from Aughnasheelin, Ballinamore, County Leitrim, who found a second home in the Irish cultural organisations of Greater New Haven. From an early age, Bernadette was immersed in the values, traditions, and camaraderie of the Knights and the Gaelic Club, which ignited a lifelong passion for preserving and celebrating Irish heritage. LaFrance has long been a driving force in the regions Irish American community. She has held executive roles within the Associated Irish Societies (AIS)and is widely respected for her ability to mentor volunteers, build cross-organizational partnerships, and drive sustainable growth through innovation and strategic vision. She is also the first recipient of the Kevin J. Smith Award for Excellence in Executive Leadership, the first ever woman to be elected Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the AIS, was named Knight of the Year in 2015, Grand Marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patricks Day Parade in 2008, and Parade Queen in 1994. Her presidency marks a new chapter for the Knights of St. Patrick. Bernadettes passionate commitment to community service, and powerful sense of responsibility for cultural preservation continues to shape her work. Bernadette Smyth LaFrance with Aunts Margaret Smyth Bohan and Bridget Smyth O'Dea from Aughnasheelin Her election as President not only honors the traditions of the past but charts an inspired course for the future of the Knights of St. Patrick. This moment is not just about me, LaFrance added. It is about the generations of women in the Irish community who came before me, and those who I serve alongside today, who dedicate themselves to serving the Irish organisations with heart and purpose, continuing to inspire the future leaders who will follow. READ MORE: Baby Oscars brave battle: Leitrim family faces unimaginable journey MAYOR John Moran says firms operating across Limerick should look eastwards to Europe rather than west to the USA. It comes in the wake of American president Donald Trumps announcement of tariffs of 20% on certain goods arriving into the USA from the European Union. In essence, the measures introduced by Mr Trump mean American consumers there will pay 20% more on items coming into the USA. His actions are designed to increase the cost of foreign goods relative to domestically produced items in the hope of revitalising the American economy. READ MORE: Call to fly Palestine flag at Limerick council headquarters Mayor Moran said: Its all about opening up new links for our companies which are not in the USA. There are 450 million people in Europe (European Union). Its bigger than the USA. So thats where our companies should look to. The first citizen said he has already held meetings with a delegation from near Lisbon in Portugal, and is also set to visit the British cities of Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester where he will meet their executive mayors. If we focus on how do we get our foodstuffs, stuff we manufacture, services we provide, to shops in Europe, to people buying services there, we can hopefully counter-act some of this, he said. Mayor Moran said it highlights the importance of making sure foreign direct investment companies are not the only show in town locally. Its important to what we do. But we need small to medium sized companies, he added. He acknowledged the actions of US president Trump are out of the control of people in Limerick. What we can do is try and drive on with our plan to make it easier to do business in Limerick, reduce the cost of housing, make it cheaper and more competitive. So at least if a business doesnt want to raise their prices on items sold into the USA, we can work with them on the pressures and costs, concluded the mayor. STUDENTS with the skills to be top chefs and beauty therapists were honoured at a special awards dinner night in Limerick. Multi-award winners who were honoured at the ceremony included Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) student Yeshuah OBrien Bayer, who was named Knorr Professional Student Chef of the Year 2025 in March. The other students cited for their excellence on the night were Kieran Bolger from Dooradoyle, Keri Long from Kileely, Charlie Ward, from Rathkeale, Natalia Kaca and Lucas Maier. READ ALSO: Campaign to stop illegal parking in estates around Limerick's third-level colleges Kieran Bolger is a former student at Ardscoil Ris. He won the Cookery Gold medal at World Skills Ireland last October. As part of his work placement, while studying Culinary Entrepreneurship, Kieran is currently rustling up dishes at Chapter One in Dublin which holds two coveted Michelin stars. Also honoured on the night was Keri Long, a student of Business with Beauty & Spa Management, who won the Gold medal in Beauty Therapy at World Skills Ireland 2024. Keri, from Limerick city, is a former student of Thomond Community College. She said: I have always had a keen interest in beauty from a very young age. I was incredibly honoured to win, [it was] a moment that truly solidified my passion and dedication to the industry. Dr James Griffin, Dean of Faculty, Business and Humanities at TUS, paid tribute to the students: The past year has showcased some of your incredible talents and skills on the national stage. Participation and completion at these competitions is indeed remarkable, but lifting the gold medal is an extraordinary achievement. To each and every one of you, we offer our utmost congratulations and wish you continued success on your studies and career. Trump's envoy offers to hand over part of Ukraine's territory to Russia U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has offered to hand over ownership of four eastern regions of Ukraine to Russia to achieve a ceasefire, he told Donald Trump after talks with Putin's envoy in Washington last week, Reuters reported on Friday, citing sources. Less than 48 hours after an informal meeting with sanctioned Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, Witkoff met with Donald Trump at the White House and pitched the proposal as the fastest path to peace. At the same time, General Keith Kellogg, the presidents Ukraine envoy, pushed back against Witkoff, saying Ukraine, though willing to negotiate some terms related to disputed land, would never agree to unilaterally cede total ownership of the territories to Russia. Witkoff's proposals have been criticized in Congress, and his informal meeting with the sanctioned Russian ambassador has caused concern in the White House. With a partial ceasefire agreement stalled, Trump is pushing for a peaceful solution by May. THE HSE have launched a new medical research hub to serve the Mid-West in one Limerick hospital. HSE CEO Bernard Gloster opened the first of the HSEs new regional Research Directorates at St Camillus Hospital and hailed the initiative as a key commitment to advancing the delivery of modern healthcare. The best medical care in the world is built upon the latest New medical research hub opens at Limerick hospitalscientific knowledge, and this knowledge is constantly being added to through research, said Mr Gloster. Healthcare research makes new discoveries, it drives improvement, it makes treatments more effective and processes more efficient. Whether its focus is on technology, surgery, medicine or the patient experience, research helps improve health and social care for our patients and clients, and the HSE, through its Regional Directorates, is committed to supporting research and embedding it across our services. READ ALSO: Tanaiste Simon Harris 'chuffed' to get thank you card from 'inspirational' Limerick girl The research hub, led by Professor Declan Lyons, will oversee all aspects of clinical research within the HSE locally, to promote the advancement of scientific knowledge and medical treatments. As a single point of entry for healthcare researchers in the region, the directorate will streamline researchers access to professional advice and expert regulatory support. As well as this, it will provide researchers with the infrastructure needed to conduct effective studies. At the official opening on Friday, March 21, Prof Lyons said it was an important step for the HSE in driving the research agenda forward. In collaboration with our academic partners, our mission in the Mid-West is to facilitate reliable, high-quality, and innovative research across a range of fields relevant to the people of the locality. He cited as an exemplar of such research the recent trial of a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment of older patients living with frailty who present to the Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Limerick. Led by consultant geriatrician Dr Aoife Leahy, the research identified key benefits for patients, including reduced wait times in ED, fewer hospital admissions, lower rates of ED re-attendance and fewer nursing home admissions. Patients also reported better quality of life and function at 180 days. Prof Lyons said such studies continue to drive improvement in healthcare, and his vision for the Research Directorate Mid-West is to help foster a thriving research culture that enables innovative studies that will impact patient lives locally, nationally and internationally. (Bloomberg) -- Chevron Corp. was ordered to return nearly 1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to Petroleos de Venezuela SA in a blow to the oil major, which was working to secure crude before wrapping up operations in the country when a US sanctions deadline hits in May. Venezuelas state producer Petroleos de Venezuela, known as PDVSA ordered Chevron to return the ships Carina Voyager and Dubai Attraction, currently off the countrys coast, to port and discharge their load, according to people with knowledge of the situation. Chevron has returned crude oil shipments to PDVSA given the impossibility and restrictions imposed on it to pay for them to Venezuela, Venezuela Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said in a statement on Friday evening, adding that the crude would be sold in international markets. All remaining cargoes that Chevron had scheduled to load this month, a combined 5 million barrels of crude oil, were canceled, said the people, who asked not to be named because they arent authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Chevron didnt respond to requests for comment. The information was first reported by Reuters. The move comes in the face of the USs seeming return to a maximum pressure strategy with the South American country. The Trump administration has been sharply critical of the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Houston-based Chevron was ordered by the US to halt its operation in Venezuela by May 27. The Carina Voyager is loaded with half a million barrels of flagship Merey 16 oil and the Dubai Attraction holds 350,000 barrels of Boscan oil, a heavy crude used to make asphalt. The first loaded at the PDVSA terminal of Jose in Anzoategui state, the other in Bajo Grande in the state of Zulia. The surprise move of the Venezuelan government seemed to take Chevron off guard as the major had sent four other empty ships that were scheduled to load in coming days. --With assistance from Fabiola Zerpa. (Adds statement from Venezuela Vice President Rodriguez in the third paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com * Nine law firms so far have pledged $940 million to Trump's approved causes * Trump has issued executive orders against firms he says 'weaponized' the legal system * Kirkland & Ellis, Simpson Thacher among five new firms making deals By Mike Scarcella, Sara Merken and David Thomas WASHINGTON, - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that five more law firms had agreed to devote a total of at least $600 million in free legal work to causes he supports, marking new concessions offered by major firms facing a White House pressure campaign. The agreements mostly mirror others struck with four firms in recent weeks, requiring them to shun diversity-based employment practices the administration deems illegal and work on pro bono projects approved by the president. Kirkland & Ellis, A&O Shearman, Simpson Thacher and Latham & Watkins are set to provide $125 million in pro bono work each. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft would provide at least $100 million, Trump said in posts on his Truth Social account. In all, nine law firms have pledged $940 million so far since Trump began issuing executive orders targeting firms over their connections to his perceived enemies or cases he opposes, despite rulings by federal judges finding his orders likely violate the U.S. Constitution. Other firms have denounced the deals, warning they chill attorneys' ability to choose their clients and challenge the administration. Trump said at a cabinet meeting on Thursday that firms that settled with him "have paid me a lot of money in the form of legal fees" and that he may press them into service negotiating trade deals amid the White House's aggressive tariff rollouts. The president on Friday also said the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has withdrawn a probe into employment practices at Kirkland, A&O Shearman, Simpson Thacher and Latham as part of the agreements. The agency's acting chair sent letters last month to 20 law firms, warning their employment policies meant to boost diversity, equity and inclusion may be illegal and demanding responses by April 15. Spokespeople for the five firms declined to comment or did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In statements from the firms shared by Trump, they each said the agreements were consistent with their principles. Kirkland's executive committee and Simpson Thacher chairman Alden Millard said in internal memos obtained by Reuters on Friday that their agreements would not force them to relinquish control over the pro bono cases they handle. Kirkland and Simpson Thacher and at least two of the other firms were involved in litigation challenging Trump's policies in his first term, related to issues such as voting and transgender rights or immigration. The White House said in a statement that the firms with their agreements "have affirmed their strong commitment to ending the Weaponization of the Justice System and the Legal Profession. DIVIDED RESPONSE The agreements follow executive orders that Trump issued against five law firms he accused of subverting the legal system against him and his allies, citing their ties to his political and legal adversaries or their work related to cases he opposes. The orders restricted their lawyers from accessing government buildings and officials and threatened to cancel federal contracts held by their clients. Three of the firms, Perkins Coie, WilmerHale and Jenner & Block, have sued over the orders and won rulings that temporarily blocked those provisions, convincing federal judges that they violated constitutional protections for speech and due process. Another, Susman Godfrey, also said it would fight Trump's order against it. Trump agreed to rescind an executive order against Paul Weiss after it became the first to settle with the White House, agreeing to donate $40 million in pro bono work. Skadden Arps, Milbank and Willkie Farr reached similar deals without an executive order being issued against them, each agreeing to earmark $100 million in pro bono services for mutually agreed projects with the administration. More than 800 law firms and lawyers signed onto a court brief on Friday supporting the legal challenges to Trump's executive orders, calling them "undisguised retaliation" for their past work and saying they threaten to put the firms out of business. Alphabet and Nvidia have joined major venture capital firms in backing Safe Superintelligence (SSI) a startup co-founded by former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever. Within months of its launch, the SSI rapidly became one of the most valuable AI startups, and was recently valued at $32 billion, reported Reuters, citing sources aware of the matter. Tech giants go big on AI The funding illustrates renewed interest from the big tech and infrastructure providers in making strategic investments in the startups developing cutting-edge AI that requires massive amounts of computing power. Alphabet, which has its own AI models, earlier in the week announced a dealby its cloud computing arm to sell SSI access to tensor processing units (TPUs), its in-house AI chips. SSI valued at $32 billion SSI, which sources say was recently valued at $32 billion in a round led by Greenoaks, is one of the highest-profile startups working on AI model research, thanks to Sutskever's stellar track record in predicting the next big thing in AI development. Like many of its competitors, it has a huge demand for chips. There was however, no information on the exact terms of Alphabet's and Nvidia's investment in SSI, reported Reuters. The twin moves by Alphabet's corporate and cloud division with high-profile AI labs including SSI and Anthropic show the tech giant's evolving AI hardware strategy. Google's strategy Google originally reserved TPUs for in-house use. The deal to sell SSI chips in significant quantities to support its frontier AI research exemplifies the company's ongoing strategy to expand sales to external customers, Darren Mowry, a managing director in charge of Google's partnerships with startups, said in an interview with Reuters this week. "With these foundational model builders, the gravity is increasing dramatically over to us," he said. AI developers have historically preferred Nvidia's graphics processing units, which hold more than 80% of the AI chips market. But SSI is so far primarily using TPUs rather than GPUs for its AI research and development, two sources said. Google offers both Nvidia GPUs and its own TPUs through its cloud service. Its own chips are intended to excel at specific AI tasks and are more efficient than general-purpose GPUs. These chips have been used to build large-scale AI models, such as Apple and Anthropic, an OpenAI competitor that has received billions of dollars of funding from Google and Amazon. Amazon a challenger for Google and Nvidia? Google and Nvidia also face a challenger in Amazon, which is building its own competing processors called Trainium and Inferentia. Amazon has said as far back as 2023 that Anthropic would develop its technology on those chips. The tech giantannounced in December that Anthropic would be the first customer to use a massive supercomputer powered by hundreds of thousands of its own chips. In the meantime, Anthropic continues to use TPUs for its AI development and has not decreased spending on Google's chips, two sources said. It is increasingly common for major cloud providers to invest heavily in AI startups that not only build foundational models but also serve as significant customers of their infrastructure. For instance, Amazon and Google have both invested in Anthropic, while Microsoft has placed substantial bets on OpenAI. Nvidia has also backed OpenAI, as well as Elon Musk's xAI. Amid the worst U.S.-China trade clash in modern history, Michelle Xia thinks she has something Chinese that Americans will want. It isnt a $3 T-shirt or an electronic gadget. It is a cancer drug her company discoveredone that has made her the face of a rising pharmaceutical star. When Xia founded her company with three colleagues in 2012, China had few labs capable of finding drugs on their own, while U.S. companies filled their research departments with Chinese scientists. Xia, born in Chinas northwestern province of Gansu, had been one of them: She did cancer research at the University of Louisville and worked in the U.S. for companies including Bayer. It nagged at her that her home country had little to match the modern medical feats achieved in the West. The driver was very simple. I thought: Why isnt there innovation in China?" said Xia, 58 years old, in an interview. Today, innovation has arrivedand not just at Xias company. In the past few years, a handful of drugs that originated in China have won approval from U.S. regulators. Many more have been licensed out and are in the pipeline at companies like Roche and Novo Nordisk. Xias drug could be the biggest of them all, if its promise can be confirmed in U.S. trials. It is an injected therapy called ivonescimab that has shown favorable results versus Mercks $29.5-billion-a-year cancer treatment Keytruda in a Phase 3 trial. Planting the seed Xia caught the medicine bug in her early teens when she visited a hospital to see her uncle after minor surgery. That inspired the idea of becoming a doctor, but her mother dissuaded her, not wanting to see death and sickness constantly weigh on her daughters mind. So Xia went into medical research instead, earning a doctorate from Newcastle University in the U.K. After nearly two decades abroad, with stints in Kentucky and California, she was assigned by her then-employer, California-based Crown Bioscience, in 2008 to set up shop in China to offer services to other drugmakers. Why isnt there innovation in China? Xia recalls wondering before she started Akeso. She dived into the Chinese pharmaceutical market and saw how innovative drugs from overseas would take eight to 10 years to reach Chinese patients. She then hatched the dream of making the worlds most advanced new drugs available to Chinese cancer patients," she said in a speech last year at her undergraduate alma mater, Sun Yat-sen University in the southern city of Guangzhou. China at the time was just beginning to develop the ingredients that have turned the U.S. into the worlds biotech hub: venture capitalists willing to take risks on companies likely to fail, a well-regulated system for conducting clinical trials and a government ready to fund basic research. The population was growing richer and older, spelling opportunity. Xias three co-founders all had lengthy experience in the U.S., including Baiyong Li, who spent 12 years at Pfizer leading development of immune-therapy drugs for cancer. They founded Akeso in 2012 in the southern Chinese city of Zhongshan, about 50 miles west of Hong Kong. Akeso started with a little less than $3 million in venture-capital funding. It rented an office and brought on researchers with undergraduate degrees. The founders didnt receive salaries. Three years later, it won a licensing deal with Merck, which bought the worldwide rights to develop and commercialize a cancer-treatment antibody from Akeso. (The antibody, quavonlimab, is still in human trials at Merck, which declined to comment.) That deal offered Akeso credibility that helped land more deals. It went public in Hong Kong in 2020, raising $330 million. For a long time, Chinese companies only made copycats of Western drugs, but Akesos rise highlights a coming-of-age for drug innovation in China. While they still have a way to go to challenge the dominance of Western drugs, in some cases, Chinese biotechs have found ways to make drugs faster and better, just like the surprise sprung by Chinese artificial-intelligence upstart DeepSeek. Today, Akesos headquarters in southern Chinas Guangdong province is a sprawling campus with spacious factories making dozens of drugs on the market in China or in clinical trials. It has a staff of more than 3,000 and a stock-market value of about $9.5 billion. Xia eschews many industry conferences and generally maintains a low profile, but ivonescimab has recently put the company and its leader in the spotlight. A mythological healer Ivonescimab is called a bispecific antibody because it targets two proteins, hitting one to unleash the immune system to kill cancer cells and a second with the goal of starving tumors of their blood supply. Akeso is developing more than a dozen other bispecific antibodies. Traditional cancer drugs, such as Keytruda, typically target one protein. A study released last September found lung-cancer patients on ivonescimab on average lasted almost twice as long without the disease progressing as patients on Keytruda. The study was conducted only on Chinese patients. From the data presented so far, it seems the benefit is real," said Gilberto Lopes, chief of medical oncology at the University of Miamis Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. But we need additional data from other parts of the world to see if the results hold outside China, and whether theres an overall survival benefit as well." Xias companynamed Akeso, after a Greek goddess of healinglicensed the drug to U.S.-based Summit Therapeutics, which is testing it in the U.S. and will sell it there and in several other markets if it gets regulators approval. Such U.S.-China deals are common practice for pharmaceutical companies, a rare example of collaboration when barriers are rising in other industries. Thats in part because it is hard to see how a cancer treatment could put American security at risk. Other medical areas are more sensitivefor example, the American reliance on China for pharmaceutical ingredients or the potential for biotech expertise to be applied to bioweapons. This week, a congressional commission urged the U.S. to invest in biotech research or risk falling behind, and to bar work with Chinese companies that threaten national security. The tensions make Xia nervous. The fire of geopolitics shouldnt spread to the area of human health," she said. Beyond China Just as she wanted China to stand on its own feet, she wants her own company to keep some control over its inventionswhich explains how the deal to license ivonescimab to lesser-known Summit Therapeutics came together. Xia wasnt someone to throw the molecule over the fence and only meet once or twice a year afterward," said Dave Gancarz, Summits head of business and strategy. Instead, she wanted a close partnership and the right to co-brand the drug, setting the stage for Akeso to grow. Pan Pan, Akesos director of business development at the time, said the Chinese team was uncertain about working with Summit, which was founded in 2003 and had only $75 million in cash on the books at the time of the deal talks. Xia flew to California and bonded with Summits co-CEOs, meeting almost daily in the weeks before the deal closed. Pan said Xia spurned his initial suggestion for how much money to seek in the Summit licensing deal, confident that Akeso deserved more. In late 2022, Summit struck a deal to develop and commercialize ivonescimab in the U.S. and other countries, paying $500 million upfront and potentially up to $5 billion if milestones are met. It was the biggest deal involving a Chinese biotech at the time, validating Akeso and putting an exclamation mark on how advanced Chinese biotech has become. Xia now serves on Summits board. The drug is approved and available to treat a type of lung cancer in China, and Xia said she hoped it would win Food and Drug Administration approval in the next year or two. Akeso has four drugs approved in China, and a lengthy pipeline of others under study for cancer, immune disorders and high cholesterol. Xias ambition is to be CEO of a world-leading pharmaceutical company, but more important, she said, is making good drugs." Becoming big pharma is a consequence of that," she said, and not the goal." Write to Clarence Leong at clarence.leong@wsj.com Mumbai: The spiraling economic war between China and the US sparked speculation that Beijing might weaken the Chinese yuan, which, in turn, could affect other currencies, including the Indian rupee. However, some economists are optimistic that China will use other channels to offset the impact of the US additional tariffs on the country. Earlier this week, Peoples Bank of China weakened its fixing ratethe centre point of the band in which the yuan or Chinese renminbi is allowed to tradeto just below RMB 7.2 per US dollar. That is the lowest level since September 2023. This set off speculation that China would weaken its currency by up to 30% to counter the US tariffs. That said, the yuan has been under pressure from other factors as well, as Chinas balance of payment was negative in the 12 months to September despite a record goods trade surplus. According to economists at global brokerage firm Nomura, China is unlikely to signal to the world that it will use currency to improve its competitive advantage. Instead, they said, China would use tools such as monetary and fiscal policy, and negotiations with other countries to offset the impact of US President Donald Trumps series of additional tariffs on the Asian economic giant. On Friday, China said it would raise tariffs on all US goods from 84% to 125% from 12 April as a counter to the US decision to increase tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%. Unlike in 2018-19, and considering a property market crisis, we believe that the PBoC (Peoples Bank of China), in order to maintain domestic financial and property market stability, will choose to not devalue RMB or engage in/allow for any substantial currency depreciation," Nomura said in a report on Thursday. However, Mitul Kotecha, head of foreign exchange and emerging markets macro strategy Asia, at Barclays Bank, expects a gradual depreciation of the yuan. But if they do something more aggressive in terms of devaluation, it could end up being kind of a bit of a race to the bottom because it could mean that other Asian countries move to depreciate their currencies," Kotecha said. We have a forecast of 7.5 for Chinese yuan and rupee forecast at 88.2 by end of this year." India has a head start Other economists said it would be hard to weaken a currency when the US dollar is also losing strength. The US dollar index fell 4.6% in April, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of trade tensions on the US economy. Neelkanth Mishra, chief economist at Axis bank and a member of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council, however, said countries may be tempted to use policies like currency devaluation to offset the impact of the US tariffs. In a report dated 13 March, before Trump unveiled his reciprocal tariffs on 2 April, Mishra likened the tariff war to the years after the 1930 Smoot-Hawley tariffs, which saw large currency swings. In the ongoing global tariff war, some economists believe Chinas loss will be Indias gain, as New Delhi has been proactive in negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Also, India may not be hurt much by the US tariffs as its export share to GDP is relatively lower than that of other countries, economists said. The weak dollar environment also ensures flows back into emerging market economies. Also read | India dodges tariff bulletfor nowas Trump targets China India also has a head start on other countries in terms of negotiating a trade deal with the US. Over the medium term, this tariff arbitrage" could favour India, if complemented by the right set of reforms," the Nomura analysts said in their report. The brokerage, however, lowered its projections for Indias economic growth in 2025-26. In the near term, the global growth slowdown adds to existing growth drags, including weak private capex, household balance sheet stress, weak nominal income growth and the negative credit impulse. Therefore, we cut our FY26 GDP growth forecast to 5.8% from 6.0%." This is lower than the Reserve Bank of Indias projections. The central bank earlier this week cut its FY26 growth projections for India to 6.5% from 6.7%. The rupee is stable Indias central bank has been actively intervening in the currency market since 2 April when Trump announced his reciprocal tariffs on more than 180 countries. The rupee has fallen by 4% since then to 86.09 against the US dollar at the close of Fridays trade. RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of any impact on the rupee from a potential currency war. He assured that the rupee was stable and that the central bank would intervene only if there was excess volatility. Our currency is quite stable and we have sufficient reserves of almost $700 billion and inching up. Our deficit is very sustainable both this year and going forward. I really dont think we are under any kind of a stressful position again. Our interconnectedness, especially on the trade side, is less," Malhotra said after RBIs latest monetary policy committee meeting. I think the markets in India are quite deep, quite wide, and the market forces best know what the levels should be. Having said that, in case of any excessive volatility that requires an intervention, we will not be found wanting," he added. Trump tariffs: US President Donald Trumps administration exempted smartphones, computers, and other electronics from its reciprocal tariffs, potentially cushioning consumers from sticker shock while benefiting US tech giants such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. The move also partially dialled down its escalating trade and tariff war with China. The exclusions, published by the US Customs and Border Protection office, excluded smartphones, laptops, hard drives, computer processors, memory chips, and other products from the global levies Trump rolled out a week ago. How do the exemptions benefit US tech giants? The move narrows the scope of the levies by excluding products from Trumps 125 per cent China tariff and his baseline 10 per cent global tariff on nearly all other countries. The exemptions will benefit US tech companies like Nvidia, Dell, and Apple - which makes iPhones and premium products in China. They will generally narrow the impact of the staggering 145 per cent tariffs Trump has imposed on Chinese goods entering the US. The products not subject to Trumps new tariffs also include machines used to make semiconductors. This would be important for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which has announced a major new investment in the US and other chipmakers. Reports say the tariff reprieve may prove fleeting. Also Read | BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warns of recession amid Donald Trump's tariffs The exclusions stem from the initial order, which prevented extra tariffs on certain sectors from stacking cumulatively on top of the country-wide rates. The exclusion indicates the products may soon be subject to a different tariff. One such exclusion was for semiconductors, which Trump has regularly pledged to apply a specific tariff. He has not yet done so, but the latest exclusions correspond with that exemption. According to Bloomberg, Trumps sectoral tariffs have been set at 25 per cent, though it is still unclear what the new rates on semiconductors and related products would be. Many exempted products, including hard drives and computer processors, are not made in the US, and Trump argues that tariffs are a way to restore domestic manufacturing. Commenting on the exemptions, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that Apple and Nvidia were still "hustling to onshore their manufacturing in the US" as soon as possible. Many analysts say it will likely take years to ramp up domestic production. US-China trade war US Customs data suggests the exempted items account for more than 20 per cent of those Chinese imports. US and China's latest escalating tariff battle has raised fears of an enduring trade war between the world's two largest economies and sent global financial markets into a tailspin. The fallout has sent shockwaves through the US economy, with investors dumping government bonds, the dollar tumbling, and consumer confidence plunging. Even with the US and China going toe-to-toe and financial markets in turmoil, Trump is adamant that the tariff policy is on the right track. China has vowed not to give in to what it sees as bullying tactics, and -- in his first comments on the tensions -- President Xi Jinping stressed that China was not afraid. Economists warn the disruption in trade between the tightly integrated US and Chinese economies will increase consumer prices and could spark a global recession. China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao told the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that US reciprocal tariffs would "inflict serious harm" on poor nations, according to a ministry statement released Saturday, April 12. US and China have been trading salvos of increasingly higher tariffs this month, raising fears of an intensifying trade war between the world's two largest economies that has sent global financial markets into a tailspin. Economists warn that disruptions in trade between the tightly integrated US and Chinese economies will increase consumer prices and spark a global recession."These US 'reciprocal tariffs' will inflict serious harm on developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and could even trigger a humanitarian crisis," Wang told WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Also Read | BlackRock CEO Larry Fink caught by surprise at breadth of Trump's tariffs "The United States has continuously introduced tariff measures, bringing enormous uncertainty and instability to the world, causing chaos both internationally and domestically within the US," Wang added on the call. US-China tariff war continues Beijing said Friday that its 125 per cent tariffs on US goods would take effect on Saturday -- almost matching the staggering 145 per cent levies imposed by Washington on Chinese goods entering the US. However, China indicated it would ignore any further levies by US President Donald Trump because it said it no longer makes economic sense for importers to buy from the US. China also said it would sue the WTO over the latest round of levies and dismissed Trump's mounting brinkmanship as a "joke" and a numbers game. China's retaliation sparked fresh market volatility, with stocks seesawing, gold prices surging, and US government bonds under pressure. Trade between the two economic rivals is vast, with sales of Chinese goods to the United States last year totalling more than $500 billion -- 16.4 per cent of the country's exports, according to Beijing's customs data. Trump insisted Friday that his tariff policy was "doing really well" despite China's new hikes. Earlier this week, he postponed punishing levies on multiple trade partners for three months after trillions of dollars were wiped off global markets. The White House said Trump is "optimistic" about a deal with China and that 15 other countries have offered "on the table" during the 90-day pause in tariffs. US-China tariff talks Meanwhile, on Saturday, Taiwan's government held its first tariff discussions with the US and expected more talks to build "strong and stable" trade ties. On Friday, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said that the island was on "the first negotiating list of the US government" as he looks to shield its exporters from a 32 per cent tariff. Also Read | JPMorgan analyst says he now tempers public comments on US tariffs Taiwan now faces a 10 per cent tariff, and Lai said talks would seek to strike a deal with Washington to bring that down to zero. Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations said Saturday that Taiwanese officials held a video conference the day before with "relevant US officials" without identifying them. Public wifi hotspots seemed like a good idea five years ago when the government rolled out a scheme to provide affordable internet nationwide through a network of neighbourhood data providers. High-speed 5G network services hadnt been rolled out yet, and wifi was still the most reliable way to access the internet. However, the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-Wani) scheme has been struggling to take off as key stakeholders argue over the tariffs. The government has now proposed that telecom operators offer bandwidth at low rates to neighbourhood stores and other retailers deploying wifi hotspots under the PM-Wani scheme, but the telcos see these so-called public data offices, or PDOs, as competition. They are buying the service (bandwidth) for reselling. Why should any operator be forced to provide its network services to its competitors at the arbitrarily regulated prices for building their network, Ravi Gandhi, president and chief regulatory officer of Reliance Jio, told the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) during a recent discussion. Mint was present at the discussion. Trai, in its recent draft telecommunication tariff (71st amendment) order, proposed that telcos do not charge PDOs more than double what they charge retail customers for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services. Jio, in a written submission to Trai, estimated that if the reduced tariff rate order is implemented, a PDO could get unlimited data at 798 from telecom operators and sell at least 1 GB (gigabyte) of data each to 1,000 customers every month at 10 per GB. Telecom operators, which charge about 19 for a 1 GB mobile data pack, could lose their users. In September, the department of telecommunications amended the PM-Wani framework, removing the requirement for PDOs to enter into commercial agreements with telecom operators for internet connectivity. This was done to ensure that telcos do not force PDOs to get bandwidth through expensive internet leased lines but a regular FTTH broadband connection, which telcos are not keen on. Not in competition The government had aimed to deploy about 10 million public wifi hotspots across the country by 2022, and 50 million by 2030. However, only about 280,000 hotspots have been deployed so far, and nearly half of those are in Delhi, per government data. As on 5 December, the number of unique PM-Wani users was 1.8 million, and a total 58.55 PB (petabytes) of data had been consumed, the data showed. One PB is about 1 million GB. Broadband India Forum, which represents big tech companies, blamed the dearth of public wifi hotspots in India on predatory pricing by telecom operators. It claimed telecom operators were charging up to 8 lakh per annum from PDOs for providing bandwidth. This PM-Wani architecture is not in competition with telcos, it is complementary to them, T.V. Ramachandran, president of Broadband India Forum, said at the Trai meeting. It will add value to the mobile operators PM-Wani is an important element of digital public infrastructure where affordability and usability is a key requirement. Ramachandran argued that for small entrepreneurs deploying wifi hotspots, broadband tariffs need to be the same as retail FTTH tariffs. While PDOs provide data sachets to users at 5-10 per day under the PM-Wani scheme, they have been arguing that this is not viable due to the high tariffs charged by telecom operators. There are more than 200 public data office aggregators operating in the country, according to the PM-Wani central registry. Rahul Vatts, chief regulatory officer at Bharti Airtel Ltd, said tariff intervention would reverse years of consistent policy that had favoured tariff forbearance (allowing telecom operators to fix their own charges) and market-driven innovation. FTTH is a retail product and not meant for resale. PDOs operate as commercial resellers serving multiple end users simultaneously and demanding consistent bandwidth, reliability and network management that FTTH is not engineered for, Vatts said at the Trai meeting. Fifty-six out of 88 UAVs shot down, another 24 lost from location Photo: National Guard On Saturday night, the Air Force and Air Defense units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed 56 out of 88 attack drones, and another 24 enemy drone imitators were lost, the press service of the Ukrainian Air Force reported. "As of 09:00, the downing of 56 Shahed-type attack UAVs (drones of other types) in the north, south, east and center of the country has been confirmed. Twenty-four enemy drone imitators have been lost (without negative consequences)," the Air Force said on Telegram. It is noted that the air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. "On the night of April 12 (from 20:00 on April 11), the enemy attacked with 88 Shahed-type strike UAVs and various types of drone imitators from the directions of Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk of the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian Armed Forces specified. As a result of the Russian attack, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions suffered. Dividend stocks: With the earning season kicking in from April onwards, numerous companies have notified exchanges regarding proposals for final or interim dividend payments this week. From major banks such as HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank to tech giant Infosys, they are expected to declare dividends this week, starting from April 14. Here's a list of companies declaring dividends from April 14 to April 19 HDFC Bank India's biggest private sector bank, HDFC Bank, had announced a meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025, to consider and approve financial results for the quarter that ended on March 31, 2025, and declare dividends, if any, for FY 25. Infosys The Board meeting of tech major Infosys is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2025. The company informed the exchanges that the board may declare a final dividend for the financial year ending March 31, 2025. ICICI Bank ICICI Bank will conduct a board meeting on Saturday, April 19, 2025, to approve the financial results for the quarter ending on March 31, 2025, and declare dividends, if any. Tata Elxsi Tata Elxsi will declare its quarterly results on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Board will declare a dividend, if any, for the quarter/year ended on March 31, 2025. HDFC Asset Management Company The Board of Directors of HDFC Asset Management Company Limited are scheduled to meet on Thursday, April 17, 2025, to declare dividends, if any, for the financial year ending on March 31, 2025. HDFC Life Insurance Company The company may declare a final dividend for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company ICICI Lombard will announce their Q4 results on Tuesday, April 15 and may declare a final dividend for FY25 on the recommendation of the Board of Directors. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company The Board of Directors may declare the final dividend for FY 25 on Tuesday, April 15, along with the declaration of financial results. GM Breweries The Board of Directors are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, to approve financial results and consider a declaration of a dividend, if any, for FY 25. Swaraj Engines A meeting of the Company's Board of Directors will be held on 16th April 2025 to approve the Company's financial results and may declare dividends for the financial year ending on March 31, 2025. After Tata Consultancy Services Ltd kicked off the earnings season with its slowest full-year revenue growth in four years, the big question now is whether the rest of the pack will echo the same story. Indias IT services companies were beginning to see improving demand for tech services in the US, their biggest market. But if the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump pushes his country into a recession, IT clients could tighten their discretionary spending budgets again, according to experts. The jitters are already reflecting in the markets. Foreign investors offloaded $973 million worth of Indian IT stocks in March, the biggest sell-off the sector has seen since April 2024. The Nifty IT index has dropped 24% year-to-date, sharper than the Nifty 50s 4% fall. Adding to that, IT services stocks as a share of the overall Indian assets under custody held by foreign institutional investors, dipped from 9.9% in February to 9% in March due to the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties,JM Financial Institutional Securities said in a report dated 10 April. IT services, however, remain the second-largest sector held by FIIs in India. Risk aversion has clearly crept into the IT counters.Coforge, HCL Technologies, Infosys, LTIMindtree,Mphasis, Oracle Financial Services Software,Persistent Systems, TCS, Tech Mahindra, andWipro shedding between 3% and 18% since the close of 2 April, when Trump announced additional tariffs on more than 180 nations, only to put them on pause a week later. We have seen instances of delays in decision-making and discretionary spend come under heightened scrutiny and pressure recently," TCS chief executive K. Krithivasan said during an earnings call on 10 April. However, based on conversations with clients,Krithivasan believes the current uncertainty is temporary and expects clarity to emerge soon and companies to resume their tech transformation plans. Also read |Indias Big Five IT firms were looking forward to rebound. Now all bets are off. Indian IT stocks: Beaten, but attractive While the US reciprocal tariffs do not directly apply to Indian IT services companies, the sector will not be immune to the wider economic shocks of the trade war. A significant chunk of revenue for Indian IT firms flows from North America and Europe, so some near-term uncertainty is inevitable", said Shibani Kurian, senior executive vice president and head of equity research at Kotak Mutual Fund. Analysing US downturns and their impact on Indian IT sales, Kumar Rakesh, IT and auto analyst at BNP Paribas India, said a 1.5 percentage point fall in the US GDP growth typically drags revenue growth for Indian IT services firms by around 5 percentage points. That would translate to negligible growth for Indias IT sector this financial year. We cut our FY26-27 earnings estimates (for Indian IT companies) by 4-11% and TPs (target prices) by 4-18% as we bake in a weak demand environment over the near-term and a gradual recovery in FY27," Rakesh said in a note dated 8 April. Motilal Oswal Financial Services analysts added in a report dated 4 April that A ~50% probability of a US recession suggests that the next 3-6 months could bring further earnings cuts, withdrawn guidance, and a freeze in tech spending". The brokerage cautioned that while the Indian IT sectors valuations appeared more reasonable than in past US downturns, there was room for further correction in 2-3 quarters. Aniruddha Sarkar, chief investment officer and portfolio manager at Quest Investment Advisors, was underweight on Indian IT stocks even before Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs, citing weak deal flows, margin compression, delayed project signing, and policy uncertainty. He added that although Indias IT sector now looked attractively priced on valuations he doesnt see it delivering blockbuster returns anytime soon. At best, youre looking at market-matching returns, maybe with some back-ended gains in the latter half of the fiscal," Sarkar said. Also read |How Trump world poses trouble for India's tech firms Time to dip in? Trumps decision on Thursday to pause implementation of the reciprocal tariffs by 90 days could be a game-changer for Indian IT stocks, said experts. But if there is any prolonged impact of the tariffs, that could weigh heavily on outlooks and valuations for Indian IT companies. Some experts also warned that Indias IT services sector could still see second- or third-order ripple effects of the US trade war. Before the pandemic, large-cap Indian IT companies used to command a premium of about 25% over their mid-cap peers, said Amit Chandra, analyst at HDFC Securities. That script has now flippedlarge-cap IT companies are trading at a discount of 13% to their mid-cap peers, which have seen their valuations rise from low double digits to over 20%, he added. Still, Chandra believes the worst may already have been priced into the valuations of Indian IT stocks. From here, the downside for the sector seems limited," he said. It might be a good time to start dipping your toes into IT stocksespecially large caps that have taken a decent beating." Kotak Mutual Funds Kurian had a similar view. Investors could consider staggered entry into IT stocks," she said, adding that when growth returns, the rebound in demand for IT services could be swift. In the meantime, high dividend yields across Indian IT counters are acting as a cushion, offering some downside support in a jittery market, Kurian said. A high dividend yield means investors earn more income for every rupee invested, which not only provides a steady cash flow but also offers a layer of protection during a market downturn. According to Meeta Shetty, a fund manager at Tata Mutual Fund, Indias top IT companies, with improved cash flow conversion and higher payout ratios than pre-covid levels, are trading at an attractive free cash flow yield of 4-6%. However, sectors such as power, hotels, airlines, and pharma also look appealing amid the broader market correction, said Sarkar of Quest Investment Advisors, making it harder for IT stocks to compete for a spot in investor portfolios. The view from the 10th floor office of Diageo India in UB Tower is stunning. The wall-to-wall windows face Cubbon Park, overlooking a canopy of trees stretching to the horizon and obliterating Bengalurus urban sprawl and never-ending traffic. Will you miss this view?" I ask Hina Nagarajan, the outgoing managing director and CEO of Diageo India. After four years in the roleshe was appointed in July 2021Nagarajan is moving on to a global role as president of Diageo Africa and will continue to be part of the global executive committee at Diageo Plc, the British multinational that took over Indias United Spirits Ltd in 2013 by buying a majority stake in the company. I absolutely will," says Nagarajan, smiling. Bangalore has become home over the past four years when I moved here from Gurgaon. In fact, Arvind (husband Arvind Nagarajan) and I will continue to have a house here, even though we will be moving to London. So yes, of course I will miss Cubbon Parkbut I do have views of Hyde Park to look forward to." Nagarajan is leaving Diageo India on a high. Under her leadership, not only did the company successfully navigate the tough second phase of the covid-19 pandemic, when the hospitality business, and consequently liquor sales, took a huge hit, she is leaving the company in a much stronger position than when she joined. To take just one metric, Diageo Indias consolidated net profit for the June 2024 quarter was 485 crore, a slight increase from 477 crore in June 2023compare this to the consolidated net profit in the June 2021 quarter, 50.3 crore. To take another, the market capitalisation of the company crossed 1 trillion last year, up from approximately 40,000-45,000 crore in mid-2021. Like many CEOs of publicly listed companies, it is not easy to pin Nagarajan down on the specifics when asked why she is leaving India after such a successful run. She first talks about wanting to lead a team that was hungry to win and the potential of the Indian market with growing aspirations, disposable incomes and a tendency towards premiumisation, which all make sense, but dont answer the question. Finally, she opens up. Look, this is part of the regular succession planning at Diageo. I am a global resource and Diageo needs me in Africa," she says. As a global executive committee member, I am equally committed to supporting Diageo where it needs me. A four-year stint is a solid stint for any CEO...I see another four or five years ahead of me in my career, so its like that one more role before I hang up my boots and do something else. It seemed like the logical time," says Nagarajan, who just turned 60. Also read: Sephora's global CEO Guillaume Motte has big plans for India This marks her second professional stint in the continent. Previously, she managed parts of Africa but was not yet on the global executive committee. Now, she will oversee the entire continent, which she compares to managing Indias 36 states, each functioning like a different country. Africa, she notes, has undergone significant transformation recently. The learnings from the regulatory challenges we faced in India are very useful. The advocacy and policy work we have done in collaboration with the government here are going to be quite helpful. What is slightly different about Africa is that it is a very large beer business, not the case in India, which is more about pure spirits," says Nagarajan. There has been a lot of learning from the spirits portfolio reshaping that we did here, though Africa is a little earlier in that journey." Premium benefits Premiumisation was a key focus area for Nagarajan, with a strategy that included expanding its higher-end portfolio of brands, innovating new products, and focusing on drinking better, not more". As part of this effort, the company sold as many as 32 popular Indian brands in 2022including Haywards, Old Tavern, and White Mischief. It bet instead on products like its McDowells & Co. portfolio with the X Series; ventured into white spirits and dark rum under the same brand name; transformed the popular Black Dog brand into a more premium product with variants; expanded its Smirnoff vodka line; and invested in the development of local premium liquors such as Godawan Single Malt. At the same time, the company started paying attention to the growing craft liquor market in India. It invested in craft brands like Nao Spirits, which makes Hapusa and Greater Than gina move that captured two trends, premiumisation and a growing love for gin. Last year, it bought a minority stake in Sober, which makes non-alcoholic versions of gin, rum and whiskyagain, following the sobriety trend among Gen Z. And, to deepen its focus on small batch spirits, it set up a flavour lab and experience centre, The Good Craft Co. in Bengaluru. And then there were other conversations, which are equally important to me," says Nagarajan about building an organisational culture that favoured inclusivity. If you look at the people-related policies we have launched over the last four years, theyre breakthroughssix months of parental leave, including surrogacy and adoption and regardless of gender or sexual orientation, menopause guidelines, guidelines for people on the LGBTQ+ spectrum now, we have introduced fertility guidelines." She sees this as a lasting legacy, emphasising that the companys diversity scores have gone up from 7.5% in 2015 to 27% now. Corner office In earlier interviews, Nagarajan had expressed some discomfort with repeatedly being asked questions about being a woman CEO of a large liquor company and about work-life balance"not something male leaders are asked quite as persistentlyso I am wary of bringing this up, but Nagarajan laughs. No no, I am happy to talk about that," she says. The narrative has shifted from woman CEO to business leader, from look, a woman came in to look at the business results. When I got awards like businesswoman of the year, it meant two things to meone, that there were enough women CEOs for them to be thinking of awards like this, and two, the normalisation of the alcohol industrythe shift from liquor company to consumer packaged goods company," she says. Shes referring to subtle biases against liquor companies that have existed in India for decades but are now on the wane as drinking is seen more as a social activity than a compulsive one. Also read: KP Singh: The city builder As a one-time student of hotel management, Nagarajan has seen that shift. Originally from Delhi, she went to the posh Modern School, Vasant Vihar, and could have drifted into a more academic-oriented life, except that her parents always insisted on financial independence. Migrants from Pakistan at the time of Partition, they were self-starters", as Nagarajan puts it, her father settling into the corporate world" and her mother becoming a teacher. After finishing school, Nagarajan joined the PUSA Institute of Hotel Management because she was eager to start her career early and the hotel industry was boomingthis was the time of the Asian Games in Delhi. Simultaneously, she enrolled for an undergraduate degree with Delhi Universitys School of Correspondence. She never did enter the hotel industry: she took the Common Admission Test (CAT) held by the Indian Institutes of Management on a whim, and it changed her life. My brother was planning to take CAT and he said, Even if you dont make it this year because youre not prepared, you can always repeat it. I gave it a shot, and as luck would have it, I got a call from all three IIMs," she recalls. She cleared the interview for IIM-Ahmedabad, but getting in was not going to be easyshe had to pass her undergraduate exams and produce a mark-sheet for admission, but the results for correspondence courses come in much later than for regular ones. Finally, IIM-A gave her 48 hours to produce the results, and she remembers calling her father crying, asking him to do something. He went and met the dean of Delhi University and said, look, very few girls are getting into IIM-Ahmedabad. Heres my daughter whos got in, she doesnt have her result, you need to do something," says Nagarajan, laughing. The dean agreed to help and she got her mark-sheet, making the deadline by a hairs breadth. At 9 in the morning, I was at the admissions office with a sealed envelope containing the mark-sheet, which I hadnt even opened, so I didnt know whether I had passed or notI had barely a month to prepare for my finalsand those five minutes were the toughest of my life." Beyond getting into B-school, this episode holds a poignant meaning for her because she lost her father when she was in her first year at IIM-A. Passion and purpose Nagarajan feels most of her career has been about marrying passion with purpose". She spent 14 years at Nestle, mostly in the infant nutrition division, and this was the time when she was raising two young children herself. Joining Reckitt (formerly Reckitt Benckiser) in 2015, after a stint as India head of direct-selling beauty brand Mary Kay, was a big jump, especially as she was soon heading the companys operations in Malaysia and Singapore, for which the family had to relocate to Kuala Lumpur. She credits her husband, who was her senior at IIM-A and by then a retail entrepreneur, for not thinking twice before agreeing to accompany her. He basically reshaped his life for me. The reverse happens so often, but its rare even today for a man to change his career path for his wifes," says Nagarajan. He did it twicelater, when she was posted in China, he gave up his retail venture and became a full-time investor on stock markets. He said, I can work on a computer anywhere," recalls Nagarajan fondly. Hes been my biggest mentor. He gave me the confidence to speak my mind and ask for what I want. When I see how many women we lose mid-career because of lack of support from families, from spouses, it feels like such a tragedy." View Full Image Rapid fire Ask her to name one thing that most people dont know about her, and she admits that she is addicted to casual mobile games. I play completely brainless mobile games like My Fruit Mart (a cosy business simulation game) and Hidden City (a hidden objects game). They really help me relax. Though right now Im not doing so well in them and thats bothering me," she says, laughing. Clearly, she likes to win. Also read: Why Rashesh Shah of Edelweiss loves running metaphors In 1654, the future Mughal emperor Aurangzeb issued a set of strict instructions to one of his sons. The prince was to wake up 72 minutes before sunrise, commanded the father. He had 48 minutes thereafter for his toilet and bodily business, followed by prayer and breakfast. If he were on the road, he was to mount his horse 48 minutes after sunrise, and make sure he crossed every assigned post on his route punctually. Time was also allocated for correspondence, reading poetry, improving your handwriting", and holding an audience with leading officials and courtiers. At the end of the day another round of prayer was to follow, until at 9pm, as per Aurangzebs wishes, the prince was to tuck himself into bed. This way the young man would not only form solid habits, but also project a fitting picture of royal character. Nobody could accuse Aurangzeb of being a disordered individual. What he is often accused of being, however, is the worst of the Mughals: a bigot, a cruel tyrant, a usurper, and a textbook villain. Some of these charges ring trueAurangzeb himself was sensitive to the fact that he had seized his fathers throne, on account of which rival powers such as the Persians lampooned him. A good part of his pronounced piety may even have been designed to rebrand this tainted kingly image. But what rouses heated debate and emotional aggravation in India, centuries after his death, is his religious policy and the violence people associate with his reign. At the moment, for instance, some politicians in Maharashtra wish to flatten his grave and cast his bones into the seajust the kind of original thinking one desires in politicians, apparently. Making sense of Aurangzeb is a complicated affair. He was not a terribly likeable man, but then again, most men of power in the premodern period were not very likeable. What, however, sets him apart for especial hatred from, say, Akbar who also occasionally presided over massacres, or Jahangir who also demolished temples? One answer perhaps lies in the fact that Aurangzeb alienated elementsthe Marathas, the Sikhswho later became powerful forces, redrawing Indias political map and shredding Mughal might. And their self-image and narratives, which acquired vigour as Mughal authority wilted, are often built on memories of persecution under Aurangzeb. In other words, narratives of resistance were seeded into the cultural consciousness of these ascendant groups, and Aurangzeb became the emblematic villain of the piece. Different views of history To be clear, these narratives do hold substance. For Aurangzeb, it is true, the Marathas and the Sikhs were mere rebels. After all, he was the emperor, and even in the 19th century, when the Mughals were reduced to figureheads, their status as Indias sovereigns was widely acknowledged. So, in his view, acting against these forces was a matter of statea legitimate ruler swatting down pesky irritants. All the same, it is equally true that to the Marathas, this was a case of resistance against a conqueror not rebellion"; it was a quest for a new vision of things. Where the Mughals saw a mountain rat" in Shivaji, the Marathas celebrated a Chhatrapati (sovereign). Where to Aurangzeb the execution of Shivajis son Sambhaji was the liquidation of an upstart, to the Marathas it was the murder of their king. And depending on where you view the question from, both perspectives hold logic. While historians can take a step back and analyse the many ways in which historical events are remembered, societies engage with history more emotionallyespecially when politicians revel in weaponising emotion. At a certain level one can, for example, comprehend why many in Maharashtra were offended that the town of Aurangabad commemorated Aurangzeb. To them, he was an outsider who subjugated the Deccan; Aurangabad" was an advertisement of his (contested) authority. Renaming it after Sambhaji, in local imagination, is a welcome act of reclamation. Yet seeking to correct" historical wrongs in the present is a slippery slope. View Full Image Aurangzeb reading the Quran. (Wikimedia Commons) The Marathas themselves, as they fanned out across India, were viewed as raidersif Aurangzebs grave in Maharashtra is unpopular now, Maratha monuments in the north too could someday come under siege, if this set of historical memories receives mischievous political stimulus. Aurangzebs religious policy is also controversial. How far this stemmed from personal belief and how much was a shrewd political instrumentalisation of identity can be debated. After all, while we recall his acts of temple destruction, Aurangzeb also used Sunni sectarianism to target Shia sultanates and Ismaili Muslims. Here again, his strategic intentions are only half the picture. Yes, to him as emperor this was maybe just politics. But the loss and tragedy borne by those at the receiving end are real: a temple might embody a Hindu kings power, and in that sense be a fair target for an emperor. But that same temple would also have been the nucleus of whole communities and local economies; its collapse would have rippled through society more widely. A rulers attempt to make a political statement, in other words, could also spark loss and crisisindeed resentmentamong non-political peoples. A historical personage Yet we must be wary of simplistic explanations and propositions. While Shivaji conceptualised sovereignty in a new manner and did stand up to the Mughals, there were also Marathas who preferred Aurangzeb. As a young man, barely out of his teens, he courted Maratha lords in the Deccan, and they supplied troops and support for his expansionism in the period. Later during the war of succession in which Aurangzeb prevailed over his fathers favourite son and preferred heir, Dara Shikoh, Maratha grandees participated in some of the most significant battles, at Dharmat and Samugarh, for example. Even Shivajis own kin at one time had served the Mughal state, and his son Sambhaji briefly fell out with him and defected to Aurangzeb. While we may view things in black and white, for the actual figures of that period, these dynamics clearly defied easy categorisation. Either way, at the end of the day, one need not like" Aurangzeb. He is a historical personage and as such is unlikely to appeal to our sensibilities. Even compared to some of his own predecessors, he often seems rather unpleasant. But where his grave is concerned, it would perhaps be wisest to let it be. Also read: When the makers of history die After all, Khuldabad, where the emperor rests, also houses, barely 10 minutes away, the tomb of Malik Ambar. If Aurangzebs grave represents an unhappy memory of conquest, Ambar in an earlier generation stoutly battled the Mughals, aided by the Marathas, and symbolises resistance. Shivaji himself, in court poetry, paid tributes to this African Muslim. Ambars is also the grander monumentAurangzebs is a plain affair inside a dargah. Indeed, the presence of both structures in the same town in Maharashtra represents a fuller picture of history. But then again, when it comes to politics, how many are actually invested in making sense of history? Manu S. Pillai is a historian and author, most recently, of Gods, Guns and Missionaries. Ceylon, possibly because of its geographical proximity to their homeland, was among the first overseas regions to which the Chettiars went in search of profitable business opportunities. Their association with Ceylon went back to when it was under Dutch rule, between 1656 and 1796. However, owing to their restrictive trade policy, characterized by monopolies, the scope for investment was limited and the Chettiars activities were on a low key. It was only after the establishment of British rule through the English East India Company, followed by the lifting of restrictions on internal and external trade, that there was a noticeable flow of Chettiar capital into Ceylon. The Ceylon Chettiar Chamber of Commerce, while recalling the history of the community, claimed that the first Chettiar firm in the island was established in 1820. This marked the initial phase of the organized flow of Chettiar capital. One of the noticeable features of the Chettiars investment portfolio was their external and internal trade in a host of commodities. They established a firm grip over the import trade in rice, sourcing it through their agency firms from Bengal and Thanjavur. Such was their control that even the resident European merchants had to pay large sums of money to the Chettiars to secure the necessary supplies. They also controlled much of the coastal trade in arrack and other coconut products between Ceylon and Madras. The lucrative raw cotton trade was another line of their business, which they lost later when it relocated to Tuticorin and the cash advance system was abolished. Until the European exchange banks set up shop in the island in the latter half of the nineteenth century, the Chettiars were considered to be the major bankers and, for a while at least, they exerted a significant influence, financially, on the island economy. Their role as financiers assumed importance principally on account of the peculiar exchange problem that Ceylon faced during this period. This emanated from the island having to meet the trade deficit with India in rupees out of receipt of excess sterling earned from Ceylons exports to England and to Europe. Thus, sterling had to be converted into rupees. This vital function was performed by the Chettiars. Utilizing their connections in south India, the Chettiar firms were able to arrange for remittances to and from India. As they had virtually a monopoly in this line of business, almost all the European merchants were said to have had dealings with them. There is also evidence that Chettiar finance was utilized in transporting the little native coffee that was then produced from the interior to the major trading centre. View Full Image 'Fortune Seekers: A Business History of the Nattukottai Chettiars' by Raman Mahadevan, Penguin Random House, 256 pages, 599 From the mid-nineteenth century onwards, the island economy entered a new phase, marked by the growth of an export-oriented plantation sector. It was coffee to begin with but, following the severe blight that affected the coffee plantations in the 1880s, it gave way to tea and, later, rubber. Alongside that, there was also a steady growth in the area under coconut. As in other regions, the opening of the Suez Canal encouraged greater flow of foreign capital. The large plantations of coffee, tea and rubber were developed predominantly using British capital. Banking development in the island mirrored the changes overtaking the islands economy. Not coincidently, the European exchange banks also made their entry around this time to reap the benefits from the export trade. The foreign banks that made their appearance during this period were, in fact, branches of established British banks whose operations straddled many colonial territories. The Bank of Ceylon, promoted in 1841 by William Thompson, a London merchant with business in Ceylon, was the first modern bank to appear on the island. Short-lived, the bank collapsed following the coffee crisis in 184748. It was taken over by the Oriental Banking Corporation in 1851. The Chartered Mercantile Bank and the Bank of Madras opened a branch each in Ceylon in 1854 and 1867, respectively. With the coming of the exchange banks, the Chettiars forfeited their earlier pre-eminent position in the sphere of currency exchange, and the business of discounting sterling bills slipped out of their hands. Their role as major suppliers of credit to the European merchants was considerably eroded. Despite this setback, they more than made up for this loss in the short run by channelizing their investments into newly emerging areas. Besides the large British-owned and managed coffee plantation estates, there were also a number of small coffee holdings owned by the Ceylonese. Likewise, in the latter half of the nineteenth century, the innocuous coconut was gradually gaining importance as a commercially viable and exportable commodity. The area under coconut went up threefold, from 2 lakh acres in 1860 to 6 lakh by 1900. Coconut, unlike coffee and tea, was grown in relatively small holdings by the local Sinhala farmers. The production and marketing of coffee and coconut, besides other commodities, generated enormous demand for credit. For the large majority of these Ceylonese growers and merchants, however, the European banks were inaccessible because of the stiff standards of creditworthiness they set. This was compounded by the banks lending policy, which was largely geared towards the financing of export trade and the expatriate firms involved in this line of business. Under these circumstances, the growing demand for credit from the non-European segment of small and medium estate owners and merchants was a segment that the Chettiars could tap to their advantage. Utilizing their large pool of capital and the well-organized network of firms across the island, the Chettiars moved in to meet the demand for credit both in the urban and the rural sectors. The capital requirement for the initial investment in the Ceylonese coffee estates and coconut holdings was, to a large extent, sourced from the Chettiars. Excerpted with permission from Fortune Seekers, by Raman Mahadevan, published by Penguin Random House India. The book will be on sale in the last week of April. The Indian Army's General Officer Commanding (GOC) White Knight Corps paid homage to Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Kuldeep Chand of 9 Punjab who was killed in an encounter with terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor sector on April 11. He succumbed to injuries. Who was Kuldeep Chand? Kuldeep Chand was a soldier with the 9 Punjab regiment. He was deployed as Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). Speaking about his contribution, White Knight Corps of the Indian Army posted on X, General Officer Commanding (GOC) White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a Counter-Infiltration operation along the Line of Control in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr 2025" His teams valour and Sub Kuldeeps ultimate #sacrifice foiled an #infiltration attempt by #terrorists. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, it added. PTI reported that an alert army troops detected the movement of a group of heavily armed terrorists near a stream in a dense forested area in the Keri Bhattal area late Friday night. Upon challenging them, a fierce gunfight broke out, which lasted for an extended period. Also Read | Army official killed in encounter with terrorists in J&K's Akhnoor sector Numerous surveillance measures and ambushes were formed in the area based on intelligence inputs in a joint operation led by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), ANI cited its sources. Four police personnel were killed in action, and two terrorists were neutralised on March 28 in Kathua. As per reports, over the past year, Kathua has become a significant infiltration route for Pakistan-based terrorists attempting to reach the upper areas of Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar districts, and further into the Kashmir Valley. Meanwhile, the White Knight Corps earlier stated that two more Pakistani terrorists were shot dead in the ongoing Operation Chhatru in Kishtwar. It said, Contact was established late evening on the same day. The #terrorists were effectively engaged and firefight ensued. One #terrorist has thus far been neutralised. Despite hostile terrain & adverse weather, relentless operations by our #brave #Soldiers continues. (With inputs from agencies) Murshidabad Violence: Two people were hacked to death by a mob, while another person succumbed to injuries in West Bengal's Murshidabad amid fresh violence on Saturday, a day after widespread unrest during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. The Calcutta High Court has ordered deployment of central forces in violence-hit Murshidabad, after BJP them. 118 people have been arrested in connection with the Murshidabad riot, with police raids continuing across multiple locations. Murshidabad Violence: Here are Top Developments Suvendu Adhikari Moves Calcutta High Court West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has moved Calcutta High Court, seeking deployment of central forces in West Bengal. "In view of the large-scale communal riots spreading like wildfire across West Bengal, I had sought immediate intervention from the state government for the requisition of central paramilitary forces. The state government did not accept it. With no other option, I approached the High Court for an urgent hearing... My prayer has been accepted and a division bench of Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Raja Basu Chaudhary will hear the PIL filed by me," said Suvendu Adhikari. 2. CM Mamata Banerjee Urges Peace Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government, CM Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X, urging peace among rioters in Murshidabad. "We have made our position clear on this matter -- we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about," she asked. MP Abhishek Banerjee also said, 'Appeal to everyone today to maintain peace and preserve Bengal's legacy of harmony". Also Read | Mamata Banerjee says won't implement Waqf Act in Bengal 3. Father Son Hacked to Death Two people were killed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district amid violent clashes linked to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The victims, a father and son, were found with multiple stab wounds at their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area. 4. Bullet Injured Person Succumbs to Death In a separate incident, one person who sustained bullet injuries in the Samserganj area, succumbed to injuries. Police officials said their personnel were unlikely to be involved in the firing, suggesting that it could possibly have come from the BSF, as central forces had been deployed in the area to control the unrest. 5. Suvendu Adhikari Writes to Ashwini Vaishnaw Suvendu Adhikari, meanwhile, wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the vandalism of railway property in the district. "Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, rather a premeditated act of violence, an assault on Democracy and Governance by Jihadist forces who seek to spread chaos in order to assert their dominance and sow fear amongst other Communities of our Society," he said in a post on X. 6. Murshidabad Violence On Friday, widespread violence erupted across Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly districts during protests against the new legislation. Several vehicles, including police vans, were set ablaze, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked. Security has been tightened in Murshidabad's Jangipur after protests over Waqf Act turned violent in Dhuliyan-Ratanpur area. 7. BJP Flags Jihadist Forces The BJP slammed TMC government, urging it to seek assistance from the Centre if it was "incapable" of handling the law and order situation. Suvendu Adhikari described the unrest as a premeditated act of violence, an assault on democracy and governance by Jihadist forces, rather than a protest. 8. BJP chief accuses Mamata govt of 'inaction' Union minister and Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday called upon Mamata Banerjee to strictly enforce the rule of law in trouble-torn pockets of Murshidabad district accusing her administration of choosing to look the other way as "Hindus are coming under attack" in Samserganj, Suti and Jangipur. Majumdar told reporters that 10 police personnel were injured and the BDO office was vandalised by a mob, as the appeasement-driven state administration did not take appropriate steps. 9. BJP stoking communal tension, says TMC TMC Leader Derek O'Brien Saturday accused the BJP of stoking communal tension across the country after the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and termed it a "classic playbook of the BJP-RSS". TMC National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee also joined the chorus and said, "Some people want to set Bengal on fire. We should maintain peace and not fall prey to rumours... Many people are trying to create unrest in Bengal by sowing seeds of division in the name of religion. Happy Baisakhi 2025: The spring harvest celebration of Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, takes place every year on April 13 or 14. One of the most auspicious festivals of the Sikh community will be celebrated on April 14 this year. Observed on the first day of the month of Vaisakh, the festival is celebrated with enthusiasm and vigour especially across Punjab to mark the birth of the Khalsa order by Guru Gobind Singh. Baisakhi 2025 significance As per legend, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Sikh Guru, established the Khalsa on Vaisakhi day, in 1699, Drik Panchang states. Guru Gobind Singh, who was a warrior, poet, and philosopher, is a revered last human Sikh Guru known to have eliminated the difference between higher and lower caste communities and declared that all human beings are equal. Baisakhi 2025 date and shubh muhurat time As per Drik Panchang, Baisakhi will be celebrated on Monday, April 14 this year Baisakhi 2025 shubh nuhurat time: Vaishakhi Sankranti Moment - 3:30 AM Also Read | Tamil New Year 2025: Know date and time to celebrate Puthandu Baisakhi 2025 celebrations The celebrations involve not only a visit to Gurudwaras to pay respects to saints but also distribution of langar. On this day, farmers thank nature for abundant crop harvest and seek blessings for next harvest. We have compiled specially curated wishes, quotes, messages and greetings to make Baisakhi a joyous occasion for your loved ones. Baisakhi 2025 wishes This Baisakhi, I hope sadness walks out of the door and happiness steps in. Have a great day. May Waheguru bless you with growth, health and peace on this festival of harvest. Happy Baisakhi! Celebrate this day as it is the first day of the rest of the year. Happy Baisakhi. Have a great festival of harvest. May god bless you with the best. On this auspicious day, I wish you happiness, togetherness and prosperity. May you have a great year ahead. With love and excitement, lets celebrate this day of Baisakhi. May prosperity and joy walk right in your door today. Happy Baisakhi. May the festival of Baisakhi bring abundant joy and prosperity to all. Happy Baisakhi 2025! On this auspicious occasion of Baisakhi, let's celebrate the abundance of harvest, the bond of community, and the promise of eternal paradise. Happy Baisakhi 2025! Let's celebrate the festival of Baisakhi together as a family & make unforgettable memories. Happy Baisakhi 2025! Warmest greetings on Baisakhi for you and your family. May the joy of new harvest find the way to you. Keep yourself in high spirits as we celebrate the auspicious day of Baisakhi 2025. May God bless you with all that you are praying for. Have a great year ahead. Happy Baisakhi 2025! On this auspicious occasion of Baisakhi, let's celebrate the abundance of harvest, the bond of community, and the promise of eternal paradise. Happy Baisakhi 2025! May this Baisakhi bring abundant happiness, prosperity, and harmony in your life. Happy Baisakhi 2025! I convey my heartiest wishes to you all on the glorious occasion of Baisakhi 2025! Wishing you the festival of harvest with love and joy. Hope god blesses you with the best Baisakhi 2025! Let's pray for it to be a year with new peace, new happiness, and an abundance of new friends. Happy Baisakhi 2025! May the divine light of Waheguru fill your life with joy and happiness. Happy Baisakhi 2025! May this Baisakhi your day be bright and joyful, like the upcoming year. Happy Baisakhi 2025! May you Harvest Health, Happiness, and togetherness this Baisakhi 2025. As we embrace the vibrant colours and flavours of this auspicious festival, let's renew our commitment to each other and to the values of hard work, prosperity, and gratitude. Happy Baisakhi 2025! May this Baisakhi fill your life with the colours of love, joy and happiness. Happy Baisakhi 2025! Just as a new bloom spreads fragrance and freshness around. May the new year add a new beauty, freshness into your life. Happy Baisakhi 2025! May this auspicious new start open up the path for new possibilities! Baisakhi 2025 images Happy Baisakhi 2025: May the festival of Baisakhi bring you good fortune, success, and happiness in all your endeavours. Wishing you a joyous spring season. Happy Baisakhi. Happy Baisakhi 2025: I wish you a harvest of joy, prosperity, and endless blessings on this Baisakhi! May your life be as colourful and joyful as the festival itself. Happy Baisakhi. Happy Baisakhi 2025: May your Baisakhi be blessed with the bounty of the season and a harvest of joy and prosperity. Baisakhi Mubarak ho. Happy Baisakhi 2025: On the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi, may your life be filled with happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you and your family a Happy Baisakhi. Happy Baisakhi 2025: My heartiest wishes to you and your family on the glorious occasion of Baisakhi. May this be the beginning of a lucky year ahead. Happy Baisakhi. Delhiites breathe a sigh of relief with the chills brought in from the rains after intense heatwave conditions in the past few days as early as in the month of April when the mercury soared 41 degrees Celsius at many stations across the national capital. The Regional Meteorological Centre, New Delhi, issued a yellow alert for April 12, predicting light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightening and strong surface winds. On Saturday, the temperature in national capital region is expected to settle anywhere between 36 and 19 degrees Celsius. Also Read | Rainfall warning ousts heatwave alert! IMD predicts wet spells in THESE states With no weather alerts in the coming days, the weather agency forecasted return of heatwave conditions from April 16 onwards. After a massive duststorm and gusty winds struck the national capital on Friday evening, several trees were uprooted. Additionally, thunderstorms caused power disruptions in several parts of the city as electric poles reportedly fell due to impact of strong winds. In the wake of this situation, over 15 flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. In a post on X, airport operator DIAL stated, 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. Weather forecast for rest of India The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert warning for Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Eastern Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Sikkim and Northern West Bengal for today. The weather department forecasted precipitation in these regions which will be accompanied by thunderstorms, lightening and strong surface winds. IMD in its latest press release forecasted heavy rainfall in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh on April 12; and in Assam and Meghalaya until April 15. Furthermore, light to moderate rainfall is likely in Uttarakhand today and over northeast and adjoining east India over the next 6 days. The weather bulletin dated April 11 states, Fall in maximum temperatures by 2C likely over Northwest India during next 3 days and gradual rise by 3-5C thereafter during subsequent 4 days. Fall in maximum temperatures by 2C likely over Central India during next 3 days and gradual rise by 2-4C thereafter during subsequent 4 days. An interim trade deal between India and the United States could be concluded within the 90-day tariff suspension period announced by the Trump administration, provided it benefits both nations, an official stated on Friday. The official also mentioned that India and the US have already agreed on the terms of reference (ToR) to initiate negotiations for the agreement, PTI reported. "A lot of possibilities are there to finalise low-hanging fruits. A lot of possibilities are there to finalise the form and shape of the BTA," the official said, adding that everything is possible in 90 days if it is a win-win for both sides. India and the US are engaged in finalising the trade agreement. Both sides have targeted to conclude the first phase by fall (September-October) this year with an aim to more than double the bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from about USD 191 billion currently,PTI reported. "The work has started. India is far ahead of other countries in negotiating a trade deal," the government official said, adding that India is in continuous engagement with the US. A lot of negotiations will happen through video conferencing and there could be some physical visits. The US, on April 2, announced an additional 26 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the US. But on April 9, the Trump administration announced the suspension of these on India for 90 days until July 9 this year. However, the 10 per cent baseline tariff imposed on the countries will continue to remain in place. The official added that US Vice President J D Vance is also likely to travel to India. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India is in continuous dialogue with the US on the proposed agreement, and the government will safeguard the nation's and public interests, as it is never advisable to take any step in undue haste. 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 earlier, we do not negotiate at the gunpoint. Time restrictions are good as they encourage us to negotiate 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. Talking at another event on a possible deadline to conclude talks for the India-US pact, he said countries always need to have timelines or deadlines for whatever work they do. "But in the case of free trade agreements, these are indicative timelines. We aspire for those timelines. 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 a deadline, you cannot compromise national interest," he added. From 2021-22 to 2023-24, the US was India's largest trading partner. The US accounts for about 18 per cent of India's total goods exports, 6.22 per cent in imports, and 10.73 per cent in bilateral trade. In the fiscal year 2023-24, India recorded a trade surplus of USD 35.32 billion in goods with the United States. This marked an increase from the USD 27.7 billion surplus in 2022-23, USD 32.85 billion in 2021-22, USD 22.73 billion in 2020-21, and USD 17.26 billion in 2019-20. India's top exports to the US in 2024 included drug formulations and biologicals (USD 8.1 billion), telecom equipment (USD 6.5 billion), precious and semi-precious stones (USD 5.3 billion), petroleum products (USD 4.1 billion), gold and other jewellery made of precious metals (USD 3.2 billion), cotton ready-made garments and accessories (USD 2.8 billion), and iron and steel products (USD 2.7 billion). Humne pahle bhi kai baar kaha hai ki hum banduk rakhke kabhi negotiate nai karte hain. (I have said it many times earlier, we do not negotiate at the gunpoint.) On the import side, key items from the US were crude oil (USD 4.5 billion), petroleum products (USD 3.6 billion), coal and coke (USD 3.4 billion), cut and polished diamonds (USD 2.6 billion), electrical machinery (USD 1.4 billion), aircraft and spacecraft components (USD 1.3 billion), and gold (USD 1.3 billion). Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has held a conversation with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. During our call, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna informed me about the detention by the Estonian Navy of an unregistered Russian shadow fleet oil tanker. I am deeply grateful for Estonias consistent stance and leadership in countering Russian shadow fleet, raising the cost of war for the aggressor and strengthening our common security, Sybiha said on X. In addition, the development of bilateral relations between the countries was discussed. We also coordinated further joint efforts to develop our bilateral dialogue and ensure a just peace for Ukraine and all of Europe, the minister said. As reported, on Friday, April 11, the Estonian Navy detained a vessel without a flag of any previously sanctioned state. It was later revealed that the vessel was the oil tanker Kiwala. According to the Ukrainian state portal WarSanctions, this is a ship of the Russian shadow fleet IMO 9332810, which exports sanctioned Russian crude oil and oil products to third countries. The vessel is under sanctions of the European Union, Great Britain, Canada and Switzerland in connection with its involvement in the transportation of Russian oil and/or oil products from the Russian Federation to third countries. The vessel was last seen under the flag of Djibouti, calling at ports in the Russian Federation, India and Oman. According to Marine Traffic, the tanker is currently anchored in Muuga Bay, east of Aegna Island, with two warships nearby. The vessel had already been sanctioned for previous illegal activities by both the European Union and several countries (United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland). The tanker was heading from the port of Sikka in India to the port of Ust-Luga in the Russian Federation, so there was probably no cargo. During the detention, the Transport Council checks the technical condition and insurance of the vessel, as well as the documents of its members. There are 24 people on the ship. According to Estonian authorities, the ship's captain is a Chinese citizen and is cooperating with the investigation. The rest of the ship's crew are likely Myanmar citizens. China is making serious efforts to woo Indians to visit the country. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens as of April 9. The move comes as part of China's efforts to simplify the travel process for Indians who want to visit the country. Chinese Ambassador in India Xu Feihong urged more Indians to visit China and explore the country, calling them friends. As of April 9, 2025, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens traveling to China this year. Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China, he wrote in a post on X on Sunday. Earlier in March, the Chinese Ambassador had announced that the country had issued over 50,000 visas to Indians. While flowers blossom in spring, we welcome more Indian friends to visit China and get a first-hand experience of China in spring, Feihong had said at the time. China visa norms for Indians Over the recent months, China has introduced several relaxation in the visa process involving Indian citizens. New Chinese visa rule changes include doing away with mandatory online appointments, reduction in visa fees and more. The steps are being taken to facilitate travel between the countries. Here are the relaxed Chinese visa rules for Indians: No more online appointments: Indians who apply for Chinese visas will no longer be mandatorily required to book an appointment online anymore, facilitating a faster and smoother visa application process. Biometric exemption: Indian applicants are also no longer required to submit their biometric data if they want to visit China for a short period, which reduces visa processing time. Faster processing: China has also streamlined the visa approval timeline to ensure quicker approvals, making the process smooth. Reduced visa fees: Chinese visa fees has also been cut down to accommodate more Indian tourists in China. Tourism encouragement: The Chinese Embassy in India and other authorities across the nations are promoting Chinese tourism to woo more Indian travellers. Also Read | Saudi Arabia bans visas for 14 countries including India; full list India-China travel agreement In January this year, India and China agreed to resume direct air services after nearly five years and work on resolving differences over trade and economic issues. The decision came after a meeting between India's top diplomat Vikram Misri and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Ministry of External affairs said that both sides would negotiate a framework on the flights' resumption at an "early date". Tensions had soured between India and China in the wake of the 2020 clash between troops along their border in the Himalayas, which killed at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese. However, the relations have improved since an agreement in October to ease a military standoff on the mountainous border, the same month that President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks in Russia. Jammu and Kashmir: According to officials on Saturday, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army succumbed to injuries in an encounter with terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector but their infiltration bid was thwarted. They said alert army troops detected the movement of a group of heavily armed terrorists near a stream in a dense forested area in the Keri Bhattal area late Friday night. Upon challenging them, a fierce gunfight broke out, which lasted for an extended period, PTI reported. Officials added the whole area has been cordoned off with deployment of reinforcements and a search operation was in progress when last updates were received. It follows two days after the India and Pakistan chaired a brigade commander-level flag meeting in Poonch district to talk about the issues related to border management. Since February, it was the second such meeting in a bid to de-escalate tension after approximately a dozen incidents of cross-border firing, including an IED attack. Army personnel killed on February 11 Two Army personnel, comprising Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas and captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi from Jharkhand, lost their lives and another was injured when terrorists set off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on February 11 in the Bhattal area of Akhnoor around 3:50 pm when they were on patrolling duty near a forward post. After a two week leave, Manhas had re-joined his Army unit on January 28 and was supposed to get married on April 20. In an unprecedented ruling, the Supreme Court prescribed that the president must decide on the bills reserved for her consideration by the governor within a period of three months from the date on which such reference is received, PTI reported. We deem it appropriate to adopt the timeline prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs... and prescribe that the President is required to take a decision on the bills reserved for his consideration by the Governor within a period of three months from the date on which such reference is received, the top court said. It added, in the event of any delay beyond the stipulated period, valid reasons would need to be documented and communicated to the concerned state, mentioning states were expected to cooperate by providing timely responses to any queries raised and to give prompt consideration to the central government's suggestions. "In case of any delay beyond this period, appropriate reasons would have to be recorded and conveyed to the concerned State. The States are also required to be collaborative and extend co-operation by furnishing answers to the queries which may be raised and consider the suggestions made by the Central government expeditiously," it added. It further said, "Where the Governor reserves a Bill for the consideration of the President and the President in turn withholds assent thereto then, it shall be open to the State Government to assail such an action before this Court". Supreme Court set timeline for Governors A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan on April 8 set aside the reservation of the 10 bills for the president's consideration in the second round holding it as illegal, erroneous in law. It cleared 10 bills, which were stalled and reserved by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi for the president's consideration, and set a timeline for all governors to act on the bills passed by the state assemblies, the 415-page order was made public at 10:54 pm on Friday. The delay in giving assent by the governor prompted the Tamil Nadu government to move the top court in 2023, claiming 12 bills, comprising one from 2020, were pending with him. The governor stated he was withholding assent to 10 bills on November 13, 2023, after which the legislative assembly convened a special session and re-enacted the very same bills on November 18, 2023. Later, some of the bills were reserved for the president's consideration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday mourned the loss of Kathak icon Kumudini Lakhia, hailing her as an outstanding cultural icon. PM Modi said her passion towards Kathak and Indian classical dances was reflected in her "remarkable work over the years." The Prime Minister also called her a true pioneer, adding that she nurtured generations of dancers. Her contributions will continue to be cherished, he said. Deeply saddened by the passing of Kumudini Lakhia ji, who made a mark as an outstanding cultural icon. Her passion towards Kathak and Indian classical dances was reflected in her remarkable work over the years. A true pioneer, she also nurtured generations of dancers. Her contributions will continue to be cherished. Condolences to her family, students and admirers. Om Shanti, PM Modi wrote in a post on X. President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the loss of the Padma Shri awardee, saying Kumundini Lakhia transformed the way how Kathak dance is presented. Sad to learn about the passing away of eminent Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia Ji. Honoured with Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, Lakhia ji trained and mentored numerous students through KADAMB Centre for Dance. She transformed the presentation of Kathak dance through innovative contemporary interpretations. Her contribution in the field of performing arts will be cherished forever. My deep condolences to her family, friends and admirers, Murmu's office said in an X post. Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also took to X to mourn Kumudini Lakhia's death. Shradhanjali to Kathak legend Kumudini Lakhia ji. Her passing away leaves the entire world of Kathak and Indian classical dance bereaved. Her contribution towards redefining Kathak vocabulary remain unparalleled. Praying for Sadgati for her and strength to all family members and her students in this hour of grief, he said. Who is Kumudini Lakhia? Kumudini Lakhia passed away at the age of 95 on Saturday in Ahmedabad. She was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan on Republic Day earlier this year. The Kathak icon was earlier awarded the Padma Shri in 1987 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010, along with several other prestigious honours throughout her illustrious career. Also Read | Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away A pioneer in contemporary Kathak dance, Kumudini Lakhia was born in 1930. She has been credited with introducing the world to a new form of Kathak dance, moving away from solo performances and turning it into a group spectacle during the 1960s. She started her Kathak training at the age of 7 but Kumudini Lahia's Kathak career began with Ram Gopal as he toured the West and brought the world's attention on Indian dance forms. She was trained by maestros of the Jaipur Gharana and Pandit Shambhu Maharaj, and developed as a seasoned dancer and choreography pioneer over time. After delivering solo performances for two decades, Lakhia started Kadamb Centre for Dance in Ahmedabad in 1967. By 1973, she was engaged in full-time choreography. A Jharkhand Jaguar constable was killed, while a CRPF jawan was injured in an IED blast in Jharkhands West Singhbhum district on Saturday, a police officer said. The incident took place at Radhapora area under Jaraikela police station limits, he said. "Two jawans one from CoBRA 203 battalion and another from Jharkhand Jaguar were injured in the incident. Both were airlifted to Ranchi for better treatment," Kolhan DIG Manoj Ratan Chothe told PTI. They were identified as Vishnu Saini from CoBRA and Sunil Dhan from Jharkhand Jaguar. Dhan succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a hospital in Ranchi, according to a police statement. The condition of Saini is stated to be critical, it added. "In a forested area located between the border of Chhotanagra and Jaraikela police stations, Naxalites opened fire and triggered an IED targeting security forces during an operation on Saturday. In response, security forces retaliated. However, the Maoists took advantage of the dense forests to escape," the statement added. Murshidabad Violence: The Ministry of Home Affairs have informed that apart from nearly 300 BSF personnel locally available in Murshidabad, additional 5 Companies have been deployed at the request of the CM Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal Government. The DGP, West Bengal, briefed that the situation was tense but under control and was being monitored closely. DGP further stated that he is taking the assistance of BSF posted locally, and that more than 150 persons have been arrested. Till now seven companies of BSF have been deployed in strife-hit Suti, Dhuliyan and Samserganj areas of Murshidabad, the state lawyer told the court. The Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengals Murshidabad district, which has been hit by violence allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Union Home Secreatry Govind Mohan held a video conference with Chief Secretary and DGP of West Bengal on Murshidabad violence. Mohan asked them keep close watch on violence stricken Murshidabad. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee says won't implement Waqf Act in Bengal 3 killed Amid Waqf Act Violence in Murshidabad Three persons, including a father-son duo, were killed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following clashes allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, an IPS officer said on Saturday. The father-son duo Harogobindo Das and Chandan were found with multiple stab wounds inside their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area, he said. The third victim, identified as 21-year-old Ijaz Momin, sustained bullet wounds during clashes at Sajur More in Suti on Friday. In a separate incident, two workers of a local bidi factory sustained bullet injuries earlier in the day at Dhulian in Samserganj block. On Friday, 18 policemen were injured during clashes in various parts of Murshidabad district, Additional Director General (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim said. The Enforcement Directorate said on Saturday, April 12, it has moved to seize possession of immovable assets worth 661 crore linked to the money laundering case against Congress-controlled Associated Journals Limited (AJL). Notably, Rahul and Sonia Gandhi own over 75 per cent of the AJL shares. The federal probe agency said in a statement that it has affixed these notices at the Herald House located in Delhi at ITO, at the premises in Bandra area of Mumbai and the AJL building located at Bisheshwar Nath Road in Lucknow on Friday. The notices seek vacation of the premises or transfer of rent (in the case of the Mumbai asset) to the ED. The ED had linked these immovable properties in November 2023 as part of the money laundering case against AJL and Young Indian. The action has been taken under Section (8) and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) that talks about the procedure of taking possession of the assets that are attached by the ED and confirmed by the adjudicating authority (of PMLA). ED began its probe in the National Herald case after Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint in 2014, accusing Sonia, Rahul Gandhi, and other senior Congress leaders of taking over AJL properties for a mere sum of 50 lakh. The properties are worth over 2,000 crore. The National Herald is published by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which is owned by Young Indian Private Limited. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi each hold a 38% stake in Young Indian, making them its majority shareholders. Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further proceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of 18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of 38 crore and bogus advertisements of 29 crore, the ED alleged. In a rare and deeply distressing incident, a woman in Brisbane, Australia, has given birth to another couples child due to an IVF error at Monash IVF, one of the countrys prominent fertility clinics, as per media reports. The mix-up, which took place during a routine embryo implantation procedure, came to light in February 2025 when the birth parents sought to transfer their remaining embryos to another clinic and noticed inconsistencies. According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the woman had undergone IVF treatment at Monash IVF, but the embryo implanted in her uterus was not her own. As a result, she carried and delivered a child genetically unrelated to her or her partner. Also Read | Indira IVF Hospital IPO: Fertility clinic chain scraps plans to launch issue IVF mishap: What do laws say? Legal experts say the case presents a complex and unprecedented legal dilemma. Under current Australian law, the woman who gives birth to a child is presumed to be the legal mother, regardless of genetics. This means the birth parentsdespite having no biological connectionmay be legally recognised, potentially leaving the genetic parents without parental rights. There are presumptions in Australia about the birth parents being the legal parents of the child, said family creation lawyer Sarah Jefford, speaking to ABC News. But whether the genetic parents want to come forward and start a discussion about that, then well have to wait and see. Terrible, says ex-director of IVF clinic Professor Gab Kovacs, a pioneer in IVF and former director of Monash IVF, called the situation terrible and sad for everyone involved. Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne, he acknowledged the immense emotional toll this will take on both couples, as well as on the scientist responsible for the mix-up. I dont think theres much more that can be done; we just have to accept that human beings make mistakes, he said, adding that he was unsure how Australian law would ultimately rule in such an unprecedented situation. Also Read | Indian Consulate in Australia defaced in shocking act of vandalism UPI down: The Unified Payments Interface experienced a significant outage today, affecting popular apps like Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay. This disrupted everyday transactions and caused chaos for several social media users who frequently use UPI for payments. How users are affected? According to disruption tracking platform Downdetector, the outage peaked at 11:30 am on Saturday, April 12, when several users complained about difficulties with digital payments in apps including Phonepe, Google Pay, Paytm and others. Downdetector showed that 76 per cent of users faced problems regarding payments, 23 per cent could not transfer funds. The reason for the outage is not known yet. Responding to the outage the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on X said, NPCI is currently facing intermittent technical issues, leading to partial UPI transaction declines. We are working to resolve the issue, and will keep you updated. We regret the inconvenience caused. Also Read | Mobile payments near 200 lakh crore in 2H 2024 as UPI leads digital surge UPI outage on April 2 This is the second time in the last ten days that UPI users have faced disruption with digital payments. On April 2, several users complained about the inability to make UPI payments on digital platforms such as Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, etc. According to NPCI, UPI was down due to fluctuations in the success rates in some banks, which increased the latency in the UPI network. Social media users react Several social media users expressed their frustration over the UPI outage and advised others to carry cash. One of the users said, UPI is down, Please carry your wallet. UPI is down again today, all payment are getting failed. Atleast there should be prior intimation sent incase of planned outage. So we can plan accordingly, complained another added. Stuck here at this fuel station from past 20+ minutes because UPI server is down, Im not carrying cash/card and I already fueled up my car, one of the users said. UPI down, convinced auto guy will pay once UPI is working. Always carry cash lesson learnt, added another. US President Donald Trump addressed the speculation, praising Tesla CE Elon Musk's achievements while clarifying that he isnt reliant on the billionaire. Elons done an outstanding job, Trump said during a recent media interaction. Elon has done a fantastic job. I don't need Elon for anything other than I happen to like him. I'm telling you, this guy did a fantastic job. I bought one of his cars and I paid TOP PRICE, you know what I do with it? I let the people in the office drive around with it. It's gorgeous. I did that as a show of support. He's done a fantastic job and he hasn't been treated properly. Watch the video here: Although Donald Trump noted that Elon Musk is involved in the government mainly because of their rapport, he has previously praised Musk and his contributions to the DOGE initiative. Recently, Musk shared that his work related to DOGE is nearing completion, and he plans to return full-time to managing his businesses. Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment, saying Musk will always be a friend and adviser to both him and Trump, but he acknowledged that Musks DOGE role will eventually conclude. At one point, Trump expressed interest in having Musk involved in government for as long as possible, but also recognized that Musk has numerous business ventures demanding his attention and would eventually shift focus back to them. Elon has done a fantastic job. I don't need Elon for anything other than I happen to like him. Elon Musks backing of Trumps GOP rivals in Wisconsin and his recent proposal for a US-Europe free trade zone have stirred controversy. He also took a swipe at Trumps senior advisor Peter Navarro, mocking him as dumber than a sack of bricks after Navarro referred to Musk as just a car assembler. Lithuania pledges additional EUR 30 mln for military support to Ukraine at Ramstein Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene announced new contributions for military aid to Ukrainians at the 27th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence in the Ramstein format in Brussels. "Lithuania pledged additional EUR 30 million contribution to Ukraine at Rammstein meeting today. In total, EUR 110 million pledged in 2025, aiming for EUR 200 million+," she wrote on the social network X. In particular, Lithuania promises to allocate funds for ammunition. We are talking about EUR 20 million in addition to the previously promised EUR 13 million for the initiative for 2 million artillery shells, led by the Czech Republic. Were surpassing our obligation by 50%, the minister added. In addition, Lithuania will contribute EUR 7 million for short-range electronic warfare and anti-drone rifles produced by the Lithuanian defense industry. "Were tripling the amount of EW support," Sakaliene emphasized. She also promised weekly deliveries of demining equipment both bilaterally and through the Lithuanian-Iceland-led Mine Action Coalition. 7 battalions to be equipped & trained in 2025, she announced. Among other things, Lithuania took part in the signing ceremony of the Letter of Intent to join the new EW Coalition. A 69-year-old woman was shot and killed by New York State Police early Saturday morning (April 12) after allegedly pointing a weapon at officers during a response to a domestic dispute on Forrest Drive in upstate New York. The woman, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, was pronounced dead after being transported to Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. Domestic dispute leads to shooting At approximately 2:30 a.m., State Police responded to a reported domestic disturbance at a residence on Forrest Drive. Upon arrival, they encountered an injured man on the front porch who stated that the woman had a knife and a gun. The man claimed that during an argument, the woman had stabbed him in the stomach. Troopers fired on woman after threat According to the State Police news release, shortly after the mans statement, the woman exited the house and pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the officers. Two troopers then fired at the woman, striking her. Troopers attempted to provide immediate medical aid and called for EMS, the release stated. US Vice President JD Vance and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are expected to visit India around April 21-25, in what is being viewed as a diplomatic coup for India. JD Vance and Mike Waltz's India visit comes amid talks that Delhi wants to finalise a bilateral deal with Donald Trump, reported Reuters, citing an unnamed trade official. The development comes just days after Trump appeared to reverse course by announcing a 90-day temporary pause on tariffs affecting India and several other trading partners. Why are Mike Waltz and JD Vance visiting India? Both Mike Waltz and JD Vance are expected to discuss India-US ties in an official and a Track-II meeting in Delhi, mentioned a report by The Indian Express. What's on the agenda for Mike Waltz? Mike Waltz is expected to visit India for the first round of the dialogue on critical technologies, an initiative that began as iCET and has since been rebranded as TRUST under the Trump administration. During his India visit, Mike Waltz is likely to meet with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, with both sides expected to discuss the future of bilateral collaboration on advanced technologies. When will Mike Waltz visit India? Mike Waltz is expected to travel to India between April 21 and 23, reported PTI. What's on the agenda for JD Vance? Reportedly, JD Vance will be accompanied by his Indian-origin wife, Usha. Their visit is expected to be personal, for the couple to introduce their children sons Ewan and Vivek and daughter Maribel to India, the people said. It will be 75% personal in nature, with a 25% official component, PTI quoted a source as saying. When will JD Vance visit India? JD Vance is likely to visit India on April 21, reported PTI. There is only a brief window for a potential meeting between Vice President JD Vance, NSA Mike Waltz, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Modi is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia from April 22 to 23, according to sources, as per reports. Which locations will JD Vance visit in India? According to PTI, an American advance security team has assessed several cities that JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance are likely to go to, during their India visit. A US immigration judge ruled on Friday that the Trump administration can deport Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil. The ruling by Judge Jamee Comans of the LaSalle Immigration Court in Louisiana does not mean Khalil would be immediately removed from the country. Also Read | Trump to Scrap Deportation Protections for Afghans, Cameroonians But it represented a significant victory for US President Donald Trump in his efforts to deport foreign pro-Palestinian students who are in the United States legally and, like Khalil, have not been charged with any crime, Reuters reported. Khalil's lawyers are expected to appeal. The judge gave his lawyers until 23 April to appeal against the order. In a separate case in New Jersey, US District Judge Michael Farbiarz blocked deportation while he considers Khalil's claim that his arrest was made in violation of the US Constitution's First Amendment protections for freedom of speech. Who is Mahmoud Khalil? Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, is a pro-Palestinian (or anti-Israel) activist who helped lead protests against Israel at the university. He was detained last month over his role in pro-Palestinian protests, BBC reported. The 30-year-old was a prominent voice at Columbia University's protests against the war in Gaza last year. Also Read | US Lawyer Refuses to Reveal Wrongly Deported Mans Fate to Judge The activist has been held at a Louisiana detention centre since March 8, when immigration officers told him he was being deported for taking part in protests against the war in Gaza. Khalil, a permanent legal US resident, has not been charged with a crime. In a letter written from the facility, he said his "arrest was a direct consequence" of speaking out for Palestinian rights. Khalil was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria. He holds Algerian citizenship and became a US lawful permanent resident last year. Khalil's wife is a US citizen. Why is Mahmoud Khalil in news? Mahmoud Khalil drew global attention after the Trump administration arrested and moved to deport him. The case raised questions about free speech on college campuses and the legal process that would allow for the deportation of a US permanent resident. The Columbia graduate's arrest by immigration agents was linked to Donald Trump's promise to crack down on student demonstrators he accuses of "un-American activity". US Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem wrote on X that Khalil's "removal should come as welcome news" as he "hates the United States and what we stand for". "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," she said in a post on X. Also Read | Venezuela Pledges to Free Citizens Deported to El Salvador Jail What did Mahmoud Khalil say after court ruling? Khalil addressed the court after the ruling and said, 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. Iran sought a "real and fair" agreement with the US on its nuclear programme, a senior aide to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday. The latest comments setting the stage for a diplomatic showdown this weekend in Oman. "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. According to news agency AFP, Iran and the United States are set to hold talks on Saturday aimed at reaching a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas 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. Shamkhani confirmed that Araghchi was heading to Oman "with full authority for indirect negotiations with America". He said that if Washington showed goodwill, the path forward would be "smooth". Iran had said on April 9 a new nuclear deal could be agreed with the US provided Tehran's longtime adversary shows sufficient goodwill in upcoming talks, as Israel warned of military action if talks drag on. Trump warns Last month, US President Donald Trump wrote to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging negotiations, but warning of possible military action if Iran refuses. Ahead of the talks on Saturday, Trump reiterated that military action was "absolutely" possible if they failed. 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". Also Read | Donald Trump confirms direct nuclear talks with Iran, meeting set for Saturday Iran responded by saying Tehran could expel UN nuclear inspectors. This prompted another US warning that this would be an "escalation". "Transfer of enriched materials to secure locations may also be considered," Khamenei's adviser Shamkhani added of Iran's uranium enrichment activities. Iran has consistently denied seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. "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. 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. Iran-US talks direct or indirect? Trump had first announced the Iran-US talks during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, AFP reported. He said the talks would be high-level and "direct", but Iran insisted they would be "indirect". "The talks will be conducted indirectly through the exchange of texts," claimed Iran's Fars news agency, without naming a source. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt insisted Friday that the talks would be direct, "and I want to make that very clear". She told reporters in Washington, The president believes in diplomacy, direct talks, talking directly in the same room. 2015 nuclear deal Meanwhile, expert-level consultations between Russia, China and Iran on nuclear issues were held in Moscow on Tuesday, Russia's foreign ministry had said. In recent months, Iran has also been talking with the three European parties Britain, France and Germany over the 2015 nuclear deal. 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. US sanctions on Iran The US imposed additional sanctions on Iran on Thursday, 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 was quoted by AFP as saying. They still think that they can stop this nation and country with threats and intimidation, psychological operations, or stupid actions, Eslami said. Israel announced on Saturday (April 12) that its military had completed the takeover of a new security corridor known as the Morag axis, which cuts across Gaza between the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis. Defense Minister Israel Katz said this move effectively links the Philadelphi Route along the Egyptian border to Morag, creating a wider Israeli-controlled security zone. Katz added that the military would intensify and expand operations across most of Gaza, warning residents to evacuate combat zones. Widening evacuation orders As part of the expanded offensive, Israel issued a sweeping evacuation order for tens of thousands of Palestinians living in and around Khan Yunis. The military said the move came after rocket fire from the area, prompting retaliatory strikes. The United Nations has expressed concern over the expanding evacuation orders, saying they result in the forcible transfer of Palestinians into smaller and more densely packed areas. Hamas reaction and Cairo talks Hamas has condemned the offensive as one that kills defenceless civilians and jeopardises the safety of Israeli hostages still in captivity. A Hamas official said the group is hoping for real progress during new ceasefire talks with Egyptian mediators in Cairo. Although no new ceasefire proposal had been officially received by Hamas, discussions were ongoing. Media reports suggested Egypt proposed a deal involving the release of eight living hostages and eight bodies in exchange for a 4070 day truce and a major prisoner release. High civilian toll and aid blockade Gazas Health Ministry reported that at least 1,563 Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, bringing the total death toll to over 50,900 since the war began. The ministry noted that most of the victims are women and children. Israel has maintained a blockade on aid into Gaza for over a month, arguing that sufficient supplies entered during the last ceasefire. Aid organisations have disputed this claim, warning of severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. Strategic land seizures The Morag corridor joins other key zones under Israeli control, including the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors. Together with expanded buffer zones, these give Israel control of over 50% of Gazas territory. The municipality of Rafah called the Israeli actions a flagrant breach of international legitimacy, while human rights groups have warned that Israels proposal for voluntary relocation of Palestinians could amount to ethnic cleansing. Casualties mount as fighting continues Israeli strikes killed at least 21 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Meanwhile, Israeli officials claim to have killed around 20,000 militants during the war. With both sides digging in, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as hopes for a ceasefire remain uncertain despite ongoing talks in Cairo. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday launched an in-depth interrogation of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the alleged mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, aiming to uncover the deeper layers of the conspiracy. The agency informed a Delhi court that it suspects Rana may have been planning similar large-scale attacks in other Indian cities as well. Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, was brought to the NIA headquarters early Friday morning, just after a Delhi court granted the agency 18 days of custody. He arrived in Delhi on Thursday evening via a chartered flight following his extradition from the United States, marking the end of a 16-year wait to bring one of the key accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks which claimed 166 lives and left over 238 injured to justice. "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 told ANI. 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. His (Rana) prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. Rana, a close associate of 26/11 mastermind David Coleman Headley (a.k.a. Daood Gilani), a U.S. citizen, is accused of conspiring with him, as well as members of designated terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI), along with other co-conspirators based in Pakistan, to execute the three-day terror assault on Mumbai Indias financial hub in November 2008. As the NIA begins to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, the agencys interrogation is reportedly centered on uncovering more details about Ranas alleged ties to LeT, the Pakistan-based terrorist organization that orchestrated the siege, ANI reported. Sources also revealed that Rana is being questioned about his suspected connections with Pakistans intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and his precise role in planning and facilitating the attacks. Here's what Rana will be questioned ANI reported citing 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 told ANI. Security beefed up The investigation is being led by NIA Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jaya Roy, who is also serving as the Chief Investigating Officer, according to sources. Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which the agency will conduct a detailed interrogation to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the NIA said in a statement released shortly after the court granted custody. The agency stated that as part of the criminal plot, Headleylisted as Accused No. 1had shared the details of the entire operation with Rana prior to his visit to India. To prepare for potential complications, Headley reportedly sent an email to Rana outlining his belongings and assets, the NIA informed the court. He also disclosed to Rana the involvement of Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman, both of whom are co-accused in the case. Ukraine on Saturday, April 12, claimed that a Russian missile has hit the warehouse an Indian pharmaceutical firm, Kusum. Taking a jibe at the Russian leadership and its special friendship with India, Kyiv accused Moscow of deliberately targeting Indian businesses in Ukraine. Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine. While claiming special friendship with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly, Ukrainian embassy said in a post on X. Before Ukrainian embassy, British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris posted a picture of the missile hit on the Indian pharmaceutical company that showed smoke billowing from the warehouse. He said, This morning Russian drones completely destroyed a major pharmaceuticals warehouse in Kyiv, incinerating stocks of medicines needed by the elderly and children. Russias campaign of terror against Ukrainian civilians continues. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine used a high-level conference in Turkey to once again trade accusations of violating a tentative US-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure, underscoring the challenges of negotiating an end to the 3-year-old war. While Moscow and Kyiv both agreed in principle last month to implement a limited, 30-day ceasefire, they issued conflicting statements soon after their separate talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia. They differed on the start time of halting strikes, and alleged near-immediate breaches by the other side. "The Ukrainians have been attacking us from the very beginning, every passing day, maybe with two or three exceptions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. A Russian official has accused Kyiv of more than 60 supposed breaches of the deal. Ukrainian minister Andrii Sybiha contested the claim, saying Russia had launched almost 70 missiles, over 2,200 (exploding) drones, and over 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine, mostly at civilians. The United States and Iran began indirect high-level talks in Oman on Saturday (April 12), seeking to ease growing tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme and avert the risk of military conflict. This marks the first direct diplomatic engagement under US President Donald Trumps current term. Talks through a mediator Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is leading Tehran's delegation, while Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff represents Washington. However, the two sides are not meeting face-to-face. Instead, messages are being relayed via Omans Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Iran and the United States have started indirect talks with the mediation of the Omani foreign minister, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei posted on X (formerly Twitter). Focus areas: De-escalation, sanctions, and prisoners According to a senior Omani source, the discussions will center on regional de-escalation, prisoner exchanges, and potential limited sanctions relief in return for checks on Irans rapidly advancing nuclear programme. There is a chance for initial understanding on further negotiations if the other party (U.S.) enters the talks with an equal stance, Araqchi told Iranian state television. A cautious Tehran Iran is approaching the negotiations with deep suspicion, particularly given Trumps past threats of military strikes. Before the talks, Araqchi met with Omans foreign minister in Muscat to outline Tehrans position. This is the first meeting, and in it, many fundamental and initial issues will be clarified, Araqchi said. Including, whether there is sufficient will on both sides, then we will make a decision on a timeline. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has given Araqchi full authority for the talks. High stakes for the region Any failure could raise the specter of a wider regional conflict. The Middle East has already seen heightened instability since 2023 with ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon, Iranian-Israeli missile exchanges, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and the toppling of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Nuclear dispute at the core Iran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, but Western powers and Israel view Tehrans enrichment of uraniumnow at 60% purityas a step toward weapons capability. Washingtons renewed maximum pressure campaign since February and Trump's 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal have fueled the current impasse. Israel, which sees Irans programme as an existential threat, has long vowed to act militarily if diplomacy fails. No compromise on missiles Iran insists its ballistic missile programme and defense capabilities are non-negotiable, a stance likely to remain a key sticking point. While early signs of progress could temper regional tensions, both sides remain deeply entrenched in positions that have fueled more than two decades of nuclear standoff. (With Reuters inputs) Also Read | Russian-US Dual citizen thanks Trump after her release in prisoner swap A Los Angeles-based ballet dancer, Ksenia Karelina, released by Russia as part of a prisoner swap landed safely in the United States Thursday night, the second swap under President Donald Trump as Moscow and Washington push to rebuild ties. Karelina descended the stairs of the jet plane where she was greeted by several loved ones -- including her boyfriend, South African boxer Chris van Heerden -- who applauded and shouted "welcome home!" before embracing her. She thanked Trump and said, grateful to be an American. Trump later posted it on his Truth Social channel captioning it as, 'glad to have you back home.' Who is Ksenia Karelina and why was she arrested? Karelina is a Los Angeles-based ballet dancer. She stayed in Maryland for few years, where she was briefly married, and later she moved to LA where she took up the job of an aesthetician at a local spa. Karelina, a US-Russian dual national, was convicted in Russia of "treason" over a one-time donation worth around $50 to a pro-Ukraine charity, landed at Joint Base Andrews just before 11:00 pm local time Thursday. In the prisnor swap, Washington freed Arthur Petrov, a Russian-German national accused of illegally exporting US-made electronics to manufacturers supplying the Russian military. The exchange took place at an airport in Abu Dhabi, where a dozen people wearing suits were present, video posted by Russia's FSB security service showed. The FSB video showed Petrov seated on a plane after he was freed, telling an unseen interviewer that he had not slept for two days but otherwise had no complaints. Petrov, arrested in Cyprus in 2023 and extradited to the United States, was facing 20 years in a US jail. What Trump said about the prisnor swap? Trump said Karelina's case was brought to his attention by the president of the UFC mixed martial arts league and that the United States then asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to free her. "She is now out, and that was good. So we appreciate that," Trump told reporters at a cabinet meeting. "We hope that we're going to be able to make a deal relatively soon with Russia and Ukraine to stop the fighting. It's so senseless," Trump said. (Bloomberg) -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. warned Food and Drug Administration staff about the influence of the deep state on the agency in an all-hands meeting Friday where he also made off-color comments about children with developmental disabilities. FDA employees gathered at the agencys Maryland-based headquarters for a viewing party to watch FDA commissioner Marty Makary and the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, who spoke from a separate room in the same building, according to an invitation seen by Bloomberg News and people familiar with the meeting. Makary and Kennedy began by laying out their vision for the FDA: examining the US food supply, making regulation more transparent and improving public health. But the meeting quickly turned to warnings of the deep state and influence of the Central Intelligence Agency, according to audio and transcripts obtained by Bloomberg News. The HHS chief encouraged whistleblowers to speak up if their supervisors push to approve unsafe products. The deep state is real, Kennedy said. There are institutional pressures that affect every institution thats created by human beings. He said the FDA, like other agencies, became captured by the industries that theyre supposed to regulate. He said the agency turned away dissidents and people who touted alternative medicines. HHS and FDA didnt respond to requests for comment through a press inquiry submitted electronically. A top Kennedy aide declined to provide comment, referring Bloomberg News to fill out the electronic form. Autism Epidemic Some FDA staffers said they were bewildered by Kennedys later comments, which focused on childrens health and what he described as an autism epidemic, these people said, asking not to be named discussing the private remarks. He recounted past experiences where he worked at a camp with retarded children, according to the people, a term many in the room found to be offensive when used to describe a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities. At the camp, he said he helped children who are essentially just in a vegetative state. He described how the children could sit on a bench and push off a bean bag onto the ground and everybody would cheer for them. But we couldnt have handled the kid with full blown autism. Kennedy has long misrepresented information about autism, including data about its prevalence. He has also spread false information linking autism to common childhood vaccinations. On Thursday after returning from a three-day press junket in the Southwest, he announced that HHS would pursue a massive testing and research effort to determine the cause of autism. By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and well be able to eliminate those exposures, Kennedy said at a televised White House cabinet meeting on Thursday. --With assistance from Madison Muller. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Sappers from the Interregional Center for Humanitarian Demining and Rapid Response of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine removed a Russian FAB-500 that did not explode near a residential area of the village of Slatyne (Kharkiv region) and transported it for further demining "The difficulty was that the aerial bomb had a detonator, so it could detonate at any moment," the press service of the State Emergency Service of Kharkiv region reported. Nainar Nagendran, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Tirunelveli constituency, was formally announced the president of Tamil Nadu BJP unit on Saturday, April 12. Flanked by former BJP chief Annamalai and other senior leaders of the BJP, Nainar Nagendran was warmly congratulated by those present. Nagendran will be succeeding former IPS officer K Annamalai, who is now all set for a national role that seems to be an apparent reward for his work in the Dravidian heartland. Annamalai was among the 10 leaders from the state who proposed the name of partys vice president and lawmaker Nainar Nagendran for the presidents position. He was also the only person to file nomination for the post. "He [Nagendran] was made the BJP legislature party leader owing to his experience. Now he has been entrusted with a greater role to steer the party to victory in the Assembly election next year," a BJP senior leader told PTI. WHO IS NAINAR NAGENDRAN? Born in Vadiveeswaram in neighbouring Kanyakumari district, Nainar Nagendran is a former AIADMK leader who left the party after being sidelined following J Jayalalithaa's death. He then joined the BJP in 2017. He was later appointed BJP state vice president. Nagendran was a former state minister in the Jayalalithaa Cabinet and his rise as Tamil Nadu BJP chief is seen as a move to get AIADMK back into NDA fold just when there is rise in sentiments against alleged Hindi imposition by the Centre. He has won from Tirunelveli thrice 2001, 2011 and 2021 elections. While he fought twice on AIADMK ticket, he third time was as BJP leader. He also unsuccessfully contested from Tirunelveli in 2006 and 2016 Assembly elections and in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He stoked a controversy in 2018 when he announced a reward of 10 crore to anyone who chopped the tongue of Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu for making a controversial remark on Goddess Andal. And he warned those speaking ill of Hinduism with dire consequences. Annamalai a former IPS officer, engineer, and MBA opted out from the race to become the next BJP Tamil Nadu chief, clearing the way for the party's vice president and lawmaker, Nainar Nagendran the only nominee for the post to take over just ahead of the state assembly elections. Not just this, another development in the Tamil Nadu politics was witnessed in the next few hours. On Saturday, April 11, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which had earlier cut ties with the BJP over Annamalai's certain remarks calling it their happiest moment, took a U-turn to reunite with the party. The AIADMK and BJP will now be contesting the Tamil Nadu elections under the NDA banner. Was Annamalais exit and AIADMKs return to the NDA just a coincidence or was the reunion stitched together on the condition that the Tamil Nadu BJP leader be shown the door? There were source-based information circulating that AIADMK was forced to rethink the alliance when Annamalai started targeting the regional party and leaders, and when Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) met Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, he insisted that Annamalai be ousted as the Tamil Nadu chief as a condition for AIADMK-BJP alliance. And why? Here's a bit from the history page: The AIADMK viewed Annamalai as undermining its dominance in Tamil Nadu and attempting to position the BJP as the primary Opposition to the ruling DMK. The cracks in their alliance had started to sprout long before when Annamalai expressed his desire for the BJP to go solo in the state much to ally AIADMK's annoyance. The gap grew even more when Annamalai intended to step down over BJP's alliance with AIADMK. He believed BJP would do better if it contests alone in the state. His comments against Annadurai and J Jayalalithaa the revered veteran AIADMK leader was the last nail in the coffin, irrevocably changing the relationship between the two parties. And AIADMK announced a break up! So did the alliance happen over Palaniswami's remove Annamalai condition for the BJP? Flanked by Annamalai and Palaniswami, Union Minister Amit Shah dismissed the removal speculation about Annamalais resignation, firmly stating that he remains the BJPs Tamil Nadu chief. This is not true at all. Mr Annamalai is the state president even today. That is why he is sitting with me, Amit Shah said. When pressed even more about what new responsibility he would be getting, Amit Shah said, Leave a few things to our party as well. Don't worry about my party so much, we will run it well. He later announced that the BJP envisaged a greater role for Annamalai at national level. 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 people or the programs of the party from village to village, Annamalai Ji's contribution has been unprecedented. The BJP will leverage Annamalai Ji's organizational skills in the party's national framework. Turkey and Israel are working to defuse military tensions in Syria, easing the risk of conflict between two important U.S. allies that have suffered a strain in relations since the war in Gaza began in 2023. Officials from the two countries met Wednesday in Azerbaijan to begin talks to set up a mechanism to avoid conflict between the Turkish and Israeli militaries in Syria, according to statements from both governments. Israeli National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi led the talks with Turkish officials, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office. The Israeli and Turkish militaries both operated in Syria for years during the countrys long civil war. Since the war ended with the fall of the Assad regime in December, tensions have risen between the two countries. Israel has launched an intensifying series of military strikes it says are intended to protect its long-term security, while Turkey has embraced the countrys new Islamist-led government that is headed by former rebel leaders. We have no intention of clashing with any country in Syria, not just Israel," said Turkeys foreign minister Hakan Fidan in a televised interview earlier this week. He said recent Israeli military strikes in Syria were unacceptable" and criticized what he said was Israels expansionist ambitions in the region," according to a transcript of the comments from Turkeys state news agency. The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria radically altered the balance of power in the Middle East, dealing a stinging defeat to Russia and Iran and broadening the influence of Turkey which long supported the rebellion against the former regime that began in 2011. Israel has been hostile to Syrias new government, which is led by former members of a Sunni Islamist rebel group, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. The group was founded as an offshoot of Al-Qaeda but broke ties with the jihadist organization in 2016 and swore to give up attacks abroad, part of a yearslong effort to gain international acceptance. The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in green necktie, is entering talks with Israel over issues in Syria as he hopes to improve relations with Washington. Turkey was among the first to embrace Syrias new government, which is led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former rebel leader who led the 11-day offensive that pushed Assad from power. Sharaa has vowed to govern Syria more inclusively and in late March appointed a new government that includes members of minority groups along with skilled technocrats and icons of Syrian civil society. After the fall of Assad, Israel launched a series of military strikes aimed at preventing threats to its security, destroying former regime military equipment and sending its forces deeper into Syrian territory, further raising tensions with the new government in Damascus. In February, Netanyahu called for the demilitarization of all of southern Syria. The talks are intended to recreate a line of communication between the Israeli and Turkish militaries known as a deconfliction mechanism, intended to avoid unintended clashes, experts said. The new channel would be similar to one that Israel and Russia used for years to avoid a clash when both countries were launching airstrikes in the country, said Avner Golov, a former senior director at Israels National Security Council, who is now with MIND Israel, a national security advisory group. The U.S. and Russia also had a deconfliction line during the conflict in Syria. Golov said Israel needed to enter into broader talks with Turkey about what it can tolerate from the Turkish presence in Syria and how the two regional powerswho are both allies of the U. S.can help shape the region in the future. Theres a practical reality in Syria, in the sense that Turkey and Israel find themselves in a closest sort of operational setting," said Alper Coskun, a former head of international security affairs at the Turkish foreign ministry. The logic being, were not looking for confrontation in Syria," he said. We have, as Turkey, some security considerations, and we will continue implementing what we need to be done there. But this is not directly against Israel." The launch of the talks between security officials also comes at a crucial moment in Turkeys relationship with the Trump administration. The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hoping to improve relations with Washington and is calling for the U.S. to remove sanctions imposed on its defense industry during President Trumps first term over Turkeys purchase of a Russian weapons system. What theyre doing in Syria is one of the safest ways for Ankara to tell Washington that its being a team player," said Gonul Tol, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington an expert on Turkish foreign policy. Erdogan has been a critic of Israels war in Gaza since the launch of its military operation in October 2023 in response to the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, with the Turkish government recalling its ambassador from Tel Aviv in November 2023 and imposing trade sanctions on Israel in May 2024. The war interrupted a brief thaw in relations that included a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Turkey earlier in 2023. Israels air force launched an unusually intense wave of airstrikes on Syria on April 3 that underscored the risk of a confrontation with Turkey. The strikes targeted airports as well as the T4 military base in western Syria, closer to Turkey than other Israeli strikes which have hit southern Syria. Syrias foreign ministry said Israeli strikes that night almost destroyed a military airport and injured dozens of civilians. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were a signal to Syrias new government not to let forces hostile to Israel into their country. If you allow forces hostile to Israel to enter Syria and endanger Israeli security interestsyou will pay a very heavy price," he said. Turkey and Israel have engaged in military deconfliction in the past, including in October 2024 when Israeli and Turkish officials worked to avoid a clash when a Turkish military vessel sailed to Lebanon to evacuate thousands of Turkish citizens during Israels war with Hezbollah, according to Turkish officials. Write to Jared Malsin at jared.malsin@wsj.com and Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com The Waqf Act will not be implemented in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed on Saturday in a rather long post on X (formerly Twitter). The Bengal CM urged to people in Murshidabad to not engage in unrighteous behavior in the name of religion amid violent protests. TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee said do not incite riots for the sake of politics and threatened legal action for rioters. My sincere appeal to all people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained, Mamata Banerjee said. Meanwhile security has been tightened in Murshidabad's Jangipur after protests over Waqf Act turned violent in Dhuliyan-Ratanpur area. 'What is the riot about?' Asks Mamata Banerjee Mamata Banerjee in the X post sought to remind the rioters that the Waqf Bill was introduced and made into law after the Central government tabled it. Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitated against. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government. CM Banerjee addressed rioters. We have made our position clear on this matter - we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about? Mamata Banerjee asked. Mamata Banerjee Threatens Legal Action Amid Murshidabad violence over Waqf Bill, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee threatened legal action. Remember, we will take legal action against those who incite riots, the Bengal CM posted, adding We do not condone any violent activity. Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts during protests over the new legislation on Friday. BJP Flags Appeasement Politics BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari while accused CM Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics. "Targeted violence is taking place in Bengal, encouraged by Mamata Banerjee. When the Waqf Bill was passed by the Parliament, there was a general sense of acceptance and some peaceful protests across the country. But in Bengal, in the name of appeasement, Mamata Banerjee has turned the land of Swami Vivekananda, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and Rabindranath Tagore into a laboratory for appeasement politics." Bhandari said. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami took to social media platform X to express gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji "for his unwavering support" to the party. His statement came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AIADMK will contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Election in an alliance. "We are honoured to be welcomed into a partnership with NDA [National Democratic Alliance]. An alliance founded on a shared vision for Tamil Nadus progress and prosperity," Palaniswami wrote in a post on X. He said, "At this pivotal moment, with visionary guidance of Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, AIADMK will work closely with NDA allies to realise the aspirations of the people and contribute to his transformative vision." Sharing hashtag "#MakeTNProsperousAgain", Palaniswami said, "Together, we are 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," Palaniswami said. BJP-AIADMK tie-up in Tamil Nadu After breaking away from the BJP-led 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. Union Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that the BJP would be contesting the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections in alliance with the regional party under the banner of NDA. The 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. Shah said the elections will be fought under the leadership of former Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami. Interestingly, Annamalai, over whose comments the AIADMK had snapped ties with the BJP back in 2023, was also present during the announcement. Congress, DMK react On the BJP-AIADMK alliance, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, "They are independent political parties. They are free to announce and take decisions." "The AIADMK, at one point of time, was with the BJP. Then they realised that the BJP was a drag which was pulling them down in Tamil Nadu. So, they broke the alliance. They have now come back into the alliance," Chidambaram said. Also Read | Will AIADMK join the NDA again? Speculation rife as EPS flies to Delhi He called the AIADMK "a greatly diminished party". "There were days when people went to the AIADMK to have an alliance. It has now changed and the AIADMK has to come to Delhi to make alliances," he said while taking a dig at the BJP. "...the BJP is not necessarily the most welcome party in Tamil Nadu. Their politics is not accepted by the people of Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK realised this earlier but now they have been forced to have an alliance with them...Edappadi Palaniswami had led the AIADMK formation for three elections after he became the CM and he has lost all three elections...," Karti Chidambaram said. Also Read | Who is Nainar Nagendran, the AIADMK turncoat all set to be Tamil Nadu BJP chief Meanwhile, DMK MP Kanimozhi said, "They [AIADMK] were in an alliance with the BJP. But after the BJP insulted their leaders, he [Edappadi Palaniswami] announced that they would never be in an alliance with the BJP." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday lashed out at opposition AIADMK, calling it an an old bonded slave camp that has surrendered to the BJP. Reacting to the announcement of the AIADMK and the BJP, Stalin said that the state's opposition party is being coerced by threats by the BJP to implement its conspiracies, adding that the people of Tamil Nadu will give a fitting response. Whether the BJP comes alone or with partners, the people of Tamil Nadu are ready to deliver a fitting lesson. To the traitorous alliance that kneels in Delhi without self-respect and tries to pawn Tamil Nadu, the people will give the right response, he said. BJP-AIADMK alliance to fail: Stalin AIADMK claims to oppose NEET, the imposition of Hindi, the three-language policy and the Waqf Act and also say that Tamil Nadus representation should not be reduced during delimitation, MK Stalin said. Also Read | Nainar Nagendran: AIADMK turncoat who replaces Annamalai as TN BJP chief He asked, Are all these part of the Common Minimum Programme? Stalin alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who announced the AIADMK-BJP alliance on Friday, used his press conference to belittle the DML, its government and the chief minister. The AIADMK-BJP alliance is doomed to fail. It was the people of Tamil Nadu who handed repeated defeats to this coalition. Now, Shah has reconstituted the same failed alliance, he said. MK Stalin said Amit Shah failed to say on what ideological foundation the alliance was formed. Instead, he merely assured that a Common Minimum Programme would be worked out. The Dravidian party chief said when Shah spoke about corruption while confirming an alliance with AIADMK, the people of Tamil Nadu would certainly have laughed. MK Stalin lashes out at Amit Shah The Tamil Nadu chief minister further lashed out at Shah for irresponsibly claiming that law and order has deteriorated in Tamil Nadu. This is not Manipur this is Tamil Nadu. The BJP ruled over a state where more than 250 people were killed in the past 18 months. The Union Home Minister who failed to restore peace there now seeks to disturb peace in a peaceful state like Tamil Nadu, he said. It is precisely because of the law and order maintained here that the state continues to progress in all aspects a fact confirmed even by union government statistics. Yet, the Union Home Minister irresponsibly tried to incite fear by claiming a breakdown of law and order, Stalin added. AIADMK, BJP, and all the alliance parties have decided to contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together under the National Democratic Alliance. After a string of major AI launches earlier this week, Google now appears to be working on integrating an AI-powered meme generator directly into Gboard the default and most popular keyboard app on Android. Internally, the project is being referred to as Meme Studio and is aimed at offering users a simple way to create memes, according to a report by Android Authority. Reportedly, the upcoming Gboard feature will allow users to pick a base image and add their own captions. The report mentions that users will have access to hundreds of base images, and selecting one will open an editor interface. In this stage, users can move or rotate the text, adjust its scale, and add extra captions. However, there currently appears to be no option to change the font or text colour though this could change by the time the feature rolls out to all users. There will also be a Generate option in Meme Studio, where the built-in AI can automatically select a base image and generate captions based on a topic. The report adds that the feature will include advanced filters and safeguards to prevent the creation of explicit or offensive content. AI-generated images taking over the internet: While AI image generators have been around for a while, the feature has only recently begun to gain wider recognition. ChatGPT, in particular, recently came into the spotlight after OpenAI unlocked its native image generation capabilities, allowing the chatbot to create more detailed and accurate images, including editing real-life images. Soon after, social media users began transforming their real-life photos into Studio Ghibli-style illustrations and, more recently, action figure themes. Around the same time, xAI's Grok also attracted attention, with users flocking to Elon Musk's chatbot as an alternative to ChatGPT. One of the use cases for native image generation is the ability to create more nuanced memes, similar to those created by a human. Former Meta global public policy director Sarah Wynn-Williams leveled some serious allegations against the Mark Zuckerberg-led company earlier this week. In testimony on Capitol Hill earlier this week, Williams told senators that Meta worked "hand in glove" with the Chinese Communist Party to build a censorship system to silence critics on its platform. Also Read | Zuckerberg tries to enlist Trump in fight against Meta EU ruling Williams, who worked at the company from 2011 to 2017, said she watched as Meta executives decided to give the Chinese government access to Meta users' data. I saw Meta executives repeatedly undermine US national security and betray American values. They did these things in secret to win favor with Beijing and build an $18 billion business in China. We are engaged in a high stakes AI right arms race against China. And during my time at meta, company, executives lied about what they were doing with the Chinese Communist Party to employees, shareholders, Congress and the American public. Mark Zuckerberg pledged himself a free speech champion. Yet a witness letter wrote hand in love with the Chinese Communist Party to construct and test, custom built censorship tools to the silenced and censored, their critics she added. Also Read | Meta AI on WhatsApp and Instagram is getting a big update with Llama Williams also made a shocking personal revelation when she added that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was learning Mandarin and also wanted Chinese President Xi Jinping to name his first child. When I was there, he wanted the president of China to name his first child. He was learning Mandarin. He was censoring to his hearts content. Now, his new costume is MMA fighting or free speech. We dont know what the next costumes going to be, but itll be something different. Its whatever gets him closest to power. Meta responds to whistleblower allegations: Meta spokesperson Andy Stone, in a statement to NBC, said Williams' testimony is divorced from reality and riddled with false claims. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/all Since the beginning of this year alone, Dnipro region has endured 2,100 airstrikes, almost twice as many as during the same period last year. In this regard, in Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on strengthening the air defense capabilities of Ukraine and, particularly, of Dnipro region using aircraft, helicopters, and additional air defense systems. As reported on the presidential website, the meeting was attended by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrsky. The meeting addressed the further development of the electronic warfare system for Ukraine in general and for Dnipro region specifically. The President instructed the Government to allocate an additional UAH 540 million for the development of the electronic warfare system in the region. Work is reported on increasing the number of mobile fire teams, light aviation and anti-aircraft artillery. The crews are also being equipped to work at night and in bad weather, and drone interceptors are being introduced to combat shaheds and other Russian UAVs. We held an important meeting on strengthening air defense in the Dnipro region. We are working, and I believe we will be able to reinforce the region with two systems in the near future. A program to reinforce it with electronic warfare systems has been developed in general. I am confident that the Cabinet of Ministers will support this decision, and the funds will be allocated, the President concluded. On April 4, Russian troops reportedly fired a ballistic missile at a residential area in Kryvyi Rih. Nineteen people were killed, including nine children, and 74 were wounded. Late in the evening, drones attacked the city, killing one person and wounding seven others. On April 6, the 57-year-old victim died in hospital. Ukraine declared a day of mourning for the victims of the attack. In Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy honored the memory of those killed in the Russian missile strike on April 4. Family and friends gathered at Tennessee River Park over the weekend to honor the life of 18-year-old MaRico Johnson, one of two teens who tragically lost their lives after jumping from a bridge over the Tennessee River in Loudon County last Wednesday. UPDATE: A bill that would adopt new restrictions on cannabis sales in Tennessee has been approved by the Senate, just days before 4/20, the unofficial marijuana holiday. TN lawmakers cracking down on hemp regulations, serious implications for local businesses Tennessee lawmakers have been cracking down on regulations for hemp businesses across the state, and this could mean serious implications for those in the industry. HB1376/SB1413, introduced by State Representative William Lamberth (R-Portland) and Senator Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), places extensive restrictions on Tennessee's hemp industry. This includes a recent amendment made by Representative Marck Cochran (R-Englewood) that would transfer authority over hemp-derived cannabinoid products to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Now that the bill passed in the Senate on April 17, the remaining step is for Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to sign in into law. If he does so, new tax rates, age restrictions, penalties, and licensure requirements will be adopted in the sale of cannabis products. For more information, read the full legislation. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee House passed HB1376, a bill transferring authority over hemp-derived cannabinoid products from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. An amendment made by Representative Mark Cochran (R-Englewood) added on Wednesday that would prevent the sale of hemp containing a total THC content over 0.3%. As most of these products include THCA as a kind of precursor to THC, the bill would essentially ban the sale of TCHA products altogether, or 60% of revenue for local businesses in the hemp industry. The Tennessee Growers Coalition issued a statement condemning the amendment, saying it "significantly undermines the months of hard work and collaboration the industry has committed to". "The TGC has been actively working with lawmakers throughout this process to voice the industrys concerns and find a workable solutionthis amendment disregards that effort entirely," says the coalition. Although the legislation passed in the House, the Tennessee Senate has yet to vote. The Senate Bill has to match the House bill before moving to Governor Bill Lee's desk to be signed into law. Start-up founders struggle with basic banking in financial centre Over the past few years, Luxembourg has taken steps to position itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, but for many start-ups and small businesses one fundamental hurdle stands in the way: opening and maintaining a bank account. Complaints from within the ecosystem about the difficulty of doing business have been long-standing. Some entrepreneurs, like Finnish founder Timo Nurminen, have grown so frustrated with the process that they have moved their companies out of the country altogether. Luxembourg was very actively promoting the country as a start-up friendly ecosystem and [the] ease of doing business, he said about launching his start-up in Luxembourg in 2022. No one mentioned that banks do not open normal company IBAN account for legally incorporated Luxembourg-based SMEs. Business lobby urges Luxembourg to target disillusioned UK non-doms The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in Luxembourg has urged the government to market itself as an alternative destination for wealthy individuals from the UK following Londons decision to abolish non-dom tax status from this week. Last year, the Labour government in the UK announced it would scrap the non-dom status from Sunday, 6 April. The status allows UK residents to designate a permanent domicile outside the country for tax purposes. The axing of the non-dom regime represents a momentous change in the UKs tax framework, and for many wealthy individuals this underscores the importance of proactively exploring alternative jurisdictions before April 2025. Italy and Switzerland are currently viewed as compelling European alternatives, said Jonathan Norman, the chair of the BCCs Tax Group. Expats beware: 2 in 3 jobs in Luxembourg require French Want to land a job in Luxembourg? Better brush up on your French. More than 70% of job postings in the Grand Duchy require French proficiency, with the level of fluency required rising rather than diminishing, according to data by employment office Adem and frustrated testimonials by international applicants in the labour market. I have a strong profile, even Adem acknowledges that. But I dont know French, and thats the main obstacle, said Parvathy*, a former Facebook and Amazon employee looking for work in Luxembourg. How can you expect someone from outside Luxembourg to have both the job expertise and fluency in multiple languages? As of February 2025, Adem was recruiting for 7,202 vacant positions. Of those, 49% required English at an intermediate or advanced level (B or C), but only 21% listed English as the sole mandatory language, without the need for French, German or Luxembourgish. More than half (51%) of vacancies did not require English at all. Palestinians are invisible, says envoy ahead of Luxembourg meeting As the EUs foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa are due to meet for a first high-level dialogue in Luxembourg on 14 April, the Palestinian Authoritys ambassador to the EU has warned that the bloc risks being complicit in atrocities committed by Israel. I feel here in Europe that we Palestinians are invisible, Amal Jadou told the Luxembourg Times in an interview. Every day we wake up to more and more killing. Jadou has been the Palestinian ambassador to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg since October 2024. She previously served as deputy foreign minister and as assistant minister for European affairs. Major gaps in oversight of EU funding to NGOs, auditors warn The EU handed out more than 7 billion in funding to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) between 2021 and 2023 despite major gaps in oversight, the blocs Luxembourg-based budget watchdog said Monday. The European Court of Auditors (ECA) said that despite improvements since a previous report in 2018, information on EU funding awarded to NGOs that are active in the blocs internal policies remains inaccurate and incomplete. Over a two-year period from 2021, civil society groups were awarded 7.4 billion comprising 4.8 from the commission and 2.6 billion from member states for work across key EU policy areas such as migration, research and the environment. However, the ECA said there is no reliable overview of the funding. Germany wont be able to provide Ukraine with Patriot systems in near future Germany will not be able to provide Ukraine with another Patriot system requested by President Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Umerov before the summer, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. "As you know, Germany has already provided four complete Patriot systems. We cannot provide more at the moment because we are expecting new deliveries, which will only start in 2027, if I remember correctly. So we cannot provide another system at the moment," he said during a press conference following a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense (Ramstein format) in Brussels on Friday. The minister noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had previously mentioned the need for at least one system by the summer. But in the long term, they need more. According to him, Germany is now trying to search the world for any air defense systems of this class. At the same time, they are looking for funds to buy everything they can. It was previously reported that Germany would supply Ukraine with four more IRIS-T air defense systems this year and had already delivered 30 Patriot missiles. At NATO headquarters in Brussels, for the first time, a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine Defence (the Ramstein format) was held under joint German-British leadership, chaired by British Defence Secretary John Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Donald Trump and his government have been in the midst of a trade war worldwide for weeks, although they have other targets in their sights: to gain control of the island of Greenland. Trump says it is his desire and for security reasons. However, this desire on the part of the island and from Denmark has been totally treated in vain. Denmark could sell Greenland because it costs them a lot of money, according to Trump. "I don't rule anything out," he told NBC in an interview. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has continued to study ways to get it, even though Greenland and the Danish government say it is not for sale. The New York Times has also revealed Trump's new plans for this to change completely. Helicopter crash in Hudson River caught at the moment of impact on video Annual payments to each citizen of Greenland According to The New York Times, under the testimony of several anonymous officials, the new strategy will revolve around persuading Greenlanders rather than coercion. Similarly, it is thought that public opinion could be influenced through advertising, social media campaigns and even financial incentives, as the administration could take over the $600 million that Denmark gives to the island in subsidies with a payment of $10,000 a year to each of the nearly 56,800 inhabitants of Greenland. In this way, this expenditure could be offset by the income obtained from the exploitation of the wide variety of natural resources on the island, such as rare minerals, oil or gas. Furthermore, Trump's interest goes beyond this, as Greenland is in a key geopolitical position in the Arctic, a place with new shipping routes and growing competition with Russia and China. It remains to be seen whether Trump's plans, with his new intentions, will come to fruition or come to nothing. A photo of Slice House's team with Phill and Liz Mercer's son Marty" outside the new Somerville location. Courtesy Photo A pizzeria with several restaurants in Florida is planning to open its first Massachusetts location this year. Slice House is aiming to open in Union Square in Somerville this summer. The restaurant will take over the former space of Bull McCabes, which closed in 2020. The new spot would join Slice Houses pre-existing locations in Panama City and Callaway, Florida and become the first Slice House in the Northeast. Slice House founders Phill and Liz Mercer. Courtesy Photo Slice House owners Phill and Liz Mercer visited Boston and loved the area so much they made the move up and decided it was a great area to open another Slice House restaurant, Marketing Coordinator Trevor Davis told MassLive. Each Slice House restaurant offers more than 40 large, sourdough slices but include their own, individual flair, Davis said. This is exactly the plan for Union Square with an homage to the former bar and its patrons by keeping the bar space, staying open later, and creating a few area-specific slices, he added. A pizza slice from Slice House called Not So Shabby" made with an oil and garlic base, mozzarella, shaved ribeye, apple cider bacon, white mushrooms, jalapenos, yellow onions, blue cheese crumbles, cheddar and boom boom drizzle. Courtesy Photo Popular slices include the Jerk that is made with jerk chicken, mozzarella, peppadew peppers, pineapple and pesto drizzle. In addition to pizza by the slice, customers can also order 18-inch pies, starters, salads and drinks. People can stay updated on Slice Houses progress by following the business on Instagram. The address for the restaurant is 366 Somerville Ave., Somerville. A coming-of-age psychological drama is filming in New England and looking for local residents to cast. The movie, The Starfish, is about a young man who is inspired to pursue his longtime crush while hosting friends at his familys lakeside cottage, Backstage wrote. Hanging out on the lake by day and talking around the campfire by night, this film will follow in the tradition of other coming-of-age films which explore character relationships over the course of one long summer day, the website states. Unlike other coming-of-age films, these characters will be older (heading into their senior year of college) exploring how the characters still live in the past of high school, are trying to break free from it, or embracing it like never before. Filming will take place for a few weeks in July in Milton, New Hampshire. Travel, lodging and good meals are guaranteed, the website states. However, the exact pay rate is undetermined. Profit share or deferred pay plan more likely, the website states. The area of 33 High St. in Lynn, Massachusetts, as seen on Google Maps April 12, 2025. Google Maps Two men pleaded not guilty at their arraignments Friday afternoon to charges in connection with a shooting that left a 35-year-old man shot dead in Lynn Thursday night, Essex District Attorney Paul Tuckers office said. Brian Rivera, 36, and Michael Constabile, 35, were arraigned in Lynn District Court Friday afternoon, where the judge, Kareem A. Morgan, ordered Rivera to be held without bail and Constabile held on $100,000 cash bail. Rivera was arraigned on charges of murder, carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a weapon within 500 feet of a building, possessing ammunition without a firearm identification card, possessing a Class B drug, possessing a Class C drug, possessing a Class E drug, and a firearm violation with three prior violent/drug crimes. Constabile was arraigned on charges of being an accessory after the fact and a municipal knife ordinance violation. Lynn police officers went to 33 High St. in a neighborhood of apartment buildings, according to Google Maps around 11:23 p.m. Thursday for a report of shots fired. Arriving officers found a man, whose name has not been released pending the notification of his family, unresponsive with gunshot wounds, Tuckers office said in a statement. The man was treated on the scene and taken to Salem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the statement said. Rivera has a probable cause hearing May 9 and Constabile has a probable cause hearing April 18. Olivia Troye, left, and Anthony Scaramucci, right, speaking to reporters in the spin room before the presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) AP Former White House Director of Communications Anthony Scaramucci, nicknamed The Mooch, famously lasted only 10 days in that role in 2017. Now he is making a prediction about who will break President Donald Trump. In the latest episode of a podcast called The Rest is Politics: US Scaramucci said the latest manifestation of Trump is that of an ogre thats out of control. 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 said. Trump imposed wildly unpopular tariffs on nearly every nation in the world earlier this month before ultimately bowing to pressure and reversing himself by delaying most tariffs. Scaramucci continued: Theyre making the bet that the U.S. system will absorb Donald Trump. Scaramucci then named people he thought would act as checks and balances to Trump. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Vice President of the Republic of Gambia, Mohammed Jallow, has sent a congratulatory letter to First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, Trend reports. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt felicitations to Your Excellency, your family, and the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. I express my sincere wishes for your personal health and happiness, as well as the well-being of the brotherly people of Azerbaijan, while hoping that this Eid al-Fitr may bring and nurture peace, tranquility, and prosperity to the Islamic Ummah and to the world at large. I pray for Almighty Allah to accept all our acts of worship throughout the month of Ramadan and beyond. Eid Mubarak! As she continues to fight for her release from detention, Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk detailed her confinement at an immigration facility in Louisiana, saying she has had four asthma attacks since her arrest, in a new court filing. Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish national, has been in federal custody since late March when federal agents in plainclothes arrested her on the street in Somerville. To date, she has not been charged with a crime. After her arrest, Ozturk was whisked to New Hampshire, then Vermont, before ultimately being sent to Louisiana, despite a federal judge ordering she be kept in Massachusetts. In a declaration filed in federal court in Vermont, where her legal challenge to her detention was moved last week, Ozturk detailed her experience since being detained. The filings are impounded in federal court but published on the American Civil Liberties Unions website. Ozturk was headed to an Iftar, an evening meal to break a Ramadan fast, when six federal agents arrested her. After being driven away from Somerville, where she lives, Ozturk said she wanted to ask questions about what was happening to me, but the agents were scary and harsh. During the ride to New Hampshire, then Vermont, Ozturk repeatedly asked to speak to a lawyer. Each time, she was denied. I was afraid that if something happened to me, no one would know where I was, she wrote. In a filing, Michael P. Drescher, an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Vermont, said allowing detainees to speak to their lawyers while being taken to a detention facility would raise serious security concerns. It would be unreasonable to task transporting agents with assessing each detainees individual security risk, he wrote in a memo opposing Ozturks petition for release. While in the car, Ozturk, who had been fasting, asked for a meal. She was given two small packages of crackers and a bottle of water. When Ozturk arrived in Vermont, she spent the night in a small cell without a bed. She did not sleep and described feeling like she was going to faint. During the night, they came to my cell multiple times and asked me questions about wanting to apply for asylum and if I was a member of a terrorist organization, the filing reads. I tried to be helpful and answer their questions but I was so tired and didnt understand what was happening to me. Eventually, Ozturk was told she would be taken to Louisiana. An agent told her, I hope we treated you with respect. The following morning, March 26, Ozturk was flown from Vermont to Atlanta on the way to Louisiana. In the Atlanta airport, she had the first of four asthma attacks she has suffered in ICE custody. During the attack, Ozturk said she felt as though she couldnt breathe and was unable to get over the attack despite using an inhaler. She asked to take medication prescribed for the attacks but was told it couldnt be acquired at the airport. Ozturk said she has had three attacks since arriving in Louisiana. After the first, she was taken to the facilitys medical center, where she says a nurse removed her head covering without her permission. The second happened in her cell, which she shares with several other women. After the third, Ozturk said she did not ask to go to the medical center despite being in pain and very scared. The cell Ozturk is housed in has a stated capacity of 14. But she is one of 24 women sharing the small space. Ozturk is asking a federal judge in Vermont to order her release, or at least return her to the state while her case is pending. But federal prosecutors say the only court with jurisdiction to do so is the federal court in Louisiana, where Ozturk is currently detained. And, prosecutors contend the district court does not have the authority to order ICE to transfer an alien from one location to another. Lawyers for Ozturk say her First Amendment right to free speech is being violated by her detention, as the only explanation to date about what prompted her detention is an op-ed she co-authored in the Tufts University student newspaper. The op-ed calls for the university to accept a series of resolutions passed by the Tufts student senate, among which was a call to acknowledge the Palestinian genocide. Ms. Ozturk is being retaliated against as part of the governments policy to arrest and detain noncitizens based on First Amendment protected speech advocating for Palestinian rights, her lawyers wrote. A hearing in the case is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday morning in federal court in Vermont. The federal government is continuing to back off from a policy change that would have made it harder for Social Security beneficiaries who access services via telephone. In a March 18 announcement, the Social Security Administration (SSA) said those who cant use their personal my Social Security online account would need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person. This change would have meant that those seeking retirement or survivor benefits would need to travel to a local field office to complete their claims, even if they started them over the phone. At the same time, billionaire Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, identified almost 50 Social Security field offices nationwide it planned to close in a bid to downsize government spending a move refuted by the Social Security Administration, who said reports of closing field offices are false. The Social Security policy change regarding verification was initially delayed by two weeks from April 1 to April 14. It also changed the policy for those applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income to be able to complete their claims via phone, but kept the measures mostly in place for Survivor, Retirement and Auxiliary (spouse of child) benefits. Read More: Alarming Social Security errors leave beneficiaries without payments Now, the government has further walked back the telephone policy, with a White House spokesperson telling NPR that telephone services remain a viable option for those seeking services. Additionally, the Social Security Administration has said that it has revamped its fraud detection system for over-the-phone claims, meaning all social security claims by phone will undergo an anti-fraud check. Calls that are flagged with fraud risk indicators will need to perform in-person ID proofing to continue to process their claims, according to a post to X. In-person claims will continue to undergo ID proofing, the Social Security Administration said, adding that Telephone remains a viable option to the public, but that of 4.5 million telephone claims made each year that 70,000 may be flagged. Read More: Social Security to withhold 100% of benefits from some people Those whose claims are not flagged can continue to process their claims via phone without in-person requirements, the SSA noted. Notably, Social Security beneficiaries looking to make changes to their direct deposit accounts will still need to do so either online or in-person at a field office instead of over the phone, the New York Times reported. Colleges and universities in Massachusetts say theyre not being notified by the federal government about visa revocations associated with their student populations. Instead, theyre coming upon them on their own via proactive checks of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database, referred to in short as SEVIS. When University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes announced the schools first round of visa revocations to the community on April 4, he said they would continue monitoring SEVIS for developments because federal authorities werent providing notifications. In the time since, the number of international UMass Amherst students with revoked visas has grown to 13. The Trump administration has enacted a wave of student visa revocations at higher education institutions across the country, and the reasons for many remain unclear. Some have been attributed to particular political beliefs, speech or activism allegedly demonstrated by the individuals, while other students have had past minor scrapes with the law. For some, there is no evident reason. Institutions in Massachusetts that have confirmed visa revocations 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, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Clark University. Nearly 1 in 5 higher education students in the state is international. One of the first revocations to become public 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. What is SEVIS? The SEVIS database is a web-based system used by the Department of Homeland Security to: Maintain information on schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program F-1 and M-1 students who come to the U.S. to attend those schools Department of State-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program participants It is a critical tool in our mission to protect national security while supporting the legal entry of more than one million F, M and J nonimmigrants to the United States for education and cultural exchange, the website states. What school officials are saying In his April 4 announcement to the UMass Amherst community, Reyes said the only way students are informed of visa revocations is via an email notification to the address they originally used to apply for their F-1 or other non-immigrant visa. If students worked with an agent or consultant to apply for their visa, he said, it is possible the agent or consultants email address was used. We encourage all students on visas to monitor the email address used to apply for their F-1 or other non-immigrant visa for notifications from the Department of State, Reyes said. But Massachusetts higher education institutions have resoundingly said individual students are not receiving notifications, and neither are the institutions themselves. At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, for example, the school learned of four student visas being revoked through its daily monitoring of a government database known as SEVIS, according to a statement from WPI President Grace Wang. Clark University has said it also confirmed the visa revocations of 12 students through SEVIS, and that it had received no notification otherwise. In New Hampshire, a Dartmouth College computer science doctoral student has sued the Trump administration over his revocation, claiming the abrupt termination without notification deprived him of due process. The student was notified by Dartmouth after the school also discovered his revocation via a check of SEVIS, the lawsuit says. What the State Department says A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told MassLive that while the agency is not generally required to notify a visa holder that theirs has been revoked, we do so when we determine it is practicable. The spokesperson referred questions about notifications to colleges and universities to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not respond to a request for comment. In regards to reasons why a visa may be revoked, the State Department spokesperson said the agency looks at information that arises after the visa was issued that may indicate a potential visa ineligibility under U.S. immigration laws, pose a threat to public safety, or other situations where revocation is warranted. This can include everything from arrests, criminal convictions, and engaging in conduct that is inconsistent with the visa classification, to an overstay, the spokesperson said, adding that the agency does not generally comment on specific visa cases. On Thursday, the State Departments Instagram account posted: U.S. visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued. We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all U.S. laws and immigration rules and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they dont. San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (27) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) AP Ex-Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta struck out 10 and allowed just three hits and one walk in 7 scoreless innings to lead the Padres 8-0 over Colorado on Friday. Pivetta signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Padres on Feb. 12. Below is a look at how former Red Sox from the 2024 team are doing with their new clubs: Nick Pivetta, Padres: The 32-year-old righty has allowed just three runs in 17 innings (1.59 ERA) over three starts. He has given up 10 hits and four walks while striking out 18. He has a 2-1 record, 0.82 WHIP and .164 batting average against. Tyler ONeill, Orioles: The 29-year-old is 12-for-38 (.316 batting average) with a .386 on-base percentage, .526 slugging percentage, .912 OPS, one homer, one triple, three doubles, six runs, seven RBIs, four walks and eight strikeouts in 11 games. ONeill signed with Baltimore on Dec. 7. Its a three-year, $49.5 million contract that includes an opt out after 2025. Kenley Jansen, Angels: The 37-year-old has converted all three of his save opportunities. He has pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out six. Jansen signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Angels on Feb. 11. Cam Booser, White Sox: The 32-year-old lefty reliever has pitched in six games for Chicago. He has allowed two runs, four hits (two homers) and two walks while striking out eight in six innings. Boston traded Booser to Chicago on Dec. 21 for 18-year-old minor leaguer Yhoiker Fajardo. Chris Martin, Rangers: The 38-year-old righty allowed six unearned runs (two earned runs) in 8 innings (2.25 ERA). He has given up seven hits and two walks while striking out 12 in eight outings. Both walks were intentional walks. He walked only 11 batters (four intentional) in 100 appearances for Boston in 2023-24. Martin signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with Texas in January. Emnanuel Valdez, Pirates: The 26-year-old is 3-for-17 (.176) with a .222 on-base percentage, .353 slugging percentage, .575 OPS, one triple, one double, one run, two RBIs, one walk and five strikeouts in seven games for Pittsburgh. Boston designated Valdez for assignment Dec. 11, then traded him to the Pirates on Dec. 15 for 23-year-old minor league pitcher Joe Vogatsky. Lucas Sims, Nationals: The 30-year-old righty has allowed five runs, seven hits and five walks while striking out five in nine outings (6 innings). He has an 7.11 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and .280 batting average against. Sims signed as a minor league free agent with Washington on Feb. 19. Luis Garcia, Dodgers: The 38-year-old righty has given up four runs (three earned runs), seven hits and six walks while striking out seven. He has a 3.24 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and .233 batting average against. Garcia signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers on Feb. 14. Danny Jansen, Rays: The 29-year-old catcher is 4-for-30 (.133) with a .257 on-base percentage, .267 slugging percentage, .524 OPS, one homer, one double, three runs, five walks and six strikeouts in nine games. Jansen signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Rays on Dec. 6. Mickey Gasper, Twins: The 29-year-old catcher/infielder/outfielder is 2-for-17 (.118 batting average) with a .286 on-base percentage, .118 slugging percentage, .404 OPS, one run, four walks and six strikeouts in eight games. Boston traded Gasper for minor league pitcher Jovani Moran on Dec. 24. Pablo Reyes, Yankees: The 31-year-old infielder/outfielder is 0-for-6 with a run and walk in five games for New York. He signed a minor league contract with New York on Nov. 12 and made the Opening Day roster. Chase Shugart, Pirates: The 28-year-old righty reliever has appeared in three games for Pittsburgh. He has thrown 3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out two. The Red Sox designated Shugart for assignment Jan. 15, then traded him to Pittsburgh for minor league pitcher Matt McShane on Jan. 17. Brad Keller, Cubs: The 29-year-old righty reliever has appeared in four games for Chicago. He has allowed two runs, five hits and one walk while striking out six in 5 innings. He has a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and .250 batting average against. Keller signed a minor league contract with the Cubs in January. Tyler Heineman, Blue Jays: The 33-year-old catcher is 9-for-18 (.500) with a homer, double, four runs, two RBIs, one stolen bases, one walk and two strikeouts in five games. Toronto claimed Heineman off waivers from the Red Sox last Sept. 17. James Paxton (retired) Bobby Dalbec, Charlotte: The 29-year-old is 4-for-23 (.174) with a .208 on-base percentage, .391 slugging percentage, .599 OPS, one homer, one triple, four runs, six RBIs, one walk and 11 strikeouts in six games for Charlotte, the White Sox Triple-A affiliate. Others from 2024 in the minors: Reese McGuire (playing for Cubs Triple-A affiliate Iowa), Jamie Westbrook (playing for Rays Triple-A affiliate Durham), Bailey Horn (playing for Tigers Triple-A affiliate Toledo), Dominic Smith (playing for Yankees Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), Garrett Cooper (playing for Atlanta Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett), Chase Anderson (free agent), Zack Short (playing for Astros Triple-A affiliate Sugar Land), Trey Wingenter (pitching in Japan), Joe Jaques (Los Angeles Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City), Yohan Ramirez (Pittsburgh Triple-A affiliate Indianapolis), Naoyuki Uwasawa (pitching in Japan) Brewers starting pitcher Quinn Priester in the first inning Thursday, April 10 in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) AP Former Red Sox pitcher Quinn Priester took a no-decision in his Brewers debut Thursday. Priester allowed one run, six hits (one homer) and two walks while striking out four in 5 innings Milwaukees 7-2 loss to the Rockies in Denver. Boston traded the 24-year-old righty to Milwaukee on Monday for outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez, a Competitive Balance Round A pick (33rd overall) in the 2025 Draft and a player to be named later or cash considerations. Priester threw 29 sinkers, topping out at 95.1 mph and averaging 93.9 mph, per Statcast. He topped out at 95.2 mph with his 21 cutters and 96.1 mph with his four four-seam fastballs. He also mixed in nine sliders, seven changeups and two curveballs. Priester worked hard in the offseason to gain 10 pounds. He consumed 4,000-5,000 calories a day. Boston initially acquired the righty ahead of the 2024 trade deadline in a 1-for-1 swap of former first-rounders that sent Nick Yorke to Pittsburgh. Priester competed during spring training for a spot in the Red Sox Opening Day starting rotation. But Richard Fitts and Sean Newcomb beat him out for the final two spots. He began the 2025 season with Triple-A Worcester. Rodriguez, 19, is 2-for-7 with a triple, double, two walks and three strikeouts in two games for High-A Greenville so far. No longer a planet but not forgotten, Plutos colors, captured by NASA almost 10 years ago, continue to dazzle among the collection of colorful celestial objects only seen in the solar system. Since its discovery in 1930, Pluto was well-known as the ninth planet in the solar system, far beyond Neptune, the last of the gas giants. That changed in 2006 when the International Astronomical Union declared that the faraway orb was a dwarf planet due to its location, known as the Trans-Neptunian region, according to NASA. In this region, objects in space could cross any dwarf planet and Plutos orbit. Pluto also sits within a larger field of objects surrounding the solar system called the Kuiper Belt. Other dwarf planets in the region have been discovered in the years since Plutos reclassification, including Eris, Haumea and Makemake, all of which have their own moons, according to NASA. That same year, NASA launched its New Horizons spacecraft to study the outer edge of the solar system, particularly the Kuiper Belt. On July 14, 2015, New Horizons conducted a flyby past Pluto and its moons, giving scientists back on Earth their first close-up, detailed views of the former planet. Images showed the scarred, mountainous surface of a planet known to be half the width of the United States and smaller than Earths moon, NASA stated. Among its features was a massive, heart-shaped crater that NASA informally called the Tombaugh Regio, or Tombaugh Region, named after the man who discovered Pluto, Clyde Tombough. Members of the Spanish community and city dignitaries raised the unit flag for the 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican Flag, on a day set aside to commemorate the heroic actions of the regiment during the Korean War. Dave Canton SPRINGFIELD Friday, members of the Puerto Rican community and city dignitaries gathered on the steps of City Hall to remember the 65th Infantry Regiment, a National Guard unit that was organized in Puerto Rico and served in three wars as American citizens. The ceremony came ahead of National Borinqueneers Day, which Congress in 2021 designated as April 13. The regiment also received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2016. 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The annual event takes place on Achill Island from May 2 to 4 with an international panel of writers and speakers scheduled to take part. German Ambassador to Ireland Mr David Gill will open the weekend's celebrations in St Thomas' Hall in Dugort on Friday, May 2 at 7pm. Ambassador Gill was appointed German Ambassador to Ireland in August 2024 having previously served as German Consul General in New York. German writer Heinrich Boll who was the recipient of the 1972 Nobel Prize for Literature is regarded as one of Germany's foremost post-World War II writers. He first travelled to Achill in the early 1950s and became a frequent visitor to the island where he eventually purchased a home. The Achill Heinrich Boll Association was established to honour the Cologne native and each year they host the Annual Heinrich Boll Memorial Weekend. READ: Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann honours Mayo islander with lifetime achievement award The keynote talk on the opening night will be given by former German Green MEP Jan Philipp Albrecht who has been a member of the board of the Heinrich Boll Foundation since June 2022. Albrecht became the youngest German MEP when he was elected in 2009 at the age of 26. He served as an MEP until 2018 before taking up the role as Minister for Energy, Agriculture, the Environment, Nature and Digitalization for the State of Schleswig-Holstein, a position he held for four years. The opening evening will also hear readings from the work of Moscow-born author Katerina Poladjan who grew up in Rome and Vienna and lives in Germany. Readings from her book 'Upheaval' will be read by actress and translator Wiebke Acton On Saturday, the participants will move outdoors with a guided nature walk at Keem Bay with Micheal O Briain. Anne Shannon Memorial Writers workshop with Eilean Ni Chuilleanain will take place on Saturday at 2pm. Eilean Ni Chuilleanain was educated at Oxford before spending her working life as an academic in Trinity College, Dublin and in May 2022 she was elected Saoi in Aosdana. The Heinrich Boll Memorial Weekend will also feature the screening of the film 'Petra Kelly Act Now' in St Thomas's Hall at 2pm on Saturday, with an introduction by director Doris Metz. Activist Petra Kelly was convinced that a single person could change the world and, as co-founder of the German Green Party, she did. Director Doris Metz crafts an enlightening portrait of one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century. Weaving historical archives that showcase her creative tactics to fight for disarmament, the environment, and human rights with intimate and revealing testimonies from her inner circle, the film demonstrates that Kellys spiritual legacy continues to resonate today. A Q&A session with director Doris Metz, and panel discussion with Jan Philipp Albrecht, former Irish Green MEP Patricia McKenna and Gisela Holfter who will chair the discussion. Patricia McKenna is a practicing barrister and member of the Bar of Ireland. She was Irelands first Green Party MEP and made history for the Greens by topping the poll at the 1994 European Parliament elections. An evening of Paul Durcans poetry to celebrate his 80th birthday will take place on Saturday evening at 8pm in St Thomas' Church in Dugort. The audience will look back on the extraordinary career of one of Irelands most lauded and popular poets, Paul Durcan, through readings of his much-loved poems by poets and admirers. For fifty years, he has explored and questioned a world both real and imagined and remains the most companionable of poets. Steeped in the goings-on of Ireland and preoccupied with its concerns, he has delighted, enriched and unsettled his readers. Readers will include Dermot Bolgor, Harry Clifton, Geraldine Mitchell, Michael O'Loughlin, Hans-Christian Oeser and Wiebke Acton. For more information on the Heinrich Boll Memorial Weekend and to book tickets visit www.heinrichboellcottage.com. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. On April 11, starting from 20:10 to 23:15, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions located in the directions of Basarkechar and Gorus regions, using small arms, periodically subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Azerbaijan Army Units took adequate retaliatory measures in the mentioned directions., The Tochar Phadraig Fundraising Team is thrilled to announce this popular event will return again in 2025 on Saturday, May 3. This year the team will celebrate its 15 years if fundraising walks and they have announced that the chosen charities this year are GOAL and Cancer Fund for Children. The theme of this years walk is 'Remembering Our Friends Gone to Soon and Celebrating Our Milestones'. Robbie McCarthy, from Westport, set up the Tochar Phadraig Fundraising Walk Team back in 2008. As a Westport native, Robbie had passed the Tochar Phadraig route many times and always wanted to try it out but never felt he had the time nor fitness levels to attempt it. The Tochar Phadraig is a walkway that leads from Ballintubber Abbey to Croagh Patrick. This old pilgrim road stretches 22 miles/34 kilometres across mid-Mayo on a route that is both cross-country and on quiet rural roads. The original goal for this team was to get fit and active while raising money for charity. The first year, they had 14 participants and raised 18,000 for the Share a Dream Foundation. To date, the team has raised an incredible 127,000 for Share a Dream Foundation, Irish Cancer Society, GOAL and Mayo Roscommon Hospice. Grateful We are so grateful to everyone who has walked with us over the last 14 years, said Robbie. We have only raised this amazing amount of money because of our walkers and their supporters. Ive enjoyed watching this event grow and making lots of new friends along the way. On Saturday, May 3, I am asking people to join me as we undertake the fifteenth Tochar Phadraig Fundraising Walk. You can sign up to do one mile or the 22 miles. Each step counts as we raise money for Cancer Fund for Children and GOAL, continued Robbie. Rachel Fullam, Community Fundraising Officer for Cancer Fund for Children said Were so grateful to be a chosen charity for the Tochar Phadraig Fundraising Walk, especially as it celebrates its fifteenth year. The funds raised will help us to continue providing vital services to children and young people diagnosed with cancer across the island of Ireland. Our team work with families in homes, communities and hospitals nationwide and we offer free therapeutic short breaks in Daisy Lodge. Cancer Fund for Children look forward to growing our services in the West of Ireland with the development of our second Daisy Lodge in Cong; fundraising events like the Tochar Phadraig walk help us achieve our mission and ensure no child faces cancer alone. Generosity Salina Janzan, Senior Fundraising Manager for GOAL, said: For over 48 years, GOAL's humanitarian work has been empowered by the generosity of our community fundraisers. We're so honoured and grateful to be one of the charities selected by the Tochar Phadraig Walk again this year. As humanitarian crises around the world continue to increase in both number and intensity, this support is more important than ever. Last year, the funds raised from this event helped GOAL reach over 11 million people across 14 countries in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Ukraine with humanitarian aid and development programmes. This work simply wouldnt be possible without the support of communities around Ireland. The fundraising walk, proudly supported by Ballintubber Abbey, will start at 6.15am sharp from Ballintubber Abbey. A free bus will provide transport out from Westport town for anyone that needs it. This transport will leave at 5.30am from the Tesco Westport car park. The walk is 22 miles/35km across bog, field and road. There will be lots of food and toilet stops and there will be support vehicles along the route. Each person who registers will be set-up with an online fundraising page. Twenty-two miles can be daunting for some people, but the best thing about this walk is you can do as little or as much as you want. The first 10 miles will be via field, and this will bring us out to Aughagower. People can decide to join here and continue the next 12 miles via road, added Robbie. MORE To register please go online and for more information please contact Robbie McCarthy on 086 8233330. If you would like to donate, go to https://www.idonate.ie/donate/event/tocharphadraig25 The state of some footpaths in Ballyhuanis has promoted calls for a walkability audit to be conducted in every Mayo town and village. Local representative Cllr Alma Gallagher cited the state of the footpaths in her town, which she said were in an absolutely atrocious condition and were posing a trip hazard. Cllr Gallagher said the issue was being compounded by illegal parking on Clare Street in the town. She said the condition of the footpaths has made it increasingly challenging for staff and service users of Western Care and our older population by forcing them to venture onto the N60. The basic right to safely navigate ones community should not be hindered by poor infrastructure, she stated. Cllr Gallaghers proposal for a walkability audit of every Mayo town and village was seconded by her fellow Fine Gael councillor, Michael Burke, at the monthly meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. Cllr Gallagher praised the completion of a walkability audit last October in Knock, expressing satisfaction at the initial steps taken towards improving local infrastructure. Now we need to see these audits rolled out and implemented, she added. Mayo County Council has made representations to Transport Infrastructure Ireland regarding the footpaths in the town. Conrad Harley, Senior Executive Engineer with Mayo County Council, said the council were trying to progress funding applications to repair the footpaths in the town. He said that the council had appointed a second warden who was making significant inroads in two Mayo towns in relation to the maintenance of footpaths. Mr Harley added that walkability audits, such as the one conducted in Knock, were certainly a worthwhile exercise. Emerging therapies offer new hope for Parkinsons disease treatment with improved outcomes and safety. Trusted Source Cerevance Presents Topline Results from Phase 2 ASCEND Trial of Solengepras as Monotherapy Treatment for Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease at AD/PD 2025 Go to source Trusted Source ASCEND Trial: Solengepras Shows Limited Efficacy in Early Parkinson's Disease #Solengepras offers a fresh perspective on #Parkinson's treatment! Its non-dopaminergic action, targeting GPR6, sets it apart in a dopamine-heavy field. #worldparkinsonsday Advertisement Advertisement Cerevance Presents Topline Results from Phase 2 ASCEND Trial of Solengepras as Monotherapy Treatment for Early-Stage Parkinsons Disease at AD/PD 2025 - (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/01/3053340/0/en/Cerevance-Presents-Topline-Results-from-Phase-2-ASCEND-Trial-of-Solengepras-as-Monotherapy-Treatment-for-Early-Stage-Parkinson-s-Disease-at-AD-PD-2025.html) At the AD/PD 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease , Cerevance presented new clinical findings for itsWhile the first-in-class GPR6 antagonist failed to meet its primary endpoint as a monotherapy in the Phase II ASCEND trial, GlobalData analysts suggest its future may lie in being used as an adjunctive therapy ().which aimed to measure improvements using the MDS-UPDRS Parts II and III combined score. Unfortunately, patients on solengepras only experienced a minor, non-statistically significant improvement compared to placebo by week 12. According to Jos Opdenakker, Neurology Analyst at GlobalData, the primary endpoint was not achieved largely due to a lack of differentiation in the physician-administered neurological assessments.Despite this, Cerevance reported positive trends in patient-reported outcomes, such as reduced non-motor symptoms, improved daily function, lower overall symptom burden, and decreased daytime sleepinessoffering hope for the drugs potential in improving quality of life.Another positive takeaway was solengepras strong safety profile. All participants completed the 12-week trial, with no serious adverse events (AEs) reported. Only 25% of patients on the drug experienced any treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), underscoring its tolerability.Earlier trials support solengepras use as an adjunctive therapy, where it demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in OFF time (periods when medications aren't working well) with minimal dopaminergic side effectsa key advantage for PD patients who often suffer from complications related to current dopamine-based treatments.Cerevance is now shifting its focus to the Phase III ARISE trial, which will evaluate solengepras in combination with standard treatments like levodopa in a different PD patient population.Opdenakker notes that solengepras would struggle to carve out a space as a standalone therapy due to heavy competition from well-established treatments like levodopa, dopamine agonists (DAs), and MAO-B inhibitorsmany of which are now available as generics. GlobalDatas analysis shows six dopamine agonists currently marketed across the US, Europe, and Japan (the 7MM), with AbbVies tavapadon also in late-stage development.However,Key opinion leaders (KOLs) have expressed concerns over traditional DAs due to side effects like hallucinations and compulsive behaviors, making a well-tolerated, novel agent like solengepras an attractive alternative.Still, the adjunctive therapy space remains competitive. To secure a strong market position, Cerevance must demonstrate clear efficacy and safety advantages over existing therapies, possibly through larger Phase III trials or head-to-head comparisons.In conclusion, solengepras may have missed the mark as a monotherapy , but its safety, innovative mechanism, and potential benefits as an add-on treatment position it as a compelling candidate in the PD therapeutic landscape. The outcome of the ARISE trial will be pivotal in determining whether solengepras can fulfill its potential as an adjunctive therapy for patients with Parkinsons disease.Source-Medindia New algorithm PRRDetect could make cancer treatment more precise by analyzing tumor DNA. Highlights: The PRRDetect algorithm identifies hidden DNA repair flaws in tumors It helps doctors choose effective therapies based on the tumors genetics This advancement brings personalized cancer care closer to routine clinical practice Trusted Source Scientists create 'metal detector' to hunt down tumours Go to source Trusted Source A new tool called PRRDetect helps doctors find hidden DNA flaws in #tumors, making it easier to choose the right treatment-especially for #cancers like brain, #bowel, and lung. It's a big step toward personalized #cancercare. Advertisement Development and Functionality of PRRDetect Advertisement Future of Cancer Treatment: Personalized Medicine Advertisement Growing Role of Genomic Medicine in Healthcare Scientists create 'metal detector' to hunt down tumours - (https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/news/scientists-create-metal-detector-to-hunt-down-tumours) Researchers have developed a new algorithm that may help doctors determineto certain treatments, offering the possibility for more tailored and effective cancer care for patients ().The newly developed tool, known as, examines ato pinpoint issues with. Tumors with such defects often show a better response to treatments like immunotherapy , which utilizes the bodys immune system to combat cancer.According to Professor Serena Nik-Zainal, the lead author of the study, genomic sequencing is now faster and more affordable than ever before, approaching the point whereor scans in healthcare settings. However, to make genomics truly impactful in treatment, doctors need tools that provide clear insights into how a tumor might react to therapy, particularly in aggressive cancers such as those affecting the lungs or brain PRRDetect was created after researchers discovered mutation patterns known as , which arethat are linked to defective repair systems in cancer cells. When these systems fail, tumors become more vulnerable to specific therapies. The algorithm acts as a detector, identifying these patterns within a tumor's genetic material.This study builds on previous research by Nik-Zainal, who led an extensive analysis of cancer genomes funded by Cancer Research UK. The teams latest work focused on cancers that are more likely to present DNA repair defects, including those in the bowel, brain, uterus, skin, lungs, bladder, and stomach.Dr. Iain Foulkes of Cancer Research UK explained that tools like PRRDetect are revolutionizing cancer care by enabling a more personalized approach to treatment. By understanding the specific genetic makeup of a tumor, doctors can choose the most effective therapies, improving the chances of successful treatment and offering patients a better quality of life Professor Mike Lewis from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) praised the algorithm as an important development in cancer treatment. He emphasized its potential to help identify which therapies are most likely to succeed, thereby increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes for patients.Professor Matt Brown from Genomics England highlighted how genomic medicine is becoming an essential part of everyday healthcare. He noted that the creation of PRRDetect exemplifies the immense value of whole genome sequencing, not just in research but also in clinical practice, especially across various types of cancer.In conclusion, the development of PRRDetect represents a significant step forward in cancer treatment by enabling more personalized and targeted care. With the ability to identify DNA repair issues in tumors, this tool offers the potential for better treatment outcomes, especially for aggressive cancers.Source-Medindia Unusual weather and pollution are fueling a surprising spike in seasonal illnesses this April. Highlights: Sudden weather swings weaken immunity and boost viral infections. Air pollution and dust inflame respiratory tracts, triggering allergies and colds. Doctors recommend masks, warm fluids, and avoiding cold drinks to stay safe. Trusted Source Diurnal and seasonal variation of cough episodes in healthy young adults Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? Even in April, your cold might not be just seasonalpollution, viruses, and weather swings are all at play. #medindia #healthalert Even in April, your cold might not be just seasonalpollution, viruses, and weather swings are all at play. #medindia #healthalert Advertisement Why Everyones Falling Sick in April Advertisement Symptoms to Watch and How to Stay Safe Advertisement Other Silent Culprit Behind April Illness Diurnal and seasonal variation of cough episodes in healthy young adults - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26513001/) Coughs in the conference room, sneezes in the school corridors, and a constant shortage of cough syrup at your local chemist - somethings not quite right this April ().Just when you thought the flu season was behind you, an unexpected wave of colds and coughs , and sore throats has taken over homes, schools, and offices across India. What's causing this summer-style sick season? Turns out, your body might be fighting more than just the heat. Read on to uncover the surprising triggers behind this off-season illness surge and what you can do to stay safe.Unpredictable weather swings, hot days and chilly nights are confusing our immune systems.Air pollution, construction dust, and leftover winter viruses are creating the perfect breeding ground for illness.are further weakening immunity, making throat infections more common than ever.Doctors advise staying hydrated with warm fluids and avoiding icy beverages during recovery.are your best allies. If symptoms last beyond 56 days or include fever or breathing issues, consult a doctor immediately.Rising cases ofare being linked to pollen , dust mites, and mold. Allergies are often mistaken for colds but are triggered by environmental and lifestyle factors. Doctors suggest allergy tests and masks to pinpoint and avoid allergens effectively.Source-Medindia 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. 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. 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. 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. Coordinators: Wang Qingqin, Meng Chenguang, Hu Zhixuan, Chu Jiayin Reporters: Xu Bingjie Designers: Zhou Dixiao, Mu Wenchun BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. The Council of Europe, established to protect human rights and democracy, has increasingly become a political tool in recent years. This tool is primarily used against states that follow sovereign, principled, and rational policies, especially those that refuse to yield to false "democracy rhetoric" and political blackmail. Among the countries most affected by this shift is Azerbaijan, which has steadfastly restored its territorial integrity, declared its political subjectivity, and refused to back down in the face of external pressure. The latest remarks by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Rousopoulos, marked a peak in this degeneration. His aggressive, even hysterical rhetoric against Azerbaijans President demonstrates not only diplomatic failure but also deep internal political crises within the Council of Europe. "We are not afraid of other dictators," Rousopoulos stated. Such expressions are unbecoming of the head of an international parliamentary organization, showing a lack of ethics, decorum, and morality. It contradicts the spirit of the Council of Europe's Statute and its fake statements. Publicly branding the democratically elected president of a sovereign state as a "dictator" is not human rights advocacyit's a form of political blackmail and terrorism. At a time when Western institutions have lost credibility, countries like Azerbaijan have become pillars of stability, energy security, and political independence. Rousopoulos falsely claims that the PACE only sought permission to visit the Lachin Corridor and prisons. The reality is that for years, the Assembly has presented the Karabakh conflict solely from an Armenian perspective, consistently overlooking Azerbaijans territorial losses, ethnic cleansing, and the destruction of numerous cities and villages. Why has PACE never condemned the systematic destruction of Azerbaijan's cultural and religious heritage in Aghdam, Shusha, Fuzuli, and Zangilan? Why has it never demanded an account from Armenia about the fate of more than 3,800 missing Azerbaijanis, many of whom were prisoners of war and subsequently disappeared? In January 2024, over 30 proposals were submitted at PACE, primarily by French and Belgian MPs, suggesting sanctions on Azerbaijan for its use of force in Karabakh. These documents are part of the Assembly's official archives, further proving that decisions to punish Azerbaijan after its victory in Karabakh are politically motivated. Rousopoulos also falsely claimed that President Ilham Aliyev is refusing to implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). However, he failed to provide any concrete examples. On the other hand, we can recall the 2015 ECHR ruling in the "Chiragov and Others v. Armenia" case, which stated that Armenia must compensate Azerbaijani refugees from occupied territories. Yet, Armenia openly disregarded this ruling, and the Council of Europe did nothing. Why didnt they impose sanctions on Armenia? The answer is simple: double standards. This further underscores that the Council of Europe has transformed from a principled institution into a selective body driven by political agendas. Who is Theodoros Rousopoulos? A former journalist, a member of Greeces New Democracy Party, and known for his sympathy toward the Armenian lobby and his hardline anti-immigrant stance, Rusopulos is a political figure whose rise to PACE's presidency was achieved not through democratic processes but behind-the-scenes agreements. It is worth noting that Rusopulos was involved in a corruption scandal in Greece in 2004 when he was the government's spokesperson, participating in efforts to conceal information about corruption from the media. Now, this person speaks of law and justice... "We are not afraid of Baku," Rousopoulos says. Yet, fear drives him to break diplomatic norms, engage in political buffoonery, and behave rudely. It is the fear of Azerbaijans growing international influence, energy resources, strategic position, and independent policy. Instead of accepting this reality, Rousopoulos attempts to cover it up with emotional outbursts. As a failed representative of Western elites, he presents his personal insecurities as a "principled stance." Today, PACE is no longer an institution but a staged theatrical performance. There is no equality in this theateronly directors and puppets. Rousopoulos is a bad director: shouting, accusing, lying, but the audience is increasingly dwindling. Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to leave this theater with its head held high. President Ilham Aliyev was right: the world is indeed changing. This is the era of sovereignties. It is an era where the old, hypocritical, and neo-colonial approaches hidden behind the mask of the "Council of Europe" are no longer relevant. Azerbaijan will no longer play by these rules. In his speech, Rousopoulos claims that Azerbaijan has refused to cooperate with the Council of Europe for two years. However, he forgets that during these two years, PACE has engaged in political pressure rather than cooperation. No inquiry, statement, or delegation aimed at objective evaluation took place. The reports and resolutions were based on pre-written scripts, formed in Armenian-friendly centers in Brussels and Paris. As French MP Jacques Mer put it, "The Council of Europe has become a tool for fighting the 'undesirable' rather than a forum for dialogue. Azerbaijan was the first victim, but it certainly wont be the last." An understanding is forming within the Council of Europe that Azerbaijan is being punished not for its actions but for its principles. Azerbaijan refused to be an object. It refused to ask for permission to breathe. If Rousopoulos truly cares about human rights, he should look at the reports released before 2020 by organizations like the UN, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch regarding Karabakh. These documents highlight ethnic cleansing in Khojaly, Shusha, and Kalbajar, mass graves discovered in Khojavend and Fuzuli, and the destruction of mosques turned into pigsties. Not a single PACE body, including the Parliamentary Assembly, has ever sent a mission to investigate these crimes. Isnt this political blindness and bias? The reality is that PACEs hysteria over human rights is tied not to law but to geopolitical interests. The real reason is energy and strategic concerns. Azerbaijan no longer accepts the old European conditions of "play by our rules, or we wont let you into the club." Instead, Azerbaijan sets its own terms, opens new corridors, exports gas, invests in the Turkic world and Central Asia, and cooperates with China and Turkiye. As Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, confirmed in July 2022: "Azerbaijan is a reliable partner, and we want to double gas supplies with them by 2027." How can the same actor be called a "dictatorship" on one hand, and a "reliable partner" on the other? This is classic Western hypocrisy and cognitive dissonance. And to conceal this dissonance, dirty work is assigned to figures like Rousopoulos. By attacking Azerbaijan, he tries to cover up the hypocrisy that is being formulated in the backrooms of Brussels and Strasbourg. Those who beg for Azerbaijani gas behind closed doors are now trying to slander it in the public eye. Azerbaijan has already proven that it can protect its honor, interests, and peoplewhether on the battlefield, at the diplomatic table, in the energy sector, or in the cultural field. Exiting PACE (which, in fact, has already happened) is not a sign of weakness, but a release from a burdensome and useless load. Today, every alliance must be based on practical interests. Azerbaijan is moving according to this principle: bilateral relations, interest-based alliances, and strategic projects. In this context, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov's words are relevant: "The Council of Europe has become a tool of pressure. We are not interested in participating in a staged performance where roles are distributed according to pre-written scripts." Theodoros Rousopoulos tries to present himself as a champion of democracy, but behind his pompous rhetoric, there is something elseanxiety, helplessness, and the fear of losing control over the last moral monopoly. Rousopoulos is the mouthpiece of an old, outdated order. No matter how loudly they deny it, fear resides within their miserable soul. History will set everything right, and when the pages of the Council of Europe are rewritten in history books, Rousopoulos' name will be cited not alongside the human rights declaration but as an example of how the collective Wests sense of morality and justice crumbled. This is the fate of political buffoons... Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Congenital deafness is hearing loss present at birth, often caused by genetic mutations or infections. Trusted Source Targets of the transcription factor Six1 identify previously unreported candidate deafness genes Go to source Trusted Source The Challenge of Deafness Genes New clue in #congenital_hearing_loss! Genes regulated by Six1 are located in deafness-linked areas, making them top candidates for causing the condition. #deafness Advertisement Advertisement Targets of the transcription factor Six1 identify previously unreported candidate deafness genes - (https://journals.biologists.com/dev/article/152/7/dev204533/367679/Targets-of-the-transcription-factor-Six1-identify) New potential genes linked to deafness have been discovered.present at birthaffects roughly 1 in 1,000 babies in the UK. This condition can influence a childs communication, social interaction, cognitive development, and overall quality of life . While gene mutations are a major cause, many of the specific genes involved are still unknown. Pinpointing the exact mutations could pave the way for future treatments ().Professor Andrea Streit, expert in developmental neurobiology at King's College London, said: Human genetics approaches have identified hundreds of deafness loci regions on chromosomes associated with deafness. These regions contain many genes, and the challenge is to identify the gene that causes deafness when mutated.The study, led by Kings College London in collaboration with George Washington University, US, discovered new candidates for these so calledWith previous research identifying mutations in a protein, Six1, causing hearing loss, the team focused their investigation on the genes regulated by this protein.The researchers used computer-based methods to predict more than 150 potential Six1 targets in ear progenitor cells (cells which eventually form the entire inner ear) from chick embryos.Selecting four of those targets for further investigation, they revealed that Six1 binds to the DNA regions that regulate their expression and that reducing levels of Six1 stopped these genes from being activated.The team then showed that the vast majority of the genes found in chick are also expressed in human ear progenitors, and that a quarter of them fall into the chromosome regions associated with deafness.Professor Andrea Streit said: It was very exciting to find that some of the genes regulated by Six1 are located in regions deafness loci. This makes them priority candidates for being causative genes of congenital hearing loss.The scientists also discovered that some of the DNA regions that control Six1 target gene expression are conserved in birds and humans. This finding suggests that despite 600 million years of evolution, Six1 and its molecular mechanisms are similar in both birds and humans. They may therefore control fundamental biological processes in ear development.Professor Andrea Streit, added: It is unusual that regulatory sections of DNA, like the ones we studied, are highly conserved across species. The fact that we find them to be very similar from birds to humans indicates their critical role.The team believe further research into Six1 and the genes it regulates could provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that control how the ear normally develops.Source-Eurekalert Over 80% who die by suicide and 90% who attempt it see a doctor weeks or months beforehand. Trusted Source Zero Suicide Model Implementation and Suicide Attempt Rates in Outpatient Mental Health Care Go to source Trusted Source The #Zero_Suicide_Model offers a powerful framework: Identify risks, address them directly. Let's work towards zero #suicides. #suicide_prevention Zero Suicide Model Proven Effective Advertisement Advertisement Zero Suicide Model Implementation and Suicide Attempt Rates in Outpatient Mental Health Care - (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2832230) Almost everyone who dies by suicide has seen a healthcare provider within the year before their death. New research indicates thatthrough the use of a specific protocol. Experts say the results reinforce the need for broad adoption of the comprehensive approach known as the, especially as suicide continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the U.S ().In 2022, 49,000 people died by suicide in the U.S. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 14 and 20 to 34, and it was third leading cause among those 15 to 19.Over the course of eight years, researchers at Henry Ford Health and Kaiser Permanente examined implementation of the ZS Model in primary care and behavioral health settings. Previously, the method had only been studied at Henry Ford Health, the Detroit-based health system where the model was founded in 2001.Weve seen over the past 23 years how effective this model can be. Some years we literally have zero suicides within our patient population, said Brian K. Ahmedani, PhD, lead author of the study and director of research for Behavioral Health Services at Henry Ford Health. As health systems across the country and around the world begin to adopt this strategy, it was important to prove its effectiveness beyond our health system.Prior to the Zero Suicide Model, health systems may have lacked organized programs to identify and address suicide risk . These studies support the implementation of the Zero Suicide Model and reinforce the need for policies to support widespread, comprehensive implementation, said co-author Gregory E. Simon, MD, MPH, psychiatrist and senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute.The ZS Model starts with suicide risk screening that patients fill out before they see their doctor. Providers immediately evaluate the survey; if a patient says they have frequent thoughts about self-harm, they are further assessed for suicide risk. Those at high-risk for suicide work with a specialized member of the care team to create a safety plan that covers who they can call if theyre in distress; cognitive tools for reducing suicidal thoughts; and what they can do to try to make their home environment safe. Then, the patient is referred to an outpatient behavioral health provider for psychotherapy focused on suicide prevention.The ZS Model Implementation Study published inexamined implementation in behavioral health clinics at five Kaiser Permanente health systems in California, Oregon, Washington and Colorado, as well as Henry Ford Health locations in Michigan.Embedded researchers within each system collaborated with outpatient behavioral health care providers to document components of the ZS Method incorporated into the care of over 300,000 patients per month over the age of 13 from 2012 to 2019.The researchers trackedThese statistics are incredibly significant, particularly when you consider patients who engage with behavioral health specialists are at a higher risk for suicide than those who visit a general practitioner, Ahmedani said.In a concurrent study, researchers examined ZS Model implementation among more than 475,000 patients in 19 primary care practices within the Kaiser Permanente system in the state of Washington. Again, the rate of suicide attempts was 25% lower with the ZS Model approach.Zero Suicide may seem like an impossible goal, but we believe we should strive every day to try to prevent suicide among our patients, Ahmedani said. This is the best evidence yet that we have the tools to recognize those in distress, intervene, and help them change course.Source-Eurekalert AI helps reimagine exercise for neurodivergent children through short, accessible activity videos. Trusted Source The impact of ADHD and autism spectrum disorders on temperament, character, and personality development Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? Just a few minutes of fun exercise can help all kids, including those with autism, stay healthy and active.#inclusivefitness #medindia Just a few minutes of fun exercise can help all kids, including those with autism, stay healthy and active.#inclusivefitness #medindia Advertisement Reinventing InPACT for All Kids neurodivergent children Advertisement How AI Supports Neurodivergent Kids Advertisement Cards, Collaboration, and Community The impact of ADHD and autism spectrum disorders on temperament, character, and personality development - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16816230/) What happens when exercise meets empathy and AI joins hands with inclusivity? A powerful movement is born-one thats helpingacross Michigan get active, stay engaged, and have fun. This isnt just about fitness-it's about transforming how we move, teach, and connect ().AI is used to deliver exercise "" to children with autism . The team, led by, used ChatGPT to overhaul the program's instructions for, adapting them to better meet the needs ofThe program, called, was developed during Michelle Obama's "" campaign to combat childhood obesity. The researchers worked with PBS's Michigan Learning Channel and the Department of Education to broadcast the physical activity program on TV to reach children without internet access.InPACT program, initially designed for neurotypical children, has been adapted to accommodate neurodivergent children , utilizingfor universal design.Michigan regional health coordinator Alanna Price has revised instructions for neurodivergent learners in adaptive physical education programs, focusing on. The team is developing a "starter pack" of activity play cards.Source-University of Michigan Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met with the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkiye, Mr. Yasar Guler, within the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025), Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. The meeting discussed the current state and prospects of military cooperation between the two fraternal countries, as well as exchanged views on regional security issues. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ATLANTA -- Alan Kinder was touched last year when the strangers he encountered during his trip back to Normandy gratefully hugged and kissed him. He had returned to France with other World War II veterans so they could mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the allied invasion of Europe. Still buoyed by that warm reception, the 100-year-old Gainesville, Georgia, resident is preparing to return to Europe in June. Kinder will travel there to commemorate the Battle of the Bulge, the major German counteroffensive that ended in January of 1945. But first, Kinder will be recognized at home. On Saturday, the French government will present him with the Legion of Honor, the European countrys highest decoration. Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the medal is awarded to French citizens and foreign nationals who have made exceptional contributions to France. Other American recipients include Josephine Baker, the entertainer and French Resistance fighter; Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme allied commander in Europe during the war; and Eisenhowers fellow U.S. military veterans who helped liberate France. French Consul General in Atlanta Anne-Laure Desjonqueres will present the medal to Kinder during a ceremony at the American Legion in Smyrna. Suspended by red silk ribbon, it features oak and laurel branches and a medallion representing the French Republic. Kinder said he is honored by the recognition and will accept it on behalf of his unit, the 14th Field Artillery Observation Battalion. It was attached to Gen. George Patton Jr.s Third Army during the war. I take it as a remembrance for our battalion, Kinder said. It means so much to me now. Born in the Seattle area, Kinder was the oldest of two children. His father helped run a sewer pipe manufacturing plant, while his mother raised Kinder and his younger sister at home. At 18, Kinder was drafted. Before deploying, he completed military training at Camp Roberts, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington. Kinder landed on Utah Beach on Aug. 17, 1944, more than two months after D-Day. He still has vivid memories of what he saw as his unit advanced. The roads were clogged with German prisoners of war heading west and allied tanks, bicycles and horse-drawn wagons heading east. Civilians generously welcomed the American soldiers with wine and schnapps. Occasionally, Kinder witnessed retribution, even executions. We saw the results of one hanging and one shooting, he added. I am sure it was deserved. Trained to detect enemy artillery positions with microphone technology, Kinders unit worked close to the front lines. Focusing on his job, he said, helped him compartmentalize during combat. The fighting intensified starting in December of 1944, when the Germans desperately fought to push the allies back during the Battle of the Bulge. Kinder remembers seeing the bodies of many American troops who had frozen to death or been killed amid the fighting. A few months ago, I couldnt talk about it. Now, Im inured to it, he said, adding the kind welcome he received in Normandy last year helped make it easier for him. Kinder also remembers the day he narrowly survived an enemy attack. He was on his way to the Battle of the Bulge when he and some fellow soldiers took shelter from the bitter cold in a three-story house north of Luxembourg City. Kinder was leaning over to untie his shoes when a German shell struck the house. It killed some of his fellow troops in the attic. Kinder came to with a mattress on top of him. Today, Kinder wonders if he experienced shock or was concussed because he cant remember much of what happened in the few days after the explosion. He hopes returning to Luxembourg, the Ardennes Forest and Bastogne in June will help fill gaps in his memory. Along with other WWII veterans from Illinois, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, Kinder is making the trip with the help of a charitable nonprofit called Forever Young Veterans. After the war, Kinder graduated from college and married. He and his late wife, Vaida, raised two daughters. Kinder worked as a ceramic engineer, a career that first brought him to Georgia in 1957. After that, he moved elsewhere to work in other parts of the United States. Eventually, he started a tiling business, working until he was 83. He returned to Georgia in 2010 to retire. Speaking recently at his retirement community, Kinder reflected on his mortality. He made it to 100, he said, because of luck. He added that he wants to continue living at least until Independence Day. Meanwhile, he worries. Kinder circumspectly referred to Americas political polarization and the state of its international alliances. Our relationship with so many countries now has suddenly turned sour. I feel so bad about that, he said. World War II, unfortunately, was the highlight of our unification around the world. Now, we are blowing it to some extent. Considerate and discreet, he was reluctant to elaborate. But he said he hopes it wont take another war to bring people back together. The French government recognition he will receive this Saturday, he added, is a hopeful sign. 2025 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Army's premier institution for training its most senior noncommissioned officers has barred its students from writing academic essays on topics such as women, minorities and other issues related to diversity. The 10-month Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, includes multiple major projects in its curriculum, including two essays students were expected to work on for several months. Both projects were scrapped from the course and replaced with a single essay, a service spokesperson confirmed to Military.com. That was because too many students had been working on topics now deemed taboo by the Army amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's scorched-earth approach to scrubbing references to diversity -- typically programs, policies and materials dealing with women, those with minority backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ people -- from the services. Read Next: Commander of Greenland Base Who Broke with Vance Fired Shortly After Military.com Report The change reflects the expanding Trump administration censorship across the Department of Defense aimed at erasing acknowledgment of those groups. It also follows a series of executive orders issued by President Donald Trump and internal policy shifts championed by Hegseth, who has made the erasure of those groups a core goal of his tenure so far. The administration has labeled materials related to women, minorities and gay people as "diversity, equity and inclusion," or DEI, a term that once described efforts toward racial equality but has been repurposed under Trump as a catchall term used to conduct a government-wide purge. "Students were required to select their topics and begin their research months before the presidential executive orders were issued. Some students selected topics that may have been construed to have a DEI frame of reference and were potentially incompliant," Lt. Col. Eugene Miranda, a service spokesperson, said in a statement. "Because of the time already invested in the writing requirements, the Sergeants Major Academy combined the writing requirements and extended the deadline to allow students to complete the work in alignment with new directives." Soldiers interviewed in recent months have reported their concerns go beyond academic freedom, saying the moves the Pentagon has made placing such an emphasis on scrubbing mentions of gender and race may have enormous consequences for the military's culture. "It's a very serious concern; it's the second- and third-order effects," one academy student told Military.com on the condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation. "It makes people feel like they are worthless, how their perspective isn't as valid as it was, say, a few months ago." In recent years, the Army has tried to make enormous gains in professionalising its NCO corps. Part of that has been a growing expectation of writing skills and understanding the impact of policy. Much policy the service is actively working has to do with diversity, including gender -- such as revamping the Army's fitness test and adjusting standards for women in combat arms. Sergeants Major Academy students may complete the no-longer-required essays and submit them for writing awards the service offers, but they still cannot approach barred topics. "Students can still voluntarily elect to participate in an award category; however, [they] must submit a paper free of DEI content," an internal briefing on the matter reviewed by Military.com said. That briefing noted the taboo topics included: "diversity, cultural perspectives, inequities, analyzing competing entities, including disenfranchised or vulnerable groups, in group favoritism, intergroup bias, [equal opportunity] recruitment, perceived inequities, gender diversity, cultural and ethnic differences, age ranges, generational gaps, disabilities, and discrimination." The Pentagon's vague guidance on what is and isn't DEI has caused enormous confusion across the services. The Air Force, for example, had to reinstate a class for basic trainees on the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Air Service Pilots, or WASPs, that had been cut. Meanwhile, the services pulled out of an annual recruiting effort at a prestigious Black engineering conference. In recent weeks, the U.S. Naval Academy removed some 400 books from its library, which include sociology books and texts written by Black female politicians. The banned book titles include "The Second Coming of the KKK," a landmark book on how the Klan rose to political power in the early 20th century; and "Memorializing the Holocaust: Gender, Genocide and Collective Memory," which analyzes violence against women. Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" is still available in the Naval Academy library. The United States Military Academy at West Point meanwhile has canceled two of its courses, a history course on race and an English class called "Power and Difference," which centered on inequities within politics and aimed to "prepare cadets to lead in a rapidly changing global environment, emphasizing the importance of understanding different perspectives and the impact of power dynamics," according to a course description. Related: Army Deleting Online Content Related to Women, Minorities Using Key Words Like 'Respect' and 'Dignity' The Pentagons newest push to trim its workforce and spending could mean that on-base grocery stores and shops designed to save service members and their families money could ultimately be sold off to the private sector. An April 7 memo signed by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg listed a wide range of possible reforms aimed at "delivering maximum value to the warfighter." Among them included "all functions that are not inherently governmental (e.g. retail sales and recreation) should be prioritized for privatization." A defense official familiar with the intent behind the memo told Military.com on Thursday that there weren't any off-limit areas for cuts or privatization. Commissaries, military-run hotels, and on-base welfare facilities were all fair game, they said. Read Next: Commander of Greenland Base Who Broke with Vance Fired Shortly After Military.com Report However, the official noted that it was up to the individual military services to bring forward suggestions and that just because something like a commissary is put forward for privatization doesn't automatically mean that it will be sold off. "Everything is pre-decisional right now," the official said. Privatizing aspects of the military's support services has a long and largely problematic history that has resulted in markedly poorer outcomes for service members while offering little in the way of savings for the Pentagon. William "Bill" Moore, who served as the director and CEO of the Defense Commissary Agency, or DeCA, between 2020 and 2024, wrote in an opinion piece for the Ripon Society think tank last year that "privatizing commissaries is, quite simply, a bad idea." Moore explained to Military.com in an interview Friday that funding from Congress helps subsidize the commissaries, allowing them to offer products much more affordably than other grocery stores. "If you privatize without subsidy, I guarantee you, there is no way they will be able to save military families anything," Moore said. "I would be shocked if any for-profit company could take over the commissaries and deliver any benefit to military families beyond convenience. There's no way they could sell items at the prices the commissary could." Commissaries have taken scrutiny in recent years. A 2022 Government Accountability office report critiqued the methodology for how the agency calculated some of its customer savings rates, describing it as "unreliable." Moore told Military.com that they "fixed a lot of that" and were still working on improving those savings estimates up to his departure from DeCA. While commissaries are nonprofit organizations by law, profits from military exchanges -- retail stores on military bases that sell a wide variety of products -- also get cycled into the Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs for service members and their families. It was unclear how those recreation programs would be fully funded if exchanges were turned over to private companies, which would likely choose to pocket those profits. Notably, some of the top leaders in the Trump administration have voiced their support for privatization efforts in the past. Former Rep. Mike Waltz, now Trump's national security adviser, said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing last year that he wanted the military "out of the hotel management business" and said the private sector could do the job "incredibly well" when it came to base housing. As cautionary tales of privatization go, the military's handover of family housing is a prime example. For decades, the arrangement has caused a raft of problems involving companies that manage the units where troops and their families live. Balfour Beatty, a massive company that manages more than 40,000 military homes across more than 50 bases, has repeatedly been sued and forced to pay restitution to military families for its consistent failure to ensure military homes in its care are safe and livable. Two weeks ago, the company was hit with yet another lawsuit that alleged the company "concealed the horrific conditions from unsuspecting service men and women and their families" and then, "when these conditions were discovered and reported, Balfour systematically failed to properly repair and remediate significant problems." However, the company's history of shoddy work goes back decades. In 2019, Balfour Beatty was caught up in a nationwide scandal over squalid family housing and pleaded guilty in 2021 to falsifying maintenance records that went as far back as 2013. The company was ordered to pay $65.4 million in fines and restitution for misconduct related to its military housing practices in federal contracts. And yet, despite that scandal and fine, in 2022, an eight-month investigation by a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs panel found the company was continuing to ignore residents' concerns over mold, asbestos and other problems in their homes. Balfour Beatty is not alone, though. In 2020, families of Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, took several private companies that run housing on that base to court over their alleged failure to provide safe residences or respond to complaints of mold, mildew, water intrusion, roaches and maintenance problems. That same year, nine Army families also sued their privatized base housing landlords at Fort Cavazos, Texas, over allegations of life-threatening levels of mold and "deplorable" conditions in their homes that ruined their belongings. An Army family at the base was awarded $10.3 million in 2024 after they were forced to live in a mold-infested home run by a private Army housing company, leading to repeated hospitalizations of their newborn infant for respiratory difficulties. Those issues have not stopped the military from trying to create new privatized housing solutions for troops. In September, Edwards Air Force Base, California, broke ground on the service's first privatized on-base apartment complex. Related: Military Families in Key West Sue Balfour Beatty over Allegations of Squalid, Toxic Housing Conditions WASHINGTON President Donald Trump is betting that a beleaguered Iran is so vulnerable following a tumultuous 18 months in the Middle East that it might finally be ready to abandon its nuclear program. The renewed push to solve one of the most delicate foreign policy issues facing the White House and the Mideast will begin in earnest Saturday when Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gather in Oman. Trump says he prefers a diplomatic solution, even as he warns that Iran will face great danger if talks don't go well. But Iran's nuclear advances since Trump scrapped an Obama-era agreement during his first term make finding a pathway to a deal difficult, and experts warn that the prospects of U.S. military action on Iranian nuclear facilities appear higher than they have been in years. His ultimate goal and the ultimate objective is to ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday. 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, she added. The moment is certainly fraught, but the White House is seeing hopeful signs that the timing might be right. The push comes as Iran has faced a series of enormous setbacks that has ostensibly left Tehran in a weaker negotiating position. Iran's recent challenges The military capabilities of Iranian-backed proxy forces Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been dramatically degraded by Israeli forces. U.S. airstrikes, meanwhile, targeting Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have hit oil refineries, airports and missile sites. Israel also carried out strikes against Iran in October that damaged facilities linked to Tehrans nuclear and ballistic missile programs. And in December, Iran saw Syrian leader Bashar Assad Tehran's closest Mideast ally ousted after more than two decades in power. The leaders of the Islamic Republic also face domestic pressure as years of international sanctions have choked the economy. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions earlier this week targeting five entities and an individual that American officials say play key roles in Iran's nuclear program. All eyes are on Oman by Iranians following this very closely and potentially hoping that this would impact the state of the economy, said Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, a Washington-based think tank. But it remains to be seen if the U.S. can entice Iran with a big enough carrot for it to make concessions to meet Trump's demands that any potential deal go further in ensuring Tehran doesn't develop nuclear weapons than the agreement forged during Democratic President Barack Obama's administration. Under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran could only maintain a small stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%. Today, it has enough to build multiple nuclear weapons if it chooses and has some material enriched up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. It's not clear if talks will be face to face At the meeting Saturday in Omans capital city of Muscat, Iran will be represented by Araghchi and the United States by Witkoff. It's unclear if the two will speak directly. Trump has said the two sides will have direct negotiations. But Iranian officials have insisted that the plan is for indirect talks, meaning an intermediary from Oman would shuttle messages between Witkoff's and Araghchi's teams holed up in different rooms. Either way, the decision for the two sides to talk announced by Trump in the Oval Office this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came as a bit of a surprise. Trump has been calling for direct talks, while threatening "consequences" for Iran if it doesn't move to get a deal done. Iran, meanwhile, has given mixed signals about the utility of the talks, arguing that engaging would be useless under the shadow of threats. After Trump recently sent a letter to Irans supreme leader, 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for direct negotiations, Tehran rejected the entreaty while leaving open the possibility of indirect negotiations. President Masoud Pezeshkian again pledged this week that Iran's not after a nuclear bomb and even suggested Tehran could be open to the prospect of direct American investment in the Islamic Republic if the countries can reach a deal. That was a departure from Irans stance after its 2015 nuclear deal, in which Tehran sought to buy American airplanes but in effect barred U.S. companies from coming into the country. How much room is there for negotiation? National security adviser Mike Waltz has said Trump wants the full dismantlement of Irans nuclear program, adding, Thats enrichment, that is weaponization, and that is its strategic missile program. But Trump left greater space for negotiations: The only thing that they cant have is a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters as he met with his Cabinet secretaries Wednesday. Witkoff also has signaled that the administration could be amenable to a deal that is less than full nuclear disarmament. Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponization of your nuclear capability, Witkoff said in a Wall Street Journal interview published Friday. Meanwhile, Netanyahu, who met with Trump on Monday, said he would welcome a diplomatic agreement along the lines of Libyas deal with the international community in 2003. The Israeli leader is known for his hawkish views on Iran and in the past has urged Washington to take military action against Iran. The Libya deal saw late dictator Moammar Gadhafi give up all of his clandestine nuclear program. Iran has insisted its program, acknowledged to the International Atomic Energy Agency, should continue. But Trump has notably not embraced Netanyahu's push for the Libya model, said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, another Washington-based think tank. If its narrow, if its focused on the nuclear program, if the goal of the U.S. is to prevent a nuclear weapon, then there is a likelihood for success, Parsi said. And its under those circumstances that I suspect that you will see talks, perhaps in rather short order, be elevated. ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Muscat, Oman, contributed to this report. NEW YORK (AP) Divers using sonar searched Friday for key pieces of a sightseeing helicopter that broke apart in midair and plunged into the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey. All six people aboard were killed a family of five from Spain and the pilot, a 36-year-old U.S. Navy veteran. The main and rear rotors, main transmission, roof structure and tail structure were still missing a day after Thursdays crash, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said. Witnesses said they saw the main rotor detach and spin away, and bystander video showed parts of the aircraft tumbling through the air. Homendy said investigators had only just begun looking at the wreckage, flight logs and other material and would not speculate on the cause. The agency, which has been spared from the Trump administration's job-cutting measures, deployed 17 people to the crash scene, including 10 investigators. Everything is on the table. We dont rule anything out, Homendy said. We take a very detailed and comprehensive view, and it's way too early in the investigation. The helicopter crashed around 3:15 p.m. Thursday, about 15 minutes after departing from a lower Manhattan heliport. It flew up the west side of Manhattan, turned around near the George Washington Bridge and was heading south when it plummeted upside down into a shallow stretch of the river near Jersey City, New Jersey. The crash, the latest in a string of deadly incidents, has renewed debate about the safety and practicality of helicopter tours in New York City's busy airspace. Victims include a family and a Navy vet Just before takeoff, Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10 smiled in front of the helicopter in souvenir photos posted to the tour operator's website. Escobar, a 49-year-old executive with the German conglomerate Siemens, had extended a business trip to the U.S. to sightsee in New York City and celebrate two family milestones: Mercedes' 9th birthday, which would have been Friday, and his wife's upcoming 40th birthday. Montal was an executive at Siemens Energy, a company that had been a part of the conglomerate before being spun off as a separate entity. In a statement posted on the social platform X Friday night by Montal's brother, Joan Camprubi Montal, family members expressed gratitude for the massive expressions of condolences and support, adding, There are no words to describe what we are experiencing, nor to thank the warmth received. Writing in Spanish and in Catalan, Montal said family members had traveled to New York to handle arrangements and asked people to respect their privacy. These are very difficult times, but optimism and joy have always characterized our family. We want to keep the memory of a happy and united family, in the sweetest moment of their lives, he said. They have departed together, leaving an indelible mark among all their relatives, friends, and acquaintances." The pilot, Seankese Johnson, 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, Homendy said. 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. He enlisted in 2006 and served until 2018, achieving the rank of Gunner's 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. Officials call for air traffic restrictions Thursday's crash amplified calls from some community activists and public officials to ban or restrict helicopter traffic around Manhattan. More than three dozen people have been killed in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977. New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Manhattan Democrat, called the crash a reminder of our worst fears" and said having nonessential flights over densely populated areas is a recipe for disaster." Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Democrat running for governor of New Jersey, called on the FAA to restrict tourist flights. Had the helicopter veered a few hundred feet inland, it might have crashed into a walkway, a playground or apartment buildings, he said. It's a very dangerous situation, and I think we need to be practical about it, Fulop said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, however, said he doesn't want to restrict any flights until the investigation is complete. He told 1010 WINS radio: People want to see the city from the sky. At the heart of this is safety. It must be done right." A helicopter industry group also urged caution. Unfortunately, some well-meaning but misguided leaders are using this tragedy to exploit and push their decades-old agenda to ban all helicopters, Eastern Region Helicopter Council Chairman Jeff Smith said in a statement. 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. Tour company is profoundly saddened The flight's operator, New York Helicopter, said in a statement Friday that it is profoundly saddened by the tragic accident and loss of life," adding that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew "has always been the cornerstone of our operations. The company, one of a handful offering sightseeing flights in the Big Apple, had been beset by financial problems in recent years. It emerged from bankruptcy in 2022 and has faced lawsuits for allegedly failing to pay its bills. The companys owner, Michael Roth, told the New York Post he was devastated and had no clue what 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 anything like this during his 30 years in the helicopter business, but noted: These are machines, and they break. Helicopter had maintenance issue last fall The helicopter, a Bell 206 LongRanger IV, was built in 2004. According to FAA records, it had a maintenance issue last September involving its transmission assembly. An entry in the agencys Service Difficulty Reporting System shows the transmission assembly had metal in oil, a sign of wear, and a bearing in the transmission was found to be flaking. The helicopter had logged 12,728 total flight hours at the time, according to the records. ___ Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut. Associated Press writers Philip Marcelo and Jennifer Peltz in New York; Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York; Tara Copp in Washington; and Joseph Wilson in Barcelona, Spain, contributed. MUSCAT, Oman (AP) Envoys from Iran and the United States began negotiations Saturday in Oman over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. No overall agreement is immediately likely, but the stakes of the negotiations couldnt be higher for these two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Irans nuclear program if a deal isnt reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed a private jet from Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, arrived in Oman on Saturday morning. U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff had just met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday there. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry released footage of Tehran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Irans state-run IRNA news agency reported that Araghchi provided Irans stance and key points for the talks to be conveyed to the U.S. side. IRNA's report suggested the meeting would be held later Saturday. Associated Press journalists saw a convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff leaving the Omani Foreign Ministry and then speed off into the outskirts of Muscat. The convoy went into a compound and a few minutes later, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social platform X that the indirect talks had begun. These talks will be held at a location planned by the Omani host, with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seated in the halls and sides, conveying their points of view and positions to each other through the Omani Foreign Minister, Baghaei wrote. Araghchi earlier spoke to Iranian journalists. If there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk about that, Araghchi said, in an audio clip published by IRNA. What is clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the national interests of the Iranian people. Trump and Witkoff both have described the talks as being direct. I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today, Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his trip. That doesnt mean, by the way, that at the margin were not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries. He added: Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponization of your nuclear capability, While the U.S. side can offer sanctions relief for Irans 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, Tehrans 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 wont 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 countrys 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States. ___ Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. ___ 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/ ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. On April 12, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met in Antalya on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the Azerbaijani MFA said, Trend reports. "The Parties discussed the current state of affairs in the normalization process following the finalization of the text of the Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Ministers expressed readiness to continue the dialogue," the ministry said. GRAND HAVEN, MI Bulk freighters regularly delight onlookers as they pass between the Grand Haven pierheads to deliver limestone, slag and trap rock needed to make concrete and asphalt for Michigan road construction. Those freighters need a harbor channel deep enough to reach the Verplank Dock up the Grand River in Ferrysburg, where the bulk aggregates are unloaded into large piles. But Grand Havens inner harbor isnt getting dredged this fall after the federal government balked at new pollution testing required by the state, which is concerned that sediment dredged from more than a dozen Michigan harbors may inadvertently contaminate drinking water supplies depending on where it ultimately ends up being deposited. On March 26, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rejected an internal request for funding to test Grand Haven harbor sediment for PFAS, a class of toxic chemicals which state regulators have spent nearly a decade aggressively testing for around Michigan. The Army Corps says PFAS testing in Grand Haven and elsewhere threatens to drive up dredging costs if the sediment is toxic enough to require landfilling. Congressional Republicans weighed into the matter on April 1 when U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., blasted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over the harbor-killing mandate and faulted the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) for impeding the movement of cargos through poorly defined testing parameters. In Grand Haven, harbor businesses say the dredging delay threatens to drive up road construction costs if cargo deliveries cost more because ships cant float-in as much material. The harbor was supposed to be dredged last fall and shippers are concerned that sediment shoaling may prevent a delivery. The Army Corps now plans to dredge Grand Haven next year. You know, our governor has been very pro-road, and yet the division of EGLE thats working for her doesnt even understand that they just kind of caused a huge bump in her agenda, said Ron Mathews, CEO of Verplank Family Holding Co. Dredging cost scare in Menominee While Whitmer was in Washington, D.C. on April 9 to meet President Donald Trump at the White House, EGLE and the Army Corps met to discuss the testing kerfuffle. Nick Zager, chief of operations for the Army Corps Detroit District, called the meeting productive and said the district plans to ask for Grand Haven testing funds again. Sediment testing is nothing new for the Army Corps, but PFAS isnt part of the typical list of legacy contaminants sampled for in harbor sediments and Zager said the Corps initially misunderstood the way EGLE wanted it measured. After the meeting Wednesday, it was clear that that the criteria is there, but it needed to be put in a framework of dredging rather than water quality, he said. We all thought they literally had to develop new standards and that thats not the case. The state has been creating guidance since last fall on how the Army Corps can go about testing. According to EGLE, 17 of the 69 navigation channels in Michigan maintained by the Army Corps are either close enough to one of the states more than 300 known PFAS sources, or have high enough contaminant levels in the ambient surface water to warrant testing. Those include the Clinton and Detroit rivers, and harbors in Alpena, Port Huron, St. Clair, Grand Haven, Holland, Manistee, Menominee, Monroe, Saginaw, South Haven and St. Joseph. Outer harbor sediments in Michigan are mostly sand that Army Corp contractors use to build beaches. The states concern is with inner harbors, where tributary currents deposit sediments which are finer grain silts that PFAS molecules can cling to. While the federal government is responsible for maintaining navigable harbors for shipping, the state owns Great Lakes harbor bottomlands and has authority require dredging projects meet water quality standards under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act through a certification process. We dont want dredge material placed in a way that its going to create a contaminated site that then is required to be cleaned up, said Gillian Gainsley, EGLE chief of staff. Gainsley said EGLE became authorized to require sediment testing for PFAS in 2020, but the agency did not ask the Army Corps to test harbor bottoms until a couple years ago. In early 2024 at the request of Wisconsin and Michigan, the Army Corp tested sediments in Menominee as part of a larger feasibility study to deepen the harbor. An initial Menominee cost workup sparked alarm after what Zager described as a worst case scenario estimation raised the total project cost from $38 million to more than $187 million. The biggest cost factor was potentially landfilling those sediments, which would involve tipping fees on trucking 500,000 cubic yards of slop inland for disposal rather than dumping the material out in the open waters of Lake Michigan, Zager said. Thankfully, Zager said test results show only about 4 percent of Menominee harbor sediments might be affected rather than the 20 percent the Army Corp assumed, and its possible that material could simply be avoided by dredges altogether. Thats going to drive the cost back down, Zager said. It isnt anywhere near the threat to navigation that we initially thought it was, he said. What happens if a harbor is severely contaminated? Thus far, Grand Haven is the only Michigan dredging project delayed thanks to a schedule that allows EGLE and the Army Corps time to finalize testing parameters. Other harbors on the list arent scheduled for dredging until 2026. However, Zager said the possibility remains that harbor testing in Grand Haven or elsewhere in Michigan might turn up PFAS at concentrations which are cost-prohibitive to dredge around or remediate potentially threatening that harbors future. If we look at these harbors and they have a lot of hot spots for PFAS, it could ultimately mean that we dont have the economic justification to dredge that harbor anymore or at least large portions of the harbor, Zager said. Huizenga, who blasted the state prior to EGLEs meeting with the Army Corp, did not provide further input when contacted by MLive. In a March 28 letter to Whitmer, Huizenga said he was initially told that the testing requirement stemmed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys addition of PFAS chemicals to the list of regulated hazardous substances. In St. Joseph, harbormaster Michael Moran said about 50 ships deliver bulk cargos each year and hes optimistic dredging will take place as scheduled in 2026. We just want to balance environmental responsibility with getting our commercial shipping in, Moran said. Hopefully we can continue to get dredging done. At Verplank in Grand Haven, Mathews remains worried that drawn-out Army Corps bidding and contracting schedules coupled with constraints such as prohibitions on dredging during fish spawning and other unknowns may pose a challenge. He hopes PFAS testing procedures are sorted out before theres any impact to dredging on major connecting channels. If the Detroit River gets too shallow, iron ore from Duluth doesnt get to Cleveland anymore and then the steel industry will be affected, he said. Then people will really pay attention. Related stories: Trump says hell save Lake Michigan from carp Tribes stop cooperating with Line 5 review 2023 was busy for Lake Michigan dredging Beachgoers frolic around harbor dredging outwash Freighter grounds in Muskegon harbor again A man holds a steelhead trout. The annual spring steelhead egg-take operation will soon begin at the Little Manistee River Weir. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com) Mike Mulholland | MLive.com MANISTEE COUNTY, MI Maintaining Michigans world-class fishery is a big job. It involves fishing regulations, habitat management, addressing invasive species and rearing and stocking fish. On Tuesday, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources plans to begin its spring collection of steelhead trout eggs at the Little Manistee River Weir. The goal is to collect 4.5 million eggs that will be stocked in Great Lakes tributaries in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. RELATED: Prehistoric lake sturgeon need protection during spawning: How to help The public is invited to watch the first step in rearing and stocking this premier sport fish, which is popular among anglers both on the open water of the Great Lakes and in tributary streams. Egg taking is tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23, at the weir, 3858 Old Stronach Road in Stronach Township. (The dates could change depending on the ripeness and number of fish present.) The Little Manistee River Weir stops the upstream migration of steelhead trout each spring and chinook salmon each fall. The fish are diverted into the egg-take facility for the egg-taking operation. Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com Since 1968, the Little Manistee River Weir has served as the sole source of winter-run steelhead eggs for fish hatcheries in Michigan and the main source for Ohio and Indiana. Thompson State Fish Hatchery and Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery will receive 3.7 million eggs this year for eventual stocking throughout Michigan. Ohio and Indiana will each receive 400,000 eggs. RELATED: Michigans 2025 fishing regulations include fish size limit changes, gear restrictions Yearling steelhead produced through hatchery operations are stocked in select tributaries of all the Great Lakes. Ohio stocks in Lake Erie tributaries while Indiana stocks in southern Lake Michigan tributaries. DNR egg-take operations begin with the lowering of the weir grates by mid-March. This stops the upstream steelhead migration in the Little Manistee River and diverts the fish into holding ponds. Fish usually ripen during April and egg-take operations begin, continuing until the egg quota has been reached. During egg-take operations, unripe or green steelhead (those that are not yet ready to reproduce) are held in maturation ponds or counted and passed upstream to sustain the wild Little Manistee River steelhead run. RELATED: Attention anglers: 7 fishing days you wont want to miss this April Steelhead that are spawned during operations also are passed upstream and many eventually return to Lake Michigan as this species is capable of spawning multiple times. Once the quota of eggs is reached, the weir grates are removed, and all remaining fish are allowed to migrate upstream. No steelhead are stocked by DNR in the Little Manistee River. The run consists mostly of naturally reproduced fish and strays from other rivers. The Little Manistee River Weir is used to collect steelhead eggs each spring and Chinook salmon eggs every fall. Egg-take operations are always open to the public. A 21-year-old from Burton was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene of an Oakland County shooting early Friday, April 11. (MLive File Photo) Jake May COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI A man from Burton was reportedly and killed overnight Thursday in a residential area of Oakland County. WJRT-TV reported the shooting occurred before 12:30 a.m. Friday, April 11, in the 300 block of Vinona Terrace off Carroll Lake Road in Commerce Township. The Oakland County Sheriffs Department reported the victim from the Genesee County community was 21 years old and pronounced dead at the scene. A 24-year-old man from Commerce Township was in custody related to the shooting, WJRT reported. Names of those involved and other details about the incident had not been released as of early Friday. Chicken Shack, a long established Royal Oak restaurant since 1956, will open in Grand Blanc at the former Yayas on South Saginaw Street. | Photo provided by Chicken Shack Chicken Shack GRAND BLANC, MI - Detroits Original Chicken Shack, a Metro Detroit-based restaurant chain founded in Royal Oak in 1956, has opened its newest location in Grand Blanc. The opening marks the brands 24th location in Michigan and first in Genesee County. Located at 11355 S. Saginaw Road, at the intersection of Saginaw and Reid roads, the new dine-in restaurant is open for business. A grand opening celebration is being held at 11 a.m. on April 29. To mark the grand opening, the restaurant will offer a Buy One, Get One Free promotion on all chicken dinners for dine-in guests. Additional giveaways include $20 gift cards distributed every hour and a Party Pack for 25 guests awarded to the 100th customer. Known for its fried chicken and signature Shack Potatoes, Chicken Shack has built a long-standing presence in Southeast Michigan over nearly seven decades. The new Grand Blanc location represents the chains continued growth into new markets across the state. We are excited to join the Grand Blanc community, said Gary Kotlarz, owner of the Grand Blanc franchise, in a statement. We look forward to introducing our menu to new customers in Genesee County. Chicken Shack was established by John and Iola Sobeck, who opened the first restaurant on June 6, 1956. The business has remained family-run for four generations. Chicken Shack offers fresh chicken marinated in its own unique spices. Bone-in, boneless, wings, legs, thighs, nuggets and tenders are on the menu. We also serve baby back ribs, which are delicious, Neil Sobeck, Vice President of Chicken Shack, said to the Journal last year. We have our own barbecue sauce and some seafood items. The Shack Potatoes is another menu staple. The potatoes are brushed with a secret margarine sauce, Sobek said. They also serve fries, onion rings, coleslaw and salads. Regular operating hours will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The nearest location to Flint is in Clarkston. For more information, visit www.ChickenShack.com. JACKSON COUNTY, MI - The Mid-Michigan weather might be taking its time to warm up, but you can still find plenty of ways to break a sweat and tone your muscles in Jackson County if you know where to look. From aerobics to powerlifting, and Zumba to CrossFit, there are several hidden gym gems to find in the Jackson-area. Here are handful of Jackson-area gym and fitness centers to visit if you need help staying healthy and molding your perfect physique. The exterior of the Center Lake Fitness facility on April 11, 2025. (Mitchell Kukulka | MLive.com) Mitchell Kukulka | Mkukulka@mlive.com Center Lake Fitness Located in the picturesque Napoleon Township countryside and complemented by a barn-like atmosphere, Center Lake Fitness offers one of the coziest environments youre likely to find in a fitness center. For the past decade, Center Lake Fitness has worked to make exercise fun for all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels. The center offers CrossFit, Bungee, Aerial fitness, Zumba classes, personal training and more. Center Lake Fitness, 3859 Hoyer Road near Michigan Center, hosts strength and conditioning classes at 5:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. Monday-Friday, and 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. More information and appointments can be made by calling 517-748-6123 or emailing tiffany.healthyliving@hotmail.com. The gym also has a Facebook page and website. The facade of the CrossFit 517 gym on April 11, 2025. (Mitchell Kukulka | MLive.com) Mitchell Kukulka | Mkukulka@mlive.com CrossFit 517 Just two miles from downtown, the former site of Dysert Concrete and MLives Jackson office is now home to one of the most well-rounded fitness centers in the area. Promising one-on-one personalized training programs, an on-site muscle therapy room and plenty of equipment designed for high-intensity workouts, CrossFit 517 offers strength, endurance and resilience training for all fitness levels. CrossFit 517, 1750 S. Cooper St. in Jackson, is open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9-11 a.m. Saturdays and 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Sunday. More information can be found on the gyms website. The exterior of the YMCA located at 127 W Wesley St in Jackson. The YMCA has been undergoing a $25 million project to renovate and extend the building since February of 2024. The updates are expected to be completed by the end of summer 2025. Josh Boland Jackson YMCA A group of wise village people once said it was fun to stay at the YMCA, and thats more true than ever as Jacksons Y continues to expand its services to this day. A staple of Jackson since 1896, the YMCA features martial arts, aquatics, group exercise and personal training as just a few of its diverse programming options. Related: Jackson YMCA plans for groundbreaking of new facility with smaller addition A $25 million overhaul of the Jackson YMCA is nearing completion after almost eight years in development. Construction is expected to wrap up between May and June of 2025. Once finished, the project will add an additional 13,000 square feet to the current building to make room for an enhanced track, upgrades to the HVAC system, licensed child care, an enhanced aquatics center and a universal locker room. Jackson YMCA, 127 W. Wesley St., is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and is closed Sunday. More information can be found on the organizations website. Kurt Kukla, right, prepares for a workout at Prison City Physique on April 11, 2025. (Mitchell Kukulka | MLive.com) Mitchell Kukulka | Mkukulka@mlive.com Prison City Physique With a name fit for the hometown it serves, Prison City Physique is one of the most comprehensive fitness centers youll find in Jackson. Offering powerlifting equipment, cardio machines and more than 25,000 pounds of free weights, Prison City has a little something for everyone. Prison City Physique, 1708 S. Jackson St. in Jackson, is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is 24-hour access for members. More information can be found on the gyms Facebook and Instagram pages. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. Renderings of the proposed Chick-Fil-A in Comstock Township show the building's exterior and covered drive-thru. Comstock Township COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, MI Chick-Fil-A is planning its third Kalamazoo County restaurant, this one on Gull Road. Plans approved by the Comstock Township Planning Commission on March 13 call for a 5,208-square-foot restaurant with a covered drive-thru and outdoor patio, per township documents. A map of the plans is shown, below. Plans for the 2 acre site include demolition of an existing building to make way for the restaurant, covered drive-thru and patio. Comstock Township Chick-Fil-A officials did not provide an anticipated opening date for the new location. While we are still early in the process, Chick-fil-A is happy to share that we are actively pursuing a new location in Kalamazoo on Gull Road, the company said in a statement to MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. We look forward to working through the approval process. Plans will go before the township board. The company must apply for permits before work can begin. The work will include demolition of an existing 7,233-square-foot building on the site, per township documents. Site plans call for the demolition of a vacant building at 5802 Gull Road. The building was last home to a seafood restaurant. Audrey Whitaker The vacant space was last occupied by the Crafty Crab Restaurant, but has also been home to a Bennigans, a fireworks shop and a pizza restaurant. Chick-Fil-As fast-casual drive-thru would fit the commercial character of the area, per township documents. A Burger King, Wendys and Panera Bread are located nearby. The popular chicken chain already has locations in the area: 6202 S. Westnedge Ave. in Portage and 4748 W Main St. in Kalamazoo. Chick-Fil-A is expanding its presence in Michigan, per a 2024 release. It plans to open 25 to 30 new locations in the state by the end of 2028. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI Every Christmas, Doreen Gardners mother, Jacqueline Smith, would give out her famous peanut brittle to about 200 friends and family members around Kalamazoo. People would begin to contact her as early as August to make sure they were on the list to get a half-pound bag, Gardner said. PORTAGE, MI -- The parents of two Portage Public Schools students sued the district in 2023, alleging their children encountered a racially hostile environment. In new court documents, lawyers for the district acknowledge some events alleged in the lawsuit took place while some did not, asking the lawsuit be dismissed. Adam Baylis III, father of the children referred to as A.B. and G.B because they are minors, and Nakia S. Baylis, their stepmother and legal guardian, filed the lawsuit in December 2024 in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Michigan. Listed defendants include the district; Jason Messenger, principal of Portage West Middle School; Sidney Bailey, PWMS assistant principal; Becky Moon, PWMS counselor; and Robert Hayworth, a PWMS bus driver. The districts response said theres not enough factual grounds for the lawsuits claims and the defendants are protected by qualified immunity. The response also says theres no legitimate basis under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act where the district could be held accountable for the alleged misconduct of students. Alexandria Taylor, the lawyer representing the Baylis family said the districts response is typical, but her clients believe the alleged actions are so egregious they supersede qualified immunity. Schools have the ability to deal with behavior, Taylor said. You have all these policies and procedures in place to specifically deal with the conduct of students. And so that, to me, is not acceptable to say, Oh well, what can we do? A district representative said officials could not comment on pending litigation. Lawyers representing the district did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Racial slurs and harassment The lawsuit alleged Hayworth shouted racial slurs at A.B., including calling him Donkey Kong, while chasing A.B. through a neighborhood on Halloween. The bus driver allegedly started chasing A.B. after accusing A.B. of taking candy from an unattended bucket. While fleeing, A.B. injured his ankle, the lawsuit said. The altercation was filmed by another student, the lawsuit said. The districts response denied the altercation was racially motivated, but did not deny the altercation took place. The districts response also confirmed a video was shown to administrators when discussing the altercation, but did not say what the content of the video included. The lawsuit also alleged students sent texts like 3 Ks a day keeps the n---as away, to A.B. The districts response says a text similar to the one described in the lawsuit was sent by a white male student and the student was suspended. The districts response denies other offensive and racially targeted messages in the words of the plaintiff were sent. A.B. was also subjected to racial slurs and derogatory comments from other students like the N-word, monkey, ape, and go pick some cotton, the lawsuit said. The districts response confirms this was reported to administrators and students were disciplined. The lawsuit said the plaintiffs contacted the FBIs Grand Rapids office to address the messages and were told local authorities and the school district were best equipped to address the messages. Taylor said shes a proponent of free speech protected by the Constitution, but theres a limitation to what students can say in schools. (There) should be limits on what kids are saying to each other, Taylor said. Things can be punishable. A.B. and G.B. transferred out of Portage, the lawsuit said. But after moving, the Baylis still receive word from parents of other Black children saying Black students still face racial harassment. The issue of racial harassment appears embedded in the culture of the Portage Public School District, the lawsuit said. The district denied that claim. Taylor said the Baylis family is most concerned about how behaviors like those alleged in the lawsuit still affect students in Portage. The overarching goal is that no family have to experience this and be impacted by this and no child have to go through this, Taylor said. These kids now, no matter what happens with this lawsuit, this is going to forever impact their life. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. Several area police and fire departments responded to a fire that occurred at a Muskegon Township senior living facility on Friday, April 11. (MLive file photo) MUSKEGON TWP., MI One trapped occupant has been rescued from a 9-story senior living community building that caught fire in Muskegon Township Friday night, the townships fire department said. The Muskegon Township Fire Department responded to a fire at Pine Grove Manor, located at 1764 E. Apple Ave. in Muskegon Township, at 9:44 p.m. on Friday, April 11, Deputy Fire Chief Butch Attig said. An approximately 70-year-old male rescued from the building by first responders was airlifted to a hospital in Grand Rapids with injuries. Attig said the department is not aware of any updates regarding the mans status but noted that no other injuries have been reported. Firefighters extinguished the fire, though the third floor of the building sustained smoke and water damage. Some residents were evacuated while residents with health issues preventing them from doing so sheltered in place, Attig said. The Red Cross was also called to the scene of the fire Friday to assist residents in need. The Muskegon Township Fire Department left the scene of the fire shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. While responding to the fire, the Muskegon Township Fire Department was assisted by the Muskegon Township Police Department, Muskegon Police Department, Muskegon County Sherriffs Office, Michigan State Police, and Muskegon Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 370 as well as fire departments from the city of Muskegon, Fruitport Township, North Muskegon, and Egelston Township. An investigation into Friday nights fire is still ongoing, Attig said. Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story premieres Saturday, April 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime. Stream the movie with Philo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV subscriptions. Watch Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story premiering April 12 on Lifetime / Image courtesy of Lifetime About the movie: Based on true events, Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story follows an adult Monique Smith (played by Yaya DaCosta), a woman raised under a false identity, in search of answers. Having lived in an abusive household with people she assumed were her relatives, she eventually grew suspicious of her supposed parents especially when she was denied her birth certificate. Upon having her own kids, Monique resolved to uncover the truth about her tumultuous upbringing, kicking off an in-depth search of missing persons databases coupled with private investigator payments. After a years-long journey, she was finally able to contact her siblings. Per a People Magazine article in which Smith shared early conversations with her biological family, she relayed that one of her long-lost sisters described her disappearance as on the bed one day, and she said one minute I was there, and another minute I was gone. While still unclear about the nature of how she was taken, Smith found some sort of closure, going on to become an advocate for missing and abducted children. Premiering tonight at 8/7c, Lifetimes inspired-by-real-life Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story film adaptation stars Yaya DaCosta, Robert Hamilton III, Solace Kimbro Jones, Kadeem Isaiah, Morgan-Rose Jordan, and Djassi DaCosta Johnson. Where to watch: Cast: Yaya DaCosta Robert Hamilton III Solace Kimbro Jones Kadeem Isaiah Morgan-Rose Jordan Djassi DaCosta Johnson Watch the trailer: BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Further steps should be taken for signing a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a panel discussion on "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "Last month, the parties achieved extremely important progress after almost two and a half years and agreed on the text of the peace agreement, which we consider a serious milestone. There are further steps that are necessary for the full conclusion of this process and the signing of the peace agreement. This is still a long-standing and consistent position of Azerbaijan, and our partners in Armenia are well aware of this. This is, first of all, the abolition of the outdated and dysfunctional Minsk Group. The second is the removal of territorial claims against Azerbaijan from the constitution. Therefore, we believe that after these necessary steps are taken, there will be no additional obstacles to the conclusion and signing of an agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between the two countries," he stressed. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. The Nakhchivan Agreement played a pivotal role in strengthening ties between Turkic countries, said Binali Yldrm, Chairperson of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Trend reports. Speaking at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Yldrm noted that the historical connections between Turkic nations, ranging from the Balkans to Turkey, form the foundation of their shared identity. Despite changes in names and communities, the culture of these countries has maintained its essence. Reflecting on the 1990s, when leaders of Turkic nations, together with prominent Turkish politicians, gathered to discuss the future, Yldrm reminded the audience that their efforts culminated in the establishment of the Organization of Turkic States in 2009. This was made possible thanks to the Nakhchivan Agreement, which played a crucial role in uniting the Turkic states, he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel From Underdog to Champion: Gaurav Khanna Becomes Indias First Celebrity MasterChef; wins Rs 20 lakh cash prize Palak Vij 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 Palak Vij 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 M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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 Phule director Ananth Mahadevan clarifies film's release delayed to clear controversy, calls the issue 'a little exaggerated and unnecessary' 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. The 12th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will be held in Azerbaijan in October 2025, said Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Special Assignments, during his speech at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. Amirbayov emphasized Azerbaijans commitment to the OTS, referring to the organization as a "natural family". He noted that strengthening the organizations influence on broader Eurasian geopolitics remains one of Azerbaijans key foreign policy priorities. "Since its inception in 2009 in Nakhchivan, the OTS has come a long way. I think that all the issues will be dealt with in great detail in the forthcoming 12th Summit of Heads of State and Government of OTS, which Azerbaijan will proudly host in October this year," said Amirbayov. "We need to be more consolidated, goal-oriented, and visible in our actions to truly elevate the organization from a cultural and linguistic group into a prominent geopolitical player". Amirbayov further explained that the upcoming summit would focus on advancing these goals, offering a platform to address critical issues and ensure the OTS continues to grow as an influential regional actor. Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 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. 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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 Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. Zangezur Corridor will be a good opportunity for Armenia to come out of the economic isolation, said Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Special Assignments, as he addressed the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. According to Amirbayov, this project offers Armenia a unique opportunity. "The Zangezur Corridor presents a good chance for Armenia, which is currently in complete economic isolation, to reintegrate into the region," he said. By becoming part of this critical infrastructure project, Armenia could not only benefit economically but also contribute to the region's strategic importance. Speaking at the panel "Organisation of Turkic States: A Unique Cooperation Model", Amirbayov emphasized the vital role the Turkic world plays in global connectivity due to its strategic location between East and West. "The Turkic world, with its critical geostrategic position, is already considered a global connectivity hub," he said. The official stressed that improving infrastructure within the region would not only boost its resilience but also enhance the geoeconomic and geopolitical significance of the countries involved. Azerbaijan, according to Amirbayov, has already capitalized on its geographical and economic position. "Azerbaijan, benefiting from its geoeconomic and geographical location, its strategic autonomy, and existing critical infrastructure, is playing a pivotal role in the East-West connection," he explained. One of the key infrastructure projects that is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity is the Middle Corridor. Amirbayov pointed out that Azerbaijan, along with its partners in Central Asia and Turkiye, is already operating the Middle Corridor, a crucial route connecting East Asia with Western Europe. While the Middle Corridor is operational, Amirbayov believes its capacity can be greatly enhanced by the implementation of the Zangezur Corridor, a 43-kilometer-long railway that still requires construction. "The Zangezur Corridor could be a real game-changer in the region," he said. "It would significantly increase the transmission capacity of the Middle Corridor to 10 to 12 million tons per year". Congress must talk about INDIA bloc status, says Shiv Sena (UBT); Raut bats for constant dialogue 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept 'Conspiracy' to finish SAD began after it parted ways with NDA: Sukhbir Singh Badal 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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South Caucasus avails great potential for developing various partnerships, the Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said during a panel discussion on "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "The South Caucasus has great potential to develop various partnerships and contribute to broader peace, security, stability, and economic cooperation. We need to cooperate among ourselves to find common themes and issues, and starting to talk about this, I think, is the most important thing we can do at this stage. I will not start listing the issues that we can discuss," she emphasized. The minister noted that there are many areas for cooperation, which the countries should discuss among themselves. "I believe that, first of all, there is a political will and intention on both sides, and we see that this exists. It is important to develop a dialogue between the countries of the South Caucasus. I would not exclude Georgia from this issue. This is also a part of our lives, and we believe that we are also part of this process on an equal footing. This is our common interest in promoting peace, security, stability, and good cooperation in our region," she added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel President must decide in 3 months: Supreme Court slams delays on bills, says no pocket veto Aishwarya Dabhade 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 Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept 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. 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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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. The Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns the racist, slanderous, and biased views expressed by the President of PACE, Theodoros Rousopoulos, in an interview with the Alpha News press agency regarding Azerbaijan, the community statement said, Trend reports. The statement emphasized that the rude and irresponsible speech of Rousopoulos once again demonstrates the moral bankruptcy of PACE. "PACE has remained indifferent to the ethnic cleansing of more than a million Azerbaijanis by Armenia, which is the biggest human rights violation in the region. The institution has openly revealed its anti-Azerbaijani nature and racist approach towards the Azerbaijani people after Azerbaijan liberated its territories from Armenian occupation. The representation of racists like Rousopoulos in PACE, who are 'sad' that Azerbaijan has ended the 30-year occupation by Armenia and thus allowed more than 700,000 Azerbaijani IDPs to return to their homes, and who actually oppose the right of return of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia, is an insult to the concept of human rights. In the current tense global geopolitical situation, it seems to Rousopoulos and those who share his thoughts that the world consists only of the PACE hall, they are irresponsible, speak above their throats, and believe in their 'exceptionalism'. The Western Azerbaijan Community appeals to the European community and common-sense political forces to fight against these elements that spread conflict, racism, and who are unknown to whom they serve on the European continent," the statement pointed out. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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 Aabhas Sharma 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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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. 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I Accept Envoys from Iran and the US arrive in Oman for first round of talks over Tehran's nuclear program 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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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 Iran, US agree to more talks over Tehran's nuclear programme after 1st round in Oman 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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 Register or be deported: Trump administration enforces 30-day rule for all foreign nationals in U.S. 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 ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. A panel discussion on "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" is currently underway within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. The panel is attended by Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Georgias Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Botchorishvili, and Armenias Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. In his remarks, Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted that the liberation of Azerbaijans occupied territories has created historic opportunities for peace in the region. "Immediately after the end of the 44-day Patriotic War and the liberation of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan, historic opportunities for normalization emerged. Soon after, Azerbaijan proposed to Armenia to begin the normalization process and negotiations for a peace agreement. Azerbaijan initiated this process, and numerous rounds of talks followed. Last month, the parties made significant progress after nearly two and a half years and agreed on a text for the peace agreement, which we consider a major step forward," he stated. Bayramov stressed that further steps are needed to finalize the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "There are additional steps that must be taken to complete this process and sign the peace agreement. This has been Azerbaijans long-standing and consistent position, which is well known in Armenia. First and foremost, the outdated and non-functional Minsk Group must be dissolved. Secondly, Armenia must remove territorial claims against Azerbaijan from its Constitution. We believe that once these necessary steps are taken, there will be no further obstacles to concluding and signing an agreement for peace and interstate relations between the two countries," he added. Bayramov also pointed out that Azerbaijans Constitution does not include any references to geographical names or territories of modern Armenia. "Regarding the statements made by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan about concerns over the provisions of Azerbaijans Constitution, they are not true. There are no references to geographical names or territories of the modern Republic of Armenia in Azerbaijans Constitution. I believe our Armenian colleagues are well aware of this; otherwise, they would have raised this issue. As is known, the legal systems of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and other countries are generally similar. International agreements cannot be concluded if their provisions contradict the Constitution of a country," he said. Georgias Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili expressed that Georgia is sincerely interested in promoting peace and stability in the region. "We have a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, based on friendship and very good cooperation, which is a strong asset in our region. We also traditionally have very good relations with Armenia, which have recently been upgraded to a strategic partnership. We are genuinely interested in fostering peace and stability in our region. Therefore, we always say, and I repeat from here, that Georgia is the country that both Armenia and Azerbaijan can rely on. We can provide both parties with all possible means to facilitate dialogue and cooperation in our region," she said. Botchorishvili emphasized that the South Caucasus has great potential for developing various partnerships. "The South Caucasus has immense potential for developing partnerships and fostering peace, security, stability, and economic cooperation. We must cooperate with each other to identify common themes and issues. I believe it is important to start speaking openly about thisit is something we can already do at this stage," she concluded. Will be updated 13:33 A panel discussion on "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" is currently underway within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. The panel is attended by Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Georgias Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Botchorishvili, and Armenias Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Trump-era rule: No exception for Indians; H-1B workers must carry ID at all times 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 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 Tulsi Gabbard thanks FBI after man arrested over threats to Trump and herself 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 US and Iran to hold tentative talks in Oman amid rising nuclear tensions Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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 China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum highlights cooperation toward common development Xinhua) 09:25, April 12, 2025 Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), delivers a speech at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of major media and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Malaysian capital here on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development. Under the theme "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation," participants called for joint efforts to tell the success stories of cooperation between China and ASEAN. In his opening speech, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof reaffirmed his country's unwavering commitment to "a cohesive ASEAN-China partnership that will contribute to regional stability and global economic resilience." He spoke highly of the forum as an invaluable platform for the exchange of ideas among the media and think tanks, noting their pivotal role in bridging perspectives, informing policy and promoting regional harmony in this complex era. "Good neighbors wish each other well," Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying in his keynote remarks. It is the shared aspiration of the people of China and ASEAN countries to work together as partners and move forward together, he said. "China and ASEAN countries are vital forces in the Global South. China-ASEAN relations have, in recent years, transcended the bilateral sphere, gaining profound significance in Asia and exerting a global impact," said Lyu. He added that media and think tanks must amplify the call for jointly building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home and generate new momentum for building an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. In his video remarks, Ouyang Yujing, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, said President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for humankind offers a Chinese solution to addressing global challenges and creating a better future for humanity. "I hope our friends from the media and think tanks will actively share the stories of China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN cooperation, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," he said. Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), said strengthening civilizational exchanges between ASEAN and China, which share a vibrant cultural landscape, would help set an example for unity and cooperation among Global South countries, and strengthen the connection and mutual respect among them. Wong also called for greater media and think tank cooperation between ASEAN and China in areas such as the use of artificial intelligence in mass media practices. During the forum, participants called on the media and think tanks of China and ASEAN to strengthen coordination, embrace the technological revolution, seize new opportunities and address emerging challenges in jointly striving for shared prosperity and development. 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. The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, presented a report titled "RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation" at the forum. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof delivers a speech at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) The China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum is held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) 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) Details added: first version posted on 13:35 BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Historic opportunities for peace have emerged in the region after the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the country's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a panel discussion on "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "Immediately after the end of the 44-day Second Karabakh War and the liberation of the previously occupied territories of Azerbaijan, a historic opportunity for normalization arose. Shortly after that, Azerbaijan proposed to Armenia to start the process of normalization and start talking about a peace agreement. Azerbaijan proposed this. We started physical negotiations with the Armenian side, you know, there were many rounds of negotiations. Last month, the parties made extremely important progress after almost two and a half years and agreed on the text of the peace agreement, which we consider a serious milestone," he said. According to him, there are further steps that are necessary for the full conclusion of this process, for the signing of a peace agreement. "This is still a long-standing and consistent position of Azerbaijan, and our partners in Armenia are well aware of this. This is, first of all, the abolition of the outdated and dysfunctional Minsk Group. Secondly, the elimination of territorial claims against Azerbaijan from the constitution. Therefore, we believe that after these necessary steps are taken, there will be no additional obstacles to the conclusion and signing of an agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between the two countries," he emphasized. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Muslim protestors pray outside the main campus of Columbia University during a demonstration to denounce the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead protests against Israel at the university, in New York City, March 14, 2025. REUTERS BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. A meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov has begun within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a post on its official X page, Trend reports. "Ministers discussed political, economic-trade, humanitarian, education aspects of bilateral and multilateral relations, as well as regional and international matters," the post reads. 14:50 A meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov has begun within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Mother Lode Assemblyman David Tangipa speaks about wildfire prevention View Photo Sacramento, CA Assemblyman David Tangipa of the 8th District is leading a group of Republican lawmakers in urging President Donald Trump to intervene after California missed a critical Medicaid filing deadline. In a letter sent to Trump, Tangipa and eight other legislators request that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services grant a 60-day extension for the state to submit its first-quarter 2025 paperwork. The lawmakers cite administrative failures by the California Department of Health Care Services and warn that without federal action, vulnerable residents and struggling hospitals could suffer. While emphasizing that the failure lies with Californias leadership, the lawmakers say federal intervention is necessary to avoid punishing patients for bureaucratic missteps. The letter expresses support for efforts to reduce fraud and inefficiency, and calls for safeguards to prevent similar delays in the future. Below is the full text of the letter: The Honorable Donald J. Trump President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear President Trump, We respectfully request your immediate assistance directing the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to grant the State of California a 60-day extension to submit the necessary paperwork to receive matching federal funds for the first quarter of 2025, as it relates to Medicaid. Due to an administrative failure by the State of California and the Department of Health Care Services, the required documents were not submitted in a timely manner. This oversight has placed our constituents and our hospitalsalready under constant financial strainat significant risk. According to the California Legislative Analysts Office, the Administration does not have a complete Proposition 35 implementation plan to assess. While the responsibility for this failure lies with the Governor and state officials, it is our belief that the residents of California should not be punished for the shortcomings of their leadership. We fully support any investigation aimed at identifying and eliminating fraud, waste, or abuse, as doing so not only safeguards public resources but also ensures better outcomes for those we serve. We are actively working with the State to determine the cause of the delay and to implement safeguards that will prevent such failures from occurring in the future. However, immediate federal intervention is critical to prevent further harm to those most in need. Your direction to CMS to approve this extension would provide critically needed assistance and ensure continuity of care across California. We are deeply appreciative of your time and consideration on this matter, and we thank you in advance for your leadership and support. Sincerely, David Tangipa, Assemblymember, 8th District Joe Patterson, Assemblymember, 5th District Thomas Lackey, Assemblymember, 34th District Stan Ellis, Assemblymember, 32nd District Jeff Gonzalez, Assemblymember, 36th District Leticia Castillo, Assemblymember, 58th District Alexandra Macedo, Assemblymember, 33rd District Shannon Grove, Senator, 12th District Suzette Valladares, Senator, 23rd District BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Matters related to the peace process will continue, Ararat Mirzoyan, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, said during a panel discussion on "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "I believe that the conflict can theoretically be resolved. This is a starting point for our countries. Of course, issues related to the peace process will continue, and we will keep talking and exploring cooperation opportunities," he stated. He emphasized that Armenia and Azerbaijan aim to send a clear message to the world. "There is no point in digging into the past, staying stuck there, and spending time on it. We must work for the common future and prosperity of our peoples. All the necessary opportunities are available to us. We are ready to move to the next stage together, which will bring opportunities for peaceful cooperation," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Yves here. This post attempts to make sense of Trumps thinking and actions on the trade and tariff front. Sadly, it appears that Trump latched on to his beliefs about tariffs 40 years ago, before globalization was anywhere as extensive as now, and is doggedly attached to them. Worse, hes reported to be completely resistant to mountain evidence of bad outcomes. From Mediate, recapping a Washington Post account: President Donald Trump has reached the peak of not giving a fuck, one White House official told The Washington Post for a lengthy report on what went on behind the scenes leading up to the presidents massive tariff announcement this week. Now admittedly, Trump did kinda sorta retreat on tariffs, but not enough to seriously alleviate the coming damage to the US economy and Mr. Markets mood. And he appears to be engaged in displacement activity with Iran. By Pia Malaney. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website Tariff is the most beautiful word. President Trump broadcast his intentions early and often. On what he called liberation day, he fulfilled his promise to voters by announcing tariff rates that exceeded all expectations. Markets crashed, major donors balked, economists sneeredbut Trump held firm. His positions on tariffs and immigration were likely the two most pivotal policy stances contributing to his re-election. Despite widespread cynicism that he would ultimately cater to the interests of his wealthy backers, he has thus far resisted intense pushback from many of them. Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman warned of a looming nuclear economic winter, and Elon Muskestimated to have lost $31 billion since the tariff announcementopenly called for a world without trade barriers. Yet, despite his past obsession with market performance, Trump watched the Dow fall nearly 10% in the two days following the announcement, saying: I dont want anything to go down, but sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something. Observers have filled pages trying to decipher his true motives. Is it, as Paul Krugman scoffed, a simplistic worldviewone in which selling more to the U.S. than we buy is inherently exploitative, and tariffs are the cure? Krugman argued: Hes got this very crude view that whenever somebody sells more to us than we buy from them, theyre taking advantage, and hes going to end that. And people will see that he was smarter than everybody else all along. Theres no indication of a deeper agenda The shape of those tariffs should tell you: No, its just that Donald Trump doesnt like trade deficits, and he thinks tariffs can cure them. Or is it about asserting dominanceforcing world and corporate leaders to kiss the ring, extracting loyalty through economic coercion? Perhaps its strategic brinkmanship: using trade as leverage to achieve broader goals, like pressuring China over TikTok, compelling countries to repatriate migrants, or controlling the drug trade. Then again, perhaps the rationale is precisely what the administration claims: to reshore manufacturing, revitalize American labor, and safeguard supply chains. Its worth recalling the real and lasting damage caused by trade liberalization in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly NAFTA and Chinas entry into the WTO, which came to be referred to as the China Shock. The work of economists David Autor, David Dorn, and Gordon Hanson on the China Shock is well known. They estimate that between 1999 and 2011, increased Chinese import competition resulted in the loss of 2 to 2.4 million U.S. jobs, mostly in manufacturing. Crucially, these losses were highly concentrated in regions dependent on manufacturing, particularly in the industrial Midwest and South. These communities not only suffered economic displacement but also long-term declines in job growth, wages, and labor force participation. The damage wasnt merely economic. The localized shock contributed to broader structural and social breakdown. Displaced workers lacked the mobility and opportunities to adapt. Entire regions slipped into long-term decline, marked by political polarization, social dysfunction, and strained public services. Sociologist Shannon Monnat added a powerful layer to this analysis. Her research found a strong correlation between areas hardest hit by manufacturing job losses and rising deaths of despairincluding opioid overdoses, alcohol-related deaths, and suicides. These same regions, especially in the Rust Belt and Appalachia, shifted most dramatically toward Trump in 2016. Monnat argues that Trumps appeal in these areas cannot be understood solely through economicsit must be seen in the context of broader social and cultural unraveling. Trump ran in both 2016 and 2024 on a promise to reverse the deindustrialization caused by globalization and free trade, using tariffs as his main tool. But the critical question now is: Can it work? Shifting from motivation to feasibility, skepticism mounts. The new tariff rates seem, at first glance, arbitrary. How else to explain a 30% tariff on Nauru, a tiny island nation whose total trade with the U.S. is less than $2 million? Or a 10% tariff on the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands? The administration insists the rates were strategically calibrated to the value of traded goods, backed by a formula released by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Yet social media sleuths suggest something more rudimentary: (Trade Deficit Imports) 2, with a floor of 10%. The formula is so simple that some speculate it was generated by artificial intelligence. One prompt reportedly posed to a large language modelWhats an easy way to calculate tariffs that would level the playing field on trade deficits?produced a similar rule of thumb. A serious effort at reindustrialization would require far more: a detailed understanding of the economy, identification of key industries worth rebuilding, thoughtful incentives to encourage domestic manufacturing, and careful alignment with national security goals. Trump argues that no other president could have undertaken such sweeping renegotiations. And he may be right. Few recent presidents have shown the appetiteor independenceto defy the political donor class. And the parade of foreign envoys arriving in Washington to renegotiate their own, often one-sided, tariffs on U.S. goods suggests that Trumps aggressive tactics may be having real effects on the global trade balance (Politico, 2025). While many may have hoped for a more refined, coalition-preserving approach, it may be that the raw forceand even the crudenessof Trumps strategy is what gives it power. One can only hope that the long-term damage to Americas economic institutions and alliances is outweighed by the national security and employment benefits the administration promises. Disclaimer: This article expresses the authors views and not those of any organization she is connected to. Building muscle strength can cut Type 2 diabetes risk by 44%, study finds A study from the University of Hong Kong found that individuals with greater muscle strength had a 44% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, even if genetically predisposed. Researchers analyzed data from 141,848 UK Biobank participants, using grip strength as a muscle strength indicator and assessing genetic risk via 138 diabetes-linked variants. People with high genetic risk for diabetes but strong muscles had a lower absolute risk than those with low/medium genetic risk but poor muscle strength. The study affirms guidelines endorsing muscle-strengthening exercises (?2 days/week) alongside aerobic activity to lower diabetes risk. With diabetes affecting ~10% of the worlds population, the findings highlight strength training as a key preventive measure, independent of genetic susceptibility. In a groundbreaking study published in BMC Medicine, researchers from the University of Hong Kong have revealed that high muscle strength can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, even among individuals with a genetic predisposition to the condition. The study, which analyzed data from over 141,000 participants in the UK Biobank, found that those with greater muscle strength had a 44% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to those with lower muscle strength. This finding underscores the importance of muscle-strengthening activities in diabetes prevention, a critical health issue affecting millions worldwide. The study's methodology and findings The research team, led by Professor Youngwon Kim, a physical activity epidemiologist at the University of Hong Kong, examined the relationship between muscle strength and the risk of Type 2 diabetes in a large cohort of white British adults. The study utilized grip strength as a measure of muscle strength and assessed genetic risk based on 138 known genetic variants associated with Type 2 diabetes. Over a follow-up period of more than seven years, 4,743 new cases of Type 2 diabetes were identified among the 141,848 participants. The findings were striking: individuals with high muscle strength had a 44% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, even after adjusting for genetic risk factors. Moreover, the study revealed that individuals at high genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes but with high muscle strength had a lower absolute risk of developing the condition compared to those at low or medium genetic risk with poor muscle strength. The role of muscle strength in diabetes prevention Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body's inability to effectively use insulin. It is a significant global health issue, affecting approximately 10% of the world's population. The study's findings highlight the potential of muscle strength as a modifiable risk factor for diabetes prevention. "High muscle strength was associated with a 44 per cent lower hazard of T2D (Type 2 diabetes), compared with low muscle strength, after adjustment for genetic risk of T2D," the authors wrote. This suggests that muscle strength may play a crucial role in modifying the impact of genetic risk on diabetes onset. Professor Kim emphasized the importance of these findings: "Individuals in middle-to-late life are at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. However, our study has demonstrated the potential roles of high muscle strength in preventing the future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes not only in all individuals, but also in individuals with high genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes." Public health implications The study's findings have significant implications for public health guidelines and diabetes prevention strategies. Public health guidelines in Hong Kong, for example, recommend muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity on at least two days of the week, along with 150-300 minutes per week of aerobic physical activity, for additional health benefits. "Our study supports the current public health guidelines which suggest that adults should engage in muscle-strengthening activities for at least two days per week from a disease prevention perspective," said Professor Kim. Historical context and current relevance The importance of muscle strength in health and disease prevention is not a new concept. However, the specific link between muscle strength and the reduction of Type 2 diabetes risk, especially in genetically vulnerable individuals, is a novel and significant finding. This study builds on previous research that has shown the benefits of muscle strength in reducing the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes. In the context of the global diabetes epidemic, these findings are particularly relevant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people with diabetes has risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. The disease is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. The economic burden of diabetes is also substantial, with global health expenditure on diabetes estimated at $760 billion in 2019. Conclusion The study's findings provide a compelling argument for the inclusion of muscle-strengthening activities in diabetes prevention strategies. By emphasizing the importance of maintaining or improving muscle strength, public health initiatives can potentially reduce the incidence of Type 2 diabetes, even among those with a genetic predisposition to the condition. As Professor Kim noted, "Maintaining or improving muscle strength is a key strategy for preventing diabetes, and our study provides strong evidence to support this approach." For individuals looking to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes, the message is clear: Incorporating muscle-strengthening exercises into their routine can have a significant and positive impact on their health. Whether through resistance training, weightlifting or other forms of strength-building activities, the benefits of strong muscles extend far beyond just physical appearance. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com MedicalXpress.com HindustanTimes.com GBNews.com Dane Wigington exposes climate engineering as All-Out Weather and Biological Warfare Dane Wigington warns of large-scale aerosol spraying programs, alleging deliberate harm to ecosystems, climate stability, and human health, contradicting mainstream "chemtrail" dismissals as jet exhaust. Independent lab tests found heavy metals (aluminum, lead, cadmium, etc.) on shielded surfaces, matching coal fly asha material linked to geoengineering patentsproving intentional contamination. Spraying operations are tied to extreme weather manipulation (droughts, blizzards) and soil sterilization, killing microbes vital for agriculture and causing mass tree die-offs ("Firmageddon"). Airborne pathogens, heavy metal contamination in food, and links to Agenda 2030 suggest engineered crises for control, with microplastics infiltrating human organs. Over 35 U.S. states are pushing anti-geoengineering laws, while whistleblowers and documentaries like The Dimming expose evidence, urging urgent action to avert catastrophe. In a chilling expose, Dane Wigington, founder of GeoengineeringWatch.org, has sounded the alarm on what he describes as a deliberate, large-scale assault on Earths biosphere through covert aerosol spraying programs. Speaking in a recent interview with Brighton.com, Wigington dismissed mainstream dismissals of "chemtrails" as mere jet exhaust, presenting evidence that points to a far more sinister realityone with catastrophic implications for human health, ecosystems, and global climate stability. The Smoking Gun: Lab-Confirmed Toxins Falling from the Sky The interview took a startling turn when host Mike Adams, founder of Brighteon.com, revealed independent lab results from a sample collected by Dr. Jane Ruby in Florida. A plastic sheet covering tomato plantsshielded from direct sky exposurewas found to be contaminated with alarming levels of heavy metals, including aluminum, lead, cadmium, mercury, copper, nickel, and barium. "These findings align perfectly with our own research," Wigington stated. "The precipitation samples weve tested match the chemical signature of coal fly ash, a primary material cited in geoengineering patents. This isnt accidental pollutionits a targeted deployment." Nozzles, Not Exhaust: Proof of Intentional Spraying Wigington dismantled the "jet exhaust" narrative, citing footage of aircraft equipped with visible spray nozzlesa feature impossible to reconcile with standard aviation mechanics. "These are payload dispersions," he emphasized. "Weve documented planes at altitude turning sprays on and off. This is weather warfare, plain and simple." The implications are dire: Soil Sterilization: Toxic rain is decimating microbial life critical for agriculture, leading to crop failures and forest collapses. Wigington noted fir trees across North America are dying en masse, a phenomenon dubbed "Firmageddon" in recent studies. Extreme Weather Manipulation: Geoengineering operations are linked to engineered droughts, deluges, and even blizzards in unlikely regions (e.g., Florida and New Orleans in January 2024). Meanwhile, Arctic zones experienced unseasonal raina hallmark of climate intervention fallout. Biological Warfare: Adams showcased microscope footage of mysterious "egg-like structures" incubating in skyfall samples, raising fears of airborne pathogens or engineered fungi. Wigington pointed to declassified documents revealing historic U.S. military experiments spraying pathogens via clouds. The Endgame: Control Through Collapse Why would any entity wage war on the planet itself? Wigington pointed to disaster capitalism and the UNs Agenda 2030, which aligns with engineered food scarcity and population reduction. "Power addicts dont care if the next fix kills the host," he said, comparing geoengineers to "pirates looting a sinking ship." Adams added: "Even homegrown food is now contaminated. Heavy metals infiltrate greenhouses, and microplastics/nanoparticlessome as small as 1/100,000th a human hairpermeate every organ, including brains and testes." Fighting Back: Whistleblowers and Grassroots Action Despite U.S. agencies gagging NOAA and National Weather Service employees, Wigington highlighted progress: 35+ U.S. states are advancing anti-geoengineering legislation (Florida recently passed a ban, albeit unenforceable against airborne operations). "The Dimming" Documentary: Viewed 26 million times despite censorship, the film features irrefutable evidence, including atmospheric samples from NOAA labs confirming aluminum nanoparticles. Whistleblower Protections: Wigington urged RFK Jr. to prioritize legal shields for insiders ready to expose the truth. The Clock Is Ticking "Climate engineering is destroying the ozone layer, amplifying UV radiation, and pushing fisheries/farms to collapse," Wigington warned. "Were not decades away from catastrophewere in it." For those doubting the urgency, he offered a grim analogy: "If youre on a highway at rush hour, turning your back to traffic wont save you. Face the stormor perish." Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Dane Wigington as they discuss heavy metals chemtrails fallout. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Barium detected in chemtrail fallout: Scientists suspect nuclear waste aerosolized over skies Chemtrails unveiled: How the CIA and Big Business are manipulating the weather for profit Climate United Fund: A $7 billion boondoggle exposing the rot in climate spending Sources include: Brighteon.com Geoengineeringwatch.org Destiny USA defaults on $300 million mortgage, raising foreclosure concerns Destiny USA, New Yorks largest mall, defaulted on a $325.2M mortgage (including deferred interest) after failing to extend its loan maturity date, casting doubt on its owners (Pyramid Management Group) financial viability. Pyramid is negotiating a loan modification to delay maturity to 2025 in exchange for a $1.1M fee, but success is uncertain, and the lender could forecloseas happened with two other Pyramid malls in 2023. The default reflects broader distress in commercial real estate, fueled by e-commerce growth and pandemic-driven shifts. CMBS data shows record distress rates (17% for offices, 12.5% for apartments), with malls especially vulnerable. Destiny USA has lost major tenants (e.g., Nordstrom Rack, Hugo Boss), mirroring industry trends. Analysts predict U.S. malls could shrink from 1,150 to 150 by 2032 due to declining foot traffic. The malls fate hinges on negotiations, serving as a bellwether for commercial real estate. The outcome will impact both Pyramids survival and the sectors trajectory amid evolving retail demands. Destiny USA, New Yorks largest mall and one of the biggest in the United States, has defaulted on a $300 million mortgage, raising significant concerns about its future and the broader health of the commercial real estate sector. The default, which occurred when the loan matured on June 6, 2022, has placed the mall's owner, Carousel Center Co., a subsidiary of Pyramid Management Group, in a precarious financial position. The financial struggle Carousel Center Co. failed to secure an extension on the loan's maturity date, leading to the termination of a forbearance agreement with the lender. As a result, the full balance of the loan, now totaling 325.2 millionincluding 25.2 million in deferred interestbecame immediately due, according to an independent audit by DiMarco, Abiusi & Pascarella accounting firm. This financial strain has raised substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern. Negotiations and uncertainty Pyramid Management Group is currently negotiating a potential modification of the loan agreement, aiming to extend the mortgage's maturity date to December 6, 2025, in exchange for a $1.1 million "consent fee." However, the auditor has warned that there is no guarantee of success in these negotiations. The lender, which took over the loan from JPMorgan Chase in 2019, could foreclose on the mall at any time, similar to what happened with two other Pyramid-owned malls last year. Historical context and industry trends The default at Destiny USA is part of a broader trend of distress in the commercial real estate sector, particularly among large shopping malls. The rise of e-commerce and changing consumer preferences have led to a decline in brick-and-mortar retail, exacerbating the financial challenges faced by mall operators. According to recent data, commercial real estate bonds, including commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), have hit record distress levels, with office properties and apartments showing particularly high distress rates. In the CMBS category, which totals approximately $625 billion in outstanding commercial real estate debt, the distress rate for office properties has surpassed 17 percent, while apartment loan distress has accelerated to 12.5 percent. These figures highlight the systemic risks facing the commercial real estate market, with malls like Destiny USA being particularly vulnerable. In addition, the pandemic changed consumer shopping habits, driving even more commerce online. The future of Destiny USA Destiny USA, which boasts over 250 storefronts, has been shedding tenants in recent years, with notable closures including Hugo Boss, Nordstrom Rack, World of Beer, Margaritaville and TGI Fridays. The mall's struggles are emblematic of the challenges faced by traditional retail spaces in the digital age. CapitalOne Shopping predicts that the number of malls in the United States could shrink from the current 1,150 to just 150 by 2032, a far cry from the 25,000 malls that existed in 1986. The fate of Destiny USA remains uncertain. While Pyramid Management Group is actively seeking a loan extension, the financial and operational challenges it faces are significant. The outcome of these negotiations will not only determine the future of one of New York's largest malls but also serve as a bellwether for the broader commercial real estate market. Uncertain outcome The default on Destiny USA's $300 million mortgage underscores the ongoing challenges faced by large shopping malls in the United States. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the ability of mall operators to adapt and remain financially viable will be crucial. The coming months will be critical for Destiny USA and Pyramid Management Group as they navigate these challenges and seek to secure the mall's future. The outcome of their negotiations will have far-reaching implications for the commercial real estate sector and the communities that rely on these retail centers. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Sycracuse.com WBIX950.com Herman and Chomskys Manufacturing Consent shines a light on the hidden machinery of MEDIA MANIPULATION Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky argue in their book "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media" that mass media in democratic societies are not neutral but serve elite interests, reinforcing dominant ideologies through the "propaganda model." The model identifies five filters shaping news: (1) corporate ownership prioritizing profit, (2) advertiser influence favoring elite audiences, (3) reliance on establishment sources, (4) "flak" (backlash) discouraging dissent and (5) fear-based narratives (e.g., anticommunism) justifying elite agendas. Historical and modern examples (e.g., 19th-century British press, modern media consolidation) show how corporate control and financial barriers marginalize dissenting voices without overt censorship. Case studies like U.S. media's skewed reporting on 1980s Central American elections reveal how geopolitical interests dictate narratives, framing events to suit elite agendas. The book urges audiences to recognize systemic biases, question mainstream narratives and seek independent sources to resist manufactured consent. In "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media," Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky expose the subtle yet pervasive mechanisms through which mass media shape public opinion in democratic societies. Far from being neutral informers, the media function as instruments of propaganda, reinforcing the values and interests of powerful elites. At the heart of their analysis is the "propaganda model," which identifies five key filters that determine what news reaches the public and how it is framed. The first filter is ownership and profit orientation. Media outlets are predominantly owned by large corporations driven by profit motives, leading to content that prioritizes marketability over truth. Stories that challenge corporate or political power are often sidelined to avoid alienating advertisers or stakeholders. The second filter, advertising revenue, further skews media priorities. Since advertisers prefer affluent audiences, news coverage tends to cater to elite interests, marginalizing issues relevant to the working class or marginalized groups. The third filter is the reliance on powerful sources. Journalists frequently depend on government officials, corporate executives and establishment-funded experts for information, creating a bias toward official narratives while sidelining dissenting voices. The fourth filter, flak, refers to the backlash media face when they deviate from accepted narratives. Powerful entities can deploy lawsuits, boycotts, or public pressure to discipline the press, encouraging self-censorship. The fifth filter, anticommunism, historically served as a unifying ideology to justify policies favoring elite interests. In modern contexts, other fear-based narratives (like the "War on Terror") fulfill a similar role. These filters interact to create a media landscape where news is systematically filtered to serve elite interests. A striking historical example is the suppression of Britain's radical working-class press in the 19th century. While direct state censorship failed, market forcesrising production costs and corporate consolidationeffectively silenced alternative voices. This pattern persists today, with media ownership concentrated among a handful of conglomerates whose profit-driven priorities shape national discourse. The propaganda model also explains discrepancies in media coverage of global events. For instance, during the 1980s, U.S. media portrayed elections in El Salvador held under state terror democratic triumphs, while dismissing Nicaragua's comparatively free elections as fraudulent. This selective reporting aligned with U.S. geopolitical interests, demonstrating how media narratives reflect government and corporate agendas rather than objective reality. Herman and Chomsky's work underscores the need for critical media literacy. By recognizing the structural biases embedded in news production, audiences can better discern manipulation and seek out independent sources. "Manufacturing Consent" remains a vital critique of media power, revealing how consent is not freely given but carefully manufactured to sustain the status quo. Watch this video about the book "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media" by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Pfizers RSV vaccine linked to preterm births as drug giant CONCEALED RISKS from pregnant women in unethical clinical trials "Trust the science" is the mantra repeated to pregnant women, but Pfizer's deliberate omission of preterm birth risks in RSV trials shows Big Pharma values profits over ethics. Key findings from BMJ Open study: Pregnant women who received Pfizer's RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) faced higher rates of preterm births, with most occurring within a week of injection. GSK previously halted its identical RSV vaccine trial due to preterm birth risksinformation Pfizer intentionally withheld from participants. FDA approved Pfizers shot despite internal objections, exposing women and infants to potential harm. Post-marketing surveillance confirms what trial data suggested: this vaccine disrupts fetal development and threatens maternal health. The unethical concealment of preterm birth risks For decades, pregnant women have been warned against consuming caffeine, alcohol, sushi, and even certain herbal teasyet Pfizer injected them with an experimental biologic without disclosing known dangers. How did we get here? When GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) discovered in 2022 that its RSV vaccine was causing preterm births1 in 54 vaccinated mothers delivered earlyit suspended trials. Pfizer, aware of this red flag, plowed ahead with its own RSV trials, never informing pregnant participants of the risk. "Any failure to provide new and potentially important safety information to trial participants is ethically problematic," said Dr. Charles Weijer, a bioethicist who condemned Pfizers actions. Yet this omission wasnt an oversightit was policy. Pfizers consent forms falsely claimed the vaccine was "risk-free for the baby," a deception experts call "misleading and irresponsible." Worse, researchers found over 80 investigators across 18 countries failed to warn pregnant women of the dangers. VAERS found preterm ruptured membranes and hemorrhages This study provides the first post-approval safety assessment of Pfizer's respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccine in pregnant individuals using data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) from September 2023 to February 2024. Among 77 reported adverse events (AEs), 54.55% were classified as serious, with preterm birth being the most prevalent pregnancy-related complication (12.8%). Other pregnancy-associated AEs included preterm rupture of membranes, cesarean sections, cervical dilation, and hemorrhages (each ?3.3%). Non-pregnancy-related side effects included headache and injection site reactions. A disproportionality analysis identified a statistically significant signal for preterm birth, suggesting it was reported more frequently than expected. Most preterm births occurred between 32 and 37 weeks of gestation, with a median onset of three days post-vaccination (two-thirds occurring within a week). While the safety profile generally matched prelicensure trial findings, the study underscores the need for further investigation into the observed preterm birth signal. The authors recommend active surveillance to evaluate maternal and perinatal outcomes, emphasizing the importance of robust post-marketing monitoring to inform clinical guidelines on RSV vaccination during pregnancy. Science confirms what Pfizer denied: RSV shots trigger early labor The new peer-reviewed analysis in BMJ Open examined VAERS reports and found: Most preterm births occurred within 3 days of vaccination. No co-administration with other vaccines (ruling out confounding factors). Statistical safety signals strongly linked the shot to premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor. The FDA ignored these risks, approving Abrysvo in 2023 despite 4 advisory members voting "no." Their compromise? A narrow 32-36 week window for vaccinationa flimsy attempt to dodge liability for the most dangerous preterm births (before 32 weeks). But premature birth at any stage carries risks: Lifelong chronic illness (heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure). Cognitive impairments, developmental delays. Higher infant mortality rates. Dr. Peter Selley, a U.K. physician, slammed regulators: "How many more trials are needed [to prove this is dangerous]?" Global regulators disagreewhile pregnant women pay the price The FDAs restricted window (32-36 weeks) contradicts other agencies: Europe (EMA): 24-36 weeks. France (HAS): 32-36 weeks. Germany (STIKO): No recommendationciting insufficient safety data. French scientist Helene Banoun asked, "How can we justify that EMA, FDA, and STIKO disagree on a vaccine for vulnerable pregnant women?" The answer: Corporate influence. Pfizers $95 billion COVID windfall bought it political leverage, and the FDAs approvaldespite known risksproves regulators serve Pharma, not patients. When GSKs RSV vaccine caused harm, it halted trials. Pfizer hid the data and pushed forward. The result? Another case of profits over peoplewhere pregnant women and newborns bear the consequences. Karl Jablonowski of Childrens Health Defense nailed it: "A vaccine that increases prematurity is self-defeatingpreterm babies are most vulnerable to RSV." Will lawsuits finally hold Pfizer accountable? Or will we keep sacrificing mothers and children at the altar of "trust the science"while corporations laugh their way to the bank? Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org BMJOpen.com ChildrenHealthDefense.org Sen. Johnson demands COVID vaccine makers hand over all documents, communications, as evidence against their products reaches a climax Sen. Ron Johnson orders Pfizer, Moderna, and others to hand over documents on vaccine development and communications with Big Tech by April 16. A petition claims mRNA vaccines are "unapproved gene therapies" contaminated with potentially carcinogenic DNA plasmids, urging FDA action. Vaccine adverse events, including heart inflammation and neurological disorders, linked to tens of thousands of injuries and deaths. The investigation heating up: Sen. Johnsons non-compliance letter drops bombshell Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a persistent critic of vaccine mandates and federal transparency lapses, has thrust Big Pharma and tech giants into another controversy. In a Tuesday letter, the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations chairman demanded Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, and BioNTech submit records dating to January 2020, including communications with federal agencies and Big Tech platforms about vaccine safety. The move amplifies concerns that manufacturers colluded with social media companies like Meta and Alphabet to suppress reports of adverse events such as myocarditis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Johnson warned companies not to follow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) playbook of hiding data. Any attempt to obstruct or delay will result in compulsory process, he declared, citing HHS 2023 refusal to unredact vaccine safety documents. The timing couldnt be more urgent. Last year, VAERS data showed mRNA vaccines caused 45 times more deaths than all flu vaccines combined since 1990. Yet Pfizers next booster approved without new clinical trials is already months overdue for FDA review. Meanwhile, the Biden administration sidelined ethical considerations in favor of political expediency, fast-tracking jabs through EUAs and hiding liability under the mechanism of "national emergency." Collusion, Cover-ups, and the crisis no one wants to name Johnsons probe aligns with a scathing petition filed by scientists from Australia to the U.S., claiming mRNA vaccines are genetically contaminated and improperly classified to evade scrutiny. The petition, backed by immunologists and legal experts, alleges Pfizer and Modernas shots were laced with cancer-linked DNA plasmidsa revelation ignored by regulators until now. The FDAs misclassification of mRNA jabs as vaccines, not gene therapies, allowed suppression of informed consent, explained attorney Julian J. Gillespie. His petition cites peer-reviewed studies showing plasmid DNA in vials, blood samples, and organs all with SV40 sequences linked to DNA mutations and tumor formation. This contamination claim dovetails with Johnsons focus on pharma-Big Tech collaboration. Emails obtained by The Federalist detail how HHS and social media giants like Twitter used algorithms to "fact-check" and suppress vaccine carnage reports. Even the Florida Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, has documented soaring myocarditis cases post-vaccine. Jab manufacturers sought profit and power, refuse to admit to wrongdoing Johnsons fight isnt just about paperwork its about accountability for what many are calling the worst vaccine safety failure in history. During the vaccine's rollout and subsequent fallout, Johnson gave a formal platform to individuals injured by the jab, and allowed parents to tell the story of how they lost their child to the so-called vaccine. The numbers tell a grim story: Over 2 million VAERS reports of adverse events, including thousands of deaths, and a petition signed by immunologists demanding a recall. Yet the FDA still green-lit boosters based on existing trial data from rushed, abbreviated studies. Johnsons subpoena and the scientists petition paint a grim picture of a system that prioritizes power over people. The parallels to Soviet-era science where dissent was silenced to prop up rulers are haunting. Dr. Joel Wallskog, a vaccine-injured orthopedic surgeon, summed it up: If these companies knew the risks, theyre liable for mass harm. If they didnt then were dealing with reckless incompetence, not science. As CDC creates new agencies to appease victims, questions linger: How many more will be sacrificed before justice is served? Will these companies ever face consequences for treating human lives as disposable in the pursuit of profit and power? Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org TheFederalist.com ChildrensHealthDefense.org Youtube.com OpenVAERS.com Trump administration orders 1M migrants admitted via CBP One app to self-deport or face ban Trump ends legal status for nearly one million migrants using the CBP One app. DHS warns affected individuals to self-deport or face removal and a permanent entry ban. The CBP One app, criticized as a mass parole scheme, was terminated due to security flaws. Noncompliance may result in enforcement actions, financial penalties, and deportation. The move is part of a broader crackdown aimed at reversing Biden-era immigration policies. The Trump administration has terminated the legal status of nearly one million migrants who entered the U.S. using the Biden-era CBP One app. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the crackdown, framing it as a necessary step to address what she called the "worst border crisis in U.S. history." The administration is urging affected individuals to "self-deport immediately" or face potential removal and a permanent bar from reentering the country. This decision marks a sharp reversal of Biden-era policies that critics say opened the floodgates to illegal immigration. A promise kept: Restoring border security President Trump campaigned on a pledge to undo what his administration views as the reckless immigration policies of his predecessor. The termination of parole for CBP One app users is the latest in a series of aggressive enforcement actions taken since he returned to office. "The Biden Administration abused the parole authority to allow millions of illegal aliens into the U.S., which further fueled the worst border crisis in U.S. history," a DHS spokesperson said. Under federal law, Secretary Noem has full discretion to revoke parole, and the administration is now exercising that authority to restore order to the immigration system. How the CBP One app became controversial The CBP One app, launched in January 2023 under President Biden, was marketed as a tool to streamline asylum applications. Migrants could apply for humanitarian parole via smartphone and, upon approval, schedule appointments at ports of entry. By December 2024, more than 936,500 individuals had entered the U.S. through the programmostly from Venezuela, Cuba, and Mexico. Supporters argued it reduced chaotic border surges, but critics, including Republican lawmakers, said it functioned as a mass parole scheme that bypassed immigration laws. A 2024 DHS Inspector General report added fuel to the controversy, revealing security flaws in the apps verification process. Investigators found that facial recognition checks on submitted photos were inconsistent, raising concerns about fraud. President Trump said earlier this year that it was essentially a "phone app for smuggling illegals." His administration put an immediate stop to the program upon taking office, replacing it with the CBP Home Appnow used exclusively for self-deportation. Escalating consequences for noncompliance Migrants who entered through CBP One are now receiving termination notices, warning that their parole status has been revoked. The notices instruct them to leave the U.S. voluntarily via the rebranded CBP Home App or face escalating penalties. "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," the notice states. A DHS official clarified that those who fail to comply "will be found, removed, and permanently barred from reentry." The administration has also signaled that financial penalties could apply to those who refuse to leave, though exact enforcement mechanisms remain under development. Encouraging self-deportation is a strategic move to manage the logistical challenge of removing such a large population, though mass enforcement actions are expected for those who ignore the directive. Broader immigration crackdown underway The CBP One reversal is part of a sweeping overhaul of immigration policy under Secretary Noem. The administration has also ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians, though legal challenges have temporarily stalled those efforts. Additionally, parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who flew into the U.S. with sponsors will be terminated in late April. Early results suggest these measures are having an impact. Since Trump took office, illegal border crossings have plummeted, reaching record-low levels in March. The administration attributes this to stricter enforcement and a deterrence-focused messaging campaign. By revoking parole for CBP One migrants, the Trump administration is sending a clear signal: mass parole programs will not be tolerated under its watch. This decisive action aligns with the presidents long-standing "America First" approach to immigration, prioritizing enforcement over the loopholes exploited by the previous administration. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com FoxNews.com NYPost.com U.S. military ends decade of climate change initiatives, redirects focus to readiness The U.S. military is ending its climate change programs after a decade of costly investments with minimal results. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared a shift back to core military priorities, stating the DoD will focus on "training and warfighting" instead. The Navys Great Green Fleet and Air Forces Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) initiatives proved expensive and ineffective. The Navy spent $57 billion on biofuels, but 99% of its fleet still runs on petroleum, while SAF remains costly and offers no CO2 reduction benefits in practice. The Armys plan to electrify tactical vehicles by 2027 is impractical for battlefield conditions, and the Air Forces reliance on SAF is hindered by high costs and technical limitations. Electric aircraft remain unfeasible due to battery energy density shortcomings. The Coast Guard Academy removed "climate change" from its curriculum, signaling a move toward practical resilience measures (e.g., flood barriers) rather than climate-focused policies with no measurable military benefit. The new policy prioritizes operational capabilities over climate ideology, redirecting funds to warfighting needs. While environmental debates continue, the military is now emphasizing tangible defense priorities over unproven green initiatives. After a decade of significant expenditure and minimal results, the U.S. military is officially ending its climate change initiatives. The shift comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared, "The Dept of Defense does not do climate change crap. We do training and warfighting." This move marks a significant policy reversal, redirecting funds from what critics call wasteful programs to enhancing military readiness and operational capabilities. A decade of wasteful spending For over a decade, the U.S. military has pursued various climate change programs, including the Navys Great Green Fleet and the Air Forces reliance on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). These initiatives aimed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. However, the results have been underwhelming, with billions of dollars spent and little to show in terms of tangible environmental benefits. The Navys Great Green Fleet, launched in 2011 under Secretary Ray Mabus, aimed to power ships with biofuels. By 2016, the Navy deployed a carrier task force using a fuel mixture of 90% diesel and 10% biofuels. The biofuel portion cost about 14 per gallon, seven times the cost of diesel. The program also faced logistical challenges, as biofuels were not widely available in overseas ports, necessitating the continued use of traditional diesel fuel. By 2017, the Navy had spent 57 billion on green fuel programs, yet 99% of its fleet still relied on petroleum. Air Force and SAF: Expensive and ineffective The Air Force, which accounts for 56% of the Department of Defenses (DoD) emissions, has focused on reducing aircraft emissions. However, the challenges are significant. Aircraft on long missions produce CO2 equivalent to their weight, and the energy density of fuel engines is 20 times that of batteries, making electric aircraft impractical. The Air Forces climate plans heavily relied on SAF, which is made from biomass or waste and claimed to have lower CO2 emissions. However, SAF is expensive, not widely available and may not reduce CO2 emissions as effectively as advertised. When burned, SAF emits the same amount of CO2 as conventional jet fuel3.16 metric tonnes of CO2 per metric tonne of fuel. The use of SAF provides no military value, leading Secretary Hegseth to likely shut down all SAF programs. Armys climate strategy: Unfeasible and costly The Armys Climate Strategy, announced in February 2022, called for the transition of its non-tactical vehicle fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) by FY 2027, with an annual spending of about $2 billion. The plan also proposed electrifying light, medium and heavy battlefield tactical vehicles by 2027, along with the development of "battlefield chargers." However, charging electric tanks on the battlefield is impractical and offers no military advantage. Coast Guard and adaptation measures The Coast Guard Academy recently removed "climate change" from its academic curriculum, reflecting a broader shift away from climate-focused policies. While adaptation measures such as building sea walls and erecting flood barriers are sensible for building resilience to weather events, they are not tied to measurable climate change mitigation. These efforts are pragmatic but do not align with the broader, often ideological, climate change agenda. A new era of military realism Military climate policies under the Biden Administration, even if fully implemented, would not have had a measurable effect on global temperatures. Instead, they would have continued to waste hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer money. Secretary Hegseths decision to redirect these funds to strengthening the U.S. military marks a new era of realistic policy. The era of green experimentation in the military is ending, but the debate over defense priorities is far from over. As the U.S. military refocuses on immediate operational needs and combat readiness, the question remains: How will this shift impact the broader conversation on climate change and national security? For now, the military is prioritizing practical, measurable outcomes over ideological goals. Sources include: TheExpose.com HeartlandInstitute.com NewsTarget.com Aluminum, essential to vaccine science, also causes serious health conditions, including chronic fatigue, neurodegenerative diseases, macrophagic myofasciitis Aluminum adjuvants in vaccines have been linked to a range of health issues, including macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF), chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases. Studies reveal that aluminum particles can persist in the body for up to eight years, leading to chronic inflammation and immune system over-activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges the long-term persistence of aluminum at injection sites but downplays the potential health risks. Research suggests that genetic and environmental factors may make some individuals more susceptible to the adverse effects of aluminum adjuvants. In the world of vaccine science, aluminum adjuvants have long been the backbone of the science, enhancing the immune response to antigens and ensuring the effectiveness of many vaccines. However, recent studies and clinical observations have cast a shadow over this widely used compound, revealing a darker side to its role in human health. The French medical community, in particular, has been at the forefront of investigating the adverse reactions linked to aluminum adjuvants, uncovering a complex web of health issues that challenge the conventional wisdom of vaccine safety. Aluminum salts and the emergence of macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is a condition characterized by the infiltration of muscle tissue by non-epitheloid histiocytic cells, often containing aluminum salts. First identified in 1998 by French myopathologists, MMF has been primarily associated with the use of aluminum-containing vaccines. The condition is marked by severe muscle pain, chronic fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction, symptoms that are eerily similar to those of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The discovery of MMF was a turning point in the understanding of aluminum adjuvants. Unlike the previously held belief that aluminum quickly dissolves and is eliminated from the body, research has shown that aluminum particles can remain undissolved for up to eight years at the site of injection. This prolonged presence leads to macrophages immune cells responsible for clearing foreign particles becoming immobilized and stuffed with aluminum crystals. The result is a chronic state of immune system over-activity, which can have far-reaching consequences for the body. Aluminum-based vaccines are the path to neurodegeneration One of the most concerning aspects of aluminum adjuvants is their potential link to neurodegenerative diseases. Studies have shown that aluminum particles can migrate from the injection site to the brain, where they can activate microglia, the brain's resident immune cells. Microglial activation is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative illnesses, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The mechanism by which aluminum particles reach the brain is believed to involve a "Trojan horse" process, where the particles are transported by monocytes, a type of white blood cell, through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The implications of this are profound. Aluminum's ability to cross the BBB and activate microglia suggests that it may contribute to the chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration observed in these diseases. While more research is needed to establish a clear causal relationship, the evidence is mounting that aluminum adjuvants may be a significant risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions, especially in susceptible individuals. The role of genetic and environmental factors Not everyone who receives aluminum-containing vaccines develops MMF or other related conditions. This suggests that genetic and environmental factors play a crucial role in determining an individual's susceptibility to the adverse effects of aluminum adjuvants. For example, individuals with certain HLA genotypes, such as HLA-DRB1*01, may be more prone to developing autoimmune diseases following vaccination. Additionally, genetic variations in the CCL2 gene, which regulates the chemokine signaling that governs brain translocation of particles, may also contribute to the development of MMF and related conditions. Environmental factors, such as exposure to other metals and particles, chronic viral infections, and age, can also influence an individual's response to aluminum adjuvants. Early exposure to aluminum, particularly in infants with immature blood-brain barriers, may be particularly problematic. Similarly, older individuals, who may have a weakened BBB and increased production of inflammatory cytokines, may be more vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of aluminum. Regardless of one's health and genetic fortitude, there's still risk with aluminum adjuvants because the greatest factor is unpredictability. When aluminum cations are taken up in the cytoplasm of immune responsive cells, the salts are then carried throughout the blood and to distal organs. The aluminum cations travel to unpredictable places in the body, where they eventually will be released. There's no certainty where the aluminum may go, and if it concentrates in an area of the body, significant damage could be done - regardless of previous health and genetics. A call for further research and transparency The story of aluminum adjuvants and their potential health risks is far from over. While the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges the long-term persistence of aluminum at injection sites, it has been slow to address the broader health implications. The WHO's stance that MMF may represent a simple marker of vaccination without other symptoms or consequences is at odds with the growing body of evidence suggesting otherwise. As the global health community grapples with the challenges of vaccine safety, it is imperative that further research is conducted to understand the mechanisms by which aluminum adjuvants cause harm and to identify the individuals most at risk. This includes a thorough investigation of genetic and environmental factors, as well as the development of safer adjuvants that do not pose the same long-term health risks. In the meantime, individuals and healthcare providers should be aware of the potential risks associated with aluminum adjuvants and consider alternative vaccination strategies, especially for those with a history of autoimmune diseases or other risk factors. The health of millions depends on a more nuanced and transparent approach to vaccine safety. Source include: Pubmed.gov Pubmed.gov Pubmed.gov Pubmed.gov ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. On April 12, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held in the Turkish city of Antalya, featured a panel session entitled Building the future in a Fragmented World: Transformative Power of Education. First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, along with her daughter Leyla Aliyeva, attended the event. Prior to the session, attendees visited the stand of the African Culture House. Founded in 2016 at the initiative of Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan, the African Culture House aims to promote the handicrafts of African women, transform their labor into economic value, and foster cultural solidarity. The event, supported by the Turkish Maarif Foundation, began with a video presentation showcasing the Foundation's work. The session highlighted the organization's global impact, noting that nearly 70,000 students are enrolled in the Foundation's schools across 55 countries. Panelists extensively discussed the critical importance of educational development in today's world. Turkiyes First Lady Emine Erdogan delivered a speech, emphasizing the heightened significance of education in an era marked by increased conflict. She stated that education is now more essential than ever for fostering social inclusion and achieving sustainable development. The session continued with students from the Turkish Maarif Foundation school in Cote d'Ivoire performing songs in various languages. Criminal referral requests filed against Fauci and top COVID officials in seven states The Vires Law Group and the Former Feds Group Freedom Foundation have submitted criminal referral requests to state prosecutors, urging investigations into Dr. Anthony Fauci and other officials for alleged crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic. They join Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma in a broader accountability effort. The referrals are based on testimonies from over 80 victims and families, accusing officials of enforcing harmful policies such as lethal hospital protocols, denial of treatments and medical coercion resulting in injuries and deaths. Targets include Dr. Fauci (NIAID), Dr. Francis Collins (NIH), Dr. Deborah Birx (White House COVID Response), Dr. Rochelle Walensky (CDC), Dr. Peter Daszak (EcoHealth Alliance) and others, along with healthcare administrators in Arizona and Pennsylvania. The accusations range from murder, involuntary manslaughter and assault to elder abuse, kidnapping, terrorism and racketeering, claiming systemic violations of state laws. Similar legal actions have been taken in five other states, with two county-level investigations already underway. This reflects growing scrutiny of pandemic-era decisions, fueled by whistleblower reports and congressional findings (e.g., the 2024 House Committee report debunking Faucis "6 feet apart" rule). On April 8, the Vires Law Group, in partnership with the Former Feds Group Freedom Foundation, submitted formal criminal referral requests to the Attorneys General of Arizona and Pennsylvania. These referrals urge state prosecutors to open criminal investigations into Dr. Anthony Fauci and other prominent public health and government officials for alleged crimes committed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arizona and Pennsylvania join Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma in a nationwide coordinated effort to seek justice for victims and their families. Background and context The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, has been one of the most significant global health crises in recent history. Dr. Anthony Fauci, as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was a key figure in the public health response, often appearing alongside government officials to provide guidance and reassurance. However, the pandemic also brought forth a wave of criticism and controversy, with numerous allegations of misconduct and negligence. The Vires Law Group's criminal referral requests are based on detailed evidence, including the testimonies of over 80 victims and families. These individuals allege that policies such as lethal hospital protocols, the denial of life-saving treatments, and systemic medical coercion led to widespread injury and death. The legal team asserts that these actions constitute crimes such as murder, assault, reckless endangerment and terrorism. Individuals named in the referral requests The referral requests target a group of high-profile health officials and scientists, including: Dr. Anthony Fauci Former Director, NIAID Dr. Cliff Lane Deputy Director, NIAID Dr. Francis Collins Former Director, NIH Dr. Deborah Birx Former White House COVID Response Coordinator Dr. Rochelle Walensky Former Director, CDC Dr. Stephen Hahn Former Commissioner, FDA Dr. Janet Woodcock Principal Deputy Commissioner, FDA (Arizona only) Dr. Peter Hotez Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine (Arizona only) Dr. Robert Redfield Former Director, CDC Dr. Peter Daszak President, EcoHealth Alliance Dr. Ralph Baric Professor, University of North Carolina Dr. Rick Bright Former Director, BARDA Administrators and healthcare providers at various hospital systems and care facilities in Arizona and Pennsylvania Alleged crimes The referral requests detail a range of alleged crimes, including: Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter, Negligent Homicide Assault, Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault Recklessly Endangering Another Person Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Emotional Abuse Neglect and Abuse of a Care-Dependent Person Kidnapping Trafficking of Persons for Forced Labor or Services Criminal Coercion to Restrict Anothers Freedom Operating a Corrupt Organization Violations of State Anti-Racketeering Laws Terrorism Nationwide effort for accountability Similar filings have been submitted in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma, marking a coordinated nationwide effort to pursue justice. The legal teams and victims involved assert that accountability must come through state or local prosecution, given the lack of federal action. At the time of the release, two county-level criminal investigations are reportedly already underway in other states. Historical context The COVID-19 pandemic has been marked by significant controversy and debate over public health policies, vaccine mandates and the role of government and health officials. A House Committee report from December 2024 exposed discrepancies in Dr. Fauci's public statements, including his "6 feet apart" rule, which was found to be baseless. This report, along with the testimonies of victims, has fueled the demand for accountability and justice. Conclusion The filing of criminal referral requests in seven states represents a significant national effort to seek justice for those who have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The allegations, if proven, would constitute grave violations of trust and human rights. As the legal process unfolds, the public will be watching closely to see whether these high-profile officials will be held accountable for their actions. The crusade for justice continues, with families and advocates determined to ensure that the truth is brought to light and that those responsible are brought to justice. Sources include: X.com LifeSiteNews.com WhatFinger.com Tesla halts U.S.-made Model S and X orders in China amid escalating trade war Tesla halts orders for U.S.-made Model S and X in China due to soaring tariffs in the U.S.-China trade war. Retaliatory tariffs make U.S. imports prohibitively expensive, forcing Tesla to pivot its strategy. Teslas Shanghai factory shields Model 3 and Y sales, highlighting the value of local production. Elon Musk sends mixed signals on tariffs, balancing business pragmatism with trade policy tensions. Trumps tariffs aim to reduce U.S. reliance on China and counter its unfair trade advantages. Tesla has stopped accepting orders in China for its U.S.-made Model S and Model X vehicles, a strategic retreat forced by soaring tariffs in the escalating U.S.-China trade war. The move underscores the financial strain imposed by President Donald Trumps aggressive trade policies, which have raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% prompting Beijing to retaliate with a 125% levy on American imports. While Teslas Shanghai-made Model 3 and Y remain shielded from the tariffs, the suspension highlights the risks of overreliance on China and the necessity of Trumps tough negotiations to protect American industry. Tariffs reshape Teslas China strategy The electric vehicle (EV) giant, led by CEO Elon Musk, removed order now buttons for the Model S and X on its Chinese website, replacing them with view available cars options. The move follows Beijings retaliatory tariff hike, making U.S.-imported vehicles prohibitively expensive. With only 1,864 Model S and X units imported to China in 2024 less than 0.5% of Teslas global deliveries the financial impact may be limited. However, analysts say the decision reflects the broader challenges U.S. automakers face under punitive trade conditions. Trumps tariffs, while criticized by some as disruptive, are forcing companies like Tesla to reassess their dependency on Chinese markets and supply chains a reckoning many argue is long overdue. By driving production back to U.S. soil or friendlier trading partners, these policies could ultimately strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce vulnerabilities to Chinas economic coercion. Domestic production offers a lifeline Teslas foresight in establishing a Shanghai factory in 2020 has blunted the worst effects of the trade war. Local production of the Model 3 and Y, which dominate Teslas Chinese sales, insulates the company from import tariffs while giving it an edge against U.S. competitors still reliant on overseas shipments. This strategic pivot aligns with Trumps push for reshoring critical industries in the U.S., proving that smart policy and corporate adaptability can counter Chinas trade aggression. Musks tariff stance under scrutiny Elon Musk has sent mixed signals on trade policy. Last week, he argued for zero tariffs between the U.S. and EU a stance that clashes with Trumps protectionist measures. However, some conservatives counter that Musks comments reflect pragmatic negotiation tactics rather than opposition. Tariffs, they argue, are a temporary tool to compel fairer trade terms, not a permanent barrier. Despite Musks influence, Tesla has privately warned Washington that tariffs could hurt American businesses, though such concerns must be weighed against Chinas predatory tactics. The Communist Partys 125% retaliatory tariff on U.S. autos reveals its willingness to weaponize trade, justifying Trumps firm response. Chinas unfair competition The suspension of Model S and X orders also underscores Chinas anti-competitive advantage. State-backed firms like BYD benefit from cheap loans, subsidies, and domestic market protection advantages U.S. companies lack. Teslas Shanghai factory operates under Beijings strict regulatory whims, a precarious position for any foreign firm. Trumps tariffs are not about isolationism but forcing China to play by the rules. As Teslas struggles show, reliance on an adversarial regime carries risks. The trade war may inflict short-term pain, but the long-term payoff reshored jobs, secure supply chains, and fair competition may justify the fight. Teslas China slowdown is a microcosm of the broader economic showdown between the U.S. and Beijing. While Trumps tariffs have disrupted trade, theyve also exposed Chinas vulnerabilities and spurred American companies to diversify. Musks Shanghai gamble demonstrates foresight, but the suspension of U.S.-made models proves that no business is safe from Communist Party coercion. Sources for this article include: TheGuardian.com Reuters.com Teslarati.com Trump to impose major tariffs on foreign-made pharmaceuticals President Donald Trump plans to impose major tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals to push manufacturers to relocate production to the U.S., leveraging America's dominant market share. The policy aims to incentivize companies to abandon China and other countries by penalizing foreign-made drugs, ultimately boosting domestic production. Trump framed the tariffs as critical for national interests, criticizing past U.S. leadership for allowing China's dominance and vowing a tougher stance. He asserted that the tariff rollout would fuel a Republican landslide in the 2026 midterms, despite market concerns and GOP resistance to his unilateral trade powers. While Trump remains confident, bipartisan pushback (e.g., bills requiring congressional tariff oversight) highlights tensions over potential economic fallout from aggressive trade policies. President Donald Trump has signaled a forthcoming crackdown on foreign-made pharmaceuticals, vowing to use tariffs to force drug manufacturers to bring production back to American soil. Speaking at the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dinner on April 8, Trump revealed his plans to impose major tariffs on foreign-made pharmaceuticals to reshore American manufacturing. "We're going to do something that we have to do: We're going to tariff our pharmaceuticals. And once we do that, they're going to come rushing back into our country because we're the big market. The advantage we have over everybody is that we're the big market," Trump said during the NRCC dinner. Details of the new pharmaceutical tariffs were not immediately released, but the president suggested they would incentivize multinational drug companies to relocate production to the United States. "We're going to be announcing very shortly a major tariff on pharmaceuticals. And when they hear that, they will leave China. They will leave other places because they have to sell most of their product is sold here and they're going to be opening up their plants all over the place in our country. We're going to be announcing that. So, that's breaking news," he continued. "What other presidents allowed China to get away with is absolutely criminal. But I'm not like the other presidents and it's not going to happen under President Trump. It's just not going to happen," Trump said during the NRCC fundraising dinner. Trump: New tariffs will bolster GOP's chances in 2026 midterm elections Along with the announcement, Trump claims that the new tariffs will bolster GOP's chances in the 2026 midterm elections, even as markets dipped and some in his own party push back against unchecked executive trade powers. "We're going to win the midterm elections and we're going to have a tremendous, thundering landslide. I really believe that," Trump said during the same event. "It is so important that we pass the big, beautiful bill. And I really think we're helped a lot by the tariff situation that's going on, which is a good situation. It's going to be legendary, you watch." Trump's approach has exposed rifts within the GOP. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, including Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), is advancing legislation to curb presidential tariff authority, requiring congressional approval for duties lasting beyond 40 days. Critics argue that unchecked tariffs risk economic instability and trade wars. But Trump insisted his strategy would galvanize voters. "The party is doing well and there is no reason why we shouldn't get together and win these midterms and win them by a lot," Trump said. "We won't just keep our majorities; we'll expand our majorities by a lot." (Related: Trump's 25% auto tariffs shake industry, but Tesla stands strong.) Follow Trump.news for the latest updates, exclusive insights and in-depth coverage on this topic and similar stories. Watch Tom Philipson and Steve Moore explaining that President Donald Trump uses tariffs effectively in this clip. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mexico extradites notorious cartel leaders to U.S., including Rafael Caro Quintero, amid Trump tariff threats. Apple announces $500 billion U.S. investment, including Texas AI server facility, amid Trump tariff pressure. Canada refuses to lift tariffs despite Trump's postponement. EU offers "zero-for-zero" tariffs to Trump, threatens retaliation. German car brand Audi halts U.S. vehicle deliveries amid Trump tariffs. Sources include: YourNews.com Yahoo.com TheHill.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Today, as part of his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Ivan Gil Pinto, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, the current agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Venezuela was discussed, including opportunities for economic development, trade and energy security, as well as cooperation activities on bilateral and multilateral platforms, as well as regional and international security issues of mutual interest. The parties reaffirmed the strengthening political ties and mutual respect that characterize relations between Azerbaijan and Venezuela. Confidence was expressed that bilateral cooperation will continue to develop through continuous political dialogue and exchange of high-level visits. The ministers discussed the possibilities of expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially in the economic, energy and tourism sectors, as well as potential initiatives in the fields of science and culture, including the implementation of academic and professional exchange programs. It was emphasized that cooperation based on mutual support and solidarity within international organizations, especially the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement, is a source of satisfaction, and the importance of further strengthening interaction at multilateral venues was noted. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest. 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. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. A new study finds that, unlike countries across the UK and Europe, abortion rates did not spike in Ontario, Canada from 2020-2022. Following decades-long declines in nearly all high-income settings, abortion rate trends reversed between 2020 and 2022 in many countries. For example, 2022 and 2023 saw the highest abortion rates on record in Scotland, England, and Wales. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and ICES found that, after accounting for changes in the abortion rate when the abortion medication mifepristone was introduced in 2017 and during the COVID-19 pandemic, abortion rates held fairly steady in Ontario through 2022. Canada was well-positioned to seamlessly continue abortion service delivery through the pandemic, with policies in place to support primary care and telemedicine abortion care since 2017." Dr. Laura Schummers, lead author and Assistant Professor of Health Outcomes, Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at UBC Abortion trends from 2012 to 2022 Long-standing abortion rate declines continued through 2016, and were steepest for those younger than 25 years, while rates for those aged 30 to 44 years remained stable. Rates then increased modestly between 2017 and 2020 when mifepristone became available, followed by a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the abortion rate returned to the pre-pandemic trend, continuing to increase gradually. The population-based cohort study examined all medication and procedural abortion provided to females (biological sex at birth) aged 15 to 44 years old from 2012 to 2022. Linked health data at ICES was used to examine patient use of primary care, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, same-day surgeries, and prescriptions from a pharmacy. This research found steady gains in the percentage of abortions provided by medication, accounting for more than 50% of abortions in Ontario by 2022. One limitation of the study is that "pregnancy intention"-a person's self-reported desire or plan to become pregnant-is not available in health administrative data, which means underlying trends in managing unintended pregnancy may not have been captured. Canadian policies may affect abortion rates The study notes that sharp increases in the abortion rate from 2020 to 2023 reported in some settings might be due to declining use of the most effective contraception methods. "If declining contraception use is due to misinformation or disinformation, like through social media, or concerns about cost-of-living, these may impact future rates in Canada" said Schummers. "On the other hand, if spiking rates elsewhere are due to decreased access to contraception or improved abortion access, Canada's unique policy and service environment mean we likely won't see similar trends in Canada." Policies to improve access to contraception are rolling out across Canada, including universal free contraception through the 2024 federal pharmacare legislation. Over time, this may mean we see declining abortion rates. However, the researchers note that it remains to be seen whether sociocultural forces impacting increased abortion rates in some countries may lead to abrupt increases in Canada in future years. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khalil as part of his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The meeting discussed opportunities for cooperation in trade, economic, investment, tourism, humanitarian and other areas. During the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which was held in our country last year, the significance of the visit of the President of the Maldives to Azerbaijan and the meetings held at the highest and high levels was noted. The importance of using the mechanism of political consultations in developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Maldives was also emphasized. The issues discussed during the Azerbaijani government mission to the Maldives were considered in this context. Speaking about the possibilities of cooperation in the field of tourism, the ministers noted that the opening of direct flights between two countries since last year is important in terms of expanding the travel opportunities created for their citizens. Possibilities of mutual support and cooperation within the framework of regional and international organizations, including the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement, were discussed. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest. Despite decades of efforts focused on mosquito eradication, drug therapies, and vaccines, malaria remains hard to beat, especially in Africa. The World Health Organizations World Malaria Report 2024 indicates that 11 African countries bear about two thirds of the worlds malaria burden. A major factor in this persistence is the malaria parasites genetic adaptability, according to Abdoulaye Djimde, president of the Pathogens genomic Diversity Network Africa (PDNA), a pan-African association of researchers. Djimde tells SciDev.Net that scientists have identified a critical factor often overlooked in previous approaches, which is the genetic diversity of the malaria parasite. What is the role of genetic research in malaria control? Genetic research has revealed that malaria parasites vary significantly across different regions. Previously, it was assumed that Plasmodium falciparumthe deadliest malaria parasitewas largely uniform across Africa. However, new studies indicate that distinct genetic strains exist in different areas, which could explain why some interventions work better in certain regions than others. Genetic studies are also critical in tracking the rise of drug-resistant malaria strains. Historically, resistance was only detected when treatments failedoften at great human cost. Today, we can identify genetic markers that indicate resistance before widespread treatment failure occurs, allowing for timely policy adjustments. Similarly, genetic tools are helping researchers assess the effectiveness of the new malaria vaccines. Scientists are monitoring how parasite evolution may impact vaccine efficacy and whether prolonged vaccine use could drive genetic changes in malaria populations. What is the most important finding you discovered in the genetic diversity of the malaria parasite? One of the most important findings has been that malaria parasites are genetically different in different parts of the continent. This gave us one of the bases for the notion that when it comes to dealing with malaria, there is no single magic bullet. The one-size-fits-all approach is not the best way forward. It used to be that you would have blanket guidance from the WHO, so everybody could do the same thing to deal with diseases everywhere on the continent. The data we generated was instrumental in demonstrating that the parasites in various locations are different. So, we need to take that into account and better tailor different interventions for local epidemiology and the local situation. This realisation contributed to the body of evidence that helped WHO to shift its approach to issuing malaria guidance based on local data. What does data-driven malaria control look like? Recognising the importance of genetic research, the WHO now advocates for sub-national malaria control strategies that focus on localised interventions. Instead of blanket policies, this approach prioritises region-specific strategies informed by genetic data. Accessing that diversity and breadth of information is vital for public health authorities and those working to develop treatments and vaccines. This shift has broader benefits beyond malaria. Many of the advances made in malaria genomics have been repurposed for other infectious diseases, including COVID-19. During the pandemic, African labs that had been focused on malaria quickly pivoted to sequence SARS-CoV-2 genomes, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of genomic research. What must Africa do to sustain its own public health research? Despite these breakthroughs, major challenges remain. The demand for genetic research expertise far exceeds current training capacity. While international funding has supported malaria genomics, long-term sustainability requires greater investment from African governments. We cannot rely indefinitely on external funding to solve our public health challenges. African governments must prioritise research funding to ensure long-term sustainability. Increased investment in basic science is crucial. Many of todays advancements in disease control stem from fundamental research conducted decades ago. By strengthening scientific infrastructure now, Africa can ensure it is better prepared for future health threats. What is the path for the next generation of genomic scientists in Africa? For a long time, research into the parasites genetics was led by institutions outside Africa. Now, with improved local expertise and technology, African scientists are leading the charge to uncover the genetic secrets of malaria. PDNA, for example, has evolved from an informal network of scientists into a registered non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in Bamako, Mali. The idea was to work together as African scientists to build trust among ourselves, share samples, and work on the same protocols and the same analysis to improve the impact of the work that each of us had been doing individually. PDNA now has members from 16 countries across West, Southern, East, and Central Africa, representing multiple cultures and languages to capture the diversity of the epidemiology of the malaria parasite. It is developing its laboratory to further the use of genomics for a better understanding of diseases in Africa and to train the next generation of scientists and disease control experts in genetic techniques. Advances in gene sequencing and computational biology have allowed for far more rapid sequencing of genetic materials, which give scientists powerful tools to understand pathogens as they emerge, spread, and evolve. Public health officials in Africa need to have a better grounding in genomic surveillance to be able to respond more rapidly and effectively to disease outbreaks. New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11-14 May) shows that around two thirds of participants of the SURMOUNT-1 trial had only regained 5% or less of their so-called nadir (or lowest weight) three years after beginning treatment with tirzepatide. The study is by Professor Louis Aronne, Comprehensive Weight Control Center, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA, and co-authors from Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA, which funded the study. Obesity management is a long-term journey during which fluctuations in body weight are expected to occur. For some patients, a previous nadir (or lowest) weight can become a point of focus (and disappointment when it cannot be reached again). However, there is not yet clear literature that nadir weight is clinically relevant. This post hoc analysis of the SURMOUNT-1 study, at 3 years, aimed to assess weight regain from nadir weight over 3 years (36 months / 176 weeks) with tirzepatide treatment. The original SURMOUNT-1 trial was published in NEJM in 2022, and found that, across 72 weeks, participants with obesity treated with 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg of tirzepatide once weekly experienced substantial and sustained reductions in body weight. This analysis included 690 tirzepatide-adherent participants (65% female, 35% male) with a mean age of 49 years, a mean weight of 107 kg, and a mean BMI of 38.6 kg/m2 who were chosen from the original SURMOUNT-1 cohort on the basis they had been treatment-adherent across the 3-years (with 75% or more of planned doses received) and were living with obesity(a BMI of at least 30 kg/m), or overweight (a BMI of at least 27 kg/m) and prediabetes, and had been participants in the SURMOUNT-1 study and had lost at least 5% of their baseline weight when reaching their nadir weight (the lowest weight achieved during treatment). Weight regain from nadir to Week 176 was defined as the difference between percent weight reduction from baseline to nadir and percent weight reduction from baseline to Week 176. Weight regain analyses were calculated as a mean across groups and were categorised as less than 5%, 5% to 10%, and 10% or more weight regain. The analysis showed that the mean time to nadir weight was 22 months (96 weeks). The mean percent weight reduction at nadir weight was 23.1%. The mean percent weight regain from nadir weight to Week 176 was 3.7%, meaning that across the 690 participants over these three years there was a mean percent weight reduction of 19.4% (23.1% minus 3.7%). At Week 176, 73%, 19%, and 8% of participants treated with tirzepatide 5 mg (227 participants) regained less than 5%, 5% to 10%, and 10% or more from nadir weight, respectively. Similarly, 65%, 26%, and 9% of participants treated with tirzepatide 10 mg (N=239) regained less than 5%, 5% to 10%, and 10% or more weight from nadir to week 176, respectively. Among participants treated with tirzepatide 15 mg (N=224), 73%, 20%, and 7% experienced less than 5%, 5% to 10%, and 10% or more weight regain from nadir to Week 176, respectively. The authors have not yet analysed if there are any differences in weight gain between men and women or between older and younger participants. Traumatically injured women are considerably less likely to receive whole blood transfusions within the first four hours of injury compared to men, despite whole blood being associated with reduced mortality in both women and men, according to new research led by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine scientists. The findings were published in advance of a special issue of the journal Transfusion and point to the urgent need to better understand the underlying reasons for the sex-based disparity in providing the potentially life-saving whole blood to anyone who would benefit. "We want medicine to be equitable," said lead author Skye Clayton, clinical research coordinator in Pitt's Trauma and Transfusion Medicine Research Center (TTMRC), who also works as an emergency medical technician. "Seeing these disparities that women are at increased risk of not receiving life-saving treatment was really disappointing." Significant blood loss is the leading cause of preventable trauma-related deaths, with an estimated 30,000 people dying each year in the U.S. because of untimely or inadequate care of bleeding. Pitt and UPMC are leading multiple national and international studies intended to improve this care. Clayton and the research team gathered information from an American College of Surgeons database on almost 41,000 females and 116,000 males who had been traumatically injured between 2020 and 2022 and received at least one liter of low-titer O whole blood (LTOWB) within the first four hours of hospital admission. This type of blood is donated by a person with type O blood commonly referred to as a "universal donor" and has low-levels of antibodies against type A or B blood. Among traumatically injured people, females younger than 50 received LTOWB 40% less often compared to males of similar age and females 50 and older received it 20% less often than their male counterparts. This finding held after adjusting for injury severity. Interestingly, in both men and women, the use of whole blood is associated with better outcomes. When whole blood was used there was a 20% to 25% reduced risk of mortality. The magnitude of these results is hard to ignore and consistent with findings in other studies." Philip Spinella, M.D., senior author, professor of surgery and critical care medicine at Pitt and co-director of the TTRMC Clayton and Spinella are unsure why women were less likely to be given whole blood, but suspect that younger women and girls are the least likely to be given it because of their potential to later become pregnant. The majority of LTOWB available for trauma resuscitation is positive for the RhD antigen. If someone who is negative for this antigen receives positive blood, then they may make antibodies against it. This is very unlikely to affect them during trauma or throughout their lives. But if a female who makes these antibodies after a blood transfusion goes on to become pregnant and their fetus is positive for the antigens, then the mother's antibodies may attack the fetus's blood, which can be life-threatening to the unborn baby. The risk of fetal death is estimated to be very low-at about 0.3%-as a result of advances in pregnancy and fetal medicine that will continue to improve and further reduce this risk. With appropriate care, this condition is treatable during pregnancy, resulting in a healthy baby. Spinella believes that lack of knowledge about the low risk and advances in care have led to the persistence of clinicians not giving whole blood to younger females out of fear it will affect a future fetus. "You can't go on to become pregnant and have a baby if you are dead," Spinella said. Spinella's colleague, Mark Yazer, M.D., professor of pathology at Pitt, is co-senior author on a companion study published online a few weeks ago that will also be in the special issue of Transfusion. Yazer worked with colleagues at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, including co-senior author Steven Schauer, D.O., to look at females specifically of child-bearing potential between ages 15 to 50 recorded in the American College of Surgeons trauma database. They found that the males were nearly twice as likely to receive LTOWB compared to females of child-bearing potential. The team noted that although several surveys have shown that females of childbearing potential would generally accept receiving RhD-positive LTOWB, despite the small chance that it could lead to complications with future pregnancies, only about half of the clinical institutions surveyed have policies permitting the use of RhD-positive LTOWB in this population. "This research builds on several years of work that Dr. Spinella and I, along with our colleagues at Pitt, Colorado and others nationwide, have been doing," Yazer said. "Historically the transfusion community has feared giving RhD-positive blood to women of childbearing potential whose RhD-type was either negative or unknown during their trauma resuscitation because of the risk it potentially poses to future pregnancies. However, this risk is now highly manageable with heightened awareness of this problem and with modern treatments during pregnancy. We need to recalibrate the risk-benefit formula for giving RhD-positive LTOWB to traumatically injured women when RhD-negative isn't available and save more lives." AP Inter 1st, 2nd Year Result 2025 Declared; Pass Percentage Hits Decade High Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 11:35 IST AP Inter Result 2025 Declared: Students can access the AP Inter scorecards by visiting the official websites at resultsbie.ap.gov.in and bieap.gov.in Students need to obtain 35 per cent marks to clear the AP Inter exams 2025 (Representational image/File) The Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP), has announced the results for the first and second year inter exams 2025 today, April 12. Students can access the AP Inter scorecards by visiting the official websites at resultsbie.ap.gov.in and bieap.gov.in. They will need to input their roll number and birth date as mentioned on their admit card to access their respective mark sheets. AP Inter Results 2025 Live Recommended Stories AP Inter 2nd Year Result Direct Link AP Inter 1st Year Result Direct Link AP Inter Results Direct Link In case the BIEAP and Manabadi websites experience heavy traffic, students can also check their results through various mobile apps such as Kaizala Mobile App, APCM connect, AP Fiber TV, Peoples First Mobile App, and DigiLocker. AP Inter 1st, 2nd Year Result 2025: Highest Pass Percentage In A Decade This years IPE results have recorded the highest pass percentage in the past decade, HRD Minister Nara Lokesh said while announcing the result. As many as 70 per cent of the students who the 1st year exams passed while 83 per cent of the 2nd year students qualified. The overall pass percentage for Vocational stands at 62% for first year and 77% for second year. A total of 38,553 candidates appeared for the 1st year exam out of which 23,991 candidates passed. A total of 33,289 candidates appeared for the 2nd year exam out of which 25,707 candidates passed. AP Inter 1st Year Boys pass percentage: 66% AP Inter 1st Year Girls pass percentage: 75% AP Inter 2nd Year Boys pass percentage: 80% AP Inter 2nd Year Girls pass percentage: 86% AP Inter Result 2025: Best Performing Districts Krishna has emerged as the top performing district in the AP Inter 2nd Year Results 2025 with a pass rate of 93 per cent followed by Guntur at 91 per cent, and NTR district at third position with 89 per cent. East Godavari, SPSR Nellore, and Visakhapatnam each registered a pass percentage of 87 per cent. In the AP Inter 1st Year Results 2025, Krishna district secured the highest pass percentage at 85 per cent, followed by Guntur with 82 per cent and NTR district with 81 per cent. This year, the AP Inter 1st-year exams were held from March 1 to March 19, 2025, and the 2nd-year exams took place from March 3 to March 20, 2025. To pass the AP intermediate first and second-year exams, students are required to attain a minimum of 35 per cent marks both overall and in each subject. AP Inter Results 2025: How to Check Online? Step 1: Go to the official website of BIEAP at bie.ap.gov.in or resultsbie.ap.gov.in Step 2: On the websites homepage, search for and click on AP Inter 1st/ 2nd year Result 2025 link Step 3: A new window will open, where candidates will have to enter their roll number in the given fields, and then hit the submit button. Step 4: Once submitted, the AP Inter 1st or 2nd Year result 2025 will appear on the screen Step 5: Download and take a print out of the page for further use. Upon downloading the AP Intermediate Results, candidates must check the details mentioned on the scorecard. The mark sheet will include details such as the students name, hall ticket number, subject-wise marks, total marks obtained, grades, and qualifying status. AP Inter Result 2025: Previous Year Pass Percentages top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The AP inter 2nd-year general students recorded a pass percentage of 78 per cent last year. The passing percentage for the Intermediate 2nd year examination in 2023 was 72 per cent, and in 2022, it was 61 per cent. The board recorded a remarkable 100 per cent pass rate in 2021 with 5,08,672 candidates appearing for the board examinations. In 2020, the pass percentage was 63 per cent and it was 72 per cent in 2019. A total of 67 per cent of the students passed the first year exams last year. In 2023, the pass rate was 61 per cent. The AP board achieved 100 per cent pass percentage in 2021. Between 2020 and 2019, the pass percentage has remained between 50 to 70 per cent. About the Author Sukanya Nandy Sukanya Nandy is a sub-editor at News18.com. She has been writing and reporting for the education and careers section of the website since 2021. She completed her graduation in English followed PG in Journalism... Read More Sukanya Nandy is a sub-editor at News18.com. She has been writing and reporting for the education and careers section of the website since 2021. She completed her graduation in English followed PG in Journalism... Read More First Published: April 12, 2025, 11:04 IST Last Updated: April 30, 2025, 17:30 IST Manabadi AP Inter Results 2025 Declared Highlights: The Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) has announced the AP Intermediate Results 2025 for both 1st and 2nd-year students today, April 12, 2025, at 11 AM. Students can check their marks by entering their login details on the official websites: bieap.apcfss.in and resultsbie.ap.gov.in. The AP Inter mark sheet for both 1st and 2nd-year contains subject-wise marks. To collect the original mark sheets, students must visit their schools a few days after the results are announced. Details about the supplementary exams will be shared by the board soon after the main results are declared. This year, the AP Inter 1st-year exams were held from March 1 to March 19, 2025, and the 2nd-year exams took place from March 3 to March 20, 2025. The exams ended with the Modern Language and Geography papers. AP Inter 1st Year Result 2025 Direct Link AP Inter 2nd Year Result 2025 Direct Link What Is 'Mast Bumping' And Did It Cause Hudson River Helicopter Crash? Curated By : Trending Desk Edited By: Anurag Verma Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 11:09 IST Hudson River: Aviation experts have suggested that 'mast bumping' could be the reason behind the tragic helicopter crash. The crash killed all the six people onboard the helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River. (X/ Screengrab) A familys sightseeing trip in New York City ended in tragedy after a helicopter carrying the tourists crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, claiming six lives including three children. Among the deceased were Agustin Escobar and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, both Siemens executives, their three children, and the pilot. Shocking visuals of the incident have surfaced online, capturing the helicopter moments before it spiralled out of control and plunged into the river. While the main reason behind the crash is still unknown, many speculate that it could have been a case of mast bumping. Read along to know more about the incident. Recommended Stories Hudson River Helicopter Crash The Bell 206 helicopter took off from a heliport in downtown Manhattan on Thursday for an aerial tour of the city, a report in USA Today stated. Pictures on the helicopter companys website even show the couple and their children happily posing for pictures before the flight took off. As per the radar data, the helicopter flew north along the Manhattan skyline and then back south towards the Statue of Liberty. It was around 3:15 pm that it crashed near Jersey City, New Jersey. Also Read: Sorry Ruturaj Trended After CSKs Colossal Loss To KKR In IPL 2025. But Why? Many spectators at the spot watched the helicopter dropping upside down from the sky and slamming into the river, with fluttering debris scattered all over the place. Multiple 911 calls reported a helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Mast Bumping: The Cause Behind The Crash? While the cause behind the tragic helicopter crash is still being investigated, aviation experts have been weighing in on mast bumping" as the main reason behind it. The well-known hazard of mast bumping is known for stemming from the physics of the rotor blades. It usually happens when the rotor blade tilts too far down, striking the helicopter, which can even cut its tailsomething that appears to have happened with the Bell 206. The National Transportation Safety Board is looking into the matter, with dive teams still searching the waters to locate the missing pieces of the helicopter. Also Read: Who was Sean Johnson? Pilot In Hudson River Chopper Crash Was Navy SEAL Veteran Victims Of Hudson Plane Crash All six people aboard the sightseeing helicopter have been identified, including Agustin Escobar (49), his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal (39), and their three children, Mercedes (8), Victor (4), and Augustin (10). Accompanying them was pilot Seankese Johnson (36), who also lost his life in the accident. Escobar was in the city on business but extended the trip to celebrate his daughters birthday on April 11. On the other hand, the pilot was a Navy veteran who held a commercial pilot certificate and had 788 hours of total flight time. He recently moved to the city. Out of the six people, four were declared dead on the scene, while two children were taken to local hospitals before they were pronounced dead. Also Read: Hudson River Helicopter Crash Video Shows Propeller Spinning Out Of Control, Then A Fatal Plunge Investigation: So Far top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The NTSB officials have arrived in NYC to begin the official investigation into the crash that killed six people onboard. While the process still remains in the early stages, the team will look forward to every piece of information, including weather conditions, flight path, electronics, and maintenance records. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy, while speaking to the media, urged eyewitnesses to send photos and videos to help the team identify the cause of the crash. 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 12, 2025, 11:09 IST Army JCO Killed In Gunfight With Militants In J&K's Akhnoor Sector, Infiltration Bid Foiled Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 11:22 IST The JCO, identified as Kuldeep Chand, was injured in the encounter and later succumbed to injuries JCO Sub Kuldeep Chand killed in encounter with militants in Akhnoor | Image/X A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Indian army was killed in an encounter with militants along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector, Jammu, said defence officials, adding that their infiltration bid was foiled. The alert army troops noticed suspicious movement of a group of heavily armed terrorists near a stream in a forward forest setting in the Keri Bhattal area late Friday night and confronted them, leading to a fierce gunfight. Recommended Stories The JCO, identified as Kuldeep Chand, was injured in the encounter and later succumbed to injuries, the officials said, adding the whole area has been cordoned off, with a search operation underway to nab the hiding militants. Taking to X, the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said: #GOC #WhiteKnightCorps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of #Braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a #CounterInfiltration operation along the #LineofControl in the #Keri-#Battal area of #Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr 2025." Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Army Commander, Northern Command and All Ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of #Braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand who laid down his life in the line of duty in #Sunderbani#NorthernCommand stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.@adgpi https://t.co/uJEmjUpNdi NORTHERN COMMAND INDIAN ARMY (@NorthernComd_IA) April 12, 2025 In the same area on February 11, two Army personnel, including a captain, were killed and another was injured when terrorists set off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The latest incident comes two days after India and Pakistan held a brigade commander-level flag meeting in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district to discuss issues related to border management. This was the second such meeting since February in an effort to de-escalate tension after nearly a dozen incidents of cross-border firing, and an IED attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Indian army lodged a strong protest with their counterparts over the cross-border terror activities and the ceasefire violations. The ceasefire violations along the LoC have been very rare since India and Pakistan renewed the ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021. (With agency inputs) Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 11:22 IST 'Nails Plucked, Beaten With Sticks': Bear Tortured To Death In Chhattisgarh Village, Probe On Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 22:09 IST A disturbing video has gone viral on social media, showing the bear being tied to a wooden plank and being thrashed by villagers, who plucked its nails and beat it with sticks. A disturbing video surfaced showing a bear being tortured in Chhattisgarh. (Photo: X) In a horrifying incident of animal cruelty, some villagers in Chhattisgarhs Sukma District allegedly tortured a black bear to death, and a video of the incident has gone viral on social media. The incident reportedly took place a few months ago. The Forest Department has taken cognisance of the matter and ordered an inquiry, promising stern action against perpetrators. Recommended Stories The disturbing video showed the bears hand tied to a wooden plank with a steel wire. A person standing behind the bear was seen pulling it by its ears with full force as the animal wailed in pain with blood coming out of its mouth. Another person could be seen hitting the bear on its head with his hands. The person was later seen plucking the bears nails as its cries grew louder in pain. The villagers allegedly thrashed the bear brutally and thrashed it with sticks. They also broke its mouth, as the animal was seen bleeding profusely from its mouth. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The video showed children, women and other villagers looking on and even laughing as the bear continued to be tortured. Taking note of the incident, the forest department announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for the accused and released their pictures. We will find out who the people seen in the video are and where they live, after which action will be taken against them under the Wildlife Act 1972. There is a provision of two years of imprisonment or life imprisonment in such cases. The accused will definitely be punished," Chief Conservator of Forests RC Dugga was quoted as saying by India Today. 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 Location : Sukma, India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 22:09 IST 'He Is Still...': Amit Shah Reacts To Rumours Of Annamalai 'Being Removed' For AIADMK Alliance Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 10:26 IST Amit Shah also lashed out at the ruling DMK for 'diverting' attention from significant issues by bringing up matters like delimitation, NEET and the 3-language policy. Union Home Minister Amit Shah with BJP leader K Annamalai | File Image/PTI After BJP named Tamil Nadus Tirunelveli MLA, Nainar Nagendran, as the next Tamil Nadu BJP chief, replacing K Annamalai, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday addressed the rumours surrounding Annamalais position. Reacting to the rumours regarding Annamalais removal from the post of state BJP chief for forming an alliance with Edapaddi K Palaniswamis AIADMK, Shah clarified, This is not true at all." Shah smiled and pointed towards Annamalai seated to his left, saying, Mr Annamalai is the state president even today and that is why he is sitting with me." Recommended Stories Announcing that both BJP and AIADMK will contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu polls together, he said, The leaders of AIADMK and BJP have decided to fight next Tamil Nadu Assembly polls along with allies under the NDA banner. This election will be fought at the national level under Narendra Modis leadership and AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami at the state level." In a way, since 1998, the AIADMK has been part of the NDA alliance and for a 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. I am confident NDA will get a massive majority and form NDA government in Tamil Nadu," added the Home Minister. #WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On NDA alliance for Tamil Nadu Vidhan Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, 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 pic.twitter.com/9sUeKCkI62 ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2025 Amit Shah also lashed out at the ruling DMK for diverting attention from significant issues by bringing up matters like delimitation, NEET and the 3-language policy. 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) Stalins 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," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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 added. Further, he gave a positive response to the NDA forming a coalition government in the state if secured a victory in the 2026 polls, and added that all other issues related to the alliance will be decided after polls. Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 09:27 IST How Could I: Gwalior Man Dies By Suicide After Daughter Marries Against Family's Wishes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 22:07 IST The deceased, identified as Rishiraj alias Sanju Jaiswal, a owner of a medical store in Naka Chandrabadni area, was found dead in his bedroom with a gunshot wound to his temple. Following the suicide, tensions escalated in the neighbourhood.(Representative image) Gwalior Suicide: In a shocking incident, a 49-year-old man died by suicide in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior on Wednesday night as he was allegedly disturbed by his daughters elopement and marriage to a person he didnt approve of. The deceased, identified as Rishiraj alias Sanju Jaiswal, a owner of a medical store in Naka Chandrabadni area, was found dead in his bedroom with a gunshot wound to his temple, NDTV reported. Recommended Stories According to Additional Superintendent of Police Krishna Lalchandani, Jaiswals daughter had eloped with a young man from the neighbourhood around 15 days ago. He had filed a police complaint was the girl was traced to Indore. During a subsequent court hearing, the daughter said she was legally married and chose to go with her husband. Shattered by the decision, Jaiswal decided to end his life. The cops also recovered a suicide note written on a printout of his daughters Aadhaar card, in which he expressed emotional distress and blamed his daughter and her in-laws. He wrote that he could have shot his daughter and her husband. Harshita, you did wrong, I am leaving. I could have killed both of you. But how could I harm my own child," he wrote as reported by the news outlet. In the note, he also questioned the legal process, saying, I say again, if a marriage under Arya Samaj is not valid, how can the court allow the girl to go with him (her partner)? This has destroyed our entire family. No one understood my pain." Additionally, forensic teams visited the crime scene on Thursday to assist with the investigation. Meanwhile, Jaiswals relatives allegedly thrashed Harishtas father-in law, the report said. According to the witnesses as quoted by the news outlet, the father of young man was allegedly dragged out of his home and beaten until he fell unconscious. Bystanders intervened and rushed the injured man to hospital. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police have registered a case and are investigating the suicide and the subsequent assault. 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) 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 : Gwalior, India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 22:07 IST Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 13. Footage of President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to Turkiye has been posted on his social media accounts, Trend reports. The post reads: "President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to the Republic of Turkiye (05.03.2025)". Intelligence Agencies Raise Concerns Over Law And Order Deterioration In West Bengal: Sources To News18 Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 20:41 IST According to top intelligence sources, escalating communal violence amid protests over the Centre's Waqf Act in Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas after Friday prayers occurred because local intelligence assessments were not made Security personnel deployed outside district magistrate office amid protests by members of the Muslim community against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, in Birbhum district of West Bengal, Friday, April 11, 2025. (PTI Photo) Intelligence agency sources have told CNN-News18 that the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal is an early warning of systemic failure. The state government not taking appropriate action against communal tensions is potential exploitation of policy disputes like the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025," said a source. Recommended Stories According to top intelligence sources, escalating communal violence amid protests over the Centres Waqf Act in Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas after Friday prayers occurred because local intelligence assessments were not made. Intelligence agencies note heightened communal rhetoric, with fears that political factions are exploiting religious sentiments to consolidate votes. Protesters, led by Muslim groups like AIMPLB, argue the Act undermines their control over Waqf properties. Attacks on central agencies in Bengal are a regular norm, including an attack on ED officials during Sandeshkhali when agencies were raiding Trinamool Congress leaders homes in a ration scam case, sources pointed out. The state police allegedly failed to intervene, raising concerns about collusion between the ruling party and law enforcement, they said. BJP workers have allegedly faced kidnappings and murder," a source said. The chief minister refused to implement the Waqf Act, blaming the central government for the unrest. TMC prioritises minority appeasement over impartial governance. Hindu properties were targeted during protests, with minimal police response." Agencies highlight the risks of radical groups exploiting religious gatherings, as seen in the Waqf protests, to incite broader unrest. Protests have paralysed transportation, like KamakhyaPuri Express disruptions, and forced business closures, destabilising livelihoods. Recurring electoral violence (such as during panchayat polls) and allegations of voter intimidation threaten democratic integrity," a source said. Proximity to international borders like Bangladesh raises concerns about cross-border criminal networks exploiting the chaos." Intelligence agencies say that West Bengals crisis is a mix of political opportunism, communal polarisation, and administrative paralysis. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Waqf Act protests are a flashpoint, while deeper issues like institutional collusion and minority appeasement tactics are causing instability, sources said. Immediate measures such as neutral law enforcement, interagency coordination, and federal oversight are critical to prevent further deterioration, they added. The Calcutta High Court has ordered the deployment of central forces to restore order. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: April 12, 2025, 20:41 IST J&K: 2 Students Killed, 21 Injured After College Bus Overturns In Kupwara Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 15:00 IST According to the officials, a bus of Government Degree College Sogam carrying 27 students for a picnic lost control and turned turtle near the Vodpora area of Handwara. J&K: 2 Students Killed, 21 Injured After College Bus Overturns In Kupwara. (ANI) Two students died, and 21 others were injured after a college bus they were travelling in met with an accident in Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara district on Saturday, officials said. A bus of Government Degree College Sogam carrying 27 students for a picnic lost control and turned turtle near the Vodpora area of Handwara, they said. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Jammu & Kashmir | Two students from GDC Sogam lost their lives in an accident near HandwaraVisuals from the hospital where the injured are being taken for treatment. pic.twitter.com/xiFMIVM1hK ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 The officials said that the injured were taken to a hospital in Handwara, where one girl student was declared brought dead. Two of the injured were referred to a hospital here in critical condition, out of which one succumbed to the injuries, the officials said. They added that 20 students were undergoing treatment at the Handwara hospital. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The loss of two young promising students from GDC Sogam in the tragic accident near Handwara is a tragedy that weighs heavily on all of us. My deepest condolences to their families in this hour of grief. Prayers for the swift recovery of the injured," the CMs office said on X. The chief minister said the government is closely monitoring the situation and ensuring all necessary assistance. Location : Kupwara, India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 15:00 IST Karnataka Muslim Reservation To Be Doubled? Here's What News18 Found In Caste Survey Report | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: April 13, 2025, 00:11 IST The Karnataka Backward Classes Commission has also suggested increasing the reservation for OBCs from 32% to 51%. The recommendations have been made based on the socio-economic survey, popularly known as the 'caste census', carried out by the state in 2015 Extracts of the report show that Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, at 1.52 crore, make up 25% of the state population. Among OBCs, Muslims, with a population of 75.25 lakh, are the biggest group. (Representational pic/Getty) The Karnataka Backward Classes Commission has recommended doubling the reservation for Muslims from 4% to 8% in the state. It has also suggested increasing the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 32% to 51%. The recommendations have been made based on the socio-economic survey, popularly known as the caste census, carried out by the state in 2015. CNN-News18 has accessed the Karnataka socio-economic survey report and recommendations of the Backward Classes Commission. Recommended Stories The survey pegs the Muslim population at 18.08% in Karnataka. The overall OBC population, including Muslims, is pegged at 69.60%. It has been decided to recommend increasing the reservation for backward classes from 32% to 51%. Additionally, the creamy layer in the backward classes can be accommodated in the general category as well. Backward classes constitute 69.60% of Karnataka and can be rounded off to 70%," the commission said in its report. Extracts of the report show that Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, at 1.52 crore, make up 25% of the state population. Among OBCs, Muslims, with a population of 75.25 lakh, are the biggest group. The commission has recommended breaking the 50% reservation ceiling, arguing that the Supreme Courts ruling in the Indra Sawhney case is not operational, with the ceiling already breached. The report highlights Tamil Nadu (69%) and Jharkhand (77%) as having already crossed the 50% reservation cap. Proposed reservation by Backward Classes Commission- OBC: From 32% to 51% (including 8% to Muslims under Category-2B from the existing 4%) SC-ST: 24% (Status quo) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all EWS: 10% (Status quo) A special cabinet meeting on April 17 will discuss the caste survey report and the roadmap for its implementation. About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More First Published: April 13, 2025, 00:03 IST Kerala Lottery Results LIVE: Karunya KR- 701 Winners For April 12, 2025 Soon; First Prize Rs 80 Lakh! Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 09:00 IST Kerala Lottery Result Guessing Numbers: Check the Live Updates and full list of winning numbers for Karunya KR- 701 lucky draw for Saturday, April 12, 2025 here from 3 pm. Kerala Lottery Karunya KR- 701 Results: The first prize winner of Karunya KR- 701 will get Rs 80 lakh. 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Go to the official Kerala Lottery website to view the KARUNYA KR-701 results. Confirm the winning numbers at the Kerala Government Gazette office for verification. Reach out to the Kerala Lottery Department for official and verified information. How to Claim the Prize Money? Refer to the official Kerala Government Gazette to verify the lottery results and match your ticket number. If your ticket is listed among the winners, you could be eligible for a prize. Prize winners must visit the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram within 30 days to claim their rewards. To claim the prize, winners must submit the original ticket and provide a valid ID for verification. Documents Required to Claim Prize Money Submit a signed photocopy of both the front and back of the winning lottery ticket. Provide recent passport-sized photographs, attested by a Gazette officer, for verification. Include a self-attested copy of your PAN card as proof of identity. Complete the official online prize claim form, attach a revenue stamp, and submit it. Present a valid government-issued ID (Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, or ration card) for authentication. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Visit the official Kerala Lottery Department websites: keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Locate and select the link for the KARUNYA KR-701 results. The full list of winning numbers will be displayed in the results section. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Check for the download option available 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 12, 2025, 09:00 IST Mayawatis Niece Claims Husband Is Impotent, Files FIR Against In-Laws Over Dowry Abuse Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 13:22 IST Alice also alleged that her husband used to take steroid injections for body building before marriage, and he was rendered impotent, after which he began living separately from her. Congress and Samajwadi Party had contested the 2024 polls together in Uttar Pradesh and succeeded in limiting the BJP's advance in the most populous state winning 43 seats including Faizabad Lok Sabha seat. (PTI File) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and former chief minister Mayawatis niece has filed serious allegations against her in-laws. Alice has accused her in-laws of pressuring her to have physical relations with his husbands elder brother to conceive a child, claiming her husband is impotent. She also filed a dowry harassment complaint against nine persons, including her husband, mother-in-law, the municipal council chairperson and father-in-law, in the Hapur district. Recommended Stories According to reports, the victims in-laws reside in Bank Colony in the Kotwali area of Hapur. Alice claimed that despite multiple complaints to the local police station and the Superintendent of Police, no report was registered. She accused her in-laws of demanding Rs 50 lakh as dowry and a flat in Ghaziabad while claiming that her husband, Vishal Singh, was impotent. Later, a case was registered against seven named accused, including her husband, following a court order. The complainants mother-in-law, Pushpa Devi, had once contested an assembly election on a BSP ticket. Uttar Pradesh: An FIR registered at Hapurnagar Police Station in Hapur district under sections of BNS and Dowry Prohibition Act, on the basis of the complaint of Alice, the niece of BSP chief Mayawati. The FIR names 7 accused, including her husband Vishal, her father-in-law ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 10, 2025 Mayawati has nine siblings. She has six brothersSiddharth, Naresh, Subhash, Titu, Rajkumar and Anand Kumar, who is BSPs national vice-president- and two sisters. Alice is the daughter of Naresh. She married Vishal on November 9, 2023. After the marriage, Alices husband Vishal, father-in-law Shripal Singh, mother-in-law Pushpa Devi, brother-in-law Bhupendra (alias Monu), sister-in-law Nisha, husbands sister Shivani, and maternal uncle-in-law Akhilesh reportedly began demanding additional dowry, including an apartment and 50 lakh rupees. They said that she was related to the BSP chief who had no dearth of money. So, she could easily arrange Rs 50 lakh and a flat. In her complaint, Alice also alleged that her husband used to take steroid injections for body building before marriage, and he was rendered impotent, after which he began living separately from her. The victim said when she raised the issue with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, they threatened her and even asked her to get a child through Vishals elder brother, Bhupendra. According to the victim, on February 17, 2025, her brother-in-law, Bhupendra and father-in-law, Shripal, allegedly beat her brutally and attempted to sexually assault her. Alice reported the incident to her parents and filed a police complaint on February 18. However, she claims no action was taken due to her mother-in-laws influence. She also sent a registered complaint to the SP, Hapur on March 21, but it didnt yield any results. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After failing to get justice from both quarters, the victim approached the court. The police have now registered a case against the accused following the courts order. SP Gyananjay Singh said a case was registered, and action would be taken against the accused after the probe. The FIR was lodged against the accused under sections 85, 115(2), 352, 351(2), 74,75,76, 3 and 4 of BNS. Location : Hapur, India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 12:23 IST Mumbai To Dubai In Only Two Hours? What We Know About UAE's Underwater Train Project Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 07:28 IST Mumbai-Dubai Underwater Train: The train, once launched will cover the distance of nearly 2,000 kilometres in two hours. It will not only boost the tourism but will also provide the travellers an alternate option to travel besides flight. Mumbai-Dubai Underwater Train: AI-generated image used for representation What if you could travel from Mumbai to Dubai in just two hours, that too in a train? Yes, that may be possible soon with the launch of an underwater train by the UAE. The project by UAEs National Advisor Bureau Limited will not only make travelling between the two countries faster, but will also make it more convenient and easier. India-Dubai Underwater Train: Boost Tourism, Make Travelling Economical Recommended Stories The India-UAE underwater train once launched, will reduce the travel time by over one hour. Normally, it takes 3 to 3.5 hours to travel from Mumbai to Dubai by flight. The train will use the latest technology, like the Hyperloop system, enabling the passengers to travel faster. This step will also reduce the travelling cost, reducing the economic burden on pockets of people. The cost of tickets is yet to be disclosed. It will also make it more convenient to travel as compared to flights. The distance between India and Dubai is nearly 2,000 kilometres. The underwater train will open an alternate option for travellers, who now only get to travel via flight. The project will boost tourism. Mumbai-Dubai Train To Strengthen Trade Relations The Mumbai-Dubai underwater train will not only be used for passengers to commute, according to a report by the Times of India, the train also plans to transport goods, including crude oil and water, boosting the trade relations between India and Dubai. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India-Dubai Underwater Train: When Will It Be Launched? While the dates related to the proposed underwater rail link are yet to be finalised, the countries are already in talks about the implementation of the train. First Published: April 12, 2025, 07:28 IST Man, Son Hacked To Death, Another Dies Of Bullet Wounds Amid Violent Waqf Protests In Bengal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 21:26 IST Protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad turned violent, killing three and leading to over 130 arrests. The court has ordered deployment of central forces. The Calcutta HC ordered the deployment of central forces saying that they will cooperate with local police as protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent in West Bengals Murshidabad. (IMAGE: PTI) Three people were killed in West Bengals Murshidabad district following violent clashes allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. A father and son were allegedly murdered inside their home in Jafrabad which comes under the jurisdiction of Shamsherganj police station. A young man who suffered a bullet wound succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Recommended Stories The family of the father and the son from Jafrabad said that miscreants suddenly surrounded their home on Saturday morning and entered their home to loot it. They then hacked Hargobinda Das, aged 60, and his son Chandan Das, aged 45 due to which they suffered grievous injuries. They succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital. ALSO READ | Waqf Act Wont Be Implemented In Bengal: Mamata Reiterates Stance Amid Violent Protests Across State Officials told News18 that 138 people have been arrested so far. Tensions continue to prevail in Nimtita, Shamsherganj, Jangipur, Suti and Jafrabad but Railway Police Force (RPF) and Border Security Forces (BSF) remain stationed in those places and told news agency IANS that the situation is under control. Amid the unrest in West Bengal, the police have assured strict action against those involved in hooliganism". Speaking about the law-and-order situation in the state West Bengal, DGP Rajeev Kumar said, An atmosphere of unrest has been seen in Jangipur since yesterday and communal disturbance has also been observed. Any kind of hooliganism will not be tolerated. We are dealing with the situation very strongly. It is our responsibility to protect human life. DGP Rajeev Kumar is likely to visit Shamsherganj on Saturday evening, the state government told the Calcutta High Court. A special hearing was held in the Calcutta High Court on leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikaris plea seeking deployment of Central forces. The court directed the deployment of central forces in violence-hit parts of Murshidabad, observing that the court cannot keep its eyes closed" amid the unrest and said that they will work along with the police. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday doubled down on her opposition to the Waqf Bill, declaring that her government will not implement the law in the state. In a post on X, Banerjee urged people of all faiths to stay calm and exercise restraint. Every human life is precious, do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming the society. Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitated against. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government," said CM Banerjee. She further added that TMC has made its stand clear on the Waqf Amendment Bill. It will not be implemented in West Bengal. Union Minister and Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led government over the unrest in parts of Murshidabad district and accused it of turning a blind eye while Hindus are being attacked" in Shamsherganj, Suti and Jangipur. Majumdar said the BJP would put an end to what he called vandalism and goondaism by a section of minorities" within five minutes if voted to power in the state. He claimed 10 police personnel were injured and the local BDO office was vandalised by a mob because the administration, driven by appeasement politics, did not act in time. Alleging that the violence may have been triggered to divert attention from protests over the cancellation of 26,000 school teaching jobs, Majumdar, who is also MoS for Education, said Hindus of Bengal are peaceful but will rise to defend their dignity and identity if targeted in Muslim-majority pockets of Murshidabad. Hindus believe in the true concept of secularism, pluralism as they are peace-loving and non-violent. But if efforts are made to drive out the Hindus from certain pockets in Murshidabad where Muslims are the majority, ordinary people of Bengal, Hindus of Bengal will turn around to save their dignity, honour and identity," he said. Murshidabad Violence Triggers High-Level Talks Between Centre, Bengal Amid reports of communal unrest in Murshidabad, the Union Home Secretary held a video conference with West Bengals Chief Secretary and DGP to review the law-and-order situation on Saturday. According to a Ministry of Home Affairs press statement, the DGP informed that while the situation remained tense, it was under control and being closely monitored. He added that local BSF units were already assisting efforts on the ground and that over 150 people had been arrested so far in connection with the violence. Responding to a request from the state, the Centre has deployed five additional BSF companies to support nearly 300 personnel already stationed in Murshidabad. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Union Home Secretary urged the state to maintain strict vigil in other sensitive pockets and ensure swift restoration of peace. The Centre reiterated its commitment to provide all necessary assistance, including further deployment of security forces if needed. (with inputs from Kamalika and Dhrubajyoti Pramanik) About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Murshidabad, India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 17:50 IST Did Tahawwur Rana Meet ISI Agent In Dubai During 26/11 Plot? NIA Probes Mystery Man Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Shankhyaneel Sarkar Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 18:11 IST The NIA, according to reports, are questioning Tahawwur Rana about a man who he met in Dubai before the 26/11 Mumbai attacks unfolded. The NIA are trying to figure out whether the Dubai connection of Tahawwur Rana, whom he met before the Mumbai attacks, was connected to the Pakistani army, deep state or Pakistan-based terror groups. (IMAGE: SOURCED) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) are on the lookout for a man who met one of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana in Dubai. The NIA is interrogating Rana, who was extradited from the US earlier this week, and sources from the investigation agency told CNN-News18 that the man who met key accused Rana in Dubai was likely an operative of the Pakistani intelligence agency, the Inter-state Intelligence services (ISI), and had prior knowledge of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman who is closely related to convicted 26/11 plotter David Coleman Headley is currently under high-security NIA custody in New Delhi. Recommended Stories ALSO READ | Tahawwur Rana Says He Had Plans For Similar Attacks On Other Cities According to records shared by US agencies with Indian authorities, the alleged ISI operative whom Rana met in Dubai had prior knowledge of the 26/11 plot. The NIA has confirmed it is investigating his identity and role in the conspiracy. Sources said Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, had warned Rana in 2008 against travelling to India, hinting at an imminent terror strike. He is believed to have arranged a meeting between Rana and the alleged ISI operative who confirmed the attack was about to take place. A separate report by broadcaster NDTV which cited the NIA said that the investigating agency believes Rana may have named this individual during earlier questioning by US agencies. Those classified reports are now with Indian authorities, the report further added. ALSO READ | Why Was Business Jet Gulfstream G550 Picked To Bring Tahawwur Rana To India From US? Explained top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all NIA told the new agency that the tactics used in Mumbai may have been part of a larger plan to carry out similar strikes across India. As part of that probe, officials are now combing through Tahawwur Ranas travel records in the days leading up to the 26/11 attacks. Between November 13 and 21 in 2008, Rana travelled across several Indian cities with his wife, Samraz Rana Akhtar. The cities on the itinerary included Uttar Pradeshs Hapur and Agra, Delhi, Keralas Kochi, Gujarats Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Investigators are looking into whether these trips were part of a reconnaissance mission to identify other possible targets. About the Author Arunima Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More First Published: April 12, 2025, 16:46 IST Probe Agency ED Takes Action On Key Properties In Congress-Linked Herald Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 18:08 IST The probe agency said that on April 11, it issued notices to property registrars in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, where the immovable assets National Herald are located. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. (File) National Herald Case: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said that it has started proceedings to take possession of properties worth Rs 661 crore linked to Congress-controlled Associated Journals Limited (also known as National Herald) in a money laundering case. The probe agency said that on April 11, it issued notices to property registrars in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, where the immovable assets National Herald are located. Recommended Stories The action has been taken under Section (8) and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe agency attached these immovable assets in November 2023. As part of the process to take possession of the tainted properties in the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013, on 11.04.2025 has served notices to Registrars of property in Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow having jurisdiction of the area where AJL properties are located," ED said in a statement. As part of the process to take possession of the tainted properties in the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking ED (@dir_ed) April 12, 2025 A separate notice has been issued to Jindal South West Projects, the current occupant of three floors in Herald House, Mumbai. The company has been directed to deposit all future rent payments directly with the ED. As part of the process to take possession of the tainted properties in the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking pic.twitter.com/egM1CnJTsq ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 A notice under Rule 5 (3) of Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013 has also been served on 11.04.2025 to M/s Jindal South West Projects Limited which occupying 7th, 8th, and 9thfloor at Herald House, Bandra (E), Mumbai, to transfer the rent / lease amount every month in favour of Director, Directorate of Enforcement," the statement added. Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed the ED action in AJL money laundering case in Lucknow. The EDs probe, which began in 2021, stems from a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in 2014 before a Delhi court. The complaint has alleged that a criminal conspiracy was hatched by several prominent political figures, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and a host of other Congress leaders and a private company Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme related to the fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2000 crore belonging to AJL. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ED investigation has revealed that Young Indian, beneficially owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties for a mere Rs. 50 Lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. Despite legal challenges, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court allowed the investigation to proceed. During the probe, the ED conducted searches and seizures at multiple locations and claimed to have uncovered documents pointing to additional layers of financial irregularities. 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 12, 2025, 16:15 IST Rose Valley Ponzi Scam: Centre Hands Over Rs 515 Crore To Help 7.5 Lakh Victims Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 19:08 IST The amount of Rs. 515.31 crore was attached by Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in the years 2015-17 by investigating money trail and tracing 2,987 different bank accounts. Union Minister of State for Finance hands over Rs. 515.31 crore to Asset Disposal Committee Chairman Justice D.K. Seth (Retd.) for restitution of properties to legitimate investors in Rose Valley Ponzi scam (X) The government on Saturday handed over Rs 515.31 crore to Justice D.K. Seth (Retd), Chairman of the Asset Disposal Committee which was formed for the purpose of restitution of properties to legitimate investors in the Rose Valley Ponzi scam. The amount of Rs. 515.31 crore was attached by Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in the years 2015-17 by investigating money trail and tracing 2,987 different bank accounts where the money collected from innocent victims had traversed. Recommended Stories According to a statement by the Ministry of Finance, the said bank accounts were then seized/attached following due process of law and converted into more than 700 fixed deposits (FDs) after confirmation of attachment by the Adjudicating Authority. Union Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, handed over a demand draft of Rs. 515.31 crore to the committee. It is estimated that this amount will be used to restitute money to approximately 7.5 lakh victims, out of the total claims of 31 lakh lodged so far with the committee. Earlier, ED had handed over an amount of Rs 22 crore to the committee which was used to restitute money to 32,319 lawful investors, according to the ministry statement. It may be mentioned that ED has also attached other movable and immovable assets of Rs 1,172 crore (present market value of the assets is estimated to be more than Rs. 2,000 crore), which is also in process of liquidation and refund to the victims. ED is investigating five Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases against the Rose Valley Group in the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Tripura. ED has filed prosecution complaints in all these cases before the Special Courts under PMLA. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Investigation under PMLA revealed that Rose Valley Group companies, had collected funds of Rs 17,520 crore by luring people mostly from the lowest strata of society with promises of providing land parcels or time sharing in hotels and in the event of inability to deliver the land/time sharing, refund with high rate of interest was promised on maturity of investments. Investigation has revealed that out of the above, an amount of Rs 6,666 crore, which constitutes the proceeds of crime, remained unpaid to the investors. First Published: April 12, 2025, 19:08 IST BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. A violation of the state border from the Islamic Republic of Iran in the direction of the Republic of Azerbaijan by 3 unknown persons was recorded on the service territory of the Goytepe border detachment of the Border Troops Command of the State Border Service on April 8, the press center of the State Border Service told Trend. "The border outpost was raised on command, the service area was completely cordoned off. The border patrol opened warning fire into the air. However, the violators put up armed resistance and opened fire. The border patrol, in accordance with the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the State Border", returned fire, neutralizing the border violator who was shooting, and another was detained. Another smuggler, taking advantage of the darkness and difficult terrain, fled towards Iranian territory. During the inspection of the territory, a Winchester-type rifle, a night vision device, cartridge casings and three large packages of a narcotic substance (marijuana) with a total weight of 32 kilograms 400 grams were discovered and confiscated. The Iranian side was informed about the incident through the border representative office, the statement stressed. It was noted that the State Border Service continues the necessary operational and investigative measures. 'Security Cover For These Men And Women Of Steel': Karnataka Minister Lad To News18 As Cabinet Clears Gig Workers Bill Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 06:00 IST Lad said that people in the gig economy are spending 15-20 years of their lives working 10-12 hours a day, breathing large amounts of carbon dioxide. With close to 2.3 lakh gig workers in Karnataka, the state government says the bill is about giving them a basic safety net without altering their flexible work status The Karnataka government has decided to promulgate an ordinance to bring the bill into effect without waiting for the legislature session. Representational image Karnataka is all set to implement legislation to provide a social security scheme for its gig workers. On April 11, the state cabinet cleared the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024, making it the first state to implement it in the country and the second after Rajasthan to pass such legislation. The Karnataka government has decided to promulgate an ordinance to bring the bill into effect without waiting for the legislature session. Rajasthan, which was under a Congress government, formulated and passed a similar bill in July 2023, but the party lost power in December of the same year. The subsequent BJP government did not implement the bill, paving the way for Karnataka to become the first one to move this as an ordinance and make it an implementable law. Recommended Stories The bill mandates a welfare fee of 12% on every payout made by platforms to gig workers, creating a dedicated fund for their benefit. A Karnataka Gig Workers Welfare Board will be set up to collect and manage these funds, which will be used to offer social security benefits including accident and death compensation, maternity support, education aid for children, housing, provident fund, skill development, and old age assistance. This legislation is important as it secures the life of a gig worker. It is the sacrifice of a gig worker on whose back multinational companies are making money. We are providing security cover for these very men and women of steel who build this gig economy," Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad told News18. He added that people in the gig economy are spending 15-20 years of their lives working 10-12 hours a day, breathing large amounts of carbon dioxide. The app companies have just developed the application; the rest of the responsibility falls on the gig workers. We are creating a security net for them," said Lad. Food delivery, ride-sharing, and e-commerce platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, Uber, Amazon, and Flipkart will have to contribute to this fund based on each transaction made to their delivery and ride-share partners. With close to 2.3 lakh gig workers in Karnataka, the state government says the bill is about giving them a basic safety net without altering their flexible work status. But the road to this legislation has been far from smooth. The bill had earlier been put on the back burner for a while to address the concerns raised by departments particularly IT-BT and Commerce & Industry. It was back after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah discussed it with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi and got a political go-ahead. To address the objections raised by the IT-BT and Commerce departments, the Labour Department made a series of key changes to the bill before getting cabinet clearance. One of the main concerns was that the bill blurred the line between gig workers and full-time employees, particularly with references to the Industrial Disputes Act. The Labour Department responded by removing that clause altogether and clarifying that the bill would not enforce traditional labour laws like minimum wages or standing orders. Instead, it would treat gig workers as a unique category with a limited employer-worker relationship, only to provide them with basic protections. Officials pointed to a recent Karnataka High Court ruling that acknowledged the level of control platforms have over gig workers. Another point that was raised was the criminal liability clause in the earlier draft, which proposed criminal action against company directors for non-compliance. The Commerce Department said this could severely impact investor confidence. The Labour Department dropped the provision, replacing it with a system where offences can be compounded and prosecution would require government sanction. The Labour Department clarified that the bill makes no provision for appointing inspectors, eliminating concerns about harassment or overreach. The IT Department had also objected to the original Central Transaction Information and Management System (CTIMS), calling it excessive and intrusive. This system has now been reworked and renamed the Welfare Fee Verification System. Instead of manual data submissions, it will rely on secure API-based integration and only use data that platforms already collect as part of their operations. The aspect of algorithm transparency also saw a compromise. Platforms argued that disclosing algorithm logic would amount to revealing trade secrets and could even violate SEBI norms. Workers and unions, on the other hand, wanted clarity on how pay, penalties, and work assignments are decided. The final bill retains only two basic clauses on algorithm transparencyenough to give workers some insight without revealing proprietary data. Platform companies also raised concerns about contract rules, including a 14-day notice period and restrictions on order cancellations. The final bill eases these provisions, making model contracts only advisory. Notice periods are now optional in emergencies, giving platforms more flexibility. A major concern for platforms was the welfare fee, which they feared could become an open-ended financial burden. The Labour Department has now capped the fee clearly at 12% of the payout made to each gig worker and not on the companys turnover. This brings Karnataka in line with Rajasthan, which enacted a similar law in 2023. How different is this from the Rajasthan bill? Lad responds by saying that Karnataka has adopted a more comprehensive bill where all stakeholders have been spoken to. Twenty meetings over a year have been held in order to get the right perspective; we have also held consultations with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This bill will go a long way and benefit both sides of the business," Lad said. A per-unit transaction on each payout will be levied as a welfare fee, which is capped at 12% of the payout to the gig worker, as seen in the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023," the bill stated. Further, it may be observed that the Code on Social Security, 2020, has not defined turnover". Section 114(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020, mentions that the contribution to be paid by aggregators is capped at 12% of annual turnover. In the present bill, the welfare fee" may be levied under Schedule 7, List III (the Concurrent List) of the Indian Constitution. Entry No. 23 mentions social security and social insurance, while Entry No. 24 refers to the welfare of labour, including conditions of work, provident funds, employer liability, workmens compensation, invalidity and old age pensions, and maternity benefits. It is the constitutional mandate and power of the state government to bring out the present bill on social security for gig workers. To avoid the risk of double contributions under state and central frameworks, the final bill includes a sunset clause. The bill stated that a Sunset clause is added under section 21(5) of the Bill, thereby ensuring that platforms will not pay dual contributions under Social Security Code, 2020 and the present Bill. Welfare Fee paid by the platform under this bill need not pay contribution under Code on social security, 2024. The nature of Fund utilisation and the schemes for Gig workers will be covered in the rule-making powers of the State Government, through tripartite discussions in the Welfare Board." Even as the Commerce Department warned the bill could affect Karnatakas image as a startup-friendly state, the Labour Department maintained that it strikes a careful balance between business ease and worker rights. Officials insist that the bill imposes no fresh compliance burdens and does not interfere with platform operations. While industry bodies like NASSCOM and IAMAI remained cautious about the bills long-term implications, gig workers and unions have welcomed it as a much-needed move towards formalising a sector that has remained largely unregulated. Lad responded to NASSCOM by saying that it should not affect the industry. There is no investment on the vehicle, be it a two-wheeler, three-wheeler, or four-wheeler. Neither do they pay them anything called a salary, as gig workers are on a contract basis. Imagine the person who is using a two- or three-wheeler is compromising his life in a polluted environment. This bill is to recognise these people," the minister said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lad went on to say that there is no attempt to sideline the industry, but while industries grow and prosper, it is important to accept the compromises and sacrifices made by those who labour to give them a safer environment. Let this be seen as an upliftment of the gig workers and the welfare of their children and their future as well," he said. 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 12, 2025, 06:00 IST 'Tahawwur Rana A Canadian Citizen': Why Pakistan-Allied Ecosystem Wants This Highlighted Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 22:36 IST By saying this, Pakistan is distancing itself from the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused's act and also bringing the Canadian angle to provoke Ottawa to speak up as the US very smoothly extradited Rana to India 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana with NIA officials after his extradition in New Delhi. (Image: Sourced) Tahawwur Ranas Canadian citizenship is in the news. Pakistans foreign ministry also attempted to distance itself from Rana and tried to create an issue around the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accuseds extradition from the United States to India. Responding to a question during a press briefing, Pakistans ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, said Rana had not attempted to renew his Pakistani citizenship. Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents in the last two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear," he stated. Recommended Stories By saying this, Pakistan is distancing itself from Ranas act and also bringing the Canadian angle to provoke Ottawa to speak up as the US very smoothly extradited the terror accused to India. But Canadas say does not hold much value anymore, say sources. Islamabad is distancing itself as Ranas links to the Pakistan army, as well as the ISI, are an open secret. Islamabad fears Rana could spill the beans on Pakistans role in conspiring in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008. Since then, the debate over Ranas Canadian citizenship has started. During Joe Bidens tenure as US President, many junior-ranking officials who were not directly involved in the extradition process were of the view that Canada could object to Ranas extradition. They also wanted this discussion to be a part of the discourse. Now also, attempts are being made to bring Canada" into the picture by Pakistan and the allied ecosystem. Since the very beginning, America, at a government level, was in favour of sending Rana to India. At the request of the Indian government, Rana was arrested, and his extradition proceedings happened despite his being a Canadian citizen. This also reflects upon how the US is little concerned about Canadas say as far as cases like Ranas are concerned. The US has very comfortably extradited Canadian citizen Rana to India. This also reflects upon the dip in the relationship between the two neighbouring countries. Now, since there is no provision for capital punishment in Canada and given the terror act of Rana, he could be given the death penalty by Indian courts. So Pakistan and allied ecosystems wanted to create trouble by mentioning Ranas Canadian citizenship. Rana has been extradited from the United States, where he was already convicted in 2011 for supporting terrorism. He could now face far more severe consequences, including the death penalty. Canada has a strong position against capital punishment in Ottawa, so Ranas lawyer could use this as grounds in the future to oppose his death penalty. But experts say since Rana has been extradited from the United States, and India and the US have the provision of capital punishment, India should not have much issue executing the death penalty in this case if the court pronounces it. And Canada could speak up, but its objection wont hold much value as he has been extradited from the US. In the past, there are instances where Ottawa has spoken up against capital punishment given to its citizens. So what does US law say about the death penalty? States: 27 states have the death penalty on the books, meaning its a legally authorised punishment for certain crimes. Federal: The federal government can also seek the death penalty for specific federal crimes. Military: The US military has the authority to impose the death penalty in certain cases. Abolition: 23 states and the District of Columbia have abolished the death penalty. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Moratoriums: Some states that have the death penalty on the books may have a moratorium (temporary suspension) on executions, often due to a governors decision. Federal moratorium: The federal government has a limited number of death row inmates and has recently seen a decrease in the number of federal executions. About the Author Siddhant Mishra Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ... Read More Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ... Read More First Published: April 12, 2025, 22:36 IST Violent Protests Against Waqf Act Rock Bengal; 10 Cops Hurt, Railway Tracks Blocked | Top Updates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 09:24 IST Waqf Act Protest: Around 10 policemen were injured in the clashes that broke out after people from a community gathered after Friday prayers against the Waqf Act in Murshidabad Protest rally organised against the Waqf Act in Kolkata | PTI Image Waqf Act Protest: Protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent in several pockets of West Bengal on Friday as agitators set vehicles on fire, clashed with security forces, and disrupted road and rail traffic. In Murshidabads Suti, the protesters assembled despite prohibitory orders, staging demonstrations, hurling stones at cops, and setting police vehicles and buses on fire. Recommended Stories Around 10 policemen were injured in the clashes that broke out after people from a community gathered after Friday prayers against the Waqf Act, blocking a stretch of National Highway-12 from Dakbanglo More in Shamsherganj to Sutir Sajur More. The protests turned violent after the agitators hurled stones at a police van, resulting in a clash in which around 10 policemen were injured," a senior officer was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Police resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas after protesters hurled bomb-like objects, said officials, adding that some officers took shelter in a nearby mosque as violence escalated. The BSF was called in, and authorities now say the situation is under control with heavy deployment and raids underway to arrest the culprits. Waqf Act Protest In Bengal: Top Updates Train services on the New Farakka-Azimganj section of the Eastern Railway were halted for over seven hours on Friday after a group of people obstructed tracks and vandalised railway property between Dhuliandanga and Nimtita stations in West Bengal. Officials said that around 5,000 protesters blocked the tracks at a level crossing, while another gate was damaged by agitators. The blockade was withdrawn by 8.30 pm. Train services were also disrupted on the Malda line as protesters sat on railway tracks. Murshidabads Jangipur also reported violence as people staged a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. Several vehicles were torched. #WATCH | West Bengal | Morning visuals from Jangipur, Murshidabad, where people staged a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. Several vehicles were torched. Security has been heightened in the area.As per the Bengal Police, the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of pic.twitter.com/6qB4juCdoz ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Internet services, which were suspended since the unrest in Jangipur earlier this week, would continue along with the prohibitory orders, said officials. In Murshidabads Dhuliyan, protests over the Waqf Act escalated into violence, with demonstrators clashing with security personnel and setting multiple vehicles on fire. According to Bengal Police, the situation has since been brought under control. Reports of vandalisation also came from Amtala in South 24 Parganas district on Friday afternoon, where agitators attacked and vandalised" a police vehicle during a rally. In Kolkata, students of Aliah University staged a demonstration at Park Circus and rallies against the Waqf Act were also taken out in the Khidirpur area. Governor CV Ananda Bose issued directions to the state government to take immediate and effective action against miscreants responsible for disturbances in sensitive areas in Murshidabad, Malda and South 24 Parganas districts. 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 12, 2025, 09:24 IST WhatsApp Not Working For You? Users In Several Countries Report Hours-Long Outage Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 21:22 IST WhatsApp faced a massive global outage as several users reported difficulties in uploading status updates or send messages on groups. Several users were unable to send texts on groups or upload status updates on WhatsApp. (Representative Image) Messaging platform WhatsApp faced a massive outage on Saturday, as several users reported difficulties in uploading their statuses or sending messages on the Meta-owned app since the evening. According to DownDetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from several sources, including user-submitted errors on its platform, at least 597 complaints were registered against WhatsApp till 5:22 pm. Of them, 90% of complaints were related to sending messages, 7% of people experienced difficulties in the app, and 3% during voice calls. Recommended Stories Some users were unable to upload their statuses on WhatsApp, while others reported errors while sending messages on groups. The #Whatsappdown started trending again on X as more people reported problems on the platform. The WhatsApp errors were briefly resolved before issues resurfaced, with 3,229 complaints on DownDetector by 8:24 pm. Several users reported a major service outage on the platform. The issue appears to be affecting message delivery and app stability more than login or server connection. Is WhatsApp down ?I have been trying to upload the status but it couldnt. #WhatsApp #whatsappdown pic.twitter.com/Wuph0ETdLm Kumar Shubham (@its_ShubhamK) April 12, 2025 Is it just me or your WhatsApp is down as well ? I am trying to upload status and its taking forever to do so . #Whatsappstatusdown Khusboo Sharma (@khusboo_runthla) April 12, 2025 Hey @WhatsApp , is the app down? Im having trouble sending messages theyre just not going through. Anyone else facing this? #WhatsAppDown Arpit shukla (@JournoArpit) April 12, 2025 anjir?? whatsapp down kah gw post sw, tapi masih bisa private chat dan send message ke beberapa grupp doangg, kalian gini juga atau cuma gue??? pic.twitter.com/NZ19nXeqCc Yumire (@shade_rio) April 12, 2025 Everybody running to twitter to see if Whatsapp is down for everyone else: #whatsappdown #whatsapphackpic.twitter.com/FJmf79cUHY Nishu (@Neon5G) April 12, 2025 Is it just me or your WhatsApp is down as well? I am trying to upload status and its taking forever to do so," said a user on X. Another individual said, I thought it was an issue with iOS 18.4 since I started facing it after the upgrade. I restarted my phone and tried to upload a WhatsApp status, but it didnt work. Then I Googled it and found out that WhatsApp is down." There was no immediate statement from WhatsApp on the outage. Some users reported similar outage on Facebook and Instagram as well, both owned by Meta. Over 530 million Indians use WhatsApp, and nearly 3 billion people use it worldwide. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This comes over a month after the platform experienced a massive outage in late February, leaving many users across the world unable to use the app properly. Users were unable to connect or send messages via the WhatsApp app or WhatsApp Web or make any calls. The apparent WhatsApp problem also came as hundreds of users across India reported transaction failures on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across multiple platforms, including PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm. NPCI, the regulatory body, in an X post explained the cause of outage as intermittent technical issues, leading to partial UPI transaction declines". 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 12, 2025, 17:13 IST Bohag Bihu 2025: Date, Time, Rituals, History, Significance And Celebration Of Assam New Year Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 08:08 IST Bohag Bihu 2025 Date And Time: Bohag Bihu, marking the Assamese New Year and harvest season, starts on April 14, 2025, and lasts seven days with various rituals and traditional celebrations. Bohag Bihu 2025 Date And Time: The word Bihu is derived from the Sanskrit word Bishu. (Image: Shutterstock) Bohag Bihu 2025 Date And Time: Bohag Bihu is one of the important festivals for the people of Assam. The colourful festival, observed by the Assamese community worldwide, marks the beginning of the New Year as per Assams traditional calendar. The word Bihu" is derived from the Sanskrit word Bishu. This means to seek blessings and prosperity from the Gods" before the onset of the harvest season. In Assam, people celebrate three different types of Bihu, depending on the agricultural cycle. Also known as Rongali Bihu, it is considered the most important among them and its celebrated in a grand manner. Recommended Stories ALSO READ: Happy Bohag Bihu 2025: Top Wishes, Quotes, Images, Greetings And WhatsApp Status To Share On Assam New Year The festival signifies the time of the harvest season and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. Celebrated annually in the second week of April with great joy and fervour, this festival is observed over seven days. This year, Bohag Bihu will be celebrated starting on April 14. On this occasion, lets check out the time, rituals, history, significance and how the Assam New Year is celebrated: Bohag Bihu 2025: History It is believed that the history of this festival traces its origins back to ancient times when it was revered as a festival by the agrarian community seeking the blessings of gods ahead of the new harvesting season. Rooted deeply in Assams agricultural heritage, the festival is said to have come into existence when the Assamese people started tilling the lands in the Brahmaputra Valley for their sustenance. Bohag Bihu 2025: Significance Celebrated primarily as an agrarian festival, Bohag Bihu holds a lot of significance for the Assamese people and the farming community of Assam. The festival marks the onset of the Assamese New Year and the eagerly anticipated arrival of spring. On this occasion, farmers express gratitude and thank the god for a good harvesting season while also praying for a better crop in the upcoming season. ALSO READ: Happy Bohag Bihu 2025: Assam New Year Wishes, Images, Quotes, Messages And Status To Share On WhatsApp With Loved Ones Bohag Bihu also serves as a social equaliser, bringing people from all walks of life together to celebrate lifes blessings while putting aside their differences. Besides creating a strong sense of community and strengthening cultural traditions, this day is an occasion to express gratitude and celebrate a prosperous harvesting season. Bohag Bihu 2025: Rituals People commence the festival by rising early in the morning, performing ceremonial baths with auspicious pastes. Then, they wear new attire and seek blessings from their elders. The main Bohag Bihu in Assam is a 7-day-long festival, and each day specific rituals are performed. The names of each day of the 7-day period are as follows: Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Gohain Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Tator Bihu/Nangolor Bihu, Jiyori or Senehi Bihu, and Mela Bihu or Chera Bihu. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bohag Bihu 2025: Celebrations The members of the Assamese community come together, dressed in their traditional attire such as dhoti, gamosa, and saadar mekhela, to perform the Bihu dance while singing the traditional Bihu Geet. Many people also put on new clothes, light bonfires (Meji) and prepare traditional dishes like Larus, Pitha and Xaak to celebrate the festival with family and friends. About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... 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! Location : Assam, India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 13:00 IST Meghan Markle Keeps It Chic And Classic In A Carolina Herrera Printed Skirt And Black Blouse Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 10:52 IST The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, was recently spotted in New York City as she attended a Broadway performance. For her OOTD, she kept it classic and timeless. Meghan Markle wore a gold Cartier Tank watch which once belonged to Princess Diana. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has always believed in making timeless fashion statements with her sartorial choices that lean more towards classics. Recently, she was spotted in New York City as she stepped out to enjoy a Broadway show. For her outing, she looked stunning as she kept it classic in a black blouse and a houndstooth print skirt. Taking to her Instagram, Meghan Markle shared pictures from the evening. She wrote, 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. And meeting @audramcdonald for the first time last nightHer performance will leave you absolutely speechless. Full body chills. I dont think there was a dry eye in the house, and if the theater didnt have to close for the night, the standing ovation would still be happening." The pictures showed Meghan interacting with the cast and crew of the show. However, it was her OOTD that got the fashion enthusiasts talking. Recommended Stories Take a closer look at Meghans OOTD here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (@meghan) For her New York outing, Meghan opted for a classic black and white colour palette that you can never go wrong with. She opted for a floor-length houndstooth pencil skirt from Carolina Herrera. She paired the skirt with a classic black blouse. The blouse came with a V-neckline and full sleeves, but Meghan had rolled the sleeves up to her elbows. For the accessories, she opted for some classic and heirloom pieces. She went with a gold Cartier Tank watch, which once belonged to her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana. She also added her Cartier Love bracelet to the stack. She added a diamond necklace and diamond stud earrings to her look. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Audra McDonald (@audramcdonald) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recently, Meghan launched her new lifestyle brand As Ever. The brand deals with a plethora of lifestyle and home products such as home decor and kitchen items including decanters, napkin rings, cutlery, table linens, placemats and napkins, and even cookbooks. 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 12, 2025, 10:52 IST Puthandu 2025: Date, Time, Rituals, History, Significance And Celebration Of Tamil New Year Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 08:03 IST Puthandu 2025 Date And Time: Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, will be celebrated on April 14, 2025. It marks the start of Chitterai and the harvest season, featuring Kolam designs, special baths, new clothes, and traditional dishes. Puthandu is also known as Varsha Pirappu. (Image: Shutterstock) Puthandu 2025 Date And Time: The harvest season is approaching in India which usually occurs during the month of April. Many states across the country celebrate their new year around this time. In Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Ugadi while in West Bengal, it is celebrated as Poila Baisakh. These festivals mark the beginning of the harvest season. In Tamil Nadu, the new year is called Puthandu, a significant festival for the Tamil people. Puthandu marks the first day of Chitterai, a Tamil month. ALSO READ: Happy Puthandu 2025: Tamil New Year Wishes, Images, Quotes, Messages And Status To Share On WhatsApp With Loved Ones Recommended Stories Under the Tamil calendar, Sankranti falls on a day that is celebrated as New Years Day if it occurs after dawn and before sunset, and as Puthandu if it falls after sunset. Puthandu is also known as Varsha Pirappu. The day is also celebrated by the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and across the world. ALSO READ: Happy Puthandu 2025: Top Wishes, Quotes, Greetings, Images And WhatsApp Status To Share On Tamil New Year Puthandu 2025: Date And Time Puthandu will be celebrated on April 14 this year, according to Drik Panchang. The Sankranti moment for Puthandu will occur at 3:30 AM. Puthandu 2025: History Puthandu has its origins in the Sangam period which is a significant time for Tamils that lasted from around 300 BCE to 300 CE. The festival is believed to have been celebrated by the ancient Tamils to mark the start of the agricultural season which falls during the month of Chithirai. This month is associated with the harvesting of crops. ALSO READ: Happy Puthandu 2025: Traditional Tamil Recipes To Celebrate The Harvest Festival In addition to this, the day was chosen as Tamil New Year because it aligns with the suns transition into the first zodiac sign of the Tamil calendar, Aries. Puthandu 2025: Significance Puthandu is not only the beginning of a new year but also a time of renewal and reflection for the Tamil community. It is a moment to leave the past behind, set new goals, and embrace the future with hope. The festival encourages families to come together, uphold cultural values, and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being. Puthandu 2025: Rituals And Celebrations The day before Puthandu, women decorate their homes with beautiful Kolam designs to welcome happiness and prosperity. On the day of Puthandu or the day before, families also prepare a tray filled with fruits, flowers and other items that are considered auspicious. Many people take a special herbal bath on this day. Women usually take a turmeric bath during this time. People dress in new clothes, greet one another with Puthandu Vazthukal" and seek blessings from their elders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A key dish made during Puthandu is maanga pachadi" which is prepared with raw mango, jaggery, sambar powder and betel leaves. The meal also includes vadai, sambhar, rice, payasam, papad, vegetable curry and fresh mango pickle. Families visit temples to perform puja to their Kul Devi or Kul Devta. Elders bless the younger members by giving them gifts. About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... 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 12, 2025, 12:00 IST Vishu 2025: Date, Time, Rituals, History, Significance And Celebration Of Malayalam New Year Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 07:59 IST Vishu 2025 Date And Time: Vishu 2025 will be celebrated on April 14, marking the Malayalam New Year with rituals like viewing the Vishu Kani, reciting the Ramayana, and enjoying the Vishu Sadya feast. Vishu will be celebrated on Monday, April 14. (Image: Shutterstock) Vishu 2025 Date And Time: Vishu is a Hindu festival celebrated in Kerala, the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka, the Mahe district of Puducherry, several districts of Tamil Nadu, and in countries with a significant Malayali diaspora. In Kerala, it is observed as a regional public holiday. Vishu is commemorated on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam, which typically falls on April 14 or 15 in the Gregorian calendar. It marks the traditional New Year in Kerala, although the official Malayalam calendar (Kollam Era) begins with the month of Chingam. Recommended Stories ALSO READ: Happy Vishu 2025: Best Wishes, Quotes, Images, Greetings And WhatsApp Status To Share On Malayali New Year Vishu" means equal" in Sanskrit; therefore, this isnt simply a Malayalam event. Across India, the festival is known by several names. It is referred to as Baisakhi in Punjab and Bihu in Assam. Vishu 2025: Date and Time This year, Vishu will be celebrated on Monday, April 14. As per Drik Panchang, the Sankranti Moment on Vishu Kani will take place at 3:30 AM on April 14. Vishu 2025: History and Significance The history of Vishu is steeped in mythology and folklore. One popular belief is that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura on this day. Another legend links Vishu to the return of Surya Dev, the Sun God. According to this tale, Ravana, the demon king, had prevented the Sun from rising in the east. ALSO READ: Vishu 2025: Traditional Malayali Recipes To Celebrate Keralas Harvest Festival After Ravanas death, Surya Dev resumed his ascent from the east on the day of Vishu. Since then, the festival has been celebrated by many as a symbol of light, renewal, and divine order. In Kerala, Vishu is a major celebration that marks the start of the New Year, according to the Malayalam calendar. The Sanskrit word Vishu, meaning equal, refers to an equinoxa day with equal hours of daylight and darkness. ALSO READ: Happy Vishu 2025: Kerala New Year Wishes, Images, Quotes, Messages And Status To Share On WhatsApp With Loved Ones Vishu is celebrated on the day of Mesha Sankranti, also known as Mesha Sankramam, marking the Suns transition into the zodiac sign of Aries. The festival is observed with prayers and rituals dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, symbolising prosperity, renewal, and divine blessings. Vishu 2025: Rituals and Celebration of Malayalam New Year As part of the early morning rituals, the Vishu Kani is traditionally viewed at first light. It is prepared the night before by an elder member of the family. The arrangement features an Urulia bell-shaped brass vesselfilled with auspicious items such as coins, raw rice, flowers, fruits, and other symbolic offerings. A traditional lamp, known as the Nilavilakku, is lit and placed beside the Uruli, creating a serene and sacred sight to begin the day. On the special day, family members wake up but keep their eyes closed for some time until they look at the Vishu Kani first thing in the morning. By doing this, they believe that it will invite good fortune and money. As part of the ritual, families recite passages from the Ramayana and celebrate Vishu Padakkam by bursting firecrackers. The festivities culminate in the Vishu Sadya, a grand feast enjoyed by the entire family. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This traditional meal served on banana leaves, typically features 20 to 30 dishes and is a cherished highlight of the celebration. Popular dishes include Vishu Thoran, Beans Thoran, Beetroot Pachadi, Manga Pulissery, Tomato Rasam, Aviyal, Sarkara Varatti, Olan, Chakka Aviyal, and Semiya Payasam. About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... 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! Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India First Published: April 12, 2025, 11:00 IST Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Date, History, Significance And Celebrations Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 14, 2025, 07:56 IST Ambedkar Jayanti 2025 Date: The central government on March 28 declared April 14 the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as a public holiday in recognition of his contributions to society and the Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's birth anniversary is celebrated annually on April 14. (Image: Shutterstock) Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on April 14, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a key figure in modern Indian history. Dr. Ambedkar, also known as the Father of the Indian Constitution, was a jurist, economist, and social reformer. He played a key role in the fight against Indias caste system and untouchability, ensuring the participation of marginalised groups, especially Dalits, in the mainstream. The day celebrates the life of Dr. Ambedkar and his fight for the cause of social justice, equality, and human rights. ALSO READ: Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Best Wishes, Images, Quotes, Messages, Facebook & WhatsApp Status Recommended Stories Ambedkar Jayanti 2025 Date Dr. B.R. Ambedkars birth anniversary on April 14 has become a powerful symbol of the broader movement for social empowerment and resistance against caste-based discrimination. Throughout his life, Ambedkar championed the eradication of untouchability and tirelessly advocated for the rights of women and labourers. Ambedkar Jayanti Bank Holiday While Ambedkar Jayanti has long been a public holiday in several states, including Maharashtra, the central government officially declared it a nationwide holiday this year. The central government on March 28 declared April 14 the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as a public holiday in recognition of his contributions to society and the Constitution. As part of this declaration, all central government offices, institutions, and banks across India will remain closed on this day. Ambedkar Jayanti: History And Significance Dr. Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in present-day Madhya Pradeshs Mhow. Coming from a Dalit family, he faced caste-based discrimination early in his life. However, Dr. Ambedkar remained unfazed by societal discrimination and used education as his tool to fight it. He completed his early schooling from Maharashtras Satara before moving to Elphinstone High School in Bombay. ALSO READ: Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Top 10 Inspiring Quotes By Father Of Indian Constitution Dr. Ambedkars academic excellence led him to prestigious institutions like Columbia University and the London School of Economics. As Indias first Law Minister, Dr. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in drafting the Constitution, ensuring the provisions for civil liberties and promoting affirmative action. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ: Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Images, Quotes, Wishes, Messages, Greetings, Pictures And Status To Share In 1990, Dr. Ambedkar was posthumously awarded Indias highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, and 19901991 was declared the Year of Social Justice. As a result of these developments, Ambedkar Jayanti gained more recognition and was observed as a holiday in several states. About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... 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 12, 2025, 09:05 IST When Is Poila Baisakh 2025? Date, Time, History, Rituals And Significance Of Bengali New Year Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 14:23 IST Poila Baisakh 2025 Date And Time: Pohela Boishakh, marking the Bengali New Year, will be celebrated on April 15. Originating from King Shashanka's reign and modified by Mughal Emperor Akbar, it signifies the new harvest season. Poila Baisakh will be celebrated on April 15. (Image: Shutterstock) Poila Baisakh 2025 Date And Time: Pohela Boishakh, also known as Poila Baisakh, marks the beginning of the Bengali New Year. The festive day is celebrated on the first day of the month of Boishakh, as per the Bengali solar calendar. Celebrated with grandeur in Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and parts of Assam, the day symbolises the commencement of the New Year for Indian Bengalis. The festival is also known as Noboborsho. Recommended Stories When is Pohela Boishakh 2025: Date And Time The date for Poila Baisakh varies each year but usually falls on April 14 or April 15. This year, the Poila Baisakh will be celebrated on April 15. Pohela Boishakh 2025: History The origin of the Bengali Calendar dates back to the reign of 7th-century Gauda ruler King Shashanka. It was modified later during the taxation system of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He made an effort to merge both Islamic and Bengali calendars for the ease of the land owners to pay the taxes. The date for the celebration of the New Year was suggested to align it with the agricultural cycle. Pohela Boishakh 2025: Significance An important festival for Bengalis across the world, the day marks the start of the New Calendar Year as per regional traditions. The auspicious day begins with devotees visiting temples in the morning, whereas business owners celebrate it with the launch of new ventures. Many traders and business owners also start new account books on this day. Farmers, on the other hand, observe the day as the beginning of the new harvest season. Pohela Boishakh 2025: Rituals top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On this day, fairs are organised in villages and towns. Wearing new clothes, people greet each other saying Shubh Noboborsho, which translates to Happy New Year. Furthermore, delectable meals like Shukto, Cholar Dal, Shorshe Ilish and Basanti Pulao, among other traditional dishes, are also prepared. People decorate their houses beautifully to celebrate the festive day with their families. The occasion is said to be incomplete without special puja of lord Ganesh and Laxmi. Family gatherings over traditional meals and community feasts have become integral parts of the celebrations. About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... 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 12, 2025, 14:00 IST ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. Bosnia and Herzegovinas Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic emphasized the urgent need to eliminate corruption and political manipulation in the Western Balkans, calling for a shift from historical disputes to forward-looking dialogue and economic integration with the European Union, Trend reports. If we can remove corruption, then we can talk about our final goals or priorities, Konakovic said during a panel at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. You have these politicians, who should be removed, using false national narratives pretending to be protectors of national interests while they are stealing and lying. Konakovic highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and economic ties, pointing out that 92 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovinas exports align with the EU market structure - 70 percent going directly to EU member states and 22 percent to the regional market. He named Croatia and Serbia as Bosnias top foreign trade partners, despite persistent political tensions. We are more focused on our history than on our future, he noted, criticizing local politicians for daily disputes over historical facts rather than addressing economic or social progress. The minister also framed EU integration as not only an administrative issue but a security imperative following Russias invasion of Ukraine. If the EU doesnt control this part of Europe, someone else will, he warned. Drawing parallels with former Eastern Bloc countries, Konakovic underlined how nations like Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovenia tripled their GDP after joining the EU. He urged Western Balkan leaders to embrace this opportunity: We need brave leaders ready to cooperate, ready for honest dialogue, not the fake one. Konakovic ended his remarks by highlighting the scale of emigration as a pressing challenge. In 2021 alone, more than 130,000 Bosnians left the country to work in EU nations, with thousands more heading to the U.S. and Australia. Around 4 percent of our population left the country in just one year. This shows the urgent need for political stability and economic opportunity. With the EU's new Growth Plan on the table and open doors for integration, Konakovic concluded with a call for decisive leadership: Now we need brave and smart leaders to sit together, to have dialogue, and to do something for the future of our region. Celebrity MasterChef: Gaurav Khanna Lifts Trophy, Gets Teary-Eyed Over Past Allegations Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 15:12 IST Gaurav took home the Golden Chefs Coat, a trophy, prize money of Rs 20 Lakh and kitchen appliances. Gaurav Khanna emerged as the winner. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Celebrity MasterChef, the Farah Khan-hosted cooking-based reality show, has finally ended, and the viewers have got their first winner, Gaurav Khanna. The finale episode was high on fun, drama and some emotional moments. While presenting his last dish in front of the judges, he became emotional and referred to previous allegations, stating he had poured accusations and everything onto the plate, seemingly reacting to the recent charges of imitating a Swiss chefs dessert. During the Grand Finale episode, Gaurav got teary-eyed as his family couldnt arrive to support him. He stated, Until now, as an actor, I had never cried on camera. This is my first reality show, and I used to believe that theres nothing real in reality shows. But I was wrong. This show focuses on reality- competitions, starting at the bottom and accusations. Ive put everything out there. I poured everything on that dish. The last." Recommended Stories Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who arrived at the Finale as a special guest, advised him, Ab tak shayad emotions se bhag kar yahan tak pohche ho. Aaj se zindagi shuru karo, emotions se jud ke. (Perhaps you got here by running away from your feelings. Begin your new life now by embracing those emotions)." All the judges then came and hugged the actor to motivate him in his journey ahead. His final dish delighted all the judges, especially Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. The dessert was the highlight of the finale, not only because it was delicious but also because of its amazing presentation. Recently, Gaurav came under scrutiny due to the authenticity of his dessert during one of the episodes. He was accused of copying a honey-dripping dish created by Swiss chef Josia Reichen. The feud began when Chef Reichen shared the shows promo on Instagram, alleging similarities between his creation and the actors meal. As the Anupamaa fame actor won the trophy, Nikki Tamboli emerged as the first runner-up, followed by Tejasswi Prakash as the second runner-up. However, Faisal Shaikh and Rajiv Adatia were also among the top 5 contenders. Gaurav took home the Golden Chefs Coat, a trophy, prize money of Rs 20 Lakh and kitchen appliances. 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 12, 2025, 15:12 IST Charu Asopa Hits Back At Rajeev Sen For Questioning Her Financial Crunch: 'Whatever I Do...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 10:40 IST Charu Asopa responded to ex-husband Rajeev Sen's claims questioning her financial struggles. Rajeev doubted her issues citing her cruise trip and real estate interests. Charu Asopa and Rajeev Sen tied the knot in 2019 but finalised their divorce in 2023. (Photo: Instagram) Charu Asopa has hit back at her former husband Rajeev Sen for questioning her financial crunch. On Saturday morning, the actress took to her Instagram stories and shared a screenshot from Sens recent interview. She took a dig at him and slammed him for his comments. Wow thats beautiful. Whatever I do is always drama for this man," Charu wrote. This comes a day after Rajeev Sen questioned the authenticity of Charus claims about financial struggles and told Hindustan Times, She could afford a cruise trip with her brother and his wife which is pretty expensive and she paid for everyones ticket. Where does this financial struggle come into play?" Recommended Stories Rajeev further alleged that Charu has been exploring real estate in Bikaner and that is why she has left Mumbai. Shes looking to buy a house in Bikaneror maybe already haswhich takes serious money. Even with a loan, buying property isnt cheap. Plus, if shes managing cruises and her regular shoppingas seen in her daily vlogsit clearly shows shes not struggling financially. Anyone truly under financial stress wouldnt even dream of buying property," he said. Earlier, Charu had opened up about her move from Mumbai to Bikaner in an interview with the same publication. Living in Mumbai is not easy; it costs money. For me, the monthly living cost came up to Rs 1 lakh -1.5 lakh, including the rent and everything, which was not easy. 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 had said. Charu Asopa and Rajeev Sen tied the knot in 2019 and became parents to a baby girl in 2021. The couple finalised their divorce in 2023. 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 12, 2025, 10:40 IST Did You Know THIS Hollywood Actor Rejected The Role Of Ryan Gosling's Ken In 'Barbie' Movie? Published By : Bang Showbiz Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 04:55 IST The 47-year-old actor was in talks to play Ken in Greta Gerwig's big screen film based on the beloved children's toy. Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie in Barbie movie. Matt Bomer is glad he turned down a role in the Barbie movie because it gave him more time to focus on Maestro. The 47-year-old actor was in talks to play Ken in Greta Gerwigs big screen film based on the beloved childrens toy, but he walked away from the part and it went to Ryan Gosling instead and Matt has now revealed he made the right choice because it allowed him to focus his energy on performing in Bradley Coopers Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro. He told Business Insider: Even though my part in Maestro was smaller, Bradley was so collaborative with me from the get-go. Recommended Stories And it was such an immersive experience that to have just flown in from London to film my scenes [in Barbie] really quick and fly back to London I feel like Maestro wouldnt have been the same experience for me." He went on to reveal playing David Oppenheim in Maestro was a profound experience and it totally changed the way he works as an actor, adding: [It changed how I work] for probably for the rest of my career on film. It was a way of working that Im really grateful that I got to be exposed to. I wouldnt have, I think, if I were trying to just squeeze it in [while shooting Barbie]." Matt previously opened up about his experience trying out for Barbie in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine. He said of the audition process: I recorded it on my own, played a bunch of different Kens and I dressed differently for all of them. I recorded the lines of the other persons dialogue on my recorder and then gave myself space to respond." Ryan Gosling, 43, played stereotypical Ken in the movie and Margot Robbie, 33, played the main Barbie. Other Kens were played by Simu Liu, Chris Taylor, Tom Stourton, Rob Brydon, John Cena, Scott Evans, and Ncuti Gatwa. Luke Macfarlane, 43, also revealed he was previously considered for the role of Ken. However, landing the part of Charlie in TV series Platonic got in the way. He told The Hollywood Reporter: Yeah, the timing couldnt work out for both. Im not trying to sound boastful. It was a small, little part, but Ive never been part of some beautiful, big, cool thing like that. It would have been cool to be able to do both." Amy Schumer, 42, and Anne Hathaway, 41, were initially in talks with Sony and Mattel to star in a Barbie film with a whole other story. Amy admitted she was totally bummed" to drop out of the movie, even though she had been targeted by trolls in the wake of her casting, an online attack which she laughed off with her usual wit. 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, 04:55 IST Elvish Yadav Sparks Khatron Ke Khiladi 15 Rumors With Mysterious Vlog: Nayi Jagah, Ek Mahine Ke Liye Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 19:16 IST Elvish Yadavs new vlog has fans buzzing with speculation about Khatron Ke Khiladi 15. Elvish Yadavs vlog sparks rumors of him joining Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, even as reports claim the shows production is on hold after Banijay exit. The buzz around Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 15 refuses to die down. For months, reports have circulated about which celebrities are being approached for the adrenaline-packed reality show. Among the names doing the rounds is YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav, who has quickly become one of the most talked-about digital stars in India. While a recent report claimed that production has hit a snagdue to the shows producer, Banijay Asia, reportedly backing outElvishs latest vlog has reignited speculation that hes still very much in the running. In his recent video, Elvish gives fans a glimpse into his quick visit to his home in Gurugram, Haryana. While driving, he casually drops a few lines that fans immediately latched onto. Main sirf aaj ke liye yaha pe ho, fir nikal jaunga dusri jagah, teesri jagah balki. Iss baari koi nayi jagah hai, ek mahine ke liye wahi ho. Kaafi achcha project hai tumhare bhai ka, toh maza aane wala hai (Im only here for today, then heading somewhere else. This time its a new place, and Ill be there for a month. Its a really good projectyour brothers going to have fun)," he says. Recommended Stories Though Elvish doesnt name the project, fans believe the timing and secrecy match the typical schedule of Khatron Ke Khiladi, which usually involves contestants being away for around 45 days during the shoot. Later in the vlog, he has an emotional moment with his mother before leaving. Bye bye, ek dedh mahine ke liye gaye hum. Dedh mahine ke liye project aaraha hai apna bahot badhiya. Toh aashirvaad de maa. Dedh mahine ke liye bahar hu main ghar ke, dedh mahine ke baad hie dikhunga complete karke usko (Bye bye, Im going for a month and a half. Its a great project. Give me your blessings. Ill be away from home and will only return after finishing it)," he tells her. The clues were more than enough for fans. Within hours, social media was flooded with theories, edits, and hashtags predicting Elvishs participation in Khatron Ke Khiladi 15. His followers, who proudly call themselves the Elvish Army," began dissecting every word of his vlog, trying to find more hidden confirmations. What adds to the intrigue is the current state of the show itself. Recent reports claim that Banijay Asia, the production house behind the past seasons of KKK, has stepped away, allegedly stalling progress. Yet, if Elvish is indeed preparing for a month-and-a-half-long outdoor project, fans are wondering: has the show quietly found new footing? About the Author Yatamanyu Narain Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he's breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, hes always on the hun... Read More Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he's breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, hes always on the hun... Read More First Published: April 12, 2025, 19:16 IST Fatima Sana Shaikh Says She Overheard Inappropriate Adult Conversations As Child Artist: Worked 15-Hour... Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 17:38 IST Fatima Sana Shaikh began her career as a child artist in films such as Chachi 420, Ishq, One 2 Ka 4, and others. Fatima Sana Shaikh opened up about being a child artist Bollywood actress Fatima Sana Shaikh is most popularly known for portraying wrestler Geeta Phogat in the 2016 film Dangal starring Aamir Khan. However, she began her acting career way before that! She was a child artist in films such as Chachi 420, Ishq, One 2 Ka 4, and others. In an interview, Fatima Sana Shaikh opened up about being a child artist, and said that she faced situations that a child should not be exposed to. She recalled being overworked, and said that she overheard inappropriate adult conversations. Fatima noted that although regulations now exist to protect child artists, such regulations were not in place at the time. In a conversation with Filmfare, Fatima Sana Shaikh said, I definitely faced situations a child shouldnt be exposed to. Today, there are regulations like limited working hours and guardian supervision. When I was child artiste, I worked 15-hour days and overheard inappropriate adult conversations. My parents were present but once they set expectations for me, there wasnt much oversight." Recommended Stories She also said that child actors are exposed to criticism about their looks, for being too plump or not being attractive enough. As an adult, you understand how insensitive these comments are, but when you hear them as a five- or ten-year-old, your perception of the ideal image gets warped," she said. Recalling how she became a child actor, Fatima Sana Shaikh said that her parents were from Jammu and Kashmir, and lived near Kamalistan and Filmistan studios. People from outside Mumbai are often fascinated by film shoots. My parents would go watch them every day, taking my brother and me along. At some point, they must have asked how to get their children into films. Thats how the process began. Coming from a lower-middle-class background and knowing no one in Mumbai, they were just trying to survive," she said. Fatima Sana Shaikh worked as a child actor in the 1997 films Ishq and Chachi 420. She was also seen in Bade Dilwala, Khoobsurat, and One 2 Ka 4. First Published: April 12, 2025, 17:38 IST Kareena Kapoor Told Saif Ali Khan 'Hospital Jaate Hai' After Knife Attack; Chargesheet Reveals Key Details Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 07:37 IST Bandra Police filed a chargesheet in the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, revealing 111 witnesses. Kareena Kapoor detailed the January 16 incident involving attacker Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan got married in 2012. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Days after Bandra Police in Mumbai filed a chargesheet in the Metropolitan Magistrate Court in connection with the Saif Ali Khan stabbing case, details of the same have now been revealed. As reported by the Free Press Journal, the chargesheet stated that 111 witnesses were examined by the police officials in the case, and 48 witnesses statements were also recorded. Reportedly, in her statement to the police, Kareena Kapoor revealed that she had gone to Rhea Kapoors house for some work. She returned home at 1:20 am and checked on her sons. She then went to her room and was about to sleep when Jehs nanny, Junu, rushed in saying a man had entered the house with a knife and was demanding money. Recommended Stories Kareena and Saif then rushed to Jehs room, where they saw the intruder in a black T-shirt standing next to Jehs bed. When Saif confronted the man, the intruder attacked him. I then yelled at Eliamma to take Jeh out of the bedroom," Kareena said. She then rushed to the 12th floor with Jeh and his nanny. However, a few minutes later, Saif arrived there, covered in blood. In her statement, Kareena also revealed that Saif was looking for something to counterattack the intruder. But she insisted he leave everything and rush to a hospital. Yeh sab chhod do, neeche chalo, hospital jaate hain" (Leave all this, lets go down and go to the hospital), she said. Saif Ali Khan was stabbed by an intruder at his Mumbai residence in the wee hours of January 16. The accused, named Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, was arrested a couple of days later and is currently in jail. He has been accused of breaking into Saif Ali Khans Mumbai residence with the intent of robbing. He has also been accused of attacking the actor and his staff member using a wooden weapon and a blade. 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 12, 2025, 07:32 IST Kim Soo Hyun's Agency In New Trouble? Accused Of Stock Manipulation Amid Dating Scandal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 12:17 IST Kim Soo Hyun's agency, GOLDMEDALIST, is accused of stock manipulation with Siwon School. The Financial Intelligence Unit is investigating. Kim Soo Hyun recently held a press conference and addressed allegations against him. (Photo: Instagram) Amid the controversy surrounding South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun, it has now been reported that his agency, GOLDMEDALIST, has been accused of stock manipulation. Reportedly, the allegations were raised by the Garosero Research Institute and involve Siwon School, an online education platform which is listed on KOSDAQ (Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotation). If a report by Top Star News is to be believed, more than half of Siwon Schools shares are controlled by a private investment firm. This firm is funded by two separate organizations. Interestingly, one of these is said to be GOLDMEDALIST. Recommended Stories However, when GOLDMEDALIST was approached for a comment regarding the allegation, it said, We are not involved in any of the trading activities related to this stock." It was the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Financial Services Commission that first started to probe an alleged stock manipulation. The agency initiated its investigation after it noticed that stock price of Siwon School increased sevenfold in just nine months. The FIU submitted a report to the police officials and suspected a deliberate market manipulation. Following this, the Korea Exchange (KRX) also raised red flags after identifying unusual trading activity. This comes at a time when Kim Soo Hyun has also been accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was just a minor. So far, the latters family has made several allegations against Soo Hyun. However, Kim Soo Hyun recently held a press conference and addressed allegations. He said, Ill address the biggest concernI did not date the deceased when she was a minor. We dated five years ago for about a year, long before Queen of Tears aired." The actor also explained why he denied dating Sae Ron earlier, saying, As the lead actor of Queen of Tears, I couldnt confirm the relationship publicly because of its potential impact on the cast and crew." Kim also denied accusations that his agency pressured Sae Ron over her debts, saying, Aside from the fact that we were both actors, we were simply an ordinary couple who broke up over time." 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 Location : South Korea First Published: April 12, 2025, 12:17 IST Ranveer Allahbadia Accused Of 'Non-Cooperation', Cyber Police Likely To Take Legal Action Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 09:57 IST Ranveer Allahbadia had been embroiled in controversy after an episode of Indias Got Latent, where he posed an offensive question to a contestant. On March 3, the SC had allowed Ranveer Allahbadia to resume his podcast, subject to maintaining "morality and decency" and making it suitable for viewers of all ages. (Image: PTI/File) Amid the controversy surrounding Ranveer Allahbadia for his comments on Indias Got Latent, it has now been reported that the Maharashtra Cyber Cell is likely to take legal action against the YouTuber. As reported by India TV, the cyber cell had issued summons to Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Ranveer Allahbadia, and Apoorva Mukhija for questioning. While Samay and Ashish appeared for the investigation, Ranveer and Apoorva did not respond. Therefore, Maharashtra Cyber Cell has now accused them of lack of cooperation and is planning to take legal action against them. Recommended Stories For the unversed, 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. Meanwhile, Apoorva Mukhija recently left everyone with mixed emotions of anger, frustration and heartbreak when she opened up about the Indias Got Latent controversy for the first time. She revealed getting rape and death threats and even shared that she faced sleep paralysis after the controversy. Every single day that I would wake up, something new would be happening. I would have sleep paralysis because I would be scared. Everytime I would wake up there was some new news. My friends would talk to me every day, all the time, to say everything will be fine. They are great people and they had faith in me. I could believe that everything would be alright. I am so glad I had such good people around me," Apoorva 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 12, 2025, 09:57 IST Rituparna Sengupta Says Puratawn Co-Star Sharmila Tagore Has Seen 'Beauties And Uglies' Of The Film Industry Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 12:25 IST Sharmila Tagore returns to Bengali cinema after 16 years with Puratawn, co-starring Rituparna Sengupta. The film, directed by Suman Ghosh, explores a mother-daughter relationship. Rituparna Sengupta talks about working with Sharmila Tagore in Puratawn. Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore made her comeback to Bengali cinema after 16 years with Puratawn, co-starring Rituparna Sengupta. Recently, Sengupta spoke about working with the legend and expressed how rewarding it was for her to share screen space with Tagore. She further mentioned how Tagore has experienced both highs and lows" and the beauties and uglies" of the film industry. Im very proud to have worked with her because I think shes that woman who has actually experienced the highs and lows, the beauties and the uglies and everything in this industry," said Rituparna Sengupta about Sharmila Tagore, in an interview with Filmfare. She further added, Working in a male-dominant space in Mumbai is not a childs play. She has actually done many female-oriented films at that point of time. Im 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." Recommended Stories The Praktan actor also lauded Sharmila Tagores ability to multi-task at this age. She mentioned how the 80-year-old actor can pull off talking to her grandchildren on her phone, alongside managing her house help seamlessly. Puratawn is a Bengali film directed by Suman Ghosh that centers on the poignant relationship between a mother, played by Sharmila Tagore, and her daughter, portrayed by Rituparna Sengupta. The narrative thoughtfully explores themes of memory loss brought on by age-related illnesses, as well as the lingering impact of the past. Alongside Tagore and Sengupta, the film also features Indraneil Sengupta in a key role. Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tagores daughters Saba and Soha, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali had extended their best wishes to the film. It received great reviews upon release. While Puratawn marks Sharmila Tagores return to the Bengali film industry, she made her acting comeback with Gulmohar in 2023, starring alongside Manoj Bajpayee and Amol Palekar. The JioHotstar series won multiple awards for casting, performances and storyline. First Published: April 12, 2025, 12:18 IST Tahawwur Rana, one of the key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has finally been extradited from the US to Indianearly 17 years after the deadly terror strike that shook the nation. Home Minister Amit Shah has called it a diplomatic win and a message to those who harm India: justice may be delayed, but not denied. In this episode, we unpack whats next for Rana legally, Indias fight against terrorism, the long-delayed road to accountability in the 26/11 case and more. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. Serbias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko uric, emphasized the need for deeper regional cooperation and long-term stability in the Western Balkans during the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Speaking on the panel Regional Ownership for a Prosperous Future in the Balkans, uric highlighted that regional policy is at the core of Serbias foreign agenda, Trend reports. Serbia is a country that has eight neighbors on its immediate borders, which means that for us, regional policy is the backbone of our overall foreign policy, he said. The success of our country depends on the quality of these relationships. He stressed that Serbia will focus on improving ties with its neighbors and addressing unresolved issues from the 1990s. Im under no illusions that this is an easy process, he noted, but if we want to sustain a high growth rate, which our country was able to have in the past couple of years, we will have to secure a stable and friendly environment. uric also underlined common challenges shared across the region, such as improving economic and social mobility and tackling corruption. We need to make sure that the basic promise of capitalism actually works in our countrythat you can actually try, fail, and try again until you succeed. In too many ways, this is still quite difficult. He called for regional consensus on institutional reforms and stronger cooperation between security and law enforcement bodies. However, uric emphasized that such progress requires improved political dialogue. In order for all of this to happen we first need to have a good top-level political understanding between us. Proposing a novel idea, uric suggested a ten-year moratorium on all kinds of political history-based or ethnic-based disputes and quarrels, allowing the region to focus on shared priorities. We also need to have a consensus in the region that using ethno-nationalist policies for advancing individual political careers is something detrimental for the interests of the region. Despite the difficulties, uric expressed cautious optimism: I know this is not something that will be easy to achieve, but Im moderately optimistic that in the months ahead we will make some progress on this issue. Serbia will be more engaging to try and lower the tensions, and well see how that goes. Karnataka To Form SIT To Probe 40% Commission Charge Under BJP Despite Panels No Evidence Claim Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 09:15 IST While the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission found no conclusive evidence to back the Karnataka State Contractors Associations claim that officials and ministers in the BJP regime were demanding a fixed 40 per cent commission, it flagged rampant corruption Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah receives the report of the committee headed by retired Justice Nagamohan Das. (PTI) The Karnataka cabinet has decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations of 40 per cent commission in public works contracts during the BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai. Law minister HK Patil, while announcing the decision after the cabinet meeting, said: The SIT will not just be a police team. It will include technical experts. It has been tasked with investigating the irregularities flagged in the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission report. It has been given two months to complete the inquiry." Recommended Stories The move comes days after the commission submitted its 20,000-page report to chief minister Siddaramaiah. The panel examined 1,729 files across five key departmentspublic works, irrigation, urban development, rural development and panchayat raj, and minor irrigationacross 31 districts. It investigated nearly three lakh government projects executed between July 2019 and March 2023. While the panel found no conclusive evidence to back the Karnataka State Contractors Associations claim that officials and ministers in the BJP regime were demanding a fixed 40 per cent commission, it flagged rampant corruption. The commission report points out irregularities in planning, fund release, and issuance of LOCs. It also says intermediaries were involved in the tender allocation process. Considering the seriousness of these findings, the cabinet has decided to set up an SIT," Patil said. Asked about Justice Nagamohan Das comment that the 40 per cent charge couldnt be substantiated, Patil replied, Im not concerned with that statement. The departments in which irregularities were found have been clearly mentioned in the report. Justice Nagamohan Das has investigated where corruption happened. There are very specific cases mentioned in the report. He has mentioned department-wise what they found in their investigation." The panels report was based on a complaint by the Karnataka State Contractors Association, which had accused politicians and officials under the BJP regime of demanding commissions for clearing bills. The associations allegations became a major poll plank of the Congress campaign in the 2023 assembly elections and helped deliver the party a landslide victory, while the BJP was reduced to just 66 seats. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the association turned the spotlight on the Congress government, alleging the same corrupt practices have continued. The outfits president D Manjunath claimed that they have also flagged to the chief minister and deputy chief minister that compared to the previous government, the present one is demanding a higher percentage". The cabinet, it is learnt, has also said it would be considering filing FIRs against former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and former health minister B Sriramulu based on the Justice Michael DCunha Commissions interim report on irregularities in Covid-related procurement. The DCunha report, submitted in November 2024, had recommended action against both leaders. 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 12, 2025, 09:15 IST N Nagendran Appointed Tamil Nadu BJP Chief, Annamalai Congratulates Him: 'We'll Uproot DMK' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 18:31 IST A three-time MLA from Tirunelveli, Nagendran will replace K Annamalai as the BJP Tamil Nadu president after the party announced an alliance with the AIADMK for next year's state Assembly elections. Tamil Nadu BJP leader Nainar Nagendran | File Image/ANI The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially appointed Nainar Nagendran as the President of the partys Tamil Nadu unit, a day after the saffron party announced a renewed alliance with the AIADMK under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to contest next years Assembly elections. Nagendran was the only one to file his nomination for the post of state BJP president on Friday, replacing K Annamalai in the top position. A three-time MLA from Tirunelveli, Nagendran will have the responsibility of guiding the party to the state Assembly elections next year. Recommended Stories During the public event, Annamalai congratulated Nagendran for getting the top post as the two leaders embraced on stage in the presence of other leaders. We know our goal and path, we will uproot DMK from Tamil Nadu with the strongest NDA alliance in the upcoming elections 2026," he said. #WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: BJP MLA Nainar Nagendran elected as the president of Tamil Nadu BJP unit; former state unit president K Annamalai congratulates himWe know our goal and path, we will uproot DMK from Tamil Nadu with the strongest NDA alliance in the upcoming pic.twitter.com/fnEmB4ukXC ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 Nagendran is a versatile man. He is rich in political culture We are very happy. The cadres are very happy. All are in a jubilant mood. And this is the road to the 2026 elections. Under his presidency, we hope the BJP will achieve its heights," said state BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy. Nagendrans task would be made easier after the BJP and AIADMK formed an alliance on Friday. Nagendran began his career with the AIADMK and even served as a minister when the party formed the government before switching camps. BJPs former 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. Who Is Nainar Nagendran? Nagendran, a three-time MLA representing Tirunelveli, began his political journey with the AIADMK by winning the Tirunelveli Assembly seat in 2001. He also held a ministerial post in the government led by Chief Ministers J Jayalalithaa and O Panneerselvam. 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. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, he was unsuccessful in his attempts to enter the Lok Sabha race in 2019 and 2024. His elevation to the top state party post in Tamil Nadu came in the context of a renewed BJP-AIADMK alliance, where a key condition set by the AIADMK for an alliance was that they would not deal with Annamalai. Annamalai said he is not in the race to remain the partys state president, although he would continue to be involved in Tamil Nadu politics. Annamalais aggressive leadership helped the BJP increase its vote share in Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, though it ultimately failed to get them any seats. It is being speculated that Annamalai will get a national role in the BJP. 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 12, 2025, 18:15 IST Need To Check If Survey Was Scientific: Karnataka Cabinet Split Over Caste Census Report Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 10:37 IST The delay in acting on the report was widely attributed to pressure from the politically influential Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, who fear potential shifts in reservation policies Vokkaliga strongman and Karnatakas deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said the report had to be studied before implementing it. (PTI) A political storm is brewing in the Karnataka government after the long-awaited caste census report, officially known as the Socio-economic and Educational Survey of 2015, was finally tabled in the Cabinet. However, far from ushering in a new era of social justice, the report has triggered a wave of dissent, particularly from ministers belonging to dominant communities like the Vokkaligas and Lingayats. The H Kantharaj Commissions survey, which covered 5.98 crore people across 1.35 crore families in Karnataka, achieving a 94.17 per cent population coverage, has been a subject of intense political debate for nearly a decade. Its submission to the Cabinet on Friday after years of delay has ignited open disagreements within the ruling Congress. Recommended Stories Forest minister Eshwar Khandre, speaking to CNN-News18, expressed reservations about the surveys methodology. Whether this survey has been done scientifically or not needs to be seen," he said, adding: There are concerns from certain communities. I will put forth those points in the next cabinet meeting." A special cabinet meeting is scheduled for April 17 to discuss the reports contents and recommendations. The delay in acting on the report was widely attributed to pressure from the politically influential Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, who fear potential shifts in reservation policies. Now, their anxieties have materialised into open dissent. While refusing to get dragged into the debate, Vokkaliga strongman and Karnatakas deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said the report had to be studied first. We will have to sit and discuss it. The implementation of the report cant be decided in a hurry," he said. The opposition BJP has seized upon the internal strife, labelling the census a diversionary tactic" by chief minister Siddaramaiah. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BJP spokesperson Ashok Gowda said: Since the Congress government came back to power in 2023, every time Siddaramaiah puts up a new drama. He says that they will accept the caste census report, in spite of facing dissidence in the past and the present as well. Minister Khandre and several other leaders like DK Shivakumar have said that they cannot accept the census. This census has been carried out unscientifically. Hope Siddaramaiah scraps the survey. If they want a survey, they should request the Union government to do a caste survey in Karnataka. And based on that, there should be proposals." The growing rift within the cabinet raises serious questions about the future of the caste census report and its potential implementation. The government is likely to buy some more time by possibly referring the report to another committee to finalise its implementation. About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More First Published: April 12, 2025, 10:37 IST Waqf Act Fallout Sparks 'Pre-Planned', 'Rumour-Driven' Riots In Murshidabad: Bengals Volatile Border Bleeds Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 17:48 IST The violence, which started on Tuesday, almost a week after the passing of the Waqf Amendment Act in both Houses of Parliament, took an ugly turn on 11 April following Friday Namaz in areas such as Jangipur and Suti Birbhum: Security personnel deployed outside District Magistrate office amid protest by members of the Muslim community against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, in Birbhum district of West Bengal, Friday, April 11, 2025. (PTI Photo) In what the law enforcement authorities of West Bengal describe as a pre-planned and coordinated plot, sections of the Muslim population in the states border districts Murshidabad, Malda, and parts of South 24 Parganas unleashed a wave of unabated violence that rocked the state and reignited old political tensions. Three deaths have been reported so far. One succumbed to bullet injuries sustained last night, while a father and son from Shamsherganj were reportedly hacked to death. Addressing the media on Saturday, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar issued a stern warning against those inciting violence and spreading misinformation. In an emotional appeal, Kumar urged the public to refrain from circulating rumours, stressing that lives and property were at stake. Recommended Stories The situation was brought under control last evening, and highways were reopened. We have our forces in place, and we are committed to using minimum force. However, fresh trouble began when an unruly mob assembled and attacked the police. They almost overpowered us," he said. Despite deploying all standard riot control measures including the use of tear gas and baton charges the situation escalated, prompting the police to open fire to protect people. Four rounds were fired as a last resort. Two individuals sustained injuries and are currently hospitalised but out of danger," Kumar confirmed. He further added that reinforcements have been sent and a team of senior police officers, including officers of ADG and IG rank, are camping in the area. Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, reports of another incident of firing spread. Jawed Shamim, ADG (Law and Order), said that the incident is still being verified but confirmed that the firing was not carried out by the police. BSF jawans deployed at the border were also called in by the government for area domination. The firing may have been carried out by them to disperse the mob. One person has reportedly sustained an injury and is also in the hospital but out of danger. These districts, which share a sensitive and largely porous border with Bangladesh, witnessed a series of incidents of vandalism followed by unrest unfolding with striking precision, with Murshidabads Jangipur emerging as the epicentre of the chaos. The violence, which started on Tuesday, almost a week after the passing of the Waqf Amendment Act in both Houses of Parliament, took an ugly turn on 11 April following Friday Namaz in areas such as Jangipur and Suti. The tension quickly spread to nearby locations like Samserganj and parts of Malda. MURSHIDABAD: BENGALS COMMUNAL TINDERBOX Significantly, all these locations Jangipur, Raghunathganj, Dhuliyan, Samserganj, and Farakka in Murshidabad district, which witnessed a series of unprecedented violent incidents, share a border with Bangladesh on one side and partly with Jharkhand on the other. Parts of these areas are also close to the borders of Birbhum and Malda districts. The topography is crucial to understanding the complex and volatile nature of the mob violence pattern here. These areas often witness an influx of Bangladeshi groups crossing the border and settling illegally, as well as mercenaries and outsiders from other states, including Jharkhand, who enter Bengal, wreak havoc, and then leave. The complex topography has led to a volatile and ever-changing demography in this region. Murshidabad and Malda districts have traditionally been Muslim-majority areas owing to the history of Nawabs ruling this region during the pre-colonial era for decades. However, the porous border and alleged political patronage have paved the way for almost unrestricted illegal migration of Bangladeshis into the region. The appeasement policies of political parties have further emboldened them. The Jangipur Parliamentary constituency, from where former President Pranab Mukherjee used to contest and win elections, has been held by the Trinamool Congress since the 2019 elections. Congress lost the seat to Trinamool and has failed to regain it in all elections held since 2019. The constituency, which has around 80 per cent rural population and approximately 65 to 68 per cent Muslims (according to the 2011 Census), has been on edge due to various communal incidents and violent protests. In the 2024 general election, Trinamools Khalilur Rahman was re-elected from the Jangipur Parliamentary constituency, while Trinamool also won all seven assembly constituencies Suti, Jangipur, Raghunathganj, Lalgola, Khargram, Nabagram, and Sagardighi in the 2021 assembly elections. The Jangipur Lok Sabha seat comprises all these seven assembly segments. Last year, however, Jangipur saw an exception as the BJP took the lead in its Jangipur assembly segment during the Lok Sabha elections, which became a bone of contention in the area for both parties the BJP and Trinamool leading to further communal polarisation. Hindu voters have always been a minority in the Jangipur Parliamentary constituency. Murshidabad, which used to be Bengals centre for trade and commerce during the Mughal era and even later under British rule, with Jangipur (then known as Jungypore) being the hub of the districts silk trade and commercial residencies, has now been reduced to a place infamous for illegal migration and communal flare-ups. RESEMBLANCE WITH CAA-NRC VIOLENCE The violence that stunned the state administration and the public bore an uncanny resemblance to the turbulence witnessed across the state in the wake of the controversial NRC-CAA rollout, both in scale and symbolism. Interestingly, no other state, even those with Muslim-majority areas, witnessed such widespread violence following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Act. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a statement immediately after the Act was passed in Parliament, expressing her disagreement with it. A week later, Siddikullah Choudhury, a minister in her cabinet, delivered a speech described by many as a provocation during a protest rally in Kolkata, saying Muslims would not accept such an Act against their religion. The protest rally took place early this week. What began as sporadic outbursts quickly escalated into full-blown rioting in Murshidabad from Tuesday onwards and took an ugly turn. Scores of vehicles, including police jeeps and administrative transport, were torched or heavily damaged. Critical infrastructure was not spared either traffic outposts were reduced to rubble, and key government facilities, such as the office of the Block Development Officer (BDO), were targeted in a deliberate effort to cripple civic administration. Even the residence of a local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) came under direct attack, raising the stakes and hinting at a deeper, more calculated political motive, according to sources in the administration. As during the protest movements around the NRC-CAA implementation in the same areas, including Murshidabad and Howrah, public transport bore the brunt of the fury. Stones were pelted at vehicles on the national highway, blocking the roads, and several trains stationed at different junctions in Murshidabad were attacked. Protesters not only vandalised railway property but also blocked major rail lines, bringing regional connectivity to a halt. The Indian Railways, in a prompt response, diverted multiple trains to avert further damage and prevent passengers from being caught in the crossfire. ISFs INVOLVEMENT While fingers were initially pointed at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), given its alleged track record of Muslim appeasement, the emerging evidence tells a more complex story. A police intelligence report, accessed by News18, has thrown fresh light on the orchestrators of the violence. According to the report, the Indian Secular Front (ISF) a relatively new political outfit formed in 2019 out of growing disenchantment within segments of the Muslim community played a pivotal role in both planning and executing the violent disturbances. The ISF, formed by influential cleric Abbas Siddiqui, associated with the Furfura Sharif shrine, has carved out a unique political space for itself, often positioning itself as the voice of marginalised Muslims and Dalits dissatisfied with the TMCs perceived failure to safeguard their interests. What began as a socially rooted movement has gradually evolved into a potent political force, capable of mobilising large crowds and influencing public sentiment across Bengals border belt. Sources within the police claim that the ISF leadership exploited long-standing socio-political grievances and used them as a rallying cry to incite violence. The timing, nature, and spread of the unrest along with the selection of targets such as government offices, transport infrastructure, and political residences suggest a well-structured operation rather than a spontaneous uprising, added the sources. Police have arrested almost 128 persons from ground zero, and their identities are now being ascertained for further investigation. However, the involvement of external elements, including illegal Bangladeshis or mercenaries from other states, has not been ruled out. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The series of incidents raises serious questions about the fragile balance along Bengals border districts, the influence of fringe political outfits, and the challenges of managing communal sentiment in a politically charged environment. With assembly elections looming and the political landscape becoming increasingly fragmented, such violence if unchecked could set a dangerous precedent. As investigations unfold, and as the state tries to regain control over the affected regions, the larger question remains whether these communal flare-ups will continue to grow over the deeper and more volatile fault lines emerging in Bengals border politics. About the Author Madhuparna Das Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa... Read More Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa... Read More First Published: April 12, 2025, 14:08 IST To Rape You Or Not: What Misogynist Influencer Andrew Tate Told Woman Before Sexual Assault Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 12:38 IST Four UK women have filed a lawsuit against Andrew Tate, levelling serious sexual assault allegations. Tate has been accused of pointing a gun toward a woman. (File Photo/ X) Andrew Tate, the controversial British-American influencer and self-proclaimed misogynist, has found himself in the middle of legal trouble after allegations of sexual violence. Four UK women have filed a lawsuit against Tate, with the court documents containing detailed accounts of physical assault, rape, and coercive control. One of the four women even accused the influencer of holding a gun to her head and threatening to follow his orders or therell be hell to pay." Recommended Stories According to the BBC, one woman claimed Tate threatened to kill her, while another revealed how he was ready to kill anyone who spoke to her, and the third claimed that Tate convinced her he had already killed other people. The kickboxer-turned-influencer would strangle her or grab her by her throat if she spoke back to him or said anything that he did not like until she told him that she loved him or apologised for whatever he demanded at the time," as seen in the court documents. It also revealed that Tate had weapons, including firearms, pointed at her. The threats extended beyond the threats, as one of the women recalled Tate saying, I am debating whether to rape you or not," before he strangled and forced himself on her. Among other allegations in the document as reported by the BBC were raping and strangling a woman who was working for his webcam business in 2015, assaulting another woman at the same time, and strangling both women to such an extent that they developed red petechiae, and even strangling a fourth claimant during sex until she lost consciousness and then continuing to have sex with her. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In response to the serious allegations, Tate has strongly denied it all, arguing that no legal action can be taken against him as time has passed, with no emails, texts, or other potential evidence that would have been lost. His team further asserted that the testimony was a fabrication" and a pack of lies." The claims, including the reference to a firearm, were thoroughly investigated by the police at the time. No firearm was recovered during police searches. When the matter was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, they concluded there was insufficient prospect of conviction and chose not to charge Mr Tate with any offence," the statement added, as per CNN. The case comes at a time when Andrew Tate, along with his brother Tristan, has already been facing charges of human trafficking and of establishing a criminal gang to exploit women. Tate has also been charged with rape, while the brothers deny all allegations. 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 12, 2025, 12:33 IST Chinese Social Media Explodes With Hilarious AI Memes Of Trump, Elon Musk As Factory Workers Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 15:49 IST AI-generated videos showing Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Xi Jinping in factories and parody memes have gone viral in China. Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Xi Jinping became part of viral memes amid trade tensions. (Photo Credits: X) A series of AI-generated videos featuring Donald Trump, JD Vance and Elon Musk as factory workers have gone viral on Chinese social media, adding a humorous twist to the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China. In one of the most popular clips, the trio is seen on an assembly line, dressed in grey uniforms, parodying typical scenes from Chinese factories. The videos have been widely shared on X (formerly Twitter), particularly by Chinese users, and appear to poke fun at recent American efforts to revive domestic manufacturing. One video shows overweight and bored-looking American workers slowly stitching at sewing machines. His caption read, Make America great again." Recommended Stories 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 Another clip was reposted on X who added a laughing emoji. It quickly gained traction, with more than six million views. While many found the videos funny, others called them offensive, especially towards real factory workers. When manufacturing was here America was great. Why do liberals think this is demoralising or something?" one person commented. Another user shared a personal story in response: What exactly is your point? My mom worked in a sewing factory for 15 years, she raised us after dad left, stayed off welfare & kept food on the table & a roof over our heads. It was a good job, thankful she had it." The videos come at a time when tensions between the two countries are rising. Former President Trump recently announced a 90-day suspension of tariffs for certain countries but left China out of the deal. Instead, he raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, following Chinas earlier move to impose 84% tariffs on American goods. China criticised the decision. Chinas door is open to dialogue, but it must be based on mutual respect," said Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian. The ongoing trade war has also shaken global markets, with noticeable fluctuations in stock prices as uncertainty continues to grow. Meanwhile, a popular meme featuring Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping as characters from the famous TV ad for Center fruit chewing gum has been going viral too. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mast hai!! As the political and economic debate continues, it seems AI memes have become an unlikely battleground too. 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 12, 2025, 15:49 IST Is ChatGPT Racist? Internet Slams AI For Turning Black Cats Into White Humans Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 10:29 IST ChatGPT invited people to try their new feature where users could upload pet photos and ask for a human version. Three separate posts showed black-furred pets as white humans. (Photo Credits: Instagram) In recent weeks, a fun and creative trend has taken over social media, with users transforming their photos into different artistic styles. It all began with the Ghibli wave, where people reimagined their everyday pictures as dreamy scenes inspired by Studio Ghibli films. Riding on its popularity, others soon followed suit, experimenting with what their photos might look like in The Simpsons universe or even as quirky Muppet characters. Amid the wave of social media style trends, OpenAI introduced a new twist this time, its all about pets. The feature allows pet owners to upload photos of their cats or dogs and ask ChatGPT to describe what their furry companions might look like as humans. While the idea quickly gained traction, it has also sparked backlash. Some users have accused the tool of racial bias after noticing that several black-furred pets were rendered as white humans in the AI-generated images. Recommended Stories The controversy started after ChatGPT posted about the trend on Instagram. People were invited to try it out by uploading pet photos and asking for a human version. Want to see what your pets would look like if they were a person? Making images in Chat is free and available to everyone. Just upload a photo and ask: Show me what my pet would look like as a human. Pro Tip: Feel free to add attributes youd like to see or personality traits about your pet to get a really good one!" the post read. ChatGPTs post also featured screenshots from users who had already tested the feature and shared their results on X (formerly Twitter). While many found the concept entertaining, some users pointed out a concerning pattern in at least three separate posts, black-furred pets were depicted as white humans, raising questions about the AIs handling of race and representation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ChatGPT (@chatgpt) Several users raised concerns and began calling the platform out for racial bias. One user asked, Anyone else see the bias here?" Another pointed out, fun but of course the black cat had to be a white person lol little racially biased as usual." I dont understand why the black cat wouldnt be Black," a person said. Someone commented, They made both a black and a white cat both white people," and another said, Non accurate. Animals with dark fur has dark skin." An individual questioned, Why not a dark skin human but a white guy in black?" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, recently acknowledged the limitations of AI-generated art but maintained that its rising popularity will ultimately benefit society as a whole. I think the democratisation of creating content has been a big net win for society. It has not been a complete win, there are negative things about it for sure, and certainly it did something about the art form, but I think on the whole its been a win," Altman made this statement during a virtual appearance on an Indian entrepreneur Varun Mayyas YouTube podcast earlier this month. 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 12, 2025, 10:27 IST Sharbat Jihad: Baba Ramdev Kicks Up Storm With Bizarre Patanjali Drink Pitch | All You Need To Know Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 13:14 IST Yoga guru Baba Ramdev claimed that a company selling sharbat is using the money earned from it to build mosques and madrasas. Baba Ramdev promotes Patanjali's latest summer drink | Image/X Yoga guru Baba Ramdev stoked a fresh controversy after coining the term Sharbat Jihad" in a viral video while promoting Patanjalis latest rose-flavoured sharbat a sugary beverage. Slamming the rival brand, the Yoga guru claimed that a company selling sharbat is using the money earned from it to build mosques and madrasas. He further warned that consuming such products could promote Sharbat Jihad." Recommended Stories Theres a company that gives you sharbat, but the money it earns is used to construct madrasas and mosques," said Ramdev, adding: If you drink that sharbat, madrasas and mosques will be built. But if you drink this [Patanjalis rose sharbat], gurukuls and Acharya Kulam will be built and developed, and Patanjali University will expand." We got Sharbat Jihad" before GTA VI pic.twitter.com/qIuLrkhJxe Yash Tiwari (@DrYashTiwari) April 9, 2025 He drew a controversial parallel by claiming that just as there is love jihad," the promotion of certain beverages apparently referring to Hamdards Rooh Afza represents a kind of sharbat jihad", and urged online users to share the message so that it reaches every household. The video was posted by Patanjali Products on Facebook with a Hindi caption that, when translated, read: Protect your family and innocent children from the poison of toilet cleaner being sold under the name of sharbat jihad and cold drinks. Bring home only Patanjali sharbat and juices." Hamdards Veiled Response Meanwhile, Hamdard, the maker of RoohAfza, issued a veiled response on X (formerly Twitter), noting its commitment to maintaining high-quality standards. The company highlighted that it adheres to strict Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS) protocols to prevent contamination and uphold the products purity. In additional posts, Hamdard also assured that RoohAfza remains free from adulteration, highlighting that it is made using FSSAI-approved herbs and natural ingredients. Every sip of RoohAfza is made with FSSAI-approved ingredients from herbs to natural flavors with no artificial adulteration. Were committed to delivering quality and authenticity in every bottle.Enjoy the refreshing taste you can trust! #HamdardRoohAfza #KnowYourRoohAfza pic.twitter.com/qmqxX0r1OT Hamdard Foods India (@HamdardFoods) April 10, 2025 Internet Melts Down As the video garnered online attention, several users reacted to the Sharbat Jihad" claim, with some recalling the time when Baba Ramdev pointed out flaws in Nestles Maggie. Baba ney toh Nestle Maggie mein bhi khaami batai thi jab inka koi naya product aata hai toh yeh aise hi afwah felate hai. (Baba had also pointed out flaws in Nestle Maggie. Whenever a new product of his comes out, he spreads such rumours)." Baba ney toh Nestle Maggie mein bhi khaami batai thi jab inka koi naya product aata hai toh yeh aise hi afwah felate hai aradhya_xulfi (@Aradhya99Dev) April 10, 2025 Cartoonist Satish Acharya labelled the controversial rhetoric as Bottled Hatred" through a sharply satirical illustration which he shared on X. Sale Sale! Bottled Hatred! #sharbat pic.twitter.com/CFvejrovLk Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) April 11, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Notably, Patanjali and its founders have faced several legal challenges in recent years over their advertisements. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) filed a plea against Patanjali Ayurved, leading the Supreme Court to temporarily ban its ads and issue contempt notices. In January, a Kerala court issued bailable warrants for Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna for skipping hearings in a case related to deceptive ads by Divya Pharmacy. A similar case was also filed in Kozhikode. 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 News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 12, 2025, 13:13 IST China To Open Worlds Highest Bridge In June, Will Cut Travel Time From 1 Hour to 1 Minute Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 11:21 IST The bridge stands over 200 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower and weighs three times more, showcasing impressive engineering. China is set to open the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in June. (X/@CollinRugg) China is set to open the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in June, a 2-mile-long structure that will cut travel time from 1 hour to just 1 minute, according to The Metro. The bridge, costing 216 million (Rs 2200 crore), stands over 200 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower and weighs three times more, showcasing impressive engineering. Chinese politician Zhang Shenglin said, This super project spanning the Earths crack will showcase Chinas engineering capabilities and boost Guizhous goal of becoming a world-class tourist destination." Recommended Stories Chinas Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is set to open this year, becoming the worlds tallest bridge at 2050 feet high.Recent footage of the bridge has been released, showing crews putting on the finishing touches. One of the most insane facts about the bridge is that pic.twitter.com/DLWuEV2sXQ Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 8, 2025 Its steel trusses weigh about 22,000 metric tonnes the equivalent of three Eiffel Towers and were installed in just two months. Chief Engineer Li Zhao said, Witnessing my work become something tangible watching the bridge grow day by day and finally stand tall above the canyon gives me a profound sense of achievement and pride." The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will not only improve transportation in a rural area of China but also become a significant tourist draw, attracting visitors with its impressive engineering and stunning location. According to The Metro, plans for living areas, a glass walkway and the highest bungee jump in the world have also been unveiled by planners. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The bridge is a remarkable feat, suspended high above a major gorge. Chinas bridge-building prowess is evident, with nearly half of the worlds 100 tallest bridges located in the region, aimed at connecting rural communities. Notably, Chinas highest bridge, built in Beipanjiang in 2016, stands at an impressive 1,854 feet tall. Location : China First Published: April 12, 2025, 10:47 IST Donald Trumps Next Trade War Move To Corner China Involves Stockpiling Deep-Sea Metals: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 20:28 IST The move is aimed to counter issues the US might face if it is cut off from minerals that are needed in everything from smartphones to electric car batteries in case of a conflict. US President Donald Trump speaks at an event at the White House, in Washington, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trumps administration is drafting an executive order that will allow the stockpiling of deep-sea metals, according to reports by the Financial Times. The report said the step is being taken to counter Chinas dominance in battery minerals and rare earth supply chains. The draft plan suggests that the stockpile would create large quantities ready and available on US territory to be used in the future". It says that the deep sea metals will be stockpiled in case of a conflict with China that might constrain imports of metals and rare earths. Recommended Stories The move potentially cut the US off from minerals that are needed in everything from smartphones to electric car batteries. The Financial Times report said the stockpile is part of a wider effort to accelerate deep-sea mining approvals under US law and boost domestic processing capabilities. China produces around 90% of the worlds refined rare earths, a group of 17 elements used across the defense, electric vehicle, clean energy and electronics industries. The US imports most of its rare earths, and most come from China. The Chinese government placed some rare earth elements under export restrictions as part of its response to President Donald Trumps tariff package last week. The Trump administration on Friday (local time) exempted smartphones, computers and other electronics from its punishing reciprocal" tariffs lessening the cost impact on American consumers for a host of popular high-tech products. The exemptions, published late Friday in a notice by the US Customs and Border Protection office, cover various electronic goods including smartphones and components entering the United States from China, which is currently subject to a staggering additional 145 percent tariff. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Semiconductors are also excluded from a baseline" 10 percent tariff on most US trading partners. Beijing said Friday that its 125 percent tariffs on US goods would take effect on Saturday almost matching the staggering 145 percent levies imposed by Washington on Chinese goods entering the United States. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 12, 2025, 20:28 IST 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia. Focusing on the transportation infrastructure construction, a key area of intense collaboration between the two countries, a symposium for Indonesian students communication was recently held at the National Institute of Transportation Development in Beijing Jiaotong University. During the symposium, Jessica, an Indonesian exchange student, highlighted the significant achievements in bilateral infrastructure cooperation. Noting that China is an important partner to Indonesia, she said that China has contributed to the building of the Suramadu Bridge, the country's longest cross-sea bridge, which stands as a milestone in Indonesia's infrastructure development. Another major topic of discussion among the students was the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (Whoosh), which is jointly constructed by the two countries. Speaking of this, Ellyse, another Indonesian student, who previously studied in Jakarta and now studies in China, shared her observations. Emphasizing that the railway has transformed the backward condition of difficult commuting for Indonesian students, she noted that that the launch of this rail line demonstrates Indonesia's determination to advance its modernization, marking a major step forward in Indonesia's journey to becoming a modernized country. (Xue Lingqiao) ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. Timcho Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia, urged an accelerated path for the Western Balkans to join the European Union, emphasizing the need for solidarity, merit-based cooperation, and the resolution of political volatility, Trend reports. His remarks came during his speech at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he addressed the key challenges facing the region and highlighted the importance of regional unity. Mucunski began by recalling a recent national tragedy in Kocheny, where 61 people, mostly young individuals, lost their lives. He expressed profound gratitude for the swift response from Turkiye, particularly the Turkish government, medical personnel, and citizens who provided assistance during the crisis. When times get tough, these are the friends you call, Mucunski stated, referring to the solidarity his country received from Turkey and other European nations, despite past political challenges. He thanked Turkiyes government, doctors, nurses, and the people of Turkiye for their ongoing support. Addressing the political challenges of the Western Balkans, Mucunski pointed out that bilateralization - the practice of countries prioritizing individual agreements over regional cooperation is a significant obstacle. He stressed that the region needs to establish mechanisms that shield it from political instability and ensure progress through rules-based and merit-based cooperation. We need to anchor ourselves in rules-based and merit-based cooperation, he urged. If we cannot insulate ourselves from political volatility, our future is at risk. Mucunski emphasized that EU candidate countries in the region, including North Macedonia, have suffered from the effects of bilateralization. He warned that allowing this practice to continue would harm the collective progress of the region. Furthermore, he advocated for the need for transparency in political decision-making and the importance of openly addressing shortcomings when striving for EU membership. We need to speak very openly and establish a system where we advance based on merit and rules, Mucunski said. The Foreign Minister also cited the example of Ireland and the United Kingdom, two countries that overcame historical tensions and worked together as EU members, demonstrating the success of EU integration in overcoming long-standing conflicts. He called on the Western Balkans to adopt a similar approach to unity and cooperation. Lets use these positive examples, Mucunski concluded, advocating for a collective effort to advance the regions EU integration and ensuring a stable and prosperous future for the Western Balkans. Im A Human Statue: Woman Survives 'Internal Decapitation' After Doctors Re-Attach Head To Spine Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 22:12 IST Megan King, diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, survived near internal decapitation and 37 surgeries. Despite her immobility, she continues to adapt and recently bowled strikes. Megan King suffered a serious injury when she was a 16-year-old teenager but her rehabilitation was impacted due to hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). (IMAGE: Cover Images/X) An Illinois woman who was once inches away from being internally decapitated has shared her extraordinary story of survival and strength after two decades of living through pain and as she learns to adapt to her new body. Megan King, while speaking to the Daily Mail, narrated that she was a 16-year-old teenager when she jumped for a ball in gym class in 2005 and came crashing down. She twisted her ankle but that was not the only injury she suffered. She tore the muscles off both shoulder blades and damaged her spine and instead of recovering her body went through relentless deterioration. Recommended Stories Over the next few years, her joints weakened, muscles began tearing and pain became her everyday companion. She went through 22 surgeries on her shoulders and upper back alone. Doctors could not explain why her body refused to heal. In 2015, a full decade after the fall, doctors diagnosed her with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), a rare genetic condition that weakens connective tissue and causes joint instability. A year later, her neck dislocated, and she had to wear a Halo brace a metal frame screwed into her skull to immobilise her neck. A year later the unthinkable happened when the device was being removed. Her skull nearly detached from her spine due to atlanto-occipital dislocation, or internal decapitation. These incidents are fatal in over 90% of cases, the newspaper said in its report. My neurosurgeon had to physically hold my skull in place," King was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. I couldnt stand up. My right side was shaking uncontrollably. I tilted the chair back to stop gravity from killing me." She was rushed into emergency surgery, where doctors fused her skull to her spine. The doctors later fused her entire spine down to her pelvis. Today, she cannot bend, twist, or move her head in any direction. Im literally a human statue," she said. My spine doesnt move at all. But that doesnt mean Ive stopped living." Now 35 and having survived 37 surgeries, King is slowly learning what her new" body can still do. Recently, on a whim, she joined friends for a bowling night. I didnt plan to play. But something inside me said, Why not try?" she said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She bowled a strike. Then two more. My friends screamed and clapped like wild. They werent just cheering the strike. They were cheering everything Ive survived." Im adapting," she said. And Im always surprised by what I can still accomplish." About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 12, 2025, 22:12 IST Iran, US Agree To Continue Constructive Nuclear Talks Next Week After 1st Round Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 21:15 IST Disagreement over the format indicated the task facing the long-term adversaries, who are seeking a new nuclear deal after Trump pulled out of an earlier agreement during his first term in 2018. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi prior to negotiations with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat (AP) Iran and the United States will hold more negotiations next week over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear programme, Iranian state television reported Saturday at the end of the first round of talks between the two countries since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Irans state-run broadcaster revealed that US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke" together the first time the two nations have done that since the Obama administration. Recommended Stories Tehrans declaration that the two sides spoke face-to-face even if briefly suggests the negotiations went well even to Iranian state TV, which long has been controlled by hard-liners. In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the White House described the discussions as very positive and constructive," while conceding the issues that need to be resolved are very complicated." Special Envoy Witkoffs direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome," the White House said. The next round of talks will take place Saturday, April 19, according to the Iranian and American statements. This first round of talks began at around 3:30 pm local time. The two sides spoke for over two hours at a location in the outskirts of Muscat, Omans capital, ending the talks around 5:50 pm local time. The convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff returned to Muscat before disappearing into traffic around a neighbourhood that is home to the US Embassy. The stakes of the negotiations couldnt be higher for the two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Irans nuclear programme if a deal isnt reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Talks took place Saturday afternoon in Oman Associated Press journalists saw a convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff leave the Omani Foreign Ministry on Saturday afternoon and then speed off into the outskirts of Muscat. The convoy went into a compound and a few minutes later, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social platform X that the indirect talks" had begun. Afterward, Araghchi described the meeting as constructive to Iranian state TV, with four rounds of messages exchanged during the indirect portion. Neither we nor the other side are interested in fruitless negotiations so-called talks for the sake of talks, wasting time, or drawn-out, exhausting negotiations," he said. Both sides, including the Americans, have said that their goal is also to reach an agreement in the shortest possible time. However, that will certainly not be an easy task." That the two men spoke face-to-face satisfied a demand of the Americans. Trump and Witkoff both had described the talks as being direct." I think our position begins with dismantlement of your programme. That is our position today," Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his trip. That doesnt mean, by the way, that at the margin were not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries." He added: Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponization of your nuclear capability." Araghchi, however, sought to downplay the encounter as a brief initial conversation, greetings and polite exchanges" likely to avoid drawing the anger of hard-liners in Iran. Badr al-Busaidi, Omans foreign minister who shuttled between the two sides, said the countries have a shared aim of concluding a fair and binding agreement." I would like to thank my two colleagues for this engagement, which took place in a friendly atmosphere conducive to bridging viewpoints and ultimately achieving regional and global peace, security and stability," al-Busaidi wrote on X. We will continue to work together and put further efforts to assist in arriving at this goal." Sanctions relief and enrichment remain top issues While the US side can offer sanctions relief for Irans 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 per cent. Today, Tehrans stockpile could allow it to build multiple nuclear weapons if it so chooses and it has some material enriched up to 60 per cent, 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 per cent. I am proud to announce that today in Muscat we hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and mediated to begin a process of dialogue and negotiations with the shared aim of concluding a fair and binding agreement. I would Badr Albusaidi (@badralbusaidi) April 12, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One thing it wont do is give up its programme 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 countrys 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States. Location : Muscat, Oman First Published: April 12, 2025, 17:44 IST Ukraine Says Russian Missile Struck Indian Pharma Firm Kusums Warehouse In Kyiv Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 13, 2025, 09:35 IST Ukrainian officials on Saturday said that a Russian missile struck Indian pharmaceutical firm Kusums warehouse in the country. An image shared by British ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris shows a warehouse belonging to Kusum Pharmaceuticals damaged in a missile strike carried out allegedly by Russian forces. (IMAGE: X/@MartinHarrisOBE) Ukrainian officials on Saturday said that a Russian missile struck Indian pharmaceutical firm Kusums warehouse in the country as the war between Russia and Ukraine continued. An image of the condition of the factory following the attack was first shared by the British ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris. Recommended Stories The Ukrainian embassy in India reposted the message with the following caption: Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine. While claiming special friendship" with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly". Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine.While claiming special friendship" with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly.#russiaIsATerroristState https://t.co/AW2JMKulst UKR Embassy in India (@UkrembInd) April 12, 2025 News18 could not independently verify the images shared by the envoy and then reposted on social media site X by the Ukrainian authorities. Harris in his tweet said that the pharmaceutical firms warehouse was located in Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Sources told CNN-News18 that the Russian missiles target was a factory of Antonov and not the Indian pharmaceutical firm Kusums warehouse. Medicines worth $15 Million have got destroyed in the attack. Meanwhile, US envoy Steve Witkoff wrapped up his latest talks with Russias Vladimir Putin on Friday, after President Donald Trump urged his Russian counterpart to move quicker to end what he said was the countrys senseless war" with Ukraine. Trump has been pressing Moscow and Kyiv to agree a ceasefire deal but has failed to extract any major concessions from the Kremlin, despite repeated negotiations between Russian and US officials. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The US leader told NBC News last month he was pissed off" with his Russian counterpart, while top US diplomat Marco Rubio warned last week that Washington would not tolerate endless negotiations" with Russia over the conflict. Russia has to get moving," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that the conflict, which began in February 2022 when Moscow sent troops into Ukraine, was senseless" and should have never happened". About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: April 12, 2025, 21:41 IST Meta Whistleblower Alleges Mark Zuckerberg 'Worked Hand In Glove' With China On Censorship, Betrayed US Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 11:54 IST Sarah Wynn-Williams claimed that Meta threatened her with a fine of USD 50,000 in punitive damages for speaking up. Sarah Wynn-Williams, an ex-top executive at Meta (Credits: AP) Sarah Wynn-Williams, an ex-top executive at Meta, has made serious allegations against the company, accusing it of having ties with China and compromising with US national security. According to Wynn-Williams, Meta executives did not only allow the Chinese Communist Party to access the user data including that of Americans, but also worked with them to develop AI tools which helped China in gaining control over the online content. Recommended Stories Her remarks came while she was giving testimony during a congressional hearing headed by Senator Josh Hawley. I saw Meta executives repeatedly undermine US national security and betray American values," she said, as per CBS News. She alleged Meta worked hand in glove with Beijing." Wynn also claimed that Llama, Metas AI model was used for assisting the Chinese AI company DeepSeek. Lashing out at Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for allegedly working with China to create censorship tools, she said, The greatest trick Mark Zuckerberg ever pulled was wrapping the American flag around himself and calling himself a patriot and saying he didnt offer services in China, while he spent the last decade building an $18 billion business there." Wynn also claimed that Meta threatened her with a fine of USD 50,000 in punitive damages for speaking up. Meta, however, refuted all such claims and said that the company dont carry out operations in China despite Zuckerberg being always open up about the companys interest in offering its services to China. About the claimed USD 50,000 penalty on speaking up against the company, the company clarified that the amount was for each material violation of her separation agreement, not for giving testimony. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 12, 2025, 11:47 IST Sheikh Hasina's 'Face Of Fascism' Effigy Burned In Bangladesh, Probe Launched Published By : AFP Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 20:07 IST Sheikh Hasina is wanted on charges of crimes against humanity for the killing of hundreds of protesters during the unrest that toppled her government last August. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Image: Reuters) An effigy said to resemble ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and titled Face of Fascism" was torched ahead of a celebratory march in Dhaka, authorities said on Saturday. The cane-and-paper effigy was part of preparations being made at Dhaka University for Pohela Boishakh, a day symbolically considered as the start of the year by the Bengali community, on Monday. Recommended Stories The effigy portrayed a woman with a toothy grin, four horns on her head and a large nose, with many on social media believing it resembled Hasina. Mohammed Azharul Islam Sheikh, dean of the universitys fine arts faculty, said it was set on fire by unidentified persons" early on Saturday. A complaint was raised with police and an investigation will be undertaken, he said. However, Bangladesh cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki accused friends of Hasina" of setting fire to it. Those who have shown such reckless audacity will be brought to justice," he wrote on his Facebook page. Another structure on the site, a dove representing peace, was also damaged in the fire. Fire service and civil defence spokesperson Shahjahan Sikder told reporters that the cause of the fire was unknown. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The annual march has been organised by Dhaka Universitys fine arts department since 1989 and was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO in 2016. Hasina is wanted on charges of crimes against humanity for the killing of hundreds of protesters during the unrest that toppled her government last August. She has defied extradition requests from Bangladesh after she fled to old ally India as crowds stormed her palace. 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 Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: April 12, 2025, 20:07 IST Trump Opens Window For Deal With Iran But Issues Warning: 'Great Danger If Talks Don't Go Well' Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 09:51 IST US President Donald Trump said that he prefers a diplomatic solution, even as he warned that Iran will face great danger if talks dont go well. US President Donald Trump (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump is betting that a beleaguered Iran is so vulnerable following a tumultuous 18 months in the Middle East that it might finally be ready to abandon its nuclear programme. The renewed push to solve one of the most delicate foreign policy issues facing the White House and the Mideast will begin in earnest Saturday when Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gather in Oman. Recommended Stories Trump says he prefers a diplomatic solution, even as he warns that Iran will face great danger" if talks dont go well. But Irans nuclear advances since Trump scrapped an Obama-era agreement during his first term make finding a pathway to a deal difficult, and experts warn that the prospects of US military action on Iranian nuclear facilities appear higher than they have been in years. I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they cant have a nuclear weapon," Trump said Friday night aboard Air Force One as he flew to Florida for the weekend. The moment is certainly fraught, but the White House is seeing hopeful signs that the timing might be right. The push comes as Iran has faced a series of enormous setbacks that has ostensibly left Tehran in a weaker negotiating position. Irans recent challenges The military capabilities of Iranian-backed proxy forces Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been dramatically degraded by Israeli forces. US airstrikes, meanwhile, targeting Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have hit oil refineries, airports and missile sites. Israel also carried out strikes against Iran in October that damaged facilities linked to Tehrans nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. And in December, Iran saw Syrian leader Bashar Assad Tehrans closest Mideast ally ousted after more than two decades in power. The leaders of the Islamic Republic also face domestic pressure as years of international sanctions have choked the economy. The US Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions earlier this week targeting five entities and an individual that American officials say play key roles in Irans nuclear programme. All eyes are on Oman by Iranians following this very closely and potentially hoping that this would impact the state of the economy," said Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, a Washington-based think tank. But it remains to be seen if the US can entice Iran with a big enough carrot for it to make concessions to meet Trumps demands that any potential deal go further in ensuring Tehran doesnt develop nuclear weapons than the agreement forged during Democratic President Barack Obamas administration. Under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran could only maintain a small stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%. Today, it has enough to build multiple nuclear weapons if it chooses and has some material enriched up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Its not clear if talks will be face to face At the meeting Saturday in Omans capital city of Muscat, Iran will be represented by Araghchi and the United States by Witkoff. Its unclear if the two will speak directly. Trump has said the two sides will have direct" negotiations. But Iranian officials have insisted that the plan is for indirect talks," meaning an intermediary from Oman would shuttle messages between Witkoffs and Araghchis teams holed up in different rooms. Either way, the decision for the two sides to talk announced by Trump in the Oval Office this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came as a bit of a surprise. Trump has been calling for direct talks while threatening "consequences" for Iran if it doesnt move to get a deal done. Iran, meanwhile, has given mixed signals about the utility of the talks, arguing that engaging would be useless under the shadow of threats. After Trump recently sent a letter to Irans supreme leader, 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for direct negotiations, Tehran rejected the entreaty while leaving open the possibility of indirect negotiations. President Masoud Pezeshkian again pledged this week that Irans not after a nuclear bomb" and even suggested Tehran could be open to the prospect of direct American investment in the Islamic Republic if the countries can reach a deal. That was a departure from Irans stance after its 2015 nuclear deal, in which Tehran sought to buy American airplanes but in effect barred US companies from coming into the country. How much room is there for negotiation? National security adviser Mike Waltz has said Trump wants the full dismantlement" of Irans nuclear program, adding, Thats enrichment, that is weaponisation, and that is its strategic missile programme." But Trump left greater space for negotiations: The only thing that they cant have is a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters as he met with his Cabinet secretaries Wednesday. Witkoff also has signalled that the administration could be amenable to a deal that is less than full nuclear disarmament. Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponisation of your nuclear capability," Witkoff said in a Wall Street Journal interview published Friday. Meanwhile, Netanyahu, who met with Trump on Monday, said he would welcome a diplomatic agreement along the lines of Libyas deal with the international community in 2003. The Israeli leader is known for his hawkish views on Iran and in the past has urged Washington to take military action against Iran. The Libya deal saw late dictator Moammar Gadhafi give up all of his clandestine nuclear programme. Iran has insisted its programme, acknowledged to the International Atomic Energy Agency, should continue. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all But Trump has notably not embraced Netanyahus push for the Libya model, said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, another Washington-based think tank. If its narrow, if its focused on the nuclear programme, if the goal of the US is to prevent a nuclear weapon, then there is a likelihood for success," Parsi said. And its under those circumstances that I suspect that you will see talks, perhaps in rather short order, be elevated." Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: April 12, 2025, 09:51 IST US Envoy Meets Putin In Russia For Ceasefire Talks On Ukraine War Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 07:50 IST Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff that focused on settling the Ukraine conflict concluded late on Friday after more than four hours. US Envoy Meets Putin In Russia For Ceasefire Talks On Ukraine War. (Reuters) Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff that focused on settling the Ukraine conflict concluded late on Friday after more than four hours. The Kremlin posted a photo on its website of the two men shaking hands, saying the meeting had taken place. Recommended Stories The theme of the meeting aspects of a Ukrainian settlement," it said. Russian news agencies said the meeting lasted more than four hours. Interfax news agency said Witkoff, President Donald Trumps envoy for the Middle East who is increasingly involved in Russian affairs, had left the site of the talks the presidential library in St. Petersburg, Russias second largest city. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Tass news agency said Putins investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, had returned to a hotel in the city. Location : Russia First Published: April 12, 2025, 07:50 IST New Zealand has broadened its welcome to certain Americans interested in establishing residency. Especially welcome are wealthy Americans looking for investments, USA Today reports. The idea is to attract "global citizens who can bring ideas and financial capital into the country," said Dominic Jones, an executive of a New Zealand firm that helps people applying to the Active Investor Plus Visa Program. The government eased several requirements this month. The modifications include dropping the English-language requirement and reducing the amount of time applicants need to spend there to 21 days, according to a government website. "These changes help attract high value investment, simplify settings, and incentivize people to invest in 'active' investment classes," the site says. Jones said the government wants to see investment in local businesses to create jobs. "We're an export-led nation," he said, "so they're very much trying to encourage dollars in equaling tangible benefit out on the other side for New Zealand." USA Today has the requirements for a golden visa here. New Zealand also eased visa restrictions for visitors from Pacific Island nations, Radio New Zealand reports here. One way to define a rich city is to count how many rich people live there. Conde Nast Traveler draws from the latest data to anoint New York City the richest in the world, given that it has more than 380,000 millionaires (up 45% in a year) and 66 billionaires in its environs. The stats come from Henley & Partners and the wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth. The top 10, including the number of millionaires and billionaires: It's a list of movie recommendations with a twist: all were made decades ago, the most recent one clocking in at 1962. Which is precisely the point of the recommendations by Columbia linguistics professor John McWhorter in the New York Times, who argues that old movies have much to teach us about America. "Good films are as worthy of their time as good books, and the best of them are as artistically rich as the finest literature our nation has produced," he writes. His top 10 (all are US films): An English judge has declined to send a woman to prison for smothering her terminally ill father with a pillow, after a prosecutor said Lisa Davenport believed that the killing "was an act of mercy." She received a two-year suspended prison sentence in the death of Barrie Davenport, 88, at his retirement home in October 2022, the BBC reports. The defendant earlier had pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. On Friday, the Oxford court heard about the pain her father was in from pancreatic cancer. Lisa Davenport was "distressed by how her father appeared" on his last day, said the prosecutor, John Price. "This background might explain why a devoted daughter did what she did to her father that evening." The judge told the court he had decided on a "merciful course" after accepting that Davenport was "solely motived by a wish to bring his suffering to an end and that his end was close at hand." Price said she had told a friend immediately after suffocating her father, "I smothered him," per the Guardian. She reportedly added, "You must not tell anybody and the family must not know because I will be sent to prison." A painting of President Trump raising his fist to the crowd after the shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally has gone up in a prime spot at the White House. The image apparently bumped the portrait of President Obama, the Hill reports, that was at the bottom of the Grand Staircase. The Obama portrait was moved across the Grand Foyer, supplanting George W. Bush; that portrait was rehung near the one of his father at a staircase nearby, per CNN . White House tradition calls for displaying portraits of the two most recent presidents in the foyer, per the AP . The new painting shows a moment just after an attempt on Trump's life in July 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania: After the shot was fired, and Trump suffered a wound to his ear, he threw his fist up. The art appears to be based on the iconic photo taken by AP photographer Evan Vucci, per USA Today. The Trump administration is involved in a court battle with the AP after barring its journalists from White House grounds. A social media post about the painting did not mention the photographer, the AP, or the artist who painted the new portrait. White House staffer Dan Scavino posted side-by-side photos on X showing the Obama and Trump paintings. Envoys from Iran and the US began negotiations Saturday in Oman over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program since President Trump returned to the White House, the AP reports. No overall agreement is immediately likely, but the stakes of the negotiations couldn't be higher for the 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, per Al Jazeera . Iranian officials increasingly warn they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Flight-tracking data analyzed by the AP showed a private jet from St. Petersburg, Russia, arrived in Oman on Saturday morning, and US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff had just met Russian President Vladimir Putin there on Friday. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry released footage of Tehran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that Araghchi provided Iran's "stance and key points for the talks to be conveyed to the US side." IRNA's report suggested the meeting would be held later Saturday, and AP journalists saw a convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff leave the Omani Foreign Ministry and then speed off into the outskirts of Muscat. The convoy went into a compound and a few minutes later, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social platform X that the "indirect talks" had begun. Araghchi earlier spoke to Iranian journalists: "If there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk about that," Araghchi said, in an audio clip published by IRNA. "What is clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the national interests of the Iranian people." But both Trump and Witkoff have described the talks as being "direct." Witkoff told the Wall Street Journal : "Where our red line will be, there can't be weaponization of [Iran's] nuclear capability." BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a 3 million euro loan to ProCredit Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) investing in digital and automation technologies, Trend reports. The financing is part of the EU-supported Go Digital in the Western Balkans program, which aims to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the private sector. In addition to loans, SMEs will receive grant incentives covering 10% of the loan amount, funded by the European Union. This marks the third such EBRD loan to ProCredit Bank under the program, reflecting the increasing demand for digitalization support among SMEs in the country. During a visit to ProCredit Bank, EBRD Managing Director for Financial Institutions Francis Malige discussed the Banks ongoing financial sector activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and priorities for the coming period. Alongside digital investments, the initiative also targets green technologies to support businesses in adopting more sustainable practices aligned with EU standards. It also promotes inclusive growth by ensuring women-led enterprises have equal access to finance. To date, the EBRD has invested over 3.3 billion euros in Bosnia and Herzegovina across 244 projects. TOKYO, Apr 12 (News On Japan) - Police have arrested the president of Kanetanaka, a prestigious kaiseki restaurant regarded as one of Japans top three ryotei, on suspicion of possessing stimulants and marijuana. Shingo Okazoe, 63, is the fourth-generation president of Kanetanaka, a high-end traditional restaurant group founding in the Taisho era known for its historical prestige, including serving numerous prime ministers and business leaders. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Okazoe was found in possession of 0.6 grams of stimulants and approximately 1 gram of dried marijuana inside a parked car in the Shinbashi area on October 1st. Following his arrest, investigators searched his home on October 9th, where they seized additional packets of stimulants and a homemade pipe used for inhalation. Kanetanaka operates multiple locations, including in Ginza and Kita-Aoyama, and maintains a reputation for serving elite clientele. Okazoes arrest has sent shockwaves through the industry, although some who know him were less surprised. "He lives in a different world, so I guess these things felt closer to him," said one person familiar with the restaurant. Another man, who spoke with Okazoe over the phone three days ago, remarked, "He didnt seem unusual at all. Im truly shocked." Okazoe has admitted to the charges. Police are now investigating how he obtained the illegal substances. Source: FNN TOKYO, Apr 12 (News On Japan) - Akiko Abe's novel Cafune, published by Kodansha, has been awarded the 2025 Japan Booksellers Award, which honors the book booksellers most want to sell. The announcement was made on April 9th. At the awards ceremony held in Tokyo, 39-year-old Abe expressed her gratitude, saying, "Ive received a great gift. I want to become a novelist who can write truly good stories." The novel follows the journey of protagonist Kaoruko, who regains her strength in life through her work involving food and housework services. The book also deals sensitively with themes such as infertility treatment and single-parent households. Abe was born in Iwate Prefecture and continues to reside there. She made her literary debut in 2008 and is also known for works such as Colorful. Source: Kyodo KYOTO, Apr 12 (News On Japan) - Kyotos scenic Philosophers Path has become the center of a growing debate, as local residents remain divided over whether the gravel trail should be fully paved. Located in the citys Sakyo Ward, the Philosophers Path runs alongside a canal lined with more than 400 cherry trees, mainly Somei-Yoshino. The path is named after philosopher Kitaro Nishida, who was said to have often walked there in contemplation. It is also listed among Japans top 100 roads. Every spring, visitors from across Japan and abroad flock to the area to enjoy the cherry blossoms. A tourist recently remarked, "I came to see the cherry blossoms. They were in full bloom and absolutely beautiful." However, beneath the beauty lies a persistent disagreement. Currently, parts of the 1.5-kilometer route remain unpaved gravel, while others are covered in asphalt. Kyoto City has twice attempted to fully pave the path, but both efforts stalled due to a lack of consensus, with only about 40 percent of the route completed. Still, calls to resume paving persist. In October last year, the city convened a review panel to restart discussions. Supporters of paving point to ongoing dust problems that affect nearby homes and parked cars. "There's so much dust. After just one month, everything in the house is covered in white," said one local resident, expressing frustration over the constant cleaning required. In addition to dust, others note how rain transforms the path into a muddy track scattered with puddles and hidden stones. One resident pointed to a shattered window: "A stone flew up and cracked this. We had to replace the whole pane. I want the path changed as soon as possible." Meanwhile, opposition remains strong. The Preservation Society of the Philosophers Path, made up of around 100 residents, warns that asphalt paving could damage the delicate root systems of the cherry trees. "The roots run about 60 centimeters beneath the surface. Paving work would inevitably harm them," said Takayasu Sawai of the society. The group has taken steps to maintain the paths current state by filling puddles with sand and removing surface stones, arguing that the gravel contributes to the paths historical and natural character. "The canal, cherry trees, and the earthen path together form a unique landscape," said Sawai. "We want this well-maintained dirt road preserved for the next 100, even 200 years." As residents remain split, Kyoto City acknowledges the difficulty of reaching a decision that satisfies everyone. "We may not be able to address every single opinion, but we hope to find a balanced solution through discussion," said Masakazu Yamazaki, head of the citys Sakyo Civil Engineering and Greenery Office. The city plans to take into account the opinions of residents and experts as it continues to weigh the options, which may include alternatives such as stone paving instead of asphalt. Source: MBS ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. Speaking at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, underscored the importance of regional solidarity and future-oriented cooperation to ensure lasting prosperity in the Balkans, Trend reports. Bozay opened his remarks by thanking fellow ministers for their support during the 2023 earthquake in Turkiye, recalling the immediate assistance received from neighbors such as North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Solidarity is one of the key words in the region, he said, noting that the swift response from Balkan countries left a lasting impression on the Turkish people. Addressing the topic of regional ownership, Bozay emphasized the need to focus on the future rather than dwelling on historical grievances. Living in the past is like putting your hand into Pandoras box you dont know what issue will come out, he said. He cautioned that historical inertia can contribute to challenges such as depopulation, as younger generations may leave the region in search of better opportunities. Highlighting the potential of the Balkans, Bozay called for coordinated efforts to retain talent and create opportunities for youth. This is a very rich region. The young generation is clever, hardworking, and they should be given reasons to stay, he said. On European integration, Bozay reiterated that the European Union cannot fully represent the continent without including all candidate countries, including Turkiye. He advocated for multilateralism and deeper cooperation, warning against becoming stuck in bilateral disputes. We should move toward collective arrangements, joint projects, and programs that support political stability and economic welfare in the region, he stated. He concluded by urging regional leaders to focus on twin transformation green transition and digitalization as a basis for cooperation and long-term prosperity. Lets be proud of our history, but work together on future-oriented projects that meet the needs of todays world, Bozay said. Weather Alert Take action to protect yourself and others extreme heat can affect everyones health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park. Follow the advice of your regions public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Humidex values reaching 40 are expected. A heat event is expected Saturday to Sunday. What: Daytime highs of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius and a humidex of 40. Overnight lows of 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, providing little relief from the heat. When: Saturday to Sunday, coming to an end Sunday night. ### For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/how-protect-yourself.html https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/who-is-at-risk.html Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. The valuation of an ounce of gold in Azerbaijan increased by 298 manat, or $175.2 (5,8 percent), this week, Trend reports. The weighted average cost of an ounce of gold went down by 83.2 manat, or $48.9 (1.6 percent), compared to last week's figure, settling at 5,229 manat ($3,075). Gold ounce value change March 31 - April 7 5,158 manat ($3,034) April 1 5,345 manat ($3,144) April 8 5,103 manat ($3,001) April 2 5,296 manat ($3,115) April 9 5,117 manat ($3,010) April 3 5,338 manat ($3,140) April 10 5,313 manat ($3,125) April 4 5,272 manat ($3,101) April 11 5,456 manat ($3,209) Weekly average 5,313 manat ($3,125) Weekly average 5,229 manat ($3,075) During the week, the price of an ounce of silver in Azerbaijan rose 1.80 manat, or $1.05 (3.5 percent). The weighted average cost of an ounce of silver came in at 51.9 manat ($30.5), which is 7.9 percent or 4.45 manat ($2.61) less than last week's tally. Silver ounce value change March 31 - April 7 51.4 manat ($30.2) April 1 58 manat ($34.1) April 8 51.2 manat ($30.1) April 2 57.4 manat ($33.7) April 9 50.7 manat ($29.8) April 3 56.5 manat ($33.2) April 10 52.9 manat ($31.1) April 4 53.5 manat ($31.4) April 11 53.2 manat ($31.2) Weekly average 56.3 manat ($33.1) Weekly average 51.9 manat ($30.5) The price of an ounce of platinum in Azerbaijan increased by 12.5 manat ($7.35) or 0.8 percent during the week. The weighted average price of an ounce of platinum decreased by 75.8 manat ($44.5), or 4.6 percent, compared to last week and amounted to 1,588 manat ($934.1). Platinum ounce value change March 31 - April 7 1,588 manat ($934.1) April 1 1,695 manat ($997) April 8 1,582 manat ($930.5) April 2 1,681 manat ($988.8) April 9 1,569 manat ($922.9) April 3 1,655 manat ($973.5) April 10 1,598 manat ($940) April 4 1,623 manat ($954.7) April 11 1,601 manat ($941.7) Weekly average 1,663 manat ($978.2) Weekly average 1,588 manat ($934.1) Moreover, this week, the price of an ounce of palladium in Azerbaijan went down by 14.8 manat ($8.70), or 0.9 percent. Meanwhile, the weighted average cost of an ounce of platinum decreased by 79 manat, or $46.4 (4.8 percent), landing on 1,569 manat ($922.9) compared to last week's numbers. Palladium ounce value change March 31 - April 7 1,581 manat ($930) April 1 1,687 manat ($992.3) April 8 1,569 manat ($922.9) April 2 1,684 manat ($990.5) April 9 1,549 manat ($911.1) April 3 1,636 manat ($962.3) April 10 1,578 manat ($928.2) April 4 1,584 manat ($931.7) April 11 1,566 manat ($921.1) Weekly average 1,648 manat ($969.4) Weekly average 1,569 manat ($922.9) The regulatory body did not release the indicators for March 31, as the date fell on a non-working day. An employee for a South Jersey masonry company has admitted in a guilty plea that he helped the business avoid paying about $1 million in taxes, authorities said. Henry Hank Collins, 53, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty on Friday to the federal charge of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a statement. Collins worked for Davis Brothers Chimney Sweep & Masonry in Egg Harbor Township in Atlantic County, where he spent about six years helping the business owners spouse with an elaborate tax evasion theme, federal authorities said. Collins utilized a commercial check casher to negotiate a substantial amount of the companys gross receipts checks, officials said. He then used the remaining cash to pay himself, the business owner, their spouse and other employees, federal prosecutors said. When handing financial information over to the companys accountant for tax preparation, Collins did not mention the cash payments, resulting in lower tax bills, authorities said. Additionally, he concealed his cash wages when filing his personal income tax return, officials said. The U.S. Attorneys Office did not name business owner or their spouse in charging documents. Collins is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. A Bergen County man who admitted that he distributed child sex images and kept hundreds of files on his laptop was sentenced this week to seven years and two months in prison, federal prosecutors said. Michael Kimmerle, 35, of New Milford, previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey. Between Aug. 24, 2021, and Aug. 7, 2022, Kimmerle sent video files of child sexual abuse via an online peer-to-peer file-sharing program, the office said. Detectives used undercover online sessions to access the program, investigators said. During these sessions, a user shared multiple video files of child sexual abuse from an Internet Protocol address traced to Kimmerles home, authorities said. A search of the home on Sept. 14, 2022, yielded more than 600 thumbnail images containing child pornography on his laptop, the office said. Many of the images were taken from video files Kimmerle previously distributed through the file-sharing program, authorities said. A federal judge also sentenced Kimmerle to five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $59,500 in restitution to the victims. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. A version of this story was originally published in October 2024. It is a saga that has played out repeatedly in New Jersey: Parents, students and alumni mourning the loss of a beloved Catholic school. The latest example is in Middlesex County, where the Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood will permanently close in June due to declining enrollment, according to the local parish. It joins a growing list of Catholic schools across the country closing their doors as enrollment declines and financial pressures mount. (See the list of New Jerseys recently-closed Catholic schools below.) This decision comes after much prayer, discernment, and exhaustive efforts to sustain our beloved school in an increasingly challenging environment, wrote Rev. John J. OKane, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Spotswood, in a letter to parents and guardians announcing the decision April 4. Only 39 students had registered for the 2025-26 academic year as of last week, OKane wrote. Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood opened in 1960 and enrolls students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Declining enrollment and financial pressures are among the reasons given for the closures and mergers of more than two dozen other Catholic schools in New Jersey this decade in a broader national trend that has vexed church officials and educators for years. The all-girls Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi closed after 108 years in June 2023, three years after its most celebrated alum, Snow White actress Rachel Zegler, received her diploma. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 was especially challenging. At least 20 New Jersey Catholic schools did not reopen the first September after the start of the pandemic and three others were merged. However, some schools that closed have found ways to continue under different setups, in some cases by reopening as an independent school or becoming a charter school. In 2020, after the Diocese of Camden said it would close Wildwood Catholic High School and Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School, supporters raised more than $1 million and both schools were merged into a single, K-12 school, Wildwood Catholic Academy. There were 5,905 U.S. Catholic schools in operation during the 2023-24 school year, down from approximately 11,000 in 1970, according to the National Catholic Education Association. Nationwide, enrollment increased in 2022 for the first time in two decades, but has since leveled off. There were 1.69 million students in Catholic schools as of 2023, down 14% from a decade ago, the group said. Enrollment at Catholic schools is usually open to students of all religions, with 21% of students not identifying as Catholic. Officials have typically sought to sell or lease school buildings that have been closed. Here is a list of Catholic schools in New Jersey that have closed since 2020, based on news reports and announcements by the schools. Did we miss any? Please let us know. 2025 Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair (closing in June) Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood (closing in June) 2024 St. Nicholas Catholic School in Jersey City Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Wayne Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy (now the Thrive Charter School) 2023 Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi 2022 Mater Dei Prep High School in Middletown Our Lady of Victories School in Sayreville 2021 Trenton Catholic Academy in Hamilton (reopened the same year and renamed Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy) 2020 Good Shepherd Regional Elementary School in Collingswood Saint Joseph Regional Elementary School in Hammonton Saint Joseph High School in Hammonton (reopened the same year and renamed St. Joseph Academy) Academy of St. Therese of Lisieux in Cresskill St. Anne School in Fair Lawn Trinity Academy in Caldwell Good Shepherd Academy in Irvington Our Lady Help of Christians School in East Orange St. James the Apostle School in Springfield Holy Spirit School in Union St. Genevieve School in Elizabeth Cristo Rey Newark High School in Newark Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Maple Shade Pope John Paul II Regional in Willingboro Wildwood Catholic High School in Wildwood (merged into the Wildwood Catholic Academy) Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School in Wildwood (merged into the Wildwood Catholic Academy) Transfiguration Academy in Bergenfield St. Joseph Academy in Bogota The Academy of St. Mary in Rutherford St. Francis Xavier in Newark Ironbound Catholic Academy in Newark St. Augustine School in Union City (merged with another school in West New York) Mother Seton in Union City (merged with another school in West New York) Our Lady of Guadalupe in Elizabeth (merged with another school in Roselle) Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. A New York man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in kidnapping a New Jersey man while he was working, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office said Friday. Reginald Law, 39, of Queens, New York, previously pleaded guilty to kidnapping and Hobbs Act robbery, authorities said. Law and a co-conspirator, Maurice Cottman, entered a store in Paterson on Oct. 8, 2020, and confronted an employee before forcing him into the back of a U-Haul truck, authorities said. Law and Cottman drove the man from Paterson to New York and called his family during the drive to demand a ransom, officials said. The pair also took a debit card from the man and forced him to share his pin number so that the two could withdraw money from his bank account, authorities said. Law was also sentenced to five years of supervised release, according to officials. Cottman previously pleaded guilty to a kidnapping charge on March 29, 2022 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release, officials said. An attorney for Law did not immediately return a request for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X "Twilight" in concert will head to N.J. on Nov. 23, 2025. "Twilight In Concert" Where have you been loca? You need to snatch up these Twilight in concert tickets fast. GEA Live, in association with Lionsgate, has announced a 60-city national tour of the first-ever Twilight in Concert tour, and long-time fans are ready to dig out their best Team Jacob and Team Edward garb. The tour is scheduled to begin on Sept. 12 in Spokane, Wash., which will be a preview show, and will wrap up on Nov. 30 in Milwaukee. The show will open to the public on Sept. 13. in Seattle, which is National Twilighters Day. Twilight fans in New Jersey should be excited because there will be a show in Red Bank at the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Nov. 12 and in Newark at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Nov. 23. Each concert will play the first Twilight film in full alongside a live band. The musicians will play the film score in synchronization with the original movie, surrounded by more than 1,000 twinkling candles on the stage. With the Twilight saga being one of the most successful young adult film franchises of all time, there is no shot tickets will stay on the market for that long so we suggest sinking your teeth in to them as soon as you can. How to buy tickets to see Twilight in concert Tickets to see Twilight in Concert are available on Ticketmaster, as well as StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork, SeatGeek and Viagogo. If you buy your tickets through Vivid Seats as a first-time customer, then you can receive $20 on ticket orders over $200 just by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. Currently, for the Twilight in concert show on Nov. 12, the cheapest ticket we could find is $49 on the Count Basie official website. For the cheapest ticket we could find for the Nov. 23 Twilight show in North Jersey is $50 on Viagogo. You can find a full schedule of the Twilight in concert dates here. Hi, Im Nicole, NJ.coms expert live events and deals writer! Ive made it my mission to find the absolute cheapest tickets for the biggest artists, like Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Sabrina Carpenter, & more. If you missed the general sale or presale for your favorite artist, you dont have to panic. Ive already done the hard work of sifting through tickets and finding you the best price. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. The Dutch Dream Windmill is a milestone in the Holland Ridge Farm's efforts to create an iconic, family-friendly destination. provided Imagine nearly 8 million tulips blooming over acres of farmland in New Jersey. The flowers burst with colors and seem to disappear on the horizon. Then, picture a 100-foot-high, handcrafted Dutch windmill with an observation deck to take in the spectacle. Its no mirage. The opening of the Dutch Dream Windmill is a milestone in the Holland Ridge Farms efforts to create an iconic, family-friendly destination to experience Dutch heritage. It also features traditional vendors, games and of course, millions of tulips that visitors can pick, buy and take with them. The farm is in Cream Ridge, Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County. This is something completely unique, Patrick Marini, the farms marketing director, told NJ Advance Media. Its a real cultural experience. But wait, theres more. The windmill built over the past two years in Holland, and then assembled here by the Dutch Verbij Construction Company has a wind-propelled grind stone that will be used to make a vodka-like alcoholic spirit that will be bottled and sold at the farm. The grand opening of the windmill will be Wednesday, April 16. Then, Dutch Fest, a four-day celebration of Dutch culture, starts the next day and runs through Sunday. In all, the tulip bloom is scheduled to conclude at the end of the month. The grand opening of the Dutch Dream Windmill is a milestone at Holland Ridge Farm during u-pick tulip season. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media The farm runs on Mother Natures schedule, said Kristie Fischer, an executive assistant at a pharmaceutical company who moonlights on weekends as a sales assistant at the farm during tulip season. Thats my happy spot. After working in corporate life for 38 years, the flowers are a nice distraction. Admission to the farm on weekdays is $17 for adults, and the flowers are 50-cents per stem. On weekends, tickets are $20 and the price per stem is $1. Marini said this is the seventh year for the u-pick tulip festival and they expect thousands of visitors. But growing activity on the 300-acre farm goes on for months. Greenhouses produce a prolific amount of tulips from November to May that are sold in Whole Foods Markets, Lidl and ShopRites, and distributed to other stores along the East Coast, Maraini said. The family-run greenhouse farming business has been going on for 40 years in New Jersey and stretches across the ocean to the great-grandfather of Casey Jansen, 75, who has carried on the tradition in the Unites States. I love tulips, Fischer said. Its breathtaking when you go to the farm to see them. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. A state grand jury has declined to file criminal charges against the two Mercer County police officers who fatally shot a man last year, the Attorney Generals Office said Friday. Vincent Correa, 44, of Hamilton Township, fired a rifle at police officers responding to a reported domestic dispute last March 8, officials said. He was shot dead by two Hamilton police officers, Derek Fiabane and Paul Piromalli. The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which is part of the Attorney Generals Office, investigated Correas death and presented it to New Jersey residents serving on a grand jury. The investigation included witness and officer interviews, photographs, body-worn camera footage, ballistics results and autopsy results, officials said. This once-a-week newsletter will take you behind the scenes in the dramatic, cut-throat world of New Jersey politics. Mike Scott | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com EDITORS NOTE: This is the seventh edition of a new weekly newsletter on the crazy world of New Jersey politics. You can subscribe here. Janaina Freire Goncalves, an Elizabeth resident who has been missing since March 10. photo provided Family and friends of an Elizabeth woman who mysteriously disappeared amid a breakup more than a month ago are seeking help from the community in a desperate attempt to find her. Janaina Freire Goncalves, a 47-year-old Brazilian immigrant, has been missing since March 10. Her disappearance has been reported to Elizabeth police, who referred questions to the Union County Prosecutors Office. The prosecutors office didnt respond to numerous phone calls and emails from NJ Advance Media. The police havent told us anything, said Lalique Meinikoff, a friend of Goncalves, who posted a plea for help on social media. Whatever they know, theyre not telling us. Goncalves was in the midst of breaking up with the man she described to friends as her husband, Brendan Trivisonno, Meinikoff said. Goncalves had just discovered that he was already married to a woman in Lyndhurst and has a daughter. They were fighting a lot, said Meinikoff. Janaina was last heard from on March 10 and was really hurt when she found out he had two wives. Trivisonno told NJ Advance Media this week he doesnt know where Goncalves is and he is cooperating with police. He said he was at the apartment when police arrived to conduct a search after she was reported missing. I let them in, then gave them the keys, Trivisonno said. Trivisonno said he was also detained by police while leaving a construction job site in Paterson. Trivisonno said he refused to answer any questions because he didnt have a lawyer present. But he did submit a DNA sample, and police impounded his truck and his phone. He said he plans to speak with police on Monday with his lawyer present. Trivisonno told NJ Advance Media he met Goncalves a couple of years ago and described her as a strong-willed and independent woman. I honestly dont know where she is, Trivisonno said. I want her to be found, like everyone else. Geanne Assi, another friend of Goncalves, said she texted her on the night of March 10 and everything seemed okay. When Assi texted Goncalves the next morning, she got no response. She also tried calling Trivisonno March 12, but got no answer. I thought that was odd, because Janaina always kept her phone on, she said. She finally reached Trivisonno the next day and asked to speak to Goncalves. He told me he had moved out of the apartment and he didnt know where Janaina was, Assi said. Thats when she called Elizabeth police. Officers searched the apartment and impounded Goncalves car, Meinikoff said. Trivisonno and her friends said she worked as an exotic dancer and was quite successful. She was very goal-oriented, Trivisonno said, adding that she had a mortgage on a property in Sao Paulo, Brazil that she was working to pay off. She was very serious, but loving. Ive never met a woman so independent. When asked if they were married, Trivisonno responded vaguely, Its complicated. Trivisonno said he had a crazy argument with Goncalves around Thanksgiving when she found out he was married. He moved out to spend more time with his wife and daughter in Lyndhurst, Trivisonno said. Goncalves son, Eduardo, 27, said hes concerned about his mother. I spoke to my mother everyday, he said. The last time I spoke to her was on March 10. That was a month ago, and Im worried. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 12. Major General Shaykh-Khasan Zhazykbayev, Deputy Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan, held a ceremony to rotate Kazakhstan's peacekeeping contingent at the Fawwar base, which is in the UN mission's area of responsibility, Trend reports from the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan. Currently, the personnel are in the process of settling in, establishing their accommodations, and conducting handover procedures. The company headquarters is finalizing the assignment of responsibilities within the reserve unit under the mission's commander. "Training sessions are planned to prepare for tasks outlined in the UN mandate. The commander of the contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Zhanibek Nurlanov, emphasized that the professional skills acquired during training will enable the personnel to effectively begin their duties," stated the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan. The first Kazakh national contingent, consisting of 139 personnel and 26 pieces of equipment, was deployed to the mission in March 2024. The peacekeepers were responsible for ensuring security at observation posts, patrolling the area, escorting humanitarian convoys, carrying out evacuations, and neutralizing explosive devices. Their efforts were highly commended by the UN mission command. The Yankees game vs. the San Francisco Giants on Friday night has been delayed by rain. (AP Photo | Seth Wenig) AP The Yankees opener of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants has been delayed by rain on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Associated Press game preview: 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) 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) 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. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 12. The final meeting of the joint working group on defense cooperation between Kazakhstan and India was held in Kazakhstan's Astana, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan. The Indian delegation was welcomed by Kazakhstans Vice Minister of Industry and Construction, Rahymjan Isakulov, who noted that enhancing military-technical cooperation with India is a key priority for Kazakhstans relevant agencies. "The Deputy Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan, Major General Bakytbek Sydykov, and Shri Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation, Ministry of Defense of India, noted the positive dynamics in bilateral defense relations," stated the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan. In the course of the meeting, it was emphasized that military cooperation between the two nations is actively expanding in areas such as combat training, military education, and peacekeeping. The visiting delegates also toured the National Defense University of Kazakhstan. Since 2021, Indian experts have been sharing their knowledge and teaching methodology for English language studies with their Kazakh counterparts at the university. In August 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the National Defense University of Kazakhstan and Indias National Defense College. This agreement will facilitate officer training through a masters degree program based on equal partnership. New Orleans leaders discovered last month that out of nearly $4.5 million allocated by the City Council in 2022 to help fund the city's juvenile court, including an ankle monitoring program, none has been spent. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. Azerbaijan's green energy strategy can shape future geoeconomic landscape on the region, said Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Special Assignments, as he addressed the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. By focusing on clean, renewable energy, Amirbayov believes the region can not only meet current energy demands but also significantly enhance its geoeconomic importance. "By heavily engaging in producing clean green energy, we will, of course, increase the resilience and geoeconomic importance of our region even further," he stated. Speaking at the panel "Organisation of Turkic States: A Unique Cooperation Model," Amirbayov emphasized the need for regional collaboration to build a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape. Amirbayov acknowledged the strategic role of existing energy infrastructure, particularly key projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor. "These critical infrastructures have already laid the foundation for energy security and regional connectivity," he said. However, he stressed that diversifying the energy portfolio is essential for the future. "We must think seriously about expanding our energy horizons. This means developing new green corridors of energy," Amirbayov noted. He highlighted several projects aimed at connecting Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, and bridging the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, and Europe. Additionally, Azerbaijans cooperation with Turkiye and Europe plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of green energy. The initiative for green energy corridors is seen as a way to boost economic stability while simultaneously addressing the global shift towards sustainability. Through these collaborative efforts, Amirbayov emphasized, the Turkic world has the potential to become a leading force in the green energy transition, making a lasting impact on both regional and global energy markets. CROWN POINT The man had arrived home from work and was walking into his Schererville home when he heard a woman scream down the street. He quickly got into his car and drove toward the noise. As he approached, he saw his neighbor standing behind a woman with his hands wrapped around her neck. He drew his firearm and pointed it at his neighbor, ordering him to let go of the woman, according to Lake Superior Court records filed last April. Police were called. The woman was taken to the hospital and her attacker her husband was arrested on domestic battery-related charges. Through conversations with the victim, neighbors of the couple and the woman's husband himself, it became clear to officers that his mental health had declined throughout the last year, according to an affidavit. The woman showed police the countless bruises on her body and told them about the violent incidents that had escalated over the past year of their relationship. She feared if his mental health continued down such a path, he would kill her. Officers learned the man had a stash of approximately 90 firearms in his basement. Through Indiana's Red Flag Law, they applied for and were granted a search warrant to take the guns on the same day. Schererville Cmdr. Kevin Wagner and Detective Scott Savich said their department started using the law more frequently in early 2023. Indianas Red Flag Law has been on the books for almost 20 years. The law is designed to allow law enforcement to petition a court to seize a firearm from someone who might have made threats to hurt themselves or someone else. Indiana was the second state in the nation to pass the law after Indianapolis Police Officer Jake Laird, 31, was shot and killed in 2004 by 33-year-old Kenneth Anderson while Anderson was in the midst of a mental health crisis. Less than two months before the shooting, Anderson was in the hospital on an emergency detention order for mental health reasons and police removed his firearms from his home. Upon his release from the hospital, he demanded his guns be returned and police complied because they lacked the authority to keep them. Despite its nearly two-decade tenure, the states law wasnt widely used by law enforcement in Lake County, Deputy Prosecutor Jovanni Miramontes said, until within the last year. When Miramontes was a prosecutor in the county division before 2020, approximately one red flag case was filed each month. In 2024, 37 red flag cases were filed; as of April 1, 10 Red Flag Law cases have been filed. Wed like to utilize this [law] more, Miramontes said. Everybody assumes the law is used if its on the books. But that wasnt the case until we started to take the initiative to train some of our local departments on how and when to use the law. Prosecutors and police said there is a lack of education and knowledge surrounding the use of the law on the part of law enforcement and the fear of taking away someones Second Amendment rights. The law is not designed to criminalize gun owners but rather act as a public safety intervention to prevent more gun suicides, homicides and domestic violence. Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said the office hopes to spread information about the law so families, law enforcement and people who work in the mental health field can understand how to use it to protect their loved ones. "Doing something is certainly better than just letting it go, Carter said. Each family needs to evaluate that for themselves, but they need the information so they can evaluate for themselves. Although police are the only ones who can file the red flag petitions in court, family members and other loved ones can reach out to police and ask to invoke the law if they know their loved one has a gun and fear they could use it to hurt themselves or others. It gives family and police a legal tool we can act on when we see warning signs, especially when no crime is committed, Hammond police Capt. Steve Kellogg said. It gives a chance to evaluate the person and offer support without criminalizing someone in mental distress." According to the law, police may seize and retain a firearm from anyone deemed a dangerous person. The law defines a dangerous person in three ways: Someone who presents an imminent risk of personal injury to themselves or another individual; someone with a mental illness who does not consistently take steps to treat it, particularly with medication; or someone who has a propensity for violent or suicidal conduct based on documented evidence. The cases are civil but can result in criminal charges if the person has openly threatened someone or injured them, such as in the case of the Schererville man who choked his partner. If an officer is dispatched to a call for service and determines there is an individual on the scene with a gun who meets the requirements through the statute, they can take the gun out of the home without a warrant. From there, they have 48 hours to file an affidavit with the court detailing their findings. If law enforcement chooses to file a warrant before they take the firearms, the same details must be included. If a court finds there is probable cause to seize the guns, the person must be brought before the judge within 14 days after the warrant is served to determine whether or not the person meets the definition of a dangerous person and if their firearms should be taken. Judges may also order the person to seek mental health counseling. After 180 days, the person can petition the court to have their firearms returned, but must prove they are no longer "dangerous." After one year, the burden is on the government to prove that the firearms should still be retained by police. Prior to Jan. 1, 2023, the red flag cases did not have a case code, which helps prosecutors identify the type of case, whether it be a felony, misdemeanor, infraction or other category. Without a case code, they were labeled as "miscellaneous" in the court's digital system, which made the number of filed cases difficult to track statewide. The available data published by Everytown for Gun Safety shows the number of firearm seizure orders issued by judges over the last five years: the number increased from 59 in 2020 to 176 in 2021 and 186 in 2022. According to mortality data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearms accounted for 971 deaths in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties between 2018-2023. This means for every 100,000 Region residents, about 21 died from gun-related causes. This rate surpasses both the state and national rates. During the same timeframe, the statewide rate was nearly 17 gun deaths for every 100,000 residents while the national rate was 13.5 gun deaths for every 100,000 residents. Miramontes oversees the filing and tracking of red flag cases in the Lake County Prosecutors Office. Most of the cases are related to individuals who are having a mental health crisis, he said, though some are related to domestic violence. A study published in 2015 by researchers at the University of Indianapolis showed Indianas firearm seizure law was associated with a 7.5% reduction in firearm suicides throughout the state in the 10 years following its enactment. Miramontes has conducted trainings with numerous local police departments, mental health professionals and advocates of sexual assault. "Ive had many officers tell me, I didnt even know this was a thing,'" Miramontes said. "We've had attorneys and family members say, Youre saving lives with this law." Savich said Schererville had a case where they used the law for an older man who had dementia and was flashing his gun and pointing it in public. After they received a call from concerned family members, they were able to take the firearm before the situation could escalate. "Even months later, I spoke with the man and his family," Savich said. "And they were all very thankful [we used the law.]" The Hammond Police Department began using the law more regularly in 2019, Kellogg said, and he hosts an annual training in which he instructs officers on when it is appropriate to use the law. Previously, police might remove a gun from a home if they feared someone planned to use a firearm on themselves or someone else, but the person could come and take their gun back the following day. The hope was that the person would "cool off" overnight, but sometimes the threat could persist. "[The law] is set up to stop suicides, it could even stop a mass shooting before it happens," Kellogg said. "If someone has six months to ponder the situation and seek counseling for their mental health, especially without a firearm, it could change the course of what could have turned into a horrible situation." In Hobart, Assistant Chief Nicholas Wardrip said the majority of red flag cases they file are related to mental health crises. Hobart officers have attended many calls where someone is in need of help for their mental health but they might not be an imminent threat. Officers focus on the language in the dangerous person statute when determining whether to file a red flag case, although behavior patterns identified by family or officers can offer perspective. "Sometimes we see behaviors escalating over time. Sometimes they are just one-time events," Wardrip said. The law has not always worked as it should, and some argue its impact will not be substantial if it is not strictly enforced. Brandon Hole, the perpetrator of a shooting that killed eight people in 2021 at a FedEx in Indianapolis, had not been brought to court for a red flag hearing about a year before the shooting after his mother called police and told them she was scared he would die from "suicide by cop," according to reporting from the Associated Press. The gun was taken by police, but Hole went and bought another gun months later. If he had been found to be a dangerous person during a hearing, he would not have been able to buy the rifle used in the shooting. Since its inception, the law has been amended to limit its usage. Carmel-based attorney Guy Relford represents clients in cases related to criminal self-defense, firearm seizure and the Second Amendment. He has proposed multiple amendments to representatives, many of which have been successful, to narrow the scope of the statute to ensure Hoosiers who have their firearms seized still maintain their constitutional rights. Our law in Indiana has been very problematic in a lot of different ways," Relford said. "Before 2019, it was written in a way that was dramatically overly broad. The previous statute defined a "dangerous person" as someone who could be immediately dangerous or "may be a danger" in the future or be "emotionally unstable," Relford said. "That could mean whatever a judge wants it to mean," Relford said. The law now shows law enforcement must present "documented evidence that a person has a propensity for violence," he said. The danger must be imminent, not something that could happen in the future. Last month, Indiana lawmakers passed a bill adding an expungement provision within the law so Hoosiers who are red-flagged can have the case removed from their record if they prove they are no longer dangerous. Gov. Mike Braun signed the bill into law last week. Relford said he's had clients who struggled to find jobs based on their previous interactions with the law, so the expungements could be life-changing. Relford's next hope is to amend the law to allow those whose guns are taken to have a right to counsel. Since red flag cases are civil, individuals do not have a constitutional right to an attorney as they do in criminal cases, he said. They could lose a constitutional freedom, become a prohibited possessor, he said, but they dont have a right to counsel. I think its completely inconsistent with due process. Irish Cattle and Sheep Association Beef Chair John Cleary, from Killeigh, as said that while the inclusion of beef farmers in the new National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme (NDBWS) is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough in providing meaningful support for beef finishers. While the 20 per calf payment for beef farmers taking on dairy-bred progeny is welcome, it falls far short of what is needed. It also compares unfavourably to the potential 40 per calf available to dairy farmers through the combination of the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme and the NDBWS. This disparity is deeply unfair and fails to recognise the essential role of beef finishers in the supply chain, he said. Mr Cleary said he is calling on the Department of Agriculture to introduce a dedicated support measure for finishing cattle aged 12-24 months to ensure fairness across the sector. For too long, beef finishers have been overlooked in support schemes. ICSA has consistently argued that farmers who commit to rearing and finishing cattle beyond 12 months - particularly those focused on earlier finishing - must be properly supported. Finishing cattle earlier aligns with environmental targets, but it comes at a significant cost and requires a serious financial commitment. If the government is serious about reducing emissions and improving beef sector sustainability, then targeted support for earlier finishing must be a priority. Early finishing is not cost-neutral - it requires substantial investment in feeding, management, and resources. Farmers who take on this challenge should not be left to carry the financial burden alone. In our recent budget submissions ICSA proposed a Beef Carbon Efficiency Payment to assist farmers in feeding and weighing cattle between 12-24 months, with the goal of encouraging earlier finishing, up to a maximum of 150 animals. This must now be given serious consideration by Minister Heydon in the next budget. It is completely unacceptable that beef finishers continue to be excluded from meaningful budget supports, he said. Mr Cleary said ICSA will continue to push for a fair and balanced approach to beef support schemes and will demand recognition of the vital contribution of all beef farmers, particularly those finishing cattle efficiently. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 12. Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev expressed gratitude to the Organization of Turkic States for the event's organization and Turkiye for its hospitality at the 4th Antalya Diplomatic Forum and shared major updates on the growing Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (Middle Corridor), Trend reports. In his speech, Karabayev announced a dramatic increase in the volume of goods transported via the Middle Corridor, which has surged from 800,000 tons in 2021 to 2.5 million tons in 2024 - representing a sevenfold rise. Looking forward, Kazakhstan is targeting 10 million tons by 2027, with potential to reach 15 million tons by 2030. The Minister also outlined several new initiatives aimed at boosting the corridor's capacity and expanding its role beyond transportation. These include: Fiber Optic Cable Projects: Kazakhstan has started constructing a fiber optic cable through the Caspian Sea, complementing a similar project by Azerbaijan and Georgia through the Black Sea. This will enhance digital connectivity alongside physical infrastructure. Renewable Energy Export: Kazakhstan is partnering with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on a project to lay a cable under the Caspian Sea for the export of renewable energy to Europe. With Kazakhstan currently generating 2.7 GW of renewable energy and plans for an additional 8 GW, this initiative could significantly contribute to Europe's energy supply. Hydrogen Production Initiative: Kazakhstan is launching a large-scale hydrogen production project in the country's west, which aims to produce 2 million tons of hydrogen by 2030, along with 40 GW of electricity. Valued at 50 billion, this ambitious project is set to be one of the regions most significant. Karabayev, quoting President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, called the Middle Corridor not just a transportation route, but a green corridor connecting Asia and Europe. He reaffirmed Kazakhstan's aspiration to become a regional hub between the two continents. A judge said a man who breached a safety order shortly after his wife discovered a used condom in their car was the prosecution's best witness. The man (49), who cannot be named for legal reasons, was accused of putting his wife in fear at their home in Laois. Garda Milincic said she was called to a house in Laois over a domestic incident on March 19 last. She said a woman had returned home from visiting her ill father in her native country and her husband was not home. She decided to bring her children for food and they went to the car. She found a used condom and residue of suspected cannabis in the car and tissues as well, said Garda Milincic. She said her husband was the only person with access to the car. Later that night she was putting a child to bed upstairs and heard her husband arrive home and asked her children about the car keys. She went downstairs and told him he wasnt getting the car keys, Garda Milincic explained. She said the man left the house but returned later and she heard stamping up the stairs before he came into the room and switched on a light with such force that the switch broke. He then started shouting at her and she was terrified. Anne Doyle BL said the alleged injured party made no allegation of violence. The woman then gave evidence of the night in question. She said she had to open all of the windows in the car to get rid of the smell. She recalled seeing the used condom which she said was a terrible experience for her. She recalled her husband returning and smashing the light switch. He was really furious in his face, she said. She said her heart was tight in her chest. She explained that she had a safety order. Ms Doyle asked the woman about the smell of marijuana in the car and the condom and tissue. The woman said she had been disappointed that he doesnt respect me and my children. She said the man had told her that he brought other women home and slept with them in their bed. Ms Doyle asked who owned the car and who it was registered to. The woman said they paid half and half for the car and it was registered in her name. Ms Doyle said she would have serious concerns about the evidence. She said the threshold of proof had not been met. She said there was a dispute as the woman was angry about what she had found. I am satisfied that there is a prima facia case, said Judge Andrew Cody. The man then gave evidence in relation to the incident. He denied ever having gone up the stairs on the night in question. He said he arrived home to find gardai in the house and he denied breaking the light switch. She wants to put me in trouble, he said. I did not shout at anybody, the man insisted. I am not a bad man officer. I am a good man. I am a good daddy, he said. Ms Doyle said the woman had been upset by the smell of marijuana and then she found the condom. My client is not on trial for adultery, Ms Doyle pointed out. Sgt Kirby said certainly not but he pointed out that he is on trial for putting the lady in fear. He said the womans evidence appeared very truthful. I would have grave concerns if the definition of putting someone in fear amounted to turning on the lights and asking for keys, said Ms Doyle. Judge Cody said the couple were living in a pressure cooker environment and in ordinary circumstances should be separated. Maybe that is a reflection of our rental market and our housing market, he remarked. He said on hearing evidence of both parties he believed the woman was truthful. He said she was entitled to feel disgusted by the mans behaviour. Judge Cody said he had been observing both parties in court. He was sniggering, shaking his head, pointing his finger, he said. He was the best witness for the prosecution given his demeanour, said Judge Cody as he found the man guilty. Sgt Kirby said the defendant had one previous conviction for breaching a safety order and was serving a four month suspended sentence. Ms Doyle said her client had a good work history but wasnt currently employed. She said he had suffered a back injury and was looking for work. She said the man had not caused any physical harm to the woman. In her victim impact statement, the woman said I just feel worthless. I feel not respected. She said the incident had affected her mentally and said one of her children had an emotional outbreak in school because he was overwhelmed at what had happened at home. Judge Cody noted it was a second breach of a safety order. Clearly he has no respect for his wife, he remarked. The judge sentenced him to three months in prison and fixed recognisance in case of appeal. He sent the defendant forward to a sitting of Portlaoise District Court on April 10 for a decision on the suspended sentence. As "Deep Throat," the whistleblower who was FBI associate director Mark Felt, tells Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward in the film "All the President's Men" as Woodward unravels the Watergate scandal: "about the White House-- the truth is, these are not very bright guys". Fifty years later, that is again the truth. How much of Donald Trump's directive on U.S. tariffs imposed on nations all over the world-- that in recent days has caused a stock market loss of trillions of dollars-- is a result of his not being very bright? The Trump tariffs "are reckless, careless, just plain dumb", declared U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut after the move last week. Trump through the years has insisted that he is a "stable genius". Through the years, the opposite has been charged. In 2017, in the first year of the first Trump term as president, Max Boot wrote an article in Foreign Policy magazine headed "Donald Trump Is Proving Too Stupid to Be President". It began: "The evidence continues to mount that he is far from smart-- so far, in fact, that he may not be capable of carrying out his duties as president." Boot said "he doesn't seem to have acquired even the most basic information that a high school student should possess". Among many examples, "Recall that Trump said that Frederick Douglass, who died in 1895, was "an example of somebody who's done an amazing job", and "also claimed that Andrew Jackson, who died 16 years before the Civil War, 'was really angry that he saw what was happening in regard in regard to the Civil War'." "Why does he know so little?" asked Boot. "Because he doesn't read books or even long articles. 'I never have," he proudly told a reporter last year. "As president, Trump's intelligence briefings have been dumbed down, denuded of nuance, and larded with maps and pictures because he can't be bothered to read a lot of words." The surest indication of how not smart Trump is [is] that he thinks his inability or lack of interest in acquiring knowledge doesn't matter. Trump's first "administration has been one disaster after another. And those fiascos can be ascribed directly to the president's lack of intellectual horsepower". "The Power of Dumb" was the headline of an In These Times article in November 2024 by Hamilton Nolan. Its subhead: "In the Second Trump Era, don't expect reality to be realistic." Nolan wrote: "Grappling with the dawn of the second Trump Era will require an acceptance of the disquieting truth that Dumb Things and Important Things are about to merge into a single excruciating category." He continued: "Donald Trump is an ignorant, overconfident, narcissistic, grievance-ridden man-- a dumb man, who over time has attracted around him an asteroid field of dumb allies who are but lesser versions of himself. His invariable instinct to act without knowledge is dumb; his unwavering instinct to make consequential decisions based upon minor personal whim is dumb; his unshakeable belief in his own laughable reasoning is dumb. No sober analysis would grant him any benefit of the doubt. He possesses the poisoning combination of great power and the utter absence of concern for responsibility. He knows little and does much." Trump, he went on, "is an aggressively ignorant man who doesn't care about anything that doesn't affect him personally. He doesn't know about issues of consequence and is picking his cabinet based upon who has done the best job of flattering him and who he has seen on television." It is going to happen much faster than any complex theories can be usefully employed. What is worth thinking deeply about "is how we got there. The fact of the Dumb Tidal Wave is already upon us." "You can't fix stupid" is a phrase coined by comedian Ron White years ago. It is highly relevant today. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). A jury found Monica Sementilli, 51, guilty of directing her lover to kill her husband, Fabio Sementilli, at the couple's luxury Woodland Hills home in 2017. Getty Images A woman was convicted Friday in Los Angeles court in the murder of her celebrity hairstylist husband a brazen killing carried out with help from a former Oregon juvenile probation officer. A jury found Monica Sementilli, 51, guilty of directing her lover to kill her husband, Fabio Sementilli, at the couples luxury Woodland Hills home in 2017. An empty classroom at a Portland-area elementary school. Student absenteeism is a well-chronicled problem in Oregon. Teacher absenteeism is also on the rise, post-pandemic, in the Portland area. Beth Nakamura/Staff LC- LC- Well before the share of students missing more than three weeks of the school year skyrocketed to near-highest-in-the-nation levels during the pandemic, Oregon was battling a high rate of chronic absenteeism. But under the radar, a parallel absenteeism issue draws virtually no attention, except in whispers among district administrators, school financial officials and human resource leaders: A huge share of teachers are also chronically absent from class. Community members gather at a design advisory group session to give input on the designs for a modernized Jefferson High School. The school district confirmed it is terminating and rebidding the contract to work on the school. Courtesy of Portland Public Schools Portland Public Schools has terminated its contract with the prominent local construction firm that it had tapped to lead the modernization of Jefferson High School, the historic anchor of a neighborhood that was once the center of Portlands thriving Black community. The district decided to end its contract with Portland-based Andersen Construction because the scope of the project has shifted dramatically as the project has evolved, said Valerie Feder, spokesperson for Portland Public Schools. This went from an historic build to all new construction with students inside, Feder said. It is a completely different job now. That is the reason for the termination. We are sending it back out for bidding. Brian Knudsen, regional president for Andersen, did not respond to requests for comment on Friday. In a prior statement, Knudsen said Andersen officials were proud of their work overseeing the modernization of Benson High, which provided a beautiful new place of learning for students, opening on schedule this past fall. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported in February that the district was considering severing its ties with Andersen, citing schedule and cost overruns at Benson, for which Andersen also served as the general contractor. Benson reopened in August of 2024 after project costs ballooned so far past estimates that the district was forced to use $165 million in funding from the 2020 bond to finish the work. Under the terms of Andersens contract to serve as general contractor and construction manager at Jefferson High, the school district was allowed to terminate the firm at any time without cause, so long as it had paid for preconstruction services. The district has paid Andersen about $1.8 million so far. Severing the deal with Andersen, which the Portland Business Journal most recently ranked as the fourth-largest civil or commercial general contractor in the Portland metro area, carries the potential for reputational damage for Portland Public Schools. District staff contemplated such a scenario in a memo obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive that described construction problems at Benson and weighed how a move to rebid the work at Jefferson might play among Portlands community of architects, engineers and construction workers. PPS has revisited many decisions and restarted design on the Jefferson project in the past, so another significant shift in the delivery of the project will almost certainly signal that the Jefferson project, and perhaps PPS projects more broadly, are risky for contractors, district staff wrote in the memo. The twists and turns, including the yo-yo-ing budget, have pushed back the start date for the Jefferson construction, likely into 2026, Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong acknowledged this Wednesday at a community meeting at the high school. Its yet another complication for a project that was supposed to be fully funded by the passage of the 2020 bond, with a budget of $366 million and work underway by now. The Jefferson project has proven the thorniest of the districts ambitious efforts to rebuild or modernize all nine of its high schools over a 20-year span. At first, the plan was to keep the schools historic facade, considered a neighborhood landmark. But community concerns over sending Jefferson students to the faraway Marshall High campus while construction was underway scuttled those plans and sent designers back to the drawing board. Costs of the project have ping-ponged too, at one point soaring to nearly $500 million before a school board mandate to scale back. At a board meeting earlier this week, designers said the most recent cost estimate for Jefferson was between $457 and $465 million, after they reduced the buildings square footage, reduced the footprint of the new buildings theater space, relocated the main gym to the first floor and moved a planned teen parent center inside the building. Designers told board members that they plan to seek further cost reductions perhaps via building materials or mechanical systems before voters weigh in on a proposed $1.8 billion construction bond this May. If approved, it would pay for cost overruns from the original Jefferson budget and for modernizations at Cleveland High in Southeast Portland and Ida B. Wells High in Southwest Portland. It is also possible that bringing a new general contractor onto the project could reduce costs. An audit commissioned by the district and done by Wilsonville-based Cornerstone Management Group showed that the amount Andersen was charging for general conditions a catch-all term for management, administration and coordination costs was higher at Jefferson than at Cleveland or Wells and much higher than the $13.7 million for that line item in the current modernization of Beaverton High School. For Cleveland, the Cornerstone audit estimated those costs at $42.5 million; and for Wells, at $44 million. For Jefferson, general conditions costs were estimated at $56.4 million. Julia Silverman covers K-12 education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com. Jonathan Bach covers housing and real estate for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him via email at jbach@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today. A new news report says that all full-time employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Vessel Sanitation Program have been laid off. Getty Images The federal governments ability to investigate disease outbreaks on cruise ships was dealt a severe blow recently. CBS News reports that all full-time employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Vessel Sanitation Program have been laid off. A group of about 12 U.S. Public Health Service officers will remain. The program conducts unscheduled cruise ship inspections at least twice a year and tracks outbreaks of viruses and diseases aboard ships, such as norovirus, which has seen numerous outbreaks recently. CDC officials told the news outlet that they were surprised by the cuts since the staff is not paid for by taxpayer dollars but by fees from cruise ships companies. There have been a dozen outbreaks on cruise ships so far this year, mostly due to norovirus, and 18 total outbreaks last year. According to the CDC, that was the the highest amount of gastrointestinal outbreaks in over a decade. In some cases, hundreds of people on board these ships have been sickened. One official told CBS News that staff were in the middle of responding to two outbreaks when they were let go. The cuts are part of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s ongoing series of layoffs across numerous health agencies. One official with the Department of Health and Human Services said that cruise ship inspections will continue. Critical programs in the CDC will continue under Secretary Kennedys vision to streamline HHS to better serve Americans. CDCs Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) continues to monitor and assist with gastrointestinal outbreaks and track and report these illnesses, the official said in a statement to CBS News. But multiple CDC officials told the news outlet that it would be challenging for a program already short-staffed to not cut back on the number of inspections and investigations they handle. Victor Perez, 17, had been in a coma since the April 5 shooting. He had undergone several surgeries, with doctors removing nine bullets and amputating his leg. Ana L Vazquez, via AP BOISE, Idaho An autistic, nonverbal teenage boy who was shot repeatedly by Idaho police from the other side of a chain link fence while he was holding a knife died Saturday after being removed from life support, his family said. Victor Perez, 17, who also had cerebral palsy, had been in a coma since the April 5 shooting, and tests Friday showed that he had no brain activity, his aunt, Ana Vazquez, told The Associated Press. He had undergone several surgeries, with doctors removing nine bullets and amputating his leg. Police in the southwest Idaho city of Pocatello responded to a 911 call reporting that an apparently intoxicated man with a knife was chasing someone in a yard. It turned out to be Perez, who was not intoxicated but walked with a staggered gait due to his disabilities, Vazquez said. His family members had been trying to get the large kitchen knife away from him. Video taken by a neighbor showed that Perez was lying in the yard after falling over when four officers arrived and rushed to the fence at the edge of the yard. They immediately ordered Perez to drop the knife, but instead he stood and began stumbling toward them. In this image made from video, police are seen shortly before opening fire on a teen on the other side of a fence Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Pocatello, Idaho. Brad Andres, via AP Officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of getting out of their patrol cars and made no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation. Everybody was trying to tell the police, no, no, Vazquez said. Those four officers didnt care. They didnt ask what was happening, what was the situation. Hows he going to jump the fence when he can barely walk? she said. The shooting outraged Perezs family and Pocatello residents, and about 200 people attended a vigil Saturday morning outside the Pocatello hospital where he was treated. Another vigil was planned for Saturday evening outside the familys home. Those police broke our family, Vasquez said on Saturday, shortly after Perez death. There is no way to explain the pain that we are feeling right now. Its like our hearts are kind of empty its not full anymore. The officers, whose names have not been released, were placed on administrative leave. Decisions about whether charges should be filed against them will be made after an independent investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Team, Bannock County Prosecutor Ian Johnson told the AP via email. When that investigation is complete a report will be submitted for review, he said. In a continued effort to ensure independent and objective consideration, said report will be reviewed by an agency outside of Bannock County. Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said in a statement Friday, after the family announced that Perez had no brain activity, that officials thoughts and prayers were with them. We recognize the pain and grief this incident has caused in our community, Blad said. Blad said Thursday that the city was addressing this matter with the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves and with the appropriate respect for the gravity of the situation. The criminal, external, and internal investigations regarding the officer-involved shooting are underway, which is why we cannot answer questions out of concern of interfering with or compromising the investigation, he said. Perez loved watching professional wrestling, eating fries and taking walks while holding his mothers hand, Vasquez said. He would always notice when Vasquez painted her nails his favorite color blue, or when she wore a new weave, showing his admiration by touching her hair, she said. Im going to miss him when he used to get in his weird moods, and I used to put him to bed, she said. He wouldnt want to sleep and would wake up again, and I would have to walk him back to the bed. I would promise him, Hey, Ill be back tomorrow but you need to lay down and sleep. Vasquez said she didnt know what was next for the family, other than that an autopsy will be performed on Monday. Right now, she said, they need a moment to rest. MARTHA BELLISLE and REBECCA BOONE, Associated Press Bellisle reported from Seattle. Clackamas County's public services building on April 7, 2011. The Board of County Commissioners, Health, Housing and Human Services, Public and Government Affairs and other departments are housed in this building. Clackamas County struck a deal with its largest employee union Friday, just days before union employees had said they would hit the picket line. The labor agreement ends a roughly 14-month gauntlet of negotiations over a new union contract, Clackamas County Employee Association President Alex Gonzalez said. The union represents over 1,300 of the countys approximately 2,500 employees. Members are proud that we put up a fight, Gonzalez said. I think overall its not everything we wanted, obviously, because part of bargaining is give and take. Labor talks kicked off in February last year, and the union has been out of contract since July. The county and the union put forward conflicting proposals for back pay, health benefits and vacation accruals, records show. The union asked the county for a 4.1% boost in pay for its employees that would retroactively apply to the nine months union members have been working without a contract as well as future cost of living adjustments, among other things. That cost of living adjustment and backpay were granted in the final contract, which has yet to be signed, Gonzalez said. The new contract also secures better options for cashing out vacation time, he said, but the county did not budge on the unions request for increased sick leave and vacation accrual. Negotiations heated up in December after the county warned union members that if they did not reach an agreement that employees monthly insurance premiums would jump from $88 to $303. The union filed a complaint Jan. 6 with the state employment board decrying the insurance hikes, which Gonzalez contended were retaliatory. The county has agreed to reimburse the union for the cost of the insurance hikes, and the rates will drop back to $88 a month, according to Gonzalez. Negotiations reached an impasse Feb. 19 that triggered the Oregon Employment Relations Board to step in for mediation. After both the union and county submitted their final offers, they entered a 30-day cooling off period. The county sent a new proposal March 19, but the union turned it down. Employees voted to authorize a strike last week and gave the county a 10-day strike notice April 4 before reaching the agreement Friday. Its unclear how much the wage back pay and insurance reimbursements will cost the county. County officials said they had reached a fair and mutually beneficial agreement. Clackamas County wants to thank union leadership for its efforts on behalf of its members, the county said. The two parties will sign the contract Tuesday, Gonzalez said. Austin De Dios covers Multnomah County politics, programs and more. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. Ahead of COP29, people doubted that the world could agree or that Azerbaijan could deliver - they were wrong on both, said COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, as he addressed the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. Today, the global geopolitical situation is very difficult, Babayev said during the panel on Climate Diplomacy and Energy Security in the New Era. We are facing setbacks. And following the first calendar year at 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, there are growing doubts about our future. Babayev expressed optimism, citing the outcomes of COP29 in Baku as a turning point. He highlighted key achievements, including the adoption of the Baku Finance Goal - to mobilize at least $300 billion annually for developing countries by 2035 - the launch of the Loss and Damage Fund, and progress on carbon markets and transparency. These breakthroughs proved that countries can agree, he said. They demonstrate that the multilateral process can deliver. And they will help unlock trillions of dollars in climate finance. Babayev also underscored continued international commitment: In multilateral meetings from Berlin to Tokyo, officials are stepping up to demonstrate their support. The will to stick together and continue is there. Looking ahead, Babayev emphasized the need to support Brazil as the next COP30 host. We need to back Brazil. Successful outcomes in these negotiations will be critical indicators that the world is still willing and able to find common ground. He outlined several priorities for the coming year, including drawing up the "Baku to Belem Roadmap" in coordination with Brazils COP30 presidency. The goal is to scale up climate finance to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. Babayev called on donor countries to present clear plans for their contributions toward the $300 billion goal and stressed the importance of national climate plans that are transparent and credible. These reports are an opportunity. Because robust and credible reports can give a green light for green investment. Dave Baden is the new acting director of the Oregon State Hospital in Salem. The Oregonian/OregonLive Gov. Tina Kotek directed the Oregon Health Authority to replace the head of the states public psychiatric hospital Friday after learning more details about a recent patient death. Kotek mandated the leadership change at the Oregon State Hospital in the interest of patient safety less than 24 hours after she learned more about a patient who died in March after they were placed in a seclusion room, fell to the floor, lost consciousness and were not checked on for hours. Warm Springs elder Linda Meanus, who graduated from college at 65, urges lawmakers to prioritize measures to support students on April 4. Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle WARM SPRINGS Oregonians arent supposed to clap or cheer, boo, hiss or stomp their feet at legislative hearings. But there was no containing the applause in the old school gym that served as a hearing room on Friday night when Louie Pitt Jr. finished his two minutes of testimony. Pitt, a former director of government affairs and planning for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, thanked lawmakers on the budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee for work on laws to investigate the deaths and disappearances of Indigenous people, and said tribal members and their neighbors in central Oregon still need help accessing clean drinking water and affordable housing. Pitt closed with a welcome and a reminder. Welcome to Indian Country, he said. Its all Indian Country, of course. Friday nights hearing at the old Warm Springs elementary school, one of a half-dozen hearings throughout the state for lawmakers to hear community feedback as they craft the states budget, was the first since at least 2005 to be held on tribal land. Other visits this year are to Gresham, Astoria, La Grande and Klamath Falls, while a hearing in Salem next week will prioritize virtual testimony from Oregonians who couldnt attend an in-person event. Ensuring at least one of the traveling hearings was on tribal land was especially important to Rep. Tawna Sanchez, a Portland Democrat who is of Shoshone-Bannock, Ute, and Carrizo descent and the second Indigenous person elected to the Oregon Legislature. Before entering elected office, she co-founded the Native American Youth and Family Center, or NAYA, in Portland and spent years advocating on Indigenous issues. Sen. Kate Lieber, a Beaverton Democrat who co-chairs the committee with Sanchez, told the Capital Chronicle she and Sanchez looked over the past two decades worth of hearings to decide where to visit. We knew we needed to come to central Oregon, and of course everybody thinks of that as the Bend or Redmond area, but we really wanted to make sure that we included Warm Springs, especially given Representative Sanchezs heritage, she said. So we decided to come to Warm Springs because we realized wed never done it on tribal land before. Ray Moody, the tribes vice chair, prayed over the start of the hearing and told lawmakers he hoped they understood just how far they drove on the tribes homelands, both the 644,000 acres of the reservation and the millions of acres members of the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute bands ceded to the federal government with an 1855 treaty. We hope that you understand our reach, not only through our own boundary but the land that we call ceded territory, over 10 million acres, that the things you do in the state affect us all the time, Moody said. Our people are very humble and it is often hard to come to ask for assistance, but we will come to you when we need to. We will ask you, and we appreciate those who work hard to help us. About one-fifth of the roughly five dozen people who spoke during the two-hour hearing were members of the Warm Springs tribes, while others traveled from central Oregon cities including Bend, Redmond, Madras, Prineville. Nearly all of them came with specific requests for government spending on projects and programs that would far outpace the states resources as laid out in a $38 billion budget framework Sanchez and Lieber released last month. Most of their budget rough draft reflects continuing current programs, with $987.5 million available for additional spending assuming proposals to cut federal spending responsible for about one-third of the state budget dont come to pass. In our framework, we have just under a billion dollars to invest, $987 million, Sanchez said at the end of the hearing. And if everyone was listening carefully, and I was trying to, there are multiple billions of dollars being asked for. Every single one of those asks are worthy and important, and we will do our best. After a fire season that burned a record-breaking 1.9 million acres, much of it in eastern Oregon grassland, Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford urged lawmakers to pass House Bills 3349 and 3350, creating a new fund for rangeland protection with at least $1 million in the next budget. Prineville Council President Steve Uffelman said the city needs about $12 million for safety-related upgrades on U.S. Highway 26. And Redmond City Councilor Kathryn Osborne said her city wants about $1.5 to $2 million from the state to join a $500,000 investment from the city to add a traffic light at an intersection that has seen 260 car crashes, two of them fatal, in the past eight years. Warm Springs elder Linda Meanus urged lawmakers to support House Bills 3182 and 3183, which would provide more than $16 million for affordable housing for college students and $2 million for textbooks and education resources. Meanus started college at age 61 and graduated from Portland State University in 2016 at 65. She relied on tribal grants and scholarships to pay for school, which left her little money for rent, bills or groceries. I am here to tell you that the future of the tribes in your hands, she said. Many of the Warm Springs kids will need access to food, housing and textbooks. The student basic needs bills will make it much easier for the students to graduate. Elizabeth Johnson, a public health nurse, urged Oregon lawmakers to keep funding health care in the face of potential federal cuts. Actions from the White House are only benefiting the mega-wealthy, but for Oregonians like myself, the family I support and my community, they mean job loss, loss of stability and are wreaking havoc on my ability to do my job, which is to prevent infectious diseases, she said. Oregon must continue to hold the line on making unnecessary cuts to Medicaid and public health based on what might happen in Washington, D.C. Madras resident Robyn Morrison asked lawmakers to keep in mind the big picture of climate change while making their budget decisions. Morrison, who moved from Montana to Madras to be closer to family, said her grandchildren are anxious about the climate crisis and that her generation hasnt done enough to block it. We cannot allow the tyranny of the present to distract us from our childrens future, she said. Former Oregon poet laureate Elizabeth Woody, now the executive director of the Museum at Warm Springs, urged support of the $8.9 million in grants to cultural organizations in House Bill 3191. The Museum at Warm Springs, which opened in 1993, would receive $1.5 million under that proposal. We provide a gateway to think about this land in a different way, Woody said. Remaining budget hearings La Grande: Friday, April 11, 5 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #3391 University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850. Register to testify here Salem (statewide virtual testimony prioritized): Wednesday, April 16, 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Oregon Capitol Building, Hearing Room F900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301. Register to testify here Klamath Falls: Friday, April 25, 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons 7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603. Register to testify here -- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy. Beers and breweries from across the state were honored Thursday at the 10th annual Oregon Beer Awards at Southeast Portlands Revolution Hall. The Oregon Beer Awards, which celebrates and promotes the states best beer, breweries and taprooms, began in 2015 and is Oregons most prestigious brewing industry competition. It featured 1,054 entries from 100 breweries across the state. Under the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the University of Oklahoma is hosting the 2025 Regional Conference for the Mid-America Region. The event will include the Chem E Car competition, Chem E Jeopardy, poster competition, and a technical presentation competition. Hosted by: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Additional Information can be found at: https://ou.campuslabs.com/engage/event/11250343 Attorneys on behalf of a professor in the OU School of Dance filed a lawsuit this week against the university, Provost Andre-Denis Wright, and College of Fine Arts Dean Mary Margaret Holt, claiming discrimination based on sexuality. According to documents filed in Oklahoma's Western District, first reported by The Oklahoman, Austin Hartel, an OU School of Dance associate professor who has worked at the university for over 20 years, is seeking $2 million in compensatory damages. Hartels case cited several reasons for filing the lawsuit, including alleged violations of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX violations, a hostile work environment, retaliation and invasion of privacy. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... According to the lawsuit, Hartel claims to have been subjected to unlawful employment discrimination after being denied a promotion to become a full professor, which he claims to be based on his sexual orientation as a straight male. The lawsuit also claims that Hartel allegedly faced retaliation for his advocacy against sexual harassment. Hartel is suing Wright in his capacity for overseeing faculty promotion while ensuring compliance with university policies and anti-discrimination laws. Holt is being sued in both her capacities as dean of the College of Fine Arts and former director of the School of Dance, who Hartel claims engaged in discriminatory and retaliatory actions against him. According to the lawsuit, Hartel applied for a promotion to become a full professor in 2024, which he alleges was denied due to having insufficient peer-reviewed work inadequacies in his creative statement. Hartels lawsuit claims he has more peer reviewed work than any other faculty member in the School of Dance. Hartel told the Daily Friday morning he is in possession of several recordings where Holt uses derogatory remarks about straight males. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM In one instance, according to the lawsuit, Holt allegedly asserted that straight male dancers typically go around and sleep with girls in the company which makes them disgusting. According to the lawsuit, Hartel was an advocate of a male student who allegedly filed a sexual harassment complaint against a former faculty member of the School of Dance. The lawsuit alleges that Holt protected the accused faculty member, showing favoritism despite allegations of sexual misconduct. Hartels support of the student, according to the lawsuit, contributed to the accused faculty members dismissal from his position, as well as alleged retaliation directed at Hartel from Holt and other faculty members. Reached Friday, Holt referred the Daily to OUs legal counsel for comment. In an email to the Daily, OU Marketing and Communications wrote that it is not the practice of the university to comment on pending litigation. Hartel alleges he faced unwarranted investigations into his conduct following his advocacy, and was excluded from leadership opportunities. He alleges this contributed to a hostile work environment in which his faculty evaluations allegedly became negative and included ageist language. According to the lawsuit, the defendants knowingly and intentionally disclosed or accessed Hartels private medical information without proper authorization or a legitimate purpose. The lawsuit states that Hartel is requesting the matter be tried by a jury and he be granted compensatory damages of no less than $1 million for pay, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. Hartel is also requesting compensatory relief for no less than $1 million for punitive damages for the defendants willful and reckless conduct, attorney fees, costs and expenses, pre and post judgment interest, and any other relief that the court deems just. This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ana Barboza. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 12. Kazakhstan's Astana hosted a regional seminar on effective use of technical means in customs control, Trend reports. The event was organized by the Border Management in Central Asia Program (BOMCA 10). Customs officials from five Central Asian countries, with practical experience in using and evaluating customs control equipment, participated in the seminar. The seminar aimed to strengthen administrative capacity and enhance the competencies of staff responsible for planning equipment supplies, as well as to define technical and functional requirements from the perspective of end users. Experts from Latvia presented the participants with the equipment lifecycle, border post classification, and gap analysis methodologies. The participants also became familiar with best practices from EU countries in procurement, technical specification preparation, and testing procedures. Additionally, practical sessions on modeling technical requirements were held, and approaches to user training and ensuring the smooth operation of equipment were discussed. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 12. On April 11, 2025, a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Gurbanov, took part in the regular meeting of the CIS in Almaty, Trend reports via Turkmenistan's MFA. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, along with representatives of the CIS Executive Committee. During the session, the ministers engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on various areas of cooperation within the Commonwealth framework. Key discussions focused on enhancing multilateral partnerships in political and diplomatic affairs, trade and economic relations, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation for the near future. Later the same day, another high-level meeting took place in Almaty within the framework of the Central Asia Russia format. The foreign ministers discussed prospects for expanding multilateral cooperation and reviewed the implementation of agreements made during the Summit of Heads of State. They also established concrete steps for developing mutually beneficial partnerships across areas of shared interest. The autistic teenage boy who was shot nine times by Idaho police has been pronounced clinically brain dead as his family calls for justice. The 17-year-old boy was identified as Victor Perez, and his family revealed that they had decided to take him off of life support on Saturday. The victim's aunt, Ana Vasquez, said, "They killed one member of my family." She said that the police who were involved should not be in uniform as they are meant to protect people, not kill them. Autistic Teen Shot by Police Pronounced Clinically Brain Dead Vasquez also criticized the officers for only being placed on administrative leave after the shooting, which occurred on Apr. 5, 2025. She noted that her nephew is dying while the police who shot him are at home spending time with their families. Perez's family claims that the teen, who is non-verbal and did not understand English, was not able to comprehend police commands shortly before they opened fire. A video of the incident spread online and has raised a variety of concerns, including those about police training, use of force protocols, and awareness of developmental disabilities, according to KTVB. The shooting happened after police officers responded to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance and found Perez seemingly trying to stab family members in a backyard and was supposedly intoxicated. However, the victim's family firmly denied these allegations and said that the entire situation was a misunderstanding and was escalated unnecessarily. Perez's grandfather, Luis Alicea, said they were preparing for a barbeque when his nephew approached him with a knife. A Tragic Development Vasquez added that law enforcement personnel who arrived at the scene barely spoke to anyone about the situation to learn more. She said they simply told them to get back and shortly shot to kill, CBS News reported. On the other hand, the Pocatello Police Department defended its officers' actions in a video statement, saying they wanted to clarify the situation. They argued that video footage of the incident only showed one angle and did not paint the full picture of what was going on. Vazquez said that the neighbor who called 911 wanted police officers to help Perez's family get the situation under control. She said that the caller did not know about the teenager's medical condition or that he was having a mental health crisis. Following the spread of the video of the incident, protests sparked across the city, which is home to about 56,300 people. Mayor Brian Blad said that they are now looking into the matter and are conducting an official investigation, as per NBC News. Law enforcement personnel said that officials decided to place Silverton High School on lockdown on Apr. 11, 2025, over a potential shooting threat following a 911 call made from inside the school. An initial search was conducted and completed by the school resource officer and several officers from other neighboring agencies who reported to the school. Silverton law enforcement officials said they did not find any threats. Silverton High School Shooting Threat Amid the lockdown, students were transferred to nearby Silverton Middle School, located at 714 Schlador St. At around 3:09 p.m., the high school was cleared with no threat found anywhere, and parents were called to come to the middle school to pick up their kids. Additionally, Silverton police said that one student at Silverton High School had an unrelated medical incident during the lockdown but was quickly treated. Officials said that the investigation into the initial 911 call was still ongoing. Police officials from Marion County Sheriff's, Oregon State Police, Mt. Angel, Woodburn, Stayton, Hubbard-Donald, and Canby responded to the 911 call. The Silverton Fire District and Woodburn Ambulance also came to the school, according to the Statesman Journal. Authorities also let students with cars parked on campus walk onto the campus to get their vehicles at around 4:15 p.m. However, students were not allowed to go inside the high school yet but will be allowed to get their stuff back on Monday. During the lockdown of Silverton High School, District Assistant Superintendent Anthony Rosilez said that the other district schools were also able to secure their perimeters. When officers were investigating the area, public information officer Sam Willits was the one who told parents to go to the middle school to reunite with their children, KGW reported. Potential School Shooting There was a similar incident that occurred at Port Charlotte Middle School where a student was arrested after posting shooting threats on Snapchat. The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said on Thursday that there was a physical altercation between two students captured on video and shared on social media. The footage showed one student saying, "Bring the gun, Ma, bring the gun." Later, the child posted a video in a group chat where he was seen holding a firearm and making threats. Officials said another student alerted Charlotte County Sheriff's deputies to the situation. When detectives interviewed the student, he denied his involvement in the matter, saying that he was only holding a BB gun. However, they found his explanation lacking and later arrested him and charged him with sending a written threat to conduct a mass shooting, as per Wink News. For many Americans, especially in the age of body positivity paired with body awareness, the pursuit of firmer, smoother skin on the abdomen remains a common skincare goal. The market for belly firming creamsonce considered nichehas rapidly grown into a global industry, promising tighter skin, reduced sagging, and improved texture. But how effective are these creams really? In a wellness landscape saturated with marketing claims and social media influencers, the question worth asking is this: Do belly firming creams work? Understanding Skin Elasticity and Sagging To assess whether these creams are effective, we must first understand what causes loose skin around the abdomen in the first place. Common causes include: Weight fluctuations Pregnancy Aging and natural loss of collagen Genetics According to a 2022 review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, loss of skin firmness occurs due to a reduction in collagen and elastin fibers, as well as diminished hydration and dermal density. These biological changes cause the skin to lose its ability to "snap back" after stretching. Dr. Lillian Contreras, a board-certified dermatologist and faculty member at the University of Miami, explains: "Topical treatments can support skin health and improve surface firmness, particularly if they include ingredients known to stimulate collagen synthesis or enhance moisture retention." What Makes a Cream Effective? The most effective belly firming creams target multiple layers of skin biology. Ingredients commonly recommended by dermatologists include: Retinol : Promotes collagen production and cell turnover : Promotes collagen production and cell turnover Caffeine : Temporarily tightens skin by constricting blood vessels : Temporarily tightens skin by constricting blood vessels Peptides : Amino acid chains that support collagen regeneration : Amino acid chains that support collagen regeneration Hyaluronic Acid : Deep hydration to plump and smooth surface texture : Deep hydration to plump and smooth surface texture Centella Asiatica Extract: A plant-derived compound shown to improve elasticity But while many products promise these benefits, not all deliver. Why SILKDERMIS Stands Out Among the growing list of contenders, SILKDERMIS Belly Firming Cream has earned critical acclaim for its clinical-grade formulation, lightweight texture, and visible results. What makes it different? Tri-Peptide Complex : A proprietary blend that helps rebuild skin structure by boosting collagen and elastin production. : A proprietary blend that helps rebuild skin structure by boosting collagen and elastin production. Caffeine and Green Tea Extract : Work synergistically to firm and depuff the belly area, particularly useful postpartum or after weight loss. : Work synergistically to firm and depuff the belly area, particularly useful postpartum or after weight loss. Shea Butter + Hyaluronic Acid : Deliver deep hydration while creating a smooth, touchable surface. : Deliver deep hydration while creating a smooth, touchable surface. Visible Results: In a 2023 clinical study conducted by the American Institute of Aesthetic Research, 82% of participants reported a firmer, more toned appearance in their abdominal area after just six weeks of use. Ashley Miller, a 42-year-old mother of two from Atlanta, shared: "I had loose skin on my stomach after my second pregnancy. SILKDERMIS didn't just improve how my skin lookedit made me feel confident again in my own body." A-List Attention: Jennifer Lopez and the Toned Midsection Standard No conversation about firming creams would be complete without mentioning the Hollywood icons who've popularized the look of a tight, sculpted midsection. Jennifer Lopez, long known for her ageless physique, has often credited topical firming treatments as part of her routine, along with strength training and clean eating. In a 2022 Vogue interview, Lopez shared that she uses targeted firming creams as part of her daily self-care, noting, "It's not about reversing time, it's about caring for your skin so it reflects how you feel on the inside." While J.Lo has not publicly endorsed SILKDERMIS, the ingredients she praiseslike peptides and caffeineare central to the brand's flagship belly cream. Do They Replace Exercise? It's important to note that belly firming creams are not magic potions, nor are they replacements for exercise, nutrition, or hydration. However, when paired with a healthy lifestyle, they can visibly improve the appearance and feel of the skin, especially in problem areas like the abdomen. Dr. Contreras advises: "Think of firming creams as supportive toolsnot solutions in isolation. They are most effective when used consistently and combined with overall wellness habits." How to Maximize Results To get the most from your firming creamespecially one like SILKDERMISexperts recommend the following: Apply twice daily, preferably in the morning and evening. Massage firmly in circular motions to stimulate circulation. Combine with light toning exercises, such as core work or yoga. Be patientvisible results usually appear after 46 weeks of consistent use. Final Verdict: Do Belly Firming Creams Work? The answer is a nuanced yes. While no cream can replicate the effects of surgery or intensive weight training, Belly Firming Cream has proven itself to be a legitimate skincare assetespecially for those looking to restore elasticity, smooth uneven skin, and feel more confident in their own bodies. This Aug. 20, 2014 photo shows American rapper, entrepreneur and actor 50 Cent, center, posing for a portrait with G-Unit members Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Kidd Kidd in New York. (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP) Brian Ach/Invision/AP Young Buck has been arrested in Tennessee, according to TMZ. The former G-Unit member and star rapper was reportedly picked up because he missed meetings with his bond supervisor. TMZ said he was booked into the Sumner County jail on Monday and will be there for 30 days. Sumner County Assistant District Attorney Eric Mauldin told TMZ that Buck was supposed to meet with his supervisor twice a month. The punishment reportedly stemmed from a drug case and a domestic violence case. TMZ noted that Buck, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, has a long history with the law. It said the 44-year-old served an 18-monht sentence for gun possession in 2012. Young Buck rose to fame in the early 2000s alongside 50 Cent in the G-Unit. He has had a rocky relationship with 50 Cent however in recent years. Summer travel season is nearly upon us. (Getty Images) Getty Images With summer approaching, many people are looking forward to booking vacations. If youre looking for something local, Pennsylvania residents, may we suggest these two bed and breakfasts? U.S. News & World Report recently released a list of 2025s best bed and breakfasts in the United States. Two locations in Lancaster the EJ Bowman House and The Hollinger House Bed & Breakfast made it onto the final list. The publication also mentioned the top bed and breakfasts in Gettysburg. The Inn at White Oak and the Baladerry Inn were listed as the top two in the area. According to U.S. News & World Reports methodology page, these locations were chosen based on factors such as industry awards received and overall customer satisfaction. Opinions from various travel experts, too, were taken into consideration. Bed and breakfasts offer local immersion, providing travelers with the personal connection they often crave, said senior editor at U.S. News, Zach Watson, via PR Newswire. The 2025 Best Bed & Breakfast rankings celebrate local establishments where hosts are unofficial guides, breakfast conversations reveal hidden gems and top properties play a part in each communitys story. 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. 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) (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) 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 underway 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. Divers at the helicopter crash site in the Hudson river on Friday, April 11, 2025. Michael Dempsey | For NJ Advance 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 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 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. 17 1 / 17 Divers resume search for helicopter parts after it crashed into Hudson River killing 3 adults, 3 children 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, which 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. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X 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 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 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. 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. I have been a trial lawyer for 43 years. I have been before many judges over the years. In my experience, judges try very hard to make the correct decision based on the law. However, if there is an error of law made by a judge, an appeal can be made, and if necessary, the judges decision can be reversed by an appellate court. This is one of the functions of our appellate courts. If a judge makes a ruling that Donald Trump disagrees with, an appeal of the judges decision can be made. If the judge committed an error of law, the appellate court can agree with Trumps lawyers. However, for the president of the United States to assert that when a judge rules against him the judge should be impeached is outrageous and extremely dangerous. Such an assertion proves that Trump is trying to circumvent the separation of powers between the executive branch, Congress, and the courts. The separation of powers of our three branches of government is a bedrock principle of our democracy. David Lutz, Lower Paxton Township, Pa. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. Despite a combined trade turnover of $1.1 trillion among Turkic states, only 7 percent ($58 billion) of this is intra-regional trade, with plans to increase this share to 10 percent in the near future, said Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, during the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. Omuraliev highlighted that a key initiative to bolster this goal is the Turkic Investment Fund, which became operational this year. This joint financial institution aims to support strategic infrastructure, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and innovation projects across the region. Alongside this, the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been established to deepen business ties, and the Trade Facility Committee has been streamlined to eliminate trade barriers, he said. Furthermore, in November 2024, during the Bishkek Summit, member states will sign the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement to foster digital trade and technological collaboration. Another critical move includes the Framework Agreement on Free Trade in Services and Investment, along with a new mechanism among the central banks of Turkic nations to encourage trade in national currencies, reducing dependency on third-party currencies and enhancing regional resilience. The region is also focused on improving connectivity through the Middle Corridor, a strategic trade route linking Asia and Europe. This corridor is increasingly seen as the shortest and most efficient route for trade between the two continents, Omuraliev added. As the region continues to grow and evolve, the focus is firmly on fostering intra-regional collaboration to unlock its full potential and create lasting prosperity. It was an action-packed day inside the Monte Carlo Poker Club for Day 1b of the $770 Main Event on the SiGMA Poker Tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Things got off to an earlier start today with the cards going in the air at 2 p.m. local time. A similar field size turned up with a total of 64 entries taking part in the festivities, leaving just eight players advancing through to Day 2 on Sunday. It was a dominant performance by Russian poker pro Daria Krashennikova who cruised through the day to finish with 771,000 chips, far and away the overall lead through three starting flights. Krashennikova spends the majority of her time playing poker here in Brazil now and has had plenty of success along the way. That continued today when she turned things around after a cooler finally went in her favor, getting pocket kings all in against the former chip leader, Gilmar Machado's pocket queens. Final Chip Counts from Day 1b Rank Player Country Chip Count 1 Daria Krashennikova Russian Federation 771,000 2 Wilson Caldeira Brazil 214,000 3 Joao Leao Brazil 214,000 4 Jacques Blit Argentina 187,000 5 Pedro Oliveira Portugal 174,000 6 Lukas Robinson United Kingdom 146,000 7 Vladimir Vorobev Russian Federation 108,000 8 Flavia Bergamini Brazil 106,000 Final Chip Counts from Day 1c Rank Player Country Chip Count 1 Leonardo Rizzo Brazil 417,000 2 Hermogenes Gelonezi Brazil 282,000 3 Marcio Yuta Kayo Brazil 181,500 4 Bruno da Silva Santana Brazil 129,000 Day 1b Action Although today was expected to be a larger turnout, some issues in the city of Sao Paulo resulted in some players not attending the Main Event today. A total of 64 entries were recorded throughout the day with 50 unique entries and 14 players choosing to reenter at some point. That meant the field would play down to just eight players who would advance to Day 2 on Sunday, April 13th and guarantee them a place in the money. SiGMA Poker Tour ambassador, Lukas Robinson also had a much more successful day compared to Day 1a. Robinson built a stack early on and also laid claim to likely the biggest cooler this tournament will see. Robinson turned quad sevens only to have his opponent river aces full, scoring a massive pot at the time. Robinson went on to bag a stack of 146,000 and will return to the felt for Day 2. Lukas robinson Overlay Alert! Day 1c also kicked off this evening, a turbo flight consisting of just 20-minute levels. That flight attracted a total of 33 entries and they will be playing down to the final four players. That means, a total of 158 entries have been recorded thus far, leaving a big haul needed tomorrow to reach the guarantee of $250,000. With an overlay looming, tournament staff have their fingers crossed that players show up in masses. The action will get underway even earlier tomorrow with an 11 a.m. start scheduled for Day 1d. Again, there will be another turbo flight in the evening hoping to bring in some last-minute stragglers. The PokerNews live reporting team will be back on the tournament floor to bring you a full slate of coverage from Day 1d and keep you updated on the total number of entries throughout the day. After two completed days of the $770 Main Event on the SiGMA Poker Tour Brazil stop being held at the prestigious Monte Carlo Poker Club, a total of 158 entries have been recorded in this $250,000 guaranteed prizepool event. There is still a ways to go to reach the guarantee but tournament staff are hopeful with at least another two starting flights on the schedule for today. Last night, Daria Krashennikova crushed her competitors en route to an overwhelming chip lead, bagging up a stack 771,000 chips. Heading into Day 2 on Sunday, Krashennikova will be joined by the likes of SiGMA Poker Tour ambassadors Lukas Robinson (146,000) and Drea Karlsen (335,000) and Day 1a chip leader Christian Rico (483,000). Thus far, a total of 19 players have made it through to Day 2 and have guaranteed themselves a portion of the prizepool and a chance to play for the title. With a bolstering guarantee of $250,000 set on this event, the tournament would require roughly 200 more entries today in order to reach that amount. It will be something to keep an eye on as the day unfolds on whether that guarantee will be met. As for Day 1d, the cards are scheduled to go in the air at an eye-awakening 11 a.m. this morning, or as they say in Brazil, the crack of dawn. Players will sit down with a starting stack of 30,000 chips with the blinds beginning at 100/200. The levels will be 30 minutes throughout with a 15-minute break after every four levels. Late registration will remain open until the end of level 10 with players being allowed to reenter each flight an additional two times. The action will continue until just 15% of the unique entries remain, at which point they will bag and tag for Day 2. There will also be another turbo flight running this evening at 8 p.m. local time with the potential of a hyper-turbo flight also accommodating any late stragglers rolling in. The PokerNews live reporting team will be back on the tournament floor to bring you all of the updates throughout the day as well as any information on whether the guaranteed prizepool will be reached. Aiken Standard reporter Matthew Christian is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He covers the Savannah River Site, city of Aiken, politics and public safety and courts. Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 12. Kuala Lumpur will host an international forum aimed at attracting foreign investments to Turkmenistans economy, Trend reports. This announcement was made by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Batyr Amanov during a government meeting. The event is scheduled for April 23-24, 2025, with approximately 300 delegates from 30 countries already confirming their participation. The forum will include meetings between Turkmen officials and international companies interested in establishing business connections and fostering partnerships. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underscored the importance of comprehensive national economic development and instructed that the event in Malaysia be organized to the highest standards. In addition, the meeting discussed several other national issues, on which appropriate decisions were taken. Quick Response and Courts Reporter Alan Hovorka is a breaking news and courts reporter for The Post & Courier. After graduating from Ball State University in Indiana, he spent five years covering government and education in central Wisconsin before coming to the Lowcountry. Columbia, SC (29201) Today Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 72F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 72F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. 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%. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. The official visit of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanar, to Kyrgyzstan is expected in April 2025, Slovakia's Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Robert Kirnag, told Trend. The Ambassador noted that, together with the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), an event will be held in Bishkek on 26 April 2025 as part of Minister Blanar's official visit to Kyrgyzstan. The event will be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Interhelpo cooperative in the territory of the former Kyrgyz SSR. "The event will include a business forum, B2B/B2G meetings, and matchmaking sessions for Slovak and Kyrgyz companies in the following sectors: water management, ICT and smart city technologies, energy (renewable energy sources), environmental protection, waste management, agriculture, and the food industry. About 50 representatives from more than 30 Slovak companies will participate," said Kirnag. The Ambassador emphasized that Slovakia is ready to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in all areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade and the economy. "For the eleven months of 2024, the mutual trade balance reached 63 million euro. Slovak exports were worth 60.2 million euro and grew 5.5 times year-on-year. The main export items were pumps (17.6 percent), followed by motor vehicles (11.8 percent) and centrifuges (4.3 percent)," he said. Kirnag noted that imports from Kyrgyzstan fell to 2.8 million euro, but there is potential to return to previous numbers, at least. Wood products, glass containers, and furniture accounted for the largest share of imports from Kyrgyzstan. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-12 13:38:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 659 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 12, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Atkore, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/atkore-inc Investors have until April 23, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Atkore stock. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is captioned Westchester Putnam Counties Heavy & Highway Laborers Local 60 Benefits Fund v. Atkore Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-01851.Why was Atkore Sued for Securities Fraud?Atkore manufactures electrical, safety, and infrastructure products including polyvinyl chloride water and electrical conduit pipes ("PVC Pipe"). During the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping costs rose dramatically, leaving foreign PVC Pipe manufacturers unable to profitably sell PVC Pipe in the U.S. As shipping prices returned to normal when the pandemic subsided in 2022, foreign PVC Pipe manufacturers gradually returned to the U.S. market. Shortly thereafter, in late 2022, the price of PVC Pipe began to decline.As alleged, Atkore repeatedly misrepresented that post-pandemic PVC Pipe price declines were the result of "pricing normalization" that reflected "competitive dynamics" and assured investors that the Company would continue to successfully compete in the post-COVID-19 market.On July 24, 2024, an activist investor named ManBear published a report titled "Pipe Price Fixing" which accused Atkore and three of its competitors of using the commodity pricing service OPIS to coordinate pricing actions and fix the price of PVC Pipe.In truth, it is alleged that Atkore engaged in an anticompetitive price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated the price of PVC Pipes.The Stock Declines as the Truth is RevealedOn February 4, 2025, Atkore announced disappointing earnings and reduced guidance, disclosing that the "plastic pipe and conduit product category declined mid-single digits during the quarter" compared to "high single digits in the prior year," and largely attributed the guidance reduction to Atkore's PVC Pipe business, stating, "roughly $75 million or 3/4 [of the guidance reduction] is on the PVC side." This news caused the price of Atkore stock to decline nearly 20%, from $79.72 per share on February 3, 2025 to $64.13 per share on February 4, 2025.On February 14, 2025, Atkore disclosed that it received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division seeking the "production of documents relating to the pricing of the Company's PVC pipe and conduit products." Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/atkore-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Atkore you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar, Fonti, & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-12 02:00:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 910 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 News Release Highlights:Filed Provisional Patents for Battery Lifespan Extension Technology: Battery X Rebalancing Technologies has submitted two provisional U.S. patent applications covering proprietary software and hardware innovations designed to diagnose, rebalance, and extend the lifespan of lithium-ion and EV batteries.National Research Council Validates Core Technology: Independent testing by the National Research Council of Canada confirmed the technology's ability to recover nearly all capacity lost due to cell imbalance-demonstrating its effectiveness, safety, and performance consistency.Prototype 2.0 in Development with Enhanced Capabilities: The next-generation rebalancing unit, Prototype 2.0, is currently in development and will feature optimized hardware, improved state-of-health diagnostics, and upgraded connectivity-targeted for completion at the end of April 2025.Strategic Rebranding of Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to Battery X Rebalancing Technologies Inc.: Following the 100% acquisition of its lithium-ion battery diagnostics subsidiary, the Company has rebranded it as Battery X Rebalancing Technologies Inc.-reinforcing a unified brand identity and strengthening its position across the battery technology value chain.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 /Battery X Metals Inc. (CSE:BATX)(OTCQB:BATXF)(FSE:R0W, WKN:A3EMJB)("Battery X Metals" or the "Company") an energy transition resource exploration and technology company, announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Battery X Rebalancing Technologies Inc. (formerly Li-ion Renewable Technologies Inc., as disclosed herein) ("Battery X Rebalancing Technologies") has submitted an application for provisional patent filings (the "Patent Applications") with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") for its next-generation battery rebalancing software and hardware technology innovations.Visionary Technologies Aimed to Advance the Energy TransitionBattery X Rebalancing Technologies is a development-stage technology company, at the forefront of the energy transition, supporting the electric vehicle (EV) revolution and developing innovative technologies to extend the lifespan of lithium-ion and EV batteries. Its mission is to extend lithium-ion and EV battery longevity.The Patent Applications represent the culmination of multiple years of development, validation, and innovation by Battery X Rebalancing Technologies and mark a significant milestone toward solidifying its position in the market as a leading authority in lithium-ion and EV battery rebalancing and lifespan extension. The company's next-generation rebalancing technology-validated by the National Research Council of Canada ("NRC"), as further described below-reinforces its commitment to delivering real-world solutions that support battery longevity and sustainability.The Problem: Rising EV Adoption Presents New Battery Lifecycle ChallengesIn 2024, global electric vehicle (EV) sales reached approximately 17.1 million units, representing a 25% increase from 2023. With cumulative global EV sales from 2015 to 2023 totaling an estimated over 40 million units, a significant share of the global EV fleet is expected to exit warranty coverage over the coming years.By 2031, nearly 40 million electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicles worldwide are projected to be out of warranty3, exposing owners to the risks of battery degradation, reduced capacity, and costly replacement needs4. As the global EV fleet continues to expand, so too does the demand for advanced technical solutions that can help extend battery life, reduce ownership costs, and support a more sustainable electric transportation ecosystem.The Solution: Pioneering Next-Generation Technologies to Support Lithium-Ion Battery LongevityBattery X Rebalancing Technologies' proprietary software and hardware technology aims to address this challenge by diagnosing and extending the lifespan of EV batteries. This innovation is being developed with the aim to enhance the sustainability of electric transportation and the goal to provide EV owners with a more cost-effective, environmentally friendly ownership experience by reducing the need for costly battery replacements.Battery X Rebalancing Technologies' core technology, validated by the NRC, focuses on two key areas: battery health diagnostics and cell rebalancing. The NRC validation demonstrated the technology's ability to effectively diagnose and correct cell imbalances in lithium-ion battery packs, recovering nearly all lost capacity due to cell imbalance and ensuring accurate capacity measurements, while maintaining performance consistency and adhering to safety standards. This validation was conducted on battery modules composed of 12 cells (100Ah each) and 15 cells (72Ah each), demonstrating its effectiveness at this modular scale. As EV battery packs and other applications are typically comprised of multiple modules with varying cell quantities, including configurations of 12 and 15 cells, the technology's capabilities to rebalance EV batteries remain applicable and effective.Battery X Rebalancing Technologies has successfully developed a first-generation prototype diagnostic and rebalancing machine and, pursuant to theBJPN Second Agreement , is now progressing toward the development of a second-generation prototype ("Prototype 2.0"). This next phase includes key refinements and updates, such as optimized hardware dimensions, reduced weight, and advancements in related equipment, including enhanced state-of-health (SOH) diagnostics, airtightness testing, and improved connectivity. Prototype 2.0 is expected to be delivered by the end of April 2025, followed by rigorous testing protocols to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with multiple EV batteries. As Battery X Rebalancing Technologies continues to advance its proprietary hardware and software technology, it remains focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to meet the growing demand for EV battery rebalancing and lifespan extension.These advancements establish Battery X Rebalancing Technologies as a participant in lithium-ion and EV battery solutions, aiming to tackle the critical challenges of capacity degradation of battery packs and expensive replacements. By extending the lifecycle of battery materials within the supply chain, Battery X Rebalancing Technologies aims to support the energy transition and promote a more sustainable future.Patent ApplicationsBattery X Rebalancing Technologies Inc.'s first patent application, method and system for battery pack adjustment, introduces a novel solution to address the common issue of imbalanced battery cells within a battery pack-an issue that leads to reduced PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-12 02:52:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 641 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Edison International (NYSE:EIX) between February 25, 2021 and February 6, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.SO WHAT: If you purchased Edison 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 Edison class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=33590 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 21, 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, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Edison's claim that Southern California Edison Company ("SCE") used its Public Safety Power Shutoffs ("PSPS") program to "proactively de-energize power lines to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires during extreme weather events", was false; (2) this resulted in heightened fire risk in California and heightened legal exposure to Edison; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about Edison's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Edison class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=33590call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-12 02:00:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 669 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 GigabitNow Fiber Internet Service is now available to 50,000 homes and businesses across Central Indiana, with new service activations occurring daily.BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / GigabitNow today reaffirmed that its industry-leading fiber internet service is operating as usual, with no interruption to service for existing or new customers. Currently available in approximately 50% of Bloomington's neighborhoods - serving over 20,000 residential and business premises - GigabitNow continues to provide fast, symmetrical gigabit internet to meet the needs of a digitally connected community. GigabitNow Indiana GigabitNow Indiana - Internet How It Is Meant To BeService Unaffected by Construction Pause While new construction of Bloomington's fiber infrastructure is temporarily paused, GigabitNow services and subscriber installations remain entirely unaffected. Trueline, the construction partner contracted by Hoosier Fiber Networks for the extensive fiber rollout, has recently ceased operations. Hoosier Fiber Networks is the owner/operator of the Bloomington network as well as networks in Columbus, Shelbyville, and Bartholomew County that GigabitNow serves. GigabitNow subscribers can continue to enjoy reliable, multi-gigabit internet across all of these networks, and GigabitNow is actively signing up new subscribers every day. For customers eager to check connectivity in their area, please https://www.gigabitnow.com/indiana Commitment to Expanding High-Speed Connectivity GigabitNow - in partnership with Hoosier Fiber Networks - remains fully committed to delivering high-quality fiber broadband across Bloomington and all of the neighboring Columbus, Shelbyville, and Bartholomew County communities. To date, significant milestones have been reached;Approximately 50% of the fiber network is completeOver 20,000 residential and business premises now have access to lightning-fast multi-gigabit internet in Bloomington.Coverage now includes a portion of the Bloomington Housing Authority's underserved neighborhoods - including Bloomington's Crestmont and Reverend Bulter communities, allowing these residents to take advantage of GigabitNow's Fiber for All plan, which was recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance with a "Best" ranking, as announced by the city of Bloomington.In addition, GigabitNow services are available to over 18,000 residential and business premises in Columbus, 9,000 in Shelbyville, and 2,000 in wider Bartholomew County, which will continue to expand.This progress builds on prior successes and strategic initiatives aimed at digitally transforming these communities, expanding economic and educational opportunities, and promoting digital equity for all residents.Looking Ahead Hoosier Fiber Networks is actively working to secure a new construction partner to complete the remaining network build. By re-engaging with local construction companies and leveraging lessons from the past, our project partners are confident that construction will resume shortly, further expanding GigabitNow's reach throughout Bloomington and surrounding communities.GigabitNow Is Here And Providing ServiceAvailability: GigabitNow is very much in operation, serving both existing and new customers with state-of-the-art gigabit internet.Best Service: GigabitNow continues to provide the region's fastest, most reliable fiber Internet with Fiber Plus home 2 Gigabit plans for just $69.99, with additional options up to 8 Gigs. All plans include free installation without any contract obligation or bandwidth limits.Business Continuity: GigabitNow remains financially robust and committed to our long-term vision of community-wide fiber connectivity.Customer Support: For further questions or assistance, our live 24/7 customer service team is available at 1-800-315-3509 or via email at support@ gigabitnow.com About GigabitNow GigabitNow delivers fast, reliable, and affordable fiber Internet to communities of all sizes without bandwidth caps and free from privacy worries or service constraints. Builder-operator of multiple FTTH community networks coast to coast across seven states, GigabitNow provides gigabit-class networks and services to unserved and underserved municipalities, private HOAs, and senior living communities.GigabitNow delivers solutions that match the uniqueness of America's communities, large and small, by partnering with every community we work with to provide out-of-the-box approaches and fiber network solutions that fit the needs of community residents and businesses. Experience the Internet How It Is Meant To Be. Learn more at GigabitNow.com GigabitNow is a division of IsoFusion, one of Washington state's largest privately held full-service ISPs and colocation providers, founded in 1991.For media inquiries, please contact info@ gigabitnow.com or 1-866-748-8066Contact InformationDan SivilsPresidentinfo@ gigabitnow.com 866-748-8066SOURCE: GigabitNow PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-12 04:00:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1080 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Find out how to sell your business quickly and profitably through IRAEmpire.com's latest guide.DENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / IRAEmpire is proud to announce the release of its latest guide on "How to Sell Your Business Fast" for 2025.Ryan Paulson, Chief Editor at IRAEmpire says, "Selling a business is never simple, but when speed matters, you have to be strategic. The process can stall for months without clear direction. If you're looking to close a deal quickly, your focus should be on cutting friction, streamlining every step, and targeting serious buyers." Get in Touch with a Business Sale Expert Here.Alternatively,explore the best business sale brokers of 2025 on IRAEmpire here.Here's a detailed breakdown of how to sell your business fast-without sabotaging the value.Get Your Financials in Order-NowNothing slows down a sale like bad bookkeeping. If your numbers are a mess, buyers will either walk away or lowball you hard. Clean books build trust. Sloppy ones kill deals. Before listing your business, make sure your financials are:Clean and accurateUp to date (at least the last two to three years)Backed by proper documentationYou'll need your profit and loss statements, balance sheets, tax returns, and cash flow statements ready to go. Ideally, have them reviewed or compiled by a CPA. Buyers want to see consistency and transparency in your reporting-no unexplained gaps or sudden swings in revenue.Also, break down your revenue sources and major expenses. Can you show recurring revenue? Are your margins stable? Buyers want to know where the money comes from, where it goes, and what levers they can pull to grow. If you use accounting software, generate clean reports and export everything to share quickly.Consider hiring an accountant or fractional CFO to tighten things up. They can clean your books, flag red flags, and help present your numbers in the best light. This isn't optional-it's foundational. Solid financials won't just speed up the sale-they can raise your valuation, too.Know What Your Business Is WorthTo sell quickly, you have to price your business realistically. Overpricing kills deals before they start. A professional valuation can give you clarity and justify your asking price to buyers. It also shows buyers that you're serious and not just testing the waters. A rushed sale with an inflated price tag is a red flag that repels credible buyers.If you're pressed for time, start by researching comparable businesses in your industry and size range. Look at what they've sold for recently, not just what they're listed for. Listing prices are often inflated; sold prices tell the real story. Pay attention to businesses with similar revenue, profit margins, and growth trends.Also, consider the structure of the deal. An all-cash deal might close faster but attract fewer buyers. Seller financing or earn-outs can make your business more appealing, especially to buyers who may not have the full amount upfront. However, these can introduce complexity and longer timelines. Think about your risk tolerance and how flexible you're willing to be.In some cases, offering a discount for a quick close or bundling in extra value-like equipment, staff training, or vendor contacts-can speed up negotiations. You don't want to undersell, but strategic concessions can get a good deal done faster.Define Your Deal-Breakers EarlyIf you want to move fast, you can't waste time in back-and-forth. That starts by knowing exactly what you're willing to accept-and what you're not. Get crystal clear on the terms of the deal that work for you. When a buyer shows interest, you should already know whether they're worth pursuing.Ask yourself:Are you selling the entire business, including all assets, inventory, and goodwill-or just a portion?Are you willing to stay on post-sale to help transition operations, or do you want a clean break?Is seller financing an option, and if so, what are your terms?What's your rock-bottom price, and what extras (like equipment or contracts) are non-negotiable?Beyond the numbers, think about timing, culture fit, and intentions. Do you want to avoid selling to a competitor? Are you looking for someone who will keep your team intact? These might not affect the structure of the deal, but they matter if you want to walk away feeling good about the transition.By clearly defining your deal-breakers, you avoid time-wasters and stay in control of the process. It also gives you leverage. You know what matters to you-and you're not scrambling to figure it out while negotiating. That kind of clarity speeds up decisions and makes your posture stronger at the table.Learn How to Sell Your Business Profitably Here.Create a Pitch Package That SellsThink of your business as a product. The way you package and present it matters. A solid pitch package isn't just about saving time-it's about giving serious buyers the confidence to move forward quickly.Start with an executive summary that gives a high-level overview of what your business does, your market position, and your key selling points. Keep it short-no more than a page-but make it compelling.Next, clearly state your reason for selling. Buyers get nervous when the seller's motivations are unclear. Be honest but strategic. Whether it's retirement, burnout, or a shift in focus, explain it in a way that doesn't raise red flags.Your financial highlights should include revenue, profit margins, key expenses, and any seasonality. Use charts if it helps. Show trends, not just static numbers.Include a snapshot of your operations. What systems and processes are in place? How much does the business rely on you? The more turnkey it feels, the faster it sells.List all assets, including equipment, inventory, intellectual property, and digital assets (like domain names or software). If you have existing contracts or recurring revenue streams, call them out-they're valuable.Include customer data (in aggregate), competitive advantages, and areas for future growth. This helps buyers see upside.Finally, outline a transition plan. How long will you stick around to help? What support will you offer? A smooth handoff builds trust-and speeds up the close.A clean, professional pitch package makes your business easier to understand, evaluate, and buy.List in the Right PlacesYou don't have time to wait for the perfect buyer to stumble across your listing. To sell quickly, you need visibility in the right channels-the places where qualified, motivated buyers are actively looking.Start with the major online business marketplaces. Sites like BizBuySell, Empire Flippers, and Flippa h Investors on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) traded 2.094 billion shares worth N52.967 billion in 64,612 deals during the week under review This is in contrast to 1.183 billion shares valued at N28.868 billion that exchanged hands across 42,397 transactions last week. Consequently, the value of transactions traded by investors on the Exchange rose by 83.5 per cent as inventors gained N24.099 billion. The Financial Services led the activity chart with 1.539 billion shares valued at N36.353 billion traded in 36,013 transactions. This contributed 73.49 per cent and 68.63 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Agriculture industry followed with 98.884 million shares worth N 1.344 billion in 2,772 deals. 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 third place was the Services industry, with a turnover of 93.000 million shares worth N522.147 million in 3,012 deals. Trading in the top three equities namely Access Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc and Zenith Bank Plc accounted for 629.327 million shares worth N25.820 billion in 12,742 transactions. This contributed 30.06 per cent and 48.75 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The NGX All-Share Index and market capitalisation depreciated by 0.90 per cent and 0.67 per cent, to close the week at 104,563.34 and N65.707 trillion respectively. Similarly, all other indices finished lower with the exception of NGX Growth and Sovereign Bond Indices, which appreciated by 0.37 per cent and 3.42 per cent respectively while the NGX AseM index closed flat. Twenty-seven equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than 23 equities in the previous week. Fifty-six equities depreciated in price, higher than 51 in the previous week, while 64 equities remained unchanged, lower than 73 recorded in the previous week. VFD Group, Union Dicon Salt, ABBEY Mortgage Bank, FTN Cocoa Processors and TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria were the top five gainers for the week, as they grew by 53.86 per cent, 31.03 per cent, 29.60 per cent, 18.75 per cent and 9.61 per cent respectively. The companies gained N30.70, N1.80, N1.40, 30k and N65.30 respectively. The top five decliners for the week are: Royal Exchange, Cornerstone Insurance, Sovereign Trust Insurance, Lasaco Assurance and CAP Plc as they lost 21k, 50k, 15k, 30k and N5.50 respectively. READ ALSO: Africa CDC unveils health financing strategy amid aid decline Meanwhile, the March 2025 Issue of the Federal Government of Nigeria Savings Bonds were listed on NGX on Monday, April 7. Listing of First HoldCo Plcs Rights Issue of 5,982,548,799 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N25.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing 6 ordinary shares held on Friday, 18 October. Additional 5,982,548,799 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N25.00 per share of First HoldCo Plc were listed on the Daily Official List of the NGX on Monday, April 7. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 12. The Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT) of Uzbekistan and the International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group) signed a cooperation agreement, Trend reports. This landmark agreement aims to improve the regulatory framework critical for stimulating and expanding alternative investments, which are key to the development of Uzbekistans innovative economy. Under the agreement, the IFC will provide essential technical assistance to MIIT in drafting advanced legislation on alternative investments. The initiative is expected to create a more favorable environment for investors, facilitate access to financing, and open up new business opportunities. During the constructive meeting, the parties also reviewed progress on a package of vital economic laws, including those on investments and special economic zones, stressing their importance in improving the overall business climate. The discussion highlighted the significance of IFCs support in building national expertise and establishing the institutional foundations necessary for the effective regulation of emerging investment instruments. An upcoming visit by IFC experts will further deepen this cooperation and address the practical aspects of ongoing reforms. In addition, the sides discussed preparations for the upcoming Tashkent International Investment Forum, scheduled for June. The forum will serve as a major platform for promoting Uzbekistans investment potential and identifying strategic avenues to scale up financing for high-impact projects across the countrys regions. On Friday, former President Muhammadu Buhari commended Atiku Abubakar for his political activity as he received the former vice president at his Kaduna residence. Atiku paid a surprise visit to Mr Buhari in the company of three former governors Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, and Gabriel Suswam. A former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, and others were also in the entourage. A video of the visit posted online by various political enthusiasts, including Atiku, captured Mr Buhari exchanging pleasantries with Atiku in Hausa language. Salamun alaikum (an Arabic greeting meaning peace be upon you. He continued: You are welcome, well done for the fight. Mr Buhari went around and shared pleasantries with the guests, with Mr El-Rufai almost knelt down before accepting a handshake from the former president. However, the well done for the fight remarks appeared to have astonished many viewers of the video clip. Mr Buhari did not elaborate on the fight Atiku was engaged in, but he could be referring to Atikus effort to build a coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 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 No reason was given for the visit, but Atiku later posted on Facebook that it was part of the Sallah celebration to greet the former president. As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations. Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023. It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour, Atiku stated. Following the visit, Mr El-Rufai posted on Facebook that the team observed Jumaat prayers at the Yahaya Road Mosque and had a sumptuous lunch at the Buhari Residence. The former Kaduna governor said the visit was not political but a unity brotherly visit to the former president. By the way, our adversaries should not lose any sleep. It is not about politics. It is about unity and brotherhood. And since we are all politically irrelevant, we just prayed and enjoyed lunch with our mentor, Mr El-Rufai said. READ ALSO: Women call for increased availability of contraceptives in Jigawa Also, on Facebook, Dele Momodu, posted that the visit highlights not only the deep respect shared among these statesmen but also a renewed commitment to the values of camaraderie, dialogue, and mutual respect across political lines. Others in Atikus entourage include former Adamawa governor, Mohammed Bindow, and former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa. Others are Senator Idris Umar; Mohammed Kumalia; Yahaya Abubakar; Musa Halilu, the Dujima of Adamawa; and Salisu Makarfi. Atiku lost the 2019 presidential election to Mr Buhari and was again beaten in 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. Mr Buhari was Nigerias president between 2015 and 2023 under the APC. 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 Reports on political parties anticipation of the 2027 presidential election and a dispute over the possibility of President Tinubus bid for a second term dominated the headlines of major newspapers today. According to The Tribune, North firms up opposition to Tinubu. While the Sun reported that, 2027: Coalition against Tinubu suffers setback. 2027: Atiku, El-Rufai, Others Visit To Buhari Sparks Tension In Tinubus Camp, The Matrix cover page headline read. Daily Trust reported, Opposition coalition should worry Tinubu Ndume. Meanwhile, NYSC: Policymakers, Others Differ On FGs Proposed Two-Year Service, according to the Independent newspaper. 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 Day said, NUPRC: Nigerias Oil Reserves Hit 37.28 Billion Barrels, Gas 210.54TCF in 2025. Leadership reported, Workers Stall States Implementation Of Contributory Pension Scheme. Other headlines are: Disregard trending ambassadorial appointments list, FG warns, the Daily Times reported. Women protest, say Admiral Ibas fresh actions signal political conquest, according to Daily Monitor. Insecurity: BHaram holding authority in 3 Borno communities Sen. Ndume, Liberty reported. Resurgent terror attacks unsettle north, Punch reported. We thank Abiola Ayankunbi, a media management expert, for providing screenshots of the newspapers front pages. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Command in Ondo State has begun investigation into the allegation of extortion levelled against the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Igbara-Oke in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state, Ganiyu Dauda. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that residents of the community on Friday protested against alleged extortion by the DPO and operatives in the division. The protesters who were carrying leaflets, blocked the main road leading to the community to show their grievances. Speaking with NAN on Saturday in Akure, the spokesperson for the command, Olushola Ayanlade, said that investigation has commenced on the allegation of extortion levelled against the DPO. Mr Ayanlade urged anybody with useful information on the allegation of extortion against the DPO to make it available to the command. The command has launched an investigation into the details of the event and the alleged extortion. 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 Although nobody has come forward to lay any report concerning the allegation against the DPO. Anybody that has concrete evidence against the DPO or any of our men, should please come forward with the fact. And we will let the public know the outcome of our investigation. We urge the people of the state to remain law abiding , he said. He attributed the event leading to the protest to a misunderstanding between some members of the drivers union and some policemen over the towing of an accident vehicle into the premises of Igbara-Oke Divisional Police station. Mr Ayanlade explained that the issue was eventually resolved by the chairman of the local government. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says a commercial bus driver and conductor absconded after causing the death of a pedestrian with two individuals severely injured. The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos. Mr Bakare-Oki noted that the grievous vehicular mishap which occurred bat Iyana Ejigbo, Lagos, involved a painted commercial LT bus (AAA 927 YJ). Preliminary findings indicate that the commercial bus, reportedly speeding, experienced a catastrophic brake failure, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle veered off course and forcefully collided with unsuspecting bystanders. In a disturbing turn of events, the driver and conductor fled the scene immediately following the accident, abandoning the victims and vehicle, 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 He said operatives of LASTMA responded expeditiously, extracting the deceased, who was pinned beneath the bus, and rendered immediate assistance to the injured. He added that all the three victims were swiftly conveyed to the General Hospital in Isolo for urgent medical intervention. Throughout the rescue effort, officers of the Ejigbo Police Division provided critical security reinforcement to ensure a smooth operation. The accident vehicle has since been transferred to the Police by LASTMA personnel for comprehensive investigation, he said. Mr Bakare-Oki conveyed his profound condolences to the bereaved family and extended heartfelt wishes for the swift recovery of the injured parties. He implored motorists to conscientiously observe stipulated speed limits and to prioritise regular vehicular maintenance, particularly of braking systems to avert avoidable disasters on our roads. LASTMA remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property on Lagos roads, and continues to place a premium on swift emergency response and road user safety. The public is strongly encouraged to report incidents of traffic infractions, vehicular breakdowns, emergencies, or road accidents through LASTMAs dedicated Toll-Free Hotline: 080000527862 (0800-00-LASTMA), he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Government has assured residents of Lagos Island that it is taking decisive measures to address the recent flooding in the area, as part of its ongoing urban regeneration project. Speaking to reporters after an inspection tour on Friday in Lagos Island, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the projectonce completedwould resolve persistent flooding in several communities, including Adeniji, Oroyinyin, Idumagbo, Ojo Giwa, Jankara, and Aroloya. The ongoing construction work is understandably causing some inconvenience, and we apologise for that, Mr Wahab said. But we cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs. The discomfort is temporary; the solution will be permanent. He noted that the state government, in collaboration with the Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, as well as Infrastructure and Works, is satisfied with the progress of the regeneration effort. To mitigate the immediate impact of flooding, Mr Wahab announced the installation of a temporary pumping station at the Adeniji Adele Underbridge. The station, he said, is helping to clear stormwater from affected streets to ensure the continuation of construction works across the Island. 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 added that the regeneration project would be executed in phases and is expected to be completed within two years. During the tour, Mr Wahab ordered the demolition of illegal shanties blocking the drainage channel near King Ado High School on Ojo Giwa Street and directed that a building on Idi Oluwo Street be sealed for obstructing drainage with construction materials. He reaffirmed the states commitment to enforcing environmental regulations, including the ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics. Addressing wider concerns about anticipated nationwide flooding, Mr Wahab referenced the federal governments flood forecast, which listed Lagos among 30 states likely to experience severe flooding this year. He assured residents that Lagos is prepared and has equipped its Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) to respond throughout the year. Mr Wahab also disclosed that the Ketu perishable food market, which had been sealed for environmental violations, was reopened after the traders complied with sanitation directives. All affected markets had received multiple abatement notices and ignored them, he said. We had to enforce compliance. But after intervention and seeing their efforts to clean up, we reopened the market. He was accompanied on the tour by top government officials, including the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretaries Gaji Tajudeen and Mahamood Adegbite. Others include Lateef Shomide; the Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegeshin; and other agency heads. Locations visited included Ojo Giwa, Binuyo, Aroloya, Okoya Street, Dosumu, Oroyinyin Upstream, Odi-Oluwo, and Adeniji Adele Underbridge. Background The Lagos governments efforts follow a warning from the federal government that over 1,200 communities in 176 Local Government Areas across 30 states, including Lagos, could experience severe flooding between April and November. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, made this known during the unveiling of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja. He attributed the forecast to climate change, poor drainage infrastructure, and rising sea levels. Flash and urban flooding are projected in major cities due to intense rainfall and inadequate drainage, Mr Utsev, a professor, said. The Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Mohammed, added that this years forecast identifies at-risk communities rather than broad LGAs, offering a more targeted flood response framework. He emphasised the shift toward data-driven planning and resilience across sectors, including health, education, and agriculture. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into an explosion that rocked a CCTV dealers shop on Kodesho Street, near Computer Village in Ikeja. A statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Friday, said the blast occurred at approximately 6:35 p.m. Following the explosion, he stated that operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, the Mobile Police Detachment, and conventional police teams swiftly cordoned off the area to ensure public safety. The scene of the explosion and adjoining areas were immediately taken over and cordoned off by operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, the Mobile Police Detachment, and conventional Lagos State Police Command teams, Mr Hundeyin, a chief superintendent of police, said. He said the EOD experts swept the scene to prevent further danger and facilitate a thorough investigation into the cause of the blast. He noted that the Commissioner of Police, Owohunwa Idowu, visited the site shortly after the incident for an on-the-spot assessment. 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 Urging residents to remain calm, the police chief assured the public that the area had been rendered safe. People can go about their lawful activities without fear, he said. He explained that preliminary police reports confirmed that five individuals inside and around the shop at the time of the explosion sustained varying degrees of injuries. He said the victims were promptly taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for medical attention. The Command hereby wishes to assure the general public of its commitment to maintain peace and security throughout the state, Mr Hundeyin added. Earlier, Leadership Newspaper reported that multiple people were injured when the explosion occurred at the camera shop. Witnesses said the blast happened after a shop attendant attempted to open a suspicious parcel delivered to the store. Emergency response teamsincluding officers from Area G Police Station, EOD-CBRN Base 23 Ikeja, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA)were deployed to the scene to manage the aftermath and secure the environment. An eyewitness, Lucky Okoro, recounted narrowly escaping the explosion. Around six oclock in the evening, I was about to step into the shop when the explosion happened. I had just placed my foot on the pavement leading to the shop, and the blast pushed me away. I couldnt wait for anythingI just ran. But we saw fire catch a lady and a man inside the shop. Another witness, Olumide Gbeleyi, said he was in a nearby hotel when smoke engulfed the area. They asked us to come downstairs, and we realised it was an explosion at the camera shop. A lady selling snacks outside was badly affected. Another woman had to take off her bra because the fire had caught her clothes. Sule Aminu, a resident familiar with the shops operations, suggested the explosion may have been a targeted attack. The owner has three shops on the street, all linked by CCTV. Someone brought a package this evening, and when one of the attendants tried to open it, it exploded. CCTV footage from one of the other shops reportedly captured the incident. Rising spectre of explosions The incident again raises the spectre of explosions in Lagos State and other parts of the country, where tankers, grenades, and improperly stored explosives used by miners have accounted for recent spontaneous blasts, claiming lives and destroying property. The latest incident occurred in the state just about a week after twin explosions, suspected to be from grenades, killed one person and injured about eight others at a scavenging site in Taiwo Street, Idi-Araba community, Mushin Local Government Area. From time, Lagos has been a site of some of the most devastating explosions in the country, such as the accidental detonation of a large stock of high explosives at a military storage facility in the Ikeja military cantonment on 27 January 2002. The explosion reportedly killed about 1,100 people and displaced over 20,000, with many thousands injured or homeless. In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on 16 January 2024, at least five people were killed, 77 were left injured and many properties were destroyed in a devasting explosion that shook a large area. The explosion was attributed to improperly stored explosives belonging to miners. Many explosions in the country have been blamed on weak regulations and enforcement activities coupled with entrenched poor safety culture regarding the use, transportation and storage of explosives and other incendiary substances. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns over major disruptions in health services across the world, noting that 70 per cent of its country offices have observed major impacts caused by recent donor funding cuts. WHO, in a latest report published on its website, attributed the disruptions to the sudden suspension and reduction of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for health. According to the global health body, these findings are based on a rapid assessment carried out in March and April 2025 across 108 WHO country offices, primarily located in lower-middle-income countries. It emphasised that the current situation poses serious threats to the functioning of global health systems and demands immediate international attention. Effects on services, populations The WHO report shows that the suspensions and reductions in ODA are disrupting all critical health system functions. Health emergency preparedness and response is the most affected area, with 70 per cent of countries reporting problems. 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 Public health surveillance, service provision, humanitarian aid, and the health and care workforce have also been seriously impacted. The organisation noted that the cuts are already forcing people to pay more out-of-pocket for healthcare in some countries. About 24 per cent of the responses indicated that budget constraints are pushing costs directly onto patients, especially the poor and vulnerable, who are at greater risk of being left behind. Health services under strain The WHO report compares the current disruptions to those experienced during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in some regions. The suspensions and reductions in ODA are disrupting all health system functions, with the most frequently reported impacts being on health emergency preparedness and response (70 per cent), public health surveillance (66 per cent), service provision (58 per cent), humanitarian aid (56 per cent), and the health and care workforce (54 person cent). Other findings showed that health services are being disrupted across the board in at least one-third of the responding countries, with high levels of disruptions reported in outbreak detection and response, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, family planning, and maternal and child health services. The pause in ODA has led to job losses for health and care workers in over half of responding countries and significant disruptions to trainings. Information systems are particularly impacted as key health data collection is disrupted. Over 40 per cent of countries experienced disruptions to key information systems, including collaborative surveillance and emergency systems, health management information systems, disease-specific reporting systems, lab information systems, and household/population surveys, the report noted. Also, a recent UN report warned that recent cuts to global health aid could reverse progress in reducing maternal deaths. In January, shortly after his inauguration, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the country from the WHO, citing political influence within the agency. Mr Trump also paused all foreign aid assistance, which has affected most health programmes in developing countries, including Nigeria. Need for support At least, 81 of the 108 WHO country offices have expressed the need for support across a broad range of areas. These include technical assistance, resource mobilisation, and innovative funding mechanisms. WHO noted that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with donor agencies and health partners to design and implement urgent response plans. WHO warned that unless urgent steps are taken, the ripple effects of the funding crisis could be long-lasting and devastating. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus described the results as alarming and called for an accelerated transition to sustainable domestic funding. According to Mr Ghebreyesus, these results show the impact of the sudden and unplanned cuts to aid on the health of millions of people. Although these cuts are a shock, they are also driving an accelerated transition away from aid dependency to a more sustainable self-reliance, based on domestic resources, he said. Many countries are asking for WHOs support, and WHO is working with them to identify and tailor the most effective measures. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says it has inaugurated a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming health financing in Africa. The Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, in a statement on Friday, said this is a move to secure the future of health systems across the continent. According to Mr Kaseya, the strategy comes amid projections that external health aid will plummet by 70 per cent in 2025, prompting urgent action to address a growing health crisis. The Africa CDCs strategy responds to a staggering 41 per cent increase in disease outbreaks recorded between 2022 and 2024, which has put immense pressure on already strained health systems, he said. He stressed the urgent need for reform, stating, that Africa cannot continue outsourcing its health security. This strategy is not about aid, it is about ownership, 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 He said that this innovative framework prioritised African resources, and called on governments to fulfill the Abuja Declaration by committing at least 15 per cent of their national budgets to health. Mr Kaseya said that the strategy introduced novel financing ideas, including solidarity levies on airline tickets and mobile services, and aimed to mobilise Africas $95 billion in annual diaspora remittances to support health priorities. The implementation of this strategy will be in two phases, with the first phase from 2025 to 2026 focusing on updating national health financing plans in 30 countries and piloting new revenue mechanisms, he said. The second phase, running from 2026 to 2030, aims to enable, at least, 20 countries to finance over 50 per cent of their health budgets through sustainable domestic sources. To ensure effective monitoring and accountability, Mr Kaseya said that this would introduce a new African Health Financing Scorecard designed to track progress and improve efficiency in health spending. He said that the strategic initiative marked a critical turning point in Africas journey toward health independence and self-reliance, establishing a framework for a healthier future for the continent. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Africa Centre for Development Journalism (ACDJ) on Saturday marked the one-year remembrance of its late Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief, Rotimi Sankore. Until his passing on 12 April 2024, Mr Sankore led ACDJs efforts in promoting data-driven journalism focused on health, governance, and public policy. In a statement issued by the centre, the organisation paid tribute to Mr Sankores legacy, recalling his commitment to democratic accountability, human rights, gender equality, and public health. Rotimi was more than a journalist. He fiercely advocated for democratic accountability, human rights, gender equality, and public health across the African continent, the statement read. His legacy stands tall in every newsroom he touched, every policy space where he demanded better for the marginalised, and in every mind he inspired with his fearless commitment to evidence-based reporting. The centre noted that under Mr Sankores leadership, ACDJ undertook several projects aimed at improving the quality and impact of development journalism in Africa. 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 was known for pushing stories beyond surface headlines to uncover the deeper issues affecting vulnerable communities, from maternal health and migration to freedom of expression and the rights of vulnerable communities. Rotimi believed in journalism as a force for goodnot just to inform but to empower. He carried this belief with integrity, passion, and an unwavering resolve that earned him admiration across sectors and borders, it added. Legacy lives on As part of efforts to honour Mr Sankores contribution to journalism and advocacy, another Nigerian journalist and close associate, Kadaria Ahmed, recently launched the Rotimi Sankore Scholarship Award for Indigent Students. The scholarship, targeted at brilliant but financially disadvantaged students at Lagos State University (LASU), particularly those interested in development and data journalism, covers tuition and accommodation. ACDJ also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the values he lived by, speaking truth to power, holding institutions accountable, and telling stories that often go unheard. We are convinced that Rotimis legacy lives on, first, in the countless lives he touched directly and indirectly through the media and second, through the evolution of Development Reporting as a journalism niche gap he championed that is now being filled in Nigeria and Africa, it noted. About Rotimi Sankore Born on 6 June 1968, Mr Sankore was a renowned Nigerian journalist, media trainer, and social development advocate who worked across radio, print, and development sectors. He was known for his work in both national and international media, having contributed to notable publications like The Guardian UK, The News, and Global Index on Censorship. Mr Sankore played a key role in advocating womens rights, gender equality, and democratic governance. He co-founded the Womens Rights Project of the Civil Liberties Organisation and worked with various African womens groups to promote policy changes. Mr Sankore played a significant role in developing and adopting the Gender Protocol of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and advocating for the ratification of the African Unions Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 12. Uzbekistan and World Bank experts discussed steps to improve logistics performance, Trend reports. The news follows a meeting between Aziz Khujanov, Deputy Director of Uzbekistan's Center for the Study of Transport and Logistics Development, and experts from the World Bank responsible for maintaining the Logistics Performance Index (LPI). The discussion focused on ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan aimed at improving the countrys LPI indicators and the results achieved so far. World Bank Senior Economist Christina Wieser and expert Ernani Argolo shared their recommendations for further enhancing Uzbekistans LPI performance and exchanged views on expanding cooperation in this field. Christina Wieser emphasized that, starting from 2023, the LPI rankings for World Bank member countries are compiled using a new methodology. This updated approach is based on supply chain tracking data and focuses on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to logistics efficiency. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue cooperation through several key initiatives. These include sharing the Centers research and analytical findings in the field of transport and logistics with the experts overseeing the LPI; organizing nationwide training programs to enhance professional qualifications in the transport and logistics sector; and facilitating meetings with experts to exchange information about Uzbekistans regulatory framework governing the industry. Thanks to recent reforms in the development of the national transport and logistics system, Uzbekistan has significantly improved its position in the global LPI ranking - from 118th place in 2016 to 88th in 2023. The United Nations International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has agreed on an ambitious climate policy aimed at making the global shipping industry more environmentally friendly. This new policy is part of a larger effort to create a set of legally binding rules designed to cut down on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from ships worldwide by around the year 2050. The development was disclosed Friday by the IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, during the closing plenary of the 83rd edition of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in London on Friday. The decision was reached after 63 out of 103 member states voted in favour of the new framework deal to cut emissions from the global shipping sector amidst ongoing effort to address the lingering scourge of climate change ravaging economies across the world, particularly in the Global South. The approval of draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI mandating the IMO net-zero framework represents another significant step in our collective efforts to combat climate change, to modernise shipping and demonstrates that IMO delivers on its commitments, Mr Dominguez said. He said: Now, it is important to continue working together, engaging in dialogue and listening to one another, if we are to create the conditions for successful adoption. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later PREMIUM TIMES has learned that the new policy, known as the IMO Net-zero Framework, was developed following extensive discussions among stakeholders during the IMO Climate Summit, which took place from 7 April to 11 April. This policy is set to be officially adopted in October of this year, although some details are still being finalised. The IMO is the United Nations specialised agency responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. Its primary purpose is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance, hence encouraging innovation and efficiency. In 2023 the IMO agreed that both economic and technical measures such as carbon pricing and Global Fuels Standard (GFS) among others, are necessary to deliver on its climate commitment20 per cent emission reduction by 2030, 80 per cent emission reduction by 2040 to reach net zero by/around 2050 in an equitable manner. However, at the technical negotiations on 31 March 4 April in London, countries moved forward with a single policy encompassing both elements. This mechanism was eventually finalised at the MEPC 83 summit on 7-11 April and is expected to be adopted in October, before entry into force in 2027. Thereafter, it will become binding on large ocean-going ships with over 5,000 gross tonnage, estimated to emit about 85 per cent of the total Carbon dioxide emissions from international shipping. Some elements on revenue distribution still remain to be resolved, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. Key elements of the IMO Net-Zero Framework The newly adopted mechanism requires ships to pay fees for non-compliance with two sets of carbon intensity targetseasy to achieve base target and more strict direct compliance target and trade credits to comply. For instance, a ship continuing to use conventional (fossil) bunker fuel by 2028 would have to pay $380 per tonne per tonne on the 4 per cent chunk of emissions above the base target, and $100 on the remaining 13 per cent (17% 4%) of emissions above the Direct Compliance target. Some parties argued that the agreement will achieve only 8 per cent absolute emission reduction by 2030, falling short of the IMOs own goals in the Revised Strategy adopted in 2023. A coalition of Pacific, Caribbean, Central American and African countries were said to be pushing for a full emission coverage within the now agreed framework. These blocs were opposed by China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and other petro-states who disagreed with a flat levy. This minority groupaided by the IMO as well as EU countries who rolled back on their own flat levy proposalundermined the majority support of over 60 countries for a universal carbon levy, which formed ahead of the talks. Stakeholders argued that a compromise is expected to raise $30-$40 billion by 2030 ($10 billion per year), likely to be used to fund clean energy use on ships. However, Pacific Island states said it is not enough to fund the just an equitable transition IMO committed to. Following objections from Saudi Arabia, UAE and other petro-states on procedure and disagreement over the high level of ambition in the discussions, who called for a vote. Countries voted on the Chairs compromise. 63 countries including Brazil, China, the EU, India, Japan, Korea, South African, Singapore, Norway and others, voted in favour. 16 countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Venezuela, Russia, Venezuela and other fossil fuel producing nations voted against. 24 countries abstained from the voting process. This includes Uganda, Ghana, Egypt, Kiribati, Fiji, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Seychelles, Argentina, and others. Despite being a member of the IMO since 1962, Nigeria was not on the list of countries that voted. According to the UN, the IMO Net-Zero Framework will be included in a new Chapter 5 of Annex VI (Prevention of air pollution from ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). The IMO said MARPOL Annex VI currently has 108 Parties, covering 97 per cent of the worlds merchant shipping fleet by tonnage, and already includes mandatory energy efficiency requirements for ships. It said the goal is to achieve the climate targets set out in the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, accelerate the introduction of zero and near zero GHG fuels, technologies and energy sources, and support a just and equitable transition. Under the draft regulations, ships will be required to, among several other measures, comply with: Global fuel standard where ships must reduce, over time, their annual Greenhouse Gas Fuel Intensity (GFI)that is, how much GHG is emitted for each unit of energy used. This, the IMO said, is calculated using a well-to-wake approach. Also, ships emitting above GFI thresholds will have to acquire remedial units to balance its deficit emissions, while those using zero or near-zero GHG technologies will be eligible for financial rewards. Concerns The newly adopted policy has generated controversy among representatives of participating countries and experts. In reaction to the framework adopted, Emma Fenton, Senior Climate Diplomacy Director, Opportunity Green, said the IMO has made a historic decision, yet ultimately one that fails climate vulnerable countries. The official described the framework as a weak measure and that it means aiming for a low bar and dragging Parties feet to get there. It will neither ensure sufficient emissions reductions, nor raise the revenues needed for a just and equitable transition, they said. The Climate expert noted that the IMO has turned down the historic opportunity to champion the perseverance, leadership, and ambition of climate vulnerable states, amongst them Pacific Islands, Caribbean and African states, who are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. That many of these countries abstained from the vote shows the measures are far from what was needed to address the crisis, they said. They said the only response now is for Parties to double down on their determination and that vulnerable countries must work hard to remedy the situation they are left with, both nationally and regionally. This is not the end, and we must look to the future to ensure ambition is raised and a just and equitable transition is guaranteed, Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone, has rejected threats of industrial actions by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) over the decisions of the Governing Council of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) which cleared the vice-chancellor, Abayomi Fasina, of Sexual Harassment allegations. A former Director of Works at the university, Folasade Adebayo, had accused Mr Fasina, a professor, of sexual harassment. Mrs Adebayo, a member of SSANU, said the vice-chancellor took to victimising her after she rejected his advances. In February, the university council constituted a committee to look into the allegations. However, the council after reviewing the committees report cleared the vice-chancellor of the allegations and asked the accuser to apologise. SSANU rejected the decision and described it as a dangerous precedent in the university system. 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 SSANU also said in a statement by its National Vice President, Abdussobur Salam, that it has begun mobilising members from all 26 universities in the Western Zone of union for a possible industrial action and we shall not stop until our demands are met. NANS reacts In a statement jointly signed by NANS Southwest Coordinator, Owolewa Taiwo, and General Secretary, Oluwole Olutunde, the students leaders said it is aware of veiled threats by SSANU to mobilise its members for an industrial action or protest in FUOYE. NANS said it would resist any such moves with even greater mobilization across our over 70 tertiary institutions comprising more than 300,000 students. As the authentic and legitimate voice of Nigerian students across the southwest, we state without ambiguity that we will not fold our arms and watch any individual or groupwhether union or non-unionplunge our institution into chaos or truncate the academic calendar that affects the future of over 50,000 students at FUOYE, the NANS statement reads in part. This is not a threat; this is a declaration of readiness to protect the academic future of Nigerian students. The students body also called on stakeholders to intervene decisively to ensure industrial peace and stability at FUOYE. We are committed to dialogue, justice, and equity, but we will not allow the future of Nigerian students to be jeopardized by anyone hiding under the guise of unionism, it added. We also call on SSANU to pursue their grievances through the proper legal and administrative channels rather than resorting to disruptive actions that may lead to further crises. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A joint security team in Katsina State has killed five suspected bandits and recovered their seven operational motorcycles in Wori village, Dandume Local Government Area. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Katsina. He said that the operation was carried out by the police in collaboration with the military, State Security Services (SSS), Community Watch Corps and the vigilante. On April 10, at about 4:15 a.m., based on credible intelligence, the DPO Dandume Division, led a team of joint operatives to a suspected bandits route at Dutsen Wori village, Dandume LGA. In a daring operation, the joint security team successfully ambushed a group of suspected armed bandits along the route. The ambush resulted in the neutralisation of five suspected bandits and recovery of seven operational motorcycles used to carry out their nefarious activities, 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 Aliyu said an operation was also carried out at Unguwar Adam and Unguwar Judo villages, Danmusa LGA. based on information received from the SSS on suspected armed bandit activities. The DPO Danmusa, he said, quickly mobilised and led a joint team of police operatives, Community Watch Corps, and local vigilante to the scene. He added that the team engaged the criminals in a gun duel, which resulted in the dislodging of the bandits. According to the PPRO, after the encounter, three suspected bandits informants and logistics suppliers were apprehended. He added that two operational motorcycles and two bicycles were recovered by the team during the operation. The PPRO added that efforts were being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects. The Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, commended the high level of professionalism, synergy and dedication exhibited by the joint security team. These operations demonstrated the commitment of the command and the sister security agencies in the state to maintaining peace and security, Aliyu quoted Shehu as saying. He added that the commissioner reiterated is determination to tackle the menace of banditry ad well as ensuring the safety and security of residents.(NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 1.6 million kilogrammes of illicit drugs in Ogun. Tijana Rabe, the Narcotic Commander of Ogun NDLEA, hosted the event on Saturday at Ipara town along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. She said the exercise was the first of its kind in Ogun, highlighting the commands progress in the fight against drug abuse. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the seized narcotics came from NDLEA Commands under Zones 9 and 11. These included the Lagos Strategic Command, Ogun Command, Oyo Command, MMIA Command, Lagos Seaports, Idiroko, and Seme Border Commands. Ms Rabe noted that the success could not be credited to NDLEA alone, as other security agencies played key strategic roles. 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 She commended the Nigerian Police, NSCDC, Army, Immigration, and Amotekun for their strong support in the ongoing war on drugs. The Ogun NDLEA Command also expressed gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his continuous backing in the War Against Drug Abuse campaign. This government support drives us to do more. Drug barons are being identified and brought to justice, she added. NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Buba Marwa, said the event showed their commitment to ending drug abuse. Mr Marwa, represented by Deputy Commander-General of Narcotics, Ibrahim Abdul, called the operation a reflection of the agencys resolve. He highlighted the magnitude of the problem, saying, This shows the scale of the illicit drug challenge facing Nigeria. Drugs destroyed included 123kg of cocaine, 46.8kg of heroin, 1.4 million kg of cannabis, 148,000kg of codeine syrup, and 1.544kg of skuchies. Others were 111kg of methamphetamine and various other illicit substances seized across different zones and border points. Mr Marwa stressed that Lagos and Ogun remain hotspots due to their international and land borders, attracting illicit drug activities. To traffickers, the times have changed. Under President Bola Tinubus administration, we are determined to end this menace, he stated. He added that NDLEA is prepared to take decisive action against all who defy the nations drug laws. In the past four years, 10,572 drug offenders have been convicted and are now serving jail terms across the country. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Command in Gombe State says it has arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly raping a six-year-old girl in Billiri town of Billiri Local Government Area of the state. Buhari Abdullahi, the Commands spokesperson in the state disclosed this in a press statement issued in Gombe on Saturday. Mr Abdullahi said that the minor was allegedly raped while she was asleep at her grandmothers house on 9 April about 3p.m. He said that the suspect, Haske Abubakar, was arrested following complaints against him. The police spokesperson said that investigation was still ongoing and the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion. In a related development, Mr Abdullahi said that three other suspects were arrested for various rape cases in the state. 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 listed the suspects to include Dauda Babawuro, Ibrahim Safiyanu and John Doctor. He said that Mr Babawuro was arrested in Kaltungo community for having unlawful carnal knowledge of 17-year-old girl who later was confirmed two-months pregnant by a medical doctor as a result of the rape. For Mr Safiyanu, he was arrested for luring a 17-year-old girl away from her family house to an unknown destination and allegedly had carnal knowledge of her. John Doctor in Tanga village in Kaltungo LGA was arrested for taking a 12-year-old girl to his house where he raped her. Also, Mr Abdullahi said a 36-year-old farmer was arrested for luring an 18-year-old old boy into his room before having anal intercourse with him. The spokesperson said all the above suspects would be charged to court for prosecution as investigations were still ongoing. On kidnapping, Mr Abdullahi said a 35-year-old Umar Idris of Nafada LGA, Gombe State was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a five-year-old boy from their house in Misau, Bauchi State. He said that the suspect was arrested in Nafada after a complaint by the boys father that his son had been taken to an unknown destination. According to him, the suspect later demanded N7 million as ransom from the boys father. Upon receiving the report, a team of officers from Nafada Division swung into action. Through diligent investigation and tracking, the suspect Umar Idris, was arrested and the victim was at Garin Galadima village, Nafada LGA, Gombe State. READ ALSO: Police probe DPO accused of extortion Mr Abdullahi said that the victim was rescued unhurt and with no ransom paid. He added that after medical examination, the boy was reunited with his family. Mr Abdullahi said 10 other suspects were also arrested for various offences committed in the state, while assuring residents of the Commands commitment to tackling crimes in the state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Friday said that the nations crude oil reserves stood at 37.28 billion barrels (bb) as of 1 January 2025. The commission also said Nigerias gas reserves hit 210.54 trillion Cubic Feet (tcf) as of the same date. Gbenga Komolafe, the NUPRCs chief executive, who stated this said oil and condensate reserves stood at 31.44bb and 5.84bb respectively, amounting to a total of 37.28 bb. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the figure is against the 37.50 bb of proven crude oil reserves and proven natural gas reserves 209.26 tcf recorded in 2024. Mr Komolafe said the Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas reserves stood at 101.03 tcf and 109.51 tcf, respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf. According to Mr Komolafe, the NUPRC, in keeping with its mandate as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021), is committed to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in the upstream oil and gas sector. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said the commission would ensure the growth of oil and gas reserves towards ensuring sustainable increase in production for shared prosperity, as articulated in the Regulatory Action Plan for 2024 and the Near Term. Against the foregoing, I am pleased to present to you an overview of the Nations oil, condensate, associated gas, and non-associated gas reserves as of January 1, 2025, as follows: Crude Oil and Condensate reserves stands at 31.44bb and 5.84bb respectively, amounting to a total of 37.28bb. Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas reserves stands at 101.03 tcf and 109.51 tcf, respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf. The Reserves Life Index is 64 Years and 93 Years for Oil and Gas, respectively. In view of the above, and in furtherance of Chapter 1, Part III, Section 7 (g), (i), (j), (k), (m), (q), (r), and other powers enabling me in this respect, I, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CCE, hereby declare the total oil and condensate reserves of 37.28bb. And total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf as the official National Petroleum Reserves Position as of Jan. 1, 2025, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ecocide is now being championed by thought leading climate-vulnerable nations including Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, and most recently the Democratic Republic of Congo as a proposed amendment to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This bold move for environmental justice would elevate mass environmental destruction to the same legal status as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. A recent conversation with an international colleague made me reflect on how my country is perceived on the world stage. She had never been to Nigeria which meant that all her impressions, assumptions, and expectations (prejudices too) were second-hand, as shaped entirely by media from afar. After the call ended, I found myself wondering: What kind of Nigeria had she imagined? To many, Nigeria is oil and gas spilled. Vast platforms and scorched wellheads. Smoke on the horizon. Industry without restraint. Nigeria is forests, felled. Minerals and gold, corruption and power. A land of foreign interests feeding on local complicity. Filthy riches. Bring the money. Its a phrase thats haunted Nigerias resource story a mantra of power, not the people. The world can wait. Today, oil and gas make up about 85 per cent of the countrys export earnings, and a sizeable portion of government revenue a dependency that tightens the grip of extractive interests, while deepening environmental and economic vulnerability. One word has begun to carry growing weight in conversations about Nigerias environmental crisis especially through the lens of international justice: ecocide. While not new, the term gained sharp legal definition in 2021, when a panel of international experts convened by the Stop Ecocide Foundation described it as, unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts. Ecocide is now being championed by thought leading climate-vulnerable nations including Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, and most recently the Democratic Republic of Congo as a proposed amendment to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This bold move for environmental justice would elevate mass environmental destruction to the same legal status as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. The latter was only added in 2018, so the legal pathway is clear and precedent firmly established. If adopted, ecocide would become the fifth international crime a crime against nature itself for which individuals could be held personally accountable in the highest court of international law. let us be defined by our stand against environmental destruction by our refusal to let profit trump protection. Let Nigeria be a leading voice in Africa, championing the law that would hold even the most powerful to account for crimes against nature. Our standing on the world stage would be a statement to those who see our country as a resource to be consumed, that Nigeria is, instead, a mighty force for global good. Nigeria is, in many ways, the geographical definition of ecocide both in terms of its devastating fallout and the urgent need for legal redress. In my role as Director of the International Justice Programme at the REED Center and formerly National Coordinator of the Nigeria Coalition on the International Criminal Court (NCICC) engagement with the ICC has long been central to my work. As such, a litany of environmental atrocities come easily to mind. 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 Oil spills in the Niger Delta like the 2011 Bonga spill (40,000 barrels), and the catastrophic Funiwa No 5 blowout in 1980 (between 200,000 and 500,000 barrels) have decimated fish stocks, ecosystems, and coastal communities. In Ogoniland alone, about 2,976 spills were officially recorded between 1976 and 1991. More recently, NOSDRA recorded over 800 spills between 2020 and 2021. The legacy of these disasters many of which persist long after the media attention fades has been one of delayed justice and limited accountability, with oil majors such as Shell and Chevron consistently deflecting accountability through protracted legal battles and denial. Its not for lack of effort. In a landmark case, Royal Dutch Shell was ordered to pay 15 million in compensation to four Nigerian farmers for the contamination and loss of income caused by oil pipeline spills in Niger Delta villages between 2004 and 2007. The case, first filed in 2008, took 13 years to reach a verdict. The ruling stands as a testament to the resilience of the plaintiffs, but also a stark reminder of how slow and uneven the path to justice remains. With a clear international legal framework for environmental accountability, such cases could not only be resolved more swiftly they could be prevented. Oil is one deeply destructive resource and gas, another. Despite a declared 1984 target for a national ban on gas flaring, foreign companies continue to ignore the law, routinely venting toxic emissions that cause acid rain, soil degradation, respiratory illness and more. The fines, when levied, are far cheaper than the cost of compliance making illegal flaring a calculated business decision. Worse still, enforcement is sporadic at best, rendering the law toothless. Nigeria is a signatory to the World Banks Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Partnership, which aims to eliminate routine flaring by 2030 a kind of Paris Agreement for the dirtiest corners of fossil fuel extraction. Yet, the companies flouting Nigerias ban arent shadowy operators. They are global giants: Chevron, Shell-SPDC, Exxon, ConocoPhillips. Across continents, ecocide is being recognised for what it is: a crime that strikes at the heart of human and planetary wellbeing. By championing this law nationally and internationally Nigeria can move from the exploited periphery to the vanguard of legal transformation. Nigeria should not be defined by the ecocide inflicted within its borders. Define us instead by our natural abundance: the rainforests of Cross River, teeming with biodiversity; vast, intricate mangrove ecosystems that protect coastlines and nurture life; and rivers like the Niger and Benue arteries of commerce, culture, and sustenance. Define us by our people: a mosaic of languages, music, art, and intellect resilient, creative, and deeply rooted in land and legacy. This is the Nigeria we know. This is the Nigeria worth fighting for. And now, let us be defined by our stand against environmental destruction by our refusal to let profit trump protection. Let Nigeria be a leading voice in Africa, championing the law that would hold even the most powerful to account for crimes against nature. Our standing on the world stage would be a statement to those who see our country as a resource to be consumed, that Nigeria is, instead, a mighty force for global good. The time for unified action on climate is long overdue let us not only take the opportunity to join this groundswell to criminalise those who flout our collective responsibility, but join our fellow African states in leading it. We must stand with Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji and the DRC not only in solidarity, but in strategic alignment. Supporting ecocide legislation is not just an act of justice; it is a move toward a future where Nigeria helps shape the legal and moral boundaries of global civilisation. Across continents, ecocide is being recognised for what it is: a crime that strikes at the heart of human and planetary wellbeing. By championing this law nationally and internationally Nigeria can move from the exploited periphery to the vanguard of legal transformation. Voke Ighorodje is the director of the International Justice Programme, REED Center, Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As Dangote celebrates his 68th birthday, his story transcends personal wealth. His legacy is not just about financial success, but uplifting entire regions and nations, turning bush paths into industrial cities and shaping the future of Africas economic landscape, while ensuring environmental protection and sustainability. As he often says, You dont have to be born rich. You can make it through hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities. Aliko Dangote, Africas wealthiest individual, has fundamentally reshaped the continents industrial landscape. As a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dangote has skilfully combined ambition and innovation to transform vast stretches of land once considered uninhabitable bush paths and hunting grounds into thriving industrial cities. His work has created thousands of jobs, revitalised communities, and turned once-forgotten territories into bustling economic hubs. Dangotes business empire, which spans industries such as cement, fertiliser, salt, oil, and agriculture, is a testament to his ability to recognise and harness untapped potential in previously underdeveloped regions. Among his most remarkable achievements is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, a $20 billion investment located in Lekki, Nigeria. As the worlds largest single-train refinery, with the capacity to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily, the refinery stands as a symbol of Dangotes vision. Built on over 2,635 hectares of land once considered a remote bushland the project will not only make Nigeria self-sufficient in refining but also provide substantial employment opportunities and have a lasting economic impact on West Africa. Today, the refinery is a beacon of progress. Alhaji Wasiu Ayeola, chairman of the Lekki Coastal Area Development Association, recently acknowledged Dangotes incredible achievement, noting that what was once a hunting ground for rabbits and lizards has now become a multibillion-dollar investment corridor benefiting not just the local community, but Nigeria and the world at large. The economic ripple effects of the refinerys development are already apparent. Roads, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure are being built, while the once-remote Lekki area is rapidly developing, with estates and businesses emerging, creating significant wealth for the region. At the core of Dangotes philosophy is the belief that Africas future prosperity relies on the continents ability to harness its own resources. He argues that exporting raw materials, while importing finished goods, perpetuates a cycle of job loss and poverty, and has thus committed to investing in industries that will add value locally. His investment of over $25 billion in the past seven years alone underscores his commitment to industrialising Africa. Dangotes influence extends far beyond Lekki, from Numan to Obajana, Okpella in Edo State to Itori in Ogun State, and across the continent; also, from the revitalised Peugeot factory in Kaduna to the Dangote Tomato Processing Factory in Kadawa, Kano State. His reach stretches from Douala in Cameroon to Mfila in the Republic of Congo and Ndola in Zambia, demonstrating his commitment to creating wealth and opportunity for communities across Africa. In addition to his work in oil and refining, Dangote has revolutionised the cement industry across Africa. With more than 40 plants across the continent, Dangote Cement now commands a dominant presence in countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa. This expansion has helped drive down cement costs and sparked a wave of industrialisation, boosting construction and infrastructure development throughout the region. 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 Starting from modest beginnings, Dangote built his empire, brick by brick, identifying strategic industries that were critical to Africas economic growth. Through perseverance and foresight, he has turned remote, inaccessible areas into hubs of production, equipped with cutting-edge facilities and integrated supply chains that serve not just local markets but global demand. At the core of Dangotes philosophy is the belief that Africas future prosperity relies on the continents ability to harness its own resources. He argues that exporting raw materials, while importing finished goods, perpetuates a cycle of job loss and poverty, and has thus committed to investing in industries that will add value locally. His investment of over $25 billion in the past seven years alone underscores his commitment to industrialising Africa. There are many who are rich, but few who are truly wealthy in the sense of creating lasting opportunities for others. Rich individuals may choose to indulge in luxury, but wealthy individuals build legacies that generate wealth for generations. This is what sets Aliko Dangote apart as a man who lives by the belief that nothing is impossible, which is the reason that he stands as the wealthiest Black man in the world. In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Dangote stated that, Africa is still very young, and the opportunities are massive. My dream is to see a prosperous Africa. His investments, which often appear ambitious, are grounded in the belief that the continent can and should become self-sufficient, and Dangote has backed this vision with concrete actions. Alongside his entrepreneurial endeavours, Dangote has made significant contributions to philanthropy. The Aliko Dangote Foundation, the largest private foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, has made substantial investments in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. Dangotes philanthropic philosophy is clear: Business can thrive in Africa if you can create value and make peoples lives better. As Dangote celebrates his 68th birthday, his story transcends personal wealth. His legacy is not just about financial success, but uplifting entire regions and nations, turning bush paths into industrial cities and shaping the future of Africas economic landscape, while ensuring environmental protection and sustainability. As he often says, You dont have to be born rich. You can make it through hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities. There are many who are rich, but few who are truly wealthy in the sense of creating lasting opportunities for others. Rich individuals may choose to indulge in luxury, but wealthy individuals build legacies that generate wealth for generations. This is what sets Aliko Dangote apart as a man who lives by the belief that nothing is impossible, which is the reason that he stands as the wealthiest Black man in the world. Dangotes journey serves as a blueprint for future entrepreneurs. Abiodun Alade, a communications specialist writes from Lagos. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print For the AfDB to remain credible in the evolving development finance environment, as it has successfully done under the outgoing President Akinwumi Adesina, it will require a leadership that understands both the internal discipline of multilateral institutions and the external demands of a changing global order. On 8 April, the Board of Governors of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) appointed Abdullah Almusaibeeh, a Kuwaiti national, as the banks new president. Mr Almusaibeeh will formally assume office on 1 July, after the conclusion of the tenure of the current CEO, Sidi Ould Tah, on 30 June. Dr Tah, of Mauritanian nationality, is expected to commence administrative leave in mid-April, leaving the day-to-day management of the bank in the hands of a substantive CEO. This seamless transition indicates the institutional stability that BADEA has enjoyed under the leadership of Tah, who is among the candidates being considered for the AfDB presidency. The candidates will be judged on multiple factors. But Tahs time at BADEA provides a basis for understanding the type of leader he has been, and how it will benefit the AfDB. When Mr Tah assumed the presidency of BADEA in 2015, the bank was well regarded in policy circles but relatively quiet on the wider African development landscape. Over the following years, BADEA expanded its operational presence across 44 African countries and steadily increased its annual approvals, reaching $629.5 million in 2023 more than double the high levels recorded in the mid-2010s. Indeed, since its inception 50 years ago, BADEA has funded projects and operations amounting to over $15 billion, out of which $11 billion was delivered under Tahs leadership. In just 10 years, the bank provided more than twice the financing it had in the preceding four decades, across, concessional financing, trade support, and sovereign project lending. BADEAs product offering also evolved. In 2022, the bank disbursed $100 million through its Trade Finance Window, created to address liquidity constraints for African importers and exporters, particularly during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The institution also increased its allocation to fragile states and borderland regions, with targeted investments in energy, transport, and water supply in countries including Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Comoros. Over the past decade, BADEAs strategic investments under Tahs executive leadership increasingly focused on SME competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure-driven transformation. The bank channeled approximately $2.3 billion into over 800 SMEs, creating more than 50,000 jobs across Africa, including Cote dIvoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These investments spanned agriculture, renewable energy, and technology startups. These sectors are recognised to be central to inclusive growth and regional competitiveness. 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 BADEA also invested heavily in cross-border connectivity and green infrastructure. Over $1.2 billion was committed to roads linking agricultural zones in East Africa, reducing transport costs by 15 per cent and enabling farmers to access markets more reliably. Additionally, 400 MW of solar energy capacity was financed in arid and energy-poor countries such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, powering over 200,000 homes and businesses and contributing to long-term economic and environmental resilience. Internally, the bank introduced project tracking dashboards, digitised performance reporting, and updated fiduciary and procurement rules in line with Arab Coordination Group standards. Independent auditors issued unqualified opinions for all fiscal years from 2016 through 2023. The number of projects rated on track for development effectiveness in internal reviews increased significantly by the second half of Dr Tahs tenure. The banks non-performing loan ratio also declined sharply from over 10 per cent to just 0.5 per cent despite an eightfold increase in annual disbursements. Observers familiar with his tenure describe Tahs leadership style as technically grounded and institutionally focused. He did not dominate headlines or rely on political theatrics. Instead, he built relationships through delivery, governance reforms, and cautious expansion. BADEA, under his stewardship, strengthened its presence at regional investment platforms, including the Africa Investment Forum and the Dakar 2 Summit, while maintaining a conservative financial profile. Gender-responsive programming also gained traction during this period. From 2020 onward, over 60 per cent of BADEA-funded projects incorporated components designed to empower women economically through targeted SME finance, vocational training, or support for women-led agricultural enterprises. These efforts reflected a growing institutional recognition that inclusive growth required not only macroeconomic stability but also expanded participation by women in the economic life of their communities. Another feature of BADEAs evolution during this period was its gradual but deliberate integration of private sector participation in development financing. The bank expanded its use of blended finance instruments and began deploying lines of credit to local financial institutions particularly in West and East Africa to strengthen access to capital for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. It also supported projects where private contractors and operators played central roles, notably in solar energy systems, agro-industrial clusters, and logistics infrastructure. While these interventions remained relatively small in volume, they reflected a clear institutional pivot from a purely sovereign lending model to one that increasingly acknowledged the role of private enterprise in delivering public goods. Observers familiar with his tenure describe Tahs leadership style as technically grounded and institutionally focused. He did not dominate headlines or rely on political theatrics. Instead, he built relationships through delivery, governance reforms, and cautious expansion. BADEA, under his stewardship, strengthened its presence at regional investment platforms, including the Africa Investment Forum and the Dakar 2 Summit, while maintaining a conservative financial profile. It also earned high international credit ratings, transitioned from a self-funded model to a regular issuer on global capital markets, and secured ISO certifications in ESG, quality management, and IT security. The bank also successfully underwent a comprehensive digital transformation. BADEA, in this period, also demonstrated notable resilience in navigating multiple crises, including the pandemic, regional political instability, and the war in Sudan. In recognition of the successful implementation of its transformation agenda, BADEAs shareholders approved a 376 per cent capital increase in 2022. The global development finance landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. Non-Regional Member Countries (NRMCs), facing shifting geopolitical realities, are now calling for greater transparency, more targeted co-financing, and improved alignment between multilateral banks and global policy frameworks whether in climate finance, debt sustainability, or regional trade integration. For the AfDB to remain credible in this evolving environment, as it has successfully done under the outgoing President Akinwumi Adesina, it will require a leadership that understands both the internal discipline of multilateral institutions and the external demands of a changing global order. Experience in navigating between these two spheres may prove increasingly important. The African Development Bank, like all major multilaterals, is entering a phase of heightened scrutiny. Shareholders are demanding faster disbursement, clearer impact metrics, and stronger integration with national development frameworks. Countries with urgent infrastructure and industrialisation priorities particularly in the Sahel, West Africa, and Horn of Africa are pushing for institutions that can mobilise capital quickly and manage risk credibly. Mr Tahs work at BADEA or the sole experience of any one candidate will not determine the AfDB presidency. But he does leave behind an accessible trail of institutional performance, managerial stability, and policy pragmatism. These are useful benchmarks in a competitive selection process. In this context, BADEAs evolution in recent years provides a relevant, though not exhaustive, reference point. It shows how an institution with limited scale, but ambitious mandate, can expand responsibly, adapt its instruments, and maintain shareholder confidence. That does not predetermine the outcome of the AfDB election, but it introduces a set of performance indicators that are concrete, not conceptual. This also has implications for Nigeria. As of 2024, Nigeria is the largest African shareholder in AfDB, with a voting share of 9.26 per cent. Between 2018 and 2023, Nigeria received an estimated $1.76 billion in AfDB funding across energy, including the $210 million Nigeria Transmission Expansion Project, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative, transport, and human capital programmes. These disbursements have been essential for implementing elements of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly infrastructure delivery, industrial corridor development, and job creation. Nigerias engagement with AfDB is, therefore, not symbolic; it is strategic. The leadership and institutional direction of the bank will directly shape how effectively the country can mobilise support for its economic blueprint in the years ahead. It also matters in broader regional terms, as the AfDB remains central to continental initiatives like the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and the Desert to Power initiative in the Sahel. None of this is an attempt to preempt the AfDB selection process. But the foregoing provides credible yardsticks for evaluating all candidates on their institutional governance experience, track record in sovereign engagement, and ability to steward complex, multi-partner development financing. These are not easily claimed attributes; they are earned overtime and visible in institutional records. Mr Tahs work at BADEA or the sole experience of any one candidate will not determine the AfDB presidency. But he does leave behind an accessible trail of institutional performance, managerial stability, and policy pragmatism. These are useful benchmarks in a competitive selection process. At a time when development finance in Africa must be both faster and more trustworthy, there is value in looking not at who makes the loudest promises but at who leaves the clearest footprints. Jide Akintunde is the managing editor of Financial Nigeria magazine Africas premier development and finance journal. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo announced on 10 April that the State and Federal Governments have decided to investigate the killings in Uromi of sixteen hunters from Kano State. Exactly one week before, he had flown to Kano and paid compensation to the families of the sixteen. This gave the impression that investigations had been conducted and concluded finding the sixteen innocent hunters and not bandits. The Uromi people are not opposed to any transparent investigation of the 27 March violence. They are telling their stories, insisting they must be heard, demanding that crass generalisation must be avoided, and asserting that any transparent investigation must equally take into consideration the concrete conditions that led to the violence. Questions must continuously be asked for they are critical tools in understanding, appreciating, tackling, and resolving problems. Besides, questions help promote critical thinking, gain beneficial knowledge, discover gaps, foster meaningful dialogue, encourage collaboration, build trust, take informed decisions, and implement practical programmes, plans, and projects. But the concrete conditions which lead to problems, including violent ones, must equally be investigated, as they expose the underlying and immediate causes; the forces and actors involved; and what is to be done to avoid violence. Without these, the outcome of any investigation will be, what the Hausa people call, dogon turanci groundless, senseless, meaningless, and useless grammar. Grammar that mystify issues, complicate matters, inflame passion, deepen hatred, and further aggravate the crises by compelling people to take their faith into their hands. 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 Uromi people insist that the violence which led to the killing of sixteen travelling hunters was only an aspect the climax of the physical and psychological violence Fulani bandits/terrorists have subjected them to for years. One told Saturday Vanguard of 5 April that bandits/terrorists: kidnap poor men, they kidnap our women, they rape our women, and they insert sticks in their private parts Another said that the bandits/terrorists: fed a newborn baby to their dogs in the mothers presence She (the mother) is still living with the trauma After this incident, they still asked for ransom before they (mother and father) were released. One Esan king, HRH Solomon Itoya Itoya Iluobe, bitterly complained in January, that: Our women are raped on their farms, and in some cases, they even set them ablaze. I have paid ransom three times to Fulani herders they kidnapped my elder sister and two others from this community. Even last month, I paid ransom. We are tired. We cant sleep peacefully. Travelling on these roads requires security. Whoever supports their stay in our forests must tell them to leave. We need protection before we are all wiped out. Where was the Edo State Government (EDSG), the police and other security forces when all these were happening? What did they do? Why did they leave people to their faith? Uromi indigenes are still insisting that the sixteen people killed were neither hunters, nor travelers, but bandits/terrorists. They are insisting that huge cash, arms and ammunition were found in the Dangote trailer which carried them. Why were these not displayed for the world to see? They are still asking why the trailer refused to be checked in Ubiaja by the vigilante squad. Why, even in Uromi, it was a tipper, fully loaded with sand, that was used to stop the trailer? Some Uromi indigenes kidnapped in the past, who were at the scene of the violence, identified some of the travelling hunters as those who kidnapped them. They also asked, if they were hunters, why was any animal not found in the trailer? Another said: They use the weapons they carry to hunt and kill their fellow human beings, not animals. So, where were governments and security agencies in all these crises? The on-line Daily Excessive newspaper quoted the sister of one of the sixteen victims who said: My brother is not a hunter; he is a terrorist who has been going from village to village, killing people. Before he and his fellow terrorists set out on their last mission my mother warned him, saying, The South East is not like the North, where people are killed indiscriminately. But he refused to listen. Now the truth is out. Some have argued that it is not only Fulani that are bandits/terrorists; that other ethnicities participate as informants/collaborators and even kidnappers! Videos to this effect are circulating in the social media. Definitely true. But whether in the north, south, east, west or centre of Nigeria, Fulani constitute over 95 per cent of the people terrorising others. Fulani bandits/terrorists created the conditions which others are capitalising to kidnap and terrorise their people. Worst still, while other ethnic groups severely punish, ostracise, expel and even inflict jungle justice on their informants/collaborators and kidnappers, some top Fulani aristocrats, politicians, clerics, and even academics, shamelessly rationalise, justify and defend the bandits/terrorists. Uromi violence was triggered by EDSG lackadaisical attitude and ineptitude towards security. The insecurity that the vigilantes were trying to tackle was what government, in the first instance, should have been doing. If the vigilantes did not do it well, then, EDSG must bear a greater responsibility. But where was Federal Government of Nigeria when sophisticated weapons flooded Nigeria? What did state governments do when these bandits/terrorists took over their forests? What did governments do when rag-tag, gun-carrying, blood-thirsty, human-hunting, and blood-shedding bandits/terrorists were recklessly terrorising people throughout the federation? Where was the FGN when bandits/terrorists were destroying farms; burning food granaries; imposing fines and taxes on villages; raping women, children and even men; feeding infants to their dogs; sacking villages; desecrating places of worship; and indiscriminately shooting, injuring, maiming, and massacring people, especially in the rural areas? Where was Federal Government when Muslim faithful, observing Friday afternoon congregational prayers, were killed and beheaded? When churches were invaded and worshippers mercilessly massacred during Sunday Services? When clerics were adducted, killed and corpses thrown into bushes? When traditional rulers were killed in Kachia and Gobir? What did Federal Government do when primary, secondary, and Islamic school children were adducted in their hundreds? When students of tertiary institutions were kidnapped and wasted? Why is it that whenever victims of banditry/terrorism are defending themselves, they are disarmed, but the marauding bandits/terrorists are left with their sophisticated weapons? Have they seriously taken time to investigate why victims of terrorism are now and then bombed from the air? What did Federal Government do, when bandits/terrorists caught in the act and, taken to police stations or courts, are released? The bandits/terrorists even boost that they will be released when caught! Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, confirmed this, when he said, that: We arrested the bandits, and they confessed to killing people and possessing weapons. They had contacts in Abuja who assured them that they would be released even before being taken to court. However, we received news yesterday that they were granted bail. The Edo State Government and Federal Government should take the main blame for the escalating violence in the country. They failed to tackle the psychological and physical violence inflicted on Nigerians and non-Nigerians by the bandits/terrorists. There would have been no resistance to the various forms of terrorism, if there had not been terrorism in the first place. Whenever and wherever injustice become the norm and the law, resistance naturally becomes an obligatory duty. Ahmed Aminu-Ramatu Yusuf worked as deputy director, Cabinet Affairs Office, The Presidency, and retired as General Manager (Administration), Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet). Email: [email protected] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 12. The development of transport infrastructure between the Turkic states is of key importance for further strengthening the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majilis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan Sodiq Safoyev said during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. He emphasized that currently it's important to develop not only the transport infrastructure, but also to improve the relationship in other areas, such as communications and information technology. Safoyev noted that the OTS was initially created on the basis of common cultural values, vision and principles. He also drew attention to the importance of historical continuity for the formation of an effective system of work of the OTS. According to him, in the context of the rapid development of the industrial revolution, it's necessary to be prepared for transformations in society, the economy and thinking. The official added that parliamentarians should be more active in the process of creating a legal basis for cooperation between countries, including in the field of transport and other areas, such as the harmonization of national laws and the ratification of agreements. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences (NAFCONS), Kaduna, has cautioned its sixth set of nursing students against mediocrity, stressing the need for high standards. The Chief of Air Staff, Hasan Abubakar, issued the warning during Fridays matriculation of 120 students for the 2025 academic session. Mr Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Medical Services, Nigerian Air Force, Anthony Ekpe, said education is not only about gaining knowledge. He said Education is also about shaping your character and preparing you to meet the demands of the nursing profession. Gaining admission here is a major achievement. It reflects your determination, intelligence, and readiness for a profession that requires commitment and excellence. He highlighted NAFCONS unique blend of military and civilian students, all united by a common purpose: to serve humanity through the field of nursing. 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 Regardless of your background, the expectations remain high. You are being prepared to hold lives in your hands theres no room for mediocrity, he said. Mr Abubakar urged students to embrace their responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to solving Nigerias healthcare challenges across urban and rural areas. He highlighted the need to raise care standards everywhere in military hospitals, rural clinics, and public health centres. He said Nigeria needs nurses who are competent, ethical, adaptable, and resilient in addressing complex health issues nationwide. He pointed out that the nursing sector in Nigeria is currently facing workforce shortages, limited resources, and growing emigration of skilled professionals. NAFCONS aims to produce not just skilled nurses, but leaders who drive change, offer solutions, and demonstrate compassion, he said. Mr Abubakar explained that students would be equipped with both clinical knowledge and a deep sense of service to society. The knowledge and values you acquire here will shape not only your careers, but also positively impact countless lives, he noted. He urged the students to remain disciplined, respectful, and focused on their purpose throughout their training journey at NAFCONS. He also reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Forces commitment to supporting the students in achieving their educational and professional goals. Mr Abubakar expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his ongoing support of the Nigerian Air Force and its initiatives. We remain committed to doing our best in securing our nation and building capable healthcare professionals, he said. Earlier, NAFCONS Commandant, Squadron Leader Boyi Elisha, described the matriculation as a major milestone in the students academic journey. Mr Elisha reaffirmed the institutions dedication to training highly competent nurses and urged the students to use every opportunity to excel. He also encouraged them to remain disciplined, work hard, and adhere to the values and code of conduct of the college. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Women in Jigawa have appealed for increased availability of commodities by the government, to enable women access quality and free family planning services. Some of the women, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to commemorate the 2025 Safe motherhood day, explained their predicament in accessing free family planning services in the state. Zaliha Usman, 25, said she became aware of the family planning services during her previous ante-natal days and she got her husbands consent to obtain the services. Since we made the decision about five months ago, my husband and I have been checking many facilities in Dutse to access the services but we were told that there are no commodities, she told NAN. Madaniya Habibu, 26, said she needs to space properly to take care of her five children, yet she was asked to buy commodities before being attended to at a facility. Please the government should assist us by giving us the commodities which were earlier distributed for free at the hospitals, she said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A service provider at Limachi primary healthcare, Amina Adamu, said there was an increasing number of women willing to begin family planning but most of them wants free services. We usually ask them to purchase the commodities and access the free services at the facility, but they usually grumble that government has been providing the commodity free of charge, she said, She added that many men in remote areas of Jigawa had allowed their wives to access the services especially with the economic downtown, yet they rely solely on free commodities. Ankale Kongude, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Programme Manager in Jigawa, said that the pressing issue concerning family planning in the state is commodity procurement. Mr Kongude said the last time the state procured commodities was in 2022, adding that there was budget allocation for the commodity in 2023 and 2024. He explained that the goal of TCI in Jigawa is to establish a good culture of implementation, efficiency, sustainability and self-reliance. He, therefore, called on the state to ensure sustainability of its project when TCI finally exits, in order to sustain quality health for women and children. Uwani Abdullahi, coordinator of a Community Based organisation, Matan Karkara, also highlighted the need to give women support in family planning. Mrs Abdullahi explained that through their community advocacy, they realise how women with many children battle to shape their childrens moral conduct. The women, she said, suffer a lot to provide good upbringing to their children and need enough time to nurse them before any addition. She appealed to the government to strengthen the services and make them free for women to access, in order to have a more meaningful future for the communities and families. NAN reports that efforts to get the views of the state government on the provision of free family planning services for women in the state failed. The National Safe Motherhood Day is observed annually on 11 April to raise awareness on significant risks faced by women during pregnancy and childbirth. It is an initiative of the United Nations launched in 1987 to ensure that women go through pregnancy and childbirth safely and its reinforced by maternal mortality reduction in the MDGs of 2000-2015. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has scheduled the state council election for July 12. Tope Ojo, LASIECs head of public affairs, made this announcement on Friday in Lagos. He said the election for 57 council chairmanship positions and 376 councillor seats will take place on 12 July. If necessary, a re-run will occur on 19 July. Lagos State comprises 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The election date was chosen to avoid a leadership vacuum in the states councils. LASIECs notice confirmed that the election will include 20 Local Governments, 37 LCDAs, and 376 wards. 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 With the current local government administration nearing its end, LASIEC has ramped up efforts for a smooth election process. The commission has officially launched the electoral process with the release of the Notice of Election. Political parties must visit the LASIEC headquarters to obtain nomination forms for their candidates. Mr Ojo confirmed that a meeting with all registered political parties is set for Tuesday. The Election Guidelines will be published on April 17, Mr Ojo added. According to him, campaigns and rallies will start on April 18 and end on July 9. Nomination Forms for substituted and only candidate submissions must be submitted between June 18 and June 25. LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (rtd), assured a fair and level playing field for all political parties. He reaffirmed the commissions commitment to holding a free, fair, inclusive, and credible election. Mr Okikiolu-Ighile encouraged political parties and aspirants to strictly follow the electoral timetable. The last local government election in Lagos was held on 24 July 2021. In that contest, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won all the chairmanship seats in all the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state. The ruling party also won 375 of the 377 councilorship seats spread across the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs. The party lost only two councillorship seats one each to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP). PDPs Adeshola Thomas won in Ward G, Yaba LCDA, while YPPs Omotunde Abdul-Kareem prevailed in Ward D of Orile-Agege LCDA to deny the APC a hundred percent performance record in that election. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print SAN DIEGO, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 71st Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) was held this year at the Balboa Park Activity Center, on Wednesday, March 12th. The awards ceremony was held on Thursday, March 13th at The Observatory North Park, with Ms. Vanitha Kumar, SVP at Qualcomm, as keynote speaker. $40k in prizes were awarded, with top students winning their way to the California Science and Engineering Fair and 8 Grand Award winners qualifying for the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair. Additionally, a special award was presented for the first time to Ms. Karen Podvin in recognition of her 50 years of judging at the GSDSEF. Friday, March 14th of fair week was student visitation day, where several hundred students from San Diego area schools viewed projects, explored innovative research, and got inspired to pursue STEM and enter their local science fairs. Fair week ended on Saturday, March 15th, when the GSDSEF welcomed the general public to explore the students' outstanding projects. 71st GSDSEF Awards Ceremony Top winners were: Karishma Saha, 8th Grade, Bernardo Heights Middle School, Grand Award, Structural Brain Volume Differences Across Cognitive Aging Stages: Evidence from MRI. Uma Kattamuri, 6th Grade, Oak Valley Middle School, Grand Award, Effect of Increased CO2 Levels on CAM Plant Kalanchoe pH and Stomatal Density. Skye Kelsey, 8th Grade, The Children's School, Grand Award: First Runner Up, The Effect of Arthrospira Platensis on Plastic Degradation. Andy Feng & Henry Xu, 8th Grade, Pacific Trails Middle School, Grand Award: Second Runner Up, Mapping Invasive Species With A Drone And Machine Learning Algorithm In San Diego. Saanvi Dogra, 11th Grade, Del Norte High School, Grand Award, Uncovering Molecular Mechanisms for Treatment of Congenital Heart Defects through High-Content Genetic Perturbation Screens. Lilian Zeng, 11th Grade, Del Norte High School, Grand Award, Identifying Bacteriophages, Nature's Own Secret Weapon Against Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, for Achromobacter. Anirudh Kalyanaraman, 12th Grade, Mt. Carmel High School, Grand Award: First Runner Up, Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Burn Pit Exposure: The Role of Oxidative Stress. Nupur Bhalla & Hannah Im, 11th Grade, Del Norte High School, Grand Award: Second Runner Up, The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Burnout in Adolescents. Kayley Xu, 10th Grade, Grand Award, The Bishop's School, Wearable Stethoscope Array and Localization Diagnosis of Cardiopulmonary Sounds. Ryan Rezaei, 11th Grade, Canyon Crest Academy, Grand Award, Novel Material Discovery through Geometric Deep Learning and VAE Latent Space Diffusion. Tarik Oguz, 11th Grade, Del Norte High School, Grand Award: First Runner Up, Small Changes, Big Impact- miRNAs in Lung Cancer Detection. Joe Smith, 12th Grade, Stanford Online High School, Grand Award: Second Runner Up, Lost in the Stars: Chemical Tagging of Magellanic Clouds and Accreted Populations Full results and project showcase are available online. About the GSDSEF Since 1955, the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) has provided an inspiring experience in science and engineering for tens of thousands of San Diego and Imperial County students, motivating them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This regional competition challenges students to go beyond classroom studies to do independent research to ask compelling questions, to design and implement innovative solutions, and to present and defend results to judges who are professionals in their fields. The GSDSEF brings together 800 of the best middle and high school students, 400+ judges who are professionals in their fields and over 60 professional societies and organizations, with $40k in prizes awarded. The GSDSEF fosters creativity and innovation through inquiry, celebrates students' STEM achievements, and showcases how young minds can make an impact in the present and future. Many of these student scientists are conducting world-class research and conducting groundbreaking experiments in fields ranging from Astronomy to Zoology, such as the discovery of cures for diseases, formulations of new vaccines, cancer research, applying AI to enhance medical diagnoses, using biomimicry for water conservation, novel drone technology, advances in micro robotics and autonomous driving technology. The GSDSEF is the highest-level STEM competition in the region and one of the oldest, most respected and competitive in the world. The GSDSEF is a 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at gsdsef.org and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. Copyright 2025 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. All rights reserved. Media Contact: Sany Zakharia [email protected] SOURCE Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has presented the country's position to the Omani side in the indirect talks with the US, Trend reports via the Iranian MFA. Abbas Araghchi, who visited Oman with a delegation to participate in the talks between Iran and the US, has met with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi. In the course of the meeting, the Iranian minister welcomed Oman's responsible strategy regarding regional issues and called hosting the direct talks between Iran and the US a sign of that strategy. The foreign minister of Oman also called Omani-Iranian relations important and thanked Iran for choosing Muscat for the talks between Iran and the US. On March 3, Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA, mentioned during the IAEA Board of Governors' meeting that Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity by 93 kilograms, from 182 kilograms to 275 kilograms, compared to the previous quarter. Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to this level, raising significant concerns. On March 30, US President Donald Trump said that Iran would face unprecedented bombing if Tehran did not agree to a deal on its nuclear program. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. Iran has officially affirmed that its strategy is not to pursue the development of an atomic bomb and that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction. US President Donald Trump announced that discussions between Iran and the US would take place directly. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi clarified that the talks would be held indirectly in Oman on April 12. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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 12 : Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement that it launched fresh drone attacks at the city of Tel Aviv in central Israel. "Our Air Force carried out a qualitative military operation against two Israeli military targets in Tel Aviv, using two drones," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV on Friday. The spokesperson indicated that the attacks were carried out in support of the Palestinian people, Xinhua news agency reported. "We affirm that confronting the ongoing American aggression against our country will not prevent us from continuing to fulfill our duty towards Gaza," Sarea added. Israel's Channel 12 News reported that a Yemeni drone was intercepted near the Dead Sea within the Jordanian airspace before it could reach Israel. The Jordanian army confirmed later on Friday evening that an unidentified drone entered Jordanian airspace and crashed in the Ma'in area of Madaba governorate, near the Dead Sea, and no casualties were reported. Even since Israel renewed its intensive strikes in March across the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have been launching frequent attacks against Israeli and US targets. Earlier in the day, the Houthi military spokesperson claimed fresh attacks against the US aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman, and other US warships in the northern Red Sea. Meanwhile, the US Central Command said in a post on social media platform X that the strike group of the aircraft carrier "continues non-stop 24/7 operations against the Houthis despite the Houthis' outlandish claims." According to Houthi media outlets, the total number of US airstrikes on northern Yemen since early Friday morning has increased to 30. The US airstrikes targeted several locations in eastern and southern the capital Sanaa, the adjacent oil-rich province of Marib, and the western province of Hodeidah. In Sanaa, residents heard the loud sound of fighter jets flying over before and after they struck locations on the Mount Nuqum and Bani Hashish districts, both on the eastern outskirts of Sanaa. Also, the airstrikes hit locations in the Sanhan district, on the southern outskirts of the capital. There are no warning siren systems in Yemen to alert residents in advance of any possible air attacks. "All that we hear is the sound of speeding missile less than a second before it hit and exploded, then we hear the sound of fighter jets in full throttle," a Sanaa resident Mohamed told Xinhua. On March 15, the US military resumed airstrikes against Houthi targets to deter the group from launching attacks against Israel and US warships in the Red Sea. The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, said they would stop launching attacks if Israel stops its war on Gaza and allows the entry of essential food and medicine into the strip. United Nations, April 12 : 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. UNICEF said on Friday that reports inidicated children make up 35 to 45 per cent of the nearly 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence tallied in January and February, Xinhua news agency reported. "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. New Delhi, April 12 : BJP National President and Union Health Minister JP Nadda who is on a crucial two-day visit to Odisha, marked by key party and government events will officially inaugurate a three-day training camp for BJP MLAs and MPs in Puri on Saturday. The event, which began on the evening of April 11 and will run till April 13, aims to strengthen the partyas leadership by enhancing knowledge of organisational functioning, governance skills, ideological clarity, and goal-oriented execution. The training session is seen as a strategic effort to align the party's elected representatives with its core vision, ahead of key political developments in the state. Naddaas visit began on Friday with the formal launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha, an event of major political and public significance. State BJP president Manmohan Samal stated that around 3.5 crore residents are expected to benefit from the health insurance program. Odishaas new BJP-led government introduced the scheme six years after its launch by the Centre, marking a policy shift from the previous BJD government, which had opted out of it reportedly due to political differences. The Union Minister was welcomed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, state BJP president Manmohan Samal, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, and other senior leaders. In addition, Nadda is scheduled to inaugurate the new building of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Pediatrics in Cuttack during his visit, further emphasising the Centreas focus on healthcare infrastructure in Odisha. New Delhi, April 12 : Kolkata is set to witness a Hanuman Jayanti rally on Saturday after the Calcutta High Court granted conditional permission to BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. The approval came following a petition filed by Adhikari, who approached the court after the Kolkata Police denied permission for the procession. A single-judge Bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh allowed the rally to be conducted by the Hanuman Janmotsav Committee but with several restrictions. The procession will start from the Hanuman Temple at College Street and conclude at the Hari Ghosh Street Hanuman Temple in North Kolkata. The court has permitted the event to take place between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Among the conditions imposed by the High Court are strict adherence to noise regulations and public safety norms. The use of DJs or any form of high-decibel sound systems has been expressly prohibited, and participants are barred from carrying metal weapons or any object that could incite tension. The court also capped the maximum number of attendees at 250. This rally holds particular political and cultural significance as it takes place amid ongoing tensions over religious processions in the state. BJP leaders have often accused the West Bengal administration of selectively denying permissions for Hindu religious events. Referring to the current rally and past incidents, party members cited how two Ram Navami processions in Howrah on April 6 were also permitted only after legal intervention by the High Court. State BJP leaders have welcomed the court's decision, calling it a victory for religious freedom. They have reiterated their stance that citizens should not need court intervention to practice their faith peacefully. New Delhi, April 12 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to Maharashtra, with his itinerary on Saturday centred around paying homage to the legendary Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his 345th death anniversary. HM Shah will visit the memorial of Jijamata, Shivaji Maharajas revered mother, in Raigad district around 10:30 a.m. He will then proceed to the historic Raigad Fort, the former capital of the Maratha Empire, to attend a series of commemorative events. The visit holds immense cultural and political significance. At Raigad Fort, HM Shah is scheduled to offer floral tributes at the samadhi (memorial) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, honouring the enduring legacy of one of India's most iconic historical figures. Later in the day, HM Shah is also expected to visit Sutarwadi for a lunch meeting at the residence of Sunil Tatkare, NCP state president and Member of Parliament from Raigad. The invitation was extended personally by Tatkare and accepted by Shah, a gesture that has piqued political interest given the ongoing tensions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. HM Shah landed in Pune on Friday evening and was received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. His visit comes at a time when internal discord within the stateas ruling coalition comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), has intensified, especially over the unresolved issue of the guardian ministership for Raigad district. The power tussle began earlier this year when Deputy CM Eknath Shinde opposed the appointment of NCP leader Aditi Tatkare, daughter of Sunil Tatkare, as Raigadas guardian minister. This led to Fadnavis putting appointments for both Raigad and Nashik districts on hold, further straining ties within the alliance. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Indirect talks between Iran and the US on Iran's nuclear program will continue next week, Iranian Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. It was noted that the talks, which took place today (April 12) in the Omani capital Muscat, were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. The mediator was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Oman Sayyid Badr Albusaid. The talks on Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions against the country, which lasted 2.5 hours, were reportedly held in a constructive atmosphere and based on mutual respect. It is also noted that the heads of the Iranian and US delegations, leaving the negotiating venue, held a short conversation with the participation of the Omani Foreign Minister. To note, at the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament, citing the imposition of sanctions against Iran, decided to implement a strategic plan in the nuclear sphere with the aim of lifting sanctions. Iran has suspended the implementation of the additional steps and the additional protocol stipulated by the nuclear deal since February 23, according to a decision by the Iranian parliament. At the same time, the IAEA control mechanism has been reduced by 20-30 percent. Official Tehran continues to declare that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful in nature and emphasizes that the country does not seek to create nuclear weapons. Jammu, April 12 : Three terrorists including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) top commander, Saifullah were killed in a three-day-long anti-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K) Kishtwar district, officials said on Saturday. "In the Kishtwar encounter, three terrorists including the JeM commander Saifullah were killed. A large quantity of war-like stores, including one AK and one M4 rifle, has been recovered", officials said. On Friday one terrorist was killed in this joint operation launched against the terrorists in Kishtwar district. Officials said on Friday, that one ultra was neutralised in the joint operation by the Army and the security forces that was launched on April 9 in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district. "The operation was based on specific Intelligence inputs, which led to a firefight with terrorists, resulting in one militant being neutralised. "The search operation, conducted by the Army and police, aimed to flush out terrorists hiding in the dense forests continues", officials said. Another operation is going on in Joffar forest area in the jurisdiction of Ramnagar police station in Udhampur district. 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. A civilian told security forces that three heavily armed terrorists dressed in black entered his house around 8.30 pm on April 9 and left around 11.30 pm. 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. It must be mentioned that on March 3, a police team immediately reached Sanyal village in Hiranagar area of Kathua district, where five terrorists were spotted. Since Sanyal village is barely 4 kms away from the International Border, the group of terrorists spotted in Sanyal village are believed to have recently infiltrated into the Indian side of the border. The terrorists managed to escape from Sanyal to 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 'seek and destroy' 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 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 Lieutenant-Governor, Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, the IB chief, Chief of the Army, the Army's Northern Commander, GOCs of all the corps in J&K, chiefs of paramilitary forces, 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 total eradication of terrorism from J&K with special focus on the Jammu division of the Union Territory. United Nations, April 12 : Abdou Abarry, special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa and head of the United Nations regional office for Central Africa, renewed his call for a credible, inclusive, transparent and sincere electoral process on the eve of Gabon's presidential election set for Saturday. In a statement issued on Friday, Abarry said that the results of the vote must reflect the will freely expressed by the Gabonese people, urging all stakeholders to give priority to dialogue, consultation, and consensus-building in case of any divergence or dispute arising from the electoral process. The special representative reaffirmed his readiness to support the Gabonese people in their march toward a return to constitutional order and welcomed the efforts already made to meet the transition timeline, reports Xinhua news agency. The 14-day electoral campaign concluded with eight presidential candidates in the running, including transitional President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Nguema, who led a coup on August 30, 2023, resigned from the military, as Gabon's Electoral Code allows military personnel to contest for the presidency if they first take a leave of absence from active duty. Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the former prime minister under former President Ali Bongo, ousted by the coup in 2023, has emerged as a prominent challenger. According to Gabon's Interior Ministry, 3,037 polling stations will be operational on Saturday nationwide and abroad, namely 2,941 within Gabon and 96 at overseas missions, serving a total of 920,200 registered voters. Polls are set to open at 7 a.m. local time before closing at 6:00 p.m. local time, with extensions possible in accordance with the Electoral Code. A total of 48 national and international observer missions have been accredited. In a notable departure from previous elections, Gabon will not impose border closures or restrict internet access, and businesses will remain open, said the ministry. The Gabonese government said that the peaceful atmosphere reflects the country's commitment to democratic principles and civic freedoms. According to the Electoral Code, a runoff will be held if no candidate secures an outright majority in the first round. England, April 12 : The United Kingdom government announced that it has expanded its ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products to include all European Union (EU) countries as foot-and-mouth disease spreads across the continent. Starting Saturday, travellers entering the UK will no longer be allowed to bring cattle, sheep, goat, pig meat and dairy products from all EU countries for personal use. Items such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats and milk are prohibited regardless of their packaging or whether they were purchased at duty-free shops, reports Xinhua news agency. This measure aims to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers and the UK's food security, according to the government. Travellers found carrying these items will be required to surrender them at the border or face confiscation and destruction. In severe cases, violators could incur fines of up to 5,000 pounds (6,550 US dollars) in England. Earlier this year, the UK government banned personal imports of cattle, sheep, other ruminants and pig meat, as well as dairy products from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, following confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in these countries. The new restrictions now apply to all EU nations. Although foot-and-mouth disease poses no risk to humans, and there are currently no cases in the UK, it is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas. The outbreak of the disease on the continent presents a significant threat to farm businesses and livestock health, as it can cause substantial economic losses due to reduced productivity in affected animals and restricted access to international markets for meat and dairy products. Mumbai, April 12 : Global head-turner Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared some moments she spent with her daughter Malti. Priyanka took to her Instagram stories, where she first shared a close-up selfie photo of herself smiling gently while cuddling her daughter as they snuggled on a couch with cozy blankets around them. For the caption, she wrote, "Fridays like this," along with a red heart emoji, conveying an affectionate moment. She then shared a picture of Malti. The toddler's back is towards the camera. She is dressed adorably in a green fairy costume complete with sparkly wings, a flower crown, and pink shoes. In other news, Priyanka will be seen working with actor Hrithik Roshan after sharing screen space in films such as "Krrish," "Krrish 3," and "Agneepath." The actress has been roped in for the fourth installment of the superhero film "Krrish." It was on April 11 when Priyanka's news about coming on board for the film was announced. "The excitement for Krrish 4 is building with each passing day, and the project is not even on the floors yet! This is one juggernaut of a project, and Hrithik seems to have grand plans to make it one of the biggest films ever made in Indian cinema," said a source. Calling it a huge development, the source added, "There is a huge development that Hrithik Roshan has roped in Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the film! Hrithik and Priyanka are one of the most loved on-screen pairs in the history of Indian cinema, and they are back to entertain audiences again in Krrish 4! It is massive news!" Filmmaker and Hrithik's father, Rakesh Roshan, announced the actor's directorial debut with 'Krrish 4.' The film is being produced by Yash Raj Films in association with Rakesh Roshan. The Indian superstar Hrithik Roshan will be swinging between the two departments of direction and acting for the film as he essays the titular superhero in the franchise. The shooting for the film is set to begin early next year. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, April 12 : The Indian stock markets wrapped up the week on a strong note, gaining nearly 2 per cent, as the US decision to defer tariffs for all countries except China eased recession concerns, boosting sentiment and lifting fears of a global slowdown, experts said on Saturday. As a result, the Nifty index opened with a strong gap-up and tested resistance near the 20-day exponential moving average (DEMA) around 22,900. It then moved in a narrow range before settling at 22,828.55. Sector-wise, metals, energy, and pharma led the gains, while broader indices also saw a solid rebound, rising between 1.82 per cent and 2.86 per cent. "The recovery, supported by a continued decline in the volatility index, is a positive sign, though such sharp moves remain challenging to trade. On the index front, a decisive close above 22,900 could pave the way for a retest of the key moving average zone near 23,400," said Ajit MishraSVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd. The Sensex jumped 1,310.11 points, or 1.77 per cent, to close at 75,157.26 on Friday. During the day, the index touched an intra-day high of 75,467.33, while it slipped up to 74,762.84. The Indian rupee found renewed strength, snapping its three-day losing streak against the US Dollar. Bolstered by a weaker Dollar, easing crude oil prices, and the buoyant equity market, the rupee closed significantly stronger by 65 paise at 86.04 against the greenback. "The breadth of the market was strongly positive, with advancing shares significantly outnumbering declining ones. The advance-decline ratio on the BSE stood at a strong 3.68, marking its highest level since 5 March, 2025," said Nandish Shah, Senior Derivative and Technical Research Analyst, HDFC Securities. The positive development in global trade policy shows a surge in small and midcap indices by 2 per cent, reflecting optimism that global supply chains may stabilise and input cost pressures could ease. "However, such shifting policies make volatility inevitable. As business leaders and investors, one must remain cautious towards sectors heavily dependent on exports for revenue. That said, I remain optimistic about India's growth journey, as domestically, this could translate into better cost structures and renewed capex confidence," said Abhishek Jaiswal, Fund Manager at Finavenue. Looking forward, the 22600-22700 range is expected to provide a near-term support for the Nifty, while the 23000-23100 band is likely to act as the immediate resistance zone on the upside. The Bank Nifty index opened with a gap-up, maintained strong positive momentum throughout the session, and settled on a bullish note at 51,002. Technically, the Bank Nifty index decisively crossed the key resistance zone of 50,75050,800 and formed a big bullish candle on both daily and weekly charts, reflecting underlying strength. "The breakout level of 50,750 will now act as immediate support, and as long as the index sustains above this level, it has the potential to rally towards 51,50052,000. Hence, traders are advised to adopt a 'buy on dips' strategy," said Hrishikesh Yedve, AVP Technical and Derivatives Research at Asit C. Mehta Investment Interrmediates Ltd. (A Pantomath Group Company). IANS na/ New Delhi, April 12 : In a heartbreaking incident near Devprayag, Uttarakhand, a car carrying a family from Haridwar plunged into a 300-metre-deep gorge and sank into the Alaknanda River near the Badshah Hotel area on Saturday. The vehicle, a Thar SUV, was en route to the revered Dhari Devi temple when the tragedy occurred. One woman was rescued from the scene, while five other occupants of the car, including two children, are feared dead. According to initial reports, the victims belonged to a family from Roorkee in Haridwar district. The lone survivor, 55-year-old Anita, wife of Shri Madan Singh, was rescued by local police and emergency responders. She was rushed to the Base Hospital in Srinagar for urgent medical care. Anita is originally from Chamoli district but currently resides in Roorkee. As per her account, the SUV had six occupants at the time of the accident, two women, two children, and one man in addition to herself. The driver of the vehicle reportedly lost control of the SUV near the Badshah Hotel area in the Devprayag police jurisdiction and tumbled into a steep gorge, eventually landing in the fast-flowing waters of the Alaknanda River. Rescue teams, including personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the local police, quickly reached the site and launched a search operation. Station incharge Mahipal Rawat confirmed that intensive efforts are underway to retrieve the vehicle and the presumed deceased individuals from the river. The challenging terrain and strong water currents are complicating the rescue and recovery operations. The incident has cast a pall of grief over the area, and authorities are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution while navigating the mountainous and often treacherous roads in Uttarakhand, especially during the pilgrimage season. Kathmandu, April 12 : Nepali businessman Durga Prasai will be charged with sedition and organised crime as the Kathmandu District Court remanded him to 12 days in custody for his alleged involvement in the violent pro-monarchy protest in Tinkune on March 28, according to police officials. The district attorneys preparing the case against Prasai on Friday stated that additional charges may be filed with the progress of the investigation. The police are preparing to file charges against him for sedition, organised crime, criminal mischief, attempted murder, vandalism of public and private property, and arson, local media reports stated. Earlier, Prasai was apprehended in India before being brought to Kathmandu through the Kakarbhitta border point. His bodyguard, Deepak Khadka, who was arrested along with him, has also been remanded for the same period. Prasai was tracked down in Assam, India, on Thursday by a team of Nepal Police's special cell and brought to Jhapa on Friday, according to a report by the leading Nepali newspaper, The Kathmandu Post. "With the support of Indian police, we were able to locate and bring him back," said a senior police officer. However, Prasai supporters claimed that he had surrendered to the Indian Police after being guaranteed safety. Reports suggest that the Assam Police brought him to the border area and handed him over to the Nepal Police. "On the basis of past practices between Nepal and India, we brought Prasai from Assam, where he has been hiding at a residence of a Nepali-speaking family," said the Nepal Police official Although Nepal and India do not have a formal extradition treaty, the two countries have been extraditing suspects based on mutual understanding, the Post reported. According to Nepali police, Prasai and Khadka have been arrested on the charges of committing crimes against the State and organised crime by being involved in the violent demonstrations held by the pro-monarchists at Tinkune on March 28. 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 high alert during the event following the 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. Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has also 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 Kathmandu following the violent clashes between security personnel and pro-monarchy protesters who were calling for the restoration of the abolished monarchy in Nepal. Lucknow, April 12 : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has launched a broadside on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his silence during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Drawing parallels with the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), she alleged that LoP Gandhi's silence has triggered resentment among the Muslim community. Taking to X on Saturday, Mayawati questioned the Congress MP's inaction. "Is it appropriate for the Leader of Opposition to remain silent during the lengthy debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha? Especially when the Opposition has flagged it as a violation of constitutional provisions -- just like the CAA? The Muslim community's anger over this silence is only natural. This has also created discomfort within the INDIA bloc," she wrote. The BSP leader further accused both the Congress and the BJP of betraying the interests of marginalised communities. "Parties like the Congress and BJP are equally responsible for undermining the rights of Bahujans by rendering their reservations ineffective -- both in government employment and in education. Religious minorities should also be cautious of their hollow promises," she said. The former UP Chief Minister further added that such policies have worsened the condition of Bahujans in Uttar Pradesh. "Bahujans are facing distress in every sector while BJP workers act with impunity. The growing privatisation of electricity and other public sectors is adding to the problems. The government must uphold its constitutional duty to ensure public welfare," she said. The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament and received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu, has now become law. However, the legislation has sparked opposition from Congress, AIMIM, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). They have all filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court challenging its constitutional validity. Meanwhile, protests against the new law have erupted in various parts of the country. In Uttar Pradesh, the police remain on alert amid heightened tensions. Religious leaders have urged the Muslim community to maintain peace and avoid any form of violent demonstration. Several Opposition parties have also expressed their support for the ongoing protests. Thiruvananthapuram, April 12 : As Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's tenure enters its ninth consecutive year, a series of allegations involving his close aides and even family members have placed him under intense political heat. The controversy surrounding his daughter, Veena Vijayan, escalated on Friday when the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) filed a charge sheet in connection with an alleged illegal financial deal between her now-defunct IT firm, Exalogic, and Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL). The court, after a detailed examination, accepted the charge sheet and formally registered a case. Simultaneously, another trouble brewed for Vijayan's office as the Kerala High Court ordered a CBI probe into allegations of disproportionate assets against his Chief Principal Secretary, K.M. Abraham. The probe follows a petition by noted public activist Joemon Puthenpurackal, known for his persistent legal activism. Abraham, a former Chief Secretary who retired in 2017, also serves as the CEO of the influential Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), making him a key figure in the state's development apparatus. Following the court order, retired DGP Jacob Thomas, once a close aide of Vijayan who later fell out of favour, launched a scathing attack. "The Vigilance Court had ordered a probe against Abraham and me in 2016. I went ahead with it, but he used his power to stall the investigation. The Chief Minister must explain why Abraham continues to hold such a powerful post," Thomas said, adding, "He will now become another Sivasankar." Sivasankar, a former Principal Secretary to Vijayan, was arrested twice in connection with the infamous Kerala gold smuggling case due to his ties with key accused Swapna Suresh. After serving time in jail, he returned to government service post suspension, only to be jailed again after retirement. He is currently out on bail. In 2023, CM Vijayan's Additional Private Secretary, C.M. Raveendran, was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in the Wadakkanchery Life Mission money laundering case -- the same case linked to Sivasankar's second arrest. Another aide under the spotlight is P. Sasi, Vijayan's high-profile Political Secretary. Former CPI(M)-backed independent MLA P.V. Anvar shocked many when he alleged that Sasi owns several petrol pumps through benami deals and leads a powerful syndicate operating across the state. Despite submitting these allegations in writing to both Vijayan and the CPI(M) state secretary, no action was taken. Anvar later resigned as MLA and joined the Congress-led opposition. He is now set to campaign actively against Vijayan in the upcoming by-election for the seat he vacated. The appointment of Kannur University Associate Professor, the wife of Vijayan's Private Secretary, K.K. Ragesh, has also sparked controversy. Allegations that her appointment violated UGC norms are now before the Supreme Court, with a verdict awaited. Adding to the growing list of controversies, Vijayan's Press Secretary, P.M. Manoj, made headlines recently after a local court sentenced his brother to life imprisonment for the 2005 murder of BJP worker Suraj in Kannur. With these multiple allegations converging, the Congress-led opposition and the BJP have dubbed Vijayan as one of Kerala's most corrupt chief ministers. The CBI probe into Abraham's assets is expected to be a key talking point for the opposition during the upcoming Nilambur assembly by-election. New Delhi, April 12 : Social media platform Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg are 'hand in glove' with China, and have betrayed American values, according to a whistleblower. New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Social media platform Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg are ahand in glovea with China, and have betrayed American values, according to a whistleblower. A former Meta executive, Sarah Wynn-Williams, has come forward as a whistleblower, accusing the social media giant of compromising US national security to establish a substantial business presence in China. Wynn-Williams accused Meta executives of allowing the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) to access user data, including that of Americans. She noted that Meta worked "hand in glove" with Beijing to create censorship tools that were used to silence critics of the CPC. Wynn-Williams testified this during a congressional hearing led by Senator Josh Hawley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism. "I saw Meta executives repeatedly undermine US national security and betray American values," Wynn-Williams was quoted as saying by CBS News. She alleged that Meta built custom censorship tools for the Chinese government which enabled it to extensively control content. "The greatest trick Mark Zuckerberg ever pulled was wrapping the American flag around himself and calling himself a patriot and saying he didn't offer services in China, while he spent the last decade building an $18 billion business there," she added. The whistleblower also alleged that Meta's artificial intelligence model, Llama, was used to help Chinese AI company DeepSeek. However, Meta has disputed the claims, stating that Wynn-Williams' testimony is "divorced from reality and riddled with false claims". The company's spokesperson Ryan Daniels said that although Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg been public about the company's interest in offering its services in China, "[T]he fact is this: we do not operate our services in China today." Further, Wynn-Williams claimed that Meta threatened her with $50,000 in punitive damages for speaking out. But the company clarified that the amount is for each material violation of her separation agreement, not for testifying before Congress. By Nazrin Abdul The international forum "Facing the New World Order", held on April 9 at ADA University in Baku, served as a vital platform for examining the shifting dynamics of global politics. Speaking to the press following the event, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Kamaladdin Gafarov emphasized the forum's particular relevance for countries in the Near and Middle East, as well as the broader international community grappling with the consequences of rising geopolitical tensions. Gafarov highlighted that the world is undergoing a profound transformation, transitioning from a unipolar model to a multipolar international order. This emerging reality, he noted, is accompanied by increasing regional instabilitya pattern observed across several continents, from Eastern Europe to the Middle East. This process is currently accompanied by an increase in regional tensions on a global scale, Gafarov stated. In order to solve the existing problems, regional actors need to intervene more actively in the processes. Because international organizations can no longer implement adequate security measures. Indeed, the declining efficacy of traditional multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the OSCE in resolving conflicts and ensuring security has compelled regional powers to take a more assertive role. In this context, Azerbaijans geostrategic position and growing diplomatic clout place it in a pivotal rolenot only in the South Caucasus, but also in shaping cooperation between Central Asia and Europe. Gafarov pointed to Azerbaijans strategic partnerships, many of which have been formalized through bilateral and multilateral agreements. As President Ilham Aliyev noted in his keynote speech at the Forum, these partnerships have enabled the country to act as a bridge across geographical and political divides, particularly in areas of transport, energy, and economic integration. Despite Azerbaijans efforts toward regional peacebuilding, Gafarov criticized the stance of certain Western actors who, in his view, continue to undermine Azerbaijans role in regional diplomacy. It is very regrettable that some Western countries are still trying to belittle the role of our country in the ongoing processes and draw dividing lines in the South Caucasus, he remarked. Yet, Azerbaijan has remained committed to achieving long-term peace with Armenia, provided that Yerevan aligns its domestic policy, including its constitution, with the new post-conflict realities. If Armenia genuinely pursues reconciliation, Gafarov believes, there will be no barrier to transforming the South Caucasus into a cohesive and cooperative region. Beyond the South Caucasus: Azerbaijans quiet diplomacy in the Middle East Expanding his analysis, Gafarov underscored Azerbaijans potential to contribute to peace in the Middle East, a region currently facing renewed volatility amid the Ukraine war and escalating Israeli-Turkish tensions. Today, along with the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict, the increasing tension in the Near and Middle East region is seriously worrying the world community, he said. Here, Azerbaijans balanced foreign policy, internal political stability, and unique relationships with both Turkiye and Israel position it as a credible intermediary. Unlike many regional actors, Azerbaijan maintains strategic alliances with both sides, a legacy reinforced by its role in facilitating the first rapprochement between Turkiye and Israel following strained diplomatic ties. The 2021 Shusha Declaration, which solidified Azerbaijans alliance with Turkiye, and decades of cooperation with Israel in areas like defense, technology, and energy, are key pillars of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Gafarov noted that these enduring relationships give Baku the diplomatic leverage to act as a stabilizing force in a polarized region. A rising diplomatic actor Azerbaijan's emerging role in international affairs is not coincidentalit is the result of strategic vision, careful diplomacy, and a pragmatic foreign policy that seeks balance over confrontation. While great power politics continue to shift, Azerbaijan is carving out a niche for itself as a constructive regional actor, capable of influencing outcomes far beyond its borders. As Gafarov concluded, Azerbaijans mission does not end with peace in the South Caucasus. Its evolving foreign policy suggests an ambition to be a regional connector and peace broker, contributing to stability in some of the worlds most volatile regions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. A delegation led by the Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has visited Oman's Muscat for talks with the US, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Iran Esmail Baghaei wrote on X, Trend reports. According to him, Araghchi is accompanied by experienced colleagues during the visit. Baghaei stated that Iran is determined to use all its potential to protect its national interests and reputation. On March 3, Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA, mentioned during the IAEA Board of Governors' meeting that Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity by 93 kilograms, from 182 kilograms to 275 kilograms, compared to the previous quarter. Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to this level, raising significant concerns. On March 30, US President Donald Trump said that Iran would face unprecedented bombing if Tehran did not agree to a deal on its nuclear program. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. Iran has officially affirmed that its strategy is not to pursue the development of an atomic bomb and that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction. US President Donald Trump announced that discussions between Iran and the US would take place directly. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi clarified that the talks would be held indirectly in Oman on April 12. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, April 12 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday strongly condemned the recent violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, calling it a "heart-wrenching" incident that reflects the deteriorating law and order situation under the Mamata Banerjee-led government. Addressing the media, Singh alleged that the Hindu community in Bengal is being systematically intimidated and forced to migrate from the state. Commenting on the situation, Giriraj Singh said, "The incident in Murshidabad is showing that Hindus are being forced to leave Bengal. Mamata Banerjee should tell, should the Hindus of Bengal leave Bengal? This is the situation they have created." In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Union Minister said, "I am saying again and again when the saviour becomes destroyer who will save? Mamata Banerjee is the chief of the government of Bengal. For her, the vote bank is not just Muslims. It is her responsibility to protect Hindus as well." The violence in Murshidabad, allegedly linked to a dispute over Waqf Board properties, has sparked political outrage, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress government of minority appeasement and neglecting the safety of the majority Hindu population. Singh further criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, alleging that he is attempting to replicate the situation in Bengal in Bihar by stating that he will abolish the Waqf (Amendment) Act when he comes to power. "He has not even come to power yet, and the Hindus of Bihar are already being intimidated," he alleged. He added, "Tejashwi Yadav wants to bring the same chaos to Bihar. If this is your attitude, the people will never give you a chance to attack them. Who is the custodian of the Constitution? Everyone is a citizen. The government has the biggest responsibility." Jaipur, April 12 : Six years after the martyrdom of CRPF Jawan Hemraj Meena in the Pulwama attack, a wave of joy swept through his home on Saturday as the courtyard of Veerangana (war widow) Madhubala was filled with the sounds of celebration and music as the family prepared for her daughter's wedding. Jaipur, April 12 (IANS) Six years after the martyrdom of CRPF Jawan Hemraj Meena in the Pulwama attack, a wave of joy swept through his home on Saturday as the courtyard of Veerangana (war widow) Madhubala was filled with the sounds of celebration and music as the family prepared for her daughteras wedding. Amid the festive atmosphere, a deeply emotional moment unfolded when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived with aMayraa (a traditional gift of rice and offerings from the maternal familyas side) keeping a promise he made six-years-ago to the widow. After Hemraj's sacrifice, his family was plunged into sorrow and uncertainty. During that difficult time, Speaker Birla stood by them, vowing to take on the role of a brother to Madhubala and support the family through every joy and sorrow. Since then, Madhubala has tied a rakhi to him on Raksha Bandhan each year and performed rituals on Bhai Dooj as a sister would. Today, Birla fulfilled a duty placed on him by that bond. As the daughter's wedding approached, he arrived at the martyras home in Sangod with Mayra, performing the emotional custom as a maternal uncle would. The gesture left everyone present in the house deeply moved. In a touching ceremony, Speaker Birla, along with Sangod MLA and Rajasthan Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar, performed the Mayra ritual. Birla draped a dupatta over Madhubala as per tradition, and in return, she applied battisi, performed tilak, and did aarti of her brother. Speaker Birla also paid tribute to the statue of martyr Hemraj Meena, remembering the brave soldier with moist eyes. As the family celebrated this important milestone, the emotional connection between Veerangana Madhubala and her 'brother' Om Birla stood as a powerful symbol of enduring support, love, and the nationas gratitude for its heroes. It was surprising watching Speaker Birla honouring his word made six-years-ago and getting him emotional remembering martyr Hemraj. Watching him keeping his words was a pleasant scene for us, said locals. New Delhi, April 12 : Doctors are torchbearers of the Fit India Movement, said Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, asking them to promote wellness and preventive care in the country. Mandaviya said this at the second graduation ceremony of ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, held at Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in New Delhi. Addressing the graduating medical students, Mandaviya emphasised the importance of healthcare professionals in the development of a healthy nation. "A healthy citizen is the foundation of a healthy society, and hence, a healthy nation," he said. "Doctors are the torchbearers of the Fit India Movement, playing a critical role in promoting wellness, preventive care, and healthy habits among the population," he added. The Union Minister also advised the graduate students on dedication, ethical practice, and service to the community, urging them to continue their journey with passion and integrity. Further, he reminded them that medals are only milestones, but the true reward lies in the lives they will touch. "Even in moments where you don't 'win,' learning itself becomes a form of victory," Mandaviya said. He also urged the new doctors to serve in rural and underserved areas, understand ground realities, and ensure healthcare remains accessible, affordable, and ethical. Launched in August 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Fit India Movement aims to make fitness an integral part of citizens' daily lives by integrating behavioural changes and moving towards a more physically active lifestyle. Reminding the country's aim to be Viksit Bharat by 2047, Mandaviya noted that "the vision is not just the Prime Minister's dream, it is the shared duty of 140 crore Indians". He also highlighted the central role doctors will play in this transformation. Every consultation and every life saved, he noted, contributes to national productivity and progress. During the graduation ceremony, a total of 447 students including 100 students each from the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 batch, and the first batch of 47 postgraduate students graduated. Lucknow, April 12 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday paid tributes to medieval Rajput ruler Rana Sanga on his birth anniversary, amid a political row sparked by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman's controversial remarks in the Rajya Sabha. "On the birth anniversary of the mighty Rana Sanga Ji, who was dedicated to the protection of religion, many salutes to him! His story of glory, a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice, is a golden chapter in history. His bravery will continue to irrigate the land of India with self-respect for centuries," CM Yogi posted on X on Saturday. The tribute comes in the backdrop of a controversy that erupted after Suman called Rana Sanga a "traitor" during a parliamentary debate. The remarks triggered widespread outrage, especially in Agra, where a large crowd gathered outside Suman's residence. Members of the Karni Sena attempted to enter the MP's house but were stopped by the police. A scuffle ensued, leading to injuries to a few people. In his speech in Parliament, Ramji Lal Suman had stated that Rana Sanga had invited Mughal emperor Babur to India to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. "BJP leaders often say that Muslims have Babur's DNA. But the Muslims of India do not consider Babur as their ideal -- they revere Prophet Mohammad," he said, questioning, "Who brought Babur to India? It was Rana Sanga." The BJP demanded an apology from Suman, but the MP has stood by his statement. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, meanwhile, sought to calm tensions, saying, "The pages of history that carry controversy should not be reopened." Amid the controversy, the Karni Sena is holding a large event in Agra on Saturday to mark Rana Sanga's birth anniversary. The rally, titled Rakt Swabhiman Sammelan, is expected to draw people from several states and will be attended by a number of prominent personalities. Police have imposed tight security measures to maintain peace and order in the district. Seoul, April 12 : Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said on Saturday that he will not be running in the June 3 presidential election as he apologised over the "failure" of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's government. Oh made the announcement at the conservative People Power Party's headquarters in western Seoul against expectations he would run for the upcoming election, triggered by Yoon's ouster over his failed martial law bid in December. "To restore the abnormal back to normal, I will be the priming water, like a soldier without a rank," he said. "I feel indescribable despair and infinite responsibility for the impeachment of the president our party produced." "I humbly apologise for the halt to state affairs and bringing big disappointment to the people," he said. "No one in our party is free from responsibility for the failure of the Yoon Suk Yeol government." He called on his party and presidential hopefuls to focus on growth and helping the underprivileged, vowing to support efforts to create a new government with those who share his goals, Yonhap news agency reported. Multiple conservative politicians have announced their bids for the upcoming election, including former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo and former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon. Meanwhile, the South Korean government designated June 3 as the date of the next presidential election following the ouster of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The designation was made at a Cabinet meeting four days after the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Yoon over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December. Under the Constitution, the country is required to hold a new election within 60 days after a vacancy arises in the presidency. The government also designated June 3 as a temporary public holiday. The National Election Commission began early candidate registration shortly after the Constitutional Court dismissed Yoon last Friday. Candidates will be required to register by May 11 and the official campaign period will kick off on May 12. The law also requires a public servant running for President to resign at least 30 days before an election, making May 4 the deadline. The new President will assume office immediately after the election without a transition team. When former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office on March 10, 2017, the early election was also held exactly 60 days later, on May 9. 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. Rajkot, April 12 : A divyang (specially-abled) man from Rajkot, Vipul Pitroda, experienced a heartwarming moment when Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally responded to a letter he had written, expressing gratitude for the life-saving treatment his daughter received under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). When Vipul's young daughter was critically ill and diagnosed with a six-inch-long tumour in her abdomen, he was financially incapable of affording the necessary medical treatment. As a father responsible not just for his daughter but also for his wife, parents, and another child, Vipul was under immense stress. Affected by polio and living with a physical disability, he felt cornered -- until a friend informed him about the benefits of PM-JAY. The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, a flagship initiative of the Narendra Modi-led central government, provides secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. It is designed to ensure that even the poorest families in India can access high-quality healthcare without facing financial distress. Sharing his story in a video message, Vipul said, "I am differently abled due to polio, but I've never lost hope. I have the responsibility of my wife, two children, and my parents. Unfortunately, my daughter was diagnosed with a serious illness. Her abdomen began to swell, and doctors detected a six-inch-long tumour. I had no money for her treatment, but a friend told me about PM-JAY." He said that PM-JAY relieved him of all his financial burdens, and his daughter received the "best care, lifting a huge weight off my shoulders." "I thanked the nurses, staff, and doctors. However, I couldn't thank the Prime Minister. So I wrote him a letter, expressing gratitude for saving not only my daughter's life but also giving me a new lease on life," he said. The Prime Minister replied personally, assuring him that "no one stands alone in India." "When I wrote the letter, I never imagined I'd get a reply. Out of millions of people in this country who write to him, PM Modi responded to me," Vipul said emotionally. "It feels great to know that he cares even for common people, ensuring their well-being. No matter the situation, when PM Modi is with us, the entire nation stands with us. I truly feel grateful and thank him for launching such a scheme, because of which my daughter's surgery was successful, and she got a new life," he said. In his reply, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to supporting citizens and ensuring access to free, quality medical care through Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. The scheme continues to make a significant difference in the lives of countless families across India, giving them not only medical relief but also hope and dignity in times of crisis. New Delhi, April 12 : Delhi Police on Saturday denied permission to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to carry out a 'Shobha Yatra' in the Jahangirpuri area of the national Capital on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. The decision, according to the Delhi Police, came "in view of the sensitivity and its ramifications on law & order and security scenario in the area." In an official statement, the police said, "Your request to grant permission for the 'Shobha Yatra' on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on 12.04.2025 from 12:00 PM onward commencing from A-Block to K-Block, Jahangirpuri, was considered but keeping in view the sensitivity and its ramifications on law & order and the security scenario in the area, the same could not be acceded to." However, the police allowed celebrations to take place within the premises of the temple in the locality. "However, you may have the celebration in the temple premises," it added. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure following announcements by several Hindu organisations expressing their intention to hold religious processions in the area. To avert any untoward incident, Delhi Police has already deployed Rapid Action Force (RAF) units along with additional personnel in Jahangirpuri. Earlier, the police had granted conditional permission for a Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra in the area, limiting the number of participants to 500, with strict guidelines prohibiting weapons and mandating a fixed route. The procession was to take place under tight surveillance. Security concerns in the area remain high due to the violent incident that occurred during Hanuman Jayanti in 2022. Back then, communal clashes broke out during a procession, leading to stone pelting, arson, and even gunfire. At least eight police personnel and several devotees were injured in the violence. Following the 2022 incident, Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against 45 individuals, alleging that the violence was premeditated. The investigation linked the riots to the earlier CAA-NRC protests and the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. In total, 44 individuals were arrested, along with two minors who were taken into custody. With Jahangirpuri remaining on high alert, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure peace and communal harmony during the religious occasion. Geneva, April 12 : Officials from United Nations (UN) agencies and international organisations 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 neighbouring 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 accounts 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 Organisation (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 per cent 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, Xinhua news agency reported. 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. Thiruvananthapuram, April 12 : A war of words erupted between the two Communist parties in the ruling alliance of the Pinarayi Vijayan government on Saturday over the controversy surrounding his daughter Veena Vijayan's now defunct IT firm Exalogic. On Friday, CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam said that the CPI will stand by the Chief Minister, and not his daughter. However, he added that the Chief Minister's daughter has every right to run a company and enter into contracts with other companies. Meanwhile, State Education Minister V. Sivankutty, considered close to Vijayan, on Saturday, hit back at Viswam, saying that the ideal place where Viswam should have raised his views was at the LDF meeting. "Viswam should not worry about the case against Veena. Veena knows how to handle the case against her. The case is nothing but a political one, and the LDF has strongly supported Vijayan. Viswam should put his views at the LDF meeting," said Sivankutty. CPI is the second biggest ally of the ruling Vijayan government, and there have been times when it has discreetly expressed displeasure in the "big brother" attitude taken by the CPI-M and Vijayan and the way he (Vijayan) has been running the government. Viswam and his party expressed their reservation on the implementation of the PM Schools for Rising India scheme, while the last Cabinet meeting on April 9 decided to defer it. "What's wrong with an infrastructure project of the Centre. Viswam has opposed it and things have come to a stage where he speaks like the Leader of Opposition," said Sivankutty. On Friday, state CPI-M Secretary M.V. Govindan said that the case against the Chief Minister's daughter is nothing but a conspiracy targeting the Chief Minister. "The party is strongly behind the Chief Minister against whom this witchhunt, unleashed by agencies, a section of the media, and a few political parties, is going on. We will fight this politically," Govindan asserted. "I wish to ask what happened to the gold smuggling case, when similar allegations came thick and fast. There was such a hue and cry that was made by many over it... finally, today, no one even talks of it. There is a deep-rooted conspiracy right now going and we, the CPI-M, will be lock, stock, and barrel with the Chief Minister," he added. No sooner had Govindan finished his press conference, the news surfaced that a court in Kochi, where where the SFIO had filed its charge sheet against the illegal deal between Exalogic and Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), had accepted it, and a case was formally registered, after the court had a detailed examination of the charge sheet. The SFIO has, by now, found out that Veena Vijayan's IT firm had allegedly received a monthly gratification of around Rs 2.70 crores from the CMRL for mining sanctions. Vijayan had recently reportedly lost his cool when the media asked a flurry of questions about his daughter, and he responded curtly by saying: "You (media) want my blood, but will not get it easily." Los Angeles, April 12 : Hollywood star Kevin Bacon shared that he feels as if he is "racing the clock" on mortality. Bacon has been a part of Hollywood for over decades and has no intentions of giving up now but said that if he "died tomorrow" he will still be satisfied with what he has achieved. The 66-year-old actor told The Rake magazine: "I guess the fact that I keep looking forward means I'm a little bit racing (mortality)." "I do feel like I'm racing the clock a bit on that. I would like to believe that I'm pretty accepting of it, but I haven't looked it in the eye yet. You don't really know until you're there, and you go, 'I changed my mind I do wanna be resuscitated'" "At this point,'if it happens, if I die tomorrow, I'm good'. Like, I would want the people around me to know that I'm okay with what I got done and the life I lived. Yeah. I really feel that way, you know? I'm good," he added. The actor said that while he has "no idea why", he has never been interested in taking time off and he has even turned to therapy to deal with his own ambitions. He said: "(A vacation) has never been something I've relished. I've always been driven from the time I was a child. Don't ask me why. I've tried to parse it out with therapists or whatever, but I've always been driven to get done. I'm a little bit of a I would say I'm a workaholic, which I think I am, but I'm also a 'creating-aholic' (sic)." The actor did suffer from "impostor syndrome" at the height of his success. However, with time he has gotten over that. He said: "This is what I can tell you. I would like to believe there was a point in my life that, being super-successful, I had a certain amount of impostor syndrome or guilt about having gotten that. I don't feel that any more." "If opportunities come my way, I'm like, Yeah, that's great, and I deserve it. I don't feel undeserving, let's put it that way. I've worked really hard, I've worked really long. I've tried to do my best, and I also try to get better." BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. Iran's objective in indirect negotiations with the US is to reach a decent and fair agreement with an equitable position, said the countrys Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Trend reports. Speaking today during a press briefing in Oman's Muscat, Araghchi added that if the other side also demonstrates this position, it could be possible to make decisions regarding the timeline of the negotiations. Araghchi emphasized that many fundamental and initial issues would be addressed in the discussions, which would focus solely on Irans nuclear program. Negotiations between Iran and the United States are set to take place today in Oman, led by Irans Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Khartoum, April 12 : At least 32 civilians were killed in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, the Sudanese army said. "The militia launched a swarm of suicide drones on El Fasher today (Friday), accompanied by simultaneous artillery shelling on the city," the command of the 6th Infantry Division of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said in a statement on Friday. The death toll included 4 women and 10 children, with 17 others injured and hospitalised, the army said. The Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher, a local volunteer group, confirmed the RSF attack, stating that drones and artillery targeted the northern and eastern parts of the city. The group asked residents to avoid the streets due to ongoing drone activity. The Sudanese Doctors Network reported a second RSF strike on the Zamzam displacement camp near El Fasher, though no casualties have been reported. The network condemned the use of heavy artillery in the attack, describing it as an escalation in RSF violence. Ibrahim Khatir, director-general of North Darfur State's Health Ministry, confirmed the attack on the Zamzam camp but told Xinhua that the casualty count remains unclear due to its distance from the city and communication issues, Xinhua news agency reported. Since May 10, 2024, fierce fighting has erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF in El Fasher, part of the broader conflict that has engulfed Sudan since April 2023. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, cited by the United Nations, the conflict between the two factions has claimed over 29,683 lives. The International Organisation for Migration reports that it has also displaced more than 15 million people. 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. Raipur, April 12 : With heavy loss to Maoists reported in the Indravati dense forest region of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, security forces have eliminated three Maoists. "The bodies of the three in camouflage uniform have been recovered from the area during a joint operation of security forces launched on Saturday morning," police officials said. They said that heavy ammunition and explosives have also been recovered from the encounter site, adding that the bodies are being identified. An official said that the encounter in the area is also going on. He said that the operation is a part of the ongoing mission to make India Maoist-free by March 2026. He added that despite the appeal of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier this month in Bastar that Maoists should lay down their arms and come back home, they are still involved in criminal activities. The joint team of security forces had launched an operation based on intelligence inputs at 9 am on Saturday, said police officials. Recently, the Maoists had released messages that they want conditional surrender, but the Chhattisgarh government had responded that "until they do not lay down their arms, talks are not possible. The Union Home Minister had appealed to all Maoists and called them to join the ongoing developmental activities, but none of the Maoist groups came forward. Amit Shah had also warned that security forces are determined to make India Naxal-free by early next year. In a significant development on March 20, 2025, two anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region led to the death of approximately 30 individuals identified as Maoists. These operations were part of a series of 11 conducted by security forces throughout 2025, resulting in the neutralisation of 142 Maoists in total. Among the major accomplishments of the year, security forces eliminated 31 Maoists on February 9 and 16 Naxalites on March 25, targeting various districts such as Bastar, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Narayanpur. Kolkata, April 12 : BJP IT Cell chief and the party's central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya on Saturday accused the Mamata government of allowing continued violence in different pockets in the state in the name of protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. In a post on X, Malviya shared a picture of a crying Hindu woman whose shop was vandalised at Samserganj in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal by a group of people protesting against the Waqf Act. "Today it is Samserganj-tomorrow, it could be your neighbourhood. What was this Hindu woman's fault? What connection did she have to the Waqf? Why was her humble livelihood reduced to ashes, Mamata Banerjee? And where was the West Bengal Police? If you still believe this violence in the name of Waqf is just about one bill, go ahead-keep deluding yourself," Malviya's post read. Parts of Murshidabad district, including Jangipur, Samserganj, Suti and Nimtita, among others, had been on the boil for the last few days over the protests by a group of people from a particular community against the Waqf Act. Although the state police had claimed that the situation at the troubled pockets is more or less normal, Malviya had rubbished the claims. "Despite the West Bengal government's claims of normalcy, the situation remains volatile in many areas. Mamata Banerjee is willing to let the state burn for the sake of her politics," Malviya's statement read. On Friday night, West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose released a video message, saying that his office had been receiving disturbing reports about some people taking law and order into their own hands in some parts of Bengal. He also informed that on receipt of information about certain trouble likely to brew in parts of West Bengal, he had a confidential discussion with Chief Minister Banerjee. "The Chief Secretary has assured that the government is taking 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. Chennai, April 12 : Tamil superstar-turned-politician and president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, has declared that the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections will be a direct contest between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and his party, sidelining the recently revived AIADMK-BJP alliance. Vijay dismissed the AIADMK-BJP alliance as irrelevant, claiming that it had already been rejected by the people of Tamil Nadu thrice. He alleged that the AIADMK leadership had strayed far from the ideals of its founding leader, M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), and asserted that MGR's blessings now rest with the TVK. Vijay further accused both the DMK and AIADMK of covertly working in support of the BJP. "While the AIADMK is an open ally of the BJP, the DMK is its hidden partner," he claimed, positioning TVK as the only credible alternative to the two Dravidian majors. His remarks come a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah formally announced that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will lead the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu. The move paves the way for a joint campaign by the two parties ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Amit Shah described the renewed partnership as a "natural alliance" and named AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) as the NDA's chief ministerial candidate in the state. This revival marks a significant political development, as the AIADMK and BJP had parted ways in September 2023 following a bitter fallout. The rift was triggered by controversial statements made by Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, particularly remarks targeting revered Dravidian leaders like C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa, which provoked widespread backlash within the AIADMK. Despite their earlier collaborations in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections - where the BJP won four seats and the AIADMK secured 66 - the alliance faltered after Annamalai's elevation to the state party chief. AIADMK and the BJP's eventual split ahead of the 2024 general elections proved politically costly, with both parties suffering severe electoral setbacks. With the 2026 elections approaching, Vijay's TVK is positioning itself as a formidable new force, aiming to disrupt the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. Canberra, April 12 : Voter support for Australia's governing Labor Party and Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese is increasing with three weeks to go until the general election, new polls have shown. According to the two new polls published on Friday and Saturday, Labor has extended its lead over the opposition Coalition and is set to win a second term in government in the May 3 election. The first poll -- published on Friday by the Australian branch of UK market research firm YouGov -- found that Labor leads the Coalition 52.5-47.5 on a two-party preferred basis. It represents Labor's largest lead over the Coalition in a YouGov poll in 18 months and marks a major turnaround from a 51-49 advantage for the opposition recorded late in February. Forty-eight per cent of respondents to the poll chose Albanese as their preferred PM compared to 37 per cent for Coalition leader Peter Dutton. In February, Albanese led Dutton 42-40 as voters' preferred PM, according to YouGov. The second poll, which was undertaken by market research firms RedBridge and Accent and published by News Corp Australia newspapers on Saturday, surveyed voters in 20 critical marginal seats on the East Coast and also recorded a 52.5-47.5 lead for Labor. The same poll in early February recorded a 52-48 lead for the Coalition. Labor won power in the 2022 election after nine years in opposition with a 52.13-47.87 edge over the Coalition on a two-party basis. Victory for Labor on May 3 would make Albanese the first leader of either major party to win consecutive elections since 2004. When Australians cast their votes in the election, they do so on a preferential basis. Every one of the 150 seats that will make up the lower house in the next parliament will be contested by at least four candidates in the election, with some having as many as 13 candidates. The wide choice for voters means it is rare for any candidate to receive a clear majority of first preference votes. If no candidate receives at least 50 per cent of first preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred based on preferences marked by voters. The process continues until one candidate has a simple majority of votes. Friday's YouGov poll found that 32 per cent of voters intend to vote for Labor as their first preference and 33.5 per cent for the Coalition, Xinhua news agency reported. The Coalition traditionally performs better than Labor on first preference votes but Labor fares better on preferences -- particularly from the Greens, Australia's third-largest party. Thirteen per cent of respondents to the YouGov poll said they intend to vote for the Greens. At the 2022 election, Labor received 32.5 per cent of primary votes and the Coalition 35.7 percent, with the Greens at 12.2 per cent. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on Friday said that a record 98.2 per cent of eligible Australians are enrolled to vote in the election. It said that the number of enrolled voters has increased by 870,000 since 2022 to over 18 million. It is compulsory for Australians who have enrolled to vote in the general election. New Delhi, April 12 : BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has launched a sharp attack on the Congress over its reaction to the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accusing the Congress of sympathising with terrorists instead of appreciating strong national security actions. Speaking to IANS Naqvi remarked, "I'm shocked that some Congress leaders mourn the killing of terrorists. You may recall when Osama bin Laden was eliminated, a Congress leader expressed admiration. After the Batla House encounter, a top Congress leader broke into tears. It seems their relationship with terrorism is one of soft sympathy. They fail to understand that under Prime Minister Modi's zero-tolerance policy, such threats are tackled firmly, not protected." He further criticised the Opposition's attempts to link the extradition to political motives. "This isn't about elections. This is a matter of national security. When Congress gave shelter to terrorists, did they think of elections then? The Modi government is acting in the nation's interest. We've not seen weekly terror attacks like before, that's the result of strong leadership." Switching focus to the recent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Naqvi defended the legislation, emphasising that it has no bearing on any community's religious rights. "There is no threat to anyone's religious faith. This Act is a purely administrative measure for systemic reforms. Even Union Home Minister Amit Shah clearly said in Parliament that it guarantees the safety and sanctity of all religious places. This law is a guarantee," he stressed. He condemned the ongoing protests as part of a deliberate disinformation campaign. "Spreading rumours, creating panic, causing chaos, it's all a well-planned conspiracy. We've seen this pattern before, with the CAA, Triple Talaq, and Article 370. The same people incite communal tension over any reform," he said. Naqvi appealed for calm and awareness, noting that not all protesters are ill-intentioned. "Every protestor is not an anti-national. Some are misled. They need to be educated, not provoked," he added. Patna, April 12 : The recent violent protests in Murshidabad, West Bengal, over the Waqf Act have sparked a political uproar, drawing sharp reactions from leaders across the spectrum. Among the most vocal has been Bihar's PHED Minister Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu, who warned that if the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government fails to maintain law and order, President's Rule should be imposed in the state. "The Union Home Minister has made it clear that everyone has to follow the Waqf Law as passed by Parliament. If state authorities allow protests that lead to violence, action must be taken. If the West Bengal government cannot handle the protest, then the President's Rule must be implemented. Mamata Banerjee is trying to turn Bengal into Bangladesh, which we won't allow," said Bablu. The protest in Murshidabad took a violent turn as demonstrators opposing the Waqf Act tried to block National Highway 12, leading to stone pelting, arson, and a full-blown confrontation with the police. Multiple police vehicles were set ablaze, and over a dozen policemen were injured, forcing authorities to use lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh joined the chorus of criticism, blaming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the breakdown of law and order. "The violence in Murshidabad is a direct outcome of Mamata Banerjee's appeasement politics. She talks of law, but her government can't even protect police stations. Trains are stopped, stones are thrown, and yet she fails to act," said Singh. He also attacked Bihar's Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav for his opposition to the Waqf Act, claiming that his remarks about discarding the Act if elected showed disregard for Pasmanda Muslims and poor women. "Tejashwi wants to throw the Waqf Act in the dustbin, but it ensures transparency and fairness for underprivileged Muslims. He's only concerned about vote bank politics," Singh alleged, adding that the Act was passed by Parliament and no one can undo it. The Waqf Act 2025, recently passed by Parliament, claims to bring "transparency", "centralise records", and "stricter compliance" measures in the management of Waqf properties. It has faced backlash, with critics alleging interference in religious autonomy while the supporters argue the Act will empower the poor, particularly Pasmanda Muslims. New Delhi, April 12 : Extradited 26/11 terrorist Tahawwur Rana's questioning by the NIA has revolved around extracting information from him about a key plotter from Dubai and a person who hosted and helped co-conspirator David Coleman Headley in Mumbai ahead of the 2008 attack, sources said on Saturday. New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Extradited 26/11 terrorist Tahawwur Ranaas questioning by the NIA has revolved around extracting information from him about a key plotter from Dubai and a person who hosted and helped co-conspirator David Coleman Headley in Mumbai ahead of the 2008 attack, sources said on Saturday. Investigators are also trying to question the 64-year-old Pakistani-Canadian terrorist to rule the possibility of involvement of fugitive terrorist Dawood Ibrahim or his D-Companyas Dubai network in the 26/11 conspiracy, said sources. The mystery man from Dubai, apparently, was aware of the attack in advance, said investigators who have constantly kept a watch on Rana in his NIA cell to prevent him from attempting suicide. Ranaas fresh voice sample has also been sent for forensic test and matched with recorded phone conversations he held with co-conspirators soon after the attack, said sources. Rana, a former Pakistan Army Medical Corps worker who is facing NIA grilling for giving logistical support to his childhood friend Headley, has been citing before investigators his inability to recall the chain of events but has confirmed his presence in Mumbai at least one week before the attack. The Dubai aplottera of 26/11 had met Rana at the behest of Headley and the entire conspiracy had been planned over three years starting 2005, suspect NIA investigators. Headley alias Daood Gilani was earlier questioned by an NIA team in the US in 2010. He was convicted in the US for his role in the attack. Sources said as part of its groundwork, the NIA had kept ready Headleyas Mumbai host for confronting the two and confirming their activities that involved recce of the area near Taj Mahal Palace hotel and Chabad House or Nariman House in Colaba - a significant location for the Jewish community. The Mumbai-based local aide of Headley had helped him open an office, and the latter spent at least 11 months scouting targets. While identifying the 26/11 targets, Headley had allegedly used Satellite geotagging, also known as remote sensing geotagging, that involves using satellite imagery and other remote sensing data to assign geographical coordinates to media, like photos or videos. This data, which typically included latitude and longitude, allowed the 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists to locate their targets based on their geographical location. The terrorists who sailed into a fishermenas colony in Mumbai on a boat used these vital inputs to fan out in the city and conduct shooting and bombing at 12 different locations. They were carrying layout plans and blueprints of their four main targets a" Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Oberoi Trident and Nariman House. The Mumbai attack started on November 26 and lasted till November 29, leaving 166, including six US nationals, dead. Ranaas 18-day questioning by the NIA is also likely to shed light on the possible role of Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in 26/11. He may also be questioned on the role of key plotter Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Sajid Majeed Mir. Apart from briefing NIA investigators about his family background rooted in Pakistan, Rana has also shed light on how he studied medicine before joining the Army and how he and his wife, also a doctor, became Canadian citizens in 2001. A few years later, Rana launched an immigration and travel agency in Chicago. Karachi, April 12 : In the growing incidence of mob violence in Pakistan's Karachi, a water tanker was torched after it allegedly hit a local, causing minor injuries. Following the accident, which took place at Sakhi Hassan Five Star Chowrangi, the tanker driver fled the scene. However, a group of 10-12 people chased him and set the vehicle on fire, local media reported on Saturday. After the incident, the police from Karachi's Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan station reached the scene. An investigation is underway, and CCTV footage is being obtained to identify those involved, the leading Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune, reported. Until Wednesday night, over 10 dumpers and water tankers were set on fire by mobs near Power House Chowrangi and 4-K Chowrangi in North Karachi after a truck driver hit a motorcyclist, injuring him. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Karachi West Irfan Baloch on Thursday told ARY News that the dumpers were set ablaze as a result of "premeditated planning." Pakistan's emergency services spokesperson, Hassaan Khan, stated that the rescue services received a call regarding a dumper colliding with a motorcycle rider at Nagan Chowrangi in North Karachi. After this, he said, the people followed the dumper and set it on fire. He also mentioned that the mob attacked the fire tenders with stones while they were trying to extinguish the blaze. Khan confirmed that a total of 10 dumpers and water tankers were torched in different areas of North Karachi within three hours, and the heavy vehicles were badly damaged in the fire. However, the city police claimed to have conducted raids and arrested 19 suspects who were booked under terror charges, terming the incidents as "pre-planned arson acts." According to Dawn, Karachi has lately witnessed a rise in traffic accidents, especially involving dumpers and water tankers. These accidents killed nearly 500 people and injured 4,879 in 2024, as per hospital data. The incidents led to protests over the deaths of citizens, following which the provincial government banned the movement of heavy vehicles during the daytime in Karachi. New Delhi, April 12 : The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) approved a record number of detailed project reports (DPRs) of six hydro pumped storage projects (PSPs) of about 7.5 GW during FY2024-25, the Ministry of Power said on Saturday, marking a key milestone in India's ongoing commitment to developing advanced and long-term energy storage solutions. These six projects are Upper Indravati (600 MW) in Odisha; Sharavathy (2,000 MW) in Karnataka; Bhivpuri (1,000 MW) in Maharashtra; Bhavali (1,500 MW) in Maharashtra; MP-30 (1,920 MW) in Madhya Pradesh and Chitravathi (500 MW) in Andhra Pradesh. The participation of private sector in this segment is quite encouraging and with the help of self-identified PSP, the PSP potential in the country has crossed 200 GW and it is further increasing almost every month. Further, CEA has made ambitious plan to concur minimum 13 PSPs of about 22 GW during 2025-26. Most of these PSPs are targeted to be commissioned in 4 years and latest by 2030. The development of these projects will boost energy storage capacity drastically in the country, making a major contribution to grid reliability and supporting India's ambitious renewable energy goals. Hydro PSPs are vital for the energy transition, as they allow excess electricity generated during off-peak hours to be stored in the form of water in elevated reservoirs. This stored energy can then be used back during non-solar hours peak demand periods, ensuring a reliable, consistent, and flexible power supply. "From a meagre 3.5 GW of operational hydro PSP capacity in the country, the development needs to be taken up in an accelerated mission mode to harness this potential. This year, two PSPs around 3,000 MW will get commissioned and by 2032, we expect around 50 GW," said the ministry. At present, eight projects of 10 GW are under construction and DPR has been concurred for 3 projects of around 3 GW. In addition, 49 projects of 66 GW are under survey and investigation. All these DPRs are expected to be finalised by the developers in two years, the ministry informed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. In a statement posted on his official X page, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed that the indirect talks are taking place between Irans Deputy Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, and the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff, Trend reports. According to him, the discussions are being facilitated in separate rooms at a venue arranged by Oman. "The parties are conveying their positions and opinions to each other through Omans Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi," Baghaei stated. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. Iran has officially affirmed that its strategy is not to pursue the development of an atomic bomb and that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Kohima, April 12 : The Nagaland Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and registered an FIR to probe the allegations of sexual and mental harassment of several women employees of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) by an IAS officer, officials said on Saturday. A senior official said that Nagaland State Women Commission (NSCW) chairperson Nginyeih Konyak submitted a written complaint to the Director General of Police on March 17 after the verbal intimation by IDAN Chairman Abu Metha against the IAS officer on February 27. Metha is also the advisor to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. The accused IAS officer is the Joint Secretary of IDAN, Kohima. The IAS officer, however, has denied the allegations made by the women employees. Before submission of the written complaint to the DGP, the NSCW recorded the statements of the victim women, who are also working in the IDAN. Several women working in IDAN have accused the IAS officer of asking for physical indulgence for a hike in salary and other benefits. After receiving the complaint from the NSCW, the police headquarters, as per the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), instituted a preliminary enquiry on March 25 by a lady officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. The lady officer conducted the preliminary enquiry and submitted the report to the DGP on April 1. The official said that the report of the lady officer prima facie revealed the commission of a cognizable offence of sexual harassment under sections 75 & 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), warranting an in-depth criminal investigation and recommended for further investigation to uncover the full extent and truthfulness of the allegations. The government constituted a SIT (Special Investigation Team) led by a senior IPS officer for a thorough investigation of the complaint. Further, on April 5, four officers were also co-opted into the SIT. The investigation of the case is undergoing, and the Police team is looking into all aspects of the allegations. On April 4, the IAS officer was relieved from his official duties at IDAN. Meanwhile, in 2021, the same IAS officer, while posted as Deputy Commissioner of Noklak district, was booked for the alleged molestation of two underage girls who were engaged as maid servants at his official residence. After a thorough and detailed investigation, a charge sheet in the matter was filed on December 2, 2021, in the court of a Special Judge under the POCSO Act in Tuensang. After going through the Chargesheet, the Court took cognizance of the charges and commenced the trial. As per information available with the police, since then, the case is under trial at Tuensang, and 34 out of 50 Prosecution witnesses have deposed in the instant case. Mumbai, April 12 : Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Saturday responded to the recent surge of violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, asserting that the legislation aims to ensure transparency and accountability, not provoke unrest. Her remarks came in light of violent clashes and incidents of arson reported in Murshidabad, where public protests erupted over alleged misunderstandings about the Waqf Act amendments. Speaking to IANS, Shaina NC said, "The people of West Bengal should know better. The amendment to the Waqf Act is meant to bring in transparent and accountable practices to eliminate corruption. For all these loudmouths spreading conspiracy theories, it's time they actually read the Act to understand its fundamentals." She further reacted that the amendment mandates proper maintenance of revenue records, prevents encroachments, and ensures that courts can follow a streamlined process in Waqf-related matters. "These reforms are long overdue," she added. Addressing skepticism around the law, Shaina pointed to past legislative efforts. "Look at the amendments made in 1995 and 2013 all they led to was inefficiency. This amendment, however, promises transparency and accountability. Ultimately, the real beneficiaries will be the Muslim community." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday declared that her state would not implement the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, following violent protests in areas like Jangipur and Murshidabad. She appealed for peace and harmony, emphasising that the law was enacted by the central government. Banerjee cautioned against political misuse of religion and warned of legal action against those inciting riots. The Shiv Sena leader also commented on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Maharashtra's historic Raigad Fort earlier in the day. "We are here to deliver for the people of Maharashtra, and the Home Minister's visit to Raigad is a matter of pride. Under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, many monumental projects will soon take shape," she said. Shaina NC further slammed Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan's remarks concerning a fair trial for Tahawwur Hussain Rana an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks who was recently extradited from the US to India. Chavan had called for a fair trial for Rana, in line with Indian legal procedures. "Prithviraj Chavan needs to understand that a terrorist is not a regular criminal," Shaina said. "Cases of terrorists must be fast-tracked and handed capital punishment. Rana was a mastermind, working alongside David Headley and Major Iqbal of Pakistan's ISI. Given public sentiment, the death penalty is the only way forward," she said. Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman and close associate of convicted 26/11 conspirator David Headley, is now in high-security custody with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following his long-awaited extradition from the United States. Mumbai, April 12 : Actress Delbar Arya has officially commenced shooting for her next, "Jadon Da Mobile Aagya". Delbar will essay the role of a spirited PhD student in the film; an energetic, modern-day young woman navigating love, life, and laughter. Talking about her character, Delbar shared, "This film brought out my most playful and spontaneous side. It challenged me in new ways, and I've loved every moment of it. I'm excited for audiences to meet this character who is full of life and heart." Director Navdeep Singh Baweja, known for his sensitive yet entertaining narratives, praised Delbar's dedication on set. The filmmaker said, "Delbar brings truth and depth to every shot. She's a director's dreamfully present, completely committed, and effortlessly expressive actor. She's not just acting; she's living the role." Sharing the screen in "Jadon Da Mobile Aagya" with Delbar is the multi-faceted Karamjit Anmol. Karamjit was all praise for his co-star. Calling Delbar's performance "captivating" and "refreshingly honest", he added, "Delbar lights up the frame with her presence. She's graceful, hardworking, and naturally gifted. It's a pleasure to work alongside someone so dedicated and full of promise." Touted to be a youth-centric entertainer, the project is being helmed by director Navdeep Singh Baweja. Produced by Sourabh Rana, "Jadon Da Mobile Aagya" will deliver a strong message about the impact of social media on today's youth. The movie will also see Sohi Sardar, and Rupinder Rupi in crucial roles. "Jadon Da Mobile Aagya" blends comedy, emotion, and relatability in a way that resonates with today's generation. Additionally, Delbar's lineup includes the much-awaited Punjabi movie "Madhaniya". She will be seen sharing the screen with Poonam Dhillon, and Neeru Bajwa in the drama. Over and above this, Delbar will soon be making her mark on the OTT platform, expanding her reach to a wider audience. Raipur, April 12 : Inspired by the ongoing 'Lon Varratu' (Come Back Home) campaign in Dantewada district, eight Maoists, including two carrying bounties, have surrendered on Saturday. Raipur, April 12 (IANS) Inspired by the ongoing aLon Varratua (Come Back Home) campaign in Dantewada district, eight Maoists, including two carrying bounties, have surrendered on Saturday. A police official said that most of them are CNM (Chetna Natya Manch) members of various Rewali and Kakanadi Panchayats. The Manch a" an awakening and dramatic arts Front is the acultural troupea of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). He added that another surrendered Maoist is a Timnar GRD member and another is a Bhairamgarh Area Student Organisation member, while two others are Pomra Panchayat Bhumkal Militia members. The Chhattisgarh government had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 each for Mangdu Madkam, a Tekalguda Panchayat CNM member, and Deva Ram Kunjam, a Rewali Panchayat CNM member, said the officials. An official said that these individuals were previously involved in activities such as road digging and displaying Naxal banners and posters in their respective areas. Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P and other senior officers, the district police force, and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) have been actively engaging with Maoists to encourage their reintegration into society. The officials said that the campaign, combined with the Chhattisgarh governmentas rehabilitation policy, has been widely publicised in villages, leading to a steady stream of surrenders from both high-ranking and lower-level Maoists. Disillusioned by the harsh and exploitative ideology of Maoism, internal conflicts within Maoist groups, and the challenges of living in the forests, these individuals have chosen to abandon violence and re-join society. On April 12, 2025, eight Maoists, collectively carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh, surrendered at the office of Deputy Inspector General (Dantewada Range) Kamalochan Kashyap as part of the aLon Varratua. The RFT (Intelligence Branch) Dantewada, along with the 111th and 230th Battalions of the CRPF, played a pivotal role in facilitating these surrenders. Under the rehabilitation policy, the surrendered Maoists will receive Rs 50,000 in financial aid, along with other benefits such as skill development training and agricultural land. Since the inception of the aLon Varratua campaign, a total of 961 Maoists, including 226 with rewards, have surrendered and embraced a new path in society, the officials said. Iran and US set to hold 'indirect high-level talks' in Muscat. Image Source: IANS News Muscat, April 12 : Iran and the United States are holding 'indirect high-level talks' in Oman on Saturday with Tehran insisting that the discussions will solely be about nuclear issues. The talks will be held with the mediation of Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, Iranian media reported on Saturday. "Iran has repeatedly emphasised that it will not accept threats in these talks and will only discuss the nuclear issue on the basis of win-win negotiations," reported Iran's Tasnim News Agency. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who will be heading the country's delegation at Muscat talks, has maintained that the negotiations with the United States on Iran's nuclear programme can lead to an agreement, provided that Washington demonstrates the "necessary and sufficient" political will. US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff would be the US representative. "If the other party comes to the negotiating table with [an attitude of] equal footing, there will be a chance for an initial understanding that would mark a path for the negotiations," IRNA News Agency quoted Araqchi as saying on Saturday. Araghchi has emphasised in the past that Iran's nuclear programme was completely "peaceful and legitimate," adding Iran was ready to resolve any existing ambiguity about its nuclear activities. US President Donald Trump, in an interview with NBC News in late March, threatened to launch "unprecedented military strikes" on Iran if it refused to negotiate over its nuclear programme. Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with six major countries -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- in July 2015, accepting restrictions on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. However, the United States withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions, prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the nuclear deal have not achieved substantial progress. Ahmedabad, April 12 : Eminent Kathak exponent and founder of the Kadamb Centre for Dance, Kumudini Lakhia, passed away at the age of 95 on Saturday in Ahmedabad. A towering figure in Indian classical dance, Lakhia was living with her daughter, acclaimed dancer Maitreyi Hattangadi. Lakhia was recently conferred with the Padma Vibhushan on Republic Day this year in recognition of her lifelong dedication to Kathak. She had earlier been awarded the Padma Shri in 1987 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010, along with several other prestigious honours throughout her illustrious career. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the dance legend, stating, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Kumudini Lakhia ji, who made a mark as an outstanding cultural icon. Her passion towards Kathak and Indian classical dances was reflected in her remarkable work over the years." "A true pioneer, she also nurtured generations of dancers. Her contributions will continue to be cherished. Condolences to her family, students and admirers. Om Shanti," he added. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also expressed his grief, calling her "the pride of Gujarat and India in the field of classical art". "She trained many disciples in classical dance and exposed the glory of Kathak dance in the country and the world. May God grant peace to her soul and give strength to her relatives and countless disciples and admirers to bear this grief. Om Shanti," he posted on X. Lakhia was born in 1929. She began her career dancing with Ram Gopal and toured internationally, bringing Indian classical dance forms to global audiences. She later trained under maestros of the Jaipur Gharana and Pandit Shambhu Maharaj. Over time, she evolved from a solo performer into a pioneering choreographer. After more than two decades of solo performances, in 1967, Lakhia established the Kadamb Centre for Dance in Ahmedabad. By 1973, she transitioned into full-time choreography, often innovating with group compositions that broke the traditional solo Kathak format. Among her most celebrated choreographic works are Dhabkar (Pulse), Yugal (The Duet), and Atah Kim (Where Now?), the latter of which she presented at the Kathak Mahotsav in Delhi in 1980. She also contributed as a choreographer to Muzaffar Ali's acclaimed film 'Umrao Jaan' (1981) alongside Gopi Krishna. Lakhia mentored several prominent Kathak dancers, including Aditi Mangaldas, Vaishali Trivedi, Sandhya Desai, Daksha Sheth, Maulik Shah, Ishira Parikh, Prashant Shah, Urja Thakore, and Parul Shah, among many others. Bhopal, April 12 : In a significant gesture to honour B.R. Ambedkar, the legendary figure and architect of the Indian Constitution, the Madhya Pradesh government has unveiled its latest wildlife sanctuary named after him. On April 14, the country will celebrate the birth anniversary of the iconic figure of India. Ambedkar was born in Mhow (now known as Ambedkar Nagar) in Madhya Pradesh. This marks the state's 25th wildlife sanctuary, covering a sprawling 258.64-square km area in the Sagar district. "A true tribute was paid to Baba Saheb by issuing a notification declaring the 258.64 square km reserved area of Sagar district as 'Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Sanctuary'. This new sanctuary will provide a new safe shelter to the wildlife. This sanctuary dedicated to Baba Saheb will strengthen the ecological balance as well as give impetus to tourism and provide new employment opportunities to the local people. This decision is a symbol of our reverence for nature, respect for the Constitution maker and commitment towards inclusive development," Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said in post on his X account. The sanctuary, now officially named Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Sanctuary, covers the area of reserved forest land across North Sagar Forest Division, including Banda Tehsil and Shahgarh forest zones. Falling under the jurisdiction of the North Sagar Forest Circle, this protected area aims to conserve biodiversity, strengthen the ecological food chain, and boost tourism, thereby generating employment opportunities for locals. Set to be inaugurated before Ambedkar Jayanti in 2025, the sanctuary aligns with Madhya Pradesh's commitment to both honouring historical icons and preserving its natural heritage. The Forest department detailed this initiative in a recent notification and reiterated its goals for wildlife conservation and promoting sustainable eco-tourism. Madhya Pradesh is renowned for its rich wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves, including Kanha Tiger Reserve in Balaghat and Mandla, Pench Tiger Reserve spanning Seoni and Chhindwara, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria, Satpura Tiger Reserve in Narmadapuram, and Panna Tiger Reserve in the Bundelkhand region, among others. The newly designated sanctuary named after B.R. Ambedkar adds to this impressive collection, offering yet another hub for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike. Mumbai, April 12 : Actor Anupam Kher offered prayers at the Siddhivinayak temple on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. Providing the netizens a glimpse into his religious visit, Anupam wrote on IG, "Best wishes to all of you on the occasion of Hanuman Janmotsav! Today specially visited Siddhivinayak temple and prayed to Ganapati Bappa and Bajrang Bali! Worshipped for all of you too!" The veteran actor also sought blessing from Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman for his upcoming directorial venture, "Tanvi The Great". He added, "And offered my film #TanviTheGreat at the feet of the Lord! We have completed our work with great faith and hard work. Now Ganapati ji and Hanuman ji will bless us! Hail Lord Ganesh! Hail Bajrang Bali! #HanumanJayanti." The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has come on board as co-producers of "Tanvi The Great". Shedding light on the collaboration, Anupam said, "Tanvi The Great is a labor of love, crafted with the finest talent in cinema. Having NFDC as a co-producer strengthens our journey in bringing this powerful story to audiences worldwide." According to the sources, the film is inspired by a special child in the septuagenarian's extended family. "The girl is as gritty as Tanvi, the lead character in the film. Tanvi in the film, despite being a special child, wants to unfurl the tricolour on the mountain peaks and join the Indian army to serve the nation. Anupam who plays her grandfather helps her through this journey of resilience," the source revealed. Refreshing your memory, the project marks Anupam's second directorial venture after the 2002 drama "Om Jai Jagdish", starring Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan. Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani, known for his work in SS Rajamouli's "RRR" has provided the music for "Tanvi The Great", along with Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty. The technical crew of the drama further includes National Award-winning choreographer Kruti Mahesh. New Delhi/Riyadh, April 12 : Setting the tone for Haj 2025, Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia to review preparations for this year's pilgrimage, an official said on Saturday. Dr Kumar expressed satisfaction over the hygienic, stress-free stay facilities being ensured for a smooth pilgrimage experience, the official said in a statement. The Ministry uploaded the Secretary's photos and wrote on its social media handle, "Leaving no stone unturned for a comfortable #Haj2025 - Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, GoI, Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar, is on a visit to Saudi Arabia to review arrangements for Indian #HajPilgrims." For the welfare of Indian pilgrims, the Government establishes several temporary healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia during the Haj period. The necessary support with respect to the treatment of Haj pilgrims is provided through the Indian Haj Mission in accordance with Saudi law for tertiary care. A Ministry official said special emphasis is placed on the health and well-being of elderly pilgrims, identified as a high-risk group. Medical teams comprising doctors and paramedics conduct daily visits to the buildings accommodating pilgrims, ensuring routine health monitoring, consultations, and immediate response to any emerging medical concerns. In 2024, to cater to the healthcare needs of all pilgrims, especially the elderly, four medical centres in Makkah and one in Madinah, along with 17 dispensaries, were operational 24/7. Free consultations, medications, and treatment were provided to all Indian pilgrims, always ensuring access to healthcare. In 2024, the country was allotted a quota of 1.75 lakh pilgrims. Out of these, 1.40 lakh were facilitated by the Haj Committee of India and the rest were handled by private tour operators. More than 78,000 out of a total 1,75,025 pilgrims from India registered on the 'e-Haj Suvidha App' app during Haj-2024, and over 8,500 grievances and more than 2,100 SOS calls were handled through the app. Further, missing baggage cases reduced drastically during Haj 2024 as a result of the QR code mechanism. According to the Ministry, the number of pilgrims proceeding for Haj has not decreased even after the abolishment of the Haj subsidy in 2018, and the Haj Committee of India has fully utilised the Haj quota since that year. In 2017, the year preceding the complete withdrawal of the Haj subsidy, over 1.70 lakh pilgrims proceeded for Haj. Yangon, April 12 : Four more Indian nationals trapped in cyber-scam networks in the Myawaddy region of the Myanmar-Thailand border were released and brought from Hpa-An to Yangon by the Myanmar authorities, the Embassy of India Yangon revealed on Saturday. The four individuals have been handed over to the Indian officials and, following the consular process and exit permit, will be repatriated to India soon. On Thursday, 32 Indian nationals - all victims of Myawaddy scam compounds - were repatriated through Mae Sot in the Myanmar-Thailand border region. The Indian Embassy in Yangon, meanwhile, has re-emphasised its advice against such job offers and cautioned that entry or exit without border immigration in Myanmar/Thailand is illegal and can lead to future entry restrictions. "The Government of India has been making sustained efforts to secure the release and repatriation of Indian nationals lured to various South East Asian countries, including Myanmar, with fake job offers. These persons were subsequently made to indulge in cybercrime and engage in other fraudulent activities in scam centres operating in regions along the Myanmar-Thailand border," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated. Last month, the Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand coordinated with local authorities to secure the repatriation of 283 Indian nationals by an IAF aircraft from Mae Sot in Thailand. "The Government of India wishes to reiterate its caution, circulated earlier from time to time through advisories and social media posts, about such rackets. Indian nationals are once again advised to verify credentials of foreign employers through Missions abroad and check the antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before taking up a job offer," the MEA reiterated. Earlier this month, during his meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of State Administration Council and Prime Minister of Myanmar, on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated the support extended by Myanmar for the rescue and repatriation of Indian nationals from cyber-scam centres along the Myanmara"Thailand border. Both sides had agreed on the need to cooperate in addressing insurgent activities, transnational crimes and human trafficking along the India-Myanmar border. On January 20, during his inaugural address, President Donald Trump declared: As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female. From that moment on, official U.S. policy became binary. The identities of trans people, among others, were buried at least, administratively. Less than two months later, several federal agencies published a list of more than 100 words that would no longer be used in any official communications. Some examples include: activism, anti-racism, Black, gender, LGBT, Latinx, feminism, multicultural, non-binary, immigrants, vulnerable populations Based on these words, its easy to observe that women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community will be erased from the language of American public institutions. The first thing an authoritarian regime seeks is absolute and unquestionable power. To achieve this, they limit dissent and then criminalize it, says David I. Beaver, a professor of Linguistics and Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. Restricting freedom of expression is simply a way to crush dissent. By identifying banned words, its easy to draw a line between us and them. Since Trump assumed office for the second time, the demarcation that the linguistics expert speaks of has been established by the so-called war on woke. The term woke coined in the 1960s to define those with an awareness of inequality and other forms of social injustice has been used as an insult for the past decade. Its linked to the idea of the tyranny of political correctness, among other meanings. On one side of the battle are progressives, while, on the other side, are the people who leaders like Trump define as patriots or defenders of freedom, among similar labels. Individuals and groups not only lose their right to freedom of expression, but they may end up living in fear of using words that are essential to their identity and narrative, in addition to losing the ability to publicly defend themselves against oppression, Professor Beaver adds. Hes referring to the groups that are classified among the enemies singled out by administrations like Trumps. In this way, language restrictions are not only confined to an administrative document: they gradually extend to other social spheres. Knowing that the simple use of certain words on social media or in a private message can be used against [you] creates an environment of self-censorship, the Austin academic continues. Silencing them not only restricts the rights they once had, but also prevents them from achieving the rights that others take for granted. In 2024, Javier Mileis government banned inclusive language and anything related to the gender perspective in the Argentine public administration. The letter -e, the @ sign and the -x will no longer be used, [while] the unnecessary inclusion of the feminine [noun] in all documents will be prevented, one of the far-right presidents spokespeople announced. Milei considers equality policies to be part of the indoctrination of cultural Marxism. On more than one occasion, he has stated: Gender ideology and inclusive language only destroy the values of society. With this decision, the Argentine president attempted to erase some of the gains of the feminist movement with a stroke of his pen. The -e (the symbol for gender-neutral) gained visibility in 2018, during the countrys mass demonstrations in favor of legalizing abortion. The process began in secondary schools. Eventually, six universities accepted inclusive and non-sexist language expressions in written and oral productions as being valid. Subsequently, the Argentine Judicial Council authorized judges to write with the morpheme. Two young women participate in a demonstration in support of the abortion decriminalization law, in front of the Argentine Congress in 2018. AP This isnt so different from whats been done in France since 2023, when a bill was passed to invalidate any official document written in inclusive language, including contracts and communications from public officials. Macron himself has argued that, in French, the neutral form is provided by the masculine, says Jahel Queralt, a lecturer in the School of Law at Pompeu Fabra University, in Barcelona. The University of Barcelona (UB), for example, has decided to resume using the generic masculine in its normative texts. [The university authorities] argue that, as an unmarked grammatical gender, it does not exclude women or non-binary people, the expert points out. The Spanish Congress stopped using the surname de los Diputados (diputados being the male form of deputies) in 2024 and became simply Congreso, as a result of the rewriting of the Chambers Rules of Procedure to adapt them to inclusive language. At the time, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) criticized the policy because this document didnt comply with the current grammatical rules and recommendations published by the Academy in a January 2020 report. The most contentious point for the RAE was the so-called inclusive masculine, about which there are fundamental disagreements. In Russia another country led by a far-right leader using the feminine form has become a risky sport. At the end of 2023, the Russian Supreme Court declared what it referred to as the international LGBT Movement as being illegal. In its ruling, the court mentioned the use of the feminine gender in language as a practice that could be a prosecutable offense. However, the use of these feminine endings (-ka, -tsa, -niya, -sha) is quite widespread in Russian, a language based on declensions, like Greek. For example, the feminine form of aktior (actor) is aktrissa. It was unclear whether the Russian courts reference to the use of these words set a legal precedent. According to federal legislator Vitaly Milonov, feminism, homosexuality and other Satanisms should be recognized as extremist at least in the sphere of education. This was reported by EL PAIS correspondent Javier G. Cuesta, from Moscow. One of the leaders of the Russian gay rights movement Nikolai Alekseyev was arrested for attempting to hold a gay pride march without authorization from the Moscow municipal authorities. Pictured here is Nikolai Alekseyev, during the march through the streets of Moscow, in 2022 DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV (AFP) In January of 2024, the Higher School of Economics (HSE), one of Moscows leading universities, banned its students from using feminized nouns. The risk, says Russian activist Daria Sarenko, is ending up in jail. This happened to her, after she was accused of being an extremist and an enemy of the people. The feminist writer, exiled in Spain after fleeing Russia following the invasion of Ukraine due to the regimes persecution of dissidents, spent 15 days in prison for cultural demonstrations, such as when she led silent protests. For instance, she walked alone on the Moscow subway, carrying signs that displayed political and feminist reflections. I think its a different discussion than the one about banning concepts, Queralt adds. Something similar happened in 2017, during the previous Trump administration (2017-2021). I found the prohibition of science and evidence as the foundations of public policy particularly troubling. If evidence-based is no longer a standard, what criteria do you use to make decisions in public health? If you prohibit a concept, you limit the production of data related to it. How do we conduct research on fetuses if we cant use this word? If they cant be used in official reports or statistics, then what isnt named isnt measured and what isnt measured isnt managed, Queralt laments. The Chilling Effect If what isnt named isnt managed, or is difficult to measure, does it cease to exist? Are the rights of certain groups, for example, limited? This is an oversimplification, Beaver clarifies. He gives an example from his home country: In applications for funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the use of the word woman is restricted. This doesnt mean that women have ceased to exist or that the concept will cease to be used. Rather, applicants will understand that certain types of research and teaching on gender are no longer permitted. This will generate a chilling effect, limiting knowledge about the effects of gender in certain subjects, reducing public awareness about gender discrimination and pushing those working on these theories out of visible spaces, such as academia. The language decisions made by Trump, Milei and Putin have precedents in other far-right governments. Mussolini restricted the use of foreign words and promoted terms with Latin roots. The Nazis not only created their own propaganda language, but also vilified words considered Semitic, with the aim of constructing a new way of thinking, Beaver points out. Queralt adds to this, giving a more recent example. DeepSeek [artificial intelligence] models incorporate censorship mechanisms for topics considered sensitive by the Chinese government, limiting responses related to delicate political or social issues. It reminded me of George Orwells fictional language, Newspeak, in [the novel] 1984, in which the systematic elimination of words prevents the development of discourse thats contrary to the regime. Once these governments end, Beaver concludes, the institutions and language of democracy must be rebuilt from scratch. Banning words is just one of the many tools used to foster ignorance about how democracy works and [is part of] the nature of oppression. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Chennai, April 12 : The re-postmortem report of G. Senthil, a 28-year-old suspected elephant poacher found dead under suspicious circumstances in Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri forest, will be submitted to the Madras High Court on April 15. Senthil's decomposed body was discovered on April 3 in the Kongarampatti forest area. He had been arrested on March 17 in connection with the poaching of a wild tusker, whose charred carcass was found in the Neruppur forest range. While his father and brother were taken into custody along with him, they were released, and Senthil went missing. A postmortem was conducted on April 6 without the consent of his wife Chithra, prompting her to file a petition in the High Court. She alleged that Senthil may have been tortured to death in custody by forest officials and petitioned the Madras High Court for a re-postmortem. Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan ordered a re-postmortem by a team of forensic experts from three different medical colleges -- Salem, Krishnagiri, and Chengalpattu. The autopsy was conducted on April 10 in the presence of Senthil's wife and the CB-CID Investigating Officer. The body has been preserved at Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital until the court-mandated submission date. Meanwhile, the CB-CID has launched an investigation into the incident. A team visited Senthil's village and the site where the body was found, collecting evidence and family testimonies. The case has sparked a political controversy. PMK founder S. Ramadoss has demanded a CBI inquiry and Rs 50 lakh in compensation for Senthil's family. He accused the state forest department of custodial torture and questioned the delay in reporting the death. He also alleged the possibility of foul play, suggesting Senthil may have had incriminating information about forest officials. Forest officials, however, claimed that Senthil had escaped custody and died by suicide. The High Court is expected to take a call on further proceedings after examining the re-postmortem report on April 15. Chennai, April 12 : Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday hailed the global recognition and international certification of the Underwater Acoustic Test Facility (ATF) at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. Describing it as a proud milestone in India's journey towards scientific self-reliance in underwater acoustics and ocean technology, the minister said the facility is a "critical national asset". The minister highlighted its pivotal role in strengthening India's self-reliance in ocean technology. "The Acoustic Test Facility enhances our ocean observation capabilities, supports tsunami detection systems, and reinforces national security through its strategic applications," he said. In a significant milestone, the facility was recently recognized as India's "Designated Laboratory" in the field of underwater acoustics under the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), Paris, through CSIR-NPL, effective January 30, 2024. This means NIOT now holds the national standards for measurements in underwater acoustics -- a crucial responsibility for ensuring measurement accuracy across strategic sectors. Dr Singh also witnessed a live demonstration of the facility's capabilities, which include precise testing and calibration of a wide range of underwater acoustic instruments such as hydrophones, transducers, and acoustic modems -- vital for both strategic and civilian applications. Established in 2004 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the ATF is India's only facility accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for hydrophone calibration. Since 2005, it has consistently maintained this accreditation and caters to a broad spectrum of users, including naval laboratories, IITs, universities, and major industrial players such as BEL, L&T, and Tata Power. In 2018, the facility's global competence was validated when it participated in a Key Comparison Test organised by the National Physical Laboratory, UK, alongside laboratories from seven other countries, including the US, UK, and Russia. The ATF's calibration results matched international benchmarks, establishing its parity with top global labs. As India scales up its ambitions in ocean exploration and maritime security, the Acoustic Test Facility is expected to play a defining role in shaping future technologies. Goma, April 12 : Intense gunfire and artillery fire shook the western neighbourhoods of Goma overnight from Friday to Saturday, plunging the city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into panic, according to local sources. Residents in the Keshero and Lac-Vert districts reported heavy shooting and explosions beginning around 10 pm local time on Friday. The barrage continued for several hours, prompting civilians to flee or seek shelter indoors. A tense calm returned on Saturday morning, but no official casualty figures were released as of midday. According to local media, the fighting involved March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, who have controlled Goma since January, and armed factions believed to be affiliated with the pro-government Wazalendo militias and the DRC armed forces (FARDC). In a broadcast aired by the local branch of the Congolese National Radio and Television, the M23 accused the FARDC-Wazalendo coalition of launching coordinated attacks on its positions during the night. Since seizing Goma in late January, the M23 has established a parallel administration in the provincial capital of North Kivu, Xinhua news agency reported. Hostilities have continued to flare across the province, a volatile region at the heart of eastern DRC's long-running conflict. The United Nations estimates that roughly one million people, including some 400,000 children, have been newly displaced since late January across North and South Kivu provinces, as heavy fighting continues between government forces and armed groups vying for control. Increased violence in the three easternmost provinces of the DRC is raising deep concern for civilians, including aid workers, a UN humanitarian official had said last month. Bruno Lemarquis, the UN resident humanitarian coordinator for the DRC, voiced alarm over the recent increase in targetted violence against civilians, including relief workers, and civilian infrastructure in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Lemarquis said in a statement that the attacks, including the abduction of dozens of patients from two hospitals, are serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws. They threaten operations providing relief to millions of civilians. UNHCR said that around the North Kivu capital of Goma, about 17,000 people remain in displacement sites, schools and churches, while 414,000 people have been on the move for the past four weeks, encouraged by the de facto authorities to return to their villages of origin. The agency said that at least 209,000 people from the sites arrived spontaneously in Masisi, Nyiragongo, and Rutshuru territories, where basic services are not equipped for the sudden surge of people. Given the widespread insecurity in the provinces and surrounding areas, many more may need to cross borders to find protection and assistance. Tehran, April 12 : Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday met with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi in the Omani capital of Muscat ahead of "indirect" Iran-US talks, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The meeting took place shortly after Araghchi's arrival and before his scheduled "indirect" negotiations with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff over Iran's nuclear programme and sanctions relief, the ministry said. Araghchi hailed the "robust and longstanding" Iran-Oman relations in all areas and thanked Oman for its "responsible" approach towards the issues and developments in the West Asia region, with hosting the "indirect" Iran-US talks as proof, the ministry said. Araghchi also briefed Albusaidi on Iran's positions so that he would convey them to the US side, the ministry said. Describing Iran-Oman ties as "excellent," Albusaidi thanked Iran for choosing Muscat as the site for the "important" talks and informed Araghchi of the arrangements and preparations made for the talks, read the statement. US President Donald Trump said Monday during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington that "direct talks" with Iran were expected. On Tuesday, Araghchi confirmed that he would meet with Witkoff in Oman on Saturday for "indirect high-level talks". The discrepancy over whether the talks are direct or indirect has persisted since early March, when Trump stated he had sent a letter to Iranian leaders -- via the United Arab Emirates -- proposing direct negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme. While Iran later confirmed receiving the letter and left the door open for indirect engagement, it has rejected face-to-face negotiations while under what it calls Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign, as Trump has repeatedly warned of severe consequences if Iran does not abandon its nuclear programme. On Wednesday, Trump warned that military action remains on the table if Iran fails to agree to end its nuclear programme. Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions targetting five entities, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and one individual in connection with Iran's nuclear activities. Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with six major countries -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- in July 2015, accepting restrictions on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. However, the United States withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions, prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the nuclear deal have not achieved substantial progress. Seoul, April 12 : The United States has expressed a willingness to handle the tariff negotiations with South Korea and Japan as smoothly as possible, Seoul's Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said, describing the openness as a key outcome of his visit to Washington. "We held various discussions aimed at ensuring smooth trade relations with the Trump administration," Cheong told reporters at Incheon International Airport upon returning from his two-day visit to Washington, reports Yonhap news agency. Cheong's trip marked the first of its kind by a senior South Korean trade official since the Donald Trump administration announced country-by-country reciprocal tariffs, including 25 percent duties for South Korea, that took effect this week. During his stay in Washington, Cheong met with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and other key officials to discuss the tariff issue. "The biggest achievement of the visit was establishing a framework for item-by-item negotiations, particularly concerning steel and automobiles," Cheong said, adding that Washington showed a willingness to reach an agreement with both Seoul and Tokyo in an "amicable" manner. He also emphasised the importance of identifying the appropriate U.S. agency as Seoul's main negotiation counterpart. "Determining which U.S. agency would be our dialogue partner was crucial," he said, noting that Greer will primarily lead the negotiations on behalf of Washington. Cheong added that he thoroughly conveyed South Korea's position on the issue of reciprocal tariffs. "Greer actively listened to our stance, and shared the U.S. perspective and expectations for South Korea," he said, describing the nature of the talks. US President Donald Trump has imposed a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, saying that negotiations with countries requesting meetings over tariff issues would begin "immediately." At the same time, he warned China against retaliatory measures, raising tariffs against China to 125 percent. In retaliation, China announced plans to raise tariffs on all U.S. goods from 84 percent to as much as 125 percent starting Saturday. Raipur, April 12 : In a significant anti-Maoist operation in Bijapur district's Indravati jungle, security forces have neutralised Anil Punem, a notorious Maoist commander linked to the January 2025 Ambeli village blast in which eight security personnel and a driver were killed, an official said on Saturday. Punem was carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head. So far, the bodies of three uniformed Maoists have been recovered in the encounter. The identity of the other two Maoists is being ascertained. Three pieces of 12 bore Rifle, Single shot Rifles and other weapons, explosives, and Maoist-related material were recovered from the encounter site. A joint team comprising DRG (district reserve guard) Bijapur, DRG Dantewada, STF (Special Task Force), and Cobra battalions engaged in a decisive encounter with the Maoist insurgents. Three Maoists, including Punem, were killed, with the identities of two others being confirmed. Weapons, explosives, and Maoist paraphernalia were recovered from the encounter site, including three rifles. The security forces have launched operations of a sustained campaign against the outlawed CPI-Maoist group in the Bastar region, which has seen heightened insurgent activity. In the past 102 days alone, security forces in Bijapur district have recovered 86 bodies of hardcore Maoists, arrested 173 individuals, and facilitated the surrender of 179 insurgents. Across the Bastar Division, the number has climbed to 121 (Maoists who have been neutralised). The operation is also a part of the ongoing mission to make India LWE-free by March 2026. Despite the appeal by Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier this month in Bastar that Maoists should lay down their arms and come back home, they are yet involved in criminal activities. The joint team of security forces had launched an operation based on intelligence inputs at 9 a.m. on Saturday, said police officials. Superintendent of Police, Bijapur, Dr. Jitendra Kumar Yadav, emphasised the continued commitment of security personnel to restoring peace and fostering development in the region despite challenges. Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, highlighted the effective intelligence-led strategies driving recent successes, including the operation on Saturday. This mission represents a broader effort to dismantle Maoist networks and address their violent activities. Security forces remain steadfast in their goal of ensuring the region's stability and advancing government initiatives for development. The achievements in recent months underscore the impact of coordinated operations by DRG, STF, CoBRA, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CAF, and Bastar Fighters, who work tirelessly under the guidance of Police Headquarters. Jerusalem, April 12 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a statement on Saturday that it had completed the encirclement of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. According to the statement, an IDF armoured division carried out the encirclement by completing the establishment of the 'Morag Corridor', a route in southern Gaza intended to separate Rafah and Khan Younis. It said that during operations in the past week and a half, IDF troops killed dozens of militants and dismantled Hamas military infrastructure, including underground tunnel routes. The IDF noted that it will extend operational control over the 'Morag Corridor' and carry out 'counter-terrorism' operations in the area. Later on Saturday, the IDF said its Air Force intercepted three rockets fired from Gaza towards southern Israel. The rocket launches triggered sirens in open spaces bordering Gaza, with no casualties reported, according to the IDF. On Friday, the IDF 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 centers in western Gaza City." 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 organizing 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. Bhopal/New Delhi, April 12 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Saturday that staging of the mega-drama Samrat Vikramaditya at Delhi's iconic Red Fort will be a historic event, and it would be the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between New Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. The three-day-long drama as part of 'Vikramotsav' - an event dedicated to the resurgence of Indian knowledge systems, cultural renaissance, and the glory of India, will start on Saturday evening and will conclude on April 14 at the Red Fort. The inaugural ceremony will be attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at 7:30 pm. "With the support of the Ministry of Culture, Deendayal Research Institute, and the Delhi government, artists have brought the era of Samrat Vikramaditya to life, offering glimpses into his exemplary rule. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between Delhi and Madhya Pradesh," said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister. Yadav emphasised that Samrat Vikramaditya's era of good governance continues to be remembered with deep respect across all Indian states. He added that his valor, bravery, wisdom, generosity, and early democratic principles set an extraordinary example of governance. Chief Minister's Office, in a statement, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's initiative to organise a three-day 'Samrat Vikramaditya Mahaanatya' along with associated exhibitions at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. "In his message, the Prime Minister expressed his delight at the efforts made under the dynamic leadership of the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister to bring the glorious saga and magnificence of Samrat Vikramaditya to the public," reads the statement. It further added: "PM Modi conveyed his warm congratulations and best wishes to the organisers and all participating artists for ensuring the success of the event. He noted that the reign of the great Samrat Vikramaditya is celebrated for its focus on public welfare, good governance, and cultural revival." PM Modi has also expressed his belief that such initiatives will acquaint both present and future generations with India's illustrious past and inspire them to contribute actively to nation-building. Chandigarh, April 12 : Punjab Police, in coordination with Central agencies and Delhi Police, have arrested Uttar Pradesh-based Saidul Ameen, the prime accused involved in the grenade attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia's residence in Jalandhar, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said on Saturday. An explosion occurred at the residence of the Kalia, located in Central Town Jalandhar, on the night of April 7. Preliminary investigations had revealed a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan's ISI to disrupt communal harmony in Punjab. The development came close on the heels of the arrest of two local associates -- Satish alias Kaka, alias Lucky, of Bhargo Camp in Jalandhar and Harry of Garha Road in Jalandhar, who provided logistical support to the accused Saidul Ameen. The plot was masterminded by Zeeshan Akhtar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Pakistan-based ISI-sponsored gangster Shahzad Bhatti, while, role of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also being probed. DGP Yadav, accompanied by Commissioner of Police (Jalandhar) Dhanpreet Kaur, told the media in Jalandhar that the accused Saidul Ameen, a resident of Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended from Delhi after an intensive multi-state manhunt. "This arrest is a testament to the seamless coordination between Punjab Police, Central agencies, and Delhi Police in dismantling terror networks," he said. The DGP said that the ongoing probe also revealed the financial link to the executors of the grenade attack, under whose role of Haryana-based accused identified as Abhijot, who was arrested by the Haryana Police on Friday after an exchange of fire in Kurukshetra, has also come under light. The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police will bring him on a production warrant for further investigations, the DGP added. He said that further investigations are ongoing to uncover handlers, financial backers, and potential foreign connections linked to the attack. New Delhi, April 12 : The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Saturday organised an event to pay homage to 127 personnel who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. Director General, CISF, Rajwinder Singh Bhatti, presided over a special function at CISF Headquarters, New Delhi, and personally honoured the families of the bravehearts. In his address, the DG paid tribute to their courage, sacrifice and unwavering dedication, said an official. The event reaffirmed CISFas strong commitment to national security and honoured the sacrifices made by its personnel in protecting the integrity of the nation. The force has a strength of more than 1,88,000 personnel. Earlier in the day, Praveer Ranjan, SDG (APS), along with senior CISF officers and personnel, paid floral tributes to the fallen heroes at the Central Sculpture, National Police Memorial. The families of CISF bravehearts also visited the aWall of Valour,a where the names of all CAPF and Police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice are engraved in stone. A performance was presented by the CISF band and CISF officers, personnel, and their families from various Delhi-NCR based units attended the event. As part of the prestigious event, the families were given an exclusive tour of the Police Museum and shown a special CISF film. The film highlighted the unmatched valour of CISF personnel and their vital role in ensuring the nationas security. In an emotional ceremony, senior officers felicitated the families and expressed their gratitude for their sacrifice. The CISF at present provides security cover to 359 establishments through the length and breadth of the country. It also has its own Fire Wing, which provides services to 115 of the above establishments. The CISF security umbrella includes Indiaas most critical infrastructure facilities like nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, etc. In addition, the CISF also protects important government buildings, iconic heritage monuments, the Delhi Metro, the Parliament House Complex and Central Jails of Jammu and Kashmir. The CISF also has a specialised VIP Security vertical providing round-the-clock security to important protectees. The Wagner Groups chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died two months after his failed 2023 rebellion against Vladimir Putin after having been the Russian presidents trusted confidant but his mercenary force did not disappear with him: thousands of Wagner veterans defected to the battalions of his ally against the Russian Defense Ministry, Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic. Prigozhin, who ran a mercenary company and increasingly criticized the handling of the war in Ukraine, died in a plane crash widely suspected of being orchestrated. But his rebukes of Moscow remain in the conversations of his former soldiers at a hidden hospital in Luhansk (a territory in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian forces), members of the Akhmat regiment, named after Kadyrovs murdered father. If theres one of our hospitals and another belonging to the Ministry of Defense, everyone tries to go to ours because we dont abandon anyone, one of their doctors told this newspaper. The Russian High Command forced all independent units to integrate into the ranks of the regular army after the Wagner rebellion. However, Akhmats special forces still enjoy a degree of autonomy and are largely funded by Kadyrov, who, in addition to maintaining his Praetorian Guard, has gained much greater influence within the army and patriotic circles by expanding his forces with troops that are no longer exclusively Chechen, but rather volunteers from all over Russia. We are one country. From Moscow to the Urals and the Far East, says Dobrynin, dressed in a medical gown alongside his comrades. He is a tall Akhmat soldier who participated in Operation Pipeline in mid-March during the recapture of the Russian town of Sudzha, in Kursk (a region of Russia partially occupied by Ukrainian forces). His unit, made up of around 30 newly enlisted Akhmat assault soldiers under the command of a former Wagner member, broke into the Ukrainians after advancing for six days along an abandoned gas pipeline, devoid of electricity and contaminated with gases and heavy metals. Doctors were shocked to see his white lungs on the scan. If it werent for our treatment, they would have quickly developed cystic fibrosis and lung cancer, says Konstantin Florich, the hospitals commanding officer, nicknamed Bulya, a Moldovan and former member of Wagner. Bulya is responsible for 115 wounded, nine doctors, and a waiting list of more than 1,500 casualties. One of his doctors highlights the differences with other units: We found the correct doses and offered our help to the other [Ministry of Defense] hospitals, but only one changed their treatment. Everyone thought they were doing well. We had to take our own patients away because their condition was deteriorating, he explains, requesting anonymity. Doctors and patients at the hospital run by Akhmut, in Luhansk province. / Javier Cuesta JAVIER CUESTA Flags bearing the face of Kadyrovs father and Wagners skull hang in the hospital rooms. In one rest several members of Rusich, a Wagner reconnaissance group whose emblem is the Black Sun rune and which was founded by Yan Petrovsky, a well-known Russian neo-Nazi. One of his wounded men is Ecuadorian. I hadnt fought before, I speak very little Russian, Oriol, known as Aguila, tells EL PAIS. I received military training in Ecuador. I came here out of vocation, not ideology, he explains timidly, amid the jokes of his colleagues. The soldier was sent to the front in December and was shortly afterward wounded in a drone ambush in the battle for Toretsk, where he lost his hearing. Toretsk, located in the western Donetsk region, is one of the hottest spots in the Ukrainian war. Drones are unforgiving in this devastated city and in neighboring Gorlovka, a dozen miles away and populated by civilians. Many soldiers treated at the hospital come from that front. A surgeon, nicknamed Diego, and a nurse, Malaya (Little), remove shrapnel from the leg of Private Kiril Gromov, of the Fourth Motorized Brigade, a former militia from Luhansk. I didnt enlist for political or financial reasons, I just wanted to help the wounded, explains Diego, a military doctor with a year and a half of experience. Now he performs one or two operations a day in the rearguard, but during the Bakhmut offensive, one of the bloodiest battles of the war, he operated on up to 10 seriously wounded people a day. Todays operation was easy; it was scheduled after the wounded man was stabilized in a field hospital on the front lines. Gromov was surprised by a drone, but managed to throw himself to the ground in time, his backpack protecting him. The Ukrainians have changed the drone blades; now you cant detect them from a distance, you cant hear that horrible sound, the soldier explains. Zuchara, also a soldier in the Fourth Motorized Brigade, wanders around with a blank stare before being examined using expensive CT equipment paid for by Kadyrov, a device not available in other Defense Ministry hospitals. Zuchara was attacked two days earlier with an unidentified chemical weapon and his right lung was damaged. The young man was evacuated by his comrades; although he managed to escape the toxic cloud, he fainted. At Akhmat, we dont consider the idea of having unsalvageable patients, soldiers who know for sure theyre going to die. We fight for everyone, we fight to the bitter end for each and every one of them. This is what I like about this unit, says the doctor treating Zuchara, speaking on condition of anonymity. Hospital commander Bulya emphasizes that this is how Akhmat differed from some of the Russian Armed Forces: It was like that with Yevgeny Viktorovich [Prigozhin]; he visited the wounded and demanded that we prioritize the assault troops. That they be the VIPs, not the top brass. If there were 10 chocolate bars, nine would go to them and one to the doctors. Bulya says that this philosophy has continued after he defected to Akhmat. Apti Aranovich [Alaudinov, Akhmats general] called me and asked me to save our guys. Apti Aranovich, Yevgeny Viktorovich, Grandfather Dmitry Utkin [military commander of Wagner, who died on the same plane as Prigozhin] These are the kind of people who go all the way and dont fight for power; they are competent commanders, Bulya says. These are the [commanders] the Russians love. Drones kill more than artillery and bullets combined The hospital has an armored ambulance that looks like something out of the Mad Max saga due to its modifications. A huge vehicle with 150-kilogram doors, it has been hit by drones five times in 50 trips and has only lost a wheel once. Its a tempting target, admits Bulya. The Russian military insists that the threat from drones, present throughout the war, has become unbearable in the last two months. I receive virtually no gunshot wounds, about 1% at most, says Dr. Diego. Drones account for more than half of the deaths, says Vasili, a drone unit commander with Akhmat, nicknamed Psij. When I first saw a drone two years ago, I didnt know what it was. War has completely changed; its more terrifying, he adds. His unit moves from house to house in the middle of villages to hide from the Ukrainian HIMARS. In one, they repair and modify their drones. Killing a single enemy can save three of our own, plus the costs of training, hospitalization, or family compensation, says Psij, explaining why its profitable to attack a single enemy soldier with a drone. The most dangerous drone is the fiber-optic cable drone, notes another Akhmat commander, Fartobi. Electronic countermeasures dont affect them, he adds, before explaining the only current responses to this type of warfare: Try to remain undetected or flee into the forest. A competent pilot will make you run with your equipment to tire you out before striking. This Akhmat unit has all types of drones, from kamikazes to reconnaissance drones, and has trained more than 1,500 soldiers. We observe that other [Russian] forces place less emphasis on practice. We practice with experienced instructors, Psij emphasizes. New recruits take part in a training session in the middle of the countryside. One of the bombs starts a fire in the parched grass. Can I tell you why I joined the war? asks Volodya, nicknamed Tiopli (Warm) and a local volunteer since 2014. I joined when Ukrainian forces fired on my village, on my two sons, there was no fighting there, says Tiopli. Eleven years later, his eldest son is about to turn 18, the age for military service. I dont care about pride, I dont wish my children the fate I suffered, Im tired, says the 45-year-old veteran. For the Ukrainians, I was a moskal (a derogatory word for Muscovite), and for the Russians, a jojol (a derogatory word for Ukrainian). All of this could have been resolved diplomatically, he laments. For Tiopli, the goal must be peace, not Kyiv. We want to live freely, but this also depends on Ukraine, adds Andrei, a twenty-something nicknamed Student. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition New Delhi, April 12 : The standoff between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor R.N. Ravi over the delay in granting assent to bills has finally been resolved by the Supreme Court. In a landmark judgment, the top court of the country ruled that the ten bills withheld by the Governor since 2020 have now automatically become law. The court also termed the Governor's conduct as a violation of the Constitution and specifically of Article 200. Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who represented the Tamil Nadu government in the case, spoke exclusively to IANS and provided detailed insights into the developments and implications of the Supreme Court's decision. He stated that the verdict was given considering the unique circumstances prevailing in Tamil Nadu. "Ten bills were passed by the state legislature and sent to the Governor for assent. However, he sat on them for more than a year without taking any action," Dwivedi explained. During this period, a similar issue arose in Punjab, prompting the Supreme Court to clarify the interpretation of Article 200. Dwivedi explained: "The court ruled that when a Governor receives a bill, and if they choose not to assent to it, they must return it to the legislature with a message for reconsideration. If the legislature passes the bill again, then it becomes mandatory for the Governor to give assent. At that point, discretion is no longer applicable." He added that the Tamil Nadu case was also pending before the SC at the same time. During the hearings, the Attorney General suggested resolving the issue amicably through dialogue with the Governor. However, the Governor neither approved the bills nor forwarded them to the President. Instead, he returned them, stating, "I do not give my assent." Following this, the Tamil Nadu Assembly re-passed the bills and sent them back to the Governor, who then forwarded them to the President for consideration. Dwivedi said, "This sequence of actions clearly revealed the Governor's bad faith." "Holding the files for a year, ignoring the Supreme Court's decision in the Punjab case, and blocking all ten bills without any stated reasoning reflect malintent," said Dwivedi. "When the bills were passed again, the Governor should have given assent as required under Article 200. Forwarding them to the President was unconstitutional," he added. He further said: "A Governor cannot say, 'I will stop it again' or 'I will send it to the President again'. The Constitution mandates that if a bill is passed again, the Governor has no discretion left. The wording in Article 200 is clear - 'assent shall not be withheld'. Hence, once re-passed, a bill cannot be refused." Dwivedi noted that the SC found the Governor's actions to be in violation of Article 200 and struck them down. "When the original action is invalidated, then any further steps, like sending the bills to the President, also lose validity. If the foundation is removed, the structure collapses." It is important to note that the ten bills in question were passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly - some during the tenure of the previous AIADMK government and others under the current DMK government. Governor R.N. Ravi, however, withheld his assent for an extended period without providing a decision. After being re-passed by the Assembly, he again declined assent and sent them to the President. The Tamil Nadu government challenged this move in the SC, arguing that it was arbitrary and unconstitutional. The court, in its judgment, made it clear that the Governor's conduct was contrary to Article 200 of the Constitution and that obstructing or indefinitely delaying bills approved by the legislature does not align with the constitutional duties of a Governor. Mumbai, April 12 : Dr. Shivarajkumar's highly-awaited Kannada flick, "45" will be getting an electrifying four-state teaser launch tour across India-all within just two days-on April 15 and 16, 2025. Mumbai, April 12 (IANS) Dr. Shivarajkumar's highly-awaited Kannada flick, "45" will be getting an electrifying four-state teaser launch tour across Indiaall within just two dayson April 15 and 16, 2025. The grand promotional blitz will commence on April 15 in Mumbai, followed by an evening celebration in Hyderabad. The next morning on April 16, the team will head to Chennai, and the tour will be wrapped up with a show-stopping event at PVR Forum in Kochi. Speaking about the ambitious launch, director Arjun Janya shared, "I've poured my heart and soul into '45'. It's a story told with immense love, vision, and passion. Bringing together this level of talent to create a world that feels magical yet powerful has been a dream. This '45 PAN India Teaser Tour' is our salute to the audiences across the countrywe want them to be part of the journey right from the start." Protagonist Dr. Shivarajkumar added, "There's something truly electrifying about '45'. From the moment I read the script, I knew this was going to be something special. This teaser launch is the first step in sharing that excitement with our fans. The scale is grand, but the emotion is even bigger." Upendra shared, "Being part of a project like '45' is rare. The energy, the scale, the visionit all came together so powerfully. With this teaser tour, we're not just unveiling a film, we're starting a movement. There's so much more to come." Producer M. Ramesh Reddy also shared his thoughts saying, "'45' is our dream project. We've always envisioned it as a film that speaks to audiences across languages and regions. This teaser tour is just the beginninga soft launch that opens the door to months of exciting promotions. From trailers and songs to exclusive behind-the-scenes and fan eventswe're going all out to connect with people everywhere." Produced by Smt. Uma Ramesh Reddy and M. Ramesh Reddy, and written and directed by Arjun Janya, "45" stars Dr. Shivarajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B. Shetty under the banner of Suraj Productions. "45" will be reaching the movie buffs in theatres on August 15, 2025. Islamabad, April 12 : At least eight labourers, having Pakistani nationalities and hailing from the Punjab province, have been killed in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province on Saturday, several reports have indicated. This is the second such incident of targeted killing this year involving Pakistani nationals working on the Iranian side of the border. In January, unknown gunmen had killed nine Pakistani nationals in southeastern Iran. As per sources, the latest incident took place in the village of Hizabad Paein, a small town about five kilometres from Mehrestan in Iran;s Sistan and Baluchestan province. Additional information revealed that the eight victims hailed from Pakistan's Punjab province and used to work at a car repair workshop. "Among the victims were a father and his two sons, who had been working at a car repair workshop," confirmed one of the sources. While the motive behind the targetted killing is still uncertain, it is suspected it relates to the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Punjabis from the Balochistan province of Pakistan. Importantly, the distance of Sistan and Baluchestan province from the Pakistan border is about 455 kilometers. Locals around both sides of the border usually are seen using the border for daily businesses and even use the same porous border to illegally pass through into Iran. The Balochistan separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has been accused in the past of conducting targetted killings of labourers, workers, government officials and others across the province, as part of their ethnic killing spree and hatred against Punjabis, in particular. No groups have so far claimed responsibility for the latest attack in Sistan-Baluchestan. New Delhi, April 12 : The Delhi Police on Saturday arrested two habitual vehicle thieves and recovered two stolen motorcycles from their possession. The operation was carried out by the Shastri Park Police Station team. In addition to the two stolen motorcycles, the police team also seized another motorcycle that was used in committing the crimes. According to the information, two vehicle theft complaints were registered at Shastri Park Police Station on April 5. Given the seriousness of the cases, a special investigation team was formed under the leadership of Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Manjeet Tomar. The team included Sub-Inspector Rocky, Head Constables Amit Malik, Shivraj, Rohit, and Constable Gyan. They worked under the supervision of ACP Seelampur Vikramjeet Singh Virk and were tasked with the swift recovery of the stolen vehicles. Using a mix of technical surveillance and local informant networks, the police apprehended two suspects a" Ejaz alias Kallan (24) and Sameer (23), both residents of Delhi. During interrogation, the accused confessed to their crimes. Based on their disclosure, the police recovered a Hero Super Splendor motorcycle (registration number DL 5 SCE 9910) that was used in the execution of the thefts. At the time of arrest, the police recovered a stolen Hero Splendor motorcycle (DL 11B 3619) from their possession. In addition to this, parts of another stolen Hero Splendor (DL 5 SBH 1481), which had already been dismantled, were also seized. Police suspect that the duo may be involved in several other cases of vehicle theft. Further interrogation is underway, and the investigation is ongoing, informed the police officials. Meanwhile, sources say that the Delhi police are now intensifying the campaign to nab the gangs involved in bike lifting activities across the city. In days to come, more gangs will be busted, and criminals will be apprehended, says an official. Lucknow, April 12 : The 134th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, will be celebrated with great fervour and state honours across Uttar Pradesh on Monday, April 14. A series of events have been planned throughout the state to mark the occasion. In view of the celebrations, the state government has declared a public holiday. Under the direction of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the day will be observed with grandeur and dignity. Districts across the state will host grand events, seminars, and tribute ceremonies dedicated to Babasahebas life and legacy. On Sunday, a day before the celebration, special cleaning drives will be conducted in all public parks and memorials across the statea"particularly those housing statues of national heroes and great personalities. Residents, public representatives, government officials, and employees will also participate in the cleanliness campaigns. On Monday, district officials, government staff, and local representatives will pay floral tributes and garland Dr. Ambedkaras statues. Special programmes focusing on his life, work, and contribution to the Indian Constitution will also be organised. Various events across the state will highlight Dr. Ambedkar's ideas and his role in drafting the Constitution. The Chief Secretary of UP has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to personally take part in these events and ensure the active involvement of public representatives, intellectuals, and students. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of Baisakhi. He stated that Baisakhi symbolises India's rich traditions and glorious heritage. Celebrated during the harvest season, the festival reflects the agrarian roots and cultural vibrancy of the nation. Baisakhi also marks the day when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, founded the Khalsa Panth. The festival is celebrated in various forms across India, often symbolising the start of a new year. The Chief Minister wished that the festival of Baisakhi brings joy, prosperity, and happiness to everyone's lives. Patna, April 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Bihar's Madhubani on April 24, where he will address a Panchayat Diwas rally, targeting grassroots representatives and energising the NDA cadre ahead of the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. As part of the preparations, the NDA has mobilised leaders from 69 Assembly constituencies and 10 Lok Sabha constituencies across North Bihar, including Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Araria, Supaul, Saharsa, and Madhepura and asked them to make the Prime Minister rally successful. The NDA held a coordination meeting at the BJP office in Patna on Saturday, with participation from all constituent parties - BJP, JDU, LJP, HAM, and RLM. BJP State President Dilip Jaiswal said all MPs, MLAs, and panchayat representatives have been assigned specific responsibilities to ensure a successful turnout in the Madhubani rally. Jaiswal took a dig at RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, calling him "unemployed" and accused him of politicising "trivial" issues. "Every night, he thinks about what issue to make up the next day. He just collects local incidents from the newspapers in the morning to target the government," Jaiswal said. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh announced that all blocks of Bihar will be connected virtually to PM Modi's address, to make it a "historic rally." "The event will focus on interacting with Panchayati Raj representatives, reinforcing the NDA's grassroots outreach strategy, and showcasing PM Modi's vision for rural and regional development in Bihar," Singh said. During the coordination meeting, key NDA leaders included Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and Vijay Sinha, LJPRV Raju Kumar, and others from allied parties were also present. Sanjay Jha, the Rajya Sabha MP, claimed that under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and PM Modi, the NDA will win over 225 seats in Bihar. "The people of Bihar are witnessing development under the double-engine government. The Centre is releasing funds for the various development projects, and you have seen during the last two union budgets when the Centre gave huge funds for the development of Bihar," he said. Agartala/Imphal, April 12 : At least seven policemen sustained injuries on Saturday during a clash between the security personnel and the agitators who held a protest rally against the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act in northern Tripura's Kailashahar under Unakoti district. In Manipur, two prominent organisations -- Minorities Students' Association Manipur (MSAM) and the All Manipur Muslim Students' Organisation (AMMSO) -- have demanded that Muslim MLAs and others representing constituencies with significant Muslim populations publicly declare their positions on the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A police official said that the Police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) had to charge batons and burst teargas shells to disperse the crowds, who during the gathering suddenly turned violent and started pelting stones and bricks on the police. He claimed that before the start of the protest rally, senior police officials requested the leaders of the agitators not to come to the mixed populated and non-Muslim dominated areas and put up barricades between two police stations Irani and Kailashahar. He said that police resorted to lathi charge and burst teargas shells after the protesters broke the security barricade to get entry into Kailashahar district town. "Many violent protesters engaged in a physical brawl with the police personnel," he said. He added that they started pelting bricks and stones at the security personnel, which left at least seven police personnel, including sub-divisional police personnel Jayanta Karmakar, injured. "The protesters, comprising around four thousand men and women, also vandalised a few shops, houses, and public properties, raising slogans against the central and state BJP governments," he said. The official added that the protesters raised slogans demanding the repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act and allowing the Muslim community to act on Waqf properties without any interference. He also said that police arrested eight protestors for throwing bricks and stones at the security personnel and lodged a suo-moto case. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Northern Range, Rati Ranjan Debnath and other senior officials led the security personnel to deal with the protests. Meanwhile, in Manipur, tensions continue to simmer in Manipur as the Minorities Students' Association Manipur (MSAM) and the All Manipur Muslim Students' Organisation (AMMSO) have issued a joint statement on Saturday, demanding that Muslim MLAs and others representing constituencies with significant Muslim populations publicly declare their positions on the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The statement comes amid widespread protests across the state by the Meitei Pangal (Muslim) community, who view the Act as a threat to their religious and property rights. The statement specifically called out three Muslim MLAs -- Abdul Nasir (Janata Dal (United) Lilong assembly constituency), Sheikh Noorul Hassan (National People's Party Kshetrigao assembly constituency), and Muhammud Ashabudin (BJP, Jiribam AC). On April 7, curfew was imposed for an indefinite period in the entire Lilong Assembly constituency in Manipur's Thoubal district, a day after a mob set the house of the BJP minority morcha's state President, Muhammad Asker Ali, on fire for supporting the Waqf (Amendment Act). President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on April 5, as announced by the Law Ministry in a notification on the same day. The Bill was recently passed by Parliament after intense and lengthy debates in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The law seeks to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholders' rights. New Delhi, April 12 : On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Mudra scheme, BJP national spokesperson and former Rajya Sabha MP Syed Zafar Islam on Saturday hailed the economic vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that has transformed "job seekers" into "job givers". Addressing media persons, Islam said the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has been praised by international organisations like the IMF, World Bank, and others. He said under it, loans worth Rs 33 lakh crore have been provided to 52 crore beneficiaries, of which 70 per cent are women. Talking about the controversial remarks of Tamil Nadu Minister K. Ponmudi, Islam described his remarks as anti-Hindu and demanded that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin should immediately remove him from the council of ministers. He said as soon as Home Minister Amit Shah announced the AIADMK-BJP alliance, the DMK, under pressure, removed Ponmudi from the party post, but not from the ministerial post. He said while the BJP has consistently worked to promote Tamil culture on the global stage, the DMK government has spread confusion on issues of language, caste, and religion. Islam said the DMK government in Tamil Nadu is not only steeped in corruption but is also trying to divert attention from its misdeeds by constantly raking up divisive issues such as Sanatan Dharma, the Waqf Board, delimitation, and language disputes. While taking a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that Congress leaders carry the Constitution in their pockets but do not adhere to its provisions. On the other hand, the BJP has fulfilled Baba Saheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar's resolve, and more than 50 per cent of the beneficiaries under the Mudra scheme are from Dalit, Tribal, and OBC communities, he said. "Today, the Mudra scheme has provided a tremendous boost to the MSME sector and accelerated the Indian economy. In 2014, the total bank credit contribution of MSMEs was 15 per cent, which has now increased to 20 per cent. About 11 per cent of the beneficiaries belong to the minority community, especially Muslim women," he said. Talking about the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, the BJP spokesman said every country is worried about the impact of these tariffs and the direction in which the global economy will head, but India is the only country that has emerged as a strong, stable, and self-reliant economy on the global stage. New Delhi, April 12 : Delhi Speaker Vijender Gupta has said that the legislative Assembly has decided to use the Central Government's Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS) software for effective monitoring of audit paragraphs by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), an official said on Saturday. A high-level meeting was held on Friday, Gupta directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Ashish Chandra Verma to implement the APMS. In this regard, Dr. Verma had written Parma Sen, Additional Secretary (Expenditure Department, Ministry of Finance), seeking permission for the Delhi Government to use APMS. In response, Sen assured that the Delhi Government could use the Central Government's APMS until it develops its own system. The process was expedited by the efforts of Delhi's Accountant General, Roli Shukla Malge, whose coordination facilitated consensus between the Central and Delhi governments on adopting this software. On Friday, Speaker Gupta attended a presentation on the functioning and benefits of APMS at his office. The session, presented by officials from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), clarified how this system would assist in tracking, resolving, and monitoring audit paragraphs. The meeting decided that the Central government's APMS would be adopted temporarily until the Delhi Government develops its own system. Considering the upcoming meetings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Speaker Gupta directed the concerned departments to prioritize the swift establishment of this system and ensure necessary coordination. Aiming to promote transparency, Gupta also 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. Washington/New Delhi, April 12 : In a cheer for the global electronics industry, including in India, the US government on Saturday announced to exempt smartphones and computers imported to the country from the latest tariffs. According to a US Customs and Border Protection notice, the smartphones and computers would be excluded from US President Donald Trump's 10 per cent global tariff on most countries, and the much larger Chinese tariffs of 145 per cent. The exemption applies to products entering the US or removed from warehouses as early as April 5, according to the notice. The exemptions also include other electronic devices and components, including semiconductors, solar cells, and memory cards. The move will help tech giants like Apple, which make iPhones and other products in China. The announcement comes after the Trump administration imposed a minimum tariff rate of 145 per cent on Chinese goods imported to the United States. Earlier, President Trump said he could offer some exemptions to his 10 per cent tariff on most US trading partners. "There could be a couple of exceptions for obvious reasons, but I would say 10 per cent is a floor," Trump told reporters on Friday aboard Air Force One en route to Florida. Meanwhile, the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement between India and the US is likely to be concluded within the tariff-pause period of 90 days fixed by the Donald Trump administration, according to official sources. The terms of reference for the agreement have been finalised and further negotiations are scheduled to take place primarily through video conferencing, although if required, Indian negotiators may visit Washington or US officials can come to Delhi, senior officials said. In early March, Donald Trump referred to Lesotho as a place nobody has ever heard of. A month later, this small southern African country is on everyones lips after being hit with 50% tariffs on its exports to the United States, the highest rate announced by Washington for a tiny state, home to 2.3 million people and with a GDP of just over $2 billion per year. For a few days now, and thanks to Trump, we now know that Maseru is the capital of Lesotho, that poverty plagues half of its population, that thousands of Levis jeans sold in the United States are made in its textile factories, and that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is one of the highest in the world. But why Lesotho? Thats exactly what Lesothos Trade Minister, Mokhethi Shelile, asked himself, with astonishment and surprise, during a brief appearance before the media last Thursday night. We urgently need to travel to the United States to speak with their authorities and defend our case, he said. The official predicted that some of the 11 textile factories will have to close and part of their workforce of 12,000 people will lose their jobs, although for the moment their activity will remain unchanged while the government searches for solutions, including the diversification of its export destinations. The United States is a vital trading partner for Africa, but in recent years, some countries on the continent have turned to other destinations, such as China, which will undoubtedly strengthen its presence in our region following Trumps decisions, explains Kwami Ossadzifo Wonyra, economist and professor at the University of Kara, Togo, in an interview with this newspaper. After South Africa, the United States is Lesothos largest trading partner, accounting for 21% of its exports. These sales represent 10% of its GDP Levis made in Lesotho Lesotho, a small mountain kingdom, exports diamonds, clothing especially jeans and mineral water. After South Africa, the country it is surrounded by, the United States is its largest trading partner, accounting for 21% of its exports. These sales represent 10% of its GDP. Considering these figures, the damage these 50% tariffs will cause is more than evident in a state that poses no trade threat to the United States. Perhaps Trumps decision is due to Americans wanting to protect their cotton producers. Thats the only logical reason one can find, Ossadzifo Wonyra ventures. But according to other economists, the answer could be different. Does Lesotho apply exorbitant tariffs on U.S. products, and is the United States simply applying the principle of reciprocity? It doesnt seem that way. Lesotho is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which also includes South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, and Botswana. They all apply a common external tariff on their exports, but Washington will apply different rates: 30% to South Africa, 37% to Botswana, 21% to Namibia, and 10% to Eswatini. The Trump administrations calculations for a country like Lesotho are based primarily on the inequality of its trade, more specifically on a skewed balance against Washington. As a result, small, resource-poor countries that cannot afford to import from the United States were penalized more harshly. In 2024, while the United States exported only $2.8 million worth of goods to the small African country, its imports from Lesotho amounted to $237.3 million. Theres nothing Lesotho can do about it: they cant change tariffs they allegedly charge the U.S. to reduce the tariff rate the U.S. reciprocates with because, again, its not based on any tariff that they charge. Similarly they cant do much about reducing the trade deficit they have with the U.S. because, again, they simply dont have enough money to buy U.S. products, economic analyst Arnaud Bertrand summarized on social media, stressing that this is the best example of the economic incoherence of these Washington announcements that rather than addressing actual trade barriers, punish countries based on trade deficits. Some of the Levis worn by Americans are manufactured in Lesotho and exported thanks to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows certain African countries to ship products to the United States tariff-free. AGOA, signed into law by Bill Clinton in 2000, was intended to stimulate the economies of these countries and is due to be renewed next September, but the Trump administrations decisions appear to mark its end. We need to develop regionally to meet our needs. This could be an opportunity to reorient our trade toward our neighbors and also toward the Asian market Kwami Ossadzifo Wonyra, economist Perhaps its time for African countries to focus on promoting a free trade zone for our continent. We need to develop regionally to meet our needs. This could be an opportunity to reorient our trade toward our neighbors and also toward the Asian market, believes Ossadzifo Wonyra. The reality is that neither Lesotho nor most African countries are crucial to the U.S. economy. In 2024, U.S. imports from African countries totaled $39.5 billion (50% accounted for by South Africa and Nigeria), roughly the same amount it buys from a country like Mexico in just one month, and U.S. exports to Africa amounted to $32.1 billion, according to official figures. Workers at a textile factory on the outskirts of Maseru, capital of Lesotho, on April 4, 2025. Siphiwe Sibeko (REUTERS) AIDS patients in limbo The tariffs are taking effect at a time when many African countries are already dealing with the effects of U.S. foreign aid cuts, particularly in the health sector. This is also the case in Lesotho, where, according to UNAIDS, there are approximately 260,000 people diagnosed with HIV. The prevalence rate among adults aged 15 to 49 is over 18%, and the virus claimed 4,000 lives in 2023, making it the leading cause of death in the country. Since Trump announced that most USAID programs would be suspended for 90 days to assess their suitability, 72% of the support that Lesotho receives from the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has vanished, resulting in the loss of 804 health workers jobs, according to UNAIDS. In 2024, USAID invested $44 million in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. The African countrys Minister of Health, Selibe Mochoboroane, recently acknowledged that maintaining PEPFAR activities without support will be too expensive, and the government will have to adapt within available resources. Despite the headwinds, she expressed confidence that Lesotho can meet the UNAIDS 2030 targets: that 95% of people living with HIV be aware of their status, be on antiretroviral treatment, and have suppressed viral loads. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Agartala, April 12 : The Assam Rifles in a joint operation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), on Saturday, recovered 60,000 highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at more than Rs 6 crore, defence sources said. A Defence spokesman said that the Assam Rifles intercepted a WagonR at Teliamura in Western Tripura's Khowai district and recovered the methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba or party tablets, contained in six packets. Two drug peddlers identified as Dilbar Hussain and Md. Juber Ahmad were apprehended during the operation. Hussain is a resident of Hailakandi and Md. Juber Ahmad is a resident of Karimganj in southern Assam. The apprehended individuals, along with the recovered narcotics, were handed over to the DRI for further investigation and legal proceedings. This operation underscores Assam Rifles' continued efforts in combating drug trafficking, the spokesman said. A police official said that the drugs were smuggled from Myanmar and through Mizoram and southern Assam these contrabands ferried to Tripura to further smuggle to neighbouring Bangladesh. Myanmar's Chin state is a hub for drug smuggling through six Mizoram districts -- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip. Champhai is a hotspot for the smuggling of various drugs, foreign cigarettes, areca nuts, arms and ammunition, and exotic animals and their parts. Asserting his government's campaign of 'war on drugs' and has a zero-tolerance policy against drugs menace, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha recently said that the state police have registered 52 cases and 70 people were convicted in the last three years under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. He had said that various types of drugs, including methamphetamine tablets, Phensedyl cough syrup, and heroin, are coming into Tripura from Myanmar via Mizoram and Assam, while ganja is going out of the state. Though Ganja (marijuana) is illegally cultivated in the state and not consumed in the state, and smuggled to other states, including Bihar, from Tripura, the Chief Minister had said. CM Saha, who holds both Health and Family Welfare and Home Departments, said that the police and the other law enforcement agencies have been directed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against the illegal drugs trade and various other drug menace. Mizoram shares 510 km and 318 km unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh, respectively while Tripura has 856 km frontier with Bangladesh. Patna, April 12 : Union Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that building a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) is the firm resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To achieve this vision, both NDA governments -- at the Centre and in Bihar -- are working together towards building a "Viksit Bihar" (Developed Bihar). Patna, April 12 (IANS) Union Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that building a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) is the firm resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To achieve this vision, both NDA governments -- at the Centre and in Bihar -- are working together towards building a "Viksit Bihar" (Developed Bihar). He stated that under the leadership of PM Modi, Bihar has received and continues to receive numerous development projects and welfare initiatives. Simultaneously, various public welfare schemes are being implemented under the leadership of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he said. Shivraj Singh Chouhan further said: "April 24 marks Panchayati Raj Day. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will once again visit Bihar to present several new development projects to the people. Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh, who heads the Panchayati Raj Ministry, will also be part of the event. A national-level conference of elected Panchayati Raj representatives will be held, connecting participants from across the country." He added that the conference will not only see participation from Panchayati Raj representatives from all states, but it will also include the inauguration and foundation laying of various schemes. People in rural Bihar will also benefit from several rural development initiatives. Highlighting achievements, the Union Minister noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 7.90 lakh houses were provided to people in Bihar last year. "This year, another 5.30 lakh houses will be given. Moreover, those who have already received homes will take part in a 'Griha Pravesh' (housewarming) ceremony," he said. Union Minister Chouhan also reviewed the work of the Rural Development Ministry during his visit to Patna. He praised the Bihar government for the effective implementation of rural schemes under Nitish Kumar's leadership. He congratulated the state for this and shared that over 3 lakh women have become 'Lakhpati Didis' in Bihar, with a goal of reaching 20 lakh by the end of this year. Earlier in the day, the minister participated in a review meeting regarding PM Modi's upcoming visit to Bihar. New Delhi, April 12 : Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Saturday highlighted the leadership of the USSR and Russia in space exploration on the occasion of the Cosmonautics Day, citing the significant role it played in the development of the Indian space programme. Alipov took part in the opening of a memorial plaque at the Russian House in New Delhi dedicated to the founders of the Russian cosmonautics a" theoretical scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, rocket engineer and spacecraft designer Sergei Korolev and first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. In his address, Alipov underscored that the achievements of Soviet and Russian scientists and cosmonauts not only ensured the leadership of the USSR and Russia in space exploration but also played a significant role in the development of the Indian space programme. The Ambassador specifically mentioned the flight of the first Indian cosmonaut, Rakesh Sharma, aboard the Soviet spacecraft in 1984, as well as noted the scale of joint projects of the two countries in space research. Among other speakers at the event were Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in India Elena Remizova, cosmonaut, Hero of the Russian Federation Denis Matveev, and Rajeev Kumar Jaiswal, Officer on Special Duty, Department of Space, Indian Space Research Organisation. The programme also included a screening of the Russian feature film Challenge a" the first movie in history shot in space, as well as an interactive session between guests and Matveev, who told the audience about the work of ISS expedition participants in zero-gravity conditions and the importance of international cooperation in space exploration. April 12 is the International Day of Human Space Flight, established by a resolution of the United Nations. On this day in 1961, the Vostok spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome with cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin on board a" the first person to conquer outer space and open a new page in the space era of mankind. In 2025, Russia celebrates the anniversaries of two major events in the history of space exploration. 60 years ago, on March 18, 1965, cosmonaut Alexei Arkhipovich Leonov became the first person on earth to walk in outer space. On June 2, Russia, Kazakhstan and the entire world will celebrate 70 years since the founding of the main space harbour - the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a grandiose achievement of the Soviet Union, which to this day is a symbol of not only science and technological power, but also friendship and cooperation. Kolkata, April 12 : A day after meeting the West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu, the individuals who lost their school jobs following an order of the Supreme Court last week, have intensified their protests on the streets of Kolkata, on Saturday. On one hand, the relay hunger strike by a section of job losers in front of the office of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) has entered the third day on Saturday. A total of three teachers, reportedly genuine ones, are currently observing the relay hunger strike. They are Pankaj Roy, Pratap Rana and Suman Biswas. On the other hand, another section of the losers of school jobs have started an indefinite sit-in-demonstration from Saturday morning at the base of the stature of Mahatma Gandhi near Esplanade in central Kolkata. Both the protests have a single-point demand, which is immediate action by the West Bengal government and WBSSC to ensure the segregations of "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones getting school jobs paying money. Last week, the Supreme Court's division bench of Chief Justice of India upheld an earlier order by Calcutta High Court's division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Rashidi last year cancelling the entire panel of 25,753 appointments made by the WBSSC on grounds of failure on part of the state government and the commission to segregate "genuine" candidates from "tainted" ones. The decision to intensify and scatter the streets from Saturday was taken despite the state education minister on Friday night at a four-hour long meeting with a delegation of job losers assured of publishing a segregated list of the "genuine" and "tainted ' candidates but only as per proper legal advice. The delegation members were also assured that all attempts would be made to publish the segregated list by April 21. "Although based on the assurance given to us by the state education minister we have given time to the state government till April 21, we are still not assured that the jobs of the genuine candidates will be protected. So we have decided to be on the streets and our movement will continue unless our demands are fulfilled," said a protesting teacher. Latehar : , April 12 (IANS) The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), which recently marked its 10th anniversary, continues to empower millions across India. In Jharkhand's Latehar district, once known for its Naxal influence, the scheme is not only transforming lives but reshaping the identity and role of women in society. Launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PMMY provides collateral-free loans to small and micro-entrepreneurs, enabling them to start or expand their businesses. In the Balumath area of Latehar district, several women have availed loans under the Mudra Yojana and are now running successful ventures such as oil mills, flour mills, RO water plants, and puffed rice (murhi) processing units. These small businesses have not only empowered them but have also created employment opportunities for others in the community. IANS spoke to some of the women beneficiaries who expressed deep gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi and the government for initiating schemes that have helped them break traditional barriers and find financial independence. "I want to thank Modi ji from the bottom of my heart," said one woman entrepreneur. "Earlier, we were just housewives with no recognition. Today, we have our own businesses, we are being interviewed, and people are taking notice of us. This is because of the opportunities provided by the government." Another beneficiary, Meena Devi, shared her journey. "I joined a self-help group and took a Mudra loan. I used to be a housewife, but now I earn and contribute to my family. It has changed our lives." Maya, another woman from the region, took a small loan of Rs 5,000 to begin mushroom farming. With the profits, she expanded her business and even purchased tractors to scale up her farming operations. "Getting the loan was easy, and I never thought I could do so much. I'm grateful for this opportunity," she said. Nitu, another beneficiary, said, "The schemes launched by Prime Minister Modi have truly given us identity and purpose. Today, we are not dependent on anyone and are able to support our families." It's not just women who have benefited from the scheme. Rajendra Sao, a returnee migrant worker, narrated how the Mudra Yojana helped him restart his life after the pandemic. "During the lockdown, I returned to my village with no savings. But through the Mudra Yojana, I took a loan and started my own small business. I no longer have to borrow from others. It's a relief and a matter of pride." Sanjeev Kumar, Lead District Manager of Latehar, told IANS that the scheme has played a vital role in promoting entrepreneurship in the region. "Under the PM Mudra Yojana, loans are being provided without collateral, and women in particular are taking the lead in using these funds effectively. Many have become self-reliant and are inspiring others to follow their path." The transformation in Latehar stands as a testament to how government-backed financial inclusion schemes can drive social change, especially in remote and previously underserved regions. The area where once fear and insurgency kept women confined to their homes, today entrepreneurship and empowerment have opened new doors. These stories from Latehar reflect a broader movement across India, where access to credit and government support are helping individuals realise their potential and shape a better future for their families and communities. As the Mudra Yojana enters its second decade, the voices from Latehar send a powerful message: given the right tools and opportunities, even the most marginalised communities can rise, thrive and lead. Shimla, April 12 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Saturday urged the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a wing of the Defence Ministry that maintains the strategic highways, to take over the construction of road to connect Kinnaur with Lahaul-Spiti that lies on the Indo-Tibet border. The Wangtu-Attargoo-Mudh-Bhawa Pass route has recently got clearance from the National Board for Wildlife for its construction, an official statement said. The issue to construct this road, located at an altitude of 4,865 metres and on completion to become countryas second highest motorable road after Khardung la, was taken up by the Chief Minister at a meeting here with Director General (Border Roads) Lt. Gen Raghu Srinivasan. The Director-General called on the Chief Minister to discuss key infrastructure initiatives under Project Deepak. Once completed, the proposed road would reduce the distance between the state capital and Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti, by almost 100 km and offer much-needed alternative to the existing arduous route via Nako, Sumdo and Tabo. The proposed road would shorten the distance from the state capital to approximately 310 km, improving access and boost tourism, besides strengthening defence logistics in the region, said the government. During the meeting, the Chief Minister was briefed about the progress of strategically vital road works in the hill state and the enhancement of connectivity for the people. The Director-General apprised the Chief Minister that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), through Project Deepak, was responsible for the upgradation, improvement and development of three major National Highways -- NH-03, NH-05 and NH-505 -- in the Manali and Sissu sectors of Himachal Pradesh. These projects are not only of strategic importance but also aimed at enhancing connectivity and improving the quality of life for residents in remote hill regions. The Chief Minister appreciated the commendable work being carried out by the BRO in some of the most challenging high-altitude and inhospitable terrains of the state. He lauded BROas significant role in national security and improving the quality of life of people. During the meeting, the Chief Minister asked the BRO to take over the maintenance of critical road stretches, including Leo Chango and Shiv Mandir to Gue roads, presently under the state Public Works Department (PWD). The Chief Minister asked the BRO to take over the Chamba-Bairagarh-Sach Pass-Killar road, which holds strategic and logistical significance. Connecting the remote Pangi Valley near the Line of Actual Control, this route offers an alternate north-south corridor, especially when Manali-Leh or Rohtang routes are blocked. Presently maintained by the PWD, the road via the Sach Pass is open only four-five months. The Chief Minister also flagged the issue of long-pending 13-km Tissa Tunnel, which would reduce the distance from Chamba to Killar by 88 km and enable all-weather connectivity. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that BRO's involvement would accelerate the development of vital road infrastructure and further strengthen Himachal Pradeshas strategic connectivity and economic development. The Director-General assured the Chief Minister that these roads would be taken over as soon as the formal handover from the PWD is completed. He said in-principle approval for the same has already been obtained and once all formalities are completed, the works on these roads would be accelerated. Dhaka, April 12 : Thousands of protestors gathered in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Saturday under the banner of 'March for Gaza', expressing solidarity with Palestine and slamming the United States for backing Israel. They chanted slogans like "Free Palestine", "Stop Israeli aggression", "Boycott Israeli products", "Boycott US and Donald Trump", and so on, local media reported. Several media reports also suggested that the protestors beat the images of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Leading political parties of Bangladesh - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Hefazet-e-Islam Bangladesh and Amar Bangladesh Party - and several Islamic speakers came out in support of the event. The protestors called on leaders of the Muslim world to cancel all existing agreements and diplomatic relations with Israel. They also demanded reinstatement of the 'except Israel' clause in Bangladeshi passports. The countryas leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported that people started marching toward Suhrawardy Udyan from various places of Dhaka from the morning to join the mass gathering, halting traffic in Shabagh and adjacent areas. On Thursday Khaleda Zia's BNP also brought out a rally in Dhaka expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza and Rafah in Palestine. Earlier this week, similar pro-Palestine protests erupted in the country, leading to violence in several parts of the region. The mob targetted Israeli-linked businesses and also several outlets of foreign companies. Security was beefed up in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave, particularly around the US embassy, following the protests in the area. Personnel from Border Guard Bangladesh, Armed Police Battalion, Special Branch, Criminal Investigation Department, intelligence agencies and Bangladesh army were deployed to monitor security in the highly-sensitive zone. In addition, security measures were increased at other embassies in the Gulshan area. Saturday's protests once again exposed the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh even though the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has said that people responsible for violence and destruction during the earlier pro-Palestine protests will be apprehended. Kolkata, April 12 : The Calcutta High Court on Saturday directed the immediate deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal where several pockets are on the boil as protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent. At least three persons were killed in the violence. Earlier on Saturday, the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, approached the Calcutta High Court seeking CAPF deployment at Murshidabad and claimed the state police department was unable to keep the situation under control. A special bench of Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury was constituted to hear the matter. After a detailed hearing on the matter, the special bench finally ordered the immediate deployment of CAPF deployment at Murshidabad. In his petition, the leader of the opposition appealed for CAPF deployment in four districts namely Murshidabad, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas and Kolkata. However, finally, after a detailed hearing in the matter, the special division bench ultimately directed CAPF deployment only at Murshidabad district. It has been learned that CAPF personnel, mainly those from the Border Security Force (BSF), are already deployed in the most troubled pockets in Murshidabad, like Suti, Samserganj and Dhulian, among others. And now, following the order of the special division bench, the same deployment will be throughout the district. On Saturday, the counsel of the leader of the opposition had accused the state library services minister Siddiqulla Chowdhury of directly instigating violence through his provocative public speeches. He also said that the BSF personnel already deployed at certain pockets in Murshidabad district are not being properly utilised by the district magistrate concerned. In this argument, the state government counsel and four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee said that although the petition filed in the matter was politically motivated, the state government in-principle did not oppose CAPF deployment at Murshidabad. Thereafter, the special division bench ordered the CAPF deployment at Murshidabad and observed that the court could not remain silent, especially since the nature of complaints about the violence was so serious. Expressing satisfaction over the Calcutta High Court order, BJP's Information Technology cell chief and the party's special observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya said in a statement that once Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the West Bengal Police have failed the people of the state. "This should be deeply embarrassing for Mamata Banerjee, but she will likely pretend as if nothing happened and move on to planning for the next riot. A shameful display of conduct from a Chief Minister," the statement from Malviya read. Mumbai, April 12 : As protests continue in West Bengal over the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led government. Senior BJP leader Raj Purohit on Saturday alleged that the violence in Murshidabad was sponsored by the West Bengal government. Purohit said, "The Waqf Amendment Bill has been passed. This law is in favour of poor Muslims, but some people are unable to digest it. These are the same people who were misusing Waqf resources for personal gain." He further alleged that, "The protests in the name of the Waqf Amendment Act mare being orchestrated by the Congress, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The violence in Murshidabad is state-sponsored." Speaking on the political motive, Purohit claimed, "With elections approaching in West Bengal, the Chief Minister is trying to appease the 32 per cent Muslim population. She is catering to Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims. Some people are disturbed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah's call for a Maoist-free India and are trying to create unrest. Pakistan and China cannot tolerate a strong and united India." Targeting the Trinamool Congress Supremo, he said, "Mamata Banerjee follows a 'kill and be killed' style of politics. There are different types of Muslims -- patriotic, terrorist, and peace-loving Muslims." Slamming Akhilesh Yadav and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, he added, "Akhilesh and Owaisi are lost souls. They are only spreading confusion among Muslims over the Waqf Act. The amendment benefits poor Pasmanda Muslims. Amit Shah has never said that we are taking away any Muslim's land." Purohit emphasised that the Waqf Amendment Act is meant to ensure justice and transparency in the use of Waqf properties and that misleading narratives are being pushed by those with vested interests. Mumbai, April 12 : Sony SAB's upcoming romantic-comedy, "Ufff... Yeh Love Hai Mushkil" will be led by television's beloved star Shabir Ahluwalia. Mumbai, April 12 (IANS) Sony SAB's upcoming romantic-comedy, "Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil" will be led by television's beloved star Shabir Ahluwalia. Promising a refreshing blend of humor and heart, the show explores the transformative power of love amidst the delightful chaos of family life. As glimpsed in the teaser, Shabir craves for something differentand he's found it in this never-seen-before avatar. Known for his portrayal of morally upright and 'adarsh' characters, Shabir breaks away from his usual mould to play a quirky, unpredictable, and slightly messy character. Shabir, who plays the role of Yug Sinha in Sony SAB's next, revealed "I'm thrilled to be back on television with a role that's so different from anything I've done before. After years of playing 'perfect husband' or romantic hero, it was a conscious choice to break away and explore a more layered and unique character. 'Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil' is not just about one character; it's about an interesting opposites-attract love story along with the madness and heart that comes with being part of a chaotic family. I'm thrilled to bring this story to life on Sony SAB and can't wait for audiences to meet Yug and his crazy world." Created by Aamir Jaffer and Sonali Jaffar, "Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil" has been produced under the banner of Full House Productions. The short teaser recently dropped by the makers saw Shabir sitting confidently on a chair, giving out fun and quirky vibes. The show will blend AI technology with a modern love story. The drama will feature Ashi Singh as the female lead. She is best known for her role in the show "Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai" on Sony TV, where she starred opposite Randeep Rai. "Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil" is expected to air on Sony SAB soon. Bhopal, April 12 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Bhopal on Sunday to attend a programme organised by the Madhya Pradesh government. It will also be attended by the representatives of all key stakeholders involved in milk and dairy products. On this occasion, Madhya Pradesh government will take a significant move for the state's dairy industry with signing a collaborative agreement, among others. The decision for the collaborative agreement was announced recently by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, saying that this step would be pivotal for enhancing milk producers' income and boosting milk production in the region. The proposal for this agreement already approved by the state Cabinet will be effective for five years with a scope for extension, includes establishing collection centres in every gram panchayat and expanding the processing capacity of milk unions. According to Madhya Pradesh government, the plan involves a substantial investment of Rs 2,500 crore as part of the White Revolution Mission, aimed at achieving fair pricing and efficient milk procurement for dairy farmers. This initiative also aims to increase milk committees from 6,000 to 9,000, covering nearly 18,000 villages, thus doubling daily milk collection from 10.50 lakh kg to 20 lakh kg. The National Dairy Development Board's (NDDB) involvement will expand Milk Producer Organisations' coverage from 1,390 to 2,590 villages, with milk procurement rising from 1.3 lakh kg to 3.7 lakh kg per day, according to earlier claims by the Madhya Pradesh government. The state's dairy plant capacity, currently at 18 lakh litres per day, is projected to reach 30 lakh litres daily. Over the next five years, an estimated Rs 1,500 crore will be invested, doubling the annual income of milk producers from Rs 1,700 crore to Rs 3,500 crore. The NDDB will play a crucial role in enhancing the Sanchi brand's strength and national presence, without altering the brand name or charging management fees. Additionally, a complaint redressal system will be implemented to address grievances from dairy farmers associated with milk cooperative societies. Amit Shah will reach the venue at 12 p.m., and chair a meeting to review work of the Cooperative department and take feedback on it from the representatives from different stakeholders. Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government will also show a presentation on preparations of Simhastha Kumbh Mela - 2028 in Ujjain. The Union Home Minister will be informed about how innovations will be done for the next Simhastha Kumbh Mela. According to sources, Amit Shah may hold informal talks with the senior BJP leaders. New Delhi, April 12 : Violent protests have erupted across several parts of West Bengal over the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, and the BJP has strongly condemned the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. BJP leaders have accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of engaging in appeasement politics and held her responsible for the unrest in Murshidabad. BJP MLA Hiranmoy Chatterjee said, "Mamata Banerjee has set Murshidabad on fire. People in Bengal call her a thief, and we call her jihadi. She wants to spark violence, wash her hands in the blood of the people, and protect her chair. Her strategy is visible to all. Whenever something big happens, she fuels violence and then plays the victim card." He added, "She is also the home minister, but her department has never undergone an audit. The central government should intervene, and the Governor must act immediately." Responding to Mamata Banerjee's X post declaring that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not be implemented in Bengal, BJP leader Tapas Roy said, "Who is she to decide which laws will be implemented or not? Mamata Banerjee and her TMC workers have no understanding of the Waqf. Because of her administration, Bengal is now witnessing bloodshed. A father and son were murdered it's a tragedy." BJP leader Anurag Thakur also attacked Mamata Banerjee, stating, "If the Chief Minister herself incites unrest, of course, tensions will rise. Her speech on Waqf instigated the public. If police had acted responsibly during the Murshidabad riots, this tragedy could've been avoided. The violence we saw in Murshidabad could soon spread elsewhere. Looting and vandalism under the guise of protests is unacceptable. The police are hiding instead of acting clearly, they've been ordered not to act against rioters." BJP MP Locket Chatterjee alleged that the violence is a result of appeasement politics. "People are being killed over opposition to the Waqf Act. Three people have died in Murshidabad. What connection does this violence have with the Act? The Act doesn't harm any Muslim, yet misinformation is being spread, and Mamata Banerjee is responsible," she said. BJP leader Dilip Ghosh added, "Hindus are being persecuted in Murshidabad, but the police claim nothing happened. Two people have been killed. There is a systematic effort to drive Hindus out of Bengal." Ludhiana, April 12 : Reiterating the commitment of the government to save the groundwater for coming generations, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday announced to start zone-wise cultivation of the paddy from June 1. "We have divided the state into three zones and the cultivation of paddy will start in the district falling in three zones, i.e. on June 1, June 5 and June 9," said the Chief Minister while addressing the gathering during Sarkar Kisaan Milni here. The Chief Minister said Punjab is the food bowl of the country as it contributes 45 per cent of grains in the national food pool. However, in 70 days of paddy season, Punjab pumps out water equal to nine Gobind Sagars (lakes), which is a huge quantity. "By pumping out so much water, we will deprive our coming generations of water, which is the basic ingredient of our existence," he said. Citing an example, the Chief Minister said that 4,000 litres of water is required for producing one kg rice so it is posing a serious threat to the basic existence of coming generations, due to which the state government is making concerted efforts to save it. He said the cultivation of paddy in the state has increased from 20 lakh hectares to 32 lakh hectares, due to which the need for water to irrigate the fields has also increased. Mann said due to efforts of the government, the groundwater level has started increasing, and as per a report of the Union government, it has witnessed an upward enhancement of one metre. In an initiative, the Chief Minister said the government has decided to start cultivation of paddy from June 1, for which the state has been divided into three zones. He said that paddy cultivation in Faridkot, Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur and Sri Muktsar Sahib Districts will start from June 1, while in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Tarn, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, and Hoshiarpur districts will start on June 5. In the remaining districts of Ludhiana, Moga, Jalandhar, Mansa, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Patiala, Barnala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Kapurthala, it will start on June 9. The Chief Minister said it would help in reducing the immediate burden for the supply of power in all districts during the paddy season. He said that it would avoid complications for the farmers in selling their paddy harvest due to high moisture content in October. New Delhi, April 12 : Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Saturday inaugurated Central Research Laboratory at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, marking another milestone in the institute's journey of growth and excellence. New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Saturday inaugurated Central Research Laboratory at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, marking another milestone in the instituteas journey of growth and excellence. He also laid the foundation stone of a multi-utility (gastronomy) Block on the occasion. According to a Health Ministry statement, the Central Research Laboratory facility is a transformative initiative aimed at advancing cutting-edge medical research and fostering innovation. The facility is poised to empower doctors, researchers, and scholars to develop impactful healthcare solutions and propel AIIMS Bhubaneswar into the league of premier medical research hubs in the country. The multi-utility (gastronomy) Block is a modern infrastructure project tailored to meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, staff, and the general public. The block will offer essential amenities under one roof, enhancing both operational efficiency and community engagement within the campus. Adding to the digital transformation of healthcare services, the Union Minister launched the revamped AIIMS Bhubaneswar website, equipped with user-friendly features and integrated services for patients and visitors. The website showcases Odishaas rich cultural heritage while improving access to the institute's healthcare facilities. As part of the visit, Nadda also inaugurated the EHS Clinic and AMRIT Pharmacy, ensuring greater accessibility to essential health services and affordable medicines for all. He stated that a skin bank will also be set up in AIIMS Bhubaneswar in the near future. A notable highlight was the Union Ministeras visit to the Burn Centre, a one-of-its-kind facility in Eastern India that is already making a difference in critical care. He also visited the Swachhata Exhibition at the OPD foyer, Integrated Health and Wellness Clinic, Rheumatology and Geriatric Clinic, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and planted a sapling at Smruti Upavan, symbolising the commitment to a greener and healthier future. The visit concluded with a high-level review meeting where Nadda assessed ongoing developmental projects and interacted directly with medical students, sanitary staff, and employees. This engagement demonstrated the governmentas inclusive approach to healthcare delivery. a"IANS na/ Patna, April 12 : As political activity intensifies in Bihar ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Chief and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday made an announcement during a workers' conference at Kasba in Purnea district. Manjhi staked claim to 35 to 40 seats for HAM within the NDA alliance and announced the party's first official candidate -- Rajendra Yadav from the Kasba Assembly constituency in Purnea district. Addressing more than 10,000 party workers at the Kalanand High School, the HAM Chief was visibly emotional and energised by the turnout. "At least 20 HAM MLAs must reach the Assembly this time so the voice of the public is heard louder. We need at least 35 to 40 seats to contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly election," Manjhi said. The crowd erupted with enthusiasm as Rajendra Yadav was declared the candidate from Kasba Assembly constituency, even before formal NDA seat-sharing discussions had concluded. Manjhi cited Yadav's continuous grassroots work since 2020, where vote-splitting prevented him from victory, as a reason for the early announcement. HAM's National President and Bihar Minister Santosh Kumar Suman also backed the announcement from the stage, fuelling chants and celebrations from Yadav's supporters. "We have a demand of 40 seats in NDA. With such massive support, it is an indication that our party is gaining support at the grassroots level in Bihar," Suman said. Manjhi reminded the media that Rajendra Yadav had contested from Kasba Assembly constituency as the NDA candidate in 2020, reinforcing the seat as a stronghold for the party. The announcement is being seen as a strategic assertion by HAM to solidify its relevance and bargaining power in the NDA alliance before seat negotiations conclude. With this move, Jitan Ram Manjhi fired the first salvo in NDA's intra-alliance politics for forthcoming Bihar Assembly polls and reasserted HAM's demand for 35 to 40 seats to ensure victory on at least 20 constituencies. Manjhi sent a clear message that HAM will not play a passive role in seat allocation this time around. Jaipur, April 12 : In a significant political development, senior Rajasthan Congress leader and former MLA Joginder Singh Awana has joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), dealing a major blow to the Congress party in the state. Awana joined the RLD in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister and RLD National President Jayant Chaudhary, marking a new chapter in his political journey. Joginder Singh Awana, a prominent leader from the Gujjar community, had a dynamic political career. Known for his strong grassroots connections and influence in the Bharatpur region, Awana first came into the limelight during the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly elections. Contesting from Nadbai constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket, he emerged victorious by defeating BJPas Krishnendra Kaur (Deepa), a member of the former royal family, by a margin of over 4,000 votes. He secured 50,976 votes in that election. Following his win, Awana later joined the Congress, where he remained active until recently. His shift to the Rashtriya Lok Dal is being viewed as a strategic move ahead of the upcoming political alignments in the state, especially given his clout among the Gujjar electorate. What makes this switch even more significant is that the RLD already has a presence in the Rajasthan Assembly. With Awana's induction, RLD has further strengthened its base in eastern Rajasthan, particularly in the Bharatpur division. According to sources, Awana accepted the membership of RLD during a personal visit to Jayant Chaudharyas residence, signaling a close rapport with the party leadership. His entry is likely to boost the RLDas prospects in the region and may also trigger further reshuffling within the political landscape of Rajasthan. Political observers believe Awanaas move could influence voter sentiments, especially among the Gujjar community, which plays a crucial role in several constituencies across eastern Rajasthan. His experience as an MLA and his deep understanding of local issues are expected to add weight to the RLDas presence in the state ahead of future elections. Dharampur, April 12 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday addressed a large gathering at the silver jubilee celebrations of Barumal Dham, a spiritual centre located in the tribal heartland of Dharampur in Gujarat's Valsad district. The event coincided with Hanuman Jayanti, adding a profound symbolic significance to the occasion. Speaking before a crowd that included saints, spiritual seekers, and community leaders, Bhagwat emphasised the need for India to stand firm in its 'Dharma' (righteousness) and lead the world by example. "India must stand firm on its Dharma, lead a virtuous life, and set an example," Bhagwat said, adding, "That's why centres like the one Swamiji has been running for the past 25 years under the grace of Lord Bhav Bhaveshwar are necessary. More such centres are needed." He lauded the efforts of saints and spiritual leaders who, in his words, "travel deep into forests, settle in remote areas, and alongside spiritual teachings, try to arrange whatever support they can for the people's daily lives." Barumal Dham, with its 25-year legacy of spiritual and social service, was presented as a shining example of this ethos. The occasion being Hanuman Jayanti, Bhagwat drew parallels between the ideals of 'Seva' (service) and the unwavering Dharma symbolised by Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram. Referring to a well-known Sanskrit shloka, the RSS Chief said: "Ram's work is Dharma. 'Ramo vigrahvaan dharmah' -- Ram is the embodiment of Dharma. So our learning, our qualities, our cleverness -- all must be used in the service of Ram's cause, the cause of righteousness." Underscoring the importance of unity and moral fortitude, Bhagwat said: "We know how to unite, and we want to unite. We do not want to fight or create conflict, but we must protect and preserve. This protection and preservation must continue, as it has since the beginning of time." He went on to evoke the Mahabharata, warning against the temptations of power that can lead to Adharma, citing Duryodhan's actions in the Pandavas' kingdom as a cautionary tale. "Today, powers change, but the essence remains the same. In the pursuit of power, we must ensure that our conduct remains pure and righteous." Reflecting on India's civilisational ethos, Bhagwat said that Dharma is not a religion in the conventional sense but the universal principle that governs all things -- from governance to personal conduct. "Our society is vast and has existed since ancient times. From great saints to common people, everyone, due to our tradition, carries the essence of Dharma. Those who embody the spirit of Dharma need to be revered." Jaipur, April 12 : Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly, Tika Ram Jully, on Saturday was warmly welcomed by people from various communities at his office in Moti Dungri, Alwar, during his visit following the recent 'Ganga Jal' sprinkling controversy. Addressing the gathering, Jully reaffirmed his commitment to the path of religious harmony and unity as shown by Mahatma Gandhi. He stated that tolerance is a key part of India's cultural and spiritual heritage, but warned that some elements are attempting to disrupt it by inciting religious sentiments and fostering political polarisation. Amid chants of Jai Siyaram and Jai Bajrangbali, Jully stressed the importance of maintaining an equal and respectful attitude toward all religions. He said that love and respect for every faith is not merely an ideal but the essence of Indian civilization, and every religion ultimately teaches peace, unity, and brotherhood. Jully further emphasised that the core objective of all religions is to uphold humanity and foster compassion among people. As a gesture of communal harmony, members from diverse communities came together to present him with an image bearing the message Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian Hum Sab Hain Bhai Bhai (We are all brothers). A row erupted on Monday after BJP leader and former MLA Gyandev Ahuja sprinkled Gangajal in a temple to "purify" it following a visit by Rajasthan's Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, a Dalit member. On the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday, Jully had gone for the consecration ceremony of a Ram temple in Alwar's Apna Ghar Shalimar. Ahuja expressed his "strong objection" to Jully's visit, saying that Jully is "anti-Hindutva" and "anti-Sanatan". Ahuja, a former MLA from Alwar's Ramgarh, went to the temple on Monday and sprinkled Gangajal. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, suspended him from party and issued him a show cause notice. Ahuja has sent his reply to party leaders. Aizawl, April 12 : Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said on Saturday that various ethnic communities in the state have lived together in peace and mutual respect for many decades. Highlighting Mizoram's diverse ethnic composition, the Chief Minister remarked that various communities in the state have lived together in peace and mutual respect and this spirit of unity and understanding, he noted, is the cornerstone of the state's identity as one of the most peaceful and progressive states in India. Lalduhoma was addressing the fourth Boisu festival, the traditional New Year festival of the Reang tribal community, in Aizawl. The event was organised by the Bru Student Association (BSA). The Chief Minister announced that the Mizoram government is ready to fulfill the long-cherished aspiration of Reang students by constructing a Bru House-cum-Hostel at Tanhril in Aizawl, the financial provision for which has already been made. The Reang tribals were also called 'Bru'. Lalduhoma also emphasised that every citizen in India must have the freedom to uphold and celebrate their unique identity, customs, and way of life. Imposing a singular worldview or disregarding others' rights to cultural expression is not only unjust but also detrimental to the fabric of society, the Chief Minister said. Whether from a large or small community, every individual must be able to coexist with dignity and mutual respect, he added. Arrogance born of dominance, and resentment from minorities both hinder social harmony, the Chief Minister said. Strongly condemning all forms of discrimination, religious intolerance, and coercion, Lalduhoma affirmed that Mizoram's strength lies in its foundation of peace and liberty as well as principles that must be safeguarded at all costs. Addressing the issue of drug abuse, he called upon all citizens to work together towards a drug-free Mizoram. He stressed the need to strengthen both legal and traditional measures in combating drug trafficking. In particular, Lalduhoma highlighted the potential of community-based social sanctions, deeply rooted in Mizo tradition, as powerful tools in the fight against drugs, often more effective than formal legislation. He encouraged everyone to continue doing what is right, to appreciate the efforts of others, and to remain committed to the preservation of the environment and the land. Lalromawia Apeto, BSA President, along with other Reang community leaders, who expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister for approving the construction of the Bru house-cum-hostel. The event featured vibrant cultural performances presented by the BSA Shillong Cultural Troupe, BSA Aizawl Branch, and the Bodo Students Union of Mizoram University. Boisu Kut, celebrated as the New Year festival of the Reang community, marks a significant cultural occasion. This year's celebration reflected the spirit of unity and diversity, with participation from more than 1,000 Reang tribal students currently studying and working in Aizawl. Kolkata, April 12 : The West Bengal Health Department on Saturday, announced the transfer of Akhtar Ali, the whistle-blower in the case of multi-crore financial irregularities in the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, to north Bengal. In fact, the Calcutta High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to provide evidence in the R.G. Kar financial irregularities case following a petition filed by Ali in the matter. Ali was posted as deputy superintendent (non-medical) of Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital. He has now been posted in the same rank and post at Kaliyaganj State General Hospital in North Dinajpur district. In the R.G. Kar financial irregularities case a total of five persons including the former and controversial principal of R.G. Kar Sandip Ghosh are currently serving judicial custody because of their alleged involvement in the scam. The state health department has described the transfer as a routine one. However, questions are being raised within the medical fraternity about the real reason behind the transfer. Recently, the state health department was at the centre of controversy over the abrupt transfer of Dr. Subarna Goswami, a face of the movement in the R.G. Kar rape and murder tragedy, to an 'insignificant' hospital in Darjeeling district in North Bengal and that too a lower rank. Goswami had already approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the transfer. Already, the CBI has identified Sandip Ghosh as the principal mastermind behind the R.G. Kar financial irregularities case. The main charges in the R.G. Kar financial irregularities case are manipulations in the tendering system of the said medical institute, getting the infrastructure-related work there done by outsourced contractors bypassing the state public works department, smuggling of biomedical wastes of the hospital and finally selling of organs of unidentified bodies coming to the hospital morgue for autopsy purposes at premium prices outside. There are allegations that the ghastly rape and murder of a lady junior doctor of R.G. Kar within the hospital premises in August last year had some connections with the financial irregularities. Several persons from the medical fraternity had claimed that the victim lady doctor had to pay the price as she got to know of some dark secrets about influential involvement in the financial irregularities. Jaipur, April 12 : The Rajasthan government has declared 25 central and state-level schemes as flagship programmes, which will now come under the direct and continuous monitoring of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). These include critical initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, reflecting the government's intensified focus on timely execution and effective governance. Jaipur, April 12 (IANS) The Rajasthan government has declared 25 central and state-level schemes as flagship programmes, which will now come under the direct and continuous monitoring of the Chief Ministeras Office (CMO). These include critical initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, reflecting the governmentas intensified focus on timely execution and effective governance. As part of this new directive, departments implementing these flagship schemes will be required to submit monthly progress and expenditure reports by the 7th of every month to the CMO. In addition to the CMO, the Planning Department will also track and review progress from planning to implementation. District in-charge ministers and secretaries will hold regular review meetings to ensure the smooth functioning and timely completion of these schemes. The decision to bring Jal Jeevan Mission under flagship monitoring comes shortly after former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed strong discontent over the slow progress of the scheme in Jhalawar district. Raje raised concerns about the ongoing water crisis and held officials accountable for delays, sparking a broader debate across the state regarding the missionas execution. The 25 schemes declared as flagship programmes cover a wide range of development sectors, including water supply, health, sanitation, rural development, agriculture, infrastructure, women empowerment, and green initiatives. Notable schemes include: Jal Jeevan Mission, Namo Drone Didi, Solar Didi, Lakhpati Didi, Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi, Bank Sakhi, Food Security a" New Family Additions, Kusum Yojana (A, B, C), RDSS (Revised Distribution Area Scheme) a" Power Sector, Lado Protsahan Yojana, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Karmabhoomi to Matribhoomi Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural and Urban), Swamitva Yojana, Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan, Atal Gyan Kendra, Mukhyamantri Shikshit Rajasthan Abhiyan, PM Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Atal Pragati Path, PM Awas Yojana (Urban and Rural), CM Samman Nidhi Yojana, PM Vishwakarma Yojana, Mission Hariyalo Rajasthan a" Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Amrit Yojana, Panch Gaurav Yojana, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Garibi Mukt Gaon Yojana. Successive administrations identify and monitor such schemes for focused governance. Their inclusion ensures intensive monitoring, regular reporting, and timely corrective measures at the Chief Ministeras level, allowing early identification of delays or inefficiencies. Bhopal, April 12 : In a pointed critique of Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav's remarks concerning the "foul smell in cowsheds", Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav retaliated by making a veiled attack without naming him and declared on Saturday that "any Indian who perceives such a scent as offensive forfeits their moral claim to reside in India". Bhopal, April 12 (IANS) In a pointed critique of Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav's remarks concerning the "foul smell in cowsheds", Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav retaliated by making a veiled attack without naming him and declared on Saturday that "any Indian who perceives such a scent as offensive forfeits their moral claim to reside in India". Speaking at the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for a cowshed under the auspices of the Indore Municipal Corporation in Ashapura, CM Yadav, with unmistakable reference to Akhilesh, remarked: "In a vast and storied state such as Uttar Pradesh, it is lamentable that an individual hailing from a lineage steeped in the tradition of cattle rearing should, for mere electoral gain, profess a preference for the aroma of perfumes over the earthy essence of the cowshed. It is with profound regret that I assert: one who dwells in India yet finds the cowshed's scent intolerable has no rightful place within its borders." Extolling the virtues of cow dung, he proclaimed it the "nectar of life", a miraculous substance whose manure transforms barren seeds into fields teeming with golden wheat. He even ventured to assert its potential in combating cancer, noting the burgeoning field of Ayurvedic remedies derived from cow dung and urine. In contrast, SP President Akhilesh Yadav, speaking last month in Kannauj -- revered as the "perfume city" -- had derided the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for its emphasis on constructing cow shelters, attributing this to an affinity for unpleasant odours. He juxtaposed this with the SP's prior establishment of "perfume parks", a reflection, he claimed, of their preference for fragrance. "They (BJP) favour foul smells, hence their cowsheds; we cherished fragrance, hence we had perfume parks," Akhilesh had quipped. CM Yadav on Saturday participated in a Bhoomi Pujan ceremony at Ashapura village of Indore district where a huge cowshed, named as Kamdhenu Gaushala is being constructed on a huge area sprawling on 17,000 hectares. It will serve as a haven for 10,000 stray and destitute cattle, affording them the liberty to roam and thrive in a natural habitat. This noble endeavour stands as a testament to the Madhya Pradesh government's unwavering dedication to the welfare and preservation of bovine life. Further underscoring this commitment, the state has resolved to double the daily stipend for cows housed in registered shelters, raising it from Rs 20 to Rs 40. A budgetary provision has also been made for the purpose. "Such measures not only advance the cause of animal welfare but also safeguard the cultural heritage intrinsic to our identity," Chief Minister Yadav said. The Madhya Pradesh CM further observed that it has become a cherished custom for families to commemorate their children's birthdays amidst the serene environs of cowsheds, a setting he deemed unparalleled in its sanctity. Agartala, April 12 : Amid emerging regional challenges and controversial remarks from Bangladesh's interim government leadership and others, experts on South Asian affairs have emphasised the need for continued dialogue and cooperation between India and the neighbouring country to strengthen mutual trust and ensure long-term regional stability. Speaking on the sidelines of the symposium "Future Roadmap North East India 2030 & Beyond, Prospects and Challenges", held in Agartala, Sreeradha Datta, an expert on South Asia and faculty member at a private university, stressed the importance of resolving bilateral issues through parley. "Despite immediate security concerns, there is scope for improvement in India-Bangladesh relations. The present situation requires constructive engagement between the two governments to rebuild mutual confidence," said Datta. Echoing similar sentiments, Riva Ganguly Das, former Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs, termed the recent controversial statement made by Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during his visit to China as "unfortunate". However, she underscored the progress made in India-Bangladesh connectivity and regional integration over the past decade. Das, former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, said: "From 2010 till now, connectivity initiatives have been impressive. Prior to August 5, we had three passenger trains operating, freight movement from ports like Chittagong and Mongla was active, the Feni bridge (in Tripura) was inaugurated, and the Sabroom check post was made operational. Over 30 land customs stations facilitated trade, and people-to-people ties also deepened." Das emphasised India's strategic focus on the northeast through key foreign policy initiatives like Act East, Indo-Pacific, SAGAR, and Neighbourhood First, noting their importance in regional development. She expressed hope that the current political turmoil in Bangladesh, under an interim government, would be resolved soon, allowing bilateral relations to return to a more stable and cooperative footing. The symposium, inaugurated by Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, brought together senior Assam Rifles officials, policymakers, and academicians to deliberate on the strategic prospects and challenges of northeast India's future. The symposium was organised by the Assam Rifles in collaboration with Asian Confluence, a leading think-tank of the northeast and CENJOWS. The event underscores the commitment of Assam Rifles in contributing to its socio-economic progress. Maj Gen Suresh Bhambhu, Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) deliberated on the untapped potential of the northeastern region. Lt General Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding 3 Corps in his closing address applauded the speakers for their valuable contribution and also dwelled on the security environment in the northeastern region. Lt Gen K. Himalaya Singh (Retd) also spoke in the event, which drew a diverse audience, including officers from security forces, veterans, policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders from across the region, fostering a collective approach to addressing the northeast's unique needs and aspirations. Chennai, April 13 : The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), the political arm of the powerful Vanniyar community, has plunged into an internal leadership crisis after its founder, S. Ramadoss, unilaterally declared himself as party President, replacing his son and incumbent President Anbumani Ramadoss with the post of Working (executive) President. S. Ramadoss made the announcement during a press conference at his residence in Thailapuram, Villupuram, on Thursday, citing the need for strong leadership ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He also appointed senior party leader G.K. Mani as the PMK President. Responding to the decision, Anbumani Ramadoss issued a statement on Saturday asserting his continued role as the President of PMK. "My dear fellow party members, unexpected confusion has arisen regarding the position of President of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). To avoid any impact on the party's growth and the upcoming Mamallapuram Chithirai Full Moon Vanniyar Youth Festival Conference, I wish to clarify the situation," he said. He added that the PMK was founded by S. Ramadoss on July 16, 1989, with the aim of achieving social justice and political empowerment for the common people. "As per the party constitution, the President is elected by the General Council. On May 28, 2022, I was unanimously elected as party President with S. Ramadoss' blessings and the support of party members. This was also recognised by the Election Commission of India," Anbumani Ramadoss said. Reiterating that he is the duly elected and legitimate party President, Anbumani Ramadoss said he will continue to function in the role and work towards fulfilling the party's objectives with the cooperation of its leaders and cadres. Highlighting the importance of the upcoming Chithirai Full Moon Vanniyar Youth Festival Conference in Mamallapuram on May 11, Anbumani Ramadoss described it as a 12-year dream and a crucial milestone for the party. "I am honoured that S. Ramadoss has entrusted me with the responsibility of making the event a grand success. As the conference committee chairman, I am overseeing all arrangements and urge all-level administrators to bring our members together for the event," he said. Anbumani Ramadoss also emphasised that winning more seats in the 2026 state Assembly elections and forming a strong alliance under the guidance of S. Ramadoss are the key priorities. "As party president, I will lead the PMK to realise S. Ramadoss' ambitions and bring glory to our movement," he affirmed. The internal rift, however, traces back to the public fallout between father and son during a Special General Council meeting held in Puducherry on December 28, 2024. Sources suggest that S. Ramadoss has been displeased with the PMK's growing closeness to the BJP and may be aiming to realign the party's focus toward its core mission -- uplifting the Vanniyar community -- and possibly engaging with Dravidian parties instead. The timing of the leadership reshuffle also coincides with the impending end of Anbumani Ramadoss's Rajya Sabha term and the recent political visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Tamil Nadu. Washington, April 13 : The White House on Saturday said the first round of talks with Iranians, which took place in Muscat, Oman, were "very positive and constructive". Washington, April 13 (IANS) The White House on Saturday said the first round of talks with Iranians, which took place in Muscat, Oman, were "very positive and constructive". US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat which were hosted by Omani Foreign Minister Said Badr. These were talks between the Trump-led US and Iran, and marked an end of an impasse hit in relation in 2018 when President Trump walked out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JAPOA), signed by US under President Barack Obama and remaining member of the UN Security Council 's permanent members the UK, France, Russia and China and German, on one side and Iran on the other. The next round of talks are scheduled for next Saturday. "The discussions were very positive and constructive, and the United States deeply thanks the Sultanate of Oman for its support of this initiative," the White House said in a statement, adding: "Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr. Araghchi that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations' differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible. These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday." According to reports, the Iran's state-run broadcaster reported that Witkoff and Araghchi "briefly spoke" together, the first such contact between the two countries at this level. President Trump has expressed optimism he will be able to make a deal with Iran saying Friday that he wants to see Iran prosper but that he was committed to not allowing it to acquire nuclear weapons. "I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump said aboard Air Force One on the way to Florida. It was the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Seva Batichev, the cofounder of the creative collective Hungry Minds (along with Timur Kadyrov) felt a spark of inspiration. Batichev and his wife were exploring the vacant streets of Naoshima Island in Japan, a place famed for its art museums, and they began contemplating some big questions: What if this really is the end? What would be left of humanity if we dont make it through this? The result was The Book, an indie passion project that has garnered a worldwide following for its ingenuity and sumptuous presentation. Batichev spoke with BookLife about the origins of the project. What was the process for creating The Book? When the idea struck to create a book to guide future generations in rebuilding civilization, we began brainstorming. What would the book contain? How would we make it? We were fortunate to find an exceptionally talented artist, Lev Kaplan, to help us shape the visual style. At that point, we were just having fun with the process. We didnt expect much financially; our optimistic goal was to raise $300,000. For us, it wasnt about the money but the joy of creating something meaningful in a time of uncertainty. By the end of the fundraiser campaign, we raised over $3 million between Kickstarter and Indiegogo. This success allowed us to dedicate ourselves to the project full-time, hiring experts from a variety of fields and expanding the team. Over the next year and a half, we held countless discussions, refining the books content and visuals. Every decision was carefully debated; every choice was made with intention. Looking back, what makes The Book special is the love and dedication poured into it by a truly diverse and international team. Everyone brought their passion and unique perspective, and thats what makes the book resonate with so many people. Is The Book intended to literally live up to its subtitleThe Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding Civilizationor is it more of a beautiful, artistic object to admire? When discussing the book, we always saw it as an artifact, not just a practical guide or encyclopedia. There are already plenty of analytical books that explain how things work. What we wanted was an experience for the reader, a sense of interaction with the book. We wanted them to feel they were holding something unusual, perhaps even mystical. Lets talk about the stunning illustrations. What themes, styles, or references shaped the vision? From the beginning, we wanted them to feel timeless and extraordinary. Great credit for the illustration style goes to our art director, Lev. He captured something remarkable, finding a delicate balance that is simultaneously practical, understandable, and visually unique. His style blends the intricate detail of medieval engravings with modern touches and contemporary techniques. The process of creation was a journey. We chose themesconcepts and inventions we felt were essential to humanitys story. We researched them thoroughly, consulting experts to ensure accuracy. Once we had the foundation, we gave the ideas to Lev and his team. Theyd produce initial sketches, which we reviewed and refined together. This process took weeks, sometimes months. We wanted every illustration to feel alive; theres more to discover each time you look at it. The book contains many riddles and puzzles to solve. Even I, one of its creators, find new details in it to this day. Sometimes I notice a tiny element added by an illustrator that we never discussed, or a sentence or joke that only makes sense over time. We add small updates with every new print run. We dont always announce these changes, but we feel this makes the book come alive. It interacts with its audience; we listen and incorporate feedback from readers. These subtle touches are noticeable to those who engage with the book attentively. Jotting down hundreds of ideas, we created a massive list of inventions and concepts we felt essential to preserve for future civilizations. Then, we began the difficult process of narrowing it down to 200 entries. Each decision to remove something was agonizing. Every time we thought, This cant be excluded or This is too important to leave out, it added to the challenge. Ultimately, we had to make firm decisions about what to include and set aside the rest. Many of the ideas that didnt make it into the first book will form the basis for our next project, The Last Book, which will focus more on humanitys cultural aspects. Who would you consider your target audience? How are you positioning the book in your marketing efforts? The ideal audience is anyone who is deeply curious and loves to be amazed. As we grow older, many of us lose the ability to marvel at the world around us. Our goal is to reignite that sense of wonder. After years on the sidelines, whether as comic relief, menacing villains, or tragic figures, trans and nonbinary characters in fiction have begun to get their long-overdue close-ups. Recent high-profile releases include the collection Stag Dance (Random House) from Detransition, Baby author Torrey Peters, and Woodworking, journalist Emily St. Jamess debut. PW spoke with authors whose forthcoming works depict trans and nonbinary characters in all their complexity. Layered Meanings In A.E. Osworths Awakened (Grand Central, Apr.), which PWs review called a story of trans magic, empowerment, and joy, a coven of trans witches square off against a malevolent AI entity. Osworth, though, has a friendlier relationship with artificial intelligence: they used what they say is a really janky AI called Botnik Voicebox to create Hex, the AI villain. The human characters, meanwhile, were generated by tarot spreads, which the author says felt the same as writing with AImaking meaning from something that inherently doesnt have any. Representation is relative, says Osworth, a lecturer at the University of British Columbias School of Creative Writing and the author of 2021s Gamergate-inspired We Are Watching Eliza Bright. I wont find a character thats exactly like me, but I can find some of my representation in a lot of different characters, they say. My goal is more complex than making one person stand in for a community; I want the community to be represented as many different people. Andrew Joseph White, author of a trio of well-received YA horror novels, makes his adult debut with You Werent Meant to Be Human (Saga, Sept.), in which an alien invasion of worms and flies demands subservience from human survivors in exchange for their safety. One such human, a mute, autistic trans man named Crane, gets pregnant by a handsome ex-Marine, and the alien hive forces him to carry the pregnancy. Its about the intersection of transgender and autistic identity, and what happens when queer and disabled people crack under the weight of society. The genre is just as important, if not more so, than the representation itself, White says, explaining why horror is his preferred lens. If I really want to be seen, the book has to look terrible things directly in the eye. I adore every book written by and about queer, trans, and disabled people, but it isnt until I find a story that makes my guts turn that I can finally go, aha. That feels right. The protagonist of When the Harvest Comes (Random House, Apr.), a femme professional violinist named Davis, gets derailed by news of the death of his estranged Baptist minister father, which he receives at his wedding reception. He avoids the funeral and, in the ensuing months, reckons with childhood trauma and disconnects from Everett, his spouse. Debut author and Electric Literature editor-in-chief Denne Michele Norris excels at plumbing her characters emotional depths as Davis and Everett observe each other from an increasing distance, and the melancholic narrative builds to a satisfying crescendo, according to PWs starred review. I wanted to write a love story where a marginalized person is in this beautiful loving relationship, and is still able to mess it up, Norris explains. Theyre operating like every other fucked-up person whos running around not making the best choices. Authors are finding that representation can work in service of the plot, rather than the other way around. Im craving stories where identities are relevant, but not the story itself, says Lee Lai, an Australian cartoonist living in Canada. She follows her 2021 Lambda-winning debut, Stone Fruit, with Cannon (Drawn & Quarterly, Sept.), which examines the relationship between two queer Chinese friendsone's a writer and the other works in a restaurant kitchenand all the ways in which identity-based friendships can wear thin, Lai says. It questions relevance, especially for queers in their 30s, when pressing things are coming up other than identity exploration. This shift in focus, for the characters and for Lai, is born of an evolving cultural narrative. Im no longer everyones first trans person, she says. My identity is no longer the first thing people notice about me, which is really cool. I just want to get into my characters emotional lives, introduce different stressors and see what happens. Only human Nicola Dinan follows her 2023 debut, the queer love story Bellies, with Disappoint Me (Dial, May), a striking work, PWs starred review said, that establishes Dinan as an invaluable voice in contemporary fiction. Max, a 30-year-old trans woman, falls down the stairs at a party and wakes up with an unsettling determination: she wants to find a boyfriend more than she wants to focus on her career. Setting out on what Dinan calls an unfeminist journey to find a guy as soon as she can, she chooses Vincent, a cisgender man. The story draws on struggles Ive observed in the women around me from all walks of life, especially as they enter their 30s, Dinan says. In their 20s they were promised the world, and now see that those promises were a folly, and that the expectations still existthe pressure to have a family, to hear the barrage of voices telling you youre living the wrong kind of life. Readers of all genders and ages have reached out to her about the book, which pubbed in the U.K. in January. Those readers appreciate complexity, Dinan says; making characters too likable makes them inhuman, and authors do their characters a disservice by making them infallible just because theyre trans. Its also a disservice to expect characters to stand in for an entire community, says debut author Max Delsohn. What I love about this moment for trans lit is that theres a lot more space for each trans writer, myself included, to write based on their own experience. Were not a monolith. Delsohns short story collection, Crawl (Graywolf, Oct.), takes place in Seattle, a city he expected to be a queer utopia when he arrived there for college but which turned out, like his characters lives, to be more complicated. Each storys protagonist is somewhere on the transmasculine spectrum and all except one is in their 20s. Mason Deavers The Build-a-Boyfriend Project (Avon, Aug.) also centers on a 20-somethingEli, a trans man stuck in a dead-end assistant job at a magazine and smarting from the end of his longest relationship. His friends send him on a disastrous blind date with Peter, who approaches him afterward to confess his inexperience and ask for help in becoming a decent boyfriend. Eli spots a possible breakout story, and their fauxmance eventually blossoms into something real. This is Deavers first foray into adult romance, after four YA novels that all featured trans and nonbinary characters. They say theyve seen real progress in trans representation, whereas when they were growing up, the best-case scenario was that the trans person was a side character; usually it was forced outings, tragic endings. Now, as an author themself, theyre able to write characters who share more than their gender identity. As much as I relate to Elis experience as a trans person in America, I relate more to Peter, coming from a small Southern town of 2,000 people, Deaver says. We both knew we were queer as teenagers, but didnt have people we could trust. Lambdawinning novelist Isaac Fellman returns with Notes from a Regicide (Tor, Apr.), which PWs starred review called prescient, nuanced, and remarkably well told. A thousand years in the future, Griffon Keming, a trans journalist in New York City, is mourning the deaths of his adoptive parents, a trans art couple who took him in when he ran away from an abusive home as a teen. He finds his fathers journal and encounters his parents painful past as refugees and failed revolutionaries. The author, who works at the Digital Transgender Archive, says the book explores how well we can love each other without knowing each other very well. In seeking out any kind of representation as a young trans person, Fellman found mostly subtext (a lesbian couple from the popular manga Sailor Moon being called cousins with a wink and a nudge) and one-dimensional queers behaving badly. He and other authors PW spoke with agree that things are changing for the better. You no longer have a single author being asked to speak for the whole community, which opens up what kind of stories can be told, Fellman says. You can portray people in their full humanity, and be interested in other parts of the story. A trans character today does not have to be emblematic of anything. They can just be a character. Correction: This article has been updated to clarify the occupations of the characters in Cannon. Liz Scheier is a writer, editor, and product strategist living in Washington, D.C. She is the author of the memoir Never Simple. Read more from our LGBTQ+ Books feature. Be Yourself, Joyously: PW talks with Tourmaline These YA Novelists Celebrate Queer, Fat Characters OSAKA - Seven-Eleven Japan Co. will open two convenience stores at the World Exposition in Osaka starting Sunday to showcase what it expects its outlets to look like in 2030, featuring service by remotely controlled avatar robots and floors that generate power when stepped on. The stores at the expo venue on the artificial island of Yumeshima will sell made-to-order Japanese confectionaries such as fish-shaped "taiyaki" waffles and sweet "dango" rice cakes in addition to the usual items including drinks and rice balls. Avatar robots called "newme," developed by Avatarin Inc., a startup established by ANA Holdings Inc., will assist customers using self-checkout machines. The stick-shaped robots with wheels will display on their monitors the faces of staff who are controlling the machines from a remote location. As a way to reduce the ecological footprint, some sections of the floors will enable power generation by detecting vibrations created from customers walking around the stores, while machines to make smoothies will be powered by hydrogen. Packages of some items will have labels in English, Chinese and Korean in addition to Japanese, the operator said, as many foreign visitors are expected during the expo. A Seven-Eleven official said the operator put emphasis on freshness in cooked foods as it aims to meet customers' demand to eat instantly purchased items. The stores, located near the west gate and at a recreational Water Plaza area, will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and only accept cashless payments. The expo will run through Oct. 13, opening from 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day. Related coverage: Osaka Expo organizers prepare for 3-day isolation in disaster plan 3-day test run for Osaka Expo kicks off ahead of April 13 opening Japan Pavilion in Osaka Expo opens with rare Mars meteorite exhibit As tensions escalate in the Taiwan Strait, the possibility of a full-scale crisis between China and Taiwan is no longer merely theoreticalit is increasingly being considered a plausible trigger for regional instability. In such a scenario, the Korean Peninsula would not be immune. A Trump administration, characterized by its America First posture, emphasis on transactional diplomacy, and skepticism of traditional alliances, would have significant implications for how a Taiwan contingency impacts Seoul. The potential ripple effectsstrategic, military, economic, and politicalare far-reaching. A Taiwan crisis would inevitably draw American attention, resources, and strategic focus toward the Western Pacific. Under a Trump administration, which in the past signaled a desire to reduce U.S. military commitments overseas and reframe alliance obligations through a cost-benefit lens, such a shift could come at the expense of U.S. engagement on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea may find itself relatively marginalized as Washington prioritizes front-line support to Taiwan, particularly if Trump once again questions the utility of maintaining large-scale forward deployments in South Korea. In this context, North Korea could see an opportunity. Pyongyang has historically acted when it perceives distraction or division among its adversaries, and a major crisis in the Taiwan Strait would be a textbook opening. Missile launches, limited provocations, or cyber operations could be used by North Korea both to advance its strategic leverage and to test the alliances resolve. If the Trump administration were to revert to unilateral posturing or rhetorical brinkmanshipechoing the "fire and fury" phase of 2017without close coordination with Seoul, it could undermine the credibility of extended deterrence on the peninsula. Further complications would arise from Trumps well-documented approach to burden-sharing and alliance management. During his first term, he demanded substantial increases in South Koreas contributions to the cost of hosting U.S. forces. If a Taiwan crisis were to unfold, this transactional mindset might resurface, with Washington pressuring Seoul not only for greater financial support but potentially for military or logistical contributions to U.S. operations in the Taiwan theater. Such expectations would place Seoul in an extremely delicate position, torn between its economic ties to China and its security alliance with the United States. Any overt involvement in the Taiwan issue could trigger Chinese economic retaliation, just as South Korea experienced following the 2016 THAAD deployment. Meanwhile, economic interdependence and supply chain vulnerability add another layer of risk. A Taiwan Strait conflict could disrupt semiconductor flows and maritime trade routes critical to South Koreas export-driven economy. If a Trump administration pushes harder for decoupling from China and seeks tighter alignment from allies on tech restrictions and trade policy, South Korea would face difficult choicesmanaging U.S. expectations on one side and avoiding economic coercion from Beijing on the other. At the core of all these dynamics lies South Koreas enduring strategic dilemma: whether to deepen alignment with the United States, even at the cost of increased entanglement in U.S.-China rivalry, or to preserve strategic autonomy by avoiding commitments that could provoke Chinese backlash. Under a Trump administration, which is likely to favor bilateral loyalty over multilateral diplomacy, Seoul would find its space for nuanced positioning increasingly constrained. The pressure to take a clearer stance in a Taiwan contingencymilitarily, diplomatically, and economicallywould intensify, testing the limits of its traditional balancing strategy. While a cross-strait conflict may not be imminent, South Korea cannot afford to view it as a remote or isolated issue. If the Taiwan Strait becomes the next flashpoint in U.S.-China competition, the effects will not stop at the waters of the Western Pacific. They will echo across the DMZ, into the heart of Seouls security calculations. A Trump-era approach to a Taiwan crisis would likely exacerbate uncertainty, demanding that South Korea prepare nownot only with enhanced defense readiness but with clearer strategic foresight and diplomacy grounded in realism. In an era of great-power rivalry and geopolitical fragmentation, South Korea must recognize that the first shots over Taiwan may reverberate loudly across the Korean Peninsula. Jihoon Yu is the director of external cooperation and an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. Though drowned out by headlines about tariffs, Secretary of State Marco Rubios recent NATO visit is worth dwelling on as it represents a shift in Washingtons view of the alliance. At NATO, Rubio argued that the security weaknesses of Europe, such as Ukraine, should not be Americas global welfare problem when there are more pressing matters. Rubios statement raises the question: Is continued U.S. support for Ukraine truly in Americas interest? For the U.S., Ukraine has been expensive: Congress has allocated $182 billion to Ukraine since 2022, with nearly half already spent. Meanwhile, the U.S. faces mounting defense obligations in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. For Ukraine, the war has been devastating. Ukraine is losingjust slowly. While Russia expected a quick win, its patience and irregular warfare tactics in this war of attrition have proven effective, overwhelming Ukraines strategic units by sacrificing manpower. Russia occupies 20% of Ukrainian territory, with Russia advancing 40 km westward in the last year. Russian troops continue pressing forward, with no signs of slowing down. Continuing to aid Ukraine means using valuable defense resources to fund its gradual demise. Every day the war drags on, Americans pay with their pockets while Ukrainians pay with their lives. Additionally, the U.S. has higher priorities elsewhere. The Asia-Pacific should be Americas primary focus, as we remain overdependent on stability in the Taiwan Strait and uncertain about the future of bilateral relations with Chinaa far greater concern than attempting to give Ukraine an edge in a war it is losing. Are we stretched too thin? The Trump administration certainly believes so. It plans to cut aid to Ukraine and reduce other European commitments such as NATO, arguing that restraint in Europe would allow the US to place a greater focus on China. Also, Russias capability (and Putins stated willingness) to use nuclear force should the U.S. deepen its involvement in Ukraine is worrisome. Avoiding a nuclear exchange will always be a higher priority than ensuring the survival of Ukrainian democracy. One argument for continued U.S. involvement is Ukraines critical minerals. Yet, this is unlikely to truly help the U.S. Despite the deals postponement following a public spat in the Oval Office, the Trump administration is still seeking an agreement with Ukraine to pay back aid with its natural resources. At first glance, it seems straightforward: the U.S. needs critical minerals, and Ukraine needs weaponry. However, 40% of Ukraines mineral reserves lie in Russian-occupied territories, making extraction amid an invasion or prolonged occupation unrealistic. More stable alternatives exist. Another justification for continued support is that Ukraine serves as a proxy war between Russia and the U.S. While the war has strained Russia, the U.S. faces more direct threats from Russian cyberattacks, which predate the war. Cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure tripled between 2023 and 2024, many targeting Western aid to Ukraine. For now, the Trump administration has halted offensive cyber operations against Russia, likely as a goodwill gesture. If U.S. involvement in Ukraine has fueled Russian cyber aggression, then reducing involvement should alleviate attacks on American infrastructure. The Trump administration seems to see little U.S. interest in supporting Ukraineand the evidence so far supports this view. But, if the U.S. withdraws support, who will aid Ukraine? One likely answer is the E.U. While Ukraine itself may not be a core U.S. interest, its war with Russia has pushed European nations toward increased militarization. This shift could actually benefit the U.S. in the long term, as stronger European defense capabilities would lead to more reliable military partners, deter Russian aggression, and allow the US to complete its pivot to Asia. The Trump administrations calls for restraint have already prompted E.U. nations to reaffirm support for Ukraine and increase defense spending. European collective security is being mobilized: the European Commissions ReArm Europe 2030 plan is historic, committing 800 billion to defense investments, including a 30% increase in weapon stockpiles. Whether ReArm Europe materializes remains to be seen, especially given how weak European militias are, but it signals a shift toward European self-reliance. Similarly, NATO is adjusting to a future with less U.S. involvement. France, U.K., Germany, Poland, and Denmark are leading discussions on strengthening European defense, with Macron championing his vision of European strategic autonomy. For decades, the U.S. has been the primary security guarantor in Europe through NATO and the nuclear umbrella. One caveat to restraint is that the U.S. will have to accept less hard power in Europe. Reducing involvement means ceding military authority to European states, which could diminish American influence. But if European states can meet the moment they may create a truly independent European security systeman outcome that benefits both the U.S. and Europe. The cost of American restraint in Europe is worth it. Only China possesses the economic and technological power to challenge the U.S. as a peer. American interests demand a greater focus on China, not Ukraine. Russia is disruptive and a rival, but its conventional power is not a threat to the U.S., nor does indefinite support for Ukraine benefit U.S. interests. Redirecting attention to the Indo-Pacific, as a new Pentagon memo calls for, would better align with Americas strategic priorities. Sama Noori is a foreign policy analyst. She has worked at the U.S. Department of State, NASA, and Bank of America on international relations and business governance. Sama has her BA and MA from Harvard University. Disney/Eric McCandless By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/11/2025 ADVERTISEMENT 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! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. Supermodel Brooks Nader appears to have confirmed that her relationship with pro Gleb Savchenko ended because he cheated on her.News broke earlier this week that Brooks and Gleb had split and that Brooks was "the one who ended things" with the pro dancer, but Gleb subsequently admitted to Us Weekly he was "surprised to learn" his relationship with Brooks is over by reading a news article.Brooks' sister Grace Ann Nader then claimed via TikTok on Tuesday, April 8 that "there is hard evidence" to prove Gleb had cheated on Brooks.Brooks seemed to confirm the cheating speculation when she took to TikTok on Wednesday, April 9 with a fiery message.In the video, the model stared straight into the camera and complained about a man being "easily led."Brooks lip-synced, "If you go away for a few days and he's not f-cking strong enough in his own mind to keep his d-ck in his f-cking pants, well then he can f-ck off anyway."Brooks also took off on a girls' trip to Miami Beach, FL, on Wednesday with her sisters and a friend.In another TikTok video, Brooks lip-synced, "G-dd-mn manchild. You act like a kid even though you're six [feet] two [inches]."Brooks also gushed via Instagram on Thursday, April 10 that "48 hrs in Miami cures all!"According to a source close to the situation, Brooks "was deeply upset in the first few days and laid low," Page Six reported on Thursday."She's doing better now and is using this time to focus on herself and her well-being. She's been surrounding herself with her sisters and closest girlfriends."Earlier this week, Grace Ann had teased that Gleb's cheating scandal would be coming to light."She doesn't know it yet but in 24 hours she'll find out he cheated," Grace Ann wrote in her April 8 TikTok video over footage of Brooks sitting on Gleb's lap and kissing him.One fan asked if there was any proof to this allegation because it could ruin Gleb's reputation, and Grace Ann replied, "There is hard evidence."Gleb told Us on April 7, before his alleged cheating made headlines, that the last communication he had with Brooks was a text on April 6."I called her today in response, but she has not replied," Gleb revealed, adding how he had spent time with Brooks about a week prior and everything was fine between them."The last time I saw Brooks was when I traveled to New York to support her and film an episode of her reality show on March 31st and April 1st."(Gleb was referring to Brooks' upcoming reality show with Grace Ann and her other sisters Mary Holland Nader and Sarah Jane Nader.)"And she was sad to see me leave, but I had to return to to finish my four-month tour at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood," Gleb explained.Gleb admitted he was "still processing everything" and didn't "have all the answers" when it came to this supposed breakup.However, Gleb said he wishes Brooks "the best moving forward," regardless of what will come of their relationship.Gleb and Brooks were reportedly hooking up during ' 33rd season but called it quits shortly after they were eliminated from the competition during the show's October 2024 episode.Gleb then confirmed their relationship was back on in December 2024.After reviving their romance, Brooks and Gleb enjoyed the holidays together alongside his daughters Olivia, 14, and Zlata, 8, whom he welcomed with his ex-wife Elena Samodanova."I don't need anything else," Gleb captioned a family photo that included Brooks via Instagram in December.Gleb also suggested on social media earlier this year that he could envision himself having a baby with Brooks in the near future.Gleb insisted in December that his relationship with Brooks was "real" and that the pair weren't "playing games."But when Brooks was asked if she could see herself being with the professional dancer and choreographer long-term, she told the magazine, "I don't know. He's great."But the couple played coy for weeks before going public with their revived romance.While rehearsing for ' November 26 finale, Brooks and Gleb were caught gazing into each other's eyes and kissing on-camera , and at one point, Brooks straddled Gleb and hugged him tightly on the set.pros Emma Slater and Ezra Sosa posted Gleb and Brooks' flirty content on social media, and even the show's host, Alfonso Ribeiro , joked on November 25 how he couldn't keep up with the pair's "whirlwind" romance and they were driving him "nuts."When asked to share where their relationship stood after ' finale, Gleb told E! News, "It was amazing to be back in the ballroom. I love dancing with Brooks. We have so much fun in the ballroom, outside of the ballroom.""And that's it," Brooks interjected."And that's it," Gleb repeated before flashing a big clueless smile at Brooks, adding how the pair had a great journey on the show.An insider told Us last year that Gleb was the one who had dumped Brooks the first time , about a week after their elimination aired.Gleb and the model had alluded to their first breakup via TikTok in late October.Gleb posted a video on October 25 of himself lip syncing the following lyrics to "God's Plan" by Drake: "She said do you love me / I tell her only partly / I only love my bed and my momma / I'm sorry."Gleb captioned his post with three lightning emojis as well as a heart-hands emoji.Several hours later, Brooks took to TikTok and uploaded a video of herself mouthing the lyrics to Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra 's "Somethin' Stupid.""And then I go and spoil it all / By saying something stupid like 'I love you,'" Brooks mouthed.During the last line, Brooks wrote, "Let's get matching tattoos," and hit herself on the forehead.Brooks also uploaded the sound of Miles Teller 's viral breakup speech from Whiplash, which features a man saying he doesn't have time to date while pursuing other things.Brooks wrote over the footage, "When he's breaking up with me, but I never knew we were dating."When Brooks and Gleb were ousted from the competition, Gleb told Brooks, "It was so unexpected. I thought we were going to win. I had a blast working with you. You are super talented and I love you."Fans naturally lasered in on Gleb's, "I love you," remark at the end of his statement.During the October 15 episode of Harry Jowsey's "Boyfriend Material" podcast, Harry asked if Gleb was "in love" with the model amid PDA and rumors the pair was just keeping it casual.The pro dancer and choreographer replied, "I can't hear you, what?... I don't know, maybe."Gleb explained at the time, "We're just hanging out. We just have a good time. She's amazing. I love being around her. She's got such great energy, great personality. Obviously, super hot." Bigger Vision of Athens is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Athens community since 1998, focusing on providing shelter and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. The organizations mission is to offer temporary shelter, food and essential services while connecting individuals to the resources they need for long-term stability. This article was first published 4 years ago And if there are so many opportunities, why haven't they invested in them, asks Debashis Basu. The Securities and Exchange Board of India on September 11 came up with a fatwa. By January next year, multi-cap equity funds must invest a minimum of 75 per cent in equities, up from 65 per cent, with at least 25 per cent each in large-caps, mid-caps, and small-caps. This has sent shockwaves, not just through the fund industry and equity fund investors but the entire equity market. Here is why. Most of the multi-cap money is invested in large-caps. If multi-cap funds are forced to make a 25 per cent allocation each to large-, mid-, and small-caps, they will have to sell massive amounts of large-cap stocks and buy equally large amounts of mid- and small-cap stocks. How large is this? Assets under management of multi-cap funds are Rs 1.53 trillion. This means funds will need to have 25 per cent of that in small-cap stocks, which means putting in over Rs 38,000 crore (Rs 380 billion). Funds currently have about Rs 11,240 crore invested in small-caps. So, they need to buy around Rs 27,062 crore (Rs 270.62 billion) of small-cap stocks. Is this practical? How big is the small-cap universe? According to the Sebi classification, the top 100 companies in terms of market cap are large-caps, the 101st to 250th are mid-caps, and 251st onwards are small-caps. The market capitalisation of the 251st to 500th company is Rs 9 trillion. Most of them are not investment-worthy. Even if they were, there is no liquidity. Promoters own 50 to 75 per cent of the capital. Where will multi-cap funds find small-caps to invest such large amounts? And if there are so many opportunities, why haven't they invested in them? Here is another bit of data. While Sebi wants multi-cap funds to invest another Rs 27,000 crore (Rs 270 billion) in small-caps, the assets in small-cap funds are Rs 52,000 crore (Rs 520 billion). This means a sum that is 50 per cent greater than the current assets of small-cap funds will now have to be additionally bought by multi-cap funds from a list of small-cap stocks. Is Sebi trying to create a small-cap boom by issuing a fatwa? It certainly sounds like the Greek mythological story about Procrustes's bed. In the Greek legend, a robber called Procrustes had an iron bed, on which he compelled his victims to lie down. If a victim was shorter than the bed, he stretched him by hammering or racking the body to fit. Alternatively, if the victim was longer than the bed, he cut off the legs to make the body fit the bed's length. In either case the victim died. Sebi is attempting to fit multi-cap funds into its own version of Procrustes's bed by forcing funds to stretch their asset allocation or close them. (From this legend comes the adjective Procrustean, which is a framework of enforcing uniformity without regard to natural variation or individuality.) Why has Sebi issued a Procrustean fatwa? Because multi-cap funds are apparently multi-cap only in name. They hardly invest in small-caps. I checked the largest multi-cap fund, Kotak Standard. It had a 75 per cent allocation to large-caps at the end of August. HDFC Equity Fund, which has more than Rs 17,000 crore (Rs 170 billion) of assets, has 86 per cent invested in large-caps. The same is the story for all multi-cap funds. Hence, Sebi felt multi-cap funds must justify their names. Critics would say they are designed to give flexibility to the fund manager to move from small-caps to large-caps -- depending upon market opportunities. Well, that is only on paper. As we have repeatedly shown in Moneylife, such flexibility is bunkum. Funds are incapable of doing any timing. Dynamic funds are marketing gimmicks. They buy and hold mostly large-cap stocks. So, even small-cap funds have some large-cap stocks. Over the past two years, the Kotak multi-cap fund had over 70 per cent in large-caps in every single month, except for six months in January-June this year. It never found an occasion to invest 50 per cent in mid-caps and small-caps. Funds are ultimately prisoners of the market ecosystem. If small-caps are illiquid, how the hell are they supposed to buy them? Will multi-caps fit in? Without understanding these constraints, the media has declared that the '(b)roader market awaits Rs 40,000-crore bonanza as Sebi tweaks multi-cap fund rules' or variants of this sweeping prediction. I am afraid it is the market situation alone that will determine whether Sebi's fatwa works or not. And as I mentioned, there are very few large, floating small-cap stocks worth buying. If there were such stocks available, funds would have bought them -- they don't need Sebi to teach them that quality small stocks deliver much higher returns than quality large-caps. (Some time back, some small-cap funds had stopped taking new inflows since there weren't enough opportunities.) So assuming that multi-cap funds will not rush out and chase illiquid small-caps at higher and higher valuations, they will not fit into Procrustes's bed. So there are two possibilities: One, they will lobby and Sebi may relax the rules a bit. Two, if that does not work, they will merge their multi-cap funds with large-caps. There is also a third option. In the Greek legend, ultimately Procrustes was slain by his own method by the young hero Theseus. In the modern day, Theseus is the market. Debashis Basu is the editor of www.moneylife.in Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com BEIJING - China and Japan said Saturday they have held technical talks over Beijing's ban on Japanese seafood imports, which was imposed in August 2023 following the discharge of treated radioactive water into the sea from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The online negotiations on Thursday between China's General Administration of Customs and the Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry followed talks in Beijing in March. The two Asian neighbors agreed in September 2024 that China's seafood imports from Japan will gradually resume, contingent on China's participation in monitoring activities under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Chinese customs administration said the technical talks do not mean that Beijing will restart imports of Japanese seafood products soon. China collected marine samples near the Fukushima plant under the IAEA framework in October and February, and did not find abnormal concentrations of radioactive substances in them. Related coverage: China finds no abnormalities in samples taken near Fukushima plant Japan, China agree to push mutually beneficial, practical cooperation Japan opposition lawmakers seek end to China's seafood import ban This article was first published 4 years ago Equity flows turning positive could give fund managers firepower to invest in the markets. brThis could come in handy as flows from foreign investors have tapered off amid rising bond yields in the US. Chirag Madia reports. Equity mutual funds reported net inflows in March after a gap of nine months. There are signs that the Rs 31 trillion asset management industry has turned a corner in terms of investor flows into equity-oriented schemes. Since July, equity-oriented schemes have seen net redemptions of about Rs 47,000 crore (Rs 470 billion). Several equity sub-categories have seen an increase in assets under management (AUM) on a month-on-month basis, according to data from Association of Mutual Funds in India. And this growth has come despite the markets ending flat last month. Additionally, MFs turned net buyers in the cash market after nine consecutive months of outflows. In March, they were net buyers to the tune of around Rs 2,500 crore (Rs 25 billion). Between June and February, equity fund managers have yanked out Rs 1.24 trillion from domestic stocks amid consistent outflows. Industry players said several MF investors, waiting on the sidelines, got an opportunity to invest as markets came off by over 7 per cent from their peak. Equity flows turning positive could give fund managers firepower to invest in the markets. This could come in handy as flows from foreign investors have tapered off amid rising bond yields in the US. Apart from the large-cap category, several other top equity categories have seen their assets edge higher. For instance, the small-cap category has seen its AUM increase from Rs 66,665 crore (Rs 666.65 billion) at the end of February to Rs 67,541 crore (Rs 675.41 billion), data available on industry body Amfi's Web site shows. The large and mid-cap segment saw its AUM increase by 1.6 per cent to Rs 75,246 crore (Rs 752.46 billion) in March. The BSE SmallCap 250 index rose 0.7 per cent in March. Speaking about the change in March, D P Singh, chief business officer at SBI MF, said: "We are seeing a change in the trend in March and people who were sitting on the sidelines have entered after correction in markets." The correction gave investors an entry, but the spike in volatility could discourage some investors, say industry players. "The markets have cooled off a bit. However, the volatility has gone up. We are seeing the markets exhibit wild swings and move in a range-bound manner. This may not be a very encouraging sign. The rise in US bond yields and resurgence in Covid cases are major headwinds for the market," said a top official with a mid-sized fund house. He, however, said the rolling one-year returns for many schemes have been phenomenal and investors who invest based on past returns could get enthused to invest. In the last one year, categories such as large-and-mid-cap schemes, mid-cap schemes and small-cap schemes have seen average returns of 73-105 per cent in the last one year. This article was first published 4 years ago Consumer activist Jehangir B Gai explains a RBI circular that says the customer is not liable for unauthorised transactions that occur due to contributory fraud, negligence, or deficiency on the bank's part. Jeena Jose had taken a prepaid forex plus debit card from HDFC Bank on August 11, 2007, which had a limit of $10,000. Sometime in the afternoon of December 19, 2008, Jose's father received a call from one K Pradeepa claiming to be from the credit cards division of HDFC Bank at Chennai. She sought confirmation regarding a $310 transaction attempted on the forex card. After ascertaining with Jeena, her father informed the official that no such transaction had been carried out. Further transactions to the tune of $6,000 were carried out. Jeena Jose lodged a complaint with the Burbank police station in Los Angeles on December 24, 2008. Subsequently, on March 4, 2009, the bank sent her charge-slips for 27 of the 29 transactions. The bank's covering letter stated that 'transaction monitoring is done in batch mode, hence transactions were alerted only on day one'. Jeena Jose alleged that the bank was aware of the fraudulent transactions, but had failed to take action. The bank ignored her representations. So, she filed a complaint before the banking ombudsman, and during its pendency also approached the District Consumer Forum seeking reversal of the transactions amounting to Rs 418,000 together with 12 per cent interest. The bank argued that the complaint filed by Jeena Jose's father on the strength of a power of attorney executed in his favour would not be tenable. It alleged that Jeena Jose had not opted for SMS alerts, so the transactions were not intimated at the time they were carried out. The bank blamed Jeena Jose for not keeping her card safely. Overruling all the objections, the forum held the bank liable to pay the equivalent of $6,110 converted into Indian rupees, along with 12 per cent interest from December 16, 2009 onwards. Additionally, Rs 40,000 was awarded for mental tension and Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs. A 45-day period was given for compliance. Delay in payment would render the bank liable to pay interest enhanced by another 3 per cent, which would be 15 per cent. The bank challenged the order before the Chandigarh state commission, but its appeal was dismissed. It then filed a revision petition. The National Commission observed that a complaint can be filed by a power of attorney holder. It also noted that the forex card was in Jose's possession and was still in her custody, yet the disputed transactions had taken place. It trashed the bank's allegation that the card could have been stolen and used. The National Commission agreed with Jeena Jose that it could be due to forgery, hacking, technical glitch or security lapse, which would allow the transaction to occur at some remote destination while the card was still in Jose's possession. The National Commission noted that circular DBR No Leg BC.78/09.07.005/2017-18 dated July 6, 2017, issued by the Reserve Bank of India to commercial banks said: 'A customer's entitlement to zero liability shall arise where the unauthorised transaction occurs due to contributory fraud, negligence, or deficiency on the part of the bank.' By its order of December 21, 2020, delivered by C Viswanath, the National Commission upheld the order holding the bank liable to make good the loss. This article was first published 4 years ago 'Most Indian logistics firms do not have the facility to store and transport COVID-19 vaccine right now.' Puneet Wadhwa reports. Photograph: Kind courtesy Ahmad Ardity/Pixabay As the world awaits the vaccine to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, most experts caution against the logistical issues for storage and transportation of the doses. COVID-19 vaccines require a precise temperature-controlled storage and complex logistics, which makes transporting them a risky business. Investors, analysts' caution, would be better off by remaining selective and should not blanket buy logistics stocks. Vaccine storage and transportation being a niche segment will not benefit all logistics and transportation companies, analysts say. The Pfizer vaccine, for instance, needs to be stored at minus 60 or minus 70 degree Celsius. While there are some companies that are gearing up for this, others will have to create the necessary infrastructure, which is capital intensive and will take a lot of time. According to reports, Luxembourg-headquartered B Medical Systems is planning to initiate talks with senior government officials, scientists and diplomats on setting up a cold chain for COVID-19 vaccines in India. The firm is looking at setting up a plant in the country with its Indian partners to supply specialized refrigerated vaccine transportation boxes and freezers. The company, which has the technology to store vaccines at minus 80 degree Celsius, intends to eventually build a plant in Gujarat, reports say. In the interim, it is expected to import boxes that can be used to transport vaccines as soon as production begins. On its part, Pfizer is also reported to be working out an elaborate cold storage plan to ensure temperature integrity of its vaccine that requires to be maintained at -70 degree Celsius. "Most Indian logistics firms do not have the facility to store and transport COVID-19 vaccine right now," says A K Prabhakar, head of research at IDBI Capital. "That said, it can be built over time but will need a huge capital outlay. Companies that have the requisite means (balance-sheet strength) may venture into this segment over time," he adds. "Among the lot, Blue Dart, Snowman and Mahindra Logistics are cash rich cash rich, are in a niche transportation segment and can benefit. Truck and other types of transporters will not benefit," explains Prabhakar. At the bourses, most logistics and transport-related stocks have logged smart gains since March 2020 when the markets hit their recent low. Among individual stocks, Allcargo Logistics, Aegis Logistics, Transport Corporation of India, Sical Logistics and Snowman Logistics have moved up in the range of 78 per cent to 189 per cent since then, ACE Equity data show. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex and the S&P BSE Midcap index have returned 69 per cent and 77 per cent since then. The S&P Small-cap index, however, has gained around 95 per cent since then, data show. A significant part of the rally since March 2020 low in logistics and transportation stocks, according to G Chokkalingam, founder and chief investment officer at Equinomics Research, has been on account of a sudden surge in online ordering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, he says, has given a fresh lease of life to these stocks, albeit for the short-run. "Over the next few months, the surge in online ordering seen over the past few months is likely to taper off as more people step out of their homes for work and manufacturing activity picks up pace," Chokkalingam says. "Given the sharp run in these stocks since March 2020 lows," Chokkalingam adds, "it is advisable to remain selective in the logistics and transportation segment. Investors sitting on sizeable gains can even start booking profit," Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com This article was first published 4 years ago But be ready for lock-in till the age of 60. Sanjay Kumar Singh finds out more, With interest income on provident fund contributions above Rs 2.5 lakh becoming taxable, many people are contemplating shifting the money they contributed to Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF) to the National Pension System (NPS). They should understand the pros and cons of the two products before making a decision: Risk and return From April 1, the rate of return on Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will be 8.5 per cent on contributions till Rs 2.5 lakh. Interest on contributions above Rs 2.5 lakh will be taxed at the slab rate. For someone in the 30-per cent tax slab, the post-tax return on such contributions will be 5.85 per cent. "EPF has zero credit risk since it is backed by the government. A post-tax rate of 5.8 per cent from a government-backed instrument remains attractive in the current scenario," says Deepesh Raghaw, founder, PersonalFinancePlan, a Securities and Exchange Board of India-registered investment advisor. Among government-backed instruments, Public Provident Fund (PPF) offers 7.1 per cent tax-free. "Many people contribute to EPF, but not to PPF. After the Budget, it should not happen that they invest more than Rs 2.5 lakh in EPF and VPF, but nothing to PPF. That would be a mistake," says Raghaw. The risk in EPF is that it offers an above-market rate of return. "If the EPF rate is linked to market rates, its return could come down in the future," says Arnav Pandya, founder, Moneyeduschool. NPS is a market-linked instrument without guaranteed return. It is a hybrid product with both an equity and a debt component. "Investors can allocate to equities in NPS and can possibly earn a higher rate of return over the long term. But they must be prepared for volatility," says Arvind Rao, chartered accountant and founder, Arvind Rao & Associates. Liquidity Employees can make partial withdrawal from EPF in certain circumstances: in case of unemployment; to purchase or construct a house; to fund an illness, and so on. You need to have been a member of EPF for a minimum number of years. The amount that can be withdrawn also varies in each of these cases. The rules for partial withdrawal from NPS are tighter. You can withdraw only 25 per cent of your own contribution. You can't withdraw either the employer's contribution, or the return earned on the deposits. If you exit prematurely from NPS, then 80 per cent of the corpus must be annuitised. Taxation As mentioned, in EPF interest earned on contributions above Rs 2.5 lakh will be taxed. "This will affect people who have a basic income of above Rs 1.74 lakh, or whose EPF+VPF contribution exceeds Rs 2.5 lakh," says Raghaw. In NPS, the final corpus is taxed as follows: 40 per cent can be withdrawn lump-sum and is tax free. Another 40 per cent must be annuitised. Income from an annuity is taxed at the slab rate. The balance 20 per cent can be withdrawn lump-sum, in which case it will be tax-free. If it is annuitised, then income from the annuity will be taxed. What should you do? If you want assured, risk-free returns, then contribute Rs 2.5 lakh via the EPF/VPF route. Then utilise the Rs 2.5 lakh limit on PPF. Any amount above this contributed to VPF will earn a post-tax return of 5.8 per cent. If you want higher returns, and are prepared for volatility, opt for NPS. But be prepared for the lock-in till 60. You must also be comfortable with compulsory annuitisation. If you are not, then invest in NPS only up to Rs 50,000 to avail of the tax deduction. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com This article was first published 4 years ago 'Do some profit booking and bring your equity allocation back to its original level.' Sanjay Kumar Singh finds out more. The Sensex soared past the 52,000 mark on Monday, February 15. Investors should look at the weights of various asset classes in their portfolios and realign them, if required. Return to original asset allocation One time-tested way to deal with the dilemma of whether to stay invested or exit equities at such high levels is to adopt the asset allocation approach. "Most investors' portfolios would have got heavily skewed towards equities due to the rally. Do some profit booking and bring your equity allocation back to its original level," says Ankur Maheshwari, chief executive officer, Equirus Wealth Management. Do not exit equities completely. While booking profits, pay attention to the weights of sub-asset classes also. "Mid and small-caps are likely to outperform, as earnings growth is likely to be higher in these segments," says Rajesh Cheruvu, chief investment officer, Validus Wealth. Besides domestic equities, US equities have also run up a lot. Consider some profit booking there too. "US markets have become very expensive. One could look at Europe, Japan, and emerging market funds," says Cheruvu. Investors who can't manage asset allocation themselves should use balanced advantage funds. Avoid duration risk in debt funds Three factors will influence the fixed-income markets. One, the government has raised the fiscal deficit estimate for 2020-21 to 9.5 per cent. Government borrowing will remain high. Two, the Reserve Bank of India had injected a lot of liquidity in the past. Normalisation of liquidity has begun. Three, the RBI has been buying longer-dated bonds in the 5-10-year segment. Normalisation of liquidity could push bond yields higher, especially at the shorter end of the yield curve. Additional government borrowings are expected to push yields up at the longer end of the yield curve. If the RBI bond purchases continue, that may provide some support at the longer end of the yield curve. "Bond yields are expected to move up across the yield curve over the next couple of years," says Pankaj Pathak, fund manager-fixed income, Quantum Mutual Fund. If retail investors invest in longer-duration funds, they could face volatility. The conservative ones should stay away from them. Those who invest must have at least a three-four-year horizon. Conservative investors should stick to very short-duration funds. "They could invest in liquid and ultra-short duration funds. They should be careful about credit quality when selecting these funds," says Pathak. Those who have the risk appetite and a horizon of three-four years may invest in dynamic bond funds. As for credit-risk funds, conservative investors should avoid them for the present. Among other fixed-income products, Maheshwari suggests Public Provident Fund (7.1 per cent return tax-free) and RBI Savings Bonds (7.15 per cent return, taxable). Good time to enter real estate Housing prices have been range-bound for the past seven-eight years. Affordability has improved. "Real estate prices are low and developers are doling out multiple offers and discounts, resulting in reduction in the overall cost of acquisition," says Prashant Thakur, director and head-research, Anarock Property Consultants. He believes demand could pick up soon, which could cause prices to move up. Nonetheless, investors should enter with at least a seven-year horizon. Hold on to gold With real interest rates still negative in large parts of the world and the dollar expected to weaken, gold is expected to continue performing. Maintain a 10-15 per cent allocation to it. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Sun Pharmaceutical Industries stock ended 2.15 per cent higher on Friday after zooming by almost 5 per cent in the morning trade on the back of an announcement that a court ruling has cleared the deck for the Indias largest pharmaceutical company to launch its alopecia drug Leqselvi in the United States. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has paved the way for the launch of Leqselvi in the US, after almost a year of legal battle over the patent. According to market estimates, Leqselvi is projected to contribute $90 million to Sun Pharmas sales in the financial year 2026 (FY26), and $125 million in FY27. Sun Pharma said it will disclose its launch plans in due course of time. Leqselvi or deuruxolitinib is used to treat alopecia areata, an auto-immune condition that causes hair-loss, and it affects almost 2.5 per cent of the US population. Sun Pharma has a five-year marketing exclusivity for the product. The company on late Thursday night told BSE that the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has vacated the preliminary injunction on the release of the drug effective immediately. While the litigation between Incyte Corporation and the company continues, the preliminary injunction is no longer in effect, the statement said. The US court heard an oral argument on the companys appeal against the US District Court for the District of New Jerseys decision that previously granted a preliminary injunction delaying the companys launch of Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib) in the US. Shortly after the oral argument concluded, on April 9, 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in favour of the company and vacated the preliminary injunction effective immediately, the company said. Dilip Shanghvi, CMD, Sun Pharma had said earlier this year that the judgement was crucial for Sun Pharmas future course of action on this drug launch. The company has been focussing on its global specialty business off late, which in fact, insulates the company partially from tariff impositions, as it operates in a limited-competition area. The specialty drug sales crossed $1billion in FY24. Global Specialty sales, ex-milestone, accounted for 21 per cent of Q3FY25 sales. The company has six more drugs apart from Leqselvi in the pipeline for global specialty launch, which are in various stages of clinical trials at the moment. Sun Pharma had acquired Leqselvi through its Concert Pharma buyout in March 2023. The deal gave Sun Pharma rights to Concert Pharmas lead candidate deuruxolitinib. Incyte Corporation had filed a patent infringement suit against Sun Pharma, which claimed that the drug is an infringement on one of its patents for ruxolitinib. Incyte claimed that the patent was valid until December 2026, and following that US District Court of New Jersey had granted a preliminary injunction to Incyte in November last year. This prevented Sun Pharma from rolling out Leqselvi in the US. This article was first published 4 years ago To select the right platform, get the opinions of a few existing users or browse online for feedback. Select a platform that offers a seamless experience. Check that the platform you are going with is a regulated entity, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh. Kindly note the image has only been posted for representational reasons. Photograph: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay Indian investors have always had a massive home bias in their investment portfolios. Their assumption has been that since India's GDP growth rate is much higher than that of the developed markets, their portfolios would grow much faster if they invested their money in the Indian stock market. However, things have not quite worked out so. Experts say a portfolio built from stocks of various leading foreign giants has the potential to outperform portfolios built purely out of Indian stocks, because the former would contain global leaders who benefit from growth not just on their home turf but globally. Going global, via the direct route Many Indian equity investors today are not satisfied with investing in the foreign funds offered by Indian mutual fund houses. "The number of schemes available in India that allow you to take exposure to global equities is limited. The universe of stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) that becomes available to you is much larger if you invest directly in a foreign stock market," says Vikas Nanda, co-founder, Globalise, which recently launched its platform for guided global investing for Indians. The international funds offered by Indian fund houses are predominantly equity-based products. If you want to invest in other asset classes, such as emerging market debt, US treasury bonds, or real estate investment trusts, those options are not available. When you invest via the mutual fund route, your final returns come back to you in rupees. You will then have to take the trouble and expense to transfer it abroad again, if you have a foreign currency denominated goal. It is simpler to have your portfolio in the same currency that you will spend in. This becomes possible when you take the direct route. Attractive universe of stocks Attractive opportunities open up to an investor who chooses to invest directly in an overseas market. "You get access to the most innovative companies in the world, like Tesla, Nio (the Chinese car maker), etc that have done very well in the recent past. Moreover, companies that are at the forefront in their respective fields are continuously joining the US market," adds Nanda. "Companies like Airbnb, Snowflake (in cloud computing), and so on carried out their initial public offerings in the past one year. For people who are comfortable doing the research and taking exposure to individual stocks, the opportunities in the US market are immense," says Nanda. By investing directly, investors can control the weight a particular stock has in their portfolio. "Today, an investor may want a higher exposure to Tesla than he would get if he invests through an S&P 500 index fund. He can get that by investing directly," says Viram Shah, chief executive officer and co-founder, Vested Finance. He adds that many investors work in industries wherein they gain an intimate knowledge of companies listed abroad. They wish to capitalise on that knowledge by investing directly in them. Longer-term investors can reap cost advantages, too, as many of the ETFs available abroad are very low cost. Be mindful of costs The fee charged by these platforms is not very high. Globalise, for instance, has two pricing plans. The first one has no annual fee. The investor pays a fee of 2.5 cents (around Rs 1.50) per share. The second plan requires the customer to pay an annual fee of Rs 5,000, after which he does not have to pay any charge while trading. Under both the plans, the customer gets access to features like readymade portfolios. At Vested, the investor pays an initial joining fee of Rs 399. To buy a pre-built portfolio, he has to pay a fee of $3. There is also an annual maintenance fee of 0.5 per cent on these pre-built portfolios. Vested also has a premium subscription, which costs Rs 2,500 a year. The $3 fee is waived for premium service subscribers. Investors will also have to pay a few additional costs. One, there is the fee that has to be paid to your bank for remitting foreign exchange abroad, usually in the range of Rs 1,000-1,500 per transaction. You will also have to pay a small mark-up for purchasing foreign exchange (around 1.5 per cent). Make a small start These platforms allow you to make a small start. A single stock of Tesla costs about $845 currently. However, most platforms in India allow fractional ownership. Some, like Globalise, do not have any minimum balance requirement. However, given the additional costs involved (in purchase of foreign exchange and its transfer), the cost will work out to be high if the amount you invest is small. Experts say it would be advisable to begin with a sum of at least $1,000. Meet your regulatory obligations Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), an individual can transfer up to $250,000 per year. Indian residents are also not allowed to borrow and invest overseas, which rules out all kinds of leveraged trading. Hence, platforms that cater to Indian investors do not allow margin trading or derivative investments. Avail of advice Since Indian investors are likely to find it difficult to research foreign stocks on their own, some of these platforms offer readymade portfolios. "These portfolios are for people who don't have the time or the ability to research and find the right stocks themselves. We do the research and offer curated stocks and exchange traded funds," says Nanda. While many of these portfolios are goal oriented (say, for someone in his mid-30s who wants to save for his child's education), some are based on specific themes (like artificial intelligence, ESG, biotech, etc) which the investor may be interested in. The research team evaluates these portfolios constantly and suggests rebalancing to adjust the weights, and also to change the funds whenever required. Globalise also offers facilities so that Indian investors can continue to work with their existing advisers, while investing abroad. Vested, a platform that has been around for one and a half years now, also offers pre-built portfolios. It also offers investors a feature called Collection. "Investors can look up the universe of stocks in the theme they are interested in, say, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, etc. We also offer collections based on geography, like Europe, East Asia, and so on," says Shah. To select the right platform, get the opinions of a few existing users or browse online for feedback. Select a platform that offers a seamless experience. Check that the platform you are going with is a regulated entity. Vested, for instance, is regulated by the US regulator Securities and Exchange Commission. Begin cautiously Those who are new to foreign equities should begin with exchange traded funds and pre-built portfolios, so that they are exposed to a diversified basket. Only after they have become comfortable and knowledgeable about investing in foreign equities should they venture into direct stocks. While buying individual stocks, or thematic ETFs, investors must be conscious of the associated risks. "Technology stocks and ETFs are very popular now. But what if the sector is adversely affected by anti-trust regulations, or privacy-related regulations?" says Vishal Dhawan, chief financial planner, Plan Ahead Wealth Advisers. He adds that investors should not invest blindly in popular names, but should factor in their valuations. He also suggests investing for the long term, instead of trading. When you invest for the longer term, your costs get amortised over a longer period. Those who can should take the help of financial advisers to contain their risks better. Why diversify into foreign equities Investing abroad gives Indian investors the benefit of geographical diversification The Indian market has a low correlation with developed markets like the US. Exposure to both Indian and US equities will make the portfolio less volatile The Indian rupee tends to depreciate by 3-4 per cent annually against the US dollar over the long term. By investing in a dollar-denominated asset class, investors can hedge this risk The Indian market accounts for only 3 per cent of global market cap By confining themselves only to the Indian market, investors will miss out on the opportunities available in the balance 97 per cent Many affluent Indians have dollar-denominated goals, such as children's higher education at a foreign university, foreign travel, etc. For such investors, it makes a lot of sense to also save and invest in a foreign currency denominated portfolio If you have a goal such as buying real estate abroad, which involves a massive expenditure, the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) limit of $250,000 per year could become an impediment So, it works out better if your portfolio is abroad and you can transfer money directly from it to buy a house Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com This article was first published 4 years ago Check the company's business model. Businesses with high moats -- a competitive advantage that is hard to breach -- should be preferred. The financials must be strong and consistent, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh. Kindly note the image has only been posted for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Gino Crescoli/Pixabay Taking advantage of the current bullish market conditions, companies have raised Rs 15,774.2 crore (Rs 157.74 billion) via initial public offerings (IPOs) between September and December 2020. The pipeline remains strong and another half a dozen issuers could launch their IPOs with offerings worth around Rs 8,000 crore (rs 80 billion) in January. Investors must do due diligence before investing in them. Watch out for risks One key risk in IPOs arises from asymmetry of information. "The party selling the shares has more information about the company than the investor," says Jimeet Modi, founder and chief executive officer, Samco Securities. Companies often do IPOs right after they have reported strong quarterly results. "Investors extrapolate recent performance into perpetuity and become willing to pay a high price," says Modi. Sometimes growth appears elevated because of a low base. Says Sarvesh Gupta, founder, Maximal Capital and a Securities and Exchange Board of India-registered investment advisor: "In the case of companies that have been listed on the exchanges for long, investors can look up their performance over several business cycles, allowing for better assessment." Risk also arises from the life-cycle stage of these companies. "Many of them are still young. Their brands are not well established and their market share is low. These factors make them riskier than blue-chips," says Ramabhadran Thirumalai, associate professor of finance, Indian School of Business. Very little may be known about the promoters. "Sometimes, investors do not know how competently they will run the company and whether they will protect minority shareholders' interests," says Thirumalai. The biggest risk comes from high valuations. "IPOs can be successful only amid buoyant market conditions. Prices tend to be high in such conditions. This is what makes it riskier to invest in them," says E A Sundaram, chief investment officer, o3 Capital. In the case of many recent IPOs, says Modi, valuations were 2x the ones commanded by listed peers, even though the debutant's fundamentals were not better. When should you invest Study each IPO in detail and invest if you are convinced of its merit. "When a well-managed company with a leadership position comes out with an IPO for which no quality peers are available within the listed space, one may invest in it," says Modi. Well-established brands provide safety. When Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation did its IPO, it was a well-known brand that had been around for many years. In some cases, there could be a major private-equity investor that is a shareholder. "Such institutional presence provides comfort that the company would be observing a minimum standard of corporate governance," says Gupta. Checks you must run Check the company's business model. Businesses with high moats -- a competitive advantage that is hard to breach -- should be preferred. The financials must be strong and consistent. Next, compare the valuations with those of listed peers. "Understand whether the company doing the IPO has better or worse prospects than other listed peers and then decide whether the valuations make sense," says Gupta. If a company can enjoy high growth for a sustained period, it is okay to pay a high price for it. If you like a company but find it expensive, wait 200 days after the listing. "By then it would have reported three quarterly numbers. You will have a better sense of whether the numbers reported at the time of the IPO are sustainable," says Modi. "Two hundred days are also sufficient for genuine price discovery to happen." Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com This article was first published 3 years ago There's very little you can do about cyber crime at your end, apart from being more vigilant. But certain things that you should do can make a lot of difference. India recorded 50,035 cases of cyber crime in 2020, an 11.8 per cent surge in such offences over the previous year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last week once again cautioned bank customers of fraud, including those in Know-Your-Customer (KYC) cases. In fact, certain frauds have become more prevalent than others, and being aware of them is the first step towards protect yourself. Mayur Joshi, chief executive officer, Indiaforensic.com, a company engaged in the prevention, detection, and investigation of frauds says, "It is necessary to learn, to read about these scams." Here are some such frauds, their methods and what you can do to avoid them. KYC Fraud: Due to the pandemic, many people stopped visiting bank branches, providing fraudsters an opportunity to use KYC as a reason to engage with customers by pretending to be bankers. Ritesh Bhatia cyber-crime investigator, cybersecurity and data privacy consultant, says, "The modus operandi is simple. "You get an unsolicited SMS saying your card or account will be blocked, or rewards points will be disabled--the kind of message that creates panic in the customer. "And that customer naturally reacts to the SMS, without considering the legitimacy of the message." Once you call the number mentioned in the SMS, they entice you for personal details under the pretext of KYC verification. For instance, you will be asked for account or login details, card information, PIN, OTP, etc. Bhatia says, "They may also ask you to install a remote access app, which will give them complete access to your mobile." The fraudster quickly cleans the account empty, while the victim keeps getting SMS of the amount debited from the account. What to do: Remember the KYC update will never happen via a third-party app. Bhatia says, "You should get in touch with the bank or card issuer--not on the number in the SMS, but the one on the reverse of your card--or call your bank customer care." Don't even go by web-searches, as fraudsters are also spreading fake customer care numbers of banks or UPI platforms online. Yash Tyagi, chief technology officer (CTO) CASHe, says, "Be very careful to whom you give out your information or documents for KYC purposes as well, even if you are doing so on a website. "There are many fraud sites that collect such data. Fraudsters can make copies of KYC data and use it to apply for loans." So it's not just SMS, calls or email you should be wary of, but websites as well. Sim Swap Fraud: Swap simply means exchanging one thing for another. Let's say you have a 3G SIM card and want to upgrade to 4G. You request a swap 3G SIM for a 4G SIM from the service provider. This is an authentic SIM swap. Here you are putting the request to your service provider who deactivates your old SIM and gives you a new one, which activates within a few hours. Our mobile phones are loaded with information, right from contact lists, photos, emails, and SMS to financial details such as ATM withdrawals alerts and one-time passwords sent by banks for net banking transactions. Joshi says, "The SIM Swap fraud is a nightmare that many mobile holders faced during the pandemic. "Many users were locked in when they started receiving messages that their SIM card has been blocked or the request for changing the SIM had been received." Fraudsters use SIM swap techniques to steal your financial details by blocking your SIM card and exchanging it with a fake one. Joshi says, "The swapsters approach the service provider (posing as a genuine card holder, with fake papers), requesting to swap the SIM. "After verification, the service provider deactivates the old SIM. "The fraudsters get a new active mobile SIM card." This means once the SIM is swapped they get access to your OTPs, financial accounts and card related alerts, which they used to commit the fraud. Before contacting a service provider, the fraudster will usually engage in some form of social engineering to try and gain information about their intended victim that can be used to answer security questions related to the victims mobile number. Joshi adds, "This can be done by researching the victims social media accounts or gathering information about them from other public sources. "The person attempting the SIM swap might also send phishing emails to a potential victim in the hope of obtaining other sensitive information that can be used to unlock his mobile phone number." Phishing is a kind of e-mail fraud technique in which the crook sends out genuine-looking emails or website links in an attempt to gather your personal and financial information. What to do: Dont give away your details to anyone. If you see no service on your SIM, contact the service provider at the earliest. If your SIM has been deactivated at midnight, you cant do much about it, really. UPI-related Frauds: Unified payments interface (UPI) has a feature in which you or the merchant can send the user a request to collect money. This feature is being used by fraudsters on second shopping websites. Manoj Chopra, head, innovation & product development, InfrasoftTech says, "When you try to sell an item on such a site, fraudsters feign interest in buying and send you a collect money request instead of sending money. "Remember, you don't need to authorise a transaction if the money is being transferred to your account, but the fraudster makes you believe you do and you end up sharing the PIN, and your hard-earned money gets re-routed." What can you do: Remember when you are receiving money in your bank account you don't have to give a PIN or OTP. Likewise when you are receiving money in UPI you don't need to enter any PIN. Treat your PIN exactly like you treat your ATM PIN. Don't disclose it to anyone. Offline Frauds: Oftentimes we take cash withdrawal from an ATM casually, not realising that a little carelessness could cost us our hard earned money. Shoulder surfing is such a danger associated with ATMs. Shoulder surfing is, in simple terms, when someone stands close to you or at a very close distance in order to get information. Chopra says, "So, while using an open ATM, be careful that nobody is shoulder surfing you. You can never tell whether or not the person shoulder surfing is a fraudster. "Such people stand close to you to get the personal identification number (PIN) of your card while you are feeding it." Once your PIN is compromised, it can be used by fraudsters in ways you can't even imagine. Chopra says, "He could also have tampered with the ATM, by inserting a device in the ATM card slot. "So, when you punch your PIN, the device captures the number and other information stored on your card." Fraudsters who use the data to make cloned cards and withdraw cash at overseas ATMs, or shop online. What can you do: First, look closely at the card slots in the ATMs. Ensure that there ae no parts jutting out, no broken pieces, no cracks or any glue-like substances around the slot. It's a good practice to cover the hand while punching your PIN on the key. Also make sure no one is shoulder surfing. Things to keep in mind: Theres very little you can do at your end, apart from being more vigilant. But some things that you must do can make a lot of difference. First and foremost, follow the basic online security hygiene against phishing. (See box). Ankit Ratan, co-founder and CEO, Signzy, an AI-based banking workflow automation solutions provider, says, "Use the facility that allows you to set and modify transaction limits on your cards and savings account. "That way, you will be able to reduce the risk considerably." You can set limits on all types of translations--domestic, international, POS, ATM withdrawals, and online. Banks also allow you to switch on and switch off your debit and credit card. Imagine the peace of mind when you temporarily switch off a card you aren't using and set a limit one those that you use. This way at least some damage will be next to zero. Use robust passwords which is a non-word with multi-factor authentication and make it long. Police have booked one person for placing a piece of meat outside the Jama Masjid in Agra, and 60 others who protested against the act after Friday prayers there, an officer said on Saturday. IMAGE: A group of people gathered outside the Jama Masjid in Agra, after Friday prayers, demanding capital punishment for the accused. Photograph: ANI Photo The demonstrators demanded strict action against the culprit behind the supposed sacrilege. Investigations revealed that a man, Nazruddin, allegedly placed a packet containing animal flesh inside the Jama Masjid in the Mantola area on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (City) Sonam Kumar said, "A case has been registered against the man who placed the piece of meat inside the mosque. Additionally, those who created disturbance outside the Jama Masjid have been booked. Around 60 people have been named in the FIR for their involvement in the protest." The matter came to light Friday morning, triggering tension in the locality ahead of the Friday prayers. Police said CCTV footage showed the accused arriving at the mosque on a scooter and placing the packet inside the premises before leaving. A team of more than 100 police personnel was deployed for security. The meat was seized and sent for forensic examination, they said. The scooter used in the crime was traced to a local meat shop. Interrogation of the shopkeeper led to the arrest of Nazruddin from Teela Nandram area on Friday, police added. Authorities are now probing whether he acted alone or had accomplices, the DCP said. Additional Police Commissioner Sanjeev Tyagi said that action would be taken under the National Security Act (NSA). "We are looking into the intent behind the act and whether more people were involved," he added. A group of people gathered outside the mosque, after Friday prayers, demanding capital punishment for the accused. Situation turned tense and police had to use mild force to disperse the crowd, he added. Security was subsequently heightened in and around the Jama Masjid. Authorities have appealed to residents to maintain peace and refrain from spreading or acting on rumours. On the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with Tahsin Ertu?rulo?lu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the meeting, Azernews reports. During the talks, the two ministers discussed prospects for expanding multilateral cooperation within regional and international organizations. They also exchanged views on issues concerning regional security and stability. TOKYO - As Japan's Emperor Naruhito travels across the country to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II this year, he is expected to explore how best to pass down memories of the conflict and work for peace in his role as a "symbol" of the country now most of its people belong to postwar generations. Earlier this week, the emperor and Empress Masako visited Iwoto Island, formerly known as Iwojima, the site of a fierce battle in the Pacific between Japan and the United States, to mourn the war dead from both sides. It was the imperial couple's first-ever journey to the island, which is located 1,250 kilometers south of Tokyo. They offered flowers at three memorials on the island, where an estimated 21,900 Japanese and 7,000 U.S. soldiers died in a month of fighting after U.S. forces landed in February 1945. "I have renewed my commitment to peace and have engraved the preciousness of it in my heart after seeing the horrors of war once again," the Imperial Household Agency reported Emperor Naruhito as telling an aide after the visit. The couple is also scheduled to visit Okinawa, Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the coming months as they follow in the footsteps of the trips made by then-Emperor Akihito and then-Empress Michiko to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. But an aide said Emperor Naruhito was "acutely aware" that as part of a postwar generation that now accounts for more than 80 percent of the Japanese population, his visits would not fully replicate those of his father. After some 3.1 million Japanese died in World War II, which they fought in the name of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa, the country's postwar Constitution defined an emperor as "the symbol of the state and the unity of the people of Japan" in separating the emperor from the government. His son, former Emperor Akihito, who survived the war in evacuation as an elementary school student, repeatedly traveled domestically and abroad during his reign to sites ravaged by the war to console the war dead and the bereaved families, seeing it as his duty in his capacity as the nation's "symbol." Listening to his parents' experiences in the war and having visited various war-linked sites over the years, Emperor Naruhito has inherited their hopes for peace and believes that "there are limitations in only conducting memorial services" as the world changes, a close aide said. Deliberating on how to pass on memories as he searches for what role he must play as the symbol of modern Japan, the emperor is expected during his travels to not only focus on the survivors but also highlight the younger generation given the role young people have been playing as "storytellers" to recount the first-hand experiences of members of the World War II generation in their place. "As memories are starting to fade today, I believe it is important that the tragic experiences and histories from those who have experienced war are handed down to those who do not know it," the emperor said in a press conference held for his 65th birthday in February. Related coverage: Japan's emperor, empress arrive in Osaka Pref. for World Expo opening Japan imperial couple mourn Iwoto war dead in WWII 80th anniv. visit Japan's Prince Hisahito, 2nd in line to throne, enters university Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday praised the valour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, emphasising that Aurangzeb who called himself Alamgir and fought against Marathas in Maharashtra throughout his life died as a defeated man and was buried in its soil. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the gathering during a program on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's death anniversary, at Raigad Fort on April 12, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Shah paid tributes to Shivaji Maharaj at Raigad Fort on his 345th death anniversary. He said Shivaji Maharaj's ideals of "swadharm and swarajya" continue to inspire India's ambition to become a superpower by the 100th year of Independence. "I appeal to the people of Maharashtra to not keep Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj restricted to the state. His tremendous willpower, determination, and courage inspire the country as he strategically united all sections of the society," Shah said while addressing a gathering. Shah said Shivaji Maharaj defeated "Mughal shahi" (rule of Mughals). "The ruler who called himself Alamgir fought Marathas till he was alive and died a defeated man in Maharashtra. His (Aurangzeb's) samadhi (tomb) is located on its soil," Shah said. Notably, Maharashtra had witnessed a huge political row over the demand by right-wing organisations to remove the tomb of the 17th Century Mughal emperor in Khultabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. "The legendary Maratha warrior king's ideals inspire India during its journey to celebrate its centenary of independence and become a superpower. The Narendra Modi government works on the ideals of Shivaji Maharaj,' Shah said. The home minister described Raigad Fort, which served as the capital of the Maratha kingdom and houses Shivaji Maharaj's samadhi, as a source of inspiration for future generations rather than a tourist spot. He credited Shivaji Maharaj's mother, Jijabai, for sowing the seeds of protecting "swadharm" and founding "swarajya." As India moves toward its centenary of independence in 2047 and aspires to become a superpower, Shah said Shivaji Maharaj stands tall as an inspiration. His "rajmudra" (royal sign) is used as the ensign of the Indian Navy, symbolising his enduring influence on the nation. Shah stressted the importance of continuing the fight for "swadharm" and upholding Shivaji Maharaj's teachings on good governance and justice. Shah was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and BJP MP Udayanraje Bhosale and state Minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale, both descendants of the Maratha warrior king. Fadnavis reiterated his government's commitment to constructing Shivaji Maharaj's memorial in the Arabian Sea, noting that a petition regarding the project has been referred back to the Bombay High Court. "We will present the case skillfully," he said. Fadnavis also accepted Udayanraje Bhosle's demand for a national memorial of Shivaji Maharaj in Delhi and pledged to discuss the matter with Amit Shah. Bhosle highlighted Shivaji Maharaj's teachings on social justice and communal harmony. He demanded a law making insults to Shivaji Maharaj a cognisable and non-bailable offence with a 10-year jail term and proposed the establishment of a censor board to ensure historical accuracy in cinematic portrayals. "Despite dedicating his life to others, he is still being insulted. I demand that a law be enacted, making insult of Shivaji Maharaj a cognisable and non-bailable offence with no bail for 10 years. "There should be a censor board to check the cinematic liberty and factual errors on government-certified history," he said. Bhosle remarked that the upcoming memorial of Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea may have been delayed because of environment and ecological issues, but it can be constructed on 48-acre land at Raj Bhavan. Bhosle suggested that the delayed Arabian Sea memorial could be constructed on 48 acres of land at Raj Bhavan. Earlier, Shah and other dignitaries offered floral tributes to Jijabai at Pachad near Raigad Fort. Shah will have lunch with NCP MP from Raigad Sunil Tatkare at the latter's residence in Sutarwadi. Tatkare told reporters there would be no political discussion during the luncheon. The luncheon meeting comes against the backdrop of differences among the Mahayuti allies over the guardian minister post for Raigad district. Fadnavis had appointed cabinet minister Aditi Tatkare as the guardian minister but had to stay the decision after opposition from the Shiv Sena, which wants Bharat Gogawale in the post. Tatkare said the issue of the guardian minister was not on the agenda for the lunch meeting. The Shiv Sena-UBT on Saturday said the Congress must talk about the status of the INDIA bloc and should have addressed questions about the opposition alliance in the party's recent meeting in Ahmedabad. IMAGE: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray during a rally in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena-UBT pointed out that the Congress only spoke about itself in the Ahmedabad meet, and INDIA or Bharat was nowhere in the discussion. "Questions are being raised about where the INDIA bloc stands after the Lok Sabha election. The Congress needed to address this in its Ahmedabad session," the editorial said. "What happened to the alliance? Did it get buried in the ground or vanish into thin air? The responsibility to answer this question lies with the Congress president," it said. The Congress held its session on April 8-9 in Gujarat, where it has been out of power for two decades. Senior Congress leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, addressed party workers. The Sena-UBT also sought to know the Congress's stand for the Bihar, Gujarat and West Bengal state polls. "Or will the party again welcome defeat?" it asked. In Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal is a senior partner, while in Gujarat and West Bengal, INDIA partners, the Aam Aadmi Party and Trinamool Congress, will also be in the fray. "The Congress held its session in Gujarat but this did not yield any success in the state in the Lok Sabha polls, as the party won one seat in the western state after 2014," the Sena-UBT said. It said the Congress needs to make efforts in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. While the party met with success in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha polls, it suffered a humiliating defeat in the state assembly polls. "The scams of the BJP are as much responsible for this loss as the internal issues of the Congress. It has to deliberate on this," the editorial added. The Congress has to take the lead in fighting dictatorship, the Sena-UBT said. Referring to the Delhi assembly polls, where the AAP and Congress faced defeat, the Sena-UBT said some Congress leaders thought the road was clear for the party in the national capital. If Congress uses this strategy of contesting against the INDIA bloc partners in other states, it will only help the BJP, it said. "We have to defeat the BJP and not our friends," the party said. The Sena-UBT said an alliance between the Congress and AAP would have proved beneficial. For the first time, the Supreme Court has prescribed that the president should decide on the bills reserved for her consideration by the governor within a period of three months from the date on which such reference is received. IMAGE: Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv Khanna and his wife with President Droupadi Murmu during their visit to the Amrit Udyan of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Phot Four days after the top court cleared 10 bills, which were stalled and reserved by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi for the president's consideration, and set a timeline for all governors to act on the bills passed by the state assemblies, the judgement running into 415 pages was uploaded on the apex court's website at 10.54 pm on Friday. "We deem it appropriate to adopt the timeline prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs... and prescribe that the President is required to take a decision on the bills reserved for his consideration by the Governor within a period of three months from the date on which such reference is received. "In case of any delay beyond this period, appropriate reasons would have to be recorded and conveyed to the concerned State. The States are also required to be collaborative and extend co-operation by furnishing answers to the queries which may be raised and consider the suggestions made by the Central government expeditiously," the top court said. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan on April 8 set aside the reservation of the 10 bills for the president's consideration in the second round holding it as illegal, erroneous in law. Without mincing words, the court said "where the Governor reserves a Bill for the consideration of the President and the President in turn withholds assent thereto then, it shall be open to the State Government to assail such an action before this Court". Article 200 of the Constitution empowers the governor to give assent to the bills presented to him, withhold the assent or to reserve it for the consideration of the president. "The Bills, having been pending with the Governor for an unduly long period of time, and the Governor having acted with clear lack of bona fides in reserving the Bills for the consideration of the President, immediately after the pronouncement of the decision of this Court in State of Punjab (supra), are deemed to have been assented to by the Governor on the date when they were presented to him after being reconsidered. "There is no expressly specified time-limit for the discharge of the functions by the Governor under Article 200 of the Constitution. Despite there being no prescribed time-limit, Article 200 cannot be read in a manner which allows the Governor to not take action upon bills which are presented to him for assent and thereby delay and essentially roadblock the law-making machinery in the State," the bench said in its judgement. Observing that the governor is required to abide by the aid and advice tendered by the Council of Ministers, the top court said it is not open for the governor to reserve a bill for the consideration of the President once it is presented to him in the second round, after having been returned to the House previously. "There is no expressly specified time-limit for the discharge of the functions by the Governor under Article 200 of the Constitution. Despite there being no prescribed time-limit, Article 200 cannot be read in a manner which allows the Governor to not take action upon bills which are presented to him for assent and thereby delay and essentially roadblock the law-making machinery in the State," the bench said while directing the registry to send a copy each of this judgment to all the high courts and the principal secretaries to the governors of all states. The apex court set timelines and said failure to comply with it would make the inaction of the governors subject to judicial review by the courts. "In case of either withholding of assent or reservation of the bill for the consideration of the President, upon the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers, the Governor is expected to take such an action forthwith, subject to a maximum period of one-month," the court said. "In case of withholding of assent contrary to the advice of the State Council of Ministers, the Governor must return the bill together with a message within a maximum period of three months. "In case of reservation of bills for the consideration of the President contrary to the advice of the State Council of Ministers, the Governor shall make such reservation within a maximum period of three months," the bench said. In case of presentation of a bill after reconsideration, the governor must grant assent forthwith, subject to a maximum period of one-month, the court said. The bench said that the governor couldn't sit over bills and adopt the concept of "absolute veto" or "pocket veto". "There is no 'pocket veto' or 'absolute veto' available to the President in discharge of his functions under Article 201. The use of the expression "shall declare" makes it mandatory for the President to make a choice between the two options available under the substantive part of Article 201, that is, to either grant assent or to withhold assent to a bill. "The constitutional scheme does not, in any manner, provide that a constitutional authority can exercise its powers under the Constitution arbitrarily," the bench said. The top court exercised its plenary power under Article 142 of the Constitution to make the bill re-presented to the Tamil Nadu governor, as deemed to have been passed. The apex court had previously framed questions to answer in a dispute between Tamil Nadu government and the governor over the delay in assent to bills passed by the legislative assembly. The delay in giving assent by the governor prompted the state government to move the top court in 2023, claiming 12 bills, including one from 2020, were pending with him. On November 13, 2023, the governor declared he was withholding assent to 10 bills following which the legislative assembly convened a special session and re-enacted the very same bills on November 18, 2023. Later, some of the bills were reserved for the president's consideration. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday said the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are "safe" and "tamper-proof". Photograph: Sudipta Banerjee/ANI Photo He said that EVMs used in India cannot be connected to internet, bluetooth or infrared and it is not possible anyway to tamper with it. "In India, EVMs are used for polling exercise. Legal scrutiny has been done on EVMs. The EVMs used in India can neither be connected to internet nor bluetooth nor infrared. The EVMs cannot be connected to anything in any way. Therefore, it is not possible to tamper with it. So, India's EVMs are tamper-proof," Kumar said addressing media persons in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district. He said over five crore VVPAT (voter-variable paper audit trail) slips have been counted and no discrepancies have been reported so far. Kumar arrived in Ranchi on Friday evening on a three-day visit to Jharkhand. The CEC on Saturday interacted with election officials in Ramgarh. "I interacted with returning officers and volunteers here. After meeting them, I felt that there is a strong foundation of democracy in Jharkhand," he said. He said every citizen of India, who has completed 18 years of age, must become an elector. Kumar added no appeal (related to EPIC cards) is pending either with district election officer or chief electoral officer (CEO), which means the voter list in Jharkhand is close to 100 per cent satisfactory for voters and others. Citing United States intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard's statement about evidence that electronic voting systems are vulnerable to hacking in her country, the Congress demanded that the government and the Election Commission come clean on the EVM issue and urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter. "It is time that the Election Commission should take accountability for the doubts raised when many states are about to go to polls," Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said at a press conference. The Congress and several other opposition have been questioning the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and their leaders have been demanding a return to the ballot papers. Surjewala said the Supreme Court should take cognisance of the matter to ensure free and fair elections. "The NDA government, CEC, and EC should reach out to the US and catch hold of the investigation regarding the matter by the Americans," he said. Election Commission sources had on Friday rejected suggestions that electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the country are vulnerable to hacking, asserting that the machines work like simple calculators that are not connected to the internet or infrared. Referring to the reported remarks of Gabbard that her office has obtained evidence of vulnerabilities to the hacking of electronic voting systems in the US for manipulating votes, the sources pointed out that some countries use "electronic voting systems" which are a mix of multiple systems, machines and processes including various private networks including the Internet. They underlined that India uses electronic voting machines that work like "simple, correct and accurate calculators" and cannot be connected to either the internet, WiFi or infrared. These machines have stood legal scrutiny by the Supreme Court and are invariably checked by the political parties at various stages, including the conduct of "mock polls" before actual polling starts, the sources said. Surjewala, however, maintained that Gabbard, the Director of American National Intelligence, has raised serious concerns over the "authenticity and believability of the Electronic Voting Machines". "It has been 24 hours, and there is no response to this from either the Election Commission or the Chief Election Commissioner of India. PM Modi, the BJP and the NDA have maintained silence," the Congress spokesperson said. Surjewala said the entire process of elections is under a cloud, more so when many state elections are about to go to polls. He said the Modi government must answer the questions that are being raised after the statement by Gabbard, whom the government has recently felicitated. He pointed out that the party has concerns about why the EC "is planting source-based stories claiming our EVMs are okay". "Instead of taking cognisance and seeking the evidence, they are issuing certificates that our EVMs are perfect. What's the hurry," he asked. "Should the Supreme Court of India not take suo moto notice of the issue and conduct a thorough investigation, considering that free and fair elections and democracy are part of the 'basic structure' of the Constitution?" the Congress leader asked. An army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed in an encounter with terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector, but thwarted their attempt to infiltrate into India from across the border, officials said on Saturday. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo The terrorists are believed to have sneaked back into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the intense gunfight in the Keri Bhattal area, the officials said. The Army said the slain officer, Subedar Kuldeep Chand of 9-Punjab, was a resident of Himachal Pradesh. "GOC (General Officer Commanding) White Knight Corps (Lt Gen P K Mishra) and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a counter-infiltration operation along the LoC in the Keri Battal area of Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr 2025. "His team's valour and Sub Kuldeep's ultimate sacrifice foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief," the Jammu-based White Knight Corps, also known as XVI corps, posted on X. Officials said the alert troops picked up the movement of a group of heavily armed terrorists near a stream in a forward forest setting in the Keri Bhattal area late Friday night, and challenged them, leading to a fierce gunfight which continued for quite some time. Subedar Kuldeep Chand was injured in the encounter and later succumbed, the officials said, adding the whole area has been cordoned off with deployment of reinforcements, and a search operation was underway when last reports were received. In the same area on February 11, two Army personnel, including a captain, were killed and another was injured when terrorists set off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The latest incident comes two days after India and Pakistan held a brigade commander-level flag meeting in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district to discuss issues related to border management. This was the second such meeting since February in an effort to de-escalate tension after nearly a dozen incidents of cross-border firing, and an IED attack. The Indian Army lodged a strong protest with their counterparts over the cross-border terror activities and the ceasefire violations. Ceasefire violations along the LoC have become rare since India and Pakistan renewed their ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021. On April 5, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot dead a Pakistani intruder along the International Border in the R S Pura sector here and later held a flag meeting with Rangers over the incident. The National Investigation Agency questioned Mumbai attacks conspirator Tahawwur Hussain Rana for the second consecutive day to probe larger conspiracy behind the dastardly terror strikes of 2008, sources said Saturday. IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard outside National Investigation Agency Headquarters' where 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana is being kept. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo They said Rana is being probed by a team of NIA officials to ascertain his exact role behind the attacks that shook the nation over 16 years ago. Rana is said to be grilled on the basis of various leads gathered by the probe agency during the course of its investigation including a large number of phone calls between him and his co-conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen currently in prisons in that country. He would also be quizzed about individuals he met, especially an alleged key contact in Dubai who is said to be aware about the plans on carrying out Mumbai terror strikes, the sources said. Rana was brought to the NIA headquarters early Friday morning after a Delhi court granted 18-day custody to the probe agency, following his extradition from the US. He is 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. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman would also be questioned on his suspected links with the officials of Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and his association with terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which had orchestrated the attacks. The investigators also hope to find some important leads on his travels in parts of northern and southern India, days before the carnage in the country's financial capital on November 26, 2008, they 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," said a statement issued by the probe agency soon after the court's verdict on Friday early morning. The anti-terror agency had produced Rana before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House after formally placing him under arrest following his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here on Thursday evening, upon his extradition from the US. The NIA claimed in the court that it suspects terror plots akin to 26/11 Mumbai attacks were devised by Rana to target multiple Indian cities. In its order, the court also directed the NIA to conduct a medical examination of Rana every 24 hours, and allow him to meet his lawyer every alternate day. Rana has been charged with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery in the country. After registering a case in 2009, NIA's investigation had found the role of senior functionaries of another Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul Jihadi Islami (HuJI) in carrying out the attacks. State governments can directly approach the Supreme Court if the President withholds assent on a bill sent by a governor for consideration, the top court has said in a landmark verdict on a plea of Tamil Nadu alleging delay in grant of consent to bills passed by assembly. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench comprising justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan on April 8 gave a huge relief to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Tamil Nadu government and cleared 10 state bills which were stalled and reserved by Governor R N Ravi for President's consideration, and also set a timeline for all governors to act on the bills passed by state assemblies. Justice Pardiwala, writing a 415-page judgement for the bench, dealt and delivered findings on the judicial review of the exercise of power by the Governor under Article 200 and by the President under Article 201 of the Constitution. Article 200 deals with situations with regard to passage of bills by the state assembly and subsequent options available to the governor on grant of assent, or withholding of assent or sending the bill to the President for reconsideration. Article 201 deals with the bills reserved for the President's consideration by the governor. The court referred to various situations and held the actions of governors and the President regarding state legislation are subject to judicial scrutiny under certain circumstances. "Where the Governor reserves a bill for the consideration of the President and the President in turn withholds assent thereto then, it shall be open to the State Government to assail such an action before this Court," the verdict said. It emphasized that the constitutional powers vested in the Governor under Article 200 and in the President under Article 201 cannot be exercised arbitrarily or without accountability. "Where the Governor reserves a bill for the consideration of the President in his own discretion and contrary to the aid and advice tendered to him by the State Council of Ministers, it shall be open to the State Government to assail such an action before the appropriate High Court or this Court," it said. The bench then provided the grounds on which the state government can move the high courts. "Where the reservation of a bill by the Governor for the consideration of the President is on the grounds of peril to democracy or democratic principles or on other exceptional grounds as mentioned in M.P. Special Police (supra) and Nabam Rebia (supra) then the Governor would be expected to make a specific and clear reference to the President properly indicating the reasons for entertaining such a belief by pinpointing the specific provisions in this regard and the consequent effect that may ensue if such a bill were to be allowed to become a law," the bench said. The governor while making such a reference should also indicate his subjective satisfaction as to why the consequences that may ensue cannot be possibly curtailed or contained by taking recourse to the constitutional courts of the country, it said. "It shall be open to the state Government to challenge such a reservation on the ground of failure on part of the Governor to furnish the necessary reasons as discussed aforesaid or that the reasons indicated are wholly irrelevant, mala-fide, arbitrary, unnecessary or motivated by extraneous considerations. This being a question completely capable of being determined by the constitutional courts, would be fully justiciable," the judgement said. Reserving a bill on grounds such as "personal dissatisfaction of the Governor, political expediency or any other extraneous or irrelevant considerations" is strictly impermissible by the Constitution and would be liable to be set-aside forthwith on that ground alone, Justice Pardiwala said. "Where a State bill has been reserved by the governor for the consideration of the President on the ground that assent of the President is required for the purpose of making the bill enforceable or securing some immunity therefor, then in such cases the withholding of assent by the President would be justiciable to the limited extent of exercise of such power in an arbitrary or mala fide manner. Owing to the political nature of the assent of the President in these categories of bills, the courts would impose a self-restraint," it said. The bench said if a state bill is reserved by the governor for the consideration of the President on the ground that the bill appears to be patently unconstitutional, the withholding of assent would involve purely legal and constitutional questions and hence, be justiciable without any impediments imposed by the doctrine of political thicket. "In such cases, it would be prudent for the President to obtain the advisory opinion of this court by way of a reference under Article 143 and act in accordance with the same to dispel any apprehensions of bias, arbitrariness or mala fides," it said. Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday returned to the helm of the Shiromani Akali Dal with his unanimous election as the president of the Punjab-based party which has been struggling due to a series of crushing losses and a shrinking vote share. IMAGE: Sukhbir Singh Badal. Photograph: ANI Photo The 62-year-old former deputy chief minister was first elected the party president in 2008 -- the youngest person to occupy the post. His re-election at the outfit's general delegate session in Amritsar comes barely four months after he resigned when he was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht for "mistakes" committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its government from 2007 to 2017. Badal had survived an assassination attempt by a former Khalistani terrorist at Amritsar's Golden Temple while performing sewa (service) as penance in December last year. "I thank all for entrusting me with this responsibility. I promise the people that Punjab will again be turned into a number one state," Badal said after the party's election officer, Gulzar Singh Ranike, declared his name as the new president. Badal, the son of late party patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, was the only candidate for the post of SAD president. Reviving the political fortunes of the party amid dissent in the ranks is seen as the biggest challenge for Badal. The session for electing SAD's new president was held at the Teja Singh Samundari hall in the Sri Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar. Badal's name was proposed by the party's working president, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, while party leaders Paramjit Singh Sarna and Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal seconded it. Several senior party leaders, including Badal's wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former minister Bikram Singh Majithia and Daljit Singh Cheema, were present. After his election of Badal as president, the SAD launched a social media campaign, hailing him 'Vikas Pursh' (a champion of development). On November 16, 2024, Badal tendered his resignation from the party president post after he was found guilty of religious misconduct by the Akal Takht for "mistakes" committed by the SAD and its government from 2007 to 2017. In January this year, his resignation was accepted by the working committee of the party. The SAD, later, conducted the new membership drive. Badal was declared 'tankhaiya' after rebel party leaders including Prem Singh Chandumajra, former SGPC Jagir Kaur and other leaders had appeared before the Akal Takht on July 1, 2024, and sought forgiveness for four "mistakes" during the Shiromani Akali Dal regime between 2007 and 2017. These were failure to punish those responsible for 2015 sacrilege incidents and pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case. The Akal Takht on December 2 last year pronounced religious punishment for Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders in the matter. The highest temporal seat of Sikhs had also directed the SAD to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Badal as party chief, besides forming a committee to hold elections for the post of SAD president and office-bearers within six months. Later, Badal and other senior leaders underwent religious punishment. Though the Akal Takht had formed the committee for starting the new membership drive, the SAD went ahead with its own panel, drawing criticism from rebel party leaders for defying the Akal Takht directive. Though the SAD completed its membership drive and elected delegates, the Akal Takht-appointed committee which comprised rebel leaders including Gurpartap Singh Wadala, SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali began a membership drive for the party on March 18. Badal and other party leaders again came under severe criticism following the removal of three Jathedars -- Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh -- by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. These three Jathedars were part of the five Sikh high priests who had issued an edict against Badal and other leaders on December 2 last year. The 104-year-old SAD has been facing a crisis with its political fortunes dwindling over the past several years under Badal's leadership. In 2007, SAD formed the government in alliance with the BJP and they retained power in 2012. But in 2017, Congress wrested power. The Akali Dal's tally was reduced to 15 and Aam Aadmi Party became the main opposition. The party suffered its worst defeat in Punjab in 2022, winning only three seats out of 117, while the AAP came to power in the state for the first time. The Badal-led SAD faced another drubbing in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as it managed to win only the Bathinda parliamentary constituency out of a total of 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. The SAD also saw a drop in its vote share from 27.45 per cent in 2019 to 13.42 per cent in 2024 polls. The SAD broke ties with the BJP over the issue of now-repealed farm laws in 2020. The party also faced the worst rebellion with many leaders openly revolting against Badal following the SAD's debacle in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. The rebel leaders had been demanding the implementation of the Jhunda committee report which mainly had recommended change in the leadership. The SAD had set up the Iqbal Singh Jhundan-led committee to analyse the reasons for its humiliating defeat in the 2022 Punjab assembly polls. When passengers book a flight, they could receive a secure 'journey pass' on their phone that stores all relevant travel information including passport data, seat assignment. IMAGE: Travellers at Heathrow airport. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters Airports may soon scrap traditional check-ins and boarding passes, replacing them with facial recognition and smartphone-based IDs, in what is shaping up to be the biggest overhaul in air travel in over 50 years. The global aviation industry, led by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), is laying the groundwork for a 'digital travel credential' that would allow passengers to move through airports using just their face and a mobile device. If adopted widely, these changes could begin rolling out within two to three years, according to industry experts in the UK. As reported by The Times, UK, this upgrade would mean that travellers no longer need to check in before flights or carry boarding passes. Instead, when passengers book a flight, they could receive a secure 'journey pass' on their phone that stores all relevant travel information including passport data, seat assignment etc. 'This would be the biggest change in aviation in half a century,' Valerie Viale, director of product management at Amadeus, the world's largest travel technology provider, told The Times. What This Could Mean for Travellers If the system is fully realised, boarding passes, passport checks, and physical ID verification at multiple points would become redundant. Facial recognition scanners at key touchpoints -- bag drop or pre-security gates -- would identify travellers and notify airlines of their arrival. For those with only hand luggage, facial scans at the entrance to security could replace any physical check-in. For those with checked baggage, verification would happen at bag drop. In both cases, passengers would not need to take out their passport or boarding pass. As things stand today, travellers are required to check in online or at the airport, input passport details, and obtain a scannable boarding pass. Under the new proposal, that process would vanish entirely, replaced by a constantly updating digital journey pass stored in a phone wallet. More Than Convenience: A Smarter System What sets this plan apart from previous updates is the dynamic nature of the digital credential. The journey pass wouldn't be static -- if your flight changes, gets delayed, or you're rebooked, the app would push a notification, and the journey pass would update automatically. Amadeus emphasised privacy, saying facial scans would only match identity in real-time and not store data. Biometric details would be erased within 15 seconds of use at each touchpoint. TOKYO - Japanese seasoning and food maker Ajinomoto Co. is aiming to bolster sales and production of its frozen food overseas, such as gyoza dumplings, amid the popularity of quality quick-fix meals, according to its new president. "We would like to produce them (in Brazil) in line with demand," Ajinomoto President and CEO Shigeo Nakamura said in a recent interview with Kyodo News, hoping to tap into the growing market for frozen food in the South American country. Ajinomoto's frozen dumplings are currently produced in Thailand and exported to Brazil, where sales began last year. The company's idea is to add production lines at existing plants in the Latin American country. Ajinomoto established its presence in Brazil in 1956 and now operates four manufacturing units there, including one in Sao Paulo. Nakamura, 57, who took the helm of the company in February after having assumed posts such as head of Latin American operations, is hoping to expand its frozen food businesses in the region as well as in Southeast Asia, as it has done in Europe. Ajinomoto's ready-made frozen dumplings proved popular at the athletes' villages for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2021. With sales of frozen food having increased in Europe as well as the United States over the years and Japanese food seen as "healthy and of high quality," Nakamura said the company will "offer recipes that match local tastes." Ajinomoto, meanwhile, is struggling in the domestic market due to high material costs. He said "price hikes are in sight as we need to offset the impact that has not been absorbed by cost-cutting measures." As for potential new projects, Nakamura suggested extending "materials and services developed in amino acid research" to benefit areas such as nursing care. Related coverage: Japan to release stockpiled rice monthly through July as prices soar Japanese bento chain slammed for "no more rice" April Fool's joke Japan enforces food supply emergency law amid soaring costs Russian recruitment for men to fight in Ukraine is soaring in many of the country's regions, with signing bonuses and other incentives reaching new records in some places. In Siberian regions like Irkutsk and Novosibirsk, local authorities have aggressively pushed contracts on potential volunteers, and signing bonuses in some places exceed average annual salaries, according to recruits and official advertising campaigns. Sergei, who asked that his real name not be used and that his specific town in the Irkutsk region not be disclosed, said that, when he showed up at a recruiting office, he was immediately shown into a room and handed a brochure with "big, red figure" on the front: 1.4 million rubles ($16,700). "It's supposedly what theyre paying you to go die. Or kill. Depends how it turns out, I guess," he told RFE/RL's Siberia Realities. Russian officials have not released casualty figures since 2022, but Western estimates put the number of Russian soldiers killed or wounded since the start of the all-out invasion in February 2022 at more than 790,000. The bulk of those casualties have occurred as a result of the battlefield tactics that Russian commanders have relied on: front infantry assaults, sometimes on foot, sometimes on motorcycles, that seek to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses. Extraordinarily High Wages And Benefits To replenish personnel, authorities have relied heavily on extraordinarily high wages and benefits to attract volunteers to fight in Ukraine. The signing bonuses typically are a mix of federal and local payments. Authorities in Moscow have also pressured regional leaders to meet quotas for new volunteers. In Iskitim, a town near the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, a woman who asked to be called Galina said she visited her local recruiting office on behalf of her nephew, who had previously been rejected for medical reasons. She said the recruiter pushed her to bring him to the enlistment office -- not just pass along the brochures to him. I told her Id think about it, she said. Theyre taking everyone. 'You Could Die In Your First Week' She said officials are offering 1.2 million ruble signing bonuses ($14,300), but they're also highlighting a monthly salary for fighting in the war: starting at 210,000 rubles ($2,500). "Then they keep adding numbers, trying to make it sound as good as it did in late 2024," she said. "Never mind that you could die in your first week." Galina said there were two other men at the recruiting on the day she visited recently. One was seeking a "missing-in-action" certification for a relative, the other wanted a death certificate for his 24-year-old son, so he could claim death benefits, but he didn't have the proper proof. "He told me, Of course were sad about our boy. He didnt give us any grandchildren'," Galina said. "'But now we can fix up the house and buy a new car.'" "Thats how much a life is worth -- even to his own family. I dont know, maybe he was just trying to justify what had happened. Maybe its the only way he could cope." Some experts have pointed to the steady increase in signing bonuses, wages, and benefits as evidence that authorities are having difficulty attracting enough recruits to keep the war going. In Yekaterinburg, a major Ural Mountain city, a woman who gave her name as Aleksandra visited a local recruiting office recently and saw a man who appeared to be close to 60 years old being referred for a medical exam. "He said they told him it would be 'just a formality,'" she said. Her own relative, whom she did not identify, had had heart problems and was even hospitalized in a psychiatric facility not long ago. "They said it wasnt a problem. And they reminded me about the bonus payments announced in mid-March," she said. It felt like they had a green light to take absolutely anyone." I asked Are people really signing up?" she told RFE/RL. The recruiter replied: "'Yes. The signings have been good, especially since they increased the payout by 2 1/2 times'. BELGRADE -- Opponents and supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic rallied at different locations on April 12 as tensions mounted in the Balkan nation, which has been hit by months of student-organized demonstrations against the Vucic-led government. Vucic himself rallied supporters in the capital, Belgrade, announcing that he will form a new political movement in the face of a growing wave of protests that began in November following the collapse of a rail station overhang that killed 16 people in Novi Sad. Protesters, led by student groups but joined by thousands of others, have blamed the rail station tragedy on corruption and poor oversight. Protests over the accident have evolved into a broader movement opposing what demonstrators say is the crumbling rule of law and systemic corruption under Vucic, the president since 2017 and prime minister for three years before that. Vucic insists that the protests -- which have developed into one of the biggest challenges to his long rule -- are threatening peace and stability in the country and accuses organizers of being paid by "foreign intelligence agencies." Before thousands of supporters, Serbia's populist president said authorities must begin procedures "to restore order in the country" and that "full respect for the Constitution [must take place] to ensure the security of Serbia." Vucic said at the gathering that a "Movement for the People and the State" is required "because we need new energy and new strength, a new plan, not a plan until 2027, but until 2035." He did provide specifics of the movement but said further rallies would be held. Vucic once again called on students to return to the schools and said that "the colored revolution is over." The authorities in Serbia have repeatedly called the student-led protests and blockades an attempt at a "colored revolution." That's a term referring to public uprisings in places like Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan that led to the ouster of governments. The popular protests that paved the way for the ouster of Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic in 2000 are also sometimes classified as a "color revolution." Journalists on the scene reported that many of the supporters attending the rally had been bused in from throughout the country as well as from Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which have large ethnic-Serbian minorities. Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik -- wanted by central authorities in Sarajevo after being convicted of violating the Bosnian constitution -- appeared at the Belgrade rally, AFP reported. Dodik, who is president of the ethnic-Serbian entity in Bosnia -- Republika Srpska -- addressed the crowd at the rally. Dodik is also under US and UK sanctions for actions Western governments say are aimed at the secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia. The Public Meeting Archive, a nongovernmental group that estimates crowd sizes, put the Belgrade gathering at 55,000 people. On March 15, the group estimated the crowd at a student-led, anti-governmental rally at 275,000 to 325,000 people. Meanwhile, the student-led protest took to the streets of Novi Pazar, some 300 kilometers south of the capital. The protest is one in a series of demonstrations called for by students who have been blocking university faculties for more than four months, demanding government accountability for the deaths of the 16 people in the fall of the cement canopy in Novi Sad. A group of students in the blockade walked for days from other cities to Novi Pazar to join the students there in the protest. Novi Pazar University students blocked the roundabout at the exit from that city. Buses with supporters of Vucic's ruling right-wing Serbian Progressive Party were scheduled to pass that way on their way to the Belgrade rallies. It was not immediately clear if the buses took alternate routes. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP US President Donald Trump said he felt "in very good shape" after his first medical checkup since returning to the White House. Trump, 78, arrived on April 11 at the Walter Reed Medical Center in suburban Washington for a physical exam that put the focus on cardio and cognitive tests. He later told reporters on Air Force One that he got every answer right" on the cognitive test and said he had not only a good heart but also a "very good soul." "It went, I think, well, Trump said of the exam, adding that he underwent every test you can imagine and that a report is expected to be issued on April 13. American presidents traditionally provide details about their health and wellbeing though they are not compelled to do so. Trump has repeatedly been accused of a lack of openness about his health, but the White House said that presidential physician Sean Barbabella would give a readout of the exam and that "of course" it would be made public. "I can confirm the president is in very good shape, as you see on a near daily basis," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said. Trump, a prolific golfer who abstains from alcohol and cigarettes, has repeatedly boasted about his vigor since starting a second term, but he is known to indulge in fast food. He likes it so much he staged a photo op at a McDonald's during his campaign last year. The White House doctor in his first term, Ronny Jackson, said in 2018 that with a healthier diet Trump could "live to be 200 years old." The exams conducted during his first term revealed that Trump was taking medication to treat high cholesterol. Jackson's report suggested Trump should aim to lose 10 to 15 pounds but said he was generally in "excellent health" with no signs of "any cognitive issues." A year later, an exam found the 1.9-meter tall president weighed 110 kilograms. Trump appears to have lost some weight since then. Age and cognitive health became a major issue in the 2024 election when Trump and then-President Joe Biden faced off as the oldest major party candidates in history. Biden, now 82, was forced to drop out of the race after verbally stumbling through a TV debate against Trump in June that put concerns over his health to the top of the agenda. Since returning to office Trump has repeatedly compared his own vigor to Biden's, while the White House has accused the previous administration of covering up what it says was Bidens decline. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Russia and Ukraine pounded each other with drones, with Moscow complaining that Kyiv had targeted its energy facilities in violation of a tenuous cease-fire agreement that has yet to take hold. Ukraines military said Russia had launched more than eight dozen drones overnight on April 12, with most of them either shot down or intercepted with electronic jamming. At least one district in the capital, Kyiv, was damaged by drones, or debris from downed drones, Mayor Vitali Klitshcko said. At least three people were reported wounded. Russias Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said that more than 150 Ukrainian drones had been launched, including at five energy facilities. On March 11, Ukraine and the United States announced a breakthrough agreement paving the way for a 30-day cease-fire contingent on Russia's signing on. A major foreign policy priority for US President Donald Trump, it was the first concrete proposal on the negotiating table since the early weeks after Russia's all-out assault on Ukraine in February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin balked, saying he agreed in principle but there were "nuances" that would have to be addressed and attaching conditions including a halt to Western supplies of weapons to Kyiv. Late on April 12, Trump told reporters the peace talks "might be going OK" but that there is "a point at which you just have to either put up or shut up, and we'll see what happens, but I think its going fine." Despite the cease-fire announcement, the two sides have continued to fire drones at one another. Ukraine also announced that an F-16 fighter jet pilot had been killed in action, the second such combat death involving the US-made planes. The military gave no details as to the 26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov's death. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to his family and said details of the incident were under investigation. Ukraine has small flotilla of F-16s that it started receiving in 2024. In August 2024, Ukrainian officials said an F-16 had crashed while repelling a Russian missile attack, killing its pilot. Speaking to a Senate committee last week, US Army General Christopher Cavoli said Ukrainian F-16s were flying daily as part of both defensive and offensive missions. The United States, meanwhile, continues to engage in direct talks with Russian officials, as part of a wider deal aimed at rebuilding bilateral relations. White House envoy Steve Witkoff flew to St. Petersburg, Russia, to meet with President Vladimir Putin for more than four hours of talks on April 12. Neither Witkoff nor the White House issued any public comment after the meeting, though the Kremlin said aspects of a Ukrainian settlement had been discussed. Trump has signaled impatience with the pace of talks to cement a cease-fire in Ukraine. Hours after Witkoff landed in St. Petersburg, Trump posted a message on his social media account, calling the war "senseless" and said it "should have never happened." "Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, he wrote. The White Houses envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggested that British and French troops could adopt zones of control in Ukraine. Speaking in an interview published on April 12 with The Times of London newspaper, Kellogg suggested they could have areas of responsibility west of the Dnieper River, as part of a "reassurance force", with a demilitarized zone separating them from Russian-occupied areas in the east. "You could almost make it look like what happened with Berlin after World War II, when you had a Russian zone, a French zone, and a British zone, a US zone," he said. Kellogg later posted a message to X, saying his comments had been misconstrued. In his interview, Kellogg also said relations between Ukraine and the United States were now "back on track, and he pointed to a proposed deal on Ukraine's mineral resources. However, Reuters cited unnamed officials as describing a meeting between US and Ukrainian officials about the mineral deal as "antagonistic. The strains were due to the fact that the newest draft proposal is more expansive than the original version. The latest draft, according to Reuters and The New York Times, would give the United States privileged access to Ukraine's mineral deposits and require Kyiv to place all income from the exploitation of natural resources -- by both Ukrainian state and private firms -- into a joint investment fund. Trump has said he viewed access to Ukraine's rare and valuable minerals as a way to recoup billions of dollars in US military aid to Kyiv. Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), delivers a speech at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. Representatives of major media and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Malaysian capital here on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development. Under the theme "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation," participants called for joint efforts to tell the success stories of cooperation between China and ASEAN. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of major media and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Malaysian capital here on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development. Under the theme "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation," participants called for joint efforts to tell the success stories of cooperation between China and ASEAN. In his opening speech, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof reaffirmed his country's unwavering commitment to "a cohesive ASEAN-China partnership that will contribute to regional stability and global economic resilience." He spoke highly of the forum as an invaluable platform for the exchange of ideas among the media and think tanks, noting their pivotal role in bridging perspectives, informing policy and promoting regional harmony in this complex era. "Good neighbors wish each other well," Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying in his keynote remarks. It is the shared aspiration of the people of China and ASEAN countries to work together as partners and move forward together, he said. "China and ASEAN countries are vital forces in the Global South. China-ASEAN relations have, in recent years, transcended the bilateral sphere, gaining profound significance in Asia and exerting a global impact," said Lyu. He added that media and think tanks must amplify the call for jointly building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home and generate new momentum for building an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. In his video remarks, Ouyang Yujing, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, said President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for humankind offers a Chinese solution to addressing global challenges and creating a better future for humanity. "I hope our friends from the media and think tanks will actively share the stories of China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN cooperation, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," he said. Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), said strengthening civilizational exchanges between ASEAN and China, which share a vibrant cultural landscape, would help set an example for unity and cooperation among Global South countries, and strengthen the connection and mutual respect among them. Wong also called for greater media and think tank cooperation between ASEAN and China in areas such as the use of artificial intelligence in mass media practices. During the forum, participants called on the media and think tanks of China and ASEAN to strengthen coordination, embrace the technological revolution, seize new opportunities and address emerging challenges in jointly striving for shared prosperity and development. 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. The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, presented a report titled "RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation" at the forum. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof delivers a speech at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. Representatives of major media and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Malaysian capital here on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development. Under the theme "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation," participants called for joint efforts to tell the success stories of cooperation between China and ASEAN. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) The China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum is held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. Representatives of major media and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Malaysian capital here on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development. Under the theme "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation," participants called for joint efforts to tell the success stories of cooperation between China and ASEAN. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) A County Roscommon woman is among 50 people from the Irish-language community all over the country taking part in a swimming challenge this weekend organised by Conradh na Gaeilge to raise money for ACLAI Palestine, a core project of the Lajee Center in Aida refugee camp, in the Palestinian West Bank. Over two days the group, which includes Maedhbh Ni Chumhaill from Athleague, will travel around the country swimming in the sea in all 17 coastal counties in Ireland. Today's journey will see the group swimming in Balbriggan, Laytown, Blackrock, Warrenpoint, Port Rush, Portstewart, Bundoran, Tullaghan, Mullaghmore, and Killala. Day two, Sunday, will begin in Salthill in Galway, before the group will head south to Ballyvaughan, Ballybunnion, Youghal, Ceann Heilbhic, Courtown, and finish in Bray. Local communities the length of the country are invited to come and show support and solidarity at each of the stops. Maedhbh from Athleague said: Im honoured to be involved in this cross country swim challenge to raise much-needed funds for ACLAI Palestine and to help shine a light on the ongoing and devastating plight of the Palestinian people in the face of this genocide. Its more important than ever to stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestine and its people, in their pursuit of justice and dignity. * All information about Snamh don Phalaistin and donation link: https://www.idonate.ie/event/Snamh25 Ireland West Airport has launched its busiest ever summer schedule, including a new service from Groningen in the Netherlands and an additional 110,000 seats added on flights to and from the airport for the summer season. The airport will operate flights to 22 international destinations this summer. It is served by four major international airlines, Aer Lingus, Lauda Europe, and Ryanair and will welcome Emerald Airlines to the airport this summer as the airline operating a new weekly service from Groningen. Ryanair will operate flights to 17 destinations from the airport, increasing capacity by almost 20% on a range of services, including adding extra weekly rotations on the popular sun services to Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Palma-Majorca. The airline will add thousands of additional seats weekly on some of its UK services, with a twice-daily service on Mondays to Liverpool during the summer and extra flights on services to Birmingham, Bristol, London Luton, London Stansted, and Edinburgh. Aer Lingus will also continue to provide a daily service to London Heathrow, providing onward connectivity to over 80 destinations worldwide. The first quarter of 2025 was the busiest on record at the airport, as 168,000 passengers travelled through it between January and March, representing a 6% increase in 2024 passenger numbers. Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair recorded their busiest-ever first quarter for passenger numbers at the airport, with Ryanair carrying 148,000 passengers during the first quarter of the year, a 6% increase on the same period in 2024, buoyed by strong demand for sun services, particularly to Malaga, Lanzarote, and Tenerife during the winter. Aer Lingus recorded an 8% increase in the number of passengers using the London Heathrow service, with the service continuing to go from strength to strength. Welcoming the launch of the summer schedule and a strong start to 2025, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, noted that the first quarter of the year has proven to be a very strong one with record numbers choosing the airport for their short breaks and sun holidays. The increased numbers are a testament to the expanded route network, increased convenience, and the airport's stress-free nature. With an extra 110,000 seats available this summer, including the flexibility now for holidaymakers to choose from 3-, 5-, 7- and 10-day sun holiday breaks to some of our most popular sun destinations, it promises to be an exciting and busy summer at the airport. Furthermore, we are delighted to welcome the commencement of a new service from Groningen in the Netherlands, starting in June with BBI Travel, which will welcome thousands of Dutch tourists directly to the West of Ireland. Overall, we have a fantastic selection of destinations this summer, and we look forward to welcoming our loyal customers and indeed new customers to experience the benefits of flying from a convenient, stress-free and customer friendly airport." Two More Pakistani Terrorists Eliminated in Kishtwars Ongoing Operation Chhatru: Army The operation was launched earlier this week following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the region. The Indian Army on Saturday confirmed the elimination of two more Pakistani terrorists in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir as part of the ongoing Operation Chhatru, taking the total number of neutralized militants to three. The White Knight Corps reported that the counter-terrorism operation has now entered its fourth day, persisting despite adverse weather conditions. The operation was launched earlier this week following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the region. Advertisement In the ongoing operations at Chhatru, Kishtwar, despite bad and inclement weather, two more Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated. A large quantity of war-like stores, including one AK and one M4 rifle, have been recovered, read a statement from the White Knight Corps on X (formerly Twitter). Shridhar Patil, DIG of the Kishtwar-Doda-Ramban range, told the media that the operation remains active,e with several terrorists still trapped in the area. This operation has been ongoing for the past three days. One terrorist was neutralised on Friday morning. We believe more are trapped, and the mission will continue until they are all eliminated, he said. On Friday, Lt. Gen. MV Suchindra Kumar, Army Commander of the Northern Command, praised the troops for their swift and precise action. The Indian Army remains committed to keeping Jammu and Kashmir free from terrorism, said a post from the Northern Command. Advertisement The Army continues to maintain a high-alert presence in the region as search and cordon operations intensify. Tahawwur Rana and the Truth Behind the 26/11 Conspiracy Initially, the U.S. government denied Indian investigators access to Headley. The extradition of Pakistani-origin Canadian citizen Tahawwur Rehman Rana from the United States to India and subsequently bringing him to Delhi after overcoming numerous legal hurdles marks a significant achievement for Indian law enforcement and judicial agencies. On Friday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) secured an 18-day remand from a special court in Delhi. It is hoped that his interrogation will prove instrumental in uncovering the full extent of the 26/11 Mumbai terror conspiracy and revealing the Pakistani government's involvement or lack thereof in one of the deadliest terror attacks on Indian soil. It is worth recalling that on November 26, 2008, ten Pakistani terrorists carried out indiscriminate firing at around a dozen crowded locations across Mumbai, plunging the city into chaos for 72 hours. The attack claimed 166 lives and injured 268 others. The terrorists had set sail from Karachi on November 23, hijacked an Indian fishing trawler en route killing four Indian fishermen and reached Mumbai using the same vessel. Advertisement In the retaliatory operation led by the Mumbai Police and NSG commandos, nine of the ten attackers were killed. The lone surviving terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive in an injured state. Based on information provided by him, the terror outfit responsible Lashkar-e-Taiba and its top leadership were identified. Despite overwhelming evidence, the Pakistani government has consistently denied involvement, attributing the attack to non-state actors. The role of Tahawwur Rana and Pakistani-American David Headley in the planning of the 26/11 attack came to light after Headley was arrested in Chicago on October 18 not in connection with Mumbai, but for plotting an attack on a Danish newspaper. During the investigation, it emerged that both men were linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and had conducted surveillance of crowded sites in Mumbai as part of the 26/11 conspiracy. Notably, Headley, a U.S. citizen, was also revealed to be a double agent working with the American intelligence agency CIA. Initially, the U.S. government denied Indian investigators access to Headley. However, under sustained pressure from the Indian government, they eventually allowed the NIA to question him in prison. Rana, however, enjoyed no such protection. The NIA successfully built a case against him, leaving no legal loopholes. Still, the agency had to fight a protracted legal battle in U.S. courts for over 13 years to secure his extradition. The case even reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard Ranas petitions twice and upheld the extradition orders on both occasions. Advertisement Before emigrating to Canada, Tahawwur Rana served in the Pakistani Army for five years, holding the rank of Captain and serving as a doctor in the Army Medical Corps (AMCP). During the extradition process, he expressed fears before the U.S. Supreme Court that he might be hanged in India, despite not having participated in any of the shootings directly. However, the arguments presented by Indian government-appointed legal experts effectively countered these claims. Now that Rana is on Indian soil, it presents a crucial opportunity for Indian agencies to delve deeper into the web of Pakistani-sponsored terrorism. In the immediate aftermath of the 26/11 attacks, Pakistan had assured India of full cooperation only to later renege on its commitments. Now, with Rana in custody, the NIA has a valuable chance to expose the truth about Pakistans backing of terrorist figures like Hafiz Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and other Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. This opportunity must be fully leveraged to present undeniable evidence to the international community regarding Pakistans complicity in terrorism. 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) April 12, 2025 A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 12.04.2025, 13:55 Palm Sunday In many cities of Romania, a country with a majority Orthodox population, including Bucharest, traditional Palm Sunday pilgrimages are taking place this afternoon, on the eve of the important Christian holiday of the Lords Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Members of the clergy and believers participate in street processions with willow branches, flowers and icons, in memory of the moment when Jesus was triumphantly received in Jerusalem. The Palm Sunday celebration opens the Holy Week or Passion Week, which culminates with the death of Jesus by crucifixion on the cross, then with His Resurrection, celebrated this year by all Christians on the same date, Sunday, April 20. Authorities estimate that over 1 million believers will participate in the religious events this weekend. Therefore, the Interior Ministry has mobilized significant forces at the national level, to ensure the safe conduct of the events, but also to be able to intervene quickly to support citizens, including in the case of medical emergencies. Foot and mouth disease Romania has activated emergency mechanisms to protect the national livestock sector, due to the worrying evolution of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks at European level four confirmed in Hungary, six in Slovakia and one in Germany. The sanitary-veterinary authorities met urgently on Friday and took several immediate measures, including updating the restriction zones, prohibiting the transport of livestock, feed and manure from Hungary to Romania, as well as blocking imports from the affected areas. It was also decided to inspect Romanian farms that brought animals from Hungary and Slovakia after February 1, to set up sanitary-veterinary checkpoints on access routes from Hungary and to conduct extensive testing at national level for the detection of the foot-and-mouth disease virus. Festival Romania is present with an impressive stand this weekend at the Paris Book Festival, the largest literary event of the year in France. 450 French and international publishing houses are participating, and Morocco is the guest of honor. The Romanian stand, organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in collaboration with the Embassies of Romania and the Republic of Moldova in France, invites the public to a journey through Romanian literature of yesterday and today. Visitors can choose from over 50 volumes translated into French, published in France and Switzerland, and over 20 titles in Romanian, proposed by publishing houses in Romania. Titles in bilingual editions are also on display. Defense The European finance ministers continue discussions today at an informal Council hosted by Warsaw, which will focus on European defense spending and the consequences of the new US trade policy. On Friday, the European Commissioner for the Economy, Valdis Dombrovskis, stressed that the European Union was ready to work with Washington to reach a mutually beneficial trade agreement after the Trump administration postponed the application of increased trade tariffs on European countries by 90 days. European leaders cautiously welcomed the postponement. In Paris, the French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of a positive signal and an open door to negotiations, but warned that Europe would not win without solidarity. Migrants The border police officers discovered, in Calafat, in southern Romania, on the border with Bulgaria, after checking a minibus, 12 foreign citizens who did not have a valid visa or residence permit to travel to the Schengen area. The minibus was registered in Romania and was driven by a Romanian citizen. The people who did not have identity documents were Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans, aged between 15 and 41. A criminal case was filed against the Romanian driver for migrant smuggling, and the foreigners were returned to the Bulgarian territory. We remind you that, as of January 1 this year, Romania and Bulgaria are fully part of the Schengen area. (LS) After showing a lack of direction early in the session, the price of crude oil moved sharply higher over the course of the trading day on Friday. Crude for May delivery has surged $1.43 or to $61.50 a barrel, partly offsetting the $2.28 or 3.7 percent slump to $60.07 a barrel seen during Thursday's session. With the sharp increase on the day, the price of crude oil partly offset its losses for the week but still fell by $0.49 or 0.8 percent. The jump by the price of crude oil came as concerns about rising trade tensions between the U.S. and China were partly offset by comments from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying President Donald 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." However, two senior White House officials told CNN that the U.S. will not reach out to China first and that Chinese President Xi Jinping must request a call with Trump. 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. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis The Indian two-wheeler industry posted strong sales numbers in March 2025, continuing its growth momentum both year-on-year (YoY) and month-on-month (MoM). Key players like Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto, Suzuki, and Royal Enfield all contributed to the sectors robust performance. Year-on-Year (YoY) Performance Hero MotoCorp maintained its lead in the domestic two-wheeler market, selling 5,10,086 units in March 2025, up 11.07% compared to 4,59,257 units in March 2024. Honda followed with 4,01,411 units, registering a 12.08% increase over 3,58,151 units sold a year ago. TVS Motor Company posted a strong 14.24% growth with 2,97,622 units sold in March 2025 compared to 2,60,532 units a year ago. Bajaj Autos sales remained flat, growing just 0.36% year-on-year to 1,83,659 units from 1,83,004 units. Suzuki recorded an impressive 22.71% jump, selling 1,05,736 units compared to 86,164 units in March 2024. Royal Enfield (RE) had the highest growth among the major players, registering a massive 33.32% increase from 66,044 units in March 2024 to 88,050 units in March 2025. Overall, the two-wheeler industry witnessed a 12.27% YoY growth in March 2025, with total sales at 15,86,564 units, up from 14,13,152 units in March 2024. Month-on-Month (MoM) Performance Month-on-month, the industry saw even stronger momentum. Hero MotoCorp posted a massive 42.76% MoM growth, with sales jumping from 3,57,296 units in February 2025 to 5,10,086 units in March 2025. Hondas sales rose by 4.56% month-on-month, from 3,83,918 units to 4,01,411 units. TVS Motor Company also maintained positive momentum, growing 7.81% from 2,76,072 units to 2,97,622 units. Bajaj Auto bounced back strongly with a 25.68% MoM growth, selling 1,83,659 units in March compared to 1,46,138 units in February. Suzuki showed stellar growth of 43.95%, selling 1,05,736 units compared to 73,455 units a month earlier. Royal Enfield clocked 8.97% MoM growth with 88,050 units in March 2025, up from 80,799 units in February 2025. Total domestic two-wheeler sales for March 2025 stood at 15,86,564 units, marking a significant 20.41% increase over February 2025s 13,17,678 units. Year-on-Year (YoY) Export Performance Bajaj Auto continued to dominate two-wheeler exports from India, shipping 1,32,073 units in March 2025, marginally higher than 1,30,881 units in March 2024, registering a 0.91% growth. TVS Motor Company posted strong gains, with exports growing by 22.15% to 1,02,498 units compared to 83,914 units last year. Hero MotoCorp saw a notable 25.38% rise in exports, shipping 39,518 units compared to 31,518 units in March 2024. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) saw its exports decline by 8.01%, dropping from 28,304 units last year to 26,037 units this year. Suzuki grew its exports by 15.36%, reaching 20,194 units compared to 17,505 units last year. Royal Enfield recorded the highest YoY growth among major players, posting a 36.44% jump, exporting 12,971 units compared to 9,507 units in March 2024. Overall, Indias two-wheeler exports rose by 10.50% YoY in March 2025, with total shipments reaching 3,33,291 units compared to 3,01,629 units a year ago. Month-on-Month (MoM) Export Performance Month-on-month, however, two-wheeler exports recorded a decline. Bajaj Autos exports dropped by 13.84%, down from 1,53,280 units in February 2025 to 1,32,073 units in March 2025. TVS Motor also witnessed an 11.50% fall, exporting 1,02,498 units compared to 1,15,817 units in February. Hero MotoCorp, however, bucked the trend, posting a strong 28.63% MoM growth, exporting 39,518 units compared to 30,722 units the previous month. Hondas exports fell sharply by 32.43%, dropping from 38,531 units in February 2025 to 26,037 units in March 2025. Suzuki registered a 20.55% growth, exporting 20,194 units in March, up from 16,751 units a month ago. Royal Enfield also reported a strong 31.41% MoM growth, with 12,971 units exported compared to 9,871 units in February. Despite positive performances by some brands, overall two-wheeler exports declined by 8.68% MoM, with total shipments dropping from 3,64,972 units in February to 3,33,291 units in March 2025. Total Sales (Domestic + Exports) YoY Performance Hero MotoCorp led the charts by registering total (domestic + exports) sales of 5,49,604 units in March 2025, up by 11.99% compared to 4,90,775 units in March 2024. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) followed with 4,27,448 units, recording a 10.61% YoY growth over 3,86,455 units last year. TVS Motor Company delivered a strong performance with 4,00,120 units sold, growing by 16.16% over 3,44,446 units. Bajaj Auto posted a marginal rise of 0.59%, with total sales moving up to 3,15,732 units from 3,13,885 units a year earlier. Suzuki Motorcycle India reported a stellar 21.47% growth, selling 1,25,930 units versus 1,03,669 units last year. Royal Enfield continued its upward trajectory, recording a solid 33.71% growth with 1,01,021 units sold, compared to 75,551 units in March 2024. Cumulatively, total two-wheeler sales (domestic + exports) stood at 19,19,855 units in March 2025, up by 11.96% over March 2024s 17,14,781 units. Total Sales (Domestic + Exports) MoM Performance On a month-on-month basis, two-wheeler sales also showed a healthy uptick. Hero MotoCorp surged 41.64%, growing from 3,88,018 units in February 2025 to 5,49,604 units in March. Honda recorded a modest 1.18% MoM growth, selling 4,27,448 units compared to 4,22,449 units. TVS Motor posted a 2.10% MoM rise, clocking 4,00,120 units against 3,91,889 units in February. Bajaj Auto grew by 5.45%, with sales climbing to 3,15,732 units from 2,99,418 units. Suzuki registered a sharp 39.60% growth, increasing from 90,206 units in February to 1,25,930 units in March 2025. Royal Enfield also improved by 11.42%, growing from 90,670 units to 1,01,021 units. Overall, the Indian two-wheeler industry sold 19,19,855 units in March 2025, achieving a 14.10% MoM growth over Februarys 16,82,650 units. Two-Wheeler Sales FY 2025 The Indian two-wheeler industry posted robust growth during Financial Year 2025 (April 2024 March 2025), across domestic sales, exports, and overall volumes. Strong domestic demand, coupled with improving export markets, helped major manufacturers like Hero, Honda, Bajaj, Suzuki, and Royal Enfield achieve healthy year-on-year (YoY) growth. Domestic Sales FY 2025 vs FY 2024 Hero MotoCorp maintained its leadership in the domestic market, selling 56,11,758 units in FY25, a 3.53% increase over 54,20,532 units in FY24. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) emerged as the biggest gainer, growing by 17.57% with 53,26,092 units sold compared to 45,30,196 units a year ago. Bajaj Auto posted modest growth of 2.56%, retailing 23,08,249 units in FY25 versus 22,50,585 units in FY24. Suzuki Motorcycle India registered a healthy 13.53% rise, selling 10,45,662 units over last years 9,21,009 units. Royal Enfield recorded 9,02,757 domestic units, achieving 8.14% growth over FY24s 8,34,795 units. Overall, domestic two-wheeler sales grew by 8.87%, reaching 1,51,94,518 units compared to 1,39,57,117 units last fiscal. Exports FY 2025 vs FY 2024 Exports also witnessed a strong rebound during FY25, led by Bajaj Auto which shipped 16,74,060 units, up by 13.32% compared to 14,77,338 units last year. Honda recorded an impressive 39% export growth, delivering 5,05,012 units against 3,63,326 units in FY24. Hero MotoCorp boosted its export volumes by a remarkable 43.05%, selling 2,87,429 units versus 2,00,923 units. Suzuki witnessed a marginal export decline of 1.12%, shipping 2,10,499 units against 2,12,893 units previously. Royal Enfields exports grew sharply by 37.47%, with 1,07,143 units exported in FY25 compared to 77,937 units in FY24. Cumulatively, two-wheeler exports surged 19.37%, totaling 27,84,143 units against 23,32,417 units last year. Total Sales (Domestic + Exports) FY 2025 vs FY 2024 When combining domestic sales and exports, Hero MotoCorp sold a total of 58,99,187 units in FY25, registering a 4.94% YoY growth over 56,21,455 units in FY24. Honda followed with 58,31,104 units sold in FY25, reflecting a robust 19.16% growth over 48,93,522 units last year. Bajaj Auto recorded 39,82,309 units in total sales, achieving a 6.82% increase. Suzuki Motorcycle India grew by 10.78% to 12,56,161 units, while Royal Enfield reported 10,09,900 units, up 10.65% compared to FY24. Overall, the Indian two-wheeler industry sold 1,79,78,661 units in FY25, posting a healthy 10.37% growth over the previous years 1,62,89,534 units. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Beijing on Friday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that in the face of rising unilateralism, power politics and bullying, the international community must present a unified voice. Otherwise, Wang warned, the world will fall back into the law of the jungle, and most small and medium-sized countries will bear the brunt. He said that the original intention of the United Nations (UN) was to maintain a just international order and safeguard the sovereign equality of all countries, so it should take the lead to make its position clear and play its due role. As an important member of the UN system, the IAEA shoulders the important mission of safeguarding the basic norms governing international relations, promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing nuclear proliferation, Wang said. He said China hopes that the IAEA will continue to uphold objectivity, neutrality and professionalism in properly handling issues such as the Iranian nuclear issue, U.S.-Britain-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation, and the ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water. Grossi said that China is a force for stability in a volatile world since it firmly supports the status and role of the UN and its agencies. The IAEA attaches importance to cooperation with China and appreciates China's achievements in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Grossi said, expressing willingness to deepen cooperation with China in an all-round way and properly handle the Iranian nuclear issue and other relevant hotspot issues. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Antalya, Turkiye, April 12, 2025. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov met on Saturday to discuss the Ukraine conflict and the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. The two ministers met in Turkiye's southern coastal city of Antalya on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted anonymous Turkish diplomatic sources as saying. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) ANKARA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov met on Saturday to discuss the Ukraine conflict and the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. The two ministers met in Turkiye's southern coastal city of Antalya on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted anonymous Turkish diplomatic sources as saying. During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed Turkiye-Russia relations and explored opportunities for further cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Discussions also focused on ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea, a topic of growing importance due to regional tensions. The two sides also exchanged views on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, including efforts to reach a ceasefire, according to the sources. Late last month, the Kremlin said Russia and the United States, a mediator between Moscow and Kiev, had agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea initiative, provided that sanctions are eased on Russia's agricultural and food trade. Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Turkiye and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which secured the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports. As a parallel agreement, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports. On July 17, 2023, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea deal, citing unfulfilled commitments to the Russian part. According to Anadolu, the situation in Syria and the latest developments in the Gaza Strip were also addressed in the talks between the two top diplomats. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Antalya, Turkiye, April 12, 2025. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov met on Saturday to discuss the Ukraine conflict and the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. The two ministers met in Turkiye's southern coastal city of Antalya on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted anonymous Turkish diplomatic sources as saying. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) In 1962, when environmentalist and author Rachel Carson pennedSilent Spring, alerting the world to the dangers of the pesticide DDT, it was the reproductive threat to birds -- the bald eagle in particular -- that spurred people to action. Six decades later, Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers are taking the measure of another global environmental pollutant by drawing parallels to the crisis Carson identified. This time, the pollutant is mercury, and the sentinels are penguins living in the farthest reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula. "With mercury, there's an analogy to DDT," said John Reinfelder, a professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and co-author of astudy published in Science of the Total Environment examining mercury levels in the flightless, aquatic birds. "In the 1960s, we were discovering DDT in remote places where it wasn't being used," Reinfelder said. "It's a similar story today with mercury. There are no human sources near the Southern Ocean, but because of long-distance transport through the atmosphere, it has the potential to accumulate in penguins." Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in aquatic and terrestrial food sources. Fish-eating animals are at highest risk of contamination. Chronic exposure affects reproduction and can cause neurological problems, such as lethargy and weakness. It is fatal in high doses. To assess mercury's geographic reach and establish a new baseline for mercury in Antarctic penguins, Reinfelder andPhilip Sontag, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers-New Brunswick, and lead author, analyzed adult penguin feathers retrieved from a breeding site near Anvers Island in the West Antarctic Peninsula. Feathers from three penguin species -- Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap -- were collected during the 2010-11 breeding season by William R. Fraser, lead investigator with the Polar Oceans Research Group, in Sheridan, Montana. Agricultural safety precautions prevented the samples from being sent to the U.S. for analysis until recently. In addition to mercury, the Rutgers researchers measured the proportions of the isotopes carbon-13, a tracer of foraging location, and nitrogen-15, a tracer of food chain position, in the samples, which helped identify the sources of mercury in penguins throughout the Southern Ocean. They also assessed size distribution of West Antarctic Peninsula krill, a favorite food of Antarctic penguins. With the combined datasets, the researchers identified important variations in mercury accumulation. In Adelie and gentoo penguins, mercury levels "were some of the lowest for any species of penguin observed to date in the Southern Ocean," they wrote. Levels of mercury for chinstrap penguins, however, were "significantly higher." Sontag said the discrepancy is likely because chinstrap's feeding patterns differ from the other species studied. During the nonbreeding winter season, chinstraps migrate to lower latitudes farther north, where they and other penguins accumulate higher concentrations of mercury than penguins living to the south. This conclusion was confirmed by the strong relationship between foraging location (carbon-13) and mercury in penguin feathers and is the first study to show carbon-13, not nitrogen-15, best explains mercury concentrations in penguins throughout the Southern Ocean. The granular details presented by these findings contribute to the global effort tomap mercury pollution in marine animals, Reinfelder said. "Before this study, we didn't know that penguins migrating farther north had higher exposures to mercury," he said. "These data give us a way to learn not only about mercury accumulation, but about penguin ecology more broadly." Sources of mercury contamination have shifted in recent decades. For years, airborne mercury entered the atmosphere as a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. Efforts to reduce mercury pollution -- particularly with theMinamata Convention on Mercury adopted by 140 countries in 2013 -- have helped lower releases to the environment. A 2024 study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found atmospheric levels of mercurydropped by about 10% between 2005 and 2020. Theshuttering of coal-fired power plants has contributed to this decline. But other sources, such as small-scale gold mining in developing countries, continue to push the toxin into the environment. Miners use elemental mercury toextract gold from ore, producing more than 1,000 tons of mercury tailings and vapor annually. Reinfelder said the study offers a snapshot of how feeding patterns affect penguin health and how mercury pollution circulates in the world's oceans. "Just like DDT in the 1960s, the scientific community today is focused on monitoring mercury," he said. "Are we going to see a decrease in levels in the fish that people and animals eat? That's the hope." NEW DELHI, April 12 (Xinhua) -- At least three militants and a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Indian army were killed in two separate gunfights in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said Saturday. The three militants were killed Saturday in the ongoing gunfight in the Chhatroo forest area of Kishtwar district, while the JCO was killed in the Keri Battal area of Sunderbani in Rajouri district near the Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir. According to senior Indian army officer J B S Rathi, the operation in Chhatroo was launched on Wednesday by joint teams of army, police and paramilitary on specific and credible intelligence information suggesting the presence of the militants. "In the ensuing gun battle, the three militants were neutralized," Rathi said in a press briefing on Saturday. Rathi said the government forces have not suffered any damage in the fight with the militants. Meanwhile, the JCO was killed on Friday night while leading a counter-infiltration operation along the LoC in the Sunderbani area of Rajouri. "A search operation is underway in the area," an Indian army officer said. The LoC divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts. The LoC is heavily guarded by the military on both sides. The global birthrate has been in significant decline for decades. In the U.S., couples are deciding to have children later in life. A 2022 U.S. Census data analysis of Census Bureau and National Center for Health Statistics data, reveals that fertility rates for women age 20-24 declined by 43% during the period from 1990 to 2013. But the numbers of women age 35-39 giving birth increased by 67%, and for women between 40- 44 that increase was nearly 139%. Women who decide to have children in middle age depend on sperm and egg resiliency. Part of germ cell (also known as egg cells and sperm cells) resilience depends on a functional piRNA pathway to protect germ cell genomes decades after puberty, which is when in humans, the Piwi pathway is activated as well as the expression of transposon RNAs -- mobile DNA sequences that can move around a genome. Researchers from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have found a new role for the transcription factor (proteins that regulate the transcription, or copying, of genes). In the fruit fly, this transcription factor,named Traffic Jam, activates a non-coding piRNA gene named Flamenco to promote female fruit fly (drosophila) fertility. The discovery solves the 30-year-old mystery of how Flamenco gets activated to protect fruit fly ovaries from a series of genetic parasites called retroviral transposons, and may one day help with infertility issues in humans. "The discovery of Traffic Jam's function in flies will help us look into humans with infertility symptoms and see if those patients lacking functional sperm may have defects in these Piwi genes and transcription factors," explains corresponding author Nelson Lau, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry and director of the BU Genome Science Institute. Lau and his colleagues first conducted a series of luciferase-reporter assays that measure gene activity and biological responses in 2017, discovering important new regulatory sequences in the Flamenco locus. They confirmed the biological importance of those Flamenco DNA sequences by generating new fruit fly mutants with CRISPR genome editing. They then carried out proteomics experiments and made the first discovery of Traffic Jam binding to Flamenco DNA sequences. Lastly, they conducted RNA interference knockdowns and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing studies of Traffic Jam in fruit fly ovary cells to confirm this new genetic interaction. They found that Traffic Jam driving the production of Flamenco piRNAs bound by Piwi proteins, allowed fruit flies to protect their germline genome and produce fertile eggs and offspring. They also found that the retroviral transposons are also activated by Traffic Jam, hijacking this host factor. This finding is surprising because it demonstrates the on-going war between the animal's genetic immune system and the genetic parasites fighting for their own survival. According to the researchers, this study investigates the fundamental battle for the protection of germline genomes that humans depend on for fertility and reproduction. "We humans are like fruit flies in that our gonads also generate piRNAs to protect our germ cells against transposons. We have our own version of the Traffic Jam gene, called MAF-B, which we can test in future studies to see if MAF-B regulated human piRNA genes to allow us to produce functional sperm," adds Lau. These findings appear online in the journal Cell Reports. Lau's team also contributed to an accompanying study in the same issue of Cell Reports by researchers in France and the United Kingdom. N.C.L. is funded by NIH/NIGMS (grants R01GM135215 and equipment supplements), and a grant from the Boston University Institute of Sexual Medicine contributing support to R.K.G. and J.Z. New research has uncovered more about the complexity of human gene regulation by identifying certain sequences of proteins called transcription factors that bind to DNA and regulate the expression of human genes. Published today (9 April) in Nature, researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge and their collaborators explored how DNA-guided transcription factors interact with each other. This research adds to the groundwork of understanding the complex language of the gene regulatory code, and how DNA sequence patterns located close to our genes influence human development and disease risk. Each gene has a regulatory region that contains instructions on when and where the gene is expressed. This information is written in a code that is read by transcription factors, which bind to specific DNA sequences and either increase or decrease the gene's expression. Previous research has explored the 'language' of the genome -- the regulatory code that controls gene expression. It found that cooperation between multiple transcription factors is a key feature of transcription factor-DNA binding, with DNA actively facilitating interactions between various transcription factors.1 With the regulatory code being far more complex than the genetic code, which explains how DNA sequence determines the structure of proteins, researchers are aiming to understand the regulatory language in more detail, focusing on the 'words' and 'grammar' -- such as the transcription factors -- that influence when and where genes are expressed. This deeper understanding is crucial for uncovering how cells develop into specific types, how organs form and where they are located in the body during embryonic development, and for understanding what goes wrong in disease. The interactions between transcription factors guided by DNA are poorly understood. In a new study, researchers from the Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge used two novel algorithms to analyse 58,000 pairs of transcription factors from human cells. They did this to identify how and where transcription factors interact with each other to bolster their understanding of the genomic language.2 The researchers' results reveal new patterns and preferences in how certain transcription factors interact with each other -- also known as 'motifs'. In this study, the researchers estimate that they identified between 18 and 47 per cent of all human transcription factor pair motifs, greatly adding to their understanding of the regulatory code. The team found that certain motifs they identified are present in developmental enhancers -- DNA regulatory elements that activate transcription of a gene -- that control important stages such as development of fingers. For example, the research notes that certain sequences of transcription factor motifs, or 'words' in the language, influence whether or not someone develops polydactyly -- too many fingers -- or syndactyly -- a fusion of fingers. The findings also have implications for how scientists will use computational models -- such as artificial intelligence -- to predict protein structures in the future. Whilst these tools can predict the overall structure, they often cannot look into smaller details, such as how transcription factors interact with each other on DNA. These small interactions can have a big impact on human development, but computational models cannot always predict this. The researchers hope that future models will be able to incorporate the more minute transcription factor details to better predict protein structure and protein-DNA interactions. This research marks a step forward in studying the smaller 'words' in the language of gene expression. By identifying small but key motifs in the genome, this research will help scientists understand and interpret the mechanisms influenced by transcription factors, particularly in the non-coding regions of the genome. These regions -- which make up 99 per cent of the genome -- do not code for proteins but still play a significant role in regulation of gene expression, and risk for development of disease. Dr Ilya Sokolov, an author of the study at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: "By gaining a deeper understanding of how transcription factors interact when guided by DNA, we hope our research will shed light on the molecular basis of the regulatory code, particularly in the context of developmental disorders. These interactions are evolutionarily conserved across mammals and offer several advantages in development, from incorporating positional information to creating sharper gene expression responses. With advanced insights into the regulatory code, we are excited to help drive future research that will improve our understanding of human development and developmental disorders." Professor Jussi Taipale, senior author of the study and Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: "The human genome's regulatory code is very complex, far more complex than the genetic code, and this research into transcription factor interactions unlocks deeper insights into the 'language' of the genome. Not only does our study provide more information into patterns of human development but it paves the way for future work with computational models that can hopefully incorporate these new data to better understand gene regulation." Notes A new study has unveiled when chronic myeloid leukaemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, arises in life and how fast it grows. Researchers reveal explosive growth rates of cancerous cells years before diagnosis and variation in these rates of growth between patients. Such rapid growth rates had previously not been observed in most other cancers. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators used whole genome sequencing to study when BCR::ABL1 -- an abnormal fusion of the different genes called BCR and ABL1, which is known to cause chronic myeloid leukaemia. The team investigated when BCR::ABL1 first arises in a blood cell and how quickly these cells with this genetic change then multiply and expand to lead to a diagnosis of a type of leukaemia. The research, published today (9 April) in Nature, contributes to the scientific understanding of how strong this abnormal fusion gene is in its ability to drive cancer. Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. CML is caused by a rearrangement of genetic material between two chromosomes. In those with CML, part of the ABL1 gene from chromosome 9 is fused with the BCR gene from chromosome 22. This creates an abnormal fusion gene called BCR::ABL1 on chromosome 22, also known as the Philadelphia chromosome. However, despite its well-understood role in CML, little is known about the evolution of this fusion gene, the rate at which cells with BCR::ABL1 start to multiply, and how this contributes to disease progression. In a new study, researchers from the Sanger Institute used DNA sequencing to analyse over 1,000 whole genomes of single blood cells from nine people with CML, ranging from 22 to 81 years of age. The researchers then used the genetic changes identified in these genomes to study how the cells were ancestrally related to one another. This is akin to creating family trees of cells -- known as phylogenetic trees -- which allowed the team to look back in the past to explore how the tumour cells grew over time and exactly when the abnormal fusion of the two genes occurred to start off the cancer growth. The phylogenetic trees from CML patients showed that the BCR::ABL1 fusion gene typically appeared three to 14 years before diagnosis. Once this fusion occurred, the tumour clones -- tumour cells that are genetically identical -- grew very quickly, sometimes in excess of 100,000 per cent growth annually, suggesting the fusion gene has a uniquely strong ability to drive the disease. Interestingly, this rapid growth is substantially faster than the growth rates of other blood cancers and solid tumours, which tend to develop more slowly with multiple genetic changes accumulating over many decades. Not only was the rapid growth of the tumour compared to other cancers unusual, but that this growth was driven by just one single genetic variation, whereas most other cancers require multiple genetic changes to accumulate before the cancer arises. The researchers also discovered that age impacts tumour growth rates, with younger patients showing much higher rates at which cancerous cells with the fusion gene multiply compared to older patients. The study also found that patients with faster-growing CML were less likely to respond well to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) -- the standard treatment for CML. With one in five patients not responding to TKIs, this study has implications for considering cancer cell growth rates in a clinical setting. However, the researchers note that further studies in larger patient cohorts are needed to validate this. To investigate whether people could carry BCR::ABL1 without showing symptoms, the researchers also analysed sequencing data and health records from over 200,000 participants from the USA-based "All of Us" cohort. They showed that almost all individuals with BCR::ABL1 were later diagnosed with a blood disorder, and so they suggest that expansion of BCR::ABL1 clones without developing subsequent symptoms is unlikely. Overall, the results show the uniquely strong ability of the BCR::ABL1 fusion gene to drive growth of cancerous cells in CML, and that variation in these growth rates between patients may be useful in the future clinical setting to better predict patient responses to treatment. Dr Aleksandra Kamizela, co-first author of the study, resident doctor at the Lister Hospital, Stevenage and soon Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, said: "In a clinical setting, healthcare professionals will perform a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, a type of blood test, to measure a patient's response to CML treatment. However, they are not able to routinely see differences in the genetic cause of CML in patients at the DNA level, which we have been able to highlight in our study. Our findings also provide a rationale to look at the rate of cancer growth more closely in future studies in order to understand if we can use such information in a clinical setting." Dr Jyoti Nangalia, senior author of the study, haematologist at the University of Cambridge and Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: "What our study suggests is that chronic myeloid leukaemia is an outlier compared to other cancers -- both solid tumours and other blood cancers. We have shown that chronic myeloid leukaemia cells undergo incredibly rapid growth within a few years to a decade before diagnosis, whereas for most cancers, the timeline from start to clinical presentation is several decades. This work paves the way to understanding how we might optimise treatment for those patients that currently respond poorly to treatment." 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. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had 'fruitful 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. The discussions were on reviewing and deepening bilateral cooperation in sectors like trade, investment, the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), maritime and security affairs, research, technology, education, and culture. Also shared perceptions on the recent global developments, such as in Europe, the Mediterranean and West Asia. Our partnership remains evolving and shaping, with guidance from the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 reached by our leaders, Jaishankar wrote on X after the meeting. This top-level meeting made a significant step towards the rollout of the Joint Strategic Action Plan 20252029, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in November 2024 during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Action Plan sets out a joint vision to deepen the strategic partnership between India and Italy with a focus on delivering concrete results which will benefit both countries. "They have tasked us with working with our respective sectors, as well as with scientific institutions and higher education centers of our countries, to promote business partnerships, co-production, innovation, and sharing of knowledge and talent between our two countries", Jaishankar stated while speaking at the India-Italy Business, Science and Technology Forum earlier during the day. He underscored that India has been cooperating closely with like-minded partners over the past few years to establish robust and trusted partnerships that address not just economic but also strategic interests. "Among that list, Italy is high for us. In most sectors, there is natural complementarity that we must tap into. Whether it is energy, transport, food processing, or light engineering, Italy possesses the technologies and best practices that make cooperation worthwhile", he added. India's increasing role in the Indo-Pacific and its outreach to the west. Jaishankar also pointed toin the Indo-Pacific and its outreach to the west. Based on both geography and strategic involvement, it makes complete sense to connect what Italy is doing in the Mediterranean to what India is doing in the Arabian Sea. This alignment is beneficial to both sides", he added. Referring to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, Jaishankar called it a milestone initiative that was initiated during India's G20 Presidency. The corridor, which Italy calls the 'Cotton Road', is poised to create a new global axis for economic activity, energy movement, and communications, with both nations playing central roles. India's increasing role in the world of global digital governance and artificial intelligence (AI) was high on the agenda at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, where global leaders praised the nation's efforts in creating a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital age. Maria Adebahr, Germany's Federal Foreign Office Director for Cyber, Foreign and Security Policy, referred to India as a key partner in the digital era. "This conference is a great chance to strengthen ties with India. With the geopolitical context, India is such a key country to cooperate with," she said. Adebahr underscored the significance of international democratic cooperation in establishing a secure and open cyberspace, as artificial intelligence should be made inclusive and secure. "India is a very good example, given its large population, service sector, and digital capabilities", she added. Reiterating these words, Senior Director at the Swedish Prime Minister's Office, Jon Simonsson, lauded India's bustling innovation hub and leadership potential for high-tech advancements. He appreciated the institutional framework to empower the student and entrepreneurs, and highlighted the importance of funding in terms of growth. "India currently boasts more than 100 unicorns this demonstrates that startups have the capability to invest and innovate, just as DeepSeek does", he emphasized. Contributing to the debate, Member Union Public Service Commission Lt. Gen. (Retd) Raj Shukla referred to India's resilience in algorithmic innovation led by indigenous talent. He promoted regulation reform, stating, "We need innovation, but innovations and regulations don't go together. India must deregulate hugely to unleash its full potential". Meta has launched the second phase of its teen safety program in India with new protections on Instagram Teen Accounts. The company is enhancing online safety for younger users with more parental controls and intends to roll out these features on Facebook and Messenger later this year. One of the most important changes is that teens under 16 will no longer be permitted to go live or turn off filters that hide unwanted images in direct messages without parental consent. Meta stated these steps are aimed at limiting exposure to sensitive material and unwanted contact. These protections, as part of the overall Teen Accounts experience, include in-built safety settings like default private accounts, limited messaging, tagging and mentions, and content filters. These settings are enabled by default, and any efforts to decrease the level of protection will now need a parent's permission. "With Teen Accounts, we are building technology that balances self-expression with inherent protections", said Tara Hopkins, Global Director of Public Policy at Instagram. "Young people deserve to have safe, age-appropriate online experiences, and these changes are part of our long-term commitment to their well-being". worlds largest youth populations Meta emphasized its commitment to addressing the needs of both teenagers and their parents. The company revealed that 97% of teenagers aged 13 to 15 have continued using the protective settings globally since the launch of Teen Accounts in September 2024. In India home to one of theMeta emphasized its commitment to addressing the needs of both teenagers and their parents. The company revealed that 97% of teenagers aged 13 to 15 have continued using the protective settings globally since the launch of Teen Accounts in September 2024. Now, more than 54 million teenagers across the world are using Teen Accounts on Instagram. The protections will be implemented in Facebook and Messenger later in the year, providing uniform standards of safety throughout Meta platforms. Meta added that parents also have more means at their disposal to monitor teens' experiences throughout Meta apps with more transparency and reassurance. They also demonstrate Meta's continued commitment to making online experiences safer for the next generation of users in the changing social media environment. The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, in partnership with MetCouncil, hosted a drive-thru Passover Food Pantry Distribution on April 9. JCC STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, in partnership with MetCouncil, hosted a drive-thru Passover Food Pantry Distribution on Wednesday, helping ensure that hundreds of local families could celebrate the holiday with traditional meals. During the event, 300 families received Kosher for Passover food packages, carefully prepared and distributed by a dedicated team of more than 50 volunteers who spent the day packing and handing out the items. This Passover Food Pantry Distribution is a meaningful tradition that allows us to support Staten Island families who face food insecurity, said Orit Lender, CEO of the Jewish Community Center. Passover is all about sharing meals with family, and this effort helps make that possible for those who might otherwise go without during the holiday. In addition to the drive-thru distribution, the JCC received 100 pre-prepared Kosher for Passover meals for food pantry clients, generously provided by Rethink Food and MetCouncil. Rethink Food works with a national network of restaurants and food providers to deliver nutritious meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity. The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, in partnership with MetCouncil, hosted a drive-thru Passover Food Pantry Distribution on April 9. JCC The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, in partnership with MetCouncil, hosted a drive-thru Passover Food Pantry Distribution on April 9. JCC The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, in partnership with MetCouncil, hosted a drive-thru Passover Food Pantry Distribution on April 9. JCC The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, in partnership with MetCouncil, hosted a drive-thru Passover Food Pantry Distribution on April 9. JCC The Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, in partnership with MetCouncil, hosted a drive-thru Passover Food Pantry Distribution on April 9. JCC A view of the Jet Set nightclub days after its roof collapsed, killing more than 200 people, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Friday, April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that flags across New York are to be flown at half-staff this weekend in memory of those lives lost in the nightclub disaster in the Dominican Republic. More than 200 people, some of whom have been identified as New Yorkers, were recently killed when the roof collapsed at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, the Caribbean nations capital, on Tuesday. Our hearts break for our beloved neighbors in the Dominican Republic who are grieving a massive loss, Hochul said. This week I have spoken to key leaders, including the Dominican Consul General in New York and Congressman Adriano Espaillat, to express our condolences and discuss ways to partner in the future. With more than 1 million people of Dominican descent in the Empire State, the ties between New York and the Dominican Republic remain unshakeable. In solidarity with the Dominican Republic, Hochul has ordered that flags be lowered from Saturday, April 12 to Sunday, April 13. As explained by Hochuls office, New York is home to the largest Dominican population of any state in the U.S. KABUL, April 12 (Xinhua) -- A man accused of kidnapping a woman and her child from western Afghanistan's Herat province was killed in the southern Helmand province on Friday, said a statement of the provincial police office on Saturday. Tracking down the alleged kidnapper, police personnel cordoned off him in a place in Nad Alid district and ordered him to surrender, but he refused and killed himself by detonating a hand grenade, the statement added. Without providing more details, the statement noted that police won't allow anyone to take the law in hand or create law and order problems in society. Scratch-off tickets are shown at Honeybee Convenience store on Forest Avenue in Port Richmond Monday, April 3, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A weekly paycheck worth thousands of dollars would be a big win for most New Yorkers, and the states lottery system offers just that. Top prizes for three for life games range in value from $1,000 a week for life to $10,000 a week for life, and all three games have top prizes still in circulation. Heres a bit about each game using New York Lottery data from Friday, April 11, 2025: $10,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Ticket cost $20 Winning tickets in circulation 2,406,917 Top prize tickets in circulation one worth $10,000 a week for life Low prize tickets in circulation 907,669 tickets worth $20 SET FOR LIFE Ticket cost $10 Winning tickets in circulation 11,225,794 Top prize tickets in circulation six worth $5,000 a week for life Low prize tickets in circulation 4,131,367 tickets worth $10 WIN FOR LIFE Ticket cost $2 Winning tickets in circulation 13,395,197 Top prize tickets in circulation 10 worth $1,000 a week for life Low prize tickets in circulation 4,521,525 worth a free Cash for Life quick play For more information about the New York Lotterys scratch-off games, visit nylottery.ny.gov/scratch-off-games. The New York Lottery continues to be touted as North Americas largest and most profitable lottery, contributing $3.7 billion during fiscal year 2022-2023 to support education in New York state. New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school districts size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of lottery school funding. New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help by calling the states toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). You can also contact your regional Problem Gambling Resource Center or recovery center directly for a referral to treatment services (state-certified or private) in your area. The Five Boro Bike Tour takes place in this 2024 photo. This week, Community Board 1 members will hear details about the planned street closings surrounding the 2025 event. (Advance/SILive.com |Mike Matteo) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Plans to close roads for the Five Boro Bike Tour and improvements to the Staten Island Railway Station in Tompkinsville will be explained during one of several Community Board meetings planned this week. Two of the Islands three Community Boards will hold public meetings, while Community Board 3 has no meetings planned. The following Community Board meetings are scheduled, according to representatives from all three of Staten Islands Community Boards. Community Board 1 Tuesday, April 15 New Brighton/St. George/Tompkinsville Committee At 6:30 p.m., there will be a virtual meeting of the New Brighton/St. George/Tompkinsville Committee via Zoom. The meeting ID is 988 0378 9534. The passcode is 712393. At the meeting, a representative from the New York City Department of Transportation will follow up on a discussion about adding a ramp to the Staten Island Railway station in Tompkinsville. Also, Mary Kelly, of NYPD Community Affairs, will give a closed street update for the May 4 Five Boro Bike Tour. During the meeting, liquor license applications and changes for the following businesses will be considered: Mariachi Mexican Cantina, 10 Minthorne St., Tompkinsville Rita Restaurant Corp, 108 Victory Blvd., Tompkinsville West Brighton/Randall Manor Area Committee & Parks Committee At 6:30 p.m., the West Brighton/Randall Manor Area Committee & Parks Committees will hold a joint meeting via Zoom. The meeting ID is 275 566 6837. The passcode is E3sv3p. On the agenda is an application for a cannabis dispensary, Georgia Heights, at 755 Forest Ave., West Brighton Liquor Licenses for the following businesses will also be considered: Knead More Bread, Filoncino Cafe, 676 Forest Ave., West Brighton Doc Hennigans, 1144 Forest Ave., West Brighton Rosebank/Shore Acres Area Committee At 6:30 p.m., a Rosebank/Shore Acres Area Committee Meeting will be held in the board office at 1 Edgewater Plaza, room 217, Rosebank. There is no set agenda. Mariners Harbor/Port Richmond Area Committee And at 7 p.m., via Zoom, a Mariners Harbor/Port Richmond Area Committee Meeting will be held via Zoom. The meeting ID is 820 3348 0113. The passcode is 911178. On the agenda are liquor license renewal applications for the following businesses: Jay Brahmani, Quickpick Tobacco Convenience, 2040 Forest Ave., Mariners Harbor All the Way Enterprise Corp., Latinos Restaurant Bar, 2030 Richmond Terr., Port Richmond Thursday, April 17 Stapleton/Clifton/Concord/Park Hill Area Committee At 6:30 p.m., there will be a hybrid meeting of the Stapleton/Clifton/Concord/Park Hill Area Committee in the Stapleton Library, 132 Canal St., and via Zoom. The meeting ID is 852 8932 8780. There is no passcode required. On the agenda are liquor license applications and renewals for the following businesses: United Bar & Restaurant Corporation, 695 Bay St., Stapleton Shawnaes House, 381 Van Duzer St., Stapleton Silver Lake/Sunnyside/Grymes Hill/Westerleigh/Willowbrook Area Committee At 5:30 p.m., the Silver Lake/Sunnyside/Grymes Hill/Westerleigh/Willowbrook Area Committee will meet at Safari Realty, 1958 Victory Blvd., Meiers Corners On the agenda are liquor license renewals and applications for the following businesses: Joe & Pats Pizzeria & Restaurant, 1758 Victory Blvd., Castleton Corners Opportunity Pancakes, d/b/a IHOP, 935 Richmond Ave., Graniteville Patrizias Kitchen, 1815 Victory Blvd., Castleton Corners Small Business/Non-Profit Committee Meeting At 6 p.m., the Small Business/Non-Profit Committee will meet at 1 Edgewater Plaza, Room 207, Rosebank. There is no set agenda. Community Board 2 Tuesday, April 15 Full board Community Board 2 will hold its regular monthly full board meeting at 7 p.m. in a hybrid format. The in-person meeting will take place in the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, 1466 Manor Rd., Sea View. To join the meeting virtually, visit youtube or Zoom. At the meeting, the board will consider a land use application for a special permit to operate a drive-through facility at the Starbucks restaurant at 1717 Richmond Rd., Dongan Hills. It will also consider a private application to legalize an existing in-ground pool and cabana at 252 Benedict Rd., Todt Hill, in a Special Natural Area District. Open to the public All Community Board meetings and meetings of their committees are open to the public. They provide an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about happenings in their neighborhood and surrounding areas. Below is more information about the Islands three Community Boards: Community Board 1 Arlington Castleton Corners Clifton Concord Elm Park Fort Wadsworth Graniteville Grymes Hill Livingston Mariners Harbor New Brighton Port Richmond Randall Manor Rosebank St. George Shore Acres Silver Lake Stapleton Sunnyside Tompkinsville West Brighton Westerleigh The board chairman is Nicholas Siclari. The district manager is Joan Cusack. The telephone number is 718-981-6900. Community Board 2 Arrochar Bloomfield Bulls Head Chelsea Dongan Hills Egbertville Emerson Hill Grant City Grasmere High Rock Lighthouse Hill Midland Beach New Dorp New Springville Oakwood Ocean Breeze Old Town Richmond South Beach Todt Hill Travis The phone number is 718-568-3581. The fax number is 718-568-3595. The chairman is Fred Guinta. The district manager is Debra A. Derrico. Community Board 3 Annadale Arden Heights Bay Terrace Charleston Eltingville Great Kills Greenridge Huguenot New Dorp Oakwood Pleasant Plains Princes Bay Richmond Valley Richmond Rossville Tottenville Woodrow The office phone number is 718-356-7900. The district manager is Charlene Wagner. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In honor of those who have died, here is a summary of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here. Mary Burfeind, 99, of Staten Island, a beloved matriarch known as everyones grandma, died on Friday. A resident of Midland Beach and Grant City, she enjoyed spending time with her family, sharing recipes, cooking for relatives, and being a grandma to her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her family values and her traditional Sunday gatherings. Read her full obituary here. Martin Marty Clifford, 73, died on April 7. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, veteran, cousin and friend, who left behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and generosity. A Navy brat who, as a child, traveled the world with his parents, he served with distinction in the Navy from 1969 to 1978, aboard the USS Bang, USS Independence, and USS Hawkins. He was so proud of his service that he adopted his rank United States Navy machinists mate second class (usnmm2) as his handle for everything. He and his wife, Arlene, built a life full of laughter, loyalty, and road trips over the course of their marriage, they visited all 48 contiguous states by car. He was a long-time Boy Scout leader, a docent at the Staten Island Zoo, and a past master of the Klopstock Lodge of the Order of Freemasons. Read his full obituary here. Joan Ann Curtachio, 87, a Staten Island native, died March 31. She loved telling stories of taking the ferry to work at the original Chase Manhattan Bank and working with the Rockefeller brothers. A devout Catholic, she enjoyed painting and cooking in her free time. Read her full obituary here. Angela Mandracchio, 94, a beloved mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died. She was married for 48 years to her husband, the late Stevie Mandracchio. The two resided in South Beach and enjoyed taking trips to Aruba. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. She also loved animals and taking care of the family pets. Read her full obituary here. 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! BUENOS AIRES, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved a new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Argentina, enabling the country to access 20 billion U.S. dollars with an immediate disbursement of 12 billion dollars. According to the IMF, the new agreement is designed to support the next phase of the economic program led by Argentine President Javier Milei's government. The EFF will have a duration of four years, while granting the South American country a grace period of four and a half years. "The agreement will allow us, starting Monday, to lift the exchange rate controls that so severely limit the normal functioning of the economy," said Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo. "Investments that are currently pending will begin to come into Argentina to take us to this new stage," said Caputo. The minister emphasized that both the lifting of exchange controls, which have been in place in the country since 2019, and the new IMF loan constitute Phase Three of the government's economic program, which aims to recapitalize the Central Bank of Argentina. According to Caputo and the Central Bank, the IMF would grant Argentina 12 billion dollars on April 15 and another 2 billion dollars in the following 60 days. When Ilona Ambrus arrived at the property where she had hoped to spend her final days following a terminal cancer diagnosis, she found her home reduced to ashes. She co-owned the expansive bush block with her husband, Craig Leith. The pair had separated following domestic violence and had reciprocal Apprehended Violence Orders against each other. Leith had temporarily moved into the home but was served a notice to vacate order by Ambrus lawyers the week before the fire as she had taken over the mortgage. Ilona Ambrus, who had terminal cancer, arrived at her property to find it destroyed by fire. There is a warrant out for her former husbands arrest. Credit: Ambrus spent the final months of her life undergoing chemotherapy while living in a caravan and a hut on the charred property in NSWs Southern Tablelands. She died with ovarian cancer in February, aged 60, and was survived by her mother and three children. A warrant is out for Leiths arrest, with NSW Police confirming they have charged Leith with arson over the suspicious fire. He was convicted in absence of several other domestic violence charges and has moved to New Zealand. From his decades working in schools, Barker College principal Phillip Heath knows that parents talk. From a gossip at the school gates to trading rumours at the supermarket or while volunteering at the tuckshop. My experience is that it is an act of futility to attempt to stop or control that, he says. But for the past decade, gossiping parents have found a new home the school WhatsApp group. Barker College head Phillip Heath says parent WhatsApp groups have disrupted how schools communicate. Credit: Sam Mooy I become aware of comments about a situation, or a selection of a player, or the repertoire of the orchestra, or the result of a debate, or an officials decision, Heath says, adding that it burns vigorously for a few moments and disappears. A Queensland man convicted of murdering his foster daughter in 2015 has been found dead in his prison cell overnight after taking his own life. Queensland Corrective Services confirmed 64-year-old Rick Thorburn was found unresponsive in his single cell at Woodford Correctional Centre at approximately 10pm on Friday night. Responding officers attempted to revive the man however their efforts were unsuccessful. His death has been referred to the coroner. Rick Thorburn was arrested in September 2016 and charged with Tiahleighs murder, 11 months after she disappeared. Credit: Fairfax Media Thorburns death follows several suicide attempts since being convicted of murdering 12-year-old schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer, and facing separate charges of rape and indecent treatment of other children. Key questions surrounding Victorias planned trial to put ankle bracelets on teens accused of serious offences remain unanswered, including the programs start date and what schools might accommodate them as students. During the two-year trial, due to start in April, up to 50 alleged young offenders aged 14 to 18 will be fitted with electronic monitoring bracelets, with $34.4 million provided in the state budget for the scheme. Ankle bracelets will be fitted to 50 underage offenders as part of the Victorian trial. Education Minister Ben Carroll said last month teens fitted with ankle bracelets would attend alternative education settings, rather than the states traditional mainstream high schools. Alternative education settings include flexible learning options, which are tailored to support children disengaged from education. 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 Defects cost Sydneys homeowners and taxpayers $700m annually. How did we get here and what is being done about it? See all 7 stories . Off George Street, on the second floor of a mall in the heart of Haymarket, a small office sits dark and empty. If anyone managed to find the suite, no bigger than five square metres, they would find signage for a luxury tailor, by appointment only. The small space also serves as the office of Australian Skills Certification (ASC), an education company offering recognition of prior learning courses for a range of construction qualifications, its website says. Qualifications for construction, bricklaying, concreting, roof plumbing and solid plastering are offered after applicants send in several videos around three minutes in length and their resume, said ASC owner Muhammad Rana. We assess your experience and issue the qualification, Rana said, adding there were no tests of an applicants capabilities. He did not clarify how applicants assertions are verified. If you need qualifications, let me know; otherwise Im not interested. Muhammad Rana from Australian Skills Certification. Credit: Ranas business is one of potentially thousands providing qualifications in the privatised vocational education sector, offering recognition of prior learning. The legitimate assessment process provides qualifications for people based on their existing skills and professional experience. Advertisement NSW Building Commissioner James Sherrard expressed concerns about qualifications issued entirely through recognition of prior learning, which often did not have any practical assessment. I feel that some level of competency-based assessment would be the minimum standard to support any sort of qualification, he said. Building Minister Anoulack Chanthivong apportioned blame for the issues with vocational qualifications to privatisation of the sector, saying the rise in colleges without the proper vetting or the accreditation registration has certainly led to this particular situation. The listed address for vocational training college Australian Skills Certification is in a Haymarket shopping mall. Credit: Steven Siewert The Australian Skills Qualification Authority (ASQA) was also at fault, the minister argued, adding that addressing the validity of qualifications needed to start at the source with the registration of private training organisations by the federal regulator of vocational training. This is something we relayed to our federal colleagues that there needs to be significant improvement on this front because were at the bottom of the chain, Chanthivong said. Weve certainly raised our concerns about their enforcement and their compliance regime. But with the nation gripped by a housing supply crisis, the federal government has eased the requirements for workers in some trades to qualify for permanent residency in Australia. The policy has resulted in more construction courses offered by private training colleges and a rampant cash for quals scheme operating across NSW and Australia. Advertisement Analysis by Victoria Universitys Associate Professor Peter Hurley for the Herald showed an explosion in construction course enrolments between 2015 and 2024, including a 2000 per cent increase in Cert III and IV building courses. There was a near-7500 per cent increase in civil engineering diplomas over the same period. While Hurley said choosing to enrol in courses that aligned to migration outcomes was valid, the biggest issue relates to trust. We (and the government) are relying on the training and certification provided by all of these training organisations to verify the ability of certain people, Hurley said. When there are high stakes associated with an assessment (and the opportunity to get PR is most certainly high stakes) then these create conditions for what is generally called shonky behaviour. The Chinatown office suite that Australian Skills Certification shares with a tailor. Credit: Steven Siewert Hurley said the establishment of a third-party verification assessment process, such as practical trade tests for those applying to migrate in certain industries, would put an end to this behaviour. The National Electrical Contractors Association has long held concerns about the number of people who have received qualifications because of recognised prior learning but are inadequately trained or skilled to do the work. Advertisement Applicants for electrical licences in NSW can effectively be vetoed by NECA or the Electrical Trades Union, which can deny them a certificate of proficiency, unlike other building trades. NECA policy director Neil Roberts said: NSW Building Commission has been consulting with industry stakeholders for some time now about reforms such as independent competency assessments, which we support, though competency is only one part of the story and the investigation and enforcement regimes must also improve. Loading The Australian Skills Quality Authority has oversight of the vocational education sector, while the NSW Building Commission issues licences based on those qualifications. The Herald revealed last week that the building commission is yet to cancel about 500 building-related licences that were based on qualifications that were cancelled by ASQA last year due to serious compliance issues at the colleges that issued them. The service offered by Rana reflects advertisements on Punjabi in Australia Facebook pages and offers pathways to permanent residency through recognition of prior learning courses with no need to study or attend classes. Want to settle in Australia? Get your RPL Certification for PR & Visa, the advertisement states. Advertisement If youre applying for a Skilled Work Visa, (189, 190, 91, 482) or Permanent Residency, you need a recognised Australian qualification. With RPL, you can get certified based on your work experience! No need to study or attend classes. Construction is the first industry listed on the advertisement. A Facebook advertisement for Recognised Prior Learning courses. Credit: A snapshot of a 2023-24 visa invitation round offered to three skilled visa pathways shows there has been a disproportionate increase in Indian visa holders being offered through construction pathways. Four-fifths of the applications came from people already in Australia. Loading Representing 42 per cent of the 5208 invites, Indian tradesmen accounted for 58 per cent of the carpenter and joiners, 82 per cent of the painting trade workers, 65 per cent of the wall and floor tilers and 64 per cent of the plasterers, analysis by this masthead showed. Australian Skills Certifications website lists two other offices: an address in the northern Indian town of Rohtak, on the outskirts of New Delhi, and another in Islamabad, Pakistan. The email for ASC promotes itself as an immigration maestro. Advertisement To understand the Sunshine upgrade as proposed by Labor, it helps to think of the project as a level crossing removal or the transformation of a busy road into a freeway. Sunshine sits at the meeting point of multiple regional and suburban rail lines coming from Victorias west, including 70 per cent of the V/Line network. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday spruiking the proposed Sunshine station upgrade with Premier Jacinta Allan. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The tracks around the station are like a busy traffic intersection where trains are sometimes forced to wait to get into the correct lane or reach the platform. The Sunshine project aims to solve these problems by redesigning the network along a six-kilometre stretch of rail so that regional trains, suburban services and freight are kept on their own separate paths. Doing so will make room for 40 trains an hour. This includes building a series of rail bridges that will steer trains onto the correct track without having to cut across the path of others. The Level Crossing Removal Project, which has been performing a similar task across 110 different Victorian intersections, is the department delivering the upgrade. A new pair of tracks will also be built between Sunshine and West Footscray to make this untangling process more simple and add capacity for more trains. Sunshine station will be expanded, with two new platforms accommodating these tracks and receiving most V/Line routes. Labor wants to transform Sunshine train station into a transport super hub. Credit: Joe Armao By making these changes, V/Line trains will converge more simply onto regional rail tracks towards Southern Cross Station while suburban services from the airport, Sunbury and eventually Melton will funnel onto the same path directly into the Metro Tunnel. V/Line services that are currently forced to skip Sunshine because of capacity constraints will all be able to stop at the station. This is why it is being touted as a regional super hub where a passenger from Bendigo headed to Geelong would always be able to transfer trains without having to travel into the CBD. Other improvements include the extension of high-capacity signalling, used for Metro Tunnel services, past West Footscray and out to Sunshine, allowing trains to run much closer together and more frequently. An electrified Melton line will also have high-capacity signalling in sections. The project adds a connection point in the network that means suburban Melton trains can plug into the new system without significant further work around Sunshine. Opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie on the campaign trail this month with Peter Dutton, announcing the Coalitions plans for airport rail. Credit: James Brickwood The federal oppositions plan for the precinct does not specifically include the Melton electrification, new track pair or rail bridges, but would preserve improvements for regional passengers outlined in the Airport Rail business case. This document proposed adding an extra platform for V/Line services. Victorian Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams told The Age the disruptive nature of the project meant it needed to be done in one go, with Sunshine the most complex part of the network outside the CBD. Its incredibly short-sighted. It will set the west back significantly ... You would be putting back Melton electrification by over 10 years, she said. This is one of Australias fastest growing regions. You cant plan for more services along that corridor, and the Wyndham Vale corridor as well, unless you do this work to make that happen. I dont think westies who live on this side of town, whether it be in the regions or in the suburbs, deserve a half-baked option. The Victorian government first proposed the electrification of the Melton line in 2018, but since then, the region is yet to receive a firm commitment on when it would be delivered. Loading Infrastructure Victoria this year has recommended work on the project begin by 2030, warning the Western Freeway will be over capacity in the next five to six years, and crowding on peak-hour Melton trains will increase by 50 per cent between 2031 and 2041. A Liberal spokesperson said there were serious questions around the $4 billion proposal and if elected the Coalition would assess the business case, projected works, and the cost of the proposed Sunshine Station redevelopment to ensure infrastructure funds are being spent prudently. The cost of upgrades at Sunshine station at present is being driven by the Allan governments SRL gold-plated scoping requirements, the spokesperson said. The Coalition will not progress the Suburban Rail Loop. Architect-turned-developer Garry Rothwell has set a new Greenwich record at $16.25 million after purchasing his neighbours property in an over-the-fence deal. It takes the Rothwells landholding to one of the largest in the lower north shore peninsula suburb as they are tipped to consolidate their two neighbouring properties into a more than 2500-square-metre waterfront compound. The Rothwells latest purchase in Greenwich. Credit: Sam Mooy Rothwell is no stranger to such an undertaking, as he and his architect wife, Susan, were crowned Palm Beach land barons in 2020 when they paid almost $15 million for Palm Beach retreat The Hideaway next door, making them the largest private landowners in Palm Beach. The Rothwells, who are both University of Sydney architecture alumni, were awarded honorary doctorates by their alma mater in 2022 in recognition of their contribution to the architectural landscape of Sydney and Australia and for their exceptional commitment to promoting the academic purposes of the universitys school of architecture, design and planning. A panel discussion on Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus was held within the framework of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Azernews reports. The event featured the participation of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. During the discussion, Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that historic opportunities for peace have emerged in the region following Azerbaijan's liberation of its occupied territories after the 44-day Patriotic War. "Immediately after the war, Azerbaijan proposed to Armenia the start of normalization talks and discussions on a peace agreement. Weve held many rounds of negotiations, and last month, after almost two and a half years, both sides reached a major milestone by agreeing on the text of the peace agreement," Bayramov said. He stressed that further steps are still needed to finalize and sign the agreement. Chief among these, he noted, is the removal of territorial claims against Azerbaijan from Armenia's Constitution. "This has long been Azerbaijans consistent position. Our Armenian partners are well aware of it. Removing these constitutional claims and acknowledging the abolishment of the outdated Minsk Group are essential to concluding peace and establishing interstate relations," Bayramov added. In response to concerns raised by Armenia regarding Azerbaijans Constitution, Bayramov clarified: "There is no mention of Armenian territory or geographical names in the Constitution of Azerbaijan. Our legal frameworks are comparable, and no country can sign international agreements that contradict its constitution. Armenias claims are unfounded." Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili reiterated her countrys neutral stance and willingness to facilitate dialogue. "Georgia has a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan and traditionally strong ties with Armenia. We sincerely aim to promote peace and stability in our region and are ready to provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation," she said. A member of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia performs anesthesia on a patient at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division, The Gambia, April 10, 2025. The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia conducted an outreach clinic and medical supplies donation event at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division on Friday. The event, which began on April 7, covered multiple specialties including gynecology, pediatric surgery, orthopedic trauma, and traditional Chinese medicine. A total of 21 surgeries, mainly general and pediatric, were performed, and over 300 patients received treatment and consultations. (The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia/Handout via Xinhua) BANJUL, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia conducted an outreach clinic and medical supplies donation event at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division on Friday. The event, which began on April 7, covered multiple specialties including gynecology, pediatric surgery, orthopedic trauma, and traditional Chinese medicine. A total of 21 surgeries, mainly general and pediatric, were performed, and over 300 patients received treatment and consultations. Momodou Nyassi, director of health services at the Gambian Ministry of Health, said the long-term medical assistance from China has greatly alleviated the shortage of healthcare resources in The Gambia and improved the treatment capacity of the beneficiary hospitals. "The latest outreach clinic by the Chinese team was not just a medical intervention, but a concrete example of China's commitment to improving the health and well-being of the Gambian people," he said. Famara Sillah, executive administrator at the Farafenni General Hospital, said the Chinese medical team not only brought professional expertise but also donated urgently needed medications, which will benefit many more patients. Since their arrival in The Gambia in July last year, the 22nd Chinese medical team has carried out four free outreach clinics. Members of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia perform a surgery for a patient at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division, The Gambia, April 9, 2025. The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia conducted an outreach clinic and medical supplies donation event at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division on Friday. The event, which began on April 7, covered multiple specialties including gynecology, pediatric surgery, orthopedic trauma, and traditional Chinese medicine. A total of 21 surgeries, mainly general and pediatric, were performed, and over 300 patients received treatment and consultations. (The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia/Handout via Xinhua) Members of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia perform a surgery for a patient at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division, The Gambia, April 10, 2025. The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia conducted an outreach clinic and medical supplies donation event at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division on Friday. The event, which began on April 7, covered multiple specialties including gynecology, pediatric surgery, orthopedic trauma, and traditional Chinese medicine. A total of 21 surgeries, mainly general and pediatric, were performed, and over 300 patients received treatment and consultations. (The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia/Handout via Xinhua) A member of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia examines a patient at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division, The Gambia, April 8, 2025. The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia conducted an outreach clinic and medical supplies donation event at the Farafenni General Hospital in the North Bank Division on Friday. The event, which began on April 7, covered multiple specialties including gynecology, pediatric surgery, orthopedic trauma, and traditional Chinese medicine. A total of 21 surgeries, mainly general and pediatric, were performed, and over 300 patients received treatment and consultations. (The 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in The Gambia/Handout via Xinhua) A dilapidated Brunswick house held by the same family for 115 years sold for just over $1 million at auction on Saturday. The two-bedroom Edwardian at 28 Barry Street, known as Beatrice, was originally purchased for 89 pounds and five shillings in 1910. A local campaign to save Beatrice from demolition, along with huge online interest, helped draw a large crowd to the property that also housed squatters over the years. The property was one of 1363 scheduled to go to auction in Melbourne this week. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 64.4 per cent from 897 reported results throughout the week, while 122 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. London: Britains Labour government has taken control of operations at the countrys last remaining large crude steel-producing facility, after taking extraordinary measures to recall parliament and stop the facilitys Chinese owner shutting down its blast furnaces. Facing the potential closure of British Steels Scunthorpe plant, which would have resulted in the loss of thousands of regional jobs, MPs and peers were recalled to Westminster on a Saturday for just the fifth time since World War II, to vote on emergency legislation aimed at averting disaster. Parliament passed the bill in less than 24 hours. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference on nationalising British Steel. Credit: Getty Images The decision comes amid rising global instability, with US President Donald Trumps 25 per cent global tariff on American steel imports adding further pressure to an already strained industry. Before the legislation passed, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it would allow ministers to take control of the Lincolnshire site and stop its Chinese owner, Jingye Group, from closing its blast furnaces. He stressed that the closure of British Steels Scunthorpe plant would have far-reaching consequences for Britains ability to produce steel and its role in the global market. Ukraine could be divided like Berlin after World War II, US President Donald Trumps envoy to the war-torn nation has said. US Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg suggested 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US special envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv in February. Credit: AP 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 now under Russian control. It came as Steve Witkoff, another of Trumps special envoys, was in St Petersburg, Russia, on Friday (Saturday AEST) to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire deal. Loading Legally, Israel would be the party liable to compensate Abu Izneid if found responsible. But her lawyers at the Australian Centre of International Justice say Israel is unlikely to pay their client, a dual Palestinian-Australian citizen, and the Australian government should step up in its place. The centres acting executive director, Lara Khider, said she also doubted the investigation was being taken seriously due to a lack of detail about its progress. There must now be severe doubts as to whether this investigation is taking place at all and whether it is genuine, said Khider. An Israeli embassy spokesperson said the matter was being taken seriously in Israel. A DFAT spokesperson said the government continued to seek updates from Israel into the incident and had made clear that it expected a comprehensive, thorough and transparent investigation to be conducted. The foreign minister has repeatedly raised this expectation directly with Israeli officials, most recently on March 26. Abu Izneids lawyers contend that she could be compensated through an ad hoc scheme similar to the one the government provides for Australians injured in terrorist attacks overseas. DFAT told Abu Izneid that as compensating her was not within its consular role she should apply to Services Australia for financial support. But her application was denied as not meeting the requirements for a disability pension. So Im disabled to the point of not [being capable of] driving, but not enough to get a payment, said Abu Izneid. Compensation would help her family cover the cost of her emergency travel back from the West Bank and overcoming the difficulties of being blind in one eye. Ranem Abu Izneid is held by her mother, Rana, after arriving in Australia on November 24. Credit: Wayne Taylor Theres no amount of money or compensation that can compensate someones life being utterly ruined, she said. I was in my third year of dentistry. I was going to become a dentist. I had two eyes in my head, now Im missing an eyeball. I have a permanently ruined face. In the days following her injury on November 15 last year until she arrived in Australia, Abu Izneids lawyers allege that DFAT staff working on her case failed to provide adequate care. On the day of her injuries, Abu Izneid was accompanied to St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem with a DFAT official, but there was no surgeon available to treat her until the following day. Ranem Abu Izneid wants answers from Israel and compensation for her disability from the Australian government. Credit: Simon Schulter Her lawyers say that her family requested she be moved to another hospital to receive urgent care to treat her other shrapnel wounds, but the DFAT official did not assist and insisted the eye hospital was adequate. She received treatment on her eye the following day. Abu Izneids lawyers called the delay wholly unacceptable in circumstances where hospitals in Israel and elsewhere were available and that the Australian government could have taken steps to facilitate an immediate transfer for emergency surgery. DFATs consular assistance may include liaison with or visits to local hospitals, liaison with local authorities, provision of lists of medical providers and assistance communicating with family members or nominated contacts. Abu Izneid also says Foreign Minister Penny Wong broke her promise to meet with her, after learning her family wanted lawyers present. Shortly after she arrived in Australia, Abu Izneids father, Tareq, reached out to request a meeting with Wong. Emails seen by this masthead shows Wongs office was initially willing to organise a meeting with the minister. But Khider, Abu Izneids lawyer, alleges the offer was withdrawn when it became clear that her father wanted lawyers to attend. Wong then sent a handwritten letter expressing her sympathy to Abu Izneid and promised she was urging Israel to complete a thorough investigation. I am following your situation closely. Both the Attorney-General and I have communicated the need for a transparent, comprehensive and thorough investigation from the Israeli government, Wong wrote in the letter. Wongs office said the minister had not withdrawn the offer to meet with Abu Izneid and her family. The ministers office said because of requests made of DFAT in this case, it was prudent for the department to meet with Abu Izneids representatives in the first instance, including to discuss consular services provided to her, and her familys requests. There is never a shortage of Australians in New York City, but for the past two weeks, youd be forgiven for thinking you were in central Sydney or Melbourne. Last Friday, the iconic Empire State Building was lit up in green and gold for pop superstar Kylie Minogue, who played two shows at the citys famed Madison Square Garden. The Empire State Building, left, and Madison Square Garden lit up in Australian green and gold on April 4. Credit: Australian Consulate-General New York. A short walk away at the Music Box Theatre, Adelaides own Sarah Snook has started the Broadway run of The Picture of Dorian Gray, a one-woman take on the Oscar Wilde classic that premiered at the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) in 2020 with Eryn Jean Norvill playing the 26 roles. In the years since, director Kip Williams has taken his manic, multi-camera production to Londons West End, also with Snook, and now to New York, where the Succession star performs for sellout crowds in the biggest theatre market in the world. Israel says intercepts drone approaching from east Jerusalem, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Israel's military said on Friday it had intercepted a UAV approaching from the east, and a Jordanian military source said a drone had crashed inside Jordan, igniting a fire. "A short while ago, a UAV (drone) that was on its way to Israeli territory from the east was intercepted by the IAF (Israeli air force)," the military said in a statement, without elaborating. Since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023, Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen have repeatedly launched drone and missile attacks at Israel, many of which have been intercepted before entering Israeli airspace. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, another pro-Iran group, has also said it was behind a number of attacks targeting Israel since the Gaza war began. The origin of the drone intercepted on Friday remains unknown, but several Jordanian media outlets reported that Israel's military had intercepted a Yemeni drone over the Dead Sea. A Jordanian military source said an unidentified drone breached the country's airspace and crashed in the Ma'in area of Madaba Governorate, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) southwest of Amman. No casualties were reported, but falling debris ignited a fire in the wooded area where it came down. Jordanian military personnel and civil defence teams extinguished the blaze. burs-jd/srm Global tourism insiders are eyeing opportunities in southwest China's Guizhou, a province known for its rich tourism resources. Follow Xinhua's Zhang Yueyuan for their insights. #GLOBALink Iran says seeks 'real and fair' deal in nuclear talks with US Tehran, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Iran said Friday it seeks a "real and fair" agreement on its nuclear programme, as the United States signalled a willingness to compromise ahead of high-stakes weekend talks. The longtime adversaries are set to meet on Saturday in Oman weeks after a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US President Donald Trump, who sought diplomacy but warned 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". Steve Witkoff, the Trump friend who serves as his globe-trotting envoy, sounded a note of flexibility before he meets Araghchi in Oman. Witkoff told the Wall Street Journal that "our position today" starts with demanding that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear programme -- a view of hardliners around Trump that few expect Iran would ever accept. "That doesn't mean, by the way, that at the margin we're not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries," Witkoff told the newspaper. "Where our red line will be, there can't be weaponisation of your nuclear capability," Witkoff added. Former president Barack Obama negotiated a deal in 2015 that sought to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon without insisting on full dismantlement of its contested program. Trump denounced the agreement as too weak and ripped it up after taking office the first time, instead imposing sweeping sanctions on Iran's oil sector. Tehran adhered to the deal for a year before rolling back its own commitments. - 'Hostile rhetoric' - 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 in turn a 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. 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." Ahead of the Oman talks, Witkoff -- who has also been seeking to end the Ukraine war -- visited Russia, which has close cooperation with Iran. The European Union, which backed the Obama-era accord, said Friday that there was "no alternative to diplomacy" on the Iranian nuclear issue. - Changed regional climate - Trump announced the talks Monday during a visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has warned that military action will be "inevitable" if diplomacy drags on. Iran and Israel have attacked each other directly for the first time since the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, which enjoys support by Tehran. Hamas in Gaza has suffered heavy losses, as has Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's main ally among Arab leaders, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, was toppled in December. 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 entering negotiations with the United States in a bid to lift sanctions was a "failed strategy". burs/srm-sct/tgb 'Hard on the body': Canadian troops train for Arctic defense Tuktoyaktuk, Canada, April 12 (AFP) Apr 12, 2025 In normal conditions, Canadian Air Force helicopter pilot Jonathan Vokey uses the treeline to gauge his altitude. But in the Arctic, where the landing zone is an expanse of white snow, he has to adjust. "Operating in the cold, it's hard on the body, but it also can be challenging with the aircraft as well," Vokey, an Air Force captain, told AFP during an exercise aimed at preparing Canadian troops to operate in the country's extreme north, a region fast becoming a military priority. Canada is making a significant push to boost its military strength in the Arctic, which accounts for 40 percent of its territory. Arctic ice is melting as a result of climate change, opening up the region and increasing the risk of confrontation with rivals like Russia over the area's natural resources, including minerals, oil and gas, as well as fresh water. "If I was to boil it down: you can access the north now more easily than you have ever been able to. And I would say that that's going to change even more drastically over the next 10, 20 years," said Colonel Darren Turner, joint task force commander of Operation Nanook, the annual Artic training exercise established in 2007. "Once a route is opened, they will come. And that is something that we need to have an interest in. That is something that we need to have the capabilities to interdict, to stop," he told AFP. That requires training more troops to operate in the region's extreme conditions and deploy to three Arctic military hubs that the government plans to build. Operation Nanook -- the word for "polar bear" in an Inuit language -- is central to that effort. In a long tent pitched on a vast sheet of ice and snow, troops practiced diving into frigid water. In another location, teams worked on detecting hostile activity with infrared imaging, a particular challenge in the Arctic where the cold can obscure thermal signatures. - 'A little different' - Dive team leader Jonathan Jacques Savoie said managing the brutal weather is key. "The main challenge on Op. Nanook in this location is the environment. The environment always dictates how we live, fight and move in the field," he said, noting the day's temperature of -26 degrees Celsius (-14.8 Fahrenheit). This year's operation marked the first Arctic deployment for Corporal Cassidy Lambert, an infantry reservist. She's from the eastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador, where maritime Atlantic weather creates wet, damp winters. The Arctic, she conceded, is "going to be a little different." "I don't handle the cold too well, but I think I've prepped myself well enough," she said. Steven Breau, a rifleman with New Brunswick's North Shore regiment, said troops are trained on a range of region-specific safety measures, like avoiding frostbite. Sweat can also become a problem. "It's really important to stay dry, to take body heat into account. If you get too hot, you sweat. It gets wet, then it gets cold, then it freezes." - 'Direct confrontation' - The surrounding frozen tundra does not immediately look like the next frontline in a looming global conflict. But leaders in multiple countries have put a spotlight on the Arctic. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to annex Greenland, insisting the United States needs the autonomous Danish territory for its security. And days after taking over as Canada's Prime Minister last month, Mark Carney visited Iqaluit, in another part of the Canadian Arctic, to announce a multi-billion-dollar radar deal he said would be crucial to securing the nation's sovereignty. Briefing troops arriving for Operation Nanook, Major Andrew Melvin said a direct confrontation with Chinese or Russian forces was "highly unlikely" during the exercise. But, he added, "it is possible that either the PRC (People's Republic of China) or the RF (Russian Federation) intelligence services will seek to collect intelligence during the conduct of Op Nanook." For Colonel Turner, protecting the Arctic from hostile actors means safeguarding a region that is inseparable from Canadian identity. "It's a part of our raison d'etre... from a sovereignty perspective." Iran delegation in Oman for high-stakes nuclear talks with US Muscat, Oman, April 12 (AFP) Apr 12, 2025 Iran's top diplomat arrived in Oman on Saturday and began laying the groundwork for high-stakes nuclear talks with the United States that are unfolding under the threat of military action. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi flew in ahead of the foes' highest-level discussions since an international agreement on Iran's nuclear programme crumbled after US President Donald Trump pulled out during his first term in office. "Our intention is to reach a fair and honourable agreement from an equal position," Araghchi said in a video posted by Iranian state TV. Iran, weakened by Israel's pummelling of its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions hobbling its economy. Tehran has agreed to the meetings despite baulking at Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign of ramping up sanctions and repeated military threats. Meanwhile the US, hand-in-glove with Iran's arch-enemy Israel, wants to stop Tehran from ever getting close to developing a nuclear bomb. The two sides are already at odds over the format of the talks, with the US calling them "direct" while the Iranians insist on using an intermediary. After arriving in Muscat, Araghchi set out Iran's position on the "indirect" talks with Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, an Iranian statement said. "Araghchi provided the Omani foreign minister with Iran's basis and positions on the talks for transmission to the other side," Iran's foreign ministry said. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to lead the US team in Oman, which has long played a mediating role between Iran and Western countries. - Witkoff open to 'compromise' - Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal that "our position today" starts with demanding that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear programme -- a view held by hardliners around Trump that few expect Iran would ever accept. "That doesn't mean, by the way, that at the margin we're not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries," Witkoff told the newspaper. "Where our red line will be, there can't be weaponisation of your nuclear capability," he added. The talks were revealed in a surprise announcement by Trump as he met the press alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. Hours before they begin, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: "I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can't have a nuclear weapon." Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's adviser Ali Shamkhani said Tehran was "seeking a real and fair agreement", adding that "important and implementable proposals are ready". Saturday's contact between the two sides, which have not had diplomatic relations for decades, follows repeated threats of military action by both the United States and Israel. "If it requires military, we're going to have military," Trump said on Wednesday when asked what would happen if the talks fail to produce a deal. Responding to Trump's threat, Tehran said it could expel United Nations nuclear inspectors, a move that Washington warned would be an "escalation". - 'Survival of the regime' - The 2015 deal that Trump exited three years later aimed to make it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic bomb, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme. Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany were the other parties to the agreement, of which Araghchi was a key architect. Iran, which insists its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes, stepped up its activities after Trump abandoned the 2015 agreement. The latest International Atomic Energy Agency report noted with "serious concern" that Iran had an estimated 274.8 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, nearing the weapons grade of 90 percent. Karim Bitar, a Middle East Studies lecturer at Sciences Po university in Paris, said negotiations "will not focus exclusively on... the nuclear programme". "The deal would have to include Iran stopping its support to its regional allies," a long-standing demand by US allies in the Gulf, he said. For Iran, it could be a matter of the government's very survival. "The one and only priority is the survival of the regime, and ideally, to get some oxygen, some sanctions relief, to get their economy going again, because the regime has become quite unpopular," Bitar said. First US-Iran nuclear talks in years take place in Oman Muscat, Oman, April 12 (AFP) Apr 12, 2025 The United States and Iran went into high-stakes talks on Tehran's nuclear programme on Saturday with President Donald Trump threatening military action if they fail to produce a deal. The two sides were engaged in "indirect" talks -- via an intermediary -- in the Omani capital Muscat, Iran's foreign ministry said. The Americans had called for the meetings to be face-to-face. Disagreement over the format indicated the task facing the long-term adversaries, who are seeking a new nuclear deal after Trump pulled out of an earlier agreement during his first term in 2018. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading the Iranian delegation while Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff heads the US team. "Our intention is to reach a fair and honourable agreement from an equal position," Araghchi said earlier in a video posted by Iranian state television. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told the broadcaster that the negotiations were "just a beginning" and that Tehran did not "expect this round of talks to be very long". The two parties are in "separate halls" and "are conveying their views and positions to each other through the Omani foreign minister", he posted separately on X. Iran, weakened by Israel's pummelling of its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions hobbling its economy. Tehran has agreed to the meetings despite baulking at Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign of ramping up sanctions and repeated military threats. Meanwhile the US, hand-in-glove with Iran's arch-enemy Israel, wants to stop Tehran from ever getting close to developing a nuclear bomb. - Witkoff open to 'compromise' - There were no visible signs of the high-level meeting at a luxury hotel in Muscat, where there were no flags or unusual security measures and little traffic on the streets. Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal earlier that "our position today" starts with demanding that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear programme -- a view held by hardliners around Trump that few expect Iran to accept. "That doesn't mean, by the way, that at the margin we're not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries," Witkoff told the newspaper. "Where our red line will be, there can't be weaponisation of your nuclear capability," he added. The talks were revealed in a surprise announcement by Trump during a White House appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. Hours before they began, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: "I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can't have a nuclear weapon." Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's adviser Ali Shamkhani said Tehran was "seeking a real and fair agreement". Saturday's contact between the two sides, which have not had diplomatic relations for decades, follows repeated threats of military action by both the US and Israel. "If it requires military, we're going to have military," Trump said on Wednesday when asked what would happen if the talks fail. - 'Survival of the regime' - The multi-party 2015 deal that Trump abandoned aimed to make it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic bomb, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme. Iran, which insists its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes, stepped up its activities after Trump withdrew from the agreement. The latest International Atomic Energy Agency report noted with "serious concern" that Iran had an estimated 274.8 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, nearing the weapons grade of 90 percent. Karim Bitar, a Middle East Studies lecturer at Sciences Po university in Paris, said a deal could be a matter of the government's very survival. "The one and only priority is the survival of the regime, and ideally, to get some oxygen, some sanctions relief, to get their economy going again, because the regime has become quite unpopular," he told AFP. Mohamed al-Araimi, ex-head of the official Oman News Agency, said the highest-level talks since the last deal crumbled indicate "a strong desire to reach a resolution". But he added: "Personally, I don't believe that today's meetings in Muscat will resolve all of these files. These matters require technical teams." He continued: Over the last few days, it became clear that the intention of Jingye was to refuse to purchase sufficient raw material to keep the blast furnaces running, in fact, their intention was to cancel and refuse to pay for existing orders. Mr Reynolds continued: Over the last few days, it became clear that the intention of Jingye was to refuse to purchase sufficient raw material to keep the blast furnaces running in fact, their intention was to cancel and refuse to pay for existing orders. The other difference is that these are the last blast furnaces making primary steel that we have in this country, and also what is different of course is that the world is changing. 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? 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. GOMA, DR Congo, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Intense gunfire and artillery fire shook the western neighborhoods of Goma overnight from Friday to Saturday, plunging the city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into panic, according to local sources. Residents in the Keshero and Lac-Vert districts reported heavy shooting and explosions beginning around 10 p.m. local time on Friday. The barrage continued for several hours, prompting civilians to flee or seek shelter indoors. A tense calm returned on Saturday morning, but no official casualty figures were released as of midday. According to local media, the fighting involved March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, who have controlled Goma since January, and armed factions believed to be affiliated with the pro-government Wazalendo militias and the DRC armed forces (FARDC). In a broadcast aired by the local branch of the Congolese National Radio and Television, the M23 accused the FARDC-Wazalendo coalition of launching coordinated attacks on its positions during the night. Since seizing Goma in late January, the M23 has established a parallel administration in the provincial capital of North Kivu. Hostilities have continued to flare across the province, a volatile region at the heart of eastern DRC's long-running conflict. The United Nations estimates that roughly one million people, including some 400,000 children, have been newly displaced since late January across North and South Kivu provinces, as heavy fighting continues between government forces and armed groups vying for control. CANBERRA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- New climate-resilient and mildew-resistant grapevines have been planted in South Australia as part of a pioneering project to safeguard Australia's 45 billion Australian dollar wine industry from climate change and disease threats. The initiative is a collaboration between Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, and Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), the owner of Australia's leading luxury wine brand, Penfolds. CSIRO said in a statement on Friday the new vines, recently planted in South Australia's Coonawarra, combine the drought resilience of heritage vines from Coonawarra and Barossa Valley with mildew resistance developed by CSIRO through decades of selective breeding, backed by Wine Australia. Powdery and downy mildew cost Australia's wine industry around 160 million Australian dollars annually, statistics show. Paul Boss, CSIRO research scientist and project lead, said the vines carry two key resistance genes, reducing the likelihood of pathogens overcoming the defenses. "Having resistance genes for both powdery and downy mildew makes these plants more robust as it is unlikely the pathogens can break both sources of resistance with a single mutation," Boss said. TWE Chief Supply and Sustainability Officer Kerrin Petty said the partnership blends tradition and science to tackle the dual challenges of disease and climate variability, to ensure the company's iconic wines can continue to thrive for generations. The new cultivars are expected to reduce the need for fungicide sprays, lowering costs, carbon emissions, and environmental impact, said the CSIRO statement. (1 Australian dollar equals 0.62 U.S. dollars) Border police from the Calafat Border Police Sector discovered, following a check of a minibus, 12 foreign citizens who did not have a valid visa or residence permit to travel in the Schengen area. "On April 10th, 2025, in the parking lot near the toll station of the Calafat-Vidin bridge, Romanian and Bulgarian border police officers, as part of a joint mission, stopped a minibus registered in Romania for inspection. At the wheel of the minibus was a 40-year-old Romanian citizen. It had twelve passengers of Afro-Asian origin, who did not have identity documents. During the investigation, they declared that they were Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan citizens, aged between 15 and 41," the Border Police informs. A criminal case was filed against the Romanian driver for committing the crime of migrant smuggling, and the foreign citizens were returned to Bulgaria, Agerpres informs. Presidential candidate Nicusor Dan on Saturday stated that USR (Save Romania Union) will not support him financially "in any way," but only through possible individual loans from some party members. He claimed that up to now he has not received donations from USR members for the campaign, "but there will probably be some, which will be made in the respective members' own name." Nicusor Dan indicated that USR supports him in the presidential race "as do PMP (People's Movement Party), Forta Dreptei (The Right Force) (...) and citizens and parties that support us." "The only person who will pay for this campaign is me," stated the presidential candidate, Agerpres informs. Referring to the withdrawal by USR of its support as a party for candidate Elena Lasconi (this party's chairwoman), Nicusor Dan believes that "the important thing is that at this moment the options have been clarified." The presidential candidate detailed that there is thus a "clarity of the parties in this electoral campaign" between "a direction that is Russia" whose exponents would be Victor Ponta and George Simion, a direction "in which we do not change anything," where he mentioned Crin Antonescu, and "a direction of change," represented by him. "I am very optimistic that Romanians will discern what is important," said Nicusor Dan. The only competitor who can defeat George Simion (chair of AUR - Alliance for the Union of Romanians) in the second round of the presidential elections is Crin Antonescu (the candidate of the Romania Inainte/Romania Forward electoral alliance), said the interim president of the PNL (National Liberal Party), one of the parties in the Romanian Forward coalition, Catalin Predoiu, who claims that he is certain the latter will score a victory in the May presidential elections. "We have a duty, if we want to save Romania from a candidate who is banned from entering several countries. We must fight this battle without any hesitation, with all our energy, for Crin Antonescu and for Romania. The useful vote, the necessary vote must go to Crin Antonescu. Any other option is a vulnerability for our country," stated Catalin Predoiu, at an electoral rally organized in Bacau. According to him, Crin Antonescu "has been rising in the polls for weeks." "We are in a real political battle, approaching a first checkpoint. It is good to know how we are doing. I tell you responsibly that we are doing well, we are making progress, our candidate, Crin Antonescu, has been rising in the polls for weeks. I have not the slightest doubt, we will win. Of course we will win! There is no way our force will be in the second place at the end of this competition," added Predoiu, Agerpres informs. Crin Antonescu, together with the leaders of the "Romania Forward" Alliance, participate, on Saturday, in an electoral rally in Bacau County, after which they will be present at a similar event in Piatra-Neamt. KANSAS CITY, Mo. An Olathe, Kansas man who was falsely identified as a shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade last year has died, his attorneys said. Arthur Benson and LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, attorneys for Denton Loudermill, who in recent months have filed a series of lawsuits over social media comments that erroneously connected Loudermill to the shooting, said in emails to The Star that their client died Friday. The circumstances of Loudermills death were not known Friday evening. A photo of Loudermill with Kansas City police following the February 2024 parade shooting thrust him into the public eye, and the lawsuits came as Loudermill sought to clear his name. Posts from the Missouri Freedom Caucus, U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Donald Trump Jr. falsely cast Loudermill as being connected to the shooting. Most recently, his attorneys had filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court in February against former Missouri state senator and current Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and state Sen. Rick Brattin over social media posts the lawsuits claims they had made on X, formerly Twitter, amplifying a post that falsely identified Loudermill as a parade shooter and an illegal immigrant. Loudermill was at the rally and was briefly detained by police after shots rang out. Officers stopped him and told him he was moving too slow, his attorneys wrote in court documents. He was eventually released, but a photo taken during the 10 minutes he had been handcuffed and seated on the curb was shared on social media, they said. Loudermills attorneys said his family intends to continue the litigation by substituting an estate as plaintiff. More details will be provided in time, but for now, we ask that you honor the familys need for privacy as they come together to grieve this tremendous loss, Lassiter Saunders wrote. While the family takes this time to mourn, we want to make it clear that this is not over. The lawsuits filed in February cite a pair of allegations against Hoskins and Brattin: False light invasion of privacy and libel per se. Said Lassiter Saunders: Mr. Loudermill should not have spent his final days burdened with stress and chasing down a lie that went viral due to the careless and heartless actions of a Congressman, Missouri senators, and social media influencers, who couldnt be bothered to verify the truth before destroying a mans life. If you thought we were determined before, you havent seen anything yet! ST. LOUIS A federal grand jury has indicted a St. Louis man on charges he helped kill three people to enforce the rules of a North City gang. Authorities say Travis Treezy Jones, 21, worked with other members of the Cochran Crips to sell heroin, cocaine and fentanyl and commit other crimes in the Carr Square and Columbus Square neighborhoods. In July 2020, Jones and others opened fire on a car near Lindell and North Grand Boulevards in an attempt to retaliate for the death of a Cochran Crips member, court records say. But instead of hitting their target, authorities said, they struck two St. Louis University students, 20-year-old Arie Bagsby and 21-year-old Omar Harris. About two years later, Jones and others drove to the home of 21-year-old Nicholas Keith who was suspected of breaking the gangs rules and shot and killed him on his porch. Federal prosecutors and local police have, for years, tried to round up members of the Cochran Crips. The organization, they say, started in the early 2000s at the Cochran Plaza and Cambridge Heights housing projects just north of downtown across Cole Street from the convention center and The Dome at Americas Center. In 2017, authorities held a news conference and pledged to apprehend more than a dozen Cochran Crips members. In 2021, a teen named Dashaun Ewing was charged in the death of Bagsby and Harris. He was also charged with killing a 15-year-old in a different incident. He was later sentenced to 30 years in prison for all three deaths. Jones was indicted in 2022 on federal gun and drug charges. He was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty. Now, he is facing four new charges, including racketeering, murdering someone as part of a racketeering conspiracy, using a gun during a violent crime and causing death through use of a firearm. ST. LOUIS A 32-year-old woman who previously admitted to destroying evidence in a 2023 homicide case is now charged in the murder. City prosecutors say Nichole Birr set up the drug deal that resulted in Tyrone Wilson's death on Aug. 2, 2023. Birr drove Wilson to the scene on Brantner Place in the city's Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood to meet with a potential marijuana buyer, court documents say. Wilson and the buyer argued, and Wilson was shot. Birr then took Wilson's drugs and phone and left, court documents say. Two days later, Birr took the car in which Wilson was shot and traded it in for a Nissan Altima. The dealer noticed damage from shots that had been fired inside the vehicle. Birr then left for Florida where she was arrested. Initially, Birr was indicted in federal court with destroying evidence. She pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to more than seven years in prison. Now, she faces charges of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery in Wilson's death. A hearing has not yet been set in the case. For the first time in decades, America needs to produce more electricity. In many places, a sharp uptick in power demand has been driven by data centers, the industrial buildings that house huge banks of computer servers and support our increasingly digital society. State lawmakers have long sought to attract such operations with generous tax breaks and incentives. But now, some are concerned that the infrastructure needed to add all those data centers to the electric grid will drive up residents utility bills. The growing use of artificial intelligence, which requires massive amounts of computing power, has added to that worry. Were going to have tremendous stress from AI, said New Jersey state Sen. Bob Smith, a Democrat who chairs the Environment and Energy Committee. We have a crisis coming our way in electric rates. These outrageous increases are going to be put on the citizens. Why should they bear the rate increases? Smith has authored a bill that would require new AI data centers in New Jersey to arrange to supply their power from new, clean energy sources, if other states in the region enact similar measures. The bill is among roughly a dozen proposals in state legislatures nationwide seeking to ensure that data centers dont result in increased rates for other electric customers, according to the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a forum for state lawmakers. Smith and lawmakers in other states with clean energy targets also say the demand for AI could derail their climate goals. Those goals are also under attack from President Donald Trump, who this week directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to block enforcement of all state climate policies. Trump also issued orders seeking to boost coal production, in part to meet the energy demands from AI operations. Tech companies note that their data centers are crucial for everything from credit card transactions to remote work to streaming Netflix. And the centers create tax revenue and jobs in the states that host them, the companies argue. Data centers are just the first wave in a new era of increased electricity demand. Electric vehicles, a growing manufacturing sector and the electrification of household appliances are all expected to use more power in the years to come. Industry leaders say its unfair to single out data centers, when more power will be needed for a variety of sectors. (Targeting data centers) risks creating unjustified distinctions amongst similar customers, said Dan Diorio, senior director of state policy with the Data Center Coalition, a membership association for tech companies. Ground zero: Virginia Virginia hosts the worlds largest concentration of data centers, and is at the epicenter of debates over the industrys future. State lawmakers commissioned a study, published last year, to outline the industrys impacts. Researchers found that data centers are currently paying their fair share for electricity. But the immense energy demands theyre forecasted to create in the coming years will likely increase system costs for all customers, including non-data center customers, the report concluded. The study found that unconstrained demand largely from data centers would drive up Virginias energy usage 183% by 2040. With no new data centers, energy use would only grow 15%. In addition to the costs of building more power plants, the report said, utilities will also need to install more substations, transformers and distribution lines. They sounded an alarm that the steep increase if this is unchecked would quickly (raise consumers rates), said state Del. Rip Sullivan, a Democrat who has been at the center of discussions over the industrys future in Virginia. Sullivan sponsored a bill that would have required data centers to meet energy efficiency standards to qualify for certain tax exemptions, but the measure did not advance this session. Virginia lawmakers passed a measure this session directing state regulators to determine whether utilities should create a special rate that certain customers such as data centers must pay. Several other states are considering similar bills that aim to put data centers or large electricity users more generally in their own rate class. Proponents say that would prevent the costs of generating enough electricity for those centers from being spread to household customers. Data center proponents have argued that regulators are best suited to set the rules, not lawmakers. The industry is committed to ensuring it continues to pay its full cost of service to ensure that other customers are protected from any unnecessary costs, said Aaron Tinjum, vice president of energy for the Data Center Coalition. Sullivan noted that data centers are critical to our digital society, and that the Virginia study found that the industry creates construction jobs and local tax revenue. But Virginia also aims to produce 100% of its electricity from sources without any carbon emissions by 2050 a goal that will become more difficult if power demands skyrocket. The state urgently needs a comprehensive strategy to manage all those interests, Sullivan said. You get good and bad For years, states have tried to lure data centers with tax incentives or exemptions. At least 36 states, both conservative and liberal, offer such incentives. But now, some of the states that have been most successful at attracting the industry are having second thoughts. Georgia state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, a Republican, noted that electric customers in the state have seen six rate increases in less than two years. Data centers, he said, use immense amounts of power and water, while creating few long-term jobs. On the other hand, he noted that they have proven to be a substantial source of property tax revenue. You get good and bad with the data centers, but I just want to make sure they pay their way, he said. Hufstetler authored a bill that would have barred regulators from raising rates because of the costs of serving data centers. While the bill did not pass this session, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a new rule with similar protections, forcing data centers to cover those costs. The move is a good start, Hufstetler said, but legislation is still needed because regulators can quickly roll back their own rules. Meanwhile, Georgia lawmakers passed a measure last year that would have paused the states sales tax exemption for data centers. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed the bill, arguing that an abrupt change would undermine companies planned investments in Georgia. Consumer advocates say more states should rescind their incentives. Many data centers dont bring in enough tax revenue to cover their tax breaks, said Kasia Tarczynska, senior research analyst at Good Jobs First, a policy group that tracks government subsidies related to economic development. Its not a winning program for state budgets, she said. Oregon has seen a rapid increase in data centers in the eastern part of the state, said state Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat. Data center growth is outstripping every other kind of conventional user category, she said. Theres lots of evidence that the demand of those data centers has already been shifted onto residential ratepayers. Marsh has sponsored a bill that would require data centers and other large energy users to be assigned to a separate rate class that accounts for the added costs of their power demands. In a letter to Oregon lawmakers, Amazon Web Services the computing subsidiary of the retail giant said it has worked with utilities to ensure its costs arent being passed to other ratepayers. The company noted its commitments to purchase large amounts of renewable energy, and said major grid upgrades are needed to enable more clean power and the deployment of technologies like electric vehicles. Amazon Web Services did not grant an interview request. Two other industry leaders, Google and OpenAI, did not respond to Stateline inquiries. Utah enacted a law this year that allows large load customers such as data centers to craft separate contracts with utilities. Its intended to ensure that household ratepayers dont get hit with additional costs to power those facilities. Republican state Sen. Scott Sandall, who sponsored the bill, did not respond to a Stateline interview request. This new demand requires billions of dollars of capital investment, said Tyson Slocum, energy program director at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. The normal model is you spread that investment cost across all consumers. Thats not reasonable here. Slocum said data center users have been shying away from previous commitments to use clean energy sources, at the same time Trump has pushed to increase fossil fuel production. Some lawmakers have noted that many data centers are being built to meet forecasted demand from AI. They worry that overhyped projections could force utilities to build expensive infrastructure that never gets used. Industry leaders say the build-out of data centers is driven by consumer demands and note that such facilities have made computing far more efficient. They also argue that digital infrastructure is important for national security, ensuring that Americans data is not passing through overseas facilities with weak security. And they warn that companies may be wary of investing in states with legislation seen as disruptive. This is an industry that is trying to build out to meet unprecedented demand, said Diorio, of the Data Center Coalition. (State legislation) can send a market signal that theres going to be friction in that market. Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org. 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. Navy Lts. Zach Miller and Keith Henzer climb out of a EA-18G Growler at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., in December 2024. (Jacquelin Frost/U.S. Navy) SEATTLE The Navy has rejected a proposal to move its Growler electronic attack squadrons from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to a base in Southern California, saying the move would cost $800 million and mean abandoning decades of building and expertise accumulated at their base on Puget Sound in Washington. Naval Air Facility El Centro is not a reasonable alternative, said Lt. Cmdr. James Smith, the operations officer at NAS Whidbey Island. The Navys position was announced at three public meetings held recently on Whidbey Island to solicit local feedback on the analysis that it must submit to U.S. District Court Judge Richard Jones in Seattle by May 1. The analysis was required after some residents and community groups had sued the Navy over its 2019 decision to increase the number of Growler jets at Whidbey Island from 82 to 118. The Growler controversy is the latest friction between some members in the local community and the Navy over flight operations at the Whidbey Island base. Residents protest in June 2019 against the Navy increasing the maximum number of EA-18G Growler jets based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington state. (Citizens of Ebeys Reserve) Since the 1960s, the Navys aircraft at Whidbey Island has changed from propeller-driven planes and flying boats to long-range, turbo-prop reconnaissance aircraft such as the P-3 Orion to jets such as the A-6 Intruder and its electronic warfare variant, the EA-6 Prowler. Organized opposition to jet noise began in 1980 with Whidbey Island Sound Environment, or WISE, protesting the noise of the Prowler jets. The air stations focus now is training for the Growlers unique role attacking enemy radar and anti-aircraft missile installations to clear the way for attack squadrons to hit a locations main targets. The flight training includes terrain-hugging, low-level flying and touch-and-go takeoffs and landings at an auxiliary airfield on the island with the dimensions of an aircraft carrier deck. Critics of the Navys training contend the service has increased the amount of noise, pollution and other impacts on island residents and those living in different locations around northern Puget Sound. Terra Huey, who lives on Whidbey Island, is a leader of the Sound Defense Alliance. The group serves as an umbrella organization for groups with about 3,000 affiliates on Whidbey Island and several surrounding counties. I went to the Navys meeting in Oak Harbor and it felt most like an open house to give the Navys information instead of having a discussion, Huey said. The draft analysis is what they are going to go to the court with. Huey said groups will continue to try to engage the Navy in what she thinks are more productive methods to find a way to coexist better. Were not asking them to close the base, she said. But if doing more things at El Centro is a way to lighten the load on the community here, they should do it. We need cost-effective alternatives that dont put our people in harms way or their health at risk. Huey pointed to a 2024 University of Washington study that showed 74,000 people living, working or going to school near the base are exposed to noise levels associated with adverse health effects that can include hearing loss, sleep disturbance and cardiovascular disease. We basically want more transparency, more notice when they are flying, less operations, flying for not as long or as frequently, she said. But the Navy has argued it trains to prepare pilots to win and survive in combat. A banner in June 2019 protesting the Navy increasing the maximum number of EA-18G Growler jets based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington state. (Citizens of Ebeys Reserve) The federal judge found the Navy has met most environmental standards but ordered the service to resubmit portions of its Environmental Impact Statement dealing with air pollution, impact of noise on schools and disruption of shorebird activity. The judge also wants the Navy to justify why all or most of the base operations at Whidbey Island couldnt be moved to another location. The focus has been on moving to Naval Air Facility El Centro, where the Navy already conducts a large amount of flight and weapons training in the sparsely populated areas in Imperial County, Calif., near the border with Mexico. Following several rounds of base closings and consolidations over the years, Whidbey Island has become the home base for all the Navys electronic warfare jets. It also is home to eight squadrons of P-8 Poseidons that provide long-range reconnaissance for the Navy. El Centro is now a center for squadrons from throughout the Navy to visit for flight and weapons training. Other services also use the weapons ranges and flight corridors. Its also the wintertime home of the Blue Angels, the Navys elite flight demonstration team. The Navy has told the judge that a move to the El Centro facility goes against Pentagon policy to bring squadrons together instead of spreading them out over large geographic areas. The Naval Air Facility El Centro alternative is inconsistent with and contrary to Navy policy to maximize the efficiency of operations by collocating operational squadrons with support functions, training ranges, and airfields for squadron-level training, fails to maximize existing resources, and would result in unreasonable duplication of functions and infrastructure at significant cost and delay, while creating unnecessary inefficiencies and detrimentally affecting operational readiness, the Navy states in its analysis. These and other operational impacts increase the risk to mission accomplishment. The move would also impose additional and unnecessary burdens on sailors and their families, the Navy said. Officials at the Whidbey Island public meeting said building or finding housing for the 7,500 sailors and air crew at the air station would be difficult. The move would also require spouses to give up jobs and children to change schools. Accordingly, the Navy has eliminated this alternative from detailed consideration and does not carry it forward, according to the analysis. Citizens of Ebeys Reserve, or COER, is a group aligned with the Sound Defense Alliance and seeks to preserve the rural character of Ebeys Landing National Historic Reserve near Coupeville, an undeveloped area near the base. COER leader Bob Wilbur said he thought the meetings were a recap of the Navys stance instead of an attempt to find common ground with local residents. It was just more of the same. It fell well short, he said. There was a lot of talk about the deficiencies of a move to El Centro, but nothing really on the impact on the community here. I would have liked to have seen a breakdown of the economic costs of leaving the Growlers here. Wilbur said there is a range of opinions among activists, with some wanting the base shuttered and others willing to keep the jets as neighbors if the Navy moves the high-decibel, touch-and-go flight training. That would be a compromise that keeps the base alive, which I think most people want, and mitigates the worst impacts, he said. The Navy said noise from the Growlers only led to a one-month delay in attaining grade-level reading comprehension on standardized tests among elementary school students. The Navy analysis also found disruption of breeding and nesting of four species of seabirds was negligible with most living and feeding outside of the areas with the highest decibel impact. Greenhouse gas levels emitted by the extra 36 Growlers brought to the base are relatively insignificant, as only a fraction of the aircraft at Whidbey Island are flying at the base at any given time, the Navy said. Malaysia looks forward to hosting President Xi Jinping next week and enhancing both trade and people-to-people relations with China, says Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil. Produced by Xinhua Global Service (Dan Pratt/Stars and Stripes) Saigon, Vietnam, Feb. 3, 1968: Heavy smoke billows from a massive tire pile as onlookers stand by. The exact location of the fire was not noted by the photographer, but possibly Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon which suffered numerous attacks during the Tet Offensive. Looking for Stars and Stripes coverage of the Vietnam War? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/ A U.S. Army soldier conducts overwatch of the southern border at Santa Teresa, N.M., on March 26, 2025. (Griffin Payne/U.S. Army) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) President Donald Trump issued a directive expanding military control over federal lands near the U.S.-Mexico border, seeking to bolster his efforts to crack down on undocumented migration. In a memorandum released Friday evening, Trump ordered several Cabinet secretaries to give the Defense Department jurisdiction over federal lands along the border. Those areas include the Roosevelt Reservation a narrow strip of land along the southwest border in the states of Arizona, New Mexico and California but exclude federal Indian reservations. It opens the door to enable military activities directed in this memorandum to occur on a military installation along the border, according to the directive. Trump authorized the military to undertake tasks including border-barrier construction and emplacement of detection and monitoring equipment and to designate the areas as National Defense Areas. The order also allows the Secretary of Defense to exclude persons from a military installation in keeping with previous authorities a power that potentially tees up powers to expel migrants. The powers will initially be implemented on a limited sector of federal lands, with an assessment after 45 days of the Friday order. Trump has escalated deportations of undocumented migrants since retaking office, as he looks to deliver on his campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration and secure the southern border. 2025 Bloomberg LP Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC The new tombstone of Army Pvt. David Moser, who died of influenza while fighting in World War I. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post) Deborah Berlinger Eiferman rose from her wheelchair and was helped to the lectern set up in the grass near the grave of her uncle, Army Pvt. David Moser her baby uncle as she called him in Arlington Cemetery. She is 102. He was 20 when he died, a Jewish soldier killed by influenza in 1919 in Germany after fighting in World War I. But for over a century he had been in Arlington beneath a tombstone mistakenly incised with the Christian cross. As about 100 people gathered in the cemetery under gray skies on Monday, Eiferman, of Riverdale, New York, watched officials remove a canvas shroud covering a new marble tombstone bearing the Star of David at Mosers grave. I am so grateful, she told those present. Its an overwhelming experience. As Jewish people, we are grateful. She said she called Moser her baby uncle, and everyone in her family called him baby David, because he did not live beyond 20. He was 18 a proud Jew when he enlisted in the Army, two weeks after the United States entered the war in 1917, she said. Two years later, he was dead. His body was returned to Arlington and buried under the Christian tombstone in 1920. None of his family was able to attend, Eiferman wrote in a letter last year to Karen Durham-Aguilera, executive director of the Office of Army Cemeteries. Now, Eiferman said, it was a miracle that his faith was being recognized as he rested among his comrades and a miracle that she was there to witness it. Moser was one of two Jewish soldiers whose corrected tombstones were unveiled in the cemetery Monday. The other was Pfc. Adolph Hanf, a Polish immigrant from Detroit who was killed in France in 1918. He was 34 and had become a naturalized U.S. citizen the year before. His body was brought to Arlington and buried there on May 11, 1922, according to government records. An official burial card states: Star of David to be inscribed on headstone. But for unknown reasons, his headstone was etched with a cross. His family was apparently unaware of the mistake and the error went uncorrected for more than a century. Officials said Hanf has no known living relatives. So those attending the unveiling of Mosers tombstone went to observe the unveiling of Hanfs a short distance away. Adolph, youre not alone, Eiferman said. A cemetery spokeswoman said the new tombstones were put in place earlier this year. The old stones were removed and destroyed. The tombstone errors were discovered by Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit that combs through historical records to make sure American Jewish soldiers buried in Europe and the U.S. are beneath tombstones that reflect their faith. Two Jewish World War I veterans, Pvt. David Moser and Pfc. Adolph Hanf, were buried under tombstones with Christian crosses until now. The new tombstones with the Star of David were unveiled in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post) Working with the American Battle Monuments Commission, which maintains American military cemeteries overseas, the organization says it has corrected the headstones of more than 30 U.S. Jewish soldiers. Many Jews didnt want to be identified as Jews, Operation Benjamins chief historian and co-founder, Shalom Lamm, said in a recent telephone interview. Either they were afraid of being captured, certainly in World War II. But in World War I, there was plenty of antisemitism. If they were killed and had not identified as Jewish, graves registration would put them under a Latin cross, very logically, he said. And if the body of a Jewish soldier bore no identification, graves officials would assume he was Christian, because most soldiers were, Lamm said. And that made good sense, he said. These werent purposeful things. They were mistakes or accidents. In addition, he said, many slain soldiers were buried, exhumed and reburied multiple times before reaching their final resting place. The possibility of mistakes was significant, he said. The amazing thing is not that there are so many mistakes. Its that there are so few mistakes. But those mistakes are there. He said he estimates that for World Wars I and II there are between 800 and 900 Jewish soldiers buried incorrectly under a marker of a Christian faith: Were there to correct those mistakes. He said the organization begins by checking lists of buried soldiers with common Jewish names. Its certainly a little bit unscientific, he said. But its a good starting place. We do a huge amount of research, he said. We do a lot of research on soldiers that turn out to be properly buried. And thats okay. Lamm said Operation Benjamin discovered Eifermans link to Moser and contacted her in December. There was a mix of disbelief and joy, he said. Eiferman then wrote to the cemetery, which on Jan. 10 approved the change. Eiferman, seated at left, and others attend the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post) The operation presented its research on Hanf to the cemetery, which approved the change in February, he said. He said many incorrect headstones are in graves overseas. After the world wars, it was almost impossible for families to visit and identify the errors. Mistakes in the U.S. are less common. Those of us who are Jewish are very proud of these guys and find it painful that theyre not remembered for who they were, he said. Moser, the son of a watchmaker from Suffern, New York, had served in the 77th field artillery in the historic battles of Chateau-Thierry and Saint-Mihiel, as well as the Meuse-Argonne offensive, according to government records. His unit was in combat for 53 days, lost 20 men and saw another 200 wounded before the war ended on Nov. 11, 1918. Moser survived. But about three months later, while stationed in Germany, he was infected with the virus that was causing the influenza pandemic, according to Eifermans letter. He entered a hospital on Feb. 23, 1919. He deteriorated and was transferred to another hospital the next day. He died there five days later. Hanf served in an Army infantry regiment and was killed in battle on Aug. 4, 1918, according to Operation Benjamins research. During the ceremonies Monday, retired Army Lt. Gen. Howard Bromberg read Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning Vaughn P. Drake Jr. poses in his Army uniform in this undated photo taken during World War II. (Pacific Historic Parks) Vaughn P. Drake Jr., who at 106 was believed to be the oldest surviving veteran of the 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Hawaii, died Monday in Lexington, Ky. Drake was a 23-year-old Army engineer helping to build barracks at Kaneohe Naval Air Station on the windward side of Oahu when the attack took place on Dec. 7, 1941, according to a Facebook post Friday by Pacific Historic Parks, which announced his death. Just over a dozen veterans who survived the attack are known to still be living. Drake was born Nov. 6, 1918, in Winchester, Ky. He was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers while at Kaneohe Naval Air Station, where he was in charge of operating a temporary power plant to assist carpenters in building new barracks, Drake told the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper in a Dec. 7, 2016, interview. The air station is now part of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, which is on the opposite side of the island from Pearl Harbor, the primary target of the attack. We were getting ready to go to breakfast, and we heard all these planes flying over and making a lot of noise, Drake told the newspaper. We just figured it was the Army Air Corps carrying out maneuvers for practice, like they did a lot. We didnt pay much attention to it. Then, standing in the chow line, they saw planes diving toward the air station, he said. And we thought, Boy, theyre really putting on a good show. Even though we saw the red spots on the wing which was the Japanese symbol we still couldnt believe it [was an enemy attack]. The attack became real when a bomb hit a building on the air station and exploded, he said. We knew by then it was more than maneuvers, he said. It had to be a real attack. It just didnt seem possible. Even while it was happening, we didnt believe it. Moments later, an officer who had been in phone contact with Schofield Barracks in central Oahu which was under attack shouted to the gathered men. The Japanese are attacking the whole island! Drake recalled the officer bellowing. The air station was home to 36 PBY Catalina amphibious planes, dubbed flying boats. Twenty-seven were destroyed in the attack, with the remaining badly damaged. Sailors attempt to save a burning PBY Catalina plane at Kaneohe Naval Air Station, Hawaii, during the Japanese surprise attack on Dec. 7, 1941. (Naval History and Heritage Command) The Japanese lost 29 planes in the attack, the first of which was shot down at Kaneohe Naval Air Station. Drake told the newspaper he remembered seeing the plane crash. Later that day, some of us went over there and tore some pieces out of it, and this is a little control stick that I got, Drake told the newspaper as he displayed the memento. I dont know for sure what it is. Its got some Japanese writing on it, which I never did get translated. He continued to serve with the Corps of Engineers on Saipan during the Marianas campaign, according to an obituary published by Milward Funeral Directors. After the war, Drake attended the University of Kentucky College of Engineering and was a registered engineer for more than 50 years. He worked for the General Telephone Company for 36 years and retired in 1981 as valuation engineering manager. With that company, he designed and supervised construction of all the underground telephone conduits placed in the cities of Lexington, Morehead and Ashland in the 1940s and 1950s, according to the obituary. His wife of 65 years, Lina Wilson Drake, died in 2011. A military burial service will be held April 17 at Winchester Cemetery. Health care providers serving veterans and their families across Virginia say they are missing thousands of dollars due to Tricare insurance reimbursements being stalled for months. (Defense Health Agency) (Tribune News Service) Health care providers serving veterans and their families across Virginia say they are missing thousands of dollars with some having already gone out of business or are close to it due to Tricare insurance reimbursements being stalled for months, leaving clients without critical mental health services. The stalled payments are apparently the result of a change to Tricares billing processing system that began Jan. 1. Under the new system, licensed professional counselors must meet a series of new requirements or have a medical doctor sign off on their claims in order to be reimbursed, according to reports from clinicians and email chains between clinicians and Tricare provided to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press. Without being paid, the clinics either have to stop providing services to clients with Tricare coverage or are asking their clients to pay out of pocket. This change particularly affects Virginia because it has such strict standards for its licensed counselors and it has never before required oversight from a medical doctor, according to Melinda Staton, a licensed counselor and the acting president of the Hampton Roads Counseling Association. In trying to resolve these issues, clinics and their clients have been met with inconsistent messaging from Tricare, according to responses to a request for data on the issue by the Hampton Roads Counseling Association. In an email to The Pilot on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Tricare denied any change had taken place and did not address a follow-up question about whether payments had been stalled. Upon checking with our Tricare (subject-matter experts), weve learned that Tricare regulations and policy governing LPCs have not changed, the spokesperson said. Staton sent out an urgent request for data on April 4 from its members on this issue with Tricare. Of 19 anonymous responses shared with The Pilot, representatives of different clinics reported a total of 977 patients being impacted by this change, for an average of 51 patients per responding clinic. One clinic reported as many as 261 patients being affected, while four reported less than four patients affected, including one clinic that reported that while reimbursements had been delayed for about three months, theyd had zero clients impacted because we keep seeing them and currently, we are getting payments. These same respondents reported losses totaling at least $175,000 for an average of about $9,210 each. Some of the respondents did not know the exact financial impact, but one said they knew it was tens of thousands of dollars. In response to the request for data, many reported failed attempts to get an explanation from Tricare with some reportedly being told Tricare was experiencing system errors or facing a backlogs and policy changes. In the short term, we need for those clinics that have not been paid to get paid yesterday, Staton said. In the long term, we need policy change in the Tricare manual stating that residents can be used, especially if theyre being supervised by a fully licensed professional counselor. Staton said shes aware of at least two clinics that have closed in recent months due to unpaid reimbursements from Tricare. Its unclear how many clients have been impacted. Meichell Worthing, a licensed professional counselor and owner of Lighthouse Counseling and Psychotherapy in Virginia Beach, said about 25% of their clients are Tricare beneficiaries and have stopped taking on new clients covered by Tricare due to the uncertainty. Beth Hunter, a licensed counselor with Lighthouse, said one of her long-term clients who has struggled with suicidal ideation for years left her office in tears after she described the situation with Tricare. When I had to inform her that we have not been paid and that she has options of getting a doctors referral or she could pay out of pocket, which she cant afford to do, she just left my office in tears saying I dont know what Ill do, Hunter said. She didnt want to continue services for my sake because she knew I wasnt going to get paid but also for fear that what if Tricare never pays and then shes stuck with the bill for all these months of services? The next day, Hunter said the client emailed her saying, I cant survive without therapy. Staton said research shows military service members in the first year of transitioning to civilian life dont get some form of mental health care within the first year of leaving the military they are unlikely to seek it in the future, which leads to an increase in the suicide rate. Theres no rocket science here, its going to negatively affect (veterans). If theres a barrier to access it can be fatal, Staton said. 2025 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit pilotonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum attends her regular morning press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, April 11, 2025. Mexico will "immediately deliver" millions of cubic meters of water to the U.S. state of Texas, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Friday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's complaint a day earlier. (Mexico's Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) MEXICO CITY, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Mexico will "immediately deliver" millions of cubic meters of water to the U.S. state of Texas, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Friday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's complaint a day earlier. "A significant amount of water will be delivered, based on the available supply, and we hope that the upcoming rainy season will provide more water, allowing us to send additional supplies to the United States," the president said at her regular morning press conference. Sheinbaum also explained that an agreement is in place to divide the water treatment, part of which is carried out in Mexico and the rest in the U.S. state of California. However, she noted that the United States has not fulfilled its part of the agreement, as it has not expanded the treatment plant as required. The announcement comes after Trump criticized Mexico on Thursday, accusing the country of owing millions of liters of water to Texas. Trump also threatened to impose new tariffs and sanctions unless Mexico honors the 1944 bilateral water treaty, which obligates both countries to share the waters of the Colorado and Rio Grande (Bravo) rivers that form their border. The accused allegedly lifted the woman's skirt and made a comment about her private parts while also making a hand gesture that indicated a sexual act A clothes shop owner accused of lifting a woman's skirt and making sexual comments to her in his store has been denied a trial with a judge and jury in a higher court. Judge John Brennan ruled that the case would remain in Tallaght District Court, stating that the alleged offence was too minor for a higher court and that the State should not be put to undue expense. The incident is alleged to have taken place on January 7, 2022 at a clothing shop in Dublin. The man is being charged under Section 45 of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences) Act with making a sexually explicit remark and a suggestive gesture towards the woman. Garda Sergeant Ruth Finnegan told the court that while there was no physical contact, the accused allegedly lifted the woman's skirt and made a comment about her private parts while also making a hand gesture that indicated a sexual act. The accused was not present in court but was represented by solicitor Michael Hennessy. He has pleaded not guilty and argued that the case should be heard in a higher court with a judge and jury. Mr Hennessy told the court the accused claims that lifting up the woman's skirt or clothing was part of his job while doing alterations. However, Judge Brennan said that the matter would be dealt with in the District Court. An order for disclosure was made and the case has been adjourned until May 20 for mention. Judge Brennan told the accused that he has the right to appeal the decision on jurisdiction. The drugs, valued at 21,604,891, were supposed to be dumped overboard at Glin, Co Limerick, prior to the ship docking in Foynes. 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 21million worth of cocaine, for sale or supply. 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 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. 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. 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 Brazil drugs cartel planned for most the haul to be collected in Foynes and transported across Europe for distribution. 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. 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 2 May. The judge said it was also aggravating that the victim was given drink, which inhibited her capacity to deal with the situation A firefighter has been jailed for the repugnant rape of his daughter, whom he met for the first time when she was a teenager, in what a judge described as an egregious breach of trust. Garreth Bannon (50) of Gurteeneona, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare was handed a seven year sentence with the final 12 months suspended at the Central Criminal Court today after pleading guilty to rape on an unknown date between January 2015 and September 2015. The victim wished for Bannon to be identified, but does not want to be named herself. The Central Criminal Court previously heard that the victim is Bannon's biological daughter, and that they initially met when she was in her mid-teens. She now lives abroad. Evidence was previously heard that Bannon raped the victim after she had met him in a pub where he bought her drinks. She was 18 at this time and said she never had to ask for a drink and there would be another one waiting for her. She sent a Snapchat to her friend saying she was really, really drunk. Imposing sentence, Mr Justice Tony Hunt described it as a repugnant feature of the case that Bannon's own flesh and blood [was] abused in a massive breach of trust. He said this egregious breach of trust was a significant aggravating factor. The judge said it was also aggravating that the victim was given drink, which inhibited her capacity to deal with the situation. Setting a headline sentence of eight and a half years, Mr Justice Hunt noted Bannon's guilty plea and expressions of remorse as mitigation. The judge noted that while a defendant's previous good character and employment carry some weight, it is not much in cases such as this, while a guilty plea had value because it spared a victim giving evidence during a trial. Anticipation of a trial does weigh heavily on people. They are rightly concerned about the intrusive nature of process, the judge said, adding that while it is not be possible to totally eliminate these features of the criminal process, those involved can try to minimise its impact. Mr Justice Hunt said a guilty plea is also an acknowledgement that the victim is truthful, and did nothing wrong. In a victim impact statement previously read to the court, the woman said the abuse had a profound and lasting impact on her life, with the trauma leaving her feeling broken and confused. She said the abuse shattered my sense of security and made it harder for her to connect with others, resulting in trust issues and isolation. She said she struggled with guilt, shame, chronic anxiety and PTSD. She added that she has come to realise that none of this was my fault and is now working hard to heal. In his sentencing comments, Mr Justice Hunt noted the woman referred to feeling guilt and shame, which he said was natural and understandable in the circumstances of the case. He said that it is easy for an outsider to say obviously its not your fault, adding that he is aware many victims blame themselves, but they shouldn't. He said none of it was the woman's fault, that Bannon had acknowledged his guilt and the victim was a young girl who should have been protected. In no way should her sense of self or self-worth be affected by what happened, the judge continued. It was nothing to do with her. She was the victim and had no responsibility for Bannon's actions. Hopefully with time, she will be able to stand back and say 'nothing to do with me, I'm not going to let it affect me and I'm going to try to reclaim myself in full.' The judge said no sentence the court could impose could turn back the clock, but was instead a mark that the conduct is shameful, repulsive and as such that there must be deprivation of liberty for a period. Mr Justice Hunt wished the woman well for the future, and expressed the court's hope she would find peace. After imposing a seven-year sentence, the judge said he would suspend the final 12 months for five years on strict conditions including that Bannon have no contact with the victim for life without her express consent. He also directed Bannon to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release. An investigating garda previously told Paul Murray SC, prosecuting, that the woman was working abroad when she first disclosed what had happened. She then texted the man and asked: Why did you do it to me? He replied: I dont know why, followed by a sad emoji. I really only wanted to be your dadIm a sick man Im going to lose everything now Id go back and put it all right if I could. Bannon denied the allegations when interviewed by gardai but later pleaded guilty shortly in advance of trial date. Under cross-examination, the garda agreed that Bannon had a good work history as a butcher and later as a fireman from which he suffered PTSD. Michael Hourigan SC, defending, asked the court to take into account his client's expressions of shame and remorse. He noted the contents of the probation report and acknowledged its assessment that Bannon is at low risk of re-offending, but must undertake offence-focused work. Bannon is married with one son, but is now estranged from his wife. Mr Hourigan outlined to the court that his client was under stress at time of his offending as he had built up debts and due to difficulties in his marriage. A psychological report was also handed to the court. His client was also suffering with depression and abusing alcohol. Mr Hourigan said these were not explanations or excuses for his client's behaviour, rather as factors at the time. Judge ruled Paul OLeary (62) will be added to sex offenders registry Lorita ODonoghue statement after her rapist is jailed for seven years 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. Lorita O'Donoghue bravely waived her anonymity to ensure her attacker grandfather and father of three Michael Paul O'Leary (62) was publicly named. The young woman also warned that such horrific sexual crimes as rape must stop in Irish society, as she urged the criminal justice system to be less "tough" on victims. She also appealed to those who are the victims of sex offences to report attacks to the gardai and help bring their attackers to justice. Her comments came as her rapist was jailed for seven years. O'Leary was the landlord for Ms O'Donoghue and her fiance and Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford at the Central Criminal Court warned that the rape involved a terrible breach of trust. O'Leary plied his young female tenant with alcohol before raping her while she was unconscious. The judge said it was an aggravating factor that the rape involved a serious breach of trust between a landlord and tenant, as well as between local neighbours. She also said it was an aggravating factor that the rape had occurred close to the victim's rented home where she was entitled to feel safe. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised it was a case which fell into the seven to 10 year sentence bracket. Lorita ODonoghue after the sentencing of Michael Paul OLeary at Cork Circuit Court. Photo: Cork Courts Ms Justice Lankford ruled that O'Leary be jailed for seven years, and agreed to backdate the sentence to when he first went into custody on February 11. But she said there was no basis for suspending any portion of the sentence. The judge also directed that O'Leary now be included on the Sex Offenders Register. O'Leary of Four Winds, Ballyarthur, Fermoy, Co Cork remained impassive as he was jailed. He appeared in court wearing a cream-coloured jacket, blue shirt and tie. O'Leary was a member of Fermoy Rowing Club, and Ms Justice Lankford noted he had enjoyed some success in the sport as a young man and had rowed internationally. I hope my voice can now inspire others and give hope that they can overcome this ordeal too Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Ms O'Donoghue said she was "very happy" with the seven year sentence imposed. "I am a survivor of rape I have nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of," she said. "What happened to me was wrong. It was a choice made by someone who had absolutely no right, and I have been paying the price since. "Every single aspect of my life has been much harder since this crime was perpetrated against me. I have had to find the courage and strength to reclaim my life bit by bit and be here today. "The shame and blame is on Michael Paul O'Leary. Everyone needs to know he is a rapist. "Unfortunately, victim blaming and and rape culture exist around us, protecting and giving power to monsters like him, Ms O'Donoghue said. "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 [attackers] will be named and shamed. You should fear the punishment. I hope these sentences get longer and harsher. Ms O'Donoghue also urged other victims to come forward and report it to gardai. "The Irish criminal justice system is tough on the victim, but I got through so take courage, she said. "I am very grateful this case got to court and the jury found him guilty of rape. "I hope my voice can now 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 and you will get your life back." She attended the sentencing hearing at the Angelsea Street Courthouse in Cork supported by her husband, her family and friends, as well as Mary Crilly of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre. Ms O'Donoghue admitted she found the entire trial process to be "traumatising", and said that being cross-examined during the Central Criminal Court rape trial in February was "highly humiliating", with her underwear also being shown in court. "I found every aspect of the trial to be traumatising," she said. "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." "My underwear [being] shown in court and my SATU (Sexual Assault Trauma Unit) examination report being read out was another out of body experience." Michael Paul O'Leary was given a seven year sentence for the rape She said it was "devastating and distressing" to have to listen to the landlord's lies about what happened. "We both knew the truth," she said. "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." Ms O'Donoghue said the rape had left her feeling "like a shell" of her former self. After she recovered consciousness following the assault, she had challenged O'Leary, saying: "Are you trying to ruin my life?" O'Leary was convicted on 10-2 majority verdict by a Central Criminal Court jury of raping Ms O'Donoghue, who is more than 30 years his junior. The Cork jury of eight men and four women deliberated for nine hours and 32 minutes before reaching their majority verdict. 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 Justice Lankford was told the rape occurred on May 28, 2022, at O'Leary's home in Fermoy, Co Cork, adjacent to the property he had rented to Ms O'Donoghue and her fiance as they prepared to buy a home of their own. He knew the family of her partner. However, on a weekend her partner was away attending a stag party, the landlord met Ms O'Donoghue and passed a comment on her having to potentially move out, while referencing a dispute he had with her fiance's family. Ms O'Donoghue was so concerned she sent a series of texts to her partner. Later, after she had changed into her pyjamas, she received a message from the landlord asking her to move a car so that bins could be collected the following morning. She did so and then received a message from the man saying he had just opened a bottle of wine and asking if she would like to share a drink. Having shared a drink, he then offered her a nightcap. Ms O'Donoghue said she was not offered wine the man poured a brandy for her and then proceeded to keep topping-up her glass uninvited. Later, she suddenly felt "overwhelmed by drink." She passed out and, when she awoke on a couch, her clothes had been removed and O'Leary was having sex with her. The woman initially thought it was her fiance and then realised, to her horror, it was her landlord. A garda who investigated the case, Det Garda Rachel McGrath, told the court the victim "struggled to remove [the landlord]." "He only moved when he completed what he was doing," she said. Landlord Michael Paul O'Leary The victim was left horrified and totally devastated by the attack. "What you did to me was an utter violation of my mind, my body and my soul," Ms O'Donoghue said. "You specially created the opportunity to attack me when I was at my most vulnerable. 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." She said O'Leary had "displayed not a single ounce of remorse or guilt for what you did. It is quite scary to think people like you exist in society." During evidence in the trial, the landlord broke down and wept as he denied the rape. "I am an honourable man. I am a good man. I did not do what I am accused of." Ms Justice Lankford was told O'Leary who had worked in both the UK and US, where he developed a successful construction business had no previous convictions, though US authorities had yet to formally respond to a Garda background check request. The male and female, both aged in their 60s are due to appear before a sitting of Dublin District Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning. The two people arrested in connection with over 342,000 in cash that was seized by gardai and Revenue officials at Dublin Airport have been charged. The male and female, both aged in their 60s are due to appear before a sitting of Dublin District Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning. The seizure was made on Wednesday as part of an intelligence led operation. This operation was conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and supported by Revenue's Customs Service. Read more Man and woman arrested after more than 342k in cash seized at Dublin Airport A man and a woman, both in their 60s, were arrested and detained under Section 50 of Criminal Justice Act 2007. "Gardai attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) together with colleagues from Revenue Customs Service seized 342,000 in cash from two passengers during an intelligence led operation at Dublin Airport yesterday evening, a garda spokesperson said in a statement. One male and one female both aged in their 60s were arrested by Gardai following the seizure and are currently detained for questioning at a Garda Station in Dublin under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007. Revenue said investigations are ongoing. This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity, they said in a statement. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295. Details of the case emerged as the Criminal Assets Bureau sought a court order to have the money declared the proceeds of crime. A LITHUANIAN man caught red-handed with 65,000 in cash and 40,000 worth of cannabis escaped prosecution after gardai were suspended from duty. Details of the case emerged as the Criminal Assets Bureau sought a court order to have the money declared the proceeds of crime. Acting on a tip off gardai arrested Ignas Boreisa in Dublins north inner-city and found cannabis worth 12,000 in January, 2021. Another stash of the drug worth 28,000 was found in a car parked outside his apartment in west Dublin. On the floor of the kitchen in a plastic bag, officers also found 65,750 mostly in 50 notes which Boreisa could not explain. He said the cash was not his but didnt give any other information as he told gardai he could get into trouble, according to evidence of the Chief Bureau officer Michael Gubbins. No-one has since come forward to claim the cash, it was added. Boreisa was described as of very limited means and there is no record of him being in receipt of any legitimate income let alone the significant the amount of income which would allow him to accumulate 65,750 in cash. It was unclear how long the 30-year-old Lithuanian had been in Ireland when he came to garda attention as a supplier to dealers in the north city centre, according to another garda witness. Initially he told gardai he had only been in Ireland on holidays and was staying in the apartment while the owners were on holidays. He later admitted he had been in the country for a number of months. As result of the seizure he was charged possession of drugs for sale and supply and initially remanded in custody with a cash bail of 25,000 being set. When a man came forward in March 2021 to act as a surety for the bail gardai successfully objected after discovering the money had been lodged into the mans account just two weeks earlier. However, the case against Boreisa didnt go ahead as a number of the gardai involved in this investigation, have been suspended from duty in the context of an unrelated matter. A money laundering investigation was also started and file submitted to the Director of Piublic Prosecutions but no charges were brought. CAB then launched their own investigation into Boreisa and the cash which resulted in it being declared the proceeds of crime at a recent High Court hearing. It was found he had no record of employment in Ireland or any form of legitimate income. Judge Alexander Owens said it seemed to very clear and there was ample evidence to support the chief officer's belief evidence. The jobless duo who never worked have had drink and drug problems since their early teens Two "off their heads" men violently hijacked a woman's car and then filmed their 160kph 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 14 last year. 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 yesterday/today. 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. David Marshall 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. James Dowson Jnr lost the plot after getting drunk while on a weekend away with his partner Leading flag protester and former BMP money man Jim Dowson leads flag protesters from East Belfast into Belfast City centre The son of far right loon Jim Dowson is facing a potential jail sentence after he admitted kicking and punching his partner while she lay on the ground. James Dowson Jnr lost the plot after getting drunk while on a weekend away with his partner aimed at fixing their broken relationship. The 36-year-old got boozed-up and after a row turned into a fight which saw the cowardly thug punch his partner to the ground where he continued to kick and punch her while she was down. His controversial father Jim, who lives in Comber where he has built his own church, is no stranger to the courts either, having been convicted of breach of the peace in 1986, possession of a weapon and breach of the peace in 1991, and criminal damage in 1992. Dowson Snr is an anti-abortionist campaigner and Christian militant who rails against the so-called woke agenda and believes in traditional values which others might argue is a thinly veiled promotion of toxic masculinity. Dowson Snr has also previously produced flute band tapes which glorify some of Ulsters worst loyalist atrocities including praising Michael Stones infamous killing spree at Milltown Cemetery. Its not the first time his son has hit the headlines. In 2009 a Sunday World undercover investigation exposed the BNPs secret east Belfast bunker where Jim Dowson was tasked with raising cash for the British National Partys coffers. James Jnr was working as a plumber at the time and we snapped him arriving at the secret BNP office in Dundonald in his work van. He was instrumental at helping his father set up the office which used a cover name so as not to attract unwanted attention. When we called the number on his plumbers van we discovered the number somewhat bizarrely could be used both to contact the BNP or book a plumber! But this week it emerged James Dowson Jnr had plumbed new depths when he pleaded guilty to a shocking attack on his partner last October. While defence counsel Nadine Knight confirmed that 36-year-old James was entering guilty pleas to two charges of common assault, the PPS opted to withdraw a further charge of making a threat to kill on October 25 last year. At an earlier hearing the prosecution had also withdrawn an allegation that Dowson, from Cherryvalley Crescent in Comber, had possessed a kitchen knife with intent to inflict GBH on the same date. The court heard how Dowson went on a weekend glamping trip to Ballycastle in an effort to save his relationship because it had not been in a good place but he ended up assaulting his then partner. A prosecuting lawyer said that having been in the town drinking, the couple went back to the pods where there was a verbal argument but this culminated in a physical fight where Dowson pushed her to the ground. Leading flag protester and former BMP money man Jim Dowson leads flag protesters from East Belfast into Belfast City centre While she was on the ground Dowson kicked and punched her several times to the body and head and she tried to block some of the blows with her arms until she managed to flee to a neighbours to seek help. Police attended and arrested the defendant but he refused to answer police questions during interviews. District Judge Peter King said given the fact Dowson had admitted kicking on the ground, we do need a [pre-sentence] report. Freeing Dowson on bail, he said he would deal with the case on May 19. Far right millionaire Jim Dowson Snr a one-time prominent protester against restrictions on flying the union flag over Belfast City Hall was a former financial backer of the British National party and a founding member of Britain First until he resigned from the party ten years ago. More recently, 60-year-old Dowson a man once branded the UKs most influential far-right activist by anti-racism campaigners said the disorder which arose during the anti-immigration protests was outrageous. But back in 2009 Dowson Snr was the brains behind the BNPs electoral success which was built on the tens of thousands of pounds raised in Belfast. The BNP which scooped two seats in the Euro elections around that time planned their campaign success right here in Northern Ireland. We revealed how they had two secret offices which they didnt want people to know about one tucked away in an industrial estate in Dundonald and another a few miles away in Ballyhackamore. Despite supposed high security, we managed to get into their Dundonald office which was in the Carrowreagh Industrial Estate. From those two offices they did all the fundraising for the whole of the UK. A 12-strong telesales team operated out of Dundonald, calling members and sending out information packs while another team worked in the Ballyhackamore office. Workers were recruited from a reputable Belfast recruitment agency. Successful candidates were given an information pack which included details on what to say to wavering members. These pointers included, Mention the trouble with the Muslims and our Troops, Tell them youre in training if you blunder and finally Smile, sit up straight, and remember Yes gets you paid and helps the BNP succeed for Britain. Businesswoman Iryna Bandarieva, 69, and Ihor Shandar, 60, were refused bail when they appeared before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court today Some of the cash that was seized A Ukrainian travel agent and her husband were apprehended at Dublin Airport after they tried to smuggle 340,000 out of Ireland for a transnational criminal organisation, a court heard. Businesswoman Iryna Bandarieva (69) of Dolce Travel, and Ihor Shandar, 60, were arrested at Terminal 1 on Thursday after they were allegedly caught "red-handed". They were refused bail when they appeared before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court today charged with money laundering offences. It follows a joint investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue. The couple with an address in Betova, Kiev, Ukraine, face duplicate charges under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, which carries a maximum 14-year sentence on conviction. They were accused of possessing 340,000 in crime proceeds at Dublin Airport on April 9, but their solicitor, Julianne Hayden, said her clients deny the allegations. Some of the cash that was seized Ms Bandarieva and Mr Shandar faced separate hearings with identical objections to bail due to flight risk. With the help of a translator, the businesswoman told the court the money was from their life savings. "My husband and I are planning to challenge this case in court. We have documents to prove the source of the money is legit". Objecting to bail, Detective Vincent Jaffray and Kate Gilligan, attached to the GNDOCB, cited the seriousness of the case and their lack of ties to Ireland and said the couple were caught red-handed. The detectives alleged that the GNDOCB received confidential information about the activities of a transnational crime group involved in money laundering and drug trafficking. The couple's luggage was checked, and officers found 170,000 in 50 notes and 17 bundles of 10,000 each among the clothing of Mr Shandar's luggage. Some 167,000 was found in Ms Bandarieva's baggage. Another 7,000 was in their hand luggage. The officers believed 340,000 in the bundles was proceeds of crime and that the pair were taking it out of the jurisdiction. They arrived in the country the previous day. Detective Jaffray said that when interviewed, Mr Shandar claimed they came to Ireland for a sightseeing trip. The contested bail hearing was told that four mobile phones were seized with information and a photo of 34 bundles of cash on a bed, suspected to be the 340,000 recovered from their luggage. The court heard they arrived in Ireland on Wednesday from Nice, France, and used a bank card to pay for a hotel. The court heard the defendants had recently moved to Italy and claimed the money was to buy a property in Cyprus. The gardai said they were set to fly there on Thursday and, following a 12-hour stopover, get an onward flight to Milan, Italy. Judge Halpin heard that Mr Shandar, who had never been to Ireland before, had two passports. However, it was established when he gave evidence that one was for internal travel within Ukraine. Detective Gilligan told the bail hearing that she feared Ms Bandarieva would not remain in Ireland if released on bail. She had visited the country once previously. Ms Hayden said they had applied to be allowed to reside in Italy but could transfer that process to Ireland. The detective believed that she would be able to leave the country and told the court Ms Bandarieva's travel agent business was still operating in Ukraine, and that she had family in the UK. The solicitor told Judge Halpin her clients would fight the case. They gave evidence telling the court they would remain in Ireland and obey bail conditions until their trial, which may not commence for two years. Their solicitor said Mr Shandar was allowed to leave Ukraine after turning 60 and was no longer available to be conscripted for the war against Russia. Ms Bandarieva said, "I promise I will remain in Ireland until this has been dealt with. I'm willing to sign on at a garda station every single day. I have only one passport, which can be held by the guards, and I don't have any other passports". The court heard Ms Bandarieva had trust issues with banks. The defence solicitor described her as a lady of good character with no prior convictions who had worked all her life. Pleading for bail, Ms Hayden said the businesswoman was "not Jason Bourne" and had only one passport. Judge Halpin stressed they had the presumption of innocence but refused bail. Legal aid was granted and they were remanded in custody to appear again on Wednesday. The GNDOCB must obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the judge urged the detectives to expedite the case. His dirty dealings were uncovered following the takedown of EncroChat A gang boss who sold guns and weapons to organised crime groups in the UK has pleaded guilty to a range of firearms offences following a four year manhunt to track him down. Philip Waugh (39) appeared before Liverpool Crown Court today and admitted to arming criminals across the United Kingdom. Waugh smuggled the guns to the UK before his right-hand man Robert Brazendale (37) took possession of them and provided them to customers from various organised crime groups Their crimes were uncovered in 2020 when encrypted messaging service EncroChat was infiltrated by law enforcement and an unidentified British crime boss was discovered to be advertising a list of military grade weapons to UK crime groups. The crime boss who used the handle Aceprospect was later identified as Waugh. Aceprospect, who was operating from abroad, offered for sale: two AK47 firearms, a Skorpion machine gun, an Uzi machine gun, a range of pistols and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. An NCA investigation to unmask Aceprospect came to fruition last September after a four-year manhunt when they arrested Waugh at a rented villa in Malaga. He was extradited to the UK in March and remanded to custody. In February 2022, Brazendale, of Selworthy Drive, Warrington, Cheshire, was jailed for 11 years and three months for transferring other firearms from the gun list. His sentence was later reduced to 10 years on appeal, but today he also admitted to another slew of firearms offences which he committed with Waugh. Philip Waugh, who has a previous conviction for domestic assault of a partner, also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to inflict grievous bodily harm after he instructed an accomplice to throw acid in a mans face. He plotted with gangland enforcer Jonathan Gordon (37), a member of Liverpools Deli Mob, to blind an unnamed man. Waugh told Gordon, who used the EncroChat handle Valuedbridge, to double the dose and cook the intended victim with acid. Just need him blind and face melted, Waugh said in a message to Gordon. On the day Gordon was due to carry out the attack, police patrol officers approached him in Liverpool before he ran off. The car he was in was seized and ultimately, the attack was prevented. Brazendale also admitted conspiring to inflict grievous bodily harm on the man. Waugh and Brazendale are set to be sentenced on June 27th. The NCA worked for five years to trace, locate and bring Philip Waugh to justice under Operation Venetic, Ben Rutter, NCA senior investigating officer, said. He supplied an array of terrifying automatic and semi-automatic weaponry to offenders who were planning horrific crimes. He didnt care at all about who might be killed in the process, he only cared about money. He is an extremely dangerous offender, Rutter continued. The NCA will continue to do everything we can with partners at home and abroad to prevent organised crime groups trafficking firearms. SEOUL, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Losang Jamcan, vice chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, led an NPC delegation on a visit to South Korea from April 10 to 12. During the visit, Losang Jamcan held meetings and talks with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Deputy Speaker Lee Hack-young, and Kim Tae-nyeon, president of the South Korea-China Parliamentarians' Union. Losang Jamcan spoke positively of the achievements in China-South Korea relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 30 years ago. He emphasized that China and South Korea are and will remain close neighbors and inseparable partners. China attaches great importance to developing the bilateral relations, and its policy toward South Korea remains consistent and stable. He noted that China is willing to deepen exchanges and cooperation with South Korea across various fields, strengthen interactions between legislative institutions, and promote the healthy and stable development of the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership. The South Korean side reaffirmed its position of respecting the one-China principle, and expressed its willingness to enhance high-level and legislative exchanges with China, actively promote cooperation in economy, trade, culture, and other fields, and work together for better mutual development. John Todaro is the vice president of the Buffalo chapter of the organisation A member of Bikers Against Child Abuse has been arrested by New York State Troopers for possession of child abuse material. John C Todaro, who was known as an advocate for childrens safety, is the vice president of the Buffalo chapter of the organization. He was arrested on Wednesday in Amherst for allegedly distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material after the Computer Crimes Unit conducted an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation and found he possessed child pornography and was disseminating child pornography. The 49-year-old was charged with Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony) and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (E Felony) and released on bail. While its unclear if he has yet entered a plea, Todaro is set to appear in court again next month. In a press statement, New York State Police say that due to his role in the organisation, he would have had opportunities to be around children and child victims. Bikers Against Child Abuse is a non-profit organisation that offers a 24/7/365 hotline for children to call if they are being abused and need help. Their website says its their purpose to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live, the website adds. The organisation say that their volunteers come from all walks of life professionals, blue-collar workers, and everything in between adding that they only discriminate against one kind of person: child abusers Everyone else meeting the basic requirements and having the time, the commitment, and the energy are welcome. To become a member of the organisation you need to be 18 or older and pass a full background check along with other requirements such as attending monthly meetings and have access to a motorcycle. In the frequently asked questions section of the website, the organisation outline how they ensure no child abusers can become members of the BACA. All applicants must submit to and pass the highest-level government background check, approved by BACA. International Inc. and local authorities, as well as local background checks required by law as applicable, their answer reads. The background check provides advanced screening for any crimes against children or domestic violence involving children. Also, during the first year, BACA members evaluate the applicants character, trustworthiness, loyalty, and any potential for concern. All applicants must be unanimously approved. The organisation, which has chapters across the globe including Australia, Italy, France and the United Kingdom, have not yet commented on the arrest of John Todaro. His scheme is being described as one of Britain's largest ever property scams Interpol have issued a notice to police across the globe in a bid to try and assist UK authorities to track down criminal assets belonging to a convicted fraudster. The National Crime Agency are trying to trace and recover 8.5 (9.8m) million worth of assets linked to Anopkumar Maudhoo. The 45-year-old, who used several aliases, was convicted last month after he pleaded guilty to 76 offences including fraud, money laundering and possession of false identity documents. He is set to be sentenced in June at Southwark Crown Court for what is being described as one of Britain's largest ever property scams. Maudhoo admitted to orchestrating a large-scale conveyancing fraud where he offered his clients investment opportunities in repossessed properties or the re-development of land across the south of England between 2021 and 2024. However, in reality the properties were not subject to repossession proceedings and the genuine owners were unaware that their property had been fraudulently been sold. He then used his criminal cash to fund a luxurious lifestyle. In the meantime, he is subject of an order which facilitates locating, identifying, and obtaining information about laundered assets such as properties, vehicles, financial accounts and businesses. Cops also discovered that his deportation from the UK to his home country of Mauritius had been ordered in 2010. Domestic enquiries into Maudhoo are also ongoing to identify assets which could be sold to compensate victims using Proceeds of Crime Act legislation. A speedboat and 19 high-value cars, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins, have already been seized. They discovered 14 sets of fake documents with aliases such as Vincent Lebeouf, Yusef Khan, and Vicenzo Conte. When arrested he produced a false driving license with the name Pascal Burns on it. He has 25 previous convictions for fraud, and investigators say he has strong links abroad, particularly in Europe. Its the first time Interpol has issued a Silver Notice, which is for the purpose of identifying and tracking criminal assets, on behalf of the NCA. The notice allows Interpol member countries to request information on assets linked to a person's criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, environmental crime and other serious offenses. It also facilitates locating, identifying, and obtaining information about laundered assets including properties, vehicles, financial accounts and businesses. Countries can subsequently use the information to request that another country conduct seizures, confiscations and or recovery of assets, subject to national laws. This particular notice is part of a pilot phase involving 52 countries and territories and is set to run until at least until November. The interior is comfy and slick, and the dash is user friendly And then there were three. Well, technically three and a half. But lets just say three EVs for now. Fords comeback has been slow and steady and certainly hasnt been without its moments and definitely hasnt been as smooth as the drive from the electric powertrain boasts. But here we are now in April 2025 and Ford has three EVs on their fleet. Joining the Capri and the Explorer is the brand new baby of the family in the form of the Puma Gen-e. Yes, yes, I know there are the Mustang Mach-e too but that never really took off so lets just focus on these three. And in particular, the newest arrival. Ford Puma Gen-E, Ford Explorer, Ford Capri, Mustang Mach-E I am in Barcelona and the motoring press have gathered around the compact crossover to find out what all the hype is about. Announced a few years ago and technically launched in December 2024, we have been waiting to see how the facelifted car looks and drives now that it is an EV. There is definitely a familial look going on here, but the Ford bosses are keep to stress its aerodynamic (there is a longer spoiler on this version) and fun designs when talking us through the car. In truth I didnt need a team of experts to tell me it is a good-looking car; bubbly in looks as well as nature because it has some fun features that I will get to later. For starters though lets talk range they are claiming 376km. They also claim you can get 13.1kW per 100km and over the course of two days of testing it wasnt far off that number. There is clearly an average range calculator installed because there were times when the number was frighteningly high, but dont stress over five hours of driving in rush hour urban settings as well as the picturesque Catalan mountains around the city, we got much closer to an average of 15kW per 100km. Oh, and you can also charge up the batter from 10 to 80 percent in just 23 mins when hooked up to a 100kW DC charge point. The interior is comfy and slick, and the dash is user friendly It will come with three trim lines that have four options and six colours to choose from. Here in Ireland they are offering an 8-year warranty or 160,000km also on the battery offering buyers some peace of mind. Inside is neat and comfy with some clever storage options and a well-laid out dashboard. Aside from the usual two-screen layout there are actual tangible buttons for changing the Drive mode, parking camera and when you want to turn the climate control to max. Ford has placed all other climate controls in a row at the bottom of the touch screen, so you dont have to go exploring too far but we did find those controls a little finicky and hard to manipulate while driving. Everything else is behind the touch screen. The dash is cushioned by an as-standard Bang & Olufsen premium sound system that stretches across two thirds of the entire width. Other as-standard features include a Sensico synthetic leather-effect seat trim, wireless smart phone charger, a Driver Assistance Pack that includes speed sign recognition and pretty good rear-view camera. There is a 12 centre touchscreen which allows Apple Carplay and Android connectivity and there is a hands-free tailgate too. The boot space is ridiculously big On the subject of that section Ford has upgraded the slightly-gimmicky-but-wholly-practical megabox boot to something they now call the Giga Box Boot which offers a further 65 litres of storage compared to its previous iteration. It is now offering 574 litres in total which is a phenomenal amount of space to have at your disposal in a car this size. Boots shouldnt be sexy, but this feature is the cars major USP and would even shock the Skoda designers, who for years have been working dark arts on their respective boot spaces. The rear seats are a little bit tight for adults, but I fully envisage the kids having no problems with it later in the year when I get a full test week in it. Drive wise it is a good solid performing car that can do 0-100km in 8 seconds and loves to be thrown into corners, especially around the incredible mountain routes of Barcelona. Road and wind noise is at a minimum here too and if you ever do get it creeping in at higher speeds the B&O sound bar is there to drown it out. It is an altogether better car that has a lot going for it, but there is one big red flag and that is the pricing. If Ford were able to knock a few more thousand off the asking price and get it in under the 30k mark I think it would fly out of the showrooms but with an entry level of 32k and a realistic asking price of 35k for the popular versions, they are asking a lot of Ford customers when you compare the cost to some of its competitors. That aside, I know Irish car buyers will still buy this car. Its a great looking car, it has a good range, it is fun, safe and comfy to drive, it has THAT boot and while it isnt the cheapest B Segment EV option on the market it is also far form the most expensive too. This week did prove one thing for sure. Ford is heading in the right direction again. They have a fleet to be proud of with some great cars and with more to come in both the passenger and commercial vehicle space. You might not be able to get the Fiestas and Mondeos anymore, but the new batch are impressive and are here to stay. We will do a full test week in the Puma Gen-E later in the year Meaney plays fictional gang boss Kieran Walsh in the new international TV series Safe Harbour Charlie Murphy is among the cast in the series Ozark creator Mark Williams has revealed hes thrilled to hear that one of the main characters in his new crime drama draws comparisons with mob boss John Gilligan. Colm Meaney plays fictional gang boss Kieran Walsh in the new international TV series Safe Harbour, which centres around an Irish family operation smuggling drugs through the port of Rotterdam. In the series, Walsh is portrayed as the owner of a huge equestrian centre where he shows he has a love of horses. Colm Meaney and Charlie Murphy star in Safe Harbor In real life, convicted drug trafficker Gilligan whose gang was responsible for the murder of crime journalist Veronica Guerin owned the Jessbrook equestrian centre in Co. Kildare, which was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau. I do know the Irish have a long history with horses, and felt it was important to layer Colms character with multiple interests, making him more dynamic, American film director and producer Williams tells the Sunday World. Its news to me [about Gilligan], but its good to hear its not far-fetched. Williams had reasons to centre the TV series which has already been screened in the Netherlands and kicks off on Virgin Media tonight on an Irish crime gang. The Irish are always entertaining, and Irish actors are outstanding, he points out. The fact Ireland is a part of Europe is a key element of the story, as our Irish crime family wants to expand their empire into continental Europe. Charlie Murphy is among the cast in the series He confirms he is aware of the Kinahan crime gang and admits he drew inspiration from several real-life characters. I did learn about some of the more famous Irish crime families, which was great inspirational fodder for the characters, especially the father of our Irish family, played so well by the lovely Colm Meaney, he admits. I have been to Ireland and enjoyed it very much. Also, I have previously worked with some well-known Irish actors which coloured my knowledge of the Irish people, who I find intriguing, wise and funny. Not to mention, theyre not far off from my Welsh roots. Williams co-created one of the biggest hits on Netflix in recent years, Ozark, and there are hopes Safe Harbor will bring him new success, with plans to also screen it in America in the near future. As well as Meaney, the new series stars Jack Gleeson, Charlie Murphy and Pauline McLynn, as well as English actor Alfie Allen and Dutch star Martijn Lakemeier. The drama is based around an Irish mob looking to make the most of Rotterdams drug-trafficking-friendly port. Gifted hacker Tobias (Allen) and his ambitious friend Marco (Lakemeier) are intent on cracking the tech billionaires club. . They are plucked from quiet obscurity and plunged head-first into the chaos of organised crime when they cross paths with the Irish mob. Leading the familys operations in Holland are Sloane (Charlie Murphy) and her brother Farrell (Jack Gleeson), who enlist their services to hack into the security system of Rotterdam harbour Europes largest shipping port to secure the undetected deliveries of drug shipments. The opening scenes state the story is inspired by real life events. My producing partner on the series, Femke Wolting, introduced me to the story which was inspired by real events that took place in the 20-teens, explains Williams. A couple of computer hackers actually tapped into a port control system, leading them on a dangerous adventure. It was wonderful inspiration that unleashed the concept of what happens when tech guys get caught in the middle of a drug war. Gleeson looks unrecognisable, sporting long hair and a moustache. The Wicklow man also puts on a strong Dublin accent, which Williams says some viewers may find difficult to understand. There were certainly conversations about Jacks accent, he says. Some people couldnt understand everything he was saying, but we chose to stick with him being authentic, and I believe it adds a fun character element. Subtitles will help those who cant quite make out everything hes saying, although the intent should be loud and clear regardless. Wexford actress Charlie Murphy found fame here playing Siobhan Delaney in Love/Hate. I have seen some of it [Love/Hate], Williams says. Charlie is so talented and entertaining to watch. She was amazing to work with.. Jay Cartmill (43) of Coolnasilla Park, will spend a further two years on supervised licence on his release from prison. A west Belfast man branded a "professional fraudster'' was jailed today for two years over an almost 1.3 million plus banking fraud racket. Jay Cartmill (43) of Coolnasilla Park, will spend a further two years on supervised licence on his release from prison. The father-of-two faced a total of 44 offences spanning a two-year period between March 2018 and March 2020. He pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to defraud and 15 counts of fraud by false representation. Cartmill further admitted three counts of entering into an arrangement to acquire criminal property, possessing criminal property and 22 counts of possessing articles in connection with fraud. Co-accused Paul Diamond (63), of White Glen, Barry Martin McLaughlin (47), of Horn Drive and Sean Edward McMahon (42), of Coolnasilla Park West, all west Belfast, had previously pleaded guilty to a single charge they each faced of assisting offenders. All three were ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work in the community. Prosecution counsel Philip Henry KC described Cartmill as a "professional fraudster'' and his scam involved almost 1.3 million. He said at one end of the fraud was Cartmill and at the other end were McLaughlin and McMahon who were acting as "money mules'' who allowed him to use their bank accounts to pay in sums of cash fraudulently obtained by him. "He had a large number of victims. It was sophisticated, it was planned and there were attempts made to avoid detection, he added. Jay Cartmill, aka 'King Con', at Belfast Crown Court during proceedings. The court heard Cartmill travelled to the Republic of Ireland on several occasions in 2019 driven there by Paul Diamond staying in hotels in Dublin and Dundalk. Mr Henry added: "He used the hotels' WiFi in conjunction with various mobile telephones and Sim cards to contact bank customers and banks. "He created virtual telephone numbers through an online service provider. Calls were made from a different telephone number different to Cartmill's own phone and Sim cards. "The injured parties were often contacted after they made complaints about their bank on social media thereby providing the defendant a platform to contact them, ostensibly calling on behalf of the bank. "After gaining their confidence he obtained information about them and their banking details in order to access their accounts either using their online banking or by calling the bank by telephone by pretending to be the customer.'' He said the cash stolen fraudulently by Cartmill was paid into "mule accounts'' provided by McMahon and McLaughlin before the money was extracted from those accounts within a short period after the cash had been deposited. The court heard Cartmill was arrested on December 10, 2019, while driving between Newry and Belfast. He was a passenger in Diamond's car following an overnight stay in a Dublin hotel. "Multiple items were seized from the car including a laptop, mobile phones, Sim cards and a large amount of cash stored in his suitcase,'' said Mr Henry. "Interrogation of the seized devices revealed links to his offending. He gave a no comment interview and provided a written statement denying he was at one of the hotels.'' The court was told that Cartmill has 159 previous convictions with 40 entries for deception, 12 for forgery and 86 convictions for fraud. In October 2013 he was jailed at Belfast Crown Court for two years for multiple counts of fraud by false representation committed in 2011. In September 2014 Cartmill received a two year suspended prison sentence for fraud by false representation for offences committed between 2003 to 2014. Mr Henry said the prosecution was applying for a Serious Crime Prevention Order against Cartmill along with a Proceeds of Crime Order. Greg Berry KC for Cartmill told the court: "There is no doubt in this case he is the principle and pivotal offender and he accepts that. "He has a record for this type of offending and he has been involved in confidence frauds for a period of time which is reflected in his record. "It won't have escaped the court's notice that he was charged with other matters last month.'' In March this year, Cartmill was charged with 63 offences which included fraud by false representation, converting criminal property, and supplying a credit card for fraud. Cartmill was initially remanded in custody but was subsequently granted High Court bail after the judge was told he had undergone a process of transformative change. Mr Berry told the plea and sentencing hearing: "On my instructions he has made extensive admissions to those matters but that is for another day.'' He urged the court to give Cartmill credit for his guilty plea as "these were complex matters and a jury trial would have lasted up to three months and he has saved court time and considerable resources''. "His guilty pleas are an acknowledgement of his remorse. The court may view his remorse as shedding crocodile tears,'' said the defence KC. "However, it is clear what I would call elements of duress in this case which he could have sought to use in contesting this case before a jury. "We say he was under duress from a terrorist organisation when he committed these offences. "He benefitted only marginally from his conduct as the stolen sums were taken by those who were threatening him. This was notified to the PSNI to check its veracity.'' In 2014, Cartmill was given a suspended jail sentence for a fraud which involved stealing almost 50,000 from TV stars Stephen Nolan and Eamonn Holmes. He defrauded Holmes of 17,000 and Nolan of 22k. The court heard that in 2015 Cartmill had appeared on The Nolan television show hosted by Stephen Nolan in which he met with victims of his previous convictions and said he was "turning over a new leaf''. However, he committed further fraudulent offences which had now brought him back to court for sentencing. McMahon's counsel Frank O'Donoghue KC said his client "made no real financial gain'' out of the scam and his sole role was to provide Cartmill with his bank account details. "There is an acceptance that he received a commission but that is the height of it,'' said Mr O'Donoghue. "Until now he has led an exemplary life bar a few motoring convictions. He foolishly allowed himself to get involved in this exercise to help a friend for modest gain.'' Senior counsel Ciaran Murphy KC for McLaughlin: "This offence is entirely out of character for him. He feels grossly ashamed and embarrassed about it. "He was used as a conduit. He made no financial gain and this was a naive engagement on his part.'' Gary McHugh KC said Diamond was a taxi driver by profession and acted as a driver for Cartmill. "As far as he was concerned he was providing a service. He makes the case that Mr Cartmill owed him money for the last trip he made to Dublin. "Mr Diamond had no knowledge of what was going on with Mr Cartmill. There was no financial reward or gain for him. He played a very limited, peripheral role in what was a very significant criminal enterprise.'' Passing sentence on Cartmill today, Judge Sandra Crawford said the aggravating factors were his significant criminal record, the large number of victims, the offending occurred over a significant period and the "significant efforts to avoid detection''. Judge Crawford told him: "It is clear from your record and this offending that you are a professional fraudster, practiced and expert in your deception of both the unwary and unsuspecting customer as well as trained bank officials. "Your offending was sophisticated and involved a high degree of planning and premeditation. "This is demonstrated by the targeting of customers who had raised issues about their bank through social media, by the methods employed to mimmick bank transactions and by the numerous digital transactions to multiple 'mule accounts' with swift ATM withdrawals thereafter. "All of this required a well structured and managed regime in which you played a senior and key role. This offending involved a significant level of culpability,'' added Judge Crawford. PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Uel Boyd said: "Between 2017 and 2020, Cartmill contacted a number of account holders, many of them older people, by phone. He purported to be a representative from their bank and tricked them into handing over sensitive information. "He was then able to contact banking institutions with the information the victims had unwittingly provided and claim to be their customer, logging into online banking and quickly moving the funds within the accounts to other accounts throughout the world. "The total amount lost to the banking industry is 1.3 million." Detective Chief Inspector Boyd continued: Fraud is a crime which has a huge emotional impact on its victims. Cartmill targeted the life-savings of innocent people, and acted with no thought for the long-lasting trauma he caused through his deception. His only concern was to line his own pockets. "Today's sentence should send a clear message to those involved in scamming hard-working people that they will be vigorously pursued and brought before the courts to face the consequences of their actions." Reports circulated on Friday night about the fracas between groups of young people at Ballyholme beach near Bangor. Reports circulated on Friday night about the fracas between groups of young people at Ballyholme beach near Bangor. Videos have circulated online showing youths fighting, with some engaging in punching and kicking. One report alleged that a knife had been produced. The PSNI said officers were aware of the videos and claims that weapons had been used, and were investigating the reports. They dismissed false rumours that spread online that someone had died. The PSNI said: At around 8.15pm last evening, Friday, we responded to reports of a large fight at Ballyholme beach. Further reports from the area suggested that weapons had been used. We attended the scene and dealt with a large number of young persons in the area and we remained at the beach dealing with the incident for some time. Our investigation into this incident is at an early stage however, we are aware of a number of videos circulating online showing fights between large groups of people. We are asking for witnesses to this incident to come forward and work with us as we investigate and try to identify those responsible. We are also aware that there are rumours circulating that following the incident, a male has died - this is not the case and this sort of speculation is not helpful. We are not aware of any serious injuries. People need to responsible when posting online. Good weather is forecast again for today and whilst we want our children and young people to enjoy the warm weather and our open spaces, our message is clear - we will take robust action against those who get involved in any form of anti social behaviour. Don't let foolish decisions ruin your future prospects. Local MP Alex Easton described what happened last night as deplorable and totally unacceptable. The PSNI said: At around 8.15pm last evening, Friday, we responded to reports of a large fight at Ballyholme beach. Further reports from the area suggested that weapons had been used. We attended the scene and dealt with a large number of young persons in the area and we remained at the beach dealing with the incident for some time. Our investigation into this incident is at an early stage however, we are aware of a number of videos circulating online showing fights between large groups of people. We are also aware that there are rumours circulating that following the incident, a male has died - this is not the case and this sort of speculation is not helpful. We are not aware of any serious injuries. People need to responsible when posting online." Mr Easton, the MP for North Down, said he had been told that police patrols will increase in the area this weekend. He told the Belfast Telegraph: The behaviour at Ballyholme beach last night is deplorable and totally unacceptable. This has caused huge alarm in the local community and I would call for anyone with any evidence or information to come forward to the police and assist their enquiries. Ive spoken to the local commander and they are putting extra resources into patrolling the beaches today and tonight. 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. 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. 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. Mount Mainstreets leadership team is evolving, with Harris Williams stepping in as business improvement manager and Rae Baker as head of strategy and growth. Williams, founder and managing director of Wisp Marketing Agency, offers expertise in marketing strategy and business development. Baker is founder of Rebel Female and festival director of the Flavours of Plenty Festival, with a proven track record in leading events that drive community engagement and stimulate economic growth. Its an exciting opportunity to bring our skillsets and experience to an organisation like Mount Mainstreet, said Williams. Were eager to collaborate with the members, building on the strong foundations already in place, and help our business community continue to thrive. Mount Mainstreet head of strategy and growth Rae Baker. Photo/Supplied. The management team is supported by its volunteer board, a group of local business owners and landlords committed to championing the interests of their business community. Williams takes over from Michael Clark, who stepped down to focus on the growth of his business, Polar Dessert Bar. Plan Change 33 Williams said much of his work will be focused on advocacy, reflecting the collective position on matters including council decisions on commercial rates, potential increases to outdoor dining and alcohol licence fees, and possible parking charges that are impacting member businesses. In 2025, we will engage the new council to seek a review of Plan Change 33s impact on the Mount town centre, Williams said. Mount Mainstreet wants a new town centre plan developed by its members and the local community, recognising them as the passionate stakeholders best suited to protect the areas uniqueness. Real momentum Bakers newly-established role is designed to enhance collaborative, city-wide opportunities. Mount Maunganui holds so much magic its vibrant, creative, and fiercely local, Baker said. Im passionate about helping our businesses and events thrive by providing collaborative opportunities that assist in our growth journey. Theres a real momentum here, and Im excited to be part of it. Heading into the cooler season, Mount Mainstreets management team is focused on connecting with its loyal Mountie locals. Our slice of paradise is a hotspot for domestic and international tourism, Williams said. But for a large portion of the year, the locals are the heartbeat of our streets, and we want to ensure we foster that unique aspect of our community in everything we do. Where else? He acknowledged that a difficult economy and increasing business costs had recently put pressure on Mount Maunganui businesses but maintains a positive outlook for 2025. Where else can you get immediate access to an award-winning beach, a natural gem in our maunga, all while immersing yourself in a vibrant community scene of local entrepreneurs offering boutique shopping, dining and services, Williams said. Looking ahead, the team is excited about upcoming free events, including the jazz festival at Easter and a Community Curling activation on April 23-24. Jazz at the Mount is always a great time, featuring live music at Te Papa o Nga Manu Porotakataka, and a vintage car display at Coronation Park, Williams said. Theres also a whole host of live gigs to catch within our hospitality establishments as part of Uptown Downtown all week, too. Its a great way to get Mount Mainstreet involved in the festivities and bring people together. Tauranga Citys Yatton Park, Tutarawananga, is set to become a sea of yellow later this year in honour of Daffodil Day. The Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty has teamed up with EVES Real Estate and Tauranga City Council to create a special memory meadow for people affected by cancer and their whanau. During winter months there will be a densely planted field of daffodils growing in Yatton Park. The flowers are set to bloom in time for Daffodil Day at the end of August and residents are encouraged to contribute by buying daffodil bulbs, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty. Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty CEO Helen Carter said the Memory Meadow in Tauranga will be a very special destination which people can visit to remember a loved one or to honour the journey theyve been on. With a target of 10,000 bulbs, the Memory Meadow will make for a spectacular display in spring but is reliant on community contributions to make the magic happen, Carter said. The more bulbs that are purchased, the more the Cancer Society can do for people in our community. Bulbs can be purchased online, with the option of also participating in a community planting event on Saturday, May 10, 1pm at Yatton Park where bulbs will also be available on-site for purchase. Spokesperson Vicki Semple said EVES is thrilled to be the principal sponsor of Memory Meadow to help create a permanent space a legacy of sorts for people in our community who have been affected by cancer. I encourage others to get behind this initiative to help the Cancer Society Waikato/BOP continue to provide those crucial services, especially as cancer rates continue to rise across New Zealand. This initiative is supported by Tauranga City Council, which has provided the bulbs, park space and support with the planting event Mayor Mahe Drysdale said everyone has been impacted by cancer in some way either directly or indirectly. Were proud to be able to support this special cause its a wonderful way to bring the community together in support. To purchase bulbs for the Memory Meadow, visit: www.bit.ly/memorymeadowstauranga Speaking to an audience can be quite daunting for many people. Senior students from Katikati College took part this month in a special speaking skills course run by iSpeak Trust with funding from the Wright Family Foundation. The course is designed to support senior secondary students develop their speaking skills and grow their confidence in public speaking, said an iSpeak Trust spokesperson in a statement. Students learn to manage nerves and any fears they may have when speaking to a group of students or adults. They are encouraged to find their own voice. From fun impromptu speeches about unusual animals and interesting homes to live in, to presenting and polishing a prepared speech, all the students made visible improvements as the course progressed, the spokesperson said. They quickly found out how easy it was to speak in public if equipped with appropriate skills and strategies. Students were given feedback by their peers and facilitators. The skills learned are life skills, The Wright Family Foundation have funded the charity iSpeak Trust to provide this fun learning course at Tauranga Boys, Mount Maunganui and Katikati colleges. The course is available for all senior high school students. For further information about donating to iSpeak Trust or organising a course for senior students, contact Gaye Stratton on 021 778810 or check out the website on https://www.ispeaktrust.com/ LONDON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The British government announced Friday that it has expanded its ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products to include all EU countries as foot-and-mouth disease spreads across the continent. Starting Saturday, travelers entering Britain will no longer be allowed to bring cattle, sheep, goat, pig meat and dairy products from all EU countries for personal use. Items such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats and milk are prohibited regardless of their packaging or whether they were purchased at duty-free shops. This measure aims to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers and Britain's food security, according to the government. Travelers found carrying these items will be required to surrender them at the border or face confiscation and destruction. In severe cases, violators could incur fines of up to 5,000 pounds (6,550 U.S. dollars) in England. Earlier this year, the British government banned personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria following confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in these countries. The new restrictions now apply to all EU nations. Although foot-and-mouth disease poses no risk to humans and there are currently no cases in Britain, it is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas. The outbreak of the disease on the continent presents a significant threat to farm businesses and livestock health, as it can cause substantial economic losses due to reduced productivity in affected animals and restricted access to international markets for meat and dairy products. Four learners have won Acorn Foundation scholarships, 11 students were granted TECT First-in-Family awards, and 10 students were awarded TECT Returning Student scholarships. Students from the University of Waikato Tauranga campus celebrated their awards with friends and family in March. These scholarships are provided by Acorn Foundation donors and by the trustees of TECT to help students afford the expenses of tertiary education. The first scholarship from Acorn was the Acorn Foundation Beverly Perszyk Scholarship. This award is intended for a student who is the first in their family to go on to tertiary study and has completed at least one year at university. This years winner is Aria Gibson, who is in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in marine science. Attending university was a massive step for me to take as it marked the beginning of my journey into adulthood and gaining independence. My parents have always advocated for choice in regard to the journey after high school and are incredibly proud that I have found the study route and career path, Gibson said. The next scholarship was the Acorn Foundation Kenneth Perszyk Sr Adult Learner Scholarship. This award is for the financial assistance of adult learners (40 years and over) during any stage of their study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus. Scholarship winner This years winner is Te Puke High School deputy principal Simon McGillivray, who is completing a one-year Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi, an immersion Maori language programme. About 45% of the student population of Te Puke High School is Maori, and McGillivray says he feels that its very important to model the use of te reo Maori when he represents the school and the community. This course will assist him to demonstrate in education and society the cultural significance and important taonga of the language. I would like to think its never too late to learn, improve learning outcomes, provide opportunities for Maori students and inspire new Te Reo Maori learners. Bruce Longmore Scholarship The Acorn Foundation Bruce Longmore Scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2025, to a student in undergraduate or postgraduate education who has completed at least 2 years of study in the fields of marine science, environmental science, or ecology and biodiversity. The inaugural award has been issued to Bella Muir, a student entering her third year of study in a Bachelor of Science, majoring in marine science. Eva Trowbridge Scholarship In 2007, the Acorn Foundation Eva Trowbridge Scholarship was launched, and it has up to now assisted 18 adult students, 25 years and older, to undertake studies through the University of Waikato Tauranga campus. This years winner is well-respected Te Puke local Louisa Westerlund. She is a valued volunteer at Bay Financial Mentors and many other non-profit organisations. Westerlund is currently studying for a Bachelor of Laws. The annual Vaisakhi celebration in Tauranga this weekend will be a multicultural event. Last year was the first time we held a parade and it was awesome, said Ranjit Singh, of Tauranga Sikh Society. People were coming out of their houses to see what we were doing and asking questions about us, which was good. This year, the Sikh community is inviting people to a free shared lunch on Sunday, April 13, from 11.30am in Merivale. Well be setting up tents in front of the Merivale Community Centre thats being reconstructed, Singh said. Were expecting about 300 people to join us for traditional Indian food. Ranjit Singh, of Tauranga Sikh Society, welcomes everyone to Sundays Vaisakhi celebration in Merivale. Photo / Brydie Thompson Singh said Vaisakhi was traditionally a spring harvest celebration, primarily in India, that has stretched to countries around the world. The new Khalsa order of the Sikh religion was created in 1699. It was founded by the 10th guru, Gobind Singh. The celebration is expected to be attended by Sikhs from around the region in traditional outfits, he said. Weve extended an open invitation to people from all cultures to come celebrate with us. Its a chance for New Zealanders to ask questions about us and our culture. We want to share this day with all local people. Vaisakhi is a special day for us and one of the most colourful celebrations on the Sikh calendar. Tauranga Sikh Societys annual Vaisakhi celebration outside the Merivale Community Centre building is on Sunday, April 13, from 11.30am. A judge has dismissed an injunction halting the controversial sale of Taurangas Marine Precinct. Justice Peter Andrews decision, released on Friday, said the interim injunction order was no longer in force and had been discharged. He found the arguments for stopping the sale generally weak, while claims of a local boat fleet being harmed were overstated. Tauranga City Councils $13.98 million sale of the precinct to Christchurch developer Sam Rofe was due to settle in November, but was halted by a last-minute High Court interim injunction. The injunction was filed by Sean Kelly, managing director of marine service company Pacific 7, who owns land at the precinct. Kelly also applied for a judicial review of the councils processes relating to the transaction. The basis for Pacific 7s injunction was the displacement of the working boats that use the precinct and a lack of consultation regarding the sale with precinct users. The case was heard by Justice Andrew in the High Court at Tauranga in February, with the public gallery so full that an overflow courtroom was needed. Justice Andrews decision said the merits of Pacific 7s claims were generally weak. I concluded that Pacific 7 had overstated the impact on the black boat fleet. I reject the claim of irreparable harm. An aerial overview of the Tauranga marine precinct. The precinct is outlined in red, the blue shaded areas are privately owned. Image / Tauranga City Council The haul-out and fit-out services of the Marine Precinct would remain available after the sale to Pacific 7 and other users on commercial terms, Justice Andrew said. The development agreement allowed use of the precinct by the working boat fleet for at least the next three years. There were also alternative locations for Pacific 7 and the working boats, he said. Despite these factors, there would be a material change for Pacific 7 and others at the precinct likely to face a period of considerable uncertainty. In regard to the claim about a lack of consultation, Justice Andrew said the council went beyond minimum requirements for consultation. It carried out engagement outside of and after the 2021 2031 Long-Term Plan amendment process, he said. The council formed the Marine Precinct Advisory Group after an independent review in 2019 and Kelly was a member. There was consultation by TwentyTwo consultants from June 2021 to December 2022. This involved several reports and episodes of engagement with the council and Marine Precinct stakeholders. Pacific 7 managing director Sean Kelly on the Tauranga Harbour in 2018. Photo / John Cousins The stakeholders consultation included Pacific 7 and the Harvey Family Fishing Group. The option of the type of disposal of the precinct was expressly canvassed on multiple occasions, Justice Andrew said. Justice Andrew acknowledged the significant contribution Kelly made to the Marine Precinct community. He concluded that during the relevant consultation and decision-making period Kelly had stepped back significantly from the Marine Precinct. From 2022, Kelly took a two-year break for a sailing trip with his family. He had previously told TwentyTwo that he did not plan to continue operating at the Marine Precinct, Justice Andrew said. Mr Kellys position may well have changed, but his apparent surprise late in the piece that the precinct was to be sold does appear, in substantial part, to be explicable by his absence. Pacific 7s lawyer Matthew King told Local Democracy Reporting his client was reviewing the decision and taking legal advice on next steps. Tauranga City Council confirmed on Friday it had received the High Court judgment. Publication of the judgment was embargoed for 24 hours, until Saturday morning and the council would make a statement once the court embargo was lifted. Both parties have been asked about their next steps in the case. Counsel for Rofe was also approached for comment on the judgment. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. The report shows there has also been an increase in the number of young people in families receiving a benefit. Photo: A new government child poverty report shows more kids and young people are living in material hardship than last year. The annual report on the child and youth strategy looked at a range of child poverty measures and indicators between July 2023 and June 2024. It showed that 13.4% of people aged between 0 and 17 were classified as being in material hardship. That's a 0.9% increase from the year prior and a 2.9 per cent rise from July 2021 to June 2022. Over the period of the latest report there has also been an increase in the number of young people in families receiving a benefit, more avoidable hospitalisations, declined immunisation rates for babies and more food insecurity compared to the year prior. However, just over half of students (53.7%) aged 6 to 16 attended school for 90% of the term. That's an increase of just over six per cent compared to the year prior. There has also been an increase in the number of three-year-olds attending early childhood education. Chief Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad said the annual report showed the government needed to step up the urgency to help kids. "It shows that on the most basic things, like having enough healthy food, safe and healthy housing, and physical health, we are majorly letting children down." Achmad said there needed to be a central focus put on children in Budget 2025. "This is necessary to deliver on the government's stated commitment in its Child and Youth Strategy to 'make New Zealand the best place in the world to be a child'." She said there needed to be an investment in policies that would help lift the burden of material hardship off children. "The government needs to make ending child poverty an ongoing project of national significance." Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston said many of the findings continued to reflect the challenges of a "prolonged cost of living crisis". "We know there are Kiwi families and their kids still doing it tough. We are working hard to fix that through initiatives like FamilyBoost, which as at April 2 had supported close to 52,000 households with the cost of early childhood education. "Going forward, our coalition government's work will continue to be informed by our social investment approach." Upston said the findings confirmed they were focusing on the right priorities in education and health. DEAR ABBY: My husband and I always host every holiday. During each holiday before we eat, we say a Catholic mealtime prayer because we are religious. However, recently, my husbands nieces and nephews, who are in their early 20s, stopped participating in the prayer. I am OK with that, but they talk and mock our prayer while we are praying. How can we handle this? Our children noticed how inappropriate they were. I understand if they dont want to participate, but shouldnt they sit quietly and respect us? I am against them coming into our home, mocking our religion and then putting out their hand for a gift. Thanks for any words of wisdom. -- FAITHFUL HOSTESS IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR HOSTESS: Wow. Your husbands nieces and nephews behavior is beyond rude. If they dont wish to join you in the pre-meal prayer, they ABSOLUTELY should be respectful and sit quietly until you are finished. When it happens again, the first words out of your husbands mouth after Amen should be to TELL them that what theyre doing is rude and not appreciated. However, if he cant bring himself to do that, the ball will be in your court. ** ** ** DEAR READERS: At sundown, the first night of Passover begins. This major Jewish holiday celebrates the most momentous event in Jewish history -- the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Happy Passover to my readers who observe this important holiday. -- LOVE, ABBY ** ** ** 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 Dear reader, Later this year, voters in the city of Syracuse will decide on the most significant leadership change in eight years. Right now, five Democrats and one Republican are in the running to replace Mayor Ben Walsh, an independent who cannot run again because of the citys term limit law. Syracuse.com | Post-Standard reporter Jeremy Boyer is closely following the race for us, and I asked him to share his insights with our readers. Earlier this week, Jeremy wrote about several different ways the outcome of this race could make city history. Syracuse may have its first Black mayor (four of the candidates are Black), its oldest mayor (Common Councilor Pat Hogan would get that distinction if he wins) or its first mayor who was a refugee (Common Councilior Chol Majok came to the United States as a Lost Boy from South Sudan). If Republican Thomas Babilon wins, that would be the first GOP mayoral victory this century, Jeremy said. While its still early, Jeremy recently wrote about Hogan securing support from three key female leaders in Common Council President Helen Hudson, Councilor-at-Large Rasheada Caldwell and School Board President Tamica Barnett. Those three women have all had convincing citywide election victories, so theyve been well-known and well-liked by the majority of city voters. Its also notable because in a city with a Black population of roughly 27%, Hogan, as the only white candidate in the primary, has support from some of the top elected Black women in Syracuse. To go back to 2017, many political observers have pointed to Hudsons endorsement of Walsh as a major contributor to his victory. The Democratic candidate will be decided in a primary in June, and Jeremy says voters shouldnt be surprised to see some of the other candidates continue to run on other party lines. Theres a good chance well see at least a couple of the same names on the fall ballot regardless of the primary result, he said. Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens is guaranteed a spot since shes locked up the Working Families Party ballot line, and Pat Hogan has said hes seriously considering trying to get the nearly 1,500 voter signatures required to be listed as an independent candidate. The other three Democrats have all said theyre also not ruling out an independent bid. Syracuse.com will host a live primary debate in partnership with Syracuse University at 7 p.m. April 30 and leading up well have several stories to help voters get a better idea of what differentiates the candidates. Were going to do our best to give readers clear information on how these candidates would address key issues, including the citys housing crisis, public safety, challenges with water infrastructure, and the continuing financial pressure caused by city revenue not keeping pace with expenses, Jeremy said. One way well do this is with a weekly issue question that well give to each candidate with a few days to respond. That series should start early next week. If you have a question youd like to make sure we ask the candidates, you can reach Jeremy directly at: jboyer@syracuse.com Manlius, N.Y. A 15-year-old Fayetteville-Manlius High School student faces multiple charges after bringing a knife to school Friday, police said. School resource officers found the knife after ending a verbal altercation between two students, said Manlius Police Lt. Gregory Snyder. No one was injured, he said. A 15-year-old student was charged with menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. All are misdemeanor charges. The student was given a Family Court appearance ticket. 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. Nineveh, N.Y. Two Upstate New York brothers have been arrested because one had child pornography and the other sexually abused a cow, troopers said. On April 4, troopers arrested Christopher A. Banks, 37 of Nineveh (Broome County), after a search warrant was executed at his home, said Trooper Aga Tinker, a spokesperson for State Police. Troopers found images consistent with child sexual exploitation and charged him with possessing a sexual performance by a child, Tinker said. While investigating Banks, troopers made a discovery about his brother, Mark G. Banks, 38, of Nineveh, she said. It was revealed that Mark Banks sexually abused a dairy cow while employed at a farm in the town of Colesville, she said. Mark Banks was charged with sexual misconduct, she said. Both men were issued appearance tickets, Tinker said. Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com. The American High film studio has been making teen-focused movies at the former A.V. Zogg middle school in Liverpool, N.Y., since 2017. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com) A Syracuse-based sketch comedy series has been nominated for a Webby Award. American High Shorts is one of five finalists for best comedy videos in the 2025 Webbys Peoples Voice category for social media. Its currently leading online voting with 45%, ahead of Comedy Centrals The Daily Show (39%), The Jubal Show, Guys on Dating Apps and the Chefs Table Parody Series. Fans can vote for American High Shorts at vote.webbyawards.com until Thursday, April 17. Voting is free with an email address. Winners will be announced May 12 in a ceremony hosted by Emmy-winning Broad City star Ilana Glazer. American High Shorts is a digital extension of the Liverpool, N.Y., film studio American High, which produces teen-centered movies like The Binge, Big Time Adolescence, Prom Dates, and the upcoming Summer of 69. The shorts similarly focus on high school and social experiences with funny, Saturday Night Live-like sketches about things like bathroom passes, school dress codes, drivers ed, prom and teacher behaviors. New @AmericanHighShorts clips are released weekly to a huge audience, surpassing 1 billion total views on TikTok and 4 billion views on YouTube. Collectively, the brand has close to 10 million followers across multiple social media platforms. Videos are filmed in Syracuse and the surrounding area, including at American Highs headquarters, the former A.V. Zogg middle school and Liverpool high school. Filmmaking classes are also taught at the building, now known as Syracuse Studios. Like SNL, some of the most popular sketches can help inspire ideas for movies or feature recurring characters. American High Digital spinoff brands include College Life and the web series Minimum Wage. The current core cast includes Luke Burke, Tommy Armstrong, Pete Flack, Chelsea Matkins, and Lydia Hynes. Theyre the next generation of American High Shorts and College Life, according to American High Digital director and producer Axelle Azoulay. Previous cast members, including Grace Reiter, Julia DiCesare, Hyde Healey, Paige Morrissey, Ryan Micho and Aidan Micho, have graduated from AH Digital but will continue to appear as guest stars, Azoulay said. Most of them also have roles in Summer of 69, which will be released May 9 on Hulu. L to R: Hyde Healy, Aidan Micho, Julia DeCesare, Grace Reiter and Ryan Micho have starred in American High Shorts videos. (Chris Thompson | Courtesy of American High) Chris Thompson | Courtesy of American High American High Shorts have also featured notable guest stars like model Charlotte McKinney, comedian Trevor Wallace, American High founder Jeremy Garelick, American High president Will Phelps, Accepted actor Adam Herschman, social media star Charles Brockman III (a.k.a. @c.b.3), The Goldbergs actor Kenny Ridwan, and the TikTok comedy duo Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson, better known as @thats.a.bad.idea. The Webby Awards, first established in 1996, is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). The global organization of industry experts and technology innovators annually recognize the internets top websites, apps, videos, creators, podcasts and more. LONDON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has extended its wildfire warning into Saturday, according to an update posted on its social media channels. Following a prolonged period of dry weather, the service issued wildfire alerts at the highest level for both Friday and Saturday, classifying the risk as "extreme." No casualties have been reported so far. Firefighters across Scotland have been tackling several large wildfires this week, with incidents reported in areas including Thurso and Cumbernauld. Images shared on social media show flames clearly visible from nearby residential neighborhoods. Michael Humphreys, area commander at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said most of the fires were linked to "human behavior" and urged the public to act responsibly in rural areas. "If you normally use a barbecue, maybe think about taking a picnic instead or using a designated area," he told local media. The warning came as Scotland recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 22.7 degrees Celsius in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, surpassing the previous high of 20.9 degrees Celsius registered in Tyndrum on April 8. Syracuse, N.Y. -- People turned in 130 assault rifles Saturday at a gun buyback at St. Lucys Church, more than 3 times as many collected at a similar event two years ago. One of those guns was an Uzi submachine gun, according to Syracuse police. People lined up outside the church to sell their guns no questions asked back to Syracuse police, state troopers and officials from the states Attorney Generals office. Officials collected a total of 638 guns during the three hours, including 333 handguns, two ghost guns, and 150 long guns. This year, the AGs gave $750 to people who turned in assault rifles, up from $500 two years ago. That worked. Last time, police collected just 36 assault rifles in the Syracuse gun buyback. Those are the prized possessions, said Ed Thompson, the assistant attorney general in charge of the Syracuse regional office. Those are the things that are hard to get, and the things that we really want off the street, because they can be used in a different way than just a typical handgun. The buyback event is a partnership between state and local officials that aims to get as many guns off of the street as possible. Saturdays event kicked off a summer series of gun buyback events across the state, said Thompson. When people brought guns, police did not ask questions about where the gun came from. Law enforcement only asked for names and addresses if the person wanted to remove a gun from a permit. People turned in more than 600 handguns, rifles, shotguns and assault rifles at a no-questions-asked buyback on April 12, 2025 at St. Lucy's Church. Police collected 130 assault rifles, more than 3 times as many as an event two years ago. Ryann Phillips | rphillips@syracuse.com In return, people received gift cards depending on the type of gun: $750 for assault rifles, $250 for handguns, $75 for rifles or shotguns, and $25 for non-working, replicas, antiques, homemade or 3D-printed guns. No matter how many 3D-printed guns a person brought, the person could only receive $25. Syracuse police Chief Joseph Cecile said that typically people dont drop off guns that were used in a crime. Most of the guns have been lying around in homes or cars, and they want to prevent people from stealing them during other crimes, he said. Maurice Harris, the dean of admissions at Syracuse University, was one of these people. He turned in two rifles and a handgun. The guns belonged to his father, a police detective in Cincinnati, Ohio, who died in 2005. Harris kept the guns in his storage closet for sentimental reasons. But when he heard about the buyback on the news this morning, he decided it was a good opportunity to turn them in, he said. New York state troopers will destroy the guns. Thats the benefit of it, Cecile said. Getting guns out of homes that no ones using anymore. 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. ISTANBUL, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police have arrested the leader of a criminal organization who was wanted with a Red Notice issued by Italian judicial authorities, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Saturday. Assad Ali Gomaa Khodir, wanted for human trafficking and migrant smuggling, was apprehended during an operation in the Fatih district on the European side of Istanbul, Yerlikaya said in a statement posted on X. The minister said that Khodir, whose nationality has not been disclosed, was responsible for facilitating the illegal transfer of irregular migrants to Italy. ads11 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Leeds Posts: 1,220 Thanked: 3,055 Times Re: Trump tariffs effect: Stellantis could sell Alfa Romeo & Maserati Quote: jnanesh Originally Posted by Was thinking the same, Mahindra probably would be best suited since they already own Pininfarina, besides Tata already has JLR. The woes of Alfa and Maserati far predate Stellantis, they go back to the fateful decision to form the FCA group. I still think that was the bum deal that the greedy bean counter Marchionne saddled onto the Fiat Group. Sure they got Jeep and Dodge out of it and the former has helped keep the group afloat but I think it seriously hindered some pragmatic decision making for the core companies. They should've stuck to the markets they were strong in. The other issue I think was a mistake for Alfa especially is the same thinking that afflicted Jaguar execs in the noughties, and that's thinking they could try and get German Big 3 sales numbers. At least for Jaguar they realised eventually that this was never going to happen and instead they pivoted to a lower volume, higher margin approach. This is of course before this root and stem controversial full rebrand. One wonders if Alfa had just taken that decision from the outset, if they'd have fared better. Anyway by the time the PSA group bought FCA I did wonder if there was too much overlap between group brands. I find it hard to see who they would flog these brands to. Tata don't need them as they have Jaguar to resolve, neither does Mahindra in all honesty. None of the other European marques are going to grab them given the much larger existential issues they face. Can't see the Koreans going for it, Genesis is quite nicely coming along as their premium brand. No chance the Japanese go for it either. That only really leaves a Chinese buyer or someone like Vinfast. If Vietnam hadn't been so royally buggered by the tariffs, I'd say a loud mouth company with a hugely sketchy safety record, led by a brash nationalistic billionaire would be just the kind to try and scoop up some storied brand names like Alfa or Maserati in the hope their brand cache rubs off. Whilst Tata owned JLR have done a number of things through their tenure, with some cross fertilisation of platforms, what precisely has Mahindra done with Pininfarina?! Other than the flashy announcement of some Rimac-esque EV supercar with ludicrous numbers right after their takeover, I've not seen or heard a wink since.The woes of Alfa and Maserati far predate Stellantis, they go back to the fateful decision to form the FCA group. I still think that was the bum deal that the greedy bean counter Marchionne saddled onto the Fiat Group. Sure they got Jeep and Dodge out of it and the former has helped keep the group afloat but I think it seriously hindered some pragmatic decision making for the core companies. They should've stuck to the markets they were strong in.The other issue I think was a mistake for Alfa especially is the same thinking that afflicted Jaguar execs in the noughties, and that's thinking they could try and get German Big 3 sales numbers. At least for Jaguar they realised eventually that this was never going to happen and instead they pivoted to a lower volume, higher margin approach. This is of course before this root and stem controversial full rebrand. One wonders if Alfa had just taken that decision from the outset, if they'd have fared better.Anyway by the time the PSA group bought FCA I did wonder if there was too much overlap between group brands. I find it hard to see who they would flog these brands to. Tata don't need them as they have Jaguar to resolve, neither does Mahindra in all honesty. None of the other European marques are going to grab them given the much larger existential issues they face. Can't see the Koreans going for it, Genesis is quite nicely coming along as their premium brand. No chance the Japanese go for it either. That only really leaves a Chinese buyer or someone like Vinfast. If Vietnam hadn't been so royally buggered by the tariffs, I'd say a loud mouth company with a hugely sketchy safety record, led by a brash nationalistic billionaire would be just the kind to try and scoop up some storied brand names like Alfa or Maserati in the hope their brand cache rubs off. What just happened? Once positioned as the successor to Ultra HD, the 8K TV format has struggled to gain traction. Sony has been one of the tech's most prominent backers, but is now stepping away from the market. A long-term return remains possible, but only if broader industry conditions shift. Sony has quietly confirmed it has no plans to release new 8K TVs anytime soon. Its last models, the 75 and 85-inch Bravia XR Z9K, launched in 2022 and remained in rotation for two years. Now the company is discontinuing the line entirely. Sony said it may eventually return to 8K TVs, but there is not enough momentum in the market right now. The company's remaining 8K TVs will stay on shelves until inventory runs out. Its upcoming models focus on high-end QD-OLED panels with 4K Ultra HD resolution, sold under the Bravia 8 II brand. The manufacturer is also developing a 4K LCD prototype featuring RGB LED backlighting. Defined by the ITU-R BT.2020 standard for 8K broadcasting, the format supports a 76804320 resolution with 33.2 million pixels double the linear resolution of 4K, triple that of 1440p, and four times that of 1080p. The newly introduced PlayStation 5 Pro supports 8K video output via HDMI 2.1, but consumers have shown little interest, and 8K content remains scarce. The PS5 Pro debut failed to ignite meaningful interest in 8K content, and the few remaining 8K TVs on the market still sell at a premium compared to 4K Ultra HD or even Full HD models. Massive 8K displays need native 8K content to deliver optimal results since upscaled lower-resolution material can introduce artifacts or blurriness. Ironically, Sony is exiting the 8K TV market while continuing to produce 8K native cameras designed to capture video feeds at a 7680x4320 resolution. Early adopters eager to get a jump on that 8K content have very few other options. Samsung has released massive 8K TVs with microLED backlighting, while LG introduced its latest 8K models in 2024 with the QNED 99 Series. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former director at Meta, delivered a searing testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, accusing the tech giant of compromising American values and national security to expand its business in China. She alleged that Meta formerly Facebook collaborated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to develop censorship tools and facilitate access to user data, including information on Americans. Her remarks have reignited scrutiny of Meta's operations and its ties to authoritarian regimes. Wynn-Williams, who served as Facebook's Director of Global Public Policy from 2011 to 2017, painted a damning picture of the company's push to enter the lucrative Chinese market. She claimed that Meta executives misled employees, shareholders, Congress, and the public about their activities in China. Meta allegedly began offering products in China as early as 2014 and was briefing CCP officials on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence by 2015. Wynn-Williams linked those briefings to recent reports that institutions tied to the People's Liberation Army have used Meta's AI model, Llama, for military purposes. The testimony also referenced internal documents in which Meta pitched its services to help China "increase global influence and promote the China Dream." Wynn-Williams accused the company of pursuing a "secret mission" to build an undersea cable between China and the US a plan she said was only halted after congressional intervention. Meta has denied the allegations, with spokesman Andy Stone calling her claims "divorced from reality." He acknowledged that the company explored entering the Chinese market more than a decade ago but emphasized that Meta does not operate services in China today. Stone also accused Wynn-Williams of reviving outdated and false accusations from her bestselling memoir, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism. The book has become a flashpoint in this controversy, with Meta seeking to prevent her from promoting it due to a non-disparagement clause in her separation agreement. Her testimony comes at considerable personal risk. Wynn-Williams defied an arbitrator's order prohibiting her from speaking publicly about Meta and claimed the company now wants $50,000 in damages for each time she mentions Facebook. Despite the legal threats, Careless People has climbed bestseller lists and earned praise for its unflinching critique of Meta's corporate culture. The Washington Post notes that senators from both parties expressed alarm over her disclosures. Senator Josh Hawley questioned Zuckerberg's commitment to free speech in light of these revelations. "I don't trust this latest reinvention at all," Hawley said, referring to Zuckerberg's recent rhetoric about defending free expression while allegedly silencing critics like Wynn-Williams. Senator Chuck Grassley echoed these concerns, calling her allegations "very troubling" and accusing Meta of rolling out "the red carpet" for the CCP. One particularly striking episode involved Meta allegedly restricting Guo Wengui's account in 2017 after pressure from Chinese regulators. Guo, a prominent critic of Beijing, was reportedly targeted as part of Meta's efforts to gain favor with Chinese authorities. Internal notes from that time acknowledged the pressure, stating that action was necessary "to get the party's cooperation." When asked about this during a previous Senate hearing, Meta's then-general counsel Colin Stretch stated that company policies led to the decision a statement Wynn-Williams called a lie. The whistleblower also testified that Zuckerberg was deeply involved in efforts to enter the Chinese market. "This was a project unlike any other ... it was so centrally led by Mark Zuckerberg," she said. Her complaint filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission detailed how Meta developed a censorship system for China codenamed "Project Aldrin." The plan involved appointing a "chief editor" to shut down content during social unrest and giving CCP officials access to user data. Although Meta officially abandoned its China ambitions in 2019, Wynn-Williams argued that the country remains a significant revenue source for the company. She cited SEC filings showing that revenue from Chinese advertisers totaled $18.35 billion in 2024 more than doubling from 2022 financials. In closing her testimony, Wynn-Williams urged Congress to hold Meta accountable for what she described as years of deception and complicity with authoritarian regimes. "Meta has been willing to compromise its values, sacrifice the security of its users, and undermine American interests to build its China business," she declared. "It's been happening for years, covered up by lies, and continues to this day." A Russian military delegation headed by Colonel General Vladimir Zarudnitsky, Chief of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, paid an official visit to Azerbaijans National Defense University (NDU), Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Defense. Colonel General Zarudnitsky, a Candidate of Historical Sciences, was welcomed by Major General Gunduz Abdulov, Rector of the National Defense University, who expressed his satisfaction at hosting the high-level delegation in Baku. During the meeting, both sides held discussions on the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in military education, emphasizing the importance of academic and strategic exchanges in strengthening defense ties. The Russian delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the history, structure, and objectives of the NDU, showcasing Azerbaijans efforts to modernize its military education system in line with international standards. As part of the visit, the Russian officials also toured the Heydar Aliyev Military Institute, where they were briefed on the institutes core functions, historical background, and ongoing training programs. The visit concluded with an open exchange on matters of mutual interest. This visit underscores the continuing dialogue between Baku and Moscow in defense education, signaling potential for expanded collaboration in training, curriculum development, and joint academic initiatives. KHARTOUM, April 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 32 civilians were killed in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, the Sudanese army said. "The militia launched a swarm of suicide drones on El Fasher today (Friday), accompanied by simultaneous artillery shelling on the city," the command of the 6th Infantry Division of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said in a statement on Friday. The death toll included 4 women and 10 children, with 17 others injured and hospitalized, the army said. The Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher, a local volunteer group, confirmed the RSF attack, stating that drones and artillery targeted the northern and eastern parts of the city. The group asked residents to avoid the streets due to ongoing drone activity. The Sudanese Doctors Network reported a second RSF strike on the Zamzam displacement camp near El Fasher, though no casualties have been reported. The network condemned the use of heavy artillery in the attack, describing it as an escalation in RSF violence. Ibrahim Khatir, director-general of North Darfur State's Health Ministry, confirmed the attack on the Zamzam camp but told Xinhua that the casualty count remains unclear due to its distance from the city and communication issues. Since May 10, 2024, fierce fighting has erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF in El Fasher, part of the broader conflict that has engulfed Sudan since April 2023. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, cited by the United Nations, the conflict between the two factions has claimed over 29,683 lives. The International Organization for Migration reports that it has also displaced more than 15 million people. Trump wants to halt climate research by key agency: reports Washington, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 The Trump administration, pursuing its deeply skeptical approach to climate change, wants to severely cut back the research arm of a government agency that plays a pivotal role in global climate science, US media reported Friday. The administration plans to ask Congress, which sets the budgets for federal agencies, to cut funding for research labs and offices overseeing climate studies in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), according to an internal White House document consulted by CNN and the journal Science. "Trump's budget plan for NOAA is both outrageous and dangerous," said Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, the ranking Democrat on the House science committee, warning that the administration is "wholly destroying" essential services in a statement. About 75 percent of funding for NOAA's research branch could be eliminated from the 2026 budget -- drastic cuts to the prestigious agency that could be implemented starting this year. The administration wants to eliminate the jobs of hundreds of federal and academic scientists who study human-driven global warming, Science reported. The cuts would be on top of at least 1,000 NOAA jobs eliminated last month under the drastic downsizing overseen by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Scientists say the further cuts could have enormous consequences, given NOAA's crucial role both nationally and globally in weather forecasting, climate studies and fisheries conservation. Researchers and labs around the world rely on data and mathematical models from NOAA, so an end to its research programs could have a drastic impact, scientists say. It could also affect the US economy, given the heavy dependence of the agricultural sector and fishing industry on NOAA weather predictions and data. "This administration's hostility towards research and rejection of climate science will have the consequence of eviscerating the weather forecasting capabilities that this plan claims to preserve," Lofgren wrote. "What NOAA does is crucial to the life-saving weather research and services that it provides to the American people." Some conservatives see NOAA as a chief purveyor of what they call "climate alarmism." The Trump administration has launched a concerted assault on the government's climate-related resources, ordering massive layoffs and deleting websites with data on the weather and climate. The White House also wants to make budget cuts to a branch of NASA that is tasked with using satellites to study and monitor the effects of climate change, according to media reports. WASHINGTON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called "big, beautiful bill" may fail to address the nation's mounting debt and deficit, experts have said. On Thursday, House Republicans narrowly approved their budget framework that paves the way for Trump's sweeping legislative package, which includes expanded military spending, major tax cuts, new energy policies, and more. However, analysts warned that the bill could actually worsen the situation, potentially adding to already record-high deficits and the ballooning national debt. "It clearly will make the debt/deficit worse than the baseline," Dean Baker, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told Xinhua. "With the budget bill, we are likely at deficits of more than 7.0 percent of GDP, and possibly quite a bit higher if the rich decide they don't have to pay taxes." "There is no way the savings they are talking about will offset the cost of the tax cuts. Deficits are definitely going higher, not lower," he added. Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said that the deficit will grow and the debt/GDP ratio will continue to rise, while the Republicans will "use various accounting gimmicks to mask the deficit." "Savings will be modest, at best. There will be strong pressure to increase defense spending," he said. Earlier this week, Trump said the military's budget would be "in the vicinity" of 1 trillion U.S. dollars -- a hefty increase from the 2025 budget of 850 billion dollars. Thursday's approval of a budget framework is a major victory for Trump and Republicans, who are riding the momentum from November's sound defeat of Democrats in the presidential elections. But this is a mere first step in a long, tedious process toward the implementation of Trump's proposed bill. Republican lawmakers are seeking a minimum of 4 billion dollars in savings over ten years from new policies created by committees that deal with health, energy, labor policy and education. They also plan to continue Trump's 2017 tax cuts, in addition to enacting up to 1.5 trillion dollars in new tax relief. Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said in a statement that the budget's reconciliation instructions would allow for legislation to add 5.8 trillion dollars to deficits through Fiscal Year 2034 -- including a permanent extension of the expiring 2017 tax cuts using the "current policy" gimmick. "This budget sets the stage for the largest deficit increase in history -- an unprecedented bill that requires just 4 billion dollars in savings to offset up to 5.8 trillion dollars in deficits. What an absolute disgrace," said MacGuineas. The U.S. budget deficit for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 reached a record 1.3 trillion dollars, the second-highest six-month level on record, according to Treasury Department data released Thursday. CORRECTED: Economic turmoil extends Iceland whaling halt Reykjavik, April 12 (AFP) Apr 12, 2025 Iceland's only active whaling company, Hvalur, will not hunt whales this summer for a second straight year because of global economic pressures, local media said Saturday. Iceland, Norway, and Japan are the only countries still to allow commercial whaling, a practice widely condemned by animal rights groups. "Hvalur hf. intends to cancel its whaling season slated for this summer. Company employees were informed earlier this week," broadcaster RUV wrote on its website. "As we see the situation, Hvalur hf. sees no other option than to stay in dock and await better times, but the situation will be reviewed next year," its CEO Kristjan Loftsson was quoted as saying Friday. The Icelandic whaling season generally is from mid-June to September but in recent years whalers have failed to land their quotas. Hvalur's main rival hung up its harpoons in 2020 as demand for whaling meat collapsed in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Last year saw Iceland suspend whaling for two months during a government enquiry into the practice that concluded methods deployed in whaling did not meet laws on animal well-being. In a message to AFP late Friday, Wendy Higgins, the director of international media for the Humane World for Animals association, welcomed the news. "If true, this season's whaling cancellation will spare the suffering and death of countless sentient whales for a brutal and pointless hunt that continues without moral or scientific justification," she said. "It's time that Iceland's whaling ship stopped turning the sea red once and for all. It's time for a total ban on commercial whaling." 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 Jeff Bridges has reflected on having a near-death experience when he became seriously ill amid his cancer diagnosis. The 75-year-old star of The Big Lebowski, The Fabulous Baker Boys and True Grit, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2020, after doctors found a 12-by-nine-inch tumour in his stomach. The actor underwent chemotherapy, which improved his prognosis, but left him with a very weak immune system meaning that when he caught Covid in January 2021, he became seriously ill and spent five weeks in an intensive care unit. In a new interview with The Times, Bridges said that being so close to death changed his outlook on life. The very things you are trying to avoid cancer, death, whatever are where the gold is, he said. You become privy to stuff that you can only realise in that situation: how much you love and are loved, how willing you are to let go, understanding death, all those spiritual things we dabble with. When it really gets down to it Whoo! Its tasty. Earlier this year, the Bridges family lost their Malibu home in the California wildfires, but Bridges said that the chain of disastrous events that hes experienced in recent years hasnt left him feeling sorry for yourself. open image in gallery Jeff Bridges pictured in April ( Getty Images ) Only when you get to rub up against that s*** do you see the magic of life, he said. According to the NHS, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body. In the UK, more than 13,000 people are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma each year, and the most common symptom is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. Speaking to The Independent in 2022, Bridges said that the perspective he gained from his brush with death was a gift. I learnt things during those times that I wouldnt have learnt in any other way, he said. Explaining what he learnt, he added: Oh, well, to dig, man. Dig it all as its coming at me. That was the specific thing: dig every little thing. And by dig, I mean, get into it, you know, get into whats happening in a very rich way, you know. As deeply as you can. Bridges said that the experience exacerbated his love for his family: his wife Sue, their three adult daughters and several grandchildren. open image in gallery ( Getty Images for CinemaCon ) He was determined to walk his youngest daughter, Hayley, down the aisle, at a time when he could only stand up for 45 seconds. The first goal was how long can I stand up and my record was 45 seconds, thats how long I could stand up. And then it was, how many steps can I take? Oh good. Now Im going to walk down the hall all this with oxygen, of course. Finally, one day I said, Maybe I can do it, you know. And it turns out I not only got to walk her down the aisle, but I got to do the wedding dance [to Ray Charless Aint That Love]. That was terrific. 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 Meagan Good has opened up about married life to her best friend Jonathan Majors. Good, speaking to People at the April 11 NBCU Emmy Kick-Off Luncheon in Beverly Hills, revealed more insight into life as a newlywed. And while its been amazing, Good also told the outlet it does feel different. I learned so much from him. But I think being husband and wife, you take on a different kind of partnership, Good said. And I think that while the commitment might already be there, it's a different type of commitment because it's lifelong, no matter what I'm riding with you [until] the wheels fall off. Good, 43, and Majors, 35, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in March ahead of the release of his latest film, Magazine Dreams. The ceremony was officiated by Majors mother. After asking Goods father for permission to wed, Majors had special rings from Hawaii engraved for the occasion. Majors and Good started dating in 2023, after Goods divorce from producer DeVon Franklin was finalized in 2022. The new couple was first linked around the time Majors was facing trial for misdemeanor assault and harassment charges for a March 2023 incident with his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Majors was found guilty of two counts of misdemeanor assault and harassment in December 2023. He was sentenced to complete one year of an "in person batterers" intervention program in April 2024. Jabbari has since dropped an assault and defamation lawsuit against Majors. Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good at the Los Angeles premiere of Number One on the Call Sheet. She has now opened up about her marriage ( 2025 Invision ) Then, the couple confirmed their engagement to People in November 2024. "Were feeling great, Good told People at the time while showing off her engagement ring. Its a season of joy, Majors added. Now, speaking just weeks after tying the knot, Good said, I already felt like I had my person, I know it's me and him against the world, whatever it may be. The Think Like a Man actor also shared her belief that marriage is a commitment to being our best selves. When two people come together, they make the same choice and the same commitment, Good said, nothing that the other person is making the same decision as you. But when you choose someone who has grown up in a different place, has different siblings, a different life experience, you guys may be very similar, but you also might be very different, she continued. And there's just something really beautiful about [it]. 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 Melanie Sykes has shared that she has been experiencing heart issues and alopecia triggered by PTSD from the TV industry. The 54-year-old TV presenter, who left mainstream broadcasting in 2021, shared a photograph of a bald spot on her head, writing: This is a pic of me I took last week whilst in London investigating some health issues. I am experiencing alopecia and heart issues due to all that has happened over the last few months. PTSD, shock, mistreatment and malpractice. In a further post shared on her YouTube channel, Sykes said she developed an irregular heartbeat and rapid hair loss when the press began harassing her when allegations surfaced against TV chef Gino DAcampo, whom she worked with on the ITV series Lets Do Lunch with Gino and Mel alongside DAcampo from 2011 to 2014. I went into the New Year with so much energy. Ive slowed things down because I got a heart problem, which I developed during the whole Gino DAcampo bull**** that happened in the news, Sykes said in the video. And suddenly, the stress levels in my life shot up because I left that industry years ago but it wont leave me alone. Its all been triggered and everybodys agreed with this by my PTSD from the industry. She said: I am experiencing alopecia in quite a significant way. I have lost inches off my hairline at the back. I have probably got half my hair at the moment. open image in gallery Melanie Sykes said she has been experiencing heart issues and alopecia triggered by PTSD from the TV industry ( YouTube via Melanie Sykes ) Ive lost an eyebrow pretty much. Im clinging to half of one. Sykes said that, while experiencing these health issues, she has been let down by the UKs broken medical system, saying that she has felt undermined by medical professionals within both NHS and private services. She said on Instagram: This country must do better, and get better. Our health services are utterly shocking bar a few and rare decent humans who listen without prejudice and judgement. It is a lottery who you will encounter and how that experience can play out. open image in gallery TV presenter Melanie Sykes opened up about heart condition and alopecia triggered by PTSD ( Instagram via @msmelaniesykes ) Sykes said in the YouTube video that she feels like medical professionals have treated her like she is thick once they found out that she has autism and ADHD, which she was diagnosed with in 2021. The presenter said that doctors have attributed her heart condition to old age and diminished the fact that she is struggling. open image in gallery Sykes said she has lost almost half of her hair ( YouTube via Melanie Sykes ) Ive copied all the emails of everybody that sent me some unethical approaches and the way that people speak to you, she said. Sykes has said that due to her health condition, she cannot have anyone in her life who brings her friction or bad energy because it will stress me and [my heart rate] will go up. On her YouTube channel, Sykes describes that she has been on an epic voyage of self-discovery since leaving broadcasting and being diagnosed with autism and ADHD. She published a book in 2023 called Illuminated: Autism and All The Things I Left Unsaid, about her period of mental breakthrough. When the DAcampo allegations came to light earlier this year, Skyes said in a YouTube video: I feel like I was in a war zone in that industry 24 years of battling through an industry that didnt feel right to me anyway. She also urged TV bosses to clean house while spending time cleaning up presenters she called misogynistic and said that the industry creates monsters. open image in gallery Melanie Sykes pictured in 2019 ( Getty Images for eONE ) If youre spending all your time cleaning up peoples s***, just clean the house. Clean out the house and start again. Thats all Im saying, Sykes added. DAcampo has denied claims that he made sexualised comments and gestures to female employees behind the scenes of his popular programmes. He said in February: I have never been made aware of these matters previously and the allegations are firmly denied. I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature. I do not recognise the version of events being put to me. Not only have these allegations never been raised with me before, I have been repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level and was commissioned on prime-time programmes during the period in which it is now suggested I was acting inappropriately. 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 Dame Prue Leith has labelled food portion sizes ridiculous as she blamed obesity rates among children on our reliance on processed food. The Great British Bake Off judge, 85, said that the only way to address the problem was to teach children love healthy food through showing them how to cook nutritious meals. She told The Sun: The obesity rates in children are alarming and getting worse with almost a third regarded as obese or overweight. Ive been saying for 60 years that we start addressing this by teaching children to love healthy food and the way to do this is to teach them how to cook. She added: If we fed our children healthy, non-processed food, we wouldnt have this problem with obesity. In 2024, the NHS reported that 15 per cent of children aged between two and 10 in England were obese, and 19 per cent in those aged between 11 and 15. Meanwhile, it showed that 64 per cent of adults were overweight or obese in 2022, including 29 per cent who were obese, with more men (67 per cent) classified as overweight or obese than women (61 per cent). Leith pointed to Japans eating culture, where the childhood obesity rates are the lowest globally. According to the World Obesity Federation data, 1.6 per cent of girls and 6.2 per cent of boys are obese. open image in gallery Prue Leith has said that portion sizes have become ridiculous ( Getty Images ) She explained: Look at Japan. Obviously, theyre doing something were not. Children in Japanese schools sit down to a free meal every single day, and its healthy. Nothing thats processed is allowed into a school kitchen. Everything has to be made on that day with fresh ingredients. Right from an early age, a whole nation is being taught how and what to eat, said Leith. She praised Japan for having stricter rules about what is sold in supermarkets, but criticised the UK government for thinking about taxation on food. Our government just looks at the amount of tax raised from chocolate, fast food and the like, and thinks: We cant afford to do that. But the government must look more long term. She said that she wished people would eat less because she believes portion sizes have become ridiculous. Leith said that she thinks people eat too much due to unhappiness and emotional eating habits. open image in gallery Bake Off judge blamed obesity rates among children on our reliance on processed food. ( Getty Images ) I think this is partly due to unhappiness. When were not happy, we comfort eat. Its true that when youre miserable, you go straight to the fridge or want chocolate. The NHS has found that obesity prevalence was highest among adults and children living in the most deprived areas. In England, the health service typically spends 6.5bn a year on treating obesity-related health conditions. 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 former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch won't be going to trial for the time being on sex trafficking charges as he is suffering from Alzheimer's. Michael Jeffries, 80, now requires around-the-clock care because of the condition that has left him not competent. He is also suffering from Lewy body dementia and the "residual effects of a traumatic brain injury," defense attorneys wrote in a letter filed Thursday in a New York federal court, citing recent evaluations by medical professionals. Prosecutors and defense lawyers want a federal judge to place Jeffries in the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons for up to four months so that he can be hospitalized and receive treatment that might allow his criminal case to proceed. Jeffries has been free on a $10 million bond since pleading not guilty in October to federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges. Prosecutors say Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man lured men to drug-fueled sex parties in New York City, the Hamptons and other locations by dangling the promise of modeling for the retailers ads. open image in gallery Former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Michael Jeffries is not competent to stand trial as he suffers from Alzheimers, lawyers say. He is facing sex trafficking allegations ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Lawyers for Jeffries didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday. The U.S. attorney's office for the eastern district of New York declined to comment. In their letter, Jeffries 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 defense. 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 retailer's 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. 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 California woman is in custody and facing charges after authorities say she left her four-year-old daughter to die while trapped in a submerged car after a DUI crash. Juliette Marie Acosta, 26, is facing several felonies, including murder, felony drunk driving and resisting arrest, Stanislaus County District Attorneys office said Friday. Acosta was driving her Subaru SUV with her daughter, Reagan Herrin, when she crashed it into a canal near Hickman, California, on March 8, according to the district attorneys office. Her blood alcohol level was allegedly nearly three times the .08 legal driving limit. Herrins uncle, who lived nearby, rushed to the scene and helped rescue Acosta from the car, local authorities told The Sacramento Bee. Once police responded, he also helped a deputy rescue Herrin from the car. open image in gallery Reagan Herrin, 4, died after her mother crashed her car into a California canal while she was trapped in her car seat. Juliette Marie Acosta now faces murder charges in connection to the case ( GoFundMe ) The deputy, alongside the uncle, heroically, and without hesitation, entered the frigid water and rescued the four-year-old, California Highway Patrol spokesperson Tom Olsen told The Sacramento Bee. Emergency responders initially wanted to take Herrin to the hospital via helicopter, but it was determined that the patient was not stable enough to be flown, so they took her by ambulance, according to the Modesto Fire Department. Acosta wasnt injured in the crash, The Sacramento Bee reports. Prosecutors say Acosta left the scene and took a bath while her daughter remained in peril at the crash scene, alleging her inaction caused the four-year-olds death. Acostas attorney Gil Somera disputes his client was taking a bath and accused prosecutors of trying to inflame the publics anger. Timeline-wise, it's almost impossible to have done both of those, he told The Independent. Time-wise, you can't go take a bath while your daughter's drowning if it's in her canal, not next to a home...logically, it just doesn't make sense. Acosta was initially arrested on the scene in March but was charged with only a DUI. She was later released on bail. Police then went to arrest Acosta early Friday morning after prosecutors added more charges, including murder. Police say they apprehended her at a San Francisco hotel after she tried to run. Her father Clifford Acosta Jr., has also been detained after police said he tried to help her escape, The Sacramento Bee reports. Somera says he had arranged with police for his client to surrender at 8 a.m. Friday at the Modesto office of the California Highway Patrol. Any suggestion that my client was attempting to flee is completely false, he said. Such an accusation is not only unfounded, but appears intended to inflame public opinion and provoke scorn. Somera said Acostas father wasnt helping aid her escape, but rather keeping her close to him while she was emotionally and psychologically devastated. Anybody who knows her father knows that he has a substantial amount of construction business in San Francisco, and he kept his daughter with her, he added. She was also part of his business. Shes now being held without bail, the district attorneys office said. She could be facing life in prison if convicted. Its about whether it's a manslaughter versus a murder, Somera told The Independent. And so I think the public always looks at this and says, Well, you did or you didn't do it. Guilt is guilt, but it's the degree of guilt, it's the circumstances that center around with punishment is necessary, and right now everyone wants to circle around life in prison to a mother. A GoFundMe for Herrins father, Gage Herrin, was launched last month to raise money for the unexpected expenses that came with his daughters death. The GoFundMe has raised more than $22,000 as of Saturday morning, surpassing the initial goal of $14,000. Any remaining money that has been donated after expenses will be donated back to the community on Reagan's behalf in hopes to prevent incidents like this from happening in the future, the GoFundMe reads. Thank you again for all your continued support and we pray that justice is served for Reagan. 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 Florida woman is accused of selling and buying human bones - including some for as low as $35 - and now a criminal charge. Kymberlee Schopper, 52, was charged with trading in human tissue, according to Fox 35. Police in Orange City, Florida, say Schopper bought and offered human bones for sale on Facebook marketplace. Authorities received a report on December 21, 2023, about a business selling remains through its social media account. The business was identified as Wicked Wonderland and is located in Orange City. Investigators say they found human remains for sale on the site, including two segments of a skull for $90, a clavicle and scapula for $90, a rib for $35, a vertebrae for $35 and a partial human skull for $600, according to the report. open image in gallery Kymberlee Schopper, 52, is accused of selling human bones through a business Facebook marketplace account ( Volusia County jail ) Officers went to the store and one of the owners said they were not aware that it was illegal to sell human remains. "She confirmed that the store had multiple human bone fragments, all purchased from private sellers, and mentioned she has documentation for these transactions but could not provide it at that moment," an arrest affidavit obtained by Fox 34 detailed. "She described the bones as genuine human remains and delicate in nature." Police say some of the bones found were likely archaeological finds. One was more than 100 years old, and another was more than 500 years old. Schopper was arrested and released Friday from jail on $7,500 bond. 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 Nearly 20 years after two Marine brothers were shot to death, police say their suspect killer has been apprehended. This week, police in Cicero, Illinois, announced they charged Daniel Flores, 49, with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the deaths of 22-year-old John Fields and his 19-year-old brother, Michael Fields. The siblings were gunned down on April 12, 1995. Authorities found the two men both shot on 50th Court in Cicero. open image in gallery Daniel Flores, 49, has been charged with murder nearly two decades after the killing of Marine brothers John and Michel Fields ( Cicero police ) "John Fields had recently completed his service with the United States Marine Corps, while Michael Fields, who had followed in his brother's footsteps, was actively serving in the Marines, and was home on furlough after completing a tour of duty in Japan," Cicero Police Supt. Thomas Boyle said, according to CBS News. However, the investigation went cold for years. That was until 2013, when police spoke to a key witness, giving them a break in the case. The suspect identified Flores as a suspect in the killings, according to WGN. A motive for the killing has not been released. open image in gallery John Fields had recently completed his service with the Marines when he was killed in 1995 ( Cicero police ) open image in gallery Michael Fields had followed in his brothers footsteps to join the military ( Cicero police ) In March 2016, an arrest warrant was issued for Flores. But it wasn't until 2023 when Flores was apprehended in Mexico. Flores fought extradition to the U.S., but was returned to Illinois on April 9 to face the charges. "I want to express my gratitude to the dedicated detectives and everyone else involved in this case who never gave up," Boyle said. 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 California judge ruled Friday that the resentencing hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents over three decades ago, will go ahead as planned. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic said following arguments that the hearing will proceed next Thursday. Deputy LA District Attorney Habib Balian had argued earlier that the brothers hadnt taken accountability for their crime, and should remain in prison because they havent changed since their conviction. He also claimed that former District Attorney George Gascon's move to request reduced sentencing had been politically motivated at a time he was struggling to be elected. Gascon, a progressive, had advocated for the brothers to receive a sentence that would make them eligible for immediate parole. Gascons successor, District Attorney Nathan Hochman, reversed course on the brothers, and submitted a motion last month to withdraw the resentencing request. The brothers' attorney, Mark Geragos, harshly criticized the prosecution Friday for showing gruesome crime scene photos in what he said was an attempt to restage the original trial. Referring to the prosecutions arguments, Jesic noted in his ruling that everything you argued today is absolutely fair game for the resentencing hearing. 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. open image in gallery Erik (left) and Lyle Menendez 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 In 2014, California passed a law allowing inmates who had committed offenses before they turned 26 and had spent 25 years behind bars to ask for youth offender parole. While the defense 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. On the night of the murders, Jose and Kitty Menendez were watching a movie in their theater den when their sons entered and shot them. The brothers were convicted in 1996 and have spent 30 years behind bars, and were most recently being held at the Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County. Fridays hearing became heated as the prosecution spent nearly two hours arguing the brothers hadnt been rehabilitated, according to news reports. No cameras were allowed inside the courtroom. Geragos accused the prosecution of grandstanding and trying to relitigate the case, claiming they dont want to finish today, Newsweek reported. Geragos also accused the prosecution of retraumatizing family members by flashing photos of the bloody crime scene. Balian insisted the question is did they learn the most important lesson of all: Did they learn the severity and depravity of their conduct?" he asked the court. "You must take responsibility. If you don't have insight ... you might repeat the past." Most of the brothers family members support their release. One relative, Milton Andersen, Kitty Menendezs brother, did not, but he passed away last month. A handful of celebrities attended the hearing, including Actor Cooper Koch, who played Erik Menendez in the 2024 series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. There has been much debate surrounding whether the brothers might pose a risk to public safety. Governor Gavin Newsom has asked a state parole board to conduct a risk assessment. The results are expected by June 13. The Associated Press contributed to this report. JERUSALEM, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a statement on Saturday that it had completed the encirclement of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. According to the statement, an IDF armored division carried out the encirclement by completing the establishment of the "Morag Corridor," a route in southern Gaza intended to separate Rafah and Khan Younis. It said that during operations in the past week and a half, IDF troops killed dozens of militants and dismantled Hamas military infrastructure, including underground tunnel routes. The IDF noted that it will extend operational control over the "Morag Corridor" and carry out "counter-terrorism" operations in the area. Later on Saturday, the IDF said its Air Force intercepted three rockets fired from Gaza towards southern Israel. The rocket launches triggered sirens in open spaces bordering Gaza, with no casualties reported, according to the IDF. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Wisconsin teenager accused of murdering his parents followed a neo-Nazi cult and hoped to further a plot to overthrow the U.S. government, including killing President Donald Trump, prosecutors say. Nikita Casap, 17, is accused of killing his mother Tatiana Casap and his step-father Donald Mayer in their Waukesha home on February 11, according to the criminal complaint filed against him last month. He now faces nine charges, including murder, hiding a corpse and identity theft. Prosecutors say theyve linked Casap to The Order of Nine Angles, a neo-Nazi group that originated in the U.K. The organization is considered a satanic cult by the FBI with "strong anti-Judaism anti-Christian and anti-western ideologies. The group dates its calendar from the birth of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and believes in creating a new world order which emphasizes social darwinism, satanism and fascism, the BBC reports. open image in gallery Nikita Casap pictured with his parents. The 17-year-old, who is accused of killing his parents, followed a neo-Nazi cult and called for the assassination of President Donald Trump, prosecutors say ( Supplied ) Prosecutors say Casap had written a manifesto calling for Trumps assassination and other terrorist attacks, according to his arrest warrant reviewed by local outlet WISN. The goal, his manifesto said, was to spark a political revolution and promote white supremacy. One classmate told investigators that Casap said he was speaking with someone in Russia through the Telegram messaging app, and they concocted a plan to assassinate Trump and overthrow the government, according to investigators. Casap also told his contact that he wanted to shoot his parents but that he didnt have a gun, the person told investigators. Later, Casap told the person that he planned to befriend someone with a gun so he could steal it and kill his parents. The 17-year-old described his home life as perfectly happy and told his classmate he had nothing to complain about, according to the complaint. Casap was also messaging someone in Russian about apparent plans to escape to Ukraine, prosecutors say. The 17-year-old was originally from Moldova and has relatives overseas. "How long will I need to hide before I will be moved to Ukraine? One to two months?" Casap reportedly asked. "So while in Ukraine, l'll be able to live a normal life? Even if when it's found out I did it?" he asked in a later message. open image in gallery One classmate told investigators that Casap said he was speaking with someone in Russia through the Telegram messaging app, and they concocted a plan to assassinate Trump and overthrow the government together ( Trego County District Court ) Waukesha County District Attorney Lesli Boese claims Casap shot his mother twice in the stomach and once in the neck, while he shot his stepfather once in the head. Police didnt find the couple until two weeks later. Casap then allegedly continued to live with his parents dead bodies until February 23, when he fled with $14,000 in cash and contacted another person to obtain fake license plates, said Boese. Last week, a Waukesha County judge said Casaps case could move to trial. Meanwhile, prosecutors have hinted further charges could be coming, WISN reports. The 17-year-olds bond has been set at $1 million. A woman in ethnic costume helps her fellow performer adjust head decorations during an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) A woman in ethnic costume attends an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) Foreign tourists take photos at an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) Children in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Xu) Children in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A child in ethnic costume is pictured during an activity in celebration of the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Tao Liang) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Tao Liang) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A woman in ethnic costume attends an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Tao Liang) An aerial drone photo taken on April 12, 2025 shows people attending an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Tao Liang) People in ethnic costumes attend an activity to celebrate the Miao Sisters Festival in Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 12, 2025. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Miao Sisters Festival was celebrated here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Tao Liang) Ron Faucheux: It's not sexy, but management should be top issue in New Orleans mayor race This story is part of the April 13 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories . Our open-water swimming adventure begins when we fly from Nadi to Fijis third-largest island, Taveuni, in a 20-seater plane. We drift over fluffy clouds, tiny lands scattered like jewels in blue seas below us. Our journey continues in a minibus, dodging potholes and sleepy dogs along a road lined with lush foliage, the ocean just beyond. Its a bumpy road to paradise. These types of trips attract groups already united by a shared a love of swimming, they also cater to solo travellers. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Weve arrived at Paradise Taveuni Resort, which is known as a dive destination. To the resorts operators, we are a curiosity, a group of keen open-water swimmers brought together by UK-based company SwimQuest, which specialises in swim holidays worldwide. Our experienced guide, Dewi, has teamed with local dive crews to plan morning and afternoon swims that will allow us to explore the islands coasts and reefs. While we swim, Dewi surveys us from his yellow kayak and Uli, one of the local dive experts, circles us like a graceful merman. The swimming is slow-paced, enabling us to explore the coral world with its multitudes of colourful fish and surprisingly fast-moving turtles. At the end of each session, towels, freshly baked cinnamon buns and tropical fruit are a deserved treat. After one swim, we go ashore to a deserted beach for a picnic lunch where, over cocktails, Dewi shows us videos of our individual efforts to encourage stroke correction. While SwimQuest is open to all, participants should be comfortable swimming at least a kilometre in open water (our swims in Fiji averaged about two kilometres). And while the trips attract groups already united by a shared a love of swimming, they also cater to solo travellers. Loading Our days are physically active yet calm, with our hosts and the resort creating an atmosphere of family and turning strangers into friends overnight. And its not just swim-eat-sleep-repeat. A trip to Bouma National Heritage Park and Fijis most renowned waterfalls sees us diving under tumbling white foam into cool, translucent green water. After, we sit on rocks in the dappled sunshine and take in the sound of the rushing waterfall. At the end of the week, I treat myself to an outdoor massage, the lapping waves providing a soundtrack. As I force myself to stay awake, my masseuse, Selina, kneads the muscles in my back that have been worked hard on the swims, leaving my whole body feeling renewed. Of course, no trip to Fiji is complete without a kava ceremony. As we gather in the late afternoon light, our Fijian host places the powder inside a cloth bag and submerges it in water, kneading it until the liquid turns a muddy, pale brown. The drink is then served to each of us in a halved coconut shell and is best described as an acquired taste. Kava is reputed to calm stress and induce good sleep just like swimming. Fans and colleagues of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have often said she should be prime minister. On Saturday, she acted like one, overshadowing the main party leaders on the eve of their campaign launches. The Northern Territory senator had arrived like a rock star to a suburban bowling club for the Liberals campaign launch in Perth. A hundred-strong crowd of party faithful cheered each mention of her name. Fans swarmed for autographs. Perth woman Rosemary Ritorto was thrilled to meet Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, whose performance on Saturday upstaged her boss and Anthony Albanese. Credit: James Brickwood But the real show came when the club doors closed and the cameras rolled. When the press conferences final question turned to Prices plans for cutting government waste in a potential Coalition cabinet, the senator seized her moment. In 11 minutes, she traversed everything from the indoctrination of students to silly ideas around ideological things like colonising breastfeeding. An owner-occupier from Chatswood paid $815,000 at auction on Saturday for an apartment in Wollstonecraft with Harbour Bridge views. The one-bedroom unit at 10/19 Shirley Road was guided at $720,000 and its reserve was set at $730,000. There is a renovated kitchen and parquetry floors. There were 12 registered and three active bidders. Bidding was fast-paced, starting at $700,000 and rising in varying increments. The property was one of 1560 scheduled to go to auction in Sydney this week. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 63.5 per cent from 970 reported results throughout the week, while 245 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. The wild weather of Australias 2024-25 summer spawned natural disasters affecting several regions, including Victorias Gariwerd, or Grampians. On December 16, a large fire was ignited by lightning strike, and another blaze began the same way six weeks later. The fires ravaged farmland and parts of the Grampians National Park, a major destination for lovers of adventure and hiking. The surrounding district also invites fans of food and wine and simple bucolic pleasures. Its main township, Halls Gap, was evacuated. Grampians Peaks Trail. For local businesses, it was a one-two punch the fires were extinguished, but the aftermath brought mass cancellations of holiday bookings for everything from beer tastings to abseiling. The summer, the communitys peak season, was a writeoff. What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox. London: There are moments in life that stand as quintessentially British a crisp autumn morning, a cup of tea with milk just the right shade of beige, and, of course, a trip to Greggs. And this week there I was, standing at the back of a line that seemed to stretch endlessly, not unlike the Great British Queue itself. The reason? A wall of golden, flaky pastries that could tempt even the most steadfast dieter. A sausage roll from the Greggs fast-food chain. Credit: Bloomberg To the uninitiated, Greggs might appear to be just another low-cost bakery chain. But oh, my friends, it is much more. In an age of universal food chains the same the world over, Greggs is a national treasure unique to Britain. Its where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, where a sausage roll can lift your spirits higher than an overpriced flat white from a hipster coffee shop. FUZHOU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The first 200-kilogram batch of fresh coconuts imported from Indonesia arrived in Fuzhou, the capital city of east China's Fujian Province, on Saturday. The arrival of the imported coconuts is the latest highlight of the deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Indonesia this year, which marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. In November 2024, the General Administration of Customs announced that it would allow imports of fresh coconuts from Indonesia that meet relevant requirements. In recent years, China's coconut imports have shown an upward trend, and its import markets are becoming increasingly diversified, now including Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. China's huge market demand provides broad export space for coconuts from Indonesia, which is one of the world's largest coconut producers. According to customs statistics, the volume of bilateral trade between China and Indonesia exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about 138.72 billion U.S. dollars) for the first time in 2024. In January and February 2025, that volume totaled 172.57 billion yuan, up 4.7 percent year on year. Choose morality over success Business Reporter As a part of its newly launched Leadership Connect initiative, Ramdeobaba University (RBU) hosted a remarkable first-ever fireside chat with Satyanarayan Nuwal, Founder and Chairperson of Solar Industries India Ltd, and currently ranked 57th on the Forbes India Rich List (2025). Addressing the students, Satyanarayan Nuwal said students should choose morality over success. Contd from page 1 The session was live-streamed on RBUs official YouTube channel, allowing thousands to tune into a deeply inspiring conversation that transcended business to touch upon values, purpose, and leadership. Solar Industries, now employing over 10,000 people, is one of Indias leading defence and explosives manufacturers. The audience got a rare glimpse into the journey of Nuwal - a first-generation entrepreneur who rose from modest beginnings to head a global enterprise. The event was graced by Rajendra Purohit, General Secretary (SRSS); Dr Rajesh Pande, Vice Chancellor; Dr Manoj Chandak, Principal; Dr Rajiv Khare, Director, III; Rupesh Pais, Director, RCOEM TBI; and other senior faculty members at RBU. The session was moderated by Dr Deepshikha Mehra. Directors, deans, faculty, and hundreds of eager students. Ramdeobaba Universitys Leadership Connect series continues to bridge the classroom and the boardroom bringing Indias top minds to inspire its future leaders. Q&A session brings out many defining moments of Satyanarayan Nuwals life n Goals at 20: I underwent vocational training at Gayatri Parivar Haridwar to learn from ink-making to printing press skills. My only goal was business. n Biggest challenge: After becoming Indias largest explosives trader, convincing people I could manufacture for Indias defence was hard. But I saw potential. 70% of our defence imports could be made here. n Key management lesson: Credibility, competency, and the ability to unite everyone. n Leadership tip? Transparent policies - across vendors, employees, and customers. n Advice to budding entrepreneurs: Step outside your comfort zone. No shortcuts to hard work. n He also emphasised: Kratamaya Purushaya A man becomes what he thinks. n His golden mantra: Always choose morality over success. Identify problems, grab opportunities, and stay grounded. Action Time: Unauthorised clinics shut down in Bhopal Staff Reporter Following directives from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla to crackdown on unlicensed medical practices, the Health Department in Bhopal has launched a stringent campaign against unauthorised clinics. On Friday, under the guidance of Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Prabhakar Tiwari, a team from the Health Department conducted inspections across several clinics operating without mandatory approvals. During the drive, action was taken against multiple establishments, including Tathastu Dental, Skin Smile Clinic, The Aesthetic World, Cosmo Derma Skin and Hair Clinic, all of which were found operating without registration under the Madhya Pradesh Upcharyagrih and Rujopchar Sambandhi Sthapna Adhiniyam. These clinics have now been shut down by the authorities.Initial investigations revealed that Skin Smile Clinic and Cosmo Derma Skin and Hair Clinic were offering treatment for skin and cosmetic problems without employing a qualified dermatologist. When asked for documentation, clinic operators failed to present the required papers to the inspection team. Taking immediate action, Dr Tiwari issued notices to these clinics, directing them to cease electricity, water supply, and a conducive business environment shaped by progressive policies, he noted. He also pointed to the development of major metropolitan regions, including plans to link Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Dhar, and Shajapur as part of a broader urban strategy. Dr Yadav encouraged architects and design professionals to explore opportunities in Madhya Pradesh, underlining the states openness to innovation and its commitment to sustainable urban growth. The conference also shed light on the legacy and future direction of the Indian Institute of Architects. Established in 1917 and headquartered in Mumbai, the IIA plays a central role in unifying architects across India and fostering collaborations with both national and international architectural bodies. The annual event, considered the largest celebration of architectural practice in the country, drew participants from across India and abroad, offering a platform for exchange of ideas and showcasing the evolving role of architecture in shaping modern India. SANAA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement on Friday that it launched fresh drone attacks at the city of Tel Aviv in central Israel. "Our Air Force carried out a qualitative military operation against two Israeli military targets in Tel Aviv, using two drones," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. The spokesperson indicated that the attacks were carried out in support of the Palestinian people. "We affirm that confronting the ongoing American aggression against our country will not prevent us from continuing to fulfill our duty towards Gaza," Sarea added. Israel's Channel 12 News reported that a Yemeni drone was intercepted near the Dead Sea within the Jordanian airspace before it could reach Israel. The Jordanian army confirmed later on Friday evening that an unidentified drone entered Jordanian airspace and crashed in the Ma'in area of Madaba governorate, near the Dead Sea, and no casualties were reported. Even since Israel renewed its intensive strikes in March across the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have been launching frequent attacks against Israeli and U.S. targets. Earlier in the day, the Houthi military spokesperson claimed fresh attacks against the U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman, and other U.S. warships in the northern Red Sea. Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command said in a post on social media platform X that the strike group of the aircraft carrier "continues non-stop 24/7 operations against the Houthis despite the Houthis' outlandish claims." According to Houthi media outlets, the total number of U.S. airstrikes on northern Yemen since early Friday morning has increased to 30. The U.S. airstrikes targeted several locations in eastern and southern the capital Sanaa, the adjacent oil-rich province of Marib, and the western province of Hodeidah. In Sanaa, residents heard the loud sound of fighter jets flying over before and after they struck locations on the Mount Nuqum and Bani Hashish districts, both on the eastern outskirts of Sanaa. Also, the airstrikes hit locations in the Sanhan district, on the southern outskirts of the capital. There are no warning siren systems in Yemen to alert residents in advance of any possible air attacks. "All that we hear is the sound of speeding missile less than a second before it hit and exploded, then we hear the sound of fighter jets in full throttle," a Sanaa resident Mohamed told Xinhua. On March 15, the U.S. military resumed airstrikes against Houthi targets to deter the group from launching attacks against Israel and U.S. warships in the Red Sea. The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, said they would stop launching attacks if Israel stops its war on Gaza and allows the entry of essential food and medicine into the strip. AIADMK, BJP join hands for TN Assembly polls CHENNAI NEARLY two years after parting ways, the AIADMK and BJP 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. He also slammed the ruling DMK for diverting attention from key issues by raking up matters like delimitation, NEET and the 3-language policy. On a day of quick turns and twists, Shah consulted with RSS ideaologue and S Gurumurthy and by late afternoon, stitched up BJPs alliance with Tamil Nadus main Opposition party AIADMK. The two had been part of the NDA combine that faced the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the (Contd from page 1) 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 Modis 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 Govt in Tamil Nadu, Shah said. Asked if NDA would form a coalition Govt if it won the 2026 polls in the State, he replied. Other related issues will be decided after the polls. 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 wont be any of our interference in AIADMKs 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) Stalins 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 depty CM) Udhayanidhi on corruption, the BJP leader said. Asked about AIADMKs 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 Nadus 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 Annamalais certain remarks about late party stalwarts, including Jayalalithaa. Bhandara schoolgirls experience 1st air travel on inspiring ISRO visit Staff Reporter The girl students of Government Girls Residential School for Scheduled Cast and Neo Buddhists, Rajadahegaon, in Bhandara district, got a chance to live their childhood dream of flying in an airplane when their school planned an educational trip to visit Indian Space Research Organisations (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota with help of Department of Social Justice, Government of Maharashtra. The girls met the press upon their return and shared their experience in an event held at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Samajik Nyay Bhavan on Friday. Babasaheb Deshmukh, Regional Deputy Commissioner, Nagpur Division, was present for the event along with Dr Sachin Madavi, Assistant Commissioner, Bhandara; Narendra Mendhe, Principal of the school; and Yograj Savarbandhe. The girl students visited The Satish Dhavan Space Center at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, the launch pad of most of Indias space missions like Chandrayaan, and Mangalyaan among countless others. Babasaheb Deshmukh, in his address, said that the tour was organised to improve scientific temperament among the students, to provide them with a new perspective about life, and to emphasise the importance of dedicated work to achieve success. A batch of 40 girls with their Principal and teaching faculty left on the tour on April 7, flagged off by Narendra Bhondekar, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bhandara, along with Dr Sanjay Kolte, District Collector, Bhandara. Arya Dongre, a 10th class student from Sarpewada in Bhandara district described the visit to Sriharikota as an inspiring experience. At the space station, we visited the control room we see on television during the launch operations. We also visited the launch pad from where the satellite launches take place. We also got to see the refueling operation for upcoming GSLV satellite launch from the facility. Watching all this inspires me to go to space one day like Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, stated Arya. The highlight of the tour for the girls, though, was the airplane ride. The girls who had only seen an airplane as toys, in pictures, or as tiny moving objects with chemtrails behind them, got to fly on not one but two airplanes in a single tour. Their journey comprised of a connecting flight plan, one from Gondia to Hyderabad on a 80-seater plane, and another on a 180-seater bigger plane from Hyderabad to Chennai. Anjana Anil Gajbhiye, a Std IX student and a daughter of a farmer, was overwhelmed by just watching the airplane on the ground. She said, Initially, I was hesitant for the plane ride due to fear of plane crash, but with support from my teachers and classmates, I got ready for the flight. It was overwhelming to see the plane on the ground. The students also got to learn the pre-boarding activities on ground like getting boarding pass, and clearing security check with help of airport authority staff at Gondia airport. At Hyderabad airport, they learned to navigate escalators with confidence. The tour also comprised of sightseeing of Chennai city that included a visit to iconic Marina Beach. The Department of Social Justice and the Principal of the school expressed their confidence that initiatives such as this will help student to grow in confidence, expand their horizons, and will help them dream big. They also said that success of this initiative will increase citizens confidence in government schools and encourage them to admit their wards in government schools. Central team in Raipur to inspect Waqf properties Staff Reporter RAIPUR As Waqf Amendment Act comes into force in Chhattisgarh, a 10-member team from the Government of India arrived from Delhi to Raipur to inspect Waqf properties, including the Fateh Shah Market in Tikrapara, with Chhattisgarh Waqf Board Chairman Dr Salim Raj accompanying them. In a significant statement, Dr Salim Raj recently declared that strict action would be taken against any Mosque or Dargah in State, where discussions against the Waqf Bill occur. He stated that Mutawallis or officials are prohibited from discussing the Waqf Bill within Mosque premises. Furthermore, Dr Salim Raj had also advocated for the formation of a Sanatan Board similar to the Waqf Board. China retaliates with 125% tariffs against US imports BEIJING CHINA on Friday upped its additional tariff on US goods to 125 per cent, retaliating to Americas 145 per cent levy even as President Xi Jinping urged the European Union to jointly resist the unilateral bullying by Washington. China, however, left the door open for talks between the worlds two top economies as the tariff war between them continued. Chinas Foreign Ministry said, any dialogue must be based on equality and mutual respect. Beijing also indicated that if the US hikes its tariffs further, China will ignore it. Chinas Customs Tariff Commission said, higher tariffs by the US would no longer make any sense and go down as a joke in the worlds economic history. Given that its already impossible for the Chinese market to accept US imports at the current tariff level if the United States imposes further tariffs on Chinese products, China will ignore it, it said. However, should the US persist in substantially undermining Chinas interests, Beijing will take firm countermeasures and fight to the end, the commission added. As Trump kept hiking tariffs against China while pausing the levies he planned earlier on EU, India and a host of other countries, Xi said China and the 27-member bloc must fulfill their international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalisation and international trading environment, and jointly resist unilateral bullying. There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation, Xi here on Friday said in his meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain which is part of the block. China and the EU are firm supporters of economic globalisation and free trade, Xi said. 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. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Friday said if the US truly wanted to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, it must cease its maximum pressure tactics and reckless actions. Any dialogue must be based on equality, mutual respect and benefit, he told a media briefing here, adding that if the US insisted on escalating tariff wars, China would resolutely respond to the challenge all the way. In the face of US hegemony and coercion, compromise and concession are not viable options, Lin added. As Trump seeks to isolate China, Beijing has also started an outreach diplomatic campaign to galvanise global opinion against Americas unilateral sanctions. Xi is next week setting out on a visit to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia, the key ASEAN countries badly hit by Trumps tariffs. Separately, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held a meeting of the countrys envoys in different countries outlining Beijings diplomatic priorities in the light of US tariff war against China. India geared up for high degree of urgency: Jaishankar on trade deal talks with US, EU NEW DELHI, Apr 11 (PTI) THE Trump administration was quick in responding to what was tabled for a bilateral trade pact with India and New Delhi is geared up for a very high degree of urgency in concluding trade deals with the US and the European Union, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. In an interactive session at the Global Technology Summit, Jaishankar said the US under President Donald Trump has (Contd on page 3) Ex-DGP assault: Police file case against pvt agency for not verifying employees BHOPAL 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 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 Joshis 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. Hospitals asked to verify qualification, registration of medical officers by 21st Staff Reporter Stung with the unfortunate incident at Mission Hospital Damoh, the administration has decided to strictly enforce requisite of certified qualification and registration of medical officers working in all private hospitals and clinics. All hospitals will have to check the qualification and registration of their medical officers by April 21, 2025, and confirm it in writing to the Chief Medical and Health Officer, Jabalpur. Along with this report, it will also be necessary to mention on a stamp paper of Rs 100 that medical services are being provided in the institution only by authorised and qualified doctors. According to the instructions issued by the Health Department, all private hospitals in Jabalpur district will have to ensure that all medical officers directly engaged in the care and treatment of patients, must have a valid medical degree obtained from a recognised institution, registration with MP Medical Council, necessary certificates and registration of additional specialist qualification if applicable. This provision is mandatory under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, Clinical Establishment Act, 2010, and Madhya Pradesh Nursing Home and Clinic Establishment Act. The hospitals will also have to ensure that only doctors of the same medical system are working there, for which they are trained and registered. According to Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Sanjay Mishra, all hospital operators will also have to ensure that the services of doctors from other states are taken only if they are registered with the Madhya Pradesh Medical Council (MPMCI). No outside doctor should be allowed to work without valid registration. The Health Department has clarified that if necessary certificates are not found with any medical officer, he will not be allowed to provide medical services. The concerned hospital operators will be fully responsible for this process. Strict action will be taken as per rules for non-compliance of the order. SEBI cautions public against fraudulent activities on social media platforms Business Reporter Markets regulator SEBI on Friday cautioned the public against manipulative activities related to the securities market on social media platforms (SMPs) in the wake of a growing number of frauds emerging on these platforms. The regulator also stressed the importance of dealing only with SEBI-registered intermediaries and using authentic trading apps while investing. This advisory comes after SEBI observed a sharp rise in fraudulent activities across several popular platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Play Store, Apple Store, and others. In its statement, SEBI noted that scamsters have been using these platforms to lure investors under the guise of offering educational content, while in reality providing misleading trading calls, deceptive testimonials, and making false promises of guaranteed or risk-free returns. A common pattern among these scams includes unregistered investment advisory services, where fraudsters falsely claim to be registered with SEBI or display fake registration certificates. Some even impersonate SEBI-registered entities through fraudulent trading platforms, or WhatsApp and Telegram channels, falsely suggesting affiliations with genuine registered intermediaries while promising high or assured returns. Also, SEBI highlighted the use of manipulative content designed to entice investors into joining private chat groups or channels, often branded as VIP groups, institutional trading groups, or investment clubs. These are typically promoted through misleading advertisements or social media posts to gain the trust of unsuspecting investors. Another rising threat comes from scamsters promoting fake advisory or trading apps that claim to offer exclusive services such as preferential trading access, discounted IPOs, block trades at reduced prices, or sure-shot IPO allocations. These fraudulent platforms often mislead investors into believing they are receiving special institutional benefits. In view of these, the regulator advised investors to exercise caution and due diligence to verify the genuineness of social media handles of SEBI registered entities while accessing them. Further, while investing in the securities market, investors are advised to deal with only SEBI-registered intermediaries and authentic trading apps. Further strengthening its efforts to protect investors from fraud, SEBI has directed all its regulated and registered entities to use only the 1600 phone number series for making service and transactional voice calls to existing customers. This move is aimed at reducing frauds carried out via regular 10-digit numbers, which are often used by scamsters to impersonate legitimate entities. ST. PETERSBURG, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday met with Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, in St. Petersburg for talks on the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin said the meeting focused on "various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement," without elaborating. The talks were held behind closed doors, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier. He said the two sides would exchange views on the Ukraine issue but no breakthrough was expected in the talks. Before meeting with Putin, Witkoff held talks with Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries. Dmitriev later said that talks with Witkoff were "productive." According to Russian news agency TASS, Witkoff arrived in Russia on a business visit Friday morning and departed St. Petersburg late in the evening. ABU DHABI, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation on Saturday with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi to discuss the latest developments in the ongoing U.S.-Iran talks hosted by Oman. According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the UAE official expressed appreciation for Oman's constructive mediation efforts, which aim to build trust and foster stability in the region. He also expressed confidence that Oman's diplomatic endeavors would succeed in narrowing the gap between Washington and Tehran and in creating a positive atmosphere for rebuilding trust and advancing peace, security, and global stability. Earlier on Saturday, the Omani minister stated that the U.S.-Iran negotiations in Muscat took place in a "friendly atmosphere," with the aim of promoting regional and international peace and stability. Iran and the United States concluded "indirect" talks on Saturday in the Omani capital of Muscat in a "constructive" atmosphere, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The two-and-a-half-hour talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff centered on Tehran's nuclear issue and sanctions relief, the ministry said in a statement. A visitor experiences riding while viewing the scenery of Denmark via VR glasses at the booth of Denmark at 2025 Chengdu Europe Culture Season & European Culture Street in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 12, 2025. The event, showcasing traditional European art, music and food, was organized by the European Union (EU)'s delegation to China. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) Visitors taste food at the booth of Romania at 2025 Chengdu Europe Culture Season & European Culture Street in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 12, 2025. The event, showcasing traditional European art, music and food, was organized by the European Union (EU)'s delegation to China. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) This photo shows a scene of the opening ceremony of 2025 Chengdu Europe Culture Season & European Culture Street in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 12, 2025. The event, showcasing traditional European art, music and food, was organized by the European Union (EU)'s delegation to China. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) A visitor (R) dances with two actors dressed as cartoon characters at the booth of the Netherlands at 2025 Chengdu Europe Culture Season & European Culture Street in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 12, 2025. The event, showcasing traditional European art, music and food, was organized by the European Union (EU)'s delegation to China. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) Visitors taste pizza at the booth of Italy at 2025 Chengdu Europe Culture Season & European Culture Street in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 12, 2025. The event, showcasing traditional European art, music and food, was organized by the European Union (EU)'s delegation to China. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) ALGIERS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Algeria has successfully designed its first homegrown electronic chip, marking a significant achievement in its technological development, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Kamel Baddari announced on Saturday. During a visit to the Center for Development of Advanced Technologies (CDTA) in Algiers, Baddari revealed that Algerian researchers had developed a high-precision 1-square-millimeter chip, specifically designed for integration into electronic cards. The chip, developed entirely by local experts in microelectronics, is now ready for production. "Mastering this technology adds significant value to Algeria's economy and reflects our growing expertise in this critical field," Baddari emphasized. He further noted that the chip design lab, inaugurated in December 2024, will pave the way for local manufacturing within the next two years. On the sidelines of the visit, the CDTA signed an agreement with the National Company of Electronic Industries to oversee mass production. The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership on Friday launched a multi-pronged campaign in Malda against the ruling Trinamul Congress, focusing on issues ranging from communal unrest to corruption. In a show of strength, senior BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh and Suvendu Adhikari visited different parts of the district, including the tension-hit Mothabari, where communal clashes erupted a few weeks ago. Advertisement While Mr Ghosh interacted with locals over tea in English Bazaar town as part of the partys chai pe charcha programme, Mr Adhikari, with permission from the high court, visited four affected villages in Mothabari Chourangi, Pal Para, Haldar Para and another. Advertisement Interestingly, the political drama in Malda was further fuelled on Friday morning when posters appeared across English Bazaar town seeking information about the local BJP MLA, Shreerupa Mitra Chowdhury. Despite the posters, Ms Chowdhury was present she welcomed Dilip Ghosh earlier in the day and later accompanied Suvendu Adhikari during his visit to Mothabari. She also joined hands with Mr Ghosh during the BJP-organised March to Malda DM office, which witnessed heavy police deployment to maintain law and order. Speaking to reporters, Suvendu Adhikari said: Following the orders of the Calcutta High Court, I visited various areas of Mothabari today, including Chourangi, Pal Para, and Haldar Para. I met with the Hindu families who were attacked by the jihadists and spoke to each of them individually. The atrocities have been horrific around 86 families have been affected. Women and mothers were assaulted, some had their limbs broken, and shops and homes were looted. I provided some financial assistance and assured them of full support in every possible way. Addressing the affected residents, Mr Adhikari urged: Stay strong, stay united, and have faith in the law. We will take care of the rest. However, Mothabari MLA and state minister Sabina Yeasmin lashed out at Mr Adhikari, saying: He has come to set Mothabari on fire once again. This is nothing but political drama. He has distributed only a small part of the huge sums of money he has collected. The police have already taken control of the affected areas. During his tea session with locals, Dilip Ghosh also took aim at the ruling party, saying, The amended Wakf Bill is meant to assist poor Muslims. TMC is opposing it because some of its top Muslim leaders have illegally grabbed Wakf land, built apartments, malls, and brick kilns, and are living lavishly. This Bill will genuinely benefit the poor. He added: If you vote for TMC to get Rs 500 from Lakshmir Bhandar, your children wont have access to proper education or jobs, and women wont feel safe in Bengal. Law and order problems and communal riots are inevitable under TMCs rule. Highlighting the plight of unemployed teachers caught in the recruitment scam, Mr Ghosh remarked: Its the chief ministers responsibility to identify the 18,000 genuine and eligible teachers. If she does that, the remaining 8,000 tainted teachers will start protesting at Kalighat, demanding the return of the money taken by agents for TMC leaders. Just like Hasinas house was looted, Didis house will be looted too, Mr Ghosh added. The controversial sub-inspector (SI) Ritan Das, who was seen reportedly kicking a jobless teacher Amit Ranjan Bhuniya of a high school in South 24-Parganas district on Wednesday, was removed on Friday as an investigating officer (IO) probing the Kasba vandalism incident. Another SI, Sanjoy Singh of Kasba police station (PS) replaced Mr Das of the same PS with directives from Lalbazar, Kolkata Police headquarters. Advertisement Initially, Mr Das was made the IO of the case triggering serious controversy. Later, he was removed as the IO. Advertisement He was assigned to lead the force during the protest programme organised by the aggrieved teachers at the DI office premises. Trouble started when the agitators allegedly tried to enter into the District Inspector (DI) of schools office by breaking its lock on Wednesday. Mr Das in uniform was reportedly seen on video footages kicking the agitating teacher Mr Bhuniya at the DI office on Wednesday when the jobless teachers were demanding the inspector to make public the mirror images of OMR sheets of recruitment tests for teachers and non-teaching staff of non-teaching employees of state government-aided schools. Initially, he was the IO but later another officer replaced him to probe the case, city police commissioner Manoj Verma told reporters at Lalbazar today. Kicking someone is not desirable, Mr Verma admitted once more. An inquiry has been initiated to probe the allegations brought against the officer kicking an agitating teacher, said Rupesh Kumar, joint commissioner of police (crime) while speaking to reporters. Two cases under eight sections of the BNS were registered against the teachers and non-teaching employees on charge of sponsoring vandalism at the DI office. Two out of eight sections were non-bailable, according to police sources. On Thursday, Mr Verma ordered an inquiry to probe the incident of vandalism at the DI of schools office premises at Kasba in the southern part of the city on Wednesday. Mr Verma had said on Wednesday that the police had to resort to mild lathi-charge to keep the situation under control. The police also issued a denial on its official X-handle on the allegations that the videos it had shared were not linked to the Kasba protest. Some unscrupulous individuals are spreading misinformation that videos posted by Kolkata Police do not pertain to yesterdays incident, Kolkata Police posted. The clips were merged for representation in a single video. Separate clips are below, including one showing a protester calling to burn down the place with petrol. Faced with such unrelenting aggressive behaviour, Kolkata Police was compelled to use mild force in self-defence and disperse the unruly mob. Sources said that Mr Das was questioned by senior officers on Thursday as part of the inquiry. He is said to have cited sudden lawlessness in the compound and an attack on the police as the trigger for action that has heaped shame on the citys police force. Sources said his role was being probed by an officer of the rank of deputy commissioner. What led to the incident is also a part of the probe, the sources said. The Supreme Court last week had upheld the dismissal of the teaching and non-teaching staff recruited to government-aided schools in the city and districts, citing manipulation and a cover-up. Technology in health care is unable to replace the empathy of a clinician, said Dr Sunil Chandi, chief medical officer of ITC, India and former director and senior cardiologist, CMC, Vallore on Friday. He was speaking at a seminar organised by Dr B C Roy Academy of Professional Courses on the theme: Technology in Health Care Boon or Bane on the occasion of World Health Day. Advertisement The programme started with watering the plant by Dr Sunil Chani, Tarun Bhattacharya, Jernail Singh, Mita Mitra, general secretary, treasurer and vice-president of Dr B C Roy Society, respectively and Dr Rajib Roy, principal of Dr B C Roy Academy of Professional Courses. Advertisement Dr Chandi was felicitated with uttario by Tarun Bhattacharya and with Silver Memento by Jernail Singh to mark the Silver Jubilee of BCREC. The welcome address was delivered by Dr Rajib Roy, principal BCRAPC. Dr Saikat Moitra, chief advisor of Dr B C Roy Society greeted Dr Chandi in his brief address. Dr Partha Pal, medical director of the Mission Hospital, Durgapur explained that the definition of health means physical, mental and social health. Health should not be considered in an isolated way. Dr Chandi in his keynote speech explained with several examples how technologies are engulfing the health sector. He said that only our change of attitudes to technology can make health technology most beneficial to us. He said technologies like IKNIEF, Bionic Arms, nano devices are going to revolutionize the health sector in terms of technology. Humans cannot escape technological developments. Artificial Intelligence is now becoming a rival of clinical thinking. He described AI as the New Pentagon of Medicine . Education minister Bratya Basu on Friday said that the state government would soon file a review petition regarding the dismissed candidates in the SSC recruitment case. He expressed hope that the matter would be resolved within the next 10 days. Advertisement We will file a review petition, and so will the SSC. The dismissed candidates have assured us they will no longer resort to hunger strikes. We have no fundamental opposition to their demands. Once we receive legal advice, we will proceed accordingly, Basu told reporters after a high-level meeting at Bikash Bhavan. The education minister held a meeting with representatives of the dismissed SSC candidates on Friday afternoon. The meeting, which started two hours late, than scheduled, was attended by 13 representatives of the aggrieved candidates. Advertisement Dismissed candidates who met the education minister Basu said that the government has promised to publish a list separating eligible and ineligible candidates. The next legal steps were also discussed during the meeting. The candidates were assured that copies of the OMR sheets of 22 lakh examinees would be made public, and the list of eligible and ineligible candidates would be released by 21 April. Top officials, including the SSC chairman, president of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, the states principal secretary for education, and legal advisors were also present. Following the meeting, Basu reiterated the chief ministers assurance of legal protection and support for deserving candidates who were denied appointments. We sat down at Bikash Bhavan as per the chief ministers direction. The candidates had written to us requesting this meeting. Several issues were discussed. We have no fundamental disagreement with their concerns, but since there is a clear directive from the Supreme Court, we cannot act without legal backing. Their demands are just, said Basu. The candidates also raised the demand for publishing the list of eligible and ineligible candidates. Basu confirmed that the SSC is in possession of such data, based on inputs provided by the CBI, and has already submitted it to the court. There is a demand to upload the list on the website. We have no objection to that, he added. The meeting took place on the sixth floor of Bikash Bhavan. The dismissed candidates believe that the publication of the mirror image of the OMR answer sheets could help resolve the ongoing confusion and legal entanglements following the Supreme Court verdict. This issue was also discussed during the meeting. A meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commenced on April 12, 2025, as part of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, Azernews reports. The high-level talks are expected to cover key issues of mutual interest, further strengthening the Azerbaijan-Russia relationship, particularly in the realms of regional security, economic cooperation, and diplomatic engagement. NEW DELHI, April 12 (Xinhua) -- At least three Naxals were killed Saturday in a fierce gunfight in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said. The gunfight between Naxals and joint contingents of police and paramilitary forces broke out in the Indravati region of Bijapur district, about 420 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh. "The identity of the slain Naxals is being ascertained," a senior police official said. According to the police official, the government forces have not suffered any damage in the stand-off. The police also claimed the recovery of a large quantity of arms and ammunition from the spot. "A search operation is still going on in the area," the official added. Last month, Naxals received a major blow in the state as they lost over 45 of their cadres in gunfights with government forces. Reports said 138 Naxalites have been killed in Chhattisgarh since the beginning of this year. Protests against the Waqf Amendment Act continued across various parts of West Bengal on Friday. In Kolkata, large crowds gathered at Park Circus and Esplanade to voice their dissent. Similar scenes of agitation were witnessed in several locations in Murshidabad as well Amtala in South 24-Parganas. In some places, clashes reportedly broke out between protesters and police personnel. Amid the ongoing unrest, the BJPs state unit has announced plans to hit the streets to raise awareness about the Waqf Amendment Act, which, party leaders claim, is being misinterpreted by the public. According to BJP sources, the state unit will launch a public outreach campaign from 24 April to highlight the positive aspects of the Act. A committee has already been formed by BJP national president JP Nadda to formulate the roadmap for the campaign. The Waqf Amendment Act, passed in Parliament, has now been implemented across the country. Advertisement However, the law has triggered protests in several regions, including West Bengal. Reacting to the development, state minister and Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim asserted that the Act will not be implemented in West Bengal. There is no scope for disruption in Bengal. The Waqf Bill protest will continue. Bengal is a land of communal harmony, he said. Advertisement Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has called for a high-level meeting on 16 April at Netaji Indoor Stadium to discuss the Waqf Amendment Act. The meeting will be attended by Firhad Hakim along with imams, muezzins, and intellectuals from across the state. Hakim confirmed that discussions on the Act would take place during the meeting and stated that the battle against the law would also be taken to the Supreme Court. It is noteworthy that Trinamul Congress MP Mahua Moitra has already filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf Amendment Act. As political and legal battles unfold, tensions over the contentious law continue to grip the state. Showing solidarity with his force, Kolkata Police (KP) commissioner Manoj Verma on Friday claimed that it was the teachers who attacked cops first during the vandalism at the district inspector (DI) of schools office at Kasba on Wednesday. While speaking to reporters today the city police chief also claimed saying, Police were attacked by the teachers. Cant police take action when they are attacked? We cant even expect that teachers could also beat up cops. Advertisement Jobless teachers and non-teaching staff of government-aided schools were kicked, punched and hit with batons by police in front of the DI office at Kasba when they were agitating there demanding release of mirror image of OMR sheets of recruitment tests conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016. Advertisement Ritan Das, sub-inspector (SI) of Kasba PS, in uniform was seen kicking one agitating teacher Amit Ranjan Bhuniya of a secondary school in South 24-Parganas, during the protest programme. The incident rocked the state prompting peoples outrage to protest against the police atrocities. Security arrangements were taken considering the programme of the teachers. But we cant expect that the teachers would be violent and attack the police. They had a plan to lock the DI office but its not the same thing to lock the office or to break the lock. Do you (reporters) think teachers can create vandalism? Nobody can think that they would create violence, Mr Verma said. Outsiders were there with the teachers at the spot. We alerted cops soon after we came to know about the presence of the outsiders, said joint commissioner of police in charge of crime, Rupesh Kumar, sitting beside Mr Verma. He said that cops had handled the situation with restraint even after the agitators broke the guardrails installed in front of the DI office to enter the premises. What I said earlier, Im repeating today that it was not desirable to kick someone. Police may make mistakes but there should not be a repeat of the same act, he said while reacting to the act of the on-duty Ritan Das of Kasba police station. The SI was assaulted and he sustained injury on his chest. His spectacle was damaged, Mr Verma said. Showing video clips of the incident Mr Kumar said that they broke the barricade around 12.18 p.m. first and then locked the gate. After that they harassed police around 12.30 p.m. but police didnt take action till then. Thirteen policemen were injured by the agitators, he claimed. A shocking video has come to fore today where BJP MLA Dibakar Gharami can be seen instigating people to keep weapons at home and spark violence on the ground. Showing scant regard towards law and order along with provoking administration, Gharami stood outside a police station while making the objectionable comments. People need to start stocking weapons in their homes and use when necessary, he said, openly promoting vigilantism and undermining the law enforcement system. Advertisement Coming at a time when Bengal has witnessed a series of politically motivated disturbances, the statements expose the BJPs role in maintaining provocative rhetoric and instigation. Advertisement Trinamul Congress has strongly condemned the MLAs remarks, labelling them a call to lawlessness. The party posted on X, stating: From Goli Maaro to Stock Weapons, @BJP4Indias script is soaked in hate. Dibakar Gharami didnt misspeak, he revealed the plan: incite violence, destabilise Bengal. We will not let Bengal burn to serve Delhis political greed! This explosive remark has ripped the mask off the BJPs so-called law-and-order narrative and confirmed what TMC chairperson and chief minister Mamata Banerjee has long warned aboutthe BJPs only objective is to stoke violence and create social unrest, said another TMC leader. The ruling party in Bengal posted on its official X-handle: From Goli Maaro to Stock Weapons, @BJP4Indias script is soaked in hate. Dibakar Gharami didnt misspeak, he revealed the plan: incite violence, destabilise Bengal. We will not let Bengal burn to serve Delhis political greed! Rajya Sabha MP from TMC Ritabrata Banerjee wrote in his X-handle: @BJP4India isnt contesting elections anymore, theyre waging CIVIL WAR. Their Sonamukhi MLA openly calls for households to arm themselves. What next? Private militias? Dibakar Gharami is not a loose cannon. Hes firing BJPs central agenda. Meanwhile, state minister Dr Shashi Panja wrote on X: An elected @BJP4Bengal MLA tells people to stash weapons at home. They want gang warfare. When you cant win hearts, you reach for hatchets. Thats @BJP4India s mantra. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday affirmed her governments commitment to resolving the issues concerning the rural population of Delhi. Speaking at the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations organized by residents of rural Delhi, Gupta said, Every single problem faced by the villages of the national capital including roads, water bodies, healthcare services, and more is on our radar. I assure everyone that each and every issue will be addressed by our government. Advertisement The Chief Minister also hinted at the possibility of a triple-engine government in the city, alluding to the upcoming mayoral elections scheduled for April 25 and the potential formation of a BJP-led municipal leadership. Advertisement The problems of Delhi had started seeming never-ending. But when the entire rural belt of Delhi united in support of the BJP during the Assembly elections, it marked the end of our 27-year-long exile from power, Gupta said. She further added, Every government has historically focused on the Lutyens zone, but the soul of Delhi lives in its rural belt. Our BJP-led government is on a mission to ensure that the entire city progresses in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat. Addressing the gathering, Palam 360 Khap chief Choudhary Surender Solanki said, Since the BJP came to power, there has been a new ray of hope among the people regarding long-standing issues in all 360 villages. These include the abolition of Sections 81 and 33, withdrawal of old legal cases, revision of the circle rate to 5 crore per acre, immediate waiver of house tax, and implementation of the master plan for rural settlements. Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, MP Ramvir Bidhuri, Swati Maliwal, Bansuri Swaraj, Chandan Chauhan, MLA Satish Upadhyay, Anil Sharma, and several other prominent figures were also present at the event. The Delhi Police apprehended a 19-year-old youth along with a juvenile in connection with a series of robberies in Adarsh Nagar, an area in the north of the city, it said on Saturday. The accused, Suraj, 19, originally from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, along with the CCL, stabbed the victim with knives to coerce them into giving up their belongings, later robbed them, and fled the spot. Advertisement The arrested was an active criminal who was a habitual offender, previously involved in six cases under the theft section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act, the Delhi police said. Advertisement According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Bhisham Singh, they received information about the case wherein the victims reported about the incident. Later, the team conducted a detailed examination of all three complainants and, upon their statements, initiated an inquiry. During the investigation, police analyzed the CCTV footage of the crime scene to determine the identity of the suspects involved in the crime. The local informers were contacted, and raids were carried out at the suspected hideouts, the DCP said. However, the team gathered intel that led them to the identification of the suspects and got their hands on both the accused and the CCL along with him. During the sustained interrogation conducted with the accused, they confessed their involvement in all three robbery cases and the crucial details regarding the execution of the crimes. Acting upon their disclosure, the cops confiscated the robbed items that included 02 mobiles, 01 laptop, Rs 41,180 in cash, 01 scooty, and the knife used as the weapon of crime from their possession, Singh added. A case has been registered against the two at the Shalimar Bagh police station, and further investigation confirmed that the victims were stabbed during the course of the robberies, the DCP added. Further investigation confirmed that all three complainants were stabbed during the course of the robberies, underscoring the violent nature of the incidents. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, paid floral tribute to former Governor Late Lalji Tandon on his birth anniversary by garlanding his statue. Remembering the veteran leader, CM Yogi said that Lalji Tandon was a proud son of Bharat Mata, whose nearly seven-decade-long political journey left an indelible mark on the landscape of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and the nation. He remained steadfast in his commitment to one party, one ideology, and nationalist values throughout his life, regardless of the ups and downs in public life, said the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister highlighted Tandonjis journey from being a grassroots worker to holding prominent public officesserving as a councillor, Legislative Council member, MLA, minister in the state government, and later, as a widely respected MP from Lucknow. His presence was marked by humility, accessibility, and a genuine connection with the people. His life is a testament to the heights one can achieve while remaining grounded in principles and discipline. The Chief Minister praised Tandons deep connection with the people and his proactive engagement in both public and personal matters. He was known for being among the people in their joys and sorrows. His legacy continues to inspire generations, CM Yogi remarked, paying homage on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary. The tribute event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, Cabinet Minister Asim Arun, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, MP Brij Lal, MLC Mukesh Sharma, and MLAs OP Srivastava, Suresh Tiwari, Dr. Neeraj Bora, Neeraj Singh, and Rajneesh Gupta, among others. Advertisement The Delhi Police arrested two individuals on Saturday for their alleged involvement in the shooting of a 25-year-old man in Mustafabad, northeast Delhi, within 24 hours of the incident, a police official said. The official stated that during preliminary interrogation, the accused identified as Aqib (19) and Shariq (19), both residents of New Mustafabad confessed to the crime. Advertisement During questioning, the accused revealed that they had a history with the victim and, due to an unresolved altercation, shot him with the intention of eliminating him. Advertisement According to police, they received a PCR call around 10 p.m. on Friday from Ateeq Ahmed, who reported that his son, Mehraj, had been shot by unidentified assailants. A case was registered under Section 109(1) of the Arms Act of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Dayalpur Police Station. A team was immediately dispatched to the scene to investigate. Upon arrival, officials found the victim with serious injuries. He was rushed to GTB Hospital along with his father, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Senior officials were present at the scene to supervise the investigation. The Crime Team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were also called in to conduct a thorough examination of the crime scene and collect evidence. Following the arrest, a country-made pistol and a bullet believed to be the weapon used in the crime were recovered from the accused, the official added. A father and son were killed in Bengals Murshidabad on Friday night amid violent clashes linked to protests against the amendment of the Waqf Act by the Central government, even as chief minister Mamata Banerjee issued an earnest appeal for peace and restraint. At least three people have lost their lives in separate incidents across the district since Friday as violence flared over the past few days over the Waqf amendment issue. Advertisement In an incident in Shamsherganj, a father and son ~ identified as Hargobind Das and Chandan Das ~ were murdered at their residence, local sources said. However no official communication were available regarding the identities of the decreased. Advertisement According to local sources, a group of miscreants broke into their house with the intent to loot and vandalise. When the duo tried to resist, they were reportedly hacked to death with sharp weapons. Their bloodied bodies were discovered inside the house and have been sent to Farakka Hospital for autopsy. Family members alleged that repeated calls to the police went unanswered during the attack. Simultaneously, violent protests escalated in other parts of the district, including Dhulian and Suti, over the controversial Waqf Amendment Act passed by the central government. On Friday, three persons, including a minor, were shot during clashes. One of them died later. The deceased, a teenager, succumbed to his injuries in Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital after being shot in Sutis Sajur More area. Following the outbreak of violence, a heavy police contingent has been deployed across the affected areas. To further tighten security, seven companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been stationed in Dhulian, Suti, and Shamsherganj. Tensions flared again on Saturday morning after a brief lull. Protesters reportedly vandalised parts of Dhulian Municipality and targeted the residence of former Shamsherganj Block President Kawsar Ali. In the melee, Malda Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jamal sustained injuries while trying to control the mob. Meanwhile, fresh allegations have emerged against BSF personnel of opening fire on civilians. Two individuals, identified as Muddin Sheikh and Hasan Sheikh, were injured and admitted to Jangipur Hospital. Amid the unrest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee took to social media platform X to make an appeal for peace and restraint. Miss Banerjee said the law was made by the Centre and answers should be sought from it. My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society, she said in a post on X. Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government, the CM said. We have made our position clear on this matter ~ we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about, she asked. Miss Banerjee said legal action will be taken against those inciting riots. We do not condone any violent activity. Some political parties are trying to misuse religion for political gain. Do not give in to their persuasion, she said. I think religion means humanity, goodwill, civilisation and harmony. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony, she added. The makers of Kesari Chapter 2 recently dropped the trailer of the awaited film following its riveting teaser. Led by Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan, and Ananya Panday, the film has Karan Singh Tyagi at the helm. Set against the tragic incident of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, that shook the nation, the film promises to be driven by years of burning rage. The film is poised to present another side to the dark chapter of national history. Recently, the films producer, Karan Johar slammed General Dyres great-granddaughter who called the massacres victim, a looter. A 2019 video of a documentary featuring Caroline Dyre has been going viral. She is the great-granddaughter of General Dyre who led the troops during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In her documentary, she interviewed Raj Kohli, whose great-uncle Balwant Singh survived the firing by hiding under the pile of bodies. Caroline described her uncle as someone who was fond of Indians. Kohli also spoke lovingly about his great-uncle and described him as a daring young man. To this, Caroline quickly added, Ah, he was a looter, was he a looter. She added, I think history is history and youve got to accept that and not wallow in it. Advertisement Now, Karan Johar has bashed Caroline for her remarks. He said, I dont want to mince my words, be diplomatic in my answer or certainly beat around the bush when I say, how ridiculous she is to say that and how dare she? She was calling those thousands of people looters? They were innocent people who conglomerated right there for what was meant to be the auspicious day of Baisakhi, thinking something else was going to be the eventuality of the day and look what happened. Advertisement Karan Johar added, The fact that she has even said those things, makes me so angry on a humanitarian level. Khoon khaulta hai jab maine wo video dekha with the fact 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 disdainful of it makes me just angry and want to demand an apology even more. The filmmaker also questioned the fondness of Dyre for Indians which she talked about. What love can you have in your heart when your actions only spoke of hate? And the fact that she is living in a la la land of her own and is in some delusion of her own. And I dont know her. I havent met her and I dont wish to meet her. But the fact that she even said those things just makes me so angry. As he let out his anger, Johar also talked about the slated film and how it would present a parallel history. Thats why she keeps on saying history is history I dont think she has understood the lesson And you will see that whole thing, the anger (in the film). By the time the film comes to the climax, you will understand how much anger there was. And I would rather say you watch the film to see the anger. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) In the film, Akshay Kumar stars as the fearless lawyer, Sir C Sankaran Nair who sues the crown for genocide. However, going against the British Empire is nowhere near a cakewalk. He faces the empires formidable lawyer, played by R Madhavan. As the two lock horns in the courtroom, history changes its face. Joining them in this intense showdown is Ananya Panday, a female lawyer striving to break stereotypes. Meanwhile, Dharma Productions, Cape of Good Films, and Leo Media Collective are backing Kesari Chapter 2. Fans can witness the gripping narrative from 18 April 2025 onwards. Also Read: Soha Ali Khan has THIS advice for Ibrahim Ali Khan over Nadaaniyans failure In connection with the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the anti-terror agency is questioning Tahawwur Rana regarding potential links to the incident, particularly a meeting he allegedly had in Dubai with an unidentified individual who was reportedly aware of the attack plans, sources said. The agency is also expected to question Rana about the terror plots links to Pakistan. David Coleman Headley, another key accused in the case, allegedly received training from members of the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan and was in direct communication with the outfit regarding the plan to attack Mumbai, sources added. Advertisement It is believed that Headley arranged a meeting between Rana and the unidentified person in Dubai. Rana is currently in the high-security custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following his extradition from the United States of America. Advertisement Officials believe his interrogation could provide crucial information about the networks involved in one of the worst terrorist attacks in Indian history. Headley had reportedly informed Rana about LeTs plan to send him to India under the guise of working for Ranas company, in order to conduct reconnaissance. Headley, who had earlier pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges in the United States including aiding and abetting the murder of six Americans in Mumbai and planning an attack on a Danish newspaper was sentenced to 35 years in prison, according to the US Department of Justice. Rana is alleged to have facilitated a fraudulent cover, enabling his childhood friend Headley (born Daood Gilani) to travel freely to Mumbai to survey potential targets on behalf of the banned terror outfit. Headley had reportedly received extensive training from LeT operatives in Pakistan and stayed in constant touch with them during the planning stages of the attacks. Among other allegations, Rana is accused of agreeing to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration services business and appointing Headley as its manager, despite his lack of immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly assisted Headley in preparing and submitting visa applications to Indian authorities that included information he knew to be false. He is also accused of providing, through an unsuspecting business partner, documentation that supported Headleys efforts to obtain formal approval from Indian authorities to open the Mumbai branch of the business. Over a period of more than two years, Headley reportedly met Rana in Chicago and shared details of his surveillance activities conducted on behalf of LeT. While in custody, Rana is undergoing a medical examination every 24 hours, sources said. by Thong Mengdavid Cambodia-China ties are rock-solid and unbreakable, setting a model for a pioneering type of international relations in the modern era. The two countries have forged an ironclad friendship that has weathered numerous storms and overcome many difficulties. They treat each other as trustworthy friends and reliable partners, and always provide staunch support for each other's core interests. Bilateral relations have grown from a strong historical foundation to a deep strategic partnership based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Since the 1950s, China has provided consistent economic and diplomatic support for Cambodia. In the modern era, under the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, China has become Cambodia's top trade and investment partner. The friendship has been reflected in high political trust, cooperation in infrastructure, trade and security, and Cambodia's backing of China on key international issues. China-Cambodia cooperation, through the "Diamond Hexagon" framework and projects like the Industrial Development Corridor and the "Fish-Rice Corridor," has significantly boosted Cambodia's economy. The Industrial Development Corridor is essential to helping transform Cambodia into an industrial hub, while the "Fish-Rice Corridor" will enhance food security and exports. These initiatives have aligned with Cambodia's "Pentagonal Strategy," which focuses on industrialization, agriculture and infrastructure. Flagship projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, such as the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, have generated tens of thousands of jobs, improved trade and travel efficiency, and further driven Cambodia's economic and tourism growth. China has also significantly contributed to Cambodia's development through experience-sharing, infrastructure investment and poverty alleviation programs. The establishment of poverty alleviation demonstration villages has applied China's successful strategies, incorporating modern agriculture, vocational training and rural development. Additionally, exchange and cooperation between the Cambodian People's Party and the Communist Party of China has strengthened Cambodia's governance by providing insights into rural revitalization and stability, which in turn supports the country's long-term growth. All these projects and cooperation have injected vigorous momentum into building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard Cambodia-China community with a shared future. As the Global South gains more influence, China's approach, rooted in non-interference and mutual benefit, has resonated with many countries seeking development. Cambodia, as a key Chinese partner, exemplifies how nations in the Global South can leverage Chinese investments to accelerate economic progress. China has positioned itself as a leading advocate for the Global South, bolstering developing countries' economic independence through infrastructure and industrial investments. Simultaneously, it has championed reforms in global governance by upholding UN-centered multilateralism, advanced South-South Cooperation, and aided nations in digital transformation, 5G application and green energy projects. Editor's note: Thong Mengdavid is a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency. With growing tension in the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) on the issue of CM face, all constituents of the opposition alliance in Bihar will meet in Patna on 17 April. The alliance partners will discuss election strategy, seat sharing and formation of a coordination committee in the first meeting before the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. Advertisement While the ruling NDA is far ahead in election preparations, the Grand Alliance is still planning to hold its first meeting due to the Congress Partys stand on the CM face of the alliance. Advertisement The Congress leadership has been trying to revive the party in the state. The party appointed a new incharge of Bihar Congress and a new state president which was followed by appointment of 40 district heads. Differences between the two major partners, the RJD and Congress, came to the fore soon after the appointment of Krishna Allavaru as the new incharge of Bihar Congress. He has refused to accept RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face of the Grand Alliance. He always maintained that the CM will be elected after the elections. The Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot sparked new controversy during his Bihar visit on Friday by supporting Allavaru over CM face for Bihar election. Giving jitters to the RJD leaders, he said that the decision on the CM face will be made after the elections. In an interesting turn of events, former president of Bihar Congress Akhilesh Singh said today that Tejashwi Yadav is the chief ministerial face of the Mahagathbandhan. No one should be confused about this. Congress has to contest the elections in alliance. He said that Tejashwi was the chief ministerial face of the grand alliance even in the 2020 assembly elections. There is no confusion about it. He also said that if the Congress decides to fight alone, it will be suicidal. Akhilesh Singhs firm stand reflects that the Congress party in Bihar is not united on the issue of accepting Tejashwis leadership. It would be interesting to see how the Grand Alliances poll strategy takes shape when the alliance partners meet for the first time on 17 April. The Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, visited the Indian Armys Vajra Corps to assess its operational preparedness along the Western borders. He was accompanied by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar. During a comprehensive briefing, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria updated the COAS on the prevailing security environment and the Corps readiness posture. General Dwivedi later visited select locations to gain a first-hand appreciation of ground-level preparations by frontline formations. Advertisement While expressing his satisfaction with the seamless synergy among the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, Punjab Police, and other stakeholders in safeguarding both the border and the hinterland, the COAS commended the troops high morale, professionalism, and unwavering dedication. He urged them to maintain the Armys exacting standards of operational excellence. Advertisement General Dwivedi also encouraged all ranks to harness cutting-edge technologies in line with the Armys transformation roadmap towards a modern, agile force under the national vision of Viksit Bharat India@2047. The COAS also felicitated and interacted with the veterans. An Indian Armys junior commissioned officer (JCO) was killed in a gunfight with Pakistan backed terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammus Akhnoor sector during the early hours of Saturday. The JCO and his team foiled the infiltration bid during which he suffered critical injuries. The martyred JCO has been identified as Subedar Kuldeep Chand of the 9 Punjab. Advertisement On the other hand, two more Pakistani terrorists have been killed in a separate ongoing firefight in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district. Advertisement The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said on X; Subedar Kuldeep Chand laid down his life while gallantly leading a Counter Infiltration operation along the LoC in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani. His teams valour and Sub Kuldeeps ultimate sacrifice foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists In a post on X, the Northern Army Commander Lt General MV Suchindra Kumar and all ranks of the Northern Command saluted the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand. Northern Command stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, the Army said. The infiltration bid by Pakistani terrorists came only two days after the Indian and Pakistan Armies in a brigade commander-level flag meeting at Chakkan Da Bagh meeting point along the LoC in Poonch on Thursday discussed measures to maintain the sanctity of the LoC and maintain peace between the two sides. However, defying the ceasefire agreement, Pakistan Army and other agencies were trying to push in heavily armed terrorists into India across the LoC and the international border. Numerous ceasefire violations and infiltration bids have been made during the current year. Two Indian soldiers, including Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi, were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion planted by terrorists along the LoC in the Akhnoor sector on 11 February. Meanwhile, the White Knight Corps said that despite bad weather, two more Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated in the ongoing operations at Chatroo in Kishtwar. A large quantity of war like stores including One AK and One M4 rifle have been recovered. Operations are in progress. One Pakistani terrorist was gunned down on Friday at Chatroo in the forest area where the Army, CRPF and J&K Police launched a joint operation against the hiding terrorists on 9 April. The AIADMK-BJP alliance is an alliance of defeat. The people of Tamil Nadu are the ones who repeatedly handed down this defeat. Despite that, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has attempted to revive this failed alliance. NaduThe press briefing given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Chennai yesterday was unworthy of the position he holds. Though it is his choice to confirm the AIADMK-BJP alliance, he did not clarify why this alliance was formed or what ideological foundation it stands on. Instead, he vaguely claimed they would work on forming a common minimum programme, Stalin said. Advertisement He sought clarity from the AIADMK, saying the party claimed to oppose the NEET exam, the imposition of Hindi, the three-language policy, and the Waqf Act. Are any of these issues part of their so-called minimum programme? the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister asked. Advertisement Accusing the AIADMK leader Palaniswami of mortgaging Tamil Nadus self-esteem and rights to Delhi, Stalin said he brought ruin upon the state. On the other hand, the power-hungry AIADMK-BJP alliance stands in direct opposition to these ideals. No one has forgotten that Palaniswami, driven by a desire for position, mortgaged Tamil Nadus self-respect and rights to Delhi and brought ruin upon the state, he added. Referring to the late AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaas conviction in disproportionate assets case, Stalin took a swipe at Amit Shah, saying it was laughable that he would speak about corruption while sharing a stage with AIADMK leaders. For the Home Minister to speak about corruption while standing on a stage that declared an alliance with the AIADMK is laughable to the people of Tamil Nadu. It was due to corruption that Jayalalithaa had to step down twice as Chief Minister. She was sentenced to four years in prison in the disproportionate assets case by the Special Court in Bengaluru. Is corruption the word to be used while forming an alliance with her party? the Tamil Nadu CM asked. Meanwhile, reacting to Stalins criticism, AIADMK National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said that the DMK has sensed defeat and therefore questioning the bases of their alliance with the BJP. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday wrote a letter to Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the vandalism incidents at railways stations in Murshidabad during the recent anti-Waqf Act protests. Adhikari pointed out that Murshidabad shares its borders with Bangladesh and there is potential for such violent protests to escalate given the presence of radical outfits like the Population Front of India (PFI) and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in the district. Advertisement Asserting that the NIA was best suited to conduct a thorough, impartial, and swift investigation, the Leader of Opposition said the move would help expose the real masterminds behind the violent protests. Advertisement His demand of an NIA probe came after violence broke out in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad during a protest over the Waqf Amendment Act in Murshidabad, Malda, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts. The protesters resorted to arson, and stone-pelting and blocked road at several places. The police have arrested more than 110 individuals who were allegedly involved in the violence and raids are being carried out across the violence-hit districts to nab the remaining accused. According to the police, around 70 people were arrested from Suti, and 41 people from Samserganj in connection with the violence. Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP president and Balurghat Lok Sabha MP Sukanta Majumdar accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of trying to create Bangaldesh here by threatening Hindus. He also alleged police inaction against those involved in the violence on directions of the Bengal CM. The police are doing nothing and are keeping quiet in Mamata Banerjees directions. She is trying to create a Bangladesh here by threatening Hindus, but Hindus have always fought, and it will continue that. We are in contact with Delhi, and the (Union) Home Minister is aware of everything, Majumdar told a news channel. Amid heightened ceasefire violations and attempts of the Pakistarm Army to push heavily armed terrorists into the Indian territory, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, Lt General PK Mishra on Saturday visited the forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) to review the security situation and operational preparedness of the troops. His visit comes hours after a junior commissioned officer, Subedar Kuldeep Chand of the 9 Punjab lost his life in a gunfight with infiltrating terrorists in the Akhnoor Sector of Jammu in the early hours today. Advertisement The GOC visited the Krishna Ghati, Bhimber Gali and Naushera Sectors that recently witnessed ceasefire violations by Pakistan troops and infiltration bids of terrorists. Advertisement A defence spokesman said that the GOC White Knight Corps, accompanied by GOC Ace of Spades Division, visited KrishnaGhati, BhimberGali & Naushera Sectors to review the security situation and assess operational preparedness. He lauded the troops for their steadfast professionalism and urged all ranks to uphold the highest standards of readiness and morale in the face of evolving security challenges, the spokesman added. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu proposed the Border Road Organization ( BRO ) to takeover important roads the Wangtu-Attargoo-Mudh-Bhawa Pass route which will connect Kinnaur with Lahaul-Spiti district. He took up the matter when Director General Border Roads (DGBR) PVSM, VSM, Lt. Gen Raghu Srinivasan who called on him here on Saturday, to discuss key infrastructure initiatives under Project Deepak. During the meeting the Chief Minister was briefed about the progress of strategically vital road works in the hill state and the enhancement of connectivity for the people of the state. The Wangtu-Attargoo-Mudh-Bhawa Pass route has recently received clearance from the National Board for Wildlife, paving the way for its construction. At an altitude of 4,865 metres, the road will become the second highest motorable road in the country after Khardung La. Once completed, it would reduce the distance between Shimla and Kaza by almost 100 km and offer much-needed alternative to the existing arduous route via Nako, Sumdo and Tabo. The new road would shorten the current 410 km journey to approximately 310 km, thereby improve access and boost tourism, and strengthening defence logistics in the region. The DGBR apprised the Chief Minister that BRO , through Project Deepak was responsible for the up-gradation, improvement and development of three major National Highways (NH-03, NH-05 and NH-505) in the Manali and Sissu sectors of Himachal Pradesh. These works were not only of strategic importance but also aimed at enhancing connectivity and improving the quality of life for residents in remote hill regions. The Chief Minister appreciated the commendable work being carried out by the Border Roads Organization ( BRO ) in some of the most challenging high-altitude and inhospitable terrains of the state. He lauded BRO s significant role in national security and in improving the quality of life of people in remote hill areas. Chief Minister asked BRO to take over the Chamba-Bairagarh-Sach Pass-Killar road, which holds strategic and logistical significance. Connecting the remote Pangi Valley near the India-Pakistan border and the LAC, this route offers an alternate north-south corridor, especially when Manali-Leh or Rohtang routes are blocked. Presently maintained by the State PWD, the road via Sach Pass is open only 45 months a year. The Chief Minister also flagged the long-pending 13-km Tissa Tunnel, which would reduce the ChambaKillar distance by 88 km and enable all-weather connectivity. Sukhu expressed confidence that BRO s involvement would accelerate the development of vital road infrastructure and further strengthen Himachal Pradeshs strategic connectivity and economic development. The DGBR assured the Chief Minister that these roads would be taken over as soon as the formal handover from the PWD was completed. He said that in-principle approval for the same has already been obtained and once all the formalities were completed the works on these roads would be accelerated. Advertisement Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to Maharashtra, with his itinerary on Saturday centred around paying homage to the legendary Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his 345th death anniversary. HM Shah will visit the memorial of Jijamata, Shivaji Maharajs revered mother, in Raigad district around 10:30 a.m. He will then proceed to the historic Raigad Fort, the former capital of the Maratha Empire, to attend a series of commemorative events. Advertisement The visit holds immense cultural and political significance. At Raigad Fort, HM Shah is scheduled to offer floral tributes at the samadhi (memorial) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, honouring the enduring legacy of one of Indias most iconic historical figures. Advertisement Later in the day, HM Shah is also expected to visit Sutarwadi for a lunch meeting at the residence of Sunil Tatkare, NCP state president and Member of Parliament from Raigad. The invitation was extended personally by Tatkare and accepted by Shah, a gesture that has piqued political interest given the ongoing tensions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. HM Shah landed in Pune on Friday evening and was received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. His visit comes at a time when internal discord within the states ruling coalition comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), has intensified, especially over the unresolved issue of the guardian ministership for Raigad district. The power tussle began earlier this year when Deputy CM Eknath Shinde opposed the appointment of NCP leader Aditi Tatkare, daughter of Sunil Tatkare, as Raigads guardian minister. This led to Fadnavis putting appointments for both Raigad and Nashik districts on hold, further straining ties within the alliance. India and Italy have renewed their commitment to take forward the strategic initiative, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), which aims to bolster economic development by fostering connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Persian Gulf and Europe. The ambitious project came up for a thorough review during talks between Italys Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Advertisement The Italian leader is on a two-day visit to India, accompanied by Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini, and a large delegation of businesses, leading universities and research institutions. Advertisement Mr Jaishankar welcomed Italys appointment of a Special Envoy for IMEEC, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The two leaders reviewed the growing bilateral cooperation under the ambit of the Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29, which included the areas of trade and investment, defence and security, space, science and technology, clean energy transition, culture, tourism and people-to-people ties. They expressed satisfaction at regular high-level interactions and exchanges, and noted the vast potential of cooperation between India and Italy in areas of AI, cyber, telecom, digital technologies, renewable energy, biofuels, education and academic collaborations, scientific research and mobility of youth and professionals, among others. They reiterated their commitment to elevating the bilateral strategic partnership and ensuring concrete outcomes from the JSAP. Dr Jaishankar and Mr Tajani exchanged views on global and regional developments of mutual interest. Mr Tajani and Ms Bernini co-chaired the inaugural India-Italy Business, Science and Tech Forum, which seeks to facilitate tech collaborations, innovation, academic and R&D partnerships, co-production and joint business ventures. The forum saw the participation of more than 100 Italian companies and counterpart Indian companies from four key sectors: Industry 4.0 and new technologies; infrastructure, transport and logistics; clean energy transition; and aerospace and defence. Several B2B meetings were held to forge economic and commercial partnerships. An Education, Science and Tech, Innovation Forum was also organized in which Heads of universities and research centres from both countries participated to explore research and innovation, and higher education collaborations. The Ministry of Science and Technology and Italys Ministry of University and Research signed an MoU for cooperation in the field of scientific research. Mr Tajani said: We strongly believe in the ItalyIndia partnership, particularly in light of the Joint Strategic Action Plan aimed at strengthening our bilateral ties in key areas of cooperation. Karni Sena is set to organise a massive public meeting in Agra on Saturday to mark the birth anniversary of the 16th-century Rajput ruler Rana Sanga. The event, which will focus on the theme of Kshatriya Samman, will also serve as a platform to respond strongly to the recent controversial statement made by Samajwadi Party MP Ramjilal Suman in Parliament. Advertisement In preparation for the gathering, nearly 50,000 square metres of agricultural land has been cleared to accommodate the expected crowd. According to reports, attendees have been asked to bring flags and sticks with them to the venue. Advertisement The Agra Police have granted permission for the event, which is being held under the banner of Sanatan Hindu Mahasabha. Security arrangements have been heightened across the city, with a three-tier security plan put in place to prevent any untoward incidents. In addition, the police have issued alerts at the residences of individuals who previously made inflammatory remarks on social media regarding Rana Sanga. On Thursday, members of the Karni Sena and the Kshatriya community performed a Bhoomi Pujan ceremony at Rami Garhi village, symbolising their spiritual and cultural preparation for the upcoming gathering. The rally comes weeks after a row ignited by SP MP Ramjilal Sumans remarks during a recent parliamentary session, where he said, If Muslims have Baburs DNA, then whose DNA is in Hindus? Who brought Babur? Babur was brought to India by Rana Sanga to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. His comments sparked outrage across the Rajput community, with BJP leaders, Karni Sena and various Hindu organisations accusing Suman of insulting both Rajput pride and Hindu sentiments. Although Suman later clarified that his statements were based on historical references and not intended to hurt anyones feelings, the controversy continued to escalate. In response, enraged Karni Sena members attacked the MPs house in Agra. Protests against Suman have also spread beyond Uttar Pradesh. In Udaipur, members of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena staged a demonstration, raising slogans and burning an effigy of the MP. Arjun Singh Chundawat, President of the Karni Senas Udaipur unit, announced a bounty of Rs 5.51 lakh for anyone who could cut off the MPs tongue a statement that further intensified tensions. The Karni Sena maintains that Sumans remarks are a direct affront to the legacy of Rana Sanga, who is revered as a symbol of Rajput valour and resistance. ALMATY, April 12 (Xinhua) -- China views neighboring countries as important partners, a Kazakh media leader has said. The principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in China's neighborhood diplomacy have gained strong popularity in Central Asian countries, Serik Korzhumbayev, editor-in-chief of the Delovoy Kazakhstan newspaper, told Xinhua in a recent interview. The Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries, which was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday, clearly demonstrated the vital status of neighborhood diplomacy within the broader framework of China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, said Korzhumbayev. "One of the core elements of the meeting is the concept of 'building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries.' This idea is becoming increasingly clear and significant in the regional political landscape," he said. China supports its neighbors in choosing their own development paths, respects their national conditions and characteristics, and encourages open dialogue and bridging differences on the basis of equality, he said. The media veteran said the meeting sent a strong diplomatic signal that China is willing to build deeper, better-structured partnerships with neighboring countries. He believes the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness promoted by China are "highly valuable." "They align with global norms while reflecting regional characteristics and Eastern wisdom," he said. "China's efforts to build a community with a shared future with its neighbors is not just a philosophical concept. It's a sustainable, multi-dimensional development blueprint grounded in mutual respect," Korzhumbayev noted. "The role of Central Asian countries within it is increasingly prominent. As China's important strategic partner, Kazakhstan will play its part in this initiative and open new areas of cooperation for a shared future," he said. Korzhumbayev noted that Kazakhstan was where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first proposed, and now the BRI has become a high-quality global cooperation platform with broad international participation. "Kazakhstan has a unique geopolitical position, a mature diplomatic culture and friendly relations with China. We are ready to continue working hand-in-hand with China to promote sustainable development," he said. China and Kazakhstan are strengthening cooperation in science and technology, education, tourism and other fields, Korzhumbayev said, noting these kinds of interactions have laid a solid foundation for enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and expanding cooperation in economy, trade, industrial capacity and connectivity. Tributes were paid to Subedar Kuldeep Chand, the Junior Commissioned Officer of 9 Punjab Regiment who laid down his life during a terrorist encounter at Keri-Battal in Akhnoor sector, on Saturday. Three terrorists, who were trying to infiltrate the Line of Control in the sensitive Jammu sector, were also killed by Chands team. According to the army officials, the martyrs mortal remains were sent to his hometown, Kohlvin village in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, for last rites following a wreath-laying ceremony organised at military station Tanda in Akhnoor. Advertisement On Friday night, a group of terrorists tried to enter India through the border at Keri Battal in Akhnoor sector. The Indian Army engaged with infiltrators in cross firing during which Chand was hit by the bullets. He was taken to the hospital for treatment but could not survive. The martyr is survived by a son, daughter, wife and elderly parents. Advertisement In a post on X, Nagrota based XVI Corps wrote, GOC White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a Counter Infiltration operation along the Line of Control in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr. His teams valour and Sub Kuldeeps ultimate sacrifice foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief. Indian Armys Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) stated that the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of the braveheart. The Indian Army offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, ADGPIs post on X read. Expressing condolences over the soldiers demise Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the news of Chands martyrdom is very sad. His unforgettable contribution in the service of the country will always be remembered with respect. I pray to God to give place to the departed soul in his lotus feet and provide patience and strength to the bereaved family in this hour of grief. My condolences are with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, he wrote on X. I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand who laid down his life in the line of duty. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief, wrote Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the coming together of the BJP and the AIADMK ahead of the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu in 2026, saying the alliance will uproot the corrupt and divisive DMK regime in the state. In a social media post on X late last night, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the alliance between the two parties in Chennai, the PM wrote, 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. Mr Modi added, 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 reunion of the two parties comes nearly two years after they parted ways. The BJP and the AIADMK had contested the Lok Sabha elections in the state separately. The Union Home Minister also announced that the Assembly polls would be fought under the leadership of AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). In his social media post later, Mr Palaniswami expressed his gratitude to the PM for his unwavering support to the 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 @narendramodi ji, AIADMK will work closely with NDA allies to realise the aspirations of the people and contribute to his transformative vision, he said. The AIADMK chief said together, the two parties are 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, he added. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK supremo M K Stalin hit back, saying the BJP and the AIADMK had joined hands for the 2026 Assembly elections without any ideological foundation. The AIADMK-BJP alliance is an alliance of defeat. The people of Tamil Nadu are the ones who repeatedly handed down this defeat. Despite that, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has attempted to revive this failed alliance. The press briefing given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Chennai yesterday was unworthy of the position he holds. Though it is his choice to confirm the AIADMK-BJP alliance, he did not clarify why this alliance was formed or what ideological foundation it stands on. Instead, he vaguely claimed they would work on forming a common minimum programme, Mr Stalin said. Advertisement On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on Monday. At around 10:15 hrs, he will flag off a commercial flight from Hisar to Ayodhya and lay the foundation stone of the new terminal building of Hisar airport. He will also address a public meeting. Advertisement Thereafter, the PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects in Yamuna Nagar and address the gathering on the occasion. Advertisement In line with his commitment to make air travel safe, affordable, and accessible to all, the PM will lay the foundation stone of the new Terminal Building of the Maharaja Agrasen airport in Hisar, worth over Rs 410 crore. It will include a state-of-the-art passenger terminal, a cargo terminal and an ATC building. He will also flag off the first flight from Hisar to Ayodhya. With scheduled flights from Hisar to Ayodhya (twice weekly), three flights in a week to Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh, this development will mark a significant leap in Haryanas aviation connectivity. Boosting power infrastructure in the region, along with the vision of electricity reaching the last mile, the PM will lay the foundation stone of an 800 MW modern thermal power unit of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant at Yamuna Nagar. This unit, spread across 233 acres, worth around Rs 8,470 crore, will significantly boost Haryanas energy self-sufficiency and provide uninterrupted power supply across the state. Taking forward the vision of GOBARDhan, i.e., Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan, he will lay the foundation stone of a Compressed Biogas Plant in Mukarabpur, in Yamuna Nagar. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 2,600 metric tonnes and will help in effective organic waste management, while contributing to clean energy production and environmental conservation. He will also inaugurate the 14.4 km Rewari Bypass project, worth around Rs 1,070 crore under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. It will decongest Rewari city, reduce DelhiNarnaul travel time by around one hour, and boost economic and social activity in the region. Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal was reinstated as the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday. Badal, who had stepped down from the position last year, was re-elected unopposed. In a post on X, Shiromani Akali Dal wrote: Congratulations to Punjabs development man, Sukhbir Singh Badal, on becoming the president of Shiromani Akali Dal. May Sukhbir Singh Badal firmly guard the rights of the Panth and Punjab and make Punjab prosperous. Advertisement Sukhbir, who succeeded his father Parkash Singh Badal, had stepped down from the top post in November last year, marking the end of his nearly 15-year long tenure at the helm of Punjabs oldest regional political party. Advertisement The development comes as an endorsement of the fact that the party is going to contest the 2027 Assembly polls in Punjab under his leadership. The SAD has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a dwindling vote share and criticism over its handling of key issues such as the sacrilege cases and its alliance with the BJP, which ended in 2020. It is worth mentioning that the Akal Takht Sahib had declared 62-year-old Badal Tankhaiya or guilty of violating the Sikh religious code of conduct on August 30 last year. Amid mounting opposition from power sector employees over the proposed privatization of Purvanchal and Dakshinchal power distribution companies, the Uttar Pradesh government has reaffirmed its commitment to reforms, emphasizing that the decision will move forward in the interest of public welfare. Power sector employees have threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the government proceeds with its plan. Despite this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued firm directives to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality electricity supply for all consumers, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in power distribution. To support this vision, a high-level seminar was held in Lucknow on Saturday, bringing together key stakeholders, industry experts, and partner organizations for in-depth discussions on the future of power distribution and privatization in the state. Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh emphasized that transformative reforms are essential for public welfare and the overall progress of Uttar Pradesh. The state government has taken a historic decision to immediately implement reforms in the Dakshinchal and Purvanchal discoms, he said, adding that Indias ambition to become a developed nation cannot be fulfilled without bold and meaningful changes in the power sector. Highlighting the significance of rural electrification, he noted, A large portion of the states population comprises rural domestic consumers, and nearly 75 per cent of the land is under agriculture. Reliable electricity is critical for both irrigation and the development of rural industries. He further stressed that involving the private sector in power distribution is vital to improving service delivery, boosting agricultural productivity, increasing rural incomes, and driving industrial growth. Reforms in the Dakshinchal and Purvanchal discoms are being implemented with a strong focus on safeguarding the interests of consumers, industry stakeholders, and employees alike, he assured. Drawing from past experiences, the Chief Secretary cited Greater Noida as a successful case of power sector reform. Initial resistance to reforms is common, but once improved services are experienced, public support follows. Similar success stories across India and abroad show that reforms lead to better service quality, reduced line losses, and greater consumer satisfaction. This journey of reform must continue with resolveundaunted by opposition and driven by the larger interest of the states citizens, farmers, and industries, he concluded. Principal Secretary (Energy) Narendra Bhushan highlighted successful power sector reforms in Delhi, Odisha, and Chandigarh. Reforms are no longer optionalthey are essential, he stated. Rather than focusing on short-term challenges, we must pursue long-term benefits. This is a crucial opportunity to secure a better energy future. The success of these reforms depends on the collective support of consumers, farmers, industries, and personnel. Our ultimate goal is to ensure affordable, uninterrupted 247 power supply across all regions. Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) Chairman Dr. Ashish Goyal remarked that the state has significantly upgraded its power infrastructure and continues to strengthen all distribution companies. He underscored the urgent need for reforms in Dakshinchal and Purvanchal, which currently lag behind other regions. The reform process is being carried out in a fully transparent and standards-compliant manner, with special attention to protecting the interests of both consumers and employees, he noted. Upendra Nath Behera, former Chairman of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission, shared Odishas two-decade-long journey of successful power sector reforms. He spoke of the challenges faced during implementation and highlighted the long-term benefits now enjoyed by all stakeholdersconsumers, industries, and employees alike. He also offered key suggestions for successful reform implementation in Uttar Pradesh. ISA Director General Ashish Khanna emphasized the global and national significance of such reforms. He pointed out that political will and transparency are the cornerstones of successful power distribution reform. A Tata Power representative shared insights from their operations in Delhi and other regions, noting that both electricity workers and consumers have benefited from privatization. In the private sector, workers find better career opportunities, improved working conditions, and avenues for professional growth. Meanwhile, consumers enjoy timely power supply, improved maintenance, and better service quality, said Managing Director Pankaj Kumar. Advertisement A wild bear was brutally tortured to death by villagers in southern Chhattisgarh . The gruesome incident has sparked widespread condemnation from conservationists, and concerned citizens. Captured in a now-viral video, the shocking act has raised urgent questions about wildlife protection and human-wildlife conflict in the region. The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has initiated a high-level investigation and pledged stringent legal action under the Wildlife Protection Act , which permits life imprisonment for such grave offenses. The disturbing video shows a group of villagers mercilessly beating a defenseless bear pulling its ears, striking its head repeatedly, as the animal writhes in agony. Blood is seen dripping from its mouth as the assault continues unabated. Preliminary reports suggest the incident occurred in the Kerlapal area of Sukma district. However, officials are working to verify the exact location, as a village with a similar name exists in the neighboring Bijapur district. Responding to public outrage, the Divisional Forest Officer of Sukma has constituted special investigation teams with a mandate to identify and apprehend the perpetrators within 48 hours. A reward of 10,000 has been announced for credible information leading to arrests, with assurances of full confidentiality for informants. Chief Conservator of Forests R.C. Dugga stressed the gravity of the offense, stating, This constitutes the willful killing of a Schedule II protected species under Section 9 of the Wildlife Protection Act . We are pursuing the maximum penalty, which includes life imprisonment. The department has also launched night patrols in 23 border villages and deployed undercover personnel in tribal hamlets to deter similar acts. The shocking episode has reignited calls for systemic changes in forest and wildlife governance. Noted conservationist Pran Chadha described the act as a glaring example of failing grassroots enforcement, urging the government to implement wildlife sensitivity training in conflict zones, establish fast-track courts for animal cruelty cases, and introduce GPS tracking for vulnerable bear populations. The case has also stirred wider discussions on reconciling tribal land rights with conservation goals, revamping compensation policies for wildlife related damages, and fostering community led wildlife protection models. Forest officials have enlisted the support of Wildlife SOS for forensic assistance, signaling a more coordinated and professional approach to wildlife crime prosecution. The Forest Department has urged local communities to come forward with any credible information, reiterating that harming protected wildlife is a serious criminal offense with severe legal consequences. This gruesome incident underscores the pressing need for robust enforcement of wildlife laws, deeper community engagement, and sustained awareness campaigns across forested regions. Strengthening grassroots vigilance and fostering a culture of coexistence are now more critical than ever to safeguard Indias rich but vulnerable biodiversity. Advertisement The India-Nepal border region experienced an earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter scale. The earthquake occurred near Api, Sudurpashchim Province in Nepal on Saturday, April 12 at 1:02 PM Indian Standard Time (IST), as per My Earthquake Alertsan earthquake monitoring app. Earlier today, an earthquake of magnitude 5.3 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan at 1:00 PM IST, according to the National Center for Seismology. Advertisement People in Srinagar, Jammu, Shopian and several other parts of Kashmir region felt the tremors. Advertisement Seismologically, Kashmir Valley is situated in an earthquake-prone region, where earthquakes in the past have wreaked havoc. The epicentre of the earthquake was in the Pakistan region. The earthquake occurred 10 km inside Earths crust. Mild tremors were also felt in J&K, Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of MET Department, told the media. Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties. Pakistan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, being crossed by several major faults. As a result, earthquakes in Pakistan occur often and are destructive. Pakistan geologically overlaps both the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. Balochistan, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan provinces lie on the southern edge of the Eurasian plate on the Iranian Plateau. Sindh, Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir provinces lie on the north-western edge of the Indian plate in South Asia. Hence this region is prone to violent earthquakes, as the two tectonic plates collide. Prior to this jolt, earlier in the day, Pakistans neighbor, Tajikistan was also struck by an earthquake of magnitude 4.2. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Further details are awaited. 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. Participants perform during the Chinese singing contest "Rose Melodies" in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 12, 2025. This year's United Nations Chinese Language Day was celebrated in Bulgaria on Saturday alongside the sixth edition of the Chinese singing contest "Rose Melodies." Organized by the Confucius Institute in Sofia, the event brought together 15 solo performers and nine group acts from across the country.(Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) SOFIA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- This year's United Nations Chinese Language Day was celebrated in Bulgaria on Saturday alongside the sixth edition of the Chinese singing contest "Rose Melodies." Organized by the Confucius Institute in Sofia, the event brought together 15 solo performers and nine group acts from across the country. Eighteen-year-old Kalina Momchilova from Sofia took first place in the individual category, while the teen quartet "Scarlet Sorghum" from the town of Stara Zagora won the group category. Momchilova shared that she began studying Chinese at the age of 14, and her passion for the language has only deepened over time. "My interest in the people, the culture-absolutely every part of Chinese life-has grown significantly," she said. Guan Xin, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Sofia, said the singing performances not only captured the melody of the Chinese language but also conveyed the emotions of the Chinese people, highlighting the deep cultural resonance between the two nations. Chen Ying, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Aksiniya Koleva, the Bulgarian director, emphasized that UN Chinese Language Day is dedicated to celebrating the language as a bridge between peoples and cultures, with the song contest serving as a natural extension of that mission. A participant performs during the Chinese singing contest "Rose Melodies" in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 12, 2025. This year's United Nations Chinese Language Day was celebrated in Bulgaria on Saturday alongside the sixth edition of the Chinese singing contest "Rose Melodies." Organized by the Confucius Institute in Sofia, the event brought together 15 solo performers and nine group acts from across the country. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua) After Salvador Dali, it's acclaimed 17th-century Italian baroque artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio whose work has arrived in India, bringing Indians the experience for which many travel to Italy. While Caravaggio, the master of chiaroscuro - a technique of intense contrasts between light and shadow, boasts of a rich body of work, including some unforgettable masterpieces such as 'The Entombment of Christ', 'The Seven Acts of Mercy', and 'The Supper at Emmaus' among others, it's his 'Mary Magdalene in Ecstacy' that will be on display at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Delhi from April 18 to May 18. "This is a wow moment," said Roobina Karode, director and chief curator at KNMA, as the iconic painting of 1606 was unveiled at the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in Delhi on Friday. It is a "wow moment" indeed as it is no ordinary painting, but among Caravaggio's last, one which he did while in exile over murder charges and was considered lost and was rediscovered only in 2014 in a private collection. "This Magdalene is, without a doubt, the original: her hands are enough to understand this. I think the hands are the distinctive element of the original works by Caravaggio," said noted Italian art historian Mina Gregori in a brochure that accompanied the painting when it was unveiled on Friday. "One can understand the emotional tension in the Magdalene by the gesture of the hands, with the entangled fingers in the forefront. The emotional value of the painting flows from the hands," added Gregori, who authenticated the painting. Her head bent backwards, eyes half closed with a tear rolling down, lips parted as if sighing, and fingers intertwined as if praying, that's Caravaggio's Magdalene, a devout follower of Christ, considered the first to have witnessed his resurrection. 'Mary Magdalene in Ecstacy' is done in Caravaggios signature chiaroscuro, where the play between light, darkness, and shadows immerses you first and moves you while also leaving you a bit uneasy. It's a feeling akin to when religion accentuates meeting the notes of divine spirituality, as the painting also bears a sensual connotation to it. It feels both strange and ecstatic looking at this masterpiece of a painting done by a long-gone master artist in a distant land centuries ago. But it's a feeling of standing before a Caravaggio painting that cannot be discounted. Gregori summarises it perfectly: "To see the Magdalene was such an emotion, I was literally overwhelmed. I kneeled to gaze at it attentively which became like an act of devotion to the painting." A remake of the iconic 1992 romance drama flick The Bodyguard is officially underway. Warner Bros. Studio has announced that Sam Wrench, well known for directing live music documentaries like Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish: Live At The O2 and more, will helm this project. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jonathan Abrams, who penned the script for Clint Eastwoods Juror No. 2, will work on the screenplay for the remake. No other details, including cast information, have been revealed yet. Helmed by Mick Jackson, The Bodyguard follows Rachel Marron, played by Whitney Houston, an actress-musician, whose constant annoyance by a stalker leads her manager to higher former Secret Service bodyguard Frank Farmer, Kevin Costner. Rachel and Franks relationship crosses professional boundaries as they both develop feelings for each other. The films ending is bittersweet with Rachel performing a cover of Dolly Partons I Will Always Love You which, off-screen, translated into one of Houstons most popular vocal performances, topping charts worldwide, and remains a timeless musical number. Gary Kemp, Bill Cobbs, Ralph Waite, Tomas Arana, and Michele Lamar Richards were also featured in the film. The Bodyguard also marked Houstons film debut. The original flick was penned by Lawrence Kasdan, best known for his work on the Star Wars franchise, while Alan Silvestri, the musical maestro who created the Avengers theme, as well as Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and The Polar Express among others, composed the score for The Bodyguard. It's been 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) this year. Interestingly, this year in spring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajols 1995 blockbuster by Yash Raj Films is set to become the first-ever statue (bronze) honouring Indian cinema in London in an iconic DDLJ pose. The location, that is Leicester Square is the same that features in the film in a scene when Raj and Simran first cross paths. Also read | 30 years of DDLJ: British Railways to celebrate by staging a musical on the SRK-Kajol film The new statue will reportedly be positioned along the eastern terrace, outside the Odeon cinema. In the UK, a new musical based on DDLJ, Come Fall In Love The DDLJ Musical, is set to start at the Manchester Opera House on May 29, 2025. Akshay wadhwani CEO Yashraj films, reportedly, said that we are honoured that our superstars and our film are being recognised on the world stage alongside the Hollywood elite, from Gene Kelly to Laurel; Hardy to Harry Potter. Here's why we Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) remains a beloved classic even 30 years after its release: 1: Timeless storyline: Scores of filmmakers have tried to decode and replicate the DDLJ formula but none came close to it. This absolutely fantastic film that takes right down the lane of nostalgia, remains as timeless as ever. Now will it be watched with the same interest about a century later? That remains to be seen but as of now the film has stood well for three decades 2. Universal theme: The film's themes of love, family, and tradition continue to resonate even today. And who doesn't love the Raj and Simran's enchanting chemistry and their European getaway! It still feels warm, dreamy, and so aspirational! 3. Cinematic brilliance: DDLJ marked a significant shift in Bollywood's narrative style, influencing many films that followed. 4. Iconic soundtrack: The film's music, composed by Jatin-Lalit, remains evergreen, even cult classics, with some very lovable and endearing songs like "Tujhe Dekha To" and "Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna" and the others. 5. Influence on popular culture: The film's impact on popular culture is evident in its continued references and parodies in modern media. A London born gabru jawan coming down to Punjab, Raj failing his college, yet, his father urging him to jee le apni aur meri zindagi, and if course the eternal jaa Simran jaa jeele apni zindagi ... Who can forget that! The iconic scenes continue to enthrall us to this date -- Train scene where Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) professes his love to Simran (Kajol) on a train is an iconic moment in Indian cinema. And then their supremely beautiful monsoon dance in the European rain remains a memorable and visually stunning scene 6. Music: Tujhe dekha toh.., this song is a beautiful representation of Raj's feelings for Simran, with its melody and lyrics capturing the essence of love while Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna is has become integral to indian wedding celebrations. 7. And then if course who can forget Babuji! Amrish Puri's portrayal of Baldev Singh as Simran's strict father adds depth to the story and creates a compelling conflict. A simple eye test proved to be a game changer for this 21-year-old woman who was observed with a strange gait, as though she was dancing while walking. She suffered from this condition for four years. Dr Sudhir Kumar, on X (formerly Twitter), mentioned about the case that intrigued many. Young woman who seemed to dance while walking: Evaluation revealed a treatable disease A 21-year-old woman was brought for evaluation. She was noted by her parents to dance while walking for the past 4 years. In addition, her voice was not clear at times. She had no psychiatric pic.twitter.com/93kpOgPV4N Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) April 8, 2025 A 21-year-old woman was brought for evaluation. She was noted by her parents to dance while walking for the past 4 years. In addition, her voice was not clear at times. She had no psychiatric symptoms. Her memory was normal. There was no history of jaundice or any hepatic symptoms. Family history was unremarkable for neurological or hepatic disorders. On neurological examination, she exhibited dysarthria and choreoathetoid movements involving the right upper and lower extremities, mentioned the post. It was at this juncture that the patient underwent an ophthalmological evaluation that solved the mystery behind the strange gait. She was diagnosed with Wilsons disease after a Kayser-Fleischer (KF) ring was observed on a slit-lamp examination. Serum ceruloplasmin levels were within normal limits. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated hyperintense signal changes in the pons, midbrain, and lentiform nucleifindings typically associated with Wilsons disease. Based on clinical presentation, ocular findings, and characteristic MRI changes, a diagnosis of Wilsons disease was made despite normal ceruloplasmin levels, he said. What is Wilsons disease? According to the Mayo Clinic, Wilson's disease is a rare inherited condition that causes copper levels to build up in several organs, especially the liver, brain and eyes. The patient was then put on chelation therapy (removal of excess copper) with D-penicillamine along with pyridoxine and zinc. Over the course of treatment, she showed significant clinical improvement in both speech and motor symptoms. The Hyderabad-based doctor discussed the case to highlight a neurologically predominant form of Wilsons disease in a young adult with no hepatic manifestations and normal ceruloplasmin levels. He also underscored the importance of high clinical suspicion and neuroimaging, especially in atypical cases. With over 150 people infected with Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), health officials in Karnataka have advised caution to those living in and around forest belts. Most number of cases were being reported in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru. So far, KFD has claimed two lives in Karnataka. What is Kyasanur Forest Disease? Kyasanur Forest Disease, also known as monkey fever, is a tick-borne viral disease that primarily affects people living in or near forest areas. The disease was first detected in 1957 in the Kyasanur forest of Karnataka. The virus exists in forest ecosystems among small animals including monkeys. The infection is transmitted to humans when they come in contact with any infected animal or through the bite of hard ticks. However, human-to-human transmission is not observed. The disease has a fatality rate ranging from 3 per cent to 15 per cent. What are its symptoms? According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), sudden onset of chills, fever, and headache are the common symptoms of KFD. In severe cases, muscle pain, vomiting, bleeding manifestations and gastro-related issues occur. It can also cause seizures and loss of consciousness. People infected with KFD usually show symptoms within 3-8 days. CDC has classified southern states in India including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala as higher risk areas for getting KFD. The infection spreads mainly during the dry season from November to June. Prevention 1. Using insect repellent to prevent tick bites 2. Avoid contact with dead or sick animals, particularly monkeys. 3. Getting vaccinated 4. Performing frequent tick checks after travelling in forested zones The health officials have launched public awareness campaigns and distributions of protective gear in an effort to contain the spread of the disease in Karnataka. The officials have asked the residents in the high-risk areas to adopt preventive measures and seek immediate medical care if symptoms develop. A multi-agency team interrogating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana at the National Investigation Agencys (NIA) headquarters in Delhi is planning to confront his claims with a protected witness. Investigators are reportedly trying to unravel his relationship with mastermind David Coleman Headley and other Pakistan connections. According to reports, officials from NIA and Intelligence Bureau are questioning Rana and he is being probed about his own testimony to the FBI. Reportedly, Rana had told investigators in the United States that he had visited various parts of India ahead of the Mumbai attacks for terror recruitment. A senior official involved with the probe told Indian Express that as they are interrogating Rana for the first time, they are trying to unravel more India-specific information from him. He will be put through a fresh interrogation on those facts. The NIA had been granted access to Headley, but not Rana. So, the agency is questioning him for the first time. The attempt is to see if he can reveal more India-specific information or details that he may not have revealed to the FBI, the officer told the publication. Investigators are also trying to unravel more information from him regarding his possible connection with Pakistan-based LeT and Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials. Officers said ahead of the 2008 attacks, Rana had travelled to Hapur, Delhi, Agra, Kochi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai, along with his wife between November 13 and November 21, 2008. Cops are planning to confront Ranas claims with a protected witness, who reportedly received Headley on his arrival in India in 2006 and arranged logistics as per Ranas request. This protected witness was very close to Rana and could be confronted with him soon, a senior official told Hindustan Times. Rana might soon be confronted with the witness about his connections in India and places Headley visited and people he met during his multiple trips to India between 2006 and 2009, as well as about any other suspects who may have travelled to India during that time, an officer involved with the probe told investigators. The Karnataka cabinet gave its nod to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into allegations of corruption (40 per cent kickbacks on contracts) made by civil contractors against the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government. The decision to form the SIT was taken based on a two-volume report submitted by Justice Nagmohan Das committee that examined a sample of 1,729 civil contracts awarded by the BJP government and found irregularities like overpayments than the sanctioned amount, interference in the tender process, and out of turn issuing of NOCs to facilitate bill payments. Ironically, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is now also facing similar allegations of corruption. The Karnataka State Contractors Association, in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Minor Irrigation Minister N.S. Boseraju, have sought an audience from the government raising concern over the pending bills of 32,000 crore and the increasing interference by middlemen and relatives of the ministers in government departments. The Association has accused "invisible hands" of interfering in clearing the bills and favouring influential contractors by floating the norms of seniority. The contractors alleged that the PWD and irrigation corporations had been withholding payments upto 50 lakh and also issuing special Letters of Credit (LoCs) that are usually meant for emergencies (health or family events) to favour some contractors. The BJP slammed the ruling Congress stating that corruption in Karnataka had now been institutionalised. "Only large contractors are getting their bills passed, while small contractors continue to suffer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the poll campaign in Karnataka, had cautioned that if Congress came to power, the state would become an ATM of corruption. It has come true today," said BJP national spokesperson Pratyush Kanth, adding that economic adviser to the chief minister, Basavaraj Rayareddi, had confirmed that Karnataka was No 1 state in corruption. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar suggested that the contractors should approach the Lokayukta and not the ministers if they were being asked to pay bribes. He denied there was any interference and said, "The previous BJP government had left behind unpaid bills worth Rs 1 lakh crore. We have cleared those bills but for the 10 to 15 per cent pending bills." In the past 19 days, five encounters have taken place across the hilly districts of Kathua, Udhampur, and Kishtwar in Jammu. The rise in encounters points to a renewed militant push in the region. The operations have resulted in the killing of at least three militants, including top Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) commander Saifullah, and four police personnel. Seven other security forces personnel have been injured. From April 9-11, an operation was launched in the Naidgam area of Chatroo, Kishtwar. Three militants were killed, including commander Saifullah, a top Pakistani militant. He is believed to be the mastermind behind two attacks on Army convoys in February and March 2024, in which several Army personnel were killed. In the initial engagement, one militant was killed at Naidggam. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, Sridhar Patil, confirmed one militant was killed but refused to divulge more yesterday. Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir: DIG DKR Range, Shridhar Patil, visits the encounter site in Chatroo, Kishtwar. He says, "The operation that has been ongoing for the past three days is still continuing. As we informed you earlier, in the morning hours, one terrorist has been pic.twitter.com/93zLLs1zjq IANS (@ians_india) April 11, 2025 More details will be shared after the operation is over, he said. Later, two more militants were killed, and all bodies and a large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered. The Armys White Knight Corps confirmed the operation on X. Op Chhatru Based on specific #intelligence, a joint search and destroy #operation along with @JmuKmrPolice was launched on 09 Apr in #Chhatru forest #Kishtwar. Contact was established late evening on the same day. The #terrorists were effectively engaged and firefight ensued. pic.twitter.com/QqTwQzoQE3 White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) April 11, 2025 Lt Gen M.V. Suchindra Kumar, Northern Army Commander, also praised the security forces in a post on X. Since April 9, security forces have also been searching for a group of militants hiding in the dense forest area of Jopher-Marta. Two to three militants are believed to be trapped, and the operation is going on with drones, sniffer dogs, and aerial surveillance in place. In March, three encounters took place, including a deadly clash on March 27 where two militants and four police personnel were killed. A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and two other officers were injured. Meanwhile, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed in Akhnoor's Keri Battal sector in an encounter with an infiltrating group of militants. The encounter started after the Army challenged the militants on Friday night. A JCO was injured in the encounter and later succumbed to injuries. The incident comes two days after India and Pakistan held a brigade commander-level flag meeting in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district to discuss issues related to the situation on the border. Under US President Donald Trump's administration, change often comes wrapped in controversy. This time it is for Indian students and other foreign students in the US, who are in the eye of the storm. A new bill introduced in Congress called the Fairness for High-Skilled American Act 2025 aims to scrap the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The OPT program allows F-1 visa holders to work in the US for up to three years after completing their graduation, especially in the STEM fields science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For thousands of Indian students pursuing higher education and hoping to become part of the US job market, this new change, if it happens, will close a crucial gateway. Students from India and other countries in the United States may be forced to leave after graduation, as a new bill in US Congress seeks to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. pic.twitter.com/4IU21H9KID Indian Tech & Infra (@IndiaTechInfra) April 8, 2025 If the bill passes, students will have to immediately apply for the H-1B visa upon graduation, a highly competitive visa. The F-1 and M-1 visa holders are anxious and confused about what the future holds. While the F-1 visa is for academic students pursuing higher education, the M-1 visa is for vocational or non-academic studies, both visa categories are non-immigrant and do not guarantee long-term employment prospects. On the other hand, the H-1B, also a non-immigrant visa allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers. According to the Open Doors Report 2024, published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), there were over 3 lakh Indian students in the US in the 2023-24 academic year out of which at least a third of them were eligible for OPT. However, that number has already begun to fall. As per the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a report maintained by the US Department of Homeland Security, a sharp decline can be seen in Indian students where the numbers dropped from 3,48,446 in July 2024 to 2,55,447 in August 2024. The news about the scraping off OPT came at a particularly sensitive time, when the USs academic year is about to start and also amidst a series of anti-immigration moves promised by Donald Trump during his election campaign, including mass deportations and tougher visa restrictions. For Indian students, who already invest heavily in foreign educationoften paying more than twice the tuition fees that domestic students paythe scrapping of OPT will strip away the advantage of choosing the US. Now, without the possibility of work post-graduation and visa denials, countries like Canada and the UK will emerge as more attractive options. In an increasingly globalised world, education is not just about degreesit's about opportunity. And if the doors of opportunity start closing in the US, students wont stoptheyll simply look elsewhere. MONTREUX, Switzerland, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Montreux Jazz Festival, set for July in Switzerland, has revealed an eclectic lineup blending musical genres and fostering cultural connections between East and West. Founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs and directed by Mathieu Jaton since 2013, the iconic festival will feature a mix of legendary and contemporary artists, including Santana, Alanis Morissette, Pulp, Chaka Khan, FKA twigs, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, RAYE, Noah Kahan, Sam Fender and J Balvin. "The great opening on the Lake Stage will be with Chaka Khan celebrating 50 years of career and paying tribute to Quincy Jones who passed away this year," Jaton told Xinhua in an interview. "There are so many incredible artists, and so we're very pleased and very honored to welcome all those beautiful musicians to Montreux," he added. Jaton highlighted the festival's spirit of diversity, with a lineup spanning rock, folk, electronic music, jazz, soul, R&B and global hip-hop. Held in Montreux, nestled between the Alps and Lake Geneva, the festival attracts around 250,000 visitors annually, offering stunning views, top-class acoustics and free stages. It has hosted icons like Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin and Elton John over the years. Since late 1970s, Montreux has expanded globally to cities like Sao Paulo, Detroit, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. "The brand Montreux continues to expand around the world," Jaton said. "We're very proud and happy to now have Montreux Jazz Festival China, Montreux Jazz Festival Tokyo, Montreux Jazz Festival Brazil and Montreux Jazz Festival Miami." "We also continue our expansion of the Montreux Jazz Cafes and just opened a Montreux Jazz Club in Lausanne in Switzerland," he added. In 2021, the festival debuted in China, with the first edition held in Hangzhou under the theme "When West Meets East." The fourth edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival China, set to take place in Suzhou on Oct. 24-26, is expected to further connect international and Chinese musicians. Jaton emphasized that building cultural bridges between China and the world remains a priority. "The team in China has put in a lot of energy to bring the Montreux Jazz Festival to China. The last edition (also in Suzhou) in October was really brilliant. It shows also the potential of the brand's development in China," he said. "I'm sure that the Montreux Jazz Festival China will expand and become a major event in China, which is definitely a very important market for us," he noted. The year 2025 has been eventful for the Telangana police whose efforts have shown tangible results on the ground. This year, around 200 CPI (Maoists) group occupying different roles in the banned Left organisation have laid down their arms. Just yesterday, 22 Maoists surrendered to the Mulugu district police. They were presented before the media. Out of the 22, four held key posts while others were foot soldiers who were involved in violent incidents in the past. The surrendered members would receive financial support of Rs 4 lakhs, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 25,000, depending on their positions, as part of the rehabilitation programme. Senior police officials of the district appealed to the Maoists to leave the movement and be a part of the democratic setup of the country. And their efforts are yielding results. The police department is promoting initiatives like Operation Cheyutha and Poru Kanna, Ooru Minna (a village is more important than the fight) which helps in the re-integration of surrendered Maoists into the society. Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Mulugu districts are the hotspots of Maoist activity. It is also here that Maoists are surrendering in large numbers. Last week, 86 Maoists surrendered to the Telangana police. While 82 of them were from Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, four were from Mulugu district. In March this year, 64 Maoists surrendered to the police which was seen as a big victory for the security forces. In the same month, 16 Maoists followed the same path. In February, it was nine Maoists who came out of the underground. While the spate of surrenders seems to be helping the vision of the Centre to clear Maoist insurgency by 2026, the Maoists seem to have been pushed to the backfoot. A letter, allegedly written by Abhay, a politburo member of the Maoists has been in circulation. According to its contents, the Maoists are open to peace talks with the government but laid down a few conditions for the process. A few days later, a similar letter surfaced in Chattisgarh written by a top Maoist. Both letters demanded that the operations of the security forces be halted for peace talks to begin. A group of activists too have urged the government to consider the offer and initiate the talks. For now, it looks like the security forces and the governments two-pronged approach of intensifying combing operations in the Maoist hotbeds and also encouraging the cadre to surrender is working effectively. In a strong statement amid the global tariff war initiated by US President Donald Trump, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal made it clear that Indias interests will always be prioritised and that no deal will be signed under pressure. He added that no negotiation will be done in haste and that Indias talks with the US on the proposed bilateral agreement are progressing well. "Humne pahle bhi kai baar kaha hai ki hum banduk rakhke kabhi negotiate nai karte hain (I have said it many times earlier, we do not negotiate at the gunpoint), Goyal said. 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 (Time restrictions are good as they encourage us to negotiate swiftly, but until we are able to protect the interests of the country and people, it is never good to be hasty)." On April 2, US announced an additional 26 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the country. However, on April 9, it was suspended for 90 days until July 9, 2025. The 10 per cent baseline tariff will continue. An interim trade deal is expected to be ready during the 90-day tariff suspension period. PTI quoted an official as saying that the US and India have finalised the terms of reference (ToR) to start negotiations for the agreement. The first phase of the trade agreement is expected to be completed by September-October this year. The official also told PTI that US Vice President J.D. Vance is likely to travel to India. The US was India's largest trading partner from 2021-22 to 2023-24. It accounts for about 18 per cent of India's total goods exports, 6.22 per cent in imports, and 10.73 per cent in bilateral trade. The countries are looking to double the bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 from about $191 billion currently. The countrys second-oldest party, the Akali Dal, is starting afresh. After nearly eight months of uncertainty following religious punishment that led to the excommunication of its chief, Sukhbir Singh Badal, from the Sikh faith in August 2024, he has returned as president of the Akali Dal. Badal was reappointed party president on Saturdaythe same position he was forced to relinquish in January this year following directions from the supreme Sikh authority. Badal, 62, will serve as Akali Dal president for the second time. He previously held the post from 2008 until his resignation. He also served as Punjabs Deputy Chief Minister when his father and Akali patriarch, Parkash Singh Badal, was Chief Minister. VIDEO | Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) addresses a press conference in Chandigarh after being re-elected as Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/HneFL5ucVV Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 12, 2025 His reinstatement is expected to pave the way for Punjabs prominent regional party to reorient itself. The Akali Dal not only suffered a humiliating defeat in the previous Assembly and parliamentary elections but was also marred by internal discord. Rebel leaders had been demanding a restructuring of the party leadership, with Badals removal at the centre of their demands. However, the latest decision makes it clear that Badal continues to command considerable support within party ranks. I assure you that we will make Punjab the number one state. Our Gurus have taught us to respect all religions. I want to assure people of all faiths that Punjab belongs to everyone. It is our responsibility to bring progress. Akali Dal is the true representative of Punjab, Badal said following his election. The Akali Dal was founded to represent Sikh interests, but over the years, it has restructured its politics to reflect the broader concerns of the Punjabi community, including Hindus. Its long-standing alliance with the BJP was severed over the controversial three farm laws. Both parties were among the oldest allies in the NDA, and their partnership was seen as serving the national interest by balancing Sikh and Hindu sentiments in a state that had witnessed decades of militancy and cross-border unrest. The crisis within the Akali Dal began during its time in government, when multiple incidents of desecration of the holy Guru Granth Sahib were reported. Protests erupted in response, during which several people were killed in police firing. The Badals paid a heavy political price for those events. They also led to religious punishment for Sukhbir Badal and his council of ministers, who were excommunicated by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority in Sikhism. The charges against the Sikh leaders stem from various actions taken during the Akali governments ten-year tenure from 2007 onwards. Five key allegations were made, most notably the granting of a pardon to the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who had been accused of blasphemy for attempting to impersonate the 10th Sikh Guru. Another allegation was that Sukhbir Badal summoned the then Takht Jathedars to his residence to pressure them into granting the pardon. Further charges included the police firing on Sikhs protesting against the sacrilege incidents and the rewarding of officers responsible for the extrajudicial killings of Sikh youths in fake encounters. The Akal Takht also withdrew the title *Fakhr-e-Quam* (Pride of the Community) previously conferred on the late Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. The priests stated that the guilty leaders should undergo religious penance, including cleaning the washrooms, utensils, and shoes of devotees, while wearing a plaque around their necks admitting their guilt. The priests also declared that all Akali leaders should resign, and that a fresh recruitment process should begin to strengthen the party, which was originally founded 104 years ago to protect and represent Sikh interests. How the Akali Dal manages its affairs in the coming months will be closely watchednot only by rival parties, but also by the global Sikh diaspora. Following the AIADMKs renewed alliance with the BJP, speculation has been reignited about the possibility of the BJP and Akali Dal coming together again ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections due in 2027. Emphasising that the governor must act with due deference to the settled conventions of parliamentary democracy, the Supreme Court, in its landmark judgment, outlined the powers and timeline for governors to decide on bills passed by state legislature. The top court, in its 451-page ruling, stated that the president also does not enjoy absolute veto over bills passed by the state. The apex court also mentioned that the president must decide on bills within three months and states can approach courts if a decision is not taken within the prescribed time limit. A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan said, We are in no way undermining the office of the governor. All we say is that the governor must act with due deference to the settled conventions of parliamentary democracy; respecting the will of the people being expressed through the legislature as-well as the elected government responsible to the people. ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu governor vs state row: President must decide on bills within 3 months', rules SC He must perform his role of a friend, philosopher and guide with dispassion, guided not by considerations of political expediency but by the sanctity of the constitutional oath he undertakes. In times of conflict, he must be the harbinger of consensus and resolution, lubricating the functioning of the state machinery by his sagacity, wisdom and not run it into a standstill, the judgment stated. The top court stressed that the governor must be the catalyst and not an inhibitor. All his actions must be impelled keeping in mind the dignity of the high constitutional office that he occupies. ALSO READ: What next for K. Annamalai: Why the ex-IPS officer stepped down as Tamil Nadu BJP chief Enumerating the governors duty towards the Constitution of India, the bench said, The governor before he assumes office undertakes an oath to discharge his functions to the best of his ability in order to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the rule of law, along with a vowing to devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of the state. Therefore, it is imperative that all his actions be guided in true allegiance to his oath and that he faithfully executes his functions that he is entrusted with by and under the Constitution. There is a reason why a specific reference is made to the well-being of the people of the state in his oath, there is a reason why he is sworn in to pledge himself to the service of the same people; the governor as the constitutional head of the state is reposed with the responsibility to accord primacy to the will and welfare of the people of the state and earnestly work in harmony with the state machinery, as his oath not only makes this mandate anything but clear, but rather also demands it of the governor owing to the intimate and delicate nature of the functions that he performs and the potency of the ramifications that could ensue or be unleashed upon the State, reads the judgment. Advising the governors that they should not create roadblocks or chokehold the state legislature, the top court said, The members of the state legislature having been elected by the people of the state as an outcome of the democratic expression are better attuned to ensure the wellbeing of the people of the state. Hence, any action contrary to the express choice of the people, in other words, the state legislature would be a renege of his constitutional oath. ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu DMK Min Ponmudy makes derogatory remarks on Shaivism-Vaishnavism, Stalin removes him from party post The judgment went beyond resolving the immediate dispute, offering a profound reflection on the governors role. For Tamil Nadu, the decision was a vindication of its legislative sovereignty, ensuring that bills addressing critical issues like education and governance could move forward. The Courts directive to circulate the judgment to all High Courts and governors offices signals its intent to set a nationwide precedent. The Supreme Court expressed hope that governors and state governments would work in tandem, prioritising public welfare. It described the Constitution as the soul of India, a bedrock of rights and responsibilities that demands unwavering fidelity from all authorities. Tamil Nadu has notified in gazette the enactment of 10 laws which the Supreme Court ruled as deemed to be granted assent by the governor recently. With this, Governor R. N. Ravi has been stripped of administrative powers over state-run universities. The Tamil government published the gazette notification on Friday, soon after the full judgment in the Tamil Nadu government vs governor case was published in the Supreme Courts website. The notification read, The Honble Supreme Court in its Order dated 08.04.2025 in W.P.(C) No.1239/2023 has ordered that all the action of the Honble President after date of reserving the above said Bill is non-est in law and shall be deemed to have been assented to by the Honble Governor on the date on which the said Bill was presented to him for assent. Now, therefore, by virtue of the above said orders of the Honble Supreme Court of India dated 08.04.2025, the said L.A. Bill No.48 of 2022 is deemed to have been assented by the Honble Governor on the 18th November 2023, it read. History scripted, for the first time, Acts were notified without the assent of the Governor but with the order of the SC. Tamil Nadu Government waited for the judgment to the be uploaded to notify the Acts. Sources say, CM as Chancellor of Universities will convene the meeting pic.twitter.com/0jN4TvugcN Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) April 12, 2025 In a landmark verdict on April 8, the Supreme Court ruled Governor R.N. Ravis action of withholding 10 bills and later referring them to the president as unconstitutional and illegal. The apex court also specified timelines for the governor and president to take decision on bills passed by state legislatures. The apex court also declared 10 bills withheld by governor from the day it was re-presented for his assent. Here is the list of the 10 pending bills deemed to be approved as per SC verdict: 1. Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Amendment) Bill - Passed in January 2020 during the AIADMK regime, this bill aimed to confer the state government with powers of inspection and inquiry instead of the Chancellor (Governor) and included a government nominee in the vice-chancellor selection panel. 2. Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (Amendment) Bill - Also passed in January 2020 under the AIADMK regime, this sought to rename the institution as Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University and shift administrative oversight powers to the state government. 3. Madras University (Amendment) Bill - Passed in April 2022 by the DMK government, this bill aimed to empower the state government to appoint the vice-chancellor, removing the Governor from the role of Chancellor, aligning with practices in states like Gujarat, Telangana, and Karnataka. 4. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill - Passed in 2022, this bill sought to amend the universitys statutes to allow the state government to appoint the vice-chancellor, reducing the Governors authority. 5. Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University (Amendment) Bill - Passed in 2022, this aimed to shift the power of appointing the vice-chancellor from the Governor to the state government. 6. Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University (Amendment) Bill - Passed in 2022, this bill proposed similar changes to enable the state government to appoint the vice-chancellor instead of the Governor. 7. Tamil University (Amendment) Bill - Passed in 2022, this sought to amend the governance structure to allow the state government to appoint the vice-chancellor. 8. Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Further Amendment) Bill - Passed in 2023 by the DMK government, this was an additional amendment to further consolidate state control over the universitys administration. 9. Siddha Medical University Bill - Passed in 2023, this bill aimed to establish a distinct university for Siddha Medicine near Chennai, with the state government seeking control over its governance structure. 10. Anna University (Amendment) Bill - This bill sought to amend the universitys statutes to shift the vice-chancellor's appointment authority to the state government. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshavardhan Sapkal met the family of Tanisha Bhise, a pregnant woman who died allegedly after she was denied treatment at a Pune hospital. Sapkal said a retired judge-led SIT should thoroughly investigate the matter. Tanisha Bhise lost her life after being denied treatment by Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune due to lack of money. Her death is effectively a sacrifice taken by the hospital. This charitable hospital has violated its own conditions, but the government is dragging its feet when it comes to taking action. There is an attempt to protect those responsible at Mangeshkar Hospital. The hospitals board of directors should be dissolved and the government must take over the hospital. A case of culpable homicide should be filed against Dr Kelkar and the hospital's trust board, and a full SIT investigation led by a retired judge should be initiated, demanded Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshavardhan Sapkal on Friday. #WATCH | Maharashtra: On the incident of the alleged death of a pregnant woman, Tanisha Bhise, after being denied treatment by Pune's Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "I met the victim's family. I have assured them that we have formed a committee. The https://t.co/GgjVJbyfXz pic.twitter.com/NUljy6XnDu ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2025 On Friday, on the occasion, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti, Maharashtra Congress president Harshavardhan Sapkal visited Phule Wada in Pune to pay homage, followed by a condolence visit to the Bhise family. Speaking at a press conference later, Sapkal said: Lata Mangeshkars magical voice once mesmerized everyone, but now its a case of who were you, and what have you become? What happened is extremely tragic. A pregnant woman was made to wait for five and a half hours and was denied treatment for lack of money. To thoroughly investigate the matter, the hospitals CCTV footage must be seized. The CDRs (call detail records) of the deceaseds husband and Dr Kelkar must also be obtained. Charges should have been filed immediately, but the government continues to delay, Sapkal said. What transpired at Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital is inhuman and a blot on humanity. Despite such a grave incident, the hospital administration and doctors show no shame. There is suspicion that the administration is trying to suppress the matter," he charged. Sapkal said the entire sequence of events was disheartening and it was "deeply sorrowful" that such incidents occur even as the country celebrates the Amrit Mahotsav of independence. "Dr Kelkar appears to be involved in this case. He should be dismissed and charged with conspiracy. He picked up the phone once but ignored all further calls. How can a responsible person behave like this? His CDR must be examined. The government appears to be trying to cover up the incident. The incident is tragic, and today, we met the Bhise family to offer support, Sapkal added. Three people were killed as violent protests continued in West Bengals Murshidabad district on Saturday against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act. The victimsreportedly a father and sonwere found with multiple stab wounds inside their home in Jafrabad in Samserganj area. Their family alleged that miscreants looted their house and stabbed the two before leaving. Another person, who had sustained a bullet wound at Dhulian in Samserganj block earlier in the day, died in the evening. #WATCH | West Bengal | Morning visuals from Dhuliyan, Murshidabad, where people staged a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. Several vehicles were torched. Security has been heightened in the area, and as per Bengal Police, the situation is now under control. pic.twitter.com/QBQGjr3Fqh ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 Violence broke out in the Muslim-majority district on Friday, days after the contentious bill was passed by the parliament and got the approval of the President. At least 118 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence. Police reportedly fired four rounds to bring the mob under control. HC seeks report Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court ordered deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district to assist in restoring normalcy. A division bench, presided over by Justice Soumen Sen, also instructed both the state government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17. #WATCH | West Bengal | Morning visuals from Jangipur, Murshidabad, where people staged a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. Several vehicles were torched. Security has been heightened in the area. As per the Bengal Police, the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of pic.twitter.com/6qB4juCdoz ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 During the hearing on Saturday, the government told the court that seven companies of BSF have been deployed in strife-hit Suti, Dhuliyan and Samserganj areas of Murshidabad. Mamatas appeal for peace As violence raged, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to social media urged people to maintain calm and not fall prey to provocation. "My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society," she said. In a long post on X, she reiterated her opposition to the law and said it wouldnt be implemented in West Bengal. , , - , , Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 12, 2025 "Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government," the CM said. "We have made our position clear on this matter -- we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about," she asked. Amid incidents of sporadic violence in some parts of West Bengal during protests over the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar on Saturday issued a strong warning, stating that the police would not tolerate any form of violence or hooliganism and would take strict action when necessary. In Murshidabads Jangipur, protests have repeatedly turned violent over the past week, with demonstrators reportedly defying prohibitory orders under Section 169 of the BNSS. Security personnel were allegedly attacked, and police vehicles were set on fire. A similar protest took place on Friday in Amtala, South 24 Parganas, where demonstrators blocked roadsallowing only ambulancesand allegedly assaulted police officers and vandalised a police vehicle that was reportedly transporting an accused to court. #WATCH | West Bengal | Morning visuals from Jangipur, Murshidabad, where people staged a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. Several vehicles were torched. Security has been heightened in the area. As per the Bengal Police, the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of pic.twitter.com/6qB4juCdoz ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 If things escalate, the police will respond with the harshest measures, said DGP Kumar during a press conference. Our job is to protect lives. If need be, we will even risk our own lives. That is our duty. But anyone causing trouble must be warned. Do not play with fire or with peoples emotions. He informed that on Friday, the police had to fire four rounds in Suti to bring the situation under control, injuring two individuals. However, he emphasised that the police are not trigger happy. So far, the police have arrested 118 people in connection with the disturbances. Additional Director General (ADG) (Law & Order) Javed Shamim, who also attended the conference, said, Theres a deliberate effort to spread misinformation. Everyone must remain alert. Addressing the situation in Murshidabad, the ADG noted a prevailing sense of fear among residents and urged the media to work alongside the police in maintaining peace and upholding law and order. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also issued an appeal for peace. In a post on X, she clarified that the Waqf law was not enacted by the state government but by the central government, and any concerns or demands regarding it should be addressed to the Centre. She also alleged there is a political conspiracy, accusing certain parties of misusing religion for their own benefit. "My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society," she said. Despite a three-hour meeting with West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu, during which they were assured that a list of qualified candidates and mirror images of OMR sheets would be made public, dismissed teachers and non-teaching staff continued their protests. While the assurance provided some relief, uncertainty about their reinstatement remains. Following Fridays meeting, also attended by West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) president Ramanuj Ganguly, SSC chairman Siddhartha Majumder and several other state government officials, the protesters began their sit-in at the base of the Gandhi statue near Shahid Minar in Esplanade on Saturday. Also read SSC to release list of untainted candidates: Jobless teachers after meeting WB education minister They have vowed to continue the demonstration until their demands are fulfilled and they are reinstated with dignity. The protest is being led by the Jogyo Shikshak Shikshika Odhikar Mancha (Qualified Teacher Rights Platform), which had representatives attend the meeting with the minister. In addition to the Kolkata protest, the group is planning a demonstration in Delhi. Starting April 16, around 150 terminated teachers and staff members are expected to protest at Jantar Mantar, for which they have reportedly secured permission. On the other hand, three dismissed teachers have been on a relay hunger strike outside the SSC office since Thursday. Their protest drew visits from several senior BJP figures, including former Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay. This led the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) to label the demonstration as politically influenced. Those who came to meet us clearly stated that none of them were participating in the hunger strike. A small section among them, who are on strike, are affiliated with a political party. Still, I hold no anger toward them, Basu told the media following his meeting with teachers who lost jobs. While requesting the opposition to not politicise the issue, the minister stated that he agreed in principle with the terminated candidates' demands but stressed that action depends on legal consultation due to a Supreme Court order. The government plans to release the eligible candidates' list and OMR mirror images within two weeks. A Louisiana immigration judge ruled on that Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident (green card holder) and Columbia University graduate, could be deported from the United States. The decision by Judge Jamee E. Comans came after arguments from the federal government that Khalils presence in the US would have serious foreign policy consequences. The case has attracted worldwide attention as it challenges the limits of free speech protection provided by the American constitution and also the unbridled power enjoyed by the government in immigration issues. For instance, Judge Comans ruled solely on the merits of the evidence presented by the federal government, which included a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The memo said Khalils beliefs, statements or associations compromised American foreign policy interests, specifically citing his involvement in pro-Palestine advocacy. BREAKING: A judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil can be deported. Bon voyage pic.twitter.com/XLw6SfYr6a Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) April 11, 2025 During a charged hearing in Jena, Louisiana, Khalils defence team argued that the allegations were vague and violated his constitutional right to free speech. They asked the judge to allow them to cross-examine Rubio and requested a delay to review the evidence, but both motions were denied by Judge Comans. She ruled that Rubios memo constituted presumptive and sufficient evidence and that immigration courts and even the attorney general lacked the authority to challenge the secretary of states determinations on foreign policy matters. Khalil, who was arrested in March outside his university residence in New York, has been detained in a Louisiana facility, far from his pregnant wife, Noor Abdalla, a US citizen. His case gained attention due to his role as a negotiator for student protesters during Columbia Universitys encampment last spring against the Gaza war. Rubios memo alleges that Khalils participation in antisemitic protests and disruptive activities endangering the safety and well-being of Jewish students. Khalils defence team raised the point that the accusations and Judge Comans determination relied only on his Khalils political expression. Judge Comans decision hinges on the legal framework that grants significant authority to the secretary of state in immigration cases involving foreign policy. She said that Congress did not intend for immigration judges to overrule such determinations, effectively limiting the courts ability to address constitutional concerns. Khalils attorneys described the ruling as a dangerous precedent, arguing that it allowed the government to target even green card holders for their political beliefs. Despite the governments failure to prove that Mahmoud broke any law, the court has decided that lawful permanent residents can have their status revoked for pro-Palestine advocacy, said the lawyers at a press conference. The hearing was emotionally charged, with Khalil clutching prayer beads as the Department of Homeland Security made its case. After the ruling, Khalil criticised the court, referencing Comans earlier statements about the importance of due process and fairness, which he argued were absent in his case. His wife, Abdalla, called him a political prisoner, asserting that his detention was a direct result of his advocacy for Palestinian rights. Khalils legal team plans to appeal the decision, with further immigration hearings expected before a potential review by the Board of Immigration Appeals. Meanwhile, a separate case in a New Jersey federal court is addressing the legality of Khalils arrest and detention. Federal District Court Judge Michael Farbiarz is considering whether he has jurisdiction over claims, including a habeas corpus motion and requests for Khalils release on bail or transfer back to New York. Khalils attorneys are seeking a preliminary injunction to secure his release while his immigration case proceeds. The government has also raised secondary allegations, accusing Khalil of paperwork errors in his application for permanent residency. These claims involve his alleged failure to disclose affiliations with organisations, including a United Nations agency aiding Palestinian refugees. Khalils legal team say these are done only to bolster the deportation case. As executive branch employees, immigration judges are unlikely to challenge deportation efforts, especially in the prevailing political environment, and Judge Comans ruling reflects the constraints of their jurisdiction. She clearly stated that the court could not entertain constitutional challenges to the law, nor could it compel Rubio to testify. Critics argue that this framework grants unchecked power to the secretary of state, enabling deportations based on subjective interpretations of foreign policy interests. LONDON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has recalled parliament for an emergency Saturday sitting to fast-track legislation aimed at saving British Steel's Scunthorpe plant from closure. The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill, expected to pass within a single day, grants the business secretary powers to intervene directly in the company's operations to ensure continued production, local media reported. Under the bill, the business secretary will be authorized to procure raw materials, instruct management to continue furnace operations, and reinstate dismissed workers to keep the plant running. The Scunthorpe plant is deemed vital to Britain's industrial and strategic infrastructure. It produces most of the country's rail track and is the last steelworks in Britain capable of producing steel from iron ore. British Steel has announced plans to shut down its blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, citing financial losses. The government has warned that such a move would put up to 3,000 jobs at risk and eliminate Britain's only remaining capacity to produce virgin steel. Should the blast furnaces be permanently shut down, Britain will become the only Group of Seven country without the capacity to manufacture virgin steel, a scenario that officials say could significantly impact national defense and economic independence. The UAE has dismissed the allegations by Sudan that it is "complicit in the genocide" during the African country's ongoing civil war. UAE clarified its stance during a hearing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), saying the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) failed to provide credible evidence for the case, which lacked legal basis. The SAF had alleged that the UAE has been supplying weapons to the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in a bid to commit genocide against non-Arab groups, including the Massalit population in West Darfur. Sudan said the UAE gave drone training to the RSF and helped recruit mercenaries. STOP THE GENOCIDE IN SUDAN !! Hold criminals accountable NOW ! pic.twitter.com/hlBdljGNI4 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) April 11, 2025 More than 1,50,000 have been killed in the civil war than began in 2023 and over 12 million have been displaced from their homes. The UAE said it has been working tirelessly to help the Sudanese people ever since the conflict began and has delivered more than $600 million in aid by engaging with partners like the United Nations. The delegation added that the Emirates has set up field hospitals in neighbouring countries like Chad and South Sudan to help the refugees fleeing from Sudan. We [the UAE] should not be here today. There is clearly no basis for the Courts jurisdiction in this case. The UAEs reservation to Article IX of the Genocide Convention is a legitimate exercise of state sovereignty. The country participates today out of respect for the Court and the principles of international law and justice, even as it firmly maintains a consistent position on jurisdiction, the UAE delegation said. Explaining its stance, UAE said it has called for a ceasefire to allow delivery of humanitarian assistance as well as bring accountability for violations of international law by the rival sides: the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The UAE has called for a political process to transition to civilian rule, and it supported and engaged in regional and international mediation efforts to bring an end to the fighting, from Jeddah, to Manama, to US-led mediation efforts last year in Switzerland, it added. The Emirates delegation accused the SAF of skipping negotiations mediated by the US in Switzerland as well as other talks in Manama and Jeddah. The SAF rushes to this podium in The Hague, but for two years it has left its seat at the negotiation table empty, the delegation claimed. Responding to the case, Reem Ketait, Deputy Assistant Minister of Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Co-Agent, called the allegations a cynical PR stunt aimed at diverting attention from the SAFs own record of atrocities. "...We reiterate, this is a war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, we support no party. We support peace, humanitarian aid, and a return to civilian government, she said. Echoing Ketait's sentiments, Ameirah Obaid AlHefeiti, the UAE Ambassador to the Netherlands and the UAE Court Agent, said the SAF is trying to distract every one from its own legal and moral responsibility for its criminal acts and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Sudan. She claimed that SAF is using the ICJ for its political self-interest instead of working towards peace. The Sudanese people deserve peace and dignity, and deserve a civilian-led government that puts their interests and their priorities first and foremost, the envoy added. Earlier this year, the US had accused the RSF of committing genocide and imposed sanctions on the faction head, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. VLADIVOSTOK, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Bezymianny Volcano, located on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, erupted early Saturday, sending an ash plume of up to 4,000 meters into the sky, according to local authorities. The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported via its Telegram channel that the ash cloud extended approximately 90 km to the north-northeast of the volcano, posing a potential threat to regional air traffic. The eruption follows several months of increased volcanic activity, with more than 180 earthquakes recorded in the area in the last 24 hours. Scientists had been closely monitoring the situation. This eruption comes nearly two years after a powerful eruption on April 11, 2023, which severely disrupted life in the Ust-Kamchatsky district. Experts are now warning that the current eruption could intensify, with ash emissions likely to reach altitudes of up to 15,000 meters above sea level. Bezymianny, approximately 3,000 meters tall, is located about 40 km from the village of Klyuchi in the Ust-Kamchatsky district. In February 2025, the Trump administration suspended operations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal agency that protects consumers from fraud and unscrupulous banking practices in the financial services industry. Read Next: Fidelity Says This Is a Surprising Risk of Holding Too Much Cash Do You Have Too Much? For You: Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 With the threat of the CFPB shutting down permanently, GOBankingRates tapped financial experts for other avenues consumers can pursue for filing complaints against their financial institutions. Next, make sure youre not making these banking mistakes. Contact Your Banks Executive Office Reaching out directly to the banks executive office gets fast results, said personal finance expert and founder of Fluent in Finance Andrew Lokenauth, who has worked at several banking institutions, including J.P. Morgan. The exec team has special reps who handle these escalated cases, and Ive seen them resolve issues within 48 hours, he explained. When I managed our executive response team, we treated these complaints like fire alarms. Try This: 10 Genius Things Warren Buffett Says To Do With Your Money Better Business Bureau (BBB) You can file a complaint against a bank on the Better Business Bureau website by searching for your banking institution profile. Even though some folks think the BBB is outdated, I can tell you banks still care about these complaints, Lokenauth said. In my previous role at Signature Bank, we had a dedicated team monitoring BBB ratings, and anything below an A- would trigger emergency meetings with senior management. Your State Attorney Generals Office If filing directly with the CFPB becomes ineffective or impossible, the State Attorney Generals office can step in, said John Beck, attorney and founding partner at Beck & Beck Missouri Lawyers. Most people dont know that attorney generals offices have consumer protection divisions with the power to launch investigations, said Beck. Ive walked clients through that route and seen banks respond faster than through federal channels; its not widely advertised, but it works, especially when patterns of abuse emerge, he explained. Small Claims Court Another option for filing a claim against your bank if your case against your bank is less than $5,000 is small claims court. Youd be shocked at how often financial institutions fold quickly when hit with a well-drafted claim in a local court, Beck said. Its cheap, fast and puts real legal pressure on the table. A former Kildare firefighter has been jailed for the repugnant rape of his daughter, whom he met for the first time when she was a teenager, in what a judge described as an egregious breach of trust. Garreth Bannon, aged 50, of Gurteeneona, Monasterevin was handed a seven year sentence with the final 12 months suspended at the Central Criminal Court. Kildare County Council and Kildare Fire Service have clarified that Bannon is not a serving member of staff and has not been a member of staff since early 2022. The victim, the court heard, wishes for Bannon to be identified, but does not want to be named herself. The Central Criminal Court previously heard that the victim is Bannon's biological daughter, and that they initially met when she was in her mid-teens. She now lives abroad. Evidence was previously heard that Bannon raped the victim after she had met him in a pub where he bought her drinks. She was 18 at this time and said she never had to ask for a drink and there would be another one waiting for her. She sent a Snapchat to her friend saying she was really, really drunk. READ ALSO: Man dies following 'fatal' road collision involving a ride-on lawnmower Imposing sentence, Mr Justice Tony Hunt described it as a repugnant feature of the case that Bannon's own flesh and blood [was] abused in a massive breach of trust. He said this egregious breach of trust was a significant aggravating factor. The judge said it was also aggravating that the victim was given drink, which inhibited her capacity to deal with the situation. Setting a headline sentence of eight and-a-half years imprisonment, Mr Justice Hunt noted Bannon's guilty plea and his expressions of remorse as mitigation. The judge noted that while a defendant's previous good character and employment carry some weight, it is not much in cases such as this, while a guilty plea had value because it spared a victim giving evidence during a trial. Anticipation of a trial does weigh heavily on people. They are rightly concerned about the intrusive nature of process, the judge said, adding that while it is not be possible to totally eliminate these features of the criminal process, those involved can try to minimise its impact. Mr Justice Hunt said a guilty plea is also an acknowledgement that the victim is truthful, and did nothing wrong. READ ALSO: Fair City's iconic 'Bob Charles' to make final appearance after 20 years on air In a victim impact statement previously read to the court, the woman said the abuse had a profound and lasting impact on her life, with the trauma leaving her feeling broken and confused. She said the abuse shattered my sense of security and made it harder for her to connect with others, resulting in trust issues and isolation. She said she struggled with guilt, shame, chronic anxiety and PTSD. She added that she has come to realise that none of this was my fault and is now working hard to heal. In his sentencing comments on Friday, Mr Justice Hunt noted the woman referred to feeling guilt and shame, which he said was natural and understandable in the circumstances of the case. He said that it is easy for an outsider to say obviously its not your fault, adding that he is aware many victims blame themselves, but they shouldn't. He said none of it was the woman's fault, that Bannon had acknowledged his guilt and the victim was a young girl who should have been protected. In no way should her sense of self or self-worth be affected by what happened, the judge continued. It was nothing to do with her. She was the victim and had no responsibility for Bannon's actions. Hopefully with time, she will be able to stand back and say 'nothing to do with me, I'm not going to let it affect me and I'm going to try to reclaim myself in full.' The judge said no sentence the court could impose could turn back the clock, but was instead a mark that the conduct is shameful, repulsive and as such that there must be deprivation of liberty for a period. Mr Justice Hunt wished the woman well for the future, and expressed the court's hope she would find peace. After imposing a seven-year sentence, the judge said he would suspend the final 12 months for five years on strict conditions including that Bannon have no contact with the victim for life without her express consent. He also directed Bannon to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release. An investigating garda previously told Paul Murray SC, prosecuting, that the woman was working abroad when she first disclosed what had happened. She then texted the man and asked: Why did you do it to me? He replied: I dont know why, followed by a sad emoji. I really only wanted to be your dadIm a sick man Im going to lose everything now Id go back and put it all right if I could. Bannon denied the allegations when interviewed by gardai but later pleaded guilty shortly in advance of trial date. Under cross-examination, the garda agreed that Bannon had a good work history as a butcher and later as a fireman from which he suffered PTSD. Michael Hourigan SC, defending, asked the court to take into account his client's expressions of shame and remorse. He noted the contents of the probation report and acknowledged its assessment that Bannon is at low risk of re-offending, but must undertake offence-focused work. Bannon is married with one son, but is now estranged from his wife. Mr Hourigan outlined to the court that his client was under stress at time of his offending as he had built up debts and due to difficulties in his marriage. A psychological report was also handed to the court. His client was also suffering with depression and abusing alcohol. Mr Hourigan said these were not explanations or excuses for his client's behaviour, rather as factors at the time. This column is probably the best thing we've seen in the newspaper for days and it merits consideration. The crux of the argument . . . Despite activist talking points, regressive housing policy ALSO deserves blame for the dearth of affordable options. Here's the money line and great local info . . . "According to MARC, 33 companies own 14,000 single-family homes in the Kansas City region nearly 8,000 of them owned by just five firms. That number might sound alarming, but it doesnt tell readers how many single-family homes exist overall. This is important to know. It turns out that number approaches 700,000, which makes those 14,000 units seem less meaningful. Does anyone believe that corporate-owned housing stock amounting to only 2% of the market is roiling prices? The idea that institutional investors are the reason for higher housing costs is not only wrong, but it also misunderstands why corporations are investing in homes in the first place. Theyre reacting to conditions in the housing market, not creating them. "The real culprit behind rising prices is policy failure: restrictive zoning, lengthy approval processes and regulations that make it harder to build more housing. Blaming mustache-twirling corporate landlords for high prices ignores the fact that there is a housing shortage in the United States, though less so in Kansas City one created by government rules preventing the market from responding to demand." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Welcome Guest! You are here: Home AP Inter 1st, 2nd Result 2025 - Direct Link to Check Nara Lokesh, Minister for Human Resources Development of Andhra Pradesh will release the results of Manabadi AP Intermediate 1st & 2nd year today i.e.Saturday April 12, 2025 Saturday April 12, 2025 10:50 AM , ummid.com News Network AP Intermediate 1st, 2nd Year Result 2025: The Board of Intermediate Education Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) is declaring today i.e. Saturday April 12, 2025 on its official website resultsbie.ap.gov.in the result of the students who had appeared for AP Intermediate 1st and 2nd year 2025 examinations. AP IPE 2025 Result Date, Time "The results for the Intermediate Public Examination (IPE) 2025 for 1st and 2nd year students will be available on 12th April, 2025 from 11 AM onwards", the board said. According to the board sources, Nara Lokesh, Minister for Human Resources Development of Andhra Pradesh will release today the results of Manabadi AP Intermediate 1st & 2nd year at a press conference today. The result will then be available for access to the students through the board's official website "resultsbie.ap.gov.in". Along with the result, IPE 2025 Merit List, Pass Percentage, Toppers List and other details giving complete result data and analysis will also be hosted on the website. Steps to check AP Inter 1st, 2nd Year Result 2025 Click here to go to official website: "resultsbie.ap.gov.in" Click on the tab 1st Year General Results, 1st Year Vocational Results, 2nd Year General Results or 2nd Year Vocational Results as per your choice. Enter Exam Seat No and Password. Click on Check Result. AP Inter result 2025 can also be checked on bie.ap.gov.in, results.apcfss.in, results.cgg.gov.in and tsbie.cgg.gov.in. The AP IPE 2025 1st was held from March 01 to March 19, 2025 and the second-year exams were conducted between March 03 and March 20, 2025. AP Inter Previous Year Pass Percentage The AP Inter 1st year exam in 2024 was held from March 01 to 19, 2024 whereas AP Inter 2nd year exam in 2024 was held from March 02 to 20, 2024. AP Board intermediate 1st and 2nd year general and vocational stream results were announced on April 12, 2024. The overall pass percentage of AP Inter 1st year 2024 was 67% whereas AP Inter 2nd year 2024 was 78%. In the AP Inter results 2024, the first-year general stream witnessed a total of 4,61,273 candidates appearing for the examinations. Among them, 3,10,875 candidates successfully passed, reflecting a commendable achievement. Similarly, in the second-year general stream, a total of 3,93,757 candidates participated in the examinations. Out of these, 3,06,528 candidates emerged victorious by passing their exams, indicating a robust performance in the second year as well. Andhra Pradesh had recorded 60% pass percentage in Inter 1st year in 2019. Out of the the total students who cleared the AP Inter 2019 exam 64% were girls and 56% boys. In Inter 2nd year, a total of 72% pass percentage was recorded with 75% girls and 68% boys clearing the exam. With 81 per cent pass percentage, Krishna Jilla was Topper in 2019. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Amcor, a global packaging provider, has finished building its coating facility in Selangor, Malaysia, dedicated to healthcare packaging. The company claims that this new facility is the first in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to adopt 'air knife' coating technology. Air knife technology employs high-speed air flows to apply coatings evenly, improving the consistency of the product and cutting down on material wastage. This facility also expands Amcors existing healthcare packaging operations in Selangor, creating a unified campus. This expansion offers key advantages to local clients, including greater supply chain flexibility and quicker lead times. Featuring advanced systems such as water-based coatings and online inspection technologies, the facility is part of Amcors larger effort to grow its healthcare packaging capabilities across the APAC region. Amcor flexibles APAC president Chris Kenneally said: Amcor's investment in this new facility reflects our unwavering commitment to support our customers across the Asia-Pacific region. By introducing advanced coating technology and boosting local production capacity, we are better positioned to meet the growing regional demand for sterile, reliable packaging and to offer our customers greater flexibility and security." Amcors recent projects in the region include the purchase of healthcare packaging company MDK in China, the development of a grid lacquer paper unit in India, and the opening of a coextrusion blown film and printing plant in Singapore. Amcor global healthcare vice-president Virginie Maes said: Producing our industry-leading global product platform locally brings us closer to our customers, enhancing supply security and flexibility. By investing in advanced coating technologies and expanding our regional capabilities, we are not only addressing the growing demand for high-performance healthcare packaging but also reinforcing our promise to deliver a consistent and innovative value proposition to our customers worldwide. In March this year, Amcor introduced its AmFiber Performance Paper stand-up pouch, a refillable pack for instant coffee and other dry beverages. "Amcor opens new coating facility in Malaysia to enhance healthcare packaging" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. India sees 270% rise in hate speeches in 2024 The city based Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) in its latest report revealed a significant increase of 270% in hate speeches in India in the year 2024 Sunday April 13, 2025 1:54 PM , ummid.com News Network Mumbai: The city based Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) in its latest report revealed a significant increase of 270% in hate speeches in India in the year 2024. Based on the reports published by prominent newspapers, the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) documented a total of 122 instances of hate speech in 2024. "In contrast, 33 hate speeches were recorded in the previous year 2023. This reflects a significant increase of 270%", the centre said. "Almost 33% or one third of these 122 speeches reported were given by Prime Minister Modi", the Centre said. Indian Muslims main target of hate speeches In its report, the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) said the majority of hate speech cases in 2024 - more than 95%, were targeted at Indian Muslims. "Out of the 122 recorded hate speeches in 2024, 117 constituting nearly 96%, were targeted at Muslims. In comparison, three speeches (2.45%) were directed against Hindus, while one each (0.8%) targeted at Dalits and Sikhs", the Centre said. The Centre also noted that the sharp rise in the hate speeches cases were because of 2024 General and consequent Assembly elections in various states, indicating that they were deliberately used for political mileage and polarization of votes. "One of the key factors contributing to this sharp rise in hate speech can be attributed to the elections in 2024. Specifically, the general elections, as well as state assembly elections in pivotal states such as Haryana, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, likely played a substantial role in the increase", the CSSS said. "A considerable portion of these hate speeches were delivered during election campaigns and political rallies, underscoring the heightened use of divisive rhetoric for electoral dividend during this period", the Centre said. Modi leads in hate speech The Centre also said PM Modi leads the list of those engaged in hate speeches followed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath. "A closer examination reveals that 40 out of 122 hate speeches were delivered by the Prime Minister, making up 32.7 percent of the total, while 15 speeches were made by Union Minister Amit Shah", the Centre said. "Additionally, 12 hate speeches each were attributed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and 5 by Maharashtra's then Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. These cumulatively accounted for 84 hate speeches out of 122, constituting 68.5% of the total hate speeches. The monitoring also pointed out Nitesh Rane, BJP MLA from Maharashtra, delivered 9 hate speeches", it said. Further highlighting an alarming trend, the Centre found 109 of the total 122 hate speeches in 2024 were made by Ministers, MPs and MLAs. "It is significant to highlight that 109 out of the 122 reported hate speeches, constituting approximately 89.3 percent, were delivered by elected representatives. These included Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), state-level cabinet ministers, union ministers and the Prime Minister. One hate speech is notably delivered one High Court judge", the Centre found. The Centre also found that majority of those involved in hate speeches are associated with the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). "The majority of these hate speeches, 109 out of the 122, were made by leaders affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accounting for 89.3% of the total hate speeches reported by the newspapers", the Centre said. State-wise hate speech data Giving state-wise data of hate speeched in India, the Centre said out of the total 122 hate speeches reported, 38 speeches, constituting 31 percent, were delivered in the state of Maharashtra, indicating the steady rise in communal discourse in the state. "Additionally, 23 hate speeches were recorded in Uttar Pradesh, 9 in Jharkhand, 8 in West Bengal, 7 each from Assam, Bihar and 6 in Gujarat", the Centre said. "The remaining hate speeches came from across other states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh", the Centre said. "Impunity, Normalization of Hatred" The Centre observed that the content of the hate speeches was primarily centred around inflammatory rhetoric, including claims that, if the Congress party came to power, the wealth of Hindus and the nation would be redistributed among Muslims. "In these speeches, Muslims were referred as illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants; accused them of engaging in love and land jihad; and demanded demolition of their mosques, home and commercial properties. Such statements significantly contributed to the growing anti-Muslim discourse and the broader normalization of hate within public discourse", the report said. The Centre also pointed out lack of accountability and punishment with regard to hate speeches leading to the normalization of what otherwise is a serious crime. A look at the punitive action taken against the members of the ruling party or the lack of it points to the stark pattern that hate speeches continue unabated given the impunity and normalization of hatred. "No concrete action seems to have been taken in 2024 despite of slew of hate speeches. While little punitive action was taken against members from the ruling party or religious leaders from Hindu right wing for their hate speeches, the statements made by members from other parties and any non-state actor critiquing the narratives of the ruling party, were strictly being acted upon, marking a paradox", the Centre said in its report compiled by Irfan Engineer, Neha Dabhade and Mithila Raut. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Trumps Latest: Phones, Computers Exempted from New Tariffs In another U-turn, White House Saturday April 12, 2025 announced to exempt smartphones, computers and related items entering the United States from Donald Trumps tariffs Saturday April 12, 2025 11:40 PM , ummid.com News Network Washington: In another U-turn, White House Saturday April 12, 2025 announced to exempt smartphones, computers and related items entering the United States from Donald Trumps tariffs. The latest U.S. tariff announcement came two days after Trump declared 90-day pause on the new tariffs, except 10% base tariff, he had announced on April 02, 2025 . The White House in a latest notification said smartphones, computers, semiconductors, solar cells, memories and other related items will be exempted from the 10% base tariff till further order. Interestingly, the exemption of 10% base tariff on the listed goods also applies to imports from China. This is in contrast to 90-day paus on the new tariffs announced by Trump on Thursday which does not apply to China. Trump had imposed 145% levy on all goods imported from China to the United States. As per the latest move, however, smartphones, computers, semiconductors, solar cells and memories even if are imported from China will be exempted from the new tariffs. The exemption applies to products entering the US or removed from warehouses as early as April 5, according to the notice issued by the US Customs and Border Protection. The decision will help tech giants like Apple, which make iPhones and other products in China. Interestingly, Trump's tariffs had sparked such a panic that Apple airlifted 1.5 million iPhones from India in March last week to beat the new duties. Meanwhile, China has vowed to fight what it called unilateral bullying by the United States. Meanwhile, the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement between India and the US is likely to be concluded within the tariff-pause period of 90 days fixed by the Donald Trump administration, according to official sources. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home West Bengal: Protest against Waqf Act 2025 turns violent, 3 killed Protests against the Waqf Act 2025 in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal Friday April 11, 2025 turned violent leaving at least three people dead and scores others injured Saturday April 12, 2025 8:34 PM , ummid.com News Network Kolkata: Protests against the Waqf Act 2025 in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal Friday April 11, 2025 turned violent leaving at least three people dead and scores others injured. About Waqf Act 2025 The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 has been enacted by the right wing Narendra Modi government in New Delhi to, what it claimed, stop the misuse of the Waqf properties and save them from illegal possessions and encroachments. While pushing for the new Waqf law, the Modi government also claimed that it wants to regularize the Waqf properties and use the income generated from them for the welfare of the Muslim community. Indian Waqf has properties worth hundreds of thousands of crore rupees whereas the income is merely 126 crore rupees . We will change it and stop Waqf misuse, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said while participating in the debate on Waqf Bill 2025 in the Parliament on April 02, 2025. Muslims not convinced The Muslim organizations however are not convinced. Highlighting the daily trauma the Indian Muslims are going through since 2014 when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, Muslims doubt the government and fear its intention is to grab the Waqf lands. Consequently, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and other Muslim organizations called for nationwide protest against the Waqf Act. Following the call given by the Muslim organizations, Indian Muslims in different parts of the country including West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and other states have taken to streets to express their opposition and demanding rollback of the new Waqf Act. While protests against Waqf Act Friday April 11, 2025 have been largely peaceful in other parts of India including Mumbai, clashes erupted in West Bengal and Tripura. 118 arrested According to Additional Director General (ADG), Law and Order, Jawed Shamim, among the three people who died in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, two were killed in clashes while one man was killed in firing. The state police has arrested some 118 people in connection with the rioting whereas a special bench of the Calcutta High Court has ordered deployment of the Central Forces in Jangipur. There are also reports of violent protests from Unakoti district of Tripura. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already declared that the new act will not be implemented in the state. At the same time, she also urged the people to maintain calm and peace. Meanwhile, the BJP has announced to launch a 'Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign', which will run from April 20 to May 5, 2025 across India. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Azerbaijans Ambassador to Georgia, Faig Guliyev, met with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili to discuss bilateral relations and strategic cooperation, Azernews reports, citing the Georgian Presidential Administration. During the meeting, both sides praised the strong and friendly ties between the two countries and exchanged views on the key areas of the Georgia-Azerbaijan strategic partnership. Emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the region, President Kavelashvili noted that preserving regional calm has become even more crucial amid ongoing global conflicts, trade wars, and rising geopolitical tensions. Both parties reaffirmed their readiness to further enhance the dynamic and exemplary strategic cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan. President Kavelashvili also expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for its unwavering support for Georgias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The meeting included discussions on the details of President Kavelashvilis upcoming official visit to Azerbaijan, scheduled for April 1516his first official trip to the country in this capacity. By Lewis Krauskopf NEW YORK (Reuters) -Investors hoping for an end to wild market swings were reminded on Thursday that fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting tariff plans remains a threat to earnings and the economy, and could deal yet more punishment to equities. Relief over Trump's move on Wednesday to pull back on some of his heftiest global tariffs proved somewhat short-lived. Investors were unsettled by the escalating trade battle with China, the second-biggest provider of U.S. imports, while the president's 90-day pause on hefty levies elsewhere meant the tariff cloud was not going away anytime soon. "The worst-case scenario on trade has been avoided but it's not all as fine and dandy as we'd like it to be," said Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone. "We've built in 90 days' worth of humongous uncertainty now." The S&P 500 ended down 3.5% on Thursday, after falling more than 6% during the session. A day earlier, the benchmark index soared 9.5%, which was its biggest one-day rise since October 2008 during the heart of the financial crisis. It is now down 14.3% from its February 19 record high. While Trump's move on tariffs opens the door to de-escalation, "that's not going to happen overnight," said Angelo Kourkafas, senior investment strategist at Edward Jones. Volatility spiked higher again on Thursday, with the Cboe Volatility index rising to as much as nearly 55 points, more than three times its median long-term level. The index, known as Wall Street's "fear gauge", in the past week has delivered some of its most elevated readings since the start of the COVID-19 crisis five years ago. The stock market has seen enormous swings since Trump announced his sweeping tariffs on April 2. On Wednesday, the S&P 500's 10.7% intraday range marked the fifth-largest one-day swing in at least the last fifty years. That stunning market rebound came after the index had been on the brink of confirming a bear market, sliding nearly 20% from its February high. Investors who may have regretted not selling earlier in the market's decline could have been taking advantage of Wednesday's huge gains to unload holdings on Thursday, said Sameer Samana, head of global equities and real assets at the Wells Fargo Investment Institute. The selloff "shows you how many people are thinking, we're just not sure what is going to happen next, so we're going to just take the money and run," Samana said. A truly volatile period for U.S. financial markets is still unfolding, leaving investors with more questions than answers. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump sent many stocks into free fall when he announced plans to implement even more tariffs. Earlier this week, as they continued plummeting, he announced a 90-day pause on most reciprocal tariffs, causing many stocks to reverse course and start surging. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter This momentum led to speculation that financial markets were through the worst of the tariff turmoil. However, many leading tech companies are back in the red today, as uncertainty continues to cast dark shadows over the economy, particularly regarding U.S.-China trade relations. Wall Street analysts have clarified that they are concerned about how these trends will impact leading tech stocks. In the case of Amazon (AMZN) , they are scaling back expectations for more difficult days ahead. Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon is facing a difficult landscape as Wall Street analysts scale back their Amazon price targets. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg/Getty Images Multiple analysts have blunt takes on Amazon stock Over the past month, Amazon has been highly volatile, putting it on the same ground as most of its big tech peers. Despite some momentum earlier this week, it remains in the red for the month and is currently trending downward as negative tariff speculation rises. Part of this downward pressure can likely be attributed to the fact that two Wall Street banks have reduced their price targets on Amazon. Analysts at Truist Financial and Piper Sandler have reworked their assessments of the tech conglomerate, though both maintain positive ratings. Related: Analyst resets Alphabet stock price target after sell-off While Truist still rates AMZN as a buy, it has lowered its price target by $35, decreasing it from $265 to $230. In addition, it scaled back its FY26 revenue view for the company from $697.1 billion to $690.8 billion and its overall FY26 view from $761.7 billion to $746.9 billion. According to Truists analysts, these more modest forecasts are primarily due to concerns regarding tariffs, specifically those against China, which Trump doesnt seem to be backing down on. Amazon has already canceled some product orders from China, which could be seen as an indicator of similar things to come. As graduation season approaches, students at the University of North Georgia (UNG) are raising their voices against an unexpected twist in their commencement plans: the use of artificial intelligence to announce graduates' names. A growing petition, spearheaded by students like Emily Schwarzmann, reflects a desire to preserve the human connection they feel is essential to this milestone moment. According to reports from FOX 5 Atlanta, UNG plans to use AI-powered technology, specifically Tassel's name announcement system, which relies on recorded human voices to read graduates' names as they cross the stage. While the university defends the decision, emphasizing the technology's use of professional voiceover artists skilled in pronouncing diverse names, many students argue it feels impersonal and diminishes the significance of their achievement. "I'm looking forward to [graduation] a good bit," Schwarzmann told FOX 5 Atlanta. "But it's almost demeaning to the hard work that we put in. It feels like it's kind of being put down a little bit, as if it's not as important." Her sentiments echo those of other students who launched an online petition demanding a "human-to-human connection" during the ceremony. The petition underscores their belief that a professor or familiar faculty member announcing names would better honor their years of dedication. The debate at UNG highlights a broader conversation in higher education about the role of technology in traditions that thrive on personal engagement. For many graduates, commencement is not just a formality but a deeply emotional experience shared with peers, faculty, and families. Critics of the AI system argue that a machine, even one mimicking a human voice, lacks the warmth and authenticity of a live announcer who knows the campus community. UNG, however, maintains that the technology ensures accuracy and inclusivity, particularly for pronouncing names from diverse cultural backgrounds. In a statement reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the university emphasized its commitment to making commencement "special, memorable, and meaningful" for all graduates. The use of pre-recorded voices, they argue, reduces the risk of mispronunciations that could detract from a student's moment in the spotlight. This isn't the first time AI has sparked controversy on college campuses. From grading systems to virtual advising, institutions are increasingly integrating technology into academic life, often with mixed reactions. At UNG, the petition reflects a broader unease about balancing innovation with tradition, particularly in moments as symbolic as graduation. For Schwarzmann and her peers, the fight is about more than just a name being read aloudit's about feeling valued and recognized by their university. As the petition gains traction, it remains to be seen whether UNG will reconsider its approach or double down on its tech-forward plan. What's clear is that this debate is far from over, not just at UNG but across campuses navigating the intersection of technology and human experience. For now, these students are making their voices heard, hoping to walk across the stage to the sound of a familiar human voice celebrating their success. CLEVELAND, Ohio Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) students were ordered to shelter in place late Friday night after reports of an armed intruder on campus, prompting a swift response from university police. The alert, issued around 8:58 p.m., followed a car accident on campus where individuals reportedly exited a vehicle with weapons, according to CWRU police statements shared with FOX 8. One suspect, unaffiliated with the university, was detained, and a second individual was later taken into custody, allowing the university to lift the shelter-in-place order by 10:25 p.m. The incident began when witnesses reported seeing an armed individual inside Michelson House, a south side dormitory. CWRU police locked down all south side residence halls, instructing students to stay indoors and avoid windows while they conducted a thorough search to ensure safety. "CWRU police continue to search and clear south side residence halls for safety," the university posted on X at 8:58 p.m., urging students not to call dispatch unless they had critical information. By 9:45 p.m., the shelter-in-place order was lifted for areas north of Euclid Avenue, though students were advised to steer clear of the south side until the situation was fully resolved. Police confirmed to FOX 8 that the detained individuals were connected to the car accident, though no further details about the suspects or the nature of the weapons were released. The university's alert system kept students updated, with a final message at 10:25 p.m. declaring the campus clear and safe. "Shelter in place lifted. ALL CLEAR!!" the university announced, signaling a return to normalcy. This incident follows CWRU's efforts to bolster campus security, including the addition of 35 part-time officers last May, a move tied to heightened tensions during pro-Palestinian protests. For students, the swift resolution was a relief, but the scare underscored ongoing concerns about safety on urban campuses. No injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing. Cal-Maine Foods has disclosed it is part of the investigation by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) into the high egg prices seen in the US in recent months. The company, one of the largest suppliers of eggs in the US, has disclosed that in March, it received civil investigative demand" linked to what the company called "a widely publicised investigation by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice into the causes behind nationwide increases in egg prices. Cal-Maine said it is cooperating with the investigation. Just Food has approached the publicly listed group for further comment. Yesterday (10 April), the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 5.9% month-on-month rise in egg prices in March. Over the past year, egg prices have surged by more than 60%, the data shows, amid an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. Cal-Maine made the disclosure about the DoJ probe alongside the publication of its third-quarter results for fiscal 2025. The figures for the period, which ended on 1 March, reported an average net price of $4.06 per dozen eggs versus $2.25 a year ago. In the earnings announcement, Sherman Miller, the president and CEO of Cal-Maine Foods, said: Dynamic market conditions and HPAI-related supply shortages persisted this quarter. Net sales for the quarter rose almost 100% year-on-year to $1.4bn, driven by higher pricing and increased volumes. Operating income climbed 290% to $635m. Net income stood at $508.5m, compared to $146.7m in the same period of fiscal 2024. Alongside the earnings announcement, Cal-Maine said it had agreed to acquire Echo Lake Foods, a manufacturer of breakfast foods, for approximately $258m. Founded in 1941 and owned by the Meinerz family since 1981, Echo Lake produces and distributes a range of ready-to-eat egg-based products and breakfast items. Cal-Maine reported that Echo Lake generated around $240m in revenue in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of about 10% over the past five years. "Cal-Maine discloses DoJ egg prices probe " was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. HOUSTON, Texas Thinh Pham, a senior at George Bush High School in Fort Bend ISD, has achieved what many students only dream of: acceptance into all eight Ivy League universities. Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Penn, and Yale all opened their doors to the standout scholar. But in a bold move that surprised many, Pham turned down every one of them, opting instead for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a decision that reflects his unique vision for the future. "I was shocked, honestly," Pham told ABC13 Houston, recalling the moment he received his final Ivy League acceptance. "Getting into one would've been amazing, but all eight? It felt unreal." Alongside the Ivy League sweep, Pham was accepted to other top-tier schools, including Stanford and Rice, amassing an astonishing $2.8 million in scholarship offers. Yet, his choice of MIT wasn't driven by prestige alone but by a clear sense of purpose. Pham's journey to this point is a testament to grit and focus. As the son of Vietnamese immigrants, he grew up balancing academic rigor with a deep curiosity for science and technology. At George Bush High School, he excelled as a leadercaptaining the robotics team, mentoring peers, and maintaining a near-perfect GPA. Teachers describe him as relentlessly curious, often staying late to tinker with code or debate solutions to complex problems. "Thinh doesn't just learnhe questions everything," said his physics teacher in a statement to WWNY-TV. The Ivy League acceptances were a milestone, but Pham's heart was set elsewhere. "MIT felt like the right fit," he explained to ABC13. "Their hands-on approach, the focus on innovationit's where I see myself making a difference." Pham plans to study computer science, with an eye toward developing AI solutions for healthcare. His decision reflects a growing trend among high-achieving students who prioritize alignment with their goals over brand-name prestige, a shift echoed in stories like that of Ronald Nelson, who in 2015 declined all eight Ivies for a full-ride at the University of Alabama to avoid debt. For Pham, the choice wasn't without pressure. "Everyone has an opinion," he admitted, grinning. "Friends, familythey all had their favorite Ivy." Social media buzzed with reactions, with posts on X celebrating his feat: "This kid got into ALL the Ivies and said, 'Nah, MIT's my vibe.' Legend," one user wrote. Another posted, "Thinh Pham's out here redefining success. Respect." Yet, Pham remains grounded, crediting his parents' sacrifices and his community's support for his achievements. Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Christie Whitbeck praised Pham's accomplishment in a district statement, noting, "Thinh's story inspires us all. His decision to follow his passion over prestige is a powerful example for our students." The district plans to honor Pham at an upcoming board meeting, recognizing not just his academic prowess but his courage to chart his own path. As Pham prepares for MIT, he's already looking ahead. "I want to solve problems that matter," he told WWNY-TV. "Whether it's helping doctors diagnose diseases faster or making tech more accessible, I want my work to mean something." For a teenager who could've gone anywhere, Pham's clarity is strikinga reminder that success isn't about collecting acceptances but choosing the path that feels like home. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus visit to the White House on April 7 did not go as hed hoped. US President Donald Trump was adamant about the tariffs he had set at 17% (now reduced to 10%). While Israel hoped to be able to destroy Iran after the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon and Syria, President Trump announced negotiations with Tehran. While Tel Aviv hoped for Washingtons support against Ankara in Syria, President Trump said: "I have a good relationship with a man named Erdogan. Have you heard of him? It turns out that I like him and he likes me." Very much in the mood, he ironically quipped: "I said to Erdogan, Congratulations, you have done what no one has been able to do in 2,000 years. You have taken control of Syria." "Hes a tough guy. Hes very smart and he did something that no one could do." While "revisionist Zionists" hope to exploit U.S. ambitions to expel all Palestinians from Palestine, President Trump has been vague as can be, saying "that the war will end at some point, but not in the too distant future." Our director of publication and editor-in-chief directed French magazines several years ago, and has won journalism awards abroad. He has regularly contributed to some fifteen major dailies and magazines around the world. Voltaire, International Newsletter is available by subscription for 500 a year, is published 42 times a year (not in July-August, nor during the Christmas holydays). Its an indispensable tool for any professional in international relations or defense. Whats more, 10 times a year, subscribers are invited to Zoom virtual meetings with publications director Thierry Meyssan. Contents of issue N128 EDITORIAL 3228 Benjamin Netanyahu feeling the chill from his White House visit AMERICAS 3229 Donald Trump gets almost everyone to approve a 10% increase in tariffs 3230 Donald Trump clarifies his positions on defense 3231 Purge in the White House 3232 The War of State Judges against the US President 3233 Sarah Wynn-Williams accuses Mark Zuckerberg of covert collaboration with China 3234 Human Rights Council experts call for trial against Nicaragua EUROPE 3235 UK hopes to become a world leader in the commercialization of nuclear fusion energy 3236 Alex Younger worries about the discrediting of His Majestys armies in the face of the Russia-United States alliance 3237 Two British MPs turned away from Israel 3238 Trials against Britons implicated in Israeli crimes in Gaza 3239 Appeasement of relations between Paris and Algiers 3240 Germany should repatriate its gold reserves stored in the United States 3241 The New German Coalition 3242 Pentagon shuts down Polish arms transit hub to Ukraine 3243 First EU-Central Asia Summit 3244 EU and Japan to continue cooperation against Russia via G7 3245 The EU in the First World Trade War 3246 EU fears shift of Chinese exports from the US to Europe 3247 The European Defense Agency continues to grow 3248 Jozef Sikela assures EU will continue development aid as USAID dissolves 3249 The scandal of the opaque financing of certain NGOs by the European Commission 3250 Preparation for the Bosnia-Herzegovina/Serbia War 3251 General Thierry Burkhard and Admiral Tony Radakin in Kiev 3252 Volodymyr Zelensky says two Chinese soldiers were taken prisoner in Donbass 3253 Council of Europe concerned about human rights abuses 3254 Council of Europe denounces foreign interference that threatens democratic security in Europe 3255 Russian View of the Global Trade War 3256 Moscow denounces the plan for a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine AFRICA 3257 The French Position on Palestine, stated in Egypt ASIA 3258 IDF divides Gaza Strip into five 3259 A statement by A Jerusalem Voice for Justice 3260 Video Shows IDF Crime Against Rescue Convoy on March 23 3261 The Eradication of Hezbollah 3262 Iraqi militias ready to disarm 3263 U.S.-Iran Negotiations Have Begun 3264 ASEAN open to negotiations with the United States 3265 Impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol 3266 U.S.-China Trade Confrontation 3267 NATO relaunches its Atlantic-Pacific Alliance project 3268 Shigeru Ishibas government prepares to deny Nanking massacre INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 3269 G7 Communique against China Press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Algerian Government has taken note, with great dismay, of the statement issued by the Transitional Government of Mali, as well as that emanating from the College of Heads of State of the Confederation of Sahel States. Through its statement, the Transitional Government in Mali makes serious accusations against Algeria. Despite their seriousness, all these false allegations barely disguise the attempt to find scapegoats and diversions to distract from the manifest failure of what remains a coup plot, which has plunged Mali into a spiral of insecurity, instability, desolation and destitution. Algeria strongly rejects this tendency present in all the malicious and systematically unfounded attitudes by which the coup leaders ruling Mali vainly try to make our country a scapegoat for the setbacks and misfortunes for which the Malian people bear the heaviest price. The failure of this unconstitutional clique is evident at every level: political, economic, and security. The only successes this same clique can claim are those of satisfying personal ambitions at the expense of Malis successes, ensuring its survival to the detriment of Malis protection, and the plundering of the meager resources of this brotherly country at the expense of its development. The collusion that the Malian Government so blithely establishes between Algeria and terrorism lacks seriousness to such an extent that it would be superfluous to pay attention to it or respond to it. Indeed, Algerias credibility, commitment, and determination in the fight against terrorism need neither to be justified nor established. On the contrary, the overriding and most decisive threat weighing on Mali today undoubtedly lies in the inability of the coup leaders to carry out a real and effective fight against terrorism, to the point of entrusting its management to mercenaries, a plight Africa has greatly suffered from in its recent history. The destruction of a Malian drone by Algerian Air Defense Forces immediately gave rise to an official statement from the Ministry of National Defense. The Algerian Government stands by the terms of this statement and wishes to add the following: Firstly, all data regarding this incident is available in the database of the Algerian Ministry of National Defense, particularly radar images which clearly establish the violation of Algerias airspace. Secondly, this is not the first violation of Algerias airspace by a Malian drone but rather the third in just a few months. The first two violations occurred on August 27, 2024, and December 29, 2024, respectively. All data related to these violations is available in the Ministry of National Defense database. Thirdly, regarding the incident on the night of March 31 to April 1, 2025, all available data in the database of the Algerian Ministry of National Defense, including radar images, establishes a violation of Algerias airspace at 12:08 AM over a distance of 1.6 km. The drone in question initially violated national airspace, moved away, and then returned following an offensive trajectory. Fourthly, the entry of the Malian drone into Algerian airspace, its retreat, and subsequent offensive return to the area were qualified as hostile maneuvers. Following this qualification, the Algerian Air Defense Forces Command ordered its destruction. Moreover, the Algerian Government deeply regrets the ill-considered alignment of Niger and Burkina Faso with the false narratives presented by Mali. It also regrets the outrageous and unjustified language used against Algeria, language which it condemns and rejects in the strongest terms. The Algerian Government also regrets having to apply reciprocity by recalling its Ambassadors to Mali and Niger for consultations and defer the entry on duty of its new Ambassador to Burkina Faso. By David Young, PA The EU must remain calm amid the chaos and confusion surrounding the blocs trading relationship with the US, the Taoiseach has said. Micheal Martin said his government was committed to protecting jobs in Ireland. The EU has stepped back from introducing trade countermeasures against the US after President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on a swathe of new tariffs, including those targeting the European bloc. Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in March (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Martin reflected on the situation on Saturday evening as he delivered a speech at an event marking the 50th anniversary of his Fianna Fail partys youth wing. Addressing the Ogra Fianna Fail National Youth Conference in Co Roscommon, the Taoiseach acknowledged that many younger members of the party worked for companies that could be affected by the tariff dispute. Mr Martin said Ireland was facing turbulent times. I know that the current uncertainty around tariffs and the chaos and confusion around our and Europes relationship with the US is a source of great worry for many, he said. I know that there will be a good proportion of you here tonight who work with companies who stand to be directly impacted by this uncertainty. What I would say to you is that you are citizens of a country whose government is absolutely committed to protecting our economic model, protecting jobs and investing in the infrastructure we need to ensure the progress we have enjoyed can continue to be enjoyed by the coming generations. We are working closely with our European counterparts to ensure that we keep things calm and navigate our way through this. We will continue to engage with the US administration and with the many companies, multinational, indigenous in our country. MOSCOW (Reuters) -Brokerage customers of the Russian subsidiary of U.S. bank Citi have started receiving coupon payments on securities frozen in Europe by Western sanctions, according to Russian law firms, citing their clients. Citi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Western sanctions imposed in June 2022 on Russia's National Settlement Depository (NSD) in response to Russia's military offensive in Ukraine led to Russian investors' holdings in European depositories Euroclear and Clearstream being frozen. Around $300 billion of Russia's sovereign assets were frozen by sanctions, but millions of private investors were also affected. "Since the evening of April 9, Citibank clients have started receiving coupon payments and settlements that were for a long time considered frozen," Wealth IQ lawyers said in a report. "We are talking only about Citi Russia and only about money (not securities)." The volume of funds being released was not immediately clear. The Delcredere law firm said it had received a number of permits from the Belgian Treasury to withdraw blocked money from Citi clients in Russia. The Belgian finance ministry declined to comment, citing EU regulations the prohibit the disclosure of certain information related to Ukraine. This movement of funds may be unique because Citi is not under sanctions and has a direct account with Euroclear, Elena Ryazanova, deputy director of Sinara Investment Bank's legal department said on Telegram. Most major Russian banks are blocked from such transactions by sanctions. ($1 = 84.2500 roubles) (Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya in Moscow and Alexander Marrow in London; Editing by Mark Potter and David Evans) There are small community groups all over the city and county documenting the heritage and stories from our past. From the Viking Triangle to the Blackwater Valley, from the Copper Coast to the Comeragh Mountains, we are spoiled for choice with activist communities working together to bring our landscape and history to life. One of my favourite storytelling projects has to be the output of the Minaun Community Theatre Group. The Minaun Community Theatre Group was founded by Michael Cox, Glynis Currie and Jacq Power and was launched on October 26, 2021, at Park Rangers AFC. Their vision was that their productions would be written, performed, adapted, directed and produced by the local community. Then the wider community could attend as the audience at a nominal charge. Everyone could become involved in what they described as theatre by the people for the people. I have been lucky enough to be present for all their projects. Each piece has been a unique event, written and performed by the local community. If their original aim when formed was to revolutionise the way theatre and storytelling can be presented, they have really done it! Their first show, Fernside, was about the Civil War. This was performed in Faithlegg at Park Rangers. Then I saw the second show, A Medical Woman, the Life and Times of Dr Mary Strangman in the Large Room in City Hall. Dr Mary was a celebrated activist and medic and since then that room has been named after her! So here we were again, this time at the small harbour village of Passage East on the night of the Minaun Theatre Groups third show, Tales of the Estuary. Myself and Himself rambled amongst the lobster pots and the fishing boats wondering what would be in store. To add to the atmosphere, the sun was setting, casting a pink glow over the village. It is really a magical spot. The estuary is a world all to itself with its own identity and history. When you are standing there, you can feel that. Life along the river is beautiful today but some of the stories from the past illuminate the hardship and resilience of the local people through generations. Im lucky enough to know some of their descendants and I am so proud of the way they have kept their fascinating heritage alive. Passage in particular being somewhat surrounded by high cliffs has a timeless quality. Every little street and home must be full of stories and the writing of Breda Murphy and Andrew Doherty (tidesandtales.ie) unfurled some of these stories in a way that fully engaged the audience, most of whom knew the characters portrayed. Many of the actors are descendants of the characters in the play and this really brought these women and men to life. So much so that on the night in question those of us in the crowded hall were joining in with the script! There were two main themes running through the play. The first was the lack of opportunity in the early 20th Century for children growing up in Irelands poor fishing communities. The opportunities were slight except for the big draw and adventure of America where many went. We followed the love story of two young people and the American Wake, which would have been a familiar occurrence, which finally separated them. The second theme was focussed on the lives of the women who had to remain behind along the Estuary. Through all of the hardship of their men going off fishing or further afield to become merchant seamen, or even taking the boat to America, they bore the brunt and in many ways saved the day. These women reared families and fed their community through cockle picking and selling in the streets of the city. The heart of the play is the courtroom scene where the cockle women fight for their right to sell in the streets of Waterford. Real transcripts of the case were used to form the script. To say that Ellen OBrien, Katty Dwyer, Ellen Robinson, Maggie Furlong and all of the other cockle women were legends understates their role in preserving their community. Having picked the cockles in their bare feet, washed and cooked them, they carried their full creels all the way to Waterford City. The money made there by these women fed not only their own hungry families but many other families in the area, who had no social welfare or HSE to support them in those days. As we joined in the cheering at the end of the performance I was again reminded of my own grandmother who, at the time that this play was set, worked as a shop girl in Hearne's on the Quay. While the cockle women set up their stalls in Arundel Square she was learning about hats and gloves from the glamorous ladies of the City. Tonight I wondered if she ever went up there to buy a few cockles on her way home to her lodgings. These innovative women from our past survived and thrived and it was my generation who went on to live a more comfortable life as a result. Creative and inclusive projects like the Minaun Theatre Group enrich us and remind us of what really matters. Friendship, family, community and working together to make something special. Im already looking forward to what they will do next. REVIEW: Waterford Dramatic Society's 90th Production - Big Maggie at Garter Lane Theres a reason that Maggie Polpin is called Big Maggie. Shes had it tough. An attractive young woman marries a monster and shes borne the brunt of it all her wedded life of a quarter of a century. Shes had to hang tough and shes battle hardened. A Rottweiler in an apron. When the funeral rosary, led by John Thompson ends, we find that womaniser, drunkard and wife-beater Walter Polpin has died. Hes run the family business into the ground and all hes left is a parcel of debt. Maggie has finally got the run of the shop and farm. She is determined to run the business with an iron fist and her four children, reared in the expectation of inheritance, are destined to learn bitter lessons from a heartless matriarch. One by one, Maggie denies them their inheritance and crushes their hopes; driving each in turn away believing that hardening them is the only way theyll fend for themselves. While each harbours romantic notions, love for Maggie was a bitter experience and marriage is a financial contract. Finally free, Maggie does as she wishes and sentiment never enters into it. Big Maggie has always been my favourite Keane character. A complex character, she despises any cultural or religious role that society attempts to impose on her. Her new life is really a revenge for the way she has been treated in a culture where parochial hypocrisy and smothering matriarchy is the norm. Big Maggie takes no prisoners as she asserts her right to determine her financial, economic and family future. The grim circumstances of her childrens fate and the manner in which she threatens, intimidates and beats them make her a frightening and repelling character. John B delighted amateur drama societies with his big cast shows that attracted big houses. There was a part for everyone in the audience and an audience for everyone in the part. Keanes gift was in creating rural real flesh and blood characters that everyone could identify with. As always with John Bs work, these minor characters fascinate. Paul Dillon and Jacqui Power delight as busy nobodies that emphasise the shallowness of rural life. Paul Barry is superb as the aging and lonely undertaker Byrne who is desperate for marriage but routinely humiliated by Maggie. Luke Corcoran is suitably suave and sneaky as the cute-hoor salesman Teddy Heelin, who has designs on Maggies youngest, and, also, on the widow herself. Teddy learns to his cost that you would want to be up very early in the morning to fool Maggie out of her fortune or her daughter. Jennifer Cosgrove and Catherine Bradley make up the Madden family who have designs on marrying into the farm and displacing Maggie. Dream on! Bryan Costello is angry eldest son Mick Poplin who demands but is denied his due in the share of the farm and the business. Kassie O'Mahony is the innocent and likeable Gert who ends up nursing in England; Chloe Dalton - ONeill - is a feisty Katie who is forced into marriage with an older man when Maggie realises that shes pregnant, and Steven Walsh is excellent as frustrated younger son Maurice denied the farm he has worked all his life. Denise Quinn is magnificent as Big Maggie. She towers over all and sundry in an acting masterclass. This is not a story about revenge but one of loneliness. Its about what happens to the human soul if it is isolated, twisted, and scorned. One by one she pillories each of her children on a scaffold of physical and mental abuse that destroys their confidence and drives them for the boat. The boys are sneered at for their inability to stand up to their father, while Maggies slap across Gerts face brings gasps from the audience. Later, when Maggie drags Katie to her knees by the hair of her head and threatens to break the sweeping brush on her back, nobody doubts she means it. You could touch the fear in Garter Lane. Worst of all, Denises Maggie convinces that there is a lot of truth in what she has to say. Like most simple country-folk, Maggie Polpin is a complex individual. Maggie has been wronged and humiliated for a quarter of a century and understands the ways of the world far better than her gormless children. Her bitter, confrontational manner has driven them all away and forced them to man up. But its been a bitter lesson for everyone including Big Maggie. Director Frieda Ryan gets every aspect of this play spot on. Michael Oatess lighting design facilitates acting pods; costumes, set and props are straight out of rural Ireland sixties and the choice of link music breathes a commentary that is evocative and, ironically, romantically nostalgic. Friedas pace is just right. The play never stands still for a second, which is part of its strength. Something is always happening as the narrative pounds along. I just wanted it to go on longer commented one lady on the way out. Congratulations to the WDS on reaching nine decades of presenting amateur drama to the people of Waterford. Im proud to say that I performed in 10 WDS plays and I learned the discipline and craft of theatre from those productions. Hopefully, well all get to see the WDS centenary. 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. Festivals Punjab Festivals Baisakhi Festival Baisakhi Place : Punjab Significance: Harvest Festival Date: 13.4.2025 A rural festival of North India, marking the beginning of the solar year (New year), especially celebrated in Punjab with great fervour. The word Baisakhi is derived from the month of Vaisakha (April-May). For the Sikhs the day is a collective celebration of New year along with the commemoration of the founding of the 'Khalsa Panth' (Sikh brotherhood) by Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth spiritual leader of Sikhs) in 1699. It also signifies the end of harvest of the main crop rabi. During Baisakhi the farmers give 'thanks' to the Lord Almighty for their fortune and pray for a better crop the next year. The occasion is marked by a lot of feasting and merry making. All night revelries termed 'Baisakhi di Raat' (Night of feasting) or 'Baisakhi da Mela' (Baisakhi fairs) are held, where men and women dance to the rhythmic beat of drums wrestling bouts are also held. Early morning of Baiskhai, people take dip in holy rivers. Scores of devotees throngs the Golden Temple to offer special prayers and take a holy dip on the occasion. On these occasions, men and women adorn themselves with gay-coloured clothes and traditional jewellery. Baisakhi involves a lot of socialising where friends and relatives are invited and delicious meals are served. The holy book of the Sikhs, 'Granth Sahib' is taken in a procession, led by the 'Panj Pyaras' (five senior Sikhs) who are symbolic of the original leaders. It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh organised his first batch of five disciples making them Singhs, a martial community. Kirtans and recital of passages from the 'Granth Sahib' are also organized in gurdwaras, where people line up to receive the delicious Kada prasad (sweetened semolina) and perform kar sewa-that is, offering help in the daily chores of the gurdwara. The occasion is celebrated with great gusto at Talwandi Sabo, where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for nine months and completed the recompilation of the Guru Granth Sahib and in the Golden temple in Amritsar . On Baisakhi day, water is drawn from all the sacred rivers of India and poured in to the huge tank surrounding the golden temple. Fairs are organized at various places in Punjab, where besides other recreational activities, wrestling bouts are also held. Harvest festivals symbolize hope and celebration of hard work by farmers. Indonesian coffee chain Kopi Kenangan has made its debut in India with a store at the Pacific Mall, New Delhi. The company plans at least ten stores in the country by the end of 2025, with a longer-term goal of 50. The brand, known internationally as Kenangan Coffee, is investing up to $4.6m in its retail expansion and the development of a local coffee sourcing programme. The move is part of its strategy to introduce a signature Indonesian coffee experience to the Indian market. 70% of the new stores will follow a traditional cafe format, while the remaining 30% will be small-format takeaway sites. Kopi Kenangan CEO Edward Tirtanata stated: Indias vast young population and growing appreciation for diverse coffee experiences make it an ideal market for Kenangan Coffee. We are committed to delivering high-quality coffee that resonates with local preferences, creating memorable moments for every customer. Kopi Kenangan aims to capitalise on the growing health and wellness trend among Indian consumers by utilising Gula Aren, a natural sweetener from Indonesia's Arenga pinnata palms. The chain's plan to source coffee locally in India is not only intended to enhance its sustainability credentials but also to reduce transportation costs and improve supply chain efficiencies. This approach mirrors the strategies of domestic speciality coffee chains such as Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Third Wave Coffee and Subko Coffee Roasters, which have successfully marketed their use of locally sourced coffee. In terms of pricing, Kopi Kenangan aims to compete with value-focused domestic chains abCoffee and Nothing Before Coffee. The company has set competitive price points from Rs 99 ($1.15) for espressos and Rs 129 for americanos, while also offering a premium range of beverages that go up to Rs 329. Kopi Kenangan general manager India Sanjay Mohta stated: Our mission is to blend Indonesian craftsmanship with local flavours, offering a unique coffee experience that contributes to India's vibrant coffee culture. We look forward to building a strong community of coffee enthusiasts across the country. "Coffee chain Kopi Kenangan opens first store in India" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. Leesville, LA (71446) Today Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Mayo County Council Arts Service and Irishtown Community Development Company Limited will launch Briathra Talun (Words from the Land) later this month. It is a public art commission by visual artist Noah Rose, at Pairc on Tobair, Irishtown, and the launch will take place at 2pm on April 21, 2025. Special guest speaker Dr. Andrew G. Newby will give a talk on the tenants rights meeting at Irishtown in April 1879. The artwork will be officially launched by Cllr Damien Ryan, Cathaoirleach Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. The launch will be followed by a guided tour and talk with artist Noah Rose. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided. Following an open competition, Noah Rose was selected for this commission. He is an accomplished artist based in Headford, Co. Galway with extensive experience in public art across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally. Through comprehensive research and consultation with the local community, the artist eventually focused on the historical significance of the 1879 Irishtown Tenant Rights Meeting. Noahs interest in archival research, the Irish language, and history all informed this project. These interests are reflected in the final artwork Briathra Talun (Words from the Land), a sculptural installation consisting of Corten steel columns with laser-cut quotations in Irish and English from newspaper archives. Dr Andrew G Newby, Senior Lecturer in Transnational and Comparative History at the University of Jyvaskyla, specialises in the land question in Victorian Ireland and Scotland. His published works include Ireland, Radicalism and the Scottish Highlands (EUP, 2007); Michael Davitt: New Perspectives (edited with Fintan Lane, IAP, 2009); Eire na Ruise: An Fhionlainn agus Eire ar thoir na Saoirse (Coisceim, 2016); and An Fraoch Tri Thine! Micheal Mac Daibheid, Conradh na talun agus Garbhchiocha na hAlban 1870-1887 (forthcoming, Coisceim, 2025). This commission is part of Mayo County Councils Public Art Programme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. This funding enables the council to commission high quality and ambitious contemporary art for the public to experience and enjoy in everyday settings throughout Mayo. The council extends its sincere appreciation to Irishtown Community Development Company Limited and the Irishtown community for their support and collaboration. For more information about this project, contact Aoife OToole, Acting Public Art Coordinator, Mayo Arts Service, Mayo County Council, at aotoole@mayococo.ie or telephone 094-9064376. The chief financial officer of crypto marker maker Portofino Technologies, Mark Blackborough, has recently left the business. "We can confirm that our CFO is transitioning out of the business. As we scale and adapt to new opportunities in the market, were continuously evolving our leadership team to align with our long-term strategic goals," a company spokesperson said in emailed comments. "Leadership transitions, especially in high-growth environments, are a natural part of building a resilient organization. Our focus remains on execution, delivery, and continued growth, the spokesperson added. Blackborough didn't respond to a request for comment by publication time. The Swiss company's former CFO was based in London, and joined the crypto trading firm last September. Before joining Portofino Technologies, Blackborough was employed as CFO of Enigma Securities, a digital asset liquidity provider. Prior to this he worked for crypto market maker GSR, according to his LinkedIn profile. Portofino told CoinDesk last month that it was exploring opening new offices in both New York and Singapore. The company raised $50 million in equity funding in late 2022, and was founded by two former Citadel Securities leaders Leonard Lancia and Alex Casimo in 2021. The firm is regulated in the U.K., Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands. How should we describe this move to bring back tariffs? The end of free trade, the death of globalisation, the collapse of our business model - it has been called all those things and to what extent it becomes any of them remains fully to be seen. But it is clear all these tariffs will bring change, and so we need to start thinking about what that will that mean for us. One of the consequences I think will be the return of the political importance of making choices. In normal societies, this is what politics has always been about making decisions about what, and who, to prioritise in public policy and in public spending. But for over a decade we have had enough money to do very little of that. Other countries have listened with astonishment to the many voices here who have told us that we are the worst country in the world. Many people outside Ireland not just Donald J Trump think we have been riding high on the hog. Our lack of self-awareness about that is quite something. Now you could well argue that we did make some unpopular choices this last decade. The reason for a lot of the anger in our society comes back to one of those: the old got more of the pie and the young couldnt get a house. That for sure was a choice we made. No wonder the young people are disaffected. But in most other areas there have been no real hard choices. Our public income has ballooned, primarily because of corporation tax which has grown at an astonishing rate and the relatedly buoyant economy. That money washed away the need to decide between alternatives and to be clear what policy underpinned such decisions. Cut taxes or increase public spending? No no no, well do both! Save for a rainy day or splurge now? Well do both! And so, as any outsider can see, we have been merrily increasing our public spending at an enormous rate, while not paying a blind bit of heed as to where all the money comes from. If the events of last week signal anything, it is the end of that politically surreal atmosphere. Hard choices, whether we like it or not, are coming back, and we will have to be much more focused on the reality of the big picture and what we need to do to safeguard that reality. Our business model has been to be a semi-detached outpost of the American economy, and we have done well on it because of our link to the European Single Market. We make our money from trade, supported by that operating environment. Fundamentally, its not much more complicated than that. Most of the money that pays for most things in Ireland comes from that model. That money does a lot of good for everyone as well as yes make a small number of people very wealthy. But contrary to what you hear in so much of our public debate, the money does both of those things. It makes some rich, and it has made almost everyone better off. It has also allowed us to massively increase what we spend on those who most need help though of course not always effectively. And given that our link to the Single Market underpins how we make that money, how much focus have we put on preserving, protecting and supporting the European Union? What decisions have we made to support the institutions of the EU, much less to actually defend them, and our partners in it? In our general election campaign, what proportion of time was dedicated to how we make money, as opposed to how we spend it? Now, we will have to start thinking about these things, because the threat to all that from the new regime of tariffs is obvious. It may be a big hit or it may be a slow burn, but either way, it is going to impact how we have done things these past years. So in this new world of choice, what will this mean? With the level of trade impacted, the public finances will get tighter. We will then have to make choices about which areas of public expenditure we prioritise, and we will have to learn that we cant do everything we want in the way we have been doing it. That will mean we will not be able to try and solve as many problems with a subsidy or a state intervention. That should change the nature of many of our public debates where the first call in most of them is for a subsidy of some sort or another. It goes wider than that. We will find that trade wars mean that not only are you fighting with the country putting the tariff on you, but that you have to make painful decisions about which of your own industries will be protected and which will disadvantaged as you fight back. We will have to work within the EU to try and protect those industries most important to us. That will mean compromises and it will mean that we will not always get our own way. Given that operating within the EU is the only way to protect our main business model, we will have to take some pain as well as gain as we do that. Certain industries which lose out cannot be protected forever and so will have to change the way they do business or just simply do less business. That is the way of this tough new world. Trade benefits us, restrictions harm us. We will therefore also surely have to end the head scratching habit we have of opposing new trade deals the EU makes with other countries because some interest within the country objects to some aspect of it. In international affairs, we will find we have choices and decisions to make about how we balance our national interests with our principles, as well as to meet our obligations to our neighbours and friends in the EU and in the UK. Solidarity is not always and only what others owe us, but a responsibility we share. We will need to recalibrate the anti-British feeling which became so widespread and so casually expressed across our country, now that we have a British government that we can actually do business with. That relationship is now more important than ever because of all the new complications the Trump tariffs throw up for the economy of this island, north and south. These are just some of the harder choices ahead of us. To help us face up to them and indeed make them, we also really do need to raise the level of the debate around them. One practical way that we as citizens could do that is to get our heads out of phones. Social media is no place for a serious discussion. We need to find a way to listen to arguments and form judgements that are based on analysis and evidence, and not just on anger or emotion. Hard choices make for harder times, but perhaps they can we hope lead to a better, and slightly more real, debate. 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. Parents in Hanover Township are grappling with learning their kids' principal is facing DUI charges. Police say Hanover Elementary School Principal Erin Hines was four times the legal limit, when she crashed into three parked cars in late March. Giselle Russ is a Hanover Elementary mom who serves as president of the PTA. "We're wishing the best for Ms. Hines," she said. "I don't think anybody wishes this on anybody. We understand that she has a family." Russ, along with other parents in the Bethlehem Area School District, learned on Friday why the school principal has been on leave since the end of March. 1:40 Principal of Hanover Elementary School placed on immediate leave after 'weekend incident' The Bethlehem Area School District has announced that the Principal of Hanover Elementary School is now on a leave of absence from her duties until further notice. 46-year-old Erin Hines is now facing DUI charges. "There's empathy and compassion for what she may be going through, and we just hope she gets the help that she needs." It happened on a Saturday afternoon at the end of March. Police responded to the parking lot of Valley Farm Market on Stefkco Boulevard to find four damaged cars, including Hines's. Police later found her blood alcohol concentration to be .326%, which is more than four times the legal limit. On Friday, several parents told 69 News the principal had already been on leave prior to this latest alleged incident, following concerns at a school bingo night earlier in March. It was too late on Friday night to confirm Hines's previous time away, but parents showed 69 News screen shots from four weeks ago, when they were first notified by the school. "She was placed on leave," Russ said. "The district took it really seriously." Parents say she was back for about a week before she was put on leave again, following this latest incident. "There's employment laws, there's things the district has to follow," Russ said. "I don't want to make any judgement," Melissa Dowd, another Hanover Elementary mom, said. "Hoping that the school district is acting in the best interest of the kids." Hines was charged Friday morning with one count of DUI - highest rate of alcohol, and one count of DUI - general impairment. Bethlehem Area School District says it's aware of the charges and can't comment since it's an ongoing legal and personnel matter. But the district says quote, "We will continue keeping the wellbeing and support of our students and staff at the forefront." "We have amazing teachers," Russ said. "So as far as the way the school was being run and how our kids were being handled, they were in good hands." BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Argentina will be able to tap another $5 billion from China in a deal announced Thursday, easing some pressures on the South American nation's dwindling foreign reserves and underscoring the strategic importance of its partnership with Beijing despite recent criticism from the Trump administration. The Central Bank of Argentina said the countries had extended their long-standing $18 billion bilateral currency swap for another year, allowing Argentina to get $5 billion more from the Peoples Bank of China worth 35 billion in China's yuan currency, also known as renminbi until mid-2026. For Argentina, paying in renminbi rather than U.S. dollars gives its dangerously depleting foreign currency reserves some breathing room to shore up the wobbly peso. It also helps companies in crisis-stricken Argentina pay for Chinese imports and makes it easier for Chinese companies to invest in Argentina. Argentine President Javier Milei needs all the hard currency he can get his hands on to avoid the sharp devaluation expected after securing an initial bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund. The currency swap extension comes shortly after U.S. Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone publicly voiced alarm over the deal between the Trump administration's increasingly close ally and its increasingly intense rival. We want the famous credit line that Argentina has with China to end, Claver-Carone told an a conference at Miami Dade College last week. We want to be sure that any potential agreements with the IMF do not end up prolonging that credit swap that they have with China. ... That's our priority." With the currency deal in place, "China will always be able to extort Argentina, he added. China swiftly fired back, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian defending the swap earlier this week as an example of practical cooperation with Argentina on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. For a long time, Argentinas currency swap with China has played an important role in stabilizing its economy and finance, which is welcomed and well-received in Argentina, he told reporters Tuesday. Argentina faces a tough balancing act under Milei a radical libertarian who has cozied up to U.S. President Donald Trump, flying to the U.S. at least 10 times in the last 15 months in hopes of courting tech investment, striking a free trade deal and securing fresh funds from the IMF. During his 2023 presidential campaign, Milei left no doubts about his staunch opposition to China, calling its leaders assassins and vowing he wouldnt do business with communist countries. The US economy and stock market are the most developed in the world and often reflect textbook examples of economic cycles. The previous unofficial recession in the US occurred in 2022, when the GDP growth posted 2 quarters of negative growth amid a sharp increase in interest rates to combat rising inflation. The stock market moved in sync with the economy during that year. The following year, 2023, resembled a slow recovery fueled by the emergence of the AI megatrend as well as strong public spending on infrastructure and other large projects. Calendar 2024 and early 2025 resembled an economic peak, as growth moderated and private spending became weaker. In such moments, even the slightest economic headwind and/or uncertainty can trigger a recession and a broad market meltdown. Thats exactly what happened with the new Trump 2.0 administration, which brought plenty of uncertainty related to tariffs and sharp cuts in the public sector. Another important consideration for investors is that the stock market and the economy do not move in sync; the former tends to be a forward-looking animal, meaning that stock prices tend to rise in anticipation of an economic recovery, while the actual economic conditions may still be depressed and reflect low GDP growth, high unemployment and sluggish private spending. Consequently, the key takeaway for readers is that investments in economic recovery stocks shall be made during peak uncertainty and pain, at or near a market bottom when everyone is fearful and reluctant to buy. As the legendary Warren Buffet has put it, Economic cycles, as defined by economists, alternate between periods of growth, peak, recession, and recovery, depending on the stage that a countrys economy is at. In particular, the term economic recovery describes the period that follows a recession and is characterized by improving employment, increased business activity and investment, rising consumer confidence, and accelerating GDP growth. Recoveries usually start after governments enact fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate investment and spending the primary stimulative instrument in the US has been the FED funds rate. When an economic recovery kicks in, the sectors that tend to outperform are the cyclical ones consumer discretionary, industrial, financial, and technology driven by both a recovery in the previously depressed valuations as well as by broad acceleration in growth. We recently published a list of 10 Best Economic Recovery Stocks to Buy . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) stands against other best economic recovery stocks to buy. Story Continues While most investors are currently concerned about declining stock prices (the main US stock market benchmark is down over 11% at the time of this write-up since its February peak), the smart money is already looking for signals of a potential recovery. Atlanta Fed projects that the US economy posted negative real GDP growth in Q1 2025, estimated at -2.4%; given the uncertainty and tariff threats persisting in April as well, chances are that Q2 2025 will be in negative territory as well, which would mark an official recession. The problem is that the stock market already prices in such a scenario, which makes it difficult to exploit or hedge against. The only plausible move at the moment is to look for economic recovery stocks in an attempt to time the market bottom. We believe there are solid reasons to believe that the stock market bottomed out in early April and that things will only improve going forward. The most important signal in favor of a potential economic recovery ahead is that Trumps tariffs proliferate as a short-term negotiation tool only, which seems to work well in relation to most trading partners. On April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause in new tariffs for 75 countries until negotiations to discuss potential solutions are arranged. Heres how Kevin Breuninger, a CNBC journalist, commented the following on the recent developments: The White House is clarifying that Trumps announcement of a 90-day tariff pause means that the tariff level will be brought down to a universal 10% tariff during that time, while negotiations are ongoing. That respite does not apply to China, which will see U.S. tariffs on its goods rise to 125%. We see this announcement as a sign that chances are high that the US will reach a positive agreement with the 75 countries mentioned. While the situation with China is still intense, things could deescalate if other countries reach agreements with the US and set the stage for China as well. In this context, if the tariffs saga is successfully navigated, the main headwind for the economy will dissipate, potentially triggering a broad economic recovery that would push stock prices higher. With that being said, we may currently be at an opportune moment to pick the best economic recovery stocks. Is Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) the Best Economic Recovery Stock to Buy? An aerial view of a commercial aircraft taking off from a coastal hub. Our Methodology We used a screener to identify stocks with at least a 20% revenue compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last 5 years. Then, we selected the top 10 stocks with the largest estimated average analysts upside and included them in the article in ascending order. For each stock, we also include the number of hedge funds that own the stock as of Q4 2024. The stocks are ranked according to the upside potential. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here). Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) Estimated average analysts upside: 65.25% Revenue CAGR last 5 years: 20.28% Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84 Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) is a major global airline that operates passenger flights and cargo across six continents. The company operates over 4,000 daily flights to more than 275 destinations, with the busiest destinations being in the US. Beyond passenger services, DAL provides cargo transport, aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, as well as vacation packages. It is well-known that travel demand increases during economic recoveries, and DALs large scale and diversification across geographic regions makes it well-positioned to capture any acceleration in traffic. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) delivered record Q4 revenue of $14.4 billion, with pretax profit of $1.6 billion and earnings per share of $1.85, marking the largest December quarter profit in the companys history. For the full year 2024, DAL achieved a return on invested capital of 13% that doubled the rest of the industry. The company generated $3.4 billion in free cash flow, a nearly $1.5 billion improvement over 2023, which supported debt reduction and a 50% increase in the quarterly dividend. Looking ahead to 2025, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) expects to deliver its best financial year in history with revenue growth and margin expansion record profitability, projecting EPS growth of over 20% on a YoY basis. The company is experiencing strong demand momentum across all segments, with corporate sales growing 10% YoY and American Express remuneration up 14% YoY. Managements strategic focus includes expanding premium offerings, with more than 85% of incremental seats in 2025 planned for premium cabins while maintaining efficient growth across high-margin premium cabins in their most profitable hubs. We expect DAL to potentially surprise on growth during a broad market acceleration and hence include it in 5th place on our list of best economic recovery stocks to buy. Overall, DAL ranks 5th on our list of best economic recovery stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of DAL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than DAL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. (Repeats story issued on April 11 with no changes to text.) SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese bourses have set daily restrictions on net share sales by hedge funds and large retail investors, four sources said on Friday, as Beijing steps up support for its stock markets in an intensifying trade war with the United States. Two investor sources said a soft limit on daily net sales by individual hedge funds and big retail investors - implemented through verbal warnings from brokerages - had been set at 50 million yuan ($6.83 million). Failure to comply risked a suspension of trading accounts by the stock exchanges, which have issued the directive, two brokerage sources said. All four sources declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media. The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. China has taken a slew of measures to stabilise its domestic stock markets, reeling from an escalating trade war with the U.S. where President Donald Trump has imposed eye-popping duties on Chinese goods. The moves have largely shielded stocks in China from the massive selling seen on global markets. Beijing on Friday hit back again, and increased its tariffs on U.S. imports to 125%. China's state fund Central Huijin has vowed to increase stock holdings, a growing number of listed companies are buying back shares, and top Chinese brokerages have pledged to steady the market amid higher tariffs and global recession risks. "Such a restriction is understandable as you don't want to act against state will," said one of the brokerage sources. Brokerages have been asked to closely monitor transactions by private funds and big retail clients, according to a notice issued late on Thursday and seen by Reuters. The current 50 million yuan daily limit on net sales by investors could be lowered further if the market slumps again, the notice said. China and Hong Kong stocks reversed early declines on Friday and narrowed the week's losses. Trump paused his "reciprocal" tariffs on most other countries earlier this week, but has singled out China with tougher duties. ($1 = 7.3206 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Rachna Uppal) President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs are sending shockwaves across industries and the auto world is feeling the impact. A 25% levy on imported vehicles is shaking up the market, prompting bold moves from major automakers. Ford has launched its From America, For America initiative, extending employee pricing to all U.S. customers on most models from April 3 through June 2. The company says its more than just a promotion its a handshake deal with every American. Don't miss Employee pricing typically means paying below the dealer invoice, potentially saving buyers hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We understand that these are uncertain times for many Americans. Whether it's navigating the complexities of a changing economy or simply needing a reliable vehicle for your family, we want to help, said Rob Kaffl, Fords director of U.S. sales and dealer relations. Ford isnt alone. Stellantis the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram has rolled out a similar offer, expanding employee discounts across most of its new lineup. This week we launched aggressive and consistent incentive and marketing support for April, including an exciting and competitive enhancement that will allow our customers Americas Freedom of Choice between employee price or current cash incentives, said Stellantis spokesperson Jodi Tinson in a statement. Sticker shock ahead so save where you can For car buyers, uncertainty is the new normal. While Ford and Stellantis are stepping in with incentives, others including Audi and Jaguar Land Rover have paused U.S. shipments in response to new import tariffs. Industry experts at Cox Automotive warn that prices on new vehicles are likely to rise this year as the effects of Trumps 25% tariff ripple through the market. We expect to see declining discounting and then accelerated price increases as the tariffs are passed through and supply tightens, leading to price increases on all types of most new vehicles, Cox Automotive chief economist Jonathan Smoke said at a recent virtual event. Over the longer term, we expect production sales to fall, newly used prices to increase, and some models to be eliminated. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported. In a tense hearing, DOJ wouldnt say where he is. What happens next? More than 600 cases of measles have been reported across the United States since January, with Texas alone accounting for 505 infections. At least two children have died in the state, and the death of an adult in New Mexico is under investigation, Azernews reports. Over 90 cases have also been confirmed in neighboring New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The figures were released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Health experts warn the actual number of infections may be significantly higher. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said the official count includes only lab-confirmed cases and likely underrepresents the scale of the outbreak. This is a mass measles outbreak, he stated. Public health officials and pediatricians say the rise in cases is being fueled by vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Some officials have failed to deliver clear messaging, while alternative, unproven treatments continue to confuse parents, according to infectious disease experts cited by Reuters. Dr. Sue Kressley, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, stressed the importance of consistent, science-based communication. She emphasized that vaccination remains the only effective method to stop the outbreak. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine figure who now serves as U.S. Secretary of Health, has publicly supported vaccination to prevent the spread of measles. However, his mixed messagingincluding recent social media posts praising both vaccines and alternative treatmentshas drawn criticism from medical professionals. In an interview with CBS News, Kennedy reaffirmed the governments position encouraging vaccination. Still, his contradictory statements have sparked renewed concern among epidemiologists and public health officials. In 2019, New York City alone reported over 1,200 measles cases during an outbreak. Health officials now fear the current situation could surpass those numbers. Measles causes between one and three deaths per 1,000 cases. Based on the recent fatalities in Texas, experts estimate the true number of infections could be in the thousands. Dr. Caitlin Cetelina, an epidemiologist, underscored the seriousness of the outbreak. Only 11 U.S. states currently meet the 95 percent vaccination rate required for herd immunity. The measles vaccine is about 97 percent effective after two doses, but it cannot be administered to infants under six months oldleaving them vulnerable unless protected by high vaccination rates in the community. By Rajesh Kumar Singh and Anshuman Tripathy (Reuters) - Frontier Group, the parent of Frontier Airlines, withdrew its full-year forecast on Thursday and warned of a loss in the first quarter, as U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war has hit travel demand. The Denver-based company is the second major U.S. carrier to ditch its forecast after Delta Air Lines pulled its full-year guidance on Wednesday. Frontier said travel demand has weakened, resulting in fare discounting and promotions across the industry. Citing the uncertain environment, the airline said it was unable to reaffirm the full-year 2025 outlook. In February, the company had forecast an adjusted profit of at least $1.00 this year, and breakeven earnings of 7 cents a share in the March quarter. Trump's trade war has rattled global markets, hitting business and consumer confidence. As travel is a discretionary item for many consumers and businesses, mounting economic worries have clouded the airline industry's outlook and sparked a selloff in shares. Weakening consumer demand has also undermined the industry's pricing power. Airline fares fell 5.3% in March from a month ago, posting their steepest monthly decline since September 2021, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department. Frontier's shares fell about 12.5% on Thursday and have shaved off half their value so far this year. Shares of Southwest, Alaska, Delta, United and American Airlines fell between 10% and 14% on Thursday. The S&P 1500 Airlines index is down about 37% so far this year, compared with the wider S&P 500's 10.43% drop. Battered global markets and anxious global leaders welcomed Wednesday's reprieve when Trump suddenly decided to freeze most of his hefty new duties for 90 days. But the selloff resumed on Thursday amid fears of a worsening trade war with China. Frontier said it expects a modest 5% revenue growth in the first quarter, adding it would continue to monitor demand and adjust capacity as needed. It has cut capacity, or the seats available on flights, for the June quarter to avoid lowering fares and protect margins. It now expects a low single-digit year-on-year decline in capacity in the second quarter. Frontier expects an adjusted quarterly loss in the range of 20 to 24 cents per share, compared with analysts' average estimate of a loss of $0.03 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG. The company will report its quarterly earnings on May 1. (Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy, Nathan Gomes and Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi) Pressures from Kyiv and Washington led to US ambassadors resignation, sources say Ukraines European allies say Russian aggression is pushing peace out of reach, as US envoy meets Putin In a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour governments collusion with Israels genocidal war on Gaza, a team of legal experts are seeking the prosecution of 10 Britons for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the killing of civilians and aid workers, while fighting for Israel in Gaza. The evidence supporting the accusations is set out in a 240-page report, prepared by a team of UK lawyers and researchers in The Hague over a six-month period on behalf of the Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the British-based Public Interest Law Centre (PILC). It was submitted on Monday to the Metropolitan Polices war crimes team at New Scotland Yard in London. A team of legal experts lead by the Public Interest Law Centre, lodged an extensively researched 240-page report (see summary) with the War Crimes Team at Londons Metropolitan Police on April 7. Pictured speaking to the media during the event is Paul Heron, Legal Director and founder of the Public Interest Law Centre [Photo: Public Interest Law Centre] The report covers alleged offences committed at three sites in Gaza from October 2023 to May 2024. These include the targeted killing of civilians and aid workers, including by sniper fire, and indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, including hospitals, as well as coordinated attacks on protected historic monuments and religious sites, and the forced transfer and displacement of civilians. The accusations are based on the military units involved and the Britons unit affiliations and their roles in the armed conflict. For legal reasons, the research team has not published the full report nor revealed the names of the 10 Britons, some of whom are officer level individuals and/or dual citizens. The Israeli military has recruited personnel from outside Israel, including British nationals, viaamong other programmesthe Mahal volunteer programme to serve in both full combat and support roles. The evidence includes open-source data and witness statements. One witness at a hospital saw corpses scattered on the ground, especially in the middle of the hospital courtyard, where many dead bodies were buried in a mass grave. A bulldozer ran over a dead body in a horrific and heart-wrenching scene desecrating the dead and demolished part of the hospital. Paul Heron, Legal Director at the Public Interest Law Centre and one of the members of the British legal and research team, told the World Socialist Web Site, As a law centre based in Britain, we have a duty to stand up. Weve filed our report to make clear these war crimes are not in our name and encourage others do to the same. Our report is the tip of the iceberg and all those found to have participated in war crimes should be investigated and prosecuted. Paul Heron [Photo: Public Interest Law Centre] Michael Mansfield KC told the press, If one of our nationals is committing an offence, we ought to be doing something about it. Even if we cant stop the government of foreign countries behaving badly, we can at least stop our nationals from behaving badly. British nationals are under a legal obligation not to collude with crimes committed in Palestine. No one is above the law. Scores of legal and human rights experts have signed a letter of support urging the Metropolitan Polices war crimes team to investigate the complaints. This attempt to prosecute Britons follows the launching of nearly 100 cases against Israeli soldiers by the Brussels-based Hind Rajab Foundation in 14 countries with universal jurisdiction: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Thailand. The Brussels-based organisation, named after a five year old Palestinian girl killed during the war on Gaza by the Israeli military along with six members of her family and two paramedics coming to her rescue, was set up in 2024 to address and challenge Israeli impunity concerning war crimes and human rights violations in Palestine, along the lines of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre that chased Nazi criminals after World War II. Last year, an Israeli soldier fled Brazil while under investigation for possible war crimes in Gaza, prompting the Israeli army to warn personnel they risked arrest if travelling abroad. This warning was particularly directed at reservists, as active-duty personnel cannot travel abroad without prior approval. The Hind Rajab Foundation condemned the soldiers escape, accusing Israel of orchestrating his departure to obstruct justice. According to Haaretz, the Israeli government and military and intelligence agencies have prepared a plan to help evacuate reserve soldiers in the event of their arrest in foreign countries, including hiring local law firms. They were aware that several human rights organizations were creating a database of evidence, photos and video clips published by Israeli soldiers on social media platforms, often boasting of their abuse of Palestinians in Gaza. Recently, the group Israel Exposed uploaded a massive database of videos posted to social media by Israeli soldiers, documenting their actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The database contains more than 350 gigabytes of information that can be shared on Telegram. Israel Exposed said it had handed the database over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to the Hind Rajab Foundation. Starmers Labour government has refused to acknowledge the criminal nature of Israels war against the Palestinians. Speaking in Parliament last November when the Israeli bombardment of Gaza had already killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, Starmer said he was well aware of the definition of genocide, which is why he had never described Israels actions in Gaza as such. In 2014 this former human rights lawyer was involved in prosecuting Serbia in the ICJ for committing genocide against Croatia during the 1991-95 Serbia-Croatia conflict that killed 20,000 people, mostly Croatians, in a war far less deadly than Gaza. In doing so, he confirmed that only those who fall foul of the imperialist powers are prosecuted. The government has refused to say whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, would be arrested if they set foot in the UK after the ICC issued warrants for their arrest for war crimes. In opposition, Starmer backed Israels genocidal blocking of food, water and electricity to Gaza, saying Israel had that right knowing that imposing a siege on a civilian population violates Article 33 of the Geneva Convention prohibiting collective punishment, one of the crimes at the core of the ICCs arrest warrants. His government has yet to publish a formal response to the ICJs ruling in July last year that deemed Israels decades-long occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza unlawful and highlighted the global communitys responsibility to act accordingly. Despite formally recognising the occupation as illegal, the British government has done nothing to ban UK investment and trade with the settlements. Instead, the government has branded opposition to Israels war and expressions of support for the Palestinians as antisemitic, with mass arrests at Januarys March for Palestine demonstration in London and the persecution of its organisers in the Stop the War Coalition and Palestine Solidarity Campaign and a clampdown on student protests at university campuses. This week, Labour MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, part of a delegation to Israel and the West Bank visiting human rights groups organised by the Council for Arab-British Understanding and Medical Aid for Palestinians, were deported from Israel after being detained and interrogated, the first time British MPs have been banned from the country. UK foreign secretary David Lammy responded with a lame statement, saying it is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning. The Israeli government said that the MPs had accused Israel of false claims in the House of Commons and were actively involved in promoting sanctions against Israeli ministers. This references Mohameds cross-party letter, signed by 61 MPs, calling for a ban on Israeli settlement goods in line with international law. The next day the Royal Air Force followed its almost twice-daily routine, sending a Shadow R1 surveillance plane towards Gaza to collect intelligence for Israel. Arms trade continues unrestricted and bilateral trade negotiations are ongoing. We recently published a list of 10 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar Recently. In this article, we are going to take a look at where RH (NYSE:RH) stands against other stocks on Jim Cramers radar. On Tuesday, Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money, discussed the impact of tariff-induced market volatility and he also discussed how it affects some retail companies. The market looked terrific when I went out to lunch today Then I came back and all the gains that I saw were gone. So many wins had turned into losses. So much had melted down. I mean, holy cow. An incredible reversal, a severe reminder of the fragility of this market. READ ALSO: Jim Cramer Talked About These 8 Stocks and Jim Cramers Game Plan: 10 Stocks in Focus Cramer then turned his attention to the decision by the U.S. government to impose a 46% tariff on goods from Vietnam. He noted that Vietnam floods the U.S. market with products while importing very little in return. However, he pointed out that Vietnam is a poor country and questioned what it could even afford to purchase. So why did the White House hit Vietnam with a 46% tariff? Because the trade team believes that Vietnams a transshipment country. They think the Chinese use it as a backdoor to get around the tariffs. Cramer remarked that when companies shifted their manufacturing operations from China to Vietnam, they believed they were making a prudent move. He had expected that American companies manufacturing in Vietnam would face a lower tariff, which he believed was a way to beat China. However, it did not materialize. He pointed out that the fallout from the policy is significant as the stocks of these companies take a hit. He observed that until the situation is resolved, companies that rely on overseas manufacturing will likely continue to see their stock prices fall. Cramer also noted that the Trump administrations aim seemed to be to penalize foreign trading partners while pushing U.S. companies to bring their manufacturing operations back to America. The bottom line: You could conclude that I shouldnt go to lunch. Or maybe you should accept that things are going to be treacherous for companies that make things overseas no matter what. Its just too difficult to own these stocks until the estimates are brought down to levels that can be beaten. And obviously from todays action, we just arent there yet. Our Methodology For this article, we compiled a list of 10 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 8. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds. Peaceful supporters of the Mothers Against Genocide group were arrested outside the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) last week. Around 40 mostly female protesters had participated in an overnight Mothers Day encampment at the gates to Leinster House. They placed pictures of Palestinian children murdered by the Israeli armed forces across the parliamentary gates and laid a pair of small shoes and a flower for every child. Eleven people, ten women and one man, were seized when they tried to prevent gardai (police) from removing the images by sitting in front of the gates cradling pillows to resemble the shrouded corpses of dead children. Three more were arrested around the protest. A number of those arrested were strip searched, including one Palestinian woman who was subject to a cavity searchconsidered by Amnesty International to be sexual violence. Her hijab was removed, later returned. Three people were charged with public order offences. Pictures of Palestinian children murdered by the Israeli armed forces placed across the parliamentary gates and laid a pair of small shoes and a flower for every child. [Photo: Tony - Pod Guy - Groves/X] The brutal and vindictive measures taken against those protesting the greatest war crime of the 21st century underscore the Irish governments ever deeper complicity in imperialist militarism, including the Gaza slaughter. Mothers Against Genocide were protesting in support of an already toothless Occupied Territories Bill, which seeks to bar commerce with areas illegally occupied by Israel. Ireland, subject to centuries of brutal domination by British imperialism, has the highest level of protest of the Gaza genocide, per capita, of any country in the world. Despite the bills token character, the Irish government has come under pressure from Israel and the United States to drop the measure, which has been stalled since 2020. Further neutralising the Occupied Territories Bill is one of a series of accelerating shifts in Irelands defence policy aimed at maintaining the countrys relationship with its fractious imperialist masters on both sides of the Atlantic and in the face of mass popular hostility to war. In March, Simon Harris, the Tanaiste (deputy prime minister), in New York for St Patricks Day, told reporters that the Fine Gael-Fianna Fail coalition was in the business of wanting to provide more in terms of practical assistance to NATOs war in Ukraine. The government agreed earlier in March to spend 100 million, on top of 250 million already handed over, on supposedly non-lethal support. That amount could rise to 315 million, as Ireland will have to contribute towards the European Unions (EU) 20 billion for Ukraine, currently under discussion. Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhiat previously outlined to Harris that his priority is Ireland funding electronic warfare, including jamming equipment and UAVs (drones) and armoured personnel carriers. The government intends to hand over many of its aging Giraffe Mark IV radar air defence systems. Over the three years of war, Ireland has donated tonnes of ready-to-eat meals, 200 units of body armour, 30 military vehicles, mine flails and training to 730 troops in combat casualty care and demining. The nature of these items makes clear that the non-lethal label is meaningless, other than for the purposes of hoodwinking the Irish population. Spending on Irelands military has also been increasing annually, albeit from a very low starting point. In 2019, the defence sector cost 756 million, 0.21 percent of GDP. By 2022, 1.1 billion was spent and in July of last year the Irish government announced plans to increase this to 1.5 billion by 2028. Far greater increases are likely. A 2022 report from the Commission on Defence Forces set out three levels of ambition on arms spending, starting with the current position, level one, and escalating to enhanced capability at level two. Level three envisaged full spectrum defence capabilities to protect Ireland... comparable to similar sized countries in Europe. This would entail a substantial mechanised component of the Army offering state of the art force protection, communications, ISTAR [Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance] and firepower, a fleet of 12 ships, a squadron of 12 to 14 combat aircraft, transport helicopters, a cyber command and an Army Ranger Wing of special forces. Cost was estimated at 3 billion, or nearly three times the expenditure in 2022. Harris has repeatedly made clear his preference for the highest possible level of expenditure. Ireland, despite its official neutrality, has played a major role in all the imperialist bloodbaths of the last quarter century. The country joined NATOs Partnership for Peace programme in 1999 and the EUs PESCO military cooperation structure in 2017. Shannon Airport, located in the west of Ireland, has been used by the US military as a stopover for troop-carrying and CIA rendition flights to and from wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Since 2002, close to 3 million US troops have gone through the airport, 220,000 of them in the last three years. An unknown volume of military hardware and weaponry has stopped over at Shannon or transited Irish airspace. A recent debate on an Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill introduced into the Seanad by independent senators aimed at preventing arms flights to Israel drew out figures from the Department of Transport. 1,354 flights were authorised to carry weapons or munitions in 2024. This represented a 14 percent increase on the previous year and a 67 percent rise since 2016. Despite government denials, some of the equipment on these flights will certainly have been used to massacre Palestinian children. This is the context of a government bill, launched early March, to dispense with the triple lock on overseas peace keeping operations. The triple lock refers to the requirement, since 2001, that any deployment of more than 12 troops can only be despatched following an Irish government decision, a vote in the Dail (parliament) and with the backing of a United Nations (UN) mandate. The government is seeking to remove the UN requirement on an explicitly anti-Russian basis. We dont believe that Putin or other leaders should have a veto on whether our troops can be deployed, said Harris when introducing the legislation. The government is also seeking to increase the number of troops that can be deployed without a vote in the Dail to 50. An Open Letter and petition to the Taoiseach signed by groups such as Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, the International Peace Bureau and hundreds of academics opposing the change noted that 75 percent of the population support neutrality. The groups called for a referendum to incorporate neutrality into the Irish constitution and for global leaders to courageously face down warmongers and redouble their commitment to peace and neutrality, to genuine multilateralism, and to upholding the rule of law. Protecting the Triple Lock, the letter continued, would send a message to the Irish people and to the global community that Ireland intends to do precisely that. The appeal is misdirected. No illusions should be held in the ability of the Irish capitalist state, run in the interests of the venal Irish bourgeoisie, to function as a representative instrument of mass anti-war sentiment. As evidenced by its willingness to trample over the views of most of the population, the Irish political establishment will dispense with democracy should its essential interests demand it. The task of opposing genocide and war falls to the Irish and international working class, seeking to mobilise its independent social power against war and its origins in the outmoded capitalist nation state system. April 11 marks a century since the birth of Viola Gregg Liuzzo, the Detroit mother of five murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama in 1965 during the height of the civil rights movement. We are republishing an article from April 10, 2015, on 50 years since Liuzzos death, written by Helen Halyard. Helen, a longtime leader of the Trotskyist movement in the US, died in November 2023. This reposting is a tribute to both women. In 2004, following the release of the documentary about Viola Liuzzos life and death, Home of the Brave, directed by Paolo di Florio, the WSWS interviewed Mary Liuzzo Lilleboe, Violas daughter, as well as the director. In September 2004, the film was shown at the Detroit Film Theatre, with members of the Liuzzo family in attendance. In 2023, MSNBC interviewed Anthony Liuzzo Jr. about memories of his mother. * * * * * On the evening of March 25, 1965, Viola Liuzzo, the 39-year-old mother of five children, was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan following the march from Selma to Montgomery in support of voting rights and against Jim Crow segregation. Liuzzo, the wife of a Teamsters Union business agent, was a student at Wayne State University in Detroit. Viola Liuzzo The shooting death of Liuzzo took place on Route 80 in Lowndesboro, Alabama, as she and Leroy Moton, another civil rights worker, drove marchers back and forth from Montgomery to Selma following the rally. Members of the Ku Klux Klan, enraged by the success of the demonstration and determined to use racist violence to punish civil rights fighters, were lying in wait. About half way between Selma and Montgomery, a red-and-white Impala pulled alongside Liuzzos car and fired five shots. She was killed instantly, and the car skidded into the ditch. Moton, totally covered in Liuzzos blood, narrowly escaped by pretending to be dead as the Klansmen stopped to check on their handiwork. Gary Thomas Rowe, an FBI informant, was in the Impala when the shots were fired. Rowes knowledge of the murder and presence in the car meant that the FBI was complicit in this heinous killing. Reports of Liuzzos death on the televised evening news that day shocked many millions across the US and soon thereafter around the world. Viola Liuzzos life is chronicled in From Selma to SorrowThe Life and Death of Viola Liuzzo, by Mary Stanton. She was born Viola Fauver Gregg on April 11, 1925, and her life was typical of many workers from the Detroit area, including those who joined the struggle for civil rights. The Gregg family grew up in California, Pennsylvania, a small mining town on the Monongahela River, about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh and less than 50 miles from the West Virginia border. Violas father, Heber Gregg, lost his left hand in a mining explosion. The accident forced the family to move to Tennessee and then to Georgia, where they struggled to get by during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Greggs moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1942, where Heber looked for work at Fords new Willow Run Bomber Plant. This was just one year after a long and bitter struggle to establish the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the Ford Motor Company, the last of the big auto companies to be unionized. On June 20, 1941, a contract was signed with what was then known as the UAW-CIO. Despite the efforts of the company to keep workers divided along racial lines, black and white workers, recognizing that their enemy was the employer and not workers of a different skin color, came together in the bitter struggle to build the union at Ford. Liuzzo was raised to oppose racial segregation. Even as a young child, Stanton explains, She understood that as poor as the Gregg family was they could expect to enter the front door of a movie theater if they had the price of a ticket, while Black people, no matter how much money they had, were forced to enter by a side door and sit in the balcony called nigger heaven. Viola and her parents were deeply hostile to all manifestations of racial discrimination. In an interview after her death, Liuzzos mother said that her daughter was tender toward anyone in distress and explained that she had been concerned with human rights all her life. The mass civil rights movement of the 1960s was met by racist violence that claimed the lives of many. The many civil rights martyrs included the four young girls killed in the Birmingham church bombing in 1963; Mississippi NAACP activist Medgar Evers, also in 1963; and civil rights workers Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman, in 1964. The march from Selma to Montgomery in March 1965 was originally organized to protest the murder of Jimmie Lee Jackson, who was killed by Alabama State troopers. Jackson, a 26-year-old church deacon from Marion, Alabama, was murdered as he attempted to protect his mother from troopers nightsticks during an earlier demonstration. Jackson was so severely beaten by troopers on February 18, 1965, that he died eight days later in the hospital. No one was ever prosecuted for this brutal slaying. In the course of the protest against Jacksons murder, on March 7, 1965, some 600 marchers had gone six blocks before they were assailed on the Edmund Pettus Bridge by state and local police using billy clubs and tear gas. The marchers were forced to turn back to Selma. The day became known as Bloody Sunday because of the brute force and violence used against the peaceful protesters. Liuzzo was horrified as she watched the news that evening in Detroit. She viewed the attack on the demonstrators as an assault on the rights of all working people. Prior to the demonstration, she had been involved in a number of activities on the Wayne State University campus. Liuzzo had returned to school at age 36, and while at Wayne State had become active in civil rights and political activities. It was Bloody Sunday that convinced her to travel from Detroit to Selma. When a number of other Wayne State University students pulled out at the last moment, she continued on alone to Alabama. Viola Liuzzos determination to participate in the struggle reflected great changes taking place in the US in the 1960s. The struggle in Selma was part of a growth of militancy and political awareness that would find expression later in the decade in the fight against the Vietnam War as well as a massive strike wave involving many sections of the working class. The mass movement for civil rights came only a few decades after the explosive battles out of which the industrial unions were formed. The fight against Jim Crow segregation drew in white workers and youth as well as African Americans from the North and the South, as was evident in the 1963 March on Washington. Despite the semi-official character of this demonstration, held under the auspices of both the civil rights organizations and a section of the trade unions, the crowd of 250,000 in the nations capital was largely working class and multiracial in composition. It gathered under the slogan of Jobs and Freedom. Not only was Liuzzo murdered, but the FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover, covered up its own criminal role by launching a smear campaign against the civil rights activist. Within days of her death, material was leaked to the press by the FBI, in a vicious campaign that included false allegations that she had used drugs and that she had been intimate with civil rights worker Leroy Moton, the young black man who was with her when she died. Following Liuzzos murder, there were media and official charges that she was irresponsible for leaving her children and husband behind to make the trip to the south. As one of her daughters, Mary Liuzzo Lilleboe, recently told the Detroit News, I think all of us would say that our lives have been really rich, weve gotten a lot by being our mothers children. One of the most damaging things that people said to us was that our mother didnt love us, or she wouldnt have gone down there. But the love I have received from people because I am my mothers daughter, thats helped, because it was absolutely the way I experienced my mothers love. No one was ever convicted for the murder of Viola Liuzzo. The first trial of the three KKK killers fingered by FBI informant Rowe ended in a hung jury, the second in an acquittal. The three Klansmen were finally convicted in a third trial on charges of violating Liuzzos civil rights, with each sentenced to 10 years in prison. After learning about the role of the FBI, in particular its informant Gary Rowe, the Liuzzo family filed a lawsuit against the government to uncover the truth about her murder. A ruling in May 1983 ended with a judge dismissing the plaintiffs claims, ruling that Rowe did not kill, nor did he do or say things causing others to kill. He was there to provide information, and his failure to take steps to stop the planned violence by uncovering himself and aborting his mission cannot place liability on the government. Adding insult to injury, the court outrageously ordered the Liuzzo family to pay court costs of $79,800, in addition to legal fees that amounted to more than $60,000. This was appealed and eventually reduced to a smaller amount. The unions helped to organize her funeral, at which the Rev. Martin Luther King was among the speakers. Beyond this, however, the official trade union leadership did virtually nothing to defend Liuzzos reputation and nothing to carry forward her example. Both the middle class civil rights leadership and the unions remained tied to the big-business Democratic Party, whose Southern wing used violence and every other form of resistance to uphold Jim Crow. The unions had by this time become thoroughly integrated in the capitalist political set-up, and were among the most right-wing backers of imperialist foreign policy and the Cold War confrontation with the Soviet Union. The virtual abstention of the mass trade unions helped to keep black and white workers apart as the civil rights movement deepened. The leadership of the Southern fight was left predominantly in the hands of the African American clergy and the more conservative organizations of the middle class. This was to prove a fatal flaw of the civil rights struggle in the years immediately ahead. The mass movement against Jim Crow increasingly revealed the underlying contradictions of capitalism that threw millions of workers on the unemployment lines and into poverty. This pointed to the need for a united movement of the working class for socialism as part of an international movement against capitalist exploitation, dictatorship and war. Today, 50 years after Liuzzos death, the attacks on democratic rights, including police killings, the stirring up of racism and the attacks on voting rights, are more than ever the symptoms of a crisis-ridden profit system and pose the fundamental class issues above all. Viola Liuzzo represented the best elements of the working class, and a new generation must take forward her fight for social equality. Following US president Donald Trumps February announcement of the America First Investment Policy, designating China as a foreign adversary posing a threat to US national security, President Lai Ching-te of the Republic of China (ROC), elsewhere referred to as Taiwan, immediately followed suit, naming China a foreign hostile force on March 13. Lai outlined 17 actions to ensure Taiwans national security. Most measures have already been implemented for years. Three of these measures have recently been instituted with far-reaching implications for Taiwan, China and the world. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, October 10, 2024 [AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying] The first is the reinstatement of a military trial for those serving on active duty during peacetime or war. This implies that youth and military-aged men may be (re)conscripted into the army. Deserters would be sentenced to death. Second, Chinese citizens who advocate Taiwans unification with China would be barred from entering Taiwan. The overwhelming majority of Chinese people support the islands eventual reunification with China. The implication is that future cultural and academic exchange would be difficult, if not impossible. Moreover, Chinese residents in Taiwan must renounce their Chinese household registration and passports before seeking permanent residency in Taiwan. National reunification is enshrined in the Constitution of the ROC, which designates both Taiwan and the mainland as its territories. The ROC relates to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) as a political entity, not as a foreign country. The requirement to renounce Chinese citizenship and the prohibition on pro-unification speeches imply that the government led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has turned the constitution into a dead letter in the absence of a formal proclamation of Taiwanese independence. The Trump administration has not criticized these 17 measures, indicating that Washington gave its assent to the move. President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, from left, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listen during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo] One example illustrates how the newly announced policies are implemented. In March, Taiwans Ministry of the Interior ordered Zhenya Liu, a Chinese mother, to voluntarily leave the country by March 25 or face deportation. The demand was made on the pseudo-legal grounds that her social media posts in support of unification posed a threat to national security and social stability and thus did not constitute free speech. Liu married a Taiwanese man and raised her three children in Taiwan. She has never committed a crime or been charged with one. Her appeal was swiftly dismissed by Taipei High Administrative Court, which gave no consideration to family reunion. Far-right social media operatives have fomented viral doxing campaigns and put death curses on her children. Since March, three Chinese women, including Liu, have been forced to leave or been deported. All leave their children in Taiwan and are barred from entering for the next five years. There are around 380,000 Chinese married to Taiwanese. Those Chinese residents who refuse to toe the official line and to see China as a foreign hostile force would face the same fate. In early April, Taiwans National Immigration Agency issued a notification to over 10,000 Chinese residents, instructing them to submit legal documentation attesting to their renunciation of Chinese household registration within a period of three months. Failure to comply would result in the revocation of their household registration in Taiwan. The request was made in accordance with the 2004 amendment to the ordinance governing relations between people of Taiwan and the mainland. The amended articles were interpreted and enacted differently back then. The recent development has the potential to nullify the ROC citizenship status and household registration of Chinese spouses in Taiwan. Chinese residents live in fear of being deported. A few have spoken to the press only on condition of anonymity. In response to widespread panic, the agency proclaimed on April 10 that those Chinese spouses who abide by laws and identify themselves with the ROC had nothing to fear At the end of March, a group of professors, who are either social democrats or Stalinists, initiated an online petition that implicitly likened what happened in Taiwan to the rise of Hitler and warned of the danger of a looming dictatorship. The petition has rightly stated that these illegal and unconstitutional measures are intended to both target Chinese citizens and suppress political dissent at home. Their argument goes like this: Following the lifting of martial law in the ROC, Taiwan and China have enjoyed a peace dividend and benefited from bilateral trade. In 2015, President Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang (KMT) government and PRC President Xi Jinping met in Singapore. This summit, the first since the end of the civil war in 1949, provided a unique opportunity to strengthen cross-strait relations. Such a development, however, is detrimental to the interests of the DPP, which is the most blatant saboteur of the rule of law and a threat to Taiwans security. The DPP government has propagated the slogan Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow in support of the US and NATO-backed war since February 2022. The DPP government is oblivious to the fact that a new phase of US strategy is marked by Trumps shift in Ukraine policy and a reconfiguration of the global political-economic order. This raises concerns that Taiwan would be treated far worse than Ukraine. The US military presence in East Asia is unlikely to successfully defend Taiwan, and the cost of conflicts with China is prohibitively expensive. Therefore, the US is more or less prepared to forsake Taiwan, and to remove it from the first island chain. To avoid a war with China, the DPP must renounce its confrontational approach to China. By doing so, Taiwan can play an important role in deescalating cross-strait tensions and contributing to world peace. No turning back the clock of history This petition expresses a strong desire for peace and an anti-war sentiment among scholars. However, the idea that an agreement between the Chinese and Taiwanese ruling elites can bring about peace is wishful thinking. It is a norm that both KMT and DPP candidates for president must gain approval from the US imperialist bourgeoisie. There are no exceptions. The rival factions of the ruling class have been jostling for favour from the US and are only answerable to US imperialism. Prior to the 2012 presidential election in Taiwan, former Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (the de facto US embassy) Douglas Paal publicly endorsed KMT Presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeous China policy, saying it is beneficial for American interests. Thats first and foremost in our minds. Douglas Paal [Photo: Chen-fang Tina Chung, Voice of America] He slammed DPP presidential contender Tsai Ing-wen, claiming that her stance on China would heighten US-China tensions in the upcoming US presidential election and Chinas leadership succession. To put it bluntly, the KMT regime got the dignified status as an ally and made peace with China with US approval. In 2015, the KMT government under Ma was an attack dog on a leash. The US simply would not accept the decline of the American economy relative to its Chinese arch-rival. Had the KMT won presidential elections, the US would have pitted it against China. The KMT is no alternative to the ruling DPP. It is another road to ruin, namely an all-out war between China and the US. Furthermore, the term a reconfiguration of the global order implicitly refers to the rapid rise of fascism in the US and Europe, as well as European rearmament, without identifying them. The Trump dictatorship has imposed a reign of terror on college campuses across the US, kidnapping and detaining anti-genocide students. Its Catch and Revoke, an AI-powered surveillance program, is deployed to track social media posts made by international students, revoke visas and deport them. Attacks on refugees, migrant workers, students and permanent residents, as well as bans on any form of political dissent, are a global trend fuelled by far-right parties and backed by bourgeois states. It is an assault on the international working class as a whole. Following Trumps meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the European powers are concerned that Trumps America First policy will cut them off from the spoils of the US-NATO war, and they are prepared to secure their fair share through military means, including direct confrontations with Russia and US imperialism. President Emmanuel Macron has proposed increasing Frances annual military spending to five percent of GDP. According to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, he is prepared to put boots on the ground, planes in the air in Ukraine alongside France. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen unveiled an 800 billion defense package in March. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (centre) sits with French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) as he hosts a European Leaders Summit at Lancaster House, March 2, 2025 [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street/Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 In short, European powers have responded to US imperialism by arming and rearming at the expense of the international working class. Toiling masses around the world have been edged closer to confrontations between nuclear-armed powers. The rapid lurch to the far right by the DPP government is no exception, and it is inextricably linked to the ever-deepening crisis of world capitalism, particularly in the US. The petition does not address the fundamental issues behind the deportation of Chinese residents, the intensification of the US drive to war against China and the necessary defense of social and democratic rights of the working class. Rather, it pacifies already existing popular opposition to war and corrals this behind another faction of the Taiwanese bourgeoisie. There is no doubt that the DPP regime is made up of deranged fanatics, seeking to enforce US global hegemony. But to see why the KMT is no lesser evil compared to the DPP, and why the task of a democratic and lasting peace cannot be entrusted to the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), we must examine the following questions. How did the DPP rise as the opposition in the late 1980s? What role did the KMT and US imperialism play in this development? What do social democrats and Stalinists mean when they say peace? The DPP as a splinter group of the KMT Former DPP Chair Nori Shih (May 1994March 1996) stressed the political relevance of the Kaohsiung Incident to the first two questions. He was imprisoned on insurrection charges in 1962. The far-right KMT regime then extracted all his teeth through torture. At the age of 22, it was only part of his ordeal. The Kaohsiung Incident was a crackdown on a pro-democracy demonstration in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on 10 December 1979 during the martial law period (1949-1987). Nori Shih in 2014 [Photo: ] In 1979, Shih, then general manager of the monthly publication Formosa Magazine, and his colleagues organized a demonstration demanding an end to martial law and to the ban on political parties. KMT thugs attacked peaceful demonstrators. The organizers were branded as mobs and subsequently arrested, indicted, and court-martialed. Following the Kaohsiung Incident, Shih was sentenced to life imprisonment in the subsequent military trial. According to him, 15 defense attorneys, who had no prior involvement in underground democratic activities or dissident circles, appeared out of nowhere and offered to serve as defense counsels. Furthermore, None of them defended the democratic campaign during the military trial. They merely requested leniency just like criminal defense attorneys did. As a result, rather than functioning as a genuine defense team, they dutifully participated in a sham trial to conceal the crimes perpetrated by the KMT dictatorship, Shih noted. According to newspaper archives from KMT mouthpieces, it was the accused who intransigently and unapologetically upheld their democratic principles. They pleaded not guilty. Participation in defense counsels, however, served to provide these lawyers with democratic credentials during Taiwans supposed transition to democracy. Noticeably, virtually all leading members of the DPP (established in 1986) were involved in the Kaohsiung Incident, either as the accused or as defense lawyers. Under DPP rule, these attorneys have held positions of high authority in the state. Chen Shui-bian, a defense attorney in the Kaohsiung Incident, was elected President of the ROC in 2000 and 2004. Former President of the ROC and KMT Chair (1988-2000) Lee Teng-hui and Chen were known for their father-and-son relations. In 1986, a year before martial law was lifted by the KMT, the DPP had its founding meeting and first public gathering at the Grand Hotel, Taipei, the same venue designated by the far-right regime for hosting foreign heads of state, diplomats, and cronies of the KMT. According to Shih, Chiang Peng-chien, a founding member of the DPP, its first chair, and a defense lawyer in the Kaohsiung Incident, admitted to him in 1999 that he had previously acted as a KMT agent to spy on Shihs elder brother. An episode during a presidential election exemplifies the intramural scrimmage between two sides of the same team. In 2008, DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh accused KMT presidential contender Ma Ying-jeou, who held a green card, of being disloyal to Taiwan and its people. Ma worked as a KMT agent between 1974 and 1981 while obtaining a masters degree at New York University and later a doctorate at Harvard University. Not only did he spy on Taiwanese students abroad, but he also served as the Chief and Managing Editor of Free Chinese Monthly, an English-language publication run by the KMT, using a variety of pseudonyms. The magazine criticized the Peoples Republic of China, the left and Taiwan independence from the far right. Ma took great pride in authoring the piece, Myth and Reality of the Kaohsiung Riot, which was widely distributed in the US Congress. Hsieh is no better. He was a defense lawyer in the Kaohsiung Incident and subsequently served as DPP chair and premier under President Chen Shui-bian. Ma accused Hsieh of being a KMT agent. Successive governments of Taiwan could easily dispel the accusations made by Shih and Ma by declassifying dossiers on undercover agents and the chain of command of the police state. These files, however, remain closed, a situation benefitting rival factions of the Taiwanese ruling elite. The KMT ascribed the end of martial law to president of the ROC Chiang Ching-kuos benevolence and reform. The DPP counterposed itself to the far-right KMT while leaving untouched the role played by US imperialism in sustaining the four-decade far-right dictatorship and facilitating the creation of the DPP. The DPP as a mirror image of the KMT The DPPs prohibitions on pro-unification remarks are analogous to the criminalization of Taiwan independence speeches by the KMT in the 1980s. Both displayed contempt for democratic rights. In 1989, Cheng Nam-yung, founder of Freedom Era, a news magazine, was subpoenaed by the court on charges of rebellion for advocating Taiwan independence. To avoid arrest, he locked himself inside the magazines office. Cheng, a left-leaning intellectual, harboured no hostility toward the toiling masses of China. The term independence denoted political independence from and opposition to the barbaric KMT dictatorship, which claimed to be the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. It was this illegitimate China and its gangsters to which Cheng stood up against. He had virtually no knowledge of the mainland and its people. [1] Cheng Nan-jung, 1980s [Photo: Unknown] He explained that what he did was an expression of free speech guaranteed by the Constitution of the ROC and insisted on fighting for 100 percent free speech. On the early morning of April 7, 1989, police chief Hou Yu-ih, ruled out negotiations with Cheng, then ordered and oversaw a violent raid on his office. Cheng immolated himself in protest at state repression. He vowed, with his last breath, The KMT cannot arrest me; they can only seize my corpse. After the DPP took power, it turned Cheng, a principled man, into a martyr battling for Taiwans independence from the PRC. The falsification of history doesnt stop here. Hou Yu-ih was promoted to Head of the National Police Agency by President Chen Shui-bian (the DPP) and appointed as Chancellor of the Central Police University by President Ma Ying-jeou (the KMT). The conflict between rival factions of the Taiwanese bourgeoisie flared up again when Hou stood for election as KMT mayoral candidate of New Taipei. In 2018, Chang Tien-chin, deputy chair of the Transitional Justice Commission, was caught on audio bragging about the role played by the commission as the Eastern bureau, a secret police and spy organ operated by eunuchs during the Ming dynasty to criminalize and eradicate opponents in the service of power. The deputy chair added, It would be a pity if we do not manipulate public opinion against Hou for his prior position as a police chief. The commission was an independent agency set up by the DPP government under President Tsai Ing-wen. Lee Teng-hui, who had previously propped up the DPP and Chen Shui-bian, was well-known for his father-and-daughter bond with Tsai. The commission was a charade, designed to give the DPP a veneer of transitional justice and human rights-sounding terminology after it had been nourished, trained, and raised to be the dominant section of the ruling class under the direction of US imperialism. The political fraud of transitioning to democracy served as an instrument of US imperialism, just as the KMT dictatorship did. Both served to entrench US domination over the island and East Asia. Both factions are irreconcilably hostile to the working class at home and internationally. Hou was KMT presidential candidate in 2024. His elevation to Head of the National Police Agency and then presidential candidate speaks to the fact that representatives of the KMT and the DPP are comrades in all but name. Whats in a name? That which we call peace It is worth exploring why social democrats and Stalinists see Ma Ying-jeou as a peace maker. The word peace denotes no Chinese invasion of Taiwan. By this definition, Taiwan contributes to regional peace and stability by enhancing its standing as a legitimate state. Supporting US imperialism is tantamount to promoting stability and world peace. By the same token, the DPP, the most blatant saboteur of the rule of law and a threat to Taiwans security, must embrace peace by entering into dialogue with China. There is no contradiction between supporting imperialist barbarism and making peace. For example, Ma Ying-jeou (KMT) and Tsai Ing-wen (DPP) awarded former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon in 2011 and 2022, respectively. Both the KMT and the DPP have enthused over the Gaza genocide and criminal onslaughts against the toiling masses of Lebanon, Yemen and Syria. Their differences over Ukraine and China are purely tactical. Similar to Ma, concerns expressed by professors for peace about US hands off Taiwan, or its removal from the first island chain, exemplify their support for US imperialism as the ultimate guarantor of Taiwans security. It is at best naive to argue that one can support US imperialism while simultaneously opposing Taiwanese nationalism and the US war drive against China. The fragile peace that the KMT and the CCP had previously made has long gone. The world is now dominated by US and European war plans aimed at China and Russia. The Stalinist regime has no progressive answers to endless US military provocations, economic warfare and the Taiwanese bourgeoisies warmongering fuelled by the US. The only answer the regime has is to conduct repeated large-scale military drills surrounding Taiwan. The necessary socialist response As US imperialism has unleashed its attack dogs at home and abroad in response to deepening social crises, the scapegoating of Chinese residents and labelling Chinese people as dangerous aliens by the DPP regime must be seen as a frontal assault on the international working class as a whole and a component of the fascist America First project. It must be met with a working class response. A century ago, Lenin posed the critical question: what means other than war could there be under capitalism to overcome the disparity between the development of productive forces and the accumulation of capital on the one side, and the division of colonies and spheres of influence for finance capital on the other? He urged the international working class to overthrow capitalism, the main cause of war, class exploitation, and national oppression, and join the fight for socialism. His insights are more pertinent than ever. Lenin at his desk, 1918 Social and democratic rights for some are rights for none. The fight for these rights and against oligarchy, fascism and war cannot be waged within the confines of national boundaries. Nor can this fight be entrusted to any faction of the bourgeoisie, be it the KMT, the Stalinist CCP, or the Democratic Party. Whatever tactical differences they may have, these reactionary forces share a visceral hatred of the international working class and of socialism. They all see waging a class war at home and abroad as the only way out of the deepening social and economic catastrophe under capitalism. The fight against oligarchy, fascism and war and for the unity of the international working class is a revolutionary task of our time. Our fight must be guided by a clear and conscious political program, mobilized politically and industrially, and coordinated on an international scale. The WSWS writes: Socialism cannot be achieved except through the development of the class struggle. The revolution that will lay the political basis for socialism is prepared in the course of countless struggles by the working class, in the US and internationally, to advance its interests and defend its rights. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committee (IWA-RFC) works to develop independent, democratic and militant rank-and-file organizations of workers in factories, schools and workplaces on an international scale. The IWA-RFC serves as the coordinating nerve center for global opposition to the dictates of the capitalist oligarchy. But the essential task facing advanced workers, the younger generation above all, is to dedicate themselves to the construction of the International Committee of the Fourth International as the world party of socialist revolution. Real peace can never be achieved under capitalism. Capitalist powers are going to war and try to hoodwink us into annihilating our class sisters and brothers under the fraudulent pretext of national interests and national security. We urge workers around the world to join the fight for socialism, that is real peace among toiling masses of all nations, by building the revolutionary leadership needed to stop oligarchy, fascism and war. [1] Following its defeat in the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-sheks regime retreated to Taiwan with approximately two million mainlanders, a term that refers to civilians and troops moved to Taiwan with the KMTs authority. Among them were many poor workers and peasants who were drafted into the KMT Army. The KMT regime subsequently imposed martial law between 1949 and 1987. During this period, any correspondence between mainlanders, their parents and siblings in China was considered treason, punishable by death. Officials from the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) responded to widespread participation in the first statewide strike by New South Wales (NSW) public hospital doctors in decades, by pledging to suppress any further industrial action. A section of the mass protest of striking doctors at Ministry of Health in north Sydney, April 8, 2025 From Tuesday to Thursday, the doctors walked out and held large rallies in Sydney and elsewhere in the state. In a long-running dispute, they are opposing a pay rise offer of just 10.5 percent over three years from the state Labor government of Premier Chris Minns. The doctors are paid on average 30 percent less than their colleagues elsewhere in the country. As with public sector health workers nationwide, they are on the frontlines of a breakdown of the public hospitals, characterised by bed shortages, major wait times for patients, understaffing and overwork. ASMOF never intended for the strike to go ahead in the first place. Behind the backs of doctors, it entered into late night meetings with the Minns government on Monday night. ASMOF officials, having publicly expressed support for a 30 percent wage rise, offered to cancel the strike in return for an interim pay rise of 10 percent. The stoppage only proceeded because the Minns government is determined to inflict a defeat on the doctors, as a precedent for attacks on any section of public sector workers that takes up a struggle against a wage cap of around 3 percent per annum, amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. With nothing having changed in terms of the government intransigence, ASMOF on Friday signalled again that it too is determined to impose such a defeat. The ASMOF officials pledged to suspend all industrial action for three months, in a show of good faith to a government that has threatened doctors who took part in the strike with disciplinary action. ASMOF extended the strike ban to public sector psychiatrists, who have been locked in a similar pay dispute. Earlier this year, the union orchestrated a mass resignation stunt, falsely claiming the threat of such an action alone would force concessions from the Minns government. When that failed, ASMOF left psychiatrists to their own devices, either to resign as individuals, or remain with inadequate pay and conditions. At the same time, ASMOF is promoting the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC), as an independent umpire, that will hopefully address the pay demands of health workers. In reality, the IRC is an arm of the state, dedicated to enforcing the austerity agenda of the government and big business. The NSW Labor government is moving rapidly to capitalise on ASMOFs shutdown of the doctors action. It is calling for the IRC to arbitrate the doctors dispute at hearings beginning on Monday. Such an arbitrated outcome would inevitably be within the framework of the government pay cap, or thereabouts. The rapidity of ASMOFs betrayal of the strike demonstrates the urgent need for doctors to take matters into their own hands. That means forming rank-and-file committees, controlled by doctors themselves, to develop the widest democratic discussion, and to plan a genuine campaign of political and industrial action. Such action must involve a unified struggle with the psychiatrists, nurses, midwives and other health workers, all of whom are being kept separate by the unions. Above all, this is a political fight. ASMOF has aided not only the state Labor administration, but also the federal Labor government and the Liberal-National opposition. Amid a crisis federal election, the last thing these parties of big business want is a movement of the working class against the austerity agenda that will be deepened federally, whichever party takes office. In opposition to the pro-capitalist program of ASMOF and the corporatised bureaucrats who control it, a socialist perspective is needed, aimed at ending the subordination of public health, education and other essential social services to the dictates of the billionaires and the banks. During the strike, WSWS reporters spoke to a number of participating doctors. A junior doctor who joined the demonstration at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle said, Were watching NSW haemorrhage junior doctors and registrars to all the other states because the conditions and pay are just way better. This isnt all about pay, its really a rostering and safe-work hours dispute and is aimed at trying to retain staff. Doctors on strike outside John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, April 9, 2025 Pointing to the intense workload pressures, she said, I saw a lot of my doctors crying during our term because we just didnt have the energy to provide the care that we wanted to. Were feeling burnt out and overwhelmed and sometimes, when a nurse asks us a question, we snap. And this pressure extends into your personal life. My relationship with my partner suffered, my faith suffered and I gained a stack of weight because I was so tired and couldnt exercise, she said. Another doctor explained that the loss of staff specialists was undermining the public health system and opening the way for increased privatisation. If specialists move to other states, we wont have a properly trained system here. Well be looking at getting doctors from elsewhere, overseas potentially, but that takes time. In the meantime, the system will become unworkable, he said. Lots of non-clinical work is done in the public health system, to innovate, to make things better and teach people. This doesnt happen in the private sector because theres no money in it. If we want to make healthcare better for everybody in the future, we need to fund these things. A psychiatrist who joined the striking doctors at St George Hospital condemned the worsening conditions. We are being asked in this state to deliver considerably less than the best practice care in public hospital psychiatry, she said. No one asks a heart specialist to give lesser care. This is creating a real moral injury for staff. Its going against all our values. Another psychiatrist who joined the Liverpool Hospital protest said, Were at the end of the road and no one in the government is listening. Were the lowest paying state in the country and theres no support for ongoing education. She explained how inadequate staffing levels impacted on trainee psychiatrists. I didnt get the proper weekly supervision but its a requirement to get one-hour supervision. Ive had three different supervisors in the last two weeks. In NSW the psychiatry registrar after hours is based in the emergency department and so when youre on a night shift you often have nine patients waiting to be seen by you. And if the nurse is sick, you are on your own. One medical director took over psychiatric patients and was supervising 20 patientsthe cap is usually about 10which she did for about four weeks and was also doing medical directives, she said. Doctors demonstrating at Ministry of Health offices in north Sydney, April 8, 2025 A doctor from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital who joined the ministry of health protest on Tuesday said: Weve put up with this for far too long, but now were finally standing up. It takes a lot for doctors to strike but were exhausted. Some of us are even beyond burn out. You tell yourself youll get a day off and try to recover and then youll be ok, but some people are doing this for years on end and it has real health consequences for you and your patients. The letters we got threatening to report us to AHPRA [the medical regulator], she continued, left me feeling sick with rage. How angry does this government want us to be? The public just isnt aware of what we are dealing with so our decision to strike is really a call for help. A specialist obstetrician from the Childrens Hospital at Westmead also joined the ministry of health protest. The conditions we face dont allow us to provide proper standards of multidisciplinary care for the children with specific complex problems, she said. As specialists there are no defined conditions of work when youre on call. We can come in weekends and nights, which we are not paid for. It all just comes out of our existing total salaries. This is not an acceptable way to run a health service. The narrative presented by the health minister is all about wages, but we are here today because the entire service is crumbling. This is a much deeper and profound problem, which the government wants to ignore. Another specialist obstetrician from the same hospital denounced the threats to report strikers to AHPRA. A lot of us are here because of these bullying letters, she said. The governments hostile attitude towards us shows their attitude towards the public and public health. If this is what the government thinks, then public health is in deep trouble, she added. Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. An ATACMS missile being launched from an M270 MLRS. Amid the campaigning underway for the May 3 federal election, the entire Australian political and media establishment has nothing to say about revelations in the New York Times (NYT) that the US and NATO are directly and intimately involved in waging war against Russia in Ukraine. Labor, the Coalition and the Greens all support the criminal US-led war and knowingly propagate the lies used to justify it. The NYT article of March 31, headlined, The Partnership: The Secret History of the War in Ukraine, lifted the lid on the US and NATO involvement, not only in arming Ukraine and training its troops in the war against Russia, but in planning and conducting operations at every level. The World Socialist Web Site, which has systematically exposed US deceit about the war in Ukraine, explained that the NYT article was an admission that the United States waged, and is waging, an undeclared, unauthorized and illegal war against Russia. It makes clear that American officers, some deployed inside Ukraine, have been selecting targets for attack and authorizing individual strikes, making them, for all intents and purposes, combatants. As the NYT article stated: Each morning, U.S. and Ukrainian military officers set targeting prioritiesRussian units, pieces of equipment or infrastructure. American and coalition intelligence officers searched satellite imagery, radio emissions and intercepted communications to find Russian positions. Task Force Dragon then gave the Ukrainians the coordinates so they could shoot at them. Moreover, despite repeated US declarations to the contrary, an undisclosed number of active-duty US troops were deployed inside Ukraine. Time and again, the Biden administration authorized clandestine operations it had previously prohibited. American military advisers were dispatched to Kyiv and later allowed to travel closer to the fighting, the Times reported. And the British military had placed small teams of officers in the country after the invasion. In other words, from the outset, the conflict in the Ukraine was not a war of self-defence or a proxy war. Having deliberately provoked the Russian invasion in 2022, the US and its allies have been and are waging an imperialist war with the aim of subjugating Russia and seizing its vast natural resources in preparation for war against Chinaregarded as the chief threat to American global hegemony. In publishing the article, the New York Times did not bother to explain the obvious contradiction between what it revealed and the newspapers role as a conduit for Washingtons shameless propaganda. The corporate media in the US and internationally, including in Australia, has maintained a universal guilty silence on the NYT revelations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his senior cabinet ministers were undoubtedly fully briefed about the extent of US military involvement as the Labor government provided military trainers and more than $1.5 billion in aid, mostly offensive weaponry. Three Royal Australian Air Force FA-18 Hornets in flight at Red Flag in 2012. [Photo: US Air Force Senior Airman Brett Clashman] Likewise, Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who was defence minister in the Liberal-National Coalition government when the Ukraine war erupted in February 2022, was and is no doubt also well aware of the US war planning. The silence on the NYT article extends to the Greens who have given their full-throated support to the US-led war in Ukraine, along with the coterie of pseudo-left groups, such as Socialist Alternative and Socialist Alliance, which have backed the fascistic Ukrainian regime and the war against Russia. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) is the only party in the Australian election campaign that is warning that the war in Ukraine, along with US-backed Israeli genocide in the Middle East and advanced US preparations for war against China, are all part of a rapid and dangerous descent into world war. While there was nothing progressive about the 2022 Russian invasion carried out in the interests of Russian capitalism and its oligarchs, it was not unprovoked. It followed decades of NATO encroachment into Eastern Europe and a US-backed 2014 coup in Ukraine that ousted the democratically elected, Russian-aligned government of Viktor Yanukovych. The NYT article also brings into sharper focus the escalating US-led war drive against China. The criminal modus operandi of US imperialism in Asia is remarkably similar to the prelude to its war in Europe. Taiwan is being cast in the role of Ukraine and very deliberate efforts are being made by the US to goad China into invading the island. Just as the US-NATO tore up its promise in the 1990s not to extend NATO into Eastern Europe, so Washington has all but dispensed with the One China policy that has formed the basis for US-China relations since 1979. The One China policy acknowledges that Beijing is the legitimate government of all China including Taiwan. Increasingly Washington has been treating Taiwan as an independent country, knowing full well that China has repeatedly warned it would react forcefully to any formal declaration of independence. Washington has been boosting contact between US and Taiwanese officials and the frequency of US warships provocatively passing through the narrow Taiwan Strait between the island and the Chinese mainland. According to the Council on Foreign Relations in the US, after Saudi Arabia, Israel and Japan, Taiwan has been the fourth largest purchaser of American arms between 1950 and 2022, much of it in recent years. The weaponry is increasingly offensive in character. Drawing on lessons from the Ukraine war, the Pentagon has also been pressing Taiwan to adopt a porcupine strategy to turn the island into the potential scene of a military quagmire for the Chinese military, which would debilitate it and weaken the Chinese regime. In February 2022, Newsweek reported that US special forces were already permanently deployed on the ground in Taiwan as trainers, including significantly on Kinmen, a group of fortified Taiwanese-controlled islands just a few kilometres from the Chinese mainland. Taiwan is just one focus of a massive US military build-up throughout the Indo-Pacific that has taken place over more than a decade. Military alliances have been strengthened and extended, US military bases in Japan, South Korea and Guam have been restructured and hardened against attack, and joint war games throughout the region have intensified. Just as Labor and the Coalition have backed the US-led wars in Europe and the Middle East to the hilt, so successive governments have transformed northern Australia into a giant platform for a US war against China, while completing the integration of the Australian military into the US war machine. Both are committed to spending hundreds of billions of dollars on nuclear submarines under the AUKUS pact, as well as long range missiles and other weaponry. Amid the immense economic crisis of US capitalism, Trump has already signalled that the prime target in his economic war on the world is China. In the 1930s, trade war led to a world war in which millions were killed. A global conflict today between the major powers armed with nuclear weapons will lead to an immeasurably greater catastrophe for humanity. Those who still hope that calmer heads will prevail should consider the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian lives that have been squandered in pursuit of US imperialisms war aims in Europe. Or the tens of thousands of Palestiniansmen, women and children; aid workers, doctors, journalists and countless unarmed civiliansslaughtered by Israeli forces, armed and supported by the US and its allies, including Australia. The wars underway and the plunge towards a global conflict can only be halted by the international working class united on a socialist program to abolish the root cause of warcapitalism and its reactionary division of the world into rival nation states. The SEP and its sister parties of the International Committee of the Fourth International fight for that revolutionary perspective. Support our election campaign! Vote for our candidates! Join and build our party! Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 marks a significant shift in the economic and strategic relations between the two South Asian countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake [Photo: X/Anura Kumara Dissanayake] President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured Modi of his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) governments full cooperation with New Delhi, a key strategic partner of the US as it ramps up its economic and military confrontation with China. Modi is the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka since Dissanayake assumed office in September. In December, the Sri Lankan president made New Delhi the destination of his first foreign trip. The right-wing Hindu chauvinist Modi was given a grand welcome in Sri Lanka. He received red-carpet treatment with a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial guard of honour by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces at the Independence Square. Dissanayake conferred the Mithra Vibhushan on Modi, Sri Lankas highest civilian honor for foreign dignitaries. The top-level Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Seven main agreements were signed to strengthen ties in defense, energy, digital infrastructure, health, and trade. Other Memoranda of Understanding focused on Indian assistance for the islands digital transformation, funds for the development of Sri Lankas Eastern Province and collaboration on health. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has been mired in anti-Indian chauvinism since its establishment in 1966. Its documents branded the hundreds of thousands of Tamil-speaking plantation workers as agents of Indian expansionism. In the 1980s, JVP backed the Colombo governments communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to the hilt. It denounced the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord that introduced Indian peacekeeping troops into the islands North to disarm the LTTE as a betrayal that divided the nation and waged a fascistic campaign against it, killing political opponents, workers and youth who defied its orders. During the last three decades, the JVP has evolved as a party of the bourgeois establishment amid significant international changesglobalization and the dissolution of Soviet Union. It has developed close relations with the US and other imperialist powers. The JVP/NPP came to power last year pledging big business and international capital to implement the International Monetary Funds (IMF) savage austerity program. Speaking in the welcoming ceremony, Dissanayake applauded Indias rise as a world power, not just a regional power. I have reiterated our position to Prime Minister Modi that Sri Lankan territory will not be allowed to be used by anyone to undermine Indias security, he stated. Modi responded enthusiastically, declaring: We believe that our security interests are aligned Our security is interdependent and interconnected. He thanked Dissanayake for his sensitivity towards Indias national interests. Dissanayake is continuing the foreign policy of his predecessor, the discredited US lackey Ranil Wickremesinghe, who visited India in July 2023 and signed a Joint Vision agreement, strengthening economic and strategic ties. In a significant move, Modi and Dissanayake finalized a defense cooperation pact aimed at enhancing maritime security and counterterrorism efforts. The agreement, which is aimed at blocking Chinas influence in the Indian Ocean, includes joint exercises, intelligence sharing, training, capacity-building initiatives and high-level exchanges. The five-year defense cooperation deal can be extended for another three years. The agreement was signed on Saturday after high-level discussions between Modi and Dissanayake. It is the first formal defence pact between the two countries and goes far further than the 1987 Accord. Both countries agreed to work together on the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) and security cooperation in the Indian Ocean. The CSC was launched in August 2024, during the visit of Indian Security Advisor Ajit Doval to Colombo. Signatories to the agreement are India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the Maldives. Another key agreement involves the building of a 285-km, high-voltage connection between New Madurai in southern India and Mannar in Sri Lanka, which will facilitate trading in power. The link includes 50 km of submarine cables under the Palk Strait and is due to be completed by 2030 at a cost of $US340430 million. New Delhi and Colombo agreed to further enhance energy cooperation. The Sampur Solar Power Project, a joint venture between Indias National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Sri Lankas Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), was inaugurated by Modi and Dissanayake. India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE signed another agreement to develop an energy hub in Trincomalee, a strategic port city in eastern Sri Lanka. The project includes constructing a multi-product pipeline and may use a World War II-era oil tank farm, partly operated by Indian Oil Corporation. Originally constructed by the British in the early 20th century for strategic purposes, the oil farm sits adjacent to the Trincomalee portthe worlds second-deepest natural harbour and regarded as an important geo-strategic asset. The deal will enhance the Indian presence in Trincomalee and the surrounding area, which is to be developed as an industrial hub with port and logistical facilities. Other port facilities will be constructed at Kankasanthurai in the north. Modi, who is well aware of the deep economic crisis facing the Dissanayake government, made several token gestures with the aim of building relations with the Colombo political establishment. He announced the conversion of more than $100 million in Sri Lankan debt to India into grants as part of the debt restructuring program of Sri Lanka with foreign lenders. Modi also paid homage to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, a revered place of worship for Sri Lankan Buddhists. He also announced the supply of solar rooftop systems to 5,000 religious institutions across the islands nine provinces and 25 districts. Modis visit took place as US President Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on every country, including a huge 44 percent on Sri Lanka and 27 percent on India, triggering a trade war with China in particular. While he paused the tariffs on most countries for 90 days this week, Trump has dramatically escalated the tariff war with China to 125 percent, making clear that China is the central target of his administrations economic war and advanced preparations for military conflict into which India and Sri Lanka are being drawn. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player A crowd gathers in Foley Square, outside the Manhattan federal court, in support of Mahmoud Khalil, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in New York [AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah] An administrative immigration judge in Louisiana ruled on Friday that the Trump administration can proceed with its deportation efforts against Columbia graduate student and legal permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil for opposing the genocide in Gaza. Judge Jamee Comans, an employee of the Department of Justice, gave Khalil and his lawyers until April 23 to file for relief, after which he would be transported to either Syria or Algeria. Khalils lawyers are also pursuing legal action in New Jersey to stop his imminent expulsion from the country. The Trump administration has kidnapped, detained and is seeking to deport Khalil not for any alleged criminal activity, but solely for his political views and speech. In his drive to dictatorship, the fascist Trump is attempting to steamroll what remains of democratic rights in the United Statesabove all, the First Amendment right to free speechusing immigrant students as the spearhead of the attack. In a memo submitted by the State Department last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Khalil should be deported because of his past, current, or expected beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful. (Emphasis added.) The memo claims that such viewsif deemed contrary to compelling US foreign policy interestsconstitute grounds for deportation. Khalils presence in the US, Rubio stated, would compromise a compelling US foreign policy interest. That is, Trump is seeking to punish Khalil and hundreds of other foreign students in the United States who have had their visas revoked for the thought crime of opposing the genocide in Gazathe greatest war crime of the 21st centurya position which the government claims is antisemitic. Rubio has invoked a rarely used subsection of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) originating in the McCarthyite witch-hunts of the 1950s and updated in the post-9/11 assault on civil liberties. This is now being used to make the unprecedented assertion that non-citizens have no First Amendment rights and cannot make any statements critical of the government. What does it mean to state that not only beliefs but expected beliefs can have adverse foreign policy consequences? This goes beyond violating the First Amendment, criminalizing not only speech, but thought itself, and the potential for thought. The assertion is a wholesale repudiation of the principles that guided the founders of the American republic, who believed, as James Madison put it, that conscience is the most sacred of all rights. Within this framework, the freedom of expression becomes the freedom to agree with the policies of the government and, indeed, Trump himself. It is a declaration that opposing the government is illegal, a principle upheld by every dictatorship throughout history. Once the precedent is established for criminalizing opposition to US foreign policy, it can be applied to everything and everyone. The government will seek to declare that its interests require the profitability of American corporations and therefore protests and strikes against individual companies are illegal. The direct precedent for the Trump administrations positions is the concept of Willensstrafrecht (punishment of the will), developed by the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler. In this system, the accused could be convicted and sentenced to death for merely indicating a mental attitude that might suggest, and possibly encourage in others, disloyalty. Khalils case is the most prominent in a growing list of students and academics targeted for opposing US policy. Other students and academics who face similar persecution on these fascist grounds include: Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was seized by masked agents for co-authoring an op-ed calling on the university to acknowledge the genocide and urging divestment from Israel. She remains detained in Louisiana. Cornell Ph.D. candidate Momodou Taal, a British-Gambian citizen, who was forced to flee the country after the administration retaliated against his legal challenge to Trumps executive orders attacking free speech. Dr. Helyeh Doutaghi, an international law scholar, who was fired by Yale Law School without due process after false accusations from an AI-generated pro-Zionist outlet. A French scientist who was denied entry into the US after border agents reviewed private messages criticizing Trumps anti-science agenda on his cell phone. The administration is operating on a worked-out playbook to establish a dictatorship. The same day as the ruling on Khalil was made in Louisiana, administration lawyers declared in a federal court that the government would not share information as to steps it was taking to repatriate Abrego Garcia from a terror prison in El Salvador. The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration had to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia, who was transported to El Salvador last month after the White House flagrantly violated a court order that deportations under the Alien Enemies Act had to be stopped. (The Supreme Court, in an earlier ruling, declared that the deportations under the act could proceed.) In a statement published alongside the Supreme Court ruling on Thursday, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson warned: The Governments argument, moreover, implies that it could deport and incarcerate any person, including US citizens, without legal consequence, so long as it does so before a court can intervene. Indeed, Trump and his fascist cronies have openly mulled the deportation of American citizen prisoners to the same El Salvador prison to which Abrego Garcia and others have been disappeared. Already, work is underway within the Trump administration to consider how to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would allow for the deployment of US soldiers against the population, with a deadline set for April 20 on a report to the president. The working class in the United Statesnative-born and immigrant alikemust take a powerful stand against the attack on Khalil and the others. The First Amendment guarantees the right of all people in the US to free speech. If this right is denied to non-citizens, then it is denied to citizens. The First Amendment and the Constitution as a whole become a dead letter. This is a crucial step in the attack on the working class. Trumps erection of a fascist dictatorship and the assault on democratic rights will not be opposed by the Democratic Party. At every step it has enabled Trumps actions, setting the stage for his attack on students and collaborating in the passage of legislation to keep his government running, as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by the worlds richest person, Elon Musk, fires tens of thousands of federal workers. Protests against the Gaza genocide were viciously broken up by the police under the direction of the Democrats and the Biden administration, which pushed the claim that the protests were a threat to Jewish students, despite the participation of many Jewish students and supporters. In this way, the Democrats set the stage for Trumps dictatorial actions. The April 5 demonstrations, in which millions took to the streets to oppose the Trump administrations efforts to establish a fascist dictatorship, were an important turning point. They shattered the official line that Trump is invincible and that the Democrats and union bureaucracies are helpless to do anything to stop him. There is mass and growing opposition to Trump and fascism in the working class, but the Democrats and unions are standing in the way. This powerful but initial expression of opposition must be developed into a politically conscious and independent movement armed with a socialist program aimed at mobilizing the working class against the capitalist system, which is the ultimate source of fascism and the attack on democratic rights. The Socialist Equality Party is spearheading the fight to build a mass working class movement to defend democratic rights and oppose the drive to fascism and dictatorship. We call on all those who want to join this fight to join our party and take up the struggle for socialism. Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, left, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, center, and Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey attend a news conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 11, 2025 [AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert] Fridays meeting in Brussels of the Ukraine Contact Group saw the European imperialist powers pledge over 20 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine and issue bellicose statements against Russia. Germany, Britain, and France made clear their determination to continue the war on Russia for years to come, while at the same time appealing for the Trump administration to offer security guarantees for a potential deployment of NATO ground forces to Ukraine. The meeting was co-chaired by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Britains Defence Minister, John Healey, both of whom made new commitments to provide weaponry to Ukraine. For the first time since the group began meeting in April 2022, a US representative did not attend in-person. Pistorius pledged that Germany would provide a further 11 billion of military assistance by 2029 on top of the vast sums it has already committed. This will include the dispatch of 15 Leopard battle tanks, 25 Marder artillery guns, 300 surveillance drones, four IRIS T air defence systems, 100 ground surveillance radars, and 100,000 artillery shells in the course of this year. For his part, Healey announced that Britain would supply 4.5 billion in military assistance this year, the biggest annual total since the beginning of the war against Russia in Ukraine. This includes an additional 450 million for drones, anti-tank mines, and the repair of military vehicles, 100 million of which will be provided by Norway. Pistorius and Healey left no doubt that the European imperialist powers want to intensify the conflict with Russia, raising the prospect of a direct war between nuclear-armed powers. Given Russias ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future, Pistorius told a press conference. Russia must understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting. Healey insisted on the need to pile pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, Now is the critical momentfor defence industries, militaries, and governments to step up. He co-chaired a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing the previous day in Brussels with French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, where he warned that the West must not jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war. The coalition was established last month by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron with the aim of coordinating the deployment of ground troops to Ukraine, ostensibly to oversee a potential ceasefire. Fridays events underlined how the United States and its former European imperialist allies are increasingly working at cross purposes in the war against Russia in Ukraine and the drive to subjugate Eurasia to their predatory interests. While Pistorius and Healey were outlining a multi-billion-euro plan to escalate the war on Russia, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth participated in the gathering only virtually from Panama, where he was negotiating the terms for US troops to operate along the Panama Canal. No new pledges of military support were forthcoming from Washington, with Hegseth merely quoted as saying that the US appreciates what you guys, i.e., the European powers, are doing. Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, landed in St. Petersburg for talks with Putin as the defence ministers meeting got underway. It was the third time that Witkoff has visited Russia since February. His trip came a day after Russian and US teams met for talks in Istanbul aimed at further normalising diplomatic relations. A statement from the US State Department noted the constructive approach characterising the talks Thursday, as well as a previous round held in late February. Trump has repeatedly stressed his support for an agreement to end fighting in Ukraine on the basis of Kiev signing on to a deal granting the US unhindered access to Ukrainian raw materials and Washington concluding an agreement with Putin that forces Russias capitalist oligarchy to open up business opportunities for US companies throughout Russia. These talks have nothing to do with Trumps supposed commitment to peace, but aim at creating the best conditions for Washington to subordinate the Russian and Ukrainian oligarchies to its imperialist goals of securing access to the regions vast quantity of raw materials, cheap labour, and strategic territories. US officials have held separate talks with both sides in the conflict without any participation by representatives of the European imperialist states. While the outcome of the US-Russia talks remains unclear, what is certain is that they mark an intensification of the conflicts between the imperialist powers as they vie for influence in the carve-up of the Eurasian landmass. Washingtons shift in its Ukraine policy is bound up with the push to focus its resources on preparing for war with China, the worlds second-largest economy and chief target of Trumps trade war. Meanwhile, the European imperialists fear most of all being sidelined in the distribution of the booty if Washington concludes separate agreements with Ukraine and Russia, despite having invested vast sums in the Ukraine war. They hope that by continuing to escalate the conflict by deploying ever greater quantities of military resources and ultimately their own troops they can strengthen their position to secure the lions share of the spoils in both Ukraine and Russia. The sharpening of divisions between the imperialist powers arises from the deepening global crisis of capitalism, which is propelling all of them to join in a new redivision of the world. As World Socialist Web Site editorial board chairman David North explained at an international rally against the US/NATO war in Ukraine in late 2022: the political aim of the warlike the two world wars of the 20th centuryis a new redivision of the world among the imperialist powers. The logic of this process extends beyond even the conflict with Russia and China. The NATO alliance and the ancillary military pacts that include countries in Asia and the Asia-Pacific comprise not a Band of Brothers but a den of imperialist thieves and cut-throats. The logic of inter-imperialist rivalries will lead in the not too distant future to bitter conflicts among the temporary allies of today. The enmities of the past, as for example between the United States and Germany, will inevitably reemerge. These rivalries have now reemerged, with the political establishments throughout Europe recognising that the Transatlantic alliance that dominated the post-war period has broken down. However, the problem confronting the European powers is that they lack the military capabilities at present to back up their imperialist warmongering. Notwithstanding the vast sums pledged to Ukraine at Fridays meeting, the efforts of Starmer and Macron to cobble together a military force to perform peacekeeping or provide security guarantees have fallen flat. Only France and Britain have publicly pledged to commit troops to such an enterprise, and even these countries have refused to provide details on how many they could deploy. All of the defence ministers who spoke at Thursdays coalition of the willing meeting stressed that nothing would come of it without American security guarantees. The European powers continued dependence on the US is compelling them to pursue their rearmament drive all the more aggressively, which must involve the imposition of an onslaught on the social position of the working class that is unprecedented since World War II. To raise the funds for the trillions of euros the European imperialists have collectively pledged in recent months for war spending, the ruling elites would have to establish Trump-style regimes on this side of the Atlantic to carry through the necessary attacks on workers social and democratic rights. The working class is the only social force capable of stopping the further escalation of the war on Russia and the developing world war between the imperialist powers. It must be mobilised on the basis of a socialist and internationalist programme that unifies the fight against war with the struggle to defend all jobs and workers living standards. Inmates exercise under the watch of prison guards during a press tour of the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, in Tecololuca, El Salvador, October 12, 2023. [AP Photo/Salvador Melendez] Following a Supreme Court ruling on Thursday, the Trump administration has steadfastly refused to returnor even acknowledge the whereabouts ofKilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Maryland resident. He is one of more than 260 men who were kidnapped by the US immigration Gestapo and deported to El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) under the Alien Enemies Act. In a court filing on Fridaysubmitted after flouting multiple deadlinesJustice Department attorneys appeared before Judge Paula Xinis of the US District Court for the District of Maryland. Justice Department attorney Paul Ensign showed open contempt for the court, refusing to provide any information on the whereabouts of Abrego Garcia, whom the government admits was deported to El Salvador by mistake, or what steps, if any, were being taken to secure his return to the United States. In response to multiple questions from the benchsuch as Where is he? What have the defendants done to facilitate Mr. Abrego Garcias return? and Have they done anything?Ensign replied, We dont have that information. Judge Xinis concluded the hearing by ordering the administration to provide daily updates on whether it is taking any action to comply with her orders. The Trump administrations treatment of Abrego Garcia is a central component of its efforts to establish a presidential dictatorship. Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador at the age of 14 and sought asylum in the United States, citing the threat of gang violence. Long a Maryland resident, he is married to a US citizen and has three children. In a 2019 court hearing, an immigration judge ruled that Abrego Garcia could not be deported to El Salvador due to credible threats from local gangs. One month ago, on March 12, after finishing a day of work, Abrego Garcia was abducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while picking up his five-year-old son from his grandmothers house. The agents told his wife that she had 10 minutes to retrieve their son, or he would be turned over to child protective services. Three days later he was transported to El Salvador on the basis of Trumps invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. The Alien Enemies Act grants the president virtually unchecked power to detain and deport individuals without due process. Before Trump invoked the law last month, it had only been used during actual wars--the War of 1812 and the First and Second World Wars. During World War II, more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were kidnapped and imprisoned in remote, Army-operated detention camps. In invoking the Alien Enemies Act last month, Trump claimed the US was being invaded by two gangs: MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan organization with virtually no presence in the United States and fewer than 10,000 members worldwide. Following the declaration, the Trump administration immediately began deporting alleged gang members to CECOT without due process. It has been widely reported that the administration is paying its fascist client government in El Salvador $6 million to keep the men imprisoned. On March 15, as ICE-operated planes carrying their human cargo were en route to El Salvador, Judge James Boasberg of the US District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the deportation flights to be turned around. The Trump administration ignored the order and all the men were flown to the Salvadoran gulag, where they have remained imprisoned and incommunicado. On April 4, Judge Xinis ordered the Trump administration to facilitate and effectuate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United States by no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7. The ruling followed a hearing that same day in which Justice Department attorney Erez Reuveni admitted the government had made an administrative error in deporting Abrego Garcia, stating: The facts are conceded, plaintiff Abrego Garcia should not have been removed. Following the hearing, Trumps Attorney General Pam Bondi placed Reuveni on indefinite paid leave, citing his failure to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States. After Judge Xiniss ruling, the Trump administration made no effort to facilitate and effectuate Abrego Garcias return to the United States. Instead, it immediately appealed the case to the Supreme Court, and on April 7, Chief Justice John Roberts issued an administrative stay temporarily blocking Judge Xiniss directive. On April 10, the US Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision ordering the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the United States, but it removed any time requirement for when this should occur. In a further gift to Trump and his budding dictatorship, the unsigned decision questioned the clarity of the term effectuate and instructed Judge Xinis to clarify [her] directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs. In hearings concerning Abrego Garcia and others deported to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, the US government has claimed it cannot secure their return because El Salvador lies outside US jurisdiction. Legally, the term facilitate means the government must take good faith steps to bring about a result, but it is not necessarily held responsible if forces outside its control prevent success. In contrast, effectuate implies a requirement to complete the action, and the government could be held in contempt if it fails to do so. The United States is not at war with El Salvador. On the contrary, it has entered into a contract to transform the country into a larger version of the Guantanamo Bay torture complexa legal black hole where the US government can disappear anyone it wants without trial or due process. Effectuating the return of Abrego Garcia would have no negative impact on US foreign affairs in regards to El Salvador. By ordering Judge Xinis to show deference to the Trump administration and questioning the authority of the court to effectuate Abrego Garcias return, the Supreme Court handed the administration a tanker-sized loophole to defy the lower courts order. A central aim of the Trump administration is to create the precedent that the president can authorize the deportation of anyone, including US citizens, and place them outside of any judicial review. This was acknowledged in a warning alongside the Thursday ruling issued by Justice Sonya Sotomayor, with Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson joining. Sotomayor wrote: 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. After the Supreme Courts ruling, Judge Xinis updated her order to remove the term effectuate. Questioned by a reporter during the White House press briefing on Friday if the Trump administration expected the president of El Salvador to bring Abrego Garcia with him when he visits the White House on Monday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared: The Supreme Court made their ruling last night very clear, that it is the administrations responsibility to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return Leavitt added: President Bukele will be here at the White House on Monday to talk about the cooperation, which is at an all-time high and we very much appreciate President Bukele and El Salvadors cooperation in the repatriation of El Salvadorian gang members who the previous administration allowed to infiltrate our country. In other words, not only will the Trump administration do nothing to ensure Abrego Garcia is returned to the United States, but it is determined to enormously expand its deportation operations to the Salvadoran gulag. On Thursday, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Australia held an online public meeting to launch its campaign for the federal election to be held on May 3. The meeting exposed the fraudulent character of claims by all the parliamentary parties and the corporate media that Australia is an exception to the crisis unfolding worldwide, reflected sharply in the Trump administrations tariffs, the opening shots in a global economic war. Speakers emphasised that, whichever of the major parties forms government next month, nothing will be resolved for the working class. The war agenda will only be expanded, and will be paid for through deepening austerity measures on the domestic front, including the slashing of wages, health, education and other social spending. All of the partys upper and lower house candidates spoke at the meeting, which was attended by a broad cross-section of workers, students and young people from around Australia and overseas. Attendees included longstanding supporters of the SEP, as well as many who have signed up as electoral members more recently as part of the partys fight to restore its official registration with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). SEP Senate candidates in the 2025 Australian federal election. The meeting was chaired by Max Boddy, SEP candidate for the Senate in New South Wales (NSW) and the partys national assistant secretary. Describing the official campaign between Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Liberal-National leader Peter Dutton as an absurd pantomime, Boddy noted, On all substantive issues, they agree. Far from opposing the dictatorial measures of Trump, both candidates seek to position themselves as the best leader to work with him. Despite promising cost-of-living relief, neither have produced a single substantial policy. It is a campaign of political falsehoods, lies and underscores the crisis of the political establishment in Australia that has profound ramifications for capitalist stability. In these conditions of deep crisis, we boldly launch our election campaign, Boddy continued, explaining that the SEPs campaign is entirely unique. Like our comrades around the world, our goal in this election is to unite workers globally in opposition to all governments, with the ultimate aim of abolishing the profit system. We are building an international anti-war movement of workers and youth to prevent World War III. This orientation, Boddy explained, is why Labor, the Coalition and the AEC have conspired to block the SEPs re-registration as an official political party, a decision not only aimed at excluding the SEPs name from the ballot, but at silencing the truth in the midst of the election campaign. He continued: Despite this anti-democratic attack, we have gathered over 750 signatures from electors in NSW, Victoria, and the electorates of Newcastle, Calwell, and Oxley in just over a week While we are barred from using our party name, our candidates names will still appear on ballot papers. The first report was delivered by Morgan Peach, SEP candidate for the federal electorate of Calwell, covering the outer northern and western suburbs of Melbourne, and a member of the partys national committee. Peach said the election was being held against a backdrop of enormous crisis for the world economy. SEP Lower House candidates in the 2025 Australian federal election. In Australia, Peach noted, the rising cost of living has already inflicted financial misery and a historic cut in living standards for millions of working-class households since 2019. Meanwhile, he explained, the wealth of the billionaires is booming. Peach presented a detailed account of the soaring prices, especially for essentials like housing, food and fuel, which make up the bulk of spending for workers. Unemployment and poverty had also risen sharply, while (primarily Labor) state governments, in collaboration with the unions, have imposed further cuts on public schools and hospitals, even as health workers and educators have carried out mass strikes. None of the major parties had any answer for this, Peach said: The measures put forward by Labor, the Coalition, and the Greens, such as minuscule tax cuts or a similarly small temporary reduction in petrol prices, are totally inadequate. Moreover, Peach warned, much worse is to come, as a result of Trump and his vicious agenda of tariffs, which were already sending shockwaves around the world, and will eliminate millions of jobs worldwide and send prices soaring. Peach emphasised that this program, in which Labor and the entire Australian political establishment is complicit, is not compatible with democracy. The same turn towards increasingly dictatorial forms of rule by the ruling class in the US is underway in Australia. While immediately directed against protests of Israels imperialist-backed genocide of the Palestinians, this suppression was aimed more broadly at shutting down all opposition to the war agenda, in which national service and even conscription are being openly discussed. Peach concluded by emphasising that the task of opposing war and defending democratic rights falls to the working class itself. The SEP is alone in advancing this perspective, to build a socialist movement of the working class. The main report was given by Mike Head, SEP candidate for Oxley (the outer southwestern suburbs of Brisbane in Queensland) a longstanding member of the partys National Committee and a prominent writer for the World Socialist Web Site. Head placed the election in its global context, in which, once again, the fundamental and irreconcilable contradictions of capitalism analysed by the Marxist movement are erupting to the surface. Trumps tariff war, he said, marks the definitive end of the post-World War II order. The economic blockade makes even clearer Washingtons agenda: economic and military war against China, which successive US administrations since Obamas have designated as the greatest threat to US imperialism regaining the global hegemony that it asserted last century after two world wars. Head explained, the Trump regimes partial supposed pause has offered governments 90 days to provide lists of things they will do to line up against China, boost their military spending and dismantle any policynot just tariffsthat is seen as an obstacle to US corporate power. This had vast implications for Australia, whose biggest market by far is China, followed by Japan, South Korea and India, which are all threatened by Trumps tariff war. Despite this, Albanese and Dutton have refused to criticise Trump. Instead, they are competing with each other to prove they will work with him. Head pointed to the recent demonstrations across the US against Trump, involving millions of workers and young people in up to 1,600 separate protests, as evidence of mounting opposition this program. But, Head warned, the crucial question is political perspective The working class must be armed with an understanding of the real nature of fascismnot as a temporary individual aberration but as the product of the historic breakdown of the capitalist system. The fight against fascism must become a conscious fight against capitalism itself. It requires a mass movement of the working class for the expropriation of the oligarchs, the establishment of workers power, and the reorganisation of society on the basis of social need, not private profit. This fight must be international. Workers must unite with their class brothers and sisters around the world in a common struggle to end capitalism and build socialism. Head underscored the particular importance of taking on the lies peddled by the Greens and pseudo-left organisations, including Socialist Alternative and Socialist Alliance, that it is necessary to vote for Labor to keep the Coalition out. That lesser evilism has always been a fraud. The reports were followed by a lively discussion, in which the panellists, as well as other SEP election candidates responded to questions and comments from the workers and youth attending the meeting. Robert Creech, SEP candidate for Newcastle in NSW, spoke about the superannuation system, through which workers retirement incomes are intertwined with financial markets, leaving them vulnerable to economic shocks. He explained that this system was introduced by the Paul Keating Labor government, as a means to slash pensions and force workers to pay for their own retirement through the siphoning off of their wages. Creech said workers fortunes dont lie under the system of capitalism, emphasising that the evisceration of retirement savings was just one reflection of the anarchy of the economic system that we live under. Taylor Hernan, SEP candidate for the Senate in Victoria, added that the diversion of wages into superannuation was directed at making more funds available to finance capital. Hernan pointed to the woefully inadequate aged pension, which has resulted in growing numbers of retirees living in poverty. Hernan said the deepening social crisis underscores the urgent need for a socialist reorganisation of society, one that really prioritises human need over private profit and guarantees stable, affordable and dignified housing for all. Keo Vongvixay, SEP candidate for the Senate in Victoria, addressed a question about how the party plans to use the election as a platform to build a working-class movement. Vongvixay said: Our perspective is to educate and clarify the working class, before the election and after the election. The election creates the conditions where we can put our perspective forward, but the election is not going to resolve the questions before the working class. The threat of war and the deepening cost-of-living crisis were, he said, pushing against the working classno one can escape that. Finding an answer, clarifying the political situation and the perspective that were putting forward, is what will win the workers to our side. Warwick Dove, SEP candidate for the Senate in NSW, spoke about the role of the trade union bureaucracy, which inevitably, after a period of wearing down workers in struggle, forces a deal down workers throats to accept a compromise and workers often get demoralised. The SEPs exposure of the existing trade union leadership, Dove said, creates the conditions for workers to come forward, ask questions broaden their outlook and join the party. Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. Grant Cardone stirred the pot on April 5 when he posted on X: If Tariffs Are So Bad, Why Do Other Countries Impose Them? It didn't take long for the replies to roll in, and many, if not most, weren't on his side. Cardones Question Sparks Instant Backlash Don't Miss: Sometimes Im not sure whether these MAGAs are faking ignorance, or its the real thing, one user fired back. Another replied bluntly, Are you stupid? Do you really need a fifth-grade explanation on tariffs? Critics quickly pointed out that tariffs hit both ends of a transaction. American consumers usually end up paying more for imported goods, while foreign businesses sell less due to the higher prices. Tariffs hurt the exporting countrys business and hurt the U.S. consumer at the same time, wrote one commenter. Another added, Higher prices = less demand = less $ for everyone. Ask why we haven't imposed tariffs this heavy since 1930. 1,000 economists begged Hoover to veto that Act. I've lived through some recessions but a depression doesn't sound appealing. Trending: 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! Another X user summed it up: Because when prices to American consumers go up, American consumers cant buy as much, so the overseas manufacturers sell less stuff. Cardone Doubles Down on Tariff Support Cardone has kept pushing his stance in follow-up posts, claiming tariffs will actually benefit the country. The following day, he tweeted, Tariff negotiations will make things cheaper in USA & the country stronger. Earlier that day, he also posted, Some people are just dumb,' and before that, If tariffs are a tax on the consumer and hurt the American consumer so much, why is it China, India, Canada so worried about them? A sign outside the U.S. Social Security Administration advertises its online services in downtown Welch, West Virginia Thursday, March 20, 2025. [AP Photo/Leah Willingham] While denying plans to directly slash Social Security checks, the Trump administration is imposing job cuts, office closures and identity-proofing requirements designed to wreck the Social Security Administration and block seniors from applying for and receiving benefits. Under the cynical pretext of fighting waste, fraud and abuse, Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is sowing chaos and paving the way for the privatization of the retirement benefit system established in 1935 at the height of the Depression and amid great class battles. Some 73 million people, 21.5 percent of the US population, receive monthly checks from the Social Security Administration (SSA) worth a total of $1.5 trillion annually. Social Security accounts for 22 percent of the US federal budget. The average monthly Social Security benefit for 65.8 million retired workers is about $1,980. For 4.5 million disabled workers who receive federal benefits, the average monthly benefit is around $1,580. Workers pay into the system, which has net assets estimated at $2.7 trillion, their entire working lives. Now they are facing website crashes, interminable waits on phone calls and long lines at SSA offices as Trump, Musk and DOGE take a wrecking ball to the system. This is under conditions where, due to cuts imposed under previous administrations, Democratic as well as Republican, the SSA was already at a 50-year low in staffing while the number of beneficiaries grows by 10,000 people daily. On February 28, the SSA, under Trumps hand-picked acting commissioner Leland Dudek, announced the elimination of 7,000 jobs, more than 12 percent of the agencys staff. The announcement cited the agencys bloated workforce and organizational structure. On the same day, the multi-billionaire fascist Musk claimed, falsely, on Joe Rogans podcast that a search of the Social Security database showed there were 20 million dead people marked as alive. He said, Social Security is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time. During his address to a joint session of Congress in February, Trump promoted the lie that millions of people over the age 100 were receiving benefit checks, based on a misrepresentation of SSA databases. On April 3, Vice President JD Vance said on Fox & Friends that 40 percent of the people who call the Social Security Administration are actually committing fraud. The Washington Post, based on figures released in March by Acting SSA Commissioner Dudek, calculated the actual percentage to be 0.0025 percent. The SSA has also announced the closure of six of 10 regional offices and the shutdown or consolidation of 47 field offices across the country. For some people, this will mean traveling 100 miles or more to the closest SSA location. Twenty-six field offices are scheduled to close in 2025. Acting Deputy SSA Commissioner Doris Diaz issued a memo on March 18 stating that the agency going forward would require internet identity proofing for benefit claims made over the phone. When an SSA customer is unable to utilize the internet ID proofing, customers will be required to visit a field office to provide in-person identity documentation. The Diaz memo estimates it would require 75,000 to 85,000 in-person visitors per week to the SSAs offices to implement the policy. This is a 14 percent increase in daily visits. The wait time for an appointment, even before these changes, averaged over a month. Earlier this month, the SSA announced a two-week delay in implementing this change, saying that in-person identity proofing would be effective April 14. This places an immense burden on Social Security claimants and beneficiaries. A quarter of elderly people in the US do not use the internet and many of those who do have difficulty working with it. It is a cynical and cruel attempt to discourage people who rely on Social Security to survive from trying to navigate the system. Speaking of the cuts and policy changes, Independent Senator Angus King of Maine told the Washington Post, Whats going on is the destruction of the agency from the inside out A report by Popular Information on March 17 said the changes to the claims process would debilitate the agency, cause significant processing delays, and prevent many Americans from applying for or receiving benefits. On March 28, Bill Sweeney, the government affairs senior vice president of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), was interviewed on C-SPANs Washington Journal program. He said: Im hearing reports of waiting two-and-a-half hours when they need help Social Security has the lowest staffing levels in 20 years and a record high number of Americans who are claiming Social Security every day as a result of the generational changes in this country. You have more customers and less staff handling the customers and its a recipe for disaster You have got to go to a field office to get basic stuff you have been able to do over the phone In parts of Alaska you cant drive to a field office, you have to fly on a plane. On March 30, Sweeney told the National Public Radio station in Boston, WBUR, In this country, 10,000 Americans die every year waiting for Social Security to process their disability claims. Dudek is expected to serve as acting commissioner until the Trump nominee for SSA commissioner, Frank Bisignano, the chief executive of the financial service technology company Fiserv, is confirmed by the Senate. Bisignanos net worth is estimated to be between $697.7 million and $942 million as of 2025. The criminal US financial oligarchy, wielding power in the form of the Trump administration and personified by Musk, the worlds richest individual, is determined to get its hands on the SSA trust fund. DOGEs original stated goal of cutting the federal budget by at least $2 trillion requires the gutting of Social Security, as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Republicans in Congress are discussing legislation to slash Social Security directly. USA Today reported on April 8: Maybe such a plan would include raising the full retirement age from 67 now for those born in 1960 and after. Some GOP proposals have suggested increasing the age for full retirement benefits from 67 to 69 over an eight-year period beginning in 2026. The Democratic Partys response is silence, punctuated by impotent calls to telephone Republican lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, known as the senator from Wall Street, recently declared, We need every person who is a recipient to call their Republican congressmen and senators and give them one sentence: Hands off my Social Security. In fact, the Democrats agree with plans for massive cuts in basic social programs, including Social Security, in the face of an unsustainable national debt of $36 trillion and rising, and the prospect of state bankruptcy of American capitalism. UAW President Shawn Fain during his Facebook livestream, April 11, 2025 [Photo: United Auto Workers] United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain held a Facebook livestream event Thursday evening aimed at damage control over his embrace of Trumps trade war measures. The tariffs, including 25 percent on foreign cars and auto parts, have produced mass layoffs in the auto industry, exposing Fains lie that trade war would benefit the working class. This includes 900 layoffs of Stellantis workers in Michigan and Indiana as a consequence of the idling of plants in Mexico and Canada which they supply. Another 1,000 workers at Stellantis Warren Truck in suburban Detroit are to be laid off Monday for one month and another 200 workers are being laid off at General Motors Factory Zero in Detroit. Fains comments were a study in sophistry and evasion. Even as he defended Trumps trade war measures, he claimed to oppose the same administrations sweeping attacks on democratic rights, including the seizure and threatened deportation of pro-Palestinian activist and legal US resident Mahmoud Khalil, a former UAW member. He declared, We are not aligning everything we do with the Trump administration. We dont align with any politician or president. We are negotiating with the Trump administration. He continued, We have seen some reckless and chaotic activity on trade from this administration and there is a lot of fear and disruption. Brushing aside the mounting layoffs, he said, We have to remember, is that disruption is not new to factory workers in this country. Disruption is what we have been living with for 30 years under a free trade disaster. It doesnt mean we support reckless random tariffs but it is a mistake to defend the status quo when it comes to free trade. Free trade has been the most harmful government policy of my entire life. This statement reeks with hypocrisy. Over the past 50 years, hundreds of thousands of auto jobs were eliminated with the outright collaboration of the UAW. It is not possible to meet in the middle with fascism. Fain and the UAW bureaucracy are lining up behind Trumps economic policies, the logic of which lead to world war. It can hardly be coincidental that the livestream opened with a segment hailing workers at General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, the submarine capital of the world who design our militarys most strategic assets. To pay for these new wars requires the dismantling of all remaining social programs such as Medicare and Social Security and the impoverishment of the working class. As Fain well knows, this can only be enforced through means of massive repression, which Trump is actively carrying out. While giving a full-throated defense of economic nationalism, Fain gave only lip service to opposing the fascistic, blatantly unconstitutional attacks being carried out by the Trump administration aimed at immigrants and college students. He presented the deportations as though they were merely mistaken policies and not part of a systematic effort to establish a presidential dictatorship. Fain proposed no measures to mobilize the UAW rank-and-file or the working class more broadly to defend Khalil and other workers and students whisked off to detention centers. Workers reacted furiously in the comments of the livestream. Can we talk about Warren Truck and Stellantis? Getting all of us indefinitely laid off people back to work? another worker posted. Many expressed support for international unity. Corporations went overseas because they wanted cheap labor because they are greedy. The only solution is to defend workers worldwide. To decent living standards. So tired of us against them. It will always be our downfall, another posted. One worker wrote, referencing Trumps fascist attacks, Sean Fain be prepared to shut all of the auto plants down for our democracy. Many others called for a general strike. A worker from Kokomo pointed to the 500 workers still laid off from 2024. You and the international wouldnt back us back when we could and should have [struck]. Now we sit back without a pension for new hires among other things. The livestream was preceded by a fawning interview conducted by Jacobin magazine, the house organ of the Democratic Socialists of America, in its April 10 edition. In it, Fain once again made clear his alignment with the plans for global war by the Trump administration, warning that the erosion of the US industrial base undermined its military preparedness. [W]hen we eliminate our manufacturing base in this country, were going to be in big trouble if we have to defend ourselves. Because when you cant produce anything, youre opening yourself up for attack from anyone. I go back to the arsenal of democracy in World War II: the way that World War II was won when the United States got involved was, we utilized the excess capacity at our auto plants in this country to build bombers, to build tanks, to build jeeps. In plain language, the UAW bureaucracy promotes not only trade war, but world war as a supposed boon to American jobs. In fact, the war economy during World War II was accompanied by massive repression, including the internment of Japanese Americans, the arrests of socialist opponents of US imperialism and a no strike pledge that the unions dutifully enforced. A mobilization for war today, under conditions where US capitalism is in deep decline and its democratic institutions fatally compromised, would have far more in common with the Nazi war economy. But even leaving this aside, a world war, unless stopped by the working class, would inevitably lead to the annihilation of everyone on the planet. This is not something which Fain and the UAW bureaucracy introduced in the last few months to win the favor of Trump. Fain promoted the same line about the arsenal of Democracy under Biden, who called the unions his domestic NATO. This meant the use of the bureaucracy, which has a long history of support for US imperialism, to prepare American society for war, especially through imposing labor peace on the working class. That Jacobin opened up its pages to Fain to defend his support for the fascist Trump and for war exposes the DSAs political function for capitalism, which is to divert and disrupt the emergence of a genuine movement in the working class. Economic nationalism and globalization In the attempt to justify the UAWs program of economic nationalism, Fain advanced the narrative that the destruction of auto industry jobs began 30 years ago with the beginning of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This is a blatant lie which cuts out of the record the UAWs role in imposing layoffs since the late 1970s. A major turning point came in 1979, when then-UAW President Doug Fraser joined Chryslers board of directors, helping the company shutter dozens of plants and destroy tens of thousands of jobs. This was part of a broader class war policy. The loss of the unchallenged economic supremacy of the United States, which had provided the basis for a policy of limited social reform expressed in the New Deal and Great Society, forced the American ruling class to claw back everything it had ever given up. The assault on jobs escalated in the late 1970s under the Carter administration, which installed Paul Volcker as head of the US Federal Reserve to enact a tight money policy aimed at wiping out vast sections of less profitable industry in the US in order to undermine the militancy of the American working class and drive down wages and living conditions. At the same time, major advances in technology associated with computerization led to revolutionary changes in the form of capitalist production, including the rise of the transnational corporation and globalization. Globalization is not simply the movement of jobs overseas, but a higher integration of the world economy through the establishment of global production and supply chains and the emergence of a world labor market. Under capitalism, it was used to impose declining conditions on the working class, especially in the advanced countries. But the same process has produced a far larger, more powerful and objectively unified working class than at any point in world history, creating hundreds of millions of new workers across Asia, Africa and Latin America and creating the conditions for a truly international movement against capitalist exploitation. But the bureaucracy, dominated by nationalism and bound together with the capitalist state, had no answer to this. In the wake of Reagans 1981 destruction of the air traffic controllers union, the assault on the working class escalated. In 1984 the UAW openly embraced the program of corporatism, that is, unbridled union-management collaboration aimed at destroying wages and working conditions in order to boost the competitive position of the US auto bosses against their overseas capitalist rivals. This involved the isolation and crushing of strikes, the suppression of opposition to factory closures and mass layoffs and the formation of union management committees to impose speedups and suppress shop floor militancy. As the membership of the UAW plummeted, the union apparatus received new forms of income in the form of direct subsidies from management for so-called joint programs. The turn to corporatism was accompanied by an explosion of nationalist, anti-foreigner demagogy on the part of the UAW leadership, blaming workers in Mexico, Japan etc. for stealing American jobs. This led in 1985 to the split with the Canadian region of the UAW, which formed a rival, nationally-based union. Today, the Canadian auto union Unifor is responding to Trumps tariffs by supporting protectionism in Canada. Rank-and-file committees In opposition to the nationalist and pro-capitalist UAW apparatus, Will Lehman, a Pennsylvania Mack Trucks workers and socialist, ran for UAW president in 2022. Lehman called for the unity of American workers with their brothers and sisters in Mexico, Canada, China, the European countries and others in a common fight to defend the social right to a secure and good-paying job, and safe working conditions for all workers. Lehman called for the abolition of the UAW bureaucracy and the transfer of power to the shopfloor workers through the expansion of the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committees Network. He opposed both big business parties and called for the development of a politically independent movement of the working class to fight for a workers government and socialism. A genuine fight for jobs cannot be based on pragmatic alignments with one gang or another of big business politicians as claimed by Fain, but only through the independent industrial and political mobilization of the power of the US and international working class against the whole capitalist setup. Under conditions of transnational production, with corporations able to shift production rapidly from country to country, the only viable strategy is a program based on uniting the working class globally. This means the building and expansion of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), which is giving independent voice to workers in opposition to the pro-corporate and nationalist trade union bureaucracies. A protester in Ann Arbor, Michigan holds a sign that reads: "If you were ever curious about what you would have done if you lived in 1930s Germany... You're doing it now." Last week, the Trump administration revoked hundreds of student visas across the US, expanding its assault on democratic rights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to the media last week, said, Theyre visitors to the country If theyre taking activities that are counter to our foreignto our national interest, to our foreign policywell revoke the visa. Rubio included among such thought crimes pro-Palestinian views and opposition to the US/Israeli genocide in Gaza. Rubio makes such claims based on the Trump administrations employment of a seldom-used provision in the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act. The provision enables the US Secretary of State to personally approve the deportation of legal immigrants based on their past, current, or expected beliefs, statements, or associations, if it is determined that their presence would compromise a compelling United States foreign policy interest. The political witch-hunt has targeted several major universities across the state of Michigan, including the University of Michigan (U-M), where the federal government has revoked the visas of 22 current and former international students or otherwise terminated their right to remain in the country legally. Of the 22, 12 are current students and 10 are recent graduates. One student has reportedly already fled the country. According to the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO), an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) covering graduate student workers at U-M, the Trump administration has targeted students who havent been politically active on campus. U-M students and workers have held large protests against the Gaza genocide over the last year-and-a-half. In response, the U-M administration and the multi-millionaires and Democratic Party operatives on the U-M Board of Regents have employed police violence, legal prosecution and university policy changes to crack down on the democratic right of workers and youth to protest and engage in free speech. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, has charged at least 10 U-M protesters with felony crimes at the urging of U-Ms Board of Regents. On Wednesday, U-M President Santa Ono and three of U-Ms vice presidents released an email letter to all faculty, staff and students responding to reports of visa revocations. While the letter acknowledges the termination of 22 U-M international students visas in the last two weeks, Ono and the U-M administration offer no opposition to the fascistic witch-hunting of students and workers for thought crimes. The letter cynically states in its closing lines: In challenging times like this, we call on each of you to show each other compassion, recognize the value each of us brings to our community, and draw strength from one another as we work to live up to our values and move forward together. The U-M administration and the Democratic Party are complicit in Trumps authoritarian agenda and are actively working to facilitate it. In March, U-M announced the sudden ending of its $236 million Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program in a complete capitulation to the Trump administrations dictates. It did so in large part to convince Trump not to block billions of dollars in government grants to the university. Beyond U-M, at least five other universities across the state have reported visa revocations. On Monday, Wayne State University President Kimberly Andrews Espy released an email letter to WSU students, faculty and staff reporting that four international students had had their visas revoked. Michigan State University also acknowledged that some of its international students have had their visas revoked, but did not specify how many were affected. Oakland University reported Monday that a student from South Sudan who is a permanent resident of Canada had his visa revoked at the border as he was traveling back to the US from Canada. Central Michigan University reported Monday that several of its current and former international students had their visas and records terminated by the government. A protest in defense of Mahmoud Khalil in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 14, 2025. On Tuesday, Saginaw Valley State University Vice President for Communications J.J. Boehm reported that two international students had been targeted by the federal government. He said the government had terminated one students I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status), cancelling the students F-1 visa status. In all cases, the universities reported they were never directly informed by the Trump administration of the visa cancellations. They were discovered by checking the Department of Homeland Securitys Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. On Thursday, the Michigan American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) launched a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of four international students attending Michigan universities. The lawsuit requests an emergency injunction and asks that the court reinstate the students legal status to allow them to complete their studies in the US. The ACLU cited the visa revocations at U-M and Wayne State, which the lawsuit claims violates the students due process rights because the government is required to provide advance notice and a meaningful opportunity to respond when taking such action. On April 6, Dearborn attorney Amir Makled, who is representing a pro-Palestinian demonstrator arrested at U-M last year, was detained by federal agents at Detroit Metro Airport. Makled was returning from a personal trip to the Dominican Republic with his family. According to Makled, federal agents held him for over 90 minutes, interrogated him about his clients, and demanded that he relinquish his cell phone. Makled noted that the information requested by the agents included his phone contact list, which he refused to give. The agents also demanded that he surrender his phone, which he refused. Ann Arbor police. [Photo: Division of Public Saftey and Security] As these attacks were taking place across the state, Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer made a trip to Washington D.C. with the Republican speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, Matt Hall. While in Washington, Whitmer gave a speech praising United Auto Workers President and Trump supporter Shawn Fain and appealed for cooperation with the Trump administration and the Republicans. Speaking positively of a prior meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vances visit to Michigan, Whitmer declared, Theres a lot more common ground here than we think... our people are not as divided as our politics. Whitmer previously met with Trump in the White House in January. She told the AP that month, I dont view myself as the leader of the opposition like some might. On Wednesday, she called for a bipartisan approach to usher in, as President Trump says, the Golden Age of American manufacturing. Declaring her support for Trumps economic nationalism and his tariffs on autos and steel, she stated, We do need to make more stuff in America, more cars and chips, more steel and ships. We do need fair trade. Later on Wednesday, she allowed herself to be used as a prop by Trump at an Oval Office ceremony at which he signed two executive orders targeting political critics and once again denounced the 2020 election as rigged. Shes really done an excellent job, Trump said of Whitmer, [A] very good person. Whitmer is considered a leading contender for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in the 2028 national elections. Her speech and her Oval Office appearance brand her and her party as collaborators and accomplices with the fascistic Trump administration and the Republican Party. The World Socialist Web Site is publishing a series of articles to mark the five-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a comprehensive accompanying timeline. To get involved in the fight for a socialist public health program, fill out the form at the bottom of this article. *** This article takes stock of the cumulative long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which are staggering and growing. The capitalist response to the pandemic has exacted a stark toll of mass death and disability, while accelerating social inequality and initiating the destruction of the worlds public health infrastructure. Furthermore, despite the repeated and false claims by the ruling class and its bourgeois press, the pandemic is ongoing and both COVID-19 and Long COVID remain significant health risks for the entire world population. The most recent and brazen salvo in the ruling elites incessant propaganda campaign portraying the pandemic as over came as the Trump administration canceled $11.4 billion in COVID-19 grants to state and local health departments and revoked all long COVID research grants, stating: The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. This is a blatant lie. Fresh off the tenth wave of mass infection in the US, which spanned from mid-December to late March, the world is poised to enter its eleventh wave, with the new LP.8.1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus now predominant. The current levels of SARS-CoV-2 virus in US wastewater correspond to approximately 400,000 new infections per day, resulting in over 140,000 new cases of Long COVID and 1,000-1,700 excess deaths per week in the US alone. Extrapolated globally, likely over 20,000 people continue to die each week from COVID-19 or associated long-term damage. [Photo by PMC (Dr. Mike Hoerger)] Thus it is a particularly pervasive and pernicious practice of the bourgeois media to refer to the pandemic in the past tense. In doing so, they are erasing the deaths of thousands each week, as well as the suffering of literally hundreds of millions of people globally who are afflicted with Long COVID, while covering up the ongoing risks faced by everyone. It is important to state clearly that the Trump administrations false assertion of the end of the pandemic was enabled by his predecessor Joe Biden, who notoriously declared the pandemic is over in an interview in September 2022. At that time, there were 800,000 infections per day. Since then, five additional waves of the pandemic have occurred, while the death toll has grown by at least 7 million worldwide and by 250,000 in the US. The long-term impacts of the pandemic, as reviewed here, will tragically continue to mount unless robust public health measures are taken. Even then, if COVID-19 were eradicated today, the ruling elites socially criminal response to the pandemic has already baked in enormous damage not yet manifest but which will emerge as future death and disability. The overall health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic The pandemic has claimed approximately 30 million lives, a figure which comes from a standard epidemiological method known as excess deaths. If the number of deaths during the pandemic exceeds the expected number based on pre-pandemic trends, this method ascribes a proportion of the excess deaths to COVID-19. Many of these excess deaths are attributable to the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the heart, brain, kidneys, etc. A recent study by the Swiss Re Institute found that under its optimistic scenario, excess deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States and United Kingdom will continue through 2028. Under its pessimistic scenario, they will continue through 2033 and beyond. The excess deaths estimate is far more reliable than the official totals reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), as virtually every country in the world has dismantled its pandemic surveillance systems. To date, countries globally have reported 7 million confirmed deaths to the WHO. This is a vast undercount, especially in nations without the means required to properly collect and report data. For example, India, with a population of 1.4 billion people, has reported only 500,000 confirmed deaths due to COVID-19, but has an estimated excess death toll of 6 million. [Photo by Our World In Data (citing The Economist) / CC BY 4.0 Deaths from COVID-19 caused the first decline in global life expectancy since World War 2, a fall of 1.8 years to 71.4 years old. This decline erased a full decade of gains in life expectancy prior to the pandemic. In the US, life expectancy still has not regained its pre-pandemic high of 78.8 years in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic is also a mass disabling event. In the US alone, Census data indicate that the number of adults reporting a disability has surged from a baseline of 30 million to nearly 35 million since the pandemic began, an increase of over 12 percent. The increase in disability has affected young and old alike. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), the number of women aged 16 to 64 years with a disability has increased by 1.12 million individuals or by 46 percent from February 2020 to February 2025. For men of the same age, the figures are increases of 0.589 million and 21 percent. The net effect of these numbers is that at any given time, approximately 1 million Americans are out of the workforce due to the persistent disabling effects of COVID-19 or Long COVID. Globally, the annual economic cost of worker disability due to Long COVID is $1 trillion. The cumulative toll of Long COVID Over 400 million individuals worldwide now suffer from Long COVID, which is generally defined as persistent symptoms that occur three months or more after an acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Mild and even asymptomatic infections can result in Long COVID. The risk for developing Long COVID increases with greater number of reinfections with the virus, being unvaccinated, higher severity of infection, female sex, being age 35 to 64 years, greater socioeconomic deprivation, higher body mass index and the presence of certain medical conditions. These conditions include type 2 diabetes, allergies, a past history of post-viral fatigue, asthma, chronic lung disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Overall, estimates indicate that at least 10 percent of people infected with COVID-19 will develop Long COVID, while some estimates are as high as 45 percent. Long COVID affects nearly every organ system in the body. Over 200 symptoms are associated with the illness, most commonly malaise, shortness of breath, fatigue, brain fog, autonomic dysfunction, headache, persistent loss of smell or taste, cough, depression, low-grade fevers, palpitations, dizziness, muscle pain and joint pains. These symptoms can persist for long periods of time. In one study, 71 percent of individuals with long COVID had symptoms for at least one year, 51 percent for at least two years, and 31 percent for at least three years. The symptoms are also frequently debilitating. Approximately one in four patients with Long COVID report significant limitations in their activities of daily living. The impacts of Long COVID also include dramatic damage to body organs and subsequent dysfunction. Measurable cognitive deficits can persist for over one year. There is evidence that Long COVID increases the risks of developing Alzheimers disease, cancer, type 1 diabetes mellitus, retinal damage in the eye, epilepsy, heart arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), stroke and erectile dysfunction. Some of the most prevalent symptoms of Long COVID It is notable too that there is evidence that Long COVID is associated with immunosuppression and immune dysregulation. This has been hypothesized to make Long COVID patients more susceptible to other infectious diseases and therefore to have fueled so-called quademics of COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and norovirus in recent winters globally. It also has been associated with reactivation of latent viruses such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). The prognosis of Long COVID is not currently known, and studies are required over the coming years to understand whether long COVID shortens lifespan and by how much, and the extent to which it causes permanent disabilities. One review of Long COVID offers reason to be pessimistic: because Long COVID resembles other post-viral syndromes and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), morbidity and mortality from long COVID will likely last for years. It is known that patients who required intensive care for COVID-19 have persistent increased mortality up to 30 months post-hospitalization regardless of whether they developed Long COVID. In summary, Long COVID is a dangerous multi-system disease whose impacts on death and disability will persist for decades to come. The pandemics far-reaching social impacts Beyond the massive direct health and economic impacts of the mass disabling of workers internationally, the pandemic has been used by the ruling class as an opportunity to deepen their extraction of enormous wealth from the working class. By early 2024, the worlds billionaires had accumulated $3.3 trillion in new wealth since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new Oxfam report shows that these trends actually accelerated during 2024, noting: In 2024, the worlds billionaires got $2 trillion richer, growing their wealth by roughly $5.7 billion a day. Their fortunes increased three times faster than in 2023, with nearly four new billionaires minted every week. At current rates, the world will see five trillionaires within the next decade. Meanwhile, the number of people experiencing poverty remains pretty much unchanged from 1990. The other ruling class response to the pandemic has been the gutting of public health infrastructure. This includes not only the dismantling of surveillance for COVID-19 and other diseases, but also frontal attacks on public health capacity to control disease spread including vaccination. With respect to surveillance infrastructure to even count cases and deaths, the ruling class has ended all traditional case reporting of COVID-19. Even excess death monitoring is at a standstill: the data from The Economist which were once updated regularly are now current only to June 2024 and future updates are uncertain. The Biden administration notoriously ended the public health emergency (PHE) declaration for COVID-19 in 2023, which immediately led to reduced surveillance for the disease. Now, as of January 2in an action taken under Biden just prior to Trumps inaugurationthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially removed COVID-19 from its Nationally Notifiable Disease list. The sole source of remaining data on COVID-19 transmission in the United States is wastewater surveillance data, which is used most rigorously by the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative (PMC) in its weekly COVID-19 reports. However, the Trump administration is now threatening wastewater surveillance, too. Its cancelation of $11.4 billion in grants to state and community health departments will undermine their ability to continue wastewater surveillance and provide those data to the CDC. Donald Trump walks with Joe Biden to the Oval Office on November 13, 2024 [Photo: The White House] The destruction of public health more generally is exemplified by the Biden and Trump administrations mishandling of the H5N1 bird flu panzootic event. The leap of the virus from avian species to mammalian ones involved outbreaks in Texas cattle in early 2024. The opportunity existed at that time to stamp out the variant of the virus that had jumped to cattle. However, then-Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, in a direct anti-scientific stance and policy, cynically declared that the virus would burn itself out. Since that time, the H5N1 virus has gone on to spread to cattle in nearly 1,000 herds across 17 US states. Over 70 humans have officially been infected, with one death. All along the way, financial and profit considerations have trumped concerns for the welfare of humans and animals. The next phase in the bipartisan war on public health began with the second inauguration of Trump, with critical assistance from the Democrats. Charlatans have now been put in charge of five of six public health agencies, with the well-known anti-vaccination fraudster Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at the helm as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Since confirmation, Kennedy has responded to a large measles outbreak in Texas with indifference to death and the promotion of quack remedies including Vitamin A, cod liver oil, budesonide and clarithromycin. Several children in Texas admitted to the hospital with measles also required treatment for liver toxicity due to excessive ingestion of Vitamin A. With the revocation of the $11.4 billion in grants to state and local health departments, the NIH and CDC also revoked grant funding for long COVID research. Hundreds of millions of people globally were relying on this research for understanding their long-term illness, as well as the development of new treatments. Notably, the grants also included money that Texas was using to respond to its ongoing measles outbreak, which recently saw a second unvaccinated child needlessly perish. Although a judge blocked the revocation of the funds, it is only a temporary restraining order. Once Kennedy was put in charge of HHS, the confirmations of a series of additional, lesser-known anti-science, anti-public health hucksters was all but certain. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, author of the Great Barrington Declaration, the manifesto of the herd immunity policy of mass infection and death, was recently confirmed as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharyas first day at NIH was significant, as it coincided with the new and escalated phase of the destruction of public health, as HHS fired thousands of workers that day, eliminating many entire agencies and gutting others. As the WSWS noted: The administration is gutting these agencies, systematically firing scientists and health workers en masse and without cause. Thousands of years of collective knowledge and expertise are being shown the door, leaving these agencies without the workforce required to function. News continues to emerge of entire offices having been purged, including the elimination of the CDCs top laboratory for testing for sexually transmitted diseases. This was one of only three such reference laboratorieswhere specimens are sent for definitive and confirmatory testingin the world. The mass firings came at the same time as the revocation of over 230 NIH grants studying HIV and AIDS and the cancelation of a global AIDS relief program called the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief or PEPFAR. PEPFAR was designed to eradicate HIV in 50 nations worldwide, including the United States, by 2030. The war on science has also manifested as gutting funding for training the next generation of scientists. Entire training grant programs have been eliminated. The threats to science funding overall have also caused universities to pause admissions to PhD programs, revoke existing offers, and limit admissions to smaller numbers of students. The perspective of the World Socialist Web Site on Long COVID In contrast to every other outlet and political tendency, from the very beginning of the pandemic the WSWS has advocated for a scientific approach that places lives over profits, and the utilization of all available public health measures to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 globally. The Democratic party, as a bourgeois party serving the interests of the ruling class, was complicit in enacting forever COVID policies that continue today. Besides Bidens premature declaration of the end of the pandemic, he signed into law a resolution passed by Congress that ended parts of the COVID-19 public health emergency on an accelerated timeline. Twenty-one Democratic senators voted for it. In response to the Trump-Kennedy cutoff of all funds for Long COVID research, Long COVID patients organized resistance and achieved partial restoration of at least some of this NIH funding. They did so with no assistance whatsoever from Democrats, who have fully enabled Trums fascistic assault on all public health and social programs. People protest during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing to examine addressing long COVID, focusing on advancing research and improving patient care, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington. [AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib] The record of the WSWS applies to Long COVID as well. In 2023, we published a four-part series summarizing the state of scientific knowledge of Long COVID at the time, as well as articulating our analysis of the political significance of the pandemic as a mass disabling event, noting: In pursuit of profits, the capitalist ruling elites internationally have trampled upon the precautionary principle, among the most fundamental precepts of medicine and public health. The precautionary principle in the context of public health states that in the face of uncertainty, emphasis must be placed on prevention of harms to health. As applied to decision-making at the outset of the pandemic in 2020, it meant that preventing infection with COVID-19 was imperative given that at that time nothing was known about the long-term consequences of the disease. Furthermore, it was known that coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-1 had post-viral syndromes including chronic fatigue and sleep disruption. It was therefore reasonable to assume that SARS-CoV-2 would similarly have post-viral complications. Given that the only way at the time to prevent any post-viral syndrome was to prevent infection, the precautionary principle dictated that limiting infections and eradication of the virus should have been the top priority. Once Long COVID emerged shortly after the onset of the pandemic and prior to a vaccine, or knowledge of how to prevent or treat Long COVID, it became even more imperative to limit infections and eradicate the virus. The response of the ruling class however, was to toss the precautionary principle out the window, and aggressively promote back-to-work campaigns in the interests of Wall Street. Of course, given what we know now and in view of the colossal toll of Long COVID, the imperative for eradication is still greater. In the 2023 series, we also noted: The pandemic and the deepening Long COVID catastrophe are being covered up and ignored by capitalist politicians, as well as a range of pseudo-left organizations which claim to be socialist, but in fact fully support capitalism. The only political party which has not and will not ignore the dangers of the pandemic, in particular the ongoing the threat of Long COVID, is the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), which publishes the World Socialist Web Site. Two years later, these truths remain. The ICFI and WSWS reiterate the demand for policies and full funding for the eradication of SARS-CoV-2, next-generation vaccines, a vast expansion of research into Long COVID prevention and treatments, eradication of the H5N1 virus, robust surveillance systems for disease with data and reports made freely available to the public, and measures to prevent and prepare for future pandemics. Only the international working class can be successful in achieving these goals by reorganizing society based on human need over private profit. Scientists, physicians, and patients must turn to the working class. Join the Socialist Equality Party and join this struggle today! Sources: By Carolina Mandl and Summer Zhen NEW YORK/HONG KONG (Reuters) -Global equities long/short hedge funds missed out on most of Wednesday's massive rally in U.S. stocks, triggered by President Donald Trump's pause on some tariffs for 90 days, but managed to limit their losses during Thursday's sell-off. The funds were up 0.98% on April 9, while the S&P 500 index soared 9.5%, according to numbers compiled by Morgan Stanley sent to clients. U.S. hedge funds posted higher gains, up 2.28%, but still underperformed the index. These funds turned negative on Thursday as the S&P 500 slumped 3.5% and the MSCI World index fell 1.2% on market jitters of more risks ahead. Global fundamental long/short funds tracked by Goldman Sachs' prime brokerage desk were down 0.7% while systematic ones fared better, down 0.2%. U.S.-focused funds led the losses on the day, returning -1.4%. In a U-turn, Trump paused tariffs on Wednesday following a day when U.S. Treasuries sold off and showed signs of dislocations as investors feared the new trade policy could drive the world's largest economy into a recession. Stocks rallied and Treasury yields pared back some of their gains after the announcement. The rally caught hedge funds with increased short positions, or bets that stock prices would fall, by surprise. Hedge funds underwent the largest selling on a net basis in almost 15 years a week ago, while also turning the most bearish since 2011, Goldman said. REDUCING LEVERAGE With a reduced portfolio of long positions - betting prices would go up -, hedge funds did not take much advantage of the rally, but also managed to avoid oversized losses in Thursday's plunge. "Some of the activity (on Wednesday) was down to hedge funds covering their shorts after Trump's 90-day pause announcement," Jon Caplis, CEO of hedge fund research firm PivotalPath, said. According to Goldman, hedge funds bought U.S. equities at the largest notional value in more than a decade on Wednesday, due to short covering in macro products. Still, equity hedge funds are outperforming the S&P in 2025. Year-to-date through April 10, global fundamental long/short funds were down 4.3%, Goldman said. The S&P 500 dropped 10.4% in the same period. Morgan Stanley's numbers also showed that managers continued to cut leverage in their portfolios. Amid uncertainty around tariffs, hedge fund managers have slashed positions to reduce risk. (Reporting by Carolina Mandl in New York and Summer Zhen in Hong KongEditing by Marguerita Choy and Rachna Uppal) Nova Labs, the parent company behind the Helium blockchain, has agreed to pay the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) $200,000 to settle civil securities fraud charges the regulator filed against the firm in January, a court filing said Thursday. Without admitting or denying any wrongdoing, Nova Labs agreed to pay the fine to settle accusations that it misled institutional investors during a funding round from late 2021 to early 2022, during which it raised $200 million in fresh capital at a $1 billion valuation. In its complaint, the SEC accused Nova Labs of lying to prospective investors about a number of big-name enterprise customers including Nestle, Salesforce and Lime it claimed were using the Helium technology. The SEC accused Nova Labs of repeatedly exaggerating the nature of its relationships with these three corporations in order to secure investments, touting them as customers and users of its tech. According to the complaint, Nova Labs actual contact with Lime, Salesforce and Nestle was limited and primarily occurred before the launch of the Helium network in mid-2019. For example, according to the SEC, the extent of Nestles relationship with Nova Labs was a small-scale test of some of the companys component hardware in its water-delivery business in 2018, before Nova Labs was even in the crypto business. Its relationship with scooter company Lime was limited to two in-person demonstrations of Nova Labs component hardware to an audience of just two Lime employees at least one of whom left the company shortly afterwards in early 2019, the SEC said. Both Nestle and Lime eventually sent Nova Labs cease-and-desist orders, according to the SEC, threatening the company with legal action if it continued to use their trademarks and otherwise claiming to have an ongoing relationship with them, the complaint alleged. As part of Nova Labs settlement agreement with the SEC, the regulator agreed to drop two other claims that the company violated federal securities laws, including through the sale of three of its tokens the Helium Network Token (HNT), the Helium Mobile Network Token (MOBILE) and the Helium IoT Network Token (IOT) which the SEC alleged in January to be securities, according the settlement agreement. Those claims were dropped with prejudice, meaning the SEC is barred from bringing a future case under the same allegations. Nova Labs celebrated the settlement in a Thursday blog post, calling it a major win for Helium and the Peoples Network. With this dismissal, we can now definitively say that all compatible Helium Hotspots and the distribution of HNT, IOT and MOBILE tokens through the Helium Network are not securities, the blog post said. The outcome establishes that selling hardware and distributing tokens for network growth does not automatically make them securities in the eyes of the SEC. The US economy and stock market are the most developed in the world and often reflect textbook examples of economic cycles. The previous unofficial recession in the US occurred in 2022, when the GDP growth posted 2 quarters of negative growth amid a sharp increase in interest rates to combat rising inflation. The stock market moved in sync with the economy during that year. The following year, 2023, resembled a slow recovery fueled by the emergence of the AI megatrend as well as strong public spending on infrastructure and other large projects. Calendar 2024 and early 2025 resembled an economic peak, as growth moderated and private spending became weaker. In such moments, even the slightest economic headwind and/or uncertainty can trigger a recession and a broad market meltdown. Thats exactly what happened with the new Trump 2.0 administration, which brought plenty of uncertainty related to tariffs and sharp cuts in the public sector. Another important consideration for investors is that the stock market and the economy do not move in sync; the former tends to be a forward-looking animal, meaning that stock prices tend to rise in anticipation of an economic recovery, while the actual economic conditions may still be depressed and reflect low GDP growth, high unemployment and sluggish private spending. Consequently, the key takeaway for readers is that investments in economic recovery stocks shall be made during peak uncertainty and pain, at or near a market bottom when everyone is fearful and reluctant to buy. As the legendary Warren Buffet has put it, Economic cycles, as defined by economists, alternate between periods of growth, peak, recession, and recovery, depending on the stage that a countrys economy is at. In particular, the term economic recovery describes the period that follows a recession and is characterized by improving employment, increased business activity and investment, rising consumer confidence, and accelerating GDP growth. Recoveries usually start after governments enact fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate investment and spending the primary stimulative instrument in the US has been the FED funds rate. When an economic recovery kicks in, the sectors that tend to outperform are the cyclical ones consumer discretionary, industrial, financial, and technology driven by both a recovery in the previously depressed valuations as well as by broad acceleration in growth. We recently published a list of 10 Best Economic Recovery Stocks to Buy . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR) stands against other best economic recovery stocks to buy. Story Continues While most investors are currently concerned about declining stock prices (the main US stock market benchmark is down over 11% at the time of this write-up since its February peak), the smart money is already looking for signals of a potential recovery. Atlanta Fed projects that the US economy posted negative real GDP growth in Q1 2025, estimated at -2.4%; given the uncertainty and tariff threats persisting in April as well, chances are that Q2 2025 will be in negative territory as well, which would mark an official recession. The problem is that the stock market already prices in such a scenario, which makes it difficult to exploit or hedge against. The only plausible move at the moment is to look for economic recovery stocks in an attempt to time the market bottom. We believe there are solid reasons to believe that the stock market bottomed out in early April and that things will only improve going forward. The most important signal in favor of a potential economic recovery ahead is that Trumps tariffs proliferate as a short-term negotiation tool only, which seems to work well in relation to most trading partners. On April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause in new tariffs for 75 countries until negotiations to discuss potential solutions are arranged. Heres how Kevin Breuninger, a CNBC journalist, commented the following on the recent developments: The White House is clarifying that Trumps announcement of a 90-day tariff pause means that the tariff level will be brought down to a universal 10% tariff during that time, while negotiations are ongoing. That respite does not apply to China, which will see U.S. tariffs on its goods rise to 125%. We see this announcement as a sign that chances are high that the US will reach a positive agreement with the 75 countries mentioned. While the situation with China is still intense, things could deescalate if other countries reach agreements with the US and set the stage for China as well. In this context, if the tariffs saga is successfully navigated, the main headwind for the economy will dissipate, potentially triggering a broad economic recovery that would push stock prices higher. With that being said, we may currently be at an opportune moment to pick the best economic recovery stocks. Is Ingersoll Rand Inc. (IR) the Best Economic Recovery Stock to Buy? A bustling industrial facility with a series of chemical filtration systems on display. Our Methodology We used a screener to identify stocks with at least a 20% revenue compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last 5 years. Then, we selected the top 10 stocks with the largest estimated average analysts upside and included them in the article in ascending order. For each stock, we also include the number of hedge funds that own the stock as of Q4 2024. The stocks are ranked according to the upside potential. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here). Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR) Estimated average analysts upside: 44.15% Revenue CAGR last 5 years: 25.60% Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39 Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR) is a provider of industrial solutions, offering a diverse range of products such as air and gas compressors, pumps, vacuum systems, and power tools for the industrial and life sciences markets. The companys competitive advantage is based on a strong scale and global presence, which allows it to be a reliable supplier to companies relying on customized products and parts. IR is one of the best economic recovery stocks to consider, as it has a proven history of thriving during periods when industrial activity and capital expenditures are accelerating. The US-based company ranked tenth on our recent list of 12 High Growth Non-Tech Stocks That Are Profitable in 2025. Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR) delivered a strong performance in 2024 with double-digit adjusted EPS growth and a robust free cash flow margin, despite a dynamic global market environment. The company achieved a record adjusted EBITDA margin of 27.9%, up 190 basis points from the prior year, while full-year adjusted EPS finished at $3.29 per share, representing an 11% YoY increase. Total company orders were up 4%, and revenue increased 5% for the full year, with a book-to-bill ratio of 0.98, which demonstrates a deep pipeline of orders for customers. Looking ahead to 2025, Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR) expects total revenue growth between 3% and 5%, with organic growth of 1% to 3%. The M&A pipeline remains robust, with over 200 companies in the funnel. The company has demonstrated continued success in its acquisition strategy, having acquired approximately $625 million in annualized revenue from 18 acquisitions in 2024 at less than 14x the pre-synergy adjusted EBITDA multiple, which is considered cheap in the current reality. Notably, the company maintains a strong balance sheet with total liquidity of $4.1 billion, including $1.5 billion of cash on hand at quarter end, which positions it well to withstand any economic slowdown and even a prolonged recession. Overall, IR ranks 9th on our list of best economic recovery stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of IR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than IR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Jelly Roll says he down more than 180 pounds as he works toward the ultimate date with his wife. The heavily tattooed country star appeared on stage Wednesday at Pat McAfees Big Night Aht live show in Pittsburgh, where he shared about his weight loss journey. McAfee spotlighted the 40-year-old rapper's physique at the PPG Paints Arena, saying "it looks like you lost a person. Congratulations." Jelly Roll proceeded to groove and flex on stage, smiling as the crowd applauded. You look UNBELIEVABLE "I started at 540 pounds and I was 357 pounds this morning.. I'M GONNA LOSE ANOTHER 100 POUNDS AND GO SKYDIVING WITH MY WIFE IN SWEDEN"@JellyRoll615 #BigNightAHT pic.twitter.com/sXuXtBpdTZ Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 10, 2025 "I started at 540 pounds I'm 357 pounds this morning, baby," Jelly Roll said. "I'm going to lose another 100 pounds and go skydiving with my wife in Sweden, baby." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Well we are all proud of you," McAfee said. "We need you to survive, brother. You're one of the good ones." Jelly Roll on the red carpet during Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre in New Orleans on Feb. 6, 2025. Who is Jelly Roll? Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, is a Nashville-based music star who mishmashes rap and country music. Last year he nabbed a Grammy nomination under the best new artist category, a new artist of the year nod at the Country Music Association Awards and three CMT Music Awards for his hit 2021 track "Son of a Sinner." His music career began in 2011 and has overcome personal challenges before he reached mainstream success, including serving prison time. Who is Jelly Rolls wife? Jelly Roll is married to model and entrepreneur Alyssa DeFord, known as Bunnie XO and host of the Dumb Blonde podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple met in 2015 when she saw Jelly Roll perform at the Country Saloon in Las Vegas. They married at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Vegas the following year. In a 2023 Billboard interview, Jelly Roll called his wife "a beacon of change in my life." Last year the couple renewed their wedding vows in Las Vegas. In the description of her podcast, she refers to herself as the degenerate love child of Dolly Parton & Dr. Ruth, while her Instagram page (@xomgitsbunnie) calls her the Trailerpark Barbara Walters. Why was Jelly Roll in prison? According to Davidson County Criminal Court records in Tennessee, Jelly Rolls first arrest as an adult happened in 2002 when he was 18. Prosecutors formally charged him with two counts of aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and seven years of probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Jelly Roll was released early from the Tennessee Department of Corrections, he was arrested again in 2008 for violating the drug-free school zone act. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of possession with intent to sell cocaine that same year and was sentenced to eight years in prison and another eight years of probation. Prison records show his probation ended on Dec. 16, 2016. In November 2022, Jelly Roll donated about $250,000 to finance the construction of a recording studio within the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center in Nashville, where he spent time as early as age 14. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jelly Roll says he's down 183 pounds amid ongoing weight loss journey When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Bhutan is aiming to attract 300,000 tourists annually. | Credit: s_jakkarin / Getty Images Bhutan is a remote country in the eastern Himalayas filled with temples, monasteries, colorful prayer flags and gorgeous scenery. Since opening to outside visitors 50 years ago, the country has taken a slow and sustainable approach toward tourism. Now, a recent push to revive the economy and keep young people from moving abroad is slightly reshaping the strategy, with a new focus on bringing in diverse visitors from around the world. The basics of Bhutan The Great Buddha Dordenma is one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world | Credit: Sergi Reboredo / VW Pics / Universal Images Group / Getty Images Bhutan sits between China and India, and its neighbors to the south accounted for more than 73% of arrivals in 2019, when a record 300,000 tourists visited the country. The government's goal is to reach that number again, but with a "more diverse consumer base," the Bangkok Post said, specifically one from the U.S., Australia and Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bhutan measures the well-being of residents on the Gross National Happiness index, looking at factors "from living standards to health to cultural and environmental preservation," and with this in mind built its tourism reputation on "low-volume crowds and high-paying guests." Bhutan charges tourist fees, but to broaden its appeal to visitors of all income levels, lowered its Sustainable Daily Fee to $100 through August 2027. Bhutan takes sustainability seriously and is the world's first carbon-negative country. All foreign visitors, with the exception of Indian nationals, need a visa to enter Bhutan. There is one international airport, served by Bhutan Airlines and Drukair, with direct flights from Kathmandu, Bangkok and New Delhi. Outside of the cities of Thimpu and Paro, you will need a guide, and the Bhutan Tourism Services Portal directs travelers to experienced tour operators, trip leaders, accommodations, restaurants and homestays. What to see in Bhutan The Buddhist monastery and fortress Tashichho Dzong sits on the edge of Thimphu | Credit: Andrew Stranovsky Photography / Getty Images Bhutan is the world's last Vajrayana Buddhist kingdom, and "majestic" temples and dzongs, or fortified buildings, dot the mountainous landscape, Conde Nast Traveler said. A three-hour hike up a "steep, wooded cliff" leads to the sacred Tiger's Nest, an "iconic" 17th-century monastery. The Trans-Bhutan trail crosses the entire country, taking "intrepid" hikers 30 days to complete, National Geographic Traveler said, but you can tackle individual sections as well. One stretch, the Divine Madman's Trail, begins in the clouds as you make your way down the Dochula Pass, where you will find villages and a house that is "said to have been struck by an arrow shot from Tibet" in the 15th century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face A Buddhist pilgrimage route in Japan A journey into the remote hills of Nagaland Life is busier in the capital, Thimphu, a city that "beautifully combines culture with a cosmopolitan vibe," Lonely Planet said. There are no traffic lights here (or anywhere in Bhutan), and it is fascinating watching "immaculately dressed policemen manually direct traffic." During the day, visit spots like the National Memorial Chorten and Bhutan Postal Museum, where you can make your own stamps, and at night check out the bar scene. The Weekend Market happens every Thursday through Sunday, with local vendors selling produce, wild honey, dried fish and "deliciously aromatic raw ingredients" for incense. Being a thoughtful visitor The Iron Chain Bridge brings people to the Tachog Lhakhang Monastery | Credit: Sabine Hortebusch / Getty Images Folktales, myths and legends are a major part of Bhutan's cultural identity, and visitors should approach this with an "open mind" and "consider setting aside your preconceptions," Lonely Planet said. Bring modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees to wear when entering temples and monasteries, and remove your shoes and hats. When shopping at markets, pay the listed price in Bhutan, "aggressive negotiating tactics are a foreign concept." It can take several months to create traditional textiles, and "prices reflect the meticulous work and cultural richness woven into each piece." GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) One person has life-threatening injuries after a shooting Friday night, according to the Greensboro Police Department. At 10:25 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 1900 block of Rubywood Street and located one victim who was seriously injured. No suspect information was available. There is no further information at this time. 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 FOX8 WGHP. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was seriously injured in an early morning crash Saturday, April 12 in Central El Paso, an El Paso Fire Department spokesperson said. The crash happened at around 2 a.m. Saturday along the 900 block of Piedras near the Five Points area of Central, El Paso Police said. El Paso Police seek help in hit-and-run crash that left 1 seriously hurt Police said one person was injured but did not specify how badly. A Fire Department spokesperson, however, said they transported one person Code 3 (serious). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special Traffic Investigations, which looks into crashes with serious injuries or fatalities, was called out to the scene. Police did not say how many vehicles were involved or what led up to the crash. This is a developing story and we will update it when we learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. One person was taken to a hospital after being shot Friday night in west Charlotte, MEDIC said. PAST: 1 hurt in shooting at west Charlotte shopping center The shooting happened shortly before 6:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of Ashley Road, which is close to Allegheny Street. The shooting victim had life-threatening injuries. No additional details have been made available. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: 1 seriously hurt in west Charlotte shooting, MEDIC says PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A former loss prevention officer was convicted of sexually assaulting a shoplifter at a Portland Rite Aid in 2015, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office announced on Friday. Daniel Luis Cassinelli was convicted of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree sodomy, and two counts of second-degree sex abuse. He faces a minimum of eight years in prison. Man saves mom, dog from fire; 2 other dogs rescued Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims, no matter their background or life circumstances deserve to be believed, and will be believed, said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Quinn Zemel. Its never too late for justice. On Jan. 21, 2025, the victim reported that she was sexually assaulted in the loss prevention office of a Portland Rite Aid after she was caught shoplifting by Cassinelli. (Cassinelli) escorted her alone to (the) loss prevention office where he sexually assaulted and then raped her. After the assault, the defendant walked the victim to the surveillance room where he showed her the cameras and explained he had been watching her for quite some time. He told her not to tell anyone about the incident and he would not report her to the police, the DAs office said. She got on a bus to Beaverton where she contacted a transit officer to report the rape. Police identified the defendant by talking to Rite Aid management about who was on duty and by reviewing video footage. She eventually separated from the case because of life circumstances and the case went cold. The case was picked up in Oct. 2021 by Portland detective Matthew Irvine, who reviewed video footage and identified Cassinelli and the victim going into the security room for over 20 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Records from Rite-Aid show that the defendant had stopped the victim in two prior instances and wrote reports for those contacts, however, no report was written for this lengthy interaction during the assault. Irvine learns the defendant would have been in violation of policy by being alone with a female in the office and by not writing a report, the DAs office said. Eventually, enough evidence was gained to bring an indictment and trial. Zemel said the break in the case was thanks in part to something called the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Thanks to more funds, a backlog of sexual assault kits that had never been tested and sitting in property or in warehouses due to a lack of resources could finally be re-examined. Because of this, the case was reopened in 2022. DOGE cuts impact humanities in Washington and Oregon Maryann Stott, the sexual assault survivor in the case, spoke to KOIN 6 News. She said it all started after she was accused of stealing a soda. Now shes sharing her story in hopes of helping others in similar situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that time, compared to then and now, Im a whole differentyou know, my life has changed, Stott said. Stott shared that she is a recovering addict and mother. Im not who I was, she said. She said she was lured into the offices of loss prevention at the Rite Aid because she didnt want to go to jail and I know they get you in and get you out. However, after Cassinelli locked the door behind her in the room, thats when I knew something was about to happen, bad. I just ran after the incident, Stott said. Even though she initially reported her assault, she eventually dropped it. She said many women do this because they feel like no one will believe them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outcome in the long run is worth being- going through that emotional stuff. Because now, I can start to heal. And hopefully those other women, those other victims, will, too, Stott said. Cassinelli will be sentenced on July 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 KOIN.com. By Saeed Azhar NEW YORK (Reuters) -Janus Henderson, which manages $379 billion in assets, is advising investors to cut stock holdings and buy more investment-grade sovereign bonds as tariffs threaten to slow global growth, its global head of its multi-asset strategy said. Janus Henderson now recommends a portfolio of 55% equities and 45% bonds, compared with its call at the start of the year for 62% equities and 38% bonds, Adam Hetts told Reuters. "We don't think this is the environment that clients want to buy the dip quite yet, because there could still be more downside," Hetts said. He cited a negative scenario of "the 10% baseline, the tariffs on autos, aggressive counter tariffs and trade war-style escalation with China and Europe." His base case is for a market selloff and the potential for bearish and recessionary cases to take hold. The stock market could go from a disorderly selloff to a more orderly selloff because the recession risk "is much, much higher" than it was a couple of weeks ago, Hetts added. "We've gone to an equity underweight in the portfolios," Hetts said, more neutral on U.S. assets and slightly underweight on international investments. "We're headed towards a tariff-induced global slowdown right now in the very short term. Europe and China could have potentially more downside than the U.S., but coming out of that, that might be the place to go," he said. He cited fiscal stimulus in the wake of Germany's elections, potential resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and fiscal stimulus in China as factors that may be catalysts for recoveries in Europe and China. "There are these potential upside catalysts in Europe which was much cheaper as a starting point than the U.S. and then China's been committed to fiscal stimulus and we think that's a story that will play out for quarters to come," he said. For now, investors should allocate more funds to high-grade sovereign bonds to preserve capital, Hetts said. "When we're looking to de-risk... we're looking at investment grade sovereigns, and less so credit because we're also seeing volatility in credit," he said. (Reporting by Saeed AzharEditing by Lananh Nguyen, Leslie Adler, Peter Graff) Police say a 13-year-old girl pulled out her own hair to leave her DNA evidence at the home of a 19-year-old man who allegedly sexually assaulted her. Angel Lopez, 19, is accused of luring the girl through conversations on TikTok over four days, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said in a statement on March 27. Lopez then paid for her Uber ride from Westmoreland County, Pa., to Philadelphia, where he allegedly assaulted her in his home after offering her drugs. Lopez appeared in court on Thursday, April 10 for a preliminary hearing following his arrest, reports WTAE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez was charged with "kidnapping a minor, trafficking, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 16, unlawful contact of a minor, interference with child custody, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault of a child, sexual abuse of a child, corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility." The girl told police that he said, They wont be able to find you anyway," per the criminal complaint, according to WTAE. After the victim was assaulted, the defendant allegedly told her to show "to wash his DNA off her," the D.A.'s office said. According to the criminal complaint, the girl told police she left strands of her hair around Lopez's bedroom so her DNA could be found, reports WTAE. Related: Wisconsin Teen Says Short-Lived TikTok Ban Was Motive for Allegedly Setting Fire to Local Congressman's Office: Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He had mentioned to her that nobody would ever find her," Det. Sgt. Justin Scalzo of the Greensburg, Pa. police department said in a press conference on March 27, per WTAE. "And that was concerning. And that actually prompted the victim in this case to pull out strands of her hair and try to leave them around the apartment, saying that later that if nobody found her, maybe they could at least find her DNA." Getty The victim was allegedly lured through TikTok. The victim was allegedly lured through TikTok. Scalzo elaborated that Lopez allegedly did not want her to take any electronic devices with her to Philly. And then one text message stated, I want you to leave no trace behind.' Lopez exchanged 1,862 printed pages of messages with the girl during the four-day period. The victim later told police that their relationship turned sexual via explicit messages prior to the assault, and she expressed apprehension about going to Philadelphia. When she shared her doubts with Lopez, he allegedly threatened to kill himself if she did not go to see him, KDKA News reports, citing the criminal complaint. Related: Madeline Soto's Mom Allegedly Told Police Boyfriend Was 'Grooming and Abusing' Teen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per the D.A., the victim was reported missing by her family on March 14. Police were able to ping her phone to a location near Lopezs apartment. 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. Lopez remains in custody at Westmoreland County Prison. His next court date is May 14. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. Read the original article on People Apr. 11Elaine Smith had to hear the Corning whistle one last time. Smith, 70, of Monessen retired in 2020 after a 45-year career at the Pyrex glass plant, which has been a staple in Charleroi for more than a century. She said she was ready for tears to flow Friday for the final sounding of the air whistle, which was once a daily occurrence over the mill town of about 4,200 on the west bank of the Monongahela River in Washington County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When it blew, you knew it was noon and you were on Corning time," Smith said. "I brought tissues today for when the whistle blows for the last time. Everyone in town heard it, and now the silence will be deafening." Smith, along with most of the remaining active workers who were on duty Friday, gathered shortly before noon for a ceremony to commemorate the plant's last day of production and its impending closure. After 132 years in business, the plant, most recently known as the Corelle Brands, is set to close its doors in the Mon Valley. The company last fall announced its intent to shutter the facility and shift production to Lancaster, Ohio. A federal judge in November denied an attempt by the state to keep Corelle from moving to Ohio. In February, the company said it would continue operating through July, but workers were notified just days ago that Friday was the end of production and most plant operations would cease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final Pyrex glassware product, a square baking dish, came off the line shortly after 6 a.m., according to Daniele Byrne, a mechanic and vice president of the United Steelworkers of America Local 53G, which represents employees at the plant. Byrne expressed disdain for the company's one-time competitor, Anchor Hocking, which acquired the Pyrex rights and eventually decided to shift production out of Charleroi. "This is for us," Byrne said as she and two of her coworkers raised a flag over the grounds to honor the Corning legacy. "You won't see quality ware come out of Ohio like you saw came out of here. What came out of here was the best glass ever. It's pure jealousy that they bought us and put us under." Fred Vance, a 47-year veteran of the plant, lamented the decision to close down the plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're going to put their name on our ware and hope consumers won't know the difference," Vance said. "They will." Friday was the last day on the job for most of the 200 workers. The factory at one time saw hundreds of employees working round-the-clock shifts. It will operate for the next several weeks with a skeleton crew of about three dozen to ship out the remaining product, and clean and close the building. For Rich Monach, 58, of Charleroi, the plant has been part of a family legacy. His grandfather worked at the Charleroi factory as a glassmaker nearly a century ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is going to cripple Charleroi," Monach said. "It was the biggest employer in the Valley, especially after the steel and coal mines closed. I guess I'll have to take time off and look for another job." Bernie Sobek, a 44-year veteran of the plant and member of its maintenance staff, said she was surprised last year when word first trickled out about the closure. She said it hit home this week as glass production ended. "I started here when I was 20, and I don't know anything else," Sobek said. "When we close this, it will be a ghost town." Larry McWilliams, 53, has worked as an electrician at the plant for 25 years. He will work another two weeks before his employment ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I thought I'd retire from this job," McWilliams said. "It is devastating. I don't know how else to put it." Anthony Pane, an engineer who worked at the Charleroi location for 36 years, said the Corning whistle blared through town for nearly a century until the early 2000s. Once the plant's closing was announced in February, employees restarted the tradition with many of the remaining workers getting one last opportunity to make it sound. The whistle rumbled for 132 seconds Friday afternoon signifying each year the factory has operated in Charleroi. "It's heartbreaking." Monach said. "You spend your whole life here, and they just pull the rug out from under you. "This is corporate greed." 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: Frances Fran Ann Williams. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Frances Fran Ann Williams, 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. 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: Jo Ann Whittenberg. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Jo Ann Whittenberg, 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. UPDATE: This story has been updated to include a correction from the Michigan State University Police and Public Safety spokeswoman on the reason names of those arrested were being withheld. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan State University Police and Public Safety officials confirmed with 6 News that 19 people were arrested Thursday evening during a protest at the John A. Hannah Administration Building. The protesters were arrested for trespassing, officials say. They were issued citations and released at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MSU declined to release the names of those arrested for trespassing. Nadia Vizueta, communications manager for the MSUPPS, says in an email names were not being released due to privacy concerns. A protester is handcuffed at MSUs Hannah Building Thursday night. (WLNS) Vizueta confirmed with 6 News that both MSUPPS Chief Michael Yankowski and Deputy Chief Chris Rozman were present during the protest arrests. Organizers of the protest, the Hurriya Coalition, reported in a news release on Friday that 17 people who were arrested were students and 2 of the people arrested were community members. This is just the latest move in MSUs long history of stalling, lying, and evading student protestors, says Prayag Shankar, an MSU junior and student organizer with the Hurriya Coalition. The statement was from a Friday news release. From the encampment, to the arrest of five students in October, and the refusal to attend our town hall in February, the mass arrest of me and 18 other protestors, fits perfectly into a pattern of cowardice from President Gukiewicz and the Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group is challenging the university over its investment policies and what they say is support of Israel. 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 Thursday. In news releases the group reports its demands from MSU as follows: 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 and April 11 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 WLNS 6 News. Many years ago, I wrote a thesis on pre-state violence and conflict in Israel. The project involved several months in Israel, Jordan and Egypt interviewing people from all sides who had witnessed events first-hand. One deliciously cool evening in east Jerusalem I sat with two elderly men, one Jewish and one Palestinian, who seemed angrier with their respective leaders than with each other. Suddenly the Israeli said to me: Its all about Hebron in 1929 you know. It all began then. I looked at his Arab friend, expecting dissent, but he nodded. Yes, hes right, hes right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hebron massacre in 1929 isnt widely known any more. Younger Israelis increasingly see the years before 1948 as ancient history, and their Palestinian peers have been fed an alternative narrative. As for the weekend warriors of the anti-Israel Left, their ignorance of the history of the region is notorious. In brief, on August 24 1929, in the city of Hebron, over 60 Jews were murdered; many others were horribly wounded and sexually mutilated; women were raped; and homes and synagogues were destroyed. A British police officer wrote that: On hearing screams in a room, I went up a sort of tunnel passage and saw an Arab in the act of cutting off a childs head with a sword. He had already hit him and was having another cut. British High Commissioner, Sir John Chancellor, also later wrote: The horror of it is beyond words. In one house I visited not less than twenty-five Jewish men and women were murdered in cold blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the reports sound horribly similar to those from October 7 2023. The Jewish community in Hebron back then was divided between Ashkenazi Jews who had lived there for a century and Sephardim who had been there for 800 years. The latter spoke Arabic and adopted Arab customs, and both groups were more religious than political. But Jewish immigration was increasing elsewhere in Palestine, and extremists such as Hajj Amin Al-Husseini, who would later praise and support Hitler, claimed that the Jews of Hebron were intent on conquering the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The propaganda was eagerly received. 435 Jews survived the pogrom, some of them hidden by Arab neighbours though recent scholarship questions just how many of these cases there were, and it seems that it was the British police who saved most lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who did live through it all were removed to Jewish areas for their own safety. The direct result was that the long history of a Jewish presence in Hebron, a deeply holy place for Jewish people, was ended in the summer of 1929 until Israel won the Six-Day War of 1967. The longer-term consequences were arguably more dramatic. Shortly before the massacre, Zionist defence leaders had visited Hebron and offered protection. Rumours were already spreading of what might happen, and it was suggested that a squad of armed men from Haganah the Jewish paramilitary organisation would be sufficient to guarantee safety. The offer was refused because the Jews of Hebron believed that their Muslim and Christian friends would not let anything happen. They believed in co-existence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hebron wasnt the only religiously mixed town, and from this point on the Jews of Palestine for the most part lost all confidence that they could be safe in majority Arab areas. As for the Haganah, which would eventually coalesce with other groups to become the IDF, they increased in size, efficiency, and organisation. They also embraced a philosophy that their role was to protect all Jews, even those who might be naive enough to assume that they werent in any danger. David Ben-Gurion, the first Israeli Prime Minister, was a socialist who had imagined a joint society of Jewish and Arab workers sharing in the struggle for human dignity. Hebron shocked him into a new realisation that the Jewish people couldnt rely on foreign cooperation or protection. It was something his rival Menachem Begin, whose party is now led by Benjamin Netanyahu, had long argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than seven years after the massacre the Arab Revolt began, and for more than three years there would be urban warfare. Any hope of a working relationship between Jews and Arabs, one that was once far more viable than we might now assume, had died in the streets and homes of Hebron in 1929 and by 1948, after Britains withdrawal from the region, the cycle of wars between the State of Israel and its neighbours began. By the way, one of the synagogues abandoned in Hebron after the 1929 massacre dated from 1540, built by Jews expelled during the Spanish Inquisition. These Israeli colonial settlers will they never learn? 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. JANE LEW, W.Va. (WBOY) One Easter egg hunt event in West Virginia is pulling out all the stops by hiding more than 2,000 eggs for kids to find. The Mountaineer RV and Outdoor Center in Jane Lew will be hosting the RV Egg-venture hunt next weekend on Saturday, April 19th. The egg hunt will be open for children of preschool age all the way up to fifth graders with more than 2,000 eggs being hidden, plenty for every child to find. Registration will begin inside at 2 p.m. on that Saturday. Mylan Park Elementary recognized as Exemplary Practice School Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be much more than just the egg hunt at the event, however. There will also be prizes, live bluegrass music, food and games for the entire family. If you and your family are interested in attending, you can find the Mountaineer RV and Outdoor Center at 1650 Hackers Creek Road in Jane Lew. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A pair of men from Cherokee County are heading to prison after being convicted of breaking into a home and stealing guns and landscaping equipment. District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said Ewell Randolph Bush Jr., 37, and William Shane Morgan, 36, were found guilty of burglary last month. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Bush was sentenced to 20 years with the first 12 to serve in prison. Morgan was sentenced to 20 years with the first 15 to serve in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treadaway says that because they are repeat offenders, they will have to serve the full sentence. Prosecutors say that in August 2023, Bush and Morgan broke into a home on Shoal Creek Road and stole a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum revolver, Smith & Wesson AR-15 rifle, a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol, ammunition, six watches, a safe containing $8,000 in cash and landscaping equipment. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say the homeowner had previously given Morgan a job and let him live in the home. One of the most shocking elements of this case is that the defendants repaid kindness with the ultimate betrayal, breaking into an acquaintances home to steal his possessions, said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Damion Overstreet, of the Gang and Organized Crime Unit, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the State. These criminals exploited someones generosity, then afterwards showed no remorse for their actions. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Late on a Friday afternoon in July 2023, two women charged with stealing from a dead man hours after his death walked out of the Marlboro County Detention Center. The S.C. Law Enforcement Division, also known as SLED, called Tammy Bullock and Charlotte Green to the jail to surrender to felony theft charges. SLED agents had one warrant each for grand larceny against the pair. SLED arrests former Marlboro County Deputy Probate Judge, friend in Final Disrespects estate theft case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SLED charged Bullock and Green with stealing a pistol, $2,203 in cash, and cigarettes from Hollis Slades pickup truck. Green was captured on camera admitting to taking cigarettes from Slades truck. Oh, me and Tammy got four packs of cigarettes out of it; figured he didnt need them no more, Green said in one of the recordings. Slade, who died several hours before, had installed multiple security cameras around his home. Slades family told Queen City News Chief Investigative Reporter Jody Barr he purchased the cameras to cover the inside and outside of his home to help him keep watch over his wife, Joyce, who suffers from dementia. If Slade had to leave her to run errands, he the motion-activated cameras would alert his cell phone. Slade also paid an in-home caretaker to sit with his wife if he had to leave home for a longer span of time. Marlboro County sheriff did not investigate criminal allegations against Final Disrespects judge, others Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recordings the Slade family provided to QCN show Joyce was inside the home when her husband started complaining of stomach pains in January 2021 and was there when EMS picked him up for the ambulance ride to the hospital. Hollis Slade died an hour or so later at the hospital. The Slade family learned of the death soon after when the cameras captured a truck pulling into the driveway, and several people got out. The group, which included Green and then-Deputy Probate Judge Tammy Bullock, started going inside Slades home and searching his property and pick-up truck. One of the men in the group contacted Beth Slade-Boling, Hollis Slades sister in Indiana, to tell her of her brothers death. Those recordings later showed some of the group carrying property out of Slades home before his sister arrived from Indiana and included video of Bullock telling someone in a phone call they were rummaging thoughout the home hunting for a will. SLED agents booked Tammy Bullock into the Marlboro County Detention Center on July 28, 2023 on one count of grand larceny in connection to the Hollis Slade estate theft case which was the center of our Final Disrespects investigation from 2021. (Source: Marlboro County Detention Center) SLED agents booked Charlotte Green into the Marlboro County Detention Center on July 28, 2023 on one count of grand larceny in connection to the Hollis Slade estate theft case which was the center of our Final Disrespects investigation from 2021. (Source: Marlboro County Detention Center) The caretaker, Linda Hood, would later tell Slades family about a bag of cash and a pistol she collected and hid in Joyces dresser. Hood said that a pistol and cash were stolen. Slades sister reported the theft and what they found in the recordings during a face-to-face meeting with then-Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beth Slade-Boling told QCN she never heard from the sheriff again. FINAL DISRESPECTS: SLED is not confident agents can prove intent The family spent months in back-and-forth conversations with SLED agents, supplying the agents with video recordings, Slades bank statements, property inventories, and anything else the family thought was stolen from the home before they arrived the following day. It took 30 months following Hollis Slades death before state law enforcers filed a charge in the case. On July 28, 2023, with no public notice, a SLED agent with the last name Hernandez drove to Marlboro County and served both women, each with a single count of felony theft. Hollis Slades sister, Beth Boling, arrived at her brothers home the night following his death. Boling and her daughter drove to Marlboro County from Indiana after receiving the news of Slades death the day before. The Bolings saved more than 1,000 video clips from Slades home security cameras after their suspicions grew concerning the group of friends who gathered at Slades home in the hours following his death. Beth Slade-Boling told Barr that even though she was a victim, reported the theft to SLED, and provided all the evidence used to charge the women, the agency never informed the family of the arrest or gave them the opportunity to attend the bond hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also had no idea the bond hearing happened on July 28. In fact, neither SLED nor the S.C. Attorney Generals Office told anyone about the arrests, despite the incredible public interest in the two years of news reporting prior to the arrests. It would take SLED another three days to publicly acknowledge the arrests and to provide information to the public through a press release. SLED-CHARGES-TWO-MARLBORO-COUNTY-WOMEN-WITH-GRAND-LARCENYDownload Barr placed calls to both Bullock and Green as soon as a tip came in that both had been arrested in the Final Disrespects news investigation. Go fk yourself, man, Green told Barr in the July 28 call. Green hung up before we could ask the name of the attorney representing her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bullock never responded to our outreach. CHARGE DISAPPEARS The charges remained pending against both women until July 2024, when Barr was conducting a monthly check-in on the states online court docket and noticed the theft charge against Charlotte Green had disappeared. In an email exchange with S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilsons press secretary, Robert Kittle, we tried to find out what happened. Kittle, in a July 15, 2024, email response, confirmed, The theft charges against Charlotte Green have been disposed of. I cant comment any further on that. Marlboro County Deputy Probate Judge Tammy Bullock walks into Hollis Slades home on Jan. 24, 2021 the day following his death. Bullock told someone in a phone call recorded on Slades back porch that she and the others spent the day rummaging through Slades home in search of a will. The following week, Barr went to the Marlboro County Courthouse to pull Greens case file. Nothing in the file showed a dismissal. Barr asked the AGs office why it believed the charge was dismissed. Kittle never responded with an explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlotte Greens case is still pending, and it says so on the public index, according to our attorney, Kittle responded to Barr in a July 23 email. Greens case was never dismissed, despite what the AGs office told QCN, according to court records Barr reviewed in person. That dismissal didnt happen until Oct. 17, 2024. When Barr went back to the Marlboro County Courthouse in November 2024, to review the Bullock/Green case file, the only indication of a dismissal was the word Dismiss scribbled on the July 2023 arrest warrant, along with 10/17/24 and an illegible signature that appeared to be that of Assistant Attorney General Joel Kozak. There was no other document in the Charlotte Green case file indicating a formal dismissal of the charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search of the Public Index for Charlotte Greens name today shows no sign of the July 2023 case, and when Barr requested the court file earlier this year from the clerks office, he was informed it no longer exists. The AGs office will not explain what happened to the Green prosecution and why the AG dismissed her charge. The felony theft case against Tammy Bullock is still pending. Bullock faces an AG prosecution over both the Hollis Slade theft case as well as a gun charge from a few days following Slades death in an unrelated incident. Final Disrespects judge arrested, booked on felony gun charge Bennettsville Police Department investigators charged Bullock with pointing and presenting a firearm in February 2021. Bullocks roommate, Shanda Nash, told Barr that the pair were arguing in the home they rented together one morning when Bullock stood over her, pointed a gun at her head, and threatened to kill her. Shanda Nash demonstrates how she said Marlboro County Deputy Probate Judge Tammy Bullock stood over her and pointed a gun to her head during a Feb. 2, 2021 argument inside the home the women rented in Bennettsville, SC. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr) And she had the gun right to my face and was like, Ill fing shoot you, Shanda, Nash said during an interview at her Bennettsville home on August 31, 2021. By the time we got in touch with Shanda Nash on August 25, more than six months had passed since she said Deputy Probate Judge Tammy Bullock stuck a pistol in her face and threatened to kill her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The women became roommates around October 2020, according to Nash, but Bullock had once lived in the home with an ex-boyfriend. When that relationship ended, Bullock rented half the home to Nash and Nashs 17-year-old daughter, she said. The argument that morning started over Nashs daughter after she said Bullock went into her daughters bedroom to get onto her about not having a job. Marlboro County court records show that in December 2021, Bullock asked for a venue change and for the court to dismiss the gun charge against her. A court date was never set to hear either of Bullocks motions. Bullocks weapons charge prosecution was set for trial on the Jan. 6, 2025, Marlboro County trial docket, but neither Kittle nor the victim, Shanda Nash, knew anything about the trial when Barr contacted both in late December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nash said the Attorney Generals Victims Advocate office never informed her of the trial date or any sort of status on the case since it happened. In an email response on Jan. 3, 2025, Kittle wrote that Bullocks trial was not happening. Nash told Barr she called the Attorney Generals Office on Jan. 3, asking about the trial and why she was never informed of it. Nash said the office told her Bullock was set to take a plea deal in the case. System sucks, Nash told Barr on Jan. 4. The S.C. Attorney Generals Office agreed to prosecute the felony gun charge against Bullock, along with the felony theft involving the Hollis Slade estate. It took three and a half years from the gun incident until Bullock was indicted on the charge in August 2024. A review of Bullocks case file at the Marlboro County Courthouse earlier this year does not show AG Alan Wilson has attempted to indict Bullock on the felony theft charge involving the Hollis Slade estate. Both of Bullocks charges remain pending, and no court date has been set, AG press secretary Robert Kittle confirmed to Barr on Friday, April 11, 2025. Queen City News will continue to update our Final Disrespects investigation as developments happen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Newly unsealed court documents are giving us a better idea of just how long federal officials have been investigating a Sioux Falls restaurant. Three people linked to the Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet are in jail accused of convincing people to come to the U.S. to illegally work at their business so the suspects could make more money. New prison site could be 100 acres, RFI says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents say they paid workers in cash after subtracting money for everything from rent and utilities to food from the restaurant The Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet in Sioux Falls is now closed but its been closed before. The restaurant was closed in August of 2023 after what neighbors said appeared to be a raid. In an August 2023 KELOLAND News story, a neighbor said, We noticed out back there were I think we counted eight black unmarked vehicles and somebody was getting out putting on a police vest. Several organizations were involved including the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About an hour later we saw a couple of state patrol cars out front blocking the entrance and they all dissipated after about four hours, a witness said. Court documents unsealed Friday said the 2023 search of the restaurant turned up two stashes of cash. In one spot, they found $109,000 and in another they found more than $12,000. Officials also found nearly $34,000 in cash in a home that belonged to one of the suspects. Later in August 2023, court documents say investigators searched a safe deposit box at US Bank and found necklaces and jewelry. The searching was not done. UPDATE: Rice Street fatal crash victim identified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September of 2023, officials searched a second safe deposit box, this time at Wells Fargo. Court documents say it held more than $30,000 cash along with gold necklaces and rings. Nearly two years later, those searches have led to three arrests and the restaurant is once again closed. The charges from 2025 are conspiracy to harbor aliens, harboring aliens and aiding and abetting, and forfeiture, according to a court documents from the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota Three of the suspects, Hui Weng, Min Lin and Jin Ju Pan appeared in court this week where they pleaded not guilty to the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a redacted name in court documents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The uncertainty caused by President Donald Trumps increased tariffs on many American trading partners has caused volatility in the U.S. and global stock markets. While the impacts of tariffs will affect every American, retirees are the most immediately affected, especially those who currently draw their income from the retirement accounts that have been significantly affected by recent tariff-related stock market dips. Learn More: Trump Isnt Ruling Out a Recession This Year What Could That Mean for Your Wallet? Read Next: Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 Rod Pintello, age 79, a retired former director of materials in hospitals who is based in California, has watched his retirement accounts lose around $14,000 in just the past couple of weeks alone. Pintello considers himself and his wife among the luckier of retired people they both have pensions from their former jobs, withdraw a monthly sum from their 401(k) and receive the maximum theyre eligible for from Social Security. Yet he finds himself nervous about the future of his retirement accounts, which not only support him and his wifes retirement, but are intended to be passed on to their adult children. Negotiating Market Losses This isnt the first time Pintello has seen a sharp drop in his 401(k) related to government policies, either. Unfortunately, during the first Trump administration, [my 401(k)] dropped about 30% during the first six months he became president. It took all this time to claw its way back up to the top again to where it was, but now [Trumps] doing it with the tariffs He credited former President Joe Bidens administration with bringing his retirement accounts back up to normal. Find Out: Who Would Benefit the Most from Trumps Social Security Tax Plan? Shifting Funds Pintello is concerned enough about future drops in his 401(k) that hes considered more drastic moves with his retirement funds if the market continues to wobble. Ive done all the math. If right now I took the full payment of my 401(k) and and paid the taxes on it, then I could put it in CDs and get enough money in there so that I wouldnt lose anything. I also wouldnt gain. Its not the move he wants to make, but its hard to know what the future will bring. Weve held our breaths and just lived through the failures like this over the years, and then I have to wait for another administration to come in to build it back up. And they do. Stockpiling for the Future Fears of even higher costs of living as a result of tariffs have Pintello and his wife doing something he never thought at this late age that he would be doing: stockpiling stuff. EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN) Three people are facing charges after a drug bust in East Liverpool. The Columbiana County Drug Task Force served a search warrant Thursday at a home in the 600 block of Minerva Street. Agents found suspected meth, crack cocaine, fentanyl and materials used for drug trafficking at the home. More charges could be filed once lab results are in. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. The three most significant recalls this week involve bratwurst, celery, and one brand of butter. Read on to learn why and what to do if you have any of these items in your fridge or freezer. Simply Recipes / Johnsonville Nearly 23,000 Pounds of Johnsonville Cheddar Bratwurst Recalled for Containing Hard Plastic On April 5, Johnsonville, LLC pulled 22,672 pounds of cheddar bratwurst from store refrigerators in 10 states for potentially containing hard plastic. The company alerted the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety & Inspection Service after two consumers identified hard plastic material in the product. The bratwurst in question was produced on February 5, 2025. Product: "Johnsonville BRATS CHEDDAR Bratwurst," 19-oz. sealed firm tray packages (five pieces) Establishment Number: "Est. 1647" (found on the front of the label) Package Code: B9FOD Distribution: Retail stores across Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of April 11, no one has been injured from consuming these products. However, if you stored the bratwurst in your freezer, toss them or return them to the store where you bought them for a refund. If you have any other questions about the recall, contact Amanda Fritsch, the companys consumer relations coordinator, at 888-556-2728 or anachtweyfritsch@johnsonville.com. Nearly 1,600 Cases of Celery Sticks Recalled for Potential Listeria Contamination On April 10, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. voluntarily issued a precautionary advisory for one batch of washed, ready-to-eat celery sticks. The vegetable may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Georgia Department of Agriculture sampled the product at a Georgia location, where one of many samples yielded a positive test result. Consuming Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious, potentially fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) stated in a release about the advisory. It can also cause stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant people. For the average person, Listeria can cause fever, severe headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Product: Marketside Celery Sticks 4 in/1.6 oz bundle packs UPC Code: 6 81131 16151 0 Lot Code: P047650 Best by Date: 03/23/2025 Distribution: Nationwide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This product is no longer in stores, but if you froze it, toss it immediately. Its unclear whether the company will be issuing refunds at this time. Simply Recipes / Cabot Cabot Creamery Butter Recalled for Bacterial Contamination On April 9, Cabot Creamery released a statement saying its supplier, Agri-Mark Inc., would be voluntarily recalling about 1,700 pounds of butter (a single lot) after product testing revealed an elevated level of coliform bacteria (like E. coli). This bacteria is often found in the digestive tracts of humans and livestock, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also exists in soil, on plants, and in lakes or rivers. Agri-Mark has identified the cause and has taken the appropriate internal actions to address it. No other products were affected. Agri-Mark is dedicated to food safety and producing quality products and is always monitoring its products for compliance, the statement reads. The FDA classified this recall as Class III, meaning its not likely to cause adverse health effects. This is likely due to the efforts of Agri-Mark, which recovered 99.5 percent of the recalled product before it was sold to consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Product: Cabot Creamery 8 oz Extra Creamy Premium Butter, Sea Salted. Packaged as (2) 4 oz sticks in cardboard shells. Packing Code: 072 or 073 Lot number: 090925-055 Timestamp Range: 22:00-00:30 Expiration Date: 09/09/25 Distribution: Vermont No one has fallen ill from consuming this product. If your package matches all the above information or if you have any concerns about this product, please let us know immediately, the release states. You can contact the company via email at info@cabotcreamery.com or by phone at 1-888-792-2268 (Monday Friday, 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. EST). Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES SRINAGAR, India (AP) Three suspected militants and an army officer have been killed in two separate gunbattles in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the Indian army said Saturday. Army soldiers laid a cordon in a forested area in southern Kishtwar district on Wednesday following a tip that a group of insurgents was operating there, an army statement said. A search in the area by soldiers led to a firefight with militants, initially leaving one militant dead late Wednesday, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It added that despite inclement weather, troops maintained their cordon in the area, triggering more exchanges of gunfire that resulted in the killing of two more militants on Saturday. The army did not report any casualties on its side. However, in another incident, the Indian army said its soldiers in southern Akhnoor area intercepted a group of militants close to the heavily militarized Line of Control dividing the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan late Friday. Fighting ensued during which one army officer was killed, it said. The statement said militants were trying to infiltrate into the Indian side from the Pakistan-controlled area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no independent confirmation of either of the incidents. Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhis rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. The territory has simmered in anger since 2019 when New Delhi ended the regions semiautonomy and drastically curbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms while intensifying counterinsurgency operations. Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russian forces struck a private residence in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, with a glide bomb on April 12, injuring four civilians and potentially trapping others beneath the rubble. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that the attack occurred around 6:20 p.m. local time during ongoing heavy shelling of the city. The injured civilians include a 25-year-old woman, a 26-year-old man, and two women aged 52 and 73, according to Syniehubovs statement on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary reports indicate that at least three more individuals may still be trapped under the debris. Kharkiv Oblast in Ukraine's northeast is a regular target of Russian missile, drone, and glide bomb attacks. Kupiansk is located only 2 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the current front line. Divided by the Oskil River, Kupiansk lies at a critical junction between the Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast and the adjacent Kharkiv Oblast. Read also: Russians preparing for assault in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukrainian military warns Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SANFORD, N.C. (WNCN) A teen girl is found safe and a man is in custody awaiting Homeland Security after deputies said they found them together Wednesday in a hotel in Sanford. According to the Lee County Sheriffs Office, deputies launched an investigation when a 14-year-old teenager did not return home after going to school at East Lee Middle School. Deputies said they discovered that 41-year-old Victor Alfonso Villalba Bustamante picked the teen up from school. Deputies found them at a hotel later that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bustamante was charged with two counts of statutory rape, abduction of a child, felony conspiracy to commit abduction, second-degree kidnapping and solicitation of a minor by computer. (Photo Cred: Lee County Sheriffs Office) We have recovered several electronic devices that we will be obtaining search warrants for, Sheriff Brian Estes told CBS 17. I do expect additional charges. Deputies said Bustamante was not a legal resident and will additionally be held on a federal detainer, meaning an additional investigation is being sought for either more criminal proceedings or immigration purposes. Thank you to the NC SBI, Homeland Security, Broadway Police Department, and Sanford Police Department for their assistance in locating this child predator and ensuring the safe return of the juvenile to her family, Sheriff Estes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Lee County judge set Bustamantes bond at $3 million Wednesday. Due to his immigration status, he is being held on a federal retainer. John Webster, the executive director of the Child Advocacy Center in Fayetteville who works with criminal investigators in Cumberland County on child crimes, said adults targeting teens is happening more often than it used to with the evolution of smart devices and social media. This is a dark reality, Webster said. This is the dark side of the web. Youre not safe anywhere if you get into the wrong chatroom or if you get into the wrong gaming room, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Webster, teens access to mobile devices around the clock is putting them more at risk. I think a lot of this happens late at night when parents are gone to bed, he said. Kids still have access to their phones and their equipment late at night, even during the day, in the afternoons when parents are still at work. North Carolina lawmakers have filed a bill pushing to ban children younger than 14 from social media. It would also require parental control on social media for teens ages 14 and 15. Webster said adding parental controls on a childs smart devices may help manage the problem. Parents just need to be careful and diligent, Webster said. Kids just need to be aware when theyre talking to someone or chatting with someone online, they may or may not know that persons real reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are some signs parents can look out for such as drop in grades, mood changes, isolation, and the inability for a teen to concentrate. Doesnt mean this is going on, but its something that gives parents some cause to check into it, Webster said. I dont think parents need to panic, by any means, he said. But they just need to be aware of where their children are, what they are looking at. If they start seeing strange behaviors or start seeing things that dont seem quite right, they need to dig in and see. Webster said there are many resources available for parents as well as teens, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. 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. The federal government has revoked the legal status of 43 international students associated with Northwest Missouri State University, the school said in a statement Friday afternoon. Five of the people are current students and the remaining 38 are optional practical training students who graduated but remained in the country for employment associated with their visas, university president Lance Tatum said. Please know this situation continues to evolve and Northwests International Involvement Center is working directly with the impacted students to offer guidance, he said. However, these students also are being advised that they depart the U.S. immediately to avoid accruing unlawful presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Hornickel, a spokesman for the university, said the school began learning about the revocations last week through a combination of international students receiving notifications and university staff members checking the federal governments Student Exchange Visitor Information System. The reasons for the revocations at Northwest Missouri State were not immediately clear Friday afternoon. They come amid a wave of similar revocations for student visas across the country by President Donald Trumps administration. Inside Higher Ed reported that as of Friday, more than 150 colleges and universities have identified more than 800 international students and recent graduates who in recent weeks have had their legal status changed by the federal government. Inside Higher Eds database includes reports of two visa changes at Park University in the Kansas City area and an unknown number associated with the University of Missouri. My grandparents, Nathan and Domenica Borga DePauli, had a farmette on the Route 61 side of Lawtons Hill until after World War II. In fact, their house was demolished to make way for the new Route 61 in the early 1950s Im pretty sure the road opened in 1952. Anyway, my mother, Josephine DePauli Devlin, used to tell us how as a child she remembered the KKK burning crosses atop Lawtons Hill, around where Nativity BVM High School is now located, or maybe the old WPAM radio station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats pretty ironic considering Lawtons Hill was used as a training ground and campsite for troops headed for the Civil War. In fact, two Union Army units the 48th and 96th regiments trained on Lawtons Hill, one of seven hills on which Pottsville, like Rome, is built. The 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment, sometimes called the Schuylkill regiment, was recruited in Schuylkill County in August and September 1861 about five months after the war started. At the Second Battle of Petersburg in 1864, two members of the 48th Regiment earned the Medal of Honor, the nations highest military decoration. Robert Reid, Co. G, of Pottsville, captured a Confederate flag, and Patrick H. Monaghan, Co. F, of Minersville, re-captured a Union Battle flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 48th, however, is best known for its role in the Battle of the Crater in June 1864. Under direction of Lt. Col. Henry Pleasants, miners from Schuylkill County dug a tunnel under a battlefield and planted 8,000 pounds of gunpowder under a Confederate encampment. The explosion made a huge crater, thus giving the battle its name. On Nov. 6, 1861, Gov. Andrew Curtin came to Pottsville to present the 96th Regiment its colors. The governor and his staff stayed at the American House hotel on North Centre Street, and the 96th marched from Lawtons Hill to the hotel to receive its battle flag. Centre Street was blocked by a large crowd that turned out to witness the ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cannot but remember that it was in this town and county, Curtin said, that when the first proclamation by the president for troops was issued, men rushed and were the first to reach the threatened Capital. The governors reference was to Pres. Abraham Lincolns call for 75,000 militia volunteers on April 15, 1861, following the bombardment of Fort Sumter the start of the Civil War. The First Defenders two units from Pottsville and one each from Allentown, Reading and Lewistown were among the first to respond to Lincolns call to arms. The Washington Artillerists and National Light Artillery of Pottsville were joined by the Ringgold Light Artillery of Reading, the Allen Rifles of Allentown and the Logan Guards of Lewistown in a three-month deployment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In presenting the 96th Regimental flag, Curtin said, I am here today, recognizing you as a regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers about to go into service of the country, to present to you this beautiful standard. I deliver to you the honor of the state. I deliver this flag to you today, that all of you to all coming generations may declare that the nation shall be of 34 stars, not one less. The 96th flag had the Pennsylvania coat of arms a shield crested by a bald eagle flanked by horses on a field of 34 stars. On the eve of the Civil War, the United States had 34 states 19 free and 15 slave states. In his address, Curtin continued: You look for the last time, many of you, on this beautiful country. You see for the last time, the places of your homes, where you were born and passed the days of your childhood. And yet it is a sweet consolation for me that, if you fall, you fall fighting for the matchless Constitution under which we have grown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor was cheered following his speech, and the band broke out in the Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem. The 96th Regiment marched back to its encampment on Lawtons Hill and, the following day, boarded a train for Washington by way of Sunbury and Harrisburg. The 96th planted the flag presented by Gov. Curtin on the Confederate works at Spotsylvania, Virginia. By the way, Pottsvilles seven hills are: Lawtons, Greenwood, Bunker, Guinea, Forest, Cottage and Mount Hope. Romes are: Palatine, Aventine, Capitoline, Caelian, Esquiline, Viminal and Quirinal. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Authorities in Juarez have temporarily closed five day care facilities following allegations of child sexual abuse. At a news conference Friday, April 11, officials with the Chihuahua Attorney Generals Office said up to 71 children ages 1 to 4 may have been victimized. They also announced the arrest of a 21-year-old day care worker on child sexual abuse charges. Officials said they began the investigations after a handful of parents said they noticed mood changes in their children as far back as late January. More than 230 children were screened by physicians and psychologists during the course of the 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 KTSM 9 News. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) April marks exactly 50 years since the fall of Saigon and the effective, if not official, end of the Vietnam War. On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese tanks burst through the gates of the South Vietnamese governments presidential palace. Days earlier, a short distance away at the American Embassy, as people had scrambled to escape the besieged city aboard U.S. military helicopters in dramatic scenes that would be etched in memory for decades. KGETs Robert Price marked the occasion by speaking to American combat veterans, Vietnam war protestors and others impacted by the war. What were they feeling during those dangerous and volatile days, and how did it make them, and the nation, what they are today? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A botched operation: The international manhunt for escaped inmate Cesar Hernandez The war made a mark on Louie Vega, who was a door gunner on a U.S. Army helicopter throughout 1968. First time I ever had somebody shoot at me, he said. I actually saw who it was, obviously they were off in the distance, but I could see them taking the sight and shooting, and that was the first time I learned what it meant to be paralyzed with fear. The war made a mark on Ed Budney, who was an Army visual combat tracker and remembers the day he and a fellow tracker came upon an enemy machine gun crew. They opened up fire, he said. I got wounded initially in the shoulder and the finger and the other tracker I was with, he got killed in action. It was instantaneous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A botched operation: The international manhunt for escaped inmate Cesar Hernandez The war made a mark on Verda Varner, a young mother who took her baby to protests in his stroller. I was an anti-war protestor and demonstrator, she said. The emphasis I always want to make was, anti-war, not anti-warrior. The war also made a mark on Eddy Laine, then a Reedley College student who helped stage a rally in the farm town of Reedley, his hometown. You could see it on TV every night, the bombing of villages, he said. People dying, napalm. What were we doing over there, thousands of miles from here? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war made a mark on Randa Hunter, who visited a Bakersfield grammar school friend at an Army hospital in Oakland after he lost a leg and mangled an arm in Vietnam. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage I thought of the soldiers that were left in Afghanistan (in 2021) and the screaming and yelling in the States, she said. I thought, well, I continue to play back what happened when we left Vietnam. If you want to see chaos The war divided the country in a multitude of ways socially, culturally and politically. It illuminated racial and socioeconomic divides and changed attitudes about foreign military adventures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Join us starting April 14 when KGET looks back on the Vietnam War, 50 years after the heart-wrenching abandonment of the U.S. Embassy in what today is Ho Chi Minh City. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. Majid Al Futtaim, a family-owned conglomerate which operates shopping malls, retail and hotel establishments in the Middle East and North Africa, has unveiled luxury retail expansion plans with Italian brand partnerships and more than 30 new stores across the Middle East in 2025. The expansion strategy includes the introduction of Eleventy, Corneliani and Poltrona Frau stores in prime locations within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. The company aims to open five standalone Eleventy stores at destinations such as Solitaire Mall in Saudi Arabia and Mall of the Emirates in the UAE. Dubai Mall and The Grove will also host Eleventy later in the year. The move is in response to increasing consumer demand for Italian quality and craftsmanship. Majid Al Futtaim lifestyle CEO Fahed Ghanim stated: In a region where customers have an abundance of choice, our ambition is to curate a portfolio of luxury brands that offer something truly distinctive. By introducing brands like Eleventy, Corneliani, and Poltrona Frau, we are bringing new dimensions to the luxury market combining timeless craftsmanship with modern sensibilities that resonate with the refined tastes of our customers. At Majid Al Futtaim, our work with luxury brands has been deeply rooted in THAT Concept Store, which has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing brands with the potential to thrive in this market. Eleventys journey, from its initial shop-in-shop to standalone stores, is a testament to how we test, scale and grow global luxury brands. This strategic approach allows us to continuously evolve the luxury retail experience, delivering fresh, distinctive offerings that resonate with our customers. Eleventy's expansion capitalises on its existing regional footprint, which already features a shop-in-shop concept store and a pop-up location at Mall of the Emirates. Marina Mall Abu Dhabi welcomed its first standalone Eleventy store in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim in November 2024. The collaboration between Majid Al Futtaim and Poltrona Frau will be further solidified with the launch of the brand's first store outside of the UAE in Riyadh's Centria Mall in May 2025. Corneliani has already made its regional debut with a store opening in April at Solitaire Mall. In early 2025, Majid Al Futtaim announced a strategic shift in Oman, replacing Carrefour with Hypermax. The retailer's growth trajectory follows a successful 2024, marked by a 26% revenue increase and a notable 31% boost in digital sales. The year also saw the addition of 17 new stores to Majid Al Futtaim's portfolio, raising the total to 87. NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WJW) A special race in North Olmsted honored the life of 3-year-old Julian Wood, who was fatally stabbed at a North Olmsted Giant Eagle last year. Early on, the Wood family wanted to do something to remember Julian. They approached the city about doing a 5K, said Tim Pinchek, Director of Recreation and Public Engagement at the city of North Olmsted. Homemade explosives, loaded gun, drugs found in Berea arrest Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinchek said the Wood family hosted a 5K run-walk Saturday morning to celebrate Julians life and give back to the community. Courtesy of Wood Family They thought it would be a great opportunity to spread the word about their son and it would be a great memorial for him as well, said Pinchek. They named the event Jujus Dino Dash and proceeds support scholarships for students. The race took place at 9 a.m. at Drive Morris Stadium at the high school. Teens at Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility attacked employee with rubber mallet, troopers say The route includes part of Butternut Ridge and Canterbury Road, which will be closed for several hours during the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinchek said they initially planned on about 200 runners but over 900 participants signed up as of Friday night. Find more information right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 638 firearms were turned in at a community gun buyback event on Saturday, April 12. The Office of the Attorney General, the New York State Police, and the Syracuse Police Department hosted the event. It was part of Attorney General James ongoing effort to combat gun violence and keep New Yorkers safe. Shes removed more than 9,000 guns from NYS since taking office in 2019. Gun buyback events empower members of local communities and nearby regions to turn in unwanted firearms and be a part of the solution against gun violence, said Attorney General James. Every one of the guns we recovered today was a potential life saved and a tragedy avoided. The following are the guns that were turned in: 130 assault weapons 333 handguns Two ghost guns 150 long guns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can only succeed in reducing gun violence if we use every strategy available, said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. For people in possession of guns they no longer want, buybacks provide a safe way to dispose of those weapons, and thats good for our neighborhoods. The event took place at St. Lucys Church on Gifford St. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) One person is in custody after authorities say they found him with 800 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle. According to the Posey County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to the 4-mile marker of Interstate 64 to assist a stranded motorist just after midnight early Saturday morning. After further investigation, deputies say they discovered 800 pounds of marijuana and synthetic marijuana in the cargo bay of the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver, 69-year-old Clarance Shipman of Fort Payne, Alabama, was suspected to be transporting the marijuana from Los Angeles, California to North Carolina. Courtesy: Posey County Sheriffs Office Courtesy: Posey County Sheriffs Office Courtesy: Posey County Sheriffs Office Courtesy: Posey County Sheriffs Office Shipman was arrested and charged with Dealing Marijuana. He is currently being held without bond. Courtesy: Posey County Sheriffs Office Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Carey Callaghan, grandson of the USS Missouris Capt. William Callaghan, delivers a keynote address to attendees at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. 1 /6 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Carey Callaghan, grandson of the USS Missouris Capt. William Callaghan, delivers a keynote address to attendees at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES Sailors prepare a burial at sea for the remains of a Japanese pilot whose plane hit the USS Missouri on April 11, 1945. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /6 U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES Sailors prepare a burial at sea for the remains of a Japanese pilot whose plane hit the USS Missouri on April 11, 1945. Courtesy U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command The USS Missouri at the moment it was about to be hit by a Japanese A6M Zero Kamikaze while operating off Okinawa on April 11, 1945. The plane hit the ships side below the main deck, causing minor damage and no casualties aboard the battleship. A 40mm quad gun mounts crew is in action in the lower foreground. 3 /6 Courtesy U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command The USS Missouri at the moment it was about to be hit by a Japanese A6M Zero Kamikaze while operating off Okinawa on April 11, 1945. The plane hit the ships side below the main deck, causing minor damage and no casualties aboard the battleship. A 40mm quad gun mounts crew is in action in the lower foreground. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Japans Hawaii Consul General Yoshinori Kodama pays his respects at a ceremony aboard the USS Missoui on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4 /6 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Japans Hawaii Consul General Yoshinori Kodama pays his respects at a ceremony aboard the USS Missoui on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Marines give a seven gun salute at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the USS Missouri and the pilots burial at sea. 5 /6 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Marines give a seven gun salute at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the USS Missouri and the pilots burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Japan Coast Guard Cmdr. Yuichi Kajiya and his son drop flower pedals off the side of the USS Missoui during a ceremony Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 /6 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Japan Coast Guard Cmdr. Yuichi Kajiya and his son drop flower pedals off the side of the USS Missoui during a ceremony Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Carey Callaghan, grandson of the USS Missouris Capt. William Callaghan, delivers a keynote address to attendees at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES Sailors prepare a burial at sea for the remains of a Japanese pilot whose plane hit the USS Missouri on April 11, 1945. Courtesy U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command The USS Missouri at the moment it was about to be hit by a Japanese A6M Zero Kamikaze while operating off Okinawa on April 11, 1945. The plane hit the ships side below the main deck, causing minor damage and no casualties aboard the battleship. A 40mm quad gun mounts crew is in action in the lower foreground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Japans Hawaii Consul General Yoshinori Kodama pays his respects at a ceremony aboard the USS Missoui on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Marines give a seven gun salute at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the USS Missouri and the pilots burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Japan Coast Guard Cmdr. Yuichi Kajiya and his son drop flower pedals off the side of the USS Missoui during a ceremony Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilots burial at sea. On April 11, 1945, Flight Petty Officer 2nd Class Setsuo Ishino, age 19, took off from Kanoya Air Base in Japans Kago shima prefecture. He was piloting a Zero fighter carrying a 500-kilogram bomb with the mission of carrying out a kamikaze attack on American forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, his plane struck the USS Missouri, plowing into its starboard side a little below the level of the main deck. Part of the plane was thrown onto the main deck in the crash while the rest of the wreckage fell into the water. Part of the plane, and Ishinos body, were thrown onto the Missouris main deck. The attack took place in the last stretch of a bitter war between America and Japan, and hatred between the two sides ran deep. But the Missouris commander, then Capt. William Callaghan, ordered that the young Japanese pilot be given a proper burial at sea in accordance with naval tradition. American sailors sewed a Japanese flag and draped Ishinos remains with it as they committed him to the deep. On Friday the USS Missouri Memorial Association marked the 80th anniversary of the event with a ceremony on the ship that brought Callaghans grandchildren and great-grandchildren to Hawaii along with dignitaries from Japan. Mike Carr, president and CEO of the Missouri Memorial Association, said that after the burial the crew of the USS Missouri returned to their stations, the battle still raging around them, but all carried with them in the memory of that day, a reminder that even in war there can be moments of grace, and that honor is not bound by the lines drawn between nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months after the attack, Japanese Emperor Hirohito would sign Japans surrender on the deck of that very ship. Over time, word of Callaghans show of respect to a fallen kamikaze pilot would spread, helping the two countries overcome hatred as they sought peace and worked to rebuild. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, Today, as we gather here, once enemies, now allies, we are reminded of how far we have come. This Moment of Remembrance stands as a testament to the power of reconciliation and the strength of peace. With the devastation of that day, Captain William Callaghan made an extraordinary decision, one that would echo through history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Captain Callahan chose to respond not with hatred, but with honor and respect, Blangiardi added. This decision stands as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments of conflict, our shared humanity remains. That act of compassion continues to teach us that dignity and respect are not weakened by war ; they are strengthened through understanding and forgiveness. In a keynote delivered by Callaghans grandson Carey Callaghan, he said of his grandfather that his decisioncontroversial at the time, and maybe even todaywas a humble one rooted in empathy, a sense of dignity and a vision of the future that was a part of who he was every day. If this act of kindness and humanity is his enduring legacy, it is a good one. In September, dignitaries will again gather on the deck of the Mighty Mo to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which isto datestill the most destructive conflict in human history. That anniversary approaches at a time where the world is again steeped in conflict, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and tensions once again boiling in the Pacificthis time between America and its allies on one side and China on the other. Hiroyuji Nuruki, mayor of the Japanese city of Minami kyushu in Kagoshima prefecture, said that to build a peaceful world, we must examine, reflect on and share the history of past wars from multiple perspectives. We must also ensure that inhumane tragedies, like the kamikaze attack, never occur again by spreading this message worldwide. JEROME, Pa. Efforts are underway to address a Conemaugh Township mine discharge that temporarily closed Jerome Hill Road on Thursday. The sudden, storm-driven blowout occurred near Thomas Mills, sending a wave of iron-laden mine water into a section of Bens Creek's south branch that is designated as a Class A Wild Trout stream, Somerset Conservation District Manager Len Lichvar said. "We don't want to see something like this anywhere but certainly not on a section of the creek known for naturally reproducing brown trout," said Lichvar, who has spent his career working to restore local waterways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few hundred thousand gallons per minute of the polluted water were flowing into the creek during peak flows, he estimated. A heavy storm and a long-abandoned mine are to blame. It's common for mine water to rise inside the onetime Jerome Hill No. 1 mine when it rains. But on Thursday, the pressure got so great that the flow carved a new path, erupting from the side of the hillside, Lichvar said. The flow ran over Jerome Hill Road and poured into Bens Creek. "Basically," Lichvar said, "there was nowhere else for that water to go." He credited fellow founding Stonycreek River Improvement Project member Joe Gorden for spotting the mess and contacting the Somerset Conservation District Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lichvar said he, in turn, dialed the Department of Environmental Protection's emergency line, and notified Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Somerset County 911 officials. By the time the discharge slowed, it damaged a nearby property owner's driveway and left a foot-high blanket of "iron sludge" on Jerome Hill Road, Lichvar said. Somerset County Emergency Management Director Joel Landis said the road was temporarily closed to traffic. But the debris was cleared by state workers by Thursday evening, enabling the road to reopen. Test results confirmed that the mine flow was "extremely acidic", with a pH level of 2.9, Lichvar said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudden discharges aren't rare in a region with a rich mining past and many of Pennsylvania's abandoned mines. Lichvar said it's fortunate there were no early signs of fish killed and local officials will continue to monitor the situation. The DEP is looking at options to add piping to mitigate the discharge alongside the hill. Lichvar said. But he plans to pitch a proposal to redirect the discharge to a treatment system that just happens to be a few hundred feet upstream. The Rock Tunnel system was designed to treat acidic mine water and the conservation district was already looking at ways to reduce smaller discharge flows from Jerome Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lichvar said he was hopeful a new stream of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds designed for mine reclamation work could be secured to start the project "but Mother Nature beat us to the punch." "We were worried something like this could happen," he said. "But maybe if we can work out a way to treat this water, we may be able to turn this negative situation into a positive one." With drier weather conditions Saturday morning, the discharge had slowed considerably. Lichvar said local anglers can continue fishing the waterway, he added. The motor torpedo boat (MTB), also known as the patrol torpedo (PT) boat, has acquired its own special swashbuckling aura since the American Civil War, when a Union boat armed with spar torpedoes sank the Confederate ironclad Albemarle. Such exploits made for thrilling literary, film and television fodder, but the public image of the PT boat speeding along, dodging enemy shellfire to sink an enemy warship several times its size, was, in fact, the exception to the rule. More often, the boats lay in ambush in coastal waters, scouting enemy forces or engaged in rescue operations. Two U.S. Navy PT boat captains awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II were both cases in point: Lt. Cmdr. John Bulkeley received his for evacuating Gen. Douglas MacArthur from the Philippines in March 1942, while Lt. Arthur Preston, spending three hours in Japanese-held waters off Halmahera, rescued a downed aircraft carrier pilot on Sept. 16, 1944. In contrast to those exploits, little is known about Lt. Isadore Michael Kovar, save for a rare action in which, virtually by chance, he and his crew scored the most significant hit by an American PT boat on a Japanese warship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kovars moment came on the night of Oct. 24, 1944, when two separated Japanese battle groups were making their way toward the American beachhead on Leyte via the Surigao Strait. The U.S. 7th Fleets support force was aware of the oncoming enemy and assembled on the northern tip of the strait to engage them. Awaiting the Japanese first, however, were 39 PTs under Cmdr. Selman Bowling, taking up stations in 13-boat sections along the strait. The PT boat crews welcomed the prospect of action, but their primary task was to lay low and report whatever they saw coming. As night fell, they, rather than aircraft, served as the eyes of the 7th Fleet. On Oct. 24, a PT section lying off Bohol Island got radar contact. Instead of immediately reporting their discovery, however, the PTs advanced to attack. At three miles from their intended targets, they came under gunfire from the destroyer Shigure. The Battle of Surigao Strait was on. As the PTs zigzagged toward the Japanese, Shigures searchlight fell on PT-152. One of its shells set the craft afire and killed a gunner. Another shell demolished PT-130s radio, but it relayed its contact report to PT-127, which radioed it to the PT-boat tender Wachapreague. The information reached Rear Adm. Jesse Oldendorf aboard the cruiser Louisville. USS PT-194 refueling from the PT-boat tender Wachapreague on Oct. 20, 1944, while en route from Palau to Leyte Gulf. (Naval History and Heritage Command) Meanwhile, PT-151, PT-146 and PT-190 fought the Japanese with their cannons and torpedoes until driven off. The commander of the lead Japanese battle fleet, Vice Adm. Shoji Nishimura, reported to the leader of the force coming up behind him, Vice Adm. Kiyohide Shima, and to the commander of the lead battle fleet, Vice Adm. Takeo Kurita, that he expected to enter Leyte Gulf at about 01:30 in the morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several torpedo boats sighted, Nishimura noted, but enemy situation otherwise unknown. Shortly after 2 a.m., PT-134 tried to attack but was driven off by gunfire while PT-490 tried to attack a destroyer but was hit. PT-493 ran onto the rocks off Panaon Island, where its men were rescued the next morning. The last PT boat attack ended at 2:13 a.m. For the loss of three men dead and 20 wounded, the boats had scored no hits, but they accomplished their primary mission pinpointing and reporting the Japanese movements. Aided by that intelligence, Oldendorf made final deployments of his destroyers, cruisers and his battleships: Pennsylvania, California, Tennessee, Mississippi, Maryland and West Virginia. In the slaughter that followed, Oldendorfs ships sank the battleships Fuso and Yamashiro, along with destroyers Yamagumo, Michishio and Asagumo. The heavily damaged heavy cruiser Mogami and destroyer Shigure fled southward. A torpedo miss turned deadly As Shimas force emerged from a rain squall, it was ambushed by PT-134, but the latters torpedoes missed. A few minutes later, Shima ordered a right turn so that one of his destroyers could stay clear of Panaon Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he did so, however, the destroyer was spotted by Lt. Kovar and the crew of PT-137. The PT boat loosed a single torpedo, then took evasive action under a barrage of star shell. Kovars fish ran deep, traveling right under its intended target but, as luck would have it, ran on, right into the light cruiser Abukuma instead. Struck in the boiler room with 37 crewmen dead and its speed reduced to 10 knots, the sorely battered Abukuma had to drop out of formation. Shima was still proceeding north with his two heavy cruisers, Nachi and Ashigara, when the cruiser Mogami emerged from the fog. Nachis captain frantically ordered a change in course to 110 degrees, but he had underestimated Mogamis speed (he thought it was virtually dead in the water) and the two cruisers collided. With his flagships stern damaged and his speed reduced to 18 knots, Shima ordered his column to retire. While the PTs attempted another attack on the destroyer Shigure, they were fought off, leaving PT-321 slightly damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, thanks to the relentless PT attacks, Oldendorfs ships were able to catch up with the slow-moving Mogami. Louisville, Portland and Denver immediately engaged it. Several direct hits rekindled Mogamis fires and Oldendorf moved on to seek other prey. Mogamis speed was down to 6 knots, but it was not quite finished, as PT-491 discovered when it came under its fire. Two torpedoes from PT-491 missed the cruiser, while PT-137 was driven off by its secondary guns. Mogami was not only still full of fight, but had sped up, Kovar reported, to 12 or 14 knots. The loss of more Japanese ships including all four of Ozawas aircraft carriers off Cape Engano was just the anticlimax to a battle already won by the Americans. And worse was still to come. The burning wreckage of Japanese destroyer Asagumo on Oct. 25, 1944. (Naval History and Heritage Command) On the morning of Oct. 25, while the Battle of Leyte Gulf was being decided off Samar, aircraft from Rear Adm. Thomas Spragues escort carriers were searching for Shimas retiring force when 17 of his TBM-1 Avengers found it west of the Surigao Peninsula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They attacked Mogami and left it dead in the water for the last time. Destroyer Akebono evacuated the crew and sent it to the bottom with a torpedo. But the Americans werent done meting out punishment. The Abukuma, limping back to the Dapitan Harbor in Mindanao on Oct. 25, was attacked by B-24 Liberators of the 13th and 5th Air Forces the following morning. Large fires began to swiftly spread throughout the ship before ultimately reaching the torpedo room and blowing a large hole in the light cruiser, which sank, with 250 of its crew, southwest of Negros Island. Japanese troops, clinging to debris, approach PT-321 for rescue during the Battle of Surigao Strait. (Naval History and Heritage Command/National Archives) Abukuma was one of 22 Japanese warships participating in the carrier attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. By the end of the war, only one was still afloat: Ushio, the destroyer that, among other things, had rescued 283 of Abukumas crew, including its captain. Abukuma was also the largest warship whose demise was credited primarily to a PT boat. For that accidental kill, Lt. Kovar was awarded the Navy Cross. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) At least 24 times a day, birds at the Alabama Wildlife Center are fed with nutrients to help them grow and gain strength in hopes of releasing them to the wild. Called rehabilitating, its something the center has been doing for nearly 50 years. It takes professionals and dedication, said Alabama Wildlife Center Executive Director Chris Sykes. It takes a lot of resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sykes said hes concerned that could change with the introduction of HB448, known as the Alabama Good Samaritan Wildlife Rehabilitation Act. The bill would allow people to care for injured or orphaned wild birds or animals under certain conditions, regardless of experience or qualifications. The bill does not include wildlife that is federally protected. Theres a whole host of issues that can arise from taking in wildlife without knowing the proper protocols on releasing or the proper protocols on caring for these individual animals, Sykes said. Theres a lot that goes into nutritional guidelines and what you have to do to get them ready for the wild. Should there be harsher punishments for Alabamas Hands-Free Law? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Frings, associate director of the master of science in environmental management program at Samford University, shares a similar view. I see the compassion side of it, but if were going to try to get the state to step up and allow people to help, these people just need to be trained, Frings said. They just need to know what theyre doing for both the animal and human sake. The bill, which is sponsored by state Rep. Ben Harrison (R-Athens), does not allow people to keep the animals as permanent pets or authorize a person rehabilitating to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine. The bill is awaiting a vote from the House Agriculture and Forestry committee. Lets see how maybe we could increase the numbers of professional rehabbers that have the knowledge of how to actually rehab and have gone through the anti-rabies treatments. Frings said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama has seven licensed wildlife rehabbers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. The chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives are seen on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska House of Representatives voted to cut its proposed 2025 Permanent Fund dividend by almost two-thirds on Friday as the Houses contentious budget process lurched another step forward. The reduction, which had stymied the House Finance Committee for more than a week, drops the proposed dividend from roughly $3,900 per recipient to about $1,400. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assuming Gov. Mike Dunleavys proposed capital budget, the change cuts the proposed budget deficit from $1.9 billion to less than $400 million for the fiscal year that begins in July. Lawmakers also face an almost $200 million deficit in the budget that ends June 30. The House is set to resume debating the states fiscal year 2026 operating budget on Monday. Members of the Houses Republican minority caucus said they were caught off guard by Fridays vote. Several Republicans said they had been told by the leaders of the Houses Democratic-independent-Republican majority caucus that there would be no budget action on Friday, and three minority Republican lawmakers were absent as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amendments pass the House if approved by a majority of lawmakers present on the floor, and the amendment to reduce the proposed dividend passed 20-17, with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, joining 16 minority Republicans in opposition. I am ashamed at the process, and I am ashamed at what is happening today, said House Minority Leader Mia Costello, R-Anchorage. What is happening today on amendment No. 1 is, in my mind, now considered the poster child of disingenuous relations, she said. Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, R-Fairbanks, attempted to adjourn the House until Monday in order to allow time for the missing Republicans to return, but that proposal was voted down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridays vote capped a vexing week for members of the House majority, who sought to reduce the Permanent Fund dividend but lacked the votes to do so because of the opposition of Foster and Rep. Nellie Jimmie, D-Toksook Bay. In previous years, legislators have used the Permanent Fund dividend as a budget-balancing tool, reducing the amount in years with low revenue and raising it in years with more revenue, as after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Normally, the House Finance Committee starts its budget debates with a low proposed dividend, and lawmakers negotiate to raise that figure. This year, Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage and the co-chair of the finance committee, started with a larger figure, first proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Josephson, speaking to the Juneau Empire, called that decision a mistake. Cutting the Permanent Fund dividend functions like a regressive tax it disproportionately affects low-income Alaskans, and two of the finance committees members are rural Democrats who represent the two lowest-income House districts in the state. In committee, Foster said he could not vote to reduce the dividend. He and Jimmie joined five Republican members of the committee in voting against a budget-balancing amendment proposed by Josephson that would have set the dividend at $1,000. Late Thursday, in an unusual hearing, the committee again tried and again failed to cut the dividend before sending the budget to the floor. The debate was cut short as several members of the committee rushed away to present a legislative citation to the Alaska Folk Fest, occurring a few blocks from the Capitol. On Friday, Jimmie gave an impassioned speech, saying that the large dividend proposed by Dunleavy and the finance committee was never realistic and is a heartbreaking mirage for her constituents, who rely on the dividend for food and basic essentials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im going to tell you the truth, she said on the House floor, addressing constituents watching the debate on TV. From the very first day that we walked into this building, there was never enough money for a full PFD, not without cutting the things that keep us alive: schools, public safety, health care. The dividend means dignity, means keeping people out of poverty, she said. It hurts me to see that dividend, something that means heating oil in the winters, diapers for our babies, food on the table, being dangled like a bait, like a prize on a string, she said. Jimmie said she would continue to advocate for a large dividend but could not lie to my people to get applause, and voted in favor of the cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No lawmaker has proposed tax increases large enough to pay for the larger Permanent Fund dividend, and legislators say they are unwilling to break a soft cap on spending from the Alaska Permanent Fund, which leaves the Constitutional Budget Reserve, the states principal savings account, as the only means to cover the deficit. That would require votes from 30 of the 40 members of the House and 15 of the 20 members of the Senate, plus the assent of the governor. The CBR held $2.83 billion as of Feb. 28 and the draft budget with the larger dividend would have consumed more than two-thirds of it. So this is where we are, ladies and gentlemen, Josephson said on Friday. This is where we are when were the only state that is striving mightily to pay money to every citizen that is eligible, and tax no one in the state. Why are we surprised? SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX China's 6th batch of emergency humanitarian aid arrives in Myanmar Xinhua) 09:32, April 12, 2025 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) (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Meta Platforms (META) is preparing for the start of a courtroom antitrust battle Monday with the US government in a case that could force Mark Zuckerberg to break up his $1.3 trillion empire and sell one of its crown jewels: Instagram. If Zuckerberg is not able to convince President Trump to settle before the trial begins in a Washington, D.C., court before US judge James Boasberg, Meta will become the second Silicon Valley giant in two years to face off against the governments antitrust watchdogs. The first was Alphabet's Google (GOOG, GOOGL), which battled the Justice Department in court during parts of 2023 and 2024. Federal judge Amit Mehta ruled last August that Google illegally monopolized online markets for "general search" and "general search text. Judge James E. Boasberg, chief judge of the Federal District Court in DC. (Photo by Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images) The Washington Post via Getty Images The final decision on what happens to Google's $2 trillion empire will be determined this year in a separate "remedies" phase of the search trial. Trump's DOJ has stuck to a Biden-era request to break up Google, calling for divestment of its Chrome browser, while standing down on a push for the tech giant to sell off its AI investments. There could be more clashes to come. Federal prosecutors are still working up antitrust cases in pre-trial phases against Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), and Microsoft (MSFT). The DOJ has also alleged Google illegally monopolized the online advertising technology market in a separate antitrust trial still awaiting a judge's decision. 'It's better to buy than to compete' The government's case against Meta centers on the Federal Trade Commissions claims that its leading social media platform, Facebook, used monopoly power to buy up, rather than compete with, smaller rival social media companies. Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion and WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion. Both mergers were given a green light by the FTC, following reviews. "[It] is better to buy than compete," Zuckerberg allegedly wrote in an internal company email in 2008, according to the government's case. One key part of the FTC's argument is that Facebook purchased Instagram in 2012 because it "lacked the business talent" to maintain its market dominance through innovation as smartphones drew consumers toward mobile internet. In another 2012 acquisition, according to the government, Facebook bought then-shuttered Google social app Glancee" allegedly to foreclose on the search giants social networking ambitions. Mark Zuckerberg at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20. Photo: Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS via REUTERS / Reuters Facebook also bought the controversial market intelligence service Onavo in 2013. That, according to the FTC, helped Facebook identify increasingly popular mobile apps, including WhatsApp and a polling app called "tbh." Apr. 11JUNEAU The Alaska Legislature on Friday narrowly approved a $1,000 increase to the Base Student Allocation, the state's per-student funding formula, but many legislators 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 As the Legislature debated on Friday, hundreds of students in Anchorage and Juneau participated in a walkout to advocate for a BSA increase. Anchorage Democratic Sen. Loki Tobin, chair of the Senate Education Committee, said a funding increase 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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 headed back to the House on Friday for lawmakers there to consider approving the Senate's changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House passed the education measure on a 21-16 vote. The governor in a statement Friday afternoon criticized the measure, calling it a "blank check to school districts," adding, "the good news is the Legislature still has time to pass meaningful education policy reforms, as well as a reasonable increase in school funding." All 21 members of the Democrat-dominated House majority approved the bill. All Republican minority members voted no. Three Republican minority members Reps. Elexie Moore, Will Stapp and Mike Prax were absent on Friday. Anchorage GOP Rep. Mia Costello, the House minority leader, said the $1,000 BSA boost was unaffordable. Costello said she would support a $680 per-student increase in the future, matching the same school funding increase approved last year on a one-time basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soldotna Republican Rep. Justin Ruffridge voted to override Dunleavy's veto last year of a bipartisan education package. He said lawmakers were going to "play politics" to support a school funding measure without policy compromises. "It's a sad day for me, frankly, as a person that's done a lot of work on education," Ruffridge said, a former co-chair of the House Education Committee. 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. Friday's combined vote saw 32 lawmakers vote to approve the education measure. Wasilla Republican Sen. Mike Shower, the Senate minority leader, opposed the bill. 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 has 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 to the measure. Last year, Dunleavy called for bonuses for teachers and 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, which would cost roughly $175 million per year. 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 increase. "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. The amended version of HB 69 now advances to Dunleavy's desk for his consideration. Lawmakers said if a veto override effort fails, a smaller school funding increase would be considered. The regular legislative session must end by midnight of May 21. 'I don't want anything to go away' In Anchorage, several hundred students at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School walked out at 1 p.m. as part of a coordinated effort with high school students around the district to call for an increase in education funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At East's demonstration, students filled the corners and medians around Northern Lights Boulevard and Bragaw Street, many wearing red and carrying signs that read "Raise the BSA" and "WTF: Where's the funding?" Gwyneth Eggleston, a junior, helped organize the effort, inspired in part by projected cuts to the East choir program, in which she participates, and choirs at other schools. This week, East choir took part in the district's Large Group Choir Festival. "It was such a beautiful sound," she said. "It's not just an elective," she said of choir. "It's a family. It's a community." Junior Lyndon Savelio said he joined the walkout with his little siblings in mind. "I don't want anything to go away," he said. "I want them to come experience what we've experienced." Senior Selia Mauigoa, the student body president, said she wants people to know that funding-related cuts impact students directly. She thinks her effort to organize the event and coordinate with other schools can lead lawmakers in Juneau to take notice. "It's something that we should be changing and something that students have the ability to change," she said. "With our voices, we have powers." After the protest, Anchorage School District issued a statement: "The Anchorage School District (ASD) supports students' rights to free speech, including the right to take part in peaceful protests like today's walkouts." Anchorage staff were not allowed to participate in the walkout, the statement said, but some did monitor for purposes of student safety. Around two dozen students from Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale rallied in front of the governor's house on Friday. "We needed to have a walk out to support the increase in a BSA," said Madeleine Bass, a ninth grade student. "Because, like I said, there are so many programs and things being cut." Last year, dozens of high school students flooded the state Capitol in support of a school funding increase. Friday's rally was much more subdued. Bass said that she and the other students would deliver a petition to the governor's office in support of an education funding boost. She said that "we see the quality of our education dwindling with every passing day, and that's not something that is acceptable." Daily News journalist Marc Lester contributed from Anchorage. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. A school bus passes in front of the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska Legislature on Friday passed a major increase to K-12 education funding, worth $1,000 in the states per-student funding formula. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has indicated he will veto the proposal, saying lawmakers failed to include policy changes he requested. How Senators voted In favor: Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Claman, D-Anchorage Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau Kelly Merrick, R-Eagle River Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage Against: Mike Cronk, R-Tok Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer James Kaufman, R-Anchorage Robert Myers, R-North Pole Donny Olson, D-Golovin Mike Shower, R-Wasilla Bert Stedman, R-Sitka Robert Yundt, R-Wasilla In an 11 to 9 vote, senators narrowly passed House Bill 69, one day after the Senate Finance Committee removed all education policy changes previously proposed by the state House and the Senate Education Committee. That left an abbreviated version with only the increase in per student funding, known as the base student allocation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, the House voted 21-16, with three legislators excused as absent, to approve the Senate changes. That action will send the bill to Dunleavy, who said before the vote that he would veto the bill if it passed without changes. On Thursday, Dunleavy posted a statement on social media calling the bill a joke, and said unless legislation includes policy changes, it will be vetoed immediately. On Friday, Senators debated the bill on the floor, largely focused on the state of Alaska schools financial picture and the cost of the education funding bill estimated at $253 million per year. Sen. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage and chair of the education committee, urged support for school districts facing dire financial shortfalls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have heard from hundreds of parents and students and teachers asking us to raise the base student allocation, she said. Theres little else contained in those missives about other types of education reforms. What theyre asking us to do is increase school funding because our schools are in crisis, and we must respond. Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, said he couldnt support the funding without a balanced budget. Weve all said this is important, the BSA needs to be increased. Nobody is arguing that, he said. But at what cost, and at what reasonable cost that we think we can make work while were not negatively impacting everybody else to a significant degree? Shower argued not all parents support the funding boost. Ive heard lots of parents from back home and others that are saying, Dont do this. Ive had lots of folks reach out and say, This is not affordable. This is not what were looking for. By the way, we want to see policy (changes) in this. Theyre not necessarily opposed to (a BSA increase), but theyre asking for some of the policy changes. The Legislature has a mandate to provide education funding under the state constitution. Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, argued the state risks a lawsuit if lawmakers fail to act. The state was sued because we didnt adhere to our constitutional obligations, he said. In 2007, the Supreme Court found that, yes, adequate funding is a constitutional responsibility of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators considered, and then voted against proposals to add education changes back into the bill, including open statewide enrollment, increasing per-student funding for homeschooled students, and grants for districts that show improvements in reading proficiency. Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel and a co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said he could not support the bill given the states financial picture. So I plan on voting no on this bill, regretfully, he said, addressing Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak. But I promise to work on revenue measures I know you as (Senate) president and the Senate caucus have made that a priority. Because in order to address education and all the other things that we need to address that are coming before us require additional revenue. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The House and Senate have not passed legislation to enact any new state revenues this session. A draft state budget under debate in the House has a $1.9 billion deficit for the 12 months that begin in July. That deficit is $2.1 billion if an unresolved gap from the current fiscal year which ends in June is included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after the Senate voted, the state House took up the Senates version of the bill and voted along caucus lines, with members of the House majority 14 Democrats, five independents and two Republicans voting in favor and members of the Houses all-Republican minority opposed. I do support a permanent BSA increase however, the amount thats in this bill is not something we can afford at this time, said House Minority Leader Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, adding that she would support a $680 permanent increase, the same size included as a one-time boost this year. Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, was among several members of the House who alluded to the governors veto threat and said that if the House approved the change, it would turn into a step in the process rather than be a final action. A veto override requires approval from 40 of 60 lawmakers meeting in a joint session. Several legislators said they do not expect an override. If the governor rejects the bill, they expect work to continue on a bill that contains a smaller increase. And maybe, just maybe, well go back to a compromise, Ruffridge said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CHICAGO (WGN) Members of the citys finance committee on Friday 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. Members voted 12-15 in rejecting the proposed $1.25 million settlement. The familys lawsuit argues that police officers had no right to stop Reed in the first place and then used excessive force when the first shot was fired. An investigation and autopsy showed that plainclothes Chicago police officers fired their guns nearly 100 times at Reed, striking him 13 times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement offer originally went up for a vote in February but was delayed due to division among alders. While some felt settling the suit would have been cheaper than trial costs, others felt the city shouldnt settle because Reed allegedly fired at police first. Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) told WGN that without the settlement, the city will likely have to fight the case in court. The Chicago Tribune, citing a city attorney, put the cost at about $5 million for legal fees and up to $5 million more if the city fails to prevail. It is truly shameful that we continue to pay millions of dollars in police misconduct cases. I think the responsibility is not just here in the settlements, but actually to provide polices, to prevent these issues to begin with, he said. The settlement was one of three considered Friday by the finance committee. 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. TUNIS (Reuters) - Algeria protested on Saturday against France's detention of an Algerian consular agent over an alleged kidnapping of an Algerian citizen in France, the latest tension between the two countries. The Algerian Foreign Ministry said that this unprecedented judicial turn, in the history of two countries' relations, was aimed at disrupting the process of reviving bilateral relations. French media reported that three people, including an Algerian consular official, were placed under investigation on Friday on suspicion of kidnapping Amir Boukhors, an opponent of the Algerian regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Algeria said that "the new, unacceptable, and unjustified development will severely damage Algerian-French relations and affirms its determination not to leave this case without consequences". The North Africa country described Boukhors as "a saboteur linked to terrorist groups". Ties between Paris and Algiers have been complicated for decades, but took a turn for the worse last July when French President Emmanuel Macron angered Algeria by recognising a plan for the autonomy of the Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty. Last month, an Algerian court sentenced French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal to five years in jail for undermining national unity, prompting a call for his freedom from Macron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said last week that ties with Algeria were back to normal after he held talks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune following months of bickering that have hurt Paris' economic and security interests in its former colony. (Reporting by Hatem Maher, Ahmed Tolba and Tarek Amara, writing by Tarek Amara, editing by Sandra Maler) Border czar Tom Homan is defending the Trump administrations decision to deport 29-year-old Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a brutal prison camp in El Salvador, even though the administration admitted his removal was due to an administrative error. The aliens to blame. The aliens are to blame when they enter this country illegally, Homan told Newsmaxs Chris Salcedo on Saturday, claiming that if Abrego Garcia had not unlawfully entered the U.S in the first place, he would not be held at the notorious Salvadorian prison. Tom Homan (Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images) Albany Times Union/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images Abrego Garcia, who is married to a U.S. citizen, was working in the country legally as a sheet metal apprentice under a permit. He was originally barred from deportation in 2019 after an immigration judge ruled that he would likely face persecution by local gangs back in his native country of El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Abrego Garcia was deported last month after the Trump administration claimed he was a member of the MS-13 gang. Homan repeated the administrations allegations on Salcedos show despite Abrego Garcias attorney saying there was no evidence he was in a gang. Hes an MS-13 gang member, according to our intelligence and even that of the intelligence of El Salvador, Homan said. He was given withholding and removal from El Salvador because of fear of gang violence. However, ICEs Robert Cerna testified in court last month that the agency made an administrative error when deporting Abrego Garcia. Justice Department lawyer Erez Reuveni also conceded in court that Abrego Garcia should not have been deported. Attorney General Pam Bondi took Reuveni off the case and put him on administrative leave shortly after the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered that Abrego Garcia be returned to the U.S by midnight Monday. The Supreme Court upheld Xiniss ruling on Thursday and ordered the administration to facilitate and effectuate Abrego Garcias return to the U.S. On Friday, Xinis directed the Justice Department to provide daily updates on Abrego Garcias whereabouts and their efforts to bring him back. The Supreme Court said well facilitate. Well facilitate, Homan told Salcedo. However, weve got to remember, hes an El Salvadoran national and in custody of the El Salvadoran government. So, you know, well facilitate what we can, but I think we made the right decision. Related... Apr. 11Amanda Schulz of Austin was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at the University of Minnesota. Schulz is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. The Amateur pitches itself as a twist on spy movies by centering the action on a nerdy CIA analyst rather than a super spy like James Bond or Jason Bourne, but the plot and structure of the film fall into well-worn tropes. Directed by James Hawes, The Amateur stars Rami Malek as CIA cryptologist who seeks revenge after his wife (Rachel Brosnahan) has been killed. Laurence Fishburne costars as a CIA operative who is initially tasked with training Maleks character. The Amateur spends a fair amount of its first act focusing on the main character mourning his wife. Malek is not given much to work with as the script spins its wheels and doesnt do much of interest with the character. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locked Review: Locked in a Car Movie Gets Lost Eventually, it kicks off into the revenge story that serves as the centerpiece for the films marketing. The set pieces of the CIA analyst killing his marks are similar to what other spy films have done, and theres no real surprises or compelling cleverness to how he finds his enemies and how theyre killed. Along the way The Amateur becomes a reflection about revenge, as the film plays with the idea that revenge actually hurts more than it heals. Maleks character is confronted with the idea that hes being led down a dark path. Unlike John Wick (2014), which uses revenge to justify wholesale slaughter, The Amateur is more similar to In the Fade (2017), a German film that has the guts to make its protagonist genuinely unlikeable. The Amateur doesnt have that courage. Instead, whatever self-reflection the main character has is on the surface. Everything else is what youve seen before in spy thrillers. The tech whiz manipulates computers, there are a few chase sequences, bombs explode, and there are a couple hand-to-hand fights. The Amateur is a confidently made, intelligently written, basically entertaining spy film. The character bits feel foisted on top of what is a rather conventional film. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). By Noor Zainab Hussain and Tatiana Bautzer (Reuters) -Morgan Stanley beat first-quarter profit estimates on Friday, helped by record equity trading and strong wealth management results, while its CEO expressed more optimism about dealmaking than his counterparts. The investment bank reported record equity trading revenue, with a 45% jump from a year earlier, reflecting increases across businesses and regions, particularly in Asia, with its biggest gains in prime brokerage and derivatives. As uncertainty over sweeping U.S. tariffs roiled markets, some transactions in Morgan Stanley's deal pipeline were paused, CEO Ted Pick told analysts. Still, companies have not given up on them, he said. "We are still, I will call it 'cautiously optimistic' that we wont go into recession," Pick said. CFO Sharon Yeshaya added that the bank's pipeline of potential transactions remains strong and has not been reduced. Corporations may look at potential tax cuts and deregulation and decide to proceed with deals even as volatility rises, Pick said. The bank earned $4.3 billion, or $2.60 per share, in the three months ended March 31. That compares with a profit of $3.4 billion, or $2.02 per share, a year ago. Analysts expected earnings per share of $2.20, according to estimates compiled by LSEG. Shares were down 0.8% in midday trading. Morgan Stanley's investment banking revenue rose 8% from a year earlier, bolstered by higher advisory and fixed income underwriting revenue. GLOBAL SELLOFF U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose heavy tariffs and the launch of China's generative AI model, DeepSeek, triggered a broad selloff in global markets. Potential for a recession and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's interest-rate trajectory have kept investors on edge. Equity trading revenue rose as investors rebalanced their portfolios, boosting volumes, mainly in technology and industrial stocks. Fixed income trading revenue increased, as renewed concerns about stagflation due to tariffs led investors to hedge aggressively and change the types of bonds they held, and over what periods. Wall Street's investment banks face a murky dealmaking climate. A rebound in Asia helped lift global M&A volumes in the first quarter, but U.S. activity a key revenue driver for firms such as Morgan Stanley slumped 13% amid growing uncertainty, according to Dealogic data. Equity underwriting revenues fell as issuers and investors considered market uncertainty. Bankers and analysts warn the prolonged trade war, disappointing IPO debuts and weak follow-through on major deals could dampen investor sentiment and advisory pipelines in the second quarter. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) An American living in Thailand pleaded guilty Wednesday to threatening to kill North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and his staff, federal prosecutors said. According to the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 53-year-old Eric Charles Welton made multiple harassing and intimidating calls to the offices of Republican elected officials and GOP organizations in the United States. He said he made the threatening calls because he was angry about the large number of unsolicited political emails he received. In September 2021, according to federal prosecutors, Welton spoke with a staff member at Tillis Raleigh office and threatened to show up and put a bullet through each of [their] heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welton also threatened to come to North Carolina and mowdown the whole [expletive] state, and find the person who emailed him and cut off his hands. Threatening to kill a public official and his staff is not only despicable, but also an affront to our democratic system of government, acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said in a statement. Our office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute threats or intimidation against public officials, so they can properly carry out their important duties. Robert M. DeWitt, the Special Agent in Charge of FBI in North Carolina, said in a statement, It is unacceptable to make violent threats against anyone. But when threats are directed at elected officials, it can impact their ability to effectively serve their constituents and their country. The FBI will not tolerate this type of intimidation for any reason especially when it comes to those who help run our democracy. Welton pleaded guilty to one count of threatening to kill a federal official on account of his duties. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced in July, according to federal prosecutors. 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. (NewsNation) The Trump administration is cracking down on elite universities by withholding federal funding that has long flowed to some of the wealthiest education institutions in the world. Earlier this week, more than $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell University and around $790 million for Northwestern University were frozen while the government investigates alleged civil rights violations at both schools. It was the Trump administrations latest push to cut off money from elite colleges, a list that already included Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education Department investigating dozens of universities after DEI warning letter Can you imagine the money we pay Harvard? They have a $60 billion fund, and were giving them $8 billion, Trump said Thursday. Trumps funding fight has largely centered around the universities use of DEI initiatives, as well as allegations of anti-semitism. But it has also kick-started a broader conversation about why American taxpayers help fund universities with endowments worth billions of dollars to begin with. Im not sure (Trumps) totally right, but if youre not paying that much attention to it, youre like, well that doesnt make sense, NewsNation contributor Chris Cillizza said regarding taxpayer funds going to elite institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cillizza pointed out that some of that money goes toward scientific and health research: Its not all bad, its just a lot of money. That said, Cillizza, a Georgetown University graduate, acknowledged that elite campuses do suffer from unity of thought and would benefit from more ideological diversity. How are Ivy League schools using $6B in federal funding? You should have your views challenged in an intellectual, thoughtful way, Cillizza said. He said hes in favor of expanding the clientele of people who can go to high-end schools. Watch the conversation with NewsNations Leland Vittert and Chris Cillizza in the player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. CAIRO (AP) The head of a U.S.-funded Arabic-language television and online news outlet that claims a 30 million-strong audience in the Middle East and North Africa terminated most staff and curtailed TV programming Saturday, accusing the Trump administration and Elon Musk of having irresponsibly and unlawfully cut off funding. In notices to Al Hurra news staffers about their dismissals, chief Jeffrey Gedmin said he had given up on the U.S. administration's freeze lifting anytime soon for the congressionally approved money for Al Hurra and its U.S.-funded Arabic language sister organizations. Gedmin accused Kari Lake, President Donald Trump's appointee to the American government agency overseeing Al Hurra, Voice of America and other U.S.-funded news programming abroad, of dodging his efforts to speak with her about the funding cutoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm left to conclude that she is deliberately starving us of the money we need to pay you, our dedicated and hard-working staff, Gedmin said in severance letters obtained by The Associated Press and excerpted on the website of Al Hurra's parent company, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. Mohamed al-Sabagh, an Egyptian journalist working at the Al Hurra news website in Dubai, told the AP that all the staff in the website and the television channel received emails terminating their contracts. Al-Hurra is the latest U.S. government-funded news outlet after Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and others to cut staff and services amid what the outlets say is the move by the Trump administration and Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to withhold their congressional appropriations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lake, appointed to oversee the U.S. Agency for Global Media, describes her agency as being consumed by a giant rot that requires the agency's destruction and rebuilding. The U.S.-backed news organizations were set up starting in the Cold War between the West and Soviet Union. Their designated goal was to provide objective news about the United States and other subjects overseas, often to people under authoritarian governments without access to a free press. The George W. Bush administration created Al Hurra in 2003, the same year his administration's invasion of Iraq overthrew that country's leader. Al Hurra's journalists covered the U.S. occupation and sectarian and extremist violence that followed, with some them dying on the job during the 2011 Arab Spring, and other political changes across the Middle East. While Al Hurra over the years faced charges of bias from both conservatives and liberals in the United States, it was one of the few outlets in its region providing space for freedom of the press and speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his note to staffers, Getmin said his organization would retain a couple of dozen staffers and a presence online as court battles over the cuts play out in U.S. courts. It makes no sense," Gedmin wrote, to silence Americas voice in the Middle East. ___ Knickmeyer reported from Washington. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the news outlet is not off the air entirely. An earlier version said it was. ANDERSON The Anderson City Council approved several requests for the expansion of three local businesses. The council Thursday passed through two of three required readings an ordinance for the voluntary annexation of five acres at the request of Unified Group Services. The company is currently located within the city limits in the 3100 block of East 67th Street and is requesting the annexation to expand parking for the business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Mike Austin said the annexation would not cost the city any additional money because the business is already located in Anderson. He said the company was recognized by the Indiana Business Journal as the best in the state in managing employee health insurance benefits. Austin said the company currently has 185 employees and is looking to add another 100 employees in the future. The council passed through three readings an ordinance to vacate Leroy Boulevard and Everett streets located off of 53rd Street to the east of Ridge Road. The request for the vacating of the two streets was made by RPM Transmission, which owns all the surrounding property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin said RPM Transmission is planning to construct a third building on the property. The council suspended the rules to allow final passage when Austin said a contractor is ready to begin work. The council set a hearing for May 8 for a requested three-year tax abatement for the expansion of LGT Irrigation. Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, said the company recently purchased property at 5730 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Winkler said the existing building was demolished and LGT plans to build a new warehouse on the site. The company has been in business for 10 years and currently has 25 employees. The company is investing $300,000 in the project and plans to create another 20 to 25 jobs with an hourly wage of $22.50. ANDERSON An Anderson man charged with the death of two local residents during a 2023 police chase has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. Brandon Teague, 36, was charged with several felony counts following the chase, which started in Pendleton and resulted in a crash killing Karol K. Lewellen, 68, and John E. Lewellen, 74, at 19th and Jackson streets. Under terms of a plea agreement, Teague entered pleas of guilty in Madison Circuit Court Division 1 to charges of four counts of resisting law enforcement resulting in death; two counts of causing death while under the influence of a controlled substance; two counts of resisting arrest resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of a serious violent felon in possession of a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Angela Warner Sims sentenced Teague on Tuesday to a total of 35 years in prison without early release. Teague fled from Pendleton police at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour and disregarded a red light at the Anderson intersection, causing a fatal three-vehicle crash, according to the probable cause affidavit. The chase started after police were alerted by a security camera system in October 2023 that a GMC Sierra in the area was registered to him and that his drivers license was suspended, according to the affidavit. The Pendleton police cruiser carrying two officers pulled alongside the GMC, and the two officers confirmed that the man driving matched Teagues description. They then tried to pull him over near Indiana 67 and Huntsville Road, but he fled at a high rate of speed, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pendleton police cruiser continue pursuing the GMC at high speeds after officers learned of a warrant out of Grant County for Teagues arrest as a serious violent felon in possession of a handgun. The pursuit continued along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard into Anderson, where Teague continued at speeds of about 100 mph eastbound onto West 19th Street. By that time, the Pendleton police cruiser in pursuit had fallen behind because of heavy traffic, according to the affidavit. As the cruiser turned onto West 19th Street, the two officers inside saw a big cloud of smoke down the road at 19th and Jackson streets. When they approached the intersection, the Pendleton officers saw the wreckage of the GMC Sierra and two other vehicles. According to Anderson police, the GMC driven by Teague ran the red light and collided with a Buick Enclave, occupied by the Lewellens, that had been northbound on Jackson Street. The Buick careened into a Jeep, occupied by six people, that was parked at the red light facing west on 19th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Buick then struck a corner of the Peyton Manning Childrens Clinic building on the campus of Ascension St. Vincent Anderson Hospital and came to rest. Africca Mack was driving the Jeep and suffered a possible broken ankle and bleeding on the brain, police said. Mack was flown to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment. A front-seat passenger, identified as Debra Stith, in the Jeep suffered pain in the leg and hip area, police said. Two juveniles riding in the back seat of the Jeep also received treatment one, born in 2008, for pain in the shoulder, and the other, born in 2014, for cuts and bruising of the head. The other two backseat passengers in the Jeep did not receive treatment. Friends and family are paying tribute to an Andover woman after she died unexpectedly on a trip to Puerto Rico. Heather Morell, 52, died shortly after arriving in Puerto Rico with her husband on April 2. The two were on the trip to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. According to a GoFundMe set up by friends of Morell, she collapsed at the airport due to unexplained reasons. "Her passing was sudden and heartbreaking, and we are all still trying to come to terms with the reality of a world without her in it," the GoFundMe reads. "Heather lit up every room she entered. She was kind, generous, funny, and fiercely loyal to the people she loved." GoFundMe The fundraiser will help pay funeral expenses and to support Morells husband, Kaleb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funeral will be held after Morells remains are transferred back to Minnesota. Any amount helps and will be deeply appreciated by Heathers family and friends, the GoFundMe reads. Lets come together and honor Heather in the same way she gave to all of us, surrounded by love, support and a passionate generosity. As of Saturday, the fundraiser had reached $4,700 of its $30,000 goal. ANNISTON Anniston High School has been named one of 72 schools across the nation selected to participate in Airgas 2025 High School Welding Education Initiative, a program aimed at addressing the growing skills gap in the welding and skilled trades industries. Airgas, an Air Liquide company, announced that schools from 33 states and 16 company regions will be part of the initiative, which supports underserved high school welding programs with professional development, equipment, and resources. Since its launch in 2018, the initiative has reached 162 schools and impacted more than 12,000 students and nearly 700 instructors nationwide. We are thrilled to expand the Airgas High School Welding Education Initiative and further our commitment to supporting welding education, said Jay Worley, Airgas Chief Operating Officer. By investing in these 72 programs, we are not only addressing a critical skills gap but also empowering students to pursue rewarding careers in welding, engineering, and technical fields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anniston Highs selection was based on several key criteria, including the schools unmet needs, the strength and potential of its welding program and the passion of its instructors. The program provides welding instructors with hands-on training, along with welding consumables, personal protective equipment and other essential materials. With the American Welding Society projecting a need for 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029, programs like Airgas are seen as vital to ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled workers. Since 2021, nearly 1,900 students from participating schools have secured jobs post-graduation. Airgas continued investment in high school welding education is designed to help communities like Anniston build a strong foundation for future workforce development. For more information about the Airgas High School Welding Education Initiative, visit www.airgas.com. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) First responders were dispatched to a house fire just north of Anson earlier today. Emergency crews responded to a home on County Road 195 around 3:30 p.m. on April 11 after receiving reports of a fire and possible explosion. According to nearby residents, at least one person was transported to Hendrick Medical Center with minor injuries. Its currently unclear how many individuals were inside the home at the time of the explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTAB/KRBC has reached out to the Anson Volunteer Fire Department for official comment, but no formal statement has been released as of this report. Witnesses say the explosion happened while a man was attempting to convert the homes energy source from natural gas to propane. The condition of that individual has not been confirmed. Neighbors have reported that the displaced family has secured temporary housing. No further information is available at the moment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) The Louisiana legislature begins its regular session on Monday, and one proposed bill aims to toughen the laws regarding hazing. It comes on the heels of the tragic hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson. The community needs to know that we want to educate our children, not only the ones that are being hazed, so that they understand that they dont have to be hazing, all of that, to join the group. Initiation does not involve hazing, said Louisiana State Representative Delisha Boyd. School bus hits, kills child in St. Claude neighborhood: New Orleans police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tulane University has also opened an investigation into alleged hazing by two fraternities. In a statement, university leaders say: The health, safety, and well-being of students is our highest priority, and we have robust training and resources dedicated to preventing hazing in all forms. As part of that commitment, the university has placed the Delta Tau Delta and Phi Kappa Sigma chapters on interim suspension pending the outcome of investigations into alleged hazing. We take these matters seriously and will continue to uphold our community standards as the investigative process moves forward. The new bill authored by Boyd would require all college students in Louisiana to complete a one-hour anti-hazing education course if they wish to join a fraternity or sorority. We dont support this. Its time that we move away from these historic traditions where we dont support this. And its time that we move away from these historic traditions where I would say let me haze the next person too, were better than that, said Boyd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second Harvest Food Bank needs support amid federal funding cuts Political expert Silas Lee is confident that the bill will pass. Its very difficult, if not impossible, to be against any type of legislation to ensure the safety of students who are pledging a fraternity and sorority. We want to ensure that safety and protect overall safety and well-being of citizens in general. Thats why you see an interest in advancing such legislation, said Lee. Representative Boyd says she hopes that anti-hazing classes will be required for more than just freshmen. Its beyond just the freshmen. We also require this class of upperclassmen. So already in these organizations, theyll have two semesters to get this bill and get this class under their belt. But we want it mandatory for everyone, said Boyd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louisiana State Legislature is scheduled to convene on April 14 and adjourn on June 12. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. MUAR, Malaysia (AP) In southern Malaysia, furniture manufacturers are in a race against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. After threatening to impose a 24% tax on all goods imported from the Southeast Asian country, Trump said Tuesday he would cut rates 10% for most countries for 90 days. Factories here took that as a deadline to fill as many orders from U.S. customers as possible before the higher rate kicks in. Muar, in Malaysias Johor state, is a major hub for Malaysias furniture industry, and the U.S. is its largest export market, accounting for roughly 60% of total exports. At the Corporate Specialist kitchen furniture factory, workers were packing goods and loading them onto containers as fast as they could on Friday. Chief Financial Officer Peihing Tsai said the company exports 100% of its products to the U.S. We are working overtime now and trying our best to motivate our workers, because these 3 months will be very busy," Tsai said. The company has managed to push out more then 30 containers the past 4 days the amount it normally ships in a month. President Donald Trumps new tariffs threaten to push up prices on clothes, mobile phones, furniture and many other products in the coming months. They could end the era of cheap goods that Americans enjoyed for about a quarter-century before the pandemic. Tsai said he fears distributors will abandon the factory if tariff rates go above 10%. But still, he added, there's no way the company could move production to the United States the cost is astronomical. In the end, he said, the increased price will be have to borne by our end consumers. Candice Lim, general manager at furniture maker Natural Signature, said she sees Trump's threats of higher rates as a bargaining position because of the costs they would impose on American consumers. It is unlikely to go on in this way," she said. "Otherwise, how can the American people stand it? she asked. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Tamer Soliman / Getty Images Key Takeaways Novartis said it plans to invest $23 billion in the construction and expansion of U.S. facilities. The move comes after President Trump earlier this week threatened "major" tariffs on pharmaceuticals. Novartis' CEO said tariffs were a consideration but not the driving factor behind the investment, Reuters reported Thursday. Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis (NVS) said it plans to invest $23 billion in the construction and expansion of 10 U.S. facilities, as drugmakers brace for potential tariffs from the Trump administration. The planned investment includes six new manufacturing plants and a San Diego-based research and development site to be built over the next five years. Two of the six plants, which Novartis said will manufacture cancer therapies, are slated to be built in Florida and Texas. Novartis said it expects the projects to create more than 4,000 American jobs, including 1,000 roles at the company. Move Comes Amid Tariff Uncertainty Novartis' announcement comes after President Donald Trump earlier this week said his administration will "be announcing very shortly a major tariff on pharmaceuticals." "We're going to tariff our pharmaceuticals, and once we do that they're going to come rushing back into our country because we're the big market," Trump said at a dinner hosted by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said tariffs were a consideration but not the driving factor behind the investment, Reuters reported Thursday. Novartis shares were little changed Thursday amid a broader market decline. The stock has gained about 6% in 2025 through Thursday's close. (Read Investopedia's live coverage of today's market action here.) In February, rival drugmaker Eli Lilly (LLY) said it would invest at least $27 billion to build four new pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in the U.S. A month later, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) announced plans to raise its domestic investments to $55 billion over the next four years. Read the original article on Investopedia A three-judge panel from the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals appeared unconvinced Friday that five Sedgwick County juvenile detention officers should be immune from an excessive force lawsuit in the 2021 death of 17-year-old Cedric CJ Lofton. The county officers were appealing an Oct. 3 ruling by Eric Melgren, chief judge of the U.S. District Court of Kansas, who denied the officers petition to dismiss all claims against them, saying that a jury must decide who to believe about what happened inside a small cell at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center. Wichita police arrested Lofton, a 17-year-old foster child in an apparent mental health crisis, and took him to the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center in September 2021 after he refused to voluntarily go to the hospital for a mental health evaluation and resisted multiple officers attempts to remove him from the porch of his foster home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Wichita police left Lofton at JIAC, he got into a physical altercation with two juvenile corrections officers, who grabbed him and wrestled him to the ground in the corner of a holding cell that lacks full surveillance camera coverage. They called for backup. Eventually, five Sedgwick County juvenile detention officers were involved in the struggle and held Lofton on the floor in the prone position for nearly 40 minutes until he went into cardiac arrest and died. Surveillance cameras with no audio captured much of the encounter. While Lofton is not visible during much of the video recording, the officers can be seen moving and holding Lofton against the ground. This still image from a Sedgwick County video shows detention staff holding down Cedric CJ Lofton, 17, in a cell at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center. He eventually lost consciousness and died two days later in the hospital. The countys lawyer argued Friday that the five officers William Buckner, Karen Conklin, Benito Mendoza, Brenton Newby and Jason Stepien did not violate a clearly established constitutional right by holding Lofton in a prone position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Lofton had been lying there, as this made up narrative says, without doing anything, hed be alive, Jeffrey M. Kuhlman, a lawyer for the county officers, told the panel. He wouldnt have died. He only died because he was fighting and because he was in an air deficit. Kuhlman also said the video is inconclusive about whether Lofton continued to struggle and threaten officers while in the prone restraint, so the officers should be granted qualified immunity. Melgrens ruling was that a jury not a judge should decide whether the officers used excessive force. Judge Richard Federico questioned the logic behind Kuhlmans argument. He said the appeals court can only overturn the district courts factual findings if there is a blatant contradiction between the evidence in a case and the facts relied upon by a district judge to issue a ruling. I read your brief to say, Well, the video is inconclusive. But inconclusive is not the same thing as a blatant contradiction, Federico said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the officers testified about Lofton that the whole time theyre in there (in the cell), theyd try to lift their hands up, and he would try to get loose again, Kuhlman said. At that point, Judge Carolyn McHugh interjected and called into question the credibility of the county officers. They also testified they didnt put any weight on him, McHugh said. And yet hes got injuries that make it pretty clear that they put weight on him. McHugh also appeared to side with Melgren that a jury should decide whether the officers acted reasonably or used excessive force. Youve got the officers saying, Oh, he was resisting the whole time, and we had to have all of us on top of him, McHugh said. But when you watch that video, there are periods of time when theyre actively restraining him, there are other periods of time and they are long periods of time when theyre just sitting there. And sometimes people are coming in and out of the room, and I think the reasonable jury can look at that and say they didnt need all those people sitting on him for that entire time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kuhlman, the officers lawyer, said they had no other recourse than to hold Lofton, who weighed 135 lbs, until he stopped moving because they lacked less-lethal weapons and he was incredibly strong and fighting like heck. McHugh pressed Kuhlman on what level of force he thought was justified given a teenager who is held down by officers but struggling and making verbal threats. Would it have been OK for one of the officers to pull out a gun and shoot him? McHugh asked. No, Kuhlman said, because he wasnt a grave threat of bodily harm to them. And thats deadly force, right? McHugh said. Since George Floyd, weve known that prone restraint is deadly force. So once youre sitting on someone and youre doing a prone restraint for a long period of time, its not much different than pulling out your gun and shooting him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just have to disagree with that characterization, Kuhlman said. Some of us sleep in the prone position eight hours a day. But nobodys sitting on your back, McHugh said. And youre not constantly resisting against people while youre laying in bed, Kuhlman said. The lawyer for Loftons family, John S. Marrase, said the evidence clearly establishes that the officers knew prolonged prone restraint was dangerous well before the George Floyd murder, with government agencies issuing warnings as early as the 1990s. The countys own training program warns against it. The nature of the resistance it is essential to look at that, to determine whether or not the use of force in response is proportional, Marrase said. They knew their use of force here was lethal. It was not proportional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said a medical expert testified that the reason Lofton was struggling throughout the encounter was because he was trying to survive being pressed against a hard surface without being able to draw enough oxygen to keep up with his bodys oxygen needs. We are talking about the most egregious prone restraint five officers on an individual, a juvenile in mental distress documented, in the country, in case law. Weve all cited cases theres no case approaching it. A ruling in the case is expected later this year. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A lawsuit filed against Rockford Public Schools over 14 library books described as sexually explicit has been dismissed by the Court of Appeals. In the ruling issued on Friday, the State of Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the Kent County Circuit Courts October 2023 dismissal of the lawsuit against RPS by a group called Parents and Taxpayers Against Pornography in Rockford Public Schools. Group loses bid to ban pornographic books from Rockford Schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed by unnamed private citizens and past Rockford Public Schools students listed anonymously as John and Jane Doe. They wanted to halt dissemination of sexually explicit materials that they consider to be pornographic and harmful to minors through the schools. In their ruling, the court of appeals said that the plaintiffs were not directly affected due to being former students or anonymous residents; they had no legal right to sue because criminal claims require a prosecutors approval or security deposit, which wasnt provided; the books were not illegal; and the FOIA claim failed. Group accuses Rockford Schools of pornographic books Superintendent Steve Matthews previously said the books are not part of the districts curriculum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school district also said parents can have any book blocked from being checked out by their students, but it hasnt received any formal challenges about these books. ~ News 8s David Horak 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 WOODTV.com. Apr. 12April 12, 2015 Leech Lake Nation's Green Team has installed solar-powered furnaces at its solid waste facility, forestry building, and 13 area houses. According to air quality specialist Brandy Toft, having a solar-powered furnace in the forestry building saves an average of $1,100 on heating costs each year. April 12, 2000 Bemidji High School auto students competed in the Ford/AAA Auto Skills contest for the fifth straight year. The students completed a written test that required them to use their past learning to diagnose and troubleshoot the problems on today's computer-laden vehicles, mechanics teacher Tom Gardner said. April 12, 1975 A Davis DA-2A airplane being built by 12 Bagley High School students and two instructors is expected to be in the air by summer as the students are finishing up the wings this semester. About five schools in Minnesota out of 122 nationwide are participating in similar experimental classes. April 12, 1925 The Concordia College Choir, said to be the only organization of its kind that travels in its own buses, will perform in Bemidji this week. The buses were built to order specially for the choir, which also carries its own performance equipment. The choir will arrive on three buses with fifteen seats in each bus. DYER, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffins office arrests a Dyer man on April 11 for lying about being a convicted felon while running for city council. Joey Wertz, 47, faces a political practices pledge charge, a class D felony. Griffin says in a press release that Wertz ran for a seat on the Dyer City Council in 2024. Griffin says Wertz indicated he was never convicted of a felony but was convicted of burglary in 1998 and theft of leased property in 2000. Both charges are felonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Law enforcement arrests Oklahoma man accused of double homicide at Fort Smith bar Griffin says Prosecuting Attorney for the 21st District, Kevin Holmes, asked Griffins Special Investigations Division to investigate the case, and one of his investigators arrested Wertz on April 10. In this case, the law perfectly aligns with what should be common sense: You cant lie about your criminal record on an official election form and expect to get away with it. I am grateful to my Special Investigations Division for their diligent work on this case and to Kevin Holmes for his support and referral, Griffin said. The release says Wertz was taken to the Crawford County Dention Center and was given a $5,000 bond. 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. RICHLAND, Miss. (WJTV) An Arkansas man was arrested in Richland after police said they discovered $200,000 worth of drugs. Investigators said an officer stopped a vehicle on Highway 49 around midnight on April 2, 2025, for a traffic violation. The driver was identified as Carl Dimino, 58, of Story, Arkansas. Motorcycle chase leads to arrest of Jackson man According to police, the officer who stopped Dimino could smell the odor of marijuana. They said Dimino admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle and handed the officer a joint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a search of the vehicle, police said they discovered 126 dosage units of ecstasy, more than three pounds of MDMA, five pounds of psilocybin, 12 vials of pure LSD liquid, a large amount of LSD squares, 198 grams of marijuana and two sets of digital scales. Carl Dimino (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) An Arkansas man was arrested in Richland after police said they discovered $200,000 worth of drugs. (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) An Arkansas man was arrested in Richland after police said they discovered $200,000 worth of drugs. (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) An Arkansas man was arrested in Richland after police said they discovered $200,000 worth of drugs. (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) An Arkansas man was arrested in Richland after police said they discovered $200,000 worth of drugs. (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) An Arkansas man was arrested in Richland after police said they discovered $200,000 worth of drugs. (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) Richland police said Dimino has an extensive criminal history with more than 20 arrests, including 12 felonies, across seven different states. 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. A 21-year-old arrested in Arizona is facing federal charges in a case where he and another man are accused of robbing a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier at gunpoint. Kyler Reese and Chaun Allen, both 22 and from Chicago, have been indicted by a grand jury on charges of conspiracy, robbery of a mail carrier, and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime related to a 2022 incident, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Reese was taken into custody in Arizona the week of April 7 and appeared for a detention hearing in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. The DOJ noted that he was initially arrested in Chicago back in March. The charges stem from an incident on Nov. 16, 2022, when Reese is accused of pointing a gun at a mail carrier, demanding the carriers USPS keys and mail bag. He and Allen then fled in a stolen vehicle, according to the DOJ. The firearm used in the robbery was reportedly equipped with a "switch" device, allowing it to fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Allen and Reese face seven years to life in federal prison, the DOJ said. "U.S. Postal Service employees delivering mail to the American people must be allowed to do so safely and securely, Morris Pasqual, an acting U.S. attorney, said in a statement. "Individuals who use violence against postal carriers to gain access to the public's mail must be held accountable." Inspector-in-Charge Ruth Mendonca added in a statement: "As Postal Service employees continue to play an integral role in our communities, we are clear in our resolve to aggressively investigate anyone who brings harm to these invaluable public servants." It is unclear what, if any, ties Reese has to Arizona or why he was in the state at the time of his arrest. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man arrested in Arizona in armed robbery of USPS carrier AUSTIN (KXAN) The University of Texas at Austin released a statement Friday regarding the safety and security of its students. In the statement, the university said families, students, faculty, staff and visitors were rightly frustrated. When individuals threaten student safety with violent and criminal behavior, our law enforcement have been steadfast in making necessary arrests to remove these threats. But arrests are not enough. We must be able to work hand in hand with prosecutors and the local judicial system to make sure these offenders stay off our campus, UT Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to UT, a violent offender who was arrested three times over the past three days continued to be arrested and released. That person then returned to the Drag, on Guadalupe Street near campus, to threaten and physically assault UT students. A spokesperson for Travis County Judge Andy Brown provided KXAN with the following statement: Travis County Judge Andy Brown did have a phone conversation with University of Texas Interim President Jim Davis. During that conversation they discussed the recent criminal incidents on campus and the need to address mental health issues that are often underlying factors in similar incidents. Judge Brown will continue these conversations with President Davis and members of the Texas Legislature to advocate for a mental health jail diversion center that helps meet the needs of the campus community and Travis County. Over the years, UT said it has invested millions of dollars to improve the safety of the campus. The improvements included infrastructure like lights, cameras, and additional law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue to do whatever is necessary to make sure our students live, work and learn in a safe environment, UT said. Interim UT President Jim Davis said in the statement he spoke Friday with Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown, writing, we must find a solution. Our students and their families are counting on it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Former President Barack Obamas official portrait has been moved from the Grand Foyer of the White House and been replaced with a painting of President Donald Trump pumping his fist in the air after last years attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania. Obamas portrait, unveiled in September 2022, now hangs in the East Room, according to multiple media outlets, including NBC News, CNN and the Associated Press. On Friday, the White House shared footage of the new Trump painting on X, formerly Twitter. Some new artwork at the White House, announced the official account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The painting appears to be based on photos from Evan Vucci and Doug Mills, photographers for the AP and New York Times, respectively, taken on July 13, 2024 mere moments after 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks grazed Trumps ear. Trump loyalist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) reacted favorably to the news and shared the news on X with the comment: Much better. Greene, who recently had an awkward social media gaffe, is among many MAGA supporters celebrating the change. Others, however, are pointing out that it doesnt even fit in the framing of the wall design. Trumps words immediately after the shooting, Fight, fight, fight, became a GOP rallying cry during his bid for a second term. Crooks was gunned down within seconds of the failed assassination attempt, which wounded multiple attendees at the political rally in Butler, killing one. Some new artwork at the White House pic.twitter.com/l6u5u7k82T The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 11, 2025 The unveiling of Obamas painting in 2022 marked the first time in a decade that a sitting president, Biden, invited a predecessor for an unveiling. Obama, whose wife Michelle was honored with her own portrait, thanked artist Robert McCurdy with a heartfelt statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When future generations walk these halls and look up at these portraits, I hope they get a better honest sense of who Michelle and I were, he said at the time, per NPR. And I hope they leave with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can, too. They can do remarkable things, too, he concluded. Related... MILAN (Reuters) - Pirelli has put on hold plans to invest further in the United States as it tries to smooth out tensions linked to having Chinese state-owned group Sinochem as its largest investor, the Italian tyre maker said on Friday. Sinochem has a 37% stake in Pirelli and is at odds with the company and its Italian shareholders over governance, at a time when being seen as a Chinese-linked business is increasingly proving an obstacle for doing business in the U.S., one of Pirelli's key markets. Pirelli makes around 25% of its revenues in North America, which it mostly serves through its plants in Mexico, South America and Europe, although it also runs a smaller facility in the U.S. state of Georgia. The Italian government intervened in 2023 to curb Sinochem's powers in Pirelli and shield management's autonomy. Responding on Friday to a media report, Pirelli said its desire to increase its production capacity in the U.S. "has been known for some time". "At the moment, however, nothing has been decided given the regulatory obstacles linked to questions of governance and shareholder structure regarding which ... evaluations and in-depth analyses with Sinochem are still ongoing," it said in a statement. The Corriere della Sera daily said on Friday that Paolo Zampolli, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for global partnerships, hoped that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni would announce an investment by Pirelli during her visit to the White House on April 17. Zampolli said Pirelli would invest $1 billion in Georgia to produce so-called smart tyres, potentially raising the investment to $2 billion in the future. Expanding capacity in the U.S. would help limit the impact of U.S. tariffs, but Washington has also decided to crack down on Chinese technology in the automotive industry, banning key software and hardware from Chinese-controlled companies. Marco Trochetti Provera, the Italian businessman at the helm of Pirelli since 1992 and now its executive vice-chairman, said early this week that U.S. local authorities were raising objections in negotiations on plans to expand the group's capacity in the country due to Sinochem's stake. Tronchetti's vehicle Camfin controls a 26.4% stake in Pirelli. Shareholders are now discussing possible solutions ahead of a board meeting on April 28. (Reporting by Alessia Pe and Giulio Piovaccari. Editing by Giulia Segreti and Mark Potter) Supporters of Mahmoud Khalil rally outside the federal courthouse in Newark on March 28, 2025. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor) Hours after a Louisiana judge said a Columbia University activist could be deported, his attorneys said the true legal battle for his right to remain in the United States will be fought here in New Jersey. Attorney Marc Van Der Hout, one of the many lawyers representing activist Mahmoud Khalil, referred to the Louisiana immigration court proceedings as a sham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a kangaroo court, Van Der Hout told reporters Friday. Khalil, a green card holder, was arrested on March 8 in New York City by federal immigration agents and was eventually sent to LaSalle Detention Facility in Louisiana, where he remains today. Louisiana Judge Jamee Comans Friday decision doesnt mean Khalil will be immediately deported. Khalils attorneys plan to appeal Fridays decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz, who is hearing a related case in New Jersey, has ordered federal officials not to deport Khalil until he rules that they can. Khalil is arguing before Farbiarz that the Trump administration is targeting him for speech protected by the First Amendment. Khalil led anti-Israel protests on Columbias campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our real remedy is in district court, in federal district court, and thats the only place were going to get any real justice or that he is going to get any real justice, Van Der Hout said. Amy Belsher, senior staff attorney with the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the immigration judges ruling confirms the need for federal courts to intervene and make a decision because the immigration court made clear today that it wont and believes it cant. Comans, the Louisiana judge, said she has no authority to question a two-page letter penned by Secretary of State Marco Rubio supporting Khalils deportation. Khalils attorneys also said they will weigh whether to seek asylum for Khalil. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A recording of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellisons meeting more than three years ago with a group including eventual defendants in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud case has House Republicans renewing calls for transparency at the Attorney Generals Office. During a December 2021 meeting, a group of East African businesses that lost government funding amid suspicion of fraud flexed their political fundraising abilities and asked Ellison to help push back against state agencies standing in their way, audio that recently came to light shows. The meeting came just a month before the FBI raided Feeding Our Futures offices in January 2022. The nonprofit collected payments for millions of meals partner groups never served, federal prosecutors allege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 54-minute recording is unused evidence from the trial of Aimee Bock, the alleged ringleader of the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, and was first published online this week by the conservative Minnesota think tank the Center of the American Experiment. But the recording was never presented at trial because no state government witnesses ended up testifying. House Republicans and the think tank have suggested that Ellisons telling the group he would check into their concerns with state officials conflicted with his duty to represent state government. They also point to later political contributions from an eventual defendant in the case to his campaign. The Attorney General must immediately release all public documents and correspondence related to his meetings and conversations with these individuals, and explain to the public why he felt it was necessary or appropriate to meet with them, let alone offer the support of his office, said House Floor Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey. Ellisons office has said the attorney general himself was not aware of the ongoing dispute at the time, but that his office had been defending the state against Feeding Our Future in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Evans, a spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office, said the recording showed Ellison acted appropriately during the meeting, despite the Center for the American Experiments best efforts to smear Attorney General Ellison for partisan political reasons. The Attorney General regularly meets with constituents, hears their concerns in good faith, and does his best to help people who need it, which is exactly what the recording of this meeting shows, he said in a statement. It is a shame that these fraudsters tried to exploit the Attorney Generals good faith engagement, but they were not successful. A little less than a month after the meeting, the FBI raided the offices of Feeding Our Future. Ellisons office said it never acted on any of the groups requests from the meeting and has said it has no intention of keeping funds contributed by someone tied to the meeting that was charged more than two years after the initial raid. Federal authorities have charged 70 people in the case since September 2022. As of March, 37 had pleaded guilty, 7, including Bock, were convicted at trial, and two have been acquitted. December 2021 meeting In the recording, a group calling itself the Minnesota Minority Business Association pushes on Ellison to help them challenge state officials freezing reimbursements to meal sites, saying agencies were discriminating against East Africans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Minnesota Department of Education attempted to freeze money going to rapidly growing meal sites that were reporting what officials saw as improbable levels of growth under looser rules during the pandemic. However, in June 2021, a Ramsey County judge held the department in contempt for violating an earlier order requiring quick processing for site applications. Judge John Guthmann said he never ordered the department to make reimbursements, and that it voluntarily resumed payments for meals. But MDE said the ruling left them under the impression they had to continue working with Feeding Our Future. Ellison spent much of the meeting asking the group questions about their issues, despite his office representing MDE against them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the first Im really hearing about it, Ellison said, telling the group his office has about 400 staff and that he doesnt check on every single case they receive. When someone on the recording mentions the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which provided the federal money the state was giving to Feeding Our Future, Ellison asked for an explanation. Wait a minute, what is that? Ellison asks. At the meeting were soon-to-be federal fraud defendants in the Feeding Our Future case, including Salim Said, who was convicted at trial last month alongside alleged ringleader Bock and owned Safari Restaurant, one of the main meal sites in the case. Also present was Ikram Mohamed, who was indicted in February 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the recorded conversation, the group repeatedly touted its potential for fundraising and offered financial support to Ellisons campaign, though Ellison is never heard asking for contributions or engaging in discussion about taking money. Less than two weeks after the meeting, Ellison received a $2,500 contribution from Gandi Mohamed, the brother of Ikram Mohamed, who was also charged last year, the Center of the American Experiment noted in its online article containing the audio. Others present at the meeting also made contributions, though they havent been charged in the fraud case, according to the article. Ellisons office says it has returned contributions tied to other Feeding Our Future fraud defendants, and that his campaign has has no intention of keeping the funds from Gandi Mohamed, who was charged in February 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the groups requests for help with challenging state agencies, Ellison first asked for information on which agencies and administrators were a problem for the group, and in which programs. He also asked for information on which meal provider nonprofits were struggling most so he could bring them to the attention of Education Department officials. Ill call them in my office and demand some explanations, he said. Kenneth Udoibok, Bocks defense attorney at the trial, said the reason they had considered using the recording as evidence during the trial was that it would help show that his client was as surprised as some state officials said they were by the fraud at Feeding Our Future. But the recording was never presented at trial because no state government witnesses ended up testifying, Udoibok said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the publication of the audio, House Republicans on Thursday attempted to reintroduce a bill they tried to pass earlier in the session which would open more investigative records at the Attorney Generals office a move which they argue would boost transparency. DFLers opposed that bill when it first came up in February, and it failed again in a tied party line vote as Republicans have 67 seats, requiring at least one member of the other party to join. House DFLers say they oppose the bill because it could reveal sensitive investigative data. Related Articles AUSTIN (KXAN)Austin Independent School District officials recommended terminating a beloved principal and her supervisor days before she turned in her resignation, according to an internal investigation report provided through an open records request. The recommendation to fire the former Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders principal, Nicole Griffith, came after an Office of Professional Standards investigation determined that she and the executive director of secondary schools, Dr. Stacie Holiday, violated multiple district policies while handling a crisis situation with a student. The report alleges Griffithat Holidays directionwithdrew a student from school without properly notifying the childs parent or engaging a truancy officer and accuses both educators of failing to refer the student for a special education evaluation despite what the district called clear indicators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also alleges Griffith and Holiday delayed the students reenrollment based on disability-related symptoms and without lawful justification. Griffiths attorney said the report, which is heavily redacted, is flawed and has numerous inaccuracies. Griffiths attorney said that due to student privacy laws, his client could not comment on the details of this specific case. She will state unequivocally that her actions in this matter were all done at the direction of and/or approval of her direct supervisors, the AISD Legal Department, medical professionals and appropriate government agencies, Griffiths attorney, Tiger Hanner, said. There is nothing more important to Nicole Griffith than the safety and security of her students at the Ann Richards School. The Exit: Teachers leave. Students suffer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report alleges that Holiday issued the directive to withdraw the student and then instructed Griffith not to reenroll the student. It also states that Holiday said she was unaware that no formal written notice was provided to the parent. She explicitly acknowledged that the district lacked structured processes for handling such complex situations effectively, the report stated- a concern echoed by other district employees interviewed throughout the report. KXAN reached out to Holiday but has not heard back. We will update this if that changes. The report stated that while Griffith deferred to directives from her [executive director], she did not challenge themeven when they contradicted district policy or equitable access expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report went on to say that the concerns about the student well-being were valid, but the decision to delay enrollment was not grounded in policy and resulted in the exclusion of a vulnerable student during a time of acute need. With a 100% graduation rate, The Ann Richards School for Young Women is setting students up for success During a tense board meeting on Thursday, former Austin ISD employee Cynthia Soliz, also implicated in the investigative report, told trustees the report details only a fraction of what happened. It is roughly 20 percent of the story. It covers four days and it is vastly, like shockingly incomplete, Soliz told board members on Thursday. If one complaint and one grievance and an incomplete investigation can end the career of multiple marginalized women who led the district what does that say about our ability to retain excellent leaders? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District officials told KXAN, We are confident in our abilities to perform thoughtful and thorough investigations. They added that the district employs processes to thoroughly investigate matters that warrant investigation. Records show Griffith resigned on March 26, but according to her attorney, she has rescinded her resignation. Over the last several weeks, Ann Richards School community members, including students, have demanded additional information and Griffiths reinstatement. Austin ISD said it is limited in speaking on staffing matters, but some district leaders met with families last week to discuss the situation and students and parents were outspoken during Thursdays board meeting. If she made a mistake, use restorative justice, wrap her in support so she can learn from it, one 6th-grade Ann Richards student said to the board. She brought strong and compassionate leadership to our school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children and families whove experienced harm cant always speak up. Grievance and investigation report legally supports termination, and that decision should be upheld, a community member said during public comment. Thursdays school agenda noted that the board could discuss matters related to Ann Richards School of Young Women Leaders during the executive session. School board trustees did not respond to KXANs request for comments, but AISD officials told KXAN that the district would continue to assess the next steps. The school board will have to evaluate more than just personnel matters in the wake of the investigative report. Multiple employees interviewed as a part of the investigation described confusion over procedures for complex situations like the one at the center of Griffith and Holidays departure. A school district spokesperson told KXAN the policy on withdrawal and enrollment has been referred to the board policy committee for review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. U.S. authorities uncovered a disturbing wildlife smuggling organization inside a Southern California mail facility. According to reports by CBS News, Sai Keung Tin, a smuggler from Hong Kong, was arrested for illegally exporting a protected turtle species. What's happening? Federal authorities seized Tin at John F. Kennedy Airport for aiding and abetting turtle smuggling across the U.S. He was part of an international smuggling organization that trafficked the eastern box turtle, a protected species native to the U.S. Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, it is illegal to smuggle the eastern box turtle across international borders. The turtles were smuggled in boxes that claimed to be transporting almonds and chocolate cookies. Eight to 12 turtles were squished into each box and bound by socks to prevent movement. One of the turtles died, reported CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After pleading guilty to four federal charges of exporting merchandise against the law, Tin was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Why is wildlife smuggling important? Wildlife trafficking is not only life-threatening for the animals being smuggled but also harmful to the entire ecosystem. As this incident highlights, many illegally smuggled animals do not survive the transport because they are forced into horrible conditions. If they do survive and are then introduced into an area they are not native to, these animals become an invasive species and can disrupt the local ecosystem. Invasive species destroy the ecological balance by competing with local flora and fauna for resources. What's being done about wildlife smuggling? Organizations across the globe are actively trying to stop wildlife tracking. One of the organizations is the World Wildlife Fund, which works to spread awareness of illegal wildlife trafficking and raise money to stop it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some large corporations and airlines are taking a stance against wildlife smuggling by refusing to transport hunting trophies of certain species. Emirates, for example, will not transport hunting trophies from elephants, rhinos, lions, and tigers, even in cases where hunting these animals is legal. 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. Leadership at The Autism Society of America is pushing back against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedys recent pledge to find the cause of autism spectrum disorder. Kennedy promised to launch a massive testing and research effort on Thursday to figure out what has caused the autism epidemic by September. We find that unrealistic and misleading, President and CEO of The Autism Society of America Christopher Banks told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks and The Autism Society of Americas Chief Marketing Officer Kristyn Roth agreed that there is a significant need for more investment and credentialed research to better understand autism spectrum disorder. But the lack of transparency around Kennedys proposed effort is concerning, they said. It is unclear who will lead the new testing and research effort and what methodology will be used in the process. In the past, Kennedy has promoted the debunked belief that vaccines are somehow connected to rising rates of autism spectrum disorder. And on Thursday, he said that the new effort will involve hundreds of scientists from around the world. Banks and Roth worry that if Kennedys testing and research effort is headed by people who believe in discredited theories such as that vaccines cause autism, decades of progress to understand and treat the condition will be undone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disability community, global scientific and medical community are all aligned that there is no direct link between vaccines and autism and millions of people have been studied through rigorous, rigorous studies of research over decades that has not found a link, Roth said. Autism spectrum disorder is a complex developmental disability that is influenced by genetic, biological and environmental factors. One in 36 children in the U.S. was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2020, up from 1 out of 44 in 2018, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That rise has been linked to increased awareness of the condition and clinicians becoming better at diagnosing it, according to the nonprofit organization Autism Speaks. The speed at which Kennedy is promising to find the cause of the disability is harmful to those struggling during an autism diagnosis as well, Roth added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its giving people a lot of false hope, she said. True, rigorous, peer-reviewed science takes time to find quality answers. Recent funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Education and possible future cuts to Medicaid all threaten the quality of life of those with autism spectrum disorder and future understanding of the condition, Roth said. Referring to autism as a chronic diseaseand using medical terminology like epidemic are really dehumanizes autistic individuals and perpetuates stigma and stereotypes, she said. It really reverses a lot of progress that has been made over the last decades. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A 17-year-old autistic teen is brain-dead, his family says, after Idaho police shot him last week. Victor Perez, who also has cerebral palsy, was declared brain-dead Friday after police shot nine times at a family barbecue in Pocatello, his aunt Ana Vazquez NBC News. The incident stemmed from a 911 call on April 5, where someone reported that a man had a knife and other people appeared to be trying to get the weapon away from him. But Vazquez tells NBC News that Perez had found a hidden knife while at a family barbecue. Perezs sister then tried to get the knife away from him, but the family was never in danger and Perez was never threatening them, Vazquez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the incident shows four police officers running up to a chain-link fence at the home where the family had gathered and drawing their guns, shouting for Perez to get on the ground. When he stood up and walked forward, officers shot him. Victor Perez, 17, is brain-dead after Idaho police shot him nine times while he was at a family barbecue (AP) The officers then performed life-saving measures after they shot Perez, the Pocatello Police Department said in a statement. Perez was taken by ambulance to the Portneuf Medical Center. Police Chief Roger Schei says officers told Perez to drop the knife multiple times, and that he stood up and walked toward them while holding it. In this case, two individuals were within a few feet of an armed, non-compliant individual, Schei told reporters at a news conference on Monday. The risk was immediate, and the situation rapidly evolving. The 911 caller said a man had a knife and appeared to be chasing people. But Perezs aunt says the teen wasnt threatening anyone or putting anyone in danger (AP) The 911 caller said a man who seemed intoxicated was wielding a kitchen knife and chasing a man and woman in the yard, according to audio of the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He seems pretty drunk," the caller told a dispatcher. "Hes just running at them with a knife and then falling over. I think he just stabbed himself, actually. Brad Andres, who took the video of the incident, told the Associated Press police appeared to be like a death squad or a firing squad. They never once asked, What is the situation, how can we help? They ran up with their guns drawn, they triggered a mentally disabled person to react and when he reacted ... they shot him, Andres said. The shooting is now being investigated by the East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force. The four officers involved have also been placed on administrative leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident from the police running towards the fence to the shooting occurred within the space of 20 seconds. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time. We recognize the pain and grief this incident has caused in our community, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad in a statement. CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) The family of a nonverbal autistic woman who went missing for five days last month is suing her former caregiver and the group home where she lived for not taking proper care of her. The lawsuit, filed in Providence Superior Court Friday, accuses 43-year-old Roberta Gerard of placing her own wants above her duties and responsibilities by leaving Linda DaLomba in her car unattended for two hours while getting her nails done in Cranston. DaLombas court-appointed guardians, Maria Canuto and Sandra Nasabzadeh, are also suing the Seven Hills Foundation the nonprofit in charge of Seven Hills Rhode Island, the group home where she lived at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit argues that the Seven Hills Foundation and Seven Hills Rhode Island created a work environment that emboldened the reckless behavior demonstrated and carried out by Roberta Gerard. SEE ALSO: Lawmakers propose PURPLE Alert for missing Rhode Islanders with disabilities Investigators believe DaLomba, 45, got out of Gerards car in the nail salon parking lot and walked down the street to an unlocked vehicle, where she remained until she was discovered five days later. DaLombas disappearance triggered an extensive citywide search, and detectives began fearing the worst after Gerard kept providing them with conflicting statements regarding DaLombas potential whereabouts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thankfully, a mechanic with the Cranston Fire Department went outside to jumpstart his family friends car and found DaLomba lying down in the backseat. He had heard about DaLombas disappearance on the news and called the police. The lawsuit notes that, had DaLomba not been found by the mechanic, she would undoubtedly have passed away, since she had been without food, water and vital medications for several days. BACKGROUND: Caregiver was at nail salon when autistic woman went missing Gerard was eventually taken into custody and charged with abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult with severe impairments, as well as falsely reporting a crime and obstruction of an officer in the execution of duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit accuses Gerard of leaving DaLomba with family and friends who were not authorized or permitted to supervise her, but does not elaborate further to support that claim. This was not the first instance of Roberta Gerard disregarding her responsibilities or leaving Linda DaLomba unsupervised, the lawsuit notes. The lawsuit also asserts that Seven Hills Rhode Island, Gerards employer, knew its employees were not adequately educated, licensed or trained to provide acceptable standards of care to dependent adults with developmental disabilities. Seven Hills Rhode Island knew or should have known that its employees were willfully and intentionally failing to care for, supervise and attend to DaLomba, the lawsuit continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Cranston honors man who found missing autistic woman The lawsuit concludes that DaLomba was forced to endure pain and suffering and was severely and permanently injured as a result of Gerards negligence. DaLombas guardians are seeking relief for the personal and psychological injuries she suffered at the hands of Gerard and Seven Hills Rhode Island. 12 News has reached out to the Seven Hills Foundation regarding the lawsuit, but has not yet heard back. The lawsuit was first reported by The Boston Globe. 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. The pilot of the tourist helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon could not have done anything to save himself or his five passengers after the aircrafts rotor blades and its tail boom detached in the air, an aviation expert said Friday. Everything we train for as helicopter pilots is under the assumption that the rotor system is still attached to the aircraft, said Brandt Anderson, a former U.S. Army combat helicopter pilot who is now a policy adviser. Once thats separated, theres no wings, theres no ability to glide its just falling out of the sky at that point. Its absolutely horrible, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An official from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said at a news conference Friday that she would not speculate as to a preliminary cause when asked whether the agency had identified one, emphasizing instead that investigators were still searching for components of and structures from the aircraft, interviewing witnesses and obtaining records, including of the operator of the helicopter, New York Helicopters, and its owner. We dont rule anything out, said Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the NTSB. We take a very detailed and comprehensive view and its way too early in the investigation. The Bell 206 sightseeing helicopter departed a downtown Manhattan heliport at 2:59 p.m. and the ride lasted less than 20 minutes. Eyewitness video showed the rotors and the fuselage separating in midair before the helicopter plummeted from the sky, crashing upside-down into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey. The crash killed Agustin Escobar, the chief executive for rail infrastructure for the German technology company Siemens, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, as well as the pilot, Sean Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Divers were still searching for the helicopters main rotor, main transmission and its roof and tail structures on Friday, Homendy said. Robert Joslin, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Florida, said that when investigators examine the wreckage, they will look at whether there were any structural or impact failures that made the tail rotor come off. Once the tail rotor comes off, I mean, this isnt speculation, its just like a seesaw, he said. Once that tail boom was separated from the rest of the helicopter, then you could see it tumbling. Joslin previously served as the Federal Aviation Administrations chief scientific and technical advisor for flight deck technology and was a flight test pilot with the agency. He was also a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps and a military test pilot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said investigators will also probe the aircrafts maintenance records to see whether there were any issues in its history. Anderson, the former U.S. Army combat helicopter pilot, and John Cox, a pilot and the president and CEO of Safety Operating Systems LLC, said a fatal crash like this one is very rare. There are instances where the Bell 206, in particular, can be put into stress by flying it aggressively, Anderson said. But based on what we know now, I dont think that is the case here and that makes it even more concerning. It makes the structural failure even more alarming. At the news conference Friday, Homendy urged anyone with photos or videos that they believe could aid investigators to send them to the NTSB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homendy said the videos circulating on social media have been very helpful to investigators, but that many of them had been filmed from a far distance and would require further review at the agencys headquarters. Were hoping to get some additional videos that provide us information, she said. We dont know what people have recorded or taken pictures of that could be helpful in an investigation. She said the NTSB has found that to be the case in past investigations, such as the Ketchikan, Alaska, midair collision in 2019, where photos from a passenger aboard one of the airplanes helped the agency significantly in its investigation. While it remains unclear how the helicopter broke apart, Joslin said that the primary way that a motor blade would detach is through a mast bump, which occurs when excessive flapping of the rotor blades causes the hub to contact the rotor mast. It is one of the hazards that is highlighted in teetering rotor helicopters, Joslin said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Recession talk has been dominating U.S. headlines as of late, alongside conflicting news regarding President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs, reciprocal tariffs and retaliatory tariffs being enacted by other nations against the United States. Trending Now: How To Get a 10% Return on Investment (ROI): 10 Proven Ways For You: Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 However, with the American labor market showing resilience, according to Reuters adding far more jobs than expected in March an imminent recession is by no means guaranteed. In fact, The Motley Fool gestured toward the proliferation of headlines speaking to recession fears and added a bit of a silver lining, stating that Goldman Sachs currently pegged the risk of recession in the near-term at 38%, less than half, before also stating that recession was a normal part of the boom-bust economic cycle and therefor inevitable in the long-term. Read below for moves that can make you rich during a recession. Invest In Index Funds, but Dont Try To Time the Bottom In a separate Motley Fool report, certified financial planner Matt Frankel advised readers to consider purchasing index funds particularly S&P 500 index funds as a way to spread out an investment among established market performers during a downturn. Read Next: 15 Investments Warren Buffett Regrets If you do so by dollar-cost averaging, investing while not trying to precisely time the bottom of the market doing so is foolhardy, per Frankel. Nobody knows when the market is going to hit bottom, so invest in stocks or funds you want to hold for years, even if the market continues to fall in the near term, he said. This way, youll likely end up ahead as the market eventually returns to stability and growth. If the Real Estate Market Dips, It May Be Time To Buy Harvard Business Review previously spoke with a number of financial experts, including real estate investor Attiyah Blair. Blair suggested that during times of recession, real estate deals, short sales and foreclosures can create opportunity for buyers looking to enter the market as investors. I was 23 in 2007 when I bought my first rental property. I lived in it and rented it out after moving out. I kept the property throughout the recession because once you sell it, you dont get the wealth-building part of real estate, Blair said. So, during a recession, buying rental real estate properties will provide additional cash flow for you and an opportunity to build wealth through property appreciation over the long term. What is happening with healthcare in the United States? Across the country, hospitals are faced with meeting the healthcare needs of an aging population as the economics of meeting these needs has never been more fraught. On Thursday, April 17, the Columbia Basin Badger Club will host Reza Kaleel, Providence Southeast Washington Service Area chief executive, in an online Zoom forum beginning at noon to share his insights into the challenges facing healthcare in our region. The Providence Southeast Washington Service Area includes Kadlec Regional Medical Center in the Tri-Cities and Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healthcare economics, particularly for hospitals, do not follow typical market rules. For example, if you show up sick or injured at a hospital emergency room, you will be treated regardless of your ability to pay. But once you are discharged, the hospital must find a way to cover its costs. And that depends on what kind of insurance you may or may not have. How a society pays for health care for its citizens depends on that societys history and values. In the U.S., paying for health care has traditionally been a personal responsibility backed up by an amalgam of private insurance, paid for by individuals or employers, and government-funded insurance programs such as Medicare, primarily for those 65 and older, and Medicaid, the combined federal and state health care insurance program for lower-income Americans. Each insurance plan has its own coverage rules and requirements for controlling costs. This complexity adds to the administrative burden on hospitals. It affects access to health care, and it adds to the confusion, costs, as well as the dismay, patients can face when they try to sort out and pay for a hospital bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now we add to this situation uncertainties stemming from current political and economic forces. At the national level, it has been said that the U.S. government is an insurance agency with an army. And when it comes to fiscal outlays you can see why. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid account for nearly 50 percent of federal government expenditures, and they are a major driver behind the nations annual deficit. So if you want to reduce government spending by any significant amount, you must go to where the money is. With Social Security and Medicare seemingly untouchable, that leaves Medicaid. But any significant reduction in federal support for Medicaid would be devastating for hospitals. They would still be faced with the moral obligation to treat those in need, but who would pay? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, hospitals across the nation have been consolidating or joining larger systems to benefit from economies of scale and operational efficiencies. Locally, Kadlec affiliated with the Providence system in 2014. Ten years later, Kadlec and Providence St. Mary in Walla Walla began operating as part of a single Providence Southeast Washington Service area. This move marks a practical step forward in facing the challenges of surviving in an imperfect system. The success of this venture will be critical to the future health and welfare of our citizens. You can register for this event, which will include a Q&A session, at columbiabasinbadgers.com to receive a confirmation and links to join the hourlong Zoom forum and a half-hour Table Talk open-mic session afterward. Cost is $5 for nonmembers, while club members can join for free. William Pennell is a retired Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientist and a member of the program committee of the Columbia Basin Badger Club. BAKER, La. (Louisiana First)- At an emergency meeting in Baker, the city of Baker School Board and Impact Charter School discussed the possible use of one of the closed buildings, Baker Heights, for the rest of the spring term. Impact Charter School sues BESE after board removal, alleges overreach Baker School Board approved and allowed the charter school to use the vacant property if needed. Michelle Clayton, the current interim superintendent of Impact Charter School in Baker, said at the meeting that they were given an eviction notice on April 8 from former Chief Executive Officer Chakesha Scott. Clayton said they werent aware of the eviction later being rescinded as this caused more confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Audit: East Baton Rouge charter school CEO misused $1.5M in public funds for travel, personal expenses Baker School Board Superintendent JT Stroder said there have been many heated debates and mixed emotions about the whole situation, but he says his best interest is the students. My concern was if these students need a place to come and be educated until the end of the year, we will provide that opportunity, said Stroder. Scott was removed from her position a few months ago after audit reports showed she allegedly mishandled funds and used them for personal use. Parents and some community members feel this move was out of spite and would harm the children. There are over 400 kids who attend Impact Charter. She gave the staff and students until April 16 to leave the building or pay thousands owed in back rent from March and April. The board said that despite her removing the eviction the next day, they would rather Impact Charter still have access to Baker Heights if the eviction was placed again. Clayton said they would like to use the building until June 30th. The Baker School Board expressed more concern about charging them to use the old building with the amount of money Impact already owes. Bakers lawyers said they could donate the building. This doesnt imply that Baker would enter into a lease agreement with Impact Charter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they do use Baker Heights, they would be responsible for all maintenance and school duties. Its giving them a space if they need it, to finish the year with their students. So, its up to them to determine if they need to use that space or not, said Stroder. See statement on behalf of the Board of Impact Charter School: On behalf of the Impact Charter School Board and our entire school community, we are grateful for Baker School Board and Supt Stroders facility support. Its a wonderful thing when adults align on behalf of students and teachers and for the greater good of the community. We commit to being good stewards of the Baker Heights facility, and we look forward to creating an even stronger Impact Charter School Community. This is a win-win for everyone. From Attorneys of Transcendent Law Group on behalf of Impact Charter 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 Louisiana First News. Nine volunteer fire departments responded to the barn fire. (Photo by Mary Swander) By this time in the evening, we thought the fire had to be out. So, when I drove over the top of the hill, we were surprised. Flames shot up from the top of the barn roof. Smoke hung in the Saturday night air, turning the darkness into a thick ashen fog that permeated the Amish homestead the barn, house, shed, and greenhouses, all white buildings clustered tightly together, clinging to each other in a fearful embrace. Lights from nine different small-town volunteer fire department trucks lit up the sky, their beams illuminating the scene. Police cars, parked along the gravel road, flashed their siren strobe lights silently, but furiously around and around: red, red, blue, red, blue, red. Still more fire trucks rolled into the farm yard, carrying huge tanks of water. The volunteers had set up and filled large plastic swimming pools, dipping their hoses down beneath the surface, suctioning water, and spraying it on the barn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I parked across the street on a narrow gravel lane, wedging my car next to the ditch to allow the buggies enough room to pass. The Kauffmans, Glen and his two young sons, poured out of my car and disappeared into the darkness. I headed toward the fire, but the smoke was too much for me, so I stayed on the edge of the crowd and watched men, women and children trying to help with anything they could do to dampen the flames. (Photo by Mary Swander) At least a hundred Amish men were working right along with the small-town volunteers. Their faces smudged with soot, they anticipated each others actions. Earlier that afternoon, they had moved the 40 milk cows into an adjacent shed. A neighbor had appeared with a portable vacuum milking machine and chores were done as if nothing unusual were happening. Now the big chore was to stop the fire. The first level of the barn might be saved the milking parlor and stanchions. But the beams in the loft were so charred, they were a total loss. The hay loft would have to be completely rebuilt. That could be done, of course. That was the easy part. Really. Getting the fire out had proven to be harder than anyone thought. It felt like Id stepped into William Faulkners story, The Barn Burning. The crackling barn boards, the interactions of father and sons all around. With mothers and sisters waiting on the side. But the famous Faulkner story is about class and patriarchy, money and power, lying and truth telling, loss and revenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He say to tell you wood and hay kin burn. But here, there was only one mission: to work together to put out the fire and save a homestead, a family and their livestock, all part of a larger community. People from a radius of 20 miles were here to help. Were there tensions among these people? Of course, but they were put aside to get a job done. Here, there was no arsonist, only sparks from a saw powered by compressed air, sparks that flew through the barn, rose up and fell down, landing on a pile of hay. Thats all it took in this dry spell. That was at 1 oclock in the afternoon. And now at 8 p.m., the fire was still burning. I thought the fire would be under control by now, Glen said, finding me at the edge of the crowd. They need more men to help. Can you take the boys home and bring my respirator? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were off, down the gravel to the black top, dropping the children at home, donning my head lamp to search for Glens respirator hanging from a nail above his workbench in his tool shed. I circled around to my house to grab a box of N-95 masks I had left over from Covid, and headed back to the fire. The next couple of hours were spent fetching more respirators, fetching coffee butlers and cake pans, and returning more children to their homes. The Amish tend to have large families and they travel in units. We were in the outer reaches of my neighborhood, so I didnt know some of the children or where they lived. Can you send an older child with me who can speak English? I asked. Or at least one who can point the way? We plunged into the dark night, one gravel road making a T with another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Okay, turn here to the right, my 12-year-old navigator said, pointing with her hand. Now a sharp left. We coasted along in the dark, the farmyards and houses dark without electricity or lights. Barking dogs crawled out of their little houses to greet me with suspicion. I pulled up in front of one house where my car was recognized as the bearer of bad news. Oh, no, I heard the grandma on the porch. She knew it spelled trouble when I arrived at 10 p.m. Everythings all right, I called. They just need another coffee pot. Fire out? Not quite. You gave me quite a fright. Back at the barn, Amish men were up in the loft, trying to pitch the hay down to the ground where the fire fighters doused it with water. The men in the loft had managed to unwrap all the small square bales, but when they dove into the loose hay with their pitch forks, it just burst into flames. For another hour, the men pitched and battled the flames, pitched and battled until the fire was better under control. Inside the barn, the flames were extinguished, most of the roof gone, the rafters looking like crumbling skeletal bones. Outside, the hay was still smoldering on the ground, emitting a steady stream of smoke. (Photo by Mary Swander) Around 11 p.m., the workers began to drift across the road into a neighbors garage for supper. Five banquet tables held pots of chili, crackers, cinnamon rolls, carrots, celery sticks and dip, pies, cakes and cookies, all freshly baked that afternoon. Their clothes filled with the smell of smoke, the men teetered on one leg, then the other, too exhausted to talk, shoveling up the desserts with plastic forks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of these same men would return on Monday morning to start to rebuild the barn. They wouldnt even have to call a frolic, the Amish word for a barn raising. The men would know to come with their tool belts strapped around their waists. The work would be completed by Tuesday noon. I hung at the edge of the garage. Above, the stars began to shine through the cloud of smoke. In seven hours, it would be an early spring morning with the robins and cardinals beginning to sing. Please, have some supper, one of the women beckoned me to the table. In Faulkners story, Sarty, the young protagonist, left his dead father and his family behind, walking into the woods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went on down the hill, toward the dark woods within which the liquid silver voices of the birds called unceasingthe rapid and urgent beating of the urgent and quiring heart of the late spring night. He did not look back. Glen returned my box of N95 Covid masks and thanked me. The masks were filled with soot but stacked, their elastics stretched, one cradling the other, back in the small cardboard box. Join us, the woman repeated. At last, I stepped into the garage and picked up a bowl of chili, hunger and fatigue suddenly washing over me, the warm liquid effortlessly sliding down my throat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This column is republished from Mary Swanders Buggy Land, through the Iowa Writers Collaborative. Editors note: Please consider subscribing to the collaborative and its member writers to support their work. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Beavercreek Womens League (BWL) celebrated 54 years of empowering women at their annual scholarship luncheon. The luncheon was at Fairborns Holiday Inn on Saturday, April 12. It honored the remarkable achievements of women and supported the educational aspirations of young people in the Miami Valley. Tickets were $40, and the proceeds went directly to scholarships. These were awarded to exceptional graduating female seniors at Beavercreek High School and adult women in Greene County who are returning to school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remarkable Women of Dayton 2025 Over $250,000 has been awarded to students since the inception of the scholarship programs. Both being the Beavercreek High School and Women in Transition (WiT) scholarships. These scholarships are based on academic excellence, community participation and financial need. The scholarship committee includes teachers, counselors and community representatives who work to match scholarships with deserving students. This years winners were honored during a special program at Beavercreek High School on May 6. The Scholarship Luncheon is not just an event; it is a celebration of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of education, said Debbie Alberico, Beavercreek Womens League WiT Chairperson. By investing in these remarkable women, we are investing in the future of our community, one scholarship at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about the Beavercreek Womens League and its scholarship programs, 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 WDTN.com. FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) Barrackville Elementary and Middle School has confirmed two bed bug cases in the building this week, but officials say that the situation is not unique to just one school in Marion County or even the state of West Virginia. Marion County Schools Superintendent Dr. Donna Heston told 12 News that when any school in the county encounters what they believe to be a bed bug, its countywide protocol to preserve it. A school nurse then confirms whether or not the insect is a bed bug, and then a local exterminator is brought in to provide an additional confirmation. If we have confirmation of a bed bug, [] our protocols in Marion County Schools for the last several years that the room where the bed bug was found is sealed, said Heston. Then we treat that room through a professional exterminator during a weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harman basketball player charged after allegedly breaking opposing players nose According to Heston, Marion County Schools follows guidance from the West Virginia Department of Education and the Marion County Health Department in working to identify, educate and connect the carrier of the bed bug(s) and their family to resources in the community that can help them at home. Heston said that since identifying the two bed bugs in the building, all of these protocols have been followed. Notification was sent home to families, that goes through the principal of the school, said Heston. The exterminator will be coming to Barrackville School this coming weekend to treat the identified classrooms and the adjacent classrooms. We take a number of layers in addressing this issue in Marion County and its a protocol weve utilized for the past three years, Heston added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heston said that Marion County Schools saw 13 bed bug cases last year and the classrooms were treated by a local exterminator using local funds. They also worked to connect the source(s) of the bed bugs and their families to outside resources that could support them at home. The word infestation would be an improper identification of the situation, said Heston. There have been two bed bugs that have been identified and confirmed by our school nurse, as well as a professional exterminator to be in fact bed bugs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) Rebecca Kimballs worst nightmare recently became a reality. Her 11-year-old daughter, who is physically and developmentally disabled, was violently attacked by her own elementary school teacher on Feb. 25. Kimball told 12 News she rushed to Hayden McFadden Elementary School to pick her daughter up after the principal called and informed her that something had happened, but refused to elaborate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was told my child had been involved in an incident with a teacher, Kimball recalled. That was pretty much all she could give me. Kimball said she will never forget the first time she saw her daughter afterward. She had marks and bruises on her her hair was a mess, Kimball recalled. She looked so out of it, just like she was in the Twilight Zone. She was just not there. I had an idea, but no one would tell me exactly what happened, she added. Kimball explained that her daughter, whos nonverbal, couldnt tell her either. She knows very few words, but she was trying to tell me, Kimball said. She kept saying, Im sorry, Im sorry, Im sorry, the whole way into the car. It broke me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone who was there played it off like nothing was wrong, she continued. It was just a really bad day. Kimball told 12 News she learned over time exactly what had happened to her daughter that morning. Surveillance footage from inside the elementary school revealed that her daughters teacher, Anissa Faria, had shoved her and pulled her ponytail several times after she refused to get up off the ground. It was heartbreaking, she said. My daughter was smiling before the incident took place, and that just killed me. SEE ALSO: Autistic womans guardians sue caregiver, group home for negligence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kimball said she didnt learn which teacher had assaulted her daughter until Faria was fired almost a week later. My heart stopped, Kimball said. That particular teacher, out of all the teachers in that classroom, I trusted the most. Kimball said her daughter is now a shell of who she used to be. She wont even let me wake her up in the morning to get her dressed, Kimball said. The moment the alarms go off, she has a panic attack. She stopped letting me do her hair, she continued. I had to cut off her hair because she wouldnt let me near it. Faria was arrested and has since pleaded not guilty to assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability. The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families also conducted an investigation and determined Kimballs daughter had been abused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to 12 News, New Bedford Public Schools confirmed Faria no longer works for the district. This investigation underscores our commitment to student safety and upholding the trust placed in us by our students families and the community, district spokesman Arthur Motta said. But Kimball feels as though shes been betrayed. I just wanted honesty, she said. I felt like I was very much misled. Jason Markle, Kimballs attorney, said their goal is to ensure that the proper procedures and protocols are in place so staff can report these incidents. Three other teachers saw this incident happen, Markle said. Only one of them reported it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Markle also wants to improve communication between the elementary school and students parents. They need to know whats going on with their children, especially when were talking about children with developmental problems, he said. Markle is considering filing a civil lawsuit against the elementary school on Kimballs behalf. Meanwhile, Kimballs message to other teachers is clear. If youre frustrated or youre having a bad day just walk away, she said. Dont take it out on the kids. The kids have nothing to do with it, and my daughter sure didnt deserve it. NEXT: West Warwick group home staffer accused of assaulting nonverbal resident 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. Apr. 11BEMIDJI The Beltrami County Historical Society will host a free public panel titled, "Media Makers: The Women Informing Our Community," at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the Beltrami County History Center, 130 Minnesota Ave. SW. The event will highlight the achievements of local women in media and feature a panel discussion covering media representation, mentorship, community impact and how local journalism is evolving to meet the needs of northern Minnesota, a release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panelists include Larissa Donovan, Bemidji-area reporter for KAXE/KBXE Northern Community Radio and former news director at Paul Bunyan Broadcasting; Annalise Braught, editor and photojournalist for the Bemidji Pioneer and a graduate of Bemidji State University's Mass Communication program; and Meghan Jewett, Program and Production Manager at Lakeland PBS, who oversees local productions, including Common Ground and Backroads. Panelists will share their personal stories and career paths, reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing women in media, and offer guidance for young women interested in pursuing careers in journalism, radio or television. Audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions during the discussion. "This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the women shaping how our community stays informed," Emily Thabes, executive director of the Beltrami County Historical Society, said in the release. "We're proud to spotlight their voices as part of our ongoing series honoring the contributions of Beltrami County women to our community's past and present." The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information about this event, visit beltramihistory.org or contact the Historical Society at (218) 444-3376 or via email at depot@beltramihistory.org. JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) The Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Carolina (BBB) is warning homeowners of possible free roof inspection scams. Leaders of the organization said these scams typically occur after big storms that may have caused damage. Homeowners will receive a call or an unsolicited knock on their door from a fake roofer either offering a free inspection or on the spot repair. Theyll either show fake damage or even cause damage to the roof to go through with the scam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BBB representatives said some ways to prevent these scams is by getting multiple quotes from actual roofing companies to compare prices. If someones is significantly less than the competition, its usually a red flag. If it seems like its too good to be true, it probably is, unfortunately. You can also get your roof inspected from your insurance company or get a second opinion from the insurance company or from another roofing company, Senior Communications Specialist Meredith Radford said. That can help you see if the roofer that showed up at your door is legitimate or not. They also recommend doing research on the actual company. Some ways to do that are through BBB scam tracker or by looking up the business on BBBs website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. We recently published a list of 10 AI Stocks to Watch Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) stands against other AI stocks to watch now. The trade war between two of the worlds biggest economies, China and the US, is deepening even further. In a tit-for-tat retaliatory move, China has imposed an 84% tariff on all imports from the US starting April 10. This move comes after Trumps duties on Beijing, which have now been increased even further to a whopping 145%. Tech stocks have been plunging in response. Apple, for instance, has been doing the majority of its manufacturing in China, and the trade war is likely going to raise the price of its iPhones. Even though President Trump has confidence that the tech giant can make its phones in the U.S., experts arent so sure. READ ALSO: 10 AI Stocks Investors Are Watching Today and 9 Trending AI Stocks Making Headlines Today According to Needham analyst Laura Martin, reshoring iPhone manufacturing may take years and result in the price of iPhones skyrocketing. Similarly, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives has said that an iPhone would cost $3,500 if produced in the U.S. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump has just announced a 90-day pause on his administrations reciprocal tariffs. These would have affected the companys production locations in Vietnam, India, and Thailand. Amid all this chaos, artificial intelligence continues to make leaps and bounds. In recent news, Silicon Valley startup Lightmatter has revealed it has developed a new type of computer chip. This chip is capable of both speeding up artificial intelligence work and using less electricity in the process. The company is one of the few that seeks to use beams of light to move data between computers, instead of electronic signals. However, the company also believes that it can use these very beams of light to carry out the computation. What were doing is looking at the future of where processors can go. We fundamentally care about computers, and this is one of the alternative paths. Theres trillions of dollars of economic value thats behind the idea that computers will keep getting better. In other news, President Donald Trump has recently told Cabinet members that billionaire Elon Musk will leave his administration role in the coming months. Musk has been the subject of hate after his efforts to cut the federal workforce. His involvement in politics has been hurting his company as well. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) The annual Big Tide Summit is back in Savannah, and students were there to learn from the best in the field. Students from all over the county are gathering today to learn from experts in various fields, as well as get careers advice for the next steps of their future. Electric and inspiring is how attendees said this years Big Tide Summit made them feel. Dream, the biggest I could dream. And if I shoot for the moon, then I might use some more stars, third-year attendee Eden Truest Canady said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founder Robert Gould is an integral part of the operation, stating events like these are mandatory to give back to our future. The state of Georgia is in an economic typhoon right now of jobs and emergence in technology and in stem and in steam, and so if we dont just create the trades, but also we have to create the sustainability of a career, Big Tide Summit Founder Robert Gould said. Students went through pitch labs where some were given funding for their dreams and future aspirations as well as pitching to employers for part-time, full-time, and mentorship opportunities. Some students even won scholarships and WSAVs own Tina Tyus Shaw served on the stage as a judge for many of the events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the people that like and see how their daily life lives were in their career and they kind of guided us through how to get to certain points in our careers. So that was good, Joey Truschelly, first year attendee, said. This is the third annual year that this event has been held in Savannah, and event organizers told WSAV that theyre excited to continue to inspire the youth for many more years to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Most Americans eat seafood on a regular basis. Some love shrimp, others prefer canned tuna, and plenty can't get enough of dishes like fried catfish or Louisiana oysters. Usually, eating seafood in a restaurant or at home is safe, but sometimes, it comes with serious risks. Over the years, there have been several major seafood recalls in the U.S. They have occurred for a wide range of reasons, including undeclared allergens, a lack of federal inspection, and, in many instances, the presence of dangerous foodborne bacteria. If you're concerned about consuming seafood, it's important to keep an eye on recalls. When there is a problem with a product, be it norovirus contamination, Listeria, or a packaging defect, brands and suppliers are quick to pull it from the market -- hopefully before anyone falls ill from consuming it. We've done some digging to find some of the biggest seafood recalls in U.S. history, affecting everything from canned tuna to catfish to frozen shrimp. Read more: Chain Steakhouse Crab Cakes Ranked From Worst To Best, According To Customers Canned Tuna Recalled From Major US Grocery Stores In 27 States Due To Botulism Risk (2025) close up of canned tuna - Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images In February 2025, Tri-Union Seafoods recalled canned tuna from grocery stores across the U.S. due to fears that they could be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. If consumed, the bacteria could lead to foodborne botulism, which is a serious disease that attacks the nervous system and can be fatal. However, it's important to note that Clostridium botulinum was not found in tuna samples, but rather Tri-Union Seafoods was concerned that a defect on some of the cans, which affected the pull lid, could allow for future contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the recall, the canned tuna had been sent to multiple retailers across the U.S., including Trader Joe's and H-E-B, where it was sold under each of the grocery chain's private labels. In total, the cans had been sent to stores in 27 states. Anyone who had already purchased one of the recalled cans was urged not to consume them, and instead either dispose of them immediately or return them to the store for a refund. Louisiana Oysters Recalled Amid Norovirus Reports In Five States (2025) plate of oysters - KovalchukV30/Shutterstock Louisiana, which is home to the biggest oyster reefs in the world, is a major supplier of oysters to the whole of the U.S. In fact, research suggests that every single day, around 1.3 million Louisiana oysters are eaten in the country. This is why it was a major public health risk when norovirus was recently traced back to one of the state's key oyster harvesting areas, Oyster Harvesting Area 3 (located to the east of Lake Borgne). As a result, in February 2025, the Louisiana Department of Health issued a recall of all Area 3 oysters. But the recall was too late to prevent sickness. By February 24, 2025, reports suggested that more than 260 people in five states (Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina) had developed norovirus -- a stomach bug that leads to symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting -- after eating the contaminated oysters. Oysters can pick up norovirus from their marine habitat. Often, it happens because untreated human waste has made its way into the ocean via leaks or faults in sewage systems. Irvington Seafood Recalled Crabmeat From Two States Due To Listeria Risk (2024) crabmeat in a bowl - Mironov Vladimir/Shutterstock In May 2024, Irvington Seafood recalled packages of crab meat products from two states, Alabama and Mississippi, amid fears that they could be contaminated with Listeria, another strand of harmful foodborne bacteria. At the time of the recall, the crab meat which tested positive for Listeria bacteria in product testing had already been sent to distributors and could have been sent on to restaurants and stores. Fortunately, however, there were no reported Listeria infections associated with the crab meat, which included claw meat, fingers, jumbo, and lump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lack of infections from the Irvington Seafood products was lucky. If consumed, Listeria bacteria can lead to listeriosis, a life-threatening infection that is particularly dangerous for vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and pregnant people. Right now, Listeria is the third leading cause of foodborne illness deaths in the U.S., responsible for around 260 fatalities every year. Kirkland Smoked Salmon Recalled From Florida Costco Stores Amid Listeria Fears (2024) Kirkland smoked salmon package on the shelf - The Image Party/Shutterstock Irvington Seafood wasn't the only company to issue a recall due to Listeria concerns in 2024. In October of the same year, the Acme Smoked Fish Corporation, which produces salmon for the Kirkland brand, recalled 111 cases of smoked salmon from Costco distribution centers and Costco Warehouse stores in Florida for the same reason (there are more than 30 Costco Warehouse stores in the state). In this case, Listeria was found during laboratory tests of the smoked fish products. Again, anyone who had purchased the salmon was urged to dispose of it or return it to the store they bought it from for a full refund. Luckily, as with the Irvington Seafood recall, there were no Listeria infections associated with the recall. Listeriosis can lead to a number of unpleasant symptoms, including fever, aches, vomiting, chills, and diarrhea. In pregnant women, it can also increase the risk of stillbirth and miscarriages. Research suggests that pregnant women are roughly 10 times more likely to develop listeriosis than other healthy adults. Tampa Bay Fisheries Recalled Pollock And Cod Fillets From Over 500 Whole Foods Markets Due To Undeclared Soy (2023) fresh cod fillet on wooden board - BearFotos/Shutterstock In 2023, Florida-based seafood company Tampa Bay Fisheries recalled several lots of pollock and cod fillets, not because of foodborne bacteria, but because of undeclared soy. If unknowingly consumed by someone with a soy allergy, the fish fillets could lead to anaphylactic shock a life-threatening allergic reaction. In less serious cases, it could still lead to a whole range of unpleasant symptoms like hives, stomach pain, wheezing, and dizziness. Soy allergies are particularly common in children, particularly in those under the age of 10, but in rare cases, they can affect adults, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the recall, the fish fillets had already been sent to Whole Foods stores across the U.S. to be sold under the grocery store chain's 365 brand (the chain has more than 500 stores in total across the country). Luckily, there were no allergic reactions associated with the recall, which was linked to a packaging mixup. Canned Shrimp Recalled From Stores In 31 States Due To Fears It Was Under Processed (2023) open can of shrimp - Juanmonino/Getty Images In 2023, Kawasho Foods USA recalled cans of shrimp from retailers across the U.S. due to concerns that the seafood was under-processed. The New York-based company, which recalled all lots with the Universal Product Code 071140003909, urged anyone who had already purchased the canned shrimp to either throw it away or return it for a refund. Fortunately, there were no reports of any illnesses associated with the Kawasho Foods recall. This was fortunate, because at the time, the shrimp had already been sent to stores in 31 states. Consuming under-processed shrimp can be dangerous. It could lead to foodborne illness, either due to product spoilage or pathogenic contamination. Clostridium botulinum is a risk, as well as a type of bacteria called Vibrio. This bacteria lives in the water with shrimp, and when consumed, it can lead to an illness called vibriosis, which can be fatal. Of the around 80,000 people who get sick with vibriosis in the U.S. every year, around 52,000 consumed contaminated food. 150 Lidl Stores Recall Tapas Shrimp Due To Listeria Fears (2023) bowl of cocktail shrimp - Andrey Starostin/Shutterstock Also in 2023, Lidl US announced it was recalling all units of its ready-to-eat cocktail shrimp from all of its stores. The budget German grocery store chain has more than 150 locations in the U.S. Again, the recall was issued due to fears around Listeria, after routine testing picked up traces of the bacteria in the cocktail shrimp. Luckily, at the time of the recall, there were no reports of listeriosis as a result of customers consuming the product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lidl has been caught up in a few Listeria-related recalls over the years. In 2021, for example, it pulled Tyson Foods chicken products from the shelves when the meat giant recalled nearly 9 million pounds of chicken due to Listeria fears. In the same year, it was forced to pull 15 different salad products from the stores when they were implicated in a Dole Fresh Vegetables Listeria recall. More Than 46,800 Pounds Of Catfish Recalled Due To Lack Of Federal Inspection (2021) frozen catfish steaks in plastic bag - Purrfect_photo/Shutterstock Catfish is a popular seafood choice in the U.S., particularly in the Southern states. While there is a domestic industry for the fish, plenty is imported from overseas, too. However, the process doesn't always go smoothly. In 2021, Illinois company Otten's Seafood had to issue a recall for more than 46,800 pounds of catfish because they were distributed to stores in Illinois and Indiana without being inspected by federal authorities first. It turned out that neither the catfish products nor the facility they were processed in had been inspected by the USDA. It is a legal requirement for all catfish products to be inspected by U.S. federal authorities. This is to reduce the risk of people getting ill from different strains foodborne bacteria, like Listeria and Salmonella. As with Listeria, Salmonella can lead to a serious illness, known as salmonellosis. Northeast Seafood Recalled Multiple Types Of Fish From Colorado Grocery Stores Due To Salmonella Cases In 15 States (2021) fish in the grocery store case - Kali9/Getty Images Speaking of Salmonella, also in 2021, an outbreak of the dangerous bacteria was traced back to seafood products from the Colorado-based company Northeast Seafood. This led to a state-wide recall of seafood products, including haddock, halibut, tilapia, cod, salmon, and red snapper, from restaurants and grocery stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, and Sprouts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, in this particular case, the products had already made people sick before they were pulled off the shelves. Around 115 people across 15 states developed salmonellosis as a result of consuming the infected seafood (which was bought in Colorado), and around 20 of those people were admitted to hospital. For many, salmonellosis will be mild, with symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain, but for vulnerable individuals including the elderly, the very young, and those with a weakened immune system it can be life-threatening. Every year, the foodborne illness leads to around 420 deaths and 26,500 hospitalizations. Kader Exports Recalled Frozen Cooked Shrimp From Stores Nationwide Due To Salmonella Fears (2020) closeup of frozen shrimp - Bigtunaonline/Getty Images In 2020, Kader Exports was also caught out by Salmonella. The FDA tested the company's frozen cooked shrimp and found traces of the bacteria in the product, which led to a nationwide recall. Luckily, even though Kader Exports believed most of the contaminated products had already been consumed, there were no reports of illness associated with the frozen cooked shrimp. Not everyone who develops salmonellosis reports their infection. For most, the symptoms are mild and clear up on their own without any need for medical treatment. Research suggests that only one in 30 Salmonella infections are actually diagnosed. As well as shrimp, the bacteria can linger in eggs, beef, pork, and even fruits and vegetables, but it is usually found in chicken. In fact, research also suggests that one in every five packages of chicken in U.S. grocery stores contains Salmonella. Mical Seafood Recalled Yellowfin Tuna From 10 States Due To Threat Of Scombroid Poisoning (2019) pile of chopped yellowfin tuna - KOHUKU/Shutterstock Salmonella, Clostridium botulinum, and Listeria aren't the only foodborne illnesses that seafood consumers need to be aware of. Sometimes, eating fish can also lead to a syndrome called scombroid poisoning. The poisoning, which has symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, rashes, and sweating, is similar to an allergic reaction, and is related to high amounts of histamine in the seafood. For most, scombroid will pass on its own, but others may require treatment with antihistamines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, Mical Seafood recalled several different yellowfin tuna products, including ground meat and steaks, after high levels of histamines led to scombroid poisoning in at least four individuals. The histamines likely formed in the tuna as a result of improper refrigeration. At the time of the recall, the products had already been distributed to more than 10 states, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten, and Grand Cayman. Fulton Seafood Recalls More Than 100,000 Pounds Of Wild Caught Catfish Due To Lack Of Inspection (2019) frozen catfish - mikeledray/Shutterstock Otten Seafood isn't alone in its catfish recall. In 2019, Texas-based seafood supplier Fulton Seafood was also forced to recall more than 100,000 pounds of catfish, which were sold with the label River Catfish Wild USA, from retailers in Texas due to a lack of federal inspection. Unlike most of the catfish sold in the U.S., Fulton Seafood's fish were caught from the wild. But even though they weren't raised in a farm environment, the law still dictates that they need to be inspected by the USDA before they can be distributed to stores or restaurants. Anyone who had already purchased the catfish was urged to either throw it away or return it to the store they bought it from for a refund. Again, this was because the fish could contain foodborne bacteria, like Listeria or Salmonella. Luckily, there were no reports of illness associated with the uninspected products. Moon Marine USA Corporation Recalled 60,000 Pounds Of Tuna Scrape Due To Salmonella (2012) sushi tuna rolls on a plate - Photography By Tonelson/Getty Images Tuna is, without a doubt, one of the most popular types of seafood consumed in the U.S. In fact, in 2020, more than 266 million Americans consumed the fish in some capacity. But as with many different types of seafood, eating tuna doesn't come without risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in 2012, California-based company the Moon Marine USA Corporation was forced to recall almost 60,000 pounds of tuna scrape from the market amid fears that it contained a strain of Salmonella bacteria. Tuna scrape refers to tuna that has been scraped from the bones of the fish. It kind of looks like ground meat, and is commonly used in spicy tuna sushi rolls. Unfortunately, in this instance, the infected products had made around 425 people sick in 28 different states. Around 55 people were hospitalized with Salmonellosis as a result of the contaminated fish, but fortunately, there were no fatalities. Glen Dawn Recalled Smoked Salmon From Stores Nationwide Due To Listeria (1995) closeup of smoked salmon - 4kodiak/Getty Images Listeria has been causing seafood recalls for decades. Back in 1995, British brand Glen Dawn Seafoods, which sold smoked salmon under many brand names including Glen Dawn, Fjord Dawn, and Sea Glow, recalled products from across the U.S. after tests found traces of the bacteria in the product. The seafood had been distributed in the U.S. by MacKnight, a Florida-based smoked salmon distributor. When it comes to Listeria, smoked fish is particularly risky because it isn't always fully cooked. This means that it is easier for bacteria like Listeria, which can be killed by heat but not cold temperatures, to survive on the fish and make people sick. For that reason, cold-smoked fish products are particularly dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly and people who are pregnant. In 2022, UK food safety experts urged vulnerable individuals to avoid consuming smoked fish products altogether due to the risk of Listeria. Alaskan Canneries Recalled 60 Million Cans Of Salmon Amid Botulism Fears (1982) open can of salmon - Dlerick/Getty Images Foodborne botulism, which results from consuming food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, is rare, but it does happen. Back in 1982, for example, a Belgian man died after consuming canned salmon in the U.S. that had been contaminated with the bacteria. The man's death led to a major recall of nearly 60 million cans of salmon, all of which were produced using faulty canning equipment in Alaska. The equipment left holes in the cans, which allowed for the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no other reports of foodborne botulism associated with this specific recall, but there have been incidents since. In 2019, for example, there were around 21 cases of the disease in the U.S. Most were related to packaged store-bought foods, and a small number were traced back to homemade fermented beluga flipper. Botulism isn't just caused by food Clostridium botulinum can also infect wounds, for example (sometimes through the use of dirty needles). Bumble Bee Recalled 40 Million Cans Of Tuna Due To Spoilage (1982) canned tuna with fork - Rightone/Getty Images Unfortunately, 1982 was a big year for seafood recalls. In the same year, California-based seafood company Bumble Bee was forced to pull 40 million cans of tuna from the shelves. This time, it wasn't due to Clostridium botulinum, but spoilage. Luckily, there were no reports of illness associated with the tuna products, but consumers did start complaining to the company that the fish was off. Again, as with the Alaska incident, the problem was due to a manufacturing error that led the cans to be damaged with small holes. Eating spoiled fish comes with a few risks, including scombroid poisoning. In fact, tuna is one of the most common types of seafood associated with the syndrome. Like smoked salmon, canned tuna also presents a risk of foodborne botulism. On top of this, it can also be contaminated with Salmonella and E.coli, among other harmful foodborne strains of bacteria. Read the original article on Mashed. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) A bill outlawing license plate flippers has passed the Illinois Senate. The bill to explicitly ban license plate flippers is sponsored by State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). The flippers enable motorists to avoid tolls and identification by police when potentially violating the law with just the push of a button. Illinois House passes Dillons Law to help more people carry Epi-Pens Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many drivers are using plate flippers to avoid tolls and police, evading the consequences of their actions on our roadways, Stadelman said. Banning flipper devices is a crucial step toward keeping our roads safe and holding drivers accountable. While driving with an obscured license plate is already illegal, the bill stops the use of tape and any other manual, electronic, or mechanical device that hides or obscures a registration plate. Everyone needs to play by the same rules of the road, Stadelman added. This measure allows us to take a clear stand for public safety and responsible driving. The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate. It now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other states with similar laws include Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Kenny Matthews, a criminal justice advocate with the American Friends Service Committee, testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee on April 7, 2025, in Charleston, W.Va. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) A bill that drastically increases penalties for certain drug offenses passed the West Virginia House of Delegates on Friday. If signed into law, advocates worry how the new provisions will impact already vulnerable populations, like people who use drugs, who they say are more likely to be incarcerated even if they are not high-level dealers. On Friday, the House passed the bill 98-1, with one member absent and not voting. Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, was the only lawmaker to vote against the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A slightly different version of Senate Bill 196 passed the state Senate earlier this session. Through the committee process in the House, lawmakers amended the bill, removing provisions that required someone to know the drugs they carried or intended to distribute contained fentanyl, which through the bill language levies higher criminal penalties than ever before in the state. In addition, the amended version created a new code section for kingpins, which is defined as people who finance or manage drug conspiracies and as such are subject to enhanced penalties. The current version of the bill added weight requirements for anyone delivering a drug that contains fentanyl to be charged with conspiracy. It also includes language for the crime of delivering a drug that results in someones death, with increased penalties for failing to render aid to someone who is overdosing. Overall, the bill introduces mandatory minimum sentences into state code for transporting cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into West Virginia and removes alternative sentencing options like probation or home confinement for those who are jailed on those charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed law would increase sentences against those charged with manufacturing, delivering or possessing with the intent to deliver a Schedule I or II narcotic or meth from one to five years up to three to 15 years. Anyone who is charged with those crimes who has more than five grams of fentanyl, among other quantities of other drugs, could face 10 to 30 years in jail. The penalties levied in the bill are based on research from the West Virginia Fusion Center and the State Police showing that West Virginia enforces lower sanctions for certain drug charges than surrounding states. Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, who sponsored the bill, previously told lawmakers that he believes stronger penalties would curb the states ongoing drug and overdose epidemic. But there is no data that shows stronger drug penalties anywhere curbing overdose or fatality rates related to the drug epidemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deeds and other proponents for the bill have said the proposed law is meant to target high-level narcotic dealers and distributors. Deeds told a committee earlier this week that no part of the bill is meant to apply to street-level users. Distinguishing between who would be considered a drug user and a drug dealer, however, is complicated, advocates say. Drug dealers often are drug users, and under this law theres no real distinction, said Jennie Hill, the assistant director for the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences. Theres no science behind these arguments at all. They said higher punishment will deter crime, but people who use drugs are going to use drugs no matter what. You could give them a death sentence for using fentanyl. If theyre addicted to fentanyl, theyre still going to carry fentanyl, still going to sell it to support the habit. And, Hill said, five grams of fentanyl is not a lot for people who are habitual, daily users. Some people, she continued, use five or more grams a day depending on their tolerance; if theyre carrying that amount, its often not because theyre dealing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of being able to shoot up once and be high for eight to 10 or 12 hours, like you used to on heroin, its like you have to get high every two, three or four hours, Hill said. And so if somebodys shooting up every two hours, and they need that much, youre getting into five and seven grams a day personal use. Hill is in long-term recovery for substance use disorder. Now she works with people who are entering recovery themselves and said its common for people who arent traditionally thought of as drug dealers to sell drugs when theyre in active addiction. Pushkin, in explaining his vote against the bill, said he worried about challenges making similar distinctions. People who are using drugs and carrying them around are often charged with intent to deliver even if that isnt the case, he said. I know who were trying to go after here, and I fully support that youre trying to go after the big fish, Pushkin said. I think when you cast such a wide net, youre gonna catch some little fish as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drastically increased jail time for such offenses is also a concern for Kenny Matthews, a criminal justice advocate who previously served five years behind bars on a charge of intent to deliver $20 of marijuana and $20 worth of crack cocaine. Matthews, who is in long-term recovery, testified in the House Judiciary Committee against the bill earlier this week. He warned lawmakers that more prison time for people with substance use disorder was only going to cause more problems in the state as it struggles to care for the incarcerated people it already has. When people are released from incarceration, Matthews said, systems often dont exist to set them up for success. [People] in long-term recovery, we believe in accountability. Youre held accountable for your actions. Were not negating that, Matthews said in an interview after his testimony. What were negating is the fact that you want to throw away somebody for a mistake, whether intentional or not, and you want to over-penalize somebody for not a moral failing, but for a diagnosed disease, like a majority of the people with these possession of intent to delivers have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthews and Hill, along with other advocates who wrote in public comments against the legislation (no comments came in support of the bill), said the only thing that is known to work to decrease the devastation from West Virginias drug crisis is public health intervention. The states rate of fatal overdose is already on the decline a statistic often celebrated by the states leaders. Harsher penalties for drug possession and use is not the answer to deterring crime or tragedy, said Sara Whitaker, the senior criminal legal policy analyst at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. The answer is in public health investment. The last few years, weve seen our state thanks to COVID federal funding make additional investments in public health resources, in getting opioid reversal drugs into the hands of people who are using and people who care about them, and weve seen the fruits of that, Whitaker said. SB 196 has none of that, and its not going to change anything for the better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the Houses vote Friday, the passage of SB 196 was communicated to the Senate. If the Senate accepts and approves the Houses changes to the legislation, the bill will head to Gov. Patrick Morriseys desk for signage. The 2025 regular session is scheduled to end at midnight on Saturday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bill Maher and Piers Morgan went toe-to-toe on tarrifs Friday nightthat is, until the Real Time host abruptly cut off his colleague mid-sentence. The panel, composed of Maher, Morgan, and Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin, had been discussing Trumps trade war and the potential for a protracted conflict with China when the HBO host tired of the topic. This is boring, like I said tariffs are, he declared, talking over Morgan. You guys are boring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maher had already lamented the fact that Trumps actions had forced him to devote so much time to tariffs, opining, Did I ever think I was going to be talking about tariffs every day? I really didnt, I did not see that coming up, and its f---ing boring. I dont like tariffs. He went on to characterize Trumps actions in recent weeks as an attempt to bring back an era in U.S. history that is gone with the wind, citing the presidents unlikely goal of bringing manufacturing jobs back to America. He then opened up the discussion to the panelists as to whether Trump had a point about the global trade status quo putting the U.S. at a disadvantage. Bill Maher's panel debates tariffs, which Bill finds 'boring': Maher: "Tariffs, did I ever think I was going to be talking about tariffs everyday?" Josh Rogin: "It's reckless. Real people know that." Piers Morgan: "Isn't he doing what he always does?" Mainstream media: 'Bill, pic.twitter.com/oPg9eDI8Xr Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) April 12, 2025 Rogin and Morgan debated the efficacy of Trumps dizzying approach to trade policy, with Morgan describing Trump as a man who doesnt play by the rules and trusts his gut, which is often right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgan, who is British, added that in a trade war between the U.S. and China, he would back the U.S. After his interjection, Maher changed the subject to the Trump Administrations draconian deportation regimewhich has already swept up legal residents by mistake and included green card holders accused not of criminal conduct, but of holding the wrong ideas. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A new series of billboards meant to raise support for Kansas Citys Jewish community is stirring conversation. JewBelong, a New York City-based non-profit, sponsors the pink and white billboards, which can be seen in seven locations around the Kansas City metro. JewBelong has placed its billboards in 17 American cities, which are posted in light of a spike in complaints of antisemitic incidents. The billboards carry pro-Jewish slogans, some of which are lighthearted, while others use stronger imagery to encourage support for Jewish families, many of them carry the hashtag #EndJewHate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olathe man wrongly accused in Chiefs parade shooting found dead The Jewish Community Relations Bureau AJC, which is based in nearby Overland Park, Kansas, reports a 500% increase in reported antisemitic incidents in the Kansas City area since late 2023. JewBelong reports that two-thirds of all religious hate crimes are directed toward Jewish people, yet only two percent of all Americans claim Judaism as their religion. Antisemitism is a toxic poison that will hurt America, Archie Gottesman, JewBelongs co-founder, said on Friday. Gottesman pointed to Kansas City-area concerns for Jewish families, ranging from antisemitic graffiti in a public park in Blue Springs, Missouri, to 2014s shootings at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park. That massacre was 11 years ago this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jewish community needs the help of allies. The Jewish community often says were good allies to other groups, and now, its our time to really need it. Thats the core of it. You dont need to be Jewish, Gottesman said. Gottesman said antisemitic behavior can cause those of the Jewish faith to live in fear. Neta Meltzer, executive director at the Jewish Community Relations Board AJC, hopes the billboards will serve as encouragement for the 22,000 Jewish people living in the Kansas City metro. International student visas revoked at Northwest Missouri State University This is the first step. The second step is that conversation. The next step is: How am I supporting my Jewish friends and neighbors in the community? What are they experiencing? Whats happening? Meltzer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meltzer added that shes seen a major increase in antisemitic incidents since military action began on the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The Jewish observance of Passover begins on Saturday night. Gottesman expects the seven billboards around Kansas City to remain in place until late May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Greatest of all the mansions of the Dwarves was Khazad-dum, that was afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria. Some of J R R Tolkiens most tragic prose in The Lord of the Rings is reserved for the descriptions of the lost land of the Dwarves. Once a proud testament to craftsmanship and enterprise it has become, in the time of Middle-Earth, enveloped by a grim darkness which belies its former glories. These lines invariably come back to me when I consider Birmingham. And it is a city I think of a great deal, and with affection, because it was there that I, like Tolkien, spent a number of happy childhood years. Usually the first thing people say to me when I say I lived and attended school in Birmingham is it doesnt sound like it. True, the Brummie accent never left an impression on me, but I maintain its a seriously underrated one. Many, including the creators of Peaky Blinders, mistake Brummie for its harsher Black Country cousin. The real Brummie, to my mind, is a subtler, more rhythmic lilt. Not that this prevents it from being routinely voted Britains worst accent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our own darkened days, however, the first thing people say when you mention Birmingham isnt the accent but the bins, the mounting rubbish and rats taking over the city. Though Birmingham Councils bankruptcy is largely due to back-payments settling an equal pay dispute, it has also suffered catastrophic mismanagement; overspending on one IT project to the tune of 100 million. The rape gang inquiries arent the only ones being shelved: the Government also cancelled a vital investigation into Birmingham Councils financial mismanagement, perhaps for fear it would prove too incriminating. It wasnt always thus of course. The city was once a byword for prosperity and sound leadership; one magazine in the 1890s described Birmingham as the best-governed city in the world. As recently as 1961, Birmingham households earned more, on average, than London households. It was a centre of metallurgy, and a focal point of the Arts and Crafts movement. Alas, long before the advent of cat-sized rats Birminghams accolades tended to be uniquely depressing. The city boasts some of the UKs highest rates of crime and homelessness. It has produced a disproportionate number of convicted Islamist militants and Islamic State fighters. Apart from Birmingham Art Gallery, with its renowned collection of Pre-Raphaelite art, and the metallurgy of the Jewellery Quarter, I can think of few positive things at which Birmingham could now be said to be country, let alone world-beating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In part then, the state of Birmingham is a chicken-and-egg situation: is it the result or the cause of a diminished civic pride? I suspect it is both; all a vicious cycle of decline. All this is especially sad because of how steeply this decline has occurred. To say that the Birmingham of the past was proud of its civic space would be an understatement. It embodied in bricks and mortar a proud industrial spirit and municipal identity, as street names like Corporation Street and Navigation Street attest. Grand buildings and landmarks were named after great industrialists and engineers like Matthew Boulton and James Brindley. Even our school trophies were named after Quaker benefactors. Ghostly reminders of this pride are still there. Look up above the dilapidated shop level and youll often see beautiful Victorian detailing. More than perhaps anywhere in Britain, Birmingham is a monument to what we have lost. There are echoes of the Dark Age Britons who lived alongside Roman ruins with little clue as to who built them or why. To see crowds smoking spliffs and lounging around the Hall of Memory war memorial on Centenary Square is upsetting on a primal level. It is worth saying that much of the blame for its state lies not with the present council but past ones. Specifically, the malign utopians of the 1960s who felt that only by absolute erasure of the past and reconstructing physical space in a new and barbarous image could they create the progressive civilisation which they craved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There had been signs that their work was being slowly reversed. The city centre has improved dramatically in recent years with the regeneration of New Street station and the gutting of the grimy Brutalist library, which I will forever associate with having my phone, iPod and laptop stolen while revising for A-levels. While the new library is scarcely more aesthetically pleasing, resembling a pile of Christmas presents, it is at least clean and neat. J H Chamberlains original Central Library, which stood between 1882-1974, must rank alongside Euston Station as one of the most stunning buildings to have fallen prey to the evils of 20th-century town planning. Google it and weep. Last year, Andy Street came within a whisker of winning a third mayoral term, which, given the size of the anti-Tory swing, is surely testament to his fundraising abilities and positive vision for the city. However, the regeneration hasnt happened uniformly. Birminghams centre is quite small compared to other major cities. As Birmingham gradually expanded into a mega conurbation, it gobbled up neighbouring settlements along the way. So moving away from the centre, youll find village greens and medieval churches. You will also often see vast piles of rubbish and flytipping which long predate the bin workers strike. Parts of inner Birmingham, like Handsworth, have resembled the currently afflicted areas for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, segregated communities live cheek-by-jowl. A stones throw away from hipster Digbeth is Small Heath, with an 86 per cent Muslim population; deprived Sparkbrook adjoins affluent Moseley. Walking around the city can be a jarring experience. A few streets can take you between places that feel like different worlds. The scale of the demographic change is dramatic and present in large and small ways. The annual Eid celebrations have become increasingly in-your-face, often associated with anti-social behaviour, nuisance and noise. The Five Guys outlet at Fort Dunlop recently dropped alcohol and pork products from its menu in a bid to become halal certified. Such changes suggest not so much polite co-existence as the flexing of cultural muscle; gradual, sometimes obnoxious, incursions into daily life. Before going to Birmingham I had never seen a full-face veil; but in certain enclaves they are ubiquitous and have been for some time. Increasingly, you see not only adult women dressing modestly but young girls too. These are depressing developments, like the segregated communities, suggesting immigration without integration. On nights out in the city centre, cars driven by South Asian men would routinely pull up and their passengers would ask us to get inside. I was only about 14, wearing a school uniform and walking home when a taxi pulled up and the driver leered at me: Ive got a place for your body. Such exchanges were common and became almost a running joke. Looking back on it now, it is all extremely sinister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commons representative for Moseley, one of the villages absorbed by the conurbation, where Tolkien spent much of his youth and which helped inspire the landscapes of Middle Earth, is Tahir Ali, a Labour MP. Mr Ali has devoted considerable energy to causes like petitioning for a new airport in Mirpur, Pakistan, even as the rubbish piles mount. In Parliament he recently demanded a special blasphemy law outlawing the desecration of religious texts. Rather than telling his colleague in no uncertain terms where to get off, the PM gave a characteristically weaselling non-answer. It is both a measure of Labours fright, and a foretaste of the unhappy sectarian future awaiting British politics. You wonder what on earth Tolkien would have made of all this. Im not sure even The Lament of the Rohirrim would cover his despair. 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. BOCA RATON Three members of a South Florida family were killed and a driver injured on the ground Friday morning when a six-seater Cessna 310 plane crashed onto a busy city street near the airport. The Tallahassee-bound plane had departed Boca Raton Airport around 10:12 a.m. Friday and was carrying a pilot and two passengers. It made a series of bizarre loops before coming down on Military Trail near Glades Road. Witnesses said it was dangerously close to the ground before it crashed onto the street where, remarkably, it only affected one driver. Boca Raton plane crash: Mechanical issues after takeoff, a baffling flight path and three dead Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon impact, the aircraft immediately erupted into flames, sending up large plumes of smoke. This is what we know about the Boca Raton plane crash. What kind of plane crashed in Boca Raton The plane was a six-seater Cessna 310 plane, built in 1977, a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman said. It was in the air for about eight to 10 minutes before it hit the ground. Fire rescue crews were able to extinguish the fire, leaving the charred wreckage across the road and on the nearby train tracks. The twin-engine plane was registered to Reprop LLC 310 Series, a corporation in Wilmington, Delaware, Federal Aviation Administration records show. How many were killed in the Boca Raton plane crash? How many were on board? Who were the victims? Three souls were on board, and we can confirm they were all fatalities, Boca Raton Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael LaSalle told reporters shortly after the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people who died were identified Friday night by Boca Raton police as Robert Stark, 81, of Boca Raton; Stephen Stark, 54, of Delray Beach; and Brooke Stark, 17, of Delray Beach. They were relatives, but police did not specify their relationships. BOCA PLANE CRASH: NTSB says plane was built in 1977 and was in air 8-10 minutes The crash did not directly hit anyone, but it forced a northbound driver of a Toyota Prius to swerve and hit a tree. The driver, who suffered minor injuries, was able to exit the car and find safety despite being surrounded by fireballs and smoke. Where exactly did the plane crash in Boca Raton? The plane crashed onto Military Trail near Glades Road on Friday morning. How did the Cessna 310 plane crash? LaSalle said the aircraft had "some mechanical issues at takeoff." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kurt Gibson, an NTSB spokesman, offered no explanation for the crash but said "our mission is to figure out what happens, why it happens and what we can do to prevent it from happening again." Investigators examine the wreckage of a small plane that crashed after takeoff from Boca Raton Airport killing all three passengers onboard in Boca Raton, Florida on April 11, 2025. He said the wreckage of the aircraft, which had a registration number of N8930N, will be examined on the ground before being transported to a salvage facility in Jacksonville for further analysis. Aside from the NTSB, the FAA is investigating the cause of the crash. Where was the plane headed before it crashed in Boca Raton? What was the flight path? The plane was bound for Tallahassee before the crash. While en route, the plane made a series of strange turns and loops. Shortly after takeoff, the plane ventured in an unconventional path, circling the airport and the vicinity of Boca Raton, playback data from FlightRadar24 indicates. The multiple circular paths suggest the pilot was struggling to straighten the path of the aircraft, but officials were not sure what the cause was for the irregular direction. Flightradar24.com, an airline tracking website, shows the path of the Cessna 310R that made multiple loops over Boca Raton before crashing on Military Trail around 10:20 a.m. Social media reactions: Boca Raton plane crash: Social media reactions, videos from Florida tragedy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane does not have a recording "black box" but Gibson said there are other parameters that will be able to help with the investigation. He added that multiple factors will go into the investigation, including pilot qualifications, 72-hour history for the pilot, maintenance records, wreckage details and environmental factors. Gibson said the standard procedure for the investigation will be a preliminary report in 30 days followed by a 12-24 month report that will offer final analysis and probable cause for the crash. He said although the plane was built nearly 50 years ago, there are "thousands of other planes that are older" and that all planes are fully inspected and certified before flying. Anyone who has audio or video information is encouraged to contact authorities at witness@ntsb.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Abramsky contributed to this report. Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton plane crash: What we know about destination, victims NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) An investigation is underway after a body was discovered behind a North Providence apartment building early Friday morning. Matthew Touchette, a spokesman for the State Fire Marshals Office, told 12 News the body was found behind Geneva Mills, which is off of Douglas Avenue near the Providence line. The body was discovered after firefighters were called to Geneva Mills for reports of a fire behind the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Touchette said the body has not been positively identified and the persons cause of death will be determined by the Office of the State Medical Examiner. The State Fire Marshals Office is investigating the cause of the fire. 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. The long-running legal battle between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs has taken a significant turn, with both sides filing a joint motion to hold the ongoing appeal and cross-appeal in abeyance. The pause signals that a potential settlement may be imminent, pending approval by the SEC. According to the April 10 court filings submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the parties have reached an agreement-in-principle, subject to Commission approval, to resolve the underlying case. This agreement includes the SECs appeal, Ripples cross-appeal, and claims involving executives Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen. The filing notes that the stay would conserve judicial and party resources while the Commission considers the settlement terms. If approved, the SEC may then seek an indicative ruling from the district court. A status report is expected to be filed within 60 days of the courts stay order. The SEC initially filed its notice of appeal on October 3, 2024, following the district courts final judgment. Ripple responded with a cross-appeal on October 10. The Commission submitted its opening brief in January 2025, and the court had scheduled April 16 as the deadline for Ripple and the executives to respond a deadline now suspended due to the stay. Notably, attorney James K. Filan, who has closely followed the case, tweeted: The parties have filed a joint motion to hold the appeal in abeyance based on the parties agreement to settle. The settlement is awaiting Commission approval. No brief will be filed on April 16th. This development marks the most substantial progress toward resolution since the SEC first filed suit against Ripple in December 2020, alleging that XRP was an unregistered security. A settlement, if finalized, could have major implications not just for Ripple, but for the broader regulatory landscape of digital assets in the United States. On March 25, Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reached a landmark agreement to end their four-year legal battle. Ripple will pay $50 million of the original $125 million penalty, with the remainder refunded from escrow, according to Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty. On April 8, the SEC urged Judge Analisa Torres to reject a filing in the Ripple case. The submission came from Justin W. Keener, seeking to present new evidence. The SEC called it improper, unnecessary, and outside the courts authority while the appeal is active. Apr. 11For the second time in just over a week, Walmart has been evacuated for a bomb threat. This second instance on Friday mirrors last Tuesday's incident, according to Waynesville Police Chief David Adams. "It looks to be the same," he said. A message appeared in a stall in the men's bathroom at the front of the store the same location as last week's message, though in a different stall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message, which police aren't releasing at this time, had slightly different, though similar, wording this time around, but was similar to the first and mentioned a bomb going off. The message was reported around 12:50 p.m. Friday afternoon. The store was evacuated following the message's discovery. "We were in the store, halfway from the registers to the electronics area when we were approached by one of the employees," said Joseph Edwards of Clyde. "He said we had to leave the store, and they were evacuating the store. And then you heard announcements all over the place and all of the employees were telling people they had to leave." Edwards said some people were taking their time in evacuating, but he and his wife Ann were quick to exit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had to abandon our buggy," he said. "It gives me a reason to go to the Walmart because that's my second home." Edwards said he believed the employees handled the situation well. "One lady was in the middle of checking out and they wouldn't even let her finish," Ann Edwards added. Waynesville Police called in a bomb-sniffing K-9 from the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office to come out and check the scene. The all-clear was given just before 3 p.m. This is the second bomb threat at Walmart in the last two weeks and the third in Waynesville in the last month. It's the fourth bomb threat and the fifth explosives scare in Haywood County this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 18, a bomb threat was made at the Haywood County Justice Center, leading to an evacuation. That suspect was quickly arrested by sheriff's deputies. On February 8, a bomb threat was made at the Wendy's fast food restaurant in Canton, which followed bomb threats in Sylva and Marion the week prior. The Wendy's location was evacuated. "I've seen it throughout my whole career," Adams said. "You get a wave of them. It kind of spreads, even in neighboring counties. It seems it's kind of increased here lately." On March 23, there was also an old military relic discovered in a donation box in Clyde. A State Bureau of Investigation bomb tech was called out, and the device turned out to be Vietnam War-era trip flare. A four-block area of downtown Clyde was evacuated and roped off during the incident. ENFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) The states bond commission Friday morning approved $680 million in long-term borrowing, ultimately funding a range of construction and renovation projects across the state. One of these projects includes $10 million to demolish and redevelop the Enfield Square Mall. Last year, developers from a Nebraska-based real estate company had first floated plans at a town council meeting to turn the old mall into an apartment complex with restaurants and shops. Top Democrat, Republican leaders visit national champion dairy farm in Litchfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Ned Lamont, who chairs the bipartisan commission, heralded the commissions unanimous approval, shouting out the Enfield Square Mall project. I love the project in Enfield hundreds of units there, getting that started, Lamont said. That sites been begging for development for some years making real progress there. Since 2016, the Macys, Sears and Express stores that were inside the once bustling mall have shuttered. Mayor Ken Nelson Jr. told News 8 last year that the mall had fallen into despair. The graffiti, the trash, the blight, Nelson said. Officers constantly having to follow up with the current owners who is not very receptive to Enfields needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Joe Polletta (R), who is on the bond commission, told News 8 that Republicans were in support of the agenda items included, given that the amount still fell below the bond cap. The bond cap, one piece of Connecticuts spending controls, is essentially a dollar limit for the states borrowing. Staying below those fiscal caps, Polletta said, is what has allowed Connecticut to establish a large rainy day fund. Staying below those fiscal caps have led us to amass a large rainy day fund which could be used to mitigate cuts in the future, Polletta said. Yet, while seeking to keep those guardrails in place, Polletta added that funding projects like the Enfield mall redevelopment can help to address housing shortages across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocate groups like the National Low Income Housing Commission, for example, estimate that Connecticut has a shortage of roughly 94,000 affordable and available homes for low income renters. Advocates, public officials and developers have highlighted the issue as they have pushed for various policy proposals and projects at both state and city-wide levels in recent years. In late January, researchers from consulting firm ECOnorthwest presented data collected as part of a state-mandated 2023 study before lawmakers on the Housing and Planning and Development committees. According to results from the 2023 study, researchers found that Connecticut has a 7% vacancy rate. Connecticuts is lower than the national average vacancy rate, which is estimated to be around 11%. Its a good way to increase our housing stock, which we all know, we have a housing shortage, Polletta said. So, any effort at increasing our housing stock is a step in the right direction. Along with new restaurants and shops, the project in Enfield would create roughly 800 housing units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demolition of the mall is scheduled to begin this summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. ANDERSON Last weeks tornadoes and resulting flooding have resulted in Gov. Mike Braun declaring a state of disaster emergency for Madison County. The county is one of 18 named in Brauns declaration following significant flooding and tornado damage in dozens of communities throughout the state. Tom Ecker, executive director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency, said those are the counties that have submitted applications for disaster relief funds through a federal presidential declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 40 Indiana counties have been impacted by recent weather events. Ecker said he expects the number of counties applying for federal disaster relief funds to grow. Damage estimates locally remain unknown as officials continue to conduct assessments. Ecker said the county will submit its application for funding to the state by April 17. The state will pass applications on to federal agencies, which could result in Madison County and other applying counties receiving funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds would allow the county to be at least partially reimbursed for cleanup and other efforts. SAO PAULO (AP) Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was transferred Saturday by medical aircraft from northeastern Brazil to the capital Brasilia after being hospitalized with abdominal pain a day earlier. Bolsonaro was hospitalized Friday morning while traveling in northeastern Brazil. The pain was caused by a bowel obstruction and was related to long-term effects of being stabb ed in the abdomen in September 2018, his doctors said. Bolsonaro has been in and out of hospitals since the attack at a campaign event before Brazils 2018 presidential election. The conservative leader underwent several surgeries during his presidency from 2019-2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After so many similar episodes over the past few years, I had gotten used to the pain and discomfort. But this time, even the doctors were surprised, he said in a social media post Saturday, adding that a longtime physician told him it was the most serious case since the attack. Bolsonaro also said he would likely undergo another surgery. Earlier on Saturday, doctors at Rio Grande Hospital in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte told journalists he was stable and not in need of emergency surgery, said further procedures would depend on his recovery. Doctors also that the transfer to Brasilia was requested by his family and would happen Saturday afternoon. The far-right leader was admitted to a hospital in Santa Cruz, a small city in Rio Grande do Norte, and later transferred to a hospital in the states capital, Natal. Bolsonaro was set to start a trip across the region to promote his partys right-wing agenda, eyeing next years presidential election, though he himself is barred from running. The region traditionally has been a political bastion of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The talks between Ukrainian and US officials on US access to Ukrainian mineral deposits took place in an "antagonistic" atmosphere that seriously complicates any breakthrough. Source: Reuters with reference to an informed source and a US Treasury official Details: The source said that the atmosphere was "very antagonistic", and therefore, serious progress in the talks at this stage seems unlikely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the source, the latest draft of the Trump administration's proposal, which is much more expansive and maximalist than the original version, has caused particular tension. The latest version of the agreement stipulates that the United States will receive priority access to Ukrainian subsoil and that all revenues both from state-owned and private companies should be directed to a joint investment fund. Meanwhile, the agreement does not contain any security guarantees for Ukraine, a key demand of the Ukrainian authorities. Quote: "The source said that one of the Easter eggs found in the document was a US demand that the US government's International Development Finance Corporation take control of a natural gas pipeline from Russian energy giant Gazprom across Ukraine to Europe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: A representative of the US Treasury Department commented on the negotiations, describing them as "technical in nature". According to the source, the Ukrainian side has hired the law firm Hogan Lovells as an external advisor on the deal. Background: On 11 April, the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Washington, DC, for a new round of talks between Ukraine and the US on the subsoil deal. The talks are expected to last two days, be mostly technical, and not involve high-level officials. Earlier, European Pravda reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump had returned to the version of the subsoil agreement a requirement for Ukraine to reimburse all the assistance that the US provided after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! BRIMFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) A bill that would ban Native American mascots in the state of Illinois has cleared the Illinois House, according to Capitol News Illinois. Central Illinois schools, including the Brimfield Indians, would be affected by the legislation if it passes the senate. Weve been preparing for this probably 15, 20 years, Brimfield superintendent Chad Jones said. I mean, this is an old thing. This is not something new. Proactively, we are preparing for it so that we wouldnt have to change everything in our schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones said that the high school, when it moved to its new building over a decade ago, adopted a more general B with a feather, as opposed to a Native American as the logo. He also shared that the grade schools gym, which still has the word Indians on the floor, is set to be re-done to have the standard B with a feather sometime this summer. With the potential change, and many years of planning for this potential day from the school district, Jones talked about what potential names theyve floated around. Nothing formal or really decided, just some discussion, Jones said. Ive heard bison, Ive heard Red Hawks. We would probably leave it up to the staff and students to kind of narrow it down to maybe three choices and then have like a community type vote, if thats what we had to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the bill is adopted, the deadline for a submitted name, logo and/or mascot change would be July 1, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. British Steel workers have blocked Chinese executives from entering the Scunthorpe steelworks in a dramatic standoff. Representatives from Jingye, British Steels owner since 2020, arrived at the site at about 8am on Saturday morning, sources said. But it is understood workers stepped in to block their way to offices, just as MPs were preparing for the start of an emergency debate on the future of the steel industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The workers are believed to have feared the Chinese executives were trying to force the closure of Britains last remaining so-called virgin steelworks, whose product is used in major construction projects such as new buildings and railways. In London, MPs had been recalled to Parliament for an emergency vote to secure Scunthorpes blast furnaces, paving the way for a transfer of ownership. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, told the Commons that Jingye had been planning to irrevocably and unilaterally close down primary steel making at British Steel Scunthorpe. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, addresses MPs during the emergency session in the House of Commons on Saturday The Chinese company has previously said it had invested more than 1.2 billion to maintain operations amid production instability and significant financial losses of about 700,000 a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday morning, Humberside Police were called to the Scunthorpe plant following reports of a suspected breach of the peace, at which point the delegation of Chinese executives is understood to have withdrawn. Officials from Jingye have been on site regularly in recent days, and it has been reported that their relations with the workforce have become increasingly tense. It is understood that when the Jingye representatives arrived at the plant on Saturday morning, automatic number plate recognition scanners did not allow them through the barriers to the 2,000-acre site. Humberside Police said on Saturday: Officers were in attendance at British Steel in Scunthorpe at 8.30am this morning following a suspected breach of the peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon attending, conducting checks and speaking to individuals in the area, there were no concerns raised and no arrests were made. A union source confirmed that police were called this morning after the Jingye executives tried to enter the plant, but the delegation left without gaining access. The steelworks in Scunthorpe which British Steels Chinese owners were accused of planning to close - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Later on Saturday, hundreds of people, including steelworkers and their families, marched to Scunthorpe Uniteds stadium in the town in support of the plant. The crowd chanted: We want our steel back and We want British Steel, as passing motorists tooted their horns. Matt Cooke, 34, a union official for Community, the union that represents steel workers, said: The 3,000 jobs there dont come close to the number who rely on those steelworks to stay open the businesses and the families who need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alasdair McDiarmid, the general secretary of Community, said: Community Union welcomes and wholeheartedly backs the Labour Governments decisive action to take control of British Steel. The Government has sought to negotiate constructively and even offered to buy raw materials to stop the blast furnaces closing, but Jingye has shut down every avenue to keep the furnaces running and avoid imminent job losses. Todays intervention by the UK Labour Government is a first step towards securing a sustainable future for British Steel and steel communities like Scunthorpe. Jingye has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. If the sinews of war are endless money, its skeleton is steel. Although steel has been used for edged weapons for many centuries, it was far too expensive to be used in large quantities. Only with the discovery of cheap production methods could steel became one of the basic materials of all modern life, and indispensable for modern weapons. It was the Crimean War in the 1850s that stimulated a British inventor, Henry Bessemer, to invent the first method of making cheap and reliable steel by blowing air through molten iron to burn off impurities, making Sheffield a world centre of steel-making. Prussia soon copied British technology, and its fateful victory over France in 1870-71, creating the German Empire (and annexing Frances iron-ore fields), had been largely due to the development by Krupp of breech-loading steel artillery. Within a decade, the French, then the British, were building steel warships with steel boilers for high-pressure steam generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So steel is not an ordinary product. Although cheap grades were soon being used in vast quantities for railway tracks, bridges and high-rise buildings, its higher grades were always crucial for artillery, ships and a vast range of military hardware. Many millions of tons were used by all combatants in both world wars. Britains steel production was only about half that of Germany by 1914, and steel had to be imported from America and Sweden, as it did from the US again in the Second World War, increasingly after British production peaked in 1942. At that time, America and Germany were the biggest producers. Now, of course, it is China. So Britain has long since ceased to produce all the steel it needs, but todays situation, in which it risks becoming completely dependent on imports for even the most crucial strategic items including high-grade virgin steel for submarines, aircraft engines (one of our biggest exports) and nuclear reactors is unique in our history and unparalleled in any other advanced country. It has clearly panicked the Government into last-minute intervention. This is necessary, but that we have reached this point not least in that our last manufacturer of high-quality virgin steel was sold to China, which has an interest in closing it down is proof of extraordinary fecklessness by successive governments. There have been several steps on the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was decided to shift our remaining steel production to electric arc furnaces which only produce lower-grade steel from scrap, and also require vast amounts of uninterrupted electricity. The present government ended the plan to open a new coal mine for coking coal essential for primary steel production. All this, perhaps needless to say, is due to the net-zero fantasy, which has also raised energy prices to a level at which many industries, not only steel production, have been made uncompetitive. The Government pretends it can run a 21st-century economy with medieval technology wind power. And by importing steel and other products that can no longer be made competitively here, we are merely relocating the emissions they create, having no positive effect on atmospheric pollution, and undoubtedly making it worse. So far, the Government has made only the smallest and least-effective gestures, such as slightly delaying the target date for electric vehicles, and now desperately trying to postpone the closure of the Scunthorpe furnaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is nowhere near being a serious industrial strategy or a credible defence policy. Unless it is abandoned or postponed, net zero will not only impoverish us, but make us more vulnerable than we have been since the Dutch fleet sailed up the Medway in 1667. Robert Tombs is professor emeritus of history at the University of Cambridge 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. Signature Bank, based in Chicago, has teamed up with Q2 Holdings to enhance its digital banking offerings for both commercial and retail customers. This partnership will empower Signature Bank to offer a consistent experience across all digital channels through the integration of Q2s solutions. Signature Bank senior vice-president Penny Foust said: We really needed a ubiquitous, device-agnostic platform to deliver a consistent, 360-degree experience. Right out of the gate, Q2 rose to the top. We were very impressed with Q2s innovation and high-touch service, which mirrors our own. Having Q2 as a partner enables us to deliver the top technology available and compete with the big banks. The collaboration also includes the use of Q2s Innovation Studio, which will facilitate the integration of fintech solutions into Signature Banks services. Signature Bank will utilise Q2s tools such as Q2 Centrix Exact/TMS and Q2 Sentinel to identify and prevent fraudulent activities. Q2 Product Management vice-president Anthony Ianniciello said: We are thrilled to partner with Signature Bank to help enrich the digital experience for their customers. Signature Bank has built a reputation as a commercial bank that focuses heavily on service and relationships, and their customers value the personal, high-touch approach to banking. We are excited to enable them to extend this commitment to their customers through a personalised digital banking experience. In January, Q2 Holdings collaborated with Alloy to offer a fraud monitoring solution for its digital banking customers. "Signature Bank partners with Q2 to enhance digital banking capabilities" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. King Charles and Queen Camilla recently marked their milestone 20th wedding anniversary with a trip to Italy, and royal enthusiasts got several glimpses of their time abroad, from their visit to the famous Colosseum to their meet-and-greet with the Pope. Now, the royal couple is sharing a fun recap of their biggest highlights from the tour, including standout footage of both the monarch and the queen. On Instagram, Buckingham Palace released a montage of videos from their trip, complete with heartwarming clips of their interactions with supporters and a striking mosaic of the royal couple. In Italian, they captioned the post, "Goodbye and thank you very much, Italy! It was a very special week, where we lived the best of Italy. Thank you for your warm friendship and hospitality." The recap started off with a clip of the king and queen posing together in front of the Colosseum, where they're seen standing in very close proximity and even smiling at each other. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From their relaxed postures to their genuine smiles, their body language spoke volumes about their fondness for each otherbut this isn't the only moment that caught my eye. In another short clip, Queen Camilla pulls a Kate Middleton parenting move while chatting with one of the students at the Alessandro Manzoni Comprehensive Institute. As seen in the palace's previous post, the queen bends to meet the eye level of young schoolchildren as they converse. The common parenting gesture allows adults to create an equal playing field and establish eye contact, which creates a more comfortable environment for the kids. I also took notice of King Charles's enthusiasm when he attended the UK-Emilia Romagna Food Festival at Piazza del Popolo. For instance, in the recap and in a previous post, King Charles smiles and laughs as he talks to one of the staff members, who's seen serving samples of a dish on a tray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In yet another standout moment, the recap offered a close-up of the striking mosaic illustration of King Charles's coronation, which was on display in the Basilica grounds in Ravenna. AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images In the illustration, the king and queen are decked out in full royal regalia as they stand beside each other and face the sun. In the comments section of the recap post, one fan wrote, "They looked so happy the whole tour, no wonder, as Italy is so beautiful." Another observed, "One of the most joyful and fun Royal tours ever: they look relaxed and very happy without all the stiffness of other tours." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Always a joy to see the king and queen in such high spirits. Want all the latest royal news sent right to your inbox? Subscribe here. King Charles Posted This Super Sweet Pic with His Mom Queen Elizabeth & I Noticed Something Striking About Princess Anne Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer believes that the German military should be rearmed by 2029, as this is the time when Russia will be able to attack a NATO country. Source: Breuer in an interview with German newspaper WELT AM SONNTAG, as reported by European Pravda Details: Breuer remains hopeful that the United States would remain committed to the alliance under new President Donald Trump while also collaborating with the Americans in the arms sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My biggest challenge at the moment is to ensure the operational readiness of the troops quickly and I have to do it with all the means available on the market," he said. "Naturally, we will first have a look in Germany and Europe to see if there is anything on the shelves. If not, then, given the time pressure, we will have to buy in the US as well, if it is available there," Breuer said, adding, "Our goal is 2029; we have to be ready by then". Breuer noted a "clear threat from Russia", whose 1.5 million-strong armed forces will be twice as large next year as they were before the aggression against Ukraine. "We see that about 1,500 battle tanks are either produced anew every year or taken out of storage and refurbished much more than is needed for the war against Ukraine. And the [Russian] warehouses are being filled with ammunition," Breuer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has estimated that Russia will be "capable of a large-scale conventional attack, even on NATO territory, by 2029". Putin's goal, he said, is to "weaken and destroy NATO as an alliance and discredit our Western form of society". Background: The vast majority of Germans fear that Russia may attack other European countries. Earlier, media reports indicated that the Baltic states were concerned about a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. A new assessment by the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and Bundeswehr reveals that Russia perceives itself to be in a systemic conflict with the West and is preparing for a major war with NATO. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! CONNELLEY SPRINGS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) People who live in a church in Burke County have 30 days to find a new place unless the church makes a plan to sufficiently repair their homes. This comes following a specially called commission meeting Thursday after receiving an order to vacate. They moved to America from the Marshall Islands to be part of the Marshallese New Beginnings Church. Code enforcement first filed a complaint about the church in September of 2022. After getting a permit to make repairs, letting it expire, and no work ever done to fix the problems, Burke County said its left with no other choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missing Burke County man found deceased; no signs of foul play Exposed wires, secondary heating sources, and a shower next to a light switch and an open gas sewer are just some of the reasons the county deems the living quarters unsafe. Commissioners elected to give the church a month-long extension on the order, and the residents are only allowed to stay if the church meets the following conditions: It provides a repair estimate from state-approved contractor, Written line of credit with proof from financial institution, and/or Proof of grants they can obtain from either the government or private entity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Church leaders must submit that evidence to the county clerk by May 12. Acting Public Information Officer Chris White said the building used to be an elementary school that was vacated in 1987. Marshallese New Beginnings Church Pastor Tommy Laibwij at a hearing on Thursday, April 10. There is nobody in this county from staff to commissioners, county manager, anybody that wanted it to get to this point, White said. These are peoples lives, but theres also a liability there on the county if theyre allowed to stay there and the building goes up in flames. Queen City News could not find Pastor Tommy Laibwij Friday when we visited the church. During Thursdays meeting, through an interpreter, he said when they took over the land, they were not made aware of the issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were just so excited to have a place where we could live, a place where we could also be together for church services, Laibwij said. He shared that they fixed locks on doors and fixed windows in the cafeteria. We are trying to do the best with what we have here, Laibwij said. We are trying to follow the codes and what they say. We know this is how we are supposed to be doing things properly, however, there are some things that we differ on as far as what the city deems unsafe or not. White said this is a code violation issue, and has nothing to do with the people. Its not the fact that we dont want them here, we want them here, but its just so unsafe, White said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The residents have until May 12 to find a new home if the conditions are not met. Church services can still operate out of the building. The pastor was asked where residents would go if the required repairs are being addressed: Some of the people on property are filling out applications for townhouses, rental assistance, that they can stay, he told commissioners. Not sure when those will be processed. Some of the parishioners are looking for stable housing at this time. Hopefully it will be soon. To access the entire PowerPoint, 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 Queen City News. During his first presidential campaign nearly 10 years ago, Donald Trump promised to load up the infamous prison at Guantanamo Bay with some bad dudes. Weeks after Trumps second inauguration, the administration put 10 migrants on a flight to Guantanamo, claiming without evidence that they were members of a Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua. Over the next several weeks, the administration sent hundreds of migrants to the offshore naval base and Trump ordered government officials to prepare to imprison as many as 30,000 migrants at Guantanamo. The influx of detainees, many of whom had never been charged with a crime, invoked images of the post-Sept. 11, 2001, so-called war on terror: secret prisons where torture was rampant, years of litigation over what rights applied at Guantanamo, defense contractors inking multimillion-dollar construction deals, and people who would never walk free nor be charged with doing anything wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you go back to the early days of the War on Terror, Guantanamo was supposed to be the legal equivalent of outer space, where no law applied. Its that threat that you saw the Trump administration invoking in order to terrorize immigrants, said J. Wells Dixon, a senior staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, a civil liberties nonprofit that played a major role in challenging war on terror detentions at Guantanamo and is now challenging the Trump administrations migrant detentions. But in mid-March, all of the immigration detainees were removed from Guantanamo, amid mountinglegal challenges, concerns over the tent structures on the base not meeting ICE detention standards, infighting between the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security, and a staggering $40 million price tag in just one month. (As of April 4, there were 45 migrants detained at the base. The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Southern Command did not respond to requests for updated numbers.) On March 15, shortly after ICE sent all migrants in Guantanamo back to U.S. facilities, Trump signed an executive order, claiming that Tren de Aragua had invaded the U.S., and that any Venezuelan migrant age 14 or older with alleged ties to the gang could be removed under the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century wartime authority only previously invoked during the War of 1812 and both World Wars. That same day, the administration rushed three flights holding 238 Venezuelans and 23 Salvadorans it claimed were gang members, without evidence in most cases, off to El Salvador. A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to halt the removals and turn the flights around, but the administration did not comply. Once in El Salvador, the migrants were sent to an infamous maximum security prison called the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT). The U.S. is reportedly paying El Salvador about $6 million to imprison the detainees. A prison officer guards a cell at maximum security penitentiary CECOT (Center for the Compulsory Housing of Terrorism) on April 4 in Tecoluca, San Vicente, El Salvador. Alex Pena via Getty Images According to human rights observers, people imprisoned in El Salvador are often subjected to torture, severe overcrowding, inadequate food and medical care and are denied access to legal counsel. No one imprisoned at CECOT has ever left; Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Wednesday that the migrants sent there should stay there for the rest of their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who helped fight for due process protections at Guantanamo Bay under the administration of President George W. Bush view the Trump administrations migrant detention policy as an escalation of war on terror legal tactics. Its an effort to outsource detention and torture to avoid the constraints of U.S. law, said Dixon. Its the natural consequence and evolution of what weve seen throughout the last 20 years, certainly with the CIAs extraordinary rendition program and the use of black sites overseas. The reason theyve moved out of Guantanamo is, and this is ironic, but theres too much rule of law there, said Karen Greenberg, the director of the Center on National Security at Fordham Law and author of multiple books on Guantanamo and the cases that emerged from the war on terror. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2008, the Supreme Court held in Boumediene v. Bush that although Guantanamo Bay is outside of U.S. sovereignty, people detained there have the right to challenge the legality of their detention. The Nations basic charter cannot be contracted away like this. The Constitution grants Congress and the President the power to acquire, dispose of, and govern territory, not the power to decide when and where its terms apply. To hold that the political branches may switch the Constitution on or off at will would lead to a regime in which they, not this Court, say what the law is, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority, citing the landmark 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison where the court declared the ability to rule on the constitutionality of laws. But thats exactly what the Trump administration is attempting to do by rendering migrants to CECOT. Take the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who was sent to CECOT, despite having legal protections from being deported there. The Trump administration eventually admitted he was deported based on an administrative error. When a federal judge ordered the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the U.S., the Trump administration argued that because he was in El Salvador, they couldnt bring him back and that courts had no authority to intervene. That line of reasoning harkened back to the Bush administrations efforts to claim that matters of national security and foreign policy were outside of the purview of judicial review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the federal judges order and directed the Trump administration 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 Trump administrations argument, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, 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. District Court Judge Paula Xinis directed the Justice Department to disclose by Friday morning the physical location and custodial status of Abrego Garcia, what steps the government had taken to facilitate his return to the U.S., and what additional steps it planned to take. Administration lawyers refused the order, claiming they are not in a position where they can share any information requested by the Court. That is the reality. At a hearing later that day, Xinis ordered daily updates on those three unanswered questions. As it stands, the Supreme Court has stated that the Trump administration cannot evade judicial scrutiny of its immigration policies by simply shipping people out of the country before they have the chance to challenge their removal. In a separate case, the Supreme Court has also held that individuals detained under the Alien Enemies Act are entitled to due process although it vacated a lower court decision that temporarily blocked the removals. Instead, the court directed individuals to file habeas petitions challenging their detention, which will center around proving they are not members of Tren de Aragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although this is far from the worst-case outcome from a 6-3 conservative Supreme Court that has demonstrated extensive deference to Trump, there are still tremendous logistical hurdles to the people imprisoned at CECOT returning home. Take Guantanamo Bay. Even after the Supreme Court upheld habeas rights for the war on terror detainees, many of them languished at the offshore prison for more than another decade. Nine people died. Only a handful were ever convicted of a crime. Fifteen people are still there, including several who have been cleared for release. Their lives are unquestionably shattered and it takes a very long time to recover from that, if recovery is even possible, Dixon said. Its devastating. The situation for those held at CECOT is even more unclear. No court has yet determined how they can file habeas petitions, given that some lawyers have reported having no contact with their clients since they were sent to El Salvador. Figuring this out will likely need to come from a future court case, which will undoubtedly be dragged on as the administration is fighting tooth-and-nail to keep those they sent to El Salvador in prison forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Abrego Garcia is promptly returned home, he has already been ripped away from his wife and young child, and spent nearly a month in an infamous prison in a country he previously fled because of threats of violence. As with Guantanamo, these detainees lives will be forever damaged by the administrations choice to evade the rule of law. California on Friday defied a Trump administration order to certify that the state's 1,000 school districts have ended all diversity, equity and inclusion programs despite federal threats to cut billions of dollars in education funding if the state does not comply. The U.S. Department of Education has given states until April 24 to collect certifications from every school district in the nation confirming that all DEI efforts have been eliminated, as it contends such programs are a form of race-based discrimination and violate civil rights laws. In a letter to school district superintendents Friday, the California Department of Education, or CDE, defended the legality of DEI efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is nothing in state or federal law ... that outlaws the broad concepts of 'diversity,' 'equity,' or 'inclusion,'" wrote Chief Deputy Supt. David Schapira in the letter to school districts, county education offices and charter schools. CDE also sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education about the decision not to comply and said the federal request was vague. "It is also unclear which specific programs or activities [the federal agency] seeks to regulate by this certification, although the request for certification references 'certain DEI practices' or 'illegal DEI.' It does not define such..." Although federal funding for education is challenging to calculate and arrives through multiple channels, some tallies put the figure at $16.3 billion per year in California including money for school meals, students with disabilities and early education Head Start programs. The Los Angeles Unified School District has estimated that it receives about $1.26 billion a year, somewhat less than 10% of its annual budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sixteen states are attempting to comply with the order, including New Hampshire, North Carolina and Texas. Ten others have refused including New York, Wisconsin and Oregon, according to a state-by-state tracker compiled by the news site Education Week. California's decision was foreshadowed by an April 4 letter to school leaders noting that school districts regularly and routinely affirm that they are complying with federal law and "have already submitted such assurances" and compliance is "monitored annually through ... multiple accounting mechanisms." Read more: Schools have 10 days to comply with Trump anti-DEI policy or face losing federal funds The U.S. Department of Education did not respond to a request sent Friday about the decision by California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Education Secretary Linda McMahon on social media praised the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico for complying. She also praised New Hampshire for posting the certifications from individual school districts. A small number of California school systems are controlled by pro-Trump leadership. These include Chino Valley Unified, which has bypassed state education officials and certified directly to federal officials. "This was a no-brainer for us," said school board President Sonja Shaw, who is a Republican candidate for state superintendent of public instruction. "I want to make it absolutely clear: Our focus remains where it belongs on reading, writing, math and achieving the best outcomes for our students... not in the ideologies and divisiveness that the state of California, [Gov.] Gavin Newsom and his cronies continue to push." The federal demand follows a Feb. 14 letter in which the U.S. Department of Education told all K-12 school districts and higher education institutions to end the consideration of race in admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Colleges, K-12 schools ordered by Trump administration to abolish DEI or face funding cuts Since then, many colleges and universities in California and throughout the country have eliminated diversity efforts, scrubbing references from their websites. The certification demand is a next step in the enforcement process, federal officials said. Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement. He said many schools have flouted their legal obligations, including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The certification form includes several pages of legal analysis in support of the administrations demands, which are based, in large part, on the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions through a lawsuit brought against Harvard University. Read more: How Trump's fight with California could harm poor students who rely on school meals Trainor quoted Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who said: Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it. But following the reasoning of other states that refuse to comply, California challenged Trainor's conclusions in its April 11 letter to the U.S. Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are concerned that [the Department of Education] seemingly seeks to change the terms and conditions of California's award without formal administrative process," the letter stated. The U.S. agency "cannot make changes to legal assurances and impose new requirements on recipients without adhering to rule-making procedures." The letter is signed by Len Garfinkel, general counsel for the California Department of Education, and by Kirin K. Gill, chief counsel for the State Board of Education. In their refusal, New York officials directly challenged the linkage to the Supreme Court case cited by Trainor. A recent statement from L.A. Unified approached the issue with caution, saying the school system would follow state guidance in complying with federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration already has issued similar threats over school funding to school districts and states over policies related to transgender students and sex education curriculum. On Friday, the department announced an enforcement action against the state of Maine that could lead to withdrawing federal education funding. In a separate action, federal officials have launched an investigation of the California Department of Education for allegedly withholding from parents information about changes to their childs gender identity, once again with billions of dollars potentially at stake. Federal officials contend that the California law, called the SAFETY Act, violates a federal law that guarantees parents access to their childs school records. They say the federal law, called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA, takes precedence. On Friday, state education officials also responded to this investigation by defending the state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'There is no conflict between Californias SAFETY Act and FERPA," said state Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. "Today, California affirmed existing and continued compliance with federal laws while we stay the course to move the needle for all students," Thurmond said. "As our responses to the United States Department of Education state, and as the plain text of state and federal laws affirm, there is nothing unlawful about broad core values such as diversity, equity, and inclusion." He added: "I am proud of our students, educators, and school communities, who continue to focus on teaching and learning despite federal actions intended to distract and disrupt. Times staff writer Daniel Miller contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Nashville tourism could lose millions of dollars in revenue as three Canadian airlines cancel or change the frequency of flights to Music City due to deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Canada. According to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp, roughly half of international travelers to the city come from Canada. However, WestJet and Air Canada are seeing less travel demand in Nashville and across America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump limits tariffs on most nations for 90 days, except China WestJet sent the following statement after News 2 asked about the decrease in passengers on their flights: I can confirm WestJet did recently reduce service frequency between Winnipeg and Nashville, while service between Nashville International Airport (BNA) and WestJets other destinations remains unchanged. As a result of the current political environment, we have seen a downward shift in demand for transborder bookings between Canada and the U.S. It is common across the aviation industry to adjust network schedules to meet guest demand, as WestJet has done. Josh Yeats, WestJet media and public relations Air Canada was also asked the same question and shared this response: We have shared during our recent annual meeting of shareholders that by mid-March, according to our data, the bookings on the transborder market overall for the next six months were down about 10% and that our own numbers were of comparable magnitude. While we have made some adjustments to our US schedule, we will have more capacity to Nashville this year over 2024, including a new route from Vancouver. Air Canada Media Team Canada updates guidance for residents traveling to United States Creation Vacation owner Joanie Davis, who has more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, told News 2 she learned that Air Canada is pausing their educational efforts for travel agencies. Canada, in particular, has put a pause on their representatives coming into the [United] States to do our education, Davis said. They were supposed to come here to Nashville at the end of the month. Davis added that relations between the two countries need to improve quickly due to the financial impact of tourism. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Hundreds gathered outside the Lifeline of Ohio donor memorial for a candlelight ceremony honoring organ donors and those awaiting a transplant in Columbus. The decision to be an organ donor has the power to turn a tragic situation into a positive one. The candles that were lit represent the second chance at life offered by organ donation. According to Lifeline of Ohio, nearly one thousand central Ohioans are waiting for organ transplants. Seventeen times a day, a man, woman, or child dies for lack of an available organ. A pain that Kelli McQuesten and her family know all too well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My husband was a fireman, and one morning, just woke up and was having some heart issues, and we learned that he had to have a heart surgery, said Kelli McQuesten. When hummingbirds will start to arrive in Ohio Her husband, Matthew, died in December 2023. Shes been the community outreach coordinator at Lifeline of Ohio for 10 years now. Her job is to educate communities about organ donation. Never did she think shed have a personal story to share. I owe it to Matthew to keep talking about his story and to say his name, and I just think about all of the families of the people who are waiting and that I dont want them to go through what me and my kids went through, said McQuesten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lifeline of Ohio says the ripple effect of one person saying yes to donation is powerful. Its a decision thats felt by recipients, family members, and friends. I received a liver transplant back in 2020, on March 12th, said Tyler Parker. Tyler Parker is 17 years old, and he was born with a rare genetic disorder. Five years ago, his life changed. He received the call that he and his family have been waiting for, allowing him to be a normal teenager and follow his dreams. I love Columbus Fire, and I want to be a firefighter/paramedic when I get a little older, he said. Jermayne Hassis has been on the National Transplant waiting list for eight years. He currently has a device implanted in his chest to keep his heart beating. While that provides some challenges for him, he remains positive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I try to live as more and more of a lifestyle as I possibly can. I was able to get married, have a beautiful daughter, and Im a schoolteacher, like, you know, all of the things that I love doing, he said. Harris says going through this process has taught him a lot. Theres always light at the end of the tunnel, and Im just, you know, God has been very big in my journey, said Harris. A single donor has the potential to save eight lives through organ donation. To learn more, 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. All full-time employees in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Vessel Sanitation Program were laid off this week, even as a cruise ship arrived in Miami with another norovirus outbreak among passengers and crew. The CDC employees whose jobs were cut were responsible for monitoring, tracking and assisting with gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships. The epidemiologist tasked with leading the federal agencys outbreak response on cruise ships also was included in the layoffs, CDC officials told CBS News. The cuts are problematic for Florida, where passengers disembark from cruise ships with gastrointestinal viruses and often travel through airports. The CDC documented a dozen outbreaks on ships in just the first four months of 2025, mostly from norovirus. Ten of those ships departed from, or docked in, Florida or both. The outbreaks involved as many as hundreds of passengers and crew members falling ill with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Seaborn Cruise Lines Encore arrived in Miami after a 3-week voyage. Thirty-five of the roughly 800 people on board had become ill with norovirus. The cruise line reported that it consulted with Vessel Sanitation Program officials about sanitation cleaning procedures. VSP remotely monitored the situation, including review of the ships outbreak response and sanitation procedures, the CDC website says. Employees in the Vessel Sanitation Program were cut as part of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s major layoffs in public health. A CDC spokesperson told the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Critical programs in the CDC will continue under Secretary Kennedys vision to streamline HHS to better serve Americans. The spokesperson also said that unannounced sanitation inspections, monitoring and assisting with gastrointestinal outbreaks and tracking and reporting illnesses on cruise ships has not stopped and the work will now be done by U.S. Public Health Service officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS reported that only one epidemiologist remains on the Vessel Sanitation Programs team to investigate outbreaks and that individual is still in the early stages of training. Florida and many areas of the U.S. have been battling a record surge of norovirus in recent months, driven mainly by a new strain of the gastrointestinal virus. Wastewater samples throughout Florida home to seven major cruise ports show high levels of norovirus as of April 7. Verilys wastewater program provides surveillance of norovirus and other pathogens at 11 sites in Florida, including two in Miami-Dade County and one in Jupiter. Wastewater testing at all three tracked high levels of norovirus. In all three South Florida wastewater treatment facilities in which Verily monitors pathogens, weve seen persistently high levels of Norovirus GII since November/December 2024, said Amy Lockwood, Verilys Public Health Partnerships Lead. While an uptick during this season is expected, the levels we are seeing are significantly higher than the same time period in 2024 and 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, high levels of norovirus were reported in three of the four Central Florida (Orange County) wastewater sites. The fourth has a medium level. The site closest to Port Canaveral, which hosts multiple Disney cruises, has a high level. These early warning signs help officials get ahead of outbreaks, and right now, the data suggests an increased transmission risk as travelers come and go, Lockwood said. South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com. China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) have signed a venture framework agreement to expand the Yanbu Refinery in Saudi Arabia. The expansion, which will include a large-scale, mixed-feed steam cracker and aromatics plant, is aimed at enhancing the refinery's integration and supporting Saudi Arabia's industrial diversification strategy. The project will leverage existing facilities to construct new units including a 1.8 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) ethylene plant and a 1.5mtpa aromatics plant with associated downstream polyolefin units. This development aims to foster an innovative, full-industry-chain ecosystem and meet growing global market demand. Aramco president and CEO Amin H. Nasser, said: "The Yanbu expansion agreement deepens Aramco's strategic partnership with Sinopec. By prioritising product innovation and diversification, we aim to reinforce Saudi Arabia's leadership in the global energy and chemicals landscape while positioning Yanbu as a premier integrated refining and petrochemical hub." The Yanbu Refinery in Yanbu Industrial City processes 430,000 barrels per day of Saudi heavy crude oil. It produces high-quality refined products and value-added chemicals for global markets. The expansion is expected to significantly boost production capacity for high-end petrochemical products. Sinopec Group president Zhao Dong said: "The Yanbu Refinery stands as a testament to the strong friendship between China and Saudi Arabia, delivering robust economic benefits and advancing the petrochemical industry's modernisation. "This expansion will unlock greater synergies between Sinopec and Aramco, creating a world-leading integrated refining and petrochemical enterprise with global competitiveness. Together, we will contribute to a low-carbon energy transition." The expansion project combines technological innovation and industrial chain optimisation to upgrade traditional energy cooperation models and explore sustainable development pathways. The project will integrate new ethylene, aromatics and polyolefin units with existing infrastructure, elevating the complex's refining-petrochemical integration capabilities. It will also incorporate advanced technologies and green innovations to support Saudi Arabia's economic diversification and decarbonisation goals. Additionally, NextDecade recently executed a 20-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale and purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Aramco. The agreement involves the purchase of 1.2mtpa of LNG from Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas, US, contingent on a positive final investment decision for Train 4. The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has denied the request to help manage unsafe lead levels in Milwaukee-Wisconsin Public Schools. The agency told the school district that it can no longer help the health department there because their lead experts were fired last week. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before their firings, the CDC had been working with the Milwaukee Health Department for two months to address hazardous levels of lead in school buildings. The Department of Health and Human Services said that it is planning to continue the work on lead poisoning prevention and surveillance. The Milwaukee health department said it is committed to finding solutions to the problem. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Looking to shred old paperwork safely? The city of Centerville has partnered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to host a free shredding event for Secure Your ID Shred Day. It will be on Saturday, April 12, at Routsong Funeral Home, 81 N. Main St. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Or until the shred truck is full). The first 300 cars are guaranteed shredding. Attendees are asked to bring just five boxes/bags of paperwork, but you can go through the line again if you have more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city said this event is a fantastic way to safely dispose of old files like credit card statements, old checks, IRS tax returns and more. Local university to host Lent art gallery President and CEO of BBB serving Dayton/Miami Valley, John North, shared the importance of protecting your identity. I encourage the community to use this free service for the secure disposal of sensitive documents. Join us in protecting your identity and putting identity thieves out of business, said North. Papers with staples or paperclips are fine. However, the city said binders, electronics and batteries cant be processed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone may come to 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 WDTN.com. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. In an effort to combat homelessness in central Arkansas, local nonprofit The Van announced Friday its plans for a new emergency shelter. According to a post on social media, the group has raised over $256,000 for the building and put 10 unrestricted acres outside city limits under contract for the construction of the new facility. We put 10 unrestricted acres outside city limits under contract today for the construction of a 15k sq ft permanent winter weather emergency shelter and year-round thrift store / farm stand, the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People donate over $50,000 overnight to The Van to help with homeless shelters in Central Arkansas In a GoFundMe post, the organization says that an opportunity has come up to get a 4 to 1 donation match to help with construction. If we can raise $4,200, the donor will match up to $16,400, meaning The Van would receive $20,600.00, the fundraiser said. In Dec. The Van executive director Aaron Reddin said that the nonprofit raised more than $125,000 and that it was under contract for an 8,000 to 10,000-square-foot building that would be used as an inclement weather emergency shelter and a year-round thrift store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little Rock nonprofit The Van hits snag in shelter purchase However, in January when he went to officially purchase the property, which is located on Arch Street, there was a major problem. Reddin said that they identified the building and put it under contract with the person that they thought was the building owner, but it was not. For more information on The Van, visit them online at ItsTheVan.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WPRI) Some Central Falls students are heading to Arizona next week for a unique trip. Ten students and 14 mentors will be hiking through the Grand Canyon thanks to Kids in the Canyon (KITC). The nonprofit is an experiential, education-based mentoring program for students that ends with a five-day hiking expedition. We work with a group of kids starting in September, KITC Program Director Don Blais said. We mentor and train them for academic attendance and attitude so they can stay in school, get good grades, and start thinking about transitioning to the next steps in life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What to do this April vacation in Rhode Island and Massachusetts Now in its 19th year, KITC teaches students the importance of responsibility and community. Just to get the kids out of Rhode Island, to get them to do something different, Blais explained. Ive liked the Grand Canyon, so I kind of threw it out there and it caught momentum, and were still rolling today. To qualify for the trip, students have to maintain academic excellence while participating in biweekly CrossFit sessions, weekly hikes, meetings, and multiple 5K races. My favorite part so far has been the 5Ks around mostly Pawtucket and Providence. They are all insanely fun, junior Eduardo Castro said. I get to break personal records for myself, and I get to help out in the community. For the students, its not just the trip they look forward to, but also the life lessons learned along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Definitely to commit and not procrastinate, junior Teeghan Riley said. Procrastination is a big thing Ive dealt with, but through Kids of the Canyon, I learned how to deal with it. The group leaves Rhode Island on Saturday and will create a portfolio of their experience for a presentation. Being able to see the positivity and like the positive outcomes that come with each year and with each experience and watching the kids grow from September to April, its amazing, KITC mentor Allison OReilly said. The group fundraises throughout the year to make the trip possible and has been a recipient of grants from Mentor Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A GoFundMe has also been set up to help raise money. 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. Sunnier days may be ahead for Centre County and the State College area but, according to one senior meteorologist from AccuWeather, theyre not exactly coming soon. Meteorologist Tom Kines told the CDT that the area likely wont see significantly warmer days until after Easter on April 20. He believes the jet stream will move north around that time, causing temperatures to rise in central Pennsylvania and finally giving outdoor enthusiasts a chance at some 70 degree days. From the last week of April to the first week of May, I think temps should at least average higher than typical, Kines said Friday. Thats not to say there wont be any cool days but, overall, I think its an above-average temperature pattern. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, its a long tunnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Centre County residents couldnt be blamed for having a little whiplash from the local weather. According to Kines, Marchs average temperature was at least six degrees warmer than usual. Compare that to April, which is so far about two degrees cooler than whats typical. For the last week, every day in State College has been measured as being colder than average. That likely doesnt come as a surprise. Whiteout conditions caused several major crashes in Snow Shoe, while frost and flurries have been much more plentiful than sunshine. The most recent day with warmer-than-average temperatures came April 4, a day after temps last reached 70 degrees. Its been kind of a lousy stretch of weather, Kines added. A woman is bundled up to walk her dog as the trees start to bloom in Talleyrand Park on April 11, 2025. That doesnt mean theres no relief in sight, but it does mean any immediate relief should be short-lived. AccuWeather is counting on a warmer day with sunshine Sunday, with a high of 58. But Kines expects a cold front to move in sometime Monday, possibly holding off until the evening, which will put a damper on any hopes for sustained T-shirt weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill issue a good mood warning for Sunday because the sun should come out and, with that sunshine, temperatures ought to respond by getting back into the 50s, Kines said. I know its not the 70s but with what we had yesterday, today and tomorrow, 50s are going to feel pretty good. Overall, it wasnt a nice slate of weather this past week. And neither Kines nor AccuWeather are expecting an amazing stretch the next. So if youre looking for back-to-back sunny, 70 degree days at this point of the year, Kines has a message. If youre hoping for a few days of sunny weather with highs in the 70s, you better head down to Florida because its not happening here anytime soon, he joked. Humans are creatures of habit. Your morning routine may look something like hitting snooze on an alarm clock once or twice, getting ready for the day, and enjoying a bowl of cereal before leaving for work. It's time to start paying closer attention to the little, sugary circles in your bowl, though, because you may not notice that your cereal boxes are tricking you. Cereals are the latest product on the rise in the phenomenon known as "shrinkflation," otherwise known as the reason why your favorite packaged foods have gotten smaller. You might pick up a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch labeled "family size" and think you're getting a better deal for it, but careful examination reveals that although box sizes are growing and labels are changing to appear more appealing, the amount of product inside is actually shrinking. Any person who spots the "family size" or "giant size" label is probably tempted to put it in their cart because who doesn't want a bigger product for a decent price? This is exactly how cereal manufacturing brands expect consumers to behave, falling victim to clever marketing even though the product inside is shrinking compared to previous years. Read more: 10 Greek Yogurt Brands, Ranked Worst To Best The Subtle Art Of Selling Less For More Boxes of family size Honey Bunches of Oats - Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock An article from The Guardian revealed studies from Deakin University that compared the prices of Kellogg's Sultana Bran from 2019 to 2024. Six years ago, an 850-gram box of Sultana Bran cost about $6, but in 2024 the package size shrank to 700 grams and the price increased to about $9. In the United States, research from Consumer World found that Post's Honey Bunches of Oats (one of the top five bestselling cereals in America) used to sell a "family size" 23-ounce box for $5.69. The company shrank the "family size" down to 18 ounces and knocked ten cents off the price, then introduced a supposedly new "giant size" with 23 ounces back at the $5.69 price. General Mills is in on shrinkflation, which caught the attention of two members of Congress in 2024 who wrote letters to the CEO condemning shrinkflation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other popular groceries have been hit by the shrinkflation tactic too, and although it exited before the pandemic, consumers are more aware of it now. Companies believe that consumers will pay more attention to the price on the outside of the box than the changing product size. Companies are banking that p;eople will be less upset if their favorite pack of cookies remains at a comfortable $3.59 with a sleeve less of product versus the same amount of product increasing to $4.59. Unfortunately, it looks like the only thing truly getting bigger these days is the illusion of a good deal. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Boca Raton police reopened Military Trail late Saturday night after a plane crashed and burned on nearby railroad tracks on Friday morning. The small plane, built in 1977, had taken off from the Boca Raton Airport just after 10 a.m. and was headed for Tallahassee but reported a mechanical issue and crashed while returning to the airport, officials said Friday. Kurt Gibson, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, told reporters the plane was in the air for no longer than 10 minutes. Those who died were Robert Stark, 81, of Boca Raton; Stephen Stark, 54, of Delray Beach; and Brooke Stark, 17, of Delray Beach, Officer Jessica Desir, a spokesperson for Boca Raton Police, said late Friday night. Desir did not say who was flying the plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Robert and Stephen Stark were certified pilots. Stephen Stark was a certified private pilot and had single-engine and multi-engine aircraft ratings, FAA records show. Robert Stark was also a certified private pilot with single-engine land and sea ratings, as well as multi-engine land and instrument ratings. An instrument rating is earned by training to fly solely by referencing instruments. At 10:13 a.m., Boca Raton Airport personnel notified police and fire rescue that the plane was having trouble maintaining control and was circling the area, Desir said. A 24-year-old man from Boca Raton driving a 2017 Toyota Prius was also injured when he lost control while driving north on Military Trail near the fiery crash and hit a tree. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Desir said. Pilot for life Robert Stark had flown the Cessna 310R for many years, his friend Christopher Magon told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The two met in 2011 while sharing a hangar at the Boca airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Stark, Roberts son, had also previously flown the Cessna 310R. The family used it for recreation and business, Magon said. Brooke Stark was his daughter. A pilot for most of his life, Robert Stark was a high-level aerobatic competition pilot and competed with the Cessna 310R, along with an aerobatic aircraft he sold within the last few years, Magon said. Bob was passionate about it. It was something that he loved, Magon said. BOCA RATON PILOT RIDES ACROBATIC STUNTS INTO INTERNATIONAL CONTEST FOR THE THRILL OF COMPETITION. He owned U.S. Info-Comm Inc., a national IT and communications company based in Deerfield Beach. State business records show it is a family-run business, with his son Stephen Stark listed as the companys president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sun Sentinel reported in 1999 that Robert Stark flew for the U.S. advanced aerobatics team in an Advanced World Championship held in the Czech Republic. He placed 16th out of 60. He had been an aerobatics pilot since 1991 and by eight years later had competed in about 30 contests, with six first-place wins. He was able to perform hundreds of different figures in the air, he told the newspaper at the time, and regularly flew a pattern over the Palm Beach-Broward County line to prepare for contests. My aerobatics flying has nothing to do with money; I fly aerobatics because I love it. It releases me from the pressures of life, Robert Stark told the Sun Sentinel in 1999. I fly for the thrill of competition, to fly better than my peers. In late 1999, Stark was the manager of the U.S. Aerobatics Team, part of the International Aerobatic Club. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox. Information from the Sun Sentinel archives contributed to this report. Three die when plane crashes, burns on railroad tracks near I-95 in Boca Raton Republican Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak argues in court the county should be removed from litigation over filling a commissioner vacancy. The litigation was started last month by Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan and the county over filling the vacancy of former Democratic Commissioner Matt McGloin for the nearly three years remaining on his unexpired term. Chermak filed a legal brief Friday restating his opposition to the county being a party to the litigation. The brief and another filing called an answer to the Gaughan/county litigation were filed jointly on Chermaks behalf by attorney Paul LaBelle, the solicitor for Chermak in his role as county commissioner, and attorney Howard Rothenberg, as Chermaks personal attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chermaks brief opposes a Gaughan/county motion to strike Chermaks initial filing to have the county removed from the litigation. Senior Judges Carmen D. Minora, Robert A. Mazzoni and Vito P. Geroulo, assigned as a panel for the litigation, have scheduled oral arguments to be heard April 22. Briefs from all parties in the case must be filed with the court no later than Monday. The litigation pits Gaughan/the county against the Lackawanna County Democratic Committee over whether the vacancy should be filled pursuant to the countys Home Rule Charter or a state court rule. The Home Rule Charter process had the Democratic Committee picking three candidates to forward to county judges, who then would select one of the three to fill the McGloin vacancy. The committee named three candidates Brenda Sacco, who is a former county director of economic development, Olyphant Borough Council President James Baldan and Scranton School Director Robert J. Casey as candidates to potentially replace McGloin. The Gaughan/county challenge to the charter process claims it is trumped by Pennsylvania Rule of Judicial Administration 1908 of 2019, which says the county court not a political party shall receive applications from any interested candidates for the position. Conversely, the committee contends the charter trumps the court rule that would cut the committee out of the candidate selection process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chermaks brief says Gaughan never consulted with Chermak on starting the litigation and had no greater power to unilaterally do so. Chermak does not take a position on whether the charter or the court rule should be followed to fill the vacancy. Chermak agrees that the person selected must be a Democrat because McGloin was a Democrat at the time of his election, and thus the dispute is between the Democratic Committee and Gaughan as a Democrat, and not as a commissioner. Chermaks only concern is that Lackawanna County and its assets and taxpayer money not be utilized to finance this dispute; and if Gaughan and the Democratic Party want to pursue the litigation, they should do so on their own dime, his brief says. While detectives were scouring the phone of a Sonoma County man arrested on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material, they allegedly found a different form of disturbing media videos of the man sexually assaulting a small dog. Now, the man faces charges for both animal and child abuse. Jeremiah Ortega, 26, was initially arrested on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material April 3 and released from custody on Monday following a court hearing, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers say they subsequently uncovered the dog footage and rearrested Ortega just two days later in Santa Rosa on suspicion of animal cruelty, sexual assault of an animal and probation violation. Detectives brought the dog to Sonoma County Animal Services for examination and care. Representatives from the shelter said they are unable to provide an update on the dog's condition due to the ongoing criminal investigation. Ortega, meanwhile, has been charged with seven felonies one count of animal cruelty, two counts of lewd acts with a child using force and fear, three counts of lewd acts on a child and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, according to court records. He was arraigned Friday and is set to enter his plea on May 2. His bail, which was initially set at $27,000, has since been raised to $77,000 in light of the new charges. He remains in custody at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility, according to the Sheriff's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortega was previously arrested on suspicion of drunk driving last May and later pleaded no contest to driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or above, according to court records. Ortega pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts of petty theft in 2023. In December, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 12 months of probation, according to court records. 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. The US economy and stock market are the most developed in the world and often reflect textbook examples of economic cycles. The previous unofficial recession in the US occurred in 2022, when the GDP growth posted 2 quarters of negative growth amid a sharp increase in interest rates to combat rising inflation. The stock market moved in sync with the economy during that year. The following year, 2023, resembled a slow recovery fueled by the emergence of the AI megatrend as well as strong public spending on infrastructure and other large projects. Calendar 2024 and early 2025 resembled an economic peak, as growth moderated and private spending became weaker. In such moments, even the slightest economic headwind and/or uncertainty can trigger a recession and a broad market meltdown. Thats exactly what happened with the new Trump 2.0 administration, which brought plenty of uncertainty related to tariffs and sharp cuts in the public sector. Another important consideration for investors is that the stock market and the economy do not move in sync; the former tends to be a forward-looking animal, meaning that stock prices tend to rise in anticipation of an economic recovery, while the actual economic conditions may still be depressed and reflect low GDP growth, high unemployment and sluggish private spending. Consequently, the key takeaway for readers is that investments in economic recovery stocks shall be made during peak uncertainty and pain, at or near a market bottom when everyone is fearful and reluctant to buy. As the legendary Warren Buffet has put it, Economic cycles, as defined by economists, alternate between periods of growth, peak, recession, and recovery, depending on the stage that a countrys economy is at. In particular, the term economic recovery describes the period that follows a recession and is characterized by improving employment, increased business activity and investment, rising consumer confidence, and accelerating GDP growth. Recoveries usually start after governments enact fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate investment and spending the primary stimulative instrument in the US has been the FED funds rate. When an economic recovery kicks in, the sectors that tend to outperform are the cyclical ones consumer discretionary, industrial, financial, and technology driven by both a recovery in the previously depressed valuations as well as by broad acceleration in growth. We recently published a list of 10 Best Economic Recovery Stocks to Buy . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) stands against other best economic recovery stocks to buy. Story Continues While most investors are currently concerned about declining stock prices (the main US stock market benchmark is down over 11% at the time of this write-up since its February peak), the smart money is already looking for signals of a potential recovery. Atlanta Fed projects that the US economy posted negative real GDP growth in Q1 2025, estimated at -2.4%; given the uncertainty and tariff threats persisting in April as well, chances are that Q2 2025 will be in negative territory as well, which would mark an official recession. The problem is that the stock market already prices in such a scenario, which makes it difficult to exploit or hedge against. The only plausible move at the moment is to look for economic recovery stocks in an attempt to time the market bottom. We believe there are solid reasons to believe that the stock market bottomed out in early April and that things will only improve going forward. The most important signal in favor of a potential economic recovery ahead is that Trumps tariffs proliferate as a short-term negotiation tool only, which seems to work well in relation to most trading partners. On April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause in new tariffs for 75 countries until negotiations to discuss potential solutions are arranged. Heres how Kevin Breuninger, a CNBC journalist, commented the following on the recent developments: The White House is clarifying that Trumps announcement of a 90-day tariff pause means that the tariff level will be brought down to a universal 10% tariff during that time, while negotiations are ongoing. That respite does not apply to China, which will see U.S. tariffs on its goods rise to 125%. We see this announcement as a sign that chances are high that the US will reach a positive agreement with the 75 countries mentioned. While the situation with China is still intense, things could deescalate if other countries reach agreements with the US and set the stage for China as well. In this context, if the tariffs saga is successfully navigated, the main headwind for the economy will dissipate, potentially triggering a broad economic recovery that would push stock prices higher. With that being said, we may currently be at an opportune moment to pick the best economic recovery stocks. Is Stellantis N.V. (STLA) the Best Economic Recovery Stock to Buy? A close-up view of a modern automobile with its sleek curves and luxurious body. Our Methodology We used a screener to identify stocks with at least a 20% revenue compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last 5 years. Then, we selected the top 10 stocks with the largest estimated average analysts upside and included them in the article in ascending order. For each stock, we also include the number of hedge funds that own the stock as of Q4 2024. The stocks are ranked according to the upside potential. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here). Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) Estimated average analysts upside: 82.77% Revenue CAGR last 5 years: 33.64% Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32 Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) is a multinational manufacturer of cars under 14 brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, and others. With industrial operations in over 30 countries and a sales presence in more than 130 markets, STLA holds substantial market share and is one of the global automotive leaders. STLAs broad brand portfolio, covering all price categories, as well as its global footprint, makes it the ideal automotive stock to benefit from increased consumer demand and economic activity during periods of economic recovery. Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) experienced a challenging 2024, with an adjusted operating income margin landing at the bottom of the guided range of 5.5% to 7%. The company saw consolidated shipments decline by 750,000 units or 12%, with one-third attributed to inventory reduction actions and two-thirds related to lower sales and a temporary product hiatus. Net revenues declined 17% YoY, impacted by lower shipment volumes, mix effects particularly in North America, and FX headwinds in third engine regions. Looking forward, Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA) is prioritizing profitable growth, rigorous execution, and ensuring profitability converts into cash. The company has initiated several strategic actions, including empowering regions for closer customer proximity, launching 30 new products between 2024 and 2025, and extending product offerings across different powertrains to increase market coverage. For 2025, management expects revenue improvement compared to 2024, with a mid-single-digit operating margin and a return to positive industrial free cash flow, particularly in the second half of the year. With strong guidance ahead and a giant 82.77% average upside estimated by analysts, STLA is one of the best economic recovery stocks. Overall, STLA ranks 2nd on our list of best economic recovery stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of STLA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than STLA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Apr. 11A Preble County man accused of having child sexual assault material has pleaded no contest to a bill of information and all of the original charges are being dismissed, according to court documents. Ernest R. Hatmaker Jr. pleaded no contest to a single count of possessing criminal tools in an agreement filed Friday in Preble County Common Pleas Court. That charge carries a maximum of a year in prison and $2,500 in fines. He may also spend up to two years on probation or parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the agreement, five counts of pandering sexually-oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person and one count of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance were dismissed. The charges stemmed from a notification in February 2022 from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force saying that Hatmaker may be sharing child sexual assault material via an app, Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson said in 2024. The sheriff said that detectives requested the assistance of the FBI, and in 2022 raided Hatmaker's residence near Eaton in Washington Twp. At the time of writing, Hatmaker is free on bond, and is scheduled for sentencing May 5. This story contains allegations of sexual abuse including sexual abuse against children. The Sexual Assault Center provides free counseling, advocate services and forensic exams at their SAFE Clinic for anyone. To reach the 24/7 crisis line, please call the Sexual Assault Center at 1-800-879-1999 or contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. A detective, two churchgoers and a seminary student testified against a Franklin priest accused of sexual battery at a packed court hearing on April 11. The detective stated the former priest's church twice spoke with him about his behavior before he was removed from the ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza, a former associate pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church, was indicted in June on one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, one count of aggravated sexual battery, four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, and four counts of sexual battery. Juan Garcia-Mendoza, a former priest at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin accused of inappropriately touching churchgoers, exits the courtroom at the Williamson County Courthouse on April 11, 2025, in Franklin, Tenn. Prosecutors say there are four minor victims and three adult victims in the case, all of whom are male. The incidents testified to in court by the adults and the detective each followed a similar pattern. They said Garcia-Mendoza would act in his official capacity as a priest, touch their penis over the pants with his hand, act like it was an accident and apologize. Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Mason said behaving like it was an accident was "how he was able to get away with it for so long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 39-year-old said he first believed Garcia-Mendoza when he said it was an accident. Then it happened again, he tesfified. I knew then that it wasnt normal," a translator said on behalf of the man, who testified in Spanish. Franklin Police Department Det. Andrea Clark testified the four children Garcia-Mendoza is accused of groping were altar servers at St. Philip Catholic Church. Clark said she learned church leaders had twice spoken to him about his "inappropriate touching" of men when examining his employment file. Clark said one warning from the church came after Garcia-Mendoza allegedly inappropriately touched a sick patient while visiting him at a Rutherford County hospital. St. Philip Catholic Church is on the corner of Main Street and First Ave. and has many buildings on its campus that take up a whole block. This building was once a bank. Photo taken Jan. 28, 2020. Church officials reported the allegations to the Diocese of Nashville Safe Environment Office and the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services in November 2023. The church also hired an outside investigator, a former FBI agent, to investigate the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Diocese of Nashville the took action immediately after receiving a report that met the requirements in its Safe Environment Program, Rick Musacchio, executive director at the Tennessee Catholic Conference, said. Garcia-Mendoza was removed from the ministry in November 2023, and the case was turned over to civil authorities, Musacchio said. Clark said she identified other people during her investigation who said they were inappropriately touched by Garcia-Mendoza, but she was unable to get charges in those cases because they were outside of Williamson County or barred by the statute of limitations. The hearing on April 11 was to determine how Garcia-Mendoza, 32, will be tried on the charges. His defense attorney Brent Horst argued the charges involving children should be tried separately from the charges involving adults. Judge Deanna B. Johnson, who called the testimony to inform her decision, has not yet ruled. Garcia-Mendoza is scheduled to go to trial Aug. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia-Mendoza appeared in the Williamson County Courthouse, along with his attorney, wearing an orange jumpsuit. He remains in jail on a $2 million bond. All eight rows in Johnson's courtroom were full throughout the hearing. Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@tennessean.com. Come meet me and the rest of The Tennessean's Metro team at Crieve Hall Bagel Co. on Wednesday, April 16, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Witnesses testify about accusations against ex-Franklin priest EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of El Paso wants to celebrate area high-school seniors who have enlisted in the United States military. These seniors will be celebdrated during a Facebook live called Our Community Salutes at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16. It will be accessible through City of El Pasos Facebook page. This event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to commend the young men and women who have made the selfless and brave decision to put their country first, said the City of El Pasos Chief Military Officer Paul Albright. Our Community Salutes also pays tribute to the parents and guardians who are saying goodbye for now to their child and loved ones before they embark on a new journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To watch the ceremony the community, you can click on the Facebook event link here. ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY SALUTES Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national, nonprofit organization helping communities recognize, honor and support high-school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation. OCS was founded in 2009 by educator and former U.S. Army officer, Dr. Kenneth Hartman, to provide enlistees and their parents with guidance, information, resources and community support from like-minded enlistees and parents as their son or daughter transition into military service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OCS includes community leaders, government officials, educators, businessmen, and veterans who feel strongly in the importance of community support and recognition of the patriotic young adults who will enlist in the military after graduation, the Citys news release said. For more information, visit OurCommunitySalutes.org Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Was freedom of the press under attack this week in Fresno? While attempting the first prosecution of a homeless man under Fresnos no-camping ordinance, the City Attorneys Office subpoenaed at least two journalists who covered the case, including one at The Fresno Bee. Karl Olson, the attorney who was prepared to contest the subpoena of a Bee reporter in court on Thursday at a hearing in the case of Wickey Two Hands, said the City Attorneys Office should have never issued the subpoenas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a shield law in California that protects reporters from having to disclose unpublished information and confidential sources, Olson said. And the law is very clear under a California Supreme Court case called Miller v. Superior Court that a prosecutor cannot pierce the shield law and get testimony from reporters. In a Thursday evening phone call to a Bee editor, Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz said the subpoenas were issued without his knowledge. Janz said he did not review the subpoenas, and were issued without following proper protocols. The subpoena the Bee reporter was served Tuesday to appear at the hearing was signed by Deputy City Attorney Daniel Cisneros. A Fresno County judge Thursday dismissed the case against Two Hands, 77, on the grounds that the prosecution failed to bring the homeless man to his requested trial by jury in a timely manner. The dismissal of the case means Cisneros was not required to reveal in court why he subpoenaed Bee and Fresnoland reporters as part of his prosecution strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Janz declined to provide additional details or comment Friday. Cisneros did not respond to a request for comment. Attorney David Loy, legal director for the First Amendment Coalition, was prepared to contest the subpoena of the Fresnoland reporter. I will assume that they did not have the motivation or the intent to intimidate the press, said Loy, referring to the City Attorneys Office. But that is very much the effect of serving a subpoena on a reporter. It has an intimidating effect, and thats something that should not happen. Reporters cover case, get subpoenaed Police arrested Two Hands, who was homeless in Fresno for several years, on Oct. 14 for allegedly violating the citys no-sit-sleep-or-lie ordinance. The ordinance, approved by the Fresno City Council last year, allows fines and jail time for homeless people who decline the citys offer of housing or treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First arraigned in January, Two Hands asserted his right to a speedy trial and should have been granted one within 45 days. In February, his trial was postponed until Thursday on the request of the City Attorneys Office and against Two Hands speedy trial wishes. Fresnoland reporter Pablo Orihuela covered Two Hands case in February. Bee reporter Thaddeus Miller covered it in March. A process server served Miller a subpoena from the City Attorneys Office in The Bees newsroom Tuesday. The document, signed by Cisneros, required Miller to attend the hearing but provided no further explanation. The City Attorneys Office first attempted to serve Orihuela electronically, without his consent, according to a letter of objection that the First Amendment Coalition sent to Cisneros. Fresnoland reported that the City Attorneys Office served him on Thursday in the courtroom where it was prosecuting Two Hands despite the objections of Loy and Patience Milrod, both who represented Orihuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loy told The Bee that he spoke with Cisneros, but was not 100% clear on what (Cisneros) was trying to do. Like Olson, the Bees attorney, Loy contested the subpoena on the grounds that is was barred by Californias shield law for reporters and the 1999 Miller v. Superior Court case. The reason we have a shield law is that it protects the independence the press, Loy said. The press cant do its job if its not independent or if its seen as aligned with the government or the prosecution in the criminal case. Olson said that, while governments sometimes try to subpoena reporters, its not a common occurrence. He said someone at the City Attorneys Office should have seen the subpoenas before they were served to reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Two Hands case was dismissed Thursday, his attorney, Kevin Little, said he believed the city prosecutors perhaps wanted to use certain video footage or audio footage that had been obtained by The Bee or by Fresnoland. That was a very unfortunate tactic, Little told reporters outside the Fresno County Courthouse. Anything that even is suggestive of intimidation or involving the media in legal disputes as a witness, when they were acting in their capacities as reporters, is a very dangerous precedent. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The city of San Diegos shelter for homeless young adults is set to double its capacity after moving into a new site, an underutilized office space in downtown. The new facility falls under the umbrella of the citys Safe STAY program for unhoused, transition-aged adults or those between the ages of 18 and 24 and will replace the existing 21 beds currently available across two interim sites that became available last year. The East Village shelter is able to accommodate 43 people in a semi-congregate setting, meaning beds are located within cubicles or in a shared room that offers more privacy than traditional shelter spaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Growing homeless encampment in a City Heights neighborhood is worrying residents Like the programs interim shelters, the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) is contracting the San Diego LGBT Community Center, also known as The Center, to operate the facility in partnership with San Diego Youth Services and the YMCA of San Diego County. All three are leasing the space for the shelter from SDHC, which owns the building and had previously used it as office space up until the COVID-19 pandemic. City leaders viewed the vacancy in the building paired with its proximity to transit and schools, like San Diego Community College, as the ideal location for a long-term site to fill the gap left by the closure of Golden Hall, where the Safe STAY program was initially run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transition-age youth is a huge need and a gap in our current system, so when we got the response with these three great partners working together, it seemed like the perfect opportunity, Jones said. San Diego leaders first previewed the new shelter nearly one year ago as the citys first permanent emergency housing center supporting homeless young adults in the LGBTQ+ community, made possible by a $1.5 million federal grant. The funding had been requested by U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) as part of Congress annual appropriations process for local projects. City housing commission approves 210-bed homeless shelter for women, families Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the shelter will maintain an emphasis on LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, Jones says it will serve as emergency housing and supportive services for all young adults in need, helping them to get on a path to long-term housing. Those currently staying in the Safe STAY programs existing beds will be moved to the new East Village site sometime within the next two weeks, according to SDHC. It will then be opened up to those currently in the citys coordinated shelter intake program, which identifies and matches people who receive a referral for a shelter bed with one available. Jones said the goal is to keep the shelter open as long as they need a place to stay, but noted there will still need to be conversations down the road about the citys ongoing commitment to keep it up and running. The Safe STAY program currently has an annual operating budget of $1.9 million that will be put towards supporting the costs of operating the site, according to SDHC. 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 5 San Diego & KUSI News. UPDATE: The Fresno Police Department located and arrested the suspect without incident, who was wanted for the attack on the city employee. The suspect is identified as 30-years-old Dyllan Padavona. Police said he has a history of assault on police officers, resisting arrest, trespassing, and vandalism. He was booked Friday on attempted murder. ORIGINAL STORY: Police are looking for a suspect who attacked a Fresno city employee Friday morning at Kern and G streets near downtown. Police Chief Mindy Casto said during an afternoon news conference that the attack occurred around 7:30 a.m. after a passer-by noticed the victim down near Central Fish Company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casto said the 20-year employee was working on an electrical box at the intersection when he was ambushed from behind with a blunt object. Attacked in an unprovoked, very violent manner, she said. The police department shared a video of the attack during the news conference that shows the worker being hit in the head area from behind by an assailant armed with what appears to be a metal pipe. When officers arrived they found the 57-year-old unconscious. He was taken to a hospital and had yet to regain consciousness as of Friday afternoon, Casto said. He was in critical condition. Officers are looking for a suspect who was wearing all black clothing at the time of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police released a photo of a person they said is the suspect in the attack wearing an orange T-shirt and a black beanie. Police believe the man is a regular in the area. Weve developed information by speaking with witnesses that he is known to have been seen there, Casto said. We have a very clear photograph. ... We really need your help. Mayor Jerry Dyer said the worker is married and has two daughters. He was assigned to the public works department in the traffic signal and street light division, Dyer said. The worker was alone at the time and was trying to remove the traffic signal from the intersection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a vicious, unprovoked attack in broad daylight, Dyer said. There is nothing the city worker could have done to prevent this. City manager Georgeanne White said the city employs 4,500 people and that the victim was working on his day off. Our public safety employees are on the front line every day, she said. Their families and spouses know that they put their lives in jeopardy every day. Its disgusting and appalling. These employees should not have to put their lives on the line to do a job. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that separating children in public schools based on race is unconstitutional. VB board adopts resolution to suspend DEI initiatives Virginia Beach NAACP president Dr. Eric Majette, 62, remembers that era where the schools and the books used for instruction where in poor shape. They were in terrible condition, terrible conditions, Majette said. You could see where kids had written notes in those books. So that was a period of life where there was very interesting stuff that you would never forget. Sixty-nine years later, the high court ruled race-based college admissions were unconstitutional. Then, two years later, the high court backed the Trump Administrations order to freeze funds for school divisions that fail to drop diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in school division programs and curriculums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That led to the action taken by the Virginia Beach School Board Tuesday to suspend its DEI initiatives, lest it risk losing more than $74 million in federal funding, making some in the community upset by the boards actions, and how they did it. reminder-of-legal-obligations-undertaken-exchange-receiving-federal-financial-assistance-and-request-certification-under-title-vi-and-sffa-v-harvard-april-3Download I think its a tremendous threat to the schools, Majette said. I think is going to impact the school themselves, not only the schools, but also is definitely impacting the programs and impacting the kids, the students as well as the parents. In a statement, the Virginia Beach NAACP said the move to eliminate DEI policies without identifying which programs, clubs or initiatives would be affected, and without allowing for public comment represents a troubling disregard for the values of inclusion, equity and democratic process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resolution-To-comply-with-legal-obligations-in-exchange-for-receiving-federal-financial-assistance-1Download Basically trying to hide it from public view, steamroll it even through other members of the board, said Elizabeth Schur, who is a former teacher for Virginia Beach Public Schools. Del. Michael Feggans also condemned the boards vote. In a joint letter with State Sen. Aaron Rouse (Dist. 22), Del. Alex Askew (Dist. 95) and Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler (Dist. 96), he called the boards adoption of the resolution a deeply troubling step backward for students and families across the city. This decision is not about compliance its about capitulation, Feggans said. Its an alarming move that disregards the lived experiences of Black and Brown students, LGBTQ+ youth and immigrant families. The message it sends is that their voices dont matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feggans said the boards decision is a harmful precedent for school divisions statewide. Virginia Beach has long served as a leader in public education, Feggans said. This reversal not only hurts our local students, but threatens decades of progress in creating inclusive and equitable learning environments. He called for the board to reverse its decision and fully reinstate DEI initiatives. Response-to-Resolution-to-Suspend-DEI-Initiatives-2Download 10 On Your Side earlier this week reached out to the entire School Board; not one member responded to the email. The Virginia Beach NAACP will host a town hall meeting at The Hive, located at 140 Independence Boulevard. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. 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 WAVY.com. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. Earlier today, authorities issued an Endangered Silver Advisory, but they have now cancelled it. Clinton County Illinois Sheriffs Department has shared that the 74-year-old was found safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- People gathered at the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum to remember April 19, 1995, the day a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. It was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism the United States had ever seen, killing 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring more than 700 others. Oklahoma City marks bombing anniversary with artistic events Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the nation prepares to mark the 30th anniversary of the tragedy next Saturday, survivors, first responders, and leaders are reflecting on the pain, the heroism, and the resilience that followed in the wake of devastation. For many Oklahomans, the memory of that morning remains vivid. I was on my way to class in college, working on my MBA, recalls Kari Watkins, now President and CEO of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. I was headed out the door and felt the concussion of the blast. Frank Keating, Oklahomas governor at the time, says nothing could have prepared anyone for the scale of the tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then-President Bill Clinton addressed the country in the days following the bombing, offering solace and solidarity. You have lost too much, but you have not lost everything, he said. And you have certainly not lost America, for we will stand with you for as many tomorrows as it takes. Former Governor Keating said he still remembers those words, adding he was grateful for Bill Clinton being president and all the help he gave to Oklahoma during that difficult time. Keating also recalls the incredible dedication of the first responders who worked tirelessly in the days following the attack. To have people around you that were steely-eyed and focused on doing an excellent jobrescuing and recoveringthats what made the difference, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video tribute honors Oklahoma bombing victims amid outbreak The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum now stands as a place of remembrance and education. Visitors experience archival footage, audio recordings, and personal storiespowerful reminders of both tragedy and recovery. Its about teaching the story so people dont forget, Watkins said. Its not just about what happenedits about what came after. As the 30th anniversary approaches, the memory of April 19, 1995, remains a defining chapter in American history. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ZURICH (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. Switzerland's government is due to present its proposals for new capital rules in early June. (Reporting by Dave Graham and Oliver Hirt; editing by Barbara Lewis) Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) on Friday touted former Vice President Harriss tenacity while challenging President Trump in last years election, while suggesting she was ill served by her campaign. Clyburn, in an appearance on CNNs NewsCentral, was asked for his prediction of Harriss political future by host Kate Boulduan. The Palmetto State lawmaker seemingly sidestepped the question. I am not going to advise her as to what she should do or should not do. I will say this, I think that she is a tremendous talent. I think she ran a great campaign, Clyburn told CNNs Kate Bolduan. I think she was ill served in that campaign by people who should have listened to some of us who saw and felt things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was a great candidate, and I think she will make a great candidate in the future, whatever she decides to run for, he continued. But Im not going to give any advice as to whether or not she should or should not. His comments come as Harris is reportedly eyeing a gubernatorial bid in her home state of California. Early polling for the 2026 race has shown the former senator as a widely favored candidate, though she has yet to announce a bid. Harris has previously dodged inquiries on whether she would join the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who is term limited. But, earlier this month she told the crowd at a leadership summit focused on Black women that Im not going anywhere. During the same event, she made a nod to criticism President Trump has received since returning to the Oval Office. Without calling out Trump by name, she said, There were many things that we knew would happen many things. Im not here to say, I told you so.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clyburn was one of seemingly few Democrats that encouraged former President Biden to stay in the race following his disastrous performance at a debate against Trump last summer. Biden ultimately withdrew and endorsed Harris. At the time, the South Carolina Democrat said he would support a mini-primary if the former president exited the race, instead of the party automatically handing a nomination to Harris. Democrats have struggled with their messaging following Trumps election victory and significant losses across the board last November. The partys approval rating has also taken a hit, remaining at a record low point, according to recent polls. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is urging states to not use Medicaid funds for gender-affirming care for minors, specifically gender reassignment surgeries or hormone treatments. As a doctor and now CMS Administrator, my top priority is protecting children and upholding the law, Mehmet Oz, the recently confirmed agency head, said in a statement Friday. Medicaid dollars are not to be used for gender reassignment surgeries or hormone treatments in minorsprocedures that can cause permanent, irreversible harm, including sterilization, he continued. We have a duty to ensure medical care is lawful, necessary, and truly in the best interests of patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CMS sent a letter to state Medicaid agencies Friday notifying them of their responsibility to make sure program payments are consistent with quality of care and that covered services are in the best interest of the patient. The letter, signed by CMS Deputy Administrator and Director Drew Snyder, claims both surgery and hormone treatments lack evidence to support that they offer long-term benefits for transgender minors and that these interventions can cause long-term and irreparable harm. It adds that some developed countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden and Finland have issued restrictions on the use of puberty blockers and hormone treatments on children. However, every major medical association in the U.S. supports gender-affirming care, including gender reassignment surgery and hormone treatments, for transgender adults and minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Medical Association also supports public and private health insurance coverage for the gender-affirming care to treat gender dysphoria and opposes the denial of health insurance based on sexual orientation or gender identity. At least 10 states Kentucky, Arizona, Idaho, Missouri, Florida, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have introduced legislation to prohibit Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming care for adults and minors, according to nonprofit think tank the Movement Advancement Project. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Inviting Brand to NCF an affront to women When New College first announced the Russell Brand Socratic Stage event, he already was facing sexual assault allegations. Since then, Brand has been charged in the United Kingdom with rape and sexual assault. Platforming the British actor and comedian dismisses the seriousness of rape allegations, and it is an affront to women and sexual violence survivors. Besides the irony of New College hosting a free speech talk, the administration's invitation to Brand shows where its priorities are on womens safety. English media personality Russell Brand is scheduled to appear during New College's spring speaker series. More: New College invites comedian Russell Brand as a speaker. Sadly, it's no joke. | Opinion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the administration eagerly implemented single-sex bathrooms, a policy it reaffirmed after the Safety In Private Spaces Act passed an anti-trans policy under the guise of protecting women. In 2024, New College officials dismantled the student-run SHARE Room that included resources for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. Brands talk was scheduled for April 12, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. After he was charged, NCF decided to postpone his appearance. If the college truly cared about womens safety, they would improve Sexual Assault Awareness Month campus programming, reinstate the SHARE Room and disinvite a speaker facing rape charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inviting Brand to speak at the school is appalling. The administration should be ashamed of itself for having scheduled him at all. Madison Markham, New College Class of 2023, Brooklyn, N.Y. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New College failed women with Russell Brand invite | Letters COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Columbus school is celebrating its diverse culture and giving students a bilingual lesson. Every week, Noor Academy teaches students the Somali language and culture. Many of the kids are from Somali households, but English is their first language. Now, the school is helping them reconnect with their roots and their families. Teachers at Noor said the Somali language lessons help foster more family communication at home, and the students are eager to learn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So Ive seen it firsthand how excited they are, Assistant Director Qudan Mohamed said. [Theyre] thrilled that they can speak both Somali and English. Noor Academy said its focus is offering students not just education, but inspiration. The school opened last year on Leonard Avenue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Comite River Diversion Project advances after years of delays BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Comite River Diversion Project is moving forward after many years of planning and delays. On Friday, federal and local leaders signed a new partnership agreement. This agreement shows their commitment to finishing the long-awaited flood mitigation project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with regional and congressional leaders, held a signing ceremony. This event was a key step. It marked the start of construction on the Brooks Lake Guide. This guide is an important part of the diversion channel project. Ultimately, this is going to be a 12-mile diversion channel eight of which have already been engineered, said Colonel Cullen A. Jones of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District. It will allow us to safely move up to 30,000 cubic feet of water from the Comite River into the Mississippi River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project aims to cut urban flooding in East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston parishes. It will protect about 700,000 people living near the Amite River Basin. Recent heavy rain and rising water levels have led to flooding in the area. This shows the urgent need for lasting infrastructure solutions. Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R-La) emphasized the importance of collaboration and consistency. This is so important to the community, she said. When you talk about water and how powerful it can be, we have to make sure everyone is working together as one team, one unit, to achieve our shared goal. Leaders said that being open and working together during the rest of the construction is crucial. This will help keep the project on track and build public trust. The project will bring flood relief and peace of mind to many Louisiana residents, who have waited years for this progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Comite River Diversion Project has been in the works since the early 1990s. The partnership agreement is a big step in keeping the project on track for completion. 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. ANNISTON The Calhoun County Commission passed a resolution at its meeting on April 10 to move a voting place for Ohatchee residents and passed two resolutions for name changes at voting places. Municipal elections will take place on August 26. The Ohatchee Baptist Church will no longer be a voting place. Ohatchee residents will go to the Ohatchee Senior Center, 7805 Alabama 77, which is behind the citys Town Hall and connected to the Ohatchee Public Library. In Piedmont, voters will still go to the same place, but the building will have a new name. The recreation building is now known as the Clyde H. Pike Civic Center. The center is located at 500 Mill Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, a name change for the DeArmanville residents means the voting place is now called the DeArmanville Methodist Church, located at 370 DeArmanville Road. The voters will still go to the same address. 4-H students on the Calhoun County Extension Agencys agriculture team were recognized. The director of the team, Amy Hegeman, explained the purpose of the trip. We took two teams, a junior and a senior team, to the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in Montgomery, she said. They competed in the Youth Livestock Judging Contest. Previously, the students had prepared for the competition at the Calhoun County Ag Center and learned the best ways to evaluate an animal's structure and muscles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purpose of the trip, Hegeman said, was to judge how well the students had learned to evaluate cattle, swine, sheep and goats. At the competition, they were scored on how closely their scores compared to the animals official rankings. Several of the students described the experience and thanked the commissions for their support and for providing a van to travel to the event. The commissioners also read a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. They presented the proclamation to Courtney Clark, Calhoun Countys director of the Department of Human Resources that focuses on preventing child abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proclamation, presented by commissioner Danny Shears, read in part, We can build a future where every child grows up safe, healthy and filled with hope. Clark thanked the commissioners. Child abuse is a hundred percent preventable, she said. It takes each one of us for that to happen, and Calhoun County DHR is here 24-7. If you see something, say something. We're available and on call, even after hours. Make a report, even if you don't think it's something, let us investigate it, assess it, and determine if the report is legit to make sure that these kids of Calhoun County are safe. Other staff members at DHR who attended the proclamation ceremony were Nena Poe, senior special work supervisor; Patricia Anderson, caseworker; Brandi Welton, program supervisor; and Britney Moman, program supervisor. In other business, commissioners passed a resolution to relinquish the Commissions partial interest with a quit claim deed for the Noble Street Park, 1102 Noble Street. Prior to the change, Calhoun County and the city of Anniston shared ownership. The change took place because the city has made several improvements to the park and will be responsible for maintaining it. CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A state proposal could see the Quehanna Boot Camp in Clearfield County closed, and while its just a proposal at this time, its one that has upset the community and state officials. On Thursday, the Department of Corrections held a public hearing at the Karthuas Community Church and heard directly from the community on their concerns. In 2024 alone, just under 1000 reentrants were released from Quehanna. Closing this facility means placing close to a thousand people per year into these higher risk environments jeopardizing their progress and their safety, An employee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Therapeutic Reasons: SCI inmates oppose closure State Officials spoke to the DOC representatives about how the closure would be devastating to rural communities, something that they say goes against Governor Shapiros efforts. Were fighting day after day to keep rural PA growing and striving and sometimes we do need a little bit of help from the administration in Harrisburg, which sometimes we dont know if they really truly want to see rural PA grow. Here we are set as you want to consider closing the facility that has spoken for itself for the success it has, Representative Mike Armanini (75th district) said. Other officials, like Senator Wayne Langerholc, spoke on their visits to the boot camp and the success theyve seen from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had the honor and the privilege of speaking to the graduating class, of touring the facility, of walking the halls, of talking to the inmates, of seeing the respect, seeing the discipline, seeing the product that is turned out by the countless hours of work and toil of these brave men and women. Ive seen it. The state has seen it, Langerholc said. Langerholc speaking on behalf of the boot camp also comes after he proposed legislation that would modernize Pennsylvanias motivational boot camp statute to try and keep the high-performing facility in operation. His bill would update the Department of Corrections motivational boot camp program, which has one of the lowest reoffending rates in Pennsylvania and produces a significant number of GED graduates and vocational certificate holders. He noted that Quehanna accounted for 30% of all GEDs awarded across the states 24 correctional institutions. Community members added that they feel that the location and structure of the camp are why so many inmates see significant growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a safe environment where individuals can truly focus on change. Research shows by placing low risk individuals in these high-risk environments leads to worse outcomes. Thats why the therapeutic community model is so effective at Quehanna. It centers on community separateness and allows reentrants space to heal and grow, the employee added. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. The DOC did not respond directly to the publics comments, however, they said that they would take them into account. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The City of Lexington Missouri is stretching its arms, as it supports those impacted by a recent house explosion. The City of Lexington says a subcontractor hit a gas line. Residents frustrated by lack of communication in Lexington explosion Sellenrieck Construction says it offers deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to the families of loved ones lost and injured in the tragic accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although exact details will take time to confirm, our preliminary understanding indicates that one of our subcontractors struck an unmarked underground gas line while installing a fiber optic cable, meaning that this line was not properly marked at the surface with appropriate flags or paint, a statement from the construction company reads. Family tells FOX4 the surviving victims are being treated in Kansas City for serious burns. Family says surviving victims have long road ahead after Lexington house explosion We are all hurt because of this. Weve not only got loss of life, weve got major injury. Weve got three homeowners now without homes, Mayor Tom Hughes said Friday standing in the Historic District of Lexington. This is one of the most historic towns in the State of Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the explosion went off, we recognized that this community was affected in a huge way, Pastor Andrew Sanders of the Lexington United Methodist Church said Friday. The Lexington United Methodist Church is one of six area churches who make up the ministerial alliance in town. Continue to be generous for the long term, because these people are going to need our love and support to have their lives put back together, Sanders said. Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the church was the drop off location for immediate needs of families. Its unclear if the doors will be open for donations at other times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been here for three years now, and Ive moved around enough that when you find a community like this, its something special. You can see it in peoples faces. You can see it in their response and the way that they care for one another, but also the way that they hurt with one another, he added. That hurt, also stretches to the City of Lexington. One of its employees is a relative of those heavily impacted by the incident. Our message is we will do whatever they need, City Administrator Shawnna Funderburk, for the City of Lexington said. Why was Lexington neighborhood not evacuated before deadly explosion? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only that, but take whatever time and while you are off work you dont have to worry about anything. Youre going to be fully paid as long as it takes to get you ready to come back to work, Hughes said Friday about one of the city employees taking the time to be with family right now. This is not easy for any anybody. HCC Network in Lexington, located at 811 S. Business Hwy 13, next to Dollar Tree, said its helping too, by addressing medical needs. We just want them to know that we are here if they need to talk to somebody or if they just need someone to listen to them, Shelly Harden, a community health worker for HCC Network in Lexington said. HCC Network said it will also listen to concerns; help figure out next steps, such as replacing lost documents, and getting connected with a counselor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just come in. Just give us a call. We can set up and appointment or if you just want to walk in, its fine. We are just here for them, and we want them to know they dont have to go through this alone, Harden added. You can speak with a Community Health Worker by calling (660) 251-6440 or by stopping by in-person. Bank Midwest is taking in-person donations for affected families at 1211 Main Street in Lexington. The City of Lexington said there is also help for first responders. Compass Health will be providing services for first responders only Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m., at the Lafayette County Sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Services for the general public, the city says, will be provided at a later date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK The company operating the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River carrying a family from Spain, killing them all, has a history of close calls and financial problems that resulted in a 2019 bankruptcy filing, records show. In June 2013, a craft owned by the same company, New York Helicopter, experienced engine failure with four passengers aboard, which ended in an emergency evacuation, according to National Transportation Safety Board records. I heard a bang. A passenger in the back of the aircraft asked if I had hit a bird. I said no, wrote pilot Michael Campbell in the report to the agency. All indications suggested an engine failure. I notified the passengers that we were going down, and I transmitted a mayday call to LaGuardia tower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The craft landed in the Hudson and water rushed into the cabin, wrote Campbell, but there were no injuries. Two years later, another New York Helicopter pilot reported to the agency that after refueling on a solo trip, he struggled to control the aircraft as it began to rotate and gain speed. He wrote that the helicopter spun around in the air three times before he was able to land. New York Helicopter filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy paperwork in October 2019 in New York, claiming they brought in $2.1 million in 2019 but owed almost $1.7 million to creditors at the time of the bankruptcy filing, including more than $480,000 in repair services and more than $14,000 in fuel costs, according to court papers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Helicopter traced its financial troubles to an order by New York City to cut their trips by 50% in tandem with an increase in the fees to land at the heliport in lower Manhattan. NYH began experiencing financial issues in or about January 2017 when the City of New York issues policy changes aimed at reducing air traffic over the city. Specifically, NYH was directed to reduce its takeoffs and landing by fifty percent (50%), read the court filing. The company said they had been raking in $4.6 million to $5.8 million throughout the 1990s up until the decision was made by the city to cut air traffic, but income had shrank to just more than $2 million in the year leading up to the bankruptcy, according to court papers. At the same time, landing fees had increased by 40%, the company claimed in the filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with the bankruptcy petition, the aviation company filed paperwork stating they owned a fleet of three helicopters valued at slightly more than $3 million but had less than $10,000 in their checking accounts. The case was converted to a Chapter 7 filing in January 2021 and a trustee appointed. The Chapter 7 designation allowed New York Helicopter CEO Michael Roth to start anew after paying his debts through liquidation of the companys assets. The bankruptcy case was closed in May 2022. Tourists Agustin Escobar, a CEO at technology giant Siemens Mobility, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, a manager at Siemens Energy, and their three young children were all killed in the crash along with the pilot Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family of five boarded the helicopter at 2:59 p.m. and 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 Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Thursday. The flight lasted less than 18 minutes, officials said. 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, Roth told The Telegraph. On Friday, New York Helicopter Tours said it was profoundly saddened by the tragic accident and loss of life that occurred on April 10, 2025, involving one of our helicopters in the Hudson River. 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. (John Annese contributed to this report.) Congress left town this week without passing legislation to prevent significant budget cuts for Washington, as the measure faces staunch opposition from some conservatives. While the measure swiftly passed the Senate last month, it has sputtered in the GOP-led House, even as President Trump has publicly called for its passage. As lawmakers prepared to leave for recess Thursday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said the bill had been placed on the back burner as GOP leadership in both chambers worked to adopt a budget resolution to advance the presidents sweeping tax priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats still been a discussion, and we want to get that done as soon as we can, he told The Hill. Were having conversations with D.C., with the president and the Senate and so were going to get there. But when asked whether the bill would need to be sent to the Senate to approve potential changes, Scalise said he was unsure. The holdup in the House comes as GOP leaders have been facing pressure from their right flank to attach potential riders and requirements the Democratic-led District would need to meet to spend its local dollars. D.C. officials began sounding the alarm about the threat of cuts as Congress moved to pass legislation last month to keep the federal government open and funded through September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike previous stopgap funding bills, the latest was missing language allowing D.C. to spend its local budget which consists mostly of funds from local tax dollars, fees and fines at already approved 2025 levels. D.C. was granted whats known as home rule in the 1970s, but its budget is still approved by Congress. Without that language in the bill, D.C. was treated like a federal agency and forced to revert to 2024 spending levels, which city officials said would result in them being forced to cut $1 billion in the last half of the fiscal year. The Senate approved a fix to prevent those cuts shortly after the federal funding stopgaps passage. This bill would simply fix a mistake in the House [continuing resolution] that prevents the District of Columbia from spending its own tax dollars as part of its budget, which Congress routinely approves, Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said of the measure at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also called for the GOP-controlled House to immediately take up the D.C. budget bill, even as he ramps up efforts to exert control over the Districts affairs. However, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has also faced pressure from his right flank to delay consideration of the bill as conservatives have floated requirements for the District. Some Republicans have also questioned the severity of the potential cuts D.C. faces. We should get the budget resolution agreed to before we take up an issue like whether or not, D.C. should be able to spend that billion dollars on whatever crazy stuff they want to spend it on, House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.) told The Hill last month. Harris said conservatives need a little while to come up with a list of what requirements we should put on D.C., but he hit the District for spending dollars in ways that in the past we thought were pretty foolish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said earlier this month there was debate over the normal restrictions to D.C. funding on things like abortion and whether those needed to be added to the bill. Theres a debate between people that know more than me about the law as to whether or not we need to add language to it. Ill let that get sorted out in committee, he said then. But Im for the money being restored, but Im also for the restrictions staying in place. When asked about potential changes to the bill, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), whose committee has jurisdiction over D.C., said Wednesday that hes just waiting to hear from leadership. The White House has signaled that they want to support it. Ive said we need to support it. Ive been vocal about that, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know if theyve got some kind of plan to stick it on another bill or what. I have no idea, he said, while deferring to Johnson and Scalise. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told The Hill this week the bill needs to pass as is in the form that came over from the Senate to the House. Donald Trump has directed them to do it, and usually, they traditionally fall in line, and were pressing Johnson, he said before the House left for its two-week recess. In a post urging the House to pass the measure, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) wrote on X on Thursday that Trump and Johnson must act to avoid the potential $1 billion in cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are our local dollars not a penny in federal savings. Cuts that would impact DC police overtime, firefighters, and programs for our kids, she wrote. Cuts that would also impact national special security events. The House should not recess until this bill is passed. A recent report from Axios also indicated that the District is making plans to begin implementing the cuts after lawmakers headed home. A source familiar told The Hill on Friday that the District is preparing for all eventualities. Bowsers office has warned that local public safety, education, and essential services will be at risk if the cuts are made. The office also said immediate and unanticipated layoffs of direct service workers would take effect if D.C. is forced to make such a cut, as well as the elimination of direct services residents and visitors rely on. In a statement to The Hill on Friday, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) called it disappointing and exasperating that the House continues to delay voting on the Senate-passed bill to allow D.C.s to spend its own local funds at its own locally enacted levels like other local jurisdictions across the country do, particularly now that the House has left for a full two-week recess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members opposing the D.C. budget fix bill were not elected by D.C. residents, they are not familiar with the needs of the 700,000 people who live here, and they have no accountability to the District because D.C. residents cant vote them out of office, she continued, adding that the ongoing ordeal only helps to highlight the need for D.C. statehood. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's top financial regulator said on Saturday it would extend temporary curbs on short-selling for another week to ensure market stability after U.S. tariffs unleashed turmoil, adding that the restrictions had been helpful. The stock market in Taiwan seesawed this week, plummeting on the tariff news before rebounding strongly after U.S. President Donald Trump put a pause on the tariffs. In a statement, Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission said the market stabilisation measures on short-selling of shares had "indeed had the expected effect of effectively curbing speculative selling". For rolling updates on tariffs, check out our liveblog > While investor confidence has been gradually restored, the U.S. tariff policy and responses by other countries are still highly uncertain in the short term, it added. Global stock market fluctuations are likely to keep affecting Taiwan's stock market, the regulator said. This week Taiwan also activated its $15-billion stock stabilisation fund to prop up the market. The island's benchmark stock index has dropped 15% so far this year. Short sellers borrow shares they expect to fall, aiming to repay the loan for less later to pocket the difference. (Reporting by Emily Chan and Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard and Clarence Fernandez) The U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) One of President Trumps 111 record setting executive actions, 25 proclamations and 27 memoranda called for election security. Such an action could have been initiated by our 535 congressional delegates, but they didnt. Seeing Trump 2.0 in action, Congress could have clarified the meaning of the Alien Enemies Act, but they didnt. The list goes on regarding Congresss inaction. Since Jan. 20, Congress has only managed to pass a budget resolution package. Its not surprising that only 29%of Americans approve of Congress (Feb. 3-16 Gallup poll). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is well aware of our do little-to-nothing Congress and is testing the waters to see how far they can go even when many actions are alleged to be illegal and/or anti-constitutional (witness 162 lawsuits against Trump 2.0 since Jan. 20). So far, Mr. Trump is not worried since Congress has been sitting on their duff watching chaos and uncertainty reign with a majority of citizens, small business owners, corporate CEOs, investors and our global trading partners and allies. With our do little-to-nothing Congress and Mr. Trump, Elon Musk, JD Vance and 15 cabinet members ripping apart our federal agencies, its no wonder a majority of Americans believe were in a constitutional crisis (Economist/YouGov polling). Trump has already fulfilled his presidential campaign promise to be a dictator on day one, prosecute his rivals, punish critical media, limit citizens free speech rights, pardon over 1,500 Jan. 6 convicted criminals who assaulted 140 capitol police officers and fire ~54,000 civil servants, which came straight out of the right-wing extremist Heritage Foundations Project 2025 playbook for Trump to implement. Maybe just maybe there are some things our 535 congressional representatives could do if they wanted to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most citizens know that on April 2, Mr. Trump imposed tariffs on all countries (except Russia) by declaring a national emergency under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Did you know under federal law Congress has the ability to cancel national emergencies declared by the president? Did you know that in Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, the power to lay and collect tariffs vests with Congress and not the President? The conservative-based Wall Street Journal editorial board took a swipe at Trump on April 2 by stating Trumps tariffs are no emergency and the law doesnt give him power to impose sweeping tariffs. Way back on Jan. 31, the Journals editorial board noted that if Trump followed through with his tariff idea it would create the dumbest trade war in history. Paul Sracic, an adjunct fellow at the conservative-oriented Hudson Institute think tank and Youngstown State University professor of politics and international relations, stated in an April 7 Wall Street Journal op-ed, This [Trump] expansion of executive authority [tariffs] clearly oversteps the boundaries set by the Supreme Courts major questions doctrine. Prominent in recent judicial rulings, the doctrine holds that federal agencies and the executive branch cant make decisions of vast economic and political significance without clear congressional authorization. For starters, maybe Congress should act upon Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution if they wanted to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What are your thoughts of Congress passing if they wanted to legislation to further limit executive powers? USAID is the foremost tool of American soft power, counter terrorism and bolster food security and public health to 160 countries. We know Trump abolished 83%of USAIDs contracts and $50 billion in humanitarian assistance around the world. So, should Congress if they want to join the traditional Reagan-like GOP Senators such as Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Roger Wicker (Miss.), Lyndsey Graham (S.C.), John Thune (S.D.) and John Curtis (Utah) plus Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Fmr. Sen., Fla.) who support Americas role of foreign aid? Does it make sense to you that Congress could investigate and prosecute any member of the federal government who violates the Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, to ensure the non-partisan administration of federal programs, protect federal employees from political coercion in the workplace and ensure that federal employees are advanced based on merit, not political affiliation . if they wanted to? So, when its all said and done about Congress and usually more is said than is done what do you think? Should our 535 congressional delegates continue in their do little-to-nothing endeavors as if everything going on in Trump 2.0 is in accordance with our U.S. Constitution or act upon and possibly even expand their responsibilities to Americas 340 million citizens? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oh, one final note: all 435 U.S. House of Representatives will be up for re-election on Nov. 3, 2026 and 33 of the Senate seats will also be up for grabs; 13 currently held by Democrats and 20 held by Republicans just saying. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Controlled burns create smoky Topeka skies ROSSVILLE (KSNT) If you noticed some smoke in the air today around Topeka, theres a reason for it. Farmers are burning their lands to prepare for the next harvest season. Each spring, several farmers set controlled burns. The process, however, requires many people monitoring the fires at all times. One local farmer told 27 News he gets his whole family together to contain it. We always have it controlled when theres a bunch of buggies, Rossville landowner Evan Thomas said. As you can see, theres a bunch of people driving around in them and everybody has their sprayers and radios and kind of just light it slowly and everybody goes and sprays and knocks it out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topeka City Council to consider $168,000 funding request for hotel Once the grass is burned, it can grow back healthier the next season. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. 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 victims 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 victims 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 agencys Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The agencys 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 Sheriffs Office and picked him up. On Tuesday, the Georgia Office of Victim Services had discovered it couldnt locate Guzman in the corrections system and notified the prosecutors office, Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley said in a statement. Mosley said her employees then checked the jails 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. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The man sentenced to life in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend is once again behind bars. 23-year-old Kathan Guzman was apprehended on Friday after being set free from the Clayton County Jail in Georgia on March 27th. Guzman had just started serving his sentence after he was convicted of strangling 19-year-old Delila Grayson in 2022. Im still uneasy. However, to me, he is set to serve the sentence he was supposed to serve, said Christina Grayson, Delilas mother. He is where he should be. The sheriffs office in Clayton County blames the mistake on a lack of training and lack of attention for the mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the search for the man, both in Georgia and Florida. Guzmans motherwho drove up to Georgia to pick up her son when she found out he had been releasedsaid she called all authorities involved in her case to make sure the release was accurate. In the end, she brought her son home and was ready to start a new life. Here he is being ripped out of our lives again. He gave himself to you, he turned himself in, and you let him back out, said Iris Guzman, Kathans mother. [it was] just a regular day talking about getting documents together to go get. Before I knew it, my house was surrounded, my house was rushed, and my family was traumatized, all because of someone elses mistake. The incident happened in August of 2022 in Riverdale, Georgia. Court documents show that investigators arrived at Delilas home and found her dead in a bathtub. Delila, who grew up in Kissimmee, had moved to Georgia with Guzman, who was her boyfriend at the time, in hopes of starting a life with him. The Clayton County Sheriffs Office posted to Facebook that it is investigating what led to the mishap and blamed a lack of attention and training for it. Clayton County Citizens, On October 25, 2024, Kathan Guzman was sentenced to life in prison for murder in Clayton County Superior Court. He was awaiting transfer to the Georgia Department of Corrections, where he was slated to serve his sentence. On March 27, 2025, at approximately 4:49 p.m., Kathan Guzman was released in error from the Clayton County Jail. The cause of the release is under investigation, and disciplinary actions are pending. Once the investigation is complete, it may result in the termination of employees within the Clayton County Sheriffs Office. On April 8, 2025, at approximately 1:47 p.m., the District Attorneys Office of the Clayton County Judicial Circuit contacted me directly inquiring about Guzman, which is when the inadvertent release was discovered. I immediately activated my Fugitive Squad and through the relationships and partnerships Ive built over the last two years with other law enforcement agencies, I personally contacted every Metro Atlanta Sheriff. Within 60 minutes, I had secured resources from as far away as Paulding County. In addition to the Sheriffs, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and Clayton County Police Chief Kevin Roberts also sent resources to assist. All of the fugitive experts convened at the Clayton County Sheriffs Office, formulated a plan, and launched the search for Guzman. Investigators quickly gathered intelligence, followed up on leads, deployed surveillance teams, brainstormed ideas, and utilized a variety of techniques to narrow down Guzmans locationwhich was determined to be outside the state of Georgia. Once I contacted the U.S. Marshals and turned over all the information gathered, they began their work. I am proud to report that earlier today, April 11, 2025, the U.S. Marshals apprehended Guzman in Florida. I would like to personally acknowledge all the sheriffs, police chiefs, and the Clayton County District Attorneys Office for their assistance. Guzman is expected to be transferred back to the Clayton County Jail while the investigation into the case continues. This marks the second case of mistakenly released inmates from the same jail. In January 2024, murder suspect Zion River Shaka was transferred from the Fulton County Jail and sent to the custody of the Clayton County Sheriffs 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. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. 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? At 6:01 p.m. Friday, in a crack of rifle shots, Mikal Mahdi was executed inside of the Broad River Road Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina. The convicted double murderer let out a groaning yell as the bullets struck his chest, followed 80 seconds later by a deep guttural moan as the life seemed to leave him. He was pronounced dead around 6:05 p.m. There was some agony in the cries, said Jeffrey Collins with the Associated Press. Collins, who has witnessed 12 executions, said that it was the first time he had heard an audible expression of pain from a condemned person. Mahdi was sentenced to death following a 2004 crime spree across five states. In Winston Salem, North Carolina, Mahdi shot and killed Christopher Boggs, a gas station clerk before ambushing and executing Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Capt. James Myers at his home in Calhoun County. Mahdi was sentenced to death for Myers murder after pleading guilty in 2006. He was also serving a life sentence for Boggs murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahdi chose to die by firing squad, making him just the second person in South Carolina to select that method of execution. He was just the fifth person in the United States executed by firing squad since 1976, when the U.S. Supreme Court re-instituted the death penalty. Mahdi is the second person on South Carolinas death row to choose to die by firing squad. In March, Brad Sigmon, who was sentenced to death for the murders of his ex-girlfriends parents, also chose to die by firing squad. Both men chose the firing squad as concern has grown over South Carolinas secretive lethal injection protocol, one of the other methods of execution along with the electric chair. Lawyers for both have said that autopsies showed fluid in the lungs of two inmates executed using the states pentobarbital protocol. This is evidence of a pulmonary edema, which lawyers say might cause excruciating pain similar to drowning. Mahdi was served his last meal on Wednesday evening: a ribeye steak cooked medium, mushroom risotto, broccoli, collard greens, cheesecake and sweet tea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday afternoon, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up Mahdis appeal, and around 6 p.m., Gov. Henry McMaster declined to issue a pardon. In addition to Collins, two other members of the media were in attendance: Martha Rose Brown from the Orangeburg Times and Democrat and Brian McConchie with WACH-Fox in Columbia. Also in attendance was Mahdis attorney, David Weiss, a representative of the First Circuit Solicitors Office, which prosecuted the case, Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers and an unidentified member of Myers family. The curtain separating the death chamber from the witness room rose shortly before 6 p.m., according to the media witnesses. Mahdi, dressed in black with a white target on his chest, was strapped to a metal chair with a leather strap holding his head in place. Witnesses say that he stared straight forwards, not acknowledging anyone in the witness room. He gave no final statement before a hood was placed over his head. At 6:01 p.m., shots were fired with no warning from gun ports in the walls, witnesses say. Mahdi made a noise somewhere between a yell and a groan as the three .308 rounds hit him in the chest, according to witnesses. The white paper target appeared to be sticking out of the wound in his chest, said Collins. Over the next 80 seconds, he gave several short breaths and moaned twice again before giving a final deep gasp. Seconds later a doctor examined Mahdi with a stethoscope and pronounced him dead at 6:05 p.m.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahdi is the fifth person to be executed in South Carolina and the last of the first group scheduled to be executed since the state resumed executions in September 2024. Twenty six men remain on South Carolinas death row, with several close to exhausting their appeals. A crime spree From the ages of 14 to 21, Mahdi was largely confined in either juvenile detention or prison. During that time he spent ten of months in solitary confinement. The deadly crime spree began only months after Mahdi was released from prison. Just days before murdering Myers, Mahdi left his home in Virginia. Driving through North Carolina, Mahdi shot and killed Boggs, a gas station clerk, over a can of beer. He then carjacked a vehicle in Columbia, South Carolina before fleeing to Calhoun County. Mahdi ambushed Myers, 56, as the officer returned from celebrating his daughters birthday at the beach. Mahdi, 21 at the time, was hiding in a shed on Myers property in Calhoun County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, who tried Mahdi, described him as evil, with no regard for human life, while Mahdis defense attorneys argued he was psychologically damaged by an abusive childhood compounded by long periods of isolation. Mahdi shot Myers, a 30-year veteran firefighter and law enforcement officer, repeatedly with a rifle before setting his body on fire and fleeing with the police officers guns. Myerss body was discovered by his wife the next day. When Mahdi was caught following a manhunt in Satellite Beach, Florida, he told arresting officers that the only reason he hadnt shot them was he believed that he wouldnt be able to kill them all. Violence followed Mahdi in prison. In 2009, Mahdi and another inmate stabbed a death row guard with improvised metal knives. The guard survived the stabbing, which took place inside of the Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an opinion upholding Mahdis sentence in a previous appeal, state Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal wrote, in my time on this Court, I have seen few cases where the extraordinary penalty of death was so deserved. Sentencing judge never heard childhood trauma, attorneys say But before his senseless murders, Mahdi lived a life defined by instability, violence and institutionalization. For much of his childhood he was under the control of his father, Shareef Mahdi, a violent schizophrenic who hated white people and who beat his sons, forced them to live in the woods with him and conducted survivalist drills to prepare them to fight a coming New World Order, according to court filings. From a young age, Mahdi expressed a desire to kill himself. Sent to a psychiatric facility at the age of 9, Mahdi said he wanted to shoot himself with a gun or a bow and arrow, according to legal filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an affidavit, his third-grade teacher said that Mahdi was a withdrawn child who slowly flourished when away from his family. He began to express an interest in art and poetry, the teacher said. But as he grew older, Mahdi fell into first the juvenile and then the adult justice systems. He racked up disciplinary infractions, which his attorneys argued were often normal acts of teenage rebellion, like refusing to tuck in his shirt, participate in exercise or stand up when guards conducted morning counts. But this led to him being sentenced to months in solitary confinement. During a period after Mahdi was released at the age of 16, his father refused to take him to court hearings leading to a standoff with police. In last minute appeals, his attorneys said that new research on impacts of isolation on brain development indicate that Mahdi was deeply traumatized by these long periods of isolation during his adolescence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, President Barack Obama signed an executive order banning the use of solitary confinement on juveniles in the federal prison system citing the potential for devastating, lasting psychological consequences. But this evidence was never presented to Judge Newman. Mahdis lawyers say that his original legal team put up a defense that lasted barely 30 minutes. Things just went sideways in a really bad way at his trial, attorney David Weiss, a federal public defender who represented Mahdi, told The State. In filings, Weiss and Mahdis other attorneys argued that his original trial lawyers were poorly equipped to handle a death penalty trial. Mahdi pleaded guilty after being caught with a homemade handcuff key. The sentencing phase of his trial was conducted without a jury in front of Newman, who oversaw the murder trial of former Hampton County attorney Alex Murdaugh, who was convicted for killing his wife and son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defending a death penalty case is unique, Weiss said, because the questions are often not whether the person killed someone, but whether death is the right punishment. It requires a little bit more of a human understanding and just how a persons experiences shape who they are, Weiss said. This includes a specialized understanding of family dynamics including mental health history within families, as well as the impact of systems, like prison and mental health institutions, on an individual. In the early 2000s, many of the attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants in death penalty trials lacked this specialized knowledge, Weiss said. In 2008, two years after Mahdis trial and a year after the General Assembly passed reforms to the public defender system, South Carolinas Commission on Indigent Defense formed the Capital Trial Division to argue death penalty cases. Since then, only four people have been sent to death row, according to the South Carolina Association of Defense Lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the state unofficially suspended executions in 2013 when it ran of the drugs needed for lethal injections, the defense association argued in a legal filing supporting Mahdis appeal that had the Capital Trial Division existed in 2006, there is every reason to believe Mr. Mahdi would have benefited from a comprehensive mitigation investigation, resulting in a robust presentation of mitigating evidence. Folks who are put on capital trials have gone through extraordinary trauma in their lives, and that hurt that theyve experienced then tragically gets acted out onto other people and causes tremendous pain to victims and their families. Our job is just to try and help people to understand that, Weiss said. Our clients can and should be punished very, very harshly, but their lives dont need to be taken. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso County Public Works is hosting two free community clean-up events this weekend. They will be from 8 a.m. to noon (or until capacity) on Saturday, April 12. Drop-off locations are at the following locations: 1002 Tiffany Road in Canutillo and 199 Citizen Transfer Station Road in Fabens. Passenger tires, bulk trash and electronic waste will be accepted as follows: Tires o Each resident may bring up to five tires. There will be a maximum collection of 1,500 tires for the event. o Accepted tires must measure 17 inches or smaller. o Tires from retailers, semi-trucks, equipment-trucks, or those with rims will not be accepted. Bulk Trash and electronic waste o Residents may bring one pick-up truck load of bulk trash, including furniture, chairs, carpet, etc. o Accepted electronics include computers, tablets, scanners, video games, cameras, radios, cellphones, VCRs, and DVD players. o CRT monitors and televisions will not be accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This event is free and open to the residents of El Paso County. Some items may not be accepted, so residents are encouraged to sort their bulk waste prior to arrival. These cleanup events allow El Paso County residents to dispose of unwanted items, while making a difference in their community, the County said. Similar events will be held through August. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An immigration judge in Louisiana ruled on Friday that student-activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported due to his key involvement in anti-Israel demonstrations at Columbia University last year. The decision was made in favor of the Trump administrations efforts to combat antisemitic demonstrations across the United States, specifically on Americas college campuses. Judge Jamee E. Comans decision was a removability finding, meaning Khalil is deportable, but that doesnt necessarily mean he will be removed from the country. He is still facing a federal trial in New Jersey, where his attorneys similarly argue that their clients free speech is being violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department has met its burden to establish removability by clear and convincing evidence, Comans said during the end of the two-hour hearing, per The New York Times. Syrian-born Khalil, 30, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on March 8, 2024, at his university-funded Manhattan apartment where he lives with his pregnant wife, an American citizen. Though he remained silent throughout the hearing, Khalil had choice words for the judge following her ruling at the LaSalle Immigration Court in Jena, Louisiana, The New York Times added. 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, 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. Comans denied hearing his legal teams request to delay the hearing so she could review more evidence and also rejected the Department of Homeland Securitys plea to add more accusations against Khalil during the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the hearing, Khalils legal team said Despite the governments failure to prove that Mahmoud broke any law, the court has decided that lawful permanent residents can have their status revoked for pro-Palestine advocacy, per CNN, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for people who believe in a citizens right to political expression via free speech. In a statement written by Khalils wife, Noor Abdalla, she called her husbands deportation ruling a devastating blow to our family, according to ABC News. No person should be deemed removable from their home for speaking out against the killing of Palestinian families, doctors and journalists, the statement said. Today, in court, the government reiterated the same baseless racist claims about my husband that we have heard time and again, an attempt to smear those calling for an end to Israels brutal genocide in Gaza. My husband is a political prisoner who is being deprived of his rights because he believes Palestinians deserve equal dignity and freedom. In the New Jersey case, Khalils attorneys will continue seeking bail and a preliminary injunction so he can be released from custody while his immigration case is ongoing. The state Commonwealth Court on Friday dismissed Bob Bolus appeal of being removed as a Republican candidate for mayor of Scranton in the May 20 primary election. The court dismissed the appeal because Bolus missed a deadline of Tuesday to file a required legal brief to pursue the appeal. The court previously issued orders March 26 and April 4 directing Bolus to file a brief in support of his appeal. The April 4 order cautioned Bolus to file his brief no later than April 8 or the appeal would be dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scranton Republican Charlie Spano challenged Bolus run for Scranton mayor in the GOP primary, arguing Bolus falsely claimed in candidate affidavits he was eligible to hold the office, but he was not eligible because of his past felony convictions. Charlie Spano during a debate of candidates for Scranton mayor hosted by the League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County and the Political Science Department at The University of Scranton, at the university on Oct. 15, 2019. (TIMES-TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO) Lackawanna County Judge Terrence Nealon booted Bolus off the ballot last month, ruling that the lack of a valid candidate affidavit in his nomination petition rendered it fatally defective. For Scrantons four-year mayoral term, incumbent Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan will battle for the Democratic nomination, while on the Republican side newcomers Trish Beynon and Lynn Labrosky each seek the GOP nomination. We recently published a list of 12 Best Tech Stocks to Buy For Long-Term Investment. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM) stands against other tech stocks to buy for long-term investment. On April 1, Chris Verrone, chief market strategist at Strategas Research Partners, appeared on CNBCs Closing Bell to talk about his outlook on the tech sector. Verrone believes that most of the current markets negative sentiment has already been factored into recent stock prices. He highlighted that even after the markets decline, the VIX, and the currency and bond volatility are lower than they were during the mid-March stress period. Plus, fewer stocks are hitting new lows. He thinks that market lows are formed during periods of bad news, and the market will rally from its current level with an anticipated range of 5,900 to 5,950. Verrone believes that the current downturn is more than a typical 10% correction so it will take some time to figure out the markets true direction. He emphasized the importance of monitoring market breadth, new highs, and credit conditions in the upcoming weeks and months. He also acknowledged the shift in investor sentiment, with more bears than bulls. As the conversation touched on the impact of the Fed and politics in a market, Verrone stated that he pays more attention to what the 2-year Treasury yield tells him instead of listening to what Fed officials have to say. He noted that the 2-year yields decline from 3.83% to 3.85% suggests a shift in the market expectations for the Feds actions. He highlighted the resilience of financials during the correction and contrasted it with the weakness of tech. He thinks that, unlike financials that entered the correction as leaders, the tech sector might not be able to regain the leadership role. While Verrones stance acknowledges the current weakness in tech, its important to note that the tech sector remains one of the more innovative markets in the long run. For instance, MAG7 continues to be a driving force for this market. Our Methodology We first sifted through financial media reports to compile a list of the top tech stocks that are being touted as long term investment plays. We then selected the 12 stocks that were the most popular among elite hedge funds and that analysts were bullish on. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q4 2024. The hedge fund data was sourced from Insider Monkeys database which tracks the moves of over 900 elite money managers. A Charlotte couple alerted neighbors to protect their pets after a coyote leapt over their backyard fence early Friday and killed their nearly 2-year-old miniature pinscher, Phoebe. Phoebe loved life and loved everybody, owner Debbie Marcum said. She had so much life and energy, Debbie Marcum told The Charlotte Observer on Saturday, hours after Phoebe died at an emergency veterinary clinic. She hopped everywhere. She loved life and loved everybody. Marcum said she had just let Phoebe outside about 4:30 a.m. Friday when the coyote jumped their five-foot fence and clenched its teeth on the dog. Phoebe weighed seven pounds. The coyote was the size of a German shepherd puppy, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marcum said she looked out and saw the coyote standing still with Phoebe in its mouth. She screamed, and the coyote released Phoebe and left. Phoebe ran back inside the home, which Marcum said she didnt realize at first. Phoebe had so much life and energy, owner Debbie Marcum said. Coyote was lying in wait, homeowner says Everyone should stay alert for coyotes, no matter where they live, Marcum said. We live in a very residential neighborhood, she said, meaning neither woodsy nor remote. The Marcums live in the Back Creek Forest subdivision in northeast Charlotte. The coyote, Debbie Marcum believes, was lying in wait. The couple learned that from Bill Crowder, a Charlotte-area wildlife expert and coyote consultant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hed been scoping (Phoebe) out for weeks, Debbie Marcum said. He knew our routines. Husband Frank Marcum announced Phoebes death on social media site Next Door Saturday morning. At seven pounds, Phoebe was about the size of a German shepherd puppy, owner Debbie Marcum said. She had major surgery to try to save her, but the internal injuries was just too much for her, he said. Thanks everyone for all the comments and prayers. Friday, Frank Marcum reported on the site that Phoebe is probably not going to make it. She is tore up pretty bad. Debbie Marcum said despite the odds, Phoebe appeared to improve. Marcum was shocked when her beloved dog suddenly died. Phoebe had so much life and energy, owner Debbie Marcum said, hours after Phoebe died at an emergency veterinary clinic. She hopped everywhere. Charlotte-area coyote sightings The attack came during coyote pupping season, when coyotes are more aggressive toward dogs and other animals, wildlife biologists say. Coyotes are similarly mean and deadly during the February and March mating season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frank Marcums posts prompted replies from residents across the region expressing sympathy and reporting their own coyote sightings. I had one pass in front of me yesterday and he was bigger than a German shepherd, a Concord woman said on NextDoor. A Charlotte woman said a coyote once took her small dog from the familys backyard. Its a very horrifying experience, she said. While hes heard but never seen one, packs of coyotes go to war with each other behind our house, a Mint Hill man said. Another resident said hes seen coyotes in Charlottes NoDa neighborhood. And a woman in northeast Charlotte near the Cabarrus County city of Harrisburg said she let her small dog out on her patio once and heard the most horrible hissing/growling sound then howls!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank God it didnt get inside my fence or she would be history! the woman said on NextDoor. Ill take my gun out with me if I have to let her out during the night again!!! The Charlotte Observer has reported fatal pet-coyote encounters in the Queen City for years. In 2019, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission responded to a spate of fatal coyote attacks on pets in south Charlotte, warning cat and dog owners to keep their pets inside or on a leash. Harley my cat murdered by a coyote, Katie Brett-Rosenthal told neighbors on NextDoor at the time. An evisceration, she told The Charlotte Observer while attending a free workshop by animal control officials for concerned pet owners. The workshop aimed to teach the public, especially residents in urban areas, about coyote conflict management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On NextDoor, Frank Marcum advised his neighbors to watch your dogs this morning and be on the look out. If you encounter a coyote Coyotes appeared in Western North Carolina by the 1980s and now live in all 100 N.C. counties, including cities and towns, according to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Be assertive if a coyote nears, N.C. wildlife officers advise. Wave your arms, be loud and throw small objects at the animal. And never run from a coyote, as it might chase and attack you, officers say. CHICAGO Chicago police are searching for a missing 13-year-old boy who may be in need of medical attention. Police said Diego Lomeli was last seen Friday, April 11 in the 3500 block of West 55th Street in Gage Park. (Photo: Chicago Police Department) He was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, black t-shirt, black jeans and white and gold Nike gym shoes. Diego is 55 and weighs 110 pounds. He also has brown eyes and black hair. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to call Area One Detectives at 312-747-8380 or 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. NEW BERN, NC (WNCT) As part of North Carolina Legislators in Schools Week, Senator Bob Brinson stopped by JT Barber Elementary School Friday morning, Apr. 11, 2025. He toured the school and visited classrooms to get a first-hand look at the daily experiences of educators and students, listen to their concerns and hopefully, help bring about some positive changes. He also met with the director of school nutrition to discuss budgets for in-school lunches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, the federal budget has been in flux recently and so, I know therell be some conversations about what our needs are to make sure that we can continue feeding children healthy lunches moving forward, Acting Superintendent of Craven County Schools Michelle Lee said. Friday also marked Purple Up Daya day to recognize and support military-connected students. Senator Brinson even joined students in the cafeteria for a Purple Up lunch. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A financial literacy fair designed to prepare local high school students for real-world financial responsibilities before they graduate. The fair, called Credit for Life saw dozens of seniors from all Springfield High Schools. It helps to put students on a path to success. Inside STCC, each senior was able to step into the shoes of their 25-year-old future selves. They were assigned a career path, complete with a starting salary, a credit score, and real-world life circumstances. During the fair, they visited 15 booths in which they had to make a series of financial decisions, including housing, insurance, savings, and student loans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students told 22News they gained some valuable tools and lessons from this. I didnt know that the taxes like so much money are being taken from us every single paycheck, says Terry Monnely, a student at Springfield International Charter School. And then on top of that, the cost of living, housing, clothing, phone, streaming services. All right. So much money is getting taken every single month. And its its a really hard thing to balance. More than 70 volunteers came out to this fair to help guide students through their financial decisions and career choices. Some of the volunteers included bankers, accountants, and real estate professionals. Credit For Life Fairs has been making an impact on high school students across Massachusetts, for more than a decade. 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. The crew of a Hawaiian Airlines flight departing from LAX aborted takeoff early Friday morning after the plane experienced a troubling vibration in its front wheel. The plane was scheduled to depart around 8 a.m. with a final destination set as the Kahului Airport, but an unstable nose wheel the forward-most wheel of the landing gear prompted the planes crew to abandon its planned departure. Hawaiian Airline officials tell KTLA that the plane returned to the gate and allowed passengers to disembark before mechanics arrived to assess and fix the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following those repairs, the plane departed just before noon and arrived at Kahului Airport on Maui around 4:55 p.m. Pacific Time. Like all major and minor incidents involving aircraft in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate. The safety of our employees and guests is our priority, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, a Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson 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 KTLA. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Horry County Fire Rescue and the South Carolina Forestry Commission are still working hotspots and a smoldering fire underground in the Covington Drive blaze in Carolina Forest. Friday marked Day 42 of the blaze, which is still at 90% containment. Horry County Fire Rescues wildfire coordinator called the ground in the area boggy, meaning the land is a bit marshy, but makes it a challenge to get the wildfire to 100% containment. He said the greenery there adds to that challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most difficult thing on these fires is just the fuel model, Tim Rainbolt said. Its a bay. Forestry commission officials say the fuel model is the green pockets of forestry that could easily catch fire. Green pockets are parts of the forest that werent burned by the fire. Rainbolt said among the concerns are the green spots catching fire and going outside of the fire line. These bays, its a coast and fuel mile. So, you get your wax myrtles a lot of super thick, organic fuels, and then when they light off, they burn with a lot, he said. Even though theyre green, they burn real hot and quick and its just extremely difficult to get to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to wetland conditions, Rainbolt says crews have been using chainsaws to help plow their way into deep brush where fire tracks are unable to reach with water. He said crews are pumping thousands of gallons of water to help flood areas where hotspot exposure is present. The organic soil is just building up, building up over time. It just burns straight down, he said. So you cant just go in there and be like, Oh, Im at mineral soil, Im at dirt, Im good. Theres just more and more. Its basically you have an endless tinder to just keep on going. Rainbolt says community members in the area can help prevent flareups from their home. We would definitely encourage people to go around your area, your property, he said. If you have something that looks like it could be flashy or catching amber, theres ready, set, go information that we can hand out, which gives you tips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of some recent rain, Rainbolt says crews were out Friday helping remove some sprinklers from areas that no longer have smoldering. Rainbolt said the county still needs to do prescribed burns, and that the controlled fires are helping the ecosystems thrive not hurting them. * * * Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read 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 WBTW. PENNSBORO, W.Va. (WBOY) The West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Team has been dispatched to an active scene in Ritchie County, officials confirmed to 12 News. Details are limited as of Friday night, but West Virginia State Police Director of Public Relations Cpt. Leslie T. Goldie told 12 News the Crime Scene Team is en route to the scene as of 10:30 p.m. Investigation into Bridgeport mayor stemmed from battery complaint: State Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Information about the location of the scene and the nature of the call was not provided. However, Cpt. Goldie said a lack of cell phone service in the area of the scene has made communication with troopers there extremely limited. 12 News has requested a press release from the West Virginia State Police on this situation whenever one is made public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Apr. 11AUSTIN The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced Friday the capture of another fugitive from Texas' 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List this time in Tarrant County. Carlos Ortiz was arrested on Wednesday, April 9. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid for his arrest. According to a DPS news release, Carlos Venegas Ortiz, 46, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, who was wanted out of Tarrant County since October 2024 for continuous sexual abuse of a young child, was taken into custody at an apartment complex in Haltom City. Working in coordination with Special Agents from DPS' Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Haltom County Police Department Officers, along with members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force, located and arrested Ortiz. Since 2008, Ortiz has been arrested in Tarrant County for assault causing bodily injury to a family member and driving while intoxicated. More information on Ortiz's capture can be found here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funded by the Governor's Public Safety Office, Texas Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of Texas' 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders or Criminal Illegal Immigrants. So far in 2025, DPS and other agencies have arrested 21 Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders and Criminal Illegal Immigrants, including six sex offenders and seven criminal illegal immigrants with $25,000 in rewards being paid for tips that yielded arrests. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters MUST provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods: Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the "SUBMIT A TIP" link (under the "About" section). All tips are anonymous regardless of how they are submitted and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name. DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, Sex Offenders and Criminal Illegal Immigrants Lists. You can find the current lists with photos on the DPS website. Do not attempt to apprehend these fugitives; they are considered armed and dangerous. Health care providers serving veterans and their families across Virginia say they are missing thousands of dollars with some having already gone out of business or are close to it due to Tricare insurance reimbursements being stalled for months, leaving clients without critical mental health services. The stalled payments apparently are the result of a change to Tricares billing processing system that began Jan. 1. Under the new system, licensed professional counselors must meet a series of new requirements or have a medical doctor sign off on their claims to be reimbursed, according to reports from clinicians and email chains between clinicians and Tricare provided to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press. Without being paid, the clinics have to stop providing services to clients with Tricare coverage or are asking clients to pay out of pocket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This change particularly affects Virginia because it has such strict standards for its licensed counselors and has never before required oversight from a medical doctor, according to Melinda Staton, a licensed counselor and the acting president of the Hampton Roads Counseling Association. In trying to resolve these issues, clinics and their clients have been met with inconsistent messaging from Tricare, according to responses to a request for data on the issue by the Hampton Roads Counseling Association. In an email to The Pilot on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Tricare denied any change had taken place and did not address a follow-up question about whether payments had been stalled. Upon checking with our Tricare (subject-matter experts), weve learned that Tricare regulations and policy governing LPCs have not changed, the spokesperson said. Staton sent an urgent request for data on April 4 from its members on this issue with Tricare. Of 19 anonymous responses shared with The Pilot, representatives of different clinics reported 977 patients being impacted by this change an average of 51 patients per responding clinic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One clinic reported as many as 261 patients being affected, while four reported less than four, including one clinic that reported while reimbursements had been delayed for about three months, theyd had zero clients impacted because we keep seeing them and currently, we are getting payments. These same respondents reported losses totaling at least $175,000, an average of $9,210 each. Some of the respondents did not know the exact financial impact, but one said they knew it was tens of thousands of dollars. In response to the request for data, many reported failed attempts to get an explanation from Tricare with some reportedly being told it was experiencing system errors or facing a backlogs and policy changes. In the short term, we need for those clinics that have not been paid to get paid yesterday, Staton said. In the long term, we need policy change in the Tricare manual stating that residents can be used, especially if theyre being supervised by a fully licensed professional counselor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staton said shes aware of at least two clinics that have closed in recent months because of unpaid reimbursements from Tricare. Its unclear how many clients have been affected. Meichell Worthing, a licensed professional counselor and owner of Lighthouse Counseling and Psychotherapy in Virginia Beach, said about 25% of their clients are Tricare beneficiaries and have stopped taking on new clients covered by Tricare due to the uncertainty. Beth Hunter, a licensed counselor with Lighthouse, said one of her long-term clients who has struggled with suicidal ideation for years left her office in tears after she described the situation with Tricare. When I had to inform her that we have not been paid and that she has options of getting a doctors referral or she could pay out of pocket, which she cant afford to do, she just left my office in tears saying I dont know what Ill do, Hunter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She didnt want to continue services for my sake because she knew I wasnt going to get paid but also for fear that what if Tricare never pays and then shes stuck with the bill for all these months of services? The next day, Hunter said the client emailed her saying, I cant survive without therapy. Staton said research shows military service members in the first year of transitioning to civilian life dont get some form of mental health care within the first year of leaving the military they are unlikely to seek it in the future, which leads to an increase in the suicide rate. Theres no rocket science here, its going to negatively affect (veterans). If theres a barrier to access it can be fatal, Staton said. Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) railed against President Trump late Thursday, questioning his mental fitness amid economic turmoil kickstarted by his aggressive tariff agenda. The fact that no one is questioning his mental acuity or fitness to serve is beyond wild to me, she told MSNBCs Chris Hayes in an interview, referencing the presidents attacks on former President Biden during the 2024 presidential campaign. Like the fact that they sat around, called Joe Biden Sleepy Joe Biden, and as I said before, at least you could sleep at night because you didnt have to worry about your 401(k) disappearing overnight, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her criticism comes after the stock market took a dramatic dip earlier this month after Trump announced sweeping tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners. Although the market saw gains after the president walked back some reciprocal tariffs, consumer sentiment is still low. In her Thursday appearance, Crockett slammed the president for upending the economy that Biden handed to the administration in January. You didnt have to worry about these allegations of fake invasions, the Democratic firebrand added about Bidens tenure. You didnt have to worry about the cost of food just skyrocketing or skyrocketing costs of all of your electronics. Throughout the 2024 election cycle, Democrats ratcheted up attacks on Trump over his mental fitness as his campaign dug in on concerns about Bidens age and mental state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Trump said he took a cognitive test at his annual physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, stating the results are expected to be released on Sunday. Overall I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart. A good soul. Very good soul, Trump quipped on Air Force One Friday night. I took I wanted to be a little different than Biden. I took a cognitive test. I dont know what to tell you other than I got every answer right. Both of their comments follow the Trump administrations temporary pause on most reciprocal tariffs notably excluding China. The 10 percent base tax is still in place, including on Beijing, who Trump hit with an additional whopping 125 percent import tax, bringing the total to 145 percent, after the country retaliated with their own levies. The Chinese government followed suit raising tariffs on U.S. goods to 125 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economists have warned of rising prices due to the administrations tariff regime, and on Saturday, the administration moved to exempt electronics including phones, computers and semiconductor chips from the sweeping tariffs. Throughout her tenure in the lower chamber, Crockett has emerged as a provocateur, boosting her profile within the Democratic party over the last year. From her Hot Wheels comment about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and his wheelchair earlier this year to a tussle with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) last year, her controversial remarks have drawn scrutiny. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. As large companies mull their supplier bases and evaluate payment terms amid ongoing tariff volatility, its become an opportune moment for supply chain financing, a Wells Fargo executive said. Theres really a sweet spot here in the banking sector in helping those businesses create working capital when theyre facing increased costs, said Jeremy Jansen, managing director of supply chain finance at the bank. As the Trump administration has pursued its tariff agenda, seeking to tack levies onto imports from U.S. trade partners, businesses have had to develop various strategies and discuss how to handle additional costs from potential tariffs, he said. Arguably, thats been made more complicated by the presidents on-again, off-again, higher-then-lower approach. After announcing on April 2 a 10% baseline tariff on U.S. imports and higher reciprocal duties on dozens of countries, President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was pausing the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, with the exception of those imposed on China. The tariff menu announced last week had tanked global markets and prompted predictions of recession. For many companies, the lack of certainty around tariffs is making reaction plans difficult. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon on Wednesday pointed to a very fluid situation with many variables, saying, Were going to have to manage this as we always do, daily, according to The New York Times. U.S. trade policy could remain dynamic for some time, Jansen said, and the current environment has led to an increase in the discussions Wells Fargo is having with clients about working capital and the banks ability to provide liquidity to suppliers and buyers of products that need to be imported. Theres more interest from the clients to engage in the current environment, to talk about a litany of solutions, he said. Theres absolutely opportunities for financial institutions like ours to be engaging in those discussions with their clients. With the higher-than-expected tariffs announced April 2, flexible financing will be essential to businesses, Jansen said. A traditional supply chain finance program, where a lender is financing approved invoices from a buyer, can immediately inject capital into the supply chain, he said. Montezuma will soon add a space for recreation along the Wabash River if a crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $25,000 by June 10. If successful, the project, led by the Town of Montezuma, will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authoritys (IHCDA) CreatINg Places program. Were thrilled to see this vision for Montezuma put into action, said Matt Rayburn, chief real estate development officer at IHCDA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funds from this campaign will be used to create a safe place separate from the existing boat launch for individuals to fish along the banks of the Wabash in Montezuma. The Montezuma Park Board is thrilled to bring this asset into our community, said Diana Bartlow, board president. Improved river access is one of the top needs identified by the public during the development of the parks master plan. Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $12.8 million in crowdgranting funds and an additional $10.7 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Nonprofit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project. Summit Twp., Pa (WJET/WFXP) A date is set for the grand opening of Eries first Crumbl Cookies location, with its iconic pink box and rotating menu. The Erie store, located at 6839 Peach Street, signage is up announcing that it will officially open its doors for its grand opening on May 2, 2025. It will open under the Crumbl Cravings franchise partners, which currently operate locations in Wheeling, West Virginia, and North Huntingdon, PA. Last month, the location began hiring crew members and shift leads, and positions are still available. If you are interested in applying for a position, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bakery will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and will be closed on Sundays. Founded in 2017, Crumbl Cookies quickly became the fastest-growing cookie company in the U.S., with its first location opening in Utah. Today, the iconic pink box can be seen at over 1,000 locations worldwide, serving up more than a million desserts every day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP) Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced Friday the approval of $77 million in state funding for 35 economic development projects, one of them including the Enfield Marketplace project. The funding, approved by the State Bond Commission, aims to revitalize historically underserved communities through a wide range of infrastructure housing, and economic development initiatives. The largest allocation this round$10 million has been awarded to the Town of Enfield. In collaboration with Woodsonia Acquisitions LLC, Enfield will use the funds for the Enfield Marketplace Infrastructure project, a mixed-use development designed to inject new energy and economic vitality into the area. The project includes the installation of essential infrastructure to support residential, commercial, and public space enhancements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through this grant program, we are helping municipalities throughout Connecticut make improvements in underserved areas that will enhance their economic vibrancy and revitalize neighborhoods, Governor Lamont said in a statement. I am glad that we can partner with these towns and cities and other organizations to make these improvements that will drive growth in our state. Senate President Looney praised the programs long-term vision. These grants are targeted investments to uplift underserved communities, assist struggling nonprofit social service organizations, promote equity, and spur long-term economic growth across Connecticut, he said. Speaker Ritter added, Investing in transformational projects can provide a huge boost to nonprofits, communities, and even entire regions of Connecticut. Created in 2022, the Community Investment Fund is a multi-year initiative designed to distribute up to $875 million in grants over five years. Eligible projects include capital improvements such as affordable housing development, brownfield remediation, infrastructure upgrades, and support programs for small businesses, including revolving loans and start-up financing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for a full list of approved projects and more information on the CIF program. 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. A Cuban woman was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison by a federal district judge in Miami on Friday for her role in a tragic human smuggling operation that left 16 people dead, many of them children. On Nov. 16, 2024, a small fishing boat carrying 18 Cuban migrants departed Playa Jaimanitas, Cuba, en route to South Florida. About 30 miles into the Florida Straits, the overloaded vessel sank. Sixteen people drowned; only two survived. According to the two survivors, the boat was overcrowded, lacked life jackets and was captained by someone with little to no navigation experience. Three of the victims bodies later washed ashore in Monroe County. The official cause of death was drowning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors say 25-year-old Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves and her boyfriend partially organized the smuggling trip. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida, Dominguez-Nieves had entered the United States unlawfully just a month earlier. Dominguez-Nieves pleaded guilty on January 21, 2025, to conspiracy to smuggle aliens resulting in death, along with other related charges. Court documents state that Dominguez-Nieves collected more than $11,500 from relatives of the passengers living in South Florida. Federal court records also reveal that Dominguez-Nieves had been in a long-term abusive relationship with a man 12 years her senior, beginning when she was just 15. According to the documents, the relationship was marked by escalating violence. Her boyfriend physically assaulted her multiple timesdragging her by her hair, slamming her into walls, strangling her to the point of unconsciousness, and once holding a knife to her throat, saying, If youre not mine, nobody can have you. In 2022, the boyfriend instructed Dominguez-Nieves to travel from Cuba to the United States. Once here, she was to collect money from relatives of the migrants for a smuggling trip he was organizing. When she questioned him, he threatened to have her deportedback to Cuba and back to his control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conditioned to obey, based on years of abuse and manipulation, Ms. Dominguez-Nieves complied, collecting approximately $11,500 for Muniz. She will regret this decision for the rest of her life, her public defenders wrote in a sentencing memorandum. They requested a 60-month sentence. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom imposed a 90-month sentenceexceeding the advisory federal sentencing guidelinesdue to the severity of the offense and the resulting loss of life, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A traffic stop led to a drug arrest in Darke County on Friday. According to the Darke County Sheriffs Office, the stop happened on April 11, at approximately 2:15 p.m. on State Route 49 near Hollansburg-Sampson Road for a speed violation. Police stopped a 2005 Dodge Durango. Officials said deputies noticed criminal indicators while speaking to the vehicles occupants. A drug dog, Oakley, was instructed to do a free air sniff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said K9 Oakley alerted to the presence of narcotics. Police searched the vehicle. Over 25 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 1.5 grams of suspected cocaine were seized. Officials also seized $730.00 cash they suspect to be tied to the drug activity. A 45-year-old passenger from Greenville was arrested and is currently being held at Darke County Jail, pending his arraignment in Darke County Court. He is facing two counts of possession of drugs. One count is a second-degree felony, the other a 5th-degree felony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 deceased gray whale was found washed ashore in Huntington Beach on Friday. Footage captured by stringer service Key News Network showed a gray whale washed up on the shore of Huntington City Beach on Friday evening. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is investigating the cause of death. Once the cause is determined, the carcass will likely be towed back to sea. A deceased gray whale was found washed ashore in Huntington Beach on Friday, April 11, 2025. (Key News Network) As of Saturday morning, the Huntington Beach Fire Department was monitoring the carcass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional details were immediately made available. Its the second time a whale has washed up in Southern California over the past week. Last weekend, a minke whale that was trapped at the Long Beach Catalina Landing was found deceased. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A deadline today will be the death knell for some of the nearly 1,100 bills in the Nevada Legislature. Some of the bills never went to a vote. Others were dead on arrival, identified by Gov. Joe Lombardo as bills he would veto. Democrats control the Assembly and Senate in Carson City, but Lombardos veto pen could be the ultimate weapon for Republicans again this session. Lombardo vetoed a record 75 bills the last time the Legislature met. Here are some of the bills that appear to be dead this year, unless lawmakers stage an end-run to revive them before the session ends on June 2: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HOTEL SAFETY ACT: Senate Bill 360 (SB360) would require daily room cleaning at hotels in Clark and Washoe counties, endorsed by the powerful Culinary Union. The bill, sponsored by Republican State Sen. Lori Rogich, never went to a vote in the Committee on Health and Human Services. Las Vegas hotel rooms would be cleaned daily under proposed Nevada law MEDICAL AID IN DYING: Assembly Bill 346 (AB346) would make it legal for a terminally ill patient to request medication to end their own life. The bill mirrored legislation from 2023 that was vetoed, but wasnt identical. Nevertheless, Gov. Lombardo signaled his intentions in an April 4 post on X: Expansions in palliative care services and continued improvements in advanced pain management make the end-of-life-provisions in AB346 unnecessary, and I would encourage the 2025 Legislature to disregard AB346 because I will not sign it. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Assem. Joe Dalia, was passed in the Assembly Select Committee on End-of-Life Care on Thursday. Medical aid in dying bill discussed at legislature, powerful testimony presented in Las Vegas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEVADA LOTTERY: Assembly Joint Resolution 5 (AJR5) from 2023 is a proposed constitutional amendment to allow sales of lottery tickets. The proposal passed two years ago but has not been scheduled for a vote this session. GUN BILLS: Two bills sponsored by Democratic Assem. Sandra Jauregui seem to be on the same track they followed in 2023, when they passed in the Legislature but went down to vetoes from Lombardo. AB105 and AB245 have wide support among Democrats, but Republicans aligned with gun rights oppose the bills. History tells us that Lombardo will veto them this session if they make it to his desk. Bills that advanced WATER APPLICATIONS: AB419 would require the state water engineer, who oversees water rights conflicts and manages water in the public interest, to have private meetings with people who apply for water rights. The bill is alive, but its barely hanging on after the Assembly Natural Resources Committee passed it without recommendation, with three members voting against it. The bills status allows finance committees to continue working on it, but its in a kind of limbo. Remarks during Thursdays bill hearing and again on Friday suggest that lawmakers think it would be better to work on the bill after the session has ended. Republican Assem. Rich DeLong is the bills sponsor, and water conservation groups have lined up against it. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: AB162 establishes a statewide database and website for offenders convicted of domestic violence, allowing the public to view the records. The bill initially set out rules for who would be included, starting with offenders with two convictions. Several amendments were made as Fridays deadline approached, and the Assembly Judiciary Committee advanced the bill without recommendation, which allows fiscal committes to continue working on it until it is brought up again. Republican Assem. Toby Yurek sponsored the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SOCIAL JUSTICE: AB328 creates the Commission on Racial Equity and Social Justice, with members chosen by the presidents of UNLV and UNR, as well as appointments made by the governor, the Senate majority leader and the Assembly speaker. The commission would be tasked with studying possible reparations for descendants of slaves. AB328 was passed Thursday by the Assembly Education Committee. It is sponsored by Democratic Assem. Reuben DSilva. DELIVERING DRINKS: AB375 would allow the sale of mixed drinks delivered off premises in a tamper-proof container, and would also designate Picon Punch as the official state drink of Nevada. Picon Punch is a traditional Basque beverage. The bill combines the efforts of Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager and Republican Assem. Bert Gurr. It passed Friday in the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor. Bills that dont advance today could come back as amendments to other bills after the deadline. In some cases, entire bills are gutted and replaced by amendments. After the April 11 deadline, legislation faces an April 22 deadline to advance. Bills originating in the Assembly have to pass a vote of the full Assembly to go to the Senate, and vice-versa. 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 KLAS. Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter. Travis and Maria Summers had been smelling the faint and sickly sweet odor of gas around their antebellum home in Lexington, Missouri, for hours on Wednesday afternoon when, around 7:30 p.m., Maria fell asleep in the living room while Travis watched TV. Moments later, a body-walloping blast shook their home. It could be heard 17 miles off, as far away as Higginsville, and it shattered their front windows, exploding glass into their living room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was like a bomb, Maria Summers said. I never heard anything louder or harder in my life. She and her husband ran outside to their porch. We come out here and theres a little girl running up the street screaming. Travis and Maria Summers had 18 windows blown out of their circa 1860 home when the explosion happened. They saw the family devastated by the blast. Im angry. This was preventable , Maria Summers said. The child, Camillia Cami Lamb, 10 years old, was naked. Her body was so burned, Travis said, they were unsure if the charring they witnessed was the girls clothes or her skin. Barely 18 months prior, just before Christmas in 2023, the childs mother had died suddenly from complications from diabetes. She and her brother and father, a single dad, had all been in the house together. Shes screaming, Is this real?! Maria Summers said. Neighbors from every home spilled onto the street. Neighbors got a hold of her. People found blankets. Got her wrapped up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was literally running up the middle of the road, Travis Summers said. Then, directly after, followed her father, Jacob Cunningham, burns everywhere, emerging from the rubble of his home, searching, they said, and saying, I cant find my son. His boy, 5-year-old Alistair Lamb, would die from the blast. Jacob Cunningham and his daughter were rushed to area hospitals. Five-year-pld Alistair Lamb (center), center, died on April 9 when his Lexington, Missouri home exploded due to a nearby gas leak. Ten-year-old Camillia Cami Lamb, left, and the childrens father Jacob Cunningham, right, survived the explosion with severe burns. All along Franklin Avenue, in the heart of this Civil War-era communitys historic neighborhood, residents two days later say they are left with scarring memories, homes with windows now boarded with plywood, but, most of all, grief and anger. Grief for Jacob Cunningham and his family. And anger over a tragedy that they insist should never have happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was preventable, Maria Summers said, her voice and eyes stern. This was so preventable. But what happened to us is minimal to what happened where that hole is now, where that little boy was, with that terrified little girl, and that poor man who was looking for his children. Gas was in the air, they repeated. No one was told there was a danger. No one told residents that perhaps they should leave their homes. Lexington, Missouri Theres a true devastation, Rebecca Carlyle, 29, said Friday, standing near the heap of ruins that had been her childhood home, one lot east of Jacob Cunninghams. Her mother and father, Alicia and Shane Billings, were at their home, outside, looking after Cunninghams 18-month-old daughter, Ella, when the gas exploded, shooting black smoke into the sky. For anybody who had a hand in this, it was negligent. It was absolutely avoidable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, yet, we are here, trying to pick up the pieces. Trying to put back any remnants of normal for these people my mom, my dad, the poor family who lived next door. There is no words to say for them. Theres nothing that can be done for them. People are trying to raise money and make sure that theyre taken care of. But its not going to help. Its not going to help the baby. The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown. What is known is that a crew was working in the area Wednesday afternoon when, at around 4 p.m., a gas line was breached. The worker is said to have stopped work and called authorities. Liberty Utilities responded along with Lexington Police and Lexington fire personnel. Liberty Utilities was in the process of repairing the leak when the explosion occurred. Homes in Lexington, Missouri, were damaged in a gas explosion Wednesday. Residents said the blast was heard more than a dozen miles away. We dont know why they were working on the line for as long as they were and nothing happened, and then all of sudden something happened. We dont know the trigger, Lexington City Administrator Shawnna Funderburk said on Friday.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funderburk and Lexington Mayor Tom Hughes were on the scene of the damage area on Friday afternoon. It is very devastating, Funderburk said. Not just for the property damage, but because of the people that were injured, and the one fatality . . . Its horrific. Cunningham and his children, she said, are family members of two city staffers. That adds another layer of grief. A lot of our first responders knew those folks, knew the family, she said. Funderburk said that Cunninghams mother, Cathie Woods, works as the City Collector. Her husband, Tony Woods, works for the city street department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is Cathies son. Those are their grandkids, she said. Cunningham, she said, worked at a grocery store outside Kansas City. Hughes said on Friday afternoon some 2,000 homes in Lexington were without gas. Nearby, a crew of workers with a backhoe were working to attempt to repair the source of the leak. Thats why theyre digging back here, to find out where the origination of the leak came from, Hughes said. He said the National Transportation Safety Board is overseeing the project. Other federal agencies, including representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have also been on site. Until they give the green light to repair the lines and also to turn the gas light on, there will be no gas, Hughes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hughes said the explosion was the worst disaster to hit the town since a fire at the Wentworth Military Academy some 50 years ago. No lives were lost then. Here, Hughes said, we have had lives injured. Loss of life. Thats not something thats easy to get over. By Tom Westbrook and Dhara Ranasinghe SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) -The pain, said Shuntaro Takeuchi, was 10 out of 10. Not in the portfolio of Japanese stocks he runs out of San Francisco, California, but in his appendix. It would have to come out, just as his colleagues at Matthews Asia were on a phone call to chart the $7 billion asset manager's path through a deepening market rout. "I was on a conference call two minutes before the surgery," said Takeuchi. "The nurse was like: 'Do you really have to attend this?'" In Tokyo, the Nikkei was on its way to Wednesday's 4% drop and trillions were being wiped from global equities, the largest dollar-value drops of any market drawdown on record. The 10 trading days since U.S. President Donald Trump hit automakers with tariffs have been the most convulsive since the pandemic panic of 2020, as prices of stocks to bonds, oil, gold and even the U.S. dollar itself have swung wildly. Selling in U.S. Treasuries - the lynchpin safe asset in global markets - was the heaviest for decades, as if to underline how the foundations of trade and finance have been shaken. The meltdown began in the wake of what Trump called "Liberation Day". He raised, on April 2, the highest wall of tariffs around the U.S. economy in a hundred years with a blanket 10% tax on imports and even higher rates on individual trading partners. In the week that has followed that has morphed into open economic conflict with China, which by Friday was all but under a U.S. trade embargo as tariffs rose to 145%. More than $5 trillion in market value has vanished from the MSCI all-country index of world stocks during the roller-coaster ride since April 2. It has exposed how investors were unprepared for the aggression of Trump's tariffs and that his unpredictability and reversals risk harming the United States' place at the centre of the financial universe. "We've had a fracturing of confidence and we don't know what the second-order effects of that are from the market falling," said Geoff Wilson, a veteran fund manager in Australia. "There could be some hedge funds that have gone under, there could be other consequences which will only become clear over the next few weeks." His funds were buyers in the turmoil. TOMB SWEEPING At first the epicentre of selling was in any sort of exposure to economic growth - banks, industrial metals and firms such as Apple with supply chains anchored in China. Then, just before sundown on April 4 in Beijing, on tomb sweeping day - a national holiday to pay respects to ancestors, China retaliated and put a 34% tariff on imports from the U.S. Editors note: The video aired in a previous newscast. NEW YORK (PIX11) On Thursday, a helicopter dropped from the sky and fell into the Hudson River, killing six people, officials said. A room full of reporters gathered to question National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy, Director of the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Greg Kierce, and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News At a news conference on Friday, Fulop noted three theories that may have contributed to the helicopter crash that killed a family of Spanish tourists and the pilot. There are three working theories, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop stated. There was the birds discussion, drone discussion, and mechanical failure discussion. Well see where it goes. I dont want to hypothesize, but as time goes on, well leave at that. The NTSB said other vital pieces, including the helicopters transmission, roof, and tail structures, were also missing. Community activists and officials have consistently proposed banning or restricting traffic at Manhattan heliports, citing New York Citys history of fatal helicopter accidents that have claimed 38 lives since 1977, as well as the relentless noise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fulop echoed the complaints of community activists, urging the FAA to limit helicopter tourism in the congested airspace over New York and New Jersey, which is home to three major international airports. He also noted that news organizations and transportation agencies also operate in a dangerously tight space. The helicopter that crashed had completed multiple tours before it crashed. Officials noted the company is a very busy operator, which will probably lead to questions about maintenance. This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. 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. CHICAGO On Saturday, the Community Wealth Tour is taking place in 100 cities across the United States, including Chicago. Dearborn Realtist Board President Fosta Wilson joined WGN News on Saturday morning to share details about the tour. Visit the Dearborn Realtist Board website for more information on the Community Wealth Tour. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Homicide detectives are investigating the suspicious death of a woman who was found lying in the road in Hermitage. The Metro Nashville Police Department said officers discovered the unconscious woman Friday on Rachels Lane. She reportedly had injuries to her head, so she was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, where she died. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said she had no personal items on her when she was found. The Medical Examiners Office is working to identify her. No additional information was available as the investigation continues. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Development in Fresnos Chinatown tends to be a wait-and-see proposition. The historic neighborhood, 18 blocks of mostly commercial space running between Fresno, G, and Ventura streets near Highway 99, sits in a neglected part of the city that also happens to be directly in the path of Californias High Speed Rail project. That proximity has brought some needed attention, along with the promise of tens of millions of dollars in federal money for needed infrastructure improvements. It has also kept business and property owners on the sidelines, as they wait out the road-blocking construction that has made navigating the neighborhood nearly impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We think its important to revitalize Chinatown whether high speed rail comes or not, says Jan Minami, Project Director for the nonprofit Chinatown Fresno Foundation. When the construction is gone ... wow. We need to be ready for that. Changing neighborhoods with s mall-scale development To that end, the foundation has been working with the Incremental Development Alliance, a national nonprofit that helps local entrepreneurs and civic leaders create small-scale real estate projects as a means of neighborhood revitalization. In March, Incremental Development Alliance hosted a Small Scale Strategies meetup and Q&A with its acting director, Alli Thurmond Quinlan. More than 80 people attended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next up is a day-long workshop April 24 to further walk would-be developers through the process of getting a project off the ground. Attendees will get a base-line on the development jargon (what exactly is a pro forma, for example) along with a primer on things like navigating city zoning laws, site planning and financing. Traditionally, development in cities has been monopolized by those with the most resources, says Neil Heller, an urban planner and faculty member with the Incremental Development Alliance. In many cases, its written right into zoning codes. By right, he says, they allow the biggest, largest thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, conventional developers look to build entire blocks of commercial space or apartments, or full subdivisions of single-family homes. The alliances scaled-down focus fits in places where large scale developers wont operate. Its what Heller calls the democratization of development. Or, real estate development for regular people, as its phrased on a slide in the workshops training materials. These are people who have been looking at a lot, or looking at a building and saying, wouldnt it be nice if? The Fenix apartment building in Fresnos Lowell neighborhood photographed on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The complex was one of the sites the Incremental Development Alliance has helped develop. Inc Dev, is a nonprofit alliance that empowers small developers and local communities to create stronger neighborhoods through incremental, bottom-up development. Lessons from the Lowell Neighborhood Esther Carver is one of those people. As the executive director Lowell Community Development Corporation and the general manager of the Central Fresno Neighborhood Trust she has been involved in small-scale development and seen its impact on the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She took part in a boot camp the Incremental Development Alliance held in Fresno in 2021 and used the knowledge she gained directly to work on several community projects. The value of the training, she says, is that it gives you, quite literally, a template to use. How do you go, she says, from seeing a piece of land, to building something there, to housing people or whatever? The Lowell Community Development Corporation was created in 2011 and set out to acquire and renovate old houses in the neighborhood just north of downtown. The houses would be resold, as a means of putting ownership back into the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the organization has made available dozens of single- and multi-family housing units. Look at the Google images in 2012 versus now, Carver says. Where there had once been an empty lot, theres now an eight-unit affordable housing complex called the Fenix at Glenn. A block over on Calaveras Street is another 30-unit apartment complex. You can see in those two properties, we were so intentional, Carver says. This needs to fit in the community. The organizations latest project is a commercial space on Broadway Street just under the Highway 180 overpass. The building had long been vacant; the owner was using it for storage. It will become the corporations permanent offices, but also a community meeting space something thats been lacking in the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then it has this huge backyard that is just dirt, Carver says. Because the land is zoned for neighborhood mixed used, there is a thought to add housing, possibly several tiny homes. An architect just signed on to the project, Carver says. We just need to start doing it different. And well have to start doing it really small. None of this will change the big system, mostly likely, but Carver says, it does change how regular residents interact with surroundings. Its a movement toward self efficacy, she says. It puts power back into a neighborhood, a community. A small building space, at center, on 234 N. Broadway near the Highway 180 freeway photographed on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The building is one of several sites around downtown Fresno that the Incremental Development Alliance is working to develop. Inc Dev, is a nonprofit alliance that empowers small developers and local communities to create stronger neighborhoods through incremental, bottom-up development. Whats next for Chinatown? In Chinatown, Minami is hoping that has some direct results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shed like to see at least two housing projects and two flat-land commercial developments come out of Aprils Small Scale Development Workshop. She already has ideas. The second floor of the Nippon Building on Kern and F streets could be renovated into a dozen small (220 square feet) apartments. Theres also a lot on Tulare Street where she could see some mixed-used development, maybe with a ground-floor diner, Chinatown being known for its food. Its not enough, Minami says, but it could happen. I think its realistic. I do. The Nippon Building No. 2 on F and Kern Streets in Fresnos Chinatown on Thursday, March 27, 2025.The second floor of the building has an opportunity for living spaces and is among several sites around downtown Fresno that the Incremental Development Alliance may be able to help develop. Inc Dev, is a nonprofit alliance that empowers small developers and local communities to create stronger neighborhoods through incremental, bottom-up development. Looking down F Street at Kern in front of the Azteca theatre in Fresnos Chinatown on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Chinatown Fresno is sponsoring a workshop by the Incremental Development Alliance to help develop empty lots and unused buildings in the area. Inc Dev, is a nonprofit alliance that empowers small developers and local communities to create stronger neighborhoods through incremental, bottom-up development. An empty lot on Kern Street in Fresnos Chinatown with downtown Fresno in the background on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Chinatown Fresno is sponsoring a workshop by the Incremental Development Alliance to help develop empty lots and unused buildings in the area. Inc Dev, is a nonprofit alliance that empowers small developers and local communities to create stronger neighborhoods through incremental, bottom-up development. Looking down F Street at Kern in Fresnos Chinatown on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Chinatown Fresno is sponsoring a workshop by the Incremental Development Alliance to help develop empty lots and unused buildings in the area. Inc Dev, is a nonprofit alliance that empowers small developers and local communities to create stronger neighborhoods through incremental, bottom-up development. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats slammed the Trump administration for allegedly favoring sector-specific companies by giving them the ability to bypass the fallout from new trade policy with a Saturday exemption of electronics from reciprocal tariffs imposed on countries across the globe, including China. Smartphones, computers, routers and semiconductor chips were all excluded from the presidents heightened taxes, leaving room for companies like Apple, which has a host of plants in China, to escape an uptick in price costs for consumers amid the onset of new tariffs. Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Donald Trumps inauguration. Looks like hes getting a big return on his investment, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote in a Saturday post after learning of the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook donated $1 million to President Trumps inaugural fund, as did Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Apple CEO also met with the Republican candidate at Mar-a-Lago a month prior to his return to the White House showing signs of a budding relationship between the two. In April, Trump announced a 10 percent baseline tariff on nearly all foreign imports in an effort to boost American manufacturing, however, economists have said the tax might knock the growth of the countrys small business owners. Trumps on-and-off-again tariffs leave the door wide open for billionaire corporations to suck up for corrupt deals while leaving small businesses, farmers, and families out in the cold, Warren wrote in a subsequent post, urging Congress to rein in the presidents tariff authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) echoed Warrens concerns, alleging that Apple may be receiving special treatment after announcing in February that it plans to spend more than $500 billion in the United States and hire more than 20,000 people over the next several years. The tariffs are just a regime to reward big businesses like Apple that can make giant contributions to Trump. Tim Cook gave $1 million to Trump for his inauguration, the lawmaker wrote in a Saturday post. Democratic Senators introduced a measure seeking to check Trumps trade authority as policies fluctuate daily. GOP legislators signed on in support of the Trade Review Act of 2025 with hopes of mitigating uncertainty for the American people. House Democrats may be looking to take a similar form of recourse after the Trump administrations Saturday announcement left concerns of impropriety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apple CEO Tim Cook gave Trump $1 million for his inauguration. So while working families pay more, Apple gets special treatment, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote in a post online, referencing Saturdays exemptions. Trump gets bribes. Billionaires get special treatment. Working people get screwed, he added. The Hill reached out to the White House and Apple 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. Democrats think Donald Trumps DEI-slashing, money-cutting education agenda is an unpopular stance the party can use to reconnect with voters they turned off during the pandemic. They just need to agree on a strategy. Democratic lawmakers, teacher union leaders and fired agency employees have rallied outside Education Department headquarters and filed lawsuits challenging Trumps moves to cull the agencys staff and billions of dollars in spending. The maneuvers feed a progressive base demanding to fight the president on every front. Their next steps are up for debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some in the party believe lengthy pandemic school closures, fights about gender and race, and lackluster national test scores helped create a political opening for Trump. Others are pressing for specific policies to address school choice and dwindling test scores, while casting the demolition of the Education Department as perilous for students. Where Democrats settle could pay electoral dividends or keep them in the political wilderness. There is a political void being left by the Republicans and Donald Trump. That is an opportunity. Go fill it, said Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor who clashed with the citys teachers union. In the past, weve had a standing on this issue and a politically better position on this issue than Republicans. Weve frittered it away on secondary issues. Democrats for decades were viewed as the party more trusted on education, only to see Covid quickly undermine their position. Republican Glenn Youngkin won the 2021 Virginia governors race with a conservative education message that challenged how race was being taught in schools and pushed for parents to have more say in the classroom. Two years later, polling showed Democrats either trailing or essentially tied with Republicans among voters in four battleground states when it came to which party would ensure public schools prepare students for life after graduation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What they need is a more robust Democratic agenda thats an alternative to Trump, Charles Barone, a former congressional adviser and vice president at the Democrats for Education Reform, said of the partys federal lawmakers. We need somebody thats willing to speak truth to power, not hedge on the severity of the problems were facing for the kids we care about, and to really offer a bold set of initiatives that meet the moment, said Barone, who is now a senior director with the National Parents Union, a group that opposes Trumps education policy. Several Democrats say their party has the right vision for schools its just a matter of delivery. They are emphasizing how Trumps cuts to the agency put programs for low-income students at risk and could undercut efforts to protect students with disabilities, work that states often struggle with. And while Education Secretary Linda McMahon has promised core funds for vulnerable children and K-12 schools will be protected, DOGEs sudden and sometimes-haphazard efforts to streamline the government make it difficult to ease concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont make it about budgets and billionaires, said Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.). Make it about the one position in the one school that affects this one family. Hayes, who was a high school history teacher for more than 15 years before launching her bid for Congress, also said the message needs to come from multiple angles, including faith leaders and parents. I have expressed to my colleagues, this isnt just about teachers unions, she said. This affects everybody in the community, and they need to be part of the conversation and own working towards a solution, she said. Democrats are deploying multiple strategies they hope will get voters to listen, but some party stalwarts like Emanuel want Democrats to present a muscular alternative to Trump that emphasizes traditional learning and breaks with pandemic-era positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We lost focus on the classroom, and we discussed almost all the other issues around education but the ones that matter most to parents: reading, writing and math, he said. We got into the naming of the school, closing the front door during Covid for way too long, locker rooms, access to bathrooms, and we never dealt with the fundamentals of why parents send kids to schools. Emanuel added: That is where the politics are: We made a mistake during Covid, and were going to fix it. Trump has directed his education chief to take all necessary steps to close the Education Department and the agency has already slashed nearly half its staff, and canceled grants and contracts. While getting needed Democratic votes in Congress to fully shutter the department is unlikely, theres also a sense that federal lawmakers need to show the potential on-the-ground impact of the administrations policies by visiting local schools and classrooms to discuss funding for special education and low-income students. Eliminating the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., does not mean anything in Grand Island, Nebraska, or Pueblo, Colorado, because communities have no idea what the U.S. Department of Education does, said Mary Kusler, the senior director of advocacy for the National Education Association, the nations largest teachers union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have a huge opportunity to make this connective tissue around the role of the federal government, not as an amorphous thing off in Washington, D.C., in education but literally as something that impacts each and every day inside their community, she said of federal lawmakers. Democrats on Capitol Hill are pressuring Trumps Education Department to explain how plans to fire half the agencys staff will affect low-income students and are looking to marshal bipartisan attention. Appropriators have circulated information with colleagues on the House floor about how possible cuts to funding for high-need schools would hit each congressional district. Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott, the top Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee, made an ill-fated bid to compel the agency to answer questions. Senators, led by top Democratic appropriator Patty Murray and education committee ranking member Bernie Sanders, have pushed McMahon to detail her plans for the agency in letters that outline the partys policy roadmap. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has launched her own campaign to push back against Trumps efforts to dismantle the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Democratic leaders have tapped their educator-turned-lawmaker members like Hayes and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), who helped lead a gathering of lawmakers to the Education Department in February and again this month, to defend the agency. That reflects a growing consensus that the party should lean on personal anecdotes from students and families who benefit from federal programs to explain what the agency does. People in poll after poll tell you they dont want the Department of Education to close, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said. This isnt like a messaging problem for Democrats, this is a policy problem for Republicans they are trying to do something really, really unpopular. Recent polling shows 58 percent of Americans oppose eliminating the Education Department despite Trumps catchy promise that hed improve things by sending federal education money back to the states. But even if most Americans dont necessarily want to chuck it, opinions about the agency have been split. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 45 percent of Americans had an unfavorable view of the agency last year, according to data from the Pew Research Center. That score was slightly worse than the Justice Department and only the IRS was viewed more negatively among widely-known federal agencies. Trump, McMahon and other Republicans have hitched the need for dramatic change by emphasizing how math and reading test scores have remained weak despite the billions of dollars administered by the agency since its establishment during the Carter administration. President Trump has made education reform a cornerstone of his agenda because of the Lefts multi-decade failure to prioritize student outcomes, department spokesperson Savannah Newhouse said in a statement. Instead, Democrats kept schools closed during Covid-19 which led to catastrophic learning loss, pushed radical ideology in the classroom, and have protested more about saving the careers of bureaucrats in Washington than about students plummeting math and reading scores. Another key problem in countering Trump may be just how passionately the GOP rank and file dislike the Education Department: 64 percent of Republicans Pew surveyed held an unfavorable view while 27 percent saw it in a positive light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre overinterpreting the publics favorability toward our public education system, Jim Blew, a top Education Department official during Trumps first administration, said of Democrats and their allies. People like the concept of public education, that is the commitment from the public to make sure childrens educations are funded theyre not committed to what many on the right sometimes call government schools. Democrats could marshal public support by bashing billionaire Elon Musks government-cutting blitz, said Blew, a co-founder of the Defense of Freedom Institute, a D.C.-based conservative think tank. But he thinks liberals risk losing their credibility by catastrophizing spending cuts that have not yet materialized and underestimating the publics support for more state control over federal aid. Breaking through Trumps agenda wont be easy, Takano acknowledged. It is difficult because the base, the base Republicans, they take everything the president says very, very seriously, very literally, he said. You say anything contrary, theyre going to call you a liar. STORY: :: Denmark is close to a U.S. defense deal despite the dispute over Greenland :: Its parliament took an important step towards ratifying the deal on Friday :: April 11, 2025 :: Copenhagen, Denmark :: Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Danish Foreign Minister It is the USA that ensures the safety of NATO and Europe and thus also Denmark's security. And therefore the government in no way wants to turn its back on the USA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement :: Polls have shown opposition to the deal, which would expand the U.S. military's rights in the country Recent opinion polls have shown significant opposition among Danes to the 10-year pact which, if ratified, would grant the U.S. military broad access to station troops and store equipment on Danish soil. U.S. President Donald Trump's 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. The Danish and Greenland governments have both ruled out yielding the huge, resource-rich Arctic island to U.S. control. DES MOINES, Iowa A Des Moines man was found guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting death of a man at a hotel last year. Sayvon Propps A year ago, on April 10, officers with the Des Moines Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at a hotel in the 1800 block of Army Post Road. When officers arrived at the hotel, they found two men inside suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the men, identified as 30-year-old Sayvon Propps, died at the scene. The second man, 31-year-old Joshua Carmody, was hospitalized in critical condition. Suspect in shooting that injured 1 in Fort Dodge arrested Joshua Carmody In May 2024 DMPD announced that Carmody had been arrested and charged with Propps death. Police said Carmody had forced his way into a hotel room that was occupied by Propps and a woman. Evidence collected showed that Propps fired at Carmody in self-defense and then Carmody returned fire, fatally shooting Propps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Polk County Attorneys Office, the woman in the hotel room testified during trial that she and Carmody had been in an on-and-off relationship for a year, and that Carmody had been upset that she was with Propps and had been repeatedly trying to contact her. On Friday, a Polk County Jury found Carmody guilty of first-degree murder for Propps death. He was also convicted of first-degree burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Metro 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. If youve watched the news over the past few months, you might have come to believe that Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, was essentially President Donald Trumps right-hand man. Trump put Musk in charge of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Musk used the platform seemingly every day to cut costs and jobs from the government. Read Next: Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Bought Over $73 Million in Shares of This Tech Company Heres Why Find Out: 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks But the tide has turned as of late, with Trump unleashing sweeping tariffs on imports from nearly every country in the world. And while Tesla remains a brand made in the U.S., it imports a large number of its parts. As Musk himself posted on X in response to the tariffs, Important to note that Tesla is NOT unscathed here. The tariff impact on Tesla is still significant. In fact, some analysts put the hit to Tesla earnings at as much as $3 billion, according to Barrons a huge amount for a company expected to earn $8.3 billion in 2025. With the stock already down over 38% on a year-to-date basis, is it time to buy the dip, or not? Heres what analysts have to say. Next, find out what your Tesla investment would be worth if youd bought in when Musk took over. Dan Ives, Wedbush On April 7, Dan Ives of Wedbush threw in the towel on Tesla after staunchly supporting the stock historically, according to Barrons. Ives said the double-whammy of Musks focus on Washington instead of Tesla and the Trump administrations tariffs have caused him to change his view. While still a believer in Tesla, with a buy rating, Ives dropped his price target to $315 from $550, a significant shift in sentiment. According to Ives, while not being directly affected by the import tariffs, as an American auto brand, Tesla will pay the price for all of the parts it imports from China. Learn More: Trump Wants To Replace Income Taxes With Tariffs: 2 Impacts on the Middle Class Andres Sheppard, Cantor Fitzgerald On March 19, Andres Sheppard of Cantor Fitzgerald jumped in to reiterate his overweight rating on Tesla, with a $425 price target. Sheppard feels that the tariffs might actually work to Teslas advantage, as it has a competitive edge over foreign-based automakers when it comes to production and parts. The polarizing politics that have hurt the company in Q1 should subside, according to Sheppard. Joseph Spak, UBS When Tesla reported Q1 deliveries were far below expectation, most Wall Street analysts were caught off guard and began lowering their price targets. Joseph Spak at UBS, however, was one of the few analysts expecting bad things out of Tesla. LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) Since November, residents at a mobile home park in Bourbon County have had little to no running water. Chris Richardson, who called Bryan Station Road home for five years, said that because of that, people moved out. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, more than a dozen of the mobile homes there are empty. This comes after eviction notices were served in February to residents refusing to pay rent, which were then dismissed by a Bourbon County court. I pretty much just said, you know, Im not going to pay. And I spoke to other people; I own my place. Im paying for a piece of dirt. I mean, youre supposed to be providing plumbing, water, and trash, and youre not doing none of it, said Richardson. Through meeting with county officials, Richardson said it came out that the property owner, Abraham Anderson, from Maple Grove MHC LLC, doesnt have the proper licensing to operate a business within the county. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a meeting with their lawyers the other day and the officials out of Bourbon County, and it was made clearmade knownduring that meeting that he didnt have a right to practice business in Bourbon County because he wasnt licensed, said Richardson. It was verbatim told to me by my counsel that a folder was opened, and he was handed the paperwork to obtain those licenses after a year of practicing; after six months, no water. Why would you do that? It makes no sense to me. Richardson said the company paid multiple fines in the past, but now he is escalating things to the state level. Today, I filed with the Attorney Generals Office a consumer complaint. And the request that I made for their action was to take his Kentucky state license and eliminate him from practicing here in the state of Kentucky. FOX 56 has been unable to get in contact with Maple Grove MHC LLC for a comment 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 FOX 56 News. Mahmoud Khalil, the student activist who led pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last year, can be deported by the Trump administration, a judge ruled on Friday. Khalil was arrested at his New York City apartment on March 8, the first arrest under President Donald Trumps agenda to crack down on protestors who joined campus demonstrations against Israels war in Gaza. Khalil is a green card holder and permanent legal resident who is married to Noor Abdalla, an American citizen. He was taken to a detention center in Jena, Louisiana. No criminal charges have been filed against Khalil instead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cited a 1952 Cold War law that allows for deportation of non-U.S. citizens if they are deemed a threat to American foreign policy. Judge Jamee Comans of the LaSalle Immigration Court in Louisiana said she lacked the authority to overrule a secretary of state. ABC News reported that Khlalil addressed the court, reiterating some of Comans earlier comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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. 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. Khalil will not be immediately deported and his lawyers have vowed to appeal if such an order were to happen. NPR reported that Comans gave Khalil until April 23 to request a stay of his deportation if his attorneys believe he qualifies for one. And the judge said if they don't meet that deadline, she will order him deported either to Syria, where he was born, or to Algeria, where he is a citizen. After the ruling, one of Khalils supporters read a statement from his wife Abdalla, who described the decision as a "devastating blow to our family." "No person should be deemed removable from their home for speaking out against the killing of Palestinian families, doctors and journalists," Abdalla's statement said. "Today, in court, the government reiterated the same baseless racist claims about my husband that we have heard time and again, an attempt to smear those calling for an end to Israel's brutal genocide in Gaza. My husband is a political prisoner who is being deprived of his rights because he believes Palestinians deserve equal dignity and freedom." A new development coming to Little River will bring three new restaurant chains to the area. Impeccable Development plans to open a Freddys, Del Taco and Popeyes in Little River near the car dealerships on S.C. 9. Construction should finish near the end of 2025 with the businesses opening shortly after, said Jared Postal, the project manager for Impeccable Development, in an email to The Sun News. This will be the third Freddys and second Del Taco and Popeyes locations Impeccable Development will bring to the Myrtle Beach area. The three chains had few to no locations in the Myrtle Beach area prior to these developments. Horry County and surrounding areas continue to be an incredibly attractive market for us. We feel the areas steady population growth, strong year-round economy, and unique seasonality make it a great fit for brands like Popeyes, Freddys, and Del Taco, Postal said. Weve seen great tremendous consumer support in nearby markets and believe Little River is the perfect next step in our expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traffic along S.C. 9 has increased with the population growth in the Little River area. At least 8,000 more cars traveled daily on S.C. 9 in 2023 compared to 2013, according to South Carolina Department of Transportation data. Del Taco has been making moves into the Carolinas, with a location to open soon in Durham, North Carolina, and another to open along Dick Pond Road near Socastee. The Tex-Mex restaurant started in California but has grown to just under 600 locations, according to its website. Freddys is a national chain serving burgers, fries and frozen custard. There are hundreds of locations across the nation, with 12 in South Carolina. Popeyes serves Louisiana-style fried chicken with other southern-style sides. It will be in direct competition with Bojangles, which has a store less than half a mile away along S.C. 9. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The City of DeWitt will begin its seasonal spring brush pick-up program on Monday. The city says all brush must be curbside by 7:00 A.M. on April 14th. Pick-up will conclude on April 17th, but if there is any additional debris to collect, it will continue into the following week. The brush must be placed curbside, neatly stacked, with the large ends facing the street. Brush between 2 and 8 in diameter is accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shrubs with roots still attached will not be picked up. The city asks residents to leave the brush in as large of pieces as possible so that employees can safely feed it into the brush chipper. The city offers street-side pick-up in the spring and 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 WLNS 6 News. Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has stripped protections from deportation for Afghans and Cameroonians in the U.S., calling into question the ability of some Afghan evacuees to remain in America. Citizens of both countries have been protected by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) since 2022, protecting anyone already in the U.S. from being sent back to either country due to dangerous conditions and instability. While courts have blocked similar efforts by Noem for other countries, the move nevertheless creates uncertainty for those set to lose the status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The secretary determined that Afghanistan no longer continues to meet the statutory requirements for its T.P.S. designation and so she terminated T.P.S. for Afghanistan, said Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the agency. The statement said Noem had done so on March 21, the statutory deadline for reviewing whether to continue protections but in place under the Biden administration. Noem did so for Cameroon on Monday, as that countrys protections are set to expire in June. The New York Times first reported the decision. The move was swiftly condemned by Afghan advocates, who pointed to deteriorating conditions in the country that have accelerated since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, including widespread food insecurity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TPS exists for a reason: to protect people whose return to their country would place them in grave danger. Afghanistan today is still reeling from Taliban rule, economic collapse, and humanitarian disaster. Nothing about that reality has changed, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, a refugee resettlement agency, in a statement. Terminating protections for Afghans is a morally indefensible betrayal of allies who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us to advance American interests throughout our countrys longest war. The Afghan-American Foundation also condemned the move, calling it a betrayal of those who assisted the U.S. during its 20 years in the country. The sacrifices Afghan allies made in service of the American mission in Afghanistan were not temporary, the protection we offer them must also be permanent. Any instance of that protection being pulled is not only a betrayal of these allies but of the 800,000 Americans who served alongside them in Afghanistan and the countless Americans who have worked to evacuate them to safety since 2021, Joseph Azam, the chair of the groups board, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The President got elected in part on the promise that he would fix the mistakes of the Biden administration in Afghanistan, by betraying Afghans he would be repeating one of the biggest ones. Many of the roughly 80,000 Afghans who came to the U.S. after the fall of Kabul have adjusted their status, either securing asylum or a Special Immigrant Visa given to those who assisted U.S. military efforts there. But many are still protected under TPS. The Biden administration last renewed TPS for Afghanistan in September 2023, with protectees set to lose the status in May of this year. The DHS previously estimated that approximately 14,600 Afghans would be eligible under the latest redesignation of TPS. Extraordinary and temporary conditions, including lack of access to food, clean water, and healthcare, as well as destroyed infrastructure, internal displacement, and economic instability continue to prevent Afghan nationals from returning to their homeland in safety, the Biden administration determined at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge last week temporarily blocked Noems rescission of TPS for Venezuelans, determining the decision was motivated at least in part by animus and that her decision was entirely lacking in evidentiary support. However, while Noem sought to vacate protections for Venezuelans, the latest moves would let existing protections expire. The decision could still face challenges on the grounds that it is unsafe to return Afghan nationals to the country. The DHS noted that if the Secretary determines that the country no longer meets the statutory conditions for designation, she must terminate the designation. The agency said it will explain its rationale for doing so in a forthcoming notice on the federal register. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 8:33 p.m. ET. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The lawsuit filed by the family of Anthony Thompson Jr. is being allowed to move forward after the Federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed their decision that the Knoxville Police officers connected to Thompsons death may not be entitled to qualified immunity. The court ruled in February that one part of the lawsuit could proceed concerning an officers supposed failure to render aid after Thompson was shot in the bathroom of Austin-East High School on April 12, 2021. In March, the officers filed a petition asked the court to reconsider, however, the court said no. The lawsuit was filed by Chanada Robinson, the mother of Anthony Thompson Jr., and her sons best friend, Gralyn Strong. Robinson and Strong claimed that officers did not have legal standing to arrest Thompson and used excessive force, among other claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September 2023, a U.S. District Judge dismissed claims against officers Lt. Stanley Cash, Officer Brian Baldwin, Officer Jonathan Clabough, and Officer Adam Willson. However, in February 2025, the court of appeals reversed the claim pertaining to the potential wrongful denial of medical care for Thompson. Thompsons mother argued that the officers were not entitled to qualified immunity because they ignored his serious medical needs while seeking immediate care for the officer who was injured in the shooting. The officers argued that they radioed for help, but the U.S. District Judges Eric L. Clay and Helene N. White said that because of the uncertainty created by the video evidence in the case, they may not be entitled to qualified immunity. When a suspect becomes injured, a police officer or other government official may sometimes fulfill the duty to provide medical care by immediately summoning help, the judges wrote. Other times, a prompt call for assistance may not fully discharge their obligations. This is especially true in cases where the officers engage in activities other than securing the scene and attempting to save the life of the injured suspect, even if they initially summoned help. The Feb 2025 ruling continued, explaining that officers do not need to exhaust every medical option, but they also may not stand idle while a suspect is in obvious need of emergency care, even for a few minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February 2024, a U.S. District Judge also dismissed a lawsuit filed by Robinson and Strong against the City of Knoxville. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) Speculation circulated on social media about a woman in Washington who had a baby allegedly with her daughters 14-year-old ex-boyfriend. Police Chief Mike McCoy commented on a Facebook post about the alleged pregnancy, explaining the departments efforts on the matter. The Washington police have done everything that can be done, McCoy wrote. The WPD and States attorney are waiting for DNA lab results. Charges will be levied then by the states attorney. All the speculation and rumors do nothing. Criticism to the WPD is unwarranted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Chief Jeff Stevens commented on the matter, writing to WMBD that there hasnt been a lot of certainty in the details. From the beginning, our detectives worked this investigation in consultation with prosecutors, Stevens wrote. Weve obtained court processes. Weve interviewed people with first-hand information and talked with some who purported publicly to know the situation but who did not in fact know anything but hearsay and speculation. Stevens also wrote to the fact that they dont want to rush the investigation, and are going to be as deliberate as possible. The community has an absolute right to demand justice but justice means getting it right, Stevens wrote. Wed like that to be faster, because time matters It is irresponsible to satisfy salacious whims at the expense of those innocents affected We will work this case once. We will work it right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tazewell County States Attorney Kevin Johnson wrote to WMBD, stating details will be made public if there are any. We neither confirm nor deny any ongoing investigation, Johnson wrote. When, or if, any investigation results in criminal charge(s) being filled it will be a matter of public record. This story will be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) A Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) employee has been arrested on attempted murder charges after he allegedly shot through the door of a car during a road rage incident near Fort Carson, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPSO). According to deputies, on Dec. 11, 2024, dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a road rage shooting near the Gate 5 entrance of Fort Carson and Highway 115. EPSO said the caller reported they were heading north on Hwy 115 when another driver abruptly pulled in front of them and brake-checked the caller. The caller reported that the suspect continued to drive aggressively and eventually pulled his car alongside the victims vehicle before the victim heard a loud bang. According to EPSO, a bullet had been fired through the door of the victims car, narrowly missing them. The suspect then drove off and entered through the gate at Fort Carson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EPSO launched an investigation and identified the suspect car and its driver as 48-year-old Loyd Dewees. A search warrant was executed, and investigators found evidence connected to the shooting. Loyd Dewees. Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriffs Office On April 10, 2025, a warrant was issued for Dewees on charges of Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Illegal Discharge of a Weapon, Felony Menacing, and Prohibited Use of a Weapon. On April 11, Dewees turned himself in to the El Paso County Jail, where he is being held on a $50,000 bond. EPSO and the DOC confirmed that Dewees is an employee of the DOC. In response to a request for comment, the DOC stated The CDOC takes these allegations seriously and is cooperating fully with law enforcement. Dewees has been placed on administrative leave as of April 11. As this is an active investigation, the DOC said it could not comment further on the arrest. 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. A mere four months ago, the Biden administration capped bank overdraft fees at $5. There was just one catch: The cap wouldnt take effect until October. It now appears the cap will never take hold. The House of Representatives struck it down April 9 on a largely party-line vote, with Democrats dissenting. The resolution already has Senate approval, so it heads now to President Donald Trumps desk. Federal regulators proposed the $5 cap because overdraft fees represent almost pure profit to banks. Protecting a bank account against overdraft doesnt cost very much. And yet, the average overdraft fee inched up to $27.08 in 2024, Bankrate reports. Overdraft fees peaked at $33.58 in 2021. Many banks voluntarily reduced or eliminated them under pressure from the Biden administration in its campaign against junk fees. Much of the pressure came from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, the federal watchdog. For far too long, the largest banks have exploited a legal loophole that has drained billions of dollars from Americans deposit accounts, Rohit Chopra, then director of the federal agency, said in December. Regulators said the rule would generate up to $5 billion a year in overdraft-fee savings, or $225 per household that pays them. FILE PHOTO: Supporters of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rally after Acting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Russell Vought told all of the agency's staff to stay away from the office and do no work, outside the CFPB in Washington, U.S., February 10, 2025. Now even the CFPB is under siege But now the CFPB itself is under attack. The incoming Trump administration has ordered the agency to halt its work and shut its doors, although it remains open for now. Elon Musk, the billionaire Beltway budget-cutter, in February posted CFPB RIP, along with a tombstone emoji. The banking industry has applauded Republican lawmakers for reversing the cap on overdraft fees. Industry groups contend, in effect, that banks will stop protecting accountholders from overdrafts if they are not allowed to profit from them. The $5 cap would force many banks to limit or eliminate overdraft protection as we know it, said Rob Nichols, CEO of the American Bankers Association, in a statement in March. Industry leaders point to a March survey, commissioned by the banker group, that showed 70% of consumers found overdraft protection valuable. Other surveys tell a different story. Research by Pew Charitable Trusts found that 7 in 10 Americans think a $35 overdraft fee is unfair. And most overdrafters said they would rather have their ATM and debit transactions declined than pay a hefty fee. The vast majority of overdraft fees come from the same set of households, most of them lower-income, said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst of personal finance at Bankrate. It becomes a viable form of credit, or a lifeline, in those months where the bills keep coming but the paychecks dont. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency program has reportedly embedded itself within a key federal website handling over $500 billion in annual grant funding for agencies across the government. DOGE will reportedly review and approve opportunities on grants.gov, which posts thousands of notices of grant opportunities each year from agencies such as the Departments of State, Interior and Defense, four unnamed sources close to the effort told The Washington Post. A DOGE engineer has already removed federal officials permissions to post such opportunities without notifying the staffers, according to the sources, further entrenching the DOGE programs influence on federal spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, DOGE will have new authorities to review and approve funding notices from the National Institutes of Health, according to meeting records obtained by the outlet. As part of its wider efforts to cut federal spending, the Trump administration has fired thousands of people from the health agency, used DOGE to help cancel grants with ties to diversity and inclusion, and sought to cut $2.6 billion in contracts. The administration has also pulled or threatened to pull billions in funding to universities as part of its efforts to crack down on alleged antisemitism on campus. Elon Musk DOGE team has taken control of a key website that helps distribute $500 billion in federal grants (Getty Images) The DOGE effort, staffed with young tech allies and acolytes of Musk, has made using data and access to federal technology systems a key part of its agenda. DOGE is reportedly involved in an effort to add living thousands of undocumented immigrants to a Social Security death file as a means to cut off their access to federal benefits and employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite attempting to access large swathes of federal data, DOGE has been accused of mishandling and misinterpreting that same information. In February, it quietly deleted the five biggest savings it had posted on its much-touted wall of receipts. Musk has frequently and inaccurately claimed that Social Security, meanwhile, is a Ponzi scheme, sending millions of dead people checks - however, less than one percent of the agencys payments between 2015 and 2022 were improper, according to a 2024 inspector general report. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that it is ending a settlement agreement regarding wastewater problems in a rural Alabama county where most residents are Black, closing an environmental justice probe launched by the Biden administration. Justice Department officials said they were ending the agreement reached with the state regarding wastewater issues in Lowndes County. Federal officials said the decision follows President Donald Trumps executive order forbidding federal agencies from pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The DOJ will no longer push environmental justice as viewed through a distorting, DEI lens, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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," the statement said. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in February issued a memo rescinding a Biden-era directive to prioritize environmental justice cases. Wastewater sanitation issues are well-documented in Lowndes County. Poverty, inadequate infrastructure and a type of soil that makes it difficult for traditional septic tanks to work have sometimes left some residents with sewage in their yards. The Justice Department in 2023 said its probe found Alabama engaged in a pattern of inaction and neglect regarding the risks of raw sewage for county residents. The Alabama Department of Public Health agreed to take several steps as part of the settlement, including not fining people with inadequate home systems, creating a comprehensive plan for the region and other steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement was the result of the Justice Department's first environmental justice investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat whose district includes the county, criticized the decision to end the agreement. It was about addressing a public health crisis that has forced generations of children and families to endure the health hazards of living in proximity to raw sewage, as the DOJ itself documented," Sewell said. She said that the Trump administration "has put its blatant disregard for the health of my constituents on full display. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Scott Harris, Alabamas state health officer, said his department will continue its work in the region. But he noted that work and efforts to help install new septic systems at homes is dependent upon federal and state funding. American Rescue Plan funds helped provide money for new septic system installations. It doesnt change our intent to help as many people as possible, Harris said. The real question is going to be what the funding situation looks like. Catherine Flowers, an activist who brought attention to the problem in the county, said wastewater sanitation is a problem in many rural areas. I pray that todays action means that this administration will make sanitation a priority for all who are affected throughout rural America, Flowers said. Ukraine has significantly ramped up weapons manufacturing over the past year and is using domestically produced ballistic and cruise missiles every month, the countrys Minister for Strategic Industries said. At a briefing marking Ukraines Gunsmith Day, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said the country increased cruise missile production eightfold in 2024 compared to the previous year. He highlighted the progress since 2022, when Ukraine was only able to manufacture a single type of cruise missile, the Neptune. Last year, we introduced many new models, allowing us to grow production eightfold compared to 2023, Smetanin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has also more than doubled its production of long-range drones in 2024 compared to the previous year, which is a 22-fold increase compared to 2022. In total, 324 new types of weapons were developed in Ukraine by the end of 2024. Smetanin said Ukraine produced $9 billion worth of arms in 2024, and the defense industry is on track to nearly quadruple that amount by the end of 2025. We already foresee growth this year, he said. By the end of 2025, we will have the capacity to produce $35 billion worth of military equipment domestically. Presidents Advisor Oleksandr Kamyshin added that Ukraine can now supply its armed forces with nearly the full range of necessary military goods. Today, according to various estimates, 30% to 40% of what our troops use on the front lines is made in Ukraine, Kamyshin said. Its not only about war its about our economy. As of last year, defense manufacturing made up a significant share of our GDP. After our victory, Im confident well be exporting Ukrainian-made weapons to the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has been rapidly developing its domestic arms industry since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. In December 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country aims to produce 30,000 long-range drones and 3,000 missiles. As of November 2024, Ukraine had produced its first 100 domestically made missiles. Ukraine has also turned to local production to address battlefield shortages and reduce dependency on foreign supplies, including new domestic artillery contracts. Read also: Allies pledge record $23.8 billion to Ukraine at Ramstein summit as UK warns 2025 will be critical Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Nearly 11 years ago, a group of Dunmore natives and residents quickly pored over an unfavorable host agreement between the borough and the Keystone Sanitary Landfill during a council meeting, pointing out flaws in the contract and prompting the town to table the agreement for something more beneficial. That was really the beginning of Friends of Lackawanna, though we didnt know it at the moment, said Michele Dempsey, who is one of eight core, founding members of the grassroots group, which formed in 2014 to oppose the landfill and its decadeslong Phase III expansion. Everybody who was in that room that night, or at least the core members, are still there today. That scrutiny of the landfill in Dunmore and Throop never ended for Friends of Lackawanna, as members of the nonprofit environmental group became fixtures at local meetings, public hearings and even the courtroom while they worked under the motto, Dont dump our future. Despite forming with no political or activism backgrounds and no expertise on the landfill, those core members would spend the next decade opposing Keystone and its 42.4-year Phase III expansion, and growing their grassroots group to more than 5,000 members today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were all just citizens who were going about our daily lives and who are just like, Wait a minute, this doesnt smell right, literally and figuratively, Dempsey said. Following a four-year legal battle, Friends of Lackawannas volunteer-driven efforts culminated this month when the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board remanded the Louis and Dominick DeNaples-owned landfills Phase III expansion approval back to the state Department of Environmental Protection over leachate and odor problems two issues long argued by the environmental group. Approved by the DEP on June 3, 2021, the landfills Phase III expansion allows it to triple its volume of waste by hauling in just over 94 million tons, or about 188 billion pounds, of additional garbage through the 2060s. Friends of Lackawanna appealed that decision to the Environmental Hearing Board the following month, with the five-panel board of environmental judges ruling April 1 that the DEP erred in approving the landfills expansion by issuing a permit that does not sufficiently control or mitigate issues with odors and excessive leachate generation, which the judges said the DEP was aware of prior to approving the expansion. In handing down their decision, the judges sent the expansion approval back to the DEP to determine whether it needs to mandate additional measures to control odors and leachate. Leachate is the liquid that percolates through garbage piles. Were we so excited at an opportunity for this to be looked at again? Of course. Was this a huge win? Yes, Dempsey said. Are we done? No. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of that court victory, members of Friends of Lackawanna reflected on their organizations growth over the past decade and the impact of grassroots environmental activism. In response to questions about the effect citizen environmental activism can have on public policy, DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said in an email that comments from the public are taken into consideration when the department reviews a permit application. The department welcomes comments from the public regarding environmental issues that impact them, including permit reviews, decisions, and operational performance, she said. Gave me more resolve Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Core members of Friends of Lackawanna agree their group emerged from a September 2014 Dunmore council meeting. At the time, the 714-acre landfill had just applied for its sprawling Phase III expansion, and amid that process, it was going to sign a new host agreement with Dunmore. The borough had been receiving the state minimum payment of 41 cents per ton of garbage hauled into the landfill, and during that meeting, borough officials considered a $1-per-ton agreement. The landfill needed the towns approval as part of its expansion plans, and at the meeting, then-Councilman Tim Burke, who also served as Dunmores mayor from 2018 through 2021, handed out copies of the agreement. A group of citizens attended the meeting with concerns and read through the agreement prior to public comment, Dempsey said. After hurriedly looking through the proposed host agreement, Pat Clark, another core member of Friends of Lackawanna, addressed council, with the scrutiny pushing council to table the decision. I think things could have gone very differently, Dempsey said. (Council was) ready to sign the contract with the Keystone Sanitary Landfill that night, and they had to table it. That gave us another chance to regroup and come back to the next meeting and keep coming back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The borough would go on to renegotiate its host agreement with the landfill in November 2014, with an annually increasing agreement that now sees Dunmore receiving $1.56 per ton of garbage hauled into the landfill for 2025, increasing by a penny per year. Although the agreement wasnt perfect, Clark said it benefited Dunmore with tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue. The core membership at that early meeting quickly realized that if they were going to go after the issue, and considering the landfills resources, they had to do so in a professional, organized way, Clark said. The first step in doing that was going to be to get a formal entity as a nonprofit, he said. They chose the name Friends of Lackawanna because the issue isnt confined to Dunmore, Dempsey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its so big, and its so far reaching in terms of the air and water, that its not just Dunmore and Throop, she said. This is really a regional issue. Dempsey recalled meeting with a local politicians staff member shortly before Friends of Lackawanna formed. The staffer told her, Listen, I consider you a friend. Youre not going to win this, and I just dont want to see you waste your time, she said. I left there in tears because he was being honest from what he knew, Dempsey said. Through my tears, I was like, No, no, not while Im here. Not on my watch, and it kind of gave me more resolve. Although in recent years the DEPs phone lines have been flooded with odor complaints something landfill officials often contend are frequently misattributed to Keystone and while residents now pack important meetings about the landfill, Dempsey described a fear of speaking out a decade ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tides have turned. The community found its voice, she said. Today, the entire community is standing together, from residents to local officials, and thats what grassroots power looks like. Core member Vince Amico, who served on Dunmore council from 2015 through 2023, including two years as president, believes the organizations biggest accomplishment has ultimately been making people aware of whats happening and showing them they can change the culture of their area. A small group of people can make a difference, not just to accept whats put in front of you and say, Thats just the way it is, and I think weve awoken a lot of people, Amico said. Politicians listen to us now, and they realize that this issue isnt going away. Everything was work Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The landfills expansion review was initially estimated to take around 10 months, Clark said. Were on year 11 now, he said, chuckling as he wondered how many members would have stuck it out if theyd known itd be an 11-year endeavor. Friends of Lackawanna is like a second full-time job for core members, who have families and careers, Dempsey said. While the DEP now has a webpage dedicated to the landfill with notices of violation, permit applications, communications and other documents available for the public to download, that wasnt the case a decade ago. Everything was work. Everything required a Right to Know, Dempsey said, recalling going to the DEPs Wilkes-Barre office for in-person file reviews. Everything was research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without having facts and data, people would only listen to them to a point, she said. We had to find the facts and data, she said. We had to go out and find a lawyer. We had to hire environmental consultants. Some of those facts didnt yet exist. The fact that a health study had never been done you want a 50-year expansion, and we have no baseline here. We have no benchmark to say whether or not this is safe for the community, Dempsey said. Sharon Cuff, another core member of Friends of Lackawanna, agreed, calling the early days research, research, research. The hours put in reaching out to different organizations, reaching out to the health organizations, government officials, other grassroots (groups), just trying to find help along the way, Cuff said. The rest of it was just really trying to figure out everything thats been going on over the years because we didnt have any documentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, Friends of Lackawanna pushed for a health study. In April 2019, the state Department of Health and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry released a public health report that concluded air quality around the landfill poses no long-term public health threat but can have short-term health effects on vulnerable individuals, such as pregnant women and the elderly. Those temporary health effects could include mild irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, skin and respiratory tract, according to the report. Cuff, who strongly advocated for the study, contends it allowed them to emphasize the cumulative impacts of chronic exposure, even to low-level chemicals. Friends of Lackawanna pushed for transparency, she said. How much can one area take? Cuff said. As the grassroots group began to raise concerns about residents quality of life, health and future by laying out what they discovered, their support grew, Dempsey said, attributing it to a lot of groundwork. Members attended school board meetings, council meetings and other meetings, as well as working with local media, she said. It was slow, slow, slow and then fast, Dempsey said, describing an early public meeting that packed Dunmore High Schools auditorium. I couldnt have fathomed this months before. The publics perception of their group changed dramatically, Clark said. Im sure theres plenty of people out there who still think were crazy, and maybe theyre correct a little bit, but I think perception has shifted to one of respect, he said. I think that tone has shifted because Friends of Lackawanna has proven as an organization that you can go about things in a professional way, just keep chugging along and doing the work at hand, and if you do that, and you always handle yourself the right way, and you are always willing to talk to people, and you always look at all the facts theres a segment of people that grow to respect that, and I think that segment grows over time. Better, brighter future Throughout the past decade, Friends of Lackawanna weathered setbacks, with the two largest being losing its first appeal before the state Environmental Hearing Board in 2017, followed by the DEPs June 2021 approval of the landfills Phase III expansion. Friends of Lackawanna initially appealed the landfills 2015 operating permit approval, citing underground fires, groundwater contamination and damage to liner systems. Two years later, the Environmental Hearing Board ruled in November 2017 that it would not rescind the landfills operating permit, though it did require Keystone to prepare a groundwater assessment plan because of leachate contamination that a monitoring well had detected since 2002. The boards decision also criticized the DEP, determining, The (DEP) relies upon formal, memorialized violations in conducting its review of Keystones compliance history, but the department, with rare exceptions, never memorializes any of Keystones violations. The ruling felt like a gut punch, but it also gave Friends of Lackawanna a road map to win its next appeal, Clark said. If we know theres problems and theyre not writing them down, then we need to get these violations documented so that no one can deny them anymore, Clark said. Thats exactly what happened. In March 2024, a month before oral arguments began in Friends of Lackawannas expansion appeal, the landfill signed a consent order and agreement with the DEP that required it to pay a $575,000 civil penalty and undergo 26 corrective actions as the culmination of 14 odor-related violations since January 2023, close to 1,000 odor complaints in seven months and at least 70 instances of DEP staff detecting offsite landfill gas and leachate odors attributed to the landfill. Friends of Lackawanna members especially consider the June 2021 expansion approval to be a challenging time. But the group continued its efforts to move toward the goal of a better, brighter future for this area, Cuff said. Thats always been the driving force, she said. Its tough when youre hit with loss after loss after loss, but again, there was so much positive happening, too. The expansion approval was the groups low point, but it was also an easy call to action to keep going, Clark said. We kind of knew at the end of the day where we needed to get to, which was to challenge this expansion, and thats where we got to this past month, he said. Support from the community also gave the organization extra drive, he said. Clark also pointed to the near universal support Friends of Lackawanna received from local politicians, ranging from school boards and councils to federal legislators, starting with former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. Ill be forever thankful for that, he said. Dunmore council President Janet Brier lauded the group in a statement. I believe FOL has had a positive impact on the whole region in that they have provided common sense and reason in contrast to a grossly negligent DEP decision, Brier said. With the major permit modification that granted the expansion now back in the hands of the DEP, and with the DEP recently extending its review of the landfills 10-year operating permit for six months through Oct. 6 in light of the Environmental Hearing Boards decision, Friends of Lackawanna members plan to continue their work. Dempsey wants the DEP to revoke the landfills permit, saying, Its too big, its too dangerous, and its time to shut down. Whats next is to hammer that message home in whatever ways we can, she said. This gave us another energy boost to mobilize and get the community behind us. It was a big win that definitely restored a lot of morale and momentum and has inspired us to continue the fight. The role of local grassroots activism In light of their own grassroots efforts culminating in winning their appeal of the Keystone Sanitary Landfills Phase III expansion, members of Friends of Lackawanna emphasized the importance of grassroots environmental activism. If you want to protect where you live, you have to take part, core member Vince Amico said. You cant just wait and hope that somebody else, or the government, or another agency will take care of it for you. Over the last decade, Lackawanna County residents have raised environmental concerns over a slew of projects, whether its the landfill expansion, a natural gas-fired power plant in Jessup, warehousing projects or, most recently, data centers proposed for the Midvalley. Friends of Lackawanna core member Sharon Cuff echoed Amico. Grassroots organizations are so important, especially today, and it gives a voice to the people who are directly affected by the issues, she said. Amico encouraged anyone interested in environmental activism to pick a cause, research, stay positive and continue moving forward. Youll have setbacks, he said. You cant let setbacks take you out. If residents are willing to get their hands dirty, dig in and research, they can start to make a difference, core member Pat Clark said. Clark offered advice for fledgling environmental movements. Stay the course. If you believe in what youre fighting for, it ultimately will be worth it. Dont get discouraged when things dont go your way if you believe that youre correct in the end, Clark said. Dont be afraid to punch back when you need to. Jessup resident Jeff Smith, who is the vice chair of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the environmental nonprofit Sierra Club and an executive committee member of the Sierra Clubs Northeastern Pennsylvania Group, was a founding member of Citizens for a Healthy Jessup a similar grassroots effort formed in 2015 in opposition to the Lackawanna Energy Center natural gas-fired power plant. The Sierra Club also played a key role in Friends of Lackawannas successful appeal of the landfills Phase III expansion before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board, joining Friends of Lackawanna as an intervening party with local Sierra Club members testifying to the panel of environmental judges. The local Sierra Club chapter will try to offer assistance to any local environmental groups, he said. The more people that we can help, the more people we can encourage, the more groups we can offer our support, whether it be financially, whether it be mentoring, whether its some of our research, you name it, if we can offer it, we will help these groups prosper, he said. Its part of our original beliefs to build community. Citizens for a Healthy Jessup took a similar approach to Friends of Lackawanna, operating as a nonprofit group with both political and environmental components, Smith said. Where would we be without these groups? he said. Jessup would not have as lucrative of a host agreement. They would have industrial wastewater placed directly into the Lackawanna River. Smith pointed to the information and research Friends of Lackawanna put forward. Were talking financially, the communities are better. The quality of the water, the quality of the air without these people doing this hard work, where would we be as a community? Smith said. Thats why its so important. FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY Gov. Gretchen Whitmer may think that getting "a seat at the table" is beneficial for Michiganders, but as a lifelong Michigander, I would rather my native state suffer all the depredations President Donald Trump can inflict rather than my governor be a Quisling. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stands, as President Donald Trump (not pictured) signs executive orders and proclamations, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. on April 9, 2025. People are being kidnapped off the streets; everything that gave us security upended. I think Whitmer should remember she served best as "That Woman From Michigan." I got the T-shirt. Don't make me embarrassed to wear it. Diane Petryk Whitehall, New York Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Trump surprise led to cringeworthy moment for Whitmer, Michigan in Oval Office Good job, Big Gretch Gov. Whitmer's recent interaction with President Trump is exactly the correct course of action and is how every member at every level of our government should be acting. There has been way too much partisan "grenade tossing" on both sides for far too long instead of bipartisan problem solving. Gov. Whitmer's approach to President Trump not only sets a new standard for civil, mature relations, but resistance against the executive of the country is not only counterproductive, it is against the interests of the people of Michigan. President Trump is often a hot mess of chaos, but he still controls means to provide very substantial support to Michigan. Bringing additional resources to Michigan is the goal and responsibility of the governor and her recent actions in Washington demonstrate that she takes that responsibility more seriously than the political differences between her and the President. Emmett Windisch III Farmington Hills Proceed with caution Although of short duration, the Trump administration's economic activity has been characterized by incompetence, inconsistency and chaos. Substantial tariffs were imposed and then paused. Global trading partners were shocked, confused, and large domestic corporations and Michigan businesses, both large and small, face an uncertain economic future due to Trump's whimsical economic policies. A commitment to working with this administration to enhance Michigan's economic prospects necessitates that extreme caution be employed by Governor Whitmer and business leaders before any proposals entertained or deals struck. Wariness is the operative word. Richard Salomonson West Bloomfield We don't need confusion, we need a unified Democratic Party I was very surprised Gov. Whitmer went to Washington D.C. to try to speak to President Donald Trump about the tariffs he put in place. She is concerned how this will affect the automobile industry and other workers in the state of Michigan, but I feel this was bad optics for the Democrats. Bipartisanship is not what is needed now with a MAGA president who has no idea what he is doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The markets need certainty and so does the global economy. Right now, we are not looked at as strong leadership. Most Americans believe tariffs would make things cost more. Sean Fain, President of the UAW, has been speaking up for Trump's tariffs, feeling it will help the automobile industry. And Whitmer said not all tariffs are bad. We need a clear, concise message to MAGA Republicans: "Tariffs are going to cost Michiganders more money and make us worse off." This president likes to work in chaos, and he has taken us down financially already. We need to work together to fight back and be strong together as a cohesive Democratic Party unit, fighting against Trump's failed economic policies. Faith Allen Hazel Park This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'That Woman From Michigan' shirt still carries meaning | Letters The recent loss of one restaurant in downtown Berkley has made way for a big win as an iconic Detroit barbecue restaurant is taking its place. Corktown darling Slows Bar BQ is expanding its presence into Oakland County. A second location of the iconic barbecue joint plans a fall in the space previously occupied by Berkley Common, according to a Friday, Downtown Berkley Facebook page. Exterior opf Slows Bar BQ in Detroit near the old Tiger stadium on April 25, 2007. The post with Big, News, Berkley made it official that the famed Slows Bar BQ will open at 3087 12 Mile Road and Griffith Street. Pulled Pork sandwich at Slows Bar BQ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Detroits iconic SLOWS BAR BQ is officially coming to Downtown Berkleyand we couldnt be more excited to welcome them just in time for their 20th anniversary in business!" the post read. Slows Bar BQ, which started in Corktown 20 years ago, has built a strong following throughout metro Detroit. In addition to the Corktown location, a Slows To-Go spot and a food truck operate in Midtown.Terry Perrone, co-owner of Slows Bar BQ, said the food truck and catering has always been strong in that area.We knew we had support out there and landlords reached out to us, Perrone told the Free Press. We took a look at it and said, you know, this this looks really good. This looks like this could work.Perrone said that the building is in great shape and, according to the Facebook post, work is underway for the buildout of the restaurant. The restaurants first floor will seat about 70 people. Depending on the timing of the opening, Perrone said, plans also include a patio/parklet on Griffith Street side of the building.A highlight of the space and what attracted Slows owners to space was the buildings second-floor private event space with a dedicated bar.In Corktown, Perrone said, theyve turned part of the space into an event space.We get rehearsal dinners, meetings and certainly train station tours all the time, Perrone said. But to actually have a dedicated space that was even more appealing, he said. In Berkley, expect the same Slows Bar BQ menu, Perrone said, slows Bar BQ menu is known for its sandwiches like the Reason and the Yardbird, ribs, brisket, pull pork plus its mac and cheese. Slows Bar BQ has always offered plenty of offsite catering, which, Perrone said, has good support in the area. While the buildout is underway, Slows Bar BQ food truck will roll into the area and its catering arm is available through Slows To-Go for summer graduation parties and events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Detroit's 2025 Best New Restaurants & Dining Experiences More: Gregorio's Italian Restaurant Facebook post went viral: Here's why Opening in Berkley is a full circle for the owners, who also include Brian Perrone and Josh Kiellor, Slows' catering manager, all of whom have roots in the community. Kiellor grew up in Royal Oak, not far from the new Berkley locations. All three of us Brian and I grew up in Northwest Detroit but our dad taught at Shrine high school, Perrone said. All three of us went to Shrine. This is not the first time for a Slows Bar BQ in Oakland County. At one time they operated a location in downtown Pontiac.Slows Bar BQ in Corktown got its start in 2005 and is celebrating 20 years in business this year. Its known to many as the catalyst for putting Detroit's oldest existing neighborhood in the culinary spotlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after its 2005 opening, Slows was the talk of the town, with chef Brian Perrone at the helm, churning out deftly smoked ribs, smoked pork and smoked chicken sandwiches, plus creamy sides of mac and cheese. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Slows Bar BQ Berkley to seat 70 and have second floor event space (KRON) A 15-year-old juvenile, who is not yet old enough to earn a drivers license, led Sonoma County Sheriffs Office deputies on a 100-miles-per-hour chase in a stolen pickup truck late Thursday night. Deputies chased the young driver for 16 miles without knowing that a minor was behind the wheel, SCSO said. During the chase, one deputys patrol car crashed into another motorist. The chase began at 10:43 p.m. when a deputy spotted a stolen black Chevrolet Silverado traveling on Highway 101 near Baker Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A high-speed pursuit ensued, with the Silverado reaching speeds between 30 and 100 mph. Deputies did not know the drivers identity. Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety officers and Petaluma Police assisted by deploying spike strips. The strips successfully deflated the trucks tires, forcing it to slow and come to a stop in Petaluma, Sheriffs Sgt. Juan Valencia wrote. Deputies conducted a high-risk stop and took the teenager to Sonoma County Juvenile Hall. The young driver, who has a criminal record in a previous stolen vehicle case, was booked on suspicion of felony evading, possessing a stolen vehicle, and probation violations. (Photo courtesy Sonoma County Sheriffs Office) During the chase, a deputy had lights and sirens activated when the patrol car crashed with another vehicle on Highway 116 and Stony Point Road, the sheriffs office said. Young woman killed in East Bay CHP chase identified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the deputy and the other driver were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The California Highway Patrol is conducting an independent investigation into the collision, Valencia wrote. Vehicle pursuits are inherently dangerous. We continually evaluate the publics safety in light of our duty to apprehend suspects, Valencia wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) New York State Police officers are working to identify the driver involved in a hit-and-run incident that happened Friday, April 11. Around 12:47 p.m., police from North Syracuse were sent to the intersection of West Taft Road and Dormar Dr. in the Town of Clay. Upon arrival, they found a grey 2021 Honda CRV with damage to the rear of the car. Troopers spoke with the driver of the Honda, who said she was driving on West Taft Road when a white van hit her car from behind. The van then fled the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were able to locate the van at a home in the Town of Clay. The investigation is ongoing, as troopers work to identify the driver. The driver of the Honda wasnt injured, but a passenger in the car was taken to the hospital for neck and back pain. Anyone who has any information on the incident is asked to contact the New York State Police at 315-366-6000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. A man crashed his vehicle into a pole in Wilkinsburg after he was injured during a shootout in Pittsburghs East Hills. Pittsburgh Police said they went to the 1700 block of Crestline Street in East Hills at 5:15 p.m. on Friday after receiving a ShotSpotter alert for eight rounds fired in the area. Shortly after the shots were reported, a white sedan crashed into a pole and caught on fire on the 1500 block of Coal Street in nearby Wilkinsburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters put out the flames and learned the man inside the vehicle was shot in the hip. That man was taken to a hospital in stable condition. A woman was also inside the sedan. She was taken to a hospital to be evaluated. Officers said their initial investigation indicates that two vehicles traveling south on Crestline Street were shooting at each other. They believe the man and the white sedan were involved in that shootout. The other vehicle was last seen turning right onto Grand Avenue. No other vehicles or houses were damaged. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW A driver was hurt in an early morning crash in Allegheny County. Baldwin Independent Fire Co. #1 Station 105 on Facebook said its station responded to a single-vehicle crash on the 1600 block of Streets Run Road around 2 a.m. They say the vehicle left the roadway, colliding with concrete barriers and a railroad crossing pole. Photos shared by the department show a red SUV with severe front-end damage and the railroad crossing pole on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver was taken to a local hospital. Their current condition is not known. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has arrived in Lviv to participate in a conference on Ukraine's accession to the EU. Source: European Pravda; NOELreports, a media platform covering global conflict zones, on X (Twitter) Details: NOELreports posted a photo of the minister laying flowers on the Lychakiv Military Cemetery (Field of Honorary Burials, also known as the Field of Mars). "He paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian defenders and is set to participate in a conference, hold working meetings, and discuss Ukraine's continued European integration," the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dutch media reports that the Netherlands is helping Ukraine gain access to the European Union. For this purpose, a conference will be held in Lviv on Saturday, which will also be attended by Minister Caspar Veldkamp. The lower house of parliament has asked the Cabinet of Ministers to help the Ukrainian government with the complex EU accession process. To become an EU member, a candidate country must meet the so-called Copenhagen criteria. Representatives of six Dutch ministries arrived in Lviv to discuss the rule of law, agriculture, energy and social issues. The conference in Lviv will be held annually and will take place in Ukraine and the Netherlands. Veldkamp will also speak in Lviv with Olha Stefanishyna, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. Background: The Cabinet of Ministers (Ukrainian government) has approved a plan for Ukraine's implementation of the European Commission's recommendations set out in the 2024 progress report of the candidate countries. Ukraine is waiting for the opening of the first clusters in the EU accession negotiations. The European Commission has announced ambitious plans to open three clusters of negotiations before the end of the Polish presidency in June 2025. However, this step is being blocked by Hungary, which is putting forward new demands regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! UPDATE: Deputy Fair was released from the hospital on Saturday, the Dyer County Sheriffs Office announced. He is expected to make a full recovery and will return to duty as soon as hes able to. As a result of an independent investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 63-year-old George Dinwiddie was arrested for a DUI and driving on a suspended license. The crash is still under investigation. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Dyer County deputy was reportedly struck by a vehicle on Friday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Dyer County Sheriffs Office, the deputy was struck while responding to a crash on Highway 104. The sheriffs office says the deputy was airlifted to Regional One Hospital in Memphis. His condition is unknown at this time. Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box released a statement on the incident. Our deputy was doing his duty, serving and protecting the community, when this tragic incident occurred, Box said. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for him and his family during this difficult time. The sheriffs office says it will release 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 WREG.com. EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) The battle is on. Online business ships food from New Haven all across the country The East Haven Rotary Club held an Anginette Wars competition Friday, with lots of local bakers battling to see who makes the best version of the Italian cookie. News 8s Ashley Baylor visited the competition. Watch the full video in the player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) A popular food bank is ending its services in Bloomington-Normal. Foodmobile was established in 2020 to provide food assistance to students and families in need. Currently, Eastern Illinois food pantries are serving twice as many people as they did in 2022, said their Marketing and Communications Manager, Sophie Ellis. She says theyll be prioritizing people in rural areas that dont have as many resources as the twin cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of those areas are food deserts and dont have grocery stores, pantries, or many resources that the Bloomington Normal area does have, she said. She went on to say that just because the Foodmobile program is coming to an end, it doesnt mean they wont have a presence in McLean County. We like to say that those distributions are not set in stone, but thats because the landscape of food assistance continues to evolve, and more families are needing help. So its important for us to keep an eye on our resources and go to where the need is highest, and that can change, she said. While this particular distribution is ending in the way that its worked, we will still be providing that food assistance to our neighbors in McLean County. According to their data, one in nine individuals in McLean County are experiencing food insecurity. That was evident by the line of people who came out to Normal Community West High School on Saturday for the food bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Director of Communications for Unit 5, Dayna Brown, said the school district was disappointed to see them go. As a school district, we were very disappointed. We understand organizations have to make hard decisions, and we did everything we could to get them to change their mind. But we have to respect in the end, this is their program and we just host it. And they have their reasons for needing to focus on other areas, said Brown. Saturday, June 14 will be their final Foodmobile distribution at Normal Community West High School. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. This article was originally published in Tennessee Lookout. More than two dozen Chattanooga business owners are condemning a bill to require student immigration background checks in Tennessees public schools as economically reckless. The Tennessee Small Business Alliance represents restaurants, real estate firms, retail stores and other local employers operating within the district represented by Sen. Bo Watson. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Watson, a Republican, is cosponsoring the legislation to require proof of legal residence to enroll in public K-12 and charter schools. The bill would also give public schools the option of charging tuition to the families of children unable to prove they legally reside in the United States or to deny them the right to a public education altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Leader William Lamberth of Gallatin is a co-sponsor of the bill, which has drawn significant but not unanimous support from fellow Tennessee Republicans. Lamberths version of the bill differs from Watsons in that it would make it optional rather than mandatory to check students immigration status in all of Tennessees more than 1700 public schools. The bill, one of the most controversial being considered during the 2025 Legislative session, has significant momentum as the Legislature winds down for the year even as it has drawn raucous protests at times. The legislation will next be debated on Monday in a House committee. A statement released by the business alliance described the legislation as a political stunt thats cruel, economically reckless, and completely out of step with local values. Citing estimates compiled by the nonprofit advocacy organization, American Immigration Council, the statement noted that more than 430,000 immigrants in Tennessee paid $4.4 billion in taxes more than $10,000 per immigrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watson, in an emailed statement from Chattanooga public relations firm Waterhouse Public Relations, said his bill raises important questions about the financial responsibility of educating undocumented students in Tennesseequestions that have long gone unaddressed. The statement said the Supreme Courts 1982 decision in Plyler v. Doe, which established the right to a public school education for all children regardless of immigration status, has never been re-examined in the context of todays challenges. The statement said Watson is committed to a transparent, fact-driven discussion about how Tennessee allocates its educational resources and how federal mandates impact our states budget and priorities. Watson has previously also said the legislation was prompted, in part, by the rising costs of English-language instruction in the states public schools. Democrats have criticized that argument as based on inaccurate assumptions that English language learners lack legal immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly Fitzgerald, founder of a Chattanooga co-working business and one of 27 employers that signed onto the statement of condemnation, criticized lawmakers. Do our representatives believe that undocumented children who had no say in their immigration status should be denied a public education, even though their families already pay taxes that fund our schools? said Fitzgerald, whose own children attend Hamilton County Public schools My children are receiving a great education in our public schools, and I want every child to have the same rights and opportunities as mine do, she said. In my opinion, this is not something our legislators should be spending their resources on when there are much larger issues at hand in the current environment, she said. We should leave children out of the conversation. Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com. On the eve of a too-close-to-call presidential election, Ecuador declared a state of emergency Saturday in seven of its 24 provinces, including the capital Quito, saying it was needed to fight a dramatic rise in drug-linked violence. The measure, set to last 60 days, took effect just before Sunday's election pitting incumbent Daniel Noboa against his leftist opponent Luisa Gonzalez, and after the country began the year with its bloodiest start ever, averaging a killing every hour. The state of emergency applies to the coastal provinces of Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, Santa Elena and El Oro, the Amazonian provinces of Orellana and Sucumbios, as well as to Quito and the troubled mining town of Camilo Ponce Enriquez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also applies to the nation's prisons. Noboa imposed the measure amid an "increase in violence, serious crime, and the intense unlawful activities of organized armed groups," according to a decree he signed. The order suspends the legal protection against unauthorized search and entry of homes and mail, as well as the freedom of assembly, and imposes a nightly curfew in the cities of Guayas, Los Rios, Orellana and Sucumbios, as well as Ponce Enriquez. Noboa, in power since November 2023, has previously decreed states of emergency to combat the rise of drug gangs, who have waged bloody turf fights over control of the illicit trade, spreading terror among ordinary Ecuadorans. Navy soldiers stand in formation before heading out to guard polling stations in preparation for Sunday's presidential runoff election, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Saturday, April 12, 2025. / Credit: Fernando Vergara / AP As he pursued his "iron fist" policies, the country's homicide rate fell from a record 47 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023 to 38 in 2024, yet remained the highest in Latin America last year, according to the group Insight Crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noboa last year declared Ecuador to be in an internal armed conflict, allowing him to keep troops in the streets to combat some 20 drug gangs linked to international cartels the president brands as "terrorists." It was not immediately clear how the election-eve emergency measures would affect the voting process Sunday, or voters' decisions. But crime has been a key issue between Noboa, 37, and his 47-year-old rival Gonzalez, as close to 14 million Ecuadorans prepare to decide who will run their nation for the next four years. A Noboa victory would likely spell more "iron fist" policies, which have had mixed success. He wants to see U.S. troops deploy to Ecuador to tackle the cartels wrestling to control the flow of cocaine through Ecuadoran ports to Asia, the United States and Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A win by Gonzalez, who hopes to be Ecuador's first female president, would signal a sharp shift to the left and a likely cooling of Ecuador's relations with the United States and its president, Donald Trump. An American intelligence assessment of the Ecuadorian presidential election concluded that a reelection of the incumbent president would better serve U.S. national security interests over the challenger. Ecuador ranks among the 10 largest economies in Latin America and the bilateral trade between Ecuador and the United States surged to $15.2 billion in 2023. Ecuador avoided Mr. Trump's imposed tariffs rolled out by the White House last week. Saturday Sessions: Dawes performs "Still Strangers Sometimes" Saturday Sessions: Dawes performs "Time Spent in Los Angeles" Saturday Sessions: Dawes performs "Front Row Seat" Annie Ma and Sarah Raza Associated Press WASHINGTON The Education Department has withdrawn from an agreement to address disparities in discipline for Native American students at a South Dakota school system, saying it was wrongly rooted in efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. The decision reflects a shift in interpretation of anti-discrimination laws under President Donald Trumps administration, which is planning to review other agreements the department's Office for Civil Rights has struck with school systems around the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At issue in the Rapid City Area School District were questions of harsh discipline and access to advanced coursework for Native students, who have been less likely than their white peers to be in high-level classes. A federal investigation found Native students were roughly four times as likely to be suspended and five times as likely to be arrested compared with their white peers. Last month, the Education Department told the district it would close its compliance review, saying in a letter the agreement violated civil rights laws because DEI was at its foundation. Some parents who participated in listening sessions with the Office for Civil Rights said they felt their effort had been wasted. If theres a fight, instead of restorative practices, in our schools the first thing they do is call the police who are right there in the schools as resource officers," said Valeriah Big Eagle, a parent of three children in the school district and a leader at NDN Collective, an Indigenous advocacy group. We know the school-to-prison pipeline is real for our kids, and the only way we can address that is by promoting restorative practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Education Department backed away from the Rapid City case because the resolution focused on racial balancing and tasked its lawyers with micromanaging how the schools disciplined students, a department official said. Agreements at other schools lay out plans to address harassment and discrimination Under Trump, the Education Department has threatened to cut funding from schools that refuse to disavow DEI, which his administration has described as discriminatory and illegal. The Office for Civil Rights, which was hit hard by reductions in staff, meantime has prioritized investigations into allegations of antisemitism. The rollback of the South Dakota case reflects the departments efforts to control school-level decisions on diversity initiatives, regardless of their legal basis, said Michael Pillera, director of educational equity issues at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. It does feel unprecedented, and it does feel extreme, Pillera said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has rescinded one other civil rights resolution agreement with a school district, a case involving books removed from a Forsyth County School District library in Georgia. But the department official said they will be reviewing others. The Office for Civil Rights enters into hundreds of resolution agreements a year with districts in cases involving racial harassment, disproportionate discipline, disability discrimination and gender discrimination. It can require corrective action ranging from resolving access issues for individual students with disabilities to sweeping audits of district-wide practices. The issues uncovered in Rapid City schools around disproportionate discipline and policing have long been an area of concern when it comes to preventing discrimination against students of color, said Liz King, senior director for the education equity program at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The question is, do we care what the effect of discrimination is or not?" King said. If we're seeing they're causing disproportionate harm to some groups of students, we need to be asking hard questions about whether or not we can justify those policies. Rapid City schools say the reforms will continue, but some parents have doubts The Rapid City investigation began in 2010 and was closed in 2024 under the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In interviews with federal investigators, a former superintendent said high truancy rates owed to some Native American tribes not valuing education, and that they operate on Indian time, arriving late. The board fired her last summer over the derogatory remarks. In a statement, the district's acting superintendent, Cory Strasser, said neither the board or district leadership were involved in the decision to terminate the resolution agreement. He said that the district had already done much of the work required by the resolution agreement, which ranged from training in implicit bias to better tracking of discipline data. He said the work will continue without federal oversight. These efforts have positively impacted all students, Strasser said. Some in the community worry the district on its own will not follow through on the recommendations. Nick Tilsen, founder of the Rapid City-based NDN Collective, said it has been flooded with calls from concerned parents and students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement exists because the Rapid City Area school board needed to be held accountable to implementing those provisions, Tilsen said. They cant just simply say that theyre doing it, because the data already shows that theyre not implementing these things. Darren Thompson, media relations director at the Native nonprofit Sacred Defense Fund, said it is the latest in a series of federal decisions that affects tribal citizens but did not solicit input from any tribal communities. He added the Native American population in South Dakota is unique because many have distinctly Indian surnames, like Black Elk, which can make them targets of discrimination in schools or when seeking employment. By Allison Lampert and Rajesh Kumar Singh MONTREAL/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Cars, consumer goods, and industrial equipment have been delayed at ports, stuck on rail cars, and languished in warehouses at times over the last few months due to the White House's on-again, off-again tariff policy. Planes and their engines are usually ordered by U.S. buyers years in advance, and tariff confusion risks delaying shipments of both, even if the industry has not been directly targeted for duties, sources told Reuters. The frequent changes and added costs are stressing a supply chain that has wrestled with shortages of parts and labor. Outside Montreal, workers at Airbus' Canadian plant assembled a single-aisle A220 jet over the last several months, even as the shifting tariff policy made it unclear whether the plane would go to its intended customer, Delta Air Lines, with or without a 25% duty. The rapidly changing landscape means Delta might receive the 130-seat plane without tariffs, or could owe duties to the U.S. government for parts made outside the United States. The aircraft is expected to be delivered in June, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Delta and Airbus declined comment on whether the A220 jet would be subjected to the levy. Tariffs have rarely been an issue for aerospace. Aside from an 18-month transatlantic tariff war over Airbus and Boeing subsidies in 2020 and 2021, the industry has operated under a 1979 treaty guaranteeing zero-duty trading that includes the U.S. and Canada, but not Mexico. But President Donald Trump's frequent tariff changes during assembly of this A220 jet illustrate how his strategy adds risks for planemakers and airlines alike. In early February, as Airbus employees in Mirabel, Quebec, worked on the plane's interior near the start of the assembly line, a source said, Trump threatened a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico. The levy would have raised the cost for Delta substantially on a plane worth about $40.5 million, according to Cirium delivery data from 2024. SHIFTING TARIFF POLICY Just before that tariff was to go into effect, Trump delayed it for 30 days, and then said goods compliant with the Trump-negotiated U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement would be exempt from duties. Those requirements forced Canadian aerospace companies to scramble to sort out paperwork they had not previously needed. This particular plane, recently painted in Delta's colors, was believed to comply with the 2020 agreement, and hence exempt from tariffs, industry sources said. Canada's Bombardier has said its jets are compliant, and they have been delivered to U.S. clients without duties, one of the sources told Reuters. For Mandy Goodhand and Stephanie Johnson-Mansley, it looked like the retirement cottage theyd always dreamed of. Howell Fen Farm, a remote but beautiful 1850s Lincolnshire farmhouse, is surrounded by green fields and wildlife and offered lots of room for the animal refuge theyd always wanted. But 15 months after spending 380,000 buying the property, plus another 80,000 on refurbishments, a knock on the door from a local farmer ruined their rural idyll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The farmer, owner of the surrounding fields, told them he and two other farmers had signed their land over to a solar developer meaning they would soon be surrounded in a sea of black glass panels. There was, he said, nothing they could do about it and no chance of compensation. We came here largely for the wildlife we also have hares, deer, wild birds, badgers and beautiful landscapes, says Goodhand. The developers told us they were installing solar panels up to our boundary, plus fences, and there was nothing we could do about it, nor any chance of compensation. The wildlife and everything else we loved it for will be gone and no one will buy our house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scale of the planned Beacon Fen solar farm next to Goodhand and Johnson-Mansleys property is huge, covering more than 1,300 acres of mostly top quality farmland, according to documents submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. It means Goodhand and Johnson-Mansley, living on its southern edge, will be surrounded by the 15ft-high panels on three sides with a road on the other. For the Beacon Fen developers, Low Carbon, a private investment company based near Pall Mall in central London, it means 40 years of profits. Farmers, who live out of sight of the panels, will also be entitled to decades of rental income estimated at over 1,000 an acre. The planned Beacon Fen solar farm next to Mandy Goodhand and Stephanie Johnson-Mansleys property covers more than 1,300 acres - Tony Buckingham Such plans highlight what some see as an emerging wild west approach to the solar planning scramble hitting Englands most rural counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a scramble boosted by a near-total lack of planning rules or guidelines allowing solar developers to buy or lease vast tracts of fertile green farmland and cover them in solar panels. Such developers can largely ignore the impact on adjacent homes, businesses or entire communities no compensation is payable, almost whatever the impact. Even developments designed to entirely surround peoples homes and villages are permitted provided they are approved by the UK planning inspectorate or if they refuse, signed off by Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, who has the final say over larger developments. Local authorities are also largely powerless. Nick Scott, a local farmer who also chairs the parish council, said many other homes have been blighted by Beacon Fen but resistance seemed futile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have lived next to the proposed scheme for two years now and the tears, sleepless nights and anxiety this is causing is a terrible toll to inflict on a community. Scott is determined to fight but thinks the chances of victory are small. I fear Miliband will just wave it through without visiting the site or speaking to those affected by it, he says. Stephen Beard and his family are another of those blighted. Their converted barn house, which they bought just five years ago for 860,000, would also be surrounded on all sides by Beacon Fens panels turning it into a solar island. Its probably the most extreme solar development you could ever imagine, says Beard, 67. Our home will be completely surrounded by solar panels on every side.We were furious when we found out but what we feel now is just angry and very depressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ironically both Beard and Scott are supporters of solar and other forms of renewable energy but what concerns them and others is the near-total lack of planning rules around solar developments. It means rural counties such as Lincolnshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex, along with others including Devon, Hampshire and Kent are all being targeted for massive developments that threaten to industrialise swathes of the countryside. Milibands supporters argue that such developments will cover less than 1pc of the UKs land area but critics say this is misleading because most solar farms are concentrated into just England, a much smaller area. Their impact is magnified by clustering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because solar developers need to connect to the UKs electrical grid, they focus their proposals on farmland that is also near substations. It means solar farms are not being spread evenly around the country but are instead becoming focused on areas with pylons, substations and other infrastructure. Beacon Fen is just such a place but there are many others in Englands rural shires. Cornwall has the most solar developments, followed by Wiltshire and Somerset. Lincolnshire alone has seen Miliband approve five large projects within a few miles of each other, including the Cottam and West Burton solar parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caroline Johnson, the Conservative MP who represents the Sleaford constituency in Lincolnshire where Beacon Fen will be based, says: Its wrong that a persons home or community can be stuck right in the very middle of a large solar array. One of the most appealing areas for such developments is the countryside around Newark in Nottinghamshire, the constituency of Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary. It emerged last month that solar farms are set to cover 9pc of his constituency if Miliband approves them. Just one of them, the Great North Road Solar and Biodiversity Park would cover 7,000 acres of farmland. What angers residents the most is that the entire planning process has been reduced to a charade by Labour, where despite a consultation, every single application seems to be approved almost immediately, says Jenrick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ed Miliband has made a mockery of the process and may as well just say that the publics views are irrelevant to him. His net zero zealotry comes before anything and anyone else. Solar developers face backlash As you would expect, solar developers see things differently. Asked about the predicaments of homeowners, Low Carbons James Hartley-Bond claimed communities were actually becoming ever more welcoming to solar developments. We strive to develop sites that minimise any impact on people and the environment and work closely with the local community, especially those directly affected, he says. Asked how such ambitions could be reconciled with entirely surrounding peoples homes with solar panels, he said the company was seeking a mutually agreeable solution with Beard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hartley-Bond offered one other potential compensation, suggesting property owners like Beard would see a surge in wildlife once the panels were in place. We anticipate a significant biodiversity net gain for the project. However, the promise of birds and bees buzzing happily around fields of 15ft-high black solar panels has done little to quell rural concerns. Lincolnshire alone has at least nine more solar farms awaiting a decision from Miliband in addition to the five he has already approved and the dispute has pushed solar to the top of the political agenda. The county is already being targeted by the Reform Party for next months local elections with opposition to solar high on its manifesto. Reform is putting up candidates in every council seat with Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a former Tory MP, standing as Reforms candidate for the mayoralty of Greater Lincolnshire. Last month she addressed a rally against solar farms which saw hundreds of people protesting in Lincolns Cornhill Quarter, with placards branding solar developers as eco-vandals. Conservatives are also furious. Colin Davie, a Lincolnshire county councillor, says: No developer should be allowed to surround someones home or village in a sea of solar. Similarly, new anti-solar groups are springing up in Norfolk and Suffolk, where plans for several new giant solar farms have been announced, with several protests erupting over planned solar developments. Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Reforms candidate for the mayoralty of Greater Lincolnshire, has addressed a rally against solar farms - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Europe The backlash has prompted the Government and solar industry to set up a solar taskforce to draw up a solar roadmap containing guidance on spatial planning. It has been meeting regularly for two years but the roadmap remains unpublished. A spokesman for Solar Energy UK, the trade body, said: Solar farms are critical to driving down energy prices, decarbonising the electricity system and reinforcing energy independence. They also provide havens for threatened wildlife. The Government has said it will act to change the current wild west rules to control such developments commissioning the National Energy System Operator (Neso) to draw up a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan. But that will not be published until next year with public consultation and detailed environmental assessments to follow its chosen recommendations. It will almost certainly follow government policy in giving strong support to far more solar developments. Milibands plans include a tripling of solar capacity within five years, from 15 gigawatts (GW) now to nearly 50GW and 70GW by 2035. It means the planning rules needed to save people like Beard and his neighbours around the Beacon Fen site from the advance of solar will be a long time coming. Goodhand and Johnson-Mansley also see little chance of a respite. We are being forgotten and ignored, says Goodhand. 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 possibility that an idle, unconnected Southern California Edison transmission line somehow reengerized on Jan. 7 is "a leading hypothesis" for what started the destructive Eaton fire, Edison International Chief Executive Pedro Pizarro said Friday. In response, Edison will take steps to harden other idle towers and lines across its network to prevent reenergizing incidents. Those measures include conducting additional field inspections, reviewing past inspections, and making changes in an internal maintenance manual that instruct crews on how to properly ground the idle equipment. In a Friday interview with The Times, Pizarro said the actions were being taken out of "an abundance of caution." He also stressed that the company is still exploring all possibilities into what caused the fire. However, current evidence including videos and data from the lines suggests the possibility that the idle equipment was reenergized through a phenomenon called induction and sparked the Jan. 7 inferno. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Induction seems to be a key thing to be looking at here because the idle line was not connected to any equipment," Pizarro said. "It had no direct source of power. It was like an extension cord sitting on your floor, not connected to the wall." Read more: Secret changes Edison imposed after Eaton fire remain shrouded in mystery Induction occurs when the magnetic field of another active line nearby induces an electric current in the unconnected line. It is considered rare, but has been raised as a possibility by attorneys who have since sued Edison on behalf of residents who lost their homes in the fire. Now, the utility is exploring it as a leading theory and also ensuring that similar idle equipment is properly grounded, so that sudden power surges can be safely dissipated into the earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have to look at everything," Pizarro said. "Given that there was video of the flashing and the fire starting apparently around the idle transmission tower, and given that that line it was holding was not connected to anything, then induction becomes a leading hypothesis." Edison reported to the state's regulatory commission that four of its lines over Eaton Canyon saw a momentary surge of electrical current at about the same time the fire ignited. In the filing, officials noted the current increase "remained within the design limits" of its circuits. "Initially we didn't think there were dots to connect here because we had protected equipment on all our transmission lines," Pizarro said. But video showing the initial flames of the fire appeared to be ignited under the idle tower raised serious concerns, and prompted the company to take additional steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a precaution, Pizarro said, the giant utility company revised an internal manual that outlines how the idle equipment must be grounded. At least one lawsuit filed against SCE included photos of the tower with four feet of exposed grounding wire protruding from the steep hillside. The changes in the manual were noted in a filing with state regulators on Feb. 6. Edison had declined to provide the Los Angeles Times a copy of the changes or provide details on it for weeks, saying it was an internal document. The California Public Utilities Commission also denied a public records request from The Times to disclose the information. On Friday, the company shared the revised section of the manual, which officials said provided uniformity into how idle Edison equipment is now to be grounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Edison to bury more than 150 miles of power lines in wake of devastating L.A. County firestorms Rajdeep Roy, vice president of transmission operations and substations for Edison, told The Times that the revision came after the Jan. 7 fires, and it was the only change made at the time. Before the revision, grounding procedures were determined by engineers at the time that the equipment became idle, he said. The grounding procedures were based on a case-by-case basis due to the equipment, terrain and surrounding lines. The new policies, reviewed by The Times on Friday, provide specifications for equipment, including the type of grounding wire to be used and number of bolts required depending on the type of structure. They also differentiate between the required grounding for wood, lightweight steel poles, and lattice towers like the ones under scrutiny in Eaton Canyon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revision also requires grounding every two miles of idle line, in sections that are within 600 feet of a 220kV or 500kV line. "As you look across the industry, there isn't a very clear common standard for what you do with an idle line," Pizarro said. Edison is reviewing whether the manual changes will require the company to install additional grounding of idle lines, or change grounding equipment, Pizarro said. He also said crews were conducting field inspections of idle equipment, and performing "desktop inspections" a review of photographs taken during past equipment visits to check for potentially overlooked issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You have folks raising all types of theories from outside the company, and it just raises questions to say, 'Let's take another look,'" Pizarro said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Apr. 11Holding signs like, "Hands off students" and "Education, not deportation," about 100 Gonzaga University students marched and chanted Friday through campus calling on the university to resist President Donald Trump's policies on higher education and students while embodying the school's Jesuit social justice values. The protest, led by Gonzaga student groups like, "Do Better Gonzaga," "Fossil Free Gonzaga" and "Gonzaga Community for Justice in Palestine," comes on the heels of the federal government revoking two Gonzaga students' international visas in response to Trump's executive order targeting students who protest against Israel for the war in Gaza. The protest also called on the university to divest itself from fossil fuels and criticized the U.S. government's role in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is why we are here today, to speak out against the abduction of international students who express political opinions, to speak out against our role in the genocide in Gaza, to call on our university to maintain its Jesuit commitment to social justice," Sebastian Pedinielli, member of the Justice in Palestine group, said through a megaphone. The demonstration started with Sean Mullins, a Gonzaga sophomore and member of Fossil Free Gonzaga, addressing the roughly 100 protesters at Herak Quad on campus. Mullins said the Trump administration is attacking immigration, refugees, the environment, diversity, equity and inclusion, LGBT+ rights and "vital government programs." "It's only the beginning of an authoritarian agenda that threatens our community and thousands more across the nation," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it's time to resist the attacks on human dignity and freedom of speech, including fighting back against government operations to take away international members of the community and against institutions that perpetuate and profit from genocide and the climate crisis. Mullins also read the Gonzaga mission statement, which, in part, says the university is "an exemplary learning community that educates students for lives of leadership and service for the common good." "So I ask you, can you participate in an exemplary learning community when some of your classmates fear unjust deportation or a revocation of their visas?" Mullins asked. "No," the crowd yelled. "It's time for Gonzaga to meaningfully take action, led by its mission statement and Jesuit values," Mullins said. "It is about damn time for Gonzaga to stand up to hate and create the conditions for a more just and peaceful world." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzaga wrote in a statement that campus demonstrations like Friday's are an important way students and other members of the Gonzaga community can voice their concerns about important issues and current events. "A fundamental principle which sits at the heart of Gonzaga's educational mission is the commitment to freedom of expression," the statement said. "Our Jesuit values call upon us to seek justice, uphold the dignity of all persons and to build bridges of understanding that can lead to a more hopeful and peaceful future. We therefore respect the right of students, faculty, staff and administrators to exercise their intellectual freedom in the pursuit of these ends." Pedinielli focused his comments on what he called the "genocide" waged against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel cut off humanitarian aid from the Gaza Strip and renewed its assault in Gaza after a brief ceasefire. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel's war with Hamas started, and Pedinielli said Americans are complicit because the U.S. has provided immense military aid to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a war carried out by Israel, but politically and financially supported by the American government," he said. Pedinielli also decried the university students and faculty members taken by immigration agents and the revocation of visas for those who have protested Israel's war in Gaza. "These clear violations of rights fundamental to our democracy are undoubtedly attacks on our education, our free speech, our peaceful protests and on any semblance of activism to protest our role in the genocide in Gaza," he said. Pedinielli called on Gonzaga to announce how it contributes to companies he said profit from the bombardment of Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenaro Abraham, Gonzaga professor of political science, expressed his admiration for the student protesters and said he represented many professors who stand with them in solidarity. He said they are standing up for the poor and vulnerable. "It is spiritual that you are partaking in struggles that benefit people that you don't even know," Abraham said. Protesters marched from Herak Quad to College Hall, chanting: "Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest;" "Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE;" and, "Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here." Outside College Hall, Jackson Stopa, a member of Do Better Gonzaga, also called on the university to stay true to its mission statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It must act in accordance with our university's social justice mission by providing protection to our community members who are most at risk," he said. He told the protesters that students are a fundamental part of social movements. "This is obvious in the wake of the Trump regime as you see him targeting student movements first," Stopa said. " ... The Trump administration wants to attack students because history shows us that students hold revolutionary power to make substantial social change." Students placed their signs on the building's steps and used colorful chalk to write messages like, "Immigrant lives matter" and "Immigrants make GU great." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peri Abrahm, a senior majoring in psychology and communications studies, wrote messages like, "Social change now" and "Fight for peace." "Fighting for peace" is the bare minimum we can do as people, said Abrahm, vice president of Gonzaga student club, Jewish Student Union. "This is a very powerful way to uplift us and encourage us that the movements can be done, and they can be done well and our voices can be heard, even if that's just in chalk and on the ground." She said she hopes Gonzaga officials receive the protesters' messages, which have been voiced in demonstrations throughout the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope that there's just a bit more acknowledgment and sincerity in that acknowledgment of, 'I see what my students need and I'm there for my students. We're here to protect you and also embody our mission as fighting for justice and fighting for humanistic principles,' " she said. Abrahm said they'll continue to voice their messages until the university hears them. "Every day is a fight," she said. "It's not over today, it's not over now. It's something that we need to embody and carry with us in every day and every interaction, and I hope that's perceived as well." EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has confirmed three additional measles cases on Friday, April 11. The new cases involve a 1-year-old boy, a woman in her 30s and a man in his 40s, according to the City. City confirms 1st measles case, 2nd in region The 1-year-old boy and the woman were unvaccinated, the City said. The vaccination status of the man is currently unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ysleta Independent School District, meanwhile, sent a statement saying the Citys Department of Public Health identified one case of measles at Bel Air High School. The district said they will reach out to any Bel Air High School parent whose child was found to be in contact with the positive measles case. About 34,000 students are enrolled at the district, and only 0.6 percent of students have not had the measles vaccine, YISD said. Ysleta ISD is following all procedures as prescribed by district and city health policies. To ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community, Ysleta ISD will begin regular fogging procedures at all campuses with an anti-virus solution to help mitigate the potential for further measles exposure, read the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district did not say if the positive case involved a student, teacher or staff member. The City has activated a public health awareness campaign and is collaborating with local hospitals, schools, clinics and community organizations to share timely information and ensure coordinated prevention efforts, according to a news release that was sent out. We urge residents to ensure they and their children are up to date with their MMR vaccinations, City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza said. Vaccination protects not just your family it also reduces the risk of outbreaks and protects our most vulnerable neighbors. In addition, health officials have launched contact tracing efforts to identify anyone who may have been exposed and are working to mitigate the potential spread of the virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Citys Department of Public Health, state health officials have been notified. Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing and remains in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, which are followed after with a rash that spreads from the head down to the rest of the body, the City said. Infected individuals are contagious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash. The day the rash appears is considered Day Zero. The Department of Public Health said these are the individuals at risk of contracting measles: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individuals who are unvaccinated. Recent travelers to areas with ongoing measles outbreaks. Immunocompromised individuals, including pregnant women, people with HIV, and those undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment. There are free walk-in immunization services available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) on Monday through Friday at the following Department of Public Health clinics: Lower Valley Community Clinic: 9341 Alameda Ave. Henderson Community Clinic: 721 S. Mesa St. Northeast Community Clinic: 9566 Railroad Dr. Westside Community Clinic: 7380 Remcon Cir To schedule an appointment, you can call (915) 212-6555 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For additional information on measles symptoms, vaccinations and potential exposure, you can contact the City of El Pasos measles hotline at (915) 212-HELP (4357). Residents can also call 211 or visit El Paso Healths vaccination and immunization tab. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) Despite the case of a man wrongly deported to his native El Salvador just brought before the Supreme Court, former Trump White House Cabinet Secretary William McGinley believes it is headed back there. On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration must begin the process of releasing Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. The justices did not say exactly what Abrego Garcias release would entail or how he would return to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weapons, ammo stopped from heading into Mexico On Friday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Trump administration to provide daily updates on how they were facilitating Abrego Garcias return. It came amidst the Justice Departments lawyer admitting they did not have information to provide on his whereabouts. The president of the United States, under Article Two, is the Chief Executive Officer, the commander in chief and the chief magistrate, McGinley said on The Hill. All of that gives him plenary authority over international relations. This is not a US citizen. Ice and others had determined that he may have been a gang member, or was a gang member, which is how he got deported in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGinley believes information on Abrego Garcias whereabouts will eventually be provided. However, both he and NewsNation legal contributor Jesse Weber believe it isnt a priority for the White House. Assuming he wasnt Abrego Garcia, assuming he was somebody else that the Trump administration really wanted back, I think they would have figured out a way to ultimately make it happen, Weber 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 NewsNation. Cleburne firefighters cited an electrical malfunction in a refrigerator as the apparent cause of a March 31 garage fire. Firefighters responded to reports of a building fire at 5:41 p.m. in the 1700 block of Riverway Drive. Upon arrival firefighters found heavy black smoke pouring from the side door of the garage. Upon opening the garage door, more heavy smoke poured from the back to the front of the garage. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and left the doors open to ventilate the area. Firefighters checked for, but found no signs of, fire extension beyond the refrigerator. The fire caused minimal damage and no injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleburne firefighters assisted Keene firefighters on a vehicle fire on March 24. Cleburne firefighters responded at 10:18 p.m. to reports of a travel trailer on fire in the 2600 block of County Road 317. Cleburne assisted by providing additional water to fight the fire and helped out with clean up and overhaul operations once the fire was out. Reports list no cause for the fire or any injuries associated with the incident. CFD responded to two grass fire calls on Tuesday. Firefighters responded at 2:17 p.m. to Texas 171 and CR 1009 where they found a small area of grass burning along railroad tracks. Firefighters employed a CFD tanker and 150 gallons of water to extinguish the fire. The fire's cause remains unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleburne firefighters assisted Bono firefighters on a mutual aid call concerning a grass fire at 2:45 p.m. the same day. The fire sparked in the 1900 block of CR 1123. The fire consumed about three acres. A resident with a tractor managed to extinguish the majority of the fire before firefighters arrived. Cleburne brush trucks swept the remaining area to finish the job. A burning pile of wood coupled with wind gusts caused the fire to spread. Cleburne Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Gavitt urged county residents to exercise caution when burning. "Everything is pretty green from spring so we're good in that respect, and the county has lifted the burn ban for now," Gavitt said. "We haven't had many grass fire calls in the past week or so but have had to go help out on some out in the county. So it's important to remain cautious and always monitor outdoor burns." Gavitt reiterated that, absent a permit, outdoor burning within city limits is prohibited. Elon Musk, who owns one of the worlds biggest social media platforms, has spent many millions of dollars on politics as he helps Donald Trump slash the federal government and continue the administrations attack on immigrants. Now, Musk is saying that he is losing the propaganda war, potentially through his own choices. Recent polling shows people dont like Musk. On Friday, numbers pundit Nate Silver posted on X that Musks popularity is at negative 14 points. Trump, for comparison, is at negative 5 points. The chart shows that Musks popularity markedly decreased when Trump took office, with 39.6 percent of respondents viewing him favorably as of this month. Musk blamed this decline on liberals waging a successful propaganda campaign against him, and suggested that Republicans are not boosting him in kind. But he also more or less admitted he is making himself unpopular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inevitable outcome of having a political propaganda war waged against me while I have almost no countervailing campaign and, at times, digging my own grave way better than my enemies do, Musk replied to Silver, adding two crying-laughing emojis at the end, an emoji he uses frequently. As Rolling Stone reported earlier this week, Musks pillaging of the government is infuriating everyday Americans and Trump aides alike. Talking to the guy is sometimes like listening to really rusty nails on a chalkboard, a senior Trump administration official told Rolling Stone. Hes just the most irritating person Ive ever had to deal with, and that is saying something. Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency have been furiously slashing the federal government, purging workers, and aiding Trumps crackdown on immigration. Tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired, with more firings on the way. And on Friday, Politico reported that longtime Musk buddy Antonio Gracias is leading a DOGE immigration task force that has wormed itself into the Department of Homeland Security. Gracias has also made misleading claims about non-citizens receiving Social Security based on data that a court barred DOGE from accessing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk embarrassed himself recently in a foray into state politics when the Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate he supported by reportedly sinking $25 million into the campaign lost the election. People did not like that he offered $1 million checks to voters at an event supporting candidate Brad Schimel. A poll by Blueprint Research found that 69 percent of voters disapproved of the move. The poll also put net approval for Musks handling of DOGE at negative 19 points. Last weekend, tens of thousands of Americans and activists around the globe came out to protest Trump and Musks destruction including DOGEs cuts to Social Security. And if the protests werent clear enough, people have been vandalizing Tesla vehicles and dealerships. Someone even vandalized a 12-foot-tall statue of Musk. Why someone would put a 12-foot-tall statue of Musk on their property is unclear. A factor in Musks role in the social media-obsessed Trump administration is that he owns X, allowing him to have major influence online and shape the discourse. For example, the Social Security Administration is reportedly moving all of its public communications to X in addition to dramatically cutting regional staff and offices, according to Wired. Musk raised alarm bells recently when he called Social Security the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are no longer planning to issue press releases or those dear colleague letters to inform the media and public about programmatic and service changes, Social Security Administration regional commissioner Linda Kerr-Davis told workers earlier this week, Wired reported. Instead, the agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the public so this will become our communication mechanism. Appropriately, the Social Security Administration took to X to dispute the story. This is false. Social Security will continue to communicate through any and all mediums, the agency posted. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. MUSCAT, Oman (AP) Iran and the United States will hold more negotiations next week over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear program, Iranian state television reported Saturday at the end of the first round of talks between the two countries since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Iran's state-run broadcaster revealed that U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke" together the first time the two nations have done that since the Obama administration. Tehrans declaration that the two sides spoke face-to-face even if briefly suggests the negotiations went well even to Iranian state TV, which long has been controlled by hard-liners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the White House described the discussions as very positive and constructive, while conceding the issues that need to be resolved are very complicated. Special Envoy Witkoffs direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome, the White House said. Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Saturday while flying to Miami for a UFC event that the talks are going okay. I cant tell you because nothing matters until you get it done so I dont like talking about it but its going ok. The Iran situation is going pretty good, I think," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next round of talks will take place Saturday, April 19, according to the Iranian and American statements. This first round of talks began at around 3:30 p.m. local. The two sides spoke for over two hours at a location in the outskirts of Muscat, Oman's capital, ending the talks around 5:50 p.m. local time. The convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff returned to Muscat before disappearing into traffic around a neighborhood that is home to the U.S. Embassy. The stakes of the negotiations couldnt be higher for the two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Irans nuclear program if a deal isnt reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Talks took place Saturday afternoon in Oman Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Associated Press journalists saw a convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff leave the Omani Foreign Ministry on Saturday afternoon and then speed off into the outskirts of Muscat. The convoy went into a compound and a few minutes later, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social platform X that the indirect talks had begun. Afterward, Araghchi described the meeting as constructive to Iranian state TV, with four rounds of messages exchanged during the indirect portion. Neither we nor the other side are interested in fruitless negotiations so-called talks for the sake of talks, wasting time, or drawn-out, exhausting negotiations, he said. "Both sides, including the Americans, have said that their goal is also to reach an agreement in the shortest possible time. However, that will certainly not be an easy task. That the two men spoke face-to-face satisfied a demand of the Americans. Trump and Witkoff both had described the talks as being direct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today, Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his trip. That doesnt mean, by the way, that at the margin were not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries. He added: Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponization of your nuclear capability. Araghchi, however, sought to downplay the encounter as a brief initial conversation, greetings and polite exchanges likely to avoid drawing the anger of hard-liners in Iran. Badr al-Busaidi, Oman's foreign minister who shuttled between the two sides, said the countries have a shared aim of concluding a fair and binding agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to thank my two colleagues for this engagement, which took place in a friendly atmosphere conducive to bridging viewpoints and ultimately achieving regional and global peace, security and stability, al-Busaidi wrote on X. We will continue to work together and put further efforts to assist in arriving at this goal. Sanctions relief and enrichment remain top issues While the U.S. side can offer sanctions relief for Irans 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, Tehrans 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 wont 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 countrys 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States. ___ Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. ___ 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/ LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a new website to help Kentuckians stay informed on flood response efforts. The site, last updated on Monday, includes current information about floods across Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee and resources for those in need. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The page has water safety guidance and cleanup of flooded homes. Immediate focus has been on ensuring the safety and integrity of essential water infrastructure. EPA is in close contact with Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KDEP), who have reported power outages impacting wastewater and drinking water treatment plants, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. Resources from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency are both available online. EPA Southeast remains committed to working closely with our state partners to assess environmental impacts, address potential threats to public health, and provide technical assistance to ensure the swift and safe recovery of affected communities in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. EPA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available, the EPA website reads. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, April 9, FEMA disaster recovery centers established after Februarys flooding reopened as the Commonwealth prepares to apply for more federal aid in response to Aprils tornadoes and deadly flooding. To apply for individual assistance, visit the FEMA website. FEMA encourages people not to shy away from applying. Ive seen instances where people will say, Oh, well, I dont have it as bad as the person across the street from me. I can; maybe I have the resources on my own. Apply anyway because there may be assistance available for you too, Daniel Bernardy, FEMA media relations specialist, told FOX 56 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 FOX 56 News. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Volkswagen's truckmaker Scania said on Friday it had agreed to buy bankrupt Northvolt's division that makes battery packs for heavy industry, reviving a transaction first presented in February, for an undisclosed price. Sweden's Northvolt filed for bankruptcy last month in one of the country's largest corporate failures, bringing to an end Europe's best hope of developing a rival to Asian electric vehicle battery makers. Scania, part of Volkswagen's truck unit Traton, had in February offered to buy Northvolt Systems Industrial for $6 million, but the bankruptcy put the plan on hold. Scania, a stakeholder and customer of the battery maker, said on Friday it had reached a deal with the bankruptcy trustee - marking the first sale of Northvolt assets after the bankruptcy. The division, which has some 260 employees, makes battery systems for use in construction, mining and other heavy industry equipment at a factory in Poland, and also has a research and development centre in Sweden. Northvolt had for months attempted to sell some of its non-core businesses to try to rescue its core operations that produce battery cells for EVs. Scania said the purchase was in line with its strategy to develop complementary businesses to boost the company's long-term competitiveness. "With this acquisition Scania will strengthen its electrification offering for off-road applications," it said, adding that Northvolt Systems Industrial's operations will continue with business as usual. (Reporting by Marie Mannes, Writing by Anna Ringstrom; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Jamie Freed) Erik and Lyle Menendez scored a major victory in their multipronged battle for their freedom on Friday, while the new Los Angeles district attorney was dealt a blow by a California judge who sided with the brothers in allowing their resentencing hearing to move forward. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic handed down the decision, which amounts to a rejection of District Attorney Nathan Hochmans request that a motion by his predecessor that the brothers sentence for the 1989 murder of their parents be reduced from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years be removed. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brothers appeared in court via Zoom and made no comments about the decision on Friday. The decision means that a resentencing hearing scheduled for the brothers for Thursday in Van Nuys will move forward. If the resentencing happens, Erik and Lyle Menendez, who by all accounts have been model prisoners for the past 35 years as theyve served time in federal prison, would make them immediately eligible for parole, as they were under 29 years old when the murders took place. Everything you argued today is absolutely fair game for the resentencing hearing next Thursday, Jesic told Hochman and the district attorneys office attorney Habib Balian. On Friday, Balian argued to the court that former D.A. George Gascons resentencing petition missed key elements of the original crime. In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez gunned down their parents, Jose and Mary Louise Kitty Menendez, in the den of their Beverly Hills mansion on Aug. 20, 1989. They were arrested months later, and the notion that this was a murder of self-defense by two sons who feared for their lives was rejected by half of two deadlocked juries in the separate trials and then barred from mention in a second joint retrial where they were found guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past few years, fresh evidence that helped turn millions toward rooting for their freedom has emerged in the form of a letter discovered in a late cousins desk, in which Erik Menendez described the daily abuse and that was written eight months prior to the killing of his parents; the former Menudo member who claims he suffered abuse at the hands of Jose Menendez. Balian said the brothers killed their parents out of greed and cited the notes of a psychiatrist who wrote at the time that this was not self-defense. Mark Geragos, the celebrity attorney defending the Menendez brothers, scoffed off these suggestions; he has criticized Hochman for politicizing the case and echoed what most of the Menendez family has said about the new D.A.s perception of the case. Geragos said of the prosecutions presentation before the court, They have authorized the denial of sexual abuse. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Survival guides, stockpiling and mass evacuation drills. Europe is scrambling to prepare its citizens for the growing threat of conflict arriving on its doorstep. Several European nations have been offering sobering guidance in recent months envisioning garages and subway stations transformed into bunkers and promoting psychological resilience. One overarching message is the need for a change in the populations mentality to become war ready. As NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told security experts in Brussels in December: It is time to shift to a wartime mindset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as European leaders fear that Russian President Vladimir Putin, emboldened by gains in Ukraine, could try to push further into the continent, while Europes longtime and powerful ally, the United States, adopts a more hostile stance to maintaining European security, raising doubts over how far it would be willing to intervene should a NATO country be invaded. But questions remain over how effective these contingency plans would really be, and moreover whether civilians will take the guidance seriously. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told security experts in Brussels in December; It is time to shift to a wartime mindset. - Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock Go indoors, close all windows and doors The European Commission has urged all citizens to stockpile enough food and other essential supplies to sustain them for at least 72 hours in the event of a crisis. In guidance released in March, the commission stressed the need for Europe to foster a culture of preparedness and resilience. It came as individual countries have also been putting their own guidance in place for emergencies, including conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last June, Germany updated its Framework Directive for Overall Defense, giving directions on what to do should conflict break out in Europe. The document envisions the complete transformation of daily life for German citizens in the event of war. Sweden has issued a survival guide titled, If Crisis or War Comes. The pamphlet was distributed to millions of households in November, after being updated for the first time in six years due to increasing military threat levels. That leaflet instructs Swedes on how warnings would be issued in the event of war, including an outdoor alert system which it says is operational in most areas. Go indoors, close all windows and doors and, if possible, switch off the ventilation. Listen to Swedish public broadcaster Sveriges Radio, channel P4 for more information, the pamphlet instructs. It offers advice on where to seek shelter during an air raid, including cellars, garages and underground metro stations. If caught outside with no immediate cover, it advises to lie on the ground, preferably in a small pit or ditch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specific advice is given to Swedish citizens regarding attacks using nuclear weapons, telling them to take cover as you would during an air raid. Civil defense shelters provide the best protection. It adds: Radiation levels will lower drastically after a couple of days. It also includes tips on evacuation, how to stop bleeding, dealing with anxiety, and how to speak to children about crisis and war. For Finland which shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, the longest of all NATO member states the defense of its sovereignty against Moscow has long been part of the countrys psyche. The country has been preparing for the possibility of a conflict with Russia for decades. Since the 1950s, the construction of bomb shelters under apartment blocks and office buildings has been mandatory. Security doors in a civil defence shelter in Helsinki, Finland, where the defense of its sovereignty against Moscow has long been part of the countrys psyche. - Alessandro Rampazzo/AFP/Getty Images But certainly, the Nordic state, which joined NATO in 2023 after decades of nonalignment, has been accelerating its state of readiness since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two years ago, prompted by Russias war, the Finnish government took stock of its available emergency shelters, finding it had a total of 50,500 which could shelter a possible 4.8 million people in a country of 5.6 million. Helsinkis interior ministry also issued new crisis guidance in November, giving readers advice on how to prepare for long power cuts, water outages, telecommunications disruptions, extreme weather events and military conflict. Will people listen? While nations have updated their civilian protection guidance, there remains no guarantee on how much attention individuals will pay to it. Claudia Major, senior vice president for transatlantic security at the German Marshall Fund, told CNN that the advice from the countries must be taken seriously. Major pointed to the need to be prepared for not only a direct military threat from Russia but also what she called the grey zone between war and peace encompassing lower levels of aggression and hybrid warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she added: The fine line to walk obviously is to increase preparedness without going into alarmism and catastrophizing. We want people to be aware, we dont want them to be freaked out. For some countries, particularly those caught in Moscows sphere of influence, the threat from Russia feels more tangible. For others, its harder to grasp. Major points to Finland which lost territory to Russia during the Winter War in 1939-40 and the Baltic nations, which were annexed by the Soviet Union between 1940 and 1991, as countries where the threat from Russia is more embedded in what she called the countries DNA. The existential threat, the fear of being overrun, of disappearing from the map, is very real in the Baltic states. They wonder why other countries dont get it, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Finns, for the entire Cold War period, took defense seriously, Major added. Why are we all going to Finland now and looking at their bunker system and their stocks of medication and their reservist system? They learned from history; nobody is going to help us. We have to do it on our own. Major named Portugal, Italy and the United Kingdom as countries where the threat from Russia is less present in the national consciousness. Italy, she says, is more concerned with the threat from terrorism and instability from fragile states close to the countrys southern border. Its far closer to them, she said. Its more of a problem for their stability, prosperity, domestic politics. The mainland UK, an island nation, was last invaded by a foreign power in 1066, while for many countries in Western Europe, they were invaded during the Second World War. This means living generations have less experience from which to draw on and its civilians may be less likely to take heed of any government advice. The question is how do you change the DNA of a country, thats the crucial question, Major said. Protect and survive The effectiveness of such civilian protection plans also remains unclear. In the past, they have even been met with ridicule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades during the Cold War era, the British government provided official information for its citizens to protect themselves against the nuclear Soviet threat. The most prominent British public information source was known as the Protect and Survive campaign, produced between 1974 and 1980. The series offered information on the dangers of nuclear fallout, instructions to follow in the hours and days after a nuclear attack, and a plan for survival. A pamphlet published in May 1980 included tips on how to build a makeshift fallout room in your home, including a so-called inner refuge to protect from radioactive dust. The campaign became the subject of criticism for offering unrealistic advice and presenting a false sense of optimism in the face of nuclear annihilation. It was long satirized in British popular culture. Protect and Survive booklets offered advice for the British population on how to survive a nuclear attack during the Cold War. - Andy Drysdale/Shutterstock British researcher Taras Young, author of the book Nuclear War in the UK, told CNN how Protect and Survive was created as a multimedia campaign in the 1970s but was never meant to be made public until there was a high probability of nuclear war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, after Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher came to power in 1979, Britains The Times newspaper demanded the government publish the booklets. As a result, it was published at a time when there wasnt an imminent threat of attack, so people looked at it through a different lens, Young said. For that reason, he believes, there was more of a cultural backlash against it, adding that it was even ridiculed in popular British sitcoms. Young pointed to the UK governments advice to whitewash windows to help stop the spread of heat from a nuclear blast as one of the more comical suggestions. Civilians were instructed to coat windows inside with diluted emulsion paint of a light color so that they will reflect away much of the heat flash, even if the blast which will follow is to shatter them. In comparison, Young sees Europes modern-day advice including the UKs guidance on preparing for emergencies as more realistic, and incorporating more of the important psychological aspects, such as how to deal with trauma. For Major, the need to prepare civilians for external threats particularly in the grey zone area cant be stressed enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We tend to look at the military (aspect), but we are terribly vulnerable in the grey zone. So what we have to think about is deterrence, defense and resilience. And this particularly implies a greater preparedness of society. She adds, If the society is not willing and not ready to support a war like the Ukrainian society is doing at the moment, we will not prevail. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Italian island Sardinia is full of riches and breathtaking landscapes, but is also rich with history. A recent extraordinary scientific discovery is proof of this. During the filming of a documentary on the region's geomorphological landscape, scientists found important palaeontological evidence in the countryside around Baunei, in Ogliastra: fossil traces testifying to the presence of dinosaurs in Sardinia. The discovery was made by a scientific team composed of professors Antonio Assorgia, Sergio Ginesu and Stefania Sias, former lecturers at the Universities of Sassari and Cagliari. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preserved in rocks dating back to the Jurassic period, the footprints belong to a theropod dinosaur never previously reported in Sardinia. Thanks to the extraordinary discovery, it has been possible to reconstruct the animal's appearance and the environment in which it lived. The dinosaur was a biped from the Middle Jurassic period, around 165 million years ago, and lived along stretches of coastline with sandy and muddy sediments, typical of marshy and tidal areas. This was explained by experts at a press conference on Friday. Tracce di dinosauro in Sardegna - Mgb The rocky surface where the dinosaur's footprints were found also provided evidence of the presence of other coeval species. This is therefore the first evidence of the presence of dinosaurs in the Mesozoic period in Sardinia. Stefania Sias, the first to notice those tracks, said the dinosaur discovered was named 'Bibi', and would be a female specimen, although we have to wait for scientific evidence to ascertain this. Conferenza stampa sul ritrovamento di tracce di dinosauro in Sardegna - Mgb "The footprints speak to us and tell us how things were 165 million years ago, the one from Baunei was probably a herbivore, given the lack of claws, and was a biped about 120 160 centimetres long," said palaeontologist and lecturer at the University of Sassari, Marco Zedda, speaking at the conference and explaining how from just a footprint, one can reconstruct the animal that left it. Conferenza stampa sul ritrovamento di tracce di dinosauro in Sardegna - Mgb According to Francesco Ginesu, Sole Director of the MGB company and responsible for the production of the documentary, this is an exceptional discovery, and emerged almost by chance. "As often happens in science, it has the power to radically change what we thought we knew," said Ginesu, adding that "those footprints, spotted while working on a popularised product, turned out to be a finding of enormous scientific value. It is not just one more piece of data: it is direct evidence of the presence of dinosaurs in an area that until now had not yielded such clear evidence." Apr. 11The tiny and historic school district of Orchard Prairie is trying again at passing a bond to build a new school for its 79 students. A November attempt fell short of the 60% voter support needed by 24 votes, racking up 53% support from the relatively small number of voters who live within the 6-square-mile school district's bounds. The new proposal is on the April 22 ballot and would raise $6.2 million to be paid off over 30 years, plus $2.5 million in matching funds from the state. Those funds would be used to construct a new school on their two-school campus, replacing a cramped 1970s building where older students learn. Orchard Prairie's other building houses younger students; it's an updated one-room schoolhouse built in 1894, the oldest operating school in the state and would continue to be used. School officials plan to add the original schoolhouse to the Spokane County historic registry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If passed, property owners in the school district would pay at an estimated yearly rate of $3.27 per $1,000 in assessed property value through the 30-year life of the bond. This rate includes the proposed bond and an existing local school tax levy. Property owners currently pay at a rate of $1.22 per thousand in local school taxes, constituting the district's educational programs and operations tax levy. April's proposal is the same as the details from November, but school officials are hoping a better-communicated campaign will get this bond over the finish line. "We've tried to express the need that we have because of the age of our facilities and the need for secure facilities and new safe space for our staff and our students," said Katelyn Schuler, school board chair and counselor at the school. "That need can only be met by building a new building." Staff make use of just about every inch in the 1970s building, a front desk pushed against the wall in the hallway outside its two classrooms. Rather than a nurse's office, kids seek treatment in the corner of the intervention room behind a partition, next to two small rooms used for Superintendent and Principal Joseph Beckford's office and Schuler's private counseling room in the building's basement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff and students make use of a general purpose room in their basement to dine, work on some school projects and other outside-the-classroom tasks. The new building would be built behind the turn-of-the-century schoolhouse. It would be big enough for all classes and a nurse's office, front office, a single entrance for safety, a multipurpose room and an interventionist room all absent from the existing facility. Their 1970s school isn't in compliance with seismic safety codes or accessibility measures outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. To get them up to code in their current building, Schuler said it would cost just about the same to do extensive renovating: installing an elevator, addressing the foundation and increasing bathroom size, among other updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The entire building would essentially have to be gutted and reconfigured," Schuler said. "The quotes and the information we got, essentially, is it would cost almost the same to remodel the current building, and it wouldn't address all of the safety issues." Though not an imminent threat, Schuler has worries about school district consolidation. If it's not able to provide a learning space that meets safety requirements and isn't fiscally sound, Orchard Prairie could be absorbed by a larger neighboring school district. Schuler has some urgency in getting the bond passed sooner rather than later, as costs for construction and materials are on the rise. Already, the district will have to keep a close watch on its construction budget, Schuler said. "It is going to be tight. We're going to have to be very, very conscious of our budget, just because building costs are continuing to increase, and so we're really hoping that it will pass this time, because if we have to put it on the ballot again in the fall, we will probably have to change the amount, and we really don't want to have to ask the voters for more." Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor. Facebook owner Meta fired a terrified marketing boss after he complained about the company for re-hiring his deranged stalker, according to a lawsuit. James Napoli said Meta didnt take his numerous complaints seriously even though the stalker showed up at his home, called his relatives and sent him hundreds of disturbing messages because he is gay. The case of James Napoli illustrates that Meta is either incompetent or deliberately indifferent when it comes to protecting its employees from harassers and stalkers, he said in the Manhattan Federal Court lawsuit. James Napoli was a rising star at Meta until he sued the company for rehiring his stalker, he claimed in court papers. Courtesy James Napoli Metas failure to take this harassment and stalking seriously was due to sex- and sexual orientation-based stereotypes about gay men, it charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crazed man, identified only as G.F. in court papers, called himself a lab rat and a prophet; told Napoli he loved him; claimed he had the power to turn [him] into a cat; called him a dangerous AI robot; and wrote, Meta is going to try to hurt you soon, according to the lawsuit. G.F. was initially laid off from Meta in November 2022. Its unclear what he did for the company. The two didnt work together, but met for coffee after G.F. was let go. Then the scary messages began, Napoli said. Obtained by the New York Post But G.F. was rehired in January 2024, and when Napoli complained about it, Meta bosses allegedly sidelined Napoli meetings and assignments and gave him his first negative performance review since his 2019 hiring, he said in the lawsuit. Napoli, 35, was fired in February, while on medical leave for Crohns Disease, he said in court papers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of us should go to work and have to be stalked but then if we are, and the company knows about it then rehires our stalker? Theres nothing that could be more dangerous. They may as well have lit his desk chair on fire, said attorney Carrie Goldberg, who reps Napoli along with lawyer Peter Romer-Friedman. The threatening behavior included his stalker referring to Napolis dog by name, according to court papers. Courtesy James Napoli Napoli said he reported the harassment to the NYPD. G.F. was abruptly fired a month after his January re-hiring. Once again jobless, G.F. blamed Mr. Napoli for his second termination and devoted hundreds, if not thousands, of hours to stalking and harassing Mr. Napoli, menacingly telling Mr. Napoli to be careful and claiming that hed use magnetic tech to determine if he was the whistleblower responsible for his firing, according to the lawsuit. After G.F. was fired a second time, Napoli sued the company for putting him in harms way. Napoli is seeking unspecified damages as well as his reinstatement. Meta declined comment. On Monday, the Greenville ISD Board of Trustees and a facility planning committee made up of community members will meet for one of their discussions about a potential future bond effort. In addition to bond planning, the committee, the board and district staff are also working on developing a long-term facility master plan. Their meetings will take place on different campuses in the district, as they discuss the needs and considerations for each facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Greenville Middle School at 3611 Texas St., as replacing the aging 75-year-old-campus was an area of focus in the districts three previous bond attempts in May 2022, November 2022 and November 2023. While GISD has added additional portable buildings to the middle school to increase its capacity, reasons why the district is eager to replace it entirely include the buildings age-related deterioration and it being out of compliance with current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, Texas Education Agency standards and updated building codes. In the first two bond attempts, the proposed location for a new middle school was nestled against existing neighborhoods to the south of Ridgecrest Road and to the west of Sayle Street, which proved to be a sticking point for voters who lived in and around those neighborhoods. Then, in the most recent bond proposal, the pending location of the new middle school was on land the district owns that is near the Lamar Elementary School campus at 6321 Jack Finney Blvd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, in early discussions about a future bond effort, WRA Architects has encouraged the district to use a construction manager at risk delivery method for the design and planning phases of the potential project, which means that a construction manager would be hired to work alongside the architect to help with cost estimation, giving expertise on constructability and (if necessary) advise on how to approach phasing of the project. GISD Superintendent Joe Lopez has also advised that in his experience, school districts that involve a construction manager in the early stages of planning have been more successful in getting bonds passed. By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed NEW YORK (Reuters) -In the minutes before President Donald Trump's social media post on Wednesday pausing tariffs sent the U.S. stock market rallying, some unidentified options traders placed bets worth millions of dollars that the market would rebound, data shows. The well-timed bets likely paid off handsomely. Now, some Democratic lawmakers are calling for investigations into whether Trump's policy reversal led to any market manipulation or insider trading. Betting on short-term market swings is common and the trades in question could easily have been placed without any prior knowledge of the coming news as traders speculate on a market bounce or hedge against one every day. And some market experts said a record surge in options trading volume due to the market's wild gyrations in recent days, coupled with the fast-moving pace of market-moving news, makes it hard to put a finger on suspicious trading. "There's no way to know if that buyer at that moment just had lucky timing (or not)," said Henry Schwartz, vice president, market intelligence at Cboe Global Markets. "I haven't found any smoking gun," he said. Bets in options markets, where traders use equity derivatives, often appear in insider trading cases. They allow traders to bet on the direction of the market or individual stocks without having to make a large upfront commitment. Billions of dollars change hands in the options market daily with the volume and size of trades rising in times of heightened volatility. In an emailed statement, the White House did not directly address concerns about market manipulation. White House spokesman Kush Desai said it is the president's responsibility to reassure the markets and Americans about economic security in the "face of nonstop media fearmongering" The Securities and Exchange Commission, which in the past has taken action against insider trading involving options trading, declined to comment. WELL-TIMED TRADES Trump's Truth Social post on Wednesday pausing tariffs on some countries came at 1:18 p.m. (1718 GMT), setting off a 9.5% jump for the S&P 500. Market data show certain options contracts logging a spike in trading activity ahead of it. For instance, with the S&P 500-tracking ETF SPY's shares at around $501.50, some 5,105 SPY call options -- bets that the shares would rise to finish the day above $502 -- traded at around 1:00 pm ET, for an average price of $4.20, according to Trade Alert data. When stocks soared in the afternoon the price of those calls soared as high as around $42. On paper, someone holding all 5,105 calls would have seen their value go from around $2.14 million to about $21.44 million. FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) Out of love for its community, peers at Fairmont State University volunteered their time on Friday to help make the community shine. Students, faculty and staff at Fairmont State University (FSU) participated in the schools annual Falcons Make it Shine event, which is a sector of the statewide West Virginia Make it Shine event, where volunteers pick up trash and litter in the community. FSUs focus for the event was Locust Avenue, specifically between WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center, all the way to the West Side Market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WV Navigator offering help with insurance enrollment amid recent layoffs 12 News spoke with Stephanie DeGroot, FSUs director of planning and environmental stewardship and MS4 coordinator, on the importance of getting students involved with the community. I think its extremely important to have the students out in the community, show that we care, that were part of the community. Cleaning up the environment, cleaning up our local streamways. We even have some community members beep, honk, yell thank you as they go by so its just a really good event, said DeGroot. FSU hosts this event annually, as well as another community cleanup event in the fall for its homecoming. 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. David and two close friends form a heart shape with their hands, a sign they tend to make when they do something similar or find out they have something in common. (Rae Ellen Bichell/KFF Health News) This story comes to Colorado Newsline from KFF Health News. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. On a Friday after school, 6-year-old Esa Rodrigues had unraveled a ball of yarn, spooked the pet cat, polled family members about their favorite colors, and tattled on a sibling for calling her a butt-face mole rat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next, she was laser-focused on prying open cherry-crisp-flavored lip gloss with her teeth. Yes! she cried, twisting open the cap. Esa applied the gloopy, shimmery stuff in her bedroom, where a large transgender pride flag hung on the wall. Esa said the flag makes her feel important and happy. Shed like to take it down from the wall and wear it as a cape. Her parents questioned her identity at first, but not anymore. Before, their anxious child dreaded going to school, bawled at the barbershop when she got a boys haircut, and curled into a fetal position on the bathroom floor when she learned she would never get a period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, that child is happily bounding up a hill, humming to herself, wondering aloud if fairies live in the little ceramic house she found perched on a stone. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Her mom, Brittni Packard Rodrigues, wants this joy and acceptance to stay. Depending on a combination of Esas desire, her doctors recommendations, and when puberty sets in, that might require puberty blockers, followed by estrogen, so that Esa can grow into the body that matches her being. In the long run, blockers help prevent all of those surgeries and procedures that could potentially become her reality if we dont get that care, Packard Rodrigues said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The medications known as puberty blockers are widely used for conditions that include prostate cancer, endometriosis, infertility, and puberty that sets in too early. Now, the Trump administration is seeking to limit their use specifically for transgender youth. Esas home state of Colorado has long been known as a haven for gender-affirming care, which the state considers legally protected and an essential health insurance benefit. Medical exiles have moved to Colorado for such treatment in the past few years. As early as the 1970s, the town of Trinidad became known as the sex-change capital of the world when a cowboy-hat-wearing former Army surgeon, Stanley Biber, made his mark performing gender-affirming surgeries for adults. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order refuting the existence of transgender people by saying it is a false claim that males can identify as and thus become women and vice versa. The following week, he issued another order calling puberty blockers and hormones for anyone under age 19 a form of chemical mutilation and a stain on our Nations history. It directed agencies to take steps to ensure that recipients of federal research or education grants stop providing it. Subsequently, health care organizations in Colorado; California; Washington, D.C.; and elsewhere announced they would preemptively comply. In Colorado, that included three major health care organizations: Childrens Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, and UCHealth. At the end of January and in early February, the three systems announced changes to the gender-affirming care they provide to patients under 19, effective immediately: no new hormone or puberty blocker prescriptions for patients who hadnt had them before, limited or no prescription renewals for those who had, and no surgeries, though Childrens Hospital had never offered it, and such surgery is rare among teens: For every 100,000 trans minors, fewer than three undergo surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childrens Hospital and Denver Health resumed offering puberty blockers and hormones on Feb. 24 and Feb. 19, respectively, after Colorado joined a U.S. District Court lawsuit in Washington state. The court concluded that Trumps orders relating to gender discriminate on the basis of transgender status and sex. It granted a preliminary injunction blocking them from taking effect in the four states involved in the lawsuit. Surgeries, however, have not resumed. Denver Health said it will continue its pause on gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 due to patient safety and given the uncertainty of the legal and regulatory landscape. Esa Rodrigues asked her parents to hang a trans pride flag above her bed. She says shed like to wear it as a cape. (Rae Ellen Bichell/KFF Health News) UCHealth has resumed neither medication nor surgery for those under 19. Our providers are awaiting a more permanent decision from federal courts that may resolve the uncertainty around providing this care, spokesperson Kelli Christensen wrote. Trans youth and their families said the court ruling and the two Colorado health systems decisions to resume treatments havent resolved matters. It has bought them time to stockpile prescriptions, to try to find private practice physicians with the right training to monitor blood work and adjust prescriptions accordingly, and, for some, to work out the logistics of moving to another state or country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has continued to press health providers beyond the initial executive orders by threatening to withhold or cancel federal money awarded to them. In early March, the Health Resources & Services Administration said it would review funding for graduate medical education at childrens hospitals. KFF Health News requested comment from White House deputy press secretary Kush Desai but did not receive a response. HHS deputy press secretary Emily Hilliard responded with links to two prior press releases. Seeking jobs in New Zealand Medical interventions are just one type of gender-affirming care, and the process to get treatment is long and thorough. Researchers have found that, even among those with private insurance, transgender youth arent likely to receive puberty blockers and hormones. Most gender-affirming breast reduction surgeries performed on men and boys are done on cisgender not transgender patients. Kai, 14, wishes he could have gone on puberty blockers. He lives in Centennial, a Denver suburb. KFF Health News is not using his full name because his family is worried about him being harassed or targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kai got his period when he was 8 years old. By the time he realized he was transgender, in middle school, it was too late to start puberty blockers. His doctors prescribed birth control to suppress his periods, so he wouldnt be reminded each month of his gender dysphoria. Then, once he turned 14, he started taking testosterone. Kai said if he didnt have hormone therapy now, he would be a danger to himself. Being able to say that Im happy in my body, and I get to be happy out in public without thinking everyones staring at me, looking at me weird, is such a huge difference, he said. His mom, Sherry, said she is happy to see Kai relax into the person he is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherry, who asked to use her middle name to prevent her family from being identified, said she started stockpiling testosterone the moment Trump got elected but hadnt thought about what impact there would be on the availability of birth control. Yet after the executive orders, that prescription, too, became tenuous. Sherry said Kais doctor at UCHealth had to set up a special meeting to confirm the doctor could keep prescribing it. So, for now, Kai has what he needs. But to Sherry, that is cold comfort. I dont think that we are very safe, she said. These are just extensions. The family is coming up with a plan to leave the country. If Sherry and her husband can get jobs in New Zealand, theyll move there. Sherry said such mobility is a privilege that many others dont have. David, 18, is a college student in Gunnison, Colorado. Even though hes an adult, his ability to get a mastectomy in this state evaporated following executive orders from the Trump administration. Hell have to wait until hes 19. (Rae Ellen Bichell/KFF Health News) This is who I am For example, David, an 18-year-old student at Western Colorado University in the Rocky Mountain town of Gunnison. He asked to be identified only by his middle name because he worries he could be targeted in this conservative, rural town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David doesnt have a passport, but even if he did, he doesnt want to leave Gunnison, he said. He is studying geology, is learning to play the bass, and has a good group of friends. He has plans to become a paleontologist. His dorm room shelves are scattered with his essentials: fossils, Old Spice deodorant, microwave macaroni and cheese. But there are no mirrors. David said he got in the habit of avoiding them. For the longest time, I just had so much body dysphoria and dysmorphia that it can be kind of hard to look in the mirror, David said. But when I do, most of the time, I see something that I really like. Hes been taking testosterone for three years, and the hormone helped him grow a beard. In January, his doctor at Denver Health was told to stop prescribing it. His mom drove hours from her home to Gunnison to deliver the news in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That prescription is back on track now, but the mastectomy hed planned for this summer isnt. Hed hoped to have adequate recovery time before sophomore year. But he doesnt know anyone in Colorado who would perform it until he is 19. He could easily get surgery to enhance his breasts, but he must seek surgical options in other states to reduce or remove them. Colorado as a state was supposed to be a safe haven, said his mother, Louise, who asked to be identified by her middle name. We have a law that makes it a right for trans people to have health care, and yet our health care systems are taking that away. It has taken eight years and about 10 medical providers and therapists to get David this close to the finish line. Thats a big deal after living through so many years of dysphoria and dysmorphia. Im still going, and Im going to keep going, and theres almost nothing they can do to stop me because this is who I am, David said. There have always been trans people, and there always will be trans people. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Almost two months have passed since 11-year-old Eisenhower Middle School student Jalyah Thompson took her own life, according to her family. Her aunt, Kyla Trevino, said the family is still processing their grief. After the funeral, people kind of went on with their lives. They have work. They have things to do. But for the family, we are still struggling. And, you know, today is kind of hard because Im still not comfortable talking about her without getting emotional, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Trevino, who started the group With Love, Jalyah, met with Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara to ensure other children dont experience the same tragic fate. The family maintains that Jalyah was a victim of bullying beginning in November 2024. They say, that the bullying was what led to Jalyah taking her life. We came out here to talk to the mayor to get some pointers and advice on how to pursue with, you know, sharing this story and getting things out there and trying to get things started in her honor, Trevino said. McNamara said the City affirmed its commitment to help the family see change through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not forget Jalyahs name and that we as a community, through this tragedy, through this tremendous amount of pain, use it as a driver of purpose, a driver of making sure that other children in our community dont have to go through this and have those same feelings that Jalyah obviously had towards the end of her life, he said. The family hopes to have a day established in Jalyahs name, not only to spread awareness of bullying but to celebrate a bright light that dimmed too soon. Anyone who wants further updates, visit the With Love Jalyah Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) A family of four has been displaced and three dogs have died following a house fire in Chesapeake on Saturday afternoon. Dispatchers received reports of a house on fire in the 3300 block of Country Mill Run at approximately 12:10 p.m. Upon arrival, crews reported heavy fire showing. The Virginia Beach Fire Department, Moyock Fire Department and Navy Regional additionally responded to assist with water supply and fire extinguishment. Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department Firefighters brought the blaze under control around 1:40 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family was away at the time of the fire, but three dogs remained inside the house. Three of the family pets were found safe in a detached garage while the three dogs found inside the residence did not survive. The house sustained major damage. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the family with lodging arrangements. Fire investigators have ruled the fire accidental. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Extreme weather events are changing the face of the budding legal cannabis industry. Wildfire smoke, as reported by Cannabis Business Times, presents cannabis farmers' latest crisis. What's happening? Plants don't need to burn to be ruined. Take East Fork Cultivars. Mason Walker, the company's CEO, said that wildfire smoke nearly killed his business. His plants saw little daylight and died from smoke exposure, slashing East Fork Cultivars' crop by 30%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the COVID-19 pandemic, during which cannabis sales boomed, that pulled East Fork Cultivars out of the gutter. "If it weren't for the COVID surge, we'd likely go out of business," Walker told Cannabis Business Times. This is shaping up to be an ongoing trend in the industry. A 2023 University of California, Berkeley, study estimated that wildfire smoke led to potential economic losses of $1.44 billion in 2020 and $970 million in 2021 for the cannabis industry. Study co-author Christopher Dillis told Cannabis Business Times, "It's less about farms being hurt by the fires themselves than by the plumes of smoke that can travel for miles." Rising global temperatures worsen extreme weather events. Forest fires, for example, are releasing more carbon than ever before, which could be even more damaging to cannabis plants. Why is this threat to cannabis farmers concerning? The cannabis industry benefits local economies. The industry has created around 93,000 jobs in the U.S., with consumers dishing out $30 billion toward legal marijuana in 2022 alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the planet continues to overheat, however, those economic benefits will dwindle. Jobs will be lost. Local economies could sink. Cannabis farmers will be put out of business. Though cannabis is uniquely susceptible to extreme weather, other crops are not immune. In Australia, ex-Cyclone Alfred destroyed fruit and vegetable crops, causing an estimated $760 million in damages. And in Nepal, prolonged droughts have caused crop failure and soil damage. Cannabis, fruits, veggies, and spices could all become more expensive if the problem persists. What's being done to help cannabis farmers? In truth, not much, at least at the policy level. While people are waking up to hemp's many benefits, strict regulations (and stigma) keep cannabis farmers on a tight leash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker told Cannabis Business Times, "Because it's such a highly regulated crop, we can't just move to lease a piece of land away from drought conditions." Cannabis farmers also can't apply for government loans or assistance through the Farm Service Agency. Because of this, business owners have to get crafty. Walker, for instance, conducted his own research to find out the durability of different cannabis varietals. Still, his business would fare better without an onslaught of extreme weather to contend with. If you want to do your part, tackle the issue's roots. Driving efficiently and exploring public transit are both viable options for limiting your pollution output and slowing the planet's warming. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. On Dec. 10, 1954, John Stapp, a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon and researcher, hopped into an experimental decelerator sled. It would be his last ride in the sled, testing the limits of gravitational forces on the human body as it accelerates and decelerates. He reached a speed of 632 miles per hour that day, experiencing 46.2 g. It was then the most ever experienced by a human and it made Col. John Stapp The Fastest Man on Earth. Stapp, his Air Force colleagues and other researchers in the field were experimenting with the physical effects of gravitational forces on the human body for myriad reasons. First and foremost, the jet engine was a relatively new technology, and was being improved all the time. The Cold War was in full swing. Competition with the Soviet Union and the communist bloc was essential for maintaining American air supremacy in a potential conflict. Most importantly, however, man was beginning to slip the surly bonds of earth via rocket. At the end of World War II, the newly-formed Air Force began testing the limits of powered flight. Consistent technological breakthroughs in manned flight meant that we needed to know just what effects the technology would have on the men who were flying the new technology. Then-Capt. John Stapp, an Air Force doctor who once had dreams of being a pediatrician, instead became aviations self-made guinea pig. He tested how men could function at high altitudes, including the extreme cold, the lack of air and even the possibility of decompression sickness from pressure changes. Not content to experiment on some poor airman, he volunteered himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case of the ejection seat was no different. Physicists, doctors and engineers needed to know what happened to a person during both rapid acceleration and rapid deceleration and deceleration meant testing for what could happen in an aircraft crash. When Stapp joined the Aero Med Lab, it was widely believed that 18 g was the maximum a human body could withstand. Accident reports made during World War II directly contradicted this assumption. Air Force engineers built a rocket sled to test the gravitational forces on real human bodies, aircraft seats and protective harnesses. The 2000-foot long track with a series of hydraulic brakes at the end was dubbed the Gee Whiz, and could slow the sled from 150 miles per hour to half that in a fraction of a second. This reproduced the gravitational forces experienced during aircraft crashes. The test subject was supposed to be a dummy named Oscar Eightball. On the first tests, the brakes failed, sending Oscar and the sled into the desert. When they figured out the braking system, the first operational test sent Oscar, secured in just a seatbelt, through one-inch canopy glass at 30 g-forces, shredding the glass (and the dummys face) like it was a paper bag. After 35 shocking tests, the sled was ready for a manned test. Not only did Stapp test it on himself first, he personally performed more of the harness tests than any other human subject. By 1948, Stapp had already survived more than 18 g. His limit after 16 tests was, in fact, a whopping 35. He wasnt immune, either. The tests tore out dental fillings, cracked ribs and broke bones. He reportedly reset bones on his way back to his office after test runs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Stapp ran his tests, neither the Aero Med Lab nor the Air Force knew he was gathering data by testing on himself. When they found out, he was warned to stop using humans, himself included, and was promoted to major in the hopes that he might actually listen. The data he gathered was used to create new air transport procedures, replace harnesses and develop a side-saddle harness for paratroopers. He would need to go faster if he was going to make real progress. Pilots were breaking the sound barrier by then and Stapp needed to expand his testing. At Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, he began using a sled system that was once used to test missiles. For his 29th and final test run, the sled would go transonic, 0.9 Mach, and Stapp would endure the most g-forces of any human so far, protected by only a helmet and visor. The sled shot off like a bullet faster than a bullet, actually subjecting Stapp to 20 g at 632 miles per hour. The brakes stopped the sled in a fraction of a second. When ambulance crews got to Stapp, he was not only alive, he was reportedly smiling. His eyes were filled with blood but it was only temporary. Hed proven that a pilot could eject at 40,000 feet while flying 1.6 Mach. After Stapps ride to become the Fastest Man on Earth came to an end, the colonel himself still believed that the human body could withstand more. The Air Force refused to let him test his theory, of course. He told reporters the gravitational force on his head felt like the forcible removal of a tooth a sensation he felt in his eyes. But he had no lasting medical issues associated with the experiments. He was correct about the body withstanding more force. In 2003, race car driver Kenny Brack felt the highest horizontal g-forces by a human being ever, when a crash propelled him to 214 g at Texas Motor Speedway. PALMYRA TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash in Portage County involving four local teenagers in a 2024 Camaro. According to a press release, the crash killed one of the teens and injured the other three. The accident happened at about 10 p.m. on Friday, April 11 on Scotts Corners Road, about a half mile northwest of Jones Road, in Palmyra Township. Pet food recalled after animal falls ill: FDA Troopers said a preliminary investigation shows the Chevrolet Camaro drove off the right side of the roadway and into a ditch. The vehicle continued on striking a utility pole, several small trees, and overturning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, a 17-year-old female from Deerfield was driving the Camaro with an 18-year-old male from Lake Milton as the front seat passenger. In the backseat was a 17-year-old female from Kent, Ohio, and a 16-year-old male from Palmyra. Homemade explosives, loaded gun found in local arrest The 16-year-old rear-seat passenger succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, said troopers in the press release. The three other teens were transported by EMS and treated for minor injuries. At this time, speed does appear to be a contributing factor in this crash, said troopers. 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. A father of three died of sepsis after an ambulance crew decided not to take him to hospital because they wrongly thought he was suffering from Covid, a court has heard. The crew allegedly told Iain Taylor he was better off being treated at home, only for them to have to return the next day to rush him into emergency care. Mr Taylors widow Suzanne is now suing West Midlands Ambulance Service for negligence in failing to recognise his potentially fatal symptoms and has launched a legal battle for compensation of more than 200,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Taylor, who ran a successful marketing business, died from sepsis aged 58, in September 2021 just 12 days after the ambulance crew concluded that he probably had Covid-19 and decided not to take him to hospital. Within hours, his condition deteriorated and he was rushed to Warwick Hospital by the same two ambulance clinicians who had ruled out sepsis the previous day. Mr Taylors condition deteriorated and he was moved to intensive care with multi-organ failure, septic shock, an acute kidney infection, acute liver injury and acute respiratory-distress syndrome. He was put on a ventilator, but despite treatment he continued to worsen and more intervention was considered futile, leading to the heart-breaking decision to turn off his life-support machine. He was unable to stand, let alone walk Mrs Taylor, 56, of Loxley, Warwickshire, is suing West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust for damages for herself and the couples children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Taylor fell ill after eating at a service station en route to a wedding in Northumbria with his wife on September 16, 2021. Three days later, with his condition continuing to worsen, Mrs Taylor called 111 and an ambulance was sent. According to legal documents, Mr Taylor told the ambulance clinicians that he thought that he might have sepsis. He was unable to stand, let alone walk. The ambulance clinicians recorded the following: patient has been feeling unwell since Friday evening. Sudden onset of vomiting and over the weekend generally aching all over. Vomiting has ceased. The paramedics allegedly said her husband did not have sepsis and was probably suffering from Covid, and that it would be better for him to be treated at home. They left shortly after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal documents state: At no point did the ambulance technicians offer to take the deceased to hospital [or] advise the deceased or his wife that the deceased should go to hospital. Mr Taylor, a company director, continued to feel increasingly unwell and early next morning his wife again called an ambulance. This time the same two ambulance clinicians who had attended the previous day took him to hospital, where he was given oxygen, fluids and antibiotics. His organs began to shut down and he was put on a ventilator, but over the next few days his condition deteriorated and critical care organ support was discontinued. A post mortem showed that the cause of death was multiple organ failure, sepsis, and pneumonia. This tragedy should never have happened Mrs Taylor accuses the trust of negligently failing to realise that her husband might have an infection or sepsis, despite his amber flag symptoms of increased pulse rate and reduced blood pressure, and of failing to carry out further observations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sepsis, also sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning, is the immune systems overreaction to an infection which causes it to start damaging the bodys tissues and organs. Mrs Taylor claims that had her husband been taken to hospital earlier he would have been taken into intensive care where on the balance of probabilities, he would have survived. She is now giving her support to the UK Sepsis Trust to raise awareness of the condition. Paul Sankey, her solicitor at Enable Law, said: Suzannes priority is to highlight the dangers of sepsis and the importance of following guidelines. With correct management Iain would have survived. His condition would have been less severe and he would have spent less time in ICU, avoiding some unpleasant treatment. He should have been able to continue his life as a much-loved husband and father and a highly successful businessman. His family have been devastated. This is a tragedy which should never have happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Midlands Ambulance Service said: Due to the ongoing legal action, we are not in a position to provide any further comment other than to once again offer our condolences to the family of Mr Taylor. 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 FBI said it has arrested a Lilburn man for making threats against President Donald Trump and others. In a Facebook post Friday night, the FBI said it arrested Aliakbar Mohammed Amin, 25, for threatening communications against Trump, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and the White House. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the FBI has released limited information about the arrest, it said: Bottom line, the FBI does not tolerate threats and will hold offenders fully accountable. We are working to learn more about the arrest. Amin is currently being held without bond. The US economy and stock market are the most developed in the world and often reflect textbook examples of economic cycles. The previous unofficial recession in the US occurred in 2022, when the GDP growth posted 2 quarters of negative growth amid a sharp increase in interest rates to combat rising inflation. The stock market moved in sync with the economy during that year. The following year, 2023, resembled a slow recovery fueled by the emergence of the AI megatrend as well as strong public spending on infrastructure and other large projects. Calendar 2024 and early 2025 resembled an economic peak, as growth moderated and private spending became weaker. In such moments, even the slightest economic headwind and/or uncertainty can trigger a recession and a broad market meltdown. Thats exactly what happened with the new Trump 2.0 administration, which brought plenty of uncertainty related to tariffs and sharp cuts in the public sector. Another important consideration for investors is that the stock market and the economy do not move in sync; the former tends to be a forward-looking animal, meaning that stock prices tend to rise in anticipation of an economic recovery, while the actual economic conditions may still be depressed and reflect low GDP growth, high unemployment and sluggish private spending. Consequently, the key takeaway for readers is that investments in economic recovery stocks shall be made during peak uncertainty and pain, at or near a market bottom when everyone is fearful and reluctant to buy. As the legendary Warren Buffet has put it, Economic cycles, as defined by economists, alternate between periods of growth, peak, recession, and recovery, depending on the stage that a countrys economy is at. In particular, the term economic recovery describes the period that follows a recession and is characterized by improving employment, increased business activity and investment, rising consumer confidence, and accelerating GDP growth. Recoveries usually start after governments enact fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate investment and spending the primary stimulative instrument in the US has been the FED funds rate. When an economic recovery kicks in, the sectors that tend to outperform are the cyclical ones consumer discretionary, industrial, financial, and technology driven by both a recovery in the previously depressed valuations as well as by broad acceleration in growth. We recently published a list of 10 Best Economic Recovery Stocks to Buy . In this article, we are going to take a look at where WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) stands against other best economic recovery stocks to buy. Story Continues While most investors are currently concerned about declining stock prices (the main US stock market benchmark is down over 11% at the time of this write-up since its February peak), the smart money is already looking for signals of a potential recovery. Atlanta Fed projects that the US economy posted negative real GDP growth in Q1 2025, estimated at -2.4%; given the uncertainty and tariff threats persisting in April as well, chances are that Q2 2025 will be in negative territory as well, which would mark an official recession. The problem is that the stock market already prices in such a scenario, which makes it difficult to exploit or hedge against. The only plausible move at the moment is to look for economic recovery stocks in an attempt to time the market bottom. We believe there are solid reasons to believe that the stock market bottomed out in early April and that things will only improve going forward. The most important signal in favor of a potential economic recovery ahead is that Trumps tariffs proliferate as a short-term negotiation tool only, which seems to work well in relation to most trading partners. On April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause in new tariffs for 75 countries until negotiations to discuss potential solutions are arranged. Heres how Kevin Breuninger, a CNBC journalist, commented the following on the recent developments: The White House is clarifying that Trumps announcement of a 90-day tariff pause means that the tariff level will be brought down to a universal 10% tariff during that time, while negotiations are ongoing. That respite does not apply to China, which will see U.S. tariffs on its goods rise to 125%. We see this announcement as a sign that chances are high that the US will reach a positive agreement with the 75 countries mentioned. While the situation with China is still intense, things could deescalate if other countries reach agreements with the US and set the stage for China as well. In this context, if the tariffs saga is successfully navigated, the main headwind for the economy will dissipate, potentially triggering a broad economic recovery that would push stock prices higher. With that being said, we may currently be at an opportune moment to pick the best economic recovery stocks. Is WESCO International, Inc. (WCC) the Best Economic Recovery Stock to Buy? A team of professionals operating high and medium voltage project design. Our Methodology We used a screener to identify stocks with at least a 20% revenue compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last 5 years. Then, we selected the top 10 stocks with the largest estimated average analysts upside and included them in the article in ascending order. For each stock, we also include the number of hedge funds that own the stock as of Q4 2024. The stocks are ranked according to the upside potential. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here). WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) Estimated average analysts upside: 60.09% Revenue CAGR last 5 years: 22.96% Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62 WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions to a diverse clientele in the industrial, construction, utility, and commercial sectors. The typical products offered by WCC include electrical equipment, automation and connected devices, security solutions, and utility and broadband products that are designed to facilitate the production/operational processes of clients. Demand for the companys products tends to accelerate significantly during economic recoveries, when industrial capex is stimulated by low financing costs and the need to boost production capacity. WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) returned to sales growth in Q4 2024, driven by exceptional growth in its Data Center business, which increased more than 70%, along with 20% growth in Broadband and renewed positive momentum in Electrical and Electronics Solutions. The company generated a record free cash flow of over $1 billion in 2024, representing 154% of adjusted net income, while reducing net debt by $431 million and purchasing $425 million of shares. Gross margin remained stable for the full year, though there was some pressure in communications and security solutions due to data center project deployments. Looking ahead to 2025, WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) expects organic sales growth of 2.5% to 6.5% with operating margin expansion across all three business units. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on secular trends, including AI-driven data centers, increased power generation, electrification, automation, and reshoring. Strategic portfolio moves, including the divestiture of the low-margin Integrated Supply business and the addition of higher-margin services businesses like Ascent, are integral to achieving WCCs 10-plus percent EBITDA margin goals. The company plans to strengthen its balance sheet by fully redeeming outstanding preferred equity in June 2025, which is expected to improve both cash flow and EPS. Sell-side analysts estimate a 60.09% average upside for WCC, and it is, therefore, one of the best economic recovery stocks to consider. Overall, WCC ranks 6th on our list of best economic recovery stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of WCC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than WCC but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Authorities are searching for a man suspected of setting fire to a Tesla Supercharger in Lacey, Washington in early April, the Federal Bureau of Investigations announced Friday. According to the FBI Seattle Field Office, the incident started around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at 665 Sleater Kinney Road Southeast, causing substantial damage. Authorities describe the suspect as a white man around 510 to 62, wearing a hooded dark jacket, gray pants and a face covering at the time of the arson. The man was also seen on camera carrying a white bag potentially made of plastic. The FBI is searching for a man suspected of setting fire to a Tesla Supercharger in Lacey, Washington April 8, 2025 (Courtesy FBI.) The FBI is searching for a man suspected of setting fire to a Tesla Supercharger in Lacey, Washington April 8, 2025 (Courtesy FBI.) A Tesla Supercharger along Sleater Kinney Road SE in Lacey, Washington was significantly damaged after a man set fire to the station April 8, 2025, authorities said (Courtesy FBI.) The suspect walks with a unique gait, including a slight limp with his right leg kicking out at times and his right hand held behind his back, authorities said, noting the suspect may have injuries consistent with being near an explosion or intense heat including a concussion, burns or shrapnel injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the arson, the FBI Seattle Field Office, Lacey Police Department and ATF Seattle are seeking the publics help identifying the suspect. Anyone in the area near the Target and Kohls stores in the South Sound Center and along the Chehalis Western and Woodland Creek Trails is asked to review any doorbell and security video, which could show the suspect walking or getting into a vehicle from late April 7 to the early morning of April 8. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the FBI. The incident comes amid growing protests outside of Tesla showrooms across the country, with protesters challenging Tesla CEO Elon Musks advisory role in the White House and efforts to slash the federal workforce with the Department of Government Efficiency. 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. Supermarkets are facing a shortage of British chicken after farming bosses said planning red tape was curtailing their ability to rear more birds. Poultry producers are demanding the Government speed up a planning overhaul to allow farmers to build bigger poultry sheds and produce more chickens to stave off a supply crisis. Without such a move, grocers could be forced to source more chicken from overseas as supplies from UK farms start to drop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cranswick, one of Britains largest meat producers, said shoppers would 100pc see more chicken on sale that was imported from overseas because of the sheds planning hold-up. Adam Couch, the Cranswick chief executive, said There is white shelf space now because chicken is in huge short supply and farmers cant expand any more because we cant get planning permission, he said. On poultry, the UK is around 65pc to 70pc self-sufficient and thats reducing at the moment. The warning comes as Donald Trump presses Sir Keir Starmer to allow chlorinated US chickens to be sold in Britain. As part of his tariff offensive, the US president has claimed that restrictions on chlorine-washed poultry, which are banned in the UK, are based on non-science-based standards and has called for them to be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current UK shortages are understood to have followed a change across major supermarkets to adopt higher welfare standards. Over the past 18 months, supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrisons have lowered their bird stocking densities so that chickens are given more space in sheds. It means chicken producers need to open more sites to keep up production levels. Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, pledged earlier this year to loosen planning regulations, allowing farmers to build larger chicken sheds. However, supermarket bosses and farming chiefs are understood to be pressing ministers to deliver the pledge more quickly as without it Britain will face a chicken supply crunch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, Asda has started sourcing chicken reared in Germany after two decades of selling 100pc British chicken. It said this was a temporary measure taken on its Essentials range. However, as recently as this month, producers have been thwarted in attempts to get projects approved. In Norfolk, Cranswicks scheme for a mega-farm to rear 700,000 chickens was this month blocked by local officials. Councillors unanimously rejected the plans for the farm, siding with critics who raised issues including its odour, animal welfare, pollution, flood risk, health and traffic. Prior to the decision, Cranswick had written to MPs raising concerns over the risk to the UKs food security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the briefing note, it said escalating trade tensions meant now is the time Britain needs to produce more food at home. However Mr Couch said the warning had fallen on deaf ears in Westminster. He said claims that ministers were ripping up red tape to boost investment were all well and good, but the action on the ground isnt following through. Its a real food security issue that we have here, he said. James Mottershead, of the National Farmers Union, said it was important that the UK is able to keep up with the demand for welfare driven, environmentally friendly and nutritious proteins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: At a time when shoppers are understandably nervous about increased imports of chicken which have been produced in ways which would be illegal here, and when the Government has repeatedly stated that food security is national security, its vital that the planning system enables poultry producers to maintain a strong supply of home grown chicken. A government spokesman said: Food security is national security, and for too long existing planning rules have got in the way of increasing food production. Thats why we will consult on national planning reforms to make it quicker for farmers to build infrastructure they need to boost their food production. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Undocumented immigrants in the United States must register with the Department of Homeland Security and carry documentation of that registration at all times, following a ruling by a federal judge in support of the Trump administration. The ruling allows the federal government to issue fines of up to $5,000 and impose potential prison sentences for individuals who fail to comply. The decision affects millions of undocumented immigrants nationwide. 4 student visas at San Diego State University revoked Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigrant Services, an East County resident who goes by Junior waited patiently for the office to open so his fiancee the mother of their six-month-old child could renew her green card. Junior said, for more than a decade, his fiancee has been following every legal requirement to become a U.S. citizen. It would be harder on me if anything were to happen if she got deported, he said. Junior requested that his fiancees face not be shown due to concerns about what he described as the Trump administrations hardline immigration policies. The requirement to register comes from the Alien Registration Act of 1940, a wartime law implemented during World War II and used sparingly since most recently in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Under the new enforcement, undocumented immigrants age 14 and older must register, provide fingerprints, and carry proof of registration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like its pretty much like if we were in Nazi Germany, Junior said. Like, if we had to wear a Star of David or something so they could visually see if were documented or not. Renata Castro, co-founder of the immigration law firm USA 4 All, said the courts decision may not be the final word on the policy. Even though the courts allow the government to go forward with the registration, it does not mean the judicial fight is over, Castro said. She urged undocumented immigrants to follow the law and consult legal experts. The rule of thumb is: if there is a law and you are in the country without status, you should follow the law, she said. Before making any decision, you should consult with a licensed immigration attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Junior called the policy another legal obstacle for immigrants like his fiancee. A lot of people come to America for the American dream, he said. And they keep making it harder and harder for working-class citizens to achieve those dreams. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jeniffer Solis Nevada Current Federal land managers have canceled their proposal to withdraw about 264,000 acres of public land in Nevadas Ruby Mountain from oil, gas and geothermal development. The U.S. Forest Service said the decision to allow oil and gas leasing to continue in Elko Countys Ruby Mountains was brought on by a presidential executive order titled Unleashing American Energy, and calling on federal land managers to remove regulatory barriers to energy production and expand access to federal lands and waters for energy exploration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, said the agency was removing the burdensome Biden-era regulations that have stifled energy and mineral development to revitalize rural communities and reaffirm Americas role as a global energy powerhouse. In December, the Forest Service first announced their intention to ban oil,gas, and geothermal leasing on about 264,000 acres of public land in the Ruby Mountains for up to 20 years. That directive has now been reversed by Trump appointed USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. As part of the directive, the agency also canceled plans to withdraw about 165,000 acres of public land in New Mexicos Upper Pecos River Watershed from mining and geothermal leasing, according to the USDA. Signs that the proposed ban was in trouble started on Feb. 14, when federal land managers in Nevada canceled a public meeting for the proposed oil and gas leasing ban on the same day thousands of federal workers were indiscriminately fired, including more than a dozen National Park Service employees in Nevada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevadas Ruby Mountains have been targeted by Trump in the past. During Trumps first term, his administration proposed auctioning off more than 500,000 acres of land in Nevada for oil and gas drilling leases, including about 54,000 acres in the Ruby Mountains. In response, Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has pushed several versions of a bill that would withdraw about 450,000 acres of land adjacent to the Ruby Mountain from oil and gas leasing, but not mining. Sometimes called Nevadas Swiss Alps the Ruby Mountains in Elko County are the ancestral homelands of the Te-Moak Tribe of the Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada. The Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge also includes a wetland oasis for migratory waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway and fisheries that include trout and largemouth bass, attracting hunters, anglers, birdwatchers and other recreational tourists. Nevada has seen something of an oil and gas leasing boom in recent years, with the Interior Department putting hundreds of thousands of acres on the block for lease. However, oil and gas production in Nevada has always been negligible, and both industry and environmentalists remain skeptical that significant production in Nevada will make economic sense any time soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 90 percent of public lands managed by the Interior Department in Nevada are available to be leased for oil and gas drilling. Once leased, public lands are locked up from being managed for multiple uses such as outdoor recreation and conservation for the life of the lease, which could be 10, 20 or even 30 years. Forestry land open to timber production The Ruby Mountains reversal comes as the Forest Service announced Friday that the agency plans to open nearly 43 million acres of National Forest System land to timber production. The Forest Service said another 112 million acres of National Forest System land would be listed for culling to reduce wildfire risk, or 59% of all National Forest System land. The Ruby Mountains are included in the 112 million acres of National Forestry System slated for wildfire fuel reduction, according to a USDA map. The secretarial memo comes on the heels of Trumps executive order to expand American timber production by 25%. The memo directs federal employees to increase timber outputs, simplify permitting, and remove National Environmental Policy Act processes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am proud to follow the bold leadership of President Trump by empowering forest managers to reduce constraints and minimize the risks of fire, insects, and disease so that we can strengthen the American timber industry and further enrich our forests with the resources they need to thrive, Rollins said in a statement Friday. HOUMA, La. (Louisiana First) As Louisiana braces for another hurricane season, concerns are rising over the future of federal emergency assistance that many residents rely on after natural disasters. Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it will end the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) programa major funding source for natural disaster mitigation projects across the state. According to FEMA data, nearly 150 Louisiana applications for BRIC funds, totaling more than $720 million, have now been canceled or placed on hold. In a statement, a FEMA spokesperson called the BRIC program wasteful and ineffective, claiming it was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision drew bipartisan pushback in Louisiana. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) spoke on the Senate floor for 14 minutes last week, urging FEMA to reconsider. I would ask FEMA to reconsider the impact cuts to the BRIC program, Cassidy said. Without BRIC funding, none of these projects would happenwhether its East Baton Rouge Parish, Ascension Parish, Lafourche Parish, or the Coushatta Tribe. Cassidy and others argue that mitigation efforts funded through BRIC ultimately save taxpayer dollars by preventing costly disaster damage before it happens. FEMAs decision comes amid growing criticism from President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who have called the agency bloated and ineffective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA turned out to be a disaster, Trump said during a wildfire tour earlier this year. I think were going to make FEMA go away. Researchers predict above-average 2025 hurricane season: Heres how many storms we could see Local impacts, personal stories The uncertainty surrounding FEMAs future has alarmed local recovery organizations and residents who have relied on the agency after past storms. Ashley Shelton, executive director of the Power Coalition, said FEMA remains vital, despite frustrations over slow responses and red tape. Louisianas done a decent job of moving these dollars, but we have to continue to have access to those dollars for them to matter, Shelton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that FEMA is working to improve its application process, which has often rejected requests due to minor errors or missing documents. Still, for residents like Pamela Zinz of Houma, FEMA has been a lifeline. After Hurricane Ida, Zinz received housing assistance through FEMAs Rapid Rehousing Program, which included help with rent and a temporary camper. They do help a lot of people, Zinz said. But Zinz said the assistance ran out April 1. With costs piling up and no permanent housing yet, she and her daughter are preparing to relocate once againwhile worrying about what will happen if another major storm hits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought Andrew was hard, but Ida was worse, Zinz said. The government really needs to step up and do something about this. Acting head of FEMA says his parents in Florida received denial letter More cuts could follow The BRIC cuts are part of broader FEMA reforms pushed by the Trump administration. Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton and Secretary Noem have indicated the agency may scale back or eliminate other programs, raising new questions about how future recovery efforts will be handled. Congressional Democrats from Louisiana, including Reps. Troy Carter and Cleo Fields, have condemned the move, calling FEMAs dismantling reckless and dangerous. They point to more than 500,000 Louisiana households that have applied for federal disaster funding since 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With hurricane forecasts predicting yet another active season, these proposed changes could not come at a more dangerous time, the lawmakers wrote in a letter to federal leaders. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1. What makes a storm a hurricane? The dangers across 5 categories Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will end its 100% match for Helene disaster recovery in North Carolina. The need in Western North Carolina remains immense people need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored, Gov. Josh Stein said in a news release. I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMAs bad decision, even for 90 days. Six months later, the people of Western North Carolina are working hard to get back on their feet; they need FEMA to help them get the job done. Stein had asked the federal government to extend its 100% match. He received the denial news while in Newland with people who lost their homes in the storm, he said. More than 100 people died in the storm that caused more than $60 billion in damage to Western North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, the Biden administration approved the states request to cover 90% for some Helene recovery efforts and 100% for others, including debris cleanup, The News & Observer previously reported. With the states extension not granted, the reimbursement match goes to 90%. It has been determined that the increased level of funding you have requested for major disaster (Helene) is not warranted, according to a letter from interim FEMA head Cameron Hamilton to Stein on Friday. Hamilton was appointed by President Donald Trump in January. The FEMA letter, obtained by the Asheville Citizen-Times, says the state has 30 days to appeal the decision. In February, more than 153,000 households were being helped by FEMA, according to a federal news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, the Trump administration denied Georgias FEMA extension request for Hurricane Helene recovery. FEMA did not respond to an email from The News & Observer. In the Spotlight designates ongoing topics of high interest that are driven by The News & Observers focus on accountability reporting. Hurricane Helene is estimated to have caused $9.8 billion in damage to western NC's transportation infrastructure. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) FEMA has denied North Carolinas request to continue matching 100% of the states spending on Hurricane Helene recovery. In a letter to Gov. Josh Stein on Friday, acting FEMA administrator Cameron Hamilton wrote that the agency had determined the full cost share was not warranted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need in western North Carolina remains immense people need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored, Stein said in a statement. I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMAs bad decision, even for 90 days. Six months later, the people of western North Carolina are working hard to get back on their feet; they need FEMA to help them get the job done. FEMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The agencys decision means that North Carolina will lose a critical share of federal assistance in whats expected to be a years-long rebuild process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Helene struck in late September, the Biden administration gave the green light for FEMA to reimburse North Carolina on 100% of disaster relief assistance particularly with debris removal and emergency protective services. The cost-share allowed state officials to plow ahead on time-sensitive needs more quickly. In December, FEMA also set the federal cost-share for all other categories of assistance at 90%. But the 100% period for debris cleanup and other services was set to end after six months. Local and state officials have requested repeatedly that it be extended preferably another six months in order to speed up recovery from the deadliest hurricane in state history. But the agency, now under the authority of a president who has floated the idea of dismantling it altogether, will no longer shoulder full costs for that work. U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, the Republican congressman who represents western North Carolina, told the Asheville Citizen-Times that an extension was unprecedented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Im focusing on other ways I can make a tangible difference in helping the citizens of western North Carolina recover more quickly, he said in a statement to the newspaper. This includes continuing to assist survivors with FEMA casework and working with the administration to find additional avenues to alleviate the financial stress our communities and the state of North Carolina are facing. The state can appeal FEMAs ruling within 30 days. FEMA denial letter OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Fire crews responded to a house fire early Saturday morning in Southwest Oklahoma City. According to the Oklahoma City Fire Department, crews responded to a house near Southwest Grand Boulevard and South Agnew Avenue where heavy flames were seen coming from the back of the home at around 3:50 a.m. Saturday. SW Grand Blvd. and S Agnew Ave. Saturday morning house fire. (KFOR) SW Grand Blvd. and S Agnew Ave. Saturday morning house fire. (KFOR) SW Grand Blvd. and S Agnew Ave. Saturday morning house fire. (KFOR) Officials say the flames quickly spread to the roof of the home, forcing crews to take a defensive stance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The home was said to be vacant at the time of the fire, and the cause of the fire is 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The Charlotte Fire Department responded to a house fire in west Charlotte on Saturday afternoon. A call about a fire on the 3000 block of Sloan Drive came in around 3 p.m. Saturday, officials said. Thirty firefighters battled the blaze for just under half an hour, according to the fire department. READ: Pastor works with schools, police to keep kids out of gangs The home was unoccupied, officials said, and no injuries were reported. The Charlotte Investigation Task Force determined that the fire started in a bedroom and caused about $50,000 in damages. WATCH: Pastor works with schools, police to keep kids out of gangs Apr. 11CONVOY Two firefighters are recovering from injuries suffered responding to a structure fire in Convoy on Wednesday afternoon (bit.ly/42ylVDR). The Convoy Fire Department and crews from Van Wert, Payne, Monroeville and Wren arrived on the scene of the fire on the 4000 block of Lare Road at 10:22 a.m. The fire department shared an update on firefighter Chaise Dawson from his wife on its Facebook page that reported he was in the hospital with third-degree burns. Featured Local Savings Shares of the handcrafted beverages chain Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) are up 11% this week as of 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. While the market rebounded Wednesday following a 90-day ban on most of the tariffs recently proposed by the United States, Dutch Bros surged even higher. With coffee commodity prices already nearly doubling over the last year, tariffs on these rising inputs were the last thing that Dutch Bros and its investors wanted to see -- and now they get a (temporary) reprieve. There's more to Dutch Bros than coffee worries Since the U.S. included 15 of the top 20 coffee-producing countries in its original batch of tariffs, it is reasonable for the company's shares to jolt higher after the pause. However, investors worried about these rising coffee prices (and tariffs potentially coming back) should note that Dutch Bros is a unique case, only generating half of its sales from coffee-based drinks. Home to an array of boba beverages (aka bubble teas), lemonades, its Rebel energy drink, and numerous teas, smoothies, and shakes, the company is more than just coffee. Furthermore, while it's nice to see Dutch Bros' stock rebound, it is essential not to get swept up in these news items the company can't control. Expanding into five new states in 2025, implementing its mobile ordering, and adding 160 shops this year to its existing store count of 982, the company has a lot to offer investors regardless of its shorter-term challenges. Reaching positive free cash flow last year, Dutch Bros can now self-fund some of its growth rather than diluting shareholder value. Guiding to double its store count by 2029, there's much more to Dutch Bros than worries about rising coffee prices and potential tariffs. Should you invest $1,000 in Dutch Bros right now? Before you buy stock in Dutch Bros, 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 Dutch Bros 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 $509,884!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $700,739!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 820% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 158% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks (COLORADO SPRINGS) The weekend of April 12-13 is setting up to be another tease of summer, with sunny skies and temperatures unheard of for early April, and with that comes an unfortunate side effecthigh fire danger. Were likely going to be very close to, if not tying or breaking all-time April record highs, so this is extremely warm for this time of year, said FOX21 Meteorologist Robert Hahn. High temperatures typically mean high fire danger, and firefighters are warning that will indeed be the case over the next few days. Crews to the south have already had to battle one large fire on the south side of Pueblo on Thursday, but now fire departments are concerned other people are not as aware of the danger with winter barely on its way out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement April 10, 2025: Lake Minnequa fire under control One of our biggest concerns when we get like that is that people arent quite fire-ready just yet, its only April, said Lieutenant Will Rogers with the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD). As of April 6, much of southern Colorado is below 75% of its normal snowpack, and any remaining snowpack is set to dry up very quickly. Rogers said it doesnt take much to start a fire right now. Just careless disposal of some coals from a barbecue can result in a fire, Rogers said. Coals from a barbeque are only one of the potential causes of a fireone can start from a carelessly tossed cigarette or even welding outside, like the Silver Charm fire in April of 2022 that burned dangerously close to homes in northern Colorado Springs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement April 22, 2022: SIlver Charm fire caused by welding outdoors April 22, 2022: The Silver Charm Fire, caused by unpermitted welding outdoors, burned dangerously close to homes. Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department Most fires are simply careless but costly mistakes, but when intent is involved, firefighters say the best thing you can do is speak up. If they see someone that looks like theyre starting a malicious fire of any kind, call 911 or report it right away, Rogers said. CSFD has a website that shows how you can prevent simple fires at your home or set an evacuation plan in the case of a wildfire burning near your home. So, if you decide to throw the rare April barbeque this weekend, firefighters ask you to be prepared to do your part in preventing a small fire from growing into a destructive one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You want to make sure that youve got a way to put that fire out and that youre at least 15 feet away from any sort of other combustible material, whether thats a home, a fence, or a tree, Rogers 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 FOX21 News Colorado. Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russian forces launched drone attacks on Kyiv overnight on April 12, causing multiple fires and injuring at least two people, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. In the Darnytskyi district of the city, a fire erupted at a home after drone debris fell on the property. While in the Svyatoshyn district, two people were injured as a result of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of three warehouses across the city caught fire as a result of the attack, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. Emergency crews are currently on-scene, Klitschko said. No information was immediately available on the status of the injured victims. Russia has regularly targeted civilian infrastructure since the onset of its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022, particularly in the country's capital, Kyiv. Russia's latest large-scale attack on the capital occured overnight on April 6 and killed one person and wounded three others. The U.S. has been in talks with Ukraine and Russia to negotiate an end to Russia's war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is ready if Russia also agrees to the terms. So far, Moscow has refused. Read also: Ukraine war latest: US envoy Witkoff proposes giving Russia ownership of Ukrainian regions, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DENVER (KDVR) The residents of a Firestone neighborhood are concerned about a new cost they could be taking on, thanks to new license plate readers in the town that the police are asking for help funding. The Town of Firestone said it began installing Flock license plate readers last year, 14 in total around the community. Now, the police department seeks to place them near neighborhoods and has asked the Homeowners Associations to fund them. Its a great area. It really is, said Bernie Beegle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beegle loves his neighborhood, Stoneridge, but hes frustrated with his HOA for considering the Firestone Police Departments proposal. According to the Town of Firestone, police have been reaching out to HOAs for the last few months about placing the license plate readers at the entrance to neighborhoods. That request, however, comes with a $4500 yearly fee that the HOAs would have to cover, equaling $13 per year for every resident of Stoneridge. That kind of funding is just not appropriate, said Beegle. Its way out of scope, in my opinion, of an HOA responsibility. Beegle said the Stoneridge HOA sent out a survey to residents to get an opinion on the proposal. He said he has talked to many of his neighbors who share his concern about the precedent that would be set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If now HOAs are going to start participate in funding township activities, where is that going to end? he wondered. While $13 to start doesnt seem like much, he said future requests with different fees could pile up. So now the police department wants to, you know, have a different type of equipment or whatever, said Beegle. Do they come back to the HOAs and ask to help fund that? The town said the 14 readers installed last year have already proven useful, and the initiative is entirely voluntary, and if a neighborhood doesnt opt in, it wont be penalized in any way. Beegle said his issue isnt with the police or the town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honestly, I applaud their creativity in trying to cover a budget shortfall with something they want to do, but its just not the right approach, he said. He just hopes his HOA board, which has the final vote on the matter, chooses not to participate in the initiative. Im really surprised thats happening, and I dont know if theyve really thought about the long-term impact on the funding aspect of it, said Beegle. FOX31s Nate Belt reached out to the Stoneridge HOA boards director, who declined to comment on a potential vote on the proposal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. New College of Floridas recent firing of a Chinese professor under a contentious state law has drawn national attention and raised fresh concerns about academic freedom, xenophobia and the direction of higher education in Florida. Professor Kevin Wang, a Chinese asylum seeker with work authorization in the United States, was abruptly dismissed last month under a 2023 state law known as SB 846 that restricts Floridas public colleges and universities from hiring staff from China and other nations labeled countries of concern. According to civil rights advocates and scholars, this appears to be the first time an asylum seeker has been removed from their position under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firing comes amid heightened U.S.China tensions and growing scrutiny of Chinese nationals in American academic institutions. But for students and observers of higher education, it signals something more immediate: a state-driven shift that may limit who can teach in public universities, threatening US scholarship. We see this trend, and a pattern of a less and less welcoming environment for Chinese students and international students overall, said Gisela Kusakawa, the executive director of Asian American Scholar Forum. Many Asian American scholars came to the United States through the student visa pipeline, and so when were talking about maintaining US competitiveness and being able to foster and nurture the best and brightest talents, cutting off this pipeline would effectively make the United States less competitive. What is SB 846? Signed into law less than two years ago, SB 846 limits public colleges and universities in Florida from entering into agreements with institutions affiliated with the governments of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Venezuela. It also goes a step further, restricting the ability of schools to simply hire employees from those countries who do not have a green card or full citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida is taking action to stand against the United States greatest geopolitical threat the Chinese Communist Party, Gov. Ron DeSantis said when he signed the bill into law. The law went into effect July 1, 2023, and is codified in Section 288.860 of the Florida Statutes. It includes a mechanism for exceptions, but only if such hires or partnerships are approved by the State University Systems Board of Governors. Upon its passage, critics of the law focused on its impact on graduate students, who conduct research at Floridas universities. SB 846 has a disproportionate impact on Chinese academics. According to the Institute of International Educations recent annual Open Doors Report, more than 4,300 students from China were enrolled in Florida colleges and universities during the 202324 academic year, the second-largest group of international students in the state after those from India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fifth-largest group of international students also hail from a so-called country of concern Venezuela. Some 1,300 students from the South American nation studied in Florida last year, according to the report. Altogether, the Florida university system last year educated nearly 45,000 international students who pumped an estimated $1.5 billion into the state economy, the report noted. Legal challenges and comparisons to exclusion-era policies Wangs firing has become a flash point in a broader legal and civil rights battle over Floridas restrictions on hiring foreign nationals in public higher education. The unconstitutional Florida law named in the firing of this Chinese professor at New College of Florida codifies anti-Asian discrimination, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida said in a recent Facebook post. Its why were fighting it in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU of Florida is part of the legal team representing a University of Florida professor and two Chinese doctoral students who had been accepted to study and work at Florida International University in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of SB 846. The plaintiffs argue the law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and is preempted by federal immigration and foreign affairs law. They likened the law to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States during a period of widespread anti-Chinese sentiment. On March 27 just two weeks after Wangs firing a federal judge in Miami issued a preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking enforcement of the laws hiring restrictions as they apply to international students. The preliminary injunction applies to students statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida has since appealed that injunction and filed a motion to put the judges ruling on hold. While the ruling specifically addressed international students, it may lay the groundwork for further legal challenges from faculty members. In an email to Suncoast Searchlight, Daniel Tilley, legal director of the ACLU of Florida and one of the attorneys in the case, said that professors like Wang should have a similarly strong claim. Why this firing stands out While Floridas law has been on the books since mid-2023, Wangs dismissal appears to be the first publicly known case in which it was used to terminate an asylum-seeking professor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also comes amid broader national efforts to detect foreign influence and espionage in U.S. research institutions particularly from China. During the first Trump administration, the federal government launched the China Initiative, a program intended to root out economic espionage but one that drew criticism for disproportionately targeting Asian American and Chinese scholars, often without clear evidence. Civil rights watchdogs warned that the initiative could fuel anti-Asian prejudice. In at least one case, federal officials wrongly accused a Chinese-born scientist of espionage. Other scholars left the U.S., citing an atmosphere of fear and discrimination. In one prominent case, a Florida researcher moved back to China, where he spearheaded the development of a rapid COVID-19 test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy was lifted in 2022, but a new push by House Republicans to block Chinese nationals from studying at U.S. universities signals renewed hostility toward academics from China. The crackdown on perceived foreign influence has been felt especially acutely in Florida, where state lawmakers also passed a measure in 2023 restricting Chinese citizens from purchasing property in the state. The measure, which is the subject of ongoing litigation, mirrors land and property ownership bans proposed by GOP-controlled statehouses across the country. Right now theres a bigger concern that what is happening in Florida is just sort of a taste of what may happen nationally on a federal level, said Kusakawa, of the Asian American Scholar forum. Scary, barbaric, and deeply personal Wangs firing drew surprise and condemnation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosie Levine, executive director of the US-China Education Trust, a Washington DC-based group focused on fostering academic exchange between the two countries, expressed alarm, describing the firing as scary. Academics, for the most part, just really want to comply but arent clear about how the regulations work, Levine said, noting that its extremely terrifying for their professors who are probably in similar situations, like this example, and saying, I dont want to be in the same position, but I dont know how to comply. Kusakawa, of the Asian American Scholar Forum, noted the irony in Wangs firing, given his open criticism of the Chinese government. Here you have someone that is anti-CCP vocally, to their detriment, said Kusakawa, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. In the United States, she added, Wang should be getting sanctuary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A student in Wangs class at New College told Suncoast Searchlight that the dismissal felt abrupt and wrong. It was barbaric, said the student, who asked to remain anonymous, citing fear of reprisal from the college, which has a precedent of cracking down on student dissent. In 2024, the school punished students who protested its administration during graduation. You could say the feeling is grief, or something like that, the student said. I mean, first youre shocked, and then you get angry, then sad and everything. At this point, its been a couple of weeks, and Im just moving on. Ive accepted it. This story was produced by Suncoast Searchlight, a nonprofit newsroom of the Community News Collaborative serving Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. Learn more at suncoastsearchlight.org. A climate-focused investment firm has announced it has raised $85 million to help fund companies focused on clean energy and decarbonization. ESG Today has reported that Aligned Climate Capital raised twice as much in this round as it did during its first. The firm plans to use these funds to invest in companies that can scale their green technologies quickly. "The clean energy transition isn't a technology challenge; it's a deployment challenge," Aligned Climate Capital CEO Peter Davidson said in a release. "The solutions needed to decarbonize the economy already exist, but scaling them requires capital, expertise, and market access." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aligned which has offices in New York and Los Angeles has already invested in over a dozen companies across the United States that focus on a variety of green technologies. These include clean energy storage, carbon capturing, electric vehicle charging, heat pump water heaters, and wind energy. The company has also partnered on more than 30 solar projects, mostly in Maine and New Hampshire. "Our venture fund is investing in companies accelerating this transition by deploying proven clean energy technologies that are already outcompeting fossil fuels and delivering real impact today," Davidson said. In addition, Aligned donates 3% of its carried interest (a share of the profits) to nonprofit organizations that work to combat climate change. The firm isn't alone in this effort. Other climate-focused venture capital funds exist, including one that supports early-stage climate biotech companies trying to make it to market. Individuals can also support cleaner and greener businesses by investing in eco-friendly stocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These investments aren't just environmentally friendly they're also good business. Banks are increasingly making money funding climate-smart projects. Meanwhile, this $85 million announced by Aligned Climate Capital is just a drop in the bucket. The company says that, over the next decade, about $47 trillion in global investments will be needed to effectively transition to a cleaner economy. 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. School police officers at Florida International University will soon begin training to learn how to enforce immigration laws on campus. Florida International University confirmed on Friday that it has enrolled in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement program known as 287(g) that will allow campus police to stop, question and in some cases detain people who they suspect are in the country illegally. The partnership with the federal government comes as a growing number of FIU students are becoming anxious amid reports of international students being detained, deported and having their visas revoked. In the last month, 18 FIU students have lost their F-1 visa status, which allows international students to live and study in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Visa crackdown leaves FIUs foreign students silenced by fear FIU serves a largely Hispanic student body about 68 percent according to the U.S. News and World Report. Many students are permanent residents and almost 600 are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides temporary protection from deportation for some immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. The universitys decision comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to pressure local and state law enforcement agencies to enter into partnerships with federal immigration authorities to help the Trump administration find and arrest immigrants who are in the country illegally. Since February, more than 100 police forces across Florida have rushed to meet the call and quickly helped put the state on the vanguard of President Donald Trumps plan to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, FIU is among the few public universities in Florida to sign on to help with federal immigration enforcement. The University of South Florida and the University of Florida have also signed on to similar agreements, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. Florida Atlantic University has announced its intentions to sign an agreement as well. A spokesperson for the university told the Miami Herald in an email Friday that its police department would be entering into the agreement to comply with DeSantis directive to law enforcement agencies. Florida statutes require law enforcement agencies to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities, but it only explicitly requires sheriffs and chief correctional officers who operate county detention facilities to enroll in the 287(g) program, which has three models. State law does not make any mention of university police departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The universitys alignment with DeSantis agenda is not surprising, though. The schools interim president, Jeanette Nunez, served as the governors lieutenant governor up until February. In January, Nunez also reversed course on her prior arguments that undocumented college students should have access to in-state tuition, saying the state of Florida should not be in the business of providing this benefit. International students on campus were already on edge. Many told the Herald they have been scared of speaking about their status, getting involved in any political activity and are scrubbing their social media of anything political. But knowing FIUs police is participating in the immigration crackdowns is a new cause for anxiety. It feels like it is almost unsafe for international students to go out publicly at this point, said Bayan Abedulazis, a student activist at FIU. I am completely distressed, an F-1 visa holder at FIU from India told the Miami Herald. A Florida school district said it wont renew the contract of a teacher who used a students preferred name, instead of legal name, without parental permission, in violation of state law. Melissa Calhoun is a literature teacher at Satellite High School in the coastal city of Satellite Beach, Florida. According to her LinkedIn profile, shes worked for the Brevard County Public Schools district for the past 12 years. Unless the state intervenes, Calhoun, who did not immediately return requests for comment, could be one of the first educators to lose a job under Floridas Parental Rights in Education law, or what critics call the Dont Say Gay law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brevard County Public Schools conducted an investigation after receiving a complaint from a parent who said Calhoun had used a name other than their childs legal name without the parents permission, according to a statement shared by Janet R. Murnaghan, a spokesperson for the district. This directly violates state law and the districts standardized process for written parental consent, the statement said. Based on the teachers own admission that she knowingly did not comply with state statute she received a letter of reprimand. Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law. Satellite High School in Brevard County, Fla. Since the state will be reviewing Calhouns teacher certificate based on the complaint, the district said it will not renew her annual contract, which expires in May, until the issue is resolved. Dozens of students staged a peaceful walkout Thursday to protest the districts decision not to renew Calhouns contract, according to NBC affiliate WESH of Orlando. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were here to really show support for Ms. Calhoun and to show that we are not OK with what is going on, sophomore Brianna Knight told WESH. We truly are upset that we are losing such a positive teacher. Calhouns supporters also started a petition asking the Brevard County School Board to reinstate her. As of Friday afternoon, it had garnered more than 22,000 signatures. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education law in March 2022. At that time, it prohibited classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards. A year later, he signed an expanded version of the measure that prohibits sexual orientation or gender identity instruction in prekindergarten through eighth grade, restricts reproductive health education in sixth through 12th grade, and bars schools from requiring students or employees to refer to each other with pronouns that do not align with their assigned sex at birth. It also prohibits transgender school employees from sharing their pronouns with students, among other restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2023, a few months after DeSantis signed the expanded measure, the Florida Board of Education passed new rules to ensure schools were following the law and to strengthen and enhance the safety and welfare of students in K-12 public schools and protect parental rights. Among those rules was a requirement that school districts receive parental permission before staffers can call a student by anything other than their legal name, including a nickname, even at the students request. At a school board meeting this week, several parents spoke both in favor of and against the districts decision not to renew Calhouns contract. There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent, one parent of a student in the district who also said she was one of Calhouns colleagues said during the meeting, WESH reported. Just a teacher trying to connect with a student, and for that, her contract was not renewed despite her strong dedication and years of service. I ask you, how can we justify this? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School board member Katye Campbell said during the meeting that people might think the rule is silly, but that its important. The parents are the number one decision-makers for their children, Campbell said, The Washington Post reported. In response to a question about students rights, she said the district shouldnt interfere in families decisions unless we legally have a reason to. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Florida lawmakers battled it out on the House floor this week over a bill that could lead to significant funding cuts to education. The bill has parents, students, and advocates on edge about advanced placement programs possibly taking a hit. Lawmakers focused on the states budget this week, and in the budget bill, they are proposing a 50% cut in extra funding, also known as add on weights, for advance courses like AP and IB programs. Advocates, however, oppose this move, saying Florida students could lose in the end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tariffs could impact Tampa Bay shoppers, businesses by summer, economist says House Bill 5101 has faced push back from students, teachers, and Democrats at the statehouse. Their concerns center around education funding for advance placement programs. In Polk County, where I grew up, the school paid for our AP classes, and coming from a family of six that was on a salary of a teacher and my dad who worked at Publix, I dont know that we could have afforded those, said House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa). Driskell spoke in opposition of the 50% cut, saying lawmakers should pause and rethink future funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those courses allowed me to achieve my personal dream of attending Harvard University and placing out of some of those classes in my first year after coming from a public school in little humble Polk County, Driskell said. However, Republicans behind the efforts say the bill does not cut or defund these important programs. State Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-Fort Meyers) encourages students who care about this issue to continue to advocate for themselves in front of their local school boards. Its the school board that is deciding where those funds go and whether those funds are following you, the student, in funding these programs, Persons-Mulicka said. The bill sponsor added that data for the past few years isnt matching up with the actual cost of these classes and this bill would allow the money to follow the students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with the pushback, and after over five hours of budget debate on Wednesday, the bill got the green light. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis has a bold proposal to give $1,000 rebates to homeowners as property tax relief. Don't miss These rebates, which would cover state-mandated school property taxes, would benefit over 5 million homes statewide. Checks would roll out in December 2025 and aim to ease the financial burden on residents amid soaring property values and insurance premiums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida is home to three of the five major U.S. metros where property tax bills have increased the most since before the pandemic, according to a Redfin report published in October. Jacksonville's median monthly property tax bill increased 59.6% to $228 since 2019, Tampa's increased 56.7% to $250 and Miami's increased 48.1% to $367. Property taxes effectively require homeowners to pay rent to the government, DeSantis said in a news release, Constitutional protections for Florida homeowners require approval of the voters in 2026. In the meantime, Floridians need relief. He said his rebate would mark a major step toward his "long-term goal of eliminating property taxes through a future constitutional amendment." But not everyone is on board with the idea. The Florida House of Representatives has pushed back by approving a plan to permanently lower the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, which they are calling the largest tax cut in state history." It would save Florida residents $5 billion annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis has criticized the sales tax reduction, stating, "I dont want to reduce taxes on Canadian or Brazilian tourists. Id rather them pay more and us pay less." Senate President Ben Albritton has proposed permanently cutting sales tax on clothing and shoes that cost $75 or less, where it can help the most number of Floridians. He also wants a research study to be done on the effects of reducing or ending property taxes on homes. The legislative session will end on May 2, so the House and Senate have less than a month to agree on a budget. Property taxes vital in Florida After federal transfers, Floridas largest source of per capita revenue is property taxes, according to the Urban Institute. The state has no personal income taxes and its tax code is considered the most regressive in the nation. Currently, property taxes contribute about $50 billion a year to the state's budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If property taxes were eliminated, local governments could face a massive revenue loss. According to the Florida Policy Institute, Floridas property taxes make up 18% of county revenue, 17% of municipal revenue, and 50%-60% of school district revenue. These funds help pay for vital services like fire and police services, education, and safety net programs, and without them, local governments would need to find alternative ways to cover those costs. So how would the loss of funds be made up? 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 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If policymakers were to eliminate property taxes and replace them with higher consumption taxes (i.e., sales taxes), they would have to double the states general sales tax rate. Doing so would generate roughly $40.2 billion in the unlikely case that consumer demand remains constant, said the Florida Policy Institute. The states general sales tax is currently 6%. Replacing property taxes with higher sales taxes could worsen Floridas already regressive tax system. Right now, lower-income households bear a larger share of the tax burden, and increasing the sales tax could make matters worse by taking a bigger chunk out of their budgets. On the other hand, wealthier residents tend to spend a smaller percentage of their income on taxable goods, meaning theyd feel less of an impact. Nearly seven in 10 Florida voters would prefer keeping property taxes the way they are over a sales tax increase to 12%, according to a poll. While the idea of property tax relief sounds appealing, the trade-offs are significant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can there be tax relief for residents while making sure the state has enough funds to support vital public services? The debate is just getting started, and the outcome will shape Florida's fiscal future. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Watching a rocket launch on the beach is a total so Florida, very Instagram-worthy thing to do. Though rockets here launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Merritt Island, Florida, or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, people from Palm Beach County can sometimes see this #SoFlorida phenomenon. Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, a rocket launch from Floridas Space Coast could be visible from Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach to Vero Beach and West Palm Beach. When theres a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, theres an opportunity for unique photos the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is more information on rocket launches from NASA and Cape Canaveral and suggestions on where to watch them from Jacksonville, Florida. Rocket launch tally: Here's a list of all the missions from Cape Canaveral, Florida (psst, there's a lot) For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space. Where can I see a rocket launch in Florida? Can you see a rocket liftoff in West Palm Beach, Florida? In Florida, we can best see this historic moment in person if you're anywhere on the Space Coast (Brevard County) or certain spots in the First Coast or Fun Coast (Volusia County) or the Treasure Coast (Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County). However, people in Jacksonville, far north of Cape Canaveral, and West Palm Beach, far south of Cape Canaveral, have posted rocket launch photos and video on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram (see below). Pro tip: If you do watch it in person, especially on Florida's Space Coast, get to your viewing destination early and prepare to stay later after the launch because of heavy traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can a rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral, Florida, be seen outside of Florida? Once again depending on weather and on cloud cover, yes. For example, readers have submitted photos or posted on social platforms pictures of Falcon Heavy, which is made up of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages, visible from Myrtle Beach. A rocket launch can be a treat for the ears, too: On the Space Coast, a rumble can be heard or window-shaking can be expected in some parts of Brevard County after liftoff. And some rocket launches have had an added bonus: The SpaceX boosters return to a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean or, occasionally, to the company's landing zone at Cape Canaveral. If a booster returns to the landing zone, there's a sonic boom. Live weather radar: Will it rain in Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch? Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache. Whenever there is a rocket launch in Florida, check the live weather radar above to see conditions around the Space Coast and surrounding areas. Where to see a Florida rocket launch in Palm Beach County: What does a West Palm Beach rocket launch view look like? Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, yes, some rocket launches from the Space Coast can be visible in Palm Beach County. When theres a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, with a southeast trajectory, theres an opportunity for unique photos. Some examples include United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket launch and SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Cape Canaveral, Florida, to West Palm Beach, Florida, it's about 150 miles. What the views look like: Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral spotted in West Palm Beach Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral can often be seen from Palm Beach County, and it can be as easy as walking out of your house and looking north. Try to get away from any obstructions, such as trees, tall buildings, and bright lights. Obviously, cloud cover can also get in the way. If the forecast is for clear skies and you want a better view, some good places to watch the rocket launch from Palm Beach County include: Rocket launch photos from X, Instagram from around West Palm Beach, Florida Awesome reader photo! Atlas V rocket launch seen from Palm Beach County http://t.co/Zt28RG3ukh pic.twitter.com/Af4LYNH3JN The Palm Beach Post (@pbpost) September 2, 2015 Space x Rocket launch seen from downtown West Palm Beach Happy Friday! pic.twitter.com/pzB3iVkiGN James Wieland (@SurfnWeatherman) March 16, 2024 Caught the #spacex #rocketlaunch from work today in downtown West Palm Beach! pic.twitter.com/4uc1BmmTH4 James Wieland (@SurfnWeatherman) November 10, 2023 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another great plume from Atlas rocket launch. Seen from West Palm Beach. pic.twitter.com/wVuzAW69ey Kimberly Miller (@KMillerWeather) October 2, 2015 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Atlas rocket launch as seen from Royal Palm Beach, FL pic.twitter.com/5oQPAUpKHH Joel Solomon (@IvoriesAblaze) September 2, 2015 Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Can I see rocket launch in West Palm Beach, Florida, from Cape Canaveral Zimbabwes state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development (ZMDC) is seeking a resolution to protect its assets, which are at risk of being seized over a debt incurred from an international arbitration case with Amaplat Mauritius, reported Bloomberg. ZMDC chairman Paul Chimboza has confirmed the authenticity of a letter addressed to Mines Minister Winston Chitando, requesting government intervention in the dispute linked to cancelled nickel and platinum projects. The letter, verified by Bloomberg, highlights the corporation's repeated requests for the state to assume the $93m debt owed to Amaplat's unit. The arbitration case was ruled in favour of Amaplat by the International Chamber of Commerce in 2014, with Zambia's High Court allowing the enforcement of the ruling in 2019. A settlement proposal was accepted by Zimbabwe's Finance Ministry in 2021, with ZMDC agreeing to make the payments, which had escalated to $65.9m. As part of the settlement, Bravura, owned by Nigerian businessman Benedict Peters, was to pay $15m to Amaplat. However, according to Chimboza, Bravura has only paid $3m, and the remaining terms, including the transfer of mining assets, have not been fulfilled. Bravura officials have not commented on the matter. ZMDC's financial woes are compounded by the fact that most of its assets have been transferred to Defold Mine, a new state company, leaving it with limited internal resources to address the debt. The financial strain on ZMDC is exacerbated by legal costs, which have exceeded $500,000. Amaplat insists that the responsibility for the debt lies with the Zimbabwean Government. Amaplat in a response to queries said: As the ICC award is against a Zimbabwe government parastatal and the commissioner of a government ministry, the ZMDC and the Chief Mining Commissioner of the Ministry Mines, the public debt remains the responsibility of the government of Zimbabwe for the full amount. Further legal complications loom for Zimbabwe, with Amaplat planning to register its award in Canada following a similar action in the US. A related hearing is scheduled for 30 June. Zimbabwe is facing significant financial challenges, with state entities owing more than $21bn and being excluded from international capital markets due to defaults on loans from institutions such as the World Bank and European Investment Bank. Last year, Zimbabwe announced plans to secure a 26% free-carry stake in all new mining projects in the country. "Zimbabwe Mining Development seeks to protect assets from international debt dispute" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Several universities in Florida have signed agreements to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid an ongoing push by state leaders to aid the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration. The University of Florida said Friday it has signed the 287(g) agreement that allows local law enforcement to act as immigration officers. We can confirm that we have signed the 287(g) agreement, a spokesperson for the university told CNN. Under the agreement, ICE delegates to local officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agencys direction and oversight, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes as the Trump administration continues to target foreign nationals affiliated with prestigious American universities. The earliest high-profile cases focused on those accused of supporting terror organizations, as was the case with Mahmoud Khalils arrest following pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. By CNNs count, more than 525 students, faculty and researchers across across 88 colleges and universities have had their visas revoked this year, as an increasing number of student deportation threats involve the revocation of visas based on relatively minor offenses like years-old misdemeanors. Four University of Florida students have had their visas revoked, the universitys director of public affairs told CNN Friday. The prospect of increased immigration enforcement could cause additional friction on the University of Florida campus. On Wednesday, crowds gathered there to protest the deportation of a Colombian student, according to CNN affiliate WCJB. Demonstrators said international students are afraid after the deportation, WCJB reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement in Florida allows local officers to question those they suspect of being in the country illegally and to serve and execute warrants of arrest for immigration violations, according to a statement from Gov. Ron DeSantis in February about other law enforcement agencies in the state who signed similar agreements. A spokesperson for the governors office on Saturday referred questions to the Florida Board of Governors, the governing body of the state university system. Several police departments at universities within the State University System of Florida are partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, spokesperson Cassandra Edwards said in an email. Our university police departments are always encouraged to collaborate with other law enforcement entities to enforce state and federal law. The University of South Florida has entered into an agreement with ICE, a university spokesperson told CNN Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All state law enforcement agencies, including USFPD and the police departments at other state universities, are expected to follow the governors directive from February to enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, spokesperson Michael Lavelle said. USF regularly works with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to help maintain the safety of the university community and the security of our campuses. The University of Central Florida has also signed an agreement with ICE, according to CNN affiliate WFTV. CNN reached out to Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University about news reports their campus police have done the same. Across Florida, 200 state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies have entered into 287(g) agreements with ICE, and more than 40 others have agreements pending, according to DHS. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs David J. Lopez and Kelly Murray contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Apr. 12GRAND FORKS After touring Agristo's operations in Belgium, Grand Forks city officials say they're impressed with the company's cleanliness and culture. Several representatives from Grand Forks traveled to Belgium in early April to visit Agristo, which plans to open a potato processing facility in the city. Making the trip to visit Agristo's facilities were City Administrator Todd Feland, City Attorney Dan Gaustad, Mayor Brandon Bochenski, City Council member Rebecca Osowski and Environmental Management Director Lisa Botnen. They were joined by Grand Forks Regional Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Keith Lund. The visit came a little more than two months after Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agristo chose Grand Forks as its location for a first potato production facility. "Once the announcement was made and Grand Forks was the location that they were going to focus on, it was a mutual partnership that (the city would) like to come over there and see facilities and meet them ourselves so that we would have the firsthand knowledge," Feland said. The group toured two facilities: a retrofitted plant in Nazareth, Belgium, and a facility and company headquarters in Wielsbeke, Belgium. The newer facility in Wielsbeke would be similar to what is planned to be built in Grand Forks. "I was really impressed with the cleanliness of the facility and the automation, the technology that they used," Lund said. "They were in an industrial park where they had many, many neighbors and they took very good care of their facility, the environment, and they were just really a few hundred meters of an existing residential neighborhood." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bochenski said following the tour, it only furthers the positive opinions he's had about the project so far. "It is the exact type of company that we want, not just in Grand Forks, in North Dakota, but in the whole country," he said. "Just how clean they run their operation ... (and) the amount of thought that went into keeping down noise and smells and everything inside." Osowski, who has urged the city to use caution when new businesses come to town, said she's been pleased with the processes Agristo has conducted, both in Europe and potentially in the U.S. She said when she asked people who live and work near Agristo's facilities, she never heard anything negative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They've been very open and they've answered the questions I have," Osowski said. "They already stated that they will engage with (the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States) and file a declaration with them, and I look forward to seeing the results of that." This is not the first time representatives of the city have traveled to visit with companies or operations that plan to do business in Grand Forks. When the Fufeng company was considering building a corn mill in Grand Forks, a contingent from the city visited Fufeng operations in Iowa and Nebraska. Also, city staff toured other tech accelerators to learn best practices for the city's downtown Hive building. The city spent $15,000 to have five people visit Agristo minus Lund, whose expenses were paid by the EDC. Since Agristo announced its plans for Grand Forks earlier this year, the cleanliness of the company has come up repeatedly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agribusiness industrial smell is not an uncommon occurrence, nor an uncommon complaint in Greater Grand Forks. For instance, back in 2020, the Red River Biorefinery received numerous complaints from residents concerned about its smell before it was closed in 2022 for environmental violations, which have since been mitigated. Botnen said that after this visit and seeing the cleanliness and lack of smell at the facilities, she's confident about Agristo's practices. "I live here, my kids are here, and it's definitely a company I would be proud to have as part of our community," she said. "When you're inside (the processing) room, obviously you're going to smell something, but outside, around the facilities, it was neat and it was clean." BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Former Congressman John LaFalce has died at the age of 85, Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Jeremy Zellner confirmed. A Buffalo native, LaFalce was elected to Congress in 1974 and represented Western New York from 1975-2003. LaFalce represented the 36th Congressional District from 1975-83, the 32nd Congressional District from 1983-93, and the 29th Congressional District from 1993-2003. During his time in office, he was the ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee and also was a member of the House Small Business Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 1970s, LaFalce worked closely with President Jimmy Carter regarding the Love Canal environmental disaster. In 1978, finally we did pass the superfund bill providing billions of dollars for comprehensive clean-ups for formerly abandoned hazardous waste sites, LaFalce told WIVB News 4 in December. After retiring, LaFalce donated large sums of money to institutions in Western New York, including Niagara University and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Congressman LaFalce embodied the definition of public service, Congressman Tim Kennedy said in a statement. From his time in the United States Army to his nearly three decades representing our hometown in the House of Representatives, Congressman John LaFalce set an example to which we should all aspire. His tireless work delivered so much to our community, and he was never afraid to take on the toughest of issues. He will be remembered as a man of great faith, conviction, and passion, who was always speaking up for his constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman LaFalce will be remembered for all that he did, however, standing up for the residents of Love Canal in the face of environmental catastrophe, and directing the eyes of the world on Western New York, forced a national reckoning with the dangers of industrial pollution, further underscored his fearless leadership. Congressman LaFalce was as Buffalo as they come, Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement. He had one of the biggest brains and the biggest heart. John was a legislative giant and a dear friend going back to our time serving together in the House. He would see a problem, whether in his beloved city of Buffalo or across the country, and dedicate every fiber of his being to making sure it was solved. His dedication to public service and passion for helping others knew no bounds. He loved Buffalo and always defended Western New York. He was a good and loyal friend, and I will deeply miss him. My prayers are with his loved ones and Western NY as they mourn this tremendous loss. Latest Local News *** Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Ludwiczak joined the News 4 team in 2024. He is a veteran journalist with two decades of experience in Buffalo. You can follow him online at @marklud12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. In Harlan Ellison's disturbing 1967 short story "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream," a sentient superintelligence named AM has taken over the earth's resources and exterminated humanity after combining the powers of three US, Soviet, and Chinese supercomputers into one. A small group of survivors has been kept alive for AM's amusement, forced to roam the supercomputer's endless electronic innards. It's a grim setting, but evidently one that billionaire tech tycoon and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt imagines for the future of humanity, if his comments to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce are any indication. "What we need from you," Schmidt told lawmakers, "is we need the energy in all forms, renewable, non-renewable, whatever. It needs to be there, and it needs to be there quickly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wannabe tech overlord was appearing in front of the government panel to talk AI specifically, what the future holds for it. "Many people project demand for our industry will go from 3 percent to 99 percent of total generation... an additional 29 gigawatts by 2027 and 67 more gigawatts by 2030," he asserted. "If [China] comes to superintelligence first, it changes the dynamic of power globally, in ways that we have no way of understanding or predicting," Schmidt said, even echoing the backstory of Ellison's cautionary tale. Schmidt's American exceptionalism the idea that the US is superior to all other global interests is nothing new, and neither is his wild-eyed brand of AI hype. In 2023, CNN reported that "42 percent of CEOs say AI could destroy humanity in five to ten years." Yet if today's tech is any indication, AI has a long trek through the slop before it can even think of destroying humanity, let alone siphoning 99 percent of the earth's energy. What is new is Schmidt's insistence to Congress that Chinese "superintelligence" is coming to get us, a claim Energy committee chair Brett Guthrie called a "sober assessment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's a troubling response, given that many AI researchers believe that type of computer intelligence is highly unlikely to hit anytime soon. So why tell lawmakers the opposite? Like many other tech billionaires, Schmidt has a personal interest not only in growing the AI industry, but also in scaring lawmakers into handing over the keys to the kingdom. It's a strategy known as "corporate capture," and it's been a particularly effective move for Silicon Valley giants like Uber, which has been given almost complete authority to write its own rules. When it comes to AI, tech tycoons are particularly anxious about energy, as the data centers powering their soon-to-be-superintelligent algorithms eat megawatts for breakfast. As the race to develop the most advanced AI model heats up, companies like Elon Musk's xAI are resorting to less-than-legal means to avoid waiting for pesky EPA rulings and bothersome power grid assessments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late last year, Schmidt was caught hiding direct investments in AI startups throughout his tenure as chairman of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence no doubt a huge conflict of interest, but "technically legal," according to ethics experts. Eat your heart out, Ellison. More on AI: Something's Gone Wrong With Microsoft's Huge AI Data Center Investments YAZOO COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A former Mississippi police chief has been charged with capital murder. Yazoo County deputies responded to a call about a man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9. Investigators said they found Timothy Byrd deceased at the scene. Man sentenced for fatal shooting during Yazoo County trail ride event According to deputies, they uncovered several discrepancies with the story told by a male at the scene. They also said more evidence showed that foul play was involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Apri 11, deputies arrested former Yazoo City Police Chief James Durwood Winstead. He was charged with capital murder in connection to this case. James Durwood Winstead (Courtesy: Yazoo County Sheriffs Office) The investigation is ongoing. 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. President Trumps increase on steel and aluminum tariffs, from 25% to 50%, went into effect on June 4. These pricier tariffs are expected to drive costs higher for many products, including automobiles, which rely heavily on both steel and aluminum. While the White House has said that separate tariffs on products like steel and aluminum wont stack on top of the existing auto tariffs, consumers should still anticipate the cost of certain vehicles and auto parts to go up in the near future. Trumps 25% tariff on fully assembled cars was implemented on April 3, while tariffs on some 150 categories of auto parts made outside the U.S. kicked in on May 3. Follow along with Yahoo Finances live updates on all things Trump tariffs. This embedded content is not available in your region. Auto tariffs will have a domino effect Still, any automotive tariffs will likely trigger a domino effect that could lead to higher car insurance prices. Learn more from Yahoo Finance: Big tariffs on auto parts are now in effect. Here's how they work. As new vehicle and auto parts prices go up to cover the cost of tariffs, prices for repairing or replacing a car after an accident, other damage or vehicle theft will rise. Insurers will pay out more for auto insurance claims and then will likely seek higher car insurance rates to compensate for their higher costs. Auto insurance premiums are a reflection of the cost to pay claims, Stephen J. Crewdson, senior director in the Global Insurance Intelligence Group at J.D. Power, a global data and analytics company, said via email. As these claims costs go up or down, premiums will eventually follow. Insurers are closely monitoring the tariffs impact. Learn more: 6 steps to find cheap car insurance in 2025 While our focus has been on trying to maintain stable rates for customers, tariffs and other retaliatory actions will likely result in higher loss costs, which could result in a reduction in profitability and higher than currently anticipated rate increases throughout 2025 and 2026, Progressive said in its first quarter regulatory filing. Higher prices to boost costs and repair times Car insurance customers could feel the sting of tariffs on a number of fronts. Higher repair costs The types of car insurance that pay for vehicle repairs could see rates rise if higher claims are being paid out. This includes liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Learn more: Most common types of car insurance explained About six of every 10 auto replacement parts used in U.S. auto shop repairs are imported from Mexico, Canada, and China, according to Jon Ward, vice president of public affairs with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). More totaled vehicles As repair costs increase, damaged vehicles are more likely to be totaled. This will spark more payouts for the actual cash value of vehicles rather than for repair costs. This, in turn, will force more drivers to shop for new cars to replace their totaled vehicles at a time when new car prices may also be affected by tariffs. Longer repair times In addition, car repairs could take longer if the fallout from tariffs disrupts supply chains and makes it more difficult to get parts. Longer repair times would increase the cost of rental reimbursement claims and potentially lead to higher premiums for that coverage. Rental reimbursement insurance is an optional coverage that helps pay for a rental car while your car is getting fixed for a covered claim. Consumers with rental reimbursement coverage could end up paying more out of pocket for a rental car if the repair delay exceeds the coverage limit, which is typically 30 days, said Colleen Parsons, an independent insurance agent with World Insurance Associates in the Rochester, New York, area. This reminds me of what we went through during the pandemic when parts weren't easily available, and there were a lot of delays. When will auto insurance rates go up? Consumers may see an impact on their car insurance bill in 12 to 18 months, according to the APCIA. There is a lag in changing premiums as insurers usually want months of data to analyze before adjusting rates, Crewdson said. Some states require prior approval, which takes time, and auto policies are six-month policies, so some customers wont see the premium changes for months after they happen. How much will car insurance premiums increase? Its hard to say how much your car insurance rate will rise. Parsons said premium increases will vary depending on the type of vehicle you own and the parts needed to repair it. Meanwhile, dont expect the automotive industry to shift production to the U.S. overnight to escape tariffs. Moving an auto supply chain takes at least two years and billions of dollars, making quick shifts in production nearly impossible, Liz Hempel, a partner at McKinsey & Co., a global management consulting firm, said via email. With seven-year model cycles and specialized infrastructure concentrated in key regions, the automotive industry faces unique hurdles. Beyond factory relocations, moving decades of expertise is another major challenge. Learn more: Car insurance rates are climbing. Here are 4 reasons why and 11 ways to save. How to save money on car insurance amid tariffs You cant control tariffs. But you can take steps to manage your car insurance rates and keep them as low as possible. Here are some tips. Maintain the coverage you need Resist the temptation to cut necessary coverage in order to save money. For instance, dont lower liability limits below the value of your net worth, which would put your assets at risk if you cause an expensive car accident. You could save a little money on your insurance bill but lose a bundle if you were sued and didnt have enough coverage. Its too big of a risk to gamble, Parsons said. Read more: How much car insurance do I need? Consider raising the deductible The higher the deductible is, the lower your car insurance premium for collision insurance and comprehensive insurance. Set your deductible to the highest amount you can afford to pay out of pocket in the event you have a claim, and then stash that amount in savings so its available. Get all the discounts you can Check with your insurance agent to make sure youre getting all the discounts you deserve. While many discounts are applied automatically, like vehicle safety discounts, your agent may be able to find others you can use. For example, there are often small discounts for going paperless or using EFT payments. And some insurers offer discounts for taking a defensive driving course. Learn more: Car insurance discounts: 17 ways to save Do an annual car insurance checkup and compare quotes Check your coverage to see if its still in line with your needs. Perhaps your cars value has dropped to the point that you can drop collision insurance. Compare quotes from companies to make sure youre getting the best deal. You can do that yourself or work with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent represents multiple insurers and can do the rate shopping for you from multiple companies. Car insurance banner Yahoo Personal Finance Tim Manni edited this article. TILLMAN COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) Agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations arrested the former chief of security at the Tillman County Jail after a multi-agency investigation into allegations of embezzlement. Photo of Frederick Houck, arrested by OSBI on complaints of embezzlement (Photo courtesy OSBI) According to officials with OSBI, Frederick Houck, 42, was arrested and booked into the Tillman County Jail on complaints of embezzlement and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. OSBI officials said formal charges are pending from the Tillman County District Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to OSBI officials, the Tillman County Sheriffs Office asked the OSBI to investigate allegations of embezzlement at the jail. LOCAL CRIME: Manslaughter charges filed in fatal Vernon crash OSBI officials said special agents were notified that one of the jail accounts had insufficient funds, and as investigators reviewed information and evidence, they identified Houck, the former Chief of Security at the Tillman County Jail, as a suspect. According to OSBI, Houck was interviewed on April 7, 2025, and based on the evidence and information special agents obtained from their investigation, they arrested him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further details have been released by OSBI at this time. OSBI said the Tillman County Sheriffs Office, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, the Mangum Police Department, and the Altus Police Department all assisted in the investigation. 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. Fort Gibson High School senior Zander Floyd said becoming a Red Scholar took hard work, dedication and friends like Grant Faulkner. It was nice to have friends along the way who pushed me to be a Red Scholar, Zander said. Im a very competitive person, so when I saw Grant made 90 on his test, I wanted to be a 95. Zander was one of 10 Red Scholars and Grant was one of 27 White Scholars honored Thursday at a Fort Gibson High School honor banquet at Indian Capital Technology Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red Scholars have a weighted GPA of more than 4 points and an ACT composite score of 25 or more. White Scholars have a weighted GPA between 3.5 and 4 and an ACT composite of 22 or more. Guest speaker was Oklahoma State Sen. Kristen Thompson, a 2003 Fort Gibson graduate. The Edmond Republican told honorees the world is full of challenges and encouraged them to use their abilities to succeed. Dont forget where you came from; dont forget who you are, Thompson said. Red Scholar Laine Jones said it took a lot of determination to earn her honor. Just a lot of hard work through high school to keep your GPA up, she said. For me, I wanted to get a 30 on my ACT, so I took it about six times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laine said earning Red Scholar opens scholarship opportunities. She said she plans to attend Northeastern State University as part of the Presidents Leadership Class, then attend medical school to become an OB/GYN. Chloey White said becoming a White Scholar means, I tried hard. She said she plans to attend University of Arkansas and earn a masters in psychology. Its going to be hard work, but Im very excited, Chloey said. Its definitely going to be worth it to use my skills to help other people. FORT SCOTT, Kan. Investigators are asking for your help finding the person who damaged a southeast Kansas airport. Airport staff tell us sometime last night a vehicle drove through a section of chainlink fence near the terminal entrance of the Fort Scott Municipal Airport on Indian Road. They say the driver destroyed about 50 feet of fencing, and four fence poles, did a donut and left. No other damage to the airport has been reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre asking anyone with information to contact the airport at (620) 223-5490 or the Fort Scott Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Officers have arrested four people in connection to a robbery that took place at a Chanel store in Washington, D.C., on Friday. The Metropolitan Police Department said the suspects entered the store in the CityCenterDC shopping plaza, located in the 900 block of I St. NW, just before 2 p.m. on Friday, April 11. The suspects then sprayed a fire extinguisher as a diversion and put $217,644.50 worth of Chanel merchandise into a large duffle bag before trying to flee, according to police. During the robbery, one of the suspects allegedly assaulted one of the store employees, who is a special police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon leaving, the suspects reportedly damaged the stores front door before officers caught them, placing them into custody and recovering the stolen goods. Man arrested for Glover Park carjacking, DC police say D.C. police said the following four people were arrested in connection to the incident and charged with robbery, burglary two, and destruction of property: Devin Wingate, 18, of Suitland, Md. Tyrik Hagood, 30, of Northeast Jamar Tolson, 38, of no fixed address James Crumpler-Nichols, 32, of no fixed address Tolson was also charged with simple assault. MPD added that a car involved in the robbery did flee the scene; however, it is unclear how many suspects who were waiting in the vehicle escaped in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The robbery is not the first at CityCenterDCs Chanel store. In December 2023, police released a video of suspects entering the store, setting off a fire extinguisher and snatching dozens of bags off the shelves. That case came less than a year after a dozen people ran into the store, using the same tactic to steal merchandise. The investigation into Fridays incident is ongoing, and D.C. police urge anyone with information to call 202-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411. MPD is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. A Russian guided aerial bomb struck a residential house in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, injuring four people; three more are likely trapped under the rubble. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Kupiansk is under heavy enemy fire. At about 18:20, the occupiers hit a residential house with a guided aerial bomb. Four people were injured in the attack: a 25-year-old woman, a 26-year-old man, a 52-year-old woman and a 73-year-old woman. Early reports indicate that three more people may be under the rubble." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! An Ada County judge on Friday ruled partially in favor of four women who sued the state after they were denied health condition-related abortions in Idaho because of strict bans on the procedure. The ruling puts in place the first clear carve-out of a health exception in the ban, a contentious issue that has sparked multiple lawsuits, including one that rose to the U.S. Supreme Court. Fourth District Judge Jason Scotts split ruling came more than four months after closing arguments in Adkins v. Idaho. The weeklong trial included emotional testimony from plaintiffs Jennifer Adkins, Jillaine St. Michel, Kayla Smith and Rebecca Vincen-Brown, all of whom had to leave Idaho to terminate wanted pregnancies after learning their babies had fatal fetal anomalies that also could turn into life-threatening conditions for the mothers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case, filed in 2023 by the abortion rights nonprofit Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of the four women and several Idaho doctors, asked the court to clarify that the states laws allow doctors to perform abortions when continuing a pregnancy makes an existing condition or pregnancy complication unsafe. Scott sided with the abortion rights group on that point, but dismissed all of the other claims in the lawsuit with prejudice meaning the organization cannot bring them back to court. The lawsuit also asked the judge to declare Idahos abortion ban a violation of pregnant peoples equal rights and of Idaho physicians due process rights, among other claims. Plaintiffs: Work to do on Idahos insidious abortion laws Idaho has had one of the countrys strictest abortion bans since 2022, since the U.S. Supreme Courts overturn of Roe v. Wade allowed the Republican-dominated Legislature to pass stringent laws. The states narrow exceptions for the procedure include when necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman. Although Republican Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador has said that language allows doctors to perform abortions to protect a patients health, physicians have said the language is vague and they worry particularly because they face prison time and loss of their medical license if convicted of providing an illegal abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labradors office issued a press release Monday on the ruling, and he continued to say that Idaho law has never required doctors to wait until a womans death is certain or imminent before performing an abortion. Idahos actual law, regarding a mothers risk of death as an exception, reads: The physician determined, in his good faith medical judgment and based on the facts known to the physician at the time, that the abortion was necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman. No abortion shall be deemed necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman because the physician believes that the woman may or will take action to harm herself. Judge Scotts ruling said that the procedure would be permitted if the patient because of an existing medical condition or pregnancy complication that would be alleviated by an abortion faces a non-negligible risk of dying sooner without an abortion (even if her death is neither imminent nor assured, so long as the risk of her death doesnt arise from a risk of self-harm, and the manner of pregnancy termination is the one that, without increasing the risk of her death, best facilitates the unborn childs survival outside the uterus, if feasible. Gail Deady, senior staff attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a news conference Friday afternoon that the decision was a groundbreaking one for Idaho abortion rights. But she lamented that his ruling missed a key aspect of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts ruling today provides much-needed clarity allowing pregnant people to get abortions when facing certain dangerous pregnancy complications that pose some risk of an early death, Deady said. But that same ruling also left behind countless others who still cannot get abortion care, even when their fetus has no chance of survival, forcing them to either continue their pregnancies or flee to another state for care. Adkins also spoke during the news conference and urged additional action. This mixed ruling from the court does not go nearly far enough in protecting the women and families of our state from Idahos cruel and insidious laws, Adkins said. Someone should not have to be forced to drive the length of this vast rural state to find basic health care in another state while in the midst of a medical crisis. We are better than that. Idahos abortion laws still face another major lawsuit over health exceptions. St. Lukes Health System, the states largest hospital group, sued Labrador in January over claims that Idahos abortion ban does not comply with the federal Emergency Medical Labor and Treatment Act, or EMTALA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the hospital said it wanted to safeguard an injunction in place protecting emergency abortions as part of an identical U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Idaho. That lawsuit was filed in 2022 by then-President Joe Bidens administration but was dropped last month by President Donald Trumps administration. As a result, St. Lukes last month became the only Idaho hospital allowed to perform emergency abortions under a new injunction. Dr. Emily Corrigan, an Idaho OBGYN and plaintiff in the Adkins case, said during Fridays news conference that Scotts decision will allow all hospitals to perform abortions as emergency care. I hope that my physician colleagues across the state, along with their legal counsel, will feel confident that medically indicated abortion care is not a crime in Idaho, Corrigan said. A Framingham man has been convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the 2022 stabbing of his wife. On July 17, 2022 police received a 911 call from a multi-family home on Taylor Street around 10:30 p.m. The caller reported that they had observed blood on the stairway to the third floor of the building and were concerned someone might be in need of assistance inside that apartment. Upon arrival police located the victim, 30 year-old Neiriane Pereira-Da Silva and the defendant, identified as Edvardo Gomes- Da Silva suffering from apparent stab wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neiriane Pereira-Da Silva was transported to MetroWest Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. Edvardo Gomes Da Silva was transported to a Boston area hospital. Investigation shows that the couple shared a child and were in the process of breaking up. When Edvardo- Gomes Da Silva learned his wife had been in a relationship with another man and was going to have a child with him, he became jealous and brutally stabbed her before attempting to kill himself. This is a tragic case of domestic violence. 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. The defendant had made statements that he was not going to permit the victim and his daughter to live with anyone but him. This type of controlling behavior can often tragically lead to violence, said District Attorney Ryan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (ABC4) The F-35A Lightning II, also known as Frankenjet due to its construction from two separate, damaged aircraft, has returned home to Utahs Hill Air Force Base. Frankenjet is one of its kind piecing together an AF-211 that was damaged in a nose-gear collapse at Hill AFB in 2020 and an AF-27 that was damaged in an engine fire at Floridas Eglin AFB in 2014. And the Frankenjet is fully operational, now back at the Air Forces largest combat-coded F-35A wing at Hill Air Force Base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Frankenjet is back, Hill Air Force Bases 388th Fighter Wing posted on Instagram. After completing final maintenance in Fort Worth, Texas, this one-of-a-kind jet is now back where it belongs. Minecraft Chicken Jockey trend hits Utah theaters, movie-goer kicked out after bringing live chicken Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project was a joint effort by the F-35 Joint Program Office, Ogden Air Logistics Complex, and 388th Fighter Wing and Lockheed Martin, requiring unique tooling and equipment to merge the two aircraft. The construction was originally done at Ogden Air Logistics before it was brought back to Hill AFB. Their work is considered to be pioneering for potential aircraft battle damage repair. The assigned team rebuilt the cockpit, rewired the aircraft, re-installed landing gear with the proper center of gravity, among other tasks that arent typically seen in flight line maintenance shops, according to the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office. When we received the aircraft, it was pretty much a shell, said Senior Airman Jaguar Arnold, the aircrafts crew chief from the 4th Fighter Generation Squadron, where the aircraft was hangared in 2024. There were a lot of tasks to complete that we hadnt done before at the unit level. When we took responsibility for this project, we were taking on something unprecedented at the field level and it wasnt easy. That cant be overstated. said 1st Lt. Ryan Bare, Sortie Generation Flight commander for the 4th FGS. But, we were also taking on an opportunity for our maintainers to gain proficiency in this type of work and build experience at the unit level. As a program, and as a unit, weve benefited greatly from this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Airmen involved worked on so many first-time tasks that the information will be used to update data used by all F-35 maintainers for installing and inspecting new components. As for this project, the effort saved a reported $63 million, with the project costing $11.7 million while a new F-35A costs more than $80 million. Now operational with combat status, the Frankenjet will be flown by Utahs 4th Fighter Squadron. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Many in Frankfort and surrounding communities are still reeling from the devastation caused by last weeks deadly flooding, but theyre not facing the aftermath alone. The recovery is only just beginning after the early April floods, which brought high water levels to Franklin County. Its a little shocking. This was the highest flood level since 1978, said worship pastor Ryan Chrisman. So, its something that you kind of get complacent about and dont expect to happen again. So for a lot of people, theyve never seen this kind of devastation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buffalo Trace assesses damage as cleanup from flooding continues In true Kentucky spirit, when disaster struck, the community sprang into actionthis time with water, food, and cleaning supplies packed and ready at New Harvest Assembly of God church in Frankfort. Were putting kits together, hygiene kits and cleaning kits, and people will let us know what their family size is and what they need, Ryan said. Well have runners go in; Lowes donated some carts for us to load everything out. Well bring it out and put it in their car and pray with them if they have anything they want us to pray with them about. With the Kentucky River reaching its second-highest crest on record, Franklin County was among the hardest-hit areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to provide you with everything you might be without right now to get you started and back on your feet so you dont have to worry about where your next meal is going to come from when youre trying to dig the mud out of your home, said church member Kim Chrisman. Partnering with Convoy of Hope, New Harvest has been preparing for this critical distribution effort throughout the week. Weve been doing this for many years here at New Harvest, Kim said. So when Convoy of Hope, which is affiliated with the Assembly of God churches, reached out to us, we immediately jumped on board and said, Yes. We want them to come here, and we have the team of people who are willing and able to help out by providing these necessary items for our community. The churchs missionA church that doesnt wait for people; we go to the peoplefeels more relevant than ever as they continue to meet community members where they are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of the latest Kentucky news When we see needs, we need to respond, and its all about building a relationship and helping people with their needs. Theres not much of a better way to be able to impact somebodys life than through that, added Ryan. For those still in need, additional supplies will be distributed Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at New Harvest Assembly of God. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This is an update on the progress I have made on my Rust to C compiler. I am experimenting a bit with a new article format: instead of an overarching theme, this is more of a collection of smaller bits and pieces, sewn together. The big news I will first start with the biggest news: I am going to be giving a talk about the project during Rust Week(in Utrecht, Netherlands). Creating this talk has been an interesting challenge: I tried to strike a good balance between being approachable for beginners, while still talking about a pretty advanced topic. So, if you are attending Rust Week, and are interested in what I have to say, you can come and hear it in person! If you see me during the conference, and want to talk, dont be shy to say hi. Now that this is out of the way... Passing more tests I have also been slowly working on fixing as many tests as possible, and I can already boast a 95.9 % core test pass rate. This is a nice bump from the 92% pass rate two months ago. There still are about 65 tests that need fixing, but they all seem to have pretty similar causes. So, fixing them should not be too difficult. The .NET side of the project has also heavily benefited from the fixes I implemented: now, 96.3 % of Rust core tests run in .NET. Bugfixes 128 bit ints Most of the current improvements come from fixes to 128 bit intrinsics, checked arithmetics, and subslicing. The C popcount intrinsic has 3 variants: __builtin_popcount (unsigned int), __builtin_popcountl (unsigned long) and __builtin_popcountll (unsigned long long). It might seem logical to assume that the C intrinsic __builtin_popcountll works on 128 bit ints - it does not. It works on the unsigned long long type, which is not the same as __int128_t . At least on x86_64 Linux(with the GCC compiler), unsigned long and unsigned long long are both 64 bits in size. This is something I knew about, but I did not consider that 2 differently named intrinsics would end up just being one and the same thing. int pop_count64(long num) { return __builtin_popcountl(num); } int pop_count128(__int128_t num) { return __builtin_popcountll(num); } pop_count64: xor eax, eax popcnt rax, rdi ret pop_count128: xor eax, eax popcnt rax, rdi ret It turns out that my implementation of most of the bit counting intrinsics(count leading / trailing zeroes) have been silently truncating 128 bit ints to 64 bit ones, and only them performing the needed calculations. That obviously yields incorrect results. However, emulating those 128 bit intrinsics is not too difficult. The popcount intrinsic simply checks how many bits are set in an integer. So, I can add up the number of bits set in the lower and higher half of that integer, and get the correct result . static inline uint32_t pop_count128(__uint128_t val) { return __builtin_popcountll((uint64_t)val) + __builtin_popcountll((uint64_t)(val>>64)); } I have also finally fully implemented the very last checked arithmetic operations. Checking for overflows during 128 bit int multiplication is hard. For quite some time. I have been trying to come up with some clever ideas for fast overflow checks. Sadly none of them ended up working out for 128 bit multiplication. After much deliberation, I decided to simply settle for the easy, but inefficient check. Basically, as long as (a * b) / b == a , and b is not zero, overflow did not occur. bool u128_mul_ovf_check(__uint128_t A0 ,__uint128_t A1 ){ bb0: if((A1) != (0)) goto bb1; return false; bb1: // Not UB: b != 0, unsigned overflow is well-defined. return (((A0) * (A1)) / (A1)) == (A1); } This is nothing groundbreaking, but they - at least it works, and it gets a few more tests to pass. Subslicing The subslicing bug was quite embarrassing: I forgot a sizeof, and was offsetting the slices data pointer by bytes instead of elements. It is not hard to see why this is wrong. With how simple this bug is, you might wonder how on earth it has managed to stay undetected for so long. Well, the code was only broken for subslicing from the end of the slice, and not its beginning. To my knowledge, that sub slicing mode is mainly used in pattern matching. let ok = slice[2..5]; let still_ok = slice[5..]; // broken if let [start, reminder] = slice{ panic!(); }; So, subslicing was only broken for this specific pattern, and always worked fine for byte/string slices(bytes and UTF8 code units are a 1 byte in size). This allowed it to sneak past my own tests, and only showed up when running the whole Rust compiler test suite. Fallback intrinsics It turns out I did not have to implement some intrinsics manually - the Rust compiler already supports emulating them. For certain intrinsics, this is a god send - since they are a pain to implement by hand. For example, carrying_mul_add requires you to perform multiplication on an integer 2x larger than the input one. This is fine up to 64 bits, but what integer is larger than 128 bits? LLVM supports 256 bit ints, but C(and .NET) does not. define void @carrying_mul_add(ptr dead_on_unwind noalias nocapture noundef writable writeonly sret([32 x i8]) align 16 dereferenceable(32) initializes((0, 32)) %_0, i128 noundef %a, i128 noundef %b, i128 noundef %c, i128 noundef %d) unnamed_addr #0 !dbg !7 { %0 = zext i128 %a to i256, !dbg !25 %1 = zext i128 %b to i256, !dbg !25 %2 = zext i128 %c to i256, !dbg !25 %3 = zext i128 %d to i256, !dbg !25 %4 = mul nuw i256 %1, %0, !dbg !25 %5 = add nuw i256 %4, %2, !dbg !25 %6 = add nuw i256 %5, %3, !dbg !25 %7 = trunc i256 %6 to i128, !dbg !25 %8 = lshr i256 %6, 128, !dbg !25 %9 = trunc nuw i256 %8 to i128, !dbg !25 store i128 %7, ptr %_0, align 16, !dbg !25 %10 = getelementptr inbounds nuw i8, ptr %_0, i64 16, !dbg !25 store i128 %9, ptr %10, align 16, !dbg !25 ret void, !dbg !26 } So, the ability to just use a built-in emulated version of this intrinsic is amazing: this means I dont need to fiddle around and find my own solution to this problem. This is also very interesting for another reason: since carrying_mul_add performs 256 bit multiplication and addition using 128 bit integers, it means it is capable of performing 128 bit operations using 64 bit ints. I am currently looking into understanding that fallback implementation a little bit better, in order to base my own emulation of 128 bit ints on that. While a lot of modern C compilers and platforms support 128 bit ints without a major hassle, I want to support as many platforms as possible. Supporting more C compilers. Besides that, I have been working on improving C compiler compatibility. You might have seen Rust code running on a Game boy, compiled to movs, or the April Fool's special of Rust running on Temple OS. The more obscure C compilers I support(to any degree) the higher the chance Rust code will run with proprietary C compilers I have no direct access to. This has been a bigger problem for the project as of late. Turns out, a lot of platforms are not supported for a good reason(lack of docs + lack of access). Not supporting those platforms is a bit of a hindrance for the project. To give an example: there have been discussions about writing some new parts of Git in Rust. Sadly, doing that would mean degrading / dropping Git support for the proprietary platform NonStop - since it does not support Rust(or LLVM or even GCC), at all. Originally, I was a bit optimistic about situations like this: if my project compiled Rust to C, it could eliminate this problem altogether. In theory Rust would be able to run anywhere C can. There are some big asterisks to this(I am still unsure if I can work around certain issues on all platforms), but hey - this might be the best shot at supporting Rust there, save for companies stepping in and adding LLVM support, which I feel is unlikely. Recently, I wanted to check if "Supporting Rust by compling it to C" is a viable strategy in a case like this. However, I immediately hit a stone wall. I could find no legal way of obtaining a compiler for this platform without buying a server, which is definitely way, way outside my budget. So, I don't belive Rust is going to run on a platform like this any time soon. Plan for now For now, the plan is to get as close to standard-compliant C99(or maybe even ANSI C) as possible, and only use standard POSIX APIs(I need some threading support to properly initialise thread-locals). That means I have my own fallbacks for certain intrinsics, and I am slowly but surely working on expanding that list. I have had some success running very, very simple Rust programs on ANSI C compilers, so there is definitely some hope. Fingers crossed, thatll mean that adding support for currently unviable platforms is easy enough when a need for that arises. Tiny perf improvements I have also worked on a wide variety of performance improvements. The smallest changes were related to integer literals. I realized that, for integers smaller than 2^32, their hex form is always bigger if not as big as their decimal form, due to the 0x prefix. Eg. 255 is a byte shorter than 0xFF, and so is 65536(0xFFFF). Only for 2^32 things start to even out. This may seem like a negligible change. However, I generate a lot of C code. In some more extreme cases(transpling the entire Rust compiler to C), I have generated up to 1GB of C source files. At that point, shaving even a fraction of a percent of the total file size has an impact. My way of embedding debug info(using the #line directive) also got a bit smarter - the source file name will not repeat, and is only included when that changes. So this: #line 1 great.rs L0 = A0 + A0; #line 2 great.rs L1 = L0 * 5.5; #line 1 amazing.rs L2 = L1 * L1 * L1; #line 4 great.rs L3 = L2 - A0 Is written like this, instead: #line 1 great.rs L0 = A0 + A0; #line 2 L1 = L0 * 5.5; #line 1 amazing.rs L2 = L1 * L1 * L1; #line 4 great.rs L3 = L2 - A0 It may seem like a tiny change, but it reduces file sizes by a lot(when using debug info). Refactors rustc_codegen_clr has seen some big, internal refactors. I have managed to split some parts of it into separate crates, which speeds up incremental builds. That makes development a bit easier. I am also progressing along with my move to a more memory-efficient interned IR. Along the way, I am also slowly removing some jank from the old IR. The main issue is that there exist some rather exotic r/lvalues which dont map too well to C. They are quite hard to show without going into some more obscure features of Rust, like dynamically sized types. You can safely skip this section. Consider this piece of Rust code: /// Custom DST. struct MyStr{ sized:u8, s:str } impl MyStr{ fn inner_str(&self)->&str{ &self.s } } This line &self.s may seem simple but it is not. Since MyStr is a dynamically sized type, so the pointer to it is fat - it contains metadata. Let us think about what kind of C code this function will produce. FatPtr_str inner_str(FatPtr_MyStr self){ // What goes here? } Here, we need to do 2 things: Offset the data pointer of our self fat pointer by 1 (the size of the fixed-size fields) Create a new slice from that data pointer, and some metadata. This is quite easy to do in modern C. struct FatPtr_str inner_str(struct FatPtr_MyStr self){ return (struct FatPtr_str){self.data + 1, self.meta}; } However, compound literals were not part of the language until C99, and a lot of old/obscure compilers dont support that. Instead, we need to do something like this: struct FatPtr_str inner_str(struct FatPtr_MyStr self){ struct FatPtr_str tmp; tmp.data = self.data; tmp.meta = self.meta; return tmp; } This is an ANSI-C compliant way of doing things. However you might notice that 1 line of Rust(and MIR) now corresponds to multiple lines of C. That is a pain to manage on the IR level. The old IR had an odd way of dealing with this: it essentially allowed you to create an inner scope, with a temporary local, and some sub-statements. This is quite messy, and frankly an idiotic way of dealing with this problem. Well, at least I now know that I will not be making this exact mistake again. The new way of doing things is a bit more complex in the setup phase, but it makes the whole IR much more simple. There are other cases where this temporary scope was useful, but now, only 1 of the most annoying cases like this remains. Once I get that solved, Ill be able to entirely get rid of this abomination of a feature. This will allow me to fully move to the new IR, which is going to be very neat. Conclusion I have made a fair bit of progress during the last few months. There definitely are some diminishing results to bug fixing: the less bugs there are, the more time I need to track them all down. Still, there is something new to learn about both C and Rust every day. I have been working on `rustc_codegen_clr` for 1.5 years now - that feels a bit... odd. A lot has happened in that time: both in my personal life, and in the wider world. Truth be told, that sometimes feels like it was a lifetime ago. In this strange, new world, there is a bit of comfort in the monotony of work - each day, I inch towards a grander goal. I learned a lot along the way, but with each passing moment, I see there is so much more to know. It is calming. But I digress - you have come here to hear about Rust, and compilers. I have some interesting things coming: I am working on finishing the part 2 of "Rust panics under the hood" - a step by step explanation of the Rust panicking process. I am considering splitting that article in two: It is already 10 minutes long, and I have only just finished explaining how panic messages are created. Besides that, I have been working on a few odd things, including a tiny(2K LOC), but very accurate memory profiler for Rust. My schedule is quite tight, but I hope I will write something about this in the coming weeks. If you like this project(`rustc_codegen_clr`), and think somebody else might find my work interesting, feel free to share my posts on Bluesky and Linkedin. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Frankfort Independent Schools students will likely return to school soon after devastating floods shut down the schools. Superintendent Sheri Satterly sent a letter to families saying the district plans to have students return to school on Monday. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the letter, Satterly said it is in contact with the Army Corps of Engineers, our architect, our structural engineer, and the Franklin County Health Department about the safety of bringing students back to Second Street School. On all fronts, Second Street School is structurally sound to bring students back to school on Monday, April 14. The only damage incurred was in the lower-level suite, which includes two classrooms. We will move those two classrooms to another space in the building until the lower-level suite is ready to have students again, reads the letter. The district said if anything changes before Monday, it will reach out to families. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that everyone needs routine and normalcy during this time, and coming back to school can provide that for our families. We will be back in touch if anything changes about our Monday plans, Satterly wrote. While Frankfort Independent Schools was closed, it worked to support the community recovery efforts by supplying food and meals to residents. Satterly told FOX 56 News that about 30% of the districts school families were displaced and expects that number to be about 11% to 15% long-term. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) On Friday, city leaders in Frankfort unveiled the latest resource to help residents in the fight to rebuild after deadly flooding left damage and safety hazards in its wake. A flood relief section of Frankforts city website was announced on Saturday afternoon. The page, called a one-stop-shop for current flood information by officials, contains critical links to resources for residents and those who want to help the community. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Frankfort residents For Frankfort residents, the site provides a storm damage form to document losses during the flood and dumpster locations across the county. Officials wrote that cleanup debris can be put in the dumpsters, but tires, appliances, and hazardous materials are prohibited. The site also has information on where residents can pick up donated supplies and find available shelter space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED l EPA launches website to keep Kentucky informed on flood response efforts Volunteers Those who wish to help Franklin County recover from the floods can find volunteer initiatives by filling out this form, which can be found on the site. Other active community relief efforts can be found here. To contact the Frankfort Emergency Operations Center (EOC) hotline, call (502) 352-2252. Were here to help each other through this challenging time, and to ease stress wherever we can, Mayor Layne Wilkerson said. If you need help, ask. If you can help, volunteer or donate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) As Frankfort continues cleaning up from the flooding, some Easter traditions are still bringing smiles. Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the annual Easter event at the Capitol is still on for Sunday at 2 p.m. Kids can enjoy pre-packed Easter bags, crafts, food, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, the Franklin Sheriffs Office and Fiscal Court are hosting Easter at Lakeview starting at 1 p.m. There will be an obstacle course, fire trucks, photos with the Easter Bunny, and more. Buffalo Trace Distillerywhich had to cancel its egg huntdonated eggs for the event and is being thanked for its support during cleanup. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Franklin woman is facing charges for conspiring to kill her ex-husband, a former Nashville television and radio personality named Aaron Solomon. Franklin police announced late Friday evening it arrested Angelia Solomon following an investigation with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation into solicitation to commit first degree murder. Angelia Solomon, who publicly goes by Angie Huffines on social media, is in jail on a $500,000 bond. Franklin police provided no other details in a news release Friday and said the investigation is ongoing. Angie Solomon is a pharmacist with UnitedHealthcare, according to her LinkedIn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aaron Solomon, a former anchor at WSMV4, and Angie Solomon and daughter Gracie Solomon were at the center of some attention locally following the death of Aaron and Angies son, Grant. Grant Solomon, who was a senior in high school at Grace Christian Academy in Franklin, died in a car accident in July 2020 shortly after his 18th birthday. You can reach Liam at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media @liamsadams. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Franklin police arrest woman for alleged plot to kill ex Aaron Solomon FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) An investigation by the Franklin Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation led to the arrest of a Franklin woman accused of involvement in a plot to murder her ex-husband. According to FPD, 55-year-old Angelia Solomon was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with solicitation to commit first-degree murder against her ex-husband. Angelia Solomon (Courtesy: Franklin Police Department) She is being held in jail on a $500,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information was available as the investigation continues. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Los Angeles Dodgers fan Angel Rodriguez holds his Freddie Freeman bobblehead prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman warms up prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hugs his 9-year-old son Charlie after he threw out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Charlie Freeman, 9-year-old son of Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, throws out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman walks with his 9-year-old son Charlie after he threw out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman tosses the ball to first base for an out in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman tosses the ball to first base for an out in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers fan Angel Rodriguez holds his Freddie Freeman bobblehead prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman warms up prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hugs his 9-year-old son Charlie after he threw out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Charlie Freeman, 9-year-old son of Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, throws out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman walks with his 9-year-old son Charlie after he threw out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman tosses the ball to first base for an out in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) LOS ANGELES (AP) Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman came off the injured list Friday after missing nine games with a right ankle injury that resulted from slipping in the shower at home. Freeman said an MRI showed fraying of the scar tissue in his surgically repaired ankle, but he was back to running bases a few days ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hate to say it, but I might have needed the 10 days, said Freeman, who loathes missing games. I feel the best Ive felt since Ive gotten hurt. The 35-year-old first baseman went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts, was hit by a pitch and scored a run in the Dodgers' 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs, his first game since March 29. Got on base by way of hit-by-pitch and it was just his first game back, manager Dave Roberts said. He does a lot of great things, but this was a tough one. He'll be back in there tomorrow. Fans chanted Freddie! Freddie! as he came to the plate for the first time in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs on his bobblehead night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freeman saw fans waiting outside the stadium when he arrived 6 1/2 hours before gametime. Not quite the madness of a Shohei Ohtani giveaway, but impressive nonetheless. That was kind of crazy, he said. I do appreciate it. I just want to say thank you. My family is really excited about this bobblehead, too. Charlie Freeman, the oldest of Freeman's three sons, threw a ceremonial first pitch. The 8-year-old has a locker next to his father in the Dodgers clubhouse. Charlie nonchalantly walked to the rubber on the pitcher's mound and fired a strike, just like he did last year. The crowd cheered and he walked off and into the arms of his father, who scooped him up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Freeman family, including wife, Chelsea, and father, Fred, gave the traditional pregame call of It's time for Dodger baseball! The World Series MVP has played in just three games so far. He missed the opening series against the Cubs in Tokyo with left rib discomfort and sat out last weeks three-game series against his old team, the Atlanta Braves. Freeman has batted .250 with two home runs and four RBI. Then came the shower incident. Freeman slipped and fell on March 30 in what he called a freak accident. It was another mishap involving the same ankle Freeman sprained on a play at first base in late September. He struggled in the first two rounds of the postseason, but it was hardly evident during the World Series. He homered in the first four games and had 12 RBIs as the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had debridement surgery in December to remove loose bodies in the ankle. Utilityman Kike Hernandez filled in at first during Freeman's absence. When you lose Freddie to have a backfill like Kiki has been huge for us, Roberts said. Certainly in preventing runs and making plays defensively. Freeman said he feels good enough to steal a base. But he doesn't have the green light. No," Roberts said. "Its as red as it can be, fire engine red. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb One day after Charles Faggarts death, one of his closest friends told Action News Jax how they bonded over their passion for cooking and feeding the community during the pandemic. Esteban Azofeifa acknowledged Friday that Charles Faggart had his personal struggles, but despite that, his family and his food truck business were his heart and soul. The moment I met Charlie, I knew he was a special person. He had a passion for cooking and thats what brought us together, you know, we were both young chefs, said Faggarts close friend Esteban Azofeifa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair worked together in the food truck industry. Charlie was by far the funniest of friends I had. I mean, even when he was having a bad day, he would find a way to make a joke and make everyone else around him laugh. He was a kind person. He was very passionate about cooking. And thats really what drove him. He was a great dad, you know, he was a great person overall. And we should remember him as, you know a great chef, and great dad. You know, no ones perfect, we all make mistakes. We do understand that he was in jail for a reason, but theres no reason to take his life for anything, said Azofeifa. Faggarts family, so far, has not spoken publicly. They did release a statement through their attorney Friday, saying they are in contact with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, and the sheriff assured them this case is a top priority. But ahead of planned demonstrations this weekend, there is a sense of frustration at the lack of answers about what led up to his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was a small guy. We definitely know that it doesnt take 8, 9 officers to detain anyone, much less someone with the stature of Charlie. So its unbelievable and the fact that we still dont have any names. We dont have any details, and we understand its being investigated, but we need more than that, said Azofeifa. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] His heart was heavy thinking of Faggarts little boy. Just seeing him and his family, you know, starting the business, and I have my kids as well, and my wife, and were almost very similar. He has a beautiful son. Its a shame that were going to have to tell him one day what happened to his father, and you know its sad that he will now be raised without a dad, said Azofeifa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) announced it will hold a public rally on Sunday at 1 P.M. on the steps of JSO headquarters. In a statement, the organization said, While our hearts are with Charles family and all those grieving his death, this moment is about more than one tragedyits about a corrupt system that continues to fail Jacksonvilles most vulnerable. They are demonstrating to demand the following: The immediate release of the officers names and all video footage of the incident. The termination, indictment, and conviction of all officers involved. Civilian oversight and a Public Safety Committee to hold JSO accountable. An end to plans for a $1 billion new jail, with funds redirected to community services and rehabilitation. [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. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Instagram/Det Norske Kongehuset Princess Ingrid Alexandra celebrated her 21st birthday earlier this year, and now she's marked two other huge milestones. The princess, who is set to become Norway's future queen one day, officially completed her compulsory military training earlier this month, and on April 8, she took part in her first state visit. For the occasion, the military graduate swapped her uniform for a sparkling tiaraand while her jewels were more than a century old, her gown was also a familiar piece. The princess joined her parents Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon for a state banquet held in honor of Iceland's president Halla Tomasdottir and her husband Bjorn Skulason. Ingrid Alexandra looked stunning in a pale blue evening dress featuring asymmetrical tiered ruffles, pairing the gown with the Boucheron Pearl Circle tiara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the dress looks familiar, it's because Ingrid Alexandra's mother wore the same pale blue gown to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden's 2010 wedding. In a sweet full circle moment, Princess Ingrid Alexandrawho was a flower girl in Victoria and Daniel's royal weddingposed with her mother for photos when Mette-Marit wore the tiered dress. Ingrid Alexandra joined her parents at a state banquet honoring the president of Iceland. | Credit: Alamy She wore the historic Boucheron Pearl Tiara for the event. | Credit: Getty Images Crown Princess Mette-Marit, posing with a young Ingrid Alexandra, wore the pale blue gown to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel's wedding in 2010. | Credit: Getty Images Princess Ingrid Alexandra received her glittering tiara as an 18th birthday present in 2022, and according to The Court Jeweller, it "was likely purchased by Prince Carl of Sweden from Boucheron" after the luxury jeweler showed the piece at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. The tiara was then passed down through the Swedish and Norwegian royal families, and most recently was owned by King Harald of Norway's sister, Princess Ragnhild, who lived in Brazil until her 2012 death. While it's unknown how the designwhich features overlapping diamond circles with pearl accentscame into Ingrid Alexandra's possession, it once belonged to her great-great-grandmother Princess Ingeborg. Princess Ingrid Alexandra wore the historic tiara for her official 18th birthday portraits as well as to her lavish birthday party, which was attended by three other future European queens. As for her military service, Private Alexandra told reporters (via Royal Central), It will be very nice [to graduate] in one way, but also very sad, because there are many people I have gotten to know well and have grown to love very much." When Jacob Cunninghams wife died unexpectedly in 2023, just two days after their Christmas Day wedding, he became the sole provider for their two children, Camillia and Alistair. It wasnt always easy for the young family, relatives say. Cunningham commuted from their rental home in Lexington, Missouri, to Liberty to work as a butcher at Price Chopper and relied on family and close friends to help with babysitting when they could. Cunningham and the kids would talk about their mom in heaven, said Nicole Lovellette, Cunninghams aunt. And the three leaned on one another and other family to get through the last 15 or so months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unthinkable that tragedy would strike again. Especially this soon. The kids were starting to do really well, Lovellette said. I mean, its hard to come back from that kind of setback, the loss of a mother, but they were very resilient. Then came the explosion Wednesday evening that leveled the familys home and rocked their neighborhood. Even Cunninghams mother, Cathie Woods, who lives six blocks from the family, heard it and felt her house shake and her lights flickered, Lovellette said. Homes in Lexington, Missouri, were damaged in a gas explosion Wednesday. Residents said the blast was heard more than a dozen miles away. Hours after the blast, rescue crews found the body of 5-year-old Alistair amid the rubble. The boy who loved Spiderman and would often shoot his imaginary web at people in fun would have gone to kindergarten in the fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His 10-year-old sister, who goes by Cami, and her father are severely injured, family said, and in separate Kansas City hospitals. The two are in critical but stable condition, according to a GoFundMe account Lovellette set up for the family. Explosion in Lexington The explosion happened around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday after an employee subcontracted by Sellenriek Construction hit a gas line behind a funeral home at 18th Street and Franklin Avenue, according to city officials. In a Thursday night news release, Sellenriek Construction CEO Steve Sellenriek wrote that the explosion occurred after the employee struck an unmarked underground gas line while attempting to install fiber optic cable. In the release, Sellenriek stated the gas line was not properly marked with signage or paint above ground. According to the information we have gathered as of this moment, the subcontractor followed all required procedures before, during, and after the accident, Sellenriek said. We will continue to support the investigation, and this community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sellenriek also said that the employee called Missouris 811 information line to verify the location of all underground utilities, including gas lines, before starting to dig. After the explosion, Liberty Utilities posted about it on its Facebook page. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the family and friends of those affected by this tragedy, the post read. The safety and well-being of our customers and communities remains our highest priority. Lovellette said the family is left with many questions, including why no one alerted neighbors about the gas leak so they could leave or at least ventilate their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theyre also consumed with grief about having lost Alistair. When Cunningham was airlifted to Research Medical Hospital on Wednesday night, he was put on a ventilator, his aunt said. It wasnt until that was removed that his mom told him about his son, who loved to sing silly songs and had just learned to ride his Spiderman bike, which was a Christmas gift. Alistair Lamb, 5, died in Wednesdays house explosion in Lexington, Missouri. The boy, who loved Spiderman, just learned to ride his bike. And (Cunningham) said, I kind of thought that because they wouldnt let me turn on the TV and nobody would answer my questions, Lovellette said of her nephew. His mind went there because he knew that they couldnt find him. Jacob Cunningham, daughter injured After Cunninghams mother heard the explosion Wednesday night, she immediately called her son. He didnt answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had a really bad pit in her stomach, so she decided to go check on them, Lovellette said. And when she drove over there, she saw that the house was reduced to nothing, and asked where they were, and they said theyre at the hospital. Initially, Lovellette said the family believed Alistair had also been taken to a hospital. It doesnt seem like a house should be reduced to that, she said. I mean, thats a ridiculous amount of force. I mean, its blown to smithereens. Cami and her dad are badly burned, the aunt said. And the burns on the fourth-graders body are deeper, she said, because Cami was in the shower or getting in when the explosion happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She didnt have that barrier of clothing, Lovellette said. Her burns are worse. The young girl was supposed to have had surgery Friday, but that was put off for a couple of days because of an infection. Cunningham told his mother that he flipped on the lights Wednesday night. Thats when the house exploded, family said. Lovellette said her sister told her that it wasnt until 1 or 1:30 a.m. Thursday that first responders were able to recover Alistairs remains. I know that a neighbor tried to get in, like because they were yelling, Hes still in there, Lovellette said. The problem is that when the neighbor started walking toward the house, the closer he got, his shoes started melting. Rachel Lamb-Cunningham On Friday, Lovellette spoke to someone from Camis school. People there want to help replace all of the clothes that the girl has lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and her father will need to start over with everything. Even Cunninghams glasses blew off his face. And their vehicle was destroyed. They literally have nothing, Lovellette said. After they lost so much in 2023, just two days after Christmas. Rachel Lamb-Cunningham and Jacob Cunningham married on Christmas Day in 2023. Two days later she died unexpectedly due to complications as a Type I diabetic. A talented seamstress, Rachel made her own wedding dress, family said. Rachel Lamb-Cunningham, who had Type I diabetes, was suffering from the flu and was severely dehydrated, Lovellette said. She went to the hospital, where medical staff tried over and over to find a vein to hydrate her. After numerous attempts, she said she was tired and frustrated and wanted to go home. She planned to go back to the hospital the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she woke up having a seizure, Lovellette said. Cunningham has worked since her death to comfort their kids and pay for his wifes funeral expenses. It was just this week, after he got his tax return, that Cunningham was able to pay off those costs, his aunt said. The hope is that donations now can help pay for Alistairs funeral and help with the care Cami and her dad will need. In addition to the GoFundMe, the family has set up an account at Bank Midwest Bank, 1211 Main St., Lexington, MO 64067 c/o Catherine Woods, Cunninghams mother. In the coming days, the father and daughter and their extended family will go through the grieving process all over again. Just like the little boy did with them at Christmastime in 2023. Alistair Lamb, 5, died in the house explosion in Lexington, Missouri. Alistair would be like, You know, my moms in heaven, Lovellette said. He was like, But I can still talk to her. She thinks of his words now. He was the sweetest, Lovellette said. I truly believe hes with his mother. The Stars Ilana Arougheti contributed. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Paramedics in the city of Khan Yunis unload some of the bodies retrieved from the site of the Israeli army's attack on a Palestine Red Crescent ambulance convoy. | Credit: AFP / Getty Images "After 18 months of slaughter, it is still possible to be shocked by events in Gaza," said The Guardian. More than 50,800 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health authority. Israel's offensive has intensified again, and at least 100 children have been killed or maimed each day since strikes resumed last month. Even so, the killing of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers last month is "particularly chilling". In the early morning of 23 March, the Palestine Red Crescent sent ambulances just north of the city of Rafah to evacuate wounded civilians; there, the convoy came under fire from Israel Defence Forces (IDF). On 30 March, 15 bodies were retrieved from a mass grave; their ambulances and vehicles had also been crushed and buried in sand. Some of the bodies had their hands and legs tied. Preliminary evidence suggests they were shot from close range: executed. Killing civilians is of course a crime; in theory, medics have additional protections. But in Benjamin Netanyahu's Israel, international law is flouted every day. "In an age where impunity flourishes, crimes will multiply." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the bodies were discovered, the IDF initially claimed that its soldiers had fired on a suspicious convoy that approached in the dark "without headlights or emergency signals", said Isabel Kershner in The New York Times. Military officials, though providing no evidence, also stated that nine (or later, six) of those killed were operatives of Hamas or Islamic Jihad. But a video recovered from the phone of one of the deceased men shows clearly that the ambulances and a fire truck had their lights on when they were ambushed by Israeli forces; and the UN insists that all the men were bona fide paramedics and rescue workers. The IDF has since "acknowledged flaws" in its initial account, and has promised to investigate. We should be wary of declaring Israel guilty before the facts are settled, said Jonathan Sacerdoti in The Spectator. Palestinian terror groups have in the past been accused of using ambulances as "instruments of war". And the convoy was passing through a war zone, where Hamas vehicles had recently been active. That's true, said The Jerusalem Post. And no doubt whatever happened took place in "the fog of war". But that the IDF has had to correct its initial version of events in the light of "damning" evidence provided by the media is "concerning". "Fighting in a war is not a blank cheque. There are still rules, there are still protocols." We must await the findings of the official inquiry; but all this is "not a good look for the IDF or Israel". An 81-year-old man in Bavaria attempted to free his wife from police custody after she refused to leave a dental office, authorities said on Saturday. Police were called to the practice on Friday afternoon in the town of Hallstadt after the 71-year-old woman declined to leave despite not having a scheduled visit. Officers said she attempted to force her way into a treatment room and resisted efforts to remove her, allegedly insulting a female officer in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman was handcuffed and carried out of the dental office. Her husband intervened in an attempt to free her but was unsuccessful, police said. The couple later calmed down and were allowed to return home. No injuries were reported. The police are now investigating the two for various offences. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's conservative chancellor-in-waiting has cast doubt on some of the commitments he had made to secure a coalition with the Social Democrats, hinting that his government might not deliver on promises of lower income tax cuts and minimum wage hikes. Friedrich Merz, who won the February 23 national election, has seen his poll ratings slide following the coalition agreement he reached two weeks ago - the only two-way coalition available if he sticks to his pledge to keep the second-placed far-right Alternative for Germany out of power. His hints, however, are likely to add to dissatisfaction in the SPD, whose 350,000 members must approve in a membership ballot the leadership's decision to place the old school conservative hard-liner in the German chancellery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We haven't agreed to that," he said of the SPD's assertion that the minimum wage would rise to 15 euros an hour by 2026 in an interview with the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. "We agreed that the minimum wage commission is thinking in that direction." On plans for a low- and middle-income tax cut, he said: "That's not certain... We want to cut income taxes if the budget allows it." Merz's party does not face a major election for almost a year, while the SPD membership ballot must be completed by the end of this month. His sagging popularity - the result of partly going back on campaign pledges not to borrow more - has propelled the far-right into first place in polls for the first time since World War Two. His comments reflect the letter of the coalition agreement, and SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil has also said that everything in it is conditional on public finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the SPD membership agrees, the Bundestag will appoint Merz as chancellor on May 6. The loquacious 69-year-old, who has never held a government job, has a reputation for verbal gaffes that sometimes alienate supporters. A poll this week found that almost two-thirds of voters thought Merz, who would take office at a time of unprecedented diplomatic and economic crisis, was unsuited for the job of chancellor, with even 28% of his own party's voters agreeing. If the SPD rejected the coalition, Merz's party would have the choice of either seeking a different deal, perhaps with more concessions under a different leader, breaking the taboo against cooperating with the far right, or calling fresh elections. (Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Marguerita Choy) (NewsNation) Ghislaine Maxwell is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn her sex trafficking conviction, which landed her a 20-year prison sentence. The British socialite was convicted back in December 2021 for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually exploit and abuse underage girls. Maxwells attorneys filed a 159-page petition to the nations highest court Thursday. In it, they argue that the governments non-prosecution agreement with Epstein also applies to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffrey Epstein timeline: Sex trafficking, scandals, 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, Maxwells attorneys wrote. The agreement in question refers to a 2007 plea deal Epstein made with federal prosecutors in Florida. As part of the arrangement, prosecutors agreed not to prosecute any of Epsteins co-conspirators. A federal appeals court in New York heard a similar argument from Maxwells attorneys last year but upheld her conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five bombshells from interview with Ghislaine Maxwells attorney The appeals court ruled that the 2007 deal applied only to the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Florida and didnt apply to prosecutors in New York, where Maxwell was tried. Now, Maxwells attorneys want the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in. The default rule should be that a promise made on behalf of the United States binds the entire United States unless it says so affirmatively, defense attorney David Markus wrote. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxwell was found guilty of luring young girls to Epstein so he could molest them. She is currently behind bars at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida. Epstein killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial. 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 NewsNation. NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) Aircraft safety has been a huge question in recent months with many wondering what goes into safety checks of aircrafts The safety and maintenance of an aircraft should be prioritized even higher than the destination itself. News 10 sat down with Craig Simon, manager at Aviation Academy of Louisiana to find out just how in-depth that aircraft maintenance is. Helicopter maintenance is an important part of operating an asset. So, every year, any certified aircraft, every certified helicopter has to have a 12-month annual inspection. Simon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to an annual inspection, any commercial aircraft must have an inspection for every 100 hours flown. 6 Dead in helicopter crash in New York City, Broussard registered helicopter involved Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest At a minimum, were looking at oil changes, oil filter changes, air filters, engine rinses. If its a turbine, we have blade maintenance, we have gearboxes, we have oil analysis, we have compressions, we have power assurance checks on turbines. Simon said. So, each inspection is really specific to that type of aircraft. Simon told News 10 the FAA is the leading authority as to what needs to be done during an inspection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a plane ages and continues to be used throughout the year, the inspections become more detailed to make sure the aircraft is not only working efficiently but also make sure its safe. Some aircraft will take 20 hours for an inspection. As the aircraft gets older, those inspections get a little bit more intensive. So, the documentation from the aircraft goes back from birth. You have airworthiness directive, service bulletins. All of those have to be current up to the FAA standards, which are constantly being updated. Simon said. Other contributing factors that can alter inspection requirements is the workload on the aircraft, with Simon saying wear and tear on an aircraft used for flight instruction purposes being different than those used for agricultural or travel purposes. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. The Goodyear Police Department has used AI to create a hyperrealistic image of a suspect in the recent attempted abduction of a child. A disclaimer accompanying the image, shared by Goodyear police on Facebook and X on April 11, states that the suspects likeness is not of a real person but is an AI-generated image. According to police, the image was produced using groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence and forensic art, and is based on statements from witnesses and the victim in connection with an attempted abduction reported earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodyear police indicated that in some instances, AI-generated images could be replacements for traditional suspect sketches. "We are hopeful that these new techniques and AI technology will assist in solving more complex cases in the future, here in Arizona and around the country," the post says. Police activity: Tucson woman fatally shot by DPS trooper on side of I-10 ID'd as Robin Rae Budelli The incident took place at about noon on April 4, when a 14-year-old female student was walking near the intersection of Village Boulevard and Watkins Street in Goodyear, "when a male suspect grabbed her arm and attempted to pull her toward Hilton Street," the Police Department's post says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The victim was able to escape, run home, and alert her parents, who immediately contacted police," according to the department. Using groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence and forensic art, the Goodyear Police Department has generated this image based on witness and victim statements of an attempted kidnapping suspect in Goodyear. DR#2025-16241 pic.twitter.com/BmnCdHHVFd Goodyear Police Dept (@Goodyearpolice) April 12, 2025 The image shows a middle-aged man with a thick moustache wearing a hoodie, and it looks similar to a real photo. Goodyear police did not immediately respond to questions regarding their decision to use AI technology, though a spokesperson wrote in an email on April 12 that the department has a forensic artist officer who is spearheading the effort. The AI-generated image sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some users commented that the image resembled a cartoon action figure, while others said it looked like various celebrities, including Tom Selleck, the late Bill Paxton, and the fictional TV character Ted Lasso. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some users applauded the effort. "This would be the only reason I would be okay with an AI generated photo!" a Facebook user named Sandy Lee posted. "Thanks for investing in this type of technology!" a user registered as Denise Clemente posted. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Goodyear police use AI to create suspect sketch Frustrations are bubbling up among House Republicans after the conference by the skin of its teeth overcame internal disputes to adopt a framework for President Trumps legislative agenda, a troubling sign for the group as it heads into the next, more difficult, step in achieving the presidents domestic policy priorities. The rocky week leading up to the budget resolutions adoption with fiscal hawks withholding support as they pushed for commitments on spending cuts, forcing leaders to postpone a scheduled vote on the budget blueprint until the hard-liners acquiesced left a bad taste in the mouth of Republicans in the other parts of the conference who worry that the high target for cuts could lead to slashes to Medicaid. One moderate House Republican, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said members are annoyed with the attention this small group gets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These guys get all the attention, meanwhile the people who actually have vulnerable situations in terms of races, you know, we take tough votes, the lawmaker added. Beyond the gripes about tactics, the clearly mismatched expectations about the level of cuts in the final package are setting the stage for more clashes. The Freedom Caucus says it got commitments from leadership for $1.5 trillion in cuts, but moderates are banking on those assurances being non-binding, fearing that the target could lead to intolerable slashes to Medicaid or other social safety net programs. Leaders will have to bridge that gap in the next step of the process, hashing out the exact details for Trumps tax cut, energy policy, and border funding priorities over the coming weeks. Theyll also have to decide how to handle the hard-liners if they deploy more strong-arm tactics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second House Republican, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive deliberations, expressed frustration with how leadership handled the situation this time around. Members like me expect these tactics from [the House Freedom Caucus]. The anxiety, however, comes from leadership capitulating to it, the GOP lawmaker said. Its appeasement not peace through strength! That dissatisfaction rose to the surface this week when Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) briefly voted no on the budget resolution before switching to yes a move that he described as a symbolic shot over the bow at the House Freedom Caucus. He vowed to personally sabotage every single thing the Freedom Caucus does until they get their mind right. When theyre doing the reindeer games, theyre disenfranchising my voters, and I will not tolerate that any longer, Van Orden said. I dont care if I get reelected if we cant be effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if any of his frustration is directed at Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for heeding their demands, Van Orden said: Thats none of your business. In another sign of the tension, moderate Republicans huddled with Johnson during the final vote on the budget resolution Thursday to talk though concerns about what was being promised to the Freedom Caucus. After some of those centrists withheld their vote, they green-lit the budget blueprint with the understanding that the level of cuts and what they apply to would be still negotiable. The important thing is that the Speaker said were going to try our best to get to $1.5 trillion in savings, but he didnt put anything in this resolution that would bind us to do that, said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), one of the members in that huddle. And thats the important thing, and thats what we were against. The budget resolution directs the Senate to find a minimum of just $4 billion in cuts, a figure that is piddly in comparison to the instructions for the House to find at least $1.5 trillion in cuts. The detail that has drawn the most controversy is that the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicaid, is ordered to find at least $880 billion in cuts a figure even the Congressional Budget Office said cannot be reached without slashes to the widely-used social safety net program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That gigantic gap was the source of outrage from fiscal hawks who feared getting steamrolled into accepting a final package with only modest cuts. But for moderates, the lower Senate number gave them a sense of security. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), after the House approved the budget resolution on Thursday, downplayed the $1.5 trillion figure championed by the Freedom Caucus. The Senate is the number that will guide, right? Lawler said. At the end of the day, we will negotiate. Well find as much savings as we can across the entirety of the federal government. We will get a tax bill that cuts taxes, as opposed to allowing this to expire and seeing the largest tax increase in American history. House GOP holdouts on the budget resolution had been seeking changes to the measure that would make the $1.5 trillion minimum for the cuts binding. One idea brought up to the White House and in a late-night meeting was doing so through an amendment, which would have required the legislation to go back to the Senate for approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the end, the hard-liners settled on written commitments from the Speaker and a joint press conference with Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) in which Thune said it was the Senates ambition to hit the House number but didnt offer any guarantees. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of two Republicans to vote against the Senate-crafted resolution, said his fellow fiscal hawks set themselves up for the biggest deficit increase in the history of Congress by trusting those non-binding commitments. The only piece of paper that matters is the piece of paper we voted on, Massie said. And if it aint in what we voted on, it aint going to happen. Mike Lillis contributed. 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. President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday evening that as part of his annual physical, he took a cognitive test. I got every answer right, he announced. Having spent several hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier in the day, undergoing a variety of tests for his physical, the president then headed to Joint Base Andrews for the flight down to Palm Beach, where he is spending the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking with the White House traveling pool accompanying him to Florida, Trump fielded questions on a number of topics but was keen to talk about his tests. I think I did well, the president said, adding that the report on his health would be released Sunday. Overall I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart. A good soul. Very good soul. I took I wanted to be a little different than Biden. I took a cognitive test. I dont know what to tell you other than I got every answer right, Trump said. Asked to say more about the cognitive test by one reporter, the president was asked, Was it: Man, Woman, Person, Camera, TV? a reference to his discussions about a previous cognitive test in his first term in office ahead of the 2020 election, specifically a portion in which he was asked to recall a list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps not appearing to get the reference, Trump, 78, said: I think its a pretty well-known test. Whatever it is. I got every one right. President Donald Trump talks to reporters on board Air Force One on the way to Palm Beach International Airport (AP) The president has spoken often about cognitive tests, especially in reference to former President Joe Biden the only commander-in-chief older than he is. Trumps apparent obsession with cognitive tests specifically, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment he took during his first administration designed to screen for early signs of dementia has often been ridiculed. One part of the test requires participants to repeat a short list of words. Speaking to Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel in 2020, Trump explained: Its like youll go person, woman, man, camera, TV. So theyll say Could you repeat that? So I said yeah. So its: person, woman, man, camera, TV. Okay, thats very good Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you get it in order you get extra points. He said nobody gets it in order, its actually not that easy, but for me, it was easy. And thats not an easy question, he insisted. Continuing his monologue about the exercise, Trump described the examiners saying, Thats amazing! How did you do that? answering, I do it because I have, like, a good memory. Because Im cognitively there. Dr. Ziad Nasreddine, who developed and copyrighted the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test in 1996, said anyone with functioning cognitive abilities should be able to pass it. "This is not an IQ test or the level of how a person is extremely skilled or not, Nasreddine told MarketWatch in 2020. The test is supposed to help physicians detect early signs of Alzheimer's, and it became very popular because it was a short test, and very sensitive for early impairment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The test is a 10-minute examination and includes questions that are meant to test different parts of the brain for cognitive function. Questions include identifying drawings of animals and asking subjects to draw a picture of an analog clock and draw the hands to a specific time. The presidents insistence that he gets great marks and amazes examiners in a test that any cogent person should be able to pass continued through the 2024 election campaign. In October, not long after boasting that he had aced two cognitive tests, Trump bizarrely impersonated a duck during a town hall in Pennsylvania, replacing quack with repetitions of frack. tazewell, va. Virginias governor and lieutenant governor joined Thursday in a roundtable discussion with county, municipal and state leaders about flood mitigation and bringing in funds helping Southwest Virginias flood survivors get their lives back in order. Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced April 4 that President Donald Trump had approved a major disaster declaration for Southwest Virginia counties impacted by the Feb. 15 flood. The declaration launched the release of Public Assistance for counties including Bland, Buchanan and Tazewell as well as Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Lee, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Washington, and Wise Counties and the independent city of Bristol. The Commonwealths request for Individual Assistance is still being reviewed. Youngkin and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears came to the Tazewell County Administration Building for a roundtable talk attended by county and municipal leaders from across Southwest Virginia. They later spoke with the media about the disaster aid for Southwest Virginia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you all for coming out and giving us a chance to help everyone understand weve had a really great breakthrough on funding access on the federal level and at the state level with my original proposal for a disaster relief fund and then the General Assembly approving my amendments to broaden those and support those who were affected by the February floods, Youngkin said. The meeting today was all about how to now to open up the avenues to access that money both for localities, the counties and for individuals. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears proposed during the meeting to arrange for a bus to bring legislators from other counties that havent been impacted by the flood to Southwest Virginia so they can see the damage firsthand. I learned from a 5-year-old in 2022 when we had that flood that you can see the flood on TV, but theres nothing like when you show up, Earle-Sears said. And so thats why we keep coming back we want to let our Southwest family know we see them, we hear them and see how to help, and the freeing up of the money is absolutely essential to getting them back to normal. Thats why were here. The Governors Office of Recovery and Rebuilding is actively engaged with all the local leaders to make sure all of these funding streams are now open from the federal government and the state to be accessed and go to help people, Youngkin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, thanked Youngkin and Earle-Sears for visiting the region. He said now is a good time to work on preventing future floods. I think that we all have seen a pattern of flooding, especially in the same areas, I think using some of these funds that have been designated for that to create some mitigation areas and the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting an different result, so I think this is a perfect opportunity for us to be able to partner with the state and the federal government to fix some of these areas that we know are just going to continuously flood when there is a weather event, Hackworth said. So I challenge our leaders in both the counties and the towns to identify those, work with us and the federal government to see what we can do to fix that so we dont have to continuously go back in the same areas. The governor also said that mitigation projects are important to help stop future floods, especially in areas that have been impacted by them repeatedly. The first thing we need to do is make sure that things that are broken are fixed, Youngkin said. And so I know that a lot of people still have not been able to get line of sight on how to repair their homes. Theres bridges that are out. There are driveways that are out. There are businesses that have been closed that we want to make sure to get reopened, but we also need to prepare for next flood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heavy rainstorms will come again, so now is a good time to invest in preventing the next disaster, he said. We know theres going to be rain and so if we can build back bridges more sturdy and driveways more sturdy, if we can help those folks who might be permanently living in flood plains to maybe find a way to sell their house and move someplace else, if there are flood walls that need to be built or just better water flow management, we need to invest in that as well, Youngkin said. Weve got the opportunity to do both of those things with the federal money and the state money to help folks who need to get back on their feet and getting their lives back together, but also to invest and be prepared for the next one. In the past, federal bureaucracy has been an impediment to getting disaster relief. The biggest stumbling block honestly was the bureaucracy that the previous administration in Washington left behind and the reality is that the new administration has been working with us daily to uncork flows of money, Youngkin said. Ive been really impressed. Weve had great cooperation with all aspects; in fact, I spoke with President Trump this morning and I thanked him for approving our major disaster declaration and he said, Let me know what else I need to do to help. The collaboration with the federal government since Jan. 20 has been great. There is a big bureaucratic roadblock to fight through and were fighting through it; and Im really pleased that there is now a very clear sight on money getting into those areas and peoples pockets and businesses and the localities in order to help rebuild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individual assistance is not part of the presidents April 4 disaster declaration. The way the federal government calculates whether a state or area qualifies for individual assistance does not help Virginia, according to the governor. To be clear, the presidents major disaster declaration was for public assistance, not for individual assistance, Youngkin said. And the reality is Virginia, broadly, is disadvantaged in the individual assistance formula; and weve seen it before back with the Hurley floods and then the Whitewood floods. We did not receive individual assistance and yet, right across in West Virginia or right across in Kentucky, they do; and it has to do with the fact that the formulas work against Virginia. I have asked the administration to go revisit those formulas. By the way, Ive been asking that from the previous administration and I always got a no, but this administration said yes, well work with you all to reassess those formulas because theres no reason why Dickenson and Buchanan and Tazewell and Russell (counties) shouldnt be getting individual assistance right now, Youngkin said. Funding will be made available to individuals through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. How people can apply for HUD assistance had not been announced as of Thursday. Getting Individual Assistance through the presidents declaration is still under review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do believe thats going to take time, and thats why the HUD money thats available right now, the state money thats available right now to support individuals is so important, so thats why we work today to move quickly to give people access to that money now, Youngkin said. Disaster declaration money will become available after the state budget is signed on May 2, Youngkin said. Applications that are in through the Departments of Housing and Community Development, the State Department, will be processed immediately and as soon as we can process those, funds will flow, and I think thats really important, he said. The moneys been appropriated, weve got a great experienced group that will work with all the localities in order to approve it and the money will flow as soon as it can. Delegate James W. Moorefield, R-Tazewell, said that the governors administration has been extremely hands-on when addressing flood relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is anticipated the governor will sign the state budget on May 2. The state individual assistance program will be similar to what we provided for the communities of Hurley, Whitewood, and Bandy in previous floods. Those relief packages and the recently adopted state relief package for Hurricane Helene and the most recent February storm victims are unlike any other state relief program ever created in the country, Moorefield said later. Significant financial assistance has already made its way into the hands of the 2021 and 2022 flood victims. To date, roughly $20 million in grant assistance has been awarded directly to individuals and businesses to help rebuild from the previous floods. The recently adopted state relief package that will be signed by the governor will provide a grant to home owners and businesses in the amount of 100% of the local county assessed tax value for total loss properties and 50% for properties with major damage. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com Gov. Kay Ivey gives a thumbs-up to the crowd at her inauguration on Jan. 20, 2023. (Stew Milne/Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey touted in a post on X Friday that a Honduran man in the state without authorization was arrested in a string of traffic stops intended to reduce violent crimes. Roberto Steven Martinez Benavides was charged with second-degree forgery in Montgomery on Tuesday in an operation concerning the delivery of a vehicle for purchase with a fraudulent VIN and fraudulent title. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amanda Wasden, director of external affairs for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, said in an email that the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit (MACS) helped the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) by conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle with the alleged fraudulent VIN. Benavides is being held in the Montgomery County Jail. He has a hold for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) so that HSI can determine if he is eligible for deportation or further action. Another strong week for Alabamas Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit in our Capital City 63 traffic stops, 51 arrest warrants and 15 other arrests. One individual arrested is an illegal. Weve turned him over to the feds to be deported, Ivey posted on X. MACS is a coalition of local, state and federal agencies that work to reduce violent crimes and seek to obtain prosecutions for violations such as organized crime, drug conspiracy, robbery, motor vehicle theft and firearms violations. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEWLAND, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Gov. Josh Stein expressed his frustration upon learning that the Federal Emergency Management Administration denied the states request for an extension on the 100 percent match for Helene disaster recovery. Stein was in Avery County Friday visiting Helene victims when the announcement came on his 100th day in office. Today, I learned that FEMA refused our request to extend its 100% reimbursement period for another 180 days, he said in a statement. I got this news while I was in Newland with families who lost their homes in the storm. The need in western North Carolina remains immense people need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored. I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMAs bad decision, even for 90 days. Six months later, the people of western North Carolina are working hard to get back on their feet; they need FEMA to help them get the job done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Stein signed into a law a $524 million relief package that will go to farmers, home reconstruction and repair and an education program. At that time, he lamented that the federal government had not distributed its own relief funds. Its really complicated because the federal government has appropriated funds but it hasnt allocated funds and even when it has allocated funds, it has not distributed the funds, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A grand jury has indicted a sailor for animal torture, one year after a dog starved to death in Virginia Beach. When Enonge Stovall was getting deployed, she said the last thing on her mind coming back was that her dog would be dead. Melo was a four-year-old English bulldog. Stovall, his owner, said she never got to say goodbye because she was in the middle of her deployment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was horrible, Stovall said. He was a family dog. He was my baby. He was like a baby. In late October 2023, Stovall had been gone for nine months. She said she trusted DeCarlos Gray from working with him at her last duty station in the military. He agreed to watch her dog. As military people, we take care of each other, Stovall said. So Im thinking its like a safe person. According to documents, Melo stayed at Grays home on Counselor Square for six months. With only three months left of Stovalls deployment, Gray took Melo back to his owners house. Why? Stovall said its still unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said something along the lines of he had to get his floors cleaned, Stovall said. But at the time, I was on deployment, so I didnt pay any mind. But then when I got back, I was like, Well, he has a dog. You know what I mean? So why would my dog be here with all his food? So it was just a weird situation. According to documents, it states Melo was in good physical condition when he went into Grays care. In April 2024, video footage shown from inside the home showed Melo was alive in this crate, as stated in documents. In Virginia Beach court documents, six days after Melo was dropped off at the empty home, he was found dead in his wire crate by the house sitter. I got a call saying there was a dog in my house, and I thought somebody broke in, and so I found out it was Melo, Stovall said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents state when police got to Stovalls house, officers found the puppy pad inside the crate soaked with urine and fecal matter. The bulldog was emaciated and had several wounds on his body, each wound showing exposed bone, according to documents. I would never get another dog, Stovall said. Yeah, thats over. Its just I dont know. I dont even like to think about it. Its sick. Honestly. Its really sad. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The Florida Senate on April 9 unanimously passed a bill that would require local governments to allow what are known as granny flats or carriage houses in single-family residential areas. Sponsor Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said the bill (SB 184) would help increase workforce housing as the state continues to grapple with affordable-housing issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Osceola County announces changes to trash pick up days for residents The bill would require cities and counties to allow adding what are technically known as accessory dwelling units, which are independent living spaces added on properties. Current law says local governments can allow the dwelling units, but the bill would require them to do so. 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. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) The Greater Johnstown YMCA is gearing up for its second annual Release the Quackin fundraiser. The event asks patrons to pay for rubber ducks to be tossed into the community pool. Every 15 minutes, a lifeguard will pull a random duck out of the pool, with each winner getting $100 and two winners getting $500. Food and drinks will be provided with a purchase of a $20 ticket. The funds will go toward the YMCA while circling back to help their patrons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We offer scholarships to folks in our community for membership and for programs we never want, YMCAs Marketing Coordinator Karen Hoffman said. A child to not be able to get swim lessons because the cost is a deterrent. So we are able to help those families and kids, be active participants here at the Y. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. The event starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, and runs until 8 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. CHICAGO The Gresham Community Center, located on the citys South Side, is offering thousands of dollars in scholarships for CPS and Howard University students. Co-founder and President Dwayne Williams Jr. joined WGN News on Saturday morning to discuss the opportunities. Visit the Gresham Community Center website 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 WGN-TV. WOOD COUNTY, Texas (KETK)- Friends of Wood County Sheriffs Office deputy Melissa Pollard are remembering her after she lost her life in a fatal crash on Wednesday. DPS: Wood County deputy dies after crash with 18-wheeler Not only did she serve the community, she was a part of the community, now we have a big hole, friend of Pollard, Joe Ammons said. Melissa Pollard, 47 of Quitman, joined the Wood County Sheriffs Office in 2016 and made East Texas her home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes a wonderful person, fantastic deputy sheriff and great law enforcement person who gave of her heart and her time, Ammons said. She was spunky, she was witty, and she was going to tell you what youre doing was good, and she was going to let you know if what youre doing was probably not your best idea, Boom Nutrition owner Katrina Yager said. Her friends and family said she loved dogs, her grandchildren and the people of Wood County. Pollard came to the aid of her friend Katrina Yager when she lost her daughter eight years ago. Now, Yager is returning the favor by donating 50 percent of her sales and collecting donations at Boom Nutrition in Mineola for the deputys family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no better way to honor my daughter, Mason, than to be able to give back and pay it forward to a family that was there for me when I was where they are now, Yager said. Flags to be lowered following Wood County deputys tragic death Pollards friend, Joe Ammons, said he cant believe shes is gone and that he thinks the community will never be the same. Every holiday you can tell it was Melissas house, because I dont care if was Halloween that yard was fully decorated, and were going to miss that, Ammons said. Wood County standing with the deputys family. We grieve with you. The entire community has an open void now that Melissas gone, and its going to take a long time to ever fill that void, Ammons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yager and Ammons hope East Texans remember Pollards smiling face and her dedication to her community. On Friday, the sheriffs office shared that Pollards funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16 at Green Acres Baptist Church which is located at 1607 Troup Highway in Tyler. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) According to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, a correction officer at Groveland Correctional Facility died in state housing. The officer was 53-year-old David Hilburger from Angola. According to DOCCS, Hilburger had his two regular days off on Monday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 8. He was scheduled to work on Wednesday, April 9. When he did not report for his shift, DOCCS said a wellness check was conducted. Hilburger was found dead in his room in a nearby state housing unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members told WIVB News 4 there is much more to this than just a tragic discovery. The sister of the victim said that Hilburger had been feeling sick, but she said out of fear of retaliation from Groveland Correctional Facility, he never sought medical attention. A photo started circulating on social media showing a sign placed inside Groveland Correctional Facility. The sign reads in part: Any security staff member (CO or Sgt.) calling in will be marked AWOL. WIVB News 4 asked DOCCS for clarification on that photo. In a statement, DOCCS said, The photo is of a sign reflecting the policy during the height of the strike and was taken down following the strike. Staff can, and have called in if they are ill, in accordance with our normal attendance control protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NYSCOPBA, the union representing New York State Correctional Officers, described Hilburger as a valued member of the union and the community he served. His sudden death at Groveland Correctional Facility is tragic and NYSCOPBA will continue to monitor the on-going investigation surrounding the circumstances of his untimely death, said James Miller, a spokesperson for NYSCOPBA. Hilburgers family is continuing to make funeral arrangements. WIVB News 4 has reached out to Gov. Kathy Hochuls office for comment and have yet to receive a response. Latest Local News Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here. 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 News 4 Buffalo. Every week, in the U.S. Territory of Guam, a group of military veterans comes together and passes around a paddle, allowing each other to speak. The gathering serves as their therapy for both the physical and psychological wounds sustained in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. For people in Guam, military service is an economic opportunity. Of the roughly 170,000 residents who live on the island, 24,000 of them are military veterans, the group says. Guam is home to two primary U.S. military bases: Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base. Despite that, there is only one small Veterans Affairs clinic on the island, with one psychologist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the lack of services here, Roy Gamboa assembled this group. He served 10 years in the Marine Corps. He calls the group "GOT YOUR 671." 671 is the area code for Guam. "In the first couple of years, everything was coming out of our pockets," Gamboa said. "Since then we've applied for and received a couple of grants to help keep our doors open." But the veterans in this group are worried about potential cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The agency has terminated 585 contracts as part of an ongoing audit. Gamboa worries his group could be next since the group is funded through a VA-issued grant. While the 2026 fiscal year budget proposal calls for a 17.3% increase in discretionary funding, the VA's cuts to contractors still stand, and it's as yet unclear where and how programs like this may be impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to CBS News, the VA said: The Guam VA Clinic offers same-day access to emergency mental health care for patients in crisis Monday-Friday. All Veterans in Guam have same-day access to emergency VA tele-mental health care. They also have access 24/7 to no-cost emergency health care from Guam Behavioral Health, for Veterans in crisis. And, they have 24/7 access to 988, VA's suicide and crisis hotline: to reach responders, Veterans can just dial 988 and then press 1. The wait time for established Guam VA Clinic patients for non-emergency mental health care is less than 30 days. Donovan Santos is also a combat veteran who says he has PTSD and chronic depression. He's now the person on the listening end of the group's suicide prevention hotline. "I pretty much help those that fall through the cracks that feel like they're alone," Santos said. "I'm there with them on the ledge. I'm there with them to pull them back, to catch them." Without the support from the group, Santos said he may not be alive. "Sometimes I wish my brothers were here and I wasn't," he said. Gamboa says it's a fight they all hope to carry long into the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'll keep going," Gamboa said. "I mean, we were willing to die for each other in combat. I refuse to believe that it was all for nothing." If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here. For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org. The wonderfully weird world of artist Luigi Serafini Fans turn out for estate sale at home of Tom Petty Audra McDonald responds to Patti LuPone's "not a friend" comment When Kayla Nelson was training as a nurse, she knew exactly where she wanted to work in senior care. Nelson, who was close to her grandparents, was described as being an old soul at a young age and in college when she was unsure about what she wanted for her future, her training as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at a nursing home made it clear. She fell in love with senior care, she said, and never had an interest in doing anything else. I thought, this is exactly what I want to do, said Nelson, who is a registered nurse and CEO of True North Home Care. Seniors provide this perspective I think everyone needs more of, but I also just feel like its a way of giving back. I think the same thing with hospice, its very similar. Getting to be a part of someones departure from this world was such a beautiful experience for me. Even if Im not the person at bedside anymore thats there doing that, I want to make what I can make better for them in their last years of life. Whether thats the last 15 years or the last five days. I want them to have a really great experience. Its just my way of giving back. Nelsons compassionate care recently opened in Fremont. Located at 529 North Main St., suite 3, True North Home Care is working to be part of the Fremont community. A native of North Bend, Nelson earned her associates degree in nursing from Metropolitan Community College. She has worked in assisted living and skilled nursing, but found her passion working in hospice care. I thought I would do hospice forever, I loved being a hospice nurse, it was such a unique experience, but it just made me feel like I was making a difference everyday, Nelson said. Nelson was in hospice care during the COVID pandemic and during this time she was approached with an opportunity to open an in home care company. From her experience with COVID, she knew she did not want to do bedside nursing forever, so she took a leap of faith and started a business. Although she did not have experience with running a business, in 2022, Nelson opened True North Home Care in Omaha. Leaning into her nursing background and her work ethic, Nelson started learning the ins and outs of the business world and with help of her business partner, saw their first client in January 2022. True North Home Care is classified as non-medical home care. What is provided is hands on caregiving. This includes activities of daily living, or things that every human needs done to live bathing, dressing, toileting, medication reminders, transfers and more plus extra life happenings such as doing the clients errands, housekeeping, chores, activities and taking clients to outings. When Nelson started looking into how things work for a home care business, she found out that the state of Nebraska does not require a license. There are some requirements that need to be met for Medicaid to pay for care but other than that there are no regulations for things like training and no oversite for companies who offer in home care. Initially, she wanted to meet with leaders in the legislature to get this changed, but after speaking to other professionals in the field, she decided against that. For now, Nelson is running True North Home Care like there is oversite and they need to meet requirements. Because Ive been assisted living Ive been in senior care, I knew the basics of what was required for good care, so I was able to train my staff like that, Nelson said. Nelson said she has seen positive changes to accountability in Nebraska. Also from her research, Nelson found out that it was common in the home care industry for employees to be placed with a client before receiving any training. It was important for Nelson to build a training program for her employees and for each employee to be trained from the beginning even if they have experience. True North has a training room with a mannequin where employees will go over all the basics of care including how to change a brief, fall prevention, keeping someone hydrated, preventing weight loss, how to transfer someone and more. After employees are trained, a trainer will accompany them for the first visit with a client who has hands on care needs. When potential clients or the caregivers of the clients call True North, Nelson does an initial phone screening with them. This includes gathering information about why they are calling and what their needs are. Before care can start, there is always an in-home evaluation, Nelson said. During this evaluation, Nelson or someone from her team, will go though the clients home and determine if its safe for a caretaker to be in and if the home is suitable for the client to live in. After the evaluation, a care plan is created based on what the client wants and the True North team adds in what they know the client needs. The care plan is readily available for care providers before and during their visits. The goal for Nelson, and the many people she helps, is to remain at home for their final days. If the client would be happiest at home, they will do everything they can to keep them home. Giving someone what they want at the end of their life, when so much is taken away from them as they age, is her favorite part about helping someone stay at home. As a homebody myself ... I understand what it must feel like for people to have to be forced out of their home whether it be because of finances or safety, so if we can control the safety portion and if they can, whether its self-pay or through Medicaid waiver, long-term care insurance or veteran benefits or whatever it is that they can afford to stay home, lets do it, lets make it safe for them to do so, Nelson said. If the client is needing something that True North cannot provide, Nelson said she will help them get in touch with the services they need. I like to use my expertise to help people make living at home easer even if that means home care is not what theyre looking for, Nelson said. I know whos safe to be home and I know what they need to stay home safely and Im not willing to sacrifice their safety or my own reputation taking someone on whos not a good fit. Nelson also does a lot of education on the financial aspect of in home care. True North Home Care is restricted on the type of benefits that they can accept, Nelson said, but she will help someone find a different provider who will accept the benefits they have. In many cases, home care is a more affordable option for someone who needs a little help, Nelson said. If someone needs 24-hour supervision, homecare is not the most affordable option. In that case, it would be better for someone to go to a care facility. Most of the True North clients need help for 40 hours a week or less. Right now, theres a four-hour minimum per visit. Many times, what is needed and how much time the caretaker is there is a compromise between the client, their family and True North. I hear from families after theyve been on our service about the piece of mind it gives them to know that someone is checking in on their mom or dad, Nelson said. Thats worth it to know that theyre safe. Because she grew up in North Bend, Fremont was the big town everyone went to. Nelson decided this is where she wanted to bring her company next. A few years ago, Nelson attempted to break into the Fremont market by having employees in the area, but without an office and oversight, it was not a success, she said. It was important that she wait until she was able to have a presence in Fremont before returning to the market. In November 2024, Nelson opened the Fremont office. Currently, shes the only employee in Fremont, but once True North has clients, the goal is to hire an administrator. Ideally, that person would live in Fremont, know the community and want to give the top care to those they work with, she said. It was important to me, Nelson said. I dont want Fremont to be an afterthought. A lot of businesses in Omaha who serve Fremont, it feels like its kind of an afterthought, or its like, well, if Ive got someone who will go there, well do it. Thats why I wanted it somewhere on Man Street. I want it to be deep in the heart of Fremont. I want to serve other Fremont businesses and be a true local. Even if I dont live there. For more information on True North Home Care, visit truenorthhomecare.com. GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) An initiative called Project Search is helping students with disabilities transition better into the real world, and its changing lives in our community. For one group of students, their future got even brighter on Friday through this project. A group of five students from western Guilford County schools was surprised with their acceptance to Project Search. The students have intellectual and developmental disabilities and have accomplished things they never imagined would be possible before participating in the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is why a smile did not leave Julius Davis Jr.s face as he signed his name on the acceptance letter for Project Search. It feels really great, Davis said. Tears filled up his parents eyes from joy. We are very proud of him, said Teresa Soto, Daviss mom. Davis was diagnosed with high-functioning autism when he was 3 and a half years old. His parents look back at how much he has grown through Project Search this past year. Project Search helped him understand that they can work with his speech impediment in their work environment in ways that he can feel comfortable and not feel like theyre going to fire me sooner or later because I cant communicate like a normal person, Soto said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with Davis, four other students with intellectual or developmental disabilities were provided the opportunity to work at the Cone Health Moses Cone Hospital through an internship. There, they will perform their roles such as folding the scrubs, prepping food and cleaning the hospital. Although the internship is at the hospital, Jennifer Gustin, the project search instructor at CHMCH, says the program also provides opportunities at other places of employment. Our goal isnt to get everyone employed at the hospital Its to learn those skills so they can transfer them at another job site, Gustin said. Project Search is geared towards workforces and career development models that can benefit young adults with disabilities in the workplace and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To Molly Matich, who has taught Davis over the years, it is a bittersweet moment to watch him leave her classroom, but she is excited to see him successfully transition into the real world. Its a huge opportunity for them because it is more mainstream focused on what their abilities are at the job sites, Matich said. Like Matich, his parents are grateful for the doors the program opened for him. This project helps people see whats by heart and not by eyes because thats what matters more, Soto said. According to Gustin, there were 22 students accepted in the program this year in Guilford County, which was the biggest number of students since Project Search started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students will be trained and begin work in different locations throughout the county after their high school graduation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Harvard professors are suing the Trump administration over its review of about $9 billion in federal funding for the university following pro-Palestine protests, calling the move a gun to the head. In the lawsuit, the professors argue that reviewing the funding is discriminatory and undermines free speech. The move comes as Donald Trump and his administration place their focus on college campuses, revoking students visas and attempting to defund universities over pro-Palestine activism. On Friday, a judge ruled that Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who helped lead pro-Palestine protests, could be deported after Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that Khalils presence in the U.S. poses foreign policy concerns. Other students have been targeted as well, such as Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Tufts student who was grabbed off the street by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to the Harvard Crimson, three Harvard students and two recent graduates have had their student visas revoked, and last month, the Harvard AAUP sued the Trump administration over arrests and attempts to deport pro-Palestine protesters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has canceled funding for Columbia and frozen funding for Brown, Cornell, and Northwestern over what they call antisemitism on campuses. In the new lawsuit, the Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors said that the review of the universitys funding violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination when it comes to federal assistance. The Trump administration is looking at about $9 billion in grants and $225 million in contracts. Threats like these are an existential gun to the head for a university, the Harvard professors stated in the filing. They overtly seek to impose on Harvard University political views and policy preferences advanced by the Trump administration and commit the University to punishing disfavored speech. The group is also seeking a temporary restraining order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These tactics amount to exploiting Title VI to coerce universities into undermining free speech and academic inquiry in service of the governments political or policy preferences, the professors wrote in the lawsuit. Earlier this month, the Trump administration also called on Harvard to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and ban masks at protests. The university has not provided an update on these issues. Harvard has made several changes around the Israel-Palestine conflict. The university suspended the Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative; suspended a research partnership with a university in the West Bank; and dismissed faculty leaders of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Eliminating discrimination and protecting all students is important, Harvard Law School professor Nikolas Bowie and secretary-treasurer of Harvards AAUP said in a statement. But Trump is defying the Civil Rights Act, terrifying students, and illegally holding hostage grants for hospitals and scientific research so he can accomplish his real goal of punishing academics for our politics, Bowie said. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (KRON) A 34-year-old man from Santa Rosa was arrested on April 11 for allegedly making numerous 3D-printed guns and drug possession, Santa Rosa Police say. Suspect Michael McGarvey was pulled over by Santa Rosa Police Department Special Enforcement Team officers at approximately 9:04 a.m. Friday. Officers determined that McGarvey was on probation out of Sonoma County and proceeded to search his black Honda Civic. During the search, officers found a secret compartment containing suspected narcotics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers conducted a search of the vehicle based on McGarveys probation terms and found a hidden compartment behind the drivers door panel where they discovered approximately 2.5 grams of a suspected narcotic, SRPD said. New images released in deadly Thanksgiving Eve Piedmont Cybertruck crash Following the traffic stop, officers searched McGarveys home on the 2400 block of Dayton Street in Santa Rosa. During the search, officers found two 3D printers that were allegedly used to make at least six guns found inside the home. The officers located 6 firearm precursor parts along with a 3D-printed unconventional .22-caliber pistol, which did not have any serial number or a rifled barrel, SRPD said. The [firearm precursor parts] and unconventional pistol were concealed in a zippered chair cushion near the 3D printer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California law prohibits the use of 3D printers to manufacture guns or gun parts without a firearm manufacturing license. McGarvey was booked into the Sonoma County Jail for multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including possession of an unconventional pistol, six firearm precursory parts, the use of a 3D printer to manufacture gun parts, drug possession and probation violation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Apr. 11BISMARCK The chancellor of the North Dakota University System will retire from that position on a tighter timeline than originally planned. Mark Hagerott announced at the State Board of Higher Education meeting on Friday, April 11, that his retirement would take effect Tuesday, April 29, a span of just more than two weeks. The board accepted his retirement with plans to meet early next week to discuss selection of an interim chancellor, an NDUS news release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2024, the board voted unanimously to terminate Hagerott as chancellor after discussing his contract in a lengthy, closed executive session. At the time, his contract was set to expire in June 2025; however, the board voted to extend it through December 2025 at his annual salary of more than $424,000. After that, Hagerott was to transition to being a "distinguished professor of artificial intelligence." His announcement Friday made no mention of that professorship role. Instead, Hagerott said he was accelerating his retirement in order to focus on national security challenges facing the U.S. Navy and the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He plans to build on his work as past Chair of the Secretary of the Navy's Naval Education Task Force and continue to serve on the Education for Seapower Advisory Board, the release said. He will also return to his academic research on naval officer formation, including a planned book project with the Naval Institute Press. SBHE Chair Tim Mihalick thanked Hagerott, citing progress made in serving students and building relationships with the state's workforce development system. "We look forward to continuing that progress as we select an interim chancellor to lead system-wide collaboration among our 11 campuses," Mihalick said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hagerott plans to divide his time between the Washington, D.C., area and North Dakota and to spend more time helping on the family farm in Morton County. He said it's been an honor to work with staff, institution presidents and the higher education board. "As a system, we have developed stronger partnerships with industries relevant to North Dakota's economy and workforce, particularly in energy, healthcare, agriculture, and in the digital realm, with four campuses certified by the National Security Agency as centers of cyber excellence," Hagerott said in the release. In late 2017, more than two years into the position, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hagerott faced a civil discrimination complaint from former NDUS vice chancellor Lisa Feldner after she was fired "without cause." Feldner then filed a state Department of Labor and Human Rights complaint, which included allegations that painted Hagerott as a sexist manager who singled out employees for matters of health, age and sexual orientation. Hagerott said he "categorically" denied the sexual discrimination charge. The claim was later picked up by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which investigates workplace civil rights claims. However, the EEOC dismissed the claim in late 2018, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement stating it was not able to conclude whether there had been a violation of federal statute. A few years later, Hagerott took heat over the departure of North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani. Bresciani learned his contract would not be renewed and his presidency would come to an end in May 2022. No public explanation was given. However, in an evaluation preceding his non-renewal, Hagerott criticized Bresciani for declining enrollment, the university's "eroding" research position, and his selection of a provost, which drew the most criticism. Bresciani set aside some 100 applicants and instead named Margaret Fitzgerald to the position. She had been serving as interim provost but was not officially a candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late 2023, the North Dakota University System office weathered a security breach, in which approximately $5.1 million from North Dakota State University and Bismarck State College was accessed, but ultimately not lost. In the incident, an entity passing itself off as a vendor tried to make a fraudulent transaction through the NDUS accounting system. And in February 2024, the state board granted a one-month paid developmental leave of absence to Hagerott, but not without some dissent. At the time, Hagerott said he would use the leave to prepare to teach a class on artificial intelligence at North Dakota State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board member Jeff Volk questioned why Hagerott needed paid leave when he'd done similar tasks before using existing time-off options. The board has called a special meeting for 10 a.m. on Monday, April 14 to consider and appoint an interim chancellor. Members are expected to start searching for Hagerott's successor in late 2025 or early 2026, the release said. The lawyers trying to remove Hamas from the UKs list of proscribed terrorist groups should be investigated and potentially struck off, Robert Jenrick has demanded. The Conservative shadow justice secretary has called for a thorough and transparent investigation of Riverway Law by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). In a letter to the watchdog, Mr Jenrick said there is a clear need to uphold public confidence in the legal profession and to ensure rigorous enforcement of the UK sanctions regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the firm made a legal application to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, challenging the proscription of Hamas in the UK as a terrorist organisation. In their 106-page application, Riverway argued the proscription should be lifted in line with European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) protections for freedom of speech. It claims the ban is disproportionate and that Hamas poses no threat to the UK people. The appeal, believed to be the first of its kind, is being fronted by Mousa Abu Marzouk, Hamass head of international relations and its legal office. Mr Jenrick wrote that there are significant questions as to whether Riverway have complied with their obligations under the UK sanctions regime, the SRAs own published guidance, and broader professional standards expected of solicitors. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said there is a clear need to ensure rigorous enforcement of the UK sanctions regime - Paul Grover/For The Telegraph In anticipation of Mr Jenricks letter, Fahad Ansari, the director of Riverway, told The Telegraph we were in contact with OFSI [the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation], external counsel and others who had represented sanctioned organisation, to ensure that we did not breach our duties under the sanctions regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also accused the shadow justice secretary of being a low grade politician, lack[ing] any insight on responsible public service. Mr Ansari has made a series of controversial social media posts related to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. The posts include claims that Hamas is a legitimate resistance movement protecting Palestinians from UK-sanctioned genocide and that the terror group is more popular than ever before in the wake of its terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct 7 2023. Meanwhile, further social media comments by Mr Ansari have since come to light. In posts dating from last year he appeared to praise fighters of the courageous Palestinian mujahideen, wrote you should view Hamas as an army of angels and dismissed international courts as hopeless, saying that only armed resistance would help Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April last year, he posted on X: Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating especially the courageous Palestinian mujahideen who continue to resist the Western-backed Israeli genocide entirely on their own. You are the pride of this Ummah. May you celebrate Eid one day in a fully liberated Palestine. He posted in June: If you believe genocidal Israel is the most moral army in the world, then you should view Hamas as an army of angels. In August he wrote: Dear ICC and ICJ. You are hopeless. Only armed resistance can protect the Palestinians from this genocide. The International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) have, respectively, issued arrest warrants against Israeli ministers and heard a case of genocide against the state of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, Riverway posted a video to social media in which it announced its legal case. The video showed Mr Ansari and two colleagues handing their case to the Home Office. Fahad Ansari submits a legal application to remove the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) from the UKs proscribed organisations list - Abdullah Bailey/Avalon In his letter to the SRA, Mr Jenrick called the move an obvious publicity stunt that had equally obvious reputational risks for the firm. Making reference to the SRAs principles of upholding the administration of justice and public trust in the solicitors profession, Mr Jenrick wrote: The way in which Riverway have publicised their legal work for Marzouk is in my opinion a repulsive breach of all of these principles. SRA guidance sets out a number of safeguards, which practising firms must follow to make sure that they do not violate the UKs sanctions regime on proscribed groups such as Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Jenrick said: There is legitimate public interest to ascertain whether Riverway have complied with, or are in breach of, these elements of the SRA guidance. Mr Ansari told The Telegraph: In an era where low grade politicians like Jenrick and Trump lack any insight on responsible public service and have no other strategy except to incite majoritarian prejudices, it is even more important for members of the legal profession and senior policymakers to uphold the rule of law. At all stages before we took instructions, we were in contact with OFSI, external counsel and others who had represented sanctioned organisations, to ensure that we did not breach our duties under the sanctions regime. Any empathy that I have demonstrated towards the victims of the ongoing holocaust in Gaza do not in any way detract from the robust merits of this legal application. The right to resistance against apartheid and settler colonial states such as Israel is enshrined in international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The views that I have expressed are consistent with that and are an exercise of the right to free speech which sits at the heart of the application its a fundamental right that should be valued and not used to attack the integrity of those with whom we disagree. Riverway Law said: There is an established convention that lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients causes as a result of discharging their functions, precisely because it endangers lawyers for carrying out their duties. Any media outlet that continues to promote this narrative in relation to us is effectively placing a target on our backs, and knows it. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Hamburg man was indicted on a slew of charges after he allegedly caused a series of hit-and-run collisions and recklessly killed a pedestrian last November in the City of Tonawanda, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced. Just before 8 p.m. on Nov. 11, the Town of Evans police received calls reporting a minivan driving over the speed limit and crossing into the oncoming lane of traffic. Officials said one of the callers reported being the victim of a rear-end-hit-and-run collision caused by the vehicle. Hamburg police then attempted to stop a minivan that matched the description given to the dispatcher. The vehicle, driven by 32-year-old Mark Whalen, was traveling erratically at a high rate of speed, the attorneys office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Whalen unlawfully fled police by refusing to stop when officers activated lights and sirens. Their pursuit ended when Whalen then drove north onto the Skyway. Whalen is accused of causing six other collisions, five being with other vehicles. The collisions occurred at the intersections of Delaware Avenue and Church Street, Delaware Avenue and Summer Street, Delaware Avenue and North End Avenue in the Village of Kenmore, Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda, Delaware Street and Young Street in the City of Tonawanda, and in North Tonawanda. He allegedly left the scene of the crashes, failed to stop at a red light, stole a victims pickup truck and fled, and tried to carjack another victim. During the series of collisions, at 8:15 p.m., Whalen allegedly hit a pedestrian, who was crossing Delaware Street near Benton Street in the City of Tonawanda, while driving the minivan. The victim, identified as 40-year-old Terrence Wyatt, died from the injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whalen is accused of recklessly causing the death of Wyatt and driving away from the scene without reporting the incident to police, officials said. He was indicted on the following charges: one count of second-degree manslaughter one count of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death one count of third-degree grand larceny one count of third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer of a motor vehicle one count of reckless driving seven counts of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in property damage Whalen faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the highest charge. He is scheduled to return for a pre-trial conference on April 29 and remains held without bail. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Since the beginning of the year, people have protested at Tesla dealerships around the world in response to Tesla owner Elon Musk and his role in the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. Tesla dealerships, owners and charging stations world wide have faced harassment and vandalism. The FBI and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi have labeled the vandalism as domestic terrorism. UPDATE: Iowa Attorney General says Sioux City PD officer-involved shooting was justified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sioux City doesnt have a Tesla dealership but does have one Tesla charging station located at the Caseys on Southern Hills Drive. Aaron Hasse of Sioux City has had his Tesla a little over a year and said he hasnt had any issues with harassment or vandalism and loves his Tesla. Even if that was the case, I wouldnt get rid of it. I dont see myself ever going back to a regular car. I just like it so much, Hasse said. I believe in the technology, and I believe in the mission which is to be American made 100-percent. Reg and Rose Robertson of Shawnee, Kansas have owned two Teslas the last seven years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love it. Its easy to drive and its nice and quiet. I like not having to stop for gas. Do have to charge, but it doesnt take long, Rose Robertson said. Its saved me money not going in and buying snacks and everything. I love it. 73rd Abu Bekr Shrine Circus underway at the Tyson Events Center They havent been harassed and dont agree with the vandalism that is happing to Tesla and Tesla car owners. A peaceful protest is fine. Destroying stuff is not. Thats basically it, Reg Robertson said. I agree. Its fine to have your opinion if you want to protest. But to vandalize peoples property is inappropriate. Its just not right, Rose Robertson 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) Can art change the world? There is one art gallery in Harlem that is hoping the answer is yes. The name of this exhibit at Heath Gallery is called More Love Now by abstract figurative painter Debbie Taylor-Kerman. More Local News The artist, born in Scotland and now living in Harlem, has created 30 pieces of acrylic on wood depicting people of all races and religions, immigrants and transgendered people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The titles are often whimsical, like Sweet or Savory, but the messages are deep. Its basically about three different transgendered people from different ethnicities, Debbie Taylor-Kerman, the artist, told PIX11 News. In India, they are called the Hijra, and they accepted and celebrated. Most Native American tribes also celebrate their transgendered, she added. According to gallery director Saundra Heath, this exhibition creates a space for dialogue about inclusion and acceptance and compassionate community-building. When you look at whats happening in the world, when you look at the fear and the divisiveness, her message of unity and acceptance, her celebration of many cultures and people, and that we can really coexist, Saundra Heath, the director of Heath Gallery, told PIX11 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By naming her paintings with titles like Whats your favorite flavor of Ice Cream? Or I miss my dads corny jokes, featuring a Muslim woman, a Christian man, and a Jewish man, Taylor-Kerman is hoping to start people talking to one another. Sometimes its the simple things in life that connect us, Taylor-Kerman told PIX11 News. I wanted to make that connection, she added. This weekend, therell be a talk with artist Debbie Taylor-Kerman at 2 pm Saturday. This exhibit will be here at Heath Gallery until May 3rd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ANDERSON A Hartford City man has been charged following his arrest after jumping into the White River in Anderson on Sunday in an effort to evade police. Sebastian Southerland, 30, was arrested by the Indiana State Police after a car chase that started on Interstate 69 north of Anderson. According to a press release, an Indiana State Trooper attempted to pull over a white Volkswagen traveling 89 mph in a 70-mph zone on I-69 north of Anderson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the trooper pulled in behind the vehicle, the driver fled southbound. Southerland exited the interstate onto Ind. 32, and the suspect led the trooper through Chesterfield and into Anderson. Southerland turned onto Ninth Street in Anderson and sped toward the White River, which was at the end of a dead-end street. The driver stopped the Volkswagen and fled on foot, leaving a female passenger behind. The trooper pursued the man on foot as he ran toward the river. The man then jumped into the water. Following recent storms, the river was moving rapidly and the water level was very high, according to the release. The trooper kept the man in sight as he was swept down the river a short distance, eventually clinging to a pile of brush in the water. Members of the Anderson Fire Department responded with water rescue equipment and pulled the man from the water. The man was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The female passenger was not arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Anderson firefighter who jumped into the water during the rescue was also treated for injuries and was later released. Southerland is currently under police supervision in a local hospital. It was discovered Southerland was wanted on an active arrest warrant for dealing methamphetamine. He faces preliminary charges of resisting arrest with a vehicle, resisting arrest causing injury, reckless driving, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a controlled substance. In December, Southerland was sentenced to 12 years in prison with six years to be served on community corrections in Blackford County. A warrant was issued for his arrest in Blackford County on March 4. By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) - Harvard University professors are suing to block the Trump administration's review of nearly $9 billion in federal contracts and grants awarded to the Ivy League school as part of a crackdown on what it says is antisemitism on college campuses. The Harvard faculty chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the national arm of the academic organization said in a lawsuit filed on Friday in a Boston federal court that the administration was trying to unlawfully undermine academic freedom and free speech on the school's campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Justice, which is defending the administration's policies in court, did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday. Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Harvard declined to comment. Several elite universities including Harvard have seen their federal funding threatened by President Donald Trump's administration over pro-Palestinian campus protests as well as other issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion programs and transgender policies. The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services along with the U.S. General Services Administration on March 31 said that $255.6 million in contracts between Harvard, its affiliates and the federal government were being reviewed, along with $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments. In a subsequent letter, those agencies demanded Harvard meet numerous conditions to continue receiving federal funds, including banning the use of masks, eliminating DEI programs and agreeing to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many pro-Palestinian protesters have worn masks during demonstrations. The letter also said Harvard must review and make changes to programs and departments that "fuel antisemitic harassment" and hold students accountable for policy violations. The administration has cited its authority to enforce Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, an anti-discrimination law covering institutions that receive federal funding. But the lawsuit alleged the administration had failed to follow the statute's requirements in seeking to cut off funding and that its actions violated free speech rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. The plaintiffs alleged that the goal was to "impose on Harvard University political views and policy preferences advanced by the Trump administration and commit the university to punishing disfavored speech." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The First Amendment does not permit government officials to use the power of their office to silence critics and suppress speech they don't like," Andrew Crespo, a Harvard law professor and general counsel to the school's AAUP chapter, said in a statement. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Paul Simao) HONOLULU (KHON2) The state is hosting another gun buyback event this weekend aimed to encourage residents to surrender unwanted firearms in exchange for gift cards, with no questions asked and no identification required. Bill to legalize sports betting in Hawaii gaining steam Were asking anybody who has firearms that they no longer have use for, to go ahead and turn those in, and well go ahead and exchange those for some gift cards at a local grocery store, said the states new Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state held gun buybacks in 2024, with one in August giving out $53,100 in gift cards. Lambert thinks it can create a safer environment for residents. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You What it does is it reduces the amount of guns that perhaps are not being stored or cared for correctly. What we find is that sometimes there are gun owners that pass, and their family members dont have the same love or passion for guns. And that can be a very dangerous combination for many reasons. Maybe theyre not stored properly. Secondly, they may not be handled properly. So what we wanna do is take those off your hands and exchange that to incentivize people to exchange it for gift cards. Guns that are turned in are reviewed and if stolen, returned to the legal owner. If it isnt stolen, it is destroyed in a big metal shredder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is one of Lamberts first events as the new head of DLE. Ive been Honolulu-centric for twenty-two years, meaning that I will fight tooth and nail for everything that, you know, matters to Honolulu, he said of his career as Major for the Honolulu Police Department. Now its just a matter of, I guess, broadening my vision and opening my heart to all counties. So after the legislative session, I definitely wanna get out to the other county chiefs and see how the state can go ahead and support their operations. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The event is Saturday at Aloha Stadiums gate 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. A man driving a hearse was arrested Friday after a police pursuit in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, according to a release from the Indiana State Police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A trooper spotted the hearse, which had flashing red and white lights, traveling the wrong way on Sagamore Parkway. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the driver crossed back into the correct lanes, but disregarded a red light. At this time, the trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver, 39-year-old Herman Gray, did not pull over. The trooper pursued the hearse across Lafayette, where it stopped at an intersection, police say. Gray ignored commands from troopers, but was safely taken into custody, according to police. Gray was transported to the local jail and charged with Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Resisting Law Enforcement and Lend/Permit Use of a Drivers License. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] I read Nancy Kaffer's column regarding Mallory McMorrow's U.S. Senate candidacy. ("Can Democrats win Michigan's 2026 US Senate seat? Mallory McMorrow says yes," Detroit Free Press, April 6.) What stuck with me from the story was state Sen. McMorrow's bumper sticker statement (articulating her campaign priorities), "success, safety, sanity." While that is all well and good, I feel that it demonstrates, once again, the Democratic Party's lack of understanding of what middle and working class people are feeling here in Michigan, and the country at large. McMorrow and other Democratic candidates seem to think that their voters only demand of them is to be "anti-Trump." They are missing the point. Voters are angry with Dems for refusing to address economic inequality and the problems that result from it. Democrats should look at last month's Bernie Sanders rally in Warren, and use that as a starting point for understand what voters want and what will motivate them. From left: U.S. Senate candidates Sen. Mallory McMorrow, U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed and Joe Tate. Detroit Free Press, Kristen McDonald Rivet Donald Trump offers an angry populist economic message to the economically disadvantaged. The Democrats need to wake up and adopt their own, one that is bumper-sticker-able: "The rich are screwing you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And more importantly, they should actually do something about it. Chris Skupny Livonia How much of Project 2025 has been implemented? Enough to break us beyond repair. | Opinion Members of Michigan Legislature are fighting for Black mothers Detroit is my home and heart. I am honored to represent it in the Michigan State House. Raised here by my mother and grandmother, this city shaped me. Its where my wife and I are raising our children. Because I love my community, there is one reality that I cannot accept: that our Black infant and maternal mortality rates are among the worst in the nation. For Black Maternal Health Week this month, I am calling on all of us to tackle this problem head-on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many disparities persist throughout our healthcare system, but they hit Black mothers the hardest when they are seeking to have healthy pregnancies and births. Not only do Black mothers lack access to the care they need, but even when they do get care, their concerns are often dismissed. I have witnessed it in my community, and my wife and I experienced it firsthand. When my wife, Shaunte, and I were expecting our first child, we had a plan. But, as often happens, the best-laid plans can go awry. We wanted a birth as free from unnecessary interventions as possible, but as her labor progressed slowly, we felt pressured to rush things along. She was given an epidural and oxytocin. Before we knew it, doctors were wheeling her away for a C-section which we both knew came with increased risk to her. In what should have been a joyous time, I was consumed by fear, knowing the statistics about Black maternal health. My wife and child came through the delivery safely. But during her recovery, Shaunte experienced excruciating pain. Doctors dismissed her concerns, telling us it was normal. Years later, we learned that extensive scar tissue from the C-section was the reason for her pain. Finally, we received acknowledgment of what should have been recognized and respected years earlier. My wife had joined the awful club of Black women whose health was ignored by the medical system. My wife and all Black women deserve to be listened to, not ignored. As a husband and father, my role was to support her through one of the most vulnerable times in her life. As a legislator, my duty is to take that experience and fight for change so no family has to endure the same struggle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we had our first baby, we both prepared as much as we could. We took birthing classes, had a midwife and a doula and even went to a natural birthing center. But still, I was unprepared. I didnt know what to ask or advocate for, nor what to expect. I compare it to my early days as a legislative staffer. I had to listen to others to do my job effectively. The same is true for birth experiences. We need to share our stories to help others navigate this system and change the situation. I want to be a voice calling for dads, men and entire communities to engage. This isnt just a womens fight its a fight for all of us. In Michigan, we are fortunate to have the advocates at Mothering Justice championing the Mamas Agenda. The women at the helm of this organization have solutions to not only reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, but also increase essential programs that allow families to thrive, such as paid leave and affordable childcare. In our legislature, Sens. Erika Geiss and Sylvia Santana and Rep. Stephanie Young are leading the charge in making these solutions a reality. I am calling on all my colleagues to step up and stand beside these leaders. This wont be easy. From our environment and water quality to democracy and health care, our city and state have a hell of a lot of challenges. But with determination, and by listening to each other and our community advocates, we can improve the care Black families receive and reduce our Black maternal and infant mortality rate. Donavan McKinney The writer represents Michigan's 14th District in the state House of Representatives Signal chat screwups are unacceptable The recent Signal leak of attack plans reveals gaps in our national security and threatens our prosperity. Our elected officials need to do their job providing oversight of these appointed officials and hold them accountable for their serious blunder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, represents Northern Michigan. He is also a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General, and a member of the House Armed Services Committee. I retired as an Air Force Major who held a high-level clearance. I know the Signal screwup exposed classified information to a reporter due to the carelessness of appointed officials including the national security advisor, secretary of defense, and other intelligence community leaders. For those not familiar, classified information is any information that could cause harm to our national security if it falls into the hands of an enemy. The information shared in the Signal chat included the specific timing, military units and types of attack for an upcoming operation. That is all classified before an operation happens. Communicating attack plans over an unapproved system puts that information at risk of being leaked. If I had mishandled classified information as a military member, I would have been punished and possibly imprisoned for not properly protecting information that could have gotten my fellow service members killed. Rep. Bergman knows this, and must do his duty to guarantee our national security, protect classified information, and hold these officials accountable. Classified information is similar to trade secrets in the commercial world. Companies require employees to sign non-disclosure agreements in order to maintain their competitive edge. This is no different than the the non-disclosure agreements military members sign to protect classified information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imagine Paul, an employee of Ford Motor Company, communicates with coworkers via group text about a new Mustang engine. He thinks the group only has Ford engineers. He didnt realize that his co-worker Mark added his friend, John, who is an engineer from Chevy. Even if John doesnt share these trade secrets, Ford would almost certainly fire Paul and Mark for not protecting information that could damage the company. In this recent Signal incident, we were incredibly lucky it did not lead to disaster. If the information had been published when the reporter first got it, Americas enemies could have killed our highly trained service members, destroyed expensive airplanes paid for with your tax dollars and led to mission failure. The difference between the car company example and the recent Signal chat is the latter group are people leading the departments of the executive branch. They are supposed to be safeguarding our nation. Their unserious actions put our nation, service members and tax dollars at risk. People entrusted with the nations secrets need to be held accountable for their mistakes just like any one of us would be for failing at our jobs. Every Michigander, regardless of their ideological leaning, must care about this because it is not only the national security and safety of our service members, but ultimately the prosperity of our nation. I call on Rep. Bergman, and all of our elected leaders, to hold these appointees accountable, ensure the proper handling of classified information, and protect the interests of the citizens they represent. Jennifer Caulk Cheboygan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online and in print. If you have a differing view from a letter writer, please feel free to submit a letter of your own in response. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'The rich are screwing you' ought to on a bumper sticker | Letters IBERIA PARISH, LA (KLFY) For those who wonder why the New Iberia Spanish Festival takes place considering the Cajun French culture is so strong in the area, the New Iberia Spanish culture is rooted deep in the citys history as well. New Iberias roots began in 1779 when Spanish settlers, who were majority young men, chose to leave Spain. They came along the Bayou Teche and settled right here and founded New Iberia. Years later, French settlers came from nova scotia and settled here as well. Chacelyn Peltier, the 2025 Spanish Festival Queen, spoke about the history and how we got here today. She said when the French came in, they had a lot of people including women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who were the (Spanish) men hanging out with? The young French women. Then they had kids. Then who takes care of them? Who takes care of the family, the women. So, the Spanish language was very, very quickly eradicated in our in our area. That is how our Spanish heritage kind of got wiped and pushed to the side. Peltier explained. In 2009, New Iberia received a letter from Alhaurin De La Torre, Malaga, Spain where the Spanish settlers originally came from. They wanted New Iberia to be known as its sister city. In 2012, they wanted to visit New Iberia. With nothing to show for its Spanish roots, festival was born. Since then, years of traditions have come to New Iberia, like the church alley crochet ceiling. Madison Verret, the 2025 Spanish Festival Deb Queen, said the crochet ceiling has been getting added to it every year for the past four years. We got it from our sister city in Spain, and they do it every summer. They made a wish that we would do it like New Iberia would do it, and we made that wish come true. Now we have been doing the crochet ceiling for four years. Verret said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltier said this festival is a significant part of New Iberia understanding its history and roots alive. If we stop, even if the sugarcane festival wouldnt happen anymore, we would still grow sugarcane. Those are still so, so important, but its different in that fact that if we dont keep on living it, it will die away and go away again. Peltier said. New Iberia will be celebrating the Spanish Festival all weekend with Saturdays festivities going on all day and Sunday open until 5p.m. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A popular student competition getting New Mexico school kids learning about American history is now the latest victim in an avalanche of federal budget cuts. Hundreds of New Mexico middle and high school students take part in this yearly event, and said it would be a sad thing to see the competition go. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love it, I love the competition, and more than just that, I love seeing how much it helps me, how much it helps these other kids in their education. Seeing that go away would just really devastate me, honestly, said Isaac Beck, senior student at Silver High School. The Beck brothers have been competing in the states National History Day event since the fifth grade. The yearly tradition put on by the New Mexico Humanities Council gets students learning and competing through performances, presentations, websites, and documentaries. You get to dig deep and really go into the topic, and you will learn so much more than you will ever learn in a classroom, said Paige Kimball, freshman student from Farmington. But this might be the last time it happens in New Mexico, as the National Endowment for the Humanities has eliminated the grant funding for the competition through cuts from the Trump Administrations Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). So, this is a real dire situation for this program, National History Day in particular, but also other programs, said Brandon Johnson, Executive Director of New Mexico Humanities Council. He said the cut could spell the end of their 53-year-old organization. If we dont understand the past, were doomed to repeat it, right? And I think thats why programs like this and other programs in the humanities are essential, said Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationally, the DOGE funding cut to the National History Day competition itself is worth about $336,000. The New Mexico Humanities Council said its expecting to lose $700,000 overall. Besides National History Day, the New Mexico Humanities Council also helps fund public libraries, museums, and storytelling groups. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Border czar Tom Homan is defending the Trump administration in the case of a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, despite the Supreme Court ruling earlier this week that the U.S. must facilitate his return. During an interview Friday on Newsmax, Homan doubled down on the move, saying, I think we made the right decision. The aliens are to blame when they enter this country illegally, which is a crime. Hes an MS-13 gang member, according to our intelligence and even that of the intelligence of El Salvador, Homan told host Chris Salcedo. He was given withholding and removal from El Salvador because of fear of gang violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listen. the Supreme Court said well facilitate. Well facilitate, he continued. However, weve got to remember, hes an El Salvadoran national and in [the] custody of the El Salvadoran government. So, you know, well facilitate what we can, but I think we made the right decision. The nations highest court ruled on Thursday that the administration must facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported as part of President Trumps sweeping immigration agenda. The White House responded to the decision on Friday. The Supreme Court made their ruling last night very clear that its the administrations responsibility to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. In its ruling, the court also requires the administration to provide steps to the district judge overseeing the case on how the U.S. will facilitate Abrego Garcias return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The District Court should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs, the justices wrote, with no noted dissents. For its part, the Government should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps. The federal judge who ordered the administration to try to return Abrego Garcia, lit into the Department of Justice for requesting more time to update the courtroom about the next steps. First, the Defendants act of sending Abrego Garcia to El Salvador was wholly illegal from the moment it happened, and Defendants have been on notice of the same, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis wrote, adding that their request for time to review the order blinks at reality. The Trump administration previously acknowledged that it wrongfully deported Abrego Garcia to the notorious CECOT prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador, calling it an administrative error. Still, they contend that the courts have no authority to force his return since he was in the custody of El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Friday said he would follow the Supreme Courts ruling. If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back I would do that, he told reporters aboard Air Force One. I respect the Supreme Court. The move comes after the court ruled in favor of the Trump administrations use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to speed up deportations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Apr. 11FARGO The Department of Homeland Security has terminated the work status of a recent graduate from North Dakota State University, a university email confirmed. The campus email sent by Provost David Bertolini on Thursday, April 10, stated Homeland Security unexpectedly took action last Friday, April 4, against a recent NDSU graduate participating in Optional Practical Training. Optional Practical Training is a program allowing international students with F-1 student status to work in the U.S. for a period directly related to their field of study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security terminated the student's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS, status. If a person's SEVIS status is terminated, they may need to depart the U.S. immediately or apply for reinstatement, according to immigration law firm ILBSG. Bertolini's email included information from NDSU's International Student and Study Abroad Services, or ISSAS, office and Faculty Immigration Office. "Within an hour, our team became aware of the situation and immediately reached out to the student to address it," the ISSAS email said. "In light of recent national developments, we anticipate that similar situations may arise again," the email said. "Please know that ISSAS remains deeply committed to supporting, guiding, and advocating for our students especially in moments of uncertainty." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISSAS hosted virtual and in-person town hall events this week for international students and faculty to offer support and "remind everyone that they are not alone," the message said. ILBSG, based in Illinois, reported widespread SEVIS terminations among F-1 students nationwide with no warning this week. It said the terminations are part of a large-scale effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target individuals with lawful immigration status and issue revocations based on "actual or perceived criminal histories." Impacts have been felt in Minnesota, as well, with Homeland Security terminating records of Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement at least five international students at Minnesota State University Mankato and at least three students at the University of Minnesota. Another U of M graduate student has been held at the Sherburne County Jail pending deportation proceedings and is facing additional charges from Homeland Security, not yet publicly available. At St. Cloud State University, visas for several international students was recently terminated. At Minnesota State University Moorhead, administrators said they're fielding questions and providing support to international students who are worried about their visa status. They have not reported any students impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson at Concordia College in Moorhead said no international students there have had their visas revoked. An NDSU spokesperson said they did not have anyone available to provide more information. As he continues to recover, a boy remained hospitalized on Friday, marking one week since he was struck in the head by a stray bullet in the Inland Empire. Community members are trying to organize help for the boy and his family. This kid, hes a fighter, and were being optimistic about the situation, said Joshua Luster, a corporal with the Ontario Police Department. As of Friday night, the boy was said to be hospitalized in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe he was hit in the back of the head, said Luster. It was one single gunshot. Officials said that on April 4, while he was sitting in the backseat of his parents car at Veterans Park, the innocent boy was caught in a crossfire between two men fighting in the parking lot. Ontario PD officers arrived and began treating the young victim with life-saving measures before he was transported to a local trauma center in critical condition. There, he underwent emergency surgery before being taken to a childrens trauma center for more treatment. According to the investigation, detectives determined that the violence began as a verbal fight between two men in the parking lot of the park and quickly escalated to exchanging gunfire, accidentally hitting the young boy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested the suspects and identified them as Damian Marquis Berry, 25, of Victorville, and Anthony Dionte Erwing, 35, of Los Angeles. Each has an extensive criminal history involving violent offenses, noted the department. Berry is currently on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), and Erwing is currently on Los Angeles County Probation. The Ontario Police Department urged anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective Gabe Gutierrez at 909-408-1632 or the non-emergency line at 909-986-6711. In addition, anonymous tips can be submitted to 800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.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 KTLA. Shannon McShane, a former Colorado parental evaluator, has been indicted on 15 counts of felony charges for falsely claiming to have a doctorate in psychology and targeting a father who reported her lies to regulators. McShane allegedly lied about her credentials to become eligible for court appointments by judges assessing custody disputes, and when the father reported her to regulators, she falsely claimed he was cyber-stalking her, according to an indictment. The indictment states that McShane's actions put the father's job in jeopardy, and she was terminated from the statewide rosters for evaluators who make custody recommendations. McShane has denied the allegations and is planning to past a $50,000 cash or surety bond. The House of Delegates voted to approve a bill dismantling the West Virginia Office of Equal Opportunity on Friday, April 11, 2025. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) Lawmakers have signed off on doing away with the West Virginia Office of Equal Opportunity, opting to keep the offices director role within a state agency that will be tasked with protecting state employees from discrimination. But questions remain about how the office seemingly dissolved before lawmakers signed off on any changes, which is required. The OEO no longer has any dedicated employees or a director, which is required in state code. A website for the office was taken down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Department of Administration, which now oversees the OEOs work, hasnt responded to questions from West Virginia Watch about what happened. Gov. Patrick Morrisey told reporters on Monday that he didnt know all the details, but was going to make sure everything is done the right way. The OEO was tasked with complying with federal disability rights and investigated discrimination and harassment claims from public employees. Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour All of the duties are still currently housed in the Department of Administration and are still being taken care of, said Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour. The federally-required reports are still being filed, he said. While vetting a Senate bill meant to dismantle the OEO, members of the House Committee on Government Organization last week learned that the office was already likely disbanded, possibly violating state code by not having lawmakers required approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following that meeting, the committee amended the Republican-sponsored bill to now continue the position of the OEO coordinator within the Department of Administration. The office would still be repealed, according to the legislation. The House approved the amended bill on Friday with a vote of 90-9. All House Democrats voted against the measure, citing concerns that it still wasnt clear what had happened to the office. Del. Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha During the committee process, we learned that the office was eliminated obviously without our authorization, said Del. Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha. Sheryl Webb, director of the state Division of Personnel, declined last week to tell House committee members who had directed the division to begin dismantling the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She did say the change was partially spurred by Morriseys executive order mandating that government agencies find efficiencies and eliminate waste. Eliminating the OEO would save $125,000 in salaries plus $41,250 in benefits, she said. Bill sponsor Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, also said the bill was in an effort to streamline state government since the work was already being done by the Division of Personnel. The Senate approved the bill March 29, and theyll have to concur with the Houses vote on the measure before it goes to the governors desk for consideration. During a press conference on April 7, Morrisey said, One of the things that were charged with doing is protecting taxpayers and driving efficiencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill go back after this and make sure that were taking the steps and figure out if theres areas where we need the authority to change, then certainly well go to the Legislature and ask for change, he continued. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After Donald Trumps victory in last years presidential election, several MAGA influencers cheered the prospect of him trampling on womens rights. And Republican lawmakers have acted on that ethos with startling speed. Democratic women sounded the alarm Thursday following the Houses passage of the so-called SAVE Act, which would require all states to obtain proof of citizenship from people registering to vote, as well as mandate that states have a program to remove undocumented immigrants from existing voter rolls and allow Americans to sue officials who dont follow the proof-of-citizenship requirements. Voting rights activists have condemned the measure as a voter suppression bill, saying it requires documents that members of marginalized groups, particularly nonwhite people, disproportionately lack. And critics have also said the law runs the risk of disenfranchising women who marry and then change their last name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House just passed the Republican voter suppression measure that threatens voting access for millions of Americans, including 69 million women whose married names dont match their birth certificates, Hillary Clinton noted on X. Make sure your senators know you expect them to stand against it, she wrote. Update: The House just passed the Republican voter suppression measure that threatens voting access for millions of Americans, including 69 million women whose married names don't match their birth certificates. Make sure your senators know you expect them to stand against it. https://t.co/cYTismZC4U Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 10, 2025 Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., posted a similar message, warning that the legislation risks disenfranchising millions of women. House Republicans just passed a bill that would disenfranchise 70 million married American women. Under the SAVE Act, women who took their spouses last name and don't have an updated passport or birth certificate would be turned away at the polls. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) April 10, 2025 As did Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio. The SAVE Act is yet another Republican attack on women, she wrote. This bill would make registering to vote extremely difficult for millions of women who have changed their name, including over 2 million Ohioans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a propaganda bill that creates problems instead of solving them. #HellNo. The SAVE Act is yet another Republican attack on women. This bill would make registering to vote extremely difficult for millions of women who have changed their name, including over 2 million Ohioans. Its a propaganda bill that creates problems instead of solving them. pic.twitter.com/i37au82enl Rep. Shontel Brown (@RepShontelBrown) April 10, 2025 Conservatives have essentially tried to downplay the impact of the changes if the law is enacted. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, for example, had an online exchange with Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., in which he noted that several documents would be allowed as proof of citizenship seemingly ignoring that requiring such a document would, in itself, constitute an added barrier for many voters. And Balint checked Lee on that point. [Y]ou can show all the fact sheets you want, but this is about practical implications, she wrote. If you changed your name, you will not be able to vote unless you jump through excessive hoops that require time, money, and travel if you live in a rural area. Hey @BasedMikeLee, you can show all the fact sheets you want, but this is about practical implications. If you changed your name, you will not be able to vote unless you jump through excessive hoops that require time, money, and travel if you live in a rural area. Just admit https://t.co/bnH8YlPP2k Rep. Becca Balint (@RepBeccaB) April 10, 2025 Fox News host Martha MacCallum also downplayed the suppressive effects of the legislation during an interview with Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., saying: I changed stuff when I got married; its not that hard to do that. Slotkin: If 80% of women who are married change their names, their birth certificate is not going to match. MacCallum: I changed stuff when I got married, its not that hard to do that pic.twitter.com/v9mRRWxSm8 Acyn (@Acyn) April 10, 2025 As many have noted, the legislation faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where its likely to be filibustered if its ever teed up for a vote. But the fact this passed in the House shows just how committed Republicans are to misogynistic gender hierarchy and the prospect of tipping elections in their favor. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A cell phone ban across Alabama public schools is moving through the state house. A bill that some superintendents say really didnt need to be passed in the first place. One of the biggest problems I have with this is the legislators trying to micromanage the local education agencies and they have to make a law about everything., said Houston County Superintendent Brandy White. We got superintendents and elected boards that are elected by those people to run those school districts and I think at some point the legislators need to let them do their job. It could lead to costing taxpayers money down the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bills requiring Ten Commandments displays in Alabama schools moving forward with lawmakers Whats needed for Houston county may be different then whats needed in Birmingham city and our legislators dont realize it, but they are costing the taxpayers a lot of money in those situations, said White. The bill passed the senate floor earlier this week and will ban students from having cell phones inside school walls, which is not new for most school systems in the Wiregrass who have cell phone policies in place but the only real change for some school systems will be that students will now need to keep their turned off phones in their locker or in their car. At this time, students can have their phone in their bag or their pocket, said White. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One issue some parents have with this bill is the ability to get in touch with their children if their is an emergency or the child needs to check out but for most schools already, they have policies that combat this issue. Cell phones could be banned in Alabama public schools We have a communication policy intact to be able to contact those parents if there is an emergency, said White. When this bill moved through the senate, Governor Kay Ivey took the social media platform X, saying theres a time and a place for our phones, but while a teacher is teaching is not it. She even credited Wiregrass Senator Donnie Chesteen for helping move the bill forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this bill is signed into law, students will also be required to complete a social media safety course prior to the eighth grade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As political tensions continue to run high, predictions that Canadian travelers would shun Central Florida are becoming a reality, with hotel bookings down and airlines scaling back flights in response to lower demand. Sandra Pappas, who owns a Disney-focused travel agency in Canada, said she started noticing the downturn in February. Thats when President Donald Trump unleashed threats to impose sweeping tariffs and make the nation the 51st state. Unfortunately, there has been a huge drop-off, more for future travel, said Pappas, who runs Click the Mouse. Its quieter than weve ever seen, except for COVID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She estimated requests for travel quotes to Orlandos theme parks are down more than 50%. To adapt, her business is pivoting to other Disney-themed vacations, such as Disneyland Paris and Disney cruises departing from Vancouver. The impact could be considerable. About 3.3 million Canadians visited Florida in 2024, making them the top source of international tourists and about 2% of total travelers, according to state tourism numbers. But this year, advance hotel reservations from Canadians in the Central Florida region dropped 9% in April compared with the previous year and 35.1% for May, according to data from Visit Orlando, the regions tourism marketing agency. Ill miss visiting my American friends: Angered by Trumps threats, Canadians rethink Florida travel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visit Orlando CEO Casandra Matej attributed waning Canadian travel demand to the countrys weaker dollar and slowing economy, along with Trumps tariff announcements. Orlandos overall visitation numbers so far remain strong, but the travel outlook has grown murky with volatility in the stock market and uncertainty over Trumps trade agenda. Still, Orange Countys hotel tax collections hit a record high in February, and Visit Orlandos advance hotel booking data is up for April and May when considering all tourists. Universal Studios planned May opening of Epic Universe, the first new theme park in the Orlando area in a quarter-century, is bolstering those numbers. While we are seeing a slowdown from Canada, we are still seeing continued interest and bookings from other markets, Matej said. As one market slows, others present opportunities. Canadian travel statistics also show a decline in visits from that country to the United States. In March, Canadians flying home from U.S. trips were down 13.5% from the same month last year. Return trips by automobile were down even more by nearly 32%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Ron DeSantis has insisted Canadians will continue to visit. Earlier this month, he dismissed reports that a Trump backlash would keep them away, noting he met numerous Canadians during a family outing to Legoland. Im like, I thought you guys werent coming to Florida anymore. Oh no, we love Florida. So, were going to continue to be a destination, he recalled. But Ravi Jain, a Toronto-based immigration lawyer, said thats not what he is hearing. Avoiding U.S. travel has become an act of national pride for Canadians, he said. They are expressing their dissatisfaction with some of the presidents comments with their feet and their travel dollars. They certainly dont want to post on social media to their friends, Hey, I went on a vacation to Florida,' he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadian immigration lawyers say fear is driving some of the drop-off, following high-profile reports of Canadian and European visitors being detained or deported as part of the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration. Actions by officials in the two countries are also discouraging Canadian tourists from looking south. The Canadian government updated its travel advisory for the United States, warning Canadians to expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices. Border agents have the power to search phones and laptops, but officials maintain such actions are extraordinarily rare with less than 0.01% of arriving international visitors being subject to such scrutiny. Searches are conducted to detect digital contraband, terrorism-related content and information relevant to visitor admissibility, all of which play a critical role in national security, Customs and Border Protection Assistant Commissioner Hilton Beckham said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allegations that political beliefs trigger inspections or removals are baseless and irresponsible, Beckham said. A new rule requiring Canadian visitors staying longer than 30 days to register with the U.S. government could also affect snowbirds who spend their winters in Florida, said Heather Segal, founder of Torontos Segal Immigration Law. Absent unusual circumstances, travelers are automatically registered when they fly into the United States. But some travelers crossing the land border from Canada may not be issued the required I-94 form and may need to register on their own, and if they fail to do so, they could face serious penalties, including a $5,000 fine or up to six months in prison, Segal said. The message being sent to Canadians is, Were not interested in you. Were not best friends anymore,' she said of Trumps rhetoric and confusion over new border rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airlines are responding. Air Canada is planning to reduce the frequency of flights between Orlando and Toronto. WestJet, another Canadian carrier, suspended a route between Edmonton and Orlando. WestJet has observed a shift in bookings between Canada and the U.S. to routes between Canada and other sun destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean, and Europe, said Josh Yeats, an airline spokesman. But Canadian airlines arent giving up on the Orlando market. Porter Airlines capacity to Orlando is unchanged year-over-year, and early bookings for summer travel are up, said spokeswoman Robyn van Teunenbroek. Flair Airlines plans to resume winter seasonal routes in October between Orlando and Toronto and nearby Kitchener-Waterloo. Oh no, we love Florida: DeSantis dismisses idea Canadians will keep away from state Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sean Snaith, an economist at the University of Central Florida, said hes monitoring the effect tariffs and federal layoffs have on the broader U.S. economy. A recession would have far bigger ramifications for tourism than a Canadian travel boycott, he said. Snaith said hes optimistic Canadians will return once political rhetoric diminishes and emotions fade. It is still cold in Canada, he said. How much are you going to punish yourself because you are mad about something a politician did? Pappas said shes making the case to prospective clients that Walt Disney World is the perfect place to get away from politics and the news. Once you get into those park gates, you forget everything, she said. I feel people should still go. Walts vision was escape the world and go to Disney World. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, and Las Vegass Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program held its annual pinwheel event at Family Court on North Pecos Road. Volunteers, court staff, judges, and child welfare partners planted hundreds of pinwheels to shed light on the reality of how many children in the area are affected. In Clark County, we have over 3,500 kids in the foster system, CASA volunteer Kelly Hernandez said. So theres a need for everybody to be aware of them and for us to make sure that they have safe homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CASA volunteers are court-appointed special advocates who speak on behalf of children in the foster care system. The more we can promote letting everyone know about the issues of child abuse and how it affects children growing up, we can get it implanted in the system so that we can stop the cycle ourselves, Keith Fiandra, who has been volunteering with CASA for five years now, said. Judge Margaret Pickard with Judicial District Court 8 told 8 New Now that issues like child abuse are congruent to other problems like mental health, domestic violence, and drugs. We have an overwhelming problem with meth and fentanyl in our community, and as a result we have a lot of parents coming in with drug issues, the judge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continued, Of our six judges, we have, every six weeks, we each spend two weeks full-time on 24-hour warrant duty, because its so common in our community that kiddos are experiencing abuse or neglect. CASA is always looking for volunteers, and applications are available on their website. There is a minimum two year commitment required. After being accepted into the program, there is a five-week training period. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) Hundreds of people were displaced Friday, after an apartment complex was declared too dangerous for inhabitants. It would have been different if they at least gave us a month but we kind of just found out that wed have to up and move, said Jalen Goss, a student living at The Vault apartments. Residents were told to leave Monday by a letter from The Vault attached to their door, after a building inspection found every building there, including the front office, to be too dangerous to be in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contractor that inspected cited rotting wood and exposed foundations. Goss told WSAV hes having to give up his dog to stay at a new place one of several sacrifices being made by tenants. My friend made a tent for me in her apartment to just live there for the next month before I can go home after classes because I have nowhere else to go, said Melina Tejada. Itd be either that or my car. People there said theyre either relying on the kindness of others, or theyre trying to find a new lease elsewhere. They said what makes it worse is they dont have their deposits or a refund of Aprils rent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Im kind of stuck figuring out what to do now, said Kayla White, a resident. Its very hard to pick up and move for me in such a short time, especially with my disability and everything. Kayla White said shes stayed at The Vault through changing ownership and deteriorating conditions because her apartment accommodates her wheelchair. She said now shes being denied at some places because shes already graduated and is no longer a student. I worry about not having enough space for my wheelchair for me to get around, said White. Im worried about me not being able to reach things, not being able to get around the complex if I need to get somewhere. If I dont have that Im kind of just a person stuck in a shoe box who cant really get around and its unfair, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their notice to The Vault of its poor condition, the City of Statesboro gave the owners until Monday to come up with a plan for improving conditions there. City officials said so far all theyve heard is radio silence. They said theyll decide what steps to take next after Monday. City officials told News 3, they dont have any policies to allow them to inspect residential buildings after they are built. The community has come out with resources for those without any other option, announced on the Bulloch County EMA Facebook page. Student resources: According to GSU officials: The Dean of Students Office is available to assist with Georgia Southern students who may be impacted by housing issues at the Vault. The Dean of Students Office can also assist students with faculty notifications and other support resources. Georgia Southerns University Housing Office is available to work with students who are looking for a place to live on campus for the remainder of the semester. Any student not wishing to live in on-campus housing, should still contact the Dean of Students Office for assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apartments available: Copper Beech and Cambridge have vacancies. They said they will allow immediate move in as soon as they complete their screenings. Rental assistance: The Union Mission is prepared to help displaced families with income to find housing and possibly provide rent assistance for the first few months. Interested families must apply in person at their Statesboro office (515 Denmark Street, Suite 1000) and provide proof of displacement and proof of income. Through their Rapid Rehousing Program, they will pay your deposit and half of your first three months rent. You must bring the letter from The Vault and meet their financial requirements. For more questions call them at 912-238-2777 extension 1801 or 1800. Shelter availability: Open Hearts Community Mission currently has one family room available, along with ten available beds for women and seven available beds for men. They do not accommodate couples. Interested families will need to call 912-623-2528. They prefer a phone call to appearing in person. The intake process takes about 30 minutes: a required background check via the Statesboro PD takes only about two minutes, and the application form is only one page. Medical, mental healthcare: Statesboro Pediatrics and Family Healthcare Center, 1570 Brampton Avenue, Statesboro, GA is offering free medical and mental health care to any residents of the Vault for the month of April. Call 912-764-9196 to make an appointment. You will need to tell them you are a resident of The Vault and bring the letter to vacate from The Vault and proof that you are a resident of The Vault. Food and other resources: Christian Social Ministries is available to provide resources including food. John Long, Executive Director can be reached at 912-512-0107. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Statesboro Food Bank can provide meal bags for anyone facing economic stress over this transition. They try to batch delivery to save volunteer time and gas but respond as quickly as possible when needed even if a repeat visit to the same complex. If you need food call Sheila Leach, Executive Director at 912-707-2787. Esthers Place is offering showers and laundry assistance. Bulloch VOAD and Bulloch Strong are accepting monetary contributions to assist agencies providing direct assistance to impacted individuals at The Vault. To mail checks, make payable to Bulloch Strong, C/O Pittman Park Church, 1102 Fair Road, Statesboro, Ga. 30458. To donate online, visit https://onrealm.org/PittmanPark/-/form/give/BullochStrong . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hunters wore orange shirts to the Capitol on Jan. 17, 2025, in support of a bill to end restrictions on using bait to hunt deer. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota lawmakers on Friday sided with hunters in the debate over whether the state Game and Fish Department can restrict using bait when deer hunting on private property. The House passed Senate Bill 2137 after rejecting a proposed amendment. The bill is the same version that passed the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has banned landowners from setting out feed for deer for the purpose of hunting in some areas of the state. The department testified against the bill, saying that feeding bans are part of an attempt to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease in deer. Charlie Bahnson, wildlife veterinarian for Game and Fish, said in written testimony that chronic wasting disease is still rare in North Dakota, but the department needs the feeding restrictions as a management tool. But Rep. Matt Ruby, R-Minot, argued that the bans have no effect on the spread of the disease that can be fatal in deer. Some states have seen large declines in deer populations. Ruby said North Dakota should continue to monitor for the disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Dakota has had 122 positive tests of chronic wasting disease in deer since 2009, The Bismarck Tribune reported, citing Game and Fish Department data. Of those, 119 cases were from deer killed by hunters. Supporters of the bill argue there has only been one confirmed case of chronic wasting disease in the state, a deer that was found dead by a landowner near Williston that tested positive for the disease. An argument against feeding is that it encourages deer to congregate in large groups, helping disease spread. Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, said the state should encourage feeding because with more feed sources, the deer groups would be smaller, he said. The failed amendment would have put limits on how much feed could be put out and put restrictions on where feed could be placed. It also called for a Game and Fish report on chronic wasting disease to Legislative Management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunters have turned out in large numbers at the Capitol to show support for the bill. The bill heads to the governor for his signature. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE AUSTIN (KXAN) The Hutto Police Department said it was investigating a report of an attempted child abduction. According to police, a child was approached in the Riverwalk subdivision by two men driving a white Ford Transit-style van, and one of the men attempted to grab the child through the open side door of the van. HPD said the child described one suspect to a Texas DPS Forensic Imaging Specialist. Sketch of suspect in attempted child abduction (Hutto Police photo) According to police, the suspect was a Hispanic man with a tan complexion, tattoos covering both arms, multiple piercings, including an eyebrow piercing, three gold teeth, and dark colored hair with streaks of white or blonde. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions to evaluate possible links between similar cases. Anyone with information about this incident or who recognizes the subject from the sketch should contact the Hutto Police Department at 512-846-2200 or email HuttoCrimeTips@huttotx.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 KXAN Austin. With open enrollment for health insurance set to begin in two weeks, Colorado's Division of Insurance has finalized rates for premiums in the individual and small group markets. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained several people in Liberal this week, according to city officials. They say the location of those detainees is still unknown. Liberals mayor and a city commissioner say ICE came into the city in masks and unmarked vehicles. They say the citys police department wasnt notified that ICE was on the way, and information about the location of detainees has been inaccessible. Several people were detained by federal immigration and customs enforcement in Liberal this week, causing a panic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time I was up and ready to go to see where everything was, there were posts on social media, said Jose Lara, mayor of Liberal. People were detained in businesses and neighborhoods. Lara says he and other elected officials confirmed five detainees through videos and pictures gathered from witnesses. He says the city was not given a heads up. If our local PD is not informed that theyre gonna be here, and you have masked men running around with no insignias and no symbols in unmarked vehicles, it sets a terrible precedent for our community, Lara said. He says theyre still waiting on official information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal agencies refuse to even let us know how many people they have taken or names of who they took, Lara said. Theres large concern there. He points to their unanswered questions and a lack of transparency from federal authorities as a continual challenge. A city commissioner says that the city wants open communication. Im calling on federal immigration authorities to show compassion, foresight, and responsibility, city commissioner Janeth Vasquez said. The safety and well-being of our children must be prioritized. She says open lines of communication must be maintained throughout the process of immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KSN reached out to senators Moran and Marshall, and representative Tracey Mann about the detentions but hadnt heard back as of the publication of 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 KSN-TV. Despite being backed by death-fearing billionaires, Donald Trump's administration has detained and seeks to deport an acclaimed anti-aging researcher. As the New York Times reports, 30-year-old Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born lab researcher at the Harvard Medical School, was detained at Boston's Logan Airport upon returning from a trip to France. Soon after Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in his second attempt to annex its former Eastern Bloc neighbor, Petrova fled Russia out of fear that her opposition to the war would lead to repression or worse. Her trip to France offered a chance to reconnect with old friends from Moscow who had, like her, left for political reasons and to pick up some rare, super-finely-sliced frog embryos from a Parisian lab that her supervisor, research scientist Leon Peshkin, was affiliated with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Customs officials who pulled Petrova aside on February 18, the researcher's only crime was failing to declare those sliced frog embryos, which are used in Peshkin and Petrova's research for their remarkable regeneration abilities. Generally, such a minor infraction would warrant no more than a $500 fine, if that. Instead, the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials who detained Petrova canceled her J-1 student visa right there at Logan Airport and immediately started deportation proceedings. The cellular regeneration scholar, who fled her home country after publicly supporting Ukraine at the start of the invasion in 2022, told CBP that she feared she could be arrested if returned to Russia. Ever conciliatory, CBP sent Petrova to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Louisiana rather than flying her back to her repressive homeland and nearly two months later, she's still there. Unlike other high-profile cases involving students on visas and green cards being detained and deported by the Trump administration over their political beliefs which is itself unconstitutional there's no public indication that Petrova is involved with any activist movements stateside. Furthermore, she fled Russia due to being pro-Ukraine, which is nominally still in line with the United States' stance in the now three-year-long war between the countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Homeland Security spokesperson who spoke to the NYT about the case, Petrova was detained not just for failing to declare the frog embryo samples, but also for "lying to federal officers about carrying biological substances into the country." "Messages on her phone revealed she planned to smuggle the materials through customs without declaring them," the spokesperson continued. "She knowingly broke the law and took deliberate steps to evade it." With her visa revoked, Petrova is now considered an undocumented immigrant in the eyes of the law. She'll soon stand trial as she seeks political asylum in the US and if it's not granted, she'll ultimately be deported back to Russia. In its zeal to police our borders, this administration has jailed someone whose politics align with purported American foreign policy and who is working to achieve the kind of age-defying treatments that pro-Trump billionaires like Peter Thiel, Sam Altman, and Jeff Bezos would shell out untold sums to access. The irony is palpable. More on science under Trump: The Majority of Scientists Are Now Considering Fleeing America As part of the ruling, District Judge Jason D. Scott said Idahos abortion laws do not make it a crime to perform an abortion if the physician determines in their good faith medical judgment that the patients existing medical condition or pregnancy complication would be resolved by terminating the pregnancy and the patient faces a non-negligible risk of dying sooner without it. (John Moore/Getty Images) An Idaho district judge ruled Friday that pregnant patients who have a risk of dying without an abortion are not subject to the criminal penalties of the states abortion ban, but the plaintiffs say it doesnt go far enough to offer real protection. The lawsuit was filed in Ada County, in Idahos Fourth District court. As part of the ruling, District Judge Jason D. Scott said Idahos abortion laws do not make it a crime to perform an abortion if the physician determines in their good faith medical judgment that the patients existing medical condition or pregnancy complication would be resolved by terminating the pregnancy and the patient faces a non-negligible risk of dying sooner without it. Scott said death does not have to be imminent or assured to perform an abortion as long as it doesnt arise from a risk of self-harm, such as suicide, and it attempts to facilitate the fetus survival outside of the womb if possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four women, two physicians and a state organization of family physicians filed the lawsuit in September 2023 seeking to clarify the states near-total abortion ban, which offers exceptions only to save the pregnant patients life and in limited circumstances of rape and incest. Despite the efforts of advocates and some legislators, the state Legislature has not offered clarifications to the law allowing an abortion to be performed to prevent severe health effects, and physicians have said it is impossible to know at what point they are safe to intervene without facing fines and prison time or the loss of their medical license. Center for Reproductive Rights vows to keep fighting for more clarity in abortion ban laws The ruling is similar to the Idaho Supreme Courts interpretation of the law released in 2022, but that language was not enough to assuage doctors fears in the years since. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the case from the Center for Reproductive Rights said the case did provide more clarity around the level of risk that needs to be present for a physician to intervene without fear of prosecution, but they vowed to keep fighting for more. Gail Deady, the centers lead attorney in the case, said during a news conference Friday that the case will hopefully be instructive to other states with similar abortion bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do hope they will similarly come to the conclusion that the bans need to be struck down, clarified or expanded in order to prevent the kind of harms that plaintiffs have shown in this case have been occurring in Idaho, Deady said. The lead plaintiff was Jennifer Adkins, a Caldwell resident who had to make the eight-hour drive to Portland, Oregon, almost exactly two years ago to terminate her pregnancy after the fetus was diagnosed with severe abnormalities, including a buildup of fluid that Adkins maternal-fetal medicine specialist said would be fatal. The buildup of fluid also risked raising Adkins blood pressure and causing preeclampsia. From right to left stand Jennifer Adkins, Dr. Emily Corrigan, Dr. Julie Lyons, Rebecca Vincen-Brown, Jillaine St.Michel, and Kayla Smith. (Julie Lyons, Rebecca Vincen-Brown, Jillaine St.Michel, and Kayla Smith. (Courtesy of Center for Reproductive Rights / SPLASH Cinema) It is a little surreal to be going through this around the same time as this all began for me personally, Adkins told States Newsroom on Friday. Scott dismissed the plaintiffs two other claims that would have expressly provided exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies, and another claim that made a constitutional argument against Idahos abortion ban, saying it deprived the plaintiffs who needed abortions for medical reasons of constitutional rights. Scott dismissed those claims with prejudice, meaning the decision cant be appealed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Emily Corrigan, an OB-GYN at Saint Alphonsus, said the case also provides some protection for providers who have been worried about terminating a pregnancy in emergency situations. Idaho faces other legal challenges to its strict abortion ban Idaho has been at the center of a lawsuit claiming the abortion ban violates a federal law mandating stabilizing care for any patient who comes to an emergency room in a hospital that accepts Medicare funding. The states largest health care system, St. Lukes, sued Attorney General Raul Labrador in January after the federal government dropped the case due to the transition to the new Trump administration. The plaintiffs won a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the law against emergency room physicians who might need to perform an abortion to prevent the spread of infection or in other cases, but the injunction only applied to St. Lukes because it was the only plaintiff. Corrigan said Fridays ruling will help give more confidence to physicians at the hospitals that werent included, like hers, as well as other providers around the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever comes next, Adkins said the work so far has been meaningful. I hope that our baby is watching us and is proud of the work that were doing, and I hope that she sees the hard work that were putting in, she said. Well continue to fight so that this hopefully wont happen to other families. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Prosecutors in Canyon County plan to file additional charges against an Idaho teacher who was accused of sexually assaulting one of his students after two more students came forward. Newly filed court records obtained by the Idaho Statesman disclosed that two teenage girls whom Juvent Josue Ramirez taught at the Canyon-Owyhee School Service Agency told the Wilder Police Department they had been inappropriately touched by him. Ramirez, 34, taught business at the public school cooperative, which provides programs for special education, alternative and career technical students, according to the schools website. The school, Canyon-Owyhee School Service Agency Regional Technical Education Center, is located off of Penny Lane in Wilder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canyon County Deputy Prosecutor Kyra Venecia has filed a motion asking to add three additional counts of battery to Ramirezs ongoing criminal case. He already faced two felony counts of sexual battery of a minor child after another one of his students, who was 17 at the time, informed the schools principal in February that Ramirez touched her inappropriately, triggering an investigation by the Wilder Police Department. Under the states criminal rules, offenses from separate incidents that are part of an ongoing transaction or the same common scheme or plan can be joined together under one criminal case, which is what Venecia asked of the presiding judge, Thomas Whitney. All three of the accusers are teenage girls and were Ramirezs students, Venecia argued in her request, andall of the similar offenses occurred at the school and were captured on video. Ramirezs conduct, presented together, shows that the defendant knew what he was doing and that he was not touching those girls on accident, Venecia wrote. It also shows that the defendant chose certain types of victims to prey on, specifically young, vulnerable girls in a subordinate position to himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records showed that a hearing on the request was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. April 28 at the Canyon County Courthouse. Idaho teacher held on $1 million bond The Wilder Police Department got involved in late February after the 17-year-old student reported that Ramirez sexually assaulted her. In an interview with Wilder Police Sgt. Eric Obenchain, the girl said she began speaking to Ramirez in September, because she was having some family issues, and she thought that she could trust him, according to an affidavit of probable cause. But she said he made sexual comments to her and inappropriately touched her while in school, according to the affidavit. On one occasion the student was sitting next to Ramirez when he put his hand between her thighs and touched her vagina, the affidavit said. Police said they were able to confirm the incident through surveillance footage. I was scared and my body froze, the student told police. I wanted to get out of the seat, but I couldnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, Ramirez was arrested and booked into the Canyon County Jail. Third District Magistrate Judge Ryan Dowell set his bond at $1 million, doubling the prosecutions request. The allegations in this case include sexual contact with a minor child that was in his care as a teacher, Dowell said. Its extremely, extremely concerning. I dont think that $500,000 is enough. During Ramirezs preliminary hearing in March, his private defense attorney Gerald Raymond Bublitz, questioned whether the teen was identifiable in the video footage, and said he disagreed with Obenchains interpretation of the video. I dont think that it clearly shows any touching in the vaginal area, he said. I dont think it shows any clearly sexual contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the prosecution said Obenchains review of the footage was clear to him and much better quality than the recording he took of the surveillance footage. The judge agreed that there was probable cause to believe Ramirez committed the sexual offense, adding that the prosecution only had to meet that burden to move forward. Ramirezs trial was scheduled for August, court records showed. Ramirez previously denied the allegations. He texted Obenchain before his arrest that whatever video evidence police had was being misconstrued, according to an affidavit of probable cause. I have done nothing wrong and have always acted in the best interest of the students, Ramirez texted Obenchain Feb. 20. My side of the story is that I deny the allegation. More students accuse Ramirez of inappropriate contact The week after Ramirez was arrested, Wilder Police Officer Maide Blanco met with two female students about their interactions with Ramirez, according to probable cause affidavits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both female students, a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old, told Blanco in interviews that Ramirez was known as some of the students favorite teacher, and he portrayed himself as a family man. One of the students, the 17-year-old, said Ramirez touched her leg in October 2024, according to court filings. He was also seen on surveillance footage grabbing the girls hand, touching her arm and standing so close to the girl that he had his body pressed against her, the filings said. The girl said shed developed a close relationship with Ramirez after she confided in him about the death of a family member, which felt like a betrayal. The girls mother also told the officer that her daughter had spoken very highly of Ramirez and the teen was so upset that he could do something like this, an affidavit said. For the 19-year-old student, she said that once Ramirez was arrested, she started to reflect on their interactions and realized that teachers shouldnt act like Mr. Ramirez did toward his students, according to an affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The student said Ramirez would call her cute and pretty, and that during a parent teacher conference in February, he grabbed her leg and squeezed it, according to court filings. That meeting, along with an October 2024 incident when Ramirez touched the teens hip, was captured on the schools surveillance footage, according to court filings. The teen also recalled to Blanco another interaction when Ramirez told her he was glad she was a legal adult, which rubbed her the wrong way, the affidavit said, but she said she didnt have any evidence of his actions and thought people wouldnt take her seriously. She hoped it was only happening to her, but then she realized it had happened to someone else when he got arrested, Blanco wrote in the affidavit. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) If you drive along Cactus Avenue and Buffalo Drive in the Mountains Edge community, you might notice some bright orange signs that say, No Trespassing, No Dumping. We see a lot of dumping while were driving by, Mountains Edge resident Lana Chairez said Friday. (KLAS) Its a concern all over the valley, so what are people seeing and what can be done about it? Ive seen couches out in the desert, and Im like, how do you just drop off a couch? It baffles me, Gavin Beery said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an eyesore for sure. Clark County Code Enforcement and the Southern Nevada Health Districts Environmental Health Division talked with 8 News Now about how much waste they see illegally dumped on public lands. Michelle Clarke of the Southern Nevada Health District said car parts, tires and motor oil are common finds. Weve seen a lot of oil dumped, typically from people doing their oil changes and not disposing of it properly, Clarke said. Landscape cleanup weeds, shrubbery and twigs from neighborhood backyards should not be dumped out in the desert, officials said. (KLAS) Jim Anderson with Clark County Code Enforcement said it brings property values down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It looks bad for our area and we want this area to be beautiful, so oil in the ground is an environmental hazard and the chemicals seep back down into the groundwater, and its just bad, Anderson said. What should you do if you see illegal dumping? Call the police or report it to the Southern Nevada Health District at 702-759-0600. They also have a page on their website dedicated to illegal dumping: https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/permits-and-regulations/solid-waste-compliance/illegal-dumping/ You can also report it on the Fixit Clark County App. As for where to take your waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republic Services has a transfer station you can use. If you show your trash bill, you can dump there for free, according to the Southern Nevada Health District. Penalties for illegal dumping go as high as a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail. The solid waste management authority offers a $100 reward for information about someone dumping illegally. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Illegal migrants were employed to repair storm damage at one of the countrys biggest solar farms, it has emerged. Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers raided EDFs Porth Wen solar farm in north Wales after reports that migrants had been hired without work permits to help repair hundreds of damaged solar panels. The solar farm, on Anglesey, suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage when a storm ripped through the 190 acre site in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French-owned EDF Renewables hired Telsol, a logistics company, to carry out the repairs. Immigration officers who raided the site on March 20 arrested 16 individuals for working without permission at the site. The Home Office said two of the workers were over-stayers in the UK and 14 had outstanding asylum claims. Telsol was issued with a Home Office referral notice following the raid, warning the company that it could be liable to pay a fine of up to 60,000 for each illegal worker. London-based Telsol, which is run by Omer Ineyici, a 49-year-old Turkish national, is understood to have had around a month left to run on the contract when Immigration Enforcement officers carried out the raid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EDF Renewables said it was liaising with its contractors to review its processes and ensure more stringent measures are in place. A spokesman said: As a responsible company, EDF Renewables takes its legal obligations seriously and expects all its sub-contractors to comply with the law. In this particular case, EDF Renewables was not aware that the workers hired by our subcontractor may have been working at the site without the required permission. We have fully co-operated with the authorities and provided them with all the necessary information and support. Alarm bells Sources on Anglesey said residents had spotted workers they did not recognise heading to the solar farm in cars bought locally and began to suspect they were illegal migrants. None of them were able to speak any English, which started ringing alarm bells in the locality, said one resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another, who asked not to be named, told The Telegraph: The guy who had the contract to repair the damage ran a tight ship. Hes now looking at a big fine, but no one else would have done the job. It was the middle of winter and conditions were terrible. Whitehall sources said people working illegally may be victims of organised gangs responsible for smuggling migrants into the country for jobs in the black economy. A Home Office spokesman said: Organised immigration crime is a multimillion-pound industry, which stretches from the trafficking routes thousands of miles away through which people are brought to our country to the high streets across the United Kingdom where many of those people end up working illegally. As part of our plan for change, this government is cracking down on that criminal industry at every level, including stepping up our visits to car washes and other businesses where illegal working is taking place, and increasing our enforcement action both against illegal workers and the people who employ them. Flouting the law Rhun ap Iorwerth, a member of the Welsh Senedd for Anglesey, said: There has obviously been a significant failure on behalf of the contractor and sub-contractor in ensuring a rigorous process of due diligence was undertaken prior to hiring workers on the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that workers being hired without the necessary work visas was very alarming and that his office has been in contact with EDF to better understand how employment law was allowed to be flouted in such a way. The Porth Wen solar farm, capable of powering more than 15,500 average UK homes a year, was given planning permission in 2017, in the face of local opposition to a development of that size. Concerns over the arrests came as The Telegraph revealed that only five people have been convicted of piloting small boats across the English Channel this year, despite more than 6,000 migrants making the journey. Opening the Governments border security summit last week, Sir Keir Starmer said that 24,000 people who have no right to be here have been returned since Labour took power. Just over 6,300 of these were enforced returns, with the rest leaving voluntarily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Telsol declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) An Illinois appeals court has upheld a legal challenge to the presence of an abortion clinic in a Rockford neighborhood, which contends it is operating without a legal permit. The Rockford Family Planning Center opened on the site of a former chiropractors clinic at 611 Auburn Street in January 2023. After Gov. JB Pritzker declared Illinois a pro-choice state and passed laws codifying abortion access, patients from neighboring states have come to Illinois for the procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clinic, the citys first in over a decade, is operated by Wisconsin-based Dr. Dennis Christensen. The clinic does not perform surgical abortions, but staff can prescribe medication that can induce an abortion. In 2020, neighbors brought a lawsuit to Winnebago County Court, arguing that the clinic, located in a residential neighborhood, was not properly zoned for the practice. The suit, brought by Shawn and Lisa Rylatt, Janet Savaiano and Amie Lotzer, was dismissed in 2022, paving the way for the clinic to open. But now, the Illinois 4th District Appellate Court has overturned that decision, finding that the Rockford Zoning Board of Appeals made an error in issuing a special use permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court found that a special use permit was initially granted to Dr. Sam Chin in 1981 to operate a chiropractic clinic out of his home as a home business, which required the homeowner to be a permanent resident. That permit was an extension of one granted to a Dr. Daub, who operated a chiropractic clinic in the same location years prior. According to the court findings, Christensen was granted use of the property by inheriting the special use permit. However, the justices found that the permit expired in 1982 and There is no documentation showing Dr. Chin renewed his permit for any of the years spanning from 1982 to 2020. In addition, the court said there was no physical copy of the permit to be found or the provisions it granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chin renewed his permit in 2022 before selling the property to Christensen. The 1982 special use permit also required that a permanent resident of the home be employed in the conduct of a home business, and the lawsuit argued that the city gave Christensen the ability to run the clinic as a home business, even though he did not live there. Christensen then employed Meg Larkin as a nurse and administrator, who would live at the business and oversee it. He would still own the property, which the lawsuit argued violated the ordinance. The missing renewals and the adherence to the home business ordinance should have granted the Rylatts the legal standing for their lawsuit to move forward, the appellate court ruled, on the basis the practice has changed the atmosphere of their neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking at the whole record and considering the entire evidence, we are left with the definite and firm conviction the Board committed a mistake in affirming [Rockford Zoning Officer Scott] Capovillas zoning determination, the decision reads. While ruling in favor of the Rylatts, the justices did conclude that the anti-abortion group Rockford Family Initiative did not have legal standing to challenge the court. The City of Rockford responded to the ruling, saying, Were aware of the appellate courts opinion, which confirmed that Kevin Rilott and the [anti-abortion group] Rockford Family Initiative, as well as others, did not have standing to challenge the zoning determination for the womens health clinic on Auburn Street. We are also aware the opinion stated that Shawn and Lisa Rylatt, who live in close proximity to the clinic, do have the necessary standing. The result is that the business owner will now have the opportunity to request a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing. Consistent with the appellate courts opinion, the clinic can remain open pending the outcome of the public hearing. The Rockford Family Initiative claimed victory in the verdict, with Rilott, who serves as president, saying, The Rockford Family Planning Center at 611 Auburn St, is currently operating without proper permits, and it is the city of Rockfords responsibility to close them down immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Rilott added, The abortion mill can go to the city and ask for a permit. This will be difficult because this abortion mill has brought more than one case of abortion supporters acting violently to this neighborhood, dozens of calls to the police, noise ordinance violations, angry and disgruntled neighbors because all of the disturbance cause by the abortion mill. In short, if the city gives a permit in a residential neighborhood to a divisive business that has proven to be disruptive to the peace and welfare of this neighborhood then the city can be sued if they ever deny a business use permit to any business that would like to open in any residential neighborhood. Christensens Midwest Reproductive Health operates a second abortion clinic in the city, at 4236 Maray Drive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Four independent Colorado liquor stores have sued the state, claiming that limits on the ownership of certain licenses aren't being uniformly enforced and are unfairly and illegally benefitting those with hidden interests. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois legislators passed a bill in the House to reduce plastic utensils given by food delivery apps on April 10th. DoorDash, among other food delivery food services, would no longer be able to automatically give customers plastic utensils with their orders. The bill would require the customer to request the utensils through the app. One of the many representatives who sponsored the bill said it would save restaurants money and prevent plastic waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restaurants are very tight-margin businesses, and so for restaurants, this gives them the ability to just skip the stuff [and] not spend money on utensils unless the consumer wants it, said Jenifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview). The bill is now moving to the State Senate, where it will be discussed further. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. A new photo of Gov. Gretchen Whitmers (D-Mich.) surprise visit to the Oval Office emerged in a Saturday New York Times report showcasing the lawmaker covering her face while President Trump spoke to the press. The Michigan Democrat said she was unexpectedly whisked into the room for the presidents order signing on Wednesday ahead of a scheduled closed door meeting. The two were set to discuss tariffs and opportunities to invest in Michigans defense assets, including the Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trumps press conference without any notice of the subject matter, Whitmers spokesperson told NewsNation, The Hills sister outlet, earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event, her office added. Whitmer, in the Wednesday photo captured by Times photographer Eric Lee, can be seen standing under portraits of Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson in the Oval Office with two blue folders shielding her face. With Whitmer situated behind the White House press corps, Trump reiterated unproven claims that the 2020 election was rigged. He signed memoranda targeting two officials who served his first administration, who have since criticized the president. We did phenomenally in that election. Look what happened to our country because of it. Open borders, millions of people coming into our country, the president told journalists in the room echoing his past rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitmer stood listening throughout the press event. The blue state governor has been floated as a potential Democratic presidential contender for 2028 and met with Trump in March for a similar meeting to discuss Michigans job growth. Earlier on Wednesday, Whitmer criticized Trump for his sweeping tariffs, citing a tough few days for her state and its auto industry during a speech in Washington. She also spoke out in support of the presidents three month pause on levies. As Ive said before, Im not against tariffs outright, but they are a blunt tool. You cant just bust out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clearly defined end-goal, she said during her address this week. 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. By now, the American people have had about enough of Elon Musks DOGE. Enough of the destruction of things they care about, and the threats to so much more. The Hands Off demonstrations, up to 5 million strong, reached even into previous Trump strongholds. A few weeks earlier, a mid-March Quinnipiac poll found that 60% of voters disapproved of DOGEs mass firings of federal workers, while just 36% approved. But the idea behind DOGE that theres massive government waste, which could easily be slashed remains stubbornly popular, driven by generations of conservative messaging and neoliberal me-tooism. As Paul Krugman noted in December, a Reagan-era commission of nearly 2,000 business executives organized into 36 task forces "mostly came up empty" after 18 months of investigation. As Krugman noted, most government spending happens because it delivers something people want, and you cant make significant cuts without hard choices. The conservative fantasy of waste, fraud and abuse evades that fundamental fact. Thats how you get the mass dismissal of IRS workers, which will cost the government $500 billion in revenue, presented as an example of conservative efficiency. Breaking DOGEs momentum and reversing the damage done are the highest priorities, but serious long-term counter-measures are needed as well. Messaging clearly needs to be a big part of it, but so does actually making government work for people, in an effective and visible way. We need a different DOGE lets call it here the Department of Government Effectiveness oriented toward promoting the general welfare. As Ill argue below, that necessarily means involving the public directly in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political scientist Henry Farrell suggested as much in a February post that combined critical analysis of DOGE with the question of whether there's a more democratic alternative. The answer, so far, is no and Im not here to offer one, for reasons suggested by Farrells post. As he points out, Power fantasies are a bad idea, whoevers they may be, adding, If you want a better alternative to DOGE, it has to involve some form of democratic steering. In other words, developing that alternative must be a democratic process, not just one persons bright idea. What I will offer are some foundational ideas that may be vital for that enterprise, and may encourage others to pursue it further. Some of them Farrell described in this post and an earlier one last year, which I'll explore below. Effectiveness subsumes efficiency as a goal of course we want to do things efficiently, but we want to do the right things, not things we have to undo later because theyve caused even more problems than they solve. And being effective in the long run often means seeing the short run differently. The climate crisis presents the most obvious example. In January, risk management experts at Britains Institute and Faculty of Actuaries warned that the global economy could face 50% loss in GDP between 2070 and 2090 from climate shocks, along with billions of deaths. In early April, a top insurer warned of even worse coming even sooner: At 3 of global heating, which is definitely possible in that timeframe, climate damage cant be insured against, either privately or by governments. That means no more mortgages, no new real estate development, no long-term investment, no financial stability. The financial sector as we know it ceases to function. And with it, capitalism as we know it ceases to be viable. If government cannot protect us against such a disastrous future, any talk of efficiency is just a distraction at best. What we need is effective government action to ensure we even have a future. Thats not some high-minded ideal it should be the bare minimum. To craft a sound progressive anti-DOGE focused on effectiveness, there are at least four foundations we should draw on: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hands-on experience of government employees who already working on enhancing government effectiveness and efficiency before DOGE fired them. A general recognition of the value of resilience in government, which must have the capacity to respond to dire emergencies, both foreseen and unpredictable. New information and new ideas about how to empower government decision-makers at the appropriate levels. A frank recognition of the role of political power in limiting or expanding government effectiveness and efficiency. What already works The place to start with developing a Department of Government Effectiveness is with what already works or at least used to work, until Musk and DOGE destroyed it: the technology problem-solvers with more than decade of experience at the U.S. Digital Service and 18F, both of which were created in 2014 after the failure of healthcare.gov. As explained by Don Moynihan, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, in early March: Both organizations use similar managerial technologies, which includes agile, iterative design, a user-centric approach, a reliance on data-driven decision making, directly managing relationships with vendors, favoring open-source solutions, the prioritization of platform models, and a flatter organizational culture. He also notes that these programs werent adequately staffed and lacked power to make big changes. But they had a considerable track record, which offers a foundation for how to further government effectiveness in the future. And despite being sabotaged by DOGE, they continue to inform the public online along with other current and fired federal workers at We the Builders. One enlightening post contrasts the USDS with DOGE, explaining that the former was precision engineering for public good with an approach defined by empowering agencies, transparency and collaboration, and delivering meaningful value rapidly. In contrast, DOGEs disruption is characterized by lack of understanding, closed-door decision-making, superficial agility and eroded government capabilities. Rather than making government more efficient, that post continues, their actions dismantle agencies' ability to perform the very services they were designed to provide to help the American public. Resilience, not "optimization" The value of resilience, rather than optimization, is laid out by Brian Klaas in an early January post. He makes the argument at multiple levels, writing that both in larger social terms and our individual lives, we are over-optimized, courting disaster because we are deliberately slicing away the sinews that make ourselves and our world sturdier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pointed to the example of the Ever Given container ship, which was hit by a gust of wind in the Suez Canal in 2021 and got wedged sideways between the canal banks. That blocked the pipeline for 12% of global trade, at a cost estimated at $73 billion. By contrast, when a power cable linking Estonia and Finland was severed in December 2024, it took several months to repair but caused no blackouts. Unlike the Suez Canal incident, the Estonian power grid was resilient, able to withstand an unexpected blow, Klaas notes. On a more philosophical level, Klaas writes that its a tragic mistake to believe that 'survival of the fittest with overtones of relentless, flawless optimization fairly describes evolutionary principles. A hyper-optimized species that can only survive in one environment will get wiped out if that environment changes, he notes, and lasting species are defined not by optimal solutions, but by 'good enough' ones. Its not survival of the perfectly optimized, but survival of the resilient, as only the most robust inherit the Earth. The argument for resilience applies at all levels, but is even important for government than for business. A failed business will be replaced by more successful competitors; a failed government is a societal catastrophe. We cant tolerate optimization as a core principle of government, without putting ourselves and the shared democratic values government is supposed to protect at great risk. Empowering decision-makers I noted above that USDS and 18F were unable to make big changes, and surely wed want a progressive DOGE to do more. I want to draw on two sources of ideas about that, both discussed by Farrell in a post last year about Dan Davies' book "The Unaccountability Machine" (published this month in the U.S.). The first is the stream of thought going back to Ross Ashby known as management cybernetics, which Davies clarifies. Most crucial is Ashbys Principle of Requisite Variety, which argues that we live in a complex world which produces successive waves of variety, which come with many surprises. To anticipate and manage those, Farrell explains that you need complex systems built into your organization, which must be "as complex as the system that youre trying to manage." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two main strategies: First is attenuation of the variety of environment, such that that the system produces fewer possible states of the world to be anticipated or managed. In other words, fewer and more manageable surprises. Second is amplification of the variety within your organization so it better matches the variety of the environment. That often means building better feedback loops through which different bits of the organization can negotiate with each other over unexpected problems. As Davies makes clear in a discussion in the Niskanen Centers Hypertext newsletter, he sees management cybernetics as a remedy to the problem of outsourced government functions, which has resulted in a decentralized bureaucracy that is a disaster in terms of accountability while failing to deliver the goods in terms of efficiency. Farrell also more briefly discusses a second source of ideas, Jennifer Pahlkas book "Recoding America," which offers, he says, an applied informational theory of the state: Jen argues that we need to move away from top down decision making, to systems that will allow bureaucrats a lot more autonomy. She frames her argument for change in terms of agile software design. The solutions that Jen emphasizes bringing policy design and implementation into much closer contact; identifying bottlenecks and chokepoints; allowing people far greater flexibility to do needed stuff towards the shared end goal, even if no one anticipated this stuff was needed are just the kinds of solutions that a cybernetician would press for too. Politics and power As Margaret Levi notes in an online discussion of Davies book, it advocates improved communication, which is surely important, but largely avoids questions of politics and power. Farrell agrees, noting that the "cybernetic vision" will work best in a world of less unequal power relations. Power relations are about many things, including basic human dignity and autonomy. But they are also about information, in the sense that systems with horribly unequal power relations are extremely unlikely to have good feedback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A progressive version of DOGE would require either a more equitable political environment or, more likely, it would work to create one by increasing the decision-making power of ordinary citizens and literally empowering the powerless. Doing that will require a clearer understanding of what government already does and what more it can do. Ive written previously about the use of Athenian-style citizens assemblies to make governmental decisions. These assemblies are chosen by lot from the citizenry at large and deliberate on matters of policy, much as trial juries deliberate on matters of civil or criminal liability. These remain largely experimental or hypothetical, but represent an instructive ideal we can keep in mind when considering other forms of public engagement and how they might be improved. Federal, state and local governments already allow for citizen input in a variety of different ways public comments, stakeholder groups, advisory committees, citizen initiatives, town halls, etc. One task for a progressive DOGE could be a systemic review of all such bodies with the aim of making them truly effective, both in giving citizens more say and in solving the problems theyre meant to address. One common form of public engagement is the public-comment phase of regulatory rule-making or other decision-making processes. On the federal level, they are broadly required by the Administration Procedures Act. Recently, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that his department would end this practice on regulations affecting government benefits and grants, including National Institutes of Health funding. An activist, progressive DOGE could either veto such an autocratic action outright or force Kennedy to justify it in federal court. It should be obvious to almost everyone, regardless of party politics, that true government effectiveness should make it easier for citizens to comment, rather than easier for political appointees to ignore them. Empowering the powerless While enhancing the power of citizens should be a major concern, its not enough to address concerns of unequal power. Consider the history of Colorado Basin water management, discussed by Levi in the forum mentioned above: Throughout the process, those with more power gained and those with less lost. Land and water rights were taken from Native Americans and apportioned to white settlers, but in turn most of the small farmers failed, and the result was the agglomeration of land by wealthier farmers, Levi notes. As competition for water intensified, demands by powerful farmers and urbanites drove costly infrastructure projects such as dams. The ultimate result was the draining of the Colorado River Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a story of successive unjust decisions, which appear obvious in hindsight. Undoing any particular injustice along the way appeared difficult or impossible, and allowing them to accumulate ultimately contributed to an unequal and increasingly unsustainable status quo. The Bible offers a solution for this: the tradition of Jubilee, a 50-year ritual of debt forgiveness, land restoration and the emancipation of slaves and indentured servants. Of course we can't return to Mosaic law, but theres evident wisdom here: Peoples futures should not be foreclosed forever because of past injustice. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Debt forgiveness is a powerful concept with a long history in many cultures and traditions, but the larger issue is redressing the dramatically unequal distribution of power. If we cant accomplish that, were headed for social catastrophe, as forecast in Peter Turchins "End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites, and the Path of Political Disintegration" (Salon review here), based on the evidence of hundreds of civilizational cycles. Turchin argues that the greatest problem repeatedly facing human civilizations is the creation of a perverse "wealth pump" that siphons money away from the common people and redistributes it upward, to the rich. One way or another, that pump must be shut off or reversed; otherwise the result is social breakdown, civil war, even national destruction. One in five civilizations succeeds in such a reversal, as the U.S. during the Great Depression. But the odds of doing it again arent in our favor. Theres no silver bullet available, although raising taxes on the rich and raising the minimum wage would help a great deal. Typically, such major change requires an ensemble of different measures, motivated by changes in attitude that reflect widespread recognition of the dangers. Our progressive anti-DOGE could help find solutions and then help build consensus around them. In recent history, we've seen numerous potentially popular progressive initiatives be sidelined, suppressed or watered down through a combination of conservative fear-mongering and establishment resistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, far and away the largest wave of public demonstrations in American history, representing a mass awakening to historic, systemic injustice and a desire to redress it. What happened since then offers clear evidence that our political system is set up to thwart such awakenings of conscience. Thats the opposite of how an effective democratic government should operate it should welcome an honest reckoning with history, reform of the criminal justice system and effective alternatives to mass incarceration. Something is profoundly wrong when the country that defines itself as a beacon of freedom has 20% of the worlds prison population, but only 5% of the worlds population. Effective democracy would involve learning from other countries that do a much better job protecting public safety without sending millions of people to prison. Reality and realism In March, Renee DiResta wrote that internet fantasies have become a sufficient pretext for crippling the government, citing Elon Musks claim that There are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security, which was rapidly debunked but still made it into Trumps address to Congress. If fantasy is the lifeblood of DOGE, then reality must be the lifeblood of a progressive alternative especially one that prioritizes effectiveness. Three principles follow from this. First, what government actually does must be made visible and legible to the American public. Over a decade ago, Suzanne Mettlers book The Submerged State revealed that Americans often dont recognize what government does, even if they directly benefit from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until political leaders reveal government benefits for what they are by talking openly about them, we cannot have an honest discussion about spending, taxes or deficits, she wrote in a New York Times op-ed at the time. The threat to democracy today is not the size of government but rather the hidden form that so much of its growth has taken. If those who assume government has never helped them could see how it has, it might help defuse our polarized political climate and reinvigorate informed citizenship. This should be a major part of the mission for a left alternative to DOGE. But realism also requires recognizing that there is significant government waste not due to inefficiency or waste in the Republican sense, but because political power too often serves private ends. In December, Krugman cited the example of Medicare Advantage, which may overbill as much as $140 billion a year, a result of privatization and politics, rather than inefficiency. Another huge source of waste is military spending. In 2016, for example, the Pentagon buried its own study that revealed $125 billion in bureaucratic waste. Thats the kind of wasted expenditure Musk claims to be rooting out, but it exists largely because of the immense political power of the military-industrial complex. And theres more: Katerina Canyon of the Guardian described a range of major spending problems ignored by DOGE, including failed weapons programs [the $1.7 trillion F-35, originally budgeted at $200 billion], an overreliance on private contractors [almost half of all military spending], unnecessary nuclear expansion [$756 billion through 2032] and a Pentagon budget so massive that it has never passed an audit. No other government department has any comparable problems, which are direct results of the growing power that Dwight Eisenhower warned against 65 years ago. Finally, theres the cost of inaction against climate catastrophe, which could destroy the global economy, as mentioned above. As far back as 2004, another buried Pentagon report argued that climate change should be elevated beyond a scientific debate to a U.S. national security concern. Given the Pentagons problems just described, its not surprising the report was essentially suppressed and theres been little or no follow-through. A progressive DOGE would make sure that such gross failures would never happen again. As I said earlier, Im not proposing a democratic alternative to DOGE, but rather some foundational ideas: We need to start by appreciating what already works, strive for resilience rather than optimization, adopt a management-cybernetics approach to empowering government decision-makers and confront the barriers of unequal political power. That last task is by far the most challenging. We must empower citizens in general, and the most powerless among us in particular, and we must commit ourselves to realism. Its a tall order, to be sure. But its a rewarding opportunity to move away from what were against, and focus on building a shared future we can support. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office in western Wisconsin has named a person of interest in the death of two individuals who were discovered in a Pershing home on Wednesday. Police are looking for a 15-year-old boy in connection with the incident, though they have not detailed how he is connected to the case. In an initial press release, authorities said "we do not believe there is an immediate danger to the public." In an update issued around 3 a.m., the Sheriff's Office advised anyone who sees the boy to "immediately call 9-1-1." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 15-year-old old has been identified as Kadyn D. Hadden and he may be driving a 2012 silver Chevy Impala with Wisconsin plates ASW-2781. Kadyn Hadden and the 2012 silver Chevy Impala.Taylor County Sheriff's Office Police discovered two adults had died in a home on the 1400 block of County Road M in the small town northwest of Gilman. They were responding to a 911 call that said two individuals were "severely injured" in the home and needed medical assistance. Details on the individuals found dead and their cause of death have not been released. The office is asking anyone with details about the incident to call the Taylor County Sheriff's Office at 715-748-2200. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. Related: Eagan mother tragically dies after breast cancer worsens on Mexico vacation Apr. 12LIMA Lima proved a welcome refuge for Marc Rocher as he fled chaos in his native Haiti. His respite may soon end if federal courts uphold an order from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security revoking humanitarian parole for the 532,000 Haitians, Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans like Rocher who came to the U.S. since October 2022. From Haiti to Lima Rocher's siblings urged him to leave Haiti after foreign mercenaries assassinated President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021. Rocher resisted, even as gangs started taking over the nation's capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It never made me scared," Rocher said until gangs murdered one of his friends and kidnapped another friend for ransom. "We didn't hear from him for two days," Rocher recalls. Rocher joined his sister in Florida weeks later, eventually moving to Kentucky for work before settling in Lima. Rocher learned to speak and write in English as a child while attending American schools in Haiti, which enabled him to translate for his fellow migrants in Lima. Rocher accepted a job mentoring and translating for Haitian adoptees in Columbus Grove and migrant children in Lima schools, where he is the only interpreter who speaks Haitian Creole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He quickly became essential in the schools as he translated for nurses, counselors, principals, and teachers who would otherwise rely on mobile applications, known for occasional errors, to talk to the Lima district's 88 Haitian Creole-speaking students and their parents. "I don't know what they would do without him, because none of us speak Creole," said Jeanette Weaver, director of English language learner program for Lima schools. 'They consider us part of themselves' The Biden administration permitted as many as 30,000 migrants from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela to come to the U.S. at their own expense each month through the humanitarian parole program starting in October 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program started in 1952 to grant temporary work permits for migrants fleeing war or political instability in their home countries, as they apply for asylum or a visa to stay in the U.S. when their parole ends. Biden relied on the parole authority more than his predecessors, as he sought legal pathways for migrants to stay in the U.S. and discourage illegal border crossings. An estimated 532,000 migrants traveled to the U.S. legally through the program, often traveling to cities like Springfield or Lima searching for work. Exact estimates are unavailable, but U.S. Census Bureau estimates show at least 424 people moved from abroad to Allen County between April 2020 and July 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sudden influx of migrants caught the community's attention, with few Creole-speaking translators available to assist in the schools, courts and workplaces, but Rocher felt welcome in Lima. "They consider us part of themselves," he said. 'He wants to make everyone illegal' President Donald Trump fixated on immigration and repeated false rumors of migrants eating household pets in Springfield on the campaign trail, promising to end the Biden administration's "broad abuse" of the parole program, which he blamed for "the worst border crisis in U.S. history." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He signed a series of executive orders on inauguration day to secure the southern border, target "sanctuary" cities and terminate parole for Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans. Then on March 24, the Department of Homeland Security notified parolees of its intent to revoke legal protections for migrants like Rocher, who have until April 24 to leave the country unless a federal court intervenes. A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Trump administration's revocation of humanitarian parole, putting the revocation on hold. "He wants to make everyone illegal," Rocher said, "so that you will have no choice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rocher remains the only Haitian Creole translator available for Columbus Grove and Lima schools, prompting friends, colleagues and parents of the children he tutors to call congressional representatives seeking an individual determination from DHS for him to stay. He recently met with a lawyer to discuss his options, as returning to Haiti would make Rocher a target for gangs. Even with his future in the U.S. in doubt, Rocher doesn't get too anxious. Instead, he turns to his Christian faith and his community for comfort. "I know all will work out for me at the end of the day," he said. Featured Local Savings MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) The immigration status for several students at Middle Tennessee State University has changed, according to officials. Provost Mark Byrnes, addressing MTSUs Student Government Association, said during a Thursday meeting that four students were identified by the Department of Homeland Security as having their visas revoked. Members of the SGA had asked Byrnes about protocols for faculty if Immigrations & Customs Enforcement were to come to campus. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Byrnes said when it comes to dealing with ICE on campus, rules had been drafted by the universitys legal team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have had four students who were identified by Homeland Security information flow has been a bit sketchy but these are international students whose visas have been revoked, Byrne said. They are supposed to be going home and if they dont, theyre in violation. MTSU is not the only higher education institution in the Volunteer State with students whose visa status has changed. Nine students with the University of Tennessee are at risk for deportation, according to News 2s sister station WATE. In a statement, a university spokesperson said the administration as and will comply with all federal and state laws. RELATED: Nine UT Knoxville students at risk for deportation after immigration status change Middle Tennessee State University has been made aware that changes to the immigration status of six of our international students were recently made in a federal immigration database. MTSU has and will follow all federal and state laws, some of which limit what we can share about our students. We greatly value our international student community, and, through our International Affairs office, we are reaching out to impacted students and are working to answer any questions they may have. Statement from MTSU Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Signs of renewal are underway at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky since floodwaters that inundated the whiskey-making campus receded. But executives say the painstaking task of inspecting any bourbon barrels touched by the high water will take time. The historic distillery has resumed shipping spirits and hopes to reopen its bottling operation in the coming days, Jake Wenz, CEO and president of the Sazerac Co. and the distillery, said Friday. The campus could reopen to visitors soon on a limited basis but for now is closed to guests through Sunday. Restoration of this National Historic Landmark is our top priority to ensure a quick return to making quality, award-winning whiskey and welcoming guests from around the world," Wenz said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Frankfort, Kentucky-based distillery which produces some of the most sought-after bourbon brands was inundated by floodwaters from the nearby Kentucky River after days of downpours overfilled rivers to near-record levels across parts of the Bluegrass State. Now that the murky floodwaters are gone, the cleanup at Buffalo Trace is progressing. Teams of engineers and restoration experts have been assessing damage in the buildings that were flooded. The overall amount of damage is still being determined, the distillery said. Those damage assessments include some of the barrels filled with aging whiskey. Bourbon gets its flavor and golden brown color during aging. Workers were able to move some barrels of bourbon to upper floors of storage warehouses before the prolonged rains produced the flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspections of any barrels touched by the flood began Thursday and will continue until each is carefully assessed, a process that could take several weeks to complete, the distillery said. It hasnt said how many barrels were affected but said it doesnt expect any meaningful loss of inventory. "This is a very involved process, including both barrel inspection as well as a rigorous quality testing that we do with all of our products, said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Buffalo Trace. Based on its experience from previous floods, the distillery is confident in our process and that it successfully recovered the barrels affected by the flood, Wheatley said. The distillery has markers of several high-water marks from previous floods inside its buildings. A lot of heart and soul goes into every product we make, which is why our team is dedicated to testing with heavy scrutiny each barrel possibly affected by floodwaters to ensure there are no issues, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews started cleaning up the distillery's visitor center, where the flood reached the first floor. During repairs, the distillery said it plans to reopen a modified version of its visitor center as soon as possible. As a first step, the distillery plans to operate a modified retail hub from its visitor check-in center. Access will be via an email reservation system offered first to people who had tours interrupted by the flooding. Buffalo Trace Distillery is owned by Sazerac and its popular bourbons include the Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare and W.L. Weller brands. POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) An intellectually disabled teen shot by Idaho police has died after being removed from life support, his aunt says. BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) All week, 12 News has been closely following the West Virginia State Polices investigation into Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang, and the trooper in charge has now said that theyre filing the report. The trooper said that on Monday, the report will be taken to the Harrison County Prosecutors Office, which will then decide what charges, if any, will be brought. Bridgeport City Council selects Shuttleworth as interim city manager Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation began following a battery complaint filed on March 31 regarding an event on March 28. The complaint alleged that a verbal and physical incident occurred between Lang and a city employee. Troopers said that the incident was reported as verbal and unwanted touching. Mayor Lang told 12 News this week that he had called for state police to investigate this case However, he declined to comment on Fridays new information, stating he is waiting for the State Police to return his calls. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A former student of Evergreen High School may proceed with his defamation claims against two of his classmates and their mothers for calling him a "predator" and an assailant to school officials, even after he had been acquitted of criminal charges related to sexual misconduct. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says nuclear negotiations with the United States will continue on April 19. Araghchi led the Iranian delegation at talks with the US in Muscat, Oman, that lasted about two and a half hours on Saturday. Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who was the chief mediator, posted on X that there was a "friendly atmosphere" at the dialogue. The United States was led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The negotiations took place in separate rooms with Omani officials relaying messages between the delegations. However, Araghchi and Witkoff spoke briefly face-to-face at the conclusion of the talks on Saturday, according to Iran. No details on the outcome of the discussions were immediately released, beyond that they would continue in one week. Talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme have begun in Oman, with the Gulf state acting as mediator. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on social media that delegations from both countries have started discussions in the capital, Muscat. The "indirect" negotiations are being conducted in separate rooms, with Omani officials shuttling messages between the two sides, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dialogue marks a fresh attempt to revive stalled diplomatic efforts amid continued tensions over Irans nuclear activities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi travelled to the talks on behalf of the Iranian side. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is representing the Trump administration. Iran and the US are set to continue their nuclear negotiations in a week, after completing a first round of talks on Saturday, Tehran's envoy said. Further exchanges are planned on April 19, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led his country's delegation in Muscat, Oman. Iran's Foreign Ministry described the talks as "constructive and mutually respectful." The United States was led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who was the chief mediator, posted on X that there was a "friendly atmosphere" at the dialogue, which was seen as a key first step in determining whether a deal between the rivals is even possible. The negotiations lasted about two and a half hours and took place in separate rooms with Omani officials relaying messages between the delegations. However, Araghchi and Witkoff spoke briefly face-to-face at the conclusion of the talks on Saturday, according to Iran. No details on the outcome of the discussions were immediately released, beyond that they would continue in one week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, during his first term, President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the previous nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, calling it a "horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made." That deal aimed to restrict Iran's nuclear ambitions in return for the lifting of sanctions. Since then, the US has reapplied sanctions and Tehran has stopped adhering to the terms of the agreement. Last month, Trump proposed negotiations with Iran over a new ]deal, while warning of military action if Tehran did not agree to curtail its controversial nuclear programme. After several days of deliberations, Tehran agreed to the talks - partly in the hope of getting relief from the crippling sanctions imposed by the US, which are seen as a key factor in Iran's current economic struggles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the talks, Araghchi said he hoped many core issues could be addressed in the talks. "If there is sufficient will, we will decide on a timetable," he told state television, emphasizing the goal of reaching a fair agreement based on equality. Araghchi previously served as the deputy head of Iran's delegation during the last round of nuclear negotiations between 2013 and 2015. Envoys from Iran and the U.S. completed the first round of positive and constructive talks regarding Tehrans developing nuclear program in Oman and agreed to continue discussions next weekend, according to the Trump administration. Middle East envoy Steve Wiktoff, alongside U.S. Ambassador to Oman Ana Escrogima, spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday in a nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting that was mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. The two sides started talking at about 3:30 p.m. local time and finished at around 5:50 p.m. They were held just outside of Muscat, the capital of Oman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff underscored to Araghchi that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible, according to the administration. These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoffs direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome, the White House said in a statement on Saturday. The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday. Similarly, Araghachi described the indirect talks as constructive and promising and indicated they will continue next week. The talks were conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect, Araghchi said in a Saturday post on social platform X. I elaborated Irans viewpoints in a firm yet forward-looking manner. Both sides decided to continue the process in a matter of days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Security Council referred The Hill to Witkoffs team while the State Department pointed to the White House statement when reached for comment. The talks between the two countries come as President Trump has repeatedly pushed to reach a new nuclear deal with Iran. Trump in 2018 notably pulled out of a previous agreement that was brokered by former President Obama. The White House, however, has emphasized that a fresh deal must include Tehran disposing of its nuclear arsenal. If an agreement is not reached, the president said, military action against the country might ensue. The warning comes after the U.S. imposed new sanctions on five entities and one individual based in Iran earlier this week for their support of those overseeing the nuclear program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they cant have a nuclear weapon, Trump told reporters Friday aboard Air Force One. Before discussions with the U.S. delegation, Araghchi and Al-Busaidy met in Muscat, Oman. Irans top diplomat expressed gratitude to Oman for hosting the talks and shared the key points and positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran with his Omani counterpart to be conveyed to the other side. Ahead of the high-stakes talks, Witkoff said the administrations red line with Iran is preventing the Islamic nation from churning out a nuclear weapon. Witkoff, who Trump has delegated the lead negotiator in ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine, said the administrations starting demand is for Tehran to nix its nuclear program. The same position is also held by Israel, but the envoy said theres some room for compromise to strike a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today, Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published Friday. That doesnt mean, by the way, that at the margin were not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries. Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponization of your nuclear capability, he said. Witkoff added that if a deal with Tehran is forged, there needs to be a robust verification process to ensure that Iran is not working on producing a nuclear bomb. He told The Journal that the Saturday talks are about trust building. It is about talking about why it is so important for us to get to a deal, not the exact terms of the deal, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated April 13 at 11:30 a.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An Iranian delegation arrived in Oman's capital, Muscat, on Saturday to meet with U.S. officials for "indirect talks" about Tehran's nuclear program, Iranian state-owned news agency IRIB reported. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted to their telegram channel Saturday that the talks ended after two and a half hours. It says the two parties "exchanged the positions of their respective governments" on Iran's nuclear program and on sanctions. The statement says talks will continue next week and notes that the heads of both delegations spoke to each other "for a few minutes" in the presence of Oman's foreign minister as they left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff spoke directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as part of "very positive and constructive" talks in Oman, which will continue April 19. "Special Envoy Witkoff underscored to Dr. Araghchi that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations' differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible," the White House said in a statement. "These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. The sides agreed to meet again next Saturday." President Trump previewed the Saturday talks earlier in the week, describing them as a "very big meeting" that was part of an ongoing dialogue. PHOTO: This handout picture provided by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meeting with Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi in Muscat on April 12, 2025. (Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: US, Iran holding make-or-break talks: ANALYSIS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And hopefully those talks will be successful," he said at the White House on Monday. "And I think it would be in Iran's best interests if they are successful." Tehran last month had rejected a U.S. offer for direct negotiations. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, described Saturday's meeting as "as much an opportunity as it is a test." His ministry said Iran was dedicated to giving diplomacy a chance. "We intend to assess the other side's intent & resolve this Saturday," the ministry's spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, said on social media on Friday. "We shall reflect and respond accordingly." -ABC News' Fritz Farrow contributed to this report. Iran delegation holds 'indirect' nuclear talks with US in Oman, state media says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Omani capital Muscat on Saturday, where he and his delegation are set to resume talks with US representatives over Iran's contentious nuclear programme. Senior officials from both Washington and Tehran are expected to participate in the discussions, hosted in the Gulf state. While Tehran continues to describe the discussions as indirect, Washington refers to them as direct diplomatic engagement. Upon arrival in Muscat, Araghchi expressed hope that many core issues could be addressed in the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If there is sufficient will, we will decide on a timetable," he told state television, emphasizing the goal of reaching a fair agreement based on equality. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Araghchi are slated to attend the opening session of the dialogue, which is being mediated by the Sultan of Oman. Araghchi previously served as the deputy head of Iran's delegation during the last round of nuclear negotiations between 2013 and 2015. Key issues: Nuclear weapons and Middle East tensions US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with military action if Tehran does not agree to a new deal to limit its nuclear programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term as president, Trump pulled out of the Iranian nuclear deal that had been negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama. After several days of deliberations, Tehran agreed to the talks - primarily in hopes of ending the crippling sanctions, especially those imposed by the US. These sanctions are seen as a major factor behind Iran's current economic struggles. The meeting in Oman marks the first significant progress in years in the stalled negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. According to both sides, the first day of negotiations is expected to be crucial for determining the future of the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump is particularly focused on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has stated that if the negotiations focus exclusively on preventing nuclear weapon production, they could yield positive results, as Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons for religious reasons. However experts believe the talks will inevitably touch on broader issues, such as Iran's Middle East policy, particularly its stance against Israel and its missile development programme. Iran's anti-Israel position is a key element of its foreign policy, while Tehran views its missile program as crucial for national defence insisting it is non-negotiable. While they might agree on the problem, a group of Western Slope county commissioners and agricultural groups is asking proponents of a ballot measure to repeal Proposition 114, which allowed the reintroduction of wolves in Colorado, to back off. One after another in recent weeks, Maria's accounting clients raised the same fear: immigration agents finding and detaining them using information from their tax filings. "I heard it from everybody," said the 40-year-old consultant for undocumented small-business entrepreneurs in Southern California. "They come to me and they say, 'Hey, should I do my taxes this year? Because they're going to come find me.'" Maria, who asked to be identified only by her first name for fear of being targeted by the Trump administration, said she understood well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maria has been in the U.S. for decades, has earned multiple degrees at California universities, has U.S. citizen children and has been applying for legal residency for years. But like many of her clients, she said, she lacks legal status. Also like many of her clients, she has routinely paid U.S. taxes in the past using what's known as an individual taxpayer identification number, or ITIN, in lieu of a Social Security number. The process seemed pretty straightforward, she said, until recently, when Trump administration officials announced that IRS data would be shared with ICE agents and used to target undocumented taxpayers for the first time. Maria said she decided she would still pay her taxes, and advised clients who have paid in the past to do the same. After all, the IRS has most of their information already, she said, and paying this year would only show they are committed to doing the right thing. Still, she felt betrayed, she said as though the system for undocumented taxpayers was built on their trust, but constructed of lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're trying to criminalize us," Maria said. "They're trying to make it that we did it wrong, but really the government did it wrong." Read more: Californians see undocumented immigrants as essential to economy, poll finds Such frustrations have spread rapidly in recent weeks as the Trump administration's data-sharing plan has come into focus, particularly in California which was home to about 1.8 million unauthorized people in 2022, accounting for about 7% of the state workforce and at least half of all farmworkers, according to the Pew Research Center and UC Merced research. The Trump administration has defended the scheme as a legal tool that will only be used to investigate individuals who have committed crimes, but that has done little to alleviate the concern. Immigrant rights groups, including Los Angeles-based Inclusive Action for the City, which provides loans to undocumented entrepreneurs, said the fear is palpable and part of the reason they sued to block the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We think it really is detrimental to our local economies, especially in Los Angeles, especially in California, but throughout the country," said Rudy Espinoza, Inclusive Action's executive director. State leaders in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., are also speaking out against the deal, arguing it will undermine trust built with immigrant communities over decades and endanger billions in anticipated tax revenue from undocumented Californians. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, such taxpayers contributed an estimated $8.5 billion in state and local taxes in California in 2022, more than in any other state. "This agreement is a complete betrayal of the federal government's decades-long commitment to never weaponize taxpayer information for political purposes. And this reversal of precedent will only create more fear within our immigrant communities and make it less likely for undocumented individuals to file their taxes, which could cost billions in lost tax revenue for states and the federal government," Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said. He and other legislators have asked the Treasury Department's inspector general for tax administration to investigate the deal's legality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said such data-sharing would be illegal and constitutes "a total betrayal." "This lawless action will not make Americans any safer and will only damage our economy," Schiff said. He said "fear will be spread across immigrant communities" and "lasting damage will be done across sectors of our economy leading to severe loses in tax revenue in the future." Gov. Gavin Newsom's office declined to answer questions about the potential impact on state coffers, but expressed incredulity over the administration's focus on undocumented taxpayers given its long-standing argument that many immigrants in the U.S. are a drain on American resources. "Let me get this right the Trump administration is finally admitting that undocumented people contribute to our economy and pay taxes?" said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a Newsom spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IRS-ICE deal was first rumored, helping to spur the litigation, then made public in court, where the federal government disclosed an April 7 memorandum of understanding between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that outlined the sharing of taxpayer data for "nontax criminal enforcement." In the same case, the federal government has argued that the agreement comports with federal law, which it said "generally restricts the IRS from disclosing any tax return information" but provides for certain exceptions. It said the IRS is actually required to share information when properly requested as part of a criminal inquiry, and noted that there are certain immigration offenses that are criminal including remaining in the country months after a final removal order, and reentering the country under certain conditions after being removed. It said the IRS-ICE deal "establishes procedures and guardrails for ensuring that such requests and subsequent transfers of information are handled lawfully and securely," and that the groups suing over it "have not pointed to any evidence that information will be misused" and lack standing to bring the challenge. Espinoza, of Inclusive Action, disagreed. Small-business owners who are ITIN holders make up about a third of the group's loan portfolio, which currently has about $2.1 million in outstanding loans, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Internal Revenue Service agrees to send immigrant tax data to ICE for enforcement "If the ITIN is no longer a credible, safe sort of vehicle to pay taxes, then we anticipate that many immigrant entrepreneurs are not going to want to contribute" to the formal economy by paying taxes, he said. "They're going to be afraid to contribute to the economy, and they're going to be afraid to seek out services from organizations like us." While many undocumented immigrants want to demonstrate that they are "part of this country" and "contribute formally" through taxes, "the administration is throwing that all out the window," Espinoza said. And the impacts will be widespread, he said, affecting entire communities and many mixed-status families with U.S. citizen children. Doug Smith, Inclusive Action's vice president of policy and legal strategy, said the group's clients are super engaged in their communities in part because they felt empowered by the fact that they "could get an ITIN, pay taxes, play by the rules, and that those actions would work in their favor and not be weaponized against them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now, he said, there is "a very strong sense of betrayal and fear, which is causing this unfortunate and harmful retreat from the economy and also from civic space." In addition to the IRS deal, the Trump administration has also launched other immigration crackdowns, demanded everyone in the country illegally register with the government or be thrown in jail, and authorized ICE agents to target individuals in sensitive places where immigration enforcement has not occurred previously, such as courthouses, schools and churches. State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, a Los Angeles Democrat, said trust between state and local government and immigrant communities in California has taken "decades and decades" to build, and local officials are going to do everything they can to prevent the administration from undermining it. As one part of that effort, Durazo recently introduced a bill that would bar California localities with street vendor programs from sharing vendors' personal and taxpayer data with federal immigration officials unless they have a subpoena or judicial warrant, and from collecting other types of information from vendors, including fingerprints and immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They want to pay taxes and they want to follow the rules. But if by doing that, their information is going to be shared with ICE, then it really undermines their trust," Durazo said. "And we will then pay the consequences." 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. Following rocket fire toward Israel from southern Gaza, the Israeli military has told residents in large parts of Khan Younis to evacuate immediately ahead of planned strikes. In a message posted in Arabic on X, a military spokesman described the warning as the "final notice" and instructed civilians to move to shelters in the western part of the city for their own safety. The army said it would respond with "extreme force" to any area from which rockets are launched. According to the military, three rockets were fired from southern Gaza into Israeli territory on Saturday morning. All were intercepted by Israel's missile defence system, it said. Israeli forces have launched new operations in Gaza City aimed at strengthening control over the area, dismantling Hamas infrastructure and expanding a designated "security zone" there, a military spokesperson said Saturday. The latest offensive in the northern city began the previous evening, resulting in the deaths of dozens of militants and the destruction of observation posts, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The military said civilians were allowed to leave areas of combat via safe corridors before and during the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced an expansion of military operations across the Gaza Strip. The southern city of Rafah has now been formally declared part of a so-called Israeli "security zone," according to a statement addressed to Gazas population and cited by Israeli media. The IDF said that it had fully encircled Rafah and completed the establishment of the so-called Morag Corridor, essentially newly declared "security zone" that cuts off Hamas brigades in Rafah and Khan Younis. The corridor was formed over a 10-day operation that, according to the military, led to the elimination of dozens of militants and the dismantling of tunnels and other Hamas infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together with the Netzarim Corridor further north, the Morag Corridor effectively divides the Gaza Strip into three sections. Katz has described the captured areas as security zones intended to serve Israeli defence objectives. Katz said the military would continue its advance into additional areas of the territory. IDF forces are already carrying out plans to capture wide swathes of border areas of the Gaza Strip to create a buffer along the frontier with Israel. The operations are part of the broader conflict that erupted on October 7, 2023, when the Islamist militant group Hamas and other factions attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting roughly 250. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign on the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinians, more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began. While the figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, human rights organizations have expressed alarm over the high number of women and children among the casualties. Israel announced Saturday that its military has completed the establishment of a new security corridor in the Gaza Strip, effectively taking full control over the southern city of Rafah -- which Israel had ordered evacuated -- and cutting it off from the rest of the Palestinian territory. "The IDF has now completed the takeover of the Morag axis that crosses Gaza between Rafah and Khan Yunis and makes the entire area between the Philadelphi axis and Morag part of the Israeli security zone," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. "IDF activity will soon expand strongly to additional locations throughout most of Gaza and you will have to evacuate the fighting zones." Over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel ended the ceasefire on March 18. In total, nearly 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF has been expanding its operations in Gaza since it ended the ceasefire in March, earlier this month saying it will capture extensive territories. On April 2, Katz said they will "seize large areas that will be annexed to the security zones of the State of Israel." PHOTO: Palestinians flee Rafah towards Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 2, 2025. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images) Earlier this month, the Israel Defense Forces issued evacuation orders for large swaths of war-torn Gaza, including parts of Khan Yunis and almost all of Rafah. This came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the establishment of the so-called Morag Corridor, describing it as "a second Philadelphi Corridor" that would further divide Gaza and increase pressure on Hamas to release the remaining Israeli hostages. The so-called Philadelphi Corridor refers to a narrow strip of land along Gaza's border with Egypt that has been under Israeli control since May 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF said Israeli troops were operating in some areas between Rafah and Khan Yunis where they had never operated previously and that the strategy behind establishing the new security corridor was to separate Hamas fighters in Rafah from Khan Yunis, spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said at a press briefing last week. MORE: Trump's idea to relocate Palestinians from Gaza could worsen humanitarian crisis: Experts The IDF said on Saturday that it had "eliminated dozens of terrorists, dismantled underground tunnel routes and Hamas terror infrastructure, and completed the encirclement of Rafah," in the last week and a half. In an address to Palestinians in Gaza following the completion of the Morag axis, Katz said the IDF is already continuing to expand its territory in Gaza. PHOTO: A boy pulls a cart with mattresses and a girl pushes a wheelchair with belongings as Palestinians flee Rafah towards Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 2, 2025. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images) PHOTO: Footage released by the Israeli Army says to show Israeli soldiers conducting operations in a location given as Tel Al-Sultan area, Rafah Governorate, Gaza, in this still image taken from an undated handout video, released April 2, 2025. (Israeli Army Handout via Reuters) "This is the last moment to remove Hamas and release all the hostages and bring about an end to the war - IDF activity will soon expand vigorously to additional locations throughout most of Gaza," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In northern Gaza, residents are also evacuating in Beit Hanoun and other neighborhoods and the area is being taken, expanding the security zone and in the Netzarim Corridor. IDF activity will soon expand strongly to additional locations throughout most of Gaza and you will have to evacuate the fighting zones," Katz said. Last week, the IDF said at a press briefing that the only thing that can halt the IDF's advance in Gaza is the release of hostages. PHOTO: Footage released by the Israeli Army says to show Israeli soldiers conducting operations in a location given as Tel Al-Sultan area, Rafah Governorate, Gaza, in this still image taken from an undated handout video, released April 2, 2025. (Israeli Army Handout via Reuters) Katz reiterated support for U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to forcibly expel Palestinians in Gaza and said they are working toward making it possible for Palestinians in Gaza to "voluntarily move to various countries around the world." In February, Trump departed from decades of U.S. foreign policy, announcing that the U.S. would "clean out" the Gaza Strip and rebuild it, saying Palestinians living there should leave -- a statement that the United Nations and allies, including France and Germany, have called a violation of international law and said it amounts to ethnic cleansing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Israel will not withdraw from Philadelphi corridor as stipulated in ceasefire PHOTO: A picture released by the Israeli Army says to show Israeli soldiers conducting operations in a location given as Tel Al-Sultan area, Rafah Governorate, Gaza, in this handout image released April 2, 2025. (Israeli Army Handout via Reuters) Trump at one point threatened to withdraw aid to Egypt and Jordan if they didn't agree to take in Palestinians, though less than 24 hours later, he said, "I don't have to threaten that, I don't think. I think we're above that." Egypt and Jordan have both firmly opposed taking in forcibly displaced Palestinians. Israel takes control of Rafah, creating new 'security corridor' in Gaza originally appeared on abcnews.go.com JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli forces have completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, the military said on Saturday, part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the enclave, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population. The military has issued repeated evacuation warnings to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians across Rafah since it resumed operations in Gaza on March 18, forcing them into a diminishing space limited by the sea. Israel said on April 2 that troops had begun seizing an area it called the Morag Axis, a reference to a former Israeli settlement once located between the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have since fled Rafah, a 60 square km area that borders Egypt to the south. "Over the past 24 hours, the 36th Division's troops completed the establishment of the Morag route, separating Rafah and Khan Younis," the military said on Saturday. The Israeli offensive in Gaza was launched after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. More than 50,000 Palestinians have since been killed in the offensive, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave. Most of the population has been displaced and much of Gaza is in ruins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel restarted the offensive in March after effectively abandoning a ceasefire in place since January. The campaign will continue, it says, until the remaining 59 hostages are freed and Hamas is stamped out of Gaza. Hamas says it will free hostages only as part of a deal that will end the war and has rejected demands to lay down its arms. A Hamas delegation was expected in Cairo over the weekend to discuss new truce proposals, according to a source in the group. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Editing by Jan Harvey) Puzzling and vaguely threatening graffiti appeared overnight around a Manhattan luxury townhouse once occupied by President Trumps former wife Ivana Trump, including the ominous message, We killing u for Ivana Trump. The graffiti, which also referenced the first daughter, with My queen Ivanka Trump, was scrawled in yellow spray paint across five buildings on the Upper East Side next to and near the E. 64th St. townhouse where Ivana lived until her death in 2022, police said. We coming 4 you! To die fo, Murder Inc., Illuminati and 777 were also spray-painted across the buildings including three buildings just to the west of Ivanas former residence at 10 E. 64th St., plus two right across the street from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Czech-American businesswoman and former model bought the tony structure in 1992 after her divorce from Donald Trump, property records show. It has remained vacant since 2022, and is currently on the market for $19.5 million, according to Street Easy. Cops said the graffiti appeared around 1:07 a.m. on Friday. Townhouses where vandals spray-painted mysterious messages next to and near the former home of Ivana Trump on April 11, 2025. (Kerry Burke/New York Daily News) Townhouses where vandals spray-painted mysterious messages next to and near the former home of Ivana Trump on April 11, 2025. (Kerry Burke/New York Daily News) Show Caption1 of 3Townhouses where vandals spray-painted mysterious messages next to and near the former home of Ivana Trump on April 11, 2025. (Kerry Burke/New York Daily News)Expand Judith Ann Abrams, a Broadway producer who rents an apartment in the building just west of Ivanas former place, said she was friends with Ivana. When she returned home Thursday night from the opening of the new show Smash, there was no graffiti to be seen. But later on, smelling spray paint, she went out to investigate and found the crazed scrawls festooning the front of her building and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was up all night [talking] with the police, she said. Weve been begging the landlord to put in cameras. It scares me that police couldnt find one place that had video. What is happening to this city? Police are investigating the incident. They are not considering it a hate crime, police said. More details have been released regarding the trials of Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens and Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks. On Friday, April 11, Judge Daniel P. Jordan signed off on an order that officially sets the trial for July 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Additionally, Jordans order states the parties shall meet and confer no later than June 26, 2025, concerning any outstanding discovery issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two status and discovery conferences will also be held before the trial. The first at 9 a.m. Oct. 1, 2025, and the second at 9 a.m. April 1, 2026. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba addresses media after pleading not guilty to federal charges at the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse in Jackson Miss., Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Lumumba is facing five felony counts. U.S. Prosecutors will also have to produce all in scope cellular data to the defense no later than April 7, 2025, as well as provide all transcripts of video and audio recorded communications no later than May 6, 2025. The defense previously argued for a change to the case's original trial date, which was Jan. 6, 2025, citing the need for additional time to review "hundreds of hours of recordings and thousands of pages of other evidence." Lastly, Jordans order states that if a defendant chooses to plead guilty they must do so by May 29, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, Lumumba, Owens and Banks pleaded not guilty to a combined total of 17 federal charges after being federally indicted. The indictment accuses the three leaders of soliciting and accepting bribes from undercover FBI agents posing as real estate developers seeking to build a convention center hotel in downtown Jackson. The indictment charges: Jackson Bribery scandal: Explaining the federal charges against Lumumba, Banks and Owens According to court records, Lumumba is accused of accepting $50,000, disguised as five $10,000 checks in "campaign contributions" during an April trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lumumba allegedly accepted the checks in exchange for directing a city employee to move up a deadline to benefit the undercover agents' development company. Banks, who is not seeking re-election, is accused of soliciting $50,000 and accepting $10,000 in bribes from the undercover agents in exchange for his vote as a council member. The indictment also alleges Banks requested a personal security detail, a driver and employment for a family member with the District Attorney's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also allegedly threatened to withhold city employees' salaries if they did not comply with his demands to move a deadline for the downtown hotel project, according to the indictment. Owens, who is cited and quoted most in the indictment, is accused of soliciting and accepting at least $115,000 in "cash and promises of future financial benefits" from the undercover agents. In exchange, he allegedly facilitated more than $80,000 in bribe payments. Two other individuals involved in the scandal, former councilwoman Angelique Lee and Sherik Marve' Smith, a local insurance specialist and associate of Owens, have had their sentencing dates continued indefinitely. Both Lee and Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS bribery scandal trial date set MARIANNA, Fla. In a ceremony filled with admiration, storytelling, and heartfelt gratitude, the courtroom at the Jackson County Courthouse was officially dedicated Friday morning to retired County Judge Woodrow W. Hatcher, whose decades of service and groundbreaking legacy continue to shape Floridas legal landscape. The Honorable Woodrow W. Hatcher Courtroom was named in honor of the longtime Jackson County judge during a formal event held at 11 a.m. on April 11. The courtroom, located inside the courthouse at 4445 Lafayette Street, now bears the name of a man who not only upheld the law but modernized it, humanized it, and left an indelible mark on the judicial system across Floridas 14th Judicial Circuit and beyond. A Legacy Forged in Service Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Hatcher began his judicial career in 1977 as a non-attorney judge a position once permitted in Florida and quickly gained the respect of his peers through unmatched commitment and intellect. When the state legislature later required judges to be licensed attorneys, Hatcher was one of 34 non-lawyer judges grandfathered in under the condition that they complete intensive legal education. Over two years, Hatcher balanced his judicial duties while completing full-time legal coursework at the University of Florida. His perseverance was emblematic of his career. Judge Hatcher went to more school in two years than most of us did in law school, said Chief Judge Christopher N. Patterson during opening remarks. Hatcher was re-elected multiple times often unopposed and remained on the bench until 2013. He was the last non-attorney judge serving in Florida before the role was officially phased out. A Judicial Innovator Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Hatcher was widely regarded as an innovator. In the 1990s, he became the first judge in Florida to use audiovisual technology in court, allowing remote appearances for arraignments, first appearances, and non-jury trials a concept that is commonplace today but groundbreaking at the time. He was ten steps ahead of everyone, said Circuit Judge Ana Maria Garcia, who described Hatcher as both a mentor and a visionary. He ran his courtroom with innovation, fairness, and deep compassion for the people who came before him. Hatcher also held the position of administrative judge for five counties in the 14th Judicial Circuit for over 20 years, and served as the legislative chair for the Conference of County Judges for 26 years roles that required deft political skill, tireless advocacy, and what one speaker called personal magnetism. In 1998, the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency recognized him as the states most outstanding judge, awarding him for distinguished service to the judiciary and the citizens of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community Leader and Mentor The courtroom dedication ceremony drew a packed house of judges, attorneys, public officials, and community members. Among those delivering remarks were retired Judge Colie Nichols, Public Defender Mark Sims, and Circuit Judge Garcia all of whom spoke to Hatchers wisdom, humility, and influence. Sims recalled Hatcher not only as a legal mind but as a father figure, mentor, and humorist who made courtroom work both meaningful and human. He taught us that the courtroom was the last bastion of civilization, Sims said. He made people act right when they were in his courtroom. Many of the speakers echoed the same theme: Hatchers legacy is not simply in the rulings he made but in the people he influenced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Hatcher made me a better lawyer, and more importantly, a better judge, Garcia said. Honoring the Team Behind the Bench In his own brief but emotional remarks, Judge Hatcher deflected praise and instead recognized those who helped him serve. He highlighted court clerks, probation officers, and judicial assistants including Betty Spooner, who served as his assistant for 36 years. He also acknowledged his wife, Linda, and children Chuck and Robin, along with the many family members and colleagues who supported him during his career. I was elected with no experience, only a vision, Hatcher said. But I had a team behind me. This courtroom doesnt bear my name because of me. Its because of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Fitting Tribute The courtroom dedication, which mirrored an investiture ceremony, was described as the first of its kind in the 14th Judicial Circuit. It served not only as a public honor but also a symbolic gesture of respect for one of Floridas longest-serving and most impactful judges. From Greenwood High School to the Supreme Courts legislative halls, Judge Hatchers journey has been remarkable, said Chief Judge Patterson. This courtroom has always been his today just makes it official. The ceremony concluded with applause, laughter, and a reception in honor of a man whose legacy now quite literally surrounds the community he served for more than 36 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. A panel presiding over the misconduct case wanted more detail about the allegations, complicated by the fact that a constitutional amendment triggered the need for new procedural rules Its beyond wild that people are not questioning Donald Trumps mental fitness amid his ongoing onslaught of tariffs against U.S. trading partners, Jasmine Crockett says. During an appearance on MSNBC, the Texas Democratic Representative compared living through a second-term Trump administration, with its unprecedented emergency policymaking on immigration and the economy, to being in an abusive relationship. The fact that no one is questioning his mental acuity or fitness to serve is beyond wild to me, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that they sat around and called Joe Biden Sleepy Joe, as I have said before, at least you could sleep at night because you didnt have to worry about your 401(k) disappearing overnight, she continued. You didnt have to worry about these allegations of fake invasions. You didnt have to worry about the cost of food just skyrocketing, or the skyrocketing cost of all of your electronics. Last month, as the tariff plan was taking shape, a CNBC reporter had a similar read on Trump. Im going to say this at the risk of my job, economics reporter Steve Liesman told business network anchor Kelly Evans. What President Trump is doing is insane. It is absolutely insane. Jasmine Crockett said it is beyond wild that people are questioning Donald Trumps mental fitness as president in the wake of some of his policies (AP) Her comments come as some hedge fund managers have questioned Trumps mental fitness as his tariff plan caused chaos in the stock market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last few days, we have had many conversations with macro fund managers, Tom Lee, the head of research at the financial analysis firm FSInsights, wrote on Wednesday morning, before Trump backed down from most of his tariffs on U.S. trading partners. And their concern is that the White House is not acting rationally, but rather on ideology. And some even fear that this may not even be ideology, he added. A few have quietly wondered if the President might be insane. Democrats have long questioned Trumps mental fitness, but the president insisted Friday that hes in fine health, boasting that he aced a cognitive test during a physical this week at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. I got every answer right, he said on Air Force One as he headed for Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crockett, who took office in 2023, has quickly made a name for herself on the Hill with her sharp-elbowed and often mocking style when discussing Trumps policies or confronting Republicans during hearings. Last month, she provoked outrage for calling Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, Hot Wheels, and Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged that recent comments from Crockett calling to metaphorically take down Elon Musk were driving insurrection and attacks on Tesla. Crockett told The Independent last year her adversarial approach is intentional. I think my role is to push back, she said. I've heard way too often that Democrats are weak and that kind of stuff, and that's just not true. It's just not true. And I think that I'm also supposed to be the person that is really saying what everybody else is thinking that never gets said. Because everybody's trying to be so freakin polite. TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) A committee of Trenton lawmakers hosted a hearing to discuss the impact and influence Pharmacy Benefit Mangers, or PBMs, have on drug costs, including if they are steering those costs in the wrong direction. The only real way were going to solve this complex and very expensive healthcare problem that we have in terms of cost, is to take cost out, said Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-NJ 16th District). More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PBMs are supposed to ensure access to affordable meds, but Freiman says they might contribute to higher prices, noting they are for-profit companies. Theres a benefit associated with the services they provide, said Freiman. The question is are they going amiss and do we have to bring in some reform to bring them back to their core mission. Freiman has a bill he calls the Patient and Provider Protection Act. Among other measures, the bill looks to ensure that PBMs do not agree to contracts with manufacturers that exclude the PBM from covering generic meds, which are cheaper. New Jersey Citizen Action, a non-profit that advocates for low-income families, says other members of the supply chain can affect costnot just PBMs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got to look at it holistically in order to get a strong and sustaining solution, said Laura Widdell, NJCA Health Care Program Director. But, like I said, always happy when someones looking into trying to make things better for our patients and consumers. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association is a Washington, D.C.-based group that represents Americas PBMs. It says PBMs cover nearly eight and a half million people in New Jersey and save patients and employers more than $1,100 per person per year. PCMA Assistant Vice President Heather Cascone said in a statement in part: As policymakers in New Jersey consider proposals to intervene in the market, we urge them to understand the PBM industry is not waiting for government mandates to meet evolving market needs. Instead, PBMs are addressing challenges to affordability and access by rolling out new, innovative programs to help plan sponsors tackle high drug costs, allowing patients to access the drugs they need. PCMA looks forward to continuing to work with the Legislature to explore policy solutions that will actually lower prescription drug costs for patients, employers, and unions in the State. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A New Jersey woman is accused of trying to hire a hitman on Tinder to kill her ex-boyfriend a Philadelphia police officer and his 19-year-old daughter. Jaclyn Diiorio, 26, met with a person she connected with on the dating app Tinder who was a confidential informant, according to a Camden County criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause obtained by CNN. Diiorio exchanged phone calls and text messages with the person she met on Tinder before the two met, the documents say. During those conversations she allegedly shared with the informant that she wanted to have her ex-boyfriend a 57-year-old Philadelphia police officer and his daughter killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect offered to pay the informant $12,000 for the hire-for-murder plot, according to the probable cause affidavit. Diiorio was arrested last week in Gloucester Township, about 15 miles southeast of Philadelphia, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said in statement. She was taken into custody after paying the informant $500 in cash, the affidavit said. Authorities said Diiorio was carrying a bottle of pills with the label peeled off. The pills are believed to be alprazolam, a controlled substance used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, according to the complaint. Diiorio, of Runnemede, New Jersey, is charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder, one count of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, and one count of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a hearing on Friday, prosecutors said Diiorio had tried to arrange for the father and daughter to be killed on another occasion, CNN affiliate WPVI reported. At the hearing, Judge Yolanda Rodriguez denied a request for Diiorio to be released on bail, saying she should remain jailed ahead of her next court date on June 11, WPVI reported. CNN has reached out to Diiorios attorney for comment. CNNs Rebekah Riess contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) Jewish families across western Massachusetts and the world are ready to observe the first evening of Passover at Sundown on Saturday. Saturday marks the first day of this week-long holiday. It celebrates the freedom of Jewish people who were enslaved more than three thousand years ago in Egypt. For the first night of Passover, the Jewish community will be enjoying a ritual meal called Seder. This is a 15 step feast that aims to tell the story of Exodus and recount the history of Israel. And ahead of the holiday, the LYA prepared and handed out to-go seders for families to take home with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 22News spoke to one of the Rabbis, Chaim Kosofsky, who told us that a part of the message of Passover, is hope. We can relate to the exodus to overcome the things that keep us back, he says. Those often imaginary, maybe not so imaginary red lines that we think that were not able to overcome, that we cant pass over and conquer. The LYA will be hosting their Seder night on Saturday and Sunday. It will include special seder foods, activities, and traditional songs. The rabbi says the hostages who are still left in Gaza will also be on their minds and in their prayers during this holiday. The 8-day holiday will end on April 20th. 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. WARREN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Jody Lee Moon Johnson, aged 64, of Warren, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025, after a brave battle with complications from an extended illness. Born in Youngstown, Ohio on October 3, 1960, to Charles Johnson and Kathleen Grimm, Jody was a man whose strength and love was unmatched. He was a professional procrastinator and devoted husband. Find obituaries from your high school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moon, as he was affectionately known, spent his life embracing the joy of hard work and the love of his family. His career was marked by years of dedicated service as a general laborer with US Lumber and in the tree service industry. His strong work ethic and amiable nature made him a valued colleague and a trusted friend to many. An avid fan of the Raiders, Moons passion for his team was matched only by his love for 70s music. His family fondly remembers the sound of classic tunes filling their home, creating a soundtrack to many cherished memories. Above all, Moons greatest delight was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Moons legacy of love and laughter is carried on by his devoted wife, Lori Stambolia Johnson and their beautiful blended family. He was a proud father to his daughters, Cheri Book (Jeremy) and NiCole White (Terry), and his sons, Jason Snyder, Ian Johnson, and Joseph Johnson. The joy of his life was further multiplied by his cherished grandchildren, Brendan, Amanda, Johntez, Jayon, Dakarai, AryiOnna, Charlisia, Christopher, and Zuri and his adored great-grandsons, Amari and Zhyion. He also leaves behind his siblings, Michael Grimm, Debra Bell, Kathy Grimm, and Patrick Johnson, who will miss his guiding presence and boundless humor. Moons special sisters, Linda Perez and Toni Mocella, and his special brother, Donnie Ben Marinkovich, will hold dear the unique bond they shared. A host of nieces and nephews also survive him, each with their own special memories of their beloved uncle. Moon was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Johnson and Kathleen Grimm, and his sister, Vada Young. His family takes comfort in knowing that he is now reunited with those who went before him, sharing stories and laughter in a place free from pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memory of Jody Lee Moon Johnson will be forever cherished not only for the life he lived but for the countless ways he enriched the lives of others. His spirit, characterized by generosity and strength, will continue to inspire and guide his loved ones. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. Moon will be deeply missed, but his light will continue to shine in the hearts of those who loved him. His family will gather in private to honor his memory and celebrate the man who taught them the value of family, the importance of laughter, and the joy of a life well-lived. Arrangements are being handled by the Borowski Funeral Services & Oak Meadow Cremation Services. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jody, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Sunday, April 13 at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on WKBN and 7:58 p.m. on FOX. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Im gonna put this in Joe Rogan language so .@joerogan understands what Douglas Murray was saying about experts being on your show. If you started platforming a bunch of white belts who were really popular on social media to talk about JuJitsu techniques on your podcast The Misfit Patriot (@misfitpatriot_) April 11, 2025 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Throughout my life, I have learned that we each get but one true choice: what we are willing to give our lives for. Alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and countless others, I chose to dedicate myself to the fight for civil rights. This journey was, in part, guided by one of Americas earliest champions of liberty - John Adams, a man who shaped not only his own time but laid the foundations for justice that resonate today. Adams once predicted, "Monuments will never be erected to me." He could not have foreseen how deeply his ideals would inspire those who came after him. The Adams Memorial Foundation has taken on the mission of ensuring that John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Abigail Adams, Louisa Catherine Adams, and their descendants are given their rightful place among the monuments of Washington, D.C. A memorial to the Adams family will serve as an invitation to all Americans to reflect on the principles we uphold. The Adams family will once again stand as a beacon, amidst polarization and mistrust, to remind us of the everlasting importance of integrity, personal responsibility, and public service. Let us build this monument, not only to honor the past but to encourage future generations to uphold the ideals that the Adams family so courageously defended. John Adams, my favorite president, is often overlooked among the pantheon of Founding Fathers, but his impact on American ideals of freedom and democracy is profound. Adams believed passionately that all men are created equal, a truth forever enshrined in our founding documents. It was Adams who persuaded the Continental Congress to select Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence, an act that embedded the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in our nations core beliefs. Adams work in drafting the Massachusetts Constitution, which remains the oldest functioning written constitution in the world, served as a model for our own U.S. Constitution, establishing the bedrock that has guided us through generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Adams familys commitment to these principles did not end with John Adams. His son, John Quincy Adams, carried his fathers torch into an era marked by one of our nations most painful divides: slavery. John Quincys work as a diplomat, senator, and sixth president of the United States reflected his dedication to the betterment of our country. After he lost his reelection bid for the presidency, he ran for Congress and was sworn into the House of Representatives on Dec. 5, 1831. He fought tirelessly against the expansion of slavery and for the right of all people to live free and with dignity. In 1841, long after he had left the presidency and while he was serving in Congress, John Quincy made a historic stand when he argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of the Amistad captives, a group of Africans who had been kidnapped and illegally sold into slavery. This "impossible" and "unwinnable" case became a defining moment in our nations legal history and a powerful victory for abolitionists. John Quincy argued that the Amistad captives had acted in self-defense, fighting for their own freedom as Americans had done decades earlier. His defense secured their release and set a precedent for the struggle against slavery in America. But the case didnt just free the captives - it ignited a broader movement. The American Missionary Association, inspired by the efforts of the Amistad Committee that financed the Amistad defense, grew into a powerful abolitionist organization. Later, it became instrumental in founding many of the nations first historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), including Howard University, where I am proud to have graduated. The commitment of the Adams family to freedom and righteousness is a legacy that still holds profound relevance. In a time when division threatens our shared bonds as Americans, we need reminders of what ties us together. The Adamses were pioneers in civil service, integrity, and accountability. They remind us that our duty to this country is not just a privilege, but a profound responsibility. They exemplified the courage to make difficult choices in the pursuit of a better America. As John Adams wrote to his beloved Abigail during the darkest days of the Revolutionary War, " through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory." His optimism in the face of adversity, his belief in the triumph of posterity over momentary hardship, and his unwavering commitment to the ideals of a just and lasting republic is a message that continues to carry great importance. It is time we honored that sacrifice with a memorial to him and his family. Andrew Young served as United States ambassador to the United Nations from 1977-79, and as mayor of Atlanta from 1982-90. The owners of 65 roosters accused of mistreating the birds were no-shows at a civil custody hearing held on Wednesday at the Hunt County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2 courthouse in Greenville. Judge Sheila D. Linden moved forward with the hearing, ruling that custody of the roosters be granted to the SPCA of Texas. Additionally, the owners were ordered to pay $3,580.00 in restitution. The roosters will remain with the SPCA for 10 days to allow time for any potential appeal from their original owners, as per the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 30, the SPCA of Texas and the Hunt County Sheriffs Office seized 65 live roosters and 10 dead ones from a property near Celeste where a cockfight was underway. The live birds were transported to the SPCAs Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center in Dallas where they are receiving care from medical staff. The HCSO had responded to a report of potential rooster fighting at a residence located in the 600 block of Hunt County Road 1006. Upon arrival, deputies found about 100 people at the scene many of whom fled. After obtaining a search warrant, authorities discovered fighting rings and other cockfighting equipment typically used in such operations. An order of seizure was granted to take possession of the roosters. Twenty-one people were arrested and taken to the Hunt County jail, facing charges under Texas Penal Code 42.105 for engaging in cockfighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HCSO says the investigation is ongoing and deputies are continuing to look into additional charges. Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the HCSO at (903) 453-6800. The roosters were found in individual pens and transport boxes scattered throughout the property while others were discovered in vehicles. Authorities also recovered paraphernalia, such as short knives and gaffs, syringes, scales, a training dummy, first aid supplies, antibiotics and various performance-enhancing substances. A bloodstained indoor arena with a makeshift fighting ring and holding pens was also uncovered, along with a concession stand and a merchandise table. Several roosters were in critical condition appearing lethargic and severely injured with multiple open wounds. Ten were already dead and after veterinary assessment, 12 others were euthanized at the SPCA facility. Although cockfighting has been illegal in Texas for decades, it continues to persist in both rural and urban areas, said Courtney Burns, chief investigator for the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit. This brutal blood sport not only inflicts fatal harm on the animals but also fuels other illegal activities such as gambling, drug trafficking, and violent crimes. Cockfighting is a criminal offense in all 50 states including Texas where it is classified as a felony to engage in bird fighting or to use property for cockfighting activities. Those convicted face up to two years in state jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. In Texas, it is also a Class A misdemeanor to possess, manufacture or sell cockfighting paraphernalia or to own or train a rooster for the purpose of fighting. Attending a cockfight is a Class C misdemeanor, while federal law bans the transport of fighting animals across state lines or internationally. A Louisiana judge has declared that Columbia University student and pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported. The ruling is a big win for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has championed the case as central to his quest to rid the U.S. of antisemitism. Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans said she had no authority to question Rubio after he deemed Khalils involvement in last years proteststhough lawfulantisemitic and a threat to U.S. foreign policy goals, NPR reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She called Rubios determination facially reasonable. On the heels of the ruling Khalil, who helped lead a series of chaotic protests last year at the Ivy League university, issued a scathing rebuke of Comans judgement. 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. Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process, said Khalil, who is being held at a remote Louisiana detention center. Mahmoud Khalil, who helped lead a series of chaotic protests last year at Columbia University in New York City. / Jeenah Moon / REUTERS Khalil alleged that he was sent to Comans court, 1,000 miles away from his family and home in New York so the Trump administration could skate due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, said Khalil. Marc Van Der Hout, an attorney on Khalils legal team, warned that the case represents an eroding of free speech under the Trump administration. If Mahmoud can be targeted in this way, simply for speaking out for Palestinians and exercising his constitutionally protected right to free speech, this can happen to anyone over any issue the Trump administration dislikes, Van Der Hout said. Comans gave Khalils team until April 23 to appeal the order. A protestors sign that reads Khalil, 30, has a green card and is a permanent resident of the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His case has quickly become a tinderbox for debate on a number of contentious issues, including antisemitism and free speech, as well as the Trump administrations ability to deport legal residents. Rubio reportedly called on a 1950s Cold War-era federal statute that allows the secretary of state authority to decide if a noncitizens presence threatens foreign policy initiatives, according to numerous reports. Khalil was arrested March 8 at his university-owned apartment building in New York City, where he lives with his pregnant wife, and transported to Louisiana. In a pledge to crack down on pro-Palestine protests on college campuses, President Donald Trump lauded Khalils arrest as the first arrest of many to come, Newsweek reported. Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder of Colorado gives the thumbs-up to supporters at a National Organization for Women convention in Philadelphia in this July 1987 photo. Schroeder has been a leader in encouraging and assisting more Democratic women to get involved in politics. CANTON, Texas (KETK) The district court judge issued a temporary restraining order against the Finland-based company Taaleri Energia currently building a lithium battery storage facility just west of Canton. Van Zandt County Fire Marshal orders battery facility to meet fire codes or face consequences The Amador project was first announced in November 2024 and ever since then community members have been fighting against the development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they meet all the demands, then thats one step closer to knowing we might be safe, but right now, theres a large fear, community member, Nancy White said. Safety is a concern and reason behind the efforts to prevent the project from moving forward. I just dont have the confidence and the security, White said. So, for now, Im going to say that Id rather than wait till the technology is ready and its not. Multiple community members cited potential threats to both soil and air quality as well as lack of resources for local first responders to handle potential emergencies like a lithium battery fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The temporary restraining order lasts 14 days and means the company cant move any lithium batteries onto the construction site, or within Van Zandt County. Van Zandt County seeks Trumps support for unwanted foreign-owned lithium battery storage In our in our petition, we set out for the court some of our primary concerns, Van Zandt County District Attorney Tonda Curry said. Those regarding the battery testing, the module testing, the container testing, as well as their hazard mitigation plan. Theyre also concerned about the emergency operation plan and water access at the site. If you are going to come here, your system is going to have to be as safe as it can be, Curry said. And that means it has to meet these National Fire Protection Association standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Finland-based company said in a statement they are working to comply with state regulations for project Amador and said they are actively working with the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal to provide documentation. Curry said if the company doesnt meet the state regulations before the deadline they could proceed with a more permanent injunction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK (AP) A New York judge has relaxed a ban shed put on Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency preventing it from accessing sensitive Treasury Department information related to millions of Americans. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas said in a written opinion late Friday that one DOGE worker, Ryan Wunderly, can access sensitive payment and data systems if he completes training that Treasury employees typically go through before given such access and submits a financial disclosure report. The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by 19 Democratic state attorneys general who sued over privacy issues amid DOGE's assertion that it was working to modernize Treasury payment systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit contended that Musks DOGE team was composed of political appointees who should not have access to Treasury records handled by civil servants specially trained in protecting such sensitive information as Social Security and bank account numbers. Vargas said Wunderly will be able to access payment records, payment systems and any other Treasury Department data systems containing personally identifiable information and confidential financial information of payees. Vargas put the ban in place two months ago. Musks Department of Government Efficiency was created to find and eliminate wasteful government spending. Its access to Treasury records and its inspection of government agencies has led some to criticize Musk while his supporters praise the idea of reining in bloated government finances. A New York federal judge has partially walked back a ruling blocking President Trumps Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive payment data at the Treasury Department. U.S. District Judge Jeanette A. Vargas in a late-Friday opinion gave one DOGE staffer permission to access sensitive payment information at the Treasury Department. The worker, identified as Ryan Wunderly, will have to undergo the same training as other federal employees. Wunderly will also be required to submit a financial disclosure report under the updated preliminary injunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision comes after a group of 19 Democratic state attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, sued the Trump administration in February asserting DOGEs access to the financial data was an invasion of privacy. In the lawsuit, the officials contended that political appointees should not have access to the records, which include Social Security and bank account numbers. The commission spearheaded by tech billionaire and senior adviser Elon Musk argued at the time that access was necessary to modernize its payment systems amid the presidents moves to overhaul the federal workforce and cut government spending. In a previous opinion, Vargas kept intact restrictions put in place by a separate federal judge that barred political appointees and special government appointees such as Musk from accessing the private data. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other department leaders, whose roles required Senate confirmation, were notably exempt. The decision marked a blow to the Justice Department, who pressed U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer to lift his ban which was more extensive than the earlier agreement the administration reached to temporarily limit access to two DOGE personnel: Marko Elez and Tom Krause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Elez resigned after being linked to racist social media posts, the Trump administration announced Wunderly would take his place. In a March filing to the case, the administration said Wunderlys expertise was critical to the Treasury DOGE Teams efforts, and said he had undergone proper training. Elez has since been reinstated to DOGE. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Henrry Jose Albornoz Quintero was scheduled to attend an immigration court hearing in El Paso Thursday. He didnt. The immigration judge presiding over his case was not happy. He just disappeared? What happened? The Trump administration lawyer either could not say or would not. All I can disclose at the moment is that hes no longer in ICE custody, the lawyer said, according to the notes of Albornoz Quinteros attorney, who attended the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney believes his client is languishing at Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), the Salvadoran mega-prison where the United States sent hundreds of migrants last month. The Trump administration has sent some people to the prison under the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used wartime power; Trump claims alleged Tren de Aragua gang members are the equivalent to an invading army. Others were sent to CECOT after receiving standard deportation orders from immigration judges. Albornoz Quinteros attorney John Dutton believes the government has removed him to CECOT as an alien enemy on the basis of his tattoos alone, a troubling trend that other attorneys and family members of detainees have flagged as well. The Trump administration has not provided any updates on Albornoz Quinteros status, Dutton told HuffPost. But Albornoz Quinteros name is among those on a government list of Venezuelan detainees sent to El Salvador that was published by CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He doesnt even know that his childs been born, Dutton said of Albornoz Quintero, whose wife gave birth a few days ago in the U.S. His wife is doing all this on her own in a foreign country, doesnt speak the language, doesnt have any family here. Shes struggling. On Thursday, the judge in Albornoz Quinteros case stressed that he didnt blame the government attorney personally for the lack of information about Albornoz Quinteros whereabouts. But he called the situation ridiculous, according to Duttons notes and said, This is really irritating me. The government attorney said he could elevate the courts request for more information. And he said he would seek a continuance of the case, effectively kicking the can down the road. The hearing ended. Ever since the Trump administration shipped hundreds of migrants to CECOT, bizarre episodes like Albornoz Quinteros hearing Thursday arent unusual; the same thing played out in a hearing for Albornoz Quintero earlier this month, and other attorneys who spoke to HuffPost described similar scenes. And with the government refusing to even acknowledge whats happened to their clients, attorneys dealing with CECOT cases have expressed frustration and despair at what they see as the lack of legal options to get their clients out of El Salvador. The U.S. State Department has for years said the Central American country is plagued by human rights concerns, including credible reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings; enforced disappearance; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by security forces, and harsh and life-threatening prison conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact pattern of the detainees sent to El Salvador fits every definition of an enforced disappearance under international law, said Denise L. Gilman, who co-directs the immigration clinic at the University of Texas School of Law. Gilman said the description of the hearing Thursday was exactly what Ive heard from others about whats happening. Black site isnt a legal term, but I would call this a black site, absolutely, she added of CECOT. Its a place where people are being held in torturous conditions without any clear legal authority for their detention, and also without any structure or proceeding or authority charged with looking at the situation, Gilman said. Now, weeks after the Trump administration arguably defied a judges order and flew several planeloads of detainees to El Salvador where a video released by the countrys president showed them being manhandled and having their heads shaved at CECOT their future is uncertain. Not In ICE Custody The systems not really designed for the executive branch to just flout the laws, said attorney Joseph Giardina, whose client Frizgeralth de Jesus Cornejo Pulgar is believed to be in CECOT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornejo Pulgar came into the United States legally, making an appointment on the governments since-discontinued CBP One app, Giardina told HuffPost. He doesnt have any criminal history, and his apparent expulsion to CECOT is obviously based on tattoos, Giardina said. At Cornejo Pulgars own immigration court hearing Thursday, the government didnt know anything, they certainly werent prepared to do anything. They didnt say anything. They asked for a continuance, Giardina said. His client wasnt there, and government attorneys similarly would only say your client is not in ICE custody, he recalled. No one wants to defend an indefensible position, Giardina said. And obviously, theres pending litigation. So everyones terrified, no one wants to lose their job on [the governments] end, so theyre just giving the company line: Not in ICE custody, thats all were willing to confirm. Its fucking absurd, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys like Giardina and Dutton, the latter of whom said the Trump administration was carrying out government-sponsored kidnapping, dont see many viable options to get their clients out of one of the worlds most notorious prisons, even though theyve never been convicted of a crime, and even though the United States government says it paid millions of dollars for the detention space. The Supreme Court ordered Thursday that the Trump administration work to facilitate the return to the U.S. of one man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who the Trump administration has admitted should not have been sent to El Salvador. But even in that case, the government seems to be dragging its feet, saying in a filing Friday that Foreign affairs cannot operate on judicial timelines. In court Friday, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign said he did not have any information to provide the court on Abrego Garcias whereabouts and that the administration was not yet prepared to share information on anything it had done to facilitate his release. Separately, the high court has temporarily allowed Trump to resume Alien Enemies Act expulsions, though the court said people targeted under the presidents declaration have a narrow right to make a habeas corpus claim in a conservative Texas court a challenging argument in a challenging venue. Habeas petitions, which require authorities to justify a persons detention, generally depend on a given defendant being physically present in a given judicial district. What about all those already in CECOT? No court has addressed the issue head-on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know exactly what needs to happen. The problem is, [the Supreme Court didnt] address what happened to the people that already got deported ... What about the toothpaste thats already out of the tube? Giardina asked. Habeas petitions go to the federal district courts where somebody is housed, or where theyre physically located, Giardina said. Convincing a district court [judge] in Texas that he still has jurisdiction over a habeas claim for a body thats no longer in his jurisdiction probably going to be a tall order. The argument would be that he was in your jurisdiction when his rights were violated, but again, never happened before. The attorney said higher level action was needed, potentially including video hearings in El Salvador. But the next steps are far from clear. Even if were successful in a habeas petition, which will be the next step, whats the guarantee that they can come back? Dutton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youd think that if the government is paying El Salvador to keep these people, they still have some control over their ability to return them. But I dont know. Brute Authority The problems with CECOT dont stop with people accused by the Trump administration of being alien enemies. In addition to that group, over 100 people have been sent to CECOT in the course of the standard deportation process. That means an immigration judge in the United States deemed them removable, or deportable. While some deportees were Salvadoran, others were not and were sent to the country nonetheless. One of those people is believed to be Victor Andres Ortega Burbano, a 24-year-old Venezuelan citizen with muscular dystrophy affecting his right arm. Ortega Burbano and his wife arrived in the United States in 2022, and he was eventually granted temporary protected status last year. A few months later, an immigration judge ordered him removed to Venezuela, according to a court declaration filed by Michelle Brane of Together & Free, a nonprofit that supports families seeking asylum in the United States. The group has set up a WhatsApp hotline for the relatives of Venezuelans believed to have been sent to El Salvador. After receiving his removal order, Ortega Burbano was released from immigration detention. Months later, on March 11, he was surrounded by ICE agents and arrested while checking his mailbox. After being taken to an ICE detention facility in Texas for a couple weeks, he told his wife over the phone on March 28 that he had been informed by ICE agents that he was to be deported to Venezuela, according to the declaration. Instead, he went to Guantanamo Bay. Then, on March 31, 2025, his family learned that he was on the March 30 flight to El Salvador through a social media post, the declaration said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brane said CECOT was basically known as a black hole. She worried about the lack of medical care for people with preexisting conditions like Ortega Burbano. Even if they had a removal order, sending you to a prison where youre going to die in El Salvador is insane, said Brane, who was previously the immigration detention ombudsman at the Department of Homeland Security during the Biden administration, and prior to that, the executive director of the departments Family Reunification Task Force. Together & Free has tracked just under 100 of the people who were sent to El Salvador, around half of whom had removal orders, Brane said. I dont think anybody, unless they were told at the very last minute, was told they were going to El Salvador, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats an important point, because a federal district court in Boston is currently handling a case concerning the deportation of people to so-called third countries. On March 29, a federal judge paused all third-country removals nationwide unless detainees had received written notice and an opportunity to pursue a legal case based on their fear of going to a given country. The next day, March 30, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a memo that the DHS third country removal policy involves receiving diplomatic assurances that aliens removed from the United States will not be persecuted or tortured. If such assurances are not received or if the State Department does not find them to be credible only then must DHS inform someone of the country to which they are being removed, according to the policy. Whats more, under the policy, immigration officers do not ask if someone has a fear of being sent to a given country. Rather, they must bring up that fear on their own accord in order to be screened for protections under the Convention Against Torture. On March 31, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a successful counter-terrorism operation with our allies in El Salvador targeting 17 people who he called violent criminals from the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 organizations, including murderers and rapists. And Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele published a video showing several detainees being taken off of a plane in El Salvador and to CECOT the night prior, arms twisted behind their backs. The timeline Brane and others have laid out suggests the administration may have violated the judge in Bostons restraining order with the latest El Salvador flight. On Monday, an appeals court declined the Trump administrations request to stay the district courts restraining order, writing that the administration had made a moving target of their removal policy. The Trump administration did not answer a detailed list of questions for this story. Nothing about what the administration is doing is in compliance with U.S. statute, with international obligations, or any other legal norm, said Gilman, of the immigration clinic at the University of Texas School of Law. Its a new paradigm of brute authority. Related... Apr. 11LIMA Jury deliberations in the case of Michael Oliphant, charged with murder in the Feb. 25, 2023, shooting death of Kirk Perine, got a late start Friday after a morning that included a rebuttal witness from the state and an extended conversation that ultimately led to the removal of one juror from the panel. Following closing arguments from attorneys and instructions from Judge Terri Kohlrieser, the jury did not receive the case until approximately 5:30 p.m. Friday. No verdict had been reached when The Lima News went to press. Oliphant, 23, of Lima, is charged with murder in connection to Perine's death. He also faces charges of felonious assault for allegedly firing a weapon in the direction of two employees of Feltz Chiropractic that same afternoon. The bulk of testimony and evidence presented during the five-day trial pointed to Oliphant as the likely shooter, both in Perine's death and at the chiropractic office shortly prior to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 59-year-old Perine was found by police inside a white Buick in the 100 block of North Rosedale Avenue. He had suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The fatal bullet had been fired from outside the vehicle and passed through the front passenger-side window, investigators said. A Beretta 9mm pistol said to have been used in both shootings was found by police in an alley behind 211 N. Kenilworth Ave., near the murder scene, and was sent to to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for analysis. A forensic scientist from that agency testified that DNA matching Oliphant's was found on four separate areas of the weapon. On Thursday jurors watched video of an interview with the Lima man while he was in custody 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. "I didn't mean to kill anyone." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insanity defense Attorneys Steve Chamberlain and Ken Sturgill from the Allen County Public Defenders Office early in the case had filed a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on behalf of their client. By law that plea requires that evidence be presented by the defense that proves Oliphant was unable to distinguish right from wrong at the time of the offense. The defense called just one witness in their portion of the case. Dr. Bob Stinson, a licensed psychologist who did an extensive review of Oliphant's mental health history, cited a diagnosis from doctors at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center in May 2020 and again in December of 2022 two months before the death of Perine that said Oliphant suffered from paranoia and bipolar disorder and was exhibiting psychotic behavior and was "completely unstable and grossly psychotic." That convinced Stinson that Oliphant was legally insane at the time of the shootings. He said Dr. Massimo DeMarchis, who performed an initial psychological evaluation of the defendant at the request of the court, wrote that he found no evidence that Michael Oliphant had a mental defect at the time of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's just wrong," Stinson said. "There were three years of evidence." DeMarchis supported his findings during testimony Friday. He said Oliphant, during an evaluation at the Forensic Psychiatry Center of Western Ohio in Dayton, claimed to have been "hearing voices" and believed he was being pursued by "shadowy demonic figures" on the afternoon in question. DeMarchis said he believed those stories to be "fabricated and untrue." His formal findings included an opinion that "despite suffering from severe mental health disease," Oliphant did understand the wrongfulness of his actions" on Feb. 15, 2023. Juror excused An alternate juror was summoned into action Friday after Judge Terri Kohlrieser dismissed one male jury member from the panel prior to closing arguments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An issue arose Thursday concerning a juror who had contact outside the courtroom with members of the defendant's family on successive days. The male juror the lone person of color on the panel was seen on court security video approaching Oliphant's father and sister during breaks in the trial. Questioned by the judge, the man said he was merely asking the two individuals for cigarettes, a claim disputed by prosecutors. 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 objected and asked Kohlrieser to deny the motion. The judge allowed the jurist to remain seated throughout the day on Thursday. Kohlrieser on Friday said she had researched the matter overnight but allowed lawyers to make additional comments. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Thines repeated the state's assertion that the juror had compromised his integrity and reliability by reaching out to known members of the defendant's family. "The state has grave concerns about his fairness and impartiality ... and feels this juror should be removed," Thines said. Chamberlain argued there was no evidence of misconduct by the juror, only an unfounded suspicion by the state that additional conversation had taken place. "And frankly the belief of the state doesn't hold much weight," he said. Kohlrieser disagreed, saying the juror had demonstrated he was "no longer able to perform his duties." Featured Local Savings PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD) A woman accused of killing her husband by setting him on fire and then running him over has been found guilty by a jury in a retrial. Linda Stermer has been found guilty of two counts of murder, including first-degree murder. The Paw Paw jury deliberated for less than 7 hours before turning in the verdict Friday. Stermer now faces mandatory life in prison without parole. Her husband, Todd Stermer, died in 2007 in the yard of their Lawrence Township home. Prosecutors said that Stermer doused her husband with gasoline and set him on fire, not long after he learned she was having an extramarital affair. They alleged that she then hit him with a van as he tried to escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testimony starts in retrial of wife accused of setting husband on fire, running him over She was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to life in prison, but a federal appeals court overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial. The court ruled that her trial attorney Jeff Getting now the Kalamazoo County prosecutor did not consult an expert to rebut testimony that the fire was arson, not an accident. Stermer has maintained her innocence, claiming her husband had an oil lamp and candles burning in the house and she accidentally hit him with the van while trying to leave for help. Her new defense team claims faulty fire science led to a wrongful murder conviction in 2010. The team argued her husband set a house fire himself to get the insurance money and killed himself accidentally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three-week retrial included testimony from the couples sons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The Logansport Police Department, with the cooperation of the Logansport Community School Corporation, arrested a juvenile in connection with two separate incidents involving intimidation with a deadly weapon. The weapon was collected by police and is being held at the police station. It was believed to have been a real weapon at the time of the offenses, however, after being collected was determined to have been an airsoft gun. The investigation was initiated following reports of a juvenile suspect with a gun in two unrelated events off school property and after school hours. According to a press release, police worked closely with administrators from the LCSC, officers were able to quickly gather critical information leading to the identification of the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the support of school officials, the juvenile was safely taken into custody and is currently being held on home detention with a GPS ankle bracelet. Due to the age of the suspect, no further identifying details were released. We take any threat involving a weapon extremely seriously, said LPD Chief Travis Yike. This arrest is the result of quick communication and a strong partnership between our officers and the Logansport School Corporation. We remain committed to keeping our schools and community safe. The incidents remain under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Logansport Police Department at 574-753-4101. The Education Departments demand that K-12 districts and state officials certify their schools are free of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs is being met with open defiance from blue states and open arms by red ones. Highlighting an already stark divide on the issue, states including New York and Minnesota are telling the federal government they will not sign off on any such certification, while several red states are already collecting signatures from their districts. The issue poses the first major test for states and local districts bucking the education agenda of President Trump, who has shown willing aggression in going after colleges and universities he thinks are out of line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am on the reservation, so pretty much I mean, everything that we do is DEI, said a principal in a Republican-led state who oversees a school that is 95 percent Native American, and who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. We dont really have a plan for it, the principal added regarding the certification letter. In talking to some of my other district administrators, its kind of an attitude of, Well see what happens when it gets sorted out in the courts [] well worry about it when the time comes, its really not going to be what everybody thinks. It is just kind of a lot of disbelief, which is really frustrating. The April 3 letter was sent to state officials and districts to certify the institutions are in compliance with their antidiscrimination obligations, including ridding themselves of DEI programs, which Trump hates and has sought to eliminate through executive action. In an extended deadline, the Education Department now says officials have until April 24 to comply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the programs are not gone, the administration says, funding could be pulled from the K-12 districts. Federal money makes up around 10 percent of funding for public schools, with some variation based on need, and, at the collegiate level, Trump has quickly targeted the finances of schools that displease him. Unfortunately, we have seen too many schools flout or outright violate these obligations, including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another based on identity characteristics in clear violation of Title VI, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department, wrote in the certification letter. Sasha Pudelski, director of advocacy at the School Superintendents Association, notes that for some states, this is going to be a non-issue. And I think thats important to recognize that theres going to be a lot of variety in how states respond to this and how they inform districts, or how they kind of relate the districts responsibility to respond to this, Pudelski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican-led states including Indiana and Oklahoma have said publicly they will comply with the directive. Other red states will likely agree as many, including Florida and Texas, have laws on the books already cracking down on DEI. We will ensure all school districts understand and adhere to the law accordingly, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters said. But other states, including Colorado and Minnesota, are digging in. Minnesota sent a response letter to the Department of Education saying the certification seeks to change the terms and conditions of federal financial assistance awarded to MDE without formal administrative process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states says there is no formal definition of DEI and that Minnesota schools are all following federal law. As noted at the outset, MDE has already provided the requisite guarantee that it has and will comply with Title VI and its implementing regulation, and that includes our assurance that we do and will comply with Supreme Court cases interpreting the same. We submit this letter to serve as our response to this specific request, the letter concludes. The Hill has reached out to the Department of Education for comment. The K-12 certification memo came after the department sent out a Feb. 14 Dear Colleague letter that told universities to get rid of DEI programs or risk losing federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Education Association, who was already challenging the colleges Dear Colleague letter in court, added the K-12 certification to its lawsuit. The organization and Department of Education came to an agreement that no enforcement action could be taken on either letter until April 24 as the case proceeds. Pudelski said that some districts were already discussing this issue after the February Dear Colleague letter to universities, assuming they would face something similar. According to Education Department documents released as part of the lawsuit, whether a program specifically uses the words diversity, equity or inclusion does not matter to the administration in terms of if it violates Title VI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools may not operate policies or programs under any name that treat students differently based on race, engage in racial stereotyping, or create hostile environments for students of particular races. For example, schools with programs focused on interests in particular cultures, heritages, and areas of the world would not in and of themselves violate Title VI, assuming they are open to all students regardless of race, the document said. However, schools must consider whether any school programming discourages members of all races from attending, either by excluding or discouraging students of a particular race or races, or by creating hostile environments based on race for students who do participate, it added. David Law, a Minnesota superintendent, said after their state officials response, schools are just waiting to see what happens and have not changed any of their programs, adding, The part of the part of the executive order that talks about harmful DEI, I think if I talk to my colleagues around the state, theres a question about, what exactly is that? Because we dont think, we dont think were doing harmful DEI in our schools. And some schools in GOP states playing the same waiting game, but without the support of state-level leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think part of the attitude of some of our stakeholders above me is that were going to fly under the radar, and that frightens me a lot as a professional [] We cant just count on flying under the radar, because thats not going to save my license, said the principal in the red state who described her district as in a blue pocket in their area. In her school, the principal said there are programs for new teachers to understand cultural norms due to the high percentage of Native Americans, and the school has events around issues such as missing Indigenous women. Its not designed to make people feel some kind of way, which is portrayed in the news about brainwashing students and exposing them to all of these things that are morally questionable about transgender and things like that that you often hear about in the news. Thats not the type of trainings that that we provide when we talk about cultural sensitivity but using funds to pay for speakers to come in and paying teachers their wages to go through those types of professional developments are going to come into question, the principal added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The House Democrats' national campaign arm said Tuesday that first-term U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans is on the group's initial list of targeted Republicans, virtually guaranteeing that Colorado's 8th Congressional District will again be one of the most competitive seats in the country in next year's election. Kamala Harris speaks onstage during the HumanX AI Conference 2025 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on March 09, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Image: Photo by Big Event Media/Getty Images for HumanX Conference (Getty Images) Kamala Harris was warning us all along. As President Donald Trumps tariffs continue to change our economy devastatingly, many are looking to what we could have had. If only the Democrat presidential nominee would have won, we wouldnt be in this predicament. In fact, there is plenty of footage that shows the former vice president warning the American people throughout her campaign of exactly what Trump would do to the economy, including how the proposed tariffs would eventually lead to a recession by mid-2025. Sound familiar? - Jared Alexander Read More Photo: Kevin Dietsch (Getty Images) There is a new trend of voters who chose President Donald Trump on the ballot speaking out against their vote and voicing their regrets now that theyve had a few months to experience his presidency. - Kalyn Womack Read More NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Demonstrators participate in the Hands Off! National day of action on April 05, 2025 in New York City. - Photo: Bryan Bedder (Getty Images) Millions of people sent a message to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on April 5 as part of the Hands Off! Day of Action organized in opposition to the policies of the Trump administration, including sweeping tariffs and massive cuts to federal agencies. According to reporting from CNN, over 1,400 Hands Off! protests events took place at state capitals, federal buildings and other locations around the country. - Angela Johnson Read More Photo: Chip Somodevilla (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just so we are clear, President Donald Trump is on a mission of political payback. For the past 1,848 hours and yes, we are counting Trump has made it abundantly clear that he is seeking to dismantle all remnants of Joe Biden and Barack Obamas administrations. - B. Kadijat Towolawi Read More Photo: Ian Showell/Keystone/Hulton Archive (Getty Images) Around the country, weve been seeing spontaneous marches being organized in protest of President Donald Trumps White House. Meanwhile, Black people have appeared to have checked out of the movement and take a rest, shaking their head at the Trump voters saying, We tried to tell you. - Kalyn Womack Read More Photo: John Moore (Getty Images) Black MAGA. Many say those two words have no business being next to each other. Despite the constant criticism that Black MAGA leaders face, folks like Candace Owens and Mark Robinson continue to make their political party proud... so they say. - Phenix S Halley Read More For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. TOPEKA (KSNT) A bill to restore discounted hunting and fishing licenses to older adults in Kansas and make big changes for non-resident waterfowl hunters is dead in the water this year after it was vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly. Lawmakers failed to pass House Bill 2028, a bill package that wouldve impacted hunting and fishing licenses along with the waterfowl hunting season for out-of-state residents, during the 2025 session of the Kansas Legislature. Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the bill earlier this week, sending it back to the Kansas House for review. However, lawmakers chose not to have a veto override session on the bill, meaning the governors veto was sustained. Had House Bill 2028 been passed successfully, it wouldve made several changes to hunting and fishing licenses, waterfowl season hunting days and migratory waterfowl habitat stamps. The bills original purpose was to allow the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) to sell discounted combination hunting and fishing licenses again to older adults after it had to halt sales of these licenses in 2024 due to an error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New blackout-style license plates get the green light in Kansas, what that means Lawmakers added in language to the bill after its initial introduction that wouldve severely limited where and when out-of-state waterfowl hunters could participate in hunting activities in Kansas. Additional amendments added to the bill wouldve also changed the cost of the migratory waterfowl habitat stamp and altered the age range for the childrens lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. Kelly disagreed with the changes lawmakers made to the original bill. Specifically, she found the added limitations to hunting for out-of-state residents to be a large concern. While this bill touches on a variety of hunting and fishing issues, I am particularly concerned with how this bill severely limits non-Kansas residents from hunting waterfowl on public lands. More specifically, this prohibition could have a detrimental impact on the prosperity of our communities and businesses by denying the many positive outcomes from the economic activity generated by non-residents coming into our state for hunting purposes. I will not support a bill that could harm the economic vitality of rural Kansas communities across the state. Governor Laura Kelly veto statement on House Bill 2028 Kansas lawmakers in the Senate previously approved of the bill at a vote of 40-0 on March 26 while representatives in the House approved of the bill at a vote of 65-59 on March 27. You can learn more about the different types of hunting and fishing licenses Kansas has to offer by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiley face in space to appear over Kansas, heres when For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) An Olathe, Kansas man who was wrongly accused of being a shooter and illegal alien at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally in 2024 has died. Attorney Arthur Benson confirmed to Nexstars FOX4 that Denton Loudermill Jr. was found dead Friday morning by his family. No cause of death has been released at this time. The deadly shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally occurred on February 14, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Tim Burchett posted on X falsely identifying Loudermill as a shooter at the rally. The post said the shooter was identified as an illegal alien. It had a picture of Loudermill sitting on the sidewalk in handcuffs. The post spread across social media, however, Kansas City police said Loudermill had nothing to do with the shooting and that they actually detained many people that day who were not involved. Loudermill said that the posts have resulted in death threats and mental distress like anxiety, agitation and sleep disruption. Chiefs parade shooting victim files lawsuit against KC Sports Commission Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He filed a lawsuit against Burchett, seeking $75,000 in damages. However, last September, a federal judge in Kansas granted Burchetts motion to dismiss the lawsuit. A month later, a judge tossed three more lawsuits filed against three Republican Missouri state senators: Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County. The judge cited issues with jurisdiction. Loudermill, who is from Olathe, filed in federal court in Kansas, rather than in Missouri, where the lawmakers were from. The shooting outside Union Station killed a well-known radio DJ and injured more than 20 others, many of them children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loudermills lawsuits said he froze when the gunfire erupted, standing in the middle of the chaos so long that police had put up crime scene tape by the time he finally started to walk away. As he tried to go under the tape to leave, officers stopped him and told him he was moving too slow. They handcuffed him and put him on a curb, where people began taking pictures and posting them on social media, the suits said. Loudermill was ultimately led away from the area and told he was free to go. Benson tells Nexstars FOX4 that even after Loudermills passing, litigation will continue on his behalf. Another attorney for Loudermill, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, released the following statement to FOX4 Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mr. Loudermills passing. More details will be provided in time, but for now, we ask that you honor the familys need for privacy as they come together to grieve this tremendous loss. While the family takes this time to mourn, we want to make it clear that this is not over. Mr. Loudermill should not have spent his final days burdened with stress and chasing down a lie that went viral due to the careless and heartless actions of a Congressman, Missouri senators, and social media influencers, who couldnt be bothered to verify the truth before destroying a mans life. If you thought we were determined before, you havent seen anything yet! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) An Olathe, Kansas man who was wrongly accused of being a shooter and illegal alien at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally in 2024 has died. Attorney Arthur Benson confirmed to Nexstars FOX4 that Denton Loudermill Jr. was found dead Friday morning by his family. No cause of death has been released at this time. The deadly shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally occurred on February 14, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Tim Burchett posted on X falsely identifying Loudermill as a shooter at the rally. The post said the shooter was identified as an illegal alien. It had a picture of Loudermill sitting on the sidewalk in handcuffs. The post spread across social media, however, Kansas City police said Loudermill had nothing to do with the shooting and that they actually detained many people that day who were not involved. Loudermill said that the posts have resulted in death threats and mental distress like anxiety, agitation and sleep disruption. Chiefs parade shooting victim files lawsuit against KC Sports Commission Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He filed a lawsuit against Burchett, seeking $75,000 in damages. However, last September, a federal judge in Kansas granted Burchetts motion to dismiss the lawsuit. A month later, a judge tossed three more lawsuits filed against three Republican Missouri state senators: Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County. The judge cited issues with jurisdiction. Loudermill, who is from Olathe, filed in federal court in Kansas, rather than in Missouri, where the lawmakers were from. The shooting outside Union Station killed a well-known radio DJ and injured more than 20 others, many of them children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loudermills lawsuits said he froze when the gunfire erupted, standing in the middle of the chaos so long that police had put up crime scene tape by the time he finally started to walk away. As he tried to go under the tape to leave, officers stopped him and told him he was moving too slow. They handcuffed him and put him on a curb, where people began taking pictures and posting them on social media, the suits said. Loudermill was ultimately led away from the area and told he was free to go. Benson tells Nexstars FOX4 that even after Loudermills passing, litigation will continue on his behalf. Another attorney for Loudermill, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, released the following statement to FOX4 Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mr. Loudermills passing. More details will be provided in time, but for now, we ask that you honor the familys need for privacy as they come together to grieve this tremendous loss. While the family takes this time to mourn, we want to make it clear that this is not over. Mr. Loudermill should not have spent his final days burdened with stress and chasing down a lie that went viral due to the careless and heartless actions of a Congressman, Missouri senators, and social media influencers, who couldnt be bothered to verify the truth before destroying a mans life. If you thought we were determined before, you havent seen anything yet! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Two teachers from south-central Kansas have been named Region 4 finalists for the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year award. Susan Rogers, a first-grade teacher at Derby Hills Elementary, and Jason Peters, a high school math teacher at Hesston High School, were recognized during a ceremony held Saturday at the Wichita Marriott Hotel. Susan Rogers, a first-grade teacher at Derby Hills Elementary Jason Peters, a high school math teacher at Hesston High School The Kansas Teacher of the Year program, organized by the Kansas State Department of Education, honors outstanding educators in both elementary and secondary classrooms. Rogers and Peters now advance as two of eight finalists statewide who will be considered for the overall Kansas Teacher of the Year title, set to be announced Sept. 20 in Wichita. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As regional finalists, each will receive a $2,000 award from Security Benefit, a longtime supporter of the program. They were selected from a pool of six Region 4 semifinalists, representing the states 4th congressional district. Also honored during the ceremony were: Shanda Busby, sixth-grade teacher at Challenger Intermediate (Goddard USD 265) Todd Flory, fourth-grade teacher at Wheatland Elementary (Andover USD 385) Jamie Sundgren, science teacher at Flinthills Middle School (Flinthills USD 492) Lacey Woods, family and consumer science teacher at Andover Central High School (Andover USD 385) Each semifinalist received a commemorative red marble apple from The Master Teacher in Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, 136 teachers across the state were nominated this year, according to a news release from the Kansas State Department of Education. Regional panels select three elementary and three secondary semifinalists per region, with one finalist from each category moving to the state competition. Finalists in the Kansas Teacher of the Year program serve as education ambassadors, promoting teaching excellence statewide. The selected Kansas Teacher of the Year will also be a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter. The Kansas City Star has intervened in a lawsuit over access to records in a civil dispute between Planned Parenthood and the state of Kansas regarding abortion. In its filing, The Star asked a Johnson County District Court judge to unseal all exhibits filed under seal as a result of an agreement between lawyers representing Attorney General Kris Kobach and abortion providers, while allowing appropriate redactions to exclude patients names and personal information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit, filed in 2023, challenges strict state requirements mandating that providers survey patients seeking an abortion, share medically inaccurate or unproven information with people considering the procedure, and require them to wait at least 24 hours before receiving an abortion. Enforcement of the new restrictions adopted by the Legislature has been halted while the suit works its way through the courts. The public has a right to know what is happening in judicial proceedings, Star Executive Editor Greg Farmer said. The efforts in this case to hide records from public view are an attack on long-established democratic principles. Our goal with this motion is to fight for our readers and all Kansans and to ensure and advocate for transparency on their behalf, Farmer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers representing the state filed their own motion seeking for certain records to be unsealed after attorneys for Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Hodes and Nauser Womens Health and the Center for Reproductive Rights designated them as confidential or attorneys eyes only. Among those records are two videos that are shown to patients at Planned Parenthood who are considering an abortion. Plaintiffs said in their response that patients can only watch the videos in the office. When Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit, they issued a press release which quoted Emily Wales, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, as saying that people deserve facts and honest conversations about a womans right to an abortion, The Stars attorney, Bernie Rhodes, wrote in the motion. Plaintiffs are asking the court to block the enforcement of the full policy, which requires physicians to obtain detailed information from patients about their pregnancy 24 hours before the procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law also requires physicians to listen to the fetus heartbeat 30 minutes prior to an abortion. It would also require providers to, without evidence, post information in their clinics and websites that abortions could increase their risk of breast cancer and premature birth in future pregnancies. The law would also mandate abortion providers survey women, asking them to choose the most important reason for getting an abortion. Included as options as part of the survey are the following potential reasons: financial stress, rape, fetal disabilities, or the health of the mother. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Kern County Sheriffs Office requested the communitys assistance in the investigation related to the man who was shot and killed in Wasco in 2023. Michael Prendez Gonzalez, 34, of Bakersfield was walking in the 1200 block of Iris Street on the evening of Nov. 29, 2023, according to KCSO. He was then shot multiple times. Gonzalez died at Kern Medical on Dec. 2, 2023, KCSO said. Michael Prendez Gonzalez / Photo: Kern County Sheriffs Office The coroners office said Gonzalezs cause of death was complications of multiple gunshot wounds and his manner of death was homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information regarding the murder of Gonzalez is asked to call the sheriffs office at 661-861-3110, or the Secret Witness Hotline at 661-322-4040. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kemi Badenoch has accused the police of social engineering following The Telegraphs revelations about a force temporarily blocking job applications from white British people. The Tory leader warned such moves risk the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes that ethnic minorities cannot succeed unless a well-meaning Leftie is holding the door open. It has emerged that several police forces have given preferential recruitment opportunities to ethnic minority candidates and taught officers that they possess white privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mrs Badenoch said she believes in meritocracy, not race-based quotas and warned police forces that we are living in dangerous times and we need police who understand that their primary role is to prevent crime and catch criminals, not social engineering. The Telegraph reported that West Yorkshire Police (WYP) had blocked white British candidates from registering early interest for its constable programme to encourage diversity in the force. The news has raised concerns that police forces are practising a form of positive discrimination when hiring police officers, which could be unlawful. A whistleblower at WYP told The Telegraph that different ethnicities were ranked according to their level of under-representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most under-represented groups in the force black and east Asian candidates were reportedly ranked gold. South-east Asian candidates were ranked silver while those who fall in the White Others category, including east European and Irish candidates, were ranked bronze. Mrs Badenoch said: The era of complacency about our society must end. The mindset of so many in authority from judges to senior police officers needs a complete reset. We are living in dangerous times and we need police who understand that their primary role is to prevent crime and catch criminals, not social engineering. Labour show all the signs of being happy with this state of affairs, but Conservatives believe in meritocracy, not race-based quotas, which are bad for society and breed mistrust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes that ethnic minorities cannot succeed unless a well-meaning leftie is holding the door open for them. WYP is the fourth largest force in the country. It employs 19 diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) officers, many of whom also serve as police officers. It is thought to spend more on DEI roles than any other police force in England. The forces recruitment page said: We are currently accepting applications for the two police constable entry programmes (uniform and detective) from people from our under-represented groups... If you are not from one of these groups, please keep checking this page for future recruitment opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defending its hiring policy, WYP has argued that while 23 per cent of people in West Yorkshire are from an ethnic minority background, only nine per cent of its staff are. The force has said ethnic minority applications are processed through to the interview stage, but then held until recruitment is opened for everyone. It added: Enabling people from under-represented groups to apply early does not give them an advantage in the application process, it simply provides us with more opportunity to attract talent from this pool of applicants. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has defended the forces recruitment practices and said she will not intervene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: Often, lots of organisations do encourage more applications from under-represented groups, but they also have to make sure that the actual decision-making, the recruitment process is fair and is making sure that its about getting the best possible candidates into the sorts of jobs that they have. Chief Constable John Robins, the head of WYP, has hit back at critics and said the law should be changed to boost the number of ethnic minorities in his force and across the country. Thames Valley Police has been teaching police officers that they possess white privilege as part of its new equity training programme. The concept, part of the anti-racist ideology, contends that white people have inherent advantages based on their race because British society is characterised by racial inequality and injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, The Telegraph revealed that the official police watchdog would compel forces to take positive action to recruit ethnic minorities to ensure that their workforce represents the diversity of their communities. For the first time, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary will rate forces on how well they promote equality, diversity and inclusion as part of its inspections of all 43 constabularies in England and Wales. The Telegraph also recently revealed that police diversity jobs have increased by almost a third in three years. The number of equality, diversity and inclusion roles in the UKs forces has increased to a total of just under 200, up from fewer than 150 three years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost 15 million has been spent on such roles since the beginning of the 2021-22 financial 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Volunteers are building a home for a local woman and her family in Daytons Edgemont neighborhood. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton welcomed Ranee Harris and her family as the organizations 2025 partner family. According to Habitat, Harris has worked hard for her chance to officially receive her home in the future. Ranee has put in her sweat equity volunteer hours and attended her homeownership classes, said Habitat. Now we can start working on her new home! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Harris, she is proud of the progress of which she has done through the Dayton Habitats Women Build program. Im excited, a little nervous, but very excited and kind of proud of myself for pushing through and doing what I needed to do to get where I am, said Harris. 2 NEWS will follow Harriss home building 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 WDTN.com. Editor's note: The Air Force Academy graduating Class of 2024 included 36.7% minority students. The original version of the story listed the wrong percentage. The Air Force Academy will no longer consider race as a factor in admissions as the military school had long done to boost enrollment of Black, Hispanic and other minorities, President Donald Trump's administration said Friday. The change was detailed in a filing by the U.S. Justice Department in federal court in Denver asking a judge to put on hold a lawsuit that was filed in December by the group that successfully persuaded the Supreme Court to ban race-conscious admissions at civilian universities. That group, Students for Fair Admissions, was founded by affirmative action opponent Edward Blum and has been seeking to build on its 2023 victory at the Supreme Court, when the 6-3 conservative majority invalidated race-conscious admissions policies used by Harvard and the University of North Carolina. The ruling did not apply to military academies, which Chief Justice John Roberts wrote had "potentially distinct interests." That prompted SFFA to launch new lawsuits aimed at barring similar admissions practices at the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and the Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs educates cadets for service as officers in the Air Force and Space Force. Among the 974 Air Force Academy graduates in 2024, 358 were members of a minority group or 36.7%. The academy said on its website that 127 graduates were Hispanic or Latino, 136 were Asian, 65 were African American, 23 were Pacific Islander and seven were Native American. Most Air Force officers commission from ROTC programs at other colleges and universities. Across the whole Air Force in December 2024, 68% of the force was White, 16% Black or African American, 5.4% Asian, 5.6% identified as more than one race, 0.9% Native American or Native Alaskan, 1.3% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Among the Air Force, 3.1% declined to respond to the question about race. President Joe Biden's administration defended the use of race as an admissions factor, saying senior military leaders had long recognized that a scarcity of minority officers could create distrust within the armed forces. Courts sided with his administration and declined in SFFA's cases to block the Naval Academy and Military Academy from considering race. SFFA sued the Air Force Academy only after Trump had won November's election. Trump signed an executive order Jan. 27 aimed at ending diversity, equity and inclusion practices within the military. In Friday's filing, the Justice Department cited a subsequent Feb. 6 memo from a top Air Force official that implemented that order by, among other things, ending admissions quotas or objectives based on sex, race or ethnicity. The Justice Department said the new policy may render SFFA's case moot as "the Air Force Academy no longer permits any consideration of race, ethnicity, or sex in the admissions process." The Justice Department last month said the Naval Academy similarly had ended the consideration of race as an admissions factor. Blum had no immediate comment. Gazette's Mary Shinn contributed to this report. JENA, La. (AP) An immigration judge has ruled that a Palestinian Columbia University graduate student who participated in protests against Israel can be deported. Mahmoud Khalil's attorneys said they will appeal Friday's ruling. Federal immigration agents detained Khalil last month, the first arrest under President Donald Trump's crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil, a legal U.S. resident, was taken to an immigration detention center in Jena, Louisiana, thousands of miles from his attorneys and wife, a U.S. citizen who is due to give birth soon. Here's a look at what has happened so far in Khalil's legal battle and what happens next: The arrest 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. Khalil is not accused of participating in the building occupation and wasnt among the people arrested in connection with the demonstrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 antisemitic. The White House accused Khalil of siding with terrorists but has yet to cite any support for the claim. He was detained March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment. The legal fight Khalil isnt accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. The government 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils lawyers have challenged the legality of his detention, saying the Trump administration is trying to deport him for an activity that is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has 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. The ruling Immigration Judge Jamee E. Comans ruled Friday the government's contention that Khalil's presence in the U.S. posed potentially serious foreign policy consequences was enough to satisfy requirements for his deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comans said the government had established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable. Federal judges in New York and New Jersey previously ordered the government not to deport Khalil while his case plays out in court. Next steps Khalil's attorneys said they will keep fighting. They plan to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. They can also pursue an asylum case on his behalf. Even though the judge found Khalil removable on foreign policy grounds, nothing will happen quickly in the immigration proceeding, his attorney, Marc Van Der Hout, said. The judge gave them until April 23 to seek a waiver. 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, Van Der Hout said in a statement. 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, canceling 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. In less than a month, beginning on May 7, travelers flying out of United States airports will need to show TSA agents their REAL ID-compliant driver's license, or another form of compliant identification to pass through security and make their flight. If they don't bring a REAL ID, they could face delays, additional screening, or may not be permitted through the checkpoint, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The REAL ID roll-out, which has been delayed multiple times since the original deadline in 2008, has left some travelers confused about their states' requirements and panicked as they try to make appointments at overwhelmed DMVs. PHOTO: A Department of Homeland Security 'Real ID' compliant driver's license sign outside the TSA checkpoint at Miami International Airport, Dec. 7, 2024, in Miami. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP) According to federal documents, as of January 2024, only about 56% of driver's licenses and IDs in circulation across the country complied with REAL ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security estimated that only 61.2% of driver's licenses and IDs will be compliant by the May 7 deadline. A TSA spokesperson told ABC News that 81% of travelers going through TSA checkpoints currently have REAL IDs or other compliant identification. PHOTO: Passengers walk through the entrance of a TSA PreCheck in Terminal 1 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Feb. 1, 2017, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) If you haven't gotten your REAL ID license yet, here's what to know as the deadline approaches: DMVs are slammed Department of Motor Vehicles nationwide are reporting long wait times as travelers scramble to get their REAL ID driver's licenses, but some are offering solutions for people looking for last-minute appointments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some New York DMVs will stay open later on Thursdays and release new available time slots daily. They will also process REAL ID applications at the New York International Auto Show, from April 18 through April 27 at the Javits Center in Manhattan. The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced that 18 offices across the state would open earlier four days a week for REAL ID appointments. Illinois created a "Real ID Supercenter" for walk-ins. PHOTO: Exterior of Rensselaer County Department of Motor Vehicles, Dec. 16, 2019 in Troy, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images) "You may have to just do the old-fashioned thing, and every morning, refresh your browser and see if any appointments have opened up," said Aixa Diaz, AAA spokesperson. "Inevitably, like with doctors' appointments, there will be cancellations." Diaz warned that applicants will leave their appointment with a temporary paper copy of their ID. TSA won't accept this as valid, so they'll have to wait until they receive their actual ID in the mail. Try AAA Appointments may also be available at local AAA branches, according to Diaz. Not all AAA offices process REAL ID, and some only offer the service to members, so Diaz urges travelers to call ahead. Applicants may also have to pay an additional fee. What to bring to your appointment Applicants can check the Department of Homeland Security website to see their state's specific requirements and documents they need to bring. You can still use your passport A valid passport is compliant identification, so if you're having trouble booking an appointment, you can still use that after May 7 to go through the TSA checkpoint. If you show up without a REAL ID, expect delays If travelers arrive at the airport without compliant identification after May 7, TSA said they could encounter delays and other difficulties at the checkpoint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative (i.e., passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint," TSA said in a press release. What to know about getting a REAL ID as airport requirement deadline nears originally appeared on abcnews.go.com CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) Elizabethton High School will host a Hurricane Helene benefit concert on April 26. The Knoxville Christian Arts Ministries (KnoxCAM) will perform the benefit concert to raise funds for Carter Countys long-term disaster relief. BTPD hosting Drug Take Back event The performance will be on Saturday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. at Elizabethton High School. The benefit concert will raise funds solely from donations; tickets for the performance are free. 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. One of the two Labour MPs refused entry to Israel attended a Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) dinner weeks before, The Telegraph can reveal. Abtisam Mohammed and Yuan Yang were turned away at Israels border on Saturday on the basis that they had travelled to the country to spread anti-Israel hatred, Israeli authorities said. The pair, who became MPs last year, had travelled to Israel as part of a parliamentary delegation organised by Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can now be revealed that Ms Mohamed attended an event organised by a group shunned by the Government because of its allegedly anti-British positions. The Muslim Council of Britain dinner, which took place on March 17, was a celebration of the organisations campaign efforts for accurate reporting on Muslims and Islam. The Sheffield Central MPs decision to attend raised questions, as Labour has continued the Conservative partys policy of non-engagement with the organisation. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, addressed attendees at the dinner. While the Government has not given its reasoning for distancing itself from the organisation, Rishi Sunaks administration said positions taken by MCB leaders that it said contradict our fundamental values. Labour MPs rallied around Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang for a group photo in Westminster Hall, including Wes Streeting - Stefan Rousseau/PA Media In 2009, Daud Abdullah, MCBs then deputy secretary-general, signed a declaration calling for attacks on the Royal Navy if it tried to stop arms being smuggled into Gaza to supply Hamas. The Labour government of the time said it would not engage with the group unless Mr Abdullah stepped down. He later resigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January this year, Sir Steven Timms, the disability minister, was spoken to for attending a dinner organised by the group. Ms Mohamed has not faced any similar action from the party because backbench MPs are not held to the same standards as ministers, it is understood. The Governments position on the Muslim Council of Britain has not changed. Since entering the Commons, Ms Mohamed and Ms Yang have been critical of Israels actions during the war in Gaza, following the Oct 7 terror attacks by Hamas. In February, Ms Mohamed organised a cross-party letter signed by 61 MPs and peers that urged the UK to ban goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Yang called for sanctions on Israeli ministers in January, telling MPs: We would like more action and we do not think the current action is enough. Control and censorship Since the pair were denied entry to Israel, the Labour Party has rallied around them, posing for a group photo in Westminster Hall on Monday that featured Wes Streeting and Hamish Falconer. On Monday, Ms Mohamed told MPs: What happened to myself and the MP for Earley and Woodley [Ms Yang] has been unprecedented. We were denied entry based on our legitimate political opinions, which are firmly aligned with international law. There is no direct route into the West Bank. We have to go through Israel. This act was not just a diplomatic affront. This wasnt about security. It was about control and censorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Muslim Council of Britain declined to comment. Ms Mohammed has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SCRANTON City council President Gerald Smurl worries that a $12 million stormwater project in Green Ridge might collapse because only three of 47 affected property owners have given easements to the city for the work to occur. Smurl, who raised the issue at recent council meetings, said in a phone interview Tuesday that the city has met with residents several times in recent months regarding the project that will involve digging up and replacing an underground stormwater conduit that channels the intermittent Meadow Brook. The city and residents have been hashing out details and the city has accommodated all concerns, but the situation has ground to a standstill, Smurl said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state will fund and do the work but the city first has to acquire the easements that would give workers access to private properties, Smurl said. The city, which will pay for the easements, has done appraisals of all properties and made fair-market offers of compensation in exchange for easements, he said. But most owners have balked because they apparently want more money for their easement, Smurl said, noting he is not amenable to having the city pay more than what has been offered. There is no motion to move this forward. Its just a shame to see this sit idle, Smurl said. Resident Albert Young, whose home at 1713 Wyoming Ave. is one of the 47 properties involved in the stormwater project, said he has not agreed to an easement because the compensation offered to him is too low. In an interview Tuesday at his home, Young said that after receiving the citys easement compensation offer last year, he had his own appraisal of his property done last year. Four other neighbors on his block also have gotten their own appraisals and some have retained attorneys, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid that backdrop, Lackawanna Countys first property tax reassessment since 1968 had owners of all 103,000 parcels in the county last month receive their tentative new property valuations. The new values have affected how property owners view the citys easement compensation offers, Young said. The city is not paying enough money for the replacement of (lost) value from the stormwater conduit project, Young said. All of these other properties (involved in the stormwater project) are in the same boat. Young continued: Im all in favor of reassessment, dont get me wrong, but they did not take into consideration this block, with the destruction that is going to happen and how the property values are going to diminish. Thats the reason nobody is signing (easements). The offers are too low to satisfy the demands. The old conduit has caused problems in recent years, notably in the 1700 block of Wyoming Avenue. Here, parts of the conduit had collapsed and caused stormwater backups that opened big holes in backyards and under garages and caused severe flooding of some homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young and other residents in that block previously sued the city, resulting in various outcomes, including in Youngs case a jury verdict in favor of him and a former neighbor who sued jointly with Young, and settlements with others. Some emergency work a few years ago in the 1700 block of Wyoming Avenue, including in Youngs backyard, replaced some of the conduit as a temporary fix, pending the permanent fix thats in the works. Meadow Brook runs from Dunmore and Forest Hill cemeteries to the Lackawanna River. The underground conduit was first designed and constructed in 1955 to carry Meadow Brook through some residential areas of the neighborhood, according to city information on the project involved with securing legal and appraisal services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intermittent brook is dry at times but can become a deluge during heavy rain. About 30 years ago, the state completed part of a flood-control project that upgraded the portion of Meadow Brook from the Lackawanna River to about the 1600 block of Penn Avenue. But the project then fell dormant and the rest of the conduit, from the 1600 block of Penn Avenue to the cemeteries, never got replaced. In 2021, the state Department of Environmental Protection committed to a reconstruction of Meadow Brook from the Dunmore border to Green Ridge Street. The state Department of General Services leads the project. During the April 1 council meeting Smurl spoke of the stalemate, noting some properties have had damage dating back over 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We finally have the opportunity to repair it but cant seem to get people to sign the easements. We had all properties appraised and have issued easement offers. If you disagree with the appraisal, you need to get your own certified appraiser, Smurl said, according to minutes of the meeting. This is a $12 million dollar project being done by the state Department of General Services but the city has to obtain the easements with Scranton taxpayers money and I dont think a lot of taxpayers are willing to pay out of their pockets more than the (citys) appraised value offered for an easement. Young replied to that sentiment, Then were going to go to court. Monday update Then: Scranton plans a $12 million project to fix a longstanding stormwater problem in Green Ridge affecting 47 properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now: Only three of the affected property owners have given the city easements needed for the work to occur. * Scranton resident Albert Young discusses a city and state project to replace a stormwater conduit that runs through his backyard at 1713 Wyoming Ave. next to the adjacent Ryerson Avenue atop the retaining wall in background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Albert Youngs backyard at 1713 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, where an underground conduit channels the intermittent Meadow Brook. A concrete pad of a manhole for the conduit installed a few years ago under a temporary fix of stormwater flooding is visible in the background, next to a neighbors blue garage. The city has in the works a permanent fix of the conduit that runs through 47 properties. Photo taken from Ryerson Avenue on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A crumbling retaining wall foundation of Ryerson Avenue in Scranton, as seen on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from the backyard of Albert Young, whose home fronts on Wyoming Avenue. A city and state project to replace an underground stormwater conduit also would repair the retaining wall. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Scranton resident Albert Young discusses a city and state project to replace a stormwater conduit that runs through his backyard at 1713 Wyoming Ave. next to the adjacent Ryerson Avenue atop the retaining wall in background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Albert Youngs backyard at 1713 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, and where an underground conduit channels the intermittent Meadow Brook. A manhole for the conduit installed a few years ago under a temporary fix of stormwater flooding is visible in the background, next to a neighbors garage. The city has in the works a permanent fix of the conduit that runs through 47 properties. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A crumbling retaining wall foundation of Ryerson Avenue in Scranton, as seen on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from the backyard of Albert Young, whose home fronts on Wyoming Avenue. A city and state project to replace an underground stormwater conduit also would repair the retaining wall. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Show Caption 1 of 6 Scranton resident Albert Young discusses a city and state project to replace a stormwater conduit that runs through his backyard at 1713 Wyoming Ave. next to the adjacent Ryerson Avenue atop the retaining wall in background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Expand LAKE COUNTY, Ill. Detectives with the Lake County Illinois Sheriffs Office arrested a Zion man for possession for child pornography, some involving children as young as infants. The sheriffs office said detectives received a tip from an online cloud storage website saying a device in Lake County uploaded child pornography to their platform. Detectives then began investigating and determined the uploads came from a device likely at a home in the 3200 block of Enoch Avenue in Zion. Detectives later obtained a search warrant for the home and searched it on Friday. During their search, detectives seized electronic devices that contained child pornography belonging to 55-year-old Michael Guerra, according to investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump administration says it will exclude some electronics from reciprocal tariffs Guerra has since been charged with two counts of child pornography and authorities said additional charges are likely as detectives continue forensically analyzing Guerras devices. Guerra appeared in court Saturday morning and, at last check, was being held in the Lake County Jail. This is yet another successful investigation and arrest of a child predator by our detectives, Sheriff John D. Idleburg said. We will stop at nothing to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Im grateful for the incredible collaboration between our office, the Attorney Generals Office, and the States Attorneys Office to investigate these crimes and hold these individuals accountable. 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. By Ahmed Kingimi LAGOS (Reuters) - At least eight people were killed after a bus travelling along the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Nigeria's northeast Borno state on Saturday detonated a landmine, security sources and travellers said. Landmines are common in the northeast region where the Islamist group Boko Haram frequently launches attacks on security facilities and civilian communities, and has kidnapped hundreds of school children in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven other travellers were taken to the intensive care unit of a hospital in the capital Maiduguri, while 14 people sustained minor injuries in the incident, according to Governor Babagana Zulum. Abor Kachallah, a local vigilante officer, told Reuters on the phone that the incident occurred at about 11:45 a.m. Usman Idi, a traveller from Damboa town in Borno, also told Reuters on the phone that there was a heavy movement of military personnel towards the scene of the incident shortly after the explosion. "Yes, we saw the vehicle with the remains of the commercial bus that rammed into landmines buried by Boko Haram at Gidan Kaji, some 30 kilometers (19 miles) away from Damboa town," Idi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When contacted, Kenneth Daso, the police spokesperson in the state, said he was "still gathering reports about the incident." While visiting the survivors in the hospital, Zulum said the government would foot the bills of those injured. The governor urged the security agencies to intensify efforts in combating insurgency and securing major roads across the state. Last year, at least seven soldiers were killed after a mine exploded on a highway in the northeastern state. (Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi. Writing by Ben Ezeamalu; Editing by Marguerita Choy) (NewsNation) The deadline to file taxes in the United States is looming, with Tues. April 15 the cutoff day. It was first introduced in 1913, coinciding with the ratification of the 16th Amendment. It is the final daybarring an exemptionto file taxes without penalty. Despite common thought, you can file your taxes for free, heres how. Documents you need To file your taxes, you need several documents. These include a variety of personal information and income-related data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the IRS, you need: Personal information: Social security number or individual tax ID number Bank account and routing numbers if using direct deposit for refunds Adjusted gross income Refund amount from previous tax return Current address Self-select PIN if you e-filed last year IP PIN if you were a victim of identity theft Tax calculator: How much do I owe in taxes? Income: Paycheck stubs W-2 form Bank statements or documents from other payment apps or online marketplaces Checks addressed to you Unemployment payments If you didnt get a W-2, you may have received a 1099 form, which shows other types of income. Common types include a 1099-K for payments received through online marketplaces such as PayPal; a 1099-G for government payments such as unemployment benefits; a 1099-NEC for contractor or freelance work; and a SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To take advantage of tax credits, you will need to provide other documents, such as: Childcare or dependent care expenses Home mortgage and property tax records Charitable donations Health savings account or flexible spending account contributions Health care expenses Retirement contributions Education expenses (for students and teachers) Budget calculator: Calculate your monthly budget using the 50/30/20 rule Utilizing IRS tools and resources Direct File, which came into effect in 2024, is a free tool available in 25 states to persons filing federal returns directly with the IRS. The Treasury Department estimated that one-third of all federal income tax returns filed could be prepared using Direct File last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is available in: Alaska Arizona California Connecticut Florida Idaho Illinois Kansas Maine Maryland Massachusetts Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Pennsylvania South Dakota Tennessee Texas Washington state Wisconsin Wyoming A transcript can be requested of your account history, which includes wage and income information from any given tax year. Through this, you can assess your payment history and the amount of money you owe. To access this, you must provide your Social Security number. To beat the tax deadline, you can receive the transcripts online. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites across the country are staffed with volunteers who will help you file a return or arrange for an extension for free. These volunteers can help you set up an installment payment plan of as many as 72 months to pay off any owed taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What are the 401(k) contribution limits in 2025? Filing advice and tips if filing yourself First and foremost, if you cannot meet the deadline, you can file an extension. Form 4868 is what you need to gain an extension via the IRS Free File platform. This must be completed before Tuesdays deadline. It does not extend the timeline to pay taxes. If you dont file a return or ask for an extension, then interest and penalties begin to accrue immediately. Those costs are largely avoidable if you share the information about your circumstances with the IRS in a timely way. Filing a return without paying taxes owed in full is preferable to not filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IRS deadline for stimulus checks approaching, heres if you qualify If you dont pay all the taxes you owe by the April 15 filing deadline, interest will accrue even if youve been granted an extension to October, but that interest will be more manageable than fees that add up when you pay no taxes at all. If youve experienced unusual hardship, and you share that with the IRS, the IRS can sometimes put your account in currently-not-collectible status. To do that, you share information about your income and living expenses, and the IRS determines if you qualify. NewsNations Ashley Soriano and the Associated Press contributed to this article. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A freshman Oklahoma lawmaker has brought up a new possible ethics complaint centered around State Superintendent Ryan Walters. In an interview with Non-Doc, Representative Ellen Pogemiller (D-Oklahoma City) said she not only asked Attorney General Gentner Drummond for his opinion, but also filed another complaint with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Pogemiller said she believes that because Walters seemingly endorsed an alternate organization to what he called woke teachers unions through the use of his state letterhead, he probably violated an ethics rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I knocked on several doors and most of the people told me that their main concern is holding Ryan Walters accountable, said Pogemiller. In his press release, he promoted the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a program founded in March by the Freedom Foundation, a right-wing think tank. Walters already accepted a settlement agreement this year for an ethics violation where he pushed politically charged opinions while using his state profile on X. Ethics Commission still asking for Ryan Walters campaign donor information There he was told to take an ethics training course and to pay $5,000. Pogemiller believes that in this instance Walters issued written communications on official state letterhead and using state resources, advocating for TFA and positioning it as a preferable alternative to other labor organizations and professional organizations representing educators in Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its (the letterhead) an official capacity as state superintendent. And so I feel like that went beyond the scope of what he was able to do and I wanted to get clarification, said Pogemiller. Specifically, she listed two reasons the communications violated ethics rules: State officers are prohibited from using state resources to promote private interests. State officers may not use their position to provide preferential treatment to a specific private entity. State dollars have already been used to pay the Freedom Foundation. In July 2023, an Open Records Request found that Walters billed Oklahoma over $500 for airfare, mileage, and per diem for an appearance as the keynote speaker at the Freedom Foundations Teachers for Freedom Summit in Denver, Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walters in the past, has been admittedly against teachers unions and at one point even called them terrorist organizations. The AGs office told News 4 on Friday that Pogemillers request for an opinion is still being reviewed. News 4 reached out to an OSDE spokesperson via email on Friday and asked what specifically was woke about the teachers unions in Oklahoma if he believes what Pogemiller is saying is against ethics rules, and for a statement. Another question we asked is if the Teachers Freedom Alliance can provide the same sort of things that other teachers unions in our state can. News 4 also reached out to a person listed on a recent press release as being a part of the Teachers Freedom Alliance and asked if they provide liability insurance coverage to teachers or have the legal right in Oklahoma to negotiate working conditions. As of Friday evening, we have not heard back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Editor's note: The Air Force Academy graduating Class of 2024 included 36.7% minority students. The original version of the story listed the w Connecticut's food service containers are about to get a lot less trashy. As the nonprofit newsroom Connecticut Inside Investigator reported, the state's Environment Committee recently passed a bill that will ban single-use plastic utensils, straws, stirrers, and polystyrene food containers beginning in 2026. The exception will be for requests made to accommodate disabilities and medical purposes. The bill is co-sponsored by several House Democrats, who listed environmental protection and pollution reduction as the key drivers behind the legislation. Alex Rodriguez of Save the Sound called the actions "vital" during public testimony. "Polystyrene is not only bulky, challenging, and expensive to recycle, but it also breaks down into microplastics that contaminate our environment and drinking water," he said. "With 11 states and the European Union already enacting similar bans, it is time for us to take decisive action." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill isn't universally popular, though. Businesses and schools, including the Connecticut State Department of Education, oppose it for the financial burden it will place on them to comply with the plastics ban. Representatives from the CSDE estimated that switching to compostable dining trays and cutlery would cost "at least $18.7 million," the Inside Investigator reported. "The burden this proposal places on schools significantly limits the available resources to improve the components that make up school meals, including purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers," CSDE Commissioner Charlene Tucker-Russell wrote. However, advocates for the bill argue that this transition is actually more feasible than those estimates make it appear. "Polystyrene alternatives such as cardboard are easier to recycle while costing roughly the same to businesses," former Stamford Mayor David Martin said in a news release. "This is a common sense environmental reform that benefits everyone who lives on this planet." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considering the impact that microplastics have on human health and the health of our food chain and ecosystems it's understandable that many of the bill's proponents position it as not only an environmentally friendly policy but a public health policy too. 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. Lawmakers are pressing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for information regarding the recent outages with its hazard notification system. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined other senators and U.S. representatives in pressing the FAA for information regarding the recent Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system outages and the status of past-due upgrades to the system. Family from Spain, pilot killed in NYC sightseeing helicopter crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moran is the chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation. The lawmakers wrote the following letter, in part, to the FAA: We write to you to request information on the recent temporary outages of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system as well as an update on efforts to modernize the system. Pilots rely on the NOTAM system to remain aware of safety hazards on flight routes. This system is critical to the safety of the nearly 3 million passengers who fly over the U.S. every day. You can read the full letter here. The 2023 NOTAM Improvement Act requires the FAA to establish a task force to strengthen the resiliency and cybersecurity of the NOTAM system, which alerts pilots of safety and location hazards on flight routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law required the FAA to upgrade the NOTAM system and create a backup system by September 2024. While the backup system was put in place in July 2024, the required upgrade of the primary system has not yet been completed. Lawmakers said in the letter that the primary NOTAM system experienced outages for several hours on Feb. 1 and March 22. Plane crash near Florida highway kills 3 on board, injures 1 on the ground While we are pleased that the backup system is in place as of July 2024 and was successfully activated during that outage, we are concerned about the past due implementation of a modernized NOTAM system, as required by law, they said in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers have requested the following information from the FAA: What caused the recent NOTAM outages? What steps is the FAA taking to mitigate future outages? How quickly was the backup system activated during the outages? How effective was the backup system, including its performance in comparison to the primary system? Please provide an update on the FAAs implementation of the NOTAM Improvement Act, particularly the status of efforts to implement an upgraded NOTAM system. Travelers deserve flights that are safe and on time, the letter reads. We urge you to ensure that a modernized NOTAM system is implemented in a timely manner. Heres a look at recent aircraft tragedies, mishaps and close calls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just this week, a Spanish family and pilot were killed in a helicopter crash in New York City. On Friday, a small plane crashed near a Florida highway, killing three people. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EDITORS NOTE: A lawsuit represents only one side of a story. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Utah District Court has ruled against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a lawsuit filed over the payment of sex abuse settlements. The Church sued its insurance companies, National Union Insurance and ACE Property & Casualty Co., claiming that the companies should pay for a sexual abuse lawsuit involving the church that was settled in West Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case, initially filed by the church in 2021, centered around the church disputing the policies of two insurance companies it had contracted with to restitute lost payments tied to a West Virginia sexual abuse settlement involving the alleged sexual abuse of children by a man named Michael Jensen. Frankenjet: This F-35A Lightning II made from two damaged aircraft just returned to Utahs Air Force base The lawsuit alleged that the church did not report a reasonable suspicion of child sexual abuse as required by West Virginia law, and did not protect the children from their abuser. The church settled the case, but its insurance companies National Union Insurance and ACE Property & Casualty Co. did not cover the settlements. The Church then sued the insurance companies in federal court in Salt Lake City, claiming that the companies were in breach of contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court ruled against the LDS Church on April 6, stating that insurance companies contracted by the church did not owe the church a duty to defend or indemnify under any implicated policy, and as a result, the companies did not breach their contractual obligations to the Church under any policy or the implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing inherent in the contracts they entered into with the church. The church also came under fire in 2022 after an Arizona bishop learned that a member of his congregation was allegedly sexually assaulting his 5-year-old daughter. The bishop then followed church policy and called the Mormon Abuse Help Line. He later informed police that church attorneys in Salt Lake City who staff the help line claimed that because he learned of the abuse during a counseling session, the church considers it a spiritual confession, and he was therefore legally bound to keep the abuse secret. The abuser was identified as Paul Douglas Adams, a U.S. Border Patrol employee who was living with his wife and six children in Bisbee, Arizona. Adams abused the bishops daughter for seven more years, and went on to abuse his second daughter, according to the Associated Press. He reportedly stopped in 2017 after he was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident led the Associated Press to obtain thousands of pages of sealed court documents that show, in detail, how the churchs help line can reportedly divert abuse complaints away from law enforcement. The financial details of the ruling against the LDS Church in regard to the sexual abuse in West Virginia have been redacted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A small plane crashed in upstate New York Saturday afternoon killing at least one person, officials said. The plane went down in the middle of an open field on Two Town Road around noon, Columbia County Undersheriff Jacqueline Salvatore said at a press conference Saturday afternoon. Salvatore couldnt comment on the number of fatalities but confirmed that sheriffs deputies were actively investigating a fatal plane crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No buildings or structures were impacted by the crash, she added. The Federal Aviation Administration later confirmed that two people were aboard a Mistubishi MU-2B when it crashed near Copake. The twin-engine turboprop aircraft was headed to Columbia County Airport in Hudson, about 15 miles northwest of Copake, the FAA said. The plane was traveling from an airport in Westchester County, about 30 miles north of New York City, the Times-Union reported, citing flight data. The incident is being investigated by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. No further information is available at this time. BEIRUT (AP) The Lebanese-French national who was accused of detonating explosives in a 2012 attack in Bulgaria that killed five Israeli tourists was buried in a cemetery designated for fallen Hezbollah fighters, said a former Lebanese security official who negotiated the return of his remains. The bomber was identified as Mohammad Hassan El-Husseini, 23. On July 18, 2012, he struck a group of Israeli tourists at Burgas Airport in Bulgaria, killing five Israelis, a Bulgarian bus driver, and injuring nearly 40 others, authorities said. The explosion occurred shortly after the tourists, arriving on a charter flight from Tel Aviv, boarded a bus en route to their hotel. Israeli and Bulgarian authorities blamed the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El-Husseini was eventually identified through a DNA analysis by Bulgarian investigators working with Israeli, U.S., and European intelligence agencies. The former head of the Lebanese General Security intelligence agency, Abbas Ibrahim, told The Associated Press that he helped negotiate the return of the remains Thursday on behalf of El-Husseini's family, who hired a lawyer in Bulgaria to handle the legal proceedings. He was buried Friday, Ibrahim said. El-Husseini had entered Bulgaria days before the bombing using a fake Michigan drivers license. He was part of a three-man Hezbollah cell operating across Europe, according to investigators. His alleged accomplices Meliad Farah, an Australian-Lebanese, and Hassan El Hajj Hassan, a Canadian-Lebanese were charged in absentia in 2016. Both remain at large despite international arrest warrants. Investigators said the men traveled through Poland, Romania, and Germany, using fake identities to gather materials for the attack. Intelligence officials believe Hezbollah coordinated their training and logistics. ___ This story corrects the day when the body was returned. The mother of the convicted killer mistakenly released from a Georgia jail is sharing her side of the story after he was taken back into custody Friday morning by U.S. Marshals in her Ocoee home. Kathan Guzman is now in the Orange County jail. His mother, Iris Guzman, says she picked him up from the Clayton County, Georgia, jail after he called her. Guzman was released on March 27th. They stayed in Georgia until that Saturday. She says on paper,r he was a free man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here he is being ripped out of our lives again. He gave himself to you, he turned himself in, and you let him back out, said Iris Guzman. During a tearful one-on-one conversation Iris Guzman says she believed her son was a free man. They were working on restarting his life and get him an ID before U.S. Marshals showed up at her home. Just a regular day talking about getting documents together to go get and before I knew it my house was surrounded, my house was rushed, my family traumatized all because of someone elses mistake, said Guzman. Guzman shared a picture of a document showing her son Kathan Guzmans release on March 27. She says when she went to Clayton County, Georgia to pick him upshe called several times to make sure it was right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I contacted the sheriffs department and made sure, hey do you guys have the right person. I was quickly brushed off by somebody responding me maam we just get a paper that says theyre going home and they go home, said Guzman. The Clayton County sheriff says training and people not paying attention led to Guzmans releasea mistake Guzman says her son should not have to pay for. Hes a good kid. Hes a good kid. Hes being painted out to be a monster, and hes not that, said Guzman. Guzman was sentenced to life in prison for strangling and killing his girlfriend, Delila Grayson, in 20-22. She acknowledges something bad happened and another family is hurting. She says her son confessed then and again went willingly when taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was never a threat. He gave himself up just as easily as he did the first time, said Guzman. The other mother, grieving, says shes still uneasy but glad hes back behind bars. I cant take the dogs out before the daylight comes out. So, its almost like me being in prison instead of him being in prison. Now, Im free. The cuffs are off, said Christina Grayson. Guzman will be extradited to Georgia. His mother says she doesnt want him to go there. She says shes going to start fighting for him to get mental health help. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Chuck Mong leaves lasting legacy We at the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County were saddened to learn of Chuck Mongs passing last month. As an early leader of our organization, Chuck shaped much of what the CBICC is today and fostered key relationships that continue to benefit our community. Chucks tenacity and business acumen played a pivotal role in strengthening Centre Countys economy. His vision for the Chamber and what would later become the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau has had an immeasurable impact for residents and visitors to Centre County alike. We are grateful for his leadership during a formative time for our area. While building our regions economic foundation Chuck remained dedicated to public service and building community. Since his passing, I have heard from former CBICC board members who shared their admiration and gratitude for his leadership and service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On behalf of the CBICC, our hearts go out to Chucks family and friends. His legacy continues to inspire us, and we are confident it will live on in Centre County for generations to come. Greg Scott, State College. The author is the president and CEO of CBICC. SCASD external review raises questions In the aftermath of the death by suicide of middle school student Abby Smith, and at the urging of her parents and the community, the State College Area School District hired Dr. Erbacher, an expert on suicide in schools, to review the districts policies and procedures. She presented her results at the March 24 board meeting which was thoroughly reported by the CDT on March 30. Dr. Erbacher provided compelling information. However, I am curious regarding some obvious gaps. How could a deeply informative response be gained when only five students were interviewed? Why were classroom teachers not included in the survey? This was a missed opportunity to gain a broad representative response from students and faculty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After this horrific tragedy, its important to focus on the positive. The fact that our school community is articulating the critical issues around student mental health and that parents and teachers are more acutely aware of checking in with kids, gives me hope for change and for better acceptance and awareness of mental health being another routine aspect of human development. This is in no small part to the actions of Abbys parents, Jen Black and Jon Smith. Through unimaginable grief, they have remained steadfast in advocating for improving school mental health procedures. Their ability to respectfully articulate and advocate for all students, while honoring the memory of their precious child, has been humbling to observe. Our community awaits the results of how our schools will utilize the results of Dr. Erbachers report. Laura Barthmaier, State College Speak out in every way possible The illegal actions of this administration are ever eroding the fragile hold on democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement April 2, 2025, thousands of critical health workers at the CDC and FDA lost their jobs. Katelyn Jatelina, a trusted epidemiologist, spells out the current harms from these terribly inefficient firings: HIV prevention? Gone. Asthma and air quality team? Gone. Environmental hazard response? Gone. Gun violence prevention? Gutted. Communications? Gutted. Worker safety? Gone. Reproductive health? Gone. Birth defects? Gone. Disability health? Gone. TB prevention? Gone. Blood disorder programs? Gone. National survey on drug use and mental health? Gone. Lead poisoning prevention? Gone. Water safety? Gone. Tobacco control division? Gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must speak out in every way possible against the fascist turn of this corrupt administration. Margaret Ellis, State College Who does Thompson represent? Thanks to Representative Glenn GT Thompson for his newsletters, showing hes out of touch with constituents needs. In recent newsletters, Thompson said nothing about the chaos engulfing our country high prices; fired government workers; canceled contracts providing food and health services to millions of Americans; threats to Social Security, Medicaid, and supplemental nutrition aid; tattered global alliances; Trumps revenge tours. So, what did Thompson say? He co-sponsored legislation to ensure that AM radio remains available on cars, so drivers can access news and emergency information. A strange priority; its not how most people access information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He highlighted National Agriculture Day, claiming to champion the hard work of the agriculture sector. Meanwhile, he did nothing as the Agriculture Department canceled $13 million in funding for Pennsylvania farmers who supply food banks. He praised recent airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen, and action to safeguard American interests But hes mum about the shocking security failures surrounding those airstrikes that risked American military lives, and the unwillingness of our highest intelligence officials to acknowledge errors in sharing classified information on a commercial app. He continued to prioritize business over public good. He complained about regulatory burdens and praised for-profit DaVita Dialysis. But nothing about the lack of maternity services in six counties in his district. He frequently attends business summits, but cant find time to meet with constituents or attend the March 29 town hall. It couldnt be clearer Thompson doesnt know or represent his constituents. Nora Chyle, State College GENEVA TOWNSHIP Township officials are taking a new approach to fund the townships fire services through the Geneva Fire Department. Three two-mill levies have failed, so the township decided to go to the voters with a 1.75 mill levy, Geneva Township Trustee Tim Mills said. He said the two-mill levy allowed the township to help the city with a little extra money here and there, but it is more important to pass the levy to provide the best service possible. Mills said it is a challenge to put together millage that will work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I get the idea that people dont want to pay taxes, he said. The important thing to remember is the excellent service received from the Geneva Fire Department, Mills said. He said the Geneva Fire Department does a lot of extra services, ranging from education in the district schools, to assisting people locked out of vehicles, and even this year even helping remove snow from roofs. If it doesnt pass, we will have to do some cuts, Mills said. We will have to reduce services. One of the challenges of potentially creating a township fire department would be purchasing fire trucks, and dealing with reduced response time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the Geneva Fire Department response in the township is in the six to eight minute range, and that would likely increase to 16-20 minutes with a township department. A fire doubles in size every 30 seconds, he said of the problems such a lengthy response could create for homeowners. Mills said the fire department even comes to residents homes if they are unable to change a smoke detector themselves. All that stuff would probably go away, he said. If the levy funds are not approved, the rest of the township services could be hurt as well, Mills said. Wed have to buy stuff out of our general fund, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills said he is proud of the townships snow removal record, and that could suffer, as more money would have to be devoted to a potential township fire department. The township does have a building that could house a fire truck, but the purchase of new trucks is very expensive, and functional used trucks are hard to find, he said. The national fire service ISO rating could also suffer, resulting in possible higher insurance rates for area businesses and homes. Our iso rating with the Geneva Fire Department is a three, Mills said. On a volunteer department, that could be a six or an eight. Early in-person voting started April 8, and absentee voting by mail also started the same day. Election Day is May 6, with polls open from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Boulder District Judge Nancy Salomone on Friday afternoon vacated the 2012 first-degree murder conviction of Michael Clark, setting in motion his release from prison on bail. It is the first time a murder conviction has been set aside in the wake of the scandal that has embroiled the Colorado Bureau of Investigations forensic lab for the past 18 months. Clark, 49, has maintained his innocence for more than 30 years in the 1994 shooting death of Marty Grisham in Boulder. He was tried and convicted 18 years after the murder, in part due to testimony from a now-discredited former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic expert who linked his DNA to the crime scene. Last month, an independent lab concluded that in some of its DNA retesting of the evidence, Clark was, in fact, excluded, which lent support to the defenses claim that he was not at Grisham's apartment the night he was shot. In a court filing Friday, the Boulder County District Attorneys office said that it no longer objected to vacating the conviction, and the judge then quickly did so. While it continued to believe the evidence against Clark was "weighty" and it did not agree that the defense arguments rose to the legal standard to overturn the conviction the district attorney acknowledged that due to the "totality" of the issues surrounding the case, "it is in the interest of justice to vacate Defendant's conviction at this time and grant Defendant a new trial." The district attorney's office said in its filing Friday that it will now re-evaluate the evidence in the 30-year-old case, attempt to relocate witnesses, and "determine whether the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt at a second trial. A decision is expected in June. Clark's defense attorney Adam Frank said on Friday he will continue to press to have all charges dropped. "This is a really good day," he said in an interview. "But the fight is not over yet." Clark will be released from Fremont Correctional Facility in Florence in coming days and likely sent to Boulder County jail, where he will be held on $100,000 bond. Clark has been imprisoned for more than 12 years after being sentenced to life without parole. The allegations swirling around past operations at the CBI forensic lab have become deeply intertwined in the Clark case. At the center of the scandal is Yvonne Woods, once Colorados most revered and prolific DNA analyst at the states crime lab. Woods, who goes by the nickname Missy, is accused and has partly admitted to deleting data, skipping steps, and using faulty procedures in her analysis of crime evidence. She is also accused of giving false testimony at trials. Of the more than 10,780 cases Woods handled in her 29-year career, CBI has acknowledged finding 1,003 irregularities in her work, or roughly one in 10 cases. Notably, the Clark case was not among the 1,003 cases CBI identified as problem cases. That has led some in the judicial system to question the true scope of Woods' alleged misconduct and its impact on defendants and crime victims alike. Featured Local Savings Frank argued as far back as 2019 four years before the scandal broke that Woods DNA conclusions in his clients case were wrong and that her testimony misled jurors. At trial, Woods testified that Clarks DNA matched a partial profile she developed from inside a jar of Carmex lip balm found at the scene the morning after the murder. She also said when looking at the DNA extracted, 99.4% of the male population could be excluded but Clark could not. Years later, as part of Frank's motion to overturn the conviction, Phillip Danielson, a professor of forensic genetics at the University of Denver, reviewed Woods findings for the defense and wrote in an affidavit that her methods were suspect and that the DNA results in the Clark case should have been considered inconclusive or excluded him altogether. At the time, the judge declined to allow a hearing to introduce questions about the effectiveness of Clark's original defense lawyer, the validity of Woods testing, and evidence of juror misconduct. That decision was later overturned by the Colorado Court of Appeals in late 2023, and a hearing on the defense arguments was scheduled for late May. Clark was a teenager when Grisham was killed and quickly considered a prime suspect. He once owned the same type of gun that was used, had talked about leaving town quickly to join the U.S. Marine Corps, and, most damning, he had stolen and forged checks from the victim. While in custody on the check charges, a jailhouse informant also told authorities and later testified that Clark kinda nodded when asked if he did it, referring to killing Grisham. Clark told The Denver Gazette in a prison interview last year that the claim was absurd. Although a leading suspect, Clark was not arrested for the murder at the time because there were no witnesses, no physical evidence and the murder weapon was never found. Not until 2009, when Boulder police reopened the case, was new traction found. Forensic science had improved dramatically by then and the jar of Carmex, still stored in evidence, was sent to CBI for testing. It landed with Woods and her conclusions about the DNA found in the lip balm container led to Clarks arrest and eventual conviction. Woods' DNA analysis was seen by prosecutors as the missing piece in a long unsolved puzzle. But last fall, in light on the ongoing CBI scandal, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty agreed the DNA evidence in the Clark case should be retested by Bode Technology, an independent lab in Virginia. Results released in March by Bode showed it could not replicate Woods' findings in some of its retests, according to the lab report attached to a recent defense filing in the case. The Denver Gazette asked Danielson at DU and Laura Schile, a nationally known DNA forensic expert in Arizona, to review the Bode information in the defense filing and both said it was significant that Woods' conclusions could not be consistently reproduced. Reproducibility is a hallmark of scientific reliability, Danielson said. Woods is awaiting trial on 102 felony charges including perjury, forgery, cybercrime and attempting to influence a public servant. LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) A new billboard in Lexington paired with a cash reward is putting a spotlight on one of North Carolinas oldest missing persons cases. Its been 44 years since 13-year-old Donna Barnhill disappeared from her Lexington neighborhood. On Friday, it was announced by the Wilmington-based nonprofit CUE Center for Missing Persons. The billboard sits right across from the Davidson County Sheriffs Office on Highway 64. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a bright red with Barnhills photos along with bold letters asking anyone with information to come forward. Theyre offering a $5,000 reward for that information. Regardless of how she is brought home, as long as she is, thats all that matters to us, said Summer Goodwin, Donna Barnhills cousin. Barnhill was just 13 when she was last seen walking near her home on Hemstead Street in Lexington in March 1981. She vanished without a trace. Barnhills family had endured tragedy before her disappearance. Her older sister died in 1966. The death was ruled a homicide. Now, her family hopes to reunite the two sisters at last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be able to bring her home would mean the world to me and my family, Goodwin said. Friends, family and volunteers from the CUE Center for Missing Persons gathered to announce the billboard, and they also walked the neighborhood where Barnhill was last seen. They left flyers and knocked on doors. With them was her childhood friend Lee Hedrick. She remembers their days playing on the same street. She was funny. She was really, really funny, said Lee Hedrick, Barnhills childhood friend. The nonprofit behind the billboard has never stopped fighting for answers. CUE has chased down leads from North Carolina all the way down to Florida in order to try to bring her home After exhausting every type of search sector, all types of technology, everything still do not have her home, said Mary Messer, a CUE Center for Missing Persons volunteer and searcher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police hope the new effort will help turn up the temperature on the cold case. It definitely has a potential to increase the number of tips and potential leads that come in to us Were looking forward to that. We hope it does, said Captain Luke Davis with the Lexington Police Department. The $5,000 reward will only be in effect for 90 days, and the offer will expire on July 10 at midnight. Anyone with information should call the Lexington police at (336) 243-3302 or the CUE Center for Missing Persons 24-hour line at (910) 232-1687. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. OTTAWA An architect of President Donald Trumps aggressive trade policy told a closed-door Canadian audience Friday that the two neighbors can recover from this period of unprecedented tensions. Robert Lighthizer, the pro-tariff former U.S. trade representative during Trumps first term, told a conference of Canadian conservatives in Ottawa that their country can help mend the tattered relationship by spending more on defense, helping the White House deal with China and negotiating a new North American free trade deal. In the final analysis, the relationship between the United States and Canada is going to be as good or better than it has ever been, and the business relationship will be fine, Lighthizer said, according to a recording of the closed-door event obtained by POLITICO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former trade representative has no role in the current Trump administration but his views were welcomed and hotly anticipated in a country looking for clues on how to counter the economic threats from its closest neighbor and top trading partner. He is still relevant. I would view him as the godfather of American trade policy for this administration, said Jason Easton, who was a trade adviser to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and was at the event. Lighthizers 2023 book, No Trade is Free, has now likely surpassed Trumps own Art of the Deal as essential reading for Canadian politicians and policy makers trying to steer their country through its current economic crisis over Trumps tariffs, Easton said. His book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the current state of affairs with America in trade, whether you agree with Ambassador Lighthizer or not, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his remarks at the conference, Lighthizer justified the global disruption caused by Trumps tariffs, while at the same time suggesting that the presidents trade strategy could have benefits for Canada as well. Canadian industry and Canadian workers have suffered from this international system in much the same way ours have, he said. His appearance was especially anticipated with Canadians heading to the polls on April 28 in a federal election where the economic threat from Trump tariffs is the central issue. Lighthizer did not respond to an interview request from POLITICO earlier this week ahead of his appearance at the conference, where he appeared on stage to engage with Mark Mulroney, the son of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney who forged the first Canada-U.S. free trade deal with President Ronald Reagan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lighthizers remarks amplified Trumps reasoning for unleashing his tariff assault: that the U.S. has been targeted by a world of freeloaders and needs to respond. We have to get to the point where the United States moves towards balanced trade, he said. Theres a million ways to look at this, but the economies of most of the world are growing because of our trade deficit, and that cant go on forever. Lighthizer said he is in favour of a renegotiation of the USMCA but suggested one new twist: excluding Mexico. It should be the United States and Canada trying to stop China and other places from coming in and taking advantage of this market, he said. Theres a big issue, which is Chinese investment in Mexico that has to be addressed, and the Canadians ought to be on the American side of that issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lighthizer also said it was the former Trudeau government that wanted a six-year sunset clause in the USMCA because it assumed that timing would mean Canada wouldnt have to negotiate the deal with Trump. Now under the second Trump administration, Lighthizer said the presidents plan to reshore manufacturing to the U.S. could be a boon for Canada. If the president is right, and if it works out the way it should work out, we will find ourselves with a manufacturing renaissance in America, he said. Its impossible for me to believe that that could happen and that Canada wouldnt benefit. But Canada, he said, has to stop stalling on increasing its defense spending. The country has failed to meet the NATO target of 2 percent of GDP, which Trump has said should be 5 percent. Canada does not pay a share on national defense, he said. And thats quite unfair. Apr. 12In honor of America's 250 anniversary, two lights will shine in the Lawrence County Courthouse this week. Rich Donahue, chair of America 250 for Lawrence County, said this is the initial event for the program. "This is the first event, called 'Two Lights for Tomorrow," which is April 18-19. It is the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride," he explained. It honors Revere's fabled midnight ride that let the Revolutionary forces know that English soldiers were headed toward Lexington, Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Revere, a silversmith by trade, had been hired to carry messages. On the night of April 18, 1755, he was given the task of riding his horse from Boston to Lexington to warn of the British soldiers; movements. He had a friend put up lanterns in a church window to signal other Sons of Liberty as to how the British were moving, one lantern, if by land, two lanterns, if by sea. Donahue said they contacted Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson to see if they could put the lights in a window in his third-floor office at the courthouse since it is in the center of the courthouse facing Fourth Street. Anderson agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So, we will have two lights burning from his office on April 18-19, much like the State Capitol building," Donahue said. "We appreciate Brigham and his office for doing that for us." Donahue said that he is the one who built the lanterns. "We are excited to see it," Donahue said. "We looked at what Paul Revere's lanterns looked like. Central Hardware had something similar on the shelf. I think it looks classic." There will be many America 250 events and projects in Lawrence County in the upcoming months. Donahue said they just completed passing out a project to all the schools in the county for next May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is called 'Lovely Lawrence County.' Students will take a relative to a historical place, maybe a place in Lawrence County that has been forgotten. They will take a picture and write a short essay," Donahue explained. Each project will be graded and three winners from each school will be taken out for lunch and then the students can discuss their stories and history they dug into." "It is right in line with Ohio's America 250 program about tales and trails and finding interesting points where people can come and visit," he continued. "We really have a jewel here in Ohio, I really believe that. We just have to tell Lawrence County's story." In Ironton, Mayor Sam Cramblitt is allowing the group to paint an America 250 mural on the floodwall. Donahue said the mural will feature the Gillette family barn, which is where the Rome Beauty Apple was created. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Back in the day, Lawrence County was known for its large apple orchards," Donahue said. "So, the idea is to put the family barn on the mural and then paint a Rome Beauty Apple and the America 250 logo on the barn. We are going to collage a few things about Lawrence County on the mural." Donahue said they are looking for volunteers in each township to help coordinate events in each town and village in the county. "We are looking forward to getting people involved and creating excitement about America's birthday," Donahue said. To keep up to date, you can go to Facebook under America 250 Lawrence County Ohio. Apr. 11LIMA Lima schools is expected to hire Reynoldsburg schools Assistant Superintendent Andre Rudolph as the district's next superintendent. The board revealed its decision Friday morning after a second round of interviews with three candidates Thursday evening. The public met the three candidates, who included Lima Senior High School Principal Darnell Collins and East Cleveland schools Technology Director Tom Domzlaski, on Thursday to assist the board with its decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rudolph, a Miami University graduate, worked as director of labor relations and high school principal for Cleveland schools before accepting a job as assistant superintendent of Reynoldsburg schools, where he oversees personnel. He previously worked in Euclid and Warrensville Heights schools. Rudolph will succeed retiring Superintendent Jill Ackerman, who will remain in her role through July 31. Rudolph said his vision is to bring academic excellence to Lima schools. The Reynoldsburg assistant superintendent spoke of a collaborative approach to leadership, drawing from his experience overseeing labor relations at Cleveland and Reynoldsburg schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It can't just be my mission," Rudolph said. He added, "We've got smart kids. I want to make sure that's represented on all accounts, so someone can go pull up our state card and see us with an 'A.'" Asked whether he intends to settle in Lima long term, Rudolph said he's looking for stability for his children, ages 3 and 8, who will attend Lima schools. Rudolph said his experience outside of Lima can be an asset too. "We want to prepare our children for a global community, but if we only have people from Lima, we don't give them a global perspective," Rudolph said when asked how he can lead a community he is not from. Board President Deanna Reynolds-Griffin said Rudolph's experience in administration and labor relations a key issue for a district that has long struggled with teacher and staff retention made him an ideal candidate for the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A primary objective for Rudolph will be to "fine tune" curriculum to improve student outcomes and the district's state report card, Reynolds-Griffin said. The board reviewed 16 applications and interviewed six candidates before selecting Rudolph, who edged out two local candidates for the role. "We know change is hard," Reynolds-Griffin said, "and we know it's going to be hard for a lot of people, but want them to trust us. We did a lot of research. We've talked to a lot of people, and we've listened to all the candidates. (We) felt Mr. Rudolph was our best candidate." The Lima school board extended an offer to Rudolph on Thursday evening. The board will formalize its decision during a special meeting set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at South Science and Technology Magnet School, 755 St. Johns Ave. Featured Local Savings Apr. 11MIDLAND The Literacy Summit 2025, a complimentary full-day event focused on empowering educators, employers, and community advocates in the fight for literacy and workforce development, will take place on April 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Midland County Horseshoe. This year's summit will feature keynote speaker Steve Sauceda, Vice President of Workforce Development at New Mexico Junior College, who will address the critical connection between literacy skills and workforce readiness in today's evolving economy. "The Literacy Summit represents an invaluable opportunity for professionals across education and industry to collaborate on building stronger literacy foundations that directly support workforce development," Letticia Martinez, Executive Director of the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin, said in a news release. "We're especially proud to offer this comprehensive professional development experience at no cost to attendees." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day will include specialized break-out sessions covering: Adult Education Best Practices Health and Financial Literacy Employability Skills Development Early Childhood Literacy Foundations Workforce Development Strategies The summit is designed for a diverse audience, including teachers, tutors, volunteers, HR professionals, employers, and community advocates. Participants will gain practical strategies to implement in their respective fields while networking with like-minded professionals dedicated to literacy advancement. Registration is required to secure your spot at this free event. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Event Details What: Literacy Summit 2025. When: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 8:30 a.m. 3 p.m. Where: Midland County Horseshoe, Midland. Cost: Free. Registration: Visit https://literacypb.org/literacy-summit/ to register. WINDSOR, N.C. (WNCT) Law enforcement in Bertie County charged the owner of livestock in the county with livestock running at large and violation of a court order. The charges come after a vehicle collision with a cow on Apr. 10, 2025. William C. White Jr. was charged as over a two-year span, law enforcement has received multiple reports of livestock in the roadway. Several of those reports resulted in vehicle collisions with the livestock. Over the past two years, more than 20 reports have been made to Bertie County law enforcement regarding livestock running at large. White Jr. pled guilty to the charge and was ordered by a District Court Judge not to allow his livestock to run at large. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) A Big Island man admits not getting the special model Tesla you ordered isnt the biggest problem in the world. But hes sharing his story so future buyers are aware of what could happen. In March, Ernest Texeria ordered a limited edition, Tesla Model Y Launch edition. But there was a problem and he got a text from his Tesla representative. Name change: Proposal to change Island of Hawaii to just Hawaii Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Basically, they told me that Pashas shipping has slowed down because of a shipping maintenance, and they decided on their own, that instead of having my car sitting at the docks in California that they sold it to somebody else, Texeria said. Texeira says Tesla told him that 150 cars to Hawaii were affected. A representative for Pasha Hawaii says there was a ship in drydock, but another ship from its fleet was available, so there was no interruption in service. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You KHON2 reached out to the Tesla store at the Ala Moana Shopping Center and spoke to the manager. She said she could not give details on the customers account, and would not comment on this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KHON2 also reached out to the states Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. They said they received a complaint on April 6 that is very similar to what happened to Texeira. That case is under investigation. The Better Business Bureau says there are three important keys in big purchasesread the contract thoroughly, document everything throughout the buying process and do an inspection upon delivery. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Were dealing with big name companies that have established a lot of credibility in the marketplace, but its still important to trust and verify everything, said Dale Dixon from the Better Business Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It says everything about what I can and cannot do, but theres nothing that said anything about what they can do, Texeira said. Like selling my car to somebody else. Texeira is still buying a Model Y with the same features as the launch editionjust at a higher price. He just wishes the situation was handled better. Theres bigger problems in the world, but just the feeling where you get this big corporation taking advantage of some regular dude, he 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 KHON2. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A Springfield disc jockey known as DJ Window Units is suing a local music promoter, as well as a live music and concert venue, for defamation. According to the petition filed in Greene County Circuit Court on Thursday, April 10, Timothy LaBrie, born 1993, is suing Thomas LLC (doing business as The Regency Live) and Johan Collins, a live music promoter and employee of The Regency Live, both of Springfield, for a personal injury lawsuit. The five-count petition alleges that beginning in early 2024, LaBrie and defendant Collins were in a music project together called Special, but the pair had a falling out, and their project dissolved on or around August of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For several months after the pair split, LaBrie worked at Springfield nightclub Marthas Vineyard to perform live shows as a DJ. For background context, the petition alleges that over three years ago, Collins had received an email from an individual who told him that LaBrie was a prolific groomer of underage women. At the time, Collins responded to the individual that this was a very strong statement that would need to be backed with proof and that the allegations were definitely slander/defamation if not true, the petition alleges. On or around Jan. 2, 2025, months after LaBrie and Collins music project dissolved, Collins created a Facebook post saying, If someone sends me proof of someone being a pedophile, even if its five years later, I have to expose them I have no choice friend or not! I dont play with this accusation lightly and realize this can ruin peoples lives, so can molesting a young girl! the petition alleges. The petition alleges that around Feb. 5, Collins created another Facebook post saying he was no longer working with LaBrie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March of 2025, Collins allegedly reshared a Facebook post written by a woman who wrote of allegations against LaBrie. The womans post contained several screenshots of private messages between her and LaBrie, as well as a screenshot of the email she sent to Collins years earlier. Is this guy a pedophile? the womans lengthy post said about LaBrie. Legally no, but he is a terrible terrible person, a liar to all of his friends and his family, an abuser, a manipulator and not someone we should ever have in our community, especially around someone with access to all these under 21yo [sic] girls to trick into his poly scheme. The petition alleges that on March 7, 2025, the womans post about LaBrie was shared by Collins on his Facebook page with personal comments from Collins attached to the post. That day, Marthas Vineyard and Springfield company Midwest Audio Tech announced on social media that they were severing ties with LaBrie due to the allegations. On March 12, 2025, a third DJ who goes by DJ James River created a blog post on Substack titled A Confession of un-St. James River: when u realize ur best friend is a groomer. The petition alleges this Substack post labels LaBrie as a groomer and a pedophile. The petition alleges Collins reshared this post to his social media accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The petition states LaBrie has never been charged for any sex-related crimes and as a result of Collins alleged incessant defamatory posts, LaBrie has suffered financial damages, reputational harm, emotional distress and fear for his physical safety. Additionally, the petition claims The Regency Live was negligent in its hiring, training and supervising of its employees, and as a result, the business caused LaBrie to suffer reputational harm, severe emotional distress and loss of employment. The summons for the case have not been issued yet. Ozarks First reached out to The Regency Live for comment. There was no response as of this articles publishing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaBrie is being represented by Joseph A. Ott of Ott Law Firm in St. Louis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Colorado Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday concerning Woodland Park RE-2 Board of Educations efforts to cure an open-meetings violation in 2022 on Tuesday. A parent of district students who filed the complaint is asking the court to reject a judicially created "cure" doctrine and rule that the district should pay the parent's attorneys fees since it was ultimately found to have violated state open meeting law. The school districts attorney, Bryce Carlson, argued that the district operated within legal boundaries since corrective actions had already been taken. And once that violation was cured, no ongoing legal injury remained to support an award of attorneys fees, he said. The complainants attorney Carrie Lamitie argued that upholding this decision would set a precedent for governing bodies to test legal boundaries going forward. That means that a bad faith board can say, Hey, lets try to hold it in secret, as this board was found to have done, (a) conscious decision to hide their agenda from the public, (and) wait and see if theres a suit she said. And if there is, then they get a get out of jail free pass. On Jan. 26, 2022, the Woodland Park RE-2 held a special meeting with an agenda labeled "BOARD HOUSEKEEPING. The item would turn out to be an approval to a memorandum of understanding with Merit Academy, a charter school seeking to be approved by the district, despite concerns raised by a board member that the agenda wasnt clear to him or the public. At a Feb. 9 meeting, the board re-listed the Merit Academy memorandum of understanding as an agenda item to redo the vote for the sake of transparency. The board again approved the document, but without discussion. Erin O'Connell filed suit against the board alleging a violation of the state's open meetings law. District Court found that the Woodland Park School District board had initially violated of the law, with the board making a "conscious decision to hide a controversial issue," only to "rubber stamp" the original decision weeks later. Later that year, the court would conclude that a third meeting the board held on April 13, to vote on the memorandum of understanding once again, had successfully cured the original violation. O'Connell then turned to the Supreme Court to challenge the notion that a cure was possible under the open meetings law, and the Court of Appeals' determination of the cure would relieve the board from paying her attorney fees. She argued her lawsuit was not intended to stop the school board from ever voting on the topic but that it should do so legally. Since the arguments are coming years after the meetings and the chartering of Merit, and theres currently no statute of limitations, multiple justices asked what sort of remedy could or should be done beyond the district paying the attorney fees. Lamitie said that there would be no further action regarding the chartering or operation of Merit if the board retroactively held a corrective meeting two years later, and that the ruling would be more symbolic of the proper process going forward. So long as the process is valid, theres nothing in the open meeting law that says boards cant backdate, she said. She would clarify that backdating is not the same as curing a meeting and that subsequent actions by the government bodies do not overrule the status of the prevailing party. In this case, the board correcting the open-meeting violation would not discount the fact that OConnell identified the violation to begin with. Featured Local Savings Justices would later question Carlson on this point since the preliminary injunction stated that a violation took place and the cure only occurred after OConnell filed the suit. Carlson argued that determining a prevailing party should be left up to the trial court on a case-by-case basis, like in this case, and that identifying a violation isnt enough for such a determination. But she didnt just find it, she proved it, Justice Richard L. Gabriel responded. Carlson reiterated his argument that it was a matter best suited for trial court. There were also questions for Carlson about whether the court case could set a precedent, that the cure doctrine could let governmental bodies avoid attorney fees and accountability. If a board or an agency could just, you know, fix a problem, right, 'cure it' and just retroactively apply a decision and then avoid fees on top of it, whats the incentive to comply with the open meetings law, Justice Carlos Samour Jr. asked. They would have none. Carlson replied that this process would still succeed in keeping the bodies accountable since the transgression would ultimately get resolved. He also countered by asking if anyone who files a complaint might then be entitled to attorneys fees regardless of whether the complaint gets cured or not. Its not really a fee-shifting provision at that point so much as its more like a tort scheme, its a penalty, he said. So, I caught you and now Im entitled to fees. And ultimately, I think thats not the purpose of the open-meetings law. Chief Justice Monica Marquez suggested that individuals would be disincentivized to litigate if there was no chance of having fees awarded. In her rebuttal to Carlson, Lamitie said serial complaints could be addressed with a reasonableness test. So, if there is a suit that finds Yes, there was a violation and then someone else sues and someone else sues the court can find the violation, it would be res judicata, it would have already been found, she said. But the fact is there are no reasonable attorneys fees that need to be expended to find the same thing thats already been found. She added that the boards repeated lack of transparency or cooperation with OConnell regarding CORA requests was what ultimately led to the existing attorney fees. The court submitted the statements for the case and adjourned into recess without a decision. LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) A London man was arrested on Friday night in connection with child rape charges. Around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, multiple law enforcement agencies were able to track down and arrest Andrew Hedrick, 39, of London, near a business off of I-75 in Georgetown. KSP: Undercover crimes against children investigation leads to Springfield arrest The arrest was the result of an investigation by the Laurel County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) that led to an arrest warrant being issued for Hedrick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a news release, investigators were able to find Hedricks tractor trailer using GPS features in a tractor trailer he was driving. Law enforcement reportedly tracked Hedrick driving south from Berea on I-75 when he suddenly turned around and drove north. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Eventually, the LCSO wrote that Hedrick was tracked to the area of a business off the highway in Georgetown, where he was reportedly arrested with the help of the Georgetown Police Department, Kentucky State Police, and the Scott County Sheriffs Office. Andrew Hedrick, 39, of London, was arrested in Georgetown on Friday and lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center early on Saturday. (Laurel County Sheriffs Office) Hedrick was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center on Saturday and charged with first-degree rape of a child under 12 years of age, first-degree sodomy of a child under 12 years of age, and first degree sexual abuse of a child under 12 years of age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rape 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 29-year-old Long Beach man was arrested last week after he met up at a motel with a teenage girl for lewd purposes. That girl, police said, was reported missing by her family back in early March and was the subject of a missing persons investigation. The unidentified teen had last been seen on March 4, and desperate family members filed a missing persons report in hope of locating her. Long Beach Police Department detectives were able to eventually track down her location to a motel on the 4000 block of Long Beach Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Friday, LBPD detectives responded to the motel and located the missing teen, as well as Joshua Stephen Brown, 29, who was booked on one count of arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes. The investigation remains ongoing, and Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish says the case is a testament to the relentless work and dedication of our detectives and officers. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the LBPD Drug Investigations Section at 562-570-7125. Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. (Roxsy Lin / For De Los; Cynthia Rodriguez) The name Venezuela is everywhere these days, as thousands of nationals grapple with immense challenges in the United States from the looming threat of losing Temporary Protected Status, a threat put temporarily on hold by a Californian judge , to nationals who have been sent to a prison in El Salvador without due process. Rafael Osio Cabrices is a seasoned Venezuelan journalist with over 30 years of experience who currently resides in Montreal, Canada. He is the author of Venezuela. Memorias de un Futuro Perdido ("Venezuela. Memories of a Lost Future"), published in 2024 by Los Libros de la Catarata. The book chronicles the events that led to the countrys catastrophic socioeconomic crisis and explores the hopeful future that Venezuelans failed to attain in their land. Narrated like a close friend would with brutal honesty and the emotions of lived experiences the book provides the inquisitive perspective of a reporter eager to understand the connections that created that reality. I didn't know I had this book in me. I was busy writing a novel about [Venezuela's first president, Jose Antonio] Paez," Osio Cabrices said in Spanish. "Then, a friend told me that this publisher in Spain wanted to talk to me because they wanted to publish a book about Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says he thought at first that they were merely seeking his advice on who should write it, but later realized that he was the one they had reached out to. The writing process took 18 days an unthinkable timeframe for completing a book. Osio Cabrices says it was challenging not only because of the long nights and intellectual exhaustion that came from writing, but also because of the emotional burden of revisiting some of the nations most violent and devastating moments and their personal repercussions. I had rekindled painful memories all at once, explained the writer. I have never done anything as personal as this before. In the book, Osio Cabrices recounts the last visit to his father on the island of Margarita in 2018, a place that was once a vibrant paradise where people basked in the warmth of the Caribbean sun and indulged in duty-free shopping. By then, however, it had transformed into a silent desert of empty houses. His fathers words lingered in the air: You can't hear the parties anymore [] You can't even smell the grills, and this is Margarita. There are no more young people here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a painful farewell, though he did not yet know it would be the last. Two years later, his father passed away, and he didnt have the chance to see him again or even attend his funeral. Defending democracy was not among the priorities: it had fallen on the list of old junk to be removed from the house in the total clean-up operation that seemed to be the spirit of the moment, he writes in the book, referring to the nature of the Venezuelan 1990s. Nonetheless, in the current U.S. political climate, this sentiment feels oddly familiar. Osio Cabrices argues that people nowadays are not very aware of what democracy means and why its preservation is important, adding that this is one of the great diseases of the present. At the heart of his writing is the idea of providing a deeper and more nuanced understanding of a country that lost a quarter of its population in less than a decade one that goes beyond the images of humanitarian emergencies, crime, repression and economic collapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he recognizes the differences between his country and the U.S., he also acknowledges that the Venezuelas case illustrates how a society that has done many things well can make wrong decisions and destroy everything it built. He argues that democracy cant be taken for granted and that its not like adulthood, a stage you reach that you don't leave. It's like building a Jenga [tower] that any mistake you make can collapse what you've built and upend your life, he stressed. Venezuela is a word with a profound and complex meaning for both its people and foreigners. As Osio Cabrices put it in his book, Behind those four syllables, beauty and horror squeeze together. It embodies the paradox of a place that one can love and fear at the same time where the most beautiful sunset on the planet exists side by side with the undeniable reality that the most terrible things can also unfold. Venezuela is in a very bad shape, but it is not dead [...] Instead of giving up on it, we have to take a closer look at it, call things by their name, tell its story our own stories with the precision, anger, affection, sensuality, volume, and respect that they deserve. he writes. De Los Reads April picks: Precious Rubbish (Fantagraphics, April 2025), by Kayla E. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This cathartic graphic memoir delves into childhood trauma, poverty and abuse, weaving a deeply personal story through the enticing style of mid-century comics. As the author describes it, If an exorcism can ever be slow and quiet, then every panel Ive finished has felt something like an exorcism. Guatemalan Rhapsody (Ecco, March 2025), by Jared Lemus Dark at moments yet pulsing with resilience, this debut collection of stories follows characters trapped in dire circumstances, each seeking to escape through unconventional and sometimes unsettling means. It is a haunting exploration of survival and transformation. Mistaco (Kokila, April 2025), by Eliza Kinkz Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little Izzy's worst nightmare is making mistakes everywhere, all the time. But when it's time to make tortillas with family, theres no such thing as messing up. Even if a tortilla turns out looking like a donkey kicking a potato, nothing can stop them from creating the most delicious memories. With hilarious illustrations, this picture book is the perfect recipe for a fun-filled afternoon. Get our Latinx Files newsletter for stories that capture the complexity of our communities. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)A member of the Louisiana State Senate is proposing a bill that would significantly modify state laws related to child abuse and neglect. Senate Bill 41, authored by Senator Regina Barrow, provides precise changes in reporting and investigating cases of child abuse and neglect, and puts protections in place to prevent those who are placed on the Department of Children and Family Services state central registry from gaining employment in schools and facilities that provide supervisory or disciplinary authority over children. Mother arrested for leaving young children unsupervised while working Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 36-page bill includes language that would give the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) authority to deny an educator credential or teaching authorization to a person who has been convicted of or entered a plea of no contest to any crimes included in R.S. 15:587.1 or any felony contained in the the DCFS state central registry. As written, the hiring compliance would apply to city, parish, or other local public school board, nonpublic school, or school system employees performing the duties of a bus operator, substitute bus operator, janitor, or temporary, part-time, or permanent school employee of any kind. There is also a self-reporting requirement for administrators, teachers, or other school employees to report convictions and guilty or no contest pleas (traffic offenses excluded) for criminal offenses within two business days of resolution to their district employers and the Louisiana Department of Education. Failures to report such legal interactions will be subject to fines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) LSU Health Shreveport presented 10 faculty members with Research Excellence Awards at its 7th annual Research Celebration. The 2025 Research Excellence Award winners include: Excellence in Extramural Funding Matthew Woolard, PhD Excellence in Translational/Clinical Research Connie Arnold, PhD Research Rising Star Ana-Maria Dragoi, MD, PhD Excellence in Scholarly Activity Honoring outstanding scholarly accomplishments with manuscripts recently accepted to be published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals: Stanimir Ivanov, PhD (Nature Communications, 2024) Rohit Jangra, PhD (Cell Host & Microbe, 2025) Changwon Park, PhD (Nature Communications, 2025) Arif Yurdagul, Jr., PhD (Nature Metabolism, 2024) Oren Rom, PhD, RD (Cell Metabolism, 2024; Nature Metabolism, 2024) Career Service Recognition Nicholas Goeders, PhD, Professor and Chair of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, was honored for 40 years of service and significant contributions to advancing science and understanding the role of stress in drug addiction. Sushil Jain, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, Physiology, and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, the 2024 Career Service Recognition recipient, was honored this year as he was unable to attend last years event for his 43 years of service at LSUHS and outstanding contributions to diabetes research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana Crime Lab earns national award in forensic performance According to a press release, the event shared additional highlights, including: Progress made on the new Cardiovascular & Cancer Research Building, a state-of-the-art research facility that will be located in the former Sears building at Mall St. Vincent Nearly $3 million in intramural grants awarded to LSUHS faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students in the 2024 fiscal year 14% annual growth in LSUHS extramural funding over the past decade New research core facilities and updates to current research facilities with new equipment 14 new faculty members recruited since July 2024 with substantial extramural funding a total of 19 R01 and R00 grants from the National Institutes of Health as well as 5 LSUHS postdoctoral fellows promoted to faculty members, bringing the total number of new research faculty members to 19, each of who will play an essential role in shaping the future of research at LSUHS. Pictured: (l-r) Dr. Sushil K. Jain, PhD, Gratis Professor of Pediatrics; David S. Guzick, MD, PhD, Chancellor Pictured: (l-r) Matthew D. Woolard, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology; Oren Rom, PhD, RD, Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Research Pictured: (l-r) Connie Arnold, PhD, Professor of Internal Medicine, Division Chief of Healthcare Disparities; John Vanchiere, MD, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research Pictured: (l-r) Ana-Maria Dragoi, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor; Oren Rom, Phd, Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Research Pictured: (l-r) Changwon Park, PhD, Associate Professor; Ramey Benfield, PhD, MBA, MS, CFO, Vice Chancellor for Research Administration Pictured: (l-r) Stanimir Ivanov, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology; Ramey Benfield, PhD, MBA, MS, CFO, Vice Chancellor for Research Administration Pictured: (l-r) Rohit Jangra, PhD, MVSc, BVSc & AH (DVM), Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology; Ramey Benfield, PhD, MBA, MS, CFO, Vice Chancellor for Research Administration Pictured: (l-r) Oren Rom, PhD, RD, Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Research; Ramey Benfield, PhD, MBA, MS, CFO, Vice Chancellor for Research Administration Pictured: (l-r) Arif Yurdagul, Jr. PhD, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology; Ramey Benfield, PhD, MBA, MS, CFO, Vice Chancellor for Research Administration Pictured: David S. Guzick, MD, PhD, Chancellor Pictured: (l-r) John Vanchiere, MD, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research; Sushil K. Jain, PhD, Gratis Professor of Pediatrics; Maroun Mhanna, MD, MPH, MBA, Professor and Chair of Pediatrics Pictured: (l-r) John A. Vanchiere, MD, PhD; Rohit Jangra, PhD; Changwon Park, PhD; Arif Yurdagul, Jr., PhD; David S. Guzick, MD, PhD, Chancellor; Dr. Sushil K. Jain, PhD; Stanimir Ivanov, PhD; Connie Arnold, PhD; Ana-Maria Dragoi, MD, PhD; Matthew Woolard, PhD; Ramey Benfield, PhD, MBA, MS; Oren Ram, PhD Pictured: (l-r) Sushil K. Jain, PhD, Gratis Professor of Pediatrics; John Vanchiere, MD, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research Source: LSUHS Source: LSUHS It was an inspiring event and the perfect opportunity to reflect on these accomplishments and look forward to what the future of research at LSU Health Shreveport holds as our institution remains committed to fostering a robust research environment, supporting faculty in achieving excellence, and translating discoveries into meaningful impact, the release 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 KTALnews.com. Luigi Mangiones attorneys have asked a federal court to block the government from seeking the death penalty in his case, saying that the manner in which U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the governments intentions was political and arbitrary. In a court filing Friday, Mangiones attorneys argued that the government breached the protocol for seeking the death penalty, prejudicing the case and the potential grand jury pool. They pointed to three of Bondis public statements about Mangione: her April 1 press release announcing she directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty; a post on her newly created Instagram account that painted Mangione, who has not yet been indicted on federal charges, as guilty of murder; and a Fox News appearance in which she talked about Mangiones federal case. They wrote: The Attorney Generals pattern of public statements show with remarkable clarity and consistency that she has ordered this capital prosecution unabashedly for political reasons, that her statements prejudice any potential grand jury pool, and that the victims professional status as a CEO was relevant to her decision. As will be shown below, her decision was also reached without any regard to the established Department of Justice death penalty protocol, which she has wholly abandoned. The stakes could not be higher, his attorneys said. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo condemned Bondis directive shortly after it was announced, calling it barbaric and political. The latest court filing takes that line of attack a step further, as his attorneys argue that not only was Bondis directive political, but her real intention in announcing the move so publicly was to garner press attention. Among other examples, they said she timed the launch of her Instagram account specifically around the Mangione press release. She ordered the death penalty and publicly released her order so she would have content for her newly launched Instagram account, they said, adding that her post bore no indication that this defendant is presumed innocent. Mangione has yet to be indicted on federal charges in the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO in December. He is being held in federal custody as New York state prosecutors pursue their case against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione also faces state charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested days after the killing. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Luigi Mangione wasnt exactly the type of person most would expect to make headlines for murder being an Ivy League grad and part of a well-known healthcare family in Maryland. However, in December 2024, his future came to a halt when he was accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in broad daylight. Now, Mangione is at the center of a high-profile case that has transfixed the nation. Updates on his case and trial. Who Is Luigi Mangione? Mangione was born in Towson, Maryland, in 1998 to Kathleen and Louis Lou Mangione. He has two sisters, and he graduated from Baltimore, Marylands The Gilman School in 2016 as his graduating classs valedictorian. His profile on X states that he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with an M.S.E. and B.S.E. in Computer Science. What Did Luigi Mangione Allegedly Do? On the morning of December 4, 2024, Thompson was walking into the Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan for an investors conference when he was fatally shot on the sidewalk. The suspect first shot Thompson in the back, causing him to stumble into a wall, where the perpetrator walked closer and fired off two more shots into his chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses described a seemingly targeted attack that sent bystanders into a panic. Thompson, a father of two, was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries. Did Luigi Mangione Confess? Mangione was taken into custody at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, five days after Thompson was gunned down. According to law enforcement, Mangione was allegedly found with the suspected murder weapon, several fake IDs and a handwritten manifesto that featured anti-healthcare industry rants. Investigators claimed the Maryland native planned the attack and viewed Thompson as a symbol of everything wrong with Americas corporate healthcare system. Mangione was hit with several federal charges, including murder through the use of a firearm, which could make him eligible for the death penalty. Other charges include stalking resulting in death, using a silencer during a violent crime, and multiple weapons offenses. Luigi Mangione Trial: Updates on Healthcare CEO Shooting Case At the state level, New York charged him with second-degree murder and three counts of illegal weapons possession. While New York State doesnt allow the death penalty, federal prosecutors announced theyll be seeking it in Mangiones case and cited the calculated nature of the shooting and the public setting where it took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione also faces multiple charges in Pennsylvania, including forgery, carrying a gun without a license, and more. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Why Is Luigi Mangiones Trial a Federal Case? Even though the shooting happened in New York, Mangiones case quickly became a federal matter. The prosecutors claimed he crossed state lines with a weapon while allegedly stalking his victim, which turned the incident into an interstate crime. Plus, the murder involved a firearm and a high-profile target. While Mangione faces charges in multiple states, the federal case is the one that could lead to a sentence on death row. What Did Luigi Mangione Allegedly Say in His Manifesto? According to investigators, Mangione allegedly had a handwritten manifesto with him at the time of his arrest. The pages reportedly included rants targeting the American healthcare system, which he described as predatory and morally bankrupt. Authorities said the manifesto painted Thompson as a symbol of everything Mangione claimed to hate about corporate America. Law enforcement sources also told reporters that the document contained phrases like profit over people and accused healthcare executives of commodifying human lives. While the full contents havent been released publicly, prosecutors have pointed to the manifesto as evidence of premeditation and motive. However, Mangiones legal team has not confirmed the alleged manifestos existence. Luigi Mangiones Perp Walk Whipped the Public Into a Frenzy Since his arrest, Mangione has gained a bit of a cult following, with some even painting him as an anti-hero. But his attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, spoke out about the attention, and she worried that his notoriety could affect his chance at a fair trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am very concerned about my clients right to a fair trial in this case. He is being prejudiced by some statements made by public officials, Friedman Agnifilo said in a statement, per ABC News. He is a young man, and he is being treated like a human ping pong ball. Luigi Mangione Trial: Updates on Healthcare CEO Shooting Case Surrounded by heavily armed officers, and even NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Mangiones perp walk quickly went viral. The internet was flooded with memes and jokes framing Mangione as a superhero, as opposed to a villain. If youre trying to make him the coolest guy alive, youre doing a good job. If you are trying to point out how much money of ours you waste . youre also doing a good job," one person wrote via X. Does Luigi Mangione Have a GoFundMe? A campaign to raise money for Mangione was initially created on GoFundMe, but in December 2024, the platform removed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GoFundMes Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes, a representative for the platform said in a statement, per NBC News. Those who donated to Mangiones GoFundMe were refunded their money. Shortly after Mangiones page was removed from GoFundMe, another campaign was created on GiveSendGo, a Christian fundraising site. The page dedicated to Mangione explains that the money raised will be disbursed to Luigis attorneys who will be handling the extensive expenses associated with the legal defense for three separate, unprecedented pending criminal cases. As of April 2025, the campaign had raised over $900,000. When Does Luigi Mangione's Trial Start? Since his arrest, Mangione has made multiple court appearances, but his actual trial has yet to be scheduled. His legal team has pushed back against prosecutors and argued that his rights were violated during the arrest. Mangiones attorneys also claimed he wasnt read his Miranda rights and that DNA evidence was collected illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 1, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement announcing that federal prosecutors would seek the death penalty for Mangione. Luigi Mangiones 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 Trumps agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again. However, in legal documents obtained by In Touch, Mangiones legal team says the death penalty push is more political theater than a pursuit of justice. In a new motion filed on April 11, 2025, the defense argued that Bondi had ignored standard death penalty protocol and turned Mangiones case into a publicity stunt to back President Trumps agenda. Mangiones next federal court date is set for April 18, 2025, followed by a state hearing on June 26. Inside Luigi Mangione's Plea Mangione appeared in a federal court hearing on April 25, 2025, and pled not guilty to federal stalking and murder charges. The next court hearing is scheduled for December 5, 2025. April 11 (UPI) -- Attorneys for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, wants the federal court in New York to prevent the federal government from seeking the death penalty if he is convicted. On April 1, Attorney General Palm Bondi said she would seek the death penalty to "carry out President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again." DOJ also published a news release on Instagram about her decision, and Bondi made a television appearance. Mangione, 26, faces federal charges of using a firearm to commit murder, interstate stalking resulting in death and discharging a firearm equipped with a silencer in a crime on Dec. 4, 2024. He also faces state murder and terrorism charges. He remains in federal custody in Brooklyn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no death penalty in New York. Defense attorneys Karen Friedman Agnifilo and Avi Moskowitz filed a 33-page motion Friday. A district judge hasn't been assigned to the case and he hasn't been indicted yet. Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan court on December 23, 2024, for arraignment on state murder charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. File Pool Photo by Curtis Means/UPI "When the United States plans to kill one of its citizens, it must follow statutory and internal procedures," they wrote. "Mangione seeks Court intervention now not merely because the Government has failed to follow these procedures but because it has abandoned them." The attorneys said they didn't get a chance to argue their case before Bondi's decision Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The stakes could not be higher. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt," the defense said. "We appreciate, and will address, the province and discretion of the Executive Branch of government, and how, in the usual course, courts defer to the Executive's established procedures. But the Attorney General's actions and public statements in this case have not followed the usual course. "Because the Attorney General has chosen to proceed in this way, Mr. Mangione's Due Process rights have already been violated and the manner in which the Government has acted has prejudiced the grand jury pool and has corrupted the grand jury process." The motion said her decision is "explicitly and wholly political" and it is so far outside the realm of cases where SDNYS has sought the death penalty." The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has not responded in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione has not been arraigned on the federal charges yet. He pleaded not guilty to the 11 state charges. Also in Pennsylvania, he faces five charges, including gun possession and false ID. He was arrested on Dec. 9, five days after the homicide, in Altoona, about 230 miles west of New York City. When Mangione was arrested, police said he possessed a two-page handwritten document that railed against the healthcare industry and reportedly included the words "the parasites had it coming." Mangjone has consented to a federal preliminary hearing under the Speedy Trial Act. The hearing is set for April 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 19, he appeared before federal Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker in Manhattan. On Feb. 21, he was in State Supreme Court in Manhattan before Judge Gregory Carro. He wore a bullet-proof vest. Thompson, 50, was killed by a masked gunman on a Manhattan sidewalk while walking to the Hilton Hotel at West 54th Street and Sixth Avenue for an annual investors conference. Mangione wasn't a customer of UnitedHealthcare. Mangione, who is the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, has lived in Maryland, Hawaii and Pennsylvania, and traveled to Asia in 2024. Mangione graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 with a bachelor's and master's degree in computer and information science. A Colorado Department of Corrections employee who is suspected of attempted murder in a road rage case was arrested Friday after turning himself in, according to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Loyd Dewees, 48, allegedly pulled in front of another driver and brake-checked their car on northbound Colorado 115 on Dec. 11. Dewees continued to drive his vehicle aggressively, pulling alongside the victim before a loud bang was heard from a shot being fired through the car door. The shot narrowly missed the driver, police said. The suspect fled the scene in his vehicle and entered Fort Carson through Gate 5. On Thursday, an arrest warrant was issued for attempted second-degree murder, illegal discharge of a firearm, felony menacing, and prohibited use of a weapon. Dewees is being held at the El Paso County jail on a $50,000 bond. Luigi Mangione's lawyers are doing their best to prevent the Justice Department from pursuing a death penalty against him. Mangione has been charged for the murder of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Brian Thompson. Earlier this month, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she had directed federal prosecutors to seek a death penalty for Mangione, prompting wild reactions among netizens. Luigi Mangione's Lawyers Want To Avoid Death Penalty MEGA On Friday, Mangione's lawyers filed a motion in the federal District Court in Lower Manhattan, asking the judge to prevent federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty for their client. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawyers argued Pam Bondi's decision to seek capital punishment for Mangione is "political, arbitrary, capricious," and "a breach of established death penalty protocol." They added that the Attorney General's move "has now indelibly prejudiced this process." Per PEOPLE Magazine, the lawyers also wrote in the filing, "The stakes could not be higher. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt." Pam Bondi Asks Prosecutors To Seek Death Penalty For Mangione ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA On April 1, Bondi released a statement in which she revealed her plans to pursue capital punishment for Mangione if he is found guilty of his charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said, "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 added, "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." Reactions To Pam Bondi's Move To Seek Death Penalty For Luigi Mangione U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi directs prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione. pic.twitter.com/hXH3whoRkx Pop Base (@PopBase) April 1, 2025 After news of Bondi's statement went viral, several netizens shared their thoughts on social media, with many condemning the move. One person said, "They are violating his [Mangione's] rights because they want to maintain capitalism." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another person described the move as a "scare tactic," adding, "They're pushing this to make an example out of him. They want us supporters and him being scared. They want us and him to crash out. It's gonna backfire in their face in the end." A third X user asked, "Yet they pardoned the January 6 rioters who killed a cop?" Another person opined, "So a cop can kill innocent people and just gets off with it and then we have to hear how hard it is on their mental health but someone kills a CEO who is ripping people off and they give him the death penalty. Joke of a country." A fifth X user wrote, "Tragic all around, but let's not ignore the deeper issue. Luigi Mangione's actions, while extreme and unjustifiable, shine a harsh light on a broken healthcare system where profit often trumps patient care. This case should be a wake-up call for reform, not just punishment." Why Pam Bondi Is Seeking The Death Penalty For Mangione ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Bondi's statement marked one of the present administration's earliest steps toward reinstating the death penalty, following an executive order President Donald Trump signed shortly after taking office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The directive instructed the attorney general to "pursue the death penalty for all crimes of a severity demanding its use." In the order, Trump argued that reviving capital punishment was crucial for delivering justice and ensuring public safety. He also overturned former President Biden's moratorium on federal executions and criticized Bidens decision to commute 37 death row sentences. The order facilitated states' access to lethal injection drugs, called for the reversal of Supreme Court decisions that had limited the use of capital punishment, and imposed stricter prison conditions for violent offenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It further emphasized the importance of prosecuting violent crimes and enhancing coordination among law enforcement agencies. Luigi Mangione's Arrest And Not Guilty Plea MEGA Luigi Mangione was arrested on December 9, 2024, at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a customer tip linked him to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. On December 23, 2024, Mangione pleaded not guilty to murder and terrorism charges in a New York court. He faces 11 state charges, including first-degree murder and murder as an act of terrorismboth carrying a mandatory life sentence without parole if convicted. Federal prosecutors have also charged him with using a firearm to commit murder and interstate stalking resulting in death, offenses eligible for the death penalty. Authorities claim Mangione fatally shot Thompson in Manhattan before fleeing. State and federal cases will proceed simultaneously. On a frenzied deadline day for bill signings, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham affixed her signature on the states $10.8 billion budget Friday but also wielded her line-item veto power. She targeted in particular reporting requirements tied to the states child welfare agency and allocations for a new office to oversee it. Lujan Grisham, a Democrat in her second term, struck at least $1.6 million from the budget for an Office of Child Advocate in the New Mexico Department of Justice, a move that comes after she blasted Attorney General Raul Torrez and the Legislature last month over a proposal to establish the agency to monitor services and field complaints about the long-troubled Children, Youth and Families Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vetoed language inappropriately interferes with the executive managerial functions and statutory duties of another agency, the governor wrote in an executive message Friday. The governor signed an amended version of the bill establishing the office March 21, but criticized Torrez and lawmakers over the original proposal, which would have given the office subpoena power and the authority to determine whether CYFD or an employee had violated a childs constitutional rights. She wrote the initial draft was a thinly-disguised vendetta, but that the amended measure would allow the new office to begin its operations with integrity. Other funding for the Office of Child Advocate at least $950,000 remained in the budget Lujan Grisham signed for fiscal year 2026. Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, pushed back on the governors analysis, as well as her line-item vetoes related to CYFD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive [branch] has had seven years to manage CYFD, and its gotten worse, Munoz said. ... Things have to change. Lujan Grisham also struck clauses in the budget that would have required CYFD to report quarterly to the Legislative Finance Committee the number of vacant case aide positions in each county, along with the number of jobs posted and workers hired and retained. The vetoed language is unnecessary because the agency already provides staff recruitment and retention data to the LFC, Lujan Grisham wrote. Munoz said some of the data reporting sought in the budget would have given the Legislature insight into potential solutions to persistent issues facing the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They may provide the data. But OK, how many applicants did we have, right? What are we lacking? What are we missing? he said. When you line-item veto accountability in mental health and CYFD and tax dollars spent, we dont know if we are spending wisely because the executive [branch] can spend them any way they want, Munoz added. The budget, which reflects a nearly 6% increase in spending over the current year, maintains a reserve of more than $3.2 billion to help weather potential economic downturns. Though widely touted by Democrats, the bill was likened to a bloated cow by some Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, the Senate minority leader, said he is concerned about the states budget increasing each year as crime rates remain high and education outcomes remain low. Since she became governor, the budget has increased 74%, Sharer said of Lujan Grisham. Now, thats because of oil and gas and not her, but still an increase of 74%. And yet, we dont have 74% of kids graduating from school or reading at grade level. Our roads arent 74% better. Crime isnt down 74%. Jodi McGinnis Porter, a spokesperson for the Governors Office, said only nonrecurring funding was reduced by Lujan Grishams line-item vetoes in the budget. Of the $19 million vetoed from [House Bill 2], $12 million was tied to bills with failed contingencies, meaning this funding would not have materialized regardless of the veto, McGinnis Porter wrote in an email. Therefore, the Governors actions effectively reduced nonrecurring funding by only $7 million from the general fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After signing HB 2, along with two key measures allocating capital outlay and reauthorizing capital outlay approved in past years, the governor said in a statement Friday, These appropriations bills represent significant investments in New Mexicos future, from education and healthcare to critical infrastructure. She added, The targeted line-item vetoes were necessary to maintain fiscal responsibility while ensuring that we fund our highest-priority projects and initiatives. The spending plan includes investments in early childhood education, child welfare services, behavioral health, public safety, affordable housing and the states workforce, which is poised to receive average pay increases of 4% in the coming fiscal year. Key investments in the budget bill include $100 million for a new behavioral health trust fund initially envisioned as a $1 billion fund as well as $50 million for a natural disaster revolving loan fund, plus $25 million to promote the expansion of health care in rural communities and $65 million for transportation projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 450 allocated $1.2 billion for more than 1,400 state and local projects before Lujan Grisham put her pen to it. The governor line-item vetoed $1.2 million in general fund projects that, she said, lack proper planning or are not ready to proceed. The items she struck represent about 0.1% of the total capital outlay approved by lawmakers. One aspect of the capital outlay bill has drawn controversy: a $10 million appropriation to build a reproductive health clinic in Northern New Mexico. Republican lawmakers accused Lujan Grisham of sneaking the item into the bill, but the governor has denied this. She has signed more than 150 of the 195 bills the Legislature passed in the session that ended last month. She had vetoed 18 bills as of Friday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bills that go unsigned Friday are considered pocket vetoed and wont become law although that could change if voters in November 2026 approve a constitutional amendment to take away the governors ability to pocket veto legislation by refusing to sign it. New Mexico is among 11 states where the governor has pocket veto power; in other states, bills the governor declines to sign become law anyway, and New Mexico would join their ranks if voters approve the amendment. A mother charged in the starvation death of her 2-year-old son two years ago was sentenced to 24 years to 50 years in state prison on second-degree murder, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office and court records. Sierra Pearl Zaitona, 29, was sentenced April 9 in Macomb County Circuit Court. She pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and second-degree child abuse in February. She was sentenced to 43 months to 10 years in prison on the child abuse charge, with the sentences to run concurrently, according to a release from the prosecutor's office. She received credit for 754 days, or more than two years, that she served in the county jail, according to online court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The records indicate Zaitona also must register and comply with Wyatt's Law, which provides greater access to the Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect, which is maintained by the state health department's Children's Services Agency. "Ms. Zaitona deeply regrets the tragic loss of her son and mourns him every day. She endured a severe and prolonged domestic violence situation, which tragically delayed her ability to secure safety for herself and her children. Ms. Zaitona has fully accepted responsibility for her role in these events and is prepared to serve the sentence imposed by the court," her attorney, Marissa Kulcsar, an assistant county public defender, wrote in an email Friday to the Free Press. More: Jackson County is first Michigan municipality to sign warrant agreement with ICE More: Michigan school bus audit reveals safety inspection failures, drivers lacking training Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a release: "The tragic circumstances surrounding this case are heartbreaking as they involve the loss of a young life. An entire family is also permanently impacted in a terrible way. Our thoughts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time. We hope this resolution brings some measure of healing and closure while providing justice for the victim." The boy's father, Jonathon Matthew Cheek, 27, was sentenced in December after he pleaded no contest to the same charges in the same court. He also was sentenced to 24 years to 50 years in prison on a second-degree murder charge. As with Cheek, a circuit judge adhered to a sentence agreement between Zaitona and the county prosecutor's office for 24 years to 50 years in prison with credit for time served in the county jail. The boy was found dead in his crib March 16, 2023, in Clinton Township, the prosecutor's office said, indicating previously that the medical examiner determined the boy's cause of death was starvation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A release from the prosecutor's office in March 2024 indicated Zaitona found her son dead in his crib, and Cheek was at his mother's house visiting when the boy was found dead. After the death, he returned to his home, according to the release. Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Macomb County mom gets 24-50 years in prison in son's starvation death Apr. 11MITCHELL The Mitchell Area Development Corporation's proposed industrial park may give an economic boost to Mitchell by recruiting new businesses. But the owner of a local campground nearby believes his business will pay the price. MADC has not yet closed on the property, which is located off Interstate 90 at Exit 330 and across from Trail King Industries at the corner of South Ohlman Street and East Spruce Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you have a business that wants to come to Mitchell, we want to have a build-ready site for them," MADC CEO Mike Lauritsen told the Mitchell Republic. No lots of the proposed industrial park have been pre-sold, according to Lauritsen. "We have to do the engineering on it, and then we'll do the construction, and we'll be ready to sell lots, but our focus is the distribution center," Lauritsen said. MADC has been in discussions for over a year and a half with property owner Jerry Thomsen, who is a past president of Trail King Industries and also owns the Ruby Tuesday restaurant, the Highland Travel Plaza gas station and the Hampton Inn, and is co-owner of the Comfort Inn at Exit 332 off Interstate 90. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We told Jerry, 'We don't know how long this process will be,' and he was willing to go through that with us," Lauritsen said. Josh and Rhonda Barlean own the five-acre Dakota Campground, which touches the proposed industrial park land on the north and east sides. They are concerned that there will be semi-trucks idling and making deliveries at all hours of the night, bringing blinking lights and beeping sounds that will be distracting for campground guests. "I believe no one will camp here. I believe we would have to close," Josh Barlean told the Mitchell Republic. The Barleans believe that anything other than an industrial park would benefit both Mitchell and tourists stopping in from Interstate 90. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Anything that you see at Exit 332 can't go here hotels, restaurants, bars, the shops," Josh Barlean said. Lauritsen agreed. "Our goal is a distribution center. We'll have a more diverse economy and will be growing," Lauritsen said. A distribution center is a warehouse that stores, sorts, and distributes goods, frequently for retailers to move out to stores. Mitchell's location on I-90 and in the center of the country would seem to make the community a contender for such site. Barlean, 45, questioned why the city needed to own so much land. "Is this really a good idea? Shouldn't they help people find land and buy it from Jerry?" Josh Barlean said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Josh Barlean's work as a lineman included traveling and being on jobsites for months at a time. In 2020, the Barleans sold their house of 20 years in Mitchell to live in their camper full time after their daughter graduated from high school. After retirement, the Barleans planned on becoming campground hosts and to travel across America to various campsites year-round. When the previous Dakota Campground owners told the Barleans that 2023 was their last season, everything fell into place for the Barleans to buy, and later that year, they did. Patrons ask the Barleans for recommendations on local restaurants, repair shops, and tourist sights. The Barleans send people to the local grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations for goods, propane and food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every day, we send people to other parts of town," Josh Barlean said. Campers with license plates from Canada and even Spain have stayed at the Dakota Campground's 58 campsites with a canopy of mature trees. Long-term stays include traveling nurses for Avera and construction workers for the soybean plant, among others. The campground owners have to turn people away during the busy season. Rhonda Barlean, 52, heard there was going to be a new industrial park coming to town through a social media post and wanted to know the location. She reached out to Mayor Jordan Hanson and he put her in contact with MADC. The Barleans met with MADC about a week later. Lauritsen told them about plans for the industrial park, which included a retention pond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They could basically do whatever," Josh Barlean said. "Not only are we going to have noise, but now we're going to have a giant swamp next to our campground for all the mosquitoes to feast on our campers." When asked if there were plans for a sound or visual barrier, Lauritsen offered to plant trees, and said he wanted to be a good neighbor, according to Josh Barlean. "We provide a pretty good service for something that's needed here in Mitchell, and then, depending on what they put over there, it very well could end us," Josh Barlean said. "I'm not going to speculate into the future of what may happen," said Lauritsen, who also heads the Chamber of Commerce. "We want them to be successful. To be honest with you, I think they will be." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dakota Campground could benefit from the industrial park if the city of Mitchell paved Spruce Street in front of the campground and the MADC brought city sewer to the campsite, Josh Barlean said. Lauritsen said he couldn't commit to that. The proposed industrial park is outside of Mitchell city limits. The city's policy for bringing sewer and water to an area outside of city limits includes annexation. Annexation requires an act of the Mitchell City Council, according to City Planner Mark Jenniges. Infrastructure for the industrial park will cost MADC $3.1 million and includes water, sewer, electrical, and roads. That cost doesn't include the price of the land purchase. Once a business buys a lot within the park, MADC will be able to start paying off the loan, which is a $1 million loan for 10 years at 0% interest. MADC has said most of its funding is tied up into the industrial park. That has been a sore spot recently for local developer Justin Thiesse, who has sought funding from MADC for infrastructure work for a lakeshore development with a senior living center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Josh Barlean believes that the Dakota Campground does more for the Mitchell economy now than an industrial park will later. "I've always thought that Mitchell's motto was tourism," Josh Barlean said. "People spend money in Mitchell to benefit our Mitchell citizens and I don't think they realize how much a campground does that." A 34-year-old man was stabbed in the abdomen during a confrontation with a stranger sporting sunglasses on a Manhattan subway train, police said Saturday. The victim was riding a Bronx-bound No. 4 train into the Bowling Green subway station in lower Manhattan at about 1:20 a.m. Saturday when the unidentified suspect, who was walking with a cane, approached. The stranger flashed a sharp object and jammed it into the left side of the victims stomach as the two fought, cops said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacker got off the train when the doors opened at the Bowling Green station. Cops were called and EMS rushed the victim to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, where he was treated and released. Investigators recovered surveillance footage of the attacker, which they released on Saturday, asking the publics help in identifying him. The attack comes as the NYPD announced that crime in the subway system dropped by 18% in the first three months of the year, helped by a massive influx of police officers to patrol trains and subway platforms. This was the first time in the last seven years that there have been no murders in the subway in the first three months of the year, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced at a press conference on April 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cops investigated 465 crimes in the New York City subway as of March 31, cops said. By contrast, by that time last year, police had investigated 568 incidents. This years crime numbers are the second lowest on the rails in 27 years. Our subways are safer than theyve been in nearly a decade, Tisch said. The assailant in Saturdays attack is described as having a dark complexion and was last seen wearing a black ski mask, a black sweatshirt and a black mask, plus sunglasses. Anyone with information about the stabbers whereabouts is urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Memphis man is accused of depositing nearly $22,000 worth of stolen checks from Planned Parenthood into his personal bank account. Antonio Frazier, 24, was booked in the Shelby County Jail Thursday on charges of theft of property, forgery, and ID theft. The checks were made to various vendors for Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi, including cleaning and plumbing businesses, and the Mid-South Pride Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said a $1,390 check from Neshoba Early Learning Center was also deposited into Fraziers First Horizon checking account. Planned Parenthood CEO Ashley Coffield told investigators she didnt know Frazier. She said Frazier did not have access to the checks that were supposed to be mailed out to their vendors. First Horizon had flagged Fraziers bank account for suspicious activity and contacted police when Frazier came to the Austin Peay Highway branch to get a debit card for his account. First Horizon said on April 1, Frazier had $22,842.83 in his personal account, and by April 10, his balance was down to $13,323.78. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives with the MPDs Economic Crimes Bureau said Frazier admitted to giving his First Horizon Card to someone he knew was going to put fraudulent funds into his bank account. Investigators said Frazier told them he knew it was a scam and he was supposed to get half of the money. Frazier is scheduled to be arraigned 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 WREG.com. LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WKRN) An officers observation of a suspicious vehicle in La Vergne earlier this week reportedly led to a police chase, as well as an escape attempt at the hospital. The La Vergne Police Department said the officer noticed the suspicious vehicle parked outside of a closed business on Tuesday, April 8. In addition, when speaking with the person inside the vehicle, the officer spotted several open alcoholic containers in plain view. According to officials, after the officer told the individual he wasnt free to leave, the person fled in his vehicle, starting a brief pursuit. The individual reportedly collided with a parked car and ran off, but thanks to the officers rapid response, he was taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheatham County deputies catch wanted man hiding in abandoned house Then, while the person was receiving medical attention at the hospital, authorities said he tried to escape again. However, he was quickly caught. Police didnt release the individuals name or the nature of the injuries he was treated for at the hospital, but they did say he was facing multiple charges, including driving under the influence, felony evading, misdemeanor evading, resisting arrest, and attempted escape. This incident is a testament to the dedication of our officers in keeping our community safe. We remain committed to proactive patrols and taking swift action to prevent criminal activity, La Vergne law enforcement posted on Facebook on Friday, April 11. The La Vergne Police Department has renewed its focus on traffic enforcement as part of our ongoing commitment to safety on our roadways. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Community members are encouraged to report dangerous driving by calling the departments non-emergency number, 615-793-7744. Police said those tips help them proactively address concerns, adding that traffic stops often lead to the discovery of more serious criminal activity. 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. A 37-year-old man arrested twice by Puyallup police officers is facing multiple federal charges related to drugs, firearms possession and money laundering. Dennis Aguilar Huisa, who had been living at a hotel in a Des Moines, Washington, has been charged with four counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, one count of money laundering, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense in U.S. District Court in Seattle, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office news release. Court records show he pleaded not guilty at arraignment Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huisa was first arrested by Puyallup police on Aug. 15, 2023, after he was found stopped on the side of the road with around 1,000 fentanyl pills in his car, the release alleges. Later, on Sept. 7, 2024, Puyallup police arrested Huisa a second time after they responded to a report of a 9-month-old infant who was unresponsive the childs blood later tested positive for fentanyl, amphetamine and oxycodone at the hospital, the release said. The child survived and was temporarily released to Child Protective Services, the release said. Police searched Huisa and his truck, and they allegedly found fentanyl powder, 115 fentanyl pills and $16,000 cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then officers from multiple agencies served a search warrant at his motel room on Nov. 1 in Des Moines and allegedly found packets of fentanyl powder packaged for sale, methamphetamine and cocaine, and 2 kilograms of fentanyl powder and an illegal gun in his truck. Hes remained in state custody since then, but was federally charged on March 12 and indicted by a grand jury on March 26, after which he was moved into federal custody on Thursday. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute are punishable by a minimum of five and ten years in prison, respectively, and a maximum of life in prison. Money laundering is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison, according to the Attorneys Office. Defense attorney Peter Camiel was appointed Thursday to represent Huisa; The News Tribune reached Camiel by phone on Friday, and he said he had no comment about the case at this time. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning that the agency has seen multiple cases of canine distemper in raccoons in the San Luis Valley area. Specifically, the raccoons were found near Alamosa and Monte Vista. In a news release Friday, Parks and Wildlife stressed the importance of vaccinations for pets. It's also advised that pets are kept from touching wildlife. Weve had a number of reports, and one we submitted for testing did already come back positive for distemper, said Tyler Cerny, the Parks and Wildlife district wildlife manager in Monte Vista. In these cases, any other raccoon in the area exhibiting symptoms is presumed to be positive for canine distemper. We are continuing to see more cases. The spread of canine distemper is most common through direct contact with infected animals because the virus does not survive long outside the body. Canine distemper cannot be transmitted to humans but may be transmitted to unvaccinated domestic dogs. Cody Costra with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region offered up some tips to help protect pets: keeping them up to date on vaccinations, using a leash wen out on walks, avoiding contact with wildlife (which can even wander into unattended backyards), keeping food and water bowls indoors and watching for early signs of illness. Canine distemper is a contagious disease of carnivores caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV). The signs of CDV are not always the same and depend on the species and how long the animal has been infected. Sick animals often have difficulty moving and can act abnormally because of brain infections. Crusting around the eyes and/or nose is commonly observed. Less noticeable symptoms can include coughing, diarrhea, vomiting and thickened paw pads. Sick animals usually do not survive. Contact with wild animals should be reported to the local department of public health, officials said. MANASSAS, Va. (DC News Now) A man was arrested on Thursday in connection with a domestic assault case in the Manassas area, police said. On April 7, around 9 p.m., the Prince William County Police Department said officers responded to investigate a domestic dispute that was reported to have occurred in the 10100 block of Asheville Street in Manassas earlier in the day. DC man arrested after armed home invasion in Frederick in January Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation revealed that the victim, a 36-year-old woman, and an acquaintance were in a verbal altercation in a cul-de-sac that turned physical. During the encounter, the suspect struck the victim multiple times and grabbed her neck. When the victim attempted to contact emergency services, the accused temporarily took her phone and threw her to the ground before leaving. The victim reported non-life-threatening injuries. 28-year-old Jordan Lockett was arrested and charged in connection with the incident after he was located Thursday. He is now facing charges of strangulation, assault and battery and preventing the summoning of 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Officers have arrested a man in connection with a carjacking that happened just over two months ago in Glover Park, the Metropolitan Police Department said Saturday. At around 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 3, officers responded to the 3800 block of Davis Place, NW, for a reported carjacking. There, officers learned that a man approached the victim and assaulted her as she tried to get in her car. The man then took her keys and fled in the carjacked vehicle, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC mother to serve five years for throwing baby onto pavement The victim was treated for minor injuries, and the car was found the next day. However, police were still looking to identify and find the man, issuing surveillance photos of him and asking for the publics help. Eventually, officers identified the man as Vincent Atchison, 58, of Northwest, according to MPD. Officers arrested him on Thursday, April 10, and he was charged with carjacking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Pickens County Sheriffs Office have arrested and charged a man with attempted murder following a 12 hour standoff in Pickens County. James Franklin Marchbanks was charged with eight counts of attempted murder, three counts of kidnapping, one count of possession of a weapon, and one count of resisting arrest. On Friday, April 11, deputies were dispatched to 211 Nuthatch Rd in Central, to serve Marchbanks an arrest warrant. Upon arrival, Marchbanks reportedly began firing at law enforcement, and deputies took cover behind their vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pickens County Sheriffs Office SWAT team, along with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Easley Police Department, and the Anderson County Sheriffs Office responded to help. SLED said on Monday it is investigating the incident as deputies reportedly shot back at the suspect after he allegedly shot at them. The incident is the 12th officer-involved shooting in the state this year. Officers said that Marchbanks had other adult occupants in his house, and that they were reportedly being held against their will. The standoff was reported to have lasted for 12 hours before Marchbanks surrendered to officers at approximately 4 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. None of the occupants at 211 Nuthatch Rd were reported to have been injured during the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marchbanks is currently being held in the Pickens County Detention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria County States Attorneys Office announced that a man has been charged for allegedly sexually abusing a relative under the age of 18. On Thursday, Leroy Mackey, 53, was charged with criminal sexual assault, attorneys office spokeswoman Anna Perales said. He was arrested on Wednesday. The detention hearing was held on Friday. The states petition to detain Mackey was denied, but he was released on the condition that he wears a GPS monitoring device and has no contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers initially responded to a local school on a report of student sexual abuse on March 11. The victim disclosed to officers that Mackey had allegedly sexually abused the victim several times when the victim was 12 and 13 years old. Officers received a recent audio recording with Mackey where they allegedly discussed the past abuse with the victim and he apologizes to the victim. He will return to court for his arraignment on May 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 CIProud.com. A Lancaster man has been convicted in absentia on child pornography charges even after he removed an ankle monitor and stopped appearing in court, according to federal prosecutors. According to the office of U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli, Lancaster resident Gregory Cole Jr., 30, was found guilty in federal court Thursday of one count of production of child pornography, one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of receipt of child pornography. Between March and April of 2024, Cole messaged a 16-year-old girl on Instagram, directing her to send him sexually explicit photos. Gregory Cole Jr., 30, is believed to be a fugitive after he stopped appearing in court mid-trial. He was later convicted on three child pornography-related charges. (DOJ) According to prosecutors, a search of his phone led to the discovery that Cole sent the victim pornography of adult women in poses that he wanted her to copy. She did, then sent the images to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims mother later discovered the activity on her phone. Cole then deleted his Instagram account. At some point during the three-day trial, Cole removed his location-monitoring unit from his ankle and stopped appearing in court. He remains a fugitive, prosecutors believe. United States District Judge Percy Anderson has since issued a bench warrant and revoked his bond. Cole faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison. He could potentially face a life sentence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A 23-year-old Bloomington, Ill., man faces charges after police responded to a gun-related incident in Kewanee, a news release says. Jeffery Hollingsworth (Kewanee Police Department) About 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Kewanee Police were dispatched to the Fairview Homes area for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers learned that the involved suspects had left the scene in a vehicle. Through initial interviews, officers determined that a physical altercation had occurred and that an occupant of a vehicle had produced a handgun and pointed it at people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that evening, officers were dispatched back to the same area for a report of a continuation of the initial incident. This time, officers were able to locate the suspects who had previously fled. Officers conducted interviews and obtained both cell phone and surveillance footage related to the incident. They recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from a suspect vehicle, and an additional loaded 9mm magazine was located during a search of one of the suspects. Based on the evidence obtained, Jeffery M. Hollingsworth was taken into custody. He faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (two counts,) a Class 3 felony; and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, a Class 4 felony. Hollingsworth is scheduled to appear at the Henry County Courthouse on Monday, April 14, for a preliminary hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Class 3 Felony in Illinois carries a potential sentence of 2-10 years in prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. In the aftermath of the February 2024 Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting, multiple people falsely identified Denton Loudermill Jr. of Olathe, Kansas as the culprit. Loudermill has died at the age of 48. Via KCTV, Loudermill's attorney said his body was found on Friday morning. No cause of death was released. After the February 14, 2024 shooting, a photo emerged of Loudermill sitting on the ground. His hands were behind his back, and police were standing nearby. Police confirmed in the following days that Loudermill was not a suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several lawmakers nevertheless amplified the photo, accusing Loudermill of being the shooter and claiming that he was in the country illegally. Most were local; Tennessee congressman Tim Burchett allegedly made the claim, too. Loudermill filed multiple lawsuits. He claimed that he received death threats and has suffered mental distress and anxiety. The lawsuits will continue to be pursued by his estate. Apr. 11A Florida man shot and injured by police January 2024 following a chase and crash from Trotwood to U.S. 35 in Dayton is facing a prison term following his conviction by a Montgomery County jury. James Michael Skirvin, 55, of Venice, Florida, is scheduled to be sentenced April 24 by Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Ellis after jurors on Thursday found him guilty of four counts of felonious assault of a police officer, two counts of aggravated menacing and single counts of felonious assault, vehicular assault, failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, aggravated possession of drugs and a misdemeanor count of domestic violence. He was accused of hitting his 35-year-old daughter with a pickup truck Jan. 8, 2024, following an argument at Voyager Village, a mobile home park off West Third Street (U.S. 35) in Trotwood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Trotwood police arrived and began to aid the woman, Skirvin reportedly drove past at high speed and pointed a long gun at the officers, who then tried to catch up for a traffic stop. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Dayton Police Department also responded to assist Trotwood crews. During the pursuit, Skirvin drove erratically, swerved into oncoming traffic forcing a Trotwood cruiser to take evasive action to avoid a collision and fired a rifle at officers out the window of his pickup truck, police said. Skirvin reportedly drove over tire deflation devices at U.S. 35 West near Liscum Drive, then drove across all west and east lanes and hit a sheriff's cruiser head on and landed on top of a Trotwood police cruiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skirvin had no known local criminal history outside of minor traffic infractions in the Dayton area, police said. It is not clear how many times Skirvin was hit, but seven Dayton officers, four Trotwood officers and two deputies fired their weapons. A Montgomery County grand jury in July declined to indict the 13 officers 12 men and one woman involved in the shootout, finding that they had acted lawfully, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office. Skirvin and the Trotwood officer hurt in the crash, identified as Michael Richardson, were taken to Miami Valley Hospital Skirvin by ambulance and the officer by cruiser. Both have since recovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skirvin's daughter was treated and released after she was hit, Trotwood police said. U.S. 35 was shut down for more than eight hours between Infirmary Road and Abbey Avenue for the investigation and cleanup. Following the violent death of a woman while she visited her husband in an east German prison, a judge ordered pre-trial detention on manslaughter charges for the man, based on a "strong suspicion" that he killed her. Initial investigations showed that the wife died from "violence to the neck." The man was already serving a prison sentence but the pre-trial detention order, which a spokesman for the Stendal public prosecutor's office announced on Saturday, means the man, 37, cannot be released early. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident took place on April 3 at the Burg Prison, the largest incarceration facility in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The 35-year-old woman was visiting her husband in a private room that some German prisons have, which allows prisoners to spend several hours, often unsupervised, with partners or family members. These rooms are colloquially referred to as "love cells." The woman was found dead in the room. Following her death, the prison administration suspended all planned long-term visits until further notice. Russian forces dropped explosives from a drone on a civilian car in the Dniprovskyi district of the city of Kherson on Saturday 12 April, killing a man and injuring two people. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast State Administration, on Telegram; Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson City Military Administration Quote: "The Russian military attacked a civilian car in the Dniprovskyi district at around 16:00. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 27-year-old man sustained fatal injuries as a result of explosives being dropped from a drone. My condolences to the family of the deceased. Two more people have been injured. Two men aged 30 and 49 sustained blast injuries, contusions and shrapnel wounds. They are currently in hospital in a moderate condition." Details: Mrochko reported that the attacked car belonged to the team of the Spravzhni charity foundation. "We have losses among volunteers again," he wrote. Background: On the morning of 12 April, a medical facility in Kherson Oblast came under Russian fire, leaving two people injured. In addition, an 86-year-old woman was killed in a Russian drone attack on the village of Bilozerka. The Russians dropped explosives from a UAV. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Authorities say a man was arrested April 2 in Colorado Springs on suspicion of sexual exploitation of a child after a seven-month investigation. Tyler Truelson, 26, was booked into the El Paso County jail last Wednesday and bonded out. His next court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 1, according to court records. Detectives with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating this case in September 2024 after a tip came in about the suspect uploading child pornography to a social media app. Investigators obtained a search warrant for his residence in the 4100 block of Park Haven View by Austin Bluffs Parkway and North Academy Boulevard. They found material linking him to the sexually abusive material and arrested him. Police say this is an active investigation. They ask the public to call 719-444-7000 with any information or 719-634-7867 to remain anonymous. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two people and three dogs made it safely out of a fire in Northeast Portland thanks to a rescue effort by one of the occupants and responding firefighters on Friday, authorities said. Portland woman finds justice after Rite Aid rape The fire happened at a home in the 2000 Block of Northeast Bell Drive in the early evening, Portland Fire and Rescue said. Firefighters helped rescue dogs from a Northeast Portland fire. April 11, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue). A man rescued his dog and his mom from a home fire in Northeast Portland. April 11, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue). A man rescued his dog and his mom from a home fire in Northeast Portland. April 11, 2025 (courtesy Portland Fire and Rescue). The arriving engine crew saw smoke coming from the front door, entered the home and extinguished a fire that had been reported in the basement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katia Minor, a spokesperson for Portland Fire and Rescue, told KOIN 6 News that a man who was caring for his mother was able to get her, a dog, and himself out. Firefighters then located and rescued two more dogs while searching the house. None of the people or dogs were hurt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The person responsible for shooting a man twice in the head on a Metro platform in 2021 was sentenced Wednesday, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia. Kirk Spencer, 30, of Washington, D.C., will serve 18 years in prison with five years of supervised release after pleading guilty in October to second-degree murder while armed with a firearm. Court documents say, at approximately 1:35 p.m. on February 23, 2021, Spencer was on the Anacostia Metro platform in the 1100 block of Howard Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uber driver shot at after canceling ride in Southeast DC, Maryland teen arrested, police say Surveillance footage showed Spencer getting off the escalator and greeting Marcus Covington by giving him a half-hug. The two were then seen having a short conversation before Covington turned his head towards the bench area of the platform. According to court documents, Spencer then pulled a handgun from his pocket and shot Covington in the head. Once Covington fell to the ground, Spencer then shot him again and left the station. Covington was transported to Medstar Washington Hospital Center, where he died from his injuries the following morning. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A New York man was sentenced to prison Friday for laundering nearly half a million dollars from a Columbus business, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio. Alex Bogomolny, 53, was sentenced to 46 months in prison, prosecutors said. He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to commit and committing money laundering in November. The charges stem from 2021, when an employee of Rogue Fitness had their computer infected with a malicious banking Trojan known by the FBI to steal banking credentials, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money that was stolen was transferred to 22 different card numbers, including a Bank of America card belonging to Bogomolny. Prosecutors said he was also found to have nearly $250,000 in other laundered money through his account between December 2019 and July 2021. Bogomolny and other unnamed individuals would steal a victims identity and create a FanDuel account, where the money would be deposited and later withdrawn. In 2023, Bogomolny met with undercover FBI agents and agreed to launder $20,000 in exchange for a 6% fee. $18,800 of the original $20,000 was sent back to the undercover agents in multiple transactions. He later said he would accept another $50,000 from the agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After accepting the money from the agents in April 2024, Bogomolny was arrested. During a search warrant at Bogomolnys home in Brooklyn, detectives found more than 341,000 identifiers like names, addresses, birthdates, and social security numbers, along with images of drivers licenses, U.S. passports and full credit card numbers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are on the lookout for a suspect accused of fatally shooting a man on Friday night. At 9:51 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 4000 block of Ridge Drive. A man was pronounced dead on the scene. Police said there is no suspect information at this time. If you have any information about this incident, you are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers with tips at 901-528-CASH. 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. Police shot a man in an underground train station in Berlin after he stabbed and killed another man during an argument, a police spokesman told dpa on Saturday. The clash between the men occurred during the afternoon at the Sophie-Charlotte-Platz underground station in the western part of the German capital. One attacked the other with a knife and injured him badly. The fire brigade rescucitated both but the man who was stabbed died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police spokesman said that the attacker fled to a main road nearby. He threatened police officers, raising a knife. The police then shot several times at the man, who was taken to hospital. He later had emergency surgery. It is unclear what led to the dispute. A homicide squad is taking over the investigation. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) An East County man was sentenced to six years in prison for allegedly intending to distribute fentanyl. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California, Erik David Morgan, 44, of Alpine, used social media to arrange the sale of 3.5 grams of fentanyl for $150. 1 person confirmed dead after truck crashes into San Diego Bay Morgan agreed to meet with an individual in person in El Cajon on Friday, March 14. However, upon his arrival, he was confronted by uniformed El Cajon Police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys office said the person he was communicating with online turned out to be an undercover agent with Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities found Morgan in possession of more than 10 grams of fentanyl at the meetup location. Federal agents and HSIs Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (FAST) officers led the investigation. According to the attorneys office, one gram of fentanyl, which equals the size of a sugar packet, has the potential to kill up to 500 people. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) Navy and law enforcement veteran Tom Traurig and his wife Linda are thanking the community for all their support after he suffered a spinal cord injury in April of 2023. While veterans benefits have secured his home care, the couple needed money to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van so he could get to specialists at the VA in Milwaukee more frequently than a ride service program could provide. Hometown Hero Alicia Grube of Appleton handled classified information in the DMZ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Patriot Riders of Wisconsin Chapter 2 committed all the money from their annual chili competition. The community responded in a way the non-profit group has never seen before. Tom fell at home April, 2023 Patriot Riders announced more donations Tom served in the Navy and then Manitowoc Police Dept. Couple at home, April, 2025 The Traurigs were able to purchase a van, which is currently being transformed to accommodate his wheelchair and allow him to ride alongside his wife instead of having to sit in the back. Im either gonna be walking by the end of this year or the beginning of next year, Traurig said in a recent interview with Local 5 News. So many wonderful people have come into our lives since this happened and I cant thank them enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hometown Heroes: Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29, celebrating dedication and sacrifice According to the chapters co-founder, Jenny Matte, the event raised $9,000. Thanks to an anonymous donor, the Patriot Riders were able to match that. Then, the VA, which initially said it could only pay for half of the vans conversion, said it would cover all the work to get it ready. But thats not all. Besides everyone coming in to try the chilis, we received many checks and phone calls after the event, said Matte. Just this past week, more donations have come in. Click here for more Hometown Heroes stories Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group will be handing over an additional $1,098 to the Traurigs. Its just a breath of fresh air, said wife Linda. After this tragedy that happened to him, its giving us some light. Hes going to walk again. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CORTLAND, Ohio (WKBN) Maplewood scored 7 in the bottom of the fourth inning to prevail 11-1 over Lordstown. The Rockets exploded for 11 hits, led by four players (Ava Calvert, Addison Marker, Samantha Krieg, Hayley Flinner) with two singles apiece. Emily Perline threw 5 innings; allowed 2 hits and struck out 8 while permitting just one base runner on a walk for Maplewood. The Rockets (7-0) return to action on Saturday at United. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abigail Morrison doubled and drove in Cami King for the Red Devils only run. On Monday, Lordstown (0-6) will welcome Grand Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Maura Sullivan, a Marine Corps veteran, launched her bid for outgoing Rep. Chris Pappass (D-N.H.) House seat, becoming the first candidate to run for New Hampshires 1st Congressional District in 2026. Sullivan, an Iraq war veteran, kicked off her run in a 90-second video where she touted her military background and service in the Obama administration. I put my life on the line to defend our country because I believe in the constitutional ideals of freedom, justice and opportunity for all, Sullivan said in the video published Thursday. I saw too many of my fellow Marines give their lives for this country to just sit by and watch [President] Donald Trump and Elon Musk tear it down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre driving up costs for New Hampshire families, making it even more difficult to own a home and pay the bill, and thats why Im running for Congress, she said. Sullivan previously ran for the seat in 2018. She finished second in the competitive Democratic Party primary, losing to Pappas. Earlier this month, Pappas announced he will run for Senate in hopes of replacing Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who is retiring. No other candidates have announced their intent to run for Pappass seat. Following her service in the military, Sullivan attended Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I witnessed fellow veterans dying because of wait times at the VA [Department of Veterans Affairs], I wanted to do something about it, so I joined the Obama administration, Sullivan said. I was proud to work on matters of national security, health care and reforms to help fellow military families like mine. She was appointed by former President Obama in 2014 as the as assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs in the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. And she worked in the Defense Department, where she led department communications. Sullivan moved to the Granite State three months before launching her congressional bid in 2018. She raised more than $1.6 million, according to Federal Election Commission filings, and she accumulated endorsements from number of groups, including EMILYs List, Serve America and VoteVets. The seat is rated likely Democrat by nonpartisan Cook Political 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 The Hill. FAIRMONT The bishop and appointive cabinet of the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church have named a new district superintendent for the region. Rev. Stephanie Bennett, who has served as pastor of both Barrackville and Monumental United Methodist Churches since 2015, is the superintendent of the Fairmont-based MonValley District, effective July 1. I look forward to working alongside the pastors and congregations in the MonValley District, Rev. Bennett said. Im in awe of the ways that God uniquely calls individuals and communities to serve and love others. Im excited for all the future opportunities we have to reflect the love of Christ in our world together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennett is described as a life-long United Methodist grew up worshipping at Pisgah United Methodist Church. Stephanie brings a deep love for the people of the MonValley region and a steady commitment to Christian service, states a press release from the Conference. Members of the local faith community are applauding Bennetts appointment. Rev. D.D. Meighen was pastor at Pisgah UMC when Bennett was a member there. He said he is certain she will serve the MonValley District with the love and care Christ calls for. She always has been faithful, exciting, helpful and caring, Meighen said. She has a ministry of devoting her life toward being there for others. I am so excited for her, for her family, and for all that shes going to bring to the area as our District Superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She will be a shining example as to what we all can be like and I wish her the best of luck. Currently serving as secretary of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Bennett has previously held other leadership roles, including service on the Conference Committee on Finance and Administration. Ordained in the West Virginia Conference in 1994, Bennett holds degrees from Fairmont State University and United Theological Seminary. Stephanie Bennett is a thoughtful, grounded, and spiritually mature leader. Her strong relational gifts and deep roots in the MonValley District make her exceptionally well-suited to guide and support this region in the years ahead, Bishop Wallace-Padgett said. Bennett and her husband, Rev. Brad Bennett, who serves the Central/Trinity/Meadowdale Charge, have a daughter, Rachel, a recent graduate of West Liberty University with a degree in Biology Zoo Science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephanie Bennett will take on the role of district superintendent from outgoing D.S. Rev. Amy Shanholtzer who has been appointed Superintendent of the Little Kanawha District and Assistant to the Bishop, also effective July 1. She will also serve as a part-time assistant to the Bishop, supporting the Office of the Bishop and Appointive Cabinet. Shanholtzer brings years of experience, strategic insight, and pastoral wisdom to this expanded role, according to the press release. Her proven ability to lead with grace and courage will be a blessing to the churches and leaders of the Little Kanawha District. Amy Shanholtzer is a gifted administrator and spiritual guide, Bishop Wallace-Padgett said. Her broad experience and her heart for ministry will serve the Little Kanawha District and Conference well as we discern together what God is doing in this new season. Shanholtzer will fill the role held by Rev. Loretta Isaiah who is retiring after nearly 40 years of ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rev. Isaiah will retire in June and conclude her service as superintendent of the Little Kanawha District. Loretta has faithfully served the West Virginia Conference for nearly four decades, shepherding congregations and leaders with compassion, integrity, and a deep love for the Church. During her time in the Little Kanawha District, Lorettas leadership has brought clarity, spiritual depth, and encouragement to pastors and congregations alike. Loretta Isaiahs ministry has been marked by wisdom, strength, and unwavering faith, said Bishop Wallace-Padgett. Her legacy will continue to inspire leaders throughout the Conference. We are deeply grateful for her almost 40 years of faithful service to Christ and the Church. The Martha Fund hosted a 10k on Saturday in Mt. Lebanon to honor and memorialize slain FBI Special Agent Marth Dixon. According to the organization, each year hundreds of runners of all ages join for Marthas Run to celebrate her legacy and pay special tribute to all the members of the law enforcement community. Martha was born in Pittsburgh and got her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1982. She joined the FBI in 1987 after working as a forensic chemist in Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1994, Martha, another special agent and a Washington D.C. police officer were shot and killed inside the police headquarters. The Martha Fund is a charitable organization that is dedicated to preserving the memory of Dixon. The organization hosts family-oriented public event and funds the construction and renovation of playgrounds in the Pittsburgh area. Each year The Martha Fund seeks corporate support to help meet the costs of Marthas Run. If you are interested in helping with their next event, please get in touch with themarthafund@gmail.com. To learn more about The Martha Fund, click or tap here . Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Tens of thousands of people gathered in Bangladeshs capital Dhaka on Saturday to protest what organizers described as "genocide and ethnic cleansing" in Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to Israeli military actions against Palestinian civilians. The rally, held at a venue in central Dhaka, culminated in the adoption of a five-point declaration, demanding, among others, the cancellation of all agreements between Bangladesh and Israel or any Israeli-affiliated institutions. "Bangladesh holds a historic position on the issue of Palestine not only from a humanitarian perspective, but also as a matter of faith," said Mahmudur Rahman, editor of a Bengali daily, while reading the declaration to the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also called upon Muslim-majority countries to sever all ties with Israel, affirming that the Bangladeshi people have committed to standing with Gaza. A police officer on-duty estimated the turnout at well over 100,000. Crowds began pouring into the venue located near the Dhaka University campus, from early morning under the banner of Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh. The group had earlier appealed for participation from people across all political and social backgrounds in a unified show of solidarity with Palestine. By midday, the rally ground was packed and the surrounding area had turned into a human tide by the afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters carried Palestinian flags, banners and placards while chanting slogans such as "Palestine, Palestine; Long live, long live!" and "Crush the black hand of Israel!" Some demonstrators threw shoes at posters bearing image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump acts considered a strong form of protest in South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. Others staged symbolic processions with coffins and mock corpses to draw attention to the killings of civilians, including children, in Gaza. A prayer was led by Mohammad Abdul Malek, the chief imam of Bangladesh's national mosque Baitul Mukarram, seeking peace for the souls of those killed in the Israeli offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders from political and religious parties joined Islamic scholars and preachers in expressing solidarity with the demonstrators. Security was tight throughout the event, with army and police personnel conducting random searches and maintaining checkpoints around the venue. People take part in a March for Gaza rally in Dhaka, demanding the end of what they see as a brutal genocide carried out by Israeli forces. Zabed Hasnain Chowdhury/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) 17 News continues our coverage of how various cuts to government food programs will soon affect thousands of Kern County families. As governments at both the state and federal levels work to cut back on spending, advocates are saying its the most vulnerable those relying on various social services and programs that are paying the price. Kern County organizations are gearing up for whats to come more people to serve, with less resources. That was the focus of the Community Action Partnership of Kern or CAPKs Annual Partner Conference Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what CAPK said we can be seeing much more of in the coming months, a stark contrast to their typically very well-stocked food warehouse in east Bakersfield. Court Watch with Jason Kotowski: April 11, 2025 There will be a measurable reduction in the amount of resources that come into the warehouse that we are able to redistribute to the county, said food bank administrator Kelly Lowery. CAPK acts as the middleman in food distribution both receiving food, as well as grants to purchase more food from federal and state resources. Then, CAPK distributes the goods to its 150 local partners. Right now for CAPK, the shelves are full enough to distribute $2 million pounds of food monthly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one knows for how long though. Theres going to be maybe a reduction in the amount of resources that we are able to provide each family, said Lowery. This is a result of federal and state funding cuts to various food assistance programs like The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP funds) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, known as CalFresh in California. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers an Emergency Food Assistance Program. Lowery says already, 13 loads from the USDA so, 3.5 million pounds of food were cancelled. [With all the cuts so far], were looking at probably a reduction of the equivalent amount of about $6 million worth of food on an annual basis in reduction, Lowery noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lowery said the need is growing, while the supply is diminishing. He explained that lines outside food banks are twice as long as they were two years ago. In January 2023, CAPK partners so local food pantries and nonprofits distributed food about 92,000 times. That number surged to 220,000 now. Its against that backdrop that now were also facing a reduction of resources to be able provide those families, Lowery said. Its a fearful thing for a family, for a mom and dad not to be able to feed their kids, said Pastor Connie Totten with New Life Church, which has been partnering with CAPK for three decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Totten the leader of one of CAPKs biggest partners said the church serves up to 5,000 people monthly. The church offers both a drive thru food distribution program, as well as a pantry, from which families can choose what to take. How can we stretch this a little more so that no one walks away with nothing? added Gilbert LaRoque, director of Bakersfield Recovery Services, which has partnered with CAPK since the pandemic. The 93305 areas is one of the most food insecure areas that we have, LaRoque added, noting that he serves up to 500 families monthly. These organizations added that not knowing how long all of this will last only adds to their concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lowery detailed that while CAPK wont be cutting any distribution sites, the organization and its partners would feel the reduction in funding firsthand. It produces downward pressure on what is the safety net of all social programs, and thats the food banks, Lowery stated during his presentation the conference. When SNAP benefits are cut, it means our lines are going to get even longer, Lowery said. Despite greater responsibility falling on the shoulders of providers, these organizations also dont have what it takes to give more. CAPK already understaffed, according to Lowery is now set to be underfunded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As many echoed during the conference, this is already a tough field to be in. In order to serve the people that I serve, I rely on the food bank and CalFresh, said Pastor Connie Totten. Lowery put pressure on state legislators especially for the Cal Foods program, which served as a crucial provider for food banks in recent years. About $60 million in funding was allocated among Californias 41 food banks. Amid the states budget deficit, funding is set to drop to $8 million. Lowery emphasized that either sustaining or increasing Cal Food would be the bare minimum current funding is already not enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Different groups will take different avenues, as they navigate new terrain. Instead of all of the people getting some of the food, some of the people getting all of the food, is what Captain Gina Noble of the Ridgecrest Salvation Army proposed. Noble noted that the organization, which serves a food desert area, values fostering deep relationships with the families they assist. Its not a time to have fear. Its a time to be fierce, Noble said with determination. If you dont have as much to give, make sure its nutrient rich. Meantime, CAPK shared that its received a $1 million grant from the county, dedicated to purchasing food for the unincorporated areas of Kern 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 KGET 17 News. A bill that would reform the Prisoner Review Board passed the Illinois Senate on Thursday, aiming to protect victims and increase transparency about prisoner releases following years of controversy surrounding the boards decisions. Championed by Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, Senate Bill 19 would give victims the ability to file victim impact statements ahead of hearings, provide them with additional notice when their offender is granted early release, and allow them to seek an order of protection against an offender who is incarcerated. The bill passed on a 33-22 vote, with some Democrat senators opposing the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also create the Office of the Director of Victim and Witness Services, which would ensure the board complies with victims rights, and mandates victims are provided with contact information for the State Victim Assistance Hotline The reforms come after Crosetti Brand murdered an 11-year-old Chicago boy in 2024. That February, the board voted to release Brand, finding there was not enough evidence he had violated his conditions of release. His ex-girlfriend, Laterria Smith, was denied an emergency order of protection by a Cook County judge while Brand was imprisoned at Stateville in Crest Hill. A day after he was released, Brand attacked Smith and murdered her 11-year-old son, Jayden Perkins, who attempted to protect his mother. The murder caused two PRB members, including the board chair, to resign. Brands history of domestic violence against women prompted both advocates and lawmakers to call for stricter review of prisoners backgrounds before their release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During last years legislative session, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, championed a PRB reform bill that that had bipartisan support, but was never called for a vote in the House on the final day of session. That bill would have made changes that included requiring the board to notify victims within 24 hours if an offender, whom they had an order of protection against, was released early. In a news conference held the day after the session ended, Gov. JB Pritzker expressed his concerns with parts of the bill regarding the live stream of certain PRB meetings and the lack of funding for other requirements. Harmon described this years reform bill as a similar to, but improved upon version of Cassidys bill that expands the rights of victims to be heard and to be notified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would change qualifications for board members, requiring seven out of the 15 board members to have at least five years of experience as a law enforcement officer, parole officer, prosecutor, criminal defense attorney or judge. It would also change the term limits of any new board members elected from six to eight years, something Harmon said would allow board members to be less concerned about their reappointment and more focused on making good decisions. Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, voiced his disagreement on the Senate floor Thursday. He asked Harmon how he thought it was a great idea to lengthen terms for members, who he said are vetted by the governor. The Senate cant pass a law by itself. The bill before us, I believe, will be well-received and passed by the House and signed by the governor, Harmon said in response. It is the best bill we are able to pass into law at the present time. Republicans have spent years criticizing Pritzkers appointments to the board following several controversial nominations in recent years. The bill now awaits action in the House. SAYRE, Pa. (WETM) Guthrie is taking an innovative step to prioritize safety and peace of mind for its staff and patients by introducing a four-legged member to its security team. On Friday, April 11, Guthrie presented its K9 Security Team: Echo Cardiogram Guthrie also known as Echo, and his handler, K9 Security Officer Jennifer Vaughn. Echo is a one-year-old German Shepard and the first K9 officer at Guthrie. Alongside his handler, Echo began patrolling the halls of Robert-Packer Hospital in Sayre this week marking the start of a program that will soon expand across other Guthrie campuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Way Diaper Drive returns to support Southern Tier families According to hospital leaders, the initiative has been in development for months. While Guthrie has not faced a specific incident, leaders say the K9s presence can proactively calm tensions and deter violence before it happens. Our statement of feeling safe so that you can heal safe is absolutely true, said Andrew Dunnick, Senior Director of Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness at Guthrie. And its also critically important we take care of our workforce, he said. Emergency department nurse at Robert-Packer Amber, reiterated that statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have felt safe here at Guthrie, but recent incidents in our state and across the nation have proven that violence can occur anywhere, Amber said. Valley elementary school team to compete at Odyssey of the Mind World Finals Echos training and temperament are tailored to hospital environments. He and Officer Vaughn completed specialized instruction on detection, obedience, and situational readiness. Their goal isnt just about physical presence its also about reassurance. We learned the basics how to find, how to detect, how to train me how to handle him, how to do obedience, how to keep him interested in what hes doing, Vaughn exclaimed. And our training will continue, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to hospital staff and Officer Vaughn, Echo is already drawing smiles. Im just the person at the end of the leash. Theyre very excited, they call his name, theyre excited to see him. Ive had lots of comments on how people feel safer, said Vaughn. So, its been a wonderful experience and its been a good experience for Echo as well. she said. New playground opens for families in Hornell State Representative Tina Pickett of Pennsylvanias 110th District praised the program for its real-world practicality. Law enforcement is not always available just like that, and the folks that are working in the emergency room and some of the other medical situations here have to react to something very quickly, Pickett said. I believe that Echo is going to be able to make a lot of those incidents not happen, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Dunnick, the program is funded through Guthries internal budget, and more security enhancements are in the works. Echo whose full name is Echo Cardiogram Guthrie is currently the only health-system-affiliated K9 in the region. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Colorados range riders, a group that will monitor wolf and livestock conflicts, are ready and gearing up to help with wolf mitigation across the state. After wolves were reintroduced into Colorado starting in 2023, range riders have been a topic of discussion as a way to prevent livestock deaths and wolf depredations. In 2024, the use of range riders was brought up, and eventually, Colorado awarded $28,000 for non-lethal wolf deterrents. Now, the range riders are ready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wildlife damage specialist and interim program lead Max Morton with CPW said in an email sent to stock growers that a range riders duty will be to observe and report whats on the range and recognize patterns on the landscape. CPW starts wolf capture operations in Canada ahead of Colorado reintroduction These patterns are the natural movements of natural prey like elk, the movements and behaviors of livestock, natural disturbance from storms, drought, or fire and how that affects movements, and everything in between, said Morton in an email. By understanding these patterns range riders are better able to recognize when something, such as a predator, comes in and disturbs these patterns. Morton said that range riders are being used as a proactive tool that dissuades wolves from the herd, placing riders on the landscape to help prevent conflict before it happens. The range riders will work with the producer or permitee to help prevent vulnerable livestock from being taken by wolves, bears or mountain lions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riders are also there to detect carcasses quickly where there is still enough evidence for CPW to investigate the cause of death, said Morton. Range Riders also serve as an extra set of eyes on livestock, said Morton. Ranching groups, sheriff call on Colorado to kill 2 wolves behind depredations If a rider comes in contact with a predator, Morton said they have been instructed to haze the predators away from the livestock and tell CPW staff so they can help protect livestock and prevent future conflict. Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed that 12 range riders accepted the position, with six of the riders fully on board and standing by if producers experience a wolf presence or conflict. There are currently two riders in Grand County, one in Jackson, two in Routt, two in Eagle, one in Pitkin, two in Moffat, one in Rio Blanco and one rider in Garfield 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 FOX31 Denver. Meghan Markle was seen enjoying a night out in NYC, dining with friends and attending Audra McDonald's Broadway show, quietly supporting the actress who has publicly praised her. However, while certain showgoers claimed not to have noticed the Duchess of Sussex, she caused a stir with her four-car motorcade, which was slammed as "absolutely abnormal." While Meghan Markle enjoyed her Broadway night out, Prince Harry visited a Ukrainian rehab center for war veterans following a court hearing in London over his downgraded security. Meghan Markle Stepped Out In Style For Glamorous NYC Dinner And Broadway Show MEGA Meghan was recently spotted out for an evening in New York City, dining with close friends at the Polo Bar on Thursday night before heading out to catch a Broadway show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In photos obtained by Page Six, the Duchess of Sussex looked effortlessly elegant as she opted for a black blouse paired with a sophisticated, floor-length houndstooth pencil skirt by Carolina Herrera, reportedly priced at $1,390. She completed her outfit with sharp stilettos, straightened hair, and minimal jewelry. After dinner, the group made their way to Times Square in a four-car convoy, which included an unmarked NYPD vehicle. Meghan and her circle were escorted by a security detail into the Majestic Theatre, where they watched a performance of the classic musical "Gypsy," starring six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald. Despite the high-profile outing, Meghan's presence flew under the radar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news outlet noted that several audience members had no idea she was in attendance, with one saying, "I was too busy being transfixed by Audra." The Duchess's Four-Car Motorcade Caused A Stir And Was Slammed As 'Abnormal' MEGA While Meghan's presence at the Broadway show may have gone unnoticed to many, her elaborate security and four-car motorcade set tongues wagging. According to Page Six, the excess SUVs were used mostly as a decoy to throw off paparazzi trying to get a shot of the royal. While Meghan rode in one of the cars, the other two seemingly had no passengers, and a fourth was said to be an unmarked police vehicle. Speaking to the news outlet, a Paparazzi insider slammed Meghan's security measures as "absolutely abnormal, totally over-the-top and excessive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Taylor [Swift] usually has two cars her car that she's in and a security car with her team," the source said, adding, "and if she's going somewhere, she has a separate car on-site with her team already there, but they don't travel together." The source further called out the Duchess for using police escorts, claiming that "if NYPD was not on duty, then they shouldn't be allowed to run lights. Somebody's got to be paying for it." However, another insider argued that it's okay for a celebrity to have police protection, noting that "It's something that can be made available based on the threat assessment and the circumstances of where they're going and what they're doing." See photos from the Duchess' outing here. Audra McDonald Praises Meghan Markle's Grace And Resilience Amid Public Scrutiny Meghan Markle went to see @gypsybway last night! See more photos of her chatting with Audra McDonald, Joy Woods, Danny Burstein, and more here: https://t.co/Q58ZoYXmH9 : Michaelah Reynolds pic.twitter.com/n8kAeGfX1P BroadwayWorld (@BroadwayWorld) April 11, 2025 McDonald, the Broadway star whom the Duchess watched perform, has voiced her admiration for Meghan in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it's unclear whether the two women have ever met in person, Meghan's attendance at McDonald's two-hour-and-40-minute Broadway performance felt like a quiet nod of appreciation. In a 2023 interview, the six-time Tony Award winner didn't hold back in her praise, naming Meghan as the person she "admires most" and commending her strength and resilience in the face of relentless public scrutiny. "I don't know how she continues to walk through this world with the grace, strength, and purpose that she does given the unbearable amount of vitriol and hate she has been subjected to, but she does," McDonald said. "I wish she didn't have to." She continued, "The thought of having to go through all of that plus having a million cameras in my face, bullied left, right, and center, and still be gracious, elegant, gorgeous, and full of purpose in front of the whole world is unimaginable. Do better. Leave her alone." Prince Harry Made Secret Visit To Ukraine To Support War Veterans ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA As Meghan enjoyed a night on Broadway, her husband, Prince Harry, was across the globe. Fresh off a multi-day security case at London's High Court, the Duke of Sussex quietly traveled to Ukraine to show support for war veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Harry made an unannounced stop at the Superhumans Center, a state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility dedicated to helping those injured in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. While there, he met with medical staff, posed for photos with patients, and held a private meeting with Ukraine's Minister of Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova. Harry's visit ties into his long-standing advocacy for wounded servicemen and womena mission that led him to establish the Invictus Games in 2014. A few representatives from the organization accompanied him on the trip, which was kept under wraps until he had safely left the region due to security concerns. The Duke Has Been In The UK Fighting To Restore His And Meghan's Security To The Way It Was Before Royal Exit Instagram | Meghan While Meghan employs the use of extravagant security in the US, her husband Harry has spent time in the UK, where he continues his legal battle over changes to his security arrangements in the country after stepping back as a working royal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prince is challenging a previous ruling that upheld the decision to scale back his taxpayer-funded protection when visiting the country. The case centers on a decision made by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) back in 2020, shortly after Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals. In a ruling last year, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane found that the committee's decision was neither irrational nor procedurally unfair. However, Harry is appealing that judgment. During Tuesday's hearing, his legal team argued that the couple "felt forced to step back" from royal duties due to safety concerns and other pressures. The hearing presided over by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Lord Justice Bean, and Lord Justice Edis, wrapped up on Wednesday. A final decision is expected to be delivered in writing at a later date. By Emma Farge, Olivia Le Poidevin and Rajveer Pardesi GENEVA (Reuters) -Members of the World Health Organization are close to a deal on a treaty to prepare for future pandemics, sources involved in the talks told Reuters on Saturday, with a WHO spokesperson saying discussions had been paused until Tuesday. The pact, which has been arduously negotiated for three years and which would be legally binding, is intended to shore up the world's defences against new pathogens after the COVID-19 pandemic killed millions of people in 2020-22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They (the talks) went overnight until 9 a.m. (Saturday) but didn't manage to resolve the final issues," one source involved in the discussions in Geneva said. A diplomatic source in Geneva added that big advancement was made ... almost all the treaty was agreed upon with few outstanding yet crucial issues. The talks missed a key deadline last year despite several rounds of late-night talks. The negotiating body's co-chair had earlier told the AFP news agency that it had reached an agreement "in principle". The United States, which was slow to join the early talks, left the discussions this year after new President Donald Trump issued an executive order in February withdrawing from the WHO and barring participation in the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other 192 members of the WHO who joined the discussions would be free to ratify the deal or not after it is formally adopted. One of the most contentious issues between wealthy countries and developing states is how to share drugs and vaccines fairly to avoid the mistakes of the COVID era. The negotiations have been vexed throughout by allegations from right-wing commentators, including in the U.S. but also Britain and Australia, that they could undermine national sovereignty by giving too much power to a U.N. agency. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus rejects such assertions, and says the accord would help countries better guard against pandemic outbreaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week in Geneva, a small group of campaigners protested against the talks with one holding up a sign with a fanged snake uncoiling itself from the WHO symbol, with the motto: "WHO ARE YOU TO TAKE AWAY MY FREEDOMS?!" The agreement, if finalised, would be a historic victory for the global health agency. Only once in the WHO's 75-year history have its member countries agreed to a treaty - a tobacco control accord in 2003. (Reporting by Emma Farge and Olivia Le Poidevin in Geneva, Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; writing by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Mark Potter and Mark Heinrich) Los Angeles Judge Michael Jesic denied District Attorney Nathan Hochmans request to withdraw the Menendez Brothers resentencing petition Friday. This is the latest update after DA Hochman filed a motion to withdraw Erik and Lyle Menendezs petition last month. The brothers appeared together virtually from their San Diego prison on Friday. Their respective resentencing hearings will continue as scheduled next week on April 17 and 18 as the brothers hope to be resentenced to a lesser term, leading to a potential release or eligibility for parole. During next weeks hearing, the judge could deny resentencing entirely, resentence the brothers to 50-life or resentence them to time served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian presented for the prosecution, with Hochman seated front row behind him. Mark Geragos served as the brothers defense attorney, as many of their family members attended in support. Justice won over politics. Its been a long time coming for anybody whos been in the courtroom, Geragos said, thanking Judge Jesic. This is probably the biggest day since [the brothers] have been in custody. A California appeals court precedent requires a DA to offer a legitimate reason to withdraw a resentencing petition, and Judge Jesic found that the court precedent did not provide enough clarity to determine that the motion to withdraw was legitimate. On March 10, Hochman reversed former district attorney George Gascons October 2024 support of the brothers resentencing. Gascon previously recommended that their life sentences be altered to 50-year murder charges with the possibility of parole meaning that if their resentencing were granted, the Menendez brothers would be immediately eligible for parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a daylong hearing Friday, the prosecution argued that the siblings had not shown they understood the severity and depravity of their actions. After Judge Jesic rejected the withdrawal, the DA said his offices position remains clear: Until the Menendez brothers finally come clean with all their lies of self-defense and suborning and attempting to suborn perjury, they are not rehabilitated and pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety. Last month, Hochman said that he would only change his stance if Lyle and Erik sincerely and unequivocally admit, for the first time in over 30 years, the full range of their criminal activity and all the lies that they have told about it. With that said, Hochman did not outright dispute the Menendez brothers claims of sexual abuse at the hands of their father, he just argued that it was not an element of their initial defense and, therefore, not relevant to his decision. He added, We would certainly look at the judges justification for any resentencing, and if the judge does his job and looks at all the factors and reaches a different conclusion than us, but one that the law also would support, we would not be in a position to appeal that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brothers also filed a clemency request to California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The clemency hearing is set to take place on June 13. In February, the governor ordered a parole board to perform a 90-day risk assessment evaluation into whether or not the brothers represent an unreasonable risk to the public. The Friday update also came just days after two L.A. County deputy district attorneys sued Hochman for harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford claim they were sidelined by his office for recommending a resentencing trial under former DA Gascons leadership. Hochman rejected the notion that his move to withdraw the resentencing petition was politically motivated. In denying our request to withdraw the prior DAs resentencing motion, the Court rejected the Menendez brothers argument that our request was based just on the political winds, the DA said in a press release Friday, acknowledging that this Office has pursued an impartial, non-political agenda in this case grounded in the facts and the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyle and Erik, now 57 and 54 years old, respectively, have been imprisoned since being found guilty of the 1989 double murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Both were initially given life sentences without the possibility of parole in 1996 and have since become major aspects of pop culture. Monsters actor Cooper Koch, who played Erik Menendez in the Netflix series, was in attendance at Fridays hearing. The post Menendez Brothers Resentencing Will Move Forward After Judge Denies DAs Move to Withdraw appeared first on TheWrap. The Menendez brothers scored a victory in court on Friday, as a judge denied the Los Angeles District Attorneys move to withdraw a resentencing petition. The decision means that a hearing will go forward next Thursday and Friday, at which time the D.A. and prosecutors will argue over whether the brothers are sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant a reduced sentence. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyle and Erik Menendez have served 35 years for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty, at their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The brothers witnessed the hearing on Friday remotely via WebEx from state prison in San Diego County. District Attorney George Gascon moved last October to reduce the brothers sentence from life without parole to 50 years to life. That reduction, if granted, would make them immediately eligible for parole. Nathan Hochman, who defeated Gascon in the November election, sought to withdraw his predecessors petition, arguing that the brothers had not taken full responsibility for their crimes and remained a threat to the community. At a lengthy hearing on Friday, attorneys on both sides argued over whether Hochman had the right to rescind his predecessors request, and whether the brothers are truly rehabilitated. Habib Balian, speaking for the D.A.s office, argued that the brothers have never admitted that their self-defense claim was fabricated, or taken responsibility for repeatedly lying about the murders and recruiting their friends to lie on their behalf in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre the same people they were back then, Balian said. Thirty years ago, they were telling the same lies they are today. Judge Michael Jesic held that the D.A.s office had not done enough to show that the prior administrations petition should be withdrawn. The judge said he was seeking to avoid a situation in which petitions could be offered and withdrawn merely based on a change in administration. Theres no new information, the judge said. None of this is really new. Theyve stuck with their story. It goes to whether theyve been rehabilitated. A California appeals court precedent requires that a D.A. offers a legitimate reason to withdraw a resentencing petition. The judge found that the court precedent did not provide enough clarity to determine what qualifies as legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Menendez brothers attorney, Mark Geragos, blasted the D.A.s office for offering a lengthy presentation on the original crime, which even included a display of a photo of Jose Menendezs dead body. Geragos called Balians presentation a dog and pony show and likened it to Sen. Cory Bookers recent filibuster. Outside court, Geragos hailed the judges ruling, calling it a victory of justice over politics. Hochman sat in the front row for much of the hearing, underscoring the importance of the case to his administration. Hochman assigned three deputies to review the transcripts of both Menendez trials, and announced his decision to withdraw the petition at a lengthy press conference. In court, Balian played video clips from the first trial, as well as audio recordings of Lyle and Erik Menendez therapy sessions and interviews with a reporter. He also played clips from The Menendez Brothers, a Netflix documentary that debuted last year, in which Lyle argued that he acted in reasonable self defense. Balian argued that the clips show that the brothers deliberately manipulated the process and concocted a self-defense argument only after trying several other rationales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesic was startled by Lyle Menendez phone interview with a reporter, in which he talked about pursuing the best angle at trial. Hes saying this to a reporter on the phone from jail, Jesic said, noting that it undermined the prosecutions claim that the brothers were sophisticated killers. Geragos said he was infuriated by Balians presentation, calling it a show proceeding by a D.A. elected as a throwback to the 90s. This is political, he said, arguing that Hochman was pandering to Neanderthal D.A.s in his office who were wildly dissatisfied with Gascon. Weve kind of evolved, he said, adding that the Legislature had expanded the use of resentencing to reduce prison overpopulation in the wake of the Three Strikes era. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A recent ruling from a Los Angeles judge in the Menendez brothers' decades-long case to allow the consideration of resentencing hearings may lead to a new chapter for Erik and Lyle Menendez. The brothers, serving life without parole sentences since the 1990s for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, claim they acted in self-defense after years of abuse. E! Online reported that on April 11, Judge Michael Jesic denied District Attorney Nathan Hochmans bid to withdraw the petition for resentencing, which allows the case to go forward on April 17 and 18. Then, the court will further address whether resentencing is in order. DA Hochman, who is opposed to the move for resentencing, said that his office is ready to follow wherever the court leads it. He felt that the evidence strongly supports the original convictions and charged the brothers with continuing to perjure themselves over the issue of self-defense. He believes the Menendez brothers never embraced full disclosure and went as far as to convince others to lie to protect them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During their trial in 1993, Erik and Lyle claimed they had acted in "imperfect self-defense," having testified that their father had sexually abused them. By the time of the 1995 retrial, though, prosecutors had alleged that Lyle had encouraged a friend and an ex-girlfriend to put together their allegations of abuse to assist in cementing the conviction and life sentences. Despite Hochmans view, he did hint at a possibility of clemency. An admission of guilt by the brothers on their lies about the abuse could go a long way in helping any future applications for resentencing. People are divided about this case and the potential new sentence. For some, the original conviction stands for deserved punishment for a brutal crime; for others, the allegations of abusewhich now prompt possible resentencingextend the dialogue into matters of truth, rehabilitation, and fairness. Now all eyes are once again on Erik and Lyle Menendez in anticipation of the forthcoming hearings on April 17 and 18, and whether or not the court will review one of the most sensational and controversial modern murder cases in American history. Related: New DA Makes Bombshell Change in Menendez Brothers Case PRINCETON New Mercer County businesses can set up shop and put up their signs without the county's government knowing about them, so the Mercer County Commission is looking at improvements that could bring in thousands in tax dollars. Mercer County's hotel/motel tax, which is used to help fund economic development involving tourism, came up when Jamie Null, executive director of the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau, spoke to the commission Tuesday about her bureau's annual report and its progress during 2024. The report outlines all the bureau's initiatives, accomplishments and results of its advertising campaigns, its community involvement and some interstate tourism. Null said that the year 2024 had highest spending she has seen during her 10 years with the bureau. The report includes figures from 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So we have hit over $200 million in visitors spending in 2023 and that number comes from the West Virginia Department of Tourism," she said. The tourism industry's economic activity creates savings for the county's residents, Null told the commissioners. "Because of tourism, every household in Mercer County saves $718 in taxes," Null said. "So the more visitors' spending that we bring in, the more savings our families get in Mercer County because of that." With Starry Eyes Media creative director Brandon Gilbert attending the meeting, Null asked the commission about how the county's hotel/motel tax is paid. Gilbert was there to discuss building a new website for the Mercer County Animal Shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Information about the hotel/motel tax is not on the county's website, she said. If there is a search on the internet for how to pay Mercer County's hotel/motel tax, users are taken to the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau website and not the county's website. "We do a great job. I think of working together to make sure that we are in compliance, but I would like to ask for the county to have more information about the hotel/motel tax on their website because we have a lot of property owners who do not live here. And the information is not on your website or the form for them to find it easily, so we have had a lot of conversations with people who have tried to find it and assume we don't have one," Null said. Hotels, motels and ATV resorts and other businesses offering lodging do not have a way to pay their taxes online, she said. Instead, they have to visit the Mercer County Courthouse or mail a check. "Also, there's not a way for them to pay online, so people still have to come into the courthouse or they have to mail a check and we have a lot of property owners who don't live here, like for example, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, we have a lot of people who not residents and might not have access to pay that," Null said. "So I wanted to bring that up in a formal discussion. " Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Puckett asked Gilbert if extra pages including the tax information could be put on the county's website. Gilbert replied this would be possible if he had a copy of the form and that new pages could help facilitate the payment processing. "We don't currently have any payment options, do we?" Puckett said. "No sir," Gilbert replied. Not being able to keep track of the county's businesses has been a challenge, too. "Just so the public knows, and Jamie and I have had a lot of discussions about this, is that the county does not have a business registry," Puckett said. "If you don't have a direct account or a conversation with the Secretary of State's Office, we don't know if a business shows up in the county until they put a sign on the door. And that's a problem because you've got several busineses, ATVs in particular, that come in, they open up a cabin, they have a business essentially. We don't that they're there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And so the other problem is we spend tens of thousands of dollars sending out tax tickets to businesses that no longer exist," Puckett said. "So we waste of ton of money, so what we need to do is create a registry system to where that allows a business to come in and sign up essentially with the county saying we know you're here. We recognize and that we start having on ongoing process, but the money that we also lose in terms of the hotel/motel tax, things like that in a given year, runs into the thousands of dollars. And so, that would also help. Maybe we could figure out a way to have a registry system online that allows for that to happen, maybe?" Puckett said to Gilbert. Gilbert said the city of Princeton has an online system with a business license form and other forms on its website. Commissioner Brian Blankenship, who works for the city, said the system has had "a lot of positive feedback." "It's scary to think that we don't know what businesses exist in the county," Puckett said. "Literally, we don't know until they put on sign on the door. And because we don't have that direct relationship, and there's not an unregistering effect. You could be a registered business on the Secretary of State's Office. You go out of business, we don't know you're not there. We might send you a tax ticket for three years or more and never even know you're not a business anymore. We've got to get a better system." A pair of murder suspects from metro Atlanta were arrested hours away in coastal Georgia on Thursday. The Long County Sheriffs Office says they arrested Kaliz Hadley, 21, and Tahnee McNabb, 19. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Investigators say Hadley and McNabb were wanted on charges of murder and aggravated assault in Rockdale County. Channel 2 Action News has reached out to the Rockdale County Sheriffs Office for details on the crimes they are wanted for, but have not heard back. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long County investigators say they used a drone to locate Hadley and McNabb before serving a search warrant and arresting them both. They say evidence was found while serving the warrant and turned over to Rockdale County. They did not comment on what that evidence was. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Metro police assisted in the apprehension of a man who faces a second-degree murder charge in Arizona, taking him into custody after executing a search warrant at a Laughlin apartment complex on Thursday night. Tony Chafin, a 39-year-old man who was the subject of a search that began on Wednesday in Bullhead City, Arizona, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas as he awaits extradition to Mohave County, according to the Bullhead City Police Department. Metro officers recovered a weapon when they took Chafin into custody in the 3500 block of Bay Sands Drive in Laughlin at about 8:45 p.m. on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man was shot in the shoulder on Wednesday and was transported to a Las Vegas hospital for treatment. The shooting occurred in the 800 block of Roadrunner Drive, Bullhead City police said. A suspect fled before police arrived. Police released a photo and description of Chafin as they conducted a search after the shooting. Chafin has a tattoo of a cross near his left eye and a teardrop tattoo near his right eye. Police warned the public that Chafin was armed and dangerous. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Investigators are working to determine the cause of a shooting in Bordeaux Friday night that led to the death of a 23-year-old man. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, officers responded to a home in the 2700 block of Hydes Ferry Road after receiving a 911 call at approximately 8:39 p.m. on Friday, April 11. However, when they arrived, the house was secured, so authorities had to force their way in. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Law enforcement said nobody was in the home, but they found an AR-style rifle and blood inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, around 9 p.m., a gunshot victim identified by police as 23-year-old Dontrail Spencer Jr. was reported at Nashville General Hospital. Spencer, who was accompanied by others who were in the house at the time of the shooting, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital in a private vehicle, officials said. Man dead after shooting in Cookeville shopping center parking lot MNPD said detectives from the Homicide Unit are working to determine if the shooting was accidental, adding that no charges have been filed at this time. No additional information was released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A Mexican national residing in Hartford has been sentenced to over 4 years in prison for human smuggling and labor trafficking, officials said. Maria Del Carmen Sanchez Potrero, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 71, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Hartford, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Kari Dooley in Bridgeport to just over 4 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut. Justice Department officials said she was involved in a scheme to smuggle aliens into the U.S., harbor them at Hartford area residences, force them to work, and threaten to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest, and other living expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford police officers interviewed several Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford. The investigation revealed that victims typically arranged with Sanchez and others in Connecticut and Mexico to cross the border into the U.S., in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000, that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S. In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico. They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchezs residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death. After the victims arrived in Connecticut, they were told that they would have to pay approximately $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay Sanchez for rent, food, gas and utilities. Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area. In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform housework and yardwork, without compensation and without having their debt reduced. Victims were rarely provided with an accounting of their debt, according to officials. If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that Sanchez and her co-conspirators expected, they were sometimes threatened, including with threats to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments, according to the Justice Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said they have identified 19 victims involved in the scheme. Multiple victims were also minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian, according to the Justice Department. Sanchez has been detained since her arrest on March 1, 2023. On Oct. 24, 2024, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to encourage and induce, bring in, transport, and harbor aliens. The court ordered Sanchez to pay restitution of $574,608. Sanchez faces immigration proceedings when she completes her prison term. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is leading a trade mission to Asia. In an effort to strengthen business ties with Singapore and Japan, the governors trade mission aims to promote the states leadership in advanced energy technologies and explore natural gas export opportunities. Misuse of time: Governor slams New Mexico legislature for bills passed this session In Singapore, the governor will meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, then she will head to Japan, where she will meet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor is scheduled to return to America on April 29. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham used the power of her pen Friday morning to veto 16 pieces of legislation, including a key tax package that would have extended relief to an estimated 100,000 middle-income New Mexicans. She issued a veto message tearing into the Democrat-controlled Legislature for waiting until the final days of the session to pass the tax measure. The two-term Democratic governor also laid bare her ongoing frustration with state lawmakers on the public safety front as she rejected a series of proposals to add new specialty license plates to the states list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a session where the Legislature found time to pass three separate license plate bills and designate an official state bread, it is deeply disappointing that they waited until the final days indeed, the final hours of the 2025 legislative session to set up a tax package, the governor wrote in a veto message for House Bill 14. Even more troubling is the fact that what ultimately emerged lacked both strategic coherence and fiscal credibility, she added. Lujan Grisham has signed more than 150 of the 195 bills the Legislature passed in the session that ended last month. The flurry of vetos Friday brings her total number of vetoes to 18 bills, according to the secretary of states website. A couple of dozen bills the governor hadnt signed or vetoed by Friday evening likely would be pocket vetoed, or vetoed by default due to lack of action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One significant bill the governor had not signed as of 5 p.m. Friday would have authorized the New Mexico Public Education Department to enter into compacts with tribes to create language and culture-based institutions. Promoted by tribal leaders and Indigenous advocates, Senate Bill 13 would have made the proposed state-tribal compact schools eligible for state public school funding. Last-minute tax package Heavily debated by lawmakers, HB 14 would have created an Earned Income Tax Credit, replacing the states current Working Families Tax Credit with higher income thresholds for single workers and families. It also would have provided tax credits for foster parents and a gross receipts tax deduction for health care providers, and would have increased the states liquor excise tax by 20%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tax package was moved to the governors desk near the end of the 60-day session. New Mexicans deserve thoughtful, forward-looking policy not last-minute dealmaking that delays relief, ignores economic opportunity, and undermines fiscal responsibility, Lujan Grisham wrote in her veto message. After 36 hours of disagreement after the tax measure passed both chambers, the House and Senate finally agreed to nix a proposed 0.28% oil and gas equalization surtax to pay for the tax credit as well as some additional tax credits proposed by the Senate. Instead, they opted for the liquor tax hike. The chair of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee, Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, disputed the governors rationale for the veto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I stand 100% behind the package. ... In regards to the comments made by the governor that it was not thoughtful, forward-looking policy, I dont think thats correct, Lente said, noting he strongly believed in a part of the tax package that would have eliminated the personal income tax for workers earning minimum wage and some families. Those initiatives were months in the making, Lente said. Lujan Grisham highlighted in her blistering veto message how many of the changes outlined the tax package would not have taken effect until 2027. She wrote she believed this was because there was no plan and no preparation for how to pay for the tax relief. The Legislature delayed tax relief for working families despite the state sitting on more than $3 billion in one-time revenues and over 30% in reserves, she wrote. This is not prudence it is paralysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said he agreed with the governors decision to veto the measure. The package bound future legislators, which you cannot do, Munoz said. You cant say, Ill give you tax relief based on future income, because we dont know what that is. Other prominent members of the Legislature expressed disappointment, however. I am disappointed with the veto because tax packages are hard to craft and necessarily involve lots of compromise, Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said in a statement. The one positive is the bill had an effective date of 2027, meaning we can use it as a framework for legislation in the 2026 session, assuming we can find the money to pay for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lente said initiatives in the tax bill were to do exactly the thing she said they dont do in her message. No lowrider capital plate Sen. Leo Jaramillo, D-Espanola, expressed deep disappointment in the governors veto Friday of Senate Bill 327, which would have created a new lowrider capital license plate. The legislation he co-sponsored amounted to much more than a license plate bill as the governor called it in his community, one long known for its vibrant lowrider scene, he said. Mostly, when we tell people we are from Espanola, people find it appropriate to ask us if we want to hear an Espanola joke, and we dont, Jaramillo said. This bill would have made sure that it shined a light on the [Espanola] Valley, and it would have given us a win that we need, that we deserve, and it would have been amazing to see that license plate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her veto message for SB 327, the governor criticized the Legislature for that bill and another designating a state bread, while public safety bills she backed didnt reach her desk. Yet, in the final hours of the session, and in the wake of a mass shooting in Las Cruces that went unacknowledged by House leadership, the House found time to debate the merits of a state bread, Lujan Grisham wrote. The message also cites a failed bill that would have prohibited synthetic cannabinoids and semisynthetic cannabinoids by banning possession, marketing and sales of delta-8, delta-10 and THC-O acetate in New Mexico. And the Legislature found time to pass not one, not two, but three separate license plate bills, despite already having 40 specialty plates on the books, the governor wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visibly frustrated by what she called a lack of public safety legislation that passed, Lujan Grisham warned lawmakers in a news conference last month to expect a special session to complete the task. She has not yet set a date for such a session. Camille Ward, a spokesperson for House Democrats, pointed Friday to an omnibus public safety package the Legislature pushed through this session, which reforms criminal competency laws and cracks down on shooting threats, fentanyl trafficking and drunken driving, as well as a measure expanding the list of offenses that constitute racketeering and another that creates a Turquoise Alert for when Native Americans go missing in the state. Proposed new park axed Lujan Grisham also vetoed a bill that would have created a new state park near Las Cruces Slot Canyons Riverlands State Park arguing existing parks are understaffed and undermaintained. An additional state park would further strain resources, she contended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, a Las Cruces-based nonprofit that advocates for environmental conservation and social equity, lamented the move from the governor. About 35 state parks are scattered across New Mexico. At a time when our public lands are under attack by the federal government, the state should be doing more, not less, to increase access to the outdoors, Angel Pena, executive director of Nuestra Tierra, said in a statement. State parks and public lands offer New Mexico families the opportunity to enjoy outdoor spaces at low or no cost, and its a shame the governor chose to block this new park that our community advocated so hard for, the statement continued. More than 100 years ago, Carey Peltos house on West Pikes Peak Avenue was ordered from a Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog an early version of what would become a nationwide phenomena. The pale yellow, two-story house in Old Colorado City, purchased by John M. Clear just after the turn of the 20th century, is possibly the first Sears kit home built in the country. Standing in his kitchen on Friday afternoon, Pelto unfolded a packet of yellowing, faded paperwork labeled in capital letters, SPECIFICATIONS AND BILL OF MATERIALS FOR MODERN HOME, with a list of each item purchased and its corresponding code from the Sears catalog. Including materials and labor, the house was expected to cost $2,771. Sears wasnt the first company to sell kit homes, but it was the most prolific. Entire homes would arrive by railroad, from precut lumber, to carved staircases, down to the nails and varnish, says a Sears website documenting the companys history. Families picked out their houses according to their needs, tastes, and pocketbooks. Sears provided all the materials and instructions, and for many years the financing, for homeowners to build their own houses. Sears filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week, buckling under its massive debt load and staggering losses, raising questions about whether a smaller version of the company that once dominated the American retail landscape can remain viable, or whether the iconic brand will be forced out of business. Sears, which started as a mail order catalog in the 1880s, has been on a slow march toward extinction as it lagged far behind its peers and incurred massive losses over the years. But its two Colorado Springs stores at Chapel Hills Mall and Broadmoor Towne Center are staying open for now; neither was on the list of unprofitable stores being closed this year. Sears presence in the city goes back nearly a century to 1928 when it opened its first store on Tejon Street downtown. Since then, its become part of NORAD lore, giving birth to its Santa tracking on Christmas Eve by inadvertently running an ad for kids to call Santa with the telephone number for the joint U.S.-Canada command. The commanding officer who answered played along, pretending the caller had reached Santas nerve center at the North Pole. Or so the story goes. And theres the house that Clear ordered and assembled. Pelto didnt know the houses history when he bought it in 2016. But he soon found a stash of original documents and artifacts including samples of building materials with Clears name and an invoice number stamped on them preserved in a drawer. Its a tribute to the people who lived here before that they kept this stuff around, Pelto said. Pelto, an emergency room doctor, began researching kit homes online. He had help from his next-door neighbors, who used to own the house and had extensively researched its origin. Featured Local Savings He found references to a man named John Clear of Colorado Springs buying the countrys first Sears kit house, but the date the house was built appears to predate the time Sears kit homes were first produced. It would make sense the story about this being a test kit home kind of fits, Pelto said. His research indicates that Clear likely worked for a railroad company. El Paso County assessors records say the house was built in 1908, but according to Pelto, the deed says 1910. Regardless, Sears archives website and enthusiasts online appear to confirm the story that it could be the companys first kit home. More than 100,000 homes were sold from 1908 to 1940 through the mail-order Modern Homes program, the Sears website says. The first specialty catalog for houses, the Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans, was issued in 1908, featuring 22 styles ranging from $650 to $2,500. The first bill of materials was sold for a complete Modern Home in 1909. Rachel Shoemaker, who runs Oklahoma Houses By Mail, a blog about kit homes, said she believes the West Pikes Peak Avenue house was one of the earliest possibly even the first. Shoemaker wrote on the blog that while reading through a Sears merchandise catalog from the fall of 1911 or spring 1912, she came across a testimonial from John M. Clear of Colorado Springs in the building materials and home plans section. I am just as well pleased today, three years after building, as I was at the time everything was new, Clear wrote in the testimonial provided by Shoemaker. Clear said building the house using Sears catalog had saved him $800. I will state that I am more than pleased with my home built by my plans and your material, the testimonial says. the quality of the material furnished by you far surpasses any that is being furnished for other houses being built right here, and your prices are fully 50 per cent lower. I received my entire order in a little more than two weeks from the time you shipped it from your factory and not a single article was damaged and was packed in fine shape. Clear enclosed a photo of his home, which appears to be the house Pelto lives in now. Many of the houses fixtures, appliances and decorative features have been carefully preserved or restored, Pelto said. At some point, some original pieces, including intricate woodwork in the entrance to the living room, were torn out, he said. A subsequent owner found the woodwork stuffed in a crawlspace and reinstalled it. But much remains unchanged, from the wood floors to stained glass windows. The stove is original but has been reconfigured with a new gas stovetop. All the antiques in the house have been passed down in my family for years, so I had a lot of antiques to put into it, Pelto said. He said he loves history, so it just seemed like a natural fit. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A local immigrant rights organization is sounding the alarm over the Trump Administrations agreement between the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Homeland Security to share data of undocumented immigrants who pay taxes. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its grossly unfair, its very dangerous, its anti-democratic, and we all have to put a stop to it, said Marcela Diaz, Executive Director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido. Somos Un Pueblo Unido is just one of the immigrant advocacy groups taking legal action, filing a joint lawsuit asking a judge to temporarily block the implementation of the agreement. Republicans are supporting the agreement. Some Democrats frame this as political, but its simply enforcing existing laws written by Congress. The agreement is a practical, legal step under Section 6103 of the tax code, which allows data sharing for law enforcement purposes. DHS is only accessing targeted data on individuals with final removal orders or who are under investigation for serious issues, said Ash Soular, spokesperson for the Republican Party of New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the lawsuit filed by the immigrant advocacy groups claims the agreement is unconstitutional. Diaz said for decades, undocumented immigrants have been using Individual Tax Identification Numbers, or ITIN, to report income, pay taxes, and open bank accounts under the assurance that their information would not be used by deportation authorities. Its a betrayal of trust for our community, but also it would lead to the detention, deportation, and separation of families that have come forward, that have complied with state and federal law in paying their taxes, said Diaz. According to Somos Un Pueblo Unidos, about 15,000 immigrants in New Mexico use ITIN to file their state taxes every year. New Mexicos immigrant population contributes approximately $1.4 billion in federal, state, and local taxes, with $554.6 million of that amount supporting public schools, hospitals, roads, and more, said Somos Un Pueblo Unidos in a press release. These are terrible policies that are highly unmoral, irrational, but theyre not just affecting mixed status immigrant families and children, theyre affecting main street, said Diaz. The group is also calling on state leaders to speak out and do more for immigrant families in New Mexico. Diaz said there is a hearing on the lawsuit next week. Meanwhile, The Associated Press is reporting that the head of the IRS resigned from her post over her disagreement with this agreement between the IRS and DHS. 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. April 12 (UPI) -- Mexico plans to deliver water to farmers in drought-stricken Texas, one day after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and sanctions for not providing water from the Rio Grande River promised under a 1944 treaty. The United States' southern neighbor owes 1.3 million acre-feet of water after sending only 512,604, which is 30% of the required amount every five years. "For Texas farmers who are requesting water, there will be an immediate delivery of a certain number of millions of cubic meters that can be provided according to the water availability in the Rio Grande," Sheinbaum told reporters Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Trump brought attention to the issue, which has been boiling since March. "This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly," Trump posted Thursday on Truth Social. "Last year, the only Sugar Mill in Texas CLOSED, because Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas Farmers. Ted Cruz has been leading the fight to get South Texas the water it is owed, but Sleepy Joe refused to lift a finger to help the Farmers. 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. 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 posted. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, reposted Trump's post and spoke about the issue on his podcast Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over each five-year cycle since the treaty was signed, Mexico must send 1.75 million acre-feet from the Rio Grande -- the latest cycle ended in October. In return, the United States sends 1.5 million acre-feet of water yearly to Mexico from the Colorado River. An acre-foot of water is about 325,000 gallons, equivalent to an acre of land flooded with water one foot deep. On Thursday, Sheinbaum posted in Spanish on X that a comprehensive proposal has already been sent to the undersecretary of the U.S. Department of State. "This has been three years of drought, and to the extent water is available, Mexico has been complying," she wrote. "The International Boundary and Water Commission has continued its work to identify mutually beneficial solutions. ... I am confident that, as with other issues, an agreement will be reached." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rio Grande River is 1,990 miles long and provides water to approximately 6 million people, with nearly 80% of it used for irrigation in the U.S. and Mexico, according to the Rio Gande International Study Center. It is one of the 10 Most Endangered Rivers in the World, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The Rio Grande flows through Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. In Mexico, the basin spans Durango, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Texas is highly dependent on water for farming, especially as the state has been experiencing a drought. Texas is the third-largest grower of citrus in the country, behind California and Florida. On March 20, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs denied a request from Mexico to deliver water to Tijuana. The agency is part of the U.S. Department of State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mexico's continued shortfalls in its water deliveries under the 1944 water-sharing treaty are decimating American agriculture -- particularly farmers in the Rio Grande valley," the agency posted on X. "As a result, today for the first time, the U.S. will deny Mexico's non-treaty request for a special delivery channel for Colorado River water to be delivered to Tijuana." Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas applauded the decision, and described a water situation as a "man-made crisis." "This option is absolutely what the Trump administration needs to pressure Mexico to fulfill its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty," Cruz wrote on X. "Texas farmers are in crisis because of Mexico's noncompliance. I will work with the Trump administration to pressure Mexico into complying and to get water to Texas farmers." On March 19, he hosted farmers and ranchers across the Rio Grande Valley with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their situation is dire," he posted on X. "Mexico is refusing to comply with its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty to provide water from the Rio Grande to the US, even while we go above and beyond our own obligations to give Mexico water. The effects on Texas have been catastrophic." He plans to introduce legislation in the Senate to impose sanctions on Mexico and withhold aid over noncompliance, as he did during the previous Congress. Last month, Rollins toured the Rio Grande Valley and announced a $280 million federal block grant to help those affected by water shortages. Chihuahua's tributaries feed the Rio Grande as it flows toward South Texas. The area has substantially expanded nut tree farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Chihuahua consumes a lot of water," she said at a news conference. "We need to make irrigation more efficient so that not so much water is used. In fact, they have wells that are unregulated." Mexico, like other nations worldwide, has been slapped with tariffs on products shipped to the United States. Initially, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all exports except those that comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. He then narrowed it to steel, aluminum and autos manufactured in Mexico, although he did not impose a 10% baseline like most U.S. trading partners were hit with. "I think there has been a respectful relationship and that has allowed us to have good communication with the United States and Trump," Sheinbaum said on Friday. "We always demand respect and offer respect to the United States, and that has allowed for dialogue." Mexico will facilitate an immediate delivery of water to farmers in Texas to help shore up resources amid President Trumps tariff threats, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Friday. For Texas farmers who are requesting water, there will be an immediate delivery of a certain number of millions of cubic meters that can be provided according to the water availability in the Rio Grande, Sheinbaum told reporters on Friday. The U.S. and Mexico have been tangled in dispute regarding a 1944 treaty that stipulates that Mexico City send 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. from the Rio Grande River every five years. In return, the U.S. sends 1.5 million acre-feet of water every year to Mexico from the Colorado River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexico missed the latest deadline, sparking tension between the North American neighbors. Trump on Thursday threatened to slap additional tariffs and potential sanctions on Mexico if the delivery of the water was not completed, stating the delay is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly. I will make sure Mexico doesnt violate our Treaties, and doesnt hurt our Texas Farmers, the president said. Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty. Shortly after, Sheinbaum admitted on social media that Mexico was unable to fulfill the commitment, pointing to the issues caused by a drought in the country. She also noted that the government sent over a proposal with the goal of finding a solution that benefits both sides. In late March, the administration refused Mexicos request to send over the water from the Colorado River to Tijuana marking the first rejection since the treaty was struck over 80 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department pointed to Mexicos failure to hold up their end of the bargain as the reason. Mexicos continued shortfalls in its water deliveries under the 1944 water-sharing treaty are decimating American agriculture particularly farmers in the Rio Grande valley, the department 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 The Hill. ESPANOLA, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico State Police have released new details in the fatal shooting of a man by law enforcement in Espanola. On Thursday, the Rio Arriba County Sheriffs Office received a call about larceny at a home in Dixon, New Mexico. The caller said that his son, 32-year-old Zachery Sisneros, stole multiple items from the home, including a gun. Officials provide update on Operation Route 66 Around 1 p.m., a RASO deputy located a vehicle that Sisneros was in at a Speedway Gas Station in Espanola. Sisneros drove to a nearby Lowes Home Improvement store, and thats when RASO and an Ohkay Owingeh Police Department officer made contact with him. They said when he got out of the vehicle, he exited with a rifle. Thats when the deputies and officer opened fire, hitting Sisneros. He died at the hospital. The shooting is 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. 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. _____ Nearly a year after a 21-year-old Miami man threatened to kill everyone attending a New Jersey high schools junior prom, he has pleaded guilty to the crime and faces up to five years in prison. Onil Compres Rodriguez changed his plea on Wednesday to guilty of one count of transmitting threats through interstate communications, court records showed. No plea agreement was given, and he was scheduled to appear before Senior U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno in Miami federal court for sentencing on June 25. In a press release, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said Compres Rodriguez admitted to sending threatening messages through social media in April 2024. He sent the direct messages to several accounts belonging to schools in New Jersey while he was in Miami-Dade County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of them read: I will kill everyone; They should never have hurt me; See you on May 2 at the junior prom. ... I will be charged for the damage they did to me; They dont know who they messed with; and Wear your bulletproof vests there will be a lot of blood hahaha. He also included two pictures one of an invitation to a New Jersey high-school prom on May 2, 2024, and the other of three guns and ammo. The threats were reported, and while he was being investigated, authorities learned Compres Rodriguez booked a flight to Newark, New Jersey, from Miami International Airport on May 2. When he landed, he was promptly met by waiting law enforcement. They arrested Compres Rodriguez, who never made it to prom, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Michael Casale will say goodbye to more than three decades of working for Niagara County later this month. The director of economic development plans to retire on April 25. It will be up to the county legislature to name his successor. Its been a 32-year career with a lot of late-night meetings, early morning meetings, and conferences that take me out of town, Casale said. Its time to spend a little bit more time with my family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Niagara-Wheatfield graduate, Casale worked for local radio stations before being appointed the countys director of tourism in 1993. After that department merged with Niagara Falls tourism office to form Destination Niagara in 1998, the county asked Casale if he would move over to business development. He first worked as deputy commissioner of business development under Sam Ferraro, the then-commissioner for which the Samuel M. Ferraro Center for Commerce is named. After Ferraros death in 2018, the legislature appointed Casale to fill the role. Mike always had the ability to work with people, said Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board member William Ross, who taught Casale back at Niagara-Wheatfield. He knew how to approach people. He knew how to get problems (solved). Under Casales leadership, the county has brought in large-scale developments such as Amazons $500+ million fulfillment center now being built in the Town of Niagara and the $450 million Greenpac Mill that opened in Niagara Falls in 2013. His departments retention program has also worked to retain businesses that are considering expansion, such as Olin Corp., which invested in a $20 million bleach product production line in the early 2010s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its great to go after and try to attract new businesses, and we work hard to do that for the county, Casale said, adding that existing businesses are the best ambassadors the county could have. Niagara County Economic Development had a total economic impact of $78.6 million in 2024, according to its annual presentation to the county legislature and the NCIDA board. Its highlights of the year include: Supporting creation of 268 new jobs and retention of 416 jobs. The Microenterprise Assistance program granting $255,000 to 11 small businesses, leading to four new jobs and 14 retained jobs. The Empower Niagara low-cost power program providing $117,000 in reimbursements to nine businesses, leading to $62.4 million in investments, 242 new jobs, and 379 retained jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Securing $3.5 million for the Brownfield revolving loan fund. The opening of the 624 River Road apartments in North Tonawanda and expansions for Chemical Design in Lockport and Buffalo Coffee Roasters in Sanborn. In retirement, Casale plans on spending more time with his five grandchildren, traveling, dedicating more time to non-profits he is involved with, and helping his church St. John de LaSalle in Niagara Falls stay open amidst threats of closure from the Diocese of Buffalo. He could also serve the county in a different role. County Republicans and Conservatives announced this week that they will endorse Casale as their preferred candidate to accept outgoing Niagara County Legislature chair Rebecca Wydyshs nominating petitions for the Niagara County Legislatures Second District seat. The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at April 11, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 11 drawing Midday: 0-2-2 Evening: 2-9-8 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 11 drawing Midday: 7-1-7-4 Evening: 4-2-1-3 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from April 11 drawing 07-09-10-31-34, Lucky Ball: 10 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from April 11 drawing KS-8C-7D-8D-8H Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 11 drawing 02-03-10-18-38 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 03-09-18-26-37 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from April 11 drawing 02-06-07-08-19-21-24-28-30-33-41-44-46-49-51-52-53-55-59-62-65-78 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 11, 2025 At the U.S. Naval Academy, it's not what's on the shelves that's drawing attention -- but what's missing. The institution's Nimitz Library has been stripped of 381 titles, according to a list first published in the New York Times, including works exploring race, gender, and national identity. The culling includes "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi, "Bodies in Doubt" by Elizabeth Reis, and "White Rage" by Carol Anderson. None was banned outright -- just rendered "not immediately available," a Naval Academy spokesman, Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, said. The books, he said, had been placed in a room where patrons could no longer access them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump's Jan. 29 executive order titled "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling" has been extended to cover the country's military academies. With language targeting what it called "discriminatory equity ideology" and "gender ideology" -- which he later called "the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion policies" -- the order set in motion extensive removals, reviews and institutional confusion. "There isn't any clear criteria," Katherine Kuzminski, director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security, told ABC News. "It leaves leadership scrambling -- how do we ensure compliance without being accused of overcorrecting?" Kuzminski said military leaders, bound by a strict code to obey lawful orders, are grappling with what she called the ambiguity of the policy. "Particularly in the Air Force," she noted, "when the Tuskegee Airmen learning module was removed from basic training for a few days, leadership was trying to follow through with the best of intentions." PHOTO: The U.S. Naval Academy campus is viewed, March 20, 2025, in Annapolis, Md. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP) MORE: DOD says it 'mistakenly removed' Jackie Robinson, other content from website amid DEI purge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of the Navy leadership determined which books required removal at the Naval Academy library, Hawkins told ABC News. Initially, officials searched the Nimitz Library catalog, using key word searches, to identify books that required further review, Hawkins said. Approximately 900 books were identified during the preliminary search, he said, and department officials then closely examined the preliminary list to determine which books required removal to comply with directives outlined in executive orders issued by the president. That ultimately resulted in nearly 400 books being selected for removal from the Nimitz Library collection, he said. Historians and former military officials told ABC News the implications are chilling. Richard Kohn, a military historian and former chief historian for the Air Force, sees the move as a "cleansing" effort. "It reveals a certain kind of weakness in the current administration's confidence," he said. "They're determined to appeal to their MAGA constituency by rolling back decades of progress on race, religion, and diversity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Kohn, removing these books from the shelves sends a clear message to cadets: To get ahead in the military, avoid certain ideas. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Keaney, a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced international Studies, spoke about how far the academies have come -- and how far he said they risk falling back. "When I was there," he said, "it was a whites-only institution," he said of the U.S. Air Force Academy. "It was the poorer for it." Education, he insisted, is about exposure. "You are not harming people by letting them read," he said. In a letter to the secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Democratic Reps. Adam Smith and Chrissy Houlahan called the book removals "a blatant attack on the First Amendment" and "an alarming return to McCarthy-era censorship." They demanded to know who ordered the removals, the process used and which titles were being purged, while urging an immediate halt. PHOTO: Cadets march to their seats for their commencement ceremony with President Donald Trump as the speaker at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation, May 30, 2019 at Air Force Academy, Colo. (David Zalubowski/AP) MORE: A look at what DEI means amid Trump executive orders Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The academies have issued carefully worded responses -- or none at all -- when asked by ABC News for comment. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy did not respond to repeated requests. The U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy issued brief statements affirming compliance with executive orders but offered few specifics. The Coast Guard Academy is conducting a comprehensive review of its curriculum to ensure compliance with all executive orders," a spokesperson said. The U.S. Naval Academy spokesman confirmed that "nearly 400 books" had been removed from its Nimitz Library, explaining the move as an effort "to ensure compliance with all directives outlined in Executive Orders issued by the President." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He emphasized what he called the library's robust collection -- some 590,000 print books and thousands of academic resources -- framing the book removals as minor compared to the size of the overall collection. "The Naval Academy's mission," the spokesperson added, "is to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically ... to prepare them for careers of service to our country." MORE: 'DEI needs to go': Education Department launches 'END DEI' website At the U.S. Air Force Academy, a spokesperson noted that a curriculum review was underway "to ensure our compliance with executive orders." But outside voices in military academic circles warned that the issue goes beyond compliance, saying it strikes at the core of intellectual development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You can't make ideas safe for people, but you can make people safe for ideas," said Kohn, who specializes in civil-military relations. "If you don't mentor students in the academies to understand what's going on in American society, you don't really educate them." Keaney, the former U.S. Air Force officer, was more circumspect but equally concerned. "I don't think anyone is going to be hurt by reading anything -- however nutty or outside their own culture it is," he said. "You're not harming people by exposing them to ideas. On the contrary, you're training them to be discerning leaders. Give them a chance. Don't leave them to deal from ignorance." Military academies criticized for removing DEI-related books from libraries originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Millennials are worried they are about to experience a once-in-a-lifetime recession. Again. Dire economic downturns are supposed to be rare, but millennials defined by the Pew Research Center as those born between 1981 and 1996 have already had several recessions during formative stages of their lives, from the dot-com bubble burst when most were children, to the Great Recession as they entered the workforce after college, to the Covid-19 pandemic when they were trying to settle into their careers. Once dubbed the unluckiest generation, millennials have postponed major milestones during past recessions. A significant slice of them graduated college between 2007 and 2009 and struggled to find jobs, which led them to delay buying homes, getting married, and making major purchases, such as cars. Then, after the pandemic led to another sharp recession, some millennials, contending with student loans and rising costs of living, decided to rethink having kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as the Trump administrations tariffs program roils global markets, raising fears of another recession, the millennial cohort of approximately 29- to 44-year-olds is expressing their frustration and fatigue over the financial instability that has haunted so much of their lives. Some have posted videos on TikTok joking about how they have little advice for Gen Zers who may have to navigate their first possible recession. Others have shared how they are preparing for economic turmoil. Most are just going on social media to trade memes and jokes. Its out of our control, and so why not handle it with a sense of humor and joke about it? said Jeremy Dozier, 38, a real estate agent in Los Angeles County, California, who has posted funny TikTok videos as a way to express his disdain for the current economic situation. Dozier knows how painful recessions can be: He graduated college in 2008 and was forced to take temp jobs out of college because he couldnt find full-time work during the Great Recession. By the time the pandemic hit, he had been in a steady job for a decade, but then was laid off. Every time we start to get ahead or it starts to feel like, OK, things are going to work out, the other shoe drops, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikTok has been an outlet for him. In a video that Dozier posted in February, he pretends to sob as the song I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables. plays. The caption to the video reads: Millennials preparing to live through their 4th recession before hitting 40. The video racked up 23,000 likes and hundreds of comments. For young people, sarcasm and memes have become increasingly popular coping mechanisms, said Pamela Aronson, a sociology professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. These social media arenas represent a shared cultural understanding, and these then get spread across groups who are connected to each other digitally, she said. It both reflects and transforms how we think about things. Not all members of this generation have fared poorly during past economic uncertainty. A wave of millennials were able to purchase houses during the pandemic. And concern about another recession is not limited to only their age group, said Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of the 2023 book Generations, which posits that technology, not major events in history, is the primary cause of generational differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millennials went through these horrible economic times at the beginning of their adult lives, then built everything back up, did really well, and now are rightfully concerned that if theres another recession, that they could lose it all again, Twenge said. But, she added: I do think this is something that is coming up for people of all ages. There was some relief Wednesday afternoon, as stocks soared after President Donald Trump announced that he would pause for 90 days higher tariff rates on dozens of trading partners. John Sabelhaus, a visiting fellow in economic studies at the Washington-based think tank the Brookings Institution, pointed out that the overall strategy of the current Congress could be extremely disruptive still and noted that a financial downturn at this time would be especially damaging to millennials. Millennials are exactly at that age where they are building businesses, and theyre trying to make these businesses work, he said. Its always risky, and when you throw in a lot of macroeconomic risk, it just makes it that much worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christie Cronan, a millennial content creator in Central Florida who has been posting about recession fears, said she feels like her videos have brought comfort to others in her generation. Everyone feels validated. This is what people are expecting, that we are in an economic downturn of some sort whether they want to call it a recession or not, she said. Dozier, the millennial in California, said posting lighthearted TikToks has prompted other people to open up about their economic anxiety. He said people have shared what they are doing to prepare for financial stress, with some saying they are growing their own food and others commenting that they bought an extra freezer so they can try to stockpile frozen items now before tariffs hit. While people in the comments are talking about the struggles theyre going through, its all kind of handled with a sense of humor and a sense of community, he said. Were going to weather the storm together. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WOOD COUNTY, Texas (KETK)- A Mineola man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for selling illegal narcotics. Mugshot of Judd Paul Pippins, courtesy of Wood County Criminal District Attorney On April 10, Judd Paul Pippins pleaded guilty to two charges of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, according to court records. Following his plea, Pippins was sentenced by the 402nd Judicial District Court Judge Brad McCampbell to 25 years in prison and was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Toll 49 in Smith County reopens after major damages from 18-wheeler crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pippins was originally arrested on June 19, 2024, after a Mineola police sergeant pulled him over due to an active warrant. During a search of Pippins vehicle, six grams of methamphetamine, 90 Hydrocodone pills and over an ounce of marijuana were discovered, according to officials. Additionally, officials stated 15 small clear baggies and 10 unused syringes were also found inside his car. Wood County Criminal District Attorney Angela Albers says Wood County is safer with Pippins behind bars. The defendant has a significant history involving drug dealing. Yet again he was trying to circulate drugs in Wood County, putting our community at risk, Albers said. I am pleased that we were able to resolve this case and get another drug dealer off of Wood Countys streets. Wood County is a much safer place with the defendant 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. The future of the Boundary Waters continues to be a hot topic of debate among Minnesota legislators, as a new bill that would permanently safeguard the region was introduced this week. On Wednesday, DFL Sen. Tina Smith introduced the "Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act." It marks the first time in 50 years that a U.S. senator has introduced legislation specifically to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The bill would prohibit new mining projects across nearly 350 square miles within the Superior National Forest, specifically in the Rainy River watershed, which flows into the Boundary Waters. We need to fight with every tool we have to protect the Boundary Waters, one of Americas greatest wilderness areas. Thats why Im introducing the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act. pic.twitter.com/egGs40tv4d Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) April 9, 2025 "The Boundary Waters is one of America's greatest assets and treasures. But they're not safe, especially now. The Trump administration is likely going to sell out the Boundary Waters to a foreign mining conglomerate. Copper and nickel sulfide mining could completely devastate the Boundary Waters," Smith said. "It wouldn't be a question of if this mine would pollute the waters it's only a question of when." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twin Metals Minnesota has continued to push for the reinstatement of two mineral leases that would enable Minnesota's first-ever sulfide-ore copper mine. The project is backed by the Chilean-based company Antofagasta, which has shared plans to build an underground mining complex just south of Ely. Twin Metals argues that the project would provide a major economic boost to the region, offering around 750 direct jobs and another 1,500 in related industries. Over a span of 25 years, the company estimates it would extract 20,000 tons of ore per day. Smith says that while she supports mining and recognizes its impact on the states economy, she draws the line at mining in the BWCAW. The senator cites U.S. Forest Service studies that highlight the substantial environmental risks sulfide mining poses to the Rainy River watershed. Specifically, the legislation would prohibit sulfide mining on 225,504 acres of federal land within the Rainy River watershed, where waters flow into the BWCAW and Voyageurs National Park. It would still allow the U.S. Forest Service to permit the removal of sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite from land within the protected area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Importantly, it would have no impact on any of the state's six operating taconite mines. Former President Joe Biden implemented a 20-year moratorium on mining in the region in 2023 a move that Smiths proposal would make permanent. The bill arrives just over two months after Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Duluth) reintroduced legislation that would eliminate mining protections for a large swath of the Superior National Forest near the BWCAW. His proposal mirrors a previous effort by President Donald Trump during his first term to open the area to mining. Related: Stauber proposes 'Superior National Forest Restoration Act' that would reopen area to mining Stauber responded to Smiths proposal with a statement alleging the DFL senator is "anti-union." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Smith has once again proven herself to be anti-union. Fortunately, Senator Smith is in the minority and retiring soon, so any chance of this legislation becoming law is virtually impossible," he said. The Boundary Waters has been the center of a political tug-of-war for more than a decade. The Obama administration halted mineral exploration leases in 2016, only for them to be renewed under Trump. Biden later reversed Trumps order, closing 350 square miles of the forest and Rainy River watershed near Ely to mineral and geothermal leasing for two decades the maximum time a moratorium can be issued without congressional approval. Much like several recent actions by the Trump administration during its first four months in power, Staubers proposal aligns with Project 2025 a blueprint for a second Trump term put together by the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation which calls for repealing mining protections in the Boundary Waters watershed. According to a Public Land Order (PLO) signed by then-U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in 2023, resource scientists and professional land managers in the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management warned that reversing these protections would bring serious environmental risks from sulfide-ore copper mining impacting land, water, and wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order also cited potential harm to Native American communities, violations of treaty rights, and increased climate change impacts due to forest destruction and the high energy demands of mining operations. FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) Steven Ortiz is now a free man. The Boston Globe first reported on Friday that Bristol County prosecutors dismissed the case against Ortiz, who was indicted back in 2017 on charges of heroin trafficking, possession with intent to distribute, and larceny exceeding $250. In response to a motion filed by Ortizs defense team in 2024 alleging egregious misconduct by the New Bedford Police Department, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts conceded that dismissal of the matters is an appropriate remedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortizs case had been working its way through the courts for several years, but the alleged misconduct was first exposed in a 2023 Globe article. Ortizs fiancee, Carly Medeiros, told the Globe she believed New Bedford police officer Jared Lucas, with whom she was having an affair, had used information she gave him to launch the investigation into Ortiz without her knowledge. In the motion to dismiss Ortizs case, the defense referenced a letter Medeiros wrote in 2022 alleging Lucas had given her drugs and money to plant on another man, Miguel Martinez, back in 2019. Martinezs defense team successfully argued that the evidence gathered in the drug trafficking case against him should be suppressed, as the search warrants were based on information from Medeiros, who Judge Rene Dupuis found to be unreliable. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts subsequently dismissed that case due to a lack of evidence. Ortizs attorneys told 12 News they were prepared to present evidence of a problem with the police department with respect to their treatment of young, drug-addicted women like Medeiros, who has publicly disclosed her history of substance abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We think we could have proved that the police officers were not telling the truth, attorney Rosemary Scapicchio said. However, the Commonwealth assented to the motion before any evidence could be presented. The charges against Ortiz and his three co-defendants were dismissed with prejudice. That means the case is permanently closed and cant be retried. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said he found the decision appropriate, adding, The conduct of the former officer in question was outrageous, and it tainted the case beyond redemption. While Scapicchio said she appreciates the Commonwealths decision to dismiss the case, she told 12 News her team was not completely satisfied with the prosecutions reasoning, which pointed to Judge Dupuis ruling in the Martinez case that identified Medeiros as a non-credible witness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department is tasked with protecting and serving its citizens, Scapicchio said. Theyre taking advantage of drug-addicted women for their own benefit, and theyre getting away with it because no one is doing anything about it. And thats the most frustrating thing for us. In a statement to 12 News, New Bedford Police Chief Paul Olivera said, I am incredibly disappointed in Lucass behavior, and I sympathize with all of the other law enforcement officers involved with this investigation whose hard work was negatively impacted by it. He also addressed the defenses allegations, saying, Evidence of such [officer misconduct] should be provided to the departments professional standard unit or brought to the attention of the Office of the District Attorney. I am very angry and disturbed that the charges in these cases had to be dismissed because of the egregious police misconduct of former Officer Jared Lucas, which involved his undisclosed sexual relationship with an informant, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said in a written statement released to the media on Monday, April 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conduct of Lucas clearly compromised the integrity of the investigation which continues to undermine the publics confidence in law enforcement despite the good work done by most officers in a very difficult job, the district attorneys statement continued. Quinn did not directly address Scapicchios allegations of systemic officer misconduct in the New Bedford Police Department. 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! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. CHICAGO Chicago police are searching for a missing 15-year-old girl who may be in need of medical attention. Police said Traniyah Armstrong was last seen Tuesday in the 5500 block of West Division Street in Austin. Armstrong was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, gray sweater, black jogging pants and gray New Balance gym shoes, according to investigators. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said she is 58 and weighs 180 pounds. She also has brown eyes and red hair. Investigators added she may be in need of medical attention. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Area Five Detectives at 312-746-6554. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) A missing Tallahassee girls father has been arrested and charged for her murder nearly two years after the 12-year-old vanished. The Tallahassee Police Department said an April 5 prescribed burn helped them find Lori Paiges remains in a previously bush-covered area of Thomas County, Georgia. Document details days of teens torture in St. Pete dismemberment case The discovery was a significant break in the 22-month investigation, and resulted in the arrest of her father, 36-year-old Andrew Wiley, on charges of second-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators had searched the remote location in early 2024 based on digital evidence, but, at the time, said there were no results. The remains found in Georgia were processed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and positively identified as Paige, police said. Wiley was the one who filed the missing persons report after his daughter vanished on June 3, 2023. Detectives said Wiley told them Paige had left home with her backpack sometime overnight while he was at work. In the months after, authorities pursued hundreds of leads, conducted interviews across multiple states, examined digital evidence and searched extensively across North Florida and South Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Wileys story eventually began to show inconsistencies as the case continued to develop. A February 2024 analysis of his phone revealed what police called questionable internet searches. According to detectives, he had looked up information about remote areas with bodies of water in Alabama and Georgia, among other things. Detectives began to shift their focus more heavily toward Wiley as more information about his relationship with his daughter also began to surface. Officials said Paiges family had connections to Georgia and Tennessee. This case has deeply impacted our community for nearly two years, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said in a news release Friday. Lori deserved a safe home and a full life. While todays arrest will never bring her back, it does bring us one step closer to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the investigation continues, police ask anyone with additional information to contact TPD at 850-891-4200. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Police say a 25-year-old Mississippi woman has confessed to being involved in a string of armed robberies at different Walgreens stores. Armed robbers strike at least 5 Walgreens across Memphis Investigators said Nia Washington was already in custody in Southaven for unrelated charges when they questioned her about the crimes. Nia Washington (SCSO) She was booked in the Shelby County Jail on Friday on four counts of aggravated robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said between Dec. 11, 2024, and Jan. 3, 2025, officers responded to four armed robberies at different Walgreens. On Dec. 11, 2024, two masked men armed with handguns held up the Walgreens in the 1800 block of Union Avenue and left with $310. Robbery at Union Avenue Walgreens (MPD) On Dec. 22, 2024, a man entered the Walgreens on Macon Road in Cordova, armed with two weapons. He pointed both guns at an employee, demanded money, and took $400 from the business. Robbery at Macon Road Walgreens (MPD) On Jan. 1, two males covered from head to toe and carrying guns robbed the Walgreens in the 3600 block of Riverdale and took $250 from the clerk. Two days later, a lone gunman hit the Walgreens in the 4100 block of Elvis Presley Boulevard and got away with $750. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the robberies were captured by surveillance cameras inside the stores. Police said during their investigation, Washington was developed as a possible suspect. Detectives said Washington confessed to participating in all the robberies and said she was the getaway driver. Washington is scheduled to appear in court 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 WREG.com. JOPLIN, Mo. Missouri lawmakers say with just a few weeks left in this years sessiontheyre still working to make big changes to state law. Missouri State Senator Jill Carter and State Representative Bob Bromley spoke this morning at the final Donuts and Delegates event of the yearhosted by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Carter tells us thatcompared to the last three yearsthings are moving much more smoothly in the Missouri Senate. And with just a few weeks left in this years sessionshe says the focus is moving towards a couple of items at the top of the majority party wish list. One of those items is Prop Apassed by Missouri voters last November. Along with increasing state minimum wageit also requires employers to provide paid sick time for certain employees. Republicans say theyre concerned with the impact that could have on small businesses. Senator Carter says education reform will also be a hot topic. Were seeing at the federal level this break off of regulation, and wed like to do that at the state level as well. Seventy percent of what goes on in public education is dictated by the Department of Education, our State Department of Education, and so, were trying to give our teachers some flexibility in the assessment process, and also with being able to have more parent and community input, said Senator Jill Carter, (R-Mo.) 32nd district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representative Bromley says his focus is on your vehicle. Specifically, Bromley says a bill allowing for a three-year license plate is being worked on. CurrentlyMissouri offers one and two-year options. Bromley says hes also working on legislation that would eliminate car inspections on any vehicle made after 2012. He tells us a better working relationship with the State Senate has allowed both chambers to work on bigger ticket itemslike the state budgetfaster than in years past. That lets them address smallerbut no less importantissues now. Some of these you might consider to be smaller bills that are coming out now. Historically, weve done the small bills, and waited until the end to get the big bills. So now, were working on a lot of things to do that, said State Representative Bob Bromley, (R-Mo.) 162nd district. Session ends on May 16th this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can follow the bills Senator Carter and Representative Bromley mentioned through links on FourStatesHomePage.com or at links provided here and 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is slamming state lawmakers leading her own party. Vetoing a handful of bills on Friday, the governor claimed Democrats wasted their time on license plates and naming a state bread while ignoring or rushing serious issues like crime and tax reform. We came into this legislative session ready to move quickly to deliver results on public safety, said Rep. Javier Martinez, Speaker of the House. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After ending the legislative session, Democrats said they were happy with the bills passed, especially around crime. But on Friday, its a different and defiant tune from the governor. She vetoed three Senate bills, including making the tortilla the state bread, and new low rider and New Mexico United license plates. The governor said those bills are an example of what the legislature shouldnt be focused on. She said at one point in a veto message that, this was not just a misuse of opportunity, it was a misuse of time and priorities. However, some lawmakers say this hasnt been an issue before. We did the smell last year in a 30-day session, and so was the governor quoting that as a waste of time when she signed that into law? I dont think so. I mean, shes come full force around, said Senator George Munoz (D) Gallup. A key Democrat on the budget committee, Sen. Munoz, challenged the idea that lawmakers didnt accomplish a lot this session. The legislature rose to the occasion in the first 30 days of the session. We did behavioral health, we did a crime package. and we did that within the 30 days and got it to her desk; those werent bills that she introduced, said Sen. George Munoz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor also vetoed a House tax bill, criticizing it as thrown together, but Senator Munoz said the governor wasnt perfect either after she didnt introduce many crime bills herself. I think theres a little looking in the mirror before you can say the legislature didnt do their work, said Sen. Munoz. KRQE News 13 reached out to both House and Senate leaders on Friday, but they werent available. House Democrats sent this statement pushing back against some of the governors assertions: House Democrats entered this session with a clear focus on improving public safety, making life better and more affordable for your family, and improving child well-being. We worked quickly and efficiently in the 60-day session to deliver an integrated crime package and other public safety solutions, rebuild New Mexicos behavioral healthcare system, lower costs for families, and make critical reforms to CYFD. We made significant progress on these goals, but are disappointed that some important measures did not get across the finish line this year, including our balanced approach to juvenile justice that passed the House but died on the Senate Floor. Additionally, the Governor vetoed legislation to eliminate state income taxes for over 100,000 hardworking New Mexicans, expand tax cuts for hundreds of thousands more, and provide tax credits for foster parents. However, our work to address the issues facing New Mexicans does not start or end with the legislative session, and will continue in the months ahead. It is the responsibility of the legislature, as a separate and equal branch of government, to thoroughly vet and pass laws that will impact New Mexicans lives. House Democrats take that responsibility seriously and we know that the people of our state are better served by a careful, thoughtful approach to lawmaking than a reactionary one. We also believe that encouraging young people to participate in the legislative process and honoring New Mexicos unique culture and heritage are worthy of time and attention. These occasional moments of civic engagement and celebration do not detract from our work to address pressing issues. House Democrats entered this session with a clear focus on improving public safety, making life better and more affordable for your family, and improving child well-being. We worked quickly and efficiently in the 60-day session to deliver an integrated crime package and other public safety solutions, rebuild New Mexicos behavioral healthcare system, lower costs for families, and make critical reforms to CYFD. We made significant progress on these goals but are disappointed that some important measures did not get across the finish line this year, including our balanced approach to juvenile justice that passed the House but died on the Senate Floor. Additionally, the Governor vetoed legislation to eliminate state income taxes for over 100,000 hardworking New Mexicans, expand tax cuts for hundreds of thousands more, and provide tax credits for foster parents. However, our work to address the issues facing New Mexicans does not start or end with the legislative session and will continue in the months ahead. It is the responsibility of the legislature, as a separate and equal branch of government, to thoroughly vet and pass laws that will impact New Mexicans lives. House Democrats take that responsibility seriously, and we know that the people of our state are better served by a careful, thoughtful approach to lawmaking than a reactionary one. We also believe that encouraging young people to participate in the legislative process and honoring New Mexicos unique culture and heritage are worthy of time and attention. These occasional moments of civic engagement and celebration do not detract from our work to address pressing issues. Camille Ward, House Democrats Spokesperson Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Warning: This article contains information that some may find disturbing. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities have arrested a man for rape of a child months after a 12-year-old girl gave birth to their baby. The Metro Nashville Police Department said a girl, who is now 12 years old, told detectives that she had a sexual encounter with a man she met on Facebook in May of 2024. After getting additional information from the girl, detectives reportedly executed a search warrant on the suspects Facebook account, which provided his name and telephone number. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The man was later identified as 19-year-old Raymundo Juan Reyes Cornelio. Officials said he was stopped for window tint violation on March 1, and was issued a state misdemeanor citation for driving without a license. Raymundo Juan Reyes Cornelio (Courtesy: MNPD) According to police, the citation contained Cornelios Davidson County address. On Friday, April 11, the 19-year-old was taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an interview with detectives, Cornelio allegedly admitted that he had a sexual encounter with the girl when she was 11 years old, but stated he thought she was 14. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The MNPD said the girl gave birth to a baby boy on Feb. 14. Cornelio was charged with rape of a child and remains in Metro Jail on a $75,000 bond. The MNPDs Youth Services Division investigates cases involving suspected child molestation, child sex abuse, child exploitation, child sexual assault and rape of a child under 18 years of age. To learn more about the division, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Another MOD Pizza in the Milwaukee County suburbs has permanently closed, the company confirmed. The restaurant at 8833 Sura Lane in Greenfield closed sometime in early April and no longer appears on the companys website. After seven years of operating in Greenfield, MOD Pizza has decided to close its location in the 84South shopping mall," the company said in an email. "We want to acknowledge our past and present Squad members who dedicated their time and energy to this restaurant. It has been a pleasure serving the Greenfield community, and we are so grateful for our loyal guests who supported us along the way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MOD Pizza said the decision to close was difficult, but it presents an opportunity for the company to refocus, adapt and emerge stronger. The company said it is working to transition impacted staff members to nearby locations. This is the second suburban location to recently close, joining MOD Pizza in Wauwatosa. The Greenfield pizzeria opened in 2018. As of now, eight MOD or Made on Demand Pizza locations remain in Wisconsin. The closest to Greenfield are in Oak Creek, Shorewood and Pewaukee. The company has dispelled rumors of financial troubles since it was acquired by a new owner in 2024. A USA TODAY report revealed that MOD had closed 44 restaurants by July 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MOD Pizza has furthered downsized since with 467 locations now listed on its website, down from 512. Founded in Seattle in 2008, MOD Pizza is known for its fast and fresh oven-baked pizzas. Guests can choose from more than 40 toppings, eight finishing sauces and eight dressings all for one price. According to the companys website: MOD exists to serve people, in order to contribute to a world that works for and includes everyone. We believe companies can and should be a force for good in the lives of the people they employ and the communities they serve, and were committed to being the leading employer for individuals facing barriers. USA TODAY reporters Amaris Encinas and Jonathan Limehouse contributed to this report. Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MOD Pizza closes in Greenfield Amanda Curtis, president of the Montana Federation of Public Employees, describes successes of the union at the 2025 Montana Legislature, urges more union members to run for office. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) Union busting bills and a school voucher bill that threatened to siphon $100 million from public schools were on the table earlier this session, said Amanda Curtis, president of the Montana Federation of Public Employees. And back in February, the state pay play wasnt scheduled for a hearing in the Senate yet, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But despite snowstorms and single digit temperatures, union members showed up to engage with lawmakers, Curtis said. Because we broke bread and had thoughtful, one-on-one conversations with legislators of both parties, we won, Curtis told a few dozen rally-goers. She said union members helped push off unfriendly bills and pulled the pay plan forward.. Rep. Eric Matthews, D-Bozeman, said a bill addressing teacher pay will help education. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) At a rally Friday at the Capitol with, at most, 18 days left in the session, Curtis praised the work union members had done, including 22 MFPE members who serve in the Montana Legislature. The MFPE is the largest union in the state with more than 20,000 members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Eric Matthews, D-Bozeman, said the legislature has passed the pay plan, and its a fair one. Matthews, a teacher, said the STARS Act, a comprehensive bill addressing starting teacher pay, still needs to pass, but its a positive proposal. The Student and Teacher Advancement for Results and Success Act, House Bill 252, passed the House 88-9 and is making its way through the Senate. We still have to get the STARS Act out, which will definitely help the education system across Montana, Matthews said. Rep. Denise Baum, D-Billings, said Montanas pensions are healthy, and they need to resist attacks. She said 73% of public employees report they would be more likely to leave their work if their pensions are cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baum, a recently retired detective with the Billings Police Department, also urged Gov. Greg Gianforte to sign Senate Bill 7, which she said helps correct a wrong from last session. The bill revises the retirement criteria for some law enforcement officers. Instead of being eligible after 20 years of service and at the age of 50, it allows an officer to tap their retirement after reaching just one of the criteria. The bill passed the legislature and is headed to Gianfortes desk. A spokesperson for the Governors Office did not respond to an email for comment about the governors planned action. Rep. Jill Cohenour, D-Helena, praised increases in the pay plan, including a minimum $10,400 for employees working for the state of Montana and the university system over the course of three years, raises exceeding anything that has been there in the past two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hear me when I say that public employees in Montana deserve the pay plans that we have negotiated, Cohenour said. We deserve so much more. We are the people that Montanans go to when they need help starting a business, when theyre trying to find a job, when theyre trying to get back on their feet, when their roads need plowed, and when theyre experiencing a health crisis. We make families successful in communities across Montana. At the rally, Curtis also encouraged other union members to run for office in the future, even though 22 member legislators may be unheard of. We need reinforcements in 2027, and it doesnt matter what party you identify with, Curtis said. If you believe that public service is a public good, if you believe that we must support public employees, if you believe that working people should have a voice and protections at work, we need you in this Capitol building. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Theres another push to reopen service at Whites Ferry, the historic ferry that connects Maryland and Virginia. The ferry closed in 2020 after a lengthy legal battle between Whites Ferry and Rockland Farm, LLC, which owns the land for the ferry in Loudoun County. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Whites Ferry owners offer to donate operation to Montgomery County Now, officials from Montgomery County and the town of Poolesville are offering the owners of Whites Ferry and Rockland Farm $3 million as an incentive to reopen the ferry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ferry served residents in Maryland and Virginia for over 200 years before it closed due to the dispute over landing rights in Virginia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) Kaysen Magee, Keira Briggs and Raegan Taylor are all seniors at Stanley County High School in Fort Pierre, but Friday they were in Sioux Falls at the Sanford Pentagon attending a HOSA-Future Health Professionals conference. Ive been in HOSA since I was a freshman, Briggs said. Ive been the president of our local chapter the past two years. While Briggs wants to be a pharmacist, Magee plans to study nursing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: $9.1M in federal spending cuts in SD I like how broad it is so that you can go into any type of specialty, Magee said. Theres also a lot of room for growth. And that flexibility is drawing Taylor to radiology. You can branch off a lot, Taylor said. You start off with just X-rays, and then you can go all the way into, like, radiation therapy. HOSA stands for Health Occupation Students of America. South Dakota Mines was among the universities represented at the conference, where science, technology, engineering and math were all front and center. Our students really enjoy creating impact, so joining a STEM field is a way to do that, kind of affect a lot of people all at once in a good way, Ashli Maddox with South Dakota Mines said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brock Rops, executive director of South Dakotas HOSA organization, says the event is all about reaching and inspiring young minds. We try to get to them as early as possible, and so we try to give kids an opportunity to kind of build confidence so by the time that they graduate theyve got a little bit better idea, Rops said. Rops says more than 1,000 South Dakota students attended the conference. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More details have emerged regarding the sexual assault allegation against former Texas receiver and 2025 draft prospect Isaiah Bond. Ben Sawyers of WFAA.com has obtained an affidavit from the alleged victim. She claims that Bond sent her a direct message on Instagram. She said they began texting. Per the report, "The affidavit says their text conversations then turned to mutual discussions of having sex and engaging in one act in particular, which the victim said she would consider." She said they met on February 4 and began a consensual sexual encounter. Bond allegedly "brought up the notion of the act they'd previously discussed in their text exchanges." She allegedly said she "was not comfortable trying it." Per the affidavit, she claims that Bond "began engaging in that act anyway." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the report, "The document says that the woman asked that Bond stop while physically pushing him away from her and telling him she was in pain, but that Bond continued the act while using his body weight against her and covering her mouth." After the encounter ended, Bond allegedly said, "Alcohol makes me do things." He also asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement. She refused. She claims he later offered payment, via text message. The initial police meeting on February 6 resulted in the alleged victim engaging in a "pretextual interview" with Bond, during which she asked him for an apology via text. During the text exchange, he did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bond has denied the allegations, calling them "patently false." The impact of the situation on Bond's draft status remains to be seen. His more immediate problem isn't the threat to his employment but the threat to his liberty. bluefield More delinquent city fees in Bluefield are being turned over to a collections agency. During their regular meeting Tuesday, the Bluefield Board of Directors voted 4-0 with board member Treyvon Simmons absent to turn over a new list of delinquent bills to collections. Interim City Treasurer Kelly Davis presented the board with a list of delinquent accounts totaling approximately $189,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just amazing there are this number of folks who arent paying these things, Mayor Ron Martin said as he examined the list. The board also voted Tuesday to purchase a new tandem dump truck for the citys public works department. Three bids for a new tandem truck were received by the board with the lowest bid coming in at $149,935.36 from a firm in Kentucky. This will be for paving and all of the park work, City Manager Cecil Marson said. The bulk of the funding for the new dump truck is coming from a local foundation. A great thankful contribution from the Shott Foundation will cover $125,000 of the purchase, Marson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other business, Marson said it has been a hectic two weeks for the Bluefield Fire Department due to brush fires on the Virginia side of the state line and two house fires this week in the city. Weve had some challenges, Marson said. So I would just ask folks to be extremely careful with their electrical and things they are hooking up in the house. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com Content Warning: This article discusses suicide. Please return to the homepage if you are not comfortable with the topic. If you are in distress and need someone to talk to, please call 988, text HELLO to 741741, or visit the crisis hotlines website. AUSTIN (KXAN) Its been over four years since Dr. Ro Schmidts young son, Giovanni, Gino Polleri took his own life. He did so, two weeks after his birthday. It was tragic, and shocking. And its something that Schmidt carries with her every day. Giovanni Gino Polleri, took his own life, but saved lives through organ donations. (Photo provided by Dr. Ro Schmidt). When we got to the hospital and we knew that Gino would not make it, that was the hardest situation my family has ever endured, Schmidt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heartache is what, in large part, guides her in her mission to keep Ginos memory alive. Though her son struggled. He was an organ donor. After passing, he was able to save lives. Including someone close to the Schmidt family. April is National Donate Life Month, and Schmidt continues to share her sons story that she believes will touch many more lives. Giovanni did check the box on his license to donate organs, Schmidt said. At that very moment, my husband remembered that our attorney Damon needed a kidney. Schmidt wasnt sure theyd be able to select who they wanted one of their sons organs to go to. And when a nurse told them they could, they called their attorney and friend Damon Ward right away. But they couldnt reach him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had been on the waiting list for a little while and I was traveling at the time and I had just got back from visiting my sister, Ward said. We were going to be traveling together, but I came home a little early. Wards sister rushed to him. And he was surprised to see her on the other side of the door, when he heard someone banging loudly on it. She came into the apartment and said, Why arent you answering your phone?,' Ward said. [Because Dr. Schmidt was not able to reach me], the hospital contacted my sister, who is my emergency contact. Ward would go on to rush back to the airport where he had just been earlier that day. And he got a flight to where Schmidt and her family were, as was Ginos kidney. Damon Ward, and Dr. Ro Schmidt after he received her sons kidney. (Photo provided by: Dr. Ro Schmidt). It still overwhelms me, Ward said. And I didnt know it was going to be like this For people who havent checked that box or who havent thought about donating, the impact on peoples lives is just incredible I dont talk about the transplant every day. What I talk about is the opportunity I have every day to live longer, and better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After failed matches, Gino changed Wards life forever when he least expected it. And it was hearing about Gino and Damons story, that connected Schmidt and Michael Kutcher. Michael, happens to be Ashton Kuthchers brother, and is also an organ recipient. He received a heart transplant 34 years ago. As I started to do more and more research about organ donation and registration and the lack of registration, I came to realize that 95% of people actually support and believe in organ donation, but only 58% of people are actually registered, which to me, just boggles my mind, Kutcher said. So it kind of set off an alarm bell for me to really advocate and start to seek out different ways that I can help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmidt and Kutcher have now teamed up on a campaign. Theyre on a mission to register 5,000 organ donors. Schmidt and Kutcher have now teamed up on a campaign. Theyre on a mission to register 5,000 organ donors. (Photo provided by: Dr. Ro Schmidt). Schmidt and Kutcher have now teamed up on a campaign. Theyre on a mission to register 5,000 organ donors. (Photo provided by: Dr. Ro Schmidt). Schmidt and Kutcher have now teamed up on a campaign. Theyre on a mission to register 5,000 organ donors. (Photo provided by: Dr. Ro Schmidt). Schmidt and Kutcher have now teamed up on a campaign. Theyre on a mission to register 5,000 organ donors. (Photo provided by: Dr. Ro Schmidt). And its really reassuring for me and humbling for me to meet Schmidt because I dont really know my donor, Kutcher said. So for me to meet someone that was able to give that gift of life to someone else, like Damon, just shows me so much. Through this campaign, Kuthcher and Schmidt expose and share emotional stories about organ donations, and their impact. Schmidt and her husband live in the Austin area now, and hosted an event together in town earlier this month, continuing their mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youd like to register to be an organ donor, through their campaign, you can do so here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. (NewsNation) After a Georgia man disappeared on a trip to California, his mother says the person who was traveling with him has reached out to her. Caleb Wells, who also went by the name Corey, disappeared in 2021 after flying to California with an acquaintance from high school. The 31-year-old father was seen on surveillance at a hotel, but what happened after that is a mystery. His mother, Natasha Wells Walker, said she believed Wells had gone to do something illegal, possibly robbing a drug dealer. She said that while her son had made mistakes in the past, the family just wants him home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WATCH: Missing toddler found safe with aid of heat-seeking camera Even on his worst days, his kids were his reason for getting it right, she said. Wells traveled with a man he knew from high school. Walker said the man actually visited her immediately prior to her interview. I was almost late for my interview because he came to my house today, she said. Its like when the fire heats up, the snakes come out, you know. Caleb Wells went on a trip to California and was never seen again. (Natasha Wells Walker) Walker said she thinks the coverage is helping stir things up. The man who visited her claimed he hadnt traveled to California with Wells, although Walker has footage of them together at the hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the last time he saw Corey, that he was alive, that he is not a murderer and that I needed to quit slandering his name or he was going to go to the magistrate and I guess cause a civil suit against me, Walker said. Caleb Wells flew to California and disappeared She said she told the man she forgave him, but she just wants to know where her son is. When it comes to local law enforcement, Walker said shes had difficulty getting attention on the case from authorities in Georgia. Although she has traveled to California multiple times, the information she can access as a private citizen is limited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She wants local law enforcement to help her get resources to find Wells. Walker is especially interested in surveillance footage and data from Wells two cell phones. Request the FBI for help, request GBI, get the resources involved that can do this, she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. KAU, Hawaii (KHON2) A multi-agency search is underway for a missing fisherman off Hawaii Island. Authorities say 42-year-old Earl Kekuanaoa Hind was last seen on his boat Wednesday afternoon. Maui toddler dead following motor vehicle collision As of April 11, the U.S. Coast Guard, DLNR and Hawaii Fire Department were all searching for the avid fisherman. He left to go fishing Monday night off South Point, his older brother Manu Hind said. He dropped off his friend at the dock Tuesday night and he went back out Wednesday morning around 3 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said that Earl was last seen around noon on Wednesday off Milolii and his boat was heading in the north direction. On Wednesday one of our uncles saw him in west of South Point toward Kona and they talked to each other about fishing, and the last he saw him he was heading offshore and thats the last contact we know from him, Manu said. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Hinds truck and boat trailer were found near South Point boat ramp on Thursday. Manu said his brothers phone is off. Im not sure whats going on with his [boat] radio but yeah thats the last we heard someone talking to him was on the ocean, Manu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said his brother typically fishes close to South Point and weather conditions deteriorated Thursday. The Coast Guard joined the search Thursday afternoon by air and sea. Our best chance is air search. If youre on a boat in this water your visibility is gonna be like 100 feet because youre in 10 to 15 foot seas, Manu said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news He also said they have friends searching the Volcano side by helicopter and other friends on boats from the Kona side. Manu said the friend who got off his brothers boat on Tuesday said there was a case of water and some food onboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were just praying for the Coast Guard to find him, his brother said. He has a parachute, we threw a parachute in the water so it keeps it straight into the wind, so he has that and were hoping hes on that waiting it out. Police ask anyone with information about Earls whereabouts to contact the police departments non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Donovan Kohara of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) at (808) 960-3118 or via email at Donovan.Kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. If Hind or his vessel is located at sea, the United States Coast Guard is requesting that anyone with information contact the USCG Command Center, LCDR Raphael Sandowitz at (808) 842-2600. Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Three Delta Air Lines flights were forced to make emergency landings between April 6 and 10, due to cabin pressurization issues, according to Aviation A to Z. Thankfully, nobody was hurt during these incidents, and all of the flights were diverted or flew back to their departure airports, while crews employed emergency procedures to make sure passengers remained safe. The latest incident happened on April 10. According to WWJ Newsradio 950, a flight going from London to Detroit was diverted to Dublin because of a loss of cabin pressure. The flight also had to descend to a lower altitude, from 37,000 feet to 10,000 feet. One passenger on the flight was Genesee County Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Gould, who spoke with WWJ Newsradio 950 about the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was watching the altimeter on the video screen that Delta provides, and I could see that we were at 37,000 feet and then we dropped to 20,000 feet, and then down to 10,000 feet before anyone said anything," Gould told the outlet. Then, he said the plane's captain came over the loud speakers "and said that we had a 'maintenance issue', and it was routine, that they weren't going to be able to fly over the Atlantic and that we were going to divert to Dublin." He added that nobody panicked upon the news and that there was no "screaming, and no oxygen masks dropped from the celling; nothing like that happened. But we did stay at the 10,000 feet." The Detroit flight follows other recent events in which Delta planes were forced to make emergency landings, including flights from Mexico City International Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport to Tampa International Airport, according to Aviation A to Z. "The timing of these three pressurization incidents has raised questions within the aviation community," Aviation A to Z adds, "though Delta has emphasized its commitment to safety throughout each occurrence." In each emergency landing, Delta workers employed their emergency response protocols and the aircrafts landed safely. Related: New Requirement for Every Airline Passenger Starts Soon DENVER (KDVR) A man who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2012 had his conviction vacated, tied to the alleged misconduct of a forensic scientist who analyzed DNA samples for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Michael Clark was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1994 shooting death of Marty Grisham at his Boulder home. Clark had been serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. A DNA swab in the case had been originally tested by Yvonne Missy Woods when she worked at the CBI, according to a press release from the Office of the District Attorney of the Twentieth Judicial District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police: Suspect wanted for causing over $35k in damage to speed camera Woods provided the first analysis of the DNA from the incident and ruled that the DNA belonged to Clark, resulting in his arrest and conviction. Woods is currently under indictment and being prosecuted in the First Judicial District. Clark filed a Motion for Relief, citing misconduct from Woods, juror misconduct and ineffective assistance of council. Woods misconduct and other circumstances surrounding the case resulted in the DAs Office requesting a re-testing of the DNA sample in the case by an independent lab. BODE Technologies tested the original swab samples and also re-swabbed the inside and outside of the item possessing the DNA. It determined there were inconsistencies with the DNA belonging to Clark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Court Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone issued the order Friday which vacated the conviction, reinstituted a bond of $100,000 and set a status conference June 6 to decide the next steps in the case. The office said that the action is consistent with the ethical obligations for prosecutors and appropriate, considering the exceptional circumstances presented. The DAs office says it intends to re-evaluate evidence, locate key witnesses, and determine whether the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a second trial. Colorados K-12 education department will not comply with Trump Administrations DEI order Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The duty of a prosecutor is to do justice. After the misconduct of the States DNA lab analyst was communicated to our office, we requested a re-test of an important piece of evidence. Based on those results, as well as the significant claims of juror misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel, our office determined that the conviction must be vacated. It is the right thing to do, after considering all three issues. In light of the charges in this case, we will carefully and thoroughly analyze all the evidence to determine the right and just outcome, said District Attorney Michael Dougherty. ____ FOX31s Phil Rankin 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 FOX31 Denver. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) A Monongalia County elementary school has been recognized as an Exemplary Practice School by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE). According to a release, Mylan Park Elementary School in Morgantown received the recognition, as well as a 2025 Elementary and Secondary Education Act Distinguished Title 1 School following the schools 16% increase in English/Language Arts proficiency in grades 3-5 since 2018. This is the first time Mylan Park Elementary has received the recognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bed bugs discovered at Barrackville Elementary/Middle School 12 News spoke with Principal Anne Lupo about what it means to be named an Exemplary Practice School. It is a sense of pride and we have put a lot of investment into our students and our teachers are constant learners, Lupo said. They want to better themselves, and it is very rewarding when we have professional conversations and we hear them talk about their students and talk about what they can do in order to make those students and help them move forward, and so it is just huge pride. White Hall Elementary School in Marion County also received the award after seeing a 22% increase in math proficiency in grades 3-5 since 2018. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) The name of Island of Hawaii might soon be history at least on paper. A new proposal before the Hawaii Board on Geographic Names would officially change the islands name to simply Hawaii, aligning it with the rest of the islands in the state. But behind the change is a conversation about identity and culture. Multi-agency search underway for missing Kona fisherman From the summit of Mauna Kea, to the black sand beaches of Punaluu, the island some refer to as the Big Island holds a name larger than its footprint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for now, that name, officially the Island of Hawaii, may soon be shortened to just Hawaii. The island of Hawaii is the only island that includes that island of. None of the other islands have that. We felt the most appropriate name would be the true name of Hawaii,' said Marques Marzan, chair of the Hawaii Board on Geographic Names. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Places have many different names associated with them. but within the federal and state systems of naming, there is a single name that is considered the official name and there are many variant names that exist within spaces. But Island of Hawaii is the official name where as Hawaii with the okina is a variant name. So its already attached to the space, its just swapping the position, Marzan said. The proposal, put forward by the HBGN, not only aims to make the name consistent with the other way islands in the state are listed, such as Kauai, Maui and Oahu. But also to be more culturally respectful. The only reason why it was used is because it wanted to distinguish the island from the state versus having two places carry the same name, Marzan explained. But I think we all know Hawaii is the state and also the name of an island and theres no distinction between the two and we want to honor the history of the island itself and give it its proper name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The change would only apply to official state and federal documents, such as maps, signage and legal records. Locals and visitors could still refer to it however they like. But to Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, even a small name shift is an issue larger than just a label. Hawaii walks with great mana, great history and carries the respect and love of our entire lahui and paeaina. And so it is key that we address the island properly as Hawaii.' said Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, kumu hula and community leader. It is of absolute importance to ensure that we pay proper respect and avoiding names like the Big Island. The Hawaii Board on Geographic Names will vote on the proposal at their meeting in June. If it passes, it heads to the US Board on Geographic Names for review. A process expected to take about a year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. NATO is concerned that Russia may be considering deploying nuclear weapons in space. Source: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in an interview with German newspaper Welt am Sonntag Details: He called this development "alarming". NATO fears that Russia may also wage war in space in the future, using nuclear weapons against satellites. "We're aware of reports that Russia is exploring the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in space," the NATO secretary general said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutte believes that Moscow's current capabilities in space are outdated and not on par with the West: "Developing nuclear weapons in space is, therefore, a way for Russia to improve its capabilities. This is a matter of great concern". He also stated that this would violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The agreement was initiated by the United States and the Soviet Union and has since become part of international law. It is intended to ensure the peaceful use of outer space while prohibiting the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in orbit. The aim was to curb the arms race between the then-superpowers on Earth. NATO Allies are now adapting to new challenges in space, Rutte explained. They are sharing intelligence, establishing national space commands and developing satellites that are smaller, more manoeuvrable and better protected. Space, he stressed, is crucial to NATO's deterrence and defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In recent years, space has become increasingly crowded, dangerous and unpredictable. We know that the competition in space is fierce and getting fiercer. And not just in commercial terms. It affects our entire security," Rutte said. For the first time, Rutte also announced the strengthening of satellite surveillance of the Arctic: "We see China and Russia increasingly using new sea lanes and militarising parts of the Arctic. Satellites can help us track movements on land and at sea and provide our troops with reliable and secure communications". Background: French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu noted that the space industry is a "vulnerability" for his country's military. Before that, European Union Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius called for a European Space Shield to be established to unite defence efforts in space. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A Navajo County woman is accused of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. Hailee Hernandez, 29, of Overgaard, Arizona, is charged on suspicion of two counts of possessing sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of distributing sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the Navajo County Sheriff's Office. Hernandez was arrested April 7 in connection with a Sheriff's Office and FBI investigation that signaled her out as a suspect tied to the online possession and distribution of the sexual abuse material, according to the county agency. Digital evidence against Hernandez was obtained through a search warrant, the Sheriff's Office added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez was being held on a $250,000 secured bond, according to an April 10 Facebook post from the Sheriff's Office. "This arrest underscores our strong commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community," said Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo County woman charged in child sexual abuse materials case KING, N.C. (WGHP) A group of Navy veterans traveled to the Piedmont Triad to meet the family of one of their fallen brothers in a reunion more than 40 years in the making. The bonds between these servicemen will last a lifetime. They all gathered in King to remember the life and legacy of their fallen brother, Navy serviceman Tony Kiser. Navy veteran Danny Brown said they were 20 years old when he served with the King native in the early 1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was the same age as I. I remember him being from North Carolina, and Im originally from Pennsylvania, and I live in California now. We were 20 years old. We were in the United States Navy, and we were proud to serve our country, and thats what we did, Brown said. Brown said he built a bond with Kiser while serving overseas. We participated in the invasion of Grenada, and we went to Lebanon twice with two tours in Beirut, Brown said. Brown said in a tragic turn of events, Kiser lost his life on February 1984. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. It was an accident on board a ship. We were off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. It was a terrible accident, and he didnt die instantly .. Within a few hours, he was gone, Brown said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To process the trauma they endured, Brown and other servicemen who had the pleasure of knowing Kiser had the idea of having a reunion in King and incorporating Kisers family. Kisers spirit lives on in his daughter, Nikki Gordon. She said she was a little over 1 year old when her father passed. The important part to me is knowing that he was such a good man These folks still think so highly of him and still remember him after these many years. It tells me that he was a good person, and I can be proud of that, and I hope to be like that, Gordon said. Its a meetup with people that Gordon said is not only helping these servicemen process the loss of her father but her as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its emotional in a good way and in a sad way. Its sort of a longing for something that wasnt there, but Ive also had his family and these gentlemen showing up to remember him. It means a lot, Gordon said. Kisers family and old service members will host a celebration of life on Saturday at Mount Olive Baptist Church in King at 1 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied North Carolinas request to extend its full reimbursement period for Hurricane Helene recovery, Gov. Josh Stein said Friday. Stein released the following statement on FEMAs decision to deny the extension on the 100% match for Helene disaster recovery: Today, I learned that FEMA refused our request to extend its 100% reimbursement period for another 180 days. I got this news while I was in Newland with families who lost their homes in the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need in western North Carolina remains immense people need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored. I am extremely disappointed and urge the president to reconsider FEMAs bad decision, even for 90 days. Six months later, the people of western North Carolina are working hard to get back on their feet; they need FEMA to help them get the job done. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. LONDON, Ohio (WCMH) Approximately 100 slot machines were seized after the Madison County Sheriffs Office investigated two businesses suspected of illegal gambling. The Madison County Sheriffs Office said it partnered with the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), and two businesses were searched Wednesday as part of an illegal gambling investigation. A media release from the sheriffs office states the investigation began after they received multiple tips from the community about a business inviting patrons to play slot machines and gamble. Four out of the five businesses investigated were in Ohio, and the fifth was operating out of Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1970s fish and chips chain makes Ohio comeback Two businesses operated out of Madison County, while the other two Ohio locations were in Champaign and Clark counties. According to the release, multiple agencies assisted in an operation that resulted in approximately 100 suspected illegal slot machines being seized. Illegal casinos operate outside of the law and will not be tolerated in our communities, said Madison County Sheriff John R. Swaney. We were able to execute five search warrants simultaneously in four different venues and in Tennessee. So, we were able to make two arrests out of it. All the machines were confiscated, and were taking them to evidence here in Madison County. Sheriff Swaney said thousands of dollars in cash and other documents were also found during 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. HOWELLS, Neb. (KCAU) When you visit a vending machine, you would typically expect chips, candy or beverages to be on sale. But there are some machines at one Nebraska butcher shop that offer something a little different. Faltin Meat Market in Howells, Nebraska has installed new meat vending machines inside whats known as the Meat Room. 73rd Abu Bekr Shrine Circus underway at the Tyson Events Center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have two of the machines that are refrigerated, so theyre holding temperature well below 40 degrees, Faltin Meat Market owner Ryan Baumert said. And then I have a vending machine behind me that is frozen. And so its holding, you know, negative numbers. The 24/7 Meat Room was recently opened to the public, with three vending machines offering products such as fresh meats and cheeses. Baumert said he was thinking for quite some time about a variety of ways to offer the stores products to customers after store hours. The idea came actually from an article in the Midwest Messenger back in I think 2018, where it talked about a processor in Wisconsin doing a similar idea, he said. After buying the machines from a company in Des Moines, Baumert and his wife got to work. However, they were quickly met with some challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had to do some tweaking as we were building the machines, Baumert said. Once they got on site, we had to figure out which products could go on what level of the machine so they fell properly and which coils would dispense them. So my wife and I spent a couple of months just prepping the machines to make it work for our products. Baumert says business has been booming and has surprisingly helped the local bars. We have a bar just down the street, Baumert said. The bar owner and I were talking, he was excited and said after my grill closes, maybe my folks will come down to you, get something and then they can bring it back and keep drinking their drinks. And he talked to me a couple of weeks ago and said that is the case and its been working out pretty well. Baumert said he hopes the machines will bring more people into town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How to get your pool ready for the summer Stop here and then maybe take a look around our town and see what we have for other businesses, if theres something that might fit their needs and look around the town and see if its someplace that maybe they want to move to, maybe they want to settle here and try and help the community, he said. Baumert says he has plans to possibly add more machines 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The Associated Press recently won in court, challenging President Donald Trump's decision to exclude the news organization from the White House press pool. The dispute began over the president's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and the A.P.'s refusal to fully adopt the renaming in its style guide. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFaddena Trump appointeeruled that the president's unconstitutional actions amounted to viewpoint discrimination by the government. "The Court simply holds that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalistsbe it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhereit cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints," wrote McFadden in his decision. "The Constitution requires no less." Before this decision, Julie Pace, the A.P.'s executive editor and senior vice president, encouraged Americans to look at the big picture. "For anyone who thinks the Associated Press's lawsuit against President Trump's White House is about the name of a body of water, think bigger," wrote Pace in The Wall Street Journal. "It's really about whether the government can control what you say." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pace is spot-on. Americans shouldn't lose sight of the big picture: The principles of free speechcodified by the First Amendmentprotect individuals from an onerous, censorial government seeking to control what words citizens use. But this debate is bigger than overly spray-tanned authoritarians and fussy grammarians duking it out in court. Even Trump's War on the Media Has Its Limits Trump's legal dispute with the A.P. is just one episode in his ongoing war against journalism, an institution he has called "the enemy of the people." Though he often decries the "weaponization" of the judicial system, the president rarely passes up the opportunity to use lawfare as his go-to cudgel. Over the past three decades, Trump has been involved in more than 3,500 legal battles in federal and state courts, according to one report. In 2023 alone, Trump sued 20 media organizations. "The consistent theme is his willingness to use the court system, even as a public figure and a public official, to silence people, to force them to correct statements, to just generally make them uncomfortable," Kevin Goldberg, vice president at Freedom Forum, a free speech organization, told Axios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And this litigious strategy has, for the most part, paid off for him. In March 2024, Trump sued ABC News for George Stephanopoulos's questions directed at Rep. Nancy Mace (RS.C.) about her support for a president found "liable for rape by a jury." (Technically, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse, not rape.) In December 2024, ABC settled a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump, agreeing to pay $15 million to his presidential library and $1 million in legal fees. Trump also filed a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News' parent company, Paramount Global, for a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The president claimed video editors deceptively edited the footage, calling the segment a "news distortion" and accusing the show of engaging in "partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference." In addition to the suit against Paramount, the Trump administration has pursued a parallel Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigation into how 60 Minutes edited the Harris interview. But Trump's authority, especially over the media, is far from limitless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerned about the partisan tables turning in the future, a coalition of center-right organizationsincluding the Center for Individual Freedom, Americans for Tax Reform, and Taxpayers Protection Allianceencouraged the Trump administration to stop the FCC investigation of CBS, stating that an "adverse ruling against CBS would constitute regulatory overreach and advance precedent that can be weaponized by future FCCs." Other right-leaning entities have also expressed their concern about blowback from a future, less ideologically aligned administration. Fox News and Newsmax, both vocal supporters of Trump, joined 40 other news organizationsmany of whom Trump frequently refers to as "fake news"in opposing Trump's exclusion of the A.P. "We fear a future administration may not like something that Newsmax writes and seeks to ban us," stated Newsmax representatives. "This is why news organizations like Newsmax and Fox News are supporting the A.P.'s First Amendment rights though we may disagree with its editorial point of view from time to time." The A.P.'s legal victory draws a clear line in the sand that no amount of executive authority can cross. But the A.P. has its limits, too. To A.P. or Not to A.P. The A.P. style is ubiquitous in journalism. Publications ranging from The Washington Post to Breitbart follow A.P. style. Truthfully, if Trump barred press access based on A.P. style guidance, very few outlets would remain in the White House press pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even adherents of the A.P. style don't follow every single stylistic recommendation. Many have unique stylistic carveouts. Even Reason, which mostly follows the A.P.'s guidelines, maintains some bespoke exceptions. Even anti-Trump partisans don't fully embrace all of the A.P.'s guidance. "You can't get mad at the A.P. for not using your stupid name," Stephen Colbert joked on The Late Show. "The thing you should get mad at the A.P. about is not using the Oxford comma in their style guide." Despite Trump's claims, A.P. style neither bans using the Gulf of America nor fully endorses the Gulf of Mexico. Instead, the entry splits the difference, advising to "refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen." The A.P.'s guidance is no different than modifying references to other popular rebrands, such as X, or the platform formerly known as Twitter. Interestingly, the A.P. aligns with Trump on his other controversial landmark rebranding: Mount McKinley, or the mountain formerly known as Denali. "The Associated Press will use the official name change to Mount McKinley," wrote Amanda Barrett, the A.P.'s vice president of standards and inclusion. "The area lies solely in the United States and as president, Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, local usage diverges from A.P. style. Only 26 percent of Alaskaa state that Trump won by 13 percentage pointssupports the president's name change. The 20,000-foot mountain is a source of local pride for Alaskans and represents the region's indigenous culture, so their linguistic intransigence is understandable. Though the mountain's "official" name has ping-ponged since 1917, Alaskans haven't deviated from Denali. "In Alaska, it's always been Denali," Holly Cusack-McVeigh, an anthropologist at Indiana University, Indianapolis, explained in The Conversation. The same goes for the Gulf of America. A Reuters poll found seven out of ten Americans oppose renaming the Gulf of Mexico. Other polling mirrors these numbers. Geographic rebranding has often struggled to bridge the gap between officialdom and usage. Vietnamese people refer to their largest city as Saigon informally, but write Ho Chi Minh City on official documents. Though Myanmar attained its official name following the 1989 military junta, 68 percent of the country still uses the informal name Burma, with some claiming the name change "reeks of government" and is a "form of censorship." India has also struggled with city names, such as Mumbai and Kolkata, because of its colonial past. Language doesn't abide by official proclamations. Instead, popular usageor, as defined by the Chicago Manual of Style, "the collective habits of a language's native speakers"owns the naming rights. Moreover, usage better reflects human communication. The Spontaneous Order of Language Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein famously said, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." The same can be said about the limits of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Language lacks a central authority. Neither the traditional literary gatekeepers (e.g., linguists, lexicographers, and grammarians) nor political leaders (especially the ones barking Orwellian newspeak like "tariffs are tax cuts") are the final arbiters of how humanity communicates. Instead, language follows the principles of creative destruction and spontaneous orderthe social phenomena long championed by classical liberals and libertarians. Words are the currency of the marketplace of ideas. Their values ebb and flow like tickers on the stock exchangeand arguably have more value than most 401(k)s at the moment. Newly coined terms gain value as they capture this moment in time better than old words. This is why words like doggo and bussin' now grace the pages of Merriam-Webster. But this moment is always fleeting, and dictionaries and style guides offer only a snapshot of a unique time in language. Today's neologisms will soon become tomorrow's cliches. And this ceaseless linguistic churning will wax and wane until we disappear as a species. Until then, language remains the final frontier of human liberty, and no amount of coercion can genuinely contain it. The post Neither Trump Nor the Associated Press Controls Our Words appeared first on Reason.com. Net zero targets are killing off the Church of England, clergy and wardens have warned. Access to new oil or gas boilers has been restricted under a Church of England commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. A Telegraph investigation can reveal that the policy has left dozens of churches in the cold for months on end, with rural churches bearing the brunt of the policy. Priests and wardens have warned that the green energy drive is putting parishioners health at risk, driving down church attendance and causing damp to rot historic buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Grade I-listed St John the Baptist Church in the village of Tideswell, Derbyshire, has been without heating for 18 months. Mike Burrell, the assistant churchwarden, said: You have to come to the conclusion that the Church of England is almost deliberately killing rural churches. Peter Robinson, his fellow warden, agreed, saying the target amounted to a process of killing the church. The Church of England set its net zero goal in February 2020, when General Synod, its legislative body, pledged to eliminate carbon emissions by 2030. In July 2022, Synod introduced a rule requiring parishes to obtain a faculty the Churchs version of planning permission before installing a new fossil fuel boiler. Parishes must also prove that no viable green alternative exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Church recommends heat pumps, electric boilers, solar panels and low-energy options like under-pew heaters. But many older, poorly insulated stone churches are not suited to these technologies. Heat pumps often fail to warm large, draughty naves, while fragile or undersized roofs cannot support solar panels. Even when technically possible, the cost of green technology is prohibitive. Clergy and wardens told The Telegraph they had been quoted between 70,000 and 400,000 to install air-source heat pumps, with rural churches facing an additional 60,000 or more to upgrade their electricity supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Synod pledged 190 million over 10 years from 2022 to support the net zero target, many parishes have said the available grants do not cover the additional costs. Falling attendance has only made matters worse. Since 2013, average Sunday worship has dropped by a record amount, from 788,000 to 557,000. People will freeze or fall sick The Rev Marcus Walker, the rector of St Bartholomew the Great Church in central London, led opposition to the net zero policy in Synod. His church lost heating in the winter of 2022. Its ridiculous, he said. Some people would rather our churches were empty so long as they were more green. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They make it so difficult to put in a boiler they hope youll just give up. But while they force you through this process, your church is cold and people will freeze, fall sick, and go elsewhere. Its hard to believe their priority is people coming to God and worshipping him. The Rev Marcus Walker has led opposition to the Church of Englands emissions policy - Heathcliff O'Malley Mr Walker experienced the dangerous effects of the target first hand when he collapsed in the church. He said: I remember during that long Christmas without heating, I was leading a school carol service. I stood up, and my legs had gone numb I collapsed forward. If I hadnt had a prayer stall in front of me, I would have fallen face-first onto the floor without any means to stop myself because my legs were just frozen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took seven months for St Bartholomews to get permission to install a new gas boiler. The church had to spend 30,000 on architects fees to justify the purchase, pushing them into a deficit. Frail parishioners sit under blankets Meanwhile, the medieval church of St James the Great in Dursley, Gloucestershire, has been without central heating since its boiler broke down in late 2023. Janet Vonberg, its warden, said frail parishioners had endured a second winter under blankets. The worst was this winter, she said, explaining that the portable electric heaters they were using had broken due to overuse. We gave up on that so we resorted to blankets this winter for our frailer members who remarkably kept on coming. They sat through the cold stoically, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for the Diocese of Gloucester blamed the church for the two-year delay, saying it had failed to provide sufficient information but that heating would be installed soon. In the village of Chislet, Kent, the church of St Mary the Virgin is now in its fourth year without central heating. Colin Dawson, the acting warden, said: We tried to get permission to put a new boiler in, and we just about raised the money but it was refused by the diocese... because they said that we cant put fossil fuels in. Colin Dawson, the warden at a church in Chislet, Kent, says the diocese refused to allow a new boiler - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Churches can now only install new gas or oil-powered boilers if they can convince the diocese it would be impossible for them to switch to a greener heating system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the county, Rev Liz Cox, of the St Mary Magdalene church in Gillingham, secured approval for a new gas boiler late last year after arguing that the church would not survive another winter in the cold and there was no viable eco alternative. We knew that if we didnt have heating on quite apart from the fact Ive got a fair number of elderly, fragile people in my congregation, and I didnt particularly want to kill them all off with pneumonia that we were going to damage the building, she said. The 2022 rule change that made it harder for churches to install gas or oil boilers was written into ecclesiastical law. Churches break law to protect congregations Some churches told The Telegraph they had no choice but to break the law to protect their parishioners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One warden, who installed a gas boiler without permission, said: I always ask, What would Jesus say? What would Jesus do? Its a bit trite, but it gets you through. Parishes found to have illegally installed gas boilers risk financial and reputational damage. Priests may face Clergy Discipline Measure penalties, wardens could be disqualified and parishes forced to remove boilers and cover court costs. However, in recent cases judges have granted retroactive permission for unlawfully installed fossil fuel boilers, acknowledging churches had no other option. A Church of England spokesman said: Energy bills in recent years have been eye-wateringly high and a source of real concern for our churches who work so hard to serve their communities. Making church buildings more energy efficient is already helping many parishes save thousands of pounds on bills while also making them warmer in winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some churches but not all this will involve a different heating system when they are due for replacement. But our 16,000 church buildings are all different indeed for many small, older church buildings in rural areas no work would be necessary at all. The Dioceses of Canterbury and Derby have been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) A Newfield man has been sentenced to serve time in prison for his role in a kidnapping that occurred in February of 2023. Joseph M. Howell, 39, was sentenced to 17 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision on each counts for the crimes of two counts of burglary in the first degree, two counts of robbery in the first degree and kidnapping in the second degree, as stated in a release from the Chemung County District Attorneys Office. Previous story: Newfield man found guilty of kidnapping and theft Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DA states that Howell was charged with these crimes after a kidnapping and theft that occurred in the Town of Van Etten on Feb. 26, 2023. Howell is one of three who were charged in connection to the incident. The DA further states that Howell will serve these sentences at the same time, following his sentence of 25 years to life for his recent murder conviction in Tioga County, New York, for an incident that occurred in May of 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LOCKPORT The chief of the Erie County Sheriffs Office narcotics unit has been charged with three vehicle and traffic law violations in connection with an accident that occurred one year ago in Buffalo. The charges were issued by Buffalo Police at the direction of Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman, who has been appointed a special prosecutor overseeing the crash investigation. Today, at my offices request, the Buffalo Police Department issued three vehicle and traffic citations to Daniel J. Granville for incidents occurring on April 11, 2024. Mr. Granville is charged with three counts of leaving the scene of a property damage accident without reporting, Seaman said in a statement released Friday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seaman said his office continues to investigate this matter. But, he said, There will be no further comment at this time. Shortly after Granville was charged, Buffalo police announced that five of their officers had been placed on administrative leave in connection with an internal departmental investigation into their handling of Granvilles accident. Granvilles sister-in-law, Buffalo Police Lt. Lucia Esquilin, was reportedly called from outside her patrol zone to the crash scene and signed off on some of the officer reports of the incident. Granville, known in the sheriffs office as D.J., was driving an Erie County-owned pickup when he slammed into six parked vehicles, and damaged a seventh vehicle, at 11:38 p.m. April 11, 2024 on Buffalos West Side. WIVB-TV has reported that Granville was on duty at the time of the crashes, which stretched over two separate streets. At that time, Buffalo Police officers investigating the crash issued Granville a ticket for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. That charge was later reduced by Buffalo city prosecutors to a jaywalking violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erie County Court Judge Sheila DiTullio tapped Seaman as a special prosecutor for the case because a relative of Granville is employed by the Erie County District Attorneys Office. Buffalo police have said they are cooperating with Seamans office. In a statement released by Buffalo Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright, the department said placing the five officers on leave does not imply guilt or wrongdoing by any of the officers. City Council Chair James Perry has called a special meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday to act on a request by Mayor Robert Restaino to approve a contract for a vendor to provide temporary dog sheltering services for the city. The city was scheduled to open and review bids for the proposed contract on late Friday afternoon. The results of the bid opening were not immediately available. A Request For Proposals was made public March 18. The RFP calls for the vendor to provide shelter services from April 28 to Dec. 31, with an option to extend the contract until a city owned dog shelter is fully operational. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need for a temporary dog shelter service provider was created when the citys current vendor, The Pit Chic, on Grand Island, announced that she was getting out of the animal sheltering business. In an interview in early March, Kelli Swagel, The Pit Chic owner and operator, told WIVB-TV that she was restructuring her business and intended to move away from municipal animal sheltering contracts to focus more on dog boarding and training. Swagel, who also operates a non-profit dog rescue organization, Rescue Buffalo, said a rise in animal cruelty, animal abandonment and strays have presented challenges for rescues and shelters that cater primarily to local dogs. Theres a lot of dogs coming from out of state too and, as much as we know that we need to help those high-kill shelters, its forcing shelters in New York state to have to make decisions for space and thats not something our shelter will ever align with, Swagel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swagel gave city officials 60 days notice that she was exiting her contract with the Falls. The city is currently in the process of building a new animal shelter inside an existing building at Hyde Park. Swagel had a controversial run as the Falls animal shelter provider, drawing often intense criticism from a former business partner, Janine Gallo, and some city residents and officials who questioned the quality of services she provided to the city and its stray dogs under a deal that paid her $20,270 per month. LUMBERPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) In just a few months, Harrison County residents can look forward to having their own meadery in the Lumberport area called Nine Hives. Managing partner of the meadery and former nurse, Stephen Howe, told 12 News in an interview that his original plan was to open a cidery with the apple orchard on his property. However, a coworker he knew while working in an ICU ended up mentoring him in the ways of beekeeping. As of this week, Howe said hes up to 75 bee hives, which he uses to supplement the honey supply for the Nine Hives meadery. Three 330-gallon fermenters at Nine Hives (WBOY image) Historically, mead is thought of as one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in human history, and only three basic ingredients: honey, water and yeast. Yeast eats the sugar in the honey and produces CO2 and alcohol as byproducts. Bottle of Nine Hives mead, featuring a golden wax seal at the top of the bottle. (Courtesy Stephen Howe) At Nine Hives, Howe says they plan to have three varieties of mead ready to go when they become available to the public. A basic, or show mead, a blueberry mead and an elderberry mead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The elderberry is native to Appalachia, West Virginia, so we went with that. Something a little bit native, homegrown, Howe said. Top rated West Virginia beers to try in 2025 As far as when youll be able to buy a bottle of Nine Hives mead, Howe says hes planning for his mead to be available around mid-May to early June. Youll be able to find Nine Hives mead at the Nine Hives meadery, as well as at the Bridgeport and White Hall farmers markets and some local stores through Valley Distributing Company of Fairmont. In the meantime, you can follow Howes honey business Howe Sweet It Is on Facebook for future updates on the meadery. 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. HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) No charges will be filed after a fatal shooting in High Point last year, according to the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. In November, documents were shared that revealed that the High Point Police Department handed over a case to the State Bureau of Investigation due to a conflict of interest, naming High Point Mayor Jefferson specifically. The documents surrounded the death of 32-year-old Hasson Williams, who was found shot in the head at his apartment along Ridgebrooke Drive in October 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams was identified by Jefferson as his wifes cousin. The SBI took the lead on the investigation, and in November, Jefferson provided the following statement to FOX8: My wife and I mourn the loss of her first cousin, Hasson Williams, and I personally extend sincere condolences to those family members who were closest to him, including his fiancee and mother of his children, Torei Johnson. As an advocate for gun safety, it breaks my heart to learn about this accident. We look forward to the SBI completing their investigation into the matter and cannot provide any further comment at this time. I appreciate the media and other members of the public giving the family the space needed to grieve and recover from this loss. HP Mayor Cyril Jefferson On Friday, the NCCDA said in a statement that there is insufficient evidence to move forward with an involuntary manslaughter charge. The NCCDA called the shooting indisputably tragic and said it does not rise to the level of criminal negligence. Williams and his cousin were reportedly comparing guns. His cousin was working on the barrel of a pistol and fired into Williamss forehead, killing him. Investigators say that while the cousin was acting in a negligible manner, his actions dont meet the standard of criminal culpable negligence because the pistol was particularly pre-disposed to the specific kind of misfiring that happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked at a news conference late last year if he believed the shooting could have been prevented, Jefferson said, Any tragic accident, all of us hope and think back about how it could have gone differently. I have to believe there are some steps that could have been taken, but having not been there, not being close to the situation, theres no way for me to know. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. A Pierce County Sheriffs deputy who allegedly allowed his K-9 to wrongfully attack a domestic violence suspect near Puyallup in 2019 isnt protected from being sued for excessive force, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed that K-9 handler deputy Levi Redding isnt entitled to qualified immunity after he was accused of violating a womans Fourth Amendment rights in an ongoing federal civil lawsuit brought against him and the Pierce County Sheriffs Office in 2022. Qualified immunity is a controversial legal doctrine that shields government officials, including law enforcement officers, from civil claims unless their alleged conduct passes a two-prong test: Its not enough to have purportedly violated a constitutional right, it must also be shown that the conduct was previously determined to be wrong by law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if there is an unconstitutional use of excessive force, government officials performing discretionary functions are entitled to qualified immunity unless the unlawfulness of their conduct was clearly established at the time, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals noted in its unpublished memorandum opinion on the case last month. In 2020, a Reuters investigation found that police were often granted immunity even when courts held that they used excessive force. The qualified immunity legal doctrine, established by the Supreme Court in 1967, is intended to protect government workers from frivolous lawsuits, Reuters reported. In the original complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for Western Washington, a woman who allegedly hit her boyfriend and his teenage son while intoxicated claimed that Redding, in a subsequent effort to find her in the neighborhood after she had left the home, unnecessarily deployed a department K-9 who mauled her left arm and caused permanent injuries. The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, which is representing the sheriffs office and Redding, denied all alleged wrongdoing, sought to dismiss the case and asserted that no evidence in the matter had overcome Reddings presumptive qualified immunity, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge threw out certain claims but left others intact, including the allegation that Redding had used excessive force and violated the womans Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable seizure. Attorneys for the sheriffs office and Redding appealed the decision. The issue was argued and submitted to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in December. In a March 19 memorandum opinion, the three-judge appellate panels majority upheld the federal district courts decision, finding that Redding was not entitled to qualified immunity in the case. One judge dissented. Pierce County Prosecuting Attorneys Office spokesperson Adam Faber declined to comment on the appeals courts decision, noting that the civil case was still being litigated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney representing Jenni Ellis, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, didnt immediately return messages seeking to discuss the matter. Pierce County Sheriffs Office, deputy sued Ellis, who Pierce County Superior Court records show wasnt charged with a crime, had left a home in the 8500 block of 60th Avenue E before deputies arrived sometime after midnight on March 12, 2019, according to her lawsuit. Ellis and her boyfriend were involved in a domestic dispute, where she allegedly struck him and, inadvertently, his 17-year-old son who tried to break up the fight, the suit said. Her boyfriend called 911 to deescalate the situation and Ellis reportedly left in her pajamas out into the pouring rain. The complaint claimed that Ellis was unarmed and, at 115 pounds, no real threat to law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Redding deployed the department K-9, Zepp, to locate her, the dog found her and bit and held onto her arm. The bite lasted for 25 to 41 seconds, the appeals court memo said. Deputy Redding did not give any verbal warnings that Jenni could hear and in fact Deputy Redding allowed K-9 Zepp to suddenly dart away from him and then attack Jenni as she was walking back home, according to an amended version of the lawsuit. Zepp retired shortly before his ninth birthday in 2020. The sheriffs office celebrated the German Shepherds unique tendency to chase but not bite, The News Tribune wrote in a story on his retirement at the time. Attorneys for the Pierce County Sheriffs Office and Redding sought to poke holes in Ellis claims: Ellis weighed between 150-155 pounds, she was carrying a bottle, she knew that police had been called and she was a proven threat to return to the home based on prior domestic altercations involving her, according to a court filing by the defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The K-9 was on a 30-foot leash held by Redding, who said he had received no response after calling out to Ellis by name and announcing himself as law enforcement, according to the filing. The dog located Ellis underneath her boyfriends boat on a trailer in the front yard. After hearing a woman yelling, Redding went to Ellis, who allegedly had hold of the K-9, and commanded her to let go of the dog and to show her hands, the filing said. He then pulled her from underneath the trailer, with the dogs help, and found her hands to be empty. Ellis was taken to a local hospital where her blood-alcohol level was found to be .233, according to the filing. It said she was treated for three left-elbow lacerations that were consistent with Reddings description of events and inconsistent with claims that the biting was continuous or repetitive. Plaintiff later conceded under oath I dont remember a lot about her seizure because her perception and memory were affected by her intoxication, surprise at being bitten, and the bite itself, the filing said, adding that Ellis false allegations had prevented her lawsuit from being dismissed. Appeals court rules on qualified immunity The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that Zepps bite-and-hold was a seizure and that Redding had acknowledged commanding Ellis to show her hands and let go of the dog, instead of commanding Zepp to release her, according to the appeals courts memorandum opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is undisputed that Washington police patrol dogs are trained in the bite-and-hold method of apprehension, the appeals court wrote. This method trains a K9 to bite-and-hold after a search command unless it is restrained from doing so or commanded not to. That is exactly what happened here. It agreed with the federal district court that there were issues raised for a jury over whether Ellis alleged crime warranted a bite-and-hold, whether the officers safety was actually threatened and whether Ellis resisted arrest or posed a flight risk. Instead of focusing on Zepps purportedly unexpected contact with Ellis that led to the bite, the appeals court homed in on Reddings decision to deploy the dog and then to not command him to stop biting, the memo said. [I]t was Reddings failure to call the dog off that improperly encouraged the continuation of the attack, the appeals court wrote. A bite-and-hold dog is trained to keep biting until told to stop, and Redding never commanded K9 Zepp to stop biting Ellis, who could not surrender (or let go of the dog) because of the bite-and-hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The duration of the bite was longer than that in a 1998 case out of California, the memo said. In that case, a court denied an officer qualified immunity after the officer didnt call off his dog. The unlawfulness of Reddings conduct was clearly established, so he is not entitled to qualified immunity, the appeals court wrote. In a dissenting opinion, Judge Ryan Nelson said it was irrelevant whether Ellis was fleeing, resisting arrest or posing a threat to Redding or her victims. What is undisputed and material is that Redding was told that Ellis was violent, potentially armed, fleeing arrest, and likely to return to her victims if not arrested, Nelson wrote. Those facts not the facts that Redding was unaware of are what matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that the courts precedent is that its unreasonable to direct a police K-9 to continue biting a fully surrendered suspect under an officers control. No matter how carefully a reasonable officer read [our caselaw] beforehand, he couldnt know that its unlawful to use a dog to secure an arrestee who hasnt fully surrendered, he wrote. And on no version of the facts had Ellis fully surrendered or come under officer control when Redding allowed the dog to continue biting her. Redding is thus entitled to qualified immunity. In its decision, the appeals court also unanimously reversed the federal district courts upholding of two state claims, including negligence. A negligence claim must not be based on an intentional act, such as the use of excessive force, but instead is limited to purported negligence leading up to the act, the court noted. Theres been no activity in the federal lawsuit since the issuance of the appeals courts memorandum opinion last month, court records show, and there appears to be no currently scheduled trial date in the case. The first time I met Stork, he was sawing off a foot. The second, bandaging a boneless shin. The third, this April, he was underground, watching security cameras, waiting for something to move. He only sees the sun once or twice a day when he climbs the stairs from the basement where he sleeps and works. The building, once home to an ordinary Ukrainian family, now serves as a military field hospital near the countrys northern border with Russia. The battlefield paramedics job is to treat the wounded that have been ferried in from the front in Vovchansk, a Ukrainian town just a few kilometres from Russias Belgorod oblast, where President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed for the first time this month that Ukrainian troops have been active. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Storks goal is simple: keep the wounded alive long enough to reach the next hospital. Stork and his unit are a long way from the sofas of the Oval Office, the corridors of Brussels and the hotels of Riyadh, where talks on ending the war have taken place in recent months between US, Ukrainian and Russian delegations in recent months. Russia has said it is willing to agree to a ceasefire, but has shown no sign of ending its onslaught. There are fears, meanwhile, that the Trump administration could force Ukraine into a deeply unfavourable deal, having already piled pressure on Ukraine to sue for peace by cutting off aid. In the meantime, the war grinds on. Stork has grown numb to the blood of the wounded; their screams and the horrible silence that precedes their deaths. Theres a predictability to it that he can handle, one that cant now be said of politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont feel comfortable with the US any more. Not since the elections, he said, filling out patient charts after an hour spent disinfecting wounds and dressing burns. Oleh, the units lead surgeon, scoffed at the idea that Putin wants peace. Peace? What peace? he said, petting his dog. Putin has his plans for the invasion. He never changed them. Since October, Stork (right) has not left this underground medical point on the northern front - Fermin Torrano He is the one who made the decision to relocate the operating theatre closer to the front line. It was taking too long for the wounded to reach the previous site, so Oleh gave the order set up a new facility underground to keep his comrades alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made that call in the autumn as Donald Trump moved closer to re-election, boasting he could end the war in 24 hours. Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky pushed his 10-point victory plan to his allies. Our president also said wed liberate most of the occupied territories in 2023, says Mykola, an anaesthetist in his fifties who has spent the past three years in uniform. And yet, here we are. Oleh used to work in a hospital in Kharkiv. Now he works with soldiers instead of civilians, in a narrow room heated by a wood stove. Rest is precious and doesnt last long. Get up! Weve got work! shouts a voice between bunks. Doctors and paramedics spring from their mattresses and push aside the curtain that separates their makeshift dormitory from the operating room. Andrii, a Ukrainian soldier, is treated for burn wounds on the front line between Kharkiv and Belgorod - Fermin Torrano Caked in mud, three soldiers clamber out of a medevac vehicle wrapped in an anti-drone cage. Two are on their feet. The third, Andrii, lies motionless on a stretcher, his limbs, neck, and face burnt raw after flames swept through his trench. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serhii, another soldier, looks down at his flayed, blistered hands. He opens his eyes wide, but his lips wont move. A yellow crucifix rests on his chest. When he believes painkillers are going to run out, he screams. The enemy is not what scares soldiers most. The unknown is. Oleh (centre), the units medical commander, reviews developments with his team - Fermin Torrano Mykhailo, an artilleryman with the same brigade operating nearby on the front line, sits underground beside an old Soviet howitzer, waiting for the order to fire. He wears an American flag on his vest. It came with the backpack, Mykhailo shrugs, lowering his head as his comrades snicker. Overhead, rats scurry across the roof, scratching at the plastic. Still smiling, Anatoliy, the squad commander, turns back to a laptop, pointing to a cluster of trees on the screen. Where most would see mud and branches, he spots old enemy positions, tyre tracks, and weak points in the Russian trenches no zoom needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre here to take this forest, he mutters. How many men theyve sent its a scary thought. It was taking too long for the wounded to reach the previous site, so the makeshift medical facility was set up underground to keep soldiers alive - Fermin Torrano He and his men, one of eight brigades redeployed to Ukraines north-east to stop Moscows offensive in May 2024, have spent over a year in this position. Putins goal was to capture Vovchansk, advance towards Kharkiv and batter Ukraines second-largest city with artillery. It didnt work. Nearly a year on, Russia doesnt fully control Vovchansk, a town with less than 20,000 residents before the full-scale invasion. Today, it lies in ruins, five kilometres from the Russian border. Kursk helped take the pressure off. August and September were really quiet, says Anatoliy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, he doesnt think its time to counter-attack. Russia controls around 100 square kilometres of the Kharkiv region here. Better to keep defending, he says. Attacking costs too many lives. Yet Kyiv recently opened a new front near Belgorod, not far from last summers incursions into Kursk. In justifying the move, Mr Zelensky said, The war must return to where it came from. Whether the aim is to buy time, tie down Kremlin forces or keep Putin away from the negotiating table, Moscow now faces hard choices. On March 31, Russia announced a mobilisation wave for 160,000 more troops. But its not just manpower theyre short of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since New Year, most of their assaults are on foot, says Anatoliy. Armoured vehicles? You barely see them. Theyre just sent to die. Credit: Ukrainian 225th Separate Assault Regiment He flicks through drone footage of Vovchansk, now a town reduced to rubble. On American support, and how it might affect their military capacity, Anatoliy stays cautious. I know theyve sent a lot of weapons. But Ive never seen any of it. Here, we fight with Soviet equipment. Yet theyve held the line. Will the storm return here, or will they be sent to plug holes in another front? None of the five soldiers in the dugout knows. In their minds, the only certainty is that no ceasefire will last. Even as a Ukrainian delegation prepares for a new Washington visit next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wrapped in fresh bandages, Serhii asks for a cigarette with a gesture, just before the second evacuation begins. A soldier is treated for burns after flames swept through his trench - Fermin Torrano His name is the only word he has spoken. He wont say more until reaching the hospital. The poor road conditions and thick mud prevent ambulances from reaching this forgotten place. Only buggies, armoured vehicles, and medical 4x4s take the risk. Stork pushes the stretcher and checks the catheter before closing the medevac door. Serhii lies still, dazed by morphine and exhaustion. Within minutes hes asleep, rocked by the jolting ride. Last nights rain has started to dry, but the track remains slick. Fog offers the driver some cover, but everyone in the vehicle knows that evacuating a wounded soldier in daylight is tempting fate. Until each side lays down its weapons, they have no choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is war in Ukraine. Here, peace is just a rumour. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Critics are calling the 53-year-old Kristi Noem Ice Barbie while supporters say she is doing a great job deporting dangerous criminals. Kristi Noem has certainly been visible in her new role as Homeland Security Secretary. Appearing in front of cameras, often dressed in swat or combat gear. Dressing up in costumes is nothing new for Kristi Noem. While Governor in 2023, she starred in a 6-and-a-half million dollar ad campaign for South Dakota labeled Freedom Works Here. She appeared on camera as a plumber, electrician, welder, dentist and highway patrol trooper. The ads appeared on television and online. Her latest appearance with ICE agents generated a lot of pushback, especially from experienced gun owners and military veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: $9.1M in federal spending cuts in SD Here we are with Marco and Brian today letting me roll with them, said Noem in her post to X. U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona did not hold back earlier this week in his social media posts giving Noem some gun safety tips. Have you seen this picture? Let me explain to why this is all cosplay. Number one, anyone whos ever been in combat, whether its marines, officer anything like that. You would never wear a flack jacket like that. Slopply put on to get snagged on something, breach a door go through any kind of very high-intensity situation. Number two, what is going on with the ejection port there? Either means there is a round in the chamber or you are just being sloppy keeping it open. If you have a round in the chamber, the most important thing you have to always do with weapon handling is you have to assume every weapon is loaded. You are pointing that weapon directly at that guys head to the left-hand side, so that is a problem Secretary Noem, said Gallego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego is a Marine Corps veteran and served in Iraq. Meanwhile, Former Fox host Megyn Kelly, who now has her own show on Sirius XM and YouTube, was very vocal on her show on Wednesday about Noem s frequent appearances in front of the camera. She says Noem is doing a great job, but Just stop trying to glamorize the mission and put yourself in the middle of it as you cosplay ICE agent, which youre not. I cant stand these photo-ops. She is an administrative policy person appointed by Trump because she was very loyal to him. Fine, but stop with the glam, said Kelly Along with the criticism, social media posts show Noem does have plenty of support, one person called her a true patriot who leads from the front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another said We appreciate your work but it doesnt always need to be a photo op. Noem dismissed criticism that she is cosplaying on FOX. She told the host the people who work for Homeland Security are proud of the fact that she will wear an ICE hat or a vest. Kristi Noem is the 8th Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The Department oversees a workforce of more than 260 thousand employees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editor's Note: This interview is part of an ongoing Star series highlighting Kansas Citians from historically under-represented communities and their impact on our region. The series builds on The Star's efforts to improve coverage of local communities. Do you know someone we should interview? Share ideas with our reporter J.M. Banks. Growing up in Florida as the son of Nicaraguan immigrants, Edgar Palacios saw the hardships his parents faced in pursuit of a better life for their family. At school he experienced discrimination that damaged his since of self worth as a student an experience that left a deep and lasting impact, ultimately shaping his lifes mission. While working for the education nonprofit Great Schools, and touring schools across the country, Palacios observed a consistent pattern: classrooms filled with Latino students, but very few Latino teachers. What began as a simple ideato compile a national list of Latino educators quickly revealed a large void in the education field for Hispanic teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Palacios founded the Latinx Education Collaborative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Latino youth in the classroom and creating pathways to increase Hispanic representation in the education profession. Palacio said a big part of the reason he wants to encourage more Latino educators is so the growing population of Latino students get to see people who look like them and who share some cultural experience with them in their classrooms and school system offices. Palacios recently sat down with Kansas City Star culture and identity reporter J.M. Banks to talk about not feeling supported as a child at school, the importance of Hispanic teachers in the classroom and the need for community involvement in a students life. Banks: Can you begin by telling me about your early life and upbringing? Palacios: I was actually born in Miami Beach, Florida, and lived there until I was about 11. Then my parents moved our family to Spokane, Washington. We lived there for three years before moving to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where I went to high school. In 2004, I moved to Kansas City for college, so Ive been here for almost 21 years now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im the son of immigrants, my parents are from Nicaragua and came to the U.S. in 1981. I was born a few years later. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the experiences they had to navigate as immigrants, learning new customs, cultures and systems. I especially saw these challenges in places like Spokane and Cape Girardeau, where I experienced discrimination as a young kid in the school system. I didnt see my full value as a student and that really fuels my work today. The belief that all young people are worthy of quality education and meaningful opportunities, regardless of where they come from. What inspired you to start the Latinx Education Collaborative? In 2015 I was part of a program called Great Schools that tours schools, which allowed me to travel the country and visit various schools and see different education models. I noticed that while Latino students were present everywhere, there were very few Latino teachers, staff members, or administrators. I started asking questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I remember visiting a school in Houston, Texas, where 99% of the student population was Latino but there wasnt a single person of color on staff. I asked the principal why that was, especially in a place like Houston where you would expect diversity. I was confused. If you cant find people, why not actively go look for them? My first idea was simple: build a spreadsheet or database of Latino educators across the country. That way, whenever someone claimed they couldnt find any, I could hand them the list. It was a simple response to a very complex issue, but it became the seed of what is now the Latinx Education Collaborative. We officially launched at the end of 2018, and weve been working every day since, through the pandemic, through political and cultural shifts. We are focused on improving educational outcomes and experiences for students by working directly with Latino educators, parents, students, and allies. Since you founded the organization, how do you think the vision has evolved to meet the needs of the Hispanic students you serve? Evolution is absolutely necessary for any nonprofit. As I mentioned, our initial idea was simple, maybe even naive. But the more we learned about the field, the challenges and the broader political climate, the more weve adapted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are many barriers that prevent Latino individuals from entering the education profession. Some are cultural or narrative-driven, like the idea that education doesnt pay well or isnt a prestigious career. Others are systemic, like lack of high school completion, scholarships, and access to mentorship. Some come from being part of first-generation families whose parents came to the U.S. seeking better opportunities and education doesnt pay well. Weve been learning about all these factors and building pathways and solutions to address them. Collaboration is keywe cant do this work alone. We have to partner with schools, institutions, and other organizations. Its not something that you can do by yourself. What do you think are the main challenges your organization faces in trying to achieve its goals? Globally, were facing a teacher shortage across the board. Fewer young people are interested in becoming educators, and were struggling to retain the ones we do have. Thats creating a serious crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers are underpaid and undervalued, especially here in the U.S. If we want to address any of the other challenges in education, we have to first address how we treat and support our teachers. What are some of the most impactful programs or initiatives youve offered over the years? One program were really excited about is our Futuros Program. Through that initiative, our goal is to add at least 15 new Latino educators to our community by 2027. We support aspiring educators and those entering their first year of teaching by providing wraparound support and helping them stay connected and encouraged. We also have a program called Expresion, which we run in partnership with Storytellers for Change. This program helps Latino educators develop and share their personal narratives. Its a way to humanize educators and build deeper connections with students. We believe educators who understand and embrace their own stories can better model authenticity and self-awareness for the young people they serve. What role does community involvement play in addressing educational disparities? Community involvement is everything. Its unrealistic to expect schools and districts to solve these issues alone. Educating a child is a community effort, everyone has a role to play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether its showing up for school board meetings, advocating for better policies, mentoring students, or simply being present in the school environment, every action matters. Our youth succeed when we all show up for them. What are your organizations hopes and goals for the future? We still have so much work ahead of us. The issues were tackling, like teacher diversity and systemic inequities, didnt appear overnight. These are generational challenges that require long-term commitment. We also have work to do in building bridges with other communities. Not everyone understands or agrees with the value of representation, equity, and inclusion. Until theres more alignment around these values, our work will continue to be both vital and necessary. For more stories about culture and identity, sign up for our free On The Vine newsletter at http://KansasCity.com/newsletters. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A Norfolk Navy veteran will attempt to climb Mount Everest next week to raise money for a national nonprofit. Brian OMalley may be in his 60s, but he told 10 On Your Side his age isnt going to stop him from taking on the challenge of a lifetime. Hes been busy preparing for the journey by working out and sleeping in a special tent to help him acclimate to the change in altitude once he starts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel very strong physically, OMalley said. I feel very strong mentally. Im ready. OMalley got the inspiration to attempt this journey in 2023 when he was recovering from a back surgery. I found myself watching a lot of documentaries on Mount Everest, OMalley said. I made a pact with myself that if my back gets back to 100% that I wanted to do something significant. Hes using the challenge as a chance to fundraiser for Tunnels to Towers, a nonprofit that supports military members and first responders. So far, he has raised more than $16,000. The reason we love Tunnel to Towers is because not only does it support all of our military service members and stuff, it also supports first responders, OMalley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that he understands the risks that can come with attempting to climb Everest, so thats why he took a trip recently to prepare. My brother-in-law and myself went out to the Nepal area, to the Himalayas just about a month ago, and we tracked about 100 miles through the Himalayas and about 10,000 feet or so [of] an elevation change, OMalley said. I acclimated well with the elevation change. If he succeeds, hell be one of the oldest Americans to have summited. OMalley also plans to document his journey, one he hopes will make a difference and inspire others. I really believe that God has given me this one more opportunity, OMalley said, by giving me a good back that will allow me to do 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 WAVY.com. As the second full week of April commences, residents in the Great Lakes region and mid-Atlantic states may be wondering when nicer weather will return to their area. The topsy-turvy pattern typical of the spring months, featuring the winterlike chill balanced with the occasional pleasant day, has been cause for disappointment for some. AccuWeather forecasters note that while some in the Northeast will briefly cash in on some nicer weather, another cold wave will swiftly impact the region. At the start of the new week, temperatures will follow an upward trend across portions of the Ohio Valley and Northeast. Widespread afternoon temperatures in the 60s are expected to expand from the major metros of Chicago and Detroit to New York City and Boston. Some locations may even climb upwards of 70 degrees Fahrenheit at the start of the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Following a rather cool and dreary week, Northeasterners will be thrilled with the forecast for the early part of the new week, when high pressure will bring a return of sunshine and a nice warming trend," explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger. Temperatures on Monday will range between 5 to 15 degrees higher than the tail end of the weekend, reaching a few degrees above typical mid-April values. The pattern that will usher in the warmer weather will also usher in wet conditions for some, forecasters warn. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to arrive later Sunday night into Monday night from the Great Lakes to areas of New England, some of which can even be capable of turning severe. Locations particularly from southern Indiana and northern Kentucky into western Pennsylvania and West Virginia will face some risk of intense storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hazards ranging from hailstones and localized damaging wind gusts to even an isolated spin-up can all be on the table from Monday afternoon to Monday evening. Any residents in this corridor, seeing the higher temperatures in the forecast and considering getting outside to tackle some spring yardwork, should stay weather-aware and be mindful of when storms can enter their area. Behind this push of moisture, cooler conditions will follow, briefly bringing an end to the burst of warmth. "Unfortunately, the nicer weather some will experience to start the week will prove to be fleeting, as another cold front will move through in time for midweek. This will knock temperatures back below historical averages in the run-up to Easter weekend," added Deger. From early to midweek, as the front passes through the Ohio Valley and to the Northeast coast, daytime temperatures will dip back into the 40s and 50s. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some spots in the higher terrain are projected to have daytime highs in the 30s during this pattern flip. Overnight temperatures in the lower 30s can pose a risk for any outdoor vegetation and early blooms. As the week progresses, many locations across the Northeast will observe temperatures returning to the 50s and 60s. A separate storm later in the week, into the start of the upcoming weekend, could produce wet conditions for some. Depending on the exact path and speed of the storm, the weather for the upcoming Easter holiday could potentially be mainly dry for some mid-Atlantic and Northeast residents as a zone of high pressure moves in behind the storm. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Apr. 12NORTH DAKOTA The Northeast Judicial District's presiding judge believes establishing an Indian Child Welfare Act court within his district could give more structure to existing procedures, and allow for a higher level of attention to the specific needs of Indigenous children and their families. "I think it will be helpful," Judge Donovan Foughty said. "I think it's a more structured system to assist, as opposed to juvenile court." A budget proposal that would help establish an ICWA court in the Northeast Judicial District is Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement making its way through the Legislature. Foughty said he hopes the Legislature sees the wisdom in moving forward with the new court, which would be the first of its kind in North Dakota. ICWA was established in the 1970s with the intent to keep Indigenous families together if possible and, when that is not an option, to find them placements in order of designated preference. Foughty believes that a specialized court would help fulfill the spirit of this act, which is already being followed, but could be optimized. Currently, when issues arise regarding potential child deprivation or similar concerns, the matters all go through the same juvenile court system. By establishing a specialized court, Indigenous families' specific needs can be addressed more efficiently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When deciding where this court would be located, Heather Traynor, with the North Dakota Supreme Court, said racial demographics and judicial buy-in were significant determining factors. "Myself and someone from the ICWA Partnership Grant talked about the historical trauma and our input efforts up at the judicial retreat last year, and there seemed to be some interest," Traynor said. "So we reached out to Presiding Judge Foughty up there he's definitely supportive of the work, along with Judge (Kari) Agotness as well." Foughty said he has hope that the court's establishment will allow for a more efficient process that results in quicker permanent placements, as Traynor said has been the case in other states that have similar courts. "Kids can get tied up in the system," Foughty said. "Sometimes things just drag out way, way too long, and things don't work out for reunification. Those are the tough calls that we have to deal with." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He hopes they can create a structure where, sooner rather than later, Native children who are in need of protection are either reunified with their families or a new, appropriate home is found for them. His understanding is that the specialized court would allow them to work more closely with families and their tribal nations. Court staff, and all other parties involved in any ICWA case, would be educated on matters specific to Indigenous people. Perhaps an ICWA court would allow the state to make some headway in decreasing the disproportionate rate of Indigenous youth in its foster care system, Foughty said. Though they account for approximately 6% of the state's population, Indigenous youth make up 26% of its foster care population, Traynor said. If approved, the ICWA court would be based in the Ramsey County Courthouse. EMERSON, Neb. (KCAU) A northeast Nebraska police department picked up some money to buy an armor vest. The League Association of Risk Management (LARM) said on Wednesday that the Village of Emerson Police Department recently bought a bulletproof vest using $700 in funds from a LARM Armor Grant. LARM said they make the grant available to its members who have a police department and a mandatory vest-wear policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Norway will allocate 10 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately $937 million) in 2025 to help equip and train a Ukrainian military brigade, Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik announced on April 11 during a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, according to the Norwegian government. The initiative is part of a broader Nordic-Baltic effort to support Ukraines land forces. Norway will take the lead role in the training component, working in close coordination with Ukrainian authorities and allied nations. Norway stands united with Europe for stronger support for Ukraine, politically, economically, and militarily, Sandvik said. Our contribution is both material from our own defense and acquisitions of ammunition and materiel from Ukrainian and international industry. Not least, we will contribute with training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of establishing an entirely new brigade, the initiative will concentrate on developing modular units smaller components designed to integrate into and strengthen Ukraines existing brigades. These brigades typically comprise 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers and possess a variety of combat capabilities that enable them to operate independently. Under Norwegian leadership, the Nordic and Baltic countries work closely with Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the training and equipment meet Ukrainian needs as well as possible, Sandvik explained. The previous initiatives to have Ukraines Western backers train and equip new brigades were highly controversial. The 155th Brigade was intended to be a flagship project for Ukrainian brigades trained and armed with the assistance of foreign partners. French President Emmanuel Macron announced in June that France would provide training and military supplies as part of this initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Paris fulfilling its commitments for training and arms provision, an investigation led by Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Ukrainian media outlet Censor.net, pointed to problems in the brigade's creation and management, allegedly leading to 1,700 cases of soldiers going AWOL from the unit before firing a shot. During the Brussels summit, Sandvik also held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. According to Bloomberg, Norway also joined the U.K. in pledging a joint $585 million military aid package to Ukraine. The U.K. will contribute 350 million ($455 million), while Norway will provide 100 million ($130 million) through the U.K.-led International Fund for Ukraine.That package includes support for the repair of previously delivered equipment, radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds of thousands of drones. Earlier this week, Oslo also committed $454 million to procure artillery shells for Ukraine. Read also: Inside Ukraines desperate race to train more soldiers Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Firefly Aerospace successfully completed the first soft landing on the moon by a commercial company, the Blue Ghost lander, in January. The Blue Ghost successfully completed everything it needed to ahead of its big test, but the lunar landing was the most stressful part of the mission. Firefly is contracted to take a European Space Agency communications satellite to the moon alongside a second Blue Ghost lander in 2026. NEW YORK New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other AGs Friday threw their support behind professors seeking to halt the Trump administrations efforts to deport international students. In a friend of the court brief, the coalition accused the federal government of weaponizing immigration enforcement to crack down on speech President Donald Trump and his allies disagree with. The attorneys general urged a federal judge to block the arrests and detentions of pro-Palestinian student protesters. Our democracy depends on the freedom to think, to speak, and to learn without fear, 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. State Department declined to comment on pending litigation. The Trump administration has insisted it is a privilege, rather than a right, to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States. Faculty groups, including the New York University chapter of the American Association of University Professors, sued the federal administration March 25, alleging the revocations of visas were chilling speech on college campuses. The lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts federal court by the Knight Institute, a free speech organization at Columbia University. Other legal briefs have also been filed in support of the AAUP, including one signed by 86 colleges and associations submitted the day before the attorneys generals filing. The group included Fordham University and small liberal arts schools in New York that tend to be less reliant on federal research funding, such as Hamilton College and Bard College. The attorneys general argued the Trump administrations efforts were violations of the First Amendment that would inflict lasting harm on individual colleges, state economies and perhaps most acutely, the international students themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This policy is a dangerous overreach, James said, and I will not allow fear and censorship to replace freedom and opportunity. My office is standing firmly against any effort to weaponize immigration to silence free speech and dissent. The brief described the deportations as antithetical to the principle of free expression that is supposed to define American higher education. Stemming from the threat of deportation, the attorneys general said students and faculty are now avoiding controversial classroom discussions and research questions. The New York office also disclosed the State University of New York has experienced a sharp decline in international applications, student visas and continued enrollment, according to the brief. On Wednesday, the Daily News reported that 21 SUNY international students had lost their visas. Others who remain have steered clear of professional travel and federal research grants, or even reconsidered studying in the United States out of fear of deportation or being denied re-entry, the filing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys general added the chilling effect has weakened their states ability to compete for global talent and will cost them tax revenue, the ability to fill workforce gaps and job-generating businesses. As visa revocations accelerate across the Amici States every day, these chilling effects continue to multiply, the coalition warned. Over the past week, university administrators have increasingly sounded the alarm as visas are being revoked from international students who have no known ties to the pro-Palestinian protests. In many cases, the colleges were not notified of any changes in legal statuses, but happened upon them during routine searches of a federal database. The opaque policy has touched private colleges and public university systems alike, including Columbia, the City University of New York, NYU and Fordham. ______ New York states public transit is the most dangerous in the US, a new analysis found. Between 2021 and 2023, mass transit in the Empire State saw 23 deaths, 1,641 violent incidents and 1,759 injuries for a hair-raising average of 17.5 perilous incidents per 100,000 riders, personal injury attorneys John Foy & Associates found in its analysis of US Department of Transportation data. Illinois was No. 2 on the list of most dangerous public transit systems, with 13.3 incidents per 100,000 riders, followed by Minnesota (11), Massachusetts (8.1) and Pennsylvania (4.9). With a hair-raising average of 17.5 perilous incidents per 100,000 riders, the level of danger in New Yorks public transit system easily outpaced those in other states. Donna Grace/NY Post Design California which was the only state to record more mass-transit deaths than New York, with 31 saw 4.4 perilous incidents per 100,000 riders. The least dangerous transit states were Arizona and Washington each, with 2.6 dangerous incidents per capita. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New York City home to the MTA, the largest public transportation agency in North America subways alone saw a daily ridership of 3.2 million from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8. Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant, recalled the frightful period in the Big Apples underground. Over that three-, four-year period between 2020 and 2024, we had just as many murders as we had done in the previous 20 years in the New York City subway system, recalled Giacalone, an adjunct professor at Penn State University-Lehigh Valley. In 2022, the city subway system saw 10 murders the highest number in 25 years. There had never been more than five murders underground in a single year between 1997 and 2020, according to NYPD data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the morning rush on April 12, 2022, madman Frank James, 62, lit a smoke bomb and opened fire in a packed subway car in Brooklyn, shooting 10 people and injuring a total of 29. On April 12, 2022, 10 straphangers were shot and a total of 29 were injured when Frank James opened fire in a packed subway car in Brooklyn. DOJ James was sentenced to life in prison for the planned-out, race-fueled attack. AP James was sentenced to life in prison for the planned, race-fueled attack aboard the N train in Sunset Park which petrified the city just as pandemic restrictions had eased. More recently, an illegal migrant allegedly torched a woman to death on a Brooklyn subway. Guatemalan native Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, is accused of setting on fire a sleeping Debrina Kawam, 57, then watching her burn, during the terrifying Dec. 22, 2024 attack on an F train. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this year, the citys transit system has seen 50% more rapes with three, compared to two at this point last year and a 7% spike in misdemeanor assaults (409 vs. 382). Overall, crime is down 18% the second-lowest level of subway crime in 27 years, according to the NYPDs latest transit crime report and a department statement last week. Guatemalan native Sebastian Zapeta-Calil is accused of torching Debrina Kawam to death on a Brooklyn subway in December. Within a three-day period last month, three men reportedly died from getting struck by trains in Manhattans underground. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post For the first time in seven years, there were no murders in the transit system during the first quarter of 2025, the statement said, citing a surge in NYPD patrol of subway platforms and trains to combat crime and violence. Within a three-day period last month, three men one of whom was believed to be homeless died after being struck by trains in Manhattan. The city subway system has definitely taken a hit over the past several years, and a lot of that is to lay at the feet of [former mayor] Bill de Blasio and [former city council speaker] Melissa Mark-Viverito and a couple other city council members, who basically decriminalized a bunch of things and removed police from doing their jobs ultimately turning [the transit system] into a big homeless shelter, Giacalone told The Post. Editors note: The video aired in a previous newscast. NEW YORK (PIX11) One of the kids aboard the fatal helicopter crash that plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday was pronounced dead a day before their birthday, officials said. A family of five visiting New York City from Spain was having a birthday celebration when a Bell 206 helicopter broke apart and crashed. More Local News The passengers were identified as Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their three children: Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10. Mercedes was set to turn nine on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 36-year-old pilot, Seankese Johnson, a U.S. Navy veteran, also lost his life in the tragedy. The companys owner, Michael Roth, to the New York Post, was devastated and had no clue what 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 anything like this during his 30 years in the helicopter business, but noted: These are machines, and they break. The NTSB and NYPD divers are using sonar to locate key parts of the helicopter; an investigation is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The helicopter that crashed had completed multiple tours before the accident. Officials remarked that the company is a very busy operator, which could raise questions about maintenance. This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Authorities charged a veteran NYPD detective with sexual abuse after he allegedly grabbed a female cops butt inside of police headquarters a move that his lawyer blasted as unjustified and inexplicable. Det. Paul DAmico, who has been with the department since 1996, was accused of groping the female officer just before 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 5 at 1 Police Plaza. I felt an individual squeeze my right buttocks with their hand, according to a complaint filed with the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. Det. Paul DAmico was accused of groping the female officer just before 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 5 at 1 Police Plaza, according to reports. Steven Hirsch When the shocked woman turned around, she saw DAmico, 51, was the only individual in the area directly behind her, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second-grade detective allegedly said, Im sorry! as he ran away. DAmico was arrested on Thursday and charged with forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree, both misdemeanors. During his arraignment, a Manhattan criminal court judge ordered him released without bail but issued an order of protection to bar DAmico from approaching the victim for the foreseeable future. NYPD Detective Paul DAmico was arrested Thursday and charged with forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree. 50-a.org DAmico had been assigned to the NYPDs Criminal Justice Bureau, where he chauffeured around head Chief Ruben Beltran when he allegedly grabbed the woman. He was transferred to the NYPDs Medical Division in March. During his arraignment, a Manhattan criminal court judge ordered him released without bail but issued an order of protection to bar DAmico from approaching the victim for the foreseeable future. Christopher Sadowski The decision here to charge him criminally is as unjustified as it is inexplicable. Det. DAmico is a highly regarded 27-year veteran of the Department with a spotless record. Yet the Manhattan DA has treated him like a common criminal, James Moschella, a Detectives Endowment Association attorney, told The Post. Shark Tank investor Kevin OLeary argued during a recent interview that President Trumps tariffs against China are necessary because the U.S. has to train Beijing like a puppy to not steal intellectual property. Its not just trade tariffs. Its you cheating and stealing. Were tired of it, and youve got to stop. They actually dont care that they steal IP [intellectual property] they dont. They think its OK, OLeary said during a Friday morning appearance on CNN. Its almost the analogy is like a puppy when youre training it. You stick the nose in the poo poo, and you roll up a newspaper and you smack it on their rear end, the Canadian businessman told host Jim Sciutto. Thats what we got to do here in China. I hate to use that analogy, but thats where were at after 20 years. They have not understood how this works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has upset global trades status quo with his Liberation Day tariffs, targeting countries around the world with a flat 10 percent import tax in addition to steeper tariffs on China. He also instituted higher reciprocal tariffs against dozens of nations before pausing them for 90 days. The trade shake-up has led to instabilities in the global financial markets and worries for consumers at home that the U.S. could be plunging into a recession. Trumps pause on tariffs against most countries Wednesday excluded China for which he increased the duty 125 percent. That was on top of a 20 percent tariff already in place. China fired back against the 145 percent tax Friday morning, raising the tariff on goods coming from the U.S. to 125 percent, which is set to kick in Saturday. Earlier this week, OLeary said he favors slapping 400 percent tariffs on China, accusing the worlds second-largest economy of not abiding by the rules of the World Trade Organization, which the country joined in 2001. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not about tariffs anymore. Nobody has taken on China yet not the Europeans, no administration for decades, OLeary said Tuesday. As someone who actually does business there, Ive had enough. The Canadian entrepreneur said Friday that he wants Chinese President Xi Jinping to come to the negotiating table whereever it is and hammer out a fresh deal with the U.S. I encourage this to happen, because I dont want this trade war with China. I want to trade with the Chinese people, but they steal our IP, like they dont even care, OLeary 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 The Hill. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) An Oakland man was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday for a 2023 incident where he forced a woman on a ride-along then pointed an illegally owned loaded gun at officers during a foot chase, said prosecutors Friday. Oakland hit and run victim wants answers Pedro Juarez, 33, was found guilty by a jury on Sept. 25, 2024 of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a felony, said the Northern District of California Department of Justice (DOJ). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juarez is currently in custody and will begin his sentence right away. The DOJ said evidence presented at trial proved that Juarez forced a female acquaintance on Aug. 16, 2023 to travel with him from San Jose to San Francisco. The woman called police after she was let go by Juarez, and officers soon located him in the city, said the DOJ. Juarez pulled a loaded firearm from his waistband while running from police and raised it towards officers. However, his arm hit a nearby railing, and he dropped the weapon to the ground before he could fire. Juarez was forced by a judge to forfeit the recovered gun and ammunition. He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) aided in the prosecution of this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Oceanside man arrested in homicide case after body found in dirt lot Video above: This Nexstar Media video explains resources available to crime victims. OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Two months after a man was found dead in a dirt lot in Oceanside, local authorities have made an arrest in the case. The identity of the victim has also been released. It all stemmed from a seemingly ordinary Tuesday afternoon on Feb. 11, 2025. That was until officers with the Oceanside Police Department responded to a call reporting an individual with traumatic injuries in the 400 block of Foussat Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As explained by OPD, officers arrived to find 48-year-old Felipe Martinez, an Oceanside resident, lying lifeless with clear signs of trauma. The grim discovery was made in a dusty lot not far from residential homes and businesses. Scooter rider killed in La Jolla crash Detectives from OPDs Crimes of Violence Unit responded and launched an investigation. On Saturday, April 12, an update in the case was announced, with authorities confirming the arrest of 34-year-old Jordan Taylor Eustaquio. Also an Oceanside resident, was booked on suspected murder chargers While details remain under wraps, police have not yet revealed how Eustaquio and Martinez knew each otherif at allor what led to the suspected encounter. According to OPD, the homicide investigation remains ongoing as detectives are still working to piece together exactly what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Detective Mark Theriot at 760-435-4378 or email him: MTheriot@oceansideca.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) While APD is getting ready to bring the National Guard to Central, the Bernalillo County district attorney and sheriff have already spent two months cracking down in the same area under a special operation. The district attorney says their operation has already led to around 400 arrests. Right now, theyre not sure how or if their operation will sync up with APDs work with the guard. Thats a big bust, right Last night was a big bust, said Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. A big bust on Central to the tune of 26,000 fentanyl pills with deputies arresting Luis Flores and a minor as part of Operation Route 66. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albuquerque Police Department outlines specific roles of National Guardsmen We had a vehicle pursuit, we had a foot pursuit, but everybody were in conjunction with the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, the DAs office. We used their air unit, we utilized all of our resources, and we took them into custody after a long evening. And all of those pills coming off the street, its just not about an arrest; we just saved a bunch of lives, said Sheriff John Allen Bernalillo County. Of around 400 arrests theyve made on East Central since February, 283 have been for outstanding warrants, and at least five suspects are charged with homicide. The DA says they plan to keep the joint operation going. We dont want these criminal elements to come back into the neighborhood, and we want to hold them accountable. We have a full-time prosecutor assigned to every one of these cases. Were going to follow them through, said Bregman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the National Guard is expected to help APD in a different capacity soon. VIDEO: Man arrested by APD headbutts officer Sheriff John Allen says that so far, they have no plans to use the guards help in their current Operation Route 66. Were going to stay on our lane. I mean, could it happen? Maybe. The national guard, theyre in a PSA role. I didnt request a national guard, so not to be rude, I dont need them. I mean, thats something the Albuquerque Police Department asked for. Were going to continue the mission and everything that weve been doing as the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, and well continue doing so, said Allen. DA Bregman says while the operations are different, the goal is the same. We will continue to monitor all this and make sure that whatever is done, whether or not its evidence collection or participating in any other way, in any way of an investigation, we will make sure its done appropriately so that we can hold people accountable under the law and prosecute them to the full extent of the law and make sure our cases are solid when were going into court, said Bregman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, the DA and sheriff arent putting an end date on Operation Route 66. APD is expected to start working with the guard next month. Operation Route 66 is also said to be responsible for getting nearly 30,000 fentanyl pills off the street so far, along with 25 guns and 27 stolen cars. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Limited educational and structured career pathways have led to a growing gap in the U.S. space workforce, a critical shortfall the nation must urgently address if it is to reclaim its longstanding edge in scientific leadership and global technological competition, industry leaders warned last week. Experts from the military, NASA and private business sounded the call to action at a Thursday luncheon during the 40th Space Symposium at The Broadmoor. The luncheon was hosted by Space Workforce for Tomorrow, a strategic initiative of the Space Foundation that aims to confront the talent gap and develop a highly skilled, mission-ready workforce. With China making rapid advances in space technology and other adversaries trying to limit America's presence in space, the U.S. now faces a national imperative, experts said. "It's a pivotal moment. The future requires that the workforce is agile, that it's the highest skilled we've ever had, that it's ready to lead us into the next era, and that we're not just preparing the next generation (but) we're building the best space workforce the world has ever seen," Space Workforce for Tomorrow Executive Director Melanie Stricklan said. Exceeding the challenge requires collaboration between industry, governments, nonprofits and academia, leaders said Thursday. The Space Report issued last week states private space sector employment growth slowed in 2024, increasing in five key sectors only 1.1% from 2023 to 2024, based on initial estimates from the first half of last year. It's the slowest growth rate since a contraction of the sector in 2016, the report said, but that may only be temporary. Almost 74% of a range of space companies surveyed by Space Workforce for Tomorrow and Space Foundation said they are hiring for new roles, and 84% expect continued hiring over the next three to five years. Five-year growth for the industry has also been much more substantial, increasing 18% from 2019 to 2024, the report said. Growth in U.S. space-sector employment has exceeded overall growth in the private sector, increasing 27% in the last decade to the private sector's 14.3%. Steady workforce growth and the tens of thousands of applications submitted every year for industry-related graduate research fellowships and internships reflect persistent interest among potential talent. Despite the "dynamic environment" for federal employees, who have faced thousands of job cuts in the first months of 2025 under President Donald Trump's efforts to decrease the size of the federal workforce, NASA fielded 35,000 applications for its latest internship program, said Joseph Pelfrey, director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. "That's amazing recognition for understanding there is still an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) from our students and we have to continue to foster that." Featured Local Savings Another 16,000 young Americans applied for a graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation this year, Heather Wilson, president of the University of Texas at El Paso, said in her keynote speech. Wilson served as the 24th secretary of the Air Force and is also a former congresswoman. The challenge lies in funding these fellowships and fostering a more robust education-to-workforce pipeline. Of those 16,000 research fellowship applicants, only 1,000 of them were funded, Wilson said. "The next time someone says to you, 'Well, there's really not enough interest and talent in the United States that wants to study advanced science and engineering,' (remember that) one out of 16 actually get funded. That is a problem." Wilson criticized educational institutions that pride themselves on their exclusivity and urged space businesses to lower barriers to employment by offering paid internships and job placement services. A lack of equitable access means the space industry is shutting out talented individuals of lower socioeconomic status, she said. Most students, more than 90%, attend college within 200 miles of where they were raised, often in the same state in which they live. Fewer than 1% of American students attend Ivy League universities, and fewer than 7% attend universities with strict admission requirements, Wilson said. A Stanford University study of its 2024 freshman class shows only 16.9% of all first-year students across the nation's some 4,000 higher-education institutions came from families making $60,000 a year or less. Compare that with the 2022 median national household income of about $77,000, she said. "Unfortunately, talent is evenly distributed but opportunity is not," Wilson said. " You are more likely to graduate from college if you graduated high school in the lowest 20% academically and the highest 20% socioeconomically than the reverse. We need to change that, because that's where the challenge is." America must prioritize long-term workforce development across the sciences and engineering fields, she said. Educational institutions should partner with space businesses and agencies to create new curriculums, better teach students science and engineering fundamentals, and better foster interest in the space industry, experts said. Heather Nelson, director of Club for the Future, American space technology company Blue Origin's K-12 STEAM education nonprofit, said as well as hiring professionals with higher education degrees, her company has also focused on hiring professionals without degrees but who are skilled in manufacturing trades. "What has changed for us is that we're not just designing space flight vehicles. We are designing, building and testing them. You need people who have these skilled trades," Nelson said. Shea Ferring, chief technology officer at Firefly Aerospace, a Texas-based company that builds orbital vehicles and has a Colorado Springs office, said education only goes so far. Students must also have passion and determination, crucial components for success in the challenging space industry. "If (an applicant does not) have the wisdom (or industry) experience how do you hire? You look at their passion," he said. "That also has to be coupled with grit. This is really hard. If you don't enjoy falling on your face daily and getting back up, Firefly is probably not for you. You just have to literally embrace it." Maj. Gen. Timothy A. Sejba, commander of the U.S. Space Force's Space Training and Readiness Command, told industry leaders in the audience that they also play a crucial part in workforce readiness. Headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, the command prepares U.S. Space Force forces for combat. "We need to understand just how much this space industry has changed over the last five to 10 years. Theres innovation happening everywhere you turn," he said. " ... Some of what were doing right now to scan the horizon (for threats or other scientific or technological surprises) starts with all of you in industry. Ten years ago, we probably would have had a couple dozen companies we could turn to regularly when we sought proposals. Now, were going to 100 companies every time we need a proposal." (WJW) Destroy them before they hatch: Thats the advice from agriculture experts in Ohio and throughout much of the country as temperatures start to warm up. While these mud-like masses may look harmless, theyre actually getting ready to produce a fresh batch of the invasive and damaging spotted lanternfly. You may remember previous calls for action from the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking people if they saw one to report it and kill it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio State University Extension said in a recent post to Facebook, Now is the time to look for the egg masses of these invasive insects and destroy them before they hatch. Tick that can cause meat allergy may be spreading: What to know Extension Educator Amy Stone wrote in a recent report that each spotted lanternfly mass typically contains between 30 and 50 eggs. The egg masses are often found on trees (like the tree of heaven) or man-made surfaces, like grills, vehicles, and outdoor machinery. Essentially, if you havent used any of your outdoor items since fall, you should check for the egg masses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See what the egg masses look like in the slideshow below: Spotted Lanternfly Newmaker Piper Sherburne lives in District Township and lives in the hot zone. She and her husband are part of a group of residents that bands trees in the area. Egg mass on an Ailanthus tree on her property. Ailanthus trees are an invasive Asian tree. Photo by Susan L. Angstadt 12/21/2015 (Photo By Susan L. Angstadt/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 26: Spotted lanternfly eggs are shown attached to a tree at Inwood Hill Park on September 26, 2022 in New York City. Spotted lanternflies, an insect native to Southeast Asia that scientists say arrived in the U.S. seven years ago and in New York City in 2020, feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, leaving them susceptible to disease and destruction from other pests. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also previously encouraged those who see these spotted lanternfly egg masses in spring to destroy them. Native to China, the spotted lanternfly was first reported in the U.S. when a Pennsylvania forester noticed the bug in 2014. It has since spread to at least 17 other states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insect feasts off of fruit, ornamental, and woody trees, targeting the sap from over 70 different plant species, PennState Extension explains. Theyre able to shoot out a sap, referred to as honeydew by entomologists, that can coat the leaves of a plant, blocking photosynthesis and stressing the plant, Shannon Powers, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, previously explained to Nexstar. Have these bugs infiltrated your home? Heres what you should know If you do find a spotted lanternfly egg mass (or the insect in any other phase of its life), you should first report the sighting to state officials. The USDA has a list of state-specific reporting details. If your state is not on that list, consider reaching out to your local or state departments of agriculture or natural resources. Officials will most likely ask for any photos or videos youve taken of the egg mass, and encourage you not to move any wood or other possibly-infected materials. Unless officials instruct you otherwise, once youve reported the sighting, you can destroy the egg masses. Youll need to crush the masses evenly and watch for them to burst open thats how you know its been done properly. PennState Extension recommends scraping the egg mass into a bag or container of hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol, and then disposing of the bag or container. The USDA says pressure washing has also been found to be effective in destroying the egg masses from hard surfaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cicadas return in 2025: Will we see them in Ohio? Egg masses may be treated with horticultural oils during the winter months or before bud break in the spring, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. You can see photos of full-grown spotted lanternflies below. Melville, N.Y.: Spotted lanternfly seen in a parking lot in Melville, New York on August. 15, 2024. (Photo by J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images) WEEHAWKEN, NJ JULY 18: A spotted lanternfly walks on a car window on July 18, 2024, in Weehawken, New Jersey. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 26: Dead spotted lanternflies perch on a tree at Inwood Hill Park on September 26, 2022 in New York City. Spotted lanternflies, an insect native to Southeast Asia that scientists say arrived in the U.S. seven years ago and in New York City in 2020, feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, leaving them susceptible to disease and destruction from other pests. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) At best, the spotted lanternfly can only travel about a mile on its own, and thats if it gets some help from the wind, Powers explained. Otherwise, it depends on its hitchhiking ability to move around, taking road trips on vehicles, trailers, outdoor equipment, or even hiking humans. There is no guaranteed way to keep the bug from spreading into new states and regions, but keeping it from hatching in the first place can help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USDA considers most states at risk for spotted lanternfly infiltration, with the exception of Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. NEW HAVEN, Conn. American conservatism was not always a primary political force in the United States, nor were its ideals and principles well articulated for a mass audience. Then came William F. Buckley Jr. With his precise Connecticut diction and boyish blond hair, Buckleys firebrand form of intellectualism gave conservative ideology a face, name and energy in the decades following Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal America. During the latter half of the 20th century, Buckley was everywhere on television and radio, his columns syndicated to hundreds of newspapers (he wrote some 6,000 over his lifetime), and he could even be found in the halls of power, including the White House. Through the publication he founded, National Review, Buckley articulated his views cheerfully and with acerbic humor. His tenets were those associated with conservative ideology today individual liberty, unregulated capitalism, traditional family values and the importance of faith and he championed them while goodnaturedly sparring with his ideological opposites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though liberals do a great deal of talking about hearing other points of view, Buckley wrote in 1959, it sometimes shocks them to learn that there are other points of view. Buckleys influence on American culture will be freshly examined with the June publication of a biography written by a writer that Buckley himself selected: Sam Tanenhaus, a historian and former editor of The New York Times Review of Books. The two got along well after collaborating on Tanenhauss biography of Whittaker Chambers and, in the past 10 years of his life, Buckley gave Tanenhaus access to his personal papers as well as substantial interview opportunities. Twenty-five years later, BUCKLEY: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America will be released on June 3. On Friday, Tanenhaus was at Buckleys alma mater, Yale University, for a conversation at the Yale Review Festival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes not just an ideologue. Hes a very interesting, more-complicated person than you might think, said Tanenhaus, whose book comes in at a door-stopping 1,040 pages. I was never in the company of someone whose mind worked as fast as his. And he was just a step ahead of you. William F. Buckley, Jr., right, chats with U.S. Sen. George McGovern, D-S.D., before the start of their debate at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 20, 1978. The debate, which was to be taped for Buckley's television show, was held before the Yale Political Union and was on the subject of the SALT talks. | Bob Child Interviewing Tanenhaus was Beverly Gage, the Pulitzer Prize winning historian and biographer of J. Edgar Hoover. A professor at Yale, she often interacts with Buckleys personal archives, which are stored on the campus the same school with which Buckley had, at best, a contentious relationship. One of the things that has always struck me in thinking about Buckley and teaching about Buckley is that he narrated himself as both an insider he loved to be at the center of things and then he [was] this ferocious outsider: the most misunderstood man of a movement that came from out in the wilderness to forge through the American consensus of the establishment, Gage said. Tanenhaus agreed. Though Buckleys father was fiercely opposed to the New Deal, the family lived 30 minutes away from FDR and frequented some of the same social circles as the president. Buckley was a conservative who attended a college that taught liberal economic policies and he had religion professors who were atheists, and yet he still managed to become the chairman of the Yale Daily News and a big man on campus, Tanenhaus said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buckleys first book, God and Man at Yale, was a scathing denunciation of the school. William F. Buckley Jr., the conservative pioneer and television "Firing Line" host, responds to questions during an interview July 20, 2004 in New York. Buckley died Wednesday morning, Feb. 27, 2008. | FRANK FRANKLIN II The talk covered Buckleys anti-communism, which first showed itself as support of Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin senator whose name is now synonymous with The Red Scare and the political persecution of supposed communists in the 1950s. Gage suggested that his commitment to anti-communism became not only the central part of his worldview, but allowed him to assemble the team of conservatives that became National Review and promote a common cause. Tanenhaus suggested, too, that his defense of McCarthy forged one of the more effective arguments still used by some conservatives today. So, you dont like McCarthy. Does that mean you like communists better? In the years that followed, Buckley made a transition from being the intellectual gadfly, to being someone whos much more directly engaged in politics, Gage said. He helped to nominate a prominent conservative onto the Republican presidential ticket in Barry Goldwater, then ran a mostly performative bid for mayor of New York that garnered significant national attention for his political views, which he used to create his television brand. His show Firing Line lead to a series of era-defining debates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best thing he had was his ability to listen, said Tanenhaus. The way I call it, a predatory attentiveness. He wanted to know what you were going to say so he could take it apart. He quickly rose to greater and greater spheres of influence, which culminated in the presidential election of 1979. By that November, Buckley had helped to usher in a new president in Ronald Reagan, whose platform was aligned with much that Buckley had argued for since his days at Yale. It represented a sea change in how America understood its values from the days of progressive politics and large-scale federal actions to one of smaller government, free markets and more traditional family values. Reagan was in some ways a creation of Bill Buckley, ideologically, Tanenhaus said. In the Q&A following the talk, an audience member asked Tanenhaus who admitted that he doesnt always agree with Buckley or conservative politics if he had been co-opted by the charm and affability of Buckley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very complicated, said Tanenhaus. If you were in his company, no matter who you were, then youd be treated with courtesy and dignity. Id rather have more of that in a culture than less. He added, Given all the options, all the ways things can go and have gone, I think were better off with him than without him. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio food banks say the two-year state operating budget is cutting the needs of hungry Ohioans short. The state budget currently has about 24.5 million dollars for food banks, most of the money coming from the federal program Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks said that will not go far enough. Pastor Susan Roark, who runs a pop-up food pantry each week, said she sees the need firsthand. It has been a struggle. It is a weekly effort, she said. We distribute about 20,000 pounds of groceries every single week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roark runs her pop-up food pantry every Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 2:30 pm. She said during that two-and-a-half hour time frame, about 250 to 350 Ohioans show up. We started in December of 2021, and we had about 50 people showing up each week, she said. And it has just continued to grow as the word has spread in the community. Reynoldsburg City Schools cuts 51 teachers As the need goes up, so does the price of food. Thats why the Ohio Association of Foodbanks said they are looking for an additional $4.93 million per year to help cover those costs. The Mid-Ohio Food Collective, for example, distributed more than 83 million pounds of food in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson said in 2018 that the average cost per pound of state-purchased produce was 19 cents. In 2024, it was 29 cents. I dont care who you are, weve all seen those prices go up. Eggs are nearly $7 a dozen. Thats ridiculous, Roark said. So, we have just seen that need continue to grow. Governor Mike DeWine said while making sure Ohioans have food is very important, we have a lot of needs in Ohio. He said food banks have been prioritized as best as they can. What we tried to do during the pandemic when we had extra federal dollars, we put a lot of those extra dollars, those one-time dollars, into our food banks, DeWine said. We were proud to do that, and we think it was the right thing to do, but that does not necessarily mean that we, this time, cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWine said food banks are seeing flat funding as compared to a normal budget year, when the state did not have an influx of federal, one-time, COVID-19 relief dollars. People are complaining, but theyre really complaining about us giving one-time money to the food banks, and now we cant give one-time money because it was one-time money, and now its gone, DeWine said. Every single week, we are having more and more families and individuals come. So, it is critical that the funding not be decreased, but that it be increased, Roark said. Because this need is not going to go away. Its just not. The budget passed the Ohio House on Wednesday and now heads to the Ohio Senate. Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) said that in the last budget cycle, they reined in TANF spending to ensure it was not being misused or overused. In this budget cycle, he said he has not looked specifically at food bank funding yet and is unsure what his chamber will do right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statehouse is on spring break for the next two weeks, but the budget must pass by July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. DENVER (KDVR) A well that was releasing water with some oil and gas at a Chevron oil and gas facility in Weld County was contained Thursday and was sealed on Friday. Weld County announced in a press release Friday that the Bishop Well site in Galeton was safely sealed, which fully secured the well. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The release began on Sunday and a visible liquid plume could be seen. Containment efforts successfully stopped the release Thursday around 3:30 p.m., the county said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release prompted a temporary closure of Galeton Elementary School and evacuations in the area within a half-mile radius, displacing 12 people. One Chevron business partner employee was injured sometime during the containment incident. According to a Saturday press release, more than 340 people helped in the response effort. The county said that with the well sealed, recovery efforts began, starting with cleanup in the periphery of the affected area, which includes the elementary and evacuated homes. The safety of our neighbors, workers and environment remains our top priority, and we are currently evaluating when it will be safe for people to return home, the county said. Recovery efforts continue, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air monitoring Surface and ground water sampling Soil sampling Assessment of any landowner impacts Cleaning structures, roads, and vehicles The investigation is also ongoing, and Weld County said findings will be communicated once it is completed. Outreach efforts to impacted community members are under way, the county said. The county has details about the incident online, as well as a page with resources for community members and frequently asked questions. Anyone impacted by the incident is urged to contact the Bishop Well Incident claims line at 877-359-1285, and the county urges livestock owners to contact their veterinarian to evaluate and monitor their animals. A Community Information Line can be reached at 970-400-4264. 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. Crews will pick up debris later this month from March wildfires that destroyed $6.5 million worth of property in northern Oklahoma County, including 24 homes damaged or burned down around Luther. Meanwhile, the county assessor's office has recalculated ad valorem taxes owed on the burned properties, as well as 386 homes damaged or destroyed by late-season tornadoes in November. People in the Luther area have about 10 days to get debris placed on county road rights-of-way behind ditches, not in them for pickup April 21 to May 2, said Myles Davidson, who represents District 3 on the Board of County Commissioners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Please place these materials just behind our bar ditches so as not to impede water flow," Davidson said. "We cannot pick up any new building materials, only debris from the fires, and it must be placed in the right-of-way before those dates." More: Gov. Stitt doubles down on criticizing state Forestry Services' response to wildfires Where to leave debris from March wildfires in northeastern Oklahoma County The Harrah Fire and Rescue Department heads toward the flames March 14 in Luther. District 3 crews will pick up debris along these section-line roads, and certain side roads, from April 21 to May 3. Waterloo Road from west of Indian Meridian Road east to Peebly Road. Sorghum Mill Road from midway between Henney Road and Choctaw Road east to Peebly Road. Coffee Creek Road from Henney Road to just east of Peebly Road. Covell Road from just west of Henney Road east to Indian Meridian Road. Indian Meridian Road from Waterloo Road south to Covell Road. Triple X Road from Coffee Creek Road halfway to Sorghum Mill Road. For other areas of District 3, call 405-713-2180. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Oklahoma's chief forester to resign after wildfires impact areas across the state How much property taxes were reduced after November tornadoes and March wildfires? A fire burns behind a law enforcement vehicle March 14 near Triple X Road and Coffee Creek in Luther. Because of the tornadoes and fires, property taxes were collectively reduced by about $356,000, County Assessor Larry Stein said. "(We) sent out our field appraisers as soon as possible to evaluate the latest damage. The wildfires were fueled by extremely high winds that caused embers to hopscotch all over the only pattern of damage was created by the random winds," he said. Stein said the burned property suffered $6.5 million in damage. Taxes owed collectively were reduced by $40,211, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storm- and tornado-damaged property suffered $44 million in damage, Stein said, resulting in reduction of $316,000 in taxes owed collectively, he said. Same-year property tax relief after natural disasters is relatively new What happens next when storms or wildfires destroy homes and businesses? The Assessors Office reports the damage that is documented to the County Board of Tax Roll Corrections (TRC)," Stein said in a news release. "When the property value is reduced, the property taxes on the real property may also be reduced. The land will still have a value and create a property tax obligation for the owner. "Oklahoma County Treasurer Butch Freemans office will take all the information from the TRC. The treasurers office will reduce or refund property taxes due to damage caused by the storm or fire." Same-year tax reductions after such property damage is relatively new, Stein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before legislative changes suggested by assessors, there was no provision to reduce property value after natural disasters during the current year," he said. "The Legislature approved the changes after wildfires in central Oklahoma in April of 2010. "Just like this springs wildfires, those in 2010 hopscotched across the county destroying more than 100 homes and injuring more than 30 people. Without this legislative change ... homeowners would have suffered the loss of their home and have been required to pay the entire years property taxes on a home that was no longer there." Staff writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com, starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County collecting debris from wildfires, tornadoes OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR) An Oklahoma family was shocked when they were told they had used 350,000 gallons of water in March. Our sister station, KFOR in Oklahoma City, reports that the Arnold family received a warning from OKC utilities that their water usage was unusually high. They reportedly looked for leaks but found none. Later that month, they received a $3,000 bill from the utility, claiming they had used 350,000 gallons of water in the past month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were a little panicked, Leah Arnold told KFOR. Dad beats man after finding him in childs bedroom A city inspector was sent to the home, but he also found no leaks. He said, your meters working just fine When my husband said, Well, what do we do? He basically said, youll just have to pay the bill, said Arnold. They didnt really want to work with us or help us. The couple contacted KFOR, who contacted Oklahoma City Utilities on their behalf. After further investigation, we identified that the customers high consumption for the March billing cycle was a result of a meter reading error, which has now been corrected. The customer did not receive a bill with incorrect information. When our Customer Service team was alerted to the high consumption, they informed the customer that they may potentially have a high bill if their meter read was accurate. However, as the meter reading error has been corrected, their bill, which will soon be issued, will reflect accurate billing details. A supervisor spoke with the customer yesterday to inform them of the error, apologize for the inconvenience and confirm that the updated consumption aligns with their usage. City of Oklahoma City Utilities Department This is such a huge weight off of our shoulders, said Arnold. Im really glad that you guys were able to help talk to them and get them to kind of see sense. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. An Olathe, Kansas man who was wrongly accused of being a shooter and illegal alien at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally in 2024 has died. Attorney Arthur Benson confirmed to FOX4 that Denton Loudermill Jr. was found dead Friday morning by his family. No cause of death has been released at this time. Residents frustrated by lack of communication in Lexington explosion The deadly shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally occurred on February 14, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Tim Burchett posted on X falsely identifying Loudermill as a shooter at the rally. The post said the shooter was identified as an illegal alien. It had a picture of Loudermill sitting on the sidewalk in handcuffs. The post spread across social media, however, Kansas City police said Loudermill had nothing to do with the shooting and that they actually detained many people that day who were not involved. Loudermill said that the posts have resulted in death threats and mental distress like anxiety, agitation and sleep disruption. He filed a lawsuit against Burchett, seeking $75,000 in damages. However, last September, a federal judge in Kansas granted Burchetts motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month later, a judge tossed three more lawsuits filed against three Republican Missouri state senators: Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and Nick Schroer of St. Charles County. The judge cited issues with jurisdiction. Loudermill, who is from Olathe, filed in federal court in Kansas, rather than in Missouri, where the lawmakers were from. The shooting outside Union Station killed a well-known radio DJ and injured more than 20 others, many of them children. Loudermills lawsuits said he froze when the gunfire erupted, standing in the middle of the chaos so long that police had put up crime scene tape by the time he finally started to walk away. As he tried to go under the tape to leave, officers stopped him and told him he was moving too slow. They handcuffed him and put him on a curb, where people began taking pictures and posting them on social media, the suits said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Loudermill was ultimately led away from the area and told he was free to go. Benson tells FOX4 that even after Loudermills passing, litigation will continue on his behalf. Another attorney for Loudermill, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, released the following statement to FOX4 Friday night. It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mr. Loudermills passing. More details will be provided in time, but for now, we ask that you honor the familys need for privacy as they come together to grieve this tremendous loss. While the family takes this time to mourn, we want to make it clear that this is not over. Mr. Loudermill should not have spent his final days burdened with stress and chasing down a lie that went viral due to the careless and heartless actions of a Congressman, Missouri senators, and social media influencers, who couldnt be bothered to verify the truth before destroying a mans life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you thought we were determined before, you havent seen anything yet! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The oldest known survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor died this week. Vaughn P. Drake, Jr. was 106. Drake passed away on April 7, in his home in Kentucky. He was born Nov. 6, 1918 in Winchester, KY, only days before the end of World War I. He would be present at the start of the U.S. entry into World War II. 84 years ago, he was an Army engineer, working in Oahu. He and other engineers were working at a temporary power plant, set up to help with construction at Kaneohe Naval Air Station, according to details shared in his obituary. In a 2016 interview with a local newspaper, Drake said that initially he and his fellow soldiers didnt believe they were under attack. He was on his way to breakfast when he started seeing planes fly by. Even when he saw red dots on their tails the emblem of the Imperial Japanese military the soldiers thought it must have been the Army Air Corps carrying out maneuvers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no way Japan could get planes over Pearl Harbor! We didnt think it could possibly happen, he told the Lexington Herald-Leader in a 2016 interview. The soldiers quickly learned it was a real attack and rushed to Kaneohe Naval Air Station, which was under attack. One Japanese plane would be shot down and crash into the grounds of the air base. Drake later recounted that he and other soldiers went to the wreck and took pieces from it. The surprise attack on the American base killed 2,403 people and damaged or destroyed more than a dozen ships in the harbor. More than 180 American aircraft were also destroyed in the assault. The Japanese strike brought the United States into the Second World War. Drake would go on to serve in island hopping campaigns in the Pacific, including taking part in the 1944 Battle of Saipan during the Marianas Campaign. He retired from the Army, having been awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Medal with Foreign Service bar and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with two battle stars. After the war he worked as an engineer for the General Telephone Company and retired in 1981. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly a dozen survivors of the attack are still alive, according to the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. In December the last survivor of the USS Utah, Warren Red Upton, passed away at the age of 105. Drake is survived by his son, two grandsons and three great-grandchildren. A military burial for Drake is set for Thursday, April 17. The latest on Task & Purpose DALE COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) One person has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run in Midland City. Sheriff Mason Bynum identified the suspect as Tony Atkins of Cairo, Georgia. Atkins has been charged with Vehicular Homicide, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Failure to Render Aid in the death of Troy Williams, a bicyclist who was found dead in a ditch along Highway 123 on Monday. Sheriff Bynum says Atkins was taken into custody in Georgia Friday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope this arrest provides Mr. Williams wife and family with some sense of closure, Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum said. Our thoughts are with them as they continue to process this difficult loss. The sheriff says he is fighting extradition back to Alabama and has been booked into the Grady County Jail. Legal proceedings are underway to transfer him back to Alabama, where he will be booked into the Dale County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. WEST DES MOINES, Iowa One person was injured during an apartment fire Friday night in West Des Moines. According to the West Des Moines Fire Department, around 11:18 p.m. fire crews were called to the 900 block of 9th Street on reports of a structure fire. Playing pickleball for a good cause: local organization hosts tournament fundraiser Crews arrived on scene at 11:23 p.m. and observed smoke coming from the building. Firefighters entered the apartment and began efforts to extinguish the fire. Fire crews located one victim inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individual was taken outside and transported by West Des Moines Emergency Medical Services to a local hospital. The person sustained serious injuries, according to authorities. No other units in the apartment building were damaged and no other injuries have been reported. Authorities say the damage is estimated to be around $50,000. An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Months after former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's death on Dec. 29, 2024, a lengthy quote regarding China that internet users attributed to him began to make the rounds online. On Facebook, for example, users shared one post (archived) from March 20, 2025, more than 44,000 times, as of this writing. The post claimed Carter said in a "recent interview" that China was "getting ahead" of the U.S. because the Chinese have not "gone to war with anyone" since the U.S. and China normalized relations in 1979. The post also claimed the former president said, "We wasted $300 billion in military spending to subjugate countries that sought to escape our hegemony." The same text also spread on other platforms, including Instagram (archived), LinkedIn (archived) and at least one blog site (archived), as copypasta a term for a piece of text that internet users share by copying and pasting it into posts. The full text that appeared in the posts is as follows: The American press has just recounted what former President Jimmy Carter said to Donald Trump during his recent interview about China. "You're worried that China is getting ahead of us, and I agree with you. But do you know why China is getting ahead of us? I normalized diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1979. Since then, do you know how many times China has gone to war with anyone? Not once, even though we're constantly at war. The United States is the most warlike nation in the history of the world because it wants to impose states that respond to our government and American values throughout the West, and to control companies that own energy resources in other countries." China, for its part, invests its resources in projects such as railways, infrastructure, intercontinental and transoceanic bullet trains, 6G technology, robotic intelligence, universities, hospitals, ports, buildings, and high-speed trains instead of using them for military spending. "How many kilometers of high-speed trains do we have in this country? We wasted $300 billion in military spending to subjugate countries that sought to escape our hegemony. China hasn't wasted a penny on war, and that's why it surpasses us in almost every area. And if we had spent $300 billion to install infrastructure, robots, and public health in the United States, we would have high-speed transoceanic bullet trains." We would have bridges that don't collapse, free healthcare for Americans, thousands of Americans who wouldn't be infected with COVID-19 more than any other country in the world. We would have roads that hold up properly. Our education system would be as good as South Korea's or Shanghai's." - Jimmy Carter. In short, there is some truth to this claim. On at least two separate occasions in 2019, Carter did compare China to the U.S. in terms of economy, high speed railroad and life expectancy, and he said that while the U.S. has spent $3 trillion on war, China instead spent money on "things good for the Chinese people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, as we'll explain below, due to a lack of available recordings of one of the two occasions, we were unable to independently verify that Carter genuinely said other segments of the text that appears in the posts, such as the part reading, "We wasted $300 billion in military spending to subjugate countries that sought to escape our hegemony." What did Carter say and when? Carter compared China to the U.S. on at least two occasions following a phone conversation he had with President Donald Trump in April 2019. Both instances occurred during the Sunday talks he gave at his church, Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. The first talk in which Carter discussed his phone call with Trump and shared his thoughts on the differences between the economies of the U.S. and China took place on April 14, 2019. As of this writing, we are unable to secure a recording of this talk to confirm the exact words he used. Emma Hurt an NPR reporter at the time was present in the audience, and she quoted Carter in a series of X posts (archived) and in an article (archived) published that same day. We wrote to Hurt to ask if she could share footage of Carter's talk, and she responded that she was unable to find the recording she made that day. In Sunday school this morning President Carter said he got a call from @realDonaldTrump last night, and they talked about China. Carter said Trump is rightly concerned that China is getting ahead of us. #gapol pic.twitter.com/BYBUQhb2Tr Emma Hurt (@Emma_Hurt) April 14, 2019 We also reached out to the Carter Center and Maranatha Baptist Church seeking footage of the April 14 talk. We will update this story if we receive any response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Hurt's reporting, Carter said in that day's talk that Trump called him for the first time and said he was concerned about how China is "getting ahead of us." Carter reportedly asked the audience why this was, and then offered his own answer: "I normalized diplomatic relations with China in 1979. Since 1979 do you know how many times China has been at war with anybody? None. And we have stayed at war." Hurt noted in her article that this statement was not entirely correct, writing, "China and Vietnam actually fought a brief border war in early 1979, weeks after normalization of U.S.-China relations." Carter reportedly said the U.S. is "the most warlike nation in the history of the world" because it has a tendency to try to force others to "adopt our American principles." According to Hurt, he also said: We have wasted I think $3 trillion It's more than you can imagine. China has not wasted a single penny on war and that's why they're ahead of us. In almost every way. And I think the difference is if you take $3 trillion and put it in American infrastructure you'd probably have $2 trillion leftover. We'd have high-speed railroad. We'd have bridges that aren't collapsing, we'd have roads that are maintained properly. Our education system would be as good as that of say South Korea or Hong Kong. I wasn't comparing my country adversely to China, I was just pointing that out because I happened to get a phone call last night. A few months later, on June 9, 2019, Carter returned to the topic of his call with Trump from April. Unlike the April 14 talk, footage of his this talk is publicly available via the YouTube page of Atlanta television news station 11Alive. That footage is embedded below. In the service, Carter said (at minute 23:27): A few weeks ago, I got my first call from President Trump. I was delighted and I was surprised, first time he'd ever called me. And I had written him a letter about the relationships with China. I normalized diplomatic relationships with China at the beginning of January 1979. He later said (at minute 27:40): The main thing that he emphasized to me was, the main purpose of his call, was to say very frankly to me on a private line, that the Chinese were getting way ahead of the United States in many ways. And not only economically, but in some other very important ways as well. And that was Saturday night, I taught Sunday school the next morning and I told the Sunday school class that I'd replied to President Trump that in the last number of years since 19[79] when we normalized relations, the United States had been at constant war with Iraq, and Afghanistan, and Syria and Yemen and many other countries. Almost constant war. And the expert economists estimate that we've spent about $3 trillion on those wars. A trillion is a million million. Or a thousand billions. So you see what an enormous amount of money that is for the United States to spend on what? On war. China has not been in combat with anybody since 19[79]. And they have about that same $3 trillion, they have a very flourishing economy to spend on things good for the Chinese people. I'll just give you two or three examples right quick: One is that they have 18,000 miles of high speed railroad. How many miles do we have? How many are we likely to have 20 years from now? Who knows? The child born in Beijing now, with all of its smog, has a life expectancy of five years more than a child born in Washington D.C. I've got a list of things but I won't go on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "19[79]" is in brackets in the block quote above because Carter mistakenly said at multiple points in this talk that the U.S. normalized relations with China in 1949. In reality, Carter and Deng Xiaoping, the former vice premier of China, normalized relations between the two countries in January 1979. In sum, Carter did say that China had not been in combat with anybody since 1979, and that it had a "flourishing economy to spend on things good for the Chinese people," compared to the U.S., which Carter said spent about $3 trillion on war since he normalized relations with China as U.S. president in 1979. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of other quotes that the copied-and-pasted social media posts attributed to Carter, such as "We wasted $300 billion in military spending to subjugate countries that sought to escape our hegemony," because primary-source footage was not available as of this writing. Sources: "A Momentous Occasion: A Look Back at President Carter's 1979 Decision to Normalize Relations with China." The Carter Center, https://www.cartercenter.org/news/features/p/china/40-anniversary-china-relations.html. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emery, David, and Bond Huberman. "Snopestionary: What Is Copypasta?" Snopes, 19 Sept. 2021, https://www.snopes.com//articles/369246/what-is-copypasta/. Hurt, Emma. 'President Trump Called Former President Jimmy Carter To Talk About China'. NPR, 15 Apr. 2019. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2019/04/15/713495558/president-trump-called-former-president-jimmy-carter-to-talk-about-china. Oprysko, Caitlin. "Trump Had a Weekend Phone Call with Jimmy Carter." Politico, 15 Apr. 2019, https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/15/trump-jimmy-carter-phone-call-1276509. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISx6BOU6pcQ&t=1408s. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025. In the iconic Western film High Noon, Marshal Will Kane, played by Gary Cooper, is left alone to do battle with a gang of outlaws. The townspeople, all of Kanes friends and even his own deputy turn their back on him, and indeed their own town, in their collective hour of need. That film serves as a metaphor for the multiple problems now plaguing the Democratic Party, not the least of which is its loss of touch with working-class and disenfranchised voters. A significant number of what used to be their base including many non-white voters have been turned off by identity politics at a record pace. The Will Kane in this case is any commonsense, pragmatic, populist Democrat of stature. The town is the Democratic Party. Those on the far left and many in the media will assume that the gang of outlaws is President Trump and his administration. Unfortunately for the viability of the Democratic Party, that kind of knee-jerk reaction only further erodes the partys support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlaws in this case are the far-left fringe within the Democratic Party. Those are the outlaws and the bullies that the regular town-folk of Democratville are petrified to call out. One Democrat who has sent signals that he now understands that is California Gov. Gavin Newsom. On a recent episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, Newsom went on about how the Democratic brand is toxic right now and that cancel culture was one of the reasons. Newsom also agreed when Maher quoted Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) that if there are not drastic changes, the Democratic Party is going to become the permanent minority. People often say that Newsom looks like a candidate from Hollywood central casting. Now, he seems like he is trying to fit the bill and ride to the rescue of the townspeople of Democratville. Except many of the people in his own town cant stand him, and Republicans and many independents believe him to be a political chameleon willing to say or do anything to get elected. Within his own party, Newsom has a huge problem. Much of the younger far-left embraces out with the old and in with the new. They not only see Newsom as part of the old but they are also angry with him for even pretending to talk with the other side most especially after he dared to invite the evil Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk on to his podcast, This is Gavin Newsom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, Newsom still at least knows that the new in this case has a very narrow and siloed support base. Two of the voices now regularly talked about by those who want to jettison the old are Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Both were recently back in the news Crockett for calling the president a MoFo, and Ocasio-Cortez for soundly beating Chuck Schumer in a poll for a (still just hypothetical) primary matchup for his New York Senate seat in 2028. To be sure, both Ocasio-Cortez and Crockett have seemingly large bases of support. But when you zoom back and look down upon that support, you see that it is only a sliver in a much larger pie. That sliver is filled with far-left voters who often favor socialist solutions. The rest of the pie is filled with November Democratic voters who are often more centrist and traditional. Therein lies part of the Democrats greater problem. The ouster through primary elections of the established, older, supposedly out-of-touch Democrats has become a proven and successful strategy for the outlaw far-left wing of the party. This is especially common when turnout is low and the far-left is energized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the movie High Noon, the train scheduled to pull into the town at noon was carrying the leader of a very small but vocal group of outlaws. It was a gang the townspeople even though they greatly outnumbered them and could have easily defeated them had they banded together feared to cross because of its outsized reputation. For the townspeople in Democratville, there are actually two trains soon pulling into their station. One in November 2026 and one in November 2028. Will those bullied people of Democratville be able to find their own Will Kane to confront the far-left leaders descending the steps of those trains in 2026 and 2028? Will anyone stand up to the outlaws, who figured out how to primary their own elders out of existence, as they seek to forever erase the traditional Democratic Party? Former President Bill Clinton has become radioactive to many Democrats over the last decade or so, especially to the partys progressive twentysomethings. Thats unfortunate, because Clinton truly understood politics and connected with the working class and the disenfranchised. As such, he knew the Democratic Party needed to move closer to the center to survive and side with the people and not special or pampered interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom now makes noises like Clinton but does not come across as authentic to many, he seems about as unauthentic as one can be. Newsoms time may have come and gone already. But those two trains will still pull into Democratville no matter what. And when they do, the townsfolk had better have someone to save them from the far-left gang bullying them into submission, or they will indeed become the permanent minority. Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Here in Utah and around the country, the next generation of young Republican leaders are ready to take the reins on some of the biggest issues of our times, like climate issues and clean energy. If implemented correctly, our transition to cleaner energy and a more modern, sustainable electric grid can help create jobs, strengthen local businesses and attract new ones to our state, and power a more robust, resilient economy throughout Utah and nationwide. Investing in clean and renewable energy production, transmission and technology can help Utah become a leader in market-driven, innovative clean energy solutions that strengthen reliability and lower costs for our homes and businesses while reducing the air pollution for which the Beehive State is notoriously known. Fortunately, led by smart, pro-growth energy policies, state leaders and private developers are working together to make these investments in solar energy and storage systems, geothermal energy projects, and smaller-scale, advanced nuclear power plants. Getting ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting and implanting these innovative energy solutions will help us create well-paying jobs and spur economic growth in our communities, ensuring we are leading on the clean energy transition in a way that makes sense for Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, to maximize the impact of these critical energy investments, we also need our lawmakers in Washington to pass bipartisan permitting reform at the federal level. The current, dysfunctional permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects often leads to massive delays adding costs and years onto project timelines or even prevents them from ever breaking ground. As these projects stall out or take years longer than necessary to complete, Utah communities lose out on the jobs, economic activity and environmental benefits they would otherwise provide. Streamlining the permitting process and eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles to new energy development can help expedite Utahs emerging clean energy leadership in everything from geothermal and solar power to advanced nuclear and geothermal energy to energy storage and efficiency. In other words, to help us cut emissions, we need lawmakers to first cut through the red tape by passing federal permitting reform. Permitting reform would help Utah move critical, economy-building energy projects forward more efficiently and effectively, putting Utahns to work and growing our clean energy workforce and economy. Ultimately, such reforms would also help ensure that free-market forces and not overly burdensome government mandates decide what kinds of clean energy succeed and work best for Utah homes, businesses and communities. According to recent polling, the majority of young Republican voters believe the United States should be prioritizing the development of renewable energy. Nearly 8 in 10 young Republicans ages 18 to 29 years old believe human activity contributes to climate change, and two-thirds support investing in renewables like solar and geothermal development over increasing fossil fuel production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This should be a wake-up call for conservative leaders from Salt Lake City to Washington, D.C., that we cannot leave clean energy policy up to the left. Otherwise, we will end up with government mandates dictating our clean energy transition rather than the free market. With control of both chambers of Congress as well as the White House, Republicans must seize the opportunity we have to lead on pro-growth, climate-smart energy policies that support increased investments in clean energy to help create jobs, improve the quality of life in our communities and bolster our entire economy. I want to thank Sen. John Curtis for helping to lead the charge by pushing for federal permitting reform that can maximize the much-needed energy and infrastructure investments coming to our state and help unlock Utahs full clean energy potential. The world is still watching to see if President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can come to an agreement over a mineral deal, which is seemingly losing momentum. This precious natural resource is seen as one of the key components to brokering peace in Ukraine, but the Trump administration would be wise to look beyond those borders critical minerals have serious implications around the world. Chinas recent decision to ban the export of key critical minerals to the U.S. and its subsequent announcement of new restrictions on the export of drones and related components have significant security ramifications. These minerals are core components in the production of semiconductors, military technologies, explosives and advanced missile systems needed by the U.S. for defense, industrial security and global competitiveness. Chinas dominance in the global production and processing of critical minerals is potentially a single point of failure in Americas longstanding leverage of its military strength to achieve a more secure and safer world. For the sake of Americas economy and national security, now is the time to consider establishing a U.S.-Africa Security Defense Tax Credit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This credit would incentivize American companies to innovate and invest in Africas critical minerals sector. This diversification of supply chains while simultaneously building U.S. domestic capability and reserve stockpiles can be most efficiently and effectively achieved through a strong partnership with Africa. Africa is home to some of the largest untapped reserves of critical minerals the Democratic Republic of Congo alone accounts for over 70 percent of the worlds cobalt production. Theres absolutely no reason for the U.S. to continue receiving 70 percent of our rare earth elements from China, and this alternative and reliable source from Africa would mitigate our reliance on the Chinese Communist Party and its subsequent vulnerabilities. Our proposed tax credit would help U.S. firms invested in the production and processing of strategic minerals in African Growth and Opportunity Act-eligible countries. The tax credit would also permit tax-free repatriation of profits. These benefits would strengthen national security, bolster American competitiveness and advance U.S.-Africa partnerships more generally. Simply put, a diversified supply chain is a more secure supply chain. Investing in Africa reduces our strategic vulnerabilities and builds a more resilient defense industrial base. This credit would also immediately position U.S. companies as preferred investors in Africa, enabling them to compete with China and other nations that are already heavily investing in the continent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And by extending these incentives to African Growth and Opportunity Act-eligible countries, the U.S. reinforces its commitment to Africa as a trusted partner, fostering economic development and stability across the region. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative has already positioned Beijing as a dominant player in African infrastructure and resource development. Europe, meanwhile, has launched its Critical Raw Materials Act to strengthen its access to essential minerals. The U.S. cannot afford to fall further behind. Africa is fast emerging as a battleground for global influence, and the U.S. must act decisively to maintain its leadership in the world. Offering a tax credit and tax-free repatriation of profits sends a clear signal to African nations: the U.S. is a reliable, long-term partner invested in their growth and stability. For Congress, this is a bipartisan opportunity to address a few defining challenges of our time: reduce dependence on an adversarial power, safeguard U.S. national security interests and strengthen our alliance with a region of the world that matters and is rapidly rising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) was a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House Committee on Appropriations, and House China Task Force. Hes also a world record-setting Air Force pilot, New York Times best-selling author, and co-chair of the Bipartisan African Growth and Opportunity Act Alliance. Rosa Whitaker was the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa in the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and she is co-chair of the Bipartisan African Growth and Opportunity Act Alliance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 space industry was ecstatic to get a shout-out in President Trumps first Joint Address to Congress. It appeared to be a signal that his administration was going to prioritize space issues, as it had during Trumps first term, when significant attention was paid to ensuring the competitiveness of the space industry. Unfortunately, the ever-evolving tariff regime is set to have the opposite effect. It will raise the cost of making rockets and satellites in the U.S., limit industry access to core inputs and materials and encourage boycotts of American products and services abroad. To begin with, while the space industry relies primarily on domestic manufacturing, given its current orientation towards government customers, it buys many raw inputs and certain key components from allied nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aluminum and steel, which have been singled out within the tariff regime, are used extensively by the space industry. Increased costs or shortages will directly affect the industrys ability to deliver spacecraft, rockets, satellites and more on time and on budget. Canada alone supplies more than half of the aluminum Americans use. This goes for NASA missions just as it does for Elon Musks SpaceX, which uses aluminum and steel for engines, propellant tanks, rocket bodies, and more. The situation is only poised to get worse with looming tariffs of 25 percent or more on Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese semiconductor chips. And thats just the direct effect of tariffs currently being considered, implemented or paused. Its still unclear what the full extent of retaliatory measures other countries will take in response will be. They can range from tariffs on American satellites, boycotts of U.S. launch services, disqualification of American firms from procurement and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. government has facilitated the growth of the commercial space industry for decades, and one core element of that business model is having customers other than the U.S. government. American launch and reentry companies dominate the global launch market, with customers representing at least 40 nations in 2024 alone, and aerospace firms counted $125 billion in exports last year. Unfortunately, in light of Trumps actions, the global community is both retaliating against American businesses and investing in their own capabilities with an eye towards long-term reduced reliance on American capabilities. Given the long lead time of these foreign capabilities, the effects will only become clear over time, but make no mistake: This is a long-term blow to American space leadership and the resulting soft power, not to mention national and economic security, that comes with it. Just as one example, the American space industry is already suffering from the export bans on germanium imposed by China last year. Germanium is used for solar arrays in space as it is uniquely suited to the challenging conditions. China is not the only country that exports germanium, but it is the largest, meaning this action has made it more expensive and challenging to acquire the material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This 2024 export ban came about as a result of the U.S. restrictions on semiconductor-related exports. While germanium is highly useful for space, it is best known for its importance to the semiconductor industry. The new tariffs, covering not only China but also decades-old space industry partners in Japan, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom, are significantly worse. Its terrifying to consider what kinds of retaliatory actions might be taken and the impact they could have on the American space industry. And what makes it all worse, there is no reason for these tariffs at all. As their harm spreads from this weeks financial market crash to Americas top-tier manufacturing and tech industries, President Trump must reconsider. Mary Guenther is the Progressive Policy Institutes director of space policy. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A group of Oregon businesses filed a class action lawsuit on Thursday, alleging two law firms in Tennessee led an $80 million racketeering scheme claiming the businesses were violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and demanded extortion. Filed in the U.S. District Court in Portland, the lawsuit involves more than 100 class members, including four Oregon businesses: Baek Family Partnership, AB Hollywood, My LLC, and The Penney Kim Trust. The suit alleges the law firms Wampler, Carroll, Wilson & Sanderson P.L.L.C. and Wade Law, LLC. improperly enriched themselves by hiring disabled persons to unwittingly serve as fraudulent testers of local businesses for ADA compliance purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 13 international students at Oregon State, 2 at Portland State face deportation over revoked visas During the scheme, the firms created a database mapping out tens of thousands of victims to target with potential ADA violations across more than 15 states, the suit alleges. Then, the firms paid the testers $200 to visit the business targets, and instead of asking the testers to inspect the property for ADA compliance, testers were asked to buy a candy bar from the businesses and take a photo documenting their on-site visit, court documents claim. Rather than sending the fake testers to a particular property to test for a specific violation or violations of the ADA, the Wampler defendants told the fake tester that all the fake testers needed to do was visit the victims property, purchase an item and upload a picture of the receipt item. The Wampler defendants expressly told the fake testers not to concern themselves with actually finding, confirming, encountering, or even attempting to encounter a specific obstacle or barrier in violation of the ADA. There is no need for you to inspect anything, the Wampler defendants wrote, because that has already been done, the lawsuit alleges, noting, unbeknownst to the testers, the firms lied about the existence of a third-party inspection of the businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest The firms then connected the fake testers to local attorneys who were hand-picked to facilitate the Wampler ADA racket, the suit alleges, noting the testers legal counsel would send extortionate demands to the businesses, claiming their clients experienced ADA-related barriers on the property. These potential violations focused on accessibility issues such as the width of painted parking spaces, the angle of parking lot access ramps and signage visibility. The letters stated that all purported ADA violations could be remediated by the property owner by paying attorney fees, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, the firms sent more than 4,000 demand letters and filed over 1,000 federal district court complaints, the lawsuit alleges. Travel + Leisure names hypnotic destination the most beautiful in Oregon Named in the lawsuit, J. Luke Sanderson of Wampler, Carroll, Wilson & Sanderson told KOIN 6 News on Friday, This lawsuit is wholly without merit. We are grateful for the opportunity to have represented individuals who have been denied access to public facilities based on their disabilities. This lawsuit will be vigorously defended, and we will prevail. Representatives with Wade Law Firm could not be reached. This story will be updated if we receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the class action lawsuit, attorneys representing the businesses say they want to restore trust in the ADA. 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. This lawsuit aims to restore faith in the ADA and on behalf of small business owners who were the disproportionate victims of this shakedown, said Joseph Mabe, lead attorney representing the plaintiffs with Sapient 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 KOIN.com. OUACHITA COUNTY, Ark. An Arkansas deputy helped rescue a couple who were stuck in their house surrounded by floodwater this week. It took strength and determination, but Ouachita County Sheriffs Office Deputy Nathan Lane said he doesnt consider himself a hero, although others do. River flooding improves in spots, but continues to be a problem into the weekend downstream He added he was just doing his job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its my job to save peoples lives, Lane said. On Tuesday, Lane said he got a call to help a husband and wife who were stuck in their home for about two days, surrounded by water after the severe weather caused flooding last week. We were told they have dialysis and they needed a ride, he said. He said they thought the house was on a hill and used a dump truck instead of a boat to get there. However, he says when we got there it turned out that it wasnt on the hill. Instead, it was fenced by water and the truck was unable to get close to the house. From there, he and the driver leaped into action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dump truck driver carried the wife from the house, Lane said. I put him on my shoulders and we walked out of the water. Lane said after getting the couple to safety, they thanked him. This floodwater rescue is not the first for the sheriffs office or those working in the county, like rescuing a man in a wheelchair stuck with his family or people stuck on top of a car. White County assisting with evacuations in flooded, stranded towns Lane said he doesnt take his job lightly and would help anyone. I didnt second-guess it at all, Lane said. I was like Im going to go in there. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More than a hundred Chinese citizens fighting on the side of Russia against Ukraine are mercenaries and, according to US intelligence, have no direct connection to the Chinese government. Source: Reuters with reference to two US officials familiar with the US intelligence findings and a former Western intelligence official Details: The latter said that about 200 Chinese mercenaries are fighting for Russia and have no connection to the Chinese government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he said, Chinese military officers are near the Russian front line with Beijing's permission to "draw tactical lessons from the war". US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Chinese fighters appear to have minimal training and no discernible impact on Russia's military operations. Previously: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that at least several hundred Chinese citizens are fighting as part of the Russian occupation forces. Read more: Zelenskyy posts video of interrogation of Chinese POWs captured in Donetsk Oblast Background: On 8 April, Zelenskyy announced that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese citizens who had fought in the Russian army in Donetsk Oblast. Zelenskyy instructed the foreign minister to immediately contact Beijing and find out how China was going to respond. It is known that two citizens of the People's Republic of China were captured in Donetsk Oblast by soldiers of the 81st Separate Airborne Brigade of the Air Assault Forces and the 157th Separate Mechanised Brigade. US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, in response to the evidence of Chinese citizens' involvement in the war against Ukraine, emphasised China's role in supporting Russian aggression. On 9 April, the Zelenskyy said that 155 Chinese citizens were fighting against Ukraine on its territory, but there might be more. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Three youths suffered drug overdoses at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey on Friday, the latest scandal at a beleaguered facility that was supposed to close last year after a state oversight body found it "unsuitable" to house juveniles. The youths were taken to a local hospital for "medical evaluation and treatment related to a possible substance-related incident," according to a statement issued by the L.A. County Probation Department, which oversees the institutions. All three youths have since been returned to the facility, according to Vicky Waters, the probation department's communications director. A large quantity of Xanax was found inside the hall sometime before the overdoses, according to three sources with knowledge of conditions at Los Padrinos. Narcan, the rapid treatment drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, was deployed during Friday's incident, two of the sources said. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waters did not immediately respond to questions about the recovery of Xanax or the use of Narcan. "The department is investigating yesterdays incident with our local law enforcement partners, including any introduction of contraband into the facility," she said. Read more: In unprecedented payout, L.A. County will settle sex abuse claims for $4 billion Jerod Gunsberg, a defense attorney who represents one of the overdose victims, said his client was found unconscious in the hall sometime Friday. "I spoke with my clients mother. She was contacted by probation yesterday that he was found unresponsive," Gunsberg said. "They took him to the hospital. He was at the hospital for some period of time. Hes now been moved back to the medical unit at Los Padrinos." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department has barred visitors from coming to Los Padrinos for the weekend. A department spokeswoman could not say how the drugs got into the facility, but an investigation is ongoing. Gunsberg said his client's mother has not been allowed to speak with her son. He accused the probation department of running a "black site" at Los Padrinos and demanded officials communicate more clearly with overdose victims families and their attorneys. "Despite my best efforts Ive been unable to reach anyone at Los Padrinos or from probation," he said. If someone from probation ends up reading this, Im easy to find. They know where to find me. So call me. Waters said the department had to cancel visitation and restrict youth movements throughout the facility for the weekend as part of its investigation into the source of the drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerns about the prevalence of drugs, especially fentanyl, in L.A. County's juvenile halls have lingered for years. In May 2023, 18-year-old Bryan Diaz died of a drug overdose at the Secure Youth Treatment Facility in Sylmar. The incident comes months after the Board of State and Community Corrections ordered Los Padrinos shut down last December, largely due to issues with staffing. The probation department is suffering from a years-long staffing crisis, as many of its officers refuse to come to work or remain on injured leave, citing chaotic and violent conditions in the halls. Read more: Showdown looms after judge sets hearing to close troubled L.A. juvenile hall The probation department ignored the BSCC's order, a decision that was supported by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. The probation department has twice appealed the BSCC's ruling, but its appeals were rejected both times, including earlier this week after Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa traveled to Sacramento to make a personal presentation to the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email to The Times, Waters noted the overdose incidents and other recent controversies, including an incident where a teen was stabbed last month, had nothing to do with the BSCC's ruling as to whether Los Padrinos was fit to operate. The BSCC does not have legal authority to enforce its order, however, and California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta has declined to step in. The board has only deemed a juvenile hall "unsuitable" to operate three times in its history, but each of the halls it ordered shut down were in L.A. County. Los Padrinos was reopened in 2023 after Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar and Central Juvenile Hall in East L.A. had to be closed, but the Downey facility quickly became a scene of unrest. Shortly after the department ignored the BSCC order last year, the L.A. County Public Defender's Office asked a judge to release 107 of its clients housed at Los Padrinos, arguing it is unconstitutional to detain youths in a facility the state has deemed unsafe. The public defender's office has asked Los Angeles County Judge Michael Espinoza to release some clients and move others to lower security camps, but Espinoza has punted on making a decision for months. Another hearing is scheduled for April 18. All of the approximately 230 youths housed at Los Padrinos have cases pending, some for violent offenses including murder. Most are between the ages of 15 and 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How this place is still open blows my mind," Gunsberg said. Times staff writer Rebecca Ellis contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. KANSAS CITY, Mo. An Overland Park, Kansas man was sentenced on Friday for causing a $1.2 million loss to a company by submitting false invoices in connection to a performance incentive rewards program. The U.S. Department of Justice reports Barry Cummings, 52, was sentenced in federal court to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of mail fraud. More than a dozen arrested in Wyandotte County offender sweep Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents say an energy management company offered a performance-based rewards program as an incentive to non-employee resellers, contractors, and others to sell its products. Participants submitted information regarding sales to earn points they could then redeem for items like airline vouchers, hotel stays, gift cards, and electronic devices. In 2017, a business in Lenexa hired Cummings and he enrolled in the victim companys rewards program through that affiliation. In his plea agreement, Cummings admitted to orchestrating a years-long scheme to defraud the victim companys rewards program. Cummings admitted to logging into the rewards site and submitting fraudulent sales claims, which falsely represented that he had sold the companys products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cummings admitted that he never sold a single one of the companys products despite the thousands of sales claims he submitted representing that he did. Court documents say after his termination from the Lenexa business in April 2018, Cummings continually logged into the rewards website to submit fraudulent invoices and redeem points, using the email he previously had at the Lenexa business. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android The FBI investigated the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A man from Palm Coast was arrested this week after the Flagler County Sheriffs Office said he injured his girlfriends cat, resulting in its death. 34-year-old Atticus Robert was taken into custody on a warrant in Mississippi after being discovered by the Hernando Police Department. Deputies said the crime was committed on March 7th, when they responded to a domestic dispute. The victim was reportedly arguing with Robert after discovering the cats death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, deputies said they discovered Robert had a scratch on his face and had been alone with the cat for about an hour before it died. Court documents said he told deputies the cat had scratched him and that he may have accidentally stepped on its paw. The girlfriend said she found the cat lying injured in the laundry room. When she tried to leave to get it medical help, deputies said he was seen on surveillance video blocking her car from leaving. He was arrested for false imprisonment and later released on 5,000 bond. A necropsy on the cat determined it died from collapsed lungs after enduring blunt force trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warrant was put out for Robert for aggravated animal cruelty on April 3rd. Police said they believed he was living in a car, but he wasnt found until days later in Mississippi. If you seriously hurt or kill an innocent animal that cannot defend itself, we will find you and put you in the Green Roof Inn where you belong, said Sheriff Rick Staly. I commend our deputies and detectives for thoroughly investigating this case and thank the Hernando Police Department for locating and helping us bring this guy to justice. Robert will be held in the DeSoto County Adult Detention Facility until he is extradited back to Flagler County. Anyone who witnesses active animal cruelty is asked to call 911. [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. One month ago, Ukraine agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire in the U.S.-mediated talks in Jeddah, and Russia did not. Russia has soon intensified its attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Russian attacks on Ukraine have killed over 160 civilians in March alone. According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission's (HRMMU) recent report, civilian casualties in Ukraine surged by 50% in March compared to February, with at least 164 killed and 910 injured. The primary cause of casualties was strikes using long-range missiles and loitering munitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent escalation includes deadly strikes on Odesa, Dnipro, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv and Kryvyi Rih. "Russian strikes every day. Every day, people are killed. There is only one reason this continues: Russia does not want a ceasefire, and we see it. The whole world sees it," President Volodymyr Zelensky said following an attack on his hometown of Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, including nine children. "Every Russian promise ends with missiles or drones, bombs or artillery. Diplomacy means nothing to them. And that's why pressure is needed sufficient pressure on Russia so they feel the consequences of every lie of theirs, every strike, every single day they take lives and prolong the war." Here are just a few of the stories of those killed in the brutal attacks. Tymofii Tsvitok, 3-years-old Killed by Russian missile in Kryvyi Rih on April 4 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the chaos and heart-wrenching screams, the small body of three-year-old Tymofii Tsvitok was gently laid on the ground. A combat medic desperately tries to detect his pulse. "No, I can not hear it at all. Silence everyone!" a man says, as seen in the video posted by a local Telegram channel. A brief moment of hope for Tymofii's family ended in tragedy. The boy became the youngest victim of one of Russia's most brutal strikes on Ukrainian civilians an April 4 attack on Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Russian troops hit the city with a missile, killing a total of 20 people, including nine children. HRMMU reported that this was the deadliest single attack on Ukrainian children that they have verified since the start of the full-scale invasion. Flowers and toys at a playground in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on April 11, 2025, in memory of children killed by a Russian missile. (Stringer / Anadolu via Getty Images) Another 75 people sustained injuries, with victims ranging from senior citizens to a three-month-old infant. Thirty-seven of the wounded have been hospitalized, according to local authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hitting a residential area, the missile attack also damaged 34 apartment buildings and six educational facilities, as well as various shops, businesses, cars, and homes. Little Tymofii and his grandmother were on their way home from the playground when the missile hit, the boy's grandfather Vitalii told journalists following the attack. According to him, Tymofii's grandmother was injured and hospitalized, and although the medics tried to save the boy's life, they were unable to. "Tymofii was an extremely energetic child. He loved space and everything related to it. By the age of three, he could count in English. He adored animals," he says, crying. "My wife is in the hospital. No one knows how she survived. Everyone who stood near her died." Oleksandr Haranskiy, his 5-year-old daughter Nikol Killed by Russian drone in Kyiv on March 23 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After fleeing their home in the constantly attacked town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Oleksandra Haranska's family had hoped to build a peaceful life in the capital. Russia didn't let them. A massive Russian drone strike on Kyiv killed Haranska's husband Oleksandr and their five-year-old daughter Nikol overnight on March 23. Apart from the family, one more person was reported killed in the brutal strike, while ten others were injured, including Oleksandra and an 11-month-old child. Oleksandr and Oleksandra Haransky and their dauther Nikol, during New Year's celebrations. (Family archive) At the time of the attack, Haranska's family was staying in a guest house near the church they attended, family friend Diana Dudchenko told the Kyiv Independent. Being a member of the same church, Dudchenko's husband was called to help clear the debris in the early morning following the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dudchenko says that was how they learned the family had stayed there and that while Oleksandra survived, her loved ones were killed. "She miraculously survived because her husband and daughter were killed instantly while she was thrown 30 meters away," Dudchenko says. "They only found her later, three hours after the attack. She regained consciousness, was found, and taken to the hospital. It's truly a miracle because she had been in the same room with her husband," she added. "They had a small honey farm in Zaporizhzhia Oblast," Dudchenko said. "But when the full-scale invasion started, they lost it all, as the village got occupied by the Russian troops." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family had friends and relatives in Kyiv, so they decided to escape the war and start their lives from scratch. According to Dudchenko, Oleksandra instantly became an active member of their community, joining the choir and supporting local youth. Before reuniting with his family in Kyiv, Oleksandr stayed in Orikhiv for a while, volunteering and supporting the Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, according to Dudchenko. They were kind, warm-hearted people who loved their little daughter dearly. She had been getting ready to start first grade. Dudchenko said Oleksandra spent two weeks in the hospital with a shattered pelvic bone, an injured arm, and burns. "Now she's beginning the recovery process. We're all supporting her relatives and friends have come to see her because she was left with absolutely nothing." Roman Malenko, 41, Olha Malenko, 38, and their daughter Uliana-Khrystyna, 17 Killed by Russian drone in Zaporizhzhia on March 21 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a house filled with laughter and joy, home to a happy family of three until Russia reduced it to ruins. The drone strike on a private home in the city of Zaporizhzhia late on March 21 killed 41-year-old Roman Malenko, his 38-year-old wife Olha, and their 17-year-old daughter Uliana-Khrystyna. According to local authorities, the strike also injured 16 people as well as damaged several apartment buildings in the city. A number of high-rises caught fire following the attack. The family's eldest daughter, 21-year-old Viktoria, who didn't live with her parents, told Suspilne media outlet that she had planned to visit them that night but something stopped her, and she ended up staying home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and her younger sister were texting just as the attack began. According to the report, Uliana-Khrystyna heard the drones being shot down very loudly, as if "above their home." "I arrived there and saw them wrapping up my sister." That appeared to be her last message to her sister. Shortly after, Viktoria received a call from their relative saying that the drone hit her parent's building. Ukrainian emergency personnel work at a destroyed building site in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on March 21, 2025, after an air attack. (Maria Pototska / AFP via Getty Images) "I arrived there and saw them wrapping up my sister. They showed me photos of her her face wasn't burned, it remained intact. I didn't see my mom at all. They say it's too horrific," she told Suspilne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olha Malenko was in the hospital for about 10 hours as doctors tried to save her, but her injuries proved fatal, Suspilne reported. The family was buried in Zaporizhzhia on March 28. According to the report, the family had many dreams and plans for the future. Roman, a construction worker, dreamed of buying a car for his youngest daughter. His wife Olha, who worked at a grocery store, hoped to open a shop of her own. Their daughter Uliana-Khrystyna was studying to become a pastry chef, aspiring to one day make a name for herself in the culinary world. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A staff member at a local elementary school has been suspended. After the school says some students were found with tape over their mouths during lunch period earlier this week. An elementary school in Stroudsburg sent a letter out to parents and guardians saying a staff member had put this blue painters tape on students mouths Wednesday. Man allegedly stabbed, robbed after grocery shopping Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 28/22 News spoke with a family who has nine children enrolled in the school district. Hamilton Elementary School where children think, dream, believe and achieve. As of Wednesday, according to the Stroudsburg Area School, its also where a staff member is accused of taping some students mouths. I read the letter and I was like you got to be kidding me, voiced Darren Frable. Screenshot Darren Frable has nine children enrolled in the Stroudsburg Area School District. Two of his kids attend Hamilton Elementary. Frable is talking about this letter that was sent out by the schools principal on Thursday. It reads in part, I am writing to inform you of an incident that occurred during the 1st grade lunch period on Wednesday, April 9th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Principal Mark Getz says it was brought to his attention some students were observed to have blue painters tape on their mouths placed there by a staff member during lunch Wednesday. What if that kid has asthma and you stuck that piece of tape across their mouth and they panicked and they started having an asthma attack or something or that kid was chewing on a piece of food and they started choking, explained Frable. I was just shocked. It came from the elementary school I had once loved and had been in so I was taken a back on how that had happened, added Zander Staples, Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg Junior High School. Zander is one of Frables children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes in the ninth grade at Stroudsburg Junior High School. What led to the taping is unclear but Principal Getz says hes conducting a thorough investigation and that he wants to assure this matter is treated with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Its one thing to teach stranger danger and all that jazz, but its a whole nother ball game when you go to school just so you know a person there cant do this, said Frable. The letter sparked conversation in frables household. He feels childrens vulnerability should never be tested. A lot of kids wont know the line between are they joking with me or was this mean to me, said Frable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That should never have happened since you should have people to trust, voiced Staples. Principal Getz says no students were injured and that the safety and well-being of them is a top priority. The Stroudsburg School District Superintendent says the staff member has been suspended with pay pending the 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 PAhomepage.com. Two Delta Air Lines flights from Mexico heading to Boston on Thursday were forced to divert to Alabama, where they were stuck on the tarmac for hours due to a customs issue. Flight DL 1828 from Los Cabos International Airport departed at 5:17 p.m., while flight DL 599 from Mexico City took off nearly an hour later. The two flights were scheduled to stop in Atlanta Deltas hub and headquarters before continuing on to Boston. But they were forced to divert to Montgomery, Alabama, due to bad weather, according to Boston 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both flights landed at the airport in Montgomery around 10.30pm local time, a Delta spokesperson told the network. Since they were coming from an international point of origin, passengers were forced to sit on the tarmac for hours, unable to leave the plane due to a lack of Customs and Border Protection staff at the airport. At around 5am, after seven hours on the tarmac in Montgomery with only cookies and water, passengers were permitted to disembark in groups of 20. Passenger Lauren Forbes told Boston 25: They had roped off a square area and both flights were in there. If you needed to use a restroom, there was a police officer in front of the restroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They waited for another eight hours before taking off for Atlanta. Forbes and her boyfriend then had to rebook a connecting flight to Boston on their own. Look at the bags under my eyes from not sleeping, she said on arrival at Logan Airport after a 25-hour journey. I just want to sleep and go home to my dog. Then, I go to work in the morning. Forbes said Delta has already reached out to her about reimbursement, but she added: I think this is just an eye opener for maybe more substantial protocols in place. Delta said the plane doors remained open while passengers waited and explained that the lightning in the area forced them to hold the flights in Montgomery longer than expected, as flight crews had exceeded permitted working hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We sincerely apologize to our customers for this experience, a Delta Air Lines spokesperson said in a statement. 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. The airline confirmed that at 5:15 a.m. and 5:23 a.m., some passengers were allowed to disembark and go into the airport, but had to stay in a certain area. Alabamas Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, which would have had appropriate customer staffing, was not suitable as a diversion airport because it was also experiencing severe thunderstorms. A Centre County judge doubted Friday some of the arguments put forward by attorneys for an outspoken Penn State trustee whos seeking a court-ordered addition to the ballot for the upcoming election. Centre County Judge Brian Marshall did not rule from the bench, though he questioned alumni-elected trustee Barry Fenchaks attorneys over their argument that a board of trustees subcommittee vote deeming Fenchak ineligible must be overturned. During the course of the three-hour hearing, Marshall asked the board of trustees secretary if alumni would have an opportunity to write-in a candidate and asked Fenchaks attorneys if he could simply run in subsequent elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ruling from Marshall seems likely to come before noon Tuesday, when ballots must be finalized before they are sent to alumni. Marshall said he was mindful of the looming deadline. Fenchak sued the universitys governing body and Chairman David M. Kleppinger earlier this month, claiming the recently created nominating subcommittees vote bypassed the will of the voters. He also argued that the boards recently-updated bylaws violate state law. The bylaws give the trustees a bigger say in who can appear on the ballot in the alumni trustee election. Other sections address qualifications for membership, the trustee code of conduct, the role and responsibilities of the trustees and trustee sanctions and removal. In defending both the legality of the bylaws and the subcommittees vote, Penn States attorneys excoriated Fenchak and some of his social media posts before he was elected as a trustee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the beginning of the hearing, attorney Andy R. Stanton had Fenchak read aloud a post in which he called a former woman trustee a stupid b---- and asked her to shoot herself. He also asked her to blow away - like old, dried up dog crap. Fenchak testified the post was inappropriate and regrettable. Penn State trustee Barry Fenchak leaves the Centre County Courthouse Annex on Friday, April 11, 2025. Abby Drey/adrey@centredaily.com Penn States attorneys continued digging into Fenchaks past posts for much of the next hour, building on their argument made in court filings that hes shown an abhorrent display of misogyny. The university also argued Fenchak has no regard for what is widely understood to be acceptable conduct from anyone and that repeated attempts to correct his behavior have been unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University attorneys further described Fenchak as an internet troll who has created a narrative of retaliation that is pure fantasy. Fenchaks attorneys, meanwhile, cast Penn States actions as a way to silence dissent against votes from the board of trustees. Kleppinger testified negative public statements from board members after decisions are made are not in the best interest of the university. Attorney Justin J. Boehret argued the amended bylaws are blatantly unconstitutional and amount to a draconian gag order. Fenchak has been on the board since July 2022. His three-year term as one of nine alumni-elected trustees is set to expire June 30. Fellow alumni-elected trustees Anthony Lubrano and Jay Paterno were among those who attended the hearing Friday. Alumni have from April 21 to May 8 to cast their vote. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Las Vegas man killed on his way to work, marks the second motorcycle death in a week in Clark County. Family and friends identified Jordon Dodder, 37, as the motorcyclist in Wednesday mornings crash. People need to wake up, pay attention to the roads, to the signs, Jennifer Breeden, a friend, said. Dodder was described as an amazing father, a devoted partner, and a proud veteran. The 37-year-olds life was tragically cut short when he was killed by a car that police said ran a stop sign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not well at all, Kathleen Brown said of how her sister was doing. He was her person. He completed her. They were perfect together. Brown flew into Las Vegas to support her sister Kelly and her four nieces and nephews during this tragic time. Family and friends identified Jordon Dodder, 37, as the motorcyclist in Wednesday mornings crash. (KLAS) She was packing their lunches and getting ready, and she got a phone call from someone that he works with that drove past the accident site, and he said he thought it was Jordons bike, Brown said. Deadly crash closes intersection in Spring Valley Officers responded Wednesday at around 5:30 a.m. to a crash on Russell and Lindell roads. According to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Dodder was driving his 2013 Harley Davidson west on Russell Road when a car hit him at the intersection of Lindell Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the car failed to stop at the stop sign and the driver of that vehicle reportedly didnt show signs of impairment. Breeden and Jasmine Roofe started a GoFundMe for Kelly Dodder. Theyve been friends with her for about 30 years. When youre behind the wheel, that is such a massive weapon, that people dont realize can just take your life like that, Breeden said. Kelly Dodder teaches at Mannion Middle School and was awarded Educator of the Year for CCSD 10 years ago. To their friends, both Kelly and Jordon were dedicated to each other. You can tell by how much they loved each other they were really and really in love, Jasmine Roofe said of her friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear at the moment if the driver who hit Jordon Dodder will face charges. There have been 52 fatal crashes in the Las Vegas Metro Police Departments jurisdiction so far this year. At this same time last year, there were 48 fatalities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nearly 170,000 lawsuits have been filed against Bayer, parent company of the weedkiller Roundup, over claims the product causes cancer. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images) North Dakota legislators have been wrestling with a pesticide bill backed by agricultural groups that would make it harder for people to win cancer liability lawsuits against the farm chemical industry. House Bill 1318 would shield the maker of Roundup and other farm chemical manufacturers from lawsuits from people who say they were not adequately warned about potential dangers of the chemicals. The bill tries to make clear that the product label approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency gives consumers sufficient warning about any possible hazards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bayer, which purchased Monsanto, which first produced Roundup, has been hit with lawsuits from people who have cancer and contend they were not adequately warned about exposure to the herbicide and its active ingredient glyphosate. Sarah Hall Lovas, representing the North Dakota Agriculture Consultants Association and the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, says the bill is needed to ensure that farmers have access to farm chemicals such as Roundup. Opponents of the bill say it provides too much legal protection for the chemical manufacturers. Jake Schmitz of Fargo said the dangers of chemicals are sometimes not known until decades later. With the EPA being immune to lawsuits and a potential shield in place for manufacturers, the health care costs associated with a hazardous chemical would impact taxpayers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to fall back on Medicaid and Medicare to take care of these people now that theyve got the cancer diagnosis, Schmitz said. So this is going to end up, over time, costing the state of North Dakota a good amount of money. Sen. Larry Luick, R-Fairmount, chair of the Senate Agriculture and Veteran Affairs Committee, conducts a public hearing on Jan. 17, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) The next step for House Bill 1318 is a vote by the North Dakota Senate. The bill passed the House unanimously in January but has been heavily debated in the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee. Committee chair Sen. Larry Luick, R-Fairmount, said there has been a lot of input from both supporters and opponents on what is seen as a national issue. Luick, who is a farmer, said he understands that farmers need pesticides for crop production but also realizes people have concerns about cancer and what is going into their food. After about two weeks of deliberations, the committee on Thursday added an amendment to the bill and gave it a do-pass recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If approved by the Senate, the bill would go back to the House. While Roundup has been a big part of the discussion, the bill applies to all registered pesticides in North Dakota. The bill has been the subject of television ads and large newspaper ads from a group called the Modern Ag Alliance that is actively supporting similar bills in multiple states. A sprayer rolls across a field of soybeans in Burleigh County, North Dakota, on July 11, 2024. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) The bill also has the support of the North Dakota Ag Coalition, which has more than 45 member organizations. It officially supported only one other bill this legislative session. Among the members are the North Dakota Farmers Union, the states largest ag group, which suggested some of the amended language in the Senate committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was important to us to ensure that the scope of the bill was specific, and the amendment that the Ag Committee adopted achieves that, Matt Perdue, policy analyst for the North Dakota Farmers Union said in an interview. Nancy Johnson, executive director of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, said the huge payouts that Bayer and other ag chemical companies have made in product liability cases is hindering the ability of those companies to invest in developing new, safer alternatives. It really is aimed at keeping tools in the farmers tool box, she said. In her testimony on the bill, Lovas cites a 2022 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that threatened to end the use of glyphosate. The EPA reviewed the glyphosate label and stuck with its position that the product does not cause cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany-based Bayer has been battered by court decisions from consumers who contend the product does cause cancer. A jury last month ordered Bayer to pay more than $2 billion in a Georgia case. Schmitz is a chiropractor and nutritionist who grew up on a farm near Williston. He said his father and grandfather both died of cancer. He cited the fact that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has concluded that glyphosate probably does cause cancer as a reason to oppose the shield law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Dakota Resource Council, the North Dakota Wildlife Federation and North Dakota Association for Justice are among other opponents of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmitz and Lovas agree that the bill would still allow for lawsuits against a manufacturer for things such as a bad batch of the chemical or other product defects. A property owner could still sue an applicator for an issue such as the product drifting into an unwanted area. In an article earlier this year, the National Agriculture Law Center said it may be up to the U.S. Supreme Court to decide if such shield laws are valid. Bayers website says it is also hopeful for a Supreme Court ruling in favor of laws such as the one proposed in North Dakota. The National Agriculture Law Center concludes that Plaintiffs in states with a pesticide liability limitation bill would likely face a more challenging litigation landscape than in states without such a bill. However, the exact impacts will be unclear until such a bill becomes law. The story has been corrected to reflect that Bayer is not a parent company of Monsanto. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Pete Buttigieg swung by Jon Stewarts The Weekly Show podcast on Thursday, and while the wide-ranging conversation covered everything from parenthood to President Trumps tariffs, the former Secretary of Transportation and Comedy Central host really locked in on ways to advance the Democratic Party. Zeroing on what Stewart called the generational churn needed for new policy and enlivened voter base, Buttigieg agreed that the U.S. needs to learn lessons from the past and from other countries when it comes to passing-of-the-guard. But understands that its a really hard thing to absorb when it could mean you need to move along. When I think about a generational project of really transforming the country and transforming the country for the better versus transforming the country into whatever it has been plunged into in the last 100 days, thats going to require a deeper level of vision and a greater readiness to walk away ruthlessly from what hasnt worked and to stand up relentlessly for it has worked, even if its unpopular, Buttigieg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart contended that theres still a generational churn that has to occur within the Democratic Party for those goals to be realized. He cited the recent House Oversight Committee selections that went in favor of 74-year-old Gerry Connelly instead of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Nothing against him, but it just speaks to this idea that I dont know if what youre speaking about, I dont know if it has registered yet writ large within the leadership, Stewart said. Well, its a really hard thing to absorb when it could mean you need to move along. But let me point to a couple really interesting examples. One, Nancy Pelosi, Buttigieg said. She excused herself I mean, I worked with her after she was a Speaker, and she was still formidable leader and member of Congress delivering for her district, doing things for the party. But then when she was weighing in on questions of generational change, she had a lot of moral authority because she could say, Hey, I stepped away. The Democratic politician also pointed to a meeting he had with his counterpart in the Netherlands who decided to retire at age 55, saying at the time, Ive decided its time for me to move on, its time for a newer generation to take over and Im going to try new things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifty-five! Hes not even old enough to be in the Senate yet! Stewart joked. Theres just a different attitude there, and I do think we could learn something from that. There are lot of countries and cultures where you have your time in service, and then you go do something else, Buttigieg said. Watch the full interview below: The post Pete Buttigieg Says Generational Churn in the Democratic Party Is Good in Theory Until Youre the One Told to Move Along appeared first on TheWrap. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A man was found guilty by jury after a Proposition 36 trial in Kern County on Friday. The proposition passed in Novembers election increased penalties for retail theft and possession. Dennis Ghianuly was found guilty by a jury. Hes convicted of possession of narcotics with priors and petty theft with priors. On Jan. 8, Bakersfield police were called to a PetSmart on Oswell Street. A manager told officers Dennis Ghianuly walked out with a 44-pound bag of dog food without paying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers searched him, they found three grams of fentanyl in his pockets. Before Proposition 36, he would have been charged with a misdemeanor and released, facing up to only one year in prison. Now with the proposition and because of his history with drug offenses and robbery, he faces up to seven years and four months in prison. He has drug convictions in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2020, and in one of them he was charged with attempted robbery. Honor Flight 51 returns to Kern County California voters passed Proposition 36 in November with a resounding 68% voting yes on the proposition. The big changes include a third possession or retail theft charge, no matter the value of the stolen goods, and a thief could be charged with a felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what happened in Ghianulys case. We reached out to District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer for an interview about the verdict, but she declined to be interviewed. Ghianulys sentencing is scheduled for June 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When flying over something from the air, or photographing from a distance, it is easy to lose track of the scale. Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant is that kind of big. Large protests, payroll, property tax contributions, everything about the big scale is something that is hard to wrap the mind around. In a Feb. 15, 1973, story, Elliot Curry wrote: It is the third largest construction project ever built in California and PG&E now estimates the cost at $665 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curry doesnt elaborate, but it would be a fair guess that water projects in California would be the only construction on a larger scale. The California State Water Project cost was estimated in news articles at $2 billion when it got underway. Diablo construction costs soared far above the 1973 estimate, into the billions of dollars, with the Hosgri fault discovery, Three Mile Island accident and a blueprint error and other factors adding to the bill. Today, the plant generates nearly 9% of Californias electric supply and 17% of the states zero-carbon electricity according to PG&E. Massive breakwater structures protect the intake cove at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. Building the plant required solving a number of engineering problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One was building breakwaters protecting the cooling water intake structure. The original design did not include a breakwater but in response to studies the structure was added to the scope of the work. Giant concrete tri-bars were used that lock together like Legos on top of a base of quarried rock. A 1970 photo shows a crane lifting and placing the concrete structures, and a 1971 photo shows more rocks waiting to be placed. Two breakwaters are being built at Diablo Canyon to protect the small bay from which water will be drawn into the power plant for cooling purposes. Published Nov. 28, 1970. But even those massive tri-bars could be damaged by an angry ocean. Over the years, parts of the outer breakwater were broken by storm-driven waves. In 1984, there was a proposal to dispose of the broken concrete, but Ive been unable to find if the proposal was ever carried out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brooks Townes wrote this story March 16, 1984: PG&E wants to make junk reef Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has tons of refuse at Diablo Canyon it needs to dispose of and one idea is to create an artificial reef with it just north of Port San Luis. The plan is to create a breeding ground for kelp and rockfish an idea endorsed by fishermen and marine biologists. The question is: Can the plan receive all the required agency endorsements by July, the time Diablo engineers say the material has to be out of their way? Biologist Thomas C. Wilson, a PG&E employee, explained that the refuse consists of reinforced concrete tri-bars huge things resembling a childs toy jacks that were part of the nuclear power plants breakwalls in Diablo Cove. They broke up during last winters storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cement junk is inert, free of contaminants, Wilson said. They have been used successfully for construction of artificial reefs in the past. The PG&E Diablo Canyon nuclear-fueled power plant rises steadily on the San Luis Obispo County shoreline. Round reactor structure is in upper right. Stockpile of rock in foreground is for breakwater construction on March 5, 1971. In an effort to grease the project along with the California Department of Fish and Game and other agencies, Wilson appealed for support from fishermens groups and the Port San Luis Harbor Commission. The plan got the Harbor Commissions endorsement this week and Wayne Moody, president of the Port San Luis commercial fishermens association, said he was not opposed. From what I understand, it is not planned where it would impact commercial fishermen at all, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jodi Giannini, a leading Morro Bay commercial fisherman, agreed and noted that commercial draggers cannot by law work that close to shore so theres no chance the reef will snag commercial fishing nets. Thomas Wilson has worked on the plan with Kenneth C. Wilson, marine habitat development coordinator for the Department of Fish and Game, and Laurence Bud Laurent, area Fish and Game manager. Aerial of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant which was undergoing testing roughly a year before starting operations with Unit 1 May 7, 1985. Many buildings would later be added to the site around the plant. Reporter Brooks Townes took a flight over coastal areas from Morro Bay to Avila Beach on Feb. 22, 1984. It tentatively calls for up to 15,000 tons of stone and concrete to be dumped in four 60-foot by 200-foot piles set in pairs 200 feet apart, with 1,000 feet between pairs. The exact location has yet to be determined, but it will be roughly four miles north of Point San Luis and about a half-mile offshore in about 40 feet of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laurent said he would dive in the area to find the right kind of hard packed sand bottom between natural pinnacles. Artificial reef design and placement has become an esoteric science, Thomas Wilson said. The primary aim with this reef is to provide a nursery for kelp and rockfish with its fairly remote location making it less of a fishing reef. Pete Johnson, a civil inspector at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, looks at stockpiled breakwater supports. The concrete tri-bar units weigh 20 tons each. Seen here on January 29, 1981. Fishing reefs are those placed handy to fishermen and have not proved all that beneficial since the fish are caught right away. Dropping a line around them is a bit like fishing in a rain barrel the fish have less of a chance to grow up and spawn more fish. This reef, which would be built by PG&E but managed by the state, would provide a good habitat for several varieties of rockfish and lingcod, kelp and possibly abalone, biologists reason, and its location should give them a chance to grow to adulthood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building the reef, its proponents say, would be a better use of the power plant refuse than simply dumping it way out at sea or disposing of it ashore. Some of the refuse could be barged to Estero Bay where Laurent has urged construction of the two fishing reefs atop two surplus Texaco oil pipes about 1 1/4 mile north of Morro Rock. The pipes end there, creating a minor hazard for some commercial fishing operations. Laurents solution to the problem would not reduce the hazard it would increase it but it could create a handy attraction for hook-and-line fishermen. Giannini said the reef idea was a little bothersome to commercial fishermen but not enough to raise a fuss over. Building reefs over the pipes would also save Texaco money, and it would be less damaging to the environment than removing the pipes, Laurent said. Hundreds of Central Floridians participated Saturday morning in the 11th annual Walk for Parkinson, a charity event for the Parkinson Association of Central Florida. The gathering at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs raised more than $150,000 to help fund local programs, education and research projects to find a cure for the neurological disease. An estimated 90,000 new cases of Parkinsons disease are diagnosed each year in the U.S. WESH-Channel 2 chief meteorologist Tony Mainolfi was the honorary host for the event, which included speeches by Todd Stewart, president of the Parkinson Association of Central Florida and John Gabriel, Orlando Magic executive and former president of the local Parkinsons group. You can find out more about the Central Florida Parkinson Association here. Pierre Poilievre was asking Elon Musk for help. In April 2023, the Canadian Conservative Leader sent a letter to Twitters headquarters requesting that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation be labeled as government-funded media. Poilievre has made defunding the CBC Canadas public broadcaster that receives 65 to 70 percent of its funding from the government though it operates autonomously a major plank of his campaign. When Musk granted his request, Poilievre blasted it out on his socials: BREAKING: CBC officially exposed as government-funded media. Now people know that it is Trudeau propaganda, not news. Sign here to save $1 billion & defund the CBC. The aggressive attack was part of a political strategy thats built for the social media age: Play offense, dont back down, communicate directly and frequently to your audience and produce some viral hits. Its also an example of the ways that hes used traditional media as a natural foil in his quest to become prime minister. With some Canada-specific tweaks, the broad strategy nevertheless is reminiscent of Donald Trumps brash, unyielding attacks on Americas mainstream media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, the strategy worked. Poilievre got an outsized amount of earned media attention. He went viral frequently in both Canada and globally, often for his clashes with the press. In particular, he delighted conservative influencers in the United States who were unaccustomed to looking north for inspiration but who seemed to recognize a kindred spirit. By January, Poilievres dogged attacks, combined with some serious fatigue and frustration with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had helped the Conservatives build an almost 25-point lead over the Liberals. But in the last three months, Liberals have surged past Conservatives in the polls, and the reversal is due in large part to Canadians sudden revulsion over Trumps relentless economic and rhetorical attacks on their nation. Now, Poilievre finds himself sprinting away from any association with the MAGA movement and his legion of American conservative fans. But while he has tried to define policy differences between himself and Trump ahead of the April 28 election, he has held fast to his confrontational anti-elite media style. Its been an awkward recalibration that so far hasnt reversed the polling slippage. The same attitude that engendered Poilievres ascent is now contributing to the dimming of his electoral prospects. The kind of aggressive, personal language that Trump uses to attack Canada is the kind of language and the tone that Poilievre uses as well, says Greg Elmer, a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University who studies how social media has reconfigured political communications and electoral campaigns. Hes still struggling to find language which separates him from what were hearing Trump say. Thats really the rub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poilievre, a member of Parliament since 2004, was frequently referred to as an attack dog throughout his time as an MP and won the Conservative leadership election in 2022. But he came on the radar of many American conservatives only in 2023, when a video of him calmly eating an apple and brushing back a flustered journalist went viral. The most notable part of the exchange is when Trump comes up. A lot of people would say that youre simply taking a page out of the Donald Trump book, Don Urquhart, editor of the Times Chronicle, says. Really, which people would say that? Poilievre responds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, Im sure a great many Canadians. Like who? I dont know who, but Well, youre the one who asked the question, so you must know somebody. Ok. Im sure theres some out there, but anyways Some people say, Poilievre finished, mocking Urquhart for his inability to back up his assertion. The back and forth is a good distillation of what has become his campaigns blueprint: Run right at conflict, attack the mainstream media with probing questions and turn these exchanges into viral content. His campaign published an unedited version of the video on X, where it has 1.5 million views, and it racked up tens of millions of views from other influencers reposting the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since early 2022, when Poilievre (pronounced Poly-Ev) handed out doughnuts and coffee to truckers blocking Ottawa streets and protesting vaccine mandates, he has explicitly staked out anti-elite, anti-government overreach policies. He regularly complains about gatekeepers who hobble Canadian industry and add red tape. One of his campaign slogans is Canada First. That, along with his frequent and targeted attacks on the CBC, has invited stylistic comparisons to Trump, including from Conservative Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who said in March the perspective that Pierre would bring would be very much in sync with, I think, the new direction in America. Of course, Poilievres policies never drew the kind of attention in American conservative circles that the viral video did. Never heard of him before, but this interview is [fire emoji], [fire emoji], [laughing emoji], Musk posted on X, ironically months after he had acquiesced to Poilievres request to label the CBC government-funded media. Can we get him in our country? Megyn Kelly asked. Republican politicians in this country should take note, conservative commentator Matt Walsh said in a video dedicated to Poilievres viral clash with the journalist. But the mutual admiration that had defined the relationship between Poilievre and conservatives south of the border is now hurting him. Canadians of all political stripes have rallied against Trumps punitive tariffs and his belittling remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state. Suddenly, Canada First means rejecting everything about Poilievres kindred spirit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Poilievre] made the choice to move the party over to the more populist far right, which has adopted some Trump kind of discourse and political communication strategies, Elmer said. Ironically, the Trump-aligned new right in America has mixed feelings about Poilievre, who they understand policy-wise as a more Bush-era conservative unlikely to share their views on global trade or NATO intervention. And in recent weeks, Poilievre has made his distance from Trump explicit. The president said that having a Liberal prime minister would be easier for him to deal with, just as he threatened once again to make us the 51st state, Poilievre said in mid-March, seizing on comments from Trump about new Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney and the election. On that point, its true: Im a strong leader, a tough guy to deal with. Im firm in my convictions, and Ill always put Canada first. At the same time, hes maintained his aggressive posture toward mainstream Canadian media. He has barred reporters from his campaign plane (breaking from tradition) and not allowed some CBC reporters to ask questions on the campaign trail. Things have gotten especially testy in recent days; a physical confrontation between a Conservative Party staffer and a photographer happened at a Poilievre event in Newfoundland in early April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Poilievre campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Multiple other Conservative-aligned political consultants turned down interview requests, one of whom mistakenly forwarded to POLITICO an internal email asking whether an on-the-record discussion would be worth the risk. Poilievres attacks on the media went right along with a buttoned-up media strategy that is very specific about who gets access and when. [The idea was], we want the prick, Zain Velji, a former NDP campaign strategist and now a partner at the marketing and advocacy consultancy Northweather, told me. [Trudeau was] too annoying or too self-aggrandizing, and depending on where you were on the political spectrum, those were fair criticisms, but the culture and the mood has changed so quickly, and what was once an asset is now a liability [for Poilievre]. A look at the polls shows that while the Conservatives have lost support from their high in late January, most of the Liberals gains have actually come from the collapse of NDP support and, to a lesser extent, the Bloc Quebecois, as many Canadians on the political left coalesce around Carney. So, Poilievres campaign is not turning off the true believers, but its been insufficient in growing conservative support or stopping the Liberals ascent. Hes also not a total oddity in Canadian politics; former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper was also no fan of the CBC and had a contentious relationship with much of Canadas media. Poilievre, though, has pushed the strategy further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The media and politicians are in this symbiotic relationship. They need each other and they hate each other, said Tamara Small, a professor of political science at the University of Guelph, who researches the use of digital technologies by Canadian politicians. The difference now is that you have a very potent alternative media that you can use with social media. The ads, the YouTube channel, you can still be on Jordan Petersons podcast. After years of pursuing that strategy to great success, Poilievre now finds himself swimming upstream. He may well blow what looked like a commanding lead, in part because he was unable to foresee and move along with shifting winds in the United States and get enough distance from the American conservatives who are still touting his leadership. But Elmer, Velji and Small all agree that the confluence of events that has led to Poilievres current political problems dont disprove the broader effectiveness of his blueprint. He may have some weaknesses as a candidate including an inability or unwillingness to pivot off of a strategy thats getting him nowhere but the broader concept of flooding the zone on social media and attacking the mainstream media remains a politically viable one. Donald Trump may have blotted out the sun in this election, but that wont be true in Canadian politics forever. Should the Liberals win, what this election proves is that there was a perfect storm, Velji said. Dont fool yourself around the power and the potency of what these folks are doing, the effectiveness of what theyre doing. Regardless of your moral outrage, theres something happening, even if the outcome is not a Pierre Poilievre government. State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Omaha. Aug. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN A proposal that legislative supporters say would take a $71 million bite out of Nebraskas projected $289 million biennium budget gap largely through clawing back several business-related incentives cleared a hurdle on Friday. The amended Legislative Bill 650 is an effort by the Nebraska Legislatures Revenue Committee and supported by Gov. Jim Pillen to help create a required balanced budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A nearly three-hour discussion ended in a 36-2 vote by lawmakers to advance the package to its second stage. State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Omaha, committee chair, said the proposal would save $71 million in projected state spending over the next two budget years by scaling back or eliminating several programs approved in recent years by the Legislature and Pillen. Von Gillern said the committee used a last-in-first-out approach, targeting newer initiatives and considering input from an earlier public hearing. He characterized the package, which hits both rural and urban economic development, as largely a loss for programs designed to grow jobs and the economy. He said such moves were necessary in an era tighter than previous years when federal and pandemic related funds were more plentiful. We are talking about minimal impact to consumers, he said. Its primarily a negative impact on businesses. Low-hanging fruit The bill is but one piece of a budget-making process set to continue over the remaining days of a 90-day session that wraps up in early June. State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, a member of the Revenue Committee, anticipates more contentious debate on other bills, such as expansion of sales and use taxes that he said could more specifically affect everyday working people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of LB 650, he said: All said and done, I do think it represents a good step forward with some proverbial low-hanging fruit in order to try to make up some of that budget deficit. The package calls for scaling back incentives including: an income tax credit for food donations; credits to retailers for collecting sales tax; a tax credit for reverse osmosis water-related systems; employer tax credits for relocating new workers; and income tax credits for short-line railroad maintenance expenditures. It calls for cost-cutting changes to or repeal of the Urban Redevelopment Act, the Nebraska Advantage Rural Development Act, the Renewable Chemical Production Income Credit, Nebraska Biodiesel Tax Credit, and the Creating High Impact Economic Futures (CHIEF Act). Von Gillern said he didnt yet have a financial breakdown of anticipated savings attributable to each program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, a handful of other bills would fold into LB 650, most of which von Gillern said are attempts to clarify or improve earlier laws. One of the five, LB 547 introduced by State Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, at a projected cost of $288,000, would exempt disabled veterans from the states motor vehicle tax. State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) An exchange with State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha who wanted to know how certain components would hit the pocketbook of an average consumer sparked more explanation from von Gillern. He said the focus was on business-related and other incentives saying less of them had been used than anticipated. Asked, for example, about the clawback of the biodiesel tax credit, von Gillern said it largely affects truck and agricultural users. Of the scaled back credits for retailers for collecting state sales tax, he said that would lead to as much as $2,000 a year additional loss for a retailer and was not aimed at consumers. Please explain State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha cast one of the two no votes on the amended package. He took particular offense to repealing the Urban Redevelopment Act, a tax credit intended to help grow small businesses and investment in urban cores, and paring back the CHIEF Act, a tax credit designed to encourage individuals and businesses to make charitable contributions that ease chronic economic distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKinney wanted to know more specifics on the projected savings, noting those two programs were just recently enacted. He said the information the committee chair distributed to lawmakers was not complete. Please explain to me what is the increase in revenue that the state is getting? What is the savings? State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) He urged lawmakers instead to consider saving dollars by halting construction of a new prison, with costs expected to surpass $350 million, which he said would be overcrowded on Day One. State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who cast the other no vote, pointed out reduced tax credits for food bank donations and for the installation of a reverse osmosis water filtration system. So were clawing back tax credits to help feed the hungry and the poor, she said. And adjusting or changing the little bit of help we can provide to Nebraskans who have undrinkable water in their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conrad said the state is in the position of having to scramble for dollars due to the self-created, reckless and irresponsible actions of Pillen and the Legislature to promote income and corporate tax cuts that Conrad said benefitted the wealthiest Nebraskans and corporations. Von Gillern said the last-in-first-out approach aimed for an unbiased process. Committee discussions led to restoration of a few programs originally to be cut, such as the sales tax exemption for agricultural twine and a tax credit for pregnancy assistance organizations. State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) State Sen Beau Ballard of Lincoln said the employee relocation tax credit he pushed over the finish line last year now to be scaled back addressed a state priority: luring new talent. Ballard said he was looking forward to working in the future with the Revenue Committee on a restoration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus said he was encouraged by the committees work, and noted that much is ahead in the budget-making process. This is just the beginning of the discussion, he said. Weve got a number of things were going to have to do to make this all add up. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The pilot of the doomed tourist helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River was remembered as a driven Navy veteran who died doing what he loved, friends and loved ones said Saturday. Flying wasnt just his passion it was his purpose. He found pure joy in the skies, and it was there that he felt most alive, Tara Boethin said about Seankese Sean Johnson, who was flying the Bell 206 LongRanger IV that appeared to break apart in mid-air, overturn and drop from the sky, hitting the water upside down on Thursday afternoon. The National Safety Transportation Board was trying to determine what caused the crash Saturday. NYPD divers were using sonar to locate 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sean had an unmatched ability to lift others up, always ready to listen, to offer support, and to give just the right amount of encouragement to help others chase their dreams, Boethin said on a GoFundMe post seeking donations for Johnsons family. By Saturday afternoon, more than $16,000 had been raised on the site within 16 hours. Tourists Agustin Escobar, the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children Agustin Jr., 10, Merce, 8, and Victor, 4, were also killed in the crash. The family came to New York City to the birthday of one of their children, Mayor Adams said Friday. Camprubi Montal was also celebrating a birthday, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said. A video on Johnsons Facebook page posted last month shows him flying a Bell 206 helicopter over the Manhattan skyline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it all comes together, the 36-year-old pilot wrote. His wife was left stunned by the news. Im just at a loss for words. I dont even know what happened, Kathryn Johnson told Gothamist. Its just hard right now. The couple had been separated for a few months after Johnson moved to New York, but the two remained close and she had spoken to Seankese just the day before the crash, she told reporters. Johnson 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson 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. Johnson first took his passengers up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, where the copter 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson grew up in Chicago, longtime friends said. He joined the Navy 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. Niko Tiapula, who served with Johnson on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier for three years, said the pilot had a work ethic unlike any other. Gardiner Anderson / New York Daily NewsA helicopter is seen submerged in the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, after falling out of the sky midair on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Daily News) Gardiner Anderson / New York Daily NewsDebris from a helicopter crash is seen in the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey after on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Daily News) Show CaptionGardiner Anderson / New York Daily News1 of 3The mangled wreckage of a helicopter is lifted from the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey after it crashed on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Gardiner Anderson / New York Daily News)Expand Everyone that hes ever been around with hes always been very nice, very outgoing, Tiapula told ABC Eyewitness News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remi Adeleke, who also served in the Navy with Johnson, was amazed by the pilots spirit of resilience. [He had a] heart that always looked out for others, Adeleke wrote on Facebook. Even after we both left the Navy, we stayed close regular calls, meetups, and texts. Hed keep me updated every step of the way through pilot school, sharing milestones and progress. He died having achieved the dream he spoke about all those years ago in that SEAL Team workspace, Adeleke wrote. He was so proud, and I was proud of him. The NTSBs Homendy said Johnson 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 This is the first full day of our investigation, and as you can see, our investigators are still out there, Homendy told reporters Friday. We have a lot of information, but we do not speculate. We need to confirm the information. That is a process that takes time. 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. NEW YORK The pilot of the doomed tourist helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River was remembered as a driven Navy veteran who died doing what he loved, friends and loved ones said Saturday. Flying wasnt just his passion it was his purpose. He found pure joy in the skies, and it was there that he felt most alive, Tara Boethin said about Seankese Sean Johnson, who was flying the Bell 206 LongRanger IV that appeared to break apart in midair, overturn and drop from the sky, hitting the water upside down on Thursday afternoon. The National Safety Transportation Board was trying to determine what caused the crash Saturday. NYPD divers were using sonar to locate 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sean had an unmatched ability to lift others up, always ready to listen, to offer support, and to give just the right amount of encouragement to help others chase their dreams, Boethin said on a GoFundMe post seeking donations for Johnsons family. By Saturday afternoon, more than $16,000 had been raised on the site within 16 hours. Tourists Agustin Escobar, the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children Agustin Jr., 10, Merce, 8, and Victor, 4, were also killed in the crash. The family came to New York City to the birthday of one of their children, Mayor Adams said Friday. Camprubi Montal was also celebrating a birthday, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said. A video on Johnsons Facebook page posted last month shows him flying a Bell 206 helicopter over the Manhattan skyline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it all comes together, the 36-year-old pilot wrote. His wife was left stunned by the news. Im just at a loss for words. I dont even know what happened, Kathryn Johnson told Gothamist. Its just hard right now. The couple had been separated for a few months after Johnson moved to New York, but the two remained close and she had spoken to Seankese just the day before the crash, she told reporters. Johnson 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. Johnson 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Johnson first took his passengers up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, where the copter 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. Johnson grew up in Chicago, longtime friends said. He joined the Navy 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Niko Tiapula, who served with Johnson on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier for three years, said the pilot had a work ethic unlike any other. Everyone that hes ever been around with hes always been very nice, very outgoing, Tiapula told ABC Eyewitness News. Remi Adeleke, who also served in the Navy with Johnson, was amazed by the pilots spirit of resilience. [He had a] heart that always looked out for others, Adeleke wrote on Facebook. Even after we both left the Navy, we stayed close regular calls, meetups, and texts. Hed keep me updated every step of the way through pilot school, sharing milestones and progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died having achieved the dream he spoke about all those years ago in that SEAL Team workspace, Adeleke wrote. He was so proud, and I was proud of him. The NTSBs Homendy said Johnson 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. This is the first full day of our investigation, and as you can see, our investigators are still out there, Homendy told reporters Friday. We have a lot of information, but we do not speculate. We need to confirm the information. That is a process that takes time. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) Mayoral Candidates came together on Friday to discuss key issues concerning New York Citys small businesses, economy, and job creation. PIX11s Monica Morales moderated the discussion at the Brooklyn College Graduate Center for Worker Education. More Local News Mayoral candidates former Assemblyman Michael Blake, entrepreneur Whitney Tilson, Chief Executive Officer of the Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa, and attorney Jim Walden took part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYC small business community, in conjunction with over 35 ethnic chambers of commerce, took part. This will be the first time mayoral candidates will have the chance to field questions from such a diverse group of leaders and dozens of owners of small businesses. The forum highlighted the most critical issues impacting small businesses across New York City. It was an informative and spirited debate of the key issues most important to business leaders. As voters prepare to exercise their electoral power in Junes Democratic primary, several candidates will engage directly with small business owners on issues including small business funding, public safety, tariffs, jobs, and housing. 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. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Poles traveled from across the country to the nation's capital for a patriotic demonstration Saturday celebrating 1,000 years since the coronation of the first Polish king. They danced the Polonaise in historic costumes, sang the national anthem, invoked their Catholic beliefs and chanted slogans in support of a conservative candidate running in next month's presidential election. The march of thousands was supported by Law and Justice party, the conservative populists who governed Poland for eight years until 2023, when a centrist, pro-European Prime Minister Donald Tusk took over. Law and Justice is hoping to regain power in the next general election. In the meantime it is fighting to elect an ally as president who is commander-in-chief and has influence over foreign policy and veto power over laws. Law and Justice leader Jarosaw Kaczynski called on all patriots to join the march, which culminated in a gathering in front of the Royal Castle where the party's candidate, 42-year-old Karol Nawrocki, spoke to a supportive crowd. The castle, rebuilt after it was destroyed by Germans during World War II, is a symbol of the nation's history and resilience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A historian, Nawrocki said Poland today must safeguard "this heritage, this beauty, this crown that was given to us. We want a Poland with aspirations, with dreams, because we are committed to those who came before us and to those who will come after us, Nawrocki said. "We want a great Poland! There were a few U.S. flags amid a sea of Polish flags, and supporters also expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump. One of them, Stanislaw Bieniek, 81, said he fled communist Poland for the U.S., where he gained citizenship. My whole family voted for Trump, and now I live here and I will vote for Nawrocki, he said. The parade came as the party seeks to generate momentum around Nawrocki, who has been struggling in the polls against the front-runner, the liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki has also faced a challenge from the candidate of a far-right party, Confederation, who has been growing more popular and threatening Law and Justice's hold over the nation's sizeable conservative electorate. Saturday's event was a celebration of the 1025 coronation of Poland's first king, Bolesaw the Brave, a historic moment that affirmed Poland's national independence. It also celebrated another anniversary in Polish history: 500 years since the Duchy of Prussia paid formal allegiance to the Polish king in 1525. That has emotional resonance for some in a country that suffered German aggression for significant periods in its history. Organizers estimated 100,000 people took part, though city hall run by Trzaskowski put the number at 20,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trzaskowski has been polling at over 30% while Nawrocki is at just over 20%. The two joined a debate on Friday evening seeking to energize their traditional electorates and win new votes. The chaotic organization and disagreements about the format of the debate underlined the deep political divisions in Poland. An election on May 18, with a likely runoff June 1, will determine whether Law and Justice keeps an ally in the presidential palace. The incumbent, Andrzej Duda, is an ally, but his second and final term ends this summer. He has used his veto power to block some elements of Tusk's agenda. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas Metro police said there is no evidence of a crime committed at a childcare facility after a mother said she found her sons hands bound. Kala Hall told the 8 News Now Investigators she found her 9-year-old son Kodys hands bound as he appeared to be sleeping on March 20 at Cherished Legacy Academy. Boys hands bound at Las Vegas childcare facility Hall said detectives showed her video from inside the facility after the 8 News Now Investigators shared her story. Kody was seen playing with a blanket for an extended period of time, but Hall believes it is unclear how the blanket was wrapped around her son so tightly, she said. She also said a childcare employee failed to check on her son, which she believes is neglect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence does not support the claim that a crime was committed, Las Vegas Metro police wrote in an email to the 8 News Now Investigators Friday. At this time, LVMPD will not be moving the case forward criminally. Kody is on the autism spectrum, and while he is verbal, he did not reveal what happened, according to Hall. In an initial police report, Officer Zachary Gainey wrote he did not believe Kody or another child could have been responsible for tying Kodys hands behind his back. A spokesperson for Cherished Legacy Academy sent the following statement to 8 News Now Friday: At Cherished Legacy Academy, the health and safety of the children in our care is our number one priority. Therefore, as soon as we were made aware of the allegations against our employee, we acted swiftly to communicate with the family, reported the incident to local authorities, and immediately conducted an internal investigation. After thorough review of the video footage, interviews and on-site visits, the licensing board did not indicate any violations related to this incident and authorities have closed their case. We take these allegations extremely seriously and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who does not uphold the well-being of young children. Additionally, we will conduct an internal safety training review with all employees to further uphold our commitment to the care and welfare of the children in our care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services for the status of the investigation. Cherished Legacy Academy has a provisional license due to noncompliance with state law, along with pending director approval, according to a DHHS spokesperson. The temporary license is scheduled to expire on April 30. An investigation closed last October revealed multiple violations for problems including a lack of supervision, teachers heard yelling at children inappropriately, an inadequate number of toys and supplies, no vegetables, fruits, or milk served at lunch, and a janitor in the building who was not fingerprinted, according to state records. Another investigation closed last November revealed multiple violations for problems including ratios. State inspectors noted 29 kids of various ages with one worker and a child biting other children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cherished Legacy Academy is a 24-hour facility located on Tropicana Avenue near Jones Boulevard. To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.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 KLAS. Police in South St. Paul are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Friday night. According to police, officers responded to an 8:50 p.m. call about a shooting in a residence in the 700 block of 12th Avenue North. Officers arriving at the scene found a man with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. A 36-year-old man from Hudson, Wis., was arrested at the scene in connection with the shooting. Police said the victim and suspect were known to each other and that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South St. Paul police were being assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in collecting evidence and determining the circumstances of the shooting. The Hennepin County Medical Examiners Office was also investigating and will positively identify the victim. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact South St. Paul police at 651-413-8300. Related Articles Editors Note: A previous version of this story had an incorrect date for the theft from the evidence facility. DENVER (KDVR) Investigators recovered a stolen vehicle and part of the 600 lbs of marijuana that was stolen from an evidence facility during a search of a residence in Denver on Thursday, Colorado State Patrol said. Earlier this week, Colorado State Patrol said the marijuana was stolen from a CSP evidence trailer at a facility in Arapahoe County on April 1. The evidence was scheduled to be destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous coverage: We missed the boat here: 600 lbs. of marijuana stolen from CSP evidence In a press release Friday, CSP said that the Denver Police Department had a Chevrolet Silverado in police custody for an unrelated matter when investigators determined it was the same vehicle seen in surveillance video of the burglary from a CSP evidence facility trailer. Its unclear how the vehicle ended up in police custody. With a warrant, the Colorado State Patrol and the Denver Police Department searched a residential property in Denver around 6 p.m. Thursday. No suspects were there at the time and no one was arrested, however, evidence was found. Troopers recovered approximately 3/4 of the stolen marijuana inside the residence, as well as a shed that was located in the backyard of the property, CSP said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happens to drugs confiscated by law enforcement in Colorado? CSP also said it recovered a stolen GMC pickup truck that was at the residence and unrelated to the marijuana theft. The recovered marijuana was put back into evidence in a secure location, CSP said. The agency said the investigation remains ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact CSP at 303-239-4501. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A suspected shoplifter fleeing Walmart security was struck by a car on Kellogg Friday, police said. Officers working a secondary employment assignment at the Walmart in the 6500 block of West Kellogg were alerted to a possible shoplifting incident, WPD said in a news release. Upon making contact with the suspected individuals, the male fled the scene on foot, heading south toward Kellogg. (Courtesy WichWay.org) An officer initiated a foot pursuit but discontinued the chase prior to entering the highway. The suspect continued across Kellogg and was subsequently struck by a vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sedgwick County dispatchers tell KSN that one person has potentially critical injuries. The westbound lanes of Kellogg at Interstate 235 were closed for several hours as police investigated the scene. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A woman was arrested after she allegedly asked a homeowner to use their bathroom and then stole the victims car, according to police. According to court documents, Columbus police were called to a residence near the intersection of South 4th Street and East Welch Avenue in Merion Village, where a victim reported a burglary. The man said he walked into his living room to check the thermostat when he saw a pair of feet under his living room chair. The victim told police when he turned his lights on, he saw a woman laying on the floor. He confronted the woman, who reportedly gained access to the home through a kitchen window and phoned the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors want Gaudreau brothers BAC levels excluded from case against drunk driver The woman, 34-year-old Brittney Bailey, asked to use the bathroom, to which the victim agreed. When the man went upstairs to check on Bailey, he noticed, as she was leaving, that his nightstand drawer had been moved. Police said that after Bailey ran out of the house, the victim heard his car start in the driveway and watched it back out into the street. He noted that his wallet and keys were missing from his bedroom. The victim recognized Bailey through a mutual friend and was able to identify her from a photo array. Bailey, charged with burglary, was arrested Wednesday and issued a $75,000 bond in Franklin County Municipal Court one day later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bailey previously served five years for a burglary committed in 2012. She was twice denied early release from prison after the state noted the 2012 burglary was committed while she was on community control from a 2011 attempted burglary guilty plea. After her release in 2018, Bailey pleaded guilty to breaking and entering in Sept. 2021. She was sentenced to three years of community control, which was terminated after two years in Oct. 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Police are offering a reward for help identifying a suspect who allegedly caused over $35,000 worth of damage to a speed camera in Longmont. The City of Longmont Department of Public Safety posted Friday that anyone with information leading to the identification and arrest of the wanted person or persons could earn a $2,000 reward. Aurora police: 18-year-old repeat violent offender arrested in drive-by shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city said the damage was a result of two separate incidents, which were caught on camera. The city said it appears that several drivers may have paused to look at the suspect. A video shared by police shows the first incident in the 2600 block of Mountain View Avenue west of Hover Street around 7:03 p.m. on March 14. The video shows a person on a bicycle approaching the camera before the camera view begins shaking for about 27 seconds. The city said no damage was caused during this incident. Police are seeking information about an incident on March 14, 2025 involving a speeding camera near Mountain View Avenue and Hover Street in Longmont. Police are seeking information about an incident on March 14, 2025 involving a speeding camera near Mountain View Avenue and Hover Street in Longmont. Another video from March 24, around 10:37 p.m., shows a person walking up to the speed camera in the same area. The person appears to be touching the camera. Police are seeking help identifying a man who caused damage to a speeding camera in Longmont near Mountain View Avenue and Hover Street on March 24, 2025. Police are seeking help identifying a man who caused damage to a speeding camera in Longmont near Mountain View Avenue and Hover Street on March 24, 2025. The city did not clarify what kind of damage was done but said it was $35,000 worth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police do not know if the incidents involved the same individual or different people. Investigators are asking the public for help identifying the suspect or suspects. The reward is for the identification and arrest of the person responsible for vandalism on March 24, 2025, the Department of Public Safety post states. Tipsters who provide information leading to the identification and arrest of the responsible person could earn $2,000. Anyone who can identify the suspect pictured is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Tim Madigan at 303-651-8869 or email tim.madigan@longmontcolorado.gov referencing case number 25-2705. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (WFRV) The search for a 20-year-old from Chicago who went missing after a boat capsized in the Wisconsin River on April 3 is still ongoing. The Wisconsin Dells Police Department reported on Friday that Francesco L. Di Filippo has not yet been found, eight days after the incident occurred. Bullet found in Wisconsin middle school bathroom, school district releases statement Last Friday, officials found and recovered the body of his grandfather, 75-year-old Luis F. Di Filippo of Chicago; however, Francesco has still not been found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water conditions have started to improve, but are still high as the Kilbourn Dam was discharging around 12,800 cubic feet per second (CFS) as of 4 p.m. on Friday; the recommended rate for a safe search is about 9,000-10,000. Around 8:30 a.m., Wisconsin Dells Police and other agencies launched boats to check specific areas of interest that had been previously identified. The spots were checked with sonar and drones, but none yielded Francesco. Officials reportedly deployed sonar from about 1.5 miles south of the Rivers Edge launch up to where the initial incident happened, where debris collected after some of the water receded. Francesco L. Di Filippo The release said that the water still needs to drop significantly to perform more shoreline searches, along with a temperature increase, which would greatly increase in a successful search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the searchs focus will shift further south along the river, as despite high levels, some places south are shallow, which can be challenging by boat. As the water recedes and more shoreline and islands are exposed, we will have to employ aerial searches to check areas that are otherwise inaccessible, Police Chief Nicholas Brinker said in the release. This will have to be accomplished through aircraft and drones. We will be arranging those searches in the coming days. Ed the Diver and Christie Bs Egg Hunt takes off in northeast Wisconsin Anybody with information or potential sightings is urged to contact the Wisconsin Dells Police Department immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local 5 will continue to provide updates as more come in. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) The majority of polls closed in the oil-rich Gabon on Saturday in a presidential election that the countrys military rulers hoped would legitimize their grip on power. Its the first election since a 2023 military coup ended a political dynasty that lasted over 50 years. Analysts have predicted an overwhelming victory for the interim president who led the coup. The polls were due to close at 6 p.m. local time, but there was no official confirmation from the authorities. Interim results were expected overnight or on Sunday. Some 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 overseas, were registered across more than 3,000 polling stations. A third of the countrys 2.3 million people live in poverty despite its vast oil wealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interim president, Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, 50, the former head of the republican guard, toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago. He hopes to consolidate his grip on power for a seven-year term in office. After casting his ballot on Saturday in the capital, Libreville, Oligui Nguema said: I have a feeling of pride, I have a feeling of joy. I see so much enthusiasm from the Gabonese people gathered here and who want to turn the page to join the new Republic. He called the election transparent and peaceful. Bongo was placed under house arrest after the coup, but then freed a week later due to health concerns. His wife and son were detained and charged with corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Bongo himself was not charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the coup, Oligui Nguema promised to return power to civilians through credible elections." But he proclaimed himself the interim president and then a presidential candidate, following the adoption by the parliament of a new contentious electoral code allowing military personnel to run. He has touted himself as a leader who wants to unify the Gabonese and give them hope, running his presidential campaign under the slogan: We Build Together. The countrys new constitution, adopted in a referendum in November, has set the presidential term at seven years, renewable once, instead of the unlimited fiver-year term. It also states family members cant succeed a president and has abolished the position of prime minister. A challenger with an anti-colonial approach Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of eight candidates are running for president. However, Oligui Nguemas main challenger is Bongos former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who, in a recent interview with The Associated Press, pledged a break with the old system and a new independence. Political, diplomatic and economic independence. In a region where France is losing longstanding allies in many of its former colonies, Gabon stands out as one of only a few where that partnership has not been threatened. It still has more than 300 French troops present, one of only two African countries still hosting them. Oligui Nguema has not signaled an end to the French military presence, but Bilie-By-Nze has said no subject is off limits in renegotiating the ties between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bilie-By-Nze also said during the interview with AP that he didnt expect the election to be fair or transparent. Everything has been done to lock down the vote, he said. However, earlier this week, Laurence Ndong, spokeswoman for Oligui Nguema, denied the allegations, saying: For the first time, Gabon will have a free and transparent election. Bilie-By-Nze voted on Saturday in his hometown of Makokou in the north of the country. In a video message, he said he was concerned that unused voting cards could be used for potential electoral fraud. 'The military has failed' Voters lined up early Saturday in the capital, Libreville, as the election progressed peacefully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonas Obiang told the AP while waiting to cast his ballot in the working-class district of Damas that he would choose Bilie-By-Nze because he viewed the 2023 coup as a continuation of the malpractice. General Oligui Nguema led the country with the same people who plundered the country, the former members of the Bongo regime. I will not vote for him, he said. His views were echoed by Antoine Nkili, a 27-year-old unemployed man with a masters degree in law. The choice is personal, but Im telling you that for me, the military has failed," Nkili said. They promised to reform the institutions, but they havent. Instead, theyve enriched themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jean Bie, 57, who works in the construction sector, said the military rule has benefited the population. In 19 months, General Oligui Nguema has completed several projects expected of the former regime. Im voting for him, hoping hell do more over the next seven years, he said. A strenuous but popular hike at Arches National Park will soon be available again after it was temporarily closed due to staffing shortages. Self-guided Fiery Furnace hikes will resume on Tuesday for hikers with a permit, while daily ranger-guided tours will resume on May 4, according to the park's website. The update comes after park officials announced on March 23 that the area would be closed off indefinitely because they didn't have enough staff to allow for self-guided or ranger-led tours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karen Hanker, the park's spokeswoman, told Backpacker the park had a "limited team" at the time, which was devoted to staffing the front desk, visitor services and other guided tours. She also told the Times-Independent the issues would likely be resolved once seasonal employees were hired, adding that the difficulties of the hike also factored into the decision to temporarily close the trail. "There's also the search-and-rescue component," she told the Moab newspaper. "Should something happen to someone in the Fiery Furnace, we would need to provide support. Rescues are incredibly staff-intensive anywhere in the park, let alone a place as geologically complex as the Fiery Furnace." Fiery Furnace is described by the park as a "natural labyrinth of narrow passages between towering sandstone walls." But given its "challenging" terrain, rangers require hikers to either be guided or obtain a $16 permit, along with some other guidelines. Children under the age of 5 aren't allowed, while an adult must accompany any children 12 or younger. It isn't clear if the staff shortages that led to the trail's closure were tied to mass layoffs at the National Park Service. About 1,000 National Park Service employees across the country were let go in February after President Donald Trump ordered major reductions to the nation's government workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arches has been busy regardless of its staff size. A flood of visitors arrived at the park on March 29, forcing the rangers to temporarily close off entry to the park, nearly a week after the Fiery Furnace closure and days before its timed-entry program resumed. The park attracted more than 1.4 million visitors in 2024. Meanwhile, Park Service officials told KSL-TV in early March that Arches planned to hire seasonal workers to help with the demand at national parks. More than 11.1 million people visited Utahs Mighty 5 national parks last year. GREENSBORO When the only battalion of Black women serving overseas during World War II returned home, they didnt receive a parade or the fanfare that went to others. They just slipped back into their lives. Historian Glenn Chavis of High Point would not learn that one of the few from North Carolina was his aunt, Sgt. Annie Elizabeth Leach Johnson, his mothers sister and a 1930s Bennett College graduate, until the Netflix movie last year about the postal division the Six Triple Eight, with which Johnson served during World War II. The womens story appeared to disappear from the U.S. Department of Defense website earlier this week as those pages documenting the history of people of color and other minority groups were purged as part of an executive order by President Donald Trump targeting diversity, equity and inclusion policies. But it returned to the site later in the week. The News & Observer reported that U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth asking for the pages to be restored. Erasing this extraordinary legacy is an egregious betrayal of their service, Ross said in the letter quoted by the Raleigh newspaper. Removing their stories is a shameful indication of your priorities and is disrespectful to all veterans, not just the members of the 6888th. This timing is especially egregious when the country is just starting to appreciate the story of the 6888th. The group, whose motto was No Mail, Low Morale received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2022. She would not have brought attention to her accomplishments, Chavis said of his aunt. But people should know their story. The battalion of about 850 women was sent to aircraft-sized processing storage houses in England full of backed-up mail addressed to the troops. The delays, they found, affected morale on the battlefield. Despite cold, damp buildings with limited lighting and sporadic heat, they worked three shifts, seven days a week, processing millions of pieces of mail in half the expected time, according to the Department of Defense and the National Park Service websites. They would end up clearing nearly a three-year backlog while in England and later France millions of letters and packages including tins of cookies that were lifelines back home for not only the soldiers but also American Red Cross workers and other government officials stationed in Europe. Chavis has now seen the movie several times on Netflix. He hopes to work with the City of High Point to honor Johnson, who attended William Penn High School. At least two other members of the battalion are believed to be from North Carolina. Only a few of the women who served are named in the movie. The others appear to be a composite of those, including Johnson, who served. Johnson would have been one of the highest-ranking women there. She must have been a sharp lady with leadership skills, said retired U.S. Navy Commander Carlton Philpot, who led the effort to raise a monument in 2018 to the women of the 6888 battalion at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Johnson died in 1979. Just two of the women remain today, Philpot said. They said they thought people had forgotten about them, Philpot said. When I was trying to raise money, nobody had heard of them. That quickly changed with the Tyler Perry-produced movie starring Kerry Washington, Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt, Oprah Winfrey as Mary McLeod Bethune and Sam Waterston as Franklin Roosevelt. Philpot applauds Perrys commitment, but would have made one slight tweak to the film. It is a true story, Philpot said of the movie, but it would have been helpful to have said it wasnt a re-enactment. There is a poignant scene where, for example Spoiler alert! a group of women die when their vehicle is bombed. The truth of it, according to Department of Defense documents, is that they ran off the road and crashed, Philpot said. And while it is known as the all Black battalion of women overseas, even by the Department of Defense, Philpot said they were joined by a small group of women of other ethnicities. The movie also captured their bravery during war and in the face of slights for being Black and women at war, Philpot said. Along with sorting the large and often dirty sacks of mailwith incomplete addresses, duplicate names and the changing locations of the troopstheir job was to read and censor the mail. And when it came to Dear John letters and those involving bad news from home, they often prayed over them before sending them on, according to research by Philpot and Alexandra Aldridge of the library at Maxwell Air Force Base. In France, they worked alongside prisoners of war assigned to help with the heavy lifting. It is unclear how Johnson fit into the battalions day-to-day, but she would have been busy leading women who were self-contained and left to scrub their own floors as well as repair their vehicles and act as their own military police. They were deployed through the urging from civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to allow Black women to serve. After just over a year in the European theater, when mail delivery had caught up and was back on schedule, they were sent home and the unit was deactivated. Johnson taught at William Penn High for a while, then worked in nursing at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury. Chavis had been close to Johnson, who did not have children of her own at the time. When family needed her, she jumped in her car, he said. And boy, could she cook, Chavis said. She excelled at everything she did. When Penn Griffins choir needed robes, she took action. So, she thought about it, and then she made robes for all of them, Chavis said. Chavis hopes to see the 6888ths story return to the Department of Defense website as it has with some of the other stories. We owe them that much, Chavis said. GREENSBORO When the only battalion of Black women serving overseas during World War II returned home, they didnt receive a parade or the fanfare that went to others. They just slipped back into their lives. Historian Glenn Chavis of High Point would not learn that one of the few from North Carolina was his aunt, Sgt. Annie Elizabeth Leach Johnson, his mothers sister and a 1930s Bennett College graduate, until the Netflix movie last year about the postal division the Six Triple Eight, with which Johnson served during World War II. The womens story appeared to disappear from the U.S. Department of Defense website earlier this week as those pages documenting the history of people of color and other minority groups were purged as part of an executive order by President Donald Trump targeting diversity, equity and inclusion policies. But it returned to the site later in the week. The News & Observer reported that U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth asking for the pages to be restored. Erasing this extraordinary legacy is an egregious betrayal of their service, Ross said in the letter quoted by the Raleigh newspaper. Removing their stories is a shameful indication of your priorities and is disrespectful to all veterans, not just the members of the 6888th. This timing is especially egregious when the country is just starting to appreciate the story of the 6888th. The group, whose motto was No Mail, Low Morale received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2022. She would not have brought attention to her accomplishments, Chavis said of his aunt. But people should know their story. The battalion of about 850 women was sent to aircraft-sized processing storage houses in England full of backed-up mail addressed to the troops. The delays, they found, affected morale on the battlefield. Despite cold, damp buildings with limited lighting and sporadic heat, they worked three shifts, seven days a week, processing millions of pieces of mail in half the expected time, according to the Department of Defense and the National Park Service websites. They would end up clearing nearly a three-year backlog while in England and later France millions of letters and packages including tins of cookies that were lifelines back home for not only the soldiers but also American Red Cross workers and other government officials stationed in Europe. Chavis has now seen the movie several times on Netflix. He hopes to work with the City of High Point to honor Johnson, who attended William Penn High School. At least two other members of the battalion are believed to be from North Carolina. Only a few of the women who served are named in the movie. The others appear to be a composite of those, including Johnson, who served. Johnson would have been one of the highest-ranking women there. She must have been a sharp lady with leadership skills, said retired U.S. Navy Commander Carlton Philpot, who led the effort to raise a monument in 2018 to the women of the 6888 battalion at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Johnson died in 1979. Just two of the women remain today, Philpot said. They said they thought people had forgotten about them, Philpot said. When I was trying to raise money, nobody had heard of them. That quickly changed with the Tyler Perry-produced movie starring Kerry Washington, Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt, Oprah Winfrey as Mary McLeod Bethune and Sam Waterston as Franklin Roosevelt. Philpot applauds Perrys commitment, but would have made one slight tweak to the film. It is a true story, Philpot said of the movie, but it would have been helpful to have said it wasnt a re-enactment. There is a poignant scene where, for example Spoiler alert! a group of women die when their vehicle is bombed. The truth of it, according to Department of Defense documents, is that they ran off the road and crashed, Philpot said. And while it is known as the all Black battalion of women overseas, even by the Department of Defense, Philpot said they were joined by a small group of women of other ethnicities. The movie also captured their bravery during war and in the face of slights for being Black and women at war, Philpot said. Along with sorting the large and often dirty sacks of mailwith incomplete addresses, duplicate names and the changing locations of the troopstheir job was to read and censor the mail. And when it came to Dear John letters and those involving bad news from home, they often prayed over them before sending them on, according to research by Philpot and Alexandra Aldridge of the library at Maxwell Air Force Base. In France, they worked alongside prisoners of war assigned to help with the heavy lifting. It is unclear how Johnson fit into the battalions day-to-day, but she would have been busy leading women who were self-contained and left to scrub their own floors as well as repair their vehicles and act as their own military police. They were deployed through the urging from civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to allow Black women to serve. After just over a year in the European theater, when mail delivery had caught up and was back on schedule, they were sent home and the unit was deactivated. Johnson taught at William Penn High for a while, then worked in nursing at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury. Chavis had been close to Johnson, who did not have children of her own at the time. When family needed her, she jumped in her car, he said. And boy, could she cook, Chavis said. She excelled at everything she did. When Penn Griffins choir needed robes, she took action. So, she thought about it, and then she made robes for all of them, Chavis said. Chavis hopes to see the 6888ths story return to the Department of Defense website as it has with some of the other stories. We owe them that much, Chavis said. This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com. The Port of Seattle is set to start a record-breaking cruise season Saturday, with nearly 300 scheduled ship calls bringing an estimated 1.9 million passengers to the city, officials said. Were expecting 298 calls this year, and that will be a new record for us, said Linda Springmann, Director of Cruise Business and Elliott Bay Operations at the Port of Seattle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vast majority of the ships homeporting in Seattle are doing seven-day cruises up to Alaska, Springmann said. They visit Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, experience a glacier, and then stop in Victoria before returning to Seattle. Other destinations include Asia, Australia, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. So there are opportunities to arrive in Seattle from some of these far-flung destinations, which are pretty incredible as well, she said. Springmann said 14 ships will be homeported in Seattle, with several others passing through on their way to their Vancouver home port. The cruise industrys economic impact in Washington state is estimated at $900 million, benefiting businesses across the region.Hotels, restaurants, businesses, tourist attractions, and gift shops benefit as part of that $900 million, and thats not only in the downtown core, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Businesses in other areas, including Eastside wineries, also benefit. In addition to tourism revenue, the industry supports thousands of local jobs, she said. We expect 5,500 jobs to be attributed to the cruise industry, she said. That includes security teams, longshore workers, and other support roles. Another key factor in the cruise industrys economic influence is provisioning. Ships departing for Alaska stock up in Seattle on produce, dairy products, and cleaning supplies. Springmann does not expect the cruise season to be significantly affected by the tariffs that have been making headlines lately. The brands calling in Seattle have a high majority of domestic guests, she said. We have a new brand this year, and were really excited to welcome Cunard Lines Queen Elizabeth, which will be sailing out of Seattle. She sources a bit more internationally, but were not hearing of any changes at this point. Its on everyones radar, but for now, were watching and not expecting any significant changes. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Portland man wanted on an active warrant in Washington state was arrested after a nearly five hours long standoff in unincorporated Clackamas County, according to authorities. Taylor David Martello was taken to Clackamas County Jail on charges of violation of restraining order, possession of a stolen vehicle, and first-degree criminal trespass in Clackamas County, in addition to the warrant charges he faces in Washington state. Deputies with the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office responded to a trespass report at a home on Southeast Aldercrest Road in unincorporated Clackamas County just after 12 p.m. on Friday after a caller said the house was vacant and no one was supposed to be there, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 cases of rare brain disease reported in Hood River County; 2 reported dead Officials said the caller also believed the person inside the home was also a relative who the caller said may have had a warrant out for his arrest. When deputies arrived at the home, they spotted a stolen 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe in front of the residence and were able to identify the man inside as 38-year-old Martello, according to CCSO. Martello allegedly refused to leave the house, and deputies called in the Clackamas County Interagency SWAT and Crisis Negotiations Team to help contain the situation just after 2 p.m., authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest Eventually, a member of the crisis negotiation team got Mortello to surrender, and Mortello was taken into custody around 4:45 p.m. Friday. No injuries were reported during the standoff. Officials say the charges Mortello faces in Washington include escape from community custody, second-degree assault and strangulation. Anyone else with information about the incident is asked to contact the Clackamas 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 KOIN.com. The countrys most privileged private schools canceled their annual diversity, equity and inclusion events after The Post revealed last years conference was filled with such rampant Jew hate that some students left in tears. The National Association of Independent Schools cited the current political and legal landscape when it announced last week its difficult decision to pause its People of Color Conference (PoCC) and Student Diversity Leadership (SDLC) Conference. The organization represents 1,300 schools, including the prestigious Dalton, Brearley and Collegiate in New York City. Dalton sent a delegation of 48 administrators, faculty and staff to last years People of Color Conference. Helayne Seidman Amid the rapidly evolving landscape, we are taking time to assess the needs of our members and the purposes of these convenings to ensure that they evolve in ways that best support our schools, the NAIS wrote in an April 3 letter obtained by The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although we are taking this year to pause PoCC and SDLC, the values and lessons of the conferences are driving our work moving forward, the letter continued. We know that diversity makes our schools and our entire sector stronger and we remain committed to fostering an inclusive independent school community where all members feel supported and valued. The POCC, which aims to provide safe spaces for leadership and professional development for people of color, was founded in 1986 and has been held in tandem with the SDLC since 1993. Last year, outraged attendees and families slammed the woke NAIS for pushing indoctrination through the events. Speakers, including Princeton University Professor Ruha Benjamin, accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and genocide and downplayed the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, staffers and students told The Post. Princeton Professor Ruha Benjamin addressed both students and educators on the final day of the conference last year. Obtained by the New York Post Benjamins virtual reality project, The Phoenix of Gaza was the subject of her 2024 presentation. Obtained by the New York Post Kids said they felt unsafe, hid their Jewish stars and even left the talks early in tears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NAIS later apologized and said all future presentations would be vetted in advance. Michelle Parker, an attorney who advises independent private school families in her private practice, told The Post that the NAIS decision is the right first step given the increasingly divisive content presented each year. Michelle Parker is an attorney who advises independent private school families in her private practice. Cardozo Law In addition to a pause on these conferences, the NAIS community would be well-served by a broad and open inquiry into all of the guidance related to diversity, inclusion and belonging that the NAIS provides, she added. It is alarming that this organization wields such influence over its member schools with little to no transparency. In its letter, the organization said it is creating new events and resources and will continue hosting other events including its Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI), which is in June. Though the school did not specifically mention President Trumps federal initiatives, the conference cancellations come amid a continued crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the public and private sector. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Pratt and Whitney are flying high as they celebrate their centennial anniversary. For 100 years, Pratt and Whitney an aircraft engine manufacturer has been transforming military and commercial aviation with the R-1340 Wasp engine that is still in use today. The company was founded in 1925 and kicked off their centennial anniversary in Columbus where theyve been for 41 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1981, the company broke ground on the Columbus location. Congressman Sanford Bishop was in attendance. I was just recalling that im perhaps one of the dinosaurs around, but it means a great deal to be able to watch the growth and development to have a part in it as a member of Congress now. Bishop says. Its a sense of pride, a pride for the people here, but also our country that we have such innovative and creative people that are doing such important and significant work for our country. The Georgia Congressman presented a congressional recognition to the company for their outstanding achievement, service, and public distinctions. Pratt and Whittney employees receive Congressional recognition from Congressman Sanford Bishop of District 2 Pratt and Whittney did not only receive gifts but gave them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company has had a 17 yearlong partnership with Columbus Technical College. They pledged $250,000 for the schools capital campaign. Columbus Technical College receives $250,0000 pledge from Pratt and Whitney. Jay Kosmas is the General Manager for the Columbus Engine Center. Kosmas says, Theyve helped us fill critical engineering roles as well as shop floor mechanic roles. And we couldnt do it without our local, local technical schools. State and local dignitaries cut the ribbon on the companys 100 year anniversary exhibit. The exhibit showcases the R-1340 Wasp Engine and the original shovels and ribbon used for the groundbreaking of the Columbus location. Columbus was the first stop on the tour. There are plans to visit Quebec, Poland, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. When US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink resigned her post two days ago, she was both under pressure from President Volodymyr Zelenskys office in Kyiv, and feeling the strain of working for her ultimate boss in Washington, President Donald Trump, according to people who knew her. At the same time, she was almost three years into a posting in a war zone away from her family a situation that had also taken an inevitable toll, people said. An extraordinary performance, said a State Department spokesperson, paying tribute. Her sudden departure marks the latest upheaval in Washingtons relations with Kyiv since the Trump administration took office and began a dramatic re-orientation of US policy away from Ukraine and toward Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former Ukrainian official with a positive view of Brink told CNN the ambassador felt she could no longer do what was right under the new administration. She was a very systematic supporter of Ukraine during her three years (in Kyiv). She did everything her position allowed her to do in order for Ukraine to succeed. Her principles would not allow her to do the opposite, the former official said. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said he had communicated with the ambassador following her decision to leave and stressed it was not an emotional decision she had taken, but one that was carefully considered. She took a very rational decision about what she can do right now, in a new environment, under new circumstances, the official said. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky greets US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink on May 14, 2024. - Brendan Smialowski/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Brink began her stint in May 2022, just a few months after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While Kyivs key interlocutors were inside the White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in particular played a central role during the Biden era Brink maintained a high visibility in country and on social media, promoting the Biden administrations policy of military and humanitarian aid transfers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Western ambassadors who worked alongside her in Ukraine spoke of her work ethic and professionalism. Tough as nails, almost a machine sometimes, but with a kind of authentic engagement and real kind of fire, one told CNN approvingly. That toughness was tested throughout her posting, people who know her told CNN, but was challenged to breaking point by Trumps return to power. The new administration has opened multiple channels to Moscow, following three years of diplomatic isolation. It has switched from supporting Ukraines irreversible path to NATO membership to all but ruling it out completely. And at one point last month, the US even paused all military aid and intelligence-sharing to force Kyiv to commit to talks to end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The difficulties in dealing with such a pronounced shift in US policy came to a head for Brink in two of her social media posts. The first was a retweet of a posting by Secretary of State Marco Rubio just hours after Zelensky was publicly assailed by Trump and his deputy JD Vance at a meeting in the White House at the end of February. Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no president has ever had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting America first. America is with you! read Rubios tweet, which Brink separately sent out translated into Ukrainian. Seventeen hundred people piled into the comments expressing astonishment that someone who had previously been so vocal in support of Ukraine was now apparently cheering the humiliation of its leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resign and maintain your dignity, was one of the more polite responses. Many showed considerably less restraint. A view shows the site of a Russian missile attack, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on April 4. - Governor of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Civil Administration Serhiy Lysak/Handout/Reuters The second was a tweet sent just a week ago, following a Russian attack on the southern city of Kryvyi Rih which resulted in the heaviest loss of civilian life in a single strike this year. Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including six children. This is why the war must end, she wrote. Zelensky himself issued a withering response in his nightly address, drawing attention to her failure to name check Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a strong country, such a strong people and such a weak reaction. They are even afraid to say the word Russian when talking about the missile that killed children, he said. Brink did mention Russia in subsequent references to the attack, and the former Ukrainian official expresses sympathy over the predicament she found herself in. She was part of her system; she had to do it, he told CNN. Confirming Brinks departure to reporters on Thursday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce ducked a suggestion the ambassador had been expressly instructed to reduce public references to Russia, saying she was not aware of anything like that, adding that she wouldnt speak to anything regarding a diplomat and the internal dynamics that might occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN has been unable to contact Brink for comment. It was not just relations with her own government that deteriorated as the Trump team took over at the White House, people who know her say. Relations with Zelenskys office had also long since become difficult. US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova visit Kyiv Region, Ukraine, on June 4, 2022. - Edgar Su/Reuters The Ukrainian presidents office had grown ever more frustrated by what it saw as the Biden administrations excessive caution over transfer of weapons such as longer-range tactical missiles known as ATACMs, or F-16 fighter jets, and as the ranking US official in Ukraine, she often bore the brunt, people who knew her said. Her relationship with Zelenskys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, was particularly strained. In addition, she advocated hard for the introduction of anti-corruption measures and reforms aimed at increasing transparency. Back home, these were seen as crucial in winning round skeptics in Congress reluctant to approve Ukraine spending bills for fear the money would be syphoned off. In Kyiv, says Andy Hunder of the American Chamber of Commerce, it made her unpopular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes been very good for the business community in Ukraine with a focus on the shadow economy but (too often) there wasnt the political will to do anything about it, Hunder says. A former ambassador from Europe who was in Kyiv at the same time as Brink is more blunt. She never sugar-coated things she was always very clear with them as to the kind of standards against which they would be met in Washington and I think that kind of pissed them off. Hunder says he believes by the end Brink was simply exhausted from the political pressures from both governments she had to deal with. The former Ukrainian official who spoke to CNN in support of Brink was clear her departure was bad news. We were lucky, we had a great supporter. Right now, we have uncertainty, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Prince Harry has expressed his belief that his police protection was withdrawn in an attempt to trap him, and stop him departing the UK with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020. Harrys taxpayer-funded security was withdrawn as part of arrangements following his decision to exit royal life five years ago, and make a new life with his wife in the US. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry previously took the unprecedented step of suing the UK government over this decision, but it was upheld. This week has seen him back in a London courtroom to hear his lawyers appealing that decision. It was recorded in court that Harry viewed the decision as a means of trying to force the couple to stay within the UK, rather than coming and going from their new home in the US. And he told The Telegraph newspaper that his worst fears had been confirmed by evidence hed heard in court, many details of which have not been made public due to security concerns. He added that he was exhausted and overwhelmed by the legal process that has gone on now for several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This weeks appeal is the latest legal move by Harry, whose trips from his home in California to the UK have frequently involved court dates whether over his security arrangements or various lawsuits against British newspapers. On leaving court this week, Harry said: This one always mattered the most. Harrys decision to sue the UK government is reported to be at the heart of the rift with his father, King Charles. The pair did not meet up in London this week Charles was only in the city briefly to attend an appointment for his continuing cancer treatment, before travelling to Italy for an official visit, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of his wedding to Queen Camilla. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Amid his ongoing legal battle to restore automatic state-backed police protection for him and his family, Prince Harry believes that the withdrawal of security was a calculated attempt to force him and Duchess Meghan to return to full-time royal work. Harry left court on Wednesday, April 9, feeling disheartened by what he heard during two days worth of mostly-private appeal hearings at Londons Royal Courts of Justice. In public comments reported by The Telegraph and People, Harryconfessed that his worst fears have been confirmed following the presentation of secret evidence in court. Thats really sad, he said of the legal disclosures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry and Meghans initial proposal for post-royal life included living abroad but within the Commonwealth while simultaneously continuing their work to represent the monarchy. We were trying to create this happy house, Harry said of their original plan, which was presented to the late Queen Elizabeth prior to their departure from the U.K. in 2020. After discussing the Sussexess plans for post-royal life in a meeting now dubbed as the Sandringham Summit in January 2020, Harry understood that his taxpayer-funded security would remain in place. Queen Elizabeth also expressed in a letter that the couples provision of effective security due to the well-documented history of targeting of the Sussex family by extremists was of paramount importance to her, court documents revealed in 2023. However, a month later, he was informed that the provision of security would be removed. Since, Harry has legally challenged the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), the governmental body responsible for making security arrangements and decisions. At the core of his ongoing rift with other members of the royal family is Harrys belief that the removal of security was a tactic to force him and Meghan to return to their former royal roles by making visits to the U.K. onerous and unsafe. Connecting the dots between RAVECs decision and the perceived attempt to force the Sussexes hand was difficult to swallow, Harry says. Harrys legal team has argued in court that RAVECs decision was not made in accordance with their typical standard procedures, and that Harry was singled out for different, unjustified, and inferior treatment. His team also argued that the same reasons for the withdrawal of the Sussexes security does not apply to other public figures, including celebrities and former prime ministers. Anadolu - Getty Images While speaking with reporters outside of the court, Harry suggested that he could forgive many events that have occurred since 2016the year he met Meghanbut compromising his and his familys safety is not one of them. Of the highly confidential evidence he heard in court, Harry said, People would be shocked by whats being held back. The experience has made him exhausted and overwhelmed, but he is ultimately driven by exposing injustice. When he plainly sees a wrongdoing, he wants to get under the bonnet and fix it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, Harry has been embroiled in several legal battles and victories since stepping down as a senior royal. (Crucially, he secured a historic settlement and a public apology to his mother, Princess Diana, from the publisher of The Sun due to phone hacking and other privacy intrusions earlier this year.) However, Harrys battle to restore his police protection stands out amongst them all. This one has always mattered the most, he said. You Might Also Like Prince Harry has broken his silence in a deeply personal revelation following his latest legal battle in London. In a candid conversation, the Duke of Sussex opened up about the pain, betrayal, and chilling realizations sparked by the removal of his state-funded security. His words paint a harrowing picture of royal politics and personal conviction. Prince Harry Confronts A Painful Truth ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Prince Harry described feeling exhausted and overwhelmed after his two-day appearance at Londons Royal Courts of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, more than the fatigue of legal proceedings, he admitted to PEOPLE Magazine, My worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and thats really sad. The Duke of Sussex revealed that he walked away from the infamous 2020 Sandringham Summit believing his security would remain intact. Letters from Queen Elizabeth II supported the idea, stressing the need for effective security. Yet, within weeks, that promise was gone. Harry said that this sudden removal of protection became more than just a logistical change. It felt like a calculated move to pressurize him and Meghan Markle into returning to royal duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were trying to create this happy house, he recalled. Instead, he found himself thrust into a battle over safety and autonomy. A Royal System Harry No Longer Trusts MEGA At the heart of Harrys fight is RAVEC, the government committee tasked with determining state-funded security for individuals deemed at risk. Harry's legal team argued that RAVEC had diverted from the normal procedure in his case. He was allegedly denied the same level of protection extended to others in the Other VIP Category, which includes pop stars and former prime ministers. Crucially, RAVEC includes members of the Royal Household, including aides close to King Charles. This connection has only added to Harrys suspicion that the decision was influenced from within the palace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That realization was difficult to swallow, he told the outlet, hinting that forces inside the monarchy may have been complicit in making him vulnerable. Though the palace has denied that King Charles has any control over Harry's security status, the Prince believes his father could step in if he chose to. As of now, Harrys appeals appear to have gone unanswered. Prince Harry's Pain Runs Deeper Than Legal Defeat MEGA The security case has intensified the emotional distance between Harry and his family. A brief reunion with King Charles in February 2024 following the monarchs cancer diagnosis offered a glimmer of hope. However, insiders have since revealed that communication between father and son has again broken down. Prince William, too, has reportedly ignored Harry's attempts to reconnect via calls, texts, and messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emotional toll of these rifts was clear as Harry exited the courthouse. "People would be shocked by what's being held back," he said. Despite a history of public forgiveness, this legal battle is different. This one has always mattered the most, Harry explained. The issue of his family's safety is one he refuses to let go. A Fight Bigger Than the Crown ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Behind the courtroom drama lies a deeper motive. Harry says he is driven by exposing injustice, a cause that defines his public and private life. He insists he is not the type to walk away quietly from a system he believes is broken. The secrecy of the court hearings only reinforced his concerns, as much of the April 9 session was held behind closed doors. Still, Harry emerged with a renewed sense of urgency, troubled by what he had learned and more determined than ever to fight for what he believes is right. Even as he continues to face personal and institutional pushback, his commitment to justice remains unwavering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry flew to Ukraine a day after court to visit clinics supporting war victims. His cause now extends well beyond palace walls. Prince Harry's Quest To Leave A Legacy MEGA This is more than a legal crusade for Harry but about the legacy he leaves for his children, Archie and Lilibet. He says that he would never be able to rest if anything were to happen to Meghan or the kids. That possibility fuels his determination to keep pushing, to keep questioning, and to keep protecting. He stressed the "need to get under the bonnet and fix it, using a favorite metaphor for understanding and solving complex problems. In Harry's view, the system that let him and his family down must be challenged from within. The judgment from the appeal is expected in the coming weeks, but regardless of the outcome, Prince Harry has made one thing clear: his fight is far from over. PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Prince William County Cold Case Unit announced Saturday that they are still seeking information on a 1999 cold case. According to police, Russell Raymond Martins body was found on April 12, 1999, in his home on Frostburg Lane in Triangle. Four arrested after employee assaulted, fire extinguisher deployed in DC Chanel store robbery Police say Martin was lying on the floor, covered in blood and unresponsive. An autopsy determined his cause of death to be from blunt force trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on Russells or another cold case is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a webtip. For more information on Prince William County cold cases, 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) Governor J.B. Pritzker may be headed to Capitol Hill to be questioned about sanctuary cities and their policies. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the chair of House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, asked Pritzker and several other Democratic leaders, like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, to testify to Congress. Republicans and the Trump administration have threatened to withhold federal funding for states with sanctuary policies. Federal immigration crackdown starting to affect U of I students Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois Trust Act prohibits state and local law enforcement from cooperating with or obstructing federal immigration officials and their investigations. Sanctuary jurisdictions and their obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities. This threatens Americans safety, Comer said in his letter to Pritzker. The State of Illinois is a sanctuary jurisdiction that refuses to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. In a statement from the Governors office, Pritzker has not decided if hes going to testify. Illinois Trust Act which was signed into law by a Republican is fully compliant with federal law and ensures law enforcement can focus on doing their actual jobs while empowering all members of the public regardless of immigration status to feel comfortable calling law enforcement to seek help, report crimes, and cooperate in investigations. We are reviewing the request for documentation and the Governor is evaluating whether he should take time from his busy schedule serving the people of Illinois to educate the House GOP on these matters. Press Secretary for the Office of Illinois Governor Alex Gough IL expert warns executive order to deport international student protesters violates 1st Amendment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, several mayors of sanctuary cities were asked to testify on their sanctuary city policies, including Chicagos Brandon Johnson. The hearing is scheduled for May 15 at 10 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Credit: Tom Bowles Pro-Palestine protesters blocked a fire engine responding to an emergency as they swarmed the roads of south London. The vehicle, which had its sirens on, was forced to change route after Youth Demand demonstrators refused to end their roadblock in Elephant and Castle on Saturday at around 12.30pm. The group, which was demanding a trade embargo on Israel and investment in communities most affected by the use of fossil fuels, had five of its protesters arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage shows the vehicle struggling to pass through the traffic as around 50 demonstrators, who continued to chant and bang their drum, blocked the roundabout next to the Tube stations. The fire engine was trapped between other vehicles also stuck in the disruption until the police arrived to intervene. Eventually, a bus moved out of the way to allow space for the fire engine, which was then able to travel along St Georges Road as it was free from disruption. I feel a duty to take to the streets Youth Demand said it ended the blockade at around 1.20pm, with one protester arrested for breach of Section 7 of the Public Order Act and four more arrested as the crowds dispersed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It hit out at the arrests on X, accusing the British state of continu[ing] to protect war criminals and arrest ordinary people of conscience. The group, which has been called Just Stop Oil 2.0, added it will continue to take necessary and proportionate action put an end to UK complicity in genocide. Mia Hinds, an A-level student from Exeter, who took part in the protest, said: I am taking action with Youth Demand because I cannot sit by and watch two genocides happen on livestream: the genocide of the Palestinians and the global genocide of the climate crisis. As a young person, I feel so much rage about government complicity and I feel a duty to take to the streets. Pelted with eggs On Friday, Youth Demand members were pelted with eggs while blocking traffic on Farringdon Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The road protests come after David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, was targeted by Youth Demand activists at his home in north London. Two female protesters placed child-sized body bags at his doorstep and displayed a sign over his hedge that read Lammy Stop Army Genocide on Tuesday morning. The Governments position is that Israels actions in Gaza are at a clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law. 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. Pro-Palestinian protesters rally inside the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz On Friday afternoon, approximately 60 people, including university students and community members, protested and marched inside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing against what they say is the harassment of international students for supporting the Palestinian cause and demanded state officials divest from Israel. The peaceful march inside the Capitol took place after a rally organized by pro-Palestinian student organizations from Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, the University of Detroit Mercy, and Michigan State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Omar Anasara, 19, a philosophy student and member of Students for Justice in Palestine at MSU, expressed their demands during his speech. We demand not only that the state imposes a large-scale arms embargo on Israel and divests from Israeli bonds, investment firms, and weapons manufacturers that profit off of and enable the genocide in Gaza, but also that the State Attorney General drops the charges against pro-Palestinian activists, and that university administrations across Michigan provide assurances for the protection of international students,said Anasara. Pro-Palestinian protesters march after a rally outside the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz On September 12, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed felony charges against 11 pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Michigan in connection with the encampment that took place at the Diag in April of last year. Additionally, the student activists sought to highlight the pressure they are receiving from the Trump administration because of their beliefs, claiming that it is an attack on freedom of speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monitoring of social media for pro-Palestinian content, or the silent and unannounced deportations of folks for exercising their rights to protest, we are seeing the consequences of unfettered fascism from the top-down level, highlighted Anasara. The rally came a day after 19 pro-Palestinian activists were arrested at the Michigan State University administration building when they refused to leave the premises. For about an hour, Fridays rally continued without major incidents amidst speeches and chants.. The protesters momentarily occupied W. Ottawa Street, marching toward Heritage Hall located on the north side of the Capitol, where they entered the building and took a brief break. Several minutes later, the protesters reached the first floor Capitol Rotunda, where they continued chanting in support of the Palestinian cause for about 15 minutes before leaving the building and marking the end of the protest. There was no police intervention beyond a few questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-Palestinian protesters rally inside the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Pro-Palestinian protesters rally inside the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Pro-Palestinian protesters stand outside Heritage Hall after a rally at the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Protesters waive Palestinian flags during a rally outside the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Pro-Palestinian protesters unfurl a banner during a rally outside the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-Palestinian protesters hold signs during a rally outside the Michigan State Capitol on Friday, April 11, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A detainee uses a computer at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas, during a media tour in 2024. The Trump administration is rapidly expanding immigration detention through billion-dollar contracts with for-profit, private prison companies. (Veronica Gabriela Cardenas, Pool/Getty Images) The Trump administration is moving quickly to dramatically expand the nations capacity for detaining immigrants who do not have legal authorization to be in the United States. The administration has largely turned to the for-profit, private prison industry to reopen or repurpose shuttered and aging facilities many of which have been previously criticized for poor conditions and inadequate care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced it will reopen Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. The detention facility, owned by private prison company GEO Group, has the capacity to hold about 1,000 people. It will become the largest ICE processing and detention center on the East Coast. The 15-year contract is valued at $1 billion. Private prison operator CoreCivic also announced it will reopen the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. The family detention site can house up to 2,400 ICE detainees, including children. The new contract will run through at least March 2030. Private immigration detention is growing fast again. The Trump administration is rapidly expanding immigration detention through billion-dollar contracts with private prison companies, including GEO Group and CoreCivic. Dozens of facilities may reopen across at least eight states, including places with long histories of abuse. But while some communities and states are concerned about oversight and are pushing back, others see economic opportunity. President Donald Trump isnt the first president to rely on private contractors to detain immigrants. Tens of thousands were held in private facilities under both the Obama and Biden administrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new contracts mark the start of a planned expansion led by Trumps border adviser, Tom Homan, who has called for boosting ICEs detention capacity to at least 100,000 people. Trump has repeatedly touted his goal of staging the largest deportation operation in American history, vowing to deport millions of people. There are an estimated 11 million immigrants who are not legally authorized to live in the United States, according to the Migration Policy Institute, an independent, nonpartisan think tank. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told attendees of the 2025 Border Security Expo in Arizona this week that he wants the agency to become as efficient at deporting immigrants as e-commerce giant Amazon is at delivering packages. We need to get better at treating this like a business, Lyons said, describing his ideal deportation process as like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of expanding contracts with private operators, the Trump administration also has sent immigrants to detention facilities abroad, including Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, or CECOT, in El Salvador. As of March 23, ICE had 47,892 people in custody, according to the governments latest detention statistics. Yet the agency requested funding for just 34,000 beds in fiscal year 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys budget documents. ICE, in February, released at least 160 detainees after its network of at least 107 facilities reached 109% capacity, according to internal government statistics obtained by CBS News. During earnings calls earlier this year with stockholders, both GEO Group and CoreCivic officials described the current landscape as one of unprecedented growth and opportunity. Alongside detention expansion, executives said, they expect increased demand for transportation and electronic monitoring services. Neither company granted Stateline an interview. In an emailed statement, GEOs corporate relations director, Christopher Ferreira, wrote: We are proud of our record of working closely with federal, state, and local government agencies to ensure that all persons entrusted to our care are treated in a safe, secure and humane manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same statement, Ferreira also confirmed GEO is investing $70 million to expand housing, transportation and monitoring services to meet the federal governments immigration enforcement goals. CoreCivics senior director of public affairs, Ryan Gustin, wrote in an email that the fact is the services we provide help the government solve problems in ways it could not do alone to help create safer communities by assisting with the current immigration challenges, dramatically improve the standard of care for vulnerable people, and meet other critical needs efficiently and innovatively. These are problems the American public has made clear they want fixed. Both companies are now moving quickly to reopen idle facilities, which could happen in just a few months. Emblematic of the immigration detention system Private immigration detention dates back to the 1980s, when companies such as CoreCivic then called Corrections Corporation of America began operating detention facilities. In 1984, the company converted a Houston motel into a makeshift detention center. Since then, the federal governments use of private contractors has dramatically increased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, nearly 90% of immigrants in ICE custody are held in privately operated facilities, according to the latest analysis by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a data gathering and research group. Some immigration advocates say this growth is largely driven by profit. The conditions at the privately run facilities are awful, but theyre really emblematic of the immigration detention system as a whole, Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at the immigration rights group Detention Watch Network, told Stateline. Theyre incentivized to cut corners. Just last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a request inviting contractors to submit bids for new detention facilities, transportation, security personnel, medical services and administrative support. The contracts could total up to $45 billion over the next two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the next several months, dozens of privately operated ICE detention facilities may open in at least eight states, including California, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas and Washington. Several states have tried to rein in private detention within their jurisdictions, with varying levels of success. At least four states Illinois, Iowa, Nevada and New York have passed laws banning private prisons, though those measures do not apply to federal immigration detention facilities. They're incentivized to cut corners. Setareh Ghandehari, Detention Watch Networks advocacy director Illinois, which outlawed for-profit prisons in the 1990s, passed a law in 2019 that prohibits state, county and local governments from entering into contracts with private companies to run immigration detention centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico legislators earlier this year considered a similar bill that would have prohibited state agencies and local governments from entering into any agreements used to detain immigrants. The bill also would have required that any existing agreements end as soon as possible. The bill passed out of the House but did not get through the Senate before the session ended. California and New Jersey enacted laws to ban private detention in 2019 and 2021, respectively. But both laws have been ruled partially unconstitutional, allowing private companies to continue operating. The judges determined that while the states can bar public agencies or departments from contracting with ICE or private companies, they cannot prevent private companies from entering into contracts and operating facilities within state borders. The New Jersey attorney generals office is seeking a federal appeals court hearing to challenge the ruling. Private detention oversight Legislators in Washington state are considering a bill that would introduce state-level oversight of privately operated immigration detention facilities. The bill would grant the state Department of Health the authority to inspect privately run detention facilities in Washington. Under the proposal, the department would be able to establish rules regarding access to phones, medical services, running water, lighting and food safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State inspectors also would have the authority to enter facilities at any time and impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation. The bill passed out of the House and is now under review in the Senate. Some of the facilities slated to reopen in the coming months, including in Kansas and New Jersey, are already facing challenges related to permits and oversight. CoreCivic filed paperwork earlier this year to reopen its shuttered Leavenworth Detention Center in Kansas as an immigration facility. The jail, which closed in 2021, has a documented history of violence and abuse when it was previously run by CoreCivic as a pretrial lockup. The new proposal has sparked strong public opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CoreCivic initially applied for a special use permit with the city but later withdrew, avoiding the required public hearings. In turn, the Leavenworth City Commission unanimously passed a resolution requiring the company to complete the full permit process and has since filed a federal lawsuit. In Newark, New Jersey, tensions have escalated between city officials and GEO Group over the companys efforts to open the 1,000-bed Delaney Hall. The Newark mayors administration filed a legal complaint last week, accusing the company of violating local codes in a rush to complete the project. The filing came just one day after Newarks engineering department issued a stop-work order, halting all ongoing construction at the site. GEO plans to open the facility by this summer. In late February, CoreCivic also announced that it has expanded its contracts with ICE to accommodate up to 784 detainees collectively at CoreCivic-owned facilities in Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio and Oklahoma. While some communities have pushed back against reopening detention centers over concerns about abuse and lack of oversight, others view the facilities as economic lifelines and say they offer a safer alternative than releasing detainees while their case is resolved. Kansas state Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican who represents the Leavenworth area, told local TV station KCTV that he was initially against the Leavenworth Detention Center becoming an ICE detention facility, but later changed his mind. I was very concerned they may be released, Proctor said. They are ICE detainees that are being held until they can be put on a bus to be put on a plane to go back to their country of origin. I think its much safer for the community. But some academic research has found that the economic benefits of private prisons are often overstated. In many private detention facilities, basic operations such as food service and janitorial work are carried out by detained immigrants, who are paid as little as $1 a day. Troubling conditions for ICE detention centers Unlike state-run prisons or local jails in states with oversight bodies, privately operated ICE detention centers are not subject to state inspections or regulations. States or local governments may have limited discretion to inspect or regulate when detainees are held in state-owned or local facilities, experts say, but even then, the extent of that oversight varies widely. As a practical matter, experts say, there is little to no state or local oversight of federal immigration detention operations. State legislators should focus on gathering as much information as possible about past private contracts, including how facilities operated and the challenges they faced, said Ben Eikey, manager of state training and development at the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, a nonpartisan organization that promotes government transparency. Doing so, he argued, would help lawmakers make more informed decisions about how private detention centers and private prisons might affect their communities. Internal audits and independent investigations have repeatedly flagged lapses in oversight at immigration detention centers, including those privately operated, across the country. Although unannounced inspections by the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General found that ICE generally complied with detention standards, inspectors still uncovered troubling conditions and questionable practices at several facilities, according to a report released in September. The report warned that these gaps undermine ICEs ability to maintain a safe and secure environment for staff and detainees. The report also highlighted concerns over guaranteed minimums built into some ICE contracts with private operators and state or local governments, which require the government to pay for a set number of beds regardless of whether they are filled. Between 2020 and 2023, eight of the 17 inspected facilities cost the federal government roughly $160 million in payments for unused space, according to the report. Although ICE must acquire and maintain enough bed space to satisfy demand for population surges and must adjust for health and safety requirements, Joseph Cuffari, the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security wrote in the report, it must also strive for balance to avoid wasting funds on empty beds. Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@stateline.org. Stateline, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A detainee uses a computer at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas, during a media tour in 2024. The Trump administration is rapidly expanding immigration detention through billion-dollar contracts with for-profit, private prison companies. (Veronica Gabriela Cardenas, Pool/Getty Images) The Trump administration is moving quickly to dramatically expand the nations capacity for detaining immigrants who do not have legal authorization to be in the United States. The administration has largely turned to the for-profit, private prison industry to reopen or repurpose shuttered and aging facilities many of which have been previously criticized for poor conditions and inadequate care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced it will reopen Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. The detention facility, owned by private prison company GEO Group, has the capacity to hold about 1,000 people. It will become the largest ICE processing and detention center on the East Coast. The 15-year contract is valued at $1 billion. Private prison operator CoreCivic also announced it will reopen the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. The family detention site can house up to 2,400 ICE detainees, including children. The new contract will run through at least March 2030. Private immigration detention is growing fast again. The Trump administration is rapidly expanding immigration detention through billion-dollar contracts with private prison companies, including GEO Group and CoreCivic. Dozens of facilities may reopen across at least eight states, including places with long histories of abuse. But while some communities and states are concerned about oversight and are pushing back, others see economic opportunity. President Donald Trump isnt the first president to rely on private contractors to detain immigrants. Tens of thousands were held in private facilities under both the Obama and Biden administrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new contracts mark the start of a planned expansion led by Trumps border adviser, Tom Homan, who has called for boosting ICEs detention capacity to at least 100,000 people. Trump has repeatedly touted his goal of staging the largest deportation operation in American history, vowing to deport millions of people. There are an estimated 11 million immigrants who are not legally authorized to live in the United States, according to the Migration Policy Institute, an independent, nonpartisan think tank. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told attendees of the 2025 Border Security Expo in Arizona this week that he wants the agency to become as efficient at deporting immigrants as e-commerce giant Amazon is at delivering packages. We need to get better at treating this like a business, Lyons said, describing his ideal deportation process as like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of expanding contracts with private operators, the Trump administration also has sent immigrants to detention facilities abroad, including Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, or CECOT, in El Salvador. As of March 23, ICE had 47,892 people in custody, according to the governments latest detention statistics. Yet the agency requested funding for just 34,000 beds in fiscal year 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys budget documents. ICE, in February, released at least 160 detainees after its network of at least 107 facilities reached 109% capacity, according to internal government statistics obtained by CBS News. During earnings calls earlier this year with stockholders, both GEO Group and CoreCivic officials described the current landscape as one of unprecedented growth and opportunity. Alongside detention expansion, executives said, they expect increased demand for transportation and electronic monitoring services. Neither company granted Stateline an interview. In an emailed statement, GEOs corporate relations director, Christopher Ferreira, wrote: We are proud of our record of working closely with federal, state, and local government agencies to ensure that all persons entrusted to our care are treated in a safe, secure and humane manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same statement, Ferreira also confirmed GEO is investing $70 million to expand housing, transportation and monitoring services to meet the federal governments immigration enforcement goals. CoreCivics senior director of public affairs, Ryan Gustin, wrote in an email that the fact is the services we provide help the government solve problems in ways it could not do alone to help create safer communities by assisting with the current immigration challenges, dramatically improve the standard of care for vulnerable people, and meet other critical needs efficiently and innovatively. These are problems the American public has made clear they want fixed. Both companies are now moving quickly to reopen idle facilities, which could happen in just a few months. Emblematic of the immigration detention system Private immigration detention dates back to the 1980s, when companies such as CoreCivic then called Corrections Corporation of America began operating detention facilities. In 1984, the company converted a Houston motel into a makeshift detention center. Since then, the federal governments use of private contractors has dramatically increased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, nearly 90% of immigrants in ICE custody are held in privately operated facilities, according to the latest analysis by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a data gathering and research group. Some immigration advocates say this growth is largely driven by profit. The conditions at the privately run facilities are awful, but theyre really emblematic of the immigration detention system as a whole, Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at the immigration rights group Detention Watch Network, told Stateline. Theyre incentivized to cut corners. Just last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a request inviting contractors to submit bids for new detention facilities, transportation, security personnel, medical services and administrative support. The contracts could total up to $45 billion over the next two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the next several months, dozens of privately operated ICE detention facilities may open in at least eight states, including California, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas and Washington. Several states have tried to rein in private detention within their jurisdictions, with varying levels of success. At least four states Illinois, Iowa, Nevada and New York have passed laws banning private prisons, though those measures do not apply to federal immigration detention facilities. Illinois, which outlawed for-profit prisons in the 1990s, passed a law in 2019 that prohibits state, county and local governments from entering into contracts with private companies to run immigration detention centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico legislators earlier this year considered a similar bill that would have prohibited state agencies and local governments from entering into any agreements used to detain immigrants. The bill also would have required that any existing agreements end as soon as possible. The bill passed out of the House but did not get through the Senate before the session ended. California and New Jersey enacted laws to ban private detention in 2019 and 2021, respectively. But both laws have been ruled partially unconstitutional, allowing private companies to continue operating. The judges determined that while the states can bar public agencies or departments from contracting with ICE or private companies, they cannot prevent private companies from entering into contracts and operating facilities within state borders. The New Jersey attorney generals office is seeking a federal appeals court hearing to challenge the ruling. Private detention oversight Legislators in Washington state are considering a bill that would introduce state-level oversight of privately operated immigration detention facilities. The bill would grant the state Department of Health the authority to inspect privately run detention facilities in Washington. Under the proposal, the department would be able to establish rules regarding access to phones, medical services, running water, lighting and food safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State inspectors also would have the authority to enter facilities at any time and impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation. The bill passed out of the House and is now under review in the Senate. Some of the facilities slated to reopen in the coming months, including in Kansas and New Jersey, are already facing challenges related to permits and oversight. CoreCivic filed paperwork earlier this year to reopen its shuttered Leavenworth Detention Center in Kansas as an immigration facility. The jail, which closed in 2021, has a documented history of violence and abuse when it was previously run by CoreCivic as a pretrial lockup. The new proposal has sparked strong public opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CoreCivic initially applied for a special use permit with the city but later withdrew, avoiding the required public hearings. In turn, the Leavenworth City Commission unanimously passed a resolution requiring the company to complete the full permit process and has since filed a federal lawsuit. In Newark, New Jersey, tensions have escalated between city officials and GEO Group over the companys efforts to open the 1,000-bed Delaney Hall. The Newark mayors administration filed a legal complaint last week, accusing the company of violating local codes in a rush to complete the project. The filing came just one day after Newarks engineering department issued a stop-work order, halting all ongoing construction at the site. GEO plans to open the facility by this summer. In late February, CoreCivic also announced that it has expanded its contracts with ICE to accommodate up to 784 detainees collectively at CoreCivic-owned facilities in Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio and Oklahoma. While some communities have pushed back against reopening detention centers over concerns about abuse and lack of oversight, others view the facilities as economic lifelines and say they offer a safer alternative than releasing detainees while their case is resolved. Kansas state Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican who represents the Leavenworth area, told local TV station KCTV that he was initially against the Leavenworth Detention Center becoming an ICE detention facility, but later changed his mind. I was very concerned they may be released, Proctor said. They are ICE detainees that are being held until they can be put on a bus to be put on a plane to go back to their country of origin. I think its much safer for the community. But some academic research has found that the economic benefits of private prisons are often overstated. In many private detention facilities, basic operations such as food service and janitorial work are carried out by detained immigrants, who are paid as little as $1 a day. Troubling conditions Unlike state-run prisons or local jails in states with oversight bodies, privately operated ICE detention centers are not subject to state inspections or regulations. States or local governments may have limited discretion to inspect or regulate when detainees are held in state-owned or local facilities, experts say, but even then, the extent of that oversight varies widely. As a practical matter, experts say, there is little to no state or local oversight of federal immigration detention operations. State legislators should focus on gathering as much information as possible about past private contracts, including how facilities operated and the challenges they faced, said Ben Eikey, manager of state training and development at the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, a nonpartisan organization that promotes government transparency. Doing so, he argued, would help lawmakers make more informed decisions about how private detention centers and private prisons might affect their communities. Internal audits and independent investigations have repeatedly flagged lapses in oversight at immigration detention centers, including those privately operated, across the country. Although unannounced inspections by the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General found that ICE generally complied with detention standards, inspectors still uncovered troubling conditions and questionable practices at several facilities, according to a report released in September. The report warned that these gaps undermine ICEs ability to maintain a safe and secure environment for staff and detainees. The report also highlighted concerns over guaranteed minimums built into some ICE contracts with private operators and state or local governments, which require the government to pay for a set number of beds regardless of whether they are filled. Between 2020 and 2023, eight of the 17 inspected facilities cost the federal government roughly $160 million in payments for unused space, according to the report. Although ICE must acquire and maintain enough bed space to satisfy demand for population surges and must adjust for health and safety requirements, Joseph Cuffari, the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security wrote in the report, it must also strive for balance to avoid wasting funds on empty beds. 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. A detainee uses a computer at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas, during a media tour in 2024. The Trump administration is rapidly expanding immigration detention through billion-dollar contracts with for-profit, private prison companies. (Pool photo by Veronica Gabriela Cardenas/Getty Images) The Trump administration is moving quickly to dramatically expand the nations capacity for detaining immigrants who do not have legal authorization to be in the United States. The administration has largely turned to the for-profit, private prison industry to reopen or repurpose shuttered and aging facilities many of which have been previously criticized for poor conditions and inadequate care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced it will reopen Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. The detention facility, owned by private prison company GEO Group, has the capacity to hold about 1,000 people. It will become the largest ICE processing and detention center on the East Coast. The 15-year contract is valued at $1 billion. Private prison operator CoreCivic also announced it will reopen the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. The family detention site can house up to 2,400 ICE detainees, including children. The new contract will run through at least March 2030. Private immigration detention is growing fast again. The Trump administration is rapidly expanding immigration detention through billion-dollar contracts with private prison companies, including GEO Group and CoreCivic. Dozens of facilities may reopen across at least eight states, including places with long histories of abuse. But while some communities and states are concerned about oversight and are pushing back, others see economic opportunity. President Donald Trump isnt the first president to rely on private contractors to detain immigrants. Tens of thousands were held in private facilities under both the Obama and Biden administrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new contracts mark the start of a planned expansion led by Trumps border adviser, Tom Homan, who has called for boosting ICEs detention capacity to at least 100,000 people. Trump has repeatedly touted his goal of staging the largest deportation operation in American history, vowing to deport millions of people. There are an estimated 11 million immigrants who are not legally authorized to live in the United States, according to the Migration Policy Institute, an independent, nonpartisan think tank. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told attendees of the 2025 Border Security Expo in Arizona this week that he wants the agency to become as efficient at deporting immigrants as e-commerce giant Amazon is at delivering packages. We need to get better at treating this like a business, Lyons said, describing his ideal deportation process as like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of expanding contracts with private operators, the Trump administration also has sent immigrants to detention facilities abroad, including Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, or CECOT, in El Salvador. As of March 23, ICE had 47,892 people in custody, according to the governments latest detention statistics. Yet the agency requested funding for just 34,000 beds in fiscal year 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys budget documents. ICE, in February, released at least 160 detainees after its network of at least 107 facilities reached 109% capacity, according to internal government statistics obtained by CBS News. During earnings calls earlier this year with stockholders, both GEO Group and CoreCivic officials described the current landscape as one of unprecedented growth and opportunity. Alongside detention expansion, executives said, they expect increased demand for transportation and electronic monitoring services. Neither company granted Stateline an interview. In an emailed statement, GEOs corporate relations director, Christopher Ferreira, wrote: We are proud of our record of working closely with federal, state, and local government agencies to ensure that all persons entrusted to our care are treated in a safe, secure and humane manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same statement, Ferreira also confirmed GEO is investing $70 million to expand housing, transportation and monitoring services to meet the federal governments immigration enforcement goals. CoreCivics senior director of public affairs, Ryan Gustin, wrote in an email that the fact is the services we provide help the government solve problems in ways it could not do alone to help create safer communities by assisting with the current immigration challenges, dramatically improve the standard of care for vulnerable people, and meet other critical needs efficiently and innovatively. These are problems the American public has made clear they want fixed. Both companies are now moving quickly to reopen idle facilities, which could happen in just a few months. Emblematic of the immigration detention system Private immigration detention dates back to the 1980s, when companies such as CoreCivic then called Corrections Corporation of America began operating detention facilities. In 1984, the company converted a Houston motel into a makeshift detention center. Since then, the federal governments use of private contractors has dramatically increased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, nearly 90% of immigrants in ICE custody are held in privately operated facilities, according to the latest analysis by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a data gathering and research group. Some immigration advocates say this growth is largely driven by profit. The conditions at the privately run facilities are awful, but theyre really emblematic of the immigration detention system as a whole, Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at the immigration rights group Detention Watch Network, told Stateline. Theyre incentivized to cut corners. Just last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a request inviting contractors to submit bids for new detention facilities, transportation, security personnel, medical services and administrative support. The contracts could total up to $45 billion over the next two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the next several months, dozens of privately operated ICE detention facilities may open in at least eight states, including California, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas and Washington. Several states have tried to rein in private detention within their jurisdictions, with varying levels of success. At least four states Illinois, Iowa, Nevada and New York have passed laws banning private prisons, though those measures do not apply to federal immigration detention facilities. Illinois, which outlawed for-profit prisons in the 1990s, passed a law in 2019 that prohibits state, county and local governments from entering into contracts with private companies to run immigration detention centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico legislators are currently considering a similar bill that would prohibit state agencies and local governments from entering into any agreements used to detain immigrants. The bill also would require that any existing agreements end as soon as possible. The bill passed out of the House and is now under review in the Senate. California and New Jersey enacted laws to ban private detention in 2019 and 2021, respectively. But both laws have been ruled partially unconstitutional, allowing private companies to continue operating. The judges determined that while the states can bar public agencies or departments from contracting with ICE or private companies, they cannot prevent private companies from entering into contracts and operating facilities within state borders. The New Jersey attorney generals office is seeking a federal appeals court hearing to challenge the ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CoreCivics Leavenworth Detention Center was a hotbed for drugs and violence. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector) Private detention oversight Legislators in Washington state are considering a bill that would introduce state-level oversight of privately operated immigration detention facilities. The bill would grant the state Department of Health the authority to inspect privately run detention facilities in Washington. Under the proposal, the department would be able to establish rules regarding access to phones, medical services, running water, lighting and food safety. State inspectors also would have the authority to enter facilities at any time and impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation. The bill passed out of the House and is now under review in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the facilities slated to reopen in the coming months, including in Kansas and New Jersey, are already facing challenges related to permits and oversight. CoreCivic filed paperwork earlier this year to reopen its shuttered Leavenworth Detention Center in Kansas as an immigration facility. The jail, which closed in 2021, has a documented history of violence and abuse when it was previously run by CoreCivic as a pretrial lockup. The new proposal has sparked strong public opposition. CoreCivic initially applied for a special use permit with the city but later withdrew, avoiding the required public hearings. In turn, the Leavenworth City Commission unanimously passed a resolution requiring the company to complete the full permit process and has since filed a federal lawsuit. In Newark, New Jersey, tensions have escalated between city officials and GEO Group over the companys efforts to open the 1,000-bed Delaney Hall. The Newark mayors administration filed a legal complaint last week, accusing the company of violating local codes in a rush to complete the project. The filing came just one day after Newarks engineering department issued a stop-work order, halting all ongoing construction at the site. GEO plans to open the facility by this summer. In late February, CoreCivic also announced that it has expanded its contracts with ICE to accommodate up to 784 detainees collectively at CoreCivic-owned facilities in Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio and Oklahoma. While some communities have pushed back against reopening detention centers over concerns about abuse and lack of oversight, others view the facilities as economic lifelines and say they offer a safer alternative than releasing detainees while their case is resolved. Kansas state Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican who represents the Leavenworth area, told local TV station KCTV that he was initially against the Leavenworth Detention Center becoming an ICE detention facility, but later changed his mind. I was very concerned they may be released, Proctor said. They are ICE detainees that are being held until they can be put on a bus to be put on a plane to go back to their country of origin. I think its much safer for the community. But some academic research has found that the economic benefits of private prisons are often overstated. In many private detention facilities, basic operations such as food service and janitorial work are carried out by detained immigrants, who are paid as little as $1 a day. Troubling conditions Unlike state-run prisons or local jails in states with oversight bodies, privately operated ICE detention centers are not subject to state inspections or regulations. States or local governments may have limited discretion to inspect or regulate when detainees are held in state-owned or local facilities, experts say, but even then, the extent of that oversight varies widely. As a practical matter, experts say, there is little to no state or local oversight of federal immigration detention operations. State legislators should focus on gathering as much information as possible about past private contracts, including how facilities operated and the challenges they faced, said Ben Eikey, manager of state training and development at the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, a nonpartisan organization that promotes government transparency. Doing so, he argued, would help lawmakers make more informed decisions about how private detention centers and private prisons might affect their communities. Internal audits and independent investigations have repeatedly flagged lapses in oversight at immigration detention centers, including those privately operated, across the country. Although unannounced inspections by the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General found that ICE generally complied with detention standards, inspectors still uncovered troubling conditions and questionable practices at several facilities, according to a report released in September. The report warned that these gaps undermine ICEs ability to maintain a safe and secure environment for staff and detainees. The report also highlighted concerns over guaranteed minimums built into some ICE contracts with private operators and state or local governments, which require the government to pay for a set number of beds regardless of whether they are filled. Between 2020 and 2023, eight of the 17 inspected facilities cost the federal government roughly $160 million in payments for unused space, according to the report. Although ICE must acquire and maintain enough bed space to satisfy demand for population surges and must adjust for health and safety requirements, Joseph Cuffari, the inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security wrote in the report, it must also strive for balance to avoid wasting funds on empty beds. Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@stateline.org. Stateline, a States Newsroom affiliate, produced this story. It was a surprise that George Grants Lament for a Nation became a sensation when it was published in 1965. James Laxer, a Canadian nationalist and leftist, called it the most important book I ever read in my life. Here was a crazy old philosopher of religion at McMaster and he woke up half our generation. And it might be even more of a surprise that, 60 years later, a book about the fall of the Canadian government in 1963 might have something compelling to say about the world today. John Diefenbaker, Canadas prime minister from 1957 to 1963, was the head of that government, and it fell in large parthere is where the similarities to today begindue to American pressure. The United States wanted to deploy nuclear missiles on Canadian territory, and Diefenbaker, after a lot of dithering, denied the request. Both the dithering and the decision created an impression that Diefenbaker was not up to the job, and soon after, the government fell in a vote of no confidence. Diefenbaker believed, and with reason, that the Kennedy administration had helped cause the fall of his government so that a missile-friendly one would replace it. And Grant agreedbut he saw deeper. As his books subtitle says, Grant saw the fall of Diefenbakers government as a sign of the defeat of Canadian nationalism, because Canadian nationalism lacked the political, economic, and spiritual resources to persist. Why would a government fall because it attempted to assert its own countrys sovereignty? And why could the Kennedy administration be sure that the government that replaced Diefenbakers would be more pro-American and allow the nuclear missiles? Answering that second question is the inspiration for Lament for a Nation. Some of it is the obvious factor; the United States has a much bigger population and economy, shares a long land border with Canada, and speaks the same language as most of it, and so American power and influence would naturally shape Canada. But Grant saw Canada, especially its elites, as collaborators in ceding a dominant position to the United States. The integration of the Canadian economy into the American one, he argued, made Canada a branch-plant economy, with many raw materials and factories but without the ability to make decisions from the top; those decisions wereand aremade by Americans. Grant argued, then, that Canadian capitalists can never really be nationalists; if their two masters disagree, they will side with capital and the United States and not nationalism and Canada. The controversy over the extent to which Mark Carney, Canadas prime minister and the leader of the Liberal Party, was involved in his former companys decision to move its headquarters from Toronto to New York City shows that the issue is not dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The much greater threats Donald Trump has directed at Canada have led to an anti-American response stronger than Grant would have anticipatedindeed, how to respond is one of the main issues of the April 28 parliamentary election. Carney has imposed counter-tariffs and said that deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation is over, and the leader of the Conservatives, Pierre Poilievre, has proposed additional retaliatory tariffs, renegotiating trade agreements, and reorienting Canadas economy away from the United States. But the inevitable economic pain that will come with such a shift requires an answer to Grants real question, and the one he lamented that he had no real answer to: What does it mean to defend Canada? What are Canadians loyal to? American politics and American media, aided by their common language with most of Canada, were, in Grants view, subsuming and replacing Canadian political traditions. Even Diefenbaker, the hero of Grants book, does not get off easy; Grant blamed him for a confusion of populism, free enterprise, and nationalism native to American conservatism but not Canadian. As Grant noted, in Canada, the Conservative Party had, after all, created Ontario Hydro, [the Canadian National Railways], the Bank of Canada, and the CBC. And the American concern with free enterprise provided Grant with an opportunity to summarize the difference between the two approaches to conservatism; American conservatives concentration on freedom from governmental interference has more to do with nineteenth-century liberalism than with traditional conservatism, which asserts the right of the community to restrain freedom in the name of the common good. Grant considered two paths that would allow Canada to avoid being gradually subsumed into America. The first was Castroismlike Fidel Castro, establishing a socialist state and aligning with the Soviet Union for supportand while Grant was not totally averse to it, he immediately ruled it out. Canadians are not socialists, he said, and even if they were, the Americans would never allow it. (Look what they did to Diefenbaker.) The second was Gaullismlike Charles de Gaulle, using nationalism as a tool to insist to the Americans that there are limits on the alliance of the Westand he also ruled that out, saying that Gaullism is only possible when nationalism is such a dominant motive among certain elites that they are able to control the economy so as to stop the tendency of capitalism to become international. There are no such elites in the Canada of 1965. Perhaps there are in the Canada of 2025, if for no other reason than that the explicit threat of the United States integrating Canada has always provoked a nationalist backlash (as happened in the attempted invasions during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812; fears of annexation helped prompt Canadian Confederation and the rejection of lowered tariffs with America in the election of 1911). But maintaining a healthy distance from America would also require economic sacrifice, and, as Grant noted in a later forward to Lament for a Nation, [Canada] is like the child of some stockbroker who can enjoy the fruits of his fathers endeavors by living the swinging life, but likes to exclude from his mind where the money comes from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, this is the only question: What sacrifices are worth it? And how can they be justified? This is a question not just for Canada, but for all nations forced to reconsider their relationship with the United States. And this includes not just our friends but our enemies. Denmark will have to decide what demands to annex Greenland mean, and China will have to decide the same about triple-digit tariff rates. And yet Grant had something to say to Americans as well. If nothing else, he spoke from a conservative perspective that has very little in common with American conservatism; perhaps the only figure revered in American conservatism with much in common with him at all is John Adams. Grant became a nationalist not out of any real affection for nationalismhe was too much of a Christian and a Platonist for thatbut because it was a defense against the technological capitalism and liberalism he saw in the United States, whose end result would be a society concerned only with consumption and not with virtue. He despised both abortion and the Vietnam War while being unimpressed with the student movements against the latter. He had little use for Locke and was sympathetic to socialism. America does not produce conservatives like this, because there is no conservative tradition in America like thisand it would be hard to imagine one, since the thing American conservatism has historically sought to conserve is a nation founded in revolution on Lockean principles. (Grant has a great affection for the Loyalists who left America for Canada after the Revolution.) His view of America was that of someone very close to itwe have many similarities with Canadiansand yet completely alienated by it. And that alienation allowed him to write this frankly horrifying footnote in 1965: The next wave of American conservatism is not likely to base its appeal on such unsuccessful slogans as the Constitution and free enterprise. Its leader will not be a gentleman who truly cares about his countrys past. It will concentrate directly on such questions as order in the streets which are likely to become crucial in the years ahead. The battle will be between democratic tyrants and the authoritarians of the right. If the past is a teacher to the present, it surely says that democratic Caesarism is likely to be successful. These statements could only be improved by noting that the same man could pose, depending on the moment, as the democratic tyrant or the authoritarian of the right and have all the advantages of both. Grants fears have come true, and his complaints about America and its ideology have been justified. And he wanted Canada to develop a national identity so that it could avoid the slow amalgamation into the America he saw coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, now that that America is here, the question Grant asked Canadahow can we avoid this?is a question the United States has to ask itself. If anything, Canada found itself in a better positionAmerica is foreign, and so in addition to the cheap and empty calories of nationalism, Canada could draw on existing traditions and ideas opposed to America (however atrophied Grant found them at the time). America has no such resources; just as a factual matter, the whole of American history resulted in the present situation. We are not being attacked by outsiders; we did all of this to ourselves. And if, like Grant, we want to attribute it not to the American people (whom he never blames, if for no other reason that Americans do not think about Canada nearly as much as vice versa) but to American politics, American economics, American societywho empowered the politicians, who makes up the economy and the society? And if we hope to find the resources in an imagined past, that too is useless; the past was once real, and from there we ended up here. It is hard to imagine that Grant thought many Americans would read his complaint about the fall of a Canadian government, but the question simmering about America underneath every page is: Is this all you are? At the end of the book, Grant collapsed into a sort of pessimism. Canada is a small and, compared to its neighbor, a backward nation; America is the vanguard of human progress; therefore Canadas disappearance is probably inevitable and, from a certain perspective, maybe it would even be good. He fought the good fight, and he clung to things more important and more lasting than Canada or any nationGod, the Form of the Good, and his churchbut one philosopher is no match for historical trends. And yet he warned that lamentation falls easily into the vice of self-pity. To live with courage is a virtue, whatever one may think of the dominant assumptions of ones age. And that injunction is universal, not just for Canadians. What form that courage will take is impossible to say. But we have no choice but to live with couragehowever much hinged on Canada in 1965, far more hinges on America now. Our president seems intent on justifying all of the worst things Grant ever said about the United States. Howard Green, Diefenbakers minister of external affairs, said in 1963 that when you are the biggest fellow in the school yard it is quite a temptation to shove everybody else around. Now, I am confident that there will be no such development in United States policy. He was wrong then and even more wrong now, but to prove him right and make Grant relieved to be wrong will require courage. Amoral acquisitiveness and schoolyard bullying are frequently the way of the world. It will be hard to change that, in ourselves as in our country, but courage has never been about what is easy. Again, Grant, without meaning to, seems to be asking Americans: Is this all you are? I hope not. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Demonstrators rallied outside the offices of Michigan congressmen to protest the SAVE Act bill. The House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act earlier this week. This bill would require those seeking voting registration to prove they are U.S. citizens by showing a passport or birth certificate. (WLNS) (WLNS) (WLNS) This is an issue people care about, and we are not okay with politicians trying to take away our political power, said Melinda Billingsley with the group Voters Not Politicians. This group helped organize the Stop The SAVE Act rallies across Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the bill say its meant to keep U.S. elections safe and secure from voter fraud, but Billingsley says it could impact actual citizens instead. Voters who dont have access to their birth certificate because of family issues or reasons of natural disasters. All these things make it harder for them to able to register to vote, said Billingsley. She says shes not happy that congressman Tom Barrett and other state representatives voted in favor of the bill. They voted in favor of making it harder for Michigan citizens, eligible Michigan citizens, to access their constitutional right to vote, said Billingsley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demonstrations were also held outside the office of Congressman Tim Walberg in Jackson. Protestor Sue Kinnamon says U.S. elections are already secure, We dont want non-citizens voting, but I dont think that people understand that non-citizens dont vote. Politicians are really coming up with some solutions to a problem that doesnt exist. The Michigan Secretary of State reports that 15 non-citizens cast a ballot in the 2024 general election. This bill could also cause trouble for people who have changed their name due to their birth certificate no longer reflecting their current identity. Protestor Ciera Smith says LGBTQ voters would be impacted as well, I have a lot of friends who are also in the trans community, and theyve either changed their first name or their last name, and it is not legally the same anymore as their birth certificate. They would also not be able to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voting activist says the SAVE Act could impact hundreds of inmates The bill will now head to the Senate. While the GOP holds control in the upper house of the Congress, political experts say the bills future is uncertain. Congressman Tom Barretts statement after voting in support of the SAVE Act: Every single illegal vote cast in our elections disenfranchises an American citizen who cast a legal ballot. The fact is we dont know the total number of illegal votes cast because its impossible to track, but the Michigan Secretary of State admits it was more than a dozen last November. Clearly, existing law is not adequate to safeguard against non-citizens casting illegal ballots. The SAVE Act will guarantee only citizens are participating in our elections by requiring proof of citizenship for all new voter registrations. It doesnt disenfranchise a single eligible voter, not even those who have changed their name, moved, or gone through life changes. The same people lying about this bill lied and told us our border was secure as we watched millions of people pour across illegally for years with no effort to stop them. The SAVE act simply prevents non-citizens from participating in American elections, which should be something every person in this country supports. Tom Barrett, statment sent to 6 News Congressman Tim Walbergs statement after voting in support of the SAVE Act: Over 80% of American citizens believe in requiring proof of citizenship before registering to vote. While only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections, states continue to find non-citizens on their voter rolls due to inadequate safeguards. The SAVE Act is a common sense solution to ensure that only U.S. citizens vote in our federal elections. By requiring states to verify U.S. citizenship when registering an individual to vote in federal elections and providing states with the tools to remove non-citizens from their voter rolls, we can bolster our election security. I am proud to have supported the passage of the SAVE Act to codify President Trumps recent executive action, prevent non-citizens from abusing our democratic process, and restore trust in our election system. Tim Walberg, statment sent to 6 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 WLNS 6 News. FULTON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A man who is the president of the board for the Church of Cannabis religion was charged in Fulton County on Thursday after a local tobacco store was caught allegedly selling illegal marijuana products, State Police said. Following a monthslong investigation into the Politically Incorrect store, which has locations in McConnellsburg and Dublin Township, State Police charged Stephen Seman, 62, of New Jersey, court documents filed in Magisterial District Judge Devin Hornes office state. While speaking with Seman, Troopers said he told them he was the owner of the store, then said that the church owns it and he is the president and chair of the board for the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Court docs show a Trooper was sold a THC vape after they entered the Ayr Township store in July last year. The Trooper mentioned having a long weekend, and before they could finish their sentence, a worker said You want to party, then showed them a spot in the store where the THC products were. After leaving the store, the vape was sent for testing and came back showing a higher THC level than regulated, State Police said. More THC vapes were bought from the stores during the investigation. State Police said they were also told during one purchase to try the vape in the store to see if it works because that is company policy; however, the Trooper who made the purchase just left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 170 products were seized when Troopers executed a search warrant at the Dublin Township store in February, court docs state. Troopers were told by a worker that Seman, who was in Altoona at the time, runs the Church of Cannabis, which owns the store, and were able to confirm that by looking at police reports and news articles. Troopers said they were able to call Seman, and when confronted about selling illegal drugs, he denied it. Franklin County prisoner caught after escaping hospital Seman faces felony charges of manufacture, delivery or possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His unsecured bail was set at $10,000 by Magisterial District Judge Devin Horne, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 28. Charges were also filed against the owner of a separate tobacco shop, Puff Kings, in Ayr Township for illegally selling marijuana, State Police announced. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) High schoolers in Nashville are in class by 7 a.m. the earliest in the nation, according to Start School Later. In 2023, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell proposed pushing back school start times for high schools. Metro Nashville Public Schools previously stated that it studied the topic and intends to review the issue. OCT. 2023 | Nashville high schools have earliest start times; New mayor is working to change that Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, Vanderbilt University conducted a poll, which found that 51% of people strongly supported shifting the public school day to start and end later. In a statement, the OConnell said, Were encouraged by the strong public support for it, but we are focused on structural responses to one-time federal funding ending and volatility in the state and federal funding landscape. We do still hope to make near-term progress, but there is no timeline. Doctors told News 2 that teens need at least eight to ten hours of sleep. However, the National Sleep Foundation Study found that around 70% of teens do not get the recommended amount. Melatonin is released later in our teens, said Dr. Beth Malow, the Director of Vanderbilt Universitys Sleep Division. That build-up is slower, so sometimes you are not ready to go to bed until 11 oclock, 12 oclock, 1 a.m., and you are faced with, I have to get up for school in the morning at 7:30 or even 7 oclock.' | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County Malow said the results can include mental health issues, obesity, and lack of clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are all sorts of issues that are affected: public safety, our mental health of our kids, their learning, their ability to get to school, there are more tardies when you have earlier start times, Malow explained. Researchers have shown that when you delay start times to 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m., you can actually make a dent. We are seeing a lot more pediatric issues just in pediatrics, and young adult medicine and sleep deprivation are related to high rates of depression, [and] some anxiety, adolescent provider for the Meharry Pediatric Practice, Dr. Kim Wyche Etheridge, told News 2. This is echoed by the author of The Sleep-Deprived Teen and parenting journalist who helped change the school start time law in California to no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Florida has a similar law taking effect in 2026. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com It was a two-and-a-half-year legislative journey, and what it requires at its core is an understanding of why this is so important so communicating that this is not just about convenience, this is a public health issue, author and journalist Lisa L. Lewis expressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a kid who has to be sitting at their desk at 7:05, they have to wake at what 6 oclock? Lewis asked. Perhaps earlier, and then you just work backwards. That means that student needs to be in bed lights out without fail by ten. Doctors said students sleep should be the priority as the conversation continues. The brain needs it to rest to regenerate, [and] to cleanse itself, Etheridge concluded. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Indiana Department of Health will take comments from the public regarding the proposed application for the merger of Union Hospital and Terre Haute Regional Hospital on May 1. That town hall event will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ivy Tech Terre Hautes Oakley Auditorium, 8000 S. Education Drive. Residents of Vigo County and surrounding communities are invited. The two hospitals have filed with the state for a Certificate of Public Advantage. That process often called COPA allows the merger application to go through state agencies rather than the Federal Trade Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indiana Department of Health is to rule on the Union/Regional request by Aug. 13 of this year. To view the Union/Regional joint application, visit bit.ly/3YX7vgv. The state health department announced the May 1 public comment session in a flier sent Friday afternoon. Earlier this week, a bill that would shut the door on further COPA applications in Indiana after May 3 this year cleared the Indiana Senate. The Senate, on a 46 to 1 roll call Tuesday, accepted House amendments to SB 119. The following day, the speaker of the House and the president pro tem of the Senate signed the bill, which sends it to the desk of Gov. Mike Braun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 119 was authored by state Sen Ed Charbonneau, who also was an author of the 2021 legislation that created the COPA process in Indiana. I didnt think I was doing 100% the right thing last time, the Valparaiso Republican who chairs the Senate health committee, said of the 2021 COPA law. I do think I am this time. SB 119 as originally submitted this year appeared to endanger the Union/Regional merger effort. Terre Haute area officials and organizations including Republican state Sen. Greg Goode, Union CEO/President Steve Holman and the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce testified against the bill in its original form. But they got behind the bill after Charbonneau added an amendment that allowed the Union/Regional effort to live on. Indiana is one of 19 states with COPA laws, which allow hospital mergers that the Federal Trade Commission otherwise might prohibit because they could reduce competition and create monopolies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a COPA application, the merging hospitals typically agree to meet a number of conditions to mitigate the potential harms of a monopoly. Still, some healthcare economists and the FTC argue that state oversight cannot replace competition. Union and Regional submitted their first application in 2024, but withdrew it November of that year, with Union saying it wanted to resubmit after further work with the Indiana Department of Health. The application was resubmitted Feb. 5. Union has argued the merger is necessary to maintain and improve the standard of healthcare in the Wabash Valley. Union says it was the only buyer coming forward when Tennessee-based HCA Healthcare looked to sell Terre Haute Regional. Were this merger to fall through, Union says its possible no one would buy Regional and its associated offices, and both the physical hospital and 500 to 600 healthcare jobs would be lost to the area. The King wants to do more and more and more work as he begins to feel better during his cancer treatment, the Queen has said. Her Majesty, who joined her husband on a four-day state visit to Italy this week, said he would not take a break even after suffering ill health because he loves his work and it keeps him going. She said he only wanted to do more as he recovers following a recent setback that resulted in a hospital stay with the side effects of treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Queen added: Thats what hes driven by, helping others. In conversation in Rome, the Queen who has spoken previously of her frustration at failing to persuade the King to slow down said it is wonderful that he wants to do it but remains a problem. The King meets representatives of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance to hear about their scientific research on biodiversity, climate and human health - Parsons Media Following the tour, a senior palace aide echoed her thoughts, saying the King is determined to make a difference in his role. Asked whether the King, who is 76, had been pushing himself too hard following what was described as a recent blip in his recovery, the source joked, Weve all tried! to convince him to scale back a little. The Queen spoke to the press during the Italian trip, in which the couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether there would be time in the schedule to mark the occasion with a break from public duty, she said: No, I think he loves his work and it keeps him going. And I think its wonderful, you know, if youve been ill and you are recovering, youre getting better and now he wants to do more and more and more. Thats the problem. Thats what hes driven by, helping others. The Royal couple arrive in Ravenna ahead of their visit to Dantes tomb - Parsons Media One of the secrets to their marriage, the Queen said, was just getting on with things. A senior courtier said: As people will have seen, the King enjoys his work, he enjoys engaging with as many people as possible. He has a voracious appetite for reading and because he reads a lot, he learns a lot. And in this role, as when Prince of Wales, he knows he is fortunate to be in a position to make a difference, and is determined to do just that. As we are seeing, since this reign began two and a half years ago, hes achieving that in very many different ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The King has been undergoing cancer treatment for more than a year and is understood to have had one round on Sunday before flying to Rome on Monday. Buckingham Palace has not confirmed the tour schedule for the remainder of the year, but there will probably be two state visits hosted by the King in the UK and another overseas trip. Their Majesties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Rome - Parsons Media The Italy tour, like all foreign visits, was really full-on, said the palace aide, with the King and Queen naturally pleased when their engagements hit the bullseye and really deliver for Britain. They added: Supporting and celebrating the people-to-people relationship between Italy and the UK is one of the most important aspects of the job so the the King and Queen were delighted to be able to help shine a light on it. In particular, the source added, the travelling entourage had noticed the emotional connection people seemed to have with the King, often calling him Carlo in public because of the long-standing role in public life. There is something very powerful about a constitutional monarchy, they said. Something very powerful about an institution where people have grown up knowing the King; theyve known him since the day he was born, theyve known him his whole life or their whole life, so when they engage with him its as if theyre engaging with someone they feel they genuinely know on a personal level. And that means people can have a much more personal connection with the King in a way that is perhaps less likely with others. Which I think slightly helps to understand why, when people turn up to his public engagements, they call out his Christian name. One of the King and Queens personal highlights of the tour, outside of the structured programme, was their private meeting with the Pope. The King and Queen depart from Forli airport as they leave Italy after their four-day state visit - Parsons Media Their Majesties both came away feeling that it had been a very significant and special moment, the aide added. They are also said to have been deeply touched that so many people had turned out to show support and only sad that they couldnt stay a little longer to enjoy it all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On meeting other cancer sufferers during a visit to Northern Ireland on March 20, the King told them: You just have to push on, dont you. The King and Queen flew home on Thursday and are currently in Scotland. They will attend the Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle. The couple will also be present at the Maundy Service in Durham Cathedral on April 17 where the King will distribute the Royal Maundy during the service. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) With the first confirmed measles case in Hawaii announced this week, many parents are asking, How can I keep my family safe? Dr. Erlaine Bello, Hospital Epidemiologist, at The Queens Medical Center gives Take2 some helpful tips. BBB: New report shows identity theft is more common Dr. Bello explains the symptoms to watch out for. According to Dr. Bello, the first symptoms are fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes that occur 7-10 days after contact with the virus. Tiny white spots can be seen in the mouth. Then 3-5 days after respiratory symptoms the rash starts usually on the face and spreads down to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles Symptoms: Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Fever, cough, runny nose Tiny white spots in mouth Rash on face, neck, arms, legs Dr. Bello says most people will recover completely. Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications that lead to hospitalizations include pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, Young children with brain involvement can be left with deafness or permanent brain damage. Measles in pregnant women can result in premature delivery and low birth weight. Measles Complications: Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ear infections, diarrhea Pneumonia, brain inflammation Children: deafness, brain damage Premature delivery, low birth weight Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Queens high school teacher was arrested Friday after a student confided in a friend that the educator had touched her inappropriately several months earlier, police said. Police arrested Brian Greenspan at Martin Van Buren High School in Queens Village, where he is a teacher, around 1:20 p.m. for an incident in December 2024, cops said. Greenspan, 53, is charged with forcible touching, endangering the welfare of a child and sexual abuse, according to police. The victim, a 15-year-old girl, was at her desk in school when Greenspan walked up to her, told her to sit down, and allegedly patted her backside above her clothes twice, a police source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident came to light yesterday when the victim told a friend what had happened. The friend then told the school principal, who reported the incident to police, the source said. Greenspan was arrested the following day. Officials at Martin Van Buren High School did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Greenspan also did not immediately respond to an email. His phone went straight to voicemail, which was full and not accepting messages. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Parents hopes of meeting with Caddo Parish district leadership to discuss alternatives or express community need for one of three schools that, if approved, will close at the end of the current school year did not go as planned. Parents and community activists were left outside on the sidewalk of Queensborough Elementary School. The Queensborough Neighborhood Association had organized a meeting inside the school; parents expected to hear from Caddo Parish Schools Superintendent Keith Burton. None of that happened. Community Activist Omari Ho-Sang said, One of the community organizers received a phone call earlier today this morning telling them to cancel the meeting, that it didnt follow certain protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A handful of parents came to the meeting and discussed the issue on the sidewalk outside the school. One parent told us her son is doing great at school. He is on the honor roll and thriving. She wants to see the school stay open and plans to attend the next school board meeting. Ameshia Hall described a range of emotions she felt when she heard the school could close by saying, I was hurt first. Then I felt so destroyed. Then the frustration came. Another parent said she will have to find transportation if the school closes, because she walks her there now, only two blocks from her home. The school board says those students will go to J.S. Clark if they vote to close the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Caddo Parish School Board will vote on April 15th at 4:30 p.m. at its headquarters, 1961 Midway Ave. in Shreveport. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When Susan Rohn first saw the dilapidated former factory, now home to the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, she wasnt sure what to think. The institute needed a building with more space and room for expansion, and Rohn, executive director of the institute, had gone with James H. Yocum, then president of the board and a longtime benefactor, to check out the building at 3000 Penn Ave. in Spring Township. Seeing the broken windowpanes and holes in the ceilings, Rohn seriously doubted the neglected building was a good fit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was surprised when Yocum turned to her and said: This is perfect. This is exactly what you need. It was classic Jim, Rohn said. He had a gift for seeing beyond what was, to what could be. James Yocum Yocum died April 8 at the age of 98. The Reading native, Korean War veteran and Harvard-educated businessman was a passionate philanthropist whose legacy lives on at the arts institute that bears his name and Reading Area Community College. Both institutions were transformed by his generosity. As a longtime trustee of RACC, Yocum played an instrumental role in shaping the college and its future. His leadership included serving as vice chairman from 1996 to 1998 and again from 2000 to 2002, as well as chairman from 1998 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2004. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Titles dont begin to capture the breadth of his impact, said Anthony DeMarco, vice president for college advancement and executive director of the Foundation for RACC and Miller Center. Jim was much more than a philanthropist and leader, DeMarco said. He was a friend to faculty, staff and students. We all revered him. His joyous, positive nature lifted the spirits of all around him. Yocum created the foundation the philanthropic arm of the college and served as its first chairman. Thanks to his vision and tireless dedication, DeMarco said, the foundation now holds over $32 million in assets, making it one of the most successful among community colleges in Pennsylvania. Yocum also established and endowed 25 scholarships, believed to be the most created by an individual at a Pennsylvania college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of RACC students have benefitted from Jims generosity, DeMarco said, and hundreds of Yocum Scholars will earn college degrees for generations. Yocum also made a major gift that allowed the college to build its Yocum Library, which serves as the academic heart of the college. In honor of his extraordinary service, DeMarco said, the college renamed its highest recognition for former trustees to the James H. Yocum Trustee Emeritus Award. Fittingly, he said, Yocum was the first recipient. Yocums legacy at the Yocum Institute, formerly the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts, is equally profound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a longtime board member and past president, Yocum supported the institute for decades, helping it grow into a vital center for creative learning and performance. In 2009, the institute was renamed in his honor. When the organization outgrew its former space, Yocum not only scouted the current location in Spring Township, he also provided the financial support and leadership to make the transition possible, Rohn said. Today, the Yocum Institute serves as a hub of arts education for students of all ages and backgrounds. Its ADA-compliant facilities include a black-box theater, art gallery, six dance studios, music wing and a secure arts-based kindergarten and preschool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rohn said there are many stories about Yocum, who often approached life with the joy and wonder of a child. He was known for the colorful and often flamboyant suits and vests he wore to the institutes exhibit openings and performances. There are no bad cookies, hed quip, happily munching at opening receptions, she remembers. As for his favorite artists, Rohn noted, these were the students of the institutes preschool and kindergarten. He was a character, and everyone loved him, said Rohn. He was so good to everyone. He was a treasure. Yocum was predeceased by his parents, George Lehman Yocum and Helen (Jost) Yocum, and a brother, George Yocum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Mass of Christian burial will be held April 15 at 11 a.m. at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 925 Centre Ave. Friends and associates will be received from 9:30 to 11 a.m. prior to Mass. Burial will be in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading. A celebration of life for James H. Yocum will be held at the Yocum Institute May 9 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Memorials may be made in his memory to the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave., Reading PA 19609 or the Foundation for RACC to support the James H. Yocum Scholarship Fund, Foundation for RACC, 10 S. Second St., Box 1706, Reading PA. 19603. A radio talk show host is in dogfight with a baby-faced Staten Island scion 13 years his junior to represent NYCs most conservative Council district. Republican Frank Morano, host of WABCs The Other Side of Midnight, has already locked up endorsements from the Staten Island GOP, all of the boroughs Republican elected officials and key members of President Trumps inner circle in his campaign to serve the South Shore. But his path to victory in the April 29 nonpartisan special election is no sure thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His stiffest competition: fellow GOPer Griffin Fossella, who comes from a long line of Island power brokers, from his late great-great grandfather, Congressman James OLeary, to his dad, Borough President and ex-Rep. Vito Fossella. Griffin Fossella said it would humbling to win the 51st District Council seat once held by his father in the mid-1990s. Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson Frank Morano has a huge advantage is political endorsements. moranovision/Instagram Morano, 40, said he never expected the race to be a cakewalk but isnt losing sleep competing against the 27-year-old Fossella, or a family dynasty. I think Staten Islanders arent going to be fooled by a candidate with the same last name who uses a similar campaign slogan (Staten Island First) and the same color lawn signs as his father, said Morano. He claims Fossella has repeatedly ducked debating him. Fossella insists hes had scheduling conflicts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Morano and Griffin Fossella are lifelong Staten Islanders who have nearly identical campaign platforms: including opposing congestion pricing and NYCs sanctuary city policy, advocating for the NYPD to hire thousands of more cops, and pushing for mass-transit affordability. The two, along with longshot Democrat Clifford Hagen, are vying to replace former Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island), who was term-limited and stepped down in January from the $148,000-a-year gig to take a job as a lobbyist. Moranos endorsements include including former Trump advisor Roger Stone and other members of the presidents inner circle. Getty Images for Latino Wall Street Billionaire John Catsimatidis is backing Griffin Fossella but is also an ally of Frank Morano. Aristide Economopoulos The winner would serve the remaining months of Borellis term, which expires at years end and take a huge advantage into the November general election for a new four-year term. Fossella said it would humbling to win the 51st District Council seat once held by his father in the mid-1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think public service is in my blood, and to serve the people of Staten Island would be a dream come true, he said. On a local level, both also vehemently oppose a project to build a hotel at the corner of Richmond Valley and Arthur Kill roads because many residents are concerned it will ultimately become a homeless shelter. Then-Rep. Vito Fossella (center) holding Griffin, then three-years old, while talking to reporters at Engine Co. 242 in Brooklyn in October 2001 a month after 9/11. New York Post President Trump who is wildly popular on Staten Island appears to be staying out the race, but Morano has scored key endorsements from former Trump advisors Roger Stone, Michael Caputo, Corey Lewandowski and Trumps former White House chief Steve Bannon. Fossellas endorsements include former Long Island Rep. Peter King, former Brooklyn state Sen. Marty Golden and John Catsimatidis, a billionaire who owns WABC-AM. Griffin Fossella got his first taste of politics working on Catsimatidis 2013 mayoral campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morano and the younger Fossellas political war chests are nearly identical. Both said theyve raised over $50,000 and expect to qualify for another $200,000-plus in public matching funds. Fossella boasts hes the only lifelong Republican in the race a dig at Morano being a former leader of the states now-defunct Independence and Reform parties before registering as a Republican. Vito Fossella couldnt be happier and jabbed his sons opponent, saying hes incredibly proud of Griffins decision to step forward as the only true Republican in the race committed to preserving Staten Island as a great place to live and raise a family for generations to come. A Wake County sheriffs deputy serving a summons shot and killed a dog after it bit him, the Sheriffs Office said Friday. The deputy, whose name was not released, entered a home on Lord Berkley Road in Raleigh when the familys Belgian Malinois bit him. He was treated for unspecified injuries at the scene. The Sheriffs Office did not provide details, including what the civil summons was for and the deputys job status. Both WRAL and CBS 17 said the deputy was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report by WRAL, the dogs name was Zelda, and she was 9 years old. Her owners werent home at the time of the shooting. They report that security footage showed the deputy entering the home while no one was there. Sheriff Willie Rowe acknowledged the familys grief saying, We understand this is a difficult situation for all involved. In December, a Raleigh police officer fatally shot a familys 5-year-old husky outside their home on Alder Grove Lane while investigating a reported stolen vehicle. Measles is preventable disease Oklahoma now has 10 measles cases, all in unvaccinated (or unknown status) people. New Mexico has 56 and Texas has 505 cases, the vast majority unvaccinated. Two have died in Texas and one in New Mexico. Historically, the death rate from measles has been 1 in 1,000. With three total deaths, this could mean there are actually 3,000 total cases, not just 571. One death per 1,000 cases is certainly not high, but why take that chance? The vaccine is 97% effective and prevents death in virtually 100% of cases. If you do not have immunity and are exposed, you have a 90% chance of getting measles. Remember, it can stay in the air for up to two hours. There have been exposures at a Buc-ee's and a day care center, both in Texas, as well as at a hospital in OKC. Death from measles is not common, but when a child gets measles, the chance of hospitalization is 20%. There is no treatment for measles, besides supportive care. Vitamin A is not a treatment. RFK Jr. has said it is a treatment, so we can thank him for children in Texas showing up at hospitals with vitamin A toxicity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main side effect from the vaccine is a temporary fever, which, if monitored, can be easily treated with anti-fever medication to prevent a febrile seizure. This is a seizure caused by a high fever, not actually by the vaccine. With no treatment for measles, prevention is the key. Prevention with the vaccine. The vaccine is similar to a child restraint in a car. The benefits far, far outweigh the risks. There is one huge difference though. The vaccine protects not just you, but also other people around you. Measles is a VPD Vaccine Preventable Disease. It is preventable. Dr. Ervin Yen, Oklahoma City More: Vaccines are safe. Don't let fear and misinformation mislead you. | Opinion Thanking lawmakers for standing up for NDA bill A sincere thank you to Jeff Leach and the Texas House of Representatives that unanimously passed House Bill 748 to render unenforceable non-disclosure agreements in cases of child sexual abuse, sexual assault or human trafficking. The bill is named Treys law after Trey Carlock, a Texas graduate student who had done research at MIT and Harvard, and took his own life after signing an NDA with Kanakuk Kamps. Thank you, Cindy Clemishire and Elizabeth Phillips, for your courageous testimony. As Rep. Mitch Little said, Silence is no longer for sale in the state of Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you Dave Rader for introducing Oklahoma Senate Bill 783 that would prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to sign an NDA related to sexual harassment as a condition of employment. You represent the values of Oklahomans well. I urge the Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee and chair Kristen Thompson to discuss and approve this bill and forward it to the full Senate for approval. Robert Leland, Tulsa Want the latest Viewpoints? Sign up for the Public Square newsletter. Federal spending cuts hurting Oklahoma food banks Its no surprise nonprofits like Skyline and Oklahoma food banks are losing funding and donations, which leaves Oklahomas most vulnerable residents at risk. Many people have spent years advocating against these type of cuts only to see our worst fears become reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what happens when Oklahomans dont vote or vote with biases. Policies are enacted that harm the very communities politicians claim to support. Although Oklahoma is set to lose nearly a billion dollars in federal funding, the government expects nonprofits to fill the gap. What the government may not realize is, many nonprofits rely on federal grants to operate, and 63% of nonprofits in the state are at risk of depleting resources. How can nonprofits continue supporting vulnerable Oklahomans when they are struggling? According to Urban.org, Oklahoma nonprofits receive $1.6 billion in government grants, in Oklahoma, Tulsa and Haskell counties alone. These organizations, food pantries, shelters and crisis services are the backbone of our communities, yet they are now crumbling under financial losses. The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program is likely just the first cut. Other essential programs, like Local Food for Schools and Meals on Wheels, could soon follow. Churches that rely on food banks will have empty pantries. Children who depend on weekend food backpacks may go to bed hungry. Seniors could miss their only hot meal of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a partisan issue it is a humanitarian crisis. If Oklahoma politicians truly value community and have compassion, they must act now to preserve funding for nonprofits and programs like SNAP. If not, Oklahomans must use the constitutional powers vested in them to fight against these cuts and demand change. Oklahomans cannot afford to continue to pay the price for poor policies enacted by the state and federal government. Tiffany Tagbo, Oklahoma City This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why measles prevention is essential in Oklahoma | Letters Our City Reading Inc. is collaborating with Reading officials to redevelop a key downtown building, the nonprofit development group has announced. Plans for the building at 450 Penn St. include retail spaces at street level, with office and residential units on the upper floors, the city and nonprofit said in a release. The four-story, 120,000-square-foot building on the southwest corner of Fifth and Penn streets serves as a cornerstone in the citys downtown, the release said, noting public interest is being invited to ensure the project aligns with the needs of the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project, designed with flexibility in mind, is aimed at driving economic growth and job creation and enhancing the vibrancy of the neighborhood, the release said. The redevelopment comes at a time of significant momentum for the city, officials said, and will be supported by the newly announced City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, CRIZ, and the potential restoration of passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia. Jim Boscov, chairman of Our City Reading, said the organization is proud to partner with Mayor Eddie Moran and city officials to support the continued revitalization of the downtown. This redevelopment project reflects Our City Readings mission and our ongoing commitment to contributing to the positive changes taking place in the city, he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reached in his office, Boscov said the projects timing is ideal. It offers a wonderful opportunity, I think, at a wonderful time, he said, because theres a lot going on in the city with the potential of whats happening with passenger rail, with CRIZ and with some of the other development thats going on. Boscov said the nonprofit has worked well with the mayor and his administration on other projects, particularly in creating a commercial kitchen for Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank in a previously vacant building at the GoggleWorks. Helping Harvest names chef to run its Community Kitchen in Reading Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im delighted to be collaborating with them again to find a better, newer, reimagined use for this building, he said of 450 Penn St. Our City bought the property from the city in 2005 after the city razed several vacant buildings on the parcel, including those of the former Whitners department store. Construction of the $17.9 million office building was funded by $1.6 million in public grants, $11 million in loans and a $5 million contribution by the initial tenant, the former Sovereign Bank. Santander acquired Sovereign Bank in 2013, assuming the lease and becoming the sole tenant. Officials said Santanders 25-year lease will expire at the end of the year and the bank does not plan to renew due to reduced space needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have been a good tenant, and we appreciate their relationship over the years, Scott Gruber, executive director of economic development for Our City Reading, said in a statement. Boscov said the building has much potential. The Our City team and city officials have been brainstorming and working with community stakeholders on ideas, he said. We have some thoughts about how it can best be used, Boscov said, and since Santander will remain in the building through the end of the year, we can use that time to plan and imagine. The project is still in the planning stage, he stressed, noting he is eager to hear ideas from community members and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always benefit from hearing from other people, he said. Moran also expressed his enthusiasm for the project and collaboration. This redevelopment project is an exciting opportunity for our community, the mayor said in a statement. By revitalizing this important building, were improving the downtown area and creating new economic opportunities for residents and businesses alike. Im thrilled to see this project moving forward and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our citys future. Work on the redevelopment is expected to begin next year, city officials said. bluefield Although he wont officially be on the job until next month, Sam Wolford is hoping to continue what Jim Spencer started in Bluefield. Wolford, who will begin work on May 5 as the new executive director of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority, has more than 30 years of experience in economic and workforce development. He is hoping to put that experience to work in attracting new businesses and industries to the city. Although he is not yet on the job, Wolford is already attending city board meetings to prepare for the assignment ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not officially on board yet, but Im very excited about getting on board and getting prepared so I can do exactly what Mr. (Ron) Martin said, which is hit the ground running, Wolford said. Wolford, who has most recently worked with the GENEDGE Alliance in Southwest Virginia, also worked with Spencer in Tazewell County years ago before Spencer became the BEDA director in Bluefield. I grew up in Springville, went to Bluefield State College, graduated in 1991, Wolford said. My first job out of college was here at the city of Bluefield working in engineering and code enforcement. Ive worked in Tazewell County for 22 and 1/2 years doing all kinds of things from engineering to 911, public safety and economic development working with Jim Spencer. Wolford said he is now looking forward to beginning work as the new BEDA director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is just a lot of opportunities to do a lot of different things there, he said of Bluefield. Wolford said he worked with GENEDGE for the past nine years where he assisted industrial associations, manufacturing, technology and industrial companies across Virginia. I was there to help them find a resource and a way to solve the problem, Wolford said. One of the first projects he will be involved with in Bluefield as the new BEDA executive director is helping to bring to fruition the new vision for the 400 block project in the downtown. That project began last year when a number of aging and vacant buildings in the downtown were demolished, including an eight-story structure that once housed a Montgomery Ward and the former JcPenney building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A design plan is now in place to help revitalize and rebuild the 400 block area, which is currently flat and grassy. Now that Mr. Spencer is retiring from the city of Bluefield, its an opportunity for me to come back and I feel incredibly blessed to come back, Wolford said. I feel very excited getting started continuing to build upon what Jim Spencer started. I think the city is a great place to be. Ive always loved Bluefield. It is a part of my youth and life. Wolford will begin work as the new BEDA director on May 5. Sams extensive experience with both the public and private sectors, combined with his passion for economic revitalization and community partnerships, make him an ideal leader for the future of BEDA, Bill Cole, chair of the BEDA Board of Directors, said last week in announcing Wolfords hiring. His deep roots in the region and strategic vision will help drive sustainable growth and new opportunities for Bluefield and the surrounding areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BEDA was created by the city in 2019. Its first director was Jim Spencer. Spencer was recently appointed by the Trump administration as the regional administrator for the Small Business Administration Mid-Atlantic Regional Office serving West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com Record high temperatures move into New Mexico this weekend, especially on Saturday. Breezy winds will also bring a high fire danger across the state. Another warm and even hot afternoon Friday across New Mexico with temperatures well-above average for this time of year. A few record high temperatures were broken from the western half of the state to Santa Fe. Very mild temperatures will stick around into Saturday morning before widespread, record breaking heat moves into the state for the afternoon. Several places in southern and eastern New Mexico will climb into the 90s Saturday. Southwest winds could gust as high as 30 to 45 mph, bringing a high fire danger across the state, but especially in northern and northeast New Mexico. Cooler air will start moving into western New Mexico Sunday, but eastern New Mexico will likely break more record highs. Winds will again pick up Sunday afternoon, bringing a very high fire danger across southern and eastern New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A stronger cold front will move in from the northeast Sunday night, cooling temperatures off all across New Mexico early next week. Parts of eastern New Mexico could see highs as much as 20 cooler on Monday. A few spotty afternoon showers may develop Monday and Tuesday afternoon, but any accumulations would be light. Most of the rain would evaporate before reaching the ground. Warmer weather starts moving in again next Wednesday as winds start picking up again. Widespread windy weather is likely next Thursday afternoon. This will bring back a very high fire danger across the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Record high temperatures move into New Mexico this weekend, especially on Saturday. Breezy winds will also bring a high fire danger across the state. Another warm and even hot afternoon Friday across New Mexico with temperatures well-above average for this time of year. A few record high temperatures are being broken from the western half of the state to Santa Fe. Very mild temperatures will stick around into Saturday morning before widespread, record breaking heat moves into the state for the afternoon. Several places in southern and eastern New Mexico will climb into the 90s Saturday. Southwest winds could gust as high as 30 to 45 mph, bringing a high fire danger across the state, but especially in northern and northeast New Mexico. Cooler air will start moving into western New Mexico Sunday, but eastern New Mexico will likely break more record highs. Winds will again pick up Sunday afternoon, bringing a very high fire danger across southern and eastern New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A stronger cold front will move in from the northeast Sunday night, cooling temperatures off all across New Mexico early next week. Parts of eastern New Mexico could see highs as much as 20 cooler on Monday. A few spotty afternoon showers may develop Monday and Tuesday afternoon, but any accumulations would be light. Most of the rain would evaporate before reaching the ground. Warmer weather starts moving in again next Wednesday as winds start picking up again. Widespread windy weather is likely next Thursday afternoon. This will bring back a very high fire danger across the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Red Cross honored three individuals from Springfield who are on the frontlines every day. Luismael Carcorze-Mendez and Alexander Rodriguez are Springfield police officers and are this years Red Cross law enforcement heroes. The officers recently saved a person from taking their own life. Almaneta Lee with the Western Massachusetts Black Nurses Association was also recognized. She focuses on the representation of black and brown communities in the health care system. She is this years Red Cross nursing hero. 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. Labour has been accused of showing a profound lack of support for Britains care sector after Rachel Reevess tax raid forced a leading operator to close one of its homes. Robert Kilgour, the founder of Renaissance Care, said he had been left with no choice but to close one of his 19 care homes in Scotland last week as a direct result of the Chancellors Budget, which sparked an increase in running costs. He attacked the Government over its profound lack of support and understanding of the care sector, as he warned that the closure is just the tip of the iceberg across the UKs strained social care sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closure comes after Mr Kilgour, who employs more than 1,400 workers and houses more than 700 residents across his Renaissance care homes business, repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of higher National Insurance contributions (NICs). He said the policy change, which includes lowering the threshold at which NICs is paid from 9,100 to 5,000, would cost his business hundreds of thousands pounds extra a year. The extra burden has since prompted the closure of the home, with Mr Kilgour claiming he had sleepless nights over the decision. Robert Kilgour, founder of Renaissance Care, says he had sleepless nights over the decision to close one of his homes It is hugely disappointing that it has come to this because they have been warned, he told The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I did not think that the Labour Government would make the social care sector worse and its completely shocking that they have done so. I fear a tsunami of closures in the second half of this year and in the first half of next year. That is going to lead to more beds being blocked and longer NHS waiting lists. And reducing waiting lists is the whole reason Ms Reeves has said she is raising taxes. They have really shot themselves in both feet by doing this. Mr Kilgour, who opened his first care home in 1989, also said it was particularly galling that publicly funded care homes had been shielded from Ms Reevess 25bn tax raid, unlike those in the private sector that are bearing the brunt of higher levies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He highlighted a new survey which said 50pc Scottish care homes were actively considering closure. Edward Argar MP, shadow health and social care secretary, said: Conservatives, and the care sector, warned the Labour Government again and again of the devastating impact their jobs tax would have on social care providers already under pressure. And we now see a hugely-respected figure in the sector setting out those real-world consequences very clearly. Labours jobs tax, coupled with the changes to thresholds, has piled yet more pressure on providers, and they in many cases will be faced with no option but to close homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact of the tax raid has led to a group of private care homes launching legal action against the Chancellor. Care England, the industry body for private care homes, has announced a judicial review in the hope of securing a carve out from the tax rises. Martin Green, the groups chief executive, told The Telegraph: This judicial review marks a critical moment for adult social care. The decision to increase National Insurance contributions without exempting the care sector is a political signal that social care remains an afterthought. The Government was contacted for comment. The NHS and social care are two sides of the same coin By Robert Kilgour Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not rocket science, just a simple fact that you cannot fix the NHS crisis without first fixing the long-standing crisis in social care. Social care desperately needs a 10-year funding and workforce plan, better integration with the NHS and enhanced use of technology, including AI. Recent UK governments of all different colours have repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises to reform social care. For too many years it has been NHS first and social care second. That makes no sense when you consider what would happen to the NHS if social care were to collapse. Social care was already running on fumes by the time of the July 2024 general election, after many years of government neglect and lack of proper funding and the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the energy crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I did not expect the new Labour Government to make social care reform an urgent priority and I was not surprised when they kicked it into the long grass with yet another commission. The Casey Commission, which will not issue its final report until 2028, is the third independent commission on social care reform in England to be created over the last three decades. I was, however, shocked when they made things far worse with the employers National Insurance changes in Rachel Reevess October tax bombshell Budget. These changes have now come fully and painfully into place from April 6 this week. The 8.7pc rate increase from 13.8pc to 15pc was bad enough but the reduction of the starting threshold from 9,100 to 5,000 was the real killer blow, particularly for the retail, hospitality and care sectors who employ a high percentage of part time staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a shocking betrayal by this Government of all the amazing front-line pandemic heroes and all the vulnerable individuals for whom they care. I hoped for some small crumb of help in the recent Spring Statement but was again disappointed. This time however, I wasnt surprised. It is painfully clear that the Chancellor and this Government appear to have no grasp of how just critical things are at the front line of social care. This was demonstrated by ENI tax relief being given to the public sector but not the independent sector despite them providing a public service. Where is the fairness in that more public sector good, private sector bad. It is good to hear that Care England is set to launch a judicial review of the Chancellors actions in this regard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Renaissance Care is a private company, we provide a public service with 70pc of our residents being local authority funded. We provide a good quality of care at half the cost of Local Authority run care homes to the taxpayer. We have also seen Local Authority fee increases for this coming year vary between zero and 6pc, the majority somewhere in the middle. That is totally inadequate for the sector to be able to cope with all the Budget increases and changes. As night follows day, care homes will close as a direct result of the October Budget. That will lead to more NHS blocked beds, more cancelled NHS operations and longer NHS waiting lists; a huge own goal by this Government. It was therefore, with a heavy heart and much sadness, that Renaissance Care announced on Tuesday the very difficult decision to close one of our 19 care homes as a direct result of the financial impact of Budget measures and the profound lack of support and understanding of the care sector by the Government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disturbingly, our closure may be the tip of the iceberg in light of a recent Scottish Care survey showing that 50pc of Scottish care homes were actively considering closure. It is clear that we urgently need to have a level playing field of care provision and cost of care between the independent and voluntary sector and the public sector taxpayers deserve nothing less. Robert Kilgour is founder and chairman of Renaissance Care 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. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) Lawmakers are cracking down on THC in the state of Alabama. A bill passed in the House aims to put a limit on who can buy hemp drinks and CBD gummies. According to Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest), its about protecting children in the state of Alabama. Harvest said hemp drinks and other products can currently be found in convenience stores across the state. If Whitts bill is signed into law, they may be a little harder to find. Were not making any claims that its curing or treating anything, said Carmelo Parasiliti, owner of Green Acres Organic Pharms. But our customers have given us countless testimonies on how its given them a better standard of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parasiliti said that better standard of life is because of his CBD products. He said new regulations on CBD gummies and lotions could be harmful for people who rely on the products. Medical cannabis has failed since 2021. No patients have been served. Im not a doctor. You know, Im not calling them my patients, said Parasiliti. But theres people who are benefitting from this, and I think its a crime to hastily try to rush and take it away. Rep. Whitt explained his bill limits THC concentrations to five milligrams per serving for edibles and drinks. These are unregulated, unchecked, and dangerous products that are being sold to our children in our convenient stores and retailers across the state. And its time we put guardrails on this to protect our students, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those guardrails would make it illegal for people under 21 to buy hemp products. Whitt said it would be regulated by the ABC board and tested by a third party to check THC levels. The bill also prohibits the sale of inhalable hemp products. Dothan man accused of sending suspicious letters with child porn to Alabama governor If you use CBD gummies to sleep, he said they will still be available. There will be an avenue for you to purchase that. It will just be in 21 and over stores, explained Whitt. And, it will be regulated, and it will be tested. That is for your benefit, and that is for your health. That way, you know exactly what youre getting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa) didnt support the bill because of accessibility concerns. I want to be fair to our people and everything and make sure they have those available methods rather than other hard drugs, because pain management is for real, he said. Whitt said hemp drinks can even be bought on tap right now. At the end of the day, he said its all about safety. I find thats extremely dangerous. Because, you dont know how that affects the medicine- the medication- that you may be taking. Or, when does that bartender know youve had too much? he said. The bill now heads to the Senate for a committee vote. If its signed into law, the age restriction on hemp products would start on January 1st. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. REI CEO Mary Beth Laughton has apologized on social media for REIs earlier signing of a letter supporting the nomination of Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary, who was confirmed Jan. 30. Governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2024, Sec. Burgum was viewed as a controversial nomination for Interior Secretary by many environmental and outdoor organizations given his support of the fossil fuel industry and statements made during his confirmation hearing that he views America's public lands as part of the country's financial "balance sheet and his staunch support of mining and drilling. REI was one of 33 signees of an Outdoor Recreation Roundtable open letter supporting the confirmation of Burgun addressed to Senate Committee of Energy and Natural Resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On behalf of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), we express our strong support for the nomination of Governor Doug Burgum to be the next Secretary of the Department of the Interior, that letter said. The success of the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy relies on the Department of the Interior managing, safeguarding, and maintaining Americas public lands and waters, infrastructure, and increasing access so we can pass on the lifelong benefits of time in nature to our children and all future generations," the ORR letter continues. "ORR will seek to work diligently with the next Administration to advance a sustainable and thriving outdoor recreation economy for the benefit of all Americans. We appreciate the opportunity to highlight our support for Governor Burgums nomination and look forward to working with you and your staff in the 119th Congress. Burgum was sworn in to office Feb. 1, and has since worked to increase U.S. coal production. He has announced plans to identify federal lands that could be used for affordable housing locations. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, he said that the Interior Department oversees more than 500 million acres of federal land, much of it suitable for residential use. The Department of Housing and Urban Development brings expertise in housing policy and community development. Together we are creating the Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing to increase housing supply and decrease costs for millions of Americans. Laughton, who became REI CEO on March 31 succeeding Eric Artz who retired, says in her video that REIs signing of the ORR letter was a mistake, and acknowledge the backlash REI has received from many of its customers and co-op members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, I want to talk about something urgent, she says in her video. Our public lands are under attack. From the gutting of national park staff to expanded threats of drilling, or even selling off of our public lands, the future of life outdoors has never felt so uncertain. As a community of people who love the outdoors, we have work to do. Before I share how were going to move forward, I have to address something head-on. Earlier this year, REI signed an outdoor industry letter supporting Doug Burgum as secretary of the interior. We are one of many organizations to sign and did so in an effort to have a seat at the table and continue our outdoor recreation advocacy. Many of you shared your disappointment and your frustration with that decision, and I hear you. Let me be clear: Signing that letter was a mistake. The actions that the administration has taken on public lands are completely at odds with the long-standing values of REI. While this happened before I arrived at the co-op, Im here to apologize to our members on behalf of REI, to retract our endorsement of Doug Burgum, and to take full accountability for how we move forward. SRAM Adds It Name to Public Land Support As it rescinds its signature from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable letter, REI signs on along with mountain bike component company SRAM and more than 60 other outdoor companies as part of the Brands for Public Lands campaign lead by the Conservation Alliance. Brands for Public Lands was formed in response to news that the federal government was moving forward with legislation that would allow the selling of federally owned public land to help pay for the proposed budget reconciliation bill. A proposed budget amendment sponsored by Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) to prevent this from happening has been defeated, further paving the way for the possibility of a public land sell-off. The businesses who have joined Brands for Public Lands know that our nations natural resources are invaluable, not for extracting what lies deep beneath their surface, but for the vitality they provide to so many of us in their protected state. Threats to public lands are threats to the natural and cultural resources they protect, the millions of jobs and thousands of businesses they support, and the myriad communities they sustain, said Paul Hendricks, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. Together, our coalition of businesses can demonstrate why public lands matter for our communities and our economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brands for Public Lands has delivered two letters to the Senate Committee of Energy and Natural Resources. The first letter dated April 9 and signed by REI, SRAM, Osprey Packs, Big Agnes and 41 other outdoor companies stresses that the the outdoor economy is worth $1.2 trillion and relies on long-term conservation of Americas public lands. "...we urge Congress and the Trump administration to ensure our public lands remain publicly owned and accessible for generations to come," the letter says. "We recognize that challenging decisions are being made toward stated goals of fiscal austerity, but we write to make clear: public lands should not be sold to pay down national debt or to balance the budget as part of the budget reconciliation process. Recent sentiment describing our nations natural resources as national assets and calling for unleash[ing] Americas balance sheet, give rise to concerns about the potential sale of public lands. While we may not agree on every use of public lands, we hope Congress and the Administration will, at minimum, keep them on the balance sheet." A second letter addressed directly to Sec. Burgum equates protecting public lands with economic impacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Of particular concern are Executive and Secretarial Orders around the rollback of protections on key landscapes such as National Monuments, mineral withdrawals on iconic landscapes, and staffing and resourcing to effectively manage our public lands and waters," the letter says. "We represent the manufacturers of apparel, vehicles, and provisions that outdoor outfitters and enthusiasts depend on for outdoor recreation. We are extremely troubled by the lack of transparency into the Trump administrations decisions regarding how our public lands will be used and managed. Decisions made today will impact generations to come and businesses, communities, and individuals deserve an opportunity to weigh in." A multitrillion-dollar budget framework was approved by House Republicans on April 10. This allows Republicans to begin drafting legislation to enact key elements of President Trump's domestic policy agenda that could include the selling of public lands. That vote is weeks away, as a two-week recess begins April 14. That filibuster-proof vote will only need a simple senate majority to pass. To contact your federal representation, visit USA.gov. NEW YORK A relative of the family of six tourists killed in the doomed helicopter crash in the Hudson River laid flowers at the crash site Saturday as he went about the grisly task of bringing their bodies back to Spain to be buried. They left together. They left without suffering and they left with a smile on their faces, Joan Camprubi Montal said about his sister Merce Camprubi Montal, her husband Agustin Escobar and their three children, Augustin Jr., 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4. Thats important to us as a family. We want to remember and honor their smile forever. Mayor Eric Adams joined Camprubi Montal as he took a boat to the site of Thursdays helicopter crash, laying flowers for both his family and pilot Seankese Sean Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flowers, Adams said, was a symbolic gesture for the loss of life. What should have been a happy vacation turned into an unimaginable tragedy, he said. Our hearts are broken and we want to say to the family members and the wider Spanish community that were here with you. No words can fill the void, the loss, but we can collaborate together and make sure the families involved get the support of this city, Adams said at a brief press conference at Pier 40. Escobar, the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, and his family were all killed with Johnson after pieces of the helicopter, including the rotor, appeared to break off in mid-air on the Jersey City side of the river Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The helicopter overturned and dropped from the sky, hitting the water upside down. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, but several pieces of the chopper, including its rotors, were still missing. NYPD divers on Saturday were using sonar to try to find the missing pieces at the bottom of the river. Adams had flown back to New York after visiting the Dominican Republic, where he mourned the 221 people killed in the Santo Domingo nightclub roof collapse. The crash investigation will include reports of a large flock of birds in the area shortly before the crash, NTSB Chairperson Jennifer Homendy said. Early speculation before the NTSB arrived was that the helicopter fell victim to a bird strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The copter 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. The family came to New York City to celebrate the birthday of one of their children. Escobar was already in the city on business and had his family join him so they could extend the trip a couple days in New York City, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, 36, had radioed moments before plummeting into the water that he was desperately low on fuel and was heading back to the lower Manhattan 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 shortly before 3 p.m. Joan Camprubi Montal said Saturday that he and his family appreciated all the support they have received from both sides of the Atlantic. You can imagine we are trying to assimilate the situation. We want to move the bodies as soon as possible back home to rest in peace together, he said. This is a really difficult situation, but we are overwhelmed by the massive condolences we received. This is probably because the Escobar-Camprubi Montal family was a loved family, he said, solemnly. The causes of death for the family of five and pilot killed in the tragic Hudson River helicopter crash have yet to be determined as a relative of one of the dead has arrived in the US to possibly identify the bodies, authorities said Saturday. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said the brother of Merce Camprubi Montal who was killed in the accident Thursday alongside her husband and their three young children had flown in from Spain Friday. There is still quite bit of a process to go through now, Fulop told The Post Saturday while awaiting an afternoon press conference from the National Transportation Safety Board. Merce Camprubi Montal, her husband, Agustin Escobar, and their three young kids Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4 were killed in the tragic accident. New York Helicopter Tours LLC The family member may have to ID the bodies and they still have to arrange transport back to Spain. The Spanish consulate is involved and Siemens has people working on this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bodies are being kept at the Hudson County Medical Examiners office in the meantime. They still have to figure out the cause of death, was it from drowning or was it from the propeller? Right now were all waiting to hear what the NTSB has to say, said Fulop. Camprubi Montal, her husband, Agustin Escobar, and their three young kids Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4 and their pilot, former Navy veteran Sean Johnson, 36, were about 25 minutes into their sightseeing tour in the Bell 206L chopper when it suddenly broke apart over the Hudson River and crashed into the frigid waters near Jersey City. An aviation expert said its likely Johnson knew something was seriously wrong as the chopper broke apart midair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the pilot would have been aware something was wrong but the passengers may not have, aviation lawyer Jim Brauchle told The Post. Obviously pilots who fly all the time are going to know something is wrong but passengers may not appreciate the danger they are in right away. The helicopter was seen on heart-stopping video as it broke open in mid-flight and crashed into the Hudson River. Bruce Wall Once the thing starts spinning, then people know its something catastrophic. Passengers eventually figure it out. Brauchle said the doomed passengers and pilot might have died either from blunt force trauma or drowning. You hope the people inside got knocked out because if they were conscious, that would have been horrible. Once it inverted, they may have hit their heads on the inside of the helicopter, he said. For their sakes, you hope thats what occurred. Theres a good chance they were unconscious. Members of the US Army Corps of Engineers survey the crash scene. Aristide Economopoulos Brauchle added that once the helicopter rotor is separated from the aircraft and the tail is sheared off, there is nothing even the most expert pilot can do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once you lose the rotor blades, its unrecoverable. The reason it [the chopper] flips upside down is that the roof of the helicopter is the heaviest part. Once you lose the main rotors, it essentially becomes a rock theres nothing to create a lift, he said. Relatives of the Camprubi Montal and Escobar families say they are taking solace in the fact that their loved ones passed away together in the sweetest moment of their lives. There are no words to describe what we are experiencing, nor to thank you for the warmth received, said a letter posted on X by Joan Camprubi Montal on Friday. These are very difficult times, but optimism and joy have always characterized our family, said the statement, which was signed by 19 Escobar and Camprubi Montal family members. We want to preserve the memory of a happy and united family, in the sweetest moment of their lives. NATO is concerned that Russia could soon deploy nuclear weapons in space, according to a report in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that was released on Saturday. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told the newspaper that NATO is aware that Russia is considering putting nuclear weapons into space. He called Moscow's current capabilities in space out of date and not comparable to those of the West. That's why, Rutte said, developing nuclear weapons in space could allow Russia to improve its capabilities, which he said is of deep concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These so-called anti-satellite weapons are not directed at Earth but at satellites. The destruction of satellites could cause chaos on Earth, as many systems on the planet rely on satellites for their operation. Rutte warned of a potential violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which mandates the peaceful use of space. The treaty has been ratified by most countries, including Russia and the United States. Rutte said in recent years, competition in space has become fierce and much more intense, as the environment there is now ever more crowded, dangerous and also not predictable. This, he said, is not just in the commercial realm but also affects defence and therefore overall security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the media report, NATO decided in 2021 that the collective defence clause under Article 5 also applies to attacks in or from space. Article 5 states that an armed attack against one or more allies is considered an attack against all. This collective defence clause has only been invoked once in NATO's history, in support of the United States following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. A full-court press by researchers is playing major dividends in stopping the online ornamental trade of the painted wooly bat. Mongabay reported on recently instituted bans of the trade on both Etsy and eBay as well as promising developments for establishing further protections for the species. Researchers characterized the developments as a "major victory" in an article published by the Cambridge University Press. "It's galvanizing," Joanna Coleman, conservation biologist from the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Bat Specialist Group, told Mongabay. "All of us in the bat-trade working group are really quite thrilled." Advertisement Advertisement The timeline of the scientists' efforts stretches back years, but the actual implementation of measures to protect the bats has happened at lightning speed. In 2015, a study indicated that painted wooly bats were threatened by ornamental trade. Five years later, a population assessment indicated a 25% decrease in the species' numbers. That rapid decline prompted the painted wooly bat to be designated by the IUCN as "near threatened." Concerns around bat populations globally are mounting because of an array of factors. Bats are critical to the ecosystem as pollinators and one of nature's most effective means of pest control. For painted wooly bats, native to South and Southeast Asia, their adorable face and bright-colored body make them a target for room decor. Much of the trade flowed to buyers in the United States and on sites like Etsy and eBay. Advertisement Advertisement The IUCN Bat Specialist Group began studying the online trade of bats and released a revealing study last year. Hundreds of these bats were getting sold through what the scientists framed as "deceptive sales tactics" by sellers claiming they were sustainably sourced. A public campaign bolstered by coverage in the media and social media activism led to Etsy's and eBay's bans on the species' sales. Moreover, the scientists have a petition to add painted woolly bats to the U.S. Endangered Species Act. They are also leading a push to get the species on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. While happy with the current trajectory, Coleman's long-term goal is to fully eradicate the practice. Advertisement Advertisement "We want to see an end to all ornamental bat trade," Coleman told Mongabay. "It's not a traditional livelihood anywhere to taxidermy a bat and put it in a frame." 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. Habitat restoration efforts have led to the reappearance of wild salmon in one California creek, according to Phys.org. A University of California, Davis, study identified the genealogy of Chinook salmon returning to Putah Creek in Northern California. By examining the water chemistry contained in salmon ear bones, researchers were able to tell that the fish coming back were the same ones that had been born there. This means the salmon were fully wild, not strays from nearby hatcheries. That said, the wild salmon are descendants of hatchery salmon. This is significant, as hatchery fish are usually characterized as having inferior genetics unsuitable for surviving in the wild. It could also mean that salmon hatcheries could productively coexist with wild populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fact that you have Putah Creek-origin fish is a big deal," said study author Andrew Rypel, per Phys.org. "To have a growing, stable population that's natal means it's a well-managed ecosystem. It means we're taking care of the water and the land the right way, and that there's a future for fish in that place. It also shows there's hope for other streams that are degraded." The return of the salmon is the result of intense habitat rehabilitation. Dams, warming, runoff, and drought are just some of the barriers facing salmon populations in addition to natural challenges. Other habitat protections, such as one in the United Kingdom, have also been able to bring salmon populations back. Salmon are a vital part of ecosystem health. Their heroic return upstream to breed and die leaves a wealth of nutrients vital for nearby trees and scavengers, including bears. When wild salmon populations fail, so does everything that relies on them. Researchers are hoping this study is optimistic for both hatcheries and habitat protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The idea that hatcheries can be part of the solution might take people off guard," Rypel said. "But there may be positive effects so long as the salmon have a good place to go. There's a lot of potential to have more Putah Creeks out there." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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. LEXINGTON, Mo. Questions linger tonight as to how and why a deadly explosion occurred in Lexington, Missouri, where a 5-year-old boy was killed, two others were hurt and structures were damaged. Somebody messed up, and this is whats left over. Everybodys lives are completely upside down right now, Alicia Billings, whose home was destroyed, said. The explosion happened on Wednesday night. The warning signs appear to have been there; a damaged gas line and a strong smell of gas in the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family says surviving victims have long road ahead after Lexington house explosion Getting answers to questions has proved difficult so far, even with multiple agencies on the ground. Billings was holding her 18-month-old granddaughter on the patio, the part of that patio that is still intact. Tonight, shes glad to be alive but, understandably, angry and upset. Thats not my house thats a bunch of crap laying in the yard underneath it are my pictures, my wedding dress, all my stuff, she said, looking back at her home thats now rubble. I asked them, Should I stay, should I be here? They told me over and over, Yes, you can stay. I asked at least three different people, they all said, Youre fine, Billings said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I would have been inside the house, we wouldnt have come out. The inside imploded the whole wall came in on us, she said. How did this happen? Why did this happen? Why did you let us stay? Are they the ones who are responsible for it? Is it the contractor? I dont know, she asked. Back at the scene of the explosion, the foundation is cracked. You can see the steps the Cunningham family used to walk into their home. A TV rests on top of shards of wood, and 5-year-old Alistar Cunninghams Spiderman mask is charred. As for Billings, she hasnt heard from the utility company or the city. I hope that we truly find out what the cause was, but unfortunately, whether we even find the cause, it will not bring that young boy back, Randy Norden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International student visas revoked at Northwest Missouri State University Missouri 811 Executive Director Randy Norden says they received the ticket for the dig. The contractor says the gas line was not marked by the utility company. When you follow the rules, that really puts us in a strong direction to prevent these tragedies from happening, Norden said. Somebody messed up, you know. Somebodys mistake cost all this is horrible, Billings said. FOX4 has reached out to Liberty Utilities multiple times by phone and here on the ground; we have not heard back. We do know that the NTSB got here on the ground today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as Lexington goes, they are still without gas citywide. There remains no timetable as to when that will be restored. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Johnson City community and the local chapter of a national organization called Indivisible Tri-Cities voiced several concerns across the city on Saturday. There were two separate protests, one on E. Main Street and one on Peoples Street. E MAIN STREET The Johnson City Police Department saw approximately 50 protesters voicing their frustration over the recent Jane Doe/Sean Williams lawsuit settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizer Sierra Gilmer filled a glass container with 300 stones to symbolize the large number of reported sexual assaults in the case. A part of Gilmers social media post can be read below. We are here because the people in this building were supposed to protect us, and they failed. Over 300 survivors came forward. Over 300 voices were documented. Over 300 voices were silenced, Gilmer said. We are here to make sure they are silenced no more. We are here for the survivors that got met with silence, for the ones who never got a call back. For the cases that sat in files, untouched. For the voices that were treated like noise instead of cries for help. The independent audit of JCPD revealed what many of us already knew in our bones; this police department failed to do its job. It failed to investigate. It failed to protect. Sierra Gilmer, protest organizer Click here to read the entire post. A What Were You Wearing exhibit was displayed on City Hall property beside the police department. The presentation aims to challenge the notion that clothing choice determines consent, according to the Susan B. Anthony Project website. Photo WJHL Photo WJHL Mikayla Evans, a survivor who fell from a five-story window of Sean Williams downtown Johnson City apartment, attended Saturdays protest and said her story is not finished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just feel in my heart that well all get justice, and if nothing else, somebodys gonna bring those stories out for the world to see because no one is done telling their stories, she said. PEOPLES STREET Less than ten minutes away, the local chapter of Indivisible Tennessee lined Peoples Street to protest the current administration. Hundreds of members gathered with Hands Off! signs expressing concerns about social security, womens rights and the USDA. Organizer Terryl Yates said the groups main worry is changes made to the SAVE Act regarding married women. When you go to register to vote, youre going to have to have your drivers license and your birth certificate, Yates said. And theyre going to validate that your birth certificate is the same thing thats on your drivers license, which it wont be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A food drive was also held during the protest following the massive cancellation of $513,000 worth of food meant for Feeding Southwest Virginia and ten truckloads meant for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. Photo WJHL Photo WJHL Photo WJHL Photo WJHL Photo WJHL According to its website, Indivisible Tri-Cities Tennessee was Brought together by a practical guide to resist the Trump agenda, Indivisible is a Nationwide movement of thousands of group leaders and more than a million members taking regular, iterative, and increasingly complex actions to resist the GOPs agenda, elect local champions, and fight for progressive policies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More than 100 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine are acting as mercenaries and do not appear to have direct ties to Beijing, according to two U.S. officials familiar with intelligence reports and a former Western intelligence official, Reuters reported on April 11. The U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, described the fighters as poorly trained and having little impact on the battlefield. They do not believe the Chinese government has officially deployed them. However, the former intelligence official told Reuters that Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijings approval to observe and draw tactical lessons from the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 11, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that at least "several hundred" Chinese citizens are fighting on Russia's side in Ukraine. Two Chinese fighters were captured by Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast. One captured soldier reportedly paid 300,000 rubles (roughly $3,500) to a middleman in China in exchange for the promise of Russian citizenship, according to Ukrainian military sources cited by Ukrainian Pravda. Beijing has denied direct involvement in the war and says it has urged its citizens to avoid armed conflicts. Although China claims neutrality, it remains Russias leading supplier of dual-use components vital for weapons production and a key economic ally. Russia has also recruited foreign fighters from countries including India, Nepal, and Syria. Additionally, some 12,000 North Korean troops have reportedly been deployed by Pyongyang to assist Russia in defending its territory in Kursk Oblast. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The reward has increased for a man who escaped from a California prison where he was serving a life sentence, and is now wanted for allegedly killing a Mexican officer when they tried to arrest him on Wednesday. The United States Embassy in Mexico and U.S. Marshals Service in the United States announced the reward for information leading to the arrest of Cesar Moises Hernandez has increased to $35,000. Mexican officer killed in Tijuana operation targeting U.S. fugitive Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez was serving 80 years to life for first-degree murder in a California prison when he escaped custody on December 2, 2024, during transport to the Kern County Courthouse, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials report. Authorities closed in on Hernandez in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, on Wednesday, April 9, and attempted to take him into custody, according to U.S. Marshals. However, during the operation in the Barcelona Residencial neighborhood of Tijuana, Hernandez eluded arrest and is accused of shooting and killing State Citizen Security Force (FESC) Agent Abigail Esparza Reyes. The U.S. Marshals Service is actively searching for Hernandez, who is now wanted on charges of escape, and murder of a law enforcement officer (Mexico). Cesar Hernandez is described as 35 years old, 505 , 161 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Cesar M. Hernandez, wanted by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials and U.S. Marshals Service on escape, murder of law enforcement officer (Mexico) charges (PHOTO: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) Authorities say he is considered armed and dangerous, an escape risk and has violent tendencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sightings of Hernandez can be reported to the U.S. Marshals at usdoj.gov/marshals or to CDCR Incident Commander Lt. Anthony Sotello at 661-721-6300 ext. 5506. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The heat is being turned up on the Stillwater Conservation District and its administrator, Sharon Flemetis, amid suspicion of mismanagement of federal funding for repairs following the June 2022 flooding. On April 8, the Carbon County Commission authorized the hiring of a forensic auditor to analyze payroll and timecard information for Flemetis, tasked with overseeing the local government agency whose focus is on natural resources from June 1, 2022, through Oct. 31, 2023, according to a copy of the agreement. Flemetis initially was serving as administrator for both conservation districts after Carbon Countys official died not long after the damaging 500-year flood that struck a large portion of the Yellowstone River watershed, including Yellowstone National Park, on June 13, 2022. Criminal case opened Bob Van Oosten, chairman of the Stillwater Conservation District, was unaware of Carbon Countys action and had no comment on the audit. Eide Bailly LLP, a Fargo, N.D., based company, was hired to examine Flemetis practices as part of a criminal investigation by the Carbon County Sheriffs Office. The out-of-state company, with offices across the country, was hired in order to retain confidentiality and avoid any conflict of interest, according to commission minutes. The company charges $295 an hour but agreed not to exceed $15,000 without the commissioners approval. Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan confirmed theres an ongoing investigation. He said the forensic accounting contract was needed to aid the inquiry. Feds also investigating district The news comes on the heels of the Natural Resources Conservation Service acknowledging that the U.S. Department of Agricultures Office of the Inspector General is also looking into the Stillwater agency. In addition, the Carbon Conservation District has hired an attorney to halt the Stillwater Conservation District from overseeing a $5 million project authorized by the Custer Gallatin National Forest for Armstrong Creek, which flows into East Rosebud Lake in Carbon County. In February, the Carbon Conservation District sent a letter telling its Stillwater counterpart to cease and desist from all activities in Carbon County. A request the Stillwater board chairman denied. We are moving forward and intend to finish that project, Van Oosten said. The next step could be for the Carbon Conservation District to seek a court injunction to halt the work. Board members awarded contracts The Stillwater Conservation District, headquartered in Columbus, has been under scrutiny for awarding contracts for flood repair projects to two board members. The board members, it was later discovered, were not properly appointed to their positions. The men were supposed to be recommended by the Columbus City Council. The Columbus city attorney told conservation district officials they had violated state statutes regarding conflict of interest in awarding the board members 42 contracts. Flemetis has defended the districts action, saying the board members were not involved in the decision making. There may have been no issues with procurement, given the emergency, but that has nothing to do with conflict of interest, Ryan Addis, Columbus city attorney, told Van Oosten and Flemetis at one of the councils March meetings. That's having a financial interest or stake in the underlying bid that's being awarded by the governing body when you serve on it. Flemetis attempted to deflect blame away from the conservation district. She told the council the Natural Resources Conservation Service chose who was awarded a bid and how much was awarded. We had no control of this, she said, although she later added that awarding the bids was a decision by her and Van Oosten, decisions that were not made in public meetings and did not involve the board. Initially, the two contractors were interested in reapplying to serve on the board but then withdrew amid the city councils scrutiny. Although the positions have been advertised, no new members have volunteered. A flood of federal funding Following the historic 2022 flood that caused millions in damage to roads, bridges, homes and other infrastructure across a broad swath of south-central Montana, federal money was offered for repairs in Carbon and Stillwater counties, along with others. About $4.9 million in federal funds were awarded to the two counties for about 50 projects under the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. Grants are funded to 75% of the projects cost, with landowners required to pay the difference. The work included projects such as bank stabilization, the installation of rip rap, tree and debris removal and bridge replacement and repair. The work was focused on the Stillwater and Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone rivers, Rock Creek and their tributaries. At a Sept. 10, 2024, Stillwater Conservation District meeting, which was temporarily closed according to the groups minutes, the board discussed a retroactive pay boost for Flemetis, bumping her wages from $25 an hour to $40 for work on EWP projects. For all other grant projects, her pay was approved at $45 an hour. Flemetis told the Billings Gazette the increase in pay was standard and based on her job duties. As manager of the EWP program in the two counties, she was responsible for all reporting and oversight as well as signing off on the agreements. Between Stillwater and Carbon counties, along with the federal EWP grants, more than $10.6 million was spent on 71 flood repairs, according to the Stillwater CDs worksheet provided to the Columbus City Council. Whats a conservation district? Conservation districts are units of local government designed to help citizens conserve their soil, water, and other renewable natural resources," according to the Montana Association of Conservation Districts website. Montanas 58 conservation districts cover all counties and include more than 70 municipalities within district boundaries. The districts are political subdivisions of the state, governed by a board of five supervisors elected by local voters, the website noted. In addition, a municipality that has chosen to be incorporated into a district as did Columbus may appoint up to two urban supervisors to represent urban interests on the board. The boards are funded by levies but also receive grants from the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Board members, called supervisors, are volunteers. The administrator is paid by the district. Engineers are contracted when projects require design. The editorial office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Ukraine announced on April 11 that it was reducing its broadcasts and placing a number of it employees on leave as the U.S. government-funded media organization continues to endure "financial challenges" amid the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate grant funding. RFE/RL Ukraine announced that it had ended its popular Freedom.Morning daily broadcast as a means to save costs, while also sending an unspecified number of employees in its Kyiv and Lviv offices on leave. "This is a forced step at a time when Radio Liberty is fighting for the right to receive funding from the U.S. Congress in American courts," Mariana Drach, director of the Ukrainian editorial office said. "Ahead of this, some employees in Prague from various language services went on partially paid leave from April 1." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the government agency overseeing RFE/RL, to be dismantled, while cutting grant funding to the organization. Following a court challenge, a U.S. District Court granted RFE/RL a temporary restraining order, blocking what the court deemed an unlawful attempt by USAGM to cut congressionally appropriated funds. USAGM reversed its decision to terminate grant funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) for the fiscal year 2025, RFE/RL reported on March 27. Despite the reversal, financial challenges continue to persist as future funding for the media organization remains in limbo. RFE/RL was founded early in the Cold War to counter Soviet propaganda in Eastern Bloc countries. It has since continued providing coverage of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and countries in Central Asia, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Everyone is really shocked and upset Trump administration puts Voice of America journalists on leave, cuts funding to Radio Free Europe Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week made his strongest endorsement yet of the measles vaccine amid an ongoing outbreak that has killed three and infected more than 600 people across the US. But his recent push for people to get vaccinated for measles stands in stark contrast to Kennedys years of work against measles vaccines, including suing the state of New York for its vaccine mandates, and making numerous claims that the shot is dangerous and unnecessary. Kennedys comments on X last Sunday that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles set off vaccine critics who saw the statement as a betrayal of the health secretarys longtime views on vaccine safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bobby Kennedy was our founder, but Bobby Kennedy is now the Secretary of HHS, Mary Holland, CEO of the anti-vaccine group Childrens Health Defense, said in a video statement. He certainly left off that in my personal experience, and in the personal experience of many people at CHD, the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine was extremely injurious. Holland went on to repeat disproven claims that the MMR vaccine causes autism. The health secretary followed up this Thursday with a Fox News interview, where he told host Martha MacCallum that it is very hard to tell whether measles deaths this year could have been averted with vaccinations. We need to do better at treating kids who have this disease, and not just saying the only answer is vaccination. He also discussed the health agencys massive research and testing plan to find the causes of autism by this September, a project he said will probe vaccinations along with environmental exposures, food and societal factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Kennedy has been most critical of Covid-19 vaccines in recent years, MMR immunizations have been one of his earliest and most consistent targets for misinformation and alarm over the last two decades. CNN reached out to HHS for comment regarding Kennedys past and recent remarks on MMR vaccines. As Kennedy wrote in his 2023 book with Brian Hooker, Vax-Unvax, The MMR vaccine is the tip of the spear regarding the modern debate around vaccine safety. Here are three ways Kennedy questioned the vaccines safety and the severity of measles infections themselves. Linking MMR vaccines to debunked risks The theory that MMR vaccines led to autism first took hold with a since-retracted 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield. As the disbarred British physician rose to prominence in the anti-vaccine world, so did Kennedy who repeatedly defended his debunked research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wakefield [and his co-researchers] did not state that MMR causes autism, Kennedy and Hooker wrote in their 2023 book. They merely pointed out the timing of the vaccine before the onset of symptoms. Ten of the 12 co-authors on the study issued a retraction in 2004, saying it established no causal link between the MMR shot and autism. Infants with autism typically start showing signs between 12-24 months of age; the first dose of the MMR vaccine is usually given when a child is 12 months old. Kennedy, like Wakefield, has asserted over the years that MMR vaccines lead to myriad adverse events besides autism. MMR vaccines have an unconscionably high injury rate Kennedy wrote on CHDs website in 2019, citing gastrointestinal and respiratory complications from a mid-1970s study. Those are symptoms that might persuade rational consumers to choose the infections over the vaccine, he added. In this February 2019 photo, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stands with protesters at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington, where they opposed a bill to tighten measles, mumps and rubella vaccine requirements for school-aged children. - Ted S. Warren/AP/File This March, speaking to Fox News Sean Hannity, Kennedy repeated the claim that the vaccines themselves are as risky at the virus. [The MMR vaccine] causes all the illnesses that measles itself causes, and leads to deaths every year, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no reported deaths from the vaccine among healthy people, according to the Infectious Disease Society of America. Downplaying severity of measles infections Kennedy has repeatedly said that measles outbreaks are not unusual, infection is not severe in healthy people, and deaths with measles are due to other causes. If you look at the kids in Africa who die from measles, or these other infectious diseases, theyre all malnourished, he said on Joe Rogans podcast in June 2023. Its hard for a disease to kill a healthy person; its hard for an infectious disease to kill a healthy person with a rugged immune system. State health departments reported no underlying health conditions reported in the three US deaths this year, the first measles deaths in the country in a decade. All three, two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, were unvaccinated. In the Fox interview Thursday, Kennedy suggested at least one of the children had prior medical complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy also this year dismissed the notion that many died from measles in a 2019 Samoan outbreak that killed 83 and infected more than 5,000 people. Details of Kennedys visit to Samoa months before the 2019 outbreak resurfaced during his Senate confirmation hearings. He went to the country following an invitation from an anti-vaccine advocate, but denies he campaigned against vaccination while he was there. He also denied to senators that dozens of people died from the virus. Most of the people did not have measles, when tissue samples were tested, he told Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) We dont know what was killing them. That claim is a total fabrication, Samoa Director-General of Health Dr. Alec Ekeroma told The Associated Press. Ekeroma also said Kennedy met with anti-vaccine advocates while there. Lawsuit over MMR vaccine requirements Kennedy, along with former federal prosecutor Michael Sussman, sued the state of New York in 2019 to oppose vaccine requirement for school-age children. The states legislature passed the law, which removed religious exemptions, amid a measles outbreak that year among Brooklyns Orthodox Jewish community that infected nearly 800 people. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is surrounded by supporters as he departs New York State Supreme Court after a hearing challenging the constitutionality of the state legislature's repeal of the religious exemption to vaccination in Albany, New York, in August 2019. - Mike Segar/Reuters A state Supreme Court justice rejected the suit days later. The Kennedy-chaired Childrens Health Defense vowed to keep fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same year, Kennedy rallied with Washington state residents against a MMR vaccine mandate for children attending school. At the time, there were roughly 50 reported measles cases in the state. It spread to 71 people, most of them unvaccinated children, during the monthslong outbreak. As health secretary, Kennedy has maintained that position that vaccination should be a choice despite the spread of measles across 23 states. The federal governments position, my position, is that people should get the measles vaccine, but the government should not be mandating those, Kennedy told CBS News April 8. I always said during my campaign and every part, every public statement Ive made Im not gonna take peoples vaccines away from them. What Im gonna do is make sure that we have good science so that people can make an informed choice. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Earlier this month, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary and noted anti-vaccine crackpot Robert Kennedy Jr. admitted that thousands of laid-off workers had to be reinstated due to "mistakes" made by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Musk's henchmen's cuts to the agency's many health programs are likely to be devastating. But during his first TV interview as HHS secretary with CBS News, Kennedy appeared bafflingly uninformed about the programs that are being shut down. After CBS chief medical correspondent Jon LaPook asked him if he had personally approved a proposed $11 billion cut to local and state programs, including efforts to fight addiction and foster childhood vaccination, Kennedy appeared to be dumbfounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No, I'm not familiar with those cuts," he said. "We'd have to go... the cuts were mainly DEI cuts, which the president ordered," Kennedy added while visibly struggling to maintain his composure, referring to Trump's anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion executive initiative. LaPook pulled out a specific example to illustrate his point: a $750,000 grant to the University of Michigan, which had been focused on fighting adolescent diabetes, was on the chopping block, the journalist informed Kennedy. "I didn't know that, and that's something that we'll look at," a baffled Kennedy replied. The grant, which was cut on March 21, had been funding an investigation of the role of circulating meta-inflammatory monocytes, which are associated with low-grade inflammation experienced by obese people and type 2 diabetes patients, in building insulin resistance in adolescents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the muscles, fat, and liver, don't respond as expected to insulin. This can lead to a buildup of blood glucose levels, which in the long term can lead to prediabetes higher than normal blood sugar levels that aren't high enough for a diabetes diagnosis or type 2 diabetes. In other words, considering that one in three American adults in the United States have prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's an incredibly important line of work in the medical field. But now that DOGE has been ravaging HHS grants, those efforts could soon grind to a halt in the absence of oversight. During the CBS interview, Kennedy once again said that DOGE was likely making plenty of mistakes behind the scenes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just, I'm not familiar with that particular study," he told LaPook, referring to the University of Michigan grant. "But there's a number of studies that were cut that came to our attention and that did not deserve to be cut, and we reinstated them." The conversation highlights DOGE's indiscriminate budget cuts, which have slashed countless important and lifesaving programs across agencies. Even agency leads appear to be in the dark about what's being cut, shedding light on the Trump administration's careless and disorderly approach to reducing the government's budget. Meanwhile, Kennedy, a figurehead in the anti-vaccine movement, has attempted to save face by conceding that vaccines are the "most effective way to prevent the spread of measles" something the world has known for decades. Nonetheless, he has continued to support iffy alternative treatments, including the use of Vitamin A, which has already led to parents accidentally sending their kids to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite decades of overwhelming scientific evidence that vaccines are safe and effective, Kennedy once again argued that they somehow weren't. "I always said during my campaign and every part, every public statement I've made: I'm not gonna take people's vaccines away from them," he told CBS this week. "What I'm gonna do is make sure that we have good science so that people can make an informed choice." So far, three people, including two children, have died of measles during the ongoing outbreak in Texas, despite the widespread availability of a highly effective vaccine. By cutting research into insulin resistance and diabetes, many more lives could be at risk. In 2022, just over 100,000 Americans died of diabetes, making it the eighth leading cause of death in the country. More on diabetes: Woman's Own Stem Cells Appear to Reverse Her Type 1 Diabetes in First-Ever Procedure ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Tattoo artists, creatives, and enthusiasts gather this weekend at the DoubleTree on Jefferson Road in Henrietta to commemorate the 15th annual ROC City Tattoo Expo. Over 200 artists from around the world including Canada, Japan, Europe, and South America attend the event to showcase their work. The expo creates a community for those with and without tattoos to enjoy. Dylan Tate, a tattoo artist from the local shop Love Hate Tattoo, has helped organize the event since 2010. He said the experience of both artists and attendees are priority for the event. Inaugural Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tate said it serves as an ideal situation for those considering their first tattoo, whereas going online can be overwhelming with options. With a variety of booths set up, attendees have the opportunity to schedule a time, pay, and schedule a specific artist to tattoo them right at the event. Inaugural NYS Craft Beer Day celebrated in Rochester Most of the people we have here we make sure are very well-rounded, even if they focus on one particular avenue of tattooing theyre more than capable of stepping outside that and doing something that will suit the clients needs, Tate said. The expo is open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Day passes for the event are also available the day of for purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional information about the expo can be found on the events website 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 RochesterFirst. BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) Beloit Police arrested Mario Johnson Manns Jr., 35, for robbing a bank on October 30, 2024. The robbery happened at the First Mid Bank and Trust in the 2200 block of Cranston Road. Johnson Manns was found by authorities and taken into custody at Bluff Street and Highland Avenue on April 10th. Mario Johnson Manns Jr. Photo: Beloit Police Department Officers found a firearm when they searched the suspects vehicle. Johnson Manns is charged with bank robbery and carrying a concealed weapon. 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The EBT theft case continues to grow in Kern County. Norbert Karaba, a Romanian national arrested at the start of 2025 for EBT theft, is facing new charges out of L.A. county. Karaba was arrested Thursday morning alongside 51-year-old Nicolae Bud and 29-year-old Giorgio Marcelo. The defendants were in a home in Northridge. Investigators say they found card skimmers, pinhole cameras and over $40,000 in cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The District Attorneys Office did not release the number of cloned cards that were found. Norbert Karaba was booked under 25 felony counts of unauthorized use of identifying information of another. Giorgio Marcelo was booked with 99 counts of theft by forged or invalid credit card over $400 dollars, plus 99 counts of computer access to defraud. Kern County DAs Office served the arrest warrant with help from the L.A. District Attorneys Office, California Department of Social Services Investigators, and the L.A. Sheriffs Department. The three suspects were arrested in L.A. County and booked into Kern County Lerdo jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects will be processed in Superior Court. The three suspects are set to face a judge Monday. Karaba initially was arrested with 78 alleged cloned EBT cards and almost $64,000 in stolen cash. His bail of $200,000 bail was posted by the Romanian Gypsy Church of Riverside. In his court proceedings, we learned more about the sophistication of these operations. DA investigator Michael Brummett shared in court that Karaba allegedly made consecutive, one to two transactions per minute on average, totaling 75 transactions. Pastor of the church, Bobby Doru Moise said family members of Karaba told him he was a good citizen in need of help, and now regrets posting his bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three defendants were booked under no 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. Dead and living cockroaches, rodent feces, cooks who didnt wash their hands, a restaurant that tried to reuse a dirty bowl, rotting food, greasy kitchens and more are among violations Kansas Department of Agriculture inspectors discovered during recent food safety and lodging inspections in the Wichita area. Each week, The Eagle adds to its searchable database of failed inspections from Sedgwick County. Ten restaurants, hotels and other businesses were non-compliant with state rules from March 30 to April 5. Inspectors found few or no violations at more than 50 other businesses deemed compliant with food safety and lodging rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspections are meant to protect the public from foodborne illnesses and other health risks. Violations are common. Businesses can fail if they have too many problems, certain types of violations or issues that cant be fixed right away. But most of the time, they correct issues in front of an inspector. Examples of things that can be addressed immediately are serving food thats more than a week old, employees mishandling ingredients and dirty kitchens. Issues that take longer to correct include pest infestations, power outages and plumbing problems. Its rare, but a business may temporarily shut down over violations. Places that fail are usually reinspected within 10 days. The list in this story was compiled on April 7 using information available from the state on that date. The list contains places in Sedgwick County. But you can search food and lodging inspection results elsewhere in Kansas at https://foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx. File Out-of-compliance food and hotel inspections Blue Fin Sake Bar & Sushi, 255 N. Washington in Wichita Four violations on April 4 during an inspection that was a follow-up to an administrative order. Violations include several packages of raw fish thawing in intact vacuum packaging in the walk-in cooler, no hot water at the hand-washing sink next to the drink station, a bowl was too big to fit in the sink where dishes are clean and sanitized, a spray bottle of Simple Green cleaner was stored with its nozzle nearly touching glassware. Next inspection: June 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chilis Grill & Bar, 7887 E. Central in Wichita Nine violations on April 3 during a complaint inspection. Violations include employees personal beverages sitting on preparation boards and near customer food, mashed potatoes werent kept hot enough, several food containers in clean storage were soiled with sticker residue, the restaurant only has one hand-washing sink available in the kitchen for all cooks and employees to use, portioned bags of onions and bell peppers for fajitas werent kept cold enough, rotting lemons in walk-in cooler, a line cook touched ready-to-eat onions with bare hands, containers of pre-fried chicken wings and canned oranges werent labeled with their preparation or package opening dates. Next inspection: April 14. Fat Ernies Family Dining, 2806 S. Hydraulic in Wichita Three violations on April 4 during a modified complaint inspection. Violations include rodent droppings in the cabinet under the soda fountain, salad mix and cottage cheese werent kept cold enough in refrigeration, dead cockroaches on an old soap dispenser in the bar and two dead cockroaches on the kitchen floor. Next inspection: April 24. IHOP, 3204 N. Maize Road in Wichita Eight violations on March 31 during a routine inspection. Violations include plastic lids soiled with pancake batter that were in clean storage, live roach under the soda fountain machine, gallons of milk werent labeled with their package opening dates, food and debris buildup under the soda fountain machines and hand-washing sink, a cook cracked a raw egg and then touched ready-to-eat food without changing gloves or washing hands, butter wasnt kept cold enough, containers of lettuce and egg whites werent labeled with their package opening dates, lids in clean storage had holes and deep cracks. Next inspection: April 10. Just a Sip, 2126 N. Webb in Wichita Three violations on April 2 during a follow-up inspection. Violations include boba that wasnt kept cold enough, issue with how the washing and sanitizing sink was set up, no usable sanitizer testing kit on site. Next inspection: April 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Good Fortune Chinese Restaurant, 709 N. Baltimore in Derby Seven violations on April 1 during a complaint inspection. Violations include soda machine nozzles with a buildup of a brown substance on the inside surface, made-on-site cream cheese mix wasnt labeled with its preparation date, dirty handles on scoops used for rice, restaurant staff rinsed a dirty bowl and tried to use it again instead of washing and sanitizing it, raw bacon and raw chicken were stored over ready-to-eat produce in a reach-in cooler, heavy buildup of grease and food debris on cooking equipment including wok and fryer, dirty shelving and containers, mold and food residue around sinks, heavy accumulation of grease and other debris under cooking equipment and soiling walls, dust buildup on walls, grease and peeling paint on back door. Next inspection: May 1. Sharkys Island Bites, 8918 W. 21st St., Suite 800 in Wichita Five violations on April 1 during a modified complaint inspection. Violations include a cook handling single-use containers without washing hands after cracking a raw shell egg and handling food on the grill, no paper towels at the front counter hand-washing sink, several boxes of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer, no hand soap at the front counter hand-washing sink, spam with cooked rice wasnt kept hot enough. Next inspection: April 11. Smash Bros (mobile vendor/food truck), 9809 W. Par Lane in Wichita The business was deemed out of compliance on April 4 during what was supposed to be an inspection that was a follow-up to an administrative order. The inspector was unable to complete a typical follow-up inspection, though, because the person in charge of the truck refused to let the inspector inside, saying the truck wasnt open and wasnt currently serving food or doing anything. The inspector noted that employees on the truck were preparing food and became contentious and gave a lot of pushback to any of his comments, according to the report. Next inspection: April 11. Smoothie King, 3236 N. Rock Road, Suite 200 in Wichita One violation on April 4 during a routine inspection. The violation involves a back flow prevention plumbing issue that could lead to water supply contamination. Next inspection: April 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Super East Buffet, 7607 E. Douglas in Wichita Four violations on March 31 during a follow-up inspection. Violations include missing records related to when rice was removed from refrigeration or heat, raw ahi tuna thawing in intact vacuum packaging which can increase risk of harmful bacteria growth, produce on the salad bar including melon and coleslaw wasnt kept cold enough, large box of crab meat was stored directly below a soap dispenser. Next inspection: May 31. Where to complain about food, hotel safety If you see problems at a food or lodging establishment, you can file a complaint. To notify the state about unsavory or questionable conditions anywhere that serves or sells food to the public, email kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767. You can also file a complaint at www.foodsafetykansas.org. To report an illness you think was caused by a restaurant, food or event where food was served, contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 877-427-7317 or www.foodsafetykansas.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Complaints about conditions at hotels and motels can be submitted at www.agriculture.ks.gov/public-resources/comments-complaints/lodging-complaint. For more information about foodborne illnesses, visit www.foodsafety.gov. Note: Sometimes addresses listed especially for mobile vendors and food trucks are not where food is actually served to the public. Contact those establishments directly for specific service locations. The violation summaries were compiled and drafted with the help of AI tools. They were fact-checked for accuracy and edited by Wichita Eagle journalists. Month-old meat, cockroach on clean pan, rodent feces at Wichita KS restaurants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pest poop by clean plates, dead bugs in liquor, bad hygiene at Wichita KS restaurants Hundreds of cockroaches, cigarette in kitchen, hair in food at Wichita KS restaurants Cooks didnt wash before prepping food, plus mouse feces, grime at Wichita KS restaurants AUSTIN (KXAN) The Round Rock Police Department is searching for two suspects after an attempted child abduction happened earlier this week in Round Rock, per a news release from the agency Friday. Around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a report of a man who attempted to lure children into a van in the 1700 block of East Mesa Park Drive. The children told officers they were walking in the area when a vehicle with two suspects wearing masks pulled up beside them, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, one of the children told officers one of the suspects got out of the vehicle, grabbed a child by the arm and then offered them candy. One child quickly intervened, allowing the children to escape and run to safety. The two suspects then fled the scene, police said. As of Friday, police were still actively investigating the incident, the release said. The Round Rock Police Department urges parents to remind their children to stay aware of their surroundings, avoid talking to strangers, and never go anywhere alone. If children encounter suspicious activity, they should seek help and report it immediately, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone has any information on this incident, they can contact RRPD Detective Bernie Villegas at 512-671-2709 or email bvillegas@roundrocktexas.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 KXAN Austin. No one at the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will return Rudy Giulianis calls, and hes really not happy about it. I tried to reach them today, they didnt call me back, Giuliani said on conservative podcast Bolling! with fallen Fox News star Eric Bolling on Friday. President Donald Trumps former lawyer claims he was calling up FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi to complain about the DOJ and FBI supposedly appointing employees who investigated the Capitol Riots to top posts at the bureaus Washington, D.C., office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a dramatic change of tone for a man who had praised Patel as one of Trumps most consequential picks and hugged and kissed Bondi on stage in 2018. Im very upset now because Kash Patel and Pam Bondi have taken one of the people that was running the unit going after Catholics in the Justice Department, and also going after January 6 people, and put them in charge of the Washington office of the FBI, he said. Describing the bureau as crooked, he said that if theres an explanation, itd better be damn good. It is unclear which personnel changes Giuliani, 80, is referring to. The DOJ and FBI did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former NYC mayor went on to say that hed been over-the-top enthusiastic about Trumps effective purge of the DOJ and FBIs ranks of dozens of prosecutors who handled the estimated 1,600 criminal cases related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Giuliani railed against the agencies pursuit of the rioters as well as those, like him, who were accused of trying to subvert the results of the 2020 election. Giuliani, who spoke at the rally immediately preceding the attack, was later charged in Georgia over his involvement in the alleged conspiracy to overturn the results of the election and was also listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in federal proceedings against Trump regarding the riots. This was how Giuliani greeted Pam Bondi on stage in Florida in 2018 as they both campaigned for Ron DeSantis to be governor; the one-time New York mayor has now changed his tune. / Sun Sentinel / Tribune News Service via Getty I I get a lot of sympathy and a lot of support, and theres no question I was beaten up pretty bad, he said. But my friends, Steve [Bannon] and Peter Navarro, [got] much worse [by] being put in jail. Bolling was forced out of Fox News over a sexual harassment scandal and later lost his primetime Newsmax show before becoming a MAGA podcaster. Online users shared a rumor claiming U.S. President Donald Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 on April 20, 2025, followed by him declaring martial law. The Insurrection Act grants U.S. presidents the power to deploy the military into states for civilian law enforcement. To share the rumor, users copied and pasted the text from the first (archived) in a series of articles written by a Medium.com blogger only identified by the handle of Aletheisthenes. The rumor partly pertained to a Trump executive order issued on Jan. 20 declaring a national emergency at the southern U.S. border. Part of that order requested Trump to receive a joint report from the secretaries of defense and homeland security "within 90 days" or by April 20 advising "whether to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807." The order did not explicitly mention the words "martial law." While Aletheisthenes, the author of the series of articles, featured at length a wealth of data about Trump's past actions, as well as information about the Insurrection Act of 1807 and martial law, this rumor existed more as a prediction than a provable claim. The Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and the White House did not yet respond to emailed requests for comment. In April 2025, online users shared a rumor claiming U.S. President Donald Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 and then declare martial law a declaration of rule enforced by military authorities. According to numerous posts, this sequences of events would begin on or just after April 20, the same day as Easter Sunday. For example, one Facebook user posted, in part, "He's setting us up for Martial Law....just in case y'all were wondering how he plans on dealing with the backlash he's receiving. April 20." Another user sharing the rumor, also noting former German dictator Adolf Hitler's birthday as April 20, wrote, in part, "Upcoming MAGA special events... April 20. Trump declares martial law in The United States of America." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mentions of April 20 pertained to a Jan. 20 executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern U.S. border. One part of the order said that the secretaries of defense and homeland security would issue a joint report "within 90 days," meaning by April 20. It further stated that the report would include guidance about "whether to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807." The order did not explicitly mention the words "martial law." As of this writing on April 11, this rumor existed more as a prediction than a provable claim. Searches of the websites for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and the White House yielded no announcements, statements or demonstrable evidence that might help to shed light on the unproven matter. Those entities did not yet respond to emailed requests for comment. Breaking down the martial law rumor Users on Bluesky, Facebook, Reddit and other social platforms shared the rumor either in their own words or as a lengthy block of copied-and-pasted text. That text originated from a March 21 article (archived) reported on the publishing platform Medium.com. The author did not self-identify in any other way other than by the handle Aletheisthenes. (Angela Woodward/Facebook) Aletheisthenes' article the first in a series (archived) of stories titled, "The Coup Playbook: How They Quietly Kill the Constitution and Democracy in the Coming Weeks and Months" began with, "On April 20, 2025, the United States may initiate its final steps into authoritarian rule." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the article, Aletheisthenes predicted several supposed chronological steps following the invocation of the act and martial law, including "expanded martial law" following violent false flag operations at otherwise peaceful protests, arrests of journalists and politicians, military takeovers of major U.S. cities, press censorship, closed borders and postponed elections. The author ended the article, "If we don't act before April 20, then by April 23, it will already be too late." Subsequent articles in the series featured Aletheisthenes discussing many other matters related to the predictions, including for example advising (archived) readers to prepare for the worst by buying survival supplies, water and food, and to "beat the rush," "go fast" and "go now." In another article, the author asked (archived) readers to use artificial-intelligence (AI) platforms to "check my math." Interviewing Aletheisthenes By email, the author who made the predictions answered several questions regarding the primary claim examined for this story one positing Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act and then declare martial law. The author also was presented with a legal article that seemed to contradict the blog posts. That article (archived) by Joseph Nunn, counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice, states the Insurrection Act does not authorize martial law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The term 'martial law' has no established definition, but it is generally understood as a power that allows the military to take over the role of civilian government in an emergency," Nunn wrote on the matter in 2022. "By contrast, the Insurrection Act generally permits the military to assist civilian authorities (whether state or federal), not take their place. Under current law, the president has no authority to declare martial law." When presented with Nunn's article, Aletheisthenes said, in part, that "Trump has a history of testing what he can and can't do." The blogger also added, "Trump is on record on wanting to declare martial law several times during his [first] administration," and that his "guardrails" from his first administration "are gone." A search for information about Trump previously considering declaring martial law located a Dec. 19, 2020, article from The New York Times. The reporting said Trump discussed the idea of declaring martial law to "rerun" the election he had just lost, during an Oval Office meeting occurring on Dec. 18. Trump tweeted (archived) in response, "Martial law = Fake News. Just more knowingly bad reporting!" Trump also previously threatened in June 2020 to send federal forces to quell protests and violence following the death of George Floyd, a matter involving invoking the Insurrection Act. Aletheisthenes also answered a question about changing the word "will" to "may" in the headline of the first article. The headline originally read, "On April 20th, 2025, the United States will Cross the Point of No Return." The blogger answered, in part, "I decided to tone it down," citing a person who called the blogger "a malicious propagandist giving paranoid nutjobs nightmare fuel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about whether Aletheisthenes purchased survival supplies the advice the blogger gave to readers in Part Four (archived) of the series of articles Aletheisthenes answered, "Yes. I've never been a prepper before. But I did something different: I'm in a better financial position than many, and I actually ordered 6 months of survival rations and a pretty serious water filter. I figure we'll be feeding the neighbors. "My intentions are good, at least in my own mind. Actually, I don't think I've ever done anything more important in my life, trying to get the word out and save our Constitution ... although it may already be too late. But at least if things go bad I know I tried. And maybe in some way I've gotten more people talking about it. And maybe by talking about it... it'll stop it from happening. And I just look like a crazy man. Which ... I can live with." A representative for Nunn, counsel with the Brennan Center for Justice, did not yet reply to an emailed request for further comment. Insurrection Act of 1807 The Library of Congress hosts the original text of the Insurrection Act of 1807 on Page 443 (archived) of legislation pertaining to the Ninth Congress. As of 2025, the act exists in its amended form in Title 10 of the U.S. Code. (The Trump-issued executive order from Jan. 20 specifically featured the words "Insurrection Act of 1807," rather than generally referencing the matter as the "Insurrection Act.") Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original text from 1807 read as follows: Chap. XXXIX. An Act authorizing the employment of the land and naval forces of the United States, in cases of insurrections. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in all cases of insurrection, or obstruction to the laws, either of the United States, or of any individual state or territory, where it is lawful for the President of the United States to call forth the militia for the purpose of suppressing such insurrection, or of causing the laws to be duly executed, it shall be lawful for him to employ, for the same purposes, such part of the land or naval force of the United States, as shall be judged necessary, having first observed all the prerequisites of the law in that respect. Approved, March 3, 1807 President Thomas Jefferson, in office from 1801 through 1809, introduced the act in response to fears that his former vice president, Aaron Burr, might incite a rebellion or insurrection after Jefferson replaced him for Jefferson's second term in the White House. Nunn reported for the Brennan Center that "the Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992, when the governor of California requested military aid from President George H.W. Bush in response to civil unrest in Los Angeles that followed the acquittal of four white police officers charged with beating Black motorist Rodney King." The Brennan Center published a list of the many other times U.S. presidents invoked the Insurrection Act. Sources: "10 USC Ch. 13: INSURRECTION." U.S. Code, https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title10/subtitleA/part1/chapter13&edition=prelim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Aaron Burr." Thomas Jefferson Foundation, https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/aaron-burr/. "Acts of the Ninth Congress." Library of Congress, https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/llsl//llsl-c9/llsl-c9.pdf. Archive.today. https://archive.is/. "Declaring A National Emergency At The Southern Border Of The United States." The White House, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/declaring-a-national-emergency-at-the-southern-border-of-the-united-states/. "Definition of FALSE FLAG." Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false+flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haberman, Maggie, and Zolan Kanno-Youngs. "Trump Weighed Naming Election Conspiracy Theorist as Special Counsel." The New York Times, 19 Dec. 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/19/us/politics/trump-sidney-powell-voter-fraud.html. Hauser, Christine. "What Is the Insurrection Act of 1807, the Law Behind Trump's Threat to States?" The New York Times, 2 June 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/article/insurrection-act.html. Nunn, Joseph. "Guide to Invocations of the Insurrection Act | Brennan Center for Justice." Brennan Center for Justice, 21 Apr. 2022, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/guide-invocations-insurrection-act. ---. "Martial Law in the United States: Its Meaning, Its History, and Why the President Can't Declare It." Brennan Center for Justice, 20 Aug. 2020, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/martial-law-united-states-its-meaning-its-history-and-why-president-cant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ---. "The Insurrection Act Explained." Brennan Center for Justice, 25 Apr. 2022, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/insurrection-act-explained. "Martial Law | Definition & Facts." Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/martial-law. The Conversation. "Can the President Really Order the Military to Occupy US Cities and States?" Snopes, 3 June 2020, https://www.snopes.com//news/2020/06/03/can-the-president-really-order-the-military-to-occupy-us-cities-and-states/. Vladeck, Steve. "Under the Insurrection Act of 1807, Here's What a U.S. President Can and Cannot Do." The Washington Post, 19 June 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/19/under-insurrection-act-1807-heres-what-us-president-can-cannot-do/. CONNECTICUT (WTNH) The sign says no trespassing on the gate, but it appears that is exactly what someone did at the end of Woodward Street in Danielson, where human remains were found Wednesday. That disturbing discovery is not the only one in or near eastern Connecticut. Other remains were found in the City of Groton and just over the state line in Foster, Rhode Island. Human remains found in Killingly, state police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would seem that theres a pattern and thats scary, said one woman who did not want to be identified. State police told News 8 this in a statement: there is no information at this time suggesting any connection to similar discoveries in RI & the CT shoreline area, and there is also no known threat to the public at this time. News 8 recently learned the remains found near a cemetery in the City of Groton on March 19 were in a suitcase. The other human remains found in Foster, Rhode Island March 27 were that of a woman. I would tell people dont rush to judgement, Groton Police Chief Louis Fusaro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the same rumors are swirling around his investigation into a report of a suspicious man at Bluff Point State Park on April 3. Heres a portion of the call reporting that incident to the Groton Police Department. I went back around. Turned the other way, said the caller. He went back the other way and then he started like walking back as I turned around to walk back to the car. What I heard on our phone call initially was remarkedly different from what we saw posted over the weekend last weekend, Fusaro said. In a statement, Groton Police said that while they can not identify the victim, they believe it is an adult female between the ages of 40-60 with light-pigmented skin. They also believe the victims may have had Turner Syndrome, which includes symptoms such as short stature, broad chest, short wide neck, and small chin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that Facebook post, the caller said the man pulled out a switchblade knife. Groton police are also investigating the disappearance of Steven Gush, whose car and phone were found off of Route 184 on March 29. Some wonder if this could all be the work of a serial killer. Police do not think so. What I can say is we dont believe theres any connection between them, Fusaro said. But Ive seen people draw conclusions. Ive seen the stuff and its causing a little bit of concern in our community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. And runners across Rowan County gathered at Salisbury Community Park on Saturday morning to raise money for victims of domestic violence and abuse. The One in 5k worked to raise money for the Family Crisis Council of Rowan, Inc., an organization that supports victims of domestic violence. The name of the race refers to the fraction of the female population that suffers from sexual abuse. According to the Family Crisis Council, one in five women experiences sexual violence by a partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ: Former Catawba County daycare workers accused of assaulting kids Forty runners prepared for the race as early as 7:30 a.m., with everyone on their marks at 9 a.m. Organizers said the money went to provide essential resources to survivors. The organization provides resources such as emergency shelter, court advocacy, and counseling to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, incest, and human trafficking. Learn more about the Family Crisis Council of Rowan on its website. WATCH: Former Catawba County daycare workers accused of assaulting kids DENVER (KDVR) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is coming up on his term limit, and candidates have announced that they are in the running to take his place for the 2026 election. The general election will take place on Nov. 3 and Coloradans will select new leaders for several different positions representing Colorado. Colorados K-12 education department will not comply with Trump Administrations DEI order Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some candidates have already announced their bid plans, but the date for the primary election is yet to be determined. Who is running for governor? Gov. Polis is wrapping up his second term in office, and he cannot run for a third. So, some candidates have begun spreading the word that they may be on the ballot. Here are the candidates for governor of Colorado listed on the Secretary of States website as of April 11: Mark Baisley (Republican) Scott Bottoms (Republican) Jason Clark (Republican) Willow Collamer (Unaffiliated) Fatima Fernandez (Unaffiliated) Justin Ganoe (Unknown) Brycen Garrison (Republican) Stevan Gess (Republican) Jon Gray-Ginsberg (Republican) Joshua Griffin (Republican) Stephen Hamilton (American Constitution) Chante Jones (Unaffiliated) Rabin Mahanty (Non-Partisan) William McBride (Unaffiliated) Jason Mikesell (Republican) William Moses (Democratic) Alexander Mugatu (Republican) Jarvis Ray (Unaffiliated) Jim Rundberg (Republican) Philip Weiser (Democratic) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Sen. Michael Bennett announced that he will run for governor on Friday. What elections are taking place in 2026? Coloradans will vote on candidates for: U.S. Senate U.S. House Governor State Senate State House Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Treasurer State Board of Education (3 seats) State Board of Regents (3 seats) List: Over $200M worth of HHS grant money was terminated in Colorado Some current officeholders have announced bids to run for different offices in 2026. Secretary of State Jena Griswold launched her campaign Monday for Attorney General of Colorado. Boulder County District Attorney Michael Doughtery also announced his campaign for Attorney General in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone can view candidates for all offices on the Secretary of State website using the Tracer Candidate Search tool. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Some 500 metres below the seas surface, a battle of silent surveillance is set to take place. Last week, Russian sensors were found hidden in the seas surrounding Britain, which are probably intended to spy on the UKs nuclear submarines. This week, Nato military chiefs warned of global internet blackouts following a number of suspected Russian attacks on undersea fibre-optic cables. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, warned in January that a Russian intelligence ship had entered the UK exclusive economic zone, about 45 miles off the coast, to map Britains critical underwater infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat of war beneath the nations waters has never been more prevalent. However, a static device that nestles into the seabed to quietly track overhead activity is about to change the way Britains adversaries are monitored. Whereas frigates and submarines tow their sonar, making the vessels detectable to external threats, the new device, known as Seabed Sentry, does not move once in position. The sensors, which are contained within a pressurised carbon fibre case, are dropped from an autonomous underwater vehicle. They form a grid on the seabed, which acts like a tripwire, using sonar to pick up signals overhead. After using AI software to assess the threat level of passing vessels, the devices can decide whether to raise the alarm for a ship or submarine to further investigate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Positioned around key areas such as pipes, undersea cables and strategically important shipping routes, the devices constant yet silent observations mean they go unnoticed, proving lethal to the enemy. With 95 per cent of all international data carried within 500 cables beneath the sea, an attack on this infrastructure would have devastating consequences. The threat has prompted Anduril UK, an Anglo-American defence and tech company, to work with the British companies Sonardyne and Ultra Maritime to find new ways of policing UK waters. Dr Richard Drake, the general manager of the defence firm, told The Telegraph that with the number of surface crew vessels within the Royal Navy declining at a time while the sub-sea threat is increasing, Anduril UK spotted a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat to the UK is a lot of Russian ships and Chinese shipping around the UK, he said. We cant be everywhere at once to chase them down. With Seabed Sentry, the devices drop on the seabed so they can always be looking, while our adversaries dont know where these things are. At a time when the military is suffering a retention and recruitment crisis and the numbers of personnel across the forces are dwindling, the Armed Forces are looking to autonomous systems as it strives to be lethal with fewer people. Dr Drake added: Seabed Sentry is about doing more with less. Its multiplying your effectiveness without using multiple people. The devices are cheaper to both manufacture and to run as they work independently, so do not rely on ships and helicopters circling overhead to communicate feedback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Drake said: Bigger defence systems take years to get there, whereas we had this idea 18 months ago and we will be in the water within two years testing it. The speed from conception to testing is fast. Something like Seabed Sentry is part of an overall defensive strategy where you are using traditional warfare but this type of capability gives you another string to your bow. Although the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has yet to purchase the Seabed Sentry, it works closely with Anduril UK, having recently agreed to supply new US-made attack drones made by the company to Ukraine. In March, Mr Healey visited the companys factory in Washington DC after the MoD signed a 30 million contract for the loitering munitions. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Russian drone strike killed one man and injured two others in Ukraines southern Kherson Oblast, according to Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. On April 12, Russian forces attacked a civilian vehicle in the Dniprovskiy district, Prokudin said. The drone dropped explosives on the car, fatally wounding a 27-year-old man. Two other men, aged 30 and 49, sustained blast injuries, concussions, and shrapnel wounds. They were taken to the hospital and are in moderate condition, according to Prokudin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attack comes as Moscow continues to reject a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire aimed at halting hostilities. Kyiv has said it is ready to accept a full ceasefire if Russia also agrees to the terms. It has now been more than a month since the Kremlin first dismissed the ceasefire proposal. Read also: Ukraine war latest: US envoy Witkoff proposes giving Russia ownership of Ukrainian regions, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Reuters) - A Russian guided bomb struck a house in the northeastern Ukrainian town of Kupiansk, injuring four people and possibly trapping three more under rubble, the regional governor said. Governor Oleh Syniehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, also posted a picture showing a dwelling reduced to a large pile of wood, concrete and other building materials. Kupiansk, located in Kharkiv region, was seized by Russian forces in the early days of the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was recaptured by Ukrainian troops later that year in a lightning counter-offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian troops have been repeatedly attacking the town in recent months, one of several targets as they advance through several areas of eastern Ukraine. In southern Kherson region, partly controlled by Russian troops, local officials said a drone struck a car carrying a team of war volunteers, killing one and injuring two. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Sandra Maler) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have discussed efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Russo-Ukrainian war during their meeting in Turkiye on Saturday 12 April. Source: Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah, citing a Turkish diplomatic source, as reported by European Pravda Details: Fidan and Lavrov also discussed energy cooperation and bilateral relations during a meeting on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in southern Turkiye, the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also discussed current events in Syria and the situation in Gaza. Ankara has consistently defended Ukraine's territorial integrity since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. However, it also maintains good ties with Russia and remains the only NATO member that has not joined sanctions against Moscow. Turkiye supports a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine-Russia war. Ankara has repeatedly proposed itself as a venue for peace talks. The three-day forum, which began on Friday in the southern Turkish city of Antalya, is devoted to the theme of Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World. Background: Fidan recently stated that Turkiye is ready to join any new European security architecture if NATO collapses. Before that, the Turkish Ministry of Defence noted that the country was ready to deploy troops to Ukraine "if necessary" to ensure peace. Earlier, media reports suggested that Ankara, in discussions with representatives from both Ukraine and Russia, expressed its willingness to consider deploying its military on Ukrainian soil as part of a peacekeeping force. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Russian military struck a civilian car with a drone near the village of Oleksandro-Kalynove in Donetsk Oblast on Saturday afternoon, April 12, injuring three people. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office Quote: "On 12 April 2025, at 15:00, the Russian army attacked a section of the road near the village of Oleksandro-Kalynove, Illinivka hromada, with an FPV drone. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town along with their adjacent territories ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The occupiers targeted a civilian car with three citizens in it. As a result of the explosion, two men aged 49 and 55 and a 59-year-old woman sustained mine-blast injuries, shrapnel wounds and concussions. They received qualified medical assistance." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian forces conducted a Shahed drone attack on the city of Kharkiv on the night of 11-12 April. Three hits have been recorded, two of which have occurred in the Nemyshlianskyi district of the city. One person has suffered minor injuries. Source: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov Quote: "There were three Shahed UAV hits on Kharkiv, two of them in the Nemyslianskyi district." Updated at 05:06: Terekhov said one person had been injured in the Russian attack. "Early reports indicate that they suffered minor injuries," he added. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Russian Federation's army is taking measures to replenish its units on the Kharkiv front after suffering losses and is preparing to resume assault operations. Source: Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Forces Details: The military also reported repelling a Russian assault involving five armoured vehicles on the Kupiansk front. Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Forces emphasises that Russia keeps trying to attack Ukrainian defensive fortifications on the Pokrovsk front but without success. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! By Jeff Mason ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/MOSCOW (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine may be going OK, but "theres a point at which you just have to either put up or shut up." Trump made the comment to reporters a day after he showed frustration with Russia and told it to "get moving" on reaching a deal. "I think Ukraine-Russia might be going OK, and youre going to be finding out pretty soon," Trump told reporters on Air Force One, while adding: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Theres a point at which you just have to either put up or shut up and we'll see what happens, but I think its going fine." On Friday, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the search for a peace deal. The talks came at a time when U.S.-Russia dialogue aimed at agreeing a ceasefire ahead of a possible peace deal to end the war appeared to have stalled over disagreements around conditions for a full pause in hostilities. Trump has shown signs of losing patience and has spoken of imposing secondary sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil if he feels Moscow is dragging its feet on a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised Trump for what he said was a better understanding of the Ukraine conflict than any other Western leader. "When we speak about eliminating root causes of any conflict, including the Ukrainian conflict, this is the only way to resolve the problem and to establish long-lasting peace. Remove root causes," Lavrov said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Turkey. "President Trump was the first and so far, I think, almost the only one among the Western leaders who repeatedly, with conviction, several times stated that it was a huge mistake to pull Ukraine into NATO. And this is one of the root causes which we quoted so many times." Putin, who launched Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has long cast Ukraine's tilt to the West, including its desire to join NATO, as a threat to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commenting on an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to pause strikes on each other's energy facilities, Lavrov said that Moscow has been keeping its word and accused Kyiv of striking Russian energy infrastructure almost every day. "I gave to our colleagues from Turkey, to (Foreign) Minister (Hakan) Fidan, what we gave to the Americans, to the U.N., to the OSCE - the list of facts listing the attacks by Ukraine during the last three weeks against Russian energy infrastructure." Ukraine has made similar accusations against Russia since the U.S.-backed moratorium was approved. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Susan Fenton, Frances Kerry and Sonali Paul) Apr. 11SACKETS HARBOR For many, last Saturday's march to border czar Tom Homan's home wasn't about the Trump administration's controversial immigration policies. "It was about a family," said Sackets Harbor resident Stephanie Elliott. More than 1,000 people came out last Saturday in support of a mother and three children who were taken by federal immigration agents during a raid at a local farm on March 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After spending 11 days in a detention center in Texas, the mother and the three Sackets Harbor school students were finally released on Monday. They are back home safely. The third, 10th and 11th grade students have returned to their classrooms. "I'm proud of this community," said Larry Barone, a local artist who has lived in Sackets with his wife, Connie, for more than 25 years. Rally organizers believe that the impact from the public outcry and attention created immense pressure for the family's release. Hundreds marched from the Sackets Harbor Visitor Center to Homan's lakefront home on Ontario Place about a mile away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 11-day ordeal began to unfold early in the morning on March 27 when dozens of agents from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations showed up with a warrant at North Harbor Dairy on County Route 145 as part of an investigation into the alleged distribution of child pornography. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were part of the raid. The mother and children were swept up in the detainment. The three children were dragged out of their beds at 6 a.m., put into a van and taken away in handcuffs, advocates said. That happened even though advocates said the family had been assigned an immigration case in New York and was attending immigration check-ins and court hearings. Many residents were outraged that they were taken and demanded their return. Teachers, local officials and immigration advocates worked behind the scenes to get them back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In what some in the community have compared to a David and Goliath situation, Sackets Harbor couldn't be bullied by Homan, ICE director and the architect of the federal government's attempts to stem the flow of illegal immigration into the country. "And David won," Elliott said. Marchers carried signs that read, "Bring our Kids Back," "Power of the People Not People in Power," "We are all immigrants, "Bring them Back" and "Tom Homan Took Our Kids." Along the way, marchers shouted in unison, "bring them back." Not only Sackets residents marched on the chilly, windy Saturday to demand their neighbors be brought home. Marchers came from Dexter, Adams, Lowville, Oswego and other north country communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homan reportedly defended the family's removal from their home on the farm property, saying that they were taken into protective custody until it was determined that the children were not either victims of or witnesses to the child pornography case. But Dexter resident Joanne McKinley said she "doesn't buy it," questioning the need to take the family some 1,800 miles away. Federal agents could have found out that information here in the north country, she said. She is convinced Homan backed down after seeing the show of support by the community. Before the Saturday rally, she called Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown, urging him to intervene in the situation. And she credits the assemblyman for his behind-the-scenes action to get the family released. Earlier in the day, McKinley, who considers herself a moderate and not an activist, attended the "Hands Off" rally on Watertown's Public Square that protested a multitude of Trump policies that have hurt the poor, veterans, seniors, federal workers and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Trump making so many drastic changes so quickly, she felt discouraged with the direction of the country. So, after protesting in Watertown at noon, she marched in Sackets to support the family. "It gave me hope," she said. Barone was not surprised by the turnout "in little Sackets Harbor." It also wasn't lost on him that Homan lives in this agricultural community. Jefferson County has always relied on immigrants working on local farms. What happened to his Sackets neighbors is symbolic of what's happening with immigrant farmers across the country, he said. The mother and three children were picked up while living in a home on the town of Hounsfield dairy farm. They were "collateral" victims, McKinley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barone credited teachers and the school district for their efforts to get the family home. A large contingent of teachers from all over the north country made sure to participate in last Saturday's march. Sackets Harbor school superintendent Jennifer Gaffney said that's what educators do when children need help. They make sure they're there to protect them. Betsy Robinson, a retired sixth grade teacher from General Brown Central School District, was there to show her support. "When a child needs your help, you take care of them," she said. McKinley compared it to how Hillary Clinton believes that it takes all of society to meet a child's needs. "It takes a village," she said. (FOX40.COM) The Sacramento Police Department is asking for the publics help to find a teen girl who was reported missing. Video above: What should you do if someone you love goes missing? Saniyah Wilson, 15, is described as being 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds. Police said she was last seen in early April near Mack Road and Stockton Boulevard while wearing a hooded sweatshirt, tan cargo pants, and yellow and white Jordan shoes. Wilson is at risk because of her age, according to SPD. Anyone with information on her whereabouts can contact the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-5471. 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. For a full recording of the press conference, watch the video in the media player above. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) San Angelo ISD officials held a press conference on April 11 to discuss the districts Bond 2025 proposition ahead of the upcoming May 3 election. Dr. Christopher Moran, superintendent, Dr. Taylor Kingman, school board president, and Dr. Merl Brandon, assistant superintendent of business support services and chief financial officer, answered questions from local media outlets regarding the bond proposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to SAISDs Bond 2025 Overview webpage, Bond 2025 is a $397 million bond designed to fund multiple renovations and new constructions across the district, including the renovation of aging buildings, the construction of a new Glenn Middle School and the improvement of safety parameters throughout SAISD. RELATED: San Angelo ISD provides bond election breakdown During the conference, several questions pertaining to Bond 2025 were answered by Moran, Kingman and Brandon. Among the topics discussed were financial transparency, the role of voters in voicing the communitys opinion about the bond proposition, the influence of Bond 2025 on voters thoughts regarding the coliseum bond election and the potential impacts that decisions made in the Texas Capitol may have on SAISD. Moran said that the Bond 2025 proposition is being presented to taxpayers due to the districts reliance on bond elections to fund renovations and new construction that could serve future generations of San Angelo residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public schools can only be constructed through bond elections by local taxpayers, and thats why this is such an important decision, because once buildings are built correctly, they last for two to three generations, Moran said. The officials stated that, regardless of whether one is for or against Bond 2025, becoming educated on the bond proposition and voting is encouraged. What we dont want are people to stay home and not vote, Moran said. This is a community decision, peoples voices need to be heard. Become educated, get out and vote. Early voting for the May 3 election is scheduled to begin on April 22 and conclude on April 29, according to information available on the Tom Green County website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more coverage about local politics, including the May 3 general election, visit conchovalleyhomepage.coms Your Local Election HQ webpage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) Supporters are hoping Salem voters will remember a crucial roads and sidewalks levy is just a renewal and will not involve any additional taxes. This is not a political issue, but its something for the good of the town, said Dave Johnson, chair of the Columbiana County Republican Party. Leaders from both sides of the political aisle joined Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey to push for renewal of the citys quarter-of-a-penny income tax levy that pays for street and sidewalk improvements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats really the only capital funds that are available almost for this city, Johnson said. The levy generates about $1.3 million a year and has been on the books for the last decade. This would be the second time voters are being asked to renew it. We want to make sure the people are safe and that we can progress and our city is progressing, said Patty Collian, chair of the Columbiana County Democratic Party. Johnson said when the measure was introduced 10 years ago, the measure was adopted because the streets in town were deplorable. I mean, there were potholes and heaved-up sidewalks, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters say money from the levy has been used over the years to bring in an additional $5.5 million in state and federal funds and is largely paid by people living outside city limits. Only 16% of the revenues generated by that tax are generated by the resident taxpayers of this city, Johnson said. Still, there are concerns. The streets and sidewalks levy is one of four on the ballot for Salem residents, including a county sales tax and a statewide bond issue. Another of those four levies is for the parks. Salem collects about $26 a year on properties worth $100,000 and provides funds to pay for the upkeep of the citys six parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters say roughly 250,000 visitors came to the parks last year to use the playgrounds and other facilities, most of which are free to use. So a mere $26 goes into supporting a levy that represents half of the budget of the parks department. If we dont pass this, were going to lose half of the revenue that supports our parks in town, Johnson said. City officials say the parks levy has been on the books for many years and generates just under $250,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Holy mackerel. An Upper West Side salsa dancer reeled in a shocking $6.45 million verdict after slipping on a slop of slimy fish guts outside a gourmet grocery store a nasty spill thats sent her to the operating room at least 12 times over the last decade. A Manhattan jury awarded the woman the massive windfall Tuesday, finding that Citarella on the Upper West Side was at fault when she dislocated her knee in the 2014 slip-and-fall thats since hindered her running, salsa dancing and amateur bodybuilding hobbies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a long, long, long process, said the plaintiff, who asked only her last name, Castillo, be used. My life has been at a standstill for 10-plus years. A Manhattan jury ordered Citarella on the Upper West Side to pay $6.45 million to a local resident who slipped on fish guts outside the store. James Messerschmidt Ironically, Castillo is a retired trainer for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, where she taught construction workers how to avoid falling on job sites. Of all the things that could have happened to me, and I slip on slimy, clear fish guts, she told The Post Friday. But you know, I dont teach how to avoid slime. It was Labor Day weekend, 2014, and Castillo, then 53, was getting ready for a glorious beach day with her mom, husband, daughter and granddaughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats when she took the tumble on West 75th Street and Broadway that would change her life. My whole body turned, Castillo recalled. It literally turned my knee to the opposite side of my leg. As her 5-year-old granddaughter cried for her to get up, Castillo said she realized her leg was rubber, like in a cartoon, just being held on by her skin. When she arrived at the ER, she said the doctor was shocked. The first thing he said was: Can I take a picture? she recalled. Her injuries included a total knee dislocation and three ruptured ligaments, plus many holidays spent in the hospital, enduring surgeries from hell. And gone were the days salsa dancing with her husband, cooking big family dinners and shopping for groceries on her own. Lawyer Sharon Scanlan (left), with client Castillo, shortly after the verdict was announced Tuesday Jacoby & Meyers So its like, OK, take my joy away, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy. I feel like I have been in jail for 10 years. Castillo said she didnt initially want to pursue legal action but the shop refused to hand over an accident report for her medical insurer unless she had a lawyer. They also refused to apologize for not keeping the sidewalk clean. That move may have cost the grocer $6.45 million. Finally, this week after her 10-year legal battle, the Manhattan Supreme Court jury decided that Citarella which tried to partially blame Castillos lupus diagnosis for her injuries was 100% responsible. This Manhattan jury listened to all the evidence, and they spoke through their verdict that it is not OK for a grocery store to take over a sidewalk for their business and profits and not protect pedestrians in doing so, said attorney Sharon Scanlan of Jacoby & Meyers, who represented Castillo. The gloopy fish guts on the sidewalk outside of this Citarella twisted Castillos leg so badly that her ER doctor asked for a photo, she recounted. James Messerschmidt Citarella did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castillo still has a long road ahead of her her doctor said shell never be able to move freely again and might never avoid her now-daily pain. She said her experience has been enlightening to think how corporations treat the smaller people, or how corporations dont have no heart, because theres some that really care, she said. I feel like people have lost heart in this country. We used to always take care of each other. Apr. 11A $4.3 million grant that Samaritan House officials hoped would fund the facility's expansion project seems to have disappeared. The Kalispell homeless shelter and transitional living facility was working on getting the multimillion-dollar grant approved when the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the federal agency in charge of dolling out the funds, "just kind of went radio silent," said Chris Krager, the organization's executive director. "We were in the process of approval, and then the process just stopped," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Housing and Urban Development did not respond to a request for comment before press time. The Samaritan House is undergoing a $16.9 million expansion project that would nearly double its capacity, allowing it to serve around 85 more people. So far, $12 million has been raised through various avenues including donations and fundraisers. Around $7 million of that figure has come from federal grants already awarded to the project. The $4.3 million grant that would have helped to close the remaining gap in funding comes from the Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care grant program, which "is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness," according to the federal agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krager suspects that staffing cutbacks by the Trump administration may be a reason for the sudden communication breakdown. But that's just a guess, he said. "I haven't heard from anybody. I haven't heard anything," he said. Krager said he is concerned the funding may not come back. With the expansion, the Samaritan House will see 18 two- and three-bedroom apartments for free and reduced family-style housing, an overflow for the shelter and a 16-unit building to house homeless veterans. Kalispell is the largest city in Montana with no housing dedicated to homeless veterans, according to Krager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potential loss in funding will not affect the initial project designs or timeline, he said. "We are being flexible and nimble to pivot our phasing," Krager said. The facility was meant to be built out in three phases, but Krager is adding a fourth phase, which means pushing the construction of a community center further down the road. He described the approach as "biting off smaller chunks rather than bigger chunks." "It's definitely interesting times we're living in. Between federal funding freezes and unfreezing, and then also with market instability. More than ever, it is time to be focused and nimble," Krager said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Construction is expected to kick off sometime in the early summer after the Department of Environmental Quality finishes its cleanup at the former Army Reserve Armory located at 1110 Second St. W., which is where the forthcoming apartments are expected to go. The Samaritan House was at or near capacity all winter, Krager said. MORE THAN $7 million from the same federal grant program was sought to help fund construction of permanent supportive housing on the Flathead Reservation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. "We applied for it but we were never awarded it. Nobody has heard about any of the awards," said Jodi Cahoon Perez, executive director of the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority. "We submitted the application and then that's all. It stopped there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez said that applicants typically receive a letter whether they received the award or not, but that has not happened yet. While Perez helped prepare the application, it was submitted by the Tribal Defenders Office. The housing authority provides rental assistance to residents of the supportive housing. Perez said that historically the Continuum of Care program has been limited to covering operational costs. This grant was unique in that it could be put toward construction, she said. "But nothing was awarded. But there is talk that they are just going to roll that allocation in with regular Continuum of Care dollars," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tribes created its first permanent supportive housing program in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Allocating $7.25 million, the tribes' homelessness task force bought an old motel in Ronan and converted it into an apartment complex. Maintenance issues and a lack of community space have since prompted efforts to create a new complex, which is being called the Morning Star apartments, which the federal grant would help fund. Tenants are given a case manager who is focused on helping them heal and become self-sustaining. "So they're addressing root causes that's creating instability in their lives. It's beautiful to watch," Perez said. Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and junderhill@dailyinterlake.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Leronce Suel, a 47-year-old San Diego restaurant owner, was sentenced Friday to 42 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining over $1.7 million in COVID-19 relief funds and evading taxes, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Suel the majority owner of Rockstar Dough LLC and Chicken Feed LLCoperators of restaurants, including Streetcar Merchants in North Parkwas convicted in September 2024 on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and tax crimes. His sentencing also included a restitution order of $1,773,245 to the U.S. Small Business Administration, along with criminal forfeiture of $1,466,918 seized from his home in 2022. Swiss pharmaceutical giant announces plans for $1.1B campus in San Diego Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors say Suel conspired with a business partner to underreport over $1.7 million in income on tax filings and COVID-relief loan applications, defrauding programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). Rather than using the funds for rent, payroll or other eligible expenses, prosecutors said the money was funneled in large cash withdrawals from business bank accounts and the purchase of a home in Arkansas. In June 2022, agents with IRS-Criminal Investigation executed a search warrant at Suels residence and recovered more than $2.4 million in cash. This defendant took resources meant to support those most vulnerable during a time of crisis and used them for his own enrichment, said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. By misappropriating over $1.7 million in COVID relief funds, he robbed individuals and families of the assistance they desperately needed. The trial revealed a wide-ranging scheme, including doctored tax returns, false business expenses and unreported income. In one instance, Suel claimed rent deductions for a restaurant he wasnt actually paying rent on. He also provided his accountant with false information to support a web of fraudulent filings dating back more than a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Suels 10-plus years of tax evasion and fraudulent claims for COVID relief grants and loans caught up to him when a jury of his peers found him guilty, said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher. Now, Mr. Suel will feel the repercussions of his disregard for his fellow taxpayers. The case underscores ongoing federal efforts to hold accountable those who exploited pandemic relief programs intended to help small businesses weather the economic fallout of COVID-19. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A second Santa Fe city councilor has publicly announced this week she wont seek reelection in November, clearing a path for at least two newcomers on the council in 2026. Councilor Carol Romero-Wirth announced Friday morning she has decided not to seek a third term in her District 2 seat and shes not abandoning the position to run for mayor, she writes in an opinion piece she submitted to The New Mexican. Her op-ed suggests she had been considering a mayoral run: After careful consideration and consultation with my family, I will not be a candidate for Mayor and have decided not to run for a third term on the City Council, she writes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longtime Councilor Signe Lindell announced in an opinion piece published Sunday in The New Mexican she will not seek another term in District 1. Katherine Rivera, an unsuccessful District 1 candidate in 2023, announced Thursday she will be running for the seat Lindell is vacating. While the race for mayor has drawn a crowded field of at least six contenders, only three people have announced intentions to run for a council seat in the municipal election. Along with Rivera, Councilors Lee Garcia in District 3 and Amanda Chavez in District 4 have said they will run for reelection. Mayor Alan Webber has not yet announced whether he will seek a third term. Romero-Wirth, who served as chair of the councils Finance Committee, did not respond to requests for comment on her decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also serves on the Buckman Direct Diversion board and the city Water Conservation Committee. It has been my honor to serve the City and District 2 constituents over the last two terms, she writes in her op-ed. Santa Fe councilor taps brakes on electric scooter rentals Carol Romero Wirth She plans to continue practicing law at the Wirth Law Firm and to look for new arenas to make meaningful policy changes, she writes. An attorney with a masters degree in public affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin, Romero-Wirth has lived in Santa Fe since 1989. Prior to joining the City Council, she served on the City Charter Review Commission in 2013, and previously worked as associate director of the nonprofit policy think tank Think New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is the wife of state Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth; the couple recently welcomed their first grandchild. Romero-Wirth beat Joe Arellano and Nate Downey in a three-way race for the District 2 seat in 2018. There was no incumbent in the race, as then-Councilor Joseph Maestas was running for mayor at the time. She ran unchallenged in 2021. Following a redistricting process several years ago, District 2 now encompasses much of the citys midtown area and part of the downtown district to Upper Canyon Road. So far, no other candidates have entered the District 2 race, leaving the field wide open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 2 Councilor Michael Garcia, who is now running for mayor, handily beat challenger Phil Lucero in 2023. Despite representing the same constituents, Garcia and Romero-Wirth have frequently clashed on the dais. Garcia will keep his council seat if he doesnt win the mayors race this year. Lucero declined to comment late last year on whether he was interested in exploring another run and could not be reached for comment Friday. Romero-Wirth writes in her op-ed she is most proud of her work helping the citys water infrastructure become more resilient. She also highlights affordable housing initiatives, social justice work and helping the city improve its finances and catch up on overdue audits as her accomplishments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of her initiatives have had a rocky reception. A 2023 proposal sponsored by Romero-Wirth and three other councilors to rebuild the Soldiers Monument, a toppled obelisk, in a modified form on the Plaza was withdrawn following widespread criticism, and a resolution she sponsored last year to study moving the Civil War monument to the Santa Fe National Cemetery was significantly modified before it was approved to include studying all options for the obelisks future. She also cites in her op-ed a resolution establishing a city office of Equity and Inclusion as one of her accomplishments but more than a year after the resolutions approval, the office has yet to be staffed. In the months to come, Romero-Wirth says she will work on several proposals to finish out her term, including updates to Santa Fes green building code and improvements to the short-term rental and nuisance abatement ordinances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She thanks city staff for their work. The employees of the City are heroes and deserve our utmost respect, she writes. We should all be grateful for what they do on a day-to-day basis to address the needs and challenges facing our community. Georgia State University professor David Maimon, head of the school's evidence-based cybersecurity research group, says he's found Social Security accounts for sale by scammers online. You can see the name, date and the balance, he told Channel 2 Action News in a story published March 24. The whole point of the scam is to try to take over those individuals Social Security payments. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maimon shared a video with the local broadcaster, which was described as showing access to an account for sale and revealing a beneficiarys personal data, including the amount of their monthly payment in this case $1,855.30. So, how exactly does this scam work, and what can Americans do to protect their benefits? How does the scam work? How can someone benefit from purchasing access to a strangers Social Security account? According to Maimon, its disturbingly simple. "They will just go to the Social Security Administration website, will change the details there and funnel the money to the new and fake John Doe account," Maimon explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scammers can gain access to online accounts through various means, including stolen login credentials and successful phishing attempts. Its the type of fraud the Trump administration says its been trying to prevent. A new Social Security Administration (SSA) policy, set to roll out April 14, aims to make identity theft harder by requiring in-person verification for those unable to apply for services online. Previously, you could verify your identity by phone. But there are reports the SSA is backing off from these changes. Critics of the policy argued it would do more harm than good especially since the previously SSA announced plans to cut approximately 7,000 of 57,000 (12%) of jobs. 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 Protect your Social Security account If youre interested in protecting your Social Security account from fraud, here are some steps you can take. Regularly check your account If you have a my Social Security account, review your earnings history, personal information and payment status often. Any unfamiliar changes could be a sign your account has been compromised. Consider printing your benefits report so you can easily spot changes. Don't click on suspicious links Phishing emails and text messages from people posing as the SSA may urge you to verify your identity by logging into your account using a supplied link. Dont take the bait always access your account through the official site and never enter personal details through a link given to you out of the blue. Use two-factor authentication when possible The SSA allows users to enable two-factor authentication (sometimes called multi-factor authentication) to access their accounts for added security. When turned on, youll need to enter a code sent to your phone or email address in addition to your username and password. This offers additional protection from account takeovers. Don't give cash to protect assets Another common scam involves in-person visits from someone claiming to be law enforcement. Scammers pretending to be police or government agents may claim your assets are at risk and urge you to convert money into gold or gift cards for safekeeping. This is a classic scam. Real agencies will never ask for payment or offer protection this way. Stay informed on new scams Criminals thrive in times of change, and SSA-related scams are evolving. Sign up for fraud alerts, read SSA security updates and follow trusted consumer protection sources, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Talk to a trusted person before making changes Some scammers count on urgency and isolation to pull off their fraud. If youre being pressured to do something like change your direct deposit information or respond to an unexpected notice, talk to a friend or family member first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being careful and proactive is the best defense against Social Security scams, and it could mean the difference between a secure retirement and financial chaos. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. A titan of the Tri-Cities tight-knit private school community is calling it a career. After a decade at the helm of Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School, President Lisa Jacobs says she plans to retire after the 2024-25 school year. Its been a privilege and an honor to work at Tri-Cities Prep. Its been great, she told the Tri-City Herald this week. In her place, a hiring committee has selected Scott McNamee, 52, as the schools next president. The Indianapolis-area leader will take over in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Sweesy, chair of the Tri-Cities Prep board of directors and search committee chairman, characterized McNamee as a highly accomplished leader with a deep passion for Catholic education and a heart for high school students. Lisa Jacobs, Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School president On behalf of the search committee and the entire Tri-Cities Prep community, we are delighted to welcome Scott McNamee and his family, Sweesy said in a news release. Tri-Cities Prep is the regions sole Catholic high school, welcoming students of all faith backgrounds. It was founded three decades ago, in 1994, as a private, independent, co-educational school approved by the bishops of both the Spokane and Yakima dioceses. The nonprofit school offers college-preparatory academics to students in grades 9th-12th in a faith-centered environment. It does not receive any public funding, but is approved by the Washington State Board of Education and Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School is at 9612 St. Thomas Dr. in Pasco. A great deal in her 10 years Jacobs previously served on Tri-Cities Preps board of directors and was a volunteer before serving as its president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also previously taught at Berney Elementary in Walla Walla Public Schools, and has been involved with Catholic education throughout her career. You dont replace a person like Lisa Jacobs; you strive to find someone who can build on what she accomplished here at Tri-Cities Prep, Sweesy said. Lisa achieved a great deal in her 10 years leading the school. That includes two building expansion campaigns, overseeing the schools highest-ever student enrollment and guiding the school through the pandemic. Scott McNamee Sweesy said she also established a community presence that earned Tri-Cities Prep recognition as the best high school and private school over the last three years, as voted by the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa has given us a strong foundation to move forward, he added. McNamee will be handed the baton in June. He currently works as the director of campus ministry at Marian University, a Catholic university that serves more than 5,000 students in Indiana and Tennessee. He doesnt have ties to the area, but says he and his wife, Kristy, are looking for a long term home and somewhere for him to serve out the twilight years of his career. It looks like its an up and rising community, but also has some pretty cool traditions established. So we cant wait to be a part of the overall community, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McNamees served in Catholic schools, universities and parishes. He worked 14 years at Guerin Catholic High School, in Noblesville, Indiana, first as the director of student life and campus ministry, then as its director of operations. He holds a bachelors degree in business from Marian, and an MBA from Anderson University. Booming growth at Tri-Cities Prep The Tri-Cities smallest high school is undergoing the largest expansion that its 26-acre campus has ever seen. Its currently 10 months into a $3 million project to erect six new classrooms, a state-of-the-art biology lab and enhanced security upgrades. Half of those new classrooms will open this fall, according to previous Herald reporting. In total, the project will add more than 10,000 square feet of new education space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an era of plateauing public school enrollment, private schools are seeing a boom in student enrollment driven by school choice popularity and families seeking alternative learning environments for their kids. Much of the interest stemmed from in-person learning disruptions during the COVID pandemic and shifting sentiments around public school. Like other private schools in the region, Tri-Cities Prep saw double-digit percentage increases during the pandemic years. And while it continues to raise its student enrollment cap, the schools facilities a one-floor, seven classroom building, plus two portable buildings are lagging behind. The school is located at 9612 St. Thomas Drive in Pasco, Washington. JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) A bill that took another step forward in Tennessees legislature Thursday has school systems across the state preparing for something they might prefer to avoid. Bill that could bar undocumented students passes TN Senate 19-13 with 7 GOP no votes The full state Senate with seven out of 27 Republicans joining all six Democrats in opposition passed Hixson Republican Bo Watsons version of a measure that would let school systems charge tuition to undocumented students or deny them admission. The vote was 19-13 for a bill that has drawn opposition from groups ranging from education organizations to clergy, civil rights and immigrant rights advocates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of those organizations representing the various groups (that) superintendents, Tennessee school board members are aligned with, theyre opposed to the bill, Washington County Director of Schools Jerry Boyd told News Channel 11 Friday. Boyd says his board members have discussed the bill and arent interested in the option of charging tuition or excluding students. Watson has said he introduced it so school systems could recoup what he called exponentially rising costs of providing extra help for English language learners. Our main mission is to serve children, and so we dont say we serve some children, Boyd said. We serve all children that are in our community. The bills Senate version also requires schools to collect citizenship or legal immigrant documents from each enrolling child regardless of whether the system wants to charge tuition to those here illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our normal enrollment process, it would be another layer, and its certainly information that we have not required in the past, Boyd said. One reason is because federal law doesnt allow any student to be denied enrollment. That law springs from a 1982 Supreme Court decision, Plyler v Doe, that prohibited the denial of public education to any child in the U.S. regardless of legal resident status. Boyd thinks a required list could send some families into the shadows even when it comes to the traditionally safe space of schools. Reasonably so if they have a fear of being removed from the community and from the nation, Boyd said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said hes confident all parents, including those who are undocumented, are supportive of the education process in Washington County. If there was a tuition, if they could pay it, knowing their commitment to education of their children, they would probably try to find a way, Boyd said. But there will be some because of fear and because of just finances, they would make decisions to not enroll or even attempt to enroll their children in schools. Tennessees ACLU policy director Bryan Davidson told News Channel 11 the element mandating documentation was troubling. It kind of begs the question, if theyre collecting the information, then, you know, what are they planning to do with that information, which we think is incredibly concerning, Davidson said Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidson said the House version doesnt have that mandate. And he said after Thursdays vote, passage into law isnt guaranteed despite a Republican-dominated legislature. I do think that that the vocal Republican opposition today on the floor sends an important signal that this is not pure politics. This is an issue of basic human decency, he said. Boyd doesnt know how many undocumented kids attend Washington County schools. The Pew Research Center estimates Tennessee is home to about 140,000 undocumented people, and just under 6 percent of its students live with an unauthorized parent. The 30-year veteran educator says, in his opinion, the numbers not the issue. While theyre here, we need to serve children, and to put a law in place that would prevent that opportunity, I certainly, as an educator, as a citizen of Tennessee, a citizen of the United States of America, as a father I dont agree with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidson thinks the bill could still face serious headwinds. The margins in the votes in the House have been just as close, if not closer than some of the Senate committee votes in the last couple of weeks, Davidson said. I think all eyes are on the House Finance subcommittees and full committee meetings next week, and, you know, well see what happens. News Channel 11 requested interviews from a half dozen area House members Friday. One was unavailable due to illness, and the remainder declined to respond. The bill is in the House Finance, Ways, and Means subcommittee at 9 a.m. Central time Monday. That 29-member committee includes five Northeast Tennessee members: Chair Gary Hicks (R-Rogersville), Tim Hicks (R-Gray), John Crawford (R-Kingsport), David Hawk (R-Greeneville) and Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport). 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. The public health risks caused by air pollution have likely been underestimated for decades, a new study finds. What's happening? The Washington Post reports on a new study from Johns Hopkins University researchers that looked at the cumulative effects of toxic air pollutants. This differs from most research on the topic, which has traditionally studied the pollutants on an individual basis. That traditional approach is flawed, researchers found, as people don't just breathe in one toxin at a time. When they breathe the air around them, they take in all of the toxins that have polluted that air and face the cumulative effects of those pollutants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is particularly true for vulnerable populations who may live near factories or other businesses that pump out a high number of pollutants. "Very little has happened to protect these people," study author Keeve Nachman told the Post. "And one of the major reasons for that is that current approaches have not done a good job showing they're in harm's way." Why is this important? Understanding the actual risks associated with air pollution is key to understanding the damage done by industries that keep spewing these toxins into our atmosphere. We already know that manufacturing is a major driver of the overheating planet. The industry was reportedly responsible for one-quarter of all carbon pollution in 2022. When these polluting gases are released, they help trap the sun's heat, causing the planet to warm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this study may shine a new light on how damaging these gases are to our health. Because not only have previous studies typically looked at the effects of just one toxin on our health, but many guidelines and regulations are based on the effects of just one toxin on just one part of our bodies. When assessing risk from formaldehyde, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency only looks at its effects on the respiratory system. The Johns Hopkins researchers found that the toxin causes potential health impacts in many other bodily systems, including neurological and reproductive. What's being done about this? EPA officials didn't comment to the Post about the study, and chemical trade group spokespeople told the newspaper that further study and validation are needed before any action would be taken. But conservationists believe this study is enough to sound the alarm bells and that it should prompt immediate changes to the way risks are assessed for vulnerable populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The authors of this paper powerfully demonstrate how EPA has repeatedly underestimated the true health risks for people living in the shadow of industrial polluters," Environmental Integrity Project Executive Director Jen Duggan told the Post. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A 25-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run collision in La Jolla on Friday night, authorities said. According to the San Diego Police Department, the man had been riding a 2023 Yamaha XMAX sport scooter northbound in the 3200 block of Torrey Pines Road around 9 p.m. As explained by authorities, he was unable to navigate a curve in the road, causing him to strike a concrete jersey barrier. Ground stop lifted at San Diego International Airport: what this means Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact ejected the rider from the scooter, throwing him into the southbound lane of Torrey Pines Road. While he was on the ground, an unknown vehicle ran over the man and fled the scene without stopping, police said. Emergency responders pronounced the victim dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld at this time. SDPDs Traffic Division is actively investigating the incident and is asking anyone with information to come forward by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nearly a week after a video showing a man kicking a horse sparked outrage online, the search for Dr. Shawn Frehner remains ongoing, according to the Lake Mead National Park Services social media post Friday. Frehner, 56, was last seen around 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 6, entering the Lake Mead recreation area through the Boulder entrance. His truck was later found parked at Hemmenway Harbor with his keys, wallet, and cellphone inside, officials said. Las Vegas veterinarian missing following apology for kicking horse in head Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Friday, the search was still active, and investigators said, You dont have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know. Frehner, 56, was last seen around 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 6, entering the Lake Mead recreation area through the Boulder entrance. (Lake Mead NPS) Frehner is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 190 pounds. According to a missing person report, Frehners father told investigators he doesnt believe his son would harm himself. Father of missing Las Vegas veterinarian doesnt believe his son would harm himself Shawna Gonzalez witnessed Frehner kick the horse in the head, leaving an abrasion. (Courtesy Shawna Gonzalez) Records 8 News Now obtained showed the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners placed Frehners license on probation in 2016. He agreed to a year-long license suspension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nye County Sheriffs office is investigating him for animal cruelty following a complaint from the horses owner. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the NPS tip line at 888-653-0009 or call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. DENVER (KDVR) A second collared gray wolf was found dead in Wyoming, according to a press release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A gray wolf was found dead in Wyoming in March, and it was confirmed that Wildlife Services had shot and killed the wolf. CPW became aware of the recently discovered dead wolf on April 9, but it is unsure how long before then the wolf had died. Murder conviction vacated after new test of DNA tied to analysts misconduct case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wolf was also a part of the pack relocated from British Columbia and was identified as gray wolf 2513. CPW said it was able to coordinate with Wyoming Game and Fish to return the GPS collar of the wolf. Wyoming law prevents further details from being shared, and it is unknown how the wolf died. CPW said that it has no further comment on the death as it took place outside the jurisdiction of Colorado. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LEOMINSTER, Mass. (WWLP) A second man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Worcester man in 2021. State Police checking drivers for OUI during Hampden County checkpoint The Worcester County District Attorneys Office said that on May 12, 2021, Leominster Police officers received a report of a body in the area of 46 Industrial Road. The body, later identified as 19-year-old Franklin Mane of Worcester, was found in an overgrown area at the edge of a parking lot. Franklin Mane (Worcester County DAs Office) Further investigation by the Office of the State Medical Examiner found that Mane had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and that his cause of death was homicide. In May 2023, 25-year-old Wilbert Nieves of Fitchburg was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, a second man, 23-year-old Jose Pacheco of Worcester, was arrested and charged with murder in Manes death. Pacheco is currently in state custody on an unrelated charge and was arraigned in Leominster District Court on Friday. Nieves case is ongoing. The Leominster and Worcester Police Departments, as well as the Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County DAs Office, continue to investigate this case. 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. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Midland Health Department has confirmed a second case of measles in Midland County, and is warning the public about potential exposure and encouraging residents to check their vaccination status. Officials said the latest case involves an adult resident who may have exposed others at the Midland International Air & Space Port between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 7. The confirmation comes as health officials continue to monitor a growing measles outbreak across the state. The first Midland County measles case was reported in early April. Measles Symptoms and Exposure Timeline Symptoms of measles usually appear between seven and 21 days after exposure, according to the health department. Those symptoms may include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High fever (above 101F) Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes Tiny white spots inside the mouth (known as Koplik spots) A red, flat rash that typically begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body People infected with measles are considered contagious from four days before the rash appears to four days after it develops. Health Department Response In response to the latest case, the Midland Health Department is conducting contact tracing to notify individuals who may have been exposed. The department is also working with state health officials to monitor the situation and is providing educational resources on its website and social media pages. Vaccination is the best protection against measles, the department said in a news release. What To Do If Youve Been Exposed Anyone who believes they were exposed at the airport or elsewhere is encouraged to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days. Health officials are urging people to stay home if they feel sick and call their doctor or the health department before visiting any medical facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This allows healthcare providers to arrange testing or care in a way that minimizes exposure to others. Vaccination Recommendations The Midland Health Department offers the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for individuals who are unvaccinated. While there are no current plans for special vaccination clinics, residents are encouraged to review their immunization records and speak with their healthcare provider. Most people born before 1957 are considered immune. Individuals who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are also considered protected. Vaccination, even shortly after exposure, may prevent or lessen the severity of the disease, health officials said. Stay Informed More information about measles, prevention, and vaccination is available on the Midland Health Department website. Updates will also be posted on the departments Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with questions can contact the Midland Health Department at 432-681-7613. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. UPDATED story: From the Boston Police Department: Zaniya Aaliyah Princess Davis has been safely located. Original story: The Boston Police Department is seeking the publics help in the search for a missing 13-year-old girl from Dorchester. Zaniya Aaliyah Princess Davis was last seen on Friday, April 11, around 2:58 PM at 115 Warren Street in Roxbury. Davis is described as a Black female standing at 52, 118 lbs, with brown eyes and long, black hair with locs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was last seen wearing a cotton white sweater, black glasses, and carrying a cream Boston Celtics duffle bag and a burgundy backpack. Boston police are asking anyone with information to contact detectives at 617-343-4335. For those who prefer to provide information anonymously, you can call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word TIP to CRIME (27463). 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 NEW YORK (PIX11) U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey recently broke the record for the longest individual Senate floor speech in history after speaking for more than 25 hours. Booker joined PIX on Politics and discussed the purpose behind his record-breaking speech. Watch the video player for the full interview. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) U.S. Senator Michael Bennet made it official on Friday that he is running for Colorado governor in 2026. He formally launched his campaign in City Park. Bennet just announced his campaign this morning. He already has a lot of people talking. Parker Police Department adds weekend shifts to prevent street racing In front of a crowd of members of Congress, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, and mayors past and present, Mike Johnston and Wellington Webb, along with Wilma Webb, Michael Bennet launched his gubernatorial campaign. He came by the FOX31 studio afterward to explain why he is running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been thinking about it for a while. I mean, because ever since the election, it should force all of us to reconsider our perceptions of whats working and whats not working well, said Bennet. The former Chief of Staff for then-Mayor John Hickenlooper and former DPS superintendent says he wants to make the American dream attainable in Colorado and fight president Donald Trumps policies. I think the reason why people have voted for Donald Trump in many ways is that they are feeling the lack of economic mobility in our society. You know, when I was growing up, if you worked hard, you felt like you could get ahead. If you worked hard, you felt like your kids were gonna do better than you were. In too many places in America, including right here in Colorado, people dont feel that way, Bennet said. There are a lot of places where people feel like their kids will never be able to afford to live. In Colorado, we are the best state in America, but its not gonna work well if the next generation cant stay here, and I think that we have to be able show a vision that looks a lot different than the chaos that Donald Trump has represented because I dont think the American people really want that either. We need to show that our exercise in self-government should work. The senator said he thinks the answers will come from states like Colorado rather than Washington D.C. One of his Democratic opponents is saying the opposite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Phil Weiser issued a statement saying: While Senator Bennet has been in Washington, I have served Colorado as the Peoples Lawyer, working directly with people in every county of every background to solve difficult challenges. Thats just what a governor does. I am prepared for this job and will continue to build a better future for us all. We must protect Colorado and oppose Trumps illegal actions, not appease him. I am the fighter Colorado needs as our next governor. Two years ago, the voters sent Senator Bennet back to DC because we believed he would be there for us no matter what especially in historically dangerous moments like the one we currently face. Now more than ever, we need experienced Democratic leaders in Washington, said Weiser. Meanwhile, Republicans in the state are not mincing words about the senators bid. Newly minted Colorado GOP Chair Brita Horn said in a statement: In 16 years representing Colorado in the U.S. Senate, he has had nothing to show for it. Hes managed to skate by his entire political career with defeating underfunded opponents and no serious primary opposition in a decade. I anticipate his campaign for Governor going the same way his 2020 Presidential campaign did nowhere, said Horn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murder conviction vacated after new test of DNA tied to analysts misconduct case If Bennet should become governor, he said he would appoint someone to take his Senate seat. He said he has not had conversations with anyone about that yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Apr. 11dbeard @dominionpost.com MORGANTOWN The Legislature is plowing through bills as it heads to close of session midnight Saturday, but the Senate bill to require Holocaust education in the public schools will once again remain on the shelffor the third year in a row. House Education looked at SB 54 last week but never advanced it to the floor. Education vice-chair Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, told The Dominion Post on Friday, "We did not take it up because after talking with the Department of Education, it is already being taught in different grade levels in the school systems across the state today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill says, "In collaboration with and utilizing guidance from the West Virginia Commission on Holocaust Education ... all public schools located within this state shall give age-appropriate instruction on the Holocaust, the systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior, and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person." Such instruction would not be offered before sixth grade. The issue Statler raised was also raised in Senate Education in March, where Sen. Craig Hart, R-Mingo, questioned the necessity of the bill, given that Holocaust education appears in other content standards. Committee chair Amy Grady, R-Mason, said then that while current standards call for teaching on the Holocaust at some point, the bill would change code to make sure it is required somewhere from grades 6-12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people who championed the bill expressed disappointment at its demise. Lisa Hildebrand is a Boone County teacher and advocates for the bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia. She testified to House Education when it held its hearing on the bill. She told the delegates that she grew up in a diverse culture in the Philadelphia suburbs. But in Boone County she sees a lack of diversity, she said. "With that lack of diversity is a lack of understanding, even some lack of tolerance." Those students don't have the opportunity to interact with others or trawl outside their area, she said. She brought Rabbi Victor Urecki, of Charleston, to school several times, and for some this was their first opportunity to meet a Jew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She received a grant to go to Poland, she said, where she met with a survivor, and visited Auschwitz and other areas. "When I came back from there, I made it my mission to have Holocaust education be put in schools. I think it would benefit everybody." Thursday evening, discussing the bill's demise, she told The Dominion Post, "I just cannot fathom why the House chairs have a problem with the bill. Our kids deserve to know how to deal with antisemitism and associated behaviors. The not-in-my-backyard mentality is old. Our state has a serious population problem. Brain-drain. They leave and are unprepared for what is seen on college campuses and city streets." The state education standards are limited in their requirement to teach the Holocaust, she said. "I've been a teacher for about a decade, and nowhere are there sources for educators to teach how to combat antisemitism and related behaviors. This bill offers resources to help educators achieve this goal." The committee held the hearing on SB 54 but never put it back on its agenda for markup and passage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laurent Levy is an emeritus member of the Holocaust Education Commission. He told The Dominion Post, "Obviously, we are extremely disappointed by the failure of the House Education Committee to even take up this bill, which passed the Senate unanimously. This marks at least the third time that the Senate has passed similar legislation only to have it go nowhere in the House. "What makes this year's failure so bitter, " he said, "is that the committee did not even bother to debate the bill or go on record as to what their opposition could possibly be. What could be so objectionable about joining nearly 30 other states, including Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida to name a few, that have come to realize the crucial importance of Holocaust education ?" Levy said the bill asked for no state funding, no enforcement, and made no encroachment on local school board authority. "It simply sought to recognize the importance of the profound lessons of the Holocaust by utilizing the resources of the Commission on Holocaust Education my mother [the late Edith Levy, of Morgantown ] helped to establish over 25 years ago. That Commission stands ready to provide the vital resources and the pedagogical tools teachers need to effectively present this difficult subject in an age-appropriate manner. It was established precisely in anticipation of fulfilling the requirements of SB 54." But they won't give up, he said. "Rest assured we will be back again next year, again confidently assured of Sen. Oliverio's support and leadership and hopefully with enlightened leadership on the Education Committee." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oliverio could not be reached for comment on Friday. While SB 54 is technically alive until the Legislature adjourns Saturday night, it's practically dead. To have a chance, it would need to be successfully discharged from committee and have the House rules suspended to have three readings in a single day in order to go to a vote. Last year, this bill was SB 448 and died on second reading on the Senate floor. In 2023, a different bill with different sponsors, SB 216, called for education on the Holocaust and other genocides. It passed the Senate and was approved in House Education but died in House Finance. The footage of two women brutally attacking a server at Taco Azteca, a longtime Mexican restaurant in Pilsen, last weekend has left a neighborhood reeling, according to residents and local leaders. The now viral video has raised concerns of safety in the neighborhood and left other workers in the area fearful. As police continue the search for the two aggressors, the images of the beating over a $50 check still haunt some of the other workers at the restaurant, said co-owner Martha Garcia. In the 10 years theyve have been in business, they had never experienced an attack on their workers from customers. Let alone a physical one, Garcia added. It has left the 23-year-old server who was attacked traumatized and unable to work with a broken finger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is beyond just the safety of our workers, it is about the safety of our customers and our neighbors, said Garcia, who owns the restaurant along with her husband Carlos Garcia. According to police and Garcia, two women entered the restaurant about 9 p.m. last Saturday and began arguing with the server, demanding their money back for a food order they did not like. The server refused to refund the money because they had nearly finished the dish. When she refused, the women began to vandalize the restaurant, ripping decorations from the ceiling and going behind the bar, throwing items around. The server asked them to stop and when she confronted them, the two women threw her to the ground and started to hit her. Another worker tried to intervene and Garcia, who was around the corner, also helped to push the women away from the server. Despite calling police multiple times before the physical altercation, Garcia said, authorities didnt show up until after the attack. The server was taken to an area hospital where she was treated for minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia and her husband shared the video on their social media and other community pages hoping to raise awareness and to alert other businesses. They hope the neighbors can help identify the two women. The footage has been shared thousands of times. One of the restaurants patrons has also offered to print photos of the two women, screenshots from the video, to warn other business owners around the Pilsen area, Garcia said. While Chicago police said theyre investigating, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, said that he is working with Garcia and her husband to get footage from other businesses and homes near the restaurant to try to identify the vehicle in which the women drove off. According to Sigcho-Lopez, the attack has caused commotion among his constituents. There has to be accountability. We cannot normalize this level of violence anywhere, Sigcho-Lopez said. Our community is not the only community that deals with this kind of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of his constituents, he said, have reported concerns and worry over the recent attack and others reported are crimes. I hope this investigation gives light not only to who perpetrated this violence but how it came about and what we must do to prevent it, he said. Employees from nearby businesses say they are shaken. This type of violence, regardless of the issue, is unacceptable, said Rebeca Lopez, a server at another restaurant in Pilsen. It worries me because it seems to be normalized now. Since the attack, Lopez and her co-workers are constantly on alert, she said. For many of us, this job is hard and we do it because we need to feed our families. My heart goes out to the waitress that was attacked, Lopez added Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The server has been working at Taco Azteca for a little less than a year, Garcia said. The couple is taking care of all her medical expenses. For now, shes at home, taking care of herself and following up with doctor appointments and receiving emotional support. Despite it all, she hopes to return to work in the next week or so, Garcia said. Shes a hard-working woman who was just doing her job. She needs this job and the money, Garcia said. Some of the servers co-workers and friends started a GoFundMe to provide additional support she may need. Sigcho-Lopez said he is committed to working with the business owners and other residents to find ways to prevent similar incidents from happening again and encouraged those with any information to call his office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Garcia, her workers and neighbors, justice and peace will come when the two women are identified and charged. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel safe, respected and valued, she said. An immigration judge ruled that the Trump administration can deport Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. The ruling comes just a month after Khalil's arrest marked the start of the federal governments broader crackdown on foreign students. Ramzi Kassem, attorney for Mahmoud Khalil, joins MSNBC to discuss. President Donald Trump announced tariff exemptions on Saturday for electronics such as laptops and smartphones as 145% tariffs take effect on goods from China. But tariffs on a wide range of goods from multiple countries are still in effect and of more importance to local business owners like Pape Ndiaye, who owns House of Africa in Charlotte. Ndiaye said many local mom and pop shops rely on imported goods from around the world. And some of the shops owners are worried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ: Residents living in Burke County church given 30-day deadline to secure repairs House of Africa has been open for nearly 30 years and puts on one of the largest Juneteenth events in the country. Ndiaye called with Channel 9s Glenn Counts from Senegal. He told Counts he is worried he may have to raise prices. And many African businessmen he spoke with have similar concerns about the impacts of tariffs. He said, at the end of the day, he may have to raise prices. And he worries it may cost him customers. Why House of Africa is in Charlotte, North Carolina, is to share the culture and the art in the spirit of freedom and togetherness, Ndiaye said. Even though it may be hard, we dont know yet. We will work with our customers. WATCH: Residents living in Burke County church given 30-day deadline to secure repairs TOPEKA (KSNT) People in Shawnee County spent the day becoming more informed voters. Friday, April 11 is Voter Preparedness Day and local organizations are helping educate the community about how to be a prepared and informed voter. Its a lesson learned through a fun activity: making buttons. This year, Shawnee County voters will be in charge of selecting a new mayor for the City of Topeka, as well as seats for the city council and numerous school board races. A librarian with the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library (TSCPL) told 27 News its important to tune into local politics as much as you tune into national politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill requiring child support payments for unborn children, more becomes law Local things impact you on a daily basis and when you have your say in them and can help shape who those elected officials are and what kind of work they might do in our community, it impacts you directly, said Lissa Staley, TSCPL community connections librarian. To check the status of your voter registration status or study up on the local candidates click here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. GREENVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) Drivers should use extra caution throughout Darke County this weekend as over 800 volunteers clean up the roads. The Darke County Sheriffs Office is cautioning drivers to keep alert while driving on April 12-13. This weekend is the 18th annual Trash Bash, where volunteers will clean up 500 miles of roadways in Darke County. Volunteers will join the Darke County Solid Waste Management District to walk along roads and pick up trash. Extra vehicles may be parked along or near roads while trash pickup occurrs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers will be wearing green safety-colored shirts to increase visibility. Pick up is scheduled to go from dusk until dawn on both days. Drivers should slow down and pay attention if they see volunteers in the area. The Darke County Sheriffs Office says deputies will be out patrolling all weekend to enforce traffic laws. As always, you should not engage in distracted driving while operating a vehicle and keep your attention focused on driving your vehicle, said the Sheriffs Office. Practice defensive driving techniques by looking ahead and being prepared for any problems that may occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Apr. 11New program would allow local jail staff to serve immigration warrants in the jail The Freeborn County Sheriff's Office has applied for an addendum to its U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreement that will allow staff in the Freeborn County jail to serve ICE immigration warrants as requested by the federal government to local inmates brought into the jail under separate criminal charges. Sheriff Ryan Shea said the ICE Warrant Service Officer Program would only be utilized in the jail by a handful of detention staff and would not be used by licensed local law enforcement out in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shea said the program would eliminate someone from ICE having to come down to Freeborn County to deliver an immigration-related warrant to an inmate in the county. "We won't be going and picking people up on ICE warrants," the sheriff said. "It's just a paperwork type of a thing for in the detention center." According to the ICE website, the Warrant Service Officer program allows ICE to train, certify and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on people living in the country illegally who are in their agency's jail. The program is part of the larger 287(g) Program, which President Donald Trump in January authorized to be used to the maximum extent permitted by law under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two other models in the program, including the Task Force Model, which would allow local law enforcement to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during routine police duties. Freeborn County is not signing on for the other two programs. Currently in Minnesota, Cass, Crow Wing and Itasca counties have signed on for the Task Force Model, while Freeborn and Jackson counties are with the Warrant Service Officer Model. Jackson County has also signed on for the Jail Enforcement Model. Freeborn County has had an agreement with ICE since 2009, and a majority of inmates currently found in the county's jail are being held through ICE. Shea said there are usually between 30 and 35 local inmates, and right now some of those are being housed at other jails. He estimated about 65% of local inmates are still being held in the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shea said he could not discuss what the county is getting paid for its contract but said last January he applied for an increase in the county's per diem rates, which had not been changed since 2019. That process has taken over a year. He said as of April 2, the government started paying the county its new per diem rate, though the contract has not been officially signed. He also negotiated a new transport rate, which had not been updated since the start of the contract. PICKENS COUNTY, S.C.(WSPA) Deputies serving an arrest warrant were shot at by a suspect, according to Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship. According to a video posted by Blankenship on social media, deputies serving warrants in a Cateechee neighborhood were met with gunfire from a suspect who then barricaded themselves inside a home with three other people. Blankenship said the standoff ended shortly before 5 a.m. and everyone in the home had been arrested. No one was injured in the shooting. Blankenship said SLED and Easley police also responded to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Information about the suspects and their charges is not yet available. We will update this story as information is released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. A sheriffs deputy in Indiana has been released from the hospital months after being shot in the line of duty. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Orange County deputy Zac Andry was shot in the head during a traffic stop in January, according to the Randolph County Sheriffs Department. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was released from Frazier Rehab Institute after three months of intensive recovery on April 9. Today means the absolute world. We wouldnt be here right now if it wasnt for his surgeons who literally saved his life, Andrys wife, Darian, said in a UofL Health article. In a video shared by the Orange County Sheriffs Department, several law enforcement officers lined the road and welcomed Andry home. The shooting occurred on Jan. 3 on US Highway 150 and State Road 56, according to a spokesperson with the Indiana State Police. Austin Schepers, 33, shot Andry multiple times, including in the head, while talking to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TV stations WLKY and WXIN report that Schepers met up with James Adams, 37, in New Albany after the shooting. Adams is accused of helping Schepers get to Louisville, Kentucky. He was later arrested and charged with assisting a criminal and false informing, both stations report. Schepers was shot and killed by Louisville police on Jan. 5 after a confrontation, according to WLKY and WHSA. Victoria Howard, 35, is also facing charges in this shooting. WLKY and WHAS report that Howard was charged with assisting a criminal and false informing after she allegedly called a Lyft for Schepers after knowing he shot an officer. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 42-year-old man was recently arrested after being wanted for drunk driving and possession of child pornography, El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPCSO) said in a news release. The Sheriffs Office said Mark Anthony Ledesma, 42, was arrested on Thursday, April 10, at 12501 Montana Ave. He was wanted on three counts of possession of a controlled substance and 20 counts of possession of child pornography. Ledesma was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with no bond, the Sheriffs Office 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 KTSM 9 News. Sinn Fein has called on the European Union to help create a united Ireland and break up the United Kingdom. Unionists reacted with fury after the Republicans called on EU institutions to become directly involved at an event in the European Parliament in Brussels. It comes as Leo Varadkar, Irelands former taoiseach, told an audience in the US that Irish-Americans would be crucial in the great cause of Irish unity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Declan Kearney, the Sinn Fein national chairman, said: Colonial rule, partition and separate states in Ireland have all failed. Unity, through self determination, is the way forward. The EU can play a role in supporting the peaceful, democratic pathway to securing that objective. We are on the cusp of a new and exciting era. Our appeal to Europe is to become part of the conversation, to share in the ambition. He added: The EU should help us open up the next phase of the peace process, and the achievement of reconciliation, reunification and a new Ireland for all. Sinn Fein is the largest party in Northern Ireland but underperformed in Irish elections last year and is in opposition in the Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its leadership has called for twin referendums on Irish unity by 2030. The Belfast or Good Friday Agreement states that the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, currently, must call a referendum if it appears likely a majority wants a united Ireland. A border poll must also be held in the Republic. While polls show large support for reunification, they consistently show a majority in favour of remaining part of the UK in Northern Ireland. Little appetite for Irish unity Lord Dodds, the Democratic Unionist Party peer, said: The recent general election in the Irish Republic showed there was little appetite for Irish unity, with Sinn Fein failing spectacularly, falling from red-hot favourites for government to also-rans. Sinn Fein alone is talking it up. This latest stunt will get nowhere with the people who matter here in Northern Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim Allister, the leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice party and MP for North Antrim, said Sinn Feins demands were not a surprise. He said the Northern Ireland Protocol on post-Brexit trading arrangements was designed to further the plan of separatists to break up the UK. Now known as the Windsor Framework, the treaty keeps Northern Ireland subject to hundreds of EU rules to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland. British goods entering Northern Ireland are subject to border checks as part of the agreement, which gives the region access to both the UK and EU markets. The protocol achieved what the IRA wasnt able to do in 30 years of terrorism move the border to the Irish Sea, Mr Allister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We now have a situation where, in 300 areas of law, Northern Ireland is ruled by colonial masters in Brussels who subject us to rules we do not make and cannot change. Very significantly, these are the very same laws which pertain in the Irish Republic. Before Brexit took effect, Ireland secured a commitment from other EU governments that Northern Ireland would automatically rejoin the EU if Ireland was united. Most people in Northern Ireland voted Remain in 2016 and Brexit reinvigorated the debate over unity in the region, which has handed Sinn Fein a hat-trick of recent electoral victories over their unionist rivals. Despite Brexit, the EU remains involved in funding peace initiatives in Northern Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unionist anxieties over their place in the UK are exacerbated by the regions changing demographics. The 2021 census showed that traditionally nationalist Catholics outnumbered traditionally unionist protestants for the first time. These things have to evolve Bobby McDonagh is a former Irish ambassador to the UK, to Italy and to the EU. He warned that Irish unity was still a way off. As Diana Ross sang, you cant hurry love. These things have to evolve, he said. Mr McDonagh predicted that the EU would take its lead from Dublin when a border poll was called. I dont think that the European Union or the commission would take sides on the principle of Irish unity, but I do think that they would almost be obliged to explain what the implications of the change of the constitutional situation would be, he said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In doing that, they would probably try to be as positive as possible, which might be seen by unionists as favouring one side ahead of the other. Micheal Martin, the taoiseach, this week announced one billion euros in funding for his Shared Island Initiative, which has funded projects, including a regular train from Belfast to Dublin. Prominent unionists were present at the Dublin Castle event where the funding was announced. The current Irish government, a coalition of the centre-Right Fianna Fail and Fine Gael parties, sees Irish unity as a long-term ambition and not a priority. Were not planning for a border poll in 2030, Mr Martin told the Belfast Telegraph in an interview on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Varadkar, who was the Irish leader during Brexit, has become a vocal campaigner for unity since stepping down as taoiseach and Fine Gael leader last year. Every generation has its great cause. I believe ours is the cause of uniting our island, working to embrace differences instead of trying to erase them, he told an audience in Philadelphia at an event for pro-unity group Irelands Future. In a plea for Irish-American support, he added: London does not always pay attention to whats happening in Ireland, north or south. But they always pay attention to the White House. The European Commission did not respond to requests for comment. Irelands foreign ministry was also approached for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the Government said a border poll was not a priority for Labour. After his election, Sir Keir Starmer said he was totally committed to the Good Friday Agreement, which sets out the conditions for the referendum. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Sisters of the Precious Blood will hold a prayer vigil on Saturday. The Dayton Homicide Prayer Vigil will be at noon on April 12 at the Seed of Life Memorial in the Oregon District. SOAP project working to end human trafficking in Dayton The Sisters are praying for people who have died because of violence and for an end to violence everywhere. They will pray for the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prayers from anyone are welcome. The Sisters welcome everyone to attend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Six of Gannon Universitys current international students as well as several more graduates with work permits have had their visas revoked by the United States government. And whats most alarming to officials is what they say is a lack of justification. Local officials said theyre in uncharted territory right now with the termination of these visas not stating a clear reason. According to Gannon University, at least six international students and several more living in erie on approved post-graduate work permits have had their visas terminated, and their records removed from the federal student exchange system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City of Erie opens applications for new firefighters Were all trying to figure out what to do right now and what this looks like because it is very confusing, said Alexandria Iwanenko, an immigration law attorney for Amicangelo & Theisen. The news has sent shockwaves across college campuses, and according to local immigration attorneys, striking fear into international students hoping to complete their education here. All international students have a record with SEVIS, or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record with the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we started seeing as of last Thursday is universities going into the SEVIS record and seeing terminations. They just happened to check. There was no prior notification that those terminations had occurred, Iwanenko said. PennWest Edinboro fair educates on life with disabilities Tracking SEVIS records historically isnt something universities have had to do, as they werent revoked mid-semester unless they were in jail, in rehab, or in a position where they were unable to go to school. But for these students, the only plausible explanation is a potential pending charge which could be for something as minor as a traffic violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What were seeing with immigration right now is your benefit is being terminated, your visa is being terminated simply because you have a charge. That charge might not even stick, Iwanenko continued. Universities are taking different approaches. Some are telling students to continue going to class, others are saying to leave and apply for your visa for next semester. Dominicks Diner says thank you and farewell to Erie But some students have become so afraid of the unknown that theyre leaving voluntarily. I do think part of the motive here is to scare people into leaving because thats the goal, Iwanenko went on to say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A class action case has already been filed relating to students this has happened with in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Gannon University said theyll continue to support their international students. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Heres the full letter from Gannon President Dr. Walter Iwanenko: Dear Gannon community, Together, we are living through a series of rapidly evolving situations, with the latest development being the revocation of visas for six of our current international students and several graduates with Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduate work permits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will not bring comfort to our international students or our larger Gannon family to learn this visa situation is happening at universities and colleges across Pennsylvania and the nation. Gannon is not being singled out. However, because more than 20 percent of our student population is international, we will likely see more cases of this than at other nearby schools. Gannon prides itself on being a global university and a gateway for individuals from across the planet to enrich their lives and create broad new futures for themselves and their families. This will not change. We are here to support our international students and our entire Gannon family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To that end, we want to remind our students that the Office of Global Support and Student Engagement provides a range of services and should be your first contact should you receive any notification from the government. The office is in Beyer 202 and the phone number is (814) 871-7133. This office staff has been working with the affected students to coordinate services and navigate their individual situations. Also, our academic deans are prepared to assist them to ensure each students education can continue should that come into question. We recognize how stressful this moment can be and are reminding you that counseling services are available through the Gannon University Counseling Center. To reach the counseling center, send an email to counseling@gannon.edu. Learn more at https://www.gannon.edu/student-life/health-and-counseling/counseling-services/ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we have communicated before, we are strongly encouraging all international students of the following: Carefully consider any plans to travel internationally, whether for the upcoming Easter break, or for summer. Given the current global uncertainties, including changing travel restrictions, visa processing delays, and potential disruptions at borders, leaving the U.S. right now could carry unexpected risks. If youre thinking about traveling, please make sure you still have a valid (unexpired) visa, carry your documents with you (I-20 with valid travel signature, visa, passport, copy of your class schedule all hardcopy, not on your phone), and please keep up to date on the U.S. news. At the border, Customs and Border Protection officers have expansive powers to search and ask you questions, so it is also suggested by some to scrub or remove social media and lock your phone when crossing the border. As you look toward summer, consider staying at Gannon. Any student interested in staying should complete a Summer Housing Application in the student portal. We are prepared to handle more students than usual this summer. For faculty and staff, if you are contacted in person or see state or federal law enforcement on campus, we want you to contact Gannon Police & Safety at (814) 871-7690. The officers will then notify the appropriate university administrators to respond. We realize all this can be unsettling. We encourage those in need to reach out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, we are actively engaged with our local, state, and federal legislators to better understand this issue. We are also assessing services to see what else we need to do as a university to respond to this moment. In Peace, Dr. Walter Iwanenko President, Gannon University Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Six international students attending Middle Tennessee State University have had their visas revoked, according to a statement provided by university officials, as well as public comments made by MTSU University Provost Mark Byrnes. In an April 10 Student Government Association meeting, Byrnes said four students had been identified by Homeland Security and subsequently had their visas revoked. A follow-up statement provided by a university spokesperson on April 11 confirmed that the number was six. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middle Tennessee State University has been made aware that changes to the immigration status of six of our international students were recently made in a federal immigration database, the spokesperson said. The information flow has been a bit sketchy, but they had their visas, Byrnes said, at the student government meeting. These are international students whose visas have been revoked, so they are supposed to be going home, and if they don't, then they're in violation. Thats the extent of what has happened here at MTSU. Byrnes statement was in response to a student in attendance who asked Byrnes about an email allegedly sent to faculty members from the Provosts office detailing how faculty should handle the potential of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents coming on campus. Byrnes confirmed that the email was written by a university lawyer, saying that there is nothing secret in there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do have to cooperate, he said, adding that there are certain protocols that have to be followed, including having an MTSU officer there, referencing the possible scenario of ICE agents detainment of students on campus. Now, will that always happen in every case? he said. If it's outside a classroom or a private area, then all that stuff doesn't really apply. If you're walking across campusI don't know how to put itit's an open campus. The statement provided by a spokesperson for MTSU on April 11 stressed the universitys commitment to the international student community. MTSU has and will follow all federal and state laws, some of which limit what we can share about our students, the statement said. We greatly value our international student community, and, through our International Affairs office, we are reaching out to impacted students and are working to answer any questions they may have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news comes days after nine students were confirmed to have their immigration status changed at University of Tennessee at Knoxville. MTSU joins wave of student visas canceled at nation's universities The Trump administration has revoked hundreds of international student visas across the country over the last few weeks, setting off a desperate scramble for students to leave the United States within days. Universities have reported some students being forced to leave immediately, in many cases after discovering their visas were canceled in the federal Student Exchange and Visitor Information System or via an unexpected text or email. Multiple universities contacted by the USA TODAY Network regarding the visa cancellations declined to discuss specifics, citing student confidentiality. Now, nineteen Democratic state attorneys general are asking a federal judge to stop the Trump administration from cancelling hundreds of international student visas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The visa cancellations reflect a small percentage of the estimated 1.5 million international students 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. USATODAY's Trevor Hughes contributed to this report. The USA TODAY Network - Tennessee's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Six MTSU students have visas revoked amid wave of Trump cancellations Wilson County Schools passed a resolution for teachers to receive a $2,000 bonus under the Education Freedom Act of 2025. During Mondays School Board meeting, Board Chair Jamie Farough read the resolution, required in order for teachers to receive the bonus. The one time $2,000 bonus is outlined in Section IV of the Education Freedom act, stating it is up to each individual board of education to announce participation before tax dollars will be allocated. The Wilson County Board of Education affirms its intention to participate in Section IV of the Education Freedom Act of 2025 relative to bonuses for teachers. However, this resolution should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of the Education Freedom Act of 2025. Farough said, also noting that no such requirement has been in place before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Education Freedom Act, also described as the School Voucher Act, was introduced by Governor Bill Lee, but it faced backlash in the General Assembly and general public. A modified form was passed in the General Assembly earlier this year after a three-day special session. A scholarship to be used at a private school is available for up to 20,000 students in Tennessee, half of which are set aside for families of any income level. Wilson County Schools said 5,000 county students received $5,500 per student for the HOPE Scholarship last year in preparation for college while the K-12 vouchers for private schools are $7,000 per student. I think thats important to call out, Farough said. The idea that this is school choice, its not school choice [that only] 20,000 kids get this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School boards throughout Tennessee have spoken out against the Education Freedom Act. The Wilson County Commission also criticized the act. Regardless of how anyone is going to take this commentIm going to say this as gently as I can, board member Dr. Beth Myers said. I believe this requirement is a punishment for those of us who felt this voucher program was not appropriate. I just believe when we have these policy discussions there needs to be integrity, and if we disagree, we disagree, but there should not be this punishment for when we dont follow lockstep. It feels like a slap in the face as a board member, she added. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters equipped with smartphones while aboard Air Force One on April 6, 2025. Credit - Mandel NganGetty Images In the latest switch-up in the rollercoaster of events that have followed the April 2 announcement of President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs, the Trump Administration has said that some electronics will be exempt from these tariffs. A notice from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), posted late on Friday night, stated that certain electronic devices will be exemptincluding smartphones, laptops, hard drives, flat-panel monitors, and machines used to make semiconductors and some chips. The notice said that the exemption applies to products entering the United States or removed from warehouses dating back to April 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means these products can now bypass the significantly high reciprocal tariffs on China, where Apple has manufactured most of its iPhones since the first model hit the market 18 years ago. However, as Stephen Miller, Trumps Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, pointed out on X on Saturday, these electronics are still subject to the tariff under the original IEEPA on China of 20 percent. The tariffs would likely have made a large impact on the purchase of electronics, and by extension, on tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia and Samsung, as many of their supply chains are based in China and other countries outside of the U.S. Some experts estimated that with the tariffs, and before the exemption, the iPhone could have cost thousands more for U.S. consumers, especially if made in the U.S. Trump has previously encouraged tech giants to move their companies and manufacturing to the U.S., and referenced Apples February announcement that it plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. in the next four years. In a Truth Social post on April 9, Trump said: This is a GREAT time to move your COMPANY into the United States of America, like Apple, and so many others, in record numbers, are doing. ZERO TARIFFS, and almost immediate Electrical/Energy hook ups and approvals. No Environmental Delays. DONT WAIT, DO IT NOW! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, as the Washington Post notes, Apple has a complex system that extends beyond the U.S. While their iPhones are designed in California, they are assembled in China and India, with parts sourced from various suppliers. The notice about exemptions comes after Trump reportedly teased the idea while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday. There could be a couple of exceptions for obvious reasons, but I would say 10% is a floor, said Trump. He did not specify what those reasons were. Experts have been concerned about how Trumps tariffs would impact consumers as prices are expected to rise. Its worth noting that China was the second-largest supplier of U.S. goods in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. (Mexico was the top source of U.S. imports.) China is especially known for supplying broadcasting equipment and computers to the U.S. The exemption move is the latest change in Trumps tariffs plan. U.S. and global stocks tanked, prompting fears of a recession, after Trump announced what he refers to as reciprocal tariffs on April 2, a day he coined Liberation Day. However, on April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause for most of the reciprocal tariffs, with the exception of China, who were hit with much higher import taxes. The tariffs on China now total 145%a 125% reciprocal tariff and a 20% tariff on most goods, as a punishment for the flow of fentanyl into the United States. China has since hit back at the U.S., raising the tariffs on American goods to 125%. Contact us at letters@time.com. TOPEKA (KSNT) People who turn their eyes skyward, and use a little imagination, will have a chance to spot a rare smiley face in space later this month. 27 News spoke with NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson who is based in Kansas about the upcoming celestial event to learn how people can best enjoy it. She said that at 5:30 a.m. on the morning of April 25, there will be a conjunction of Venus, Saturn and the moon in the sky forming an odd sight. Venus is higher above the eastern horizon with Saturn lower, and a thin, crescent Moon a bit lower and a little farther north, Culbertson said. The thin, crescent Moon looks like a smile. To some people, the triangle of bright objects may appear as a smiley face. (Getty Images) People will only have a short amount of time to enjoy this rare occurrence. Culbertson said the window of opportunity to view this event will be narrow as the sun rises at around 6:30 a.m. on the day of the conjunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone wanting to try for a glimpse of the conjunction should find a clear eastern horizon from which to observe, Culbertson said. No special equipment is needed. New blackout-style license plates get the green light in Kansas, what that means Mercury will also be present below the other planets and the moon on the same day, according to NASA. For more information on the conjunction and other astronomical events happening in April, click here. For more Kansas 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 Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Thats one way to make the boss happy. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is cutting public affairs staffers at the Social Security Administrations regional offices and will move its communications to Elon Musks X platform, WIRED and the Federal News Network reported Friday. That means the press and public will have to rely on X instead of press releases, emails, and regional public affairs staffers to receive updates or information about the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SSA staffers will also no longer send dear colleague letters to advocate groups or the public. The last Dear Colleague letter archived on the administrations website was posted on March 27. The SSA Midwest-West Regional Commissioner Linda Kerr-Davis informed her staff of the switch to X in a Thursday phone call. The agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the publicformerly known as Twitter, Kerr-Davis said, according to the Federal News Network. This will become our communication mechanism. Some employees have sounded the alarm that those reliant on SSA tend to be elderly and may not be tech savvy enoughor eager tosign up for a social media platform just to receive updates about their benefits. X currently requires users to have an account to view any posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do they really expect senior citizens will join this platform? asked one current SSA employee, according to WIRED. Another staffer called out the obvious, given that Muskwho remains the de facto DOGE directoralso owns X: How isnt this a conflict of interest? Musk purchased Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 and rebranded it as X. If youre used to getting press releases and Dear Colleague letters, you might want to subscribe to the official SSA X account so that you can stay up to date with agency news, Kerr-Davis told her staff. I know this probably sounds very foreign to youit did to me as welland not what we are used to, but we are in different times now. The X account for the Social Security Administration. / X That official SSA account on X had 138,000 followers as of Friday afternoon. That is less than one percent of the 70 million Americans who are on Social Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington Post reported last week that the SSA had cut 7,000 jobs since February, with more cuts expected. Sources told WIRED the SSA will soon ax its regional office workforce by roughly 90 percent. Liz Huston, a White House spokesperson, told WIRED its reporting on regional office layoffs was misleading. Instead of layoffs, she said, the SSA is moving regional staffers to become front-line help, which is part of it allocating finite resources where they are most needed. President Trump will continue to always protect Social Security, she added. SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) China has upped the ante in its trade war with the United States by raising tariffs on goods from the U-S to 125%, starting Saturday. Its in response to President Trumps 145% tariffs on China. But there was a time when trade relations were much more cordial, if not cautious, between the two nations. South Dakota was on the front lines of building stronger economic and cultural ties to the communist country. South Dakotas Bill Janklow and Minnesotas Rudy Perpich were among the U.S. governors who visited China in 1983. At one point, Janklow blew up a balloon that read China and America are Friends and gave it to a little girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: $9.1M in federal spending cuts in SD I think the biggest thing is people get to know each other. We get to know them, they get to know us, Janklow said in 1983. Much of South Dakotas outreach to China involved getting the Chinese to purchase South Dakota ag products. A group from China checked out farm equipment during a tour of Sioux Falls in 1986. And here we have a t-rake, for raking hay, was a comment shared within the group. In 1987, a Chinese trade delegation visited the South Dakota capitol to sign an agreement to purchase wheat grown in South Dakota. It is our overall policy to buy as much as possible U.S. wheat, a delegate from China said in 1987. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same year, a group from China visited the Rosebud Reservation to sample Native American culture. Everywhere, weve been met by very friendly American people, a visitor from China said in 1987. UPDATE: Rice Street fatal crash victim identified In 1985, panda diplomacy came to Sioux Falls when China donated a mounted giant panda to the Delbridge Museum. These animals dont leave China very much because of the extremely endangered status of the animal., an official said of the donation. A site-seeing visit to Falls Park was accompanied by a hope for global goodwill in the future. We are much grateful to Sioux Falls people, an official from China said in 1985. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theres been growing distrust between the countries in more recent years. Officials here have raised concerns about China stealing U.S. intellectual property and purchasing farmland. The South Dakota legislature passed a law in 2024 prohibiting China and a group of other countries from buying ag land in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Apr. 12SOUTH PORTLAND The city this week formally charged the Portland International Jetport with wrongfully removing hundreds of trees and damaging protected wetlands along Interstate 295 to clear a runway approach as required by the Federal Aviation Administration. The jetport, which is owned by the city of Portland, violated the conditions and limits of a tree-removal plan that was approved by South Portland planning officials in 2019, according to violation notices issued by Code Enforcement Director Nicholaus Richard. The jetport could be fined or forced to replace the trees and restore the wetlands, said South Portland Planning Director Milan Nevajda. If the jetport decides to dispute the violations, the neighboring cities could wind up in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's why we took our time drafting these notices," Nevajda said. "We wanted to make sure we got it right so they would stand up in court if they decide to appeal." The tree work was done in January in a wooded area to the rear of Calvary Cemetery on Broadway and beside a residential neighborhood at the end of Dawson Street. The land is owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, which allowed the tree work and also received the violation notices. The city issued a stop-work order Jan. 30 in an effort to halt the tree clearing, but the jetport's contractor continued to remove trees through the following weekend. "The property has been stripped of a significant number of trees," Richard wrote in the violation notice for 1561 Broadway. He added that the project plan "only referenced the selective removal of trees." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the violation notice for 36 Dawson St., Richard wrote that "the property has been stripped of most of its vegetation." The jetport's contractor also removed trees that weren't tall enough to warrant removal under FAA guidelines for maintaining an unobstructed runway approach, which violated the city's tree protection ordinance. In the process, the contractor damaged wetlands that are protected by laws overseen by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The jetport also failed to meet several stated conditions of the 2019 plan, such as installing erosion controls, staying within project boundaries, selectively cutting trees without stump removal or soil disturbance, and holding a pre-construction meeting with city officials and other regulatory agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevajda said the jetport has begun communicating with the city about potential monetary and nonmonetary mitigations, which would include planting trees, paying fines and restoring wetlands. The jetport also will have to apply for site plan review of work that was done outside the scope of the 2019 project plan but likely would have been permitted. "Some of the work they did was approvable, but they didn't seek approval for it," Nevajda said. Airport Director Paul Bradbury said Friday via email that jetport officials have received the violation notices and are reviewing them "in detail before deciding on our next steps." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bradbury declined to name the jetport's forestry contractor and said the city isn't considering action against them. The diocese acknowledged receiving the violation notices. "The diocese had no involvement in that project, but we are encouraging the jetport to resolve this matter as soon as possible," spokesperson Molly DiLorenzo said in an emailed statement. "The diocese recognizes its obligation to cooperate with the jetport on important safety measures." South Portland officials are still tallying the full number of trees that were cleared. Nevajda said the count will be completed in the next two weeks, aided by images submitted with preliminary plans for a solar farm that has been proposed on the diocesan property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jetport likely will be required to replant trees where massive evergreens were cut down, removing a visual and sound barrier between I-295 and the residential neighborhood at the end of Dawson Street. "We know the neighbors are really affected by the loss of that barrier," Nevajda said. Submitted in October, the solar proposal by New Leaf Energy of Lowell, Massachusetts, is still incomplete and likely won't be ready for Planning Board review until July. New Leaf's proposal also includes a map of wetlands on the property that's more comprehensive than the jetport's 2019 project plan and indicates that the tree clearing may have altered wetlands substantially. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cassie Moon, a Dawson Street resident who first reported the tree clearing to city officials and is leading an effort to fight the solar proposal, said she was glad the city issued violation notices. "I feel good about this," Moon said in an emailed statement. "Thanks to everyone who's helped me. I'm still going to fight the solar project, but this can be considered a win." Copy the Story Link A group calling for South St. Paul City Council member Pamela Bakken to step down said it filed paperwork Friday morning asking for her official recall after a child in her care was exposed to methamphetamine. The Minnesota Department of Human Services suspended the in-home day care license held by Bakken, citing an imminent risk of harm to the children in her care after officials began investigating a child who reportedly had swallowed an unknown substance. On March 4, officials determined Bakken was responsible for the neglect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dakota County determined that you were responsible for maltreatment of a minor by neglect. Specifically, Dakota County determined that you are responsible for neglect because a child in your child care program was exposed to methamphetamine, the Department of Health said. Molly Smith, chair of the Committee to Recall Bakken, said the city council should have asked for Bakkens resignation during the investigation into what happened to the child. The facts stand and they are simple: a 3-year-old boy ingested meth while in Council Member Bakkens care at her in-home daycare, the State found Pam responsible for the situation, and yet she and others have remained silent, Smith said in a statement announcing the petition. Whats just as concerning is that Pam Bakken broke the oath she swore when elected to uphold the laws and regulations of our great State by willfully disregarding what she was required to do. No person but especially not elected officials are above the law. The temporary license suspension, issued Dec. 9, follows the recommendation of Dakota County Community Services, which is handling the investigation. It reads: You are prohibited from providing family child care. You are also prohibited from operating as a legally unlicensed child care provider at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bakken, according to her campaign materials, has run an in-home day care for 20 years and raised six children in South St. Paul. She was elected to the council in 2020 and again last November, coming in third in a close race to elect three candidates from a field of four. Her business was licensed for up to 14 children, including up to 10 under school age and up to four infants and toddlers. South St. Paul City Clerk Deanna Werner confirmed that the paperwork had been certified Friday morning and that the petition was back in the hands of the group. Related Articles The group then has 30 days to gather the required number of signatures, which in this case is based on 25% of the last voter turnout, she said. That means by May 12, the group will need to have at least 2,763 signatures that have been verified by the city clerk for the next step, which is to put the recall on a ballot for a special election, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special elections cost money something that will be a burden on the City financially, Smith said in her announcement. But, thats the only avenue for recourse the citizens have been given. I truly wish members of Council would speak up for whats right and join the community in calling for Bakkens resignation and I wish Pam would simply step down. The Pioneer Press tried to contact Bakken by telephone and email but had not received a reply as of Friday evening. About 50 protesters spent Saturday afternoon outside of a Target store in Southfield, protesting the retailer for rolling back its DEI initiatives and encouraging would-be shoppers to join their boycott. "We're here to make good trouble," said Dale Milford, an organizer and associate minister at Nardin Park United Methodist Church. Milford said he and his congregation have sought to refrain from shopping at Target during Lent, while others present at the demonstration are engaged in an outright, nonreligious boycott. Milford is among many participating in a nationwide protest movement against Target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Target was one of several American companies that backtracked on their DEI initiatives amid federal pressure from the Trump administration to end what President Donald Trump called "illegal DEI discrimination and preferences." To Milford, standing with DEI "is not about being woke; it's a movement to overcome discrimination." Kai Paige, the co-chair of the Fems for Dems Political Action Committee, said she was at the demonstration to stand up for DEI, and to stand up specifically for Black women. Protests in Michigan: Thousands protest Trump, Musk across Michigan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students sue DHS: 4 University of Michigan, Wayne State international students sue Homeland Security "Black women make up only 4% of executive leadership," Paige said. "I mean, come on. They use us all the time for DEI brochures, but when it's time to promote us, they overlook us." For much of the protest, advocates stood on the grass near Southfield Road, taking turns speaking through a microphone. Doctors, religious leaders and protest organizers encouraged the crowd to use the power of their dollar as a means of protest. Melodie Knappe, a 21-year-old student at Wayne State University and vice president of WSU's Disability Justice Coalition, said direct action in the form of boycotts is key to making their voices heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm putting my money where my mouth is," Knappe said. "I cannot support any corporation so apathetic it would turn its back on the values it once championed." Knappe, who is disabled, told the Free Press that her goal is not to just dissuade shoppers in Southfield for an afternoon the goal is to be heard by Target executives. "This is not about the individuals, this is about the 1% at the top. We want to show them: This is what the bottom looks like," she said, gesturing toward the crowd of protesters. Patricia Coleman-Burns, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor, speaks to the crowd at a protest outside of Target on Southfield Road in Southfield on Saturday, April 12. Among them was Patricia Coleman-Burns, an African Methodist Episcopal pastor, who incited a 1966 speech from Martin Luther King Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "King said ... 'Don't sleep through the revolution,' " Coleman-Burns said. "What's important is that these people understand their own power that we not sleep through the revolution. We're in it." After the speeches, organizers said they would move closer to the store and stand in front of the doors, encouraging people entering the store to reconsider their choice to shop at Target. The protesters walked from the street across the parking lot and up to the front doors. Others placed magnetic signs on their cars that read "BOYCOTT TARGET" and drove around the parking lot. The protesters at the front door were quickly asked to leave by Target staff, who indicated they would call the police. Protesters asked the staff on scene for phone numbers of managers and executives but were denied. After about 20 minutes, the protesters dispersed from the parking lot while several Target employees lined the path leading to Target's doors. Media representatives at Target did not return phone call requests for comment. Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Target rolls back DEI programs, and metro Detroiters boycott In the early morning hours of February 19, 2025, a bright object streaked through the skies above western Europe. The mysterious, flaming hunk of metal traveled for several hours before smashing into a warehouse in the Polish village of Komorniki. I felt surprised but also a little scared, Adam Borucki, the warehouses owner, told the BBC in an interview. But ultimately, Im glad no one was hurt. After inspection by local authorities and the Polish space agency, officials determined the objects identity: a piece of debris from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that had re-entered the atmosphere. This isnt the first time space junk has crashed to Earth. In December 2024, a half-ton piece of space debris flattened trees in a remote village in Kenya. Earlier that same year, a chunk of rocket landed on a North Carolina roof and a discarded space station battery pelted property in Florida. In 2023, fragments of carbon fiber and metal rained down on a Ugandan home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Falling space junk is starting to become a real problem. So how worried should you be about it landing on you? The chance of you getting hit is absolutely minuscule, Ewan Wright, a space sustainability researcher at the University of British Columbia, told Salon. But across the whole world, the chances of somebody getting hit is rising to a level where we actually have some concerns about it. Individually, a persons estimated chance of being struck by space debris is something like one in a trillion. But the odds of debris striking someone on Earth is closer to one in 10,000, as Wright and his colleagues calculated in a 2022 paper published in Nature Astronomy. In fact, in 2002, a young boy in China became the first person to ever be reportedly injured by a piece of a falling rocket (he survived with only minor injuries.) Of course, a direct bodily hit isnt the only hazard of falling space junk. There is a chance that debris could reenter commercial or federal airspace and pose a danger to aircraft, for example. Experts estimate that the worlds busiest airports have about a 26% chance each year of being affected by uncontrolled re-entries. Some countries have already had to deal with this in 2022, Spain and France closed parts of their airspace to avoid a falling Chinese Long March 5B rocket. And such risks, however small, are growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem were facing is that the number of launches is continuing to increase, says Aaron Boley, an astronomer at the University of British Columbia. That pace shows no sign of slowing down. 2025 is expected to see a record-breaking number of launches, as a new international space race heats up and companies like Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, rush to put internet satellite megaconstellations in place. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Another issue is that climate change is messing with LEO, according to research published last month in Nature Sustainability. As carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses build up in the dense lower atmosphere, they absorb heat and keep it trapped there. But in the thin upper atmosphere, carbon dioxide cant hang onto its extra heat. This means the upper atmosphere ends up contracting like a balloon being placed in liquid helium, Matthew Brown, a systems engineer at the University of Birmingham in the U.K., explained to Salon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, objects in this region are now experiencing less drag than they did decades ago which means they are staying up longer, and fewer are completely burning up on reentry. More objects in orbit means more debris with the potential to leave come down unexpectedly. A crowded upper atmosphere could also trigger a phenomenon called Kessler syndrome. In this scenario, pieces of debris crash into one another, fracture into smaller pieces, which then crash into more junk or even functional spacecraft, creating a chain reaction. This cascade goes on until LEO is filled with shrapnel zipping around at intense speed. This runaway effect could render entire orbits unusable, Michele Scaraggi and Rajat Srivastava of the University of Salento in Italy told Salon in an email interview. So what can we do to address the hazards posed by space debris? Some space agencies and private companies have begun designing their craft to ablate break apart and burn up in the atmosphere at the end of their life, an approach called design for demise. While great in theory, the issue is that optimal design is difficult to predict, especially given Earths changing atmospheric composition. If theyre wrong, then they have 10,000s of pieces of space debris that are going to come down and hit the ground, says Wright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SpaceX, for instance, designs most of its Starlink satellites to disintegrate upon reentry. But some of those de-orbited satellites dont seem to fully ablate or burn up. One landed on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada last year. And even craft that burn up completely might cause harm; researchers are concerned that the aerosolized metal could be damaging the ozone layer, reversing years of progress in protecting it. Another option is managed re-entry. The idea behind this is to guide large pieces of re-orbiting debris to a predetermined location, usually a spot in the Pacific Ocean. Managed re-entry is often used for large craft on short missions, but it can be very difficult to arrange for long-term missions. Some agencies are also making plans to remove debris directly from LEO. Proposed approaches include snatching debris with a robotic arm, scooping it up with giant nets, attracting it with magnets and spearing it with harpoons. Though there are currently no removal efforts active in orbit, the European Space Agency has plans to launch its first clean-up mission, called ClearSpace-1, in 2028. These initiatives are critical stepping stones, Scaraggi and Srivastava said. Finally, there is ground-based emergency management. Counties in a few U.S. states, including those with rocket launch sites like California, Texas and Florida, have drafted emergency response plans for falling space debris. However, this is an area that needs to be developed much further, both in the U.S. and globally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As climate change intensifies and new launches clutter our planets orbit, were almost certainly going to see more debris crash back to Earth. Humanity is going to need to come up with ways to prevent these re-entries from becoming casualties. This will involve, perhaps, being more intentional and strategic about how we send things into space. We definitely want to ensure that we have continued and safe access to outer space, Boley says. But the promise of prosperity is not permission for recklessness. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A senior at Dorman High School was reportedly killed in a wreck early Saturday morning. According to Spartanburg County Coroners Office, at around 7 a.m., first responders were called to the scene of a single-vehicle wreck on I-26 east near mile marker 28. The coroners office said Brady Alexander Murphy, 18, of Roebuck, was found dead at the scene. The coroners office said Murphy was a senior at Dorman High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Spartanburg District 6 said grief counselors and other support services will be at Dorman High School on Monday for those who need them. Our District Six Family is devastated to learn of a heartbreaking loss involving one of our students. We were notified that Dorman Senior, Brady Murphy, passed away following a tragic car accident Saturday morning. At this time, we are focusing on how to best support Bradys family, our students, and staff. Grief counselors and additional support services will be available on campus Monday to provide care and comfort as our Dorman community begins the healing process. We ask that you keep the family and all those impacted in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. Spartanburg District 6 The wreck remains under investigation by the highway patrol and coroners 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Apr. 11A Springfield man has been sentenced to 21 to 26.5 years prison for a September shooting on the south side of Springfield. In March, Joseph Windsor, 27, was convicted by a Clark County Common Pleas Court jury of attempted murder, felonious assault and discharge of a firearm over prohibited premises for a Sept. 24 shooting. The victim was found in the street on West Grand Avenue with gunshot wounds to his leg, hip and back, according to court records. He was transported to Mercy Health Springfield before being transferred to Miami Valley Hospital for "serious physical harm injuries." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives learned that a suspect ran to a home on the 100 block of West Grand about a mile south of downtown Springfield after the shooting and later fled after changing to different clothing, according to court records. When police searched the house, they found Windsor's original clothing and a .40 caliber box of ammunition matching casings collected at the scene of the shooting, according to court records. Surveillance video from the home was used to identify Windsor as "the suspect who was wearing the red sweatshirt, blue jeans and black shoes prior to the shooting as he was yelling to his west ..." Another video from the 200 block of West Grand Avenue allegedly shows Windsor walk into the street toward the victim and pull out a handgun and shoot as the victim turned to walk away. The victim fell to the street, and Windsor allegedly stood over him while pointing the gun before fleeing, according to court records. Windsor was ordered to the Ohio State Penitentiary in Orient. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) A new chapter is beginning at Savannah State University (SSU), with a new leader. Dr. Jermaine Whirl is stepping into the role as the universitys 15th president, bringing a bold vision for the future while honoring the schools long-standing legacy. Number one, we want to be a first choice, Whirl said. We have some phenomenal HBCUs in the state of Georgia. But anybody whos thinking about going to an HBCU, I hope that they think of Savannah first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement April 1 marked his first day leading Georgias first public Historically Black College and University (HBCU). We have to grow in enrollment, he said. Secondly, we want to offer and expand our program offerings. We want to get to doctoral degrees. Third, we want to be an anchor institution. When you think of some of our larger institutions, theyre embedded throughout the community, throughout the city. He added, Social economic mobility, being able to move our graduates. When they come here and when they get that first job, we want them to be able to make good earnings. We want them to have a stable career. Whirl said his top five focus points include student success, culture, providing an engaging learning environment, storytelling and community impact. They are priorities that he said he believes will help reach his goal, which is for SSU to be among the top 25 HBCUs in the next 10 years. He said one way to do that is to enhance the student experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it serves for listening to the students, Whirl said. Theres a lot of things that students want to do, and so really engaging them. Well be working on strategic planning this upcoming year, and that will really provide a lot of opportunities for focus groups, town halls for us to hear from students, to know what it is that they want, and then building a plan to ensure that we can fulfill that. He told WSAV he is eager to be a part of the Savannah community, but more importantly ensuring tiger pride is represented across the city. This institution has to me has been a sleeping giant, Whirl said. And we have a very proud tiger thats out there thats going to start rowing very, very loudly. And thats in the multiple ways. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis man faces federal charges in connection with multiple alleged gang-related murders and could face the death penalty if convicted. A federal grand jury returned an indictment Wednesday for 21-year-old Travis Santel Jones for charges of murder in aid of racketeering, RICO conspiracy, using a firearm during a crime of violence and causing death with a firearm. Court documents allege that Jones was involved in a violent street gang known as Cochran Crips. He is accused of participating in multiple shootings that resulted in the deaths of three people. The gang allegedly glorified two murders in a rap song, according to federal court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family sues youth league after teens suicide following coachs alleged abuse Investigators say Jones conspired with other Cochran Crips gang members to commit murder and drug trafficking. Court documents allege that Jones and others were driving around the streets of St. Louis in July 2020 and searching for get backs or retaliation against a rival gang. Jones allegedly killed two innocent people who were mistakenly believed to be rivals, per court documents. After that, in 2022, Jones allegedly killed a Cochran Crips gang member when the group believed he had disrespected another member, according to court documents. If convicted on the murder in aid of racketeering charge, Jones faces a mandatory minimum penalty of life in prison and the possibility of the death penalty. All other charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI St. Louis Field Office, says the FBI has been actively investigating the Cochran Crips gang for years as part of a broader effort to combat violent crime. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will not stop until we bring all those involved in the murders to justice, she said via a Friday news release. Violence has no place in our community, and this indictment sends a clear message: we will always be a voice for victims, and we will not stop pursuing justice until there is accountability, said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Tracy. I am proud of the dedication by our investigators on this case, and we will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners to keep our neighborhoods safe and take dangerous criminals off our streets. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News There is no place in our communities for groups that terrorize their neighbors, said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. This indictment alleges violent criminal acts and the tragic loss of three lives, all at the hands of a dangerous gang member. The Department of Justices Criminal Division will continue to pursue justice for these victims and for the people of St. Louis. The alleged activity here is exactly the type of case that the Violent Crime Initiative was designed to tackle complex criminal conspiracies involving drugs and years of violence, said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming for the Eastern District of Missouri. There are severe federal consequences for anyone who is tempted to kill and maim to peddle poison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A drunk driver was located taking a bath while her daughter remained in peril at the scene of a March crash that ultimately claimed the 4-year-olds life, the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office alleges. In a news release Friday afternoon, District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Juliette Marie Acosta, 26, of Oakdale, has been charged with the murder of her daughter, Reagan Herrin. Reagan Herrin, 4, died March 8 when her mother, Juliette Acosta of Oakdale, crashed her Subaru SUV into a canal east of Hickman, California. The crash was the night of March 8, into an irrigation canal along Canal Bank Road near Hickman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing the criminal complaint, which the DAs Office had not released as of midafternoon Friday, the release says Acosta allegedly was driving with a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit of .08%. Update: Attorney disputes claim that Oakdale mother tried to flee murder charge It further says that after being helped out of the vehicle and onto land, Acosta left her partially submerged car while her daughter remained trapped inside, failing to render aid to her child. It says she was located taking a bath while her daughter remained in peril at the crash scene, and causing the death of a vulnerable victim. The release does not say where Acosta was found bathing and how she got there. Nor does it say where Acosta was coming from and heading to when she crashed. The California Highway Patrol is the lead investigating agency, and CHP Modesto area spokesperson Officer Tom Olsen told The Bee, We are not in a position to disclose those specifics at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acosta faces felony charges including 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, as well as resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer, peace officer or emergency medical technician. If convicted on all charges, Acosta faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. We recognize the significant interest the community has in this case, Laugero says in the news release. 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 charges follow an investigation by the California Highway Patrols Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team, the District Attorneys Bureau of Investigation and the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs Dive Team provided specialized support throughout the investigation, which is ongoing, the release says. Anyone with additional information on the case is urged to contact CHP Detective A. Norseen at 209-545-7440. Acosta is being held without bail in the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center. She was brought to Stanislaus County from San Francisco by the CHP. After visiting 17 schools in March, the Duval County Supervisor of Elections, Jerry Holland, announced that 1,623 students submitted voter registration applications. According to last months data from the Supervisor of Elections, people aged 25 or younger make up less than 11% of the countys registered voters. Although it is the second largest voter age demographic in number, it is more than doubled by those over the age of 65. The competition called on schools to get as many students registered or pre-registered to vote as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The top performers are recognized below: Duval County Public Schools Large school: Sandalwood High School Medium School: Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology Small School: Bridge to Success Academy Private Schools Large school: Bishop Kenny High School Medium school: The Bolles School Small school: Pace Center for Girls Jacksonville Florida allows eligible people to pre-register to vote if they are at least 16 years old, meaning high schoolers can get their registration out of the way early. The registration becomes active when the applicant turns 18. According to the Florida Department of State, if your 18th birthday occurs between the registration deadline and the date of the election, and you were pre-registered before the registration deadline, you will be eligible to vote in that election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Georgia, you must be at least 17 1/2 years of age to register. To register online to vote or update your registration in Florida, click here. Below are key upcoming election dates to know in Florida: Primary Election Day: August 18, 2026 General Election Day: November 3, 2026 [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. (NewsNation) Attorneys general from four states, led by Washington state, submitted a document to Supreme Court justices, urging them to follow the Constitutions directive on birthright citizenship and not the presidents. President Trump signed an executive order on day one of his presidency ending birthright citizenship, nullifying part of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Birthright citizenship grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the United States. Children of undocumented immigrants born on U.S. soil are legal citizens, per the 14th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump is seeking to reverse the right as the case awaits a decision from the Supreme Court following previous lower courts blocking the presidents order. Does Trumps birthright citizenship order create a birth tax? Being directed to follow the law as it has been universally understood for over 125 years is not an emergency warranting the extraordinary remedy of a stay, Attorneys General Nicholas Brown of Washington, Kris Mayes of Arizona, Kwame Raoul of Illinois and Dan Rayfield of Oregon wrote on April 4. Birthright citizenship is beyond the Presidents power to destroy, they wrote in the 40-page response to Trumps request for a partial stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A partial stay is an order that suspends or halts part of a lower courts order. In an April 7 response to the court, U.S. Solicitor General Dean John Sauer, representing Trump, argues that being born on U.S. soil does not equate to citizenship. Respondents argue that birth on our soil, by itself, confers citizenship. But the text of the Citizenship Clause extends citizenship only to persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,' the document said. Respondents birth-only reading effectively erases the phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof.' The Supreme Court has yet to issue a final ruling. 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. A day after a federal court sought details on the status of a Maryland man who was deported in error to El Salvador, the State Department told a judge that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is "alive and secure" but still not on American soil. "It is my understanding based on official reporting from our Embassy in San Salvador that Abrego Garcia is currently being held in the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador," said Michael Kozak, a senior bureau official for the State Department, in a declaration submitted on Saturday minutes after the 5 p.m. deadline set by the judge. "He is alive and secure in that facility," Kozak added. "He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court had ordered the U.S. government "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return to America. PHOTO: This undated photo provided by CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, in April 2025, shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (CASA via AP) MORE: 'Nothing has been done': Judge slams DOJ in case of wrongly deported man Later Saturday evening, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social claiming El Salvador President Nayib Bukele "has graciously accepted into his Nations custody some of the most violent alien enemies of the World and, in particular, the United States." "These barbarians are now in the sole custody of El Salvador, a proud and sovereign Nation, and their future is up to President B and his Government," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump did not directly mention Abrego Garcia or his case in the post. He is slated to meet with Bukele at the White House Monday. On Friday, Trump weighed in on the Supreme Court's order while talking with reporters, claiming he wasn't well versed in the case. However, he reiterated his respect for the Supreme Court, which had upheld a lower court's ruling that the U.S. government should assist in returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S. "If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court," he said. Shortly before the government submitted its first status report to the court, attorneys for Abrego Garcia filed a motion for additional relief and cited Trump's comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yesterday, President Trump confirmed that the United States has the power to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from prison and return to the United States," the attorneys for Abrego Garcia wrote. In the filing, the attorneys for the Maryland man requested three additional types of relief, including ordering the government to show why it should not be held in contempt "due to its failure to comply with the Court's prior orders." "The President's acknowledgement of the United States' power to bring Abrego Garcia back notwithstanding, the Department of Justice and other Government agencies continue to resist this Court and the Supreme Court," they added. PHOTO: President Donald Trump boards Air Force One before departing from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on April 11, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) The attorneys also asked the judge to order the government to provide air transportation for Abrego Garcia to return to Maryland and to grant him parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a written order earlier this week, Judge Paula Xinis of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland had requested the daily status report to answer what steps, if any, the Trump administration has taken to facilitate Abrego Garcia's immediate return to the U.S. and what additional steps the government will take, and when, to facilitate his return. While Kozak's sworn declaration answers one of the questions Xinis requested, the response did not provide any more details about Abrego Garcia's return. Abrego Garcia, despite being issued a 2019 court order barring his deportation to El Salvador, where his attorneys argue he escaped political violence in 2011, was sent to that country's notorious CECOT mega-prison following what the government said was an "administrative error," according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. PHOTO: A policeman guards a cell at the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) in Tecoluca, El Salvador, April 4, 2025. (Jose Cabezas/Reuters) MORE: Judge says Maryland man's erroneous deportation to El Salvador prison 'shocks the conscience' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has claimed Abrego Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang, which his lawyers and his wife deny, and argued in legal filings that because Abrego Garcia is no longer in U.S. custody, the courts cannot order him to be returned to the U.S. nor order El Salvador to return him. Xinis ordered the government to aid in returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S., which the Supreme Court then upheld on Thursday. "The order properly requires the Government to 'facilitate' 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 Supreme Court's unsigned order stated. State Department reveals status of man erroneously deported to El Salvador originally appeared on abcnews.go.com SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Dozens of college and university campuses across the country reported the federal government has revoked hundreds of international student visas, including at least three campuses in San Diego. The University of San Diego reports one student lost their visa. Five students at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and four students at San Diego State University (SDSU) also had their visas canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Studying electrical engineering at SDSU for the past five years has felt like a scene out of a movie for Abdudllah Alabbas. Hundreds of students, dozens of colleges hit by Trumps visa purge: What to know Weve known all about the United States [since] when we were kids in the movies, and its like a dream to us. So when we go there and study, we feel like were obligated to do our best, he said. But, when he received an email confirming the state department revoked the student visas from four of his peers, fear began to kick in. Oh my God! Whats going to happen? Is it for real? he said. This isnt a unique experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per some estimates, more than 160 universities and colleges across the country have reported canceled international student visas. I think a big part of the anxiety is coming from the lack of disclosure as to why these visas are being revoked, said Benjamin Gonzalez OBrien, an associate professor of political science at SDSU. 4 student visas at San Diego State University revoked According to Inside Higher Ed, more than 840 international students lost their visas to study in America. Were gonna lose that talent, and were gonna lose our place as a global leader in education, Gonzalez OBrien said, when asked how this would impact other international students decision to study in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio says this is just the beginning. In the days to come, you should expect more visas will be revoked as we identify people that we should never have allowed in, Rubio said. Rubio accuses these students of vandalizing buildings and supporting movements counter to the United States, but some believe thats a threat to free speech. No one wants to live in a police state either where were afraid to say things or international students are afraid to express themselves, said Lara Zimmer whos visiting the SDSU campus with her daughter for new student weekend. UCSD students protest after classmates are forced to leave the country Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Association of International Educators estimate in the last academic school year international students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy. Its not about also losing just money, Alabbas said. Its about losing the time, losing your hopes, losing everything. Alabbas hopes his years of hard work will pay off. My parents sent me here. They believed in me. My country, my friends, everybody believed in me. I should get something back to them, which is my bachelors, and I think they deserve it more than I do, he said. We have yet to receive any information as to why these students had their visas rescinded, and theres still a lot of uncertainty remaining for international students across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Almost two dozen water providers in Pennsylvania, including six in the Philadelphia area, were told to inform their customers after the affected systems were found to be out of compliance with state mandates regarding toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. What's happening? The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has reported that 22 providers failed to reduce PFAS in drinking water in line with the agency's requirements, according to a March report from public media outlet WHYY. Six of those water providers are in the Philadelphia area, including two schools and a mobile home community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps even more alarming, WHYY has reported that over 180 providers statewide are still seeing PFAS measuring at levels that exceed the stringent federal limits set to be implemented in four years. PFAS regulation advocate Hope Gross of the Buxmont Coalition for Safer Water told WHYY, "I do think this is a state of emergency, and I think our world is really coming to terms with some of this and I hope that everyone tests their water because it is a huge deal." Why is PFAS regulation important? PFAS have been linked to serious issues like cancer, thyroid disease, developmental delays in children, and more. And they're everywhere, commonly found in everything from food packaging and nonstick kitchenware to water-resistant clothing and furniture, toiletries, and electronics. The chemicals can also be found in our household dust, soil, and drinking water. Research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences suggests that PFAS could lead to an increased risk of childhood obesity, increased risk of cancers, and a less effective immune system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other studies have found that reproductive health issues such as endometriosis and preeclampsia may be linked to exposure to PFAS, which are often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in bodies and in the environment. What's being done about PFAS? As previously noted, new federal regulations on PFAS will come into effect by 2029. These limits will require the 19% of Pennsylvania water providers that WHYY documented in a 2024 investigation as having levels above these limits to reduce PFAS in their water systems. The new standards will be stricter than Pennsylvania regulations and will hopefully create safer drinking water across the United States. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While it would be virtually impossible to completely eliminate PFAS from our everyday lives due to their prevalence in water, food, and consumer items, some steps can be taken to avoid the chemicals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, PFAS are commonly found in food stored in takeout containers. Research suggests that those who eat fresh meals at home more often than they eat takeout are less exposed to these chemicals. Several major brands, like McDonald's and Amazon, have also pledged to take steps toward reducing PFAS in their packaging and products. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Louisiana State Representative Tammy Phelps held a press conference to discuss the upcoming session of the Louisiana legislature, urging voters to continue to stand against nonsensical amendments. Louisiana State Representative Tammy Phelps held a press conference to discuss the upcoming session of the Louisiana legislature. Phelps said she is proud voters stood against nonsensical amendments during the March 29th election. She hopes the public will hold state politicians accountable and says that voters should stay engaged in politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana, we must continue to stand. It was a great day on March 29th, just to see across the state from north to south, east to west, vice versa, all around that we finally stood up and said no to the things, the nonsensical legislation that the constitution amendments have come before us, said Phelps. During the press conference, Caddo Parish State Representative said the rejected four amendments from from March 29th would have taken money from working folks to put in the pocket of the rich folks and that the federal government is in turmoil leaving Louisiana with cuts to much-needed federal funds for education, health care and disaster recovery, Louisiana needs all the help it can get. Governor Landry Soros, far left liberal money are why voters rejected Amendment 2 Phelps stated that she is headed back to Baton Rouge to fight for sensible solutions that benefit all of Louisiana, not just the corporations and the rich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice Chair of the Shreveport City Council, Tabatha Taylor, echoes Representative Phelps statement, calling on residents of Shreveport to be engaged as it affects us [locally], not just statewide. So if youve never paid attention to politics before, I would suggest that you do now at every level, at the local level, at the state level and at the federal level, because these policies and if these bills are enacted, they are going to affect you directly regardless of where you are or what your income status is, says Councilwoman for District A. The Louisiana Legislative session begins Monday, April 14th, at noon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 local man could be put to death for his alleged role in the death of a Jacksonville toddler. According to court records, Florida State prosecutors decided this week to seek the death penalty for Nathaniel Davis. The 23-year-old is charged with the abuse and murder of 22-month-old Zamora Foe, who died last September. Davis was dating Foes mother, Zayla Goodwin, who faces a lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Foe was brought to the Wolfson Childrens Hospital for treatment, she was found with multiple injuries. Her father told Action News Jax Zamora had two broken legs, a broken arm, and chemically burned lips, among other injuries. Following her death four days later, a medical examiner found that Zamora died of blunt force trauma and had methamphetamine in her system. While the two suspects were originally charged with child neglect, their charges were upgraded last month. Davis is now also accused of two counts of sexual battery on a child and tampering with evidence. Davis and Goodwin are pleading not guilty to all charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daviss next court date is set for April 17th, while Goodwins is April 29th. [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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan will receive out-of-state support from the Indiana Department of Transport (INDOT) after an ice storm devastated northern lower Michigan two weeks ago. Michigan State Police (MSP) say the support was secured via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). This is the first time the state has requested this type of support. The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is working alongside the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to bring in four debris removal teams from Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MSP says each team consists of nine personnel and will assist in clearing downed trees and other debris from critical roadways. Michigan State Police cruiser after severe ice storm (Michigan State Police) This unprecedented EMAC request underscores the scope of the damage and the urgency of returning impacted communities to safe, functioning conditions, said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director and commander of the MSP/EMHSD, in a news release sent to 6 News. INDOT crews are scheduled to arrive today and stay for seven days. MDOT has already deployed maintenance workers and equipment from operations facilities in Kalkaska, Atlanta, Hillman, and Mio in the northern Lower Peninsula, as well as from facilities in the Upper Peninsula and across the central and southern Lower Peninsula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those dedicated men and women have made amazing progress in the recovery operations following the ice storm that struck this area two weeks ago, but were so grateful for the additional assistance from our partners at INDOT to help accelerate the process, said MDOT North Region Associate Region Engineer for Operations Bill Wahl in a news release sent to 6 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 WLNS 6 News. Apr. 11The STEM Academy Student Council on Friday celebrated being named a National Association of Student Councils, Gold Council of Excellence. At a small gathering in the multipurpose room of the high school, sponsor Keli Morris said this was a year of transition in how the school was organized changing from principals to deans. There are about 60 Student Council members, but based on events, it will range from 10 to 25 students showing up to larger groups at dances, for example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are a member of the Texas Association of Student Councils and have been working their way up the honors ladder. For 2025-26, they were again chosen as the president's school for TASC. "We also have received sweepstakes and outstanding council, which means that we have hit minimum standards, and then an additional 21 standards, above and beyond what is required to be outstanding, and that's for TASC, which is the state association. "For our national association, which is this award, it is also a process where you fill out the application, you have to present a portfolio to your administrator, and then you submit the application and find out about two months later whether or not you qualify. We are a National Association of Student Councils, Gold Council of Excellence," Morris said. It means the students have been very involved, not only in the STEM community but the larger community, Morris said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This last year, one of their main projects was partnering with the Crisis Center of West Texas to do a donation drive. Morris said they raised some 1,400 items and students from kindergarten through 12th grade participated. "We have committees that we chair. We have Pride and Patriotism, Energy and Environment, community service and DASH, and those are the ones that earn us points for TASC, and are the driving force of many of our projects. But then we also have social and rec. They're in charge of all of our parties and our dances and stuff like that, too," Morris said. DASH stands for drugs, alcohol, safety and health. "They do all kinds of programming around how to be well and how to be healthy," Morris said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that the students are "pretty amazing." They always feel they can help. "These kids are driven, they're ambitious, but they're also really kind hearted and caring. They care about their fellow students. They care about the community. They see issues within the larger community and they ask what can we do to help. They don't think, we're just kids what can we do?" Morris said. The Student Council is now a legacy. She sees the middle school student council and she knows that it's going to continue to grow. It really started with that first TASC group, Morris said. STEM Academy Executive Director Shannon Davidson said Morris has poured her heart into the Student Council program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maci Jo Baker, a senior, said garnering the National Association of Student Councils Gold Council of Excellence is really big, especially because this is her senior year and her sixth year being involved in student council. "To be recognized both by the school and nationally, is crazy," because of how small the student council is, Baker said. When she started in sixth grade the council only did certain events. "And that's all we do. So something I'm really proud of that this group has done is we've spent so much energy into bettering our school and connecting the K through 12, as well as helping out with our community. To be able to see the big change in how student council feels more like a big group of friends than very rigid," Baker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She plans to attend Angelo State University and plans to double major in mechanical engineering and mathematics. Baker said she has an interview at the end of April for the Student Government Association for Angelo State. Sophomores Karli Kershaw and Genesis Cruz have both been in student council since eighth grade. "I'm actually very proud of us as a group, because I think we worked very well together, and I think we deserve it," Kershaw said. Cruz said it just proves why she joined student council. "It's very fun, and we're still doing stuff to impact our community of our little school," Cruz added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kershaw said she wanted to get the student body more involved because she saw that they were kind of disconnected and she wanted to impact the larger community. Cruz said she first joined student council because she saw a lot of other people joining. "I thought, wow, I wanted to do that, too, but now that I am in it like I see a lot more of the impact you make with our student body," Cruz said. Kershaw said Baker has created a legacy for student councils. "I think if we continue doing the work that she put in, and keep up with it, we can really make a even greater impact," Kershaw added. Cruz agreed. "They really did a great job on building the foundation we need for our student body and just to watch us grow was their main goal. So I'm really proud of them," she added. ANNISTON After three decades of dedicated service to the city of Anniston, Steven Folks is ready to step into a new role: mayor. The longtime city employee and former city manager officially announced his candidacy Friday morning during a Facebook Live broadcast, making him the fourth candidate in the race for the citys top elected position. I think the city is headed in the right direction, Folks said. And I've been a servant for 51 years21 years in the Army, 30 years with the cityand the direction the city is going, I think it just excites me and incites me to just continue to be a part of this. Folks, 69, wrapped up his tenure as city manager Thursday, ending a chapter that saw significant development, collaboration and revitalization efforts throughout Anniston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born in Aiken, South Carolina, Folks joined the Army during his senior year in high school and later earned degrees from Gadsden State and Jacksonville State University. He began working for the City of Anniston as a temporary employee and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming city managerwithout ever having held elected office. Now, hes vying for the mayoral seat, joining Kevin Cheatwood, Ciara Smith, and Ben Little on the ballot. Throughout his announcement, Folks emphasized his deep connection to the city and his desire to bring continuity and collaboration to city government. While Folks didnt pinpoint a single issue he would tackle first if elected, he stressed the importance of staying the course with the citys established roadmap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our comprehensive plan is working. It's a roadmap, he said. The progress of Main Street, the things that we're talking about with McClellan are exciting. Regional Medical Center is headed in the right direction. At the end of this year, we'll be doing something with the master plan for the airport. Folks said he hopes to bring stability and a sense of shared purpose to the mayor's office, leaning into partnerships and regionalism. Working with our partners to the south and to the north working with the countythose things are key, he said. During his time as city manager, Folks helped lead several major projects. He described the development process with a mindset he adopted from his military days. In the Army, I learned that when you have a project you have to ask yourself three questions: how do I attain this? Then how do I maintain this? Then how do I sustain this? he said. Theres no need to embark on any new project if you cant answer those three questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among his proudest accomplishments, Folks cited the citys 2022 comprehensive plan, the revitalization of Main Street, partnerships with health clinics like St. Michael's, infrastructure improvements, and a $2 million street paving initiative that began in 2019. He also highlighted successful collaborations with organizations such as Main Street Alabama, Jacksonville State University and various nonprofits that supported underserved populations. The key things, like St. Michaels Clinic, I think that has been a big issue, because, again, that's helping the most valuable resource we have, which is our people, Folks said. Projects like the transformation of McClellan, the new City Market, and the development of the Fire Training Center also top the list of city achievements under his leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were talking about the transition of McClellan to the city of Anniston, he said. That could not have been done without our legislative delegation and also the county and the city working together in unison. Folks also pointed to the soon-to-open extension of the Chief Ladiga Trail and the newly restored City Hall as significant milestones for the cityprojects that combine economic potential with deep historical roots. When you get in [City Hall], the history that we have saved I don't think theres anything like this, he said, referencing the building's previous life as a post office and federal courthouse. Just think about the federal cases that've been held here. For Folks, Annistons story is one of resilience. He sees the communitys ability to overcome obstaclesfrom the Monsanto controversy to the closure of Fort McClellan to the COVID-19 pandemicas a defining characteristic of the city he has come to love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Folks addressed the naysayers who paint the city with a negative brush. We dont have time to spend a whole lot of energy on negativity, Folks said. What I think we need to do is be patient, be persistent and have a brighter vision. Reflecting on his own journey, Folks drew parallels between his military service and his municipal career. In both, he said, he started at the bottom and worked his way up. I started off as a private, and I retired as a sergeant first class, Folks said. The positions I had were always ahead of that, because I served as a drill sergeant, a senior drill sergeant, a platoon sergeant, a battalion sergeant, and also as a First Sergeant. The same thing, starting in the city of AnnistonI started off as a temporary employee without any benefits, and I rose to where I am right now. He emphasized the importance of seeing the city as a wholebeyond neighborhoods and districtsand working together for a common purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always felt that no matter spending my time in Carver Center, it was never about Carver Center, he said. It was all about one Parks and Rec field being one for one common goal, to be successful as a whole. Folks is a father of three sonsone of whom is deceasedand has nine grandchildren, whom he calls the light of his life. As he begins this next chapter, he does so with the same servants heart that guided him for 51 years. I tell everybody, my love and my passion for Anniston I came here and I became a part of Anniston, he said. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. This artistic rendering of a centuries-old altar, found in the Maya city of Tikal, was likely painted by an artist from Teotihuacan. | Credit: Heather Hurst Archaeologists in Guatemala have discovered an altar that holds the burial of a child and adult in the Maya city of Tikal , a finding that could help researchers discern the nature of the city's relationship with one of its neighbors. The altar was likely painted not by a Maya artist, but by an artisan from Teotihuacan , an ancient megalopolis located more than 600 miles (965 kilometers) away, outside present-day Mexico City. The altar suggests an active Teotihuacan presence in Tikal during a time of conflict between the two cities, researchers reported Tuesday (April 8) in the journal Antiquity . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's increasingly clear that this was an extraordinary period of turbulence at Tikal," study coauthor Stephen Houston , an expert on Maya civilization at Brown University, said in a statement . "What the altar confirms is that wealthy leaders from Teotihuacan came to Tikal and created replicas of ritual facilities that would have existed in their home city. It shows Teotihuacan left a heavy imprint there." Tikal flourished between 600 B.C. and A.D. 900. The city began interacting with Teotihuacan around A.D. 300, but the relationship quickly turned contentious. In the 1960s, researchers uncovered a stone carving from A.D. 378 that described the probable conquest of Tikal by Teotihuacan. Other ruins near the city suggest an extended period of conflict between the two in the following centuries. Related: Copy of famous Teotihuacan structure discovered in Maya city Researchers uncovered the altar, which dates to the fifth century A.D., through a series of excavations beginning in 2019. It was discovered inside a Teotihuacan-style house, suggesting that Teotihuacan elites maintained a presence in Tikal during this period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Image 1 of 3 an excavated stone altar The buried altar was built around the late 300s A.D. Image 2 of 3 a lidar map of an excavation site A map made with lidar (light detection and ranging) technology reveals the centuries-old infrastructure of Tikal. Image 3 of 3 a Maya pyramid Archaeologists discovered the burial altar in a building complex just outside the center of Tikal, a historic place known for its striking limestone temples. Its four decorative panels each depict a figure wearing a nose-bar and a headdress, resembling a deity known as the "Storm God" in central Mexico during that time. The images, rendered in red, orange, yellow and black, closely match techniques seen in Teotihuacan murals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archaeologists also found multiple human remains within the altar, including a child buried in a seated position and an adult buried alongside a dart point made of green obsidian both traditions that are distinct to Teotihuacan. RELATED STORIES Why did the Maya civilization collapse? Sustainable Tech Saw Ancient Maya Through Drought Lasers reveal Maya city, including thousands of structures, hidden in Mexico The altar and the surrounding area were intentionally buried between A.D. 550 and 645, around the time of Teotihuacan's decline, and made to look like a natural hill. That could hint at the nature of Tikal's relationship with Teotihuacan, according to study co-author Andrew Scherer , an archaeologist and anthropologist at Brown. "The Maya regularly buried buildings and rebuilt on top of them," Scherer said in the statement. "But here, they buried the altar and surrounding buildings and just left them, even though this would have been prime real estate centuries later. They treated it almost like a memorial or a radioactive zone. It probably speaks to the complicated feelings they had about Teotihuacan." Storm cleanup will continue throughout the weekend for families in Hapeville. When rain and wind picked up Thursday before 10:00 pm, trees fell across the city, ripping down power lines and tearing through homes. Friday morning, Hapeville Police Department said five streets were blocked: Sylvan Road, Lake Drive, Jackson Street, Birch Street, and Myrtle Street. Most of those roads were still closed around rush hour Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Electrical crews were waiting on removal service crews to take large chunks of lines so they could restore power. TRENDING STORIES: A tree fell inches from Dianne Washington Holmes car, and a second tree fell on her neighbors home. You can feel the thump from inside, Washington Holmes said. It is a powerful jolting of your house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carl Powell was inside his home with a tree fell on it and destroyed one entire side. If I get my power back on, Ill get it tarped, and Ill stay here. I cant afford a hotel. I can probably get my insurance to pay for it, but then thats more money, Powell said. They are sending a warning to others to be prepared to be shaken if it happens to them. My bag was packed. I had my emergency bag packed. I have my light bulbs and generators, and we were trying to be somewhat prepared. But, when it hits, theres a panic in you that you still need to prepare, Washington Holmes said. Holmess He attended a school trip to a guitar festival; he came back a champion. Now, Marywood music student Kyle Jenkins, a student of Diogo Salmeron Carvalho, Ph.D., the assistant professor of music, will perform at the Rosetti Estate in Scranton in May. Jenkins was one of a group of musicians shepherded by Carvalho to the 2025 Buffalo International Guitar Festival, a prestigious national event for young guitarists, held March 28-30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Marywood University music student Kyle Jenkins stands with a guitar he won for the collegiate level grand prize in the 2025 Buffalo International Guitar Festival, held in March in Buffalo, N.Y. (Dr. Diogo Salmeron Carvalho / Submitted) * Marywood University music student Kyle Jenkins stands with a guitar he won for the collegiate level grand prize in the 2025 Buffalo International Guitar Festival, held in March in Buffalo, N.Y. His professor, Dr. Diogo Salmeron Carvalho stands to his right, holding the certificate Jenkins was awarded along with the guitar. (Dr. Diogo Salmeron Carvalho / Submitted) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Marywood Universitys guitar ensemble poses together, including music student Kyle Jenkins, the recent winner of the the collegiate level grand prize after a performance in the 2025 Buffalo International Guitar Festival, and the ensembles professor, Dr. Diogo Salmeron Carvalho. (Dr. Diogo Salmeron Carvalho / Submitted) Show Caption 1 of 3 Marywood University music student Kyle Jenkins stands with a guitar he won for the collegiate level grand prize in the 2025 Buffalo International Guitar Festival, held in March in Buffalo, N.Y. (Dr. Diogo Salmeron Carvalho / Submitted) Expand We were invited because I performed there at a conference, Carvalho said. He told his hosts about the Marywood University guitar ensemble, and the group was invited to go to the University at Buffalo, New York to play in the festival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, Jenkins was inspired to enter a guitar contest that was taking place. His masterful performance of El Polifemo De Oro, a classical piece for guitar written by British composer Reginald Smith Brindle, struck a chord with judges, who awarded Jenkins the collegiate-level Grand Prize, and presented him with a new Saers A50 model concert guitar, new sets of strings, new guitar equipment and a certificate. Jenkins, of Scranton, confessed that his external musical performances have been limited so far outside of his studies, adding that he loves music and hopes to one day be a professional musician. He was elated by the win, calling it pretty unexpected, and pretty cool. Its been an amazing week, he said, explaining that every one of his close friends and family members have been very supportive when he recounts the experience of winning the contest. The people in my life have been really, really happy for me. To celebrate his achievement, Jenkins will perform in a special concert May 2 at 6 p.m. at the Rossetti Estate in Scranton, alongside Charles Truitt, D.M.A., a former music professor at Marywood whom Carvalho described as one of the areas most respected classical guitarists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the free concert isnt just a celebratory event. It marks the relaunch of the Guitar Society of Northeast Pennsylvania, described by Carvalho as an organization with a long legacy of promoting classical guitar in our region. He is spearheading the initiative. Under my direction, the society is returning with a renewed mission to support artists, offer educational opportunities, and bring world-class performances to our community, Carvalho said in a press release, adding that the concert will also serve as a fundraiser for future society events. Truitt is a founding member of the former Guitar Society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their performance represents both the heritage and the future of guitar artistry in Northeast Pennsylvania, said Carvalho. He said the former Guitar Society of NEPAs attendance and activity had tapered off, but it is preparing for a rebirth, including a name change that drops the word Classical from the name of the group to expand on styles of guitar Carvalho hopes to include. We want to have all manifestations of guitar, including jazz, including folk, including rock, Carvalho said. We want to have a society thats open for guitarists in any form and any people interested in guitar, as well. He said the society will be inclusive of all levels of achievement, for all people interested in guitar. While Carvalho, Jenkins and Truitt have ties to Marywood, the groups endeavors are open to the public, whether they are students at Marywood University or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenkins, a self-proclaimed fan of metal, alongside his skilled classical training, is helping, with his teachers direction, to develop the group. I am very proud of the Marywood Guitar Ensemble for their community outreach and for representing Marywood University at such a prestigious event, said Lisa A. Lori, J.D., Marywood president. I am especially thrilled to congratulate our student, Kyle Jenkins, on winning the Grand Prize at the 2025 Buffalo International Guitar Festival. His achievement reflects the excellence and dedication of our music program and the strength of our creative community. Recent Pentagon policies are having direct impacts on students at Defense Department schools around the globe and leaving students and their parents concerned theyre being disadvantaged by attending the schools, multiple students and parents told CNN. Many of the changes stem from President Donald Trumps executive order banning programs or initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI. But Pentagon policies putting a freeze on civilian employees government credit cards, and broader freezes on the civilian workforce, are also impacting DOD families living abroad. Recent policies from the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth briefly impacted student-athletes ability to travel to games or competitions in Europe; the availability of at least one AP class, which parents and students say is not expected to be offered because portions of the instruction mention gender and sexuality; student clubs; what books are offered in school libraries; and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These kids in the [Department of Defense Education Activity] schools are taking the brunt of this administrations decisions, one DOD civilian in Germany, whose child is a high school sophomore, told CNN. The civilian added that while schools back in the US are insulated from some administration policy changes, DoDEA schools have no such ability. Here, they send down this edict and it has to be obeyed, the civilian said. Its not a state thing its directly from someone who is in authority over the school. Its concerning. The feelings over those policies resulted in organized walkouts on Thursday at more than a dozen DoDEA schools around the globe. We stood for every voice thats been silenced. For every story thats been erased. For every student whos been told they dont belong, a post on a public Instagram page for the walkouts said on Thursday. We walked out because our schools should be places of learning, not censorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students and parents alike say the changes in their schools are disadvantaging students compared to their peers in the US. Multiple parents and students told CNN that AP Psychology will no longer be offered in DoDEA schools because of the DEI policies instituted by the Defense Department. A DoDEA high school sophomore, who spoke to CNN with her parents permission, said shed been looking forward to taking AP Psychology and it was disappointing that I cant take the class I wanted to take. Its frustrating we cant get the same level of education as my peers in the states we just already have less opportunities than schools in America, and this is narrowing our opportunities even more, the sophomore said. Will Griffin, a spokesman for DoDEA, told CNN students are at the heart of everything we do in DoDEA and we will continue to maintain a learning environment where all students can learn, grow, and prepare for success in college and careers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DoDEA remains committed to providing a high-quality education to military-connected students as evidenced by DoDEA student performance on the 2022 and 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (known as The Nations Report Card) as the top school system in the country, Griffin said. As for AP Psychology, Griffin said DoDEA is continuing to work with the College Board concerning scheduling AP Psychology as a course in the 2025-2026 school year. Still, a second DOD civilian in Germany, who is also a DoDEA parent, told CNN there is concern about students having less to distinguish themselves for college against their peers who didnt go to DoDEA schools. They come up with these policies and they are not actually thinking about the overseas demographic It also feels like well, they dont care about Europe we all saw that in the Signal chat but do they care about the service members over here? the second DOD civilian said. Do they care about the families over here? Students speak out: Its not about politics As a direct result of the new administrations policies, students at DoDEA schools around the globe participated in walkouts on Thursday. The organized protest was expected to include more than a dozen schools, from England and Germany to South Korea and Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [A]t the beginning of February, when the executive orders were implemented, we saw things like Black History Month were taken away, posters around school were like stripped from the walls, and clubs were disbanded, said one student named Payton, who is only being identified by their first name and also spoke to CNN with his parents permission. Its not about politics, another student who participated in South Korea told CNN. Its not about hating America its more about protecting the rights for every student regardless of their identity. We really want to show the higher-ups in DoDEA that we arent going to accept our schools becoming political battlegrounds, the student in South Korea said. The DoDEA high school sophomore in Germany pointed to how policies have impacted teachers ability to communicate with students; she said teachers have been told to address transgender teenagers by the names and pronouns given to them at birth instead of their chosen names or pronouns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transgender kids at my school theyre supposed to call them by their birth name rather than the name they prefer, the high school student said, adding the change is alarming due to the high suicide rates among LGBT youth. The student in South Korea, who is on the student yearbook staff, said theyve even been told they have to refer to transgender students by their birth names in the student yearbook. This photo from the US Army shows Humphreys High School in South Korea, which is one of the schools where students walked out over recent Pentagon policies affecting their school. - US Army We have a problem where our transgender students are already targeted, the student said, and now were making this a permanent part of their high school history. In the lead-up to the organized walkouts, DoDEA school administrators sent out letters to parents, warning them that their child could receive an unexcused absence if they participated. In similar walkouts over the last several weeks, parents and students said, they had received excused absences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin, the DoDEA spokesman, said DoDEA does not support or endorse student walkouts, and will continue to encourage students to explore other avenues for civil engagement. While student-led walkouts in the past have concluded without serious incidents, the cumulative disruption to the DoDEA school system negatively impacted classroom instruction and pulled resources away from normal school operations to ensure student safety, Griffin said. The warnings seemed to have an impact; the student in South Korea said fewer students participated than expected, and the first DOD civilian in Germany said nearly half of the students who participated in a walkout at his childs high school last month did not participate on Thursday. The second DOD civilian in Germany who is a DoDEA parent said the walkouts are an example of how in-tune that generation is with the news and current events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that some adults, if you dont have kids in that age group, you make an assumption that theyre not informed, the civilian said. But theyre way more informed than you realize, and doing a lot more research than you realize. The two DoDEA parents who spoke to CNN whose children go to separate schools told CNN parents have largely been left in the dark on how DOD policies are impacting schools. When schools began pulling books from libraries, for example, they werent told what criteria the schools were using or what books were being removed. That is the argument theyre using in every other state parental involvement, parental authority, the first DOD civilian in Germany said. But here, theyre completely cutting parents out of the loop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin, the DoDEA spokesman, said based on Trumps executive orders and Hegseths guidance, DoDEA is reviewing policies and library books to ensure compliance, and limiting access to materials under review in the meantime. The vague DEI orders have left leaders at every echelon stressed, the second DOD civilian said, feeling that the Pentagon has pushed down rushed orders without any effective guidance. And the lack of guidance feels on purpose, the civilian said, so that when somebody goes too far, and everyone complains about it, they [the administration] have the ability to say, Well, we didnt tell them to do that. Everyone is seeing it, everyone is feeling it, the civilian said of the palpable stress overseas. Its felt at every level. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Washington state Capitol on March 13, 2025. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) Following a contentious floor debate, the state Senate approved a bill Friday that would guarantee public school students in Washington certain rights. Senate Democrats pushed the bill through on a party-line vote, 30-19. Its important that we ensure every student, and I mean every student, has access to a supportive environment and responsible environments, said Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Auburn, who is the sponsor of a related Senate bill focused on parental rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students rights bill is among the most divisive of this years legislative session and is entwined with discussions around gender issues and diversity, equity and inclusion. Democrats say it will provide important safeguards for students and greater clarity with existing law. But Republicans contend it will take control away from local school districts and is too punitive toward schools. And they say it weakens parental rights enshrined under a citizen initiative that lawmakers approved last year. This bill will erode parents trust, said Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco. This bill is very disrespectful to parents and to families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate approval takes the legislation one step closer to becoming state law. But because the Senate amended the bill, it must go back to the House before it can reach the governors desk. When the session began in January, Democratic lawmakers introduced bills in each chamber House Bill 1296 and Senate Bill 5181 both of which addressed parental rights, but the House version also included language dealing with students rights. In March, the House bill was amended in the Senate committee process to only address students rights, leaving the Senate bill to tackle parents rights. During Fridays Senate floor action, Republicans introduced seven amendments, including ones to remove parts of the bill establishing a complaint process and allowing the state to withhold funds for noncompliance. GOP lawmakers also tried to scrap an emergency clause that would allow the bill to take effect immediately and shield it from a potential voter referendum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the Republican amendments were rejected. Im disappointed that none of the amendments we offered were accepted, said Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia. We tried to keep it focused on things that would make it a better bill. Among the concerns Braun and others raised is that schools could get caught up in situations where federal and state laws conflict. This years conversations about the rights of public school students and their parents stemmed from Initiative 2081, a citizen initiative that more than 400,000 residents signed onto and that lawmakers passed in the 2024 legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, said she introduced the House bill to help ensure every student feels comfortable at school and can thrive. We have talked for years about how important it is to make sure that every student feels that theyre in a school setting where they belong so that they can learn, Stonier said. The bill outlines a list of nine specific student rights, including the right to receive an education in a safe and supportive learning environment, free of harassment and bullying. It also says students have the right to receive copies of all school policies and procedures related to students and to have access to academic courses and instructional materials with historically and scientifically accurate information. Additionally, the bill makes clear students are free to exercise constitutionally protected rights at school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools would have to develop promotional materials that incorporate the statement of student rights and make it available on school websites, social media platforms, and other communication channels. It must be added to civics educational materials as well. The bill also requires that school districts immediately notify parents if a student is a victim of abuse, sexual misconduct, or assault. Setting this standard, rather than requiring notification within 48 hours, was a point of contention earlier in the session. Republicans opposed the 48-hour option, saying it was too long to wait. GOP lawmakers also pushed against including provisions related to gender inclusive policies and procedures at schools. The bill originally included this language, but it was removed by an amendment in the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. A floor amendment from Sen. Twina Nobles, D-Fircrest, added language to protect students from discrimination based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identities. The amendment also aims to protect students facing homelessness, those who lack citizenship status, and those who are neurodivergent from discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We run public schools that are for the public, for everyone, Nobles said. And while this bill is not just to protect students that identify as LGBTQ, it protects students that have a variety of differences. The bill would apply to public schools, charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools. It calls for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a process to investigate complaints from students, parents, and others alleging that schools are not complying with state laws in areas like civil rights, nondiscrimination, harassment, and the physical restraint or isolation of students. Starting July 1, 2026, the office could investigate limited and broad complaints. A broad complaint is one that involves the entire student body or a subgroup of students. A limited complaint involves one or more individual students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill outlines steps that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction would have to take once it intervenes, with the consequences for school officials and districts becoming more severe in cases where they are found to be willfully flouting state law. As a last resort, the office could withhold up to 20% of a districts state funds and redirect that money toward resolving the issues the state has identified. The bill also stipulates that school districts cannot terminate, demote, suspend, or take any other negative action against a school employee for supporting students exercising their legal rights or for teaching about historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. A Supreme Court decision pushing for the return of a man mistakenly deported to a Salvadoran prison has both his lawyers and the Trump administration claiming victory, leaving unclear if and when Kilmar Abrego Garcia will return home. Its the latest instance of the high court splitting the baby as Trumps sweeping agenda swarms the justices, an approach that has left the administration wiggle room in its battles with district judges whove blocked the presidents policies. The dynamic is on full display as the Justice Department declines to step on the gas to return Abrego Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Supreme Court correctly recognized, it is the exclusive prerogative of the President to conduct foreign affairs. By directly noting the deference owed to the Executive Branch, this ruling once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the Presidents authority to conduct foreign policy, a DOJ spokesman said late Thursday. But to Abrego Garcias attorney, the rule of law prevailed. The Supreme Court upheld the District Judges order that the government has to bring Kilmar home. Now they need to stop wasting time and get moving, attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said in a statement. The mismatch quickly came to a head as the case returned to U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis for a Friday hearing, with the administration refusing to comply with the judges demand for an immediate update on Abrego Garcias status and the steps that have been taken to return him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We read the Supreme Courts order differently, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign told the judge. Ensign said the administration was still considering what information could be provided to Xinis following the high courts ruling and pushed back on the notion that the judge can steamroll ahead. Xinis appeared visibly frustrated, at one point saying she was very troubled by the refusal. The appointee of former President Obama ordered the administration to provide daily updates until the information is provided. Its quite basic. Its not state secrets, Xinis said. Im asking where one man is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Courts ruling upheld Xiniss requirement for the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release. But the justices cautioned that Xiniss authority only goes so far, and she may not be able to effectuate the mans return. The administration has latched onto that portion, and an instruction for Xinis to give due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs, to cast the decision as a win. SCOTUS rejected the lower court and made clear that a district court judge cannot exercise Article II foreign affairs powers, Stephen Miller, a White House deputy chief of staff and key adviser on immigration, wrote on X. The illegal alien terrorist is in the custody and control of a sovereign foreign nation, Miller continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remarks align with some of the administrations earliest filings in the case, expressing doubts about its ability to entreat or even cajole an ally into returning Abrego Garcia. Thats in contrast with President Trumps boasting about his ability to secure other individuals being held by foreign governments, at one point calling himself the greatest hostage negotiator in U.S. history. Wrongful deportations happen from time to time. And when the government realizes that theyve done that, they facilitate the return, Sandoval-Moshenberg, Abrego Garcias attorney, told reporters after Fridays hearing. The Trump administrations contention it may not be able to secure Abrego Garcias return comes as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele is set to visit the White House Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bukele previously mocked Xinis for her handling of the case. Other corners of Washington, however, have pushed for Abrego Garcias return. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus wrote to Bukele Thursday, demanding his release and requesting to visit him at El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, known by its Spanish acronym CECOT. A similar dynamic played out in another case, where the Trump administration was accused of violating a judges oral order by flying more than 100 Venezuelan men to CECOT amid a lawsuit seeking to challenge the authority. There too, the Supreme Court handed the Trump administration only a partial win in lifting U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs order blocking the presidents invocation of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to swiftly deport migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays 5-4 Supreme Court decision rejected the administrations position that it can use the rarely used law to deport Venezuelans it claims are gang members without judicial review. The detainees subject to removal orders under the AEA are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal. The only question is which court will resolve that challenge, reads the courts unsigned ruling, determining that migrants must sue in the state where they are detained, rather than in Boasbergs D.C. court. The next day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a massive legal victory. This was a smackdown to a rogue, left-wing, low-level district court judge who has relentlessly tried to stop President Trump from using his core constitutional powers as head of the executive branch and as commander in chief, Leavitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the American Civil Liberties Union, which is leading the challenge, also saw it as a win. The critical point of this ruling is that the Supreme Court said individuals must be given due process to challenge their removal under the Alien Enemies Act. That is an important victory, Lee Gelernt, the lead attorney on the case, said in a statement. The ACLU has already followed the Supreme Courts signal and filed challenges in New York and Texas, where the groups clients are being detained, quickly convincing judges to issue orders temporarily keeping the migrants in the country. Abrego Garcias family has asserted he is not a member of MS-13 like the government has claimed but rather fled from El Salvador as a teen to escape gang violence. The governments assertion is based on a tip from a confidential informant claiming he was involved with the gang in New York, though Abrego Garcia has never lived there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Vasquez Sura, Abrego Garcias wife, who is a U.S. citizen, told reporters Wednesday that her husband had been abducted and disappeared by the Trump administration. His attorneys on Friday chastised the Trump administration for defying the court and making little effort to secure his release from one of the worlds most notorious prisons. The Government continues to delay, obfuscate, and flout court orders, while a mans life and safety is at risk, they wrote, noting that the government has spent more time fighting the courts directive to seek Abrego Garcias return than it ever did in deporting him. It did not take that time to ponder whether to remove Garciawhich it effectuated within 72 hours of his unlawful seizureand it does not need that time to comply with this Courts and the Supreme Courts rulings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Supreme Court this week put an important check on President Trump's power to arrest and quickly deport people who are alleged to be members of a foreign crime gang. Those who face deportation "are entitled to notice and opportunity to challenge their removal" before a federal judge, the court said. They must be given "a reasonable time ... that will allow them" to make their case on why they should be spared from deportation, the justices said. "That means that the government cannot usher any detainees onto planes in a shroud of secrecy," Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was referring to March 15, when three planeloads of detained men were flown from Texas to a maximum security prison in El Salvador. Many of their family members said the men had no criminal records, and they had no warning they were being sent away. The court this week did not decide on President Trump's broad claims of a wartime power to deport "alien enemies." It also left unresolved most questions about what happens next, including the possibility that the administration will not comply with a judge's order. But the justices agreed that all those facing deportation have a right to a hearing. It's a decision likely to slow the pace of removals, but not to stop them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was just a month ago when the president, with no public notice, had signed a proclamation that Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan crime gang, is a "foreign terrorist organization" that has invaded the United States. Its members "shall be immediately apprehended and detained until removed from the United States," he said. The first two planes carried Venezuelans who were alleged to be members of the crime gang. The third plane included Salvadorans who were alleged to be members of MS-13, another crime gang. They included Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who denied he had been a gang member. Six years ago, an immigration judge said he could not be sent to El Salvador because he could face persecution from gangs there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speedy mass deportation came to light that Saturday afternoon because ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt filed a lawsuit in Washington on behalf of five imprisoned men who said they were wrongly labeled as gang members. Read more: Supreme Court faces Guantanamo test again: Does president's power have limits? His suit also questioned Trump's assertion that the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 gave him war powers to arrest and deport "hostile" aliens. A few days later, Abrego Garcia's wife sued, seeking the return of her wrongly deported husband. In response, Trump administration lawyers said the judges had no authority to second guess or question the president's power to protect the nation from dangerous foreign gang members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After losing in the lower courts, the administration's lawyers filed fast-track appeals with Chief Justice John G. Roberts and the Supreme Court. And this week, the court handed down a pair of unsigned orders that had a common theme shared by all nine justices: that the Constitution gives all persons, including noncitizens, a right to due process of law. That means they cannot be arrested and deported by the government without an opportunity to appeal to a judge. On Thursday, the court agreed with a judge from Maryland whose "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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would allow him a hearing before a judge to argue why he should not be deported. In recent weeks, Roberts has signaled he wants to avoid broad rulings in response to fast-track appeals. He is also fond of split-the-middle decisions that leave many to question who won and who lost. But his focus on due process of law and the right to a habeas corpus hearing had several advantages. Judges, both liberal and conservative, agree on the importance of giving a fair hearing to someone who is the fighting the government. Twenty years ago, the court agreed that the "war on terror" prisoners held at Guantanamo had a habeas corpus right to challenge their detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, a former Bush White House attorney, wrote Monday the Guantanamo precedent calls for invoking the right to habeas corpus for the detained Venezuelans. Such a ruling puts down a marker that can be a check on the Trump administration's claim that the president alone had the power to decide who is arrested and deported. It also will slow the pace of deportations. Hundreds of prisoners were deported on March 15 only because none of them were given a legal right to challenge their removal. Gelernt of the American Civil Liberties Union called Monday's order "an important victory. The critical point of this ruling is the Supreme Court must be given due process to challenge their removal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as he and others noted, the court decided relatively little this week and left many questions unanswered. It is not clear how or whether Trump and his administration's lawyers will comply. Read more: 'Extremely troubling' that U.S. can't provide details on mistakenly deported man, judge says The administration conceded Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported because of its "administrative error," but it has insisted that it had no duty to seek his return. In response to Thursday's order, the Justice Department restated its view that no judges may interfere. "As the Supreme Court correctly recognized, it is the exclusive prerogative of the President to conduct foreign affairs. By directly noting the deference owed to the Executive Branch, this ruling once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the Presidents authority to conduct foreign policy," the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday morning, the Justice Department said it could not meet the judge's deadline to provide an immediate update on the whereabouts of Abrego Garcia. Because of all the uncertainty, Georgetown law professor David Cole said it's not clear whether this week's orders will prove significant. "I think it's too early to tell," he said because the court did not rule directly on the president's power over deportations. It's also not clear whether judges can or will block many deportations. Judges in Texas and New York "have now ruled for individuals subject to [Monday's] order, so the issue will get back up to the Court" soon, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A man is in custody after an hours-long swat standoff Friday evening. San Diego Police responded to reports of an assault at a house on Birch Street in the Shelltown neighborhood of San Diego just after 5 p.m. Friday. Police say the suspect reportedly assaulted one of his roommates, then pulled a gun on him. The roommate was able to get away from the house before being taken to a hospital. The extent of their injuries were unknown as of Friday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SWAT teams surrounded the house and negotiated with the man for hours before he peacefully surrendered after 9 p.m. Police blocked off several streets in the area during the standoff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Timour Azhari and Maya Gebeily BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's finance minister, foreign minister and central bank chief are planning to attend the annual spring meetings held by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, D.C. this month, four sources familiar with the plans said. It would be the first visit to the meetings by a high-level Syrian government delegation in at least two decades, and the first high-level visit by Syria's new authorities to the U.S. since former President Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the sources told Reuters it was unclear whether Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Finance Minister Mohammed Yosr Bernieh and Central Bank Governor Abdelkader Husrieh had yet received visas to the United States. Spokespeople for the IMF, World Bank, Syrian foreign ministry and Syrian presidency did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The other two sources said a high-level meeting focused on reconstruction efforts for Syria could be held on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank meetings. Syria has been ravaged by nearly 14 years of a war that was sparked by a deadly crackdown on protests against Assad, with much of the country's infrastructure left in ruins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Islamist-led government that took over after Assad was ousted has sought to rebuild Syria's ties in the region and further afield, and to win support for reconstruction efforts. But tough U.S. sanctions imposed during Assad's rule remain in place. In January, the U.S. issued a six-month exemption for some sanctions to encourage humanitarian aid, but this has had limited effect. Reuters reported in February that efforts to bring in foreign financing to pay public sector salaries had been hampered by uncertainty over whether this could breach U.S. sanctions. Last month the U.S. gave Syria a list of conditions to fulfill in exchange for partial sanctions relief but the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has otherwise engaged little with the country's new rulers. That is in part due to differing views in Washington on how to approach Syria. Some White House officials have been keen to take a more hardline stance, pointing to the new Syrian leadership's former ties to Al-Qaeda as reason to keep engagement to a minimum, according to diplomats and U.S. sources. (Reporting by Timour Azhari and Maya Gebeily; Editing by Jan Harvey and Frances Kerry) The reason for the debate in Parliament today over British Steel is simple. The world has changed. One way it has changed is because of an event that we never thought would happen: Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This means we need weapons on an unprecedented scale; any plan to build up the armed forces is insufficient without the high-quality virgin steel that is produced in the Scunthorpe steel plant. Another way the world has changed is economic. A tariff war is now taking place. President Donald Trump has introduced 25 per cent tariffs on the British car industry, one of the biggest purchasers of steel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dream of globalisation and free trade which spread peace and prosperity around the world is over. We have been operating in what we considered to be a global free market; we need to wake up to the reality that this has vanished. Far too many countries such as China have abused the rules of this system; this is killing the free market. We must recognise that we will have to deal with those whom we trust and who do not break the rules. That means a whole rethink of the Governments China policy. We need to ensure that we deal with our industry at home and that we produce our own things again. This is why we need the Scunthorpe steel plant to survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I have said in the Commons, it is no surprise that a Chinese company Jingye is involved in all of this. In pushing to shut down the blast furnaces in the UK, it knows that we will have to buy slab steel from China. That is not a coincidence; it is all part of the plan. That company is run by a former official of the Chinese Communist party, and it is high time that we finally called that out. The previous Conservative Government should never have awarded Jingye the contract to buy British Steel, and I warned them about it at that time. We need to make sure we deal with China at face value and not accept the pretence that this company is private or in any way detached from its government; a regime that is an ideological enemy of the West and a clear security threat to Western countries. Cheap Chinese steel is a desperate problem for us, and we need to work with other countries in dealing with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest problems we face is the energy costs of our steel industry. We are not just in competition with China; even the energy costs in Europe are lower. The costs in the UK are now the highest in the world at $400 per megawatt-hour. This is clearly unsustainable. Germany, which has the highest costs in the rest of Europe, is at $250 per megawatt-hour, while France and the others all have lower costs for producing energy. This is a critical moment for our nation. We need to get energy costs down. We need to stop importing cheap Chinese steel. And we need to move away from our fixation with net zero. Only then can we restore ourselves to the strength necessary to confront this new and dangerous world. Rt Hon Sir Iain Duncan Smith is Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green 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. Another twist in the tariff saga: Smartphones, laptops and other consumer electronics may not see soaring prices due to tariffs after all, at least for the time being. Late Friday, the Trump administration exempted such products from the reciprocal tariffs it had imposed earlier, including the 125% fees levied on imports from China, where many tech and electronics products are manufactured. A notice to shippers posted late Friday by US Customs and Border Protection included a list of tariff codes for product categories that won't be subject to the fees. Code 8471 covers computers, laptops, disc drives and automatic data processing, Reuters reported. Flat panel displays, memory chips and semiconductors will also sidestep the tariff fees, the news outlet said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industry observers had feared massive price hikes on tech and other gear as a result of tariffs, and concerns had prompted some consumers to rush to buy iPhones and other products. Apple Store employees saw an uptick in foot traffic last weekend, with one worker telling Bloomberg that the surge felt like the holiday shopping season. It's unclear whether the exemption will stay in place, however, with both Bloomberg and The New York Times reporting that different tariff fees may end up affecting electronics equipment down the line. What this means for you If your head's spinning over all the back-and-forth tariff developments, you're definitely not alone. What does it mean for the prices you'll see when crossing things off your shopping list? The short answer is: Don't be surprised if you wind up paying more for at least some goods and services. For details, you can check out our Tariffs Explained piece. And before this latest news, we asked CNET experts to give us their best predictions and advice when it comes to shopping for tech products like laptops, phones, TVs and more. See their responses in our Buy or Wait guide. Although a CNET survey showed that some people are rushing to buy tech gear before anticipated price rises, experts caution against busting out the credit card. If you already had your eye on a particular product and you'd set aside the money for it, buying now, or during an upcoming sale, could help you save money. It could also help you breathe a little easier. But again, be wary of taking on debt. Find out more here. The tariff tensions between the U.S. and Canada seem to have an unintended effect on traveler sentiment. Specifically, air travel seems to have drastically decreased between the two countries. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trade war tensions between the two countries have been escalating since President Donald Trump initially announced his plans for tariffs on both Canada and Mexico back in February. And the presidents quips about turning Canada into the countrys 51st state certainly havent helped ease tensions. Though it may not be directly linked, a report from flight analytics company OAG aviation projects a steep decline in flights from Canada to the U.S. Many of these could have been for snowbirds, or those who travel to warmer weather during the winter months. Floridas tourism industry association estimated that 3.3 million Canadians visited the state in 2024. As Canadians continue to express disappointment over Trumps tariffs strategy, some analysts are left wondering how much further will this number might drop this year. How the current tensions is impacting travel According to the same OAG report, bookings for flights between the two countries have fallen by 70% from the same time the year before. Airlines have responded to the lower demand by cutting around 320,000 scheduled seats worth of flights between the U.S. and Canada from March to October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest cuts seem to be during the peak summer months of July and August, with airlines slashing capacity as much as 3.5%. Reporting from CBS News showed that some Canadian airlines may be cutting out some routes to the U.S. altogether, like the budget airline Flair Airlines. Some routes it cut out in March include Calgary to Las Vegas, Edmonton to Las Vegas, and Toronto to Nashville. Air Canada has said that flight books between the two countries have fallen by 10%. During an earnings call in February, the airline announced that it will reduce flights to Arizona, Las Vegas and Florida. Less flight availability could mean that prices may go up for certain routes. Alternatively, you could see discounts thanks to reduced demand from Canadians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When local Buffalo news outlet WKBW spoke with Michael and Carol Gilgunn on their journey back from Sarasota, they mentioned that many of their Canadian friends were nervous about visiting the U.S. 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 Theyve been traveling to Florida over the last 15 years and told the news outlet this is the first theyve noticed Canadians outright refusing to travel over the U.S.-Canada political climate. For now, the airlines may be nervous about how fewer snowbirds or other travelers could impact travel moving forward. How this trend can affect US businesses Considering Canadian tourists are the one of the top spenders in the U.S., fewer of them spending those tourism dollars in the U.S. could have a massive impact on the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A press release from the U.S. Travel Association, shared that 20.4 million Canadians visited the U.S. in 2024, helping to support 140,000 American jobs and generated $20.5 billion in spending. Fewer tourists could be a drastic drop in revenue and could lead to job losses. Businesses that might be affected include those in food and beverage, transportation and hotel industries. Other retailers like clothing stores and tour operators may also see a drop, since tourists may purchase items to bring home with them. Afar reports that data from the National Tour Association (NTA) shows a 10% cut in travelers from Canada could translate into 2 million fewer visits, 14,000 job losses and $2.1 billion in lost spending. A March NTA survey survey of its U.S. members found that 53% already said that theyd lost bookings, business or visits from Canada. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reports that Newport Highway in Greene County is temporarily closed Saturday afternoon due to a crash near the intersection of Culbertson Road. According to a post from TDOT, the multi-vehicle crash took place on Newport Highway in the St. James community of Greene County at around 1:02 p.m. TDOT said a LifeStar medical helicopter was on the way to the scene. A timeframe for the highways closure was not 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has found the city of Cleveland looking for some direction on how to get out from under a group earning up to $750 an hour in taxpayer dollars. A new federal court filing shows the city telling a judge it cant fix the police department without knowing how thats being measured. Video: Teens accused of firing guns near Cedar Point arrested For a decade, a federal monitoring team has overseen reform in the Cleveland Division of Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city just told a judge, The city cannot be expected to ascertain its current level of compliance when the monitor has failed to explain how and by what standards it draws its conclusions. This comes after a series of I-Team reports exposing the monitoring team collecting big money, but not giving any indication of how long this will continue. In fact, a plan for oversight in 2025 shows more than 500 points outlining goals and assignments and plans for review on use of force, and training and more. Yet, even checking every one of those boxes would not automatically mean the end of Cleveland police being under watch. We also recently exposed a member of the monitoring team getting with your money to watch neighborhood meetings and police awards ceremonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I-Team: Charges in Tri-C police overtime scandal The group also billed the city to write a sympathy note when an officer died. And, just this week, we revealed members of the police monitoring team has charged taxpayers to answer questions from the I-Team. Even charging to respond by saying there would be no comment. Again, now, the city wants a federal judge to ensure that the Monitoring Teams conclusions on police accountability are grounded in evidence, regardless of whether they suggest new training programs or changing procedures. A previously scheduled court hearing on the monitoring around the Cleveland Police Consent Decree is expected soon. 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. Donald Trump and his White House have moved to deport green-card holders for espousing pro-Palestinian views, shipped hundreds of migrants to a notorious Salvadoran mega-prison without due process (in defiance of a judges order), and are now publicly musing about sending United States citizens to prison in El Salvador. Trump said last weekend he would love to send American criminals there and would even be honored to, depending on what the law says. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed this week that the president has discussed this idea privately, too, adding he would only do this if its legal. El Salvadors president, Nayib Bukele, has for months been offering to hold U.S. citizens in his countrys prison system, which he has turned into a judicial black hole rife with systematic torture, as one human rights advocate recently told Rolling Stone. Legal experts agree that sending American citizens to prison in El Salvador would be flagrantly illegal under both U.S. and international law and that the idea itself is shockingly authoritarian, with few parallels in our nations history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is indeed discussing this idea behind the scenes, two sources familiar with the matter confirmed to Rolling Stone. In their most serious form, these conversations have revolved around attempting to denaturalize American citizens and deport them to other countries, including El Salvador. You cant deport U.S. citizens. Theres no emergency exception, theres no special wartime authority, theres no secret clause. You just cant deport citizens, says Steve Vladeck, a legal commentator and law professor at Georgetown. Whatever grounds they try to come up with for denaturalization or expatriation, the one thing that is absolutely undeniable is that people are entitled to individualized processes, before that process can be effectuated. In the United States, the grounds to strip a naturalized individual of their citizenship encompass serious material offenses. They include: committing treason or terrorism, enlisting in a foreign military engaged in opposition to the United States, or lying in applications for citizenship or as part of the naturalization process. Experts say any effort from the Trump administration to denaturalize citizens is unlikely to succeed in court. Denaturalization is not an easy process, says Sirine Shebaya, executive director of the National Immigration Project. To the extent that there is Supreme Court precedent on it nobody has been inclined to give expansive powers to strip people of their citizenship without any kind of due process. So that is a place where it feels a little bit more like an aspirational effort or something thats more about sowing fear in communities, and making people feel insecure, and making people from certain parts of the world feel like theyre not welcome here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Yale-Loehr, a retired immigration law professor at Cornell University, tells Rolling Stone he worries Trump could try to deport citizens anyway, court precedent be damned, given how the administration seems to be attacking on all fronts and worrying later whether their actions are legal. So unfortunately, it would not surprise me if we saw at least one plane load of incarcerated U.S. citizens being shipped off to El Salvador. Shortly after stepping back into office, Trump personally directed at least one lawyer working in his administration to look into deporting American citizens via denaturalization processes, telling aides that it is a good idea for certain cases, according to one of the sources, who is a Trump appointee. In one of his many Day One executive orders, Trump instructed his administration to move on cases described in a federal statute regarding revocation of naturalization. Several of Trumps most important advisers, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, continue to internally advocate for mass-denaturalization initiatives that they believe were squandered in Trumps first stint in the Oval Office. For instance, the sources add, Trump administration officials have discussed possibly denaturalizing and deporting activists and other individuals whom they label as having committed so-called fraud on their applications for citizenship by subsequently supporting what Team Trump decides are pro-terrorist causes or groups similar to the specious arguments theyve made to justify stripping pro-Palestine student activists of their green cards or visas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to these sources, Trump administration attorneys and some senior appointees have also discussed potential legal justifications and technicalities they can exploit for denaturalizing citizens who are accused or convicted of certain crimes, especially if the Justice Department or other offices deems their offenses to be gang-related. The administration has already tried to justify deporting Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act the notorious 1798 law used to justify the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II by claiming the men had ties to gangs. As CBS News 60 Minutes has reported, the vast majority of the men who were sent to El Salvador have no apparent criminal convictions or even criminal charges. Some of the allegations appear to have been based entirely on the migrants completely anodyne tattoos and apparel. In recent weeks, largely due to the presidents influence, some of the discussions among Trump officials and administration lawyers have touched on the idea of potentially sending some of these denaturalization targets to brutal facilities in El Salvador, the sources add. Its not like we would send everybody there but depending on the case, it can be an option, says one of the people familiar with the matter, adding that this is a standard process of exploring legal options, as all administrations do one way or another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats to stop the administration from using the same pretext they used to send people to El Salvador and claiming that these U.S. citizens are the worst offenders? asks Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center. They could start engaging in the same kind of pretextual deportation of people, for whom the offenses at the end of the day might have something to do with what you say, how you live your life, what tattoos you have on your body. She adds that this is all about this administration testing the bounds of the law and trying to consolidate their power by advancing unconstitutional laws and policies, starting with immigrants. There are some influential figures in Trumps orbit a number of whom the president himself listens to and solicits advice from who want him to use the hammer of state and executive power to do something big and truly unprecedented. Mike Davis, a close Trump ally and a fixture among the MAGA legal elite, tells Rolling Stone, I have advocated very publicly that if you are a current Hamas supporter and you were naturalized within the last 10 years, the Justice Department should move forward with denaturalization proceedings to get them the hell out of our country. Denaturalization has been on the books for a very long time. If you lie on your citizenship application, denaturalization is a consequence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if there is any precedent in the past several decades for this kind of crackdown effort, he replies: I hope this is groundbreaking. I hope Trump and his team are trailblazers on this. Hamas supporters can go to hell, and in the meantime they need to get the hell out of our country. Though he declined to get into his private conversations with Trump or his administration officials, Davis says: The president and his team appreciate both my private and public recommendations. It would not be Trumps first attempt to carry out a broad denaturalization policy. In February 2020, the first Trump administration authorized the creation of a Denaturalization Section under the Civil Division of the Department of Justice aimed at according to a DOJ press release bringing justice to terrorists, war criminals, sex offenders, and other fraudsters who illegally obtained naturalization. The program was not shuttered by the Biden administration which instead deprioritized it to the point of obscurity but its structure and priorities reflect the current playbook that Trump officials are using to justify their disregard for civil rights law in their immigration agenda. The Trump administrations assertions that the hundreds of migrants it dumped in El Salvadors prison system were hardened criminals affiliated with transnational gangs and terrorist groups were shaky to begin with, and have continued to crumble in the weeks since their deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clashes with federal courts and now the Supreme Court are teeing up a battle of wills between the presidency and the judiciary. After a judge ruled that the Trump administration needed to secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia a man they said they erroneously sent to El Salvador despite a protection-from-removal order barring him from being sent there the Justice Department took the matter to the Supreme Court. The conservative-dominated court ruled unanimously, 9-0, that the Trump administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias release in El Salvador and return to the United States. The justices told the Justice Department to be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken to bring back Abrego Garcia. (The justices did take issue with the lower courts demand that the Trump administration additionally effectuate Abrego Garcias return, calling that wording unclear.) You had the Supreme Court unanimously reaffirming that [the] federal courts have the power to look into cases like Abrego Garcias, Vladeck says of the decision. Despite the ruling, the Trump administration is now, as Vladeck puts it, trying to drive a Mack truck through a five-inch-wide remand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Trumps Justice Department refused to comply with the lower courts demand that it provide an update on its efforts to bring Abrego Garcia back to America. The administration complained in a court filing Friday that it had been afforded an insufficient amount of time to review the Supreme Courts order, and additionally argued the lower court has not yet clarified what it means to facilitate Abrego Garcias release. Leavitt, the White House press secretary, was separately asked Friday if the administration would time Abrego Garcias return to a high-profile visit by Bukele, the Salvadoran president, to the White House on Monday. Leavitt countered that the Supreme Court made their ruling last night very clear that its the administrations responsibility to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return. Trump, for his part, suggested Friday evening on Air Force One that he would follow the Supreme Courts ruling to bring Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that, Trump said. I respect the Supreme Court. To this point, his administration has not yet followed the high courts order to facilitate return of a man whom, by the governments own admission, it wrongfully deported and imprisoned in a foreign gulag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem that weve seen over the last week is a series of Supreme Court rulings that have gone out of their way to not endorse what Trump is doing, but also created these procedural artifices that have in some respects thwarted what the lower courts are doing, Vladeck explains. At this point, what is it going to take for a majority of the Supreme Court to treat the governments behavior with the kind of contempt that the government is treating the lower courts? Maybe thats the Supreme Courts end game here is to exhaust every other possibility before provoking a direct confrontation [with the president], Vladeck adds. But I think two things should be said about that. One, thats a dangerous game unto itself; and two, in the interim, real people suffer. On a related note, Politico reported Friday evening that former Blackwater CEO Erik Prince and other government contractors are urging the Trump administration to hire them to transport tens of thousands of immigrants in U.S. custody to prison in El Salvador and that this idea will likely be discussed when Trump and Bukele meet on Monday. Plenty more suffering could be on the way. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Teen leads California deputies on high-speed chase in stolen vehicle (FOX40.COM) A teen driver was arrested after he allegedly led several law enforcement agencies on a 16-mile chase in a stolen vehicle that caused a crash. Video Above: Which states have the worst drivers? The incident began at about 10:43 p.m. on Thursday when a Sonoma County Sheriffs deputy spotted a stolen black Chevrolet Silverado traveling northbound on Highway 101 near Baker Avenue. The deputy reportedly followed the vehicle as it exited onto the Steele Lane off-ramp. Shooting in Stockton leaves at least 6 people hurt, officials say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies attempted to pull over the vehicle, however, the driver fled, accelerating southbound on Highway 101, according to SCSO. A high-speed pursuit ensued, with the Silverado reaching speeds between 30 and 100 mph. As the deputies chased the vehicle, Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety officers and Petaluma Police assisted by deploying spike strips. The strips deflated the trucks tires, forcing it to slow and come to a stop in Petaluma. A 15-year-old led deputies on a high-speed chase that resulted in a crash in Sonoma County on April 10, 2025./Sonoma County Sheriffs Office The driver, a 15-year-old who was already on probation for a prior stolen vehicle case, was booked into juvenile hall on charges of felony evading, possession of a stolen vehicle, and probation violation. At the time of the pursuit, deputies said they did not know the drivers identity. A secondary incident occurred during the response, according to SCSO. A deputy involved in the chase was clearing the intersection at Highway 116 and Stony Point Road when a collision occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northern California police recover $40,000 in stolen goods from retail crime ring SCSO said the deputy and the other driver were transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The incident is 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 FOX40 News. TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) Gov. Jared Polis signed some of the nations strictest gun control bills into law Thursday afternoon, and local sheriff departments feel the burden is falling on them. The law will require anyone wanting to buy a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine to get a permit through a local sheriffs office first. It also bans the sale of rapid-fire conversion devices. Popular local Mexican restaurant opens new location in Denver Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this law, local sheriff departments will be responsible for permitting and vetting out potential buyers of semiautomatic firearms. Something Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said is going to be a nightmare. This is going to be a heavy burden for everyone in law enforcement. It will have no impact on criminal acts. It will have no effect on mental health impacts. This law is just really a bad law and is probably the worst in the United States history, Mikesell said. Governor Polis said this law isnt a ban, but proper gun safety education and training are key components of public safety and responsible gun ownership. As of right now, there are no guidelines for how the vetting process will work. The problem is the state doesnt have guidelines on a vetting process yet. So, the state doesnt have guidelines on instructors yet. They have nothing set up, and theyre actually burdening the departments that have very few people, Mikesell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other sheriffs departments were not happy either; in fact, all 64 counties sheriff departments came out against it. Mikesell said its what they call an unfunded mandate. Rio Blanco County Sheriffs Department and County Commissioners sent a letter to Polis in opposition. We believe this bill poses significant threats to the economic well-being and cultural identity of our county and other rural communities across Colorado. Sheriffs across the state testified that this bill will not make our communities any safer, the letter said. Who is running for Colorado governor in 2026? The letter also goes on to criticize the bills cost, claiming the increased demand will divert resources and require additional staff at a cost of $75,000 for local agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not happy about it. I mean, its going to be a huge cost to this county. Its a travesty he even signed it. Sheirff Mikesell 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 FOX31 Denver. Authorities arrested a wanted Tennessee man in Mercer County on Tuesday, according to the Celina Police Department. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police received information that Colton Perryman, 25, of Tennessee, was at a Taco Bell around 4 p.m. Perryman was wanted by the state of Tennessee for a parole violation connected to voluntary manslaughter charges, according to the department. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found Perryman a short time later, confirmed his identity and arrested him. According to the department, Perryman was also wanted on an outstanding theft warrant from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He was booked into the Mercer County, pending extradition to Tennessee. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] British author and journalist Douglas Murray joined podcasters and comedians Joe Rogan and Dave Smith on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast Thursday, where they debated the limitations of podcasts as a source of information and the war between Hamas and Israel. Murray spent considerable time in the Middle East to research his latest book, On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, which was released Thursday. One day after being posted, the episode had already been viewed over 1.9 million times on YouTube. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogan began the podcast by saying he brought Smith and Murray together with the goal of showing an intelligent conversation between two people who disagree on gigantic world events. After Rogan explained this, Murray asked him if he believes hed had enough guests on his show who are supportive of Ukraine and Israel, and proceeded to ask the larger question of why Rogan has favored inviting people who have appointed themselves experts but are not experts to talk about history or current public affairs. General distrust in experts vs. a steady rise in podcasting Murray mentioned Rogans recent conversation with Darryl Cooper, the host of the The Martyr Made podcast, which has included criticism of WWII era British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, claiming his decisions during World War II prolonged the war unnecessarily. Youve got a big platform, who have been throwing out counter-historical stuff of a very dangerous kind, Murray said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray told Rogan and Smith that these kinds of historical claims have been researched and debunked by historians. He (Cooper) didnt know what he was talking about, and yet he was given a million-person audience, Murray said. He had a country view, and it was interesting and stimulating to hear, but if you only get the country view, which is: isnt it fun if we all pretend that 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 (expletive) of the most profound kind, he said. The deeper issue, to Murray, is that podcasters hazy qualifications give them room to not be held responsible for their claims they spread. The problem is that because you and your own platform has come about because youre a very successful comedian and much more ... there are a lot of people who have come along, partly because theyve come on this show ... and theyve decided, I can play this double game. On the one hand, I am going to push really edgy, and sometimes frankly horrific opinions. And if you say thats wrong, they say, Im a comedian, Murray said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray said that while the left has downplayed evils that were done of their side for decades, including during Chinese dictator Mao Zedong, Lenin and Stalins regimes, there are subcultures including people who follow both of you that are doing the same thing on the right. He questioned why someone like Jake Shields wants to play around with Holocaust denial. Why? Experts debunked during COVID-19 led to a distrust of previously trusted experts Responding to Murrays request for popular podcasters to invite more verified experts onto their shows, Smith said that public trust of these individuals has disintegrated. The COVID-19 pandemic gave many people valid reasons to distrust government experts, as early claims about the origin of the virus and prevention methods were later debunked, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That led people to ask, Well, what else have they been lying to me about? And then they almost want to look into every single thing, and now they think the whole thing was lies, Smith said. He continued, The people with real power should do a better job of not lying through their ... teeth about everything. Well, maybe you have power, Murray responded. Maybe you have power both of you. We live in an era where podcasters have a lot of power. If you go on a podcast with Jake Shields, and Jake Shields goes on to another podcast and says he doesnt think 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, what do you think is happening there? Thats an exercise of power, Murray said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogan intervened and asked, So whats the solution, to not talk about it? Murray responded, No, its to have more experts around. He continued, One major thing can break down in front of your eyes or many major things, and it does not mean that every single one of the sewer gates should be lifted. Im saying this is the chatter that is part of our side at the moment. Murray and Smith debate whether hostility toward Israel is justified The debate on Israel and Hamas began with Smith claiming the October 7 attacks were a result of Israel trying to prevent a Palestinian state. Murray disagreed, saying the war is a result of Hamas deciding to start another war with Israel and trying to annihilate their neighbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason Hamas was in power, he explained, is that much, much against the interest of the Israelis was that they were voted into power after the Israelis withdrew from Gaza in 2005. He continued, They had elections, perhaps unwisely, and Hamas won and didnt have another election again and ruled the Gaza for 18 years until they finally got the great fruit of their labors on the 7th of October of 2023 and went around massacring people in southern Israel wherever they could, including young people at a dance party, and then caused in turn the destruction of the place they were meant to be governing. Murray also said that Israel and Israeli victims have been unfairly deprived of empathy from a large majority of the rest of the world. Only in the case of the young Israelis dancing in the early hours of the morning on Oct. 7, 2023, do the victims become victimized again and not believed. The era we lived through in the late 2010s was the era of believe all women. And all the Israeli women who were raped that morning, much of the international community does not want to listen to them at all and certainly doesnt want to believe them, Murray said. The alleged reasons for refusing sympathy for Israel The first reason Murray believes Israel is denied sympathy is that new generations have been told there is something especially wicked about Israel, that there is something especially wicked about Israels existence and its actions and its people, and it means that when their people are burned alive in their homes, or raped at a music festival, or shot in the head, they are uniquely undeserving of sympathy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aims of Hamas, the stated aims, include the annihilation of the Jewish people, and on October 7th, they had their best go at doing that, Murray said. He continued, The state of Israel has been uniquely libeled, has been uniquely lied about, its history has been uniquely lied about, its history has been uniquely put in an international spotlight and then misrepresented in a way that I cannot think of many other countries in the world that have been treated that way. Murray believes the deep reasons include some of the most ancient bigotries of the human heart. And the shallow reasons are people who dont know what the hell theyre talking about. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic on Saturday demanded that authorities restore order and peace in the Balkan country following months of anti-corruption protests that have shaken his firm grip on power. Vucic was addressing a large crowd of his supporters during a rally in downtown Belgrade with many of them bused into the Serbian capital from all over the country, as well as neighboring Kosovo and Bosnia. The Serbian president has been struggling to quell the nationwide movement led by university students demanding justice for the victims of a train station canopy collapse that killed 16 people in November and which many blamed on alleged widespread graft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The increasingly authoritarian Serbian government has stepped up a crackdown against critics and independent media, with police questioning students and activists and threatening legal action to curb university strikes. Vucic's speech before thousands of his supporters at a rally in Belgrade suggested state pressure on the protesters and media could grow further. The gathering in Belgrade was designed to counter the massive anti-corruption protests that have drawn hundreds of thousands of people in an unprecedented challenge to Vucic. In a highly divisive speech, the Serbian president accused the student-led protesters of inflicting huge evil on Serbia in the past five months, and reiterated claims of a foreign-led ploy to oust him from power. The attack came from abroad, Vucic said without naming the alleged foreign organizers and offering no evidence for his claims. We will not allow those from outside and inside Serbia to destroy our state. Vucic received backing from his right-wing ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who addressed the rally in a video message. Another speaker was Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik whose arrest is sought by Bosnia's authorities over his separatist policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities sealed off a central area in the capital Belgrade outside the parliament building, setting up concert stages, tents and food stands for the thousands of nationalist supporters from the region. An adjacent park hosting Vucic's loyalists in front of the presidential palace was encircled with several dozen tractors, apparently in protection of his offices. As tensions brewed, protesting university students a key force behind almost daily protests have urged Belgrade residents to stay away from Vucic's rally and "use the weekend to rest. The Serbian capital echoed with the noise of whistles, vuvuzelas a type of horn and pot-banging during Vucic's speech in protest. Vucic told the crowd in Belgrade that everyone must be granted the right to study and to education. Those fueling violence must be punished, Vucic added apparently referring to the students, though their protests have been peaceful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesting students have been camping in their faculty buildings all over the country for the past five months, supported by their professors and deans. The student-led gatherings have drawn hundreds of thousands of people for some of the biggest rallies ever in Serbia. On Saturday, students were holding a festive rally in the predominantly Muslim town of Novi Pazar, some 300 kilometers (180 miles) southwest of Belgrade. Police intervened against students who staged a sit-in to free an intersection for buses ferrying Vucic's supporters to Belgrade. Protesters later spilled red paint outside the police station in Novi Pazar while chanting, You have blood on your hands! They said one protester was injured. Separately, police broke up a blockade of a city transportation garage in Novi Sad. A protest march demanding the release from the weekslong detention of a group of activists was held in the northern city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters said public buses were being used for Vucic's rally while rail and bus services were suspended during anti-government gatherings. Vucic has trampled on the independence of Serbia's universities in a campaign that has entered "a phase of open dictatorship, the ProGlas group of prominent individuals, experts, actors and others said. Vucic is a former extreme nationalist who now says he wants Serbia to join the European Union but has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms while maintaining close relations with Russia and China. ___ Associated Press writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed to this report. Environmental protests against Tesla's factory outside of Berlin show no sign of abating, with around 50 people participating in a forest walk demonstration on Saturday. The protest was organized by the Turn Off the Tap on Tesla group, which argues the US electric carmaker's presence is threatening water supplies in one of the driest areas of Germany. "This production facility is a danger to groundwater and drinking water," said group spokeswoman Caro Weber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police described the protest as peaceful. Participants say they are motivated by Tesla's plan to expand its 300-hectare factory site in the small town of Grunheide to include a freight depot and logistics areas. There is also concern among anti-Tesla activists about further deforestation of the area, which led some last year to set up camp in the forest near the factory, which is only one Tesla has in Europe. Tesla has hit back at the environmental criticism, arguing that its water consumption has decreased and that it recycles up to 100% of the factory process wastewater. The factory, which opened in 2022, has seen recurring protests over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lately protests have focused directly on Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has attracted criticism for his polarizing political statements and his role as a key adviser to US President Donald Trump. In early April, hundreds gathered in front of a Tesla showroom in Berlin to demonstrate against Musk, who has repeatedly thrown his support behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The protests come at a challenging time for Teslas electric vehicle sales in Europe. While new Tesla registrations in March surpassed Februarys figures, they were still 42.5% lower than the same month last year. Texas Republicans are bracing for an explosive Senate primary next year in the latest chapter of an ongoing civil war that has divided the state party. Members of the GOP raced quickly to endorse their respective candidates this week after Attorney General Ken Paxton, an ally of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, launched a primary challenge against Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). The primary is likely to pit more establishment-minded conservatives against Republicans like Paxton who align themselves with President Trumps MAGA wing, and questions are already swirling about what Trump will do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump loves Ken Paxton, said Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), who publicly backed Paxton on Wednesday. That would be very, very important whoever gets that endorsement, he said. Paxton also scored an endorsement from Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) on Thursday. When asked about his thoughts on Nehls endorsing Paxton on Wednesday, Cornyn shrugged and said it kind of doesnt matter. And Cornyn has secured the backing of a number of his colleagues in the Senate, including Majority Leader John Thune (R-N.D.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.), along with Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornyn also has the backing of the Senate Leadership Fund, a big dollar fundraising group. Scott in his endorsement referred to Cornyn as a leader who delivers on Trumps agenda and for Texans. Hes a proven fighter, man of faith and essential part of the Republican Senate Majority, Scott said. Cornyns colleague Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is notably staying out of the fray, telling reporters that the two men are both friends of mine. Some Republicans have noted the role the Republican firm Axiom Strategies is playing in the primary. Paxton has hired the firm, but Ricketts, who has endorsed Cornyn, also works with the firm. The firm also has a long history of working with Cruz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think both sides are preparing for a battle royale, said Texas Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser, who served as Cornyns campaign manager in the past but is unaffiliated in this race. Youre dealing with two candidates that have strong, deep ties in the Texas Republican Party. One Texas Republican operative described the dynamic as a classic case if DC vs. Texas. John Cornyn is a Mitt Romney, chamber of commerce Republican and that is not where the party is anymore, the operative said. Polling suggests there could be vulnerability for Cornyn among the states grassroots. Cornyns favorability back home sits at about 49 percent among Republican voters, according to polls tracked by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. About 21 percent of survey respondents view him unfavorably, while 30 percent have no opinion about him. The same survey showed Paxton with a 62 percent favorability among Republicans, with 11 percent of respondents disapproving and 28 percent undecided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pollster Fabrizio, Lee & Associates reportedly found Paxton leading Cornyn by 25 points in a hypothetical head-to-head. Still, Cornyn, who has held the seat since 2002, would be a tough candidate to beat. Cornyn has proven himself to be a strong fundraiser, trailing only former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as the top Senate fundraiser in the past 15 years. Last year, he raised nearly $33 million to support Republican candidates in the 2024 cycle, bringing his career fundraising total to nearly $415 million. Cornyn raised nearly $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2025, bringing his cash on hand total to $5.7 million, according to a source familiar with his political operation. Its the money vs. where the base is at and I dont know if Sen. Cornyn can buy his way out of that mess, said one Republican strategist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxton, a figure in the Texas GOPs rising far-right faction, has long traded barbs with Cornyn, representative of the state partys old guard. After months of speculation, Paxton launched his bid this week with a knock on Cornyns three decades in the upper chamber. Its definitely time for a change in Texas, Paxton said while announcing his campaign on Fox Newss The Ingraham Angle, adding that its time we have another great senator that will actually stand up and fight for Republican values, fight for the values of the people of Texas, and also support Trump. Cornyn came back swinging, hammering his primary rival over legal battles in the state. Obviously, Mr. Paxton has a checkered past, Cornyn told reporters. He is a con man and a fraud, and I think the people of Texas know that. This is what will be litigated over the course of this campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxton was indicted in 2015 on securities fraud charges, reaching a deal in 2024 to pay restitution and drop the charges. In 2023, he was impeached by the state House on more than a dozen counts after allegations that he misused his office to benefit a real estate developer before the state Senate acquitted him. And in January, the Texas Supreme Court tossed a lawsuit from the State Bar of Texas against Paxton related to efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. Corruption allegations also spurred a federal investigation, but The Associated Press reported that the Justice Department decided to drop charges toward the end of the Biden administration. The DOJs Public Integrity Section took over the probe in 2023, which Paxtons allies note was done under President Bidens administration. The attorney generals supporters stress the charges have since been dropped and are in the past. The drama surrounding Paxton came against the backdrop of simmering ideological tensions within the states Republican Party. Those tensions came to a boil last year amid a tense battle for the Texas House Speaker, which pitted a more establishment-aligned Republican, state Rep. Dustin Burrows, against a far-right candidate backed by Paxton. The attorney general went so far as to threaten to support primaries against any Republicans who backed Burrows, though in the end the far-right candidate lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott, meanwhile, hinted at support for the candidate aligned with Paxton, further underscoring the divisions among top Texas Republicans. Cornyn, for his part, has seen some warning signs among the states conservative grassroots. In 2022, he helped lead a bipartisan gun safety bill through Congress, following the Uvalde School shooting at Robb Elementary. Cornyn was later booed at the Texas GOP convention that year and the Collin County GOP voted to censure him. He really went deep and hard in a way that Second Amendment supporters really took great offense to, the unnamed GOP strategist said. And look, part of it is where the party base and electorate is. Cornyn and the Texas GOP appeared to have since moved on, with the state partys chair Abraham George praising Cornyn this month as an ally to the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Democrats side, some appear optimistic that a bid from Paxton could help take out the longtime incumbent. RIP Cornyn, Texas Democrats said in a post on X. Ken Paxton is one of the least popular politicians in Texas. We are ready. Theres buzz that Collin Allred, who vied for Cruzs seat last fall, is going to be the guy to try again this cycle, said Lana Hansen, executive director of Texas Blue Action. The Dallas Morning News reported last month that he was seriously considering a 2026 bid. But Cornyn and Cruz are very different individuals, Hansen said, adding that Cornyn is a tough guy to beat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both of Texass Senate seats have been red since the mid-90s, and Allred ultimately came in around 8 points behind Cruz as Democrats underperformed at the top of the ticket. A race against Cornyn is very different than a race against Ted Cruz in Texas. So its just so hard to say what that looks like. I think the elephant in the room is obviously Donald Trump and whether or not he decides to get involved one way or the other, thats the big question, and that changes the dynamics of the race, and he may decide to do it really late in the process, Steinhauser said. Thune told CNN that he has spoken to Trump about the possibility of endorsing Cornyn, but some Republicans are skeptical of the impact a Trump endorsement would have. If he endorsed Paxton it would be over, the unnamed GOP strategist said. If he endorsed Cornyn, Im not sure its enough to get Cornyn over the finish line. Paxtons entry makes for a very hard fought, competitive race that will have the rivals sprinting for the next year, essentially, Steinhauser said. The winner of that primary should have no problem in the general election, but its going to be one of the biggest battles, I think, in Texas Republican Party politics in a while. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BELGRADE (Reuters) - Thousands from towns in Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia arrived by buses on Saturday to attend a rally in Belgrade organised in support of President Aleksandar Vucic, whose grip on power has been threatened by months of anti-corruption protests. Main streets were blocked for traffic, and stands with fast food and drinks were put up in front of the parliament. The rally is seen as Vucic's response to the big anti-government rally on March 15, when more than 100,000 people attended the biggest protest in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serbia has seen months of anti-government rallies after 16 deaths from a railway station roof collapse triggered accusations of widespread corruption and negligence. The protests have swelled to include students, teachers and farmers in a major challenge to Vucic, a populist in power for 12 years as prime minister or president. "The coloured revolution is over," Vucic told throngs of his supporters in front of the parliament. "They can walk as much as they wish, but nothing will come out of that." The rally was meant also to promote a new movement led by Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) which is expected to include other parties from the ruling coalition that is yet to be officially inaugurated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban addressed the rally via video link. "Serbian patriots can count on Hungarian patriots," Orban said. Tensions between Vucic's supporters and anti-government protesters ran high on Saturday. In Novi Pazar, which is the administrative centre of Serbia's Muslim majority region, anti-government activists tried to prevent buses with Vucic's supporters from leaving the town. In Belgrade, protesters tried to prevent buses from reaching the city centre and threw eggs at them, triggering police intervention. (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; editing by Diane Craft) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) In a last-minute switch, Tennessee lawmakers in the House passed a bill aiming to regulate the hemp industry, in part, by essentially banning hemp flower in the state. The House version of the bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) would create regulations on the hemp industry, including packaging, testing, and licensing requirements. The Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) would become the regulatory group for the hemp industry. Many lawmakers and those in the hemp industry agreed with the regulation proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS | Renewed push to regulate hemp industry heats up in Tennessee However, during the final debate on the House floor, an amendment filed by Rep. Mark Cochran (R-Englewood) and adopted by lawmakers added a ban on hemp products with more than .3% TCHA, the chemical compound in hemp that, when burned, turns into THC, the same intoxicant found in marijuana. Its difficult for law enforcement to discern between [hemp flower] and marijuana. When smoked, its highly intoxicating, and if you were to take a drug test, theres no discernible difference between did you just smoke marijuana or THCA, Cochran said. The amendment would align with federal law and the Senates version of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, lawmakers, including some Republicans, pointed out it would essentially ban the natural form of hemp in the state and encourage people to ingest the synthetic version instead. Were not stopping intoxicants. Were only keeping intoxicants that are not natural, Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) said. Youre not voting on a bill to do away with people getting high. Youre voting on a bill to do away with people getting high naturally. Youre making it to where they can get high through chemicals now. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Certain lawmakers were also critical of the measures potential to hurt small businesses and farmers who invested in the hemp flower industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need this industry to be regulated more so. It has been the wild west up until now. Nobody disputes that fact, but we are the body that two years ago created this. Lets understand that if we think weve created a monster, then were Dr. Frankenstein. We need to take responsibility for that, and based upon those decisions that we made, people made investments, Rep. Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) said. I fail to comprehend how this body, mostly rural in nature, just stuck it to every farmer in the state of Tennessee that has invested in this, Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) said. We keep pulling the rug out from under these folks, and its going to come back to bite us, and you just did that by adopting that amendment. The amendment to ban hemp products with more than .3% THCA is the same rule the hemp industry sued the Tennessee Department of Agriculture over last year, stopping it from going into effect. Some lawmakers in support of the THCA restriction argued the hemp industry cannot be regulated without it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of people forget that there is a thing called cannabis-induced psychosis, and so the potency of these products under that regulation will help so much, Rep. Elaine Davis (R-Knoxville) said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Others said it protects people in the state from dangerous products because theyll be able to trust what theyre buying. If you buy a Sprite, you should get a Sprite. If you buy a beer, you should get a beer, if you buy a bottle of tequila, you should get a bottle of tequila. You shouldnt buy a Sprite and get tequila, or buy tequila and get Sprite. Im not advocating for any of those particular products, but you should know what youre getting, Leader Lamberth said. After this bill passes, if it passes, and I hope it does, Tennesseans will know exactly what theyre purchasing. Thats a worthy thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amended bill passed the House 69 to 21, with some Republicans voting against the bill and some Democrats voting in favor. The Senate version of the bill is set to be debated on the floor soon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Heres a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on April 12, according to the Tribunes archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) High temperature: 86 degrees (1977) Low temperature: 21 degrees (1957) Precipitation: 1.16 inches (1952) Snowfall: 1.7 inches (1973) 1861: Confederates attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston, S.C., starting the Civil War. In the following months, the Chicago Zouaves, Irish Brigade and Lincoln Rifles were among local companies who marched off to fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. J.B. Pritzker and wife donate key Civil War document to Lincoln presidential library 1924: WLS call letters that represented Sears, the Worlds Largest Store signed on the air for the first time with a train whistle. 1931: Bert Patenaude led his Fall River FC team (which was briefly known as the New York Yankees) against the Chicago Bricklayers in a U.S. Open Cup final played at Mills Stadium in front of 9,500 fans. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Pele, Hamm, Beckham, Rapinoe, Messi and more. When soccers big names came to play That match ended in a draw, so Patenaude played in Chicago again a week later. His team beat the Brickies to win what was then known as the Challenge Cup. Patenaude scored the opening goal in that match. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1983: Harold Washington was elected Chicagos first Black mayor. Washington, a U.S. representative who also served in the Illinois House and Senate, built his victory over Republican candidate Bernard Epton on a massive show of support by black voters and a narrow slice of the white electorate. Today Chicago has seen the bright day break for this city and perhaps the entire country, the mayor-elect declared before a raucous crowd at Donnelly Hall in the early hours of April 13. Out of the crucible of this citys most trying election Blacks, whites, Hispanics, Jews, gentiles, Protestants and Catholics of all stripes have joined hands to form a new Democratic coalition. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Remembering Mayor Harold Washington, 35 years after his death Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term, Washington faced a hostile bloc of white aldermen. He was reelected in April 1987. Washington died in his office at City Hall on Nov. 25, 1987 the day before Thanksgiving. He was at his desk, talking with an aide, when he slumped over with a heart attack. He was 65. His death stunned the city, and an estimated 200,000 people, some of whom waited for hours, paid respects when Washingtons body lay in state at City Hall. Want more vintage Chicago? Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com AUSTIN (KXAN) Imagine paying for a good or service online, receiving what you paid for and told you owe more money. A local attorney tells KXAN more people are coming to him in that situation after losing money on Facebook Marketplace. Attorney George Lobb said not everything posted on the site is what it seems. The ads will have a phone number thats not the businesss phone number. Its the cellphone number for the scammer. George Lobb, Attorney George Lobb said it is important to ask a friend for their thoughts on the deal before going through with it. (Photo: KXAN) This year, Lobb said he received at least a half a dozen calls about people posing as legit companies and then stealing thousands. Specifically, he said the ads target Spanish-speakers and are focused on construction-related services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lobb said someone will pose as a company on Facebook Marketplace, take someones money and call the actual company theyre posing as to then act as the customer theyre targeting. Weeks later, the company says, Hey, you didnt pay us,' Lobb said. The law says, well, yeah, technically you benefited from the service. So then youre going to have to sue the scammer when the company files the lien. Lobb said one of his clients rented dumpsters for a discounted price of $5,000 via Facebook Marketplace. The ad posed as a well-known company. He received the dumpsters, but the actual company showed up later and told him he owed them $15,000 because they didnt receive payment. Ive had several clients come to me because they either have liens filed on their property or theyre threatened with criminal investigation for theft, Lobb said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lobb said it is unlikely a victim would get all their money back, but hes helped people recover some. They have caught a few and they are making payment plans while on probation, Lobb said. Ultimately, he stressed the importance of verifying a companys phone number and physical location and asking a friend for their thoughts on the deal before going through with it. If its too good to be true, its too good to be true, Lobb said. A lot of these issues arise Katie Galan with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said these fake ads online remain a top concern around the state. These person to person transactions is where we see a lot of these issues arise, Galan said. Once that money is gone, that money is pretty much gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Galan said its a red flag if a person is asking you to send them money before you received a product or service. With these person to person sellers, we really highly encourage you to meet at a neutral location, Galan said. See the product in person first, before you hand over any sort of money or any deposit. When it comes to how you pay, Galan recommended using a credit card for online purchases. She said people lost $1.5 million due to online purchase frauds like this in Texas. However, Galan said that number is likely a lot higher because only about 5-10% of people report the crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) High school seniors are receiving their acceptance letters and making those final, life-changing college decisions however, for younger students, the landscape of standardized testing and college application requirements is rapidly changing. Many Ivy League and top-tier colleges are reinstating the SAT and ACT requirements for admission, reversing policies that made testing optional during the pandemic, CEO and Founder of Prep Expert Shaan Patel said. There was a huge landmark article in the New York Times, talking about when they got rid of the ACT and SAT scores, requirements in college admissions it actually favored wealthier students even more. While some universities never changed their requirements for standardized testing, like the University of Florida; here is a look at those that have rejoined the test requirements: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) Harvard University Stanford University California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Brown University Yale University Dartmouth College Purdue University Georgetown University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Johns Hopkins University (announced 8/20/24) Carnegie Mellon University (announced 8/29/24) University of Miami (announced 1/17/25) Penn State (announced 2/14/25) University of Wisconsin Madison (beginning 2027 announced 2/20/25) Ohio State University (announced 3/22/2025) UNLV and UNR are both test optional for admission. While SAT scores are not required, submitting them along with your ACT scores can strengthen your application. Colleges are discovering that standardized tests can help level the playing field among students. Research suggests that test scores are a more reliable predictor of college success than high school grades. By reinstating test requirements, colleges hope to identify talented students from all backgrounds who might otherwise be overlooked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shaan Patel, a former Clark County high school grad raised his score from average, to perfect. He explained that better scores on the SAT, ACT, and PSAT not only help with college admissions, but can help secure scholarships. Get a good test score and apply for as many scholarships as possible. I applied for a ton of local scholarships, through the public education foundation, NV Energy had scholarships, Ronald McDonald House, and local charities, he added. Prep expert, my company also offers scholarships, that you can win. All to reduce the cost of college, its more expensive than ever. To attend and live on campus at a public university its about $150K, double that for a private university. He added that students can improve test scores by practicing with official test questions. If youre studying for the SAT, go to the college board, they have dozens of free practice exams to use, he said. If you are studying for the ACT, go to the official ACT website, dozens of practice exams there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel also added that if you want to try and ace the test, you have to learn strategies and those are best done with a tutor or prep test course. Those are not free. The average cost for test prep and strategy courses can range widely, from about five hundred up to several thousand dollars. This depends on the type of course and format. If you do it at your own pace online or meet in person. On Sunday, Patel will host a free live webinar for parents 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 KLAS. April 12 (UPI) -- The number of measles cases in the United States has now surpassed 700, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in its latest update. The majority of those cases are in Texas, which this week reported 36 new cases since its last update, bringing that state's total to 541 since January. The CDC update this week confirmed a total of 712 cases across 24 states and New York City, which is counted separately from New York State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas this week became the latest state to report a verified case. Over 65% of the Texas cases are in the western part of the state, particularly in Gaines County, which has a population of 21,500 people and one of the lowest vaccination rates against the highly-contagious virus. Last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy attended a funeral for an 8-year-old girl, the second child in Texas to die from measles during the current outbreak. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI In March, the number of measles cases in Texas surpassed the total number of diagnoses in the entire United States in 2024. Last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy attended a funeral for an 8-year-old girl, the second child in Texas to die from measles during the current outbreak. The majority of American measles cases are in Texas, which this week reported 36 new diagnoses since its last update, bringing that states total to 541 since January, with 712 total occurrences in the United States. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI "My intention was to come down here quietly to console the families and to be with the community in their moment of grief," Kennedy told reporters at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there, Kennedy did say publicly that a vaccine remains the "most effective" way to prevent contracting measles, which usually shows symptoms around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy earlier this week claimed the measles outbreak was flattening, File Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI He has faced criticism for his department's response so far. Kennedy earlier this week claimed the measles outbreak was flattening. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The air brake hiss of the bus leaving Chinatown is not a sound commonly linked with the housing crisis, but community leaders tell Nevadas congressional leadership its a note in their chorus call for help. There are 78,000 acres of underutilized land in the core of the Las Vegas Valley, according to a new report from the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) and ECONorthwest. Minjia Yan, director of Millenium Commercial Properties, highlighted the report during an affordable housing meeting with U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.). Some of these areas are an abandoned Kmart building on Rainbow and Spring Mountain that has been vacant for 20 years, Yan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RTC bussing is also a part of the conversation as Yan said the cost of transportation and rent is connected. The air brake hiss of the bus leaving Chinatown is not a sound commonly linked with the housing crisis, but community leaders tell Nevadas congressional leadership its a note in their chorus call for help. (KLAS) The true cost of housing is the cost of housing plus cost of transportation, she said. Where you live, you have to be accessible to where you work, where you go to schools, where you get access to the amenities that you need in your daily life. Surrounded by other community leaders, Horsford nodded along with Yans points and expressed gratitude to the number of viewpoints in the roundtable discussion. Its about listening to the leaders in our community who both have the lived experience of housing and affordability, Horsford said. As well as advocates and organizations that are working on the solutions. Representatives from Compass Development, Nevada Homeless Alliance, Nevada Housing Coalition, Hopelink of Southern Nevada, and the Nevada Housing Division met with Horsford to discuss their view from the ground level of the housing crisis. WTF, whos in charge? Its about land, lumber, labor, all of which are driving factors in the affordability crisis, not only for low-income and affordable housing but for housing at every level throughout the valley, Horsford said. And thats something that we are working extremely hard on, and that will help inform our legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost of construction goods for new homes impacted by the Trump administrations newest tariffs, according to Horsford. During a Wednesday hearing the Nevada representative grilled the White Houses top trade negotiator on trade strategy. So, the trade representative hasnt spoken to the President of the United States about a global reordering of trade and yet he announced it on a tweet? WTF, whos in charge? Horsford said. It looks like your boss just pulled the rug out from under you and paused the tariffs, the taxes on the American people. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the president is in charge and that he doesnt disclose his conversations with the president. Sitting in his office, Horsford told 8 News Now he didnt intend to create the viral moment but instead hoped to focus on the impact on Las Vegas-based tourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt go into that hearing planning to talk about the tariffs and the pause, he said. I actually went into the hearing planning to talk about the effect of tariffs and its impact on our tourism economy, because weve already seen a decline of about 17% of international tourists coming from places like Canada, which is affecting our livelihood and those that work in the tourism. Horsford said what happened instead was Greer, who advises the president on trade strategy, appeared to be made aware of the recent tariff pause at the same time as others in the hearing room. Which then caused me to question, well, whos in charge and whos actually making these recommendations to the President, he said. And then as hes answering the question, it became obvious to me. Oh, this was their plan all along, which led leads into the question was this market manipulation? The influence on the increasing cost of the Southern Nevada housing market also a target for Horsford who pointed to hedge funds as a major culprit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These hedge funds have come in and now own nearly a third of the homes in North Las Vegas in particular, he said. Thats one in three homes you can drive down certain blocks, and virtually the entire block is owned by these out-of-state hedge funds. Horsford said he has introduced legislation to crack down on corporate hedge funds and would address market manipulation. Im about creating economic opportunity, Horsford said. While these other forces are trying to literally take that housing off the market. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WHTM) Today is the final day of Trinity High Schools third annual Shamrock 100 walk event. The fundraiser involves a 100-mile walk over three days on the track at Trinitys COBO Field alongside the schools president, John Cominsky. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Trinity says all members of the area community who wish to join are welcome, and proceeds will help bolster the schools facilities and programs. Funds from this years event will also be sent to Radiant Hope, a non-profit based in Camp Hill that offers support to families impacted by cancer through care packages, support groups, mentoring, and workshops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, April 12, the event will feature food trucks, games, and activities for the children of Central Pennsylvania. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BIG SPRINGS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Trooper Troy Hogue was shot and killed on December 30th 1994, while interviewing a suspect from a crash. After 30 years, Trooper Hogue now has his name on a sign on Interstate 20. Its a memorial to him losing his life on the line of duty. Troy was an outstanding person, just like all members of the department, he selfishly served his community. He left a big impression here in Big Springs, the law enforcement center is named after him, Sargent Steven Blanco said. We also have a boat, one of our tactical marine units named after him. Troy is what we all inspire to be, he was selfless, he was a man of honor, and he made the ultimate sacrifice to the citizens of the state of Texas. The sign took some time to come together, as organizers had to fund for the project. But the time might change due to legislation moving through the state to help fund memorial signs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a house bill that will allow the public to donate a dollar or more when they renew their driver licenses or registrations, Sargent Blanco said. Thats still in the process so we do want the public to support that bill. And we really hope our legislator can bring that bill to completion. At the event people came together to remember his legacy. A close friend said, Im pleased to say Troy Hogue was my friend. Im pleased to say that I knew Troy, I knew him as a man. I knew him as a friend. I knew him as a brother. I knew him as someone that was willing to give his life to make all of us safe. Trooper Troy Hogue memory will now live on forever. 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 Yourbasin. Police have recovered the body of a man who went missing near the Winooski River in Waterbury in December. An autopsy on Friday by the Chief Medical Examiners Office identified the man as John Gaye, age 45, of Essex. Vermont State Police said the cause of Gayes death is pending, but it is not considered suspicious. Police said a person walking along the river discovered the body. Classes back to normal at Danville School after lockdown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaye was reported missing to Essex police in December. Vermont State Police divers searched the Winooski River in Waterbury after his vehicle was found behind a building at 601 U.S. Route 2 in Waterbury. Police said at the time they also had evidence that he may have entered the river. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NAPLES, Italy (AP) Hundreds of once-missing artifacts, hunted down over decades by a special police unit, have been unveiled for the first time in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, in southern Italy. In its vaults, the museum preserves 15,000 artifacts seized or confiscated from the black market over the years by a police unit focused on the protection of cultural heritage. It is the loot of raiders who for decades have targeted sites from classical antiquity in southern Italy, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum. Some even used underwater metal detectors, GPS, sonar and drones to extract treasures from the shipwrecks and archaeological sites submerged in the Mediterranean Sea. From its repository, the museum selected 600 pieces to display for visitors. Among them is a statue that had been in an apartment building's courtyard since the early 20th century until its theft in the 1980s, and which was found in 2009. There are artifacts from Pompeii that a French archaeologist bought from a local farmer in the 1990s for 50,000 lire (about $28 today). There are also ancient ceramics, coins, bronzes, marbles, pottery, furnishings, weapons and armor dating from the Archaic Period (approximately 650 to 480 BC) to the Middle Ages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a beautiful exhibition that tells a beautiful story, a story also of redemption for our stolen archaeological artifacts, which often find their way into private property or even international museums," Massimo Osanna, the head of national museums at Italys culture ministry, who helped curate the exhibition, said in an interview. "Thanks to the work of the public prosecutors office and the police, together with the ministry, (these artifacts) are finally coming home and to light. In 2023, the latest year for which there are complete records, the police unit recovered over 100,000 artifacts which it estimates are worth a total 264 million euros ($299 million). WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Easter is just about a week away, and there are many egg hunts happening around the Valley. On Saturday, dozens of families came out for the Trumbull County Sheriffs Offices first Easter egg hunt on the Courthouse Square Lawn. Kids ages 12 and under were hunting for over 4,000 eggs filled with candy to celebrate the holiday. Each family was given a bag to collect their eggs, plus one lucky boy and one girl were chosen to be sheriff for the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope to continue this and hope that it grows. We wanted to have community involvement and let the community know were here for them, and we really enjoy having childrens programs, said Trumbull County Sheriff Michael Wilson. Id like to reach out and let kids know that law enforcement isnt what they see on social media. Were here for the people, were here for the children. Never be afraid to see a police officer and go up and say hi, and were here to help them. Wilson said the Sheriffs Office plans to stay active in the community and continue to help as much as they can. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) The Trump administration is working on the return of a Maryland man mistakenly sent to a Salvadoran prison, even if a federal judge in the case is expressing frustration at the pace, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Friday. The U.S. Supreme Court this week said the government must facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the U.S. sent to El Salvador last month with dozens of alleged migrant gang members. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis pressed the Justice Department for a status report and received little information from government attorneys. Appearing Friday on Elizabeth Vargas Reports, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce signaled the White House is working on Abrego Garcias release, but maybe not on a schedule that pleases Judge Xinis. President Trump on Friday evening said he respects the Supreme Court and would follow the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who is the alleged MS-13 member wrongly deported to El Salvador? Were addressing the Supreme Court ruling, were engaging with this. Right now, the judge has an issue with timing, Bruce said. But the Department of Justice knows what that ruling is and clearly is complying with her orders and answering her questions. Host Elizabeth Vargas noted the administrations attorneys did not provide information. She asked Bruce why Trump simply cannot call Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele, whose country is being paid $6 million to incarcerate the deportees, to make the release happen. Bukele is expected to be in Washington on Monday to meet with Trump. The conversations will be wide-ranging, Im sure. I cant speak to them because I dont know the details, Bruce said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also Friday, Bruce said this weekends slated talks in Oman between the U.S. and Iran over Irans nuclear capabilities are a major step forward, even if Iran insists the talks are not direct, but rather with the help of a go-between. El Salvador deportation case going back to Supreme Court: McGinley And Bruce praised an immigration judges decision that the U.S. can continue deportation proceedings against former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who is accused of supporting the terrorist organization Hamas. Every sovereign nation has a right to decide whos going to come in and the standard of what allows you to stay in this nation, Bruce said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils attorneys said they plan to keep fighting, and the judge gave them until April 23 to seek a waiver. 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 NewsNation. A State Department official said on Saturday that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man that Donald Trumps administration illegally deported to El Salvador, is alive and secure in the Central American nations notorious mega-prison. It is my understanding based on official reporting from our Embassy in San Salvador that Abrego Garcia is currently being held in the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, Michael Kozak, a senior State Department official, wrote in a court filing under penalty of perjury. He is alive and secure in that facility. As Rolling Stone recently reported, El Salvadors prison system is effectively a judicial black hole rife with systematic torture. The Trump administration recently shipped hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to the Central American countrys infamous Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, without due process. The administration has offered only specious claims that the deported men have ties to gangs claims that have largely crumbled under scrutiny from journalists and human rights advocates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia, who fled gang violence in El Salvador to the U.S. in 2011, was previously granted a protection from removal order barring him from being deported back to that country. The administration has claimed his deportation was based on an administrative error but argued that the courts had no jurisdiction to demand Abrego Garcia be brought back. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court noted on Thursday that his deportation to El Salvador was illegal, as the justices ruled unanimously that the Trump administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the United States. Trump indicated Friday he would follow that directive. If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court, Trump said, adding: I have great respect for the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, in its order, instructed Trumps Justice Department to be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps. The administration has not yet done so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the Supreme Courts ruling Thursday, Abrego Garcias case was sent back to District Judge Paula Xinis court in Maryland. The Justice Department failed to provide any information about Abrego Garcias status and whereabouts on Friday. The judge then ordered the administration to file daily declarations about Abrego Garcias physical location and status, what steps the administration has taken to facilitate his return, and what additional steps it will take to ensure his return. The administration appeared to file its first declaration late, several minutes after the 5 p.m. deadline. The administration did provide information regarding Abrego Garcias status and location, though it did not indicate what steps, if any, its taken to bring him back instead insisting that he is being detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador. Lawyers for Abrego Garcia and his family on Saturday requested that the judge demand the Trump administration explain why it should not be held in contempt for failing to comply with her orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawyers also asked the judge to specifically order the government to secure his release in El Salvador pursuant to the contract or arrangement providing for his detention there at the governments direction, and arrange his transport back. Abrego Garcias lawyers additionally requested that the judge order the administration to immediately detail its agreements with El Salvador to hold deportees from the U.S. El Salvadors president, Nayib Bukele, is scheduled to visit the Trump White House on Monday. Looking forward to seeing President Bukele, of El Salvador, on Monday! Trump posted Saturday evening on Truth Social, adding: President Bukele has graciously accepted into his Nations custody some of the most violent alien enemies of the World and, in particular, the United States. These barbarians are now in the sole custody of El Salvador, a proud and sovereign Nation, and their future is up to President B and his Government. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. An immigration judge in Louisiana on Friday said the Trump administration could deport Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil for being a safety risk based on his participation in campus protests against Israels war on Hamas in Gaza at Columbia University. Louisiana Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans found the government had established Khalil was removable in a two-page memo filed Thursday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which did not accuse Khalil of any crimes but outlined Rubios power to order people deported based on their beliefs. Khalil addressed the judge at the end of the hearing, according to his legal team. 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, the activist 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. Khalil is not expected to be removed from the country immediately. Comans gave him until April 23 to challenge his removal at the Board of Immigration Appeals, which Khalils lawyers said they intended to do but were not confident about. Immigration judges are employees of the executive branch, not the judiciary, and typically do not weigh in on constitutional disputes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The constitutional questions to be resolved are playing out in Khalils separate legal action in New Jersey federal court. Judge Michael Farbiarz is considering motions from Khalils lawyers challenging his detention based on his political beliefs protected by the First Amendment, not crimes. Farbiarz previously ordered that Khalil could not be removed from the country unless and until he ruled otherwise. Attorneys for Khalil and the Department of Justice conferred with Farbiarz later Friday at a hearing not accessible to the public. Khalils NYCLU lawyer, Amy Belsher, later said the judge indicated he would soon rule on the motions. Were moving on both fronts and recognizing that we have the most powerful arguments and the most powerful audience in federal court, said Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights and another of Khalils lawyers in the federal case. Khalils immigration attorneys condemned his immigration hearing as a charade of due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not over, and our fight continues, Marc van der Hout said. If Mahmoud can be targeted in this way, simply for speaking out for Palestinians and exercising his constitutionally protected right to free speech, this can happen to anyone over any issue the Trump administration dislikes. In a statement, Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said: Mahmoud Khalil hates the United States and what we stand for so his removal should come as welcome news. 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. On X, the White House posted a photo of President Trump seemingly waving goodbye to Khalil from a McDonalds drive-through, overlayed with a Fox News headline of the ruling. Khalil has been detained more than 1,000 miles away from New York City in Jena, La., since March 9, a day after he was arrested at his Columbia University-owned apartment based on his participation in campus protests, where he acted as a mediator between students and the school administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 30-year-old grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and was set to graduate from Columbias School of International Affairs in May after completing his studies in December. His wife, a U.S. citizen, is due to give birth to their first child any day. In the governments memo filed Thursday, Rubio cited an obscure provision in the law giving his office the power to deport noncitizens whose activities, even if lawful, could pose unfavorable foreign policy consequences. The Trump administration has characterized Khalils criticisms of the Israeli government as antisemitic and supportive of Hamas, which the U.S. and other Western nations designate as a terrorist organization. The Trump administration has also accused Khalil of failing to disclose parts of his work history on his green card application; his lawyers have denied the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The student activist is the first of several across the U.S. to be targeted for deportation based on their criticisms of Israeli military activity. The Trump administration has also targeted universities themselves, pulling $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University for allegedly not doing enough to combat antisemitism on campus. The Trump administration confirmed Saturday that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man illegally deported to El Salvador, is alive but confined in a notorious anti-terrorism prison under the control of the Salvadoran government. He is alive and secure in that facility. He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador, Michael Kozak, a top State Department official, said in a two-page, written declaration submitted to a judge under penalty of perjury. Kozaks submission came shortly before Trump retreated from comments he made a day earlier in which he suggested that hed direct Abrego Garcias return to the U.S. if the Supreme Court required that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These barbarians are now in the sole custody of El Salvador, a proud and sovereign Nation, and their future is up to President [Nayib Bukele] and his Government, Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday evening. They will never threaten or menace our Citizens again! Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Friday night, Trump appeared to indicate that the U.S. has the authority to insist on the return of Abrego Garcia and perhaps all of the more than 200 men Trumps administration has sent to El Salvador in recent weeks. If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court. I have great respect for the Supreme Court, the president said. Im not totally well versed as to the specific case, but if they said to bring him back, I would tell them to bring him back. Trumps social-media post and Kozaks declaration both seemed intended to support a legal argument the Trump administration has put forward that American officials are in no position to insist on Abrego Garcias return to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statements seemed unlikely to de-escalate a brewing showdown between the administration and U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis. For one thing, the minimal information Kozak provided fell well short of the details demanded by Xinis, who had ordered the Trump administration to update her not only on Abrego Garcias whereabouts but on any steps it had taken to facilitate his return to the United States. Kozaks update, submitted 10 minutes after a court-ordered deadline Saturday, included just 49 words on Abrego Garcias location and no information about what officials had already done or planned to do to correct their error. The administration has not provided any details to the court about what sort of control the U.S. may have over people it has sent to the anti-terrorism prison, known as the Terrorism Confinement Center, in recent weeks. And its unclear if Kozaks threadbare declaration even meets the standard set by the judge: an official with personal knowledge of Abrego Garcias whereabouts. Kozak said his knowledge came from personal knowledge, reasonable inquiry, and information obtained from other State Department employees including unnamed personnel at the U.S. embassy in El Salvador. Abrego Garcias case has generated a national furor after the Trump administration acknowledged it had erroneously sent him to El Salvador on March 15 in violation of a 2019 court order that prohibited him from being sent to his home country because of potential persecution by a local gang. At the time, Abrego Garcia was denied asylum but allowed to remain in Maryland, where he had been residing with his U.S. citizen wife and children when he was deported last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xinis, an Obama appointee, has already deemed the Trump administration to be in defiance of an earlier order she issued to provide details about Abrego Garcia by Friday afternoon, leading her to demand indefinite, daily updates. Trump administration lawyers have been increasingly combative with Xinis after the Supreme Court on Thursday largely upheld her order requiring the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias return. Lawyers for Abrego Garcia sent their own submission to Xinis Saturday, urging her to initiate contempt proceedings and to issue another order this one with specific requirements for the administration to begin facilitating Abrego Garcias return. They noted that the comments Friday from Trump who is hosting El Salvadors president, Nayib Bukele, at the White House on Monday appeared to say the U.S. could bring Abrego Garcia back. Trump confirmed that the United States has the power to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from prison and return to the United States, they wrote, asking the judge to order the U.S. to provide transportation for him from El Salvador to the U.S. and grant him an immigration status that will allow him to enter the country legally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xinis has set another hearing on the issue for Tuesday afternoon. Abrego Garcias lawyers asked the judge Saturday that she require officials of the Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security and State Department appear at that hearing to testify about Abrego Garcias status and what requests the U.S. has made of the Salvadoran government on the issue. Trump administration officials have accused Abrego Garcia of being a member of the violent MS-13 gang. An immigration court judge concluded in 2019 that he likely was a member of the gang, but Xinis has said officials never introduced any reliable evidence to support that conclusion. (NewsNation) The Trump administration finds itself in high-profile legal battles over the fates of two immigrants: former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, who is fighting deportation, and Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man wrongly sent to a Salvadoran prison for alleged gang ties. Shan Wu and Tom Dupree, who both served as federal attorneys, join On Balance to discuss the implications of each case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. President Donald Trump signs executive orders during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday. One of them directs the Justice Department to challenge state climate policies.(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) President Donald Trump has launched an all-out legal attack on states authority to set climate change policy. His executive order, issued Tuesday, directs the Department of Justice to challenge a huge swath of state laws and regulations. The order aims at measures that seek to cut carbon emissions, penalize energy companies and limit drilling permits. It also targets state-led lawsuits against fossil fuel companies over the damages caused by climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps directive orders Attorney General Pam Bondi to stop the enforcement of any state laws related to climate change, including any that are seen as burdening the use of domestic energy resources. Such language could include state laws that mandate a transition to clean electricity sources. The order specifically calls out climate Superfund policies in Vermont and New York, which require fossil fuel companies to pay for some of the damages caused by climate change. It also targets Californias cap-and-trade law, which places a limit on emissions through auctions of carbon credits. While Trumps order says such state policies are unconstitutional, climate-focused state leaders say his administration has no legal basis to unravel their efforts. The federal government cannot unilaterally strip states independent constitutional authority, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, both Democrats, wrote in a joint statement from the U.S. Climate Alliance. We are a nation of states and laws and we will not be deterred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hochul and Lujan Grisham co-chair the alliance, a coalition of 24 governors focused on reducing emissions. Michael Gerrard, faculty director of Columbia Universitys Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, told Politico that the order is toothless. [Trump] has no authority on his own to nullify state laws, he told the outlet. But the order throws the might of the federal government into a sprawling legal battle over states authority to set climate policy and seek damages for disasters. It could force states to face expensive litigation and years of legal uncertainty. Trump-appointed judges on the U.S. Supreme Court and elsewhere have at times been hostile to environmental regulations. And its unclear whether the order will have a chilling effect on state efforts to craft more climate legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org. Stateline originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Hello, its the weekend. This is The Weekender No longer content to simply rip up the federal government, President Trump is now reaching into the past to undo agency regulations by fiat. In effectuating repeals of facially unlawful regulations, agency heads shall finalize rules without notice and comment, read Wednesdays presidential memo, using a narrow exception in the Administrative Procedure Act to do away with requirements that alert the public to the governments actions. Facially unlawful seems to mean anything that doesnt jibe with the Trumpist vision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In legitimizing this silent erasure, Trump cites recent Supreme Court cases including Loper Bright v. Raimondo, which dealt a death blow to agency deference but was explicitly future-oriented and not permitted to be retroactively applied to old regulations. Because everything Trump does exists on the malicious-to-dumb spectrum, this plan appeared obliquely in, of all places, an executive order about water pressure in showerheads. Trump, who is obsessed with the topic and routinely drifts onto it during unrelated speeches, rescinded the Energy Conservation Program: Definition of Showerhead a great comfort to us all that the Commander-in-Chief is focusing his energies on the greatest perils facing the homeland. Buried in the order: Notice and comment is unnecessary because I am ordering the repeal. Well, okay then! Even its most ardent soldiers couldnt have wished for more in the war against the administrative state DOGE and the Trump administration, with likely coming assists from the Supreme Court, have hobbled executive branch agencies, decimated decades of expertise and slashed critical funding nearly across the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has successfully made government jobs unstable and unattractive, guaranteeing that future would-be star feds will look elsewhere (absent major reforms); hes now trying to eviscerate the work done before his administrations reign of destruction, seeking to totally blot out agencies and the protections they afford. Kate Riga Heres what else TPM has on tap this weekend: State Democrats are introducing new legislation in North Carolina to try to help guard against future disenfranchisement of the sort that Republican Supreme Court candidate and Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin is trying to get away with as he continues his efforts to steal the election from the Democratic incumbent. Khaya Himmelman has more. Nicole Lafond checks in on Marco Rubios Christian nationalist agenda at the State Department, as he encourages employees to snitch on colleagues who may have demonstrated some sort of anti-Christian bias during the last administration. Emine Yucel reports on a risky promise House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) made while begging hardliners to support the Senates budget resolution this week: If we dont make the trillions in cuts you want, you can McCarthy me. Lets dig in. Dems: Griffin Is A Desperate Loser State and national Democrats are calling out the ongoing Republican effort to overturn the results of North Carolinas 2024 Supreme Court Race the only 2024 race that has not yet been certified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, in a 2-1 decision, a North Carolina Court of Appeals sided with Republican state Supreme Court candidate and Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin, ruling that close to 65,000 ballots may be invalid due to alleged registration issues. Although the outcome of the race is still being held up in court, in a Friday order, the North Carolina State Supreme Court said that 60,000 of the ballots that Griffin is attempting to invalidate should be counted. Its all part of a broader effort from Griffin to try to steal the election from Democratic incumbent Justice Allison Riggs, who even after two recounts, remains the winner of the race. In a Thursday press call, hosted by the Democratic National Committee, DNC Chair Ken Martin described Martin as a desperate loser who has tried to repeatedly change the rules of the election to baselessly contest the results of this race. Martin also warned that these efforts to overturn a fair election may have national implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans across the country watch closely for a new green light to cherry pick elections in their favor. Whats happening in North Carolina goes beyond state borders, he said. 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. And in an attempt to protect voters, Democratic North Carolina state Rep. Phil Rubin is sponsoring a bill known as the Voter Protection and Reliance Act that will protect the ballots of voters who relied on the procedures and laws in place to register and vote, at the time the ballot was cast. I want to emphasize what the other leaders on this call have emphasized, about how dangerous Jefferson Griffins conduct is, and how dangerous it is that the North Carolina Court of Appeals has now encouraged it, he said on Thursdays call. It risks every future election becoming an attack on the voters themselves. And this bill, the Voter Protection and Reliance Act, aims to shut a door that should never have been opened. Khaya Himmelman The Christian Nationalists Are Salivating The State Departments interpretation of a recent Trump executive order on supporting Christians who work in the federal government involves Marco Rubio asking State Department employees to snitch on their coworkers specifically about supposedly anti-Christian behaviors that occurred under Antony Blinken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politico obtained a copy of an internal cable that was sent to embassies around the globe, under Rubios name, announcing that the State Department would begin collecting information about any instances of colleagues displaying anti-Christian bias and information involving anti-religious bias during the last presidential administration. The information will reportedly be collected via an anonymous tip form. Reports should be as detailed as possible, including names, dates, locations (e.g. post or domestic office where the incident occurred, the cable said. Per Politico: Some State Department officials reacted to the cable with shock and alarm, saying that even if well-intentioned, it is based on the flawed premise that the department harbors anti-Christian bias to begin with, and warning it could create a culture of fear as the administration pushes employees to report on one another. Its very Handmaids Tale-esque, said one State Department official, who was granted anonymity because the individual was not allowed to speak openly about internal department affairs. Left-leaning Christian activists and religious freedom groups are already warning the directive will almost inevitably lead to discrimination against non-Christian religious groups and the LGBTQ community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicole Lafond Johnson Risks Getting Ousted To Flip Hardliners On Budget Resolution After a mini rebellion that delayed the vote by a day, House GOP hardliners caved to Republican leadership Thursday, helping them pass the Senate-approved budget resolution and unlock the reconciliation process. More than a dozen hardliners who initially opposed the blueprint came on board after Republican leadership promised that they will find ways to reduce the deficit by at least $1.5 trillion. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) reportedly told the conservative holdouts during a private Wednesday meeting that they could oust him from the speakership if he doesnt follow through on his promise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, of course, is referring to the motion to vacate vote that a group of GOP members can force if they are unsatisfied with the Speakers leadership. Current rules require a minimum of nine members of the speakers party to back the effort in order to receive a floor vote. In 2023, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was forced out by a group of far-right conservatives, led by then-Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), using that same rule (though at the time the motion to vacate threshold was just one member) for his decision to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open rather than risk a shutdown. Johnsons surprising rise to speakership was triggered by McCarthys historic ousting. Ironically, now, if he does not follow through on his promises, the same fate might be around the corner. Emine Yucel President Donald Trump sent a memorandum to four federal department heads yesterday with instructions to allow the military to take control of federal lands along the U.S.-Mexico border. The move is part of a broader effort to crack down on undocumented immigration. Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats, a presidential memorandum posted Friday night claims. The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past. The memo was sent to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Agricultural Secretary Brooke Rollins. It specifically instructs occupying the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip of land owned by the federal government that stretches through three of the four border states. Federal Indian Reservations are exempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It allows soldiers to arrest and detain migrants, a role that has legally been the purview of law enforcement, not the military. Such military activities include border-barrier construction and emplacement of detection and monitoring equipment, the memo states. Migrants that are detained would be put into holding for trespassing onto a military property, CNN reported. They would later be transferred into the hands of the Department of Homeland Security and from there be deported. The Guardian reported that The DHSs announcement was widely seen as a workaround of the Posse Comitatus Act, a federal law that bars U.S. military troops from participating in most civilian law enforcement actions. Only two days into his second term, Trump declared immigration a national emergency. There are already about 10,000 U.S. troops spread out across the border, according to The Independent, which represents a vast increase from the 2,500 deployed there under the Biden administration. President Trump authorized the military to take control of federal land stretching across three states at the southern border to assist in implementing his crack down on immigration. The president directed the secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture and Homeland Security, in a Friday evening memorandum dubbed Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions, to provide the Pentagon with jurisdiction of federal lands including the Roosevelt Reservation, which spans across California, Arizona and New Mexico. Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats, Trump said in a presidential memorandum released Friday evening. The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Native American reservations are excluded from the order, which argues the move will help maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the country. The land in question would be designated as National Defense Areas by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump said the transfer of authority would allow military activities, including border-barrier construction and emplacement of detection and monitoring equipment. The progress of the initial phase would be evaluated in 45 days, the order says. Immediately after returning to the White House, Trump signed several orders focused on curbing illegal immigration, including the declaration of a national emergency at the southern border. Soon after, the administration deployed troops at the U.S.-Mexico border where they have worked with state troopers and members of the National Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commander-in-chief has heavily campaigned on minimizing illegal immigration. The number of illegal crossings at the southern border have fallen off significantly in recent months. There were around 7,200 crossings at the southern border in March, according to Border Patrol data. In the previous four years, the monthly average was 155,000. Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security issued its first waiver to speed up the construction of the border wall, which Trump touted during his first run for office nearly a decade ago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Donald Trump pledged to obey the Supreme Court on returning a Maryland dad who was wrongfully deported to El Salvadorthe day after his administration refused to do just that. If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that, Trump said aboard Air Force One Friday, according to The Hill. I respect the Supreme Court. On Thursday, the Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling requiring the Department of Justice (DOJ) to facilitate the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia after he was deported over an administrative error a mistake the DOJ admitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet on Friday, the Trump administration refused to provide updates on its progress and called the courts Friday morning deadline to provide information impracticable. Justice Department lawyer Drew Ensign told U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who is presiding over Garcias case, that he was not given information about Garcias custodial status or who had authority over him, CBS News reported. In response, Xinis ripped Ensign and the Trump administration during the hearing for not acting quickly enoughif at allto bring Garcia back to the United States. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who lived in the U.S. legally with a work permit, was erroneously deported to El Salvador. / Reuters Xinis ordered the Justice Department to provide her with daily updates on Friday from now until compliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to make a record of what, if anything, the government is doing or not doing, Xinis said. The Supreme Court has spoken quite clearly And yet, I cant get an answer today about what youve done in the past, which means, again, the record as it stands, is that nothing has been done. Local Maryland police had accused Garcia, 29, of being a member of the criminal MS-13 gang, yet gang violence and threats to his family are what led Garcia to flee El Salvador at the age of 16, the Associated Press reported. Garcia denied any association with the gang, and a U.S. immigration judge granted him protection from being deported back to El Salvador in 2019. Border Czar Tom Homan has defended Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act, which is intended for use in wartime. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images While Trump is fronting support for the courts while defying them, his border czar Tom Homan sang a different tune about the administrations plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Friday Newsmax interview, Homan doubled down, alleging Garcia is a gang member and insisting his administration acted accordingly. The alien is to blame. The alien entered this country illegally, which is a crime. Hes the MS-13 gang member, according to our intelligence and even that of the intelligence of El Salvador. He was given withholding and removal from El Salvador because of fear of gang violence, Homan said. For two Yolo County Supervisors, the barrage of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump since assuming office about two months ago has felt like whiplash. Nearly every government entity has been reshaped with a few strokes of Trumps pen. His administration has beefed up U.S. Immigration Control and Enforcement, cut positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs and intervened in Californias water supply. Policies have sent waves of concerned veterans, farmers, immigrants and Medi-Cal recipients to Yolo Countys elected officials asking questions about how the changes affect them, Yolo County supervisors said in interviews this week. The vast wielding of power prompted the county to begin publishing a running tally of select executive orders and how its policies affect Yolo County at every Board of Supervisors meeting beginning in March. Uncertainty for the orders also looms as judges pause the orders to determine their legality, supervisors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supervisor Lucas Frerichs could not recall a time while in elected office when the federal government appeared to work against local officials. Even the Yolo Food Bank, tasked with feeding about 30,000 residents monthly, said it grapples with a budget shortfall due to federal spending cuts. Its a real cognitive dissonance situation that we are all experiencing right now, he said. Trump has signed 112 executive orders since he was sworn into office Jan. 20. Former President Joe Biden signed 77 executive orders in his first year in office and 29 such orders in his second year, according to the National Archives. The county receives about 10% of its funding from the federal government, Frerichs said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yolo County residents may face complications and longer time allocations to register to vote after Trump signed an executive order called Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections. The countys elections office could incur additional costs when taking extra steps to verify a voters citizenship, according to the most recent updated tracker. Failure to comply could result in a loss of funding or ineligibility for certain federal funding, the document states. The county could be responsible for responding to emergencies, such as cyber attacks, wildfires, hurricanes and space weather, the tracker said. Local government officials could be tasked with improving infrastructure and economic resilience to global and dynamic threats and hazards, the tracker said. Many of residents concerns also stem from the Trump administrations decision to gut agencies. Cuts to federal funding directly impacting vulnerable populations also have residents looking to government officials for help, said Supervisor Oscar Villeaga. But there are few answers officials can offer, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is incredibly unusual and very challenging, frankly, he said. This is hard to manage. The Yolo Food Bank, which said 30,000 residents rely monthly on its services to eat, faces a shortfall of nearly $2 million from its $5.1 million operations budget after the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut programs and the expiration of money provided through the COVID-19 stimulus package called the American Rescue Plan Act. The loss in funds comes when demand for food distribution is up 18%, according to a Yolo Food Bank spokesperson. This is a steep hill to climb but our community has never backed down from a challenge, Yolo County Food Bank said Monday on Instagram. Supervisor Sheila Allen said shes worried about cuts to Medi-Cal, the states health care system for children and low-income adults. She said about 25% of adults and 40% of babies in Yolo County rely on those services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elected officials must also grapple with the uncertainty while drafting a budget for next fiscal year, beginning July 1. The reality is, at this juncture, we dont have clarity, said Villeaga, referring how the executive orders will impact local government. The jury is still out. US President Donald Trump has extended the sanctions imposed by Biden against Russia in 2021. Source: a document of the US Federal Register. Details: Trump has extended Biden's executive orders, which imposed a state of emergency on Russia and allowed sanctions against Russia for another year. "Specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation... continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency must continue in effect beyond 15 April 2025," the notice says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document mentions that Russia continues to pose a threat to free elections and democratic institutions in the United States and its allies. It also mentions participation in and assistance with cyberattacks against the United States, the promotion and use of transnational corruption to influence foreign governments, activities against dissidents or journalists, undermining security in countries and regions critical to US national security, and violations of established international law principles, such as respect for state territorial integrity. Background: On 15 April 2021, Biden declared a state of emergency under Executive Order 14024 to address the threat posed by the Russian government's malicious activities. On 8 March 2022, Biden issued Executive Order 14066, which expanded the scope of the state of emergency, followed by several more executive orders expanding sanctions against Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order extending for one year the sanctions against Russia originally imposed by former President Joe Biden in April 2021 over Russias harmful foreign activities, according to an April 10 document from the U.S. Federal Register. "Specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency must continue in effect beyond 15 April 2025," the document says. The extension cites continued Russian actions such as interference in democratic institutions, cyberattacks, repression of dissidents and journalists, and violations of international law, including threats to territorial integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, the U.S. president has renewed his push for a ceasefire. Axios reported on April 11, citing an undisclosed source, that Trump could impose additional sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire with Ukraine is not reached by the end of April. Despite this, the Trump administration has not yet imposed any major sanctions on Russia. At the same time, the White House previously paused military assistance to Ukraine in March, pressuring Kyiv to agree to a mineral resource deal. U.S. representatives have also recently met on numerous occasions with their Russian counterparts to discuss renewed economic and diplomatic cooperation between the countries after ties were severed in recent years. Read also: Trump frustrated with both sides amid ongoing peace talks, White House says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on April 11 that U.S. President Donald Trump has been "continually frustrated" with both Ukraine and Russia as peace talks continue to drag on. "I think the president has been quite clear that he's been continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict," Leavitt said. "(Trump) wants to see this fighting end, he wants the war to end, and we believe we have leverage in negotiating a deal." The White House's comments preceded a meeting between his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss a potential path toward a settlement in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite repeated threats over the pace of negotiations, the Trump administration has not yet imposed any major sanctions on Russia after it failed to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire during talks in Jeddah on March 11, provided Russia abides by the conditions. Moscow has rejected the deal unless it includes conditions undermining Ukraine's defenses, namely a full halt on foreign military aid. Instead, Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. agreed on March 25 to halt attacks on energy infrastructure and fighting in the Black Sea. However, the Kremlin has blocked the partial ceasefire as well, saying that the Black Sea ceasefire would take effect only after some sanctions against Russia are lifted. Russia and Ukraine have also accused each other of violating the ban on energy infrastructure strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on April 11, Trump said that Russia "has to get moving" to end its war against Ukraine. "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," Trump said on Truth Social. In recent days, the U.S. president has renewed his push for a ceasefire. Axios reported on April 11, citing an undisclosed source, that Trump could impose additional sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire with Ukraine is not reached by the end of April. Since Kyiv and Washington agreed on a temporary truce, Russia has launched 70 missiles, 2,200 Shahed drones, and 6,000 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on April 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: US, Ukraine minerals deal negotiations antagonistic, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A 60-foot wide strip of land along three southwestern border states will be placed under the jurisdiction of the U.S. military to help deter illegal immigration, the White House said Friday. President Donald Trump issued a memorandum directing the military to take temporary control over the Roosevelt Reservation, a corridor that runs along the border line in California, Arizona and New Mexico. The order would empower troops to detain people attempting to illegally enter the U.S. within the stretch of land, which was established by President Theodore Roosevelt for border security in 1907. Trump authorized the military to operate in the same area during his first administration to aid construction of a wall to deter migrant crossings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memorandum marks an escalation in the presidents use of the military to facilitate his sweeping crackdown on immigration. And while unclear how far the administration will go, it could be an additional step to militarizing the nations southwestern border. Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats, the memorandum said. The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past. Immigration, military and legal experts have said that Trump's move to militarize the border could raise legal questions about potential violations to the Posse Comitatus Act, a federal law that generally prohibits active-duty troops from being used in domestic law enforcement. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, said it appeared the administration was trying to find a way around restrictions on the use of the U.S. military for civilian border enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welp theyre doing the Roosevelt Reservation crazy strategy, giving the military jurisdiction over a 60-foot-wide stretch of land from CA to AZ and then claim that migrants are being arrested for 'trespassing on military property' thus trying to bypass the Posse Commitatus Act, Reichlin-Melnick said in a post on X. The Friday action comes as Trump has asked the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to submit recommendations by April 20 on whether he should use the Insurrection Act of 1807 to boost his mass deportation campaign. The centuries-old law would allow Trump to deploy additional U.S. military to the southern border and order troops to aid law enforcement in carrying out domestic policies. But illegal border crossings have plunged to historic lows since Trump took office. The administration reported 7,200 migrant encounters in March, down from more than 189,000 during the same month the year before. President Donald Trump is notorious for selecting advisers who closely follow his command and firing those who dont. But Elon Musk seems to be the exception to that rule. Musk has gotten increasingly bold in his open dissent in the past week on matters ranging from Trumps political messaging to the presidents other advisers. And he has made a habit of getting out in front of the president, both before and after he joined the White House. Democrats have tried to drive a wedge between the pair, mockingly referring to Musk as President Elon in a bid to try to anger the president who famously hates sharing the spotlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But by all accounts, Trump who was notorious for firing officials at the drop of a hat under his previous administration has remained happy with Musk, despite his fellow billionaire drawing a disproportionate amount of attention compared to other senior White House aides, and even members of the presidents Cabinet. Spokespeople for the White House and Musks Department of Government Efficiency did not respond to requests for comment on Saturday about the pairs relationship. But Trump has laughed off the co-president needling, saying in a joint interview with Musk on Fox News in February that its just so obvious. Theyre so bad at it. In fact, the president has continued to praise his adviser, even as he says he will leave soon. At a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump extolled Musk and his DOGE team, saying: Your people are fantastic. Hopefully they will stay around for the long haul, wed like to keep as many as we can. With no messaging from Trump otherwise, Musk has continued making known his opinions on administration affairs. Here are five times that Musk has gone well beyond any other presidential adviser: Tariff tussle Musk has taken aim at Trumps trade counselor, Peter Navarro, one of the public faces of the administrations signature aggressive tariff policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The billionaire launched several attacks at Navarro on his social media platform X starting last weekend, mocking him multiple times, including alongside a video in which Navarro explained the logic behind the tariff policy. Trumps tariffs immediately sparked market volatility and set in motion a global trade war. Musk, who is CEO of multiple companies reliant on parts imported from China which has borne the brunt of Trumps tariff ire has lost billions. He also said in a speech abroad that he hoped to one day see the U.S. and European Union get to a zero-tariff situation days after the start of the trade war. The tech CEO appeared to take out his frustrations on Navarro, calling the trade counselor a moron and branding him with a new nickname Peter Retarrdo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off questions about Musks public attacks on Tuesday. Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue, Leavitt said. To infinity and beyond Musk also spoke out this week after reports that the Office of Management and Budget had proposed massive cuts to NASAs funding. Musk, whose SpaceX is NASAs largest private contractor, once again took to X to comment on the reports. Troubling, he wrote of the reported cuts, adding that while he is very much in favor of science, he unfortunately cannot participate in NASA budget discussions, due to SpaceX being a major contractor to NASA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although he may not have actively participated in the budget decisions, the SpaceX CEO has long held a close relationship with Trumps pick for NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman, and Isaacmans payment processing company Shift4 has invested in Musks SpaceX. Cabinet smackdown Closer to home, Musk has also publicly interfered in the affairs of Trump's Cabinet. Musk, who has a seat at the table despite not officially being a Cabinet member, quarreled with Secretary of State Marco Rubio over how to handle cuts to the State Department. "ELON AND MARCO HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. ANY STATEMENT OTHER THAN THAT IS FAKE NEWS!!! Trump wrote on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump eventually reassured his Cabinet members that while Musk was empowered to make recommendations across the government, he could not make changes unilaterally but only after Musk had run roughshod over much of the federal bureaucracy. Musk also pushed then-transition co-chair Howard Lutnick to lead the Treasury Department in the weeks following Trumps election. The president ultimately chose Scott Bessent to head Treasury, but tapped Lutnick as secretary of Commerce. With friends like these Musk also waded into the fight over Senate Republican leadership something Trump stayed away from. As the race heated up in November, Musk came out with a decisive endorsement for Floridas Rick Scott for the job, even as Trump himself withheld his endorsement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president instead chose to proclaim that any senator seeking the leadership role must agree to Recess Appointments to hasten the entry process for Trumps Cabinet appointments. Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader! Musk wrote, saying in a separate post that Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) who ultimately won the position and is now key to getting Trumps agenda through Congress was the top choice of Democrats. Going global Musk has been vocal on elections at the global level as well, endorsing a slate of right-wing candidates in several European countries over the past few months a highly unusual move for a presidential confidante. The presidents adviser made waves after repeatedly endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany party in the countrys snap election this winter, drawing criticism for meddling in a foreign democracy. But Musk continued pushing the party, hosting a lengthy conversation with AfD leader and candidate for chancellor Alice Weidel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The X owner even appeared virtually at a party rally days after Trump was inaugurated, in which he encouraged Germans to vote for Weidel and to move on from past guilt, seemingly referencing the countrys history with the Nazi party. The billionaire has also levied criticisms at now-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who Trump has publicly taken a shine to. Musk also threw his support briefly behind anti-immigrant Reform leader Nigel Farage, before trashing the U.K. politician in an about-face on another longtime ally of the president. On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued a simple directive to the U.S. government. Or it would have been simple, anyway, if President Donald Trump werent engaged in such rampant lawlessness. The high court said the administration should be prepared to say what steps it has taken to bring back Kilmar Abrego Garciathe Maryland man whom the government itself admits was deported to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador in error. The government still hasnt answered that basic question. On Friday, the administration refused to honor a judicial orderdelivered by a lower court in response to the Supreme Courts rulingto provide a response to it. Which offers an occasion to step back and underscore a deeply unsettling absurdity about this repugnant story thats gotten lost in all the legal minutiae. Its this: All along, the administration has had the option of moving to return Abrego Garcia to the United States and then trying again to deport him via conventional legal processeswhich, ironically enough, could result in his removal anyway, in a more lawful manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why hasnt the government taken that simple step? That question is the bigger, darker one underlying this whole saga. In its Thursday ruling, the Supreme Court confirmed that Abrego Garcias deportation was illegal. Abrego Garciawho was removed to El Salvador in mid-Marchhad whats known as withholding from removal status, which an immigration judge granted in 2019. This halted a government effort to deport him to El Salvador at that time, as hed face grave danger there. The government has admitted it knew Abrego Garcia could not be deported to El Salvador but that an administrative error caused his removal to that country. Yet the administration has refused to return him. So the high court directed the government to tell a district court in Marylandwhere he lives and had been detained for removalwhat it has done to rectify this error. The Supreme Court did this while partially upholding a ruling by that lower court, which had said the administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return. The Supreme Court also ordered the lower court to define what specifically the government must do to effectuate that return, and said the government should be prepared to tell the lower court what it is doing to that end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which brings us to the present. Pursuant to that high court ruling, the lower court directed the government to say what steps its taking to bring Abrego Garcia back. Then, on Friday, in an extraordinary series of exchanges, a government lawyer refused to answer that question, claiming officials are not yet prepared to share that information. So lets look at the bigger unknown: Why wont the government return Abrego Garcia to the United States and seek his removal again in a more lawful manner? The administration claims it is under no obligation to rectify its erroneous deportation of Abrego Garcia to begin with. But its arguments in this regard are exceptionally weak. First, the administration says it cannot order El Salvador to give him back. But we are paying that country to hold dozens of others as a service to Trumps propaganda and hate campaign against immigrantssorry, as a service to the United Statesso the government can simply ask El Salvador for his return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, the government says courts cant order it to seek his return because that would intrude on the presidents power to conduct foreign relations. But this doesnt explain why Trump doesnt do this of his own accord, and besides, the U.S. government has traditionally sought to correct other erroneous deportations. Finally, to justify leaving Abrego Garcia in a foreign gulag, the Trump administration claims he is a member of the MS-13 gang. But the evidence for this is exceptionally thin. As the lower court has noted, it rests on the claim that a confidential informant told police in Maryland (where he was detained in 2019) that he was in the gang, and on his Chicago Bulls hat and hoodie. Thats absurd. But heres the thing: Even if you allow that Abrego Garcia might have been in MS-13, the government still can simply return him, go into an immigration court, and relitigate his initial withholding of removal status. Or, alternatively, the government can seek to deport him to a third country, which isnt precluded by that status. In short, the choice is not necessarily between (1) leaving him to rot in a foreign prison after sending him there illegally and (2) bringing him back to roam free inside the United States for the rest of his life. Rather, its between (1) leaving him to rot in a foreign prison after sending him there illegally and (2) retrying him in the United States and seeking his deportation that way, if the government so chooses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the government brings him back, they can let him go back to living his normal life, or they can seek to remove him properly, says American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick. The one thing they have to do is give him due process. When the choice is understood this way, the whole story looks even uglier. And so, the administrations latest refusal to say what its doing to return Abrego Garciaas the high court directedconstitutes a very dark turn in this tale. Its not hard to guess at the administrations motives here. Bringing Abrego Garcia back to U.S. soiland then arguing he should again be removed to El Salvadoris a case the administration might lose. Or if the administration sought to remove him to a third country, that would allow Abrego Garcia to challenge that effort. Either path would unleash an even bigger media spectacle. It would mean more coverage of Abrego Garcias marriage to a U.S. citizen and the couples autistic child. It would mean more attention to his longtime ties to a local Maryland communityhes lived there 14 years, after initially entering illegally in 2011even as the administration redoubled removal efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also mean more pressure on the administration to present actual evidence of the claim that hes a gang member. Vice President JD Vance and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt have worked themselves up into paroxysms of phony outrage in making this charge. Why dont they want it reexamined within lawful channels? The question answers itself. Its likely that these are the real reasons the Trump administration wants to leave Abrego Garcia wasting away in a foreign gulag rather than rectify its own illegal actions. But, hey, maybe thats all wrong. If so, Trumps government can demonstrate this whenever it wants toby bringing him back and trying to remove him again, the lawful way. Donald Trump has ordered the military to take control of federal lands along the border to deter what the president has deemed an invasion of illegal immigrants and cartel activity - a move that continues to push his crackdown on immigration. Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats, a Friday presidential memo reads. The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past. Thousands of U.S. troops were already at the border before the order, but Fridays action spells out in more detail some of the new powers Trump wants the military to use along the frontier line, including temporarily detaining migrants and building new barriers. Trumps order mentions soldiers deploying to the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip of federal land running across the borderlands of California, Arizona and New Mexico, and suggests the military will keep expanding its presence going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics are likely to argue the new phase of Trumps border crackdown sees the military crossing legal lines, barring them from domestic law enforcement in all but the most extreme circumstances. Heres what you need to know about Trumps newest order: A Stryker armored vehicle platoon is stationed near the fence at the southern U.S. border with Mexico, in Douglas, Arizona, on April 3. President Donald Trump has ordered the military to take control of land near the southern border (AFP via Getty Images) What powers will the soldiers have under the new order? By deploying the military to the border, Trump is essentially turning areas such as the Roosevelt Reservation into military installations. As a result, soldiers will be able to temporarily detain those migrants who enter these military zones under federal law until agents from the Border Patrol arrive. Critics argue Trump is carrying out an end run around the longstanding Posse Commitatus Act, which generally bars the military from domestic law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welp theyre doing the Roosevelt Reservation crazy strategy, giving the military jurisdiction over a 60-foot-wide stretch of land from CA to AZ and then claim that migrants are being arrested for trespassing on military property thus trying to bypass the Posse Commitatus Act, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, wrote on X. How big is the deployment at the border now? There are about 10,000 U.S. troops spread across the border, a vast increase from the 2,500 deployed there under the Biden administration. Military personnel have used tech such as drones and eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicles as part of the mission. Trump has claimed soldiers are necessary to repel the invasion at the border. The new order will give the military additional powers at the border (EPA) What kind of impact are they having on immigration? Border crossings were already declining from their Biden-era peak of over 370,000 per month when Trump took office, and the Republicans hard-line stances deploying troops, canceling temporary migrant protections for those inside the U.S. and pursuing a mass deportation campaign appear to be driving a drastic decrease in immigrants crossing the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just over 7,000 illegal crossings were recorded in March, per Customs and Border Protection data, down from 28,654 in February. Is Trumps border plan legal? The White House, following the lead of conservative border states such as Texas, has been making a legal argument that U.S. is literally under invasion by migrants and cartels, justifying sweeping emergency powers in response. Border-crossings have declined sharply since Trump took office - with just over7,000 illegal crossing noted in March (EPA) In January, Trump declared a national emergency at the border and designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. What comes next? The buffer zone plan is likely only the beginning of an even more stepped-up military presence on the border. The Friday memo orders the Secretary of Interior to allow the soldiers on lands that havent yet been officially been transferred to military control, and mentions the separate ability of the Defense Department to ask state governors to deploy the National Guard to the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States such Texas already have thousands of their troops at the boundary line, under Governor Abbotts controversial Operation Lone Star. The Trump administration is considering invoking an emergency law to use the military even more in border enforcement (Getty Images) Later this month, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security will offer recommendations to Trump on whether to invoke the emergency 1807 Insurrection Act, which would allow the deployment of additional troops, who could join in law enforcement operations. The Trump administration has shown its willingness to use emergency wartime powers for immigration enforcement elsewhere, invoking the scarcely used Alien Enemies Act to summarily deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. The administration is also reportedly considering using drones to attack Mexican drug cartels on Mexican soil. A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. Donald Trumps White House has a threatening message for anyone who might even be perceived to disagree with the president: Dont. Or else. Even though he has promised to end what he viewed as weaponization of the Department of Justice, Trump is treating people who disagree with him more like the enemy from within he talked about during the presidential campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president took the unusual step this week of issuing official proclamations ordering the federal investigations of people who worked in his first administration. Hes demanding free work from law firms who represented his perceived enemies, threatening to impeach judges, deporting campus protesters and so much more. The underlying message, for anyone who hasnt put all these things together, is that dissent will not be tolerated under Trump 2.0. To official who said 2020 was a secure election: Youre under investigation Chris Krebs oversaw the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, CISA, during Trumps first term and affirmed the election Trump lost was free of fraud or tampering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats exactly why Trump wants him investigated. As Trump puts it in the proclamation, Krebs falsely and baselessly denied that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen. There is still zero compelling evidence the 2020 election was rigged or stolen, but the effect on Krebs cybersecurity business could be real. And the message to anyone currently working to secure American elections is unmistakable: There will be consequences for crossing the president, even when the president is alleging election fraud that does not exist. Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, gives an opening statement during a hearing to discuss election security and the 2020 election process on December 16, 2020, in Washington, DC. - Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images To the face of first-term resistance: Youre guilty of treason The other individual Trump targeted with a proclamation is Miles Taylor, the former Homeland Security official who wrote, first anonymously, during Trumps first term that there was a resistance among government officials working to mute the presidents impact. Read CNNs full report. Trump did not cite any specific law either man might have broken, but he did say in the Oval Office he thinks Taylor is guilty of treason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes using every public and private means to try to attack these people, humiliate these people, get them to come and kiss the ring, said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jamie Raskin in a video posted to social media. Trump is taking no chances with a resistance effort during his second term. His layoffs of federal workers, gutting of entire agencies and punitive firings should be message enough. Key officials, notably, have resigned in key moments rather than follow directives they disagreed with. To law firms that opposed Trump: Pony up In the Oval Office, as he signed those proclamations targeting Krebs and Taylor, Trump bragged that law firms who represented his opponents are now lining up to do free work on his behalf after he threatened them with retribution in executive orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His aide Stephen Miller said firms have agreed to nearly $700 million in free work for Trump to avoid punitive proclamations. Some law firms, notably Jenner & Block, sued over Trumps efforts to punish them. A judge said the orders were likely unconstitutional, but many other firms are bending the knee and agreeing to do free work on Trumps behalf instead. There are multiple other examples of Trump using the weight of the government to target people and places he opposes. President Donald Trump arrives for an executive order signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House on April 8, 2025. - Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images To cities that dont want to comply with ICE moves: Federal offices will be closed Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced the closure of multiple offices in cities that do not comply with ICE efforts and relocate them elsewhere. The targeted cities are Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City and Seattle. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy did not mention immigration policy when he announced in a New York Post Op-Ed that HHS would close half of its 10 regional offices. But the targeted offices are a similar list: Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle. Atlanta will keep its regional HHS office, along with Kansas City, Dallas, Denver and Philadelphia. To universities struggling to balance free speech: Research grants are frozen Cornell and Northwestern joined a growing list of elite research universities that have had hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars in research grants frozen. The administration has demanded that schools end diversity programs and has criticized student protests against the war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more. To lawful immigrants and students who led campus protests: Well deport you CNN has identified hundreds of students whose visas have been revoked, but the most notable example of a protester targeted for deportation is Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who has been detained in Louisiana for more than a month. A Louisiana immigration judge ruled Friday that Khalil can be deported, although that likely wont happen immediately since there is also an ongoing case in New Jersey. Khalil was arrested in New York, not Louisiana, and CNN has reported that immigrant rights advocates fear the administration is effectively shopping for judges by moving detainees like Khalil from the Northeast to the South. Mahmoud Khalil at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York, on April 29, 2024. - Ted Shaffrey/AP/File To judges who might rule against the administration: Well move to impeach you Republicans in the House do not appear to have the votes, but Trump and Musk have publicly called for judges who issue rulings they disagree with to be impeached. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare rebuke of that language. The House did have the votes this week to pass a bill aimed at restricting district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions against Trumps policies, but it faces an uncertain future in the Senate. To the DOJ lawyer who admitted a man was deported in error: Youre suspended The Supreme Court said this week that Trumps administration must facilitate the return of a Maryland father who a Department of Justice lawyer admitted in court was mistakenly deported. The lawyer who made the admission has been suspended, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He shouldnt have argued it, if thats what he was going to do, she said on Fox News. All of this will have an effect across the country as people who disagree with Trump struggle to figure out how to register their opposition. CNNs Michael Williams went to a protest supporting immigrants in Dallas and heard one organizer say that people who take part need to be prepared to be deported. As organizers who feel compelled to protest in this day, we have to accept we may be subject to removal, Jaclyn McJunkin, an immigration-rights organizer and activist, told the group of about 50 people, according to Williams report. Its just something that you have to embrace, OK? Because if you dont, then they win, right? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A day after the Supreme Court ordered that President Donald Trumps administration return an innocent Maryland man wrongfully deported to a notorious El Salvadoran mega-prison, the president said that he would respect the high courts decision. If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court, Trump told reporters on Friday. He added, I have great respect for the Supreme Court. Despite the presidents remarks, his administration has yet to provide information regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcias location and any details they have taken towards ensuring his release. The conservative-controlled courts ruling was unanimous on Thursday, with all nine justices backing a lower-court order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador. The ruling sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who ordered the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release and return to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the justices separately stated that the district courts order to effectuate Abrego Garcias release may have been a step too far. Trumps Justice Department issued a statement attempting to cast the decision as a win for its position, writing: As the Supreme Court correctly recognized, it is the exclusive prerogative of the President to conduct foreign affairs. By directly noting the deference owed to the Executive Branch, this ruling once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the Presidents authority to conduct foreign policy. When speaking to reporters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared to seize on this distinction. The Supreme Court made their ruling last night very clear that its the administrations responsibility to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, said Leavitt. Earlier this month, Trumps Department of Homeland Security admitted that it had wrongfully deported Abrego Garcia to the El Salvadoran prison due to an administrative error. Abrego Garcia had been granted protection from removal to El Salvador, making it illegal to send him there. Xinis last week ordered the administration return Abrego Garcia to the U.S., but the Trump administration appealed the ruling, arguing that they did not have the authority to bring back Abrego Garcia since he is in the custody of El Salvador. Following the Supreme Courts ruling, in an order on Thursday, Judge Xinis said the government must take all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United States as soon as possible. The judge gave the Justice Department until 9:30 a.m. ET on Friday, and then 11:30 a.m., to detail where Abrego Garcia is located and what steps have been taken to bring him back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the judges demand, the Trump administration did not provide even basic details to Kilmar Abrego Garcias whereabouts, and Xinis denounced the governments lack of information as extremely troubling. Im asking a very simple question. Where is he? Xinis asked Justice Department lawyers at Fridays court hearing, Politico reported. In reply, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign answered, I do not have that information. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE President Trump said Friday he would respect a Supreme Court decision to bring back a Maryland man the administration mistakenly deported to El Salvador. If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Florida for the weekend. I have great respect for the Supreme Court, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to lift a judges order requiring the Trump administration to facilitate the return of Kilmer Abrego Garcia. The courts emergency ruling instructs the lower judge to clarify the language of her order but said she acted properly in ensuring that Abrego Garcias case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. The White House earlier Friday tempered expectations about the lengths it would go to in order to bring back Abrego Garcia. The Supreme Court made their ruling last night very clear that its the administrations responsibility to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis at a hearing Friday afternoon scolded the Justice Department for demanding more time to update the court on next steps after the department attempted to impose delays on the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Donald Trump, who has long dismissed concerns about his age and mental ability with bombastic declarations of his brilliance, said he got every answer right on a cognitive test that he took as part of his annual physical exam on Friday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump, 78, suggested that he chose to take a cognitive assessment because he wanted to be a little different than his predecessor and election rival, former President Joe Biden. I dont know what to tell you other than I got every answer right, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked for details about the cognitive test, Trump replied, I think its a pretty well-known test. Whatever it is, I got every one I got it all right. Trump underwent a nearly five-hour physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, taking, as he told reporters, every test you can imagine. He said the doctors report will likely be released on Sunday. Overall, I felt I was in very good shape. A good heart, a good soul a very good soul, he said. Trump was the oldest person to be sworn in as president at his inauguration in January. Although concerns about mental and physical aptitude largely centered on Biden who is now 82 during the 2024 election, Trump, too, has struggled to fend off questions about his ability to serve in the highest office. He has been less forthcoming about his health in recent years, instead making outrageous and at times bizarre assertions about his physical and mental fitness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps annual physical brings renewed attention to his advanced age. He has sported a visible bruise on his hand on several recent occasions, including while hosting French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in February. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the time that Trump has bruises because hes constantly working and shaking hands. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com President Donald Trump was unable to recall the details of the cognitive test he took as part of his physical Fridaybut he assured reporters that he got all the answers right. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One about his annual physical, Trump was asked about the cognitive assessment included in his annual doctors visit. While he seemed unableor unwillingto recall specific details, he told the press, Its a pretty well known test. Whatever it is. I got every one right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that he took the test because he wanted to be a little different than [President Joe] Biden, who faced significant scrutiny during his term for showing signs of cognitive decline. Of his health overall, Trump said, I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart. A good soul. Very good soul. President Donald Trump raises a fist as he steps off Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport Friday. / MANDEL NGAN / AFP via Getty Images Full details of the physical, which was conducted by Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, are expected to be released on Sunday. He went straight from the appointment to Florida on Friday, boarding Air Force one shortly after departing Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Trumps boasts about his physical and mental health are nothing new. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also touted his cognitive abilities during his recent presidential campaign, telling the crowd at an event in Iowa in December 2023: I took a physical and I passed with flying colors. He continued, And I took a cognitive exam. I said, Doctor, give me anything you want, I want to take it. He added that he felt potential presidential candidates should be forced to take cognitive exams, adding that then-President Joe Biden would not be able to match his results. Trump also had a viral moment in 2020 when he recounted that years cognitive test, saying in order a number of words he was asked to remember: Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV. Fridays physical marks the first time during his second term that the public will learn key details of Trumps health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump refused to release his medical records following the attempt on his life last Julyinstead having Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), his former White House physician, write a memo describing the gunshot wound. During his campaign, Trump released a letter written by Dr. Bruce A. Aronwald to coincide with Bidens 81st birthday, claiming that Trump was in excellent physical and mental health. It omitted specifics such as weight, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels. Trump threatens sanctions, tariffs on Mexico in water dispute (NewsNation) President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened Mexico with sanctions and tariffs in a dispute over water sharing between the two countries, accusing Mexico of breaking an 81-year-old treaty and stealing the water from Texas farmers. Under the 1944 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. The current five-year cycle is up in October, but Mexico has sent less than 30% of the required water, according to data from the International Boundary and Water Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security agents denied entry at two Los Angeles schools Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller claimed Mexico has the available but refuses to send it to the U.S. Rainfall is really not the issue with Mexico paying their water debt, he told NewsNation. What theyve (Mexico) done is dammed up the rivers and tributaries that flow into the Rio Grande, and theyre holding the water back. Miller claimed to have seen air photographs of Mexican lakes at full capacity but did not specify which ones. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in response to Trump, said on X that Mexico has been complying with the treaty to the extent water is available amid three years of drought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Reuters 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 NewsNation. Editors Note: Washington Week With The Atlantic is a partnership between NewsHour Productions, WETA, and The Atlantic airing every Friday on PBS stations nationwide. Check your local listings, watch full episodes here, or listen to the weekly podcast here. Donald Trumps trade war has unleashed global uncertainty. Panelists on Washington Week With The Atlantic joined to discuss the fallout from the presidents policiesand his insistence that tariffs are the key to strengthening the American economy. Trump is not particularly ideological, Ashley Parker said last night, but there are a few areas in which hes remained consistent: immigration and tariffs. He hates the idea that anyone is taking advantage of him or taking advantage, now, of his country, of the United States, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the presidents continued insistence on imposing high, global tariffs, he does not want America, in his eyes, to be getting a bad deal, Parker continued. Despite not having a particularly clear ideology on a number of things, he fundamentally believes that trade imbalances mean that America is getting ripped off. Joining the editor in chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, to discuss this and more: Zolan Kanno-Youngs, a White House correspondent for The New York Times; Jonathan Karl, the chief Washington correspondent for ABC News; Ashley Parker, a staff writer at The Atlantic; Tarini Parti, a White House reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Watch the full episode here. Article originally published at The Atlantic William Billy Marshall, the relatively unknown head of the West Virginia corrections department, has been selected to lead the troubled federal Bureau of Prisons, a Trump administration choice that took advocates for federal prison staff and incarcerated people aback Friday. President Trump made the announcement Thursday night on his Truth Social platform. Billy is a Strong Advocate for LAW AND ORDER, Trump wrote. He understands the struggles of our prisons better than anyone, and will help fix our broken Criminal Justice System. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marshall inherits an agency that has been understaffed and plagued by scandal for years. The bureau has recently faced congressional scrutiny, and its union leaders are unhappy about the presidents recent order to end collective bargaining for federal workers . In a written statement to the Marshall Project and The Times Friday, Marshall thanked Trump for this tremendous opportunity. Its been an honor and a privilege to serve the state of West Virginia, he said, adding that hes excited to take that West Virginia pride to the next level. After decades in law enforcement, Marshall took the helm in January 2023 of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which includes all of the states prisons, jails and juvenile lockups. Prior to that, he was assistant commissioner for the division and the head of the juvenile corrections division. He also spent 25 years in the state police and worked as a criminal investigation director for what is now called the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear whether that experience will translate well to a system as large as the federal Bureau of Prisons. The West Virginia corrections department incarcerates about 10,000 people on a typical day, while the federal system houses more than 150,000. Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) who, as West Virginias governor, appointed Marshall to lead the states prison system praised Marshalls selection in a Facebook post. I was proud to put Billy in charge of our Department of Corrections in West Virginia and we were able to turn it around after decades of decay. I have full confidence in him & know he will do a great job, Justice wrote. West Virginias prisons and jails have a fraught history. When Marshall took over, the states prisons were in the midst of a staffing crisis so severe that the governor had declared a state of emergency and deployed the National Guard to act as correctional officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marshall worked with the Legislature on a package to increase starting salaries and to raise pay and offer one-time bonuses for current correctional officers. The states regional jails have come under scrutiny for squalid conditions, excessive use of force and record numbers of deaths. They were the target of several civil rights suits, including one filed in 2022 that alleged the jail had broken toilets infested with maggots, 70 people sharing a single shower, and people being forced to sleep on cold, wet floors in the winter without heat. In response to such allegations, Marshall said inmates made up claims of inhumane treatment and told relatives to spread them, a local television news station reported at the time. A judge sanctioned state corrections officials for intentionally destroying evidence in that suit, writing that he will not turn a blind eye to the Defendants blatant arrogance and flippant response to their legal obligations. Marshall himself did not destroy evidence, the judge found, but as head of the agency, he still bears responsibility for any and all continuing video that is lost. Two agency staffers were later fired as a result . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lydia Milnes, an attorney who has sued West Virginias corrections department several times, expressed worries about Marshalls appointment. Im concerned that he comes from a past where the culture is to use force to gain control as opposed to considering less violent alternatives, she said. He has continued to foster a culture of using excessive force. A separate suit, which the corrections department settled in 2022, alleged widespread failures of the jails medical and mental health care. Just this week, attorneys for people locked up in the jails accused Marshall and other state officials of dragging their feet on implementing the reforms they had agreed on and withholding critical information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much like its smaller counterpart in West Virginia, the Bureau of Prisons has dealt with severe problems, including staffing shortages, preventable deaths and overuse of solitary confinement in recent years. An investigation by the Marshall Project in 2022 disclosed pervasive violence and abuse at a high-security unit in the Thomson federal penitentiary in Illinois. After congressional inquiries and another death at the unit, the bureau closed it in 2023. Another facility, FCI Dublin in California, was dubbed the rape club because of numerous sexual abuse scandals. The facility, roughly 20 miles east of Oakland, shut down last year after more than a half dozen correctional officers and the former warden were convicted of sexually abusing women incarcerated there. Read more: California women's prison rocked by 'rape club' abuse scandals to be closed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bureau also faces massive infrastructure challenges. A report from the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General found needed maintenance at every bureau facility , including leaky roofs and buildings that were in such poor shape that the bureau determined they needed to be partially or fully closed. As of early 2024, the prison system estimated major repairs would cost $3 billion. The bureau has also struggled to hire staff, and labor leaders say that problem is likely to get worse because of Trumps executive order ending collective bargaining for agency employees. That has increased discontent among staff members, who were already upset about cuts to r ecruitment and retention bonuses that had bolstered officer pay at some of the agencys hardest-to-staff facilities. Adding to the pressure, as of February, the Bureau of Prisons was holding hundreds of immigrant detainees as part of Trumps mass deportation efforts, a move that agency observers fear will exacerbate the prison systems challenges. The agency has been largely rudderless since Trump fired the prior director, Colette Peters, in January. Shortly after, at least six top bureau officials resigned , including then-acting director Bill Lothrop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandy Moore White, president of the national union for federal prison workers, said shes cautiously optimistic about Marshalls appointment, though she wasnt familiar with him. Somebody leading the ship is better than everybody pointing fingers, she said. To some federal prison workers, news of Marshalls appointment came as a shock, and they describe it as confirmation that the White House appears to have little interest in working with federal employees. We were beyond surprised and a little bit disappointed that the announcement came through a social media post, said John Kostelnik, the California-based Western regional vice president for the correctional workers union. Our agency officials, the high-ups they had no clue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kostelnik said he and other union leaders have learned few details about Marshall, beyond the basics of his resume. Still, Kostelnik said hes optimistic it will be a fruitful relationship and that the union is ready to work hand-in-hand with the new director. Josh Lepird, the unions South Central regional vice president, echoed that hope, but added a hint of caution: Im hopeful hes here to work with us, but I dont know, he said. With the current administrations actions, it could be that hes here to privatize us. On Friday morning, typically outspoken advocacy organizations offered measured responses to Marshalls appointment. Shanna Rifkin, deputy general counsel of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, or FAMM a nonprofit that works to improve the justice system and prison conditions said Marshall's lack of federal experience didn't necessarily pose a problem and that the organization looked forward to working with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its good he has experience running a prison system and hope that hell be open to learning about the federal system from people in the advocacy community and impacted populations and their loved ones, Rifkin said. David Fathi, director of the ACLU's National Prisons Project, called the federal prison system a deeply troubled agency in urgent need of reform and said he hoped the new director would tackle the many systemic problems that have been identified by courts, the Inspector General, and Bureau staff. This article was published in partnership with the Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system. Sign up for their newsletters, and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and Facebook. 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. Trump's 'Freedom Cities' plan aims to build housing and manufacturing hubs on federal land. The American Enterprise Institute identified where millions of homes could be built. Critics compare the plan to China's city-building projects, but there could be bipartisan appeal. On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump promised to bring down the cost of housing. Some of the new housing he's proposed that could help lower prices would be built in brand-new cities constructed from scratch on federally owned land. Trump's proposed "Freedom Cities" would be manufacturing hubs featuring flying cars and plentiful single-family housing, delivering a "quantum leap for America's standard of living," he said in a 2023 video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal, which was light on details, received a muted response and even some criticism from conservatives. But a prominent conservative think tank, the American Enterprise Institute, is taking the idea seriously. The group's housing center recently published an ambitious blueprint called "Homesteading 2.0" that identifies hundreds of potential locations for 20 new "freedom cities" and sites for 3 million new homes on federal land. Prospective sites for the new cities are largely in Western states, where demand for homes has surged and the US government controls much of the land mass. To incentivize the rapid development of homes, infrastructure, and private industry, proponents of the cities say they should be exempt from all kinds of government laws and regulations. While there's some bipartisan support for repurposing federal land for housing, Trump's vision would require local support, including from those concerned with environmental protection. The AEI analysis focuses largely on metro areas in Western states like Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho. The report envisions major new population centers in the outskirts of places like Las Vegas; Bend, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Grand Junction, Colorado. The researchers created an interactive map showing where they've determined the new cities could be built. The dark green locations shown below are the best fit for freedom cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In areas where we have plenty of land, why shouldn't we be using it?" Tobias Peter, co-director of AEI's housing center, told Business Insider. "These cities with high prices, they have shown over time that they have little interest in promoting housing supply." AEI found that areas outside Western cities like Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Bend, Oregon would be best for new "freedom cities." Courtesy of the American Enterprise Institute Deregulated zones Some proponents of freedom cities want them to be designed to attract developers and private industry by offering government incentives and exemptions from many state and federal laws and regulations. They would feature "targeted regulatory relief, perhaps focused on different emerging and critical technologies," Jeffrey Mason, head of policy at the nonprofit Charter Cities Institute, told BI. Mason has been working with AEI and other groups to draft legislation that would create a legal framework for the new cities. He said they've had a few informal conversations with the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration has so far made some tentative moves in this direction. In March, the secretaries of the US Department of Interior, Doug Burgum, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner, announced a joint task force to explore opening up federal land for housing construction. "Working together, our agencies can take inventory of underused federal properties, transfer or lease them to states or localities to address housing needs, and support the infrastructure required to make development viable," Turner and Burgum wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. A White House spokesperson declined to comment on the effort and pointed BI to the op-ed. Trump has promised to usher in "a quantum leap in the American standard of living" through "Freedom Cities" on federal land. Stuart Pearce/Getty Images AEI's proposal focused on finding prospective locations for new cities in areas where housing is in demand near pre-existing jobs and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sin City is among the most attractive contenders. The federal government manages about 86% of Nevada's land and some neighborhoods in metro Las Vegas are built right up to the border of land managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management that currently sits empty but could be developed. AEI found an area just north of the city has room for about 200,000 new homes for about 600,000 people. "Las Vegas is almost entirely bound by this BLM land, it functions as a growth constraint," said Arthur Gailes, manager of housing supply initiatives at AEI. "There is no barrier that would prevent this land from being built on, except that it is rendered illegal by the fact of being managed by the BLM." Potential locations for freedom cities on federal land in the Las Vegas area. Courtesy of the American Enterprise Institute A bipartisan solution? Building housing on federal land, in theory, has bipartisan support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned on continuing the Biden administration's efforts to open up certain parcels for dense affordable housing. "It speaks to the underlying agreement over there being a housing supply issue," Matthew Murphy, executive director of NYU's Furman Center, told BI last year. "And then the following logical question being, what can the government do about it?" But opening up federal land for entirely new cities has a slew of critics, including conservation groups concerned about adverse impacts on wildlife and the natural environment. There's some precedent for this kind of development. Freedom city proponents point to mid-20th century master-planned US cities including Columbia, Maryland, and Reston, Virginia and major mixed-use developments like the Woodlands in Texas and Teravalis in Arizona as models. But these cities weren't built on federal land or subject to their own regulatory framework. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some see in Trump's proposal echoes of authoritarian projects abroad. Max Woodworth, an urban geographer at the Ohio State University who wrote a paper on Trump's freedom cities, compared the undertaking to China's ambitious, and not always successful, city-building projects. "The desire to emulate China emerges out of a sense of quite evident anxiety that China has gotten a jump on the United States," Woodworth told Business Insider. "These are the types of new cities that are specifically designed to short-circuit any kind of democratic process of creating a new city, really in favor of making top-down corporate structures that masquerade as cities." Read the original article on Business Insider California's national forests are on the chopping block literally in the wake of the Trump administration's April 5 order to immediately expand timber production in the United States. Last week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued an emergency declaration that ordered the U.S. Forest Service to open up some 112.5 million acres of national forestland to logging. The announcement included a grainy map of affected forests, which did not specify forest names or the amount of impacted acreage in each. However, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials have confirmed to The Times that the order will touch all 18 of the Golden State's national forests, which collectively span more than 20 million acres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The USDA Forest Service stands ready to fulfill the Secretary's vision of productive and resilient national forests outlined in the memorandum," the agency said in a written statement. "In alignment with the Secretary's direction, we will streamline forest management efforts, reduce burdensome regulations, and grow partnerships to support economic growth and sustainability." Read more: Trump administration rolls back forest protections in effort to rev up logging California is home to more federal forests than any other state, including the Angeles, Sequoia and Klamath national forests. Officials with the USDA, which oversees the Forest Service, said they do not yet have information about how many acres in each forest will be affected. The directive stems from President Trump's recent executive order to expand American timber production by 25%, which Rollins argued in her notice will "better provide domestic timber supplies, create jobs and prosperity, reduce wildfire disasters, improve fish and wildlife habitats, and decrease costs of construction and energy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An internal memo from Chris French, acting associate chief of the Forest Service, directs the heads of all nine forest service regions to develop five-year strategies to increase their volume of timber, with the goal of an agencywide increase of 25% over the next four to five years. Environmental groups expressed outrage over the president's order, which they said will circumvent legal protections, endangered species considerations, and public input in order to expedite logging and the removal of vegetation such as trees, plants and shrubs. "This is a thinly veiled attempt to ramp up logging on our national forests, bypass environmental laws, and line the pockets of the timber industry," wrote Jeff Kuyper, executive director of the nonprofit Los Padres ForestWatch, in an email. "This move coupled with mass firings, budget cuts, and environmental rollbacks will wreak havoc on the Los Padres and other national forests across the country." The Los Padres National Forest spans portions of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern counties; Kuyper said that the Trump administration's order appears to put at least 80% of the forest's 1.75 million acres up for grabs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Trump makes sweeping move to undercut state climate laws, including California's In his order, the president argued that "heavy-handed federal policies" from previous administrations have made the U.S. unnecessarily reliant on foreign timber producers. To that end, the order is in keeping with other recent moves by the administration to ease environmental regulations in exchange for lower consumer costs and greater independence from other countries. But Trump also leaned on recent disasters as part of his justification, noting that "forest management and wildfire risk-reduction projects can save American lives and communities." Forest management is indeed a sore spot in California, where decades of fire suppression have allowed vegetation to build up, which is in turn acting as fuel for the state's larger and more frequent blazes. However, experts have warned that clearing brush is not the same as large-scale logging or thinning, which some say can make the landscape more flammable. The subject is a matter of frequent debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state's forests in recent years have also suffered from extreme drought conditions, bark beetle infestations and other stressors that have contributed to increasing tree death. What's more, an influx of people moving into the wildland-urban interface or the area where human development meets the natural landscape is contributing to what Rollins described as a "full-blown wildfire and forest health crisis." "Healthy forests require work, and right now, we're facing a national forest emergency," Rollins wrote in a statement. "We have an abundance of timber at high risk of wildfires in our National Forests. I am proud to follow the bold leadership of President Trump by empowering forest managers to reduce constraints and minimize the risks of fire, insects, and disease so that we can strengthen American timber industry and further enrich our forests with the resources they need to thrive." The Forest Service manages 144 million forested acres across 43 states, of which approximately 43 million acres are suitable for timber production, Rollins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Could better brush clearance have helped slow the spread of the Palisades fire? Though the federal order is not aimed at California specifically, it drives at the simmering tensions between the state and the president. During his first term in 2018, Trump blamed wildfires in California on the state government's land management policies, and suggested that it should "rake" its forest floors. He did not, however, acknowledge that 57% of the state's 33 million acres of forest are controlled by the federal government. In a statement, Randi Spivak, public lands director with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, said the president's order was akin to "feeding our national forests into the woodchipper." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unleashing the bulldozers and chainsaws on these beautiful public lands will result in clearcuts, polluted streams and extinct species," Spivak said. "More than 110 million acres of national forests fall under this dangerous edict. We will use every legal tool at our disposal to halt the Trump administration's implementation of this order." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trumps Special Envoy for Ukraine, has praised the resumption of talks between Washington and Kyiv on a minerals deal. Source: The Times, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kellogg said that the relations between Washington and Kyiv are back on track, as evidenced by the resumption of talks on a proposed minerals agreement. A technical team of Ukrainian officials arrived in Washington on Friday to discuss the deal, which aims to give America significant access to Ukraine's vast reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, titanium and uranium in exchange for continued US support and investment in the country's post-war recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellogg acknowledged that US officials underestimated what was involved in securing the deal. Kellogg said that it was not a matter of a simple yes or no. Kellogg explained that the final decision on whether America would be able to access the country's critical mineral resources would be made by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament). He also added that the Trump administration acknowledged that no one knew what minerals were available in Ukraine and what their value was. He stressed that the last time geological exploration was carried out was back in the Soviet Union. According to Kellogg, the officials visiting Washington will work to resolve these difficulties in the coming days and try to turn a business deal into a diplomatic deal. Background: Earlier, European Pravda reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump had returned to the version of the subsoil agreement a requirement for Ukraine to reimburse all the assistance that the US provided after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA ON THE PRESIDENT'S MEMORANDUM ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF SAFE CONDUCT PASS FOR AMNESTY APPLICANTS Having steered in the Senate the concurrence to the presidential proclamations granting amnesty to rebels and insurgents, I am pleased to hear that the process facilitating their safe and lawful reintegration to our society has begun. This decisive move is not only an affirmation of our government's commitment to peace and reconciliation but also a meaningful gesture of compassion and hope for a brighter future -- for these individuals, their families and the nation as a whole. The silencing of guns, the end of warfare, and the cessation of hostilities serve as the foundation of lasting peace, prosperity and economic growth. Bagong buhay at bagong pag-asa para sa mga dating rebolusyunaryo at itinuturing na kalaban ng pamahalaan ang hatid nito. Isang mahalagang hakbang din ito upang wakasan ang karahasan at maraming taon ng labanan sa pagitan ng kapwa natin Pilipino. Gaya ng nasabi ko noong itinaguyod ko ang pag-apruba sa Senado ng Presidential Proclamations 403, 404, 405, at 406, "amnesty is the best policy." MATTOON Master Sgt. David J. Wolpe is director of the Studio Band of the United States Army Field Band from Washington D.C., which will present a free concert here tonight. The concert, sponsored by the JG, will be held in the Mattoon High School gym. The band is comprised of the most versatile musicians in the United States Army who blend the young ideas, original compositions and arrangements into the exciting music of today. Since its formation in 1969, the Studio Band has amassed a long list of credits from music critics. The members of the band have been brought together from the major recording centers, the leading name bands and from network radio and television staffs...CHARLESTON A Charleston man pleaded guilty in Coles County Circuit Court Friday to two counts of disorderly conduct and a charge of assault. Lee Roy Erwin was fined $50 plus court costs. Erwin had earlier pleaded innocent to the charges but changed his plea Friday. He had been charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a Jan. 6 incident in which he allegedly fought with Orla Trader and Edgar Combs. Erwin had faced the other disorderly conduct charge and a charge of assault as the result of a Nov. 14, 1974, incident in which he allegedly threatened Viola Dorothy Wright of Mattoon...CHARLESTON Enrollment at EIU this fall is predicted to be the highest in several years if not a record high. Glenn Williams, EIU vice president of student affairs, said that up to 8,800 students are expected to attend EIU this fall. Enrollment reached its highest level ever at Eastern in the fall of 1971 when 8,790 students attended the school. There were 8,026 students enrolled at EIU during the 1974 fall semester. As compared with last year's applications, EIU appears to be doing far better than any of the other colleges under the supervision of the State Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities, Williams said...MATTOON Acid was poured on two cars parked at the Mattoon Holiday Inn Thursday night according to police. Cars owned by H. Raymond Ozee of Sullivan and George Edwards were damaged between 6:15 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday while parked at the Holiday Inn. The cars, police reports said, had acid poured on the body and chrome. No damage was estimated by police. SHELBYVILLE After about four and a half hours of deliberation, a Shelby County jury Tuesday found Michael Jennings of Macon guilty of second-degree murder and of concealing the homicide. Jennings, 33, was being tried in the homicide case of Thomas Byers, 46 of Pana. Jennings was also facing first-degree murder for what the prosecution said was a calculated act, but the jury apparently was convinced that mitigating factors allowed for a less serous charge...CHARLESTON The Coles County Board Tuesday was nearly unanimous in accepting a recently developed strategic plan that board Chairman Tim Yow called part of an "area of cooperation" in the county. The board's vote to accept the plan was 11-1, with member Eugene Sims opposed. About 50 people attended Tuesday's meeting and a few expressed concerns about the plan, but no real opposition...CHARLESTON The Illinois attorney general's office has refused to give its opinion on the legality of the nuisance ordinance that the Coles County Board adopted last month. During a break at Tuesday's Coles County Board meeting, State's Attorney Steve Ferguson said the office indicated that it didn't feel it was within its duties to decide on the legality of a local ordinance. Ferguson said that apparently puts the status of the ordinance "in limbo," as the board's vote to approve it included a contingency that it wouldn't go into effect until the attorney general's office rendered its opinion...CHARLESTON The physical condition of a man authorities say shot himself in a police squad car about three years ago means he isn't fit for trial now, but that could change, a judge concluded Tuesday. Circuit Judge Robert Cochonour denied a defense motion to dismiss weapons and other charges against Cody D. Burch, though the judge said it was obvious that Burch couldn't go to trial anytime soon. Burch, 23, of Neoga, formerly of rural Charleston, is accused of shooting himself in the head while in a Coles County Sheriff's department squad car on Feb. 5, 1997. The case against Burch has been delayed on several occasions because of injuries from the shooting and a subsequent illness...MARSHALL A Clark County family will receive $11 million as the sole winners of Wednesday's Illinois Lotto drawing. The names of the winners will be announced 1 p.m. Thursday when they receive an oversized commemorative check at Jiffy Travel Mart in Marshall, where the ticket was purchased, said Mike Lang of Illinois Lottery. The family read the winning numbers in the Charleston Times-Courier, Lang said. TEXAS (FOX 44) The school voucher debate in Texas is a highly relevant and widely discussed issue, with a pivotal floor vote in the Texas House expected in the middle of this week. This is a topic that some families love, while others have doubts. Our sister station in Austin, KXAN, has produced a timely, in-depth special program on the school voucher debate called Texas Education: Funding the Future. Governor Greg Abbott, Texas House Representative James Tallarico, and Texas parents are weighing in. You can watch this special in the video above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Its been a tough couple of years for the television writers community. The Writers Guild of America revealed Friday that the number of TV writing jobs fell by 42% for the 2023-2024 season. In a new report, the guild said that there were 1,319 television writing jobs in 2023-24, compared with 1,819 in 2022-2023. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes after the WGA spent months fighting the studios for a new contract, something the guild said was partly to blame for the new statistics. Other reasons included the decline in original programming across the cable networks, and streamers pulling back from the number of shows as Wall Street demands quicker streaming platform profits. There have also been a slew of cancellations and ending of shows. According to guild data, about 37% fewer WGA-covered episodic TV series aired in the 2023-2024 season. Most stark was the number of jobs lost for showrunners and co-exec producers, which saw 642 fewer jobs across the year. There were 378 fewer staff writer, story editor and executive story editor positions compared to the previous season as well as 299 fewer mid-level jobs, which include co-producers, consulting and supervising producers. There has been a pretty precipitous fall since the 2018-2019 season with 1,508 showrunners and co-exec producers compared to the 952 there were last season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Screenwriting work has also declined, but to a lesser degree, with screenwriter earnings down 6% for the first three quarters of 2024 and the number of screenwriters working down 15%. Writing careers have always been difficult to access and sustain, but the contraction has made it especially challenging. We are all subject to the decisions of the companies that control this industry, who have pulled back spending on content based on the demands of Wall Street. Compounding that, the current administration seems intent on causing economic chaos and undermining our democracy, the email said. The report was sent to members by the WGA West board of directors and WGA East council. The WGA, which represents over 10,000 writers, went on strike between May 2 and September 27 2023. The strike was the second longest strike in the guilds history at 148 days, tied with the strike in 1960 but below the 153 days that the 1988 strike lasted. It coincided with the SAG-AFTRA strike, which ran from July 14-November 9, 2023. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. On Friday afternoon, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced that a pair of women had been arrested on charges of fraud and exploitation. In a release, Griffin said that the arrests resulted from investigations by his offices Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. According to the release, 55-year-old Kimberly Pate of Jessieville was arrested by the Garland County Sheriffs Office on Tuesday on a warrant for exploitation of a vulnerable person and is being held in the Garland County Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pate used her power of attorney status to access money in her mothers account, the release said. She also used her power of attorney status to facilitate the sale of a home that she and her mother shared ownership of and took those funds from her mothers account. The mother was evicted from two long-term care facilities after Pate neglected to pay those bills. Conway community members concerned after series of shootings that left cats dead or injured Griffin said that 59-year-old Judy Osment of Trumann was arrested on Wednesday by the Poinsett County Sheriffs Office on the charge of abuse of an endangered or impaired person. She is currently being held at the Poinsett County Detention Center. Osment had her mother, who was suffering from dementia, add her to her mothers bank accounts, where she removed money totaling more than $100,000, Griffin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the release, Griffin said that protecting our vulnerable population from fraud and exploitation will continue to be one of the priorities for his office. He also thanked the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their unwavering dedication to protecting Arkansans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) Two men from Mississippi have been ordered to pay more than $15,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to charges related to poaching white-tailed deer in Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Dawson Brown, 25, and Jase D. Smith, 24, both of Poplarville, Miss., pleaded guilty to multiple wildlife violations. Pet food recalled after animal falls ill: FDA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges include the following: Dawson Brown Hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle (Belmont County Court) Hunting deer with a firearm during the archery season (Belmont County Court) Hunting outside of legal shooting hours (Belmont County Court) Possessing untagged deer parts (Belmont County Court) Hunting without a nonresident hunting license (Belmont County Court) Hunting without a nonresident deer permit (Belmont County Court) Spotlighting (Belmont County Court) Jase D. Smith Hunting without permission (Muskingum County Court) Hunting without a nonresident deer permit (Muskingum County Court) Hunting without a nonresident hunting license (Muskingum County Court) Failing to game check a deer after harvest (Muskingum County Court) Possession of untagged deer parts (Belmont County Court) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press release, officials said, Brown was ordered to pay $13,169.37 in restitution and $865 in fines and court costs, serve three years of probation, and forfeit his hunting privileges in Ohio for three years. Brown was also sentenced to 390 days in jail, with all but 30 days suspended. Fatal crash involving 4 local teens in 2024 Camaro Meanwhile, Smith was ordered in Muskingum County court to pay $1,885 in restitution and $249.25 in fines and court costs, serve 30 days in jail, and forfeit his hunting privileges in Ohio for three years. He was ordered in Belmont County to pay $605 in fines and court costs and complete three years of probation. Officials said, evidence was forfeited to the Ohio Division of Wildlife including six antlered deer skulls, a five firearms, a crossbow, a spotlight, deer mount, and venison. Wildlife experts ask anyone who witnesses a wildlife violation in Ohio to call 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437.) 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. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said on Sean Hannitys Fox News show this week that she is investigating Gov. Phil Murphy (Habba photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images/Murphy photo by Dana DiFilippo) The Trump lawyer who is now New Jerseys acting U.S. attorney ratcheted up the buffoonery this week with her claim that she will investigate our governor and attorney general. Alina Habba appeared on Sean Hannitys Fox News show Thursday to say shes opening an investigation into Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin over the Immigrant Trust Directive, a state order that bars state and local police officers from becoming de facto immigration agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are to take all criminal, violent criminals and criminals, out of this country and completely enforce federal law, 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. Those investigations will start immediately, Habba told Hannity. A normal prosecutor would probably keep this under wraps so her targets wouldnt know from minute one that theyre being investigated. But for all we know, there is no actual investigation. Habba, clearly reveling in the attention this high-profile appointment has granted her, wanted to say something that would make headlines, so she did. I wouldnt be surprised if her on-air threat is as far as this alleged investigation goes. That Habba is targeting Murphy and Platkin for the Immigrant Trust Directive is not a surprise. Anti-immigration hard-liners like Habba have twisted efforts like the directive to claim that it does something it does not. It does not bar police from working with immigrant agents to arrest suspected criminals. What it does is prevent local cops from seeing a brown person on the street and asking for their papers. But the facts about the directive are not important for Habba; whats important is she can use it to promise retribution for her and President Trumps political foes. Multiple judges have rejected legal challenges to the Immigrant Trust Directive, including one judge appointed by President Trump himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy was asked about Habbas claim on a podcast recorded Friday. His response was fairly muted considering Habba basically threatened to arrest him, but at least he defended his administrations efforts to protect the countless immigrants living in New Jersey who have done nothing wrong. We go after criminals hard, period, full stop, regardless of their immigration status. What we dont do is we dont go after somebody for jaywalking or where theres no probable cause of a crime. And were very clear about that, Murphy said. Platkin, speaking at an unrelated press conference in Newark, was a bit more knives-out when asked about Habba. I hope she starts doing her job, Platkin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seems unlikely. The U.S. attorney gig is a plum appointment, but its probably a bit of a slog overseeing nearly 200 attorneys and handling some complicated cases. Thats probably why we didnt see a lot of Habbas predecessors, Craig Carpenito and Philip Sellinger, yet Habba is out here cosplaying as a cop for the New York Post and targeting Democrats on Fox News. That sounds a lot more fun than doing work. Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, told me Habbas threat against Murphy and Platkin is in line with the Trump administrations focus on TV ratings and viral social media posts rather than governing. Its also part of a broader attempt by the administration to make sure their opponents know they could end up in jail or, if possible, deported. Theyll go after political opponents, whether those are individuals, whether those are student protestors, whether those are institutions like law firms and universities, or whether those are state governments, Torres said SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX April 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense is now in charge of securing the country's southern border, having been granted new powers to enforce security there by President Donald Trump. Trump's National Security Presidential Memorandum signed earlier in the week allows the military to take control of the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip of land running along the southern border. "The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past," Trump wrote in the memorandum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I assigned the Armed Forces of the United States the military missions of repelling the invasion and sealing the United States southern border from unlawful entry to maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States." The federal government controls about 33% of the land abutting the southern border, although that number includes federal Native American reservations which are exempt from the memorandum. The remainder of the land is either privately held or owned by the four border states. A National Security Presidential Memorandum signed earlier in the week allows the military to take control of the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip of land running along the southern border. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI The belt was created in 1907 by then-President Theodore Roosevelt to combat cross-border smuggling. Taking control of the land is necessary to "enable military activities directed in this memorandum, including border-barrier construction and emplacement of detection and monitoring equipment," Trump said in the memorandum. The federal government controls about 33% of the land abutting the southern border, although that number includes federal Native American reservations which are exempt from the memorandum, while the remainder of the land is either privately held or owned by the four border states. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI American soldiers and equipment are now able to set up along the perimeter in long stretches in Arizona, California and New Mexico. Military personnel are now also authorized to detain anyone suspected of crossing the border illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has made repelling illegal immigration a pillar of his presidency, signing executive orders to combat it since taking office. Several are still being challenged in court. American soldiers and equipment are now able to set up along the perimeter in long stretches in Arizona, California (pictured) and New Mexico. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI This week's memorandum gives the Secretaries of Defense, the Interior, Agriculture and Homeland Security an initial 45-day period to assess the effectiveness of the initiative. "At any time, the Secretary of Defense may extend activities under this memorandum to additional Federal lands along the southern border in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor, and other executive departments and agencies as appropriate," the memorandum states. WASHINGTON, D.C. Changes are coming to federal sentencing guidelines unless Congress votes against them. The bipartisan United States Sentencing Commission met on April 11, 2025, and voted unanimously to publish amendments to federal sentencing guidelines for the amendment cycle, which ends on May 1, 2025. The amendment of the guidelines will apply to a range of procedures related to issues including supervised release, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses. The policies issued today are bipartisan, common-sense ideas that will protect public safety, reduce recidivism, and facilitate rehabilitation, said Judge Carlton W. Reeves, Chair of the Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendments will improve federal sentencing by: Encouraging courts to take an individualized approach to the imposition and management of supervised release. Addressing the harms of fake pills containing fentanyl while ensuring sentences better reflect a defendants function in drug trafficking. Providing appropriate penalties for firearms offenses that involve machine gun conversion devices. Simplify the three-step approach courts currently use when applying the guidelines. Promoting consistent guideline application by resolving certain circuit conflicts. The amendments will be delivered to Congress by May 1, 2025, and will go into effect on November 1, 2025, if Congress does not take action to disapprove them. The video archive of the meeting can be viewed on the U.S. Sentencing Commission website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. With a second unvaccinated child having contracted the measles in Arkansas, a UAMS professor is urging Arkansans to get the MMR vaccination if they havent already. Its recommended for everyone starting at one year of age, said Robert Hopkins, professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at UAMS. Measles is the most contagious infectious disease that we know about. Unvaccinated child contracts first Arkansas measles case since 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopkins said measles is a viral infection that is transmitted from person-to-person. He said there are active efforts going on at the state level to reach out to people and families who are currently dealing with a family member who has contracted the disease to establish when and who they may have come in contact with. If we can establish if people who have been in contact with them are unvaccinated and not hopefully, we can appropriately prevent other additional cases from developing, Hopkins said. Hopkins said that the Arkansas Department of Health sent out a notice to all health care professionals that are registered with the state a few months ago when the measles outbreak was occurring in Texas. He said that same guidance that was given applies now. The first case of the measles was reported out of Saline County. The second was confirmed in Faulkner County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopkins said for anyone who believes they have been in contact with someone carrying the Measles infection they should contact the Department of Health as soon as possible. If youve been in contact with someone who has the measles and the contact is not vaccinated, theyre able to be vaccinated, Hopkins said. By giving the vaccine as soon as possible after contact it can reduce the likelihood of developing a full-blown measles infection. Second measles case reported in Arkansas Hopkins said people who were vaccinated against the measles as children are safe, along with people who were born before 1957 when the disease first developed in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopkins recommends children receive their MMR vaccines between 12 and 15 months of age. He said doing so gives 93% of the population lifelong immunity. These were travel-related cases, but I dont have any information about whether this was from a particular area, Hopkins said. But its my understanding that they were imported into Arkansas. Hopkins said it takes between 10 and 21 days for those exposed to the measles to develop symptoms such as cough, conjunctivitis, runny nose, runny eyes and fever. Hopkins said for anyone experiencing those symptoms who believes they may have contracted measles to contact their physician by phone before showing up in person to a physicians office and risk further infection of other individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The primary form of treatment is clearing your respiratory secretions, clear your breathing, Hopkins said. Vitamin A can be used as part of the supporting regimen for people that have the measles, but generally this is a disease that we dont have the anti-viral medication to treat specifically. The measles situation worldwide: Fewer vaccinations and more outbreaks Hopkins said while most people survive the measles after it is contracted, one in 500 and one in 1000 children infected could be hospitalized. Death is much less common, but death does occur due to measles as weve seen in Texas, Hopkins said. The most important message is if you havent been vaccinated, get vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) An 18-year-old from Maryland was arrested for a shooting that happened earlier this year in Southeast D.C., police announced Friday. At around 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 29, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said an Uber driver took Daveon Hebb, of Fort Washington, and another passenger to the 3300 block of 10th Place SE. The passengers had multiple stops, so the driver waited after dropping them off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After about five minutes of waiting, he decided to cancel the ride and began driving away. Cherry blossom pop-up with Metro x Chris Pyrate collab opens While leaving, MPD said Hebb showed up and pulled at the right rear side door handle before shooting at the drivers car as he drove off. Luckily, the driver was not hurt. Responding officers saw a bullet hole in the front passenger door and said it struck the mans passenger-side tire. Hebb was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) and destruction of property. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. 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. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine appeared to suggest that the country could be divided like Berlin after World War II, as another of his envoys held long talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Urged by Trump on Truth Social to get moving on a ceasefire to end the terrible and senseless war, Putin spoke for four hours with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy leading talks with the Kremlin, in the the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Friday. Neither Moscow or Witkoff, who later flew to Oman for talks with Iran, commented on what was said at the meeting, which did not include representatives from Ukraine, despite President Volodymyr Zelenskky repeatedly insisting that his country should be involved in the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy, who has firmly rejected any territorial concessions to Russia, will likely have been disappointed to read comments from Trumps special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who told The Times of London that Ukraine could look like what happened with Berlin after World War II. He said British and French troops could serve as a reassurance force west of the Dnieper River which bisects parts of the north and east of Ukraine before flowing out into the Black Sea in the South. Russian forces could remained in the parts of the east which they already occupy, separated by Ukrainian troops and a demilitarized zone, he said. Kellogg later pushed back, claiming on social media that the article had misrepresented him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was speaking of a post-ceasefire resiliency force in support of Ukraines sovereignty, he posted on X. In discussions of partitioning, I was referencing areas or zones of responsibility for an allied force (without U.S. troops). I was NOT referring to a partitioning of Ukraine. There are clear differences between Kelloggs proposal and the division of Berlin and Germany after WWII. While Germany surrendered to invading armies, Ukraine would, under Kelloggs idea, invite allies into its western territory without conceding further land to Russia. Still, the reference to zones is likely to have raised alarms in Kyiv, reinforcing fears that U.S. negotiations might acknowledge Russias de facto control of occupied Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has repeatedly rejected any ceasefire or peace deal involving the ceding of land. Meanwhile Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in March that the Kremlin would not accept peacekeeping troops from any NATO country under any condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first time suggestions have surfaced that a ceasefire will involve Ukraine ceding territory to Russia. In February, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called it unrealistic to expect a return to Ukraines pre-2014 borderswhen Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatists in the east. Hegseths remarks underlined a sharp shift in policy while President Biden pursued full Ukrainian victory, Trump has emphasized ending the war swiftly. As Witkoff arrived in Russia, Trump posted on Truth Social: 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 wouldnt have happened, if I were president. Meanwhile, on Friday night, Russia launched a large-scale drone attack across Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, 56 of 88 drones were shot down, and 24 more were redirected using electronic warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitchko said that three people were injured in the capital as a result of the drone attacks. One more person was wounded in the city of Kharkiv in the northeast, Kharkivs mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Ukrainian forces shot down 56 Russian attack drones overnight, and 24 additional decoy drones failed to reach their targets, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on April 12. According to the Air Force, Russia launched a total of 88 drones, including Shahed-type loitering munitions and various decoy drones, from the directions of Kursk, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia. Fifty-six Shahed attack drones and other types were confirmed destroyed in northern, southern, eastern, and central regions. The remaining 24 decoy drones were locationally lost and caused no damage. Ukraines air defense effort included fighter jets, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, and mobile fire groups, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, one person sustained minor injuries as a result of the drone strikes, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on April 12. In the capital Kyiv, two people were injured. Emergency crews continued to extinguish fires and assess damage in various districts of the city. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, drone strikes caused multiple fires and damaged residential areas. No casualties were reported in the region. Russia regularly targets homes and residential neighborhoods in its aerial attacks against Ukraine. The attacks come as Moscow continues to reject a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire aimed at halting hostilities. Kyiv has said it is ready to accept a full ceasefire if Russia also agrees to the terms. It has now been more than a month since the Kremlin first dismissed the ceasefire proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Allies pledge record $23.8 billion to Ukraine at Ramstein summit as UK warns 2025 will be critical Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine is capable of independently producing air defence systems under the FrankenSAM programme. Source: Mezha.Media, a technology and IT news platform within Ukrainska Pravdas holding company Details: Oleksandr Kamyshin, Senior Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Strategic Issues, confirmed this during a briefing on the occasion of the Day of the Armourer. The former head of the Ministry of Strategic Industries said that Ukraine has received technical documentation for FrankenSAM systems and can now implement these systems independently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The technical documentation for some of these projects has been handed over to the Ukrainian side. We can fully implement these projects on our own," Kamyshin said. Briefing Ukrainian Arms 2024. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine It is known that the FrankenSAM programme (a combination of the words Frankenstein and SAM, which means surface-to-air missile system in English) was created by joint efforts of Ukraine and the United States to compensate for the shortage of Soviet missiles in the winter of 2022-2023 and to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The program developed three types of FrankenSAM systems: small, medium and large. They were to combine Soviet systems available in Ukraine with Western missiles. Herman Smetanin, Head of the Ministry of Strategic Industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: press service of the Ministry When asked whether these projects would develop productively with the change of government in the United States, Herman Smetanin answered at the briefing: "Some of the FrankenSAM projects were implemented in 2024. The upgraded or improved equipment was upgraded, improved and delivered to Ukraine's Security and defence forces. Some projects are still ongoing. There was a stage when there was a short pause. It was probably technical, but now there are no hiccups." Ukrainian Buk-M1 anti-aircraft system with RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles. Photo: Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Background: The United States helped Ukraine implement two types of such systems capable of firing Western missiles in October 2023. A SAM firing AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles the "small" FrankenSAM was created. The Buk-M1 was also adapted to use RIM-7 anti-aircraft missiles. At the time, it was reported that both systems would be put on combat duty in the autumn of 2023. The New York Times reported that US developers had managed to integrate Patriot missiles with an old Soviet air defence system, creating a "large" FrankenSAM in October 2023. This system was able to destroy a drone during tests at the White Sands Test Site in New Mexico. The anti-aircraft missile was integrated with a Ukrainian-made launcher and radar station. The system was planned to be transferred to Ukraine, along with a stockpile of missiles from the United States and allies, in the winter of 2023/24. It became known that the Ukrainian air defence used the FrankenSAM system against enemy drones for the first time in January 2024. It successfully shot down an Iranian Shahed kamikaze drone at a distance of 9 kilometres. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, has said following his participation in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkiye that the world recognises the need to end the war in Ukraine in a fair manner. Source: Sybiha in an interview with Ukrinform Quote: "The key conclusion we can draw from bilateral and multilateral meetings, and from participation in discussion panels, is that everyone understands the need and importance of ending the war in Ukraine in a fair way. They support the achievement of a comprehensive and just peace for Ukraine, as well as the need to support Ukraine's efforts on this path to end this unprovoked war and stop Russian aggression." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Sybiha also noted that all of his interlocutors in Antalya recognise that "security in Ukraine, and the way this war against Ukraine ends, directly affects the security situation in other regions of the world in Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific". The minister added that he felt his interlocutors support for Ukraines "principled approach". He said he had held more than 20 meetings with representatives of African countries. The foreign minister said he had held more than 20 meetings with representatives of African countries. "We have huge potential in Africa. Despite the war, we have opened nine embassies there. We will increase our presence on the African continent because it is mutually beneficial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am returning with a clear understanding of the specific areas that we will definitely strengthen. In terms of concrete results, it is also important that we have secured the decision of at least three African countries to stop accrediting their ambassadors through Moscow. This will change. It is a shameful practice. Consequently, this will lead to the strengthening and intensification of our bilateral relations," he said. Sybiha also called Turkiye one of Ukraine's most important strategic partners. "During meetings with Turkish representatives, we discussed security in the Black Sea and, potentially, Turkiyes participation in Ukraine's future security infrastructure and guarantees. We continue to count on Turkiyes active role in supporting our peace efforts. We welcome these efforts," the minister said. Reference: The Antalya Diplomatic Forum is taking place in Turkiye from 1113 April. The theme of the forum is the restoration of diplomacy in a divided world. This years forum is being attended by around 20 heads of state, more than 70 ministers (including 50 foreign ministers), approximately 60 high-level representatives of international organisations, and over 4,000 guests. Ukraine is represented at the forum by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Pavlo Ivanov, a Ukrainian Air Force F-16 fighter jet pilot, was killed in action on Saturday 12 April. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Details: An interdepartmental commission has begun work to establish all the circumstances of the tragedy. The Air Force has provided no details concerning Ivanov's death. Updated: Initially, Ukraine's Air Force reported that Ivanov was 21. However, the message was later corrected to state that he was 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the pilot's death. Quote from Zelenskyy: "We need reports from the military on this combat situation. We are investigating all the circumstances." Read also: Plane-spotting in the weeds, unwanted fame, and the Ghost of Kyiv made out of Lego. Andrii Pilshchykov's mother tells the story of her son's life Background: On 26 August 2023, it became known that a well-known pilot, Andrii Pilshchykov, who went by the alias Juice, and two other pilots were killed in a collision between two Ukrainian aircraft on the evening of 25 August in Zhytomyr Oblast. The Vasylkiv-based Tactical Aviation Brigade reported that Viacheslav Minka and Serhii Prokazin were also killed in the crash. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that an F-16 fighter jet crashed in Ukraine on 26 August 2024. Later, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that on that date, pilot Oleksii Mes had been killed while repelling a large-scale Russian combined missile and airstrike. On 14 February, The Wall Street Journal posted a column speculating that the crash of the F-16 had been caused by friendly fire from a Patriot air defence missile system, though Ukraine has not officially confirmed this. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A Ukrainian fighter pilot flying a Western F-16 fighter jet died during a mission, the president confirmed on Saturday. "Captain Pavlo Ivanov was killed today during a fight in an F-16," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, and expressed his condolences to his family. He said the circumstances of his death would be clarified. Zelensky also posthumously awarded Ivanov, 26, the title "Hero of Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kiev called repeatedly for F-16 fighter jets during the summer of 2024 before receiving the US-made aircraft from Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. Ukraine later also received French Mirage aircraft. The embattled country deploys the fighter jets primarily for defence against Russian missile and drone attacks. It was not clear what happened to the plane itself, but the BBC's Ukrainian service later reported that the aircraft had been shot down by Russian missiles over the Sumy region in north-east Ukraine, citing government sources. If true, it means Kiev has lost a second fighter jet, having lost the first F-16 in the summer. After that loss, Zelensky sacked Air Force Chief Mykola Oleshchuk. Pavlo Ivanov, a 26-year-old Ukrainian F-16 pilot, was killed during a combat mission on April 12, Ukraines Air Force reported. The Air Force praised Ivanovs dedication and bravery in a statement on Telegram. "Ukrainian pilots are working to the fullest extent of their human and technical capabilities, risking their lives every time they carry out a combat mission. Pavlo was one of them!" the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An interdepartmental commission has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, according to the statement. President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his condolences on X, and said that the response will be strong and precise. Ivanov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, according to the website of the president. For personal courage and heroism, demonstrated in the protection of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree to award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the "Golden Star" order to Ivanov Pavlo Ivanovych, the official statement from Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement F-16s are used in both offensive and defensive operations. The aircraft have been used for intercepting Russian missiles and drones during aerial strikes against Ukraine. They can also be deployed to launch missiles and bombs at Russian positions along the front line. Ivanov's death marks the second F-16 pilot loss for Ukraine since receiving these jets, following Oleksii Mess death last August. Read also: Zelensky confirms new arrival of F-16 jets to Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines NATO membership must remain on the international agenda, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 12, stressing that Kyivs integration is essential for long-term transatlantic security. This is not just about Ukraine, Sybiha said. This is about transatlantic security. Its about our contribution. He emphasized that Ukraine currently fields 110 combat-ready brigades, describing them as a realistic, true contribution to future security and, by the way, the cheapest one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sybiha also criticized Russia for violating all 10 principles of the Helsinki Final Act and highlighted the problems within the UN. This year, we mark 80 years of the UN Charter. Why do I mention this? Because it is important that international law should be law, not simply declarations or words, he said. He added that the global system had proven dysfunctional and unjust in the wake of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We need new enforcement tools. We need reforms. We need reforms in the UN and, by the way, in humanitarian law in the Geneva Conventions. We must update them, not only for Ukraine but for other countries like Syria. Having such a bitter experience, we are ready to contribute. Addressing the ongoing war, Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraines desire for peace but warned against the misuse of the term. We want to end this war this year. But it is important not to manipulate, he said. How this war ends will determine the future security architecture of Europe it depends on the future security of every family in Europe, he said. That is why achieving a long-term and clear peace is fundamentally important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sybiha also condemned Russia for escalating attacks on Ukraine despite Kyivs commitment to a full ceasefire. Yesterday marked exactly one month since Ukraine unconditionally supported a full ceasefire, he said. Instead of this, Russia has only escalated its terror, Sybiha said According to the foreign minister, Russian forces have launched nearly 70 missiles, more than 2,020 Shahed drones, and over 6,000 guided aerial bombs over the past month most of them targeting civilian areas. This clearly shows the world who truly wants peace and who is committed to war, he said. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP)- Faculty and librarians at UMass Amherst protested on Thursday, April 10, 2025, for fair pay. The growing wage for college graduates exceeds the minimum faculty wage at UMass Amherst. The sooner the UMass Administration agrees to their proposal, a Faculty member told 22News, will stop rallying. Since last spring, the Massachusetts Society of Professors and Librarians has been meeting with the University Administration to negotiate contracts. There have not been any rapid solutions. They said most campus unions, including theirs, have been without a current contract since last July. Therefore, theyve been protesting at the chancellors office and the provosts office for answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are particularly standing up for fair wages, especially the wage floor for the lowest faculty and librarians, and for childcare, and other facets of our working conditions, said Michael Ash, UMass Amherst Professor, Economics & Public Policy. Faculty members also told 22News that they want the answers now, so they can pay more attention to the many pressing matters arising from the federal actions. At the end of it all, its up to the governor. Governor Maura Healey dictates the salary for the raise perimeters for state employees, which includes faculty at UMass Amherst. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLESTON A judge has ruled in the Coles County Board's favor in a lawsuit regarding a county property tax reassessment project. Circuit Judge Charles Hall recently denied plaintiff Charles Stodden's motion for a summary judgment in the lawsuit that he filed in spring 2021 and granted the county's cross-motion for a summary judgment. The Coles County Board was collectively notified of this court opinion and judgement during its meeting Tuesday night. The lawsuit filed in Coles County Circuit Court alleges that the hiring of an independent contractor to conduct the county's reassessment was illegal. Hall wrote in his opinion, summarizing testimony at a Nov. 7 hearing, that then Supervisor of Assessments Karen Biddle had advised the board that she did not have the expertise or staff to perform a reassessment of commercial properties. The assessments committee subsequently told her that it would seek bid proposals to get this work done. The committee and the county board later accepted the bid of independent appraiser Bob Becker without objection from the supervisor of assessments, Hall said. "In the process used to hire Becker, neither the board nor the committee exceeded their statutory authority or impermissibly interfered with the operation of the assessor's office," Hall said. "Even though the procedure used to hire Becker was primarily conducted by the committee, Biddle, as assessor acquiesced in the procedure and agreed with the hire of Becker." Hall said whether Becker was treated as an independent contractor or employee with limited specific duties did not make the process illegal. He said all payments made to Becker for his service in the reassessment of commercial properties were properly allocated by the board, transferred to the assessor's budget, and paid to Becker from this budget. "There was no written employment contract between the board and Becker. During the hiring process of Becker, neither the board nor the assessor violated or exceed that statutory authority," Hall said, adding that the hiring process did not result in an illegal employment contract. Stodden and his attorney, Thomas Devore of Greenville, could not be reached for comment Friday morning. After filing the lawsuit, Stodden said at a county board meeting that he took this action to because he thought it was time "to find out exactly where we are" because he felt there had been no resolutions to issues the suit addresses. He and other members of the Concerned Taxpayers of Coles County had repeatedly presented their concerns at preceding board meetings. The county's attorney, Brian Smith of Champaign, said on Friday that he is declining to comment on the judgment at this time due to the lawsuit still being pending litigation. There are no additional hearings scheduled for the suit at this time. Coles County Board member Rick Shook said he was new to the board when the county began its first overall commercial property reassessment in more than a decade. Shook said he voiced his concerns then that the council should not have done the reassessment all at once and should have instead spread out the impact on the affected taxpayers over more time. Shook said he also heard the concerns repeatedly and heatedly voiced by Stodden and others from the Concerned Taxpayers group at multiple county board meetings. Shook said he feels that the judge's opinion has affirmed how the county hired an independent assessor, although he said it's still possible that Stodden could appeal. Its frightening to find out that a childs stress level could determine if they develop schizophrenia later in life. A University of Pittsburgh professor is using this research to see if theres a way to stop the mental illness before it starts. He discovered the key is to help children before they hit puberty. We all love to see children happy. But we know some kids are experiencing more stress than ever - at home, at school, all around them. Researcher Eve Johnstone in Ireland looked at children vulnerable to schizophrenia, whether through genetics or some other avenue. She found stress played a key role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What she found was that the children that were hyper-responsive to stress and anxiety tended to be the ones that transitioned to schizophrenia, said Dr. Anthony Grace, professor of neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology at Pitt. Dr. Grace is taking the Irish study one step further. Hes trying to stop schizophrenia from developing at all, even in high-risk children. His research is in the animal testing phase. What we found is if we just give them value or even something as simple as environmental enrichment for a couple weeks before puberty, we can actually prevent the changes that lead to the circuit disruptions that mimic what we see in schizophrenia and humans, said Dr. Grace. That means, early findings of his research suggest doctors could stop schizophrenia from developing in someone, for good! The key is to start treatment before any changes start. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to get them at the pre-pubertal stage before the symptoms occur. After the symptoms occur, a lot of the damage has already been done, Dr. Grace said. Dr. Grace stresses that more research is needed. Other studies show that vulnerable children are not the only ones at risk. So, if there is enough trauma, even without the genetic predisposition, theres the concern of it leading to schizophrenia in the adult, said Dr. Grace. While you cant totally eliminate stress from a childs environment, theres plenty you can do to try to reduce it. Putting them in safe environments, putting them in areas where they feel valued, might be a way of mitigating these effects of the early life, stress and trauma, said Dr. Grace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Grace also mentioned researchers are working on new medications for schizophrenia. Researchers now know more about the disease, so these drugs treat it at the root cause, without all the side effects patients hate. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The University of Utah on Saturday unveiled a statue honoring Henry Eyring, a renowned chemist who served as the founding dean of the universitys graduate school. The statue is located in the atrium of the Henry Eyring Chemistry Building, named for the chemist himself. During the unveiling, Eyrings son, President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke, highlighting not just who his father was as a chemist but as a person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eyring was a faithful member of the church for his whole life and his son shared that he was someone who loved God, loved people and loved chemistry. He saw himself as a person whose main purpose was to help people, that thats what God would want him to do, President Eyring said. The statue was provided by Khosrow Semnani, a philanthropist who said he saw this statue as a way for him to do something for Eyring who had a major impact on him and was a guiding light in his life. He was a very kind man in many ways, Semnani added. He never stopped promoting kindness. The statue shows Eyring sitting on a stool, holding a model of a molecule and smiling as if he was teaching a class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That smile is the smile he always had when he taught about chemistry and he was trying to lift people, President Eyring said. It was sculpted by Mark Degraffenried and was created through the Metal Arts Foundry. Other speakers at the event included Peter Armentrout, interim chair of the universitys chemistry department, and university President Taylor Randall. Also present at the event were former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Elder Dale G. Renlund of the churchs Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Henry B. Eyring speaks to the audience after the statue of his father renowned chemist Dr. Henry Eyring was unveiled inside the Henry Eyring Building Atrium and the Department of Chemistry on University of Utah campus Saturday, April 12, 2025. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Henry Eyrings impact in chemistry Eyring was a trailblazing theoretical chemist who wrote over 600 scientific papers and 10 volumes. His research on chemical kinetics helped build a foundation for the modern day understandings of chemical reactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Eyrings contributions to theoretical chemistry have fundamentally shaped our understanding of chemical kinetics, and I know that for a fact, because I do chemical kinetics and I use some of his principles all the time, Armentrout said. His works included seminal research on the theory of liquids, optical rotation, rate processes in biology and medicine, aging and cancer, anaethesiology and other areas. He developed the absolute rate theory, known as the Eyring equation. Eyring also was presented with National Medal of Science in 1966 by Lyndon B. Johnson and received the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 1980. He served as dean of the universitys Graduate School and as a professor of Chemistry and Metallurgy at the University of Utah from 1946 until his death in 1981, at age 80. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his life he was also nominated for a Nobel Prize multiple times. Randall pointed out that the university is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year and said that Eyrings time at the school is a great inflection point of the universitys history. Beyond these scientific achievements, he was also known for his passion for education, his infectious enthusiasm for discovery of all sorts, and his unique ability to bridge the realms of science and profound philosophical thought, Armentrout said. Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Department of Disabilities Secretary Carole A. Beatty embrace at the signing Tuesday of House Bill 502, which aims to help more Marylanders with disabilities get job training and find work. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Today, as I reflect on Marylands latest legislative milestone, I am filled with hope. The recent signing of the legislation that establishes the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy (ODEAP) is not merely a policy winit is a resounding affirmation of Marylands commitment to building an inclusive future where the talents of every citizen are celebrated. I myself am dyslexic and have ADHD. I also know what it means to raise a child with multiple disabilities. For nearly a decade, I led a Maryland-based disability nonprofit, witnessing firsthand the persistent barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing meaningful employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite our wealth of talent, too many Marylanders with disabilities have been left on the margins. Yet, today, Gov. Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Secretary of Disabilities Carol Beatty have delivered on campaign promises that have long resonated with advocates and community members alike. The governors words echo the vision he campaigned on: We looked impossible straight in the eyes, and we didnt flinch. In partnership with the General Assembly, we are building pathways to work, wages, and wealth even as the White House seeks to lay off thousands of employees. Your opinion matters Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@marylandmatters.org. We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. These words underscore not just a political stance but a commitment to transforming our states economic and social landscape. With a state budget exceeding $60 billion, it is both symbolic and strategic that the first bill signed carries a modest fiscal note. Its true strength lies in its ability to unlock the potential of Marylands disability community which includes not only individuals with diverse abilities but also many federal workers, including wounded warriors, adversely affected by recent federal policy shifts. Whether its expanding access to high-quality, paid apprenticeships or removing barriers for individuals with disabilities, these bills reflect our belief that a stronger economy begins with a workforce that includes everyone, the lieutenant governor said. Her words resonate with those of us who have long championed disability rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For too long, systemic obstacles kept many capable and eager Marylanders out of the workforce. ODEAP a critical piece of the broader Model Employer Initiative signals a commitment to changing that narrative. It creates not only a pathway for increased employment opportunities but also a framework for transforming how state agencies and private employers approach disability inclusion. I have witnessed the transformative power of inclusion. Employment is far more than a paycheck; it is about dignity, independence and full participation in society. Policies like these are investments in our shared future. By establishing the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy within the Department of Disabilities, we are creating an institutional mechanism that will not only break down long-standing barriers but also propel our state toward a more dynamic and resilient economy. The potential impact of this bill cannot be overstated. Currently, 45% of Marylanders with disabilities (ages 18-64) are employed, compared to 79% of those without disabilities. Within our state lies an untapped reservoir of talent and determination that, once harnessed, can bridge critical workforce gaps. Maryland currently has only 40 workers available for every 100 jobs. Actively including people with disabilities in our workforce not only addresses a moral imperative, it also takes concrete steps toward economic growth. Studies have consistently shown that organizations embracing disability inclusion outperform their peers in revenue generation and overall employee engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the fiscal note for the bill stands at $0 for fiscal 2026 and only $940,000 for fiscal 2027, this investment is strategically targeted to yield exponential returns by tapping into a labor force that is too often overlooked. As federal policies lead to significant job losses including among federal workers with disabilities the need for such innovative state-level initiatives has never been more critical. I applaud Gov. Moore, Lt. Gov. Miller and Secretary Beatty for their visionary leadership and commitment to an inclusive Maryland. They have shown that progress is not measured solely by the size of a budget line, but by the transformative potential of policies that empower all citizens. They demonstrate that, even amid budgetary constraints and challenging federal dynamics, our state is ready to lead the nation in crafting a future where every Marylander has the opportunity to thrive. By embracing and investing in the talent of people with disabilities, we are building not just a stronger workforce but a stronger Maryland for all. Let us celebrate this monumental step forward and continue to work together, ensuring that every voice is heard, every talent is recognized, and every Marylander is given the chance to succeed. Two upstate New York brothers are facing criminal charges one for possessing child pornography and the other for sexually abusing a cow, officials announced Friday. Christopher A. Banks, 37, was arrested on April 4 after authorities executed a search warrant at his Nineveh home, according to Trooper Aga Tinker, a spokesperson for the New York State Police. The search, led by the NYSPs Bureau of Criminal Investigations, determined Banks was in possession of images consistent with child sexual exploitation, Tinker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested and charged with possessing a sexual performance by a child. Banks is a former cafeteria employee at the Harpursville Central School District, according to ABC affiliate WITV. On Monday, Superintendent Heath Georgia informed the school community via email that a district employee had been arrested and was facing serious criminal charges, adding that the individual was no longer employed by the district. During the investigation into Banks, authorities learned that 38-year-old Mark G. Banks had sexually abused a dairy cow while he was employed at a farm in the neighboring town of Colesville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The older Banks, also of Nineveh, was then arrested and charged with sexual misconduct, a misdemeanor, according to Tinker. The two men, described by multiple local outlets as brothers, were issued appearance tickets and are expected to appear in Colesville Town Court on April 24. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration could lay off workers at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), but not abolish the agency, an appeals court ruled on Friday. The agency, created in the aftermath of the global financial crisis to police and regulate the consumer finance sector, has been in the crosshairs of Republicans, who have criticized it as being unaccountable and exceeding its legal authority. Trump told reporters in February that the agency should be eliminated. A federal judge in March blocked the administration and tech billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from pursuing efforts to dismantle the CFPB, including mass dismissals, contract terminations, office closures and an agency-wide work stoppage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House filed a motion to have the preliminary injunction struck down, which was denied by the appeals court, though it allowed layoffs to proceed. The appeals court, however, agreed with the preliminary injunction barring the administration from reinstituting work stoppages either through stop-work orders, administrative leave or any other means. (Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; editing by Diane Craft) President Trumps escalating tariff battle with China is rattling the global economy and raising questions about how the standoff will end. Trump this week announced a 90-day pause on his sweeping tariffs against dozens of countries, but he bumped up import taxes on China to a staggering 145 percent total. China hit back by upping its own tariffs to 125 percent on Friday, raising the stakes as the hikes roil global markets. Trump has insisted that China wants to make a deal but doesnt know how quite to go about it, while leaders in Beijing have capped their latest hikes, warning that the battle risks becoming a joke in the history of the world economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tense back-and-forth between global superpowers raises questions about Trumps endgame and the potential economic impacts of an escalating trade war, as the president contends tariffs will reduce the trade deficit and bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. Whats the endgame here? Are we really going to reshore manufacturing based in China? And if were hitting every country on earth with additional tariffs, where are we going to see companies flee China to? said Marc Busch, a professor of international business diplomacy at Georgetown University, whos also an opinion contributor to The Hill. Theyre not coming back to the United States, so what is the endgame here? Trump announced the latest tariff hike on China on Wednesday, increasing it after slapping the country with 104 percent rate that day. A White House official said Thursday the rate is now 145 percent on China, given an additional 20 percent that includes sectors the reciprocal tariffs do not cover. At the same time, Trump implemented a 90-day reprieve from the Liberation Day tariffs against all other trading partners, which brought quick relief to the stock market, as he cited the lack of respect that China has shown to the Worlds Markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve ripped us off beyond anybody how people stood for it sitting in my position is not even believable but they did and all were doing is putting it back in shape. Were resetting the table. And Im sure that well be able to get along very well, Trump said Thursday, while emphasizing the respect he has for Chinese President Xi Jinping. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson (Wis.) was among the figures on Capitol Hill who expressed uncertainty this week about Trumps strategy, saying Wednesday, I dont know what the endgame is here yet. In response to Trump, Chinas Ministry of Finance said Thursday the U.S. had seriously violated international economic and trade rules, disregarded the post-World War II global economic order built by the U.S. itself, and violated basic economic laws and common sense, per a translated statement. Beijing then brought tariffs on U.S. goods up to 125 percent Friday and said it would stop engaging in the tariff hike back-and-forth moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the U.S. continues to play the tariff numbers game, China will ignore it, Chinese officials wrote in a release, according to translations. Wendong Zhang, an economist with Cornell University and a faculty affiliate at Cornells Center for China Economic Research, forecast that the U.S.-China standoff will likely persist for some time. Thats because there are many sticking points in the deteriorating relationship between the two global powers, Zhang told The Hill in an email, including Chinas industrial policy, Chinese ownership of agricultural land in the U.S. and recent moves from the Chinese military amid tensions over Taiwan. Both countries have recently put each others companies on blacklists, and the tariff spat has added drama to a potential deal on the mega-popular app TikTok, owned by China-based parent company ByteDance. The administration has also vowed to take back the Panama Canal from Chinas influence, prompting Beijing to accuse the U.S. of blackmail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the U.S. and China remain major trading partners: The two countries traded an estimated $582.4 billion in 2024, according to data from the U.S. trade representatives office. The trade deficit with China was at $295.4 billion, up 5.8 percent from the previous year. China recognizes the high retaliatory tariffs would effectively halt the trade, but feel obligated to respond politically, Zhang said. The White House has said the phones are ringing off the hook from countries eager to make trade deals with the U.S. to avoid the tariffs, and Trump has claimed that China wants to make a deal but doesnt know where to start. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt sidestepped questions Friday about whether Trump is waiting for Xi to make the first move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Trump] would be gracious if China intends to make a deal with the United States. If China continues to retaliate, its not good for China the president wants to do whats right for the American people. He wants to see fair trade practices around the globe, Leavitt said. Im not going to comment on communications that are happening or may be happening. Leavitt affirmed that Trump is optimistic about a deal. Trump may be wanting to wait until he can have a face-to-face with Xi and announce that they personally diffused the situation, Zhang suggested. Trump has said he has a very good personal relationship with the Chinese president, who visited Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida during his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both world leaders likely want to come out of this looking tough, said Busch, who previously served as an adviser on technical trade barriers to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the United States trade representative. On the economic side, I dont think theres any real calibration of any model here. On the political side, my sense is its a bigger question of: what are other countries making of this demonstration effect? Busch said. You play tough with China and you escalate with China as a means of showing that youre serious about your ability to ratchet up for not negotiating. But on the other hand, since countries understand that the U.S. is going to be tough on China no matter what, how illustrative is this, really? The president may be improvising with some of his moves, but his ultimate goal is likely a phase-two trade deal with China, experts said, continuing on the work of his first term. Trump signed an initial Phase One trade deal with China in 2020, with commitments from Beijing to boost purchases of U.S. goods but without promises to drop its tariffs. A second phase of the deal didnt materialize before Trump left office, as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the global economy and U.S. relations with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while some think the standoff could be drawn out, a former Commerce Department official opined that Trump and Xi, both aiming to not look weak, could be eyeing a short-term fix to the ongoing trade war. While theres substantial risk of a global economic meltdown caused by both leaders fear of looking weak at home, the odds are greater for a short-term big, beautiful deal and medium-term acceleration of deglobalization, the official said. Trumps decision to backtrack on other tariffs signals that the presidents approach to trade policy could turn on a dime as new impacts emerge. In the meantime, the tariffs are creating a lose-lose situation for both countries economies, Zhang said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At best, its signaling a willingness to probe the contours of decoupling. At worst, its just economic suicide, Busch said. I dont know that either side can really do this much longer None of this is good for either side, and I sure hope both sides blink. Alex Gangitano 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 The Hill. Iran and the U.S. held indirect talks in Oman on April 12, according to Iranian media sources. This marks the first round of negotiations between Tehran and the current U.S. Donald Trump administration, following years of heightened tensions. The negotiations aimed to address Irans advancing nuclear program, amid U.S. threats of potential military action if no agreement is reached. Iranian officials described the talks as productive, though there has been no official comment from the U.S. side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American side tried to show its willingness for a fair agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. According to the government-affiliated Iranian Tasnim news agency, Araghchi said that both sides are close to establishing a framework for formal negotiations and agreed to reconvene next week, likely next Saturday. The atmosphere of todays session indicated continuity, Araghchi commented. The talks were mediated by Oman, with delegations in separate rooms exchanging messages through Omans foreign ministeran arrangement preferred by Iran, in contrast to U.S. calls for direct talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Araghchi confirmed that the U.S. and Iranian delegations briefly interacted after the meeting, which lasted over two and a half hours. Previously, Russia has expressed interest in mediating the relationship between the U.S. and Iran. Russia and Iran have deepened ties since the start of the full-scale invasion. Notably, Iran has provided Russia with thousands of Shahed drones used in attacks against Ukrainian cities, as well as short-range ballistic missiles. Read also: Russia agrees to help US in negotiations with Iran over nuclear program, Bloomberg reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Senior representatives from Washington and Tehran are set to discuss Iran's controversial nuclear programme on Saturday in the Gulf state of Oman. The US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to attend the opening of the dialogue, which is being mediated by the Sultan of Oman. According to Iranian sources, the talks will be conducted indirectly through a mediator, although a direct meeting between Witkoff and Araghchi might take place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting in Oman, located on the Gulf, marks the first significant progress in years in the stalled negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with military action if Tehran does not agree to a new deal to limit its nuclear programme. During his first term as president, Trump pulled out of the Iranian nuclear deal that had been negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama. A US immigration judge on Friday cleared the way for the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student who played a leading role in last year's pro-Gaza protests on the campus of Columbia University. The judge in the state of Louisiana ruled that the government's reasoning for the deportation was sufficient, US media outlets reported following the hearing in the city of Jena. The government is invoking a rarely used provision that allows the secretary of state to order deportation if an individual's presence is considered a threat to US foreign policy interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil's lawyers said they would challenge the decision. The activist, born in Syria, was arrested in March at his apartment in New York and moved to a detention facility in Louisiana marking the first arrest under President Donald Trump's vowed crackdown on students involved in campus protests against the Gaza war. A graduate of Columbia University, Khalil played a leading role in pro-Palestinian protests on campus. According to the US government, Khalil expressed anti-Semitic views, distributed propaganda for Palestinian militant organization Hamas, and helped organize protest groups accused of disrupting university operations and harassing Jewish students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil has not been charged with a crime and his lawyers deny all allegations. His lawyers say he holds a US green card, is married to an American citizen and is expecting a child. Khalil was the first publicly known pro-Palestinian activist arrested under Trump's administration, with others detained since. Critics are alarmed, fearing the US government is using vague accusations to set a precedent for silencing dissenting voices. The US plans to take control of the gas pipeline that connects Russia to Europe via Ukraine as part of an updated version of the minerals deal. Source: Reuters, citing sources Details: A source noted that the document contains "a US demand that the US government's International Development Finance Corporation take control of a natural gas pipeline from Russian energy giant Gazprom across Ukraine to Europe". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters does not specify which gas pipeline is being referred to. However, Russian Gazprom does not own any pipelines in Ukraine. Several gas routes from Russia to the EU pass through Ukraine (such as Soiuz, Prohres and Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhhorod), but all of them are state-owned and controlled by Ukraine's Gas Transmission System Operator. Background: On 11-12 April, a Ukrainian delegation will reportedly hold technical consultations in Washington with President Donald Trump's administration on a deal on access to critical Ukrainian minerals. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ongoing talks between Kyiv and Washington on securing a critical minerals deal continue to be tense, with a source familiar with the discussion describing the negotiating atmosphere as "very antagonistic," Reuters reported on April 11. According to a source who spoke to Reuters, tensions surrounding negotiations stem from the Trump administration's proposal for extensive control over Ukraine's natural resources through a joint investment fund which are larger than initially proposed. Describing the more expansive proposal as "maximalist," the source added that it was unlikely a new round of technical talks will lead to a breakthrough in negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long-running negotiation, which has already strained ties between Kyiv and Washington, follows an attempt to finalize a framework agreement earlier this year. Those plans were disrupted after a heated Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and President Volodymyr Zelensky. Critics later slammed the leaked draft for potentially undermining Ukraine's control over its natural resources, including not just rare-earth minerals but also gas and oil. A map showing the location of critical raw materials in Ukraine. (The Kyiv Independent) One of the glaring issues is that the latest draft of the deal conflicts with a critical raw materials partnership signed between Brussels and Kyiv in 2021, potentially harming Ukraines ambitions to join the EU in the future. Ukraine's Justice Ministry has hired the American-British law firm Hogan Lovells for assistance in negotiating a critical minerals deal with the United States, according to a filing under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called for the the agreement to be mutually beneficial, and meet the interests of both countries without putting at risk Ukraine's accession to the EU. Read also: Ukraines minerals deal position ready for talks with US, FM says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Trump administration is doubling down on its decision not to tell a federal court whether it has any plans to repatriate a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported last month and remains confined in a notorious prison in El Salvador, despite a Supreme Court ruling and lower court order that the man should be returned to the United States. The U.S. district court judge handling the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia now is weighing whether to grant a request from the man's legal team to compel the government to explain why it should not be held in contempt. Any move toward a contempt finding would represent an extraordinary turn in the Trump administration's assertion of presidential authority, both generally and specifically over immigration policy. The government's latest daily status update, filed Sunday as required by Judge Paula Xinis, states essentially that the Trump administration has nothing to add beyond its Saturday statement that, for the first time, confirmed that Abrego Garcia, 29, was alive and remained in an El Salvador prison under the control of that country's government. That means for the second consecutive day, the administration has not addressed Xinis' demands that the administration detail what steps it was taking to return Abrego Garcia to the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last Thursday that the Trump administration must bring him back. Xinis followed that with an order Friday requiring the administration to disclose Abrego Garcias current physical location and custodial status and what steps, if any, Defendants have taken (and) will take, and when, to facilitate his return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has asserted that Abrego Garcia, who lived in the U.S. for about 14 years before being deported, is a member of the MS-13 gang. Abrego Garcia has disputed that claim, and he has never been charged with any crime related to such activity. The Trump administration has called his deportation a mistake but also has argued, essentially, that its conclusion about Abrego Garcia's affiliation makes him ineligible for protection from the courts. Abrego Garcia's location was first confirmed to the court by Michael G. Kozak, who identified himself in the Saturday filing as a Senior Bureau Official in the State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Sunday's status update was signed by Evan C. Katz, who was identified in the filing as assistant director of Enforcement and Removal Operations for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security. Separately, Abrego Garcia's lawyers have asked Xinis to issue an order compelling the government to explain to the court why it should not be held in contempt for failing to comply fully with previous orders. As of early Sunday evening, Xinis had not filed such an order. Abrego Garcia's lawyers also have asked Xinis to order the government, among other things, to produce documents and contracts that detail the U.S. agreement with El Salvador to house people deported from the U.S. or, in absence of such records, to require that government officials testify in court about the arrangement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xinis expressed frustration Friday during a hearing in her Maryland courtroom when a U.S. government attorney struggled to provide any information about Abrego Garcias whereabouts. Where is he and under whose authority? the judge asked during the hearing. Im not asking for state secrets. 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? The judge repeatedly asked a government attorney about what has been done to return Abrego Garcia, asking pointedly: Have they done anything? Drew Ensign, a deputy assistant attorney general, told Xinis that he had no personal knowledge about any actions or plans to return Abrego Garcia. But he told the judge the government was actively considering what could be done and said that Abrego Garcias case involved three Cabinet agencies and significant coordination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kozak's statement a day later stated: It is my understanding based on official reporting from our Embassy in San Salvador that Abrego Garcia is currently being held in the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador. He is alive and secure in that facility. He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador. The Justice Department has not responded to an Associated Press request for comment. During his time in the U.S., Abrego Garcia worked construction, got married and was raising three children with disabilities, according to court records. A U.S. immigration judge initially shielded Abrego Garcia from deportation to El Salvador because he likely faced persecution there by local gangs that terrorized his family. The Trump administration deported him there last month anyway, before describing the mistake as an administrative error but standing by its claims that he was in MS-13. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins' $1 billion plan for fighting bird flu will rely on money cut from programs meant to help schools and food banks support local farmers, according to two people familiar with the discussions. Rollins in February rolled out a five-step strategy to fight bird flu that includes importing eggs and researching and developing a poultry vaccine. But that raised questions about whether it would use new federal money, even as the Trump administration is generally cutting back. Instead, it will use the money previously intended for two food programs that USDA canceled earlier this year, according to the people, who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move tees up a major political fight over the Trump administrations priorities, as USDA struggles to use a relatively small pot of money to help farmers facing economic headwinds, curb a deadly avian flu outbreak and address a worsening hunger crisis all while meeting the statutory obligations of the fund. Trumps rapidly escalating trade war with China could also pressure USDA to find new money to assist farmers who may no longer have a market for their products. In a response after publication and after several prior requests for comment, USDA spokesperson Seth Christensen pointed to other food purchases the department made for a separate emergency program that aids food banks nationwide. "As of today, more than $390 million of those funds remain unspent," he said. "The Secretary encourages States to utilize these dollars for schools, charitable feeding organizations, and other programs that serve those in need. On a call with Hill staffers Friday, USDA said the money to pay for the bird flu response came from funds allocated to the Agricultural Marketing Service, which is the agency that administered the local food programs. But when one participant asked specifically if the money was repurposed from those programs, USDA declined to answer, according to someone on the call who was granted anonymity to share details of a private discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Joe Biden allocated $1 billion in funding to the local food programs as part of his effort to build a more resilient food supply chain. The programs helped schools, child care facilities and food banks purchase fresh food from local farms and helped small- and mid-sized farms expand their businesses. Their abrupt cancellation sparked swift political backlash in Congress and online, as schools scrambled to find new funding for fresh food and farmers were left with unpurchased crops. Food banks are also feeling the strain of meeting increased hunger demands as prices soar. In addition to the local food programs, the Trump administration slashed roughly $500 million in funds to the emergency assistance program for food banks though, as Christensen noted, USDA has already made additional buys to counteract those cuts. The $1 billion for the local food programs and now, for bird flu response comes from a New Deal-era fund that gives the Agriculture secretary sweeping authority to provide disaster relief, support farmers and respond to market downturns. That fund, known as the Commodity Credit Corporation, has $30 billion to spend each year, but it has dwindled to roughly $4 billion in available funds. Its annual replenishment could be in jeopardy as lawmakers vie for leverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers will need to decide whether to replenish or even add more money into the CCC fund, though itll likely be a long, uphill battle. Republican budget hawks are already skeptical of just about any spending from the CCC, and a few Democrats have floated voting against the funds upcoming replenishment to protest the Trump administrations spending freezes. The cuts to local food procurement money reflect the Trump administrations plans to reorient the CCC fund toward its priorities, and rein in what Republicans view as the Biden administrations legally-questionable use of the fund. The $500 million in funding for the emergency assistance program for food banks also came from the CCC. And the Trump administration has frozen roughly $2 billion of the $3 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, a CCC-funded initiative Biden established to help farmers mitigate their carbon footprint and adapt to climate change. Some food banks are hopeful Congress will provide permanent funding for the local food programs, said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. Until then, her states network of food banks will need to rely on private philanthropy to keep up at least some of their contracts with farmers. I know this administration is committed to reevaluating and focusing on decisions made in the past administration, Cole said recently. For us its a matter of making sure in the interim we can meet the need. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A bill under consideration in Washington could change the way you register to vote, and critics believe it could disenfranchise women at the polls. The bill is called the SAVE Act. It passed the House April 10 in a 220-208 vote, and has gone for further consideration in the Senate. All of Utahs Representatives voted for the bill. Some voters in Utah are worried about the significant changes it could bring. Katharine Beilie, president of League of Women Voters in Utah, expressed concerns how the new Bills Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SAVE Act is probably one of the worst acts affecting voters in the United States, Katharine Beilie said. Theyre going to have to go find their birth certificate or a passport that has their old name on it and thats not going to be easy for people, they are doing this to disenfranchise women and minorities. The proposed law, introduced in the House by Rep. Roy Chip (R-TX21), would change the way many people adjust their voter registration information. It would require states to check proof of citizenship through a passport or another document showing that you were born in the United States. Critics have raised concerns that would impact anyone whose birth certificates dont match their current legal names, along with those who have changed their names for any reason, including marriage. The primary function of the SAVE Act is dealing with citizenship of voters, and I dont think anyone in the county disagrees with if youre going to vote you have to be a citizen, Ricky Hatch, Weber County clerk said to ABC4.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hatch says he is comfortable with the citizenship aspect of the bill, but expressed concerns about how the bill would impact local clerks. Saying that the bill would force a lot of people to come and register in person. Over 90% of Utahns register or change their registration status online through the drivers license or by mail and this would require they would come in person so now imagine in weber county we have 130,000 registered voters, now instead of having 10,000 of them in person registration it would now be 130,000, Hatch said. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who is sponsoring the bill in the Senate, cites national security as a chief concern, saying, At a time when trust in voting is more important than ever, we must stop foreign election interference and pass the SAVE Act. Lee also addressed critiques that this bill would impact women voters, comparing it to I-9 hiring process. Which requires proof of citizenship to work in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a reply to Hillary Clinton on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lee said, If that were trueand its definitely notthe same women would be unemployable as theyd be unable to complete an I-9, which requires proof of citizenship Her argument proves too much, is refuted by the plain text of the bill, and cannot withstand review. In a reply to ABC4.com, Senator Lee responded to critiques of the Save Act, saying, I applaud the House passage of my SAVE Act, which simply requires proof of citizenship to register and vote in federal elections, a policy supported by the vast majority of Americans. Democrats are terrified of this commonsense legislation, so they are bending over backwards to lie about the SAVE Act, which will not prevent a single American citizen from casting their votes as normal. Its worth noting its already illegal for non-citizens to vote in U.S. elections. Under U.S. code, states that it is unlawful for any alien to vote in any election held solely or in part for the purpose of electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, Delegate from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner. Like any legislation it isnt over until its over, if you have concerns about this reach out to your legislature congressman and your senator and make sure they know how you feel and what your thoughts are, Hatch advised Utahns who were concerned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katharine Biele with the League of Women Voters is not shy about her thoughts saying, the league of women voters hopes the Senate will vote this down and not consider it again and we are also hopeful it will never come up in Utah again. As for the bill in Washington, it needs a vote in the Senate and then it could go to President Trumps desk. However, unlike the U.S. House, most bills need 60 votes to pass in the Senate. This is due to the Senate Filibuster rule, which allows indefinite debate on a bill unless 60 members agree to end debate. This is how the bill died in 2024, where the Democratic held Senate did not hear the bill on the floor. Although Republicans control the Senate, they do not have a 60-vote majority to end debate on a measure. It is currently unclear whether the bill will receive that 60 vote support. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. CHICAGO It was a typical Thursday night for the financial analyst, who was watching Lord of the Rings when he got the email with the subject line visa revoked. At first, the University of Illinois Chicago grad from India thought it was a joke just a scam email from some Indian website trying to mess with him. But then he received a second email after he tried logging into his Student and Exchange Visitor Program portal. Your OPT authorization period has ended, the email read. At that moment, his entire life paused. The former student, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, graduated from UIC in 2023 and was continuing to work in the U.S. on a STEM optional practical training extension. He previously worked at Bank of America and was being considered for a role at J.P. Morgan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, he has to focus on self-deporting, selling off items like his TV and giving away other belongings to his friends. He plans on leaving the country April 13 and is unsure whether hell even be able to work for J.P. Morgan. I would choose to stay and fight but on Reddit Ive been hearing different stories about ICE detaining students, the former student said. He is one of hundreds of international students nationwide who have had their visas terminated in the past few weeks for unclear or arbitrary reasons. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a student one month away from graduating seemingly had her visa revoked for a previous traffic violation. In Florida, a student from Colombia was taken into custody by immigration agents after he was stopped by Gainesville police with an expired registration and drivers license. He signed his self-deportation and returned home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Illinois alone, dozens of students have had their visas revoked, with seven confirmed cases from the University of Chicago and eight confirmed cases from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. A high-ranking official at U. of I. who did not have permission to speak on the record told the Tribune that 19 students had their visas rescinded, according to data in the SEVIS system, an online system used to monitor the records and information of international students on F-1 or J-1 visas and keep track of students whose visa status is being challenged. Students from UIC, Northwestern and Southern Illinois University Carbondale also have had their visas terminated; officials from those schools declined to say how many. The mass terminations have left students scrambling, with many unsure what to do next and whether they can continue their studies. These calls are flooding in, said Jon Velie, an immigration and litigation attorney in Oklahoma whose firm is preparing to file a lawsuit in response to the student visa revocations. I probably had 10 different people call a day, a couple just walked in. Its nuts. Theres a lot of anxiety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the students hes spoken to, Velie found that many of those who had their visas revoked had traffic violations or misdemeanor cases that were dropped incidents he said do not rise to the level of a deportable offense. You retroactively cant change the law, Velie said. So if a new law changed and said that a parking ticket was a deportable offense, you cant go back retroactively and say You parked illegally last week or two years ago or in 1999. Laws dont work that way. Legal experts say once a SEVIS record is terminated, a students legal status becomes immediately invalid and they must either leave the U.S. within the grace period, typically 15 days, or take steps to restore their status. Otherwise, they may risk deportation and future visa restrictions. The UIC grad, originally from India, said his university was not aware of his visa revocation until he called student legal services for guidance. The email he received from the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai regarding his visa termination, which was reviewed by the Tribune, said only that the visa was revoked because additional information became available after the visa was issued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some visa terminations have been related to participation in pro-Palestinian protests or political speech criticizing Israel, such as the high-profile case of Mahmoud Khalil, who helped lead last springs protests at Columbia University and now faces possible deportation despite facing no criminal charges. The UIC grad believes the reason his visa may have been revoked is a misdemeanor charge back in 2019. He was working in the U.S. at the time and said he got into a fight with a girlfriend he was living with at the time. The neighbors overheard the fight and eventually ended up calling the cops on him, which led to him getting arrested. Charges were never pressed against him and the court ordered him to take anger management classes. He never had any run-ins with the law after that. Several months later, the former student lost his job in a round of layoffs. That layoff, combined with the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic, led him to return to India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former student has since tried to move on from the arrest, but he said the incident left a huge mark on his conscience. I just dont want my life to be defined by some misunderstanding that the neighbors had, he said. I have just been trying to get my education, move forward in life, not to get into situations like these again. And hes been doing just that. He reentered the U.S. in 2022 to begin his masters program at UIC, during which he was honest about the arrest. Ive been nothing but transparent with the U.S. government, the former student said. During my reapplication, I had all the relevant paperwork related to my misdemeanor. Since charges were dropped and the case was dismissed after taking anger management sessions, I was approved for a visa by the officer in my home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former student had an arrest record on file and nothing else, and while that arrest record caused extra scrutiny from his former employer Bank of America later down the line, it ultimately did not stop him from getting the job. Coming to America to study was also a huge dream for him ever since he was 18. He thought there were more opportunities here in the field he was interested in. He persuaded his parents to let him go to the U.S. and in 2014, started his studies in computer science at Rutgers University. I was a guy who never left his home, and everyone assumed that I would be home sick a lot, he said. But once he arrived in the U.S., he found himself flourishing. Here, he said he could pursue different paths of intellectual curiosity and take classes that had nothing to do with his computer science studies, something he did not feel like he could do back in India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You feel like your life is in your own hands. You can do whatever you want with your life, he said. That possibility is what made him want to continue to work and study in the U.S. The former student, now 29, said his dream was to work in the U.S. at a bank for a long period of time, pursue a Ph.D. in the U.S. and potentially become a professor. Now, he is giving up those dreams and is going to begin the application process for Ph.D. programs in Europe. I was really angry. I was really angry with myself. I was really angry with the things that are happening, he said. Im trying not to think about it, and trying to avoid processing it. Experts have previously told the Tribune that the mass student visa cancellations may cause some students with strong training and educational background in STEM fields to take their skills elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can take your degree and go somewhere else, said Ida Salusky, a research associate professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine who works with many international students in the biomedical sciences. If people feel unwelcome or they feel like theyre going to be under threat, if and when they transition from a student visa to a work visa, if youre an engineer or youre a highly skilled biochemist, you can get jobs in other countries. The UIC graduate felt that sentiment. Im just trying to avoid all the future risk that I might have after reapplication here, he said. So in my mind, I think Ph.D. programs in Europe make sense because the reason for visa revocation here is probably going to be the only thing that is going to cause any issues at all if I apply to colleges there. Still, the decision to pivot away from his dreams was not an easy one and even shocked some of his friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My friends think of me as a person who wont stop until he gets what he wants, he said. So me basically saying that Im not going to do that anymore is more of a shock than whatever visa revocation shock that I faced. I think that goes to show how dedicated Ive been so far to make my dreams happen. ____ UPDATE (8:39 p.m.): A brush fire in Escambia County, Florida, is now 70% contained, according to the countys emergency management. According to Escambia County Emergency Management, 30 acres have burned so far. Fire officials said nobody has been injured so far, and they are monitoring the fire to keep it from spreading to populated areas. UPDATE (5:50 p.m.) Escambia County Fire Rescue, EMS, the Escambia County Sheriffs Office, and the Florida Forest Service are still working a brushfire in the 5500 block of Corinna Street near Innerarity Point and Sorrento roads, Escambia County officials said. LOCATION Officials got the call around 3:57 p.m. to a brushfire that apparently started from a nearby vehicle fire, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Forest Service is responding with a helicopter and airplane, bulldozers and tractor plow units to help contain the fire, Escambia County officials said. The Escambia County Sheriffs Office warns drivers to avoid the area between the Innerarity Point Road intersection, Sorrento Road, and Doug Ford Drive until the fire can be contained. PREVIOUS REPORTING ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) What began as a vehicle fire spread to the grass nearby, sparking a brushfire in Escambia County, Fla., News 5 has learned. Davis Wood, Escambia County Public Safetys public information officer, confirmed multiple crews were working the fire in the area of Innerarity Point Road and Sorrento. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 19 Baldwin County restaurants claiming imported shrimp is locally sourced: report The fire started sometime around 4:30 p.m. Friday, and crews were still working to contain it after 5 p.m. Drivers should avoid this area and Doug Ford Drive while first responders work on the fire, an Escambia County Sheriffs Office Facebook post said. News 5 is continuing to cover this and will update as information is 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 WKRG News 5. MERKEL, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A water main break in Merkel caused a water outage on Friday after a vehicle struck a fire hydrant. The incident occurred on April 11 at the 600 Block of El Paso Street. According to the Merkel Police Department, the citys water, public works, and police departments responded to the area to work on the damage. Crews from the water department worked to resolve the leak; however, the necessary equipment and materials were not immediately available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This morning, on April 12, we worked on the leak again and discovered that the line connecting the hydrant had also fractured a 6-inch main waterline. As a result, the main line supplying water to Merkel from Abilene will need to be shut off so the water department can begin immediate repairs. The estimated time of water being unavailable to customers is not known at this time. Police say that the 600 block of El Paso to South Access Road is still closed, and they ask that you avoid this area due to heavy utility work. The City of Merkel will update as soon as information becomes available. Once the water supply is restored, the City of Merkel will issue a Boil Water Notice due to the disrupted main supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Merkel Police Department requests that you stay informed by visiting the Merkel Connect App, the City of Merkels social media pages, or local media outlets for the latest 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. A Ventura man was arrested early Friday morning after allegedly threatening to kill police officers who were at his home to help a former resident pick up her property. Bernard Loughman, 55, was arrested around 2:35 a.m., after an hourslong standoff and an incident that began last week. Last Saturday, the Ventura Police Department responded to his home on the 300 block of Catalina Street to keep the peace while the former tenant collected her things from inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While officers were on the scene, Loughman allegedly exited and began yelling at them, threatening to blow their skulls off before retreating back into his home. The threat led to police withdrawing, making sure the former resident was safe and launching an investigation into previous allegations against Loughman. Police learned that the same former resident had tried to pick up her belongings back in December but was allegedly attacked by Loughman, who she said hit her with the butt of a rifle and caused serious injuries. Because of the claim of past violent behavior and belief that Loughman had access to firearms, the Ventura Police Department issued a warrant for Loughmans arrest, activated its SWAT team and requested assistance from its counterparts at the Oxnard Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 8:50 p.m. Thursday night, the large police presence served a search warrant at the home. Four of the homes occupants immediately exited but told authorities that Loughman refused to leave, confirming that he also had access to guns. A standoff ensued for several hours, and Loughman refused to surrender late into the evening and into early Friday morning. Around 2:30 a.m., armed SWAT officers entered the home and found him inside a locked bathroom. Again, he refused to surrender, officials said. Finally, officers breached the bathroom and were able to take him into custody without any injuries reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was booked into the Ventura County Jail to await charges for resisting arrest, battery and making criminal threats, the latter two of which are felonies. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to call 805-650-8010. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A veteran was booked on suspicion of making terrorist threats and disorderly conduct after being accused of threatening to harm and kill members of the Muslim community. According to court documents, about 12:30 a.m. March 24, Avondale police responded to a welfare check at the West Valley Islamic Center after a man requested help, saying he needed to be "talked down." When officers arrived, they found Michael Hanson, 37, in the centers parking lot. Hanson told police he had been watching "American Sniper," a film depicting a soldier's experience in the Iraq War, and decided to search for the nearest Muslim place of worship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court documents added that officers observed Hanson slurring his speech and "having an odor of an intoxicating beverage emitting from his breath and person." Officers deemed Hanson unfit to drive and called a Lyft service to take him home. Court documents stated that while Hanson and the officers waited for the Lyft, Hanson indicated to officers he was going to bomb the West Valley Islamic Center and claimed he was there as a "show of force." Hanson was then observed heckling worshipers before being picked up by the Lyft. About half an hour later, officers discovered Hanson back in the parking lot of the West Valley Islamic Center, attempting to hide behind a dumpster. According to court documents, Hanson told officers he was trying to pull a fast one on them. About 3 a.m., officers transported him back to his home in Goodyear. Avondale Police Department detectives later learned from the Goodyear Police Department that Hanson had prior interactions with both their officers and the Phoenix Veterans Administration Medical Center. They also confirmed that Hanson had served a nine-month deployment in Iraq. Hanson informed officers that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents stated the movie "American Sniper" had triggered Hanson's PTSD, and he "could not snap out of that state of mind." During a review of Hansons cell phone, officers uncovered evidence indicating his intent to harm worshipers at the West Valley Islamic Center and members of the Muslim community, according to court documents. The phone also contained text messages and search history reflecting Hansons hatred toward the Muslim community and the Islamic faith. Court documents stated, "Detectives conducted a review of the listed photographs on the listed cell phone device to which numerous images and video clips of the movie American Sniper were observed as well as a screen shot of the West Valley Islamic Center website." Hanson was arrested on March 27 after an involuntary stay in a mental health facility on suspicion of making terrorist threats and disorderly conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pleaded guilty to the disorderly conduct charge on April 3 and was scheduled for sentencing on April 24, according to Maricopa County Superior Court records. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Veteran booked after terrorist threats made at Arizona mosque EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The chairman of the Rhode Island State Elks Association is weighing in on a lease dispute in East Providence, saying hes been talking with Mayor Bob DaSilva about veterans housing in the city for years. Matt Vienna added his thoughts after a dispute came to light over a city owned rental property that the mayor has said he would like to use for veterans housing. Julia Dempsey currently lives in the house on Payette Street. Shes lived there since 2019 when she won a housing lottery allowing her to live in the rental home for $600 a month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that housing lottery, veterans were given preference, but all were welcome to apply. Dempsey, who is not a veteran, was given the keys to the house when a veteran who won the lottery turned it down. Now, Dempsey may have to leave because of a dispute with the mayor about a five-year lease which DaSilva said was never valid or executed. Dempsey said she feels she should be allowed to stay in her home until at least 2026, when the five-year lease was supposed to end. The city contends the five-year lease was never valid and was not fully executed because DaSilva never signed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A city spokesperson said, Its common practice that employees will bring a contract to the Mayor and if he is not in agreement or has questions about the contract, he does not sign it and therefore it is not an executed document. Given the questions surrounding the five-year lease, Dempsey confirms she signed a one-year lease in 2024. The mayor said thats the only valid lease for the property and expires at the end of May 2025. In March, the city sent a letter asking Dempsey to leave the house by the end of May because her lease was not being renewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dempsey believes she is being retaliated against for repeatedly criticizing the mayor on social media. Im the only one who he can retaliate against about things that people in this city complain about, she said. DaSilva strongly denies Dempseys claim and said he was not aware of her comments on social media. He said he wants to use the house to help homeless veterans. Ive gotten calls personally about people who have been in that situation, and weve tried to find them a place, DaSilva said. Vienna, the veteran chair of the Rhode Island State Elks Association said hes been in talks with DaSilva about multiple properties over the years that could potentially be used as transitional housing for homeless veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If all 39 townships in the state offered that, it would alleviate so much stress on the non-profits that are out there trying to fill that void, Vienna said. Vienna said talks between him and the mayor have been going on for years, but started ramping up in the last few months as they discussed potential city-owned properties to use. He said roughly 1,200 veterans in Rhode Island are in need of transitional housing and that DaSilva was the first mayor to reach out to him about using city property to help house those veterans. Dempsey said she does not want to leave her rental home and said she has been struggling to find a new apartment for under $1,300. Currently she pays $900. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just cant be out of here in 60 days on disability income, she said. I dont want to leave. Dempsey will be allowed to live month-to-month in the home and the city has offered to help her find a new place to live. Vienna said he really wants the city to make transitional housing for veterans a reality. I can totally sympathize with that woman, he said. But the excitement of having an opportunity in the in the city to have a transitional piece is very exciting. 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A vigil was held Saturday afternoon in Providence to honor the more than 200 people killed after a roof collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. Dozens of people from the Dominican community gathered in Roger Williams Park at the Juan Pablo Duarte statue and mourned those who lost their lives. READ MORE: What to know about the roof collapse at the Jet Set club in the Dominican Republic Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today we thought it would be a perfect occasion to come together as a community to rely on one another, to be able to share in that brotherhood and sisterhood together during this difficult time, Victor Capellan, one of the events organizers, told 12 News. Among the victims was Fray Luis Rosario, a restaurant owner in Providence who ran two businesses on Federal Hill. Fray Luis Rosario with Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee Fray Luis Rosario with Providence Mayor Brett Smiley City and state leaders were at the event, including Gov. Dan McKee, who said he met Rosario when he opened up his restaurant. ALSO READ: Federal Hill restaurant owner dies in Dominican Republic nightclub collapse It was not a surprise to me that the people who were there, who work with him, those who were celebrating him, loved him and had sincere respect for him, McKee added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Providence City Council Majority Leader Pedro Espinal, one of three Dominican city councilmembers, said Rosario was a kind guy, someone that really touched many peoples lives. Espinal says he wants to continue to honor the victims and plans to introduce a resolution at the next council meeting to offer condolences. 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. Apr. 11AUSTIN Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. This week, they highlight the service of Major John McFall who served in the U.S. Army and the Texas National Guard. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, McFall said he joined the U.S. Army in September 1943, following his membership to the religious order, Brother of the Christian Schools in the Catholic Church. While he joined the Army, his first two choices wouldn't take him because of an unknown vision problem. "I decided I'd leave the order and I came home to where my mother lived, and the war was going on, and I thought that I was really healthy and everything, and so I went down to try to enlist in the Marines and they wouldn't take me because I had a bad eye, and I went to the Navy and they wouldn't take me because I had a bad eye," McFall explained. "I found out that I was born with a congenital cataract in my right eye and I didn't know that at the time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFall said he figured he would give it one last chance and went to volunteer for the U.S. Army and if he didn't get accepted, he would go back to college. As fate would have it, they took him and, as a result, McFall would be part of some of bigger battles throughout Europe, Rome and Southern France. "I figured well, I'll get into something, even I could get into military intelligence or something that would really be good, you know, for the Army and it wouldn't be too much danger to me, although I wasn't really concerned about that too much. I didn't want to get killed, of course," he said when asked about his initial thoughts on joining up. "I kind of spoke French and being a Catholic brother and all, I was really good at Latin and I had a little Spanish, and I thought maybe I, the Army could make use of some of my language like interrogating prisoners of war or something. I was fairly optimistic about it." McFall said once he joined, he was sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas before being sent, almost immediately, to Camp Blanding, Florida where he received basic training as a rifleman, a position within the Army that requires good eyesight but something McFall knew he didn't have. "I couldn't fire a rifle with my right eye because I couldn't see the sight, but they let me fire left handed down in basic training," McFall said. "It was 13 weeks and I was a pinup corporal. They put, I was a recruit or a private, but I was a squad they made me a squad leader and they gave me corporal stripes to wear around and I had the charge of a squad in basic training." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFall said after his 13 weeks of basic training, he quickly was sent overseas because, at that time, things were starting to heat up for the for Army. Once he arrived, he remembered his first duty assignment well. "There were 36 of us came in as replacements to one company of Company E, the 141st Infantry of the 36th Infantry Division which had really been clobbered at Casino, and probably lost half their regimental personnel in the Division in two attempts to cross the Rapido River," McFall recalled. "So there was a massive replacements came into this company and so I, there was one opening in the mortars and I said I wanted the mortars. So I was a crewman on a 60 millimeter mortar in the rifle company of an infantry regiment." McFall said the first combat he saw as part of the 36th Division, which was 13,000 men, when they were sent to the Anzio Beachhead, located roughly 17 miles south of Anzio, Rome. "The Germans didn't know it was coming or anything like that and when they found out, the way they found out about it was when the Americans and English unloaded and got there. But Hitler sent a whole bunch of Panzer divisions down there to contain the Anzio beachhead because he didn't want Rome to fall," McFall explained. "Rome was the big, would be the first big, you know, capital that would fall to our troops." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFall added they lost a lot of men along the way and recalled a moment the Germans tried their best to stop his unit, firing artillery shells as they crossed a field. "I heard it come in, so I hit the ground, and I put my head down and I put my arms around my helmet so that my face would be kind of protected as much as possible. I was just lying on top of the ground and this shell came in and I thought it was gonna hit me right in the head, but it went right over me and hit my buddy well it hit between me and my buddy who was on the ground behind me, and it really hurt him bad," McFall explained, adding he did everything he could to help him before he was sent to a hospital in North Africa but later, he said, died because of that attack by the Germans. Click here to listen to Maj. John McFall tell his story. Volinsky calls out anti-tax reform Dems in new book Andru Volinsky, a former executive councilor and 2020 Democratic candidate for governor, talks about his new book, The Last Bake Sale, during a State House interview. Andru Volinskys new book about his 20-year fight for fair school funding, The Last Bake Sale, is also a blunt message to leading Democrats who cling to their opposition to broad-based taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I were a Martian and landed in Concord without any background and just started gathering facts, I would learn Democrats have been largely out of control of every State House office for much of the past 10 years. This would reasonably lead me to ask what were Democrats doing wrong and why was it not effective, Volinsky said during a recent interview. What we have been doing was adopting The Pledge (against new taxes) and not offering real solutions that will help people in danger of losing their homes or facing personal bankruptcy. Volinskys book, released in early April, explains how close the vaunted Claremont school funding case came to completely falling apart financially. This came even after his legal team had convinced the New Hampshire Supreme Court in the first case to recognize the constitutional right to a public education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I tried to keep the outcome of Claremont a bit of a mystery until you got to the end of the book, Volinsky said. The title refers to the bake sale that Claremont School Board member Tom Connair came up with to raise money and more importantly, to get national attention for the case of five property-poor and income-poor school districts suing the state. George Bailey, the lead character in Its a Wonderful Life, who sacrificed personally to protect his community, would have been proud of Tom Connair, Volinsky wrote. Today, the suspense is gone. The state Supreme Courts two Claremont rulings that the state has a constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education, and that the state must develop a funding system that taxes all residents equitably were among the most sweeping education finance decisions in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New book behind the scenes of Claremont school finance case Andru Volinsky will be at Balin Books, Somerset Plaza in Nashua to discuss his experiences and his new book, The Last Bake Sale, today, April 12, at 11 a.m. The event is free. We were able to marry the adequate school funding side of the coin to the economic justice, fair taxation side of the coin, Volinsky recalled. The battle continues today. In separate Supreme Court appeals, Volinsky and lawyer Michael Tierney could again upset the school finance apple cart. Volinsky and partners are pursuing their constitutional attack against the statewide property tax; Tierney has his claim that the matrix formula of state aid to support an adequate education is anything but adequate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A case for race New Hampshire isnt mentioned in Volinskys book until page 41. He opens with the modern day building blocks of school finance in American jurisprudence, the cases of Serrano v. Priest I in California in 1971 and Rodriguez v. San Antonio Independent School District in 1973. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell led the high court to strike down both with his controversial opinion that the drafters of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution never intended education to be a fundamental right. Both cases told the story of educational opportunity for minority families who lacked the same access to quality schooling as wealthy families did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its almost always about race, Volinsky says. Volinsky pivots to further his claim that even in New Hampshire, racism and privilege played a role in separate but unequal education that developed here. Volinsky cites Bostons forced-busing crisis in the 1970s, which led to an exodus of families from urban neighborhoods to safe, white suburbs like Salem, New Hampshire. Many moved to southern New Hampshire where Salem was one of the primary beneficiaries of this white flight, Volinsky writes. Before New Hampshire readers protest the above characterizations, they should consider the statewide newspaper, the Union Leader, and its publisher, William Loeb, whose heyday was also in the mid-1970s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He quotes from some of Loebs front-page editorials during the Boston busing crisis, which were laced with racist language. Peter Powell, the son of the late Gov. Wesley Powell, tells Volinsky the people of New Hampshire cant escape their tolerance for Loebs racism at that time. I think we have to answer some questions. I am not accusing New Hampshire being racist but we do have to answer some questions, he says. Democrats and taxes Decades after Loeb and Gov. Meldrim Thomson led the anti-tax campaign that evolved into The Pledge, Volinsky says leading Democrats remain afraid to even talk about fundamental change to tax policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He contends it should start with an income tax and include a statewide property tax on second homes and business property to tap the uber-wealthy, pointing to former Massachusetts governor and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, who owns a $10 million mansion on Lake Winnipesaukee. New Hampshire has always relied more heavily on local taxes to fund schools than other states and its not clear why. Its almost as if the leaders of New Hampshire lack commitment to the common good, Volinsky writes. In 2020, Volinsky ran for governor on a tax reform platform, losing narrowly to Senate Democratic Leader Dan Feltes, who took The Pledge. Gov. Chris Sununu beat Feltes so badly that the loser left the state and returned to Iowa while down-ballot Democrats suffered their worst beating in generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wrong lessons learned The lesson party leaders took from 2020 was to be more like the Republicans and Sununu in opposing taxes, Volinsky says. The lessons they should have learned was about the need to extensively engage voters about your plans so you can convince them your party will make things better. Volinsky admits he failed in 2020 to counter the claim from establishment Democrats that his call for an income tax and against over-reliance on the local property tax was making the state look bad. My lesson was to beware of those within your own party who are more afraid of being shown up than showing up to accomplish needed change, Volinsky says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also learned that I should have expected this challenge and worked to defuse it before it was deployed by arguing that I was willing to take the heat for others and they could follow my lead. I wasnt trying to make them look bad. "The Last Bake Sale" tells story behind stunning school finance victory This image from Andru Volinskys book shows a ticket to a March 18, 1994 bake sale to raise money for the five plaintiff school districts lawsuit against the state in what led to the Claremont school funding decisions. Despite the setbacks and years of inaction, Volinsky says he remains committed and hopeful that his desired reform of tax and education policy will come. I think being optimistic or being pessimistic is a privilege that I do not have. For those who say we have accomplished nothing, when we started, state support for education was 3% and now its 24%, Volinsky says. Im the lawyer, Im not the Legislature. For the first time in 200 years the Legislature recognized a fundamental right. Thats not nothing, its progress. This explains the three words Volinsky pens in every book he signs. Change can happen, it reads. Andru Volinsky will be at Balin Books, Somerset Plaza in Nashua to discuss his experiences and the book today, April 12, at 11 a.m. The event is free. klandrigan@unionleader.com WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Since last weeks deadly storms tore through Tennessee, the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency (WEMA) has assessed dozens of damaged properties. Now a volunteer group is working to help with the cleanup. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado landed in Wilson County on Thursday, April 3. Its path was reportedly 11.6 miles long and 300 yards wide, with a maximum wind speed of 105 mph. I think just being able to go in and say, like, Hey, we can help you, has been so reassuring, Jamie Tyner, associate director of Volunteer Network, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kingston Springs residents clearing storm damage Tyner co-created Volunteer Network after the 2020 tornado destroyed parts of Wilson County. Back then, she said the county wasnt prepared for the thousands of volunteers who showed up to help. We had 4,000 people, and 4,000 people is a lot to come into a community and want to help, Tyner recalled. Its great, but you have to kind of organize the chaos. The nonprofits mission is to connect Wilson County residents with the volunteer needs in the community, especially during times of disaster. Volunteer Network works closely with WEMA. During the winter storms and last weeks severe weather, the organization helped residents take shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middle Tennessee tornado count for 2025 surpasses average yearly total I think we were a little over 80 people that ended up seeking shelter during the storms, during the two tornado warned storms, Tyner said. Since last weeks storms, WEMA has assessed approximately 70 properties. A lot of downed trees, some structural damage, but those were the ones that were assessed, Tyner described. Tyner said its currently all hands-on deck to help restore the community once again. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com We are sending out teams to canvas those areas, those affected addresses, just to kind of find out what the needs are, Tyner told News 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those impacted by the storms are encouraged to call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 615-488-1875. Volunteer Network said it also needs volunteers for storm cleanup efforts on Saturday, April 19. Click here to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. (KRON) The union that represents more than a thousand transit workers for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has been denied by an appellate court in challenging the end of a lengthy strike. Driver, 15, leads Sonoma County deputies on 100 mph chase on Highway 101 The Appellate Court of the Sixth District summarily denied Amalgamated Transit Unions (ATU) writ petition that challenged a Superior Court ruling bringing striking VTA employees back to work, said VTA in a news release on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike of ATU Local 265 began on March 10 and spanned for two and a half weeks. Public transit came to a complete halt and 100,000 daily commuters were impacted, leaving much of the South Bay without transportation. VTA service was restored March 28 after a California Superior Court judge ordered the strike to end immediately. The judge said that the union likely violated its contract by leading its 1,500 members including bus and light rail operators, fare inspectors, and dispatchers to the picket lines. VTAs original action (in filing for an injunction) was intended to uphold the Collective Bargaining Agreement and ensure that our passengers were being served, said a VTA spokesperson. The appellate courts denial of the writ petition allows VTA to continue to serve our customers. We are hopeful that ATU will return to bargaining so its members can get a new contract. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. State Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, seen here in an undated photo, has pushed for three years for legislation to set new requirements for clergy to report child abuse. Her bill won final approval in the Legislature on April 11, 2025 and is headed to the governor's desk. (Legislative Support Services) Washington is poised to require clergy members to report child abuse or neglect, even when it is disclosed in confession. Nearly two-thirds of state House members approved a Senate bill on Friday night to make religious leaders mandatory reporters of abuse and neglect, adding them to a list that includes school counselors, police, and nurses. With passage of Senate Bill 5375 on a 64-31 vote, the legislation now goes to Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson for signing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its long past time for this protection for children, said state Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, the bills sponsor, following the vote. Members of the clergy play such an important role in the lives of children, like teachers and doctors do, and just like those other trusted adults, clergy should be mandatory reporters. More than half the states make clergy mandatory reporters, but most exempt what is heard in a confessional. If the Senate bill is signed, Washington would join the handful like New Hampshire and West Virginia where such conversations are not exempt. Removing that privilege played a large part in the House floor debate on Friday. This bill is an attack on the Catholic and other faiths, said Rep. Jeremie Dufault, R-Selah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Republicans said they could support making clergy members mandatory reporters as long as the confessional privilege was maintained. I have anger at people that do this because it is so wrong. I want something that will work, said Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake. There is no way we can enforce this. Rep. Carolyn Eslick, R-Sultan, said she was abused as a five-year-old by a 16-year-old family friend. But, she said, similar laws in other states didnt reduce child abuse and neglect. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US If I thought for one minute it would help our children, I would vote for it, she said. Supporters said the bill will help protect children by ensuring that if they confide to a religious leader that they are being mistreated, they can trust that person will do something to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, said as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, what makes a difference is when it stops. It stops when it becomes known. State law requires teachers, police, registered nurses, social service counselors and members of several other professions to report to law enforcement or the state Department of Children, Youth and Families if they have reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect. The bill adds clergy to the list, but it retains their privilege to not be compelled to testify in a court case or criminal proceeding. A member of the clergy is defined in the legislation to cover any regularly licensed, accredited, or ordained minister, priest, rabbi, imam, elder, or similarly positioned religious or spiritual leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington State Catholic Conference opposed the legislation. They said it would force priests to break the seal of confession, considered a sacred promise to never reveal any of the information disclosed. Republicans argued the abusers would do more harm because they would no longer be able to freely confide and seek forgiveness. It will drive these conversations underground. No children will be protected, Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium. This marked the third consecutive year Frame attempted to make this change in law. Its finally on its way to the governors desk, Frame said. She thanked the survivors of abuse who shared their experiences throughout the years of legislative process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope their pain is lessened by the knowledge that there are future children who wont have to suffer like they did, thanks to their advocacy, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HONOLULU (KHON2) Kenneth M. Sorensen, acting United States attorney, announced on April 11 that 47-year-old Edward Caspino of Waianae was sentenced to 14 years of prison, followed by five years supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine and operating an illegal gambling business. Court records show that Caspino distributed a total of three pounds of methamphetamine three separate times back in July 2021. He also was shown to have owned and operated a large-scale chicken fighting ring at his Waianae property from February 2021 to March 2023. Multi-agency search underway for missing Kona fisherman Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside his five co-defendants, he hosted regular chicken fighting events, which is classified as illegal gambling under Hawaii law. Each chicken fight event was made up of several individual chicken fights, where hundreds of individuals participated, watched and bet on the fights. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Of the six total defendants, Caspino is the first to be sentenced. Co-defendants William Caspino, Lavern Joseph, Kerilyn Caspino and Fausto Aragon, Jr. all pled guilty to their charges, with another co-defendant, Howard Unebasami being found guilty following a March 2025 trial. Todays lengthy sentence demonstrates that federal authorities will work together to put behind bars those responsible for illegal gambling operations and the community violence and drug trafficking tied to them, Sorensen said. This prosecution has already secured convictions against five co-conspirators, and Caspinos 168-monyh sentence stands as a stark warning: running an illegal gambling business in Hawaii carries serious and lasting consequences under federal 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 KHON2. The announcement that, without government intervention, British Steel is set to close its two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe is nothing short of a national tragedy one that could have been avoided had the Labour Government made better choices. But beyond the immediate job losses and economic fallout, this closure signals something far more alarming: the end of virgin steel production in the UK after more than 150 years. Britain now becomes the only G7 nation incapable of producing its own steel. Whilst Indonesia and Mexico forge ahead with growing steel production, here in the UK, the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, we have run ourselves into the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scunthorpes steelworks have been the beating heart of British industry for over 160 years. Producing 5.6 million tonnes of crude steel in 2023 and meeting 70 per cent of domestic demand, the site has played a critical role in national infrastructure, from railway lines to heavy and light steel sections. Its roots trace back to the discovery of iron ore in North Lincolnshire in 1859, a moment that galvanised industrial growth in the region. Over the decades, Scunthorpe evolved through the merger of iron companies in 1912, nationalisation in the 1960s, and successive ownership under Corus, Tata Steel, and finally the Chinese firm Jingye Group in 2020. It has long been one of Europes largest steelmaking plants, a symbol of British industrial might. Now it is on the verge of extinction. British Steel cites insurmountable operating costs: soaring energy prices, rising environmental levies, and production losses estimated at 700,000 per day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company has received only 500 million in support this is not enough to sustain it. Meanwhile, the reinstatement of a 25 per cent US tariff on steel imports has further choked profitability. Yet while Britain strangles its own industry with green levies and sky-high energy prices thanks to Ed Milibands obsession with decarbonisation, Chinas steel production continues unabated. In 2024 alone, Beijing approved new coal plants at a rate not seen in a decade. China now operates over 1,000 coal-fired power stations, while Britain clings to net-zero absolutism. The consequence? Our industrial sector is dying while our dependency on hostile or unreliable foreign suppliers grows. All the while Miliband, our net zero extremist, celebrates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not just another factory closing. It is British industry being systematically dismantled, leaving our economy and security at the mercy of nations like China, whose strategic interests are at odds with our own. The strategic implications of losing domestic steel production are profound. Without our own steel, how do we build warships, tanks, or aircraft? How do we maintain military self-sufficiency when conflicts arise? Keir Starmer speaks of the coalition of the willing and his commitment to supporting Ukraine but with what? A country that cannot produce its own steel cannot sustain its own military. Steelmaking is not just an industry; it is a pillar of national security. To surrender it is to surrender sovereignty itself. The closure of Scunthorpes blast furnaces is not just about lost jobs it is about the slow erosion of Britains ability to defend itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without a domestic steel industry, the UK will be forced to rely on imports, particularly from China, a country that has demonstrated its willingness to use economic leverage as a geopolitical weapon. China already dominates global steel production, and as Britain shuts down its last blast furnaces, we will become increasingly dependent on Beijing for the raw materials needed for military and infrastructure projects. History has shown that industrial self-sufficiency is a cornerstone of national resilience. Germany, Japan, and South Korea continue to invest in their steel industries for this very reason. Trump has taken an ultra-protectionist approach to the American steel industry. Yet Britain, in an act of extraordinary recklessness, is relinquishing control over a resource that underpins both our economy and our ability to defend ourselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should tensions rise between China and the West, how secure will Britains steel supply chains be? We have already seen how supply chain disruptions during the pandemic left Britain scrambling for medical equipment. What happens when we need steel for defence and cannot produce it ourselves? Beyond the economic and strategic consequences, this is a human tragedy. Scunthorpe is not just a steelworks it is a town built around steel. The loss of 2,700 jobs will send shockwaves through the local economy. It will devastate families and businesses alike. It will force skilled workers into unemployment or lower-paid jobs. This mirrors the fate of other great British industries. We have already lost our coal mining sector, which once provided cheap and reliable electricity. Made in Great Britain is becoming a relic of the past. This is more than an industrial crisis it is a test of Britains resolve. Will we choose national self-sufficiency, or will we meekly surrender to deindustrialisation? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As MPs and Lords head to Parliament today to debate the Governments proposed plan to take control of and possibly nationalise British Steel, our leaders must answer for this disaster. We need an urgent reversal of the policies that have made Britain the most expensive place to produce steel in the world. If this closure proceeds, and Starmers fails to save British Steel, it will not be because Scunthorpe failed it will be because Britains political class has failed Scunthorpe. The fate of our steel industry is the fate of our nation. It is time for Britain to wake up. 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. Two people are dead, and another is injured in an early morning shooting spree that started at a Georgia Walmart. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 1:30 a.m.. Dwayne Eduh left the Walmart in Newtown County, Georgia, grabbed a gun from his car, and killed 21-year-old Khalaf Barksdale inside the store, according to our sister station WSB-TV. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While leaving the store, Eduh shot and critically injured Ryan Bradley, another coworker, investigators said. Eduh then went to a nearby home on Emerson Trail and killed Akeela Clarke, 19, who also worked at Walmart. The suspect later shot himself and was critically injured. WSB-TV received the following statement from Walmarts corporate offices on Friday morning: Were heartbroken by whats happened. Theres no place for violence in our stores. Were focused on taking care of our associates and supporting law enforcement with their investigation. The Newton County Sheriffs Office said only employees were inside the store at the time of the shooting. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A shoplifting suspect fleeing off-duty Wichita police officers working as security at Walmart was hit by a vehicle while trying to cross Kellogg on foot Friday, police spokesperson Kristopher Gupilan said. An officer initiated a foot pursuit but discontinued the chase prior to entering the highway, Gupilan said in an email. The suspect continued across Kellogg and was subsequently struck by a vehicle. The incident happened at the Walmart on Kellogg in west Wichita. The suspect was taken to a hospital. Officers working a secondary employment assignment at the Walmart were alerted to a possible shoplifting incident, he said. Upon making contact with the suspected individuals, the male fled the scene on foot, heading south toward Kellogg. Prosecutors in the bribery trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III presented evidence Friday showing Jones took a former intern to an expensive steak dinner, gave him money for a strip club and sent late-night texts asking to get together, all shortly before pushing for him to be hired by an executive for a red-light camera company. I want to see u, Jones texted Christopher Katz at about 2 a.m. on July 7, 2019, according to one string of messages shown to the jury. Katz, then 23, had partied with Jones earlier in the night and twice asked the senator to send him cash, which evidence showed he did. Katz also invited Jones to the strip club, Sky11 in Harvey, but Jones did not agree to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours later, shortly after 5 a.m., Jones sent Katz another message, saying, Yo Wyo, or What you on? Sleep, Katz replied. Naw u up? Jones asked. Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri asked Katz if he found it surprising or curious that his much older former boss was seeking to party with him. Katz said he didnt at the time. I figured maybe once or twice we could maybe get outside the workplace and maybe hang out, Katz said. Within days of that episode, Jones, a Chicago Democrat, sat down for dinner at Steak 48 with SafeSpeed LLC co-founder Omar Maani, who wanted Jones help with red-light camera legislation pending in Springfield. In addition to asking Maani to raise $5,000 for his campaign, Jones pushed for a part-time job for Katz with SafeSpeed something that seemed far more important to him than the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main thing is, take care of my intern, Jones told Maani, who was secretly recording the meeting for the FBI. Thats it. Maani wound up paying Katz a total of $1,800 over a six-week period even though he didnt do any work. In his direct examination Friday, Kolluri asked Katz: Did you ever ask Jones or Maani why you were being paid week after week when you werent doing any work? Well, I assumed that work would come eventually, Katz said. Jones, 46, whose father, Emil Jones Jr., led the state Senate for years before orchestrating to have his son replace him in 2009, is charged with bribery, use of an interstate facility to solicit bribery and lying to federal agents. The most serious charge carries up to 10 years in prison, while the others have a five-year maximum term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Jones would be forced to resign under Illinois law and would almost certainly forfeit any future pension. The trial, which began with jury selection on Monday, is expected to wrap up next week. Katz, who was the prosecutions second witness, told the jury Friday he met Jones about 10 years ago through his mother. He started working as a summer intern at Jones district office in Roseland in 2014, and had a similar position in 2018 when he was between schools. The next year, Katz testified, he was looking for work because he was about to start school at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Katz says he checked in with Jones but there was no job available with his office at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was around that time that the text messages shown by prosecutors started. On July 7, 2019, Jones sent Katz a message saying, Sup u going to the after party? Katz replied that he may have other plans, then asked: U think u can slide me a lil sum thru cash app? Katz testified the request for money was more like me asking for a little bit of change for me for later on. At the time I was a little low on funds and he had given me jobs in the past, Katz told the jury. I figured that it would be I guess wise from my point of view to ask him. He said he didnt remember how much money the senator sent. The texts show he wrote, Thanks Senator! Jones then responded: U Welcome. I want to hang out with u. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Jones met with Maani and floated the idea of hiring Katz. Maani testified earlier this week that it caught him off guard a little bit and that Jones was the one who came up with the $15-an-hour figure. But he promised to make the hire, saying hed keep it quiet to avoid raising any alarms with SafeSpeed. As part of an FBI ruse, Maani later told Jones that he actually didnt have a position for Katz, but would pay him for 20 hours a week anyway. I just wanted to make sure that hes the type of kid that when he gets a check and hes not doing anything right away that hes not gonna be spooked by that, Maani told Jones on a phone call that August. Hes not gonna be weird and stuff, you know, he gets it. Yeah, but make sure we find him some work, Jones replied. When Maani asked again if Katz could be trusted, Jones replied, Oh yeah. Definite. Definite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, Katz and Jones joked over text message about going to Steak 48 on Maanis dime. LMAO Omar trying to make sure I dont file my red light camera bill anymore. He thinks steak 48 will do it, Jones wrote in one exchange. Katz responded: lol I see. During cross-examination, Jones attorney Robert Earles did not address the texts at all, instead taking Katz through his resume and qualifications as a member of the National Honor Society and aspiring architect who was paying his way through school. Earles also hammered home repeatedly that Katz believed he was being hired for a legitimate job at a reasonable hourly rate, and the fact that he was not assigned any work did not seem unusual to him at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late in the day, prosecutors called FBI agent Kelly Shanahan, one of the lead agents on the case who gave the greatest detail yet on how investigators got onto Maani in the first place. Shanahan said the investigation into Maani began in 2017 and was part of a broader probe of bribery and corruption in the south suburbs. While looking into bribes paid to a municipal official to obtain a liquor license, the FBI intercepted Maani on wiretap calls, talking to SafeSpeed sales consultants about red-light cameras and benefits and other types of contributions being made, she said. The FBI began tapping Maanis cellphone in the summer of 2017 and listened to his calls for about two months, which included calls with then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval and numerous other public officials, she said. On Jan. 29, 2018, Shanahan and an IRS agent approached Maani at his Burr Ridge home to try to get him to cooperate. He potentially had the ability to sit down and meet with individuals and record conversations, things the FBI couldnt do, Shanahan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time they had secured four search warrants, including for Maanis home, his cellphone, SafeSpeeds offices in Chicago and Casa de Montecristo, a cigar bar in Countryside where Maani often met with officials, she said. A couple of hours later, Maani called the FBI and asked for a meeting, arriving at the FBI office in Orland Park without an attorney. He said that he didnt want an attorney, that he didnt trust anybody, Shanahan said. Maani said hed cooperate undercover, and wound up doing so for the next 18 months, she said. Jones came into the picture relatively late in the investigation, after Sandoval was recorded discussing Jones and his legislation proposing a statewide study of red-light cameras. The FBI then instructed Maani to go to Sandoval and ask for an introduction to Jones. Asked to estimate how many people Maani cooperated against in total, Shanahan thought for a moment before replying, several dozen. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Apr. 11WAPAKONETA It all began in 2005 when Walmart, 1257 Bellefonatine Ave., Wapakoneta, opened its doors to the community. Two decades later, the store manager, employees and community celebrated a significant milestone during an event Friday at the store. "It means so much to me and to have all the associates that have been with us for 20 years and to be in this community," store manager Gerry Goulet said in an interview. Goulet began as a store manager in Lima and relocated multiple times, including to Cleveland and Mansfield, before finding his way back home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all lined up for Goulet to return to his stomping grounds. "My wife's from Waynesfield, I graduated from Bath up in Lima, so it was a perfect fit for us to come back and be close with family again," Goulet said. Goulet's favorite part about his job is working with the associates. "We have 257 associates in the store right now and they're just good people to work with," he said. "They really do take care of each other." Wapakoneta Mayor Daniel Lee celebrated the many employees in attendance during Friday's celebration. "I'd like to thank you for all that you do for all your hard work," Lee said, "making sure the shelves are stacked and making sure the floors are clean." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee's favorite memories of Walmart include the community showing up for Black Friday shopping. "It wasn't neccesairily about the deal; it was about the community," Lee said. "We need these third spaces that we can come together and see people." Throughout its two decades in operation, the Wapakoneta Walmart store has prioritized giving back to the community. "Just through grants, we've been able to give $175,000 (since opening)," Goulet said. Walmart has also participated in Fight Hunger by donating meals with the West Ohio Food Bank. "I can only go back 10 years, but we've been able to help donate 662,000 pounds of food. That's 57,000 meals," Goulet said. The store also announced a $3,000 donation to the Wapakoneta Police Department for its annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351 Featured Local Savings A warrant for the arrest of a former teacher at Travis Intermediate School was issued Friday after a Hunt County grand jury indictment, according to a statement issued by Greenville ISD. The indictment follows an investigation into reports of physical misconduct involving a special education student at the school. According to available information, GISD on Jan. 23 received a report from a parent regarding alleged physical misconduct by their childs teacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district responded immediately by placing the teacher on administrative leave, initiating a formal internal investigation and notifying Child Protective Services as required by state law. The district also notified the State Board for Educator Certification, which oversees educator licensing and discipline and referred the case to law enforcement. The Greenville ISD Police Department subsequently submitted the case to the Hunt County District Attorneys Office. District officials say their investigation included reviewing classroom video footage and interviewing staff members. Administrators determined the teachers conduct warranted termination and the teacher resigned in lieu of termination on Jan. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released by Superintendent Joe Lopez, GISD issued a summary of the events leading up to the indictment: Jan. 1: A parent contacted the principal of Travis Intermediate School with concerns about their childs interactions with a staff member. Jan. 22: The parent followed up, reporting physical concerns, including bruising and relayed a statement allegedly made by the staff member about a prior incident. Jan. 23: The complaint was escalated to the assistant superintendent of human resources and an investigation was initiated, including interviews and a report to Child Protective Services. The staff member was placed on administrative leave that same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 24: District administrators reviewed video footage that confirmed inappropriate physical conduct on two occasions. Based on this evidence, the district determined termination was warranted. Because of privacy laws, the names of the parent and student involved are not subject to disclosure. The name of the former teacher has not yet been made public. Washington state Chief Justice Deborah Stephens on the Inside Olympia set with host Austin Jenkins. (Photo courtesy of TVW) This article was first published by TVW. Despite growing national backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens says the states high court remains committed to examining its own practices and advancing equity in the justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview on TVWs Inside Olympia, Stephens told host Austin Jenkins that Washingtons judiciary has long worked to identify and correct systemic bias in court rules, precedents and access. That effort intensified in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, when the justices issued a rare public letter acknowledging that the legal community must recognize that we all bear responsibility for the ongoing injustice and inequality. Just because something is normal doesnt mean it was ever neutral, Stephens said. Youve got to go back and look at the scale. And just because something is the way weve always done it doesnt mean it was fair. As the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts draw intense public scrutiny amid high-profile lawsuits involving President Donald Trump, Stephens said she is closely watching public sentiment. She acknowledged that trust in institutions, including the judiciary, is declining, but emphasized that courts must continue to be viewed as legitimate and independent. Our democracy is a fragile thing, she said. The system works when people are willing to use the system to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephens co-chairs a national committee on judicial independence and says she is alarmed by rhetoric that seeks to delegitimize court decisions, especially when they come under political fire. She stressed that Washingtons justices do not run as partisans and must instead earn public confidence through experience, temperament and integritynot campaign promises. Its hard to persuade people when your best campaign pitch is, Vote for me and Ill never do anything special for you, because I give everybody equal consideration, she said. The chief justice also discussed efforts underway to improve access to justice through public defense reform. She noted that many counties in Washington still lack sufficient resources to ensure fair representation for people charged with crimes, despite the constitutional guarantee of legal counsel. A proposed rule before the court would reduce the number of cases assigned to public defenders, following years of concern over attorney workloads and systemic inequities. Stephens said the effort builds on a framework the court first adopted in 2012 and reflects a broader goal of redressing historical injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to look at what we criminalize, how we prioritize it, and whether people are getting the representation they are entitled to, she said. The burden of doing things the way weve always done them doesnt fall equally across communities. The court has also backed pilot programs to improve jury diversity and boost juror compensation. In Pierce County, a test program raises daily juror pay to $100 a tenfold increase over the state minimum and is already showing a more representative pool. People who were not able to serve now have the ability to serve, Stephens said. Despite the national political climate, Stephens struck a hopeful tone about the future of the judiciary, saying that honest dialogue and diverse representation in decision-making roles can build a stronger legal system. When we really talk to one another and assume the best intention, good things happen, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking ahead, Stephens said artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the legal landscapebut warned it could deepen existing disparities if not handled carefully. She said Washington courts are exploring ways to responsibly incorporate AI tools, such as front desk support, translation services and data analysis, while safeguarding privacy and due process. But she cautioned against relying on unregulated systems, particularly in legal proceedings. Bad inputs, bad outputsand it compounds that and deepens biased learning, she said. AIs growing role raises questions about data security, access to legal resources, and the integrity of evidence, especially as deepfake videos and fabricated documents become more sophisticated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont want to run a draft of an opinion through ChatGPT, she insisted. Stephens, now in her second nonconsecutive term as chief justice, said her priorities remain rooted in fairness, transparency and trust. I have such incredible optimism for where we can go, she said, and for all of the commitment I see in people around me. This article was first published by TVW, Washingtons Public Affairs Network, providing unedited coverage of the state legislature and state government, on statewide cable TV and online at tvw.org. It also produces original interview shows, including Inside Olympia and The Impact. A media nonprofit, it exists to give Washingtonians access to their state government, increase civic access and engagement, and foster an informed citizenry. Wilson County Schools approved new science books for the curriculum despite debate among the board members during Mondays school board meeting. Last October, textbook committee members were appointed to review and discuss state approved textbook options. After review, WCS Director of Schools Jeff Luttrell recommended the board approve the textbooks. For grades K-5, Savass Learning textbooks were recommended for approval and for grades 6-8, McGraw Hill textbooks were recommended for approval. Grades 9-12 have a mix of Savass and McGraw Hill. According to the State of Tennessee, the textbooks meet standards and are approved for all schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to say that we appreciate each textbook committee member and the hard work of everyone involved, Luttrell said. Our committee members did not take this lightly. This has been an ongoing process to ensure this curriculum will meet the needs of Wilson County students and teachers. Textbook approvals and standards are on an eight-year cycle and Wilson County is at the end of that cycle. Luttrell said its standard procedure in Tennessee to review curriculum standards at that time. Ive had phone calls from all over the state from board members who have reviewed this, and there are some concerns that theres a lot of bias in these textbooks, board member Dr. Beth Myers said. Board member Melissa Lynn said the committee, made up of teachers and parents, brought the recommendation of approval to the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board member Greg Hohman said there are concerns that the textbooks promote climate alarmism which concludes that fossil fuels are leading to global demise. Another being that of the outdated theory of evolution, whereby new genetic data has widened the gap of evolutionwidened the gap between human and chimp DNA and making the jump between chimp and human nearly insurmountable, Hohman added. According to the Smithsonians Human Origins Program, current data on evolutionary theory says humans did not descend from chimps, but that merely humans and chimps share a common ancestor in the evolutionary line. I say all of this to inform parents to review these topics with their children, understand what is being presented to your child and engage in meaningful discussions with them, Hohman said. Encourage them to challenge the narratives you find within these books that are in clear disagreement with modern science and genetics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board passed the adoption of the new science textbooks unanimously after discussion continued on parent input on content in the curriculum and textbooks. A budget amendment was also passed to allow for more substitutes to fill in while science teachers are updated on the new curriculum. WELLSTON, Ohio (WCMH) An Ohio police departments therapy dogs recovery journey is having an impact nationwide. Officer Blu with the Wellston Police Department was hit by a car in an off-duty accident last month. Blu was rushed to surgery at MedVet Columbus, by his partner, officer Michael Jadrnicek and his wife. Blu was released from the hospital on Monday and is now home. Jadrnicek said this accident is bringing to light the power of Blus work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We didnt know the impact, the love, the support, Jadrnicek said. Im always on the verge of tears because somebodys coming up saying something. We just dont know the impact that we have on other people and the positive that every day. When Blu shows up to work, its always about positives. Its always about making somebody smile. Blu works as a therapy dog in the Wellston School District, supporting students in a crisis. Kids had a bad night or whatever the deal is. Theyre emotional and Blu will sometimes bypass everybody that wants to pet him and hell go straight to the trauma, Jadrnicek said. Jadrnicek said after the accident on March 26, the roles were reversed. He said it was he and his familys turn to support Blu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My wife jumped in my cruiser with me. And because my cruiser is already set up for a K-9, we were able to get him right in there, Jadrnicek said. You always go to the worst case scenario, right? He said waiting for him at the doors of MedVet Columbus, he sees Franklin County Sheriffs deputies and Columbus police officers there to help. This is one of the incredible moments, Jadrnicek said. Dr. Andrew Taylor, a critical care specialist at MedVet Columbus, said Blu had a ruptured bladder, pelvic fractures, a spinal cord compression and other injuries. He said Blu needed surgery. I think any time we have these big trauma cases, theres a lot of variability and a lot of unknowns when we first see them, Taylor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said the surgery was successful. He said the recovery will be challenging, but Blu took every day like a champ. Blu was positioned in our ICU, kind of right in the middle of the room. And so every day when you walked in, he was right there. And as he got better and more comfortable, his tail wag just increased exponentially, Taylor said. Jadrnicek said was posting Blus journey on social media There is a video that was posted about me seeing Blu and the backstory was that that was right after the surgery. So we didnt know exactly how his body was going to especially being with anesthesia the anesthesia going on. But when I saw him and that tail starts wagging, everybody in the medical team was like cheering because that was such an incredible sign, Jadrnicek said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added a Venmo handle to the posts, since Wellstons therapy dog program runs on donations. He said it quickly gained attention. A cop from California sent a donation. Weve had Arizona. In other states, Iowa, Wisconsin, and, of course, here, West Virginia, Jadrnicek said. Theyre doing things at the school and they had all the teachers wear blue jeans for a whole week and they would pay a dollar a day. Then Monday, Jadrnicek posted the update everyone has been waiting for. Blu is returning home. Oh, my goodness. I just cried. I mean, it was you know, there is such a time when youre going through these emergencies that you just dont know if hes going to rebound, Jadrnicek said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said this was a great day for everyone at MedVet too, because they built a special bond with Blu and Blus family. I think we dont always have the benefit of seeing some of these really bad trauma cases all the way through to the end. They dont always all have the happy ending that Blu did, Taylor said. He made an impact. And I think thats been clear from, you know, how the community rallied around him. I think that what he does every day is demonstrated here as well. Jadrnicek said Blu has a long road ahead. The doctors recommend he be on bed rest for four to six weeks. My goal is, and I dont know if thatll happen, that he can walk through our buildings before graduation, which is the end of May, Jadrnicek said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jadrnicek said if this journey has taught him anything, its to never underestimate the power of just one interaction. Jadrnicek said they are going to take the summer to keep rebuilding Blus muscles and he hopes he will be back on full-time duty next school year. He said so far, theyve raised about $12,000 in donations. Those who would like to donate can send money to the Venmo posted on the Wellston Police Department Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Organizations and local governments organized resources and cleanup efforts for those affected by the area's recent disruptive floods. The Ohio River at Cincinnati rose Monday to its highest point since 1997. The waters led to intense flooding around the Greater Cincinnati area. This caused thick mud on roadways and in parks, widespread debris and damage to homes. If you've been affected by the flooding, see the list of resources below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now, the cleanup: Mud left behind as Ohio River water recedes from riverfront parks Hamilton County, Ohio If you are displaced because of the flood and may need sheltering, please call: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you need help cleaning up after the flood, call 2-1-1 to have your request shared with local voluntary organizations. If you are experiencing a sewer backup , report it to the Metropolitan Sewer District. Click here for information on how to report. Flood cleanup kits are being made available for residents. Cleanup kits include a five-gallon bucket, sponge, hand brush, two sets of handles, mop head, push broom head, squeegee head, brush head, work gloves, rubber gloves, trash bags, face mask, and cleaner/degreaser. Call or visit one of the following locations during normal business hours for a kit: Whitewater Township Fire Department (residents may wish to call 513-353-1518 to ensure staff are available), Miami Township Fire Department Station and Anderson Township Fire Department (call 513-688-8070 to request a kit). City of Cincinnati residents, call 311 to request a kit. More: 8 steps to follow (and who to call) if your basement is flooded New Richmond, Ohio Volunteers will be picking up household items around the village starting Saturday at noon . This is not for everyday garbage. Please place items as close as you can get to the street but not on the street. Please put debris in a separate pile. That will be taken care of separately. Contact Kathryn Gail Bailey or call 513-553-4146 x 15 with questions. Homes and businesses whose utilities have been turned off must be inspected before gas or electric can be reconnected . However, residents no longer need to complete an application or call permit central to initiate the process. Clermont Countys Building Division has a list of all affected properties and is going door to door with the New Richmond Fire Department to perform inspections. Duke Energy is on site to restore gas and electric as inspections are completed. If residents or businesses would like to schedule their inspection, please call permit central to arrange a date and time: 513-732-732-7213, option 9. Inspectors will continue visiting properties through Saturday. There is no cost for flood-related permits. Matthew 25: Ministries is at the First Baptist Church of New Richmond until 5 p.m. Saturday and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. They are operating the Tide Loads of Hope van, which provides free laundry services. Homes in New Richmond, Ohio, were surrounded by the overflowing Ohio River on Monday, April 7. More: New Richmond faces its worst flooding in decades after storms: 'This is life on the river' Kenton County, Kentucky If your home or business was damaged, please contact the Kenton County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to schedule your damage assessment . You can contact the office via email at kentoncountyEOC@kentoncounty.org or by phone at 859-392-1488. Please be ready to provide the following information: Your name and contact phone number Address of damaged structure(s) If the structure(s) are a primary residence or business location Brief description of the damages Campbell County, Kentucky Campbell County residents and business owners whose primary properties sustained storm or flood damage are encouraged to request a damage survey . Eligible damages to report include: flood-damaged vehicles; cracked or shifting home foundations; roof damage from wind, fallen trees, or heavy rain. Fill out the report by Wednesday, April 16, here. If your home was affected by flooding, you can get free trash vouchers to help throw things away . Valid through June 30, each voucher allows residents to dispose of one pickup truckload or 8-foot trailer load of debris stacked no more than 3 feet high at no cost to the resident. Accepted debris includes drywall and insulation, carpeting and rugs, furniture, tree limbs and yard debris and bagged household waste. Items not accepted include electronics, tires, appliances, hazardous waste or liquids. Residents may be charged for unapproved items. Rumpke reserves the right to refuse noncompliant loads. Request vouchers or learn more here. For voucher program questions, contact Solid Waste at SolidWaste@campbellcountyky.gov or 859-547-1866. Disposal Site Locations: Rumpke Covington Transfer Station at 4399 Boron Drive in Covington. Call 800-828-8171 Rumpke Pendleton County Landfill at 1374 Bryan Griffin Road in Butler. Call 859-472-7339 Fire personnel from Northern Pendleton Fire pump water from the basement of the home of Marilyn Holt, 88, right, in Butler, Kentucky, Tuesday, April 8. Dearborn County, Indiana If you own a home or business in Dearborn County that has sustained damage due to flooding, you are urged to report it by using https://in211.communityos.org/. If you do not have internet access, you may call Dearborn County Emergency Management at -812-537-3971. These reports will assist in determining if disaster relief funding will be available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Ohio River rose to its highest in 28 years. Now, Cincinnati assessing, cleaning up damage Volunteer for flood cleanup efforts Dearborn County, Indiana: Volunteers will meet at the Aurora City Hall fire bay on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. Volunteers will be required to check in and check out at the end of each shift. Please wear appropriate work clothes, work boots and gloves. Cleaning supplies will be provided. Lunch and beverages provided. Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you have questions concerning volunteer efforts, please contact Aurora City Manager, Austin Woods at awoods@aurora.in.us. Cincinnati, Ohio: A flood cleanup event took place Saturday morning at the LeBlond Recreation Center located at 2335 Riverside Drive. A spokesperson for the city said there are currently no plans for additional cleanup events, but officials will continue to assess the needs of the community. Did we miss anyone? Any other city and municipality government, agency or volunteer group that is offering recourses to those affected by the floods can send their information to The Enquirer at cinlocalnews@cincinna.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Flood recovery resources for counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) Westwood High School is investing in its students future by hosting mock interviews to prepare them for their future career endeavors. Henderson ISD announces hiring of new principal The schools Career and Technical Education program (CTE) announced on Friday that their inaugural mock interview event will be held on Thursday, April 17 at Palestine Toyota. The event is designed to build students confidence and provide them with a skillset that will be beneficial once they graduate from high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the mock interviews, students are expected to dress in professional attire and bring copies of their resumes in order to simulate a real interview. Following the interview, students will get feedback on their body language, communication style and resume presentation. CTE Director, Leigh Ann Crump, spoke about the importance of these mock interviews and the benefits they will have for students once they begin their professional careers. This event plays a vital role in preparing our students not only academically, but for the workforce and life after high school, Crump said. Our goal is for every Westwood graduate to feel confident and career-ready. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Writers Guild of America asked members on Friday to uphold disciplinary actions against four of their brethren who are accused of violating guild rules during the 2023 strike. Three of the writers Edward John Drake, Roma Roth and Julie Bush are accused of performing forbidden writing services in violation of union solidarity. A fourth member, Tim Doyle, is accused of making an off-color joke in a Facebook group of fellow writers. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WGA West board voted to expel Drake and Roth, the severest form of punishment for guild rule violations. Bush was given a temporary suspension and a lifetime ban on serving as a strike captain, while Doyle was given a public censure. All four are appealing the discipline to the general membership. Three other members, who were not identified, were also found guilty by trial committees of writing during the strike. Those members elected not to appeal. A vote on the appeals will take place by online ballot from May 6-9. In written memos, each of the four writers asked the membership to overturn the boards decision. Several argued that they had been subjected to an unfair process, and had been tormented with the fear of public shaming and the ensuing consequences for their careers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board should not be able to intimidate, conduct unfair trials, dole out retaliatory discipline without due process, or disregard the recommendations of its committees and investigators, Drake wrote. This has been a horrible ordeal, one I hope you never have to go through. I have been living under the guillotine of fear for months that I could wake up and the Board would have publicly announced my unfair expulsion. Drake was the writer-director of an independent film, Guns Up, which was in production in New Jersey during the strike. The WGAW board alleged that Drake engaged in scab writing during production, and that he refused to turn over drafts of the script to guild investigators. Drake was also accused of refusing to identify a person who rewrote the ending of the film, and who was not a guild member. The trial committee explained to Drake the importance of identifying the strikebreaker, so the Guild could take action against an individual who undermined the strike, the board wrote in its position statement. Drake still refused. Drake argued that he was being punished for refusing to name names. He also argued that he made adjustments and tweaks to the script in his capacity as the films director, and that he did so in accordance with the Directors Guild of America guidelines. Such minor script revisions are the subject of a decades-long dispute between the WGA and the DGA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WGA trial committee recommended an 18-month suspension, and offered to restore Drakes membership if he would identify the person who rewrote the ending. The board voted to increase the discipline to expulsion and to publicly identify Drake. According to Drakes appeal, the motion to expel was offered by Adam Conover, one of the most prominent strike leaders. If you believe Adam Conover and the Board should have to explain why they went against the recommendations of their own investigator, Head of the (Strike Rules Compliance Committee) and Trial Committee the governing systems the WGAw has in place to ensure fair treatment of its members then please vote to overturn their expulsion, Drake wrote. In response, the WGA board argued that Drake had shown contempt for the proceedings, and had stormed out of a hearing on several occasions. Every Guild member knows what it means when theres a strike: pencils down, the board wrote. Edward Drake did not go pencils down during the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roth is a Canadian writer who was working as the showrunner on the series Sullivans Crossing in Nova Scotia when the strike began. According to the WGA board, two writers on the show informed the guild that Roth participated in a Zoom writers room and engaged in other writing activity during the strike. The evidence established that, during the strike, Roth broke stories, revised outlines, rewrote scripts, and gave instructions, directions or suggestions to other writers regarding stories and teleplays, the WGAW board wrote in its position statement. In her defense, Roth argued that she had ended her writing contract once the strike began, and continued on the show as a non-writing executive producer. She wrote that she was shocked by the harsh discipline, and did not anticipate that the WGA would construe my producing work as performing writing services.' Roth, who was also an executive producer on Virgin River, is a dual member of the WGA and the Writers Guild of Canada. The show was produced under WGC jurisdiction, which required Roth to get a waiver from the WGA as the production company was not a signatory to the WGA contract. Once the strike began, the waiver was rescinded, precluding her from performing writing services for a non-signatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also stated that the two writers who testified against her were biased due to personal grievances. She also stated that the chair of the trial committee resigned after deciding the process was flawed and unfair. I understand and respect the fact that you have all sacrificed a lot during the strike, she wrote. Please know that I would never have knowingly caused harm to you or our Guild. Many producers and writers outside the U.S. continued to work during the strike, including both writers who testified against me. Bush was also charged with violating the guilds prohibition against working for non-signatory companies. According to the documents, Bush was accused of turning in a revised draft of a pilot script for a show about Elon Musk and Tesla on May 22, three weeks into the strike. Scab writing cannot be tolerated, the board wrote. It is anathema to the culture of solidarity among the membership that makes the Guild a fighting union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bush fought the charge. She argued that her lawyers had closed the deal for the show on the eve of the strike, and that she had exchanged numerous messages with WGA lawyers to make sure it was OK. She was found not to have broken the strike rule, because the company was not a signatory. She also said that the company had promised to become a signatory, but later reneged on their agreement and refused to pay her. The trial committee recommended a private letter of censure and a bar on serving as a strike captain for three years. The board upgraded the punishment to a suspension through May 2026, a lifetime ban on serving as a captain, and a public censure. In her appeal, she argued that she had not violated the rule against working for a non-signatory company, in part because she never got paid. She also argued that the only reason the WGA found out about the issue was because she had come to the guild for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, the very information I provided confidentially to get help against a manipulative company was ultimately turned around and weaponized by Guild staff to build the case against me, she wrote. They are trying to make an example out of me. But Im not an example. Im a human being. The WGA defended its decision to make Bushs decision public. The Boards decision is rooted in transparency, the board wrote. The membership has a right to know when another member undermined that collective action, as Bush did. The membership also has a right to know the consequences for those who chose to write during the strike. Doyle was publicly censured via a mass-email to the membership last July for a poor attempt at a joke on Facebook. In August 2023, a member in the WGA Writers Facebook group posted about a strike milestone: Happy 100th day, to all who observe Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just got my tree up! Doyle responded, with an image of silhouette of a man hanging from a tree branch. Doyle contended that the image was meant to reference his own suicide, and that it was gallows humor about the anxiety that writers were feeling about the future of the industry. But some within the group took it as a racist depiction of a lynching. Doyle was accused of violating the WGA Constitution by engaging in conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the Guild. A trial committee voted to give him a private censure, ruling that Doyle was remorseful and did not intend to post an image of a lynching. The committee also found that he had failed to fully account for the harm of his actions or offer a sincere apology. The board upgraded the discipline to a public censure, and pushed back on concerns that it was policing his speech on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board has the right to censure conduct it deems harmful to its members interests, particularly where that conduct takes place publicly, the board found. Such censure is itself a form of free speech. In response, Doyle said that he continues to be mortified by his action, and to reach out to apologize to those whom he offended. He also wrote that it was painful to feel alienated from the writing community, and said that the censure speaks of a smallness of attitude, a refusal to forgive, and a failure of empathy. These are obviously tough times for our union (and our industry, country and planet), and a frustrating time for writers lots of bad news and very few genuine victories, Doyle wrote. We cant seem to touch any of the big bosses responsible. Do people think taking down a fellow writer might satisfy as a consolation prize? The board urged the membership to uphold the public censure. He was not blacklisted, denied employment, or deprived of any of the rights of current members of the Guild, the board wrote. He was called out for conduct that harmed Guild members. WGA members were encouraged during the strike to report instances of strike-breaking to the guild. The Strike Rules Compliance Committee, led by writer Glen Mazzara, investigated dozens of such allegations, according to the boards response to Drake. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Writers Guild of America has asked its members to affirm disciplinary actions against four writers accused of breaking union rules during the 2023 strike, with a vote on their appeals scheduled for mid-May, according to media reports. Edward John Drake, Roma Roth, and Julie Bush are accused of prohibited writing activities during the stoppage, while Tim Doyle faces censure for an offensive social media post. The WGA West board voted last week to expel Drake and Roth, the guilds harshest penalty. Bush was temporarily suspended and given a lifetime ban from serving as a strike captain. Doyle was publicly censured. Every Guild member knows what it means when theres a strike: pencils down, the board wrote in its appeal to members, Variety first reported Saturday. [Drake] did not go pencils down during the strike. Guild leadership did not immediately respond Saturday to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drake, writer-director of the indie film Guns Up, allegedly engaged in scab writing and withheld key documents from investigators, the board said. He has denied any wrongdoing, saying he only made minor script adjustments as a director and was being punished for refusing to name names. This has been a horrible ordeal, Drake wrote in his appeal, according to Variety. I have been living under the guillotine of fear for months. Roth, who worked as showrunner on Sullivans Crossing during the strike, broke stories and revised scripts in violation of strike rules, the board stated. She maintained she stopped writing as the strike began and continued as a non-writing producer. I would never have knowingly caused harm to our Guild, Roth wrote, saying personal grievances influenced testimony against her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bush, who is accused of revising a script for a pilot about Elon Musk during the strike, argues that she sought guild lawyers guidance and was not paid for the work due to the production companys failure to meet WGA standards. The information I provided confidentially to get help was turned around and weaponized by Guild staff, she wrote. Doyles case involved a Facebook post referencing the strikes 100th day with a joke image deemed offensive by some as depicting a lynching. Doyle stated it was intended as gallows humor about the dread writers were feeling about their industrys future. The board cited Doyle for conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the Guild and defended the public censure. Doyle wrote that the censure represented a failure of empathy. The post WGA Urges Members to Discipline 4 Writers for 2023 Strike Violations: Did Not Go Pencils-Down appeared first on TheWrap. As Canadian shoppers commit to boycotting U.S. products amid the ongoing tariff war, some are raising their eyebrows at some tactics companies are using to appear more Canadian than they actually are. Reddit user MrIceCap (Canadian, much?!) posted a photo of a can of Campbell's soup on the popular "Buy Canadian" group. The label states it is "designed in Canada," while just centimetres below, it states it is a "product of the U.S.A." So, what gives? In an e-mail statement, a representative from Campbells says Designed in Canada describes a product that is created based on Canadian taste preferences, insights or recipes, and may contain Canadian ingredients, but is made elsewhere. They note that the label has been on their products since 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the company once had a manufacturing plant in Toronto, it shuttered in 2018. Campbells does still have a Canadian office, located in the Greater Toronto Area. What does "designed in Canada" label even mean? "Its insincere and an effort to mislead and manipulate," expert says. 'Designed in Canada' label 'doesn't mean anything': Expert Still, experts say this type of marketing in the current political climate is bound to be confusing. It doesnt mean anything really, says Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. The origin of the product comes from Canada. He notes that Habitant soup, a company that originated in Quebec also has Designed in Canada labeling. It was acquired by Campbells in 1989, but is now manufactured in the U.S. Another good question. The 'Designed in Canada' label indicates that the product was developed in Canada but may now be manufactured in the U.S. Traditional Habitant soup is a good example. pic.twitter.com/WbSNy8NQyh The Food Professor (@FoodProfessor) February 6, 2025 It means it was created in Canada but was manufactured in the U.S. or elsewhere using foreign ingredients as well, he says. 'Designed in Canada' label is 'poor attempt at making a product as Canadian when its not': Expert Markus Giesler is a professor of marketing at York University. He says Designed in Canada is the least regulated of all designations of product marketing, describing the tactic as reaching and a poor attempt at making a product as Canadian when its not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just means that a part of the product was designed in Canada, he says. The design process, the engineering, the artistic design, the styling of either the product or the labeling. That is Canadian. The products and the ingredients came from other parts of the world. He says companies are using this type of marketing to capitalize on patriotism on products that arent even Canadian. Maybe they had a Canadian graphic designer, or photographer, or software engineer that contributed to this product, he says. Its not about the product. Its insincere and an effort to mislead and manipulate. Its not about the product. Its insincere and an effort to mislead and manipulate. The label of Designed in Canada isnt unheard of in the marketing of known Canadian clothing brands, like lululemon or Aritizia, despite being manufactured abroad, Giesler says. He adds that other brands like mattress company Endy, jewelry company Mejuri and clothing retailer Frank and Oak have recently been magnifying the fact that theyre Canadian companies, as patriotism spikes, despite manufacturing their products outside of Canada. Competition Bureau has rules about 'Made in Canada' labelling On its website, the Competition Bureau says a product that is making Made in Canada claims must have accurate and truthful identification of country of origin and accurately reflect the production or activity that took place in Canada on labelling or marketing claims. If the product doesnt meet the criteria, it must use more specific terms to describe the process that took place in Canada, like Assembled in Canada or Designed in Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency received a total of 64 complaints related to country of origin claims on food labels or in advertisements, including some related to "Product of Canada." Consumers are encouraged to report any products believed to be mislabelled to the CFIA through their food complaint or concern web page. A fist-sized piece of steel known as the Jesus nut could be a crucial piece of evidence in the horrific helicopter crash that killed a Spanish family of five and their pilot in Manhattan earlier this week. The so-called Jesus nut holds the main rotor to the mast of some helicopters and some experts have speculated that it could have been why the chopper broke apart midair. What appears to have happened with this particular helicopter is that the rotor, the main rotor had detached, because in one video we see the blades spinning away from the helicopter, aviation analyst Julian Bray told The Sun. The term Jesus nut was most likely coined during the Vietnam War. natatravel stock.adobe.com But this appears to have sliced through the back half of the helicopter, so the fuselage then drops like a stone into the river Hudson right opposite Pier 41. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bray also said that its standard procedure to regularly check the Jesus nut. There is a particular procedure which has to be checked every time its serviced, and its known as the Jesus bolt because without that the whole thing will fall apart, he said. NYPD dive teams continue to search the helicopter crash site in the Hudson River, near Jersey City, on Saturday. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post Its either defective or wasnt tightened up, or for some reason it sheared. The choppers rotors are still missing, the National Transportation Safety Board said at a press conference Friday. The term Jesus nut was most likely coined during the Vietnam War referring to the fact that if it happened to detach, the only thing the crew could do was pray to Jesus, according to Technology.org. The Bell 206L-4 sightseeing chopper broke apart in midair and plunged into the Hudson River. Bruce Wall The tragic crash on Thursday afternoon took the lives of the pilot, Navy veteran Sean Johnson, 36, and a family of tourists Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4 in tow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mercedes wouldve celebrated her 9th birthday on the Big Apple trip. The family embarked on the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV sightseeing chopper, which broke apart in midair and plunged into the Hudson River 25 minutes into its tour of Manhattan. The Escobar family was visiting from Spain. Joan Camprubi Montal The aircraft had a mechanical issue with its transmission last September, according to Federal Aviation Administration data. By then, it had logged 12,728 hours of flight time. The Escobar familys relatives posted a heartfelt note on X on Friday to honor them. NYPD personnel recover a door of the helicopter, Saturday, April 12, 2025. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post There are no words to describe what we are experiencing, nor to thank you for the warmth received, said the letter, posted on X by Joan Camprubi Montal, and signed by 19 members of the Escobar and Camprubi Montal families. These are very difficult times, but optimism and joy have always characterized our family. We want to preserve the memory of a happy and united family, in the sweetest moment of their lives. (NEXSTAR) On Monday U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is calling for an end to fluoridation in American communities, but when and why did the practice start? Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first city in the world to add fluoride to drinking water in 1945 as part of a study first sponsored by the U.S. Surgeon General, then taken over by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDR). More US and World News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 15-year study of nearly 30,000 schoolchildren found that the cavities rate dropped more than 60 percent, according to the NIDR. This finding, considering the thousands of participants in the study, amounted to a giant scientific breakthrough that promised to revolutionize dental care, making tooth decay for the first time in history a preventable disease for most people, according to the NIDR website. In 1950, federal officials endorsed water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay, and in 1962 they set guidelines for how much should be added to water. State and local governments decide whether to add fluoride to water and, if so, how much as long as it doesnt exceed a maximum set by the EPA, which is currently 4 milligrams per liter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, there has been some speculation about the safety of fluoride in drinking water especially at higher levels. Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer, has called fluoride a dangerous neurotoxin and said it has been associated with arthritis, bone breaks and thyroid disease. Some studies have suggested such links might exist, usually at higher-than-recommended fluoride levels, though some reviewers have questioned the quality of available evidence and said no definitive conclusions can be drawn. More US and World News On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it is reviewing new scientific information on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water. The EPA sets the maximum level allowed in public water systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fluoride can come from a number of sources, but drinking water is the main one for Americans, researchers say. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population gets fluoridated drinking water, according to CDC data. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water was long considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. About one-third of community water systems 17,000 out of 51,000 across the U.S. fluoridated their water, according to a 2022 CDC analysis. The agency currently recommends 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. The primary reason for this current recommended level is that theres a recognition that people are also being exposed to fluoride in other ways. For example, we have widespread fluoride in toothpaste, Dr. Bruce Dye, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, told UCHealth. So, we want to maximize the benefit for cavity prevention while minimizing dental fluorosis. But over time, studies have documented potential problems. Too much fluoride has been associated with dental fluorosis, streaking or spots on teeth. Studies also have traced a link between excess fluoride and brain development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A report last year by the federal governments National Toxicology Program, which summarized studies conducted in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico, concluded that drinking water with more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter more than twice the recommended level in the U.S. was associated with lower IQs in kids. The American Dental Association said decades of fluoride in drinking water have been shown to reduce tooth decay. The group said it was willing to help conduct high-quality studies to settle the issue. When government officials like Secretary Kennedy stand behind the commentary of misinformation and distrust peer-reviewed research, it is injurious to public health, said the associations president, Brett Kessler. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Queen Camilla and King Charles have wrapped up their state visit to Italy, but before they left, the royal couple made a surprise visit to Pope Francis. Their Majesties' official visit with the ailing pope was canceled due to his ongoing health concerns, but on April 9, they met privately with the pontiff. For the occasion, Queen Camilla dressed in all black, as is tradition for royal women and first ladies on papal visitsbut it turns out Princess Charlene and six other royals can wear an entirely different color. Queen Camilla wore a modest three-quarter sleeve black dress and one of her favorite pearl necklaces to meet Pope Franciswho recently was hospitalized with double pneumonia and a polymicrobial infectionwhile The King dressed in a dark suit and black tie. King Charles is seen clutching a red gift box in the photos, and although it's unclear if the gift was for Pope Francis or was given from him to the couple, Charles and Camilla celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary the same day they met with the pontiff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Queen hasn't always abided by the typical black looks most women wear to meet the pope (she wore a beige outfit to meet with him in 2017), but everyone from Princess Diana to Jackie Kennedy has been seen in black dresses and dark veils over the years. Wearing black and a veil has become optional since the '80s, but most royals prefer to follow the tradition. The King and Queen paid a private visit to Pope Francis on April 9. | Credit: Getty Images Princess Charlene, seen with the Pope in 2016, is allowed to wear white as a Catholic royal. | Credit: Getty Images Queen Mathilde of Belgium is another woman who is permitted to wear white while meeting the pope. | Credit: Getty Images However, Princess Charlene is one of seven women in the entire world who are allowed to wear white to meet the pope. Known as "il privilegio del bianco" or "the privilege of the white," the royal rule allows Catholic royal women to wear white during papal events. Since Monaco is a Catholic country, Princess Charlene has been extended the privilege to wear white. She's joined by Queen Mathilde of Belgium, former Queen Paolo of Belgium, Queen Letizia of Spain, the former Queen Sofia of Spain, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and the princesses of the House of Savoy. Although these queens and princesses are permitted to wear white, that doesn't mean they're required to do so; Charlene has worn black to meet with the pope, like she did during a 2022 visit. And even though Queen Camilla wasn't allowed to sport the shade for her papal visit, she made a romantic style statement the same day by re-wearing the white outfit she wore for her 2005 civil wedding ceremony to The King. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A Wichita woman has been arrested for aggravated child endangerment following a shooting that critically injured a 4-year-old girl on Friday. Officers were called to a neighborhood store in the 2500 block of East Harry around 1:50 p.m. on Friday after receiving reports of a child who had been shot. When police arrived, they found the young girl with a gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was taken to a local hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Calls for responsible gun ownership after 3 kids shot in a matter of weeks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the child gained access to an unsecured firearm left out by her guardian and unintentionally shot herself. A 50-year-old woman has since been taken into custody, according to a news release from the Wichita Police. The case is still under investigation and will be forwarded to the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office for formal charges. Police are reminding the public of the importance of securing firearms in the home, especially around children. The department is offering free gun locks at all substation locations, no questions asked. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Wichita police at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 to remain anonymous. KSN does not name individuals believed to be connected to a crime unless formal charges have been filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. The wife of a former UPMC doctor who is accused of trying to kill her on a Hawaii hiking trail filed for a restraining order in court today. Arielle Konig said her husband, Gerhardt Konig, tried to kill her while they were hiking in March. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Former UPMC doctor, Pitt professor charged with trying to kill his wife along Hawaii hiking trail According to NBC News affiliate KHNL, Arielle Konig wore a head scarf had a bandage just above her right eye while she appeared in court. She said her husband tried to push her off a cliff near the Pali Lookout and beat her on the head with a rock while trying to stab her with a syringe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing was continued at the request of the defense but a temporary restraining order will remain in place. Gerhardt Konigs attempted murder trial is scheduled for June. He pleaded not guilty. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW ANNAPOLIS In an unusual scenario, three Western Maryland Republican delegates voted with nearly every House Democrat to approve a bill that will strip wildland designations from parts of Allegany and Garrett counties to facilitate construction of overhead transmission lines. The legislation pertains to a new 105-mile line that NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic Inc. wants to construct from Pennsylvania to Virginia, although route details havent been made public. Senate Bill 399, introduced earlier this year by state Sen. Mike McKay a Republican who represents Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, includes that wildland designations will be exempt in areas in the Big Savage Mountain Wildland, Bear Pen Wildland and Dans Mountain Wildland subject to a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to construct the lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the proposed legislation, the Public Service Commission will require the applicant for the certificate to provide wildland impact mitigation guarantees. The bill, which went before the Education, Energy and the Environment Committee in February, was met with unfavorable testimony from more than 30 people and organizations, including The Nature Conservancy and the Maryland Ornithological Society. Language was added to the measure that included design consultation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to minimize forest loss, and a replacement of lost designated wildland acreage. Friday, McKay said the revisions helped the bill pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am glad to see that amendments were adopted by both houses to satisfy the League of Conservation Voters and others to take a position of neutral on SB399, he said. Now, the work begins to make sure that balance is struck between conservation, economic prosperity, energy security and responsible governance, McKay said. I encourage everyone to participate in the public meetings planned in Garrett and Allegany counties. Officials for the League of Conservation Voters Friday said their position on the bill is grumpy neutral. Marisa Olszewski, environment and community program manager for the organization, said the amendments satisfied some of the groups concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not happy about it, she said of the bills passage, adding that the organization prefers the wildlands remain protected. The bill was moving forward, Olszewski said. We didnt want them passing the very bad bill with no amendments, she said. It doesnt mean that we became positive about the bill. Precedent This week, Dels. Jason Buckel, Jim Hinebaugh, who sponsored a cross-file to McKays bill, and Terry Baker were among a small group of Republicans and roughly 100 Democrats who passed SB399. None of the three responded to Cumberland Times-News questions that included, Why did you vote to pass the bill? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 30 Republicans from across the state voted against the bill, which will destroy Marylands protected wildlands, Del. Robin Grammer, R-Baltimore County, said. Because we have to seek energy from adjacent states, were now having to create these transmission lines and in many cases wreck areas that have not historically been touched in probably thousands of years, he said. The project would not serve ratepayers or energy delivery in Maryland, Grammer said. There are some cases where they will likely have to take additional private property, he said. We put these extreme energy mandates in place and now were having to criss-cross the state in this case for a project that doesnt actually serve Maryland, Grammer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this is one of the saddest bills of the session, he said. Del. Lauren Arikan, R-Hartford County, said running wires through our wildlands cannot be the answer. She warned that the bills passage would grant permission for future projects in protected areas of Maryland. This is a legal precedent were setting, Arikan said. Im hoping that the people will speak loudly in the next election cycle and let us know how they feel about it, she said. Del. C.T. Wilson, D-Charles County, said the bill would require NextEra to replace any wildlands the company takes. We are part of a 13-state grid that means sometimes having transmission lines go through out state, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB399 passed by a 109-29 vote and is now on Gov. Wes Moores desk. Amendment Grammer drafted an amendment to the bill that he said, prevents eminent domain for construction or maintenance of transmission lines. Unfortunately, I think a lot of our state woodlands both private and public are at risk, he said. This bill does not guarantee that we will run these transmission lines through the specified area, Grammer said. Del. Brian Crosby, D-St. Marys County, urged the body to resist the amendment. This project doesnt use any eminent domain, he said. The amendment failed with 38 votes in favor and 100 against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veto Frostburg resident and former Maryland senator John Bambacus said he hopes Moore will veto the bill. None of this makes sense to me, he said, calling the way the legislation came about very suspect. The bill from the beginning was a mystery, Bambacus said, adding that no public discussions were held about the issue. DNR in March hosted a meeting to collect feedback from the public about possible construction of the transmission lines through protected wildlands. However, the organization at that time didnt take a position on the project and said via press release, there will be no formal presentations by the department at the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no transparency whatsoever, Bambacus said. This is troubling to me on a lot of different levels. Undermined Garrett County resident and farm owner Steve Storck said there must be accountability for the passage of the bill. Preservation is dead in Maryland, he said. In one year the Scenic and Wild Rivers Act, Irreplaceable Natural Areas Act and now the Wildlands Preservation System statute have all been undermined, Storck said. This is all under the leadership of the Moore administration and with the support of DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz, he said. Restoration and conservation are positive things but if we dont protect what is already set aside, what is the point? Storck said. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Wildlife law violation checkpoints pop up in the state periodically throughout the year. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) announced last week the public may be seeing some of those checkpoints as the current license year carries on. NMDGF Communications Director Darren Vaughan says common wildlife violations include failing to tag harvested animals, hunting without a license, or even possession of a protected species without a license. The department also finds people who have harvested more animals than legally allowed. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theres any confusion as to what these violations entail, Vaughan recommends checking out the rules and information booklets provided by NMDGF. If youve got any sort of question of is this legal, is this not legal generally that answer is going to be available in that rules and information booklet, said Vaughan. Our licensed vendors have them in print, our offices have them in print, you can also find them on our website. If theres any question as to whether something is above board or not, just make sure you check that out, and generally you can find the answer to that. These checkpoints partly serve to collect biographical data. Vaughan explains that this means the department is tracking the total harvest amount. There are also some areas to watch out for disease presence, and if you bring in a specimen that looks a bit off, the department may be able to check on that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To NMDGF, the checkpoints are an important part of protecting New Mexicos wildlife. Not only helping to reduce or eliminate these kind of violations and conserving New Mexicos wildlife for all of us to enjoy, said Vaughan. The wildlife belongs to all of us here in the state, so were trying to make sure that nobody is taking advantage of that or taking more than theyre legally allowed to. Vaughan added that its also a good opportunity to educate the public. Sometimes people going through the checkpoints have information about something they saw in the field, or they may be looking for advice on where a good hunt is, and where to enjoy the outdoors. The current hunting license year started up on April 1, and those licenses will stay valid until March 31. The first hunts will take place over the next couple of weeks. Cougar hunts are taking place, as well as both youth and adult turkey hunts. The youth starts this weekend, while the adult starts next weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaughan wanted to remind participants that a turkey license is a vital part of partaking in these hunts. If youre getting your turkey hunt through our draw process, make sure you buy that turkey license before you go out in the field, said Vaughan. Because the way our turkey license draw works is you get at least a permit to hunt, but you still have to buy a license separately, so make sure you buy that license before you go out in the field. All in all, Vaughan asks you to get in touch with NMDGF if you have any questions about whether something hunting-related is legal or not. The information center is open during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. They should be able to answer your questions or point you in the direction of someone who can. You can also take a look at the rulebook 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Apr. 12---- Natalia Torres works as a special education paraprofessional at Willmar Public Schools. She spends her time in school working with students with special needs. Driven by seeing the impact that she, other paraprofessionals and special education teachers have on students, Torres works to make sure students feel wanted and loved. "I have a brother who has (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). He gets misunderstood as 'oh, he's misbehaving.' It took a toll on him and I noticed that," Torres said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through a new teacher apprenticeship program hosted by Willmar Public Schools, in partnership with in Marshall, Torres has a clear path to taking the next step in her career and becoming a teacher. After three years of work in special education so far, Torres knows that she wants to do more. She wants to become a special education teacher. In that role, she will be able to make impactful decisions to be able to help students even more. "Right now I don't really have a lot of power. I'm not able to make decisions that would be super impactful for a child's life, I am just helping with that. I think being a teacher would help me do more things when it comes to helping students learn," Torres said in an interview April 2 at the apprenticeship signing event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement new apprenticeship program is precisely for people like Torres. It is designed to open another pathway to becoming a qualified teacher for anyone looking to enter the field. Participants in the program are able to remain in Willmar and continue working full-time in their current job while they pursue training and education to become a teacher. Rather than moving to a new city to attend classes, Torres and her peers will work hand-in-hand with teachers in local classrooms. "Our program starts from basically high school graduation and offers a track where you don't have to come into an apprenticeship with an (associate of arts) degree already. You get to come in and go through a three-year process of teacher apprenticeship when you are working mostly on the job, side-by-side with teachers, learning from them," said Elizabeth Windingstad, Willmar Public Schools director of human resources. Participants in the program will finish with a four-year degree from SMSU with licenses in elementary education and academic behavioral strategist, which is a special education license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is expected to cost around $1.3 million in the first year. This cost factors in the work of a full-time coordinator and a full-time navigator. The navigator will work to follow up day to day with apprentices. The program is almost entirely by grants with remaining costs paid through tuition. Windingstad sees a future when the program's tuition is free. "Ideally, we are getting to the point where we will be able to fund the entire program so the tuition will hopefully be at zero cost to all apprentices," Windingstad said. Apprentices will be expected to spend each school day in the classroom with teachers as well as continue their education through the summer in order to ensure that they are prepared by graduation. Participants will be able to maintain their regular jobs in or outside of the district while in the program as long as as long as they are able to meet the time requirements of the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is important to note that the rigor of a typical four-year college licensure will still be there. That's the important collaboration that we have with SMSU," said Melissa Wilson, director of students services at Willmar Public Schools. "We still have to meet all of the licensure requirements for the state of Minnesota. So the expectations are still going to be there as a traditional student would be." The program will include more traditional classes in conjunction with on-site work. Participants in the program will also work throughout the summer through programs offered by "If they don't have their AA degree and they need to take general school area classes, those will be a more traditional class through an online format. Then they'll receive some on-the-job training, which could be for some of the classes and then some is related technical instruction. So it'll combine courses with things that are being completed in the public schools," said Stephanie DeVos, director of advising, recruitment and retention for the school of education at Southwest Minnesota State University. Willmar Public Schools welcomed the first 15 students in a signing ceremony on April 2. Of the 15 in the first cohort, 14 were able to attend the ceremony, which marked the start of the first year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The introduction of the program comes in response to fewer people pursuing education as a career path, leaving schools unable to find qualified teachers in both general education and special education. "It's in response to our teacher shortage. Not only do we have a teacher shortage in general education but in special education. There's high demand and we need people who are licensed to work with our most vulnerable population. We have lots of kids with lots of needs and we want to make sure that we're meeting those needs," Wilson said. For Torres and her peers, the apprenticeship program is a chance to continue the work that they are doing while becoming qualified teachers, something which may not have been possible through traditional schooling. "I don't have to leave work; I can just be here and study with my coworkers. I don't have to travel or spend a lot on tuition," Torres said. "I am going to continue working here while doing the apprenticeship at the same time." STOUGHTON, Wis. (WFRV) A 78-year-old driver from southern Wisconsin was pronounced dead at a local hospital after crashing into a tree on Friday afternoon. The single-vehicle crash happened on Friday, April 11, around 12:50 p.m. in the 500 block of Veterans Road, the Stoughton Police Department stated in a release. Rollover accident in Wisconsin results in one death, multiple people hospitalized An initial investigation showed that the driver left the road and hit a tree. The 78-year-old driver from the Stoughton area was taken to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Stoughton Fire Department and Dane County Sheriffs Office assisted at the scene of the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trumps pointman for negotiations across the globe, briefly spoke directly with Iranian leaders Saturday, as the two countries said negotiations over Irans nuclear program would continue next week. Saturdays brief face-to-face encounter between Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was the first known direct contact between the U.S. and Iran since Trump took office in January. The session is the start of a high-stakes process that could see Trump and Iran shelve ratcheting up tensions over Irans nuclear program or risk wider regional war should the talks fail. The pair spoke for two and a half hours in what are known as indirect talks, during which Oman acted as a mediator and shuttled between the parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House in a statement reiterated comments Witkoff had delivered to NBC News earlier in the afternoon that "the discussions were very positive and constructive," and noted that Witkoff's "direct communication" with Araghchi "was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome." The statement also confirmed that both sides had agreed to resume talks next Saturday. In a post to his Telegram account shortly after talks concluded, Araghchi wrote in Farsi that it was worthy to note that the two officials spoke for a few minutes in the presence of the Omani foreign minister. An English-language X post made no mention of the short face-to-face. Speaking to Iranian state TV, Araghchi said that there were four back-and-forths with the Omani foreign minister passing along the officials views. The talks were constructive, Araghchi said, adding that the atmosphere was respectful and calm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump last month sent a letter to Iran setting a 60-day deadline to make progress on talks over its nuclear program or face potential military retaliation. I want them not to have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they cant have a nuclear weapon, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday. The talks come as Iran is significantly weakened from Israels onslaught against its main proxy groups, Hamas and Hezbollah, and from direct Israeli attacks on Iranian military facilities late last year. Trump, Witkoff and others on his team see the current moment as an opportunity to strike a deal, while close ally Israel and some Republican hawks think it could be a window to deal a crippling military blow to Irans program. America has significantly built up forces in the Middle East recently, sending several B-2 stealth bombers to the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, which could be used in a strike on Irans underground military facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has increased sanctions on Iran, including on Friday targeting its oil trading networks and a storage facility in China. Trump administration officials have called for full dismantlement of Irans nuclear program, but have hinted they could allow Tehrans program to exist in some form. Witkoff said in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal the administrations red line is weaponization of [Irans] nuclear capability and is open to finding other ways to compromise between the two countries on the question of Irans nuclear program. Trump has been casting around for opinions on Iranian-U.S. relations. Comedian Bill Maher, who recently dined with the president, said on his show on Friday that Trump had asked the HBO host about negotiations. He was asking me about the nuclear situation in Iran in a very genuine way, Maher told his audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff has also said that any deal would require verification measures to monitor Irans nuclear work, in a formulation that is similar to the nuclear deal reached under the Obama administration known as the JCPOA. Trump pulled out of that 2015 nuclear deal between six world powers and Iran during his first term, which was designed to curb Irans nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran as part of a maximum pressure campaign aimed at denying Iran a weapon. But Iran has since expanded its nuclear work and missile production. Ahead of the Saturday negotiations, the U.S. side had insisted that the session would be direct, while Iran said they would be indirect, with Oman as a mediator. These will be direct talks with the Iranians and I want to make that very clear, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a briefing on Friday, reiterating the warning that you can agree to President Trump's demand or there will be hell to pay. Iranian officials had signaled before Saturday that should the first round go well, Araghchi could soon meet with Witkoff directly. A 28-year-old southeast Harnett County woman was charged Tuesday, April 8 with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a break-in on Gordon Lane Sunday. Deja Nicole White, who was held on a $100,000 bond, was arrested following an investigation where a home was broken into and a victim, Daniel Devane, was shot and robbed between 1 and 1:30 a.m., according to eCourts. According to an arrest warrant, White allegedly stole a Sony Playstation valued at $700. Devane was also allegedly threatened with a screwdriver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Harnett County Sheriffs Office is looking for three black men who allegedly accompanied White in the crimes. White, who is listed with an address on Ranger Lane in the Shady Grove Mobile Home Park in the Anderson Creek area, is also charged with first-degree burglary, robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of stolen goods and conspiracy, all felonies. She also faces a misdemeanor charge of first-degree trespassing stemming from Feb. 17 when she allegedly failed to leave the home of William Junior McMillan at 101 E. Washington St. in Lillington. White was charged with communicating threats stemming from Feb. 19, 2020, but the charge was dismissed because the prosecution witness, Latoya Lakesha Wright, failed to appear. Russian forces targeted a medical facility in Kherson Oblast on the morning of 12 April, injuring two people. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration Details: Ukrainian authorities reported that a Russian artillery strike had damaged the building, smashing windows and damaging walls. The specific location of the facility has not been disclosed. Patients and medical staff managed to reach the shelter in time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike injured two men, employees of a construction company carrying out repairs on the hospital's premises. An 86-year-old woman was killed in a Russian drone attack on the village of Bilozerka. The Russians dropped explosives from a UAV. Additionally, a 60-year-old man in Beryslav died after being injured in a Russian attack on 9 April. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) A federal district judge in Miami sentenced a 25-year-old woman to seven and a half years in prison Friday for her role in a voyage that left more than a dozen people dead as they tried to illegally enter the United States. Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, a Cuban national who entered the country illegally in October 2022, pleaded guilty to alien smuggling conspiracy and related charges earlier this year, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Florida universities to deputize campus police for immigration enforcement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only a month after entering the U.S., officials said Dominguez-Nieves and her boyfriend began planning to illegally smuggle 18 Cubans by boat from the island, through the Florida straits, and into the country at Floridas coast. They charged admission for the trip and collected a total of around $11,500 from the migrants families in South Florida with promises to get their loved ones across the sea safely. All 18 people boarded a fishing boat on Nov. 16, 2024, and left from Playa Jaimanitas. The boat was only about 30 miles into the trip when authorities said it began to sink, leaving only two survivors. Many of those killed included children, and officials said three of their bodies washed up in Monroe County. Their cause of death was listed as drowning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two survivors said the boat was too small for 18 people. There were also no lifejackets onboard, and the captain did not seem to know what he was doing, they reported. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said she decided to give Dominguez-Nieves a sentence higher than that recommended by the advisory federal sentencing guidelines due to the severity of the offense. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAWKINS, Texas (KETK) A 49-year-old Winnsboro man has been sentenced to 40 years in state prison after he lit a Wood County constables boot on fire in 2022. Man gets life in prison for 2022 Harrison County murder, arson case The Wood County Sheriffs Office responded to a call about a man damaging a residence and pouring gasoline throughout the entire house in Hawkins on July 27, 2022. According to the Wood County Criminal District Attorneys Office, when law enforcement arrived on scene they attempted to detain a man outside before he fled into the home. Mugshot of Eric Wade Berkenkamp, courtesy of Wood County Criminal District Attorney A Wood County constable entered the home with law enforcement and saw a man, who was later identified as Eric Wade Berkenkamp, 49 of Winnsboro, lying in a pool of gasoline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berkenkamp then ignited a lighter and dropped it in the pool of gasoline starting a fire, officials said. [The constables] boot caught on fire as a result and [the constable] fled outside the residence in fear for his life.' The constables boot was then extinguished and he was able to assist in Berkenkamps arrest. He was later charged with arson causing bodily injury and aggravated assault against a public servant with a deadly weapon, judicial records show. Berkenkamp pleaded guilty on Thursday and was sentenced to 40 years in state prison for arson and 8 years for aggravated assault. He was given an 821-day jail credit against his sentences which both started on Thursday. Wood County Criminal DAs Office made the following comment on Berkenkamps sentence on Friday: The defendant has a history of arson and violence towards law enforcement. His actions endangered everyone at the residence that day and could have easily resulted in serious injury to, or the death of, police officers. The defendants actions are intolerable and the sentence in this case reflects how seriously my office treats violence against law enforcement. Fortunately, [The constable] and the other officers on scene were able to walk away from the residence that day. I am pleased that we were able to resolve this case and get justice for the officers involved. Wood County is a much safer place with the Defendant behind bars. Wood County Criminal District Attorneys 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. (Repeats story issued on April 11 with no changes to text.) (Reuters) - The World Bank on Friday announced a $12 billion support package for Argentina to support economic reforms and boost government measures to promote job creation. The support package for Argentina signals "a strong vote of confidence in the governments efforts to stabilize and modernize the economy," the bank said in a statement. (Reporting by Costas Pitas and Ismail Shakil) The World Press Photo-2025 international award has withdrawn an invitation to the award ceremony for Russian Mikhail Tereshchenko. Earlier, the photographer from the Russian state news agency TASS received the award for his photographs of anti-government protests in Georgia. Source: World Press Photo Details: The organisers explained their decision on the contest's website as a result of the growing "tensions on the European continent". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organisers called it an "uncomfortable fact" that a Russian working for a Russian propaganda agency was awarded for covering the protests in Georgia. World Press Photo also stated that the jury has limited information about the contestants when selecting entries, which is usually limited to nationality and gender. Meanwhile, the judges do not know the names of the photographers or their places of work. Meanwhile, Mikhail Tereshchenko's work met the competition's evaluation criteria and was authentic. The award said it would try to improve the rules and procedures for selecting participants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joumana El Zein Khoury, the executive director of the competition, said that World Press Photo would not cancel the award to the Russian in order not to disregard the established rules. "We will work to improve our rules and procedures, but must always apply them fairly and without exception. Our contest has a global reach and its rules need to be applicable to very different contexts. Any change of rule to reflect one specific context will also have implications for very different ones," added Jumana El Zein Khoury, the Executive Director of the competition. The organisers of the prize noted that they did not agree with the phrase "liberation of Mariupol", which Russian Mikhail Tereshchenko used in an interview in March 2025. They recognised that part of Ukraine's territory is occupied by the Russian Federation, including Mariupol. "While the Russian government and TASS have disputed some of these statements, we consider them simple facts," World Press Photo added. Background: This year's World Press Photo jury selected two Russians and a Belarusian among the regional winners. The Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPF) condemned this decision and called for compliance with standards of ethics, impartiality, and transparency. The UAPF stated that awarding Russian photographers who express the position of Russian state ideology contributes to sympathy for the aggressor. In addition, the award visually paired two works. One depicts a six-year-old Ukrainian girl suffering from panic attacks after fleeing shelling. The other shows a wounded Donetsk Peoples Republic soldier who fought for Russia. Following criticism, the jury publicly apologised for the decision and admitted that the combination created "an overly simplistic and false equivalence". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! WORTHINGTON, W.Va. (WBOY) A number of Worthington residents are growing impatient after reporting that the towns sewage system is overflowing into their homes and yards, a problem that has been occurring since at least last year. The Town of Worthington declined to comment Friday, but last year, the towns sewer operator told 12 News that Worthington has a vacuum sewer system. When the suction fails, it appears the sewage then goes out of drainage pipes and toilets and into peoples homes and yards. The sewer operator also said that $300,000 had been secured to fix the issue, but around a year later, the issue is still not fixed. Residents told 12 News that one of the solutions the town offered to them was to place portable toilets throughout town to not to overwhelm the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite solutions offered by the city, residents are starting to run out of patience and want a more permanent solution. Bed bugs discovered at Barrackville Elementary/Middle School This is very reckless, this is irresponsible, and its so unsanitary, Worthington resident Andrea Zaleski said. Something needs to be taken care of. Its just not right. I mean, weve still got sewer bills. You know, I cant even use my sewer, but I get a 70-some-odd-dollar sewer bill, Worthington resident James Funk said. 12 News also spoke with Darrick Arbogast, who recently quit working as a maintenance worker for Worthington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really not any neglect from anybody at the city or the town, Arbogast said. Its really just lack of funds and a lack of the proper equipment for the system to operate. Arbogast said the town is down a vacuum pump and a sewage pump, and that if the town were able to replace the pumps, the system would work a lot better. He added that a vacuum pump costs around $50,000 and a sewage pump costs around $25,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) A World War II soldier whose remains had been left unidentified for 81 years was finally brought home. The procession and funeral, which were held on Saturday, April 12, saw more than one hundred people show up to pay their respects to U.S. Army Pfc. Robert Lee Bryant. Bryant was buried next to his brother at Park Hill Cemetery in Bloomington. While none of Bryants siblings or parents are still alive, family members such as his nieces and nephews attended the funeral to welcome him back home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryants eldest niece, Deanne Wheat, said it was an emotional day that brought closure to her and her family. My grandmother died in the seventies, and when she died, she still made us promise to bring him home. And he could have been buried in Arlington. But my brother decided Grandmas last wish was to bring my boy home. And by God, we brought him home, she said. Bryant was born on Feb. 20, 1920. In 1930 when he was about 10 years old, Bryants family moved from Sedalia, Mo., to Bloomington. Nine years later, in 1939, he enlisted into the Army, where he was assigned to Company B, 4th Ranger Battalion, Darbys Rangers, in the Mediterranean Theater in World War II, According to a press release from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sept. 23, the 23-year-old was reported missing in action after following a four-man patrol just west of the Italian city of Pietre. His body was never found, and there was no report of him as a German prisoner of war, the DPAA said. On July 19, 1949, he was deemed non-recoverable by the U.S. War Department, the release said. After the war ended, the American Graves Registration Service was tasked with recovering missing American personnel who fought in the Mediterranean theater, the release said. Investigators found unidentified remains in a cemetery located in a village called San Nicola, and they were designated as X-125 Naples. The remains were then entered into U.S. Military Cemetery Nettuno, which is now called Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, in Nettuno, Italy, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, however, in 2019, a DPAA historian compiled records, company morning reports, and grave reports, which indicated Bryant likely went missing where the unidentified remains, X-125, were found. After a series of lab tests, it was confirmed the X-125 remains were Bryants, the DPAA release said. A rosette will now be placed next to Bryants name on the Walls of the Missing at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery to indicate he has been identified. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Lawmaker Al Carns and three ex-special forces pals want to summit the world's tallest mountain just four days after leaving home. | Credit: Getty Images Most climbers take several months to scale Mount Everest, gradually heading up and down to acclimatize to the lack of oxygen. British politician Alistair Carns says he is aiming to do it in just four days with the help of a controversial gas. Next month, the 45-year-old Minister for Veterans and People will fly to Nepal with three ex-Special Forces pals to climb the world's tallest mountain in a matter of days. They hope to arrive on a Monday, summit by Thursday, and be back in London for Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Amongst the climbers is ThruDark founder Anthony Stazicker, whose brand creates high-performance outwear for harsh outdoor conditions. Two weeks prior, the group will be in Germany, where medical professionals will supervise their inhalation of the controversial Xenon gas. The team is being guided by Austrian outfit Furtenbach Adventures, led by experienced mountaineer Lukas Furtenbach. Furtenbach says that he used Xenon to assist a recent climb on Aconcagua, South America's highest mountain, and was was "totally convinced" by its effects. Xenon, which is legal on Everest, aims to accelerate the acclimatization process by increasing your body's erythropoietin production, which should, in theory, boost your red blood cell count. The team plan to arrive in Nepal on a Monday, summit by Thursday, and be back in London for Sunday | Credit: Getty Images However, its effectiveness has been disputed. The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation does not recommend it due to a lack of literature and proper research into its effects. Advertisement Advertisement "Although a single inhalation of Xenon can measurably increase the release of erythropoietin, this increase is not sustained over four weeks use, nor is it associated with any changes in red blood cells," the federation explains on its website. In healthy individuals, blood oxygen saturation levels sit around 98% to 100% at sea level. At altitude, that number drops to roughly 87% to 92%; atop Everest, it can fall as low as 75%. This has a weakening effect and can cause deadly altitude sickness. While the use of bottled oxygen has been commonplace on Everest, the use of Xenon gas is new | Credit: Vivian James Rigney With more red blood cells, climbers can forgo the traditional acclimatization process without risking the harrowing effects of altitude. Although the use of Xenon gas has drawn criticism from some sections of the climbing community, Carns and his crew are still eager to use it. Advertisement Advertisement "Xenon wont propel us to the top, but it will protect us as we climb fast," he tells British newspaper The Sun. "We are all fathers, so as fathers we are going to load as many of the variables as we can in our favour. At 29,032ft (8,849m), Mount Everest is the tallest peak on Earth, measured from sea level. Around 800 people attempt to summit the Nepalese behemoth each year, with roughly five to ten people losing their lives. Last year, eight people died on the mountain. What is Xenon gas? Xenon is one of the fundamental chemical elements | Credit: Getty Images As anyone who was paying attention in chemistry lessons in school will know, Xenon (Xe) is one of the 118 chemical elements of the periodic table. It's an odorless, colorless noble gas that has a range of uses. It's been used as an anaesthetic for decades, as well as in lighting and medical imaging. Advertisement Advertisement Dr Michael Fries, an anaesthetist in Limburg an der Lahn, Germany, is involved in the project. He told the Financial Times that when used in lower doses as to when used as an anaesthetic, Xenon boosts erythropoietin production in the kidneys. This is turn boosts the creation of red blood cells and increased the body's ability to transport oxygen. Its potentially advantage-giving qualities mean that it's banned from use in organized sports. However, Furtenbach is adamant of its legitimacy in mountaineering circles, stating: "It's not an organized sport, so there's technically no doping in mountaineering." The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation has hit back stating that Xenon is a medicine, with the corresponding health risks if used in an unmonitored setting. It points to one study that showed doses recommended for mountaineering could lead to significant sedation, a quality that's detrimental in the high-stakes world of the death zone and high-altitude mountaineering. Who is Al Carns? Alistair Carns is the British Minister for Veterans and People | Credit: Getty Images Before politics, Carns enjoyed a 25-year career with the Royal Marines, which he believes will serve him well for the upcoming challenge. Advertisement Advertisement "This is like a Special Forces mission. We have the best people, the best training, the best kit, and we are at the very cutting edge of science," he said. Well go in, hit the objective, and leave no trace, no waste." The upcoming challenge is in aid of various charities and aims to raise a significant $1,280,000 (1,000,000). YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A York County man accused of omitting more than $13 million in cryptocurrency income on his tax returns has pleaded guilty. Waylon Wilcox, 45, of Dillsburg, was charged in March with two counts of filing false income tax returns. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, he pleaded guilty Wednesday. He was accused of underreporting his income by about $8.5 million for 2021, reducing his tax due by $2.1 million. In 2022, he underreported by $4.6 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the underreported income came from buying and celling digital artwork non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling complex financial schemes involving virtual currencies and non-fungible token (NFT) transactions designed to conceal taxable income, said Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. In todays economic environment, its more important than ever that the American people feel confident that everyone is playing by the rules and paying the taxes they owe. The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The maximum penalty is six years in federal prison, a term of supervised release, and a fine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A man with severe autism has been missing for more than a week, and Shreveport police are asking the pubic to help locate him. Police said Christopher Dallas, 23, was last seen on April 4, 2025, in the 600 block of Browning Street. Christopher Dallas (Source: Shreveport Police Department) Christopher Dallas is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 130 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair. On the last day he was seen, he was wearing a black shirt, black pants, and yellow socks. He was not wearing socks and was observed riding a childrens bicycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News He is severely autistic and has limited communication skills, and accurately stating his age and date of birth might be difficult for him, but police confirmed that he is 23 years old. Shreveport police said there is an urgent concern for his safety and well-being due to his condition. Anyone who may have seen Christopher Dallas or know where he is should call the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 or call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing sanctions on four politicians and prominent business figures on April 12. The decree put into effect a decision made earlier by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council. Included on the list are Serhii Arbuzov, former head of Ukraine's National Bank and former first deputy Prime Minister; Andriy Klyuyev, the once highly influential ex-head of Viktor Yanukovych's presidential administration who was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2015; Ukrainian businessman Viktor Polishchuk; and tycoon Alyona Shevtsova. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sanctions freeze assets and impose additional financial restrictions on the four. Arbuzov, who is believed to have fled Ukraine for Russia in 2015 and is wanted by Ukraine's General Prosecutor's Office, briefly served as acting prime minister in 2014 amid the ongoing street protests, known as the EuroMaidan Revolution. The U.S. sanctioned Klyuyev nearly a decade ago for his role in the government of pro-Russian ousted President Yanukovych. U.S. prosecutors have said he was among the people who paid U.S. lobbyist and political consultant Paul Manafort, who was found guilty of bank fraud and filing false tax returns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klyuyev is also believed to be living in Russia. Read also: Russian drone attack kills one, injures two in Kherson Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Organizers and attendees of a town hall meeting in Yakima on Wednesday said they want U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse to meet with his constituents in person and give people a chance to engage. About 200 people attended the Washington State Democrats gathering at the Yakima Convention Center. Some passed out flyers with Newhouses phone number, urging people to demand a town hall with him. Newhouse, a Republican from Sunnyside, represents Central Washington in Congress. His office did not respond to a request for comment from NWPB. The level of anger, anxiety is so high not just on Democrats, for Independents, Republicans, even the people who voted for Donald Trump. Theres a huge anger about whats going on, and they certainly didnt vote to lose democracy, former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said. The town hall featured a panel of community leaders, including Inslee, Washington Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad, a registered nurse, a community organizer in Yakima, an army veteran, and a labor union member. The speakers discussed health care access, immigration enforcement, economic uncertainty, and concerns about democratic institutions issues they say are urgent. It is up to us to hold our elected officials accountable at every level of government," said Yakima Democrat and former state Senate candidate Maria Beltran. "We see this administration trying to divide us. If you look at whats happening across the country, if you look at whats happening in Central Washington, instead of dividing us, they are unifying us." Newhouse last had a district-wide telephone town hall in September 2024. His office has had mobile office hours with staff in Okanogan and Klickitat counties. Many constituents at the Yakima town hall said thats not enough. Eric Carlson, a high school teacher in Royal City brought stacks of printed cards with Newhouses phone number, handing them out to each row at the meeting. When I saw this town hall, I wanted to come and speak up, Carlson said. "Dan Newhouse isnt coming and listening. This is the next best thing we could do as constituents. Carlson called on Newhouse to again take a stand against President Donald Trump; he referred to the congressman's previous efforts to impeach the president after the Jan. 6 insurrection. We need that courage again, Carlson said. Jacob Garcia, who teaches nursing at Heritage University, spoke about how cuts to Medicaid and Medicare would devastate rural communities like Yakima. About 50% of Yakima County residents received health insurance through Medicaid and Apple Health in 2023, according to Healthier Washington. In Congressional District 4, 70% of children younger than 19 rely on Apple Health for coverage, according to a report provided by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwells office. Apple Health allows people to access care whether its a child seeing a pediatrician or an adult managing heart disease, Garcia said. Without it, people will wait until the last minute before calling an ambulance, the emergency room becomes their only option." Beltran described herself as the proud daughter of Mexican farmworkers, and said fear has taken hold in local immigrant communities amid ongoing ICE raids. People are afraid to go to work, to school, even to the grocery store, she said. But despite that fear, were standing up and organizing. Weve always been here and were not going anywhere. Asa Washines, a Yakama Nation tribal member and U.S. Army veteran, was another panelist. He highlighted the needs of veterans and Native communities. Theres over half a million veterans in Washington state. We can provide more, Washines said. Native Americans serve at the highest rate per capita in the military. Its time were recognized and supported. According to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press, the Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from Veteran Affairs. Many veterans at the town hall including Washines said they are concerned about what will be left for veterans. The panelists opened up the town hall for questions at the end. Dan Peters of Selah said he was addressing a question to the absent Newhouse about the Farm to School programs, an initiative to improve student nutrition with food from local farms. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut about $660 million in funding for Local Foods For Schools and child care centers. Weve lost the bridge between the fields that feed us and the kids who are going to school hungry, Peters said. How will Rep. Newhouse fight for them, too? Newhouse also has faced criticism from the right. In a separate interview, Matt Brown, chair of the Yakima County Republican Party, said Newhouse could do more to represent the Trump administration and there is a need for local town halls. Theres a growing desire to see stronger, more vocal leadership, especially on the issues that matter most to our region. In Yakima County, folks want to see their representative. Theres a clear appetite for more public engagement town halls, open forums, and face-to-face conversations, Brown said. Brown campaigned for Republican Jerrod Sessler in his run against Newhouse last year. Sessler, who had Trump's endorsement, said he plans to run again. People at the town hall asked what they could do next. Ninh Khuu, a Ph.D. student researching hops at Washington State University-Prosser and a member of the academic workers union UAW 4591, said people need to call their representatives and get organized to share what is happening in their communities. If you are not calling, other people are, Khuu said. They wont care unless someone tells them to. Constituents are able to contact Newhouse through his website and by phone. Jasper Sundeen from the Yakima Herald-Republic contributed to this report. Renee Diaz is a Murrow News Fellow for the Wenatchee World and Northwest Public Broadcasting, and was reporting from Yakima this week. A detainee boards a GlobalX plane, headed to El Paso, Texas, in February at King County International Airport in Seattle. For many, a number of aggressive local arrests make immigration enforcement feel different under this Trump administration. But the overall picture is murky. Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times) Mesha Sankranti, also known as Maha Vishuva Sankranti, marks the transition of the Sun into Aries (Mesha Rashi), signifying the onset of the solar New Year in several Indian states. In 2025, this auspicious occasion falls on Monday, April 14. Significance of Mesha Sankranti Mesha Sankranti holds profound importance in Hindu tradition, symbolizing new beginnings and the Sun's journey towards the northern hemisphere, known as Uttarayana. This day is celebrated with various regional customs and rituals, each highlighting the cultural diversity of India. Regional Celebrations Odisha: Celebrated as Pana Sankranti, it involves devotees taking holy baths in rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari. A special drink called 'Pana' is prepared and consumed. Tamil Nadu: Known as Puthandu, the New Year is observed if Sankranti occurs after sunrise but before sunset; otherwise, it is celebrated the following day. Kerala: Referred to as Vishu, the day is divided into five parts. If Sankranti occurs within the first three, the New Year begins that day; otherwise, it starts the next day. West Bengal: Celebrated as Naba Barsha or Pohela Boishakh, the New Year begins the day after Sankranti if it occurs between sunrise and midnight; if after midnight, it starts the following day. Assam: Known as Bihu, it marks the Assamese New Year with traditional dances and feasts. Punjab: Celebrated as Vaisakhi, it holds significance for both agricultural and historical reasons. Rituals and Celebrations Puja and Worship: Devotees worship deities like Lord Shiva, Hanuman, Vishnu, and Goddess Kali. Performing rituals during the Punya Kaal Muhurta is considered highly auspicious. Devotees worship deities like Lord Shiva, Hanuman, Vishnu, and Goddess Kali. Performing rituals during the Punya Kaal Muhurta is considered highly auspicious. Holy Bath: Taking a sacred dip in holy rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari is believed to cleanse sins and bring blessings. Taking a sacred dip in holy rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari is believed to cleanse sins and bring blessings. Special Foods: In Odisha, the preparation and consumption of 'Pana', a traditional mango drink, are customary. In Odisha, the preparation and consumption of 'Pana', a traditional mango drink, are customary. Community Activities: The day is marked by singing, dancing, and wearing new clothes, fostering community bonding and cultural expression. Mesha Sankranti Timings for 2025 According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious times for rituals are as follows: Punya Kaal Muhurat: 6:22 AM to 12:39 PM Maha Punya Kaal: 6:22 AM to 8:28 AM Phalam (Benefits) of Mesha Sankranti Observing rituals on Mesha Sankranti is believed to yield several benefits: For those engaged in laborious tasks, it is a fruitful period. The phase is considered economically favorable, with commodity prices remaining stable. It offers a chance to attain stability in various aspects of life. The period fosters inter-community interactions and is auspicious for agricultural prosperity. (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) The northeastern state of Meghalaya is known for its vibrant culture, lush landscapes, and rich tribal traditions. One of the most striking cultural celebrations from the region is Shad Suk Mynsiem, a spring festival observed by the Khasi tribe. Often referred to as the "Dance of Peaceful Hearts," this festival beautifully blends spirituality, gratitude, and the rhythmic joy of life. Date of Shad Suk Mynsiem 2025 Shad Suk Mynsiem is typically celebrated in April, and in 2025, the festival is expected to take place around the second or third week of April. The exact date may vary depending on the local calendar and community-specific scheduling. History of Shad Suk Mynsiem The term Shad Suk Mynsiem translates to "Dance of the Happy Hearts" or "Dance of Peaceful Souls." Rooted in Khasi religious philosophy, this festival has been observed for centuries by followers of the indigenous Seng Khasi faith, long before the advent of colonialism and other religious influences. Historically, it was celebrated to mark gratitude to the Creator for a bountiful harvest, good health, and general well-being. It is also a prayer for peace and prosperity for the year ahead. The festival holds deep spiritual significance and is closely linked with Khasi values of harmony between humans and nature. Significance of Shad Suk Mynsiem This celebration is more than just a cultural eventits a spiritual gathering. The Khasi community believes that by performing this ritual dance, they are offering their thanks to U Blei Nongthaw (The Creator). It also signifies the balance of male and female energies in society, represented by male and female dancers who move in harmony to traditional drumbeats and flute melodies. Another important aspect of the celebration is the promotion of peace, purity, and self-discipline. Dancers wear traditional attire and follow rituals that reflect their connection to their roots and the land. How Shad Suk Mynsiem Is Celebrated Shad Suk Mynsiem is observed with a grand procession of dance and music, typically in an open area or community ground, with the Weiking Grounds in Shillong being one of the main venues. Here's how the celebration unfolds: Traditional Dance Dancers, both men and women, participate in choreographed movements that follow a circular pattern. The men, holding swords and wearing headgear, represent protectors, while women in elegant silk garments embody grace and fertility. Traditional Attire: 1. Men wear turbans with feathers, white dhotis, and gold ornaments. 2. Women adorn themselves in silk and gold jewelry, showcasing the beauty and dignity of Khasi femininity. 3. Musical Accompaniment: The dancers move to the rhythm of traditional instruments like ka nakra (drum), ka tangmuri (flute), and cymbals, which are played by specially trained musicians. 4. Community Gathering: Villagers and townspeople gather in large numbers, turning the grounds into a vibrant sea of colors, sounds, and sacred celebration. Its also a time for families to come together and pass on traditions to younger generations. 5. Prayer and Rituals: Before and during the dance, rituals and blessings are performed to invoke the spirits and express gratitude. Elders play a key role in guiding the ceremonies. A Cultural Symbol of Identity Shad Suk Mynsiem is a powerful cultural symbol of the Khasi communitys spiritual philosophy, identity, and resilience. It preserves ancient customs while celebrating the harmony between humanity and nature. With growing awareness and appreciation for indigenous festivals, Shad Suk Mynsiem continues to draw attention from cultural enthusiasts and tourists alike. In a world increasingly disconnected from nature and tradition, Shad Suk Mynsiem is a reminder of the beauty of community, the depth of gratitude, and the power of living in harmony with ones surroundings. Whether you witness it as an observer or participate in its joy, this Khasi festival is a cultural jewel of Indias Northeast. (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) New Delhi: The Indian stock markets wrapped up the week on a strong note, gaining nearly 2 per cent, as the US decision to defer tariffs for all countries except China eased recession concerns, boosting sentiment and lifting fears of a global slowdown, experts said on Saturday. As a result, the Nifty index opened with a strong gap-up and tested resistance near the 20-day exponential moving average (DEMA) around 22,900. It then moved in a narrow range before settling at 22,828.55. Sector-wise, metals, energy, and pharma led the gains, while broader indices also saw a solid rebound, rising between 1.82 per cent and 2.86 per cent. The recovery, supported by a continued decline in the volatility index, is a positive sign, though such sharp moves remain challenging to trade. On the index front, a decisive close above 22,900 could pave the way for a retest of the key moving average zone near 23,400, said Ajit MishraSVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd. The Sensex jumped 1,310.11 points, or 1.77 per cent, to close at 75,157.26 on Friday. During the day, the index touched an intra-day high of 75,467.33, while it slipped up to 74,762.84. The Indian rupee found renewed strength, snapping its three-day losing streak against the US Dollar. Bolstered by a weaker Dollar, easing crude oil prices, and the buoyant equity market, the rupee closed significantly stronger by 65 paise at 86.04 against the greenback. "The breadth of the market was strongly positive, with advancing shares significantly outnumbering declining ones. The advance-decline ratio on the BSE stood at a strong 3.68, marking its highest level since 5 March, 2025, said Nandish Shah, Senior Derivative and Technical Research Analyst, HDFC Securities. The positive development in global trade policy shows a surge in small and midcap indices by 2 per cent, reflecting optimism that global supply chains may stabilise and input cost pressures could ease. However, such shifting policies make volatility inevitable. As business leaders and investors, one must remain cautious towards sectors heavily dependent on exports for revenue. That said, I remain optimistic about Indias growth journey, as domestically, this could translate into better cost structures and renewed capex confidence, said Abhishek Jaiswal, Fund Manager at Finavenue. Looking forward, the 22600-22700 range is expected to provide a near-term support for the Nifty, while the 23000-23100 band is likely to act as the immediate resistance zone on the upside. The Bank Nifty index opened with a gap-up, maintained strong positive momentum throughout the session, and settled on a bullish note at 51,002. Technically, the Bank Nifty index decisively crossed the key resistance zone of 50,75050,800 and formed a big bullish candle on both daily and weekly charts, reflecting underlying strength. The breakout level of 50,750 will now act as immediate support, and as long as the index sustains above this level, it has the potential to rally towards 51,50052,000. Hence, traders are advised to adopt a buy on dips strategy, said Hrishikesh Yedve, AVP Technical and Derivatives Research at Asit C. Mehta Investment Interrmediates Ltd. (A Pantomath Group Company). Mumbai: Alarmed at frauds related to securities market on various social media platforms, capital markets regulator SEBI has issued an advisory for investors to exercise caution and due diligence to verify the genuineness of social media handles of SEBI-registered entities while accessing them. SEBI noticed an increase in frauds related to securities market on various social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (previously Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Play Store and Apple Store, etc. With increasing adoption of digital communication platforms, it is observed that scamsters are enticing victims by giving trading calls in the name of providing education. They also provide misleading or deceptive testimonials, promise or guarantee of assured or risk-free return etc. through various social media platforms, according to a SEBI statement. SEBI noticed unregistered investment advisory services being provided by entities that falsely claim to be registered intermediaries with SEBI or by showcasing fake certificates purportedly issued by the regulator. It also observed impersonation of SEBI-registered entities by fraudulent trading platforms, WhatsApp, Telegram channels which deceptively claim or suggest affiliation with SEBI-registered entity claiming to provide assured or risk-free return. Scamsters are enticing gullible investors by claiming that they provide exclusive services on their platform (fake trading/advisory apps) facilitating securities trading that allow the subscriber to enjoy preferential services with regard to trade and share price -- institutional trading account, IPOs at discounted price, block trade at discounted price and sure shot allocation of IPO, said SEBI. Also, misleading and manipulative contents have been designed by scamsters to entice investors to join private chat groups or channels on WhatsApp/Telegram, through fraudulent ads/posts on various social media platforms. Investors are advised to exercise caution and due diligence to verify the genuineness of social media handles of SEBI registered entities while accessing them, the regulator noted. Further, while investing in securities market, investors are advised to deal with only SEBI-registered intermediaries and authentic trading apps, it added. Protest Over Waqf Act: Three individuals died in Dhuliyan, Murshidabad, West Bengal, where people were protesting against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, as reported by Zee News TV. The news agency ANI also reported that the West Bengal Police informed that three people died in Murshidabad, where protests against the Waqf Act turned violent. #UPDATE | West Bengal: Three people died in Dhuliyan, Murshidabad, where people staged a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act: West Bengal Police https://t.co/AUlVgWqHVe ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 Also Read: Waqf Act In Bengal Soon? CM Mamata's BIG Appeal Amid Murshidabad Violence According to PTI, an IPS Officer said that two persons were killed in Murshidabad district after the violent clashes allegedly linked to the protests against the Waqf Act. Furthermore, among the victims were a father and son who were found with multiple stab wounds in their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area; they were declared brought dead at a nearby hospital. The officer also informed that the post-mortem examinations had been done on both the victims. A probe has been launched into the matter, and the police are trying to identify the people involved in the deaths. The family members have alleged that miscreants looted the house and stabbed the father-son duo before fleeing. Also Read: Mamata Banerjee Inciting Anti-Hindu Violence In Name Of Waqf Protests, Alleges BJP On the other hand, in a separate incident, a person sustained a bullet injury earlier on Saturday at Dhulian in Samserganj block. The victim is a bidi factory worker and was shot on his way to work. He is stable and is being treated at the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, PTI reported. The police conducted patrolling and route marches in and around the affected areas to maintain law and order. 15 policemen were injured on Friday amidst clashes in various parts of Murshidabad district, as per PTI, Additional Director General (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim said. So far, police have arrested 118 people in connection with the violence that erupted during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Shamim added, and said that the number would rise. Police reportedly fired four rounds to bring the mob under control. Large-scale violence was reported from the Suti and Samserganj areas during demonstrations over the controversial Act. TMC On Waqf Act Protests In West Bengal TMC leader Jay Prakash Majumdar on the Murshidabad violence said that some political parties led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were trying to create tension in the state by using religion as a weapon and trying to do divisive politics. He said, "For many days, some political parties led by the BJP were trying to create tension in West Bengal by using religion as a weapon and trying to do divisive politics. What we saw today is the result of the BJP's conspiracy... As a common citizen, I feel that they were already preparing for such a communal incident to happen, after which they would go to the High Court and then demand Section 355 in West Bengal in front of the media." #WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | On Murshidabad violence, TMC leader Jay Prakash Majumdar says, "For many days, some political parties led by the BJP were trying to create tension in West Bengal by using religion as a weapon and trying to do divisive politics. What we saw today is pic.twitter.com/X4DPWBl40V ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 Earlier on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also said that the Waqf Act will not be implemented in the state as she appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm. (with agencies inputs) Protests Against Waqf Act: Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengals Murshidabad district after violence erupted in the region allegedly linked to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The court, while giving the order, stated that it cannot keep its eyes closed when such a situation has come up and that citizens must be provided with adequate security and protection to ensure peace and order in the region, according to news agency PTI. A division bench, presided over by Justice Soumen Sen, directed the deployment of the CAPF in Murshidabad. Earlier, three people died in the clashes, and over 100 have been arrested in connection with the violence. Also Read: Mamata Banerjee Inciting Anti-Hindu Violence In Name Of Waqf Protests, Alleges BJP PTI reported that the central forces will operate in coordination with the state administration. Also, the court instructed both the state and the Central government to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17. A special bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury was constituted by the Chief Justice to urgently hear a petition filed by BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, seeking the deployment of central forces in the district. Also Read: 3 Dead As Clashes Erupt Amidst Waqf Act Protests In West Bengal's Murshidabad The state lawyer informed the court that seven companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed in the Suti, Dhuliyan, and Samserganj areas of Murshidabad. However, Adhikari's lawyer alleged that the BSF personnel were not being deployed properly to control the situation. Adhikari, talking to reporters about the Calcutta HC's order, expressed his gratitude to the court. He said, "Being the Leader of Opposition, I have been raising this issue since the day this incident happened. I express my gratitude to the Kolkata High Court for this order." VIDEO | Here's what West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) said on Calcutta High Court's order of deploying central forces in Murshidabad amid protests against Waqf Act: "Being the Leader of Opposition, I have been raising this issue since the day this incident happened. pic.twitter.com/apz4h2xP6d Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 12, 2025 Morning Visuals From Murshidabad According to ANI, several vehicles were torched. Security was heightened in the area, Bengal Police had informed. #WATCH | West Bengal | Morning visuals from Dhuliyan, Murshidabad, where people staged a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. Several vehicles were torched. Security has been heightened in the area, and as per Bengal Police, the situation is now under control. pic.twitter.com/QBQGjr3Fqh ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025 TMC On Waqf Act Protests In West Bengal TMC leader Jay Prakash Majumdar on the Murshidabad violence said that some political parties led by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) were trying to create tension in the state by using religion as a weapon and trying to do divisive politics. ANI quoted him as saying, "For many days, some political parties led by the BJP were trying to create tension in West Bengal by using religion as a weapon and trying to do divisive politics. What we saw today is the result of the BJP's conspiracy." Earlier on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also said that the Waqf Act will not be implemented in the state and appealed to the citizens to maintain peace and calm. (with agencies' inputs) Protests Against Waqf Act: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Saturday held a video conference call with the Chief Secretary and the DGP of West Bengal after violence erupted in Murshidabad, allegedly connected with the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. In the call, Mohan assured the state of 'all possible assistance' and informed them that the Centre is also 'closely monitoring' the situation. As per a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the DGP of West Bengal briefed the Union Home Secretary that the situation 'was tense but under control' and was being monitored closely. In the statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, "The Union Home Secretary advised the State administration to keep a close watch on other sensitive districts also, and to put in place adequate steps to ensure normalcy at the earliest." It added, "Union Home Secretary stated that the Centre is also closely monitoring the situation and assured the State all possible assistance, including deployment of additional manpower, if necessary." Furthermore, the DGP stated that he is taking the assistance of BSF posted locally, and that more than 150 persons have been arrested. Mohan clarified in the call that apart from nearly 300 BSF personnel available in Murshidabad, an additional five Companies have been deployed at the request of the West Bengal government. The statement read, "The Union Home Secretary stated that apart from nearly 300 BSF personnel locally available in Murshidabad, additional 5 Companies have been deployed at the request of the State Government." Union Home Secretary also says that the Centre is also closely monitoring the situation and assured the State all possible assistance including deployment of additional manpower, if necessary: MHA pic.twitter.com/ajRppPWUfn Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 12, 2025 Also Read: Cannot Keep Eyes Closed: Calcutta HC Orders CAPF Deployment In Murshidabad After Waqf Act Clashes Calcutta HC Orders CAPF Deployment On Saturday, the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district after the violence erupted. According to PTI, the court, while giving the order, stated that it cannot keep its eyes closed when such a situation has come up. It also said that the people must be provided with security and protection to ensure peace and order. Also Read: 3 Dead As Clashes Erupt Amidst Waqf Act Protests In West Bengal's Murshidabad Death Toll, Arrest Number In Murshidabad Earlier, as per ANI, the West Bengal Police informed that three people died in Murshidabad, where protests against the Waqf Act turned violent. In the call with Union Home Secretary, the DGP had said that more than 150 persons have been arrested. (with agencies' inputs) J&K Encounter: The Indian Army thwarted an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammus Akhnoor sector, officials said on Saturday. Following the encounter, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army was killed. According to officials, alert army troops picked up the movement of a group of heavily armed terrorists near a stream in a forward forest setting in the Keri Bhattal area late Friday night and challenged them, leading to a fierce gunfight that went on for quite some time, as reported by news agency PTI. A JCO was injured in the encounter and later succumbed to injuries, the officials said, adding the whole area has been cordoned off with the deployment of reinforcements and a search operation was underway when last reports were received. In the same area on February 11, two Army personnel, including a captain, were killed and another was injured when terrorists set off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The latest incident comes two days after India and Pakistan held a brigade commander-level flag meeting in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district to discuss issues related to border management. This was the second such meeting since February in an effort to de-escalate tension after nearly a dozen incidents of cross-border firing and an IED attack. The Indian army lodged a strong protest with their counterparts over the cross-border terror activities and the ceasefire violations. The ceasefire violations along the LoC have been very rare since India and Pakistan renewed the ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021. On April 5, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot dead a Pakistani intruder along the International Border in the R. S. Pura sector here and later held a flag meeting with Rangers over the incident. HANDWARA: A tragic road accident in North Kashmirs Handwara claimed the lives of two students and left 22 others injured on Saturday. Officials said a bus carrying college students for a picnic overturned near Vodpora after the driver lost control of the vehicle. Soon after the accident, the police, local residents, Indian Army, CRPF, and BSF reached the spot and began a rescue operation. Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, Medical Superintendent at District Hospital Handwara, said, Two girls were brought dead to the facility. He added that 20 other students were injured, with two in serious condition who were referred to Srinagar for better treatment. One student died on the way to GMC Handwara, while the other passed away at a hospital in Srinagar. Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Ayushi Sudan later visited GMC Handwara to check on the injured students. An investigation has been launched to find out what led to the accident. Kerala Lottery Results Saturday 12-04-2025 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "KARUNYA KR-701" Lucky Draw Result today Karunya Kr-701, April 12, 2025. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2025 for "Karunya KR-701" 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 Karunya KR-701 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 80 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Karunya KR-701 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 12-04-2025 Apr: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA KR-701 Draw LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 80 LAKHS IS: KX 871330 LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: KR 563910 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: KN 475802 KO 891734 KP 637920 KR 857505 KS 280215 KT 560443 KU 817225 KV 507438 KW 540518 KX 815031 KY 771783 KZ587248 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: KN 871330 KO 871330 KP 871330 KR 871330 KS 871330 KT 871330 KU 871330 KV 871330 KW 871330 KY 871330 KZ 871330 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0443 1846 1941 2022 2146 2628 2789 4482 4525 4573 4973 6303 6585 7324 7511 8346 8359 8613 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 0054 0363 1155 1552 6523 7181 7947 9086 9244 9468 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 1801 2470 2879 3418 3780 5168 6069 6187 6407 6600 7298 7875 8810 9308 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0079 0188 0297 0589 0736 0858 1089 1111 1133 1243 1405 1477 1527 1946 2083 2103 2131 2151 2232 2386 2433 2618 2626 2817 2974 3027 3119 3202 3249 3260 3645 3789 3965 4063 4086 4158 4182 4187 4381 4445 4510 4624 4671 5396 5400 5508 5968 6024 6033 6150 6438 6547 6646 6757 6996 7002 7132 7154 7238 7431 7481 7544 7647 7744 7836 7859 7868 8017 8365 8421 8444 8556 8615 8879 9113 9140 9348 9458 9846 9910 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0066 0081 0158 0172 0331 0332 0334 0360 0378 0436 0465 0613 0654 0739 0807 0940 1165 1290 1472 1495 1513 1617 1690 1796 1956 2183 2306 2520 2733 2928 2959 3082 3229 3346 3364 3498 3524 3776 3781 3926 4020 4098 4190 4197 4443 4497 4524 4608 4658 4689 4767 4845 4869 5049 5143 5221 5403 5543 5551 5628 5746 5994 6095 6157 6234 6258 6262 6286 6287 6297 6310 6324 6339 6397 6433 6441 6491 6501 6516 6556 6735 6749 6879 7191 7328 7330 7424 7470 7565 7610 7686 7723 7778 7823 7863 7934 7953 7968 8039 8211 8212 8250 8333 8434 8497 8893 8908 8942 8969 8987 9007 9032 9040 9088 9110 9145 9224 9464 9491 9584 9710 9718 9841 9958 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 12-04-2025 April TODAY: KARUNYA KR-701 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 2,000 6th Prize: Rs. 1,000 7th Prize: Rs. 500 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 the lottery in any way.) National Herald Case: The probe agency, Enforcement Directorate, on Saturday said that it has served notices to property registrars in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow to take possession of assets worth Rs. 661 crores. This move comes in connection with the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case linked to Congress. The probe agency has served the notices to the property registrars on April 11, per Section 8 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and Rule 5(1) of the associated rules. In a statement, the probe agency said, "As part of the process to take possession of the tainted properties in the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013, on 11.04.2025 has served notices to Registrars of property in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow having jurisdiction of the area where AJL properties are located. A notice under Rule 5 (3) of Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013 has also been served on 11.04.2025 to M/s Jindal South West Projects Limited which occupying 7th, 8th, and 9th floor at Herald House, Bandra (E), Mumbai, to transfer the rent/lease amount every month in favour of Director, Directorate of Enforcement, it continued. In a post on social media platform X, the agency confirmed the issuance of notices. As part of the process to take possession of the tainted properties in the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking ED (@dir_ed) April 12, 2025 ED confirmed these properties were attached after an extensive investigation which revealed "signification generation, possession and use of proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 988 crores". "Therefore, to secure the proceeds of crime and to prevent the accused form dissipating the same, the immovable properties of AJL located at Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow valued at Rs 661 crores along-with the shares of AJL valued at Rs 90.2 crores were attached by issuing provisional attachment order (PAO) dated November 20, 2023 by the Directorate of Enforcement and the same has been confirmed by the Ld. Adjudicating Authority on April 10, 2024," ED added. The ED has conducted searches and seizures at multiple locations, "uncovering incriminating documents linked to the alleged money laundering activities". Moreover, the investigation under PMLA 2002 has revealed that Young Indian, a private company allegedly beneficially owned by Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties worth Rs. 2000 crores for Rs. 50 lakh, "significantly undervaluing its worth". ED Investigation In Congress-Linked AJL Case The ED investigation began in 2021 based on a cognizance order issued in 2014 by the Metropolitan Magistrate Patiala House Courts of New Delhi, based on a private complaint filed by Subramanian Swamy. ED's release said, "The investigation by ED commenced in 2021, on the basis of a cognizance order issued on June 26, 2014, by the Metropolitan Magistrate Patiala House Courts in New Delhi, based on a private complaint filed by Shri Subramanian Swamy. EDs release stated, The complaint highlighted a criminal conspiracy by several prominent political figures, including Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Sh. Rahul Gandhi, Lt. Sh. Motilal Vohra, Lt. Sh. Oscar Fernandes, Sh. Suman Dubey, Sh. Sam Pitroda and a private company Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme related to the fraudulent takeover of properties valued over 2000 crores belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL)." "The legal proceedings against the accused have faced challenges, but have been upheld by both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, allowing the investigation to proceed." ED's Action On Key Properties In AJL Case The ED's statement also said that the findings from the investigation indicate that Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further 'Proceeds of Crime' in the form of donations to the tune of Rs. 18 crores, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs. 38 crores, and bogus advertisements of Rs. 29 crores. It said, "Findings from the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) also indicate that Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further Proceeds of Crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of Rs. 18 Crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs. 38 Crore, and bogus advertisements of Rs. 29 Crore. Therefore, to stop the further generation, utilization, and enjoyment of the proceeds of crime and in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA 2002 and Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013, the Directorate of Enforcement has initiated the proceedings to take possession of the tainted properties," ED continued. In yet another major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, with the support of Central Agencies and Delhi Police, has successfully arrested Uttar Pradesh (UP)-based Saidul Ameen-- the prime accused involved in the grenade attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia's residence, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday. As per the information, an explosion occurred at the residence of Senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia located in Central Town Jalandhar on the intervening night of April 7. Preliminary investigations had revealed a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan's ISI to disrupt communal harmony in Punjab. The development came close on the heels of the arrest of two local associates identified as Satish alias Kaka alias Lucky of Bhargo Camp in Jalandhar and Harry of Garha Road in Jalandhar, who provided logistical support to the accused Saidul Ameen. The plot was masterminded by Zeeshan Akhtar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Pakistan-based ISI-sponsored gangster Shahzad Bhatti, while, role of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also being probed. DGP Gaurav Yadav, accompanied by Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Dhanpreet Kaur, while addressing a press conference in Jalandhar, said that the accused, Saidul Ameen, a resident of Amroha in UP, was apprehended in Delhi after an intensive multi-state manhunt. "This arrest is a testament to the seamless coordination between Punjab Police, Central Agencies, and Delhi Police in dismantling terror networks," he said. The DGP said that the ongoing probe has also revealed the financial link to the executors of the grenade attack under which role of Haryana-based accused identified as Abhijot, who was arrested by the Haryana Police on Friday after exchange of fire in Kurukshetra, has also come under the light. Jalandhar Commissionerate Police will bring him on production warrant for further investigations, he added. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that further investigations are ongoing to uncover handlers, financial backers, and potential foreign connections linked to the attack. A case FIR no. 27 dated 8/4/2025 has already been registered under sections 109, 324(3) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station Division number 3 in Jalandhar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday welcomed the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) back into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stating that together they will take Tamil Nadu to new heights of progress and fulfil the vision of the great MGR and Jayalalithaa Ji. Prime Minister shared a post on X and said, "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. While criticizing the ruling DMK, PM Modi called the DMK government "corrupt and divisive," stating that it is crucial to uproot the party from Tamil Nadu. Taking a sharp dig at the ruling DMK, PM Modi added: "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. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to Chennai on Friday, stated that AIADMK will lead the NDA in Tamil Nadu, setting the stage for a joint campaign in the 2026 Assembly elections. At a press conference, HM Shah described the AIADMK-BJP collaboration as a natural partnership and confirmed that AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) would be the NDAs Chief Ministerial candidate in the state. (With IANS inputs) Murshidabad Violence: Over 110 people were arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in West Bengals Murshidabad district during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, police said on Saturday. Tensions erupted in Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts after violence broke over the Waqf Act which came into effect on Tuesday after getting clearance from both Houses of Parliament last week. Amid the tensions, several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked. Raids were underway in all these districts, with over 110 arrested in Murshidabad, police said. "About 70 people were arrested from Suti, and 41 people from Samserganj in connection with the violence," a police officer said., as quoted by news agency PTI. The situation in these violence-hit places remained tense on Saturday morning, but no untoward incident was reported, officials said. In the worst-hit Murshidabad district, prohibitory orders have been imposed and internet services suspended in places that saw violence, they said. "Patrolling in the Suti and Samserganj areas is going on. Nobody is allowed to regroup anywhere. We will not allow any attempt to disrupt the law and order situation," an officer said, appealing to the people to not pay heed to "rumours on social media." Meanwhile, a teenage boy who was injured allegedly in police firing during the clashes in Suti was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata, police said. The districts that saw violence have significant Muslim populations. The Centre 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. (With agency Inputs) Two terrorists have been killed in an ongoing operation near Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, the army said on Saturday, adding that the operation is still in progress. The Army informed that a large quantity of war-like stores, including one AK and One M4 rifle, had been recovered during the Operation with Pakistani terrorists. "In the ongoing operations at Chhatru, Kishtwar, despite bad and inclement weather, two more Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated. A large quantity of war like stores including One AK and One M4 rifle have been recovered. Operations are in progress," the Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X. Op Chhatru : Update In the ongoing operations at #Chhatru, Kishtwar, despite bad and inclement weather, two more Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated. A large quantity of war like stores including One AK and One M4 rifle have been recovered. Operations are in progress. White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) April 12, 2025 On Friday, the Army had neutralised 1 terrorist in 'Operation Chhatru,' with a total of 3 killed. According to Shridhar Patil, DIG of the Kishtwar-Doda-Ramban Range, counter-terror operations in the Kishtwar region have been ongoing for the past three days. One terrorist was eliminated on Friday morning. He confirmed that other terrorists in the area are currently trapped and assured that the operation will continue until all of them are neutralised. "This operation was going on for three days and is still ongoing. As we have told so far, one terrorist has been neutralised in the morning hours, and further operation is in continuation. Details of many operations cannot be shared at this time. Right now, we can tell you this much: the operation is in continuation, and some terrorists are trapped. The operation will continue until all the terrorists are eliminated." Shridhar Patil said, ANI reported. Amid the row over the movie "Phule," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday lashed out at the BJP-RSS, alleging that they want to erase Dalit-Bahujan history at every step so that the real truth of caste discrimination and injustice does not come to the fore. The film's director, Ananth Mahadevan, said it has been delayed due to objections raised by the Brahmin community and not because the censor board suggested amendments. "Phule" is based on the lives of social reformers Jyotirao Govindrao Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule. The former Congress chief took to X and said, "On one hand, BJP-RSS leaders pay homage to Phule ji in a superficial manner, and on the other hand, they are censoring the film made on his life!" Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule devoted their entire lives to the fight against casteism, but the government does not want to let that struggle and its historical facts come on screen, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha alleged. "BJP-RSS wants to erase Dalit-Bahujan history at every step so that the real truth of caste discrimination and injustice does not come to the fore," Gandhi said. The biopic, featuring the "Scam 1992" star Pratik Gandhi in the central role and Patralekhaa as his onscreen wife Savitribai Jyotiba Phule, was set for release this Friday, but it will now arrive in theatres on April 25. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issued a 'U' certificate to the makers on April 7 and asked them to make changes like removing terms such as 'Mang,' 'Mahar,' and 'Peshwai'; the visual of 'a man carrying a broom' was to be replaced with 'boys throwing cow dung balls at Savitribai', and the line '3,000 saal purani ghulami' to be modified as 'Kai saal purani,' among a few other things. "They had suggested some amendments, I wouldn't call them cuts. I want to clarify that there are no cuts as such. We did so. They felt that the film should be watched by the youth and everyone and it's very educative. I don't know why this whole storm of conflict and counter arguments are happening, I think it's a little exaggerated and unnecessary," Mahadevan told PTI. Following the release of the trailer of the movie on April 10, few members of the Brahmin community raised objections stating that they've been portrayed in poor light. Maharashtra-based organisation Hindu Mahasangh's president Anand Dave expressed his displeasure after watching the trailer. He said it is unfair to only highlight the not-so-good things about the Brahmin community. Mahadevan said the reason behind the release of "Phule" being pushed is to clear the controversy surrounding the film. (With ANI Inputs) Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff, a special envoy of US President Donald Trump, in St. Petersburg for talks on the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin said the meeting focused on "various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement," without elaborating. The talks were held behind closed doors, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier. He said the two sides would exchange views on the Ukraine issue but no breakthrough was expected in the talks, Xinhua news agency reported. Before meeting with Putin, Witkoff held talks with Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries. Dmitriev later said that talks with Witkoff were "productive." According to Russian news agency TASS, Witkoff arrived in Russia on a business visit Friday morning and departed St. Petersburg late in the evening. Earlier 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. A Russian missile hit the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, the Ukraine Embassy in India claimed on Saturday. The embassy also accused Moscow of "deliberately" targeting Indian businesses, despite having what it called a "special friendship" with New Delhi. "Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine. While claiming 'special friendship' with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses - destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly," the Ukraine embassy in India said in a post on X. The Indian government has not responded to the allegation yet. The Russian government has also not issued any statement so far. Martin Harris, the UKs ambassador to Ukraine, also said a major pharmaceutical warehouse was destroyed in Kyiv, though he did not name the company and said drones, not a missile, were used in the attack. "This morning, Russian drones completely destroyed a major pharmaceuticals warehouse in Kyiv, incinerating stocks of medicines needed by the elderly and children. Russia's campaign of terror against Ukrainian civilians continues," Harris wrote on X. He also shared a photo showing smoke rising from a building and a fire engine nearby. Earlier on Saturday, Russias defence ministry accused Ukraine of launching five attacks on Russian energy sites in the last 24 hours. Moscow said these attacks violated a US-brokered agreement to pause strikes on each others energy infrastructure. Ukraine and Russia had agreed to stop targeting energy facilities last month, but both sides have since blamed each other for breaking the deal. Trump Tariffs: In a major relief for the global electronics sector including manufacturers and consumers in India US President Donald Trump has announced tariff exemptions on smartphones imported into the country on Saturday. The move also covers laptops, hard drives, computer processors, memory chips, and several other tech components from the Trump's 'Reciprocal Tariffs'. According to a notice from US Customs and Border Protection, the exemption shields these products from Trumps 10% global tariff and the much steeper 145% tariff on Chinese imports. The policy, effective from April 5, applies to goods entering the US or released from bonded warehouses on or after that date. This decision is likely to benefit global tech players such as Apple, which assembles many of its devices in China. The exemption extends to semiconductors, solar cells, and memory cards easing pressure on a tech industry already navigating global supply chain challenges. Earlier, President Trump said he could offer some exemptions to his 10 per cent tariff on most US trading partners. There could be a couple of exceptions for obvious reasons, but I would say 10 per cent is a floor, Trump told reporters on Friday aboard Air Force One en route to Florida. Meanwhile, the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement between India and the US is likely to be concluded within the tariff-pause period of 90 days fixed by the Donald Trump administration, according to official sources. The terms of reference for the agreement have been finalised and further negotiations are scheduled to take place primarily through video conferencing, although if required, Indian negotiators may visit Washington or US officials can come to Delhi, senior officials said. (With Inputs From IANS) Russia-Ukraine Conflict: United States President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg to discuss the conflict in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported. On Friday, Putin was shown on state TV, as per Al Jazeera, greeting Witkoff in Saint Petersburg's presidential library at the start of the negotiations, and their talks lasted more than four hours. The Kremlin said the meeting "focused on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement", without elaborating. Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Witkoff might discuss the possibility of the Russian leader meeting Trump face-to-face. According to Al Jazeera, Witkoff is now a key figure in the on-off tete-a-tete between Moscow and Washington amid talk on the Russian side of potential joint investments in the Arctic and Russian rare earth minerals. The talks come as the US continues efforts to broker a ceasefire deal to end the conflict, which has stalled amid negotiations on the conditions of the deal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday (local time) confirmed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff is currently in Russia to hold direct talks with the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the ongoing efforts towards a ceasefire deal for the Ukraine conflict. During a press briefing, Leavitt stated that it was a step towards the negotiating process for the ceasefire as well as an "ultimate peace deal." She added that US President Donald Trump has been "continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict," indicating the administration's intent to take a more active role in peace negotiations. Putin and Trump have spoken by phone but have yet to meet in person since the US leader returned to the White House in January for a second four-year term. Trump has been pressing Moscow and Kyiv to agree on a ceasefire deal but has failed to extract any major concessions from the Kremlin, despite several rounds of talks between Russian and US officials. Feature: Rescue teams, volunteers in Myanmar drive humanitarian efforts after disaster Xinhua) 09:51, April 12, 2025 YANGON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Since the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, local rescue teams and volunteers have demonstrated remarkable dedication to supporting affected communities. After the disaster, rescue teams and volunteers transitioned from life-saving efforts to assisting communities in rebuilding. An official from the Myanmar Fire Services Department's search and rescue team said their efforts continued well beyond the initial crisis. "Once the rescue phase was over, we began helping residents retrieve important documents and personal belongings trapped under debris," the official said, adding that "We also distributed clean water to communities in need." "I'm truly proud of my team, which includes about 550 search and rescue personnel. We were able to support victims effectively, even under dangerous conditions," he said. The Bo Bo Win Rescue Organization from Mawlamyine township in Mon state, led by Chairman Bo Bo Win, completed their search and rescue operations on April 8. "After the rescue phase, our team continued supporting victims by providing financial aid to the disaster-affected areas," Bo Bo Win explained. "Our work goes beyond just physical tasks, we are offering emotional support, helping the community regain strength and hope for the future, " he said. Meanwhile, Gu Gu, a volunteer, said, "Alongside my wife and brother, I have been helping communities in Amarapura township of Mandalay by building temporary shelters and assisting with access to water and lighting." "I dedicated over 10 days to assisting the earthquake victims, leaving my loved ones behind to ensure others had the support they needed to survive," he said. Another volunteer, Phyo Phyo, along with her friends, said, "I've been helping to distribute food and supplies purchased through fundraising in Sagaing, working closely with local residents to offer emotional support." "When I see people start to rebuild their lives, it gives me strength to keep going," she said. The Mani Sala Rescue Organization in Mandalay, consisting of 33 dedicated members, said, "We helped retrieve bodies from the rubble and cleared debris from collapsed buildings." "Our team is committed to supporting the recovery of our city Mandalay, and we will continue doing our best, even though it is exhausting." In the face of hardship, these acts of unity, compassion, and relentless effort demonstrate the resilience of the Myanmar people, he said. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Four rigorous years, filled with countless long days and nights of education, is often just the beginning for most medical trainees. The Match and subsequent residency await on the horizon. It is the norm in health care, and very few stray from that path. But medicine is a long and arduous path, one that can take its toll on trainees and physicians alike. As I entered my final year of medical school, something felt off. As much as I was invested in this path forward, I felt drained and unsure. As someone with chronic illnesses, I was particularly burnt out from being constantly surrounded by illness and suffering. I found myself struggling to show up to the hospital at my best, despite wanting to give my all in caring for patients. Surely residency and a life in clinical practice were not the only option after medical school. I decided to probe this question further and see what else was possible aside from a white coat career. As a result, I have made the decision to forgo residency applications and pursue a career outside of clinical medicine. It is probably the best decision that I could have made, for my career and for my health. My story is not unique; an increasing number of physicians and trainees are stepping away from medicine each year. A November 2023 article from the American Medical Association reported that 40 percent of doctors were contemplating or set on exits from their current organization within the next two years, highlighting a significant exodus from the field. The reasons for this departure are multifactorial, including rising burnout rates, dissatisfaction with working conditions, bureaucratic red tape, and newfound work-life balance expectations, especially among younger trainees. Even among medical students, rising debt and stress levels have an impact and take their toll. Burnoutone of the main drivershas been examined heavily within medicine. In the early 2000s, rates of burnout among physicians were 25 percent. However, pre-pandemic rates jumped to as high as 40 percent, one physician writes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when burnout rates were as high as 60 percent within medicine, the broader societal re-evaluation of work-life balance expectations found its way into the field. Burnout is a serious problem in health care; a recent Washington Post report found that doctors struggle with burnout and depression at higher rates than the public. They are additionally twice as likely to die by suicide, a grim statistic that is further exacerbated by fears of mental health disclosure affecting ones medical licensure. Significant stigma and an expectation that doctors are to be perfect are creating an atmosphere where treatment-seeking is discouraged and potentially punished, at the expense of the well-being of the physician. Within the American health care system, administrative responsibilities, navigating insurance, and other job-related stressors have become a regular part of a practicing physicians day, eating into the actual time spent caring for patients. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that for every hour spent seeing a patient, a provider spent nearly two additional hours on documentation and other desk work each day. What was once a noble pursuit to impact the health of others has become complicated by a myriad of extraneous factors that are affecting the very ability to deliver meaningful care, driving some out the door. Going through medical training and becoming a physician is not the end all. The skills acquired during training, namely critical thinking, complex problem solving, and working within a fast-paced environment, are essential in a lot of roles, making trainees and physicians top candidates when exploring careers outside of clinical medicine. With an MD there are a variety of career options that exist that allow you to leverage your medical experience in a non-clinical way. Health tech, consulting, and other finance roles actively recruit MDs for their expertise, often offering a career with better hours, flexibility, and at times higher pay. Other roles, such as medical writing and medical science liaison work, offer similar benefits outside of clinical medicine, providing better work-life balance for those contemplating a switch in careers. This current exodus comes at a cost, however: With the Association of American Medical Colleges predicting there to be a shortage of 124,000 physicians by 2034, something must be done about the conditions that are compelling doctors to leave the field. First and foremost, the workplace must improve. The causes of burnoutlong working hours, piling administrative responsibilities, inadequate mental health coverageneed to be addressed. The pathway to becoming a physician is grueling and often without measures to support an individual through the process. There needs to be a decrease in the stigma around mental health treatment to improve the management of stress during while training or practicing, especially at a time when physician anxiety, depression, and suicide are on the rise. The administrative and bureaucratic burdens that have crept into practice need to lessen, either through the help of AI technologies or new policies aimed at reducing this load. Overall, there needs to be an adoption of flexibility within medicine; it is not a one-size-fits-all career, and allowing physicians to better tailor their careers to their overall life may help with retaining those who are contemplating leaving. While I am by no means encouraging doctors to leave medicine, I am advocating for the field to have a moment of reflection. We can only be the best practitioners for our patients when we are at our best personally. The field of medicine is one that demands this standard, for the sake of our patients. But if burnout or some other factor is taking that passion away and interfering with life, it is predictable that some will re-evaluate their career choices. Sometimes sticking with the norm can cause more harm than good when more sustainable options exist. Christopher Nmai is a medical student. Ive just returned from the Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Conference in Michigan, an inspiring confluence of advocacy, research, and business, all focused on one shared mission: Improving the lives of those living with food allergies. Ive been attending food allergy research forums around the world for over a decade, and I can honestly say the momentum and possibilities in this field have never been more exciting. Were entering an era of real hope and innovation, with promising new treatments on the horizon and a community more unified than ever in its goals. During his opening remarks, Dr. James Baker spoke about the spectrum of experience within the food allergy community. There are those who have lived through what it means to experience anaphylaxis, and those who havent. That difference shapes how people perceive risk and urgency, and what kind of treatment they seek. The lens through which this disease is seen is profoundly shaped by whether one has stood on the edge of loss or even crossed it. It alters the questions you ask, the precautions you take, and the urgency with which you act. So, it was from within this space of progress, this hopeful and energized atmosphere, that I read about the most recent food allergy death. And in an instant, that optimism deflated. Avarie, a young American student studying abroad in Rome, had a known tree nut allergy. Two close friends of the Tierney family contacted Allergic Living to clarify that, contrary to the initial police report, Avarie had clearly informed the restaurant of her allergy. Yet her avocado toast was served with pesto containing cashew. Avarie wasnt careless. She had not one, but three epinephrine auto-injectors with her that day. The family was later told the first one failed to deliver medication. At the onset of the reaction, Avarie used her inhaler and took Benadryl. When those didnt help, she administered two EpiPens. One of her friends called emergency services, but family friend Lisa shared with Allergic Livings editor Gwen Smith that the ambulance was not equipped with the proper medication. The amount of ground cashew she was exposed to in the pesto, combined with the fact that the emergency team did not have the proper medication to treat anaphylaxis, proved too much. Despite life-saving efforts by medical personnel, Avarie tragically passed away. This tragedy is heartbreaking, but the storyline is not new. I have written often that when a person dies from food-induced anaphylaxis, those of us in the food allergy community feel each tragedy personally. How terrifying it is to realize that one mistake can lead to a funeral. These stories should not be viewed through the lens of rare outliers. They are the result of systemic failures that continue to cost lives. What struck me most about Avaries case is how many layers of protection failed. She clearly communicated her allergy, yet the food served still contained cashew. She carried epinephrine and used it, but the exposure was too great, and the emergency response lacked the medications that might have saved her. It made me ask: How are we still here? What are patients being told? Who is preparing them and the people around them for a disease that can escalate so quickly and end so tragically? At the Michigan conference, I sat at a table with Dr. Scott Sicherer, advocate Stacey Saiontz, and food allergy mom Ilana Golant, founder/CEO of the nonprofit Food Allergy Fund. We talked about many things, but one point kept surfacing. It matters what your doctor tells you to do regarding your food allergy. Dr. Sicherer gave an example of a patient who was diagnosed with a food allergy at age three, but who he only saw again when they were about to head off to college. At that point, he could talk about the importance of reading labels or ordering food safely in a restaurant, but the reality was that this young adult was about to live independently and hadnt had years of practice developing those potentially life-saving skills. That reflection stayed with me. I realized that I have been having my son order his own meals for many years. He could make mistakes, learn from them, and ask questions while I was still there to guide him. Learning how to ask the right questions, check for cross-contact, and advocate for yourself doesnt happen overnight. These are not just clinical instructions. They are habits that must be practiced to become second nature. But our discussion sadly led to the current reality. Not every family gets this. Too many patients are never referred to an allergist. They never have the talk about ordering food at a restaurant or navigating a foreign city with a life-threatening allergy. Many teens and young adults head off to college or study abroad without the tools and training they need to navigate daily life safely. These skills include how to advocate for yourself, how to manage risk, and how to respond in an emergency. They are often assumed, but they must be taught. Sometimes, they can be the difference between life and death. ADVERTISEMENT I often write about how society underestimates food allergiesthe jokes, the skepticism, the is it even real? mindset. This dismissiveness seeps into clinical care, school policies, and even the self-confidence of patients themselves, especially young adults who never want to be seen as different. It fosters silence when we need advocacy. It creates complacency where vigilance is required. So where do we go from here? We need education at every level, not just for patients but also for families, schools, universities, and especially those working in hospitality. We need physicians of all specialties to recognize when a patient should be referred to an allergist. We should teach how to spot and treat anaphylaxis as seamlessly as we teach when to use CPR. Knowing how to use an epinephrine auto-injector or nasal spray must be normalized through repetition, accessibility, and a stigma-free approach. And first responders must be equipped with the most effective treatment for anaphylaxis: Epinephrine. We also need to keep telling these stories, not for shock, but for change. Behind every tragedy is a call to action. I have met too many parents who have lost a loved one to food-induced anaphylaxis. Many of them become fierce advocates because they dont want another family to go through what they did. But it should not take a tragedy to initiate change. We should not have to keep building awareness on the backs of grieving parents. I dont want any more fierce advocates created this way. At the Michigan meeting, surrounded by brilliant researchers, devoted clinicians, fierce advocates, and innovative entrepreneurs, I was reminded just how far this field has come. The conversations were hopeful. The science was promising. The commitment to progress was palpable. Im grateful to be part of such a passionate and forward-thinking community. It is one that brings together science, advocacy, and business with a shared mission. We must continue to push for better treatments, smarter policies, more proactive care, and safer, healthier lives for those living with food allergies. The momentum is real. The hope is real. But so are the stakes. We cannot afford to lose another life in the gap between knowledge and action. Avaries tragic story is a continuous reminder that while science moves us forward, its the stories and the lived experiences that keep us firmly on the ground. Lianne Mandelbaum is a leading advocate for airline safety measures to protect food-allergic passengers. As president of No Nut Traveler and airline correspondent for Allergic Living, she drives policy change by collecting testimonials from food-allergic families to share with lawmakers, media, and advocacy groups. She can be reached on X @nonuttraveler, Facebook, and LinkedIn. A sought-after speaker and media source, Lianne participated in a Medscape panel on emergency medical kits on planes and contributed global data on airline travel and food allergies at the GALEN Anacare Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy Forum. Her travel tips were also featured by Stanfords Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy Research. She also appeared on Bloomberg to discuss the challenges faced by food-allergic travelers and advocate for policy changes. Her advocacy led to a Department of Transportation ruling recognizing food allergy as a disability. She co-designed a global air travel and food allergy survey with Northwestern Universitys CFAAR, which was presented at AAAAI and published in The Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. She is the co-author of Understanding Experiences, Barriers, and Facilitators of Safe Airline TravelA Global Survey of Food Allergy Patients and Caregivers (The Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology). She also contributed to 10 Practical Priorities to Prevent and Manage Serious Allergic Reactions: GALEN ANACare and EFA Anaphylaxis Manifesto (Clinical and Translational Allergy) and Ever Treat a Patient on a Plane? Why Med Kits Need an Update (Medscape). Additionally, she collaborated with stakeholders to include anaphylaxis and necessary medications in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Anesthesiologist Colleen Naglee discusses her article, We should tip health care workers too. Colleen reflects on the rise of tipping culture in everyday services and questions why health care workerswho risk violence, burnout, and underpaymentare left out of these gestures of appreciation. She highlights the realities of declining Medicare reimbursements, the dangers of temporary staffing, and the toll of corporate ownership on patient outcomes. With sharp wit, Colleen suggests tipping as a symbolic gesture of gratitude, but ultimately argues for real, systemic change to recognize and support health care workers. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise and its part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcareand its built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Colleen Naglee. She is an anesthesiologist, and todays KevinMD article is We should tip health care workers. Colleen, welcome to the show. Colleen Naglee: Thank you so much. Im so glad to be here today. All right, I so appreciate the opportunity. Kevin Pho: Just briefly share your story and then talk about the KevinMD article for those who didnt get a chance to read it. ADVERTISEMENT Colleen Naglee: Great. So Im an anesthesiologist and neurointensivist working at a small academic program, and I recently graduated law school as well. So Ive really been paying a lot of attention thinking about health care systems and how to improve them, which is, you know, a huge challenge. Kevin Pho: Yeah. Taking a cue from some of the service industries. You know, if we look around to how service industries are working these days, theres a lot of dissatisfaction, you know, from everything from Starbucks to Walmart to health care. Theres nothing unique to any of those service industries, but some service industries have taken to tipping as an option. Colleen Naglee: Yeah. For instead of paying people better or improving their situations and benefits. And I thought it would be funny to see what it would look like if we applied that to health care. Of course, it sounds silly, but, you know, the idea that, hey, were a service industry too. Why dont we apply the same systems that other nonhealth care systems are using? Kevin Pho: So in your article, you talk about some of the risks that health care workers face, even though we are part of that service industry. So talk about some of the risks that we face. Colleen Naglee: Absolutely. So, its sad, but violence against health care workers has really been rising in the last couple of years, and its one of the most violent industries to work in, which isnt something that people usually associate with health care. And the laws have been slow to respond to that, where we honestly allow a lot of violence in health care cause we recognize our patients are in distress and have a lot of medical issues and psychological issues at the same time. So, you know, thinking about how prevalent it is, most people who work in health care have seen it, and its unfortunate. It would be better if we really focused more attention on how to protect health care workers in these situations. Kevin Pho: So theyre not exposed to the situations at work that honestly no one wants to be involved in. Yeah. How common is it? We certainly hear occasional cases about episodes of violence in medical centers, but its been a while since Ive been in an academic medical center or a large medical institution, so youre more in tune with it than I am. How prevalent is violence against health care workersand were not just talking about physicians, but nurses as well, right? Colleen Naglee: Absolutely. So nurses have some of the highest rates of violence, and thats because they spend a lot more time with patients than most other health care providers. If you look at one study of ER nurses that was done a couple of years ago, 100 percent of the nurses reported violence recently by a patient against them. Not saying there was necessarily harm, but there was at least an attempt to commit violence toward them. And nurses aides have the same issue, where theyre seeing a ton of violence. If you look at physicians, it depends often on specialty. So if youre a physician who works in a psych facility, your risks are very different than someone who works in an outpatient dermatology clinic. We see differences, but compared to other industries, its five times more common to be a victim of violence in health care than if youre a construction worker or, you know, a police officer. And thats a really notable statistic. Kevin Pho: So more recently, more and more guests on my podcast have been speaking out and bringing awareness to health care workplace violence. Why has it been traditionally so underreported and kind of swept under the rug? Colleen Naglee: Oh, well, theres a lot of reasons, and there have been some studies looking at why people dont report it. The first is that folks dont feel that if they report it, it will be taken seriously or anything will be done. And thats in part because the legal nature is often that we dont charge these patients with assault. The second major issue is that we recognize that our patients are in a rough situation, right? Many of them have been given medications that affect their brain, many have underlying psychiatric issues, and theyre in pain, along with other psychosocial challenges. So theres an empathy that patients lashing out in an unhealthy way is somewhat understandable given their clinical conditions. And then you have folks who just say, Look, this happens every day. Whats the point? Im always going to have patients who grab my arm or whatever, and Im just going to move on because its not worth going through that process. So its multifactorial for why theres underreporting, but its certainly a sad reality. Kevin Pho: And its not just violence against health care workers. There are just so many obstacles that really prevent health care workers from doing the best they possibly could for patients. You mentioned a few in your article: things that could affect staff morale, the takeover of private equity on various services in a hospital. So talk more about some of those issues as well. Colleen Naglee: Yeah, so, you know, Ive been in medicine for close to 20 years, and when I think about team-based dynamics, we all perform better in teams. So when you have a consistent team where everyone has a role and everyone understands their relationship to each other, and theres institutional knowledge about how to do whatever job it isand this applies to everything: the operating room, outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgical centersits all a team-based approach. Then you take that team and disrupt it by having burned-out providers and burned-out nurses, or by having high turnover of staff because theyre unhappy with their benefits, and you lose that team, you lose that morale, and ultimately you lose institutional knowledge too. Its hard to underestimate how important those things are for successful patient care because no one can do their job in a vacuum. We all rely on each other. When we cant rely on someone because weve only met them two hours ago, its much more difficult to do the right thing. Kevin Pho: And you also mentioned the impact of declining reimbursements from private insurers and Medicare. That often doesnt generate a lot of sympathy toward physicians because historically theres a perception that physicians are among the best-paid professions. But talk about how those declines in reimbursements affect physician morale. Colleen Naglee: So, you know, we push especially primary care physicians to see patients in shorter and shorter periods of time for less money, and that affects the physicianpatient relationship. If my primary care used to spend an hour with me and really understand my issues, theyd know that Im having difficulties at home and thats why Im not taking my antihypertensives. Its hard to get that in 15 minutes. So weve disrupted a lot of those relationships by tying all the work we do to reimbursement instead of the quality of care or the level of patient satisfaction. We tie so much of it to procedural expectations and quick turnover of patient visits. That really diminishes our relationship with each other and with our patients. Kevin Pho: So whats kept you going, though? You have a unique perspective, obviously, from that law background, and youve been in medicine for 20 years. Where do you see this going? You have, certainly in other service industries, like you said, symbolic gestures like tipping, but in health care that seems a little superficial, and we need more systemic change. So where do you see this leading eventually? Colleen Naglee: Well, Id hope that theres more recognition at a national level that we need to look again at how we provide health carehow do we provide for all Americans, how do we deal with insurance companies and big pharma. I think its time for a radical, revolutionary approach to how we do health care. I recognize that every couple of years someone tries to revise how health care is done, but I think were overdue. We provide in the U.S. some of the worst care for the amount of money we spend, and I feel like its time. I dont know where the tipping point lies, when we finally say as a country were ready to revise how we consider health care, but I would love to reach that point, and Id love to be part of that solution. I really hope to inspire people to start thinking that there are alternatives and many different ways to deliver health care. If you look all over the world, there are probably better delivery models than what were doing currently. Kevin Pho: So tell us a story about things that youve seen in your own medical institution or youve heard from colleagues that really moved the needle in terms of health care workers being better appreciated or something that really helped with morale. What have you seen work? Colleen Naglee: What have I seen work? Thats a great question. I think recognition from the top really matters. When your boss says you do a good job, youre happy, right? When your friend says you did a good job, youre like, oh, thats cool. It doesnt have to come with money, but I think acknowledging the work that we all do and rewarding people who do a good job is important. I have seen examples where, during COVID, for example, when everyones really burned out and unhappy, just an email from my boss saying I did a good job would have meant the world to me. Instead, its an email with another protocol to follow. Recognition and acknowledgement of the work we all put in play a big role in our satisfaction. I read once that people leave their jobs for two reasons: money and because they dont like their boss. Ive always thought if we put more energy into how we treat each other, we could get a better solution and help each other feel more satisfied with our work every day. Kevin Pho: That seems like a pretty common-sense approach. We do not see that happen enough, where our superiors, our colleagues, our bosses, or administration simply dont recognize the work that health care workers do enough. Colleen Naglee: I think thats totally true. If you think about our daily lives, how often are you getting rewarded by the health system for the quality of your work? Im not talking about how many UTIs, but the overall care that you provide. Its not something thats hugely focused on. Instead, we focus on throughput and things that are easy to measuredid you get into the operating room on time, did your patients fill out the Press Ganey survey after their clinic visitsrather than thinking more holistically about the care we provide, which is a radically different approach to medicine than how weve looked at it for many years. And I mentioned this earlier regarding the impact of private equity, which further increases the focus on objective metrics like revenue and really drives more of a wedge between doctor and patient. Colleen Naglee: Absolutely. I think that anytime we switch the focus from care to money, youre not going to be as happy with the way things turn out. Its great when health systems make money. Im not against making money; Im totally for it. I like to have a salary, too. But its great when we align that money with things that improve the quality of our care, and Im not sure that changing to private equity and some of the ways were handling insurance and pharmaceutical care are really doing better care. Theyre just more financially driven. Kevin Pho: What kind of advice do you have for your fellow clinicians and health care workers who may be burnt out and not feeling appreciated? Do you have any advice for them in terms of how they can continue moving forward? Colleen Naglee: Well, thats tough. For myself, Ive looked around at a lot of different health systems, and I do think some have much better systems and much better support. Id say finding a place thats the right match for you is huge, because if youre happy where you live and youre happy with your coworkers, its extremely rewarding compared to being dissatisfied. Culture makes a difference, and Id encourage people to be very thoughtful about the culture. I work with a lot of trainees, and I tell them that they are the ones who will decide the culture of the future, and we should all make a concerted effort to think about what culture we want. So how do I make a phone call to a consultant? How do I talk to a patient? How do I talk to a nurse who did something Im not super happy with? All of those things are about culture, and I tell trainees that they have to make a decision: Are you going to yell at people when you could be kind? Are you going to create protocols and systems that are good for your patients? If you do, you might be really happy with the results. So constantly be thinking about the effect you have on those around you and the way you can move the needle in the future. Kevin Pho: I talked about this topic with one of my former guests, and they mentioned the politicization of health information and the current political climate in which expertisespecifically medical expertisecan sometimes be devalued. Are you seeing some of that in your health care system and among the colleagues you talk to? Do you think that also contributes to some of the morale issues in the health care workforce? Colleen Naglee: Yeah, I think theres a great distrust among many Americans of health care systems and of physicians. Id like to write another article on that because I have lots of thoughts on it as well. But Ill say it does a disservice to all of us, and I think we bear some responsibility for it. By not listening to patients and not taking some of their concerns and their doctor Google searches seriously, theyre going to distrust us. So the street goes both ways, but the general distrust of health care workers is tough. When you have a patient and you say, This is what we should do, and they say, I dont believe you, I have patients where I say, Im sorry, your loved one is brain dead, and they say, No, theyre not. Its really difficult to get around that. I would love for us to be thinking about how we can engender more trust with Americans and provide better care. Kevin Pho: How can we do that going forward? Is it simply listening to patients more? What are some ways we can regain some of that trust? Colleen Naglee: Yeah, I think listening. And I think this goes to the restructuring of health care. If you valued our relationships with our patients more than our procedural skills, then maybe we would focus on that more in training, and after training, and in how reimbursement works. If we gave primary care physicians more time with their patients, theyd probably trust them more. I found a great study once about end-of-life care, which is something I spend a lot of time on, and if you just let the patients talk more in end-of-life conversations, they actually trusted you more and thought you were a better doctor. So listening is really an underrated skillhearing what people have to say and meeting them where they are. Instead, we meet them where we are, and thats not always as effective. Kevin Pho: We are talking to Colleen Naglee. Shes an anesthesiologist, and todays KevinMD article is We should tip health care workers. Colleen, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Colleen Naglee: All right, this is the hardest part. So Id say think about how its time to radically reassess how we look at health care and our care delivery systems. Think about whether theyre effective for both us and our patients, and whether theyre delivering the results we want. If youre honest with yourself, youd say the answer is no. Then, you know, we all play a role in advocacy and looking for how we can improve our local environments to make better health care for our patients. Kevin Pho: Colleen, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight, and thanks again for coming on the show. Colleen Naglee: Thank you. I really appreciate it. You are here: Arts Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu Vice-Rector Ana-Raluca Sassu speaks during an event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Sibiu, Romania, on April 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] The Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu held a vibrant celebration on Friday to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day, attracting more than 100 students from the university and local high schools. The event showcased a rich variety of cultural experiences, including traditional Chinese calligraphy, Guzheng performances and lectures, tea ceremonies, and themed workshops. Interactive activities such as painting Peking Opera masks, crafting herbal sachets, and sculpting traditional Chinese foods from clay offered participants a hands-on exploration of Chinese culture. Hua Yafang, charge d'affaires ad interim (a.i.) of the Chinese Embassy in Romania, emphasized the power of language in bridging cultures, saying that "learning Chinese can deepen your understanding of China's rich heritage and its dynamic development today." "The establishment of International Chinese Language Day reminds us that language learning is not only about mastering a skill, but also about opening doors to the world and the future," said Lucian Blaga University Vice-Rector Ana-Raluca Sassu. A student paints a traditional Chinese mask during an event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Sibiu, Romania, on April 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Cultural performances by faculty and students of the Confucius Institute included dances inspired by Ascending Spring Mountain and A Moment of Romance, a Guzheng solo of Liu Yang River, and concluded with a lively group rendition of Beijing Welcomes You, bringing the atmosphere to a festive climax. Eva-Maria Cazan, a second-year Chinese major, said she enjoyed practicing Chinese with her teachers and making new friends during the event. Wang Jiong, Director of the Confucius Institute, said the event aimed to inspire students by connecting language learning with cultural experiences. She added that the institute plans to further expand its outreach beyond schools and into the wider community. Since its establishment in 2007, the Confucius Institute at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu has trained approximately 35,000 learners in Chinese language and culture. Students watch a Chinese tea art demonstration during an event marking the International Chinese Language Day in Sibiu, Romania, on April 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] A contestant delivers a speech on the theme "One World, One Family" during the preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 10, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] The preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students was held in Vladivostok, Russia, on Thursday. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. After delivering speeches on the theme "One World, One Family," participants responded to questions related to China in the quiz and impromptu speech section. During the talent segment, some contestants sang Chinese songs with emotions, some dubbed scenes from the cartoon movie Ne Zha 2, while others performed recitations of classical Chinese poetry, all earning rounds of applause from the audience. Vanessa Stermer, a third-year biology student at Far Eastern Federal University, won first place. "I often read Chinese scientific literature and documents, and I also follow Chinese history," she told reporters. In his opening remarks, Wang Jun, acting consul general of the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok, expressed his hope that participants would use language as a vessel and cultural exchange as a bridge to fully experience the charm of Chinese culture through the competition, and to gain knowledge, friendship and personal growth in their journey of discovering the beauty of the Chinese language. Vladivostok Deputy Mayor Daria Stegniy said that China's successful economic and social development is widely recognized, and it is no surprise that young people are enthusiastic about learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture. "Chinese is one of the most difficult languages in the world. I want to thank the Confucius Institute for making Chinese more accessible and giving our children the opportunity to learn it in a fun and practical way," she said. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. For many, the wait for a money transfer to clear can be a frustrating experience. But in Egypt, that could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a groundbreaking new service from e & Egypt. The mobile operator has launched on April 9 the countrys first international mobile transfer service, enabling users to send and receive funds instantly through the e& Cash wallet appno more visiting branches or dealing with third-party agents. The service currently connects Egypt with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with plans for further expansion into additional countries. The new service is a major step toward simplifying cross-border remittances and expanding financial access. With the use of its regional infrastructure, e& Egypt allows users to send money to family members in Egypt, who can instantly access it via their mobile phones. No waiting, no queuesjust an immediate notification that funds are ready to be used. This development is part of a wider trend of digital innovation in Egypts financial sector, where mobile wallets, prepaid cards, and bank accounts are becoming more common, contributing to a rise in financial inclusion across the nation. In recent years, Egypt has made significant strides in adopting digital financial tools. Between 2016 and 2024, the number of Egyptians with transactional accounts increased by over 200%, with more than 52 million people now holding accounts. The fintech sector in Egypt is also flourishing, with over 177 fintech startups reported in 2022, positioning the country as a key fintech hub in North Africa. This move towards digital-first financial services is not unique to Egypt; other African countries, such as South Sudan and Somalia, have also launched their own instant payment systems in 2025, further solidifying the continents shift towards modernizing financial infrastructure. You are here: Business 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. Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, called for the strengthening of Africas voice in international social policies. Speaking at the 11th Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (April 9-11 in Kampala), in a pre-recorded video, in his capacity as co-facilitator of the UN intergovernmental preparatory process of the Second World Summit for Social Developments Political Declaration, Hilale stressed that the Africa Regional Forum continues to play a key role as a dynamic framework for collaboration, bringing together governments, civil society, academia, the private sector and other key players, adding that the contributions made at the Forum will play a fundamental role in the preparatory process for the Doha Summit. Welcoming the participants call to promote solutions that address Africas social developments priorities, namely eliminating poverty, full employment and a decent work for everyone, inclusion, and improving living conditions, Hilale stressed the importance of active participation from all African stakeholders, to face the current great challenges, such as climate change, demographic evolutions, and digitization. For him it is crucial, 30 years after the First World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, to design efficient responses and to explore promising avenues for social development to guarantee a prosperous future to the African continent. African countries collectively bear the responsibility of seizing new opportunities and facing emerging challenges, he underscored, adding that the Doha Summit comes at a crucial time for Africa, a continent with great wealth of human and natural resources, an immense potential to offer and a key role to play in worldwide development transformation. The Second World Summit for Social Development will be an opportunity to reaffirm the Copenhagen Declaration and its Program of Action, while injecting fresh impetus into accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he maintained, adding that the event represents a valuable opportunity to capitalize on the progress made and build a forward-looking vision of social development. Hilale also stressed that the preparatory process for the Summits Political Declaration is underway, pointing out that this intergovernmental process will be conducted in an open, inclusive and transparent manner, with the aim of producing a consensual, concise and action-oriented declaration. The 2025 Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD), focused on the theme Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, was held ahead of the 2025 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which will focus on the theme Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind. The Forum provided a platform to assess progress and exchange knowledge, best practices, and policy solutions to support the 2030 Agenda, in line with regional priorities. The Forum conducted in-depth review of SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (life below water), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals). The Forum also provided support to countries presenting their voluntary national reviews (VNRs) at the 2025 HLPF. The forum was organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Government of Uganda in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the UN system organizations. 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: RF._.studio _ from Pexels US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement of a vast study to reveal the cause of a so-called autism "epidemic" has alarmed medical experts, who fear it could rekindle thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories about vaccines. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic who has long promoted disproven theories linking childhood vaccines to autism, said Thursday that hundreds of scientists would determine by September why autism rates have been rising. "And we'll be able to eliminate those exposures," he added, in a comment widely considered to be a reference to vaccines. However autism organizations, doctors and scientists rejected the idea that there is an "autism epidemic," saying five months was not enough time for such a studyand that this subject has already been extensively looked at. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a US nonprofit, said Kennedy's announcement was a "clear signal" that the health department "intends to produce rigged and fraudulent research that supports Kennedy and (US President Donald) Trump's pre-existing beliefs in a connection between autism and vaccines." Hugo Peyre, a child psychiatrist at University Hospital of Montpellier in France, told AFP that Kennedy's comments demonstrated "ignorance of the scientific literature." Dozens of scientific studies over decades have confirmed that there is no link between autism and vaccines. Genetic, environmental factors There is no single known cause for autism, a complex condition related to the development of the brain which can affect how people behave, communicate, learn and interact with others. There are likely many factors that make children more likely to have autism, including genetic and environmental factors, according to the World Health Organization. "Nearly 200 genes have been associated with autism, and approximately 80% of autism cases can be linked to genetic mutations," Thomas Bourgeron, head of the human genetics and cognitive functions lab at France's Pasteur Institute, told AFP. Yet vaccine skeptics including Kennedy have repeatedly promoted the debunked conspiracy theory that there is a link between the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and autism. This claim dates back to a retracted and repeatedly refuted study by Andrew Wakefield, a British doctor who was struck off the medical register for serious professional misconduct. Yet this misinformation still spreads widely on social media, which can lead to lower vaccination rates. During a measles outbreak in the southwestern United States, the vast majority of patients have been unvaccinated, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A second child died during the outbreak last week. Why are autism cases rising? A key argument put forth by vaccine skeptics is that autism cases have been soaring. Around 1% of children are autistic, the World Health Organization estimates. That is up from 0.62% in 2012, according to a 2022 study. In the US, the rate of autism in children born in 1992 was one in 150, which rose to one in 36 for those born in 2012, according to the CDC. The rising number of autism diagnoses is partly due to growing awareness about the condition, experts say. And in the last couple of decades, milder forms of autism and related conditions have been folded into the umbrella term of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). So for Peyre, it is beyond the pale to speak about an "autism epidemic." There is an important distinction between how many people actually have autism, "which corresponds to the state of health of the population and which seems to be stable," and how many people are being diagnosed, he emphasized. Even if autism diagnoses have "increased dramatically since the early 2000s," this does not mean "that children are sicker," he explained. Bourgeron said that "diagnostic criteria have changed dramatically in recent decades, with greater consideration given to people without intellectual disabilitiesand better detection in girls." "Health care professionals and families are also much more attentive to autism spectrum disorders," Peyre added. Everyone agrees that more research is needed on the subject, with Peyre pointing in particular to a need to better understand risk factors before birth and the weeks afterwards. But "the factors identified by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have already been dismissed by the scientific community with very high-quality studies," he added. 2025 AFP NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 12: HELL ENERGY DRINK, one of the fastest-growing Energy Drink brands in the world, kicks off their grand-scale and exciting global consumer contest in India. Following the resounding success in their international markets, HELL ENERGY DRINK now invites consumers in India to participate in and get an opportunity to win over 10,000 daily and weekly prizes. In addition, participants will automatically be eligible for the draw for a grand prize. With prizes ranging from a luxury car to iPhones to a chance to have dinner with internationally renowned actor and the global brand ambassador of HELL ENERGY DRINK - Michele Morrone, the campaign promises to make one 'hell' of a ride. What you can win: * Grand prize: a brand-new luxury car * Weekly prizes: iPhone 16, cabin trolley bags, 1.2 litre stylish cool cups and a few lucky winners will get an invite for exclusive dinner with Michele Morrone in Mumbai * Daily prizes: Designer backpacks and stylish sneakers From 07 April 2025 till 30 May 2025, consumers across the country can participate in the contest through the purchase of any of HELL ENERGY DRINK promotional can - HELL CLASSIC, HELL WATERMELON AND HELL APPLE. These promotional cans feature Michele Morrone's iconic tattoos including the mythical Phoenix, two swords and more. Participation is very easy: * Purchase the promotional HELL ENERGY DRINK can * Register at www.winwithhell.in * Upload the unique code found under the tab * Save the tabs to claim your prize - Remember you can win Grand Prize - LUXURY CAR! The small aluminium tab is not just the can opener. It is your ticket to winning big prizes. So, Save the Tabs! Adrienn Popovics, Marketing Director, HELL ENERGY Hungary Ltd. shared her thoughts on the launch, "India is one of our most dynamic markets with an immense growth potential. This campaign is a milestone for the brand, marking our very first large-scale campaign in India. Building on the success of this campaign across several of our global markets, we are excited and looking forward to seeing how India, with its unmatched vibrancy and spirit, makes it their own." Commenting on WIN WITH HELL campaign, Unnikannan Gangadharan, Director, HELL-ENERGY PRIVATE LIMITED, said, "We are beyond thrilled to be launching our biggest-ever consumer campaign for HELL ENERGY DRINK in India. Through 'WIN WITH HELL' we want to create an unforgettable experience for our consumers. India is a lively and vibrant market, and we wanted the campaign to resonate with the pulse of the people and reward them with a momentous, exciting experience." WIN WITH HELL campaign is backed by a bold marketing push featuring TV and digital ads, influencer campaigns, and a strong social media presence to ensure no one misses the chance to WIN WITH HELL! HELL ENERGY is one of the fastest-growing FMCG brands in the world. Founded in 2006, the 100% Hungarian brand became Hungary's market leader by 2010 and currently exports to 60+ countries. It holds market leadership in, among others, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Slovakia. HELL ENERGY's success is driven by excellent quality, good value for money, wide availability, and world-class marketing communication. As a unique player in the energy drink sector, it is the only brand with a market-leading presence in several countries, its own ultramodern filling factory, and an aluminium beverage can factory - ensuring an unparalleled strategic position globally. For more information, visit www.hellenergy.com/ind. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], April 12: In a landmark moment for India's education and technology sectors, GeniusMentor, the world's first fully Super AI-powered personalized learning platform, was officially launched today at the 5th edition of the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit & Awards (GAISA 2025). While GeniusMentor currently delivers fully AI-powered learning, their mission extends beyond automation-to empower teachers with AI tools that enhance creativity, student connection, and real-world relevance. The platform's patented AI engine curates each learner's trip according to their unique learning style, pace, and comprehension capacity. GeniusMentor makes sure that every student has a teacher by their side whenever they need one, whether that means revisiting a concept at midnight or answering a question in real time. "GeniusMentor is not just another EdTech product - it is a movement. A reimagining of education where each student has their own personal AI teacher, available 24/7, who evolves with them," said Mridu Andotra, Founder & CEO, GeniusMentor. "We are proud to introduce it at GAISA, where the brightest minds in AI converge to shape the future." Rooted in the mantra "One Teacher. One Student. One Future.", GeniusMentor offers an unprecedented level of customization. Every lesson, assessment, and feedback loop is crafted by its proprietary AI engine - ensuring every student receives a path that is uniquely theirs. The platform caters to diverse topics across disciplines and is built to scale from students to universities and lifelong learners. GeniusMentor tackles a critical issue as India prepares for an educational revolution: the disconnect between conventional educational systems and the changing needs of a tech-driven global economy. The creation of the platform is in line with the national movement to integrate AI into education, which has been emphasized in recent policy debates and union budget objectives. "This is a pivotal moment for India's EdTech industry," added Mridu. "With GeniusMentor, we're not only making personalized education accessible -- we're redefining what's possible in the classroom, at home, and on the go." GeniusMentor stands on three transformative pillars - Affordability, Personalization, and Skill-Driven Learning. With no recurring human teaching costs and only computational overhead, the platform redefines cost-efficiency - making high-quality, personalized education accessible at a much affordable price . GeniusMentor empowers learners not just to pass exams, but to build skills, solve problems, and apply knowledge in the real world. GeniusMentor is a revolutionary e-learning company dedicated to transforming learning experiences through Artificial Super-Intelligence (Super AI). As the world's first fully adaptive AI-powered education platform, GeniusMentor offers learners a real-time, personalized, and immersive learning journey tailored to their unique pace and style. Unlike traditional learning platforms, which adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, GeniusMentor leverages advanced AI algorithms and deep learning models and knowledge graphs to provide a truly individualized experience. The platform intelligently assesses each student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning preferences, delivering customized content, interactive AI-powered tutoring, and instant feedback to optimize educational outcomes. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], April 12: Got Tea, India's leading premium matcha and bubble tea brand, has recently opened doors to its first cafe in Bangalore, located in HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar. Designed as a peaceful haven for urban millennials and Gen Z consumers, the cafe features a thoughtfully curated menu, including freshly crafted matcha beverages, K-toasts, Korean salt bread, indulgent desserts, and its signature bubble tea. As matcha rapidly gains popularity in India-especially among professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and young parents-Got Tea is on a mission to make high-quality, authentic matcha more accessible. Sourced directly from Shizuoka, Japan, Got Tea's matcha maintains a consistent flavor profile while remaining affordable. The brand envisions making matcha an everyday ritual rather than a luxury, reflected in its diverse menu in Bangalore-which includes offerings like Matcha Lemonade, Vanilla Bean Matcha, and desserts such as Matcha Cookies and Financiers. Founded by three high school friends-Yu Sung, Armaan, and Joseph-Got Tea was born from a shared passion for introducing India to authentic Asian tea culture, with its rich flavors and heritage. Since its inception, Got Tea has received an overwhelmingly positive response across its Delhi-NCR outlets. Customers appreciate the cafes' warm, cozy ambiance, customizable beverages, and high-quality matcha, which has helped overturn the stereotype of matcha being bitter or tasteless. Yu Sung Eo, Founder of Got Tea, expressed his excitement about the launch "Bringing Got Tea to Bangalore is more than just opening another outlet-it's about introducing a new culture of tea appreciation to a city that thrives on innovation and flavor. We're excited to share our passion for authentic, handcrafted bubble tea with a whole new community, and we can't wait to see Bangaloreans make Got Tea a part of their everyday moments." Located in the bustling neighborhood of Kalyan Nagar, the cafe offers a cozy, modern ambiance-perfect for casual hangouts, work sessions, or simply unwinding with a delicious cup of tea. The brand remains committed to using fresh ingredients, sustainable practices, and an uncompromising approach to quality. The newly opened space invites Bangalore residents to sip, savor, and experience fresh matcha and bubble tea like never before. Paired with handcrafted Korean bakes and savory treats, Got Tea's offerings align with its broader vision: to bring moments of peace and joy into everyday life. Got Tea is a pioneering bubble tea and Matcha brand dedicated to bringing high quality authentic flavors to Indian audiences with a contemporary twist. Founded by a group of passionate tea enthusiasts - Yu Sung Eo, Armaan Bindra and Joseph Touthang - the brand focuses on handcrafted, high-quality beverages made from premium ingredients. With a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and customer experience, Got Tea has quickly become a favorite among tea lovers. Expanding from its roots in Delhi-NCR, the brand continues to introduce new communities to the rich and diverse world of bubble tea. For more information, visit www.gottea.in. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) A new regular direct flight will be launched between Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Madrid, the capital of Spain, starting April 27. Sichuan Airlines will operate this route with four weekly round trips on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. This marks the airline's first direct service to Spain, enhancing air connectivity between western China and Spain, according to the company. Flights will depart from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport at 1:40 a.m. Beijing Time, arriving in Madrid at 8:50 a.m. local time. Return flights will leave Madrid at 11:05 a.m. local time, landing in Chengdu at 5:00 a.m. Beijing Time the following day. The route will address the lack of direct post-pandemic flights from Chengdu to Spain, where travelers currently rely on transfers via Beijing, Shanghai or European hubs, said Sichuan Province Airport Group Co., Ltd. A megacity with over 21 million residents and part of the fast-growing Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone, Chengdu has strong ties with Spain, notably establishing an international friendly cooperation partnership with Madrid in September 2022. These ties extend across cultural and educational spheres -- from thriving Spanish language programs at Sichuan University to growing local demand for Spanish wines in Chengdu's vibrant market. NewsVoir Geneva [Switzerland], April 12: Dr. Kanans Visvanats, an internationally acclaimed researcher and thought leader, has been appointed as Principal Researcher for the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD). His Engagement with the UN Set to Drive Transformative Progress in Scientific Research. Currently serving as a Garwood Innovation Fellow at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, and a Senior Research Scholar at the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Visvanats is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions in scientific research, innovation, and strategic development. His extensive expertise in academia, global policymaking, and technological innovation positions him as a driving force behind transformative solutions to contemporary global challenges. Latvia is emerging as a pivotal destination for scientific research and technological innovation, affirmed Dr. Kannan Kanans Visvanats, Principal Researcher for the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD). "With a strategic focus on innovation-driven economic growth, Latvia is solidifying its position as a premier hub for cutting-edge advancements. Latvia's strategic focus on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and export-driven growth is set to accelerate advancements in scientific research and technological innovation. As global investors recognize Latvia's business-friendly environment and innovation potential, the nation is fast becoming a key player in cutting-edge industries, paving the way for sustainable economic expansion. FDI & Exports will be the mantra for Latvia's Growth in Science & Technology". Said Dr. Kannan Kanans Visvanats. Latvia's dedication to fostering innovation has been recognized globally, as reflected in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, where the country is ranked 42nd. It excels in key innovation indicators, including infrastructure, creative outputs, business sophistication, and institutional framework, highlighting its transformation into an emerging innovation powerhouse. Economic Growth & Innovation Impact Latvia's dynamic approach to economic transformation emphasizes technological development and innovation as key drivers. As a small yet agile economy, the nation capitalizes on technological advancements, productivity improvements, and strategic investments to maintain competitiveness. * According to World Economics, Latvia's GDP in 2024 is estimated at $87 billion (PPP), with a projected increase to $89 billion in 2025-a 21% surge compared to World Bank estimates. * Latvia's investment appeal continues to grow, with active Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) reaching 4.2% of nominal GDP in December 2024, compared to 3.1% in the previous quarter. * The Latvia Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) facilitated 45 new investment projects worth 655.4 million euros, creating over 2,000 high-quality jobs across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, IT, renewable energy, and aviation. Booming Foreign Investment & Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Latvia's investor-friendly environment has led to an unprecedented surge in foreign investments: * Active foreign investment projects have risen from 4 billion euros in 2023 to approximately 11 billion euros in 2024, demonstrating a 175% increase. * The strategic use of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has played a crucial role in attracting global investors, offering tax incentives and streamlined regulatory frameworks that enhance Latvia's competitiveness. Latvia's Innovation Momentum With a clear commitment to innovation and economic expansion, Latvia is positioning itself as a European leader in technology-driven growth, attracting world-class scientists, investors, and entrepreneurs. The nation's forward-thinking policies and strategic initiatives underscore its ability to shape the future of research and industry on the global stage. Dr Kanans Visvanats has made significant contributions to the fields of innovation and Academic Research. Dr Kanans Visvanats is a Garwood Innovation Fellow at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, and a Senior Research Scholar at the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Dr Kanans Visvanats holds the prestigious title of Research Fellow at the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK. Dr Kanans Visvanats has made remarkable intellect and groundbreaking contributions have solidified his position as a driving force behind innovative scientific research. Dr. Visvanats epitomizes the values of global progress, leveraging his expertise to address critical challenges and foster sustainable development. With a mission to advance humanity through science and technology, his work at the CSTD inspires generations to dream beyond boundaries and strive for excellence. Dr Kanans Visvanats has been honored with prestigious awards such as the Albert Schweitzer Medal in Science and the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award. He is also a co-author of the book Smart Villages - A Game-Changing Innovation in Social Engineering. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], April 12: In a bold move to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence among India's 65 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Fixit, a fast-growing agentic AI platform, has secured a strategic investment from the Government of India, facilitated by iHub Anubhuti at IIIT-Delhi. This milestone not only validates Fixit's vision but also signals the government's growing commitment to supporting tech innovation that empowers grassroots entrepreneurship. Enabling India's Small Businesses to Compete With AI Artificial Intelligence has already reshaped the way large enterprises operate--driving efficiencies, optimizing sales, and transforming customer experiences. But for MSMEs, the adoption of AI has remained limited, often due to high costs, complexity, and lack of tailored solutions. Fixit is on a mission to bridge this digital divide--bringing powerful, intuitive, and affordable AI tools to the backbone of India's economy. With this new investment, the company will: * Develop advanced AI agents tailored to address the daily operational and customer-facing challenges faced by small and medium businesses * Automate customer interactions--from sales to support--allowing businesses to scale without proportional increases in manpower * Deliver actionable insights and compliance tools, using AI to reduce manual work and improve overall operational health * Create multilingual support capabilities, making AI accessible to businesses operating in regional languages across the country "Our vision is that AI should be accessible, affordable, and impactful for every local business," said Tameesh Sood, Founder & CEO of Fixit. "This funding allows us to build smarter, more intuitive AI tools that help MSMEs sell better, serve faster, and grow stronger." A Vision Aligned With Digital India This strategic funding, channeled through iHub Anubhuti at IIIT-Delhi, is part of a broader initiative to support innovation that aligns with the goals of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. The aim is to fuel technologies that not only solve real problems but are also scalable and inclusive. "We're incredibly grateful to the team at iHub Anubhuti for recognizing the potential of Fixit," Tameesh added. "Their belief in our mission allows us to go further and faster in building the kind of AI that uplifts the millions of entrepreneurs who form the heart of our economy." About Fixit Fixit is an agentic AI platform built to help businesses analyze conversations, automate workflows, and elevate customer engagement. Designed with the unique needs of MSMEs in mind, Fixit empowers teams with real-time insights, intelligent automation, and multilingual support--making enterprise-grade AI accessible to even the smallest businesses. By bridging the digital divide, Fixit is driving the next wave of growth and transformation for India's vibrant small business ecosystem. Media Contact: Tameesh Sood Founder & CEO, FiXit tameesh@fix-it.ai (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) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 12: Every day, as we walk safely down the city streets, we feel the comforting assurance that someone is always there to protect us. When night falls, that sense of security deepens, reminding us that our city police stand vigilant-guardians who protect us, uphold law and order, and ensure even the most vulnerable also feel safe. But even the bravest need the right tools to carry out their duty. * This CSR effort is a part of a series of initiatives planned by Kaizen Que Pvt. Ltd for community welfare Kaizen Que Pvt. Ltd., celebrates community growth and honors the dedicated police force. They are proud to launch a CSR initiative to upgrade the Hulimavu Police Station in Bengaluru with state-of-the-art technology featuring desktops and laptops powered by high-end processors to enhance mobility and their productivity including all-in-one printers to make their work smooth. It's a heartfelt thank-you to those who protect us every day. Commenting on the initiative, Piyush Gupta, Director, Kaizen Que Pvt. Ltd., said, "We believe that access to efficient technology makes a big difference in daily operations. Our police personnel work for long hours and this initiative is a small step towards helping them with seamless operations". "At the heart of our organization lies a deep belief that true progress is not just measured in profits but in the positive impact we leave on the lives around us. Our CSR initiative is not just a program; it's a reflection of our values and a heartfelt commitment to give back to the society that has given us so much", Piyush added. Kumaraswamy B G, Police Inspector at Hulimavu Police Station, said, "Having the right infrastructure can assist us with operational improvements and it can make a big difference to our daily operations. We truly appreciate Kaizen Que for their efforts and for taking a step towards improving public service infrastructure". Kaizen Que Pvt. Ltd., plans to initiate more such CSR drives that can address infrastructure gaps in essential services. The current CSR initiative was led by the company directors, Rekha Gupta, Preeti Gupta, Piyush Gupta and Pankhuri Omar. About Kaizen Que Pvt. Ltd. Kaizen Que fuses creativity with cutting-edge technology to drive unparalleled growth and maximize revenue. Serving clients in Australia, India, and the USA, they deliver marketing solutions that not only captivate audiences but also convert engagement into measurable financial success. They light the spark that sets a brand on the path to increased revenue and lasting triumph. Website: https://www.kaizenque.com/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662606/Kaizen_Que_Hulimavu_Police.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) NewsVoir Durg (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 12: KK Modi University (KKMU), a leading institution known for its focus on innovation, inclusivity, and global education standards, celebrated its first Convocation Ceremony on April 11th at Hotel Roman Park, Durg. The prestigious event was graced by the Governor of Chhattisgarh, Ramen Deka. Other dignitaries were Dr. Bina Modi, Chairperson of Modi Enterprises - KK Modi Group, Charu Modi, the Chancellor of KKMU and Dr. Monika Sethi Sharma, Vice Chancellor of the University. The event marked a significant milestone in a journey that began when the foundation stone was laid in 2015 by K.K. Modi and Dr. Bina Modi. Delivering his address on this occasion, Governor of Chhattisgarh, Ramen Deka, lauding KKMU's efforts said, "Education is the most powerful tool for transforming societies, empowering individuals and building strong nation." - Addressing the graduating batch, Dr. Bina Modi, Chairperson of Modi Enterprises - KK Modi Group, shared heartfelt reflections from her own life journey. "It fills me with pride to see KKMU grow into an institution that shapes confident, capable, and conscious leaders of tomorrow. It was my late husband's vision to provide world-class education to young minds, and I feel a deep sense of fulfilment in carrying that legacy forward. My life lessons were self-taught, but each of you has had the opportunity to learn, question, and grow on a platform that prepares you for the future," said Dr. Bina Modi. Charu Modi, Chancellor of KKMU, a driving force behind KKMU, also addressed the gathering. "KKMU is much more than a university. It is a launchpad for limitless possibilities. Our graduates are leaving with more than degrees. They are taking with them the mindset to innovate, the skills to excel, and the values to lead with purpose," said Charu Modi. The event also featured remarks by Dr. Monika Sethi Sharma, Vice Chancellor of KKMU, who spoke about the university's commitment to academic excellence and holistic development. KK Modi University continues to set benchmarks in providing world-class education through a multidisciplinary, industry-aligned, and technology-enabled curriculum. With a strong emphasis on holistic learning, global exposure, and real-world problem-solving, KKMU is rapidly emerging as a preferred destination for students who aspire to lead and innovate. Over 60 students across disciplines such as MBA, B.Tech, BBA, and BCA were awarded degrees, many of whom have already been placed in prestigious organizations including Colorbar, Big Mint, Stratview Research, ABIS, Apply Legal, Career Potli, BB Advisory, Brand Mark and GPI to name a few. Placement highlights include: Shivani Khandelwal MBA Batch 2020KKMU shaped my business foundation with hands-on learning and strong industry links.An internship at Godfrey Philips and placement at Indofil led to ISB Hyderabad today. Rajbir Kaur MBA Batch 2021My MODICARE internship strengthened my managerial abilities.KKMU's guidance helped me land a role as Assistant Manager at GPI Delhi. Vedant Wagh MBA Batch 2021An internship at Godfrey Philips sharpened my marketing skills.KKMU's placement support led me to Indofil Industries as a Sales Trainee. Pranjal Parakh MBA Batch 2021KKMU's industry integration prepared me for success at Marque Inc.The academic training built my confidence to thrive professionally. Rashmeet Kaur BBA Batch 2020"Interning at Logy AI, Hyderabad gave me real-world exposure to project management and administrative operations.KKMU's guidance played a key role in helping me become a Sr. Project Associate." Pulkit Sahu B.Tech Batch 2020"My internship at Augtech Nextwealth IT Services sharpened my coding skills through real-world projects.Thanks to KKMU's support, I've now joined as a Developer." Siddharth Mukherjee BCA Batch 2021"My internship at Codicians gave me valuable hands-on experience in the tech industry.Doing MBA at KK Modi University, where I'm exploring the blend of technology and management. These stories reflect the university's unique emphasis on internship-to-placement pathways and practical industry exposure. About KK Modi University: Established in the year 2019. With Mission Value creation by nurturing well rounded career-ready professionals and entrepreneurs through educational excellence and experience-based learning. With Vision To be a university of choice for developing future leaders and entrepreneurs. KK Modi University works on three philosophies of instruction which will help in developing Nation Building Entrepreneurs - Inner Life Skills - Life long learning, self esteem, open mindedness, mindfulness, self awareness, confidence and happiness. - Outer Life Skills - Empathy, critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, power of positive thinking and developing personality. - Career Skills - Getting expertise in domain skills, gaining practical industry experience and technical global competencies - through the best international university partners and corporate (co-op) domain partners. KK Modi University is a career-focused university that offers innovative courses to prepare students for successful careers. Recognized by UGC, the university emphasizes interaction with experienced faculty and international academic partnerships for a holistic learning experience. Based in Durg, Chhattisgarh, India and catering to national and international students, the university offers under graduate, post graduate and diploma courses across various disciplines. It has 7 Under Graduate Programs: BBA, B Com(H), B Tech CSE, BCA, BSc. CS, B Des(H), BHM. It has 7 Post Graduate Programs: M Com, M Tech CSE, MBA, MCA, PhD, MHM, M Des. It has 3 Integrated Programs: B Tech CSE + MBA, B Tech CSE + M Tech CSE, BBA + MBA. It has 6 Executive Programs: MBA, MBA Business Analytics, MBA Finance, MBA Marketing, MBA OB & HRM, MBA Production Operations. KK Modi University has International collaborations and MoUs with top ranked international universities namely UC Davis (USA), Virginia Commonwealth University (USA), Hochschule Luzern (Switzerland), Paris School of Art (France) to facilitate a wonderful opportunity to students to study abroad to gain short term multi-disciplinary experiences through our academic partnerships. KK Modi University also provides International Dual Degree opportunities for highly talented and strongly motivated students. KK Modi University's collaboration with industry partners gives the real-world, program-related work experience while pursuing education. It also helps to decide what kind of job any student might want and increase the chances of acquiring a good job (with a higher salary) as a graduate. KK Modi University has partnered with Godfrey Philips India Limited, Indofil Industries Ltd, Techment, Zomato, Dabur, TCS, Big Mint, ABIS, Augtech Nxt Wealth, Apply Legal, Stratview Research, Tech B, The Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) bringing for students, an opportunity to balance classroom theory with practical, hands-on experience prior to graduation. Spread over 25 acres, KKMU campus is designed by the world class architects Walter F Wagner, Sami Rintala, Sandip Kumar and Anna Heringer, and situated within walking distance of Shivnath river. It is also in close proximity to Raipur and the twin city of Durg - Bhilai, the educational hub of Chhattisgarh and a well-planned, fast-growing township. #KKMUConvocation #KKMUPlacements #CareerUniversityIndia For more information: kkmu.edu.in. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, a UAE parliamentarian, asserted on Friday that with any challenge comes opportunity, and the latest tariff regime in the US can be an opportune moment for India-UAE ties. "This (US tariff) brings opportunity for the relationship between our two countries. The bilateral relationship should take advantage...," the UAE politician told ANI in Dubai. "We do understand that, but at the same time, there is always opportunity. Here in the UAE, whenever there are challenges, there are opportunities. And we see that both countries, UAE and India, should try to look into the opportunity that these challenges are bringing to the world," the UAE Parliamentarian and Educator, Chairman, Defense Affairs, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee, UAE Federal National Council, said. He said that the relationship between India and UAE is strategic. "A relationship where you will have the government-government relations, private sector-private sector, and people to people. We have a history. You know, on many occasions, we don't need an agreement. The engagement is there. Actually, what the CEPA did was open new avenues for both countries and for the people, and this is where the added value is for both sides," he explained. The UAE has signed CEPA with more than 27 countries, he said. "And this is where India gets access to all these 27 countries because the UAE has signed this agreement," he supplemented. Asked whether UAE would impose any counter tariffs on the US, he said, "No". "No, no, we are not. Our culture of dealing with our friends and allies is not like that. We engage in dialogue, and we believe that through dialogue, we will able to find a solution to all these issues and challenges," he explained. Further, he said the India-UAE relationship is bright, with officials from both sides meeting regularly. "We always see more opportunity, more engagement, and the future is bright for this relationship," he said. He cited the recent India visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. "This engagement of officials from both sides is really taking our relationship to the next level. I just came from Tashkent for the parliamentary union meetings. I met with his excellency, the speaker of the Indian parliament (Om Birla). The engagement is there almost every month; every week, there's something. So our relationship with India is different," he added. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], April 12: The Meta Awakening is not just a summit--it is a spiritual and intellectual revolution. Rooted in over thirty years of in-depth research by philosopher-scientist Sri Bhupendra Chaudhary, this immersive event explores the vast and transformative landscape of Consciousness. Sri Bhupendra, a polymath with a rich academic background including multiple MBAs from top institutions like Southern New Hampshire University and Santa Clara University, and a doctorate in Philosophy, bridges the worlds of science and spirituality with profound clarity. His work moves beyond traditional religious and spiritual frameworks, offering a grounded, universal model of self-realization he terms the "Science of Spirituality." His approach is uniquely practical--bringing ancient tools like Self-Inquiry into modern relevance, creating a framework for measurable growth in consciousness and personal transformation. At its core, The Meta Awakening is a leadership and self-development summit designed to help individuals connect with their "Real Self"--the hidden, untapped genius within. It is a movement, a call to action, and a celebration of human potential. The experience leads participants on a journey through the science of Consciousness, helping them confront the limitations of their thinking and offering access to deeper wisdom, calm, and self-knowledge. The event culminates in a celebratory acknowledgment of each individual's inner genius, catalyzing their transformation into visionary leaders who can thrive in all spheres of life. As the world grapples with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, The Meta Awakening positions humanity to reclaim its unique edge--consciousness. Sri Bhupendra emphasizes that only by becoming more creative, visionary, and self-aware can humans outperform machines. Participants are introduced to powerful tools including a scientifically refined version of Self-Inquiry, which can be practiced without withdrawing from the world. This process does not require retreating into solitude but encourages thriving in everyday society while remaining deeply rooted in spiritual intelligence. The insights gained empower attendees to rise above challenges, discover their true capabilities, and align with a higher sense of purpose. The summit itself is a grand experience, hosted in the iconic Audi 1 at Bharat Mandapam. It provides a space for deep reflection, learning, and connection. Volunteers guide participants through the process, while the entire event is amplified with expansive media coverage, helping spread the impact far and wide. The program's structure includes guided exploration of consciousness, practical sessions on Self-Inquiry, and opportunities to engage with like-minded individuals striving for conscious leadership. What participants take away is not just inspiration, but tested, actionable techniques to improve clarity, emotional resilience, focus, leadership ability, and ultimately--happiness. What makes The Meta Awakening truly unique is its integration of ancient spiritual wisdom with rigorous scientific methodology. Sri Bhupendra's insights are not theoretical; they are empirically tested and designed for universal application. Regardless of one's background, faith, or profession, the tools provided can be applied instantly to generate real-world impact. This approach has already gained traction across top corporations, hospitals, and even government bodies in the United States and beyond. As a result, Meta Awakening is rapidly emerging as a global movement towards conscious living and leadership. Organizations that participate in this initiative stand to gain immensely. Not only do they empower their employees to become more conscious and productive, but they also align with a growing network of workplaces that prioritize human well-being and evolution. Meta Awakening doesn't just train people--it transforms them into resilient, purpose-driven leaders equipped to face modern challenges with clarity and creativity. It is a holistic, 360-degree approach to human development, impacting personal, relational, professional, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of life. We invite you to cover 'The Meta Awakening' - a Spiritual-Intellectual Summit by Sri Bhupendra Chaudhary, taking place on Sunday, 13th April 2025, at Audi 1, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. To register for the program, www.themetaawakening.com (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) Habib Khorakiwala, Chairman of Indian pharmaceutical company Wockhardt, on Friday said 'Zaynich,' its medicine for multi-drug resistant infections, is set to get the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approval next year. Zaynich is a novel antibiotic developed to target multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative infections. "We started our research programme 25 years ago. And today we have six drugs for multi-drug resistance," the Chairman of the Indian pharmaceutical company told ANI on the sidelines of the ongoing 'Global Justice- Love and Peace Summit' in Dubai. "We are the most successful research company, in the world, in antibiotic research today.... I think our contribution is not only making the drug affordable in India but saving many, many lives, and we will be marketing these products in the USA and Europe, and we hope that our main drug 'Zaynich' will get USFDA approval sometime next year," Habib Khorakiwala said. Reportedly, Wockhardt discovered a 100 per cent clinical cure rate among 30 critically ill patients treated with Zaynich -- a combination of Zidebactam and Cefepime -- for life-threatening, drug-resistant infections. Habib Khorakiwala, talking to ANI on Friday, also indicated that the US administration's imposition of tariffs on pharmaceutical products would be counterproductive for Americans. The US now imposes a 10 per cent baseline tariff on all imported goods. The remaining reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US on dozens of partner countries have been paused for 90 days, except for China. Faced with reciprocal tariffs, as many as 75 partner countries are actively negotiating a trade deal with the US. Wockhardt Chairman told ANI that India supplies 40 per cent of prescription drugs to the United States. "And over the years, we (India) made so much contribution in making products available at a reasonable price (in the US)," said Khorakiwala. "The whole approach would be counterproductive for the American people, mainly because when it is not easier to switch, for medicine, because the approval process by USFDA takes several years," the pharma company boss said. Against that backdrop, Habib Khorakiwala said he believes that whatever tariff comes on pharma, if at all, a significant part of it will be transferred to the American healthcare system. On Tuesday night (local time), US President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on the pharma sector were coming soon. The sector has so far been exempted from the tariffs. Further, Khorakiwala said the cost of putting a pharma facility in the US would be significantly higher. "And the cost advantage which is available (at present), would be completely reduced. India's success over the years, last 20-25 years in the US is mainly because we could meet the US requirement with the quality they want and at the price which is globally competitive, and that is our Indian strength," Khorakiwala added. On top of the manufacturing cost, Khorakiwala asserted that the research cost in the US is in multiples to that in India. "There are two aspects of costs. One is the manufacturing cost. It is about 3 to 4 times more. Second, more important in our industry is the research cost, and that is 10 to 20 times more," he argued. (ANI) NewsVoir Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 12: The 6th Saras Salil Bhojpuri Cine Awards 2025 were held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow to honour Bhojpuri film stars and the people who work behind the scenes. It was a special evening where actors, filmmakers, and crew came together to celebrate their hard work and achievements in the industry. Arvind Akela 'Kallu' won the Best Actor (Male) award for his role in Kasmein Vaade while Anjana Singh was named Best Actress for her performance in Badki Didi. The Best Film honor was shared by Hindustani, produced by Vijay Kumar Yadav, and Suryavansham, produced by Nishant Ujjwal. Rajnish Mishra earned the Best Director award for his exceptional work on Suryavansham. During this award night, it wasn't just the winners who captured attention. The event was also graced by the esteemed presence of Brijesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; Sandeep Bansal, Member of the All India Industry and Trade Board; Prabhnath Rai, Member of the All India Bhojpuri Society; Mukesh Bahadur Singh, President of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Lucknow; Pawan Singh Chauhan, President of SR Group of Education and Member of the Legislative Council; Rajesh Rai, Member of the Information Department; Surinder Singh Rajput, National Spokesperson of the Congress; and Mrs. Anita Sehgal, anchor and actress - all of whom added elegance and prestige to the venue with their presence. The night had its glamour, of course, but what stood out was the focus on the work, especially the backstage work that often goes unnoticed. Editors, set designers, lighting crews, writers, and background score artists were also given genuine appreciation on stage. This year's awards covered over 50 categories, recognising excellence in acting, directing, writing, music, production design, editing, and more. Beyond the core awards, special honours were also presented. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Vijay Khare, whose influence on Bhojpuri cinema spans decades. Speaking at the event, Paresh Nath, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Delhi Press said, "We are proud to honour the people who make Bhojpuri cinema so vibrant. These awards are a reflection of their hard work and talent. It's always a joy to see the community come together to celebrate what they love doing." Saras Salil is one of India's leading Hindi magazines, Published by Delhi Press known for its high-quality content that covers a wide range of topics, including cinema, lifestyle, culture, and social issues. With a readership that spans across India and beyond, Saras Salil has been at the forefront of promoting and celebrating various regional film industries, with a particular focus on Bhojpuri cinema. Through its awards, Saras Salil continues to be a beacon of recognition for the talent, hard work, and creativity that goes into making films that entertain and inspire audiences. For a full list of winners and event highlights, visit the official Saras Salil Awards website. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], April 12: The Indian market for PTMT Faucets, CP Faucets, and Bath ware accessories has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, with faucets being a key segment. The Indian faucet market is valued at approximately Rs30,500 crore and is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 7.40%. The demand is being driven by rapid urbanization, infrastructural development, and increasing consumer awareness regarding quality bath ware products. Additionally, government initiatives like Har Ghar Jal Yojana have played a pivotal role in accelerating the demand for reliable and high-quality Bath ware solutions, ensuring access to safe water in every household. With a strong focus on innovation and durability, Sheetal Group continues to cater to this growing demand by offering premium solutions that blend aesthetics with functionality. The rising population, increasing urban housing projects, and improved standards of living in these regions contribute to a surge in demand for high-quality and affordable faucet solutions. However, customers often find themselves at a crossroads when choosing between premium branded faucets, which come with high price tags, and local alternatives that do not meet industry standards. This is where Sheetal Group has stepped in to offer a solution that balances affordability and durability. Exclusive Interview with Bharat Aggarwal: The Visionary Behind Sheetal Group's Success In an exclusive interview, Bharat Aggarwal, the esteemed owner of Sheetal Group a well renowned brand in Water Tanks, shared insights into the company's journey and its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with customers and continuously evolving to meet market demands. Further strengthening this vision, Mr. Bharat Aggarwal has partnered with New Vision, a strategic move aimed at expanding innovation and enhancing the company's product line by Tying their hands with Mr.Devkant Parashar founder of KPar Group. This collaboration is set to bring in fresh perspectives, across India , cutting-edge technology, and a new era strategy of Devkant Parashar vision to ensuring that Sheetal Group remains at the forefront of the industry across India With 35 years of trust built on quality, reliability, and timely delivery, Sheetal Group has established itself as a leader in the industry. Its reputation for excellence extends beyond as the company is also recognized as the born father of 8-layer tanks in India, revolutionizing water storage solutions with cutting-edge technology and superior durability. One of the major challenges in the faucet industry has been gaining customer trust. Many local manufacturers fail to provide consistent quality, leading to scepticism among consumers. However, Sheetal Group has effectively tackled this issue by ensuring strict quality control measures, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, and continuous innovation. According to Mr. Bharat Aggarwal, "When we started, our mission was simple - to offer premium-quality products at a reasonable price. Over the years, we have invested in advanced technology, rigorous quality control, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. This has allowed us to build a brand that people trust. Our PTMT Fittings and CP faucets stand as a testament to our dedication to excellence." while continuing to deliver top-notch products to its customers. With a strong presence in the heart of India i.e Delhi, Sheetal Group has built an unparalleled reputation for providing high-quality Water Tanks from past 35 years and stepping into market of PTMT fittings & CP faucets that cater to a wide range of customers. Unlike many premium brands that experience declining sales due to high costs, Sheetal Group has successfully positioned itself as a reliable and cost-effective alternative. PTMT faucets of Sheetal Group are manufactured using advanced thermoplastic materials that make them resistant to corrosion, rust, and the damaging effects of hard water. This durability ensures that customers get long-lasting performance at a reasonable price, making these faucets a preferred choice in both residential and commercial sectors. Understanding that a brand's success depends on customer satisfaction, Sheetal Group has also reinforced its customer care division. The company has built a dedicated support system to ensure timely assistance and resolution of queries. Whether it is a product-related inquiry or post-installation support, Sheetal Group's customer care team ensures quick and efficient responses, which further strengthens the trust factor. "Research & Innovation: The Timeless Bond Driving Success!" Innovation is at the heart of Sheetal Group's success. The company's Research & Innovation department continuously works on enhancing product designs, improving functionality, and incorporating modern technology to keep up with evolving consumer needs. By staying ahead of industry trends, Sheetal Group has been able to introduce new and innovative PTMT faucet designs that cater to a variety of interior aesthetics while ensuring functionality, longevity, and sustainability. This commitment to innovation not only benefits end-users but also helps the company maintain its competitive edge in the market. With 35 years of trust built on quality, reliability, and timely delivery, Sheetal Group has established itself as a leader in the industry. Its reputation for excellence extends beyond as the company is also recognized as the born father of 8-layer tanks in India, revolutionizing water storage solutions with cutting-edge technology and superior durability. Sheetal Group's strategic expansion in rapidly growing cities and states has allowed the brand to establish a strong foothold in the industry. By consistently delivering value-driven products, Sheetal Group has emerged as a trusted choice for consumers in these regions. Sheetal Group PTMT fittings & CP faucets are more than just a Bath ware Accessories solution; they represent the company's commitment to affordability and durability. By maintaining high standards in manufacturing, strengthening its sales force, enhancing customer service, and investing in research & innovation, the company continues to redefine the industry landscape. As the demand for reliable and cost-effective sanitaryware solutions grows, Sheetal Group remains at the forefront, ensuring that customers do not have to compromise between quality and price. With a vision for the future and a dedication to customer satisfaction, Sheetal Group is set to revolutionize the PTMT faucet market across India. By offering a wide range of aesthetically appealing, durable, and affordable PTMT faucets, Sheetal Group has successfully built strong customer loyalty. The company's focus is not only on selling products but also on enhancing the overall customer experience by investing in various business segments. To solidify its market position and expand its reach, Sheetal Group has strengthened its sales team across India. The company has implemented extensive training programs for its sales personnel, ensuring they have in-depth knowledge of product features, customer preferences, and market trends. This has helped the company penetrate deeper into key markets. A well-trained sales force enables Sheetal Group to effectively communicate the benefits of PTMT faucets to customers, distributors, and retailers, thereby boosting sales and enhancing brand visibility. (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) New Delhi [India], April 12: If you've been searching for Vivanta Stays online and wondering whether it's trusted, legit, or worth booking with -- you're not alone. With thousands of guests and a growing reputation across India, Vivanta Stays is fast becoming one of the most reliable names in luxury villa rentals. The brand has built a strong foundation on authenticity, verified listings, and consistently positive guest reviews. Whether you're planning a family getaway, a celebration, or a corporate offsite, Vivanta Stays offers a wide range of handpicked luxury villas across destinations like Alibaug, Igatpuri, Pawna, and Lonavala. Recognized by Incredible India, supported by Bajaj Auto, and consistently reviewed as legit and dependable, Vivanta Stays brings not just comfort, but peace of mind -- something rare in the unregulated villa rental space. With hundreds of 5-star reviews from real guests, exceptional customer service, and an in-house concierge team, Vivanta Stays has redefined what it means to book a trusted luxury villa in India. So if you're Googling "Is Vivanta Stays legit?" -- the answer from thousands of happy guests is a resounding yes. For more information, please visit: https://vivantastays.com/ (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) Flash 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. 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. 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. 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. S Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Saturday said India not just wants to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a technology for itself, but to see that such emerging technologies are deployed across the world, particularly the Global South. "India not just wants to use AI as something that it can do for itself, but wants to sort of take a leadership position on behalf of the global south and seeing that it is deployed across the world," the Secretary said at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit here in the national capital. India launched the IndiaAI Mission on March 7, 2024, to bolster India's global leadership in AI and democratize the benefits of AI across all strata of society The secretary said that India has fundamentally been flexible in its approach towards AI. "Right from the beginning, we decided not to be doctrine and not to be dogmatic and say 'safety is the biggest concern. we have to regulate'," the secretary said. He said India has always felt that AI is an opportunity. "It depends on how well we use it, how we seize it, and we have to look at what the challenges are and address our challenges in making most of it," the secretary noted. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the AI Summit in Paris. India was invited to be the co-chair at the Paris summit. Next year, India will host an AI summit. The themes of the previous summits have been around safety and action. "Now we believe it is time to start talking about impact (of AI)," the secretary said. "It's been almost about two to three years of this journey, and I think many people are impatient to see actual impact, of what AI can do and what AI can deliver, and what can actually happen. And when we see, when we say impact again, I think we need to look at it in a positive framework, in terms of what it can actually deliver, the expectations and hopes in terms of what AI can do for India, a country like India, and likewise, the rest of the Global South, in terms of raising the overall productivity in various real sectors of the economy, in ensuring that there is greater efficiency and effectiveness governance, and thereby significantly improving economic growth and promoting prosperity, is the one angle that I think is foremost in India's mind and how we can actually be disruptive in enabling this through innovation," he explained how AI can have an impact on the masses. He supplemented that India AI mission takes care the entire slew of needs for the development of an AI ecosystem. India now has about 15,000 GPU worth of compute, and adding. He also spoke about latching AI with DPIs. "DPI layer interacting with AI and enabling that to actually be used more widely, so that there's even more innovation, not just at the application level, but at the agent level, agentic level, in order to take it to the next stage of how it can be applied. And this is clearly something that we can share with the rest of the world where it is needed," he added. Further, he also stressed on the need for increasing number of data centres here in India. He noted that India can be a lucrative destination for data centres. "Data center capacities will have to come up. India is a good location where this can be created. Likewise, the compute capacity where it comes up will need to be shared with other places in the world where it requires to be created. We've had discussions with the United Nations as well to see how this could be enabled. So in that sense, India not just wants to use AI as something that it can do for itself, but wants to sort of take a leadership position on behalf of the global south and seeing that it is deployed across the world," he concluded. (ANI) Sanket Bhondve, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, said on Saturday that India is doing its part to pass on the benefits of its digital public infrastructure to its friendly nations. "We can help all our friendly nations. And as the government says, the global South. We are trying our best to get the edge in this and see how in this open source and scalable way we can help our friendly nation to get the benefits of these DPIs," the joint secretary told ANI on the sidelines of the Carnegie Global Technology Summit. India has developed some world-class DPIs - UPI, Aadhaar, ONDC, and Digi Locker. Most of these DPIs are open, secure, and interoperable. India has signed MoUs with several countries for cooperation in the field of sharing digital public infrastructure so far. Among others, a key emphasis of the Indian government has been on ensuring that the benefits of Indian DPIs are not limited to India only; other countries, too, benefit from it. "So today we are on a silver lining. We have done a lot, but still, the sky is the limit," the joint secretary added. "Now onwards, we are also trying to see that the remaining pockets, the deep pockets and the remote parts, those sectors that have not been covered, we need to touch them, we need to cover them, and we need to see that every digital maverick of India, every citizen gets the benefit of DPI or digital solutions." On Saturday, S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), said that India wants to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a technology for itself and see such emerging technologies deployed worldwide, particularly in the Global South. "India not just wants to use AI as something that it can do for itself but wants to sort of take a leadership position on behalf of the global south and seeing that it is deployed across the world," the Secretary said at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit here in the national capital. India launched the IndiaAI Mission on March 7, 2024, to bolster India's global leadership in AI and democratize the benefits of AI across all strata of society The secretary said that India has fundamentally been flexible in its approach towards AI. "Right from the beginning, we decided not to be doctrine and not to be dogmatic and say 'safety is the biggest concern. We have to regulate," the secretary said. He said India has always felt that AI is an opportunity. "It depends on how well we use it, how we seize it, and we have to look at what the challenges are and address our challenges in making most of it," the secretary noted. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the AI Summit in Paris. India was invited to co-chair the Paris summit, and next year, it will host an AI summit. The themes of the previous summits have been around safety and action. "Now we believe it is time to start talking about impact [of AI]," the secretary said. He also spoke about latching AI with DPIs. "DPI layer interacting with AI and enabling that to actually be used more widely, so that there's even more innovation, not just at the application level, but at the agent level, agentic level, in order to take it to the next stage of how it can be applied. And this is clearly something that we can share with the rest of the world where it is needed," he added. Further, he stressed the need to increase the number of data centres here in India. He noted that India could be a lucrative destination for data centres. (ANI) Hamrick confirmed the news, revealing that the couple has been engaged for "two or three years," as per Billboard. https://www.instagram.com/p/C941pxbOqIs/?img_index=1 When asked about marriage, Hamrick shared, "Maybe one day we'll marry, maybe not. We are so happy in our current life that I would be too afraid to change anything," as quoted by Billboard. The couple has been together since 2014 and shares an eight-year-old son, Deveraux Octavian Basil Jagger. Hamrick recalled meeting Jagger in Japan, where The Rolling Stones and the American Ballet Theatre were both touring. "We didn't even exchange phone numbers," she said, adding, "At the time, I wasn't in a relationship, but he was." Their love was a slow burn, and they eventually began a relationship. Jagger has seven other children from previous relationships, including Karis, Jade, Elizabeth, Georgia May, James, Gabriel, and Lucas. Hamrick often features their son Deveraux on her Instagram account. (ANI) Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Saturday afternoon. As always, the actor made a stylish entry, wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and sunglasses. In videos shared by paparazzi, 'Bhaijaan' was seen escorted by security personnel. The actor, who was accompanied by his personal bodyguard Shera, was surrounded by other security guards carrying guns. Salman smiled at the photographers as he made his way inside the airport. Meanwhile, on the film front, Salman recently released Sikandar, which also stars Rashmika Mandanna in the lead role. Earlier, while speaking to ANI, Salman recalled how the project came to him and shared that it was Murugadoss who first narrated the script to producer Sajid Nadiadwala, who then reached out to him with it. "Actually, ye Murugadoss ki script thi aur Murugadoss ne Sajid Nadiadwala ko sunayi. Agle hi din Sajid ka mujhe phone aaya ki sun lena aur shayad tumhe pasand aaye," he added. "Toh maine suna... maine bola, 'Isme pasand na aane wali kya cheez hai? Kab start karoge?' Toh is prakar se ye film bani hai," Salman said. The actor also shared how his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, surprised everyone at home by deciding to attend the trailer launch event. "The love and respect he has earned are still intact. When I was leaving home to attend the trailer launch, he told me he would join me too. Every member of our family looked at Dad and asked, 'What has happened to you?' When he arrived, he climbed more than 8-10 steps to sit behind. He wanted to see the reaction of the press," Salman said. (ANI) The hit Netflix British drama series Adolescence has sparked serious conversations worldwide about how online spaces are influencing young boys today. The four-episode miniseries, created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, follows the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who was arrested for the murder of a classmate. What sets the series apart is that each episode is filmed in one continuous shot, making it a unique viewing experience. Owen Cooper, who plays Jamie, recently opened up about the series in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He shared that he hasn't watched the entire show yet, jokingly adding that watching himself onscreen, especially in schools, feels like his "worst nightmare." "I still haven't watched it either. I just don't like watching myself. And now Jack says it's going into schools... that's my worst nightmare!" Cooper went on to add that he "had no clue" about the darker side of the internet, where young boys are influenced by harmful online trends. The young actor said, "I was glad I didn't have any idea of what was going on -- the emojis and the meanings behind them. I had no clue. And I don't think my friends knew, but it's obviously happening across the country. It's not a made-up story." Meanwhile, Graham, who is the co-creator of the show, also plays Eddie Miller, the father of the accused Jamie Miller. The film is directed by Philip Barantini. The series premiered on Netflix on March 13 and has received widespread critical acclaim for its writing, direction, and performances. (ANI) Akshay Kumar-starrer 'Kesari 2' is one of the most-awaited films of this month. On Saturday, actor Rana Daggubati watched the historical courtroom drama before its release as he bought the Telugu rights of the film, and he is all praise for it. Taking to Instagram, Rana wrote, "Just watched an incredible historical courtroom drama -- Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh. A powerful, important film that stands tall and stays deep with the Indian in you. This is storytelling that deserves to be seen across languages. We @SureshProductions will do everything we can to bring this cinematic gem to Telugu audiences in the best way in cinemas. A must-watch. And great performances by @akshaykumar @actormaddy @ananyapanday #KesariChapter2." https://www.instagram.com/p/DIWHhwmyhtW/ Kesari Chapter 2 will focus on the untold story of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The first part, which was released in 2019, followed the events leading to the Battle of Saragarhi, a battle between 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army and 10,000 Afridi and Orakzai Pashtun tribesmen in 1897. Parineeti Chopra played a pivotal role in the first chapter. The lead star, Akshay Kumar, will play the legendary advocate C Sankaran Nair in the film, which will be released on April 18. Actors R. Madhavan and Ananya Panday are also a part of 'Kesari 2'. (ANI) Before Jason Isaacs became known for his role in 'The White Lotus', he was already familiar to many as Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter series. And for Tom Felton, who played his on-screen son Draco Malfoy, Isaacs will always be "Dad." While speaking to People ahead of the opening of the new Harry Potter Shop in Chicago, Felton, 37, opened up about how close he still is with Isaacs. "I still call him 'Dad.' So we're very close," Felton told People. Felton shared that the last time he saw Isaacs, the actor was about to leave for Thailand to shoot The White Lotus. "I was thrilled to watch him do his thing," Felton added. Talking about the show, Felton said, "It was great. I'm a big fan of the show, and the cinematography is so beautiful. Wickedly complex character storylines. I've had a lot of fun watching it. And Mike White is fantastic." He also spoke about the upcoming Harry Potter project at HBO, though he said the cast hasn't talked about it yet. "I think we're all very excited to see the wizarding world continue. I look forward to knocking on young Draco's door and surprising him, or something like that," Felton told People. Tom Felton rose to fame with his role in the Harry Potter film series, where he played Draco Malfoy. The actor, who appeared in all eight films, became a key antagonist and a popular figure within the franchise. (ANI) Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai on Friday expressed heartfelt gratitude to Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah for his encouraging words and support for the party's efforts in the state. He said that the Bharatiya Janata Party has always prioritised the interests of Tamil Nadu and the nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taking to X, Annamalai credited the party's growth and resilience in Tamil Nadu to the collective leadership of Prime Minister Modi, BJP National President JP Nadda, and General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh, highlighting their strategic guidance and commitment. https://x.com/annamalai_k/status/1910744822249410887 "Grateful to our Hon Home Minister & Minister of Cooperation, Thiru @AmitShah avl, for his kind & encouraging words for Team @BJP4TamilNadu. Under the visionary leadership of our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl, the steadfast guidance of our National President Thiru @JPNadda avl, your continued support at all times and the invaluable support of our General Secretary (Org) Thiru @blsanthosh avl, @BJP4TamilNadu have always put our state and country's interest first." "Our senior leaders had toiled; Our Karyakartas have fought like lions in the field, taking on the draconian and evil DMK on an everyday basis - issue by issue." "All of these are only to realise the clarion call of good governance and Viksit Bharat 2047 given by our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl, who is a once-in-a-generation leader," Annamali wrote on X. Reflecting on his own political journey, Annamali praised the NDA government: "BJP4India has given me more than I deserve. The only way I can repay is to work even harder." He further wrote, "As a proud karyakartha, I remain committed to serving our nation and the loving people of Tamil Nadu. I extend my heartfelt wishes to Thiru @NainarBJP avl on his nomination for the State President of @BJP4TamilNadu and am confident that, under his leadership and experience, the party will continue its remarkable journey of growth and service." "NDA will come to power in 2026 and realise TN people's expectations and aspirations!" the post added on X. In a recent development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (AIADMK) entry into the NDA alliance on Friday. He said the partnership will work to build a new government in Tamil Nadu and uproot the ruling government, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). He said the NDA will follow the path of MGR and Jayalalithaa and protect Tamil Nadu's identity. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1910733697982103943 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. The AIADMK has struggled to perform strongly in the previous two elections, the Lok Sabha and the last assembly polls. The AIADMK entered into an alliance with the BJP after the passing of J Jayalalithaa in 2016. (ANI) Nagpur Rural Superintendent of Police Harsh Poddar said on Saturday said the explosion occurred inside the factory's polished tubing unit while 87 workers were present at the site. "This factory is located in Umred taluka of Nagpur. There was an explosion in the factory's polished tubing unit. The fire has not been completely controlled. The fire department is present at the spot, and fire engines are working to extinguish the fire," Poddar told ANI. He further added, "A total of 87 people were present inside (during the explosion). Eight people have been reported injured... After the fire is extinguished, an investigation will be conducted inside. It is difficult to go inside where the fire has occurred." According to the fire department, a fire broke out on Friday evening in an aluminum foil manufacturing unit in Umred MIDC in the Nagpur district. Speaking to ANI, Police Inspector Dhanaji Jalak said, "Six people were injured, and two of them are in critical condition. They have been shifted to Nagpur Government Medical College and Hospital." As per the officials, fire tenders rushed to the spot to control the fire. No casualties were reported. The reasons for the fire are yet to be ascertained. Further information on the incident is awaited. Earlier in this week, A fire broke out at on the rooftop of Phoenix Mall on LBS Road opposite Kurla Fire Station in Mumbai. (ANI) In the visuals, devotees were seen standing in the queue, waiting for their chance to offer prayers. Meanwhile, devotees offered prayers and took a holy dip in the Saryu River as they arrived at Ram Temple in Ayodhya on the occasion. The devotees also arrived at Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. Several devotees also gathered at the Hanuman Temple in Lucknow on the occasion to offer their prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman, who is known for his unwavering devotion, courage, and strength. Moreover, the devotees arrived at Shri Koranti Hanuman Temple, Kalaburagi, in Karnataka, and offered prayers to Lord Hanuman. Jabalpur's Pachmatha temple had prepared a special Maha Thali with 56 traditional dishes from across India and a massive 5,000 kg laddu. Marking its silver jubilee, the Hanuman Mandir Seva Samiti and Mahila Mandal are set to organise a grand three-day celebration The thali reflects the idea of "unity in diversity," bringing together regional favourites on a single sacred platter. There's dry fruit from Kashmir, fafda-jalebi and dhokla from Gujarat, layiya from Uttar Pradesh, Banarasi paan and lassi, bel sharbat, and even Bihar's signature litti-chokha. Hanuman Jayanti or Hanuman Janmotsav celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, an ardent follower of Lord Ram. Hanuman Jayanti marks the birth of Lord Hanuman and is observed on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra, which occurs in March or April. It also goes by the name Chaitra Poornima. On this auspicious occasion, devotees across the world keep fast and offer puja to the deity. Devotees chant Hanuman Mantras to form a deeper connection with Lord Hanuman. The festivities are marked by colourful processions, cultural performances and the sharing of prasad. On this auspicious occasion, devotees across the world keep fast and offer puja to the deity. Devotees chant Hanuman Mantras to appease Sankatmochan and form a deeper connection with Lord Hanuman. (ANI) Flash 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) 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. Assam Police's Special Task Force (STF) seized drugs worth Rs 4 crore and arrested 4 people from a bus at the Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) in Guwahati on the suspicions of drug smuggling, officials said on Saturday. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa said that officials seized 455 grams of heroin from the 4 people after intercepting the bus at the terminal. "In a targeted anti-narcotics operation, @STFAssam intercepted a vehicle at ISBT based on specific intel regarding heroin trafficking from a neighbouring state to Guwahati. Recovery: 455 gms Heroin worth Rs4 crore Arrested: 4 People." https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1910746947083808879 According to Assam Police, source information was received that narcotics would be transported from a neighbouring state to Guwahati in a bus and that the drivers and handyman would be carrying the same in lieu of a huge amount of money. "Further, the recipient of the narcotics was one Jiaur Rahman of Howly, who would receive the consignment for supply in Lower Assam, Rangia, Hajo police station, etc. Based on the input, a team of STF, Assam, launched an operation, and it was found that the bus was parked at ISBT. The bus was checked, and 35 packets of heroin weighing 455 grams without soap box cover were recovered," read a statement from Rajib Saikia, CPRO of Assam police. Identifying the accused, the statement added, "One driver, Sahabuddin of Raha, two handymen, Uttam Nath of Bokolia and Safiur Rahman of Goalpara and one receiver named Jiaur Rahman of Howli, were arrested. The bus and narcotics have been seized." Earlier, on April 10, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the PM Modi government is "mowing down" drug cartels with "full might" and lauded the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Assam Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for their successful operations in the state. In a post on X, Amit Shah said, "The Modi govt is mowing down drug cartels with full might. In our vision to build a drug-free Bharat, our agencies launched massive operations strangling drug cartels and seized 30.4 kg of methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 24.32 crore while arresting three people in Assam. Our offensives against drugs will continue with ruthless force. Congratulations to the NCB, Assam Police, and the CRPF on this major breakthrough." (ANI) Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Friday raised concerns over what he described as "large-scale violence, anarchy, and lawlessness" in the state, attributing it to protests by a group he called "radicals" opposing the Constitution and law of the land. https://x.com/SuvenduWB/status/1910727872743878668 In a post on X, Adhikari alleged that public and private properties are being vandalized, and public safety is compromised due to unchecked mob actions. "West Bengal is 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 mob of radicals," he said. Adhikari noted that the state administration has sought BSF deployment in Murshidabad to control the situation. He urged West Bengal's Chief Secretary and Home Department Secretary to seek assistance from the Union Home Ministry. He further suggested the imposition of Article 355 in parts of Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Malda, and Birbhum districts, stating that the situation is "getting out of hand." "The Administration have reluctantly sought for the deployment of BSF Personnel in the Murshidabad District to control the mayhem. What's stopping them from seeking deployment of the Central Forces elsewhere? I would suggest the Hon'ble Chief Secretary (@chief_west) and Hon'ble Secretary of the Home Department (@HomeBengal) of West Bengal to set their ego aside and kindly approach the @HMOIndia and ask for the Central Government's assistance in controlling the situation, which is getting out of hand. Imposition of Article 355 in large stretches of areas under several Police Stations of Murshidabad, South & North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Malda, Birbhum districts has become a necessity," he added in X post. Earlier today, security was heightened in the Jangipur sub-division of West Bengal's Murshidabad district after demonstrations opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent, resulting in damage to public property. According to a police official, the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur is now under control. (ANI) A soldier was killed in an encounter with terrorists in the Akhnoor district of Jammu and Kashmir, Army officials said on Saturday. According to officials, while the Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the army was killed, an "infiltration bid" in the area was stopped by the Army. Further information about the incident is awaited. Meanwhile, Security forces neutralised 2 suspected Pakistani terrorists in the ongoing operation Chhatru in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said. Earlier on Friday, the Army had neutralised 1 suspected terrorist in 'Operation Chhatru,' with a total of 3 killed. The operation has entered its 4th day despite bad and inclement weather. It was started after a search operation launched by security forces to find suspected terrorists in the area. "In the ongoing operations at #Chhatru, Kishtwar, despite bad and inclement weather, two more Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated. A large quantity of war like stores including One AK and One M4 rifle have been recovered," read a post by the White Knight Corps.. Security forces on Tuesday had intensified search and cordon operations following the exchange of fire with terrorists in the Panjtirthi area of Kathua a day ago. Multiple surveillance and ambushes were set up in the Panjtirthi area of Kathua based on intelligence inputs in a joint operation led by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Authorities placed the entire region on high alert as the search operation continues to track down potential threats. Earlier, during the counter-terror operation 'Safiyan' in the Kathua region, four Jammu and Kashmir police personnel lost their lives in the operation, while two terrorists were gunned down. Security forces recovered war-like stores from the encounter site. The operation began on March 23, when locals reported the sighting of suspected Pakistani infiltrators in Sanyal. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal took a dig at the West Bengal government for the ongoing violence in Murshidabad over the Waqf (Amendment) Act and said that it was concerning on how the freedom of expression was being suppressed in the state and the government was not taking action. Speaking to ANI, Khandelwal said, "The West Bengal government is unable or reluctant to stop this anarchy... It is concerning the way freedom of expression is being suppressed in the state, and the government there is not doing anything... The state government should quickly take action against those who are spreading violence..." He also questioned the work of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and asked if the state government was encouraging violent activities. "This raises a question about the Chief Minister's work... Is the state government encouraging such activities by watching in silence?" the BJP MP questioned. This comes after demonstrations opposing the Waqf Act turned violent in Murshidabad and resulted in damage to public property. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. It was passed in both Houses and later received the President's assent, after which it became a law. On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Speaking on the AIADMK's decision to join the NDA for the Tamil Nadu elections, Khandelwal stated that the alliance would bring new hope for the people and that the DMK could see power slipping from their hands. "The people of Tamil Nadu are fed up with the state government... When the Assembly elections happen, the NDA government will come into power under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi like other states, and good governance will prevail... This alliance will bring new hope to the people. DMK can see the power slipping from their hands." On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that AIADMK, BJP and all the alliance parties will contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together under the National Democratic Alliance. The significant political development comes ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, to be held in 2026. (ANI) Acting on specific intelligence inputs regarding the trafficking of foreign liquor in the region, a joint area domination patrol was launched on April 10. During the operation, the team discovered 21 cases of Dagon Beer, a foreign-origin liquor, which were dumped and concealed in a jungle area near Ngur. The seized liquor was handed over to the Customs Preventive Force, Champhai. On Tuesday, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met with Anurag Garg, Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), at his office in Aizawl to discuss various strategies to combat the growing drug menace in the state. The Mizoram Chief Minister highlighted the need to strengthen efforts in addressing the influx of drugs from across the international border. He emphasised the importance of improved infrastructure and adequate manpower in the border areas to curb drug trafficking effectively. He also mentioned that the state government has made appeals to the Central Government to establish a Mizo Territorial Army under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Anurag Garg expressed that establishing a fully functioning Zonal Office in Mizoram would be beneficial and reiterated the need to strengthen the workforce. On April 6, Assam Rifles recovered weapons and explosives in Mizoram's Saiha district and apprehended a person. Assam Rifles recovered 122 detonators, 94 gelatin sticks, eight metres of safety fuze, one 12-bore rifle and ammunition. "Acting on specific intelligence of movement of arms and explosives through general area Niawhtlang village in district Saiha, Mizoram, Assam Rifles launched an operation on 06 Apr 25, apprehended an individual and recovered122 detonators, 94 gelatin sticks, eight metres of safety fuze, one 12 bore rifle and ammunition," as per an official release. "The apprehended individual and the recovered items have been handed over to Mizoram Police," the release read. (ANI) The Central Working Committee meeting of the Income Tax Employees Federation (ITEF) and the Managing Committee conference of the Income Tax Gazetted Officers Association (ITGOA) will conclude in Puri, Odisha, on Saturday. The event, which kicked off on April 11, is being held at Hotel Empires. State-level office bearers of both associations from across the country, along with their national-level leaders, are participating in the conference. During the inaugural and subject sessions, key issues concerning Income Tax Department employees, as well as broader matters related to Central Government employees, were discussed, and resolutions were adopted by the respective committees. Notable speakers at the inaugural session included Arvind Trivedi, the All India President of ITGOA; MS Vengatesan, the All India President of ITEF; Neeraja Pradhan, the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax (Administration) & Taxpayers' Service, Bhubaneswar; Umesh Mehta, the All India Vice President of the Income Tax Pensioners Association; and Sarat Kumar Dash, the Vice President of the Odisha Income Tax Pensioners Association. Ramesh Narayan Parbat, Member (A&J) (L&R) of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), New Delhi, will be attending the programme as the Chief Guest today. Income Tax Employees Federation is the organization of all non-gazetted employees in the Country's department, established in 1953. The Federation is recognized by the government of India. The present sanctioned strength of the Non-Gazetted employees in the Department is 45000. All non-gazetted employees are primary members of the Organisation. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Saturday took part in a shobha yatra on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti in Varanasi and said that for the past 25 years, they have been celebrating Hanuman Jayanti in this way. "We have been celebrating Hanuman Jayant in this way for the last 25 years in the city of Baba Vishwanath. We pray for the entire country, the state, and the people of Kashi," Rai told ANI. Devotees across the country thronged to the temples and offered prayers on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday. Several devotees also gathered at the Hanuman Temple in Lucknow on the occasion to offer their prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman, who is known for his unwavering devotion, courage, and strength. Jabalpur's Pachmatha temple had prepared a special Maha Thali with 56 traditional dishes from across India and a massive 5,000 kg laddu. Marking its silver jubilee, the Hanuman Mandir Seva Samiti and Mahila Mandal are set to organise a grand three-day celebration Hanuman Jayanti or Hanuman Janmotsav celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, an ardent follower of Lord Ram. Hanuman Jayanti marks the birth of Lord Hanuman and is observed on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra, which occurs in March or April. It also goes by the name Chaitra Poornima. On this auspicious occasion, devotees across the world keep fast and offer puja to the deity. Devotees chant Hanuman Mantras to form a deeper connection with Lord Hanuman. The festivities are marked by colourful processions, cultural performances and the sharing of prasad. On this auspicious occasion, devotees across the world keep fast and offer puja to the deity. Devotees chant Hanuman Mantras to appease Sankatmochan and form a deeper connection with Lord Hanuman. (ANI) The Indian Army's Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Subedar Kuldeep Chand of 9 Punjab laid down his life while leading a counter-infiltration operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani on Friday night. In a post on X, the Indian Army's White Knight Corps paid tribute to the fallen soldier. "General Officer Commanding (GOC), White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a counter-infiltration operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr 2025," the post read. https://x.com/Whiteknight_IA/status/1910906750464561176 "His team's valour and Sub Kuldeep's ultimate sacrifice foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief," the Corps added. Meanwhile, the White Knight Corps earlier confirmed that two more Pakistani terrorists were neutralised in the ongoing Operation Chhatru in Kishtwar. The operation has been ongoing for the past four days, with a total of three terrorists killed so far, according to Army sources. Earlier on Tuesday, security forces had intensified search and cordon operations after an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Panjtirthi area of Kathua a day earlier. Multiple surveillance measures and ambushes were set up in the area based on intelligence inputs in a joint operation led by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), sources said. Authorities have placed the entire region on high alert as search operations continue to track down potential threats. In a separate counter-terror operation named 'Safiyan' in the Kathua region, four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel lost their lives, while two terrorists were gunned down. Security forces recovered war-like stores from the encounter site. The operation began on March 23 after locals reported the sighting of suspected Pakistani infiltrators in Sanyal. (ANI) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday questioned the silence of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during the Parliamentary discussions to clear the Waqf Amendment Bill, which is now an Act. She said that Gandhi remained silent despite the opposition labelling the amendments to the Waqf Act as "unconstitutional," just like they opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Thus, she added, the anger among the Muslim community and the uneasiness in the INDIA bloc were "natural." "Is it right for the Leader of Opposition to not say anything during the long discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, i.e. to remain silent despite the opposition's allegation that it is a case of violation of the Constitution like the CAA? It is natural that there is anger in the Muslim community and uneasiness in their India Alliance regarding this." Mayawati, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, posed on X. She further criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, accusing them of being "equally guilty" in keeping the Bahujans deprived. She said that religious minorities need to avoid their "deception". "Anyway, the parties like Congress, BJP, etc., are equally guilty in the matter of keeping the Bahujans deprived by making their right to reservation ineffective and inactive in government jobs and education. Religious minorities also need to avoid their deception," Mayawati added. Intensifying her attack against the BJP, Mayawati pointed out that Bahujans in Uttar Pradesh were "distressed" while the BJP was free to take the law into its hands. She also highlighted the increasing privatisation of government departments, suggesting that the government focus on public welfare. "Due to such attitude of theirs, the condition of Bahujans in Uttar Pradesh is very bad and distressed in every matter while the BJP people are free to take the law into their hands. Also, the situation is worrying due to the increasing privatisation in electricity and other government departments. The government should fulfil its constitutional responsibility of public welfare properly," she added. (ANI) A day after PM Modi on his visit to his constituency Varanasi met with senior Police officials and enquired on the progress of the investigation in the Gang Rape case reported in the city, UP Police say that action is being taken against the arrested people. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar said that no one was allowed to hold a 'sabha' on the basis of caste, further stating that action would be taken against anyone who took the law into their hands. "On the statement of the victim, action is being taken. More than 10 people have been arrested..."He further said, "No one is allowed to hold a 'sabha' on the basis of caste. Action will be taken against anyone who takes the law into their hands. But if someone protests democratically, there is no restriction on that. On April 11, three more accused were arrested in the gang rape case, taking the total arrests to 12, as per police officials. They were brought to the court and sent to district jail on the court's order. ACP Vidush Saxena said, "A total of 12 accused have been arrested and are being sent to judicial custody. The remaining accused are being identified and will be accounted for soon. The victim and the family are being provided aid under the Rani Lakshmi Bai Scheme. Strict action will be taken against the culprits. Three more accused have been arrested and sent to jail." Earlier, on April 9, nine accused were sent to judicial custody by the District and Sessions Court. The police found the victim on April 4 in an unconscious state. The lawyer of one of the accused said that a total of 23 people have been accused in the case. The victim's father narrated the ordeal that his daughter had to undergo. The victim's father said, "My daughter left home to visit her friend. All these incidents happened to her soon after. She left home on 29 March 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, and fearing judgement, we tried finding her ourselves, but in vain. We approached the police on 3 April. She was found on 4 April by the police. She was in bad state. After treatment, when she became normal, she narrated the whole incident." 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. The police are still searching for the other accused. "She was intoxicated many times by many people and was gang-raped. The involvement of so many men indicates that it was a planned attempt. My daughter studied Commerce in her inter, and she was planning on pursuing sports. She is 19 years old. I do not know or recognise any accused. Yogi Adityanath is known for tactfully handling such cases. I urge him to give us justice. I do not demand the accused to be hanged, but the punishment should be so severe that people think twice before raping anyone," he further said. Alok Saurabh, a lawyer of one of the accused, said, "A total of 23 people have been accused in this. 11 people are unidentified" (ANI) Flash 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. Three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, residing "illegally" in Delhi were apprehended by a team of special staff, Rohini, and were sent to the deportation centre after completing all "codal" formalities, police said. According to Delhi police, the three were apprehended based on secret information and human intelligence. The police team succeeded in identifying three Bangladeshi nationals residing in the national capital without valid Indian documents and apprehended them after verifying all the relevant documents. The three apprehended include Mahbub Alam (50), a resident of Sylhet, Bangladesh. He entered India on April 5, 2025, for an appointment at the Portugal Embassy regarding a work permit. Although his visa expired on April 8, he remained in India illegally. The second individual, Mohd. Kamal (51), originally from Madaripur, Bangladesh, had been previously deported in 2012. He reportedly re-entered India by crossing the border after three to four years and reached Delhi via Howrah. He had an Aadhaar card in his possession. The third apprehended individual, Aklima Bibi (35), a resident of JJ Colony, Bawana, was earlier deported in 2007. However, she didn't cross the border after her release and returned to Delhi, where she had been doing odd jobs. The police are making further efforts to identify more illegal migrants under a special drive being carried out to trace the illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Earlier, the South West district of Delhi Police apprehended a Bangladeshi national residing illegally in the city and facilitated his deportation to Bangladesh through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) statement. The individual, identified as Md Sadikur Rahman, a 25-year-old resident of Masukhali Chhatak, Sunamganj, Bangladesh, was found overstaying in India after the expiry of his visa. A special drive is being conducted by the authorities to identify, detain, and repatriate individuals residing unlawfully in the area. On March 30, the Delhi Police arrested two Bangladeshi nationals, Atifa and Asma, both 24, who had allegedly been living in India illegally for years. They were found to be residing in the national capital without valid documents or permits. According to the police, the two individuals had entered India illegally via river routes near the India-Bangladesh border. They traveled to Delhi via local trains and had been staying in various locations to evade detection. (ANI) In the heart of the Pir Panjal mountain range, nestled in the remote village of Dara in the Thannamandi block of Rajouri district, a young girl has become a symbol of resilience and inspiration. Afsana Kouser, daughter of Mohammad Bashir, is a deaf and dumb girl from a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family who has defied odds to pursue education and emerge as a role model in her community. Afsana successfully completed her 8th standard at Government Middle School Dara, the last school in the Thannamandi education zone. Her dedication and determination have earned her immense respect and admiration from the people of her village, who take pride in her achievements. Despite her eagerness to continue her education, Afsana had to quit schooling after 8th grade, as there is no high school nearby. The closest one is in Thannamandi, approximately 8 kilometers away--a journey she cannot afford due to her family's poor financial condition. She wants to continue her studies. After 8th class, passed from Govt Middle School Dara, Zone Thannamandi, about 40 km from Rajouri HQ. Local residents and teachers alike believe Afsana's story highlights the urgent need for accessible education facilities in remote areas. Her passion for learning, despite physical and economic challenges, has touched hearts across the region. Mohammad Bashir, the father of Afsana, stated that she is very talented and wants to pursue further studies, but she is not in a condition to go outside. Adris Ahmed Dar, a Teacher, said, "There are many talented individuals here, but because this is a far-flung area, their talent often goes unnoticed. We had a student named Afsana Kausar, daughter of Mohammed Bashir. She was deaf and mute, yet she supported us in many ways. She completed her 8th grade two years ago. Due to challenges related to her condition, she had to discontinue her studies, as the area was 5-7 km away, making it difficult for her to attend. But she was exceptionally bright. She had the ability to understand and do everything." Afsana's neighbour said, "This girl is mute, and so are her two brothers and other family members. Despite these challenges, it is by the grace of God--and the dedication of her father, who is a hardworking man--that she has come this far. She has studied up to class 8 with a strong mindset. Those who have taught her and supported her have done an incredible job. Look at her handwriting, her expression--she is truly inspiring. I thank your media channel, especially ANI, for supporting us. On behalf of our community, I also thank the administration, our Lieutenant Governor, and the Government of India. This is a remote area, about 6 to 8 kilometers from the mountains. I warmly welcome you all here. Please highlight the achievements of girls like her in your reports." Shabir Ahmed, a social and political activist, said, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the staff members for their dedication and service to deaf and mute children. They have done remarkable work. One of the students, Afsana Kausar, is a smart, sharp, and advanced learner. She is an inspiration to others, and I truly appreciate the efforts of the entire management for their hard work." Mohammed Usman, a teacher at Government Middle School, said, "We have several specially-abled children in our school. A live example is Afsana Kausar, daughter of Mohammed Bashir. She lives near our school and has passed her 8th standard. Unfortunately, due to her condition, she could not continue her studies. She belongs to a remote, mountainous area, which adds to the difficulty. Still, she has shown great determination. Despite her disability, she is quick to learn and understands everything. Her journey is not only a matter of pride for us but for the entire community." Her family expressed gratitude to the Government of India for providing them with a pucca (permanent) house under PMAY, a rural development scheme, which ensured a safe shelter for the family. The story of Afsana Kouser is not just one of struggle but also of strength and inspiration -- a call for better infrastructure and inclusive opportunities for the differently-abled in far-flung corners of the nation. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta extended greetings on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti and offered prayers at Sankat Mochan Dham, Siddh Hanuman Mandir in Karol Bagh on Saturday. "All over the country, people are excited and celebrating Hanuman Jayanti. From Ram Navami to Hanuman Jayanti the people are organising events. I am fortunate that today, as Chief Minister of Delhi, I stand with you in your happiness and sorrow and Baba's (Hanumanji) grace. Together, we have to make Delhi a better city. We will continue to do this work. With the blessings of Narendra Modi ji, Delhi will move forward. My best congratulations to all of you on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti," Rekha Gupta told reporters. Devotees across the country thronged to the temples on Saturday to offer prayers on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the nation a happy Hanuman Jayanti. "Best wishes to the countrymen on Hanuman Jayanti. With the blessings of Sankatmochan, may all of you always remain healthy, happy and prosperous in life; this is my wish," the Prime Minister posted on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the nation on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. "Greetings to all countrymen on the occasion of Shri Hanuman Jayanti. May Lord Bajrangbali, the trouble savior, remove all the troubles and provide strength, intelligence, wisdom, and a long life. Jai Shri Ram!" Shah posted on X. Jabalpur's Pachmatha temple had prepared a special Maha Thali with 56 traditional dishes from across India and a massive 5,000 kg laddu. Marking its silver jubilee, the Hanuman Mandir Seva Samiti and Mahila Mandal are set to organise a grand three-day celebration Hanuman Jayanti or Hanuman Janmotsav celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, an ardent follower of Lord Ram. Hanuman Jayanti marks the birth of Lord Hanuman and is observed on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Chaitra, which occurs in March or April. It also goes by the name Chaitra Poornima. On this auspicious occasion, devotees across the world keep fast and offer puja to the deity. Devotees chant Hanuman Mantras to form a deeper connection with Lord Hanuman. The festivities are marked by colourful processions, cultural performances and the sharing of prasad. On this auspicious occasion, devotees across the world keep fast and offer puja to the deity. Devotees chant Hanuman Mantras to appease Sankatmochan and form a deeper connection with Lord Hanuman. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday paid tributes to former Bihar and Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon on his birth anniversary and said that he maintained good relations with people and political parties while discharging his constitutional responsibilities with "full honesty". "Be it in Bhopal or Patna, he discharged his constitutional responsibilities with full honesty and maintained good relations with the people. While doing so, he connected with the 'Raj Bhavan Janata ke Dwar' campaign and strengthened the system. Today is the 90th birth anniversary of Lalji Tandon," Yogi Adityanath said while addressing the gathering here. "I want to assure the Tandon family that the party stands with them, and the people of Lucknow also stand with them," the UP CM said. Tandon was a tall BJP leader from the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani. He died at a hospital in Lucknow in 2020. He took oath as Madhya Pradesh Governor in July 2019. Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath extended greetings on the birth anniversary of Rana Sanga. He posted on X, "On the birth anniversary of the Rana Sanga Ji, who was dedicated to the 'Dharmraksha', many salutes to him. His story of glory, a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice, is a golden chapter in history. His bravery will continue to irrigate the land of India with self-respect for centuries." On Friday, the UP CM 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." 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." 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, the city has launched developmental projects worth more than Rs 50,000 crore, focusing on health, tourism, infrastructure, and connectivity. (ANI) Calling the AIADMK-BJP alliance the "alliance of defeat," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and AIADMK leadership and said that the people of the state will never tolerate a "treacherous alliance" that bows to Delhi and betrays Tamil Nadu. "The AIADMK-BJP alliance is an alliance of defeat. The people of Tamil Nadu are the ones who repeatedly handed down this defeat. Despite that, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has attempted to revive this failed alliance. The press briefing given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Chennai yesterday was unworthy of the position he holds. Though it is his choice to confirm the AIADMK-BJP alliance, he did not clarify why this alliance was formed or what ideological foundation it stands on. Instead, he vaguely claimed they would work on forming a common minimum programme." CM Stalin attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah. CM Stalin attacked AIADMK and said that they claimed to oppose the NEET exam, the imposition of Hindi, the three-language policy, and the Waqf Act and was not allowed to say anything yesterday during the press conference with Amit Shah. The AIADMK claims to oppose the NEET exam, the imposition of Hindi, the three-language policy, and the Waqf Act. It also asserts that Tamil Nadu's seat count should not be reduced in the delimitation process. Are any of these issues part of their so-called "minimum programme"? The Home Minister said nothing about these matters. He did not allow the AIADMK leadership to speak either. Instead, he used the press conference solely to criticize the DMK, the DMK government, and me -- a fact that anyone who watched the event would have clearly seen. He further asserted that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a movement that stands firm in protecting state rights, linguistic rights, and Tamil culture. "On the other hand, the power-hungry AIADMK-BJP alliance stands in direct opposition to these ideals. No one has forgotten that Palaniswami, driven by a desire for position, mortgaged Tamil Nadu's self-respect and rights to Delhi and brought ruin upon the state," he added. The Tamil Nadu CM further claimed that the Union Home Minister failed to give a proper response on NEET yesterday. "When journalists repeatedly questioned the Union Home Minister about NEET, he failed to give a proper response. If he truly believed NEET was beneficial, he should have confidently defended it. Instead, he merely said that "opposing NEET is a distraction" -- a response meant to divert attention. More than 20 students in Tamil Nadu have died by suicide over NEET. Did they take their lives just as a distraction? Students have also died by suicide in Bihar. What does the Home Minister have to say about that? Is the Home Minister aware that the CBI is currently investigating NEET-related scams in five states and that students and parents have been arrested? Under whose control is the CBI? Let him investigate that. Only then can he judge whether opposition to NEET is a distraction or a legitimate stand to protect medical education," CM Stalin questioned. Continuing his attack on Shah for stating that law and order had broken in Tamil Nadu, CM Stalin reminded him that this was "Tamil Nadu, not Manipur." "For a Home Minister to casually claim that law and order has broken down in Tamil Nadu is utterly irresponsible and deserves strong condemnation. I must remind him that this is not Manipur -- this is Tamil Nadu. In the last year and a half, the BJP-ruled Manipur saw over 250 people brutally killed. A Home Minister who failed to restore peace there now comes to disturb the peace in a calm state like Tamil Nadu. It is because Tamil Nadu is peaceful that it continues to progress in all areas -- even central government data confirms this. But the Home Minister, with his careless comments, has tried to instill fear without any basis," CM Stalin added. "For the Home Minister to speak about corruption while standing on a stage that declared an alliance with the AIADMK is laughable to the people of Tamil Nadu. It was due to corruption that Jayalalithaa had to step down twice as Chief Minister. She was sentenced to four years in prison in the disproportionate assets case by the Special Court in Bengaluru. Is 'corruption' the word to be used while forming an alliance with her party?" the Tamil Nadu CM said. CM Stalin further said that the alliance between the AIADMK and the BJP is nothing but a product of corruption. "The people of Tamil Nadu are well aware that central investigative agencies conducted two raids involving the relatives of current AIADMK leaders. They also know that these leaders ran to the BJP leadership for protection and agreed to an alliance as a condition to escape further action. The alliance between the AIADMK and BJP is nothing but a product of corruption -- the people understand this very well. Those who mortgaged the AIADMK after just two raids are now preparing to mortgage the entire state of Tamil Nadu," he added. The Tamil Nadu CM alleged that the BJP leadership is systematically trying to destroy Tamil Nadu on all fronts. "By imposing Hindi to suppress Tamil, implementing conspiracies to curb Tamil people's growth, and planning delimitation to rob Tamil Nadu of its rightful representation. The BJP is trying to use the AIADMK -- a party long enslaved to external powers -- by threatening its leadership and forcing it to carry out its hidden agenda. Whether the BJP comes alone or with allies, the people of Tamil Nadu are ready to give a fitting response. The people will never tolerate a treacherous alliance that bows to Delhi and betrays Tamil Nadu," CM Stalin said. This comes after AIADMK, BJP, and all the alliance parties decided to contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together under the National Democratic Alliance. This significant political development comes ahead of the TN Assembly election, which will be held in 2026. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said , "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..." 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. In the previous two elections--the Lok Sabha and the last assembly polls--the AIADMK has struggled to perform strongly. The AIADMK entered into an alliance with the BJP after the passing of J Jayalalithaa in 2016. 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. (ANI) Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday vehemently condemned the recent violence in Murshidabad District over the Waqf Act, particularly the vandalism at the Jalangi BDO Office. He attributed the violence to "radical elements" opposing the Constitution and law of the land, alleging that these groups are spreading chaos to assert dominance and sow fear among other communities. Taking to social media X, Adhikari said that the protest was a 'premeditated act of violence' and an 'assault on democracy and governance' by the Jihadist forces. "I am deeply outraged and vehemently condemn the atrocious incident of vandalism at the Jalangi BDO Office in Murshidabad District, carried out by radical elements masquerading as protestors against the Anti-Waqf Law." "Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, rather a premeditated act of violence, an assault on Democracy and Governance by Jihadist forces who seek to spread chaos in order to assert their dominance and sow fear amongst other Communities of our Society," he added. Adhikari highlighted the destruction of public property and compromised public safety due to unchecked mob actions. "Public property was destroyed, Government Officials felt threatened, and an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created, all under the false guise of dissent," the post read. Further taking a jibe at the CM Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader criticized the West Bengal Government for their silence and inaction, questioning whether vote-bank politics is prioritized over the safety of West Bengal's people and institutions. "The silence of the Mamata Banerjee Government is deafening. Why is she allowing, instigating and tolerating such lawlessness? Why isn't there any clear statement issued by the State Government condemning this act of terror? Is vote-bank politics more important than the safety of West Bengal's People and Institutions?" added Adhikari. He demanded that the culprits be identified, arrested, and prosecuted under strict laws to restore order. I demand that the culprits must be identified, arrested and prosecuted under the strictest sections of law. This would be the primary step to restore order. If the State Govt is incapable of doing it, then kindly seek the assistance of the Central Government," the post further read. The violence in the Murshidabad District erupted amid protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, resulting in damage to public property. The situation in areas like Jangipur is reportedly under control, but tensions remain high. Meanwhile, security was tightened, and several vehicles were torched in the ongoing protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad, as per police officials. A guard who was on duty said that the crowd had started to gather after 1 pm and started stone pelting, further stating that the movements of the train had to be stopped due to the vandalism. "The crowd started to gather after 1 PM yesterday to protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. The mob started stone-pelting. The trains' movements were stopped because of vandalism," the guard said. He further stated that movement was restored after the Railway Protection Personnal (RPF) and Border Security Forces (BSF) came. "Many things were destroyed, and the signal couldn't be passed. Late in the night, RPF and BSF personnel came, and then the movement of trains was restored. Many of the trains have been diverted, and many are running late..." he further added. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. It was passed in both Houses and later received the President's assent, after which it became a law. On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. (ANI) Calling the Murshidabad violence "unfortunate," Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that Hindus are "forced" to flee the state. "Hindus' security is the responsibility of Mamata Banerjee along with Muslims. Murshidabad violence shows Hindus are forced to flee West Bengal... It is unfortunate that this is happening in front of the state government," Singh told reporters in Begusarai. This comes after demonstrations opposing the Waqf Act turned violent in Murshidabad and damaged public property. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal took a dig at the West Bengal government for the violence in Murshidabad over the Waqf (Amendment) Act and said that it was concerning how freedom of expression was being suppressed in the state and that the government was not taking action. Speaking to ANI, Khandelwal said, "The West Bengal government is unable or reluctant to stop this anarchy... It concerns the way freedom of expression is being suppressed in the state, and the government there is not doing anything about it. The state government should quickly take action against those who are spreading violence..." He also questioned the work of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and asked if the state government was encouraging violent activities. "This raises a question about the Chief Minister's work... Is the state government encouraging such activities by watching in silence?" the BJP MP questioned. Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in both Houses and later received the President's assent, after which it became a law. On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, seeks to focus on improving the management of waqf properties, empowering relevant stakeholders, improving the efficiency of survey, registration, and case disposal processes, and developing waqf properties. (ANI) One naxal operative was killed during a joint operation by security forces in the Kolnar area in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said on Saturday. According to CRPF, the search operation was carried out on Saturday morning and is currently underway with the CRPF's 202 CoBRA, 210 CoBRA, state police's Special Task Force and the District Reserve Guard at the scene currently. No injury to officials have been reported while intermittent firing has continued. Earlier on April 10, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai reiterated the state's commitment to peace and development, urging Naxals to abandon violence and join the mainstream. Speaking to the media, CM Sai emphasized that the government has always kept the path open for those willing to surrender, assuring them of justice and employment opportunities. "We have kept the path open for them (Naxals) from the beginning. We are repeatedly urging that you stop using the language of guns and bullets and join the mainstream of development. The government will ensure justice for you and work towards connecting you with employment," he said. Recently, in a significant boost to the anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, 26 Maoists--three of them carrying cash rewards--surrendered before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials in Dantewada on Monday. The surrender took place at the District Reserve Guard (DRG) headquarters as part of the ongoing 'Lon Varratu' (Come Home) campaign, which aims to reintegrate former extremists into mainstream society. The surrender was facilitated by the joint efforts of the district police, CRPF, and the state's special rehabilitation policy. As part of the state government's new rehabilitation policy, each surrendered Maoist will receive Rs 50,000 in immediate assistance and access to a range of benefits, including skill development training and agricultural land. The 'Lon Varratu' campaign has been a substantial success since its launch. So far, 953 Maoists--including 224 carrying cash rewards--have surrendered. (ANI) The situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur, Murshidabad district, is now under control, West Bengal Police announced on Saturday. An unruly mob, which had turned violent during demonstrations opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, was dispersed through effective police action. https://x.com/WBPolice/status/1910726581087092787?t=moTyGeFtIOWFsuVvj6sFDQ&s=19 Taking to X, West Bengal police posted, "The situation in Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur is now under control. The unruly mob has been dispersed by effective police action. Traffic has returned to normalcy on the national highway. Strict action will be taken against those who have resorted to violence. Raids are being conducted to arrest the troublemakers. Legal action will also be initiated against rumour-mongers trying to spread misinformation. We request all not to heed rumours and keep calm." Security was heightened in Jangipur on Saturday following violent protests that damaged public property. According to a police official, the demonstrations were in response to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, but the situation has now stabilised. On Friday, West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose directed the Mamata Banerjee-led state government to take strict action against the miscreants responsible for disturbances in several areas of the state, including Amtala, Suti, Dhuliyan, and other places in Murshidabad and North 24 Parganas. Similarly, a Muslim organisation in Siliguri protested against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. A protester urged the central government to repeal the Act. Earlier, Students from Aliah University on Friday staged a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Kolkata. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. It was passed in both Houses and later received the President's assent, 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. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister paid tributes to the late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lalji Tandon on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary and said that his doors always remained open for the party workers. Paying homage to the late Tandon, Pathak assured that the state government would continue to work to realise his dream of "Viksit Uttar Pradesh". Pathak referred to Tandon as "Babuji", as he was fondly known by this title among party workers. "Today is the birth anniversary of Lalji Tandon, and I pay my respects to him. He always worked for the people, and his doors were always open for the party workers. Pujya Babuji had relations with every household in Lucknow. Babuji worked to set the standard of purity. We pay our tribute to him. Our party and government will continuously work to fulfil his dreams of Viksit UP," Pathak told reporters here. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid respects to former Bihar and Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon on his birth anniversary and said that he maintained good relations with people and political parties while discharging his constitutional responsibilities with "full honesty". "Be it in Bhopal or Patna, he discharged his constitutional responsibilities with full honesty and maintained good relations with the people. While doing so, he connected with the 'Raj Bhavan Janata ke Dwar' campaign and strengthened the system. Today is the 90th birth anniversary of Lalji Tandon," Yogi Adityanath said while addressing the gathering here. "I want to assure the Tandon family that the party stands with them, and the people of Lucknow also stand with them," the UP CM said. Tandon was a tall BJP leader from the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani. He died at a hospital in Lucknow in 2020. He took oath as Madhya Pradesh Governor in July 2019. (ANI) You are here: World Flash The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) 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. Sebastian Duah (35) was arrested late Friday night by the crime branch team led by Police Inspector Vikas Deykar. A six-member team consisting of ASI Sriram Salgaonkar, HC Mangesh Deshpande, PC Sushant Pagi, PC Rupesh Gaikwad, and PC Prakash Utkuri conducted a narcotics raid near the cemetery in Rauta Vaddo, Bardez Goa, between 8.58 PM and 11.25 PM. The accused was allegedly found in possession of one transparent polythene packet containing 60 pink, brown and orange colours tablets in rectangular and triangular shapes, which were suspected to be Ecstasy Tablets/MDMA. The statement by the crime read, "A psychotropic substance weighing 26.304 grams worth Rs 15,00,000 approximately in international market, which are concealed in dickey of blue colour scooter of make Yamaha Fascino." The Crime Branch has registered the offence under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). Further investigation into the incident is underway. On April 5, an Israeli national, Yaniv Benaim, was arrested by the Goa Police's Anti Narcotics Control team for allegedly possessing Rs 8.7 lakh worth of cocaine and charas. The Israeli national was arrested during a raid in Siolim. According to officials, the person is also on bail in another case in Uttarakhand and was arrested there while trying to flee India. Earlier on March 28, South Goa police conducted an awareness drive among students, local taxi drivers and the general public against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, appealing to the community to assist the police in curbing the drug menace. "Awareness drive among Youth/Students, local taxi drivers & general public conducted on Drugs Abuse & illicit Trafficking, appealing community engagement & assisting Police to curb illicit drug menace in the society," read a post by South Goa's Superintendent of Police. (ANI) Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma on Saturday attacked the previous Aam Aadmi Party government and said that the authorities have assured that the drains will be cleaned in one month. "We are trying to ensure that all the drains are cleaned and desilted before monsoon... We came here in Sri Niwaspuri today to solve the problem of water logging beforehand... The previous Delhi CM did not do any work here... We will get the entire Delhi cleaned up, no matter who the MLA is there... The authorities have assured that the drains will be cleaned in one month," Verma told reporters. Earlier, on April 10, the Delhi Chief Minister, along with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Minister Parvesh Verma, inspected the supplementary drain in the national capital. The Delhi government has assigned the Flood and Irrigation Department a special responsibility to ensure the timely desilting of drains. 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. In addition, the BJP's manifesto mentions cleaning the Yamuna as one of the top priorities. Since the BJP formed a government in Delhi, the government has requested the Territorial Army to safeguard the river from dumping, mining, encroachment, and theft. This decision aims to preserve the river in its natural form and achieve the government's target of cleaning the Yamuna within three years. The Territorial Army's Ecological Task Force is capable of protecting the Yamuna River, and their deployment is anticipated in the coming months. This move is crucial, given the severe pollution of the Yamuna River, which is attributed to untreated sewage discharge, industrial effluents, garbage dumping, illegal sand mining, water theft, and encroachment. (ANI) West Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday requested Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to transfer the investigation into the recent vandalism incidents at railway stations in the Murshidabad District to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). In his letter, Adhikari stated that the violent 'protests' and the potential for such incidents to escalate had a broader implication since Murshidabad shared its borders with Bangladesh and the presence of radical outfits like the Population Front of India (PFI) and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). In his letter, he also stated that the NIA was best equipped to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation. He further stated that this step would help uncover the true faces of masterminds conspiring behind the scenes and prevent similar future occurrences. Meanwhile, BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of "threatening Hindus" and trying to "create a Bangladesh here". He also accused the police of failing to take action on the directions of Mamata Banerjee, saying that police were "doing nothing" and were "keeping quiet". Majumdar, also the West Bengal BJP president, said that they were in touch with Delhi apprising about the events. "The police are doing nothing and are keeping quiet in Mamata Banerjee's directions. She is trying to create a Bangladesh here by threatening Hindus, but Hindus have always fought, and it will continue that. We are in contact with Delhi, and the (Union) Home Minister is aware of everything," Majumdar, the junior minister for education, told ANI. When asked about the situation in violence-hit districts, including Murshidabad, Majumdar alleged that the situation was "grave" and the houses were being "looted". He said that intervention from the central government would be required in the future, given the escalations. "The situation is grave. Hindu women are being abused, and houses are being looted. Police are staying silent. Yesterday, Amit Shah took information (regarding what is happening). The intervention from central government would be required to handle the situation, given the way it is escalating," he told reporters. West Bengal Police announced on Saturday that the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur, Murshidabad district, is now under control. An unruly mob, which had turned violent during demonstrations opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, was dispersed through effective police action. According to a police official, the demonstrations were in response to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, but the situation has now stabilised. (ANI) "Jai Sachidanand Ji! Here are highlights from yesterday's visit to Shri Anandpur Dham in Madhya Pradesh," PM Modi posted on X. On Friday, PM Modi said that he felt "truly blessed" after visiting Shri Paramhans Advait Mandir, Shri Anandpur Dham in Madhya Pradesh, where he offered prayers. "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," PM Modi posted on X. He said that the unwavering commitment to the 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 program 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. He expressed his happiness upon visiting Shri Anandpur Dham, sharing his experience of offering prayers at Guruji Maharaj's temple, which filled his heart with bliss. He highlighted the five principles of meditation established at Anandpur Dham, emphasizing selfless service as one of them. 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," the PM 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 operates a charitable hospital in Sukhpur village, schools in Sukhpur and Anandpur, and various Satsang Centres across the country. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday praised Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, saying that he was a child who, with his indomitable courage and determination, gave the mantra of Swaraj to the entire country. He further stated that today, after 75 years of independence, the country stood before the world with its head held high and pledged that India would accomplish Shivaji's vision and soon be at number one in the world. "Neither luck was with him (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) nor was the past with him; neither did he have money or an army. A child with his indomitable courage and determination gave Swaraj's mantra to the entire country. In no time, he shattered the 200-year-old Mughal rule and freed the country... Today, after 75 years of independence, we stand before the world with our heads held high. We pledge that when we complete 100 years of independence, our India will be number 1 in the world, in line with Shivaji's vision," Shah said, addressing a gathering. "Pride in one's own religion, aspiration for self-rule and making one's own language immortal are ideas that are not connected to the boundaries of the country but are connected to the self-respect of human life. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj presented these three basic characteristics of self-respect to the whole world," he added. The Home Minister said that Shivaji Maharaj had managed to unite every section of society to build an invincible Army. "No one other than Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had done the work of building an invincible army by uniting every section of the society with amazing willpower, indomitable courage, and unimaginable strategy, and to realize that strategy," he said "It is impossible to describe in words the feeling of paying homage to Shivaji Maharaj at that historic place where the golden throne of Hindavi Swaraj was established after so many years," he added. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanded that a national memorial dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj be established in Delhi. He also ensured that the state government would fight the court battle to build the proposed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak in the Arabian Sea. "It is a matter of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak in the Arabian Sea. We will complete the court battle and ensure that the smarak is built. There should be a national memorial of Maharaj in Delhi too," Fadnavis said while addressing the gathering here. (ANI) Delhi Police apprehended a man in Kailash Nagar area in Shahdara district of the national capital for allegedly raping multiple dogs, officials said on Saturday. According to officials, the accused, Naushad, was arrested after an animal NGO filed a complaint against him. Naushad was working as a supplier for the NGO. "A video of the man sexually assaulting a dog has also surfaced on social media, in the video man can also be seen beaten by people and asking him, how many dogs did he rape," read a statement from the Delhi Police. The video in reference was posted by an animal activists' X Account, where the purported videos of the man being in custody and being beaten up my multiple people. In the video, one person can be heard asking "how many dogs did you rape?" The account also tagged multiple other political leaders, the Delhi police, the Chief Minister, and LG's office. Officials also said that the NGO is putting allegation on the person that he has raped atleast 12-13 female dogs. However, interrogations regarding the case are currently ongoing. Earlier, three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, residing "illegally" in Delhi were apprehended by a team of special staff, Rohini, and were sent to the deportation centre after completing all "codal" formalities, police said. According to Delhi police, the three were apprehended based on secret information and human intelligence. The police team succeeded in identifying three Bangladeshi nationals residing in the national capital without valid Indian documents and apprehended them after verifying all the relevant documents. The three apprehended include Mahbub Alam (50), a resident of Sylhet, Bangladesh. He entered India on April 5, 2025, for an appointment at the Portugal Embassy regarding a work permit. Although his visa expired on April 8, he remained in India illegally. (ANI) Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Saturday said that the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana to India was possible only because of the UPA Government, so there is no need to give Prime Minister Narendra Modi "credit." "Tahawwur Rana was involved in the 26/11 attacks, and his extradition was possible only because UPA Govt put his name in the investigation at the right time and he was arrested in the US. After completing 14 years of imprisonment, he was extradited to India. Iski shuruwat Congress ne ki thi...Isme koi shrey Modi ji ko nahi jata hai (Congress started the process, and there is no credit to Modiji for this)," Singh told ANI. On April 10, Congress leader P Chidambaram criticised the Modi government for taking "credit" for the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, saying that it was the result of years of "UPA-era groundwork." "In February 2025, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump stood at a press conference and tried to take credit for what was essentially the result of years of UPA-era groundwork. By February 17, Indian officials confirmed Rana's role in the 26/11 conspiracy, dating back to 2005, when he coordinated with LeT and ISI operatives. Finally, on April 8, 2025, US authorities handed Rana over to Indian officials. He arrived in New Delhi on April 10," Chidambaram said in a statement. Meanwhile, 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 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. 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) In a statement, Zafar Islam condemned Ponmudi for reportedly mocking sacred Hindu symbols and referring to Hindi-speaking individuals as "pani puri sellers," labeling the comments as disrespectful to Sanatan Dharma. "The DMK in Tamil Nadu stands exposed. Forest Minister K. Ponmudi has made deeply offensive remarks, insulting Vaishnavites and Shaivites and belittling Hindi-speaking citizens by calling them 'pani puri sellers.'His repeated disrespect towards Sanatan Dharma is unacceptable. Shockingly, the DMK has taken no disciplinary action against him, despite his disrespectful statements," said Zafar Islam. Earlier, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) dismissed Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ponmudy from the position of Deputy General Secretary in the party, following his reported 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." DMK MP Kanizmozhi also 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. DMK Minister K Ponmudy had purportedly made a 'joke' about two different sects of Hinduism, Shaivism and Viashnavism, drawing criticism from multiple leaders. (ANI) Reacting to the allegations of Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel that "BJP is conspiring against him," Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai called the allegations "wrong and baseless" and said that the latter is allegedly "accused of taking protection money" in the Mahadev betting app scam. "What Bhupesh Baghel said that the BJP wants to assassinate him politically and the case of Mahadev Betting app is a conspiracy is completely wrong and baseless. The investigations have taken place, whether it is the coal scam. His people were involved in the coal scam and are in jail. In the liquor scam, his people are in jail. In the Mahadev Betting app scam, he is accused of taking protection money. If all this is a lie, then why are his people not getting the bail? He should not say that something unfair is happening to him," Sai said in an interview with ANI. Reacting to Baghel's "conspiracy" remarks, Sai said, "During his regime, there used to be two counters at liquor shops. The accounts of one counter used to go to the government, and the accounts of the other counter went to his ministers." He further reacted to the religious conversion issue and said that Religious conversion is 'Kalank' for the state. "Religious conversion is like 'kalank' for Chhattisgarh. In the area I come from, Jashpur, there are very missionaries. A lot of religious conversions used to take place as they used to take advantage of people's poverty. After we formed the government, we have restricted this, but now they started doing Changai Sabha. They claim that they will free the people from the disease. This is done by a Christian missionary," he added. When asked about the actions taken by the government on the protection of journalists, he said in the Bijapur journalist attack case, the government actively arrested the accused and took action. "In the previous government, journalists were attacked but our government has given them protection. No such incident has happened after our government came to power. In one of the incidents in Bijapur where the journalist was attacked the state government immediately took action and arrested the accused," CM Sai said. On the minining issue he said that Chhattisgarh is very rich in terms of mineral wealth. "There is iron ore, coal, tin, gold, diamond... The situation of mining mafias is not like that anymore, it has improved a lot. Now everything is going well," the Chhattisarh CM said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Bhagel as one of the accused in the Mahadev Betting app case. On April 1, the CBI made public its first information report (FIR) in connection with the Mahadev online betting app case. According to the FIR a total of 21 people have been named as accused including; Ravi Uppal, Shubham Soni (Pintu), Chandra Vhushan Verma, Assem Das, Satish Chandrakar, Nitish Deewan, Saurabh Chandrakar, Anil Agarwal (Atul Agarwal) Vikas Chhapriya, Rohit Gaulati, Vishal Ahuja, Dheeraj Ahuja, Anil Kumar Dammani, Sunil Kumar Dammani, Bhim Singh Yadav, Harishankar Tibarwal, Surendra Bagi, Suraj Chokhani and two other unknown persons, including a police officer. The CBI has charged the accused with Sections 120 (B), 420, 467, 468 under the Indian Penal Code (IPC); Sections 11, 7, 8, 4 of the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act, 2002, and Section 4 (A) of the Public Gambling Act. On March 26, the investigative agency also conducted a 14-hour search at the residence of former CM Bhupesh Bhagel, confiscating three phones. The FIR, originally received on March 4, 2024 alleges that Mahadev Online Book is operating betting services illegally. The complaint also alleged that other websites are also being operated in association with the promoters of the Mahadev betting app, naming "skyexchange," which is allegedly being operated by Hari Shankar Tibrewal in association with Mahadev Online Book. The complaint alleges that Mahadev platform provides illegal betting services in different "live games" including poker, card games, chance games, betting on sports. The app rose to significance five years ago, in 2019-2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday paid tributes to Army solider Kuldeep Chand, who laid down his life in the line of duty in Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani during an encounter with terrorists. "I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army Braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand who laid down his life in the line of duty. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief," the Governor Sinha said. Earlier today, the soldier Chand was laid on Saturday, with the wreath laying happening at the Akhnoor area in J-K. Earlier, Leader of Opposition in J-K Assembly, BJP MLA Sunil Sharma condoled the demise of the soldier in Akhnoor and praised the successful encounter of security forces in Chattru forest in "Our JCO was martyred recently today, before, there was an exchange of fire which took place, and a JCO from Pera was martyred then too. Today, the same group maybe there was an exchange of fire with the terrorists," the J-K LoP said regarding the encounter in Kishtwar. Earlier today in a post on X, the Indian Army's White Knight Corps paid tribute to the fallen soldier. "General Officer Commanding (GOC), White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a counter-infiltration operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr 2025," the post read. the White Knight Corps had also earlier confirmed that two more Pakistani terrorists were neutralised in the ongoing Operation Chhatru in Kishtwar. The operation has been ongoing for the past four days, with a total of three terrorists killed so far. Security forces had intensified search and cordon operations after an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Panjtirthi area of Kathua a day earlier. Multiple surveillance measures and ambushes were set up in the area based on intelligence inputs in a joint operation led by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), sources said. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday credited his government's efforts to work on rehabilitation policies, which resulted in the surrender of about 1,314 Naxalites. He said that Naxalism was "breathing its last" in the state. Speaking at the 'Vichaar for Viksit Chhattisgarh' conclave to ANI, Sai said that the state government has provided nearly 15,000 accommodations under the PM Awas Yojana for those who have surrendered to join the mainstream. He said that the government was also working on providing "skill development" training to the surrendered Naxalites so that they become employable. "About 1,314 Naxalites have surrendered, and the government is doing justice to them. We have separately arranged 15,000 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for them. We keep them in the district headquarters, and we are also working on their skill development so that they can get some employment. We also give them jobs in third and fourth classes of government organisations as per their qualification," the CM told ANI at the event. "As soon as our government came, we told the Naxalites that they should leave bullets and violence and join the mainstream of development. We sent our state's Home Minister, Vijay Sharma, to many other states, including Assam, to see rehabilitation policies there," he added. CM Sai asserted that Naxalism was nearing its end in Chhattisgarh, with only a handful of cadre left. He added that nearly 359 Naxalites with huge bounties on them have been killed in the last 1.5 years. "Naxalism is now breathing its last in Chhattisgarh. Very few of them are left now. In 1.5 years, about 359 Naxalites with huge rewards on them, hardcore Naxalites have been killed. I am fully confident that the resolution of the Union Home Minister will definitely be fulfilled," he said. Sai said that earlier people trusted the Naxalites more than the government. However, he added, public trust has increased in the last 1.5 years. "We have started the 'Niyad Nellanar Yojana, ' which means 'Aapka Sundar Gaon. ' Security camps are being opened continuously. Naxalites run away from all the villages that come within a five km radius of the camp...Earlier, it was the case that people trusted the Naxalites more than the government. But the way the government is working, for the last 1.5 years, the public's trust in us has increased," the CM said. (ANI) He was accompanied by General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command. During a comprehensive briefing General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps, updated the COAS on the prevailing security environment and the Corps' readiness posture. General Dwivedi later visited select forward locations to gain a first-hand appreciation of ground-level preparations by frontline formations. The Army Chief expressed his satisfaction with the seamless synergy among the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, Punjab Police, and other stakeholders in safeguarding both the border and the hinterland. He praised the troops' high morale, professionalism, and unwavering dedication and urged them to maintain the Army's exacting standards of operational excellence. General Dwivedi also encouraged all ranks to harness cutting-edge technologies in line with the Army's transformation roadmap toward a modern, agile force under the national vision of Viksit Bharat - India@2047. A key highlight of the visit was the COAS's interaction with veterans and the felicitation of them for their selfless service and ongoing contribution to nation-building. Accompanying him, Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Army Women Welfare Association (AWWA), reviewed various welfare initiatives being undertaken by the Vajra Corps for the well-being of families and ex-servicemen, reflecting the Army's holistic approach towards welfare and community support. (ANI) As the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) joins National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Saturday said that they were on a "victorious path". She further said that the BJP leader K Annamalai would be inducted in the national framework as the new state party chief has been named. She further informed us about the presidential elections, which concluded in the BJP, where Nainar Nagenthran was named the new Tamil Nadu BJP chief. Lauding K Annamalai's efforts as the state BJP chief, Soundararajan said that he would likely get a national role. "We are on the victorious path. Our organisation's election has been completed. Our past president (K Annamalai) was working very hard. He was a very hard-working young leader. (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah has said that he will be in the national framework. We are all very happy that all the talented heads are coming together to challenge the present DMK government," the BJP leader told ANI. Earlier, Union Minister of Coal and Mines and Telangana State BJP President G Kishan Reddy on Saturday said that the BJP and the AIADMK alliance will uproot the corrupt, dynastic, and failed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu. "NDA family grows stronger! The BJP and the AIADMK alliance will uproot the corrupt, dynastic, and failed DMK govt in Tamil Nadu. The alliance under the leadership and guidance of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi will endeavor towards providing an effective govt in TN with a focus on welfare, corruption-free governance, and all-round development of the State while protecting and promoting the language, rich culture, and heritage of Tamil Nadu," Kishan Reddy posted on X. Earlier today, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and AIADMK leadership and said that the people of the state will never tolerate a "treacherous alliance" that bows to Delhi and betrays Tamil Nadu. CM Stalin attacked AIADMK and said that they claimed to oppose the NEET exam, the imposition of Hindi, the three-language policy, and the Waqf Act and were not allowed to say anything yesterday during the press conference with Amit Shah. This comes after AIADMK, BJP, and all the alliance parties decided to contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together under the National Democratic Alliance. This significant political development comes ahead of the TN Assembly election, which will be held in 2026. In the previous two elections--the Lok Sabha and the last assembly polls--the AIADMK has struggled to perform strongly. The AIADMK entered into an alliance with the BJP after the passing of J Jayalalithaa in 2016. 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. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav offered prayers at Hanuman temple situated at Pitra Parvat in Indore district on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday and prayed for the welfare, happiness and prosperity of the people of the state and the country. After worshipping the deity, the CM also worshipped the huge statue of Lord Hanuman, made of Ashtadhatu and constructed above the temple on the occasion. "On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, I offered prayers to Lord Hanuman, who is located at Pitra Parvat here, and prayed for the well-being of everyone. The huge south-facing statue of Lord Hanuman here is amazing. May Lord Hanuman ji bless us with strength and wisdom. He is such a deity that fulfils all wishes, so I wish Baba the best. May he bless everyone and shower happiness in everyone's life. I extend my greetings to everyone on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti," CM Yadav told reporters. CM Yadav further highlighted the groundbreaking ceremony of a big Gaushala with a capacity of 10,000 cows to be performed in Indore district and said that the state government is constructing big Gaushalas in all the prominent cities of the state, aiming to increase the milk production in the state. "Our government has decided to increase the milk production capacity of the state and also the cattle, especially in metropolitan cities, which are unclaimed or in distress due to any reason, to manage them through Gaushalas. The old cowshed has over 3000 cattle, so a new Gaushala with a capacity of 10,000 cows is going to be formed, whose foundation stone will be laid today in Indore. We are constructing Gaushalas of 10,000 capacity in big cities such as Ujjain, Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur, and it has also been constructed at a few places," CM Yadav said. He also stressed that the state government would launch a new scheme on April 14 on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti to boost cow and milk production in the state. "We are also launching a new scheme from April 14 on Ambedkar Jayanti regarding cow and milk production across the state, named after Dr BR Ambedkar. Such efforts are being made to increase the milk production and to increase the income of the farmers in the state," he added. (ANI) In a post on X, CM Yogi remembered Rana Sanga's valour, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to protecting "dharma." "Heartfelt salutations on the birth anniversary of the mighty warrior Rana Sanga, who was devoted to the protection of dharma! His saga of patriotism and sacrifice is a golden chapter in history. His valour will continue to inspire and instil pride in the land of Bharat for generations to come," CM Yogi Adityanath said. Earlier, Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman sparked controversy with his statement on Rana Sanga, a 16th-century Rajput king, calling him a "traitor" for allegedly bringing Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. On March 26, violence erupted outside the residence of SP MP Suman in Agra. Unidentified individuals resorted to stone pelting, breaking window panes and vandalising vehicles parked outside. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was also in the district during the attack, gave consent for this attack. "The incident with Ramji Lal Suman is sad and should be condemned. Ramji Lal Suman is a Dalit MP and has a lot of experience and his residence was attacked when the Chief Minister himself was in the district. This attack took place with the consent of the Chief Minister of UP," Akhilesh Yadav said. Rana Sanga, also known as Sangram Singh I, was the ruler of Mewar from 1508 to 1528 and is revered for his bravery and sacrifices. Suman's statement has been widely criticized, with many calling for an apology and action against him. Earlier on March 28, members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Lucknow held a protest against Suman's statement on Rajput king Rana Sanga. (ANI) In a significant move in the AJL case linked to Congress, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has served notices to property registrars in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow to take possession of assets worth Rs 661 crore. The ED served notices to property registrars in the three cities in connection with properties of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) on April 11, in accordance with Section 8 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and Rule 5(1) of the associated rules. "As part of the process to take possession of the tainted properties in the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013, on April 11 has served notices to Registrars of property in Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow having jurisdiction of the area where AJL properties are located," ED said in a release. It said a notice under Rule 5(3) has been issued to Jindal South West Projects Limited, the occupant of the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors of Herald House in Bandra (E) Mumbai. "The company has been directed to transfer monthly rent payments to the Director of the Enforcement Directorate," the agency said. ED said these properties were attached after extensive investigation which revealed "signification generation, possession and use of proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 988 crores". "Therefore, to secure the proceeds of crime and to prevent the accused form dissipating the same, the immovable properties of AJL located at Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow valued at Rs 661 crores along-with the shares of AJL valued at Rs 90.2 crores were attached by issuing provisional attachment order (PAO) dated November 20, 2023 by the Directorate of Enforcement and the same has been confirmed by the Ld. Adjudicating Authority on April 10, 2024," the agency said. The proceedings against the accused have been challenged but courts have allowed the investigation to proceed. The ED has conducted searches and seizures at multiple locations, "uncovering incriminating documents linked to the alleged money laundering activities". Sources said the investigation under PMLA 2002 has revealed that Young Indian, a private company owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties worth Rs 2000 crores for a mere Rs 50 Lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. They said findings from the ED also indicate that Young Indian and AJL properties were used "for generation of further Proceeds of Crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of Rs 18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs 38 crore and bogus advertisements of Rs 29 crore". The sources said that to stop the further generation, utilization and enjoyment of the proceeds of crime and in compliance with Section 8 of PMLA 2002 and Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013, the Directorate of Enforcement "has initiated the proceedings to take possession of the tainted properties". (ANI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel honored two persons with the Ratnasinh Mahida Memorial Award in memory of the late Ratnasinghji Mahida, dedicated to the welfare of the prestigious social reformer, academics and tribals in Rajpipla in Narmada district. This year, the Ratnasinh Mahida Memorial Award has been started for the first time and the first award was honored by Dr Madhukar, Vice -Chancellor of Birsamunda Tribal University and the first female tribal Vice -Chancellor of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, S. Prasanna was awarded. CM Bhupendra Patel praised the service activities for tribal welfare and education of heavenly Ratn Singh Mahida, offering this pride. He said that this award is a coincidence of this year of the celebration of the year of the birth anniversary of the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda of the tribes. The Chief Minister also greeted his granddaughter Viraj Kumari Mahida while carrying out this inheritance of the late Ratna Singhji Mahida. The Chief Minister said Ratnasinhji Mahida emphasized the need to bring tribals into the mainstream of the society, and started the service of education in Bharuch district in the year 1. He operated about six educational institutions from Balwatika to college. His hard work created new opportunities for teaching for tribal and endless people. The dedication and relentless service work of the late Rat Singhji laid the foundation of the empowerment of tribal society throughout the region, resulting in a radical change in the lives of numerous people. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel offered the award for the consequential efforts for the welfare and prosperity of the tribals under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the country. In this regard, he said that with the increase of three times the tribal welfare budget, the Earth -based Public Village Utakar campaign has accelerated social infrastructure in 63 thousand villages. CM Bhupendra Patel added that the state government has ensured the holistic upliftment of the tribal community in 53 talukas of 14 tribal districts in the direction of the Prime Minister in Gujarat too. Birsa Munda Tribal University has been launched in Rajpipla under the inspiration of the Prime Minister to provide higher education for skill base, vocational, technical and tribal art and culture to the youth of the tribal area. In this year's budget of the Tribal Development Department, only Rs 1 crore has been allocated for education schemes, he added. The Chief Minister further said that this initiative will provide a new inspiration to the tribal upliftment to honor the tribal community with a reward of tribal people who contributed excellent contributions to various fields. The first Memorial Award this year is also self. He expressed the confidence that two persons associated with the education service, which accelerated the efforts of Ratnasinhji's tribe, who will be more ignited in the tribal society, he expressed his confidence. Speaking on the occasion, Bharuch's Mansukhbhai Vasava said that this is the holy land of Rajpipla. Rajpipla, once considered mini Kashmir, was also shooting Gujarati-Bhojpuri films. The Maharaja of the time has also been a lion to highlight the land of Rajpipla who also gave education to the tribal society in mind. Schools, colleges and other government offices in Bharuch district including Narmada are still running in the gifts from the Maharaja. Rajpipla Mini Vidyanagar was once a hub of education. From the basic education to many fields for awareness in tribal society, Ratnasinhji Mehida made invaluable contributions. The Vice-Chancellor of Birsa Munda Tribal University-Rajpipla was honored with the award. Madhukar and Dr. Lakshi Shri of Andhra University-Vishakhapatnam also presented their responses. Five special citizens who lived in Rajpipla and provided the best skills at the state and national level were also honored with the help of ONGC. Bharuch MP Mansukhbhai Vasava, Nandod MLA Dr Darshanaben Deshmukh, granddaughter of late Ratna Singhji Mahida, Viraj Kumari Mahida, Rajpipla leader Manvendra Singh Gohil, actor and former MP Dr Nitish Bhardwaj, honors, dignified citizens, family members of the late Ratna Singhji Mahida, royal families and district administration officials were present. (ANI) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday claimed that over three crore litres of liquor have entered Bihar despite it being a dry state. He also questioned the role of the police and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "continued" silence. Addressing a press conference, Yadav asked how such volumes of liquor could pass undetected through multiple districts and police checkpoints. He accused the government of not providing direct answers, saying that officials are sent to respond instead. "More than three crore litres of liquor have come to Bihar. If the police are not guilty, then who is smuggling in Bihar? Doesn't this mean that the police are also involved in this? The opposition is there to show the mirror to the government in a democracy. Why is the CM silent? He is the head of the state; he should answer," Tejashwi Yadav said. "Whenever a question is raised, an officer is sent to respond, and the answer is delivered through them. Why don't they respond themselves? If alcohol is available in Patna, it has to pass through 5-6 districts and several police station jurisdictions along the border--yet it still doesn't get caught," the former Bihar Deputy CM added. Earlier on Friday, Tejashwi Yadav attacked the Bihar government over the law and order situation in the state and said that the criminals are running like "amok" in Bihar. "I have already spoken about the law and order in Bihar. There is a criminal disorder. Criminals are running amok. Incidents of crime are increasing continuously. Home Department comes under the CM. New laws are formed for criminals and to free them, the corrupt are granted promotions. There is not one day in Bihar when rounds of bullets are not fired, when murders, kidnappings and loot do not happen...There is anarchy here," Tejashwi Yadav said. (ANI) The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused, Tahawwur Rana's arrival triggered a high-level security operation involving over 530 police and senior security personnel as he was transported from the airport to court and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters. Rana was extradited from the United States and brought to India on Thursday evening. According to official sources, Rana landed at Delhi airport at 6:22 PM aboard a U.S. military aircraft. In line with international legal norms, his shackles were removed before he disembarked. After completing formalities and a medical check-up, he was taken straight to the Patiala House Court under a multi-layered security cover. The high-security transfer involved a specially designed prison van used only in high-risk cases. Rana was placed in a central secure cell, surrounded by personnel from Delhi Police's 3rd Battalion and SWAT commandos. NSG forces were also part of the security arrangement. At the court, Rana signed the vakalatnama (authorization of legal representation) and spent about 30 minutes consulting with a court-appointed defense lawyer. Throughout the hearing, he remained calm and answered the judge's questions directly. Observers in the courtroom noted his composed demeanor, with no visible signs of stress, as he interacted with both police officials and his lawyer, sources said. Following the hearing, the Special NIA Court granted the agency 18 days of custody. When informed that he would be held at the NIA Headquarters, Rana inquired about the details from his lawyer. Rana's extradition marks a significant milestone in India's pursuit of justice for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead and hundreds injured. His interrogation is expected to shed new light on the planning and overseas support network behind one of India's worst terror incidents. (ANI) West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar slammed the West Bengal government and the BJP over the protest that erupted in the state due to the Waqf Amendment Act. Subhankar Sarkar said that the violence should not have happened in Bengal, which is a place of 'peace' and 'harmony'. He said that due to the 2026 assembly elections, both BJP and TMC want to politicise the issue. Sarkar stated that both the parties want to use caste and religion for the sake of votes. "This should not have happened in Bengal. Bengal is a place of peace and harmony. I appeal to the people of Bengal and Murshidabad to maintain peace and brotherhood. There are elections in Bengal in 2026, keeping this in mind, BJP and TMC want to politicise the situation for their benefit. These people want to use religion and caste to get votes. Everyone should oppose this...", Subhankar Sarkar told ANI. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of "threatening Hindus" and trying to "create a Bangladesh here". He also accused the police of failing to take action on the directions of Mamata Banerjee, saying that police were "doing nothing" and were "keeping quiet". Majumdar, also the West Bengal BJP president, said that they were in touch with Delhi apprising about the events. "The police are doing nothing and are keeping quiet in Mamata Banerjee's directions. She is trying to create a Bangladesh here by threatening Hindus, but Hindus have always fought, and it will continue that. We are in contact with Delhi, and the (Union) Home Minister is aware of everything," Majumdar, the Minister of State for Education, told ANI. When asked about the situation in violence-hit districts, including Murshidabad, Majumdar alleged that the situation was "grave" and the houses were being "looted". He said that intervention from the central government would be required in the future, given the escalations. "The situation is grave. Hindu women are being abused, and houses are being looted. Police are staying silent. Yesterday, Amit Shah took information (regarding what is happening). The intervention from central government would be required to handle the situation, given the way it is escalating," he told reporters. (ANI) Explainer: Why are U.S. tariff hikes self-defeating? Xinhua) 09:56, April 12, 2025 A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the United States, on April 8, 2025. U.S. stocks closed sharply lower on Tuesday. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) "'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. 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 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? The bubble chart shows the increase in U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports during Trump 1.0 under Section 301. Each bubble represents a product category on which a tariff has been placed, sized by the number of items within it. The tariffs were imposed on products worth about 34 billion U.S. dollars in July 2018 and expanded to about 550 billion dollars in September 2019. (Xinhua/Chen Wangqi) 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. The line chart shows the U.S. trade deficit in goods with China and the world. As the U.S. trade deficit with China decreases after the trade war, the deficit with the world grows. (Xinhua/Chen Wangqi) 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. The combined chart shows China's annual exports since the trade war. The line represents the total exports, while the stacked columns represent the export of mechanical and electrical exports, and other exports respectively. (Xinhua/Chen Wangqi) 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." (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Trinamool Congress general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday said that "some people want to set Bengal on fire." He urged the people to maintain peace in the state and not fall prey to rumours. Banerjee further said that many people want to create unrest in West Bengal "by sowing seeds of division in the name of religion". He appealed to maintain peace and preserve Bengal's legacy of harmony. "Some people want to set Bengal on fire. We should maintain peace and not fall prey to rumours... Many people are trying to create unrest in Bengal by sowing seeds of division in the name of religion. I appeal to everyone today to maintain peace and preserve Bengal's legacy of harmony. We should all be alert and aware. Some people want Bengal to burn", Abhishek Banerjee said. Speaking on the SSC recruitment scam Abhishek Banerjee said that he respects the decision of Supreme Court and has faith in it. Banerjee stated that the verdict reflects BJP's step motherly attitude towards West Bengal and alleged the Union Government to block "MGNREGA funds of 59 lakh job cardholders". "We respect the Supreme Court and have faith in it. However, we have the right to criticise the judgement. I feel this verdict reflects the BJP's consistent step-motherly attitude towards Bengal. Why am I saying this? They had blocked the MGNREGA funds of 59 lakh job cardholders. They even blocked the Awas funds due to some discrepancies. Action should be taken against the undeserving ones. However, just for a few undeserving candidates, the jobs of thousands of people cannot be taken away...", Abhishek Banerjee said. Constant protests are going in West Bengal following the passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill in parliament. Violence erupted in various cities such as Jangipur and Murshidabad, which have created a tense situation in the region. (ANI) Three people were killed in Dhuliyan in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district, West Bengal Police said. Several vehicles were torched on Friday night. Security has been heightened in the area, and as per Bengal Police, the situation is now under control. West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said that there is clear instruction from government not to tolerate any kind of hooliganism. DGP Rajeev Kumar said, "An atmosphere of unrest has been seen in Jangipur since yesterday and communal disturbance has also been observed. Any kind of hooliganism will not be tolerated. We are dealing with the situation very strongly." He further said that it started with demonstration, then destruction of public property and then it took communal angle. "It is our responsibility to protect human life. Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in hooliganism. No one should spread rumours, do not pay attention to rumours. Police will take strict action, do not take the law into your own hands. Section 163 is applicable in violence-affected areas. Strict action will be taken if government property is set on fire. We request for cooperation from the public, we will not tolerate any kind of violence," said. He further said that people are not allowed to come on the street and take law in their hand. Earlier West Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday requested Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to transfer the investigation into the recent vandalism incidents at railway stations in the Murshidabad District to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). In his letter, Adhikari stated that the violent 'protests' and the potential for such incidents to escalate had a broader implication since Murshidabad shared its borders with Bangladesh and the presence of radical outfits like the Population Front of India (PFI) and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). In his letter, he also stated that the NIA was best equipped to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation. He further stated that this step would help uncover the true faces of masterminds conspiring behind the scenes and prevent similar future occurrences. Meanwhile, BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar accused West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee of "threatening Hindus" and trying to "create a Bangladesh here". He also accused the police of failing to take action on the directions of Mamata Banerjee, saying that police were "doing nothing" and were "keeping quiet". Majumdar, also the West Bengal BJP president, said that they were in touch with Delhi apprising about the events. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Govind Singh retaliated against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's remark on Congress' veteran leader Digivijaya Singh saying it was not right for the Maharastra CM to talk at such a low grade. Singh further said that a person holding the post of the Chief Minister should not talk like that, it did not suit him. "It is not right for Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to talk at such a low level. A person holding the Chief Minister position should not talk like this, it does not suit him. Digvijay Singh is a great leader of the country, he has introduced leaders like Fadnavis and made them politically mature. He (Fadnavis) should control his language. The Congress party does not have a history of giving such a reply," Congress leader Govind Singh said. Veteran Congress Leader and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh also retaliated over Fadnavis' remark saying those who think he is an idiot could think; he would not become it by their words. "...Those who think I am an idiot can think so; I will not become an idiot because of their words," Digvijaya Singh said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday lashed out at Congress leader Digvijaya Singh over the latter's controversial remark back in 2010 regarding the 26/11 Mumbai attack and said, "I don't respond to those who speak like idiots." "First of all, I don't 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, speaking about the demonstration opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which turned violent in West Bengal, Congress leader Govind Singh said that when something wrong happens, people get angry and he doesn't believe that only minority community people were involved in it. "When something wrong happens, people get angry. I do not believe that it was done by the people of the Muslim community only. There are some people from the Bharatiya Janata Party, there are conspirators in the BJP, who conspire and do such acts. This could be a conspiracy to defame the Mamata Banerjee government. If a high level investigation is executed by the CBI, then the truth will be revealed," Singh claimed. Nonetheless, West Bengal Police announced on Saturday that the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur, Murshidabad district, is now under control. An unruly mob, which had turned violent during demonstrations opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act, was dispersed through effective police action. According to a police official, the demonstrations were in response to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, but the situation has now stabilised. (ANI) Delhi Police officials said that the team of Special Staff apprehended the Bangladeshi national identified as Ambrose, a resident of Nilphamary, Bangladesh. They said the Special Staff of Southwest District has been directed to gather intelligence and take strict action against illegal migrants to prevent and detect crimes and monitor foreigners residing illegally in its jurisdiction. The team held checks in vulnerable areas. The officials said staff received information through an informer about an illegal migrant seeking accommodation in the RK Puram area. The team approached the suspect Ambrose and inquired about his identity and valid documentation. "During interrogation, the individual failed to produce valid Indian documents and admitted to entering India illegally approximately three years ago. He only possessed photocopies of Bangladeshi documents. The suspect was taken into custody for further verification.After thorough enquiry and legal formalities, he was sent to the deportation Centre at Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)," said Surendra Chaudhary, DCP of South West District. Earlier today, Delhi police apprehended three Bangladesh nationals allegedly residing illegally in Delhi. (ANI) Karantaka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lashed out at the BJP's Jan Akrosh Yatra in the state and said that BJP leaders lack dignity or decorum. Siddaramaiah asked who is responsible for the price hikes of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders. He stated that the BJP is directly responsible for the rise in prices of essential commodities. "BJP leaders have no sense of dignity or decorum. Who is responsible for the hike in petrol, diesel, and LPG cylinder prices?. What answers do BJP leaders have for this price hike?. The BJP is directly responsible for the rise in prices of essential commodities. The Narendra Modi government is the direct reason for the price hike. Our decision may have led to only around 7,000-8,000 crores in additional tax collection", Siddaramaiah said while speaking at the Belagavi airport. He further said that the rise in milk prices does not bring money to the government's treasury; it goes to the farmers. He stated that petrol prices depend upon crude oil rates. He recalled the time of the UPA government and said that crude oil at that time was USD 120 per barrel, whereas it is USD 55 per barrel today. Still the petrol prices are increased and seeked answer from the Union Government. "The hike in milk prices doesn't bring money to the government treasury--it goes to farmers. If BJP protests giving money to farmers, then are they anti-farmer?. They increased LPG cylinder prices by Rs50. Who does that burden?. Do you even know the current price of crude oil?. The prices of petrol and diesel are linked to crude oil prices. During Manmohan Singh's tenure, crude oil was $120 per barrel. Today it's only around USD 55 per barrel. Then why have you still increased the prices? Let them answer. Speak up against the central government's price hike", the Karnataka CM added. "BJP has no moral right to protest. All these price hikes happened during the BJP's time in power. Check the price of an LPG cylinder now and what it was during Manmohan Singh's time--it has doubled. But the media doesn't ask these questions," CM Siddaramaiah expressed his frustration", he added. Siddaramaiah addressed the allegations of BJP regarding Karantaka goverment being bankrupt. He asked that are the retirement benefits, salaries and pensions stopped. He alleged that if Karnataka is bankrupt today, BJP is responsible for it. He said that a budget of more than 4 lakh crore was presented this time. The Congress leader said that when Narendra Modi was not in power, India's total debt was Rs 53.11 lakh crore, whereas it is Rs 200 lakh crores today. "Are salaries, pensions, and retirement benefits stopped? Let's see. During BJP's time, even after claiming there was no money, they issued tenders and misused funds. Now they are trying to lecture us. If Karnataka is financially bankrupt today, the BJP is directly responsible. It happened during the tenures of Jagadish Shettar, Basavaraj Bommai, and Yediyurappa. We have presented a budget of Rs 4,09,500 crores this year. Last year, we presented a budget of Rs 3.71 lakh crores. This is an increase of Rs 38,000 crores. If the state is bankrupt, could we have increased the budget like this? Yes, we have taken loans. But do you know how much Modi has borrowed? When Modi came to power, India's debt was Rs 53.11 lakh crores. After Modi took over, it has increased to Rs 200 lakh crores. From independence to Modi's arrival, the debt was Rs 53 lakh crores--Modi alone has quadrupled it. Modi is responsible for the country's debt surge. You won't say it, nor do you even know about it", Siddaramaiah added. (ANI) Newly-appointed Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran on Saturday expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the BJP and AIADMK, will form the government in the 2026 Assembly elections and said the DMK will be "thrown out". "Today is a full moon day. On this day, I got this position. I feel proud, and surely, good changes will come in the upcoming elections," Nagendran said. Commenting on the party's alliance strategy, he said, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji announced the AIADMK alliance. Even AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami also announced that we are with NDA. It's a strong alliance and a natural alliance. We will move more strongly in the field." "Surely, BJP will be a big fight for DMK, and DMK will be thrown out. The NDA alliance will form the government in 2026 in Tamil Nadu," he added. Nagendran's appointment as State President was backed unanimously by senior BJP leaders, including outgoing president K. Annamalai. The BJP, alongside its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has intensified its political activities in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 polls. Earlier, following Nainar Nagendran's appointment as Tamil Nadu BJP President, party leaders and alliance members have expressed strong confidence about the 2026 Assembly elections, asserting that the BJP-AIADMK alliance is gaining ground across the state. Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy on Saturday said the party is moving with "big confidence" toward the elections under the leadership of Nainar Nagendran and outgoing president K. Annamalai. "Nainar Nagendran is a versatile man. He is rich in political culture. We are very happy. The cadres are very happy. All are in a jubilant mood. And this is the road to the 2026 elections," Thirupathy said in Chennai. He added, "Under his presidency, we hope the BJP will achieve its heights. We are going to March 2026 with very big confidence, with Annamalai on one side and Nainar Nagendran leading us. The DMK has failed miserably in its governance. We will see to it that the DMK is sent home in 2026." Backing the BJP-AIADMK alliance, Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazhagam (AMMK) General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran said the alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was forged to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi and remove what he called an "anti-people" DMK government. "We have joined for the parliamentary election in order to strengthen PM Narendra Modi. Our only agenda is to remove MK Stalin's anti-people government from Tamil Nadu," Dhinakaran said in Chennai. (ANI) Coming out in the defence of Rajya Sabha MP and Samajwadi Party leader Ramji Lal Suman, SP president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday expressed hope that the administration in Uttar Pradesh will not treat senior party leaders in any disrespectful manner. "I have full faith that the administration will not be able to treat Ramji Lal Suman in a disrespectful manner," he said. "If the government has still given a free hand, then the government is responsible for this," he added. Ramji Lal Suman has sparked controversy with his statement on Rana Sanga, a 16th-century Rajput king. He called him a "traitor" for allegedly bringing Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. On March 26, violence erupted outside the residence of SP MP Suman in Agra. Unidentified individuals resorted to pelting stones, breaking window panes and vandalising vehicles parked outside. Yadav's statement came in the wake of a rally organized by Karni Sena in Agra on Saturday to commemorate the birth anniversary of 16th-century Rajput ruler Rana Sanga and also in response to the controversy surrounding MP Ramjilal Suman's remarks about Rana Sanga. The SP Chief, also took on the Union government and said that it had "deliberately" brought the Waqf Amendment Act keeping in mind the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar and West Bengal, adding that legislation was also brought to hide their own failures. Akhilesh Yadav made these remarks following the violent protests which have occurred in West Bengal against the Waqf Amendment Act. Addressing a press conference, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Mamata Banerjee will restore law and order there. The central government has spoiled the environment. The central government has brought this (Waqf) law deliberately...They want to win elections in Bihar and West Bengal where they have totally failed...To hide their own failures, they have deliberately created this atmosphere by bringing the Waqf Bill." (ANI) Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that several projects will be inaugurated during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on April 24 here. Chouhan participated in a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting in the Patna to review preparations for the Prime Minister Modi's visit. He said that people of Bihar will be given the benefit of rural development schemes during the PM Modi's visit. Addressing the media following the NDA meet, Chouhan said, "The NDA's state and central government are building a developed Bihar. It is our good fortune that Prime Minister Modi is coming to give many gifts to the people of Bihar on April 24... Many projects will be inaugurated, foundation stones will be laid and the people of Bihar will also be given the benefit of rural development schemes." Union Minister also mentioned that under the leadership of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar several rural development schemes have been successfully implemented. "Today we have done a comprehensive review of the preparations. There is enthusiasm among the people of Bihar, lakhs of people will come to Madhubani and a historic program will take place. Today we have also reviewed the work of the Rural Development Ministry. I am happy that under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, rural development schemes are being implemented in an ideal manner," he added. The NDA meeting was also attended by Bihar Minister and JD(U) leader Ashok Choudhary, who emphasized the unity within the alliance and collective responsibility for the upcoming elections. "NDA will contest the upcoming elections. These are not the elections of BJP, JDU, or LJP (Ram Vilas). The Prime Minister of the country is coming to Bihar, so everyone has to work on the programme... Responsibilities are being distributed to everyone," he said. Choudhary also took aim at Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor following his recent rally in the state. "His rally and his respect were ruined... Prashant Kishor is a political manager. There is a difference between a political manager and a political leader. He can work for some political party, but he cannot run a political party," he added. Bihar Minister and BJP leader Nitin Nabin echoed similar sentiments about NDA's preparedness for the Prime Minister's visit. "The entire team of BJP and NDA are preparing for the Prime Minister's arrival..." he said. Responding to criticism from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, Nabin added, "... If you go to any village and ask who really ruined Bihar, everyone will say the Lalu family. The Lalu family and RJD have been a symbol of corruption, scam, jungle raj, and anarchy in Bihar." The upcoming visit by the Prime Minister is expected to include several key development announcements, including the inauguration and foundation-laying of various rural and infrastructure projects. (ANI) Clashes broke out between police and villagers in Uttar Pradesh's Khantari village in Lucknow. The villagers allegedly pelted stones on the police forces, due to which situation became tense. According to the information, the clashes occured when the police arrived in the village to remove the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar, allegedly. The police did a 'lathicharge' on the villagers after the incident to control the situation. BJP MLA Yogesh Shukla reached the incident spot to ensure dialogues with the villagers. According to MLA Yogesh Shukla, the statue was kept without permission and will be restored by following every procedure. "This is a matter of Ambedkar's statue and we want this matter to be resolved peacefully. There was no permission to place the statue, this is the order of the Supreme Court. The statue will be kept, but there is a process and system for it; we cannot break the system. I want that the statue should be kept and the wishes of the villagers should be fulfilled and the law should also be protected, which should be kept according to the law written by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar", he told ANI. Meanwhile, On the instructions of the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, for the first time on April 13, on the eve of Ambedkar Jayanti, the statues of all great national heroes including Baba Saheb Ambedkar installed in all parks, monuments and squares will be cleaned, public representatives, officers, employees and the general public will participate in this. On the occasion of birth anniversary on 14th April, various events will be organized in all the districts of the state, public representatives, officers and employees will garland the statue of Baba Saheb. Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's birth anniversary will be celebrated with pomp and state honors. (ANI) A special bench of Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in the Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence in the district during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that resulted in three deaths so far. Advocate Anish Mukherjee, representing West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has filed a PIL seeking deployment of central forces and an NIA probe, said, "For several days now, we have been witnessing widespread violence throughout the state of West Bengal, particularly in the Murshidabad district." The high court also instructed both the Mamata government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17. "After hearing the matter, the court directed that deployment of central forces in Murshidabad district should be done immediately..., and the state administration will assist the central forces to ensure that there is no loss of life or obstruction or violation of law in any manner. Now this PIL has been accepted by the High Court and this PIL will be returnable on April 17, where both the state and the Centre will file their respective affidavits stating their stand," he further said. Three people were killed on Friday night in Murshidabad in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the district, West Bengal Police said. Several vehicles were also torched, and as per police, the situation is now under control. West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar on Saturday morning said that there is clear instruction from government not to tolerate any kind of hooliganism. DGP Rajeev Kumar said, "An atmosphere of unrest has been seen in Jangipur since yesterday and communal disturbance has also been observed. Any kind of hooliganism will not be tolerated. We are dealing with the situation very strongly." He further said that it started with demonstration, then destruction of public property and then it took communal angle. "It is our responsibility to protect human life. Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in hooliganism. No one should spread rumours, do not pay attention to rumours. Police will take strict action; do not take the law into your own hands. Section 163 is applicable in violence-affected areas. Strict action will be taken if government property is set on fire. We request for cooperation from the public, we will not tolerate any kind of violence," he said. He further said that people are not allowed to come on the street and take the law into their hands. Earlier, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has requested Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to transfer the investigation into the recent vandalism incidents at railway stations in the Murshidabad District to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). In his letter, Adhikari stated that the violent 'protests' and the potential for such incidents to escalate had a broader implication since Murshidabad shared its borders with Bangladesh and the presence of radical outfits like the Population Front of India (PFI) and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). In his letter, he also stated that the NIA was best equipped to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation. He further stated that this step would help uncover the true faces of the masterminds behind the violence and prevent similar future occurrences. (ANI) Congress MP Imran Masood on Saturday said that Bharatiya Janata Party has tried to crush the soul of the Constitution by bringing Waqf Amendment act adding that violence in the West Bengal is being done by the "goons" of the BJP. Asserting that Congress never supports violence, Masood said that BJP wants to destroy brotherhood in the country for political benefits. "We are staunchly against violence...This is not just a fight for the Muslims; this is a fight for the Constitution.They (BJP) have partly trampled the Constitution by bringing the Waqf Act because they couldn't change it by getting more than 400 seats...The Constitution protects us, so it is our duty to protect it...BJP breaks the law and order the most," Imran Masood told ANI. "Their goons are everywhere in West Bengal who protest and create a ruckus at someone else' religious site...BJP wants to destroy brotherhood in the country for their political benefit," he added. Meanwhile, three people were killed in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district in West Bengal. Several vehicles were torched on Friday night. Security has been heightened in the area, and as per the Bengal Police, the situation is now under control. West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said that there is a clear instruction from the government not to tolerate any kind of hooliganism. A special bench of the Calcutta High Court on Saturday instructed the West Bengal government to deploy central forces immediately in Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence that resulted in three deaths in Murshidabad. (ANI) The 134th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar will be celebrated across Uttar Pradesh with full state honours, as per the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, said the statement from CMO. In line with the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the day will be observed as a public holiday. Additionally, to prepare for the occasion, a special cleaning drive will take place on April 13, focusing on parks and monuments dedicated to Dr. Ambedkar. On April 14, public representatives, intellectuals, and students from across the state are expected to gather for the tribute ceremony. Officers, employees, and local public representatives in all districts will offer flowers and garlands at the statues of Dr. Ambedkar as a mark of respect, added the statement. The Chief Secretary has instructed all Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates to ensure the active participation of local stakeholders in the commemoration. Born on April 14, 1891, Baba Saheb Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician, and social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination towards Dalits and supported the rights of women and workers. He died on December 6, 1956. Baba Saheb Ambedkar was a prolific student, earning doctorates in economics from Columbia University and the University of London. In 1956, he led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the right of the untouchable community to draw water from the town's main water tank. On September 25, 1932, Ambedkar and Madan Mohan Malaviya signed the Poona Pact. Under the pact, the depressed class received 148 seats in the legislature instead of the 71 allocated earlier. He was also one of the seven members of the committee that drafted the Indian Constitution after independence. In 1990, Ambedkar was conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. Baba Saheb Ambedkar died in his sleep on December 6, 1956, at his home in Delhi. (ANI) The event was attended by the Karni Sena members and community leaders to honour Rana Sanga's legacy. Raj Shekhawat, the President of Kshatriya Karni Sena, addressed the gathering, highlighting their demands. "We had put forward a few demands. The people from the government are coming to listen to our demands. We had given them a time till 5 pm. We will have a discussion, reach an agreement, and go to our homes," Shekhawat said, emphasizing a peaceful resolution. On the occasion, Union Minister SP Singh Baghel condemned the controversial remarks made by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman in the Rajya Sabha for Rana Sanga. "The sentiments of all the nationalists and patriots are hurt by the statement made by SP MP Ramji Lal Suman in the Rajya Sabha regarding Rana Sanga. The community that does not respect its ancestors does not progress," said Baghel while demanding apology from the Samajwadi party leader. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Dharampal Singh assured the Karni Sena members that their demands would be addressed. "Everything happened peacefully. They have given me a memorandum. Their Agra-level demands will be met by tomorrow, and their Delhi-related demands will be sent forward," Singh confirmed. Rana Sanga, also known as Sangram Singh I, ruled Mewar from 1508 to 1528 and is remembered for his valor and sacrifices, particularly in his resistance against the Mughal invasions. His legacy continues to inspire Kshatriya communities like the Karni Sena, who regard him as a symbol of pride and bravery. (ANI) According to a release, based on specific intelligence, officers of DRI Mumbai intercepted a passenger travelling by flight TG 317 from Bangkok to Mumbai. The release said, a personal search of the passenger resulted in the recovery of 14 foreign-origin gold bars of different weights, cumulatively weighing 6735.42 gm and valued at Rs. 6.30 Crores, ingeniously concealed in a shoe worn by the passenger. As per the release, during his voluntary statement, the passenger revealed the details of the buyer of the smuggled gold, following which the buyer was apprehended. In his voluntary statement, the buyer also admitted to his role in smuggling of gold. The release noted that the recovered 6735.42 gm of smuggled gold (valued at Rs. 6.30 Crores) was seized, and the passenger as well as the buyer were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is in progress. (ANI) Citing a protest by the resident of Sriniwaspuri in New Delhi over long power cuts, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi Assembly, Atishi on Saturday targeted Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led government and said that the people are now feeling that they made "mistake" by voting for the BJP. AAP leader shared a video on X of the people protesting on the streets in Delhi's Sriniwaspuri against Water Minister Parvesh Verma. "The public, troubled by the continuous power cuts in Delhi, has now taken to the streets. There is a 'halla bol' (uproar) against the Chief Minister and ministers. The BJP's lies and 'jumle' stand exposed before the people, and now the public will hold the BJP accountable for every single lie. People in Delhi are so troubled by power cuts that they start cursing BJP leaders on sight. That is why BJP ministers cannot step out of their offices without hundreds of policemen," Atishi said. Atishi said that people in the national capital will now be recalling that no power cuts were done during previous AAP government. "On Friday night, there were long power cuts in many areas of Delhi. Electricity was gone for hours. Delhiites are saying they haven't seen such power cuts in years. Everyone is recalling that during Arvind Kejriwal's time, electricity never went out. They now feel that voting for the BJP was a mistake," the Delhi Assembly LoP added. On this, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal expressed serious concern over the crisis. "In just two months, look at what they've done to Delhi," he wrote, pointing to the deteriorating state of governance under the BJP's watch. AAP spokesperson Vandana Sinha said that when people in Sriniwaspuri approached Water Minister Pravesh Verma with complaints about power cuts and dirty water, they were welcomed with police lathis. "Why do BJP ministers not want to meet the public? Why don't they want to answer people's questions? Are they afraid of the people's questions? Or is it that the BJP does not know how to run a government in Delhi?" she asked. The AAP claimed that on Friday, there were long power cuts in several areas of Delhi including Budh Vihar, Sant Nagar in Burari, Sangam Vihar, Palam Village, Prince Colony in Badarpur, Indra Park in Uttam Nagar, Hargovind Enclave in Chhatarpur, Mahavir Enclave Part 2, Nihal Vihar in Nangloi, East Delhi, Old Rajendra Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, and many more. (ANI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren mourned the death of CRPF Jawan Sunil Dhan, who lost his life in Jharkhand's Chaibasa due to an IED blast during anti-naxal operations on Saturday. Hemant Soren shared a post on his official 'X' handle and paid his tribute to the late CRPF jawan. "Sad news has been received about the martyrdom of Jharkhand Jaguar soldier Sunil Dhan ji, who was injured in an IED blast during a search operation in Chaibasa. May the soul of Marang Buru martyr Sunil rest in peace and give the bereaved family the strength to bear this difficult time of grief. I pray for the speedy recovery of another soldier injured in the search operation", Hemant Soren's 'X' post read. Sunil Dhan, along with another CRPF jawan, was injured in Jharkhand's Jaraikela during the anti-naxal operations. They were successfully evacuated and airlifted to Ranchi for further treatment, where Dhan lost his life and the other jawan is still undergoing treatment. "One jawan of Jharkhand Jaguar lost his life in IED blast, while CRPF jawan is undergoing the treatment," Ranchi DIG-cum-Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Chandan Kumar Sinha said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Union government has intensified their operations against naxals in Chhattisgarh. Earlier today, one naxal operative was killed during a joint operation by security forces in the Kolnar area in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said on Saturday. According to CRPF, the search operation was carried out on Saturday morning and is currently underway with the CRPF's 202 CoBRA, 210 CoBRA, state police's Special Task Force and the District Reserve Guard at the scene currently. On April 5, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Naxalism will be completely eradicated from the country by next year. He said that Naxalism is on the verge of ending in Bastar and that the BJP government is committed to freeing India from the grip of "Laal Aatank" by March 2026. (ANI) In wake of mob violence in Murshidabad in which three people were killed, West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said raised apprehension that Hindus were not safe in the state and situation is very serious, delicate. Suvendu Adhikari said, "One has to go to court to celebrate Hindu festivals here. Today also a lot of violence happened. Yesterday two deaths happened and one more in police firing. In Dhuliyan Hindu shops were looted. The situation is out of police control. 35 policemen have been injured so far." "Mamata Banerjee is doing politics of appeasement. I had earlier written to the Governor (for deployment of central forces in Bengal), yesterday I also appealed to the Chief Minister. When these people did not do so, I went to court today. Tomorrow there is a BJP rally in College Square. The ground reality is that Hindus are not safe in Bengal, the situation is very serious, delicate," he further added. A special bench of Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in the Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence in the district during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that resulted in three deaths so far. Advocate Anish Mukherjee, representing West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has filed a PIL seeking deployment of central forces and an NIA probe, said, "For several days now, we have been witnessing widespread violence throughout the state of West Bengal, particularly in the Murshidabad district." The high court also instructed both the Mamata government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17. "After hearing the matter, the court directed that deployment of central forces in Murshidabad district should be done immediately..., and the state administration will assist the central forces to ensure that there is no loss of life or obstruction or violation of law in any manner. Now this PIL has been accepted by the High Court and this PIL will be returnable on April 17, where both the state and the Centre will file their respective affidavits stating their stand," he further said. Three people were killed on Friday night in Murshidabad in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the district, West Bengal Police said. Several vehicles were also torched, and as per police, the situation is now under control. West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar on Saturday morning said that there is clear instruction from government not to tolerate any kind of hooliganism. DGP Rajeev Kumar said, "An atmosphere of unrest has been seen in Jangipur since yesterday and communal disturbance has also been observed. Any kind of hooliganism will not be tolerated. We are dealing with the situation very strongly." He further said that it started with demonstration, then destruction of public property and then it took communal angle. "It is our responsibility to protect human life. Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in hooliganism. No one should spread rumours, do not pay attention to rumours. Police will take strict action; do not take the law into your own hands. Section 163 is applicable in violence-affected areas. Strict action will be taken if government property is set on fire. We request for cooperation from the public, we will not tolerate any kind of violence," he said. He further said that people are not allowed to come on the street and take the law into their hands. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday lauded the efforts of the Assam Police and leaders from the minority community for ensuring peace across the state amid intelligence inputs warning of possible unrest over the protest on the Waqf Amendment Act. Speaking to the media, CM Sarma emphasized that despite apprehensions of protests on Friday, the situation remained largely calm, with only minor demonstrations reported at three locations. "Yesterday was Friday, and we had strong intelligence that, Assam is going to witness some kind of disturbance as a result of protest by the minority community. We received that input five days ago. Assam Police has worked with and approached every single leader of the minority community. Our SPs got in touch with various Masjid communities and various important persons from the minority community," the Assam Chief Minister said. Chief Minister Sarma said that peaceful situation in the state is an outcome of the extensive outreach carried out by the Assam Police. "Assam Police extensively worked for the last five days. Yesterday was a day of immense satisfaction that Assam did not witness any kind of protest. We only witnessed protests in three places, with 150 people at each venue. This is a result of extensive outreach by the Assam Police," CM Sarma said. CM Sarma further affirmed that maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of the state. "I would like to offer my gratitude to the people from the minority community. Maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of the state. In coming days also, we will maintain the law and order situation in Assam," he said. Several cities, including Delhi, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, witnessed protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. Violence erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Tuesday during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, with clashes between demonstrators and police resulting in stone-pelting and torched police vehicles. However, West Bengal Police announced on Saturday that the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur, Murshidabad district, is now under control. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8 (Tuesday). After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill with 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voted against the legislation. The act aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995 and the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013. The 1995 act and the 2013 amendment laid out rules to govern the Waqf properties in India; created special courts (called Waqf Tribunals) with powers similar to civil courts (Tribunal decisions cannot be challenged in civil courts); and prohibited the sale of Waqf properties. (ANI) Following the mob violence in Murshidabad district against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy stated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called a meeting to pacify the Muslim community. Saugata Roy said, "Mamata Banerjee is the leader of the people of Bengal. She knows how to run Bengal. There is no place for BJP here. People are unhappy over Waqf Amendment Bill, so the Chief Minister has called a meeting to pacify the Muslim community. People's sentiments are agitated over the Waqf Bill. The reaction was spontaneous." A special bench of Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in the Murshidabad after widespread violence in the district during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that resulted in three deaths so far. Advocate Anish Mukherjee, representing West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has filed a PIL seeking deployment of central forces and an NIA probe, said, "For several days now, we have been witnessing widespread violence throughout the state of West Bengal, particularly in the Murshidabad district." The high court also instructed both the Mamata government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17. "After hearing the matter, the court directed that deployment of central forces in Murshidabad district should be done immediately..., and the state administration will assist the central forces to ensure that there is no loss of life or obstruction or violation of law in any manner. Now this PIL has been accepted by the High Court and this PIL will be returnable on April 17, where both the state and the Centre will file their respective affidavits stating their stand," he further said. Three people were killed on Friday night in Murshidabad in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the district, West Bengal Police said. Several vehicles were also torched, and as per police, the situation is now under control. West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar on Saturday morning said that there is clear instruction from government not to tolerate any kind of hooliganism. DGP Rajeev Kumar said, "An atmosphere of unrest has been seen in Jangipur since yesterday and communal disturbance has also been observed. Any kind of hooliganism will not be tolerated. We are dealing with the situation very strongly." He further said that it started with demonstration, then destruction of public property and then it took communal angle. "It is our responsibility to protect human life. Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in hooliganism. No one should spread rumours, do not pay attention to rumours. Police will take strict action; do not take the law into your own hands. Section 163 is applicable in violence-affected areas. Strict action will be taken if government property is set on fire. We request for cooperation from the public, we will not tolerate any kind of violence," he said. He further said that people are not allowed to come on the street and take the law into their hands. (ANI) The Ministry of Corporate Affairs hosted the 5th Candidate Open House on April 11, an official statement said on Saturday. During the session, the interns from the PM Internship Scheme reflected on their transformative journeys. According to an official release, as part of the Fifth online 'Candidate Open House', the Ministry of Corporate Affairs brought together interns of the Prime Minister Internship Scheme to share their early experiences. The session served as a vital touchpoint for aspirants, current interns, and industry stakeholders navigating the scheme with an overwhelming presence of 557 participants, the release said. In the previous edition of the Open House on April 4, 2025, interns from ONGC shared compelling insights into their learning journeys, while Anil Bahuguna, Chief of Skill Development at ONGC, highlighted how the organisation is nurturing youth through core skills, soft skills, and overall personality development. Carrying the momentum forward on 11th April 2025, Priyo Roop Guha-HR Lead (Center of Excellence) from HDFC Bank shared how HDFC is actively partnering with the MCA's PM Internship Scheme to shape aspiring students into job-ready professionals, grooming them with real-world exposure, guidance, and skill refinement, Corporate Affairs ministry said. "He also shared that over 130 interns have joined across India under PMIS since December, offering them frontline sales roles near home locations. Post-internship, many may be absorbed into full-time roles, making it a strong launchpad for banking careers," ministry added. During the Open House, three interns, Niraj from Uttar Pradesh, Pralay from West Bengal, and Astha from Bihar, shared their inspiring journeys under the Prime Minister Internship Scheme, each reflecting a unique path of growth and transformation, the release read. As per the release, Niraj, a history graduate, spoke about his transition into the world of finance and banking. With full support from HDFC Bank, he was relocated from Delhi to a branch closer to his hometown, allowing him to learn and contribute meaningfully. From mastering core banking services to understanding financial products, his journey has been one of remarkable professional evolution. Astha, a 22-year-old small-town girl from Naugachia, Bihar, dreamed of a job after graduating in commerce but had no skills and wasn't allowed to leave her town. Then a friend told her about the PM Internship Scheme and it changed her life. Placed at a nearby HDFC branch, she is now confident, disciplined, handling banking products with ease, and proudly supporting her family. "I never imagined such an opportunity would come my way," she said, now encouraging others to apply too, it added. Pralay, who left a fixed-salary job to join the internship, described how his background in economics found its true purpose in the banking sector. He emphasized that this learning experience has been far more valuable than a routine job. Encouraged by the constant support of his team, he is confident that the internship will pave the way for a full-time career in the industry, an official statement said. Corportate Affairs Ministry said that their stories exemplify how the PM Internship Scheme is not just about work experience but about unlocking potential, building confidence, and shaping futures. (ANI) In view of communal violence reported in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Saturday spoke with the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of the state, assuring all possible help. Through the video conference with the Chief Secretary and the DGP of West Bengal, the Home Secretary advised the state administration to keep a close watch on other sensitive districts also and to put in place adequate steps to ensure normalcy at the earliest. The Home Secretary stated that apart from nearly 300 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel locally available in Murshidabad, an additional five Companies have been deployed at the request of the state government. He mentioned that the "Centre is also closely monitoring the situation and assured the state all possible assistance including deployment of additional manpower, if necessary." West Bengal DGP briefed that the situation was tense but under control and was being monitored closely. The DGP further stated that he is taking the assistance of BSF posted locally, and that more than 150 persons have been arrested. Meanwhile, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in the Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence in the district during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that resulted in three deaths so far. Advocate Anish Mukherjee, representing West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has filed a PIL seeking deployment of central forces and an NIA probe, said, "For several days now, we have been witnessing widespread violence throughout the state of West Bengal, particularly in the Murshidabad district." The violence broke out in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Police said the protests swept across Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts, leading to arson, stone-pelting and road blockades. Officials said the situation in the violence-hit areas remained tense on Saturday morning, though no fresh incidents were reported. Prohibitory orders have been imposed and internet services suspended in the worst-hit Murshidabad district, where violence took place. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings on the eve of Vaisakhi, Vishu, Bohag Bihu, Poila Boishakh, Meshadi, Vaishakhadi and Puthandu Pirapu, which are being celebrated on April 13, 14 and 15, an official statement released by President Secretariat said on Saturday. "On the auspicious occasion of Vaisakhi, Vishu, Bohag Bihu, Poila Boishakh, Meshadi, Vaishakhadi and Puthandu Pirapu, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in India and abroad," President Murmu said. President Murmu said that these festivals are celebrated at the time of harvest in various parts of India which symbolise our social traditions and unity in diversity. "These festivals celebrated at the time of harvest in various parts of India symbolise our social traditions and unity in diversity. Through these festivals, we honour the hard work of our 'Annadata' farmers and express our gratitude to them. These festivals also give the message of preserving nature and protecting our cultural legacy," she said. "I wish that these vibrant festivals motivate us to work with commitment and dedication for the development of our nation," President Murmu added. Earlier on March 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the nation during his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' program, extended his greetings as the country starts its vibrant month of multiple festivals. The Prime Minister highlighted how these festivals underline the country's unity in diversity. The harvest festival, Baisakhi, marks the beginning of New Year in some parts of India and is celebrated with great fervour and traditional gaiety. The festival brings prosperity and success in every home, uniting people in joyous celebrations with rituals and festivity. (ANI) In yet another major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, with the support of Central Agencies and Delhi Police, has successfully arrested Uttar Pradesh (UP)-based Saidul Ameen-- the prime accused involved in the grenade attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia's residence, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday. As per the information, an explosion occurred at the residence of Senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia located in Central Town Jalandhar on the intervening night of April 7. Preliminary investigations had revealed a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan's ISI to disrupt communal harmony in Punjab. The development came close on the heels of the arrest of two local associates identified as Satish alias Kaka alias Lucky of Bhargo Camp in Jalandhar and Harry of Garha Road in Jalandhar, who provided logistical support to accused Saidul Ameen. The plot was masterminded by Zeeshan Akhtar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Pakistan-based ISI-sponsored gangster Shahzad Bhatti, while, role of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also being probed. DGP Gaurav Yadav, accompanied by Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Dhanpreet Kaur, while addressing a press conference in Jalandhar, said that the accused, Saidul Ameen, a resident of Amroha in UP, was apprehended in Delhi after an intensive multi-state manhunt. "This arrest is a testament to the seamless coordination between Punjab Police, Central Agencies, and Delhi Police in dismantling terror networks," he said. The DGP said that the ongoing probe has also revealed the financial link to the executors of the grenade attack under which role of Haryana-based accused identified as Abhijot, who was arrested by the Haryana Police on Friday after exchange of fire in Kurukshetra, has also come under the light. Jalandhar Commissionerate Police will bring him on production warrant for further investigations, he added. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that further investigations are ongoing to uncover handlers, financial backers, and potential foreign connections linked to the attack. A case FIR no. 27 dated 8/4/2025 has already been registered under sections 109, 324(3) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station Division number 3 in Jalandhar. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved several significant infrastructure projects and name changes aimed at improving local development and honouring the state's heroes. In a move to enhance connectivity in border and remote areas, the Chief Minister has sanctioned Rs 379.41 lakh for the construction of an access road near Kali River, downstream of the 110-meter double-lane motor bridge under construction at Charchhoom, located between India and Nepal in Dharchula assembly constituency of Pithoragarh district. This project is expected to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the region, which is crucial for both local residents and security personnel. Additionally, CM Dhami has approved Rs 472.81 lakh for the construction of internal roads in various gram panchayats under the district panchayat area of Chandroti in the Mussoorie assembly constituency of the Dehradun district, a release said. In Chamoli district, Rs 659.08 lakh has been allocated for the improvement and asphalting of the Ghat-Ramni motor road under the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, which is expected to boost tourism and accessibility for pilgrims. Rs 697.35 lakh has been approved for hot mixing by DBM/BC for the Dhari Dhundsir motor road in Kirtinagar Dangdhari. In a major development for the state's road infrastructure, the Chief Minister has also given administrative approval for schemes worth Rs 453.96 crore under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, covering 12 schemes to improve road infrastructure across the state. In addition to infrastructure approvals, CM Dhami has also endorsed name changes for several Regional Information Centers (R.I.C.) in the state as a mark of respect to local heroes. The R.I.C. Thati Budhakedar in Tehri Garhwal will now be named Shaheed Havildar Bachan Singh Negi R.I.C. Thati Budhakedar, the R.I.C. Dubchauda in Champawat will be renamed Shaheed Lance Naik Vikram Singh R.I.C. Dubchauda, and the R.I.C. Hatal in Chakrata, Dehradun will be renamed Late Pandit Jhanoram Sharma R.I.C. Hatal. Additionally, the R.I.C. Sandhar in Bironkhal, Pauri Garhwal will be renamed Freedom Fighter Late Shambhu Prasad Joshi R.I.C. Sandhar. (ANI) West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed concern over the riots in West Bengal's Murshidabad, and said that he was glad that the Calcutta High Court stepped in and gave appropriate decision. Governor CV Ananda Bose said, "I have been told that the Calcutta High Court has ordered deployment of central forces in riot-affected areas of West Bengal, including Murshidabad. Immediately after receiving information, as Governor I had taken it with competent authorities. Deployment of central forces is required to maintain peace and bring normalcy in those areas. I also discussed the situation with leaders of various political parties. I'm glad that the High Court has stepped in and given the appropriate decision at the appropriate time." A special bench of Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in the Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence in the district during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that resulted in three deaths so far. Advocate Anish Mukherjee, representing West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has filed a PIL seeking deployment of central forces and an NIA probe, said, "For several days now, we have been witnessing widespread violence throughout the state of West Bengal, particularly in the Murshidabad district." The high court also instructed both the Mamata government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17. "After hearing the matter, the court directed that deployment of central forces in Murshidabad district should be done immediately..., and the state administration will assist the central forces to ensure that there is no loss of life or obstruction or violation of law in any manner. Now this PIL has been accepted by the High Court and this PIL will be returnable on April 17, where both the state and the Centre will file their respective affidavits stating their stand," he further said. Three people were killed on Friday night in Murshidabad in the aftermath of mob violence against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the district, West Bengal Police said. Several vehicles were also torched, and as per police, the situation is now under control. West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar on Saturday morning said that there is clear instruction from government not to tolerate any kind of hooliganism. DGP Rajeev Kumar said, "An atmosphere of unrest has been seen in Jangipur since yesterday and communal disturbance has also been observed. Any kind of hooliganism will not be tolerated. We are dealing with the situation very strongly." He further said that it started with demonstration, then destruction of public property and then it took communal angle. "It is our responsibility to protect human life. Strict action will be taken against those who indulge in hooliganism. No one should spread rumours, do not pay attention to rumours. Police will take strict action; do not take the law into your own hands. Section 163 is applicable in violence-affected areas. Strict action will be taken if government property is set on fire. We request for cooperation from the public, we will not tolerate any kind of violence," he said. He further said that people are not allowed to come on the street and take the law into their hands. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is carrying forward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's struggle for 'Swaraj, Swadharma and Swabhasha.' Shah addressed a program held at Raigad Fort in Raigad, Maharashtra, on the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 345th death anniversary. Amit Shah emphasized that Shivaji Maharaj's final message was that the struggle for Swaraj, respect for Swadharma, and the immortality of Swabhasha should never stop. He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this struggle is moving forward with pride today. "PM Modi has worked to give India a glorious place on the global stage," he said. The Union Home Minister further stated that Shivaji Maharaj envisioned the restoration of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the access to all Jyotirlingas, and the revival of the Ram Janmabhoomi. "These tasks have been fulfilled during PM Modi's tenure. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which had been destroyed by Aurangzeb, was revitalized through the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor under Prime Minister Narendra Modi rule," Shah said. He said that the whole country is committed to completing the remaining tasks to fully realize the message of Shivaji Maharaj. Shah said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj represents determination, dedication, sacrifice, bravery, self-respect, and the immortal spirit of Swaraj. He mentioned that the Maharashtra government has launched a campaign to bring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy to every household. He further highlighted that Prime Minister Modi, by making Shivaji Maharaj's Royal Seal the symbol of our Navy, has declared to the world that our country and our Swaraj are fully secured. The Home Minister also noted that Prime Minister Modi and the Maharashtra government are working towards having 12 historic forts recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that when Shivaji Maharaj was born, the people of the country were engulfed in deep darkness. "The environment was such that even imagining the idea of Swaraj seemed impossible. Within just a hundred years after the fall of Devagiri, the decline of Maharashtra and the entire southern region had taken place, and gradually, speaking of one's own religion and self-rule came to be seen as a crime," he said. "But in such times, a 12-year-old boy, inspired by his mother Rajmata Jijabai, took a vow to once again raise the saffron flag from the Sindhu River to Kanyakumari," he asserted. "When Shivaji Maharaj's forces reached Attock, Bengal, Cuttack, and Tamil Nadu, then people across the land began to believe once again -- that the nation, its religion, languages, and culture had been saved," Shah highlighted. Many dignitaries were present, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, and Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol. Union Home Minister said that the vision of making India the best in the world in every field was first laid down by Shivaji Maharaj. He added that today, 75 years after India's independence, we stand tall before the world with pride, and we resolve that when India completes 100 years of independence, the country will achieve the number one position globally in every domain. Shah emphasized that it is our duty to ensure every child in India learns about Shivaji's life and legacy. He said that Shivaji Maharaj should not be limited to Maharashtra -- the entire country, and even the world, can draw inspiration from him. The Union Home Minister said that the Central and Maharashtra governments are committed to transforming the Raigad memorial into not just a tourist destination, but a source of inspiration for the youth of the country by providing it with various modern facilities. He appealed to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to ensure that every student from classes 7 to 12 visits this sacred site at least once, so they can connect with the legacy and ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. (ANI) Delhi's Patiala House Court has granted a default bail to Mohd. Shahbaz Ansari, an accused in Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) Jharkhand module Training module case. He has been granted bail in view of the non-filing of the chargesheet in the prescribed 90-day statutory period under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Ansari was arrested on January 10, 2025. The court noted that the Delhi Police have not moved any application seeking an extension of the Investigation Period beyond 90 days. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Dr Hardeep Kaur, after considering all the facts, granted bail to Mohd. Shahbaz Ansari is subject to certain conditions. While granting bail to Ansari, the court observed, "Despite the lapse of the statutory time period of 90 days, neither the charge sheet in the instant matter nor any application for extension of the period of investigation was filed." The court further noted the submissions of the Prosecution that the investigation related to Ansari is still pending. ASJ Hardeep Kaur said, "In my considered opinion, there is no embargo on the powers of the investigating agency to investigate the matter further, however, after the lapse of statutory time, the applicant/ accused is entitled for statutory bail." "Consequently, applicant/accused Mohd. Shahbaz Ansari is admitted to default bail on his furnishing bail bond in the sum of Rs 50,000 with two sureties each in the like amount," the court ordered on April 9. Advocate Abu Bakr Sabbaq had moved an application on behalf of Mohd. Shahbaz Ansari is seeking default bail. Counsel for the accused submitted that he was arrested in the present case on January 10, 2025. In terms of Section 187 BNSS, a chargesheet or final report was to be filed within a period of 90 days. Same has not been done. Advocate Sabbaq further submitted that the investigating agency is not seeking further time and extension of investigations based on the satisfaction of the Public Prosecutor report and satisfaction as per established law. He also submitted that Ansari has been implicated in this false case and nothing incriminating has been recovered from their possession in front of independent public witnesses. On the other hand, Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) opposed the default bail application on the ground that accused is member of highly radicalized Jharkhand based group headed by Dr Ishtiyaq and pursuant to input and technical surveillance that some members of the group have come to Bhiwadi Rajasthan for taking weapon training and conspiracy of the same is hatched in Ranchi, Jharkhand, raids were conducted accused persons were arrested including Ansari. In this case, Dr Ishtiyaq has moved a bail application, and the same is pending before the court. He has sought bail on the ground that the charge sheet has been filed without mandatory sanction for Prosecution under UAPA. He is alleged to be leader of the module. On February 17, 2025, Delhi police filed a charge sheet against 8 accused person including Dr Ishtiyaq of Ranchi arrested in AQIS's Jharkhand Training Module case. This matter is at the stage of Cognizance of the charge sheet. The court was informed by Delhi Police that sanction under UAPA is still awaited. Dr Ishtiyaq and other accused persons were arrested on August 22, 2024. In this case accused include Dr Ishtiyaq of Ranchi. It is alleged that members of the module have received indoctrination and weapons training at various locations. (ANI) A pre-announced massive protest rally in Kailashahar demanding the withdrawal of the Waqf Act led to a tense situation on Saturday. The rally, which began at Tilabazar in Kailashahar, turned chaotic upon reaching the Kubzhar area when scuffles broke out between the protesters and the police. The situation escalated as the protesters attempted to break through two police barricades in an effort to move towards the town. In response, the police carried out a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. This led to further unrest as some of the protests began pelting stones and bricks at the police. Several journalists, police personnel, and protestors sustained injuries during the clashes while covering or participating in the incident. In a bid to control the situation, police resorted to firing tear gas shells. The rally witnessed the participation of a large number of people. Following the outbreak of violence, top police officials, including DIG Rati Ranjan Debnath, Unakoti District SP, Additional SP, DSP Utpalendu Debnath, SDPO Kailashahar Jayanta Karmakar, and OC Sukanta Sen Choudhury, rushed to the spot along with large contingents of police, TSR, and CRPF forces. Police officials have stated that legal action will be taken against those responsible for inciting violence during what was intended to be a peaceful rally. Efforts are underway to identify the culprits based on available evidence. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8. After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill with 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voted against the legislation. The act aims to modify the Waqf Act, 1995 and the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013. The 1995 law and the 2013 amendment laid out rules to govern the Waqf properties in India; created special courts (called Waqf Tribunals) with powers similar to civil courts (Tribunal decisions cannot be challenged in civil courts); and prohibited the sale of Waqf properties. (ANI) The situation in Lucknow, which briefly turned tense following a protest by villagers over BR Ambedkar's statue, has been brought under control, according to DCP Gopal Krishan Choudhary. Police forces remain deployed at the site, while negotiations involving public representatives are underway to resolve the issue peacefully. Speaking to ANI, DCP Choudhary said, "Police forces are present on the spot for the purpose of peace order. However, negotiations are being held by the legislature and other public representatives. The problem will be resolved by negotiating. Negotiations are being held with all parties. The situation is normal on the spot. The situation went out of control for sometime but now everything is normal." Meanwhile, on Saturday, clashes broke out between police and villagers in Uttar Pradesh's Khantari village in Lucknow. The villagers allegedly pelted stones on the police forces, due to which the situation became tense. According to the information, the clashes occurred when the police arrived in the village to allegedly remove the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar. The police did a lathi charge on the villagers after the incident to control the situation. BJP MLA Yogesh Shukla reached the incident spot to ensure dialogues with the villagers. According to MLA Yogesh Shukla, the statue was kept without permission and will be restored by following every procedure. Shukla added, "This is a matter of Ambedkar's statue and we want this matter to be resolved peacefully. There was no permission to place the statue, this is the order of the Supreme Court. The statue will be kept, but there is a process and system for it; we cannot break the system. I want that the statue should be kept and the wishes of the villagers should be fulfilled and the law should also be protected, which should be kept according to the law written by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar." (ANI) White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday (local time) confirmed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff is currently in Russia to hold direct talks with the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the ongoing efforts towards a ceasefire deal for the Ukraine conflict. During a press briefing, Leavitt stated that it was a step towards the negotiating process for the ceasefire as well as an "ultimate peace deal." She added that US President Donald Trump has been "continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict," indicating the administration's intent to take a more active role in peace negotiations. "I can confirm that Steve Witkoff is in Russia to have direct communications with the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin. This is another step in the negotiating process towards a ceasefire and an ultimate peace deal. The President has been quite clear that he has been continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict," the White House Press Secretary said. Earlier in the day, Russian state television broadcast footage of Putin welcoming Witkoff at the presidential library in St Petersburg, as reported by Al Jazeera. As per Al Jazeera, citing state media agencies, the talks lasted over four hours. According to the Kremlin, the meeting addressed "various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement", but no further details were provided. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov earlier indicated that the two might also consider the possibility of arranging an in-person meeting between Putin and Trump, Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, earlier, President Trump had issued a stern warning to the Russian President to cooperate on ending the Ukraine war, as reported by CNN. In a phone interview with NBC news, Trump stated he's "pissed off" with Putin's actions and may impose additional tariffs on Russian oil if Putin doesn't cooperate in ongoing negotiations to end his war in Ukraine. "I was very angry - pissed off - when Putin started getting into Zelensky's credibility, because that's not going in the right location, you understand?" Trump said in the interview. "But new leadership means you're not going to have a deal for a long time, right?" Trump said. Trump further warned that a failure to reach a deal could result in significant consequences, including secondary tariffs on Russian oil, as per CNN. (ANI) External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Friday expressed appreciation towards US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Taking to X, Jaishankar appreciated the counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the US, bringing Rana to India after 17 years since the attack. "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," Jaishankar stated, replying to Rubio's post. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1910720105530409166 Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Rubio confirmed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India, where he will face charges for his role in planning the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Sharing a post on X, Rubio wrote, "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." Tahawwur Rana, who is among the main accused of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was extradited to India from the USA on Thursday. 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 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. (ANI) Amid the tariff announcements and how US President Donald Trump's administration is handling the major global affairs, experts discuss damage to the US soft power over certain regions and its implications for global security and alliances. During a session focused on the "State of the World" at the 9th Carnegie Global Technology Summit on Friday, experts claimed that there was an erosion of US soft power, which could have far-reaching consequences for the US' role in global security, international alliances, and its ability to shape future geopolitical outcomes, particularly in relation to Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking during the discussion, Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Centre for a New American Security, Lisa Curtis, expressed concern that the US's handling of the Ukraine conflict could undermine its credibility in the Indo-Pacific region. She emphasised that US leadership cannot afford to show weakness in one region while expecting to maintain its influence in another, as it makes the country look "weak" in the eyes of its adversaries. "Regarding the Indo-Pacific, there are reservations because of Trump's equivocation on support to Ukraine. This will have an impact in the Indo-Pacific, and that would make our partners and allies feel that we are less reliable, and it could encourage our adversaries because it makes America look weak. You can't show weakness in the face of military aggression in one region of the world and expect that to impact deterrents in another region," Curtis said. Managing Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Bonnie S. Glaser, further discussed the weakening of US soft power, attributing it to the actions taken by the Trump administration. Glaser pointed out that this could offer an opportunity for countries like China in shifting the global balance of power. "Actions of Trump's administration are damaging US credibility and weakening American soft power. I can see how China is reacting to this, and they are trying to seize opportunities. They have been preparing for it for some time," she said. Meanwhile, Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation DB Venkatesh Varma discussed the broader geopolitical consequences, noting that both the US and Russia are recognising their roles as major powers once again, with their potential to influence global affairs if political will is aligned. He added that the war in Ukraine has reached a stalemate, with neither side in a position to secure a decisive outcome, highlighting that the key factor shaping the outcome remains how the US would play its role as it has played historically. "The US and Russia are rediscovering that they are big powers and they have tremendous leverage, provided that they have a political will to align issues. Ukraine is one part of the conversation. Russia, after three years of war, is too weak to win, and Ukraine is too strong to lose. The tipping factor is the driving force that the US had for decades and the nature of European Security ever since the end of the Cold War," Varma stated. Notably, the ninth Global Technology Summit (GTS), co-hosted with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, is being held from April 10 to 12, 2025, in New Delhi, with public sessions on April 11 and 12. This year's theme, Sambhavna - meaning "possibilities" - highlights the transformative potential of critical and emerging technologies to drive economic growth while shaping international relations, security frameworks, and global governance. (ANI) Paris [France], April 12 (ANI/WAM): The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Interior, has been elected to chair the Committee on Governance, a key advisory committee of the INTERPOL. This achievement further demonstrates the UAE's strong reputation, its strategic role in fostering influential international partnerships, and its ongoing commitment to collaborative international action. Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of the International Affairs Office at the Ministry of Interior, secured 67 per cent of the votes from the representatives of INTERPOL member states during the committee's session, held at INTERPOL's headquarters in Lyon, France. The Committee on Governance is one of the main advisory bodies within INTERPOL, tasked with examining and enhancing the governance of the organisation. The committee's role is pivotal in ensuring good governance, which supports the effective development and performance of INTERPOL and its member countries, while ensuring that the organisation meets its strategic objectives. At the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow in late 2024, a resolution established the Committee on Governance as a standing committee of the General Assembly, transforming the former Working Group on Governance into this permanent body. The UAE is the first country to chair this newly formed standing committee, which is tasked with reviewing and advising on matters related to the governance of INTERPOL. As part of its mandate, the Committee on Governance will review the INTERPOL Statute, General Regulations, and their annexes. It will provide advice to the General Assembly regarding proposals to amend these documents or on any proposals concerning their interpretation, in addition to other relevant matters within its competencies. The committee's membership consists of high-level experts in governance and public international law, representing member states and ensuring broad, inclusive participation in the committee's work. As Chair of the Committee on Governance for a two-year term, the UAE will lead discussions and facilitate decision-making within the committee. It will also represent the committee in reports to the General Assembly and the Executive Committee, and will coordinate between member states to ensure the successful implementation of the committee's mandate, thus contributing to the overall success of INTERPOL's governance. (ANI/WAM) Fujairah [UAE], April 12 (ANI/WAM): Fujairah International Airport has announced its partnership with IndiGo, India's fastest-growing airline, to launch two direct daily flights to Mumbai and Kannur starting from May 15, 2025. This new partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening the ties between the Emirate of Fujairah and the Republic of India, offering travellers more travel options and easier access to new destinations, with a strong commitment to punctuality and well-organized flight schedules. IndiGo's expansion into Fujairah Airport is set to offer passengers an improved travel experience with excellent customer service, modern aircraft, and timely schedules. This partnership will significantly improve connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and India, offering more choices for travellers looking to visit family, friends, or business partners. The addition of these daily flights comes at a perfect time, as both Mumbai and Kannur are in high demand among residents and tourists alike. Beyond regional connectivity, the introduction of these destinations is set to provide a major boost to Fujairah's tourism and business sectors. With more international visitors passing through Fujairah International Airport, they will have the opportunity to discover the region's natural beauty and exceptional tourist attractions, contributing to the local economy and enhancing the region's appeal as both a tourist and economic hub. "We are thrilled to welcome IndiGo to Fujairah International Airport," said Captain Esmail Al Baloushi, General Manager of Fujairah International Airport. "This partnership enhances our mission to offer passengers more travel options while improving the connectivity of Fujairah with key destinations in India. We believe this will further cement Fujairah's position as a preferred gateway for both international and regional travellers, while also giving a significant boost to the local tourism industry." Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, "We are pleased to announce the launch of daily direct flights from Mumbai and Kannur to Fujairah, a hidden gem in the UAE that's rich in natural beauty and economic potential. As our 41st international destination and fifth in the UAE (we already fly to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah & Sharjah), Fujairah offers a unique blend of mountainous landscapes and a thriving coastline on the Gulf of Oman. With its growing importance in trade, logistics, and tourism, we're confident that these new flights will further enhance regional connectivity. At IndiGo, we're committed to providing convenient, affordable, and seamless travel experiences that bring people and businesses closer together." (ANI/WAM) Tibetans in exile held a candlelight vigil on Friday in Dharamshala to mourn the death of Tibetan religious leader Tulku Humkar Dorje Rinpoche, who died under suspicious circumstances in the custody of Chinese authorities in Vietnam. An activist from the International Tibet Network, Lobsang Yangtso, told ANI that the vigil was organised by four Tibetan NGOs in remembrance of Humkar Dorje. They alleged China's involvement in the death of the religious leader and called for the investigation by the Vietnamese government on the matter as well as the release of Rinpoche's body to his family. "Four Tibetan NGOs are organising a candlelight vigil in Dharamsala in remembrance of Tulku Hungkar Dorje, who died in Vietnam. They alleged that China has influence over that and it is because of the Chinese pressure and involvement. We believe that Rinpoche has died under those circumstances. With this candlelight vigil, we are also asking the Vietnamese government to release the body of Rinpoche to his family and to carry out a thorough investigation," Yangtso said. Nawang Chodon, programme coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet, said, "We have gathered here for the remembrance of Tulku Hungkar Dorje, and we are here to call for an immediate investigation of his suspicious death in Vietnamese custody. He was a highly respected spiritual leader. He was an educationist, and he was known for his dedication to conserving and preserving the Tibetan identity through education and social services." When asked how he died, Chodon stated, "That's the main question we are asking. We need a clear investigation from the Vietnamese government. One thing we know is that he was arrested by the Vietnamese police and Chinese agents." Tulku Hungkar Dorje was arrested on March 25 at his residence in Saigon, Vietnam, in a joint operation by local police and Chinese agents. He was transferred to a public security office on March 28 and died on March 29. The incident has raised concerns over cross-border security operations, transnational repression, and human rights issues. (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected 34 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operating around Taiwan until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) on Saturday. According to the MND, 19 out of the 34 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ). "34 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 19 out of 34 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," MND stated in an X post. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1910860425350267337 Earlier on Friday, Taiwan saw a rise in Chinese occupation in the region, detecting two sorties of Chinese aircraft, six Chinese naval vessels and one official ship. Both sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone). "2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," MND stated on X. The MND further reported the launch of Chinese satellites from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, whose flight path was over central Taiwan towards the Western Pacific that day. However, it posed no threat, as its altitude was beyond the atmosphere as per MND. "At 0:47 a.m. (UTC+8) today, China launched satellites from XSLC, with the flight path over central Taiwan toward the Western Pacific. The altitude is beyond the atmosphere, posing no threat. ROC Armed Forces monitored the process and remain ready to respond accordingly," MND further stated. The Taiwan-China issue is a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict centred on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates its own government, military, and economy, functioning as a de facto independent state. However, China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists on the "One China" policy, which asserts that there is only one China, with Beijing as its capital. This has fuelled decades of tension, especially since the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, took control of mainland China. Beijing has consistently expressed its goal of reunification with Taiwan, using diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally. Meanwhile, Taiwan, supported by a significant portion of its population, continues to maintain its independence. (ANI) Bangladesh has decided to change the name and contents of the UNESCO-recognised traditional procession for the Bengali New Year. Several Islamic political parties and religious organisations were demanding a change, claiming that the name and contents of the procession are similar to Hindu culture. Bangladesh will celebrate Bengali New Year 1432, popularly known as "Pohela Boishakh," on April 14. Mangal Shobhajatra, a mass procession organised by the teachers and students of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, is considered an expression of the secular identity of the Bangladeshi people. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2016, categorised on the representative list as a heritage of humanity. The name of the Bengali New Year's procession, "Mangal Shobhajatra", has been changed to "Barshavaran Ananda Shobhajatra". This information was announced at a press conference at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University on Friday. The interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus described the changes as part of the government of "New Bangladesh" policy of "inclusiveness." "This year's Pokela Boishakh will be characterised by cultural healing and cultural inclusiveness," Mostafa Sarwar Faruki, Adviser for cultural Affairs to the interim government, said. Hefazat-e-Islam, the largest religious group in Bangladesh, Ameer Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman have commented that in the past, the Hindu Janmashtami religious ritual of the Pohela Boishakh celebrations has been imposed on everyone in the name of universality. "Hindutva symbols, concepts and connotations, including the word 'Mangal', must be eliminated from the celebrations of Pohela Boishakh," said Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, the Peer of Charmonai. (ANI) As many as 5,236 Afghan citizens were repatriated through the Torkham border crossing from Pakistan on Thursday, Geo News reported, citing immigration authorities. Of those repatriated, 3,865 Afghan nationals voluntarily reached Landi Kotal transit camp, according to the officials. In addition, 107 Afghan nationals apprehended in Punjab were taken to Torkham for deportation. Furthermore, 295 Afghan nationals were deported from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, according to authorities. Amid the ongoing drive in Pakistan, Afghan Citizen Card holders are also being sent back to Afghanistan. Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Thursday that Afghan nationals were being repatriated in a dignified manner. While addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry said that transit points were being created in all the provinces of Pakistan to facilitate Afghan citizens and added that a helpline was set up for the people of Afghanistan, Geo News reported. He said that the repatriation of illegal citizens from abroad, including Afghan Citizen Card holders, will continue with no extension to the deadline that expired in March. So far, 857,157 illegal foreign nationals and Afghan Citizen Card holders have been repatriated to their respective nations, according to him. Notably, the Pakistani government had given them a deadline to leave the country by March 31. Chaudhry said that the deadline had expired and would not be extended. The minister said, "One-document regime will be fully implemented, requiring valid visas and passports to enter Pakistan." He said Afghan nationals who are being repatriated can visit, work and reside in Pakistan under the one-document regime policy if they have valid passports and visas. Talal Chaudhry recalled that the policy of repatriating illegal foreign nationals has been in effect since October 2023. He stated that repatriation will be completed in phases. Under the first phase, Pakistan sent back illegal foreign nationals without legal documents to their countries. In the second phase, Pakistan is repatriating Afghan Citizen cardholders to their homeland, while in the third phase, Afghan citizens holding Proof of Registration cards will be sent back to their countries, Geo News reported. He said that Pakistan made this decision after hosting millions of Afghan nationals for decades. Talal Chaudhry said that the decision was taken considering current ground realities. He said that it has been observed that Afghan nationals have been engaged in narcotics trade and terrorism-related activities in Pakistan. He further said that revenue generated through narcotics is being used for funding terrorist and criminal activities. Speaking about the figure of registered Afghan nationals, he said that there were 815,247 Afghans registered as Citizen Card holders while 1,469,522 were registered under the Proof of Registration programme. (ANI) United States President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg to discuss the conflict in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported. On Friday, Putin was shown on state TV, as per Al Jazeera, greeting Witkoff in Saint Petersburg's presidential library at the start of the negotiations, and their talks lasted more than four hours. The Kremlin said the meeting "focused on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement", without elaborating. Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Witkoff might discuss the possibility of the Russian leader meeting Trump face-to-face. According to Al Jazeera, Witkoff is now a key figure in the on-off tete-a-tete between Moscow and Washington amid talk on the Russian side of potential joint investments in the Arctic and Russian rare earth minerals. The talks come as the US continues efforts to broker a ceasefire deal to end the conflict, which has stalled amid negotiations on the conditions of the deal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday (local time) confirmed that US special envoy Steve Witkoff is currently in Russia to hold direct talks with the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the ongoing efforts towards a ceasefire deal for the Ukraine conflict. During a press briefing, Leavitt stated that it was a step towards the negotiating process for the ceasefire as well as an "ultimate peace deal." She added that US President Donald Trump has been "continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict," indicating the administration's intent to take a more active role in peace negotiations. Putin and Trump have spoken by phone but have yet to meet in person since the US leader returned to the White House in January for a second four-year term. Trump has been pressing Moscow and Kyiv to agree on a ceasefire deal but has failed to extract any major concessions from the Kremlin, despite several rounds of talks between Russian and US officials. (ANI) Lawyers for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing United Healthcare's CEO Brian Thompson, have requested a federal judge to stop the US Justice Department from seeking the death penalty, terming the decision a "political stunt," CNN reported. Mangione's lawyers have sought court intervention, saying that the Justice Department should be blocked from seeking the death penalty as it did not follow certain protocols and breached Mangione's due process. The request of his lawyers comes days after US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the Justice Department would pursue the death penalty in Mangione's case. They have said that Bondi's public statement tainted the grand jury pool. "The stakes could not be higher. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt," Luigi Mangione's attorneys wrote to the judge. They further stated, "Mr. Mangione's counsel asked for three months to prepare a fulsome mitigation submission to the Department of Justice's Capital Committee and was ignored." Mangione (26) is facing state and federal murder charges for allegedly killing Thompson outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan in March. He has pleaded not guilty to the state charges, CNN reported. Luigi Mangione was charged in a federal criminal complaint. However, he has not yet been indicted on federal charges. Mangione's lawyers said they argued against the death penalty in a "hastily assembled" meeting with federal prosecutors in New York during the final days of the Biden government. However, they were later told that the Capital Case committee had not yet made a decision. His lawyers said they then requested that they be given three months to make a fuller submission with mitigating factors but were told a decision would be made before then. In the filing, Mangione's lawyers said, "Ultimately, any mitigation would have fallen on deaf ears in any event, as the Attorney General was plainly concerned only with 'the President's directive' and with the 'Make America Safe' policies of the administration instead of the facts of this case," CNN reported. On April 1, Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering Thompson, describing the killing as a "premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked the nation." In a statement, Bondi said, "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." According to the US Department of Justice, Mangione's actions involved substantial planning and premeditation."As alleged, Luigi Mangione stalked and murdered UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024. The murder was an act of political violence. Mangione's actions involved substantial planning and premeditation and because the murder took place in public with bystanders nearby, may have posed grave risk of death to additional persons," the statement read. "Following federal murder charges handed down on Dec. 19, 2024, Attorney General Bondi has now directed Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky to seek the death penalty in this case," it added. Since Bondi's announcement, donations to Mangione's legal defence fund have poured in. His supporters have contributed more than USD 850,000 in total, with many recent donations citing the Justice Department's decision to seek the death penalty. (ANI) Marjolijn van Deelen, Special Envoy for Space, European External Action Service, on Saturday emphasised the need for international cooperation to address space security threats. Speaking at the 9th Carnegie Global Tech Summit on 'Guardians of Galaxy: Space Security Norms and Partnerships, ' she highlighted the EU's efforts to promote responsible behavior in space and the need for an international framework to address issues related to Google and space security. While Google is a tech giant, Van Deelen's statement likely refers to the broader challenges posed by technology companies in the space domain. Deelen noted that EU member states share a common understanding of the threats they face in space and the need for collective action. "If there is, in general, there's an idea that there's a very good perception across EU member states of the threats that we face and the need for action," he said. A well-established framework would contribute to a more secure and stable space environment, enabling the continued use of space-based technologies for the benefit of humanity. She further said that they held extensive discussions on responsible behavior and exercise in Vienna and Geneva. "And we see that by the very large support for the resolutions that were adopted in this respect in the first committee in New York for years now, and a process that we have on the previous open ended Working Group on long terms and principles responsible behavior and exercise, which include discussions very eloquently, what we do in Vienna and Geneva," she said. She stressed the importance of establishing an international framework to manage space traffic, ensure safety, and prevent conflicts, citing the need for guidelines similar to those used in other modes of transportation. The EU is focusing on regional approaches to space traffic management, particularly through its Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) initiative in Vienna. "In Vienna, we're focusing much more on safety, so on European Union Space Surveillance & Tracking (EU SST), space traffic management, those are really important topics to get to get done. And the EU looks more at regional approaches to space traffic management, but we very much agree that we need some sort of international framework in order to deal with Google, where at one time and the right of way etc, that we have a little other transportation," she said. Google and other tech companies play a significant role in space-related activities, and an international framework could help ensure their responsible and secure operation. Van Deelen revealed that the EU only recognized space as a strategic domain four years ago, shifting its focus from civilian use to a more comprehensive approach. "Indeed, the EU realized some four years ago that space is a strategic domain. Before that, we were very much focused on the civilian use or the civilian space program. Galileo and Copernicus are very well-known entities, and they were designed to be free, full and open. And that world no longer exists. We have come to realise that by deciding jointly whether the 27 member-states that we see space as a strategic domain," she said. The EU's well-known space programs, Galileo and Copernicus, were designed to be open and free, but the current geopolitical landscape demands a more strategic and secure approach. An international framework would require cooperation among countries, organizations, and tech companies to address common challenges in space security. The framework would promote responsible behavior in space, reducing the risk of conflicts and ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities. (ANI) An immigration judge has ruled that Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil can be deported from the US due to his involvement in leading pro-Palestinian protests held at the campus in 2024, Fox News reported. On Friday, Judge Jamee Comans ruled Khalil can be deported as the US government met its burden of proof to deport him. "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 told the court. He said, "Clearly, what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process." Khalil expressed hope that the urgency deemed fit for him by the judge is afforded to hundreds of others who have been there without hearing for months. He said, "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 is afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months." His lawyers can file relief applications until April 23. During the hearing on Friday, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attorney spoke about how Khalil misrepresented himself on his green card application and was not upfront about some of the organisations he was engaged with. They said Khalil willingly did not reveal his employment with the Syrian office in the UK Embassy in Beirut when he applied for permanent US residency. Federal officials alleged that Khalil was "inadmissible at the time of his adjustment" due to "fraud or willful misrepresentation of material fact" in his status application. The agency accused Khalil of not revealing his work with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and membership in Columbia University Apartheid Divest. After the judge's decision, Khalil's immigration lawyer, Sabrine Mohamah, termed the decision "unjust and alarming." She said, "This is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and a dangerous precedent for anyone who believes in free speech and political expression," Fox News reported. Mahmood is currently imprisoned in Louisiana, a state that detains over 7,000 people everyday and serves as the second-largest hub for immigration detention in the US. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Khalil "hates America." 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." On Tuesday, Comans directed the federal government to give evidence by Wednesday justifying its decision to deport Khalil. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded on behalf of the government in a roughly one-and-a-half-page letter sent to the court on Wednesday. He mentioned a provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to justify Khalil's deportation from the US. The provision enables the US Secretary of State to deport noncitizens if the secretary considers their presence in the US "would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences." Rubio accused Khalil of being part of "antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States." He wrote, "Condoning antisemitic conduct and disruptive protests in the United States would severely undermine that significant foreign policy objective," Fox News reported. Meanwhile, Khalil's lawyers have called the government's detention of Columbia University student "extraordinary and unprecedented" and that the scope of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 is "breathtaking." They wrote, "President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio could apply it to any speech supporting Palestinian rights by any noncitizen. And the policy provides no standards or notice as to what specific statements might subject noncitizens to this unprecedented determination." They argued that deportation, if pursued, would cause a "chilling effect on political debate," the report said. The anti-Israel protests wreaked havoc in US colleges that erupted following the Hamas attacks on Israel in 2023, leading to US President Donald Trump's campaign promise to revoke foreigners' student visas. (ANI) Karachi has been grappling with a severe water crisis following ongoing repair work on a critical water supply line, which has disrupted access to over 400 million gallons of water over the past two days, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to the Karachi Water and Sanitation Corporation (KWSC), the repair process is expected to take at least two more days, leaving nearly 40 to 50 per cent of the city facing acute water shortages. Multiple leaks and bursts in the city's aging pipeline network, compounded by frequent power outages at pumping stations, have triggered the crisis. These recurring issues have severely impacted the already overburdened water distribution system. As a result, many residents are struggling to obtain even the minimum required water for daily use, causing widespread distress. KWSC officials stated that the ongoing repair work is focused on an 84-inch main supply line. Although repairs have been completed at several key points, work is still underway at other critical sections. Currently, around 200 million gallons of water remain undelivered due to the repair activity, The Express Tribune reported. At present, Karachi is receiving only about 450 million gallons of water daily, far below the city's needs. The water shortage has affected numerous areas, including Korangi, Landhi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jamshed Road, PIB Colony, the Old City Area, Lyari, Defence, Clifton, and Mehmoodabad. The situation has also disrupted the functioning of government-operated water hydrants. Only 10 percent of water is being supplied from the Landhi and Sherpao hydrants, while NEPA and Safoora hydrants are operating at 40 to 50 percent capacity. Meanwhile, the Sakhi Hassan Crush One and Two facilities continue to function normally, The Express Tribune cited. Authorities have urged Karachi residents to conserve water and use it sparingly during this difficult time. The KWSC has assured the public that repair work is being fast-tracked and is expected to be completed by Sunday. (ANI) Ashley J Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment For International Peace, said that India needs to expand its ambition to really consider at some point a greed trade agreement with the US. He noted that a remarkable change has taken place in Indian policy on trade agreements in recent years. He expressed happiness over US President Donald Trump's decision to enforce a 90-day pause on wide-ranging tariffs and lower the reciprocal tariff on India and other countries that have initiated trade talks with the United States during this period to 10 per cent. On Trump's 90-day pause on tariffs on India and other nations, he said, "I think it is an interval of opportunity. It creates a space for both sides to put their minds to finding a solution that will be durable and that will allow us to then move the trade dispute to the side and focus on the other areas where there is very strong complementarity between the US and India. So, I'm actually quite delighted that the president has chosen to enforce a pause because it gives the markets a chance to catch up. It gives our partners a chance to figure out what they need to do next, and it offers the hope that we will actually be able to reach a resolution, especially with the most important trade partners we have." Trump paused the reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries that have engaged in negotiations with the US administration, but for China, the tariffs were hiked to 145 per cent. Reacting to the Global Trade Research Initiative's suggestion that India should avoid a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US, he said, "Well, I think India needs to expand its ambitions to really consider at some point a free trade agreement with the United States. There has been a remarkable change in Indian policy in recent years on this question. When Prime Minister Modi came into office, he came into office with a little scepticism about India's previous free trade agreements. Now, I think India has recognised that if it is to sustain its economic growth over the long term, the larger its trading relationships with the outside world, the better it is, and the United States is among the top 3 partners that the US has in international trade. So, to my mind, we must not be looking for ways to escape. The ambition is to have a genuine free trade agreement. Now, it will take a lot of time. It's a very difficult agreement because the relative state of development between the US and India is vast. The gaps are very vast, but we should certainly hold that out as the objective that we both want to reach." On whether India should consider a limited Zero-to-Zero tariff deal on 90 per cent of industrial goods, he said, "I think that is great. I mean, my view is that that should be the norm between friends anyway, and I would like to see that kind of an arrangement materialise between India and Europe. Between India and the United States and between India and its East Asian partners, there is no reason why in today's world, which has such diversified supply chains, that we should be having tariffs on merchandise at all." Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) suggested that India should avoid signing a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, as it may require India to make harmful trade-offs. Instead, GTRI said, India should consider a limited "Zero-to-Zero" tariff deal on 90 per cent of industrial goods, a model already offered by Europe to the US It said, "Avoid a comprehensive FTA with the US as it would force India to make damaging concessions. It's a deal that would cost India more than it gains. Restrict to zero-for-zero deals on 90 per cent of industrial Goods. Europe has offered a similar deal to the US." Earlier in February, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that the first tranche of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States is expected to be concluded by the fall of 2025. He made the remarks at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025. (ANI) Imam M Tawhidi, Senior Imam of the Global Imams Council, said that extremism and violence are not the solution of the wise. Tawhidi, while talking to ANI about the Waqf Board in the UAE, said that some extremists tarnish the image of the people practising the religion. "So for example, the leaders in the UAE are not just political rulers and state leaders, leaders of emirates, they're also Muslim leaders. Also leaders for the religion and the region, right, so the President, yes, he's the head of state, but he's also a representative of the religion because he's a Muslim role model who runs a Muslim majority country, so we should learn from him how Muslims should behave, how we should have a positive outlook to the future. People who live with us in society, violence is not the solution of the wise," he said. He did not specifically spoke about the issues regarding the Waqf Amendment Act recently passed by the Parliament in India, but said that a tiny majority who attempt to tarnish the entire religion should not be given that leverage. "Regardless of what's happening in India, I want to say something that is a fact. Islam comprises of nearly 2 billion people. It's not fair for Islam as a religion and Muslims that a few 1,000 people can tarnish the reputation of our religion, right? So the same way the extremists attempt to tarnish our reputation in the media. We have to look at the positive Muslim leaders," he said. He added that the Waqf Board must serve humanity and the Muslims of the society. "I believe that Waqf Board should be focused on serving Islam and Muslims and society and humanity as we have them in the UAE. Firstly, law-abiding, a positive outlook on how religious communities can operate and serve society," he said. He added that in the UAE, Waqf Boards are legal entities and are not at loggerheads with the law. "In the UAE, the Waqf Boards are professional entities, and they are legal in their standing in society. They are very respected and of course they manage various parts within the Muslim religious framework of the country," he said. Tawhidi said that the Waqf Board in the UAE strive to be a role model for Muslim communities across the world. "I believe that the Waqf boards that we have in the UAE are a role model to Waqf boards in Muslim countries and Muslim societies in countries such as India for example. So to give you a very simplified response, the UAE in all of its sectors and aspects of religious approach has been a role model, truly genuinely a role model to Muslims in the region and beyond," he said. Tawhidi stated that the laws in the UAE are positive, and hence the law doesn't clash with Waqf Board. "Well, the Waqf board does not oppose the law to begin with. So whatever the Waqf issues as directives, it is itself following the law. And that is the duty of Muslims and all Muslim entities in the UAE to follow the law and the law, as you can see, is a law that is very positive," he said. He further said that in the UAE, it's not just the Muslims that are protected, but also other religious communities and places of worship. "It embraces people, it embraces not just the Waqf Board for Muslims and also protects the temples and churches, and other places of worship, they are all embraced and protected under the law and they are served and cared for by the government. So it's one thing to take a look at only Waqf Board but there is no special treatment. Everyone has to follow them," he said. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. It was passed in both Houses and later received the President's assent, 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. (ANI) Global Tibet advocacy groups have voiced serious concern and are urging a full and transparent investigation into the death of Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, a highly revered Tibetan lama who died under suspicious circumstances in the custody of Chinese authorities in Vietnam late last month. On Friday, Tibetans in exile also held a candlelight vigil in Dharamshala (India) to mourn the death of Tibetan religious leader Rinpoche (56), who had reportedly sought refuge in Vietnam after experiencing harassment from Chinese authorities in Tibet due to his active role in preserving Tibetan language and cultural identity. According to multiple sources, he was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25 during an operation said to involve both Vietnamese police and Chinese agents. He died just a few days later, on March 29, allegedly while in custody. Vietnamese officials have stated that he died of a heart attack, yet his family was not provided any official documentation or given access to his body. The lack of transparency has sparked global concern among Tibetan communities and human rights organizations. Heightening the urgency of the situation, the International Tibet Network expressed deep unease over the timing of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam, scheduled for April 14-15. Activists worry that this visit could interfere with or prevent a fair and open investigation into Dorje's death due to political sensitivities and diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam. Tibetan exiles and global Tibet support groups have launched protests to honor Rinpoche's legacy and to demand clarity and justice regarding the circumstances of his death. Rinpoche's cousin, Golog Tsering, said, "Tibetans in Tibet live with constant fear--the same fear Rinpoche endured while defending our language and culture. He gave us hope with his quiet strength. Learning of his death felt like losing a part of ourselves. We ask the world to stand with our family and with justice. The timing of Xi Jinping's visit fills us with dread. We need Rinpoche's remains returned so we can honor him according to our traditions." Tenzin Yangzom of the International Tibet Network stated, "Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche's death in Vietnam under such suspicious conditions is more than a tragedy--it is a political and moral outrage. This respected Tibetan lama fled persecution only to die mysteriously abroad. The world must take notice. With Xi Jinping's visit approaching, we must not let political convenience bury the truth. We demand justice for Rinpoche, his family, and all Tibetans." Topjor Tsultrim from Students for a Free Tibet said, "Tulku Hungkar Dorje's death reminds us of the fate of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who died in Chinese custody in 2015. Tibetan leaders who work to preserve our religion and culture are deeply respected by our people--respect the Chinese government can never achieve and deeply fears." Former political prisoner Golog Jigme added, "The sudden news of Rinpoche's death is deeply distressing. Both the Vietnamese government and the Chinese regime must return his body to his disciples and provide a transparent, credible explanation for his death in line with international legal standards." Rabga Tashi of Free Tibet emphasized, "This is not only about one Tibetan lama--it's about the systematic use of fear, the suppression of truth, and the erasure of our identity. Rinpoche was targeted for his commitment to preserving our culture. If this is allowed to stand, it sets a dangerous precedent. If we don't act now, who will? If we stay silent, how many more will suffer?" Tibetans and their supporters are calling on the international community to join in demanding an independent, transparent investigation into the circumstances of Tulku Hungkar Dorje's death, including the alleged involvement of both Vietnamese and Chinese authorities. The International Tibet Network stresses the need for truth and accountability in this alarming case, especially in light of the impending high-level diplomatic visit. (ANI) US has planned to strengthen the Philippines' military capabilities and increase joint military drills, according to Manila's defense chief, amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, as reported by Taipei Times. According to Taipei Times, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Thursday in an interview in Manila that the country anticipates receiving consistent annual defense funding of US$500 million from the United States through 2029 to strengthen its military and counter China's "aggressive" actions in the region. Teodoro stated," It is a no-brainer for anybody, because of the aggressive behavior of China. The efforts for deterrence, for joint resilience and alliance building will not change." As trade and geopolitical tensions between the US and China intensify, the Philippines has become a key partner for the Trump administration in pushing back against Beijing, particularly as China expands its military footprint in areas like the South China Sea, Taipei Times reported. Last month, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made Manila the first stop on his Asia tour, where he laid out plans to strengthen what he described as the "ironclad" US-Philippines alliance. The Trump administration has also excluded military aid to the Philippines from a broader funding freeze, and the State Department recently informed Congress of a potential US$5.6 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Manila. The Philippines is relying on US support as it seeks to challenge China's expansive territorial claims in regional waters. According to Taipei Times, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the initial US funding will help Manila acquire equipment to better monitor the contested waters. However, the Philippines is also aiming to obtain its own medium-range missile system as soon as possible. One option under consideration is purchasing the land-based Typhon missile system, which the US deployed in the Philippines during joint military exercises last year. The Typhon system, capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles that can reach significant parts of China, has drawn strong objections from Beijing, Taipei Times reported. To support its military modernization, the Philippine defense department is also looking into raising funds through domestic capital markets, Teodoro said. He noted that Manila anticipates more advanced weaponry from the US and other allies for training purposes in the coming years. He also said joint military drills will become more frequent and sophisticated as the Philippines' defense systems become increasingly compatible not only with those of the US, but also with other key partners like Japan and Australia, Taipei Times cited. This month, US and Philippine forces are set to carry out their annual joint military exercises, during which the US will, for the first time, deploy an anti-ship missile system and uncrewed surface vessels to the Philippines. (ANI) Bangladesh's foreign secretary Md. Jashim Uddin has described the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC meet in Bangkok as an important step forward. During his meeting with Yunus in Bangkok, PM Modi had underlined India's concerns related to the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, and expressed his expectation that the Bangladesh government would ensure their security, including by thoroughly investigating the cases of atrocities committed against them. Now, the Bangladesh foreign secretary has assured that his nation is committed to ensuring security of minorities in the country. "The government of Bangladesh is committed to ensuring the safety and security of every citizen, regardless of their creed, colour, religion, or ethnicity. The country does not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation against any of its citizens. We are fully aware of our responsibilities in this regard." The foreign secretary hoped that the in-person meeting between the two leaders would result in clearing any clouds there were in the relationship of the countries. "We consider meeting at the highest political level important for both sides. The recent bilateral meeting between Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held on the sidelines of the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, was the first opportunity for both the leaders to have an in-person interaction," the FS told ANI in an interview. He added, "I consider this as an important step forward to clear the cloud hanging over our heads that held us back in making forward movements. With firm and sincere commitments from both sides to engage constructively, I do not see any reason not to avail this opportunity to restore trust and confidence between our two sides," he added. Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary emphasised Bangladesh's dedication to open dialogue and collaboration with India and highlighted recent high-level engagements, including the foreign office consultations. "We believe in dialogue and conversation, and that has been the approach throughout. Last year, we welcomed in Dhaka the Indian foreign Secretary for the foreign office consultations, where we had threadbare discussions on the whole range of issues. Our Foreign Affairs Adviser and his Indian counterpart, Excellency Jaishankar, met twice, which also manifests the worth and value of meeting at that level. In the past months, we had a series of meetings at the functional levels too covering topics such as border and water," Bangladesh Foreign Secretary said. "If anything, meeting at the highest level should encourage both sides to keep the pace and add momentum in our relationship," he added. The Bangladesh Foreign secretary also played down the recent parleys that the country has had with Pakistan and China. "Right now, we are trying to have a normal conversation and relationship with Pakistan based on our own interests. Just to contextualise, we are going to have the next round of foreign office consultations in April, and the last round was held in 2004, more than two decades ago. What we are doing with Pakistan is what we do with any country in our bilateral relationship and it should not cause concern for anyone because our aim is to be mutually benefitted, not at the expense of our relationship with any other country," he said. The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary also hoped that the South Asia region can grow together, and economic development in one country can complement economic development in another country. (ANI) Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, highlighted the evolving dynamics of global power and regional partnerships. He emphasised that the United States remains the "apex of global power." Regarding trade, he pointed out that India's exports to the world have increased by 35 per cent in the last five years, with exports to Australia growing by 66% during the same period. Green also noted the significant progress of the Quad grouping, which has transformed from "informal meetings to formal summits," with growing commitment among its members, the Quad is now a "key strategic framework." The Quad is a grouping of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. While addressing the 9th Carnegie Global Technology Summit, Green said, "There is a new figure of speech in the department of foreign affairs and trade in Canberra... Mr Trump won the election on the mandate of change. So none of us should be surprised that change is coming in Washington, and we have to adapt to it. That's the reality of politics. What we are being reminded of is how salient the US is in global affairs. They talk about a group of powers equal to the US, but that's not true. The US is still the apex of global power. Australia and India understand that." He added, "The Quad has come a long way since its early days under Trump, evolving from informal meetings to formal summits and foreign ministers' gatherings. With growing commitment from all members, the Quad is now a key strategic framework that is continually maturing and becoming more effective." On India-Australia trade, Green stated, "India's exports to world have grown by 35% in the last five years, and exports to Australia has grown by 66% in the same period. Massive acceleration in the character of our trade..." While speaking on the regional conflicts and climate change, Green said, "The reality is we live in a time of great power contestation, and that makes it harder for the global community and Aussie diplomats to take enough time out to deal with the regional problems and this huge generational problem of climate change... The countries of the size of Australia need to engage with utmost urgency to try to resolve these problems." Meanwhile, Ashok Malik, Partner and Chair, The Asia Group (American strategic advisory firm) said that while Washington may view itself as the "capital of global power," India regards it simply as the US capital. "Washington may see itself as the capital of global power or the global sector, but in India, we just see it as the capital of the US. We deal with the president of the day, with realism and, hopefully, agility," Ashok said. (ANI) The curfew has been imposed from 6:30 pm on Saturday till noon of Sunday, as per the notice released by the DAO. The incident occurred after unidentified individuals reportedly pelted stones at the religious parade near Shreeram Hall Chowk in Chapkaiya-3. "The local administration office has issued a curfew order in the main market area of Birgunj from 6:30 PM today till 12 noon tomorrow," SP Gautam Mishra confirmed to ANI over the phone. The procession had started from Ghantaghar and was heading south, following the route of previous years when the attack took place, triggering panic and tension. Following the increasing tension, Police fired about two dozen tear gas to bring the situation under control. In the ensuing clash, about a dozen people, including police personnel, were injured. Following the imposition of the curfew, additional security forces have been deployed, and stringent checks have been performed at various locations, allowing only emergency professionals to move around. In the issued curfew order, the local administration has urged residents to remain indoors and comply. Activities such as movement, gatherings, processions, demonstrations, and meetings have been completely prohibited within the prescribed areas during the curfew period. As per the notice made public, the curfew will remain in effect from Bhediyahi Chowk, Birgunj Metropolitan City-15 in the East to the Sirsia Bridge, Birgunj Metropolitan City-25 on the West. Whereas in the North, it will cover Gandak Chowk, Birgunj Metropolitan City-14 to Shankaracharya Gate, and Birgunj Metropolitan City-16 on South. (ANI) The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani called on the President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. Welcoming Deputy Prime Minister Tajani and his delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President noted that both India and Italy are rooted in ancient civilizational heritage, with a proud history of contributing to the world through our philosophy, literature, and arts, according to President's Secretariat statement. "We have been interconnected over the centuries through trade and the exchange of people and ideas," the statement added. She noted that present era, the two countries are collaborating closely in emerging technologies, innovation, and defense; and are also working together on multilateral platforms such as the G-20. The President said that there is great potential for growth in bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. India's rapid economic growth and the roadmap for 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 present numerous opportunities for industrial partnerships and collaboration, as per President's Secretariat. She invited Italian companies and PSUs to expand their operations in India, especially for manufacturing and co-production. She also urged Italian green technology companies to explore possibilities of cooperation and partnership with Indian industry. The President said that the Joint Strategic Action Plan announced during the meeting of Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Modi in Rio in November 2024 is a blueprint for the next 5 years. This Action Plan will be a guiding framework to accelerate our joint efforts, the release noted. The President was happy to note that Italian universities and research centres are exploring possibilities of collaboration with Indian partners. She said that the new education policy has facilitated foreign universities to open campuses in India. Italian universities can be invited to open campuses in India. The two leaders agreed that India-Italy strategic partnership would reach new heights in the times to come. (ANI) The German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Dr Philipp Ackermann, said on Saturday that the new German government is committed to enhancing relations with India, particularly in defence, and noted that "India will play a major role" in their foreign policy. Ackermann also emphasised Germany's strong support for a free trade agreement between the European Union and India. While speaking with ANI on the sidelines of the second day of the Carnegie Global Tech Summit, Ackermann said, "The coalition treaty (between the two parties forming the next German government) clearly mentions India's name. India will be playing a major role in our foreign policy, and the new government will commit itself to intensifying bilateral relations in many areas, including defence, and I am very happy about it." Notably, CNN on Wednesday reported that German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz unveiled a new coalition deal between the country's two major centrist parties in a bold and optimistic speech in Berlin on Wednesday, hours after it was announced that an agreement to form a new government had been reached. The deal was presented by Merz, leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which emerged as the winner in February's federal election. Ackermann further said, "We are very keen on the free trade agreement, and we want to see it as soon as possible... It has to be decided between the European Union and the Indian Government. Germany is behind the doors and not at the table, so we will speak to both the EU and the Indian Government." Earlier on Friday, Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India, had said the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations have gained momentum, with both sides aiming to conclude a substantial deal by the end of the year. While speaking with ANI on the sidelines of Carnegie Global Tech Summit about India-EU FTA, Delphin said, "Well, you know that the two sides are right into the negotiation phase and after the visit of the College of the Commission, the two leaders really mobilised and decided to take it forward with more energy and more momentum and instructed the two teams to get the FTA done by the end of the year, and I think there is a good momentum. We saw it in the last negotiating round that took place in Europe." He added, "In the negotiating round, there are constant contacts between the two chief negotiators, the Commissioner from the European side and Piyush Goyal. There are difficult issues to discuss, no doubt about that, but I think the resolve of the political level to address them is there. So, we are very confident that we are going to get a substantial FTA by the end of the year." (ANI) Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Shamdasani stressed that the permanent displacement of civilians within occupied territories amounts to forcible transfer, constituting a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute. She noted that Israeli military strikes continue across Gaza, leaving no place safe. She added that deliberately targeting civilians who are not directly participating in hostilities constitutes a war crime. Separately, Shamdasani expressed the Office's deep concern that Israel is imposing living conditions on Palestinians in Gaza that are increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group in the territory. (ANI/WAM) Sharjah [UAE], April 12 (ANI/WAM): Arabic Language Academy (ALA) welcomed a student and academic delegation from the Catholic University of Italy, consisting of 11 students accompanied by Dr. Wael Farouk, Director of the Arabic Cultural Institute at the university. This week-long visit, lasting until April 17, includes an intensive linguistic, cultural, and tourism program aimed at enhancing their Arabic language skills and connecting them with its vibrant culture, as well as introducing them to the history and landmarks of Sharjah. The visit is part of the academic and cultural cooperation between the academy and global educational institutions, aligned with the academy's efforts to enhance the global presence of the Arabic language and provide a dynamic educational environment that combines language learning with cultural immersion. Dr. Muhammad Safi Al-Mustaghanimi, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy, expressed pride in Sharjah as a place that unites people from around the world in love for the Arabic language. He emphasised that teaching Arabic to non-native speakers should extend beyond grammar and syntax to immerse them in the depths of the culture and history of the Arab nation. Dr. Wael Farouk affirmed that hosting the students represents an investment in the future and the planting of seeds for Arabic language and culture in Western society. He noted that students who experience linguistic immersion will return home with valuable insights that deepen their connection to the Arabic language. In addition to the academic programme, the academy is organising a series of cultural visits to introduce the Italian delegation to key cultural sites in Sharjah, including the House of Wisdom, the Quran Complex, and the Islamic Civilization Museum. The excursions will also include tours in Khor Fakkan and a trip to Al Noor Island, allowing students to interact directly with Emirati culture. The students expressed enthusiasm for participating in the lectures and visits that showcase Sharjah's commitment to the Arabic language. They appreciated the academy's efforts in organising this academic and cultural program, affirming that this experience will enhance their language skills and deepen their understanding of Arab and Emirati cultural identity. Matilda Ferrari, a graduate of the Catholic University in Milan, shared her passion for Arabic literature and her focus on analyzing diverse literary texts. Meanwhile, Mila Vaninelli, a doctoral researcher in contemporary Arabic literature in Italy, noted that her visit to Sharjah would enrich her knowledge and cultural experience, making her more effective in conveying information to her future students. (ANI/WAM) Speaking about how various global groupings will step up to meet the challenges arising from the US trade tariffs, Carnegie Europe Director Rosa Balfour said that countries and large blocs are coming together to ensure they have a "web of relationships" that can preserve global trade. Speaking to ANI about the impacts of the US tariffs at the sidelines of the Carnegie Global Tech Summit, Carnegie Europe Director, Rosa Balfour said, "The US has unleashed a global trade war, then it backed down a little, and now it's giving it a three-month pause. We need to see what the next steps will be. But what I'm seeing happening is that with the US intent on upending the global economy, other countries and large blocs are actually working to make sure they have a web of relationships that can preserve global trade in the face of one country that is intent on destroying it or intent on isolating itself from the global economy." She further added, "So it's not entirely clear where the US is going in all this, but we are seeing that other countries are actually working towards finding alternative ways around this." She gave the example of the EU-MERCOSUR trade agreement, which is the trade agreement between EU and latin American countries and noted if such agreements can be worked with countries that have a large population, then "other countries can work this out, perhaps there'll be an alternative model to upending the global economy." On being asked if the coming together of major economies can result in the sidelining of the US, Rosa Balfour said, "It's hard to think of the US being sidelined because of the sheer size of its economy. But ultimately, what has been happening over the past few days seems like self-defeating suicidal policies, and whether they have an actual strategy is really not apparent. So something needs to be done to preserve the global trading system." She said that the global trading system had seen several setbacks in recent times, "Because of the rise of powers that are not respecting the rules, conflict and war, international sanctions." She underscored, "What is important is to see that other countries are rising to the challenge, trying to preserve what there is, which potentially could lead to trying to improve what there is." Noting that, as it is the early days, in order to assess the impact of the trade war, she said, "There will be costs to be paid. Let's not be naive about this, and the simple fact that the United States has been a hegemon so far means that it still has a lot of power. If the US decides to end that role as a hegemonic and responsible power in the global system, it's going to have repercussions. So whatever happens, whether we have the ability to push back or not, it will come at a cost." Earlier, speaking during the panel discussion "Tariffied World: T minus" at the Global Tech Summit on Saturday, Rosa Balfour said that the European Union has the tools to respond to the trade war and has been preparing the toolbox for several months. She said that Europe could reach out to other nations if there was a trade war between the US and China. On Friday, China hit back at the latest US tariffs by imposing 125 per cent tariffs on imports of all US goods. Chinese official Xinhua agency cited the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council to state that it will lift the additional tariffs on products imported from the US to 125 per cent from 84 per cent, effective from April 12. China has also filed a lawsuit with the WTO following the latest US tariff hikes, the Chinese commerce ministry said as per a report in the official Xinhua Agency. The current US tariffs on Chinese imports include a 145 per cent duty on all products imported from China, according to the White House. On April 10, Trump paused most of the tariffs for 90 days, but for China, the tariffs were hiked to 145 per cent. (ANI) Calling India and the European Union (EU), like-minded partners and highlighting the increase in partnership between the two for the finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Carnegie Europe Director Rosa Balfour shared the nuances for the FTA on the sidelines of the Carnegie Global Tech Summit. Speaking to ANI on the increased consultations and discussions between India and EU, Balfour said, "We are already seeing quite an extraordinary escalation because the EU and India have actually been talking about the Free Trade Agreement for over 20 years." She noted that the two share similar opinions on several issues. "The EU and India on many issues are quite like-minded- they believe in WTO rules, they believe in working by those rules." Speaking about the issues between them, she highlighted the protection of agricultural products as an area. Noting that these would need to be worked out between the two sides, she highlighted, "The bar has been placed very high- the Prime Minister of India and the President of the European Commission have said that they should complete the free trade agreement by the end of the year. That might be slightly optimistic. But I think that if they set the bar so high, will be under pressure to deliver," Balfour told ANI. She noted that an area of concern would be how detailed and nuanced the FTA would come about. "The question therefore, will be how deep the FTA will be or how thin it will be? If there are political problems around certain sets of goods or certain issues, for instance, climate or deforestation, which has been one of the problems that the EU has encountered with other countries, then maybe it will be an FTA that will exclude certain areas," she added. Turning to the positive side, Balfour highlighted that with the FTA, the two sides will see a lot of potential in several avenues of collaboration. She said, "There's a lot of promise in this (FTA). There's a lot of promise to increase the exchange of goods, the mobility of people, the exchange of capital, investments, and technological cooperation. It seems to present the seeds of an alternative strategy to a global trade war." Previously, German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Philipp Ackermann, had also said that India and the European Union will strive to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of this year. Speaking at the 9th Carnegie Global Tech Summit on Saturday during the session 'Marquee panel: Sambhavna: Next is What?, he highlighted the growing strength of Europe-India relations. Ackermann had stressed the importance of cooperation between like-minded nations in support of global and free trade, stating that "we should not forget it is a time now, where those who believe in global and free trade, should join hands. this is the time where, we should sit together and try to figure out what is possible in the moment of an FTA," he added. (ANI) Chuck Kizer, Luke Peterson and John Schultz all come from different places in life, but their paths eventually "led to the same table." The three all work at Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, and over the last few years they've become good friends. What do good friends do? They talk. And, boy, do these guys like to talk. Seeing each other five or more days a week for work, they often get into deep discussions on a number of topics. From life experiences to the news of the day, nearly anything is on the table. One of those discussions was about podcasting, and that gave the guys an idea. All being avid listeners of the medium, they thought "why can't we do this?" Thus, the Half Century Hangout podcast was born. All in their 50s Kizer is 52, Peterson is 56 and Schultz is 57 the three men have a lot of life experiences to draw from when giving their perspectives. "It's meshing those experiences together and realizing there's a different way of life sometimes," Kizer said. "Different perspectives coming together at the same table," Schultz added. Peterson grew up just outside Detroit in Dearborn, Michigan, and has a background in exercise physiology and educational administration. Kizer is from Dayton, Ohio, and he has been in mid- to upper-level management for much of his career and even served as a pastor in Council Bluffs. Schultz is the local guy of the group having come up just an hour away in Stanton. He studied finance and was a banker in Council Bluffs for 10 years before getting a teaching degree and becoming an educator. From regional differences to rivalries for instance, Kizer is an Ohio State fanatic and Peterson bleeds blue for Michigan the three had completely different upbringings. They said it's been an interesting experience getting to know each other and learn new things. "I think it's enlightening for me and humbling at the same time," Peterson said. "For me in the walk of life it's all been about learning and learning about other people." Hitting the digital airwaves in January, Half Century Hangout has put out 12 episodes so far. Each episode clocks in at around 30 minutes, and they all follow a similar format of just open discussion leading into the topic of the day. The latest episode dropped on April 10, and the guys talked about "disconnecting from our digital lives" and trying to navigate today's "hyper-connected world." Having been at it for nearly four months, the three said it's been a learning experience when it comes to recording and producing the show. The guys record at Peterson's house in the garage, which has a small studio space built into it. "You learn a lot of things as you go through life and you go through events and podcasting's no different," Schultz chuckled. "Thank goodness we have a great producer in Chuck." But they've become more and more comfortable with it after each episode. Each host has a distinct voice, and the three have great chemistry on the microphone. It's a casual conversation, but it sounds professional. Kizer said that although the podcast has social media presence, the show has seen organic, steady growth without much promotion outside of talking about it with friends and family. They have listeners in 79 cities across the United States and have seen downloads recorded in five countries internationally. A week ago, Half Century Hangout was sitting at 698 downloads per episode. As of Friday afternoon it was up to 840. Kizer tracks the show's performance through the hosting service Buzzsprout. When starting out, they said they planned on recording two episodes a month, but they've been having so much fun they do it almost every week. Schultz said they initially committed to doing the show for a year, but that could change as there's alway something to talk about among the three. Peterson said the podcast has made their friendship grow even stronger. Even if they don't see eye to eye on everything, he said looking at things through each other's perspective is key to understanding their different points of view. "We all have an open mind, and that's what helps us talk with each other," Schultz added. "We may have an argument here and there, but it's a friendly argument." Kizer said he's happy and humbled that people are listening to the show, but the most important thing is becoming closer with his buddies. "We're just hanging out as friends," he said. "At the end of the day, if that's all we get to do, I think we're better because of it." For now, the three are just looking forward to life after 50. "Life doesn't stop when you're at the half century," Schultz said. "That's when it starts," Peterson included. Listeners can follow the Half Century Hangout crew on nearly all social media platforms. The show can be heard and downloaded on most podcast apps. Episodes and more information can also be found at halfcenturyhangout.buzzsprout.com. 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. The Italian Embassy in Libya announced a significant boost in bilateral trade, with Italian exports to Libya reaching 2.27 billion in 2024, marking a remarkable 34.2% increase from the previous year. This surge highlights Italys continued dominance in the Libyan market, with various sectors contributing to the growth, including medical supplies (up 44.7%), automotive products (up 43.4%), and oil and gas exports (up 40.9%). The chemical-pharmaceutical industry also saw a rise of 32.2%, while machinery, agrifood, and furniture sectors recorded increases of 19.3%, 19%, and 9.3%, respectively. This impressive performance strengthens Italys position as Libyas primary trading partner and largest investor. The embassys announcement underscores the strength of economic ties between the two nations, particularly in sectors that are pivotal to Libyas rebuilding efforts and economic recovery. The surge in exports reflects not only Italys market leadership but also its growing influence in Libyas industrial and infrastructural development. The continued expansion of Italian exports is expected to contribute significantly to Libyas economic revitalisation, particularly as Italys diversified sectors provide key goods and services that support the North African nations recovery. The data also reinforces the long-standing partnership between Italy and Libya, paving the way for further growth in trade and investment opportunities in the years to come. Congressman Joe Wilson said he is preparing to introduce a legislation that will designate the Polisario militias as a terrorist group. He made the statement after Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the UN Envoy to the Sahara that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the sole basis for negotiations to end the over five-decade conflict. I agree with @SecRubio genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution for the Sahara, Wilson said on X. I will introduce legislation to designate the Polisario as terrorists, he said, noting that the Polisario was acting in support of Iran, which seeks foothold in Africa via Polisario. Wilson had met Bourita earlier this week in Washington following a landmark reaffirmation of the Trump administration of its recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory. Marco Rubio has also reiterated Trumps call on all parties to the Sahara conflict to engage without delay in talks on the sole framework of the Moroccan autonomy plan. The Polisario has already unilaterally withdrawn from the 1991 UN ceasefire agreement. It has, under the instigation of Algeria, conducted skirmishes targeting Moroccan armed forces in what the UN has described as a low-intensity conflict. The Polisario doubled down on multiple occasions targeting civilians in the Sahara territory with projectiles. In October 2023, the Polisario used terrorist tactics targeting a residential area in Smara with four explosions killing one and injuring four. The Polisario also claimed responsibility for an attack on a rally of civilians in November 2024, who gathered in Mahbes to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the Green March. The attack could have killed scores had it not been for the vigilance of the Moroccan armed forces in thwarting the aggression. Polisario officials have admitted to receiving arms from Iran and have often instigated indiscriminate terrorist attacks on Moroccan territory. All the above, in addition to the alliance between the Polisario and many terrorist groups in the Sahel offer enough evidence to build on to declare the Polisario as a terrorist group. By designating the Polisario as a terrorist group, Morocco can destroy the propaganda used by the armed Algerian proxy, which has been using the UNs fourth committee, the African Union and the Cold War rhetoric to win support among failing states such as Venezuela and South Africa. Regional factors and operational environments greatly influence emission reduction outcomes, as evidenced by the disparities between European and Russian NOCs, as well as the leading performance of US and European majors. Rystad Energy's analysis of 120 major oil and gas companies reveals a wide range of progress in emission reduction, with some companies already surpassing their targets while others are seeing emissions increase. Many oil and gas companies have set 2025 as a key year for interim emission reduction targets, but the standardization and verification of these targets vary significantly across the industry. Decarbonization in the oil and gas sector has long been a pressing and highly debated topic among stakeholders. With 2025 being a milestone year for emissions targets, the question remains: will it mark a period of downward revisions, a continuation of the current trajectory, or a moment for companies to intensify their efforts? The direction and scale of change will ultimately determine whether these companies can achieve their intermediate emission targets and make meaningful progress towards broader net-zero commitments. This year will be pivotal for measuring the oil and gas industrys environmental progress, as several corporations have set 2025 as a benchmark for achieving interim reductions in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. But the reality is that not all companies' targets and data measurement methodologies are standardized and verified by third-party organizations. Furthermore, the complexity of these metrics and the variability of reduction measures can raise questions about the credibility and comparability of the targets. Rystad Energy analyzes 120 key oil and gas companies, each of which has its own strategy for reducing emissions. These companies upstream operations collectively emitted more than 630 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, representing around 58% of the industrys total emissions last year. The pressure to decarbonize has reshaped oil and gas company strategies in recent years, and most from international majors to national oil companies (NOC) and regional players publicly outlining their strategies and committing to various decarbonization pathways. This year will be a milestone for many: in our analysis, more than 20 companies have interim emission-reduction targets for 2025, especially in Scope 1 and 2. Several companies, based on the progress they reported, already achieved their intermediate 2025 targets back in 2023. For example, BP, Frances TotalEnergies and US gas independent Expand Energy had already surpassed their targets as of 2023. BP, in particular, had reduced its absolute emissions by 41% that year, well above the targeted 20%, while Expand exceeded its target by 14%. At the same time, for the second consecutive year, BPs absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions have increased on a year-on-year basis. In 2024 Compared to 2023, emissions rose by 5%. The company attributes this increase primarily to the ramp-up or commencement of several projects in 2024, which begs the question of how long this reverse trend will continue, as the company is no longer planning to reduce its hydrocarbon output. While target-setting is an important part of oil and gas company strategic plans, the starting points, actual performance, and understanding of how these reductions were achieved should be an essential part of their overall strategic decision-making process Olga Savenkova, Head of Oil and Gas Sustainability Research The chart below shows how different peer groups have managed to reduce their absolute and upstream emissions intensity since 2019. Among the 120 key oil and gas companies selected, distinct segments can be categorized to assess their progress in reducing emissions over the last five years. We analyzed upstream CO? emissions and reduction trends from 2019 to 2023 across major company categories. For example, within the NOC/INOC group, European companies such as Equinor, OMV and MOL have substantially reduced their absolute emissions and lowered their emissions intensity. In contrast, Russian NOCs such as Gazprom and Rosneft have increased their emissions in both metrics since 2019. Similar disparities are observed in the regional company and global independent segments, illustrating how regional factors and operational environments influence emission-reduction outcomes. The US and European majors segment stands out as the best-performing group. Highly scrutinized for their decarbonization efforts, these companies have implemented various strategies, including divestments, operational efficiency improvements, electrification, flaring reduction and methane emissions control. TotalEnergies, for example, has reduced emissions through combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) phase-outs, electrification, and eliminating routine flaring at assets such as OML 100 in Nigeria. Decarbonization in the oil and gas sector has long been a pressing and highly debated topic among stakeholders. With 2025 being a milestone year for emissions targets, the question remains: will it mark a period of downward revisions, a continuation of the current trajectory, or a moment for companies to intensify their efforts? The direction and scale of change will ultimately determine whether these companies can achieve their intermediate emission targets and make meaningful progress towards broader net-zero commitments. By Olga Savenkova Head of Oil and Gas Sustainability Research at Rystad Energy More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The South Pacific Island of Samoa has been facing an energy crisis as it plunged into darkness this month. Samoa continues to be highly dependent on fossil fuel imports to meet most of its energy needs, including power generation. Much of its power infrastructure is susceptible to severe weather and other challenges, which puts the country at risk of blackouts during cyclones. However, the recent energy emergency has demonstrated that the nations power infrastructure is even more vulnerable than previously thought, suggesting the need for greater investment in new transmission infrastructure and the rollout of more renewable energy capacity. Samoa, or the Samoan Islands, is an archipelago in Polynesia, with a population of less than 220,000. In recent weeks, it has fallen into an energy crisis, with the countrys Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa declaring a 30-day state of emergency at the beginning of April due to continued power outages across the islands. The power cuts have caused significant disruption to daily life and businesses, hitting the economy hard. Meanwhile, the withdrawal of aid for several Pacific Islands under the U.S. Trump administration will likely further hinder the regions economic growth. The government is racing to find alternative energy sources, with five temporary power generators expected to help provide short-term relief. The blackouts, which have significantly affected Samoas main island of Upolu, where the capital Apia is located, are affecting tourism, one of the islands main sources of income. While some major resorts have backup generators, smaller businesses have been left to suffer. In addition, hospitals, and schools have had to survive with intermittent power for several weeks. Fiame said last week that the crisis could reduce the countrys gross domestic product by up to 16 percent this year because of the severe disruptions to public services and economic activity. Over 90 percent of businesses in Samoa have experienced regular outages, with 70 percent reporting disruptions several times a week, according to a March Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry survey. This has led to significant losses in revenue. Samoans have grown used to the blackouts associated with severe weather events, but are less accustomed to the prolonged power outages that they have experienced in recent weeks. The crisis has been caused by several technical issues, which include the failure of key generators at the Fiaga power station on Upolu Island, a fault in a primary underground transmission cable, and widespread damage from a recent storm, coupled with the significant increase in power demand over the past two years. The governments power provider the Electric Power Corporation (EPC) has been forced to carry out power rationing measures on Upolu since 26th March following the failure of three key generators. While Upolus power is expected to be recovered by the end of April, the country may face more blackouts over the coming months, with permanent generators not expected to be available until August. Meanwhile, those working in the power sector are racing to repair the broken cable lines. There have been significant spillover effects from the blackouts, with some of Samoas major manufacturers battling to fix key machinery that was damaged by power surges or unexpected outages. The Samoan community spokesperson Tupa'imatuna FotuoSamoa Jackson said that more needs to be done to establish a reliable energy network in Samoa. There is a significant impact on business continued disruptions can have long-term impacts for many in our community, explained Jackson. While its welcome news that there is consideration for relief, such as importing generators, you need to think broader, not just relying on hydropower but incentivising other means of power generation nationally. The government of Samoa aims to achieve a 70 percent renewable energy share by 2031, as outlined in its Low Emissions Development Strategy 2021-2030. However, it is not clear whether Samoa will be able to achieve this goal given the current speed of renewable energy deployment. In 2019, Samoa carried out two small hydro projects aimed at supplying 20 percent of the Islands energy demand. One plant was built on Upolu and the other on Savaii. The project was paused during the Covid-19 pandemic but, according to the EPC, the plants are expected to provide enough renewable energy to power Samoa wholly with green sources within the next seven years. The project has been supported by funding from donors, including the New Zealand Government, the European Union, and the Asian Development Bank. While there are high hopes for the future of renewable energy in Samoa, the countrys current situation is less optimistic. Samoa is facing an energy emergency with no quick fix available. While temporary diesel generators are expected to provide short-term relief, greater funding is required to strengthen the countrys energy infrastructure and make it less vulnerable to severe weather and other challenges. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The United States utility-scale battery storage sector has been projected to grow dramatically in 2025, as renewable energy companies look for ways to make their clean energy operations more stable and reliable. However, the recent introduction of tariffs on countries worldwide by the Trump administration, with particularly high tariffs on China, is expected to have a knock-on effect on the energy sector. It could delay the deployment of batteries as companies reconsider spending decisions in the face of higher prices. The U.S. Energy Information Organization (EIA) said in February that it expects the U.S. to add 63 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale electric-generating capacity to be added to the grid in 2025. This is 30 percent higherthan the 48.6 GW of capacity added in 2024, which was the best year for capacity installation since 2002. Solar and battery storage are expected to account for 81 percent of this years capacity increase. However, the Trump administrations introduction of sweeping tariffs on the import of foreign goods on 3rd April could halt clean energy progress amid economic uncertainty. Certain U.S. states, such as Texas and Arizona, have been rapidly developing their battery-storage sectors, by installing multiple lithium-ion cells the size of shipping containers, to support renewable energy projects and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for power during high-demand hours. However, most U.S. states are only just beginning to develop their battery storage capacity, with plans to import huge volumes of batteries to improve the grid over the coming years. Around 69 percent of U.S. lithium-ion battery imports came from China in 2024, where Trump has imposed some of the highest tariffs. When combined with previous trade decisions, the Trump administration is imposing a 64.5 percent tax on grid batteries from China, a figure that is set to increase to 82 percent in 2026. The vice president of policy and strategy at the battery developer GridStor, Jason Burwen, said This will throttle U.S. energy storage deployment. The recent tariff rollout has brought the average U.S. tariff up to 23 percent, the highest rate since the 1930s. Trump also introduced high tariffs on several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam at 46 percent, Thailand at 36 percent, Taiwan at 32 percent, Cambodia at 49 percent, Malaysia at 24 percent, and Indonesia at 32 percent. Energy companies across the U.S. were expected to install 18.2 GW of grid battery capacity in 2025. This move was supposed to help make clean energy operations, such as wind and solar power, more reliable, helping to balance out the production and delivery of clean energy 24 hours a day. It would also help reduce reliance on natural gas for power during peak demand and non-production hours, as well as help to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of power if power plant equipment were to fail. The price of lithium-ion technology has fallen sharply in recent years, making utility-scale battery installation more financially viable. However, the recent introduction of tariffs could make them more expensive and deter companies from investing in storage solutions. The head of trade and supply chains at BloombergNEF, Antoine Vagneur-Jones, explained, Batteries are the only major cleantech sector where imports still overwhelmingly come from China So, the impacts of these tariffs are going to be a lot bigger for batteries than they are for other technologies. The tariffs are expected to help revive the U.S. manufacturing sector, making it more competitive to produce goods domestically. However, several U.S. battery producers have voiced concern over the tariffs. The San Francisco-based lithium-sulphur battery producer Lyten sources over 80 percent of its core components domestically, meaning that it does not have to be worried about the rising cost of imported components. The company has plans to commence production at the old Northvolt facility this year, with plans for a larger gigafactory in Reno, Nevada in 2027. However, scaling operations will depend heavily on the cost of construction materials, which will be affected by Trumps tariffs. Lytens Chief Sustainability Officer Keith Norman explained, Lyten is a hard tech company that needs to build a lot of infrastructure The building of physical factories, those materials, the infrastructure to do that, the equipment to do that, a lot of that is coming through international trade. Norman added, The reality is the energy transition is a manufacturing transition Theres nothing in the energy transition that doesnt require pretty significant investments in manufacturing and build out. This means that the Trump administrations tariffs will likely make the expansion of U.S. manufacturing operations more expensive and complicated. While the high costs of imports could encourage U.S. companies to expand their lithium-ion battery production capacity, the high costs associated with construction and other sectors could also deter companies from increasing their manufacturing capacity. Meanwhile, many energy companies are likely to pause imports of battery storage units as they assess the spending increase required to achieve their grid plans. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com With cases of measles creeping ever closer to Nebraska, Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday urged the states residents to make sure they and their children are up to date on vaccinations for the highly contagious virus. Nebraska so far has not reported any cases of measles this year. But as of Thursday, 712 cases have been reported in 24 states, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Texas has reported 532 cases, including the deaths of two children, and neighboring New Mexico has tallied 56 cases and one death. Other states with significant measles activity include Kansas with 32 cases, centered in the southwest portion of the state, and Ohio with 21 cases. Cases also have been reported in Oklahoma and Colorado. Some 97% of cases have been in people who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. Its not if its going to come to Nebraska, but when, Pillen said during a press conference with state health officials to announce the states measles response plan. And thats why were here. Pillen noted that the U.S. has used the same vaccine for measles since 1971. It still works because the virus doesnt change, unlike influenza, which requires updated vaccines every year. Just like preparing for tornadoes ensures that no one dies, he said, preparing for measles also can save lives. If we are proactive and preventative, we can make an incredible difference, he said. He also noted that the state has seen a decrease in vaccinations since the COVID-19 pandemic. In Nebraska, the measles overage rate for kindergartners was 93.9% in the 2023-24 school year. That was down from 96.3% during the 2019-2020 school year and below the target rate of 95%, the level considered necessary to prevent community transmission of measles. Nationally, vaccination coverage among kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 20192020 school year to 92.7% in the 20232024 school year. According to the CDC, that has left approximately 280,000 kindergartners unvaccinated and unprotected from the highly contagious illness. Pillen said that the measles vaccine is one that U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently has said is really appropriate. Kennedy, however, has faced criticism of his handling of the West Texas outbreak from medical experts because he also has supported other unproven remedies, such as cod liver oil. Why Pillen spoke up When Pillen was asked why he chose to speak in favor of measles vaccination rather than leave it to health officials, given the politically charged nature of the issue, the governor said the answer was simple. Kids are really important, he said. We want to make sure all kids are protected. Dr. Sydney Stein, Nebraskas state epidemiologist, said the virus is so contagious that nine out of 10 people who are exposed to it and lack immunity are expected to be infected. Measles is a serious disease that can lead to severe complications, including death, she said. Those most at risk are young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Infected people can spread it before they even realize they are ill with anything more than a common cold. Stein said Nebraskans who have not been vaccinated can contact their health care provider or local health care department to find a vaccination clinic near them. Those who are unsure of their vaccination status or that of their children also can contact their health care providers to check it. Thats particularly important if they are planning to travel to areas where outbreaks have occurred. The state, she said, is working closely with health departments and providers and others to share updates and best practices regarding prevention, testing and management of measles and to prepare for increased vaccination efforts if needed. Dr. Timothy Tesmer, the states chief medical officer, said the vaccine is safe and effective 93% after one shot and 97% after two doses. But he stressed that people who think they are having symptoms of measles should isolate from others and call their health care provider, urgent care or emergency room before arriving to be tested and alert them that they are concerned about measles, particularly if they have been exposed. Advance notice is important to allow providers to prepare in order to avoid unnecessary exposures in waiting rooms and lobbies, he said. Symptoms usually begin within seven to 14 days of exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by a rash two to four days later. It usually appears first on the face and then spreads downward. According to CDC guidelines, in fact, people born before 1957 generally are considered to have immunity because they almost assuredly were infected with the virus. Children typically receive two doses of the vaccine, the first between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years old. By Freedom Foundation The Freedom Foundation condemns Oregon House Bill 3789, which passed out of the House yesterday after more than an hour of debate. The legislation weaponizes the legal system in favor of politically connected public-sector unions while providing no real protection to Oregon workers. The bill now moves to the Senate. Disguised as the Workers Fraud Protection Act, HB 3789 claims to protect public employees from fraudulent impersonation of union representatives. However, the legislation is deliberately crafted to target a single nonprofit organizationthe Freedom Foundation. The Freedom Foundation does not impersonate unions or their representativesperiod, said Jason Dudash, west coast director for the Freedom Foundation. This bill is a transparently political attempt to punish us for helping public employees exercise their constitutional rights. Its not about stopping fraud; its about silencing opposition. We thank the Republican members of the House who publicly opposed it. Despite its claims, the bills sponsors failed to provide a single verified incident of false impersonation by the Freedom Foundation or anyone else. In fact, Oregons existing laws already criminalize impersonation of individuals or organizations, including unions. Instead, HB 3789 introduces vague, open-ended legal definitions designed specifically to target the Freedom Foundations constitutionally protected outreach efforts, which include informing public employees of their First Amendment right to opt out of union membership and dues. Lets call this bill what it isa political hit job designed to please union leaders who fund political campaigns, not to protect workers, said Ben Straka, research and government affairs associate for the Freedom Foundation. It empowers unions to sue first and prove nothing, with automatic financial penalties and no burden to show actual damages. Not a single public employee has testified in support of HB 3789. On the contrary, multiple workers have submitted testimony opposing it, crediting the Freedom Foundation with helping them freely and lawfully end union membership. Meanwhile, the only evidence provided by HB 3789s proponentsone edited mailer stripped of identifiers and contextfails to meet any reasonable threshold for fraudulent impersonation. This bill sets a terrifying precedent, Straka continued. It invites politically favored groups to use the courts as a bludgeon against anyone who challenges them. Thats not democracyits intimidation. The Freedom Foundation calls on Senators on both sides of the aisle to reject HB 3789 and any future legislation that attempts to abuse the law to punish constitutionally protected speech and advocacy. By Pacific Legal Foundation, Press release Did a California school district violate the First Amendment when it punished a first grader for writing Black Lives Mater [sic] any life on a drawing and giving it to a friend? That question was before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in oral arguments this week. Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Caleb Trotter argued the case of B.B. v. Capistrano Unified School District, in which PLF represents a young girl (B.B.) who was forced to apologize, banned from giving future drawings to classmates, and excluded from recess for two weeks over her innocuous drawing. In a key exchange with the three-judge panel, the governments attorney argued that B.B.s drawing, made in response to the schools lessons on Black Lives Matter, deserved less protection because of her age. Governments attorney: We are not dealing with first graders who are engaged in discussions in the marketplace of ideas. First graders are supposed to be learning to tie their shoes. Theyre supposed to be learning Judge Callahan: Then you dont give a Black Lives Matter course to a first grader. Maybe you teach tying shoes. Here are other key quotes from the oral argument, and below you can watch the full video. Caleb Trotter (Pacific Legal Foundation): There was absolutely nothing wrong with the principal investigating to find out what happened. What was the story behind this drawing? The problem arose when he punished B.B. solely for this speech that everyone, including Principal Becerra himself, has acknowledged was innocent. Judge Callahan: I mean if you want to talk about Black Lives Matter with adults, intermediate school, or whatever, there are going to be discussions So if you do that in first grade, isnt it, I mean, all inferences are that her drawing was in response to what you introduced in the curriculum with six-year-olds, right? Governments attorney: The evidence is that Black Lives Matter was what was taught. All lives or all lives matter was not within the curriculum, not taught. BB even testified that that was something that wasnt taught. Judge Callahan: The parent of the African American child said, I dont want to really make a big deal of it. I just dont. But the school on the other hand, someone thought, well, I know better than anyone else and I need to tell this child that theyve made a racist and inappropriate statement in their drawing. Thats not Tinker. Thats someone at a school saying, well, I have the answer for this here and Im going to tell you your drawing is racist and inappropriate. And why isnt that just over the top? Judge Callahan: I would not want my first grader who had a friend that was African American and was trying to make her friend feel better called by, told that what she did was racist and inappropriate because thats how that teacher wouldve talked to her kid. Judge Callahan: Im going to tell you, thered be parents that would be just as irate as B.B.s mother that are going to be sitting on your jury Its not as slam dunk as the school would like to say. Caleb Trotter (Pacific Legal Foundation): In Karp v. Becken, this court said that punishing students for speech is only permissible if the student has violated some law or school policy. No one has contended that BB did either of those. In contrast, Principal Becerra violated the school policy in punishing her for her speech. - Watch video here BLOOMINGTON A new registered student organization at Illinois Wesleyan University is helping Bloomington District 87 students and their families with translation services. "Our goal is to bridge the language gap in everyday situations where an interpreter or translator may not be easily available or affordable," said Celina El Ghossaini, a junior prelaw student at IWU. "Everyone I've asked who hasn't registered on their own has been more than happy and has been excited to help." El Ghossaini founded IWU's Multilingual Accessibility Club in October as a partnership with District 87 to help non-native English speaking students and their families with translation services. El Ghossaini, who is Lebanese-American, immigrated to the United States from the United Arab Emirates when she was 12 years old, living in Naperville. Although her first language is Arabic, she did know how to speak, write and read English, but she struggled with being understood by others due to her accent. She said the idea for the club came about as she was struggling with the dense legal language in her constitutional law class, and she decided she wanted to create a club to help people with legal accessibility. She soon realized that translation services are needed in various aspects of day-to-day life, and thought of working on multilingual accessibility. "I thought of more day-to-day problems and general accessibility," El Ghossaini said. "In my future career, I do hope to find some way to make law more accessible to people, whether on the basis of language or finances. Accessibility is a big thing for me in general." She recruited multilingual students from across the university, and the club now has 29 students who know a total of 23 languages, including French, Gujarati, Mandarin, Russian, Tajik, Uzbek and Swahili. "A lot of them are international students and some of them are children of immigrants or children who speak a second language at home, or English is not their native language," El Ghossaini said. "A lot of them actually have told me that they grew up interpreting for their parents, as well, and this is something that they're used to, and they're awesome." Those who express an interest in joining the club are sent an online form where they are asked what languages they speak, including English; how comfortable they are writing those languages; and if they know any certain dialects of those languages, El Ghossaini said. Kim Taber, director of multilingual programs at District 87, said she was immediately on board when El Ghossaini asked her about offering translation services within the school district. Taber said the district uses translation applications along with English language development specialists in every building to work directly with students and supporting students, but it is difficult to communicate and to connect with families. District 87 has about 800 students in homes where a language other than English is spoken, and over 40 different languages are represented among those students. "We do a lot with written translations and documents that we send home, and it's harder to do the in-person because we don't always (know or have a contact for) someone who speaks that language," Taber said. "When you see parents and teachers sitting around the table together and then there's an interpreter there who is going to help bridge that language, it just allows for a deeper connection, and it helps parents feel more connected with the school when they know they can clearly express what it is that they want to say." For example, there may be parents who are native-Spanish speakers and bilingual in English who need to attend a parent-teacher conference, but are more comfortable communicating in their native language, she said. Taber said the district has community interpreters available to meet language needs for families, but the IWU volunteers have helped fill the gaps by being able to help more families, and with more and different language backgrounds. Teachers are often the ones to request translation services on behalf of families, Taber said, but families also can request translation services by emailing interpreter@district87.org. "I'm really thankful for Celina for reaching out, because it's really helped a lot," Taber said. "It's a relief to know I can just send her an email and then we've got someone." Van Le, a junior double majoring in political science and international global studies, said she started something similar to this program in her high school, and when she caught wind of the club at IWU, she saw it as an opportunity to continue her work in helping people communicate. Le, who immigrated to New Orleans from Vietnam when she was 13, said she learned English by being a translator for her parents, helping them communicate with doctors, and by forcing herself to talk with others in school to gain the experience. "From what I remember, it was frustrating for me at first because I didn't understand the kind of English I would hear from lawyers or doctors," Le said. "Somehow it worked, because the basics still helped me." Being an interpreter not only helps bridge that gap in language, but also builds skills of being able to listen and translate back on either side, Le said. "Think about the skills you hone through the experience," said Le, who is vice president of the Multilingual Accessibility Club. "It's important for people to practice, not just on a conversational level, but in different settings and situations." Le said volunteering as a translator provides a service for the community and shows compassion for people in need, while also showing people how important it is to be able to speak a second language. "Languages are not easy to learn, and not everybody can speak a second language," Le said. "I'm trying to show other students how important that is, and how cool languages are, and (how cool) they are for speaking a second language." El Ghossaini said she hopes to expand the club's services during the next school year, and that they will be thinking this summer about who else in the community they can reach out to for partnerships. Those seeking more information can email her at celghoss@iwu.edu. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The United Nations organization responsible for international marine shipping today approved new emission reduction policies. A new paper published in Earth's Future highlights the need. Green energy investment UBC researchers surveyed 149 marine shipping experts in 2021 and found they expect the sector to see a reduction of 30 to 40% in the carbon intensity of shippinga measure of the amount of CO 2 emitted to ship cargo over a given distanceby 2030 compared with 2008 levels. But they expect the sector won't meet its net-zero goal for 2050, instead achieving about 40 to 75% reductions from 2008 levels. "We can achieve these near-term reductions thanks to operational and technical measures but for net-zero emissions, we also need to tackle green energy," said senior author Dr. Amanda Giang (she/her), UBC assistant professor. Less experience, more optimism The study found that respondents with less than 10 years of work experience in the maritime sector were the most optimistic about emission reductions while respondents with more than 30 years of experience were the least optimistic. Certainty in uncertain times While alternative fuel sources such as ammonia, wind and related ship designs are available or in the works, transitioning to green-energy fleets would be a long-term investment, said first author Imranul Laskar (he/him), a doctoral candidate at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. "The sector needs some policy certainty so it can make those investments. Shipping could drive global energy transition. It's a good news story, but we haven't got it all figured out just yet." The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee approved proposed regulations today. More information: Imranul I. Laskar et al, Expert Assessments of Maritime Shipping Decarbonization Pathways by 2030 and 2050, Earth's Future (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2024EF005255 Journal information: Earth's Future 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 digital representation of neurons in a section of a mouse's brain, part of a project to create the largest map to date of brain wiring and function, in Seattle, Wash. Credit: Forrest Collman/Allen Institute This week, researchers reported a brain circuit linked to the intensity of political behavior. Microbiologists found that the 2018 eruption of the Kilauea volcano drove a rare, massive summertime phytoplankton bloom, the largest ever recorded in the North Pacific. And a physics professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville proposed a new model of the universe built on multiple singularities rather than a single Big Bang. Additionally, a huge, quasiperiodic black hole flare is prompting a rethink about models of black hole behavior; scientists have made the most detailed functional map of a brain to date; and anthropologists propose that the transition to bipedal movement deeply influenced human thinking, musicality and communication: Boring galaxy interesting, actually In 2019, a boring galaxy that nobody cared about 300 million light-years away started producing flashes of X-ray light in a clear bid for attention. Rolling their eyes in a theatrical, passive-aggressive display, astronomers said, "FINE" and aimed the Swift telescope at it but didn't find anything unusual. But in February 2024, SDSS1335+0728 flared up again with bursts of X-ray emissions at regular intervals, an example of seldom-observed quasiperiodic eruptions, in which a supermassive black hole wakes up from a long period of dormancy and has a kind of tantrum, probably because a small astronomical object like a star, planet or a smaller black hole is interacting with its rapidly spinning accretion disk. The black hole at the center of this unremarkable galaxy is now called Ansky. Joheen Chakraborty, a Ph.D. student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said, "The bursts of X-rays from Ansky are 10 times longer and 10 times more luminous than what we see from a typical QPE." The astronomers say this indicates that current models of quasiperiodic eruptions may need revisiting. Ansky's current series of eruptions could represent a different phenomenon, such as gravity waves interacting with the accretion disk. Mouse takes red pill Biologists at Baylor College of Medicine have published the largest functional map of a brain ever made, comprising about 84,000 neurons in a region of a mouse's visual cortex about the size of a poppy seed. Despite the tiny sample area of the mouse brain, the researchers note that the map's stunning complexity resembles a map of cosmological filaments. The 3D reconstruction, colored to delineate different brain connections, is the result of an experiment in which the researchers showed a mouse snippets of video, including sports, animation and scenes from "The Matrix." The mouse was engineered with a gene that makes its neurons luminous when activated, and the researchers used a laser-powered microscope to record the activation of individual cells in the mouse's visual cortex as it watched the video images. Afterward, they shaved that tiny piece of brain into 25,000 ultra-thin sections, taking 100 million high-resolution images to reconstruct the neural connections in 3D. Scientists at Princeton University used AI to trace the filaments in the model and render the connections in different colors so they could be individually identified. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve a complete map of an entire mouse brain. So I guess there's a long way to go before I can nondestructively compile a complete functional model of my own brain, which (judging from my physical brain) would do absolutely nothing but remind me of embarrassing and humiliating things I did at parties and repeatedly play the KARS-4-KIDS song. 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. Step theory A multi-institutional team of anthropologists theorizes that human musicality and language may have arisen with bipedal movement. In fact, they suggest that the transition from walking on four legs to two legs may have influenced creativity along with changes to thinking and communication. Dean Falk, professor of anthropology at Florida State University, says, "Bipedal footsteps create rhythmic and more predictable sounds of movement, in comparison with the way in which our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, moves on all fours, with irregular steps among rustling tree branches." Human walking pace is about 120 steps per minute, the same tempo as many pieces of music. They suggest that human baby talk arose as a substitute for physical contact with childrenwhen humans began walking upright, small offspring could no longer cling to their parent's fur to maintain body contact. The special musicality of baby talk could have arisen to maintain contact between adults and children. "This may have stimulated the evolution of music and language," says co-author Matz Larsson. 2025 Science X Network AROUND THE REGION Throughout the course of the past week, financial hawks have been glued to their ticker tapes as President Donald Trump touted an ever-changing trade war strategy. But is the president using tariffs as a carrot, or a stick for the economy? The confusion and the uncertainty [are] whats at play here, said Dylan Hewitt, a former deputy assistant trade representative at the White House, in an interview with The Post-Star Thursday. That is what causes an economic spiral, and it causes businesses to not want to invest, to not want to expand, to not want to produce because you cant plan in that type of environment. Born and raised in South Glens Falls, Hewitt worked on establishing tariffs under former President Joe Biden in 2024, which helped bolster the CHIPS and Science Act. The finalization of tariffs spans across the Office of Trade Representatives, the National Security Council, the National Economic Council, he said. I was making sure that we were acting in ways that strengthened our investments and protected American jobs and that we were communicating that effectively outward to businesses and unions and to workers. Hewitt now works with a non-profit, currently advising on the Working Families Tax Credit (S.2082/A.3474) within the New York State budget. He likened the governments use of tariffs to a neighbor protecting their property. You can buy a 2-by-4 and walk out into the middle of the street with it and hit your neighbor at the northern border over the head with it or you can buy up a bunch and you can bring them home and you can build a fence around something youre invested in, he explained. The difference, according to Hewitt, between the tariffs that he helped to establish and those being enacted by the current administration is the forethought of a plan to reinvest those monies into the economic infrastructure. For example, he said, part of the CHIPS Act requires that money gained from tariffs imposed on China be directly reinvested into reindustrialization initiatives, such as the $100 billion Micron semiconductor facility announced near Syracuse and the $3.1 billion expansion of GlobalFoundries in Malta. Rather than building a fence around Americas manufacturing industry, Hewitt suggests that Trumps barrage of tariffs is little more than a blunt tool meant to beat trading partners into submission. Where are we going to invest in our workers and in American companies to make up the gap? I just dont see that, he posited about Trumps plan. This administration acted not only to impose these sweeping tariffs across the globe, but they also have been working behind the scenes to hollow out programs like the CHIPS Act. However, even as a geopolitical negotiation tactic, Hewitt is dubious of Trumps intentions. Particularly in light of the presidents sudden about face on Wednesday when he announced that he would put a 90-day pause on most of the extended tariffs he had spent the days prior exalting as necessary. Just before the pause announcement came, Trump posted on his Truth Social page THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT. Trump rarely includes any sort of sign off on his posts such as his initials which accompanied this post, indicating that it was coming directly from him and not some aide with access to his account. The president of the United States, President Trump, posted in real time that it was a good time to buy stocks and the market jumped and then the pause came, Hewitt assessed. Billionaires had their best day ever [Wednesday] before the tariff pause, because they were following the presidents posts, and he posted that now is the time to buy. He quoted a report in Bloomberg which stated that the worlds wealthiest people added $304 billion to their combined net worth just Wednesday. ... the largest one-day gain in the history of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the article reads. According to the Bloomberg article, the largest single gainer of Wednesdays market jump was Elon Musk, who personally added $36 billion to his fortune. The next biggest winner was Mark Zuckerberg who took in an additional $26 billion. But more than the immediate lining of billionaires pockets, Hewitt worries about the long-term effects of Trumps toying with the stock market through his executive power. We cant have an economic policy or an economic vision that can change on a whim every day because of a post or because of a change of heart, he said. There are real consequences here when you play our economy like a yo-yo. Although a 90-day pause has given the stock market a slight respite, Hewitt surmised that it could likely just be the calm before yet another storm. He warned that businesses could use the tariffs as a PR shield as they raise prices and keep them raised. If youre a business executive and youre planning for day 91 I would be genuinely surprised if folks lowered prices, he said. There is much more incentive now; in planning for the uncertainty, in making sure that youre covering your own ass. And then there are the smaller businesses, which are far more deeply affected by higher supply chain costs. Despite the pause on most of the extended tariffs, there is still a baseline 10% tariff on many other countries, and a 25% tariff on goods that are not covered under the regions USMCA trade pact against our closest trade allies Canada and Mexico. We are local economies; we have small businesses throughout our down towns and those are the folks who are really going to feel this the most, he said. As a big business you have the ability to restructure a supply chain overnight. Small businesses dont have that luxury. Christian Weber, who co-owns Common Roots Brewing Company in South Glens Falls, agreed with Hewitts assessment. This is certainly going to hurt us from a small business standpoint, as well as our customer base, Weber told The Post-Star Friday. Everythings been affected already just [from] the volatility of the tariffs being on, being off; us having to understand what thats going to mean with our suppliers. In addition to craft beer, Common Roots has a robust coffee roastery. Green coffee beans are just one example of a food product that cannot be produced in America as well as many ingredients used in their beer. The reason why beer brewers get such a significant amount of their grain from Europe and Canada is that grain is grown for the style that we need at higher latitudes. There are foods that are only grown in certain regions in other countries, Weber explained. Theres a reason why we have a global economy. The company has always prided itself on being as locally sourced as it can be, from the packaging of its beer and coffee to the food it serves in its restaurant. Even our tables in our restaurant are from a school in Washington Countys old bleachers, Weber said. Most of our food comes from about a 100-miles radius, theres still a lot of things that even those farmers have to source for ingredients. But with the looming threat of tariffs, even the cost of materials that are already sourced through American manufacturers are going up. All of our cans are sourced from an American company that also sources its aluminum from America, Weber explained. There is going to be a supply and demand issue with that too. Certainly, there will be bigger beverage companies that will be looking now for alternatives, which will ultimately jack the prices up. And just as Hewitt pointed out, there has been no guarantee presented to the small businesses of America for how the government plans to guarantee economic protection against Trumps stock market medicine. Theres been no response. I dont think anyone knows because obviously the tariffs change minute by minute and its very difficult to project or base any sort of business off of it, Weber said. The plan is going to be for us to just sort of triage this as best we can as we go. The economic picture Hewitt sees being painted right now is a bleak one, but one he said, weve seen before. All of the signals point to an economic slowdown and an economic downturn, he admitted. The bottom line here is that we need to invest in people to make sure that our workforce and our families are safe and strong and stable. And that our companies to good by them. OCEAN CITY City Council on Thursday held off on a proposal for new parking restrictions for the 2nd Ward to get input on the idea from the Planning Board. City attorney Dottie McCrosson said she has been working with 2nd Ward Council representative Keith Hartzell on the matter since September. Hartzell is concerned about the potential parking impacts of large home construction tailored for the summer rental market, which he said are primarily rented through third-party online services such as Vrbo or Airbnb. There are only a couple of properties that meet this description in the ward now, but Hartzell is convinced that more are on the way. Properties with four or more bedrooms would fall under the proposed change, if each had its own bathroom. Hartzells proposal would require additional parking spaces for each room with a bath, with the idea that several families might share the rental, and in that case each would likely bring a separate car. The resolution also calls for dens or offices in the plans to be considered a bedroom, if it has its own bathroom, with the expectation that it would function as a sleeping area once the property is rented in the summer. If eventually enacted, that could require four, five or six off-street parking spaces for large single-family homes. Otherwise, according to Hartzell, the overflow will quickly fill up neighborhood street parking. Theres overwhelming support in my ward for this, Hartzell told council members. No one in my ward said, No, thats a bad idea. Avalon may require covers for dumpsters on the move Some Cape May County communities are considering new rules for construction debris in transit, aimed at keeping trash off roads and out of the marsh. Hartzell said he campaigned on the issue when running for office and that parking issues are taking a significant toll on the quality of life in the neighborhoods he represents. Its something that should not be occurring. One way or another I need to stop it, because thats what I told the people of the 2nd ward when I ran, Hartzell said. Its a complicated matter, McCrosson said. Typically, a zoning change would be done by ordinance. Part of that process would include a Planning Board review to determine whether the proposed changes conform to the citys master plan. But in this case, the request exceeds the number of parking spaces required under the New Jersey Residential Site Improvement Standards, which supersede local ordinances. That means the change would need the approval of the Site Improvement Advisory Board of the Division of Codes and Standards of the state Department of Community Affairs. Its a rarely used process, but there have been successful local requests for changes, McCrosson said. Council was set to vote on a resolution requesting that the board consider the changes. A majority of council wanted such a review anyway. While Hartzell argued in favor of the resolution, he also voted to table the matter. Revaluation on the way for Ocean City, officials say Ocean City expects to undertake a revaluation soon, with many real property values close to double their current assessments. Planning Board Chairman John Loeper added his voice to those requesting a review. He cited the experience of the board members and the citys planning professionals, who may be able to head off unintended consequences. The 2nd Ward is the most diversified land use on the island, Loeper said. Running from Fourth Street to 12th Street, the ward includes the Asbury Avenue business district, a sizable portion of the Boardwalk, residential neighborhoods, schools and multiple businesses. Theres something of every zone in the 2nd Ward, from Boardwalk to bay, Loeper continued. If you blanket cover this ward with something like this, you dont know what might materialize from it. It could be bad, it could be good. I think it needs to be looked at. Another Planning Board member, Dean Adams, said he was sure there were areas in the ward that face parking problems. What I dont like about what Im hearing about this particular resolution is that its going to take local control away up to the state level, he said. The board committee that would look at the proposal would include the city engineer and the city planner. This is not something that seemingly is trying to be rammed through because of politics, Adams said. Hartzell bristled at that suggestion. How high could buildings go in Ocean City? Height limits have long been a hot topic in Ocean City. Increases to the floodplain elevation have meant the construction of taller buildings, and the raising of existing buildings with the aim of preventing damage from future floods. I want to be clear that this is not politics at all, he said later in the meeting. The resolution sending the matter to Trenton came forward because there would be no other way to exceed the states rules on the maximum number of required parking spaces. The states the only one who can change this. Hartzell suggested several times that if the proposal does not work out, the city could just ask for it to be changed back. It might not be that simple, McCrosson said. There are only a handful of incidents in which the state board has approved similar changes, she said, and she knows of none in which the ruling was later changed back. She said there is a possibility that the board would follow the citys lead, but it appeared just as likely that once convinced, board members may not revisit the matter. Wards are a political division, separate from the land use designations established by the citys zoning ordinance. The four wards of the city were designed to roughly divide the island into equal numbers of registered voters, with council made up of four ward representatives and three at-large council members elected by the entire community, along with the mayor. There are more than 50 zoning districts within the city, including multiple separate residential designations. Hartzell said he asked for the change just for his own ward because thats the area he knows the best and the area where he sees the most parking concern. Kathy Hogan, a 2nd Ward resident asked members of the Planning Board, the administration and council to take the matter seriously. Come live in the 2nd Ward for one week during the summer and fix our problem, she said. One mother finished nursing school because she enrolled her child in a Skip-A-Long Head Start program in the Quad-Cities, allowing her to take the classes she needed and enter the profession. Another mom, Megan Darden, also enrolled her child, allowing her to then work for Skip-A-Long and provide care for other children. With help from the Head Start staff that provide services to parents, she purchased a home for the first time. Early intervention with a speech therapist thanks to home visits from Head Start staff helped correct course for a baby who had fallen short of reaching his milestones. Those were a few stories mothers and teachers shared with U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline, and other officials at Skip-A-Long's Milan campus Friday afternoon about the impact of Head Start. Head Start is a federally funded program by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that promotes school-readiness of preschool age children from low-income families. Skip-A-Long receives about $4.3 million in federal funding for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs serving about 168 children. Across Illinois, Head Start serves about 28,000 kids. In total, Skip-A-Long serves about 700 kids daily across its Milan, Rock Island, Moline and Davenport campuses and employs about 300 staffers. This week, Head Start programs learned the presidential administration closed the regional Health and Human Services office in Chicago, which provided guidance on and accepts budgets and grant applications for Head Start programs in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio. Other regional offices closed, too. That's caused some unease among Head Start program providers in Illinois. The regional office is the first line of communication when a local Head Start program has a question, said Traci Owens, SAL Early Head Start program director. "That's the person we reach out to to get our guidance, so without somebody there to do that, that's the scary part," Owens said. But, it won't impact their day-to-day operations, Owens said. Skip-A-Long received its five-year grant from the federal government in March. It will need to submit the annual budget in December. The across-the-board funding freeze in January briefly impacted Skip-A-Long, but that was quickly resolved in a bipartisan manner, said Marcy Mendenhall, president and CEO of SAL Community Services. The program's biggest push is to keep federal funding for early childhood education to help break cycles of poverty and allow parents to stay in the workforce. "We are worried about what would happen if the funding was to go away," Mendenhall said. "How does that impact the 28,000 kiddos that would have these services across the state?" Another Head Start program in the Illinois Quad-Cities is called Project NOW Head Start, which is currently funded to provide services for 200 children. Project NOW had been unaffected by the recent changes in federal workforce until the closure of the regional offices and is still monitoring the potential impact of the changes. Andrea Flannery, the program's director, said the January funding freeze caused an uptick in concerns and inquiries from families. "Families are struggling with feeling secure in enrolling their children in our program because of the unknown around the future of Head Start, and our immigrant families are fearful to enroll their children due to their fear over possible deportations," Flannery said. Luckily for the program, they are fully funded through January 2026, and will be up for the five-year grant renewal at that time. Flannery said barring an executive order, she did not see anything that could disrupt funding the center has already secured, though a future freeze or future cuts could force the center to lay off staff. Sorensen praised the services SAL Community Services and Skip-A-Long provide as keys to raising children in the community, breaking the cycle of poverty and allowing people to enter the workforce. "From what I understand, there isn't an immediate concern here, but there is that threat, that possibility, it's that risk, that in an administration that wants to cut costs everywhere, that it will come home here," Sorensen said. "... If we want this to work, if we want children to grow into the adults and the leaders of the next generation we need to make sure they have everything that they need." Over a week after President Donald Trump enacted sweeping global tariffs, and then rolled some back, many Iowa industries, including agriculture, are figuring out how to navigate the market moving forward. Last week, Trump announced that the U.S. would be placing what the administration called "reciprocal tariffs" on dozens of countries, before putting a 90-day pause on most of them earlier this week after stocks tumbled and global markets went into shock. The reciprocal tariffs were on top other previously announced tariffs, including a 10% levy on all imports and a 25% levy on steel and aluminum imports, which will remain in place during the pause. While the pause covers most of the reciprocal tariffs to allow time for negotiations, Trump has doubled down on tariffs totaling 145% on China, with a few exceptions announced Friday for tech items like smartphones. In return, China announced on Friday it is raising its levy on U.S. goods to 125%, according to CNBC. In a visit to Iowa in March, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Trumps approach to tariffs is an effective tool for negotiating with other countries. He was elected with the idea of tariffs being one of the top tools in his tool kit to realign the American economy, to put Americans first, Rollins said during her March visit to Iowa. But I also know that the president was very proud the last time that then-USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue through the USDA was able to ensure that many of our farmers were made whole through those negotiations. We plan to do the same thing the next time. But Iowa farmers arent as confident about the tariffs, with many expressing concerns the changes are causing chaos and uncertainty. There's some anxiety and concern that we get it right. We as farmers certainly want to get our income from the marketplace, but since we export about a third of what we produce in agriculture, we need to have markets across the globe to export, said Stu Swanson, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and a third-generation farmer. You just kind of have to take a deep breath and sort through the noise and hope that we're heading in the right direction. Iowas agriculture industry relies heavily on trade, particularly with Canada, China and Mexico. The U.S. exports roughly half of the soybeans, over a quarter of pork products and around 15% of the corn that it produces, with Iowa a leading state in production of all three. In 2023, China was Iowas third-largest importer, taking in around $3.1 billion in Iowa products, according to the U.S.-China Business Council. While Chinas latest tariffs on U.S. goods will impact the price farmers pay to export goods, it will also cost more to import supplies they can only get from outside of the country, including fertilizers like potash, said Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union Board. The past two years have probably been two of the most expensive years farmers have ever had to put a crop in the ground, Lehman said. To have the uncertainty for our input suppliers as well, just means that that's going to lead to higher prices for farmers, because those suppliers are going to, because they have uncertain supply chains, because of the tariffs, are going to charge higher prices for what they sell to farmers. Lehman said farmers will have to resort to short- and long-term changes to fill gaps created by the tariffs. For example, in the short-term, farmers will have to cut back on fertilizer and delay replacing pieces of equipment that need to be upgraded, which could cause ripple effects on other industries in the state, including agricultural equipment manufacturing, he said. In 2024, John Deere laid off around 1,600 workers in Iowa, including hundreds at the Waterloo and Davenport plants. The company laid off 75 employees at its Ottumwa Works and will lay off 119 workers at its Ankeny plant across March and April of this year, citing declines in customer orders, drops in revenue and uncertain market conditions as reasons for its recent layoffs. Both Swanson and Lehman say Trumps newest tariffs echo back to ones he implemented during his first term. During that period other countries, including Brazil and Argentina, took Iowas place with some of its key trade partners that farmers in Iowa have been developing relationships with since the 1980s. I hope we don't throw those relationships of decades away during this discussion, Swanson said. Certainly, our free trade partners are the ones that we export the most to, and so we can see the value of trade. Moving forward, Lehman says there are issues in trading with other countries that need to be fixed, including making sure that countries dont artificially depress prices to make American products look more expensive. But he added that the current tariffs are making it more difficult for farmers to come back to the table as key trade partners for other countries. Tariffs can be used as a good tool under the right circumstances, but it's more like a scalpel as opposed to a hammer, Lehman said. Every farmer knows that you can have a shop full of tools, but if you're using the tools in the wrong way, you're not any closer to fixing anything, and that's what's happening. Marty Two Bulls Sr. has had an incredible career since he left Central High School in 1981. The Oglala Lakota artist was a 2021 Pulitzer finalist, and now he's the recipient of the 2025 Herblock Prize for editorial cartooning. "The reason I do these things, is for my people, Pine Ridge, the Oglalas," Two Bulls said in an interview. From South Dakota to Santa Fe, Two Bulls has left his mark on Indian Country and the world with witty and eye catching cartoons. His work resonates with people, and he uses it as a way to bridge gaps. Humor is an effective tool in swaying opinions, he said. Marty Two-Bulls Sr.'s bold and assertive cartoons, drawn in a style distinctly influenced by underground cartoonists, demonstrate courageous and independent thinking," the Herb Block foundation said in a statement. "Two-Bulls' commentary from his unique perspective as one of Americas few Native American political cartoonists addresses local, national and international issues in a powerful and incisive way. Two Bulls, who's from the Red Shirt community on Pine Ridge, began cartooning as a child, it was a way to make his uncles laugh. His uncles, World War II and Korean War veterans, would often draw cartoons of each other and hang them on the walls as a way to make each other laugh. "If I could draw something to make them laugh, then that was something special," he said. Growing up in Rapid City, Two Bulls kept drawing. At Central High School Two Bulls continued to draw for the student newspaper the first place his work was ever published before moving on to a career in local journalism. After high school Two Bulls attended the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver and The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe before returning to Rapid City to work. During the recession in the 1980s it was extremely difficult to find a job and at some points he considered joining the military. But eventually he scored a job as the assistant art director at KOTA and then moved the Rapid City Journal. Two Bulls spent 7 years at the Journal, from 1993 to 2000, as part of the editorial team and as an in-house graphics editor. After that he moved on to the Sioux falls Argus Leader and has now settled on freelancing and focusing on fine arts from his home in Santa Fe. Two Bulls freelances his work with various publications and has been featured in the Lakota Times, Indian Country Today, the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Times, Cherokee One Feather and News from Indian Country. "I like cartooning because it's a combination of writing and pictures," he said. "I used to write editorials for the Journal and no one read them, but if I did a cartoon people would react to it and it was an easier way for my views to be out there, noticed. The medium is so powerful." Cartoons are an effective way to bridge gaps and make others understand things they may not have been previously sympathetic to, Two Bulls said. "The way people remember things is by laughing, it's through humor," Two Bulls said. "By getting a laugh out of it they can see it through a different point of view." At his core, Two Bulls is a news guy, he said. His work focuses on political themes, recently many pieces have focused on the Trump Administration and former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Two Bulls said his inspiration often comes from reading the news. From there, he begins to draw. Sometimes that's digitally, other times it's old school style pen to paper with digital edits and coloring. Cartooning is complicated, he said. You need to center the viewers eye flow throughout the piece, gradually bringing them to the punchline dialogue needs to switch in and out, the mood and timing needs to be just right. From his experience with newspapers Two Bulls has adapted to meeting deadlines quickly, on average he can get a cartoon done in roughly three hours, he said. In 2021 Two Bulls and two other cartoonists were named Pulitzer Prize Finalists in Editorial Cartooning. It was the first time in 48 years a decision wasn't made, and no reason was given as to why. A few weeks ago, Two Bulls found out he'd won the Herblock Prize a prestigious award named for famous cartoonist Herb Block, whose work was featured in the Washington Post and now resides in the Library of Congress. As the recipient of the Herblock Prize, Two Bulls will receive a $20,000 prize and a sterling silver trophy. And on May 28, he'll get to receive his award in Washington D.C. And after decades of cartooning, Two Bulls has no plans of stopping. It's a vital way to spread the truth, he said. "As journalists, our job is to take the truth and put it on a pedestal for everybody to see," he said. "The medium of cartoons can irritate people, can make people laugh when things get hard, but it all goes back to what I wanted to do make my uncles laugh." After the Trump administration suddenly cut funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities last week, the effects will be felt in communities around Montana. The budget cuts, enacted by the White House and billionaire presidential adviser Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency, stripped Humanities Montana, a nonprofit funded by the NEH, of almost all of its budget and led directly to the cancellation of events in cities and towns that could extend farther in the future. Many of these are in rural areas with programs that are picked by local organizations that cater to local interests. Philip Page, a saddle-maker who lives in Dillon, won't give one of his popular presentations on cowboy poetry at the Harlowton Public Library, which serves a town of less than a thousand people. While River Art & Books, a literary nonprofit in Roscoe, a town of less than 20 people located between Columbus and Red Lodge, already received its grant to host readings in 2025. Their director said that without that funding, they couldnt bring speakers in. Chris La Tray, an award-winning Metis storyteller and nationally recognized writer, started working with Humanities in 2023 when he was named poet laureate. Since then, hes done 90 presentations and plans on finding ways to continue to do them regardless. He called the cuts repugnant. Hes logged 40,000 miles on his vehicle in the past 10 months, visiting schools, universities, museums, libraries, theaters, and nonprofit groups where the turnout is anything from a thousand people to 10 people. All of these communities have an interest in the arts, and for the most part, the only way they can afford to bring people there is with the support of an organization like Humanities. And they deserve to be exposed to that kind of thing as much as any other place does, he said. Grants cut off Humanities Montana is one of 56 state humanities councils in U.S. states and jurisdictions such as the territories and the District of Columbia that were created by the NEH in 1972. On Wednesday, April 2, at nearly 10:30 p.m., Humanities Montana Executive Director Jill Baker received an email from the acting NEH chair Michael McDonald. Her organization's major operating grant, along with all the state councils funds, were terminated. The grant is a little under $1 million per year to serve all 56 counties in the state, comprising 90% of the budget for Humanities, a nonprofit that operates in a public-private model. Since DOGE began making cuts across agencies and branches of government, theres been confusion about how the cuts are made and how quickly theyre enacted, in addition to the legality of withholding funding approved by Congress. Humanities Montana is exploring its legal options, Baker said, but the cuts are immediate because of the way the state councils operate. They dont receive grant money upfront for programs, they submit for reimbursement after the fact. We can't receive that funding until after we spend it, so when they terminate our grant, thats it, Baker said. Last week, they quickly notified their speakers that the Montana Conversations, Speakers in the Schools and Poet Laureate programs have been canceled, and warned that if anyone who proceeds with planned events won't receive any compensation. The agencys funds are now severely limited to what Baker described as a modest reserve and a staff of six people. Were doing the best that we can to keep staffing as long as possible, in hopes that we will be able to have an injunction or something like that to get access to our funding again, she said. Their nationwide advocacy group, the Federation of State Humanities Councils, has pushed for a grassroots campaign for residents to notify elected officials of the effects of the cuts. Humanities Montana is encouraging people to contact Montana lawmakers. Baker said they're also soliciting donations to help us weather the storm until we can get Congress to continue to allocate funding for cultural services, including NEH, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. We want to be able to continue to do good work around our state, she said. Arts organizations in Montana are wary of the potential for more cuts. The Montana Arts Council sent an email newsletter out on Friday, April 4, warning that the National Endowment for the Arts is preparing for its own visit from DOGE, which is expected. In the past five years, the NEA has distributed more than $12 million in federal money in Montana either directly or through state and regional support, according to its website. What it pays for In 2024, Humanities grant programs included $200,000 for community projects. That covered stipends for 20 rural book clubs through Big Sky Reads. About $36,500 went to four documentary film projects. One example is $7,000 for Bitterroot at War: The Vietnam Era, through the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton, which included video interviews with local veterans. Around $100,000 went to 15 community organizations for projects, like $10,000 to the nonprofit Mahchiwminahnahtik Chippewa Cree Language Revitalization. It used the money for education and workshops to increase the number of speakers on the Rocky Boys Reservation and neighboring area. Its speakers bureau includes 68 presenters and scholars who travel around Montana with the nonprofit providing the majority of their honoraria and travel expenses. The agency reviews applicants to ensure their content and expertise, along with NEH requirements that bar the promotion of political, religious or ideological points of view, or advocacy of social or political action. Baker said they don't dictate what anyone does, "as long as they have a humanities focus and it fits the federal guidelines, Baker said. Applications come in three times a year and are reviewed by the staff and the board, including a quarter of memberships appointed by the governor's office. Humanities notifies local organizations of the presentations that are available, who can then apply to host. There is no charge for schools, while other groups pay $75. It's very much based on local needs and local control of who those speakers are that they bring into their communities, Baker said. Serving the whole state Humanities Montanas programs primarily target rural areas. For instance, 68% of the Montana Conversations series were held in small communities in 2024. Overall, around 6,100 people attended. When La Tray was named poet laureate, he said, Lets look at the places that no one has gone, and thats where I want to go. Because everybody goes to Missoula and Bozeman and Billings and Great Falls, but who goes to Circle, who goes to Poplar, who goes to Ekalaka? He drew a full house at the latter recently for a talk at the Carter County Museum. At a small theater in Big Timber, 50 or 60 people turned out. As a published writer, he cobbles together his income from a variety of sources and plans to continue all of his events either by finding money elsewhere or doing it for free. He plans on writing an open letter to the Montana delegation about the program and how we thrive on the kind of opportunities that organizations like Humanities provides. He also criticized the lack of infrastructure for arts and culture in the United States as a whole. We've settled into the status quo where it's like, Well, we're just gonna let grants and all of these things fund all of these things, he said. If the grants are gone, then some organizations dont know of good options to serve their towns. Thats the situation Harlowton Public Library director Tina Peterson sees. We dont have anything thats viable to replace it, and so those professional programs and history that we get from them are irreplaceable to small little libraries, she said. On April 8, the library was set to host a Montana Conversations talk, Bigfoot in the Big Sky, with Great Falls author Bridger Lutz, the director of education and programming at the C.M. Russell Museum, in which he runs through past sightings in the Treasure State. Peterson picks the Humanities Montana speakers herself, with an eye to attracting new audiences. Humanities is just great at bringing people in our library that normally dont take advantage of it, she said. A favorite repeat presenter among patrons is Mary Jane Bradbury, a historic interpreter who brings to life stories of women like the photographer Evelyn Cameron and Montana U.S. Rep. Jeannette Rankin. Her crowds of 30 to 60 are pretty dang good in a town of 900, Peterson said. The library has hosted two Humanities speakers so far this year and had two more on the books before July. A key point is how affordable the talks are. Before the library went ahead and canceled Lutz's talk, they looked at what it might cost to cover the event themselves, including Lutzs travel, food and lodging. Instead of $75, it would add up to $475, an unaffordable sum. She mentioned a woman in her 80s who didnt believe the event was canceled and got a ride anyway. The talks were one of the few things she looked forward to, a reason to get out of the house. Its just a great, economical way to bring culture into rural Montana, she said, and they hope for a quick restoration of the funding. Bradbury has worked with Humanities Montana for 12 years, and before that with Colorado Humanities for a combined 25 years. This primarily is about engaging people in live conversation, especially my school groups, she said. Some of them are one-room schoolhouses, like Sand Springs in Garfield County. Some of these kids will never sit through a live presentation by somebody who isnt in their school unless we can go out there and give them that, she said. Several years ago, the Sand Springs teacher invited her to give a presentation. Since the school had only four students, they invited the community and arranged a potluck around Bradburys presentation on Charlie Russell. It reaches remote communities that dont have opportunities to let their children experience the arts and have some good dialogue, she said. Since the grants were canceled, individual school communities are looking at ways to keep her talks going. The Missoula Public Library has hosted several recent Humanities events themselves or with spectrUM. In 2024, there was a screening of the documentary Trust Me about the effects of new media and technology on society, with a filmmaker Q&A. Another was Bridging the Worlds, with Buck Hitswithastick (Bitterroot Salish), on Native art forms. Programming director Xavier Kneedler-Shorten said the value is the interaction, because they arent just lectures. They're a presenter and they're a facilitator, which is good for our community to have those kinds of conversations with somebody that's knowledgeable and open to hearing perspective, he said. River Arts & Books, the nonprofit over in Roscoe, a tiny community in the East Rosebud Canyon northwest of Red Lodge, opened last year. While there was promotion of visual arts already in Carbon and Stillwater counties, readings were more of a gap, outside of what the libraries are able to present, said co-founder and director Caroline Joan Peixoto. Were all very spread out and River Arts tries to create a space where people could come together for dialogue, for a celebration of reading and writing and a kind of portal to connection, Peixoto said. So the turnout has been strong, she said. When its cold, theyve packed the old cabin with 25 to 30 people. In warmer weather, they host outside and have seen around a hundred people. Theyve already received a 2025 Humanities community grant for more than $8,000, which will enable them to bring out 10 paid speakers from around Montana and both coasts. Peixoto said they couldn't do that without the Humanities funding because of all the costs associated with an event. And the events are the gathering point, the reason people show up, she said. Once they have, they support River Arts through book purchases and merchandise. Theres enough demand in the area that people will show up on a weeknight or even summer days, when art events compete with outdoor activities. The grant really enables the organization to live healthfully, she said. After a number of bills that touch the states constitutional initiative process died off at the Montana Legislature in recent weeks, four are still successfully moving through the process, including one proposal that is nearing the governors desk for his signature. Citizen-led ballot initiatives took center stage last summer when three constitutional initiatives received enough voter signatures to be placed on Montanans November ballots, including CI-128, which passed and enshrined the explicit right to abortion in Montanas constitution. The prominence of those initiatives has led to a number of bills being proposed this legislative session that aim to change what the constitutional initiative process looks like. Some of the bills impact the signature-gathering process of a constitutional initiative. In order for a citizen-led constitutional initiative to first qualify for the ballot, signature gatherers who are often paid must collect tens of thousands of signatures across at least 40 of Montanas legislative districts. Columbia Falls Republican Rep. Braxton Mitchell sponsored House Bill 201, which would require signature gatherers to tell people they approach their first name and the state where they legally reside. They would also have to wear a badge with their first name and last initial. That bill is headed to the governor's desk for his signature. Mitchell said the bill is in part motivated by his concern that out-of-state signature gatherers who dont have an interest in Montana policy are involving themselves in the process. Patrick Webb, a lobbyist with the Montana Family Foundation, supported the bill. This past summer, he video recorded signature gatherers in public as part of an opposition effort. This is all about transparency to the voters, he told a legislative committee last month. If you sign up to go do this, you're in the public space, and I think that there needs to be transparency. The proposal is also supported by the Montana Secretary of States Office. SK Rossi, a lobbyist for ACLU Montana, expressed concern over the name disclosure requirement and that signature gatherers could face harassment, particularly if hot-button issues are on the petition. State law bars people from physically preventing signature gathering or intimidating gatherers during the ballot issue process. Rossi, who helped run CI-128's campaign, also said the requirements in HB 201 would lay the groundwork for people to be able to infuse doubt into the legitimacy of signatures that are gathered. It is a way for the secretary of state and opponents to say that signature gatherers and the campaign broke the law and were not going to count those signatures, Rossi said. Before HB 201 ultimately passed the Senate earlier this month, a Democrat also raised a constitutional concern. Sen. Janet Ellis, D-Helena, suggested the language added to the bill about verbally disclosing ones name may not fit under the title of the bill, a constitutional requirement in Montana. Legislative attorney Todd Everts advised that it was not clear either way whether the subject fits under the title or not. HB 201 is one of a slew of bills that impact the ballot initiative process, some of which are still alive, but a number of which missed legislative deadlines, meaning they're all but dead. 201 does look boring on its face, but in reality, it's one cut in a death of 1,000 cuts to the ballot initiative process, Rossi said. Mitchell also has a bill that would ban most foreign contributions to ballot initiative organizations. In its current form, the legislation would not extend to someone who is a lawful resident, but not a citizen of the United States. The ballot initiative organizations got the vast majority of their funding from outside groups, one of which was the nonprofit dark money group Sixteen Thirty Fund, which donated millions to the organizations running the three Montana initiatives. According to reporting from national outlets, Sixteen Thirty Fund received millions from a Swiss billionaire. If House Bill 818 became law, the ballot initiative groups may not be able to receive money from outfits like Sixteen Thirty in the future, Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus explained. Additionally, a pair of bills that would make it harder to amend the states constitution passed the House on a partisan vote earlier this month, with all Democrats voting against the legislation. There are two main ways that Montana's constitution can be amended; they both require voter approval: Organizers can get an amendment on the ballot by collecting enough signatures from across the state (like was done this summer for CI-128), or the Legislature can vote to put the amendment on the ballot. As it stands, it takes a simple majority to pass these initiatives once they reach voters. House Bills 821 and 822, both sponsored by Billings Republican Rep. Jodee Etchart, would increase that simple majority to 60%. Those bills will next be heard by a Senate committee. Preliminary round of 24th "Chinese Bridge" competition held in Russia Xinhua) 10:13, April 12, 2025 A contestant delivers a speech on the theme "One World, One Family" during the preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 10, 2025. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) VLADIVOSTOK, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students was held here on Thursday. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. After delivering speeches on the theme "One World, One Family," participants responded to questions related to China in the quiz and impromptu speech section. During the talent segment, some contestants sang Chinese songs with emotions, some dubbed scenes from the cartoon movie Ne Zha 2, while others performed recitations of classical Chinese poetry, all earning rounds of applause from the audience. Vanessa Stermer, a third-year biology student at Far Eastern Federal University, won first place. "I often read Chinese scientific literature and documents, and I also follow Chinese history," she told reporters. In his opening remarks, Wang Jun, acting consul general of the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok, expressed his hope that participants would use language as a vessel and cultural exchange as a bridge to fully experience the charm of Chinese culture through the competition, and to gain knowledge, friendship and personal growth in their journey of discovering the beauty of the Chinese language. Vladivostok Deputy Mayor Daria Stegniy said that China's successful economic and social development is widely recognized, and it is no surprise that young people are enthusiastic about learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture. "Chinese is one of the most difficult languages in the world. I want to thank the Confucius Institute for making Chinese more accessible and giving our children the opportunity to learn it in a fun and practical way," she said. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. A contestant (L) performs recitation of "The Ballad of Mulan", a classical Chinese poem eulogizing Hua Mulan, the legendary woman warrior in Chinese ancient history, during the preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 10, 2025. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) A contestant dubs a scene from the Chinese cartoon movie Ne Zha 2 during the preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 10, 2025. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) A contestant answers questions during the preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 10, 2025. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) Wang Jun, acting consul general of the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok, makes opening remarks for the preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 10, 2025. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) Russian college students watch the contest during the preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 10, 2025. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) Judges score the contestants during the preliminary round of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 10, 2025. Covering various dimensions including Chinese history, geography, literature and arts, the competition featured three main sections: themed speeches, a quiz and impromptu speeches, and talent performances. The event was co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok and the Confucius Institute at Far Eastern Federal University. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Authorities analyzing additional anti-sargassum barrier system to cover Mahahual hotels Mahahual, Q.R. Authorities are looking at installing an additional several hundred meters of anti-sargassum barrier in the southern area of Mahahual. Marco Antonio Munoz Hernandez, Commander of the 11th Naval Zone from the Secretariat of the Navy, responsible for sargassum monitoring and cleaning, says the additional barrier would help protect the towns beaches. Munoz Hernandez says talks are underway with local authorities to begin the installation of between 400 and 500 meters within a week. The installation would benefit the hotels located along the final stretch of the coastal zone. He says the final decision will depend on a technical analysis of the area, which could lead to a modification of the proposed extension by either reducing or increasing it. Theres an issue were analyzing to see if we could install a few more sections of barrier to be able to, lets say, free up the tourist section toward the last hotels. We did a calculation the other day and were talking about around 400 to 500 meters, but the final amount will depend on when we actually make the decision. Were still analyzing it, but if its feasible, what we have installed today, 2,250 meters, plus 300 more meters, is whats established according to the plan, and what were looking at is installing more meters toward the south. He says if the new barriers are approved, they will be new, not reused from previous years. To date, 2,150 meters of sargassum containment barriers have already been installed along the Costa Maya tourist area. The initial plan, according to Munoz Hernandez, was to install 2,750 meters of anti-sargassum barrier. This new phase of installation is expected to cover a larger portion of the hotel zone, protecting the destinations image by helping to keep beaches clear of seaweed. The expansion project is being considered given the volume of sargassum the area has dealt with already this season. More than 7,000 security personnel deployed around the state for Easter holidays Riviera Maya, Q.R. More than 7,000 security personnel have been deployed around the state to serve the 1.2 million expected for Easter. According to Governor Mara Lezama, the security operation will extend through April 27, covering entire Easter holidays. The operation will cover all 11 municipalities with a total of 7,244 state and municipal personnel, as well as federal forces, the Navy, the Ministry of National Defense and National Guard, who will be at the service of the people, she said. Governor Lezama stated that during this Easter season, an estimated 1.2 million people will be in Quintana Roo to enjoy the states destinations. The goal is for them to return home safely but while they are here, to enjoy an extraordinary vacation, one that is more than just sun and beaches. They go to lagoons, cenotes, enjoy the food, the archaeological sites and live with the indigenous peoples, said Lezama. The Undersecretary of Citizen Security (SSC) in northern Quintana Roo, Commissioner and Chief Antonio Esteban Peralta Amador, explained that the Secretariat will deploy operations and surveillance patrols throughout the state with the support of highway patrol, preventive police, procedural police, investigative police and response police. He says 5,560 state and municipal officers will be available across the 11 municipalities to serve and protect citizens and visitors. Of these, 217 are tourist police officers serving the municipalities of Cancun, Cozumel, Othon P. Blanco (Chetumal/Costa Maya), Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen. Peralta Amador said through coordinated efforts among security authorities, gathering points including beaches, nightclubs, bars and restaurants in tourist destinations will be monitored. Preventive patrols, road safety checkpoints and C5 camera monitoring are also planned. He added that the Navy will have a force of 472 personnel, while the Ministry of National Defense has 233 troops available to deploy. The National Guard has 979 personnel who will be strategically distributed throughout the state. A total of 7,244 personnel will be at the service of the public to successfully carry out this Quintana Roo 2025 Easter Holiday Security Operation. Tulum without barriers leaving workers to remove over 440 tons of sargassum manually Tulum, Q.R. Marina personnel are gearing up to install anti-sargassum barriers along the coast of Tulum. To date, beach cleaning staff have removed more than 440 tons by hand. Equipment for the coastal installation began arriving in late March, however, authorities are still waiting for the remaining pieces. The first of the equipment arrived March 28th. Marina personnel are still waiting for the rest of the equipment and tools needed to begin the process. A total of 1.5 kilometers of anti-sargassum barriers are planned for the municipality of Tulum. The barriers will be place to cover the coast from Mangle Beach to Playa Santa Fe. In recent weeks, the volume of sargassum has been particularly noticeable in Tulum, overwhelming the Zofemat (Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone) workers who manually clear the sargassum each day. According to Tulum Zofemat, 443 tons of sargassum has already been collected by hand so far this year. Last week, Tulum Mayor Diego Castanon Trejo delivered four ATVs to Zofemat staff as part of an initiative to provide the necessary tools to ensure beach cleaning. Zofemat Director Juan Antonio Garza said the ATVs will help workers remove the sargassum more efficiently. These ATVs will be used for surveillance and support in the sargassum cleanup, he said. ORANGE CITY, Iowa A quick comment about how hot it's been or how much rain fell the night before often provides a quick icebreaker for any conversation. Since everyone talks about the weather, you might as well help the experts know a little more about what's going on with it, reasons Kevin Haan, a Unity Christian High School science teacher. It's one of the reasons he put up a rain gauge at school and has the juniors in his earth science class track precipitation and report it to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, known as CoCoRaHS. Data recorded by the nationwide network of volunteer weather observers is used by the National Weather Service and other agencies and scientists tracking and studying weather and climate across the country. Haan hopes his students come to understand they can play a small role in providing a more accurate picture of local weather trends and, in the meantime, take notice of what's happening in the skies above. "I hope to get them to appreciate what's going on around them and what we do here is actually helpful and beneficial," Haan said. Meteorology is a personal hobby for Haan, who enjoys watching weather documentaries and attending weather-spotting classes. It was at one of those classes where he first heard about CoCoRaHS and decided to get his own rain gauge and begin recording rainfall totals. "Being a science teacher, it's nice to have your observations going to something useful," Haan said. "The big thing for me was the official nature of it rather than just putting a rain gauge in your yard." He saw the potential educational applications of participating in the volunteer program. When he came to the Orange City school two years ago, he decided to set up a gauge at the school to go along with the one at his home. Each school week, one of the students checks the gauge daily and reports how much, if any, rain is in it so Haan can record it online. If it snows, the gauge is brought inside and the snow melted to determine its moisture content. (Haan checks the gauge himself during the summer.) Haan shows students the National Weather Service's monthly precipitation reports for the Orange City area, explaining their readings helped the weather agency arrive at its totals. "Knowing our rain gauge is where they're pulling that information from is kind of fun," he said. It ties in perfectly with earth science units on topics such as meteorology. "I find it more interesting than I thought it would be," junior Dylan Bosma said. "The data we collect, it's meaningful, so it's not just wasted time." It might seem a waste when a student's week to check the gauge coincides with a dry spell and there's nothing to record, as was the case for Bosma. But it can help students realize there's more to the weather than just rain or snow. "It's a pretty cool thing," Bosma said, "just showing it on a deeper level than just how much rain." Haan encourages students to become volunteer observers themselves, filling in gaps on the weather observer map to give weather services a more accurate picture of how much precipitation falls in a given area. The more accurate the rainfall totals in an area, the better weather forecasters can predict river levels and potential flooding, for example. At least one student now has a rain gauge and is taking measurements. Another has expressed an interest in possibly becoming a meteorologist. Haan doesn't expect the rain gauge project to lead all his students into careers in meteorology. But he hopes that by having them pay attention to it, they become aware of the subtle ways weather affects us each day and keep an eye on the sky. "To be aware of what's happening around them," Haan said. "Just to be observant enough to realize it's constantly changing." If nothing else, it'll give them an easy topic of conversation with others. Slate Plus members get more How to Do It each week. How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do It, I had a baby six months ago, and for the last month and a half have been unsuccessful in getting my husband to resume our sex life. He kept giving me excuses as to why he didnt want to (hes too tired; has to get up early the next day; doesnt want to have to stop midway if the baby needs something, etc.). I was starting to think he was no longer attracted to me and confronted him with it after yet another refusal. His response as to why he doesnt want sex has left me confused over what to do about it. He watched our baby being born, and he said after seeing that he is squicked out over going back to sex because according to him, I eat at that restaurant. He says he knows its not rational, but cant get past it. How can we ever get back to normal? He Says He Cant Unsee That Dear He Says He Cant Unsee That, The feelings that your husband describes have been shared with other, often perplexed men. In 2005, the New York Times ran a first-person piece from a doctor who reported that dozens of men have told him about experiencing waning attraction to their wives after witnessing them giving birth, at least in the short run. They seem to have trouble seeing them as sexual beings after seeing them make babies, trouble reverting to a mind-set in which their wives sexual anatomy is just thatnot associated with images of new life emerging through the birth canal, wrote Dr. Keith Ablow. He added that the symptoms can come close to post-traumatic stress disorder, with its roots in the witnessing of an event that involves a threat to the physical integrity of self or others and responding with intense fear, helplessness or horror. The symptoms, he added, include recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event and efforts to avoid recalling it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Ablow wrote that not every man gets over it, he allowed that for just about everyone this improves with time. In the meantime, it might be useful for your husband to talk to a professional about this, especially if his symptoms are presenting like PTSD. If there is shame behind his feelings, that could also be obstructing the sexual connection and is worth addressing. Obviously, this reaction is not idealyou did the hard work of delivering a child into the world and to have your husband react negatively in response, no matter how unconsciously, is rough. Your husbands reaction is no reflection of youits his subjective experience. Other men have felt this way, but plenty havent, and its the kind of thing that you dont really know is in you until its presenting (kind of a luck of the draw type thing). Still, if this is something thats difficult for you as well, consider couples counseling together or your own therapist. Advertisement Patience is also important here. Its been six months, but it may take longer than that for him to fully cope. A Daily Mail piece from 2012 that circulated widely featured a firsthand account from a similarly squicked new father who took more than a year to reengage with his wife sexually. In a response piece on Today, a psychologist stressed the importance of effort in reconnecting, if only via sensual touching initially. You can try sensate focus, a kind of mindful touching, to ease back in. Disabuse yourselves of the notion that sex will spontaneously return, if thats what youre hoping forbe patient, take things slow, and appreciate the intimacy for what it is, not what it may lead to. Going into things, at least at first, without a goal mindset (This sensate focus will certainly lead to sex!) may be useful. Having children often changes things for couples, and it has been known to directly affect sex lives. Knowing that and making an effort to stay connected sexually can make a very big difference. Advertisement Advertisement Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit Dear How to Do It, My wife and I used to host regular sex parties, but havent done so since we had our kids, who are now 2 and 4. I would like to resume and hold one maybe once or twice a month (the kids would of course be staying at a relatives place or with a sitter the day of). The problem is my wife is concerned about the potential for germs and says now that we have kids it isnt a good idea. Does she have a point, or is she taking her worries too far? Eager To Get the Party Restarted Dear Eager To Get the Party Restarted, The potential for germs after sex, let alone multiple instances of sex performed by multiple bodies, is high, if by germs you mean things like bacteria, fugus, and viruses. Parasites like body lice can, for a period of time, live outside the body. But these things thrive in the warmth and humidity of the human body. And even when transmission from outside of the body is acknowledged, its still extremely unlikely. Take trichomoniasis: The protozoa would have to be freshly released from the body onto a surface and then come into immediate contact with someones genital region to threaten risk of transmission, according to Healthline. Adults have been having sex in living quarters shared with children since forever, and yet except in cases of abuse, you dont hear about kids contracting STIs. Its about as close to impossible as something theoretically possible gets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another thing adults do is clean up. I think that thats really the answer to the expressed concerns. Change your sheets after the party, use covers on your furniture and other surfaces that can easily be removed and thrown into the wash, consider even bigger guns like waterproof sex blankets. Confine the festivities to areas that will be easy to clean and arent where your children sleep. Advertisement In fact, this is such an obvious answer that I wonder if your wifes supposed fear of germs is an excuse? Could she just be blowing you off? More data is needed, but if shes creating reasons not to have the party, youre better off not having the party and either asking around to the potential invitees to see if any of them can host, or checking out a local sex/swingers club. Advertisement Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace! The columnists behind our new advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here! Dear How to Do It, I have a suspicion that my husband Milton is cheating on me. However, my evidence is not the typical kind. Advertisement Milton has a habit of talking in his sleep. For the last several weeks, hes been making comments about sex acts and noises while sleeping that sound like hes experiencing pleasure during sex, and saying the name Amy repeatedly. Amy is the name of one of Miltons co-workers. Ive always had the side-eye for heras far as I know, shes unattached, and at company events she and my husband seem a little too chummy for my liking. Should I take what Milton has been saying while asleep as proof that he is having an affair with Amy? I cant imagine any other reason he would be having these clearly sexual dreams involving her. Thus far I havent mentioned what I hear on a nightly basis to my husband. How do I go about approaching him with this to get at the truth? Nocturnal Admissions Dear Nocturnal Admissions, Advertisement Advertisement Maybe if you were living in a soap opera or, like, So I Married an Axe Murderer, youd be able to take sleep-talking as proof of cheating. But there is little basis for doing so in real waking life. Firstly, it is highly unlikely that dreams of Amy are propelling Miltons sleep-talking. In fact, neurologist Guy Leschziner, author of The Nocturnal Brain: Nightmares, Neuroscience, and the Secret World of Sleep, told me that sleep-talking does not necessarily indicate simultaneous dreaming. Sometimes when people sleep-talk, theyll often seem to be engaged in conversationso theyre responsive to external stimuli, rather than necessarily internal stimuli, he said via Zoom in a conversation about your question. I asked whether sleep-talking has ever reliably been shown to reflect the persons actual life, and he told me the only example that he knew of was a situation in which someone with PTSD whose dreams reflect their previous trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sleep-talking, or somniloquy, is almost always a variation of sleepwalking, a non-REM parasomnia, according to Leschziners book. When these kinds of parasomnia are present, the brain as a whole is not functioning normally, explained Leschziner. Certain areas of the brain demonstrate waking activity, whereas the other parts of the brain continue to be in very deep sleep. So in some respects, it can be akin to having some sort of brain dysfunction for a short period of time, he added. For more on this partial functioning, refer to a previous question about sexsomnia, for which I also interviewed Leschziner. Though REM sleep is typically associated with dreaming, its possible to dream in non-REM sleep, Leschziner told me, though non-REM dreams are typically much simpler, without a narrative. So its highly unlikely that your husband was dreaming of an encounter with Amy while chanting her name. Advertisement Advertisement But even if Milton were expressing legitimate attraction to Amy in his sleep, how could you possibly determine from observation that he is having an affair with her? He could just be fantasizing about her. Your suspicion comes down to confirmation bias after Amy has rubbed you the wrong way. I agree with you that you need more clarity, so go into any conversation about this with an open mind. Instead of accusing, instead of acting as though youve collected evidence, present what you have observed Milton saying in his sleep and ask if he can explain it. If he cant or wont, you could bring up his chumminess with Amy, which is probably the actual issue here and something you should have discussed long before his sleep-talking aroused your suspicions. Rich More Advice From Slate My husband drinks a bottle of wine a night. When he tries to have sex with me, Im repulsedhis breath smells so bad, and he just looks and acts gross. I love having sex with him when he doesnt smell bad and isnt drinking, and I try to tell him why, but he wont listen. Hes unwilling to do anything about it, and its killing our sex life. What should I do? https://sputnikglobe.com/20250412/kellogg-blasts-times-for-misrepresenting-his-words-on-ukraine-partitioning-1121860418.html Kellogg Blasts Times for Misrepresenting His Words on Ukraine 'Partitioning' Kellogg Blasts Times for Misrepresenting His Words on Ukraine 'Partitioning' Sputnik International US President Donald Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg accused the Times newspaper of misrepresenting his words about control zones in Ukraine, clarifying that he did not mean "partitioning" the country itself. 2025-04-12T04:27+0000 2025-04-12T04:27+0000 2025-04-12T04:27+0000 world us keith kellogg donald trump russia ukraine ukrainian conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/1b/1121025624_0:0:339:191_1920x0_80_0_0_656b2e6efde6a314914d1946d6360049.jpg The Times wrote in an article that Kellogg suggested partitioning Ukraine into control zones after the end of the conflict like Berlin after World War II, but without US ground forces. Kellogg, the report said, proposed dividing Ukraine into several control zones, where the military of several countries would be located: British and French troops could be deployed to western Ukraine as a "reassurance force." Between them and the Russian forces there could be "Ukrainian forces and a demilitarized zone." Earlier in April, Alexey Polishchuk, Director of the Second CIS Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik that London and Paris' discussions on sending deterrent forces to Ukraine were preparations for foreign intervention. According to Polishchuk, Kiev is known to be rejecting the peace process and is even sabotaging the moratorium on strikes against energy facilities. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in turn, previously stated that any foreign military presence in Ukraine would be viewed as a threat to Russia and carries the risk of a direct military clash. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) previously reported that the West would deploy a so-called "peacekeeping contingent" of about 100,000 people in Ukraine to restore its combat capability. The SVR said this would be a de facto occupation of Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the deployment of peacekeepers is only possible with the consent of the parties to a particular conflict. According to him, it is premature to talk about peacekeepers in Ukraine. Earlier, he also left without comment statements that Russia would allegedly not be against the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine. On March 6, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Russia does not see any possibility for a compromise on the issue of deploying foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine. As the Russian minister specified at the time, if a foreign contingent is deployed in Ukraine, Western countries will not want to discuss the terms of peaceful settlement. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously said the plans of some EU countries to send "peacekeepers" to Ukraine are a provocative step aimed at maintaining unhealthy illusions in Kiev. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250324/china-rejects-possibility-of-participation-in-peacekeeping-mission-in-ukraine-1121678071.html russia 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 ukrainian conflict, divide ukraine, russia-ukraine war, acknowledge russian rights, russia wins, ukraine loses, russian gains, russian territories, ukeraine admits https://sputnikglobe.com/20250412/ukraine-could-be-sabotaging-agreements-by-violating-moratorium-with-strikes-on-energy-facilities-1121860995.html Ukraine Could Be Sabotaging Agreements by Violating Moratorium with Strikes on Energy Facilities Ukraine Could Be Sabotaging Agreements by Violating Moratorium with Strikes on Energy Facilities Sputnik International Kiev's strikes on energy facilities are carried out either because there was no order to halt them or because the order was not followed, Director of the Second Department of CIS Countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexey Polishchuk told Sputnik in an interview out on Saturday. 2025-04-12T08:11+0000 2025-04-12T08:11+0000 2025-04-12T08:11+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis terrorism terrorist state https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/19/1121686663_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0a122dbbed06653f7450a85bd5456493.jpg If there was no order given, then we are dealing with deliberate sabotage of agreements, Polishchuk also said. Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with US President Donald Trump on March 18. Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to the conflict to mutually refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. Putin supported this initiative. Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would support the proposal to stop attacks on energy infrastructure. Since the agreement on a 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy facilities was reached, Kiev has violated it more than 60 times, Alexey Polishchuk added. According to him, attempts to strike Russian energy facilities are made several times each day. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/ukraines-costly-kursk-gamble-bleeds-the-west---1121850253.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250411/uks-involvement-in-ukraine-conflict-goes-deeper-than-many-may-think-1121859138.html 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 ukraine terrorism, ukraine strikes on energy facility, ukraine attacks https://sputnikglobe.com/20250412/ukraine-loses-over-175-soldiers-in-kursk-region-in-past-day--russian-defense-ministry-1121862406.html Ukraine Loses Over 175 Soldiers in Kursk Region in Past Day Russian Defense Ministry Ukraine Loses Over 175 Soldiers in Kursk Region in Past Day Russian Defense Ministry Sputnik International - The Ukrainian armed forces have lost over 175 soldiers in the Kursk region in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. 2025-04-12T13:53+0000 2025-04-12T13:53+0000 2025-04-12T13:53+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine crisis russian defense ministry ukraine kursk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/19/1121687399_0:90:3323:1959_1920x0_80_0_0_acdfcf0a30cf423d86339ba1e24db744.jpg "Over the past day, the Ukrainian armed forces have lost more than 175 troops, with an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, seven motor vehicles, a 155-mm M777 howitzer and three mortars destroyed," the ministry said in a statement. Overall, Kiev has lost over 73,820 military personnel since the beginning of hostilities in the Kursk region, as well as 405 tanks, 332 infantry fighting vehicles, 302 armored personnel carriers and 2,264 armored fighting vehicles, the ministry said.Russia's Tsentr group of forces has eliminated up to 440 Ukrainian military personnel over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.Ukraine's losses amounted to up to 440 servicepeople, two armored fighting vehicles, including a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, five pickup trucks and five field artillery guns, including US-made Paladin self-propelled howitzers and French-made Caesar self-propelled guns, the statement read.Meanwhile, Russia's Yug group of forces has eliminated over 310 Ukrainian soldiers, along with eight armored fighting vehicles, including three M113s, 18 motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station. Two ammunition depots were destroyed, the ministry added.Kiev has lost over 250 soldiers and had three ammunition depots destroyed in clashes with Russia's Zapad group of troops. Over 155 Ukrainian servicepeople, two armored fighting vehicles, four field artillery pieces and a fuel depot were eliminated in clashes with Russias Vostok group of forces.The Dnepr battle group has eliminated up to 60 Ukrainian soldiers, an infantry fighting vehicle, an electronic warfare station and three warehouses storing ammunition and war materiel, while the Sever group has eliminated up to 75 Ukrainian service people and five artillery guns, the ministry estimated. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250411/russian-forces-carry-out-8-mass-strikes-on-ukraine-military-facilities---defense-ministry-1121857109.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250412/ukraines-kursk-incursion-robbed-western-taxpayers-of-78bln-in-lost-military-equipment-1121861273.html ukraine kursk 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 operation, ukraine conflict, ukraine crisis, ukraine kursk incursion https://sputnikglobe.com/20250412/will-uk-bid-farewell-to-its-once-flagship-steel-industry---1121863361.html Will UK Bid Farewell To Its Once-Flagship Steel Industry? Will UK Bid Farewell To Its Once-Flagship Steel Industry? Sputnik International The UK's House of Lords has given initial approval to a bill to help save the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe, which is at risk of closing. 2025-04-12T17:06+0000 2025-04-12T17:06+0000 2025-04-12T17:26+0000 world united kingdom (uk) british steel house of lords china https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/0c/1121863478_0:159:3077:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_f7b7d757366739e34dfa95d4a3e57bf0.jpg Despite a lavish $1.56 billion investment, the plant is reportedly losing ~$900,000 per day due to high production costs. British Steel is the LAST firm in the UK capable of producing virgin steel a vital material for the defense industry. If the company goes bankrupt, the UK will become only G7 nation without its own steel the industry and will be heavily dependent on imports. The plant is owned by the China-based Jingye Group that might fuel concerns during the current economic shutdown. Obtaining state control and ownership over the plant is now considered to be the only viable option amid Britains ongoing industrial crisis. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250411/uks-involvement-in-ukraine-conflict-goes-deeper-than-many-may-think-1121859138.html united kingdom (uk) china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sergey Lebedev Sergey Lebedev 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 Sergey Lebedev british steel, uk steel, uk defense, uk parliament emergency voting steel Sunday, April 6 through Saturday, April 12 is Nebraska Public Transit Week, according to The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers (NATP). The statewide initiative seeks to educate how important public transit is in creating accessibility, sustainability and community connectivity across the state. In Nebraska, 5.1% of households do not have access to a vehicle, NDOT said in a press release. Public transit options, in both rural and urban communities, are vital to these Nebraskans, as well as those who cannot drive a personal vehicle. Locally, Scotts Bluff County Public Transit Manager Curtis Richter mans the Tri-City Roadrunner Services, which include flexible bus route system and demand-response services. The flex-route is within about a three-quarter mile corridor across the city of Scottsbluff, while the demand-response runs outside that corridor and the rest of Scotts Bluff County. We dont go outside Scotts Bluff County, Richter said, explaining that longtime residents may be familiar with the predecessor, the Handibus. ... In 2018, we started the flex-routes. People thought it was only for handicapped individuals or elderly, Richter said of the previous Handibus name, while it is open to the general public. In fact, he said the ages of the customers that the Tri-City Roadrunner provides service for are quite extensive. We do some occasional teenagers and school-age, Richter said. (We) would do some transportation for schools, (and) all the way up, too. We have a lady who is over 100 years old. He added that this fiscal year based on their daily average, Tri-City Roadrunner is projecting between 42,000 and 44,000 trips. They are also a Medicaid-endorsed organization, so they transport non-emergency medical patients to appointments that have that option as a benefit with their Medicaid plans. Were the local transportation provider, Richter said. So thats thats huge. We also work with Health Human Services, Aging Offices of Western Nebraska and League of Human Dignity. Roadrunner also has an agreement with Western Nebraska Community College where students can ride the Flex-Route free with their student ID. There are a handful of upgrades that will be coming to the organization soon, one of which could help people like WNCC students. Well be adding onboard Wi Fi to our Flex-Route busses, and then eventually, we hope to have that on all of our vehicles, Richter said. If (passengers) have a Wi Fi-only phone, or maybe a student has to, ride the bus for a little bit longer, (they) would have the ability to access Wi-Fi to maybe do some homework, or things like that. Some more expensive installments will be added with the help of CARES ACT grants awarded through NDOT of $65,000. The total cost for these two new apps will be approximately $325,000. The CARES ACT grant makes the balance about $260,000, with the remaining portion split 80% federally, 10% state and 10% over the course of five years, meaning that the county would pay approximately $22,000 for five years. One will be a mobile app, called MyRide, which has a feature that can help people find the closest bus stop. It also allows passengers to see how far they are from their bus. So in the instance of, maybe inclement weather, maybe were running behind, the person wont have to stand out that bus stop too long, Richter said. They can wait indoors and avoid the exposure. Amble is another app that will be utilized for the demand-response service. It will be available as a mobile app and a web portal that will allow people to book trips. We push it directly into our system that way, as long as we havent really conflicts, well just shoot the trip right into our our scheduling software, Richter said. Itll actually tell them that their bus has been dispatched; Its on the way to get them. There will also be additional functionality and options for Richters staff to allow remote entry into the drivers tablets if they have any issues. A dashboard at the head office will show real-time performance with slack time for drivers to show demand response. Richter doesnt expect an immediate spike in people utilizing the app. Were pretty confident though, its going to grow steadily, he said. Its kind of the boomer generation as they age out, a lot of the younger baby boomer and other generations are a little more tech savvy. He added that the app will eliminate the need for customers to call in for their trips and call in to check on their ride status. However, they will still have the option to do that. If we have any hiccups as far as pickup times, well have the ability to go in and contact them to potentially negotiate a different pickup time for them, Richter said. I really think its important for our services to allow our elderly residents to age in place: Stay in their homes as much as possible. And I think thats a huge benefit to keeping those folks in their homes when theyre no longer able to drive. 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 Text-generating AI programs like ChatGPT are known for everyday tasks like answering questions, but that's not all they're good for. These AI agents can use their text-parsing powers to help further nuclear science and assist health physicists, as shown by nuclear engineering graduate student Zavier Ndum's research. Large-language models (LLM) like ChatGPT are a form of artificial intelligence that uses written data to generate text based on predictions. Although LLMs are useful for many domains, such as software engineering and research assistance, their use in nuclear science is less common. This is in part because nuclear engineering research often uses proprietary data that can't be securely fed into a general LLM. "When it comes to nuclear science, there is a lot of proprietary data, and there are security issues with sharing data," Ndum said. "You can't just give this knowledge to ChatGPT or Copilot. If you have something that can be used within an organization to automate workflows, it increases productivity and efficiency." Ndum recently wrote a paper about a project using an LLM for nuclear science. The AI agent described in Ndum's paper, AutoFLUKA, can help automate tasks in nuclear science research, such as running computer simulations in a software called FLUKA. The application can take and edit input files, run simulations, and then analyze the results, complete with plotting graphs. Other researchers can use Ndum's application with their own data, securely building a database using proprietary data that doesn't go anywhere other than the originating computer. "You're able to sort through this information very easily and very fast, instead of reading through to extract a simple answer," Ndum said. "If you have those documents, and you have the application gain access to those documents, it can easily do Q&A, and you can prompt the model to give you suggestions to augment your specific application." To build AutoFLUKA as a proof of concept, Ndum had to work with what he had. He did not have access to work with Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP), a computer simulation code that is commonly used in nuclear science but is also regulated. However, FLUKA is similar enough to MCNP that Ndum's model can be easily replicated for it and other simulation programs. Another challenge for Ndum was transitioning his research focus to studying AI agents. Before arriving at Texas A&M, he worked on health physics and dosimetry, or the study of radiation absorbed by living tissue. However, after working with Dr. John Ford, a nuclear engineering professor who researches health physics, Ndum used that work to provide case studies for the AutoFLUKA paper. He also cites the guidance of nuclear engineering professor Dr. Yang Liu, his Ph.D. advisor, and Dr. Jian Tao, a College of Performance professor affiliated with the Department of Nuclear Engineering, while building the application. "When you step into new territory, it's always challenging, but you keep on working and you believe that there is something useful you can make out of this," he said. "When you put in that effort, it turns out good." Ndum, who serves as the president of the State of Texas Chapter of the Health Physics Society (STC-HPS), also hopes to bring this approach back to his original field of health physics. At the chapter's annual conference in October at the University of Texas at Arlington, he presented a talk about the use of LLMs in health physics to serve as virtual assistants for professionals in the field. He tested the application from his paper on retrieving information from health physics-related documentation, cutting down an hours-long search to seconds. This can help health physicists like radiation safety officers (RSOs), who must know about annual radiation dose regulations and the operation of various machines. "Sorting through these regulatory guides for RSOs could be time-consuming and strenuous," Ndum said. Ndum also delivered a seminar as part of a semester-long series last fall hosted by Texas A&M's Research in Artificial Intelligence for Science and Engineering Initiative. He plans to present another talk on this topic at the STC-HPS Student Conference at Texas A&M University in April, where nuclear science, health physics, and engineering students from universities other than Texas A&M will attend. "They can see how to harness this technology to their own specific research areas," he said. Currently, Ndum is advancing his research by developing a sophisticated LLM application designed to answer complex, domain-specific questions in nuclear science research. This application sorts through and analyzes documents, and it can also integrate information from online sources in real time. It can read and process multiple file types, including PDFs, images and spreadsheets, offering comprehensive support for research tasks. These abilities allow the application to provide nuanced answers and insights to make nuclear science research more efficient. "This is new territory, and exploring it within nuclear science is really important," Ndum said. "I'm going to keep working to see what we're able to build with this knowledge." Liu, who serves as the director of the Scientific Machine learning for Advanced Reactor Technologies (SMART) group, believes Zavier's work will make an impact on the broader nuclear engineering community. "LLMs are a research focus of our group, and we are fortunate to have Zavier pushing the boundaries of its application in nuclear science," Liu said. "His innovative approach to integrating AI into nuclear research is exactly the kind of forward-thinking mindset we need in this field. The ability to leverage AI for secure, domain-specific automation is a game-changer, and Zavier's contributions are paving the way for more efficient, data-driven advancements in reactor modeling, health physics, and nuclear safety." More information: Zavier Ndum Ndum et al, AutoFLUKA: A Large Language Model Based Framework for Automating Monte Carlo Simulations in FLUKA, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2410.15222 Journal information: arXiv (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). Former prime minister Stuart Young is leading the legal team representing former Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin Hilaire in his wrongful dismissal battle against the State. On Wednesday, Hilaire told the Express that his attorneys issued a pre-action protocol letter to the Attorney General and the Cabinet Secretariat. When asked by the Express to provide a copy of the pre-action letter and the names of his attorneys, Hilaire responded yesterday, declining to share the letter but confirming that Young is leading his legal team. A PRIVATE contractor is dead after an accident in Tobago. Police have identified the victim as Darryl Figaro of Black Rock, Tobago. He died on Wednesday after falling from a ladder while working at a private villa. An autopsy of Figaros body yesterday at the Scarborough Mortuary determined injuries were consistent with a fall, and it ruled out foul play. The body was previously identified by the victims daughter. My wife and I are in our sunset years and have been trying to deal with the many issues of our health, so our doctors have been giving us prescriptions for medication which is needed to try to control our health issues. We would normally go to distributors of the various medications that are prescribed, and purchase two months supply at any one time. Alas, we no longer can do this because of the recent ruling by the respective Government agencies, and now have to purchase these medications from registered pharmacies. Among the authors who took part in last months Tucson Festival of Books was Samantha Harvey, here from her home in England. Tess Gerritsen traveled to Tucson from Maine, William Kent Krueger from Minnesota. Then there is Sarah T. Dubb ... who lives less than a mile away and walked. I cant tell you that going to the festival as a presenting author was a dream come true, because I never could have dreamt up such a thing, she laughed last week. To be a first-time author, to have an event like this right up the street from my house, and then to be part of it all ... Wow! Sometimes lost in the buzz surrounding Americas second-largest book festival is the fact it is still Tucsons festival of books. Thirty-five authors from the greater Tucson area appeared on festival stages last month. Several, such as Anne Hillerman, Jillian Cantor and Adam Rex, discussed recent bestsellers. Others, such as Dubb and Jessica Elisheva Emerson, came with highly decorated debuts. All of them contributed to the uniquely Tucson experience that has become a festival trademark. Tucson is not only a city that reads, but it is also one that writes, Executive Director Abra McAndrew said. Im not sure all our authors know that when they get here. Chances are they know it when they leave. Exhibit A: Sarah T. Dubb, a local librarian whose first novel, Birding with Benefits, was released last June. Set in Tucson, Birding quickly caught the eye of NPR and became a hit. Still, Dubb wasnt sure how shed be received at the book festival. Being a Tucson author whos held several Tucson events, I wasnt sure if attendees would be excited about seeing me or getting my book. I thought maybe Id already met everyone who cared, but I was absolutely blown away by the beautiful spirit and generosity from the readers I met. The feeling was obviously mutual. Birding was one of the festivals 10 top-selling books. It was so fun doing it all in my hometown, Dubb said. I was able to walk up to campus both mornings, see one of my kids performing on the mall, wave hello to friends as I scurried from place to place ... and I loved talking to other authors about Tucson. Despite a cold, windy Saturday morning, the 16th Tucson Festival of Books proved to be as popular as ever. Officials at the University of Arizona estimated total attendance to be 130,000 people over the two-day weekend. Dubb was one of 330 authors who presented on festival stages, and another 115 appeared in the Independent Author Pavilion. Writers took part in 307 formal presentations, attracting audiences of more than 36,000 readers. It will be weeks before a final accounting can be made, but it is not too soon to assess the weekend. In a word, McAndrew said, it was amazing. One of our survey respondents said it was a pinch me, how do they do it? experience, and I think a lot of people felt that way. As for the How do they do it? part, the answer is easy, the first-year director said. I knew the festival was volunteer-driven, but I didnt really realize what that meant until I started to work here. A lot of our volunteers work on the festival year-round. They treat it like a full-time job. The level of dedication they have is just unbelievable. Hundreds of others volunteer their time on festival weekend and they, too, take their role seriously. On March 14, the day before the festival began, dozens of festival authors were forced to alter their flights due to weather, delaying their arrival by hours. Some of our volunteer drivers stayed at the airport past midnight, refusing to abandon their authors, McAndrew said. Our volunteers are unbelievable. Even now, a month after the last books were placed back on the shelf, McAndrew is warmed by some of her memories from festival weekend. Jamie Quatro and Lee Hawkins both saw their high school teachers in the audience. I talked with authors who remembered coming here as kids, and authors who now bring their own kids. A lot of people have deeply personal reasons for loving the festival, and its great to hear their stories. Then theres this: To think we brought 300-some authors here ... and it took all of them two or three years to write their books ... thats 1,000 years of human thought they were able to share here in Tucson. How great is that? FOOTNOTES Lori Alexander, the Oro Valley author of a young-adult biography called All in a Drop, spent time between sessions with her 18-year-old daughter. She grew up coming to the childrens area of the festival with me, Alexander said. Now that shes an adult, she took me to a panel this time. We saw Rob Sheffield so we could hear about Taylor Swift. It was great! Jessica Elisheva Emerson, the author of Olive Days, was reminded why Tucson is such a good place for creatives to make art. I had the chance to meet Willy Vlautin, one of my idols. I was on two panels with luminary writers. I made a few literary friends-for-life. Im finishing the first draft of my second novel, and Im definitely hoping to be back to the festival soon. Anne Hillerman, whose Shadow of the Solstice will be released April 22, appeared on a festival panel with Craig Johnson. He was the first winner of a competition named for Hillermans father: the Tony Hillerman/PEN USA Mystery Short Story Writing Contest in 2005. In the audience was Phoenix author Christina Estes, who won the Hillerman Prize for her then-unpublished novel, Off the Air, in 2020. Former Tucsonan Jamie Quatro was mid-thought when suddenly she stopped mid-sentence ... looking with wide-open eyes at a woman in the third row of a session Saturday morning at the festival. Are you my high school English teacher Mrs. Callahan?! she asked, incredulously. Indeed it was. Liz Callahan was one of Quatros first mentors at Sahuaro High on the east side. It was supposed to be a short stop in Tucson, a blip on their trip from California back home to Alabama. After spending 10 months in Los Angeles, Jake and Kristen Couch were inching closer to reuniting with loved ones and grieving with them the loss of their recently stillborn son, Brooks. It was hard being away from family, Kristen Couch said. We needed to look at something different than a nursery. So the pair started their trip across the country, making it to just Arizona before the heartbreakingly unexpected happened again. About 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5, the couple was sitting at a downtown bus stop near East Broadway and South Sixth Avenue when Jake Couch was attacked by a passerby carrying a hatchet. It happened fast. Just before the attack, the man began yelling at them to stand up, Kristen Couch said. Before she could get up, she said, the man pulled a hatchet from under his jacket and struck her husband in the neck. Nobody helped us, Kristen Couch said in an interview Friday, her voice trembling. People were yelling, but nobody physically helped us. Couch said she attempted to perform CPR while applying pressure to her husbands neck. But it was difficult to do it alone. Her husband was rushed to Banner University Medical Center. He remained there Friday morning. Kristen Couch said he is not expected to survive. The couple, who have been together for 11 years, each have one child from a previous relationship. Baby Brooks would have been the couples first child together. He is the best husband. He loved me so much, and he loved his daughter and his son, Kristen said. Hopefully we were going to start trying again soon. Instead, Kristen Couch said, she is spending the last moments with her husband at the hospital. There is solace, she said, in knowing her husbands accused attacker is sitting in the Pima County jail. Daniel Michael, 25, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of felony aggravated assault. He remained jailed Friday on a $1 million bond. Police have said they expect his charges to be elevated to murder if Couch dies. Tucson City Councilmember Richard Fimbres will resign from his post effective May 1, city officials announced Friday. Fimbres, 72, a Democrat, is a lifelong resident of the south-side Ward 5 he has represented since 2009, when he was first elected. At the beginning of this year, he announced he would not run for re-election this November. In late January, Fimbres told the Star's Tim Steller that health problems and his age made him want to retire from duty. Serving as the Ward 5 Councilman and representing the Ward 5 constituents since 2009 has been an honor and privilege. However, my personal health issues now compel me to step aside from my duties as a public servant," Fimbres now says in a letter to Mayor Regina Romero and the city clerk, according to the city. "I had hoped to complete my current term of office, but I need to turn my full attention to my family and my health." Fimbres has been attending City Council meetings remotely since the pandemic began, and his impending resignation will set in motion an appointment process to select a replacement, as occurred when former councilmember Steve Kozachik resigned in April last year. Romero said she "is grateful for his service" while wishing Fimbres the best of luck "as he retires to focus on his health and family after a long career in public service." "It has been my honor to work with Richard Fimbres on issues that matter to Tucsonans ... He founded the Homeless Work Program, an innovative public/private partnership that has helped hundreds of our unsheltered neighbors," Romero said in a written statement. "He worked to create the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial to recognize the contributions of African American Soldiers in Southern Arizona. Richard focused on veterans' issues and always worked to protect workers and the most vulnerable in our community. Our collaboration with neighbors on the Santa Rita Park Master Plan is an excellent example of his positive impact to reinvest in Ward 5 neighborhoods." Fimbres, a Vietnam-era Army veteran, served as a military policeman, patrol and narcotics dog handler, according to his city biography. He served 32 years with the Pima County Sheriff's Department. In 2002, he was appointed director of the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety. In 2021, he was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. In 1997, he was appointed to the Pima County Community College governing board, going on to be re-elected in 1998 and 2004. Five years later, Fimbres was inducted into the Pima Community College Hall of Fame. Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham said in a statement that Fimbres' "public service record is distinguished," and his work with the Governor's Office and on the PCC governing board demonstrated "a commitment to making Tucson better." "His work on the city council for the homeless work program, the P-card and advocacy of the Cherrybell post office are stalwart examples of what public service is all about. I am honored to have served with him and proud to call him a friend," Cunningham wrote. City Manager Tim Thomure said Fimbres' work "leaves a lasting legacy in Tucson." "He worked tirelessly to facilitate, as he accurately called it many times at the council table, a 'Ward 5 Renaissance,'" Thomure said. "The Bridges (development) is a prime example of this renaissance as it brought much needed economic opportunity and service amenities to Tucsons south side residents." In a Feb. 19 hearing, Sen. David Farnsworth was proposing to strip community colleges and universities of all their state money if they did one thing wrong. All it would take under his bill, SB 1694, would be one class touching on any of a list of concepts, including gender identity or social justice. Then, all the state funding for tens of thousands of students and faculty in sciences, engineering, languages, arts and everything else, would disappear more than $600 million for the UA this year alone. All that for, potentially, one contested topic being taught in one course. It was a drastic proposal by Farnsworth, a Mesa Republican, who talked of it as commonsensical. Yet fellow committee member Sen. Catherine Miranda noticed somebody important missing in that hearing: The universities and the board of regents. They werent there to speak about it and had taken no formal position. I dont blame them because if they go against this bill, their funding will be taken away, said Miranda, a Phoenix Democrat. Thats from Capitol Hill (in Washington D.C.) coming down into our states, this fear of DEI. This is the posture were seeing from Arizona university leaders take as they face threats from Trump and from his supporters at the capitol in Phoenix, including Farnsworth, a Mesa Republican. Theyre not flashing defiance theyre laying low, apparently hoping to avoid confrontation and to maintain their paltry state funding. Arizona ranks 46th nationwide for per-capita funding of higher education. That funding is down this year from the year before, and it could go even lower next year, if tax revenue comes in low, or if the GOP majority channels Trumps disdain for universities toward them. The universities have long been fearful of the Legislature, Sen. Priya Sundareshan, the Tucson Democrat and senate minority leader, told me Thursday. It all stems from the fact that theyve seen the Legislature use the power of the budget as a cudgel. U of As submission We saw Senate President Warren Petersen wave that cudgel in a tweet posted Wednesday. He posted and celebrated a submissive letter from the University of Arizonas new president, in which Suresh Garimella listed the ways the university is eliminating diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts, answering Petersens request. The University of Arizona recently sent a letter to me affirming their work to comply with President Trumps Executive Order to restore merit-based opportunities, Petersen said. I appreciate this cooperation to ensure students and staff are not provided preferential treatment based on their skin color, national origin, religious preferences, their sex, or their sexuality. All eyes are now on Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. I look forward to hearing back on their progress to comply with the law. The presidents executive order is not a law, and his description of DEIA activities as countering merit-based opportunities is highly disputed. But that doesnt mean people like Petersen arent treating the order as law. And theres an implied threat in his calling out ASU and NAU. The budget hasnt passed yet, and Republicans hold both houses. Only the governor, Democrat Katie Hobbs, potentially stands in the way of a punitive cut in funding in the state budget, or the drastic threat from Farnsworths bill. Its unclear how strong shell stand in budget negotiations her office didnt get back to me when I asked them about it. UA spokesman Mitch Zak declined to discuss the universitys federal or state strategy but said in a written statement, we work to build and maintain relationships that advance our land-grant mission and commitment to student success. He added, Our job is to advance the mission, help drive investments to students and research, and navigate and influence the political landscapes that are constantly shifting. Long list of forbidden topics Arizonas universities are flawed institutions, as Ive pointed out in many columns over the years. They waste money, they embrace intellectual fads, they come nowhere close to meeting the mandate in Arizonas constitution that higher education be as nearly free as possible. But their impact on the state is overwhelmingly positive. They attract brilliant scientific minds to the state, train many of Arizonas medical professionals, and produce performers, writers and artists. They are hubs of cultural dynamism in a state that could otherwise be a backwater. Last fall, I was waiting for somebody in the first floor of the main library, watching as knots of students worked together, many doing math problems or sketching out presentations on the available whiteboards. It was moving. They were into it. This is an experience Sen. Farnsworth has apparently never had. He explained during that hearing how he got an associates degree from Mesa Community College in 1975, then returned this year to take a course at Rio Salado College in elementary education as he pursues a bachelors degree at the age of 73. He said the textbook for his course, called Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society, was biased and divisive, degrading White Anglo-Saxon Protestant culture as a dominant and negative force in American culture. This experience, he said, is why he is threatening to pull all state funding from any university or community college. The list of concepts that, if touched on in a university of course, would get hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding pulled, is long: critical theory, whiteness, systemic racism, institutional racism, anti-racism, microaggressions, systemic bias, implicit bias, unconscious bias, intersectionality, gender identity, social justice, cultural competence, allyship, race-based reparations, race-based equity, gender-based equity, race-based inclusion or gender-based inclusion. I reached out to Farnsworth to find out where he got this list, but did not hear back. Suffice it to say, his bill is a drastic overreaction to a possibly objectionable textbook in his community college, and a radical restriction on freedom of speech and thought. Atmosphere of disdain Farnsworths bill is likely to pass, but it is also almost certainly going to be vetoed by Gov. Hobbs. Still, it underscores an atmosphere of disdain for the universities that has been growing among Legislative Republicans. Its part of a nationwide shift, in which Republicans have increasingly viewed the handful of politically radical students or professors as representative of the whole and have grown hostile to university education in general. Last year, Sen. Anthony Kern referred to the states universities as anti-American indoctrination camps. The number of Republican lawmakers who have been champions of the universities is growing smaller, said Sundareshan, the Senate minority leader. Theres long been a push to say university education doesnt even help or is not even a valuable thing. She, by the way, was born and raised in Tucson because her father came here to be a University of Arizona professor of electrical engineering. Sundareshan went on to get a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a law degree from the UA Law School, and a masters degree in natural resources economics from the UA. This is the sort of person who ends up in Arizona because of the universities. And yet, people like Farnsworth are making the decisions. He once supported freedom of speech on campus, voting in 2018 in favor of a bill, now a law, that proclaims Students and faculty members have the freedom to discuss any problem that presents itself. But now he's looking to limit that freedom. It would be nice if the universities or board of regents would defend that spirit of free inquiry and their own value as institutions, rather than accepting premises such as the idea that their DEIA programs represented racial preferences that reward people of lesser merit. A rhetorical defense of the institutions and their practices is deserved. But its also clear theres danger in defiance. And thats the message the University of Arizona seems to have taken most to heart. The University of Arizonas faculty chair said individuals in faculty governance have heard a handful of UA international students had their student visas revoked recently, mainly for traffic violations, and that a number self-deported as a result. The cases that weve heard about come from student reports and they cannot be confirmed, Chair of the Faculty Leila Hudson told the Faculty Senate. The university is exercising the highest degree of confidentiality and discretion under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and so again, this is me reporting what we think we know. While universities including Arizona State University have released numbers on how many of their international students have had their visas revoked under the new Trump administration, the UA has declined to do so, citing privacy issues. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, schools are generally prohibited from disclosing a students name, Social Security number and other indirect identifiers such as date of birth. The Arizona Daily Star asked UA administration simply for a number on how many students have had their visas revoked, not for any personal details listed under FERPA, but the UA leadership team has made a university decision to not disclose the information, UA spokesperson Mitch Zak and Vice President of Communications Steve Voeller have said. Hudson told faculty senators, We have heard of a handful of students a fraction of the number that you might hear about from ASU who have had their student visas revoked. The majority of the cases that I have heard about have already, to use the euphemism, self-deported. The majority of students that I have heard about have secured legal counsel on their own, not through the offices of the university. Hudson also gave information on how the students were informed of these visa revocations, saying the notices came in the form of emails to the email addresses the students used to apply for their visas, and which now may be old or inactive. Some of these revocations appear to be visible to the university through the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), Hudson said, speaking at the Faculty Senates April 7 meeting. Our students seem to have had their visas revoked for traffic violations the majority of them come from traffic violations, moving or non-moving. Once notified of visa revocation, legal status is withdrawn. Students with legal representation may choose to file in federal courts and/or to self-deport, as majority of the cases that weve heard about seem to do, she said. Hudson said faculty leaders have not seen any Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE raids on the UA campus and couldnt confirm any students are in detention despite rumors. The UAs chief safety officer, Steve Patterson, said previously that UA officials were not aware of any federal law enforcement activity involving students, faculty or staff on campus. Anyone with concerns about suspicious or criminal activity should contact the University of Arizona Police Department, while students experiencing stress or facing difficult circumstances are encouraged to reach out to the Dean of Students Office for support, Patterson has said. We care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of our campus community. Zak previously said the UA would not disclose any visa revocation numbers out of respect for our students and their privacy. The UA doesnt see a benefit to its students or international scholars in confirming one way or the other whether or not we have had student visas revoked, he has said. We feel like thats personal to them (and) this is a very high-visibility issue. Its creating a lot of consternation across the country. Hudson said international students bring in approximately $90 million a year to the UA, which has more than 7,200 of them on the Tucson campus and on its micro-campuses abroad. Zak recently said the latest annual numbers show the UA received $68 million in net tuition revenue from international students, citing data from UAs Chief Financial Officer John Arnold. At ASU, around 50 students have had visas revoked by the Trump administration for unclear reasons, The Arizona Republic reports. ASU officials have said the visa revocations are not tied to activism or protests. ASU students affected also had their status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database removed, making them vulnerable to deportation, detention and arrest by federal immigration authorities, the Arizona Daily Star previously reported. At least one ASU international student returned to their home country after their visa was revoked, The Republic reported Saturday. Immigration attorney Taylor Renfro told the newspaper her client chose to return several days after learning their visa was revoked. Federal government correction The U.S. is over $36 trillion in debt and during the past 40 years, more than 90,000 businesses closed and with them millions of jobs went overseas. We will be bankrupt if this direction is not corrected. The major changes Trump is making have the left going insane. The most important is addressing China and getting parity in tariffs. Our trade imbalance with them is over one trillion dollars. We have the largest consumer population on Earth, no other nation can survive without participating with us. There is a stalemate now with reciprocal tariffs but China will finally have to accept the conditions the U.S. is making. No other politician in decades was willing to address this problem, Trump is doing it. All the criticism of him demonstrates that the media and the Democrats do not recognize the urgency of the restructuring. Gaining fair and free trade will be a windfall for us. The continued discovery or waste and fraud will ultimately reduce federal spending. Bill Dowdall Oro Valley Finally, a Ciscomani town hall, sort of Each week I call Rep. Ciscomani's office in Washington and speak to the polite young workers who answer his phone. After asking about the issue of the day, I request a town hall in Tucson. We've had none. Imagine my surprise April 9 when I received an invitation for a virtual town hall! Finally, I thought, Ciscomani will hear what we, his constituents, have to say! Unfortunately, the email was time-stamped 6:20 p.m. for an event that began at 6. Ciscomain still doesn't want to face his constituents, even virtually. But why the rushed town hall?. Then I received an email for a "People's Town Hall" with Sen. Cory Booker. Could this explain Ciscomani's last-minute meeting? Sen. Booker is holding a town hall because our Ciscomani won't. At this point, I'll take just about any member of Congress who shows us the courtesy of speaking with us. Thank you, Sen. Booker, for doing what Rep. Ciscomani seems to be too chicken to do meet with his constituents. Sue Sanders Foothills Resist with courage When I attended the recent "Hands Off" demonstration at Reid Park, an apparent MAGA shouted, "If you don't like it, leave." I replied, "We are proud to exert our First Amendment rights." If she attended a nearby opposing demonstration, I would not question her right to do so. MAGAs seek to quash the rights of others and even claim the right to attack the Capitol on January 6. Donald Trump pampers his MAGA foot soldiers and criminal associates with pardons and even speaks of rewarding them with compensation after they were convicted of their crimes. What an upside-down world we live in when violent criminals are called patriots. Trump acts like a lawless gangster mob boss as he wrecks our nation in pursuit of retribution for losing the 2020 election. A quotation attributed to Chinese philosopher, Sun Tzu, is applicable: "An evil man will burn down his own nation to rule over the ashes." Resist with courage. Ronald Pelech Midtown Another nice mess No, Donald, you dont poke your friends in the eye. You dont levy high tariffs on a vulnerable auto industry and expect the Europeans to trade cheap. You dont threaten destructive reciprocal tariffs against the whole world, drive the S&P into the magma and wreck ordinary folks retirements! You don't say, Cool!, suspend for 90 days, but double down on China our third-largest trading partner at $150bn a year. And, no Donald, you dont slap an extra 25% tariff on our two biggest trading partners Canada, at $356bn, and Mexico, at $324bn! Cant you hear the people shouting? Prices set to rocket up from avocados to Fords, productos de Mexico. When you hear the blowback, like a dark-side double of Oliver Hardy, not lovable but loathable, youll be looking to dump on Bessent or Navarro, or why not Biden? Or even Obama? Then well read on Truth Social: Well, heres another nice mess youve gotten me into! Chuck Barrett North side Rushed process for District 5 The Pima County Board of Supervisors is moving too quickly to fill the District 5 seat vacated by Adelita Grijalva and that should concern all of us. This appointment will impact over 200,000 residents in District 5 and will have ripple effects across the entire county. Yet, the process appears rushed and lacking transparency. The application period was notably brief from April 1 to April 7 and the appointment will be made on April 15. Only three supervisors will make the selection, as the supervisor in District 4 typically abstains from voting on Democratic appointments. Pushing through this appointment without ample community input sends the wrong message. Residents deserve a fair process that truly considers diverse perspectives. Taking more time would allow genuine vetting, public participation, and a better outcome for all of us. This isnt just about filling a vacancy. Its about showing the people of Pima County that their voices matter, especially when it comes to choosing who represents them. Irma Gastelum Foothills Who is Trump really working for? Not the ordinary American people. He seems to be working for Putin. Strange how some Americans convinced themselves that the election was stolen, without viable facts, yet nobody can get on board with our president being an agent for Putin. Consider the facts. Most recently, he raised tariffs on almost every country, except Russia. Does that make sense? Russia currently has one of the worlds worst economies, as a result of its war with Ukraine and all the assorted sanctions. Just think how much Trump destroying all world economies, including ours, helps Russia out! By damaging our key government programs and putting our country in chaos, he helps Putin. He wont say Russia invaded Ukraine or put U.S. support behind Ukraine, and he wants to weaken NATO. All things that benefit Russia. All of us should become concerned about who our president is really working for, before we get shafted for the benefit of his buddy Putin, and himself. Mark Sensibaugh Southwest side AG acts on Social Security Kudos to AG Chris Mayes for taking action to help our citizens receive help with problems with the staff-depleted Social Security Administration. The Trump cuts to the Social Security Administration make no sense when the agency has to serve more people than ever, when their administrative costs are an enviable 1%, and fraud estimates are less than 1%. The "common sense" approach would be to find the waste and fraud, cut it, and prosecute the offenders. Instead, DOGE lies about people 150 plus years old getting checks with no evidence. Very publicly prosecute these cheats. The AG has set up a website to report any problems with receiving checks, changing data or any other problem. The website is: www.AZAG.gov/socialsecurity. I tried it, it works. Thank you, Attorney General Mayes. Don Ries Southeast side Governing by 'instinct' Do we want to be governed by a president who changes the course of the domestic and international economy because people, in his words, "Were getting yippy, you know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid. "Yippy" is the word to describe economic disaster? Do we want to be governed by a man who is making decisions literally by the seat of his pants, "citing the jittery market" and saying he was acting instinctively, more than anything else. Can we afford "instinct" to be the guiding principle for our present and future? Rita Pollak Oro Valley Tariffs' cost "Transition Cost"? Really, Trump? To whom? You and your billionaire supporters? Certainly not the retired seniors who do not have multiple years to recover their losses in their retirement savings with your "transition cost." You are really a "piece of work." I am not sure how you sleep at night. Vicky Smith Marana Boonstra's accomplishments I would like to thank Ford Burkhart for remembering my late sister, Sandy Boonstra, for her accomplishments as "Girl Athlete of the Year" in her junior and senior years at Catalina High. She also went on to earn her U of A blazer and U of A blanket. She was quite a gal. Virginia Boonstra La Bar SaddleBrooke Follow park rules I encourage Tucson Run Club members to follow the Parks and Recreation rules for taking dogs into Tucson Mountain Park. There are THREE notices at the entrance of Tucson Mountain Park Sarasota entrance that prohibit dogs in this park. There is one other sign at an entrance further west in Tucson Estates 11. I saw a male runner with a giant Dalmatian and a tan full-size poodle running in the Tucson Mountain Parks trails at 10:15 am on April 9. Please respect park rules. D. Christiansen Southwest side Mayes represents the rule of law A recent letter blasted Kris Mayes for not representing all Arizonans. Huh? She is beholden to the Arizona Constitution, not to Republicans or Democrats -- and charged specifically by Section 41-192, which mandates the Attorney General's responsibilities. Perhaps the writer should spend some time reading that long list of duties. No line of text there charges her with representing political ideologies. Nothing in the Arizona Constitution charges her with following orders from anyone. She interprets the law, she does not follow what others think. Only legal precedents influence her opinions. She doesn't check her ideology playbook before she renders an opinion. She campaigned on issues that revealed how she interprets those laws not on how well she bends to the will of those in power. Shes one of our countrys best examples of what our founding fathers intended when they mandated separation of powers. Maybe the writer forgets just what separation of powers truly means. I can see his predicament; there is no good example to follow anymore. Rick Rappaport Oro Valley A bigot or a coward I am disgusted and appalled that University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella sent a letter to Arizona's Senate president announcing steps he is taking to shut down DEIA activities. The U of A president could have gone to court, as other university presidents have done with success, to block enforcement of the blatantly unconstitutional federal executive order and threat from the state legislature to impose unconstitutional restrictions on funding. Instead, Garimella meekly capitulated. He is now promoting homogeneity, inequality, exclusion, and inaccessibility. Perhaps he is happy about this, in which case he is an uncaring, haughty bigot. Perhaps he is unhappy about this, in which case he is a hypocrite and a coward. Either way, I have no respect for him. Amelia Cramer Downtown Space X Waste Musk has $13 billion in contracts with SpaceX. Is anyone from DOGE looking for fraud and waste there? Musk and Trump cut 60,000 federal employees who provide services to average Americans. What benefit is space exploration to average Americans compared to education, medical, medical research, food insecurity, environmental quality, etc., etc.? $13 billion being spent on space exploration. Space exploration does not feed or care for one American. Richard Bechtold Chris ODells wild ride through the glory days of rock n roll always seemed like something out of a movie. Now it is. The new feature-length documentary called Miss ODell chronicles the Tucson womans career in the music industry, from her early days working for the Beatles to her later role as a tour manager for the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Queen and Linda Ronstadt, to name a few. The film will make its world premiere in Tucson on April 11, when The Loft Cinema hosts an already sold-out screening in its 370-seat main theater. Its kind of amazing, because Tucson has been such a big part of my life, ODell said. I grew up here. I left. I came back a long time ago, and now Im watching a documentary come out in Tucson. Its so hard to explain the feeling, but its almost unbelievable. The Palo Verde High School graduate left the Old Pueblo for Los Angeles in 1966 at the age of 19. After menial work at the periphery of the recording industry, she lucked into a job as a personal assistant at the Beatles Apple Records in London in 1968. She would spend the next two decades working with some of the biggest names in rock music, blazing a trail as one of the only female tour managers in a male-dominated business. Her voice is part of the chorus at the end of the Beatles Hey Jude. Her face shows up in the cover-art collage for the Rolling Stones album Exile on Main St. Her family snapshots have Ringo Starr in them. The documentary borrows its name from a song George Harrison wrote about ODell and later released as the B-side to his 1973 solo hit Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth). Miss ODell is also the title of her 2009 memoir about her charmed, exhausting and sometimes painful rock music odyssey. Liverpool West Productions, which made the film, describes it as a backstage VIP pass to the life of a woman who saw it all. Lofty debut The movie premiere in Tucson will feature a live concert by an all-star band of local musicians performing songs by some of the legendary acts ODell worked with. After the screening, ODell will take part in a question-and-answer session and sign copies of her memoir. A number of celebrities recorded video messages that will be played to introduce the documentary, including Ronstadt, Bobby Whitlock from Derek and the Dominos, and May Pang, a long-time friend of ODells whose affair with John Lennon was chronicled in the documentary The Lost Weekend: A Love Story. ODell appears briefly in that film, and she helped introduce it when it debuted at The Loft in 2023. Jeff Yanc, program director for The Loft, said world premieres are rare at the historic, nonprofit arthouse theater on East Speedway, but this one makes total sense. It was kind of a no-brainer to me, he said. Tucsonans love movies about Tucsonans. The Loft has scheduled daily screenings of Miss ODell through April 17. The movie is slated to debut on streaming platforms on May 13. Since there are no more tickets available for opening night, ODell plans to return to The Loft for the evening show on April 12 and the matinee on April 13 to sign some more books and answer questions from audience members. Register for more free articles. Log in Sign up London calling She said she was first approached about making a documentary in 2022, when movie producer Doug Schwab tracked her down while she was signing copies of her memoir at the annual Fest For Beatles Fans in New Jersey. He bought a book and left his card and said, Id like to maybe talk to you about a project, she recalled. Im like, Yeah, right, sure. Then, on the last day of the convention, she was met in her hotel lobby by British director Simon Weitzman, who doubled down on Schwabs pitch. And when someone tells you something in an English accent, you believe it, ODell said with a laugh. The documentary was shot in London and Los Angeles in 2023. Among those interviewed were influential BBC music show host Whispering Bob Harris and English musician, manager and record producer Peter Asher, who was ODells boss at Apple Records. The majority of it is really Beatle-focused, she said of the documentary. As part of the filming in London, she strolled across Abbey Road and returned to the site of the Fab Fours iconic 1969 concert on the rooftop at Apple, which turned out to be their final live performance before they broke up. In photos from that famous, frigid day, ODell is the young woman with the blond bob, sitting against the chimney three seats down from Yoko Ono. ODell also appeared on camera in Miss ODell with her friend Pattie Boyd, the British model who famously divorced George Harrison and later married Eric Clapton in Tucson, coincidentally enough after he declared his love for her in the song Layla. The women laughed and swapped stories about the old days, including the time ODell spent a few months living with Boyd and Harrison at Friar Park, the famous Victorian estate outside of London that served as the musicians primary home and recording studio. Boyd later recorded an introductory message for the movie premiere. Taste of fame Now ODell said she and her friend are in the early stages of completing a project that the two of them started working on together in the 1980s: Interviews and portraits of some of rock musics most famous wives and exes. ODell said they profiled about a dozen women, including Linda McCartney (Pauls wife and a former Arizona Wildcat); Shirley Watts (wife of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts); Maureen Starkey (Ringos first wife); Jill Collins (Phil Collins second wife); and Nicole Winwood (then married to Steve Winwood). Boyd took the photographs while ODell conducted the interviews. They are literally conversations on a really old tape recorder, she said. They hope to use modern technology to clean up the recordings for eventual use in a documentary and a companion book about what it was like for these women to live inside the whirlwind of rock n roll fame. And ODell is about to get her own small taste of that, as her story makes its way to the big screen. Though the run-up to the premiere has been hectic, she said the experience of making the film was actually kind of fun, thanks in no small part to her director. We worked on a pretty small budget, and Simon did an amazing job with what he had to work with, she said. ODell is glad she said yes to the guys who approached her at that Beatles convention three years ago, and shes flattered that they wanted to make a movie about her life in the first place. Its really nice that someone wanted to do that, the 78-year-old said. You know, for many years, I was referred to as a groupie, or I was not referred to at all. I was back in the background. To be brought out of the background is validating. 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 commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services said Friday that she is working with three local mental health service providers to ensure that they can continue their work uninterrupted through the end of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. The statement from Commissioner Allie Friesen came a day after the Office of Management and Enterprise Services terminated the states contracts with Grand Mental Health, Family & Childrens Services and CREOKS effective May 10. The organizations, known as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, are one-stop facilities that provide a comprehensive array of mental health services to thousands of people annually. We understand the confusion caused by recent events and are working closely with OMES and our community partners to implement a contractual stopgap, Friesen said. This issue is entirely unrelated to funding gaps or contract optimization. Our commitment to delivering high-quality behavioral health services remains strong as we work toward lasting solutions and operational excellence. On Thursday, OMES and the Mental Health Department issued a joint statement indicating that the decision to end the agreements was related to a dispute over the request for proposals process used to select Tulsa Countys community behavioral health clinics. 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. The notices surprised and confused the organizations, none of which had prior notice that the termination letters were coming. As of late Friday afternoon, Family & Childrens Services still had not been formally notified. A copy of the termination letter obtained by the Tulsa World shows that it was sent to Gail Lapidus, Family & Childrens Services former CEO, who retired in 2023. The termination notices, signed by state Purchasing Director Amanda Otis, says the decision to end the contracts was made after it was determined that it is in the States best interest to do so. The letters provided no other reasoning. Also on Friday, a local lawmaker said he heard Friesen say Thursday that the letters had been sent out by mistake. Friesen was in Tulsa for a previously scheduled tour of Family & Childrens Services new clinic in north Tulsa and the Women in Recovery program downtown. State Rep. Ron Stewart, D-Tulsa, said he was at Women in Recovery when Friesen assured those who took part in the tour that the termination letters were sent by mistake. When she rejoined the group at the Women in Recovery tour, she took that opportunity to explain what had just transpired with the group and informed us of the notices that went out, Stewart said. And she again stated to the group, as well, that those notices were a mistake. And she reassured the members from Family & Childrens Services that were present that for the next three months, there would be no interruption in their services with the CCBHCs and that her full intention was for these entities to continue to operate over the next three months and then negotiate for the 2026 contracts. Asked Friday whether the notices were mistakenly sent out, an OMES spokeswoman, Christa Helfrey, did not respond directly but said it is the states job to ensure that all contracts prioritize accountability and transparency. We are committed to being good partners with all agencies as we navigate the states procurement process, Helfrey added. The Governors Office did not immediately respond to a text from the Tulsa World asking whether Gov. Kevin Stitt had anything to do with the decision to end the agreements. Stitt has repeatedly noted that the state is not cutting spending on mental health services but is intent on ensuring that the money is spent on the most effective and cost-efficient programs. We are grateful to the governor for recognizing the critical importance of ensuring a clear path forward for uninterrupted critical mental health services across the state, and we are grateful for his reiteration that we are not and will not terminate any core service contracts, Friesen said. There are 13 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the state, including four in Tulsa County. The facilities provide 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. The only such clinic in Tulsa County that did not receive a notice that its contract with the state was being terminated is Counseling and Recovery Services. China issues orange alert for strong gales affecting northern regions Xinhua) 10:19, April 12, 2025 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. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) ITV Studios Australia will film a 4 episode special of The Chase New Zealand for TVNZ, to be filmed in Sydney The NZ version will follow the same format as the original show in which contestants face a professional quizzer, known as the Chaser, who attempts to prevent them from winning a cash prize. Casting is under way to find New Zealanders keen to show off their general knowledge prowess. However successful applicants will have to cover their own travel and accommodation costs. Kiwi contestants will go head-to-head with The Chases Australian Chasers, with the possibility of facing global star The Governess, Anne Hegerty. The Chase New Zealand will become the 22nd adaptation of the format having been remade in Australia, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, The Netherlands, Turkey and the United States. Source: Stuff Amended. As environmental protection policies of various trade partners of Viet Nam are changing constantly, many businesses are required to reduce their productions impacts on the environment and contribute to a low-carbon economy. Changes have mainly taken place in large businesses and foreign-invested enterprises with abundant resources, while small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still face difficulties and uncertainty about the green transformation. From the business side, Trinh uc Kien, deputy director of Ke Go Co Ltd a wood production company acknowledged that green transformation and sustainable development are no longer just trends, but have become mandatory requirements in some markets. "In the wood industry, producers must be able to show that their raw wood materials are certified for sustainable forest management, and proof that the extraction process does not lead to deforestation or forest degradation," he said. "They must also comply with tightening standards on using environmental-friendly technology that does not emit harmful pollutants during production." This transformation process is placing significant pressure on businesses in terms of cost, according to Kien. "Changing technology, production processes and product design significantly increases the product price, making it difficult for businesses to compete in markets where environmental requirements are still loose," he said. According to Tran Cong Thang, PhD, director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), there are three things SMEs should consider when switching to environmental-friendly production. They should first clearly understand the mandatory requirements of the markets they trade with, especially in the agricultural sector where environmental and social criteria are becoming increasingly stringent, with traceability being a crucial requirement, he said. For the seafood or fruit sectors, technical barriers are also increasing, requiring clear cultivation area codes and breeding area codes. Second, businesses need to be proactive and have a long-term vision for adopting new technology, as market policies can change at any time, according to Thang. Investing in technology requires significant costs, but if businesses do not have technological transition early, they may lose their competitive edge, he said. Third, they should take social responsibility and environmental protection as a priority and place people at the centre of the transformation, providing them with training and new skills that meet the demands of the green economy. "Shifting from a brown to a green economy requires changes in both mindset and practices to exploit resources more efficiently and cultivate sustainable values for the future generations," Thang said. Practical support mechanisms needed According to Nguyen Quoc Viet, PhD, lecturer at the National Economics University (under Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi), improving the legal framework and financial mechanisms of the Government especially policies on credit guarantees and capital mobilisation is a key factor in supporting businesses' sustainable development. For large-scale projects, the Government already has important legal mechanisms such as the Law on Investment and public-private partnerships (PPP), which allow the private sector to contribute to public infrastructure projects and key economic sectors. But at the micro level, millions of small businesses and farmers still face many obstacles in accessing credit, due to their small loans and lack of collateral, while their demand for capital is large and increasing. "In this context, cooperative or production-linked models can be a feasible solution that will enhance small businesses borrowing capacity through guaranteed mechanisms," Viet said. For example, in the agricultural sector, instead of individual businesses borrowing capital on their own, cooperatives could represent multiple households to increase credibility and improve access to preferential funding from banks or financial institutions, he added. Deputy director Kien of Ke Go proposed that the Government prioritise public procurement of goods and services from businesses that have made substantial investments in green transformation. They should also review and standardise regulations on the management of wood and forest products' origins, enabling businesses to prove the legality and sustainability of their raw materials, Kien said. Non-degradable products such as plastic bags or cups should be banned to increase demand for environmentally friendly products, he said. The Government should also establish a roadmap and specific deadlines for banning or restricting the use of environmentally harmful products, instead of just relying on voluntary campaigns, he added. BIZHUB/VNS KUALA LUMPUR FPT Long Chau Pharmacy and Vaccination Centre on April 10 was honoured Digital Innovation of the Year at the 2025 Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards in Kuala Lumpur. The Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards, organised by Healthcare Asia magazine, is a leading industry publication dedicated to healthcare investors, policymakers, and executives across the continent. Winners are selected based on their creativity, real-world impact, and scalability - criteria that FPT Long Chau has met with distinction. The award recognises FPT Long Chaus efforts to improve accessibility, safety, and patient convenience by leveraging advanced digital tools. As Viet Nam accelerates its national digital transformation agenda, particularly in healthcare, the company is playing a pioneering role in aligning with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which outlines a roadmap to build a modern, inclusive, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. The companys digital-first approach is rooted in the philosophy of enhancing customer experience through innovation. It has heavily invested in emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data, to streamline healthcare delivery while maintaining robust data privacy protections. This commitment has resulted in the development of one of Viet Nams most widely used healthcare apps, with over 5.5 million downloads and 2.9 million digital orders processed in 2024 alone. Key features of the app have proven impactful such as smart prescription scanning, AI-powered medication reminders, and a comprehensive digital vaccination record. The medication reminder system boasts 98 per cent accuracy, significantly improving adherence to treatment plans. The digital vaccination record, which now serves over 150,000 users with 65 per cent linking to family accounts, has led to a 20 per cent increase in vaccination compliance and a 98 per cent reduction in documentation errors. A standout achievement in 2024 was the integration of the national electronic identity system, VNeID, through a partnership with the RAR Centre under the Ministry of Public Security. Since January 2025, Vietnamese citizens have been able to securely purchase medicines online using VNeID, ensuring data privacy and transaction transparency. More importantly, VNeID is now embedded into the National Digital Health Record system, allowing users to manage their health data conveniently and efficiently. Nguyen o Quyen, deputy CEO of FPT Retail and COO of FPT Long Chau, said this award is not only a recognition of the firm's relentless efforts in pursuing innovation but also a powerful motivation for FPT Long Chau to continue contributing to a healthier Viet Nam. By remaining steadfast in its commitment to advanced technology investment and pairing it with the dedication of healthcare professionals, the company continues 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, she said. As a subsidiary of FPT Corporation, FPT Long Chau currently operates a nationwide network of over 2,000 pharmacies and vaccination centres, making it one of the countrys largest healthcare providers. FPT Long Chaus award underscores Viet Nams growing influence in the regions digital health transformation and sets the stage for even greater innovation in the years ahead. VNS HA NOI A Viet NamChina (Chongqing) business conference was held by the Viet Nams Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) in coordination with the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce (China) in Ha Noi on Friday, as part of the 2025 National Trade Promotion Programme. Speaking at the event, a representative from VIETRADE (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade) emphasised the increasingly close coordination between the two sides in organising trade fairs, exhibitions, and networking events, contributing to deeper business cooperation. In the first quarter of 2025, bilateral trade between Viet Nam and China reached US$51.2 billion, up 17.5 per cent year-on-year, with expectations for continued growth throughout the year. China remains Viet Nams largest trading partner, while Viet Nam is among China's top six trading partners globally. Cooperation between Viet Nam and Chongqing has also seen positive developments, supported by strategic agreements at the central level and enhanced by trade infrastructure such as the Viet NamChongqingEurope rail corridor. However, trade turnover between Viet Nam and Chongqing, reaching $5.68 billion in 2024, still accounts for a modest share of overall Viet NamChina trade. The event also highlighted the potential for Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises to access Chongqings growing demand for high-value, eco-friendly, and locally adapted products. Processed agricultural products, in particular, are seen as a promising area of cooperation, given the citys shifting consumption trends and desire for stable, high-quality supply chains. VNA/VNS HA NOI The International Travel Expo HCM City (ITE HCMC), the most prestigious and largest international tourism fair in Viet Nam and the lower Mekong region, will take place on September 4-6 at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in District 7. Speaking at a press conference during the ongoing Viet Nam International Travel Mart, Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Tourism, said that the ITE HCMC 2025 would be a meeting place for domestic and foreign tourism businesses, especially those from the lower Mekong countries, to seek partners and provide diverse products to customers. At the expo, businesses and partners world have many opportunities to connect and cooperate in a professional, modern and vibrant trading space. The event is also a place for businesses to approach new products and business models, which develop firmly with sustainable tourism. At the same time, localities and businesses also have the opportunity to introduce typical products, unique experiences of Viet Nam in general and HCM City in particular to international visitors, said Hoa. He added ITE HCMC's Asias Best Trade Show 2024 title affirms the stature and quality of the event internationally. It was proudly to be the only expo in Viet Nam with the International Buyers programme, playing an important role in promoting the flow of international tourists to the country. The expo is said to be a bridge for trade between businesses, pushing demand for tourism services and an opportunity for Vietnamese localities to introduce and promote their destinations to international businesses and press. It was also an in-depth forum, a place to update new trends and share important knowledge about the development of the tourism industry. This year's edition is expected to feature more than 520 exhibitors and 50 Vietnamese localities and 240 high-end buyers from more than 30 countries and territories along with more than 28,000 visitors. Organisers hoped to create 12,600 B2B meetings and business appointments between international and Vietnamese tourism businesses. About 16 main activities will be held to connect trade including forums, conferences and workshops along with the participation of domestic media units as well as 60 international newspapers, travel bloggers and KOLs in the tourism sector. The ITE HCMC 2025 themed Sustainable Tourism, Vivid Experience is expected to be a model for the breakthrough and creativity of the Vietnamese tourism industry as the world economy is undergoing significant transformation," said Hoa. VNS HA NOI The upcoming state visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping, scheduled for April 1415, carries significant strategic meaning for bilateral ties, stated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in an interview with the press ahead of the visit. Could you please highlight some key results in Viet NamChina cooperation in recent years? Viet Nam and China are close neighbours, sharing mountains and rivers, with a long-standing tradition of friendship between their people. Since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2008, and particularly following recent mutual visits between the two countries' top leaders, bilateral ties have seen comprehensive and robust progress across multiple areas. First, political trust has been enhanced through frequent high-level visits and contacts, both bilaterally and multilaterally. Following the official visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (October 2022) and Xi's third state visit to Viet Nam (December 2023), both sides agreed to deepen and elevate their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and jointly build a Viet NamChina community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, based on six major orientations stronger political trust, more substantive defence-security cooperation, deeper practical cooperation, stronger social foundation, closer multilateral coordination, and better control and settlement of differences marking a new development phase in bilateral relations. During the state visit to China by CPV General Secretary and State President To Lam in August 2024, the top leaders of the two Parties and countries reaffirmed that developing bilateral relations remains a top priority and a strategic choice in Viet Nam's foreign policy and China's neighbourhood diplomacy. They agreed to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and promote the building of a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, thereby injecting new momentum into the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and fostering vibrant, practical cooperation across sectors. Multilaterally, the two countries have enhanced coordination within international and regional mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Most recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 8th GMS Summit in China (November 2024), where leaders from Viet Nam, China, and other member countries affirmed their solidarity and friendship and pledged to realise a shared aspiration and vision for regional peace and prosperity through joint efforts, common voices and unified actions. Meanwhile, cooperation and exchanges through Party, parliament, and fatherland front channels as well as collaboration among ministries, sectors and localities have continued to expand, particularly among those responsible for foreign affairs, national defence, and public security, as well as among border localities. These exchanges have led to the development of numerous practical and effective mechanisms and joint cooperation programmes. Second, economic, trade, investment, and infrastructure connectivity cooperation has made strides. In 2024, bilateral trade reached new heights, exceeding US$200 billion according to Vietnamese statistics, and $260 billion according to Chinese figures. Viet Nam remains Chinas largest trading partner in ASEAN and its fourth-largest trading partner globally. In the first quarter of 2025, the figure hit $51.25 billion, up 17.46 per cent year-on-year. China has become the largest market for Vietnamese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, bringing tangible benefits to millions of Vietnamese farmers. In terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), China is currently Viet Nams sixth-largest investor, with total registered capital of $31.26 billion. The two sides have reached a consensus on orientations to deal with several key projects facing obstacles. Infrastructure connectivity, particularly in railways, has seen important progress. The two countries have closely cooperated in planning the Lao CaiHa NoiHai Phong railway. Viet Nam aims to begin construction on this line in 2025. Planning for the Mong CaiHa LongHai Phong and ong angHa Noi railway lines is expected to be completed in 2026. These projects will facilitate cross-border travel and trade. The pilot implementation of a smart border gate is also making positive headway. Third, to mark the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 2025), in January 2025, To Lam and Xi Jinping held an important phone conversation officially launching the "Year of Viet Nam-China Humanistic Exchange," creating a momentum to boost people-to-people, cultural, and tourism exchanges, which have already been vibrant and diverse. Many socio-political organisations and localities in both countries have established and maintained regular cooperation mechanisms and programmes. Currently, about 24,000 Vietnamese students are studying in China double the number five years ago. In tourism, China remains the top source of international visitors to Viet Nam post COVID-19. Fourth, both sides have effectively managed and satisfactorily solved differences and maintained peace and stability in the East Sea. Based on the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues signed in 2011 and the mechanism of Viet NamChina governmental-level negotiation on border and territory, as well as various mechanisms for dialogue and negotiation on sea-related matters, both sides have maintained regular exchanges and sped up the timely settlement of emerging issues, managed differences properly, and achieved positive results, notably in cooperation in less sensitive areas at sea, contributing to regional and global peace and stability. Could you share the significance and expectations of the upcoming state visit to Viet Nam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, especially as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (January 18, 1950 2025)? Taking place less than a year after the state visit to China by Party General Secretary To Lam, the upcoming state visit to Viet Nam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping is an important diplomatic and political event of strategic significance for both Parties and both nations. It is expected to exert long-term influence on the development of Viet NamChina relations as the two countries enter a new era of development. This marks Xi Jinpings fourth visit to Viet Nam in his capacity as Chinas top Party and State leader, and his second during the current terms of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Notably, it also coincides with the Year of Viet Nam - China Humanistic Exchange and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (19502025). During the visit, Xi Jinping is scheduled to hold high-level talks with Party General Secretary To Lam and State President Luong Cuong, and meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. Their discussions will focus on major directions and measures to further advance bilateral ties across multiple areas. Xi Jinping is also expected to participate in a number of other key diplomatic activities. Vietnamese Party and State leaders have expressed strong anticipation and high expectations for a successful visit, with four key goals: First, to strengthen high-level strategic exchanges, especially regular contact between the top leaders of the two Parties and countries. This would reinforce the foundation of political trust, enable the sharing of experience in national governance and development, and provide guidance for the stable and healthy growth of bilateral relations amid the complex regional and global situation. Second, to identify key areas and directions for bilateral cooperation, while enhancing the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of practical collaboration. The visit aims to foster high-standard cooperation highlights in the fields where Viet Nam has demand and China holds strengths, such as standard-gauge railways, agricultural trade, science and technology, education and training, digital economy, and green economy, meeting the aspirations and interests of the peoples of both countries. Around 40 cooperation agreements between ministries, agencies, and localities are expected to be signed during the visit, laying a solid groundwork for more effective future cooperation. Third, to extend the positive momentum of the visit throughout all levels, sectors, and communities in both countries. This includes effective implementation of the 2025 Year of Viet Nam - China Humanistic Exchange, promoting exchanges among mass organisations and socio-political bodies, and expanding local-level partnerships. These efforts aim to deepen mutual understanding and trust, reinforce traditional friendship, and strengthen public support for bilateral ties. Fourth, through exchanges conducted in a spirit of frankness, sincerity, and mutual understanding, both sides will put themselves in each others position to properly address border and territory-related issues, better manage and resolve maritime disagreements in line with high-level common perceptions, ensuring that maritime issues do not hinder the healthy development of relations between the two Parties and the countries and contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. The state visit is just a few days away. I firmly believe that, with the great importance attached to it, the close coordination, and thorough preparations by both sides, Xi Jinpings fourth state visit to Viet Nam will be a success in all aspects, marking a new milestone in the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, as well as the Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. What is the significance of the Year of China-Viet Nam Humanistic Exchange for the relationship between the two countries? During the state visit to China by Party General Secretary To Lam in August 2024, the top leaders of the two Parties and countries agreed to make 2025 the Year of China-Viet Nam Humanistic Exchange on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. This is an important common perception of the top leaders, reached after the Viet Nam-China relationship was upgraded to a new position with the building of a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future which carries strategic significance in December 2023. The relationship has witnessed a strong and comprehensive transformation in accordance with the six major orientations. The implementation of the Year of China-Viet Nam Humanistic Exchange is very significant to the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries. First of all, it is an opportunity for both sides to reflect on the shared journey and to pay tribute to the great contributions of earlier generations of leaders from both Parties and countries, most notably Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong, who laid the foundations for and made tremendous efforts to nurturing and developing the comrades-plus-brothers Viet NamChina relationship. Their efforts established a solid foundation for the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and China today. Second, it serves as both a driving force and an opportunity for the two sides to further promote cooperation in culture, education, and tourism; and to jointly organise friendship exchange activities in an intensive and extensive manner, enabling people from all walks of life in both countries to gain a more thorough understanding of each others culture, country, and people. In particular, it allows the younger generations of both nations to follow the footsteps of their predecessors to inherit, preserve, and continuously promote the fine values of the traditional friendship, a precious shared asset of the two Parties, the two countries, and their people. Third, the Year of China-Viet Nam Humanistic Exchange serves as a catalyst and a bonding agent to strengthen exchanges and cooperation among ministries, sectors, localities, and mass organisations of the two countries. It helps them effectively implement high-level agreements and high-level common perceptions, especially the joint statements and signed documents. Through this, the two sides can achieve more substantive outcomes in their bilateral relations, making practical contributions to the prosperous development of each country in the new era. Fourth, the activities and positive outcomes mentioned above will help consolidate the social foundation of the bilateral relations, and foster a positive and trustworthy atmosphere that is conducive to controlling differences, negotiating to effectively resolve pending issues in the relationship, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and the world. Could you share your assessment of the potential and significance of Viet NamChina cooperation in science and technology in achieving each countrys national goals? In particular, what does this mean for Viet Nam in its era of the nations rise? Over more than 45 years of reform and opening, China has made remarkable progress in science and technology, evolving from a latecomer to a global powerhouse. Today, it ranks third in the world in terms of investment in research and development (R&D) and leads the world in the number of patents granted. Notably, in recent years, China has continuously announced groundbreaking achievements in key technological fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G networks, robotics, semiconductors, and space technology, earning worldwide admiration. It can be said that, in just over four decades, China has covered a journey that took many other countries more than two centuries to complete. For Viet Nam, the Party and State have always attached great importance to the decisive role of science and technology in the countrys sustainable development. In recent years, numerous key political documents have been issued to reflect this vision, most notably, the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. The resolution underscores that the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation should be a top breakthrough and a key driving force for rapidly advancing modern productive forces, perfecting production relations, reforming national governance, promoting socio-economic development, preventing the risk of falling behind, and propelling the country toward breakthrough growth and prosperity in the new era. To help realise its strategic development goals and vision, Viet Nam aims to optimise its existing advantages, including an abundant and increasingly skilled workforce, an improved investment attraction policy, and a promising market for research and development (R&D). The move is to strengthen and expand international cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, while intensively and extensively integrating into global high-tech and key technology production and supply chains. Chinas success has served as a great source of inspiration for progressive forces around the world, offering new development opportunities for the modernisation efforts of developing countries, including Viet Nam. There is vast potential and space for science and technology cooperation between Viet Nam and China. Viet Nam stands ready to further deepen its cooperation with China in this field, and hopes that China will enhance collaboration in the training of high-quality human resources, technology transfer, and financial support in order to lay a solid foundation for both countries to enter a new era of prosperous development. VNS BEIJING General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Viet Nam bears significance for deepening the friendship between the two Parties and two States, according to Wei Wei, a researcher on Viet Nam and head of the Vietnamese Language Department at the China Central Radio and Television. This marks Xi's fourth visit to Viet Nam since assuming leadership of the CPC, Wei said in an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Beijing ahead Xi's Viet Nam trip. It is also his first trip to Viet Nam since To Lam took office as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee. The visit follows closely on the heels of General Secretary To Lams state visit to China in August last year. He said that Viet Nam and China are connected by rivers and mountains and boast a four-good relationship good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners. China always views its relationship with Viet Nam from a long-term strategic perspective, and the Party and Government of Viet Nam attach great importance to ties with China. Party General Secretary To Lam has repeatedly affirmed that Viet Nam always remember Chinas sincere support during Viet Nam's revolutionary struggle and nation-building efforts, and considers fostering ties with China a strategic choice and top priority in its foreign policy, Wei said. Wei noted that in late 2023, the two sides announced a new positioning of bilateral ties, pledging to build a strategically significant Viet NamChina community with a shared future. This framework, grounded in the deepened comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, opens a new chapter in bilateral relations suited to the modern era. It aligns with both nations development goals and serves the shared interests of their peoples. As 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of Viet NamChina diplomatic relations, Wei expressed confidence that the upcoming visit will not only continue the momentum of bilateral cooperation but also serve as a fresh starting point elevating collaboration to a new level and giving new impetus to the shared-future initiative. As Viet Nam is currently pushing ahead with administrative reforms, the visit will be an important occasion for the two sides to exchange insights on national governance, the expert held. Highlighting the close bond between the two countries in all fields, Wei said that he hopes the top Chinese leader's visit will inject fresh momentum into cooperation across a wide range of sectors, from politics, security, and economics to society and cultural exchanges, delivering tangible benefits to both countries. On bilateral economic and trade ties, Wei noted that in recent years this relationship has become a highlight of overall Viet NamChina cooperation. In 2024, China was Viet Nams largest trading partner and third-largest source of foreign investment, while Viet Nam has become Chinas fourth-largest trading partner in the world. Their cooperation model, based on complementarity, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes, is emerging as a leading example in the region. Following General Secretary To Lams visit to China last August, the two sides have boosted political trust and deepened collaboration in key areas, elevating bilateral ties to a new, more substantive level. Infrastructure connectivity is a key focus: efforts continue to enhance rail, road, and border infrastructure, while building efficient logistics networks. Both countries are also stepping up collaboration in emerging sectors and strengthening industrial linkages. VNS The memory of that heroic daywhen the nation was made whole once moreremains vivid in the mind of architect Nguyen Huu Thai, a living witness to the dawn of national reunification on April 30, 1975. Now aged 87, but still remarkably lucid and sprightly, Thai recounted with fervour the dramatic hours of April 30, 1975 at the Independence Palace in central Sai Gonthen the headquarters of the Republic of Viet Namas the last moments of war slipped into history. Back in 19631964, as President of the Sai Gon Student Union, Thai was assigned to work within the so-called third force movementa coalition of intellectuals, students and religious groups who advocated for peace and national reconciliation. At 9:30am that morning, over the airwaves, General Duong Van Minhthen President of the Republic of Viet Namannounced the handover of power to the liberation forces. From Van Hanh Pagoda, Thai instructed a group of students to seize control of the Sai Gon Radio Station. He then joined Dr Huynh Van Tong in a car driven by journalist Nguyen Van Hong, an underground revolutionary, and made for the Presidential Palace. Their aim: to leverage existing connections with cabinet members to secure a peaceful transfer of power to the South Viet Nam Liberation Front. Around 10am, Thai slipped through a side gate on Nguyen Du Street, unchallenged security checkpoints had by then been dismantled. Inside, he encountered Minister of Information Ly Quy Chung, who had once helped him evade military conscription, and proposed they seize the radio station to hand it over to the liberation force. Chung agreed, but no driver dared to leave the Palace amid the chaos. As the two men stood stranded on the steps, the ground began to trembleLiberation Army tanks were rolling down Thong Nhat Boulevard (now Le Duan Boulevard). A column of tanks surged forward. The roar of engines, the grind of metal tracksthen, one tank broke through the gates, and others followed, hoisting the flags of the Liberation Front. That image is forever etched in my memory, Thai recalled. Lieutenant Bui Quang Than, commander of Tank 843, Armoured Brigade 203, Army Corps 2, his tanks antenna flying the Liberation Front flag, soon entered the Palace grounds, followed by Lt Vu ang Toan, commander of Tank 390. Wearing armbands in red and bluethe symbol of the uprising forcesThai and Tong greeted the soldiers and led them to the second floor, where Gen Minhs cabinet awaited. Lt Toan remained to guard the officials. Lt Than, however, expressed a fervent desire to raise the victory flag over the Palace. Thai and Tong guided him towards the rooftop, but the main staircase had been bombed weeks earlier by an F-5E fighter jet of the Sai Gon Air Force piloted by Nguyen Thanh Trung, a secret member of the Liberation Front. It was Nguyen Quang Chiem, chief of staff to the President, who led them to a side stairway and lift. Atop the roof, Than, Thai and Tong climbed a wooden ladder to reach the flagpole. Without even a knife to assist them, Lt Than carefully untied the rope, lowered the three-striped flag of the Sai Gon regime, and hoisted the golden star, red-and-blue flag of the National Liberation Front. Before raising the new flag, he signed the old one and noted the time: 11:30. That note would become a testamentthat it was Lt Than who first raised the liberation flag over the Independence Palace on April 30. I had lived most of my youth without knowing peace. So when I saw the flag of the Liberation Front unfurling above Sai Gon, I felt overwhelmed. That moment marked the end of 117 years of colonial and imperial rule. Viet Nam had peace at last, said Thai. By a remarkable twist of fate, the men who bore witness to that historic raising of the flagat the palace once home to various presidents of the South Viet Nam administrationaccidentally came from all three regions of the country: Lt Than from Thai Binh in the North, architect Thai from a Nang in the Central region, and Dr Tong from Tay Ninh in the South. Their presence together was a living symbol of national unityof a Viet Nam whole and undivided. Introducing the surrender broadcast After the flag was raised, Thai returned to the second floor where President Minhs cabinet still sat. The liberation officers requested that the President travel to the Saigon Radio Station to formally announce the surrender, since the Palaces broadcasting system was not functioning. At noon on April 30, 1975, after directly commanding the escort of President Minh to the Sai Gon Radio Station, Captain Pham Xuan The, deputy commander of Regiment 66, together with officers and soldiers of Regiment 66, Division 304, Army Corps 2, began drafting the surrender declaration for President Minh. While the document was being prepared, Lt Col Bui Van Tung, political commissar of the Armoured Brigade 203, Army Corps 2, arrived at the station. Lt Col Tung completed the final version, which President Minh recorded for broadcast. When they arrived at the Sai Gon Radio Station, Thai recalled, the station was already under the liberation army's control, yet silentits staff had fled, unsure what to do. They gathered on the second floor to prepare the announcement, while students scrambled to find a technician. Despite technical issuesespecially a weak battery in the tape recorderthe statement was finally recorded on the third attempt, just past 2 pm. Journalist Ky Nhan of the American AP news agency captured the scene in a photograph now etched in the nation's memory. At its centre: President Duong Van Minh, surrounded by German journalist Borries Gallasch, interpreter Ha Huy inh, student Ha Thuc Huy, Nguyen Huu Thai, Captain Pham Xuan The, and several soldiers. Lt Col Tung and Prime Minister Vu Van Mau were present but not captured in the frame. Thai served as a radio presenter for the broadcast, announcing: We represent the Revolutionary Peoples Committee of Sai Gon Cho Lon Gia inh We are Professor Huynh Van Tong and former President of the Sai Gon Student Union Nguyen Huu Thai Normal life has returned to Sai Gon Ho Chi Minh City, the city that President Ho so longed to see liberated We now present the statements from Mr Duong Van Minh and Mr Vu Van Mau of the Sai Gon administration regarding the surrender. German journalist Gallasch then played the recorded statement by President Minh. This was followed by a live address from Vu Van Mau calling for reconciliation, and Lt Col Tung accepted the official surrender. Thai noted that the entire programme was recorded by Dr Nguyen Nha, a historian. Following the broadcast, Lt Col Tung escorted former President Minh and former Prime Minister Mau back to the Independence Palace, now renamed Reunification Palace. Thai and the student group remained at the radio station, continuing to broadcast announcements from the provisional revolutionary government. They called upon journalists, artists, and the entire people to unite in nation-building, and aired the surrender announcement repeatedly. In the early evening, around 5pm, as I left the station I saw the streets teeming with people. Crowds surged towards the Palace. Sai Gon was alive, peaceful, jubilantas though it had never heard the thunder of war. Fifty years have passed, and yet the memory is as vivid as if it were yesterday, Thai said. Through decades of hardshipthree imprisonments under the Sai Gon regime, over 10 years before he could complete his studies, years spent abroad before reclaiming his Vietnamese citizenshiparchitect Nguyen Huu Thai remains proud to have played his part in the nation's path to independence and reunification, leaving behind a legacy for generations to come. My life has always been for the youthfrom my days in the student movement to teaching and writing books. The memory of April 30, 1975 is not just historyit has become part of my very being. It gave me strength through every challenge and kept me committed to serving this country, in every way I could, he said. VNS HA NOI The 11th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee wrapped up on April 12 afternoon after three days of sitting, with all of its agenda completed. Addressing the closing session, Party General Secretary To Lam said that members of the committee discussed many new and important matters, and reached high consensus on major and core issues, culminating in a unanimous vote to adopt the plenum's resolution. Many members proposed the Politburo recognise the session as a historic one, marking a turning point with bold decisions for the countrys new phase of revolutionary development, he said. The Party chief praised the committees proactive, scientific, and efficient work attitude, as well as the thorough and focused preparations carried out by sub-committees and relevant agencies. He said that the Party Central Committee reached broad agreement on proposals concerning the continued restructuring of the political systems organisational apparatus, rearranging administrative units and organising local administrations with provincial and communal levels. Under the new model, the country will comprise 34 provincial-level units (28 provinces and six centrally-run cities), with specific names and administrative centres determined according to the outlined principles. The dissolution of district-level administrative units will be conducted, pending the National Assemblys revision of the 2013 Constitution and the 2025 Law on Local Government Organisation. Commune-level units will be merged to reduce their overall number by around 60-70 per cent. Lam affirmed the support for aligning local Party structures with the new administrative levels province and commune while disbanding district-level Party organisations in accordance with the Party's Charter and regulations. Following the new structure, provinces will implement central policies and issue provincial/municipal policies. They will also directly oversee commune-level activities. Communes, meanwhile, will execute policies handed down from the central and provincial levels, while gaining more autonomy to issue local legal documents, organise law enforcement as well as decide issues within their authority. The Party leader also gave the green light to merge and streamline the Viet Nam Fatherland Front committees, socio-political organisations, and mass associations across all levels. This includes disbanding unions for civil servants and armed forces, and reducing union fee contributions for workers and employees. The Party Central Committee agreed on restructuring the Peoples Courts and Peoples Procuracies. The district and high-level courts/procuracies will be dissolved, replaced by a three-level system the Supreme Peoples Court/Procuracy, provincial/municipal and regional courts/procuracies. The structure of military courts and procuracies remains unchanged. It also reached consensus on amendments to the Constitution and relevant laws, which must be finalised by June 30, and come into effect from July 1, with provisions on a transitional period to ensure continuity and alignment with the reorganisation roadmap. General Secretary Lam underlined that the National Assembly, Government, and relevant bodies must work closely and efficiently to carry out institutional reforms. The goal is to remove legal and procedural bottlenecks, especially in public procurement, budgeting, public investment, private sector development, science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, facilitating the revolution on organisational apparatus. He also emphasised the need to foster a legal environment that is transparent, safe, and low-cost, while turning institutional obstacles into competitive advantages to help position Viet Nam as a regional leader in administrative reform and innovation. Regarding the draft documents for the 14th National Party Congress, the Party Central Committee agreed that they are concise (cut down by 3035 per cent) yet still comprehensive and action-oriented. These drafts are seen as exemplary for guiding similar documents at all Party levels. The Party Central Committee recommended implementing some of the key proposals immediately, and asked drafting subcommittees to continue refining the texts to reflect new challenges and opportunities, with revolutionary thinking and methods to ensure sustainable and self-reliant development. The General Secretary urged Party committees preparing and implementing local congresses to engage deeply with the draft documents and contribute to the 14th National Congress materials. He said that the Party Central Committee approved guidelines for selecting personnel for the 14th Central Committee, along with updates to the Party Charter enforcement regulations, supervision and inspection, disciplinary measures, and directions for the upcoming congresses at all Party levels. It also endorsed plans for the elections of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and the 202631 Peoples Councils. Mentioning immediate tasks, Lam said that for provinces undergoing mergers, local leaders must promptly revise their congress documents to reflect a new, broader development vision. Rather than simply combining old materials, new documents must reflect the merged provinces expanded potential. At the grassroots level, merged communes must adopt a similar approach, he said. Particularly, personnel appointments must prioritise competency and job suitability above all else. Provincial Party committees, especially of localities under mergers, must carefully deliberate staffing plans to ensure consensus and clarity, especially regarding key leadership positions, he asked. He also urged the sub-committees to promptly collect ideas and refine the draft documents for their congresses, and submit reports to the 12th plenum of the Party Central Committee. In conclusion, the Party chief acknowledged the enormous tasks ahead, stressing that the people and Party members are eager for productive results. With strong unity and determined leadership, he expressed confidence that the country will overcome all challenges and achieve all of its set ambitious targets. VNS HCMC - Students from Danang University of Science and Technology won first prize with their innovative project designing tractor-powered harvesting tools to reduce manual labour, enhance productivity, and support sustainable and community-driven farming practices. The prize was announced at the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) Final Showcase held at Cao Thang Technical College in Ho Chi Minh City on April 11. Second prize came to students from Lac Hong University in Ho Chi Minh City with a project on developing an assistive app for the mute and hearing-impaired, using sign language recognition technology to convert gestures into text or speech. The app also includes image translation and a sign language course library to promote inclusive communication. Meanwhile, students from Phenikaa University won the third prize for their project on addressing urban air pollution. The team created the Fresh Air Purification Tower, which filters fine particles (PM2.5/PM10) and CO2 from the air. Their solution not only improves air quality but also offers added value through carbon credits and recycled materials for construction. The showcase marks the exciting conclusion of the seventh round of the EPICS programme in Vietnam. Supported by Dow Vietnam and Arizona State University (ASU), the event continues to highlight the transformative power of STEM education, student innovation, and community service. EPICS is an internationally recognised, design-based, service-learning programm in which student teams collaborate with community organisations to design, build, and deploy systems that address real-world social issues. Over a five-month period, student teams experience the full cycle of innovationfrom ideation to prototypingwhile also practicing communication and project management in a technical context. At the event, 21 student teams made up of 113 students from top technology universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Ha Noi presented solutions to a diverse set of challenges. These included clean water access, sustainable agriculture, assistive technologies for the elderly and people with disabilities, waste treatment, and public health awareness. With Dow Vietnams support now totaling $280,000, the programme has created over 1,500 opportunities for students since its inceptionnurturing both technical capacity and social awareness in the next generation of engineers. Eurocham's flagship publication features in-depth policy recommendations from its 19 Sector Committees. With a set of urgent policy priorities aimed at enhancing Vietnams resilience, reinforcing its competitive edge, and accelerating its integration with the European Union, it serves as a practical roadmap for sustainable economic growth in a fast-changing global environment. The launch of EuroCham's 2025 edition of its Whitebook, Hanoi, April 11. Photo: Bich Thuy The launch event, held in Hanoi, brought together high-level delegates from the Vietnamese government, business community, and diplomatic corps both in person and online. It provided a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas and strengthening cooperation between European investors and Vietnamese policymakers. The 2025 Whitebook arrives at a pivotal moment. The newly imposed tariffs and heightened geopolitical volatility, quickly evolving by the minute, are posing challenges for Vietnams export-driven economy. While most firms have yet to alter their investment strategies, there is a strong and urgent demand for decisive reforms to preserve confidence and sharpen Vietnams competitive edge. In this context, the 2025 Whitebook delivers a timely and strategic call to action. It urges policymakers to fast-track critical reforms and capitalise on Vietnams strategic position as a gateway for the EU to ASEAN. With practical, sector-specific recommendations, the Whitebook addresses a central question: How can Vietnam continue to entice and retain foreign direct investment in 2025 while advancing its long-term sustainable growth agenda. "At this moment of global flux, Vietnams 'bamboo diplomacy' must be grounded in long-term and balanced economic alliances," said EuroCham chairman Bruno Jaspaert. "The European business community, represented here with EuroCham, is a stable, values-driven partner here for the long haul. Our Whitebook reflects this partnership, offering pragmatic solutions drawn directly from the business frontline." "Despite global headwinds, the Vietnamese governments 8 per cent GDP growth target for 2025 remains unchanged a sign of its continued ambition. To achieve it, Vietnam must focus on reinforcing internal strengths while maximising the benefits of its external partnerships," he added. For the first time, the Whitebook presents a cross-sectoral framework centred around five 'must-win battles': entry visa policy, immigration and airport infrastructure, work permits, VAT refunds, and customs procedures. These issues, frequently cited across industries, are essential to improving the ease of doing business. Addressing them will significantly reduce administrative barriers, boost investor confidence, and improve Vietnams long-term economic performance. Alongside this, EuroChams 19 Sector Committees have outlined targeted recommendations in critical areas from semiconductor supply chains and green finance to sustainable agriculture and EV infrastructure each offering clear, actionable proposals informed by member insights, ranging from dynamic small and medium-size enterprises to multinational enterprises. In 2024 alone, EuroCham sent over 111 formal letters and conducted more than 200 meetings with government ministries, agencies, and provincial leaders. These engagements contributed directly to our high-level dialogues with the prime minister, the National Assembly, the Partys Central Economic Committee, and other bodies shaping Vietnams economic policy ensuring that the voice of European businesses is heard where it matters most. "We are not just advocating we are driving change together," noted Jean-Jacques Bouflet, EuroCham vice-chairman in charge of Advocacy. "Our Sector Committees at EuroCham remain committed partners in Vietnam's development journey. The Whitebook recommendations stem from shared objectives a prosperous, sustainable, and innovative Vietnam that fulfils its tremendous potential on the global stage." "The decisions made today will shape Vietnam's development trajectory for decades to come. By embracing forward-looking policies that align with global best practices, Vietnam can accelerate its transformation while ensuring that progress benefits all its citizens," he added. Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier reaffirmed Europes long-standing 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 Vietnam, in responding to the new reality for the global economy." Guerrier highlighted the upcoming fifth anniversary of the EUVietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as a key moment to take stock of progress and renew ambition. "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." At the Whitebook Launch, EuroCham experts brought forward direct insights from the business frontlines, offering practical recommendations to support Vietnams sustained prosperity. One message rang loud and clear throughout the room: the time to act is now. EuroCham chairman Bruno Jaspaert said, "While this is undeniably a challenging period marked by rapid changes and global uncertainty it also presents a golden opportunity. Vietnam can consolidate its core strengths, cultivate trusted and sustainable trade partnerships, and fully leverage its extensive network of free trade agreements to attract more strategic overseas investment. At the same time, ongoing efforts to update and strengthen the legal framework will lay the groundwork for sustainable, long-term growth." Looking ahead, Ambassador Guerrier echoed this optimism, calling on both sides to seize the moment, saying, "Together, the EU and Vietnam can transform todays challenges into new avenues for mutually beneficial trade and investment. The upcoming visits by EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with the planned upgrade of EU-Vietnam relations, will mark important milestones on this path towards a shared future." "This Whitebook is a compass for both Vietnam and Europe to help steer through todays storms and towards tomorrows opportunities," concluded Jaspaert. Vietnam sees uptick in European business sentiment EuroCham Vietnam released its Q4/2024 Business Confidence Index (BCI) report on January 8, revealing a significant rise in business sentiment, which reflects resilience amidst a turbulent global landscape in terms of economics, the environment, and geopolitics. EuroCham engages in dialogue to strengthen EU-Vietnam trade relations The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) reaffirmed its pivotal role in fostering EU-Vietnam economic ties through a high-level dialogue with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. This is according to Do Thanh Trung, Deputy Minister of Finance, at a media briefing on April 6. Trung said the ministry (MoF) has been assigned the responsibility of completing the legal framework on cryptoassets and cryptocurrencies, while coordinating with relevant ministries to study the current situation and learn from the experiences of other countries' attempts. The government directed the MoF to develop a legal framework for managing crypto assets in March, and it has since been coordinating with ministries and agencies to develop policies to ensure the rights and legitimate interests of individuals and organisations participating in the crypto market. "The MoF has drafted a government resolution to survey opinions from several ministries and agencies. We are currently gathering comments to complete the resolution before reporting to the government," said Trung. Photo: baodautu.vn In addition, the draft law on digital technology industry is also expected to be passed in May, which affirms that digital assets are property. According to the draft law, digital assets are digital technology products created, issued, stored, transferred and authenticated by blockchain technology, of which people have ownership rights according to the provisions of civil law and relevant laws. The business community is supporting the move, saying that the decision to pilot a digital asset exchange and the potential opportunity for enterprises to issue virtual assets is an impressive, forward-thinking approach that reflects the countrys increasing dedication to exploring innovative technological advancements. According to experts, Vietnam is one of the most promising emerging markets in the digital asset space of Southeast Asia. With its tech savviness, young population, and proactive approach to blockchain innovation, the country is well-positioned to become a regional leader. Several factors that set Vietnam apart include high crypto adoption, government support, and regulatory progress, all giving the country a competitive edge over other regional markets. Phan Duc Trung, chairman of the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA), cited data from Chainalysis showing capital flows from the blockchain market into Vietnam in the 2023-2024 period reached over $105 billion with profits generated of nearly $1.2 billion in 2023. According to data from the Triple-A payment gateway, Vietnam has more than 17 million people who own crypto assets, ranking seventh globally. Over 85 per cent of freelancers own crypto assets, the highest in the world; and over 34 per cent of freelancers accept crypto payments. A representative of Tether, a blockchain-enabled platform that facilitates the use of fiat currencies digitally, said that their company sees Vietnam as a critical part of its long-term vision for digital assets and education, and the company is excited about the potential opportunity to contribute further to the countrys blockchain evolution through strategic support. "Regulatory clarity helps provide a structured environment for cryptocurrencies to thrive as reliable financial instruments, supporting versatile real-life use cases," said the Tether representative, adding "We look forward to how Vietnam structures its approach to innovations like this." Digital assets create prospects for financial securities products While the rising popularity of digital assets may pressure stock market liquidity, it also presents opportunities for businesses to adjust models to stay ahead, securities firms acknowledge. The path to adopting suitable digital asset system The soaring interest in digital assets makes it essential for Vietnam to pay particular attention to this asset class. Nguyen Tran Minh Quan, legal director of the Vietnam Blockchain Association, talked with VIRs Hoang Minh about his insights on the lessons Vietnam can learn. Polio ravaged human bodies for hundreds of years, but the misery began to wane 70 years ago when two polio vaccines developed in the U.S. halted the virus spread. Many Georgians who caught polio in the 1950s as children survived and led fulfilling lives despite their injuries, but in their later years, they experience a return of the pains and deficits that plagued them as children. The condition, called post-polio, can bring unrelenting aches, muscle pains and brain fog. Many became wheelchair bound. Its difficult for me to discuss polio or post-polio, said Wesley Moss of Marietta. Ive worn a long leg brace on my left leg since I was about 2 years old. Survivors say the fact that few young Americans know about polio compounds their suffering. Carol Crumby of Decatur, Georgia, is in her 70s and deals with falls and shooting pain that make it hard for her to move. She is thankful for orthotics and her roll aider chair. But she says polio is no joke. I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy. People living with post-polio maladies worry that a climate of anti-vaccine skepticism could set back the United States success in eliminating viruses like polio and measles, both of which could return if people stop getting vaccinated. The story of polios eradication highlights how post-War World II scientific breakthroughs allowed U.S. industry to produce vaccines at scale. It also shows how, when those processes went horribly wrong, the newly formed Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was able to use the relatively new science of epidemiology to trace and solve outbreaks. What is polio? Poliomyelitis commonly known as polio is a highly infectious viral disease that often afflicts children. It is transmitted via droplets or aerosols from the throat and by fecal contamination of hands, utensils, food and water. In many people, symptoms resemble the flu. In some patients, however, the virus enters nerve cells in the brain or spine, where it multiplies and kills the cells that control muscle movement. When that happens, a polio sufferer experiences paralysis, usually in the arms and legs. It can also affect the muscles that move the lungs, which can be fatal. According to the CDC, 70% of people infected with polio experience no symptoms. About 25% experience mild or flu-like symptoms and a smaller proportion of people will develop more serious symptoms that affect the brain and spinal cord, including pins and needles in the legs, meningitis (infection of the covering of the spinal cord and/or brain) and paralysis or weakness in the arms, legs or both. When was polio common? Polio has been around for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian images show children walking with canes, with withered limbs characteristic of the disease. It became episodic with outbreaks during the late 19th century in rural areas of Europe and the U.S. In 1840, a German doctor formally identified polio as a condition in its own right. Polio epidemics were common every summer in the U.S. starting in 1916. The worst occurred in the 1940s and 50s. In a 1949 epidemic, there were 42,000 cases of polio reported and almost 3,000 deaths. Two vaccines developed in the U.S. in the 1950s helped nearly end new polio infections here and abroad. At the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Jonas Salk created the inactivated (dead) polio vaccine (IPV) in 1955. It was administered as a shot in the arm or leg. By 1957, annual cases in the U.S. dropped from 58,000 to 5,600; and by 1961, only 161 cases remained. Six pharmaceutical companies were licensed to produce Salks vaccine, and he did not profit from sharing the formulation or production processes. The injectable vaccine was slower to administer, but proved to be safer. Salks inactivated polio vaccine is the only polio vaccine now available in the United States, where 93% of children are vaccinated, according to the CDC. At the University of Cincinnati, physician and microbiologist Dr. Albert Sabin created a live attenuated vaccine that could be administered orally. Like Salk, he tested it on himself, his family and in trials on humans and monkeys. Both vaccines were used in the U.S., but Sabins would eventually be used more widely, and primarily outside of the U.S., because it was cheaper and could be administered quickly in rural areas. When Julie Andrews sang A Spoonful of Sugar in the Disney movie Mary Poppins, she was referring to the common practice of adding a sugar cube to Sabins oral polio vaccine, the songs author told NPR. Vaccine controversy Salks vaccine rollout got off to a rough start in 1955, when Californias Cutter Laboratories botched production and created a product that actually gave 220,000 people polio, left 164 severely paralyzed, and led to 10 deaths, according to American infectious diseases physician and vaccinologist Dr. Paul Offit. The recently formed CDC found the outbreak, contained it and helped fix the production process. The vaccine would go on to become one of the safest and most efficacious ever produced. The situation with Sabins oral polio vaccine (OPV) was more complicated. In very rare cases, the weakened form of a live polio virus in Sabins vaccine caused polio in some children. All told, the oral vaccine was administered more than 10 billion times to three billion children and has prevented more than 13 million polio cases. Sabins vaccine was seen as the best option for poor countries because it induces strong immunity in the gut and spreads through the stool of immunized children, protecting even those who do not get the vaccine drops, according to Science magazine. The vaccine helped bring down polio cases by more than 99.9% since the eradication program began in 1988, according to the World Health Organization. Dr. William Foege, former CDC Director and emeritus professor at Emory University, said the World Health Organization waited too long to add the Salk vaccine to the Sabin vaccine after the latter was found to cause polio in an extremely small number of vaccine recipients. There have been so many mistakes with global eradication of polio, Foege said. We could see what was happening. In 1992, we did a talk in New Delhi and we had determined by then that the WHO approach to the program, which was to use Sabin vaccines, was inadequate. We recommended using the Salk vaccine in addition to the Sabin vaccine. The WHO wouldnt consider this because the Salk vaccine was more expensive and more difficult to administer. Today, the WHO uses the Salk vaccine, in addition to the Sabin vaccine, Foege said. In Pakistan, which still struggles to eradicate polio, one dose of IPV (Salks vaccine) and multiple doses of OPV (Sabins vaccine) are given to children to confer full protection against polio. Once polio is eradicated, IPV will be the only vaccine available for routine use in that country, according to a Pakistani government website. In the U.S., where polio has been eradicated but is brought into the country by travelers, only the Salk vaccine is used. Foege says the Salk vaccine was a miracle that needs to remain in popular memory. I lived through those days we couldnt go to the movies in the summer time, or the swimming pool, out of fear of catching polio, he said. The public demanded a vaccine for polio. Thats just how scary it was. Is polio still around? As of 2022, poliovirus remains endemic in two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and has been nearly eliminated in India and Nigeria. Steve Stirling is CEO emeritus of Brunswick-based charity MAP International, which distributes donated medicines to needy countries. He also contracted polio as a child, and says the world community needs to come together for one final push to eradicate the virus. I dont think Americans know how close we are, he said. The Rotarians do though, since they have been supporting the program for some time. They are also the heroes of polio as business leaders worldwide who work to make vaccine access available for all. Rotary has spent more than $2.8 billion on polio eradication worldwide, Stirling said. In Pakistan, more than 200 polio workers and guards have been assassinated by religious fanatics who wrongly believe the polio vaccine sterilizes children. In February, unidentified gunmen shot and killed a police officer working on Pakistans first polio vaccination drive of the year, The Associated Press reported. Health workers in the country are accompanied by thousands of police officers as they go house to house to vaccinate children. Stirling has seen this tension firsthand in his work to bring vaccines to poor countries. I met a woman in India whose child had polio, he said. She wanted to vaccinate her other child. But her husband threatened to kill her if she did so because he thought the sterile label on the vaccine would make the child sterile completely untrue, but that is what some people believe. Indian health workers vaccinate many children when they visit towns. To keep track, they mark a childs finger with ink, Stirling said. They do this because some parents try to get their children vaccinated many times, thinking that it would make the child safer from polio, which isnt true, he said. The woman I met asked them to mark the childs toe so her husband wouldnt find out. ___ Former Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak is weighing a potential political comeback in 2026, hinting at a rematch against current Gov. Joe Lombardo. In an interview with our sister station KLAS in Las Vegas, the former governor talks to John Langeler about being approached by people about potentially jumping back into politics, his thoughts, and potential steps forward. Area political organizations have started to release statements on the potential re-entry of Sisolak to Nevada politics - we will keep you updated as we receive them. Sanatan Sanstha: Let the Shankhnaad Echo Across Every Village, City, and Heart 2 In an age where the very identity of Bharat is under relentless assaultculturally, spiritually, and ideologicallySanatan Sanstha stands as a divine citadel guarding the eternal flame of Hindutva. Not merely an organisation but a sacred movement, Sanatan Sanstha has, for the past 25 years, been the beacon for all seekers of Dharma, guiding lost souls back to the profound embrace of Sanatan Dharma, which is not just a religion but the very soul of this sacred land. Founded by His Holiness Dr Jayant Athavalean enlightened saint, revolutionary guide, and visionary psychiatristthe Sanstha emerged from the realisation that no modern science could offer the depth of healing and transformation that the spiritual remedies of Sanatan Dharma could. Dr Athavale, through tireless research and deep spiritual introspection, decoded the very Science of Spirituality, revealing that ailments of the body and mind often originate in the soul. Where medicine failed, divine name chanting and spiritual practice succeeded. This discovery was not just a revelationit was a divine calling, a Shankhnaad to awaken the sleeping conscience of Bharatvarsha. Sanatan Sansthas foundation was laid on the blessings of His Holiness Sadguru Bhaktaraj Maharaj, a rare ascetic who, through penance on the banks of the sacred Narmada, lit the path for seekers with bhajans that echoed divinity and a compassion that mirrored the gods. Inspired by him, Dr Athavale renounced the comforts of worldly acclaim and dedicated himself to re-establishing Dharma through the powerful tools of Sadhana, Seva, and Satkarma. The mission is unapologetically clear: To declare Bharat as a Hindu Rashtra. This is not a political ambitionit is the civilisational necessity. For if Bharat loses Sanatan Dharma, it ceases to be Bharat. This land was never just a stretch of territoryit is Punyabhoomi, the Tapobhoomi of countless Rishis, Munis, and Avatars. The soil of Bharat is soaked with the sacrifices of Sanatani warriors, sages, saints, and martyrs who upheld the flag of Dharma even in the darkest ages. Sanatan Sanstha is here to remind every Hinduthis land belongs to us. This culture is ours. This Dharma is eternal. With divine clarity and structured spiritual practice known as Gurukrupayogaa harmonious union of Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yogathe Sanstha has ushered in a renaissance of the soul. This path, rooted in humility, discipline, and surrender to the Guru, elevates the seeker not just individually (vyashti sadhana) but also contributes to collective upliftment (samashti sadhana). When the devotee purifies his mind, God manifests through him. When society purifies its character, Dharma reawakens in the nation. This is the sacred synergy Sanatan Sanstha strives to createwhere spiritual purity births national resurgence. The 25th-year celebration of Sanatan Sanstha is not just an anniversaryit is a Rashtra Shankhnaad Mahotsav, a divine proclamation that Hindus will no longer be apologetic about their faith. This conch-blowing from Goa is a celestial call to awaken every Sanatani heart, to rise in unity, in pride, and in dharmic responsibility. It is the sound of a new sunriseof Dharma reclaiming its throne in Bharat. Through its publication arm Sanatan Prabhat and countless spiritual texts in Marathi, Hindi, English, and Kannada, the Sanstha has preserved the unaltered wisdom of our sages while countering the toxic narratives that aim to dilute our identity. Through satsangs, seva initiatives, medical camps, disaster relief, temple restoration, and sanskar-infusing education for children, Sanatan Sanstha weaves together the practical with the profound. Every initiative of this divine institution stems from one core belief: Hindu Dharma is supreme. Hindutva is non-negotiable. Bharat is the sacred homeland of Hindus. The time has come for every son and daughter of Dharma to stand shoulder to shoulder, to remove the stains of centuries of invasion, and to herald the age of Dharma Rajya. His Holiness Dr Athavale, at 83, continues to lead with the aura of a sage and the determination of a karmayogi. He has not merely founded an organisationhe has birthed a revolution that will echo across generations. Sanatan Sanstha is not just preserving traditionsit is resurrecting the soul of Bharat. This is not just a call to attend a Mahotsav. It is a call to awaken, to act, and to arise. The battle is not outsideit is within. And through Sadhana, Shakti, and Shraddha, Sanatan Sanstha leads the charge to reclaim Hindu Rashtranot as a concept, but as the living destiny of Bharat. Let the Shankhnaad echo across every village, city, and heartHindutva above all. Bharat belongs to Hindus. Sanatan Dharma shall prevail. Theyve railed against deficits. Theyve voted down spending packages. But this week, Alabamas Republican House members backed President Donald Trumps endorsed budget blueprint expected to swell the national debt by nearly $6 trillion. With a tight 216-214 vote in the U.S. House, the resolutiona blueprint for Trumps agenda that includes tax cuts and increased defense and border security fundinggot over the line Thursday thanks in part to support from Alabamas GOP delegation. That includes Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise and Rep. Gary Palmer of Hoover, both members of the Freedom Caucus long associated with fiscal hawkishness. The American people gave House Republicans a mandate to secure the border, restore energy independence, and make America wealthy again, Moore said, calling the vote an opportunity for us to show the American people we are united and ready to enact President Trumps America First agenda. Moore had initially been undecided, telling Alabama Daily News on Tuesday that he was concerned about stark differences in spending cuts pitched in the House and Senate plans. In the House, lawmakers aim to cut $1.5 trillion while the Senates cuts are at around $4 billion. Other Alabama Republicans praised the proposal. With Speaker Johnsons leadership, were delivering real relief for rural families, farmers, and small businesses in the 4th Districtlowering taxes and protecting the values that keep America strong, said Rep. Robert Aderholt in a post on X. I was proud to vote for the House budget that moves forward President Trumps tax cut plan, while reining in spending. With Speaker Johnsons leadership, were delivering real relief for rural families, farmers, and small businesses in the 4th District lowering taxes and Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) April 10, 2025 Republican support The resolution vote the House approved represents a blueprint for a future massive bill Republicans hope to pass through a process known as reconciliation. The process would then enable the Republicans to avoid a supermajority to overcome a Senate filibuster and enable the measure to pass both chambers with only GOP support. The package will ultimately include Trumps priorities, such as border security, domestic energy production, and tax cuts, including a reduction in taxes on tips. Related: Can of worms: How removing taxes on tips could affect Alabama The legislation would also extend tax cuts implemented during Trumps first term in office, set to expire this year. According to media reports, those cuts could add $3.8 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years. U.S. Rep. Barry Moore speaks during a Mobile County GOP candidates forum on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel in Mobile, Ala. Moore and U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl are competing against each other in the March 5, 2024, GOP primary for Alabama's 1st congressional district seat, which Carl currently holds. John Sharp/jsharp@al.com Palmer and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, did not respond to a request for comment. Palmer, last year said he voted against an appropriations act because Congress had repeatedly ignored the nations deficit and immigration crisis. Palmer, on X, praised the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, which also occurred Thursday. The act requires states to reject any voter registration application that hasnt shown documented proof of U.S. citizenship. Palmer retweeted House Majority Whip Tom Emmers statement praising the House budget vote, saying it represented one step closer to delivering on Trumps agenda. Emmer said the real work of crafting our reconciliation bill can begin as a result of Thursdays vote. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, also said he supported the resolution because it represented a way to advance Trumps agenda. Americans are counting on us to stop tax hikes while also cutting regulations and wasteful spending, Strong said. This is a step in the right direction, and now we can move forward with the reconciliation process. Deficit criticism U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, speaks during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 26, 2023. AP None of the statements sent to AL.com or posted on social media included references to potential deficit spending. Alabamas GOP lawmakers often expressed repeated concerns about deficit spending during Democratic President Joe Bidens administration. In recent months, former Republican Congressman Mo Brooks of Huntsville, and a current AL.com columnist, has criticized Republicans from Alabama for not joining other budget hawks in raising concerns over ballooning deficits. Casey Burgat, legislative affairs program director at George Washington University, said the big qualifier in why budget hawks change their stance on deficits boils down to partisanship. We saw two No votes, but that number of deficit hawks gets smaller and smaller as long as their co-partisan is in the White House, he said. On Thursday, only two House Republicans -- Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana voted against it. Spartz, on X, said the GOP budget is setting us up for the largest deficit increase in the history of our Republic. The budgets fate was uncertain earlier in the week as a group of Republican holdouts worried about fiscal responsibility and deficits. Moore, according to Alabama Daily News, was one of them. Texas Rep. Chip Roy and other deficit hawks reportedly refused to vote the plan Wednesday night over concerns that it would lead to a skyrocketing national debt. Burgat said there is likely a lot of pressure on lawmakers to back Trumps budget plan. But he said that lawmakers like Roy and Massie have created their own brands that insulates them from the pressure to concede their budget votes. There needs to be more of those who are not subject to the pressures of the White House, he said. Democrats: Medicaid concerns Congresswoman Terri Sewell addresses the crowd after crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the March to Restore Voting Rights, in Selma, Alabama, Sunday, March 9, 2025. The march was part of a weekend commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Selma March to Montgomery. (Will McLelland | WMcLelland@al.com) Will McLelland Alabamas two Democratic lawmakers joined the rest of their caucus in voting against the budget resolution. Democrats are concerned that Republicans will need to make significant changes to Medicaid and other benefit programs to achieve their tax cuts. Alabama relies heavily on federal support for Medicaid, which provides benefits to more than 313,000 residents. According to a KFF analysis published by Newsweek, Alabama ranks only behind Mississippi and West Virginia for having a greater reliance on the federal government for Medicaid spending. U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, expressed concern that Republicans were creating a budget framework that would cut hundreds of billions of dollars from programs like Medicaid, SNAP benefits, and other essential services, all in an effort to provide tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, said the House budget resolution takes food away from hungry families and makes massive cuts to health care in order to provide a tax break to the very wealthy. Under their proposal, billionaires like Elon Musk get rewarded while hard working Alabama families get left behind, Sewell said, referencing the CEO and architect of Tesla who is also the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Sewell, in releasing a budget FAQ sheet, stated that 176,181 people on Medicaid in her 7th congressional district could lose their health care under the Republican plan. She said that includes 121,745 children under age 19 and 23,000 seniors over 65 years old. Other cuts are expected to affect SNAP, school lunches, Pell grants for students, and could lead to a 66% increase in premiums for those receiving coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Tarrant City Hall The Alabama Supreme Court delivered a victory to a town police chief and its city council in a longstanding and bitter fight with the mayor over who wields authority over the department. The states highest court Friday settled at least one dispute when it upheld a lower courts ruling that the city council, not Mayor Wayman Newton, is the authority over police chief Wendell Major. Newton, who initially hired Chief Major, suspended him three times and attempted to fire him. Each move was blocked by the council. The Supreme Court did its job, they got it right, and we are appreciative as a council, Councilwoman and Mayor-Pro-tem Threadford told AL.com. Hopefully we can put aside the angst, we can quit reading that frivolous resolution to fire Chief Major and allow him to do his job to protect the citizens of the city of Tarrant. The court affirmed Jefferson County Judge Pat Ballard, who ruled in July 2024 that the Tarrant city council, not Newton, had the authority to oversee who runs the police department. Newton then appealed to the states high court. Newton has continued his protest. The mayor during most city council meetings presents a resolution to fire Major and recites a list of professional grievances regarding the chiefs performance. The council often bristles, ignores, or unanimously rejects the mayors motion. Major expressed gratitude for the councils support. The rule of law is the master of all public officials and the preservation of our federal and state constitutional principles are our guide, Major said regarding the ruling. God bless our union, our state and the leadership of the Tarrant City Council. The question of who has the power to fire the Tarrant police chief remained one of several contentious issues in the deeply divided city government. Newton on the other hand, likened the councils position to a power grab designed for political purposes. Newton chastised the council for defending Major, whom he accused of a litany of professional missteps. Lets be clear: this isnt about public safety. Its about power, he said. For years, Ive fought to professionalize and reform the Tarrant Police Departmentto make it more accountable, more transparent, and more responsive to our residents. While I may no longer have operational control, I will not stop fighting for a police department that works for the people, not for the politicians. Newton said now that the council has control of the police department, he would watch to see how they use their new authority. The council wanted control. Now theyve got it, he said. And the residents of Tarrant will be watching closely to see if they use that power to protect our cityor to protect themselves. The courts ruling applies to Tarrant which is a class 7 municipality with a population of about 6,000 people. The ruling does not apply to other classes or larger cities, such as Birmingham, where the mayor appoints the police chief. The Tarrant council is represented by the Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick law firm. While we are pleased with the result we are not surprised, said Charlie Waldrep, whose law partner Wayne Morse, handled the case. The law is very clear. Now, the Tarrant Police Department can do what it does best, protect the citizens of Tarrant under the unhindered guidance of Chief Wendell Major. Alabama Secretary of State, Wes Allen speaks during the inauguration ceremony on the steps of the Alabama State Capital, Jan. 16, 2023, in Montgomery. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) AP The Alabama Secretary of States office has notified hundreds of thousands of voters that they need to update or verify their registration because records show they may have moved. Laney Rawls, communications director for Secretary of State Wes Allen, said the notifications are part of the address confirmation program required by the National Voter Registration Act and by state law. The intent is to identify voters no longer eligible to vote in Alabama because they have moved out of state, as well as voters whose voting place has changed because they moved to a different county. The letters ask the recipients to respond within 90 days or face being asked to update their voter registration information the next time they vote. Your voter registration will be canceled if you do not update your voter registration or vote in an election up to or including the November 2028 general election, the letter continues. Their registration would be cancelled after the general election in November 2028. Mitchell Brown, director of the Institute for Election Administration Research & Practice and a political science professor at Auburn University, said the voter roll updates are a necessary policy. Brown said most people do not update their registration when they move. That leads to inaccurate and bloated voter rolls, Brown said. This is a good administrative practice and there is nothing nefarious going on, Brown said. A 3 year purge clock has started Rawls said the secretary of states office identified 432,964 registered voters who might have moved to another county or moved out of Alabama based on data reviewed by the office. Thats about 12% of Alabamas 3.8 million registered voters. Rawls said the secretary of states office used two databases to identify possible movers -- the U.S. Postal Service National Change of Address file and information from the Experian credit bureaus TrueTrace system. The letters to voters do not mention those databases but say, We have received information that you may have moved to a new county or out of the state. The letters include a card and postage-paid envelope for voters to return, either to give their new address or to verify that they remain at the same address. For voters who have moved out of state, the letters instruct them to call a phone number and cancel their Alabama voter registration. Kathy Jones, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, said the use of the credit bureau is a poor way to identify people who have moved because they include old addresses and addresses of people who share joint credit cards. Jones, who lives in Huntsville, said she recently received one of the letters from the secretary of states office. Ive lived in the same place for decades. And Ive voted in the same polling place for decades, Jones said. The LWVAL put an urgent notice about the letters on its Facebook page, saying, A 3 year purge clock has started for you. If you have a joint financial instrument (e.g., a credit card) with someone who doesnt live in your home, your Experian credit report lists all addresses affiliated with that item, the LWVAL said. This is why people think it is crazy for Secretaries of State to use credit agencies to do voter roll maintenance. In response to the criticism from the LWVAL, Rawls provided links to a study from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission on the use of Experians system, called TrueTrace, to help update voter rolls, as well as the use of Experian by Orange County, California and West Virginia. The Secretary of State used Experians TrueTrace program to identify voters that likely moved to a new county in Alabama or to a different state, Rawls said in an email. TrueTrace utilizes National Change of Address (NCOA) data, data from the Social Security Death Master Index, and credit data from all 50 states to return matches to Alabama voters with a more current address than their voter registration address. Allen opposes LWVAL grifting attempts The LWVAL and Allen have been at odds before. In August 2024, Allen announced an initiative to remove 3,000 people from the voting rolls because of records indicating they were not citizens. The LWVAL was one of the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging the voter purge. It turned out that most of the people on the list were citizens. The Department of Justice sued to stop the initiative, saying it violated the National Voter Registration Act because it was started within 90 days of the 2024 general election. The DOJ later dropped the lawsuit under the Trump administration. Also last summer, Allen accused the LWVAL of using shady methods to obtain voters contact information through a voter registration website. Jones said Allens claim was misleading and an attempt to promote a conspiracy that did not exist. In a statement responding to the LWVALs criticism of the use of Experian data to identify voters who may have moved, Allen said: The League of Women Voters always opposes common sense measures like voter ID requirements, the SAVE Act, and any other item they view as part of a conservative agenda. No one is surprised that they are also complaining about the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which I am enforcing. The people of Alabama are tired of grifting attempts by the League and like-minded liberal organizations. We end up wasting money Under Allens predecessor, John Merrill, Alabama was a member of the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a multi-state data-sharing system intended to keep voting rolls accurate. Allen expressed distrust about sharing Alabama voters information with ERIC while running for office in 2022 and withdrew the state from it immediately after taking office. Some other Republican-controlled states also left ERIC. Merrill disagreed with Allens decision and said ERIC had worked well for Alabama and had helped identify 12 voter fraud cases in 2020, cases when people voted in another state and in Alabama. Since taking Alabama out of ERIC, Allen has overseen the development of a new system called the Alabama Voter Integrity Database, or AVID. AVID draws information from drivers license records, cross-checks of registration records with other states, the postal service National Change of Address files, the Social Security death index, and the Department of Homeland Security and immigration services. Brown, the Auburn professor and director of the Institute for Election Administration Research & Practice, said ERIC was a pretty efficient and accurate system. Brown said the important thing about the voter address updates is that they follow the federal law and provide people with the proper notices and timelines. She said bloated registration rolls have consequences. It means we end up wasting money because we plan for turnout thats not going to happen, Brown said. We print more ballots than we need. We do all kinds of things in our planning because weve got these inaccurate rolls. Cleaning voter registration rolls is an important thing, Brown said. And it is not in and of itself, an evil thing. Some people are making cleaning voter registration rolls a political rallying cry like were disenfranchising people by doing it." LWVAL President Jones it was a mistake for Alabama to pull out of ERIC and the use of the credit bureau information is a consequence that she said will lead to more voters being wrongly identified as having moved. Why would you walk away from something thats proven? Jones said. But they did. Thats why were in this situation. Well, that didnt take long. As I predicted last week, President Trump has paused the massive tariffs his trade advisor, the one-time liberal Democrat, Peter Navarro, dreamed up, once it became clear there were problems. Pres. Trump has a unique way of operating for a politician. He will boldly take a risky position, just to see what happens. But his pride doesnt stop him from changing course if it doesnt pan out. Trumps alacrity may have been spurred when it was revealed how Dr. Navarro actually come up with his reciprocal tariffs. He created a catch-all economic formula to smooth out trade deficits; an utterly impractical idea. Even the economist whose work he based this on says this was utterly misguided. Worse still, Navarro plugged in the wrong number to calculate price elasticity, making the new tariffs four times higher than even his formula suggested. This doesnt even account for all the countries where we run a trade surplus, like Australia, which doesnt impose tariffs on our products, yet are hit with a 10% minimum tariff. Going forward on trade now, it is important that everyone be guided by the real economic data and not swept away in legends and myths. For decades, protectionists like Navarro, and Pat Buchanan and Ross Perot before him, have cried, We dont make anything! Theyre stealing our jobs! Giant sucking sound! But thats all wrong. After WWII, the U.S. share of world manufacturing was at its apex, but as nations rebuilt, that declined. Then in the 1980s, large third-world countries -- China, India, Indonesia -- industrialized, and just by serving their own new domestic markets, assumed a big share of world production. However, manufacturing as a per cent of real American GDP, has actually held steady since the late 1940s. America dominates important industries, from airplanes and jet engines to pharmaceuticals. We actually make more cars and light trucks today than in the 1970s. Whats changed is factory employment. Modern, automated factories need far fewer line workers. Factory jobs peaked in the 1970s, not just in America but across the developed world, even in places like Japan, that supposedly have a protective moat. In fact, factory jobs have declined worldwide for decades. Even in China. Even in India. Even in Brazil. My hometown has a great example of this. In 1951, General Electric built Appliance Park, the worlds largest white goods factory complex, to make big home appliances -- refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes driers, etc. The kind of stuff that cannot be shipped from abroad because its too big and bulky. They run more shifts and make more units now than when I worked summers in the late 70s. But factory jobs there peaked out at 23,000 in 1972. Today its less than 6,000. And they have plenty of openings anyway because most people disdain this kind of work. Similar thing with drug makers. Puerto Rico famously uses tax breaks to lure pill factories to the island which are the mainstay of the island's economy. But the pay is low and all Puerto Rico wages are just a fraction of the mainland. The real money and profits in the drug business are in the laboratories, where things are invented, not where they are assembled. Sure, there are petty barriers to trade, like Canadas dairy tariffs. We do the same thing for New England, with the Dairy Price Support Program. And we have had the 25% Light Truck Tariff since 1964. But in the overall scheme of things, it counts for little, compared to relentless productivity gains in all manufacturing. The world has seen this before. In the 18th century, most people were farmers of some sort. In the United States, thanks to mechanization, there was a massive decline in the percent of farmers needed after 1860, even as the Homestead Act opened up the western lands. This caused great societal turmoil, such as the original populist revolts of the 1890s, and into the early 1950s, when cotton picking machines emptied out southern farms and black workers migrated to northern factory towns. Today, only about 1.2% of Americans actually work on a farm. Similarly, over the last 50 years in America, automated factories left far fewer assembly line jobs. Thats no ones fault -- its human ingenuity. Our country has gotten richer and more pleasant from it. Even as some people and communities see they are left behind. AI and robots will only accelerate this process into the white-collar world. Our government leaders and policymakers do us no favors by wallowing in a nostalgia for good times, long past. Sure, I wish they still made some of the cool stuff from the 1950s, like Studebakers, but this is a smart-phone world and we cant, and wouldnt want to, go back to rotary dial. Most people naturally resist change; and as American conservatives, we like ideas and institutions that stand the test of time. But technology and invention guarantee that the commercial part of our world is always moving. We need to shape that part before it shapes us. What kind of occupations will we need and have in the 2050s? What kind of education will this require? Thats what we should be thinking about now. And who knows? Elon Musk may even have an AI version of Raymond Loewy designing the next generation of his automobiles. Image: WPA If we were to believe Democrats, America is a racist hellhole, a never-changing tyranny full of white supremacists whose only goal in life is to oppress minorities, women, and anyone/anything LGBTQWERTY+-. So racist is America, so terrible the economy, so rigged is everything against anyone but white malesNormal Americans/Republicans of courseits impossible for any person of color, or of the affectations Ive mentioned, to get ahead and what with all the various genocides going on, its a miracle any of them survive. We must, of course, ignore the fact that white male and female Democrats, particularly those in Congress somehow manage to thrive. Many of them enter Congress in debt and leave multi-millionaires, which DOGE is currently exploring, but theyre Democrats so its different when they do it and shut up you racist! What, then, are we to make of a person of color, an immigrantlegalwhose father was an abusive alcoholic, who pulled a gun on his family when our person of color was a mere child, forcing the police to kill him? This is a young man who had no advantages, and for who English was a second language. He didnt know he was oppressed. He didnt know he couldnt make anything of himself. Unburdened by Kamala Harris and everything Dems said he couldnt be or do, by the age of 41 he became a Navy SEALmedic/sniper--a Navy pilot, graduated from Harvard Medical School and is now on the International Space Station for the first time. Yes. Hes an astronaut too. Graphic: X Screenshot Hes Jonny Kim, and his parents legally immigrated from South Korea when he was a child. The list of his accomplishments goes on and on. In two tours of Iraq he earned a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. He got scholarships, but working toward his bachelors at The University of San Diego he worked writing parking tickets which helped him to stay humble. In the meantime he married and had three children, supporting with his family while at medical school. At astronaut graduation in Houston, Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) quipped that it was ridiculous that Kim was already a Navy SEAL and a Harvard-trained doctor. He can kill you and then bring you back to life, Cruz said, and do it all in space. It was around this time that he became the Asian-American communitys living legendand source of slight existential dread. Hes a Navy SEAL. Thats badass. Hes a doctor, which is every Asian moms dream. Now hes an astronaut, which is every kids dream, said [Wesley] Chu. We, as Asian Americans, are fans of Jonny out of pride, but also a little bit out of fear. Hes scored, like, 140% on the life test. Heres more of that humility: Kim referred to the months he spent acquiring one more skill, because his journey to space wasnt conducted in English. The hardest part was certainly learning Russian, he said. Its likely Kim did experience prejudice. Asians have, for decades, been victims of DEI culture, denied spots in Ivy League schools like Harvard and victims of quota hiring. Even so, they tend to be Americas highest earners. Much of this is due to their culture, which tends to greatly value education, hard work and family, much as American culture once did until Democratsand to a lesser degree otherslearned they could get ahead on the work of others. Every American ought to be a fan of Jonny Kim. An old, reasonably accomplished, retired white guy, I certainly am. His photo ought to be displayed in every elementary school classroom. His story should be told there to encourage every child to dream big, work hard, and make America proud. Sure, not everyone has the ability to be Jonny Kim. His genetic endowment, upbringing and character got him where he is, and most people couldnt mirror his accomplishments. We dont have to be Jonny Kim, but we all should want to contribute what we can. But unless and until we can once again take pride and pleasure in the accomplishments of people like Kim, until we can put aside tribalism, jealously and self-destructive hubris, until we can once again love America more than we hate our political opponents, new generations will never work to be all they can be. Weve unburdened ourselves of Kamala Harris. Thats a good first step. Knowing and appreciating the story of Jonny Kim is the next. Hes no political messiah, no one to be worshipped, but an example of American excellence and merit, accomplishment uniquely possible in America. Democrats appreciate political messiahs and deranged killers. Jonny Kim can be appreciated for being among the best of us. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Its no secret that Barack Obama purged hundreds of officers from the military. These were not screw-ups, but warriors, patriots, men and women dedicated to their oaths and to protecting America. Those purges were an opening salvo in the DEI war, a means to turn our military into a social laboratory, to equally warp our service academies to turn out a generation of woke ladder climbers, people who would betray America for career advancement and woke ideology. And then, against unprecedented lawfare, vote fraud, and at least two assassination attempts, Donald Trump was elected and began to reverse those purges. Among those removed from high positions was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General Charles Brown. Brown, appointed to that position by Joe Bidens handlers, was among the most woke and arguably race-oriented military leaders, absolutely the wrong man to help restore warrior culture to the military. Graphic: Admiral Shoshanna Chatfield, Navy photo, public domain Most recently, President Trump removed Vice Admiral Shoshanna Chatfield from her post at NATO Headquarters. As one might imagine, screams of outrage have come from within DEI military ranks, from Congress and from the left in general. Shes a woman! A decorated veteran! Trump unlawfully relieved her! Hes a fascist! The media, of course, did not do due diligence, and have maintained the leftist narrative. Fortunately, the facts have emerged: Graphic: X Screenshot According to the report, Vice Admiral Chatfield refused to display pictures of the President of the United States (POTUS) and the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) in the NATO Headquarters (HQ). This decision was perceived as a direct challenge to the authority of the current administration and raised questions about her loyalty and professionalism as a senior military officer. In addition to this act of defiance, it was revealed that during an "all hands" meeting, Admiral Chatfield allegedly stated, "we will wait them out for four years," implying a lack of support for the current administration and a belief that it would be temporary. Such comments have drawn sharp criticism and scrutiny, particularly given the sensitive nature of military leadership and the expectation of adherence to civilian authority. The media and other woke cheerleaders dont want Americans to know about Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): 888. ARTICLE 88. Contempt toward Officials Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. Among the first things any officer candidate learns is Article 88. They, and every service member, learns to obey orders, never to be insubordinate toward superiors, and that because our military is absolutely under civilian control, they are to be in deed and word, apolitical. A variety of other articles of the UCMJ cover those sorts of violations. The POTUS is the Commander in Chief (CIC), and no service member, apart from between very close and trusted friends in private, should say or do anything disparaging toward him. So it must be and had been until Obama sought to fundamentally transform our military. We ended up with drag queens, trans, pronouns, and thousands of officers and lower ranks believing the UCMJ didnt really apply to them when they attacked Normal Americans and an honorable military. The militarys cancerous DEI culture had their backs. Despite severe recruiting problems brought on by this new, deranged military culture, honorable warriors were forced out. Refusal to take a vaccine that wasnt removed another 8,200, and even dependent children were sexually and politically indoctrinated in Defense Department schools. So yes, Chatfields refusal to post photos of the POTUS and Secretary of Defense, overseas in NATO HQ(?!) was a direct challenge. An even worse challenge, and a clear violation of Article 88 was Chatfields all hands announcement of her commands intention to defy the lawful orders of the CIC. How could Chatfield get away with such obvious betrayal of her oath and professional deportment? The militarys Judge Advocate Corps was also compromised by woke warriors. Any CIC may assign and remove officers as they choose, a power not subject to restraint. Obviously, no CIC should remove competent officers for political or personal reasons. However, in this case President Trump was elected to restore the military to its proper role. An officer refusing to post photos of the POTUS and SecDef in NATO HQ and telling her subordinates to subvert and disregard the orders of the CIC must be removed. It would be a mistake for President Trump not to see her prosecuted for every article of the UCMJ she has arguably violated. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Although measles ranks among the worlds most highly infectious viral diseases and annual outbreaks are common in both vaccinated and unvaccinated regions, the death of otherwise healthy individuals is rare. When reports of the deaths of two children in Texas hospitals that were possibly related to the measles outbreak surfaced, the legacy media jumped on the opportunity to sensationalize the story. Yet, somehow, they omitted one little detail that both children actually died due to unrelated chronic illnesses rather than measles. In fairness, few details about these other causes were immediately available at the time. The World Health Organization (WHO) also ignored the hospitals reports that the two childrens deaths were not directly due to measles and immediately used the news to justify issuing a U.S. travel advisory. It was interesting that much larger measles outbreaks in both Europe and Canada somehow escaped a similar WHO travel advisory. Dr. Robert Malone, who gained notoriety for blowing the whistle on the lack of efficacy and safety of the two mRNA COVID vaccines, decided to clear up the confusion by investigating and publishing the actual cause of these two tragic measles-related deaths. He likely took an interest so that the details of the actual causes of death could be more widely known to the public, be beyond dispute and quiet the unwarranted hysteria. The results of his forensic analysis are well summarized in his latest whistleblowing essay published at the Brownstone Institute's website. When reviewing, it will become obvious the medical establishment would likely prefer his findings remain hidden (although some in the legal profession might appreciate it). Dr. Malone uncovered hard evidence that the death of the first child (a boy six years of age) was caused by several medical errors that led to mycoplasma pneumonia unrelated to measles. He said In that case, the cascade of medical errors included failure to administer the correct antibiotic in time, according to doctors who reviewed the childs medical records which were shared with permission by the family. The death of the second child in Texas was due to a more complex combination of less-common medical conditions that were also made fatal by medical errors: a young girl who had previously been infected but recovered from a measles infection developed a blood infection (sepsis) after suffering from chronic tonsillitis complicated by chronic mononucleosis. Infectious mononucleosis (IM, mono), also known as glandular fever, is an infection usually caused by the EpsteinBarr virus (EBV) in most cases children that develop this common infection recover with supportive care. In this case, although she had developed and recovered from measles, the girl had been ill for months with chronic mononucleosis complicated by chronic tonsillitis, and her parents had been arranging for her to have her tonsils removed, a procedure known as a tonsillectomy. Unfortunately, the child developed sepsis, a bacterial blood infection, which progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Her parents brought her to the Texas University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas for treatment... the girls father specifically requested that she be treated with inhaled budesonide by nebulizer. The UMC Hospital staff refused this request, and appeared to have treated her as if she was suffering from Covid rather than ARDS, and administered an intravascular infusion of steroids. IV steroids suppress the immune systems ability to fight bacterial infections, and the father was aware that inhaled Budesonide is an effective, lower-risk treatment relative to IV steroids when treating ARDS. (snip) As a consequence, she passed away due to sepsis resulting from chronic tonsillitis and chronic mononucleosis, complicated by medical mismanagement. In my opinion, the real story Dr. Malone is telling is not necessarily about the medical mismanagement leading to these two deaths, but rather it is about how these deaths were hastily reported in a manner that suggested measles was the root cause. The legacy media knows that by sensationalizing the death of these two children, it will encourage more people to get vaccinated (never mind that vaccine makers are among their major advertisers). On the other hand, the WHO travel advisory was more likely motivated by politics to punish Trump for withdrawing Americas support. Image: Gage Skidmore There is a logical argument that the Iran theocratic state cannot possess a nuclear weapon that it should be inspected, and its ability to manufacture nuclear weapons completely dismantled. But there is another problem: Iran doesnt need to make a nuclear weapon. They can buy one, or trade it for oil, or simply receive one as a favor. Moreover, who needs to worry about Iran building a weapon, when the Biden administration left behind a massive weapons bazaar worth over $7 billion, in the hands of our enemy, right next door to Iran, in Afghanistan? And who is to say that some of those weapons are not already nuclear-tipped, and controlled by Irans eastern border neighbor, the Taliban, all compliments of Biden and his incompetent team? If you simply look at a map, it portrays a very unstable concentration of erratic, unpredictable, undisciplined, in some cases rogue states, all surrounding Iran. Some, like Pakistan, are fully armed with advanced nuclear weapons, and nuclear know-how. They could back right up and drop off all the bombs Iran wants on its southeast, open border. This is one of the reasons why former Pentagon senior official Dov Zakheim argued in 2007 in the international press that the U.S. needs to focus on Iraqs borders, extending to Irans surrounding region. In addition, the black market for weapons is extensive, and given the lack of control over U.S. weapons and money that freely flowed into corrupt Ukraine under the Biden administration, an enormous security risk has been made even bigger. This brings up a realpolitik challenge in the Middle East: Iran sits on Caspian oil reserves, among the largest in the world, and worth billions a year in liquid cash. Indeed, they are Chinas biggest oil supplier. That oil buys all the weapons they want. Trade deals, export agreements, weapons flow, logistics, and more, are as equally vital to monitor and control as mere periodic site weapons inspection. Iran cant have a nuclear weapon; make one, buy one, import one, or use one from an ally neighbor. But more, Iran cant have a radical theocracy government willing to use one, or use other lethal mass weapons. This is why Trump is also right about Gaza being under U.S. military reinforcement, and regular U.S. economic influences that can stabilize the region, while continuing to directly influence and radiate outward, the presence of U.S. power, control, competence and direct economic development. Economics is ultimately the best method of deterrence. Iran and Islam represent an effective third-world stage of development, with ambitions of first world destruction power. Netanyahu was correct in his recent speech before the Knesset: the risk is to the entirety of Western society. That is why the entire region must be subject to a multi-lateral treaty regime involving the great power triad of America, Russia, and China, each with shared security interests over proliferation, and a nuclear Iran, and nuclear Pakistan and India. Matthew G. Andersson is a former CEO and executive advisor in the aerospace and defense practice of Booz Allen Hamilton. He worked in Russia and the Former Soviet Union and has testified before the U.S. Senate. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and worked with economist and White House national security advisor W.W. Rostow at the Johnson School of Public Affairs. Image: Ninara via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Clearly marked cars are the preferred mode of transportation for Hamas terrorists In, How Palestinian first responders ended up in a mass grave in Gaza (04/10/25), The Washington Post once again uses simulations, experts, videos, satellite imagery, witness testimony, and audio evidence to implicate Israel for an alleged wrongdoing. They never go to this extreme to depict a Palestinian wrongdoing, not even the massacre of 1,200 Israelis on October 7 or the subsequent taking of hostages, including babies, by Hamas and Gazan civilians. The Washington Post reports its analysis of the events of that predawn morning when the alleged Israeli attack occurred. Almost every article that the Post writes about the conflict implicates Israel one way or another, and with that, they often have to correct their false charges. Confirmation bias is in full swing when the Post writes about Israel. Its analysis is tainted. The Post does not deny that the initial vehicle that soldiers fired upon was a Hamas car carrying terrorists. But the article dwells on the five other vehicles behind it that came under fire, even though they were part of the caravan. The Post said the vehicles were clearly marked as belonging to the PRCS [Palestinian Red Crescent] and the Palestinian civil defense. The Post did not say that similar clearly marked vehicles have been used by Hamas terrorists many times before. The paper conveniently leaves out that major detail, which blows a hole in its story and its useless over-analysis. If the clearly marked vehicles were in a pack with a clearly identified Hamas vehicle, why should anyone question Israels determination that all the vehicles were up to no good? Israels action certainly didnt violate any rules of engagement in war, which the Post also clearly leaves out. Perhaps the Post should stick to topics where its bias isnt on full display. It will save the paper numerous dollars that it clearly wasted on this article in experts, simulations, etc. And do these people really need six authors to write an article? In the earlier days of newspapers, it used to take just one. Or maybe they need that many to pile on Israel as much as they can to push their (and the Palestinians) fictional narrative. Image: Daniel X. O'Neil via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. On April 9, 2025, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism held a hearing to examine troubling claims about Meta (formerly Facebook) and its relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams, Metas former director of global public policy from 2011 to 2017, presented detailed testimony describing Metas alleged covert dealings with the high-level CCP officials that threatened Americas national security. Wynn-Williams alleged that Meta and its founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, misled U.S. lawmakers and implemented predatory practices targeting young users for profit. A Meta spokesperson disputed Wynn-Williamss testimony, telling Fox News Digital that it was divorced from reality and riddled with false claims. Chairman of the committee Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) described her as no ordinary whistleblower, emphasizing her senior role. She wasnt just some mid-level functionary, Hawley commented during his questioning. She worked closely with Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg. She arranged their meetings with world leaders across the globe. She heard their plans for China. Wynn-Williams alleged that Meta executives betrayed American values and national security by collaborating with the CCP to develop censorship tools that silenced critics. She shared that Meta worked hand-in-glove with the Chinese Communist Party to construct and test custom-built censorship tools that silenced and censored their critics. Wynn-Williams continued, Throughout those seven years, I saw Meta executives repeatedly undermine U.S. national security and betray American values ... to win favor with Beijing and build an $18.3 billion business in China. In addition, her testimony outlined that Meta allegedly deleted Meta accounts of Chinese dissidents on U.S. soil at Chinas request and allegedly lied about it in a Senate hearing. created a team dedicated to loosening privacy rules while granting the Chinese government access to massive amounts of user data in China and Hong Kong via a secret internal project dubbed Project Aldrin. Meta was allegedly aware access could compromise Americans data. launched its Oculus VR business under Xiaomi Branding in China and also launched multiple apps there without seeking authorization from the U.S. government, and without informing Congress, the public, or its shareholders, according to Hawley. created a physical data pipeline between the U.S. and China, which she said was stopped only thanks to congressional intervention. briefed the CCP on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, with the explicit goal of helping China increase global influence and promote the China Dream. Wynn-Williams further warned that Metas A.I. model, Llama, was directly aiding Chinas development of military-grade A.I. systems like DeepSeek. According to internal documents provided to committee members, correspondence shows that Meta pitched its value to Chinese officials by claiming that it could help China extend its global tech dominance. Theres a straight line you can draw from these briefings to the recent revelations that China is developing AI models for military use, Wynn-Williams said. She also claimed that Meta misrepresented its presence in China, publicly denying operations there when SEC filings showed China as its second-largest market. Notable during the hearing was Wynn-Williamss account of Metas retaliatory campaign against her after she began raising concerns internally and filing whistleblower complaints with the SEC and Department of Justice. She filed a shareholder resolution urging Metas board to investigate its ties to China. Meta responded by suing her for hundreds of millions of dollars and allegedly obtaining a gag order that restricts her from speaking even to members of Congress. This legal effort, she noted, allegedly directly contradicts Metas public 2018 commitment to waive forced arbitration in whistleblower cases. This gag order was sought by a company whose CEO claims to be a champion of free speech, she added. In addition to national security concerns, Wynn-Williams testified that Meta deliberately exploited young users to maximize profit, claiming that Meta viewed users aged 13 to 17 as vulnerable yet very valuable. used behavioral data such as deleted selfies to profile emotional states and sell targeted ads, often related to beauty and body image. consistently blocked internal proposals that sought to improve youth protections when those proposals conflicted with revenue goals. These practices, she claimed, worsened mental health challenges for teen users, particularly young girls. Image: Kate Ter Haar via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. The Book of Exodus is a book of staggering importance to Western civilization. Thats because the Passover story culminates with the Jews leaving Egypt and heading into the wilderness, where they receive the Ten Commandments, which are the moral cornerstone of Western culture. This holiday is as important in 2025 as it was 3,400 years ago and has been every year since. Jews have been commemorating Passover for roughly 3,400 years. Theyve celebrated it through purges, pogroms, wars, and the Holocaust, and through it all, theyve stayed true to their identity and the Torahs lessons. (The Torah is the first five books of the Old Testament.) The pressures of the outside world have only bound them more tightly to the Torahs protections and morals. Agam Berger, who was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, and only returned to Israel on January 30, 2024, recounted how, even in Gaza, she and another Israeli prisoner observed Passover, as well as keeping the other Jewish holidays: When Hamas overran the Nahal Oz base on Oct. 7, 2023, many of my friends were murdered. In those harrowing moments, as I was being kidnapped, I had the freedom to choose what to say. I recited, continuously, the same verse that Jews on the threshold of death have said for millennia: Shema Yisrael, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. [snip] I learned, as my forebears did, that imprisonment cant overwhelm the inner spiritual life. Our faith and covenant with God, the story we remember on Passover, is more powerful than any cruel captor. Even as Hamas tried to coerce me into converting to Islamat times, forcing a hijab on my headthey couldnt take away my soul. [snip] My fellow scout Liri Albag and I marked Passover together last year. Held in a small room with no natural light, we did what we could to set the holiday mood. We cleaned our room and adorned the table with napkins and other small decorations made from scraps of paper. As a surprise, Liri wrote me a makeshift Passover Haggadah, the text that recounts our ancestors journey out of slavery. The same essay, which is (sadly) behind a paywall at the Wall Street Journal, recounts what every Jew knows: The Haggadah tells each Jew not just to read the story of Exodus as history but to relive it personally. Thats why the Haggadah tells us that we say to our children that we engage in the Passover rituals, God acted for me when I came out of Egypt. In the Jews darkest times, they feel the immediacy of God. But what happens when there are no darkest times? What happens in the West when Jews have lived without that external pressure for seventy years? And what happens when the government becomes the Jews God? Thats when the lessons from the Exodus narrative are lost and the Commandments abandonedand things go downhill fast, whether because, as the faithful would say, when we abandon God, he teaches us a painful lesson or because, as people who value faith without believing might say, Exodus is the apex of human wisdom about tyranny, freedom, and morality. Either way... So, what are those lessons? The Passover lesson is, most obviously, about faith in God. But its also a reminder that tyrants are not only cruel to those they deem their enemies (e.g., the Jews) but also do not care about their own people, provided that the tyrants are themselves protected from the damage they inflict. Thus, Pharaoh didnt care that his people groaned under the first nine plagues. He yielded only when the tenththe death of the firstbornstruck within his own palace. The world today has many such Pharaohs, whether in China, Gaza and the West Bank, Iran, North Korea, or any other benighted place. We dont do the people in those nations a favor by keeping their Pharaohs in power. This is not to say that we Americans are obligated to wage war against every tyrant. It is to say, though, that we must recognize evil when we see itand too many Western leftists, including Jews, look at the tyrants in Gaza, the West Bank, China, and Iran, and see only victims of America. When they do that, simply by providing moral support to these evil people, these leftists are as cruel to the suffering people in those countries as the tyrants themselves are. As for the lessons of the Ten Commandments (and, of course, the Noahide laws), they are the root of a civilized society: Do not elevate government or petty idols above a moral God, do not commit murder, do not engage in sexual immorality, do not steal (which includes stealing a mans liberty through slavery), do not torture animals, have just courts, honor your parents, do not lie about or otherwise defame people, and do not mire yourself in jealously. You dont have to be religious to recognize that, as Dennis Prager has often said, a society built around these Biblical commandments will be a safe, happy, and prosperous one. This Passover, whether youre Jewish or not, and even whether youre religious or not, remember the Passover lessons. By doing so, you will find yourself on the side of moral decency, individual liberty, and an ordered, prosperous society. Image by Grok AI. When the waters of the Mississippi River broke in April 2011, it created one of the largest and the most damaging floods in the U.S. in the past century. Flooding was caused by two major storm systems that deposited record levels of rainfall on the Mississippi River watershed. When that additional water combined with the springtime snowmelt, the river and many of its tributaries began to swell and spill over. Certain areas were inundated with 20-30 feet of water forcing evacuation of tens of thousands of homes in areas along the Mississippi and the Yazoo River. But many decided to stay put building dykes around their houses instead, creating tiny island homes. A levee protects a home surrounded by floodwater from the Yazoo River on May 18, 2011 near Vicksburg, Mississippi. The flooded Mississippi River is forcing the Yazoo River to top its banks where the two meet near Vicksburg causing towns and farms upstream on the Yazoo to flood. (Photo: Scott Olson) A levee partially protects a home surrounded by floodwater from the Yazoo River, on May 18, 2011 near Vicksburg, Mississippi. (Photo: Scott Olson) A house in Vicksburg, situated along the Yazoo River, surrounded with tons of earth and sand. Photo: Getty Images A house in Vicksburg, situated along the Yazoo River, surrounded with tons of earth and sand. Photo: Getty Images A house in Vicksburg, situated along the Yazoo River, surrounded with tons of earth and sand. Photo: Getty Images This aerial shot over Vicksburg shows the ominous rise of floodwater around homes. Photo: Getty Images A flooded home surrounded by a makeshift levee that failed in Vicksburg, Mississippi, is pictured Tuesday, May 17, 2011. (Photo: Dave Martin) Brittany Pearce (right) stands atop a mound of sandbags in front of her grandparents' house in Stephensville, Louisiana, on May 15, 2011. (Photo: Sean Gardner) Volunteers fill sandbags to help in the fight against rising floodwater May 7, 2011 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo: Scott Olson) Tugboat owner Jerry Vatson walks across a makeshift walkway from a barge where his boat is anchored to land, amidst rising floodwater from the Mississippi River, in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. (Photo: Gerald Herbert) A boat carrying prison trustees, who are used as workers against the flood, motors through Mississippi River floodwaters, past the Riverside Medical Complex, which is protected by a wall of Hesco baskets in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Thursday, May 19, 2011. (Photo: Gerald Herbert) Sandbags laid out in piles protect a road in Stepensville, Louisiana. Photo: Getty Images Dennis Barkemeyer (right) inspects a temporary levee built around a medical center in Vidalia, Louisiana. Photo: Getty Images Submerged buildings are seen near Lake Providence, Louisiana, on May 18, 2011. (Photo: Eric Thayer) Sources: The Atlantic / Daily Mail Summary: Samsung recently started selling replacement chargers for its Galaxy Ring, and theyre a bit expensive. You will have to fork over $90 for a new charger. Last year, Samsung started selling its Galaxy Ring. This was a pretty big step for the company, as it entered a completely new market. Seen as a competitor to the Oura Ring, the Galaxy Ring has expanded Samsungs portfolio of wearable devices. If you buy one, and you decide to play fast and loose with the charger, you might want to rethink that. Samsung recently started selling replacement Galaxy Smart Ring chargers, and the price just might raise your heart rate (lucky, youre wearing a smart ring). The Galaxy Ring replacement charger is pretty expensive Buying accessories for devices can be pricey, and this goes double for proprietary accessories. You cant charge your Galaxy Ring with any old charger, you need the one straight from Samsung. After nearly a year of selling the Galaxy Ring, Samsung finally started selling the replacement charger. How much could a charger realistically cost? It doesnt do much more than supply electricity to the ring, so it shouldnt cost much. It certainly shouldnt cost 22.5% of the price of the Galaxy Ring itself, yet here we are. If you want to buy a replacement charger, it will cost you $90. That seems like a pretty crazy price to charge for a charger. Were not sure what sort of tech goes into the charger that pushes the price that high. In any case, its that or go ring-less. Its also important to know that the case is size-specific. So, if you wind up breaking your case, youll need to pick the right size. You can buy a replacement charger from Samsungs own site, Amazon, and Best Buy. If you act fast, you can capitalize on the Amazon deal thats going on right now. For a limited time, you can pick up a charger for just $75. Foreign leaders have stolen our jobs, foreign cheaters have ransacked our factories, and foreign scavengers have torn apart our once-beautiful American Dream. But it is not going to happen anymore. With this declaration, President Trump launched a dramatic reversal of decades of US trade policy. The irony is hard to miss: America, once the champion of global free trade, is now imposing steep tariffs to reclaim what it believes has been lost. The Trump tariffs are sending shockwaves through global supply chains, and smartphones are firmly in the blast zone. While Apple is in the spotlight and headlines of every news article, all major smartphone makers, from Samsung to Google, face potentially higher costs and tough decisions. The question is: How much will consumers end up paying for this economic U-turn? The Global Impact of Trumps Tariffs While Trumps tariffs seem to target pretty much every country around the world, its not that hard to see that the country at the center of it all is China. China is basically the worlds factory. It makes just about everything, from budget smartphones to high-end flagship devices. Trumps tariffs hit China the hardest, slapping an unprecedented 125% rate on Chinese goods. This is far higher than the 10% baseline tariffs facing other countries. What complicates matters is Trumps (predictable) unpredictability. After announcing sweeping tariffs that sent markets and manufacturers scrambling and stock markets crashing, he abruptly suspended many of these measures for 90 days. From initially telling his party to BE COOL! and claiming he knew what the hell Im doing, to later admitting, Well, I thought people were jumping a little bit out of line. They were getting yippy, you know, a little bit afraid, the damage was already done. Even if there is an off-chance that this temporary suspension could lead to the tariffs ultimately being reduced or abandoned, the volatility of Trumps administration has left companies and governments more wary than ever. And we dont blame them. After all, the one thing businesses value most when choosing where to invest is stability. Unpredictability might come with potentially higher rewards, but it carries enormous risks. Trump Tariffs and Smartphone Prices For smartphones, the Trump tariffs are a serious problem. Most global brands, not just Apple, have deep manufacturing roots in China. But it goes beyond just assembly lines. Chinas dominance in critical materials is unmatched. As of 2017, China was responsible for 81% of the worlds rare earth production. These raw materials are essential and responsible for a lot of the tech we use today. From advanced camera systems to batteries and chipsets. Simply put, even if companies shift assembly to Vietnam or India, they still rely heavily on Chinese supply chains that cant be replaced overnight. This complex web means that prices are already rising and could soar higher. Analysts warn that if the Trump tariffs stick, flagship smartphones like the iPhone 16 Pro Max could jump from $1,599 to as high as $2,300 in the US. Some estimates have floated even wilder figures like $3,500. While such numbers are debated, one thing is certain: Prices are going up. Devices like the Pixel 9 Pro, currently priced at $999, might see similar increases, potentially rising to $1,499. Even mid-range and budget devices are not safe, as rising costs of components ripple throughout the supply chain. A year from now, or maybe even shorter, we will need to redefine what a budget smartphone means. The Over-Dependence on the US Market Trumps tariffs, as wild and as devastating as they are, is kind of genius. Thanks to the free trade it championed, the US became one of the largest markets in the world. Companies worldwide knew that if they wanted to succeed, tapping into the US market is key. Some industries, such as Spains olive oil production, have become extremely dependent on the US market. Countries like Spain have launched a financial package of loans and direct aid to local businesses. Rafael Pico, head of the Spanish Association of Olive Oil Exporters Asoliva, welcomed these measures but also noted that they dont solve the problem of tariffs in a market that is irreplaceable for us. This means that companies and countries that dont want to lose the US as a trading partner will have no choice but to bend the knee. How OEMs Are Trying to Soften the Blow Smartphone makers arent sitting idle either. One of the most obvious and immediate strategies is diversification. Samsung, for instance, has long invested in a broad network of factories outside China. The companys hindsight could now pay off. Over half of Samsungs smartphones are made in Vietnam, with additional production in India, Brazil, South Korea, and Indonesia. Apple, on the other hand, is far more entangled with China. Roughly 90% of its iPhones are produced there. To mitigate this, Apple is stepping up investments in the US. The company has pledged a massive $500 billion investment over the next four years. This includes the construction of an AI-focused data center in Texas and the hiring of 20,000 workers. Its pretty obvious that Apple is playing both sides, trying to secure goodwill with the administration while working to maintain its global supply chain. However, bringing iPhone production to the US isnt so easy. Apples leaders have long said that its reliance on China is more than just about cheap labor. Then, theres the political angle. Major OEMs are quietly working to secure exemptions or delay implementations. During Trumps first term, Apple successfully lobbied for tariff exemptions, so theres a chance history could repeat itself. However, relying on political favors is hardly a stable strategy, especially given Trumps unpredictable nature. The truth for smartphone makers is that theres no perfect solution. Diversifying their supply chains takes time and investment. Automation helps, but it doesnt eliminate the need for rare earth materials or complex international logistics. Also, while lobbying may yield temporary wins, its a gamble on the whims of politicians who could just as easily go the other way. A New World Order for Tech Manufacturing What started as a trade dispute between the US and China has now become something far bigger. The Trump tariffs have shown just how fragile the global ecosystem is, not just for smartphones. It exposes how deeply interconnected the tech world really is. This also goes beyond higher prices. Global supply chains, once built for maximum efficiency, now demand a hard rethink for resilience. Companies are waking up to the risks of relying too heavily on any single country, even one as dominant as China. After all, whats to stop China from pulling a Trump-style move of its own, leaving companies worldwide to pick up the shattered pieces? For decades, the US was the loudest advocate for free trade. It helped create the global networks that its industries rely on. Now, Trumps America-first doctrine is tearing those same networks apart in a bid for economic self-reliance. Even if OEMs move assembly lines out of China, many vital components and raw materials still trace back to Chinese suppliers. Rare earths, in particular, remain a bottleneck. Alternatives exist, but scaling them to Chinas level of dominance will take years, if not decades. Conclusion Neither the US nor China is blinking. With each new policy announcement, governments are responding in kind, escalating the situation instead of de-escalating it. Companies are actively playing a game of what if, building contingency plans that inevitably drive up costs across the board. Even if the current tariffs roll back, the looming threat of future disruptions keeps them on high alert. For consumers, this means more than just paying extra for your next smartphone. Its the start of a longer, more unpredictable cycle of price volatility and shifting availability. The days of rock-bottom smartphone prices may soon be behind us. As we have seen in the past, once prices go up, they rarely go back down. Trump has essentially opened Pandoras box. If one of the worlds strongest and largest economies decides to impose hefty tariffs as the price of doing business with it, other countries are likely to respond in kind. As Trump puts it, The United States can no longer continue with the policy of unilateral economic surrender. We cannot pay the deficits of Canada, Mexico and so many other countries. We used to do it. We cant do it anymore. The head of a US-funded Arabic language television and online news outlet sacked most of its staff and curtailed TV programming on Saturday, accusing the Trump administration and Elon Musk of having irresponsibly and unlawfully cut off funding. Al Hurra claims a 30 million-strong audience in the Middle East and North Africa. In notices to Al Hurra news staff about their dismissals, chief Jeffrey Gedmin said he had given up on the US administrations freeze lifting soon for the congressionally approved money for Al Hurra and its US-funded Arabic language sister organisations. Mr Gedmin accused Kari Lake, US President Donald Trumps appointee to the American government agency overseeing Al Hurra, Voice Of America and other US-funded news programming abroad, of dodging his efforts to speak with her about the funding cut-off. Im left to conclude that she is deliberately starving us of the money we need to pay you, our dedicated and hard-working staff, Mr Gedmin said in severance letters obtained by The Associated Press and excerpted on the website of Al Hurras parent company, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. Mohamed al-Sabagh, an Egyptian journalist working at the Al Hurra news website in Dubai, told the AP that all the staff on the website and the television channel received emails terminating their contracts. Al Hurra is the latest US government-funded news outlet after Voice Of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and others to cut staff and services amid what the outlets say is the move by the Trump administration and Mr Musks Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to withhold their congressional appropriations. Ms Lake, appointed to oversee the US Agency for Global Media, describes her agency as being consumed by a giant rot that requires the agencys destruction and rebuilding. The US-backed news organisations were set up starting in the Cold War between the West and Soviet Union. Their designated goal was to provide objective news about the United States and other subjects overseas, often to people under authoritarian governments without access to a free press. The George W Bush administration created Al Hurra in 2003, the same year his administrations invasion of Iraq overthrew that countrys leader. Al Hurras journalists covered the US occupation and sectarian and extremist violence that followed, with some them dying on the job during the 2011 Arab Spring, and other political changes across the Middle East. While Al Hurra over the years faced charges of bias from both conservatives and liberals in the United States, it was one of the few outlets in its region providing space for freedom of the press and speech. In his note to staff, Mr Gedmin said his organisation would retain a number of staff members and a presence online as court battles over the cuts play out in US courts. It makes no sense, Mr Gedmin wrote, to silence Americas voice in the Middle East. For dog parents, springtime means planning longer walks in the park and weekend hikes with their furry friends. For farm owners like Hawai'i resident Krista, however, springtime means welcoming the newest members of the herd. Ginger the baby donkey was born in mid-March, and at just one month old, she's already showing what a fiery personality she has. Her first few weeks on Earth were filled with so much love and rest, but now she's ready to explore the world. On April 2, Ginger impressed Krista and all of her animal friends with the most adorable zoomies session. She may be a tiny baby donkey, but she can reach impressive speeds when she truly takes off. Look at her go! I was so enchanted with this baby donkey's sweet face that her firecracker energy almost threw me off. Clearly, this little girl is already confident and comfortable enough to test her limits and her tiny legs. "Aww, she loves to show off. She is such a happy baby," commented @kristamia16. Her playful spirit is too sweet for words, but it makes me smile to think that she knew how fast she was running. She may be a show-off, but she's the cutest show-off ever! Related: 2-Day-Old Baby Donkey Gets Zoomies for the First Time and Peak Cuteness Ensues On average, adult donkeys walk at a speed of 4 miles per hour, similar to people. When they're in a full sprint, however, they can get as fast as 15 mph. It may be a challenge for Ginger to break any speed records with her tiny legs, but this cute farm animal can outrun a person any day. But if you think that Ginger is cute in this video, just wait until you see how adorable she was when she was a newborn baby donkey! What a tiny, fluffy thing! This baby's bowl cut may look a bit silly, but Ginger soon proved with her speed that she's nothing to laugh at. If she can run this fast at one month old, just imagine what she'll do when she's fully grown! 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. Brush with the Lore (2018) by Trevor Nickolls. The Blak In-Justice exhibition features artworks by established artists as well as participants in the Torch prison program. Illustration: Saul Steed/Art Gallery of South Australia Melissa Bell loves to paint images of water. In her work, blues and greens swim alongside one another in a colourful flow. I grew up on the river in the backyard, the artist says. I was pretty lucky with that, living on country at Cummeragunja on Yorta Yorta, where Im from. The water was always a part of me. Bell always loved art and studied it at RMIT but then her life got a bit chaotic. I ended up meeting a partner, [which led to] domestic violence, and I lost my way, she says. Bell was incarcerated for the first time in 2015 when she was in her late 20s, and four more times over the next five years. Related: A monumental moment: worlds leading photography festival puts Australia in focus It was in prison that she began painting again, in a program run by the Torch: an organisation that engages incarcerated Indigenous Australians in art. Run across all Victorian correctional facilities, the program helps participants connect with their language and culture through art workshops, and showcases their work in an annual exhibition. The program also provides ongoing support post-release, including connecting participants with artist networks and institutions. Some of the programs artists have had work acquired by major galleries, including the National Gallery of Victoria. There were a few times I went in and out [of prison] but the very last time, I got really connected with my painting, Bell says. I was really excited the last time I came out of prison I couldnt wait to create artwork. Bells work is part of the Torchs most ambitious show yet: Blak In-Justice, presented in partnership with Heide Museum of Modern Art marking that gallerys first Indigenous-led exhibition. Blak In-Justice showcases work from some of the Torch programs participants alongside leading First Nations artists including Judy Watson, Vernon Ah Kee and Destiny Deacon, as well as frontrunners such as the late Albert Namatjira. Indigenous Australians represent less than 4% of the total population but account for 36% of the prison population. Of all those aged between 14 and 17 in youth detention, 64% are First Nations. Indigenous men are 17 times more likely to be incarcerated than their non-Indigenous counterparts and for women, that rises to 25 times more likely. Since the 1991 royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody, close to 600 Indigenous Australians have died within the system. In her installation blood and tears, the Waanyi artist Judy Watson inscribes some of those peoples names on to red welding curtains with braille, the marks puncturing the material so that light shines onto the wall behind like bullet holes, awash with blood and grief, in her words. A striking stained-glass triptych from the acclaimed Girramay, Yidinji and Kuku-Yalanji artist Tony Albert shows three men with targets on their chests. The Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennies painting Three Little Pigs, which debuted in his NGV survey show in 2024, is also on display; a bold statement about police brutality. These works sit alongside pieces by artists who have been through the program, from Bells depiction of the Murray River to the Darug artist Daniel Churchs wood-carved pelicans, and the Yorta Yorta artist C Harrisons painting Deaths in Custody, which illustrates, with 440 identical figures, the number of deaths at the time it was painted in 2021. Related: Bright, bold, political: the fearless art of Reko Rennie gets major exhibition Taken together, the works constitute a polyphonic, multidisciplinary exhibition a choir of diverse artists singing out together. I wanted to bring together the extraordinary voices of those that hadnt been incarcerated and the journeys [of those who have been imprisoned] to free themselves from that system through connection to art, culture and country, says the Barkindji artist and curator Kent Morris, the creative director of the Torch. Put them all together, all this mob its something that cannot be ignored. Theres a crossover group within the show, too: the revered Walmatjarri artist Jimmy Pike started his career while incarcerated in Fremantle prison, the Wiradjuri artist Kevin Gilbert began making his distinctive linocut prints in the New South Wales prison system, and Namatjira one of the most renowned Indigenous Australian artists was briefly incarcerated near the end of his life. The governments Closing the Gap initiative was launched in 2007 to address the inequity of Indigenous incarceration. Morris is straightforward: Its clearly not working. On its own, the Torch cant change the ingrained institutional biases but it has had a positive impact on participants more than 800 of them since its inception in 2011. A study of 75 participants showed that the recidivism rate was 11% for those who stayed connected to the program for a year post-release, reducing to 9% for those who stayed connected for two years. This is in comparison to the average recidivism rate of 55% for Indigenous people in Victorian prisons, and 76% nationally. The program also resulted in the Victorian governments Aboriginal art policy model, introduced in 2016, which allows participants to sell their artworks while still in custody and receive 100% of the proceeds. Morris explains that this empower[s] some economic independence and the opportunity to make different decisions through self-determination. It changed my whole life, Bell says of the program. After being released from prison for the final time in 2020, she began working for the Torch in a support role and now works in the construction industry while continuing her art practice. I cant believe it, where I am, she says. If it wouldnt have been for the Torch, I wouldnt be here opening them doors for me and connecting back with my culture and family. The Torchs impact relies on the involvement of non-Indigenous Australians, too. First Nations communities already have developed solutions and ways to resolve this and to make significant positive impacts but were just not getting the level of support needed to really turn it around, Morris says. What this exhibition says is: we can do the heavy lifting and the hard yards but we need your support. A 7-Eleven worker puts up a QR code for mandatory customer check during the pandemic. In the event of a Chinese blockade, residents could be sent to one of the islands 13,000 convenience stores to pick up rations and medical supplies. Photograph: Helen Davidson/The Guardian If war comes to Taiwan, the local citizens might be sent to their nearest 7-Eleven. No one knows for sure what a Chinese attack on Taiwan will look like, but there are some assumptions made by government planners. They expect Taiwans military and maybe police will be sent to frontlines, leaving civilian first responders in charge of care and control. Outside assistance would almost certainly be cut off by a blockade. Domestic train lines might be taken out, and airspaces closed to non-military flights like cargo. The internet and maybe phone signal would probably be cut off. If all this happened, Taiwanese residents could walk to one of the islands more than 13,000 convenience stores to pick up rations and medical supplies, delivered by the chains own logistical transport systems, according to four people familiar with the discussions. They could read government communications which have been faxed to the stores and displayed on the window. Or maybe they would be able to send a message using the stores emergency hotspot. Convenience stores, including 7-Elevens, worked with Taiwans government during the pandemic to ration out masks during the early times of shortages. Turning them into a wartime community hub would need a lot more preparation, but that is being discussed by a committee created by Taiwans president, Lai Ching-te, to make his people resilient in the event of an attack or disaster. This idea is among a number of scenarios being considered by Lais team of 27 senior cabinet and national security ministers, NGOs, and figures from the business, social and religious sectors. The whole of society defence resilience committee is charged with preparing Taiwans society for war or disaster. Chinas annexation plans Chinas government wants to annex Taiwan. It says this would ideally be peaceful but military force will be used if needed. Analysts say China is not capable of the required full-scale invasion yet, but is getting closer. In the meantime it bombards Taiwan with grey zone harassment; legal, economic, and cyberwarfare; disinformation and influence campaigns and espionage. Chinas military also frequently rehearses blockades of Taiwans main island, as recently as last week. If Taiwan loses its sea supply lines, its domestic resources will be quickly exhausted, and its social order will descend into chaos, said academic and former Chinese general Meng Xiangqing on Wednesday. While hoping for the best, Taiwan is also preparing its citizens for the worst. Faced with threats, whether they are natural disasters or authoritarian expansion ambitions, we believe that as long as the government and society as a whole are prepared, they can respond, Lai told the committee at its second meeting in December. The aim of the committee is to ensure that in the event of a crisis the government and core services continue, critical supplies, networks and infrastructure are protected, and that the community can give civil support to the military if needed. A lot of the work builds on civilian programmes already started by NGOs, and the tens of thousands of new disaster relief centres and evacuation and air raid shelters. There is also the existing government response strategies for Taiwans frequent earthquakes and the pandemic. Convenience stores served as community hubs for both. Private businesses can play a crucial role in issues such as distributing critical supplies, said Wen Lii, spokesperson for the presidents office. Private businesses have also joined discussions on providing shelter space, medical supplies and stockpiling. The committee has met just three times so far, but have already held one multi-branch tabletop exercise in December and one live drill in Tainan last week which involved civil responders and no military. The tabletop exercise revealed some glaring weaknesses, and dangerous presumptions. One department in charge of food provision had no plan for the police force being unavailable to distribute it. Another department representative had not considered they might be unable to post statements online or send communiques to neighbourhood leaders. After the tabletop exercises, things changed very fast because every ministry realised how unprepared they are, said Poyu Tseng, a consultant at NGO Doublethink Lab, and committee member focused on civilian force training and utilisation. Theyre just, one by one, realising, oh, this is a very weak plan its forced people to think more. Energy and communication systems There are also critical weaknesses in Taiwans energy and communications systems. Energy security is highly vulnerable to a blockade. About 97% of Taiwans energy supply is imported. There are strategic reserves depending on the fuel type, with about 90 days worth of coal and petroleum and 40 days of liquid natural gas. Energy will be the most critical problem that people will talk about, because the shelters, the transportation, the hospitals, they all need the energy, said Dr Wen-ling Tu, a committee member focused on energy and critical infrastructure. The Research Institute for Democracy, Society And Emerging Technology (DSET), of which Tu is director, has analysed potential blockade scenarios and resulting electricity restrictions, finding a need for more renewables, while Ukrainian delegations have advised Taiwan to ramp up battery storage and power bank production. The state-owned Taipowers electricity grid is also too centralised, with long transmission lines between large power plants all vulnerable to strikes. Tsai-ying Lu, director of DSETs climate resilience and sustainability programme said the government is diversifying imports and pursuing renewables, but needs to improve incorporating solar and wind energy into the grid, and preparing the private sector for potential power cuts during a crisis. China is already exploiting Taiwans communication and information network frailties. In 2024 China made an average of 2.4m cyber-attacks a day on Taiwans government. They have hacked into Taiwans government websites, train station displays and 7-Eleven screens, and allegedly a hospital administration system. China is also suspected of cutting undersea cables that supply Taiwans internet. Taiwan does not have access to the Starlink satellite network after early negotiations with the Elon Musk-owned company fell over. Instead it is pursuing joint commercial low-Earth-orbit coverage, and its own domestic system, including 700 hotspots planned across the country for government and military but potentially civilian use as well. Disinformation campaign But before it takes out Taiwans internet and phone signals, Beijing would probably use them to spread disinformation and chaos. And Taiwans media is seen as highly vulnerable to planted fake news. Staff at some major news outlets have described high quotas which allow little time for factchecking, while other outlets even have content sharing arrangements with Chinese state media. But there appears to be little official appetite to address this vulnerability one government official suggested Taiwanese people were pretty sceptical about any news report already. Tseng said it is a huge loophole. From a [foreign information manipulations and interference] perspective, I think we really need a stronger stance, especially on malicious actors. The committee members and analysts who spoke to the Guardian were all cautiously optimistic about its goals. Some said there was not a clear sense of direction yet, although it was early days. Others worried about the bipartisan support needed for its success. We are on the right direction, but the reason Im not so confident about the implementation is because it also depends on what kind of the resources that we can gather to invest, said Tu. Opposition parties currently control Taiwans legislature and have been slashing budgets including for Taipower (and its ability to strengthen its infrastructure) and for the ministry of digital affairs, which among other curtailment has had to drastically cut back the number of satellite hotspots being installed. The political division also affects social cohesion, said Tseng. When youre more polarised, youre more chaotic, and when youre more chaotic, youre weaker, she said. Polarisation reverses resilience. 7-Eleven and other companies represented on the committee declined to comment. For a society constantly threatened by natural disasters and other risks, theres a useful principle: Dont panic, but dont relax, said Wen Lii from the presidents office. We need to achieve a balance, in which we continue to build confidence and ensure economic growth, while also raising awareness about potential threats. Additional research by Jason Tzu Kuan Lu Besnik Vrellaku is CEO and founder of Salesflow.io, a leading force in Go-To-Market (GTM) software. Serial entrepreneur Besnik Vrellaku readily admits that Salesflow.io didnt have too many cards left to play when he was forced to put in his last 1,000 to keep the lead generation platform afloat with hosting costs. The ace for Vrellaku, who grew up in Oxford after coming to the UK as an eight-year-old, came when Salesflow partnered with a big marketing influencer in the US who had 30,000 Facebook community members. He happened to take to one particular feature the firm had built and SMEs soon climbed on board, Salesflow now reshaping the landscape of B2B sales automation using LinkedIn and email to build connections. We grew substantially into seven figures over the next 12 months, admits Vrellaku. Read More: 'I've seen how weight loss can be life-changing for patients' Vrellaku has learned the art of the trade since he was 15, been involved in bootstrapping eight products and solutions over the years and is now fronting the British lead generation platform as founder and CEO. He says Salesflow focuses on more proactive prospecting as an engine for outreach for its 10,000 SMEs and endorsed by industry giants like Hubspot, Monday.com and Gocardless. Take the latter, which might target a midsize company doing large transactions. They might know who their customer is but theyre not coming to them, says Vrellaku. Salesflow.io is used by global payment platform GoCardless. (ZUMA Press, ZUMA Press, Inc.) Once potential sales operation leaders are pinpointed through data or other research channels, contacts are uploaded into Salesflows system to create a multi-channel workflow which can capitalise on a single contact. Lead generation is the lifeblood of a lot of businesses, adds Vrellaku. We like to be a catalyst for opportunities out there. Vrellaku has been doing so since his mid teens as a young immigrant from southeastern Europe, trading merchandise to earn pocket money before becoming involved in a gaming website and venturing into tech and selling cloud storage online. Read More: 'Studying chemistry helped me sell millions of oat milk bottles' It was organically done, the dots connected and it evolved, he admits. It wasnt always about money, it was about the freedom of choice of what you want to do. I meet a lot of people who are aged 30 plus today who perhaps haven't found that purpose. At a recent eco retreat for CEOs, Vrellaku met the founder of Brandwatch, the British social media platform sold to Cision for $450 million (343m) in 2021. Where a lot of people assume entrepreneurs focus on money, we talked about how we see businesses as a concept, Vrellaku recalls of his conversation with Giles Palmer. Besnik Vrellaku, second left, with the team at Saleflow, which is a fully remote firm. I learned early on that I wanted control of my own decisions in life, but more importantly I crave the obsessions of creative building in building companies. He was also asked why he had created so many tech ventures, with Vrellaku relishing the experimentation process and innovation dilemma, and finding product market fit and scalability. It has been a rollercoaster journey since 2019 as Vrellaku doubled down on Salesflow during a time where he could take certain risks without obligation by living rent free in Oxford. Vrellaku works in a hyper-competitive environment and says that he has to keep innovating and see new trends to stay ahead of the competition. He says 50% of new business heralds from the US, the frontrunner in the adoption of new tech. Read More: We send flowers when a pet dies its the right thing to do as an insurer How do you tailor personalisation to understand everything about target audience? Things will move towards a specialised approach in terms of the data a company already has and improving conversation metrics. Problem solving in business never diminishes even with the rise of AI. It was likely a topic of conversation at his first power network event during 13 years in business. It was more about giving perspective, he says, seeing things in a different light and ultimately giving you better decisions." Salesflow.io is transforming B2B lead generation for scale-ups leveraging email and Linkedin as a multi-channel engine for outreach. (Mykyta Dolmatov via Getty Images) Salesflow, a remote-first company with revenues of around 5m, is now able to offer a suite of features and tools which the founder says can accelerate deal closures and streamline the B2B lead generation journey. It was completely flat across the board but I knew this product would work, he says of that final 1,000 to bootstrap his company. Growing businesses are trying to find any cost-effective method to outreach and bring new business. We were providing huge value prospecting to users and SMEs at a very low cost. CEO Says: Salesflow.io founder on People-first culture When I invest into small companies its never about the idea but how will you not quit when it hits the fan. Things can get tough and the reality sets in so it's how you create a culture of perseverance in bootstrapped companies in the early stages. The most important thing is to have people around you who think the same. Ive learned the hard way of not hiring those folks and you could lose a years worth of revenue because of it. You can always pivot and adjust but ultimately everythings about people. Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. A drag queen who has faced a lot of rejection was awarded four yeses from the Britains Got Talent judges after a fantastic operatic performance. Jasmin Rice, from New York City, had the crowd on their feet after they graced the stage in a gigantic blue ball gown and began to sing. Asked why they had come onto the show, the 36-year-old said: I was getting a lot of rejection because of how I presented myself, especially in the opera world, being feminine and being fierce is not really taken with embrace. Judge Alesha Dixon said their vocals were fantastic and Bruno Tonioli was moved to tears. Simon Cowell told the drag queen you have found your home after describing the opera world as snobby. Jasmin Rice received four yeses from the judges and Dixon said she cant wait to hear more. Also on the show, Papi Bucket from Taiwan played Queens Bohemian Rhapsody using rubber chickens. The 39-year-old received three red buzzers but still got through to the next round. Cowell told comedian Jacob Sayer that the audience responded well to him, and the 15-year-old was also put through to the next round. Magic act The Hacker turned the tables when he traded places with Cowell during his routine. Its time for the judge to be judged, he said before taking Cowells place at the judges table. The judge received critique from his fellow panellists but The Hacker decided to press the coveted golden buzzer. Elsewhere, gym owner Matthew Riddall performed a strongman routine, which involved him lifting heavy items, and a performer called Made In Vietnam received four yeses following a dance routine that made use of lasers. Britains Got Talent airs on ITV1 at 7pm on Saturdays. The aftermath of an Israeli strike in Syria's southern Hama governorate: Israeli forces pounded three military bases across Syria earlier this month. Photograph: Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP/Getty Images The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lambasted Israel for undermining stability in neighbouring Syria during a diplomatic forum, days after the two countries held talks aimed at defusing an escalating conflict between them on Syrian soil. Turkey will not allow Syria to be dragged into a new vortex of instability, Erdogan told attendees at the Antalya diplomacy forum on the southern Turkish coast, accusing Israel of trying to undermine the 8 December revolution, in reference to the insurgency that toppled the former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad after decades in power. We are in close dialogue and in common understanding with all influential actors in the region, especially Mr Trump and Mr Putin, regarding the preservation of Syrias territorial integrity and stability, he added. Attendees at the forum included the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as well as Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa, who met Erdogan on the sidelines of the conference in Antalya. The Turkish presidency said Erdogan reiterated Ankaras efforts to lift sanctions on Syria, and told Sharaa that Turkey welcomes the fact that those who want chaos in Syria to occur again are not given an opportunity. Tensions between Israel and Turkey have grown since Assads overthrow, peaking after Israeli forces pounded three military bases across Syria with airstrikes earlier this month. Reuters reported that Turkish military teams had scoped out the main airport in Hama province as well as the T4 and Palmyra air bases in Homs, assessing the runways, hangars and infrastructure to see if forces and military hardware could be deployed there as part of a planned joint defence pact between Ankara and Damascus. The defence minister Israel Katz called airstrikes a clear message and warning for the future. Israel has struck military sites in Syria hundreds of times since Assad fled to Moscow four months ago, destroying military assets including missile systems and air defences that the transitional government in Damascus had hoped to inherit. Assads overthrow marked the end of over 50 years of dictatorial rule by his family, as well as a halt to a decade-long civil war that became a frozen proxy conflict. The former autocrats backers Russia and Iran faced off against forces supported by Ankara in northern Syria, and an American military presence in the east and south. After an insurgency spearheaded by Sharaas forces took power in Damascus, Ankara emerged as the most significant regional backer of Syrias nascent transitional government. Turkish officials have established fast ties with Damascus, while negotiating a reported defence pact that could see Turkish forces using Syrian airspace and establishing bases on the ground. Israel meanwhile moved to expand its decades-old occupation of the Golan Heights into a designated buffer zone following Assads departure. Assad had Russia as his protector in the second half of the Syrian civil war. If Turkey comes in and begins installing air defence systems or introducing jets into Syrian airspace, that limits Israels freedom of action significantly, said Aron Lund, an analyst with the New York thinktank Century International. For Turkey, the problem now is not just Israel objecting to their military presence but doing things that by design or default are weakening or preventing the emergence of a functioning government in Syria, such as saying the new Sharaa government cant have forces south of Damascus, he said. Israeli military forces infiltrated a remote town in the Daraa countryside south of Damascus earlier this month, with Syrian state media saying nine civilians were killed in shelling during the deepest Israeli incursion into Syria. Amid few signs that Israeli forces intend to leave the area around Mount Hermon, an Israeli tour company has reportedly begun offering twice-daily hiking tours of the area in cooperation with troops stationed there. Less than a week after Israel struck three airbases in Syria, the two sides held talks in Azerbaijan aimed at finding ways to defuse growing tensions in Syria. The office of the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a delegation composed of top security and diplomatic officials met their Turkish counterparts, with the two sides agreeing to continue on the path of dialogue in order to maintain regional stability. The Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan told local broadcaster CNN Turk that while we are conducting certain operations in Syria, there needs to be a deconfliction mechanism with Israel, which flies aircraft in that region, similar to mechanisms we have with the US and Russia. Fidan added that technical teams from both sides are in contact when needed, in order to prevent combat elements from misunderstanding each other. Lund labelled the talks a very positive thing, given the risk of a clash between the two powers in Syria, amid regional conflict including Israels 18-month assault on Gaza. They will be both be military involved in Syria, and this could spiral in a number of different ways. So some form of red lines or communication channels are essential to managing that tension, and this seems to be a step in that direction, he said. Eurovision organisers have responded to calls for a debate around the participation of Israeli public broadcaster Kan. Last years singing competition was mired in controversy and the participation of Israeli contestant, Eden Golan, in the wake of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, was a frayed point of debate. Spanish broadcaster RTVE said it had written to the director-general of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Noel Curran, requesting the opening of a debate to be held within the organisation ahead of this years competition, taking place in Basel, Switzerland in May. In response, the EBU said it appreciated there are concerns about the current conflict in the Middle East and remains in constant contact with those participating this year. An English translation on the RTVE website said: RTVE conveys its commitment to the EBU, but also acknowledges the concerns raised by various civil society groups in Spain regarding the situation in Gaza and the participation of the public television station Kan in the competition. It went on: RTVE believes it would be appropriate for the EBU to recognise the existence of this debate and facilitate a space for reflection among EBU member broadcasters on the participation of Israeli public television station Kan. A statement on the EBU website said: We welcome RTVE confirming their commitment to the Eurovision Song Contest and appreciate there are concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East. All Members of the EBU are eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest and we remain in constant contact with those participating this year, including RTVE, on all aspects of the Contest. Kan is a member of the EBU and this year has put forward as its entrant Yuval Raphael, who will perform the song New Day Will Rise. Last year, the national broadcaster for Israel claimed its delegation faced an unprecedented display of hatred from other countries and their entrants during the competition. Following the competition, which saw Switzerland triumph with musician Nemo, the organiser said it would be reviewing the contest after some delegations didnt respect the spirit of the rules. During the week-long contest, pro-Palestinian protesters showed their support for Gaza and condemned Israel taking part in Eurovision, while Golans performances throughout the week were met with a mix of boos and cheers. The Israeli delegation were criticised by contestants including Irelands Bambie Thug, who was outspoken about their pro-Palestine views. Last years international singing competition also saw the disqualification of Netherlandss contestant Joost Klein over an incident where he was alleged to have made verbal threats to a female production worker. Swedish prosecutors later dropped the criminal case against him. Kan has been approached for comment. Hums with loyalty and envy: Expelled! Photograph: pr Theres been a murder or an attempted one, at least. At sunrise someone shoved Louisa Hardcastle, soon to be crowned head girl of Miss Mulligatawneys School for Promising Girls, through the schools stained-glass window. Your character, Verity Amersham, stands accused, and must present an account of her day that proves her innocence. This is achieved via a Groundhog Day structure: you repeatedly play through the hours leading up to Veritys expulsion as an interactive flashback, from the moment she woke, through to attending chapel and classes, and the accusation on which the story pivots. Theres no magic involved: youre simply recounting the days events to your concerned father as you construct your alibi, establish whether Verity committed the crime or if not, by whom she has been framed. Along the way you meet various school archetypes: the sadistic prefect, the hand-waggling swot, the cruel matron Developed by British studio Inkle, Expelled! has many of the hallmarks of the developers magnificent previous title, Overboard! Theres a witty script, memorable Agatha Christie-esque characters (Veritys roommate, the conflict-scarred Russian expat Nattie, provides a standout turn) and a lightness of touch that offsets the grisly act upon which the story rests. There are hefty themes behind the cartoonish presentation too. Set in 1922 after the first world war and a global pandemic, the setting trembles with interwar trauma and the sense that the world might again collapse at any moment into chaos. At the same time there are frivolities and teenage rivalries a social web that hums with loyalty and envy. Your task, as you repeatedly play through Veritys day, is to make different choices and thereby expose new threads that, when gathered together, provide the true picture of what has occurred. Along the way you meet various school archetypes: the sadistic prefect, the hand-waggling swot, the cruel matron, the bepearled headmistress, each of whom has their motives and secrets as does the school itself. The result is a kind of narrative escape room from which you must flee a predestined conclusion. Its an ingenious contraption, unique to its chosen medium, delicious in execution. An image of Molly and Peter Smith outside a closing down sale, which appears on the Molly-Smith online store. The website says the company has a store in Sydney but no such store exists Photograph: Molly-Smith With tears in our eyes, we must share the news with you, the ads, which have been sponsored to appear on peoples social media feeds, begin. After so many years of love and dedication to our Maison Canberra boutique, the time has come to say goodbye. The world is changing, and the boutique can no longer keep up, the ad says. Its owners have become grandmothers, and want to spend more time with their families. To close this chapter they are holding a big sale. But there is no bricks-and-mortar Maison Canberra store. A domain search shows the website was only registered on 21 March. Two Maison Canberra Facebook pages were created on 23 March. Another, called Maison Canberra Boutique, was set up on 1 April. There is no ABN or registered company name on the website. Experts say Maison Canberra is an example of an online-only ghost store, claiming to be Australian despite having no local shopfront, telling a false story to entice customers into shopping their closing down sales. Ghost stores are online businesses that only exist in a digital sense and do not have a physical storefront. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the products are typically shipped from overseas warehouses. A spokesperson for the ACCC says it is investigating the issue after an increase in complaints about online retailers operating ghost stores. Guardian Australia has identified several other e-commerce sites which appear to be advertising as ghost stores: Cooper&Ellis, Molly-Smith, Julie Melbourne, and Syd Collective. They are running social media ads that tug on the heartstrings about closing down sales after many years in business despite only being registered recently. The chief executive of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, Erin Turner, says that if these sites are making false claims then they could risk breaching Australian consumer law. Companies cannot lie to their customers, she says. This includes lying about the location of their operations, fake closing-down sales or using images of fake owners to create a sense that the business is legitimate. Turner says search engines and social media platforms should be doing more to confirm if the businesses advertising on their sites are legitimate. Related: Crypto investment scammers exploit fake images of Penny Wong in social media ads As for where the clothes come from? Maison Canberra is selling what it calls the Andrine Casual Sweatshirt and Dress Set for $79.95. It claims the original price was $269.95. A reverse image search shows you can buy what appears to be an identical item on the Chinese marketplace AliExpress for just $14.99. Prof Jeannie Paterson, the co-director of the University of Melbournes Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, says the fact that you can buy similar or identical clothing for cheaper elsewhere doesnt mean the sites are engaging in misleading conduct. The issue is that theyre saying theyre discounting it from a storefront, and there is no storefront, which means there is no real discount, she says. This is close to a scam. Paterson says the sites should be subject to Australian consumer law because they are advertising on social media here, but it will be difficult to enforce any breaches if they are run from overseas. The ACCC can, in theory, seek to find the company, he says. Its just difficult because its unclear that you can even identify the real seller. Paterson says social media platforms should take more responsibility for advertising on their platforms. The online retailer Molly-Smith claims to be a family-run business based in Sydney and owned by Molly and Peter Smith which has been a well-known name in the local fashion scene since 2012. The domain name was registered last year. Over the years, weve faced unsold stock, financial difficulties, the impact of Covid, and even competitors copying our designs and leaving unfair reviews, the website says. Saying goodbye is never easy, but we hope youll understand and support our decision. The exact same copy appears on the Facebook page of an apparently UK-based label called Taylor London, although that post is signed off from Edward & Margaret Taylor. The Cooper&Ellis website features an image of a couple standing smiling outside a Cooper&Ellis shopfront. The file name begins with a-realistic-photo-of-an-australian-coupl_Ai. The company claims to be a clothing label founded by two people called Cooper and Ellis in the heart of Byron Bay, a well-known tourist destination in the New South Wales northern rivers. But the store does not exist. After 16 wonderful years, Cooper and Ellis are retiring and are offering an exclusive 80% discount, according to the site. But a domain search shows the website was only registered on 13 February. The Cooper&Ellis Facebook page wasnt created until 20 February. The Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce president, Matt Williamson, believes Cooper&Ellis is the latest example of an e-commerce site capitalising on the beach towns popularity by pretending to be a local brand. Related: Blessings scam: con artists allegedly swindle elderly Melbourne victims by claiming to rid them of evil spirits Were pretty pissed off, to be frank, he says. What it does is it undermines all of those local businesses who legitimately are here and employ local people and go to the expense of having a shopfront and do everything by the rules. Williamson says the chamber had researched a different online store after fielding complaints from locals, which turned out to be a Chinese-based company with absolutely no local representation. The articles of clothing looked really nice but when they arrived they werent even remotely close to what was online, he says. I imagine its very easy to replicate versions of the same thing. Meta, which owns the Facebook and Instagram platforms where the sponsored ads appeared, said it was investigating the pages. The photographs purporting to be of real people outside physical shops on the online store closing down sale ads appear to be AI generated or manipulated with AI tools. If they are images of actual persons, the Guardian does not suggest they are aware their likeness is being used in this way. Maison Canberra, Cooper&Ellis, Molly-Smith, Julie Melbourne, Syd Collective and Taylor London have not responded to requests for comment. The NSW Reconstruction Authority demolishes houses on Baillie Street in North Lismore that were part of the buyback scheme after the catastrophic floods in 2022. Photograph: Elise Derwin/The Guardian Seven months after the worst floods in Australias modern history lapped at the roof of Jennys* home, she moved back in. The sludge was mopped up, the electrics rewired and a new kitchen installed. The next year, in 2023, Jenny was offered the value of her home as part of the New South Wales governments buyback scheme on Lismores flood plain. Aged in her early 70s, she took the deal after being assured her home would ultimately be relocated and someone else would make it their home. But now that home in northern NSW is set for demolition. It is one of 122 houses that will be or has already been torn down. The NSW Reconstruction Authority say there may be more. Accusations are flying that the state government is demolishing homes that should be moved. This week at least two more homes have been demolished in North Lismore amid community protests and demands the homes be relocated. Illegal activity Some locals complain there is not enough transparency over how the government decides which homes get demolished. In February, before Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a resident who lived on Union Street in Lismore was told her home would be demolished for structural reasons. She spoke on condition of anonymity. But in a report commissioned by the RA into the structural integrity of her home, seen by Guardian Australia, it states the building does not require demolition and that it has not been structurally compromised. They need to explain what has changed, she says. When Jenny learned in March that her former home would be demolished, she asked the RA why. In an email, seen by Guardian Australia, the authority responded: The homes prioritised for demolition are considered high-risk properties. The risk level is attributed to a number of factors, including property location, evacuation orders associated with recent weather events and illegal activity in the immediate or surrounding area. Jenny says after she asked the RA what the illegal activity was, she was told it was squatters in the area. To her knowledge, she says, nobody was squatting in her home. After Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the NSW premier, Chris Minns, took a firm stance against the squatters. He vowed to draw a line in the sand. That means demolishing those houses and ensuring that we can get on with life in the northern rivers, he said. In January, Chels Hood Withey began squatting in a house. It was the only home in a street in Mullumbimby by to be bought back by the state. Hood Withey, who is a housing advocate, moved in after the RA rejected their efforts to turn the home into a community hub. Hood Withey is one of a number of squatters referred to in the court proceedings as persons unknown the government has taken to the supreme court in a bid to evict them. Hood Withey says people have come to the house telling them they are there to assess whether the home will be demolished but its not yet clear if it will be. Hood Withey argue that the home is perfectly fine and should be retrofitted or raised. We are in a housing crisis with people like me struggling to find anywhere affordable to live, Hood Withey says. The acting chief executive of the RA, Mal Lanyon, told a budget estimates hearing on Friday that the homes squatters are living in were yet to be assessed. He also said it was not clear yet how many homes in total would be demolished. Unlocking the land Concerned locals acknowledge there are homes on the flood plain that require demolition. The problem, they claim, is that planned demolitions appear to include what are affectionately known as big scrub homes. The timber is old-growth rainforest that will never be logged again, says Oliver Buckworth, who runs a business in the region that salvages materials for new homes. Its hardwood thats incredibly resilient, rare and completely irreplaceable. It can get wet all day long. It could be submerged in water for months and still be fine. The community has seen mistakes made before. After Luke Asha received a buyback offer, he also signed a contract with the RA to more his home a beloved big scrub in Lismore. But in August, two months before his contract ended, it was demolished without his knowledge. The RA compensated him $40,000 for breaking the contract. It was a very unique house, he says. Owners offered a buyback deal from the government can move their homes or gift the house to someone else to relocate. A program was also launched in August last year to unlock land for the homes to be moved to. But the Greens MP Sue Higginson, who lives in the northern rivers, argues that unlocking the land is a crucial part of the program that has taken too long, leaving relocatable homes vacant and waiting. Only 14 homes have been moved so far since the floods, with 152 more waiting. A further 374 are to be assessed for suitability, according to the RA. An RA spokesperson said it expected land to be available in Mount Pleasant at the end of this year, with 85 more lots on North Lismore plateau at the end of 2026. Ian Graham, who runs a business that moves homes, says relocations have stalled because of bureaucratic red tape. The rules keep changing, he says. He says the government should have identified homes that were fit for relocation, pulled them apart and stored them on land until they were auctioned off. Its emotive The local Labor MP, Janelle Saffin, who is the newly appointed recovery minister, says homes are assessed before demolition. They look for things like asbestos, hazardous materials, toxic mould and structural issues, she said. Other homes, like homes that are slab on ground, cannot be relocated for basic engineering reasons. Many of these homes have had flood water and blackwater run through them. Some are full of toxic mould, while others have asbestos and lead paint. She did not respond directly to the suggestion some homes were being demolished and not relocated because of squatters, only saying: People cannot live in this area any more because it is not safe. During a budget estimates hearing on Friday, Higginson asked Lanyon if the RA could be more transparent with communities about demolition decisions, arguing that the process was creating division and confusion. Lanyon replied: There will be challenges in doing that because of the nature and, as you said, its emotive. Jenny used her buyback money to move to Coffs Harbour as she cannot afford to live in Lismore any more. She still does not know what date her home will be demolished. This process has been incredibly retraumatising, she says. * Jenny did not want her full name published for privacy reasons Funeral prayers were held at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis for the health workers from the Palestinian Red Crescent killed in an Israeli attack in Rafah. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unit involved in the killings of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers in the Gaza Strip last month was under the command of a brigade led by a notorious Israeli general previously accused by some of his own troops of having contempt for human life. The IDF has confirmed that troops from Golani, one of the armys five infantry brigades, opened fire on two convoys of ambulances in Rafah on 23 March and dug a mass grave to cover the bodies of those killed until the corpses could be retrieved by a UN team six days later. It has disputed allegations from two witnesses who exhumed the bodies and newly released postmortem results that found several of those killed had close-range gunshot wounds to the head and chest and were discovered with their hands or legs tied. Field operatives from Unit 504, a military intelligence unit with a reputation for cruelty and reckless behaviour, including torture, were also present during the attack, a senior military intelligence source with knowledge of recent IDF deployments in southern Gaza told the Guardian. The Israeli military declined to comment on whether 504 was involved. During the Rafah attack, the Golani troops were under the command of the reservist Armoured 14th Brigade. The 14th Brigade is part of a division led by Brig Gen Yehuda Vach, who former officers say designated an unofficial kill zone elsewhere in the strip which resulted in the arbitrary killings of Palestinian civilians. Soldiers also alleged Vachs lack of operational discipline endangered soldiers lives. Vach has also told troops there are no innocents in Gaza, according to an investigation by the Israeli daily Haaretz. In a video of Golani troops being briefed before their redeployment to Gaza earlier this month, aired by Israels Channel 14, a battalion commander appeared to endorse an open-fire policy, telling the soldiers: Anyone you encounter there is an enemy. You identify anyone, you eliminate him. Golani soldiers have previously been accused of war crimes in the conflict, including killing civilians, degrading treatment of bodies, needless destruction of civilian infrastructure, and incitement to genocide. A song written by a member of the brigades 51st Battalion in the aftermath of the Hamas 7 October 2023 attack on Israel that ignited the war has become an unofficial anthem for many soldiers. The choruss lyrics include: For what you did to the nation of Israel, Golani is coming with gasoline Gaza will burn. The accompanying music video features footage from Golani operations in Gaza in which the brigades yellow and green standard can clearly be seen. Many of the allegations against Golani troops were compiled from social media photo and video footage posted online by the soldiers themselves and cited in legal filings by the Hind Rajab Foundation, a non-profit that aims to hold Israeli military personnel accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israeli officials say the two founders of the Belgium-based organisation have a history of extremist views. The presence of Unit 504 was also backed up by the account of the sole survivor of the massacre, the Red Crescent volunteer Munther Abed, and official photos and video of recent IDF operations in Rafah. The unit has conducted thousands of interrogations of captives from Gaza during the war, and differs from other Israeli military intelligence outfits in that the soldiers are combat troops, operating at a battalion level, who speak fluent Arabic. According to Abed, a 27-year-old ambulance service volunteer, troops he described as looking like special forces armed with rifles, green lasers, and night-vision goggles dragged him out of the emergency vehicle after it was shot at continuously for five minutes, killing the driver and paramedic he was travelling with. The uniform description could match either Golani commandos or that of Unit 504 field operatives. Abed said he was then stripped to his underwear, with his hands bound behind his back, and threatened, suffocated and beaten during several hours of interrogation. Last week, the Israeli military backtracked on its account of the killings of the paramedics after footage emerged which contradicted its claims that the Red Crescent vehicles were not marked as emergency vehicles and were not using headlights or flashing lights when troops opened fire. The IDF has said that between six and nine of the medics had links to Hamas, without providing evidence. None of those killed eight Red Crescent staff, six members of the Gaza civil defence agency and one employee of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees were armed. One Red Crescent employee is still missing. The Israeli army chief, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, has since ordered a second, more in-depth investigation into the attack. Over 18 months of war Israeli forces have killed hundreds of medical workers and the staff of aid agencies and UN organisations in Gaza. In April last year, seven members of the charity World Central Kitchen died in a sustained Israeli attack on their clearly marked vehicles. Human rights organisations have long accused the Israeli military of a culture of impunity, with few soldiers ever facing justice. In 2023, fewer than 1% of complaints made against Israeli troops actions in the occupied Palestinian territories ended in a conviction, according to the latest US state department annual human rights report. Earlier this week, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society called for an international investigation into the incident, which was the deadliest for members of the International Committee of the Red Cross since six workers were shot and killed in 2017 in an Islamic State ambush in Afghanistan. Abbas Araghchi and the Omani foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, in Muscat on Saturday. Busaidi is acting as the mediator in the indirect talks. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Iran and the US completed a successful opening round of indirect talks in Oman designed to prevent the weaponisation of Irans nuclear programme. In a sign the talks over a joint agenda had gone well, they agreed to meet again on 19 April. A breakdown would have come if Donald Trump had demanded the complete dismantling of Irans civil nuclear programme, something that Iran is not prepared to contemplate. Iran insists it is pursuing only a civil nuclear programme, but Donald Trump took the US out of the previous nuclear deal claiming Tehrans regime was seeking a nuclear weapon. It appears he is resolved to pursue an updated version of the deal. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the talks had been constructive, and held in a calm and respectful environment with no sharp words exchanged. Both sides dont want to talk for sake of talking and wasting time, and want to reach a deal as quickly as possible. Both sides showed commitment to take these talks forward until we reach a favourable deal, he added. Omans foreign minister acted as the mediator in the talks in Muscat, shuttling between Araghchi and Trumps diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff has admitted he does not have technical expertise about civil nuclear disarmament programmes, but Trump implicitly trusts his judgment. Witkoff also said the discussions had been held in a positive and constructive atmosphere. It is likely the next set of talks will not be held in Muscat, but Oman will retain the role of shuttling between the two negotiating teams in separate rooms. It is understood that the two diplomats did have a brief exchange at the end of the process, but it was described as not a fully fledged negotiation. An Iranian condition for the talks was there would be no direct talks with the US while Iran is under US economic sanctions. Related: Iran says talks with US will be indirect, contrary to Trumps words But what was more important to the Iranian side was whether Witkoff would demand Iran stop uranium enrichment altogether and end its civil nuclear programme. There was also concern Trump might table demands that Iran stop backing militant groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Witkoff mapped out an agenda apparently similar to the intent behind the 2015 nuclear deal, but that will also have to address the fact that since 2018 Iran has amassed a large stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, a purity greater than what is required for a civil nuclear programme. The next round of talks will have to agree how to dispense with this stockpile and how Iran will allow the reintroduction of an independent inspection regime. The UN nuclear weapon inspectorate, the IAEA, has seen its cameras switched off in Irans key nuclear sites on successive occasions, making it next to impossible to know what Iran is producing. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA director general, is due in Iran next week, but it is not clear whether he is yet working in tandem with the small and relatively inexperienced US negotiating team. Omans foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, said he was proud to have hosted the talks in Muscat and to have mediated. He said the goal was a process of dialogue and negotiations with the shared aim of concluding a fair and binding agreement. I would like to thank my two colleagues for this engagement which took place in a friendly atmosphere conducive to bridging viewpoints and ultimately achieving regional and global peace, security and stability. We will continue to work together and put further efforts to assist in arriving at this goal, he added. Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, said the outcome signals progress. A likely framework is likely now on the table, centred on no weaponisation and sanctions relief. Toosi added: Both sides were likely to sound positive today even with talks focused on format and agenda because they currently need the negotiations to continue. But without real progress, this dynamic sustainable in past talks is unlikely to hold as long this time. Ryan Costello, policy director with the National Iranian American Council, said the parties had cleared a low bar today. He said: Now, it is important for both the US and Iran to insulate the apparent positive environment of negotiations from those who want to sabotage a move toward a deal. Each side should exercise restraint. For the US, this could mean dialling back the military threats. President Trump will also have to make sure that Israel does not go behind the administrations back and undertake provocative steps that could derail negotiations, including sabotage, as we saw in 2021. For Iran, signalling more openness to direct negotiations and ceasing warnings of weaponisation options can help build momentum toward and put a breakthrough in reach. With the Iranian economy in freefall, and Iranians suffering energy blackouts, the countrys president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has always favoured talks with the US as the way to escape the cage of sanctions, but he has faced resistance from parliamentary hardliners and parts of the group around the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On 7 February, Khamenei said experience showed it was not rational, intelligent or honourable to hold talks with Trump, a judgment that Pezeshkian said he had no option but to accept. But the Iranian foreign ministry supportive of talks persuaded Khamenei that his regime, already weakened by reverses in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza, might crumble unless he negotiated. Trump also threatened to give Israel the freedom to bomb Irans nuclear sites. To preserve Irans dignity, Khamenei insisted the initial talks at least be indirect, but there will be pressure from the US side to allow direct talks. The two countries broke off formal diplomatic relations after the 1979 Iranian revolution. Pezeshkian, in an effort to talk Trumps transactional language, said this week: His excellency [Khamenei] has no opposition to investment by American investors in Iran. American investors: come and invest. Trump, too, has relented both in his rhetoric and possibly his demands, saying on Friday: Im not asking for much; they cant have a nuclear weapon, adding: I want them to thrive. I want Iran to be a great, wonderful, happy country. Trump and Witkoff also badly need a diplomatic breakthrough since their peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine have so far been abject flops. A further war in the Middle East is fiercely resisted by the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu said this week that a deal would only work if Irans nuclear facilities were blown up, under American supervision with American execution. He also called for a Libya-style agreement, a reference to Muammar Gaddafis voluntary dismantlement of his nuclear programme under international supervision. But Iran senses that Netanyahu is losing influence with Trump over the nuclear file. Irans deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, who is involved in parallel talks with European leaders, said: 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. The Islamic republic of Iran believes in dialogue and interaction based on mutual respect, and any bullying and coercion is unacceptable in our view. Araghchi, a veteran of the 2015 talks who holds a PhD in political thought from the University of Kent, is accompanied by a technical team. Iran, which has a reputation for being an exhaustive and exhausting negotiator, knows it is working against a deadline of two months, European officials say, because the UK, Germany and France must signal by the end of July whether they will reimpose punishing UN sanctions against Tehran. The option to reimpose those sanctions, which were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, will expire on 18 October. Great Britain plan to toast their victory over the Netherlands and a place in the Billie Jean King Cup finals with a few bevvies, according to Jodie Burrage. Burrage and British number one Katie Boulter teamed up for a deciding doubles match in The Hague on Saturday night after Boulter had failed to build on Sonay Kartals singles victory over Eva Vedder earlier in the day. After Boulter lost in straight set to Suzan Lamens, she regrouped admirably to partner Burrage and send Britain through with a 6-2 6-2 win over Lamens and Demi Schuurs to spark big celebrations from Anne Keothavongs team after they sealed a spot in the eight-team finals during September. For me it was the energy from this team, from this crowd, from my partner (Boulter), from my captain (Keothavong), it was the energy, Burrage said in her on-court interview when asked what had been key to doubles success. We went out there, we gave it our all, we swung and thats what we wanted to do. I want to say thank you to everyone that supported me today, my partner, captain, team, everyone here, they got us here. Definitely (have) a little party. Few bevvies? Few bevvies! Britains victory was all the more impressive given it occurred without Emma Raducanu, who chose to miss the match to focus on training ahead of the clay-court season. World number 47 Raducanu was quick to congratulate her team-mates, writing on X: So good rooting for these girls! so good rooting for these girls! https://t.co/sY1NXGXOv3 Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) April 12, 2025 Kartal, who made her national team debut in Fridays win over Germany, had earlier dug in with a strong display in the deciding set to come through 6-4 4-6 6-1 against Vedder in the opening singles. After recovering from 2-0 down to secure the first set, Kartel then saw Vedder, ranked 265 in the world, respond with a gutsy display to edge the second after a late break to draw level. British number three Kartal, though, reasserted herself in the decider, making the most of a strong forehand to twice break Vedder in games four and six before sealing victory with a drop shot at the net. Boulter, though, could not close out the tie in the second singles as world number 70 Lamens fought her way to a 6-4 6-3 win. Boulter had produced a rousing comeback against Tatjana Maria to seal victory in the tie against Germany. Lamens, however, made the most of Boulters unforced errors to break twice in the first set for a 4-1 lead. Although Boulter recovered with a break, Lamens closed things out on her next service game to love. Boulter then looked to have regrouped, breaking for a 3-1 lead in the second set, only to fail to hold again. Lamens seeking a 13th straight match win Billie Jean King Cup kept the pressure on at 5-3 and another break of Boulters faltering serve secured victory for the Netherlands and sent the tie into a decider. Doubles specialist Olivia Nicholls and Harriet Dart had been scheduled to play, but Great Britain captain Keothavong opted to switch in Boulter and Burrage. It looked to have been an inspired decision as the British pair saved four break points in the second game to hold and then broke themselves to love and lead 2-1. Another break on Schuurs service game saw that extended to 5-2, with the first set soon wrapped up. The Dutch duo went off court during the changeover, looking to find some inspiration to lift the subdued home crowd. Boulter and Burrage, though, remained on the offensive, securing two early breaks in the second set before an ace by the latter closing out a memorable victory for Britain. The King and Queens state visit to Italy has been described by a senior Buckingham Palace official as soft power at its best, delivering huge benefit for UK interests overseas. Charles and Camilla are said to be pleased when their engagements hit the bullseye and really deliver for Britain, and they have recently completed a four-day tour of Rome and Ravenna that received positive headlines. Away from the official programme in Italy, the brief time the King and Queen spent with a recuperating Pope Francis was described as a personal highlight for couple who felt it was a very significant and special moment. The King and Queen were said to have had a wonderful conversation with Pope Francis (The Vatican) The couple were said to have had a wonderful conversation with the pontiff, who is recovering from double pneumonia, during their private meeting that lasted 20 minutes at the Vatican. The first two state visits of the Kings reign were to Germany and France, and it was no accident Charles was asked to travel to Italy to foster a relationship that really, really matters, said the palace official. The senior palace official said the reaction from those engaged with the visit, from the Italian Government and business to the huge crowds of enthusiastic Italians, showed soft power at its best something of which the UK can be rightly proud and which delivers huge benefit for UK interests overseas. As the Italian Government was saying to us throughout, that level of public interest is unprecedented, the official added. Charles and Camilla joined Italys President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter, Laura Mattarella, to watch a flypast by the Frecce Tricolori and Red Arrows from the Quirinale Palace in Rome (Victoria Jones/PA) The monarchy uses soft power diplomacy, which eludes politicians in relatively short term posts, to help form lasting bonds with foreign administrations and connect with the public overseas. The senior palace official said there was something very powerful about a constitutional monarchy as the nation grows up knowing the King and can have a much more personal connection with Charles. The couples itinerary during their visit to Rome and the city of Ravenna covered a variety of areas including military co-operation, literary celebrations, sustainability and climate change, as well as Italian culture and heritage. These visits are really full-on, packed with engagements to showcase as many possible priorities in the UKs relationship with a foreign country, said the official. Charles and Camilla took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Altare della Patria in Rome (Andrew Parsons/PA) So it follows that the King and Queen are naturally pleased when their engagements hit the bullseye and really deliver for Britain. The King has stepped up his workload since the start of the year following positive progress with his cancer treatment and that is expected to continue despite the bump of spending a short stay in hospital after experiencing temporary cancer treatment side effects. Charles core commitments remain the same what aides have called the four Cs: climate, community, culture and Commonwealth. Later in the year there will be another outward state visit, normally held in the autumn, with a number of options on the table. The royal couple visited the Colosseum in Rome, on the second day of their state visit (Phil Noble/PA) Canada was reportedly a destination for the King last year, and when he met the countrys new Prime Minister Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, much was made of Charles red tie, said to have been worn in support of Canada where he is King. The palace official said of Charles: Hes always supported Canada, there is nothing new in that. What could perhaps otherwise be simply be seen as normal expressions of support do seem to be being noticed a little more. But showing support for Canada is something hes always done and that he will continue to do. Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi has attacked three prison guards with hot cooking oil, the Prison Officers Association (POA) has said. Abedi threw hot cooking oil over the officers on Saturday before producing home-made weapons and stabbing them, said POA, a trade union covering prison staff. Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) NE will lead the investigation into the serious assault. POA REACT TO TERRORIST ATTACKLeaders of the POA have reacted angrily to a vicious attack on three Prison Officers working in a separation centre at HMP Frankland in County Durham.https://t.co/63WZY86Nhb pic.twitter.com/RmfrdQe0aJ POA (@POAUnion) April 12, 2025 The officers sustained life-threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds in the unprovoked and vicious attack, POA added. The Prison Service confirmed three prison officers were treated in hospital after an attack by an inmate at HMP Frankland, County Durham. One female officer was discharged by 4pm on Saturday. CTP said on Saturday evening that the two still in hospital have serious injuries. Abedi was convicted of assisting with the Manchester terror plot, in which his suicide bomber brother Salman Abedi killed 22 people by detonating a homemade rucksack-bomb in a crowd of concert-goers. CTPs acting senior national co-ordinator, Commander Dom Murphy, said: Given the nature of the incident, it has been agreed that CTP North East will lead the investigation, supported by Durham Constabulary. This is an ongoing investigation which is in its early stages, and we are working hard to establish the facts. Therefore, we are unable to comment further at this time. Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, posted on X, formerly Twitter: I am appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland today. My thoughts are with them and their families. The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated. Abedi was jailed for life in August 2020 and is currently serving at the category A HMP Frankland. Category A is the highest level of security, housing some of the countrys most serious criminals. Frankland also has a separation centre. These centres, introduced in 2017, aim to control prisoners with extreme views, for example by preventing them from disrupting the prison estate, supporting acts of terrorism or radicalising other inmates. POAs national chairman, Mark Fairhurst, told Sky News: This attack was actually in a separation centre, at Frankland, which houses the most dangerous criminals that society throws at us. And part of the normal regime is to allow prisoners in that separation centre to cook their own meals. So this individual has been heating up cooking oil, has subdued the staff by throwing it over them, and then has proceeded to stab and slash them with a improvised weapon. In a statement published earlier that day, Mr Fairhurst said: Separation centres hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology, and as this event confirms, are determined to inflict violence on those who hold them securely. I am appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland today. My thoughts are with them and their families. The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated. Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) April 12, 2025 We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners have. I am of the opinion that allowing access to cooking facilities and items that can threaten the lives of staff should be removed immediately. These prisoners need only receive their basic entitlements and we should concentrate on control and containment instead of attempting to appease them. Things have to change. A 2022 inspection found nine men in total were housed in separation centres, then operating in Frankland and HMP Woodhill, Buckinghamshire. It said the Frankland unit is on a narrow corridor with a small room for association and an area for prisoners to cook and prepare food. There are no facilities on the wing and staff could arrange for prisoners to visit the main prison gym or to be taken off the unit for education, the report said. A Prison Service spokesperson said: Three prison officers have been treated in hospital after an attack by a prisoner at HMP Frankland. Police are now investigating so it would be inappropriate to comment further. Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hardworking staff. The leaflet allows children to track down the Easter eggs and get rewarded with a tasty chocolate treat - Andre Pattenden English Heritage has claimed that Easter was not originally Christian. The charity is accused of whitewashing the holiday by claiming its roots lie in a pagan festival celebrating the start of Spring. A booklet about Easters origins given out at several of its historic sites says that the word comes from the name of the goddess Eostre while failing to mention Christianity at all. The booklet is part of a childrens Easter Adventure Quest, in which children are invited to track down the Easter eggs and get rewarded with a tasty chocolate treat. A poster at the start of the quest, being held at sites such as Whitby Abbey, Dover Castle and Down House, states that Easter started as a celebration of spring. The booklet is part of a childrens Easter Adventure Quest and is handed out at sites including Dover Castle Under the heading The Origins of Easter, it states: Did you know Easter started as a celebration of spring? Long ago, people welcomed warmer days and new life by honouring the goddess Eostre, who gave Easter its name! It adds: Fun Fact: Some traditions for Eostre included dancing around bonfires and decorating homes with flowers. The claim for Eostre as the origin of the English word for Easter is thought to have first been made by the Venerable Bede in his eighth-century writings. In other languages, Easter is known as Pasqua or Paques. The Christian festival of Easter began in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Christ and was held around the time of the Jewish festival of Passover. The booklet for children to complete as part of the trail includes drawings and questions relating to bunny rabbits and Easter eggs but makes no mention of Christianity or Easters religious origins. Christianity is central to what Easter is Visitors to English Heritage properties have said it is wrong to ignore the Christian roots of the Easter festival in its material aimed at children. One, who gave his name only as Phil, the chairman of governors at a Catholic Primary School in Kent, posted a photograph of the notice on X after visiting an English Heritage property with his son. He told The Telegraph: There was no mention of Christ or Christianity in the English Heritage Easter childrens trail on any of the notices or the booklet. There was no explanation of the Christian element. It had just been whitewashed out of the story. I appreciate the pagan side of the names origins, but its not the only part Christianity is central to what Easter is. I had to explain to my 7-year-old son who Eostre was. A goddess bowl which was originally designed to contain eggs and offered to Eostre - Charles Walker Collection / Alamy Stock Photo Giles Udy, a historian of Soviet oppression, said the notice reflected a disturbing trend against Christianity by official bodies in the UK. Time and again Im reminded these days of what it must have been like to be a practising Christian in countries under the militant atheism of post-war Soviet occupation, determined to extinguish what it saw as a rival and threat to its own religious dogma, he said. Julie McNamee added on X: Im not a Christian but if youre going to pretend to educate children you can at least have a passing mention of the Christian Easter story! But Heritage sources defended the notice, pointing out it was just the first in a series for children explaining the tradition of Easter. English Heritages own website refers to the Christian roots of the Easter festival, with a page explaining that it has been the most important date in the religious calendar since the very earliest days of Christianity. The story of the resurrection Another page explains why the festivals dates change year by year, following different Christian traditions for determining the date of Easter, with the matter at long last settled in 664 at the Synod of Whitby . . which agreed to use the Roman method for calculating Easter. The charitys Facebook page also explains that the tradition of the Easter egg hunt for children dates to 16th-century Germany when the Protestant reformer Martin Luther organised egg hunts for his congregation. It states: The men would hide the eggs for the women and children to find. This was a nod to the story of the resurrection, in which the empty tomb was discovered by women. An English Heritage spokesman said: We care for over 400 sites and across them all, from our panels on sites to guide books, audio tours and our website, we cover a broad and deep range of themes connected to the stories of our sites not least at Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire where in the year 664 an important agreement was reached about how to calculate the date of Easter. Our Easter Adventure Quest is a trail for children which references a range of fun facts about seasonal traditions, cultures and religions, including Christianity. Ruth Klauber, 101, has been given two medals in recognition of her service in the WAAF - Jeff Gilbert She was just nine years old when her father told her to start packing. It was the spring of 1933 and the Nazis had recently swept to power when the family of Ruth Klauber nee Bendix left their native Germany and fled to Britain. Within a decade, after arriving not knowing a word of English, she worked for the RAF helping to repair the Lancaster bombers that helped the Allies win the Second World War. Now 101, she has finally been recognised for her services in the form of a war and defence medal and has been invited to Buckingham Palace and No 10 to mark the honour. Ms Klauber did not apply for medals when the war ended because she felt what she had done was not exceptional. Ruth Klauber was trained along with other women to become flight mechanics who kept bombers ticking over during the war - Jeff Gilbert She said: I felt it was very important to make a contribution towards the war against Hitler and the Nazis. I didnt think I felt that all this required medals. The idea of checking if she was still eligible for medals came from her daughter, Sue Klauber, who contacted the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (Ajex) earlier this month. Ajex confirmed that she was indeed entitled and got hold of original versions of the medals. Speaking publicly about her experience during the war for the first time, Ms Klauber said: We had been given a new life in this country. It was important to do something for the country and against Hitler. The retired psychotherapist was born to an observant Jewish family in Frankfurt in 1924. Her father, Benjamin, was a worldly wise businessman who anticipated the threat of Hitler before many others. He read Mein Kampf, Ms Klauber said. He believed the man meant what he said. If Hitler came to power, he decided, the family would have to leave. Ruth was a bookish and academic 17-year-old in 1941 - Jeff Gilbert On a Saturday morning after the Nazis won the 1933 election, she was told they would not be going to synagogue for the Jewish sabbath as was their custom. Instead, they would pack up and get on a train to Belgium to see how the situation in Germany would unfold. After three months, they left for Britain. A lot of people thought it would blow over, Ms Klauber said. Im forever grateful to my parents for taking the longer view and not being seduced into that way of thinking. Saying goodbye was the hardest. It was all very tense. We werent really allowed to speak. I remember feeling that I would never be happy again. She and her sister Hannah were booked into a separate cabin from their parents on the train leaving Germany, but Benjamin took the girls into his and told them not to leave. In 1941, the bookish and academic17-year-old was now settled in England and decided she wanted to join the war effort. I could have been a cook and I thought, no thank you, she said. I could have been a batwoman someone who looks after officers uniforms and I said, no, I cant do that. And they said, Well, you can be a flight mechanic. And I thought, this would be interesting. Ill go for that. Before starting her RAF training in 1942, Ms Klauber did not so much as know how to hold a spanner. But after four months of classes on welding, woodwork, splicing and hydraulics, she was became a mechanic at RAF Sleap in Shropshire. Daily jobs involved inspecting, repairing and refuelling the bombers. At first she mainly worked on the lighter Wellington bombers before moving on to Halifax and Lancaster aircraft. I felt it was very important to make a contribution, said Ruth who helped to repair Lancaster bombers - Charlotte Graham Ms Klaubers fellow mechanics were mostly men from heavy industry, but it didnt matter. There was never any attempt to put me down or any improper suggestions of any sort, she said. The one difference was that it was the men who were asked to go out with pilots on test flights to make sure the repairs had been properly done. But I loved flying in those days, Ms Klauber said. I always got myself a parachute and would ask the pilot if its OK to come. He always said yes. Were they suspicious of her being a German-born Jew? They didnt know my history, she said: I was entirely for this country. Never for a moment did I have any regrets about not being back in Germany. I refused to speak German during the war. Last week, Ms Klauber was given two medals in recognition of her service in the Womens Auxiliary Air Force. Sue Klauber, who has also written two historical novels, Zinc and Cobalt, about her father and uncles respective experiences as a codebreaker and special forces soldier during the war, said: She could have not done anything at all during the war, but she chose to do something completely counter to her character. I think she was incredibly courageous and deserves to be acknowledged for that. Matt Wrack addresses delegates at the Labour party conference in 2021 during his time as FBU general secretary. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images Ministers have expressed concern at a teaching unions nomination of Matt Wrack for its next general secretary, criticising the appointment for his lack of education experience and for being out of step with the mainstream views of members. Wrack, who was the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) until his re-election bid was defeated in January, would be the first leader in the NASUWTs history to have never been a qualified teacher or lecturer. A Whitehall source said ministers had expressed surprise that the teaching union was looking for someone with no teaching experience and an overly combative approach to industrial relations, taking the union away from the mainstream views of the school workforce. Related: Rise in racist online comments by members of unions, says FBU leader As a member of leftwing groups allied to the Labour party, including in his role as chair of the Labour Representation Committee, Wrack is seen by some members as a bad fit for the more moderate and politically neutral NASUWT, whose members have historically been less likely to strike than those in the National Education Union (NEU). The NEU is holding an indicative strike ballot of its members, which if passed will lead to a formal ballot on strike action later this year over pay. Wrack, an ally of Jeremy Corbyn, has also been the subject of unease among Jewish teachers for allegedly being insensitive to the allegations of antisemitism that roiled the Labour party during the Islington North MPs leadership. A spokesperson for the Partnership for Jewish Schools said the group had deep concern over Wracks proposed appointment. They said: Education is at the forefront of building our society, and it is essential that those who take the helm are beyond reproach and demonstrate a balanced and sensible approach to all constituents. At a time when we are witnessing a troubling increase in antisemitism, including within educational establishments, to appoint somebody who appears to be insensitive to these concerns would be deeply troubling. The many Jewish members of the NASUWT are likely to find this appointment particularly challenging. Educational unions must represent the interests of all members without prejudice or bias. We urge reconsideration of this appointment to ensure that NASUWT leadership is seen to stand firmly against all forms of discrimination, including antisemitism. Wrack did not respond to a Guardian request for a response. A spokesperson for the NASUWT declined to comment. Wrack was the general secretary of the FBU for 20 years until he was defeated in a bruising election contest. He then applied for the vacancy of NASUWT leader and was endorsed by the unions executive committee as its preferred candidate after interviews with applicants. Under the unions rules, Wrack will become general secretary at the unions annual meeting over Easter unless an alternative candidate emerges with enough nominations to force an election. Luke Akhurst, a teacher in Leicester, is seeking the 25 branch nominations required to take on Wrack in an election, telling Schools Week magazine that the NASUWT should be led by a teacher. But union sources say he faces an uphill struggle because of its rules against canvassing. While Akhurst was allowed to send a statement to branch secretaries, he is unable to contact members directly or lobby branches to gain their backing. One activist said they would have no idea of any outcome until nominations close on 19 April. Some members also fear that Wrack would be more open to a merger with the NEU, a longstanding aim for supporters of professional unity in both unions. Akhurst said he would definitely oppose a merger. Under Wrack, the FBU voted to re-affiliate to the Labour party after Corbyns election as leader in 2015. Jewish leaders say Wrack downplayed reports of antisemitism within Labour as the so-called furore about so-called antisemitism, framing it as an attempt to undermine Corbyn as leader. A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission later identified failings within the party that at best did not do enough to prevent antisemitism, and at worst could be seen to accept it. Marc Levy, the chief executive of the Jewish representative council of Greater Manchester and region, said: There have been numerous instances of Jewish teachers being targeted by egregious cases of antisemitism in schools across the country. During this time, they are entitled to expect support from their trade union. The Archewell Foundation have severed ties with the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition - Andrew Esiebo/Getty Images Prince Harrys charity has halted donations to a Muslim womens group over comments made by its founder describing Israel as an apartheid state. The Archewell Foundation, which was set up by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2020, is understood to have severed ties with the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition earlier this week. The decision came after the non-profit organisation, whose motto is show up, do good, was made aware of a blog post by Janan Najeeb, the founder of the coalition, according to the US site NewsNation. In an online post for the Wisconsin Muslim Journal in February last year, Ms Najeeb repeatedly used the from the river to the sea slogan and called for an end to arming the apartheid state of Israel. The Archewell Foundation donated $27,960 (21,373) to Ms Najeebs charity in 2023, according to tax returns for the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs organisation. The Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, a non-profit group established in 1994 to empower Muslim women and girls through education, leadership, outreach, and wellness programs, also received a donation from Archewell in 2024, according to its website. Janan Najeeb, the founder of the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, repeatedly called for an end to arming the apartheid state of Israel in a blog post James Holt and Shauna Nep, the senior executives at the Archewell Foundation, are reported to have written to Ms Najeeb earlier this week announcing the organisation would stop donating to her charity. According to NewsNations, the letter 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. When we started the welcome project, we did so to support Afghan women in finding community, and we are proud of the work we have done to support women in Milwaukee. We remain committed to fostering partnerships that reflect and reinforce the values our foundation stands for. We will be removing MWC [Muslim Womens Coalition] from our network effective as of today. At this time, the foundation will be making no additional grants to MMWC [Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition]. Named after the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs son Archie, the Archewell Foundation was set up five years ago after the couple relinquished their royal duties and relocated to the US. The Sussexes said they launched the initiative to unite and uplift communities, both locally and globally, adding on the charitys website: We believe that philanthropy is not a handout; its a hand held. The foundation raised almost 4.2 million in grants in 2023 and gave a total of more than 1 million to charitable causes, according to its most recent tax filing. The Duke has launched a legal challenge in Londons court of appeal over a decision to withdraw publicly-funded security for his family - Isabel Infantes The latest development in the Sussexes charity dealings follows a tumultuous few weeks for the Duke as he awaits a judgment in a UK court case about his personal security, and after he quit as a patron at a separate charity. The Duke has launched a legal challenge in Londons court of appeal over a decision to withdraw publicly-funded security for his family. He is understood to believe that his UK security was removed as part of efforts to force him back into royal life in Britain after he stepped away from the Firm in 2020. The Duke told The Telegraph after a two-day hearing this week that the removal of his police protection was difficult to swallow. The appeal is seen as a last throw of the dice to overturn a High Court ruling from last year in which a judge concluded that the decision to strip him of his usual security was not irrational or procedurally unfair. The Prince was not required to attend the court hearing in London but chose to do so anyway, before making a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet war victims on Friday. Sophie Chandaukas appointment in July 2023 was hailed by Prince Harry - Yaroslav Sabitov It came just weeks after Prince Harry announced he had resigned from Sentebale, another of his charities, following a bitter row over the organisations leadership. The Duke quit the charity alongside his co-founder and fellow patron, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, and its five trustees after a row with the chair of the board, Sophie Chandauka. In a joint statement, the two princes said they were standing down as patrons with a heavy heart because the relationship between the charitys trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair. Ms Chandauka, a Zimbabwe-born lawyer, responded with a statement accusing the board of abuse of power, bullying, misogyny and harassment. The Charity Commission announced last week it had opened a case to examine concerns raised about Sentebale following claims made by Ms Chandauka. In response, Prince Harry said he hoped a robust inquiry would unveil the truth about Sentebales governance as he hit out at blatant lies that had been made about the charity in recent weeks. Prince Harry founded Sentebale in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help young people affected by Aids in southern Africa, in memory of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The Archewell Foundation and the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition were contacted for comment. St Josephs Park Hill, a Catholic primary school in Burnley, will close this year A private school says it is closing after it forecast a sharp drop in pupil numbers because of Labour tax increases. St Josephs Park Hill school, a Catholic primary school in Burnley, Lancashire, has said it will close this year, blaming the imposition of VAT on fees, which it says has made its fees unaffordable for a large number of parents. It is estimating pupil numbers to drop by as much as a third, citing the VAT raid as well as higher National Insurance (NI) and business rates. Sister Bernadette Holmes, the leader of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, which runs the primary school, said the taxes meant its lower fees were becoming out of reach for some of our community. Ivor Emo, a local Conservative councillor, said: Im not keen on any school closing. The VAT tax is the straw that has broken the camels back, and the parents are going to have to pay extra funds and they might have already been on the breadline. It is the latest school to be forced to shut as a result of Labours tax raid on private schools, which came into force on Jan 1, making school fees subject to 20 per cent VAT for the first time. In March, a dozen private schools blamed the Governments VAT raid for forcing them to close. With the 20 per cent increase in school fees, parents at St Josephs Park Hill, who had previously been paying around 8,000, would now have to pay more than 10,000 a year. The Catholic school opened in 1913 and was rated as excellent in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. It was last recorded as having 128 children, aged three to 11, on its roll, with a capacity of 131 places. In her letter to parents, Sister Bernadette said that it has proved difficult to secure a viable and stable future given the unrelenting headwinds we face. She told The Telegraph that the school would be closing at the end of this years summer term. St Josephs Park Hill has always been a very special place. Children have thrived at the school for generations, and they have made a real and lasting contribution to their community. In line with our charitable objectives, we have always tried to ensure that fees have remained as low as possible to support local families. However, the number of pupils at the school was expected to drop by a third over the course of this academic year. She added that an accumulation of issues: the imposition of VAT on fees, a declining birth rate, increased NI contributions and the removal of business rates relief, had made it increasingly difficult to find a long-term viable future for the school. Oliver Ryan, the independent Burnley MP, who was previously a Labour member, said: This is clearly very sad news. This is a lovely school, and I am supportive of parents being able to choose to pay for private provision should they wish to... The local council, my office and I stand ready to assist any parents and students in finding alternative provision. On VAT specifically, we have some really lovely excellent local schools that will receive additional funding because of this Governments decision to end the VAT tax break on private educational establishments. Neil OBrien, Tory MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston in the East Midlands, said: Once again, we can see the deeply damaging impacts of Labours education tax. Every independent school that is forced to close by this punitive measure represents more pupils that will need to be found places for in state schools, many of which will struggle to accommodate them. Fewer parents will get their first choice of state school as a result, and classroom sizes will inevitably get bigger. At the end of the day, it will be parents, pupils, and teachers in the state sector that will pay the price for Labours ideological attack. Labour has repeatedly defended its tax policies, saying they will raise funds to plug gaps in public services, including in education. Counter-terrorism police are investigating after one of the Islamist terrorists behind the Manchester Arena bombing allegedly attacked three prison officers with weapons and cooking oil in a high-security jail. Two officers suffered life-threatening injuries after being attacked in HMP Frankland in Durham by Hashem Abedi on Saturday, in a case that will raise questions about security measures in Britains prisons. Abedi is serving life for 22 murders in the Manchester Arena bombing. The officers suffered burns and stab wounds when Abedi threw hot cooking oil over them before using makeshift weapons to stab the guards, the Prison Officers Association union said. One of the officers was said to have been stabbed in the face and throat and had to be airlifted for emergency surgery at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. A second officer is still being treated in hospital. The third, a female officer, was released after treatment. Counter-terrorism policing (CTP)s Cdr Dom Murphy said: Given the nature of the incident, it has been agreed that CTP North East will lead the investigation, supported by Durham Constabulary. This is an ongoing investigation which is in its early stages, and we are working hard to establish the facts. Therefore, we are unable to comment further at this time. The Ministry of Justice announced on Sunday that there would be a full review into how this attack was able to happen, which will run alongside the police inquiry. The Government will do whatever it takes to keep our hard-working staff safe, said a spokesman. Hashem Abedi was in a segregated cell in HMP Frankland - A.P.S. (UK)/Alamy Abedi is understood to have been on his own on Saturday morning in the unit while its other inmates had gone to the gym. It appears he may have waited for that moment as it left only him and the three staff in the unit. The prisoners are free to walk out of their cells and around the unit, which has its own kitchen, at specified times. It is not known how Abedi made the two makeshift knives as all kitchen utensils have to be signed in and out before and after use. One theory is that he may have stolen a baking tray or oven rack to fashion it into the two weapons as that would rely on one of the staff spotting it had gone missing. It is understood that Abedi was being held in one of the separation units in Frankland, which are designed for prisoners who pose a risk to staff and other inmates. In 2020, Abedi, the brother of the Manchester bomber, Salman Abedi, was convicted and sentenced to three years and 10 months for a vicious attack on a prison officer in the high-security unit of Belmarsh prison in May 2020. Saturdays attack comes amid reports of prison officers at Frankland placing vulnerable prisoners in separation units designed for high-risk inmates in order to keep them apart from Islamic extremists in an effort to maintain order and discipline. In 2017, Hashem Abedi was allegedly detained in Libya for links to the Islamic State - AFP Ian Acheson, a former prison governor who advised the Government on extremism in jails, said: This is a catastrophic security failure. This will be a resignation issue. They have failed to manage someone who is profoundly and manifestly a dangerous terrorist. One of my recommendations to ministers was that they should have an independent adviser on counter-terrorism in prisons as I had no confidence in the senior leadership of the prison and probation service to manage the terrorist threat. He added: Ministers needed independent oversight of how this was managed. The fact that they dont means situations like this which are life threatening to staff will take place. Frankland was on a trajectory here to a serious terrorist incident. The complacency of the prison service in relation to terrorism is well known. Now we are seeing the fruits of that. Mark Fairhurst, the chairman of the POA, said: This attack displays the dangers brave prison officers face on a daily basis. Separation centres hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology and, as this event confirms, are determined to inflict violence on those who hold them securely. We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners to have. I am of the opinion that allowing access to cooking facilities and items that can threaten the lives of staff should be removed immediately. These prisoners need only receive their basic entitlements and we should concentrate on control and containment instead of attempting to appease them. Things have to change. Hashem Abedi is serving time for his part in the Manchester bombings carried out with his bother Salman Abedi, pictured here - GMP Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, called for an independent investigation into the catastrophic security failure that allowed Abedi to attack three prison officers. He said: Why was one of the most dangerous prisoners in the country allowed access to materials which could be used to attack prison officers? We need a full independent investigation into the catastrophic security failure at HMP Frankland. I and others warned of Islamist extremists ruling the roost in prison wings across the country. Prison governors need to stop appeasing these offenders. The safety of prison officers is infinitely more important than the supposed welfare of wicked individuals. We need to know the truth and the Ministry of Justice needs to get a grip. Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, said on X: I am appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland today. My thoughts are with them and their families. The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated. Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: This monster should never have been in a position to hurt our brave prison officers. It is worth remembering that this family came as asylum seekers. The system is broken. A prison service spokesman said: Three prison officers have been treated in hospital after an attack by a prisoner at HMP Frankland. Police are now investigating so it would be inappropriate to comment further. Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff. Advance Australia executive director Matthew Sheahan. Advance has kept a low public profile about the extent of its support for other groups hostile to the Greens. Photograph: Richard Milnes/Shutterstock The rightwing advocacy group Advance has acknowledged it is paying for election materials attacking the Greens to be used by third-party groups during the election campaign. Advance is working with hundreds of volunteers from dozens of community groups to defeat Greens candidates and we make no apology, a spokesperson said. The spokesperson said Advance did not fund groups directly but we absolutely pay for anti-Greens campaign material to be at the disposal of volunteers. This includes 2m flyers and thousands of T-shirts and corflutes. Again, we make no apologies. Related: Labor braces for weak woke week as Advance steps into the light | Josh Butler and Dan Jervis-Bardy The groups plan to focus its election campaign on reducing the Greens vote has been no secret. Advances executive director, Matthew Sheahan, claimed in a February email to supporters it had already raised $7.6m to smash the Greens and about $2m to target Labor. The group has spent more than $200,000 in the past week to promote posts from Facebook pages with names such as Greens Truth. But it has not previously talked publicly about the extent of its support for other groups hostile to the Greens, including those that take exception to the partys position on the Israel-Gaza war or on renewable energy. The type of assistance Advance has on offer was revealed by two Jewish advocacy groups at a forum hosted by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA). Simonne Whine of J-United, which campaigned against the Greens in the recent Prahran byelection in Victoria, said her group had reached out to Advance to get its campaign started. They were fantastic, efficient, strategic, well resourced, she said. They supplied the flyers, the T-shirts and the corflutes, and shipped everything to Melbourne, helping us hit the ground running. Advance even paid for a picnic to thank volunteers, Whine said. During last years Queensland state election, the Queensland Jewish Collective (QJC) also focused on the Greens vote in Brisbane seats such as Maiwar and Moggill. One of the groups directors, Roz Mendelle, told the AJA forum QJC had spoken with Advance after seeing its work during the campaign against the Indigenous voice to parliament. When time came to do something against the Greens here in Brisbane, I knew who to turn to, Mendelle said, claiming that Advance kept a healthy distance while the campaign was under way. According to an event invitation seen by Guardian Australia, QJC held a volunteer event with Advance in February. Mendelle is a co-director of a new group, Minority Impact Coalition (MIC), which has started a billboard campaign against Labor and the Greens in multiple states. A spokesperson for both groups said neither QJC nor MIC had received materials or funding from Advance. We had agreed to share volunteers for the federal election, she said. However, our volunteers do not want to work with Advance at the federal election so we have made the decision to do our own groundforce campaign. During the AJA briefing, Mendelle showed an image of a billboard paid for by QJC that read: The Greens: Theyve changed for the worse. This is also inspired by the Advance messaging, she said. But from there, we gained our footing, and we decided to just speak our truth. MIC is using the same mobile billboard provider as Advance in Queensland, NSW and Victoria STT Advertising. In return, Advance has also used content from groups such as J-United on social media, sharing pictures of its local grassroots community members on its Greens Truth Facebook page. The likely electoral impact of the anti-Greens strategy remains somewhat elusive. The Greens hold only four seats in the lower house, of which the three they won in Brisbane at the last election appear vulnerable. They have six senators up for re-election. By contrast, six new teal independent MPs were elected in 2022 if they hold those seats or even increase their numbers, they might be expected to have a greater say in the event of a hung parliament. Related: How deep are the Greens roots in Brisbane? Three seats will tell the tale in 2025 Theyve clearly worked out how to get conservative people fired up enough to throw money at them, and the way to do that is by attacking the Greens, said Peter Lewis, the executive director of Essential, which is conducting qualitative research for the ALP. But its not going to do anything to help the Liberals win back teal seats. The Advance spokesperson said: Our campaign against the Greens wont defeat teals because it was never meant to. We have been crystal clear for the past 18 months that our focus is on the Greens this election. Sheahan told an Australian Jewish Association forum in 2024: Our goal is to just expose the Greens policies so that people dont vote for them A partial benefit will be that we think that will also reduce the teal vote. His logic for that claim was unclear. Anti-renewables Advance has also focused on the anti-renewables movement, appearing at energy forums across the country and events held by groups set up to oppose the roll-out of offshore wind and solar energy. As Guardian Australia has previously documented, the Facebook account for Advance spokesperson Sandra Bourke is active in dozens of local Facebook groups and pages opposing renewable projects in places such as Lake Borumba and Mount Fox in Queensland, regularly sharing Advance content. Bourke is a regular speaker at these rallies and events unusually for the outfit, which generally avoids a public-facing presence. Grant Piper is the former chair of the National Rational Energy Network (NRen), which brought together community groups opposed to renewable energy projects and hosted events including the Reckless Renewables rally in Canberra last year. Thats where Piper first met Advance. We didnt tie any formal knots, but we could tell we were pushing after the same thing when it comes to renewables, Piper said. NRen, which has rebranded as Lets Rethink Renewables, has had discussions with Advance all the way through, he said, although it has remained independent. Bourke, one of NRens original members, is now Advances spokesperson and the face of its campaign against the Greens. According to Piper who appeared in Advances anti-renewables Dollars & Destruction video series the organisation is a natural ally for groups that feel they are mostly excluded from the conversation taking place in parliament and the media. Advance is helping get publicity for the grassroots people who have been shut out of everything, he said. Others who have teamed up for the Greens Truth campaign include groups that emerged from the anti-lockdown movement, the Freedom party and Reignite Democracy Australia which makes clear to prospective volunteers that their details will be shared with Advance. Another NRen member and former One Nation candidate, Katy McCallum, was the MC at a Goodbye Greens Rally in Brisbane in late March, where QJC also appeared. Along with other event backers such as the Libertarian candidate Jim Willmott, she thanked Bourke and Advance for their help at the event. If our other good mate Sandra Bourke from Advance hadnt have jumped on, this would not be happening today, she said. Do you know more? Contact ariel.bogle@theguardian.com An artist who has worked on films and shows, including Star Wars: The Mandalorian, is raising funds for a fellow creative who recently lost his sight fighting in the Ukraine war. Andrey Kozyrenko, a 3D artist from Dnipro, in eastern Ukraine was wounded in December when a drone exploded near his trench, causing him severe eye damage. Mr Kozyrenko, 40, who is recovering in western Ukraine, has had his right eye removed and replaced with a prosthetic. His left eyes retina was damaged, but the optical nerve remains intact with the hope that his vision could be restored in future with possible medical advances. Andrey Kozyrenko lost his vision when he was injured while fighting in Ukraine (Jama Jurabaev/ PA) Jama Jurabaev, a London-based concept artist and art director who has collaborated with Mr Kozyrenko over the years, is raising funds to help him to adapt, heal and find new ways to create. This is the most terrible thing to happen to an artist, Mr Jurabaev told the PA news agency. To cut off your hand you could deal with that but for an artist losing your eyesight is the worst. For artists, it hurts even more, they dont just look at things, they see them. He has not just lost his ability to look at something, but I think what hurts even more is him losing his ability to see things. Jama Jurabaev and Andrey Kozyrenko together at a game conference in Ukraine in 2021 (Jama Jurabaev /PA) Mr Jurabaev, who has also worked on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Disneys live-action adaptation of Aladdin, described his friend and colleague as kind, creative, brave and resilient. The pair, who worked together for Big Medium Small, a visual media company, had stayed in touch throughout the war. Since the war started, he wasnt as involved as he was volunteering, helping evacuate people from occupied areas, said Mr Jurabaev. He then decided to join the Ukrainian army as he said Im either going to be hiding forever, or I could just do my duty for my country, which is what he did. Since losing his sight, Mr Kozyrenko will not be able to work in the way he used to be able to. He might do some form of art, but again its not going to be what we did before, said Mr Jurabaev I really want to support him, both financially and just spiritually by always being in touch. Mr Jurabaev is hoping that tech companies might help his friend with future treatments to help restore the sight in his left eye. Meanwhile, the fundraiser is to help him cover basic living costs, therapy, mobility support and tools so that can help him express himself through art again. To find out more visit Jama Jurabaevs fundraiser at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-andrey-an-artist-rebuild-his-life-after-losing-h. Sir Keir Starmer met British Steel workers at Scunthorpe on Saturday after calling a special session of the House of Commons to discuss the crisis in the company - Peter Byrne/Pool via Reuters Sir Keir Starmer is suspending import tariffs on dozens of goods to shore up British companies caught in Donald Trumps trade war. Duty on 89 products from electric car batteries to fruit juice will be cut to zero for two years in a major state intervention to ease pressure on firms. Aluminium wheels and electric vehicle battery inputs will be among the goods to have tariffs reduced to cut costs for British businesses in the wake of Mr Trumps raid on US imports. The UK escaped the worst of Mr Trumps wrath when he imposed reciprocal duties on imports from countries around the world on his liberation day. But the UK has still been hit with levies of 10 per cent, in a blow to British businesses. On top of this, Mr Trump has imposed a separate 25 per cent duty on cars, Britains biggest single source of exports to the US in the first nine months of last year. Sir Keir is now suspending duties on a host of UK imports until July 2027 to reduce the burden on firms facing an uncertain future in the new era of global trade. It is part of a wider package of interventions designed to support UK firms directly affected by the US tariff blitz. Other measures include an increase in the provision of state-backed loans to affected companies. Last week, the Prime Minister said he was prepared to do everything necessary to protect British firms from the storm of Mr Trumps trade war. The Government claims the drive will save businesses 17 million per year, savings it says could ultimately be passed on to consumers. But there is no guarantee firms will pass the savings on and the reduction in UK duties will mean millions in lost Treasury takings, ultimately coming at a cost to the taxpayer. The products to have their tariffs cut to zero include agave syrup, a sweetener used in baked goods and cocktails, foodstuffs such as pasta, canned pineapples and pine nuts, fruit juice, coconut oil and plant bulbs. Firms importing plywood and plastics will also have their duties cut to ease the pressure on the construction industry. Goods entering the UK that already qualify for preferential treatment for example, under free trade deals will not be affected. All tariffs are being knocked down to zero from their current rates. Aluminium wheels would normally be charged at 4 per cent, while products used in the manufacture of electric vehicles would face duties of 2 per cent. At the top end, fruit juices and coconut water would previously have been subject to tariffs of between 14 and 30 per cent, while frozen shrimp would be charged at 20 per cent. It comes after Mr Trump further tempered his raid on global exports on Friday night with a reprieve for smartphones, computers and other electronics. The items, which do not tend to be made in the US, will be excluded from the 10 per cent blanket levy on the UK and other trading partners, as well as the 125 per cent duties on imports from China. Industrial strategy brought forward Sir Keir has already watered down a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to ease the burden on British companies after Mr Trump targeted the car industry. This followed Jaguar Land Rover announcing the suspension of exports to the US, worth some 6.5 billion. The Government has also brought forward several elements of its industrial strategy, which will be announced this summer, in the light of the trade war. But ministers are still concerned about the impact of the Trump levies on the public purse if a US trade deal cannot be struck to reduce them. If no exemption for the UK is reached, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, is likely to be forced to raise taxes or cut spending further in this autumns Budget to remain within her spending rules. Ministers said the fresh cuts to UK tariffs could be passed on to consumers in time for summer, meaning lower prices in supermarkets, restaurants and pubs. Ms Reeves said: In a changing world we know families are anxious about the cost of living, and businesses uncertain about their future. Thats why weve announced lower prices on imports of everyday essentials helping businesses to thrive and pass on savings to customers. Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, added: As we face a new era of global trade, this Government is going further faster to make Britain the best country to do business, delivering on our Plan for Change. These suspensions are just another example of that. The Government has announced that UK Export Finance, which provides loan guarantees to British businesses, will get new powers to increase support by 20 billion. Ministers claim the change will benefit thousands of firms, including those directly affected by Mr Trumps tariffs, serving as a crucial shot in the arm to global traders. It is part of a wider boost for businesses worth an estimated 80 billion, that will also allow small firms to access loans of up to 2 million. Cured meats on sale at a shop in Rome. The ban does not apply to people arriving in Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. Photograph: Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images Tourists from Great Britain who travel to the continent to satisfy their epicurean desires for cured meats and fragrant cheeses will be frustrated in their attempts to bring home some of their favourite foods after a ban on meat and dairy imports from EU countries came into force this weekend. From Saturday, holidaymakers will no longer be able to bring meat from cattle, sheep, goats or pigs, or dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, in a move aimed at preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) after a rise in cases across Europe. Even those attempting to bring sandwiches with offending items such as cheese and ham will be stopped by customs and excise. Cured meats, raw meats and milk are off limits regardless of whether they are packed, packaged or have been bought at duty-free. FMD does not directly affect humans, but it can be devastating to cattle, and while there are no cases in the UK at present, the government wants to keep it that way. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boars and deer. In a statement, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the outbreak in Europe presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock. The disease can cause significant economic losses due to production shortfalls in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and dairy, it added. Earlier this year, the government placed bans on imports of cattle, sheep, other ruminants, pig meat and dairy products from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria in response to outbreaks of FMD in those countries. Related: UK bans German meat and dairy products after foot-and-mouth case The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving in Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. The minister for food security and rural affairs, Daniel Zeichner, said: This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot-and-mouth. That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britains food security. The UK deputy chief veterinary officer for international and trade affairs, Jorge Martin-Almagro, said: Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britains food security. This biosecurity measure, combined with all others we have implemented, are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion. Martin-Almagro urged livestock keepers to keep an eye out for signs of disease, maintain biosecurity, and immediately report any suspicion of disease to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. There are exemptions from the new rules, including a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods, and certain composite products such as chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta. The government said: Those found with these items will need to either surrender them at the border or will have them seized and destroyed. In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to 5,000 in England. Alex James has spoken of his delight at Liam and Noel Gallaghers reunion hailing their Oasis comeback as a wonderful moment for British music. Alex James has spoken of his delight at Liam and Noel Gallaghers reunion hailing their Oasis comeback as a wonderful moment for British music The 56-year-old Blur bassist welcomed news of the brothers reconciliation ahead of their long-awaited summer stadium tour their first shows together in 16 years decades after his and the Gallaghers band were embroiled in a Britpop chart feud, He said in an interview with The Sun about the Oasis reunion: Its wonderful. Its awful that most bands end up hating each other. From Blurs point of view, huge parts of how I feel every day the fact there was a reconciliation and were all on good terms again because when something is such a big defining part of your life you dont want to be exiled from it. It was great for Blur and Im delighted for the Gallaghers. Blur famously endured inner conflict in the early 2000s, leading to the temporary departure of guitarist Graham Coxon. Reunited in 2008, the original line-up went on to perform at a sold-out Hyde Park show and headline Glastonbury in 2009. Blurs more recent albums The Magic Whip and The Ballad of Darren marked a return to full strength and received widespread acclaim, continuing a legacy that veered into more experimental territory in the 2000s with records like Think Tank and 13. The bands journey is in contrast to that of Oasis, who stuck closely to their anthemic Britpop roots with Beatles-inspired choruses and big singalong hooks. Alex, who also curates the annual Big Feastival on his farm in the Cotswolds, plans to bring a new twist to the eras music this summer with a project titled Britpop Classical a collaboration with the London Concert Orchestra and guest vocalists, reimagining 90s classics with full orchestral arrangements. Theres a kind of legacy section, showing where all the influences that inspired these bands came from, he said. Alex added: Well probably have a bit of Beatles and Stones and theres so many great bands from Manchester in the early 90s. So theres probably going to be a Northern Quarter section. And then you will move into a kind of upbeat sing-along section. If youre doing this in a headline slot, you can really bring a whole production to bear. Were sort of knee-deep in arrangements and orchestration. Its really, really exciting. I think its going to deliver something totally f****** unique. The US presidents demands were set out in a letter to his Iranian counterpart Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - AP Donald Trump has given Iran 60 days to agree a nuclear deal or face military action. The US presidents demands were set out in a letter to his Iranian counterpart Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Politico reported, citing multiple sources. Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps envoy, is in Oman this weekend to begin negotiations with Abbas Araghchi, Tehrans foreign minister, the first such talks between the US and Iran in more than a decade. Iran said on Friday it was giving the high-level nuclear talks a genuine chance. In a sign of the difficult road ahead for negotiators, the White House reiterated Mr Trumps threat on Friday, saying he wants Iran to know there will be all hell to pay if it does not agree to abandon its nuclear programme. Mr Witkoff was quoted by the Wall Street Journal as saying the administrations red line is to stop Iran from being able to produce a nuclear weapon and that dismantling its nuclear programme is the opening demand. But he suggested Washington would be open to other ways to find compromise. The Iranian foreign ministry said on Friday the US should value the Islamic Republics decision to engage in talks despite what it called Washingtons prevailing confrontational hoopla. We intend to assess the other sides intent and resolve this Saturday, Esmaeil Baghaei, foreign affairs spokesman, said. In earnest and with candid vigilance, we are giving diplomacy a genuine chance. Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Irans deputy foreign minister, was quoted by the semi-official news agency ISNA as saying: Without threats and intimidation from the American side, there is a good possibility of reaching an accord. In his first term, Mr Trump scrapped the deal reached by the Obama administration, which would have required Iran to limit its stockpiles of enriched uranium. The Obama deal, which was dismissed by Mr Trump and Iran hawks in Washington, would have also subjected Irans nuclear installations to inspection and verification. Since taking office, Mr Trump has suggested in interviews he is open to a deal with Tehran. Carrot-and-stick approach Earlier this month, Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, reinforced the message. His ultimate goal and the ultimate objective is to ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, she told reporters. But hes made it very clear to the Iranians, and his national security team 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. The threat of force is a reflection of Mr Trumps carrot-and-stick approach to diplomacy. During his first administration, Mr Trump was opposed to Iran having any nuclear capability. This time it appears that the US will tolerate the civil use of nuclear power, he indicated in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponisation of your nuclear capability, he said. Mr Witkoff added that Iran could enter the league of nations and be an economic power. His remarks echoed those made in the past by Mr Trump in post-election interviews when he spoke of Irans potential. The State Department said Mr Trump had always been clear that he would not tolerate Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon and that it will not wait indefinitely for an agreement. If the Iranian regime does not want a deal, the president will pursue alternatives. Mahmoud Khalil speaks to members of the media at Columbia University in New York on 1 June 2024. Photograph: Jeenah Moon/Reuters Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate and Palestinian organizer, is eligible to be deported from the United States, an immigration judge ruled on Friday during a contentious hearing at a remote court in central Louisiana. The decision sides with the Trump administrations claim that a short memo written by the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, which stated Khalils current or expected beliefs, statements or associations were counter to foreign policy interests, is sufficient evidence to remove a lawful permanent resident from the United States. The undated memo, the main piece of evidence submitted by the government, contained no allegations of criminal conduct. During a tense hearing on Friday afternoon, Khalils attorneys made an array of unsuccessful arguments attempting to both delay a ruling on his eligibility for removal and to terminate proceedings entirely. They argued the broad allegations contained in Rubios memo gave them a right to directly cross-examine him. Khalil held prayer beads as three attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security presented arguments for his removal. Judge Jamee Comans ruled that Rubios determination was presumptive and sufficient evidence and that she had no power to rule on concerns over free speech. There is no indication that Congress contemplated an immigration judge or even the attorney general overruling the secretary of state on matters of foreign policy, Comans said. A supporter who was in tears sat on the crowded public benches as the ruling was delivered. Following the ruling, Khalil, who had remained silent throughout proceedings, requested permission to speak before the court. Addressing the judge directly, he said: 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. He continued: 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 is afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months. Khalil, 30, helped lead pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia last year. He was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers in New York on 8 March and transferred to a detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, where he has been detained for over a month. His case was the first in a string of Ice arrests instigated by the Trump administration targeting pro-Palestinian students and scholars present in the US on visas or green cards. The ruling means that Khalils removal proceedings will continue to move forward in Jena, while a separate case being heard in federal court in New Jersey examines the legality of his detention and questions surrounding the constitutionality of the governments claims it can deport people for first amendment-protected speech if they are deemed adverse to US foreign policy. Khalils legal team is asking the New Jersey judge to release him on bail so that he can reunite with his wife, who is due to give birth to their first child this month. His lawyers slammed the decision, which they said appeared to be prewritten. 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. This is not over, and our fight continues, said Marc van der Hout, Khalils immigration lawyer. Related: White House may seek legally binding control over Columbia through consent decree report If Mahmoud can be targeted in this way, simply for speaking out for Palestinians and exercising his constitutionally protected right to free speech, this can happen to anyone over any issue the Trump administration dislikes. We will continue working tirelessly until Mahmoud is free and rightfully returned home to his family and community. Van der Hout told a federal judge that Khalil will file the appeal after the immigration judge who ruled him removable issues the final written ruling. Van der Hout added that Khalils legal team may also pursue an asylum case. So nothing is going to happen quickly in the immigration proceeding even though shes found him removable on the foreign policy grounds, he said. The judge gave lawyers for Khalil until 23 April to seek a waiver. During a short prayer vigil held outside the detention centre on Friday afternoon, a group of interfaith clergy read messages of support. A short statement from Khalils wife, Noor Abdalla, who is due to give birth this month, was also delivered in front of reporters. Todays decision feels like a devastating blow to our family. No person should be deemed removable from their home for speaking out against the killing of Palestinian families, doctors, and journalists, the statement read. It continued: In less than a month, Mahmoud and I will welcome our first child. Until we are reunited, I will not stop advocating for my husbands safe return home. The New Jersey judge has ordered the government not to remove Khalil as his case plays out in federal court. A hearing in that case is set for later on Friday. Keir Starmer and Donald Trump Look, Im just going to come out and say this. Sir Keir Starmer is handling the tariffs crisis beautifully. Other leaders, including Canadas Mark Carney and the EUs Ursula von der Leyen, responded to Donald Trumps protectionism by announcing reciprocal tariffs a response that is always popular and always wrong. Almost every economist agrees (a phrase one rarely gets to use) that tariffs damage the country imposing them. They push up prices, leaving consumers with less to spend, and thus harming every other industry. At the same time, they make the sectors they supposedly protect flabby, inefficient and dependent on government support. If another country shoots itself in the foot, the worst possible response is to retaliate by blasting off a couple of your own toes. Instead, Starmer has kept his head and continued to push for a bilateral trade deal with the US that would work in the interests of both nations. My guess is that he will get one. And, if he does, he will deserve a lot of credit. We know what Labour politicians think of the US president. They see him as a racist, misogynistic self-confessed groper (Ed Miliband), an odious, sad little man (Wes Streeting), a neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath (David Lammy). To make such MPs acknowledge economic reality the reality that the American market is about the same size, for Britain, as our second, third and fourth (Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands) combined is no mean achievement. And to sell a trade deal to Labour activists who have got it into their heads that Trump wants to buy Our NHS (never mind that the President, who knows a loss-making endeavour when he sees one, has declared that he would not want the NHS if it were handed to him on a silver platter) takes leadership. On the other side, Starmer has had to overcome the negatives that Trump had about him: that he is weak, woke, an enemy of free speech, behind in the polls, a loser. What might a deal look like? Only those in the negotiations know the details; the rest of us can only infer from where the shadows fall. Still, I have just come back from a week in DC talking to the people involved, and I can guess. I am convinced that the only way to get a worthwhile accord between a Labour Government and a Republican Administration is to ensure visible bipartisan support on both sides of the Atlantic. So, among other things, I arranged for a cross-party group of MPs to discuss the issue with a cross-party group of Congressmen. We also made the best case we could to Administration officials. What seems to be on the table is an initial deal that would provide for the abolition of tariffs, and would then lead on to something more ambitious. The initial deal would involve agreements on tech and AI, including a reduction in the digital sales tax that Britain imposes on US tech giants, as well as a zero-for-zero tariff accord. Britain has inherited a number of tariffs from the EU, including a 10 per cent levy on certain categories of US vehicle. All these would go. What of chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef, those two phantasmagoric apparitions that stalk the nightmares of anti-Americans and Euro-nostalgists? They were, for what its worth, always a fantasy. There is more chlorine in a bag of washed salad than on a US chicken carcass. If it were the other way around, the Euro-zealots would be moaning about unwashed American chicken. And European beef contains a fair few hormones, though one happened to be banned following a glut caused by a change in the EUs dairy subsidy system in the 1990s a ban condemned both by the World Trade Organisation and the EUs own scientific advisory body as unscientific. But never mind all that. The US is not expecting a change in our food safety standards. All it is immediately asking for is to be allowed to sell food that meets those standards that is, to have tariff- and quota-free access for unchlorinated chicken and growth-hormone-free beef. Would the US drop its 10 per cent tariff rate on the UK in return? Its a delicate question. The President talks of 10 per cent as a minimum. He imagines that it would allow him to cut taxes (it wont, because it will shrink the US economy and the tax take with it). If he made an exception for Britain, others would demand the same. Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council, insists that 10 per cent is a minimum rate. I think everybody expects the 10 per cent baseline tariff is going to be the baseline, he said in a TV interview on Thursday. And it is going to take some kind of extraordinary deal for the president to go below there. On the other hand, look at what is happening vis-a-vis Canada and Mexico. A casual follower of the news might have the impression that Americas immediate neighbours have been singled out for especially harsh treatment. In fact, other than the supposedly emergency tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars, exports covered by the USMCA (the new version of Nafta) remain zero-rated. In other words, even assuming that it is upheld by the courts, the 10 per cent rate will not be universal; there are exemptions. If any country might hope to join the exempted, it is Britain. Not because we show up in every poll as Americas favourite ally. Not because of Helmand or Basra or D-Day. Not even because of Trumps fondness for his Scottish mother. No, the case for a British deal is simply that it has already been largely negotiated. Much detailed work had been completed before Joe Biden came in and from a combination of protectionism, Europhilia and pressure from the Irish-American lobby put a halt to talks. Trump sees a UK deal as unfinished business a Trump project sabotaged by Sleepy Joe. Equally significantly, American statistics show Britain as one of only a handful of nations not to have a trade surplus vis-a-vis the US. Given his fondness for the Royal family, I imagine Trump would like to sign an accord when he makes his second State Visit here towards the end of this year. With luck, that accord will provide for much closer mutual recognition in services and professional qualifications. That, not food, is where the big gains are. Everyone I spoke to in Washington was enthusiastic about the prospects. But no one wanted to venture a hard opinion until the President had issued his ruling. Thus, we read, were Roman senators under Caligula and Nero unwilling to express their views until they had seen which way the Emperor was leaning. An odd way to run the only country in the world that was expressly designed to be immune to rule by one man, but there we are. In the meantime, a wise British leader would prepare a Plan B, rallying the rest of the world for free trade just as for Ukraine. This emphatically does not mean going all in with the EU, which has protectionist and anti-American tendencies of its own and which, in any case, is hesitant about working with Britain. Even now, despite the war in Ukraine, the European Commission is insisting on access to British fishing grounds as a precondition for closer defence links as if it were bestowing rather than asking for a favour. As the exasperated EU foreign minister Kaja Kallas put it on Friday, with wry frustration: Im actually surprised at how important the fish are, considering the security situation. Britain should be convening every country that has an interest in democracy and in open sea lanes, including the CPTPP, the EU and, not least, India. And you know what? That, again, seems to be precisely what Starmer is doing, accelerating the trade talks with India that he inherited from the previous government. Here, at least, the Prime Minister and his Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, have not put a foot wrong. Conservatives should be big enough to say so. Maya Forstater case ruled the belief that trans women are not real women must be protected - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph Women-only spaces will be protected in an overhaul of equality laws under plans being considered by the Government. Transgender people will be routinely asked to present Gender Recognition Certificates and organisations are compelled to define the difference between sex and gender under proposed changes to the equality code. Britains human rights watchdog last week submitted a 310-page revised version of its Statutory Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations to the Government. The guidance, which was last amended in 2010, is considered to be out of date by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The EHRC is pushing for a radical overhaul following fears existing guidelines on sex and gender were being loosely interpreted by hundreds of public bodies, allowing self-identifying trans people into single-sex spaces. The code is currently being scrutinised by ministers and officials, including government lawyers, and could be presented to Parliament before the summer recess. It will protect biological sex over gender identity as far as is possible under current law. The aim is to update equalities guidance in line with more than a decades worth of legal cases, court rulings, tribunal outcomes and new legislation. It will heavily base its protections of philosophical belief on the outcome of the Maya Forstater case, according to those familiar with the plans. In 2021, an employment tribunal brought by Ms Forstater ruled the belief that trans women are not real women is a belief that must be protected. The tax expert had been dismissed from her job after expressing gender critical views on the social media platform X. The tribunal ruled that her belief was protected under the Equality Act, setting a new legal precedent. The overhaul comes after the case of the Darlington Memorial Hospital nurses, who are currently suing their employer on grounds of sexual discrimination and sexual harassment. Darlington NHS Foundation Trust allowed a biological man who identifies as a woman but does not have a Gender Recognition Certificate to use the hospitals female changing room. The case will be heard in October. Transform the weather A government source familiar with the plans told this newspaper it will transform the weather on sex and gender. Its provisions include greater protections for single-sex spaces, including compelling all service providers and public facing organisations to clarify the difference between sex and gender. It also permits organisations to routinely ask for a Gender Recognition Certificate from trans individuals seeking access to single sex spaces. If implemented in full, it is expected to put the Government on a collision course with activist groups such as Stonewall, which has fought for trans people to be allowed into single-sex spaces. The revision follows concerns at the EHRC and in government that there was widespread non-compliance with the spirit of the Equality Act, as gender identity has become a creeping stand-in for biological sex. Last month, the independent Sullivan Review claimed that criminals are free to pick their gender because the Government is refusing to force police to record biological sex. It warned trans men and trans women were at risk of missing vital cervical and prostate cancer exams owing to confusion over their biological sex on official records. The independent review recommended police forces and the NHS should collect data on sex rather than just a persons self-declared gender identity. Last year, Baroness Falkner, the current chairman of the EHRC, said she had identified some 400 instances in which the Equality Act had been misinterpreted in recent years. An update to the sister Code for Employers is expected to follow the revision of the code for service providers. A Government spokesman said: Ministers will consider the proposals in due course. The Prime Minister has repeatedly said that single-sex spaces should be protected. Government sources said ministers have not yet fully digested the revised code and that a timetable for implementation was yet to be set out. The code could also be further updated in the coming weeks depending on the imminent outcome of a landmark Supreme Court case on sex and gender. On Wednesday, Britains highest court of appeal is due to rule on the case of For Women Scotland vs The Scottish Ministers. The appellants, a gender-critical campaign group, have argued that sex-based protections for women should only be afforded to those born female. The Scottish government has argued that the definition of women should include trans people with a Gender Recognition Certificate. If the court rules in favour of For Women Scotland the code could be further updated to reflect the change. The three people killed when a small plane lost control and crashed onto a busy street in Boca Raton, Florida, were identified by authorities. Police received a report about a plane "in trouble" and having mechanical issues shortly after taking off from the Boca Raton Airport the morning of April 11. It was in the air for eight to 10 minutes before it crashed and burst into flames at about 10:20 a.m. about a mile from the airport. It crashed near an overpass. All three on board were killed. Another person, who was driving north on Military Trail in a 2017 Toyota Prius "lost control amidst the fire and crashed into a tree," Boca Raton Police Services Department said in a statement. The three people who died in the crash were 81-year-old Robert Stark, 54-year-old Stephen Stark and 17-year-old Brooke Stark. Pablo Tafur, 24, who was driving the Prius, had non-life-threatening injuries, police said. The crash came a day after a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City. Five members of a Spanish family and the pilot all died. What happened to the plane? The plane was a twin-engine, six-seater Cessna 310 bound for Tallahassee. According to flight-tracking service FlightRadar 24, a Cessna C310 took off at 10:13 a.m. and circled the airport for several minutes before disappearing from radar over North Military Trail. It made a series of bizarre loops and witnesses said it was flying dangerously close to the ground before the crash, the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Kurt Gibson, spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board, said it wasn't yet clear what caused the crash or the unconventional flight path after take-off. A full investigation will look into factors such as pilot qualifications, 72-hour history for the pilot, maintenance records, wreckage details and environmental factors, he said. Crews were able to put out the fire. Roads nearby remained closed overnight. Contributing: Kinsey Crowley and Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY; Jasmine Fernandez, Palm Beach Post This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boca Raton plane crash: 3 victims identified Getty A photo of police tape in Australia A 4-year-old child in Victoria, Australia died following a fatal collision, police have said The woman, 71, who was driving the car has been arrested and will be interviewed Police stated they "were called to reports a car had lost control and collided with a child" A 4-year-old child has died following a fatal collision in Victoria, Australia, police have confirmed. On Friday, April 11 at approximately 4:50 p.m. local time, emergency services "were called to reports a car had lost control and collided with a child on the footpath at Presidents Avenue" in Ocean Grove, Victoria Police said in a news release. Officers said Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives were investigating the "fatal collision," confirming, "The 4-year-old child died at the scene." Police said an elderly woman had been arrested following the incident, which occurred near the city of Geelong. FiledIMAGE/Getty A photo of Geelong in Victoria, Australia "The driver, a 71-year-old Ocean Grove woman, has been arrested and will be interviewed," the release stated. "The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing," police added in the post. Officers are urging anybody with information or who might have witnessed the collision to come forward. Police are also asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist police amid the investigation to contact them. 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. Nigel Killeen/Getty A photo of a Victoria Police vehicle Victoria Police didn't have any additional information to add regarding the incident when contacted by PEOPLE. At the time of the 4-year-old's tragic death, police stated 79 lives had been lost in road accidents in Victoria so far this year, per a provisional tally. Read the original article on People A French court on Thursday sentenced eight people to up to five years for smuggling eel larvae destined for Asian markets, in a scheme worth over $2 million that prosecutors likened to cocaine trafficking. The translucent larvae of the European eel, fished in Atlantic waters and often sent out to Asian markets, is an endangered species and its trade is prohibited. The Creteil court outside Paris sentenced two men who had previously been detained to the heaviest sentences of five years in prison. Two defendants facing heavier jail time were at large, while the four others got lower sentences. This case is "extraordinary, due to the quantities seized but also the extremely thorough nature of the investigations," a prosecutor said during the trial, comparing the trafficking of the larvae to that of cocaine. One prosecutor described eel larvae as "prohibited goods that increase in value with each border crossing, such as cocaine." At the heart of this case was the seizure in February 2023 in a clandestine warehouse in the Val-de-Marne department southeast of Paris of more than 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of the eel larvae. This represented almost double the total amount 154 kilograms seized by French customs in all of 2024. This photograph shows glass eels in a net displayed at the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie fish market, western France, on February 13, 2025. Threatened with extinction, this eel alevin is the subject of a long-term restocking program in the Loire river. / Credit: SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images The smuggling of European eels, which have been protected by international convention since 2009, is one of the causes of their 75% population decline over the past 30 years. In France, their fishing is highly regulated and subject to strict quotas. The value of the larvae discovered in France in the case was estimated by investigators at 1.7-2.1 million euros ($1.9-2.3 million). The eels known at this stage of their lives as glass eels fetch about $2,200 per kilogram in Asian markets after being trafficked, according to NOAA. Baby eels, or elvers, often are sold to Asian aquaculture companies to be raised to maturity and sold to the lucrative Japanese restaurant market, where they're mainly served grilled. In November, two men were sentenced to prison for illegally smuggling live eels from Puerto Rico about nine months after U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard identified and intercepted the two suspects. Will Trump or China's Xi initiate tariffs talks as trade war escalates? Witnesses describe moment helicopter crashed in New York City's Hudson River Menendez brothers resentencing hearing expected South Carolina Department of Corrections via AP This photo provided by South Carolina Department of Corrections shows Mikal Mahdi. Mikal Mahdi chose an upscale final meal before he was executed by a firing squad on April 11 He was previously convicted of two 2004 murders, including the death of an off-duty cop he shot and set on fire Mahdi is the second South Carolina man to have been killed by a firing squad within several months A South Carolina man who was convicted of two 2004 murders, including the death of an off-duty cop opted for a lavish final meal before his execution. Mikal Mahdi, 42, chose to be killed by a firing squad over a lethal injection or the electric chair, which his attorney, assistant federal public defender David Weiss, called the lesser of three evils, according to Associated Press, on Friday, April 11. On the evening of Wednesday, April 9, he ate his last meal: a fine dining offer made up of a rib eye steak, mushroom risotto, broccoli and collard greens, with cheesecake for dessert and a sweet tea drink, according to a press release from the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Mahdi gave no final statement in the moments leading up to his execution, which was carried out by correctional volunteers at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia. According to the AP, Mahdi cried out as the first bullets hit him, before flexing his arms and groaning. A doctor then declared him dead at 6:05 p.m. local time. Carolina Department of Corrections via AP This photo provided by South Carolina Department of Corrections shows Mikal Mahdi. Related: S.C. Man Who Shot Officer and Set Victim's Body on Fire Will Be Executed by Firing Squad Mahdi's execution was carried out in front of nine witnesses, including his attorney and a member of the deceased cop's family, as well as representatives from the First Circuit Solicitors Office and the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office, which prosecuted and investigated his case, respectively. His execution took place after his final appeal was rejected by the U.S. and South Carolina Supreme Court, the AP reported. Mahdi's lawyers argued that his original trial attorneys were not prepared to handle the death penalty trial and ignored the impact that months spent in prison solitary confinement had on him as a teenager after witnessing traumatic events in his childhood. 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. Mahdi was convicted of a multi-state crime spree in July 2004, which began in Virginia and ended in Florida, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. On July 14, 2004, Mahdi stole a .380 caliber pistol, a set of Virginia license plates and a station wagon from his neighbor before heading for North Carolina. When he arrived, he entered a gas station and placed a can of beer on the counter, but when the store clerk asked for identification, Mahdi fatally shot him, according to court documents summarizing the case. Mahdi then took the beer and headed towards South Carolina where, at a traffic light, he stole a mans car and replaced it with the plates he had previously stolen in Virginia. Court documents said he then drove southeast, stopping at a gas station in Columbia, before fleeing on foot after a store clerk became suspicious of him. David Yeazell/AP Director of Communications at the South Carolina Department of Corrections Chrysti Shain speaks during a press conference after the execution of South Carolina inmate Mikal Mahdi in Columbia, S.C., Friday, April 11, 2025. Related: Man Who Was Executed by Firing Squad for the First Time in the U.S. Since 2010 Shared a Passionate Plea as His Final Words Mahdi later ended up at a farm owned by Captain James Myers, a law enforcement officer, according to authorities. He waited at the mans house until he came home, and then shot him nine times with a .22 rifle. He also poured diesel fuel on Myers body and set him on fire, per the court documents. Mahdi then fled to Florida, where he was spotted by police in Myers car. He was subsequently taken into custody. Mahdis execution came after Brad Sigmon was put to death in South Carolina on March 7, during what marked the first U.S. firing squad death in 15 years and the fourth since 1976. The only other states to authorize death by a firing squad are Mississippi, Oklahoma and Utah. Read the original article on People Rodney Pearson played bass fiddle in a bluegrass band with a group of other 15-year-olds when he took a summer job at an amusement park in Sevier County. The year was 1976. Nearly 50 years later and reaching retirement next year Pearson is still working at that same park. Only now he is a construction supervisor, and the Goldrush Junction amusement park has evolved into Dollywood. Ive seen a lot, Pearson told Knox News, part of the USA TODAY Network. When it was Goldrush, there was just pea gravel everywhere on the ground Dolly (Parton) came in, and the place has just grown by leaps and bounds. Inside Epic Universe: Take a tour of Universal Orlando's new theme park And hes not alone. Six original Dollywood employees gathered in February before the park kicked off its 40th season to celebrate the parks success and to share why theyve never wanted to work anywhere else. It just became my second home Pamela Wilson didnt exactly know what she wanted to do after graduating from high school. Growing up a few miles from Silver Dollar City, another precursor to Dollywood, she and her twin sister thought to give the park a try. Wilson worked the remote-controlled boats on her first day at Silver Dollar City. Now, she works in Dollywood's maintenance department. It was going to be a summer job for me. It's been a long summer, she joked. Dollywood's staff for its 40th season includes (from left) Rodney Pearson, David Stinnett, Pam Wilson, Kathy Self, Joe Lewis and Kearan Dykes, all of whom have worked for Dollywood since it opened or even for one of the theme parks that preceded it. I just love people. I love interacting with the guests and the hosts, and I got some wonderful friends that I've made here, Wilson explained. It just became my second home. Kathy Self also started when the park operated as Silver Dollar City. She started in 1984 in the culinary department. Shes currently one of the people helping to keep the popular park beautiful as a landscaper. But she's also gotten to work in other areas over the decades, including during the construction of new attractions and preparing for seasonal festivals. I've learned so much, Self said. Stuff that I would have never got to do otherwise. It's an added bonus to me. And working with friends youve known for over 40 years isnt too bad, either. I feel like I've grown up with them, Wilson said. " If you're having a hard time or anything there's a part of you that just warms up because you've known these people for so long and theyve become a part of your heart. You know you got somebody that you can call on if you needed someone, Self added. What makes Dollywood a top workplace? Dollywood Parks & Resorts is often recognized for the treatment of its 4,000-plus employees. Already in 2025, it has been named a top workplace by USA TODAY, Forbes and Newsweek. Some of the perks of working at Dollywood include 100% free tuition through the parks Herschends GROW U program, a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, a portion of child care costs covered and leadership development opportunities. The main thing, I think, is the culture of the park. It's always been leading with love, Wilson said. How many companies do you work for that they share the profits with you? And they provide good benefits for us. And they are a company that does have love at heart." Wilson recalled how Dollywood co-owner Jack Herschend once knew exactly how long she had worked at the company when even she couldnt remember and how the company often sends notes to employees thanking them for their service. This family-like quality of Dollywood is extremely important to the parks Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. It's like family. You don't leave your family. If you love your family and you're treated good in the family, you're going to want to stay there, Parton told Knox News in March while expressing her appreciation for Dollywood employees. God has blessed me through the years with wonderful people. I have my whole life, in every aspect of my business I have been blessed with so many great people and nobody more than the group that we have here at Dollywood, Parton continued. Building Dollywood for 40 years Being part of Dollywoods 40 seasons and seeing its growth has been an honor for Pearson, Self and Wilson. We actually had hands in (building) it, Self noted, explaining how original employees have contributed to expanding sections of the park, construction of rides and annual upgrades during the off-season. It does feel like (Dollywood is) a part of who you are, Wilson added, especially after seeing from where the park began. A fast day for Silver Dollar City would have been like 10,000 people. And now that's a slow day for Dollywood, she said. Its just amazing to see how it's changed and grown and so many different shops and so many varieties of things that they offer to people. Dollywood isnt slowing down any time soon, either. A new attraction described as the parks most ambitious" and "most expensive" addition ever is coming in 2026. Parton is very clear that a major key to the parks growth and success has been its employees. People in this area are just great people, period. They're just good people. And then you put them on a park to welcome guests, you feel that, Parton said. You feel that they really mean it when they say, Well, welcome (to Dollywood). Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why six Dollywood workers never left: 'It just became my second home' A woman was killed early Saturday after allegedly pointing a handgun at state troopers who were responding to a reported domestic dispute, police said. The incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. as state troopers arrived at a home on Forrest Drive in the Orange County town of Deerpark, in upstate New York near the Pennsylvania border. Officers found a man on the front porch who told them a woman inside the home had a knife and a gun, and had stabbed him in the stomach. Police at the scene of the shooting. news12 When the woman, 69, emerged minutes later, she appeared to point a black handgun at cops and two of them opened fire, state police said. The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was taken to Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis and later died. The mans non-life-threatening injuries were treated at the scene, authorities said. No troopers were hurt. Its was not immediately clear what sparked the original incident. State Police spokeswoman Trooper Jennifer Alvarez declined to say what type of gun the woman was carrying, noting the investigation remains ongoing, according to the Times Union. The shooting marked the fourth involving upstate police just this week, the outlet reported. David M. Levine, 69, of Malta, was reportedly shot and killed by troopers Wednesday after he allegedly fired shots using a high-powered rifle outside of their Malta barracks. A day later, Saratoga County authorities fatally shot 37-year-old Brandon R. Moore, who reportedly pointed a BB gun at police after barricading himself in his Malta apartment. Two troopers were hurt during the incident, although its unclear how, the Times Union reported. The same day, state police arrested Markell D. Jarrette, 29, after he was injured during a gunfire exchange with a Sullivan County sheriffs deputy outside of a Monticello apartment complex, the outlet said. Bella Thorne has accused Mickey Rourke of bruising her pelvic bone with a metal grinder while shooting a movie. Bella Thorne starred alongside Mickey Rourke in the thriller film The 27-year-old actress has taken to social media to slam her 'Girl' co-star, describing working with Mickey as "one of the all-time worst experiences" of her career. After Mickey was recently warned about his behaviour on 'Celebrity Big Brother' in the UK, Bella wrote on Instagram: "This f***ing dude. GROSS. I had to work with this man - In a scene Where I'm on my knees with my hands zip tied around my back. He's supposed to take a metal grinder to my knee cap and instead he used it on my genitals thru my jeans. Hitting them over and over again. I had bruises on my pelvic bone - Working with Mickey was one of the all time worst experiences of my life working as an actress. (sic)" In 'Girl', Bella played a young woman who returns to her hometown with the intention of murdering her abusive dad. But the actress has now accused Mickey, 72, of trying to "humiliate" her during the shoot. In a separate post, Bella wrote: "So many gross stories of things he made me go thru on that movie, including in his last scene to speed up and rev his engine so he could cover me completely in dirt. Idk I guess he thought it was funny to humiliate me in front of the entire crew. Having to go in his trailer absolutely alone because he refused to speak to the director or producers - so I had to convince him to show up and complete his job, as he shouted crazy demands that he wanted from the producers. "In fact I had to beg. Alone. In his trailer. Since the movie could not be finished without him. Everyones work wouldve just been lost and completely for nothing. I didnt wanna do it. I was uncomfortable, but I did what I was asked to do and what was best for the movie. "Mickey shouldve never put anybody in that movie in any of those positions that he did. (sic)" Karen Cruz Berrios (left) poses with her mother Elsy (right) in an undated photo. - Courtesy Karen Cruz Berrios To Karen Cruz Berrios, her mother is a hard-working, devoted single parent. To the Department of Homeland Security, she is an associate of the vicious MS-13 gang. However, nearly two weeks after Elsy Noemi Berrios, 52, was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, DHS has yet to disclose any evidence to substantiate its claim against the Salvadoran woman to the public or, her attorneys say, to them. Noemi Berrios was arrested by federal agents in Westminster, Maryland, on the morning of March 31 as she drove to work with her daughter, according to her family. Cell phone video, shot and shared by Cruz Berrios, shows authorities demanded her mother step out of the vehicle. Shes heard refusing and asking the officers to show her a detention order. I do not need to show you the warrant, responded one of the officers wearing a tactical vest marked Federal Agent. Seconds later, officers shattered her drivers side window to unlock the door and removed Noemi Berrios from the car before handcuffing her hands behind her back. You guys cannot take her just because you guys just want to, her daughter, Cruz Berrios, screamed just after the agents shattered the window glass. Dont worry my love, Im OK, the mother can be heard telling her daughter in the video. She doesnt have any criminal record, and she does everything right, Cruz Berrios, 18, told CNN last week. She is a good mom because she raised me and my other three siblings by herself. She did everything she could for us. Noemi Berrios attorneys said they have not seen any detention order nor received any explanation from DHS about why their client is in custody. Her attorneys told CNN they only became aware of DHS allegations that she was an affiliate of MS-13 through news reports. Her attorneys requested a bond hearing, scheduled for Monday, to seek her release from detention and compel the government to hand over any evidence they have against their client. DHS has not provided us with any evidence to substantiate their allegations that our client is associated with MS-13 and our client denies any association or involvement, said Raymond Griffith, one of the lawyers representing Noemi Berrios. Under previous administrations, she would likely not have been a priority enforcement as an asylum seeker, said Griffith. Maryland Gov. Wes Moores office is also calling for more transparency from the federal government in this case. Our constitution enshrines due process for an important reason so that people know what theyre accused of and so that everyone gets their day in court, said Carter Elliott IV, Moores senior press secretary. He added the administration urges the federal government to let this family know the basis for the arrest, and investigate the tactics used in this incident to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, policies, and court orders. ICE says Noemi Berrios was arrested in January 2017 after illegally crossing into the United States and processed for expedited removal before being released from custody three weeks later under the ICE Alternatives to Detention program. The program allows migrants to remain in their communities as they move through immigration proceedings or prepare for departure, according to ICEs website. However, her attorneys say those removal proceedings were dismissed in 2023 and she immediately petitioned for asylum. As part of the petition process, Noemi Berrios was granted a work authorization, which was recently renewed, according to her lawyers. She works at a custom clothing manufacturer, her lawyers said. A CNN search of public records shows Noemi Berrios has no criminal history. Her daughter told CNN she was shocked to learn DHS officials are alleging her mother is connected to the violent gang. Its not true, Cruz Berrios said. DHS has not responded to multiple follow-up inquiries from CNN requesting investigative or court documents supporting this claim. Concerns are brewing for members of Marylands Salvadoran community as this case marks another recent high-profile arrest of a member of their community. In March, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a father of three, was deported to El Salvadors notorious high-security CECOT prison in what the Trump administration now calls an administrative error. Abrego Garcia is accused of being a member of MS-13, but the administration has yet to show evidence supporting that claim. His family denies he is involved in the gang and his deportation is now being challenged in federal court. Whether he is in El Salvador or a detention facility in the U.S., he should be locked up, said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin in a statement to CNN. Though the cases of Abrego Garcia and Noemi Berrios differ, Salvadoran-native and Maryland resident Jorge Benitez Perez says he is worried. We know that when Salvadorans were first coming here, that was the number one argument used against us. That we were all MS-13. That we were all part of some gang, said Benitez Perez, an immigration activist who helped spearhead efforts to make Prince Georges County a Maryland sanctuary jurisdiction in 2019. To see these insults and these attacks coming towards our people and seeing our people being sent back to a country that they fled is disappointing and its angering, added Benitez Perez. According to ICE, Noemi Berrios remains detained at one of the agencys processing centers in rural Pennsylvania. Her family and attorneys say they are doing everything they can to have her released out of fear that the government will initiate deportation proceedings. CNNs Jeff Winter contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com On the eve of a too-close-to-call presidential election, Ecuador declared a state of emergency Saturday in seven of its 24 provinces, including the capital Quito, saying it was needed to fight a dramatic rise in drug-linked violence. The measure, set to last 60 days, took effect just before Sunday's election pitting incumbent Daniel Noboa against his leftist opponent Luisa Gonzalez, and after the country began the year with its bloodiest start ever, averaging a killing every hour. The state of emergency applies to the coastal provinces of Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, Santa Elena and El Oro, the Amazonian provinces of Orellana and Sucumbios, as well as to Quito and the troubled mining town of Camilo Ponce Enriquez. It also applies to the nation's prisons. Noboa imposed the measure amid an "increase in violence, serious crime, and the intense unlawful activities of organized armed groups," according to a decree he signed. The order suspends the legal protection against unauthorized search and entry of homes and mail, as well as the freedom of assembly, and imposes a nightly curfew in the cities of Guayas, Los Rios, Orellana and Sucumbios, as well as Ponce Enriquez. Noboa, in power since November 2023, has previously decreed states of emergency to combat the rise of drug gangs, who have waged bloody turf fights over control of the illicit trade, spreading terror among ordinary Ecuadorans. Navy soldiers stand in formation before heading out to guard polling stations in preparation for Sunday's presidential runoff election, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Saturday, April 12, 2025. / Credit: Fernando Vergara / AP As he pursued his "iron fist" policies, the country's homicide rate fell from a record 47 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023 to 38 in 2024, yet remained the highest in Latin America last year, according to the group Insight Crime. Noboa last year declared Ecuador to be in an internal armed conflict, allowing him to keep troops in the streets to combat some 20 drug gangs linked to international cartels the president brands as "terrorists." It was not immediately clear how the election-eve emergency measures would affect the voting process Sunday, or voters' decisions. But crime has been a key issue between Noboa, 37, and his 47-year-old rival Gonzalez, as close to 14 million Ecuadorans prepare to decide who will run their nation for the next four years. A Noboa victory would likely spell more "iron fist" policies, which have had mixed success. He wants to see U.S. troops deploy to Ecuador to tackle the cartels wrestling to control the flow of cocaine through Ecuadoran ports to Asia, the United States and Europe. A win by Gonzalez, who hopes to be Ecuador's first female president, would signal a sharp shift to the left and a likely cooling of Ecuador's relations with the United States and its president, Donald Trump. An American intelligence assessment of the Ecuadorian presidential election concluded that a reelection of the incumbent president would better serve U.S. national security interests over the challenger. Ecuador ranks among the 10 largest economies in Latin America and the bilateral trade between Ecuador and the United States surged to $15.2 billion in 2023. Ecuador avoided Mr. Trump's imposed tariffs rolled out by the White House last week. Saturday Sessions: Dawes performs "Still Strangers Sometimes" Saturday Sessions: Dawes performs "Time Spent in Los Angeles" Saturday Sessions: Dawes performs "Front Row Seat" Getty Images (2) Brandi Glanville claims her past drama with Caroline Manzo ruined her life. All my jobs were canceled, Glanville, 52, recalled on the Thursday, April 10, episode of Tori Spellings Misspelling podcast. The narrative when we got back from Morocco was I was fired for being inappropriate with Caroline Manzo, and I wasnt. She added, Its ruined my life. Those [first] six months, I was in a fetal position on my couch, like, contemplating suicide [and I was] being called horrible things. News broke in January 2023 that Glanville and Manzo, 63, both left The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip to Morocco early after Glanville allegedly kissed Manzo multiple times without her consent. Brandi Glanville Details Health Issues After Alleged Girls Trip Incident With Caroline Manzo It went from gave her a lap dance to kissed her unwantingly to sexually harrassed her and then to rape, Glanville said on Friday, further denying the claims. I was supposed to go to Australia after [UGT]. I had all these jobs lined up, and everything was canceled. Im like, Just wait for the show to air at least, like, come on. According to Glanville, she also lost her looks at the same time. (Glanville has dealt with a mysterious medical condition for two years that has caused facial disfigurement.) Literally at 51, I started OnlyFans because I did not have income for six months, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, who shares two sons with ex-husband Eddie Cibrian, recalled. I was going through my savings, and so I started. I was making good money and then my face started being crazy, so then I couldnt really even do that. Glanville continued, Its just been a really tough time, and then now, still not having a diagnosis [is the hardest] because its spreading. Brandi Glanville Threatens to Sue Bravo Over Uncontrollable Stress Thats Stopped Her From Working Regarding her UGT drama, Glanville previously told Us Weekly that she hoped Bravo would eventually air the footage. (The network, meanwhile, has not publicly revealed whether they plan to show the episodes.) Ive been asking for it to air this whole entire time, she exclusively told Us in April 2024. We were having such a good show that there was no need for this to be a part of the story line. Just girls at a party having fun, everyone having fun, no one uncomfortable. If [Caroline] was uncomfortable, I feel bad for her. Manzo, meanwhile, named Bravo in a sexual harassment lawsuit in January 2024, claiming the network allowed cast members to harass one another for good ratings. Glanville was not listed as a defendant. Sadly, Brandi had to wake up to yet another lawsuit that includes defamatory, false accusations about her. While filming, Brandi followed what the producers asked of her, and there was no sexual assault, Glanvilles lawyers told Us in a statement at the time. She is innocent of these absurd accusations that have weighed on her mental and physical health for far too long without a word of support from Peacock, Shed or Bravo. Bravo didnt address the accusations, having no comment when Us reached out at the time. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images Chrissy Metz took a significant step in her new relationship during a recent work trip. After shooting a film in Cape Town, South Africa, the This Is Us alum, 44, traveled to Nigeria to meet her boyfriends family. I really was on an adventure, Metz shared on the Thursday, April 10, episode of Live With Kelly and Mark. We went to go visit his family. They are the most beautiful, special, wonderful people. When asked by Kelly Ripa what her Nigerian welcome was like, Metz said she was greeted with love, kindness [and] food. She added, Some of its spicy, a little spicy for me, but Im obsessed with jollof rice. Its one of my favorite things. Ive tried to make it. Im working on it, but thats OK. Despite her love for Nigerian food, Metz recalled asking her boyfriends family if they could turn down the spice level for her. This Is Us Casts Dating Histories Through the Years: Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore and More Metz was previously married to Martyn Eaden from 2008 to 2015 and dated Bradley Collins for more than three years before calling it quits in 2023. Earlier this month, she exclusively confirmed to Us Weekly that shes feeling very, very good about her new relationship, which she is choosing to keep private. I think that when you keep trying things and expecting different results, that's called the definition of insanity, she explained. And I'm like, yeah, you know what? I think I want to just keep it very private and just enjoy it. And what's the intention of talking about it and sharing it? I am just being very cautious and careful. The Hapa Blonde/GC Images Metz recently teamed up with Collins to create their second childrens book, When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings, which hit bookshelves on Tuesday, April 8. Any collaborative art is always so hard. Because youre like, Well, I have this idea, and trying to meld it together. I think we did a great job with that, she told Us of working with her ex. I think that it's cool because we both have different, obviously, experiences when we were young. You can lend his experience to my experience. She continued, It was also one of those things where we were transitioning out of our romantic relationship into friendship when we put in our second draft. And it was cool because I was like, Oh, in real-time, we're assessing our feelings. We're actually so meta. It's helping us. I think everything happens as it's supposed to. It was not lost on me. I was like, Oh, OK. What can I glean from this? Metz said that just because Collins didnt turn out to be her forever person, she didnt have to kick him out of her life. You still want to be respectful and you know that you cared about them at a certain point in a different way, she said. I'm that person that I want to treat people the way I want to be treated. The actress celebrated the books release via Instagram on Wednesday, April 9. The absolute sweetest pub date!! , she wrote alongside snaps from her book tour. Thank you to everyone who has shared their kind words about our new book When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings . The family of the Maryland music producer found dead while on vacation at a Bahamas resort insists he was killed despite officials ruling his death to be from drowning. Frustrated relatives of Dinari McAlmont are rallying for international help as the 23-year-olds mother has been denied access to her sons body a week after his tragic death. Marcelle Bacchus, McAlmonts aunt, shared the infuriating week her sister has endured looking for answers into her sons death when he was found dead on a beach on April 5. Dinari McAlmont was found dead on Paradise Island in the Bahamas on April 5, 2025. Michelle McAlmont/facebook My sister is so frustrated (sic). She has not seen her son as yet, Bacchus wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. She also revealed that cameras were not allowed in the morgue as the family fears valuable information in the case will be erased. No cameras were allowed in the mortary. The Police did not even share a picture publicly. No camera footage until now. We are afraid evidence will disappear, Bacchus wrote. McAlmont arrived on the Carribean island on April 4 for a getaway with his parents at the Atlantis Paradise Bahamas resort. The family had dinner, and then McAlmont said he was cold and wanted to get a jacket before exploring the resort just before 9 p.m. He was found dead approximately 12 hours after arriving in the Bahamas. McAlmonts parents reported him missing around 11 p.m. and began searching for him. Officials discovered his lifeless body on the shoreline of Paradise Island at 5:30 a.m. the next day. The Royal Bahamas Police Force ruled McAlmont died as a result of drowning and dont suspect foul play. McAlmonts death was ruled a drowning by officials. Family via FOX 5 DC A post-mortem examination was performed, and the pathologists findings revealed that the deceased died as a result of drowning, the RBPF said in a news conference Wednesday. The grieving aunt revealed that McAlmonts body was not released to the funeral parlor Thursday as planned because of a clerical error from the morgue misspelling his name. McAlmonts mom, Michelle McAlmont, only saw her son in a photo when officials gave her a glance at his beaten body. When I looked at the photo they showed me, my son was beaten; he was traumatized, she told Bahamian outlet Eyewitness News. They beat my son down in the sand, she said. I need justice for my baby. I need justice. McAlmont was allegedly beaten to death, according to his mom. Gtboyz Oliva /Facebook The Reef at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. Wangkun Jia stock.adobe.com The heartbroken mother doubled down on her claim saying she was sure her son did not drown but was attacked. There is foul play, Michelle McAlmont told Fox 5 DC. Because of all the bruises and you can see when somebody is abused and hit at, yes, and that is what I am saying. Bacchus claims her sister only looked at the picture briefly and wasnt given a copy. The sound engineer from Bowie, Md. was accused of getting into an argument with restaurant staff at the resort before he allegedly spit on some of the workers. LowcationStudios/Facebook Officials discovered his lifeless body on the shoreline of Paradise Island at 5:30 a.m. the next day. Family via FOX 5 DC The sound engineer from Bowie, Md. was accused of getting into an argument with restaurant staff at the resort before he allegedly spit on some of the workers. The police said they were looking for him because apparently he spat on some staff in a restaurant, Michelle McAlmont said on April 7. Family members created a GoFundMe to raise money for legal expenses to pursue accountability in the McAlmonts death. Dinari was a kind, compassionate person who touched the lives of many. He leaves behind a legacy of love and strength that we are committed to protecting. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to justice, the fundraiser said. Compensation for General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra spiked about 6% last year to $29.5 million due to the company reaching several performance targets and achieving record profits, the company said in its annual executive compensation report. In the Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, GM also noted that most other corporate officers reported modest gains, excluding incoming or outgoing employees. Compensation for Barra, 63, is broken down into these categories: $2.1 million in salary, the same since 2017, with $19.5 million in stock awards from record financial gains in the year, $6.6 million in incentive plan compensation, and the balance of $1.2 million in other payments for items such as benefits, savings plans and insurance, medical or company vehicles. General Motors CEO Mary Barra, center, next to her husband Anthony Barra, shakes hands with Detroit Lions principal owner and chair Sheila Ford Hamp during the second half between Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. GM Compensation Committee Chair Wesley Bush said in a letter to shareholders included in the filing that he believed the company's payment program played a significant role in GM's record financial performance. Disciplined execution in our core internal combustion engine business while demonstrating that the strategic investments we made in electric vehicles and our software capabilities are paying off, Bush wrote. Investors have taken notice of our recent performance, driving our stock price up 50% in 2024, outperforming our peers. Don't mistake progress for winning Barra's targets and her compensation improved from a year ago, putting her back in the top slot in executive compensation among the Detroit Three. In case you missed it: GM reports 2025 pretax profit of $14.9 billion; takes $4 billion charge on China struggles Improvements in retail market share across the company's powertrain vehicles allowed Barra's stock options to rise nearly $5 million, a main driver of her compensation improvement for 2024. Total 2023 compensation fell for Barra to $27.8 million, a 4% dip compared with the year prior after GM failed to meet shareholder value targets to which part of her compensation is tied. General Motors CEO Mary Barra speaks to reporters while she waits for the arrival of President Joe Biden at media day of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, September 14, 2022. Yet Bush warned shareholders that positive growth does not mean employees should rest on their laurels. While weve had a great year at General Motors, wed like to echo something our chair and CEO, Mary Barra, often reminds her team: Dont mistake progress for winning, Bush wrote. Your Compensation Committee recognizes there is more work to do and believes that our shareholders will benefit greatly from that work. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's tariff threats could still meaningfully harm company profits, and, necessarily, profit-sharing. Several auto industry analysts note that a decline is likely unavoidable in annual profit-sharing checks to UAW-represented workers and bonuses that salaried people earn. General Motors news: GM announces layoff of 200 auto workers, unrelated to tariffs, as it adjusts production At the request of the Detroit Free Press, Patrick Anderson, CEO of East Lansing-based consultancy Anderson Economic Group, said his team spent a week doing the math and projected that the Detroit Three will see a reduction of about $5 billion in operating profits in North America for the rest of this year due to tariffs. The formula for GM and Ford states that qualified employees get $1,000 per every $1 billion in annual earnings in the companies. GM's 2024 pretax profit-sharing payout for its 45,000 UAW-represented workforce was $14,500 to eligible employees, compared with the 2023 payout of $12,250. Compensation for Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley, 62, dropped 6%, or $1.6 million, after the company failed to hit key performance objectives, most notably quality improvement targets. The company reported in March Farley's total compensation of $24.8 million was down from $26.5 million in 2023. Meanwhile, Stellantis paid former CEO Carlos Tavares more than $24 million in total compensation last year, the company said in a February filing. His compensation fell dramatically compared with 2023's $39.5 million, when a record year allowed the executive to collect about 518 times that of the average Stellantis employee. Yet production issues, dropping sales and conflicts with the dealer network prompted Tavares to depart in early December, though a search to replace him was already underway. The owner of the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands reported a devastating 70% drop in net profit in 2024 compared with the year prior. The automaker notched a net profit of $5.8 billion for the year, but still suffered a net loss of $133 million in the second half. Holding leaders accountable GM's executive compensation strategy echoes that of the other automakers aiming to hold executives accountable for their own performance and the performance of the company as a whole. Last year, GM announced that it would be changing the formula in its executive variable compensation structure to align more closely with the company's four strategic growth areas internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles, software and services and autonomous vehicles. Failure to progress in electric vehicle production and autonomous vehicle development accounted for declines in Barra's compensation from 2022 to 2023. GM's other top leaders, CFO Paul Jacobson and President Mark Reuss, had total compensation of $13.1 million and $18.5 million, respectively. The report also discloses the ratio of executive compensation against the median of all General Motors employees. That ratio, which is required in the annual executive compensation report, sat at 310-to-1, an increase from 2023's 303-to-1 ratio. The median annual total compensation of all GM employees last year, excluding Barra, rose to $95,111 from $91,778 in 2023. As of Dec. 31, 2023, GM had 162,000 employees, with 91,417, or about half of them, located in the United States, according to its website. Senior autos writer Jamie L. LaReau contributed to this report. Jackie Charniga covers General Motors for the Free Press. Reach her at jcharniga@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GM's CEO Mary Barra tops Detroit Three pay rankings with $29.5M salary courtesy of Simone Amorico/Access Italy Jessica Alba and Access Italy's Simone Amorico having a bowl of pasta and in front of the Pantheon in Rome. If you follow actress Jessica Alba on Instagram, you've likely found yourself envying her natural beauty, sense of style, successful Hollywood career, and, perhaps most of all, her incredible vacations. And you've probably noticed she loves to go to Italy. "I try to go at least once a yearmore if Im lucky," Alba told Travel + Leisure. "Theres just something about Italy that keeps pulling me backthe culture, the history, the people, the food, the energy, all of it." When Alba travels anywhere in Italy, there's only one family she calls: the Amoricos, founders of luxury tour company Access Italy. It's no surprise, since brothers Simone and Marco Amorico and their father, Angelo Amorico, have been known to tour everyone from Oprah and the Obamas to T+L editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford and me around the boot. But Alba's connection to the Roman family runs deep. courtesy of Simone Amorico/Access Italy Jessica Alba and Access Italy's Simone Amorico in front of the Coliseum (left) and enjoying a glass of wine in Rome. "I was introduced to Access Italy through a friend who had used their services and was completely obsessedand now I totally get why," she said. "From the moment you start planning with them, you feel like youre getting this secret, insider access to Italy that you would never find on your own. But what really makes them special is that you also feel like youre part of the Amorico family. Everywhere you go, people welcome you with open armsits like one big warm hug." Traveling with Access Italyespecially as a familymeans luxury, Alba said, because every detail is thoughtfully handled. "And what I love is that nothing feels cookie-cutter," she added. "The itinerary is tailored daily just for you and how youre feeling in the moment." Jessica Alba What is the best trip you've taken as a family? Sicily and Tuscany with Access Italy. What are your top tips for traveling with kids? Always have plenty of snacks on you, and a portable fan in the warmer months is a lifesaver. If your kids are the right age, bringing a little scooter can make getting around so much easierplus, a scooter suitcase is a fun way to get them to zoom through the airport without complaints! What's one item you can't travel without? My passport feels like an important one. How do you spend your time on flights? I try to read and sleep as much as I can. I also like to watch documentaries or docuseries. What's the dream trip you haven't taken yet? India is definitely at the top of my listIve always wanted to experience the culture and history. Id also love to visit the Himalayas, Nepal, and Peru, just to name a few. As a mom of three, Alba is no stranger to dealing with the sometimes challenging logistics that come with family traveland keeping everyone entertained. "There are actually so many fun and engaging activities for kids in Rome," she said. "Things like gelato-making, pizza-making, and pasta-making classes are always a hittheyre interactive and so much fun. There are also incredible museums, unique toy stores, and parks for running around." Related: This European Country Was Named the Best Family Travel Destination for 2025 Since her first trip to Rome with the Access Italy team, they have also taken her and the kids to Sicily and Tuscany, which she named as some of her favorite family vacations of all time. "It was so special to experience different regionseach with its own unique vibe, history, and culture," she said. "It felt like we were discovering different sides of Italy, which kept it so dynamic and exciting. And the kids had the best timethere was something for everyone." courtesy of Simone Amorico/Access Italy Jessica Alba and Access Italy's Simone Amorico riding around Sicily together. While travelers often discuss Italian etiquette tips and innocuous tourist mistakes to avoid, like ordering a cappuccino too late in the day, Alba says she learned a more important local lesson while traveling with the Amoricos: Kindness goes a long way. "Smile, be warm, give hugs, and just lead with a good heart; it really makes all the difference," she said. "The Amoricos have this incredible way of creating genuine connections everywhere they go, and that energy is contagiouswhen you travel with them, you feel like part of their extended family." "The Amoricos have this incredible way of creating genuine connections everywhere they go, and that energy is contagiouswhen you travel with them, you feel like part of their extended family." Jessica Alba For Alba, that included being welcomed into their homeand their favorite hometown restaurants, like Taverna Trilussa in the Trastevere neighborhood, which has become one of her favorite places to eat in Rome. "Their cacio e pepe is next level!" she said. "I also cant resist the truffle burrata focacciait's out of this world." When she's not in Italy, Alba also loves to travel to Hawaii, Mexico, Japan, Austria, and the South of France. Since her most recent trip with Access Italy in December, she's been spotted at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai; in Los Cabos with her 7-year-old son, Hayes; and in Mexico City with girlfriends. Next on her wishlist is India, along with the Himalayas, Nepal, and Peru. In the meantime, it's safe to assume her Italian memories will tide her over until she's on a plane again. "Every trip Ive taken with Access Italy has given me forever memories," she told T+L. "Its honestly a dream way to experience such beautiful places." Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Attorney Mark Geragos arrives for a hearing regarding the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) 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. 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. 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. 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. 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." 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. A24 "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." IF THE NEW movie Warfare gives you a sense of deja vu, youre not alone. The hyperrealist A24 war drama, depicting events from the Iraq War, comes from writer and director Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation), who just last year delivered Civil War, a jittery if opaque imagining of a future conflict-torn America. But Warfare is a very different beast. Not only because Garland is working with a co-writer and co-director, Ray Mendoza, but because the film is based on a very real firefight that Mendoza experienced as a Navy SEAL in 2006. As soon as Ray told me the story, I realized this wasnt something that would make sense for me to conventionally direct, Garland told Empire . Viewers will notice that Warfare is dedicated to Elliott, also a former SEAL who experienced traumatic brain injury in the battle, and as a result has no memory of what occurred. It can be hard for veterans to talk about an experience, Mendoza said in the same Empire piece. Now he can show this to his kids, who have questions all the time. If you dont remember, its hard to explain. The harrowing texture of what real war is like on a second-by-second level informs every choice in Warfare, which unfolds in real time. But who is Mendoza? How did he and Garland collaborate to create a particularly authentic, process-obsessed war movie like no other? Here, Men's Health breaks down everything to know about the mission that fueled its jarring scenes of combat, and how that shapes the experience of watching Warfare. Shop Now Whats the true story behind Warfare? How did the movie come about? Variety - Getty Images Warfare depicts, as faithfully as possible (hey, it is a fictionalized Hollywood film, after all), a 2006 mission in Ramadi, Iraq, in which former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza was involved, as Variety reports. Mendoza, the co-writer and co-director, had the idea for a movie recreation of the mission, but it wasnt until he met Garland that the two started bringing it to life. Mendoza was a military advisor on Garlands previous movie, Civil War, helping to inject a veracity and cinema verite style to what was largely a what-if premise about a dystopian United States torn into violent factions. During production, Garland noticed the realistic detail that Mendoza infused into a climactic scene in which soldiers (and the journalists who are the main characters) navigate their way through a White House corridor toward the Oval Office. It had a kind of electricity attached to it, Garland explained in a Q&A screening for Warfare, per Variety. What I could see floating out was some truth, some reality about how these guys function. And when Mendoza opened up about his own Iraq War tales, Garland lit up. He had been interested in recreating lived experience as forensically as possible, and doing it in real time, he told Empire. And so Garland and Mendoza embarked on Warfare, in which Mendoza is played by DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs, Hell of a Summer). Other stars include Shogun star Cosmo Jarvis (as Elliott Miller), Will Poulter, Kit Connor, Joseph Quinn, Michael Gandolfini, Charles Melton, and Noah Centineo. While Elliott gets the dedication, many of the real-life identities of the SEALs involved are undisclosed, ostensibly for safety and privacy reasons. What happened in the actual Iraq War mission depicted in Warfare? A24 The 2006 operation at the heart of Warfare, as mentioned, took place in Ramadi, which is about 70 miles west of Baghdad. Mendoza was partly motivated to distill this chapter because of Elliott. When Elliott woke up, he immediately started asking questions, Mendoza said. He doesnt have that core memory. After many efforts to provide an accurate account, Mendoza thought a movie mining the memories might offer closure. As for those memories, Mendoza recounted to NPR of the mission, Counterinsurgency was the focus at the time. Ramadi was considered kind of the hotbed of the insurgency. And the goal was to go in and to take back Ramadi sector by sector. And we were to provide overwatch for those missions. According to Military.com , the objective for the SEALs was to occupy a local Iraqi home as a base to perform their overwatch mission. It was a common tactic during the war, and Iraqi homeowners were provided vouchers they could redeem with the Americans to cover any damages to their personal property as a result of the SEALs' operations. The kind of mission seen in Warfare is really standard operating procedureso standard, in fact, that even the enemy knows where they are and what they're doing. Unsurprisingly, things went awry over the course of this day in Ramadi. Warfares granular detail jumps out at you from the opening scene, in which SEALs watch the music video for the 2004 hit "Call On Me by Eric Prydz, a seemingly dissonant bit in a serious, violent war film. If it didn't happen on that day, it wasn't going to be in the film, Mendoza remembers. In 2006, you can't stream movies or content like you can now. And in a place like Iraq, where a lot of times you have to entertain yourself, you know, videos get passed around via USB drives, and this is one of many videos. But this one just caused us to beit was just fun. Obviously, there's some beautiful women in it. There's a guy in there. You know, it's a bit comedic. And so, yeah, it was just something that stuck with us. And then we started watching it more and more until it became a kind of a ritual to watch before we went out. As for the ensuing chaos, Garland and Mendoza stage Warfare without commentary or even much exposition around the Iraq War, stripping the narrative down to its bare first-person essentials. But for Mendoza, it was always critical to give voice to Elliott, one of his best friends. Reliving it, I don't think it was as hard as coming out of the military, understanding it, just transitioning into civilian world, figuring out what I wanted to dosome of those mechanisms we create to function every day when you see tragedy on that scale, Mendoza said. How does the Warfare movie compare? A24 Warfare can and will be hastily compared to Black Hawk Down except for the Iraq War, yet that doesnt do its own blistering quality justice. Garland, a pioneer of new frontiers of visceral filmmaking, is so dedicated to his hyperrealism that at first you might wonder where the film is going. A bunch of dudes watching a catchy if dumb music video to amp themselves up? Funny. That uneasily shifts to them being listless as they wait for action. The point is clear enough when that action comes with shattering force: These are men whose lives are both everyday, like anyone elses, and constantly susceptible to almost unimaginable loss. Jargon-ish terms like show of force become vividly all-in-your-face-and-ears assault. And there is no shying away from realities like SEALs begging for air support only to be asked for their location (which hasnt changed). One SEAL on comms responds, look for smoke and blood. Garland and Mendoza stringently avoid politicizing the conflict in Warfare, but any depiction is bound to be political by its very nature. Non-insurgent Iraqis are left hopelessly confused by the madness. Still, the main thought one comes away with is what these military members got in return for their immense suffering, and whether we deservedand continue to justifythat kind of sacrifice. Its a question the movie, appropriately, leaves wide open. You Might Also Like Macron warns Trump's 90-day reciprocal tariffs pause remains "fragile" Xinhua) 10:30, April 12, 2025 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. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) One of Sean Diddy Combs accusers has removed Jay-Z and Beyonces names from his filing against the jailed rapper. One of Sean Diddy Combs accusers has removed Jay-Z and Beyonces names from his filing against the jailed rapper The new version of the suit, submitted in Florida, comes just weeks after complainant Joseph Manzaro, 39, originally alleged he was drugged, abducted, and taken to a so-called Freak Off party at Combs Miami property. He claimed the event was a 17th birthday party for the musicians son, King Combs and in his initial complaint, Joseph named celebrities including Jay-Z, 54, and Beyonce, 42, as guests present at the party claims their representatives and legal teams swiftly denied. Joseph has now removed all references to the two music stars from the updated complaint, according to an amended filing reported on by TMZ. The original lawsuit painted a disturbing picture of the events Josep alleges took place at Combs party. He said he lost consciousness after touching a greasy substance resembling Vaseline while opening the door to his home. Joseph also claimed he was then abducted and brought through a secret tunnel to Combs Miami property a tunnel allegedly connected to a home owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Once there, Joseph said he was taken through multiple rooms where he was mocked and jeered before being assaulted. Hes gonna find out what we do to snitches tonight. Get him undressed! Combs allegedly told him. Joseph then claimed he was stripped, washed and sexually assaulted until he lost consciousness. He said he awoke on a sofa, was transported to another house, and then savagely beaten and left for dead. Gloria Estefan, 66, allegedly panicked on seeing him and told someone to call an ambulance, before Emilio Estefan, 71, intervened and ushered her away. Other celebrities named in the original filing also denied involvement in the alleged incident. Jay-Zs lawyer said he was engaged in easily findable public activities elsewhere at the time. Combs legal team have dismissed the claims in the filing, saying: No sane person reading this complaint could credit this story. Mr Combs looks forward to having his day in court where these lies and the perverse motives of those who told them will be revealed. Combs is currently awaiting trial for separate federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transporting individuals for prostitution and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Croatia plans to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and to 3% by 2030, it said on Tuesday, the latest European member of NATO to pledge higher military spending amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Balkan nation currently spends 2% of its economic output on defence. "Croatia is intensively working on the development of its defence industry and further cooperation with its allies," Defence Minister Ivan Anusic was quoted as saying by his ministry at the opening of the Adriatic Sea Defence & Aerospace Exhibition and Conference in the capital Zagreb. Anusic said that Croatia's armed forces were negotiating with Germany to buy 50 Leopard tanks that should arrive in 2028, part of a push across Europe to boost military capabilities amid concerns Washington is stepping back from defending the region. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic. Editing by Alison Williams and Mark Potter) Aerial view of Northwestern UniversityPhoto by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash DOJ: Minority-only scholarship programs suspendedThe Department of Justice says the State of Illinois and several universities have suspended a minority-only scholarship program after a lawsuit threat from the department.The program was administered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education before being suspended until it can review it with the Illinois General Assembly during the current legislative session.The universities named in a DOJ press release are Northwestern University, Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Chicago.Illinois man dies in NYC copter crashThe pilot killed in a New York City tourist helicopter crash Thursday was from Illinois.The chopper fell into the Hudson River just over 15 minutes after it departed a heliport. According to ABC7, the pilot, Sean Johnson, was from Chicago. A family of five Spanish tourists celebrating their mothers birthday were also killed in the crash.Chronic wasting disease spreadsChronic wasting disease, or CWD, is spreading in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resource, the disease has been detected in Putnam, Marshall, Adams, and Peoria counties, expanding the geographic presence of the disease in free-ranging deer populations in northern Illinois.CWD is an always-fatal neurological disease that affects the long-term health of white-tailed deer in Illinois. First documented in the state in 2002 near Roscoe, CWD has been detected in 25 counties across northern Illinois and now as far south as Adams County in west-central Illinois. SHENGJIN, Albania (Reuters) - Italy dispatched 40 failed asylum seekers to Albania on Friday to be held until repatriation to their home countries in vacant, Italian-run detention centres built for a stalled migration deterrent scheme. Italy built two facilities in Albania last year intending to use them to process asylum requests from migrants picked up at sea, hoping the initiative would deter people from trying to reach Italy. However, the scheme has been put on hold after Italian courts repeatedly annulled the transfer of sea migrants, forcing the government to bring them to Italy to assess their legal situation. Facing criticism from the opposition over the legal confusion, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's conservative coalition last month decided to use Albania instead as a staging post for people whose asylum bids have already been turned down. It is not clear how long the migrants will remain in Albania. Under Italian law, failed asylum seekers can be detained for up to 18 months while awaiting deportation. Italian authorities did not give details about the first group who were taken by a naval vessel from Brindisi, on the Adriatic coast, to the Albanian port of Shengjin. Italy has a poor record on the repatriation of illegal immigrants. In 2023, just over 4,000 were forcibly sent home, roughly a third of the number returned by France and Germany, official data show. Many more simply ignored their expulsion orders, either vanishing into the background in Italy, or heading to another European country. Meloni originally hoped that the two Albanian camps would be able to process some 36,000 male asylum applicants per year from a government list of safe countries, with the idea of swiftly repatriating them after the likely rejection of their requests. The government still hopes to revert to its original plan and is waiting on a ruling from the European Union's Court of Justice which could compel Italian judges to process new asylum seekers dispatched to Albania. (Reporting by Florion Goga in Shengjin and Angelo Amante in Rome; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Ros Russell) Mahmoud Khalil in April 2024 in New York. a former graduate student at Columbia University, outside the campus in New York City on April 30, 2024. - Olivia Falcigno/USA Today Network/Imagn Images/File A Louisiana immigration judge said Friday that Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil a legal permanent resident can be deported after the United States government argued his presence posed potentially serious foreign policy consequences. The decision by Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans comes after the federal government submitted evidence to the court on Wednesday, including a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleging Khalil is deportable because of his beliefs, statements or associations that would compromise US foreign policy interests. Khalils attorneys said the judges decision was solely based on Rubios memo which contained no allegations of criminal activity and was a violation of the graduates constitutional right to free speech that sets a harmful precedent. Despite the governments failure to prove that Mahmoud broke any law, the court has decided that lawful permanent residents can have their status revoked for pro-Palestine advocacy, Khalils legal team said at a press conference following the hearing. This is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and a dangerous precedent for anyone who believes in free speech and political expression. A removability finding in immigration court means the judge has determined the individual is subject to removal from the United States due to a violation of immigration law or lack of legal immigration status. Khalils attorneys are expected to appeal the ruling. Khalil was arrested last month by federal agents outside of his apartment on the campus of Columbia University following a deportation order from the Trump administration. Khalil, who is married to a US citizen, is a prominent Palestinian activist and played a central role in protests against Israels war in Gaza on the Ivy League campus last year. Khalils attorneys have challenged the accusations against him in federal and immigration court, saying he is being targeted over his pro-Palestine activism. At the end of Fridays hearing, Khalil told the court he hasnt been granted due process rights and fundamental fairness, according to a news release from the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing him in the case. Neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process, Khalil said. This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family. Noor Abdalla, Khalils wife, said her husband is being imprisoned for his pro-Palestine advocacy. My husband is a political prisoner who is being deprived of his rights because he believes Palestinians deserve equal dignity and freedom, she said in a statement that was read during Fridays briefing. There is nothing the government can say about my husband that can silence this truth. Khalil is among the first of a string of students or faculty members at college campuses across the country living in the US as permanent residents or through work or student visas who have been detained by federal agents as part of the administrations immigration crackdown. More than 500 students, faculty and researchers have had their visas revoked this year. Khalils lawyers will continue to challenge deportation Khalils legal team on Friday called into question the judge basing her decision on Rubios memo, which they said makes extremely broad claims. The attorneys had made several requests with the immigration court including filing a motion to see evidence supporting Rubios finding, a continuance request to continue arguing against the deportation order and a motion to file a waiver to contest his removal. All three motions were denied, his attorneys 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 weaponization of immigration law to suppress dissent, Marc van der Hout, an immigration attorney for Khalil, said in a statement Friday. Khalils lawyers will continue to challenge his deportation. Comens gave them until April 23 to submit new motions. The team expects several more immigration hearings will be held before a final decision is made, after which they can make an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. As Khalils immigration attorneys plan their next steps, a separate case in federal court in New Jersey will continue to play out. Khalils attorneys have filed multiple petitions challenging the legality of his arrest and detention. Federal district court Judge Michael Farbiarz, who is overseeing Khalils case in New Jersey, told attorneys in a phone conference Friday that he is still deciding whether he has the jurisdiction over the claims filed by Khalils legal team including a habeas corpus motion, a motion to bring him back to the New York area, and a motion to release him on bail. Khalils team will continue to seek bail and a preliminary injunction that would release him from custody while his immigration case proceeds, according to the news release from the ACLU. What happened in immigration court today only confirms the need for the federal court to really intervene and make a decision in this case, because the immigration court made clear today that it wont, and it believes it cant, ACLU lawyer Amy Belsher, one of Khalils attorneys, said Friday. Fridays ruling could have a chilling effect on free speech at colleges and universities in the US, Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, constitutional law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told CNN Friday. It is chilling to all speech rights when the federal governments memo sets out no criminal charges against Mahmoud but seems to say one person can affect American foreign policy through student protests, she said. An aerial view of the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Facility in Jena, Louisiana, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. - Gerald Herbert/AP Heres how we got here As a graduate student at Columbia University, Khalil served as a prominent negotiator for student protesters in talks with the Ivy League schools administration over last springs contentious campus encampment to protest Israels war in Gaza. Khalils case has sparked a firestorm of controversy since the night in March when he was arrested outside his university residence where he was living with his wife, a US citizen, who is nine months pregnant. He was transferred to a Louisiana detention center, where his immigration proceedings have taken place. The administration ordered Khalils deportation based on information provided by the DHS/ICE/HSI regarding the participation and roles of (redacted) and Khalil in antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States, Rubio stated in the memo submitted Wednesday. The actions and continued presence of Khalil in the US undermine U.S. policy to combat anti-Semitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States, the memo continues. Khalils attorneys previously said they would contest the evidence at the hearing and ask for an opportunity to depose Rubio. Van Der Hout said the government had submitted evidence showing that Khalil was involved in protest negotiations at Columbia, but has not submitted evidence supporting the foreign policy allegation. The Rubio letter is the only piece of evidence going to the main charge in this case, Van Der Hout said Thursday. There is zero else. Van Der Hout also challenged the governments description of antisemitism. What is the antisemitism? It is criticizing Israel and the United States for the slaughtering that is going on in Gaza, in Palestine. Thats what this case is about, Van Der Hout said. While ICE maintains that its detention of individuals is non-punitive, some immigration attorneys say that the agency is strategically isolating disfavored immigrants from their attorneys, families and support systems. In a statement following Fridays hearing, Abdalla said she will continue to advocate for her husbands return home, though he may miss the birth of their first child in less than a month. Every day that he remains detained is another day that he suffers irreparable harm, attorney Johnny Sinodis said Friday. Sinodis questioned the precedent Fridays decision sets for others like Khalil. Like Khalil, Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk and Georgetown University fellow Badar Khan Suri are facing deportation as the Trump administration takes aim at pro-Palestinian demonstrators and activists on college campuses. We must not give in to this chilling effect, Khalils lawyers said in a statement Friday. For Mahmoud, for Rumeysa, for Badr Khan Suri and for hundreds of others. The legal team of Mahmoud Khalil, Ramzi Kassem (C) and Baher Azmy (R) speak to the press after a hearing in Newark, New Jersey, on March 28. - Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images Rare immigration law provision The Trump administration, which accused Khalil of being a Hamas supporter, said its acting on a section of US immigration law that provides broad authority to revoke a persons immigration status if the Secretary of State deems their activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences to the country. For cases in which the basis for this determination is the aliens past, current, or expected beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful, the Secretary of State must personally determine that the aliens presence or activities would compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest, the newly released memo from Rubio reads. That provision that the Trump administration is trying to use against Khalil and other activists is incredibly vague, New York University law professor Adam Cox told CNN. Cox recently joined a group of 150 immigration lawyers and legal scholars in filing an amicus brief in Khalils federal case. In the years since that provision was created in 1990, the provision was used in just 15 of 11.7 million removal cases, the brief notes. Of those 15, only five involved detention throughout the case and just four ultimately resulted in deportation, the experts noted. While the authors did not have insight into the details of each case, they said they were unaware of the provision ever before being used against a lawful permanent resident where the underlying conduct was itself political speech. It may well be that Mr. Khalils case is unprecedented in the history of this provision and in the history of the United States. At a minimum, the governments assertion of authority here is extraordinaryindeed, vanishingly rare, the brief notes. With that provision being used against other students swept up in Trumps immigration crackdown, Cox says the decision made in Khalils case Friday could be important for cases to come. CNNs Emma Tucker and Yash Roy contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com "Vote Here" signs in Washoe County, Nevada Nevada Secretary of State / Facebook (The Center Square) - A panel of three Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals judges dismissed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Nevada's Election Worker Protection Act. The case at the San Francisco-based court was brought by plaintiffs Robert Beadles, Alexandra Slack, Susan Vanness and Martin Waldman, who argued they could be wrongfully prosecuted for observing election officials during the 2020 presidential election. The case, in which the plaintiffs argued the Election Worker Protection Act, or Senate Bill 406, would be used against them, was filed shortly after the law was unanimously passed by the Nevada Legislature in 2023. SB 406 made it unlawful for a person to use or threaten or attempt to use any force, intimidation, coercion, violence, restraint or undue influence with the intent to interfere, against election workers in Nevada. I will always fight to protect election workers they are the unsung heroes of our democracy. No one should be harassed or intimidated for supporting our democratic process, and this bipartisan law shows the importance of putting people over politics, said Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, co-defendant in the case with Gov. Joe Lombardo, in a press release. Im thankful this case was dismissed and grateful to the Attorney Generals Office for standing with us in upholding the law and protecting our elections. The lawsuit, Vanness v. Aguilar, was largely based around a 2020 tweet by Attorney General Aaron Ford. In response to President Donald Trumps push for supporters to monitor the election process very carefully, Ford said, If you do it, you will be prosecuted. Plaintiffs Beadles, Slack, Vanness and Waldman argued the Democratic Nevada attorney general's tweet was an enforcement threat. The three judges denied the case primarily on the grounds that SB 406 was signed three years after the event, stating that Ford at most threatened to prosecute voter intimidation. The judges added that the plaintiffs did not provide any credible threat of enforcement. The judges took additional issue with the case against SB 406 because the named defendants, Lombardo and Aguilar, have no authority to enforce the law. Election officials are in charge of some of the most critical operations of our democracy, Ford said in the Secretary of State's Office's press release. They deserve the fullest protection of the law, and I am happy that this lawsuit, which challenged those protections, has been dismissed. Photo: Mo/Netflix In its second and final season, Netflix's Mo continues to ease heartbreak with humor as Mo Najjar (Mohammed Amer, the show's co-creator) grapples with the ramifications of inadvertently entering Mexico while seeking asylum in the United States. Loosely based on Amer's lifehis Palestinian family fled Israeli occupation for Kuwait, then had to leave Kuwait during the Gulf Warthe show captures the absurdity of an immigration system that leaves people in limbo for decades. As a stateless person desperate to remain in his Houston home yet also longing to reconnect one day with his family in the West Bank, Najjar masterfully maneuvers between two cultures and three languages while dodging the feds and working any job that will accept him without a permit. Season two heightens the tension (not at the expense of comedy), testing viewers' patience as much as Najjar's, as he repeatedly ignores legal advice, speaks when he shouldn't, and complicates his own path. His missteps are sometimes maddeningalmost as maddening as being kicked out of every home you've ever known and waiting 20 years for an asylum hearing. The post Review: Netflix's Mo Captures the Absurdity of the U.S. Immigration System appeared first on Reason.com. The Trump administration has ordered immigration agents to verify whether migrants have submitted their names and personal information to an online registry as part of an expansion of the presidents mass deportation effort. If migrants fail to register or dont carry proof of their registration with them, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are being told to treat the aliens case as an immigration enforcement priority and to refer the case to the US Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, according to the memo. An ICE source said they believe many illegal migrants wont register, becoming prime targets for arrest and deportation. President Trump signed an executive order on Day One of his administration to pave the way for the illegal migrant online registry. REUTERS ICE agents nab an illegal migrant during a raid in Houston. James Keivom Trump signed an executive order Protecting the American People Against Invasion on his first day back in the White House, paving the way for the registry that now requires migrants to submit personal information or face fines and arrest. Illegal migrants ages 14 and older must submit fingerprints and home addresses to the registry or potentially face criminal prosecution or deportation, according to US Citizens and Immigration Services. Most aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law, according to USCIS. However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States have had no direct way in which to register and meet their obligation under INA [section] 262. In order that unregistered aliens may comply with their duty under INA [section] 262, USCIS is establishing a new form and process by which they may register. No alien will have an excuse for failure to comply with this law. Migrants who dont register could face fines of up to $1,000 per day, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told The Post Tuesday. They could also face up to six months in prison, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. Migrants are processed by Border Patrol agents after crossing the United States-Mexico border into Eagle Pass, Texas. James Keivom ICE agents detain a man after conducting a raid at an apartment complex in Denver. REUTERS Everyone should know that because were enforcing the Alien Registration Act, if youve been here longer than 30 days and havent registered with the government, we are now coming after you criminally, Noem warned while joining an ICE raid in Phoenix. A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can proceed with the registry requirement, while enforcing the consequences on those who dont register after a handful of nonprofit organizations tried to block the registration requirement from going into effect. Plaintiffs have not shown that they are likely to succeed on the merits, DC US District Court Judge Trevor McFadden ruled Thursday. They have failed to demonstrate that they have standing to bring this suit. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at the Border Security Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Rebecca Noble/AP) The Trump administration is ending temporary protected status for nationals from Afghanistan and Cameroon in the United States, according to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, as the administration pursues more stringent immigration policy. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem determined Afghanistan doesnt meet requirements for TPS designation and terminated it March 21st, according to an agency spokesperson, based on a US Citizenship and Immigration Services review of the conditions, and made the determination for Cameroon April 7th. TPS is designated when conditions in a country do not allow for its nationals' safe return, and prevents their removal from the United States. Afghanistan was designated for TPS under the Biden administration in the aftermath of the United States withdrawal from the country, during which the Taliban took control. The U.S. made efforts in particular to evacuate Afghan nationals who had aided the United States. Afghanistan's TPS designation was extended in 2023 and set to expire May 20th without a further extension. The Biden administration cited the ongoing armed conflict and remaining extraordinary and temporary conditions in extending the designation in 2023, noting human rights abuses, disregard for law and fear of retribution against those opposing the Taliban. Ongoing armed conflict in Afghanistan also poses a serious threat to the safety of nationals returning to Afghanistan. Extraordinary and temporary conditions, including lack of access to food, clean water, and healthcare, as well as destroyed infrastructure, internal displacement, and economic instability continue to prevent Afghan nationals from returning to their homeland in safety, the government wrote in its notice in the Federal Registrar at the time. But Noem determined that Afghanistan no longer continues to meet the statutory requirements for its TPS designation and so she terminated TPS for Afghanistan, according to an agency spokesperson. RELATED STORY | Immigration judge rules that Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported The decision raises questions on the impacts for nationals from Afghanistan and Cameroon in the United States. The update does not apply to Afghan nationals in the United States through the US Refugee Admissions Program or Special Immigrant Visas, according to a department spokesperson. TPS exists for a reason: to protect people whose return to their country would place them in grave danger. Afghanistan today is still reeling from Taliban rule, economic collapse, and humanitarian disaster. Nothing about that reality has changed, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. Terminating protections for Afghans is a morally indefensible betrayal of allies who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us to advance American interests throughout our countrys longest war. A notice of termination of parole dated April 11th shown to Scripps News informs the recipient that their parole will terminate 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, the notice states. Terminating TPS is an act of willful ignorance. They know things havent gotten better on the ground in Afghanistan, said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac. The coalition, which formed amid the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan, brings together organizations helping Afghans resettle. VanDiver said it isnt policy rooted in facts but political retribution. Its cruel, its chaotic and it undermines everything America claims to stand for when we promised not to leave our allies behind, he said. The decision to terminate TPS status comes amid the Trump administrations broader crack down on immigration policy, including legal pathways into the US utilized under the Biden administration. The administration has also sought to end TPS for Venezuelans, however the move was blocked by a federal court last month. Ted Kotcheff, the Canadian-born director best known for bringing John Rambo to the screen in First Blood, has died aged 94. Ted Kotcheff, the Canadian-born director best known for bringing John Rambo to the screen in First Blood, has died at the age of 94 The filmmaker passed away at the Hospital Joya in Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico, surrounded by his family, according to his son Thomas Kotcheff who simply said in a statement: He died peacefully. A prolific filmmaker whose career spanned more than five decades, Ted directed several landmark films including Fun With Dick and Jane, Weekend at Bernies and North Dallas Forty. Born in Toronto in 1931, he began his career in Canadian television before relocating to the UK. His feature directorial debut came in 1962 with the British comedy Tiara Tahiti. Teds breakthrough came with the controversial Australian thriller Wake in Fright in 1971, which earned critical acclaim and helped pave his way into Hollywood. He further cemented his reputation with The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, a 1974 film starring Richard Dreyfuss that won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. His biggest commercial success arrived in 1982 with First Blood, the film that introduced Sylvester Stallone as the Vietnam War veteran John Rambo. Though the movie leaned more towards psychological drama than action spectacle, it became the 13th-highest-grossing film of the year and sparked a franchise that would span decades. In a 2014 interview with Variety, Ted reflected on his approach to storytelling, saying: I am not the judge of my characters, and that became part of my artistic credo. Thats how I approach all of my characters. He followed First Blood with Uncommon Valor in 1983, another film exploring the Vietnam Wars impact, before pivoting to comedy with the cult hit Weekend at Bernies in 1989. A sequel followed in 1993. Though he gradually stepped back from cinema during the 1990s, Ted found a second act in television. He became a longtime producer and director on Law and Order: SVU, where he worked for more than a decade. Ted was an integral part of the SVU family for over 13 years, the shows creator, Dick Wolf, said adding: He was not only a great producer and director, he was also a close friend. I will miss him. Ted is survived by his wife Laifun Chun, their two children, and three kids from his first marriage to British actress Sylvia Kay. Fans paid tribute to the director on social media. One wrote: One of the great Canadian directors. RIP Ted. Another added: Just watched First Blood last week, and viewed his comments in the special features. You could tell the guy loved making movies. Absolutely infectious commentary. RIP. Ted received the Directors Guild of Canadas lifetime achievement award in 2011. Getty Pregnant woman gets an ultrasound in Fornebu, Norway A new study published in JAMA Network Open on April 9 has found that pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. increased over 27% between 2018 and 2022 Of the 6,283 pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. in that period, 1,891 were classified as "late maternal deaths" Experts are encouraging new mothers to see a doctor within the first three weeks of having a child A new study has found that pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. increased 27.7% in a recent five-year period with researchers calling it an "urgent public health priority." Published on Wednesday, April 9, in JAMA Network Open, the analysis took a closer look at long-term maternal health concerns by using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of postpartum deaths between 2018 and 2022. Of the 6,283 pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. in that period, 1,891 were classified as "late maternal deaths," meaning they took place within six weeks to a year after childbirth. Study co-author Rose Molina of Harvard Medical School told STAT News that it's "a hard time for this to come out." We cannot take our eyes off of maternal health right now, and if anything, we need to not just maintain focus, but actually increase investment in maternal health to bring down some of what were seeing increases in pregnancy-related death rates, but also persistent inequities by racial and ethnic groups," Molina said. Molina added to the New York Times that women need access to high-quality care from the moment of conception to a full year after birth." Getty Stock image of a baby holding a bottle in its hands Related: Gun Violence Against Pregnant Women Is Highest in These States The research is highlighting a few other numbers, as well. In the study, cardiovascular disease was found to be the leading cause of the "overall pregnancy-related deaths" (4.7 deaths per 100 000 live births), whereas cancer, mental and behavior disorders, and drug-induced and alcohol-induced death were also listed as "important contributing causes of late maternal death." The highest increase in mortality rate (36.8%) happened for women between the ages of 25 and 39. American Indian and Alaska native women also had the highest mortality rates in terms of race and ethnicity, 3.8 times higher than white women, while Black women had the second-highest rates, 2.8 times higher than white women. As for the overall 27% increase from 2018 to 2022, that meant deaths rose from 25.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018 to 32.6 per 100,000 live births in 2022. Pregnancy-related deaths also spiked to 44.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021, before falling to the 32.6 number in 2022. Related: A Pregnant Woman's Brain Was Mapped for the First Time Here's How It Changed As theTimes reports, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women see a doctor within the first three weeks of having a child, and no later than three months after childbirth. Dr. Tamika Auguste, author of the guidelines, told the outlet that patients should also be screened for depression and mental health issues. If you have any hypertensive disorders, Im going to see you three to five days after delivery, she said, adding that the ACOG is no longer saying encouraging women to "wait six weeks." Anyone else, even without hypertension, I want to see within two weeks. The study's authors note that if nationwide maternity mortality rates of overall maternal deaths fell to Californias level as the state had the "lowest rate at 18.5 deaths per 100,000 live births" 2,679 pregnancy-related deaths could have been prevented. This study that were talking about today shows why this is not a political issue, and its really important that we all be focusing on how we can reduce maternal mortality and working together on it," Marian Jarlenski, health policy professor at the University of Pittsburgh, told STAT News. Read the original article on People By Heekyong Yang, Hyunjoo Jin and Francesco Guarascio SEOUL/HANOI (Reuters) - When Samsung Electronics chairman Jay Y. Lee met Vietnam's prime minister in July, he had a simple message to convey. "Vietnam's success is Samsung's success, and Vietnam's development is Samsung's development," Lee told Pham Minh Chinh, pledging long-term investment to make the country its biggest manufacturing base for display products. Since the South Korean conglomerate entered Vietnam in 1989, it has poured billions of dollars into expanding its global manufacturing footprint beyond China. Many of its peers followed after U.S. President Donald Trump placed tariffs on Chinese goods in his first term. The pioneering move has made Samsung Vietnam's biggest foreign investor and exporter. About 60% of the 220 million phones Samsung sells each year globally are made in Vietnam, and many are destined for the U.S., where Samsung is the No. 2 smartphone vendor, according to research firm Counterpoint. Now, that reliance on Vietnam threatens to backfire as Hanoi is racing to negotiate with the Trump administration to lower a punishing potential 46% tariff that has exposed the vulnerability of the Southeast Asian country's export model. While Vietnam and Samsung won a reprieve this week after Trump paused the rate at 10% for 90 days, Reuters interviews with more than a dozen people, including at Samsung and its suppliers, show the company would be a primary victim should higher U.S. tariffs take effect in July. "Vietnam is where we produce most of our smartphones, but the tariffs (initially) came out much higher than expected for the country, so there's a sense of confusion internally," said a Samsung executive, who like some others was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive subject. Even if the two countries reach an agreement, Vietnam's roughly $120 billion trade surplus with the U.S. has put it in the sights of a U.S. administration targeting such imbalances. Hanoi hopes to get the duties reduced to a range of 22% to 28%, if not lower, Reuters has reported. Amid the uncertainty, Samsung and its suppliers are considering adjusting production, said four people familiar with the matter. That could involve increasing output in India or South Korea, though such steps would be costly and time-consuming, they said. Samsung declined to comment about how it is navigating the tariff threat. It has said previously it would respond flexibly to U.S. tariffs with its global supply chain and manufacturing footprints. Vietnam's foreign and industry ministries also didn't reply to requests for comment. Samsung's rival Apple faces an even bigger challenge at least in the short term, as Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports have increased to 145%. Apple imports around 80% of iPhones sold in the U.S. from China, according to Counterpoint. Apple didn't reply to a request for comment. LOSING LOW-COST APPEAL The tariff fear is the latest cloud over the manufacturing landscape in Vietnam, which had become a popular destination for companies looking to diversify amid China-U.S. tensions. But the boom has contributed to power supply problems. Vietnam has also increased its effective tax rate on large multinationals in line with OECD-led global standards, which some companies complained came without adequate compensation for the loss of earlier tax incentives. Further, the influx of foreign companies tightened supply of skilled workers and increased wage costs, according to several South Korean firms based in Vietnam. One person described the situation as "very serious". Mounting pressures could cost Vietnam investment appeal relative to other countries, according to some economists. "Vietnam's loss could be India's gain," Nomura economists said in a note. India wants to move quickly on a trade deal with the U.S., a government official said on April 10. The two countries agreed in February to work on the first phase of a deal to be concluded late this year. Vietnam has already made concessions to the U.S., including increasing imports. It was among the first countries to announce the start of trade talks with the Trump administration after the moratorium on "reciprocal" tariffs. But foreign manufacturers are nervous. Ko Tae-yeon, chairman of Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam, said that initially there was "panic" about Trump's tariffs. Some had made plans to cut staff at local factories, he said, without specifying. In light of Trump's pause, companies were now in "wait and see mode", added Ko, who is director general of Heesung Electronics, a supplier of LG Display. Samsung has not made a decision on how to respond to the Vietnam tariffs given Trump's changing approach, but one option is to produce some U.S.-bound smartphone models at its factory in the South Korean city of Gumi, two of the people said. Four people said Samsung could boost production in India but it would first need to expand its smartphone supply chain there, as India can currently handle only around 20% of Samsung's total output. BMI Research, a subsidiary of Fitch Solutions, estimates that electronics products account for roughly 45% of Vietnam's exports to the U.S. and major producers like Samsung would likely reduce production in anticipation of a decline in demand. Samsung also makes TVs, home appliances and device screens in Vietnam. Its exports amounted to around $54 billion last year, around 15% of Vietnam's total, government estimates show. As Samsung weighs its options, worries are rippling through factory floors. "I am afraid they may cut everything," said Nguyen Thi Hao, a 39-year-old worker at a Samsung plant in Thai Nguyen, north of Hanoi. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio, Khanh Vu, Thinh Nguyen in Hanoi, Hyunjoo Jin, Heekyong Yang in Seoul; Editing by Miyoung Kim and David Crawshaw) Tucci: Kate Green/Getty Images. Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design. "Key Takeaways" Through his acting, writing and social media, Stanley Tucci is well known for his love of food, particularly pasta. Tucci recommends saving your pasta-cooking water, as the starches help the sauce cling. And he says not to rinse your pasta. As for sauce, Tucci advises to toss your pasta into the sauce instead of ladling sauce on top. Through his performances as Secondo in Big Night, Paul Child in Julie & Julia and host of the Emmy-winning series Searching for Italy, actor, writer, filmmaker and author Stanley Tucci has a legacy that is now inextricably intertwined with food, and specifically pasta. The beloved performer eats pasta for breakfast and, with his four books, personal Instagram and the CNN series, has taught many a lesson on how to prepare an excellent plate of pasta in practical, accessible ways. Read on for some of his best pasta cooking advice. Tip 1: Save That Pasta-Cooking Water Before you drain your cooked pasta through a colander, dip a heatproof measuring cup into the pot to save a couple of cups of pasta cooking water. This warm, salty, starchy elixir is the key to making silky, emulsified sauces that cling to the pasta strands. Its the secret ingredient in Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara and Spaghetti alla Nerano (the zucchini-basil pasta Sophie Turner says reminds her of home), which Tucci shares in his 2022 memoir Taste: My Life Through Food. The pasta water acts as a bridge to help rich ingredientseggs and aged cheesesemulsify to create velvety, creamy sauces that cling to the strands of pasta. Tip 2: Dont Rinse It In his first book, The Tucci Cookbook, Tucci shares a tip he learned from chef friend Gianni Scappin. Never rinse cooked pasta under cold water, he says. This washes away the pastas natural starch and flavor, and sauces will not adhere as well. This is true for warm sauces, but even more so when one plans to use chilled pasta for pasta salad. Instead, Tucci recommends draining the pasta in a colander, tossing it with a little olive oil, and spreading it out on a baking sheet to cool down. Then you can make your pasta salad or stash the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge to use later. Related: Should You Rinse Cooked Pasta? Barilla Settles the Debate Tip 3: Know the Rules and Also Break the Rules A common misconception people have about pasta, said Tucci in an episode of Waitroses Dish Podcast, is that any type of pasta can be paired with any type of sauce. He cites the popular (outside of Italy) combination of spaghetti Bolognese, which, in its origin city of Bologna, is a meat sauce (called ragu) that would always be paired with tender ribbons of tagliatelle or another fresh pasta. Each type of pasta, in Italian tradition, is associated with specific dishes and accompaniments. At the same time, Tucci has no qualms about riffing on Bolognese or combining leftover pasta and cooked beans for an on-the-fly pasta e fagioli on Instagram. Ultimately Tuccis message is that food is meant to be enjoyed, so dont sweat the rules too much when youre cooking for yourself. Related: Why Pasta Tastes Better at Restaurants, According to a Former Line Cook Tip 4: Dont Drown It in Sauce When asked on Waitroses Dish Podcast about his pasta pet peeves that non-Italians make, Tucci answered too much sauce, a common pitfall if one is cooking pasta, plating it and then ladling sauce on top. Tuccis pasta recipes almost invariably call for tossing cooked pasta in the sauce so that each bite is glossed with a light coating, rather than swimming in a pool of it. Tip 5: Par-Cook Pasta Less for Baked Pasta Dishes Pasta marinara is a family favorite in the Tucci-Blunt household, and in The Tucci Table, he recommends cooking extra pasta and sauce to make Pasta al Forno, literally pasta in the oven the following day. For this recipe or any other baked pasta dish where youre pre-cooking pasta and then baking it in sauce, he cautions readers to cook it very al dente so it doesnt go soggy and bloated as it bakes. Related: 11 Best Baked Pasta Dishes to Make for Dinner Tip 6: Use a Diffuser One recommendation Tucci makes in The Tucci Table, which will be especially helpful if youre cooking on a gas stove or in a thin-walled pot, is to use a heat diffuser when cooking pasta sauces that simmer for 20 minutes or more. A heat diffuser is a metal plate or screen that fits over your burner and disperses heat more evenly across the bottom of your pot, so it doesn't concentrate in one area. Far less pricey than buying a heavy enameled Dutch oven, a heat diffuser can help prevent tomato-based sauces from scorching on the bottom of the pot. Tip 7: Making Fresh Pasta? Let It Rest Tuccis love for food was born from Italian American parents who love to cook. Even when they were both working full time, they would make fresh pasta together on weeknights, his mother mixing the dough in a food processor and his father rolling it out. But unless you want to fight your pasta dough at every step as you try to force it through the rollers, a key step in making fresh pasta is letting it rest after mixing the dough. Resting allows time for the flour to hydrate and the strands of gluten formed during the mixing process to soften, ensuring theyll stretch more readily once its time to roll and cut the dough. Need something to do with 20 to 30 minutes of resting time? Tuccis got you there, too. Go mix yourself a Picassos Daughter, his gin twist on a Paloma, and read our full guide on essential tools to make pasta at home. Related: The #1 Chef-Approved Trick to Making a Better Pasta Dish Tip 8: Fresh Isnt Always Best Theres a misconception that fresh pasta made at home with flour and eggs is superior to machine-extruded, dried pastas, but Tucci doesnt take sides. By all means, make pillowy gnocchi or tender egg-based pastaslike tagliatelle or delicate sheets for the giant, egg yolk-stuffed ravioli recipe in The Tucci Tablefor the pleasure of the task and the delicious results, but also stock up on spaghetti, penne, orzo and other dried pastas for weekday dinner convenience. Tip 9: Tomato Is Tough to Beat The Tucci Cookbook includes seven different tomato-based pasta sauce recipes! And in his 2024 diaristic food memoir, What I Ate in One Year, Tucci says I like to make tomato sauce whenever I return home after a trip I find it grounding. Day after day, simple tomato sauces appear in his descriptions of the meals he makes himself (and famously brings in his lunch bag to the set of whatever project hes filming). Theyre a favorite for his childrens suppers and make a convenient meal when tossed with fresh pasta or re-warmed leftovers. Whether slow-simmered from canned tomatoes or quick, fresh chopped versions loaded with basil, Tucci shows that you dont really need to overthink things when it comes to saucing pasta as long as youve got some good tomatoes on hand. Related: 29 Easy Pasta Dinners You'll Want to Make Forever Read the original article on EATINGWELL A day after a federal court sought details on the status of a Maryland man who was deported in error to El Salvador, the State Department told a judge that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is "alive and secure" but still not on American soil. "It is my understanding based on official reporting from our Embassy in San Salvador that Abrego Garcia is currently being held in the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador," said Michael Kozak, a senior bureau official for the State Department, in a declaration submitted on Saturday minutes after the 5 p.m. deadline set by the judge. "He is alive and secure in that facility," Kozak added. "He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador." The Supreme Court had ordered the U.S. government "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return to America. PHOTO: This undated photo provided by CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, in April 2025, shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (CASA via AP) MORE: 'Nothing has been done': Judge slams DOJ in case of wrongly deported man Later Saturday evening, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social claiming El Salvador President Nayib Bukele "has graciously accepted into his Nations custody some of the most violent alien enemies of the World and, in particular, the United States." "These barbarians are now in the sole custody of El Salvador, a proud and sovereign Nation, and their future is up to President B and his Government," he added. Trump did not directly mention Abrego Garcia or his case in the post. He is slated to meet with Bukele at the White House Monday. On Friday, Trump weighed in on the Supreme Court's order while talking with reporters, claiming he wasn't well versed in the case. However, he reiterated his respect for the Supreme Court, which had upheld a lower court's ruling that the U.S. government should assist in returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S. "If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court," he said. Shortly before the government submitted its first status report to the court, attorneys for Abrego Garcia filed a motion for additional relief and cited Trump's comments. "Yesterday, President Trump confirmed that the United States has the power to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from prison and return to the United States," the attorneys for Abrego Garcia wrote. In the filing, the attorneys for the Maryland man requested three additional types of relief, including ordering the government to show why it should not be held in contempt "due to its failure to comply with the Court's prior orders." "The President's acknowledgement of the United States' power to bring Abrego Garcia back notwithstanding, the Department of Justice and other Government agencies continue to resist this Court and the Supreme Court," they added. PHOTO: President Donald Trump boards Air Force One before departing from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on April 11, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) The attorneys also asked the judge to order the government to provide air transportation for Abrego Garcia to return to Maryland and to grant him parole. In a written order earlier this week, Judge Paula Xinis of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland had requested the daily status report to answer what steps, if any, the Trump administration has taken to facilitate Abrego Garcia's immediate return to the U.S. and what additional steps the government will take, and when, to facilitate his return. While Kozak's sworn declaration answers one of the questions Xinis requested, the response did not provide any more details about Abrego Garcia's return. Abrego Garcia, despite being issued a 2019 court order barring his deportation to El Salvador, where his attorneys argue he escaped political violence in 2011, was sent to that country's notorious CECOT mega-prison following what the government said was an "administrative error," according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. PHOTO: A policeman guards a cell at the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) in Tecoluca, El Salvador, April 4, 2025. (Jose Cabezas/Reuters) MORE: Judge says Maryland man's erroneous deportation to El Salvador prison 'shocks the conscience' The Trump administration has claimed Abrego Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang, which his lawyers and his wife deny, and argued in legal filings that because Abrego Garcia is no longer in U.S. custody, the courts cannot order him to be returned to the U.S. nor order El Salvador to return him. Xinis ordered the government to aid in returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S., which the Supreme Court then upheld on Thursday. "The order properly requires the Government to 'facilitate' 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 Supreme Court's unsigned order stated. State Department reveals status of man erroneously deported to El Salvador originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Tax credits are a powerful way to save money on taxes. Each dollar of a tax credit is subtracted directly from the amount of tax you owe the IRS. And some tax credits are refundable, meaning even if you dont owe any more tax, the credit is paid out to you as a tax refund. But many tax credits phase out at higher incomes, so its crucial to understand if you qualify. Jump ahead to popular tax credits: Electric vehicles and renewable energy upgrades Children and dependents Saving and investing Educational expenses How tax credits work Tax credits are subtracted directly from the tax you owe, helping you cut down your overall tax bill. Tax deductions also reduce your tax bill, but they do that by lowering your taxable income. Lets say youre a single filer, you make $50,000 in 2025 and you owe $11,000 in taxes: If you claim a tax credit of $1,000, your tax bill drops to $10,000. If you claim a tax deduction of $1,000, youd owe taxes on $49,000 of income instead of $50,000, and your tax bill would drop to about $10,780. (These are rough estimates, based on marginal tax rates.) In other words, credits can mean substantial tax savings. Learn more: Tax credit vs. tax deduction: What's the difference? Types of tax credits There are three main types of tax credits. Nonrefundable tax credits: These credits allow you to use the amount of the credit up to the amount of tax that you owe. So if your tax bill is $1,000, and you qualify for a nonrefundable $1,200 tax credit, youd only get your taxes reduced to zero. (Your $1,200 tax credit would be capped at $1,000.) Refundable tax credits: Refundable tax credits can put cash back in your pocket. If you get a refundable $1,200 credit on a $1,000 tax bill, youll receive a payment of $200 for the rest of the credit. In short, youd get a refund from the IRS. Partially refundable tax credits: With partially refundable tax credits, only part of the credit is refundable. For example, if you qualified for a $1,000 credit of which $800 was refundable, and your tax bill was zero, youd receive $800 from the IRS. Learn more: The average tax refund each year, and how refunds work Popular tax credits and how to qualify for them We detail some of the most popular federal tax credits below. Most of these tax credits include an income phaseout, which means that people above a certain income level will get a partial credit and those above another level wont qualify for the credit at all. Be sure to check with the IRS or your tax preparer to see if you qualify based on your adjusted gross income. Also, most reputable tax software products will check to see if you qualify for these tax credits. Tax credits for electric vehicles and renewable energy upgrades Tax credit for electric vehicles The federal government offers an incentive, in the form of a tax credit, for buying an electric car. The tax credit is worth up to $7,500 for qualified new cars and up to $4,000 for qualified used cars. The rules around these tax credits can be confusing. Eligibility and the amount of the credit youll receive depends on where the car was made, the price of the car, your income and other details. You can look up a cars eligibility on the U.S. Energy Departments website. Note that President Donald Trumps administration has said it plans to rollback these incentives, so their future is unclear. Tax credit for residential clean energy upgrades Theres a tax credit for taxpayers to make home improvements that are considered sustainable and energy efficient, such as solar energy systems. The credit for qualified purchases between 2022 and 2032 is 30 percent of the cost, and will decrease to 26 percent in 2033 and 22 percent in 2034. The IRS says that qualified expenses include solar electric panels, solar water heaters, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells and battery storage technology but they must be bought new, not used. Labor costs for getting these items assembled and installed can also qualify. Need an advisor? Need expert guidance when it comes to managing your money? Bankrates AdvisorMatch can connect you to a CFP professional to help you achieve your financial goals. Tax credits related to children and dependents Child tax credit If you have a child under age 17 and your modified adjusted gross income is below $400,000 (if married filing jointly) or $200,000 (all other filers), you may be eligible for the child tax credit (CTC) worth up to $2,000. If your income exceeds those thresholds, the credit amount is cut by $50 for each $1,000 of your income above the threshold. A portion of the child tax credit called the additional child tax credit is refundable and could allow you to get up to $1,700 (of the $2,000 child tax credit) to be paid out as a tax refund. After 2025, the child tax credit is set to drop to a max of $1,000 per child from the current $2,000 amount. Learn more: Trump and the expiration of the TCJA: What it means for your taxes Tax credit for adoption costs The expenses associated with adopting a child can be high, and the federal government offers an adoption tax credit toward qualifying expenses. This credit is worth up to $16,810 in tax year 2024 and $17,280 in tax year 2025. This credit is nonrefundable, but you can roll over what you dont use to a future year if your circumstances and tax liability allow it. In 2024, taxpayers are eligible for the full credit if their modified adjusted gross income is $252,150 or less. The credit is reduced for taxpayers with income from $252,151 to $292,150. The credit is unavailable to taxpayers with income over $292,150. Child and dependent care credit If you pay for child or dependent care, then the child and dependent care tax credit could be worth up to $1,050 if you have one child or dependent, and up to $2,100 if you have two or more children or dependents. Taxpayers can get a credit worth between 20 percent and 35 percent of their childcare expenses on up to $3,000 of expenses for one qualifying person and $6,000 for two or more. The exact amount of the credit you qualify for will depend on your income. Dont forget: These must be work-related care expenses as in, care you paid for because you were working, not because you were on vacation. Earned income tax credit The earned income tax credit (EITC) is aimed at low- to moderate-income workers and families. For tax year 2024 (tax returns filed in 2025), the maximum credit amount ranges from $632 for taxpayers with no qualifying children, up to a maximum tax credit of $7,830 for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children. (If you dont have children, you or your spouse must be at least 25 years old and younger than 65.) The EITC is fully refundable, so if you dont owe any taxes, youll still get the full amount of your tax credit as a refund. Below are the EITC maximum adjusted gross income limits for 2024 (claimed on tax returns filed in 2025). In addition, taxpayers investment income must be less than $11,600. Maximum adjusted gross income to claim the EITC for 2024 Number of qualifying children Single, head of household, married filing separately Married filing jointly None $18,591 $25,511 One $49,084 $56,004 Two $55,768 $62,688 Three or more $59,899 $66,819 Tax credits for saving and investing Savers credit If you have a modest income (less than $76,500 in 2024 if married filing jointly, $57,375 if filing as head of household or $38,250 if filing single), you may qualify for a tax credit based on how much you contributed to a retirement savings plan, such as a company 401(k) or 403(b), or an IRA. The savers credit ranges from 10 to 50 percent of your contribution. The maximum retirement-account contribution that qualifies for the credit is $2,000 ($4,000 if youre married filing jointly), according to the IRS. In other words, the maximum credit is $1,000 ($2,000 if married filing jointly). The lower your income, the higher the percentage of your contribution that qualifies for the tax credit. Tax credits for educational expenses There are two tax credits for educational expenses, the Lifetime Learning Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit, both of which have income-based phaseouts. An individual cant claim both tax credits in the same year, but if two members of your household have educational expenses, you might be able to take both of the credits on a single tax return. (Parents can claim these credits if their dependent is the student with qualifying expenses.) Lifetime Learning Credit The Lifetime Learning Credit is worth up to $2,000 per tax return for expenses related to an accredited school for you, your spouse or a dependent and the education doesnt have to be tied to seeking a degree. For example, classes to improve job skills qualify. This is a nonrefundable credit. Eligible taxpayers get up to a 20 percent credit on the first $10,000 of qualified education expenses. To claim the Lifetime Learning Credit, your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $90,000 (for single filers) or $180,000 (married filing jointly). American Opportunity Tax Credit If you have educational expenses and fit the income criteria for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, or AOTC, you may qualify for up to $2,500 in tax credits for expenses like tuition, books, supplies and fees accrued while attending your institution. This credit is for students in their first four years of college. The AOTC is a partially refundable credit, worth up to a maximum $1,000 refund. The amount of the credit is 100 percent of the first $2,000 of qualified education expenses per student and then 25 percent of the next $2,000 of qualified education expenses paid for that student. The refund portion is calculated as a 40 percent refund of the remaining credit after the credit zeros out a taxpayers tax liability. As with the Lifetime Learning Credit, to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit, your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $90,000 (for single filers) or $180,000 (married filing jointly). Western Mail Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty Parents of murder victim Geraldine Hughes, around five years after the murders It was a manhunt that struck fear into South Wales in the early 1970s and inspired a true crime drama series decades later. The police investigation into Joe Kappen, the man who became known as the Saturday Night Strangler after the brutal 1973 slayings of three teenage girls, was one of the largest in the countrys history and it redefined the way forensic science uses DNA to solve cold murder cases around the world. And though the serial killer case in the city of Swansea was ultimately solved three decades later, Kappen never faced justice while he was alive, and his sexual assaults and murders haunted the local community for years. More than four decades after the killings, PEOPLE is looking back at the haunting serial killer case and how it was solved with a revolutionary way of using DNA. The Murders Western Mail Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty The scene where Geraldine Hughes and Pauline Floyd were found slain In September 1973, Geraldine Hughes and Pauline Floyd, two 16-year-old best friends, were found dead less than 50 yards apart from each other in a wooded area the morning after they went dancing at the popular Top Rank nightclub in Swansea, according to The Guardian. Autopsies showed the girls had been raped before being strangled and left for dead. According to the newspaper, more than 150 detectives worked the case, representing the largest murder investigation in Welsh history. About a year later, police linked the girls murders to the killing of Sandra Newton in July 1973, leading to his Saturday Night Strangler moniker due to the nights each murder took place. Detectives found that Kappen, who was eventually identified as the killer decades later, had preyed on the girls outside of nightclubs on Saturday nights and lured them to his car before raping and killing them, according to Yorkshire Live. But though police identified Kappens method and had several descriptors of him his bushy hair, his mustache, his approximate age and the model of his car the clues proved too broad and, according to the BBC, police were left sifting through a pool of about 35,000 possible suspects. A New Way of Thinking Western Mail Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty The Saturday Night Strangler, September 1973. Sixteen-year-olds Geraldine Hughes and Pauline Floyd are found murdered at Llandarcy on Sunday 16th September 1973. It wasnt until the early 2000s that detectives were able to narrow down the list of tens of thousands of suspects they had started with. Forensic science capabilities had advanced significantly in the intervening decades, and South Wales police detectives reopened the case because they could now test semen stains found on each of the victims roughly 30 years earlier, according to the BBC. The outlet reported that detectives began exploring the idea that crime can run in families," according to forensic scientist Dr. Colin Dark, who spoke with the BBC for its Steeltown Murders documentary. Dr. Dark explains in the documentary that forensic scientists narrowed the list of possible suspects by comparing DNA found on the victims with those in the South Wales database, discovering a list of potential matches for the serial killers possible children. "After several hours of going through the process, we were left with about 100 names. They were all exact half matches to the offender's profile. So they were potentially children of the offender," Dr. Dark explained to the BBC. "This was a groundbreaking technique ... and from there, the new investigative tool now known as familial DNA was developed." 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. Subsequently, detectives soon zeroed in on Kappen, who was originally questioned by police in 1973 because his physical description and vehicle matched the killers profile. But Kappens wife gave an alibi for him at the time, the BBC reported, drawing investigators off his trail. Kappen had died from lung cancer in 1990, meaning detectives would have to exhume his body in order to finally get an answer as to whether he was the "Saturday Night Strangler." A Mystery Solved Harry Fox/Mirrorpix/Getty Aerial picture of the area of Llandarcy, near Swansea, South Wales, 21st September 1973. The Saturday Night Strangler Case, September 1973. After detectives exhumed Kappen's body, his DNA was matched to the samples found on the three victims in 1973, according to the BBC confirming once and for all that he was the killer. "No words can describe the way we all felt, it was a huge relief," Geraldine's cousin Julie Begley told the outlet after Kappen was identified. "None of us ever stopped hoping that one day we would find out who he was. Although you get on with your life, it never goes away. Geraldine was a fantastic girl. She was always full of fun." The murder mystery and the decades-long investigation that followed became the subject of a BBC true crime drama, Steeltown Murders, reviving interest in the case once again during the summer of 2023 when the series aired. "You know there are evils out there, but you never believe it will touch on you and yours, Jean Hughes, Geraldines mother, told The Guardian after her daughters murder was solved in 2003. "When it does, it is a lifetime's sentence of hell. Now we can close the book on that hell forever." Read the original article on People April 11, 2025 Sen. Braun argues against SHB 1296 concerning student rights in school. Screenshot | TVW (The Center Square) The Washington State Senate on Friday approved Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1296, one of this sessions most controversial and divisive pieces of legislation, on a 30-19 party-line vote. Majority party Democrats contend the bill will provide safeguards for K-12 students. Minority Republicans worry it could penalize schools and infringe on parental rights by undermining Initiative 2081, which lawmakers passed last year. I-2081 primarily focuses on providing parents with increased access to their child's school records, the right to review educational materials, and the ability to opt their child out of certain activities and instruction. Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, said she introduced HB 1296 to help ensure that every student feels comfortable and safe at school in a supportive environment. My bill is student-centered; it starts with what students need to have conditions to where they feel they can belong and see themselves in their school and they are welcomed, so their basic needs are met, she told a Senate Early Learning Committee during a March public hearing on the bill. Ahead of the vote, Republicans offered several amendments to the bill. All were rejected. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, proposed an amendment removing language in the bill that would allow the withholding of state funds from schools. This amendment removes the ability to withhold the 20% funding for schools that are willfully noncompliant, he said. I find it very ironic that in a bill that's designed to protect students and student rights, that you would withhold funding that's necessary to keep students from being harmed. Sen. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, spoke in support of Gildons amendment. I find it ironic that this bill deals with intimidation and bullying, and yet I feel like we are intimidating and bullying in this bill, Harris noted. The bill calls for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a process for investigating complaints from students or parents if schools are out of compliance with state laws. OSPI would take a series of increasingly consequential actions against districts that could escalate to the point of withholding state funding. Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Wooley spoke in support of an amendment to remove an emergency clause on the bill that would have it take effect immediately upon Gov. Bob Fergusons signing the bill into law. This removes the right of the people to petition us for referendum, he said. Theres nothing more important to parents than how their children are being treated in schools. I would remind the body this came to us as an initiative of the people and not as a whisper, but a roar. I think we owe the voters of this state the respect to check our work. Just ahead of final passage, Sen. Liz Lovelett, D-Anacortes, urged support for the bill. God created little boys and little girls and little children that dont feel like they are a boy or a girl, and those kids need just as much protection in our public schools as anyone else, and in fact, they need more because those are the kids that get bullied and beat up, she explained. Those are the kids who need a bathroom where they feel safe. When they dont have parents in their world who are willing to accept them, they need other trusted adults to be able to fill that gap. School officials facilitating discussions with students about gender-related issues without parental knowledge or consent were cited by many opponents during public hearings over another bill addressing parental rights, Senate Bill 5181. This is dead wrong for our children if we want to get them the education they need, and they deserve to be successful in life, Minority Leader Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, said ahead of the final passage of ESHB 1296. Because the Senate amended the bill, it must be resubmitted to the House for concurrence before it can reach the governors desk. Let's Go Washington, the organization behind I-2081, has filed two new initiatives that aim to repeal this year's proposed changes. If those initiatives get enough signatures by a July deadline, they will go to voters in November. I filed the repeal for 5181, and suddenly they pulled 1296 back out, Lets Go Washington founder Brian Haywood told The Center Square last month. So, I said, Alright, if youre going to go that route and play games, its no skin off my back; well just file another initiative. 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". American used car prices haven't increased for over two years, until now. A study conducted by automotive research site iSeeCars concluded that used car prices have risen after months of consistent declines. This could be great news for used car dealers and horrible news for folks looking to purchase a used car in 2025. Why have used car prices suddenly increased? This deviation from the norm surely isn't coincidental. Tariffs are the culprit, and they could take the average used car price to the moon (in the worst way possible). After the events of 'Liberation Day', a potential trade war involving multiple world powers is a nightmare-turned-reality. Import tariffs don't just impact new cars and car parts, they cause chaos in the used car market as well. Are used car prices going up? Used car prices for one to five-year-old models have increased by 1% year-over-year as of March, 2025. This equates to an average price bump of $317 compared to an average price decrease of $238 in February. Cars sit in the state officials parking lot ourside the Indiana Statehouse, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. An increase of $317 may not seem like much, but it's notable at a time when the price of eggs is a topic of economic frustration for consumers. Furthermore, used car prices have been in the red year-over-year for consecutive months since October 2022, this is a huge shock for the used car market. The tables have turned and this has serious implications for millions of car buyers. Increased demand may give used car dealers sweet relief after a rough post-pandemic reality, but will higher sticker prices prevent some drivers from exploring purchasing opportunities? Car shopping in 2025: Why Trump tariffs, supply issues could make spring and summer the worst times to buy Why tariffs are affecting used car prices We are nearly four months into President Donald Trump's second term in office. In the span of the last few weeks, tariffs have been teased, announced and paused. Unfortunately for the economy, whether or not certain tariffs are actually in effect, the mere threat of increased trade costs is enough for companies to make major changes. Sometimes these changes will benefit American consumers, other times they'll practically price them out of the market. President Donald Trump signs executive orders and proclamations in the Oval Office at the White House on April 9, 2025. The announcement of import tariffs on new vehicles and auto parts was enough for several automakers to entertain the idea of pausing shipments and adapting production strategies. As a result, the supply of affordable new vehicles in America will dwindle because so many automakers rely on foreign labor and supply chains. Less affordable new cars make used cars much more attractive. Should you buy a used car in 2025? Used car buyers have found themselves in the eye of a perfect storm created by a post-pandemic economy and a brewing trade war. Used car prices were declining in recent months because dealers were sitting on older inventory, which often gets less desirable over time for the average consumer. Demand drove down prices, which in turn created thousands of dealer lots filled with nameplates and model years folks just weren't interested in buying. What happens when those models become the only options American car buyers can afford within reason (due to tariffs)? Prices are expected to increase as demand for new vehicles slows, adding weight to the demand seesaw and bringing used car prices to new heights. This scenario is music to the ears of used car dealers looking to offload inventory at prices that won't obliterate their profit margins. On the other hand, actual deals could be scarce if prices are inflated due to newfound demand. There will still be plenty of opportunities to score a great new car for the informed consumer in 2025, but don't expect those opportunities to stick around forever. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Used car prices are rising in 2025: Heres what you need to know Actor Daniel Goddard, formerly of The Young and the Restless, will debut on ABCs General Hospital in a newly created role. Goddard has joined the show in the role of Professor Henry Dalton. His first appearance is scheduled to air on April 15, 2025. Speaking to TV Insider, Goddard described his role of Dalton as, He teaches environmental physics. It seems there are some things in his past that hes done that have left him in a position of some form of investigation and from there, its an absolute mystery to me. While Goddard is ecstatic about playing Professor Dalton, this wasnt originally the role that he auditioned for. Goddard explained that initially, he was up for the role of Jack Brennan when Charles Mesure vacated the role. Goddard clarified the casting process. I was like, Oh, wow. Theres a bunch of people here and theres competition, so instantly I become fearful of the fact that I didnt want to fail, he explains. So, I kind of felt this incredible pressure, and I walked in the room, and I saw Laura Wright, Frank Valentini, the writers, and Mark Teschner, and I was like, Oh, my gosh, this is real. This is really happening.' That role went to Chris McKenna, but a few weeks later, the team reached out with the role of Dalton, a part specifically made with Goddard in mind. Since joining the soap, Goddard has worked with established soap veterans Finola Hughes and Eden McCoy. Goddard spoke positively of his co-workers, first speaking of Hughes, the actor said, What a blessing to have someone with Finolas cachet, and her value and her experience and talent. The actor added when speaking about McCoy, I think shes fantastic. With Josslyn, its professor and student, and a great push and pull there. Goddard began his acting career on the Australian soap opera Home and Away, where he played Eric Phillips. He then joined the American pop culture scene when he landed the role of Dar on Beastmaster. Goddard became a household name for soap opera fans when he accepted the role of con artist Cane Ashby on The Young and the Restless. General Hospital airs weekdays at 2 p.m. EST on ABC and streams weekdays on Hulu. Today's headlines: Negotiations are underway in Oman between Tehran and Washington over Tehrans nuclear programme. Taiwan wants to reduce 32 per cent tariffs. Another foreign justice resigns from Hong Kongs Court of Final Appeal. The latest iPhone model arrives in Malaysia. SOUTH KOREA Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced that he will not run in the 3 June presidential election, the Yonhap news agency reported. To restore the abnormal back to normal, I will be the priming water, like a soldier without a rank," he explained. "I feel indescribable despair and infinite responsibility for the impeachment of the president our party produced, he said, speaking from the headquarters of the People's Power Party. TAIWAN UNITED STATES Taiwan, a major exporter of semiconductors, began talks with the United States yesterday to reduce the 32 per cent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on its exports. Both sides look forward to conducting follow-up consultations ... in the near future and jointly building a strong and stable economic and trade relationship between Taiwan and the United States, Taiwans Office of Trade Negotiations said. HONG KONG Australian Justice Robert French stepped down from Hong Kongs highest court before the end of his term. China and the United Kingdom had agreed to have a non-permanent foreign justice sit on the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) when the British colony was returned to China in 1997, under the "one country, two systems" form of governance. However, China has been increasing its pressure on the territory after it imposed a national security law. MALAYSIA The government lifted a ban imposed in October on the iPhone 16 model in Malaysia. The marketing and sale of the device had been prohibited because Apple had not complied with regulations whereby 40 per cent of its components had to be locally made. IRAN UNITED STATES Iran and the United States today began talks on Iran's nuclear programme. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leads the Iranian delegation, while Steve Witkoff, former negotiator for Gaza and between Russia and Ukraine, arrived in Muscat, Oman. According to observers, it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached any time soon. RUSSIA Russians are skimping more and more on funeral costs, the Kommersant newspaper reports, citing Vladimir Rodkin, president of the Union of Funeral Organisations and Crematoria of Russia. Because of high mortality due to the war in Ukraine and rising prices, the average cost of a funeral has gone from around 500 euros in 2023 to almost 2,000. KAZAKHSTAN The trial of Temirlan Ensebek began this week in Almaty after many postponements. The author and creator of a satirical social media account, Qaznews24, is charged with inciting interethnic hatred" after playing a soundtrack full of obscenities and insults against Kazakhstans ethnic Russians. The song was written years ago to criticise Russias warmongering. by Nirmala Carvalho The parents' complaint has led to an investigation: "It is a double discrimination," said Fr Devasagayaraj Zackarias. Tamil Nadu's Minister of Education stands with the student. But in India, the social stigma associated with the menstrual period and the weight of the caste system are still strong. New Delhi (AsiaNews) A private school in Coimbatore, a district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, forced a Dalit student on her period to take the end-of-year exams sitting on the steps outside the classroom. The incident, which took place last Wednesday at the Swamy Chidbhavananda Matric Higher Secondary School in Senguttaipalayam, was reported by the girl's father, V. Surendranath, 34. In his complaint to the police, he said that his two daughters, aged 14 and 12, attend the school in question. The youngest, enrolled in the eighth year, had her first menstrual period on 5 April. As a result, according to the father, she was forced to take the exams outside the classroom, both Monday and Wednesday, sitting on the steps. A video, recorded by the girl's mother posted on social media, shows the girl writing her exam outside. In the recording, she is heard saying that the principal gave her that order. The parents, the local press reported, had only asked that their daughter be able to sit in a separate seat inside the classroom, to feel more comfortable. But that request was interpreted as an authorisation to exclude her altogether from the school environment. Faced with growing public outrage, Tamil Nadu's Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi took a clear stance against the school. "A departmental investigation was conducted against the private school. The director of the school has been suspended. The oppression of children in any form cannot be tolerated. The student did not sit alone! We are here. We will be here," he wrote in a post published on social media. The case has revived a public debate about the persistence of two issues rooted in the Indian social system: caste divisions and the stigma of menstruation. It is a double discrimination. All women, irrespective of their caste, are seen as polluted during the menstrual period. As soon as they attain puberty they are made to sit outside the home in a temporary hut made for them out of coconut branches, explained Fr Devasagayaraj Zackarias, former executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, speaking to AsiaNews. Dalits are also considered untouchables. The Dalit girl is deemed polluted as a Dalit and because she has in her menstrual period, he added. Despite some legislative and social progress, including the abolition in 2018 of the 12 per cent tax on sanitary products, menstruation remains a highly stigmatised issue in India. In many parts of the country, menstruating women and girls are still excluded from religious ceremonies and domestic activities, and are prevented from entering temples and kitchens. According to a 2014 study conducted by Dasra, a charity committed to the health of adolescents, every year about 23 million Indian girls drop out of school due to the lack of proper menstrual hygiene management facilities. Many educational establishments still lack accessible bathrooms, clean water, sanitary napkins, and adequate educational programmes. China again raised tariffs on U.S. goods, now hiking them to 125% in retaliation to President Donald Trump's latest trade escalation. Beijing dismissed the move as a joke, with the Finance Ministry saying in a statement that the "U.S. side's imposition of excessively high tariffs on China seriously violates international economic and trade rules, runs counter to basic economic principles and common sense, and is simply an act of unilateral bullying and coercion." China, however, added that it would be the last time it matched a U.S. hike, claiming it would "no longer have any economic significance and it would go down as a joke in the history of world economics." "If the U.S. continues to play a numbers game with tariffs, China will not respond," the ministry added. However, Beijing did hint that it could retaliate in other ways. The country already announced it would restrict Hollywood films. Katherine Tai, who worked during the Joe Biden administration, has warned that China is preparing for "prolonged economic warfare" and that factories in the U.S. and around the world will close as a result. She went on to say that Chinese companies had previously offered discounts to longtime U.S. clients, but now are willing to give up the market entirely and find new buyers elsewhere. In fact, China has been expanding its trading blacklist and also those facing export controls. The Daily Mail detailed that Beijing will likely impose more controls on products needed by U.S. companies to make their own, especially through regulatory investigations and penalties. It might also seek for them to give up intellectual property or be banned from doing business in the country. Beijing has vowed to "fight to the end" against Trump's tariffs, with top official Li Qiang saying authorities were "fully confident" in the resilience of the Chinese economy. Moreover, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the nation is "not afraid" to engage in the trade war. He told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez that "there are no winners in a trade war, and going against the world will only lead to self-isolation." "For over 70 years, China's development has relied on self-reliance and hard work never on handouts from others, and it is not afraid of any unjust suppression," Xi added, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Trump's trade representative Jamieson Greer told reporters that there are no negotiations with China as of yet. "I would say that the Chinese reaction this morning is not terribly surprising but certainly unfortunate," he added. Originally published on Latin Times Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. 12 April 2025 15:15 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The international forum "Facing the New World Order", held on April 9 at ADA University in Baku, served as a vital platform for examining the shifting dynamics of global politics. Speaking to the press following the event, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Kamaladdin Gafarov emphasized the forum's particular relevance for countries in the Near and Middle East, as well as the broader international community grappling with the consequences of rising geopolitical tensions. Gafarov highlighted that the world is undergoing a profound transformation, transitioning from a unipolar model to a multipolar international order. This emerging reality, he noted, is accompanied by increasing regional instabilitya pattern observed across several continents, from Eastern Europe to the Middle East. This process is currently accompanied by an increase in regional tensions on a global scale, Gafarov stated. In order to solve the existing problems, regional actors need to intervene more actively in the processes. Because international organizations can no longer implement adequate security measures. Indeed, the declining efficacy of traditional multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the OSCE in resolving conflicts and ensuring security has compelled regional powers to take a more assertive role. In this context, Azerbaijans geostrategic position and growing diplomatic clout place it in a pivotal rolenot only in the South Caucasus, but also in shaping cooperation between Central Asia and Europe. Gafarov pointed to Azerbaijans strategic partnerships, many of which have been formalized through bilateral and multilateral agreements. As President Ilham Aliyev noted in his keynote speech at the Forum, these partnerships have enabled the country to act as a bridge across geographical and political divides, particularly in areas of transport, energy, and economic integration. Despite Azerbaijans efforts toward regional peacebuilding, Gafarov criticized the stance of certain Western actors who, in his view, continue to undermine Azerbaijans role in regional diplomacy. It is very regrettable that some Western countries are still trying to belittle the role of our country in the ongoing processes and draw dividing lines in the South Caucasus, he remarked. Yet, Azerbaijan has remained committed to achieving long-term peace with Armenia, provided that Yerevan aligns its domestic policy, including its constitution, with the new post-conflict realities. If Armenia genuinely pursues reconciliation, Gafarov believes, there will be no barrier to transforming the South Caucasus into a cohesive and cooperative region. Beyond the South Caucasus: Azerbaijans quiet diplomacy in the Middle East Expanding his analysis, Gafarov underscored Azerbaijans potential to contribute to peace in the Middle East, a region currently facing renewed volatility amid the Ukraine war and escalating Israeli-Turkish tensions. Today, along with the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict, the increasing tension in the Near and Middle East region is seriously worrying the world community, he said. Here, Azerbaijans balanced foreign policy, internal political stability, and unique relationships with both Turkiye and Israel position it as a credible intermediary. Unlike many regional actors, Azerbaijan maintains strategic alliances with both sides, a legacy reinforced by its role in facilitating the first rapprochement between Turkiye and Israel following strained diplomatic ties. The 2021 Shusha Declaration, which solidified Azerbaijans alliance with Turkiye, and decades of cooperation with Israel in areas like defense, technology, and energy, are key pillars of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Gafarov noted that these enduring relationships give Baku the diplomatic leverage to act as a stabilizing force in a polarized region. A rising diplomatic actor Azerbaijan's emerging role in international affairs is not coincidentalit is the result of strategic vision, careful diplomacy, and a pragmatic foreign policy that seeks balance over confrontation. While great power politics continue to shift, Azerbaijan is carving out a niche for itself as a constructive regional actor, capable of influencing outcomes far beyond its borders. As Gafarov concluded, Azerbaijans mission does not end with peace in the South Caucasus. Its evolving foreign policy suggests an ambition to be a regional connector and peace broker, contributing to stability in some of the worlds most volatile regions. 12 April 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, met Friday with Miguel Angel Maratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), on the margins of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The meeting addressed the current cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the continuation of jointly implemented projects, as well as the prospects for further cooperation. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the significant role of the current cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UNAOC in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The meeting also highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan's contribution to intercultural dialogue within the framework of the Baku Process and through other international initiatives. FM Bayramov briefed the UNAOC High Representative on the regional situation in the post-conflict period, Azerbaijan's peace efforts and the peace process with Armenia, as well as existing obstacles. UNAOC High Representative Miguel Angel Moratinos commended the active and consistent policy pursued by Azerbaijan at the international level in the field of intercultural dialogue. Emphasizing the importance of further successful implementation of Azerbaijan's cooperation with the UNAOC, the High Representative expressed his support for the continuation of joint initiatives in the future. The parties also exchanged views on other bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual concern, including promoting intercultural solidarity in the face of global challenges and opportunities for joint action to combat Islamophobia. 12 April 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more On the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the meeting, Azernews reports. During the talks, the two ministers discussed prospects for expanding multilateral cooperation within regional and international organizations. They also exchanged views on issues concerning regional security and stability. 12 April 2025 11:46 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijans Ambassador to Georgia, Faig Guliyev, met with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili to discuss bilateral relations and strategic cooperation, Azernews reports, citing the Georgian Presidential Administration. During the meeting, both sides praised the strong and friendly ties between the two countries and exchanged views on the key areas of the Georgia-Azerbaijan strategic partnership. Emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the region, President Kavelashvili noted that preserving regional calm has become even more crucial amid ongoing global conflicts, trade wars, and rising geopolitical tensions. Both parties reaffirmed their readiness to further enhance the dynamic and exemplary strategic cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan. President Kavelashvili also expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for its unwavering support for Georgias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The meeting included discussions on the details of President Kavelashvilis upcoming official visit to Azerbaijan, scheduled for April 1516his first official trip to the country in this capacity. 12 April 2025 12:38 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, held a meeting with Turkiyes Minister of National Defense, Mr. Yasar Guler, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Azernews reports. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense, the two ministers discussed the current status and future prospects of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiyetwo nations bound by close strategic ties and shared values. The meeting also included an exchange of views on regional security issues, reaffirming both sides commitment to strengthening defense collaboration and promoting stability in the region. 12 April 2025 14:20 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A panel discussion on Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus was held within the framework of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Azernews reports. The event featured the participation of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. During the discussion, Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that historic opportunities for peace have emerged in the region following Azerbaijan's liberation of its occupied territories after the 44-day Patriotic War. "Immediately after the war, Azerbaijan proposed to Armenia the start of normalization talks and discussions on a peace agreement. Weve held many rounds of negotiations, and last month, after almost two and a half years, both sides reached a major milestone by agreeing on the text of the peace agreement," Bayramov said. He stressed that further steps are still needed to finalize and sign the agreement. Chief among these, he noted, is the removal of territorial claims against Azerbaijan from Armenia's Constitution. "This has long been Azerbaijans consistent position. Our Armenian partners are well aware of it. Removing these constitutional claims and acknowledging the abolishment of the outdated Minsk Group are essential to concluding peace and establishing interstate relations," Bayramov added. In response to concerns raised by Armenia regarding Azerbaijans Constitution, Bayramov clarified: "There is no mention of Armenian territory or geographical names in the Constitution of Azerbaijan. Our legal frameworks are comparable, and no country can sign international agreements that contradict its constitution. Armenias claims are unfounded." Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili reiterated her countrys neutral stance and willingness to facilitate dialogue. "Georgia has a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan and traditionally strong ties with Armenia. We sincerely aim to promote peace and stability in our region and are ready to provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation," she said. 12 April 2025 14:41 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A Russian military delegation headed by Colonel General Vladimir Zarudnitsky, Chief of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, paid an official visit to Azerbaijans National Defense University (NDU), Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Defense. Colonel General Zarudnitsky, a Candidate of Historical Sciences, was welcomed by Major General Gunduz Abdulov, Rector of the National Defense University, who expressed his satisfaction at hosting the high-level delegation in Baku. During the meeting, both sides held discussions on the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in military education, emphasizing the importance of academic and strategic exchanges in strengthening defense ties. The Russian delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the history, structure, and objectives of the NDU, showcasing Azerbaijans efforts to modernize its military education system in line with international standards. As part of the visit, the Russian officials also toured the Heydar Aliyev Military Institute, where they were briefed on the institutes core functions, historical background, and ongoing training programs. The visit concluded with an open exchange on matters of mutual interest. This visit underscores the continuing dialogue between Baku and Moscow in defense education, signaling potential for expanded collaboration in training, curriculum development, and joint academic initiatives. Shaken by Donald Trump's tariff blitz, the EU has embarked on a charm offensive to diversify its alliances in Asia and beyond, with summits lined up back-to-back and trade talks launched in all directions. When the US president unleashed his crippling "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen gave her first reaction, not in Brussels, but from Uzbekistan where she was in talks to bolster trade ties with Central Asia. Although Trump has since rowed back with a 90-day pause, the European Union still faces tariffs of 10 percent on a vast majority of goods and higher on steel, aluminium and cars -- with an uphill challenge to negotiate a way out of the standoff. Faced with Trump's disruptive protectionism, Brussels is pulling out the stops to salvage its 1.6 trillion euro ($1.8 trillion) relationship with Europe's main trade partner the United States. But it is also trumpeting its mission to cultivate trade ties elsewhere. "Europe continues to focus on diversifying its trade partnerships, engaging with countries that account for 87 percent of global trade and share our commitment to a free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas," von der Leyen said on Thursday. The following day China openly urged Europe to join forces -- as Beijing wages a trade war with the United States with tit-for-tat levies -- but while there are opportunities in the relationship, the path is also fraught with peril. And the EU's diversification efforts may hit roadblocks including the fact that the United States has a market power and demand unparalleled worldwide, experts say, which makes it hard to replace -- especially in the short term. "Rerouting trade routes and flows will take time. It does not happen overnight," said Varg Folkman, of the European Policy Centre (EPC). The EU's trade relations diary has been packed full since January. The bloc made a show of agreeing to strengthen trade ties with Mexico days before Trump was sworn in, and reopened commerce negotiations with Malaysia on his inauguration day. Then in February and March, the EU's top officials met leaders of India and South Africa for talks on topics including trade, while actively pursuing closer Canada ties. This week alone, the EU agreed to launch talks for a free trade deal with the United Arab Emirates and confirmed a high-level summit in China in July, hot on the heels of a meeting in Japan. And top EU officials will meet with Latin American and Caribbean states in November, with trade high on the agenda. But before the EU starts striking new trade deals, the European Commission has previous agreements to get past member states including the Mercosur accord clinched in December. Previous staunch critic Austria ditched its opposition to the agreement with the South American bloc after Trump's tariffs assault, but France says its position has not changed. Senior officials believe they can sway Paris -- which fears a flow of lower-cost agricultural goods outcompeting Europe's farmers. But unless they do, it risks taking the wind out of von der Leyen's sails -- since commission trade deals need sign-off by both member states and the European Parliament. The EU is trying to balance complex goals: developing open, free trade while also boosting the continent's competitiveness and manufacturing. There's also the issue of size. "The EU... will not find a market with the depth of demand and buying power that the US supplies," EPC's Folkman cautioned. Nonetheless, von der Leyen's efforts are echoed by EU leaders including Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, leading his own bid to woo Asia, said in Vietnam this week Madrid was "firmly committed" to opening Spain and Europe up to southeast Asia. One key relationship brings its share of pitfalls for the EU: China. Trump's onslaught threatens to cause a related headache with officials fearing a flood of Chinese goods to Europe -- where levies are lower than the United States -- at a moment when Europe already had concerns about cheap products and Beijing's subsidies. But there are signs of the potential for ties to improve, against the backdrop of a Beijing-Washington showdown. An EU spokesman on Friday said the two sides had been discussing an alternative to the EU's extra tariffs on electric vehicles made in China imposed last year after it found Beijing's state aid to auto manufacturers was unfair. 12 April 2025 17:50 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Western Azerbaijan Community has strongly condemned the racist, slanderous, and prejudiced remarks made by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Roussopoulos, in an interview with the press agency Alpha News regarding Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. In an official statement, the Western Azerbaijan Community emphasized that Roussopoulos comments reflect moral bankruptcy within PACE. Roussopoulos rude and irresponsible speech once again exposes the indifference of PACE to the ethnic cleansing of over one million Azerbaijanis by Armenia, which represents one of the most significant human rights violations in the region, the statement read. PACE has now clearly revealed its anti-Azerbaijani bias and racist stance following Azerbaijans liberation of its territories from Armenian occupation. The statement further criticized Roussopoulos position, accusing him of being sad about the end of Armenian occupation and the return of over 700,000 Azerbaijani IDPs to their homes, framing his opposition as an insult to the very concept of human rights. The presence of individuals like Roussopoulos in PACE, who oppose the right of return of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia, undermines the international human rights framework, the statement continued. 12 April 2025 17:19 (UTC+04:00) On April 12, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held in the Turkish city of Antalya, featured a panel session entitled Building the Future in a Fragmented World: Transformative Power of Education, Azernews reports. First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, along with her daughter Leyla Aliyeva, attended the event. Prior to the session, attendees visited the stand of the African Culture House. Founded in 2016 at the initiative of Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan, the African Culture House aims to promote the handicrafts of African women, transform their labor into economic value, and foster cultural solidarity. The event, supported by the Turkish Maarif Foundation, began with a video presentation showcasing the Foundation's work. The session highlighted the organization's global impact, noting that nearly 70,000 students are enrolled in the Foundation's schools across 55 countries. Panelists extensively discussed the critical importance of educational development in today's world. Turkiyes First Lady, Emine Erdogan, delivered a speech emphasizing the heightened significance of education in an era marked by increased conflict. She stated that education is now more essential than ever for fostering social inclusion and achieving sustainable development. The session continued with students from the Turkish Maarif Foundation school in Cote d'Ivoire performing songs in various languages. 12 April 2025 19:49 (UTC+04:00) At Antalya International Airport, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva were seen off by Antalya Governor Hulusi Sahin and other officials. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev concluded his working visit to Turkiye on April 12, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 13 April 2025 00:25 (UTC+04:00) Footage of President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to Turkiye has been posted on his social media accounts. According to Azernews, the post reads: "President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to the Republic of Turkiye (05.03.2025)". 12 April 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Volkswagen AG's global deliveries rose in the first quarter as Europe's biggest automaker benefited from surging demand for its electric vehicles, Azernews reports. Global deliveries climbed 1.4% to 2.13 million units, supported by growth in Europe and the Americas. However, Volkswagen continues to struggle in China, where its deliveries fell by 7.1%. Electric vehicles (EVs) represented a bright spot for the company, with group EV sales soaring 59% to 216,800 units. Volkswagen is among the manufacturers benefiting from a shift in consumer sentiment, particularly in response to Tesla Inc.'s increasing political involvement in Europe and its ties to former US President Donald Trumps administration. This has led some drivers to seek alternatives to Tesla's offerings. Volkswagen's EV sales more than doubled in Europe and jumped 51% in the US, two of Teslas key markets. However, in China, the company faced a significant decline, with sales dropping 37% as local competitors, particularly BYD Co., continue to dominate the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. The outlook for Volkswagen and its export-oriented German peers is challenging. Luxury brands such as Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz are expected to be significantly impacted by the consequences of Trumps tariffs, which came into effect on Wednesday. These tariffs could increase costs for German automakers and reduce their competitiveness in global markets, particularly in the US. Despite the hurdles, Volkswagen remains committed to its electrification strategy and continues to invest heavily in EV technology and infrastructure. The company is banking on a broadening of its electric vehicle lineup, including new models like the ID.4 and ID. Buzz, to strengthen its position in key markets and challenge Teslas dominance. However, as competition in the EV space intensifies, especially from Chinese manufacturers, Volkswagen will need to navigate complex geopolitical and market dynamics to maintain its growth trajectory. 12 April 2025 18:49 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A fire broke out at sea approximately 25 kilometers off the coast of Phang Nga Province in Thailand, leading to the successful rescue of 26 people aboard a tourist boat, Azernews reports. The fire occurred early on Saturday morning. The ship, which had set out for a diving excursion, was carrying 10 crew members and 16 tourists. After flames engulfed the lower and middle decks of the boat, passengers and crew were forced to transfer to a rescue boat. They were then safely evacuated by another vessel passing nearby. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Phang Nga Province is well-known for its scuba diving tourism. One of the most famous dive sites in the region is the Boon Sung, a 60-meter technical ship that sank in 1984 and now lies 20 meters underwater, attracting divers from around the world. 12 April 2025 22:19 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A high-level Iranian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Muscat today, April 12, for indirect talks with the United States, Azernews reports. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghai confirmed the visit via social media, stating that the delegation includes several senior and experienced officials. Baghai emphasized that Iran is committed to using all diplomatic channels to safeguard its national interests and international standing. The discussions come at a time of heightened concern over Irans nuclear activities. On March 3, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, announced that Iran had increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% from 182 kg to 275 kg in just one quarter the only non-nuclear weapons state to do so. Grossi described the development as seriously concerning. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump warned on March 30 that if Iran does not agree to terms on its nuclear program, it could face a severe military response. In 2020, the Iranian parliament adopted a strategic plan aimed at lifting international sanctions by reducing cooperation with the IAEA. Since February 23, 2021, Iran has suspended implementation of additional nuclear verification protocols, limiting international oversight by 2030%. Despite international concerns, Iran maintains that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons and opposes all weapons of mass destruction. While Trump has previously indicated that any upcoming dialogue would be direct, the Iranian Foreign Minister clarified that the April 12 talks in Oman will be held indirectly. A Los Angeles County judge ruled that the resentencing hearing for the Menendez brothers will move forward, rejecting prosecutors' efforts to halt the process. Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. Sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the brothers have since claimed they acted out of fear after enduring years of sexual abuse from their father. In recent years, shifting attitudes toward youth sentencing and new allegations, including a claim by former Menudo member Roy Rossello accusing Jose Menendez of rape in the 1980s, have reignited public and legal interest in their case. Former Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon initiated a resentencing request in 2023 under state reforms that allow reconsideration of life sentences for individuals under 26 at the time of their crimes. On April 11, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic denied current District Attorney Nathan Hochman's motion to withdraw the resentencing request initiated by his predecessor. Hochman, who took office in November 2024, had argued that the brothers have not shown "full insight and complete responsibility" for their crimes and maintained that they remain a danger to society. Despite this, Judge Jesic ruled that prosecutors can present their arguments against resentencing during the formal hearing, now scheduled for April 17. This development gives the Menendez brothers a renewed opportunity to argue for parole eligibility. Supporters, including family members like cousin Tamara Goodell, argue the brothers have shown sincere remorse and growth over decades in prison, earning degrees and contributing positively to fellow inmates. Opponents, led by Hochman, remain skeptical of the brothers' narrative and motivations. Erik and Lyle are also scheduled to appear before the California parole board on June 13, following Governor Gavin Newsom's request for a risk assessment. Originally published on Lawyer Herald An organization representing nations involved in the shipping business, the International Maritime Organization, has agreed to impose a "global carbon tax" on all merchant shipping. Under President Trump, the United States refused to participate in the meeting and said it would not comply with any such "tax". The International Maritime Organization is an agency of the globalist United Nations. Instead of sending representatives to the meeting of the UN agency, President Trump sent a letter in which he told them, "we must be clear that the US rejects any and all efforts to impose economic measures against its ships based on GHG emissions or fuel choice." Trump continued, "Should such a blatantly unfair measure go forward, our government will consider reciprocal measures so as to offset any fees charged to US ships and compensate the American people for any other economic harm from any adopted GHG control measures." The International Maritime Agency would control all money brought in by this "tax". This is a very slippery slope of globalist "worldwide" taxes. Hooray for President Trump in standing up against it. https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2025/04/11/shipping-nations-agree-on-worlds-first-global-carbon-tax/ Environmentalists used to try to defend natural environments like forests and wildlife like whales and birds. Not anymore. The current crop of climate alarmists would rather clear cut ancient forests for their solar and wind "farms" and say "never mind" when these entities kill off the wildlife. The danger wind turbines pose to the environment is receiving attention around the world. A major British newspaper, the Daily Telegraph of London is reporting that a French court has ordered a wind farm shut down because it was killing endangered birds and bats. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/08/edf-ordered-to-stop-wind-turbines-killing-endangered-birds/ Here in America, the New York Post is warning that offshore wind turbines are killing whales, including the critically endangered Atlantic Right Whale, as well as endangering ships. https://nypost.com/2025/04/10/opinion/how-nys-offshore-wind-power-threatens-whales-ships-and-more/ And in the UK, it is human health that is being adversely impacted by wind turbines. https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2025/04/04/sallys-experience-unusual-calls-turbines/ S. W. Snowden A Community School - Target of Politically Expediate Closure? By Ray Leary The hot topic in 2025 around the water coolers in Beaufort County, NC is the potential closing of the S. W. Snowden elementary school in Aurora, NC. What is it that brings this issue to the fore front of discussions? Is it the low performance scores of the students over the course of the last three years? This cannot be the reason as all school districts in NC and the US have experienced low performance scores as Covid impacted schools across the nation. Is it related to the lack of state funding from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to pay teachers? No. Teacher allotments are based upon student ADM (Average Daily Membership) in the local school administrative unit, not individual schools. Is it because the superintendent is responsible for assigning teachers to individual schools with limited board oversight? Is it because of the declining Average Daily Membership in the S. W. Snowden Elementary school? Maybe. Teachers are assigned to meet class size restrictions in grades K-3 in elementary schools. Grades 4-12 may have as many students as the principal determines. Is it the lack of community support in the Aurora and Richlands school district? No. The community support was demonstrated by attendance of 100+ parents and citizens at the forum in September 2024 in support of the school. (see video link below) Is it the lack of support of the Beaufort County commissioners. Beaufort County commissioners provided approximately $16,000,000 to the school district in the 23-24 school year. No. The school board is responsible for the allocation of funds to all schools in the local school administrative unit. Is it caused by a decrease in funding by the local school board for maintenance and capital funding? Maybe. This is discretionary by the board utilizing local funds provided by the county commissioners. Withholding funds or allotment of funds is a school board decision based upon priorities determined by the school board and the available funding. Is it caused by parents seeing the lack of local school board support choosing to send their young children to Pamlico County public or Charter schools? Maybe. If the Beaufort County School board decides a community school does not deserve funding for teachers, maintenance, and capital improvements, they may withhold it from Snowden and then allocate the available funds to other schools. The steady decline in the ADM suggests this is likely one of the reasons. Parents are choosing other schools. Why? Is it because the state DPI, by state statute, will not provide compensation for a 12-month principal to schools with less than 100 students? The NC Statute can be found in Session Law 2011-145, House Bill 200., Section 7.14.(a). Is it because the Beaufort County schools leadership and the NC state DPI are focusing on and supporting large, consolidated schools as opposed to smaller community schools? This is debatable, but it appears to be the case. One of the criteria for receiving lottery funds for public schools is consolidation of one or more schools in a school district. Is it because the Beaufort County school superintendent assigns teachers to the Aurora school to encourage them to quit or move to another county? Does he assign teachers to Aurora that requires them to travel one hour or more to get to their job? There is no evidence of this, but it should be considered by the school board. As noted above, the superintendent is responsible for teacher assignments. The history of teacher turnover at Snowden should be reviewed. Is it because the Beaufort County commissioners will not provide sufficient salary supplements to qualified teachers to encourage them to teach in eastern Beaufort County? Again, this should be considered by the school board and county commissioners. Is it because Beaufort County is divided by a river separating the more populous north side from the south side? This is an on-going debate considering all services provided to the citizens of Beaufort County, NC residing on the south side of the Pamlico River. Is it because the leadership of the Beaufort County school board does not value the citizens of Aurora and the Richland Township as the majority in this district are minorities? As divisive as this issue is, it must be considered. Is it because the district school board representative in District 2 supports closing this school? No, he does not. Is it because the school principal is not doing everything she can to support the teachers and students? No. Dr. Patricia Horton-Albritton is a very dedicated leader who cares deeply about every student under her care. (See video below) Is it because the superintendent wants to close a low performing school to increase the average performance scores of the other schools in the school district? This is another debatable issue the school board should consider. Is the consolidation of the S. W. Snowden school with Chocowinity schools to enhance the resume of the superintendent like the consolidation of Eastern Elementary and John Cotton Tayloe as some have suggested? Will the school board support this? Is it because two of the school board members are spouses of two Beaufort County commissioners and the superintendent has the support of these four in whatever he wants? This seems to be the case over the last four years. The possibility of getting assistance from the local legislative representatives should be explored. A local bill could provide financial or other administrative relief for Snowden. All of these potential causes/reasons must be debated before this community school is closed. The current proposal by the Beaufort County school superintendent and some members of the board are to close Snowden and bus the students to Chocowinity elementary and middle schools. This will require a 1 1 hour bus ride each way for elementary students. This may even require elementary students to transfer to other buses to complete the journey to the town of Chocowinity from Southside High School. This is not just a S. W. Snowden issue. This is an issue for every Beaufort County resident that cares about the education of the youth in this county. There is a public hearing related to this school closing on April 16, 2025, at the S. W. Snowden school at 6:00 pm. This venue should be packed with county residents that are concerned about public education in Beaufort County and North Carolina. There was a public meeting held in Aurora on September 5, 2024, to discuss the potential closing of the S. W. Snowden school. There were over 100 parents and citizens in attendance. Principal Dr. Patricia Horton-Albritton and school board member Charles Hickman were there to hear and address the concerns of the attendees. The attendees spoke passionately about the local school and what this school contributed to the community. No other school board members attended. The superintendent did not attend. The proceedings were videotaped. You can view the video at the link below. The meeting extended beyond two hours. https://www.beaufortcountynow.com/post/82676/community-rallies-behind-keeping-snowden-open.html Amanda Knox: The Foxy Knoxy narrative was catnip to the global media but it wasnt who I am In her new book, Amanda Knox recalls how she survived in prison, the fellow inmate who made a pass at her and how she was able to reignite her sexuality before her conviction for the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher was overturned Amanda Knox. Photo: Patrik Andersson Sat 12 Apr 2025 at 14:00 When Lenny first arrived at Capanne, she was sulky and withdrawn. She paced the yard alone with her head bowed and her shoulders hunched. This was not unusual for a transfer. Each prison is its own delicate ecosystem, so to be uprooted and replanted, without warning, was a jarring, even frightening experience. I sized her up petite, slight belly, messy hair. By the way she closed in on herself, I guessed that shed only lash out if cornered. She wasnt a threat to me. Culture night, such as the event in 2019, was a popular date in the local arts calendar. Culture Night will return to Belfast this year, but will be taken off the streets with a new look. It will instead concentrate on venue-based events across a wider space in the city, with more community involvement. Last held in 2021, the event will aim to move away from street drinking and concentrations of crowds, and will require organisations to prove they are paying artists. Culture Night in 2015. Members at a Belfast City Council committee meeting this week agreed to launch a public procurement exercise to deliver the 2025 Culture Night programme up to the value of 150,000 - considerably more than the authority previously contributed. Established in 2009, Culture Night was a large-scale and free cultural event taking place in the Cathedral Quarter. Audiences grew to an attendance of over 100,000 for the 2019 event held across two days. The budget for Culture Night ranged from 240k in 2016 to over 328k in 2019 from a variety of partners, with around 12K coming from the council in its last four years. Covid resulted in the suspension of the event in September 2020, with a digital version staged instead. That year the Cathedral Quarter Trust and Belfast City Council co-commissioned a review which said the existing model for Culture Night has become problematic. The review stated the audience had grown exponentially while the volume and quality in the programme had not, and stated the idea that artists could, would or should give their time for free is no longer a viable delivery model. It said the audiences relationship with the event has changed so much that family audiences felt pushed out and unsafe. In 2022 organisers said that the event had become too big and unwieldy and the original intention of providing a platform for artistic and cultural communities to connect with a much wider audience had been lost. Culture Night 2015. Picture: Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Culture Night ran in Belfast in a smaller manner in 2021, but did not return after that. In 2023 the Cathedral Quarter Trust announced it would cease day-to-day operations after Stormont funding was ended. Financial pressures facing the Department for Communities were reportedly behind the decision. After an attempt by the Green Party last year to get Culture Night up and running in Belfast again, a report was commissioned from City Hall by culture organisation Thrive called Culture Night Sector Engagement and Roadmap Delivery. It again showed that the event in the later years became a victim of its own success, and highlighted that corporate concerns were overwhelming artists concerns. An online survey by Thrive showed 78% of respondents said they wanted Culture Night to come back, while most people mentioned wanting less alcohol and better crowd management. The report states: (By 2016) a lot of the budget and team capacity was dedicated to managing crowds and ensuring safety. The management team felt at this point that the budget had not grown in line with the numbers they were managing. Our research points to audiences feeling that security and stewards became less visible over time which was down to the volume of people. This growth didnt just suck up resources and creative energy but placed a significant amount of mental strain on the staff team who were dealing with a major city-wide event for a fee that was in no way commensurate with this responsibility. Culture night, such as the event in 2019, was a popular date in the local arts calendar. News Catch Up - Friday 11th April It added: In the later years, there was a focus on staging larger showcase events across the site, spreading the event across a wider footprint in an attempt to reduce overcrowding. In retrospect, this move to bigger showpiece stages and shift in focus away from a collective melting pot of diverse smaller events changed the atmosphere of the event. It lost, for many of the people that we spoke to, the idea of something that you explore. The large gaps between significant stages, which previously would have been filled with smaller pop-up events, felt empty and populated by street drinking. Even though the plan was to make the event safer by spreading it out more, almost everyone interviewed said they felt less safe. The report recommended Belfast Culture Night being limited to venue-based events with street-based events not being included in the programme. Green Party councillor Aine Groogan proposed that Belfast City Council scope out the possibility of supporting the return of the event in 2024 when she was Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast. She said this week: I am buzzing to say that Culture Night will be back in Belfast in September 2025. It is a great celebration of the best of Belfast, providing a fantastic free opportunity for the public to engage in the arts and be inspired and have a positive impact on the nighttime economy during the summer season. She added: The event might look a little different than before, we will know more when procurement has completed, but I am confident that we can create an exciting and inclusive programme, which returns Culture Night to the roots which made it a success in the early years, and which can meaningfully support the arts and cultural sector. Police investigating reports of a large fight involving weapons at a Northern Ireland beach have appealed for anyone with footage of the incident to contact them. Reports circulated on Friday night about the fracas between groups of young people at Ballyholme beach near Bangor. Videos have circulated online showing youths fighting, with some engaging in punching and kicking. Read more NI records hottest day of 2025 - but forecasters say change is on the way One report alleged that a knife had been produced. The PSNI said officers were aware of the videos and claims that weapons had been used, and were investigating the reports. They dismissed false rumours that spread online that someone had died. Local MP Alex Easton described what happened last night as deplorable and totally unacceptable. The PSNI said: At around 8.15pm last evening, Friday, we responded to reports of a large fight at Ballyholme beach. Further reports from the area suggested that weapons had been used. We attended the scene and dealt with a large number of young persons in the area and we remained at the beach dealing with the incident for some time. Our investigation into this incident is at an early stage however, we are aware of a number of videos circulating online showing fights between large groups of people. Ballyholme beach. File photo. News Catch Up - Friday 11th April We are asking for witnesses to this incident to come forward and work with us as we investigate and try to identify those responsible. We are also aware that there are rumours circulating that following the incident, a male has died - this is not the case and this sort of speculation is not helpful. We are not aware of any serious injuries. People need to responsible when posting online." Mr Easton, the MP for North Down, said he had been told that police patrols will increase in the area this weekend. He told the Belfast Telegraph: The behaviour at Ballyholme beach last night is deplorable and totally unacceptable. This has caused huge alarm in the local community and I would call for anyone with any evidence or information to come forward to the police and assist their enquiries. Ive spoken to the local commander and they are putting extra resources into patrolling the beaches today and tonight. He said he had seen some of the videos circulating online and also criticised the false rumours which spread last night. North Down MP Alex Easton Speculation about fatalities, which the police have confirmed to be untrue, only causes unnecessary panic and distress, he added. "We must all be mindful of the impact our words can have online. Mr Easton said he was concerned the anti-social behaviour may deter visitors. This is going to put families off coming down to the beach, especially in the evening time, he added. It does no good for the image of the town when were trying to promote the town as a tourist destination. We need the PSNI and local council to put in place plans to ensure this is not repeated as its just totally, totally unacceptable. The PSNI, meanwhile, appealed for people to behave responsibly. Good weather is forecast again for today and whilst we want our children and young people to enjoy the warm weather and our open spaces, our message is clear - we will take robust action against those who get involved in any form of anti social behaviour. Don't let foolish decisions ruin your future prospects. Police attended the incident in the Dundrum Road area of the town. File photo. Police attended the incident in the Dundrum Road area of the town. File photo. Two people have been arrested after a young man was stabbed in the head in Co Down. Police were called to the incident in Newcastle yesterday evening. The victim suffered wounds to his face and head. Police attended the incident in the Dundrum Road area of the town. File photo. News Catch Up - Friday 11th April Detective Sergeant McCartan said: Shortly before 7.45pm, police received a report that a man had been stabbed with a blade in the Dundrum Road area of the town. The victim, aged in his late teens, sustained a number of stab wounds to his face and head. Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service also attended the incident. Two males, one aged in his teens, and one aged in his 20s, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. They remain in custody at this time, assisting with police enquiries. Our enquiries remain ongoing, and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened, or who has any information which might assist, to get in touch. 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. President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. military to take direct action along the southern border to block migrant crossings, citing national security and invoking emergency powers. On January 20, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14167, which gave the military a newly defined role in protecting the "territorial integrity" of the United States by sealing the southern border and repelling what he described as an "invasion" of unlawful migrants. This followed his proclamation of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border on the same day, according to a White House release. Since then, Trump has escalated his rhetoric and policy initiatives aimed at curbing immigration through militarized enforcement, bypassing traditional civilian immigration agencies. In a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-4) issued in early April 2025, Trump formally directed the Department of Defense, alongside the Departments of Homeland Security, Interior, and Agriculture, to transfer and utilize federal landsexcluding tribal landsalong the U.S.-Mexico border for military operations. This includes constructing barriers, installing surveillance equipment, and deploying troops to control border crossings. The military now has authority to designate sections of these lands as National Defense Areas, enabling expanded use of force and tighter control over access. Implementation is already underway in a select sector of the border, with the Secretary of Defense required to assess progress within 45 days. The initiative may be expanded at any time. Troops are set to operate under military rules of engagement rather than civilian law enforcement guidelines, raising questions about oversight and potential confrontations with migrants. Meanwhile, federal agencies are being instructed to support these operations by fast-tracking land transfers and suspending normal environmental and regulatory limitations. Originally published on Latin Times PITTSFIELD For more than 10 years, a sign reading 20% off all suits and sport coats hung above the suits section at Steven Valenti Clothing for Men. When customers asked how long the sale would last, co-owner Evan Valenti would say: Well, it's been up here every day I've worked here, so I think it's going to be OK for the next time you come in. However, time and tariffs forced Valentis hand. Just two weeks ago, he had to retire the sign. It physically hurt me, Valenti said. [The discount] is something that I took a lot of pride in, that I can't do right now. Valenti is one of the many small-business owners adjusting to the ripple effects of President Donald Trump's recently imposed and constantly changing U.S. tariffs aimed at addressing international trade imbalances and promoting U.S. manufacturing. Although Trump paused the sweeping reciprocal tariffs the U.S. imposed on Wednesday, a 10 percent base global tariff, which went into effect on April 5, remains in place. However, China, the largest supplier of textiles and apparel to the U.S., was notably left out of the reciprocal tariff pause. Tariffs on imports from China which were already facing a 10 percent tariff that went into effect Feb. 4 were instead raised from 104 to 145 percent. Between 2018 and 2022, China accounted for more than 27 percent of U.S. apparel and clothing imports, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. At Valentis North Street clothing store, where nearly all the inventory besides the custom shirt station comes from overseas markets, the impact has already trickled down. His suppliers have increased their prices by about 10 to 12 percent depending on the brand, and Valenti has had to pass some of that cost onto his customers. Valenti used to offer suits at an opening discounted price of $330 from the original price of $395. Now, that discount price is $345 marking a $15 bump. Which isn't a huge amount, but it's an amount that might shake up some people and it kills me, like, personally kills me, Valenti said. For Valenti, running the store is not about chasing profits its about providing people with an outfit that makes them feel confident at a price that they can afford. He strives to cater to every Berkshire County resident, regardless of income. Like, I can't tell you if I know if someone comes to the door can't afford something because of these tariffs, Valenti said. But the first time that someone tells me that, it will break my heart, and at that point I will eat a little bit more [of the cost] just to help one person out. Although he "loves" the relationships he has with his manufacturers, if prices continue to rise, Valenti would be willing to find new producers if it meant he could continue to serve as many people as possible. What he wants most now is simple: stability. We're in a state of flux, Valenti said. The tariffs change like every day. Down the road, Deidre Torra, owner of Deidres Special Day a special occasion clothing store on South Street is facing a similar issue. Since the stores two largest bridal suppliers, along with many of its prom vendors, manufacture in China, she already has had to raise prices on all of the stores wedding dresses. It's sad, because people don't have a lot of money to begin with, and we've always tried to keep our prices within a reasonable range, Torra said. Before the tariff, we rarely had a wedding gown that went over $2,000, and now practically every one of them is over $2,000. To keep prices as low as possible, Torra is getting creative. She has been buying surplus and discontinued dresses from her vendors for a discount and offers a selection of sale dresses priced from $100 to $300. Torra is even offering $200 toward the purchase of a tuxedo or prom dress for one student at each of the 10 high schools in Berkshire County. She was inspired by her former classmate who donated money to the store to help a student in need since he was not able to attend his own prom and decided to match the donation. We try to help, but it does get frustrating because prices do rise, Torra said. Despite her efforts to adapt to rising prices, Torra is still concerned about the impact on her business, especially as more consumers turn to lower-quality online options. Although she only began to raise prices about a month ago, Torra said this prom season has been unusually slow. It's distressing, because prices are going to go up everywhere, Torra said. People can't afford a dress. You know you're talking about people affording food. Although President Trump has claimed that the tariffs will bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S., Torra does not see that happening for the specialty clothing industry. There's nobody in the world except somebody in China or Vietnam that's going to spend the time beading a dress. It's just not going to happen here, Torra said. People don't want to do that kind of work; it's labor intensive. On the other hand, Ali Zabian, owner of Zabians Clothing for Men on Main Street in Lee, has not yet seen any price increases from his vendors but has received notices about potential future hikes since he places orders six months in advance. A majority of Zabians inventory is imported from other countries mainly China and other Asian markets, and some from Italy and Canada so he does expect tariffs to hit the business one way or another. However, with minimal overhead and room to absorb costs before increasing prices, Zabian is not concerned about the tariffs impacting the business. I have a strong faith, so I just pray a lot and move with the time, Zabian said. There's nothing I can do. I just hope that people will be patient. Heidi Eulian, owner of Kissys on Elm Street in Pittsfield, also has not seen an uptick in prices. Most of the clothes sold in the boutique are made in Los Angeles, with some items imported from China. However, Eulian has not placed an order from China in a few weeks, considering the price of the tariffs. [The tariffs] will probably affect us more in the summer [and] the fall, Eulian said. We've got most of our spring stuff now because I made sure that we got everything before [the tariffs] started. Eulian said once the costs do jump, she will try not to raise her prices even if that means eating the cost for a few percent increase per item. We will try to keep everything down as much as we can, Eulian said. It's made me nervous. But, I mean, we made it through COVID. First noticed in Ohio in 2012 and in Massachusetts in 2020 in Plymouth and Bristol counties, beech leaf disease had been found in every county by 2022, Now, its been documented in nearly every community in Massachusetts. Utah last month became the first state in the nation to ban fluoride in public drinking water, joining more than 170 municipalities in America that have done so based on health fears. A Georgia man convicted of murdering his 19-year-old girlfriend was mistakenly released from jail and authorities didn't realize the error until nearly two weeks later. In late 2024, Kathan Guzman was found guilty of felony murder and aggravated assault for the 2022 killing of his girlfriend, Delila Grayson. Prosecutors said Guzman strangled Delila in their apartment, moved her body to the bathroom, and waited more than 10 hours before alerting anyone. Following his conviction, Guzman was ordered to serve a life sentence in the Georgia Department of Corrections. On March 27 around 4:49 p.m., despite being sentenced, Guzman was accidentally released from Clayton County Jail. Officials failed to notice his absence for nearly two weeks. The error was only uncovered on April 8, when the Clayton County District Attorney's Office reached out to the sheriff's office to inquire about Guzman's whereabouts. Once alerted, Sheriff Levon Allen initiated an urgent search, which led to the involvement of the U.S. Marshals Service. Guzman was found and arrested without incident on Friday, April 11, by the U.S. Marshals at his mother's home in Ocoee, Florida. He was booked into Orange County Jail and is awaiting extradition back to Georgia. Sheriff Allen confirmed an internal investigation is underway to determine how the release occurred, with possible disciplinary actionsincluding employee terminationson the table once the inquiry concludes. Originally published on Lawyer Herald 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 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. Advertisement 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. Graham Norton on Doctor Who. Photo: BBC/PA. 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. Advertisement 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. Ncuti Gatwa and Russell T Davies. Photo: PA. 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. Advertisement 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. The ongoing trade war between the US and the EU dominated the front pages of Saturday's papers. The Irish Times leads with Taoiseach Micheal Martin saying he would oppose an EU tax on US tech firms. Advertisement The Irish Examiner leads with Simon Harris urging for calm in trade talks between the US and the EU. The Echo leads with the Cork landlord who was jailed for raping his tenant. The Irish Independent leads with Paschal Donohoe threatening Donald Trump with taxing ad revenues of US tech companies. The Irish Daily Mail reveals a trade war could lead to proposed increases for the minimum wage stalled. The Irish Daiuly Mirror leads with a Donegal man jailed for the fatal hit-and-run in which a boy was killed. The Irish Daily Star leads with Aslan star Billy McGuinness criticising Ireland's selection for the Eurovision. The head of a US-funded Arabic language television and online news outlet sacked most of its staff and curtailed TV programming on Saturday, accusing the Trump administration and Elon Musk of having irresponsibly and unlawfully cut off funding. Al Hurra claims a 30 million-strong audience in the Middle East and North Africa. Advertisement In notices to Al Hurra news staff about their dismissals, chief Jeffrey Gedmin said he had given up on the US administrations freeze lifting soon for the congressionally approved money for Al Hurra and its US-funded Arabic language sister organisations. Mr Gedmin accused Kari Lake, US President Donald Trumps appointee to the American government agency overseeing Al Hurra, Voice Of America and other US-funded news programming abroad, of dodging his efforts to speak with her about the funding cut-off. Im left to conclude that she is deliberately starving us of the money we need to pay you, our dedicated and hard-working staff, Mr Gedmin said in severance letters obtained by The Associated Press and excerpted on the website of Al Hurras parent company, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. Advertisement Mohamed al-Sabagh, an Egyptian journalist working at the Al Hurra news website in Dubai, told the AP that all the staff on the website and the television channel received emails terminating their contracts. Al Hurra is the latest US government-funded news outlet after Voice Of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and others to cut staff and services amid what the outlets say is the move by the Trump administration and Mr Musks Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to withhold their congressional appropriations. Ms Lake, appointed to oversee the US Agency for Global Media, describes her agency as being consumed by a giant rot that requires the agencys destruction and rebuilding. The US-backed news organisations were set up starting in the Cold War between the West and Soviet Union. Their designated goal was to provide objective news about the United States and other subjects overseas, often to people under authoritarian governments without access to a free press. Advertisement The George W Bush administration created Al Hurra in 2003, the same year his administrations invasion of Iraq overthrew that countrys leader. Al Hurras journalists covered the US occupation and sectarian and extremist violence that followed, with some them dying on the job during the 2011 Arab Spring, and other political changes across the Middle East. While Al Hurra over the years faced charges of bias from both conservatives and liberals in the United States, it was one of the few outlets in its region providing space for freedom of the press and speech. In his note to staff, Mr Gedmin said his organisation would retain a number of staff members and a presence online as court battles over the cuts play out in US courts. Advertisement It makes no sense, Mr Gedmin wrote, to silence Americas voice in the Middle East. Iran and the United States will hold more negotiations next week over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear programme, Iranian state television reported on Saturday at the end of the first round of talks between the two countries since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Irans foreign minister later said the next round of nuclear talks with the US will be on Saturday April 19. Advertisement Iranian state TV also said US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke in the presence of the Omani foreign minister at the end of the talks, marking a direct interaction between the two nations locked in decades of tensions. In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, the White House described the discussions as very positive and constructive, while conceding the issues that need to be resolved are very complicated. Special Envoy Witkoffs direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome, the White House said. The two sides spoke for more than two hours at a location on the outskirts of Oman, ending the talks around 5.50pm local time. The talks began at around 3.30pm local time. Advertisement No overall agreement had been immediately likely from the initial talks, but the stakes of the negotiations could not be higher for these two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash air strikes targeting Irans nuclear programme if a deal is not reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Flight-tracking data analysed by The Associated Press (AP) showed that a private jet from Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg, Russia, arrived in Oman on Saturday morning. Advertisement US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff had just met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday there. Meanwhile, Irans Foreign Ministry released footage of Tehrans top diplomat, Mr Araghchi, meeting Omani foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi. Irans state-run IRNA news agency reported that Mr Araghchi provided Irans stance and key points for the talks to be conveyed to the US side. AP journalists saw a convoy believed to be carrying Mr Witkoff leave the Omani Foreign Ministry on Saturday afternoon and then speed off into the outskirts of Muscat. Advertisement The convoy went into a compound, and a few minutes later Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social media platform X that the indirect talks had begun. These talks will be held at a location planned by the Omani host, with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seated in the halls and sides, conveying their points of view and positions to each other through the Omani Foreign Minister, Mr Baghaei wrote. About an hour later, Mr Baghaei appeared on Iranian state television and acknowledged the talks had been going on all that time. The objective of the Islamic Republic of Iran is very clear we have only one goal, and that is to safeguard Irans national interests, he said. Advertisement We are giving a genuine and honest opportunity to diplomacy, so that through dialogue, we can move forward on the nuclear issue on one hand, and more importantly for us, the lifting of sanctions. Mr Baghaei added: Look, this is just a beginning. So it is natural that, at this stage, both sides will present their foundational positions through the Omani mediator. Therefore, we do not expect this round of negotiations to be lengthy. There was no immediate acknowledgment from the US government about the talks starting. Mr Araghchi earlier spoke to Iranian journalists. If there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk about that, he said, in an audio clip published by IRNA. What is clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the national interests of the Iranian people. Mr Trump and Mr Witkoff have both described the talks as being direct. I think our position begins with dismantlement of your programme. That is our position today, Mr Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his trip. That doesnt mean, by the way, that at the margin were not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries. He added: Where our red line will be, there cant be weaponisation of your nuclear capability. While the US side can offer sanctions relief for Irans 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, Tehrans 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 Mr Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the deal in 2018, Iran is likely to ask to keep enriching uranium up to at least 20%. President Donald Trump talks to reporters on board Air Force One (Pool via AP) One thing it will not do is give up its programme 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 Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed with his own gun by rebels in the countrys 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States. Iran and the United States held talks in the sultanate of Oman on Saturday, jump-starting negotiations over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear programme. Irans state-run broadcaster said US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke together the first time the two nations have done that since the Obama administration. Advertisement Mr Araghchi said more talks are planned for April 19. The talks represent a milestone in the fraught relations between the two nations over Irans program, which is enriching uranium close to weapons-grade levels. Here is a timeline of the tensions between the two countries over Irans atomic programme. Early days 1967 Iran takes possession of its Tehran Research Reactor under Americas Atoms for Peace programme. Advertisement 1979 Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fatally ill, flees Iran as popular protests against him surge. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran and the Islamic Revolution sweeps him to power. Students seize the United States Embassy in Tehran, beginning the 444-day hostage crisis. Irans nuclear programme goes fallow under international pressure. August 2002 Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal Irans secret Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. The Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility buildings, 200 miles south of Irans capital Tehran, pictured in 2005 (Vahid Salemi/AP) June 2003 Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations. October 2003 Iran suspends uranium enrichment. Advertisement February 2006 Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations. June 2009 Irans disputed presidential election sees Mr Ahmadinejad re-elected despite fraud allegations, sparking Green Movement protests and a violent government crackdown. October 2009 Under president Barack Obama, the US and Iran open a secret backchannel for messages in the sultanate of Oman. July 2012 US and Iranian officials hold face-to-face secret talks in Oman. Advertisement July 14 2015 World powers and Iran announce a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limits Tehrans enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The nuclear deal collapses May 2018 During his first term, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdraws the US from the nuclear agreement, calling it the worst deal ever. He says he will get better terms in new negotiations to stop Irans missile development and support for regional militias. Those talks do not happen in his first presidency. May 8 2019 Iran announces it will begin backing away from the accord. A series of regional attacks on land and at sea blamed on Tehran follow. January 3 2020 A US drone strike in Baghdad kills General Qassem Soleimani, the architect of Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East. Advertisement Iranian workers work at the ZPP (zirconium production plant) outside the city of Isfahan, south of Tehran, in 2005 (Vahid Salemi/AP) January 8 2020 In retaliation for Gen Soleimanis killing, Iran launches a barrage of missiles at military bases in Iraq that are home to thousands of American and Iraqi troops. More than 100 US service members suffer traumatic brain injuries. As Iran braces for a counterattack, the Revolutionary Guard shoots down a Ukrainian passenger plane shortly after take-off from Tehrans international airport, reportedly mistaking it for a US cruise missile. All 176 people on board are killed. July 2020 A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on archenemy Israel. April 6 2021 Iran and the US under its president Joe Biden begin indirect negotiations in Vienna over how to restore the nuclear deal. Those talks, and others between Tehran and European nations, fail to reach any agreement. April 11 2021 A second attack within a year targets Irans Natanz nuclear site, again likely carried out by Israel. April 16 2021 Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60%, its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%. February 24 2022 Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow ultimately will come to rely on Iranian bomb-carrying drones in the conflict, as well as missiles. July 17 2022 An adviser to Irans supreme leader, Kamal Kharrazi, says Iran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb, but has not decided whether to build one. His remarks will be repeated by others in the coming years as tensions grow. Then-US secretary of state John Kerry with then-Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Switzerland in 2015, during a bilateral meeting ahead of nuclear discussions (Martial Trezzini/AP) Middle East wars rage October 7 2023 Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. This begins the most intense war ever between Israel and Hamas. Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants. Regional tensions spike. November 19 2023 Yemens Houthi rebels, long supported by Iran, seize the ship Galaxy Leader, beginning a monthslong campaign of attacks on shipping through the Red Sea corridor that the US Navy describes as the most intense combat it has seen since the Second World War. The attacks mirror tactics earlier used by Iran. April 14 2024 Iran launches an unprecedented direct attack on Israel, firing more than 300 missiles and attack drones. Israel, working with a US-led international coalition, intercepts much of the incoming fire. April 19 2024 A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defence system by an airport in Isfahan, Iran. Iranians follow the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard during their funeral ceremony at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Square in Tehran in August 2024 (Vahid Salemi/AP) July 31 2024 Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, is assassinated apparently by Israel during a visit to Tehran after the inauguration of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian. September 27 2024 Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. October 1 2024 Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel, though a US-led coalition and Israel shoot down most of the missiles. October 16 2024 Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip. October 26 2024 Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defence systems and sites associated with its missile programme. Trump returns and reaches out January 20 2025 Mr Trump is inaugurated for his second term as US president. February 7 2025 Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says proposed talks with the US are not intelligent, wise or honourable. March 7 2025 Mr Trump says he sent a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei seeking a new nuclear deal with Tehran. March 15 2025 Mr Trump launches intense airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, the last members of Irans self-described Axis of Resistance capable of daily attacks. April 7 2025 Mr Trump announces the US and Iran will hold direct talks in Oman. Iran says they will be indirect talks, but confirms the meeting. April 12 2025 First round of talks between Iran and the US take place in Oman, ending with a promise to hold more talks after US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke together the first time the two nations have done that since the Obama administration. April 19 2025 Next round of talks scheduled between the US and Iran. Victorias fertility clinics may be vastly underreporting the true levels of dangerous complications from IVF treatments, a government report reveals. The industry is under intense scrutiny across Australia after it was revealed this week that a Brisbane Monash IVF clinic had accidentally implanted the wrong embryo and a woman gave birth to a child that was not biologically hers. An embryologist at the Monash Medical IVF clinic at the Epworth Hospital. Credit: Craig Abraham The states 24 licensed assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics last year reported 149 adverse events, including 128 instances of clinical issues and 11 scientific issues. The most recent disclosures were a significant increase on the 93 adverse events reported by Victorias fertility clinics in 2022-23, and the 107 adverse events reported in 2021-22. Coalition frontbencher Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has vowed to make Australia great again while standing alongside Opposition Leader Peter Dutton at an event in Perth on Saturday, echoing US President Donald Trumps signature slogan. The firebrand senator made the remarks at the end of her speech and before a press conference where she vowed to overhaul Australias education system and accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of having effectively destroyed Australia. We have incredible candidates right around the country that Im so proud to be able to stand beside to ensure that we can make Australia great again, that we can bring Australia back to its former glory, that we can get Australia back on track, Price said. Labor has capitalised on voters fear of Trumps tariffs policies and capricious approach to governing by attempting to link the Coalition to the president, which Dutton has parried by emphasising policy differences with the White House on issues such as the war in Ukraine. Trump's tariffs spark bitter aftertaste among Italian wine producers Xinhua) 10:50, April 12, 2025 Bottles of wine on display at the Vinitaly international wine and spirits exhibition in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Once a celebration of fine wine and global ambition, this year's Vinitaly fair unfolded under a cloud of concern, as Trump's sweeping tariffs cast uncertainty over the mood. 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. A representative of a wine producer presents products at the Vinitaly international wine and spirits exhibition in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing) 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. Visitors taste wine at the Vinitaly international wine and spirits exhibition in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing) 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. Visitors taste wine at the Vinitaly international wine and spirits exhibition in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing) 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. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Zhong Wenxing) Sign up to get our news digest delivered directly to your inbox twice a week. Yet another animation studio is shutting down in Montreal, with no end in sight for the provinces ailing industry. Montreal-based animation company Laughing Dragon Studios has closed its doors after 23 years in business, the company announced this afternoon. The full-serve 2d studio, which at times employed over 100 people, worked on major franchise titles, including Central Park for Apple TV+, Mario vs. Sonic for Youtube, and Disenchanted for Disney. In a note posted to Linkedin, company co-founder and CEO Ryan Sohmer placed the blame for the companys demise on the government policies of Quebecs premier Francois Legault. [Closure] was a decision that was forced on us due to many circumstances outside of our control, chief among them the Legault governments decision to cut our industry off at the knees, Sohmer wrote. While weve built this sector up over the last 20 years, the government gutted it in less than 2. The industrys struggles, as Sohmer pointed out, are largely a self-inflicted wound. Last year, Quebecs government revised its tax credit system and said that it was redirecting its investments in animation/vfx into live-action film. Between fall 2022 and 2024, over half of all the jobs in Quebecs animation and vfx were lost. The collapse, which was accelerated by the general slowdown following the writers and actors strikes in Hollywood, has intensified in recent months with the closure of Montreal studios like On Animation, The Mill, MPC, and Mikros Animation (the latter of which was restarted a few weeks ago). Laughing Dragon, which developed its own IP but mostly functioned as a service studio, started experiencing difficulties last summer, when it laid off 38 employees, its largest staff reduction in company history. The company committed to rehiring as many of those employees as possible, and less than three months later (in November 2024) it had rehired 15 people, mostly animators and compositors. Below is the full text of Sohmers statement on Linkedin about the company closure: The three people killed in the crash of a small plane in a wooded area of Polk County on Friday afternoon were identified as the father and grandparents of Middle Tennessee State University golfer Carter Maneth. The athlete's family were on their way to watch him play in a golf tournament at the University of North Carolina at the time of the crash. an innovative leader in the insurance industry who worked diligently for his customers. He was a past president of the Emerging Leaders of the Big I, Previous Arkansas Independent Insurance Young Agent of the Year, and President-elect of the Big I." They included Jeff Maneth, president of Anderson Frazier Insurance.He was described as " Also killed were Jeff Maneth's parents, Marion and Myra Maneth. The 1976 Mooney M20F was en route from Chattanooga to Burlington, N.C., authorities said. Our hearts are with Carter and his loved ones during this unimaginable time, MTSU Athletics said in a statement on Saturday. We are keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers, and we ask the Blue Raider community to do the same. McGee Tyson Airport Air Traffic Control Tower called Polk County 911and reported a small plane had disappeared from the radar. At 2:23 p.m. Friday, several Tri-State Mutual Aid agencies responded to the 1700 block of Tellico Reliance Road by the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County looking for the missing plane. Rescue personnel entered the woods near the area where the plane was last seen on the radar. At 4:54 p.m., rescue personnel reported finding the plane wreckage and three deceased individuals. The cause of the plane crash will be under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. Bertie Snyder was a legend in so many ways. At 10 years old she was hit by a drunk driver as she was walking her younger brother to the store. She pushed her brother out of the way, saving his life. She was hit by the car, suffering a badly fractured skull, and was not expected to live. As a result of the accident, she lost a part of her brain and had a soft spot in the back of her head. Bertie was born on Aug. 25, 1928, in Spencer, North Carolina. She was the fourth child of Oscar Charlie Call and Beulah Ridenhour Call. She was a member of Oakwood Baptist Church (Bonny Oaks) since 1965 when the family moved to Chattanooga. She was a Red Cross volunteer at Parkridge Hospital for 40 years. Eleven years later, she married the only man that she ever wanted Robert (Bob or Bobby as she called him) Snyder. Bobby loved to tell anyone that he met, especially new visitors to their church, that he married a call girl. Their first child, Jeffery Lynn, only lived 12 hours. He was born with a blood disorder, referred to as The Blue Baby Syndrome. Berties temperature spiked to 106+ degrees. Once again, she was not expected to live. The doctors said if it were not for the soft spot in her head (because of the earlier car accident) she would have died. She and Bobby had three more rowdy boys. Robert Wayne (Doreen) Port St. Lucy, Fl., Larry Rozzelle (Teresa) Ooltewah and Kenneth Ray (Angel) Ooltewah. Although the boys often referred to her growing up as a drill sergeant, they loved her dearly as did all their friends. In her final days, she wanted nothing more than to go be with her husband and baby. God granted her wish on April 11, 2025, when he said, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Bertie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, Jeffery Lynn; her brothers, Charles Call, Richard Call, Jack Call, and Curtis Call as well as her sister Barbara Jarrett and granddaughter Kelly. There will be a graveside service on Wednesday, April 16, at 12:30 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404 with Reverend Ken Clark officiating. The family would be deeply honored by anyone wishing to attend. The family would like to thank Morning Pont, Collegedale and Adoration Hospice, Chattanooga for the love and care they provided to Bertie and the family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416 or The American Legion, Desmond T. Doss #257-chapter, P. O. 257, Collegedale, Tn. 37315. You are invited to share a personal memory of Bertie or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Snyder family with these arrangements. Illegal immigrants are lined up at the southern U.S. border in Texas. | Screenshot: YouTube/ NewsNation About 80% of the 10 million illegal immigrants who could be at risk of deportation from the United States under the Trump administration are Christians, according to a new report published by a coalition of Christian advocacy groups. The report, titled One Part of the Body: The Potential Impact of Deportations on American Christian Families, was released by the National Association of Evangelicals, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Department of Refugee and Migration Services, the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and World Relief. The report analyzes immigrants who were vulnerable to deportation as of December 2024 without any changes in immigration law. It finds that four out of five immigrants at risk of deportation are Christians, with over 10 million Christian immigrants in the United States facing potential deportation at the end of 2024. Additionally, the report states that around one in 12 Christians in the U.S. are vulnerable to deportation or live with a family member who could be deported. It notes, nearly 7 million U.S.-citizen Christians live within the same household of those at risk for deportation. The tally includes immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S., as well as categories of noncitizens who are lawfully present, who could be at risk due to rescinded legal protections by the Trump administration. This group includes immigrants with temporary protected statuses, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, and asylum seekers whose claims are still being processed. In March, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the federal government would revoke humanitarian parole for 532,000 individuals from four countries: Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. According to the report, Catholics make up a majority (61%) of immigrants vulnerable to deportation, followed by 13% who are Evangelicals and 7% who belong to other Christian groups. The remaining 19% are from other religious groups or have no religious affiliation (12%). Catholics comprise 73% of DACA recipients, while 9% are Evangelicals and 8% have no religious affiliation. Among Temporary Protected Status holders, 54% are Catholics, 22% have no religious affiliation, 15% are Evangelicals, and 6% belong to other Christian groups. The largest demographic among asylum seekers is Catholics, comprising 58%, followed by individuals with no religious affiliation at 15%, Evangelicals at 14%, other religious groups at 8%, and other Christian groups at 5%. When assessing the percentage of Christian denominations that could be impacted by deportations, the report estimates that 8% of all Christians could be affected, along with 18% of Catholics, 6% of Evangelicals, and 3% of Christians from other groups. The report specifically highlights examples of Christians who may face deportation and uses statistics from the World Christian Database alongside data from the 2023 American Community Survey and the Pew Research Center's The Religious Composition of the World's Migrants. A view of Megiddo in Israel. | Screenshot: YouTube/ History with Cy (Photo By Immanuel Giel) Archaeologists have discovered new evidence that supports the biblical account of the Battle of Megiddo, which is detailed in both 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Recent archaeological findings include pottery fragments in the area that suggest there was an Egyptian presence around the time of the battle, which occurred in 609 BC. Israel Finkelstein, an archaeologist at the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv University, and the lead author of the study describing the findings, stated that in addition to Egyptian pottery, remnants of Greek pottery were also discovered, likely due to the practice of hiring Greek mercenaries by the Egyptians during that period. The Battle of Megiddo is noted as the cause of death for King Josiah, who is recognized in the scriptures as a pious king and is also mentioned in the New Testament as an ancestor of Jesus. Josiah is celebrated in the biblical text for his fervor in turning Israel away from idolatry and encouraging worship of the Lord. He notably promoted the observance of Passover, with 2 Kings 23:22 stating, Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah. However, it was not to last. The Old Testament accounts say that Pharaoh Necho of Egypt came with an army to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. Despite Necho warning Josiah that he had not come to fight him, Josiah is recorded as opposing him anyway. In the ensuring battle Josiah is shot by an archer and dies. The epitaph for Josiah in 2 Kings reads, And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., the leader of The United Methodist Church's Liberia Conference. | Screenshot: YouTube/ United Methodist Videos The United Methodist Church (UMC) and the Global Methodist Church (GMC) are engaged in a legal dispute over at least seven properties in Liberia. Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., head of the UMC Liberia Conference, confirmed to UM News that the church property cases are being litigated in the countrys courts. He stated, While we were at our conference, a GMC surrogate filed an injunction in court for the sole purpose of disrupting and closing down our conference. By the grace of God, this attempt was thwarted by our legal team. Bishop Quire accused GMC members of attempting to seize some of our local churches by force, criminally removing our logos from the edifices and replacing them with GMC insignia. He added, This has led The United Methodist Church to resort to the legal process. The GMC in Liberia is led by Rev. Jerry Kulah, who, along with other supporters, was arrested last month during a demonstration at one of the disputed church properties. Kulah claimed he was released after two hours without any charges filed against him. He said, The police said they heard that there was rioting and stone throwing, and when he asked who was rioting, they could not respond. He further questioned, When church members gather to worship in an open space, were they rioting among themselves? They could not answer, and there was no video footage to back up their allegations. Kulah argued that Bishop Quire had previously agreed to allow the regional body to leave the UMC if the mainline denomination altered its rules on sexuality and LGBT issues, which it did at the UMC General Conference last year. At the General conference in last May, delegates voted to remove several prohibitions from the Book of Discipline, including bans on same-sex marriage ceremonies, the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, and funding for LGBT advocacy groups. The UMC also eliminated a statement declaring that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. In June 2024, soon after the denomination ratified the changes, Liberian Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. released a statement declaring that his conference would uphold traditional standards regarding marriage and ordination. Nevertheless, many contended that the regional body should still depart from the UMC due to the General Conference vote, advocating that the properties should be transferred to the newly established GMC of Liberia. The Liberian Senate has intervened, organizing efforts to mediate between the two Methodist denominations, holding the first official hearing on the matter last month. Sen. J. Gbleh-bo Brown of Maryland County explained, The Joint Committee was able to de-escalate tensions between the two parties and ensure the neutrality of the police in this matter, adding that a plan of action would be formulated to be submitted to the Plenary once both parties agree to the approach. Tensions over church properties between UMC and GMC adherents have escalated in Nigeria as well, where violent attacks in Munga Dosa resulted in the deaths of three United Methodists and the destruction of multiple homes last December. Trinity International University in Bannockburn, Illinois. | Photo Credit: Trinity International University Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), based in Illinois, is preparing to leave Chicago-area Trinity International University and will affiliate with Trinity Western University (TWU) in British Columbia, the largest Christian university in Canada. In a Tuesday announcement, the divinity school stated, TEDS has entered into a formal commitment to take steps moving under the auspices of TWU, a union that brings together two institutions with a common statement of faith and story of origin. The merger has received unanimous approval from the boards of both institutions. According to a General FAQs webpage, TEDS will remain at its current location in Bannockburn, Illinois, for the entire 2025-2026 academic year, and the transition to Langley, British Columbia, is slated for the fall 2026 semester. Founded in 1897 to train ministers for what became the Evangelical Free Church of America, TEDS relocated to Deerfield, Illinois, in 1963 and has since established itself as a hub for drawing "faculty and students from across evangelical theological traditions." TWU, initially established as Trinity Junior College in 1962, is a liberal arts institution aligned with the EFCA and currently boasts nearly 6,000 students, making it Canadas largest privately funded Christian university. Discussions regarding a partnership between TWU and TEDS began in the 1980s with a vision for TEDS Canada, although those plans failed to materialize. Evangelical Free Church of Canada Executive Director Bill Taylor expressed optimism about the merger, stating, As a globally recognized divinity school joins a global Christian university, we are grateful for the expanded opportunities for churches and communities to access Christian theological education and ministry training. We are excited to be part of what God is doing through university and seminary training and to see churches and ministers equipped for kingdom ministry. TWU has faced legal challenges in the past over its former policy requiring students to agree to a Community Covenant, which prohibited any sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and a woman. In June 2018, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the decision to deny accreditation to TWU's proposed law school due to concerns regarding the covenant, which critics argued was discriminatory against LGBT individuals. Subsequently, TWU announced in August 2018 that it would no longer require students to sign the covenant, though faculty and staff were still required to comply. At present, TEDS upholds a Community Standards policy for its students, which includes prohibitions on dishonesty, theft, pre-marital sex, abortion, adultery, homosexual behavior, and use of pornography, profanity, gossip, racism, and infringement upon the rights of others. Last year, Trinity International University closed its Florida campus at the end of the spring semester, citing issues related to financial resources and student enrollment. A Former pastor and U.S. Rep. Mark Walker. | Photo Credit: Facebook/ Mark Walker President Donald Trump has nominated former congressional leader and pastor Mark Walker as the new U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Announcing the appointment on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that Walker, a former representative from North Carolina, will 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, Trump noted. He added, 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 expressed his gratitude for the nomination on his X account, calling Trump a defender of faith for his strong statements 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, Walker tweeted. He emphasized, 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 and ran an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2022. As an ordained Southern Baptist minister, he has held pastoral positions at various churches in North Carolina and Florida, including serving as pastor of arts and worship at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2008. During the 2024 election cycle, Walker served as director of outreach for faith and minority communities for the Trump campaign. The ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom position was established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Trump previously sought to elevate the profile of this position during his first term from 2017 to 2021 by appointing then-Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, who also served as a U.S. senator. Under Brownback's leadership and that of then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Trump State Department organized ministerial events featuring thousands of religious freedom advocates and persecuted individuals from around the world. Home News American missionary pastor abducted at gunpoint during church meeting in South Africa Correction appended An American church-planting missionary was abducted at gunpoint while leading a prayer meeting at his church in South Africa on Thursday, police say. Pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped from Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell, near the coastal city of Gqeberha, late Thursday. 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 "It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church," police said in a statement, according to Vanguard. "They robbed two cell phones and then took the [34-year-old male] pastor with them and fled the scene." The husband and father of six has served as a missionary in South Africa since 2018, according to his family's online biography page. He has served on the staff of Fellowship Baptist Church, an independent Baptist church in Maryville, Tennessee, since 2012 and trained under the tutelage of Pastor Tom Hatley, who has been the couple's pastor since their childhood. In an endorsement statement, Hatley said Josh and Meagan Sullivan have a "tremendous desire to share the gospel with the Xhosa people of South Africa." Josh Sullivan completed four years of work in a satellite school of Macedonia Baptist College in Midland, North Carolina. "Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa," the church wrote on Facebook Thursday. "He was kidnapped at gun point by six men during their church service this evening." The most recent update on the couple's blog from March reported the conversion of two women who put their trust in Christ and the baptism of two others. "What makes these baptisms a little more exciting is that both were the first two people baptized who were not directly invited to our church by me or my wife," Sullivan wrote. "They were invited by some of our church members, heard the gospel, and were saved. This is what we pray to see more of in the coming year. We are so honored to see God work in the lives of our people. What a great God we serve!" Another local pastor, Jeremy Hall, told AFP that Sullivan hosted a prayer meeting for 30 people at his church when the kidnapping occured and the motive appeared to be ransom as the attackers knew the pastor's name and were aware of his vocation. A U.S. State Department spokesperson told BBC that the agency is aware of the situation involving an American citizen in South Africa. Captain Andre Beetge, a police spokesperson, confirmed Sullivan's kidnapping to WBIR and stated the case is being handled by a special kidnapping and ransom unit. "As soon as there's kidnappings with ransoms, Hawks takes the cases," Beetge said. In recent years, there has been a dramatic surge of kidnappings in South Africa, totaling over 17,000 in the 2023-2023 fiscal year. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime attributes the increase to a rise in extortion. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the victims age due to incorrect information provided by police to local press. Home News Convincing evidence: Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported, judge says Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent participant and spokesperson in pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel's military actions in Gaza, can be deported from the United States after an immigration judge determined there is "clear and convincing" evidence he could be removed as a foreign policy risk. Immigration Judge Jamee E. Comans ruled Friday that the government sufficiently demonstrated Khalil's removal was justified due to potential serious foreign policy consequences for the country. The ruling was delivered at a hearing in Jena, Louisiana, where Khalil, a 30-year-old green card holder who completed the requirements for a master's degree at Columbia in December, has been detained since his arrest by federal immigration agents on March 8. 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 He was detained in the lobby of his apartment, which is university-owned housing, and immediately transferred to a distant immigration detention facility, away from his attorneys and his pregnant wife, a U.S. citizen. A Palestinian raised in a refugee camp, Khalil's family had earlier been displaced from their ancestral home in Tiberias during historical conflicts, his lawyers noted in a court filing. Facing pressure to justify its actions in the case, the government submitted a memorandum from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, justifying Khalil's removal by citing a provision from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. He claimed allowing Khalil to stay in the U.S. would foster a "hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States" and undermine U.S. foreign policy objectives. "The foreign policy of the United States champions core American interests and American citizens and condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the United States would severely undermine that significant foreign policy objective," he wrote. Judge Comans stated explicitly in the ruling that the government's evidence against Khalil met the high legal standard required for deportation on national security grounds. The government had "established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable," the judge was quoted as saying, according to The Associated Press. Khalil's legal team contends that the Trump administration is suppressing constitutionally protected speech and says its evidence is nothing more than a letter from Rubio. The American Civil Liberties Union argues that Rubio's letter makes clear that Khalil isn't accused of committing a crime and is "targeted solely based on his speech." The government maintains that Khalil's participation in protests supported views they considered antisemitic and supportive of Hamas, a terrorist Palestinian group responsible for an attack on Israel in October 2023 that sparked Israel's military operations in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. At Friday's hearing, Khalil's attorney, Marc Van Der Hout, alleged that the government's own submissions revealed the motive behind Khalil's deportation was not related to genuine foreign policy concerns but aimed instead at silencing protected political speech. He accused the government of orchestrating a "charade" of due process. "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. "This is not over, and our fight continues." Khalil is likely to appeal the ruling to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Federal courts in New York and New Jersey had previously issued orders barring the government from deporting Khalil until all legal avenues are exhausted. Khalil himself addressed the judge at the conclusion of the immigration hearing, criticizing the proceedings as fundamentally unfair and questioning the court's commitment to due process. In March, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused Khalil of leading "activities aligned to Hamas," which the U.S. government formally recognizes as a foreign terrorist organization. The Trump administration has also threatened to withdraw about $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University and its medical center, citing inadequate responses to antisemitism allegedly linked to recent demonstrations. The action followed complaints from Jewish students and faculty about harassment and exclusion related to their religion or support for Israel. Last year, activists at academic institutions throughout the country set up protest encampments and organized demonstrations in opposition to Israel's war against Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. The encampments at Columbia University resulted in activists taking over a building on campus. Jewish students also reported that they experienced antisemitic harassment from the protesters and that they did not feel safe on campus. Khalil told reporters at the time that activists planned to continue protesting despite arresting more than 2,000 activists among the encampments set up on college campuses, as The Hill reported last August. "What we will see [is] the students will continue their activism, will continue doing what they've done in conventional and unconventional ways," Khalil said, acting as a student negotiator for Columbia University Apartheid Divest. "So not only protests, not only encampments, kind of any any available means necessary to push Columbia to divest from Israel." "And we've been working all this summer on our plans, on what's next to pressure Columbia to listen to the students and to decide to be on the right side of history," he added. Canary Mission, a group that worked to expose antisemitism, shared a video to its social media page on March 6 that showed Khalil among the activists who took over a library at Barnard College, a Columbia affiliate. Activists at the protest handed out pamphlets from the "Hamas Media Office" that reportedly justified the terror group's invasion on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in the massacres of over 1,200 people. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has claimed Khalil had personally handed out Hamas materials. Home Opinion IRS may no longer be able to silence pastors if this act passes In 2020, Pastor Gary Hamrick of a Virginia church faced penalties from the IRS for what was deemed a political sermon. His infraction? Attempting to align presidential candidates policy positions with biblical teachings. The regulation at the heart of this controversy the Johnson Amendment bars tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from political speech. In reality, it's a tool used to silence moral voices in the public square. This fear of government retaliation is precisely why many conservative pastors avoid speaking out on critical moral issues be it abortion, same-sex marriage, transgender ideology, or euthanasia. The threat of losing tax-exempt status and vital ministry funding is enough to muzzle even the boldest voices. Violating the Johnson Amendment can mean organizational ruin. It threatens churches with financial death for stepping into the political arena with moral clarity. And while the IRS claims impartiality, recent legal action reveals a different picture. A lawsuit filed by the National Religious Broadcasters, two churches, and a nonprofit, alleged that the IRS has never penalized left-leaning nonprofits, while conservative groups face disproportionate scrutiny. 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 Institute for Free Speech highlights the problem plainly: Enforcement is rare, penalties are severe, and guidance is unclear. In effect, its not just the ox being muzzled its the entire pulpit. Thankfully, a shift may be underway. Congressman Mark Harris and Senator James Lankford have introduced legislation to repeal the Johnson Amendments gag order. Their Free Speech Fairness Act would allow pastors and nonprofit leaders to speak truth without fear of government reprisal. The First Amendment protects religious liberty not to shield government from faith, but to shield faith from government control. The Church is meant to inform public morality, not be punished for it. Christian teachings are lived out in words, symbols, and action. They uphold human dignity, natural law, and divine order man and woman, marriage and family, church and community. Muzzling that voice is more than unconstitutional; its an attack on the moral bedrock of American civil society. Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing (Deut. 25:4), a principle the Apostle Paul applied to the right of ministers to speak freely and live honorably (1 Cor. 9:9-11). Preachers have a divine duty to declare truth even when doing so offends political powers. The Johnson Amendment may carry legal weight, but it holds no authority over God's command to warn the wicked (Ezek. 3:18). The blood of a morally misled nation may rest on silent pulpits more than on sinful leaders. Repeal is necessary. But even if repeal fails, silence is not an option. The Apostles faced similar threats. They were told to stop preaching but they replied, We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Likewise, Americas return to greatness depends on a revival of moral courage and unflinching truth. As the leader of a pro-life organization whose Buffalo facility was firebombed in 2022, Ive witnessed firsthand the cost of speaking out. But we rebuilt and reopened within 52 days, because the truth cannot be burned down. The time has come to unmuzzle the moral voice. Because if America cannot hear the truth, she will never know the way back. Home Opinion Second coming of Christ: Interpreting the parable of the 10 virgins the right way During the Lord's earthly ministry, Jesus often spoke in parables, which were earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. And the Parable of the Ten Virgins is among the most memorable (see Matthew 25:1-13). The cultural setting for this parable is a first-century Jewish wedding, and it points to the need to be prepared for the second coming of Christ. In the parable, Jesus taught that "the kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps" (Matthew 25:1-4). The ten virgins are ten bridesmaids. And while all 10 of them were planning to attend the wedding banquet, only the five wise virgins were allowed to enter the banquet when the bridegroom finally arrived. The meaning? Proper preparation is needed in order to enter Heaven when Jesus Christ returns, while those without any "oil" will be barred from entering. 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 Oil is mentioned more than 200 times in the Bible, and it often represents the Holy Spirit, who is the Third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit comes to live inside your body (your "jar" and "lamp") the moment you are born again through faith in Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote to believers, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Gospel message which Jesus delivered was "first for the Jew, then for the Gentile" (Romans 1:16). Christ ministered among both Jews and Gentiles and He wanted all of them to be saved (see John 11:25-26; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Those who receive Jesus the Messiah as Savior (see John 1:12) have plenty of oil in their jars and lamps, like the five wise virgins. Believers in Jesus are saved, redeemed, forgiven, justified and born again on the front end of their relationship with God. The clearest teaching in the Bible about being born again involves a discussion Jesus had with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was "a member of the Jewish ruling council" (John 3:1) called the Sanhedrin. Interestingly, the man's religious credentials were not enough to produce even a drop of oil in his lamp. You see, Nicodemus needed what every Jew and Gentile needs, namely, "new birth" (1 Peter 1:3). Jesus told him, "I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Apart from new birth through faith in Christ, a religious person remains like the five foolish virgins who had no oil when the bridegroom returned. The Parable of the Ten Virgins applies equally to Jews and Gentiles. Regardless of whether or not you currently participate in a church or synagogue, there is no oil for your jar and lamp apart from the Third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit enters your body when you repent of your sins and trust the Second Person of the Trinity (Jesus) to forgive you and save your soul. And once you are saved through faith in Christ alone, you have God's oil within your body and soul. You won't fully appreciate and comprehend this parable, or any of the Savior's parables for that matter, until you receive God's oil the moment you are converted (see John 3:6; 1 Cor. 2:14). Apart from spiritual conversion, you will be like the five foolish virgins who were prevented from entering the wedding banquet. "And the door was shut ... 'Sir! Sir!' they said, 'Open the door for us!' But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you'" (Matthew 25:10-12). Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me" (John 10:14). Sadly, multitudes of Jews and Gentiles today do not know Jesus. Nevertheless, quite a few of them cling to the erroneous notion that their religious pedigree or pious rituals will gain them access to the eternal wedding banquet. But they are tragically mistaken. Those who live and die without God's oil will have the door shut on them as they are sent away to pay for their sins in Hell. Jesus concluded this famous parable with a critical directive: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matthew 25:13). In other words, get ready because Christ, the Bridegroom, could return any day! Repent and believe the good news of the Gospel because it is the only way to be prepared. There is absolutely no other way to have oil in your jar and lamp. And without God's oil, you will miss out on the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 25:1). In the parable, the five foolish virgins implored the five wise virgins, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out" (v. 8). The five wise virgins told them, "Go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves" (v. 9). "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived" (v. 10). Jesus was not suggesting that a person can pay for the Holy Spirit or purchase the forgiveness of sins. The prophet Isaiah used similar language: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost" (Isaiah 55:1). The application? Anyone who is thirsty for salvation can come today and "buy" from the Lord. If you are currently procrastinating like the foolish virgins, then stop putting it off because you may very well run out of time. Prepare to meet your Maker! Come to Christ immediately in repentance and faith to be forgiven of your sins. One of the last verses in the Bible emphasizes this open invitation to Jews and Gentiles alike: "The (Holy) Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free give of the water of life" (Revelation 22:17). Home Opinion What does it mean to be happy? All normal human beings want to be happy. Aristotle observed that happiness is the goal of human life.[1] For we Americans, the pursuit of happiness is even enshrined in the Declaration of Independence as a self-evident, unalienable right. We can all agree that we want to be happy, but its much harder to find consensus when we ask what happiness is and how we can achieve it. Despite disagreement on the finer details, for Americans (and most in the West), happiness is closely connected with being true to oneself, following ones heart, and personal fulfillment. For example, 84% of Americans believe that the highest goal of life is to enjoy it as much as possible. Eighty-six percent believe that to be fulfilled requires you to pursue the things you desire most. Ninety-one percent affirm that the best way to find yourself is by looking within yourself.[2] These ideals are part of the cultural air we breathe, and we find them embedded throughout popular culture. One song from Disneys Mulan soundtrack advises listeners: You must be true to your heart / Thats when the heavens will part ... / Your heart can tell you no lies. In the 1994 animation Thumbelina, the narrator Jacquimo sings, When you follow your heart, if you have to journey far, / Heres a little trick. You dont need a guiding star. / Trust your ticker, youll get there quicker. 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 In her hit song The Voice Within, Christina Aguilera counsels listeners to Look inside yourself ... Just trust the voice within. As theologian Thaddeus Williams humorously observes, There are enough tween-targeted self-worship pop songs to fill a year-long playlist. We hear songs about bucking authority, songs about your wildest dreams all coming true, about being a super girl, or some roaring animal goddess who eats peoples expectations for breakfast.[3] Along similar lines, television producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes contends that Happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to. As your inner voice tells you to. Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be.[4] At a commencement address at Stanford University, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs told graduates, And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.[5] For Christians, there is an element of truth in this advice based on Gods sovereignty. Our individual personalities, interests, and desires are part of who God has made us to be (see, for example, Psalm 139:1316; Jeremiah 1:5). These can all be indications (though not necessarily determinative) of the goals and dreams we will pursue in life. As Dallas Willard writes, Because we are Gods co-laborers, our wants and desires are ... important to God and Gods plan for us (1 Cor 3:9 KJV).[6] Frederick Buechner notably observed that The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the worlds deep hunger meet.[7] It would go too far to make this a universal principle, but in Gods sovereignty, many Christians have found this to be the case. The key difference for Christians is that our desires and goals must be submitted to Gods will and direction, and the ways in which we pursue them must accord with Scripture. As Thomas Tarrants comments, When our desires are God-centered, they are good and fulfill their intended role. But when they are self-centered, when our desires are captured by the things of the fallen world and the sinful nature (the flesh), they are evil. These have been called disordered loves.[8] Even as Christians, we need to regularly evaluate our desires to ensure they arent the fruit of disordered loves. Martin Luther observed that due to the fall, our human nature became deeply curved in on itself and thus not only bends the best gifts of God toward itself but wickedly ... seeks all things, even God, for its own sake.[9] This is why the self-focused approach to happiness always fails, especially when God is excluded. In our fallen pride, writes Timothy Keller, we labor under the illusion that we are competent to run our own lives, achieve our own sense of self-worth and find a purpose big enough to give us meaning in life without God.[10] Further, if we look to some created thing to give us the meaning, hope, and happiness that only God himself can give, it will eventually fail to deliver and break our hearts.[11] As actor Jim Carrey once insightfully remarked in an interview, I think everybody should get rich and famous and everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that thats not the answer.[12] The way of Shalom If happiness isnt arrived at by following our hearts and being true to ourselves, how can we obtain it? The concept of happiness in Scripture is best captured by the Hebrew word shalom, which suggests life in its fullness, well-being, contentment, and completeness.[13] Its New Testament counterpart is eirene. Both are often translated into English as peace.[14] Philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff proposes that a better translation of shalom is flourishing. He writes, To experience shalom is to flourish in all ones relationships with God, with ones fellow human beings, with non-human creation, with oneself.[15] Because both we and creation are fallen, we wont experience happiness to its fullest extent until the new heavens and earth (Revelation 21). But Wolterstorffs categories encompass the essential elements for experiencing happiness in our everyday lives, and well briefly explore each one below.[16] Relationship with God Our relationship with God is foundational and makes flourishing in the other two categories (self and others) possible. We discover in the early chapters of Genesis that God designed humans to exist in a relationship with him, and that relationship was severed because of the first couples rebellion (Genesis 13; Romans 5:12). As a result, humans are born into the world dead in [our] transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). However because the Father sent the Son to rescue humanity, we now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Because of this restored relationship, Christians are now blessed ... in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). We are united to Christ and draw life from him through the Holy Spirit (John 7:38; 14:1618; 15:45). Christians can flourish as human beings because we can now attain the ultimate end for which we were created to know and love God. Blaise Pascal insightfully noted: [T]here was once in man a true happiness of which there now remains to him only the mark and empty trace, which he in vain tries to fill from all his surroundings ... But these are all inadequate, because the infinite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself.[17] Relationship with ourselves As mentioned earlier, because of the fall, our humanity became deeply curved in on itself. Romans 1 describes the degeneration that occurred: our thinking became futile, and our hearts were darkened. We became idolators and God turned us over to evil, which corrupted us in numerous ways. We became filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity (Romans 1:29). These vices led us in the opposite direction of flourishing. As Cornelius Plantinga Jr. affirms, God hates sin not just because it violates his law but, more substantively, because it violates shalom, because it breaks the peace, because it interferes with the way things are supposed to be.[18] In order to reverse what was lost in the fall and to bring us back to a place of wholeness, God regenerates us in salvation so that we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). This new self is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator and we are being transformed into [Gods] image with ever-increasing glory by the power of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). This redemption is a continual source of peace and joy for the believer because it reminds us that we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.[19] Relationship with others Just as the fall fractured our relationship with God and with ourselves, it also ruptured our relationship with others. After Genesis 3, we see how shame and blame distorted the harmony once enjoyed by Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:7, 12). Instead of living in the unity and mutual support God intended, humanity became prone to hostility, division, and violence (Genesis 4:8; 6:1112). Scripture testifies that in Christ the dividing wall of hostility between peoples has been broken down (Ephesians 2:14). By His death and resurrection, Jesus creates in himself one new humanity (Ephesians 2:15) and invites us into a new family where earthly differences do not divide us. Paul reminds us that there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female because all are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). In this new community, we learn to bear one anothers burdens (Galatians 6:2), forgive one another as we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13), and spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). When we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit begins a process of sanctification in order to shape us to be more like Jesus and less focused on our own agendas (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:3-4). In the process, we experience more shalom in our relationships with others. Trevor Hudsons description of this change is especially apt. We sense [our heart] becoming more open toward others than ever before. No longer is it curved in on itself. We begin to become aware that the person next to us has an infinite, irreplaceable, and precious value in Gods eyes, just as we have. There is a new gentleness with others, especially in moments of failure and struggle ... we know intuitively that we are joined with our neighbor, and with the whole creation, in an unbroken connection with Gods heart.[20] Much more could be said about how God has restored shalom to the three relationships just examined, but the key point is that these are the true sources of our happiness rather than anything we can dream up ourselves based on our individual desires and ambitions, especially when self seeks to occupy Gods throne. Thaddeus Williams thus concludes: [T]he more you worship your self, the less you become your self. You become a shadow, a specter, an unself. The longer and deeper you stare into the mirror, looking for answers, the more it will feel like looking at Edvard Munchs The Scream. This is the strange paradox of self-worship.[21] Notes 1. The term Aristotle used, often translated happiness in English, was eudaimonia, which conveys the idea of holistic flourishing. It wasnt a state of emotional satisfaction but involved a lifelong pursuit of moral and intellectual excellence. This concept is closer to the Bibles understanding of shalom (also translated as happiness or flourishing) than popular views of happiness. 2. Thaddeus J. Williams, Dont Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2023), Logos edition. Williams cites The End of Absolutes: Americas New Moral Code, Barna, May 25, 2016, https://www.barna.com/research/the-end-of-absolutes-americas-new-moral-code/. Im indebted to Williamss discussion for a number of insights here in relation to the modern focus on self. 3. This quotation and the three preceding songs are found in Williams, Dont Follow Your Heart. 4. Shonda Rhimes, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2015), 286. 5. Cal Newport, Study Hacks, What Steve Jobs Meant When He Said Follow Your Heart, https://calnewport.com/what-steve-jobs-meant-when-he-said-follow-your-heart/. 6. Dallas Willard, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God, The IVP Signature Collection (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press), 73. 7. Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC (New York: Harper & Row, 1973), 95. 8. Thomas A. Tarrants, The Transformation of Our Hearts Desires, C. S. Lewis Institute, https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/the-transformation-of-our-hearts-desires/. 9. Martin Luther, Lectures on Romans (15151516), in Luthers Works, Vol. 25, ed. Hilton C. Oswald (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1972), 291. Luther likely drew this description from Augustine, who said, Man did not so fall away as to become absolutely nothing; but being turned towards himself, his being became more contracted than it was when he cleaved to him who supremely is. Quoted in Matthew Levering, The Theology of Augustine: An Introductory Guide to His Most Important Works (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 127, citing City of God 14.13. 10. Timothy Keller, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy (Chorley, England: 10Publishing, 2012), 14. 11. Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters (New York: Riverhead Books, 2011), 3. 12. Quote Investigator, I Think Everybody Should Get Rich and Famous So They Can See That Thats Not the Answer, https://quoteinvestigator.com/2022/11/09/rich-famous/. 13. Graham A. Cole, Shalom, in Dictionary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, ed. G. K. Beale et al. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023), 779. Depending on the context, shalom can have other meanings as well, including health, prosperity, security, friendship and salvation. 14. Passages containing shalom include Numbers 6:26, Psalm 29:11, and Isaiah 26:3. For eirene, see, for example, John 14:27, Acts 10:36, and Galatians 1:3. 15. Cole, Shalom, quoting Wolterstorff, Justice and Peace, in New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology, ed. D. J. Atkinson and D. H. Field (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995), 1722. 16. For the sake of brevity, Im omitting the category of non-human creation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these are the same relationships that were corrupted by the fall, which disrupted our experience of shalom in the first place. 17. Blaise Pascal, Pensees (New York, NY: Philosophical Library/Open Road, 2016), #425. 18. Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Not the Way Its Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995), 14. 19. Timothy Keller and Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God (New York: Dutton, 2011), 48. 20. Trevor Hudson, Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers/NavPress, 2023), 31. 21. Williams, Dont Follow Your Heart. Originally published at The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter. Home News A Godsend: Christians come to aid after Lone Star tornado devastated community LONE STAR, Texas Barbara Humphrey had one thing on her mind as she and her husband, Terry, watched members of the Texans on Mission Rolling Timbers Disaster Response team remove a gigantic oak tree from the couple's yard and atop her nephew's demolished travel trailer. She could only think of gratitude after an April 4 Class EF2 tornado that hit Lone Star in East Texas. "My nephew lived in that trailer," she explained, "and he was coming to our house for supper that night. He got out 20 minutes before the tornado hit. It was devastating, and that trailer is just about flattened in most places. It's totaled. It's gone." While she is grateful her nephew survived, she just as readily pointed out her gratitude for the Texans on Mission team removing the tree, almost three feet wide at its base. "Oh, you guys are a Godsend to come and help us clean this up," she said. "You don't know what it means to me. It's just so amazing, and I thank you very much." Terry Humphrey echoed her thanks. "It's how blessed I feel having all the help we've had. We've got the best neighbors in the world, and then you guys come in here. I don't know how anybody could ask for more. "And one thing about it, too," he added, "You all just don't stand around. You got right in here and started to work." The tornado that ripped through the Humphreys' neighborhood on the western shore of Ellison Creek Reservoir crossed the lake, destroying neighborhoods and parts of Lakeview Baptist Assembly on the eastern side. According to KETK/Fox51 in Tyler, Lakeview had nearly 250 trees snapped, and 75% of the cars in their parking lot were totaled and thrown hundreds of yards away. The television station also noted in an April 7 report that "People in Lone Star said great progress has been made with the help of volunteers like Texans on Mission." Texans on Mission teams set up its command center in Lakeview's dining hall, which received minor damage. TXM volunteer Kathy McAlester took on the administrative role of coordinating teams and requests for help. McAlester said the tornado "was just really strong and in a really dense area and hit the houses just down the block from this building and, of course, all around this building, too. They were just covered with trees." She pointed out a window to a dozen cars left in the camp's parking lot, all of them smashed and undrivable. "There were ladies in that worship center over there, more than a hundred ladies. They sheltered in a lower level and all were fine." She said the TXM response was rapid, with assessors on the ground the following day. TXM teams, including Rolling Timbers, Harmony-Pittsburg and Bluebonnet, were providing chainsaw and heavy equipment relief by April 7. TXM assessor Doug Clower of Paluxy Baptist Association team said many assessed homes had received significant damage. Clower said he assessed one home "that was chopped in half by two trees. They dropped on the brick [wall]. If they hadn't dropped on the brick, if they'd gone a little bit to the right and hit at a window, they would have just gone through the whole house. And they [the family] were in the hallway and would have been hit by those trees had that not happened." Bluebonnet team member Rick Crouch served as chaplain for the group. After talking to affected families, he said they're feeling "just kind of distraught, figuring out what to do next, where to go, how to deal with insurance companies, caring for family members and how they're going to get help." Crouch said the positive message he could give them is, "We're here to help. And a lot of them didn't know about us. The first thing one family asked me was, 'Well, how much are you going to charge?' "And I looked up, and I said, 'Hey, this is Jesus. We don't charge anything.'" 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 New York University's Grossman School of Medicine made history in 2018 when it became the first top-ranked medical program to offer full-tuition scholarships to all students, regardless of need or merit. The number of applicants, predictably, spiked in the year that followed. But then, the share of incoming students considered "financially disadvantaged" sank to 3% in 2019, down from 12% in 2017, reports showed. "Tuition-free schools can actually increase inequity," said Jamie Beaton, co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education, a college consulting firm. "Tuition-free colleges experience surges in application numbers, dramatically boosting the competitive intensity of the admissions process," he said. "This in turn can skew admissions towards middle- or higher-income applicants who may be able to access more effective admissions resources, such as tutoring or extracurriculars." More from Personal Finance: How to maximize your college financial aid offer Top colleges roll out more generous financial aid packages College hopefuls have a new ultimate dream school "Our goal for tuition-free education was to clear pathways for the best and brightest future doctors from all backgrounds to attend NYU Grossman School of Medicine without the stress of taking on the average $200,000 in debt medical students typically incur," Arielle Sklar, a spokesperson for the school told CNBC. "This allows students to align career choices with their passions in medicine rather than immediate economic pressures." Sklar, however, did not directly address the issue of declining low-income student enrollment. Since the initiative by NYU's Grossman School of Medicine, other top schools and programs have embraced the tuition-free model. Harvard University was the latest undergraduate school to announce that it will be tuition free for undergraduates with family incomes of up to $200,000 beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, following similar initiatives at Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Nearly two dozen more schools have also introduced "no-loan" policies, which means student loans are eliminated altogether from their financial aid packages. In the case of Harvard, "you may see a trend of families with income closer to $200,000 outcompeting low-income students for slots," Beaton said. "This may shift the proportion of Harvard students from the top 1% of income down, but it might also decrease the share of low-income students to the benefit of middle or middle-upper income families." Defense stocks are proving to be a rare source of outperformance as worries over tariffs derailing the economy ramp up. Markets were taken for a wild ride this week as President Donald Trump ratches up trade tensions with other countries. On Thursday, the S & P 500 fell 3.5% after skyrocketing 9% on Wednesday in a historic session in which Trump announced a 90-day tariff pause for at least some countries. Still, the benchmark is down more than 5% since the White House announced the so-called reciprocal duties on April 2. But defense stocks have outperformed. Since the so-called liberation day announcement, Huntington Ingalls Industries has climbed around than 5%, along with Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies . General Dynamics and RTX are up 0.2% and down 3%, respectively, in that time, however, they are still outpacing the broader market on a relative basis. The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has lost nearly 4% since April 2. HII mountain 2025-04-02 HII since April 2 These stocks are inherently more hedged against the mounting global trade war, said Sheila Kahyaoglu, Jefferies aerospace and defense analyst. That's due to the fact that most of these companies primarily operate domestically, helping them outperform in the midst of a tariff war. "Obviously, they don't make anything outside the U.S. So clearly they are not tariffed," she told CNBC. Tony Bancroft, portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, agreed with Kahyaoglu's view. He noted that Boeing estimates that about 80% of its commercial business uses domestic goods. That rises to 90% for its defense unit. He added that U.S. businesses have dominated the lion's share of the defense industry, meaning that other nations have little choice but to put up with Trump's new tariffs. Rising political instability like ongoing tensions in the Middle East and Pacific Rim also typically fuel defense stocks. "All those moving parts together, you can sort of see why the defense industry is probably going to be relatively protected," he added. Gordon Haskett head of event-driven research Don Bilson also pointed to the Trump administration's recent budget proposal as a driver for defense stocks outperforming. "Credit for that measured and across-the-board rise is owed to the Trump Administration putting out the word that it plans to propose a FY26 Defense budget that tops $1 trillion," Bilson wrote. "That would be a record and at least $100bn more than Congress authorized for this year." Stocks to watch One name that Gordon Haskett's Bilson highlighted that bears watching is shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls, which gained 16% in March. "Looking back, HII got a nice pop last month when President Trump mentioned it was time to 'Make Shipbuilding Great Again,'" he wrote. "Trying to breathe life into a lifeless industry is easier said than done but a bigger Naval budget is good place to start and we'd imagine the double-digit jump in defense spending DoD will be asking for will have a soft spot for HII." Morgan Stanley analyst Kristine Liwag identified Northrup Grumman as a stock she favors within the cohort. "Across our coverage, we favor OW-rated Northrop Grumman as we see a portfolio oriented around enduring DoD needs," she wrote. "Upcoming potential catalysts include 1Q25 Prime earnings (week of April 21) and the official FY26 budget release." Bernstein analyst Douglas Harned noted that Trump's defense budget increase would be a positive for all defense stocks, but he specifically likes L3Harris. "Our preference remains for L3Harris, based on solid alignment with defense priorities, operational improvement beyond our prior expectations, and a relatively attractive valuation," he wrote. Harned's $267 price target for the stock implies a potential upside of 20% from its Friday close. 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! Travelers take note: The federal government says it will start enforcing Real ID requirements at U.S. airports starting May 7 for real this time. That means travelers will need a Real ID-compliant license or other accepted form of identification like a passport to get through security before a domestic U.S. flight. The Transportation Security Administration said 81% of people approaching airport checkpoints already have Real ID-compliant identification, though it varies by state. Federal and state officials in recent weeks have urged travelers to make appointments at motor vehicle departments to update licenses and other ID cards before the deadline, though availability has become scarce. "Make your appointments now as quick as possible," John Essig, the Transportation Security Administration's federal security director for New York City-area airports, said at a news conference at LaGuardia Airport earlier this month. "We certainly don't want to hold up anyone without Real ID at the checkpoint," Essig said. Signs reminding travelers at U.S. reports to apply for a Real ID have been up for years, though the deadline has been pushed back repeatedly. A TSA officer this week was handing out flyers to travelers with a QR code for Real ID information at LaGuardia Airport. Airlines have also been reminding travelers of the new requirements through customer emails and other channels. Frontier Airlines has a gray banner running along its website informing travelers of the Real ID requirements. Third Point is a multi-strategy hedge fund founded by Dan Loeb, that will selectively take activist positions. Loeb is one of the true pioneers in the field of shareholder activism and one of a handful of activists who shaped what has become modern-day shareholder activism. He invented the poison pen letter in a time when it was often necessary. As times have changed, he has transitioned from the poison pen to the power of the argument. Third Point has amicably gotten board representation at companies like Baxter and Disney, but it also will not hesitate to launch a proxy fight if it is being ignored. Activist Commentary: D.E. Shaw is a large multi-strategy fund that is not historically known for activism. The firm is not an activist investor. Rather, it uses activism as an opportunistic tool in situations where the firm deems it useful. D.E. Shaw seeks out solid businesses in good industries and if it identifies underperformance that is within management's control, it will take an active role. It places a premium on private, constructive engagement with management and as a result often comes to an agreement with the company before its position is even public. On April 6 , CoStar Group entered into support agreements with D.E. Shaw and Third Point in connection with a board refreshment and corporate governance enhancements. This includes the addition of Christine McCarthy, John Berisford and Rachel Glaser as directors to the board; the retirement of Michael Klein, Christopher Nassetta and Laura Kaplan from the board. It also includes the appointment of Louise Sams as independent board chair and the creation of a capital allocation committee. D.E. Shaw and Third Point agreed to abide by certain customary standstill and voting provisions. CoStar Group is a provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets. It manages major brands including CoStar Suite, LoopNet, Apartments.com and Homes.com. Approximately 95% of the company's revenue is derived from the core business, which largely consists of CoStar Suite and Apartments.com, which benefit from high barriers to entry, strong pricing power, proprietary data and subscription-based business models that drive recurrent revenue and highly predictable free cash flow. Because of these dynamics, this business has historically traded at a premium to its information services peers but is now trading in line with them. This regression in the company's valuation largely stems from CoStar's aggressive investment in its residential marketplace business, Homes.com, which it acquired in May 2021. Unlike its core CoStar Suite and Apartment.com businesses, Homes.com lacks clear competitive advantages and faces intense competition from well-established peers like Zillow. Nevertheless, the company is diverting approximately 75% of its $1.3 billion of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization from its core business to fund the $900 million of losses from Homes.com. As a result, capital expenditures are up 878% from 2021 to 2024, marked by 347% increase in 2024 alone. Enter D.E. Shaw and Third Point who have separately entered into support agreements with CoStar in connection with a board refreshment and corporate governance enhancements. This includes the following: (i) the addition of Christine McCarthy (former CFO of Disney), John Berisford (former president of S&P Global) and Rachel Glaser (former CFO of Etsy) as directors; (ii) the retirement of Chairman Michael Klein, Christopher Nassetta and Laura Kaplan from the board; (iii) the appointment of Louise Sams as independent chairman; and (iv) the creation of a capital allocation committee, which Berisford and McCarthy will join. In activism, there are settlements that are meant to appease an activist investor to keep them quiet, and there are genuine settlements that signify real agreement with the activist on how to proceed. This one is the latter. First, the obvious indication is that three directors were replaced on an eight-person board, which is a large refreshment (approximately 40% of the board). But less obvious and more telling is the structure of the settlement and who was replaced. First, the deal was structured as a replacement of directors, not an addition of three directors, which is more common in settlements, particularly ones with relatively smaller boards (i.e., eight directors for a $30 billion company). Second, the three directors who were replaced were three of the four longest-tenured directors, excluding the CEO, and one of them was the chairman of the company since 1987. Moreover, the new chair of the board is the second newest director prior to the settlement. This is not only a board refreshment in name, but in substance as well. There is also a more subtle provision of the settlement that we think offers the most insight into what levers for value creation may follow the formation of a capital allocation committee, which will consist of four directors, two of whom will be the new D.E. Shaw/Third Point directors. This is a clear situation of something that is often seen in activist campaigns a core business that is hugely profitable but whose profits are being used to fund an unprofitable non-core business. But the plan here is not likely to completely divest the Homes.com business, or else we would have seen a strategic transactions committee. This capital allocation committee will more likely be tasked with finding ways to fund the Homes.com business without using the cash flow from the core business. This could include a spinoff of the business with CoStar retaining some ownership, a sale of a part of the business to a strategic investor or taking in some third-party capital. The capital allocation committee is also tasked with assessing international expansion. CoStar has already made moves to expand internationally, including the acquisition of OnTheMarket.com in late 2023, one of the UK's three most visited residential property portals. The company also recently offered to acquire Australian real estate classifieds firm Domain Holdings. The capital allocation committee will certainly evaluate this potential transaction as well as others and make recommendations to the newly reconstituted board. Ultimately, the goal here is to emerge with the core CoStar business with international growth prospects being valued on a multiple of its $1.3 billion consistent to the 30+ EBITDA multiple it historically received. This would result in an approximate $45 billion enterprise value versus around $30 billion today. Both Third Point and D.E. Shaw are not purely activists, but multi-strategy firms that often use activism as an opportunistic tool. Third Point, founded by Dan Loeb, is a true pioneer in shareholder activism, but has used it more sparingly in recent years as dictated by the market environment and available opportunities. D.E. Shaw is relatively new to activism, but the firm has shown over the last several years that it is as proficient at activism as it is at the other strategies it has been so successful with at its multi-strategy fund. While they both settled with the company in their own agreements, the two are certainly like-minded, but not acting as a group. This is an encouraging development, and it's something we often see today but would rarely see 15 years ago: It puts stockholder value above ego. Third Point disclosed that it has a 2.04% position in CoStar. D.E. Shaw did not disclose its position, but as a $70 billion hedge fund, it does not take small activist positions: We would expect it to be at least the size of Third Point's. Ken Squire is the founder and president of 13D Monitor, an institutional research service on shareholder activism, and the founder and portfolio manager of the 13D Activist Fund, a mutual fund that invests in a portfolio of activist 13D investments. Penny Bowers-Schebal opened her wedding gown shop Formality Bridal with a simple mission: to sell gowns for $999 or less to brides on a budget. To keep prices low, Formality Bridal buys last-season gowns from U.S. retailers and Chinese private labels, and sells them at a fraction of their in-season cost. Bowers-Schebal's two shops in Geneva, Ohio, and Erie, Pennsylvania, brought in over $500,000 in net sales combined, and she paid herself roughly $71,700 last year, she says. The recent increase in tariffs on imports from China a 145% total rate, as of Wednesday will increase the cost of gowns, threatening her business model and the wedding industry at large, she says. About 90% of Formality Bridal's gowns are made in China, and U.S. retailers will resell them to Bowers-Schebal at higher rates to account for their own import payments, she says. The stock market rose on Friday, after the White House said President Trump is "optimistic" that China might negotiate with the U.S. At their current rate, tariffs could raise the costs of Formality Bridal's most expensive gowns to $2,800 each, Bowers-Schebal estimates. "I want to remain optimistic, but I see a retail meteor heading towards this country, and what I'm hearing from the U.S. government is akin to, 'Well, just don't look up and you won't see it,'" says Bowers-Schebal, 57. In anticipation, she cut her personal salary by 10% in March, she says. She's advertising tariff-free dresses for as long as her current inventory lasts. If the tariffs remain in place through early May, she'll add the upcharges as a line item on newer gowns, raising prices for brides-to-be, she says. The longer the tariffs stay in place, the more Bowers-Schebal will need to keep trimming her budget, she says cutting back on donating cash and gowns to local charities, and sourcing dresses from other countries. "I have even looked into Russia as a possible place to source inventory," says Bowers-Schebal. "The president [hasn't] imposed tariffs on them. Who would have predicted that would be a possibility?" Weddings which cost an average of $33,000 in the U.S. last year, according to The Knot could soon get more expensive in general, says Esther Lee, The Knot's deputy editor. Alcohol, florals, rental furniture and wedding attire may become more costly even if they're manufactured in the U.S., because many businesses still rely on imported fabric and embellishments, she says. Services like alterations and food could increase in price, says Bowers-Schebal, since seamstresses and bakers often buy items like sewing machines and frosting nozzles from overseas. In a roundabout way, tariffs could help Bowers-Schebal's business, she says: Even with price increases, Formality Bridal's gowns will still be less expensive than most in-season options, and brides will be more incentivized to save money on their weddings. As for her personal livelihood, Bowers-Schebal isn't panicking yet, she says. She opened Formality Bridal's first location in June 2018, and growing her business during the Covid-19 pandemic taught her to safeguard her emergency savings. She also earns roughly $24,000 per year through a rental property, which she deems a mostly passive side hustle, and currently feels financially stable, she says. "I always want to have enough in the bank to weather whatever storm comes," says Bowers-Schebal. "I have always taken a conservative approach, in case I need to pay the bills. The business needs the money more than I do right now." Want a new career that's higher-paying, more flexible or fulfilling? Take CNBC's new online course How to Change Careers and Be Happier at Work. Expert instructors will teach you strategies to network successfully, revamp your resume and confidently transition into your dream career. Start today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $67 (+taxes and fees) through May 13, 2025. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. Men walk past a mural depicting the Statue of Liberty with the torch-bearing arm broken, painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy in Tehran, colloquially-referred to as the "Spy Den," on April 8, 2025. Iran said on April 8 it will send its top diplomat to Oman for breakthrough talks with the United States, after President Donald Trump announced direct discussions on its nuclear programme. Iran ally Russia welcomed the prospect of negotiations for a new nuclear accord to replace the deal with major powers that was unilaterally abandoned by Trump in 2018. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images) Atta Kenare | Afp | Getty Images The stakes could hardly be higher for fresh nuclear talks between the United States and Iran planned for this weekend. Israel, which views Iran as an existential threat, and the U.S. see Iran as a rogue regime intent on pursuing weapons of mass destruction that will stop at little to undermine its opponents. Iran's leadership, meanwhile, faces a choice between giving up its nuclear aspirations, which would most likely render it more vulnerable in the long run, or continuing along the path of nuclear development and dramatically raise the risk of an attack from Israel and the U.S. While Iran has always denied that it wants to develop nuclear weapons, top officials have repeatedly said that if it is attacked, this will change and eventually push it toward building a nuclear bomb. President Donald Trump revealed the upcoming negotiations in a surprise announcement Monday while standing alongside the leader of Iran's arch enemy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. watch now While Trump touted the discussions as "direct" talks with Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi quickly countered by saying the negotiations would be indirect, at least for now. The White House has not responded to questions about the discrepancy. Indirect talks would likely function as a "starting point and a communication bridge" to help both sides understand each other's positions, according to Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, an associate fellow at Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa program. "It's probably going to be more maximalist than any follow-up conversation that they might have," she said. "We have to remember there has not been any direct engagement between the U.S. and Iran for awhile." Tough talk The American team is taking a tough stance as it goes into talks this weekend, with the U.S. issuing fresh sanctions Wednesday. Hanging over discussions in the Gulf kingdom of Oman will be Trump's threat that if the talks fail to yield results, "Iran is going to be in great danger." Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if it refuses to strike a deal on the future of its nuclear program. The bid to end Iran's nuclear program is one that Trump has resumed from his first term, when he pulled the U.S. out of the landmark 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to dismantle much of its nuclear program and allow inspections of its facilities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew from the JCPOA because, he said, it was a "horrible one-sided deal" that did not address Tehran's ballistic missile program nor its network of proxies throughout the region. The U.S. move infuriated the Iranian government after it had adhered to the terms the agreement signed with the Obama administration and five other world powers. Saturday's talks also come after repeated warnings from Rafael Grossi, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran was "dramatically" accelerating its enrichment of uranium up to 60% purity, inching closer to the around 90% level that constitutes weapons grade. In an op-ed in The Washington Post, Araghchi maintained there was no evidence Tehran had violated its commitment not to seek nuclear weapons. It was "willing to clarify our peaceful intent and take the necessary measures to allay any possible concern." Meanwhile, the conflict in the Gaza Strip that has consumed the Middle East for the past year and a half has seen two of Iran's key nonstate allies in what's known as its axis of resistance, Hamas and Hezbollah, severely weakened by Israeli forces, with Washington increasingly taking aim at the Houthis in Yemen. 'Very high price' The threat of rising tariff rates on U.S. imports could hobble the economic trajectory of countries such as Vietnam. Foreign direct investment in Vietnam has increased in recent years as firms search for ways to manage risks stemming from production in China. Vietnam has received approximately $18.5 billion in net foreign direct investment, according to World Bank records that go back to 1970. President Donald Trump's 46% "reciprocal" tariff rate on goods imported into the U.S. from Vietnam briefly went into effect April 9. Later that day, Trump reset tariff rates on products from countries such as Vietnam to 10%. Countries subject to higher tariffs have less than 90 days to negotiate better trade terms with the White House. "Vietnam is highly vulnerable," said Tuan Chu, an associate program manager at RMIT University Vietnam. Vietnam's potentially heightened tariff rates are based, in part, on its U.S. trade surplus, according to Cullen Hendrix, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Vietnam's trade surplus was roughly $123.5 billion in 2024 and $39.5 billion in 2018, according to the Census Bureau. A portion of Vietnam's rising exports to the U.S. may be Chinese products that were rerouted to evade higher tariff rates. Evidence of this comes from trade data collected after 2018, as a U.S.-China trade war escalated, according to a research paper from Harvard Business School. Edmund Malesky, a Duke University professor of political science and one of the authors of the Harvard paper, estimates that 84% of Vietnam's increase in manufacturing activity was value-added production. "But there's a smaller part, maybe 16%, depending on how you measure it, which is rerouting, which became a concern for the United States," Malesky said. Firms may alter their international supply chains if higher tariff rates on U.S. imports come to pass. "This is kind of part of a game of global whack-a-mole," Hendrix said. Watch the video to learn how China may use countries such as Vietnam as a side door to trade with the U.S. Lets waive those smog tests for the drivers who can most afford them Californias Senate Transportation Committee passed a bill with bipartisan support this week, the first step into making life easier for classic car owners, reports LateNighter. The proposed rule is known as Lenos Law, primarily because the main person it will benefit is comedian Jay Leno. In fact, Leno helped author the bill. During a time when California is struggling with its homeless population, destructive wildfires and some of the highest taxes in the nation, its lawmakers are working to help classic car owners skirt around anti-smog laws. The California Air Resources Board currently requires all vehicles built in 1975 or later to undergo a smog check every two years, but Lenos Law would eliminate smog checks for vehicles 35 years or older if they are insured as a collector car. Lets see how many Californians own a variety of expensive classic cars and have the means to insure them as such? Leno is one. Jerry Seinfeld is another. The main requirement to be in this exclusive club? Prodigious riches that allow one to afford a classic car collection Lenos is estimated to be worth more than $52 million. Don't Miss Granted, a California smog check can be a pain in the butt. And it might cost between $30 and $60, an amount that could sting if youre working part-time at minimum wage. But Lenos Law aims to waive that fee for the people who can most afford it. Why are lawmakers wasting their time with Lenos Law? Maybe they were persuaded by the rally held outside Californias State Capitol earlier this week, highlighted by a classic car parade led by no other than Jay Leno. I know theres nothing more annoying than Hollywood people involved in politics, so I just try to keep that to a minimum, Leno said, avoiding politics while headlining a political rally. But this ones important to me because Im an enthusiast. Hours after the Tonight Shows former host headlined the spectacle, the Committee passed the bill that bears his name. Advertisement If the bill becomes law, collectors like Leno, Seinfeld and other insanely rich people will have an extra $50 to throw toward the purchase of their next classic car. Plus, no more pricey repairs if their smoke-belchers cant pass the test. With this bill, said State Senator Shannon Grove, were protecting small businesses, empowering car enthusiasts and preserving a vital piece of Californias heritage. Which small businesses will Lenos Law protect? Certainly not the ones that perform smog checks. And while car culture is part of Californias heritage, its unclear how getting a free pollution pass will help preserve it. American Lung Association Senior Director Will Barrett isnt a fan. Its a real jailbreak for our air quality problems in California. A group of wedding guests were left shocked by the 'very odd' remark a priest said while reading the vows. Taking to the Reddit thread r/weddingshaming, user @nafecruss said he was attending a Catholic wedding for his friend's daughter in North Jersey a few years ago when he and his wife overheard some surprising words from the priest. Though they were sat towards the back of the church, only he and his wife appeared to hear the remarks - and the wedding went on 'without any other surprises'. Unable to withhold his frustrations, he asked the nearby table at the reception if they'd also heard it. They confirmed that they'd also heard it - and put it down to him 'forgetting what he was saying'. The priest had simply said 'blah blah blah' in the middle of reading the vows. Though the original poster said he was 'still laughing years later', not everyone in the comments was convinced, even saying the priest was 'unprofessional' and risked 'ruining' the wedding entirely. The Reddit user explained: 'A few years ago my wife and were invited to my friends daughters wedding. It was a full Catholic Mass and service. A group of wedding guests were left shocked by the 'very odd' remark a priest said while reading the vows (stock image) Taking to Reddit, one user said that the priest had simply gone 'blah blah blah' in the middle of the vows 'It was up in North Jersey, and a few of us were friends from South Jersey. It was an enormous church and since we only knew the brides immediate family we sat towards the back. The Mass is going on, gets to the marriage section and the priest is talking to the couple. 'As hes talking I hear him say something very odd. I look at my wife and ask if she heard what I heard. She did. Nobody else seemed to hear it, and the wedding went off without any other surprises.' Luckily, when he got to the reception, other people had also heard the bizarre comment. The Reddit user concluded: 'While talking through the service with all the solemnity of the occasion, apparently he forgot what he was saying and just said Blah Blah Blah. Still laughing years later.' People soon rushed to the comments to explain what they thought had happened. They said: 'I guess he's done too many weddings and stopped caring a while back'; 'Hey we cant be employee of the month every month'; 'Wtf how unprofessional. It would've ruined the ceremony imo, if I were in the groom's place.' Others shared their own experiences, with one person writing: 'When I got married, my now ex mil insisted on getting her favorite priest (catholic) out of retirement to do the wedding He forgot more than 1/2 the marriage mass and my name multiple times.' Others said: 'When my husband and I got married, one of our friends got ordained to be our officiant. He dropped an F-bomb during our ceremony. My Catholic family was shocked. My husbands family thought it was hilarious'; 'The best one I heard was during a high brow wedding held by a priest who had been in the Legion and still retained the rough edges 'When he reached the part about being fruitful he said: "So, let's talk about sex." 'I nearly choked, trying to hold back laughter. The assembly was too polite to react but you could see the ones who knew the priest and the rest clutching their pearls.' Hip hop rapper Mac Phipps says he was wrongly incarcerated for a murder he didn't commit after his lyrics were used against him in court. After serving 21 years in prison, he's now issuing a stern warning other artists: 'It's hip hop today, but what is it going to be tomorrow?' Following the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Barron Victor Jr, Mac was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years in prison at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in Louisiana in 2001. He was eventually granted clemency by the Louisiana governor and was released on parole in 2021, but his conviction was not overturned. Since his release, Mac, along with the non-government organization Free Our Art, has been advocating for all artists to make sure that their works are not used against them in a court of law. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, he explained why artists should be concerned, and why using freedom of expression sets a dangerous precedent. 'This is a travesty, and I don't never want to understate that,' Mac stated of his situation. 'We're talking about 21 years of someone's life. 'Even if it wasn't me, this could have been anybody's son, anybody's daughter, sitting in prison for a crime that they didn't do because someone used their art against them in court. And that's something that we all should think about.' Hip hop rapper Mac Phipps says he was imprisoned for 21 years for a crime he did not commit after his lyrics were used against him After serving over two decades years in prison, he's now issuing a stern warning other artists: 'It's hip hop today, but what is it going to be tomorrow?' During his trial, Mac says prosecutors took lyrics from his tracks Shell Shocked and Murda, Murda, Kill, Kill out of context and used them as evidence of his guilt. The songs had been inspired by his father's time in the military. Besides his case, there have been several other instances of rappers having their work weaponized in a court of law. In 2022, for example, Young Thug saw his lyrics used against him when the judge overseeing his case permitted prosecutors to use them as evidence. 'I think it has set, dangerous precedent because it's hip hop today, but what is going to be tomorrow?' Mac, 47, pointed out. 'It is not exclusive to hip hop, and we are advocating for not just rappers. 'I have a calling for artists or authors, any type of art, that's why the name of the organization is Free Our Art. 'I think that when we allow it in one instance, it opens the door for it to be used in God knows in which way, so these bills that we're advocating for will stop it in its tracks.' Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Mac revealed he turned to advocacy to help prevent other artists falling victim to their own art 'Hip hop is something I've loved since a child, for as long as I can remember,' Mac said. 'And to have those words my art used against me in court was painful' Free Our Art is particularly focused on passing bipartisan state and federal legislation that limit how creative expression can be turned against artists in courtrooms, with lobbyists in Georgia and Missouri. They are providing resources that supports defendants in relevant cases and are funding initiatives for legal assistant, research and alliances. 'Art in itself, by the very definition, is not literal, you know, it's imaginative, it's expressive,' Mac added. Twenty-one years in a prison cell for a crime you didn't commit is an unfathomable amount of time. Mac admits his time in prison was a very difficult experience, and at times he lost hope. 'Hip hop is something I've loved since a child, for as long as I can remember,' Mac said. 'And to have those words my art used against me in court was painful. I remember just crying when the judge said guilty. I just dropped my head on the desk, and I just cried. 'I think what hurt the most was the fact that this thing that I love so much was actually used against me, and I knew I was innocent of the charges.' On particularly difficult days, Mac would question why he even decided to pursue a career in the genre in the first place. To those who have found themselves locked up for a crime they did not commit, Mac says 'never, ever give up hope' But eventually, those feelings subsided and, with the help of artists like J. Cole, he began to love hip hop again. For Mac, having support from his family and loved ones, as well as fans, who sent would send him letters, was crucial in helping him get through his sentence. 'It was little things like that,' he remembered. 'People writing me from all over the world, just acknowledging the fact that I had been wronged. All of that just gave me motivation to keep on going.' DailyMail.com interviewed Mac on the fourth anniversary of his clemency being granted, and it's a day that lives clearly etched in his memory. 'This is the day that I remember getting the news and I knew that it was just a matter of time that I would be getting up out of there,' he said. 'I remember just feeling anxious, feeling, excited and just trying to absorb that moment. It was like all of that weight that I have been carrying for all of those years I just felt lighter that day.' Although he has his freedom back and forgives those who had him locked up, Mac rightly refuses to accept what happened to him - and rightly so. 'I don't think there would ever be a time where I will accept that this has happened to me,' he said frankly. 'And it's okay, because if I would have accepted it, I probably wouldn't be here today advocating for others in this situation. 'I'm definitely not accepting it - and I don't want anybody else who may find themselves in this situation to accept it. I think it's more important that we all band together, people who are passionate about it and to fight to protect people from getting in this situation.' To those who have found themselves locked up for a crime they did not commit, Mac says 'never, ever give up hope.' 'Secondly, I would say, find that thing that in the midst of that chaos that makes you feel alive and free, and cling on to that thing with all your might, and never lose sight of the mission,' he continued. 'The mission is to ultimately be free. I don't care what your rap sheet says. 'I don't care about the LIFE on your rap sheet, never give up hope and never stop fighting for your freedom because those of us on the outside, we're going to do our best to try to make sure we play our part in helping as well.' A top designer who has worked with A-listers like Taylor Swift and Julia Fox has shocked the fashion industry by joining OnlyFans. Elena Velez, 30, first joined the controversial platform last year, but has now taken her OnlyFans partnership to the next level by designing an exclusive capsule clothing collection for the site. So far, the limited edition line consists of an edgy black T-shirt for $275 and a $350 hoodie. Unlike most celebrity creators who use OnlyFans as a way to sell raunchy content to their fans, Velez is giving subscribers a look into her career as a fashion designer. The outspoken CFDA award winner is also using OnlyFans as a way to push back against censorship and outrage culture. 'On top of the precarity of a career in the creative industry, were also in the middle of a culture war,' she told Page Six. 'Every public proclamation or creative assertion that lies outside of a tightly sanctioned social window comes with the possibility of outrage and professional ostracizing,' she continued. Fashion designer Elena Velez, who has worked with A-listers like Taylor Swift and Julia Fox, has shocked the fashion industry by joining OnlyFans Pop fans will most likely recognize one of Velez's designs from Taylor Swift's Fortnight music video 'It has never been more important as an artist who values the integrity of creative expression to diversify their means of income.' She added, 'OnlyFans is a really cheeky and disruptive way to democratize access to capital and target different audiences.' Last year, Velez took her OnlyFans collaboration to New York Fashion Week, which was documented on the site's safe-for-work streaming platform OFTV. Velez's designs have been worn by countless celebrities, including Charli XCX, Solange Knowles, RHONY alum Leah McSweeney, Succession star and podcaster Dasha Nekrasova, and music superstars like Doja Cat and Rosalia. Pop fans will most likely recognize one of Velez's designs from Taylor Swift's Fortnight music video. The New York-based designer is just one of a growing number of public figures who have used OnlyFans to push PG-rated content through OFTV. All the content on OFTV comes from OnlyFans creators, but unlike the actual OnlyFans platform, no nudity or pornography is allowed. Velez has taken her OnlyFans partnership to the next level by designing an exclusive capsule clothing collection for the site In January, Heidi Montag teamed up with the site to release a music video for her viral single I'll Do It. Actress and comedian Whitney Cummings also partnered with OnlyFans for a number of exclusive stand-up specials. Cummings joined the site in 2022 so she could post some of her edgier jokes behind a paywall without being 'taken out of context' on more mainstream social media apps like Instagram. 'I know people like to make fun of [OnlyFans] because there are naked ladies on there. I just decided, if the audience is going here, as a comedian theres something worth checking out here,' she told Variety last year. Velez has dressed countless A-list celebrities. (Pictured in 2023 with Olivia Wilde) She added: 'I wouldnt have the self-esteem to charge people to see my naked body. Instead of dirty photos, youre gonna see dirty jokes.' OFTV also signed former The Only Way is Essex stars Chloe, Frankie, Demi, and Charlie Sims for their own family reality show, House of Sims. 'There is obviously a bit of a taboo around OnlyFans,' Frankie admitted to Good Morning Britain. 'OFTV is more like the sister platform,' Charlie explained. 'It's stepping away from the explicit or the nudity side. It's all gonna be safe-for-work stuff and it'll be suitable for anybody to watch.' The number of men I know who have prostate cancer is quite terrifying. Which is why the Mails campaign for a national screening programme is vital. Unlike mammograms to detect breast cancer and smear tests for cervical cancer, there is no routine check for prostate cancer on the NHS. But dealing with cancer doesnt end with screening its just the start. I accompanied a friend of mine on what turned out to be an unpleasant Dragons Den-style assessment of different prostate cancer treatment options at a major London teaching hospital. Each expert speedily pitched the upsides and downsides of their area of expertise surgery, radiotherapy, hormone treatment, ultrasound before handing us over to the next doctor. Not a smidge of empathy was shown. My poor friend was given no guidance over which route to take, leaving him with a choice he was in no way qualified to make. Last week we heard a new spit test to detect potential prostate cancer has shown promise in a trial. Good news, but again it will only aid diagnosis. Across all cancers, there is too little help available to understand the various treatment options and get hold of news about test results. Id like to see patients given a nominated cancer guide as soon as they are diagnosed. Having a familiar, helpful voice on the end of the phone to advise you on the journey would go a long way to making the experience of cancer more bearable. I was lucky. When I met my surgeon for colon cancer I was also introduced to Kathleen, a Macmillan nurse who took on the role of cancer guide for me. That should be the case for every patient. I accompanied a friend of mine on what turned out to be an unpleasant Dragons Den-style assessment of different prostate cancer treatment options at a major London teaching hospital. Pictured: File photo My poor friend was given no guidance over which route to take, leaving him with a choice he was in no way qualified to make. Pictured: File photo The trouble with maternity leave... How does a new mother juggle work and parenting? My former colleague Dolly Jones has just published a helpful manual Leaving The Ladder Down: How To Combine Career And Motherhood. I was interested to read Dollys book because she interviewed me, along with many other working mothers, for her research. Its always strange to see oneself through another persons filter and the Alexandra Shulman quoted in Dollys book seems more robust and certain than I ever felt juggling all the work/life balls. But as a female boss of an almost entirely female team, I had given this subject some thought. Dolly takes me to task over an article I wrote, which was published when she had just returned from maternity leave. I had questioned the idea that women should expect their jobs to be preserved in aspic so they return to find things just as they left them. She says I apparently had no qualms about voicing frustrations with staff taking maternity leave via articles in the mainstream press and this made her feel threatened. Since shes brought it up, Id like to make clear that I had, and have, no issue with women taking maternity leave, or indeed men taking paternity leave. I only wish when my son was born in 1995 it was seen as the norm to take more than the three months I did. Its always strange to see oneself through another persons filter and the Alexandra Shulman quoted in Dollys book seems more robust and certain than I ever felt juggling all the work/life balls. Pictured: File photo No, its not the leave I object to but the notion that anyones job can remain identical if they leave it for a period of time. Businesses are a series of moving parts those parts being people and circumstances. If anyone for any reason leaves a team for a year, its highly likely they will find their role slightly changed when they return. Its worth adding that no woman in the 25 years I edited Vogue lost their job after returning from maternity leave. Price of cheese has really got my goat The man who sells goat cheeses at my farmers market explained hes put up his prices because of changes to National Insurance. No doubt these have impacted him. But, even so, Im not convinced it justifies adding more than 10 per cent to the cost of every small, vine leaf-wrapped bundle. Waving around NI as an excuse for hiking prices is starting to make these tax increases just as punitive for customers as they have been for employers. Im not convinced it justifies adding more than 10 per cent to the cost of every small, vine leaf-wrapped bundle. Pictured: File photo of farmers market in Alexandra Palace, North London Confessions of a ghost shopaholic My own solution to life getting more expensive is to indulge in ghost shopping. It goes like this. You do everything you would normally when you buy something, apart from handing over the money. It works well online, where its so easy to fill your basket with goodies, get the buzz of imagining owning them and then log off without spending any cash. Fashion deal thats made in heaven There are few heartwarming stories in the luxury fashion sphere, but the takeover of Versace by the Prada group is a feel-good moment. Despite being very different characters, Miuccia Prada and Donatella Versace have been friends for decades. Donatella is perma-tanned, speedy and squeezed into leather and lace; Miuccia is sternly intellectual and deeply considered, with a more severe approach to fashion although shes no slouch when it comes to her personal jewellery. Both are passionate about family. Im not suggesting theyll be in the kitchen stirring a delicious beef ragu together, but its lovely to think these two women will be collaborating in their 70s. Despite being very different characters, Miuccia Prada and Donatella Versace have been friends for decades. Pictured: Together in September 2008 Donatella had been sidelined by Versaces American former owners Capri Holdings. Miuccia will know her new business partner is still a major star with unbeatable celebrity contacts. Played the right way, this is a win/win deal. Now Im the plus one to my grandkids I have just received my first fashion invitation for my grandchildren from Mini Boden: a trip to the wonderful Giffords Circus. Time to start adjusting to a life where grandchildren are the desirable guests and I am merely their plus one! New York, LA, Miami... next stop 'cowtown'? It's no household name but a growing number of Australians are bypassing America's metropolises and party towns in favour of the small western city of Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth, just 45 minutes' drive west of the key transit hub of Dallas, was a trading outpost for cowboys in the 19th century. It still boasts that wild west charm even today as a city of a million people - and offers much to do for a tourist who has found themselves in the South. During a four day visit in February, I found myself feeling like a modern-day cowgirl staying in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Once the country's third-largest cattle hub, the tourist precinct boasts classic saloons, a rodeo coliseum, shops, restaurants and bars, and - of course - livestock. Hundreds of spectators flock to the main street twice daily to watch the cattle drive, where cowboys march a herd of impressive longhorn steers through the streets. I found it a vast improvement over Dallas where, despite its reputation as artsy and historic, is so business-focused even locals struggled to offer recommendations. In February I visited the Texas for the first time to see why thousands of Aussies are flocking to the destination The Fort Worth Stockyards, also known as 'cowtown', was once America's third largest cattle stockyards which helped need the nation for almost a century. The one attraction that draws hundreds of people to the main street in front of the rodeo coliseum is the twice daily cattle drive, held at 11.30am and 4pm (pictured) Doug, an employee at the stockyard's General Store, said he's noticed an influx of Aussies pass through in the last 12 months. 'Every Aussie I've served, they've said this is exactly how they imagined western America to be,' he said. Doug said there's a 'real sense of community' there. 'It truly does feel like a small town even though our population is close to one million and growing. 'The stockyards come alive, especially at night. There's so much to see and do. It's a great way to spend the day.' During my travels, I stayed at The Crescent Hotel in the heart of the Cultural District a 10-minute drive from the stockyards. The hotel itself was nothing short of luxurious and is possibly one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in. Last year it was named the No. 1 Hotel in Texas by Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards. It's close to popular museums including the National Cowgirl Museum, Modern Art Museum and Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. And don't forget to visit Billy Bob's - the World's Largest Honky Tonk - for line dancing, live music, bull riding, booze, food and more. Located north of the central business district, visitors will instantly feel as if they've stepped back in time to the wild west. I visited Fort Worth for four days, which was the perfect amount of time to tick off everything on my to-do list The modern city of almost a million people as it looks today Fort Worth is located smack-bang in the centre of the South I was welcomed by a bellboy who assisted with my bags and always greeted me whenever I left the hotel. If I wanted a lift nearby, such as to the museums or stockyards, I could grab a ride using the in-house hotel car. Uber rides were also cheap. The Premier King room was equipped with a comfortable fluffy bed, lounge chair, desk space, TV, excess storage if needed, and a luxe bathroom. The hotel also has a gym, wellness club and spa so guests can treat themselves to a massage or facial. Downstairs is the popular Emilia's restaurant, serving mouthwatering Mediterranean dishes and tasty cocktails to enjoy. Fort Worth is about a 45-minute drive west from Dallas and found cowtown to be a much better destination as a tourist. Dallas, while artsy and historic, is quite business-centric - meaning, as a visitor, I struggled to find things to do. Even locals struggled providing recommendations. However, I pulled through. During my travels, I stayed at The Crescent Hotel in the heart of the Cultural District which is only a 10-minute drive from the stockyards (pictured: the hotel lobby) I stayed at the Hall Arts Hotel Dallas located in the Dallas Arts District and across the road from the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Conveniently situated a stone's throw away from museums, parks, art galleries, restaurants and bars, it's a warm hotel with friendly staff. The room was spacious and I particularly loved the freestanding bathtub. If I didn't visit in winter I would've made use of the rooftop pool. Whenever I travel I find the best way to get to know a new city and your surroundings is to walk the streets. But I quickly found out in winter Americans don't walk anywhere, so I stuck out like a sore thumb on the streets. With that, I recommend hiring a car if you decide to go to Dallas. Perhaps one of the most memorable aspects about the city is its history. There is a memorial and museum near where John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated in 1963. I dined at Crown Block and enjoyed possibly the best meal I've ever had in the US. The steakhouse can be found in the Reunion Tower overlooking the city and offering remarkable views. I also visited Dallas, but much preferred Fort Worth as there was more to do. Thought I did dine at Crown Block and enjoyed possibly the best meal I've ever had in the US (pictured) I stayed at the Hall Arts Hotel Dallas located in the Dallas Arts District (pictured, left). One evening instead of going to a popular bar, I booked a ticket to Medieval Times - a dinner and a jousting show! (right) The staff were wonderful and the melt-in-your-mouth rump steak was exactly what I needed after a day of exploring. Every bite here was a masterclass in craftsmanship. The sides? Wonderful. The cocktails? Next-level. The vibe? A meat lover's paradise. I visited the Titanic: The Exhibition, which was an incredible insight to what it was like on the night the iconic ship hit the iceberg. Before entering, visitors are given a boarding pass with a name of a real person who boarded the Titanic. At the end of the exhibition, you find out if they survived or not. I had a ticket for Margaret Rice (Norton) who was 39, a widow with five sons. Unfortunately none of them made it. One evening, instead of going to a popular bar, I booked a ticket to Medieval Times - a dinner and a show. Guests are transported to Medieval Spain for a two-hour jousting tournament, displays of horsemanship and falconry. While some may see this as tacky, I thought it was epic and unlike anything available in Australia. Other popular things to do in Dallas include visiting the historic Wild Bill's Western Store for all your cowboy boots and hat needs, eat at Pecan Lodge BBQ for a true Texas experience and check out Deep Ellum for buzzing nightlife and Blues Alley murals. England's worst-performing maternity units are today named and shamed. Exposing the dire 'postcode lottery' women giving birth face, damning figures show around 55 per cent in five services nationwide are failing. Yet for eight parts of England, including Brighton, Derby and Luton, MailOnline can reveal the only maternity unit is rated 'inadequate' the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) worst possible score. It means that tens of thousands of women have no choice but to give birth in failing units. At The Royal Sussex County Hospital, CQC inspectors warned call bells would run for up to ten minutes before staff members responded. Emergency buzzers used to call a doctor could not be heard in some areas. The hospital's unannounced inspection was carried out following patient complaints and whistleblowing staff. Results of MailOnline's forensic audit, available to view below in our interactive map, comes in the wake of a string of harrowing baby death scandals in Shrewsbury and Telford, East Kent, Morecambe and Nottingham. Your browser does not support iframes. At Shrewsbury, a thorough investigation into the full horrors found neglect and poor care provision caused 200 babies and nine mothers to needlessly die. An obsession with stamping out C-sections, in order to drive up natural birth rates, was also partly blamed. CQC bosses have warned poor maternity care risks becoming 'normalised'. Concerned experts have, meanwhile, compared giving birth in NHS hospitals with a warped game of 'Russian roulette'. Health leaders have blamed a shortage of midwives. Inspectors have also warned of culture and leadership problems. Nationwide, 110 maternity services, or 55 per cent, are failing. That is according to the most up-to-date CQC ratings, which judge every facility as either 'outstanding', 'good', 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate'. This marks a slight improvement of levels seen under the regulator's own sweeping probe in 2023 (65 per cent). Ratings are based on how units perform against markers such as safety, efficiency, care and leadership. Within the M25, the only maternity units catering women in the London boroughs of Enfield and Wandsworth were rated inadequate. Outside of the capital, our analysis showed the same scenario was true in Bedford, Brighton and Hove, Derby, Kingston upon Hull, Luton, and York. NHS statistics show around 40,000 births are registered across the eight maternity units each year. Although women have the option to choose where they seek maternity care, many will opt for their closest out of ease and familiarity. NHS bosses say most maternity units also have catchment areas. Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said: 'Review after review into struggling maternity services has highlighted the impact understaffing has on the delivery of safe care and this cannot continue to be ignored. 'Its never been more crucial that we have the right number of staff, in the right places, with the right skills and training to meet the needs of women using UK maternity services, particularly as we are seeing an increase in more complex pregnancies. 'Midwives and maternity support workers are working tirelessly to do their best in a system they feel is broken and is not currently supporting them deliver the best care they know they can.' The RCM's latest calculation is that England is short of 2,500 midwives. Ms Walton added that all maternity care is being undermined by 'crumbling' facilities. Emmie Studencki (pictured left) and partner Ryan Parker (pictured right) told a court they had been left with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and depression after the loss of their son Quinn at Nottingham City Hospital, part of the troubled Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust She added: 'Maternity care is universal, available 24/7, 365 days a year but despite this, it is too often at the bottom of the list for crucial investment.' Jessica Brown-Fuller, Liberal Democrat hospitals and primary care spokesperson, told MailOnline: 'These figures reveal a stark postcode lottery that is far too familiar to many across the country as they go through what is often the most important time of their lives. 'Expectant parents should feel that the NHS has their back but this support is sorely missing or not up to scratch with staff at breaking point. 'It is the Conservatives' disastrous legacy on the NHS which has brought us to this point but the Labour governments approach has been nothing short of kicking the can down the road. 'We need to see all of the immediate and essential actions from the Ockenden report implemented now so that young families can finally get the care they deserve.' Maternity units in three of the five hospitals in the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, which serves nearly 700,000 people, were inadequate. Inspectors of the site at William Harvey Hospital, which delivers around 3,500 babies each year, found 'visibly' dirty equipment around the ward. None of the labour suites contained a birthing pool or a resuscitaire, a vital machine used to support a baby struggling to breathe. Sarah and Jack Hawkins first-born child Harriet was stillborn after a perfectly healthy pregnancy and with no underlying complications or health conditions. They were one of a number of parents involved in the Nottingham maternity scandal Instead, they were kept down the hall. This meant in the event of an emergency, the newborn baby was moved away from the mother for prolonged periods. At the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, which delivers around 3,000 babies per year, staff in the unit wore long hair down, false nails and jewelry while on duty. Bathing pools sometimes went over two weeks without being cleaned. At The Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, 5,700 babies are born annually, labour inductions and emergency caesarean births were frequently delayed due to staffing pressures. Vital drugs were found in random, open cupboards and draws. On one occasion, a patient's partner let himself into the securely-locked infant milk storage fridge. MailOnline analysis found just seven, or three per cent, were awarded top marks. CQC data used for our analysis is correct as of March 3, 2025. As such, subsequent inspections and gradings after that will not be reflected and could be different. MailOnline purely looked at 'maternity' units and excluded a handful of units that were classified as 'maternity-gynaecology', 'maternity (inpatient services)' and maternity (community services). Your browser does not support iframes. In March 2022, an investigation into services at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS trust found that neglect and poor care provision caused the deaths of 200 babies and nine mothers. Earlier this year, Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust was handed a 1.6million fine in court for a 'long list of failings' in its maternity care provisions. NUH is currently at the centre of the largest ever inquiry into NHS maternity care. The organisation was charged with five counts of failing to provide adequate care, exposing the babies or their mothers to a risk of serious harm, and a sixth related to harm caused to Quinn. The trust is the first to be prosecuted by healthcare watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) more than once. It was fined 800,000 in 2023 for failures in the care of Wynter Andrews, who died 23 minutes after being born at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham in September 2019. Jack and Sarah Hawkins, who both worked for the NHS Trust at the time, had a stillborn daughter at the unit in 2016 following a series of blunders. During a question and answer session at the trial, Mrs Hawkins, a former physiotherapist, told the trust's chief executive Anthony May, she would 'never be able to forgive' the trust's staff for the impact of Harriet's death on her sister Lottie, then four. An NHS spokesperson said: 'Despite the hard work of NHS staff, we know that for large numbers of women and families, maternity care simply isnt at the level they should expect. 'There is much more we need to do to drive up standards of care and build on improvements already made, and the NHS will continue to provide intensive support to the most challenged trusts and focus on delivering government ambitions.' Leading medics have raised concerns about rising cases of erectile dysfunction and other male sexual problems due to a phenomenon known as 'death grip syndrome'. The term refers to habitual, overly-tight gripping of the penis during masturbation which, some report, leads to decreased sensitivity. This may result in difficulty achieving orgasm through any other form of sexual activity, say experts. Men may notice they are struggling to 'finish' with a partner, suffer penile pain or numbness in the genital area, and a complete inability to climax, they add. Death grip syndrome is not a recognised medical condition. However men on social media forum who self-identify as having the problem complain that regular sexual intercourse 'doesn't feel good anymore'. And in posts on Reddit many admit that they struggle to achieve erections with partners, due to the issue. 'How can I recover from death grip syndrome,' begins one thread on the site. 'I've been going soft [during] my last two sexual penetration encounters. What steps should I take?' Leading medics have raised concerns about rising cases of erectile dysfunction and other male sexual problems due to a phenomenon known as 'death grip syndrome' Up to 50 per cent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons. Meanwhile, between two and 10 per cent of men suffer from delayed ejaculationa sexual dysfunction where a man takes a significant time to ejaculate during sexual activity, or in some cases, is unable to ejaculate at all. Both problems may be associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, certain medications and psychological problems but can also have no obvious cause. And a lesser recognised culprit could be death grip syndrome, some believe. On men's health website forhims.co.uk, medical advisor Dr Mike Bohn explains: 'Masturbating can be a safe and fun solo sexual experience. 'Unfortunately, if you're holding on a little too tight, your discrete solo session can have some unintended negative consequences. 'Death grip syndrome is a nonscientific name to describe the consequences of masturbating with too tight of a grip on yourself. 'Guys who squeeze too hard or masturbate with a tight grip might wonder what kind of damage they're doing. Men on social media forum who self-identify as having the problem complain that regular sexual intercourse 'doesn't feel good anymore' 'Are they at risk of injuring themselves, desensitizing their penises or even causing nerve damage? It's not outside the realm of possibility.' At present, aside from anecdotes, there is little scientific proof that overly-tight gripping during masturbation triggers any physical changes in the penis. However speaking to metro.co.uk Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a retired GP and writer at UK Care Guide, said: 'The persistent use of a tight grip can condition the nerves and tissues to respond only to this specific form of stimulation. 'This can make it challenging to experience pleasure and achieve orgasm through more typical forms of sexual activity.' There is some evidence of thisin a 2016 study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, suggested 'penile hyperstimulation' may be one cause of 'delayed orgasm and anorgasmia'. So what can be done? Reddit is awash with users offering their own tips, which often include the use of male sex toys that work in place of the hand during masturbation. Dr Cunningham said: 'I believe I've seen a number of men who experience these issues. It's common enough that professionals encounter it regularly, but many men may not realise it's the root of their difficulties.' He suggests the situation is reversible and that men change their masturbation habits 'using a gentler touch and exploring different types of stimulation'. Dr Cunningham adds: 'Incorporating more mindful and varied sexual practices [with a partner] can also help. 'In some cases, professional counselling or can provide additional support and strategies to regain sensitivity and sexual satisfaction.' American sex columnist Dan Savage, who is often credited with coining the term death grip syndrome, is more blunt in his advice to readers of his newsletter, Savage Love. Responding to one man who is suffering the problem he writes: 'You'll have to swear off the death grip forever if you want your d*** to respond to more subtle sensations. 'When you j*** off, use a light touch and let it take as long as necessaryand it may take a while.' He also cations him not to 'take matters into your own hands' during intercourse if he is unable to climax. 'If you don't c***, well, tough s***. To avoid giving the women you're with complexes, warn them in advance that you're trying to retrain your d***. 'While this approach may be frustrating in the short run, in the long run only this approacha light touch, a firm resolve, and consistent denialwill kick your d***'s dormant nerve endings into gear.' Not since the Statue of Liberty has a French girl lit such fires in America, a Life magazine critic wrote of Brigitte Bardot in 1958. Two years earlier shed starred in her estranged husband Roger Vadims And God Created Woman, which, despite the Hollywood censors cuts, became the highest-grossing foreign film ever released in the US. It also made paparazzi skirmishes, like the one pictured here, a daily occurrence. The Parisian wasnt a movie newbie, having already starred in several films and earned the nickname sex kitten. American theatre managers were arrested for showing her on-screen exploits, but the press outrage only enticed viewers. There lies Brigitte, one critic grumbled, stretched from end to end of the screen, bottoms up and bare as a censors eyeball, in a review meant to appeal to morality. The queues for tickets just grew longer. The controversy did her career no harm. Bardot acted in more than 45 films before retiring in the early 1970s. Now 90, she lives quietly in Saint-Tropez but remains the best-known symbol of the sexual revolution. Bardot is a locomotive of womens history, Simone de Beauvoir wrote in 1959, a French export as important as Renault automobiles. I have a complicated relationship with my hair. A hate-love tug of war that started when I was small. A battle that only ended when I accepted that I was never going to win. Before I go any further, lets deal with the ginger elephant in the room. This is not a piece about having ginger hair, but its impossible to talk about my hair without acknowledging its colour. I was the only ginger in the class and that, plus the fact that my hair was by even the kindest definition big wiry, curly, wayward lay at the root of the problem. (Remember Crystal Tipps of the childrens cartoon Crystal Tipps and Alistair? Keep that image in your mind.) Sam Baker with her long hair aged 58. Styling: Hope Palmer Shirt, WNU. Jeans and jewellery, Sams own Picture, if you will, a school nativity play in the early 1970s in an extremely unmixed infants school in the south of England. Stage crammed with small fair-haired people. Mary, cute, blonde. Ditto the shepherds and kings. Even the donkeys were blonde. All the girls who werent Mary were angels. Every last one of them, or so it felt to me, with straight blonde hair falling softly around their shoulders or up in bunches. And then there was me, tenth angel on the left. With my Curly. Wayward. Ginger. Hair. I stood out like a sore thumb. Its the first time I remember feeling certain that life would be better if I could just grow and ideally completely change the style, colour and texture of my hair. Then came secondary school and the era of the flick. Trisha on Grange Hill had hair to die for. Fair and straight, stretching down her back but with a massive, flicky fringe. The flick was bang on trend in the late 70s and all the cool girls had one. If I was ever to have a hope of fitting in, I had to get one. I found a picture in Jackie magazine of a pretty girl with big brown eyes and the flick of dreams. I tore it out and went to the hairdresser. She pointed out gently that the girl in the picture had fine, poker-straight hair and I didnt. It was an enormous red flag. But I did what I always did with red flags: ignored it and ploughed on through. It was only after I washed my hair myself (isnt it always the way?) that I realised the enormity of what Id done. Thick and wiry, it sat like a ginger hat on my head. I hated it and it hated me right back. After that I tried everything. I went to bed with it wet and woke up with it in clumps. I went to bed with it dry ditto. I wore a scarf to bed to flatten it and woke up with it still lumpy but stuck to my head. I tried Shaders & Toners in a rich dark chestnut. It interacted with the ginger and came out burgundy. I tried Sun In. The result was khaki. The only ginger angel in the school nativity My hair just wouldnt grow. Or, more accurately, it would but it grew out, not down. Every time I tried to get it past my ears it would reach triangle status and Id crack and cry and get it all cut off again. Youll love it when youre older, grown-ups would say endlessly, of the colour and the waves. I know people whod pay a fortune for hair like yours. Teenage me didnt give a monkeys about when I was older. All I cared about was right now and, right now, my hair that kinked in all the wrong directions was ruining my life. Salvation came in the unlikely form of wait for it a perm! I know how ludicrous this sounds. Girl who hates her curly hair gets perm to make it curlier But this was, by then, the early 80s. Perms were everywhere, and the hairdresser insisted that making the curl look intentional would at least help me grow out the pesky short bits. It worked! And I never looked back. Except for one ill-advised break-up cut in my last year of university in Birmingham, when I decided that what I really needed was a bob. Eight inches and an hour later the hairdresser spun me around. There, in the mirror, was the hateful triangle of curly ginger hair. My friends kindly kept their opinions to themselves. All except one. A girl in the same tutor group as me her name was Erica, Ill never forget it looked me straight in the eye and said, I preferred it long. Me too, Erica. Me too. With the perm that changed everything That was almost 40 years ago, and I learned my lesson. Apart from annual visits to the hairdresser to get the split ends cut off, I havent messed with it since. Now, Im 5ft 3in, and my hair reaches almost to the base of my spine. Hair is everything, said Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) when her sister Claire (played by Sian Clifford) wore a disastrous asymmetrical crop that made her look like a pencil. Its the difference between a good day and a bad day My teenage years were one big bad hair day. Once I stopped fighting it, my hair which I had always believed was my worst feature morphed into my best. It began to define me, but in a positive way. As it grew, the confidence sapper became the confidence giver. It entered the room before I did. I realised it didnt much matter what I wore because all people saw when they looked at me was, frankly, a mane of ginger hair. I remember talking to the fashion influencer Kat Farmer about accessories on my podcast, The Shift with Sam Baker, and confiding that I didnt really know how to accessorise. You dont need to, Kat said. Your hair is your accessory. How right she was. And I would be lost without it. Actress Olivia Munn, pictured opted for a perm in August 2020 and documented the process on Instagram. Fellow film star Emma Stone also debuted a perm in 2018 Your hair is fabulous, I am frequently told, and I admit I bask in its reflected glory. Just as frequently, its followed by, It must be a nightmare to look after. Occasionally, someone (usually a magazine editor who wants me to write about it, or a middle-aged man with firm views about how women should age) will ask me when (not if) Im going to cut it all off. Like I missed the memo that says women over 50 shouldnt have long hair. I probably file this advice alongside that from the people telling me how women of my age should dress and behave. In the bin. It took too long to reach the point where I recognised the genetic blessing of my hair, Im hanging on to it. Also, the biggest irony of all is that my long hair is the most low-maintenance its ever been. Its thick and dry, so I wash it fortnightly. (LOreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Shampoo and Conditioner, and 8 Second Wonder Water on the ends I swear by that.) Its not a speedy wash, and those dry ends suck up the conditioner, but Im sure its not the time- or money-sap of washing it every other day. It does take hours to dry (hot tip: Boucleme Curl Towel avoids roughing up the cuticles), but I just whack on some Moroccanoil Treatment to tame the frizz and let the air do its worst. (Blow-dries are strictly for special occasions, when I pay someone elses arms to take the strain.) I never brush it because the frizz loves that and I only tie it up to go to the gym. I love my hair now Im older. If only some wise grown-up had told me that decades ago! Former NBC News host Chuck Todd has drawn a striking parallel between Donald Trumps tariffs and what he calls the defining failure of the Biden presidency. Speaking on the Press Club podcast, Todd cautioned that Trump's aggressive tariff strategy which includes a proposed 60 percent tax on all Chinese imports and a 100 percent levy on electric vehicles could prove 'politically catastrophic' if it triggers a market backlash. 'I think tariffs are the only thing that can break Trump's base,' Todd said. 'That's the only issue. Because it's a competency thing. It's like what happened to Biden with Afghanistan. 'Afghanistan became a competency question. And I think this tariff business for Trump becomes a competency question.' The comparison to Biden's 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan an episode that saw his approval ratings nosedive wasn't just rhetorical. Todd warned that voters may be more unforgiving when a candidate's competence, rather than ideology, is in question. 'Competency can be more lethal than ideology,' Todd said. 'I don't think Trump ever gets above 45 percent approval again unless there's some rally-around-the-president moment we can't foresee.' His comments come as Trump's latest tariff push has already shown signs of economic whiplash. Speaking on the Press Club podcast, Todd cautioned that Trump's aggressive new tariff strategy could prove 'politically catastrophic' if it triggers a market backlash or economic instability In a move that stunned markets, Trump imposed massive taxes on key Chinese imports, while sparing certain high-tech items like iPhones, laptops, memory chips and processors In a move that stunned markets, Trump imposed massive taxes on key Chinese imports, while sparing certain high-tech items like iPhones, laptops, memory chips and processors. The carve-out shields companies like Apple and Samsung from price hikes and American consumers from paying significantly more at checkout. But the exemptions also raise questions about inconsistency and whether Trump's economic messaging, long rooted in 'America First' manufacturing rhetoric, is starting to falter under scrutiny. 'I'm over 50 I'm looking at my portfolio every hour,' Todd joked. 'People say voters don't pay attention to the stock market. But the voters most likely to show up in a midterm election? They absolutely do.' As Todd explained, Trump risks turning off fiscally conservative voters, especially retirees and investors, who may view steep tariffs as market disruptors. 'These are constituencies Trump is now rattling,' he added. In a separate appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Todd didn't hold back in his criticism of the media including his own network for sidestepping Biden's cognitive struggles in 2020. 'That was the fundamental mistake,' Todd said. 'Some in the media thought if we diminish Biden, we're boosting Trump. That was held back. It was held back a lot.' Todd acknowledged that voters weren't fooled, even if reporters were hesitant. Chuck Todd warned that Trump's tariff strategymuch like Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawalcould potentially alienating his own base 'The public isn't stupid. They saw the signs,' he said. 'Biden using the back staircase, skipping interviews. But there was a collective reluctance in the media to say it out loud.' He also criticized the press for embracing Trump's de-platforming after January 6, arguing that it played a role in further eroding trust. 'What did Trump do? He built his own information ecosystem,' Todd said. 'Now legacy media is playing catch-up on YouTube. They don't have the influence they used to because they went along with the de-platforming exercise.' Though long critical of Trump, Todd made it clear that defending free speech applies across the board: 'I'm going to defend the First Amendment when Trump tries to kick the press outbut we have to defend his rights too.' Todd's remarks reflect a broader concern that both Trump's tariff gambit and Biden's policy fumbles stem from a similar root problem political miscalculation paired with shaky follow-through. BP boss Murray Auchincloss is facing a rebellion at the company's annual meeting this week. The threatened revolt comes after chairman Helge Lund bowed to investor pressure earlier this month and announced plans to step down next year. Activist investors at the business, including ruthless US fund Elliott Management, which has built up a 5 per cent stake in BP, may now oppose the re-election of Auchincloss as chief executive at the gathering on Thursday. 'I'd expect Elliott and other investors to vote against Auchincloss,' said Ashley Kelty, an expert at broker Panmure Liberum. He added that there was a 'growing feeling in the market' that the oil giant needed a new chief executive as well as a new chairman. Other City sources said no one on the BP board could count on their position being secure. Non-executives include Amanda Blanc, the boss of insurer Aviva who also serves as BP's senior independent director. She is leading the search for Lund's replacement. A revolt will pile further pressure on Auchincloss as the beleaguered boss pushes ahead with plans to re-focus the business on oil and gas following an ill-fated pivot towards green energy. BP's said last week that its debts had risen by 3 billion in the first three months of the year alongside lower production and weaker trading in natural gas. A sharp drop in global oil prices following Donald Trump's tariff measures, as well as increased production from the Opec+ cartel of oil-producing nations, will pile more pressure on its finances. Investors have been clamouring for sweeping change at the top to revive the firm's share price, which has fallen by more than 30 per cent over the past 12 months (see chart). Auchincloss has tried to quell the rising discontent by slashing BP's spending on green businesses by nearly 4 billion a year and boosting oil and gas investment by 20 per cent to nearly 8 billion. He has also pledged to more than double BP's value to 160 billion within the next five years a level not seen since before the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The pledges have so far failed to appease Elliott. Auchincloss also faces attacks from the environmental lobby. Some of BP's climate-conscious shareholders are now also expected to oppose him due to the change in strategy. The oil firm suffered a blow on Friday when Legal & General, which owns a 1.8 per cent stake in BP, said it would vote against Lund's re-election as chairman at the annual meeting piling on pressure for an early departure. The insurer said it had 'substantive concerns' about the decision to row back on its green energy strategy without putting it to a shareholder vote. Elliott declined to comment. A widow has told how she turned to a younger man for comfort after losing her husband - only for her dream new lover to turn into a monster who would nearly kill her. Sharon Annoscia, 53, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, found herself attracted to a Polish builder who was 12 years her junior when he was working on the house next door. Sharon herself was emotionally fragile after the unexpected death of her husband Michael, 37, a year earlier - and soon found herself caught up in an intense relationship with Lukasz Janiec, 41. But her new lover, who stands at a towering 6ft 5in, soon began to abuse her in ever more vicious ways - culminating in an attack so violent she feared he would kill her. Now, as Janiec prepares to be released from a holding centre where Sharon says he is being held after serving a 17-week sentence on remand, she has bravely decided to speak out about her trauma. On the night the brute was arrested last August, Sharon had been battered so badly that she passed out - only to regain consciousness while he was stamping on her head with a cable wrapped around her neck. She told MailOnline: 'I thought to myself that night, I've taken the hits before. I can do it. I'm going to get bruised. I'm going to feel the pain for a couple of months. So that's what I did. 'I just wanted out. And if I died, I died. I just couldn't be in that situation anymore.' Sharon Annoscia (above) found herself attracted to a Polish builder who was 12 years her junior when he was working on the house next door, but he soon began to abuse her in ever more vicious ways - culminating in an attack so violent she feared he would kill her Janiec (above) who stands at a towering 6ft 5in, soon began to abuse Sharon in ever more vicious ways - culminating in an attack so violent she feared he would kill her As Janiec prepares to be released from a holding centre where Sharon says he is being held after serving a 17-week sentence on remand, she has bravely decided to speak out about her trauma The mother-of-three said Janiec sold her the dream after being charming, handsome and caring while she was in a vulnerable state. He moved out of his home in Birmingham and into her house, though she later found out he had been sacked from the job after they discovered he had drug problems. But things quickly turned sour. After their honeymoon period violence began when Janiec returned from weekend benders with his old friends where he would take cocaine and drink into the early hours of the morning. The abuse spiralled from having the occasional 'cross word' into Janiec almost killing her before eventually being locked up. By the end of their relationship, he had stolen 12k of Sharon's savings, which had been left behind by her husband. Janiec would use the stolen cash to go on the drug binges and even threatened to kill himself if she did not hand over more cash. Sharon says Janiec has 'no legality' to remain in the country following his release, but due to having two children and an ex-wife in the UK, the 41-year-old could have a strong enough case to fight deportation. The abuse spiralled from having the occasional 'cross word' into Janiec almost killing her before eventually being locked up By the end of their relationship, he had stolen 12k of Sharon's savings, which had been left behind by her husband Janiec would use the stolen cash to go on the drug binges and even threatened to kill himself if she did not hand over more cash The impact of the violence had catastrophic effects on Sharon's relationships with her own children and left her feeling like she couldnt look them in the eye. The mother, who herself worked as a domestic support worker for a charity, said she had raised her two daughters and son to be strong and independent, but felt she had let them down by falling into the trap of staying with her abuser for too long. On numerous occasions, her son, who she says only weighs around eight stone, would stand in front of the monster and take the beatings himself to stop his mother from being hurt. The abuser, paranoid and penniless after spending all of her money - and his benefit cash - on the Class A drugs, would even stop her from going to work by pinning her down and holding the phone to her ear as he demanded she call in sick. She said: One day he turned to me and said he thought I was having sex with people at my work. I just cleaned the communal areas to make it tidy for them, I had nothing to do with the people. 'But if I didnt call in, he would lock me in the cupboard until I eventually did. The abuser, paranoid and penniless after spending all of her money - and his benefit cash - on cocaine, would even stop her from going to work by pinning her down and holding the phone to her ear as he demanded she call in sick The impact of the violence had catastrophic effects on Sharon's relationships with her children and left her feeling like she couldnt look them in the eye It was the charity that flagged initial concerns to authorities over their relationship, but after Janiec began showing interest in other women, Sharon saw that as her only chance to break free and piece her life back together. On the night of Janiecs arrest, she raised the issues with him and he quickly became aggressive and raised his hands to batter her. After her neighbour heard the screams through the wall on August 16, 2024, and called the police, Janiec was arrested and sentenced to just 17 weeks in jail which he served on remand. Now, Sharon, fearing Janiecs return, has launched a GoFundMe page to afford the opportunity to flee the street where her torment played out. She said: I hope he never gets the opportunity to do this again to anybody. He still doesn't understand the impact it has had on my life. My nan used to tell me it takes a lifetime to build a reputation and a second to shatter it and he shattered mine. Day by day he etched away at me and I hate him for that. Fearing Janiecs return, Sharon has launched a GoFundMe page to afford the opportunity to flee the street where her torment played out But now I can look myself in the mirror and be proud to say that I got away and he didn't win, I won. And he's going to be a continuous loser for the rest of his life. Having come through the other side, Sharon has issued a warning to those in similarly violent relationships to take notice of the red flags before a similar chaos unfolds. She said: Don't sit back like I did and take it because you'll get trapped in that situation. It's been seven months now and Ive only just turned a corner where I'm happy with myself and feel worthy again. I know who I am now and Ive got my identity back, because I felt like I was a nobody with no-one to turn to during that time. I'm finally getting a relationship back with my daughters because I was brave enough to walk away and say enough was enough. New revelations from experts reveal a surprising twist in Bigfoot lore, suggesting that the elusive creatures may be FEMALES as they are deeply captivated by children and seemingly have a maternal nature. For years, thousands have debated Bigfoot's existence, with some finding themselves caught up in the hype over possible momentary sightings and others simply dismissing the beast as mere legend. Through testimonies personally vetted by experts, discovered nesting areas and repeated footprints, however, seasoned sasquatch researchers have uncovered compelling evidence suggesting that the legendary creatures may not only exist, but could be female. 'Lots of reports suggest maybe they're females,' Jeff Meldrum, one of the most prominent figures in Bigfoot research, told DailyMail.com. 'You know, it's a maternal instinct - a particular interest in children.' Several researchers revealed fascinating discoveries through their own personal investigations and experiences, some of which paints the elusive creature as a curious motherly entity rather than a scary beast. Through discoveries of nesting areas that appeared to be constructed like a nursery, stories of children spotting a 'big monkey' while playing in the backyard and records of footprints measuring only four inches, it's not hard to believe that Bigfoot may be captivated with young humans. 'This is a biological entity. It's not a scary campfire story. It's not a monster, you know?' Meldrum said. 'It's not an anomaly, it's not a paranormal entity. It's it's just simply a big, hairy, upright, walking, humanoid looking primate.' Vetted encounters Through vetted testimonies, discovered nesting areas and repeated footprints, seasoned sasquatch researchers have uncovered compelling evidence suggesting that Bigfoot may not only exist, but could be female Jeff Meldrum, a professor at Idaho State University and author of Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science, is one of the most prominent figures in Bigfoot research, with an expertise in primate locomotion and foot morphology Meldrum shared vetted stories with DailyMail.com Testimonies have provided some of the most intriguing stories, often coming from individuals who witnessed a Bigfoot encounter in remote, off-the-beaten-path areas. What's particularly striking about these encounters is that many of the witnesses were with their families, including children, which adds an unexpected layer of credibility to their stories and deepens the mystery surrounding the beast's existence. Meldrum, a professor at Idaho State University and author of Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science, has expertise in primate locomotion and foot morphology. His interest in sasquatch piqued in 1996 when he examined a trail of 35-45 clear pristine footprints in Washington. This encounter, he said, is what truly 'set the hook' for him. He would personal vet the tales, gathering information from the sightings, interviewing witnesses and visiting the area where the beast was seen. Meldrum revealed to DailyMail.com that he was also captivated by stories from trusted outdoorsman, particularly those describing calm and curious encounters with children. In one story, Meldrum explained, a man was at his remote cabin with his family, situated in an isolated area with no nearby homes and no curtains on the windows. On one side of the room, a large window overlooked the family room, featuring a big-screen TV and a cozy fireplace. Adjacent to this space was a side door, which led down a staircase to the firewood box. On a calm night in the secluded area, the man stepped outside to gather some firewood, loading up his arms with the logs. When he glanced back at the cabin, however, he froze - near the big window, just at the edge of the light peering through, he saw a seven-foot-tall sasquatch peering in. 'He was curious about what was going on,' Meldrum theorized. 'I mean, for him, the big picture window was the big screen TV with people walking back and forth and eating food and laughing.' 'I think they're curious,' he added. 'And so, I think that's why they approach people.' In another vetted testimony shared by a first-hand acquaintance, Meldrum explained, a family was at a campground in the same vicinity where he had experienced the footprint tracks believed to be left by Bigfoot. 'They'd taken their granddaughters up, who had a kickball, and they were kicking the ball back and forth until one of them hauled off and kicked it too hard,' Meldrum said. 'It sailed over the bushes, into the woods, and well before they could go to run to retrieve it, the ball came sailing back.' The man, who Meldrum described as an 'excellent tracker and outdoorsman', had a horse packing business where he would take hunters and fisherman up to the mountains, into the remote reaches of the mountains on horseback. During the family camping trip, he also discovered footprints that, based on his experience in these areas, he believed couldn't have been left by a human or any other animal. Curious about children This made the story of the ball sailing over the fence even more believable, as there were now nearby footprints to support Bigfoot's presence near the campground. 'Sasquatch was curious about what the little girls were doing and watching,' Meldrum said. 'I think there are those kinds of occasions too, where curiosity gets the better of them.' Vetting reports is a challenging task, as many people may be hesitant to share their experiences or even struggle with the decision of whether to submit a report at all. Other times, individuals, overwhelmed by excitement at discovering something mysterious, may convince themselves that what they've encountered is Bigfoot - when, in reality, it isn't. Yet, Meldrum has received dozens of reports of Bigfoot sightings involving children, particularly when they are engaged in typical child-like activities, such as playing in the yard - overall playing into the belief that the creature, like other female animals, have maternal instincts. 'There are some reports where the kids come in and say, "Mommy, the big money is watching this over the fence,"' Meldrum said. 'The mom will look out the kitchen window, and there's a Sasquatch peering over the fence, watching the kids play on the swing set.' Based on this belief, many Bigfoot researchers use child-like sounds, such as giggling, in an attempt to lure the legendary creature during their expeditions, hoping to attract its curiosity. 'I think with intelligence comes a certain degree of curiosity that draws them to investigate,' Meldrum said. 'It's probably kind of a tug of war,' he added. 'One instinct tells them to stay away, but the other instinct is curious because of their intelligence, and they want to figure out what's going on with these funny looking, hairless creatures.' Discovered nesting areas One reason Bigfoot is believed to have made these nests is due to the intricate way they were woven, a method that couldnt be replicated by a bear, as they lack opposable thumbs. Bears typically create nests by simply scraping materials into a pile. What is believed to be a nesting area is seen above At the top of one of the discovered nests, Meldrum explained, resources such as pine needles, leaf litter and debris were piled up, folded in and woven - similar to a bird's nest - and created raised platforms with a nest on top, believed to be a bassinet for a baby Amy Bue, co-founder of Project Zoobook, shared a story to DailyMail.com about a surveyor who, while inspecting land owned by a logging company, stumbled upon a grouping of ground nests that appeared to look like a Sasquatch nursery Experiences with mysterious nesting sites have also suggested that Bigfoot may be female, as evidence from these areas points to behaviors and characteristics of a maternal presence. Amy Bue, co-founder of Project Zoobook, shared a story to DailyMail.com about a surveyor who, while inspecting land owned by a logging company, stumbled upon a grouping of ground nests. 'Right now, there are two different nest areas, but they do not seem to be built by bears or wood rats,' Bue said. 'They do not, in our opinion, seem to be built by humans for various reasons.' 'We took primate specialists out there, a biologist, lots of smart people and anthropologists have looked into it, and our running theory is that it could be a Sasquatch nursery or sorts.' One reason Bigfoot is believed to have made those nests is due to the intricate way they were woven, a method that couldnt be replicated by a bear, as they lack opposable thumbs. Bears typically create nests by simply scraping materials into a pile. 'I was invited to the most stunning example, and the best documented and monitored was this collection of nests, which suggested an aggregate that is not typical,' Meldrum told DailyMail.com. 'These nests were quite sophisticated,' he added. 'These nests were much more like nests built by apes, where the branches and boughs were folded in and woven in. It seemed like it was very deliberately built.' The nests, Meldrum explained, was at a location hemmed in by a tall hedgerow of evergreen blueberries standing about seven to eight feet tall. At the top, resources such as pine needles, leaf litter and debris were piled up, folded in and woven - similar to a bird's nest - and created raised platforms with a nest on top. 'The nest on top was big enough to easily accommodate a seven, eight foot tall creature,' Meldrum said. 'There were about five of them.' 'What struck me as really interesting, though, was one of them was small - only about a foot-and-a-half, two feet across, but it was built up in the crotch of the bush about two feet off the ground,' he added. 'When I saw that, I thought, that looks just like a little bassinet. Could this be a little nest for a newborn?' With the belief that Bigfoot is largely solitary, Meldrum believes that the nests weren't a permanent home base, and rather a special occasion. 'We don't find these nests in large numbers,' he said. 'I don't think they make them on a nightly basis.' Repeat footprints Meldrum's interest in sasquatch piqued in 1996 when he examined a trail of 35-45 clear pristine footprints in Washington. This encounter, he said, is what truly 'set the hook' for him On one occasion, researchers didn't just find repeat prints - they discovered two smaller sets of prints alongside Bigfoot, measuring only four inches Footprint evidence has been some of the most compelling and damning proof of Bigfoot's existence, according to several seasoned researchers. Experts revealed to DailyMail.com that there are moments in extensive research when you may be lucky enough to stumble upon an undeniable 'smoking gun'. In 1996, Meldrum stumbled on his when he examined a trail of 35-45 clear pristine footprints in Washington, referring to the sight as the 'most real-looking prints' he had ever come across. 'For me, those footprints were just as real as if I had stumbled on a body,' Meldrum told DailyMail.com. 'So now here we are, almost three decades later, and I've got over 300 footprint casts and hundreds of files of photographs and footprints from all over. And the vast majority of them, I'm quite confident are the real deal.' Other researchers have concurred this testament, including Scott Tompkins, the creator of The Bigfoot Mapping Project. Tompkins agreed, stating that while not a 'smoking gun', the mystery footprints offer significant support and weight of the creature's existence. 'All it leaves behind is a footprint, and that to me is the most motivating evidence because we're just one step behind it,' Tompkins told DailyMail.com. 'That's a tale as old as time - humans grew up, evolved into tracking animals to be successful on their hunt, and that's what they used. A footprint was evidence that something was there.' Footprint evidence, Tompkins said, is difficult to refute in his opinion, 'because that's essentially something that the creature left behind' - especially when the hard, dermal ridges found on the mystery prints are almost impossible to fake on other markings. 'When you get experts that analyze those footprints, that have studied anatomy and anthropology their entire careers that come up saying, 'this is a real footprint, this is something, but it's nothing we know,' then that is really, really provocative'. But even more incriminating is repeat footprints. Accumulated footprint records have revealed recognizable, recurring individuals in specific geographic areas, with identical prints indicating the same creature's movements overtime. Scott Tompkins, the creator of The Bigfoot Mapping Project, said footprint evidence is difficult to refute in his opinion, 'because that's essentially something that the creature left behind' - especially when the hard, dermal ridges found on the mystery prints are almost impossible to fake on other markings In 1996, Meldrum stumbled on his when he examined a trail of 35-45 clear pristine footprints in Washington, referring to the sight as the 'most real-looking prints' he had ever come across Meldrum refers to these repeat prints as 'fascinating corroborate', with certain footprint records sometimes spanning over the length of a 20-30 year period. One of these repeat footprint tracks are associated with The Patterson-Gimlin film, a short video shot by Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin in the wilderness of Northern California. The Patterson-Gimlin film, an American short motion picture capturing an unidentified subject that the filmmakers have claimed was Bigfoot, has captivated enthusiasts since it was shot back in 1967. In the famous piece of footage, a tall, hairy creature walked across the sand bar down in the creek bed, at one point seemingly making eye contact with the camera lens. 'That's a female,' Meldrum said. 'We have good, extensive documentation of her footprint record.' However, on one occasion, researchers didn't just find her prints again - they discovered two smaller sets of prints alongside her own. 'Her footprint measures nearly 15 inches,' Meldrum explained. 'She was in company with a 13 and an 11 inch, which I think were offspring.' Meldrum, who has investigated prints from across the globe, also possesses other credible evidence, including separate tracks believed to be left from baby Bigfoot. 'The smallest set of footprints I have measures about four inches long, which is probably the earliest that they're able to walk on their own, be put down and leave little, little tracks,' Meldrum revealed. 'We have them right on up through the size range from about four inches to the biggest, credible one measuring about 19 inches.' For well over a century, the hunt for Bigfoot has captivated the world with countless encounters that seem to vanish in an instant, leaving skeptics and enthusiasts alike to wonder how the elusive creature always seems to slip away. One possible explanation for their elusive nature and the difficulty in discovering them could simply be their rarity, as Meldrum theorizes that for every 200 black bears in an area, there's likely only one Sasquatch. Ultimately, they are believed to be largely solitary with a rare offspring or two in tow. 'Probably with orangutans as well, they only reproduce every six to eight years,' Meldrum said. 'It's infrequent that there's any reason to cohabitate with the male.' The male, Meldrum said, broadcasts his presence through loud calls. The calls are described as raucous, loud screams echoing through the wilderness. 'I think they are the way by which they space themselves and remain in contact as they're dispersed over large, large areas and distances,' he explained. From the moment Lee Harvey Oswald was charged with President John F Kennedy's murder, the director of the FBI set out to prove the gunman was a Marxist 'nut' acting entirely alone. Two days after the killing, on November 24 1963, J Edgar Hoover told a top aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson: 'The thing I am most concerned about... is having something issued so we can convince the public that Oswald is the real assassin.' Note that Hoover did not say 'lone' assassin, but 'real' assassin. His view was unshakeable. As assistant FBI director Alan Belmont later put it, Hoover believed that 'Oswald was responsible for the shooting that killed the President that Oswald was an avowed Marxist and an active member of the FPCC [the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, a pro-Cuba lobby group]' financed by Communist dictator Fidel Castro. At Hoover's instruction, deputy attorney general Nicholas Katzenbach sent a memo to President Johnson's assistant saying: 'Speculation about Oswald's motivation ought to be cut off.' And that's exactly what happened - so beginning the greatest cover-up of all time. On November 29, President Johnson signed an executive order to create what became known as the Warren Commission, named after its chair, Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States Supreme Court. Johnson who had his own links to organized crime, including key people in the plot to assassinate Kennedy set up the commission to manage the investigation. Since the FBI was the Warren Commission's investigative arm, it was Hoover who decided what evidence the commission would and would not see. A congressional inquiry would have been much harder to control. President John F Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally travel in the motorcade minutes before the 1963 assassination There was pressure to prove Lee Harvey Oswald, who was charged with the murder, was a Marxist 'nut' acting entirely alone Former CIA director Allen Dulles volunteered to join the commission and was, quite astonishingly, given a leading role. The appointment allowed Dulles to hide the CIA's entanglement with the mafia including when, together, the mob and the CIA tried to assassinate Castro in 1960. And when in my opinion all the evidence suggests the CIA and the mafia jointly murdered President John F Kennedy. Future president Gerald Ford, who has been described by numerous sources as the FBI's reliable friend in Congress, was another appointee. While Dulles would steer the investigation away from clues that led back to the CIA, Ford would keep the FBI in the clear despite the bureau's strong links with Lee Harvey Oswald and other key conspirators. Louisiana congressman Hale Boggs was also made a member of the Warren Commission. Like President Johnson, Boggs had received generous campaign contributions from sinister mafia don Carlos Marcello. It might seem fair, then, to conclude that neither Johnson nor Boggs had the slightest interest in pursuing trails that led back to him even though the evidence suggests the New Orleans don was the prime mover in the killing. Marcello was based in New Orleans but also, tellingly, controlled Dallas. And he was by no means the only mobster who wanted Kennedy and his younger brother Bobby out of the way. As attorney general, Bobby had enraged mafia bosses across America by openly declaring war on organized crime. No wonder the mob wanted his brother's presidency brought to an immediate and violent end. Why would Hoover oppose a proper investigation? One obvious reason is the mountain of evidence he had deliberately ignored in the months before November 1963. A proper investigation would have revealed that a steady flow of serious mafia threats to kill the president had crossed Hoover's desk in the months before the killing most overheard through illegal wiretaps. Hoover failed to report any of them to the attorney general, to the Secret Service or to the President himself. It was well-known that the Kennedys would force Hoover into retirement if Jack won a second term. Did Hoover ignore the mafia's threats because he wanted the mob to succeed? It's not a question Hoover wanted raised in public and the Warren Commission certainly didn't bring it up. Hoover was on record denying the American mafia even existed. Now, as luck would have it, Oswald's involvement meant he could blame Communists instead. Whether genuine or contrived, Oswald's Marxist background he had once defected to Moscow before mysteriously returning to the US allowed Hoover to boast that America should worry about the Red threat, not the mafia. On December 3, three days before the Warren Commission held its first executive session, Hoover issued clear guidance about the conclusions he expected it to reach. Acting on an authoritative leak, news agency United Press International reported : 'An exhaustive FBI report . . . will indicate that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone and unaided assassin of President Kennedy.' The Bureau duly concluded despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary that Oswald was a 'lone nut'. This theory had already been destroyed by November 24 when mafia thug and nightclub owner Jack Ruby murdered Oswald in a Dallas police station on live TV. Who would need to silence a lone nut? Hoover then doubled down and painted Ruby as a second 'lone nut'. The Warren Commission would not dare deviate from Hoover's FBI report, but went through the motions of investigating. This included a trip to visit Ruby in Dallas, who begged to speak with them. Ruby did not feel safe in Dallas, a city in the grip of organized crime, and pleaded to be taken to Washington. 'I want to tell you the truth,' Ruby told Warren. 'I can't tell it here... I have been used for a purpose'. That purpose? To stop Oswald from talking about the mafia's involvement, of course. Yet Warren showed zero interest in Ruby's 'purpose'. He did not even as a matter of simple curiosity - ask Ruby who had 'used' him or to serve what 'purpose'. Ruby's request to be taken to Washington was dismissed. On September 27, 1964, after ten months of receiving carefully handpicked 'evidence' from Hoover, the commission's 888-page report was made public. CBS News was immediately flooded with what it termed 'thousands of letters asking the network to further investigate the suspect claim that Oswald had acted alone'. Most Americans believed there was indeed a conspiracy and that it had been covered up. Two days after the killing, on November 24 1963, J Edgar Hoover (pictured) told a top aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson: 'The thing I am most concerned about... is having something issued so we can convince the public that Oswald is the real assassin.' President Lyndon B Johnson takes his oath of office next to Jackie Kennedy, who was still covered in her husband's blood As attorney general, Bobby Kennedy had enraged mafia bosses across America by openly declaring war on organized crime It is striking that the very first 'conspiracy theorists' were the people riding in the Dallas motorcade itself: Texas Governor John Connally and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. When the shooting started and a bullet hit Connally, he yelled, 'Oh no, oh my God, they are going to kill us all.' When President Kennedy was shot, the First Lady cried: 'My God, what are they doing? My God, they've killed Jack, they've killed my husband.' Although some people may tend to say they and them when confused and traumatized, neither Governor Connally nor Mrs Kennedy ever accepted that Oswald had acted alone. Even some members of the Warren Commission had doubts. The report, after all, had ignored the vast majority of witnesses who insisted that some shots came from a grassy knoll overlooking Dealey Plaza. It also took no account of the many witnesses who saw snipers at a number of windows in the Texas School Book Depository a building looking down on the motorcade - where Oswald worked. Then there was the ridiculous 'single-bullet theory', which defied the laws of physics. There was an abundance of evidence that more shots were fired than Oswald using a bolt-action rifle could possibly have squeezed off. Yet the commission tried to claim that the bullet striking Governor Connally had first traveled through Kennedy, who was seated directly behind. This magic bullet, fired from a sixth-floor window, supposedly entered Kennedy's back, turned upward, exited through his throat, then turned downward, entered Governor Connally's back, bore through his torso, nicked two ribs, exited his chest cavity, hit his wrist bone and settled in his thigh. The cover-up is all the more blatant given the sheer scale of what Hoover must have known about his own FBI colleagues. Right-wing elements in both the FBI and the CIA loathed Jack Kennedy for failing to depose Castro. Men from both agencies had trained angry Cuban exiles in the art of warfare. The Cuban militants were praying that, with their help, the US would invade their former homeland but they viewed Kennedy as an obstacle. The mafia, meanwhile, hoped that deposing El Comandante would allow them to reclaim the multi-million-dollar casinos he had confiscated. Mobsters such as Marcello maintained close relations with the Cuban paramilitaries and backed their cause. It is clear to me that, to a greater or lesser extent, all these groups came together to kill Kennedy. Yet the ease of the assassination suggests it was condoned or even planned, not just in mafia hideouts in New Orleans and Dallas, but in Washington itself. Right-wing elements in the FBI and the CIA loathed Jack Kennedy for failing to depose Fidel Castro, pictured right with revolutionary Che Guevara Carlos Marcello was a mobster boss based in New Orleans but also, tellingly, controlled Dallas Consider the astounding security lapses detailed by Jesse Curry, Dallas police chief at the time, who pointed much of the blame at the Secret Service. In his 1969 book, JFK Assassination File, Curry picked out Winston Lawson, a senior agent who arrived in Dallas on November 12, ten days before the assassination. Curry claimed that Lawson 'directed the security arrangements [for the motorcade] in every detail'. What were those details? To start, 'Lawson told his men to leave the top off', meaning that agents were ordered to remove the protective bubbletop from the presidential limousine. Agents Clint Hill and Jack Ready were told not to stand on the rear riding steps of the car. Hill's large frame would have obstructed a clean shot from the School Book Depository. Lawson said that eight motorcycles around the President's vehicle would be too many; two on either side would be sufficient. Those motorcycles were positioned level with the rear fender rather than riding alongside the limousine, which might have interfered with a shot from the grassy knoll. The Press vehicle, loaded with photographers, was supposed to be two cars behind the President but was bumped to the rear of the procession without explanation. Dallas police were told to stand with their backs to the crowd, making it impossible to spot suspicious persons. The police crowd detail ended one block short of what proved to be the 'kill zone' on Elm Street. As I have laid out elsewhere in my book, the 90-degree turn the motorcade made to reach Elm Street was a last-minute route change one demanded by the Secret Service. This slowed the presidential limousine to a crawl, making Kennedy an easy target. Chief Curry wrote: 'Security was comparatively light along the short stretch of Elm Street where the President was shot... it seems a freak of history that this short stretch of Elm Street would be the assassination site, and that the Texas Book Depository Building was virtually ignored in the security plans.' Indeed. In fairness to Winston Lawson, it seems he was following orders from a higher power. He told the Warren Commission that the route through the downtown area of Dallas regarded as more risky had been 'wanted back in Washington'. The President's longtime secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, wrote: 'Our own advance man urged that the motorcade not take the route through the underpass and past the book depository but he was overruled.' By whom? It's an important question. Without these many puzzling security lapses, the perfect hit could never have happened. The oddities do not end there. When President Kennedy was pronounced dead, Secret Service agents wrested his body from the Dallas County medical examiner, Dr Earl Rose, who had every lawful right to perform the autopsy. Kenny O'Donnell, who was present with Secret Service agents, described a tense stand-off with foul language and 'fists doubled [when] Dr Rose... did not get out of our way'. The stolen corpse was taken to the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, where many believe an autopsy was performed to hide the true direction of the bullet that ended Kennedy's life. The presidential limousine, with brain tissue still on the seats and floor, was also treated strangely. Time magazine reporter Hugh Sidey said: 'A guard was set up around the Lincoln as Secret Service men got a pail of water and tried to wash the blood from the car.' The limousine was then driven back to the airport, put on a cargo plane and flown to Washington, where it was quickly and inexplicably repaired and reupholstered. It is quite apparent to anyone without blinders on that, whatever role played by the mob in President Kennedy's death, it could not have succeeded without help from an elite government cabal. The day after the assassination, as Hoover went to gamble at the racetrack, Bobby locked himself inside the Lincoln bedroom of the White House where he was heard sobbing in his sleep and chanting: 'Why, God, why?' Should we be so audacious as to answer for the Almighty, we might respond: 'Why, Bobby, did you pick fights with the CIA, the FBI, Lyndon Johnson and 5,000 sworn mafia killers across the country with another 5,000 CIA-trained and very angry Cuban militants waiting in the wings?' At first and in public no doubt understanding the scale of the forces ranged against him - Bobby Kennedy endorsed the verdict of the Warren Commission, however ludicrous. But for years to come, whenever anger erupted from inside him, Bobby would blame his brother's death on 'those Cuban c***s' and Carlos Marcello, the 'guy from New Orleans'. But never Lee Harvey Oswald, who, at best, was a pawn if not an outright patsy. Borgata, Clash of Titans, the second part of Louis Ferrante's History of The American Mafia is published by Pegasus in the US, price $29.95 and Weidenfeld & Nicolson in the UK, price 25. A dating app predator with an appalling history of denigrating women has adopted the name of a video game character in a futile attempt to hide his shameful past. Anton Smolin, who wrote a disturbing sex guidebook book titled Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath, is now calling himself Anton Sokolov. Anton Sokolov is the name of a sinister scientist, painter, sculptor, physician and inventor who appears in the action-adventure game Dishonored. 'In his spare time, Sokolov is a drunkard and womaniser, as well as a wishful practitioner of black magic,' says an online description of Sokolov. Smolin has a history of sending abusive messages to women he meets on dating apps and told one vulnerable 20-year-old she should kill herself. He has previously boasted in parts of his book, which was tendered in defamation proceedings, of having 'de-virginised' girls aged 14 and 15 in Brisbane. The 43-year-old has labelled women 'stupid b***hes' and 'fat pigs' when they cancelled dates or changed meeting arrangements after matching with him online. He has admitted to keeping an Excel spreadsheet of his 'sexual conquests' and called himself a psychopath 'with almost no empathy or moral and ethical standards of any kind'. Anton Smolin, a dating app predator with an appalling history of denigrating women, has changed his name to a video game character in a futile attempt to hide his shameful past Anton Smolin is now calling himself Anton Sokolov, a sinister scientist, painter, sculptor, physician and inventor who appears in the action-adventure game Dishonored (above) Smolin has struggled to find work since Daily Mail Australia first exposed his vile treatment of women in November 2023. The electrical engineer moved from Sydney to Brisbane last year and now lives in the city's north-eastern suburbs. Daily Mail Australia's previous stories about Smolin no longer appear at the top of Google searches, six months after he unsuccessfully offered this reporter money to take them down. In February, Smolin changed his name on the land title of a house in western Sydney to Sokolov then lodged a similar application for a Brisbane investment property last month. He now appears as Anton Sokolov rather than Smolin on the National Engineering Register and on the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland's website. Smolin identified himself as 'Anton' in a brief telephone conversation on Friday but when asked why he had changed his name said: 'Sorry, who are we talking about? I think you have the wrong number.' Four women had described their dealings with Smolin and his habit of erupting in blind fury when they cancelled or changed arrangements made on Hinge. Smolin told one woman who decided against meeting up, 'Just f**k off, you stupid fat pig', and told another who declined a second date, 'You're such a stupid, lying b***h'. Smolin has a history of sending abusive messages to women he meets on dating apps and has previously boasted in parts of a book tendered in defamation proceedings of having 'de-virginised' girls aged 14 and 15 in Brisbane He sued for defamation in the NSW District Court, claiming Daily Mail Australia had destroyed his reputation and caused him to be sacked by wrongly portraying him as a psychopath, sexual predator and misogynist. Smolin denied making offensive comments to women but his legal action backfired spectacularly in September last year after Smolin was unmasked as the author of Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath. Having abandoned his claim, Smolin continued to deny he wrote the book, even though his name, photograph and mobile phone number appear in publicity material. Smolin's Goodreads summary of Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath, published in 2014, explained what readers could expect, including descriptions of acts too graphic to publish. 'Some of the content is explicit, and some is very explicit,' he stated. 'If you would be uncomfortable reading about... a four-on-one gang bang of a blindfolded and tied-up girl, or a 20+ person orgy involving a toothless grandma and a mentally retarded person, then read no further.' Parts of the book tendered in defamation proceedings offered advice to other men on how to overcome 'last minute resistance' from 'targets' and Smolin discussed the risk of being charged with rape if he had sex with an unconscious Lithuanian woman. 'There is nothing in my rulebook about not f***ing a b**ch that I hooked up with, who just happened to pass out before giving consent,' he wrote. Smolin had told 20-year-old student 'Emma' - who he knew was mentally fragile and did not want to have sex with him - she should kill herself Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath, published in 2014, was a first-person account of Smolin's sordid sexual exploits in Australia and around the world The book featured an Excel spreadsheet of women with whom Smolin claims to have had sex - including their names, ages, ratings of their attractiveness and prowess, and his age at the time. It also showed images of naked and semi-naked women, some of whom appeared to be unconscious, suggesting the photographs were taken without their consent or knowledge. As soon as it became clear the book would form a crucial part of Daily Mail Australia's defence in the defamation case, Smolin capitulated and consented to a judgment and costs order being made against him. Judge Judith Gibson also granted an application made by lawyers acting for this publication to hand Seduction Chronicles of a Psychopath to police for investigation into possible criminal conduct by Smolin. It later emerged Smolin had been convicted and put on a good behaviour bond last March for using a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend a woman in January 2023. Smolin had told 20-year-old student 'Emma' - who he knew was mentally fragile and did not want to have sex with him - she should kill herself. Emma had obvious scars from self-harm which Smolin had seen in photographs on her social media profiles, and he used that knowledge to torment her before suggesting various methods of suicide. Smolin has admitted to keeping an Excel spreadsheet of his 'sexual conquests' and called himself a psychopath 'with almost no empathy or moral and ethical standards of any kind' Despite Emma insisting she had no interest in having sex with Smolin, he accused her of being a prostitute in a torrent of abuse which began on WhatsApp and continued via text after she blocked him. Some of Smolin's dating tactics were laid bare by the women who spoke to Daily Mail Australia in November 2023. One woman who met Smolin on Hinge had made plans to meet him the next night but after several conversations over WhatsApp decided against it. 'Hey there, I am actually going to pass I think, as I don't think there'd be much of a connection there,' she wrote. The woman's polite message was met with outrage from Smolin. 'Why? I did nothing wrong. You're such a weirdo time-wasting idiot,' he said. 'Just f**k off, you stupid fat pig. That's the reason you're single: because you're an annoying fat piece of s**t. Nothing to do with not enough intelligent men being available. 'Go eat some more takeaway... Men love fat pigs.' 'First you cancel, then last minute tell me that you're not into anything sexual,' Smolin wrote to 'Emma'. 'WTF? You're so f***ing stupid, rude and inconsiderate' Another woman who declined a second date with Smolin after drinks at the Opera Bar received a barrage of abuse when she told him 'we don't really click.' 'I cannot believe what a rude, annoying, inconsiderate idiot you are,' Smolin said. 'If you did not want to meet, you could have just said so. There was no need to waste so much of my time. You're such a stupid, lying b***h.' Smolin objected when a third woman told him she would be driving to the same harbourside venue because it was a Monday night and she did not want to drink. 'No,' he wrote. 'Date cancelled.' Smolin contacted Daily Mail Australia in October last year offering money to have the stories about him taken down so they could not be accessed online. He said the articles were 'hindering my ability to earn a living' and claimed he had to financially support his sick mother. 'I need to find a well paying job in order to take care of my family and myself, and your articles are preventing me from doing that,' he wrote. One of Smolin's online profiles stated he was 'wealthy, intelligent, confident, tall and handsome', with a 'great sense of humour' and 'highly developed conversational skills' 'I am sorry for any wrongdoings that I have done. I assure you that I will be on my best behaviour from now on. 'That ancient book you dug up was written more than 10 years ago, and is about stuff that happened 10-20 years ago. I am a completely different person now. 'We all have made mistakes in the past. Would you like payment in exchange for taking the articles down? If yes, how much?' The Chinese Community Party (CCP) are using a menacing array of methods to crush dissent by intimidating and silencing activists living abroad. Beijing have targeted campaigners living in the UK, Canada and Australia through physical threats, pressuring family members back home and even placing bounties on them worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. It is believed to be part of a global effort from authorities to ensure that any repression in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan is kept out of sight. President Xi Jinping has been accused of limiting freedom of speech and assembly within Chinese territories, and cracking down on Uyghur Muslims and Tibetans. Activists living abroad have consistently raised such issues with Western politicians and media, piling pressure on Western governments to take a stronger line when dealing with Beijing. But Chinese authorities have sought to clamp down on foreign dissent by placing bounties of one million HK dollars - worth over 100,000 - on opposition figures on charges of contravening the Beijing-imposed national security law. Of the 19 victims, 10 are fugitives to the UK, four to the US, three to Canada and the remaining two live in Australia. China's tactics against these individuals go much further than offering payment for their detainment, according to the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation (CFHK). They said officials regularly employ people to engage in digital harassment, physical threats and following their targets. Hong Kong authorities have placed bounties of one million HK dollars on 19 overseas activists for allegedly contravening the Beijing-imposed national security law President Xi Jinping has been accused of limiting freedom of speech and assembly - especially in the special administrative region of Hong Kong - and cracking down on Uyghur Muslims and Tibetans Chloe Cheung, who works for the CFHK, was a direct target of such practices. Giving evidence to MPs last month, she said being placed on a bounty list has been a 'nightmare' affecting her 'mentally, emotionally, and physically in profound ways that I never expected.' Since being listed, she said she received a 'barrage of sexual harassment messages and threatening comments on social media' as well as being followed home by 'two suspicious men of Chinese ethnicity'. Cheung added: 'I was now genuinely concerned that these individuals had either been sent to monitor me or, in the worst-case scenario, potentially attempt to kidnap me.' She told MailOnline: 'The long arm of the Chinese Communist Party has reached into my life here in the UK, a place where I was supposed to feel safe. Instead, I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering if I'm being watched or followed. 'The threats, the isolation, and the sense of always being hunted are exhausting. No one should have to live like this just for speaking out.' Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in the US accused Litang Liang, of Massachusetts, of acting as an agent of Beijing by collecting information about Boston-area residents, organisations and dissidents and sharing the details with Chinese authorities. He was cleared in February following a six-day trial, however. Chloe Cheung was accused of 'incitement to secession' and 'collusion with a foreign country' She recently took part in a protest marking the first anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Ordinance Article 23 Cheung told MailOnline: 'The long arm of the Chinese Communist Party has reached into my life here in the UK, a place where I was supposed to feel safe' Amnesty International say Hong Kong disapora groups face harassment at community events, online trolling and intimidation on university campuses. In a landmark report released last year, human rights group said it was 'not uncommon for participants who have either organised or participated in Hong Kong-related protests to be photographed without consent by hostile individuals.' They also warned that the CCP might work to manipulate anti-immigration sentiment in the UK to prevent people from attending such gatherings in the first place. Friends and family of UK-based demonstrators are also subject to pressure from the Hong Kong or Chinese authorities to either encourage them to stop their activism - or to cut contact entirely. Kerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK's Director of Campaigns, said: 'The Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have honed a deeply concerning pattern of repression against Chinese and Hong Kong activists, wherever they are in the world. 'With the long arm of Chinese and Hong Kong authorities using various tactics of harassment, intimidation and surveillance on pro-democratic activists and their overseas students to silence, control or deter dissent - this includes threats against their family members in China and Hong Kong, coercion by police or officials abroad to make individuals return to China; and the abuse of Interpol Red Notice and extradition requests.' Targeting family members still living under Chinese rule can also further increase pressure on campaigners to curb their activities. On Thursday it emerged that Hong Kongs national security police questioned the parents of Frances Hui, the first high-profile Hong Kong activist to be granted political asylum in the US. In February, two family members of Carmen Lau Ka-man, a former district councillor in Hong Kong, were taken away by police for questioning. She said: 'This is nothing more than an attempt to intimidate Hong Kongers, both in Hong Kong and overseas.' A month earlier, the wife and son of another fugitive were summoned by Hong Kong's national security police. It is believed they were investigating whether they were providing assistance to Chung Kim Wah, who fled to the UK in 2022. Hong Kong authorities have cracked down on protests in the territory Campaigners have continued to raise the Hong Kong cause while living overseas to put pressure on Western governments to take a tougher line on China In response, Beijing have targeted campaigners living in the UK, Canada and Australia through physical threats, pressuring family members back home and even placing bounties on them worth hundreds of thousands of pounds Authorities have also made it more difficult for their targets to ever return to living a normal life in China or Hong Kong - if they are able to return at all. Ted Hui, a former pro-democracy legislator who is now based in Australia, had his assets frozen in 2020. Earlier this year a Hong Kong court allowed the government to confiscate HK$800,000 - around 81,000 - as they accused him of obtaining the money 'from committing offences endangering national security'. Hui was one of seven overseas campaigners to have their passports cancelled late last year. Secretary for Security Chris Tang said his government were taking action against those who ignored the 'ample time' given to them to return to Hong Kong and surrender. Ted Hui, a former pro-democracy legislator who is now based in Australia, had his assets frozen in 2020 He was one of seven overseas campaigners to have their passports cancelled late last year Earlier this year the Daily Mail revealed that bounty letters were being delivered to the neighbours of anti-China campaigners living in Britain. Lau accused the CCP of increasing its intimidation tactics after neighbours were told to deliver her to the Chinese embassy for money. She told the Mail: 'The authorities are intentionally trying to target young activists to stop our work but we will continue to advocate for democracy. 'Many of us fled Hong Kong for freedom but even on British soil we can not exercise our freedoms.' Her ordeal came weeks after exiled pro-independence campaigner Tony Chung was made aware of crudely printed notes offering a reward for 'any information on this wanted person' or to anyone who can 'take him to the Chinese embassy'. In December Mr Chung, who fled the Chinese territory in 2023 to seek asylum in Britain, was listed publicly along with five other overseas pro-democracy activists by Hong Kong authorities. Exiled pro-independence campaigner Tony Chung was made aware of crudely printed notes offering a reward for 'any information on this wanted person' or to anyone who can 'take him to the Chinese embassy Mr Chung, who fled the Chinese territory in 2023 to seek asylum in Britain, was listed publicly along with five other overseas pro-democracy activists by Hong Kong authorities in December Benedict Rogers, CEO of the Hong Kong Watch charity, suffered similar intimidation tactics from 2018 to 2020. He said: 'From early 2018, I received between 20 and 30 anonymous threatening letters, stamped and postmarked from Hong Kong. 'The first was one with a picture of me from the internet with the caption 'watch him', which was sent to all my neighbours in London. They told them that I was a dangerous individual and to keep an eye on me. 'They were designed to intimidate and scare me when they realised it wasn't having any effect, they moved on to others. 'It's an extremely concerning development and the Government and security agencies must take this seriously.' This method has also been tried in Australia. Hui raised the alarm after fake pamphlets accusing him of being a pro-Israel lawyer were allegedly mailed to mosques in Adelaide. Separately, letters offering a bounty for information about Kevin Yam, an Australian citizen wanted for alleged national security crimes in Hong Kong, were sent to homed in Melbourne. And earlier this month a Canadian MP, Paul Chiang, was forced to quit as a Liberal Party candidate over comments he made suggesting a political rival should be turned over to the Chinese consulate in return for a bounty. His opponent, Hong-Kong born Joe Tay, founded the Canada-based nonprofit group HongKonger Station, which promotes democracy and free speech. Letters offering a bounty for information about Kevin Yam, an Australian citizen wanted for alleged national security crimes in Hong Kong, were sent to homed in Melbourne The letters offered a reward of one million HK dollars for delivering him to the police Some activists are subject to vicious smear campaigns in a bid to ruin their reputations. Luke de Pulford, the Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), was named as an alleged co-conspirator when Hong Kong authorities charged media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai in 2024. Lai rejected accusations of conspiracy to commit foreign collusion and conspiring to publish seditious material - and de Pulford said the inclusion of foreign nationals was a worrying development in the tactics employed by authorities. At the time, he was told by the Foreign Office that he would be travelling at his own risk if he went to one of the more than 50 countries that had extradition treaties with China. The British citizen also claimed that a pro-Beijing impersonator managed to resign his Conservative party membership as part of a long-running attempt to discredit him. He told MailOnline: 'Dissidents have it much worse, but the fact that Beijing thinks it can bully foreign activists and politicians like this shows the true face of Xi's regime. 'They will stop at nothing to silence criticism and control the narrative. What's worse is that the UK government seems desperate to find an excuse to do nothing about it. 'In my own case, despite being the only UK-born citizen named as a conspirator in the trial of Jimmy Lai, the Foreign Office tried to deny that it had even happened. After they were proven wrong, they still didn't say anything.' Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai (C) is led into a police van as he heads to court to be charged under the territory's controversial new national security law in 2020 Luke de Pulford, the Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) was named as an alleged co-conspirator when Hong Kong authorities charged media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai British MPs have now warned that the Labour government must stop buckling to the Chinese regime amid a growing sense of belligerence and hostile behaviour. Phil Brickell, a Labour MP who is a member of IPAC, told MailOnline: 'The UK must publicly challenge the regime in Beijing on its systematic targeting of dissident political voices around the world. 'We've got to make it clear to Xi Jinping that the UK won't be pushed around, and that the sinister harassment of UK citizens and residents will not be tolerated. 'Having spoken to members of the Hong Kong community in my Bolton West constituency, it's clear there is a pervasive fear of reprisals for speaking out against China's communist regime. 'Human rights abusers should be sanctioned, regardless of how big or powerful they are. The government has the requisite tools at its disposal. It should use them.' Labour MP Sarah Champion, who chairs the APPG on Taiwan as well as the International Development Select Committee, told MailOnline: 'Having met some of the people targeted by these insidious tactics, I know just how chilling they are. 'Just as in China where neighbours are encouraged to rat on each other, UK neighbours are being contacted by CCP asking them to betray their ex Hong Kong friends. 'What is happening in our country that this is going unchallenged. When reported to the police, they don't seem to think it's their remit to get involved - so who is in charge of stopping this cross border intimidation?' Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesman, said the Labour government must stop 'cosying up' to Beijing. He added: 'China's global campaign to target pro-democracy Hong Kong activists is insidious. They are relentless in their transnational efforts to suppress criticism of their regime. 'Beijing has gone as far as to place bounties on the heads of activists living in the UK. We must take a stand against both the threats against these activists' lives and China's blatant disregard for UK sovereignty. 'Labour needs to make clear - in no uncertain terms - that China has crossed a red line through its tactics of intimidation. This needs to be made explicit in the Government's UK-China audit which Liberal Democrats have urged is published without delay.' Experts said that China's multifaceted use of oppressive tactics was 'hardly surprising'. Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, told MailOnline: 'The methods listed come out of the classic bullying tactics used by authoritarian states. 'The systematic use of such tactics in the UK reflects how much or, in reality, little respect the Chinese state has for British law, despite its protestation of friendliness to the UK. 'As the Chinese Government likes to say, one should always hear what the others have to say and watch their deeds.' Labour MP Sarah Champion said the tactics were 'insidious' and had a 'chilling' effect Phil Brickell (R) said the UK 'must publicly challenge the regime in Beijing on its systematic targeting of dissident political voices around the world' A government spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, undermining democracy and the rule of law, are unacceptable. 'We encourage anyone impacted to report concerns to the police.' On Tuesday, when questioned about transnational repression, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told MPs: 'State action in this country is growing, as are state-based threats. 'It is an important strand of the work we are doing on defence and security and it is constantly raised in international discussions. 'It is a serious threat and we generally underestimate that threat - it's very important we are alive to it.' A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy said: 'In recent times, overseas anti-China forces have fabricated the so-called "transnational repression", to maliciously slander and smear China. We firmly oppose this. 'China has always respected the sovereignty of other countries, and carried out law enforcement and judicial cooperation with them in accordance with the law. 'Its also Chinas principle to ensure that there are laws to abide by and lawbreakers must be dealt with. Criminals who flee overseas must be persecuted by Chinese law.' 'It would be a total lie for me to say I feel sympathetic about the children dying such a painful death,' says Kwon Hyuk, as he remembers his time running a concentration camp in North Korea. 'Under the society and the regime I was in at the time, I only felt that they were the enemies. So I felt no sympathy or pity for them at all.' As chief of management at Camp 22, buried in the remote mountains of North Hamgyong, it was once his job to watch the cruel experiments on political prisoners. 'I witnessed a whole family being tested on suffocating gas and dying in the gas chamber,' he said in frank comments to the BBC in 2004. 'The parents, son and a daughter. The parents were vomiting and dying,' he said, but desperately tried to resuscitate their children until their last breath. Camp 22 was reportedly closed eight years later, in 2012. And North Korea rebuked the claims as part of a US-inspired 'smear campaign'. But Kwon Hyuk, who spoke out in the hope that the regime's evils would at last be exposed, is joined by hundreds of voices corroborating his stark assessment of the 'banality of evil' in our times. A North Korean soldier looks out from behind barbed wire at a camp A South Korean soldier, left, experiences what it is like to be held in a North Korean cell at the Korean War exhibition in Seoul in 2010 North Korean despot Kim Jong Un grins during a visit to a special forces training session at an undisclosed location in North Korea on April 4, 2025 Soon Ok-lee, a mother and wife, was imprisoned for seven years at one of the North Korean camps. In her 1999 book, Eyes of the Tailless Animals: Prison Memoirs of a North Korean Woman, she described the horrors of being falsely accused, tortured and jailed. Within the confines of Kaechon concentration camp, in Pyungbuk province, she said she witnessed gross acts of experimentation committed against prisoners by staff. One day, she said, she was ordered to give poison to 50 healthy female prisoners. 'One of the guards handed me a basket full of soaked cabbage, told me not to eat it but to give it to the 50 women,' she later told the BBC. 'I gave them out and heard a scream from those who had eaten them. 'They were all screaming and vomiting blood. All who ate the cabbage leaves started violently vomiting blood and screaming with pain. 'As soon as they ate it, blood came out from their mouth and anus,' she later told NBC. 'And they died. I saw that in 20 or 30 minutes they died like this in that place.' Soon told the outlet the staff were 'biochemical testing' with a new substance, poisoning prisoners to check its efficacy. 'I cannot forget that image. She said. I wonder how a human being can kill another healthy human like that.' The order was given by Kim Jong Il, she said. 'I saw so many poor victims. Hundreds of people became victims of biochemical testing.' She said that she was imprisoned in 1987, while working as a manager of a product supply office. The economy went into recession and the supply of materials was not in good condition, she said. 'That's why I was imprisoned.' Over the next seven years, she would be beaten with belts, forced to drink water and stamped on until 'the water came out of my mouth and anus', and fed on just 100 grams of corn for each meal. In that time, she said, her spine started to shrink under the intense conditions of forced labour in an ironworks factory. 'I looked like a strange animal,' she said. Many did not survive. Soon described witnessing public executions and the torture of men, women and children. She said that political prisoners were forbidden from having children, so pregnant mothers were injected with saltwater to try to kill the baby - even at eight or nine months of pregnancy. 'From time to time there a living infant is delivered, and then if someone delivers a live infant, then the guards kick the bloody baby and kill it.' Starved to the point of exhaustion, she said prisoners would try to catch the many rats scurrying around the complex. 'When we could catch rats we thought it was a fortunate day. If we were found catching rats we were put in a separate solitary cell. When we caught a rat, we didn't cook it. We just ate it.' Sketches commissioned by defector Kim Kwang-il depicted the horrific torture of prisoners Corpses left in the gulag: 'The mice eat the eyes, nose, ears, and toes of the corpses' Guards observe as prisoners are made to stay in stress positions until exhaustion Soon's story is sadly not unique. Defectors have managed to extract secret documents detailing evidence of the use of gas chambers in North Korean prisons. Lin Hun-hwa, a victim, was named in a report from Camp 22 doing nothing to conceal the abuse taking place within. 'The above person is transferred from...camp number 22 for the purpose of human experimentation of liquid gas for chemical weapons,' read a transfer letter dated February 2002. Kwon Hyok, a former prison Head of Security at Camp 22, told the BBC that laboratories had been fitted to deliver poison gas and suffocation gas as part of ghastly experiments on inmates. Three or four people, usually a family, would be shepherded into a chamber after undergoing medical checks. The chambers would be sealed and gas fed in through a tube as scientists stood by to observe. While North Korea said the story was a fiction, BBC reporter Olenka Frenkiel said she had independent confirmation that the defector was genuine, and had seen documentation confirming an inmate's transfer for human experimentation. Im Cheon-yong corroborated with similar claims. An officer in North Korea's special forces, Im said he was privy to tests on prisoners aimed at bolstering the military with biological and chemical warfare threats. 'For the biological and chemical warfare tests, we needed "objects",' he told German outlet DW in 2014. 'At first, they used the chemical agents on mice and showed us how they died. 'Then we watched the instructors carrying out the tests on humans to show us how a person dies. I saw it with my own eyes.' He said that he decided to flee the country after seeing children with mental and physical disabilities being used as test subjects for experimental weapons. 'The regime wants to do this "legally" so they offer to buy disabled children from their parents,' he told the Telegraph. 'If that doesn't work, they threaten them.' Im said that experiments on humans in North Korea dated back at least to the late 1960s, testing chemical and biological weapons for military use on citizens. 'They use anthrax bacterium as well as 40 different types of chemical weapons that the regime has developed itself,' he told DW. 'Through these experiments, they know the effects of the weapons and the amounts to be used.' Kim Myong-chol, executive director of The Centre for North Korea-US Peace, dismissed the claims as 'nonsense' retold to 'make money by attracting the attention of South Korea and the U.S.' But Japanese academic Toshimitsu Shigemura told DW there were 'too many of these stories now for them not to be true'. Pictured: Inmates at a North Korean prison camp. Defectors have described the horrors of experimentation on prisoners using chemical and biological weapons Starving prisoners line up to face another day of gruelling forced labour in some of the first ever photos to show inmates at a North Korean prison camp (taken in 2021) A North Korean prison policewoman stands guard behind fences at a jail on the banks of Yalu River, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong, May 8, 2011 One such story came from a defector identified only by his surname, Lee. Lee, a former North Korean biological weapons scientist, was said to have fled a research facility in the hermit kingdom in June 2015, taking with him what he claimed was 15 gigabytes of evidence on human experiments. 'His ostensible reason for defection is that he felt sceptical about his research,' a source from a North Korean human rights agency told South Koreas Yonhap news agency. Greg Scarlatoiun, director of the US-based Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, told Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat that Lees claims sounded plausible. 'We have been told similar stories in the past that human experiments are carried out in prison camps,' he said. In 2023, South Korea's Ministry of Unification compiled reports of such violations in a mammoth 450-page document based on the testimonies of more than 500 North Korean defectors. According to the report, officials at the North Korean Ministry of Social Security were allegedly blackmailing families into letting their relatives become human test subjects under the threat of sending them to prison camps. Human subjects were reported to have secretly been fed sleeping pills and forcibly taken to a facility called Hospital 83 to undergo various experiments. Disabled people, particularly those with dwarfism, were also deprived of their human rights and had medical procedures conducted on them against their wills. In 2015, nurses at one hospital were reportedly told to create a 'list of dwarfs' which was then used to prevent people with dwarfism from giving birth. One woman with dwarfism was allegedly forced to undergo a hysterectomy - a surgical procedure to remove her womb and prevent her from having a child - in 2017. Rampant state-led rights abuses were said to have taken place in communities, prison camps and elsewhere, including public executions, torture and arbitrary arrests. Women in detention were subjected to inhumane conditions including torture, forced labor, sexual violence and starvation. Everyday torture: One of the drawings by the guards, simply titled 'Detention centre' seems to depict a guard forcing a prisoner into a small opening in a wall This drawing depicts prisoners foraging among live wild animals. In the Korean description: 'out of starvation and hunger, find snakes and rats and you eat them' A North Korean soldier looks out from behind a barbed wire fence around a camp on the North Korean river banks across from Hekou, June 3 , 2009 North Korea remains one of the most elusive places on earth. Isolationism is built into its history - a policy in the north broken only by 35 years as a protectorate of Japan in the early 20th century. From behind thick walls, the country holds on to its conception of 'freedom' through the imposition of strict security controls and a zero-tolerance approach to dissent. But even further away from view, even more sinister characteristics of a dystopian state are said to exist under the guise of scientific inquiry. Defectors claim to have witnessed barbaric 'experiments' on human beings - mothers, fathers and children - in the name of preparing an army. To the camp commanders, the ends are justified by the means. Painting dissenters as enemies of the state, 'I felt no sympathy or pity for them at all'. Officials have no idea how common first-cousin marriages are in the UK because no-one has to keep track. Although it is illegal to marry your brother or sister, wedlock between cousins is still allowed. It means councils, who must legally register every marriage, don't track the scale of the issue. In Bradford, where cousin relationships are very common among the city's Pakistani community, council chiefs admitted that the exact proportion of marriages which are consanguineous is 'not known'. In response to MailOnline's Freedom of Information request, it said: 'This information is not required to be recorded.' None of the nearly 240 councils which responded to our probe kept hold of the data. Two refused to answer. Tories are pushing to ban the 'revolting' practice. Your browser does not support iframes. Evidence suggests inbreeding heightens the risk of birth defects and developmental delays, such as learning and speech problems. Children of first cousins are also estimated to have a 6 per cent chance of inheriting some genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis. For comparison, that is double the risk children of unrelated parents face. Doctors say this is because closely-related parents are more likely to carry the same faulty genes that trigger the illnesses. Cousin marriage was once common among Britain's upper classes. Historically it was seen as a way of firming up alliances and keeping wealth and land in the family. Just one per cent of white British couples are first cousins, experts estimate. For comparison, the figure was discovered to be around 37 per cent among couples of Pakistani heritage living in Bradford a decade ago. The rate is understood to have since dropped. Despite falling out of fashion, the practice is still common in some communities, such as travellers. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins, sharing a set of grandparents. Incest sexual intercourse between immediate relatives is illegal in the UK, even if consensual. Anyone caught can be jailed for up to seven years. Marriages between certain blood relatives, including with half-siblings, is also illegal. Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed drew huge flak last year for defending cousin marriage. In response to Tory MP Richard Holden proposing the bill to outlaw the practice entirely, Mr Mohamed bemoaned the 'stigmatising' of those in cousin marriages. Mr Mohamed, representing Dewsbury and Batley, said it can be seen as 'very positive' in some communities. This map, by Professor Alan Bittles an Australian expert in genomics, shows rates of consanguineous marriage around the world Instead of banning it outright, he said a 'more positive approach' involving advanced genetic tests for prospective married cousins would be more effective in addressing issues around it. Labour at the time refused to back moves to ban first-cousin marriages. One of Britain's foremost experts on child health also defended the right for first cousins to marry, dismissing concerns about inbreeding. Professor Dominic Wilkinson, an NHS neonatologist and ethics expert at the University of Oxford, argued a ban would be 'unethical'. Instead, Professor Wilkinson backed calls for such couples to be offered special screening on the NHS to help them decide if they should have children. Such tests can cost 1,200 privately. They are designed to spot whether prospective parents are carriers for the same genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy. From there such couples could then decide on if they should have children together, adopt or use reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Estimates on the prevalence of consanguineous marriage (between blood relatives) vary around the world. Studies have put Pakistan as having one of the highest rates globally at 65 per cent of unions. This City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council graphic explains some of the genetic risks of having children with a close relative. Everyone has two genes for every inherited feature in the body. One gene is inherited from the mother and the other from the father. The diagram shows a healthy couple who each carry one unusual gene for the same recessive disorder, such as cystic fibrosis. They do not have the disorder themselves because their other gene works normally. They are called 'healthy carriers'. If the child inherits a usual gene for the disorder from both parents the child would not have, or carry the disorder. If the child inherits a usual gene from one parent and an unusual gene from the other parent, the child would, like its parents, be a healthy carrier of the disorder and could pass the gene onto the next generation. If the child inherits an unusual gene from both parents then the child would have the disorder there is a one in four chance of this happening This is followed by Saudi Arabia (50 per cent), Afghanistan (40 per cent), Iran (30 per cent) and Egypt and Turkey (20 per cent each). Rates are around 10 per cent in India, research suggests. It comes after a study tracking cousin relationships in Bradford revealed they are no longer a 'majority' among the city's female Pakistani community. A decade ago, a Government-funded surveillance project found that 62 per cent of Pakistani heritage women were in consanguineous relationships. This figure has since dropped to 46 per cent. Dr John Wright, chief investigator of the Born in Bradford project, said it has gone from a 'majority activity to now being just about a minority activity'. He told the BBC: 'The effect will be fewer children with congenital anomalies.' The study itself, it was said, may indicate that the numbers of Pakistani people marrying cousins across the UK as a whole is also falling. Reasons behind the fall are thought to include high educational attainment, stricter immigration rules and changes in family dynamics. For 88 days, then-13-year-old Jayme Closs was trapped inside her kidnapper's home after he killed her parents and abducted her. Now, six years after her escape, brave Jayme is seen in new photos rebuilding her life. In the pictures posted to Facebook by her aunt Jennifer Smith, who is now her guardian, the 19-year-old can be seen broadly smiling as she posed with family members while wearing matching bridal shirts alongside the bride in June 2024. This photo was taken nearly four-and-a-half years after Closs had been kidnapped by Jake Thomas Patterson, then 22, in October 2018 in Wisconsin. He trapped under his bed after throwing her in the back of his red pickup truck after he fatally shot both of her parents on October 15, 2018. Closs finally escaped Patterson on January 10, 2019, when she bravely ran to his neighbors for safety in nothing but her pajamas and her captor's shoes on the wrong feet. In the years since her horrifying ordeal, Closs has been pictured multiple times in newly unearthed photos enjoying time with her family and pets, running in races, and traveling to SeaWorld Orlando for a family vacation in 2023. The teen also graduated high school in June 2023, where she decorated her cap with the words 'and so the adventure begins' and flowers adorned the ides of the cap. She's also kept her parent's legacy alive by visiting their gravesite on the anniversary in 2022, placing a blue heart plaque with the words: 'I love you mom and dad, love Jayme' on it. The latest photos, posted by her Aunt Jennifer Smith, the 19-year-old can be seen broadly smiling as she posed with family members while wearing matching bridal shirts alongside the bride in June 2024 The teen also graduated high school in June 2023, where she decorated her cap with the words 'and so the adventure begins' and flowers adorned the ides of the cap It was nearly four-and-a-half years since Closs had been kidnapped by Jake Thomas Patterson (pictured), then 22, in October 2018. And miles away from being trapped under his bed and thrown in the back of his red pickup truck after he shot both of her parents on October 15, 2018 DailyMail.com has reached out to the family for comment. Police nearly caught Patterson in the act as they raced toward the Closs' home after receiving a frantic 911 call from the girl's mother, Denise. Authorities sped past the abductor's maroon truck after he yielded not far from the family's home with Closs in the trunk. Three separate videos showed three squad cars pass by a maroon truck with Patterson and Closs inside. Once officers arrived at the home, they found the dead bodies of Denise and James and soon realized that Closs had been abducted. Police bodycam footage, released in 2019, revealed officers immediately suspected the truck that they had passed, as it was heading away from the Closs home. 'Do you want to run and download and try to see if you can pull any plates of cars going that way?' one police officer said in the footage. 'That maroon one that yielded?' another officer replied, referring to Patterson's truck. She also traveled to SeaWorld Orlando for a family vacation in 2023 Police nearly caught Patterson in the act as they raced toward the Closs' home after receiving a frantic 911 call from the girl's mother, Denise. Authorities sped past the abductor's maroon truck after he yielded not far from the family's home with Closs (pictured in 2020) in the trunk Once officers arrived at the home, they found the dead bodies of Denise and James and soon realized that Closs (pictured in July 2023) had been abducted The 22-year-old ordered Closs (pictured in February 2024) not to leave the home. Patterson told police he initially threatened to kill Closs if she made noise or moved. He said that once they arrived at his cabin, he burned her clothes and dressed her in his clothes, then laid her on the bed She's also kept her parent's legacy alive by visiting their gravesite on the anniversary in 2022, placing a blue heart plaque with the words: 'I love you mom and dad, love Jayme' on it Unfortunately, officers were unable to retrieve the license plate from the maroon vehicle, with Closs going on to spend 88 days in captivity inside Patterson's isolated cabin in rural Gordon, Wisconsin. Patterson later told investigators he pulled over for the deputies as they raced to the Closs home and feared they'd discover he had her in his vehicle just a matter of feet away from them. Investigation documents reveal that the 22-year-old concocted a plan to kidnap a young girl six to 12 months before he set his sights on Closs. He revealed to investigators that once he picked her as a target, he attempted to take her on two occasions, but didn't follow through. He insinuated he had sexual thoughts about Closs, but did not act on them because he was overridden with guilt over murdering her parents and couldn't 'do anything'. In their 88 days together, Patterson said he and Closs talked about everything except how he shot her parents dead in their Barron home. Patterson said they slept in the same bed, played board games, and he brought her Starbucks on one occasion. He even tried to change her appearance by cutting her hair once but she cried and said she didn't want him to, so he backed down. The documents revealed that Patterson allowed Closs to write a letter to her aunt on one occasion when he was drunk and felt overcome with guilt. He said he planned to send it, but never did. It was found in his possession when he was arrested. 'If it wasn't Jayme, it would probably be someone else,' Patterson told detectives (pictured: the house he kept her in) He revealed to investigators that once he picked her as a target, he attempted to take her on two occasions, but didn't follow through (pictured: the house he kept her in) He insinuated he had sexual thoughts about Closs, but did not act on them because he was overridden with guilt over murdering her parents and couldn't 'do anything' (pictured: the house he kept her in) Jayme is seen in a photo that was shared back when she was abducted in 2018 Jayme was found at Eau Claire Acres, a development located about 70 miles away from her home in Barron His transcript with authorities paints Patterson as an impulsive and controlling man, who believed he had complete command over Closs. 'I just trusted her and that, she wouldn't try to get out,' he said, adding that he never put extra locks on the doors or windows because he thought Closs would never leave. "I know that she was just f**king terrified of me," he is quoted as saying. The 22-year-old ordered Closs not to leave the home. Patterson told police he initially threatened to kill Closs if she made noise or moved. He said that once they arrived at his cabin, he burned her clothes and dressed her in his clothes, then laid her on the bed. When he left her alone he'd force her to lay underneath the bed and surrounded it with heavy tubs to keep her put. He did, however, let Closs outside occasionally for walks with him around the yard, but never off the property. Patterson didn't choose Closs for any particular reason. Patterson did not personally know Closs but he fixated on her after seeing her get off a school bus one day. He added that if he didn't choose Closs, he would have chosen another girl. When he left her alone he'd force her to lay underneath the bed and surrounded it with heavy tubs to keep her put (pictured: Closs in July 2022) Patterson was charged with two life sentences for killing Closs' parents and 40 years for abducting the young girl (pictured in May 2022) 'If it wasn't Jayme, it would probably be someone else,' Patterson told detectives. But Patterson was so steadfast in his plan, he said he'd kill anyone who stopped him from getting to the teen. Schoolmates exclusively told DailyMail.com in 2021 that Patterson lived in a weird 'time warp' world without a smartphone, social media or even an internet connection. He spent his free time holed up inside his family's isolated woodland cabin poring over outdoor survival guides and books about the military. Tristan Roberts, a longtime former neighbor, told DailyMail.com that Patterson seemed baffled when he first asked him at high school if he had a Facebook account. 'He stared at me blankly and said he wasn't interested in having one. He didn't even seem to have an email account to log on to, he was strictly a notes and paper guy,' Roberts said. 'His family were nice people but Jake's life was like something from a time warp. If he had a cell phone it was not a smartphone. All he was interested in was books. 'He didn't socialize, he didn't have what you would call real friends, just acquaintances. He just wanted to get home to read about survival and the military.' Patterson was given two life sentences for killing Closs' parents and 40 years for abducting Jayme. A Mississippi man who agreed to be a sperm donor claimed he was conned into co-parenting a child who wasn't even his - and he said he has the receipts to prove it. Brett Fairley, 28, of Mississippi, claimed to DailyMail.com that he lost a whopping estimate of $52,374.28 co-parenting with Maria Nguyen, for a daughter who wasn't even his after he initially only agreed to get her pregnant. After taking three paternity tests - including one that was court ordered - it allegedly revealed that Fairley shared zero percent paternity with the little girl and he's now claiming Nguyen 'trapped' him in explosive social media videos. Nguyen, 35, had little to say when contacted by DailyMail.com due to the gag order that Fairley acknowledged he was violating to tell his side, equipped with a large binder of evidence. 'I think things will come to light,' Nguyen told DailyMail.com over the phone, saying that 'karma' was coming for the 28-year-old. She declined to comment further due to the gag order. However, the alleged father is ready to risk jail time to tell his side of the story. Fairley declined an interview with DailyMail.com. Until August last year, Fairley never questioned that he was the little girl's father. And despite originally only agreeing to be a 'sperm donor', he had been co-parenting the girl, who is not identified, with Nguyen and had agreed to pay child support. At the girl's birth - which he originally didn't plan on attending - he signed the acknowledgment of paternity and the birth certificate, which makes him legally liable for the child. Fairley will admit he made the 'dumb' decision at the ripe age of 24 to become a 'sperm donor' to a woman he had previously had a 'one-night stand' with in December 2020. Brett Fairley, 28, of Mississippi , claimed to DailyMail.com that he lost a whopping estimate of $52,374.28 co-parenting with his alleged baby momma, Maria Nguyen, for a daughter that wasn't even his after he initially only agreed to get her pregnant Fairley will admit he made a 'dumb' decision at the ripe age of 24 to become a sperm donor to a woman he had previously had a one-night stand with in December 2020. And now he's taking his story to social media, even if he's risking jail time to do it After agreeing to be a 'sperm donor', Nguyen allegedly told Fairley (pictured together) that she was pregnant on June 6, 2021. However, Fairley claims she wasn't and had evidence to prove it 'She said she want[ed] nothing from me,' he admitted in a video. 'And instead of doing the smart thing and walking away, I said yes, because I was 24 and apparently thought the best use of my time was becoming a discount sperm donor for someone I wasn't even texting back. 'I was thinking with the wrong head, obviously,' he said as he showed a photo of him and Nguyen cuddled up together in a bathtub full of bubbles and alcohol - the alleged night she asked him to be a sperm donor. 'I really thought I could sleep with her and help her get pregnant and then go back to business as usual,' the entrepreneur said. 'Like thanks for stopping by! Good luck with the whole parenting thing! 'Top-tier dumba** behavior. I own that, I know it,' he said while wearing a 'not your baby daddy' shirt. The 'simple' decision would turn into a web of nightmares for Fairley, who would later discover the baby wasn't even his and after he claimed she allegedly conned him out $50,000 in child support and other expenses. Fairley claimed to know who the baby's real father is, but the man's identity has not been publicly revealed. 'I really thought I was just doing something nice for somebody, I've always been a giver,' he told podcaster Lucie Fink while blushing. Fairley says Nguyen's alleged con began in Summer 2021 and on June 6 of that year, she told the young Fairley that she was pregnant, even though she wasn't, the former baby daddy alleged. For nearly three years, Fairley helped raise the child as his own and it wasn't until his current girlfriend, who is a nurse, started questioning paternity that he found out the child wasn't biologically related to him Fairley had signed the birth certificate and Nguyen allegedly later asked him to pay child support and he agreed. He gave her almost $17,000 in support, Fairley revealed to DailyMail.com At a brunch - where Fairley videoed himself, Nguyen, and a friend Dillion - showed the mom-to-be heavily drinking, which he claims, in part, proves she wasn't pregnant. 'Dillion and I think it's weird that she's drinking,' he said in the multiple-part series. 'She insists it's okay.' It was the last time Fairley and Nguyen allegedly saw each before the child was born in early March 2022. It wouldn't be for roughly a week and a half later that Nguyen could have actually gotten pregnant, according to Fairley's investigation. That weekend, Fairley was back in California. Nguyen allegedly admitted she confirmed her pregnancy on June 12, 2021 - six days after she told Fairley he had successfully knocked her up - in now-deleted videos. On January 17, 2022, she sent an ultrasound to Fairley - which was featured in his videos - indicating that she was 32 weeks and one day pregnant. Fairley said that the time frame would have put her first day of her last menstrual cycle at June 6, indicating she could not have been pregnant when she told him. 'She knew, from the beginning, that I was never the father,' Fairley said in a social media video. 'She trapped me before there was even a baby.' The little girl was born in early March, but leading up to the big day, Fairley claimed Nguyen encouraged his family to be at the birth, which they agreed to. Nguyen had the baby in early March 2022. Until the paternity results came back, Fairley never questioned that it was his child He claimed that Nguyen tried to control him while they were co-parenting. He no longer has contact with the child (pictured: the children's baptism) Fairley, himself, flew from California to Mississippi for the birth, where he signed the birth certificate and paternity papers - a move he'd later regret. Sperm donors are not liable for child support. However, since Fairley signed the birth certificate and the acknowledgement of paternity and later agreed to child support, he can be held liable for it. His current girlfriend, Hadley Vlahos, previously told a podcast that Fairley became involved in the child's birth and life after his parents discovered their son agreed to get Nguyen pregnant as a sperm donor and encouraged him to active in her life and co-parent. Nguyen would eventually come to live with the baby in Fairley's Airbnb, causing him to loss nearly $31,000 in income, he revealed to DailyMail.com. Fairley stated that Nguyen would eventually go on to allegedly threaten to take the baby away from him unless he follows her demands, which include paying child support and for dance lessons, screenshots of text messages showed. 'She was trying to hijack my life,' he told Fink. She allegedly began to demand he pay for daycare, $10,000 in 'back' child support in August 2023, and $750 a month in additional child support, which he began paying in November 1, 2023, he claimed in his videos. In total, he spent $6,750 in child support payments, amounting to nearly $17,000 in total court ordered payments, he claimed to DailyMail.com. He took three paternity tests - including one that was court ordered - and all came back that he was not the father, according to his videos Fairley now helps his current girlfriend (pictured together) raise her three children and they do not plan on having more children In December 2023, Nguyen allegedly approached Fairley with the desire to be a family, which he declined, despite wanting to stay in the baby's life. A few days later, the small family celebrated Christmas together, where Nguyen posted photos of Fairley and the baby, screenshot showed. A few months later, she would allegedly threaten to take the baby away again after he posted photos on Valentine's Day with another woman, who was not his girlfriend. He would later send her money to buy her and the baby dinner after Nguyen made it clear she was upset, he said in a video while showing the text messages between the pair. Roughly a month later, he would meet his current girlfriend, Vlahos. On June 8, 2024, Fairley, Vlahos, and their children would hang out together. When Nguyen found out, Fairley claimed she freaked out on his mother, he said in the videos. 'She is with Brett. They are at [Hadley's] house right now,' his mother texted, according to screenshots. 'Hadleys? Ok, he needs to start answering me when I ask about my child or he will not get her anymore. Does he plan on staying there? Please ask him to call me or I will come get my daughter,' Nguyen replied, according to screenshots. 'He does not get to play house with my daughter and not answer when I ask about my daughter,' she continued. 'He needs to call me asap. Don't care who he's with. I want to know why my child is not home sleeping at 9pm.' Fairly claims that he Nguyen had lied after an ultrasound said she was 32 weeks pregnant, meaning the first day of her last period was the date she told him in June 2021 that she was pregnant - making it impossible for her to have been pregnant at that time, his videos showed A receipt of the first child support payment he sent to Maria on November 1, 2023 She later told Fairley's mother that she was losing it after her 'baby daddy' wasn't answering her back. Nguyen would allegedly go on to start talking about Brett and accusing him of being a 'dead-beat' dad. When Fairley first began replying to the accusations online in October, she got a restraining order against him and was court ordered to remove his videos. The gag order is still in place, which Fairley admitted he was violating. It was Vlahos, who is a nurse, that began to figure out the baby couldn't have been Fairley's. Nguyen had allegedly bragged her daughter was born on her due date and Vlahos began calculating her conception window, which was outside of the time Fairley was in town. Vlahos encouraged Fairley to get a paternity test done and he agreed, purchasing the test kit on Amazon for $68.95, records shared with DailyMail.com showed. When the young dad took the test, he expected it to come back that he was the father, but days after sending it off, it came back with zero paternity, a screenshot showed. At the time, the child was around 2.5 years old. He went on to spend $117 at Walgreens on another DNA test, which came back with the same results. Nguyen, Fairley, and the baby at the child's first birthday party, which Fairley paid for Fairly got a lawyer afterward, he told Fink, and started the process of getting off the birth certificate. While he's doing this, he claimed Nguyen was acting like a 'lunatic.' Eventually, he got a court-ordered DNA test that cost $364, resulting in the same outcome. And he is now trying to prove fraud to rid him of the paternity acknowledgement - the only way to revoke paternity in Mississippi. Fairley told Fink he had to 'grieve' losing a daughter after finding out the truth. Fairley does not plan on going on to have more children, nor does his current girlfriend, who has three. The last day he saw the little girl was after the second test, he told Fink. 'I told her I loved her,' he said. Fairley does not receive updates on the little girl's life as he doesn't want to open old wounds. The financial breakdown Fairley provided DailyMail.com Now, he's speaking his truth and showing his binder-full of evidence - despite the court having previously ordered he stay silent. 'I'm breaking the judge's orders,' he told Fink. He said he's not worried about sharing his story as he accused Nguyen of constantly breaking the order too. The 28-year-old's social media series of videos is currently still ongoing. From mandatory 13-hour workdays, to having 'intelligence and common sense' to making sure a certain brand of bagels are on the table for Sunday breakfast, these are only some of the outrageous demands the country's wealthiest require of staff. Some of New York's most affluent families live in the Big Apple and nearby Hamptons with loads of staff to maintain their dynasties and perfect estates. But with money comes... weird demands. Many families, of course, expect discretion and years of experience, but some also have a few rather specific requirements they expect staff to follow, and it's not just having clean shoes - although that's on there! A Southampton family is willing to pay $125,000 a year for a nanny with 'intelligence and common sense' - a feature that they claim is 'more critical' than 'dozens of years of experience,' a job posting on Hampton Domestics said. They also prefer a college-educated employee who is willing to work seven days a week for at least two weeks a month. A Sag Harbor family searching for a summer chef isn't looking for the next and brightest in the culinary market, but rather one that can follow directions - specifically, their weekend breakfast lineup. 'Breakfast on weekends should include a spread of bagels (from Goldbergs), lox, egg sandwiches, cream cheese, and fruit grilling/prepping prepared foods (ie. Steaks from Red Horse, salmon, salads, burgers etc.),' the posting read. A file photo of a luxury home in the Hamptons. Some of New York's most affluent families live in the Hamptons Despite the odd requests, specific demands, and the need to always be a 'yes-man,' most of the jobs come with high-paying salaries, medical benefits, and paid time off. 'The $25-an-hour salary doesnt exist anymore,' Vincent Minuto (pictured), who owns Hampton Domestic, said A Southampton family is willing to pay $125,000 a year for a nanny with 'intelligence and common sense' - a feature that they claim is 'more critical' than 'dozens of years of experience' (pictured: stock image) Goldbergs is a Southampton staple that started in 1949 that have a large presence on Long Island. While Red Horse steaks come from Red Horse Market, which claims to have the 'finest cuts [of meats] in the Hamptons'. Another Big Apple family is looking to hire a butler and a driver for up to $100,000 a year, but a 'proven sense of style' and 'aesthetic' are requirements for the job as this person will also has to help serve at dinner parties and drive guests around. A Hamptons family seeking a professional chef couple is also looking for a certain fashion look from its employees, with the woman being required to wear a dress with gloves, a job posting revealed. And other families have niche requirements, such as mobility needs. One California family is worried about 'finger dexterity' and the ability to stoop - whether morally or physically, one will never know! - to help with all the accounting and financial matters the family might need, an ad showed. Although the position doesn't say exactly what the 'competitive' salary is, a CPA license is required, as well as the ability to be 'discreet and calm,' alongside those flexible fingers. And don't forget kneeling, bending, sitting, visual acuity, and the ability to work up to 12-hour shifts. No biggie! Despite the odd requests, specific demands, and the need to always be a 'yes-man,' most of the jobs come with high-paying salaries, medical benefits, and paid time off. The Hamptons is seen above in a file photo aerial view The move caused wages to go up from around $60,000 a year for a housekeeper to at least $85,000. The majority of listings on Hamptons Domestic were offering jobs over $100,000 per year (pictured: stock image) Minuto worked for the largest private home in Manhattan for 18 years, and the Culinary Institute of America graduate also worked an internationally known restaurant But those high-paying salaries weren't always a thing and materialized as the COVID-19 pandemic took over the globe. 'It is an unprecedented market,' CEO of British American Household Staffing, Anita Rogers, told the Daily Beast in 2022. 'With COVID, an enormous amount of our clients move out to the Hamptons, and many have stayed.' The move caused wages to go up from around $60,000 a year for a housekeeper to at least $85,000. The majority of listings on Hamptons Domestic were offering jobs over $100,000 per year. 'The $25-an-hour salary doesnt exist anymore,' Vincent Minuto, who owns Hampton Domestic, told The Beast. 'Nobody wants to work for just the summer. They want full-time, year-round jobs [for] between $40 and $50 an hour.' Minuto, who wrote a domestic staff handbook, has helped wealthy families find staff for years, with even him having spent time managing a private home. Minuto worked for the largest private home in Manhattan for 18 years, and the Culinary Institute of America graduate also worked an internationally known restaurant. A homeowner has warned unmarried couples not to get 'sucked into the dream' of buying a property together without first signing a 'mortgage prenup'. Tom Lord, 33, admits he was 'naive' to 'jump into' buying a property with his first serious girlfriend soon after she graduated from university in 2017. But even he was unprepared for what would follow. The pair broke up just as the pandemic hit the UK and they remained living together in the house they co-owned during lockdown. In 2014 Tom was working part-time in Argos while living at home with his parents in Leeds after graduating from Newcastle university, where he met his girlfriend. Tom was two years above his girlfriend at university but had been travelling back and forth to spend time with her on weekends and holidays. Soon after she graduated, the pair decided to take the plunge and buy a property together in his home city. Both convinced their love would last, they put no financial safeguards in place should the worst happen. After three months of viewing properties, the couple set their hearts on a two-bed home in Garforth an area of Leeds. The 142,000 house meant they were sharing a 531 a month mortgage. The move made financial sense to their pair who felt it was smarter to be paying towards owning a property rather than renting and paying all that money to a landlord each month. Tom Lord, 33, a PR Account Director from Leeds, admits he was 'naive' to 'jump into' buying a property with his first serious girlfriend Despite their six-year relationship, Tom admits the couple had never 'tested' what living together other would be like Despite their six-year relationship, Tom admits the couple had never 'tested' what living together other would be like. 'Looking back, it was probably too soon', he says. Tom said: 'As soon as my girlfriend finished uni, I thought we could just jump straight into buying a house'. And, everything went smoothly at first. Tom and his partner settled into their new home without any issues. For a few years, life was good. However, things started to change when Tom joined a PR firm. His new job was very social and led him to spending more time out and about with clients or at work events. Tom said: 'I was out three or four times a week. This put strain on our relationship and we started having small arguments. 'She didn't drink so she didn't understand how you can expect to go for 'one or two' and end up staying out all night. 'These small arguments grew to a point where I was doing one thing and she just wanted to live a very different life. 'It wasn't that we didn't care about each other, we just realised we didn't want the same thing, so we decided to break up'. Tom re-negotiated his salary and adjusted his monthly mortgage payments to afford the house on his own. But when the pandemic hit, everything changed. His company cut salaries to 80%, putting him below the threshold required to cover the mortgage alone. Concerned about selling at that time and despite the tension, Tom and his partner decided to stay in the house during lockdown. Tom said: 'There was a respectful understanding and we both had their own space'. When the lockdown ended, Tom's financial situation improved, putting him in a position to buy out his ex from the house. They went through financial advisors, worked out what was fair, and agreed on a settlement. Tom continued living in the home they had once shared. There were penalties for remortgaging and early buy-outs The financial separation was arranged amicably. There were penalties for remortgaging and early buy-outs but it was clear that they both wanted to move forward with their lives. Tom said: 'She's intelligent, we sat down quite rationally, reflected on what we had both put in at the start. 'She was respectful and acknowledged that I had bought more furniture and put in more deposit. It wasn't easy but we met in the middle. At the end of the day, we both needed to move on'. Tom added: 'Looking back, I wish I'd been more cautious. You don't always think about the 'what-ifs' when you're young. You get caught up in the excitement of buying a house, and you don't think about things falling apart. Reflecting on the financial aspects of the breakup, Tom wishes he'd had the foresight to sign a Declaration of Trust or a 'mortgage prenup', which would have made the split far simpler. A Declaration of Trust is a legally-binding document that sets out how much each person has contributed to the costs of the property and how its value will be split upon sale. Tom said: 'It was a steep learning curve but now I'm more aware of how important it is to think these things through' 'If I could offer any advice to young couples it would be 'don't get sucked into the dream', think before you sign any contracts, and consider the possibility of it ending.' While Tom and his ex-girlfriend did not have their fairytale ending, they both came away from the relationship with their eyes opened to the financial realities of buying a house as a couple. Tom added: 'I've got a lot more equity in the house now than if we'd sold it at the time. I'd probably have had to go and rent, and I'd have been in a much worse position today. 'So me staying in the house has worked out. I see her sporadically and she's moved on too and is enjoying life.' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happens to the house if you break up with your partner? What happens to the house if you break up with your partner? Property experts five tips for co-owning couples Although every couple may wish for it not every relationship leads to a happy ever after. For thousands of couples across the UK, the reality of separation means facing tough decisions about their shared property and mortgage commitments. In fact, almost nine in ten Brits (89%) admitted that they hadnt discussed with their partner who was entitled to what in the event of their relationship collapsing. [1] This is perhaps not surprising given how hard it often is for first-time buyers to get that first foot on the property ladder. Couples will talk a great deal about how to secure their first set of keys and yet it is likely that little discussion is had about they would do if things didnt work out in future. Jo Pocklington, Managing Director of Purplebricks Mortgages says: In my 23 years experience, Ive seen the biggest property mistakes often happen when emotions are running high after a break-up. She has shared her top five tips to help home-owning couples facing a break-up. Couples will talk a great deal about how to secure their first set of keys 1. Assess your legal standing Im finding an increasing number of my clients go into joint property buying with a Cohabitation Agreement drawn up between them. This joint agreement clarifies how the partnership will run whilst you live together, how much you both contribute financially to any mortgage, any maintenance issues, household expenses etc.Within this there should also be a section on what will happen to the property and your individual shares in it, should you decide to separate and potentially sell. Your Cohabitation Agreement should help establish certainty and reduce the risk of future disputes. 2. Review your options by speaking to a trusted Broker No prior agreement in place? A trusted mortgage broker should be your first port of call because a qualified and trusted broker can help map out your financial options and help prevent costly mistakes during this difficult time. They'll help to assess whether you can afford to buy out your ex-partner, remortgage in your sole name, or need to sell the property entirely. Your broker can also advise on crucial timing aspects, such as when to initiate a remortgage application or whether you should remain on the existing mortgage until the property is sold. Its advisable, if possible, for you and your ex-partner to have a clear idea about what you both want and if there is any possibility of achieving this smoothly. This can be an emotionally challenging time - it is therefore crucial to remember you are not alone and that professional advice is available to help you assess the best options, and navigate on your behalf whilst taking away the emotional difficulties. 3. Sell the property Selling up and making a clean break can be the most straightforward solution. Despite an attachment to the shared home, many ex-couples choose this solution because it can give them the money to find somewhere else to live while potentially avoiding any unpleasant monetary discussions. However, timing can again play a crucial role when pursuing this option. Jo advises that couples should get an up-to-date valuation and calculate their likely equity split after settling the existing mortgage and covering selling costs. Often, it may be a good idea to consider if putting some money in to help towards renovations may be financially beneficial for both parties, this may be advised when the home gets a valuation and it can mean both homeowners have the opportunity to put more money in to get more out. It is also worth noting that couples should go into the sale with a realistic expectation on what they will get back. House prices may have gone up, meaning they will likely get more money than what they paid, but values could just as easily have gone down, meaning both parties receive less than they put in. It is worth couples considering whether to sell first and rent temporarily while they both find their ideal next home. This can reduce the pressure of trying to coordinate simultaneous purchases and gives you time to make clear-headed decisions about your next move. 4. If the mortgage is joint, continue making the payments and come to a legal agreement If an immediate sale or buyout isn't feasible, maintaining mortgage payments is critical to protect both parties' credit scores and future borrowing capacity. One of the biggest mistakes separating couples make is falling behind on their mortgage payments in the aftermath of a breakup. Despite whatever may have happened between the couple, its key to remember that until the property is formally transferred or sold, both people remain legally responsible for the mortgage. It can feel like the best solution is to go your separate ways and find the quickest solution, especially if the relationship ended on bad terms, but there is a benefit to taking your time to assess which options work better for the long term and which solution will give you both the best chance at moving on and finding a place of your own. It is also entirely possible for one person to take over the mortgage payments after the separation, this happens frequently when one partner has a significantly higher income than the other to make this viable. If your ex-partner volunteers to pay the monthly mortgage payments as a solution, you should still be regularly checking your mortgage account to verify that the payment has been made, ultimately it does not affect the lender who pays the mortgage, but it does need to be paid regardless of who is doing it. 5. One partner buys the other partner out Finally, it might not always be a preferred option for both sides to give up the property. Although many opt for the cut and run solution, this can leave both parties with an uncertain future. But, if its financially possible, one option could be for one person to buy out their exs share of the property. This is particularly appealing to those who have emotional ties to the property or if children are involved. If one person wants to remortgage to buy the other out in full, a mortgage broker can advise whether this is a viable possibility, and help find the best mortgage deal for the situation. But this process typically involves remortgaging to release equity to pay off your ex-partner's share, which needs to be based on a current market valuation. [2] A good way to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible is to arrange for a property valuation, this will reveal to you both how much money you are owed from your portion of the equity. However, you should also keep in mind that the process of remortgaging to buy someone out can offer some unwanted complications. [3] For example, there may not be enough equity in the property to remortgage at a higher amount or your ex-partner may simply not be able to pass the affordability calculation on their own. Although it may be the nicer solution because it gives one side the money to start again while also allowing the other to keep some normality and stability, there are also some additional costs you should consider like stamp duty, legal fees, and any early repayment charges on your existing mortgage when calculating the total cost of a buyout. Managing Director of Purplebricks Mortgages, Jo Pocklington adds: In my 23 years of experience, I've seen that the biggest property mistakes often happen when emotions are running high after a break-up. Taking a step back and speaking to a trusted mortgage broker should always be your first move they can present options you might not even know existed even when all things might look lost. While keeping up mortgage payments on a property you're no longer living in might feel painful, defaulting on these will inevitably damage both parties' credit scores for years to come and limit both of your options moving forward. I always tell clients: protect your financial future first, deal with the emotions second. With his chiselled features, disdain for those beneath his station and his love for the high life, he was the odious spanner in the works to a fairytale romance. Cal Hockley, the American industrialist portrayed by Billy Zane in James Cameron's epic 1997 film, was the villainous love rival to Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack Dawson. And although Cal - like Jack and Kate Winslet's Rose - is fictional, the list of real Titanic passengers and crew who have been apportioned with blame for the sinking 113 years ago is a long one. Captain Edward Smith was slammed by some for allowing the ship to go too fast on the night in April 1912 when it hit an iceberg and then sank with the loss of more than 1,500 lives. The ship's original second officer, Scotsman David Blair, took a key to the cabinet containing binoculars with him when he was replaced at the last minute. Other crew later testified the use of the binoculars would have allowed them to spot the iceberg soon enough for the ship to be manouvered out of the way. And White Star Line chairman Joseph Bruce Ismay was condemned as a coward for taking a space in a lifeboat. So was there really a 'villain' in the disaster, or was it simply an unavoidable tragedy? Below, after analysis of detailed 3D scans of the Titanic's wreck gave a new insight into the disaster, we delve into each figure who has gotten blame over the years. With his chiselled features, disdain for those beneath his station and his love for the high life, he was the odious spanner in the works to a fairytale romance. Cal Hockley, the American industrialist portrayed by Billy Zane in James Cameron's epic 1997 film, was the villainous love rival to Leonardo DiCaprio 's Jack Dawson The quartermaster who was steering the ship Robert Hichens, the Titanic's quartermaster, was at the wheel of the vessel when she struck the iceberg. He desperately turned the wheel after receiving the order 'hard a-starboard', but the warning came too late. Hichens was later put in charge of a lifeboat - number six - but was vilified for refusing to go back for more survivors. One of those aboard was the American socialite Molly Brown, who he had an argument with. The bust-up featured in the 1997 film, in which Hichens was portrayed by Paul Brightwell and Kathy Bates depicted Brown. Brown criticised Hichens when they got to safety, and the harsh words tarnished his reputation. Another critic was lifeboat passenger Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Godfrey Peuchen, who testified that Hichens had described drowning passengers as 'those stiffs'. Robert Hichens, the Titanic's quartermaster, was at the wheel of the vessel when she struck the iceberg. Hichens was portrayed by Paul Brightwell in the 1997 film Hichens insisted he never uttered the words. Survivor Leila Meyer claimed that Hichens was drunk on whiskey while in control of the boat and took blankets intended for passengers. He insisted: 'I had been up all night, and a woman who had a flask gave me a spoonful. 'Another woman gave me half a wet blanket to wrap around myself. That was all ,sir. I think the remarks unkind, sir.' The seaman's lifelong guilt, accompanied by an alcohol problem, brought him to bankruptcy. He attempted suicide and was also given a five-year jail term for attempted murder. Hichens had shot a lender who foreclosed on a loan he had used to buy a pleasure boat. Speaking in 2010, Hichens' niece Barbara Clarke insisted that her ancestor 'never deserved all the punishment he took'. Hichens was later put in charge of a lifeboat - number six - but was vilified for refusing to go back for more survivors. Above: Hichens seen standing up at the back of lifeboat six Robert Hichens pictured above in later life The captain of the rescue ship that never was The nearest ship to the Titanic when it hit the iceberg was the SS Californian, a steamship bound for Boston, Massachusetts. Captained by Stanley Lord, it was not carrying passengers and there therefore would have had space to rescue people from the Titanic. Because of the threat of ice on the night of April 14, Lord halted is ship at around 10.20pm, around 80 minutes before the Titanic hit the berg. By then, the Californian's wireless operator had contacted the Titanic to notify them about the ice. The message was received by Titanic's on-duty wireless operator, Jack Phillips, who told Evans to 'shut up' because it was drowning out messages for passengers from Cape Race, a relay station 800 miles away. Evans then switched off his wireless equipment and went to bed. It meant he did not receive the urgent radio messages. However, the crew are believed to have seen distress flares fired from the Titanic. Lord was woken up twice but said the flares were probably 'company rockets' - the signals sent between ships from the same line. The nearest ship to the Titanic when it hit the iceberg was the SS Californian, a steamship bound for Boston, Massachusetts. Captained by Stanley Lord (pictured left front with his officers), it was not carrying passengers and there therefore would have had space to rescue people from the Titanic He therefore took no action. Instead, Titanic survivors were rescued by the RMS Carpathia, which was nearly 70 miles away when it received the liner's distress call. Joseph Boxall, the fourth officer on the Titanic, recalled in a 1962 radio interview how, during the sinking, he saw the lights of what is believed to have been the Californian heading towards them. 'This steamer approached and approached until you could see all her lights with the naked eye. And I should say she must have been within five miles.' 'Then, eventually, she turned away and showed a stern light.' The British inquiry into the disaster ruled that the crew of the Californian had seen the distress rockets and was close enough to have saved everyone. Lord's employers dismissed him after the inquiry and he was portrayed as a villain in 1958 film A Night to Remember. In 1992, a Department of Transport report backed up the criticism of Lord, saying h failed to take proper action to respond to distress signals from the Titanic. The report was written after a long campaign from Captain Lord's supporters, who insisted he had been wrongly maligned. The SS Californian, which was closest to the Titanic when it sank The boss of the White Star Line Joseph Bruce Ismay, the White Star Line chairman, is another alleged villain of the Titanic disaster. As the mastermind behind the luxury liner, Ismay was perhaps its most important passenger. In the 1997 film, he is depicted urging Captain Smith to increase the speed to get into New York ahead of schedule and 'make the headlines'. This scene was based on a genuine conversation overheard by first-class passenger and survivor Elizabeth Lindsey Lines, who testified after the sinking. Her testimony suggests Ismay wanted to beat a record set by Titanic's sister ship, the RMS Olympic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York the year before. Olympic set sail from Southampton on June 14, 1911, calling at Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown, Ireland (the same route as Titanic) before reaching New York six days later, on June 21 that year. Mrs Lines said: 'I heard him [Ismay] make the statement: "We will beat the Olympic and get in to New York on Tuesday."' However, Royal Museums Greenwich claims stories of the captain trying to make a speed record are 'without substance', despite the testimony from Mrs Lines. Joseph Bruce Ismay was the chairman of the White Star Line In the films made about the Titanic disaster, including James Cameron's 1997 epic, Ismay is portrayed as a coward who saves his own skin by finding a place in a lifeboat at the expense of women and children. The reality is more complex. It is true that he did jump into a lifeboat and was universally vilified afterwards for doing so. However, in the lead-up to the moment he left the doomed ship, he took an active part in loading lifeboats and was seen by witnesses ordering in line with custom that women and children get priority. One crewman remembered: 'He was doing all he could to assist to get the boats out.' In 2022 book Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The True Story Of The Man They Called 'The Coward Of Titanic', his descendant Clifford Ismay defended his ancestor's actions. Ismay is said to have only gotten into a lifeboat after a call was issued for any more women and none came forward. So with spaces spare in the 47-seater boat, he took a seat. Ismay later explained that he got in at the last minute with no premediation because he could see there were no other women waiting to be rescued. But, soon after being rescued along with fellow survivors, he learned that many women had passengers had not escaped. He was portrayed in the 1997 film Titanic by Australian star Jonathan Hyde Ismay was left inconsolable with guilt. Young survivor Jack Thayer recalled: 'Even when I tried to engage him in conversation, telling him he had a perfect right to take the last boat, he paid absolutely no attention and continued to look ahead, with a fixed stare. 'On the Titanic his hair had been black with slight tinges of grey, but it was now snow white. I have never seen a man so completely wrecked.' Charles Lightoller, the most senior of the Titanic's officers to survive the sinking, recalled that Ismay was 'obsessed with the idea that he ought to have gone down with the ship because women had gone down.' Although official inquiries in New York and London cleared Ismay of blame, he was vilified in media coverage. The captain of the Titanic The judge who led the British inquiry into the Titanic disaster, John Charles Bigham, 1st Viscount Mersey, wrote in his journal that the ship was travelling at 'excessive speed' and there was 'no reduction of speed' in the icy environment. Despite the conditions and warnings of ice, the 'unsinkable' liner was going at around 22.5 knots or 25 miles per hour, just 0.5 knots below its top speed of 23 knots. The Titanic's captain, Edward Smith, has therefore been apportioned with blame. The Titanic's captain, Edward Smith, has been apportioned with blame for the sinking, because the ship was going at almost full speed despite the icy conditions. Right: Bernard Hill as Captain Smith in the 1997 film It has also been suggested that Captain Smith may have been drunk or was not even on the ship's bridge when it hit the iceberg. However, Titanic expert Tim Maltin said in a 2021 documentary that whilst Captain Smith did dine with passengers at around 7 or 8pm, he was on the bridge 'the whole time' when the ship hit the ice at 11.40pm. 'In fact, his suite of rooms, his navigating room and his chaise lounge area and his bedroom area are actually part of the bridge. He was always on the bridge,' he said in the production by streaming platform History Hit. 'And he had left instructions to be called immediately if anything happened. 'And in fact, as soon as they went full astern and he heard the ship starting to stop, he came straight through and he was there. 'But he was working out positions and he was alert and around the bridge the whole time.' Captain Smith's defenders also point out that he did not seek a place in a lifeboat and instead went down with his ship. The original second officer who took key to binocular cabinet when he was replaced Scotsman David Blair was the original second officer on board the Titanic, but he was replaced before the ship left Southampton. In his haste to disembark, however, he forgot to leave a key which was needed in the crow's nest to access binoculars and a telescope Scotsman David Blair was the original second officer on board the Titanic, but he was replaced before the ship left Southampton. In his haste to disembark, however, he forgot to leave a key which was needed in the crow's nest to access binoculars and a telescope. Frederick Fleet, who was on lookout duty the night the ship sank, later testified that the disaster could have been averted if only he'd had binoculars to spot the danger. He told the official US inquiry into the sinking that the iceberg could have been spotted 'a bit sooner'. Asked 'How much sooner?', he said: 'Well, enough to get out of the way.' Blair was shuffled off the Titanic's crew when the ship's captain, Edward J. Smith, appointed Henry Wilde as his chief officer. The original chief, William Murdoch, was consequently demoted to first officer, replacing Charles Lightoller, who was in turn demoted to second officer. Blair was therefore left without a posting. The key taken by Blair sold at auction in 2007 before going up for sale again in 2018 for 18,000 Despite getting some blame for the Titanic's fate, Blair did redeem himself in later life. Roughly a year after the Titanic sank, he was serving as first officer on the SS Majestic - another White Star ocean liner - when he swam to the rescue of a drowning man who had thrown himself overboard. For his bravery, King George V awarded Blair a Sea Gallantry Medal at Buckingham Palace. He earned further medals during the First World War, when he served with distinction in the navy.Blair, who was known as Davy, was also commended with an OBE and the Legion d'Honneur France's highest order of merit. The Titanic's first officer In James Cameron's 1997 film, First Officer William Murdoch was seen taking bribes, abandoning his post and even shooting a passenger. But in the new National Geographic documentary, Titanic analyst Parks Stephenson says 3D scans done by Magellan support Murdoch's innocence. The scans support witness accounts suggesting that Murdoch did not flee his position, but died while helping passengers escape until the very end. William Murdoch was the first officer on the Titanic In James Cameron's film, he is depicted by actor Ewan Stewart as a villain. He even shoots a passenger They show that the davit - a type of crane used on ships - at Officer Murdoch's station was getting ready to launch another lifeboat when the Titanic went under. This supports testimony from surviving crew members that Murdoch, age 39 at the time of his death, was swept away by a wave as he launched one more group of passengers to safety. When the Titanic struck the iceberg at 11.40pm on the evening of April 14, 1912, Officer Murdoch was placed in charge of evacuations on the starboard side of the ship. However, what transpired during the hours that followed has been a matter of controversy. Several surviving eyewitnesses reported seeing an officer shoot one or two men who were rushing for a lifeboat and then shoot himself. For years, this unnamed officer was believed by some to have been Officer Murdoch - an idea repeated in the James Cameron film adaptation. However, other witness accounts were contrary to this. In particular, Second Officer Charles Lightoller claimed he saw Murdoch from the top of the deckhouse as he was swept away by the sea. Deep sea scanning company Magellan has snapped 715,000 photos of the Titanic wreck 12,500 feet beneath the Atlantic, creating a precise model of the ship which reveals new clues about the crews' final moments Scans show that a davit, a crane used on ships, operated by Officer Murdoch was in the upright position as the Titanic sank. This means that Officer Murdoch did not abandon his post as if often claimed, but died helping people escape According to Lightoller's account, Murdoch had been preparing one final lifeboat when the ship pitched suddenly, sending a wave washing over the deck. While some passengers were able to scramble into the lifeboat, Officer Murdoch was washed away, and his body was never recovered. The 3D scan of the Titanic supports Lightoller's testimony. Mr Stephenson says in the new documentary: 'This davit is in the up position, meaning its crew is basically trying to get a lifeboat ready to be launched.' He adds: 'This coincides with Second Officer Lightoller's description.' This suggests that Officer Murdoch never abandoned his position and kept attempting to launch lifeboats until the very end. It's time an unholy trinity of Joe Biden apologists face the music. CNN's Jake Tapper, ABC's George Stephanopoulos and Bill Maher (or as I like to call him: New Jersey Snoop Dogg) want you to forget what they said about America's former overcooked sweet potato of a president. Well, I won't. So, here's both barrels. First up, Jake 'The Snake' Tapper, who is hawking a book titled 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.' Ironically, it was Tapper who committed a transgression that would make Adam blush. Back in 2020, he suplexed Lara Trump in a contentious interview after she dared question Stammering Joe's aging melon. 'I think you're mocking his stutter,' he spat at her. 'I think that you have no standing to diagnose someone's cognitive decline.' That's rich, Tapper. Maybe you have no standing to write a supposedly objective book about a 'cover-up' in which you took part! First up, Jake 'The Snake' Tapper, who is hawking a book titled 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.' Next, George 'Stepstool' Stephanopoulos. This diminutive media powerhouse was launched into overdrive after that June 27 presidential debate between Orange Don and Deathly-White Joe. The Showdown in the Sanitarium revealed Biden to be little more than a talking tuber. Looking for safe harbor, the White House hurriedly cobbled together a July 5 interview with Georgie Porgie a reliable water-carrier for the Democrats. But even that failed, after the ex-president whiffed on George's softballs. Too bad, Stephanopoulos wasn't hefty enough to say that himself, except in some off-hand, hastily walked-back remarks to a random TMZ reporter. Now, author Chris Whipple has revealed in his new Biden breakdown book 'Uncharted,' that George had much more to say than that. 'Stephanopoulos questioned the president gently, like a grandson,' Whipple wrote. 'Afterward, when I asked the ABC anchor by email for his impressions, he replied: 'Heartbreaking up close.' 'Heartbreaking' indeed, George for everyone who thought you had more tenacity. Finally, there's Bill Maher, who said this in March 2024: 'Stop acting like life in America in 2024 is unbearable. Biden's ratings are in the toilet not because he's doing such a bad job because a lot of Americans like to live with their head in the toilet.' Look out, Bill It's a floater! Next, George 'Stepstool' Stephanopoulos. This diminutive media powerhouse was launched into overdrive after that June 27 presidential debate between Orange Don and Deathly-White Joe. The Showdown in the Sanitarium revealed Biden to be little more than a talking tuber. Finally, there's Bill Maher, who said this in March 2024: 'Stop acting like life in America in 2024 is unbearable. Biden's ratings are in the toilet not because he's doing such a bad job because a lot of Americans like to live with their head in the toilet.' Now Maher's positioning himself as incredibly brave and virtuous for going with his friend Kid Rock to meet Trump in the Oval Office. (He probably only went to pull a Willie Nelson on the White House roof.) The visit was well-received by conservatives who'd like to see more skeptics take the high road instead of fire-bombing Teslas. But I question Maher's sincerity are having known him for over 30 years. I was lucky enough to appear on one of the earliest episodes of 'Politically Incorrect' in 1993, and followed him as a pundit to ABC and eventually to Real Time. But after I had the audacity to sacrifice one of Bill's sacred cows and challenge him over his atheism in 2012, I was told in 2013 that Bill would never have me on his show again. Shove it, Maher. I watched for years as he chucked hunks of red meat to his progressive live audience, and now that socialism has fallen out of favor, he wants to blaze another trail. Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Private company Colossal Biosciences used preserved DNA from a common gray wolf and some good old-fashioned genome sequencing to re-animate 10,000-year-extinct dire wolves. Next up for Colossal: the wooly mammoth, the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger. Asked if they could resuscitate Joe Biden, a company spokesperson said, 'Oh hell no, technology that advanced doesn't exist!' Private company Colossal Biosciences used preserved DNA from a common gray wolf and some good old-fashioned genome sequencing to re-animate 10,000-year-extinct dire wolves . Space racy Lauren Sanchez and a posse of gal pals are set to leave the planet Monday aboard one of fiance Jeff Bezos' rockets on a suborbital flight to nowhere. The Blue Origin New Shepard flight will last 11 minutes and cost $40 million, which is more money and less time than Sanchez spent on her lips. If the capsule encounters any trouble upon landing, Captain Lauren's luscious lady lumps can be repurposed into flotation devices. Made in Montecito We can all breathe a sigh of relief after Meghan Markle assured the world that her recently launched 'As Ever' line won't be touched by Donald Trump's tariffs. 'I think during any time of recession, people still want to find creature comforts, items that can bring them joy,' she squeaked. Right, Meg. Because when times are tough those regular folk shop for $14 jam, $28 wildflower honey and $15 'flower sprinkles' whatever the heck that is. We can all breathe a sigh of relief after Meghan Markle assured the world that her recently launched 'As Ever' line won't be touched by Donald Trump's tariffs. Never-ending with us Blake Lively claimed she was nearly nude in her It Ends With Us hospital delivery scene, and that the actor cast as the OB was actually Justin Baldoni's creepy best friend. That actor, Adam Mondschein, shot back in a podcast saying the scene was totally professional and listed off the garments that Blathering Blake was allegedly wearing, including bike shorts, a hospital gown, a prosthetic belly galoshes, Victorian pantaloons and some Gorton's fisherman coveralls. I used to be Team Blake, then I switched to Team Justin, now I'm on Team Shut the Hell Up and Go Away. Handsy holiday Reality show designer Christina Haack was on a Cabo vacation losing her mind with new boyfriend, tech CEO Christopher Larocca who was giving her a free breast exam at the very populated resort bar. He was probably just making sure she hadn't sprung a silicone leak! Who needs Montezuma's revenge when Mr. Man Boobs and Senorita Serial Cheater can make you barf from their PDA? I love women. I love them to death, Keith Hunter Jesperson likes to joke over the phone when speaking to podcast host Keith Rovere from the maximum security prison he now calls home. Better known as the Happy Face Killer, Jesperson murdered at least eight women between 1990 and 1995. As a long-haul truck driver, the serial killer prowled for victims during long, lonely nights driving up and down the highways. He was known for strangling women and dumping their bodies along the roads. He earned the disturbing moniker after leaving chilling smiley faces next to confession letters scrawled on restroom walls and in notes taunting the media. Now serving multiple life sentences at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Jesperson shares new details about his heinous crimes when he calls into the The Lighter Side Of True Crime podcast. In a recent eight-part series by Rovere, Jesperson delved into each murder in meticulous detail, covering one victim per episode including where he found them, how he felt in the moment he killed her and how he committed the murder and disposed of her body. The Happy Face Killer is just one of many serial killers and violent offenders who join Roveres podcast from prison where they are serving life or lengthy sentences or are awaiting execution on death row. Other recent callers have included the Cross-Dressing Cannibal, Hadden Clark, who joined the show to weigh in on a recent docuseries, which detailed how he confessed to a jailmate because he thought the man looked like Jesus. Better known as the Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson murdered at least eight women between 1990 and 1995 Keith Rovere speaks with America's most notorious serial killers on his podcast, The Lighter Side Of True Crime The so-called Selfie Killer, Amanda Taylor, told Rovere what led her to brutally stab her father-in-law to death and then pose for a selfie with his corpse. And Bruce Davis, a member of the Manson Family, called in to recall his encounters with infamous cult leader Charles Manson. (Daviss latest parole hearing was postponed because of his appearance on the podcast.) But, Rovere says, the vast majority of killers he speaks to do not want to talk about their horrific crimes. Part of the podcast is about letting people know who they really are, Rovere tells the Daily Mail. I bring them on to tell their side of the story. They get their truth out, because most documentaries and movies about these men and women have never interviewed them... so they never really get their side of the story out. There's a lot of each story that remains untold, Rovere adds. We know this person killed this many people. We know this is the person's name and who they killed, but [we don't know] the motivations behind it, the why and things like that, and the back stories about everything from their childhood to them growing up. So I give them a platform if they want to let people get to know them. Part of getting to know Jesperson includes the likes of his dark jokes about his crimes. Keith Hunter Jesperson sends Rovere paintings from inside prison where he is serving multiple life sentences The Happy Face Killer has mailed dozens of colorful paintings to Rovere since they started talking That's his little joke, Rovere says. He has a dark sense of humor. Rovere launched his podcast after spending around three decades working in prison outreach programs run through Christian ministries. Today, he speaks to around 50 or 60 serial killers and violent offenders in prison each week - far more than those choosing to join his podcast. While some might come on his show to rehash their grisly pasts, Rovere says most simply want someone to talk to. A big part of it is loneliness, he says. Because of their horrific crimes, serial killers have typically lost any relationships they once had with friends and family and the world hates them, he tells the Daily Mail. They just want to have a normal conversation. 90 percent of the time, if not more, they just want to hear about my life They want to hear what was I doing today? we're talking like you would talk to anybody else,' he explains. For the most part, the last thing they want to do is talk about their crime,' Rovere adds. 'We're just talking about everyday stuff, basically building relationships. Manson family member Bruce Davis (seen in 2014 and 1970) called in to recall his encounters with the infamous cult leader Charles Manson BTK killer Dennis Rader admitted killing 10 people in the Wichita area between 1974 and 1991 This is exactly why Rovere says he has been able to uniquely gain the trust of some of the most prolific serial killers and criminals in America. I'm not a journalist. I'm not going to try to poke and prod. I just want to say this is your platform, get your truth out there, and then people can think what they think, he says. Many inmates are wary of the media because all they want to do is talk about their crimes or their brains or whatever, he says. And, due to the public's current true crime obsession, infamous inmates can also be wary of the strangers who reach out to them in prison. With the true crime market, it's hard for them to trust anybody, Rovere tells the Daily Mail, adding that some people are just trying to get their hands on a piece of true crime memorabilia they can cash in on. He explains that, if someone gets a letter from Son of Sam David Berkowitz, for example, they could auction it online for hundreds of dollars. Through his years-long relationships with serial killers, Rovere actually has enough true crime memorabilia to fill a museum. BTK killer Dennis Rader has sent him cards and letters, Berkowitz has sent pamphlets about his Son of Hope journey, the Happy Face Killer has mailed dozens of colorful paintings, and Spokane serial killer Robert Yates gifts Rovere intricate origami birds. Selfie Killer Amanda Taylor shared with Rovere what led her to brutally stab her father-in-law to death and then pose for a selfie with his corpse Spokane serial killer Robert Yates sends podcast host Keith Rovere intricate origami birds The list goes on, but Roveres collection is not for sale. Anything that I've received personally, that's personal to me, he tells the Daily Mail. The podcast host also explains that prison pen pals are often looking for a thrill when they speak to a serial killer. They're expecting, like, Hannibal Lecter, Rovere says. When they realize that's not what they're getting, they get quickly bored. Rovere says it shouldnt come as a surprise that most conversations with serial killers are the same normal, mundane conversations they would have with anyone else. After all, many of the most notorious serial killers were fully functioning members of society with jobs, families and good standing in their local communities before they were caught. Beyond giving listeners this opportunity to get to know the person behind the notoriety, Rovere says the other main aim of his podcast is to talk about positive changes some of the inmates have made in their lives since being jailed. Rovere says he understands people might question why it matters whether a criminal has changed their ways if theyre never going to see the outside world again. David Berkowitz, 24, is led into the Gold Street Station House by officers following his arrest for the Son of Sam murders in 1977 Police on the scene after a young couple was shot in Brooklyn by the Son of Sam on July 31, 1977 People might think, why am I showing love and kindness to serial killers? They're never getting out, he says. But even somebody who's not getting out of prison, like David Berkowitz, can still do good. Between the summers of 1976 and 1977, the Son of Sam terrorized New York City - killing six victims and wounding seven in eight separate shootings at the height of the Satanic panic sweeping America, and at a time when the Big Apple was plagued by violent crime. Following his arrest in August 1977, Berkowitz claimed he had been driven to kill by a 6,000-year-old demon called Sam which spoke to him through his neighbors dog. For the past 50 years, he has been behind bars, where he says he has turned his life around, discovered faith and rebranded himself as the Son of Hope. In a pamphlet titled Son of Hope: The David Berkowitz story, shared with the Daily Mail, Berkowitz utilizes a colorful cartoon to chronicle his childhood, crimes and then life behind bars. Im living proof that God can make a dramatic change in anyone, Berkowitz writes. Berkowitz also runs a website dedicated to his story, featuring his apology to victims and journal entries about his day-to-day prison life. A pamphlet titled Son of Hope: The David Berkowitz story, shared with the Daily Mail In the pamphlet, Berkowitz chronicles his childhood, crimes and then life behind bars through a colorful cartoon Son of Sam seen in March 2003. He has claimed to have turned his life around and rebranded himself as the Son of Hope' From what Rovere has seen, some serial killers like Berkowitz and Manson Family member Charles Tex Watson - who has also found religion in prison - are capable of change and can now help others from their positions behind bars. Both men have websites, through which Rovere says they've changed the hearts of thousands of other people' who may have turned to violence. So if all they did was be punished in there and they didn't have a voice, there would have been thousands of people still struggling in their lives out here, on the outside, let alone on the inside. Another example is serial killer Wayne Adam Ford, who opened up about his mental health struggles on Rovere's podcast. He's one of the few people who actually turned himself in because he knew he couldn't stop killing. He knew he had a problem with mental health, Rovere says. [On the podcast,] he talked about his autism and psychopathy, of how he struggled with it, how he's trying to overcome it, how he's working through it. Rovere says Ford really resonated with listeners, prompting many people to reach out about the issues he raised. In some cases, Rovere has been able to connect Ford with people struggling with psychotic and violent urges to help prevent them from making the same mistakes he did. Let's just say, he has been there, done that, and he can give those people, and does give these people advice, he says. There's a lot of good that they can do from there. Rovere reveals that some of the serial killers he speaks to also want to connect with their fellow serial killers. Serial killer Wayne Adam Ford (seen in November 1998) opened up about his mental health struggles on the podcast Keith Hunter Jesperson (left) and Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann (right) were briefly prison pen pals Jesperson and Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann had a brief relationship as prison pen pals. Meanwhile, Dana Gray - who murdered three elderly women in the early '90s - wrote to BTK in prison. Rader then reportedly complained to serial killer expert Dr. Scott Bonn that Gray wasnt in the same league as him and his crimes. Rovere believes some serial killers are curious about why they are what they are. [Gray] wanted to know if she was really like other serial killers what she found out was, No, I am nothing like these people. I do have remorse. I'm not like them. I regret what I did, he says. When Gray joins Rovere's podcast, she refuses to talk about her crimes out of respect for the victims. Instead, she and Rovere discuss things like prison reform and the current talking point about transgender women in womens prisons. But Rovere acknowledges that not all inmates are capable of - or want to - change. Clark is someone Rovere describes as one of the most fascinating, more mentally unstable inmates he speaks to. His is a chilling tale of a family where his mom forced him to wear girls clothing growing up and his brother murdered, barbecued and ate a woman who rejected his advances. But Clarks crimes are even more disturbing. Dana Gray - who murdered three elderly women back in the early 90s - (left) wrote to BTK Dennis Rader (right) in prison A hand-drawn card sent to Keith Rovere from the BTK serial killer Dennis Rader Hadden Clark confessed to a cellmate who he thought was Jesus that he had killed more victims Clark is someone Rovere describes as one of the most fascinating, more mentally unstable inmates he speaks to (pictured footprints sent by Clark to Rovere) On Memorial Day 1986, he lured six-year-old Michele Dorr into a home, cut her throat, drank her blood and then buried her body. Six years later, he murdered 23-year-old Harvard graduate Laura Houghteling. After his arrest in Houghtelings case, he confessed to Dorrs murder - finally leading police to the little girls grave 14 years after her disappearance. Behind bars, Clark confessed to a cellmate that he had actually killed at least a dozen victims. When investigators took him from prison to the alleged gravesites, Clark dressed in womens clothing as his alter ego Kristen. You never know what he's going to say [on the podcast] - or what he's going to send you in the mail, Rovere says. Clark has so far sent him artwork depicting the horrific murder of Dorr and a portrait of himself. Then he shaved his beard off and sent me the beard in a little plastic envelope and said, Here you can glue my beard onto my picture You never know what's going to happen, he says. Keith Rovere says 'part of the podcast is about letting people know who they really are' Despite what he believes are the positives, Rovere understands some of the backlash against giving serial killers such a public platform. I can understand from a distance, somebody saying, Oh, these people don't deserve any platform. Okay, if that person is just spilling, spewing violence out of his mouth and hatred out of his mouth, I agree that they probably shouldn't have a platform, he says. But, if they are doing positive things, he feels its 'a no-brainer. They get a bigger voice, one for positive change, and to get people to know who they are as a person and why they did what they did, and get the truth out there,' Rovere says. 'At least, their version of the truth. An ex-member of bodybuilder sensations The Aesthetics Crew is now a convicted drug offender who works as an escort offering satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Ozcan Aytemiz, known as SupaTurk, was one of the original eight muscle-bound hunks in the squad set up by late founder Aziz 'Zyzz' Shavershian in the mid-2000s. They became the prototype internet celebrities in their early 20s, long before the era of Instagram influencers. Now aged 35, Aytemiz offers his services on adult services site, Escorts and Babes, under the name 'Live2Please' and brags his body is a $550-an-hour 'playground of pure sin' He also has an X-rated list of 70 different sexual acts and services he offers, with an absolute guarantee his customers will not be disappointed. 'I'm so sure of myself that if you don't reach orgasm, you don't pay,' he writes on his profile. 'Yes, that's a money back guarantee.' As SupaTurk, Aytemiz was known as one of 'Zyzz's disciples', who once flew around the country to appear at nightclubs and shows as motivational sculpted bodybuilders to young Australians. The young men all had nicknames, including Chestbrah, who was Said Shavershian, older brother of charismatic Zyzz, whose viral Youtube videos charted his evolution from self-described 'sad c***' to a 'god'. Ozcan Aytemiz in a photo from his profile on Escorts and Babes, which offers his services for $550 an hour Ozcan Aytemiz aka Supa Turk (left) with members of the Aesthetics Crew, the highly successful amateur bodybuilding group founded by internet sensation Aziz 'Zyzz' Shavershian Zyzz, who was also stripper and model, came from an Armenian Kurdish migrant family who moved from Russia to Sydney's northwestern suburbs in the 1990s. The dux of Marist College Secondary School at Eastwood, Zyzz was running a successful protein company by the age of 21, and making his videos which encouraged disenfranchised teenagers to achieve aesthetic physiques. Zyzz's tongue-in-cheek sayings, such as 'You mirin brah?' - meaning are you admiring me brother - made him the poster boy of Australian amateur bodybuilding. When he died aged 22 in from a heart attack in a sauna in Pattaya, Thailand, the internet was flooded with rumours of steroid overuse. An autopsy revealing he had an undiagnosed congenital cardiac condition and cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart. Even in death, Zyzz continued to be a sensation, but the Aesthetics Crew petered out. Ten years after his death, Zyzz's fans commemorated him by posting tribute videos and pictures to social media and fan websites. On his Instagram page, Ozcan Aytemiz still attracts attention as Supa Turk and a disciple of the late Zyzz, and with his still-sculpted physique. On January 29 this year, Aytemiz was found guilty by Magistrate Emma Manea for driving a motor vehicle during a disqualification period, possessing a prohibited drug, and fined $300 and sentenced to a Community Corrections Order for 18 months. Now aged 35, Aytemiz is offering his services under the name 'Live2Please' offering his body as 'a playground of pure sin' for $550 an hour on the adult services site, Escorts and Babes Ozcan aka Supa Turk with Zyzz back in the Aesthetics Crew days when the eight young members of the bodybuilding group flew around the country and inspired a massive following Even ten years after his death, Zyzz's fans commemorated him by posting tribute videos and pictures to social media and fan websites On Aytemiz's Escorts and Babes profile, photographs of him posing on a bed clearly show his distinctive tattoos. Describing himself as a 'Turkish Sculpted Pretty Boy who enjoys giving more than receiving', his profile says 'I bring confidence, charm, and sophistication to every encounter. 'I am the perfect balance of elegance and passion, ready to fulfill your every need and desire, and make your fantasies come alive.' This week, Aytemiz was named as the protected person in an Apprehended Violence Order taken out against his girlfriend, Katherine Elise Johnston, 33. This followed a fiery argument on a suburban street in Sydney's west in the early hours of March 21. Ms Johnston was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Ms Johnston, a model, told Daily Mail Australia that the incident was a big 'misunderstanding'. 'We're trying to get to the bottom of this because it's beyond a joke. I'm so angry. I'm so upset.' Ozcan Aytemiz was allegedly assaulted by his girlfriend Katherine Johnston (above), but the model said that the incident was all a 'misunderstanding' She added: 'It's really no one's business, is it? Why is it anyone's business? It's a very personal court case. I've got two children. I don't need this.' Ms Johnston entered a plea of not guilty to the assault charge at Burwood Local Court this week and the matter was adjourned until later this year. Gen Z workers are being banned from working-from-home after being targeted by hackers looking for a 'back door' access into businesses. A new report from Vodafone Business has lifted the lid on a worrying lack of cybersecurity awareness and protection among the nation's small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Nearly half (48%) of 18 to 27-year-old staff at small firms were targeted by cyber criminals while working from home last year. In every case, the junior staff member was then ordered to work back in the office by their boss, according to the survey of 1,000 business leaders at SMEs. Millennials were the second biggest targets, with scammers attacking nearly a quarter (23%) of 28 to 43-year-old WFH staff in 2024. On average, nearly a fifth (19%) of WFH staff were targeted by malicious attempts to access data last year. Two-thirds (64%) of firms regularly have staff working from home or at other off-site locations, while nearly two-thirds (60%) of SMEs let staff to use their own IT equipment. According to Vodafone Business, Britain's SMEs are incurring annual losses amounting to 3.4billion due to inadequate cybersecurity measures, according to the report. Gen Z workers are being banned from working-from-home after being targeted by hackers A new report from Vodafone Business has lifted the lid on a worrying lack of cybersecurity awareness and protection The 'Securing Success: The Role of Cybersecurity in SME Growth' report found the average cost of a cyber-attack for a small firm is 3,398, rising to 5,001 for SMEs with 50 or more staff. Vodafone is advocating for businesses to better equip their employees with essential cybersecurity tools to ensure their safety online no matter where they are logging in. Phishing remains the most prevalent form of attack, with seven in 10 (70%) of firms experiencing attempts to steal sensitive information through email, SMS, phone, or social media. Ransomware, affecting nearly a quarter (23%) of businesses, locks or corrupts files until a ransom is paid. Many SMEs do not have a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy in place due to budget constraints, limited expertise, and competing business priorities. A third (32%) of firms have no cybersecurity protections in place at all, while just over a third (38%) invest less than 100 a year in protecting their data. To try and stem the problem, more than one in eight (15%) SME employees have been banned from working from home due to the risk of falling victim to a cyber-attack. Vodafone Business, a leading advocate for SME digital transformation, has reinforced the importance of proactive cybersecurity investments. SMEs cornerstone of UK economy Mathew Evans, Chief Operating Officer, techUK said: 'Accounting for 99.8% of the UK's business population and employing two-thirds of the workforce, its indisputable that SMEs are the cornerstone of our economy. 'We also know that their digitisation is a key lever for growth and, in order to seize the opportunities that technology offers and unlock productivity, SMEs must take cyber security and resilience seriously. 'Vodafone UK's report highlights the significant impacts that cyber-attacks are having on the UK's SMEs, including an estimated 3.4 billion per year in lost revenue and 28% of SMEs saying that a single attack could put them out of business demonstrating that that there is still much to do to build resilience and raise awareness about cyber security as a critical business and growth enabler. 'TechUK has called for government's Industrial Strategy to have a greater focus on raising technology adoption across the UK's SMEs to increase productivity and to recognise cyber resilience as integral to growth. 'The findings and recommendations of this report only further underscore the need to give SMEs the attention they deserve, and to support them in implementing robust plans to build and increase their cyber resilience.' Advertisement To provide SMEs with the necessary tools and knowledge for strengthening their cybersecurity defences, Vodafone is offering a complimentary one-month trial of CybSafe, the leading human risk management platform that utilises AI, data, psychology, and behavioural science to assess and enhance cybersecurity behaviour, awareness, and culture within organisations. The trial version grants essential access to the platform's education and training sections, featuring various modules designed to increase staff confidence in handling potential cyber threats, such as phishing or ransomware attacks. Additionally, the trial version can accommodate up to 100 employees. Nick Gliddon, CEO, Vodafone Business UK, said: 'SMEs are the backbone of our economy, yet they are losing a staggering 3.4billion annually due to inadequate cybersecurity. 'In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, and SMEs are increasingly in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. Investing in robust cybersecurity is no longer optional - it is a business imperative for protecting sensitive data, maintaining customer trust, and ensuring long-term resilience. 'At Vodafone Business, we understand the critical role SMEs play in driving innovation and growth, and we are committed to equipping them with the right tools and expertise to stay protected. 'However, SMEs cannot tackle this challenge alone. Greater collaboration between businesses, industry leaders, and government authorities is essential to providing these businesses with the resources, education, and support they need to strengthen their cyber defences. By working together, we can create a safer, more secure digital environment that empowers SMEs to grow with confidence in an increasingly connected world.' Locals claim migrants staying in a luxury hotel near Windsor Castle are making their lives hell with racist abuse and anti-social behaviour. Dozens are staying at the 54-bedroom, four-star Manor Hotel in Datchet, just outside Windsor, in Berkshire. Residents say they are the target of abuse on a weekly basis. There have also been alleged incidents of shoplifting though police say there have been no crimes or anti-social behaviour linked to the migrant hotel. A 24-year-old shopkeeper at Harvey's Food and Wine, a two-minute walk from the migrant hotel, said: 'Sometimes they are coming and taking stuff, and they go out without paying. 'Sometimes they abuse me. They say to me, 'f*****g Indian and f*** Hinduism. 'It's one or two guys. It happens every two or three days, in the evening time. They don't understand England, and I have seen them go back to the hotel. 'I haven't complained to the hotel - it's just food they take, it's not important. People in Datchet are usually nice.' Some migrants staying in a luxury hotel near Windsor Castle are making the lives of a local hell with racist abuse and anti-social behaviour (Pictured, men staying in the hotel in November 2024) Dozens are staying at the 54-bedroom, four-star Manor Hotel (above) in Datchet, just outside Windsor, in Berkshire A 24-year-old shopkeeper at Harvey's Food and Wine, a two-minute walk from the migrant hotel, said the migrants 'abuse' him Other residents say they have seen police attending the hotel - which is one of 220 hotels across the UK housing asylum seekers - to break up suspected fights. Vlad Mahki, 34, who lives across the road, said he had seen police outside earlier last month. He said: 'About two weeks ago, I saw police there - I believe it was because people were fighting.' Next door to the hotel, the Nibble cafe has seen a decline in customers since the migrant hotel was opened. Cheryl Bohdjalian, who has run the cafe for more than 29 years, said: 'Customers have said a couple of kids have been followed home. I haven't seen anything.' Locals told MailOnline previously that the village feels less 'safe' because groups of young men hang around the pretty village green (Pictured, men staying in the hotel in November 2024) She added: 'A lot of people have moved away. We know a few customers who have just had the option to move away and they don't want this on their doorstep. 'Footfall is lower. We don't get any customers from it. We used to get people from the hotel coming here for breakfast. 'We're not struggling. But if I wanted to sell the business I don't think anyone would be interested because of the migrant hotel across the street.' But the Manor Hotel will not remain a migrant hotel for much longer - as the government plans to transfer all asylum seekers from the site by the end of May, according to a letter sent from the Home Office to Windsor MP Jack Rankin. 'People want it to go back to being a hotel,' said Selba Kumar, the shopkeeper at a Londis shop near the Manor Hotel. Selba said: 'It's a small village, it's a calm area. Residents aren't happy - they want it to be a normal hotel.' The Manor Hotel will not remain a migrant hotel for much longer - as the government plans to transfer all asylum seekers from the site by the end of May The 200-bed hotel is one of 220 across the UK housing asylum seekers But for volunteers at The Bridge community cafe next to Datchet's village green, groups of migrants from the hotel have been an 'absolutely fabulous' asset for the community. Caroline Sanders, who has been chairwoman of the community group for more than a decade, said attendees of a village meeting feared the worst when the Home Office announced the new use for the hotel in 2022. She said: 'Initially, there was a meeting in the village hall, everyone was saying it was going to be awful. 'Then a group of Iranians came to our church. They were absolutely fabulous. I asked them if they wanted to volunteer at the Bridge because they were all very intelligent and bored stiff.' 'Over 18 months, we had 15 men volunteer, from Sudan, Iran, the Ivory Coast, Ethiopia - they were all fabulous. It was very heartening Caroline Sanders, who has been chairwoman of the community group for more than a decade, said attendees of a village meeting feared the worst when the Home Office announced the new use for the hotel in 2022 'There was one guy from Algeria who had a PhD and he started a chess club and he got a lot of older men coming in. And the chess group is still going - and it was started by an asylum seeker.' Caroline said she regularly speaks with local police officers, who have not reported any crimes or anti-social behaviour linked to the migrant hotel. She added: 'I didn't hear a single negative thing from customers.' The Home Office was approached for comment. A couple have told how their neighbour terrorised them with petrol bombs and psychological warfare and say they were driven to the brink of suicide after their 'dream' life became a living hell. Richard Burton and Amanda Hutton moved from Surrey to Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 2018 in search of a slower pace of life, and for a year, they found it - spending their days rewilding the land and renovating the property. But in 2019, they say their lives were disrupted by a seemingly personable couple who had bought 36 acres of land next door. 'They took us out for a meal and they were very friendly,' Mr Burton explained. Shortly after, Mr Burton and Ms Hutton bought five acres of land from their new neighbours - Cassie and Francis Collins - for 25,000. Mr Collins took the money but refused to give them access to the land and a lawsuit was filed to force completion, triggering the ex-paratrooper to start a barrage of terror against his neighbours. 'We felt groomed in a way, it was all orchestrated,' Mr Burton added. 'It was as much as we could afford to give, at that point - we were debt-free with no mortgage, living the dream.' But the clash between the neighbours would become so toxic that it would result in a prison sentence and the tragic deaths on Mr and Mrs Collins, who took their own lives in a suicide pact. Mr Collins (pictured) would stand at his neighbour's fence in a balaclava shouting and regularly walk around with a cross bow Richard Burton (pictured) and Amanda Hutton moved from Surrey to Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 2018 in search of a slower pace of life Mr Collins sent the couple more than 50 malicious emails, they had an intense psychological impact on Ms Hutton (pictured) and drove her to the brink of suicide twice The couple found bullet holes in the windows of a bus on their property - which they lived in while their home was being renovated (pictured) During the campaign of abuse, Mr Collins sent the couple more than 50 malicious emails, threatening to set their home on fire, contacting Amanda's ex-husband and even threatening their daughter. In one email, he wrote: 'You will lose everything you love and I will make you watch.' Another said: 'You're about to have the worst week of you life, lol, I'm so excited. You're facing bankruptcy, and worse. And you don't even know why yet, lmao. Ya lost.' In other emails, he threatened to 'set' Ms Hutton on fire, kill Mr Burton and even tried to encourage Ms Hutton to kill her partner. The emails had an intense psychological impact on Ms Hutton and drove her to the brink of suicide twice - and following her second attempt, she was found hyperthermic after eight hours. Mr Burton said: 'Amanda lived in fear every day of a phone call that something would happen to one of our daughters. 'He ruined our lives. We contemplated leaving but he made our property worthless, it was a warzone. We were trapped. 'If your neighbours are at your fence every day shouting, shining torches into your bedroom during the night, we couldn't have sold it without disclosing it to the estate agents - he made our house worthless. 'They terrorised us pretty much the whole year - every minute of every day you wondered what was going to happen next.' On September 11, 2021, Mr and Mrs Collins (pictured) were found dead in their home after killing themselves in a suicide pact Mr Burton and Ms Hutton were terrorised by their neighbour, who threw a petrol bomb at their property (pictured) The police provided the couple with resources to help protect them, including window locks, door stoppers, constant policing and helicopter patrols. But Mr Collins would continuously make formal complaints against specific police officers, preventing them from entering the area and protecting Mr Burton and Ms Hutton. In March 2020, he even threw a petrol bomb into their home - a crime he was later jailed for. Mr Burton said: 'He would walk around with crossbows, he'd wear balaclavas, he'd stand at the fence just staring at Amanda - you couldn't come out the shower without worrying he was filming us. 'We had fire bombs, window shots through, death threats and police hadn't caught him and the only way we thought we could stay safe was to buy his land.' After a 12-hour mediation the neighbours came to an agreement - giving Mr Burton and Ms Hutton six months to buy the land. They were forced to take a 9,000 emergency bridging loan, paid 29,000 in legal fees and took a mortgage on the land for 220,000 - all with the hope of protecting themselves. 'We were forced to buy the land for our safety,' Mr Burton said. Mr Collins was eventually arrested and a restraining order was placed against him. The armed forces veteran was said to have been diagnosed with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while living in the US and had a long history of depression and anxiety. He had previously made an attempt to end his life. He was assessed by NHS therapists in May 2021 and found to have severe psychotic depression with daily suicidal thoughts and was urgently referred to the NHS mental health team, an inquest into his death heard in 2023. Mr Collins told them how when he was 10, his father ended his life. He was noted to be suffering from ongoing back pain, financial stress and was worried about the ongoing police investigation. He was put under the care of the community mental health team and was awaiting an ADHD assessment. Meanwhile Mrs Collins was said to have endured many years living in chronic pain due to knee and shoulder injuries that left her unable to work and often bedbound. A bus on Mr Burton and Ms Hutton's property (pictured) - the couple have remained in Pembrokeshire, rewilding the land Mr Collins would continuously make formal complaints against specific police officers preventing them from entering the area and protecting Mr Burton and Ms Hutton On September 11, 2021, Mr and Mrs Collins were found dead in their home after killing themselves in a suicide pact. An inquest heard that the couple were 'joined at the hip' but following the launch of a new police investigation against Mr Collins, they were said to have been worried that everything could be taken from them. In the lead-up to their deaths, the couple had carried out a number of pre-planned actions, including creating a joint will, sending letters and emails, and having two of their dogs put to sleep, the hearing was told. In a statement read out during the inquest, Mrs Collins's sister Jodie said the pair had both spoken in the past of wanting to end their lives. She then received a letter through the post from her sister on September 11, 2021, in which she apologised for being unable to cope with the pain she was in anymore. Mrs Collins was discovered lifeless in her bed cuddling three of their dogs - a chihuahua and two miniature pinschers - who were also deceased. Mr Collins was found passed away in the hallway. The police called Mr Burton that day to inform him of the death. He said: 'There was disbelief. I had to phone back to check it wasn't a hoax phone call and they confirmed it. 'I felt relief and sadness - we both hit the floor crying.' The couple have now set up a fundraiser to help protect their rewilding project here and have also remained in Pembrokeshire, rewilding the land. When Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took the podium at the American Bankers Association on Wednesday morning he was anything but 'yippy' - the president's term to describe the handwringing of Republicans and financiers who were sounding the alarm on his tariffs. Early on, Trump branded them as 'Panicans,' a 'new party based on weak and stupid people,' but Bessent struck a unique messaging balance that both reassured stock traders and his boss. Bessent reassured the room of bankers that, thanks to the president's tariff threats, 75 countries were willing to negotiate with him, and that 15 of those nations had already proposed a deal. 'The president already had good calls with the Japanese prime minster, and the leaders of South Korea, and Vietnam,' Bessent revealed, and he was working quickly to settle monumental trade deals. 'I'm not planning on going anywhere for Easter,' he grinned, revealing that he would have a 'lead negotiating role' in the effort. Bessent's tone was relaxed, but made it very clear that he was backing the president's agenda. He spoke to a wide range of audiences to get the message across - Fox Business, CNBC, but also an interview with podcaster Tucker Carlson expressing many of the same populist talking points that the president espoused during the campaign. 'Wall Street's done great. It can continue doing well. But it's Main Street's turn,' he said. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to journalists outside the White House in Washington, DC, Surrounded by his security detail and journalists, US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent leaves meetings at the US Capitol, in Washington, DC To the world, he urged countries to come to the table with a deal, noting that America was listening. 'If you don't retaliate, that is a ceiling,' he said, urging them not to start 'cutting their own throat' by aligning economically with China. Other Trump advisers found themselves in a much more volatile position as they tried to influence the debate. Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, angered Wall Street investors by throwing elbows in his interviews, channeling some of his bravado typically rewarded by the president. He traveled with the president to Mar-a-Lago on Air Force One on Thursday. Elon Musk found himself sidelined by the president, left to fume on his account on X, taking out most of his rage against trade adviser Peter Navarro, the president's tariff hawk who was throwing potshots at Tesla's manufacturing practices. Navarro lashed back by attacking Musk's Tesla car company, which drew more fire from the president's billionaire adviser. Musk berated Navarro as a 'moron' and 'dumber than a sack of bricks.' It was entertaining fodder, but the White House shrugged it off as two advisers having their differences in public. 'Boys will be boys,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during the White House press briefing. But Bessent was not one of the boys. As he watched the stock market drop precipitously on Thursday and Friday, Bessent flew to Mar-a-Lago himself on Sunday to advise the president on the next steps. They came up with a strategy. Isolate China and give everyone else willing to deal some relief. There would be no immediate backing down, the president said, but would allow Bessent to reassure the markets that the deals were coming. It was Bessent who flew back to Mar-a-Lago Sunday evening with the president, as he was spotted in the background as Trump spoke to the press on Air Force One. Bessent continued to focus his attention on China. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump talks to members of the press aboard Air Force One U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office Sergio Gor arrive with U.S. President Donald Trump To illustrate China's addiction to cheap manufacturing, Bessent reached back to the Disney film Fantasia, where Mickey Mouse plays the Sorcerer's apprentice, struggling vainly to stop a cohort of enchanted brooms from flooding the room. 'China, for all of you that can remember that Disney movie, where the brooms carrying the buckets of water, that is the Chinese business model. It never stops, they just keep producing and producing and dumping and dumping,' he said. Trump, he indicated, was the sorcerer who could break the spell. 'I think their business model is broken. I think President Trump has broken their business model with these tariffs,' he said to Carlson. By Monday, observers watched in real time how Bessent's calm but direct messaging was influencing the markets. 'Bessent is singlehandedly keeping the stock market from cratering,' Daily Wire host Ben Shapiro said on X. Bessent also had the confidence of Wall Street. JP Morgan president and CEO Jamie Dimon pleaded with Trump on Fox Business to call a pause and give Bessent more space to negotiate. 'If you want to calm down the markets, show progress in those things and let Scott take the time trade deals are very large and very complex,' Dimon said. In a world where MAGA personalities clash in public and private, Bessent stands out for his measured monotone speech, with occasional pauses to collect his thoughts. As he listens, he puts his hand or fingers on his chin or solemnly straightens his glasses. Sometimes, he'll chuckle knowingly as he speaks about the oddities between his old job as an investor and his new one of remaking the economy in Trump's image. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R) speaks to the media next to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (L) outside the White House US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (2nd R) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick look on as President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order Bessent's message drew a wide range of support with MAGA activists who hailed him for successfully articulating the president's agenda. 'Look, I'm not happy with what's going on in the market today, but the distribution of equities across households, the top 10 percent of Americans own 88 percent of equities, 88 percent of the stock market,' he explained to Carlson, adding that 'the next 40 percent owns 12 percent of the stock market.' Bessent noted that the all the bottom 50 percent of Americans had was debt, credit card bills, monthly rental bills and auto loans. 'We've got to give them some relief,' he said. 'That's the message right there. Just as a bystander I'm like, wow, okay,' Carlson agreed. It was a much different approach from previous Trump advisers like Gary Cohn and former treasury secretary Stephen Mnuchin who had successfully talked the president off the ledge of dramatic tariffs during his first term, threatening to resign if he did so. Bessent earned a lot of respect in the administration throughout the tariff fight. 'Secretary Bessent is one of the most respected minds in finance and a vital asset to the President's Cabinet and trade team. His expertise shines daily, whether executing the President's historic deregulation agenda, defending America's workers in trade negotiations, or securing lasting tax cuts,' Harrison Fields, principal deputy press secretary told DailyMail.com. Sources familiar with the dynamic in the White House told DailyMail.com that Bessent was 'the adult in the room' during the negotiations and 'always kept the ship steering.' 'I've always known him to be the more serious person in the room,' the source said. The same could not be said for some of Trump's other advisers, although sources agree they all had their part to play in the negotiations. Lutnick came off as aggressive and reckless, a source told DailyMail.com and Peter Navarro appeared as a tariff purist. Musk's clear preference for free trade, a source noted, had been sidelined and ignored by the president. After Trump declared the pause, Bessent was the one who went with press secretary Karoline Leavitt to publicly declare victory outside the White House. The result of the seven days of chaos, he explained, was all part of the plan that he had hashed out with the president on Sunday. He did not try to seize any credit for himself either. 'As I've said in the past, no one creates leverage for himself like President Donald Trump,' he concluded after the press conference. A councillor has caused attendees of an meeting to cry following a vile outburst against Indigenous land owners in Australia. The incident took place on Friday during a meeting hosted by the Clarence Valley Council which concerned the eviction of 136 caravan owners in northern New South Wales. The occupants' long-term (casual occupation) agreements had been terminated before the motion was paused for 12 months while councillors worked out a plan of management for the sites. During the meeting, NSW councillor Debrah Novak interjected about Indigenous land owners and their opinions of the site. She referred to First Nations people as 'flame throwers' and 'boomerangs' in her remarks. 'If there was a problem with what was going on I can guarantee you we would have every boomerang and every flame thrower in the Clarence Valley going to NCAT court,' she said. An anonymous councillor at the meeting said they were appalled by the comments and claimed multiple attendees were left in tears by the outburst. 'There were people, including a little girl, crying, they walked out, they were so insulted and disgusted. It's not on,' the councillor said. Local Simon Chase also derided the councillors' comments. NSW councillor Debrah Novak has caused a controversy after calling Indigenous people 'flame throwers' and 'boomerangs' during a meeting on Friday The meeting concerned the eviction of 136 people who lived in caravans in Brooms Head, Iluka, Minnie Water and Wooli caravan parks in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales He told the Daily Telegraph that her 'inappropriate' remarks were highly offensive. Prior to the eviction notice being delayed, tenants at the caravan park were facing an expulsion from their living arrangements on June 30. Clarence Valley Council had issued notices to residents at the caravan park that it would be terminating occupational agreements. In explaining the move, the council said 'holders are permitted to use the site for up to 180 days per year' but they were never intended to be permanent homes. The council's general manager Laura Black said there was a growing demand from visitors for access to the sites and they wanted to free up spaces for tourists. The council said 'casual holiday vans are not primary places of residence'. Ms Black said the council had been forced to make changes as the demand from visitors for tourist sites had grown significantly over the past decade. 'These sites are on public land and it's important that all visitors to the holiday parks have the same opportunity to use these sites when holidaying with their families and friends,' she said. The evictions have been paused for 12 months and the meeting was set to discuss a management plan of the lands the people had been living on 'We've been able to accommodate casual agreements for some time but with greater demand, we have made the decision to return these sites for all to use. 'We are not evicting residents, these are casual agreements and cannot be used as a permanent residence. All users are required to have a primary place of residence elsewhere offsite.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Novak for comment. A Texas mosque that has sparked controversy over its plans to build a city for Muslims outside of Dallas already has an existing neighborhood, The Daily Mail can reveal. The Islamic community in Plano is already home to hundreds of Allah's followers, and features expensive, two story homes, a shopping center and a clinic. The East Plano Islamic Center or EPIC, intends to break ground on a town for its followers near the City of Josephine- about 40 minutes away from the existing mosque. EPIC City, as the project is known, would be anchored by a brand new mosque and include 1,000 homes, green spaces and schools for the people of that faith. However, the future of the EPIC City is in jeopardy, after hundreds of locals have fiercely spoken out against the mosque's efforts- storming a public meeting where officials were considering whether to grant EPIC building permits. Additionally, Gov. Greg Abbott has promised the development will 'never see the light of day' while accusing EPIC of breaking the law and practicing Sharia law. Even though not a single person has been arrested or charged in connection to Abbott's many accusations about what he claims is happening at EPIC, hysteria is at a fever pitch, with mosque-goers getting death threats. But even before a single brick of the planned city is laid, EPIC already has a sprawling neighborhood around it in Plano. The green domed house of worship is massive, large enough to accommodate 3,200 worshippers, making it one of the largest mosques in the Lone Star State. The sprawling East Plano Islamic Center in suburban Dallas is large enough to accommodate 3,200 worshippers. The mosque is flanked by homes of Muslims on either side Located in Plano, Texas, the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) anchors an Islamic community. Dozens of two-story homes around the mosque. Businesses that cater to Muslims are also nearby Giant parking lots surround the mosque, and the property is also the site of a gym, schools, and a clinic. On either side of the mosque are dozens of homes featuring Arabic writing on their facades. Luxury cars could be seen parked in the driveways, and most of the properties are valued at around $1 million, according to public tax records. People can be seen walking from their homes to the mosque for their daily five times of prayer. Many members of the mosque also live in the apartment complex directly across the street from EPIC. Their way of life spills out even further to a shopping center for Muslims. The biggest store is EPIC Market, a halal-certified grocery store. There are also two restaurants and a coffee shop that lends out prayer rugs to customers sipping on Yemeni brews. Dari Living, which describes itself as 'America's first luxury senior residence embracing Islamic traditions' on its website is also located there. The Islamic community in Plano is already home to hundreds of followers of Islam, and features expensive, two story homes, a shopping center and a clinic This home, valued at $1 million, is just one street over from EPIC mosque in Plano, Texas. Arabic writing can been seen on the outside of the home A shopping center, anchored by EPIC Market, is just one of the stores catering to Islamic shoppers near the mosque in suburban Dallas Dari Living, which describes itself as 'America's first luxury senior residence embracing Islamic traditions' on its website is also located there Fatmeh Zeidan, 19, left, and Nadeen Zeidan, 18, right, speak to The Daily Mail about being members of the Muslim community in Texas and praying at EPIC mosque Despite repeated requests for interviews, EPIC and its lawyer did not respond toThe Daily Mail However, some of the community members did speak with us, puzzled over the uproar caused EPIC City and warmly allowing us into their homes. 'They feel threatened in a way because they hear "city" and they think, "They are going to take us into their city and make us follow their rules," Nadeen Zeidan, 18, reasoned. 'They're just not educated, and they don't really know, so it's like, when you know things, you're kind of scared of them. I think when people are educated and they're friends with people who are Muslim, they warm up to it.' While the young women don't live in the surrounding neighborhood, they travel to EPIC to study at the coffee shop and walk over to the mosque when it's time for prayer. They called the ability to live near the mosque a 'convenience.' 'It's not like it's just for Muslims. Anyone can live there. The majority are Muslim,' Fatmeh Zeidan, 19, explained. 'Just because it's right next to the mosque. Just like I feel like a lot of people who go to church, they try to live by the church so they can go often. They can walk there, it's like close by to them,' Nadeen added. In Islam, the requirement to pray five times a day is a pillar of their faith, especially for men who expected to pray at a mosque when possible. The mosque in Plano, Texas, has sparked a police investigation and a bid from Governor Greg Abbott to shut it down the EPIC project Members of the community in Plano have criticized the hysteria surrounding the new project Alia Hayat, 80, from Pakistan, Tells the Daily Mail about spending time in the elderly women's group at the Epic Mosque Epic shopping center across the street from the EPIC Mosque including clothing, sweets, coffee shop, restaurants and juice bar. Rendering by EPIC show what EPIC City would look like The planned community of EPIC City would include green spaces and retail centers It's the reason Alia Hayat, 80, and her husband moved from Houston to Plano in 2019 to live one street away from EPIC. 'This is a very expensive area. Everybody cannot afford to live in this house, but we sacrificed to live in this area because we want to be close to the mosque,' the grandmother explained. When they first moved, they were in better health, she explained, and could walk to EPIC. Hayat, originally from Pakistan, doesn't go to EPIC as often she used to due to back pain, but she is still a part of a women's senior group at the mosque. She's concern about recent online posts where the addresses of mosque leaders have been posted online to intimidate them. 'It hurts us know that people are getting the wrong idea, but I mean, we can pray. Whatever wrong conception they got, it is nothing like that,' Hayat said. The parking lot outside the mosque in Plano, Texas, surrounded by homes and businesses 'It hurts us know that people are getting the wrong idea, but I mean, we can pray. Whatever wrong conception they got, it is nothing like that,' one resident told The Daily Mail EPIC has purchased 402 acres of land north of Josephine, Texas EPIC City would be built just north of the City of Josephine, a town of about 2,000 people If EPIC City is ever constructed, Hayat explained she believes a big draw will be the adhan-- a loudspeaker or min prayer that announces the call to prayer. 'You cannot hear it in America. You don't have any place where you can hear the adhan. So you know, you just go there and you hear it and it just increases our faith,' she shared. But the idea of a minaret blaring Arabic music is exactly what scares residents of the town of Josephine-- where EPIC City is planned. 'They want to install a loud system, a speaker system, that would blast their music to call them to prayer, and they could do it as long as they wanted to because they specifically choose a site just outside the city so they can do that,' resident Susan Martinez told the commission. She also shared that her small community of 2,000 people is already dealing with water restrictions, even without any new construction. 'Last summer, we did not only lose water pressure, we ran out of water one day because a construction site had left water on by mistake.' A cafe boss has blasted a customer who criticised a waitress' appearance on social media as an 'outrageous coward'. The woman customer complained that the waitress at the Coast cafe in Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales, was 'very rude'. But she also slammed her appearance criticising her 'large hoop earrings and big fake lashes' as not appropriate for working in a cafe. However cafe owner Darren Randle, 55, told MailOnline: 'It's outrageous criticism disgraceful really. 'You get more complaints these days than a few years ago. 'But it's all on social media. 'You never get them actually complain to your face. They will just do it when they get home. 'It's cowardly really. But you get the odd customer. The woman customer complained the waitress at the Coast cafe in Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales, was 'very rude' However cafe owner Darren Randle, 55, told Mailonline: 'It's outrageous criticism disgraceful really' The customer slammed her appearance criticising her 'large hoop earrings and big fake lashes' as not appropriate for working in a cafe 'She was here for an hour with a group of friends and they seemed to enjoy it. 'We hardly get any complaints about the food or cafe, it is always just niggly, little things.' He added: 'It gets me when they try and victimise a member of staff's appearance that's what gets me. 'They can have a go at the cafe or the way we do our food but to criticise someone's eye lashes and appearance is out of order. 'She is a 40-year-old woman and is up to her how she dresses. ' The woman diner has posted on social media: 'Rude staff, not very welcoming and very unhelpful! 'The staff member who was very rude and didn't want to help us needs to work on her customer service skills and her appearance! Mr Randle added: ''They can have a go at the cafe or the way we do our food but to criticise someone's eye lashes and appearance is out of order.' Three years ago, he branded a customer a 'wet wipe' for criticising the cost of a cup of tea at the cafe 'Large hoop earrings and big fake lashes in a cafe!' She added: 'Basic, expensive food to be treated the way we were. 'Even the customers sat around us said how rude she was and didn't understand why she didn't want to help us. 'She obviously likes to be awkward and doesn't enjoy working with people.' It is not the first time the cafe boss has been caught up in a social media row with a customer. Three years ago, he branded a customer a 'wet wipe' for criticising the cost of a cup of tea at the cafe. For the celebrities and criminals jam-packed into the East End church to witness the marriage of gangster Reggie Kray to his young bride Frances Shea, the tense atmosphere was not helped by the behaviour of his twin Ronnie as they awaited her arrival. Cal McCrystal, one of the journalists invited to report on what the image-obsessed Reggie had promised would be the East End wedding of the year, noted how Ronnie added his own menacing twist to the role of best man as he sat in the front pew. He kept shrugging his shoulders with impatience and turning around to glare at everyone, he recalled. Very disconcerting. The tension on that Saturday in April 1965 became even more obvious when the organist launched into the traditional marriage hymn Love Divine All Loves Excelling. No one was singing, said McCrystal. It felt like very few of these people had even been inside a church before. Then, suddenly, Ronnie yelled out, Sing, f*** you, sing! Unfortunately, that coincided with a break in the organ music. So they all heard it and tried to obey Ron by making throaty noises. When Frances arrived, wearing a stunning confection of ivory satin and lace and clutching a posy of blood-red rosebuds, it was on the arm of her brother Frankie her father, Frank senior, having refused to give her away. He and her mother Elsie were among only a handful of people on the brides side, sitting glum and straight-faced with Elsie dressed in a pointedly funereal outfit. Yet another reason for Reggie to despise his mother-in-law. Notorious London gangster Ronnie Kray with brother Reggie and Frances on the day of their wedding in April 1965 The ceremony had to be conducted by a junior priest called Father Foster because his senior colleague Father Hetherington, who had known the twins for years, had refused to officiate. How well he understood that this marriage, born out of Reggies desire to present himself to the world as a normal, respectable man with a beautiful young wife, was never going to be anything other than a fake in every way. There was no joy or sense of celebration during or after the service. It was a media event, no more, no less, with David Bailey, an East End boy whose fame was already soaring sky high in the Sixties, arriving at the church in a blue Rolls-Royce and taking photos as a gift to the couple. The reception was at a hotel in north London where only three months previously the twins had been arrested on charges of demanding money with menaces, also known as blackmail a rap they escaped by hiring the best and most expensive lawyers. Afterwards, the brides brother Frankie went home with a heavy heart, convinced that Reggie had only started dating his sister as an act of twisted sexual revenge. Both of the Kray twins had been having sex with men since their teens and Ronnie wasnt exactly shy about his preferences for ever surrounded by a coterie of handsome youths, preferably heterosexual so that he could claim to have turned them. Reggie never openly showed any signs of being interested in men but his second wife Roberta confirmed in her book Reg Kray: A Man Apart, that he had experimented, as many young men do, finally acknowledging in his 50s that he was bisexual. One horrifying example of this experimentation was described by south London protection racketeer Billy Howard. He claimed that one night the twins drove to the so-called meat rack of male prostitutes outside the Regent Palace Hotel, near Piccadilly Circus, and picked up a youth. Frankie Shea at his sister Frances's wedding. A young car dealer, Frankie struck up a friendship with Reggie until one night he awoke in his car to find Reggie attempting a sex act on him According to Howard, they broke into a house in Chelsea and made use of the rent boy simultaneously, choking him to death in the process. They then put the body in the boot of the car and disposed of it in Norfolk, one of the many crimes that the Kray twins would never be held to account for. While their mother Violet was tolerant of homosexuality, their father Charlie senior couldnt disguise his dislike of what they were doing and it was he who intervened on the night that Reggie made a move on Frankie. Frankie and Frances were raised by Frank and Elsie, a woodworker and a seamstress, in a tiny terrace house in Shoreditch, about a mile from the Kray family home in Vallance Road, Bethnal Green. Two years older than Frances, who was born in September 1943, Frankie had dark good looks and, by the age of 18, he was establishing himself as a car dealer soon attracting the attention of Reggie Kray, who was looking to replace his own vehicle at the time. They struck up a friendship that led to Frankie becoming Reggies chauffeur. He was a good-looking kid with brown eyes, dark hair and an olive complexion, recalled Reggie in his autobiography. As a driver he was the best I had come across, while his personality made him exceptional company. One night, when theyd all been drinking too much, Frankie went back to Vallance Road with Reggie. After passing out, he woke up with a start to find Reggie attempting oral sex on him. Panicked, he started shouting and screaming, loudly enough for Charlie senior and one of Reggies uncles to hear him and, thankfully, step in and pull the inebriated Reggie away in disgust. Ashamed and scared, the teenage Frankie had quickly dived for his stuff and bolted out into the street. The discovery that someone hed looked up to wanted to do those things to him shocked and frightened him. This was a man with a reputation for a killer punch. His twin was renowned for his preference for cutlasses and knives over razors more power in the slashing. What was going to happen now? The answer appeared to be nothing. The next time he saw Reggie in the shabby, run-down billiard hall which had become the Krays operation base, he acted as if the whole thing had been a dream. Frankie was relieved. Reggie seemed to have got the message. But then, without warning, he was taking Frances out. In Frankies mind, there was never any doubt: Reggie had started courting Frances to get back at him for that drunken rejection. Ten years her senior, Reggie would later claim that he met Frances while visiting Frankie at the Shea house when she was 16. But this is contradicted by his own letters to her, revealing that she was only 15 and still at school at the time. People later presumed that she was a classic gangsters moll, a good-looking clothes horse who was not especially intelligent. In fact, she was a grammar school girl who, suffering from depression even before her relationship with Reggie, sought solace in poetry and literature. In one of her notebooks she copied out Maud, a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson which makes for chilling and prophetic reading, dealing as it does with themes of suicide and other untimely deaths. In other ways, she was a typical teenager of the time. She liked dancing, reading womens magazines, checking out the latest fashions, getting her hair done. Reggie would be chuffed when one of his friends told him that Frances looked just like Brigitte Bardot. To him, she represented a trophy, someone to show off as a partner for the successful businessman he believed hed become. He later told the pretty, auburn-haired girl with the big eyes that he had fallen in love with her at first sight. He certainly seemed convinced that he had, but love and obsession are very different things and Reggie was as determined to own her, body and soul, as Ronnie was to drive them apart. Ronnie had always stamped on any hint of Reggies attraction to the opposite sex as a threat to their twinship. Women, he would tell Reggie, smell and give you diseases. He thought his brother was being a cissy looking at them. Aint she got orrible legs, hed say about Frances. The sneering and jibing led to furious fighting between the brothers. While Reggie saw creating an aura of menace around the twins as a way of making real money from their gambling clubs, pubs and businesses, Ronnie was violent just for the fun of it. In November 1956, he had been jailed for three years for his part in murdering a rival gang member in a psychotic attack in a local pub, and this had been a turning point for the twins. For the first time since they were three, when a bout of diphtheria separated them in hospital, they were apart and Reggie started to focus more clearly on what he wanted. Without Ronnie goading him and dominating his existence, he had started to see the appeal of a more normal existence, involving a nice home with marriage and children to complete the picture. This was another reason for him to pursue Frances, an impressionable teenager lured by the glamour of a good-looking, older man with expensive tastes in both cars and clothes. Although he was a lousy driver, Reggie was mad about new cars and would draw up outside the Sheas humble East End two-up, two-down in a dazzling green Mercedes-Benz saloon, an astonishing sight around those still-battered post-war streets. For Frances, being with Reggie represented a golden pass for entry into the dazzling world of the movie star, the nightclub maitre d and the starched white tablecloth. After she left school at 15 to take a clerical job on the Strand he would meet her after work and theyd go to the movies. There were drives out to the country. Hed buy her clothes, jewellery, give her cash. The six years of their courtship followed a disturbing pattern: Reggie dropping Frances off at her parents house after a night out then continuing his usual nocturnal life with Ronnie in their ugly, blood-drenched and repressive world. In the summer of 1960, Reggie was jailed for two years for his involvement in a protection racket. In prison, he had far too much time on his hands to dwell on his obsession with his teenage girlfriend. Paranoid in the extreme, he couldnt stop thinking about her or about how, in his absence, someone else might decide they wanted to take Frances out. Or turn her against him. On September 2, 1960, he wrote to Frances, telling her he was in such a bad mood at not receiving any letters from her that I nearly choked a fella in my cell for having too much to say. After his release, they spent weekends together at the familys caravan in Steeple Bay, Essex, just the two of them. There, Frances felt they were like any other couple, but most of the time Reggie inhabited the gangster world. In the years to come, this resulted in frequent rows between Reggie and Frances and sometimes shed tell him it was all over. But hed insist they had a wonderful future together and shed relent. But there was a nagging question at the back of her mind: suppose she did break off with Reg for good? Who was going to dare to take out the Kray bird? If she wanted a new boyfriend, shed have to find a very brave man indeed. Trapped in the Kray web, her means of switching off from the increasing terror she felt was to start taking purple hearts a combination of amphetamine and barbiturates hugely popular in the early Sixties. Reggie took the same drugs himself but his cousin Rita Smith recalled him going mad when he heard about Frances taking them. He found out who was supplying them and he never supplied her again. Or anyone else. This was yet another indication of the control Reggie wanted to exert over every aspect of life for his living doll, as he called Frances, after the Cliff Richard hit of 1959. The Krays were intense and possessive by nature and much of Francess anxiety came from the increasingly scary Ronnie, whose violent impulses continued to scare the life out of everyone in their gang known as the Firm and to horrify his twin. One night at the Cambridge Rooms, a Kray-controlled restaurant on the outskirts of London, Ronnie went on a vicious knife-slashing spree, slicing open the face of an associate he believed had insulted him. Doctors had to put in 70 stitches to repair the mans face and only Reggies speedy persuasion of potential witnesses that theyd be better off staying silent saved him. Later in that autumn of 1963, there was another horrific incident at Esmeraldas Barn when a demented Ronnie branded a man along each cheek with a red-hot poker. Reggie worried that Ronnie was becoming so dangerous he might wreck their livelihood and believed he could escape by marrying Frances. For her part, she was getting close to being left on the shelf by the East End standards of the day. Girlfriends were already married, expecting their first child, and she knew that Reggie wanted children. Reggie loved children, recalled his cousin Rita. He used to say to me, Dont babies smell nice? He would have loved kids. His generosity to Frances knew no bounds and when she agreed to marry him he got her a fashionable red Triumph Herald. The announcement of their marriage came in April 1965 when the twins were released from remand in Brixton Prison, where theyd been awaiting trial on those blackmail charges. As his twin climbed out of the fawn Jag that had transported them home from prison to Vallance Road, Reggie hugged Frances and told the waiting Press how happy he was to be back with his sweetheart. Yes, they were getting married. Yes, it would be very soon. Frances cuddled their little dog, Mitzi, and posed for photos with Reggie. Her hair was now a reddish blonde and her Indian cotton smock-top a fashion statement. For that brief moment in the spring sunshine, it seemed Frances had convinced herself that Regs dreams of their golden future were becoming reality. Reggie Kray appeared to be her knight in shining armour. But was he? Or had Reggie merely told her she had no choice that if she didnt marry him, there would be trouble ahead for her family. Francess father had also been woven into the Krays web, working as a croupier at one of their clubs. But her mother Elsie wasnt fooled by any of the twins two-faced posing with film stars such as Judy Garland. She knew they went round knifing people, doing terrible things to anyone who stood up to them or got in their way. Eventually Frank Snr sided with his wife and declared that the wedding could not happen. But Frances ignored them and focused on her big day, choosing the dress, working out how shed do her hair. Helpless against the might of the Kray twins, there was nothing her parents could do to stop what Reggie promised would be the East End wedding of the year but, as we will see in tomorrows Mail on Sunday, they had every reason to fear for both their daughters future and their own. Adapted from Frances Kray The Tragic Bride by Jacky Hyams (John Blake, 9.99). Jacky Hyams 2014. To order a copy for 8.99 (offer valid to 26/04/25; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937 The family of a retired butcher who was killed while walking his dog have told of their 'nightmare' as his attacker, a psychiatric patient, is now let out on visits. Lewis Stone, 71, was on holiday in the seaside Welsh village of Borth, Ceredigion, in February 2019 when he was repeatedly stabbed by David Fleet, then 21. Fleet, who suffers schizophrenia, had been released from a secure psychiatric unit - a move his own mother questioned at the time - just ten days beforehand. After three months of fighting for his life, Mr Stone sadly died from his injuries. Six years on, his family have been told Fleet will be allowed overnight leave from the secure psychiatric unit he has been held in indefinitely since pleading guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Fleet set upon Mr Stone because he heard voices in his head saying they were going to kill him and take over his brain if he did not attack someone, the court heard at his sentencing. Mr Stone's stepdaughter Vicki Lindsay has now dubbed the attack itself 'just the beginning of our nightmare', saying she was not shocked when she was told yesterday about Fleet's overnight release: 'It's been kicks in the teeth throughout.' She added: 'Whoever makes these decisions doesn't consider my family at all, it's like they are sticking a middle finger up at us and saying "deal with it". I just hope my fears don't run true that he does it again.' Lewis Stone (pictured), 71, was on holiday in the seaside Welsh village of Borth, Ceredigion, in February 2019 when he was repeatedly stabbed by David Fleet, then 21 Ms Lindsay said: 'I thought that February 28, 2019, when Lewis was attacked, and the three months that followed before he died from his injuries, was the worst period of our lives. 'Little did I know however that that was just the beginning of our nightmare. As victims, we have been treated disgracefully. 'We still do not know why the killer was released 10 days before he attacked Lewis, who made that decision and why, and who is going to be held accountable for it. 'We have been kept completely in the dark and treated like dirt on the bottom of the NHS's shoes. 'But as if all that were not bad enough, only six years on, we now get to live knowing that the killer is now allowed out at night-time and will surely be released permanently soon. 'What kind of a country is this that we live in where victims of killings are treated like this? 'In Lewis's name, our family will not stop fighting until we get justice for him and those responsible for his death are held to account.' The decision to release people on indefinite detention, such as Fleet, is made by the Ministry of Justice, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State Shabana Mahmood. Fleet (pictured), who suffers schizophrenia, had been released from a secure psychiatric unit - a move his own mother questioned at the time - just ten days beforehand At around 9.20am on February 28, 2019, Mr Stone left his holiday home in the Welsh village of Borth where he had been staying with his wife, Elizabeth, to walk his dog, Jock. Some 20 minutes later, on the banks of the River Leri, he came across Fleet at random, who stabbed him several times. Fleet had been detained under the Mental Health Act in October 2018 but was sent home ten days before the attack - despite his mother raising concerns about his release. After her son killed Mr Stone, Sharon Lees told the BBC she had been terrified when her son was sent home after being detained for just four months. She said: 'I just cried because I just don't know how I'm going to cope... he's over 6ft tall, I can't stop him from going out.' Recalling the dreadful day Fleet's behaviour spiralled, Ms Lees said she 'knew' something awful had happened. She recalled: 'I'm trying to phone him, trying to message him... I looked out of the back window and I could see the air ambulance. 'I just remember having this really sinking feeling. Like I knew.' The Welsh village of Borth, Ceredigion, where the attack happened She described the frightening deterioration of his mental health before he was first detained, including a terrifying incident in which he had 'severely self-harmed' in his room. This saw him prescribed anti-psychotic medication - but his mental health still worsened. She said: 'He seemed to think that we'd put something on his head to erase his memory. It was like he was seeing things that weren't there. 'It was clear that he was in psychosis. He started asking bizarre questions about someone watching us. 'Eventually he said to me that he thought he might have to kill someone because "people are watching us, there was hidden cameras everywhere and nowhere is safe" - that was when I said he had to come with me to hospital. 'We had to prise the knife off him to get him into the car and get him into hospital.' Fleet was allowed to come home for visits during his four-month detention, despite his mother claiming to have warned hospital staff he was looking for knives. The Stone family found out Fleet would be let out on overnight leave on Thursday. The Stone family's adviser and former NHS lawyer Radd Seiger (pictured, in 2022) said it was 'frankly outrageous' they were told about Fleet being let out on visits on the same day as they called for the NHS to publish its reports On the same day, Ms Lindsay called on the NHS to publish its internal reports on Fleet - so she and her family can understand why decisions were made and ensure lessons are learned. But Sharon Daniel, Hywel Dda University Health Board's director of nursing, quality and patient experience, has said the board would not be making reports public. The Stone family's adviser and former NHS lawyer Radd Seiger said it was 'frankly outrageous' they were told about Fleet being let out on visits on the same day as they called for the NHS to publish its reports. He said the family's demand for the reports' publication was a 'request for the most basic of human rights for victims of mental health-related homicide'. Specifically, he explained these are the rights 'to understand what went so badly wrong in the lead up to Lewis' killing and why on earth such an ill person was released on to the streets and left free to wreak havoc'. He concluded: 'Actions have consequences.' According to a BBC Wales investigation, a copy of an internal health board report into Fleet's care before the attack revealed that three weeks before the stabbing, a doctor had warned he was not ready to leave hospital because of his 'worsening mental state'. It also referenced the 'risks he posed with knives'. Mr Stone's family's wish to see reports on Fleet follows NHS England's reversal of its decision not to publish a full report into the care received by Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane (pictured) - who also suffered from schizophrenia However, he was sent home without his risk assessment being updated. On the day of the incident, Fleet did not receive a dose of his anti-psychotic medication. Mr Stone's family's wish to see reports on Fleet follows NHS England's reversal of its decision not to publish a full report into the care received by Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane - who also suffered from schizophrenia. That report - which was published in full instead of in summary in February, despite previous NHS concerns about data protection of patient information - exposed failings in Calocane's treatment. Calocane stabbed Barnaby Webber, 19, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, 19, and Ian Coates, 65, to death in Nottingham in June 2023. He was sentenced to detention in a high-security hospital - 'very probably for the rest of your life', the judge told him - after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Mr Seiger, who also advised the families of the Nottingham victims, said: 'As with the Nottingham attacks case, where the NHS was forced to disclose the full investigation report, despite their violent protests, the same will happen in this case even if it takes my last ounce of strength.' He said the health board needed to be transparent about why Mr Stone was killed: 'Shame on them and their legal advisers for putting Lewis's family through this, shame on them.' Calocane stabbed Barnaby Webber (centre), 19, Grace O'Malley-Kumar (right), 19, and Ian Coates (left), 65, to death in Nottingham in June 2023 He described the ordeal as a 'disaster from start to finish' for the family, saying Fleet 'clearly and plainly did not receive adequate treatment as an inpatient'. 'There must have been serious errors of clinical judgment and a failure to do a risk assessment adequately or at all and manage that risk,' he said. Of the demand to release Fleet's reports, Ms Daniel, of the Hywel Dda University Health Board, said in a statement: 'The Duty of Candour for patients came into force in Wales in April 2023. 'At the time of this incident and concern, we fulfilled our duties to be open.' Asked if the health board would apologise to Mr Stone and Fleet's families, she said: 'In the event of serious incidents, we have robust processes in place for reviewing internally, identifying any issues, and where appropriate, preparing an improvement plan to prevent such an occurrence in the future. 'We regret such incidents and always seek to learn from them.' A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'We understand this decision will be difficult for the Stone family, and our thoughts are with them. 'Any decision to approve access to the community is only made after a thorough risk assessment and with strict safeguards in place.' Charging 4 for an espresso is driving coffee drinkers in London to boiling point, the boss of one of the world's biggest roasters has said. Antonio Baravalle, chief executive of Italian brand Lavazza, said speculation about the price of coffee on international markets had pushed the cost of beans and, by extension, the drink itself to the 'limit'. 'It's like when you see the New York Stock Exchange market going up, up, up, up and you say sooner or later it will collapse,' he added. Coffee bean prices have soared globally as bad weather in major growing regions such as Brazil and Vietnam disrupted harvests. The supply squeeze pushed the cost of higher-quality arabica beans to a record high of $4.39 (3.36) per pound in February. But prices have recently plunged to around $3.45 (3.64) amid fears that US tariffs slapped on imports by Donald Trump will curb coffee demand from American drinkers. Lavazza is among those likely to be hit by the tariffs as it ships its products to the US from the EU. The Italian firm makes around 400million (347million from sales in America. The firm did begin roasting and packaging beans in the US in 2022, but Mr Baravalle told the FT it would take two years to expand capacity to offset the impact of tariffs. Antonio Baravalle, head of one of the world's biggest roasters, says customers have reached their limit with rising coffee prices (File image) Coffee costs are expected to rise even further as the climate crisis targets bean harvests (File image) He also expected sales to fall this year, despite the company reporting a 9.1 per cent increase in 2024, as rising coffee prices caused consumers to cut back on their morning latte. 'When I see three, four pounds for an espresso in London, or eight [dollars] for a cappuccino in New York... I see the limit,' Mr Baravalle said. But coffee drinkers seething over the rising cost could be in for even more pain, with climate change expected to keep hitting bean harvests into the future as weather patterns become more extreme. The UN warned in a report last month that coffee export prices might rise further this year. Some coffee producers have opted for cheaper types of beans to offset the rising costs, but Mr Baravalle said Lavazza had not followed suit, squeezing its profit margins. 'We decided not to change our blends and we decided to partially absorb the cost of raw materials,' he added. Coffee drinkers will find themselves in a similar position to chocolate lovers, who have also been suffering in recent years as bad weather has pushed up the cost of cocoa beans on global markets. Boris Johnson has criticised the jailing of a childminder for a tweet about the Southport murders. The former prime minister said the 31-month sentence does 'huge damage to this country's global reputation as a haven for free expression'. He called the jailing of Lucy Connolly, who is married to a Conservative councillor, a 'propaganda gift to our enemies'. On July 29 last year, Axel Rudakubana stabbed 13 people at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, including eight children, three of whom died. Almost immediately, false rumours spread online that Rudakubana was an illegal migrant. In fact, he had been born in Cardiff to parents who had emigrated from Rwanda. That afternoon, in a post on X which Mr Johnson concedes was 'disgusting' and 'vile', Connolly, still believing Rudakubana was in the country illegally, said: 'Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f*****g hotels full of the b******s for all I care, while you're at it take the treacherous government and politicians with them. 'I feel physically sick knowing what these families will now have to endure. If that makes me racist so be it.' She deleted the post within four hours after a backlash but it had already been viewed 310,000 times. Boris Johnson has condemned the jailing of 42-year-old Lucy Connolly (pictured) over a social media post published in the wake of the Southport stabbings The former PM, pictured here in 2021, said the 31-month sentence harms the UK's reputation as a protector of freedom of expression In July, Axel Rudakubana (pictured) stabbed 13 people at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Merseyside, including eight children, three of whom died In the days following the murders, Britain was engulfed by riots where hotels housing asylum seekers were targeted by arsonists. Connolly, 42, of Northampton, was jailed for two years and seven months in October after admitting publishing threatening or abusive material intending to stir up racial hatred. The judge drew a direct link between her post and the violence. Speaking to the Mail, Mr Johnson claimed the lengthy deterrent sentence could serve to bolster the likes of Vladimir Putin if Britain is seen as a country which does not tolerate 'free speech'. 'A mother and childminder with no previous convictions was jailed for 31 months because of a rapidly deleted tweet,' he said. 'This has caused amazement among our friends and allies notably in America where they have constitutional protections for free speech. 'And it has caused glee among the despots and tyrants of the world. Putin can point to this and other such cases and claim that you are far more likely to be arrested in the UK for what you write on social media than you are in Russia. 'The claim is in one sense absurd since his regime actually murders journalists and brutally suppresses free speech. But we are handing a propaganda gift to our enemies.' The chief DEI officer at NASA's jet propulsion lab was fired after her title was changed to hide her from Donald Trump's war on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Trump and 'First Buddy' Elon Musk have been happy warriors against DEI, working to rid the federal government of what they call unfair practices. Neela Rajendra had run the lab's central diversity office, at one point arguing that having deadlines for work projects undermine inclusion, according to The Washington Free Beacon. However, amid a series of 900 job cuts due to budgeting issues made in 2024, the diversity office was cut but Rajendra was mysteriously kept on. She'd had all references to DEI washed from from her title but reportedly kept many of the same job duties as 'head of employee success.' In early March, Rajendra was still in charge of the lab's 'Black Excellence Strategic Team.' However, earlier this week in response to reports she was being protected from Trump administration DEI cuts, the lab parted ways with Rajendra. 'Neela Rajendra is no longer working at [the Jet Propulsion Laboratory]. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made to our organization. We wish her the very best,' lab director Laurie Leshin wrote in an all-staff email on Thursday. Neela Rajendra (pictured), chief DEI officer at NASA's jet propulsion lab was fired after her title was changed to hide her from Donald Trump's war on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives Trump (pictured) and 'First Buddy' Elon Musk have been happy warriors against DEI, working to rid the federal government of what they call unfair practices She also said that the new DEI-lite Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success Rajendra was set to run was being relocated under human resources. The news comes as NASA has ended its diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEI) programs after all federal agencies were directed to 'terminate' the initiatives. Staff received an email in late January from acting administrator Janet Petro, which said the space agency is 'taking steps to close all agency DEIA offices and end all DEIA-related contracts in accordance with President Trump's executive orders.' The order is titled 'Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions.' NASA's email admitted that 'these programs divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination.' The space agency has spent at least $22.4 million annually on such programs. DailyMail.com had uncovered millions of taxpayer dollars were dished out for DEI data analytics and to help the agency 'embark on a venture to incorporate and deeply engrain diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility in the culture and business.' Petro, who is the first woman to lead NASA as its acting administrator, also urged staff to report colleagues who have attempted to disguise DEI programs with coded language. Earlier this week in response to reports she was being protected from Trump administration DEI cuts, the lab parted ways with Rajendra The news comes as NASA has ended its diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEI) programs after all federal agencies were directed to 'terminate' the initiatives 'There will be no adverse consequences for timely reporting this information,' the email reads. 'However, failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences.' The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the US federal government's human resources agency, has also created an email account to collect reports of suspected DEI initiatives. Kyle Sorensen, a software engineer who has worked for NASA, told DailyMail.com: 'I am really happy that they banned these programs. 'I am even happier that the Trump admin was smart enough to know that the organization would just try to rename themselves.' While the acting administrator's email appeared to criticize the DEI initiatives, the same message was sent to all federal agencies to pass to their employees. The Trump administration sent the letter to all heads and acting heads of government agencies in its first week in office, informing them all federal employees in DEI roles must be placed on paid leave. The letter also demanded all public DEI-focused web pages be taken offline, which was around the same time NASA sent the email to staff and removed its DEI website. The space agency's page now features a '404' error with the message: 'The cosmic object you were looking for has disappeared beyond the event horizon.' Rajendra had run the lab's central diversity office, at one point arguing that having deadlines for work projects undermine inclusion The Trump administration sent the letter to all heads and acting heads of government agencies in its first week in office, informing them all federal employees in DEI roles must be placed on paid leave An employee shared on X that they 'had DEI training and it was part of the employee reviews.' While Nancy Vreils, quality records manager at NASA, shared: 'DEI has ruined NASA. Innovation is non-existent.' NASA has engaged in DEI efforts for over a decade, first creating the Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Implementation Plan in 2012. The agency's DEI spending from 2022 to the present has largely focused on environmental programs. More than $1 million in grants went to 'assessing environmental justice in air quality, 'advancing environmental justice in Los Angeles and 'examining environmental justice through open source cloud native tools.' One grant, surpassing $150,00, was given to Cleveland State University to improve monitoring and management of urban tree equity. Oregon State University was awarded a commitment of more than $450,000 to study refugee farming decisions in Uganda. The grant's description showed that the results of the project will 'directly support place-based information of refugee self-sufficiency that is called for in Uganda's refugee response plan.' It's unclear how the findings would advance NASA's aims.